EP4702870A1

EP4702870A1 - Dispensing container for cosmetic or pharmaceutical products

Info

Publication number: EP4702870A1
Application number: EP23848245.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mariola RODRIGUEZ BERNABEU; Anne-Laure El Khouri; Smitaa Srivastava; Rahul Bose
Original assignee: Quadpack Industries SA
Current assignee: Quadpack Industries SA
Priority date: 2023-04-27
Filing date: 2023-12-19
Publication date: 2026-03-04
Also published as: WO2024223957A1; ES1300672U; ES1300672Y

Abstract

Of a kind comprising at least:
- a container (1) with a product to be dispensed in fluid form inside the container (1) with a mouth (2) and an outlet orifice (12), and,
- a dropper nozzle (3) with an end (9), the dropper nozzle (3) being attached to the container (1) through the mouth (2) and communicating this end (9) with the product to be dispensed to the outside,
characterised in that it comprises a dosing element (4) arranged between the outlet orifice (12) and the end (9), blocking the passage of the product to be dispensed to the end (9), with a first surface (7) facing the outlet orifice (12) and a second surface (8) facing the end (9), the first surface (7) comprising a first groove (5) through which the product to be dispensed flows, which defines a path for the product to be dispensed to at least one through-hole (6) which passes through the dosing element (4), and which communicates the first surface (7) with the second surface (8), the product to be dispensed moving through said through-hole (6) from the first surface (7) to the second surface (8) and from the latter to the end (9), the through-hole (6) not facing the outlet orifice (12).

