EP1444917B1 - Device for storing and applying a product - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a bottle (2) with a threaded collar (10) and an applicator (3) including a stem (4). An applicator component (5) e.g. brush, is disposed at an end of a stem and a cap supports the stem at an opposite end. The cap has a threaded part to be screwed on the collar and a ring (8) connected to the threaded part in a removable way. The ring is integrated to the collar while removing the applicator. An independent claim is also included for a process for manufacturing a conditioning and application device.

Description

The present invention relates to packaging devices and application of a cosmetic product, including care, and more particularly but not exclusively those intended for the application of a nail polish.

A device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known DE-A-10 104 042.

The nail polish bottles on the market have a variety of contents, most often between 7 and 14 ml. Associated applicators include a stem with a brush at one end and a closure cap having a threaded portion.

For bottles with a relatively large capacity, for example 12 ml or Moreover, the height of the body of the bottle makes it possible to use a relatively long rod. By cons, for bottles of smaller capacity, the height of the body of the bottle is lesser and the stem should be shorter, except to shorten the length of the bristles of the brush and lose flexibility and quality of application or increase the length of the cervix, which is embarrassing for the aesthetics.

However, it is desirable to have both relatively long hairs and a apparent stem length that is not too short to facilitate application.

The invention aims in particular to meet this need.

• un flacon comportant un col fileté,
• un applicateur comportant :
  • une tige,
  • un élément d'application disposé à une première extrémité de la tige,
  • une capsule de fermeture supportant la tige à une deuxième extrémité opposée à la première, cette capsule de fermeture comportant une partie filetée agencée pour se visser sur le col,

ce dispositif pouvant, selon un premier aspect de l'invention, se caractériser par le fait que la capsule de fermeture comporte une bague reliée de façon amovible à la partie filetée et agencée de manière à rester solidaire du col lors de l'enlèvement de l'applicateur.It achieves this through a packaging and application device comprising:

• a bottle with a threaded neck,
• an applicator comprising:
  • a rod,
  • an application element disposed at a first end of the rod,
  • a closure cap supporting the rod at a second end opposite to the first, this closure cap having a threaded portion arranged to be screwed onto the neck,

this device may, according to a first aspect of the invention, be characterized in that the closure cap comprises a ring removably connected to the threaded portion and arranged to remain attached to the neck during the removal of the 'applicator.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to benefit from an apparent length of stem more element of relatively important application, without compromising the aesthetics of the bottle, thanks to the ring at the base of the neck. In addition, the establishment of the ring can be done in a relatively easy and economical way, after the filling of the bottle.

It is also possible to make the ring and the threaded part so as to give the impression of a closure cap made in one piece when the applicator is in place on the bottle, which may be aesthetically favorable.

The expression "threaded part" must be understood in a broad sense as corresponding to the part of the closure cap which carries at least one thread, this last can be made if necessary on an insert fixed in an overcap. In this case, the ring can be removably connected to the insert or the overcap.

The ring may or may not have a thread.

In a particular embodiment, the ring comprises at least one first relief allowing its fastening by snapping on at least one second relief made on the neck. This second relief may for example comprise an annular bead and the first relief have an annular bead or teeth protruding radially on the surface inside the ring.

The ring may also comprise at least one relief arranged to retain by friction the ring on the collar. The ring may include ribs on its inner surface.

The ring and the threaded portion may be made monolithically or no.

The ring may advantageously be made at least partially by molding of plastic material with the threaded part, in particular with the overcap when the threaded portion has an insert and an overcap. The ring can be connected by bridges of breakable material at the threaded part.

The ring can still be arranged on the threaded part by being attached to this, the threaded portion and the ring being for example made in different molds. The ring may comprise for example a relief allowing it to cooperate by interlocking with the threaded part. The ring can thus not be connected to the threaded portion by bridges of breakable material.

When the ring and the threaded part are not monolithic, they can be assembled by snapping, friction, bonding or welding for example.

The ring and the threaded part can still be connected to each other by other fastening means.

The neck may comprise at least a first anti-rotation relief and the ring at least a second anti-rotation relief arranged to cooperate with the first relief of to prevent the ring from rotating relative to the neck when unscrewing the capsule closure leading to the separation of the threaded portion and the ring.

