FR2998555A1 - Container for containing proportion of e.g. cosmetic product in form of liquid, has pressing zones located out of plug and drainage opening and to right of pressing wall middle region, and separated from bending and/or interlocking region - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) has a draining opening and a service plug (20) provided on a draining wall (10) away from a central region (42). Two pressing zones (6, 7) in facing relation are provided on outer surfaces of the draining wall and a pressing wall (11). The pressing zones press a shell (2) for flow of contents through a draining opening of the plug. The zones are located to right of the central region, out of the plug and the drainage opening of the draining wall, and to right of a middle region of the pressing wall, and separated from a bending and/or interlocking region (15). The service plug is made of plastic.

Description

The invention relates to a deformable container for a content capable of flowing. The technical field of the invention is that of deformable containers such as 2D flat bags, 3D cushion sachets (sometimes known as "pillow"), elongated containers in the form of a tube sealed at the ends (of a type known as "pillow"). "Stickpack"), deformable upright containers (of the type known as "Doypack"), cartons, or like containers, which comprise, first, a flexible envelope formed from one or more deformable walls, two walls disposed more or less vis-à-vis, substantially flat or slightly curved, and one or more zones of folding and / or securing periphery, delimiting a closed, compressible interior space of receiving the contents, and provided with a dump hole in a dump wall. This envelope is adapted and intended to be pressed on both sides by an external action so that the interior space is compressed and content expelled by the drain hole.

In contrast to the tear-off containers for opening them, the containers of the field of the invention then comprise a "service plug", that is to say a device that allows the opening and closing of the container that it equips, which can be opened without resorting to an auxiliary device and the design of which determines the manner in which the contents flow during its delivery (for example pouring spout, applicator, projection nozzle, etc.). Such a plastic service cap comprises, on the one hand, a base portion having a flat flange and a neck forming a discharge orifice and, on the other hand, a closure portion of the emptying orifice comprising a transverse closure wall and a peripheral skirt, the base part and the closure part being designed and able to cooperate with each other in the closed state and to be dissociated from each other at the same time. open state.

The containers of the field of the invention are suitable and intended to receive a quantity (dose) corresponding to several uses of a content capable of flowing in the form of liquid, gel, paste, or even powder. Such content is for example a cosmetic product, hygiene, care, maintenance, pharmaceutical or food.

In some cases, it is desired that containers of the field of the invention, filled with content, are packaged flat against each other, being more or less strongly compressed, the integrity of the containers must then be preserved.

The document KR 992245 B1 discloses a deformable container being a flat bag, having a wall provided with a dump hole which is associated with a service cap which comprises a base portion having an annular flat flange and a two part sealing portion. structurally distinct, one forming movable cap, integral with the flange and connected to it by a hinge, the other in the form of a disk, pierced with a very small emptying hole of the content as the hole of a needle, fixedly assembled in the opening of the flange. A small projection of the inner face of the cap portion cooperates with the very small dispensing orifice of the disc-shaped portion. This container could comprise a rather thin service plug, which could have the advantage that it is not very important, but the disadvantage that it can not have a wide orifice, such as the area of the end portion of a container. finger, the hole corresponding to a needle hole. However, such a very small orifice is unsuitable in many uses, either because of the thick consistency, or even powder, content either because of the distribution of the content, when one wishes to avoid a very localized distribution like that obtained by a very small orifice or a jet distribution, and that, on the contrary, it is desired a fairly wide distribution of the content by an opening opening of the order of the dimension of the end portion of a finger. Such a container has other disadvantages or limitations. The service cap is complex in its structure and in its assembly, comprising two separate pieces assembled, which is prohibitive in terms of cost, especially for a container for a small number of uses. The structure of the service cap is such that its maintenance in the closed state is insecure. The emptying hole of the casing is located in the middle part of the emptying wall, which makes it impossible to arrange on the two walls arranged facing each other, including the emptying wall, two pressing zones in vis-à-vis comprising the median areas of both walls, capable of pressing the envelope of the container for emptying the contents.

US 4,887,912 discloses a standing deformable container (known under the name "Doypack") comprising a deformable envelope and a service cap for sealing the container to preserve the contents after a first opening, for one or several uses.

