EP2502676A1 - System for packaging and distributing a fluid product sample - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a fluid product sample dispensing device mounted on a deformable packaging reservoir in a sealed manner. The dispensing device comprises two plates (6a, 6b) that are extended inside the reservoir while being spaced from one another to form a pumping volume supplied with packaged fluid product. The pumping volume is in communication with a fluid product sample dispensing orifice (7). The plates are manually moved close to each other by supporting on the reservoir so as to supply the packaged fluid product to the orifice by reducing the pumping volume.

Description

The invention relates to a system for packaging and dispensing a fluid sample, in particular a perfumery, cosmetic or pharmaceutical product.

To condition a product sample, known systems are known called "dose sachets" which comprise two peripherally associated walls to form between them a sealed volume conditioning said sample, in particular of between 0.5 and 20 milliliters. The distribution of the product is then performed by simultaneously tearing the periphery of the walls to open the volume to access the packaged product.

This type of system must make it possible to preserve the integrity of the packaged product, in particular by being perfectly tight with respect to the evaporation and the migration of the compounds of the product, while having a high mechanical strength.

In particular, these systems are intended to be distributed in perfumeries or to be secured to a distribution medium, such as an insert or a page of a magazine, for distribution by mail or press. For example, the specifications of the press requires that the system can withstand a crushing of its entire surface of at least 1.6 tons for 6 seconds without tearing or bursting.

To meet these constraints, the use of walls comprising at least one inner layer of association is known which is secured to the back side of a structural complex tight product. Thus, the properties of the inner layer can be optimized to confer an association, in particular by thermal welding, of sufficient strength to avoid bursting, and the complex ensures the mechanical strength and the tightness to the product.

However, the mechanical strength of the walls and their peripheral association makes opening by tearing particularly difficult to achieve by the user, especially if his hands are wet or wet as is often the case in bathrooms. Indeed, the association layer is often made of a plastic of the family of polyolefins which are known to be difficult to tear.

To solve this problem, it is known to use walls whose material of the association layer is oriented to facilitate tearing in a direction or walls on which a line is pre-cut dotted so-called "tracked" to guide tearing. Systems have also been proposed, the periphery of which is provided with a tear initiation, for example in the form of a slot or a V-notch.

But these solutions do not facilitate opening much, while weakening the system relative to the specifications of mechanical strength which it must meet, and lead to a deformation of the contour of the tear which gives the system then degraded an unflattering appearance and is a product retainer.

In addition, once torn, the system is not reclosable, which limits its use to one in the case of volatile products such as perfumes, or leads to contamination or drying of the product.

The aim of the invention is to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a system for packaging and dispensing a product sample whose product tightness and mechanical strength are optimized, particularly with respect to the specifications of the press, while facilitating its opening and possibly closure by the user and the gesture of distribution.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a system for packaging and dispensing a sample of fluid product, comprising a deformable reservoir of conditioning said sample and a dispensing device of said sample which is sealingly mounted on said reservoir, said device comprising two plates which extend inside said reservoir being spaced from each other to form between them a pumping volume which is fed with conditioned product, said pumping volume being in communication with at least one sample dispensing orifice, said plates being manually closable by pressing on the reservoir so as to reduce the pumping volume, supplying said orifice with product.

• les figures 1 sont des représentations en perspective respectivement éclatée (figure 1a) et montée (figure 1b) d'un système de conditionnement et de distribution selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 2 sont des représentations respectivement de face (figure 2a) et de côté (figure 2b) du dispositif de distribution des figures 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale du système selon les figures 1 montrant le capot en position de maintien avant premier enfoncement, la figure 3a étant un agrandissement de la figure 3 montrant un orifice de distribution ;
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue à la figure 3 dans laquelle le capot est en position enfoncée, la figure 4a étant un agrandissement de la figure 4 montrant le montage d'un picot dans un orifice de distribution ;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle en coupe de côté montrant une variante de réalisation du positionnement du capot sur la tête d'application ;
• les figures 6 montrent respectivement un orifice de distribution en coupe (figure 6a) et en perspective de dessus (figure 6b), un picot en perspective de dessous (figure 6c) et, en coupe, l'introduction du picot dans l'orifice (figure 6d) ;
• les figures 7 montrent respectivement un orifice de distribution en coupe (figure 7a), en agrandissement de la zone B de la figure 7a (figure 7b) et en perspective de dessus (figure 7c), un picot en perspective de dessous (figure 7d) et, en coupe, l'introduction du picot dans l'orifice (figure 7e).