This first relief, made on the bottle, can be arranged to allow its crossing by the second relief during initial screwing of the closure cap on vial. At least one of the first and second reliefs may comprise a ramp facilitating this crossing.

The immobilization in rotation of the ring on the neck can still be obtained by tightening of the ring on the neck, especially when the ring has ribs on its inner surface.

The neck may have at its base a cylindrical surface or a surface frustoconical widening towards the body of the bottle, on which can come in support with a some tightening the ring.

The ring can be decorated.

The bottle can be made with various shapes and in particular with a shoulder at the base of the collar.

The bottle may be made of glass or plastic, and in particular be in a transparent material.

The capacity of the bottle may be less than or equal to 10 ml, in particular less than or equal to 8 ml, for example between about 7 ml and about 5 ml.

The apparent length of the rod and the applicator element may for example be greater than or equal to 25 mm. In the case where the application element is a brush, the apparent length of the free part of the bristles is for example greater than or equal to 12 mm.

The bottle may contain, for example, a product to be applied to the nails, especially a nail polish. The bottle may still contain a product to be applied on the face, especially on the lips. In this case, the bottle may in particular include a wringing member.

The application element can be flocked, especially for an application on skin or lips.

The length of the stem may be substantially equal to the height of the neck, the length of the stem being for example equal to 30% near the height of the neck.

The length of the application element may be substantially equal to the height of the body of the bottle, on which connects the neck; the length of the element application can be equal, for example, to 30% near the height of the body.

• visser sur un flacon comportant un col fileté un applicateur comportant :
  • une tige,
  • un élément d'application disposé à une première extrémité de la tige,
  • une capsule de fermeture dont la tige est solidaire à une deuxième extrémité, opposée à la première, cette capsule de fermeture comportant une partie filetée agencée pour se visser sur le col, la capsule de fermeture comportant à sa base une bague reliée de façon amovible à la partie filetée, le col et la bague comportant des formes agencées pour coopérer afin de retenir la bague sur le col lorsque la partie filetée est dévissée, au moment de l'utilisation.

The subject of the invention is also a process for manufacturing a packaging and application device comprising the following steps:

• screw on a bottle having a threaded neck an applicator comprising:
  • a rod,
  • an application element disposed at a first end of the rod,
  • a closure cap whose rod is secured to a second end, opposite to the first, this closure cap having a threaded portion arranged to screw on the neck, the closure cap having at its base a ring removably connected to the threaded portion, the neck and the ring having shapes arranged to cooperate to retain the ring on the neck when the threaded portion is unscrewed at the time of use.

The collar and the ring may in particular cooperate by snapping or by friction.

• visser sur un flacon comportant un col fileté un insert fileté duquel l'élément d'application est solidaire,
• rapporter une surcapsule sur l'insert, la surcapsule étant reliée à une bague de façon amovible, la surcapsule et l'insert restant solidaires lorsque l'insert est dévissé, le col et la bague comportant des formes agencées pour coopérer afin de retenir la bague sur le col lorsque l'insert est dévissé.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a packaging and application device, comprising the following steps:

• screw on a bottle having a threaded neck a threaded insert which the application element is secured to,
• report an overcap on the insert, the overcap being removably connected to a ring, the overcap and the insert remaining integral when the insert is unscrewed, the neck and the ring having shapes arranged to cooperate to retain the ring on the neck when the insert is unscrewed.

