EP0367646B1 - Packaging container - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging pot for marketing various products, comprising a container housed within a casing body covered by a casing lid which pivots about a horizontal articulation, with a resilient snap-action closure system releasable by manual action on an externally projecting lug. The container is clamped in a single-piece ring comprising a lower annular member which is integral with the container and a pivoting upper annular member which is joined to the lower annular member by means of a flexible hinge-strap, the two annular members being provided respectively with complementary snap-fastening elements, the top portion of the casing body being fastened around the lower annular member and the bottom portion of the casing lid being fastened around the upper annular member.

Description

The present invention relates to the packaging industry, and more particularly the molded plastic pots, with attached lid, for the marketing of various products, in particular cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and maintenance, as well as food and industrial products, such as creams, pastes, gels, powders, ointments, more or less fluid emulsions, milks, food products, paints.

For the marketing of such products, especially to the general public, we seek a presentation as attractive and unique as possible for the best price. In the case of mass-produced products, specific packaging is created for each product, but in the case of relatively limited series, which is the case for most cosmetic, pharmaceutical, maintenance or food products, most often uses standardized packaging, differentiated by specific labeling for each product, or product category of the same line. However, this standardization creates an unattractive uniformity of presentation.

The object of the invention is an inexpensive packaging pot which can be produced by assembling a minimal number of elements, part of which can be standardized and produced in large series, and part of which, specific, gives an original, personalized look to each product, thus overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional pots.

The subject of the invention is a packaging pot for the marketing of various products comprising a container housed inside a casing body capped with a casing cover pivoting around a horizontal articulation, with a snap closure. elastic erasable manually by action on a lug projecting externally; pot characterized in that the container is enclosed in a one-piece ring comprising a lower ring secured to the container and a pivoting upper ring connected to the lower ring by a flexible hinge tab, the two rings respectively comprising members complementary latching, the top of the housing body being secured around the lower ring, and the base of the housing cover being secured around the upper ring.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the reciprocal snap-fastening members of the two rings comprise a tab which is elastically manually pushable towards the inside of the pot, coming from one of the rings and terminated by a hook directed towards the outside in the vicinity of an external extension constituting a ratchet release push-button projecting outside the pot between the body and the housing cover, while an antagonist hook directed inwards comes from the other ring.

In order to make the accidental opening of it practically inaccessible to young children, such a pot may include two symmetrical diametrically opposite snap devices on either side of the articulation tab. Thus, it is necessary to simultaneously erase the two snap closures to release the lid and open the jar.

For industrial production at lower cost, a pot according to the invention comprises a standard assembly of assembled receptacle-ring and interchangeable housing elements, body and cover, adaptable respectively to the upper and lower rings of the ring.

In a simplified embodiment, a pot according to the invention can be produced in only three elements, the container and the ring forming a single piece coming from molding, on which a body and a housing cover are fitted.

In order to ensure good sealing of the container during the entire period of use of the jar, one can add to it a cap which externally fits the neck of the container and is integral with the upper ring of the ring.

To ensure a perfect seal until the first use, one can add a removable sealing cap, snapped elastically into an annular groove hollowed out inside the top of the neck of the container and having, on its upper external face, a tab. manual gripping surface.

According to a practical embodiment, the cover is in the form of a bowl, the gripping tab being entirely contained in the hollow and put out of reach until the first use, by a tear-resistant guarantee film sealed on the outer edge. around the lid.

In order to provide customers with a tamper-evident witness, a guarantee film, tearable at the first opening of the jar can also be sealed, marginally on the edge of the neck of the container, as well as possibly on the periphery of the lid.

The invention will more easily be understood on reading the detailed description and on examining the appended drawings which represent an embodiment of the invention, chosen simply by way of example from the numerous embodiments, adaptations and variants of the invention accessible to an informed technician.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique, en coupe verticale axiale passant par l'articulation et la fermeture d'un pot de conditionnement suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une demi-vue schématique, en coupe axiale en dehors de l'articulation et de la fermeture du pot de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique, en coupe axiale et pour moitié en perspective, de l'ensemble récipient-bague standard du pot des figures 1 et 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique, en coupe axiale et pour moitié en perspective, du corps de boîtier du pot des figures 1 à 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 3 du couvercle de boîtier du pot des figures 1 à 4 ; et
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique, en perspective, d'une variante de fermeture.