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the figures 1 are representations in perspective respectively exploded ( figure 1a ) and climb ( figure 1b ) a packaging and dispensing system according to one embodiment of the invention;
• the figures 2 are representations respectively of face ( figure 2a ) and side ( figure 2b ) of the distribution system of figures 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the system according to figures 1 showing the hood in the holding position before first driving, the figure 3a being an enlargement of the figure 3 showing a dispensing orifice;
• the figure 4 is a view similar to the figure 3 in which the hood is in the depressed position, the figure 4a being an enlargement of the figure 4 showing the mounting of a pin in a dispensing orifice;
• the figure 5 is a partial sectional side view showing an alternative embodiment of the positioning of the cover on the application head;
• the figures 6 respectively show a sectional dispensing orifice ( figure 6a ) and in perspective from above ( figure 6b ), a picot in perspective from below ( Figure 6c ) and, in section, the introduction of the pin in the orifice ( figure 6d );
• the figures 7 respectively show a sectional dispensing orifice ( figure 7a ), enlarging zone B of the Figure 7a (Figure 7b ) and in perspective from above ( Figure 7c ), a picot in perspective from below ( figure 7d ) and, in section, the introduction of the pin in the orifice ( figure 7e ).

In relation to the figures, there is described below a system for packaging and dispensing a sample of fluid, said product can be of any kind, especially used in perfumery, cosmetics or pharmaceutical treatments.

The system includes a deformable sample conditioning container and a dispensing device of said sample which is sealingly mounted on said reservoir.

In the embodiment shown, the conditioning tank is formed between two walls 1 which are associated peripherally to form between them a hermetic space for conditioning the sample, for example having a volume of between 0.5 and 20 milliliters, said walls being manually deformable.

In particular, the system is intended to be secured, in particular by gluing a wall 1, to a distribution medium, such as an inset or a page of a magazine, for distribution by mail or by mail. hurry. According to another use, the system may be intended to be distributed in perfumeries.

In the embodiment shown, each wall 1 has a parallelepipedal geometry, in particular rectangular or square, of which only the edges are associated with each other to laterally delimit the conditioning tank. Alternatively, another geometry and / or another mode of association of the walls 1 between them can be provided.

Each wall 1 comprises at least one inner layer of association which is secured on the back side of a product-tight structural complex, that is to say the face of the complex facing the interior of the tank. By Structural means a complex that is able to withstand the constraints induced by the crash of the system, including those imposed by the specifications of the press, without tearing. By tightness to the product is meant a complex that allows to maintain the integrity of the product over time, particularly with respect to evaporation and / or migration to the outside of all or part of the product compounds.

In particular, the sealed structural complex may comprise one or more layers associated with one another, in particular at least one aluminum layer and / or at least one layer of polymeric material.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the sealed structural complex comprises an inner layer based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on which the bonding layer is bonded, and an outer layer of aluminum. In particular, when the aluminum layer has a thickness of between 5 and 12 microns and the PET layer has a thickness of between 5 and 30 microns, a good compromise is obtained between mechanical strength, product tightness and flexibility of the walls 1 The choice of thicknesses depends on the dimensions of the system, and therefore on the surface stresses undergone.

Concerning the association layer, it may advantageously be made of polyethylene, for example with a thickness of a few tens of microns, especially between 40 and 100 microns, to ensure the peripheral association by thermal welding. Alternatively, another welding method or a method of peripheral bonding of the walls 1 can also be implemented. In addition, the inner layer defining the conditioning tank, the polyethylene has the advantage of being neutral relative to the product so as not to risk tampering with said product by contact. In addition, the polyethylene has a low welding temperature, so little harm to the product.

According to one embodiment, at least one wall 1 may further comprise an outer layer which is secured to the location of the sealed structural complex so as to ensure its protection against mechanical damage, especially when the surface face is formed on the layer. aluminum. The outer layer may be made of plastic material, for example PET, or paper, especially to be printed with an inscription and / or a decor to perfect the aesthetics of the system.

The dispensing device comprises a base 2 which is sealingly associated in a mouth 3 of the reservoir. In particular, the dispensing device may be made in one piece of material for welding the base 2 in the mouth 3, for example of thermoplastic material of polyolefin type.

In an industrial manner, the manufacture of the system can be carried out at a high rate from reels of multilayer film, for example obtained by coextrusion or gluing of the different layers forming the walls 1, machines being provided for welding the films on to at least two sides, fill the product by an open side forming filling mouth 3 and then solder the base 2 in said mouth and individually cut the systems.

