FR2614561A1 - SOFT PAD FOR DISPLAYING PRODUCT - Google Patents

Abstract

THE POLYETHYLENE SUPPORT 2 IS PROVIDED ALONG A PERIPHERAL EDGE 7 OF ITS EXTREME FACE 4 WITH A RETAINER 19 TO HOOK 16 TO HOLD APPLIED AGAINST THIS EXTREME FACE 4 A WASHER 9 IN PLASTIC MATERIAL SUCH AS POLYSTYRENE TO WHICH THE FOAM BLOCK 13 CAN BE FIXED BY COLD BONDING, CHANNEL 10 OF THIS WASHER 9 BEING CHOSEN ACCORDING TO THE DESIRED FLOW OF PRODUCT TO BE SPREAD AND THE FOAM BLOCK 13 BEING FULL, WITHOUT CENTRAL CHANNEL.

Description

The subject of the invention is a flexible pad for spreading product such as

shoe polish, cream for maintenance

  leather, liquid wax, paint, etc.

  Known pads of this kind include a semi-rigid support generally made of polyethylene and a suitably sized block, of flexible material such as foam of a plastic material, with cells.

  open, preferably polyester foam.

  Such a support comprises a flexible sleeve intended to be mounted as a stopper or as a cover at an open end of a vial or a tube and it has a flat outer surface to which the block of foam adheres firmly. The interior volume of the sleeve is extended by a channel which is itself extended by a channel provided in the foam block; these channels are used for the arrival of the product that the foam block is used to spread. The cross section of the channel provided in the foam block is determined according to the desired flow and the viscosity of the

product to spread.

  It is common to mount inside the sleeve and in the channel provided in the support a valve and spring device in order to prevent the free flow of product. To get it out, you have to overwrite

  the foam block against a surface to be coated; this crushes

  the block allows the valve stem to be pushed,

  hinder it from its seat and let out the quantity

desired product to spread.

  The support is made of polyethylene because only this material meets the qualities required: the ease of production in large series by injection into a mold, at a temperature of about 180 C, the rigidity sufficient for use, the flexibility necessary for use of this support as a stopper for a bottle or a tube with a rigid neck to which the support must adapt, the hydrophobic nature which

  makes it non-wettable by the product to be spread and which facilitates

lite the flow of this product.

261 456 1

  If polyethylene has all these desired qualities to a suitable degree it also has a property whose consequences are not appreciable in all circumstances. It is practically impossible to assemble it with other parts by gluing. In other words, there is no glue or adhesive which can be used for cold fixing of polyethylene. This property results from its good resistance to most solvents, which is appreciable with regard to the products to be spread, but this same property obliges to use a hot fixing process to carry out the bonding operation between the block. foam and the semi-rigid support. An example of the use of this process can be found

  of hot fixing in document GB-A-1,254.957.

  Therefore, the manufacture of flexible pads comprising a hot fixing operation, that is to say the prior softening until the melting of a surface area of the polyethylene support and the application under pressure of the block of foam against this softened area, before it solidifies, this manufacturing can only be done, necessarily, at a fairly low rate; in addition it requires the use of a significant heating energy, undesirable due to the

  low cost desired soft pads.

  The main object of the invention is to provide a flexible buffer of the kind defined above but of a new design eliminating the need for a hot connection between the support and the foam block and authorizing, on the contrary, a cold fixing of the block of foam relative

to the polyethylene support.

  In a flexible pad for spreading product, comprising on the one hand a support made of polyethylene, or of a material having a similar property, having at one end a flexible sleeve and at its opposite end a transverse closure plate with end face located in a plane transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the sleeve, with

2 6 1 4 5 6 1

  a channel extending through this plate in the extension of the interior volume of the sleeve and opening in the end face of this plate, on the other hand a block of plastic foam having an end face pr.:he of the end face of the tray, this end face of the tray having an outer peripheral edge and an inner perimeter edge, according to the invention, the pad further comprises a washer of dimensions substantially equal to those of the end face with an outer peripheral edge and a inner peripheral edge; this washer is made of material capable of cold bonding and can be applied by one of its faces against said end face,

  however that it exists on at least one of the peripheral edges

  that exterior and interior of the end face At of the washer, at least at two points spaced from this edge, a retaining means which retains the washer applied against the end face of the plate, the foam block being fixed by cold gluing to the face of this opposite washer

  to that which is applied against the extreme face of the plate.

