EP2607258B1 - Packaging for packaging products, in particular cosmetic compositions - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the packaging of products, in particular cosmetic compositions.

It relates more particularly to a package for packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic composition, comprising a container having an opening at the top and delimiting a housing for receiving the product, a lid for closing the opening container and a deformable membrane carried by the cover to ensure the tightness of the housing when the lid is in a closed position.

Such packages, also called "containers", are used mainly for the packaging of products containing volatile components, in particular for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and similar compositions.

The document FR 1017922 discloses canteens, trunks, suitcases and the like intended for the carriage of luggage which are impervious to insects and moisture and the document WO 00/30491 discloses a sealed package for cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

Products containing volatile components, in particular for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and similar compositions, must be able to be kept under optimum sealing conditions to avoid weight losses by exchange with the external ambient medium.

In fact, variations in atmospheric pressure due to changes in weather or travel, for example during transport in an aircraft hold, generate differences in air pressure between the inside and the outside of the aircraft. 'packaging.

In the event of a leak causing leakage, these pressure differences tend to rebalance the hygrometry of the product by exchange with its atmospheric environment, resulting in a loss of weight.

Packaging of the aforementioned type is already known, the lid of which is either screwed onto the container or hinged to the latter by a hinge. However, none of the known packages of this type can completely satisfy the above requirements. Indeed the seal is generally provided by seals exerting efforts in the radial direction, which often requires a large screwing torque in the case of a screwed lid or a large closing force in the case of a hinged lid. The handling of these packages is therefore not comfortable for the user as well for closing as for opening the lid.

The invention aims in particular to provide a package of the aforementioned type which provides a comfortable opening and closing of the lid in conditions satisfactory to the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide a package of the aforementioned type which can guarantee a seal over a wide range of temperatures, typically from -10 ° C. to + 50 ° C., with a small weight loss of the product which 'it contains.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a package which is particularly suitable for packaging products containing volatile components, in particular the packaging of cosmetic compositions.

The invention proposes for this purpose a packaging of a product, as defined above.

According to the invention, the deformable membrane comprises a generally flexible central wall, surrounded by a generally rigid annular edge, and this annular edge is biased in an axial direction of closure by spring means bearing against a bottom of the lid. As a result, the annular edge comes into sealing engagement against an annular bearing around the opening of the container when the lid is in the closed position and the central wall of the membrane can then deform depending on the differences between the pressures prevailing on both sides of the deformable membrane.

In the closed position, the lid seals the packaging thanks to the deformable membrane whose annular edge is elastically biased in the axial direction of closure by the spring means. The annular edge is biased against the annular bearing surface surrounding the opening, which limits the pressure in the housing, forming a sealed enclosure. A flexible connection is thus obtained which absorbs the differences in volume and reduces the pressure exerted on the sealing zone. The spring means also make it possible to make up for any lack of flatness at the interface between the annular bearing surface of the container and the annular edge of the deformable membrane.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "packaging" means different types of packaging or containers, such as only flasks, pots, tubes, cases. In most cases, the package comprises a flat bottom to which is attached a cylindrical wall having a selected geometric contour, for example circular, oval, elliptical, polygonal, etc. Such a package is open at the top to form the opening that receives the lid.

The spring means of the packaging of the invention thus make it possible to ensure a constant and reliable pressure on the sealing zone formed between the annular bearing surface of the container and the annular edge of the deformable membrane carried by the lid.

These spring means are thus able to absorb the deformations and oppose the internal pressure in the package.

These spring means must be properly calibrated to ensure a constant pressure as mentioned above.

The invention is not limited to a particular type of spring means. This may include metal springs, synthetic springs or gas springs.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these spring means comprise a plurality of helicoidal springs acting in compression and arranged parallel to the axial direction of closure.

It is also possible to use spring means comprising at least one elastically compressible elastomer buffer.

Other solutions are still conceivable, for example elastic blades, made of metal or plastic.

To contribute to a better seal, it is advantageously provided that the annular edge is provided with a seal, particularly a lip seal, adapted to come into sealing engagement against the annular bearing surrounding the opening of the container.

The deformable membrane is preferably formed by molding two materials comprising a first generally flexible material for the center wall and the seal and a second generally rigid material for the annular rim.

In the invention, the deformable membrane is carried by the lid. To limit the translational movement of the annular rim, provision is made for this annular rim to have a first retaining shoulder of its own to bear against a second retaining shoulder formed inside the lid, under the action of the spring means, when the lid is in an open position.

