EP1777168B1 - Packaging and dosing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The cosmetic dispenser has a cup (4), into which the cosmetic can be dispensed, which clips on to the closure (9) of the dispenser.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for packaging a product capable of flowing and provided with a dosing means of the quantity of product dispensed. In particular, the present invention finds an application for the packaging and dosing of a cosmetic product.

By "Cosmetic product" means a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993 .

There are known simple packaging devices comprising a container in which a product is packaged, the container having a neck providing an opening for dispensing said product. Generally, the closure of such a container is obtained by a cap removably mounted on said neck. Such devices do not allow effective dosing of small amounts of product. Indeed, the product distribution is obtained by presenting the container head down, so that the product flows by gravity.

These packaging devices are sometimes provided with a measuring cup to allow the quantity of product dispensed to be used to be metered. In cases where these devices are sold inside a box, the measuring cup is added inside the box. In particular, this metering glass can be mounted on the device, in particular around the cap so that the side walls of the metering glass surround the cap, until it comes into contact with the outer periphery of the container. Examples are disclosed by WO 2005/002984 , US 5,316,054 and EP 0 261 713 .

The cap is generally screwed onto the container and thus rotated relative to the latter, while the measuring cup is brought by translation around the cap. In cases where the measuring cup is fitted on the plug, the pulling force necessary to be used by the user to detach the measuring cup must be sufficiently small to be able to be obtained manually. In fact, it is imperative to mount the measuring cup on the cap, only after it has been screwed onto the container.

In the factory, the manufacture of such devices is long and expensive because it requires a large number of handling steps.

The invention aims to provide a packaging and dosing device that is convenient to use and inexpensive construction.

• un récipient contenant ledit produit,
• un organe de fermeture apte à obturer une ouverture du récipient,
• un réceptacle pour recevoir une dose dudit produit lorsque ladite ouverture est dégagée, le réceptacle étant monté de manière amovible sur ledit organe de fermeture, le réceptacle étant monté sur l'organe de fermeture de manière à ménager une zone de préhension latérale sur l'organe de fermeture, caractérisé en ce que le réceptacle comporte une ouverture (18), telle qu'en position montée sur l'organe de fermeture, l'accès à cette ouverture est masqué par ledit organe de fermeture et un évent de séchage (25) est ménagé entre le réceptacle et ledit organe de fermeture, l'évent de séchage est formé par une interruption locale d'un godron (23) formé sur le pourtour intérieur (21) du réceptacle (4).

The subject of the invention is thus a device for packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising

• a container containing said product,
• a closure member adapted to close an opening of the container,
• a receptacle for receiving a dose of said product when said opening is disengaged, the receptacle being removably mounted on said closure member, the receptacle being mounted on the closure member so as to provide a lateral grip area on the organ closing device, characterized in that the receptacle comprises an opening (18), such that in the position mounted on the closure member, access to this opening is masked by said closure member and a drying vent (25) is formed between the receptacle and said closure member, the drying vent is formed by a local interruption of a godron (23) formed on the inner periphery (21) of the receptacle (4).

Thus, the lateral gripping zone allows the manipulation in a single step of the unit formed by the receptacle mounted on the closure member. This unit is assembled so that the pulling force necessary to obtain the detachment of the receptacle relative to the closure member is at least 15 N. The measurement of this traction force is performed by exerting a longitudinal traction force. on the receptacle at a speed of 120 millimeters per minute, the closure member being held in fixed axial position. With such a hooking, the detachment of the receptacle of the closure member can be obtained manually, and this unit remains intact during its factory conveyance, via vibrating bowls.

Advantageously, the assembly means of the receptacle on the closure member are chosen so that the tensile force to be exerted to obtain the separation of the unit is less than 40N so that, on average, the all users manage to manually detach the receptacle from the closure member.

In the mounted position on the closure member, an opening of the receptacle through which a dose of product is received, can be masked by said closure member. Thus the inner perimeter of the receptacle defining a useful volume for receiving a dose of product is protected from the risk of external contamination during storage of the receptacle on the closure member.

In particular, the closure member may comprise a bottom wall having a first face from which stands a mounting skirt adapted to cooperate with the neck of the container, the outer periphery of the mounting skirt having said gripping area. In this case, the opening of the receptacle may be masked by the bottom wall.

