EP4384045A1

EP4384045A1 - Closure with a detachable applicator and container

Info

Publication number: EP4384045A1
Application number: EP22755238.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yulai LAI; Zihui LING; Marc Y PHU
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Priority date: 2021-08-13
Filing date: 2022-08-02
Publication date: 2024-06-19
Also published as: WO2023016857A1; MX2024001833A; CN117835865A; CN219438432U; US20240341446A1

Abstract

Disclosed are a closure for a container and container comprising the closure. The closure comprises a detachable applicator which can be mounted and demounted easily.

Description

CLOSURE WITH A DETACHABLE APPLICATOR AND CONTAINER

Field of the invention

The present invention is related to a closure and a container comprising the closure. Such container is suitable for holding personal care product. Particularly, the closure comprising a detachable applicator which may be mounted and demounted conveniently.

Background of the invention

Some cosmetic products are contained in jar or similar containers. When users apply the cosmetic products, they usually use their fingers to take the cosmetic product out from the containers. Thus, the cosmetic product inside of the container may be contaminated by their fingers and cause hygiene problem to the cosmetic product.

The present inventors have recognized there is a need and therefore developed a closure comprising a detachable applicator. Such detachable applicator may be used to take the cosmetic product out from the container. The detachable applicator is designed to enable it may be mounted from multi-sides and demounted easily. Thus, the consumer may randomly and conveniently mount the detachable applicator into the attachment mechanism. Meanwhile the detachable applicator would not be undesirably detached from the attachment mechanism and falls down to the product inside of the container, for example when the cap is closed, or the container is transported. Furthermore, even if the cap has certain transparency, the detachable applicator is less visible to the consumers when the cap is closed as the detachable applicator is perpendicular to the cap.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a closure for a container, the closure comprising a cap (1) and a detachable applicator (3), wherein: (a) the cap (1) comprises a roof (11) and an attachment mechanism (2) arranged on the roof (11); (b) the detachable applicator (3) is vertically attached to the roof (11) by the attachment mechanism (2); (c) the detachable applicator (3) comprises a proximal side (32a) close to the roof and a distal side (32b) opposite to the proximal side (32a); and (d) both the proximal and distal sides (32a, 32b) have a substantially same contour as the portion of the roof (11) where the proximal side (32a) sits.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a container comprising the closure of the present invention.

These and other aspects of the present invention will more readily become apparent upon considering the detailed description and examples which follow.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of container according to the present invention when the cap is opened.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of container as shown in Fig. 1 when the detachable applicator is demounted.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the snap peg of container as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top (and bottom) view of detachable applicator of container as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along dash line AA’ of the detachable applicator as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a top view of cap of container as shown in Fig. 1 when the cap is in a fully opened position and the detachable applicator is mounted.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along dash line BB’ of cap as shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along dash line CC’ of cap as shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is top (and bottom) view of another preferred embodiment of detachable applicator which may be mounted into container as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view along dash line DD’ of the detachable applicator as shown in Fig. 9.

Description of the symbols

1 : Cap

11: Roof

12: Peripheral skirt

13: Inner skirt

14, 15: Crescent shaped indentation

2: Attachment mechanism

21 : Snap peg

211 : Snap beam

212: Protruding member

213, 214: Support member

22, 23: First support pair

24, 25: Second support pair

3: Detachable applicator

31 : Applicator panel

32a, 32b: Proximal side, distal side

33a, 33b, 33c, 33d: Depressions

34: horizontal plane

35a, 35b, 35c, 35d: Protrusions

4: Fitment

5: Hinge

6: Container body

Detailed description of the invention

Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “about”. It should be noted that in specifying any range of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

For the avoidance of doubt, the word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of”. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

The disclosure of the invention as found herein is to be considered to cover all embodiments as found in the claims as being multiply dependent upon each other irrespective of the fact that claims may be found without multiple dependency or redundancy.

Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (for example a product of the invention), such disclosure is also to be considered to apply to any other aspect of the invention (for example a process of the invention) mutatis mutandis.

“Substantially” as used herein typically refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of a characteristic, property, state, structure, or result. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context but generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained.

According to the present invention, both the proximal and distal sides of the detachable applicator have substantially the same contour as the portion of the roof where the proximal side sits, (i.e the portion of the roof where the detachable applicator is vertically attached to the roof by the attachment mechanism). In such way, the detachable applicator may be attached to the attachment mechanism from both proximal and distal sides, so that the detachable applicator can sit on the roof in a stable position from both proximal and distal sides.

The consumer may randomly and conveniently mount the detachable applicator into the attachment mechanism. “Substantially the same contour” generally means not only exactly the same contour but also includes a difference of contours which is within 20 percent, preferably 10 percent, and more preferably 5 percent in terms of the average radius of curvature of the contours. The difference may be expressed by (ri-r2)/ri, wherein n refers to the average radi of curvature of the contour of the proximal side (or the distal side), and r2 refers to the the average radius of curvature of the contour of the portion of the roof where the proximal side sits. .

Preferably, the cap comprises a peripheral skirt, a roof extending inwardly from the top of peripheral skirt, and an attachment mechanism arranged on the roof. Preferably, the cap additionally comprises an inner skirt substantially parallel to and within the peripheral skirt. Preferably the height of the inner skirt is less than that of the peripheral skirt. For sake of clarity, the attachment mechanism is arranged inside of the cap. Preferably, the projection of the roof has a substantially circular or elliptical shape. “Substantially parallel” generally refers not only to being exactly parallel, but also to having an absolute angular difference within 10 degrees (preferably within 5 degrees), and the same applies to the other parts of the present description.

Preferably the detachable applicator is attached to the roof by shape-locking. Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises a snap peg to snap-fit the detachable applicator. Preferably, the snap peg is designed to snap-fit the detachable applicator and ensure the detachable applicator may be installed and uninstalled easily. Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises at least one support element to support the detachable applicator. Thus, the detachable applicator is sufficiently fastened to ensure the detachable applicator would not undesirably fall off from the roof, for example when the cap is opened or closed, or the container comprising the closure is transported.

Preferably, the support element comprises at least two support pairs. Preferably, the snap peg is arranged substantially centrally between the first support pair and second support pair. Preferably snap peg and two support pairs located substantially along a straight line.

Preferably the snap peg comprises snap beam sitting perpendicular to the roof, a protruding member at the top and front of the snap beam to snap-fit with the detachable applicator. Preferably the snap peg comprises support member to support the snap beam.

Preferably, the detachable applicator has an elongate shape, and more preferably the detachable applicator is an elongate plate. Preferably the ratio of the length to the width of the detachable applicator is 1.5:1 to 10:1 , more preferably 2:1 to 8:1 , and even more preferably 3:1 to 6:1. Preferably, the ratio of the width to the thickness of the of the detachable applicator is 4:1 to 50:1 , more preferably 8:1 to 25:1.

To enable the detachable applicator may be mounted conveniently, the detachable applicator preferably has substantially plane symmetry. More preferably the detachable applicator has substantially plane symmetry with respect to the horizontal plane. More preferably, the detachable applicator has substantially plane symmetry with respect to the vertical plane. Even more preferably the detachable applicator has substantially plane symmetry with respect to both horizontal plane and the vertical plane. Still even more preferably the detachable applicator has substantially threefold plane symmetry. The term “substantially plane symmetry” typically refers not only to being exactly plane symmetry, but also includes the situation that the object can be divided into two halves by a plane and at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably 99%) of the first half be a reflection of the other across the plane.

The detachable applicator has proximal side and distal side relatively to the roof. The proximal side and distal side of detachable applicator has substantially same contours as the portion of the roof where the proximal side sits. In such a way, the detachable applicator sits on the roof in a stable position from both sides. Therefore, the proximal side and distal side is convertible.

