EP1391388B1 - Container with reinforced wall - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to containers and more particularly, but not exclusively, those intended to contain at least one cosmetic or care product.

For ecological and economic reasons, it is desirable that the wall of containers made by molding plastic material, in particular by blowing, or as much as possible, so as to reduce the material cost, while presenting a sufficient mechanical strength to allow mounting on the neck of a head of distribution within a production line running at high speed.

It is already known, to improve the mechanical strength of a container, to make the end wall, on which connects the neck, with steps concentric. This solution has the disadvantage of increasing substantially the size of the container and does not eliminate the risk of an accordion deformation of the upper part of the container if the force exerted is excessive.

Other solutions have been proposed, especially for containers whose body has an elliptical cross section, which consist for example of making ribs extending along the minor axis of the end wall.

There is a need to further improve the container's resistance to a force exerted along the axis of his collar, without unduly complicating the manufacture of the container. US-A-4,949,861 discloses ribs on the wall end and on the side wall of the container.

The invention thus has, according to one of its aspects, a container made by molding in a mold defining a joint plane, comprising a body having a wall end and a neck connecting to this end wall, this container being able to characterized in that the end wall has at least one recess extending in the joint plane over at least most of the gap separating the cervix from the periphery of the end wall. By "major part" we mean at least the half.

The presence of such a setback, which can be easily achieved because located in the joint plane, reinforces the mechanical strength of the end wall, in particular against axially exerted stresses when attaching to the neck of a device distribution, this fixing can be done by snapping for example.

With equivalent mechanical strength, the invention makes it possible to reduce the thickness of material or to use a less resistant material. A thickness of equal matter, the invention allows the container to withstand greater mechanical stresses and one can increase the rates of manufacture, for example.

The invention is particularly suitable for containers whose body is made by blowing plastic, because the location of the recess in the joint plane area makes it easy to blow and demouldable.

Finally, the recess can strengthen the container without increasing further measure its size.

In an exemplary implementation, the container body has a section oblong transverse axis having an axis of greater dimension contained in the joint plane.

The aforementioned detachment may extend from the collar towards the periphery of the end wall, on at least one side of the neck, and preferably on both sides of the neck.

Alternatively and better additionally, the recess extends from the periphery of the end wall towards the neck on at least one side of the neck, preferably two sides of the collar.

In addition to the reinforcement constituted by the aforementioned recess, the end wall can advantageously comprise at least one relief, for example another recess, a rib and / or groove extending perpendicularly to the joint plane.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the end wall has at least one rib extending from its periphery to the joint plane and a groove extending in the extension of this rib, from the joint plane to the periphery.

The container may further comprise two ribs extending on the wall each end on either side of a median plane for the container body, perpendicular to the joint plane. These two ribs can be connected to the collar and present a height that grows closer to the neck.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the container has four regions each substantially constituting a quarter of the end wall, two regions adjacent having axial positions, measured along the axis of the neck, different. Two diametrically opposite each other, relative to the axis of the neck, may have substantially the same axial position. Two adjacent regions can form, one same side of the joint plane, a step between them. This setback can be located in a median plane perpendicular to the joint plane and containing the axis of the neck, and reinforces still the mechanical strength of the end wall.

The recess extending along the joint plane can still be formed, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, between two regions of the wall these regions forming an angle between them when the container is observed in a direction perpendicular to the joint plane.

The end wall may have, at its periphery, a shoulder.

The neck may be provided with an annular bead, intended for example to allow attachment to the container, by snapping, a dispensing device.

The container may have a symmetrical shape with respect to an axis of symmetry, which can be confused with a longitudinal axis of the container.

• la figure 1 représente isolément et partiellement, en perspective, un récipient réalisé conformément à un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle, de face, selon la flèche II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus, selon la flèche III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'un récipient réalisé conformément à une variante de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle, de face, selon la flèche V de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 représente de manière partielle et schématique un autre récipient réalisé conformément à une variante de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue partielle, de face, selon la flèche VII de la figure 6,
• la figure 8 représente, en élévation, le récipient de la figure 1 équipé d'un dispositif de distribution,
• la figure 9 représente schématiquement, en perspective, le dispositif de distribution,
• les figures 10 et 11 sont des coupes axiales schématiques du dispositif de distribution, respectivement dans les positions fermée et de distribution, et
• la figure 12 est une vue schématique et partielle, de dessus à échelle agrandie, de l'orifice de distribution.