• la figure 1 représente en élévation de manière schématique un exemple de dispositif de conditionnement et d'application réalisé conformément à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, représentant le dispositif lors du dévissage initial de la capsule de fermeture,
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, représentant l'applicateur complètement retiré du flacon,
• la figure 4 représente isolément le flacon, sans la bague ni le reste de la capsule de fermeture,
• la figure 5 est une coupe axiale schématique du flacon de la figure 3, pourvu de la bague,
• la figure 6 représente schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe axiale, la capsule de fermeture du dispositif des figures 1 à 3,
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des coupes axiales schématiques et partielles de variantes de réalisation de la capsule de fermeture,
• la figure 9 est une vue éclatée, schématique, d'un autre exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 10 représente le dispositif de la figure 9 après vissage de l'insert sur le col du flacon,
• la figure 11 représente le dispositif de la figure 10 après mise en place de la surcapsule et de la bague,
• la figure 12 représente le dispositif de la figure 11 après retrait de l'applicateur,
• la figure 13 représente isolément et de manière schématique une variante de réalisation du flacon,
• la figure 14 représente un applicateur comportant un élément d'application floqué,
• la figure 15 est une coupe axiale schématique et partielle d'un flacon conforme à une variante de réalisation, ce flacon comportant un organe d'essorage,
• les figures 16 à 18 représentent de manière schématique et partielle, en élévation, des capsules de fermeture conformes à des variantes de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, et
• la figure 19 représente isolément et de manière schématique une surcapsule ayant une section transversale extérieure non circulaire.

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 is a diagrammatic representation of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the device during initial unscrewing of the closure cap,
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the applicator completely removed from the bottle,
• FIG. 4 represents, in isolation, the bottle, without the ring or the remainder of the closure cap,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic axial section of the bottle of FIG. 3, provided with the ring,
• FIG. 6 diagrammatically and partially, in axial section, the closure cap of the device of FIGS. 1 to 3,
• FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic and partial axial sections of alternative embodiments of the closure cap,
• FIG. 9 is an exploded schematic view of another embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 10 represents the device of FIG. 9 after screwing the insert onto the neck of the bottle,
• FIG. 11 represents the device of FIG. 10 after putting in place the overcap and the ring,
• FIG. 12 represents the device of FIG. 11 after removal of the applicator,
• FIG. 13 represents in isolation and schematically an alternative embodiment of the bottle,
• FIG. 14 represents an applicator comprising a flocked application element,
• FIG. 15 is a schematic and partial axial section of a bottle according to an embodiment variant, this bottle comprising a wiper member,
• FIGS. 16 to 18 show diagrammatically and partially, in elevation, closure caps according to alternative embodiments of the invention, and
• FIG. 19 represents, in isolation and schematically, an overcap with an outer non-circular cross section.

The packaging and application device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a bottle 2, made for example of glass or plastic, and a applicator 3 comprising a rod 4, provided at its lower end with an element application 5 such as for example a brush, and connected at its upper end to a closure cap 6, which has a threaded portion 7 and a ring 8 in part lower.

The rod 4 is for example a hollow rod inside which the tuft of bristles of the brush is inserted, the apparent length l of the bristles being for example 12 mm or more.

The rod 4 can be fixed inside the closure cap 6 so that conventionally by means of an insert which may serve to further ensure tight closure of the bottle.

The threaded portion 7 is intended to be screwed onto the neck 10 of the bottle 2, this neck 10 being provided with a thread 11.

According to one aspect of the invention, the ring 8 is initially secured of the threaded portion 7 when the applicator 3 is put in place for the first time on the bottle 2.

The ring 8 can for example be made, as seen in FIG. integrally by molding plastic material with the threaded portion 7, both being connected by one or more bridges of breakable material 13. It is seen in this figure that the material bridges 13 are set back from the radially outer surface 19 of the ring 8, so as not to harm the aesthetics of the capsule.

The ring 8 moreover comprises in the example considered at least one first relief 15, for example a bead or teeth protruding on its surface radially inner 16, and the neck 10 of the bottle 2 comprises at its base at least a second relief 18 arranged to allow snapping on the neck of the ring 8 at the end of the screwing initial of the closure cap 6 on the bottle 2.

So as to allow when unscrewing the closure cap 6 to the ring 8 to separate from the threaded portion 7, at least one anti-rotation relief 20 is made on the radially inner surface 16 of the ring 8, so as to cooperate with at least one complementary relief 21 made on the neck 10. The reliefs 20 and 21 are arranged so to allow the relief 20 to cross the relief 21 during the initial screwing of the capsule of closure 6 and the reliefs 20 and 21 comprise for example for this purpose ramps 23 and 24. The latter are inclined so as to assist the relief 20 to cross the relief 21 in the screwing direction of the closure cap, the reliefs 20 and 21 preventing a new crossing in the opposite direction.