In these drawings:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view in axial vertical section passing through the joint and the closure of a packaging container according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic half-view, in axial section outside the joint and the closure of the pot of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a schematic view, in axial section and half in perspective, of the standard container-ring assembly of the pot of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 is a schematic view, in axial section and half in perspective, of the housing body of the pot of Figures 1 to 3;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 of the pot housing cover of Figures 1 to 4; and
• Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative closure.

In these figures, the corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals. The dimensions and the respective proportions of these elements may not be respected in order to make the drawings more legible.

The packaging jar represented in these figures essentially comprises a container 1 molded in one piece with a ring 7 surrounding it and comprising two coaxial rings in the form of vertical skirts = a lower ring 8 coming from the external lateral wall of the container 1 in extension of a horizontal flange 20, and an upper ring 9 connected to the lower ring 8 by a flexible articulation tab 4. A housing body 2 is snapped at its open top around the lower ring 8 however that a housing cover 3 is snapped at its open base around the 'upper ring 9.

Opposite the hinge tab 4, the upper ring 9 has a hook-shaped extension 5a, directed outwards and offset inwards, which encroaches on the lower ring 8 when the two rings 8, 9 are folded over one another, to cooperate with a hook 5b directed inwards, coming from the lower ring 8, in order to constitute a snap closure. A lug 6 coming from the upper ring 9 above the hook 5a, and projecting outside the ring constitutes a manual pusher making it possible to release the latched closure at will, by elastic deformation of the upper ring 9 at neighborhood of hook 5a.

The housing body 2 and the housing cover 3 are snapped into the lower 8 and upper 9 rings respectively of the ring 7 by conventional coordinated groove and rib assemblies 15, 16 respectively (Figure 2) except opposite the tab d hinge 4 and closure 5a, 5b in order to leave the freedom of deformation of the rings 8, 9 necessary for proper operation. Stop shoulders 17, 18, respectively, ensure good axial positioning of the housing body 2 and the housing cover 3, respectively.

Thinning 28, 29 and 30, 31 respectively of the wall of the body 2 and of the cover 3 in the vicinity of the articulation tab 4 and of the closure 5a, 5b releases these parts, for a better functioning of the articulation and a easier access to lug 6 for opening the pot. The end of lug 6 does not thus not exceed the outer envelope of the pot and is protected against accidental knocks, while facilitating the packaging of the pot.

Proper centering of the upper ring 9 on the lower ring 8 and consequently of the cover 3 on the body 2 in the folded position one on the other is ensured by the cooperation of two conical parts 19 complementary to the lateral ends of the rings 8 and 9 respectively coming into contact in the folded position.

The upper ring 9 is extended at its outer end by a notched inner annular rim 21, the recessed parts of which are extended by hooks 22 directed inwards. This arrangement allows the snap-on flat bottom 24 to be fitted in place and held in place by a cover 11 in the form of a flat bowl, the annular side wall 23 of which externally fits the neck of the container 1 to ensure the seal, lid folded down, during the use of the pot. The cover of the housing 3 has internally an annular rim 25 coaxial, the free edge of which abuts against the bottom of the cap 11 in the vicinity of the hooks 22 and of the wall 23 of the cap 11, which ensures a very effective joining of the cap 11 with the upper ring 9 and the housing cover 3 during the repeated manipulations of opening and closing the jar.

The inner edge of the container 1 is hollowed out with a shoulder 26 which serves as a support for the peripheral edge of a cover 12 in the form of a flat bowl, of which a rib projecting outwardly from the bottom engages in a corresponding groove 27 hollowed out in the marginal side wall of the container 1. A gripping tab 13 coming from the internal face of the bottom of the cover 12 facilitates its tearing off for the first use. This cover 12 provides a complete seal during the entire storage life of the pot. The tab 13 does not exceed the upper edge of the bowl of the cover 12, which allows the establishment of a guarantee film 14 heat sealed, or glued to the edge of the rim of the periphery of the cover 12. For have access to the tab 13 and tear off the cover 12, the first user must tear the film 14, thus leaving an indelible mark of break-in guaranteeing the customer against an earlier fraudulent opening of the pot.

