EP1885615A1

EP1885615A1 - Improving the sealing condition of multiple-container, in particular double-tube, packages designed for instant preparations

Info

Publication number: EP1885615A1
Application number: EP06764659A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hervé ZAKRZEWSKI; Eric Kerman
Original assignee: Cebal SAS
Current assignee: Albea Tubes France SAS
Priority date: 2005-05-30
Filing date: 2006-05-22
Publication date: 2008-02-13
Also published as: CA2609380A1; MX2007014926A; WO2006128993A1; FR2886274A1; FR2886274B1; CN101184676A; US8622245B2; US20080121653A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a double dispensing container (200) comprising an outer container (210) and an inner container (220), each container including a body (211; 221) and a head (212; 222) provided with a neck (213; 223) and a shoulder (214; 224) linking said neck to said body, said neck having a side wall and one or more dispensing orifices, the neck (223) of the inner container being housed inside the neck (213) of the outer container and having a section such that it provides one of more outflow passages for the pasty product A and, in combination with the inner surface of the outer container neck, one or more outflow passages for the pasty product B emerging onto a single or multiple orifice dispensing the product B. The invention is characterized in that said inner neck is extended by a summit portion (226) which is linked to said inner neck via a thin annular zone (227) and which closes the single or multiple orifice dispensing product A.

Description

IMPROVING THE SEALING OF CONTAINER PACKAGES

MULTIPLES, IN PARTICULAR DOUBLE TUBES, INTENDED IN PARTICULAR

EXTERNAL PREPARATIONS

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to multi-container packaging provided with adjacent or contiguous distribution necks which make it possible to store and distribute simultaneously different liquid, viscous, creamy or pasty products (these products will be called "pasty"). It relates in particular to so-called flexible tubes. Such packages make it possible to store products separately from one another and make it possible to simultaneously distribute these products through orifices that are close, if possible contiguous, for example with a view to the master (or extemporaneous) preparation of a pharmaceutical product under a particular dosage form not commercially available, or for the preparation of an adhesive using polymerizing agents, typically a cyanoacrylate, or for the preparation of a chemically unstable cosmetic product, such as a hair dye (mixture of an oxidizing agent and a precursor) or simply, in order to give a pleasant and playful visual effect during the simultaneous distribution of pasty products of different colors (gels for hair, toothpaste, etc.).

STATE OF THE ART

If separate simple containers make it possible to keep the products intact before they are mixed, the advantage of a multiple container is to facilitate the management of the packaging by being sure to have at its disposal at all times all the elements of the mixture to be produced and to facilitate the realization of said mixture. Another interest, appeared these last years, is related to the pleasant and playful visual effect of pasty products of different colors coming out simultaneously of neighboring distribution ports. Whether for an extemporaneous preparation or for a simple visual effect, we try to keep isolated the different products contained in the multiple container until the first use and if possible to continue to ensure a perfect seal between these products after said first use. To illustrate the multiple containers concerned by the invention, provided with neighboring or contiguous distribution necks, we will describe multiple flexible tubes and more particularly double tubes.

A multiple flexible tube has a head with a multiple orifice neck connected to an outer flexible skirt by a shoulder. The tube may comprise several concentric skirts, the products being contained either in the internal volume of the inner tube, or between the walls of the skirt of a tube and that of the tube which immediately surrounds the preceding tube. In general, these are double tubes, comprising an inner tube and an outer tube. Such multiple tubes are described in patent applications EP 0 561 719, WO 00/631 12 and WO 00/63111, where the inner tube is fitted into the outer tube.

Recently, other double tubes have been described, in which the single flexible skirt constitutes the outer casing of the multiple tube. At least one transverse wall separates compartments in the interior volume defined by the skirt, said compartments being intended to contain different products. Such multiple tubes are described for example in the application WO 00/55062.

The present invention relates more particularly to the first type of multiple tube where the tubes are made separately and then assembled in the manner of the Russian dolls, each tube, except the smallest, enveloping a tube of smaller dimensions (the dimensions concerned being at least the diameter skirt and the diameter of the neck). However, it can also be applied to the second type of tube even if the leakage problem described below is to a lesser degree, because this second type of double tube is necessarily obtained by molding a complex-shaped dispensing head with multiple orifices, the main difficulty here lies in obtaining a watertight connection of the head with not only the outer cylindrical skirt but also with the inner partition wall.

