DE602004006189T2 - Assembly for packaging and dispensing a liquid product - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator (10) for a liquid product package comprising a container (20) with a free rim (23) to define an opening, which is covered by a sealing closure (40) with a clip or screw lock, where the applicator nozzle (30) is attached to the container, and has an opener (38) to pierce the closure and free the flow path from the container, is new. An applicator (10), for a liquid product package comprises a container (20) with a free rim (23) to define an opening, which is covered by a sealing closure (40) with a clip or screw lock, where the applicator nozzle (30) is attached to the container, and is fitted with a distribution opening (36) as a flow path from the interior of the container to the application surface, the nozzle has an opener (38) to pierce the closure and free the flow path from the container and the applicator nozzle has a screw thread (32) to fit on to the container.

Description

The The present invention relates to a package for packaging and for applying a liquid Products, and in particular a device for packaging and for Applying a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or dermo-pharmaceutical Product. The assembly is particularly useful for packaging and for Applying a hair care product such as a hair loss preventing Hair lotion.

The Products designed to prevent hair loss are applied in the form of several doses, which are offset in time be applied.

Such Products can in crushed ampoules, for example glass ampoules. It But there is a risk of injury when breaking the ampoule as well when applying the product, as the broken end of the ampoule, which can be cutting, is brought into contact with the scalp.

These Products can alternatively be packaged in small bottles on which a dispensing attachment made of plastic is attached. So it is desirable that such an essay easily put on a bottle and then removed from the bottle, attached to another bottle becoming a different dose.

In other applications packaging and application assemblies are known which consist of a container having an applicator attached thereto. The publication GB 2 249 078 describes, for example, a container containing a liquid product, such as paint, onto which a coating applicator is screwed. In this document, the article is screwed onto the already open container. It is therefore necessary to open the container beforehand when it is closed, and then to screw the attachment onto it, which requires two separate gestures.

The pamphlets FR 2 811 372 . US 5 042 690 and US 4,898,923 describe application devices that are formed by a container that is sealed by a closure element and on which an applicator attachment is attached. In these references, the container is opened upon insertion of the essay, which perforates the closure element.

All but these documents describe containers, of which an opening of a membrane or a heat-sealed or welded Film is closed. The manufacturing cost of this so closed container are relatively high.

The publication FR 2 236 748 describes a dispensing cap which is screwed onto the neck of a tube which is initially closed by a cover film formed integrally with the neck of the tube. The attachment has a cutting element which is intended to pierce the cover when screwing the attachment on the neck of the tube. The attachment also has at its base on a releasable ring which comes against the shoulder of the tube in circulation and keeps the cutting element at a distance from the cover. Prior to a first use, the ring is torn off the remainder of the attachment so that the attachment of the attachment to the neck can be continued until the cutting element engages the cover film to effect the puncture of the cover film. To dispense the product, it is necessary to press on the walls of the tube to push the product into the attachment and to let it out through discharge openings provided in the attachment. With such a configuration, it is difficult to easily control the outflow of the product from the attachment.

The publication US 3,812,992 describes a feeding bottle formed by a container over which a nipple sits. The container is initially closed by a metallic cover sheet which is clamped onto the neck of the container, in addition a seal between the cover sheet and the neck is compressed to improve the tightness. Again, the cost of these sealed containers are relatively high. In addition, a cutting hollow point is provided within the nipple to pierce the covering film substantially around its entire circumference when the nipple is screwed onto the bottle. Since the tip extends over 360 °, strong friction is generated during the screwing process. Finally, such a device is not configured to conveniently apply product to a head.

The publication US 5,817,082 describes a container for pharmaceutical products. The container is closed by an elastomeric plug over which sits an attachment having a central tip traversed by a channel and intended to pierce the plug at one point. The product is then dispensed through the top by simple gravity by turning the container over. Again, such a device does not allow the product to be applied by conveniently controlling its flow.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to produce a unit for packaging and application, which has the disadvantages of the prior art Technology does not have.

It is in particular an object of the invention, such a structural unit at a lower cost.

It is another object of the invention, a structural unit for packaging and for application, which is easy to use.

It is also a further object of the invention, a structural unit manufacture, in which the essay several times in the same way several containers can be used.

It is also a further object of the invention, a structural unit for packaging and application, which makes it possible the product precisely and convenient to apply.