In order to make the welding more reliable, the base 2 has a lateral wall 4 which is provided with welding grooves 4a in the mouth 3, said wall comprising a central portion 4b of planar or slightly curved geometry which is bordered on both sides by welding ears 5 conical section. Thus, after placing the base 2 in the mouth 3, by pressing on each side of said mouth a hot iron of complementary shape to that of the wall 4, the melting of the materials and thus their welding.

In particular, the lugs 5 and the ridges 4a constitute reserves of material for this fusion in order to make reliable the mechanical strength and the tightness. In addition, the base 2 may be made of a material of the same nature as that of the inner layer, especially polyethylene, in order to present a similar melting temperature. Furthermore, the weld can then be performed without risk of damaging the structural complex since its melting temperature is much higher than that of the inner layer.

The dispensing device comprises two plates 6a, 6b which extend inside the reservoir being spaced apart from each other to form between them a pumping volume which is fed with conditioned product, the pumping volume being in communication with at least one orifice 7 for dispensing the sample.

In the embodiment shown, the plates 6a, 6b extend parallel under the base 2 by having a spacing 8 in which the pumping volume is formed, the dispensing orifices 7 extending through the base 2 to in communication the pumping volume with the outside of the tank.

More specifically, the plates 6a, 6b have an upper edge 9 which is associated under the base 2, the lateral edges 10 and lower 11 of each of the plates 6a, 6b being spaced apart from each other to allow feeding of the pumping volume. in packaged product. In addition, the lower end of the side edges 10 is tapered to facilitate the introduction of the plates 6a, 6b into the tank through the mouth 3.

The plates 6a, 6b are manually closable by pressing on the tank to reduce the pumping volume, to supply the orifice 7 of product distribution. In particular, the plates 6a, 6b being structural, a bearing on said plates induces their reversible rotation around their upper edge 9 by deformation of the material. Thus, the spacing 8 between the plates 6a, 6b and therefore the pumping volume decreases so as to force the product contained in said volume to exit through the orifice 7 distribution.

Advantageously, the plates 6a, 6b have a length which is greater than 80% of the length of the walls 1 and a width which is greater than at 60% of the width of said walls. Thus, a support on almost any area of the walls 1 soft induces the approximation of the plates 6a, 6b and therefore the distribution of the product.

On the other hand, relatively large-sized structural plates 6a, 6b increase the outlet pressure of the product. However, the dose of product dispensed during a support can then be too important. To limit this dose, at least one plate 6a, 6b may have an internal geometry that is arranged to limit the closing stroke of said plates. In the figures, the upper inner part of each plate 6a, 6b is provided with a local extra thickness 12 which reduces the width of the spacing 8 in the vicinity of the base 2.

Each plate 6a, 6b is disposed in the reservoir substantially against a wall 1, that is to say that the spacing 8 between the plates 6a, 6b is substantially equal to the thickness of the reservoir, so as to improve the rate of return of the conditioned sample. To facilitate the return of the product that might be retained by capillarity between a plate 6a, 6b and the wall 1, at least one plate 6a, 6b may have a through window 13 for setting the pump volume in communication with the outside of said plate. In the figures, the upper part of each plate 6a, 6b has an oblong window 13 which extends vertically.

The dispensing device also comprises a product application head 14 on the upper surface of which at least one dispensing orifice 7 opens. Thus, after pressing on the walls 1, the user can pass the upper surface of the head 14 on his skin in order to apply the product that has been dispensed through the orifice 7. In a variant, the dispensing device can include means for spraying the product through the orifice 7.

In the embodiment shown, the head 14 comprises a base 15 associated on the base 2 and a tip 16 overlying said base, said head being hollow for communicating the dispensing orifices 7 formed on the tip 16 with the pumping volume through an opening 17 formed in the base 2. In addition, a vertical partition 18 is disposed in the head 14 to strengthen the dispensing device, especially the base 2 vis-à-vis the compression undergone during welding.

The application head 14 is surmounted by a cover 19 which can be pushed onto said head by manual support of the user. To do this, the cover 19 has an internal geometry that is complementary to that of the head 14, namely a skirt 20 whose inner wall is slidably mounted on the outer wall of the base 15 to surround it and a cap 21 of which the inner wall is slidably mounted on the outer wall of the nozzle 16 to cover it. In addition, in the embodiment shown, the cover 19 comprises an outer skirt 22 of appearance which is arranged in the extension of the base 2 to hide it in the depressed position.