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents, in isolation and partially, in perspective, a container made according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a partial front view, along arrow II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a view from above, along the arrow III of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a partial view, in perspective, of a container made according to an alternative embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 5 is a partial front view, along the arrow V of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 partially and schematically shows another container made according to an alternative embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 7 is a partial view, from the front, along the arrow VII of FIG. 6,
• FIG. 8 represents, in elevation, the container of FIG. 1 equipped with a dispensing device,
• FIG. 9 schematically represents, in perspective, the distribution device,
• Figures 10 and 11 are schematic axial sections of the dispensing device, respectively in the closed and dispensing positions, and
• Figure 12 is a schematic and partial view from above on an enlarged scale of the dispensing orifice.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a container 1 made by molding of thermoplastic material, for example a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

This container 1 comprises an elongate body 2 and a collar 3 of axis Z which coincides in the example considered with the longitudinal axis of the body 2.

The neck 3 is connected at its base to an end wall which constitutes the wall upper 4 of the body 2 and the shoulders of the container. The latter is closed at its end lower by a bottom wall not apparent in the drawing, substantially flat and perpendicular to the Z axis, so that when the container 1 rests on a surface horizontal plane, the Z axis is vertical, in the example considered.

The body 2 may have a cross section of generally oblong shape, elliptical in the illustrated example. The upper wall 4 of the container 1 also presents an elliptical contour and extends generally transversely to the Z axis of the neck.

In the example described, the container 1 is made by blowing material plastic in a mold having two parts and the joint plane P of this mold contains the major axis of the cross section of the body 2 and that of the upper wall 4. The existence of the joint plane P can be materialized on the body 2 of the container by a net of material forming very slightly protruding on its outer surface. The small axis of the wall 4 is contained in a median plane M, perpendicular to the joint plane P and containing the Z axis of the neck, as can be seen in Figure 3.

A recess 11 is formed in the joint plane P to create a relief constituting a kind of "beam" for stiffening the upper wall 4.

In the example considered, the step 11 extends over more than half of the length of the gap separating the neck 3 from the periphery of the upper wall 4, and more precisely extends from the periphery of the upper wall 4, which comprises a shoulder 13, to the base of the neck 3, and partially delimits four regions 10, 20, 30 and 40 of the upper wall 4, these regions can still be described as half-shoulders.

Each region 10, 20, 30 or 40 occupies substantially a quarter of the wall 4, each quarter being defined by the intersection of a half-plane on one side of the joint plane P and a half-plane on one side of the middle plane M.

The two regions 10 and 20 are diametrically opposite each other relative to the Z axis and occupy substantially the same axial position along the Z axis. regions 30 and 40 are also located diametrically opposite each other by Z axis and are axially offset with respect to regions 10 and 20, in approaching the free end of the neck 11, a distance that corresponds substantially to the height of the recess 11, measured parallel to the Z axis.

The upper wall 4 also has reliefs that extend transversely to the joint plane P.

More particularly, in the example considered, the upper wall 4 has two ribs 50 symmetrical to each other with respect to the Z axis and which extend respectively in regions 10 and 20, these ribs 50 having axes longitudinals parallel to the median plane M. The ribs 50 have a height, measured parallel to the Z axis, which increases linearly from a value substantially zero from the shoulder 13 located at the periphery of the upper wall 4 to recess 11, to which they are connected. Their width increases slightly reconciliation of this setback 11.

The upper wall 4 also has two grooves 51 located in the each extension of a rib 50, each groove 51 having a longitudinal axis which extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the joint plane P. The depth grooves 51 increases linearly as one moves away from step 11.

The width of each groove 51 increases slightly towards the periphery of the upper wall 4, the longitudinal edges of the grooves 51 being rectilinear and located in the extension of the longitudinal edges also rectilinear ribs 50, when the upper wall 4 is viewed from above, as can be seen on the figure 3.

The upper wall 4 further comprises two ribs 52 diametrically opposed to the Z axis, which extend perpendicularly to the joint plane P between the neck 3 and the periphery of the upper wall 4, in the region of the minor axis thereof.

The height of the ribs 52, measured parallel to the axis Z, linearly increases as we get closer to the neck 3, from a value substantially zero to the periphery of the upper wall 4.

Apart from the presence of the ribs 50 and 52 and the grooves 51, the regions 10, 20, 30 and 40 are substantially planar.

Of course, the container may have reinforcements made otherwise without departing from the scope of the present invention.

By way of example, FIG. 4 shows a container 1 'whose wall upper plate has two trays 60 and 61 each occupying substantially half of the upper wall and respectively located on either side of the joint plane. Trays 60 and 61 are each with the Z axis of the neck 3, when the container is observed in a direction perpendicular to the joint plane P, a different angle, so as to form between they a recess 62.

In this example, the top wall has an elliptical outline of large axis contained in the joint plane.