In the patent application FR 1 209 359, the tube called "automixer" comprises three tubes having a neck closed by a top wall, nested one inside the other, and held concentrically relative to each other by their respective necks. As long as the tube is not open, the products packaged in the three separate envelopes thus formed are well insulated. The opening of the automixer tube is performed in a single operation by perforation or simultaneous sectioning of the walls of the three tubes in a suitable place.

The double tubes described in the application WO 00/12309 are obtained as follows: a) separate embodiment of an outer tube and an inner tube whose neck, of complex shape, is designed so that it offers one or more flow veins for the pasty product A, intended to be contained in the inner tube and, in cooperation with the interior of the cylindrical wall of the neck of the outer tube, one or more flow veins to the pasty product B , intended to be contained between the inner tube and the outer tube, once they are assembled; b) assembly by insertion of the inner tube into the outer tube, maintaining the inner tube inside the outer tube at the base of the neck by means of complementary axial immobilization means, typically a combination bead / groove d ratchet; c) filling the internal volume of the inner tube with a pasty product A; d) filling the volume between the wall of the inner tube and that of the outer tube of a pasty product B; - AT -

e) sealing the multiple tube, by performing a final weld compressing and carrying at high temperature, preferably simultaneously, the open end of the skirt of the inner tube and the open end of the skirt of the outer tube.

Previously, the tubes are made in a conventional manner: the outer (or inner) tube head is molded, unpitched and fixed on the end of a skirt, intended to become the outer skirt (resp., Intended to become the inner skirt). ). When the head is molded and attached to the end of the skirt simultaneously (over-molding of the head on the end of the skirt), the molding tool is preferably designed so that the excess plastic resulting from the molding by injection (core) or compression molding is located above the top portion of the neck. This surplus must be removed. As the neck is cylindrical, the removal of said surplus is effected, advantageously for high rates, by lathe machining, generally on devices, called cappers, where the tubes, placed on rotating mandrels, undergo various operations such as décarottage, the installation of a cap, the screwing of a cap, etc. But this procedure has the disadvantage of not giving a great precision on the axial positioning of the cup of decarter nor on the good perpendicularity of said cut. Therefore, it is not possible to perfectly control the height of the neck of each of these tubes, in particular the distance between the rim - top wall of the neck - and the axial immobilization means for cooperating with the means of axial immobilization complementary to the other tube. The dispersion of these heights, the imperfect perpendicularity of the cut does not ensure a perfect seal between the products during storage, even before first use. It has been envisaged to use gaskets having a floor profile in anticipation of offsets between the internal and external bottlenecks, but this solution has proved to be of no technical or economic interest. The applicant has therefore sought to obtain a double tube by assembling an inner tube and an outer tube made separately, said double tube for separately and sealing two products before and even after the first use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first object according to the invention is a double dispensing container comprising an outer container and an inner container, said inner container being intended to contain a pasty product A and being housed inside the outer container so that the volume defined by its outer surface and the inner surface of the outer container is intended to contain a pasty product B, each container comprising a body and a head provided with a neck and a shoulder connecting said neck to said body, said neck having a side wall and an open end provided with one or more dispensing orifices, the neck of the inner container being housed inside the neck of the outer container and having a section of such shape that it offers one or more flow veins for the product pasty A opening on a single or multiple port of distribution of the product A and, in combination with the inner surface of the neck of the recipie external, one or more flow veins for the pasty product B opening on a single or multiple port for dispensing the product B, characterized in that the inner neck is extended by a top portion which is connected to said neck by a thin annular zone and which closes the dispensing orifice, single or multiple, of the product A.

The double dispensing container according to the invention may be a double tube, comprising an outer tube and an inner tube housed inside the outer tube so that the volume delimited by the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the tube externally may contain a pasty product B different from the pasty product A contained in the inner tube. Each tube comprises a flexible skirt and a head provided with a neck and a shoulder connecting said neck to said flexible skirt. Each of the elements of the container or tube will be described as internal if it belongs to the inner tube and externally if it belongs to the outer tube.