Thus, when the lid comes into the closed position, the annular edge is shifted slightly towards the bottom of the lid by compressing the spring means to help achieve sealing. Conversely, when the lid is then brought into an open position, the spring means tend to facilitate opening by displacing in translation the annular border of the membrane to come into support by cooperation of the two aforementioned shoulders.

The central wall of the deformable membrane advantageously comprises a bellows periphery connected to the annular edge.

In the closed position of the lid, the central wall of the membrane is in a rest position away from the bottom of the lid when the pressure inside the housing is equal to the pressure outside the package and in a working position against the bottom of the lid when the pressure inside the housing is greater than the pressure outside the package.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the lid defines, in combination with the deformable membrane, a compartment of variable volume communicating with the outside by at least one vent arranged through the lid.

This helps to bring this compartment to the outside pressure, that is to say to the atmospheric pressure.

The lid of the invention may be completely independent of the container. However, it is preferred that this lid is connected to the container by a hinge.

Thus, not only the lid is made captive, but also the spring means facilitate the opening of the lid by pivoting around the hinge.

However, it is conceivable to make a lid cooperating by screwing with the container.

The container itself can directly define the housing to receive the product.

It is also conceivable to provide a tank received in the container and forming a housing for receiving the product. In this case, this tank may have an outer rim forming the annular edge around the opening.

In some cases, indeed, it is advantageous that the tank is made of a material compatible with the nature of the product, for example a cosmetic composition, this material may then be different from that forming the container itself.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the container is provided with a removable cap for closing the housing.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un emballage selon l'invention dont le couvercle est en position de fermeture, la membrane du couvercle étant représentée dans deux positions différentes ;
• la figure 2 est un détail de la figure 1, représenté à échelle agrandie ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe analogue à la figure 1 d'un autre emballage selon l'invention ; et
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée des éléments du couvercle de l'emballage de la figure 3.

In the detailed description which follows, made only by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a package according to the invention, the lid is in the closed position, the membrane of the lid being shown in two different positions;
• the figure 2 is a detail of the figure 1 , shown on an enlarged scale;
• the figure 3 is a sectional view similar to the figure 1 another package according to the invention; and
• the figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the elements of the lid of the packaging of the figure 3 .

We first refer to the figure 1 which represents a package for packaging a product, in particular a volatile component product. It may be, for example, a cosmetic composition of the cream type or the like. This package consists of a container 12, for example of the pot or tube type, and a lid 14 which, in the example, is articulated to the container by a hinge described in detail below.

The container comprises a generally flat bottom wall 16 having a selected geometric contour, for example circular, oval, elliptical, polygonal, and so on. This bottom wall is surmounted by a side wall 18 to define an open face with an opening 20 in the upper part. In the example shown, the container 12 is recessed and receives internally a tank 22 of suitable shape which forms a housing 24 for receiving the product to be packaged and stored. This tank 22 has an outer rim 26 which forms a border or annular bearing surrounding the opening 20. This annular edge thus provides a flat annular surface, forming a seat, to cooperate with the cover as described below.

In the example shown, the container 12 and the tank 22 are made of different materials, the container 12 being made for example of polymethylmethacrylate (abbreviated PMMA) and the tank 22 in another material, by example of polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester, compatible with the product received in the housing 24.

Thus, this tank makes it possible to form an internal lining in the case where the material constituting the container is not compatible with the nature of the product to contain.

It is also possible to use this tank as a refill.

In a variant, not shown, the container 12 can directly form the housing 24 for receiving the product, the tank 22 then being absent.

In this case, the annular bearing is formed directly by the upper rim 28 of the container around the opening 24. It is this rim which then forms a seat for the lid 14.

The lid 14 comprises a bottom wall 30, here slightly convex, which is the bottom of the lid and is attached to a side wall 32 which has substantially the same contour as the side wall 18 of the container.

In the example shown, the cover 14 internally receives an insert 34, in the form of an annular ring, which makes it possible to conceal the hinge.

The container 12 and the lid 14 are hingedly connected by a hinge 36 which comprises a first hinge portion 38 integral with a ring 40 attached to the container and a second hinge portion 42 integral with the insert 34. These two hinge parts are hingedly connected by a pivot 43.

Opposite the hinge, the ring 40 has a latch 44 cooperating with a hook 46 from the lid 14. As already mentioned, the insert 34 can hide the lid hinge. It is conceivable, however, alternatively, to form the hinge portion 42 directly on the lid, the insert 34 can then be removed.

The lid internally carries a deformable membrane 48 intended to ensure the tightness of the housing, and therefore the product it contains, when the lid is in a closed position, as is the case on the figure 1 .

