FR2920747A1 - Cap for e.g. cosmetic product container, has cover associated to insert and closing cutout of side surface of insert, where insert extends along longitudinal axis of cap and cover is made of deformable elastic material e.g. polyethylene - Google Patents

Abstract

The cap (2) has an insert (4) extending along a longitudinal axis of the cap and comprising a side surface, where the insert is made of polyolefin. A cover (20) is associated to the insert, and closes a cutout (100) of a side surface of the insert. The cover is made of deformable elastic material e.g. polyethylene EXACT(RTM: Not defined), or polypropylene metallocene(RTM: Not defined), less rigid than that of the insert. The cover is molded or bi-injected with the insert. The insert and the cover define an inner surface of the cap. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a cap.

Description

The present invention relates to a cover intended to be mounted on a container containing a product, for example a cosmetic product. FR 2 775 959 discloses a tamper-proof one-piece plug made by bi-material injection, consisting of an inner part threaded in a first material and an outer part in a second material, ensuring the rigidity of the plug. Application FR 2 752 560 discloses a method for producing a tamper-evident plastic plug, which consists of injecting a first internal threaded part and molding a second external part by injection, into a plastics material that is more rigid than the first part. The application FR 2 747 372 discloses a cap comprising a threaded ring made of a rigid material surmounted by a nipple-shaped protruding part of an elastic material, co-molded with the ring. The latter has a rim partially covering the projecting part.

International application WO 01/68468 discloses a plug comprising a threaded inner shell providing a sealing function and an outer shell overmolded on the inner shell, this outer shell being arranged to withstand high values of temperature and pressure during pasteurization operations.

Application US 2006/0070996 discloses a closure system comprising two parts, including a threaded base portion on which is overmolded a covering layer of a material having a hardness lower than that of the base portion and a sealing portion slidably or pivotally mounted on the base portion to close the container.

Patent EP 1 338 520 B1 describes a pot comprising a rigid frame and a deformable part. EP 456 943 A2 discloses a container cap having a dome frictionally mounted on a crown of the cap. There is a need for a hood offering new aesthetic and / or ergonomic possibilities. According to one of its aspects, the subject of the invention is a cover to be mounted on a receptacle or casing so as to ensure the closure of the receptacle or casing and / or at least partially to cover a dispensing and / or application member or a supply of product, the cover defining a lower housing in which can engage the container or housing or being hingedly connected to the container or housing, the cover comprising: - an insert extending along an axis and having a perforated lateral surface, and a covering associated with the insert, comprising an elastically deformable material, closed above and closing at least one aperture of the lateral surface of the insert.

By lateral surface must be understood a surface whose normal is not oriented parallel to the axis, being for example oriented perpendicular to the axis, the latter coinciding for example with at least one of the longitudinal axis of the hood of the longitudinal axis of the container, of the axis in which the cover is placed or removed from the normal to the plane of the housing when the latter is flattened, the axis of a neck of the container when the there exists and / or the direction of actuation of a dispenser member of the container. The axis of the hood may be perpendicular to a plane containing the lower free edge of the hood. Such a cover offers new possibilities from the aesthetic point of view, for example by allowing the use, for making the covering, of a relatively soft material which has, for example, a surface appearance that is attractive to the user. The cover may for example be deformed in response to a pressure exerted transversely to its longitudinal axis by the user. The cover may have a greater or lesser elasticity depending on the choice of materials used to make it and for example be arranged to be able to deform so that two parts of the covering 25 located opposite one of the other, with respect to the longitudinal axis, may come into contact with each other under the effect of pressure exerted by the user. The invention thus makes it possible, if desired, to provide the bonnet so as to offer a large amount of deformability, which for example enables the user to play with it. The elasticity of the hood may eventually allow it to bounce against a hard surface. The hood can be one-piece.

By monobloc, it should be understood that the cover is not achieved by the assembly of separate parts fixed to each other by snapping, screwing or clamping, which could be easily detached by the user. The dressing is for example overmolded on the insert or bi-injected with the latter.