For example, this bottom wall may comprise a relief, presented on a second face opposite to the first, adapted to cooperate with the receptacle to ensure the mounting of the latter on said closure member.

For example, the receptacle may be retained by snapping on the closure member. Alternatively, it can be retained by screwing on said closure member.

A drying vent is provided between the receptacle and said closure member when in the assembled position. Thus, even if a residual amount of product or water remains on the walls of the receptacle when it is raised on the closure member, the vent allows a flow of air inside the receptacle which will allow the evaporation of these residual liquids and the absence of condensation on the walls. The risks of developing mold or bacteria in the receptacle are thus prevented.

Another advantage of this vent is that the assembly and disassembly of the receptacle relative to the closure member are also facilitated in that it does not create overpressure in the receptacle during assembly, or depression during disassembly.

The receptacle may also advantageously include a marker useful for the assay, in particular a graduation. Preferably, this mark is remote from the edges of the opening of the receptacle so as to be able to properly dose a desired quantity of product.

For example, the closure member may be retained by screwing on the neck.

In particular, a neck of the container may be provided with a flow-reducing means, for example force-fitted inside said neck. In this case, the closure member may comprise a sealing pin capable of being engaged in an orifice of this flow-reducing means. In particular, the passage formed by the flow-reducing means can decrease by at least 30%, and preferably at least 50%, the passage defined by the neck of the container in the absence of this reducer. The size of these passages is evaluated at a cross section of the neck of the container.

• un récipient contenant ledit produit et comportant une ouverture équipée d'un moyen réducteur d'écoulement pour la distribution dudit produit,
• un organe de fermeture apte à obturer cette ouverture,

caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un réceptacle pour recevoir une dose dudit produit lorsque cette ouverture est dégagée, le réceptacle étant monté de manière amovible sur ledit organe de fermeture.The subject of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, a device for packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising

• a container containing said product and having an opening equipped with a flow-reducing means for dispensing said product,
• a closure member adapted to close this opening,

characterized in that it comprises a receptacle for receiving a dose of said product when this opening is disengaged, the receptacle being removably mounted on said closure member.

With such a device, the invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of plugs which comprise an internal dosing skirt, in addition to a mounting skirt, this dosing skirt being disposed inside the neck when the cap is mounted on the recipient. The invention makes it possible to propose a closure member which remains clean and maintains the quality of the closure throughout the use of the device.

The subject of the invention is in particular the use of a device according to the invention for the packaging of a cosmetic product, in particular an active product for treating the skin.

• Figure 1 : une vue de profil d'un dispositif selon l'invention ;
• Figure 2 : une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif selon l'invention ;
• Figure 3 : une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un réceptacle du dispositif de la figure 2 ;
• Figure 4 : une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un organe de fermeture du dispositif de la figure 2 ;
• Figure 5 : une vue en coupe longitudinale selon le plan de coupe E-E de la figure 3.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These are presented only as an indication and in no way limitative of the invention. The figures show:

• Figure 1 : a profile view of a device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 : a longitudinal sectional view of a device according to the invention;
• Figure 3 : a longitudinal sectional view of a receptacle of the device of the figure 2 ;
• Figure 4 : a longitudinal sectional view of a closure member of the device of the figure 2 ;
• Figure 5 : a longitudinal sectional view along the section plane EE of the figure 3 .

The figure 1 shows a device 1 comprising a container 2 closed by a closure member 3 on which is mounted a receptacle 4. The device 1 is shown in assembled position on the figure 1 . The device 1 comprises a longitudinal axis X such that an opening (not visible) of the container 2 is defined substantially transversely to this longitudinal axis X. The container 2 extends along this longitudinal axis X. The container 2 is by cylindrical example and has a neck 5 which overcomes along the axis X, also cylindrical, but of lower section than the container 2.

Figure 2 , the neck 5 of the container 2 defines the opening 6 of the container 2. In particular, the outer periphery of the neck 5 has a thread 7. The closure member 3 comprises a bottom wall 8 of which protrudes from a mounting skirt 9 which additionally has a thread 10 so as to be removably mounted on the neck 5. The outer periphery of the mounting skirt 9 defines a lateral gripping zone allowing the manipulation of the closure member 3, in view of his editing as his disassembly on the neck 5, whether or not the receptacle 4 is mounted on this closure member 3.