Such a container has the disadvantage that the service cap has two separate parts. The service plug protrudes very strongly from the emptying wall, which is explained by the fact that it is screw type. Consequently, if several containers filled with contents are packaged against one another by being more or less strongly compressed, there is the risk of a loss of integrity of the containers, the service plugs being solicited or requesting each adjacent container. Document DE 203 05 355 describes a container of the same type as above which does not include a service cap but a repositionable adhesive plastic cover. If this container does not have the previous disadvantage of a very strong wall of the dump wall, it has the disadvantages, on the one hand, not to enjoy the benefits inherent in a service cap and, secondly, to have a closure both inefficient, and that does not palliate the risk of opening in the event of compression of several containers packaged against each other. The problem underlying the invention is therefore to dispose of a deformable container for flowable contents, such as a 2D flat bag, a 3D pillow bag (or known as a "pillow"), an elongate tube-shaped container sealed at the ends of a type known as the "pillow", "Stickpack", a standing container known as "Doypack", a bunker, a similar container, which comprises, on the one hand, a flexible envelope formed from one or more deformable walls defining a closed interior space, compressibl e, receiving the contents, and provided with a drain hole in a drain wall and, secondly, a service plug, in the sense previously given, having a base portion with flange , collar, emptying orifice and a closure part with closure wall and peripheral skirt, such as if several containers of this type filled with contents are packaged flat against each other by being more or less strongly compressed, their integrity is preserved, and more particularly service plugs do not affect this integrity.

The problem underlying the invention is to have such a container which, in combination, has on its two walls vis-à-vis or more or less vis-à-vis areas suitable for pressing the container envelope and emptying the contents. The problem underlying the invention is to have such a container which, in combination, comprises a simple service cap in its structure and its assembly, so economic. In particular a service cap in one piece. The problem is also to have such a container with a service cap which, on the one hand, is such that its maintenance in the closed state is provided with a sufficient seal and which, on the other hand, allows the distribution of a content of thick consistency, or even powder, which can be, depending on the needs, very localized as by the hole of a needle or jet, or a fairly wide distribution of the contents through an opening opening of emptying hole order of the dimension of the end portion of a finger of the user of the container. The problem underlying the invention is to have such a container which, in combination, is well adapted to contain a content for a small number of uses, for example less than 8, more particularly less than 5. Ci after a description of the invention as characterized in the claims.

According to a first aspect, a subject of the invention is a container for flowable contents, comprising: an envelope forming a 2D flat bag or a 3D cushion bag or known as a pillow or an elongated container in the form of a tube sealed at the ends known as "Stickpack" or a standing container known as "Doypack" or a carton, or a similar container, suitable for receiving a quantity of content: o having overall strength and local deformation capacity, o formed from one or more deformable walls, with flat outer face and inner face, o delimiting a compressible interior space, closed by a folding zone and / or securing the wall or walls, o having a wall drain and a pressing wall substantially flat or slightly curved and arranged more or less vis-à-vis, the outer face of the empty wall being divided into a zone e median and a peripheral zone, o having a drain hole in the emptying wall and around an annular zone of fastening, ^ and a service cap plastic: o having, on the one hand, a base portion comprising a flat flange and an emptying orifice and, on the other hand, a closing part of the emptying orifice, where the base part and the closure part being able to cooperate with each other in the closed state and to be dissociated from one another in the open state, in which: the flange and the annular fastening zone are arranged flat on one another and fixedly secured to one another and sealed by a securing means.

The container is such that: the emptying hole and the service cap are located on the emptying wall, on the one hand, away from the median zone and, on the other hand, in the peripheral zone towards a part close to the folding zone and / or securing, without being adjacent to said near part, ^ it is formed on the outer faces of the emptying wall and the pressing wall, two pressing zones more or less vis- opposite, able to press the envelope for the flow or the removal of the contents through the emptying orifice, located in line with the central zone of the emptying wall and out of the service cap and the emptying hole and at the right of the central zone of the pressing wall, being separated from the folding zone and / or securing.