The inner neck is housed inside the outer neck. It has a section of such shape that it offers one or more flow veins for the pasty product A opening on one or more dispensing orifices. In combination with the inner surface of the neck of the outer container, the outer surface of the inner neck provides one or more flow veins for the pasty product B opening on one or more dispensing orifices (single or multiple orifice). The inner neck is covered by a summit portion which is connected to said inner neck by a thin annular zone, that is to say whose thickness is less than that of the inner neck drum and that of the top portion. This summit portion closes the dispensing orifice, single or multiple, of the product A contained in the inner tube.

In a first embodiment, the summit portion may for example be a simple top wall which comprises said thin annular zone, the contour thereof delimiting the desired shape of the orifices. The thin annular zone is a breakable zone that comprises a notch whose section by a plane passing through the axis of the neck is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to said axis. In such a geometrical configuration, the removal of the apex-shaped top portion may be effected by exerting an axial force perpendicular to said top wall.

But, in order to improve the conditions of hermetic separation between the product A and the product B after first use, it is preferable to provide the inner neck of said top wall by locating the thin annular zone on the side wall of said inner neck, so that after rupture, the open end of the inner neck "always" exceeds the rim of the external neck, regardless of the dispersions due to manufacturing tolerances. In such a case, the end of the inner neck is extended by a top portion connected to said inner neck by a thin annular zone located on the neck of the neck and preferably notched to locate a deformation until rupture during the first use . Advantageously, the assembly of the inner head, including the top portion, is molded in one piece and the mold is designed so that the thin annular zone is accessible after the assembly of the two tubes: after breaking the thin annular zone and detachment of the uppermost portion, the open end of the inner neck slightly protrudes from the rim of the outer neck, which makes it possible to ensure, by means of a seal placed on the plug, at the bottom of the screw thread for example, a hermetic separation between product A and product B.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the thin annular zone is a breakable zone that extends on the side wall of the inner neck with a notch whose section by a plane passing through the axis of the inner neck is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis. In this case, this breakable zone is placed at a distance from the axial immobilization means (typically a ratchet bead) such that the breakable zone is found outside after assembly of the inner tube and the outer tube; that is, it is "above" the mouth of the outer neck (the tube being conventionally presented vertically, head up). Thus, if a double tube is produced according to the method described in WO 00/631 12, the axial position of the breakable zone is defined by a certain distance from the snap-fitting bead located at the base of the inner neck, said distance to be greater than the distance between the rim of the outer neck and the ratching groove of the outer neck. The top portion acting as a lid can be cut cleanly using a cutting tool that is moved along the thin annular zone. It is also possible to impose a large relative displacement of the top portion relative to the rest of the inner neck, the large relative displacement resulting in a large localized deformation in the thin annular zone and then by breaking the latter. If the top portion is provided with a grooved side wall or polygonal section, preferably concave (star for example), it is easily drivable in rotation about the axis of the neck. It is therefore possible to impose on the upper portion of the inner neck a large rotation while the rest of the double tube is stationary.

Thus, whatever the shape of the inner neck, the top portion closing the internal orifice (single or multiple) and separated from said inner neck by said breakable zone, can take any form appropriate to the application of a large displacement ( typically a rotation) imposed on said summit portion.

It may for example have a polygonal peripheral portion, easily drivable in rotation. To tear this breakable zone during the first use, it is possible, to avoid the use of a particular tool, use the cap. The latter has for example on the outer wall, like the plug described in EP 0 192 136 application, a housing of complementary shape to that of the side wall of the uppermost portion. This housing, once the cap returned 180 ° from its usual closed position, plays the role of a lock inside which is introduced the top portion of the inner neck which itself serves as a key. The cap is turned around the axis of the neck. It follows a localized tear at the level of the thin annular zone and the summit portion is detached from the neck. Of course, the key-lock roles can be reversed. The top wall has in this case a cavity bordered by an inner side wall ribbed or having a preferably concave polygonal section and the cap has on its outer wall a protuberance of complementary shape.

Advantageously, the outer neck is also surmounted by a summit portion which closes the multiple orifice. This summit portion is also connected to the outer neck via a thin annular zone or notched. Preferably, this summit portion is hollow so that the summit portion of the inner tube can be housed in its cavity. Also preferably, in the version where the top portion is torn by rotation, the inner and outer surfaces of its side wall have polygonal contours, typically star, complementary, for the first, the contour of the side wall of the top portion the inner neck and, for the second, the contour of the inner surface of the cap. In this way, the rotation of the cap causes the breaking of the two breakable zones which connect the inner and outer summit portions to their respective necks.