It is still another object of the invention, a structural unit manufacture, which has small dimensions, in particular to pack small product cans.

It is also an object of the invention, a unit less To manufacture size whose Ergonomics adapted to use only with one hand.

• – einen Behälter mit einem freien Rand, der eine Öffnung definiert,
• – ein Verschlusselement, das vorgesehen ist, um die Öffnung produktdicht zu verschließen, wobei das Verschlusselement durch Einrasten oder Schraubverbindung auf dem Behälter befestigt wird,
• – einen Auftragaufsatz, der auf dem Behälter befestigt werden kann und aufweist
• i) eine Ausgabeöffnung des Produkts, die mit dem Inneren des Behälters in Verbindung stehen kann;
• ii) ein Öffnungsorgan, das vorgesehen ist, um das Verschlusselement des Behälters bei der Befestigung des Aufsatzes auf dem Behälter zu zerbrechen, um eine Verbindung zwischen der Ausgabeöffnung und dem Inneren des Behälters herzustellen;
• iii) eine verformbare Wand, die sich als Reaktion auf einen auf den Aufsatz ausgeübten äußeren Druck verformen kann, um den Austritt des Produkts zu steuern.

The invention relates to an assembly for packaging and applying a liquid product, which comprises:

• A container having a free edge defining an opening,
• A closure element provided to seal the opening in a product-tight manner, the closure element being fastened to the container by engagement or screw connection,
• - An applicator attachment that can be attached to the container and has
• i) an output port of the product which may communicate with the interior of the container;
• ii) an opening member provided to break the closure member of the container upon attachment of the attachment to the container to establish communication between the dispensing opening and the interior of the container;
• iii) a deformable wall that can deform in response to an external pressure applied to the attachment to control the exit of the product.

There engaged the closure element of the container or screwed, the assembly can be made less expensive be as if the container from a heat-welded membrane is closed.

In addition, the leads Users just a single gesture to simultaneously view the essay on the container to attach and the container to open, so that the assembly for packaging and application relatively easy to use.

Of the Attachment may have a thread for attaching the attachment serves on the container. You can easily attach the attachment to the container and remove it, to use it again. Alternatively, the essay by clicking on the container be attached.

The deformable wall can be a curved wall or a bellows.

Of the Attachment can be obtained by molding from a single piece become. It can be molded from a single piece, in particular made of only one material, or alternatively, the deformable wall by overmolding, in particular by bi-injection, made of an elastomeric material. How to get one Assembly that consists of few parts and thus more cost-effective can be produced. The unit actually only has three parts, the container, the cap and the cap.

Of the Attachment can be a cannula have, formed at the end of the output port of the product is. So you can get the product accurate Instruct. The cannula may be off-center be arranged on the essay. You can leave enough space, especially in the axis of the essay to a sufficiently large deformable Wall to make the flow to control the product.

The opening organ can have the shape of a blade. The blade can be in the axial renewal a wall of the cannula be formed so as not to increase the space requirement of the unit and to facilitate the demolding of the essay. This way you get one relatively compact unit.

The Closure element can be a weakening zone which is designed to be in the engagement of the opening member to break with the closure element.

The closure element can be made of only one material. Alternatively, the closure element may be made of two materials. The closure member may, for example, comprise a mounting skirt made of a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic material and a central region obtained by bi-injection of an elastomeric material. The closure element may further comprise a mounting apron made of rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic Material and have a central portion which is formed by a foil, for example of aluminum, which is welded to the mounting apron.

Of the Edge of the container and / or the closure element can have rotation preventing means, which are provided to the Rotary movement of the closure element with respect to the container limit. The edge of the container For example, it may have unevenness associated with the closure element trained bumps come into engagement.

Of the container may have a concave bottom to the positioning of the thumb to facilitate. This improves the application's gestures.

• – einen Behälter mit einem freien Rand, der eine Öffnung definiert,
• – ein Verschlusselement, das vorgesehen ist, um die Öffnung produktdicht zu verschließen, wobei das Verschlusselement durch Einrasten oder Schraubverbindung auf dem Behälter befestigt wird,
• – einen Auftragaufsatz, der auf dem Behälter befestigt werden kann und aufweist
• i) eine Kanüle, an deren Ende eine Ausgabeöffnung ausgebildet ist, die mit dem Inneren des Behälters in Verbindung stehen kann, wobei die Kanüle auf dem Aufsatz außermittig angeordnet ist;
• ii) ein Öffnungsorgan, das vorgesehen ist, um das Verschlusselement des Behälters bei der Befestigung des Aufsatzes auf dem Behälter zu zerbrechen, um eine Verbindung zwischen der Ausgabeöffnung und dem Inneren des Behälters herzustellen.