Figure 6 shows a variant of snap closure. In this variant, a rigid hook 50a comes from the upper ring 9 and snaps into a rectangular cut 50b from the internal end 50b of a horizontal pusher 60 connected to the lower ring 8 by a flexible tongue vertical 110 delimited by two parallel slots 111, 112 of the lower ring 8. In this variant, the opening button of the case is thus secured to the case body, instead of the cover as in the example of FIGS. 1 to 5.

In the example described and shown, the container 1 and the ring 7 are molded in one piece, but it is conceivable to produce the container and the ring separately, and then to assemble them according to a known technique such as bonding or welding by ultrasound, although this requires an additional operation.

Furthermore, the cap 11 can be secured to the housing cover 3, by snap-fastening, gluing, welding or other known technique, instead of being snapped into the upper ring 9, as described and shown. We can also consider making by molding in one piece the cover 3 and the cover 11. However, it generally seems desirable to produce the cover 11 by molding in a more flexible material than the ring 7, the container 1, and / or the cover 3. A flexible material, such than polyethylene, allows better repeated interlocking, therefore better sealing, than a relatively hard material, such as polypropylene which, on the other hand, has a more attractive appearance and greater rigidity which are better suited to presentation, decoration. , and the consistency that is commercially expected from a pot of good quality and good appearance.

On the other hand the guarantee film 14 can also be sealed on the edge of the neck of the container 1 instead of the cover 12. For this, it is preferable that the shoulder 26 of the inner edge of the container 1 is sufficiently hollow so that the edge of the neck of the container exceeds the edge of the rim of the periphery of the cover 12. When the latter is snapped into the groove 27, if the two edges of the neck of the container and the snapped cover are of the same level , it is also possible to seal the guarantee film 14 on the two sections simultaneously.

Obviously, the shapes of the container 1 and of the housing 2,3 are not necessarily homothetic, the container-housing connection by the ring 7 allows very diverse adaptations, for example between a cylindrical container of revolution and a polygonal or oval housing. , Or other.

Claims (9)

1. Packaging pot for marketing various products, comprising a container housed within a casing body covered by a casing lid which pivots about a horizontal articulation with a resilient snap-action closure system releasable by manual action on an externally projecting lug, characterized in that the container (1) is clamped within a single-piece ring (7) comprising a lower annular member (8) which is integral with the container and a pivoting upper annular member (9) which is joined to the lower annular member (8) by means of a flexible hinge-strap (4), the two annular members (8, 9) being provided respectively with complementary snap-fastening element (5a, 5b), the top portion of the casing body (2) being fastened around the lower annular member (8), and the casing bottom portion of the casin lid (3) being fastened around the upper annular member (9).
2. Pot according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements for relative snap-fastening of the two annular members (8, 9) comprise a strip (10, 11) which can be resiliently thrust back by hand towards the interior of the pot and which is derived from one (9) of the annular members, said strip being provided with a terminal hook (5a, 50a) directed outwards in the vicinity of an external extension constituting a snap-fastening release push-button (6, 60) which projects outside the pot between the casing body (2) and the casing lid (3) whilst an inwardly directed oppositely-acting hook (5b, 50b) is derived from the other annular member (8).
3. Pot according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said pot comprises two symmetrical snap-fastening devices located in diametrically opposite relation on each side of the hinge-strap (4).
4. Pot according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said pot comprises a standard container-ring assembly (1, 7) and interchangeable casing elements, namely body (2) and lid (3), which are adaptable respectively on the upper (9) and lower (8) annular members of the ring (7).
5. Pot according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that container (1) and the ring (7) are formed by molding in one piece.
6. Pot according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said pot further comprises a cover (11) which fits externally over the neck of the container (1) and is secured to the upper annular member (9) of the ring (7).
7. Pot according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said pot further comprises a detachable protective sealing cap (12) which is resiliently engaged in an annular groove cut within the top portion of the neck of the container (1) and provided on its external top face with a projecting holding lug (13).
8. Pot according to claim 7, characterized in that the protective cap (12) has the shape of a dish, the holding lug (13) being entirely contained in the hollow portion and made inaccessible until the pot is used for the first time by means of a tearable guarantee membrane (14) which is sealed on the outer peripheral edge of the protective cap (12).
9. Pot according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said pot further comprises a guarantee membrane (14) which can be torn off when used for the first time, said membrane being sealed on the edge face of the neck of the container and if necessary on the periphery of the protective cap.

Images