In the factory, the gripper that grips the closing member at this lateral gripping zone can bring the closing member 3, surmounted by its receptacle 4, above the container 2 so that the axis of rotation of the this clamp is substantially superimposed on that of the X axis.

In particular, a tip 11 is mounted inside the neck 5. It is in particular mounted by clamping. For this purpose, it comprises a transverse wall 12 which is mounted so as to abut against a periphery 13 of the neck 5. This transverse wall 12 projects beyond a skirt 14 which is force-fitted inside the neck 5. The transverse wall 12 comprises an orifice 15 for dispensing the product with a reduced flow rate relative to the flow that would have been obtained, under the same conditions, through the opening 6 of said neck 5. The section of this orifice 15 is for example lower than at least 30%, and more particularly at least 50%, at the internal cross section of the opening 6. The tip 11 is a flow-reducing means.

When the closing member 3 is mounted on the neck 5, a pin 16 protruding from the bottom wall 8 is engaged through this orifice 15 so as to seal said orifice 15.

The receptacle 4 is retained on the outer periphery of the closure member 3. In particular, the receptacle 4 is substantially cylindrical in shape such that an edge 17 of the opening 18 of this receptacle 4 is presented against the periphery outside 19 of the bottom wall 8 when the receptacle is mounted on the closure member 3. The contact between the edge 17 and the bottom wall 8 is not waterproof.

The bottom wall 8 has a relief 20 adapted to cooperate with the side walls 22 of the receptacle 4. As shown, the relief 20 is configured to engage by snapping inside the receptacle 4 and cooperate with the inner periphery 21 of these side walls 22.

In particular, as can be observed Figure 3 , the inner periphery 21 of the receptacle 4 has a godron 23 at least partly annular adapted to cooperate by snapping with the complementary relief 20 here in the form of a dome. The dome is partly introduced into the receptacle 4 in the assembled position.

According to embodiments of the relief 20, the latter can cooperate with the outer periphery of the side walls 22. In another variant, this relief 20 may form a groove in the bottom wall 8 so as to receive the edge 17 of the receptacle, the cooperation with the side walls 22 for mounting on the closure member 3 can take place on the inner periphery and or outside.

Figure 4 , the mounting skirt 9 protrudes from a first side of the bottom wall 8, while the complementary relief 20 protrudes from a second side, opposite the first, of the same bottom wall 8. In assembled position, the edge 17 of the receptacle 4 abuts against the radially outer circumference of the relief 20. The relief 20 emerges relatively to the bottom wall 8 so that it is surrounded by an undercut 24 in which the godron 23 engages. The undercut 24 of the relief 20 is preferably annular.

An air vent 25 is provided to allow a flow of air inside the receptacle when the latter is mounted on the closure member 3. In a particular embodiment shown in the figures, the vent 25 is partly obtained by a local interruption of the godron 23.

Alternatively, the vent 25 can be obtained by a pore formed through the side wall 22. In this case, the pore has a cross section defined according to the viscosity of the product so that the latter can not flow through said pore, even under the effect of gravity under normal conditions of use. This pore has for example a cross section less than 1 mm ² . It is for example less than 10% of the section of the opening 18. This pore is preferably produced near the edge 17.

At this interruption, the thickness of the side wall 22 is reduced so as to form a notch 26 recessed relative to the godron 23, but also recessed relative to the inner periphery 21. This notch 26 extends along the side X axis, beyond the height of the godron 23 along this axis X. Thus the air channel formed by this vent 25 opens into the housing of the receptacle when it is mounted on the bottom wall 8. By elsewhere to prevent clogging of this air channel, it is also provided a recess 27 of the edge 17, so that in the assembled position, an air passage is formed, even if in the mounted position the edge 17 is in stop against the bottom wall 8.