The invention has been described with respect to double tubes and double containers. It can of course be applied to multiple containers or tubes intended to contain more than two different products. Another object of the invention is therefore a multiple dispensing container comprising an outer container, an inner container and n intermediate containers (n> 1), said inner container being intended to contain a pasty product A and being housed inside the container. an intermediate container, itself housed in the manner of a Russian doll inside an intermediate container of larger size, the largest of these being housed inside the outer container, each of containers being housed inside the directly larger container so that the volume defined by its external surface and the inner surface of said directly larger container is intended to contain a pasty product Bi (i = 1 to n + 1) separated from the other pasty products, each container comprising a body and a head provided with a neck and a shoulder connecting said neck to said body, said neck having a side wall and an open end provided with one or more dispensing orifices, the neck of the inner container being housed inside the neck of the outer container and having a section of such shape that it offers at least one flow line for the pasty product A and, in combination with the inner surface of the neck of the directly larger container, at least one flow vein for the pasty product Bi, characterized in that the inner neck is extended by a top portion which is connected to said inner neck by a thin annular zone and which closes the single orifice or multiple distribution of product A.

As indicated above, for each inner container, the neck of the directly larger container is advantageously also surmounted by a top portion, connected to the neck of said container via a thin annular zone and / or notched. Preferably, this last summit portion is hollow so that the top portion of the directly smaller container can be housed in its cavity.

Said thin and / or notched annular zone is placed on the wall of the neck of said inner container so that, after assembly of said neck with that of the directly larger container, then rupture of the thin annular zone and / or notched and detachment of said uppermost portion, the open end of said neck is above the rim of the neck of the container directly larger, the tube being presented vertically, head up.

FIGURES

Figures 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1c illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. Figure la shows a section through a diametral plane of the double tube with its plug before first use. Figure 1b shows the double tube at the moment when, with the aid of the inverted cap, the top portion acting as a lid on the orifice of the inner neck is removed. Figure I c shows the double tube with its cap after first use. Figure Id represents in axonometric projection the double tube without its cap, before removal of the summit portion acting as operculum on the inner neck. Figure 1 e shows in perspective the double tube without its cap, after removal of the uppermost portion acting as operculum on the inner neck.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 2a shows a section through a diametral plane of the double tube with its plug before first use. FIG. 2b shows the double tube at the moment when, with the aid of the inverted cap, the top portion acting as a lid on the orifice of the inner neck is removed. Figure 2c shows the double tube with its cap after first use. FIG. 2d represents, in axonometric projection, the double tube without its stopper, before removal of the summit portion acting as an operculum on the inner neck. Figure 2e shows in perspective the double tube without its cap, after removal of the top portion acting as a lid on the inner neck.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. Figure 3a shows a section through a diametral plane of the double tube with its plug before first use. FIG. 3b shows the double tube at the moment when, with the aid of the inverted cap, the top portion acting as a lid on the orifice of the inner neck is removed. Figure 3c shows the double tube with its cap after first use. Figure 3d illustrates in perspective the head of the inner tube before removal of the top portion acting as a lid. FIGS. 4α, 4b and 4c illustrate an improvement of the second embodiment of the invention in which, by adding a tamper-proof guarantee strip, the seal between products after first use is improved. Figure 4a shows a section through a diametral plane of the double tube with its cap before first use. FIG. 4b shows the double tube at the moment when, with the aid of the inverted cap, the top portion acting as a lid on the orifice of the inner neck is removed. FIG. 4c shows the double tube provided with its cap after first use

EXAMPLES

Example 1 (Figures 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1c)

FIGS. 1a to 1c show a double tube 100, comprising an outer tube 110 and an inner tube 120 housed inside the outer tube 110 so that the volume delimited by the outer surface 125 of the inner tube 120 and the inner surface 115 of the outer tube 110 may contain a pasty product B different from the pasty product A contained in the inner tube 120. The inner tube 120 comprises an inner flexible skirt 121 and an inner head 122 provided with an inner neck 123 and a shoulder internal 124 connecting said inner neck to said inner flexible skirt. The outer tube 110 comprises an outer flexible skirt 111 and an outer head 112 provided with an outer neck 113 and an outer shoulder 114 connecting said outer neck to said outer flexible skirt. The shoulder 114 is provided with an insert 170 of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) which has good barrier properties to the diffusion of aromas.