When the cladding is associated with the insert without being overmolded on it or biinjected with it, the cladding is for example glued to the insert or held on it by snapping or friction. When the covering is made of a less rigid material than the insert, the latter can play the role of a frame, for example giving the bonnet enough rigidity to avoid the accidental actuation of a push button of a dispensing member of the container on which the hood is mounted. In addition, the cover can be fixed on the container without attachment to the push button, thus avoiding an accidental disconnection thereof when removing the cover. The insert can also improve the behavior of the hood on the container or housing.

The presence of the insert may for example allow attachment of the cap on the container by snapping and not by screwing. The inner surface of the cover can be defined by the insert and by the covering, when the covering does not cover the insert internally. Alternatively, and according to another particular embodiment, the inner surface of the cover can be defined exclusively by the covering, when it is overmolded or bi-injected both internally and externally on the insert. The hood, and in particular the insert, can be lengthened along a longitudinal axis. The insert can extend over substantially the entire height of the hood, for example over 80% of the height of the hood.

The lateral surface of the insert may be perforated over the entire height of the insert or, alternatively, be perforated on less than the total height of the insert. The insert may comprise a recessed base (also called crown) extending around the longitudinal axis. This base may extend continuously or not around the longitudinal axis, having for example an annular shape, with or without axial symmetry, having for example a symmetrically radially outer surface of revolution. The base may have a larger internal transverse dimension, especially a larger internal diameter, for example between 10 mm and 200 mm and more particularly between 20 mm and 50 mm and for example about 25 mm and a thickness for example between 0.4 mm and 20 mm, and more particularly between 1 and 4 mm, measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hood. The base may comprise at least one attachment relief, including teeth, for fixing the cover on the container. The hooking reliefs may be uniformly distributed or not around the periphery of the inner surface of the base. The insert can have at least two branches, which can join to form at least one arch. The joining portion through which the branches meet may comprise at least one stiffening rib. The insert may for example comprise at least two branches parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hood over at least a portion of their length. The branches can be connected to the aforementioned base in diametrically opposed locations.

The branches may have a thickness for example between 1 mm and 10 mm and extend along the longitudinal axis of the hood to a height of between 5 cm and 20 cm. The branches may each be of non-circular cross-section, in particular flattened, for example flattened along a plane oriented perpendicular to a diametral plane. The base may have a greater thickness than the branches, which can give the base a higher rigidity. The covering may comprise a lower portion extending axially downward beyond the base of the insert, and this lower portion may contact the body of the container or the case, as the case may be. The lower part of the covering may for example comprise a lip flaring downwards and / or thinner towards its free edge. The resilient support of the cladding on the container or casing when the cap is in place on the container can ensure elimination of the mounting clearance of the cap on the container or casing and compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The insert may be made of one or more materials, for example in a polyolefin, for example high density polyethylene or polypropylene or any other material allowing a bonding with a flexible material such as PP with EVA, PE, PP, TPU, or PE with EVA, PE, PP or TPU with ABS, PVC, TPU, SAN or SAN with ABS, PC, PMMA, TPU, PBT, PVC, SAN. The insert may be made for example in a material having a shore hardness D of between 40 and 90. The covering may cover the entire outer surface of the insert and may extend all around the axis of the hood . The covering and the insert can be of the same color or alternatively be of different colors.

The outer surface of the covering may be relatively smooth, being for example devoid of streaks. The covering may have an outer section that varies in a non-monotonic manner when moving along the axis of the cover. The covering may for example have a rounded top.

The covering may have an annular retreint, this retreint being for example of sufficient height to accommodate the thumb and index. The thickness of the covering may vary as one moves along the longitudinal axis and present a minimum in an area of increased deformability, this area being for example located at the aforementioned slit.