The cover 19 comprises means for plugging the dispensing orifice 7 in the depressed position on the head 14. Thus, by mounting the cover 19 in the depressed position, it is possible to close the reservoir between two product distributions. Furthermore, the cover 19 and the head 14 may comprise reciprocal means for holding said cover in position on said head before the first depression.

In relation to Figures 3 and 4 , the outer wall of the base 15 is provided with two upper lateral reliefs 23 and the inner wall of the skirt 20 has two complementary lower lateral depressions 24, the arrangement of the reliefs 23 respectively in a depression 24 ensuring the pre-positioning of the cover 19 on the head 14 before the first use ( figure 3 ).

In a variant represented on the figure 5 the outer wall of the base 15 is provided with facial grooves intended to retain the cover 19 by interweaving facial rims 26 made complementary to the inner wall of the skirt 20, thus ensuring the holding of the cover 19 before its first depression when the system is compressed.

To reinforce the watertightness of the reservoir before the first use, the dispensing orifice 7 has a concealing veil 27 before the first use, the cover 19 comprising means for perforating said veil during the first depression of said cover on the head 14. to ensure the opening of said orifice. In particular, the cover 19 may have at least one inner pin 28 whose geometry is arranged to form closure means and / or perforation means.

In the embodiments shown, the cover 19 has a row of inner pins 28 which extend inferiorly from the upper inner wall of the cap 21, said pins being arranged opposite respectively a dispensing orifice 7 formed on the upper wall of the tip 16.

On the Figures 3 and 4 , the pins 28 have a tapered tip 28a forming means for perforating a web 27 of reduced thickness obscuring the orifice 7 of distribution. Moreover, the pins 28 have a base 28b intended to be arranged sealingly in a bore 7a overlying the orifice 7 of distribution. Thus, during the first depression of the cover 19, the tapered tip 28a opens the orifice 7 and the base 28b closes said orifice in the depressed position, said closure being reversible by removing the cover 19.

On the figures 6 , the web 27 has a spider 27a which is perforated by a pointed cross 28c formed on the end of the pins 28. On the figures 7 , the web 27 has a peripheral edge 27b whose thickness is at least partially reduced, said edge being perforated by a punch 28d formed on the end of the pins 28.

Claims (14)

A fluid product sample conditioning and dispensing system comprising a deformable reservoir for conditioning said sample and a dispensing device for said sample which is sealingly mounted on said reservoir, said device comprising two plates (6a, 6b) which extend inside said reservoir being spaced from each other to form between them a pumping volume which is fed with conditioned product, said pumping volume being in communication with at least one orifice (7) of distribution of the sample, said plates being manually closable by pressing on the reservoir to reduce the pumping volume, to supply said orifice product. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing device comprises a base (2) which is sealingly associated in a mouth (3) of the reservoir, the plates (6a, 6b) extending parallel to said base in having a gap (8) in which the pumping volume is formed. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the plates (6a, 6b) have an upper edge (9) which is associated under the base (2), the lateral (10) and lower (11) edges of each of the plates ( 6a, 6b) being spaced from each other to allow feeding of the pumping volume to the packaged product. System according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the base (2) has a side wall (4) which is provided with weld seams (4a) in the mouth (3), said wall comprising a central portion (4b) which is bordered on both sides by welding ears (5). System according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the dispensing orifice (7) extends through the base (2). System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the conditioning tank is formed between two walls (1) associated peripherally, each wall (1) comprising at least one inner layer of association which is secured on the back side of a product-tight structural complex. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the plates (6a, 6b) have a length which is greater than 80% of the length of the walls (1) and a width which is greater than 60% of the width of said walls. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one plate (6a, 6b) has an internal geometry which is arranged to limit the approach stroke of said plates. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one plate (6a, 6b) has a through window (13) for placing the pumping volume in communication with the outside of said plate. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the dispensing device comprises a head (14) for applying the product on the upper surface of which at least one dispensing orifice (7) opens. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the application head (14) is surmounted by a cover (19) sinking on said head, said cover comprising means for plugging the dispensing orifice (7) in the depressed position. on said head. System according to Claim 11, characterized in that the dispensing orifice (7) has an occultation web (27) before the first use, the cover (19) comprising means for perforating said web during the first depression of said cover on the head (14) to ensure the opening of said orifice. System according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the cover (19) has at least one inner pin (28) whose geometry is arranged to form closure means and / or perforation means. System according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the cover (19) and the head (14) comprise reciprocal means for holding said cover in position on said head before the first depression.

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