EP4719126A1 - Device for storing a cosmetic product with a compressible portion and associated manufacturing process - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for storing a cosmetic product with a compressible portion and associated manufacturing process The invention relates to a device for storing a cosmetic production comprising a main body having a compressible portion (26) along an axial direction (X). The compressible portion (26) comprises bellows (30), each bellows (30) extending protruding with respect to the axial direction (X). Each bellows (30) comprises a vertex (32), a proximal base (36) and a distal base (34). For at least one of the bellows (30), for any point of the vertex (32), a first distance (d1) measured between said point of said vertex (32) and the proximal base (36) along a normal direction (YP) to the vertex at said point is strictly greater than a second distance (d2) measured along the axial direction (X) between the proximal base (36) and the distal base (34), in the absence of application of a force. The invention furthermore relates to an associated manufacturing process.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Device for storing a cosmetic product with a compressible portion and associated manufacturing process

The present invention relates to a device for storing a cosmetic product comprising a main body, the main body delimiting an internal volume, the main body extending along an axial direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the main body having a dispensing opening at the distal end, the main body having a compressible portion along the axial direction at the proximal end, the compressible portion comprising bellows, each bellows extending protruding with respect to the axial direction.

The invention furthermore relates to an associated manufacturing process.

Storage device refers to any packaging that enables the sale, transport, protection and storage of the product that it contains.

A cosmetic product is advantageously a product as defined in EC Regulation N° 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

The product contained in the device according to the invention is, for example, a makeup product, such as a foundation, or a care cream or serum for the surface of the epidermis.

The document EP 221 1410 A1 describes, for example, a storage device having a compressible portion with triangular bellows making it possible, under the effect of actuation by a user, to create an overpressure inside a reservoir of product and thus trigger the discharge thereof through a dispensing orifice.

However, to enable good flexion of said portion, the material forming the main body is made with a small thickness and/or of a flexible material.

If the main body is made with a small thickness, then the whole main body is likely to be very flexible, which may be problematic for a storage device, in particular for handling the main body, and disadvantageous for application precision.

When the main body is made of a flexible material, this material is generally difficult to recycle or non-recyclable.

On the other hand, if the main body is made with a substantial thickness, the compression of the compressible portion may prove to be difficult, this compressible portion having an excessive rigidity requiring the application of a substantial force to obtain its compression. The provision of ecologically responsible, environmentally friendly solutions, the design and development of which account for environmental concerns is becoming a major concern to help meet global challenges.

It therefore proves to be essential to design products making it possible to reduce the quantity of materials used and/or replace with more environmentally friendly materials and/or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

In this context, it is important to provide recyclable packaging materials containing elements that can be separated and/or consisting of minimal materials and/or free from materials that are difficult to recycle in order to facilitate their end of life and in particular their end-of-life recycling.

Thus, it proves to be necessary to develop packaging materials consisting of environmentally friendly recyclable materials to allow valorization of the packaging materials at end of life and prevent recycling process contamination.

An aim of the invention is therefore that of providing a storage device with a compressible portion which is easy for a user to actuate, offers satisfactory application precision and is easy to recycle.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a device of the type cited above, wherein each bellows comprises a vertex, a proximal base and a distal base, and for at least one of the bellows, for any point of the vertex, a first distance measured between said point of said vertex and the proximal base along a normal direction to the vertex at said point is strictly greater than a second distance measured along the axial direction between the proximal base and the distal base, in the absence of application of a force on the storage device.

Thus, the material of the bellows is particularly stretched along the normal direction between the base and the vertex, for example by blow-molding the main body: this thus makes it possible to increase the deformability of the bellows and create greater flexion points inside the bellows by thinning the thickness locally, without modifying the thickness of the rest of the main body. This then makes it possible in particular to make the main body from a single material in one piece, using a material that is sufficiently rigid outside the bellows to provide satisfactory qualities for a storage device, but in which the reduced thickness with the elongated bellows along the normal direction allows flexibility of said bellows.

A storage device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or according to any technically possible combinations:

- The main body comprises at least one wall having an inner face and an outer face, the first distance and the second distance being measured at the outer face of the wall.

This is representative of the stretching undergone by the material at the bellows. - The main body is one-piece and formed of a single piece.

The main body is thus easy to produce and to recycle.