The thickness of the covering is for example between 0.4 mm and 10 mm, and more particularly between 1 mm and 6 mm and even more particularly between 2 mm and 4 mm. The maximum thickness of the covering can thus be between 4 and 10 mm and its minimum thickness between 0.4 and 1 mm. The covering is for example thermoplastic elastomer including TPO type, SEBS, SBS, copolymers PP / PE or flexible thermoplastic such as polyethylene or propylene metallocene, EVA, VLDPE or natural or synthetic rubber or silicone. The covering is for example made of a material having a shore hardness of between 40 shore A and 50 shore D.

The dressing can be made in one or more materials.

The cover can provide a closure function, with a sealed closure of the container or the housing for example. The insert can be made, if necessary, with a sealing lip. The cover can for example be configured to close the container or the housing without the addition of an additional cover to be mounted on the container or the housing. The cover can also, depending on the case, not to provide a closure function but only a protective function of a dispensing member and / or application or a supply of product, for example in the form of bread. When the container comprises a push button for actuating a valve or a pump, the cover can prevent accidental actuation of the push button. The cover may be different from a cap having a tamper-proof ring and have no separable portion to use. The cover may be devoid of application member and have only an opening for attachment to the container or the housing. The cover can still be secured to an applicator member, if necessary. The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, a device for packaging at least one product, for example a cosmetic product, comprising a cover as defined above and a container or housing containing the product. The container may comprise a neck and the cover may comprise at least a first attachment relief configured to cooperate with a corresponding second relief of the neck of the container to ensure a removable attachment of the cap to the container, for example a snap fastener. As indicated above, the covering of the cover can bear axially on the container or the housing when the cover is in place, in order to make up manufacturing tolerances. Thus, when the casing of the cover defines a flexible lip below, the latter is for example arranged to deform when the cover is mounted on the container or the housing or removed thereof, which can promote the elimination of an apparent external clearance between the cover and the container or the housing, and give the user the impression of a continuity between the outer surface of the cover and that of the container or housing, thereby improving the qualitative perception of the device. The insert comprises for example at least four teeth intended to snap on the neck of the container.

The neck of the container comprises for example at least one bead on which at least one tooth of the insert can snap. The bead may extend over at least a portion of the perimeter of the neck of the container, or even the entire periphery of the neck of the container.

The cover may comprise ribs in a region of the base located in the extension of the branches, promoting the maintenance of the shape of the base following its cooling after molding, and reducing the risk of occurrence of burrs and / or depressions likely to oppose the good withdrawal of the material from the mold. The body of the container or housing may have an outer surface of revolution, extending around the base of the neck. The aforementioned flexible lip of the cover can be arranged to come into contact with such a surface when the cover is in place. The container or housing comprises for example a body at least partially cylindrical of revolution or spherical. The cover may be movable relative to the container or housing between an open configuration, allowing dispensing of the product, for example a configuration where the cover is removed, and a closed configuration, where the cover is present on the container or housing, this configuration preventing the distribution or withdrawal of the product. The cover can be completely separated or not from the container or housing in the open position. The container may comprise at least one dispensing member, in particular a pump or a valve, this dispensing member comprising for example an actuating member, in particular a push-button. The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to a method of manufacturing a hood as defined above, defining a housing for receiving a container, this method comprising: a first step during which a first material is injected into a mold to make an insert having a perforated lateral surface, and - a second step during which a second material is injected to produce a covering, by overmolding on the insert. In the second step, the mold can be rotated. The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to a one-piece hood having a housing for receiving the container or housing on which the hood is to be mounted, comprising: an insert made of a first material, and an elastically deformable covering overmolded on the insert or bi-injected with it and made of a second material, this second material being preferably less rigid than the first material. The apparent outer surface of the hood, once in place on the container or the housing, can be defined by the covering only. The covering may come axially supported by its lower end, for example, against the container or the housing. The subject of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, a one-piece hood comprising: an insert without a thread, comprising at least one snap-in relief intended for its attachment by snapping-in on the neck of a container, and 15 - a dressing associated with the insert, in particular overmolded on the insert or biinjected with the insert, in particular a covering made of an elastically deformable material. The invention will be better understood on reading nonlimiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded, diagrammatic and partial view, of a packaging device comprising a cover according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows in axial section, schematic and partial, the device of Figure 1, - Figures 3 and 4 show in isolation, in perspective, respectively 1 the Figure 5 shows a detail of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a bottom view of the insert according to VI of Figure 3; Figure 7 is an axial section of the neck of the container; 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cover, and FIG.