This deformable membrane 48 has a generally flexible central wall 50, surrounded by a generally rigid annular rim 52. The central wall 50 has a bellows periphery 54 to facilitate its deformation as a function of pressure differences between the internal pressure in the housing and the external pressure, that is to say the atmospheric pressure.

In the example shown, the annular rim 52 has a U-shaped general section with a bottom 56, an inner wing 58 which is attached to the bellows portion 54 and an outer wing 60 ( figure 2 ). The flange 60 extends outwardly by a first retaining shoulder 62 adapted to bear against a second retaining shoulder 64 formed inside the lid, in the example formed directly on the insert 34. function of these two shoulders is to maintain the deformable membrane 48 to the inside of the lid, and limit its translational movement in the lid, as described below.

The annular rim 52 is provided with a seal 66 made of flexible material. In the example shown, it is a lip seal attached below the bottom 56 of the annular edge 52. The seal 66 is intended to bear tight against the annular bearing of the container, which forms a seat for the seal. Here, this seal has a central core surrounded by two lips, but other types of flexible joints are possible.

The deformable membrane 48 may be made by injection molding, of the bi-material type, using a first generally flexible material for the central wall 50 and for the seal 66 and a second generally rigid material for the annular rim 52.

The first material is preferably chosen from elastomers, such as thermoplastic elastomers, in particular of the styrene type. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials are those sold under the names K Thermolast ^® or Téfabloc ^®.

The second material is preferably selected from styrenic polymers, in particular acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) type, and rigid polymers.

The membrane 48 is subjected to the action of resilient means, in the example of a plurality of helical springs 72 bearing on the one hand on the bottom 30 of the lid and on the other hand on the annular edge 52 of the membrane Deformable 48. These springs thus urge the annular edge 52 of the deformable membrane in an axial direction of closure, that is to say in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the seal 66 of the cover and the scope annular container when the lid is in the closed position. In the example, these springs act in compression and are arranged parallel to the axial direction of closure.

In order to exert a suitable and regularly distributed pressure, provision is usually made for at least four springs, in the example six springs, suitably spaced apart along the periphery of the annular rim 52. The springs 72 are made of metal, for example spring steel, and have a suitable setting force. Each spring receives, at one of its ends, a peg 74 made from molding with the annular border ( figure 2 ). Thus, these springs can not escape from the cover and they urge the annular edge 52 axially supported by cooperation between the retaining shoulders 62 and 64.

As shown by Figures 1 and 2 , the container is provided with a removable cap 76 intended to close the opening 20 of the container, that is to say more particularly of the tank 22.

The cover further comprises a cover or hubcap 78 made in the form of a flat disk surmounted by an annular rib 80 intended to fit inside the annular edge 52, against the inner wing 58 of the latter. This cover remains attached to the lid and hides the membrane.

The invention is not limited to a particular form of spring means. Instead of using compression coil springs, other means may be used, for example one or more elastically compressible elastomer pads.

This can be either a continuous ring-shaped pad disposed, for example by gluing, on the annular edge 52 or spaced elements.

It is still possible to use spring leaf springs, metal or plastic, or gas springs.

Thus, the seal between the lid and the container, in the closed position, is provided by the seal 66 held in compression by the springs 72. The lid defines, in combination with the deformable membrane, a compartment of variable volume which communicates with the outside by at least one vent 82 ( figure 2 ) located near the hinge. Thus, this compartment is at the external pressure, that is to say at ambient pressure.

The deformable membrane 48 can move between a rest position in which it bears on the hubcap 78 and a working position in which it bears against the bottom 30 of the lid. The central wall of the membrane is in a rest position away from the bottom of the lid when the pressure P ₁ inside the housing is equal to the pressure P ₂ outside the package. It is in a working position against the bottom of the cover when the pressure P ₁ inside the housing is greater than the pressure P ₂ outside the package. Both positions are represented on the figure 1 the diaphragm is designated by the reference 48 in the rest position and by the reference 48 'in the working position.

Therefore, if the package is placed in an atmosphere under reduced pressure, for example in a hold of an aircraft, the atmospheric pressure P ₂ becomes lower than the pressure P ₁ in the housing of the container. The seal is then ensured by the seal, and the membrane tends to move towards the position bearing against the bottom of the lid. As a result, the moment when a leakage of the seal will occur will be repelled by the displacement of the membrane.

Thus, it is sufficient to use spring means suitably calibrated to seal under normal conditions of use between -10 and + 50 ° C.

In addition, the springs 72 contribute to a better comfort of opening and closing manually. When closing the lid, the springs are compressed and the retaining shoulder 62 of the annular edge deviates from the retaining shoulder 64 of the lid as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

When the user then wants to open the lid, he just has to press the latch 44, which allows the pivoting of the lid around the axis of the hinge. The springs then tend to decompress and thereby push the lid of the container, which facilitates the opening.