The plate 60 is inclined downwards as one moves from the right to the left, as can be seen in FIG. 5, while the plate 61 is inclined towards the up when moving from left to right. The step 62 thus presents a height, measured parallel to the Z axis, which decreases from the periphery of the wall top of the container towards the neck 3.

It is still possible, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, to make a wall superior reinforced with neighborhoods forming between them recesses.

In FIG. 6, there is shown a container 1 "which comprises four regions 70, 71, 72 and 73 which occupy respectively one quarter of the upper wall of the container.

In the example considered, as in the previous ones, the upper wall has an elliptical outline, of large axis contained in the joint plane.

The regions 70 and 73 lie on the same side of the joint plane while the regions 71 and 72 are on the other side of the joint plane, the region 71 being diametrically opposite the region 70 and the region 72 diametrically opposite the region 73.

The regions 70 and 71 are substantially flat and occupy the same position axial measured along the Z axis of the neck 3. The regions 72 and 73 are offset towards the end free of the neck 3 with respect to the regions 70 and 71, so that recesses are formed between each region 70 or 71 and adjacent regions 72 or 73.

In FIG. 6, it can be seen that a recess 74 is formed between the regions 70 and 72, in the joint plane P, while a recess 75 is formed between the regions 70 and 73 in the median plane perpendicular to the joint plane and which contains the Z axis.

The presence of these recesses 74 and 75, as well as recesses similar symmetrical with respect to the axis of the neck 3, not visible in the figures, formed between the regions 71, 72 and 73, makes it possible to reinforce the resistance of the upper wall with respect to forces exerted along the Z axis.

The invention thus makes it possible to produce a container whose upper wall has a relatively low material thickness while being resistant to mounting by snap of a dispensing device on the container.

With reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, an example of such a device will now be described. dispensing device.

The dispensing device 120 shown in these figures comprises two parts, namely a first part 130 intended to be fixed by snapping on the container 1 and a second piece 140 that can rotate in one direction or in the other relative to the first piece 130, around a geometric axis of rotation X, which, in the example considered, is an angle of a little less than ten degrees with the axis Z.

The first 130 and second 140 pieces are made in the example considered in non-elastomeric plastics, of different colors.

The first part 130 comprises, as can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 in particular, an outer tubular skirt 131, intended to be positioned in the continuity of the outer surface of the container body 1.

A transverse wall 132 extending generally perpendicular to the X axis extends superiorly and inwardly the outer skirt 131 and supports a extension 133, X-axis tubular, which connects at its base to the transverse wall 132.

The first piece 130 also includes a mounting skirt 134 extending inside the outer skirt 131 and having on its surface radially inside, two teeth 135 each in the shape of an arc of a circle, intended to hang on a annular bead 7 of the neck 3.

A sealing lip 136 intended to be applied to the surface radially Inside the neck 3 extends down the extension 133.

An annular bead 138 is made on the extension 133 and the latter is closed at its upper end by an end wall 137. The extension 133 has a lateral opening 150 defined by an annular lip 151, of axis Y perpendicular to the X axis. This annular lip 151 extends from a recess 152. An annular groove 153 is formed around the annular lip 151 in the recess 152. The latter is delimited superiorly by a portion 137a of the wall End 137

In the example considered, the end wall 137 has an edge which is X-axis circular and which defines a cylindrical surface 160, generatrix parallel to the X axis.

The second piece 140 has an outer skirt 141 which surrounds the extension 133 and which is connected to an upper wall 142.

The transverse wall 132 has two thin steps 139 extending parallel to the minor axis of the transverse wall 132. These two steps 139 are intended to cooperate with axial ribs not shown in the drawing, made on the radially inner surface of the outer skirt 141, so as to create a point hard in the rotational movement of the second piece 140 and facilitate its positioning in the extension of the outer skirt 131 of the first piece 130.

The second piece 140 also has an inner skirt 143 configured to attach to the extension 133. The inner skirt 143 has, for this purpose, a rib annular ring 144 configured to snap onto the annular bead 138.

The inner skirt 143 has, on its radially inner surface, a notch 145 which extends axially and whose width is slightly greater than outer diameter of the annular lip 151. The notch 145 is delimited above by a portion 142a of the upper wall 142. Outside the notch 145, the skirt inner 143 has a cylindrical inner surface 146 of revolution about the axis X. The annular lip 151 is sealingly applied to this inner surface 146 when the dispensing device is in the closed position, as can be seen on Figure 10, which closes the lateral opening 150.

The inner skirt 143 and the extension 133 have respective surfaces 170 and 171 slightly conical which ensure a tightness of the assembly of the second 140 on the first piece 130, to prevent the product from flowing down between the extension 133 and the inner skirt 143.