The device 1 shown in the figures comprises a container 3 provided with a dispensing member 7, partially shown, and a cover 2 that can be fixed in a detachable manner on the container 3 to cover the dispensing member 7. The cover 2 presents in the illustrated example an elongated shape extends along a longitudinal axis X and comprises an insert 4 on which is molded a covering 20. As can be seen in Figure 1, the outer surface of the hood 2, in place on the container 3, is in the example described completely defined by the covering 20. The insert 4, shown in Figure 3, comprises a base 10 of annular shape, surmounted by a perforated portion having two branches 5 and 6 interconnected by a joining portion 8 and forming an arch 8. The latter defines an opening 100 opening on the side surface of the insert 4 and closed by the covering 20. The base 10 has been represented with a shape circular ring but could for example be annular of polygonal, oval or other shape, and possibly discontinuous. The base 10 has a radially outer surface which is for example substantially cylindrical of revolution from its lower end on a first portion 103 of its height, then frustoconical converging upwards, as can be seen in FIG. 8. The base 10 presents for example a larger internal diameter of between 10 mm and 200 mm and more particularly between 20 mm and 50 mm and in particular of about 25 min and a thickness of between 0.4 mm and 20 mm and more particularly between 1 and 4 mm. The base 10 may comprise snap-on reliefs on the container, for example teeth 12 distributed around the inner periphery of the base 10, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 6. These teeth 12 are, for example, four in number. , being arranged for example in groups of two symmetrically on either side of a median plane M for the base 10, perpendicular to the plane containing the longitudinal axes of the branches 5 and 6. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the teeth 12 have for example a triangular profile, with upper and lower faces respectively inclined downwards and inwards, and downwards and outwards.

The branches 5 and 6 may be, along a portion of their length, both parallel to the X axis. The branches 5 and 6 are for example of flattened cross section, being oriented so that their large faces are opposite.

Ribs 17 may be formed between the teeth, on the base at the branches, to promote demolding, as indicated above. The invention is however not limited to an insert 4 having two branches, and the number of branches can be different, as well as their shape. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the joining portion 8 may comprise, on its lower surface, a stiffening rib 9 extending perpendicularly to the median plane M. The base 10 may have a thickness greater than that of the branches 5 and 6. The insert 4 is for example made of a polyolefin, for example high density polyethylene or polypropylene. The covering 20 comprises, as seen in particular in Figure 2, a lower lip 22 flaring downwards and tapering towards its free edge. The top 27 of the covering 20 is for example of rounded shape. The outer surface of the wrapper can define a restraint, as shown. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the covering 20 may have a non-monotonically varying thickness as one moves along the X axis, the thickness being for example lower in the zone comprising the restraint, to increase the deformability in the radial direction of the dressing at this level. The covering may extend axially along the X axis to a height of, for example, between 5 cm and 20 cm. The covering 20 is advantageously made of a material less rigid than that in which the insert is made, being for example made of an elastomer material or of a polyolefin, in particular a polyethylene or a polypropylene, obtained by metallocene catalysis, the material for example having a shore hardness between shore A 40 and shore D 50. In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the cladding is preferably made of a metallocene polyethylene marketed under the trademark Exact by the company DSM / Exxonmobil or a metallocene polypropylene marketed under the trade name MetalloceneTM by TARGOR. The covering 20 is, in the example described, made by overmolding the insert 4 in a rotating mold.

The body 41 of the container 3 can be of any type, being for example made of a thermoplastic material, metal, glass or ceramic or other materials, optionally composite. The body 41 is for example at least partially spherical but could have a different shape.