Preferably, the detachable applicator comprises at least two, more preferably at least four symmetric snap connectors wherein each of the snap connector is capable of snapfitting the attachment mechanism. Preferably, the snap connectors are symmetrical with regards to the horizontal plane and/or the vertical plane. More preferably, the snap connectors are symmetrical with regards to the horizontal plane and the vertical plane. Such that the detachable applicator may be mounted from either direction or either side. Preferably, the snap connectors are protrusions or depressions configured to snap-fit the attachment mechanism, particularly the snap peg of the attachment mechanism.

Preferably, the length of the detachable applicator is substantially same as that of the roof. The length of roof as used herein refers to the distance between the closest skirt along the direction along which the detachable applicator is sitting. Such that the detachable application may be attached in a relatively fixed position. Preferably, the thickness of the detachable applicator is substantially same as the distance between each support pairs. Such that the detachable applicator may be demounted very easily but would not falls down when the cap is in a closed position.

Preferably, the closure of the present invention comprises the cap and a fitment wherein the cap is pivotably connected to the fitment, preferably by a hinge.

Preferably the container of the present invention comprising a closure of the present invention and a container body. Preferably the open mouth of the container body is releasably secured by the closure. Preferably, the fitment is coupled with the open mouth of the container body.

Preferably the container is made of material polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or mixtures thereof.

The container may be used to store any suitable viscous consumer product, for example personal care products including creams, moisturizers, conditioners, shampoos, facial cleansers, deodorants; home care products and food products. Preferably, the container used to store skin care and/or hair care products, more preferably leave-on products. The term "leave-on" as used with reference to products herein means a product that is applied to or rubbed on the skin and/or hair, and left thereon.

Examples

The following example is provided in figures 1 to 10 to facilitate an understanding of the invention. The example is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , a preferred embodiment of container according to the present invention comprises a closure and container body 6 for holding a consumer product. The container body 6 is bounded by a closed bottom end and an open top month. The open top mouth of the container body 6 is releasably secured by a closure. The closure comprises a cap 1 , a fitment 4 and a hinge 5. The fitment 4 is coupled with the open top mouth of the container body 6. The cap 1 is hingedly connected with the fitment 4 through the hinge 5 and releasably seals the container body 6 in a closed position.

The cap 1 comprises a peripheral skirt 12, a roof 11 extending inwardly from the top of peripheral skirt 12, an inner shirt 13 extending downwardly from the roof 11 , and an attachment mechanism 2 arranged on the roof 11. Crescent shaped indentation 14, 15 faced each other are embossed into the top and bottom sides of roof 11. The detachable applicator 3 is attached to and perpendicular to the roof 11 by the attachment mechanism 2.

As shown in Fig. 2, the detachable applicator 3 is demounted from the attachment mechanism 2. The attachment mechanism 2 comprises a snap peg 21 to snap-fit the detachable applicator 3 and a first support pair 22, 23 and a second support pair 24, 25 arranged at the left side and right side of the snap peg 21 respectively to support the detachable applicator 3. The snap peg 21 , first support pair 22, 23 and a second support pair 24, 25 sit side by side and are substantially at a straight line.

Fig. 3 shows the enlarged view of the snap peg 21. The snap peg 21 comprises snap beam 211 sitting perpendicular to the roof 11 , a protruding member 212 at the top and front of the snap beam 211 to snap-fit with the detachable applicator 3, and two support member 213, 214 at the back of the snap beam 211 to provide support.

As illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, a first preferred detachable applicator 3 comprises an applicator panel 31 which is an elongated thin plate, and four depressions 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d symmetrically located at the applicator panel 31 with regards to the horizontal plane 34. The proximal side 32a and distal side 32b of detachable applicator 3 to the roof 11 has substantially same contours. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shows how the detachable applicator 3 is mounted to the cap 1. The detachable applicator 3 inserted into the first support pair 22, 23 and the second support pair 24, 25. The thickness of the detachable applicator 3 is substantially same as the distance between the first support pair 22, 23 and also as the distance between the second support pair 24, 25. The protruding member 212 of the snap peg 21 snap fit with the depression (33a, 33b, 33c, or 33d). The protruding member 212 and the depressions (33a, 33b, 33c, or 33d) are configured in a way such that the detachable applicator 3 may be demounted very easily but would not falls down when the cap is in a closed position and the container is moved.