- The main body is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1.5 GPa.

The storage device then has a desired rigidity outside the compressible portion.

- the main body is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

PET is an easy-to-recycle material, such that, on one hand, the main body is capable of being recycled easily, and, on the other, it is capable of being made at least partially of recycled PET.

- The first distance is greater than or equal to twice the dimension of the vertex along the axial direction.

Such a bellows is then particularly elongated along the normal direction, which makes it possible to increase the deformability of the bellows, in particular by thinning the thickness locally, without modifying the thickness of the rest of the main body.

- For each bellows, the vertex and the proximal base are connected by a proximal connection surface, the vertex and the distal base being connected by a distal connection surface, and for at least one of the bellows, the sum of the dimension of the proximal connection surface, the dimension of the vertex and the dimension of the distal connection surface measured in any plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction is between twice the second distance and four times the second distance.

Such a bellows is particularly elongated along the normal direction, which makes it possible to increase the deformability of the bellows by thinning the thickness locally, without risking compromising the structure of the main body at the bellows.

- For each bellows, the vertex and the proximal base are connected by a proximal connection surface, the vertex and the distal base being connected by a distal connection surface, for at least one of the bellows, the proximal connection surface and the distal connection surface being parallel or forming between them an angle strictly less than 30°, or each tangent to the proximal connection surface and each tangent to the distal connection surface in the same plane forming between them an angle strictly less than 30°.

Such an angle allows progressive and substantial thinning of the thickness of the wall of the main body at the bellows.

- The proximal connection surface is a planar surface and perpendicular to the axial direction.

This makes it possible to have a flexion point at each end of the planar surface. Furthermore, this allows a flow of any product residue toward the opening - The distal connection surface is a continuous surface, of which any cross-section along a normal direction to the distal connection surface forms a line forming a single angle with the axial direction.

This makes it possible to have a flexion point at each end of the planar surface, and furthermore facilitates a flow of any product residue toward the opening.

- The vertex of each bellows extends substantially parallel to the axial direction.

This allows the vertex to have a substantial compression resistance along the axial direction, such that the bellows are compressed mainly outside the vertices, which makes it possible, for example, to enhance the control and precision of the dosing of the cosmetic product. This furthermore limits swiveling of the compressible portion about an axis perpendicular to the axial direction, the actuation of the compressible portion thus being performed essentially in the axial direction, which makes it possible to enhance the dispensing control and precision of the cosmetic product. Alternatively, the vertex of each bellows may form a non-zero angle, for example between 1 ° and 20° with the axial direction.

The invention furthermore relates to a process for manufacturing a storage device as described above, comprising an injection-molding or extrusion of a preform and a blowmolding of the preform into a main body of the storage device.

A process according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or according to any technically possible combinations: the blow-molding is carried out in a blow-molding mold, the blow-molding mold having the complementary shape of the main body, the blow-molding mold comprising hollow elements complementary with the bellows.

This makes it possible to produce the bellows easily according to the desired shape, and wherein the material becomes thinner as it progresses in the hollow elements, as described in detail hereinafter.

Such a process makes it possible to produce a storage device according to the invention easily, by making the main body in one piece.

The invention will be easier to understand after reading the following description, provided solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

[Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a storage device according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[Fig 2] Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the storage device of Figure 1 ,

[Fig 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of zone A in Figure 2,

[Fig 4] Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 of the device of Figure 1 , wherein the compressible portion is compressed along the axial direction, [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a schematic partial sectional view of a storage device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[Fig 6] Figure 6 is a schematic partial sectional view of the device of Figure 5, wherein the compressible portion is compressed along the axial direction,

[Fig 7] Figure 7 is a schematic partial sectional view of a storage device according to a third embodiment of the invention,

[Fig 8] Figure 8 is a schematic partial sectional view of a storage device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,

[Fig 9] Figure 9 is a schematic partial sectional view of a storage device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, and

[Fig 10] Figure 10 is a schematic partial sectional view of a storage device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

A first example of a device for storing a cosmetic product according to the invention is represented in Figures 1 to 4.

The storage device 10 comprises a main body 12.

The storage device 10 here further comprises a tube 14.

In an embodiment, the storage device 10 further comprises a cap (not shown).

The main body 12 delimits an internal volume 16.

The internal volume 16 is adapted to contain a cosmetic product.