In a particular embodiment of the closure member 3, Figure 4 , the latter comprises an annular skirt 28 arranged concentrically inside the mounting skirt 9, this annular skirt 28 being of length, along the axis X, less than the length of the pin 16 along this same axis, this annular skirt 28 being provided to bear on the transverse wall 12 of the nozzle 11 in the closed position. Thus the depression of the endpiece 11 in the neck 5, and thus the sealing of the closure, can be obtained when the closure member 3 is screwed onto the neck until the annular skirt 28 is in abutment against the tip 11. This annular skirt 28 makes it possible to close the container while tolerating the manufacturing variations of the container and the closure member.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the closure member may comprise a support having the mounting skirt 9, and therefore the lateral gripping zone, and a dispensing nozzle movable in rotation relative to the support between at least one closed position and a dispensing position in which orifices of the support and the dispensing tip coincide. In such a variant, the support can be mounted permanently on the container 2, for example by snapping, and the closure member 3 can be a "service capsule".

In another variant, the mounting of the receptacle on the closure member can be obtained by cooperation between the side wall 22 of the receptacle and the outer periphery of the mounting skirt 9. In this case, the assembly is such that the side wall 22 only partially covers the outer periphery of the mounting skirt 9 so as to provide at least two distinct gripping zones for the factory handling of the closure member 3, these two gripping zones being of preferably diametrically opposed. For example, the edge 17 of the receptacle 4 may comprise two diametrically opposite notches to provide lateral gripping areas of the closure member 3, when mounted on the latter.

Preferably, the edge 17 of the receptacle 4 is spaced from the edge 31 of the mounting skirt 9, so that there is provided an annular gripping zone of the closure member 3, between this edge 17 and this edge 31.

The user of the device 1 according to the invention detaches the receptacle 4 from the closing member 3. It then detaches the closure member 3 from the neck 5 and has the orifice 15 above the opening 18 of the receptacle 4. The product then flows by gravity, and or because of pressures exerted on the walls of the container 2, when the latter are deformable. Preferably, the user straightens the container 2 when the liquid level in the receptacle 4 reaches a reference level 29. The product is finally taken by the user in the receptacle 4 by means of an applicator member, for example a cotton.

The reference level 29 is for example marked all round the receptacle 4 by an annular indication, here materialized by a bead 30 protruding from the outer periphery of the side wall 22. In particular, the receptacle 4 defines a volume such that the dose of product that can be identified by the benchmark level 29 is of the order of 3 mL.

In the case where the receptacle comprises a pore to form the vent 25, it is for example made between the reference level 29 and the edge 17.

In particular, at least the closure member 3, the receptacle 4 and the tip 11 are obtained from molding from thermoplastic materials, in particular from polyolefin materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene. They can also be obtained from materials thermosetting agents such as phenol-urea resins, in particular bakelite. The container 2 is for example made of glass or also of molding from a thermoplastic material.

The container 2 is for example filled with a skin care solution.

Throughout the description, the phrase "having one" should be considered synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (12)

1. Device (1) for packaging a product, such as a cosmetic product, comprising

   • a container (2) containing said product,

   • a closing member (3) suitable for closing an opening (6) of the container, and

   • a receptacle (4) for accepting a measured quantity of said product when this opening is opened, the receptacle being mounted removably on said closing member, the receptacle being mounted on the closing member in such a way as to leave a lateral grip area (9) on the closing member, and the receptacle comprising an opening (18), such that in the mounted position on the closing member, access to this opening is blocked by said closing member,

   the device (1) being characterized in that a drying vent (25) is formed between the receptacle and said closing member, the drying vent being formed by a local interruption in a thickening (23) formed on the inside perimeter (21) of the receptacle (4).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closing member comprises a transverse wall (8) comprising a first face from which there extends an assembly skirt (9) suitable for engaging with a neck (5) of the container, said grip area being on the outside perimeter of the assembly skirt.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the receptacle opening is blocked by the transverse wall.
4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing member comprises a transverse wall (8) comprising a relief (20), presented on a second face, suitable for engaging with the receptacle to allow the latter to be assembled onto said closing member.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle is held on the closing member by snap engagement.
6. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receptacle is retained on the closing member by threaded engagement.
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle comprises at least one marker (29) useful for measuring out, particularly a graduation.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the vent is formed between the level of the marker and an edge (17) of the receptacle opening (18).
9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing member is held on the container neck by threaded engagement.
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a drip-reducing means (11) force-fitted into the neck.
11. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the closing member comprises a closing pin (16) suitable for engaging in an orifice (15) in the drip-reducing means.
12. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims for packaging a cosmetic product, such as an active skin-treatment product.

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