Regardless or in combination with the above, the invention further relates to an assembly for packaging and applying a liquid product comprising:

• A container having a free edge defining an opening,
• A closure element provided to seal the opening in a product-tight manner, the closure element being fastened to the container by engagement or screw connection,
• - An applicator attachment that can be attached to the container and has
• i) a cannula, at the end of which is formed an outlet opening which can communicate with the interior of the container, the cannula being arranged off-center on the attachment;
• ii) an opening member provided to break the closure member of the container upon attachment of the attachment to the container to establish communication between the dispensing opening and the interior of the container.

The inventive unit is especially useful for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, in particular a hair care product, wherein the product has compounds on the Base of alcohol may contain.

apart from the above activities If the invention consists of a certain number of further measures, the following with reference to non-limiting embodiments to be understood will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1 a perspective view of a unit for packaging and for applying according to the invention;

2 an exploded view of the unit of the 1 ;

3A on average, the unit for packaging and for applying the 1 when attaching the applicator attachment to the container;

3B on average, the unit for packaging and for applying the 1 when the applicator is mounted on the container;

4 the assembly for packaging and application of 1 during use;

5 a second embodiment of a unit for packaging and for applying according to the invention;

6 a variant of the capsule of the bottle;

7 the opening organ of the capsule; and

8th a variant of the opening organ of the capsule.

If you look at the 1 to 4 refers, one can see an example of a structural unit according to the invention 10 for packaging and applying a liquid product designed to prevent hair loss. The construction unit 10 has a container 20 on top of which a mission essay 30 sitting.

The container 20 has the shape of a rigid bottle of thermoplastic material, for example made of PET. Alternatively, you can use a glass bottle. The bottle has, for example, a capacity of 6 ml. The bottle has a longitudinal axis X and has a cylindrical rotationally symmetrical side wall 21 on, one end of a floor 22 is closed. The floor 22 For example, a concave wall is provided to facilitate positioning of the thumb. The second end of the bottle ends in a free edge 23 , the one opening 24 Are defined.

To fix the attachment 30 on the bottle, the bottle has on its outer surface near the free edge 23 a thread 25 which is intended to cooperate with a complementary thread provided on the inner surface of the applicator attachment.

Between the thread 25 and the free edge 23 indicates the outer surface of the bottle grooves 26 whose function is explained below and which extend parallel to the axis X. The scores 26 may extend only over part of the circumference of the bottle, for example over two diametrically opposite ring sections on the bottle. Alternatively, the bottle may have grooves throughout its circumference.

The bottle also has a ring throat 27 on, between the rills 26 and the thread 25 is formed and which, as will be seen later, the attachment of a capsule 40 allowed on the bottle.

The order attachment 30 is intended to be screwed on the neck of the bottle. For this purpose, the attachment has a mounting apron 31 on that with a thread 32 provided on its inner surface, which is intended to be threaded 25 of the bottle. Alternatively, one can provide that the attachment is fastened by snapping onto the neck of the bottle.

The skirt 31 has a radial shoulder in its upper area 33 on that with a sealing ring 34 is provided, which is intended to be tight on the capsule 40 to hang up, how to get in 3B sees.

The attachment apron extends beyond this shoulder in a cannula 35 that have an inner channel 35a limited at the free end of the cannula in a dispensing opening 36 of the product. The cannula is formed on an edge of the attachment off-center to the axis X. The dimensions of the inner channel 35a are chosen as a function of the viscosity of the product, in particular to prevent the product from simply flowing by gravity.

The attachment apron 31 Also, in its upper part is a curved wall 37 locked, The arched wall 37 can deform when one exerts a pressure in a direction parallel to the axis X, to press in towards the interior of the essay. This deformation makes it possible to break the surface tension of the product within the attachment to allow product flow to the delivery port 36 to enable.