The main body 12 comprises a wall 17 delimiting an internal volume 16.

The wall 17 has an inner face and an outer face, the inner face delimiting the internal volume 16.

A normal direction Y_P is defined locally at the direction perpendicular to the tangent to the wall 17 at the point where the normal direction is considered.

The main body 12 is here one-piece and formed of a single piece.

The main body 12 is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 .5 GPa.

The main body 12 is, for example, made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET.

The PET is, for example, at least partially, recycled PET.

The main body 12 extends here along an axial direction X between a distal end 18 and a proximal end 20.

More particularly, in the example shown, the main body 12 has a symmetry of revolution about an axis of symmetry D extending along the axial direction X.

The main body 12 has a dispensing opening 22 at the distal end 18. More particularly, the main body 12 has a distal portion 24 which opens at the dispensing opening 22. The distal end 24 has, for example, a decreasing cross-section along the axial direction X up to the distal end 18.

The main body has, furthermore, a compressible portion 26 along the axial direction X at the proximal end 20.

The main body 12 comprises a central portion 28 between the distal portion 24 and the compressible portion 26.

The central portion 28 is here a cylinder, i.e., it has an invariant cross-section by translation along the axial direction X along the central portion 28.

The cylinder has a base, for example circular or polygonal, for example triangular or square.

In the example shown, the central portion 28 is a circular-based cylinder.

Alternatively, the central portion 28 is conical or banana-shaped.

The wall 17 in the central portion 28 has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 3 mm.

In the example shown, for any cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axial direction X, the wall 17 of the main body 12 has an identical shape to that of the base of the central portion or which is a homothetic transformation of the base of the central portion 28, here in the example shown a circle.

The compressible portion 26 comprises a plurality of bellows 30.

A bellows is a folding or flexible part between two rigid parts.

Each bellows 30 extends protruding with respect to the axial direction X, more particularly along a radial direction to the axis of symmetry D.

In the example shown, the normal direction of a bellows corresponds to the radial direction.

In the case of a polygonal base, the normal direction of a bellows at a point corresponds to the perpendicular direction to the axial direction and to the side of the wall at said point.

Each bellows 30 comprises a vertex 32, a distal base 34 and a proximal base 36.

"Distal base" refers to the base of the bellows closest to the distal end 18, and "proximal base" to the base of the bellows closest to the proximal end 20.

The vertex 32 and the distal base 34 are connected by a wall in which the outer surface forms a distal connection surface 38.

In the example shown, a distal rounding 42 connects the vertex 32 and the distal connection surface 38.

The vertex 32 and the proximal base 36 are connected by a wall in which the outer surface forms a proximal connection surface 40. In the example shown, a proximal rounding 44 connects the vertex 32 and the proximal connection surface 40.

For any cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axial direction X, the wall 17 forming each of the bellows has an identical shape to that of the base of the central portion or which is a homothetic transformation of the base of the central portion 28, here in the example shown a circle.

In the example shown, each vertex 32 here has a symmetry of rotation about the axis of symmetry D.

Each vertex 32 has a dimension along the axial dimension X greater than or equal to 1 mm.

This make it possible in particular to limit swiveling of the compression portion about an axis perpendicular to the axial direction X, for example to less than 20°, preferably to less than 5°.

In the example shown, the vertex 32 of each bellows 30 extends substantially parallel to the axial direction X.

More particularly here, the vertex 32 here has a cylindrical shape, of which the base is, for example, similar to the base of the central portion or is a homothetic transformation of the base of the central portion 28.

The wall 17 at the vertex 32 has a thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.6 mm.

All of the proximal 36 and distal 34 bases of all the bellows are here aligned along the axial direction X.

The proximal base 36 of a bellows is connected to the distal base 34 of an adjacent bellows, except for the bellows closest to the proximal end 20, here by a wall extending along the axial direction X.

Alternatively, the proximal 36 and distal 34 bases of all the bellows are not aligned along the axial direction X.

The distance between the bellows, measured between the proximal base 36 of one bellows and the distal base 34 of the adjacent bellows closest to the proximal end 20, is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.5 times the dimension of the vertex 32 along the axial direction X.

The proximal connection surface 40 is, for example, a planar surface and perpendicular to the axial direction X.