In one embodiment, the emptying orifice has a limited opening, just necessary to allow the flow or removal of the contents. According to the embodiments, the size of the emptying orifice is of a diameter equal to or less than of the order of 1 cm to 2 cm and equal to or greater than of the order of one or several millimeters. According to the embodiments, the area of each pressing zone is greater than of the order of 10%, in particular of the order of 50%, more particularly to the order of 80%, of the the outer face of the corresponding wall. According to a first embodiment, the service plug has a size measured in the axial direction less than or equal to the maximum spacing between the emptying and pressing walls counted in the axial direction, so that a force being exerted on the service cap in the direction of the pressing wall, the service cap is housed completely between the two flat envelopes emptying walls and pressing without protruding from the geometric envelope that limits the container. According to a second embodiment, the service plug has a size counted in the axial direction little greater than the maximum spacing between the emptying and pressing walls counted in the axial direction, so that a force is exerted on the service plug in the direction of the pressing wall, the service cap is housed partially between the two planar envelopes emptying walls and pressing little protruding from the geometric envelope that limits the container.

In one embodiment, the service cap is in one piece. In one embodiment, the service cap has a base portion and a sealing portion joined by a deformable peripheral portion, the sealing portion can not be lost and the service cap can be closed. In one embodiment, the service cap has a base portion and a sealing portion arranged and adapted to be associated with each other in the closed state of the service cap by cooperation of complementary members cooperating by force-fitting. and frictional hold. According to one characteristic, the service cap has a base portion and a sealing portion arranged and adapted to be associated with each other in the closed state of the service cap by cooperation of complementary members excluding a type arrangement. complementary threads. In one embodiment, the transverse closure wall has a convexly curved upper surface facing outwards, so as to limit the friction between the service cap and another adjacent container. In a first embodiment, the flange is flat and disposed at least substantially transversely to the axis of the service plug.

In a second embodiment, the flange forms a kind of funnel or bowl and is inclinedly disposed from the axis of the service cap to the periphery and from the inside to the outside.

In one embodiment, the emptying orifice of the service cap is provided with a removable closure cap. In one embodiment, the service cap comprises tamperproof means, frangible for the first use. According to one possibility, the container is such that the interior space is empty of content. Alternatively, the interior space is filled with the content, the dose of content being formed. In one embodiment, the amount of content only partially fills the interior space. According to a second aspect, the subject of the invention is a dose of flowable contents packaged in a container as just described, the inner space of the container being filled with a certain quantity of the contents. . In one embodiment, the dose of content is for a small number of uses less than 8, more preferably less than 5. According to one feature, the dose of content is such that the amount of content only partially fills the interior space, and wherein, a force being exerted on the service cap in the direction of the pressing wall, the service cap is housed completely or partially between the two flat envelopes of emptying walls and pressing without protruding or projecting that little of the geometric envelope that limits the container. Thus produced, the container comprises a flat bag, a cushion bag or known as a "pillow", a standing deformable container (of the type known as "Doypack"), an elongate tube-shaped container sealed to ends (of type known as "Stickpack"), a carton, or a similar container, with a flexible envelope and a service cap, with the inherent advantages, such as if several containers of this type filled with content are packaged flat against each other being more or less strongly compressed, their integrity is preserved, and more particularly the service caps do not affect this integrity. In addition, the container has the advantages of having areas for effective pressing of the envelope and the emptying of the contents, to have a simple service cap 15 in its structure and its assembly, so economic, and to be well adapted to contain a content for a small number of uses such as less than 8, more particularly less than 5. The figures of the drawings are now briefly described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention, of the 2D bag type, equipped with a service plug in the closed state. Figure 1a is an enlargement of part A of Figure 1, illustrating more specifically the service cap. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first variant of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention of standing type (known under the name of "Doypack") with rectilinear contour edges, equipped a service cap in the closed state.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a second variant of the second embodiment with two contour edges vis-à-vis shaped to be rounded. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention, of the 3D cushion bag type known as "pillow" or of the elongate type in the form of a tube sealed at the ends. known as "Stickpack", equipped with a service cap in the closed state. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container according to the invention, type berlingot, equipped with a service cap in the closed state. Figure 6 is a sectional view at the location of the service cap, partial, on a larger scale, illustrating the container shown in Figure 4, along the line VI-VI, in the state where it is ready to use, the container being partially filled with content, the service cap being in the closed state, protruding from the emptying wall of the container, and of the type allowing a fairly wide distribution of the contents by a fairly wide emptying orifice of the order the size of the end portion of a user's finger of the container. Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, wherein the service cap is of the type allowing a very localized distribution of the content by a very narrow emptying hole. FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 illustrating the partially filled container of contents, when the service cap is biased towards the inside of the container, for example when it is packaged against another similar container or, for example, a container of 2D bag type, when inserted into a magazine, the service cap being in the closed state and not protruding from the emptying wall of the container whose envelope is deformed. Hereinafter a detailed discussion of several embodiments of the invention with examples and reference to the drawings. A container - designated generically by the reference 1 - comprising a deformable envelope - generically designated by the reference 2 - with a contour 35, is suitable and intended to contain a certain quantity (or dose) of content 30, corresponding to several uses. The amount of content packaged in the container 1 forms the dose of content.