The essay 30 also has an opening member 38 which is used to a capsule described later 40 to break the opening before using the bottle 24 the bottle tightly closes. The opening organ is a blade 38 , which are parallel to the axis X up to a free edge 39 extends, which points to the bottle. The blade 38 is slightly curved to the extent of the attachment apron 31 to follow only over a circular arc section. How to get in 3A sees, is the free edge 39 the blade bevelled to its introduction into the capsule 40 to facilitate. The free edge 39 is also inclined with respect to the plane of the capsule to be broken, as in 7 looks to progressively contact the capsule. According to a in 8th illustrated variant, the free edge 39 two inclined according to two different inclinations areas, a relatively inclined first area 39a which is intended to start the cutting of the capsule, and a second, less than the first inclined region 39b for the finishes.

To limit the footprint of the assembly and at the same time produce a sufficiently large deformable wall, the blade is 38 formed in the axial extension of a wall of the cannula. This also facilitates the molding of the essay.

To improve the cutting even more, have the threads 25 and 32 preferably a slight incline so that screwing the attachment onto the bottle requires more than one turn to be completely unscrewed. One then gently cuts off the capsule, and one is sure to cut it sufficiently to expose the opening of the bottle.

The article is advantageously obtained by molding from one piece. It can be made of only one thermoplastic material, in particular a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyamide. Alternatively, the arched wall 37 be molded onto the rest of the essay and for example consist of an elastomeric material, for example Santopren ^® . In both cases, you get an attachment that can be washed so that it can be used multiple times.

According to a in 5 shown variant, the curved wall 37 through a bellows 137 be replaced.

Before the order attachment 30 is attached, the bottle of a capsule 40 made of thermoplastic material, for example PET, closed. The capsule is snapped onto the neck of the bottle. Alternatively, the capsule could 40 to be screwed on the bottle.

The capsule 40 is from an annular wall 41 formed, which is a weakening zone 42 which is intended to be cut. The weakening zone 42 extends along a circle, which is preferably located near the periphery of the capsule, to virtually the entire opening 24 to be able to expose the bottle. The weakening zone 42 can be from a circular section of the wall 41 are formed, which has a lower thickness than the rest of the wall. Instead of ent long of the whole circle to have a lower strength, the weakening zone may have a variable thickness, which may vary in particular jagged. The magnitude may vary repeatedly between two values along the circle, a first value corresponding to the thickness of the wall 41 and a second, weaker value.

The ring wall 41 extends over the lesser strength section 42 out in a mounting apron 43 which extends axially and which has a torus 44 on its inner surface, which is intended to fit in the throat 27 of the bottle. The attachment apron 43 also has grooves on its inner surface, which are not visible in the figures and intended to be with the grooves 26 to get in touch with the bottle. As a result, anti-rotation means are formed, which make it possible to limit the rotational movement of the capsule on the bottle. Of course, one could provide on the capsule and / or the bottle an unevenness of any shape other than grooves that could have this anti-rotation function. Alternatively or complementarily, one can choose the inner diameter of the mounting skirt with respect to the outer diameter of the bottle so that the clamping of the capsule 40 limited on the bottle, the rotational movement of the capsule with respect to the bottle.

A sealing apron 45 Concentric to the mounting apron is also provided on the capsule. It extends axially from the annular wall 41 between the zone of lesser strength 42 and the attachment apron 43 to an end lip 46 , The apron comes in tight pad against the inner surface of the bottle. The lip 46 is slightly inclined towards the center of the apron, to the introduction and centering of the sealing apron 45 in a neck of a bottle at fastening of a capsule 40 to facilitate on the bottle. Such a shape also facilitates distribution of the capsules on a production line, particularly by preventing their stacking. According to the in 2 example shown is the end lip 46 continuous. According to a in 6 variant shown is the end lip of tabs 47 formed, which make it possible to obtain a smoother lip.

The capsule 40 is also obtained by one-piece molding from a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyamide. The capsule can be made of a single material, or alternatively, the annular wall 41 produced by bi-injection of an elastomeric material.

According to a variant, not shown, the Auftragaufsatz 30 not on the bottle, but on the capsule 40 be screwed, which then has a thread on its outer wall. Next alternatively, the essay 30 click on the bottle.