The wall with the proximal connection surface 40 becomes thinner from the proximal base 36 toward the vertex 32.

The distal connection surface 38 is, for example, a continuous surface, of which any cross-section in a plane along the axial direction X and a normal direction to the distal connection surface 38 forms a line forming a given angle p with a normal to the axial direction X.

The given angle is equal for the entire bellows.

The given angle p is less than or equal to 60°, more particularly between 1 ° and 20°.

Here, the distal connection surface 38 has, for example, the shape of a truncated cone, of which the angle of the base is the given angle p.

The wall with the distal connection surface 38 becomes thinner from the distal base 34 toward the vertex 32.

For each bellows 30, in the absence of external stress, for each point of the vertex, a first distance d1 is defined, measured between the vertex 32 and the distal base 36 along a normal direction Y_P to the vertex at said point of the vertex 32.

Contour of an element, for example of a vertex, passing through a point, refers to a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction X of said element at said point.

The normal direction Y_P to the vertex at said point of the vertex 32 is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction X and perpendicular to the tangent of the contour of the vertex passing through said point.

In the case of a device with a polygonal base, the normal direction Y_P to the vertex at said point of the vertex 32 is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction X and perpendicular to the side comprising said point of the contour of the vertex passing through said point.

The first distance d1 is measured on the outer face of the wall 17.

The first distance d1 is here equal for all the points of the vertex.

For each bellows 30, in the absence of external stress, a second distance d2 is defined, measured along the axial direction X between the distal base 36 and the proximal base 34.

The second distance d2 is measured on the outer face of the wall 17.

The second distance d2 is here constant on the entire bellows.

In the absence of external stress, in particular in the absence of application of a force on the storage device, for at least one of the bellows 30, for any point of the vertex, the first distance d1 is strictly greater than the second distance d2.

More particularly for the majority of the bellows 30, more particularly for each of the bellows 30, for any point of the vertex, the first distance d1 is strictly greater than the second distance d2.

Furthermore, for each bellows, the dimension of the bellows is defined, at a given point of the vertex, as the sum of the dimension of the proximal connection surface 38, the dimension of the vertex 32 and the dimension of the distal connection surface 40 measured in a plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction Y_P passing through said point.

Here, the dimension of the bellows is constant for all the points of the bellows, in particular on the entire circumference of the bellows.

For at least one of the bellows 30, more particularly for the majority of the bellows 30, more particularly for each of the bellows 30, the dimension of the bellows for any point of the vertex is, for example, between twice the second distance d2 and four times the second distance.

For each bellows 30, in the absence of external stress, for each point of the vertex, a third distance d3 is defined equal to the dimension of the vertex 32 measured along the axial direction X and in a plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction Y_P passing through said point.

The third distance d3 is measured at the outer face of the wall 17.

The second distance d2 is greater than or equal to the third distance d3. More particularly here, the distal connection surface 38 is oriented such that the second distance d2 is strictly greater than the third distance d3.

The third distance d3 is here constant for all the points of the vertex.

Furthermore, in the example shown, in the absence of external stress, for at least one of the bellows 30, more particularly for the majority of the bellows 30, more particularly for each of the bellows 30, for any point of the vertex, the first distance d1 measured at said point is here greater than or equal to twice the third dimension d3 measured at said point.

Here, in the absence of external stress, the single first distance d1 is here greater than or equal to the single third dimension d3.

Furthermore, for each bellows 30, in the absence of external stress, the proximal connection surface 40 and the distal connection surface 38 are parallel or form between them an angle less than 30°.

Each bellows 30 has here four flexion zones 46, 48, 50, 52: one 46 between the distal base 34 and the distal connection surface 38, one 48 between the proximal base 36 and the proximal connection surface 40, one 50 between the proximal connection surface 40 and the vertex 32, and one 52 between the distal connection surface 38 and the vertex 32.

In the case of pressure exerted along the axial direction X at the proximal end 20, as shown in Figure 4, the compressible portion 26 is compressed by flexion of the material in the four flexion zones, such that, for each bellows, the proximal base 36 moves closer to the distal base 34.

This flexion is reversible. In particular, in the absence of stress, the compressible portion 26 returns to its initial non-compressed state.

The dimension along the axial direction X of each bellows is then reduced, and thus of the compressible portion.