By convention, the term "content" or "content 30" is used in the text to denote not only the content as such, but also said certain quantity or dose of content.

The content in question is of the type capable of flowing, being in the form of a liquid, a gel, a paste or even a powder, such as a cosmetic, hygiene, care, maintenance, pharmaceutical or food product. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show four possible embodiments of the container 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the container la with its envelope 2a forms a flat bag (or 2D) whose contour 35a is for example of straight hexagonal shape, but may be of another polygonal shape rectilinear or curvilinear.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3, the container 1b with its envelope 2b forms a standing container known as "Doypack". In a first variant (FIG. 2), the contour 35b has rectilinear contour edges, and in a second variant (FIG. 3), the contour 35b has two contour edges facing each other, shaped to be rounded.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the container 1c with its envelope 2c forms a cushion bag (or 3D) or known as a "pillow" or an elongated bag in the form of a tube sealed at the ends known as " Stickpack "whose contour 35c is rectangular, for example.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the container 1d with its envelope 2d forms a container known as a bunker whose shape is more or less tetrahedral. The invention aims both at the container 1 empty of any content, that the container 1 filled with the contents 30.

The invention also relates to the dose 3 of content 30 packaged in the container 1. The envelope 2 of the container 1 has an overall strength, that is to say that the container 1 is self-supporting and does not require not to be associated with an external device to him to hold. Being deformable, the envelope 2 also has a local deformation capacity. The casing 2 comprises at least two walls 10 and 11 which are deformable and which are arranged vis-à-vis or more or less vis-à-vis. These walls 10 and 11 are substantially flat or slightly curved. The container 1b of Figures 2 and 3 also comprises another wall 12 forming a bottom, providing a spacing between the two walls 10 and 11 so as to allow the holding of the container 1b in a standing position.

Each deformable wall 10, 11 (and 12 in the case of the container 1b) is made from a sheet which may include plastic or aluminum, or any other suitable material. The walls 10, 11 and 12 provide several functions: resistance, deformability, protection against possible external aggression of any kind, informational or advertising media, etc. Each wall 10, 11, 12 has an outer face 13, that is to say facing the outside of the container 1, and an inner face 14, that is to say facing the interior space 5 of the container 1, with which the contents 30 is in contact (see FIGS. 7 and 8). By convention, the term "outside" qualifies what is or is directed towards or what is relatively more outward of the container 1, that is to say the opposite of the space 5. Symmetrically, by convention, the term "interior" qualifies what is in or what is directed towards or what is relatively more turned towards the interior space.

To achieve a closed interior space, the walls 10, 11, 12 are folded or joined in an area called folding and / or joining zone - generically designated by the reference 15 -, continuous, closed on itself, most often comprising several folding and / or securing sections extending in a slender manner and arranged end to end, each section being either rectilinear or curved. This folding and / or securing zone 15 is located towards, and in particular is adjacent to, the peripheral edges of the walls 10, 11, 12 coming into coincidence and defining the contour 35 of the container 1. Thus, for a container 1 is delimited the interior space 5 which is compressible, closed, and adapted to receive the content 30.

In the case of a folding zone 15a, as provided in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be either a straight elongated fold or a curved edge extending along the contour. in the case of a draw without free folding.