  Preferably, the washer is made of rigid plastic material attackable by a component of an appropriate adhesive.

  such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polymer

  thacrylate. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outer peripheral edge of the end face of the plate is provided over its entire length with a flexible retaining lip having a height greater than the thickness of the washer; preferably this lip is slightly inclined towards the center of the plate; preferably also the inner peripheral edge is provided over the entire edge with a height at least equal to the thickness of

the washer.

  According to alternative embodiments at least the outer peripheral edge or the inner peripheral edge of the end face of the plate is provided with at least two hooks capable of retaining the washer after application.

  of it against the end face of the plate.

  When the washer retaining means is provided on any of the two peripheral edges of the end face of the tray, it is preferable to provide a continuous rim parallel to the axis of the pad in the direction of the block of foam, height greater than the thickness of the washer, over the entire length of the other

peripheral edge.

  According to another alternative embodiment of the invention-

  tion, the retaining means is part of the washer; it is preferably located on the outer edge of this washer in order to be able to hang onto the plate which is part

support.

  We will now give, by way of example only,

  a description of several embodiments of the invention

  tion. Reference is made to the appended drawing in which:

  - Figure 1 is a sectional view through a plane lon-

  gitudinal of a tampon according to the invention having a sleeve designed to serve as a stopper, - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but the sleeve is designed to serve as a cover, - Figure 3 is a view in section of a washer forming part of the pad of the invention, - Figure 4 shows the washer of Figure 3 provided with a foam block, Figures 5, 6, 7 are enlarged partial views in section showing variants for producing the tampon of FIG. 1, FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing another alternative embodiment, FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing a tampon according to the invention with a valve incorporated and used to illustrate an interesting advantage

brought by the invention.

  Figure 1 shows a tampon according to the invention comprising a support 1 molded in polyethylene having a flexible sleeve 2 intended to be introduced as a stopper into an opening of a container suitable for a product

  to spread, for example a bottle or a tube.

  26145 a 1 Figure 2 shows another pad according to the invention comprising a support 1 'molded from polyethylene

  having a flexible sleeve 2 'intended to style like a cover

  in an open end of a container, for example a jar of cream. The sleeve 2 'can have internal hooking ribs or an internal thread for its

attachment to container.

  These two kinds of sleeves 2 ,. 2 'are known

  per se and are not directly the subject of the invention.

  In both cases, the support 1 or 1 ′ has, at its end opposite to its end part which constitutes the sleeve 2, 2 ′, a transverse plate 3 for closing the sleeve 2, 2 ′ with an end face 4 located in a plane transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the sleeve 2, 2 '. In a way

  known per se, the transverse plate 3 is provided internally

  laughing the volume of the sleeve 2 or 2 'of a central boss which is crossed by a longitudinal channel 6, preferably

  coaxial with the sleeve 2, 2 '. This channel 6 also crosses the thick-

  of the tray 3 and opens in the extreme face 4 of the latter. Therefore, as we can see better on

  Figures 5 to 7, this end face 4 has a peripheral edge

  that exterior 7 and an interior peripheral edge 8.

  The pad of the invention further comprises a washer 9 (Figure 3) having a central hole or channel 10 which, after assembly of this washer with the support

  1 as will be described later, is in the extension-

channel 6.

  The washer 9-is made of plastic material capable of being sensitive to the effect of an adhesive to be fixed to another part. Such an adhesive acts by attacking the plastic that it softens and

  shallowly put into a pasty state. Plastic materials

  only sensitive to adhesives and corresponding adhesives

  are well known. We can cite polystyrene, poly-

  vinyl chloride, methacrylate. The latter is more expensive than polyvinyl chloride which is itself

2 6 1 4 5 5 1

  more expensive than polystyrene. The latter is therefore preferred.

  in the context of the invention. However, a material other than plastic can also be used for manufacturing

from La roncdlle 9.

  The washer 9 has two opposite main faces; a first face 11 and a second face 12. This second face 12 is intended to be used for fixing a block of foam 13, known per se, which is commonly made of polyurethane or polyester foam, with open cells. FIG. 4 shows a block of foam 13 fixed to the washer 9; this

  block 13 itself has a central channel 14 which extends coaxial-

channel 10 of washer 9.

  Since the washer 9 is sensitive to the effect of an appropriate adhesive, the fixing of the foam block 13 to

  this washer can be done cold.