On the other hand, the compressible portion is not deformed outside the bellows 30. This makes it possible in particular to limit swiveling of the compressible portion and approach purely axial actuation of this compressible portion, thus promoting dosing precision during product dispensing.

The tube 14 is here attached to the main body 12 at the dispensing opening 22.

The tube 14 has here a through passage 54, to allow the discharge of the cosmetic product.

More particularly, the tube 14 blocks the dispensing opening 22 except for the passage 54.

Alternatively, the device does not comprise a tube, the dispensing opening being provided for the direct dispensing of cosmetic product.

The cap is adapted to be reversibly fastened to the distal end 18 of the main body 12, so as to seal the passage 54 in the case of a tube 14 or the dispensing opening otherwise.

In an embodiment, the base of the central portion 28 is not circular, but, for example, a polygon.

The normal direction Y_P is then directly the direction perpendicular to the wall at the point in question.

Similarly to above, for any cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axial direction X, the wall 17 of the main body 12 has an identical shape to that of the base of the central portion or which is a homothetic transformation of the base of the central portion 28, here for example a polygon.

A second example of an embodiment is partially shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Only the aspects whereby this second embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

The same reference numbers incremented by 100 will be used for identical or similar elements.

The storage device 1 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the first example in that the distance between the bellows 130 along the axial direction X is greater than that represented in the first example.

The distance between the bellows, measured between the proximal base 136 of one bellows and the distal base 134 of the adjacent bellows closest to the proximal end 120, is, for example, greater than or equal to 3 times the dimension of the vertex 132 along the axial direction X.

As above, each bellows comprises four flexion zones 146, 148, 150, 152: one 146 between the distal base 134 and the distal connection surface 138, one 148 between the proximal base 136 and the proximal connection surface 140, one 150 between the proximal connection surface 140 and the vertex 132, and one 152 between the distal connection surface 138 and the vertex 132.

In the case of pressure exerted along the axial direction X at the proximal end 120, as shown in Figure 6, the compressible portion 126 is compressed by flexion of the material in the four flexion zones, such that, for each bellows, the proximal base 136 moves closer to the distal base 134.

The dimension along the axial direction X of each bellows is then reduced, and thus of the compressible portion.

On the other hand, the compressible portion is not deformed outside the bellows 130. This makes it possible in particular to limit swiveling of the compressible portion and approach purely axial actuation of this compressible portion, thus promoting dosing precision during product dispensing.

A third example of an embodiment is partially shown in Figure 7.

Only the aspects whereby this third embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

The same reference numbers incremented by 200 will be used for identical or similar elements.

The storage device 210 according to the third embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 230.

The bellows closest to the proximal end 220 is, for example, similar to that described with regard to the first embodiment.

The other bellows have a so-called rectangular shape.

The other bellows have here the same shape and same dimensions among them.

More particularly, the vertex 232 of each of these bellows extends substantially parallel to the axial direction X, and each of the proximal connection surface 240 and the distal connection surface 238 extends in a respective plane, perpendicular to the axial direction X.

Thus, the proximal connection surface 240 and the distal connection surface 238 are each perpendicular to the vertex 232.

The first distance d1 is here equal to the dimension of the proximal connection surface 240 along the normal direction. The second distance d2 is here equal to the third distance.

The ratio of the first distance over the second distance is, for example, between 1 .01 and 2, more particularly between 1 .01 and 1 .5.

A fourth example of an embodiment is partially shown in Figure 8.

Only the aspects whereby this fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

The same reference numbers incremented by 300 will be used for identical or similar elements.

The storage device 310 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 330.

The bellows closest to the proximal end 320 is, for example, similar to that described with regard to the first embodiment.

The other bellows have a so-called pyramidal shape.

The other bellows have here the same shape and same dimensions among them.

More particularly, the vertex 332 of each of these bellows extends substantially parallel to the axial direction X, and each of the proximal connection surface 340 and the distal connection surface 338 forms a truncated cone.

The proximal connection surface 340 and the distal connection surface 338 form between then an angle a strictly less than 30°.

The given angle formed with the normal direction to the vertex 332 is, for example, equal for the proximal connection surface 340 and the distal connection surface 338.

The proximal connection surface 340 and the distal connection surface 338 are, for example, symmetrical with each other with respect to a median plane of the vertex 332.

