EP0406134A1 - Container with elastic bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container comprising a bottle (1) provided with an elastic section, which can be compressed against the intrinsic elasticity of the wall of the bottle. According to the invention, in combination, the wall of the elastic section comprises one and the same external rib, the cap (2) which is complementary to the bottle acts as a nut, and a non-return means (1f), (2e) makes it possible to oppose the expansion of the bottle, under the effect of the elasticity of its wall. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a container with bottle, which can be made, partially or entirely, of thermoplastic material, intended to contain a fluid expressed from the container under the effect of a reduction in the internal volume of the bottle.

By fluid is meant any product or material having a consistency or a state allowing flow through an opening of the container, under the effect of a pressure applied directly to a load of said product, or indirectly via a pressure gas in contact with said charge. Different products can meet such a definition, from the liquid state to the pasty state, passing through different more or less viscous intermediate states. The products or materials envisaged by the present invention can be of any kind, whether they are everyday consumer products, such as hygiene products such as a liquid soap, or consumable products, such as food products such as than sauces or condiments (for example mustard), or other industrial products, etc.

In accordance with document US-C-4 456 134, a container has already been proposed comprising:
- a bottle elongated in a reference direction, for the reception of a fluid content, the body of which is provided with two distinct sections in the reference direction, namely a relatively rigid upper section, comprising a single and same outer rib disposed helically around the reference direction, like a screw, and a low elastic section, which can be compressed against the intrinsic elasticity of its wall, in the direction of reducing the internal volume of the bottle ;
- A neck belonging to the aforementioned bottle, extending the body described above, by which the fluid content is expressed under the effect of the reduction of the interior volume of said bottle;
- a complementary part, mounted freely in rotation relative to the bottle, and around the reference direction this part comprises a screwing section, having a single internal rib arranged in a helix around the reference direction, in the manner of 'a nut, the inner rib meshing with the outer rib of the wall of the bottle.

Consequently, according to this solution, by screwing the complementary piece with respect to the rigid section of the bottle, it is possible to reduce the height of the elastic section of the same bottle, therefore to decrease the internal volume of the latter, and therefore express the content by its collar.

Such a container has the following essential drawback. By releasing the screwing of the complementary part, the latter tends to unscrew, in the direction of expansion as a reminder of the elastic section of the bottle, and therefore in the direction of increasing the interior volume of the bottle, and this under the effect of the intrinsic elasticity of the wall of said elastic section. This expansion leads to aspirating ambient air by the means for evacuating the fluid, and to introducing the latter into the bottle, in contact with the contained fluid charge.

If the product is sensitive to an action of the ambient air, for example can degrade by oxidation of the air, this introduction of ambient air is not admissible. Such a drawback is particularly unacceptable for food products, of the sauces or condiments type.

The present invention relates to a container of the aforementioned type, limiting or preventing any introduction of ambient air into the bottle, as and when the fluid content is emptied.

According to the present invention, three means are used, in combination:
- It is the wall of the elastic section of the bottle which is directly shaped according to the outer rib, in the manner of a screw;
- A stop, facing this elastic section, is provided on a component of the container, for example a rigid cap, kept fixed in rotation by the user;
- a non-return means preventing relative rotation back of the bottle, relative to the complementary part, in the manner of a ratchet, opposes the relaxation of the elastic section, in the direction of the expansion of the volume inside the bottle, under the effect of the intrinsic elasticity of said elastic section.

Thanks to the means of the invention, the wall of the elastic section is then progressively compressed relative to or in the stop located on the component of the container, kept fixed in rotation by the user, whether it is the part. previously defined, or a separate part. This compression, with correlative reduction of the interior volume of the bottle, intervenes without the possibility of turning back the compressed elastic section, under the action of the non-return means preventing the relative rotation of the bottle and the complementary part.

Thus, the interior volume of the bottle follows the emptying of the latter, and the remaining charge contained always fills completely or almost completely, the volume remaining available in the bottle, without leaving room for a substantial introduction of ambient air.