The body 41 is surmounted in the illustrated example by a neck 40 which is for example made of the same material as the body 41 and which can be provided with an external thread 42 serving to mount the dispensing member 7. The neck 40 also has an annular bead 45 extending around the neck 40 and for fixing the cover 2. This bead 45 is located in the example under the thread 42, at the edge of a shoulder of the neck. The body 41 may have a recess 52 around the neck 40. The body 41 of the container 3 is for example transparent or translucent and may be rigid or flexible. The container 3 contains for example a cosmetic product to be applied to keratin materials, for example skin, lips, nails or hair. The dispensing member 7 comprises in the illustrated example a push-button 30 and a mounting skirt 32 provided with a thread 33, arranged to be screwed onto the thread 42 of the neck 40. The dispensing member 7 is for example a pump, with or without air intake, and may include a dip tube capable of taking the product into the container 3, this dip tube not being shown in the figures for the sake of clarity of the drawing. When the user exerts a pressure transversely to the longitudinal axis X of the hood, the hood 2 deforms but can return to its original shape by elasticity in the absence of stress.

During assembly or disassembly of the cover 2 on the container 3, the flexible lip 22 may deform elastically in contact with the body 41, in particular in a region around the recess 52. This recess 52 may serve for example positioning indicator for an adhesive label or a retractable sleeve forming an information carrier, and for example an advertising medium including mark and / or information on the formulation of the composition contained in the container or the housing and / or on the mode of use of Such a composition, and / or may serve for a better distribution of the material of the container when it is made by blowing. The invention is of course not limited to the embodiment which has just been described, and is not particularly limited to a container having a dispensing member 7 such as a pump or a valve. The container 3 may for example comprise a permanently open neck, on which is mounted the cover 2. In this variant, the cover can provide a closure function of the device. In another embodiment of the invention, not shown, the cover carries an applicator member. This can be attached to one end of a rod whose other end is fixed to the cover, for example to the insert, being for example molded in one piece with it. The applicator member is for example a brush, a comb, a flocked tip, a foam or a felt tip. The cover 2 shown in Figures 9 and 10 has a generally flattened shape, being intended to close a makeup case (also called compact) and containing for example one or more products in the form of bread, optionally contained (s) in 20 cups Thus, if necessary, an applicator provided for example with a foam applicator element, flocked or brush-type, or a powder puff. The cover shown in Figures 9 and 10 is for example for frictional assembly with the housing body, the latter having for example at the periphery a shoulder on which engages the cover.

In a variant not shown, the cover shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is connected by a hinge to the body of the housing, this hinge being for example a film hinge formed in one piece with the insert 4 or the covering 20. The arch 8 may comprise, as illustrated in the figures, extensions 110 which extend transversely to the upper part of the arch 8, in order to stiffen the top of the covering 20. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the arch 8 extends parallel to the long side of the base 10, which has a generally rectangular shape and the top of the cover 2 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis X of the cover 2. The axis X of the latter, which axis is perpendicular to the plane along which extends the lower frank 113 of the hood. The invention is not limited to snap-fastening of the cover 2 to the container 3. The attachment of the cover 2 can for example be made by screwing, the insert comprising for example at least one portion of thread arranged to screw on the collar. The container may still be an aerosol type container. In another variant, the container may comprise a flow reducer. The expression having one must be understood as being synonymous with 10 having at least one, unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (37)