When the user unscrews for the first time the closure cap 6, the threaded portion 7 separates from the ring 8, which remains permanently on the neck 10 and the user can benefit from an apparent length of rod 4 sufficient to allow a application in good conditions of the product, on the nails for example.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which comes to be described. In particular, it is possible to make various modifications to the bottle and to the capsule closure.

For example, the closure cap can be made with a threaded portion 7 and a ring 8 which are connected by material bridges 13 directed substantially radially, as seen in FIG. 7, and no longer substantially axially it is represented in FIG.

The ring 8 and the threaded portion 7 can still be connected otherwise than by bridges of breakable material before mounting the closure cap 6 on the bottle 2.

By way of example, FIG. 8 shows a variant embodiment which the threaded portion 7 and the ring 8 are arranged to cooperate by interlocking, the ring 8 being for example provided with an annular rib 33 adapted to engage in a shoulder housing 24 formed at the lower end of the threaded portion 7.

We will now describe with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 a variant of embodiment in which the closure cap comprises an insert 40 and an overcap 41 inside which the insert 40 can be fixed.

The insert 40 internally comprises a thread 42 intended to allow its screwing on the neck 10 and a housing 43 for fixing on the insert 40 of the end upper 44 of the rod 4.

The latter comprises a collar 45 intended to bear on the slice of the neck 10 at the end of the screwing of the insert 40, in order to seal the bottle 2.

Overcap 41 has on its radially inner surface ribs axial means 48 intended to allow clamping of the overcap 41 on the insert 40, the two pieces being then immobile with respect to each other.

The ring 8 is made in the example considered in one piece with the overcap 41, being connected thereto by material bridges 13 located in the extension of ribs 48.

The ring 8 has on its inner surface axial ribs 50 located in the extension of the ribs 48, intended to bear on an enlarged portion 56 at the base of the neck 10, with sufficient tightening so that the ring 8 is then immobilized in rotation relative to the bottle 2.

After filling the bottle 2, the insert 40 and the stem 4 can be put in place. to close the bottle, as illustrated in Figure 10, and then the assembly constituted by the over-capsule 41 and the ring 8 can be attached to the insert 40, until the insert 40 bears against the bottom of the top wall of the overcap 41, the ribs 48 applying tightly to the insert 40.

The bottle 2 provided with the closure cap has been shown in FIG. In use, the user unscrews the threaded portion 7 made up of the overcap 41 and of the insert 40, the ring 8 remaining on the neck 10 of the bottle by tightening the ribs 50 on the enlarged part 56, as can be seen in Figure 12. It is understood on examination of this figure that thanks to the fact that the ring 8 remains on the neck 10 of the bottle 2, it is possible to gain in apparent length of rod the equivalent of the height h of the ring 8.

We do not leave the present invention when the neck 10 is made with, at its base, not a cylindrical surface of revolution but a frustoconical surface. As for example, there is shown in Figure 13 the bottle 2 of the embodiment of the figures 1 to 5 with at the base of the neck 10 a frustoconical lower portion 32 allowing for example to increase the tightening between the ring 8 and the bottle 2.

The application element 5 can be constituted by something other than a brush and, by way of illustration, FIG. 14 shows a flocked application element intended to for example to the application on the lips.

The bottle 2 can be made by assembling one or more pieces and include in particular a wiper member 60 as illustrated in FIG. this figure that the bottle 2 may comprise a body 61 on which is reported a room 62 defining the neck 10 of the bottle and for supporting the wiper member 60, which can be constituted for example by a foam block split axially to allow the passage of the application element 5. In this example, the bottle 2 can be filled with a product P intended for example to be applied to the lips.

The closure cap 6 can be made with various shapes, as can see it in Figures 16 to 18, its outer section being circular or not, especially prismatic.

By way of illustration, FIG. 19 shows an overcap 41 having a substantially square outer cross section. This overcap can be realized with internally a cylindrical wall 63 of revolution, intended to allow the fixation of a insert bearing the thread of the closure cap and the stem.