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shows how the detachable applicator 3 is mounted to the cap 1. The detachable applicator 3 inserted into the first support pair 22, 23 and the second support pair 24, 25. The thickness of the detachable applicator 3 is substantially same as the distance between the first support pair 22, 23 and also as the distance between the second support pair 24, 25. The protruding member 212 of the snap peg 21 snap fit with the depression (33a, 33b, 33c, or 33d). The protruding member 212 and the depressions (33a, 33b, 33c, or 33d) are configured in a way such that the detachable applicator 3 may be demounted very easily but would not falls down triggered by act of closing cap or transporting container.

As shown in Fig 8, both the proximal side 32a and distal side 32b have a substantially same contour as the portion of the roof 11 where the proximal side 32a sits. Such that the detachable applicator 3 may be attached to the attachment mechanism 2 from either side at a fixed position. Therefore, the proximal side and distal side is convertible.

Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 illustrates a second preferred detachable applicator 3. The second preferred detachable applicator 3 comprises a same applicator panel 31 but four protrusions 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d symmetrically located at the applicator panel 31 with regards to the horizontal plane 34. The proximal side 32a and distal side 32b of detachable applicator 3 to the roof 11 has substantially same contours. The positions of the four protrusions 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d is a little different from that of four depressions 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d to enable them to be capable of snapping fit with the same attachment mechanism 2. When use, the user may open the cap and take the detachable applicator 3 easily. The detachable applicator 3 is employed to take the content, cosmetic, out from the container body 6. After application, the user may insert the detachable applicator 3 into the attachment mechanism 2 easily and conveniently, from either direction or either side.

Claims

1. A closure for a container, the closure comprising a cap (1) and a detachable applicator (3), wherein:

(a) the cap (1) comprises a roof (11) and an attachment mechanism (2) arranged on the roof (11);

(b) the detachable applicator (3) is vertically attached to the roof (11) by the attachment mechanism (2);

(c) the detachable applicator (3) comprises a proximal side (32a) close to the roof and a distal side (32b) opposite to the proximal side (32a); and

(d) both the proximal and distal sides (32a, 32b) have a substantially same contour as the portion of the roof (11) where the proximal side (32a) sits.

2. The closure according to claim 1 wherein the detachable applicator (3) is attached to roof (11) by shape-locking.

3. The closure according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the attachment mechanism (2) comprises a snap peg (21) to snap-fit the detachable applicator (3).

4. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the attachment mechanism (2) comprises at least one support element to support the detachable applicator (3), preferably the support element comprises a first support pair (22, 23) and a second support pair (24, 25).

5. The closure according to claim 4 the snap peg (21) is arranged substantially centrally between the first support pair (22, 23) and second support pair (24, 25).

6. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the detachable applicator (3) has substantially plane symmetry.

7. The closure according to claim 6 wherein the detachable applicator (3) has substantially plane symmetry with respect to the horizontal plane (34). The closure according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the detachable applicator (3) has substantially plane symmetry with respect to the vertical plane. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the detachable applicator (3) has substantially threefold plane symmetry. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the detachable applicator (3) is an elongated plate. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ratio of the length to the width of the detachable applicator is 1.5:1 to 10:1 , preferably 3:1 to 6:1. The closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the length of the detachable applicator (3) is substantially same as that of the roof (11). The closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure comprises a fitment (4) wherein the cap (1) is pivotably attached to the fitment (4). A container comprising a closure according to any one of the preceding claims and a container body (6). The container according to claim 14 wherein the fitment (4) is engaged around the open end of the container body (6).