The proximal connection surface 340 and the distal connection surface 338 are oriented such that the vertex 332 has a dimension measured along the axial direction X less than the distance along the axial direction X between the distal base 334 and the proximal base 336.

A fifth example of an embodiment is partially shown in Figure 9.

Only the aspects whereby this fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

The same reference numbers incremented by 400 will be used for identical or similar elements.

The storage device 410 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 430.

The storage device 410 according to the fifth embodiment has here at least three bellows 430. The bellows closest to the proximal end 420 is, for example, similar to that described with regard to the first embodiment.

At least one bellows has a rectangular shape, more particularly as described with regard to the third embodiment.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one bellows has a so-called curved, more particularly convex, shape from the outer face.

The proximal connection surface 440 and the distal connection surface 438 are, for example, symmetrical with each other with respect to a median plane of the vertex 432.

Each tangent to the proximal connection surface 440 and each tangent to the distal connection surface 438, in the same plane, form between then an angle a strictly less than 30°.

A sixth example of an embodiment is partially shown in Figure 10.

Only the aspects whereby this sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

The same reference numbers incremented by 500 will be used for identical or similar elements.

The storage device 510 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 530.

The storage device 510 according to the sixth embodiment has here at least three bellows 530.

The bellows closest to the proximal end 520 is, for example, similar to that described with regard to the first embodiment.

The bellows closest to the distal end (not seen in Figure 10) has a vertex 532 parallel to the axial direction X, a planar proximal connection surface 540 perpendicular to the axial direction X, and a distal connection surface 538 oriented such that the second distance d2 is strictly greater than the third distance d3.

The distal connection surface 538 is, for example, a continuous surface, of which any cross-section along a normal direction to the distal connection surface 538 forms a line forming a given angle p with a normal to the axial direction X.

The given angle is constant for the entire bellows.

The given angle p is less than or equal to 60°, more particularly between 1 ° and 20°.

The intermediate bellows have here the shape of the bellows apart from the bellows closest to the proximal end of the fourth embodiment.

In each of the preceding embodiments, for at least one of the bellows, more particularly for each bellows, for any point of the vertex, the first distance d1 is strictly greater than the second distance d2. In each of the preceding embodiments, the thickness of the wall comprises the proximal connection surface 40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540 becomes thinner from the proximal base 36, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536 toward the vertex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532, and the thickness of the wall comprising the distal connection surface 38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538 becomes thinner from the distal base 34, 134, 234, 334, 434, 534 toward the vertex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532.

Furthermore, in each of the preceding embodiments, the first distance d1 is, for example, greater than or equal to twice the dimension d3 of the vertex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532 along the axial direction.

Moreover, in each of the preceding embodiments, for at least one of the bellows 30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, more particularly for each bellows, the sum of the dimension of the proximal connection surface 40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, the dimension of the vertex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532 and the dimension of the distal connection surface 38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538 measured in any plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction is, for example, between twice the second distance d2 and four times the second distance d2.

A process for using a storage device according to any of the embodiment examples will now be described.

A storage device 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 as described above is provided.

Where applicable, the user removes the cap.

The user presses on the proximal end 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 along the axial direction X, so as to compress the compressible portion 26, 126, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536 more particularly at the bellows 30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530.

This gives rise to the delivery of cosmetic product at the outlet, more particularly of a dose of cosmetic product.

The dose corresponds here to the variation of internal volume due to the compression of the compressible portion.

This allows the user to precisely dose the quantity of product delivered through the dispensing opening following the actuation and compression of the compressible portion 26, 126, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536.

When the user stops pressing on the proximal end 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, the compressible portion 26, 126, 226, 326, 426, 526 returns to the initial non-compressed state.

The user is then capable of pressing on the proximal end 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 as many times as they wish to obtain the desired quantity of product. A process for manufacturing a storage device as described above according to any of the embodiment examples will now be described.

A manufacturing process comprises a step of injection-molding or extruding a preform, then a step of blow-molding the preform into the main body 12, as described above.

In a particular embodiment, the preform comprises a wall having a thinner thickness in a portion provided to form the compressible portion.

The preform is made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET. The PET is, for example, at least partially, recycled PET.

Before the blow-molding step, the preform is placed in a blow-molding mold.

The blow-molding mold has the complementary shape of the desired shape of the main body, and in particular of the bellows.