• - la figure 1 représente une vue en élévation d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un récipient conforme à l'invention, le flacon étant à l'état détendu, et rempli avec une charge d'un fluide
• - la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe selon l'axe du récipient montré à la figure 1, le flacon étant 'à l'état partiellement comprimé
• - la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2
• - la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe selon l'axe du récipient d'un deuxième mode d'exécution de l'invention, le flacon étant à l'état détendu et complètement rempli par une charge d'un fluide
• - la figure 5 représente une vue en coupe selon la ligne de coupe V-V montrée à la figure 4.

The present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 shows an elevational view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention, the bottle being in the relaxed state, and filled with a charge of a fluid
• - Figure 2 shows a sectional view along the axis of the container shown in Figure 1, the bottle being 'in the partially compressed state
• - Figure 3 shows a sectional view along line III-III of Figure 2
• - Figure 4 shows a sectional view along the axis of the container of a second embodiment of the invention, the bottle being in the relaxed state and completely filled with a charge of a fluid
• FIG. 5 represents a sectional view along the section line VV shown in FIG. 4.

In accordance with FIGS. 1 to 3, a container in accordance with the present invention comprises the following parts or components:
- a bottle 1
- a cap or additional part 2
- a closing element 3

All these elements are obtained in the traditional way by molding of a thermoplastic material

The bottle 1 comprises, in a single piece, that is to say obtained by molding in one piece, a body (1a), the essentials of which form an elastic section described below, a neck (1b) extending the body (1 a), as well as a hollow bottom (1 c), which can be concave inwards from the said bottle. This bottle 1 is intended to receive a charge of a fluid to be dispensed by the neck (1b), and flush with the upper level of the latter.

To this end, a perforable cover 4 is disposed in the opening of the neck (1 b), and the bottom (1 c) is or is not one piece with the body (1 a), depending on whether the bottle 1 is filled or not by the bottom.

The elastic section (1 a) has a generally cylindrical shape, and its wall is shaped by plastic molding according to a single outer rib (1 d), arranged in a helix around the reference direction of the bottle, that is to say - say height 5, like a screw. Finally, the rim of the bottle 1, opposite the neck (1 b), is provided with an external knurling (1 e).

The rigid cap 2 is mounted to rotate freely relative to the bottle, and around the reference axis 5. This cap successively comprises, from top to bottom according to FIG. 2, firstly an opening (2a) with a straight neck, secondly a neck (2b), ensuring a guiding in rotation from the outside of the neck (1b) of the bottle, thirdly a flange (2 c) for receiving the part of the bottle 1 opposite the bottom (1 c), and fourthly a base (2 d) forming the screwing section of the bottle 1, and shaped for this purpose according to a single and even the inner rib, arranged helically around direction 5, like a nut. The parts (2a), (2 b) and (2 c) described above, are of increasing diameter downwards, so that there exists between these parts, considered two by two, a shoulder situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis 5. The shoulder located between the neck (2b) and the flange (2c) serves as a stop for the elastic section (1a) of the bottle 1. The outer rib of the bottle 1 meshes with the inner rib ( 2 d) of the rigid cap 2, so that there is cooperation between the screwing section (2 d) and the elastic section (la). The opening (2 a) of the cap 2 serves for the evacuation of the fluid contained and expressed from the bottle 1.

As shown in Figure 3, there is between the bottle 1 and the complementary part or cap 2, a non-return means, arranged between the neck (1b) and the neck (2b). This means comprises two elements cooperating with each other, namely a rack (1 f), obtained in a single piece with the neck (1 b), having an annular shape coaxial with the axis 5 of the bottle, and a ratchet (2 e) meshing with the rack (1 f), also obtained in a single piece with the neck (2 b).