The upper wall 142 has an opening whose edge is circular axis X in the example considered, which defines a cylindrical surface 180 of generator parallel to the X axis. The surface 180 defines with the surface 160 facing the wall end 137 an annular space of which an angular sector defines an orifice of distribution 190, opening directly to the outside and through which the product can leave the dispensing device.

In the example, the spacing between the surfaces 160 and 180 facing has a substantially constant dimension j the product to be distributed or not, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when this spacing varies circumferentially.

It can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 in particular that the upper wall 142 and the end wall 137 have respective upper surfaces 142b and 137b which lie in the extension of each other if space is ignored annular between them, which facilitates the cleaning of the surroundings of the orifice of distribution 190.

The operation of the dispensing device is as follows.

In the closed position, the lateral opening 150 is closed by the skirt internal 143, so that the dispensing orifice 190 does not communicate with the inside of the container 1.

A user can bring the dispensing device into position dispensing by causing the second piece 140 to rotate a half turn by compared to the first piece 130.

This rotational movement brings the notch 145 of the inner skirt 143 into view of the recess 152, creating a chamber allowing the product to flow from the lateral opening 150 to the dispensing orifice 190.

The product can flow towards the exit for example under the effect of a pressure exerted on the deformable wall of the body 2 of the container 1 to reduce its volume inside, or by bringing the container head upside down, if the product is sufficiently fluid.

It can be seen from Figure 11 that in the distribution position the outer skirt 141 of the second piece 140 forms an angle with the outer skirt 131 of the first part 130, which makes it easier for the user to visualize the change of state of the dispensing device.

Once dispensing ceases, a return air can be made by example thanks to a memory of the body 2 of the container 1. Given the weak existing gap between the end wall 137 and the top wall 142, the product present in the dispensing orifice 190 can be sucked back.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which comes to be described.

The container body may have a circular cross-section, for example.

It is also possible to fix on the container a dispensing device other than that described with reference to Figures 8 to 12.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression "Comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least a ", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (22)

1. Receptacle (1; 1'; 1'') made by molding in a mold defining a join plane (P), the receptacle comprising a body (2) having an end wall (4) and a neck (3) connected to this end wall, this receptacle being characterized by the fact that the end wall comprises at least one step (11; 62; 74) extending in the join plane (P) over at least a major part of the distance between the neck (3) and the periphery of the end wall (4).
2. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the body (2) presents a cross-section that is oblong, in particular elliptical, having a major axis contained in the join plane.
3. Receptacle according to any of the two preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the step (11; 62; 74) extends from the neck towards the periphery on at least one side of the neck.
4. Receptacle according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the step (11; 62; 74) extends from the neck towards the periphery on both sides of the neck.
5. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the step (11; 62; 74) extends from the periphery towards the neck on at least one side of the neck.
6. Receptacle according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the step (11; 62; 74) extends from the periphery towards the neck on both sides of the neck.
7. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the step (11; 62; 74) extends from the neck (3) all the way to the periphery on both side of the neck.
8. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the end wall includes at least one portion (50, 51, 52 ; 75) in relief extending perpendicular to the join plane.
9. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the end wall includes at least one rib (50) extending from the periphery all the way to the join plane, and at least one groove (51) extending in line with said rib (50) from the join plane towards the periphery.
10. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises two ribs (52) extending on the end wall (4), each on a respective opposite side of a midplane (M) of the body of the receptacle, extending perpendicularly to the join plane.
11. Receptacle according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that both ribs (52) connect with the neck (3).
12. Receptacle according to any one of the two immediate preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of the ribs (52) presents a height that increases going towards the neck.
13. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises four regions (10, 20, 30, 40; 70, 71, 72, 73) each occupying substantially one-fourth of the end wall (4), any two adjacent regions having axial positions as measured along the axis of the neck that are different.
14. Receptacle according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that two diametrically opposite regions about the axis (Z) of the neck have substantially the same axial position.
15. Receptacle according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterized by the fact that two adjacent regions (70, 73) on the same side of the join plane form between them a step (75).
16. Receptacle according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the step (75) is situated in a midplane perpendicular to the join plane and containing an axis of the neck.
17. Receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the step (62) is formed between two regions (60, 61) of the end wall, which form an angle between each other when the receptacle is observed in a direction perpendicular to the join plane.
18. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the end wall presents a ledge at its periphery (13).
19. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the neck (3) is provided with an annular bead (7).
20. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it is symmetrical in shape about an axis of symmetry (Z).
21. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it is made by blowing a plastic material.
22. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it is provided with a dispenser device (120) fixed onto the neck by snap-fastening.

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