In the case of a securing zone 15b, as provided in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, it forms a flat edge extending along the contour 35. It is obtained by thermo welding, gluing, or another of two walls arranged flat on one another. The container 1 comprises, in addition to the casing 2, a service plug 20, of axis 20a, which equips the wall 10 conventionally called for this reason "dump wall" 10. By convention, the wall 11 is called "wall of pressing ". However, the emptying wall 10 can also be used for pressing the container 1, even if it is not called pressing wall. By convention, the term "axial" qualifies what extends along, in the direction of, or more or less parallel to the axis 20a and the term "transverse" qualifies that which extends along a in the direction of one or more or less perpendicularly or orthogonally to the axis 20a. The emptying wall 10 is disposed more or less transversely to the axis 20a. The dump wall 10 has a dump hole 16 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) which is arranged, particularly with regard to its dimensions, to receive the service cap 20.

The service cap 20 comprises, firstly, a base portion 21 having a discharge orifice, generically designated by the reference 27, passing through, in communication with the emptying hole 16 of the emptying wall 10, suitable for allowing to pass the contents 30 of the interior space 5 outside the container 1.

The service cap 20 then comprises a closing part 22 having a transverse closing wall 26, which, on the one hand, ensures the closing of the emptying orifice 27, to the outside, in the state closed the service cap 20 where it ensures the closure of the container 1 so that the content 30 is enclosed in the container 1 without being able to leave and that, on the other hand, allows the opening of the emptying port 27, to the outside, in the open state of the service cap 20 where it allows the opening of the container 1 so that the content 30 can be distributed out of the container 1 for use. In the embodiment shown, the service cap 20 is in one piece, the base portion 21 and the closure portion 22 being joined by a deformable peripheral portion, such as a tongue, forming a hinge 23, the assembly having come together as such of manufacture, so that the sealing portion 22 can not be lost and thus the service cap 20 can be closed. The base part 21 and the closing part 22 are arranged and able, on the one hand, to cooperate with each other when the service cap 20 is in the closed state and, on the other hand, to be dissociated from one another when the service cap 20 is in the open state. Base portion 21 and closure part 22 "separated" means the situation in which complementary members 24, 25 whose parts 21 and 22 are provided so that the service plug 20 can be closed and kept closed. , are dissociated from each other and do not cooperate with each other for the closure of the service cap 20. The base portion 21 and the sealing portion 22 are arranged and adapted so as to be associated one to the other in the closed state of the service cap 20 by cooperation of complementary members cooperating by pressing force and maintenance by friction. Such an arrangement makes it possible to minimize the axial dimension of the service plug 20, compared to a complementary threading-type arrangement where the closing portion must be screwed over a certain axial length on the base portion, which necessarily increases the axial dimension of the plug. service cap. According to a possible characteristic of the invention, such an arrangement of complementary threads type is excluded.

In the embodiment shown, which is not exclusive of others, the base portion 21 comprises a rim 24 protruding outwards, adapted to cooperate by force-fitting and friction-holding, in the closed state of the service cap. 20, with a peripheral skirt 25 of the transverse closure wall 26, said skirt 25 being, in the closed state of the service cap 20, directed inwards. This flange 24 and skirt 25 are complementary members whose parts 21 and 22 are provided so that the service cap 20 can be closed and kept closed when associated. The service cap 20 may be provided with members equivalent to the rim 24 and the skirt 25. In addition, the rim 24 and the skirt 25 may extend over an axial length which may be very small, the rim 24 and the skirt 25 being reduced to their simplest expression, or even be non-existent in the case where the deformable part hinge 23 incorporates means such that the service cap 20 can be closed and kept closed and / or or opened and kept open as with a hinge 23 of the "butterfly" type. Therefore, the service cap 20 may be provided with members equivalent to the rim 24 and to the skirt 25.

The service cap 20 may furthermore comprise tamper-proof means 32, frangible for the first use, which, in one possible but non-exclusive embodiment of others, may be a frangible plastic connection between the base part. 21 and the closing portion 22, for example between a first radially projecting portion 33 of the transverse closing wall 26 and a second radially projecting portion 34 of the flange 24 of the base portion 21 (Figure 2). Furthermore, the first and second protruding parts 33 and 34 can act as an aid for opening the service cap 20, so as to move the closure part 22 away from the base part 21.40. In one embodiment, the transverse wall shutter 26 has an outwardly curved, convexly facing upper surface, so as to further limit friction between the service cap 20 of a container 1 and another adjacent container, when the two containers filled with contents are compressed. against each other when packing.