The inner neck 123 is housed inside the outer neck 113. Here it has a trefoil-shaped section such as that illustrated in WO 00/63111 (but here with three leaflets instead of four). . It offers a central flow vein (with cloverleaf section) for the product Paste A and, in combination with the cylindrical surface of the outer neck, three peripheral flow veins for the pasty product B.

The end of the inner neck 123 which surrounds the dispensing orifice of the pasty product A is extended by a top portion 126 connected to said inner neck by a breakable intermediate zone 127 having an annular notch 128 whose section by a plane passing through the axis 160 is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis.

The top portion 126 is provided with a side wall 129 which extends the shaft of the inner neck whose cloverleaf-shaped section is substantially polygonal concave. This is easily drivable in rotation about the axis 160.

The thin annular zone 127 is placed on the side wall of the inner neck 123 so that after assembly of the inner neck and the outer neck, it is found on the outer surface of the double tube, that is to say that it is located "above" the rim 1130 of the outer neck 113 (the tube being conventionally presented vertically, head up). When molding the head of the inner tube, the axial position of the thin annular zone is defined by a certain distance from the ratchet bead 1231 situated at the base of the inner neck 123, said distance being greater than the distance existing between the rim 1130 and the ratchet groove 1131 of the outer neck 113.

To tear this breakable zone during the first use, the stopper 150 is used. The latter has a housing 151 of complementary shape to that of the side wall 129 of the summit portion 126. This housing, once the stopper is turned 180 °. (FIG. 1b) with respect to its usual closed position (FIGS. 1a and 1c) plays the role of a lock inside which the top portion 126 of the inner neck 123, which plays the role of a key. The stopper 150 is rotated around the axis 160. A localized tear is then made at the level of the thin annular zone 127 and the summit portion is detached from the neck.

Example 2 (FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e)

Figures 2a to 2e show a double tube 200, comprising an outer tube 210 and an inner tube 220 housed inside the outer tube 210 so that the volume delimited by the outer surface 225 of the inner tube 220 and the inner surface 215 of the outer tube 210 may contain a pasty product B different from the pasty product A contained in the inner tube 220. The inner tube 220 comprises an inner flexible skirt 221 and an inner head 222 provided with an inner neck 223 and a shoulder internal 224 connecting said inner neck to said inner flexible skirt. The outer tube 210 comprises an outer flexible skirt 211 and an outer head 212 provided with an outer neck 213 and an outer shoulder 214 connecting said outer neck to said outer flexible skirt. The shoulder 214 is provided on its inner surface with a PBT insert 270 which has good barrier properties to the diffusion of aromas.

The inner neck 223 is housed inside the outer neck 213. It has here a circular section provided with three radial ribs 230 regularly distributed on its outer surface. It offers a flow stream with a circular central section for the pasty product A and, in combination with the cylindrical surface of the outer neck, three peripheral flow veins for the pasty product B.

The end of the inner neck 223 surrounding the dispensing orifice of the pasty product A is extended by a top portion 226 connected to said inner neck by a breakable intermediate zone 227 having an annular notch 228 whose section by a plane passing through the axis 260 is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis. The summit portion 226 is provided with a grooved side wall 229 easily drivable in rotation about the axis 260. To tear this breakable zone during the first use, the stopper 250 is used. The latter has a hollow recess 251 of complementary shape to that of the side wall 219 of the summit portion 216 of the outer neck 213. This upper portion 216 is connected to the outer neck 213 through a notched annular zone 217. The upper portion 216 is hollow so as to that the top portion 226 of the inner tube can be housed in its cavity. The inner and outer surfaces of the side wall 219 are provided with ribs and offer complementary reliefs respectively of the contour of the side wall 229 of the inner summit portion 226 and the contour of the hollow housing 251 of the plug 250 to ensure the rotational drive relative simultaneous of the inner and outer apices 229 and 219.

The notched annular zone 227 is placed on the side wall of the inner neck 223 such that after assembly of the inner neck and the outer neck, it is found "above" the rim 2130 of the outer neck 213 (the tube being conventionally presented vertically, head up). When molding the head of the inner tube, the axial position of the thin annular zone is defined by a certain distance from the snap-fitting bead 2231 situated at the base of the inner neck 223, said distance being greater than the distance existing between the rim 2130 and the ratchet groove 2131 of the outer neck 213.