To use the device, the user takes one from a capsule 40 closed bottle 20 , He fastens the tower 30 on the closed bottle by screwing it on the neck. When screwing the capsule with respect to the bottle remains stationary due to the presence of the grooves on the capsule by friction on the formed on the bottle grooves 26 prevent any rotation of the capsule with respect to the bottle. When screwing the blade comes 38 progressively engaged with the ring section 42 lower strength of the capsule, as in 3A sees until this section is broken. The discharge port then communicates with the interior of the bottle. At the end of the screwing process, the ring wall 41 the capsule completely dissolved and fall into the bottle, as in 3B shown. Alternatively, the ring wall 41 remain firmly connected to the capsule through a small radial section.

The user can then apply the product by turning the device over and placing the cannula on his head hair. How to get in 4 For example, the user holds the applicator by, for example, placing his thumb on the bottom of the container and his index finger on the arched wall. He can then control the exit of the product by pressing on the arched wall to allow the product to escape. It is enough if he finishes the pad pressure to finish the flow. The user masters the exit of the product perfectly. The assembly thus obtained is very ergonomic, and its miniature form is adapted for use between two fingers, so that it is very convenient to use. In addition, since the opening is small in diameter and located at the end of the cannula, the product flows very punctiform on the head, which makes it possible to apply it with great accuracy.

After the contents of the bottle has been applied, the user can add the attachment 30 Unscrew from the empty bottle for later use. Namely, the cap can be reused on another bottle under the same conditions as in its first use after being preferably washed.

In the above detailed Description has been given to preferred embodiments of the invention Referenced. It is clear that variants are added can, without departing from the invention as claimed below to remove.

Claims (18)

Assembly for packaging and applying a liquid product, comprising: - a container ( 20 ) with a free edge ( 23 ), which has an opening ( 24 ), - a closure element ( 40 ), which is provided around the opening ( 24 ) to close product-tight, - an order attachment ( 30 ) which can be mounted on the container and i) has a discharge opening ( 16 ) which may communicate with the interior of the container; ii) an opening device ( 38 ), which is provided to the closure element ( 40 ) of the container upon attachment of the attachment to the container to establish communication between the dispensing port and the interior of the container; characterized in that the closure element is fastened by snapping or screwing on the container, and that the applicator also a deformable wall ( 37 ; 137 ) which is capable of deforming in response to an external pressure applied to the attachment to control the exit of the product. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the attachment ( 30 ) a thread ( 32 ), which serves to attach the attachment on the container. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable wall has a curved wall ( 37 ) or a bellows ( 137 ). Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment ( 30 ) is obtained by one-piece molding. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the deformable wall by overmolding, in particular by Bi-injection of an elastomeric material is obtained. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the attachment ( 30 ) is made of a single material. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment is a cannula ( 35 ), at the end of which the dispensing opening ( 36 ) of the product is formed. Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the cannula ( 35 ) is arranged off-center on the essay. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening member ( 38 ) has the shape of a blade. Assembly according to the two immediately preceding claims, characterized in that the blade ( 38 ) in the axial extension of a wall of the cannula ( 35 ) is trained. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element ( 40 ) a weakening zone ( 42 ), which is designed to be in engagement with the opening member ( 38 ) with the closure element ( 40 ) to break. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element ( 40 ) is made of a material. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the closure element ( 40 ) is made of two materials. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge ( 23 ) of the container and / or the closure element ( 40 ) anti-rotation means ( 26 ), which are provided to limit the rotational movement of the closure element with respect to the container. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge ( 23 ) of the container unevenness ( 26 ), which with on the closure element ( 40 ) trained bumps come into engagement. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 20 ) a concave bottom ( 22 ) having. Assembly for packaging and applying a liquid product, comprising: - a container ( 20 ) with a free edge ( 23 ), which has an opening ( 24 ), - a closure element ( 40 ), which is provided around the opening ( 24 ) to close product-tight, - an order attachment ( 30 ), which can be mounted on the container and i) has a cannula ( 35 ), at the end of which a discharge opening ( 36 ), which can come into contact with the interior of the container, ii) an opening member, which is provided to the closure element ( 40 ) of the container during attachment of the attachment to the container to establish a connection between the discharge opening and the interior of the container, wherein the assembly is characterized that the closure element is fastened to the container by snapping or screw connection, and that the cannula is arranged off-center on the attachment. Use of a structural unit according to one of the preceding claims for packaging and for applying a cosmetic product, in particular a hair care product.