The closing element (3) is attached to the outside of the cap 2. This element, known per se, comprises a conical cap (3 a) provided at its top and in its center with an opening (3 b) of the fluid expressed this cap (3 a) is extended downwards by a ferrule (3 c) forming a tamper-evident collar, in contact with the shoulder between the parts (2 b) and (2 c) of the cap 2. A ring (3 d) for internal screwing is obtained in a single piece with the cap (3 a), and cooperates with a thread provided on the outside of the neck (2 b) of the cap. as long as the tamper-evident collar (3 c) is not removed, the closure element 3 cannot be screwed on. A skirt (3 e), still obtained in a single piece with the cap (3 a), seals with the external surface of the neck (2 a), as described below, when the element 3 is screwed.

In correspondence with the structure of the closure element 3 described above, the opening (2 a) is provided, in a single piece, with an axial punch (2 f), to perforate the cover 4, this punch being supported in the opening (2 a) by radial-elastic arms (2 g). This punch can be pushed back when the closure element 3 is screwed, by a shoulder provided in the opening (3 b).

The use of such a container can be described as follows, starting from the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

First, remove the tamper-evident collar (3 c). It is then possible to screw the closing element 3 relative to the neck (2 b) of the rigid cap 2 in doing so, on the one hand the punch (2 f) is pushed back by the shoulder of the opening (3 b ), to perforate the cover 4, against the elasticity of the radial arms (2 g), and on the other hand the skirt (3 e) comes into tight contact with the neck (2 a). Then we unscrew the closing element 3, to obtain the configuration shown in Figure 1, but without the flange (3 c) the punch (2 f) returns to its initial position, while an evacuation gap is obtained between the punch and the opening (3 b). The container is then ready for use.

For handling by the user, it is chosen to keep the cap 2 fixed, thanks to the external knurling (2 h), and to rotate the bottle 1, by the external knurling (1 e). The cap 2 kept fixed therefore comprises one of the elements of the non-return means described above, and the bottle l therefore comprises the other element of this same non-return means. And it is the same cap 2, by its shoulder between the parts (2 b) and (2 c), which serves as a stop vis-à-vis the elastic section (1 a). By manipulating the bottle 1 in rotation relative to the cap 2, the elastic section (1a) is compressed in contact with the abovementioned stop, as shown "in FIG. 2, against the intrinsic elasticity of the wall of this same section (1 a), and this in the direction of reducing the interior volume of the bottle 1. The fluid charge contained in the bottle 1 is then expressed under the effect of the reduction of the interior volume of the latter, by the neck (1 b), the opening (2 a), and finally the opening (3 b).

The non-return means (1 f) (2 e) prevents the relative rotation back of the bottle 1 relative to the cap 2, that is to say opposes the relaxation of the elastic section (1 a), in the direction of expansion of the interior volume of the bottle 1, under the effect of the intrinsic elasticity of the wall of the above-mentioned elastic section.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 representing the second embodiment in accordance with the invention, the same reference numerals designate the same elements or similar elements having the same function.

This embodiment differs from that described above, in that the container has four components or parts, instead of three, the additional component being a rigid body 6 for protecting the bottle 1, mounted to rotate freely on the cap 2 , around the axis 5, by an appropriate clipping shown in FIG. 4, but not specifically described. It is this rigid body which comprises a screwing section (6 d), similar to that (2 d) described above, cooperating with the elastic section (1 a), and shaped according to a single internal rib, arranged in a helix. as before, like a nut. And as already said, this inner rib (6 d) meshes with the outer rib (1 d) of the bottle 1.

The necessary non-return means is arranged at the junction between the rigid body 6 and the cap 2, and more precisely its flange (2 c), between these two elements. As shown in FIG. 5, the annular rack (1 f) is arranged outside the rigid body 6, and the pawl (2 e) inside the flange (2 c) of the cap 2.