In particular, the blow-molding mold comprises hollow elements complementary with the bellows.

The preform is, for example, kept at the first distal end 18.

During the blow-molding step, air is injected into the preform radially and optionally also axially. More particularly, an air ejection system is previously inserted into the preform along a central axis by the first distal end 18, the air ejection system ejecting air perpendicularly to the central axis during the blow-molding step.

The radial air flow is substantially homogeneous.

Thus, during the blow-molding step, the preform is stretched radially at least and the wall of the preform presses against the blow-molding mold.

When the wall reaches the blow-molding mold, then it sets, in particular by temperature difference.

The wall of the preform is more stretched at the hollow elements of the blow-molding mold to reach the blow-molding mold.

In particular, in the zone of the future compressible portion, the preform is stretched until a portion of the preform reaches the surface of the mold which is not hollow. At these locations, the preform sets. In the other locations, the preform continues to stretch to reach the bottom of the hollow elements, and sets as it touches the mold.

Thus, the more the location of the preform reaches a recessed space in the hollow element, the more the wall of the preform is stretched at this level, and therefore the thinner the wall.

The thickness of the wall of the main body is therefore thinner at the bellows, in particular at the vertices, than outside the bellows.

Such a process makes it possible to produce a main body with an internal volume, for containing the cosmetic product, and a one-piece compressible portion. This makes it possible in particular to use a relatively rigid material, which is not deformable in normal use of the device for a thickness equal to that of the wall outside the bellows, but which is deformable for a thinner thickness, as in the bellows, for example PET.

This is particularly advantageous in terms of the environmental footprint of the storage device, as explained above.

Furthermore, such a process is easy to implement.

Claims

1. Device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) for storing a cosmetic product comprising a main body (12), the main body (12) delimiting an internal volume (16), the main body (12) extending along an axial direction (X) between a distal end (18) and a proximal end (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520), the main body (12) having a dispensing opening (22) at the distal end (18), the main body (12) having a compressible portion (26; 126; 226; 326; 426; 526) along the axial direction (X) at the proximal end (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520), the compressible portion (26; 126; 226; 326; 426; 526) comprising bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530) extending protruding with respect to the axial direction (X), characterized in that each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530) comprises a vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532), a proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) and a distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534), and in that, for at least one of the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), for any point of the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532), a first distance (d1 ) measured between said point of said vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) along a normal direction (Y_P) to the vertex at said point is strictly greater than a second distance (d2) measured along the axial direction (X) between the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) and the distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534), in the absence of application of a force on the storage device.

2. Storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the main body (12) comprises at least one wall (17) having an inner face and an outer face, the first distance (d1 ) and the second distance (d2) being measured at the outer face of the wall (17).

3. Storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body (12) is one-piece and formed of a single piece.

4. Storage device according to claim 3, wherein the main body (12) is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 .5 GPa.

5. Storage device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the main body (12) is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

6. Storage device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first distance (d1 ) is greater than or equal to twice the dimension (d3) of the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) along the axial direction (X).

7. Storage device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein, for each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) are connected by a proximal connection surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540), the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534) being connected by a distal connection surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538), and for at least one of the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the sum of the dimension of the proximal connection surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540), the dimension (d3) of the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the dimension of the distal connection surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538) measured in any plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction (Y_P) is between twice the second distance (d2) and four times the second distance (d2).

8. Storage device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein, for each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) are connected by a proximal connection surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540), the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534) being connected by a distal connection surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538), for at least one of the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the proximal connection surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) and the distal connection surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538) being parallel or forming between them an angle (a) strictly less than 30°, or each tangent to the proximal connection surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) and each tangent to the distal connection surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538) in the same plane forming between them an angle (a) strictly less than 30°.

9. Storage device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) of each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530) extends substantially parallel to the axial direction (X).

10. Process for manufacturing a storage device (10; 110) according to any of claims 1 to 9, comprising an injection-molding or extrusion of a preform and a blow-molding of the preform into a main body (12) of the storage device (10; 110).

11. Manufacturing process according to claim 10, wherein the blow-molding is carried out in a blow-molding mold, the blow-molding mold having the complementary shape of the main body (12), the blow-molding mold comprising hollow elements complementary with the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530).