Once the plug 250 turned 180 °, the hollow housing 250 plays the role of a lock inside which is introduced the top portion 216 of the outer neck 213 which acts as a key. The plug 250 is rotated around the axis 260. This results in a localized tear at the annular notched break zone 217, and another tear at the annular notch breakable zone 227. Example 3 (FIGS. 3α, 3b, 3c and 3d)

FIGS. 3α to 3d represent a double tube 300, comprising an outer tube 310 and an inner tube 320 housed inside the outer tube 310 so that the volume delimited by the external surface 325 of the inner tube 320 and the inner surface 315 of the outer tube 310 may contain a pasty product B different from the pasty product A contained in the inner tube 320. The inner tube 320 comprises an inner flexible skirt 321 and an inner head 322 provided with an inner neck 323 and a shoulder internal 324 connecting said inner neck to said inner flexible skirt. The outer tube 310 comprises an outer flexible skirt 311 and an outer head 312 provided with an outer neck 313 and an outer shoulder 314 connecting said outer neck to said outer flexible skirt. The shoulder 314 is provided with a PBT insert 370 which has good barrier properties to the diffusion of aromas.

The inner neck 323 is housed inside the outer neck 313. It has here a circular section provided with three radial ribs 330 regularly distributed on its outer surface. It offers a flow stream with a circular central section for the pasty product A and, in combination with the cylindrical surface of the outer neck, three peripheral flow veins for the pasty product B.

The end of the inner neck 323 which surrounds the dispensing orifice of the pasty product A is extended by a summit portion 326 connected to said inner neck by a breakable zone 327 having an annular notch 328 whose section by a plane passing through the axis 360 is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis.

The top portion 326 is provided with a ribbed inner side wall 32? easily drivable in rotation about the axis 360. To tear the breakable zone 327 during the first use, the cap 350 is used. has a protrusion 351 of complementary shape to that of the inner side wall 329 of the summit portion 326. This protuberance, once the cap is turned 180 ° (Figure 3b) relative to its usual closed position (Figures 3a and 3c) plays the role of a key that is introduced into the cavity of the top portion 326 of the inner neck 323, this cavity being bordered by the inner ribbed side wall 329 which acts as a lock. The cap 350 is rotated around Tax 360. This results in a localized tear at the level of the thin annular zone 327 and the top portion detaches from the neck.

The thin annular zone 327 is placed on the side wall of the inner neck 323 such that after assembly of the inner neck and the outer neck, it is found on the outer surface of the double tube, that is to say that it is located "above" the rim 3130 of the outer neck 313. When molding the head of the inner tube, the axial position of the thin annular zone is defined by a certain distance from the ratchet bead 3231 located at the base of the inner neck 323, said distance being greater than the distance between the rim 3130 and the ratchet groove 3131 of the outer neck 313.

Such a configuration makes it possible to reduce the volume occupied before its rupture by the summit portion of the inner neck which is located above the multi-orifice neck. It is thus possible to provide the plug with a seal 380 which, little compressed during storage before first use (FIG. 3a) because of the small bulk of said summit portion, can easily return to its original shape and thus continue to play. its sealing function after rupture of said top portion (Figure 3c). Example 4 (FIGS. 4α, 4b, and 4c)

FIGS. 4α to 4c show a variant of the double tube of example 2, in which, by adding a strip 453 in the extension of the opening end of the lateral skirt 452 of the plug 450, the sealing between products after simultaneous opening of the top portions 416 and 426 during the first use.

In the first use, the band 453 - which may for example be used as a tamper-proof guarantee - is torn according to the annular rupture zone 457 and the plug 450 is turned 180 ° (FIG. 4b) in order to remove the top wall by rotation. 426 of the inner tube and 416 of the outer tube. The open end of the skirt arrives, in the closed position, near the shoulder 414 of the tube head. The height of the band 453 is substantially equal to that of the top portion 416 of the outer tube, which is above the notched annular breakable zone 417, so that when the plug 450 is again turned through 180 ° for plug the orifice, the seal 480 comes into contact with the drink 4230 of the inner neck 423 and 4130 of the outer neck 413.