  The first face 11 of the washer 9 is intended to be applied and to be held applied against the end face 4 of the plate 3 which is part of the support 1. In order for the washer 9 to be held in place, at least one of the edges peripherals 7, 8 is provided with a retaining means. In Figure 5 the outer peripheral edge 7 is provided over its entire length with a flexible lip 15 slightly inclined towards the middle of the end face 3. This Lip 15 is flexible enough to be able to be pushed outwards and allow placing the washer 9 against the end face 3; then it returns to its initial shape by natural elasticity and it retains the washer 9 to which the foam block 13 is glued. The washer 9 is retained in its place with a slight clearance relative to the end face 4 of the plate 3; it is applied against this end face 4 when the foam block 13 is pressed 13. This method of retaining the washer 9 corresponds to what is called here

  applying the washer 9 against the end face 4.

  In Figure 6 the inner peripheral edge

7 2 6 12 614 561

  8 of the end face 4 is provided with several hooks 16 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 2; these hooks are spaced along the edge 8 and they each have a lateral face 17 obliquely followed by a transverse face 18 substantially para eèe to the end face 4. When the washer 9 is pushed against the lateral oblique faces 17 in the direction of the end face 4, the hooks 16 tilt towards the axis of the channel 6 and they return to their initial position after the passage of the washer o10 9, the distance between the transverse faces 18

  and the end face 4 being, of course, slightly higher

  less than the thickness of the washer 4 and the channel 10 of

  the latter having an appropriate dimension.

  In Figure 7, the outer peripheral edge

  7 is provided with a continuous skirt 19 parallel to the geometrical axis

  channel 6 and provided at its free end with a continuous hook 16 'extending over the entire perimeter of this skirt 19. This hook 16' is similar to the hooks 16 but it is directed inward. This skirt 19 flares outwards when the washer 9 is pushed towards the end face 4 of the plate 3 then it resumes its position and

retains the washer.

  It would be possible, but without any particular advantage,

  to provide a means of retaining both on the perimeter

  e5 outer spherical 7 and on the inner peripheral edge 8.

  On the contrary, when any edge 7 or 8 is provided with a retaining means, it is desirable to provide on the whole of the other edge, inside 8 (figure) or outside 7 (figure 6) an outside edge 20 ( Figure 6) or inside 20 '(Figure 5) extending parallel to the geometric axis of the foam bLoc 13 over a length slightly greater than the thickness of the washer 9. The outer rim 20 contains the washer 9 and the foam 13 and gives a clearer appearance to the tampon. The inner rim 20 ′ protects the channel 6 against the entry of the adhesive into the latter when the foam block 13 is bonded to the washer 9 after having put the latter in its place against the

extreme side 4.

  It is also possible to provide the retaining means not on a peripheral edge 7, 8 of the end face 4 but on one of the corresponding peripheral edges 7 ', 8' of the washer 9; Figure 8 shows the example of a washer 9 whose outer peripheral edge 7 'is provided over at least part of its length with a retaining means constituted by a hooking lip 15' similar to the lip 15 but directed in the opposite direction relative to the foam block 13 in order to be able to tighten or hang behind the plate 3 which it contains. In this case, the washer 9 itself can be provided opposite the lip 15 'with a flange 20 "playing the same role as the flange 20. This simple reversal of the arrangement of the retaining means, which can also be applied to the perimeter edge

  inside 8 'of the washer 9 in the form of hooks

  giant in channel 6, does not depart from the scope of the invention.

  The fixing by cold bonding of the foam block 13 to the washer 9 can be done before the installation of this washer in the support 1 as shown in Figure 4, or after the installation of the washer in

support 1.

  Note that the buffer of the invention is made

  ble in very different dimensions and with different configurations

  also very diverse geometries of the foam block.

  Figure 9 shows a buffer similar to that of Figure 1 but shown with an internal valve

  which opposes the unwanted exit of the product to be spread.

  According to this embodiment, the retaining means is provided on the outer edge 7 of the plate 3. This retaining means is a skirt 19 extending in the same direction as the foam block 13 and shaped as a continuous hook 16 ′ to its free end, over its entire length, similar to that of FIG. 7. The transverse retaining face 18 of this hook is, as in the examples of hooks described above, parallel to the end face 4 at a distance from it greater by a value very

  low to the thickness of the washer 9.