Description

Dispensing container for cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, of the type comprising at least: - a container with a product to be dispensed in fluid form inside the container with a mouth and an outlet orifice and, - a dropper nozzle with an end, said dropper nozzle being attached to the container packaging by the mouth and communicating said end for the product to be dispensed with the outside, and because it comprises a dosing element arranged between the outlet orifice and the end, blocking the passage of the product to be dispensed to the end, with a first surface facing the outlet orifice and a second surface facing the end, the first surface comprising a first groove through which the product to be dispensed flows, defining a path for the product to be dispensed to at least one through-hole passing the dosing element, which connects the first surface with the second surface, the product to be dispensed moving through the through-hole from the first surface to the second surface and from the second surface to the end, the through-hole not facing the exit orifice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Container packs are known in the state of the art, which dispense the product according to the demand required by the person using it.
Thus, belonging to the state of the art is European Patent No. 3407756 (ES2879895T3) "SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND DISPENSING COSMETIC MATERIAL", in the name of L'OREAL, of 2017 which relates to an apparatus for dispensing cosmetic material, comprising: a dispensing assembly configured to receive at least one cartridge containing a cosmetic material and to dispense a specific amount of the cosmetic material from the cartridge into a receiving area; a memory configured to receive and store dispensing information including the specific amount of cosmetic material to be dispensed for each cartridge disposed in the dispensing assembly to achieve a specific single use of a cosmetic application; and circuitry configured to obtain the dispensing information from the memory and to control the dispensing assembly to dispense the cosmetic material from each cartridge disposed in the dispensing assembly into the receiving area in accordance with one or more specific amounts included in the dispensing information, wherein the receiving area is configured to be part of a detachable portion of the apparatus and the detachable portion is configured to be an enclosed container containing the dispensed cosmetic material, the apparatus further comprising a manifold, having a plurality of through holes of the manifold, the manifold connected to and disposed on a nozzle of the cartridge, the receiving area connected to and disposed on the manifold, wherein the circuitry controls the dispensing assembly to dispense an amount of cosmetic material from the nozzle of the cartridge through a through hole of the manifold of the manifold, and into the receiving area.
It should be mentioned the European Patent No. EP1546021 (ES2543009T3) "CONTAINER AND VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR STORING AND DISTRIBUTING SUBSTANCES AND RELATED METHOD", in the name of MEDICAL INSTILL TECH INC, from 2003 , which refers to a container for storing and distributing a substance from it, comprising: a flexible body defining a hermetically sealed variable volume storage chamber containing therein a substance hermetically sealed within the storage chamber with respect to ambient temperature; and a one-way valve comprising a valve element formed of an elastic material and forming a normally closed valve opening and an inlet to the valve opening in fluid communication with the variable volume storage chamber, wherein the valve element can be moved between a normally closed position and an open position with at least one segment of the valve element separated from the closed position to allow passage of the substance from the variable volume chamber through the valve opening; characterised in that the valve element has a predetermined modulus of elasticity and/or a predetermined radial thickness which is chosen so that at least one of (i) the valve element defines a decreasing wall thickness in the direction from an upstream end to a downstream end of the valve opening; (ii) the energy required to open successive segments of the valve element decreases progressively in the direction from an upstream end towards a downstream end of the valve opening; and (iii) the valve element covers at least a portion of the valve seat the valve element and the valve seat define a seal between them that forms the valve opening and the valve element engages the valve seat in the closed position, such that at least one of the following is provided (a) the valve element includes a segment that engages the valve seat substantially at any period of substance distribution through the valve opening in order to maintain a tight seal between the valve opening and the ambient atmosphere; (b) the valve seat is tapered; and (c) the valve element forms a snug fit with the valve seat and defines a decreasing degree of interference therebetween in the direction from an upstream end towards a downstream end of the valve opening; and so that, during distribution and/or storage of the substance, the one-way valve and/or storage chamber at least one of (i) maintaining any substance remaining in the storage chamber in at least one of an aseptic, sealed condition with respect to ambient temperature, substantially free of air and at ambient temperature; (ii) substantially preventing access of air into at least one of between the one-way valve and the variable volume storage chamber and (iii) substantially preventing access of bacteria or other unwanted impurities into at least one of between the one-way valve and the variable volume storage chamber.
European Patent EP0155350 "DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUID MATERIALS TO THE SKIN", by AMERICAN CYANAMID CO, dated 1984 , is known, which relates to a device for applying liquid materials to the skin, said device having a liquid container, a poromeric plastic applicator head and a spring like diaphragm which holds the applicator in said device. The diaphragm spring provides a liquid-tight seal between the poromeric applicator head and the liquid container and also allows movement of the poromeric applicator head in a vertical direction to create a pressure within the liquid container and provide force to help move the liquid through the poromeric applicator head to its outer surface. The poromeric applicator head is also provided with a capillary pressure compensating valve to maintain substantially equal pressure inside and outside the dispensing vessel.
Finally, French Patent No. FR2767312 "A SIMPLE SEALED TUBULAR CONTAINER", dated 1997 , in the name of TSAO CHIEN HUA, refers to a tubular container with a simple seal having an outer tube with one or more holes at the front end, where there is also a stamping to form a passage restriction. The liquid is contained in an inner tube that moves freely within the outer tube and is sealed at the rear end, where there is a predetermined break point and a finger grip. Near the front end, the inner tube has a slightly larger convex ring and is sealed by the projection of a solid connector. The connector is joined by an outer ring to the outer tube. To release the liquid, the inner tube is pulled back manually until the ring touches the stamping and the end of the tube separates from the connector. The predetermined breaking point is now outside the outer tube and the inner tube can be easily broken. Due to air pressure, capillarity and gravity, the liquid flows out the front end of the inner tube and through the orifice of the outer tube. Three other simple tubular container designs are also claimed, all of which consist only of a single tube containing the liquid. In one, a male valve at the rear is pushed in to admit air and at the same time eject a seal/lock at the front by the pressure of the liquid to release the liquid. In another, a plug is removed at the front end and an air hole is opened at the rear end to release the liquid. In another design, the front end has only a silicone oil seal/lock and the liquid is released by breaking the rear end to admit air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the sector of containers and applicators with a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical fluid product inside.
The closest document is European Patent No. EP0155350 . This patent solves the problem of supplying the product in an adequate and uninterrupted way by using a porous plastic material, which is neither elastic nor flexible.
On the other hand, it has the disadvantage that the porosity of the materials needs to be controlled, which means that when using different products with different viscosities (i.e. affecting the fluidity of the product), different containers must be manufactured, which makes it more expensive to maintain stocks of containers.
In addition, the packaging would not allow reuse of other packaging with other products due to its cleaning difficulties.
The present invention solves the problem, on the one hand, because by means of the dosing element, through the design of the groove, it is possible to control the flow of the fluid at the end of the dropper nozzle. In other words, the same container can be used for all fluid products, what would change in any case is the design of the groove to regulate the greater or lesser fluidity of the product.
That means big savings in material and manufacturing costs.
On the other hand, this configuration allows that, once the product inside the container is finished, a part of the dispensing container can be reused again with another container, reducing the environmental impact.
An object of the present invention is a dispensing container for cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, of the type comprising at least:- a container with a product to be dispensed in fluid form inside the container with a mouth and an outlet orifice and, - a dropper nozzle with an end, said dropper nozzle being fixed to the container packaging by the mouth and communicating said end for the product to be dispensed with the outside, characterised in that it comprises a dosing element arranged between the outlet orifice and the end, blocking the passage of the product to be dispensed to the end, with a first surface facing the outlet orifice and a second surface facing the end, the first surface comprising a first groove through which the product to be dispensed flows, defining a path for the product to be dispensed to at least one through-hole passing the dosing element, connecting the first surface with the second surface, the product to be dispensed moving through the through-hole from the first surface to the second surface and from the second surface to the end, the through-hole not facing the exit orifice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate the explanation, the present description is accompanied by four plates of drawings in which a practical case of realisation has been represented, which is cited as an example, not limiting the scope of the present invention:

Figure 1 is an overview of the object of the present invention,
Figure 2 is a cut through line II-II of figure 1,
Figure 3 is an exploded view of Figure 1, and
Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the dosing element.

PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Thus, figure 1 shows a container 1 with a lid 13.
Figure 2 shows the container 1, with a mouth 2, a dropper nozzle 3 with its end 9, a dosing element 4 with its first surface 7 and its second surface 8, a first groove 5, a second groove 10, an outlet 12, the lid 13 and a housing 14.
Figure 3 shows the container 1, with the mouth 2, the dropper nozzle 3, the dosing element 4 with its second surface 8, a through hole 6, the second groove 10, partitions 11, the lid 13 and the housing 14.
Finally, figure 4 shows the dosing element 4, the first surface 7, the first groove 5, the through hole 6, the partitions 11 and an accumulation point 15.
Thus, the cosmetic or pharmaceutical product dispensing container of the present invention comprises at least: a container 1, the interior of which is filled with a product to be dispensed in fluid form.
Said container 1 has a mouth 2 and inside said mouth 2 there is an outlet 12 for said fluid product.
It also comprises a dropper nozzle 3 with an end 9. The dropper nozzle 3 is attached to the container 1 at the mouth 2, the end 9 communicating the product to be dispensed with the outside.
It also comprises a dosing element 4 which is arranged between the outlet orifice 12 and the end 9. This dosing element acts initially by blocking the passage of the product to be dispensed which is in the container 1 to the end 9.
The dosing element 4 comprises a first surface 7, which faces the outlet orifice 12, and a second surface 8 facing the end 9, the first surface 7 also comprising a first groove 5 through which the product to be dispensed flows out of the outlet orifice 12. Thus, through the passage of the product to be dispensed through the first groove 5, the dispensing of the product is regulated.
The first groove 5 defines a path for the product to be dispensed, as the product moves along the inside of the first groove 5, to at least one through hole 6 which passes through the dosing element 4. With said route the amount of product that is dispensed is managed.
It is at least one through hole 6, because depending on the fluid velocity needs, more than one through hole 6 could be configured if required.
The through hole 6 connects the first surface 7 with the second surface 8, the product to be dispensed being moved through the through hole 6 from the first surface 7 to the second surface 8. In other words, it serves to move the product to be dispensed from the first surface 7 to the second surface 8 of the dosing element 4.
Subsequently, once the product to be dispensed has passed through the through hole 6, the product will move from the second surface 8 to the end 9.
The through hole 6 is not opposite the outlet hole 12, thus preventing the product to be dispensed from being transferred directly from the first surface 7 to the second surface 8 of the dosing element 4 through the through hole 6 without first passing through the first groove 5.
In other words, the product is forced to pass through the first groove 5 if it is to pass through the through hole 6.
Optionally, the first groove 5 comprises in its path a series of partitions 11 that direct and guide the product to be dispensed during its movement through the first groove 5.
It is also possible to configure the partitions 11 to comprise a curvature. This is done to create currents and thus improve the translational movement of the product to be dispensed through the first groove 5.
It would also be possible to configure the dosing element 4 with the second surface 8 comprising a second groove 10 which is connected to the first groove 5 through the through hole 6, which is at least one.
This is done to facilitate the assembly of the dosing element 4 when it is assembled to the dispensing container, because, in this way, it is not necessary to take into account which surface 7,8 is being assembled, because both are the same.
Optionally, the first groove 5 and the second groove 10 are the same. This could be of interest for manufacturing purposes, because it makes it easier to produce the dosing element 4 and to install it in the dispensing container.
Depending on where the outlet orifice 12 is located, there is the possibility that the through hole 6 is located in the centre of the dosing element 4, when the product to be dispensed has completed its travel through the first groove 5, or that the through hole 6 is located off-centre with respect to the centre of the dosing element 4, at the end of the travel of the first groove 5.
It is possible to configure a housing 14 between the mouth 2 and the outlet orifice 12. This housing 14 is where the dosing element 4 is positioned and where the dropper nozzle 3 is fitted or fixed to the container 1.
One of the manufacturing alternatives is that the dosing element 4 is in the form of a disc. This has the advantage that the space it occupies inside the dispensing container is reduced, and it would also fit into a substantially cylindrical dispensing container configuration as in the example embodiment shown in the drawings.
In the event that the container takes another shape such as quadrangular, etc., the dosing element 4 could be configured with the shape required for the shape determined by the dispensing container.
It is a manufacturing option that the dosing element 4 is removable, thus allowing it to be cleaned in case of impurities or to be reused for another dispensing container with a different product inside.
In a particular embodiment the person who has purchased the dispensing container of the invention will press the container 1 which will cause the product to be dispensed to come out of the outlet 12.
The product is then blocked by the dosing element 4 and enters the first groove 5.
Then, because the product to be dispensed is a fluid, the product circulates inside the first groove 5 until it reaches the through hole 6 at the end of the first groove 5.
The product to be dispensed continues to flow through the through hole 6 to the other side of the dosing element 4 and from there to the end 9 of the dropper nozzle 3. Finally, from the end 9 the product flows out.
This invention allows that once the product inside the container 1 is finished, another container 1 can be used with a different product, so that the dosing element 4, the dropper nozzle 3 and the cap 13 can be cleaned and that part of the dispensing container can be reused again.
The present invention describes a new container for dispensing cosmetic or pharmaceutical products. The examples mentioned herein are not limiting of the present invention, therefore it may have different applications and/or adaptations, all of them within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Dispensing container for cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, of a kind comprising at least:
- a container (1) with a product to be dispensed in fluid form inside the container (1) with a mouth (2) and an outlet orifice (12), and,