The double tube 400 comprises an outer tube 410 and an inner tube 420 housed inside the outer tube 410 so that the volume delimited by the outer surface 425 of the inner tube 420 and the inner surface 415 of the outer tube 410 can contain a pasty product B different from the pasty product A contained in the inner tube 420. The inner tube 420 comprises an inner flexible skirt 421 and an inner head 422 provided with an inner neck 423 and an inner shoulder 424 connecting said inner neck to said inner flexible skirt. The outer tube 410 comprises an outer flexible skirt 411 and an outer head 412 provided with an outer neck 413 and an outer shoulder 414 connecting said outer neck to said outer flexible skirt. The shoulder 414 is provided on its internal surfαce of a 470 insert in PBT which has good barrier properties to the diffusion of aromas.

The end of the inner neck 423 which surrounds the dispensing orifice of the pasty product A is extended by a top portion 426 connected to said inner neck by a breakable intermediate zone 427. The top portion 426 is provided with an easily grooved side wall 429. drivable in rotation. To tear this breakable zone during the first use, the plug 450 is used. The latter has a hollow rib recess 451 of shape complementary to that of the lateral wall 419 of the summit portion 416 of the external neck 413. This summit portion 416 is connected to the outer neck 413 by means of a notched annular zone 417. The summit portion 416 is hollow so that the summit portion 426 of the inner tube can be housed in its cavity. The inner and outer surfaces of the side wall 419 are provided with ribs and offer complementary reliefs respectively of the contour of the side wall 429 of the inner crown portion 426 and the contour of the hollow housing 451 of the plug 450 to ensure the rotational drive relative simultaneous of the inner 429 and outer 419 vertex portions.

The notched annular zone 427 is placed on the side wall of the inner neck 423 such that after assembly of the inner neck and the outer neck, it is found "above" the rim 4130 of the outer neck 413. During the molding of the head of the inner tube, the axial position of the thin annular zone is defined by its distance from the snap-fitting bead of the inner neck 423, which must be greater than the distance existing between the rim 4130 and the ratching groove of the outer neck. 413.

Once the cap 450 turned 180 °, the hollow housing 451 plays the role of a lock inside which is introduced the top portion 416 of the outer neck 413 which plays the role of a key. We turn the cap 450 around of the axis and there follows a localized tear at the annular notched breakable zone 417, and another tear at the annular notched breakable zone 427. As the 4230 bottoms of the inner neck 423 remains above the 4130 drinking the outer neck 413, the seal 480 arrives first in contact with the inner rim 4230 to seal between products. This seal 480 is made of an elastomeric material. It is sufficiently flexible and thick to also come into contact with the outer rim 4130 and seal the products from the outside.

In the example shown, the hollow rib housing 451 has a complementary shape and very close to that of the side wall 419 of the summit portion 416 of the outer neck 413, so that after breakage of the breakable zone 417, said top portion remains trapped in said hollow housing, thus serving as a first-use control. Similarly, the summit portion 426 of the inner tube may also remain trapped in the hollow of the top portion 416 of the outer tube.

Claims

1) Double dispensing container (100, 200, 300, 400) comprising an outer container (110, 210, 310, 410) and an inner container (120, 220, 320, 420), said inner container being for holding a product pasty A and being housed inside said outer container such that the volume delimited by its outer surface (125, 225, 325, 425) and the inner surface (1 15, 215, 315, 415) of the outer container is intended to contain a pasty product B, each container comprising a body (1 1 1, 21 1, 31 1, 411; 121, 221, 321, 421) and a head (1 12, 212, 312, 412; 122, 222 , 322, 422) provided with a neck (1 13, 213, 313,