1. Cover (1) to be mounted on a container (3) or casing so as to close the container or casing and / or cover at least partially a dispensing member and / or application or a product reserve, the cover defining lower a housing in which can engage the container or housing or being hingedly connected to the container or housing, the cover comprising: - an insert (4) extending along an axis (X) and having a surface perforated lateral and, - a covering (20) associated with the insert (4), comprising an elastically deformable material, closed upper and closing at least one aperture (100) of the side surface of the insert. 2. Cover according to claim 1, the cover being integral, the covering being overmolded or bi-injected with the insert. 3. Cover according to claim 1 or 2, the covering (20) being made of a less rigid material than the insert (4). 4. Cover according to one of the preceding claims, the inner surface of the cover (2) being defined by the insert (4) and by the covering (20). 5. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, the insert (4) 20 having a base (10) recessed, extending around the axis (X). 6. Cover according to claim 5, the base (10) extending continuously about the axis (X). 7. Cover according to claim 5 or 6, the base (10) comprising at least one attachment relief, including teeth (12), for fixing the cover on the container 25 (3) or housing. 8. Hood according to the preceding claim, comprising hooking reliefs (12) distributed around the periphery of the inner surface of the base (10). 9. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, the insert (4) having at least two branches (5, 6). 30 10. Hood according to claim 9, the branches (5, 6) joining to form an arch (8). 11. Cover according to claim 9 or 10, the branches being of non-circular cross section. 12. Cover according to claims 5 and 9, the base having a thickness greater than that of the branches. 13. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, the insert being made of a material having a shore hardness D between 40 and 90. 14. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, the insert being made of a polyolefin. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, the outer surface of the covering (20) being streak free. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, the covering (20) having an outer section that varies non-monotonically as one moves along the longitudinal axis (X). 17. Cover according to the preceding claim, the casing (20) having an annular retreint. 18. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, the covering being made of a material having a hardness of between 40 shore A and 50 shore D. 19. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, the covering 20 being made of polyethylene or metallocene polypropylene. 20. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, not providing a plugging function but only a protective function of a dispensing member and / or application. 21. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, having no part separable from use. 22. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged to be deformed so that two parts of the facing located opposite from each other with respect to the axis (X) can come in contact with each other under the effect of pressure exerted by the user. 30 23. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, the casing comprising below a flexible lip (22). 24. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, the maximum thickness of the covering being between 4 and 10mm and its minimum thickness between 0.4 and lmm. 25. Hood according to claim 9, the legs (5, 6) having a thickness of between 0.4 and 10 mm. 26. Hood according to claim 9, the branches being flattened each in a plane oriented perpendicular to a diametral plane. 27. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, the axis (X) being a longitudinal axis of the hood. 10 28. Device (1) for packaging at least one product (P), in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a cover (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and a container or casing (3) containing the product (P). ). 29. Apparatus according to claim 28 the container having a neck (40) and the cover at least a first relief (12) configured to cooperate with a corresponding second relief 15 of the neck of the container to ensure a removable attachment of the cover on the container. 30. Device according to claim 29, the removable attachment being a snap fastener. 31. Device according to the preceding claim, the neck (40) of the container 20 having at least one bead on which at least one tooth (12) of the insert (4) can snap. 32. Device according to any one of claims 28 to 31, the covering (20) of the cover defining a lower flexible lip (22), the latter being arranged to come axially in abutment on the container. 25 33. Device according to any one of claims 28 to 32, comprising a dispensing member (7), in particular a pump, the dispensing member comprising an actuating member, in particular a push button. 34. A method of manufacturing a hood as defined in any one of claims 1 to 27, comprising: a step during which a first material is injected to produce an insert (4) having a perforated lateral surface, and a second step during which a second material is injected to make a covering (20), by overmolding on the insert. 35. The method of claim 34, the second step taking place in a rotating mold. 36. Monobloc cover intended to be fixed on a container or casing and comprising a housing for receiving the container or casing, this cover (2) comprising: an insert (4) made of a first material, and a casing (20) molded onto the insert or bi-injected with the latter and made of a second elastically deformable material, this second material being preferably less rigid than the first material, the covering being arranged to come axially supported by its lower end against the container or casing. 37. Monoblock cover intended to be fixed on a container and comprising: a non-threaded insert, comprising at least one snap-in relief intended to snap it onto the neck of the receptacle, and a covering associated with the receptacle; insert, in particular overmolded on the insert or bi-injected with it.