26 145 5 1

  This FIG. 9 shows that the channel 6 of the boss contains a valve 21 having a head 22 and a rod 23. The inlet of channel 6 serves as a seat for the head 22 with which is formed a return spring 24 with three elements in spiral. The latter are also one with. a disc 25 which is introduced into the flexible sleeve 2. This disc is retained in its position by small pins 26 which are provided on the inner face of the sleeve 2. The rod 23 of the valve 21 extends through the channel 10 of the

  washer 9 and penetrate inside the foam block 13.

  The latter has no central channel. The role of this central channel through the foam block is played by the channel 10 provided in the washer 9. The diameter of this channel 10 is fixed according to the desired flow rate of the product to be spread and the viscosity of the latter. As the block of foam 13 is not crossed by a channel, and since it is surrounded at its base by the continuous skirt 19, it is more resistant to the forces which it must withstand during

spreading the product.

Claims (9)

  1. Soft pad for spread product, comprising   on the one hand a support (1) of plastic material not sus-   cold bonding sheet like polyethylene, having at one end a sleeve (2,2 ') and at its opposite end a transverse plate (3) for closing with an end face (4) transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the sleeve (2 , 2 '), with a channel (6) extending through this plate (3) in the extension of the internal volume of the sleeve (2,2') and opening in the end face (4), on the other share a block of foam (13) made of plastic having an end face close to the end face (4) of the plate (3), this end face (4) of the plate (3) having a peripheral edge   outside (7) and an inside perimeter edge (8),   laughed in that it further comprises a washer (9) of dimension   sions substantially equal to those of the extreme face (3)   with an outer peripheral edge (7 ') and a peripheral edge   inner risk (8 '), this washer (9) being made of material capable of cold bonding and capable of being applied   by one of its faces against said end face (4), however   dant that there exist on at least one outer peripheral edges (7, 7 ') and inner (8.8') of the end face (3) and the washer (9), at least in two spaced points from said edge, a retaining means (15, 16, 15 ') which retains the washer (9) applied against the end face (3), the foam block (13) being fixed by cold bonding to the face of this washer opposite to that which is applied   against the end face (4) of the plate (3).   2. Buffer according to claim 1 characterized   in that the washer (9) is made of plastic suscep-   cold bonding tar such as polystyrene, polychlo- vinyl rure, methacrylate.   3. Buffer according to claim 1 characterized in that the retaining means comprises a flexible lip (15) which extends from the outer edge (7) of the end face (4), preferably with a slight inclination towards the center of the board.   1 1 4. Buffer according to claim 1 characterized in that the retaining means comprises at least two hooks (16,16 ') provided on at least one of the outer peripheral edge (7) or the inner peripheral edge (8) of the end face (4) of the plate (3), these hooks (16, 16 ') each having a transverse face (18) substantially parallel to said end face (4) and spaced from the latter in the axial direction of the pad from a distance slightly   greater than the thickness of the washer (9).   5. Buffer according to claim 1 characterized in that the retaining means comprises a skirt (19) extending from the outer peripheral edge (7) of the end face (4) of the plate (3) over the entire length of this outer edge (7), in the axial direction in the same direction as the foam block (13), this skirt (19) having at its free end a continuous hook (16 ') with transverse retaining face (18) substantially parallel to the end face (4) at a distance from it slightly greater than the thickness of the washer (9).   6. Buffer according to claim 1 characterized in that the retaining means comprises a hooking lip (15 ') extending from the outer peripheral edge (7') of the washer (9) at least over part of the length of this edge (7 '), in the opposite direction relative to the foam block (13) to tighten or hang behind the plate (3).   7. Stamp according to any one of the claims   1 to 6 in which the outer peripheral edge (7) of the end surface (4) of the plate (3) is not provided with the retaining means, characterized in that this same outer peripheral edge (7) is provided with a continuous rim (20) parallel to the axis of the tampon in the direction of the foam block (13),   height greater than the thickness of the washer (9).   8. Buffer according to claim 6 characterized in that the outer peripheral edge (7 ') of the washer (9) is provided in opposite direction to the hooking lip (15')   a rim (20 ") parallel to the axis of the pad in the direction   tion of the foam block (13), of height greater than the thickness of the washer (9).   9. Stamp according to any one of claims   1 to 8 characterized in that the channel (10) which passes through the washer (9) has a dimension determined according to the desired flow rate of product to be spread and the block of foam (13) is full, with no central channel.