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 (28)

1. A packaging and applicator device comprising:

   a flask presenting a threaded neck (10);

   an applicator comprising:

   a stem (4);

   an applicator element (5) disposed at a first end of the stem;

   a closure cap (6) supporting the stem at a second end opposite from the first, said closure cap including a threaded portion (7) arranged to screw onto the neck;

      the device being characterized by the fact that the closure cap includes a ring (8) releasably connected to the threaded portion (7) and arranged to be capable of remaining secured to the neck during removal of the applicator.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the threaded portion (7) comprises an insert (40) and an outer cap (41).
3. A device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the ring (8) and the outer cap (41) are made integrally by molding a plastics material, the ring and the outer cap being connected together by at least one breakable bridge of material (13).
4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the ring (8) presents at least one first portion in relief (15) enabling it to be snap-fastened on at least one second portion in relief (18) made on the neck.
5. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the second portion in relief (18) comprises an annular bead and the first portion in relief (15) comprises an annular bead or teeth projecting from the radially inner surface (16) of the ring (8).
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the ring (8) is made at least in part together with the threaded portion (7) by molding plastics material.
7. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the ring (8) is connected to the threaded portion (7) by breakable bridges of material (13).
8. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the ring is fitted on the threaded portion.
9. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the ring presents a portion in relief (33) enabling it to co-operate by mutual engagement with the threaded portion (7).
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the neck includes at least one first anti-rotation portion in relief (21) and the ring includes at least one second anti-rotation portion in relief (20) arranged to co-operate with the first portion in relief so as to prevent the ring from turning relative to the neck during unscrewing of the closure cap leading to separation of the threaded portion (7) from the ring (8).
11. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the first anti-rotation portion in relief (21) is arranged to enable the second anti-rotation portion in relief (20) to go past it on initial screw fastening of the closure cap on the flask.
12. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least one of the first and second portions in relief includes a ramp (23; 24) for making it easier for them to go past each other.
13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the neck comprises a cylindrical surface at its base.
14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by the fact that the neck comprises a frustoconical surface (32) at its base, said surface flaring towards the body of the flask.
15. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flask is made with a shoulder at the base of the neck.
16. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flask is made with a surface for coming into contact with the ring and preventing it from moving.
17. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the ring includes splines (50) on its inner surface.
18. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flask is made of glass.
19. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by the fact that the flask is made of plastics material.
20. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the capacity of the flask is less than or equal to 10 ml, in particular less than or equal to 8 ml, better lying in the range about 7 ml to about 5 ml.
21. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the stem (4) is visible when the applicator is withdrawn from the flask, and the closure cap is observed in a direction perpendicular to its axis.
22. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the visible length (ℓ+ℓ') of the stem plus the applicator element is greater than or equal to 25 mm.
23. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the applicator element is a brush, and by the fact that the visible length (ℓ) of the free portion of the bristles of the brush is greater than or equal to 12 mm.
24. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flask contains a substance for application to the nails, in particular a nail varnish.
25. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the length of the stem is equal to the height of the neck to within 30%.
26. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the length of the applicator element is equal to the height of the flask body, to within 30%.
27. A method of manufacturing a packaging and applicator device, the method comprising the following steps:

    screwing onto a flask (2) having a threaded neck (10) an applicator (3) comprising:

    a stem (4);

    an applicator element (5) disposed at a first end of the stem;

    a closure cap (6) to which the stem (4) is secured at a second end opposite from the first, said closure cap presenting a threaded portion (7) arranged to be screwed onto the neck, the closure cap including at its base a ring (8) releasably connected to the threaded portion (7), the neck and the ring presenting shapes arranged to co-operate so as to retain the ring on the neck when the threaded portion is unscrewed.
28. A method of manufacturing a packaging and applicator device, the method comprising the following steps:

    screwing onto a flask presenting a threaded neck (10) a threaded insert (40) to which an applicator is secured, the applicator comprising a stem (4) and an applicator element (5) disposed at a first end of the stem;

    fitting an outer cap (41) on the insert, the outer cap being connected releasably to a ring (8), the outer cap and the ring remaining secured to each other when the insert is unscrewed, the neck and the ring presenting shapes arranged to co-operate so as to retain the ring on the neck when the insert is unscrewed.

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