- a dropper nozzle (3) with an end (9), the dropper nozzle (3) being attached to the container (1) through the mouth (2) and communicating this end (9) with the product to be dispensed to the outside,
characterised in that it comprises a dosing element (4) arranged between the outlet orifice (12) and the end (9), blocking the passage of the product to be dispensed to the end (9), with a first surface (7) facing the outlet orifice (12) and a second surface (8) facing the end (9), the first surface (7) comprising a first groove (5) through which the product to be dispensed flows, which defines a path for the product to be dispensed to at least one through-hole (6) which passes through the dosing element (4), and which communicates the first surface (7) with the second surface (8), the product to be dispensed moving through said through-hole (6) from the first surface (7) to the second surface (8) and from the latter to the end (9), the through-hole (6) not facing the outlet orifice (12).
Dispensing container according to claim 1, characterised in that the first groove (5) comprises a series of partitions (11) that direct and guide the fluid.
Dispensing container according to claim 2, characterised in that the partitions (11) comprise a curvature.
Dispensing container according to claim 1 2 or 3, characterised in that the second surface (8) comprises a second groove (10) connected to the first groove (5) through the through hole (6), which is at least one.
Dispensing container according to claim 4, characterised in that the first groove (5) and the second groove (10) are the same.
Dispensing container, according to claim 1, characterised in that the through hole (6) is located in the centre of the dosing element (4).
Dispensing container, according to claim 1, characterised in that the through hole (6) is located off-centre with respect to the centre of the dosing element (4), at the end of the travel of the first groove (5).
Dispensing container, according to claim 1, characterised in that between the mouth (2) and the outlet (12) there is a housing (14) where the dosing element (4) is positioned and where the dropper nozzle (3) is fitted or fixed.
Dispensing container according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the dosing element (4) is in the shape of a disc.
Dispensing container, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the dosing element (4) is removable.