413; 123, 223, 323, 423) and a shoulder (114, 214, 314, 414; 124, 224, 324, 424) connecting said neck to said body, said neck having a side wall and an open end provided with one or more dispensing orifices, the neck (123, 223, 323, 423) of the inner container being housed inside the neck (1, 13, 213, 313, 413) of the outer container and having a cross-section of such shape that it provides one or more flow veins for the pasty product A leading to a single or multiple product dispensing orifice A and, in combination with the inner surface of the neck of the outer container, one or more flow veins for the pasty product B opening on a single or multiple orifice for dispensing product B, said inner neck being extended by a top portion (126, 226, 326, 426) which is connected to said inner neck by a thin annular zone (127, 227, 327, 427) and which closes the dispensing orifice, simple or m ultiple, product A, characterized in that said thin annular zone is placed on the side wall of the inner neck so that after assembly of the inner neck and the outer neck, rupture of the thin annular zone and detachment of said top portion , the open end of the neck is above the rim (1 130, 2130, 3130, 4130) of the outer neck (1 13, 213, 313,413), the tube being presented vertically, head up. 2) dual dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein said thin annular zone is a breakable zone which extends on the side wall of the inner neck with a notch whose section by a plane passing through the axis of the inner neck is oriented in a direction substantially

5 perpendicular to said axis.

3) dual dispensing container according to claim 2 wherein said notch is placed on the side wall of the neck (123, 223, 323, 423) of the inner container such that after assembly of said neck of the

and / o inner container and the neck (1 13, 213, 313, 413) of the outer container, it is located above the rim (1 130, 2130, 3130, 4130) of said neck of the outer container, the tube being presented vertically , head up.

4) A dual dispensing container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said top portion (126, 226, 326, 426) is provided with a grooved sidewall (129, 229, 329, 429) or having a polygonal section, preferably concave, typically star-shaped.

5) Double dispensing container according to claim 4 wherein said side wall (129) is the outer wall of the top portion (126) characterized in that it is provided with a cap having a hollow housing (151) shaped complementary to that of said side wall (129).

6) A dual dispensing container according to claim 4 wherein said side wall (329) is the inner wall of a cavity of the top portion (326) and characterized in that it is provided with a cap having a protrusion ( 351) of complementary shape to that of said side wall (329).

7) A dual dispensing container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the outer neck (212, 412) is also extended by a summit portion (216, 416) which is connected to said outer neck by a thin annular zone (217, 417).

The dual dispensing container of claim 7 wherein said uppermost portion (216, 416) of the outer tube (212, 412) has a side wall (219, 419) and is hollowed so that the uppermost portion (226,

426) of the inner tube (222, 422) can be housed in its cavity, the inner and outer surfaces of the side wall (219, 419) being provided with ribs which provide reliefs complementary respectively to the contour of the side wall (229, 429) of the inner top portion (226, 426) and the contour of the hollow housing (251, 451) of the plug (250, 450) to provide relative rotational drive of the inner top portions (229, 429). and external (219, 419).

9) dual dispensing container according to claim 8 wherein the plug (450) has an outer side skirt (452) whose open end arrives, in the closed position, near the shoulder (414) of the tube head and which has at said end a detachable strip (453), typically a tamper-proof strip, of width substantially equal to the height of the summit portion (416) of the outer tube.

10) Multiple dispensing container comprising an outer container, an inner container and n intermediate containers (n l 1), said inner container being intended to contain a pasty product A and being housed inside an intermediate container, itself housed in the manner of a Russian doll inside an intermediate container of larger size, the largest of these being housed inside the outer container, each of the containers being housed inside the directly larger container such that the volume delimited by its outer surface and the inner surface of said directly larger container is intended to contain a product pasty Bi (i = 1 to n + 1) separated from other pasty products, each container comprising a body and a head provided with a neck and a shoulder connecting said neck to said body, said neck having a side wall and, one of its ends, a base attached to the shoulder, the other end delimiting one or

5 several dispensing orifices, the neck of the inner container being housed inside the neck of the outer container and having a section of such shape that it offers at least one flow vein for the pasty product A and, in combination with the inner surface of the neck of the container directly larger, at least one flow vein for the pasty product Bi, the o neck of the inner container being extended by a top portion which is connected to said neck by a thin annular zone and / or notched which closes the single or multiple dispensing orifice of the product A, said thin annular and / or notched zone being placed on the side wall of the neck of the inner container such that after assembly of said neck and the

The neck of the container directly larger, breaking the thin annular zone and / or notched and detachment of said top portion, the open end of said neck is above the rim of the neck of the container directly larger, the tube being presented vertically, head up.

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1) A multi-dispensing container according to claim 10 wherein, for each inner container, the neck of the directly larger container is also surmounted by a top portion, connected to the neck of said container via a thin annular zone and / or notched, said top portion being hollowed so that the top portion of the directly smaller container can be housed in its cavity.