In addition, because the sealing is in the axial opening or closing direction, there is less resistance to opening and closing than when using sealing means which function in the radial direction, as is the case in existing packaging.

We now refer to figures 3 and 4 that show another package that takes up most of the elements of the packaging of the figure 1 . The common elements are designated by the same numerical references. For reasons of simplification, only the main elements of the packaging are referenced on the figure 3 . The figure 4 shows the different elements making up the lid.

In the example of figures 3 and 4 , the tank 22 has a more rounded bottom and is kept spaced from the bottom wall 16 and the side wall of the container 12. In addition, a wedge insert 84 is inserted between the container and the tank as seen on the figure 3 . This spacer is advantageously made of a compressible material, for example an elastomer.

The figure 4 further shows that, in this case, the number of springs is equal to six. Since the container has a generally cylindrical circular wall, the springs can then be properly spaced with a mutual angular interval of 60 °.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and extends to other variants. In particular the spring means are not necessarily helical springs working in compression. It may be other mechanical springs, made of metal or plastic, or elastomer. Similarly, the container is not necessarily provided to receive a tank, the container can receive directly the product to contain.

Also, as already indicated, the cover is not necessarily connected by a hinge. It could be a completely independent lid that can be screwed and unscrewed from the container.

The invention finds particular application to the sealed packaging of products containing volatile substances, such as cosmetic creams or pharmaceuticals, this list is not limiting.

Claims (15)

1. A packaging for containing a product, in particular a cosmetic preparation, comprising a container (12) provided with an opening (20) at the top and bounding a housing (24) to receive the product, a lid (14) arranged to close the opening of the container and a deformable membrane (48) borne by the lid to ensure the leak-tightness of the housing when the lid is in a closed position,
   characterized in that the deformable membrane (48) comprises a generally flexible central wall (50) surrounded by a generally rigid annular rim (52) and in that the annular rim (52) is urged in an axial direction of closure by spring means (72) bearing on a base (30) of the lid such that the annular rim bears in a leak-tight manner on an annular bearing surrounding the opening (20) of the container when the lid is in the closed position and in that the central wall (50) may be deformed as a result of the differences between the pressures prevailing on either side of the deformable membrane.
2. A packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spring means comprise a plurality of helical springs (72) acting by compression and disposed parallel to the axial direction of closure.
3. A packaging according to claim 2, wherein each of the helical springs (72) receives, at one of its ends, a pin (74) provided on the annular rim (52) of the deformable membrane (48).
4. A packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spring means comprise at least one buffer of resiliently compressible elastomer material.
5. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the annular rim (52) is provided with a sealing joint (66), in particular a lip seal, arranged to come to bear in a leak-tight manner on the annular bearing (28) surrounding the opening (20) of the container.
6. A packaging according to claim 5, wherein the deformable membrane (48) is formed by moulding of two materials comprising a first generally flexible material for the central wall (50) and the sealing joint (66) and a second generally rigid material for the annular rim (52).
7. A packaging according to claim 6, wherein the first material is selected from among elastomers and the second from among styrene polymers in particular of the type of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or of the type of styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), and rigid polymers.
8. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the annular rim (52) of the deformable membrane (48) comprises a first retaining shoulder (62) arranged to come into contact with a second retaining shoulder (64) formed within the lid (14), under the action of the spring means (72), when the lid (14) is in an open position.
9. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the central wall (50) of the deformable membrane comprises a bellows periphery connected to the annular rim (52).
10. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, in the closed position of the lid, the central wall (50) of the deformable membrane (48) is in a rest position spaced from the base (30) of the lid when the pressure (P₁) within the housing is equal to the pressure (P₂) external to the packaging and in a working position against the base (16) of the lid when the pressure (P₁) within the housing is greater than the pressure (P₂) external to the packaging.
11. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lid (14) bounds, in conjunction with the deformable membrane (48), a variable-volume compartment communicating externally via at least one vent (82) provided through the lid.
12. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lid (14) is connected to the container (12) by a hinge (36).
13. A packaging according to claim 12, wherein the hinge (36) comprises a first hinge portion (38) integral with a ring (40) provided on the container and a second hinge portion (42) integral with an insert (34) received in the lid.
14. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the container (12) receives a tub (22) forming the housing (24) for receiving the product, said tub having an external rim (26) forming the annular bearing around the opening (20).
15. A packaging according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the container (12) is provided with a detachable protective cover (76) intended to close the housing (24).

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