According to this embodiment, the cap 2 is kept fixed in rotation, as above, while the rigid body 6 is rotated. This rotation causes the elastic section (1a) of the bottle 1 to be compressed, at the inside the rigid envelope, constituted by the roller (2 e) and the body 6. Thanks to the non-return means as described above, the same result is obtained as that defined with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Claims (10)

1) Container comprising a bottle (1) elongated in a reference direction (5), for the reception of a fluid content, according to which said bottle comprises a body provided with an elastic section (la), which can be compressed to the against the intrinsic elasticity of the wall of said elastic section, in the direction of reduction of the interior volume of the bottle, as well as a neck (1b) extending said body, by which the fluid content is expressed under the effect reduction of the internal volume of the bottle, the wall of the latter having a single outer rib (1 d), arranged helically around the reference direction, in the manner of a screw, and according to which a complementary part (2 or 6) is mounted to rotate freely relative to the bottle (1), and around the reference direction, and comprises a screwing section (2d), having a single internal rib arranged in a helix around the direction reference this, like a nut, the inner rib meshing with the outer rib of the wall of the bottle, characterized in that in combination:
- it is the wall of the elastic section (1a) which is shaped according to the outer rib
- a stop (2c) facing the elastic section (1a) is provided on a component (2) of the container, kept fixed in rotation by the user
- a non-return means (1 f / 2a) preventing the relative rotation in return of the bottle, relative to the complementary part, is opposed to the relaxation of the elastic section, in the direction of the expansion of the internal volume of the bottle, under the effect of the intrinsic elasticity of said elastic section. 2) A container according to claim 1, according to which the relative rotation of the bottle (1) relative to the complementary part (2, 6) is obtained by manipulation in rotation of a mobile component in rotation (1, 6), by relative to another component of the container which can be kept fixed in rotation, characterized in that the non-return means comprises two elements cooperating with each other, namely an annular rack (1f) coaxial with the reference direction of the bottle, and a pawl (2e) meshing with said annular rack, one of these elements being placed on the component manipulates in rotation, and the other element on the component kept fixed in rotation. 3) container according to claim 1, characterized in that the complementary part is a rigid cap com taking a base (2d) forming a screwing section, and a neck (2b) ensuring a rotational guidance of the neck (1b) of the bottle comprising a means (2f) for discharging the expressed fluid, said cap serving as a stop for the compressed elastic section (la) of the bottle. 4) container according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the component manipulated in rotation is the bottle (1), and the component kept fixed in rotation the cap (2), and in that the rack (1f) is disposed outside the neck (1b) of the bottle, and the ratchet (2e) inside the neck (2b) of the cap. 5) container according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a rigid cap (2), provided with a flange (2c) for the reception of the part of the bottle (1) opposite its bottom (1c) , forming a stop for the compressed elastic section (1a) of the bottle, and of a neck (2b) ensuring rotational guidance of the neck (1b) of the bottle, and comprising a means (2f) for discharging the expressed fluid , and in that the complementary part to the bottle is a rigid body (6) for protecting the latter, mounted to rotate freely on the cap (2). 6) A container according to claims 1, 2 and 5, characterized in that the component manipulated in rotation is the rigid protective body (6), and the component kept fixed in rotation the rigid cap (2), and in that the rack (6f) is arranged outside the rigid body (6), and the pawl (2f) inside the flange (2e) of the cap. 7) A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottle (1) has a bottom (1 c) hollow, in particular concave inward due to said bottle, whether or not attached to the wall of the bottle. 8) A container according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that a closure element (3) with tamper-evident ring (3c), is attached to the outside of the cap. 9) Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the closing element (3) comprises, in a single piece:
- a cap (3a) provided at its top and in its center, with an opening (3b) for discharging the expressed fluid, extended downwards by a ferrule (3c) forming a tamper-evident collar
- an inner screw ring (3d), cooperating with a thread provided on the outside of the neck (2b) of the cap, the screwing of the closing element being prevented by the stop of the tamper-evident collar against the cap (2),
and in that, in correspondence, the evacuation means (2a) of the cap comprises an opening, provided with an axial punch (2f), for perforating a seal (4) disposed in the neck of the bottle, this punch being supported in the opening by elastic radial arms (2g), and said punch being pushed back when the closing element is screwed, by a shoulder provided in the opening (3b) of the latter, after elimination of the flange inviolability (3c). 10) A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the closure element (3) comprises a skirt (3e) sealing from the outside with the neck (2a) of the cap, when screwing due the said closure element ( 3).

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