In a first embodiment shown purely schematically in FIG. 6, the emptying orifice 27a is delimited by a chimney 29 adjoining the base portion 21 in its middle part, hollow and open from one side to the other, and protruding outwards. . This emptying orifice 27a is wide enough, of the order of the dimension of the end portion of a finger of the user of the container 1, and it consequently allows a fairly wide distribution of the contents. either because it is expelled from the interior space 5 by pressing on the walls 10 and 11 of the container 1 or because the user can take the contents of the interior space 5, with the finger passing through the emptying port 27a. According to possible alternative embodiments of this embodiment, the emptying orifice 27a has a diameter of the order of 1 cm to 2 cm.

In this first embodiment of FIG. 6, the emptying orifice 27a can be sealed, by cooperation with sealing contact, with an annular skirt 40 adjoining the transverse closure wall 26 in its median and salient portion. inward, and the chimney 29, one (of the skirt 40 or the chimney 29) being placed in the other (of the chimney 29 or the skirt 40). The chimney 29 and the skirt 40 can be varied in various embodiments as needed. For example, the chimney 29 may be flared and terminated outwardly by a rounded or a transverse return. On the other hand, the service cap 20 may be provided with members equivalent to the chimney 29 and the skirt 40. For example, and in addition, the chimney 29 and the skirt 40 may extend over an axial length which can be very low, the chimney 29 and the skirt 40 being reduced to their simplest expression, or even be nonexistent, this to reduce the axial size of the service cap 20.

In a second embodiment shown purely diagrammatically in FIG. 7, the emptying orifice 27b is made in the form of an orifice in the outer transverse face of a hollow protuberance 28 adjacent to the base portion 21 in its median portion, hollow and open from one side to the other, and projecting outwards. This emptying orifice 27b is very narrow, like that of the hole of a needle, and it consequently allows a very localized distribution of the contents 30, the user being unable to take up the contents of the interior space 5 with the finger because the emptying orifice 27b is too narrow to allow its passage. According to the possible embodiments of this embodiment, the emptying orifice 27b has a diameter of the order of a few millimeters.

In this second embodiment of FIG. 7, the emptying orifice 27b can be sealed, by cooperation with a sealed contact, with a small projection 41, adjoining the transverse closure wall 26 in its central and salient part. inward, and the orifice 27b formed in the transverse face of the protrusion 28, the projection 41 being placed in the orifice 27b. The protuberance 28 and the protrusion 41 can be varied in various embodiments as needed. For example, the outer transverse face of the protrusion 28 may be extended in the transverse direction or on the contrary restricted as a nozzle, or it may be flat or shaped bowl. On the other hand, the service plug 20 may be provided with members equivalent to the protuberance 28 and the projection 41. For example, and in addition, the protrusion 28 and the projection 41 may extend over an axial length which can be very low, the protrusion 28 and the projection 41 being reduced to their simplest expression, or even be nonexistent, this to reduce the axial size of the service cap 20.

The two embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the versatility of the container 1 with regard to the service cap 20. According to one aspect of the invention, the case of a dump orifice 27 which is rather wide and of a diameter of the order of 1 cm to 2 cm, as the first embodiment of Figure 6, and the case of a discharge hole 27 which is very narrow and a diameter of the order of a few millimeters, such as the second embodiment of FIG. 7 correspond to the two extreme cases as regards the size of the emptying orifice 27.

According to another aspect of the invention, the emptying orifice 27 is intermediate between these two extreme cases, being of a diameter of less than 1 cm to 2 cm and greater than of the order of a few millimeters. In all cases, the emptying orifice 27 has a limited opening adapted to, in particular just necessary to allow the flow or removal of the content 30, according to the flow or sampling mode envisaged. In one embodiment, the emptying orifice 27 is provided with a removable closure cap.

The base portion 21 comprises a flat flange 31 disposed generally transversely, with respect to the axis 20a, of generally annular shape so as to provide a void area in communication with the emptying orifice 27, which, in particular, is arranged axially right of the discharge port 27. This flange 31 serves to participate in the attachment of the base portion 21 and thus the service cap 20 on the emptying wall 10 and thus on the container 1.40 The flange 31 may, according to a non-exclusive embodiment of others, be flat and disposed exactly or substantially exactly transversely, such as for example at right angles or substantially at right angles to the axis 20a, and with respect to the flange 24. It may extend radially beyond the rim 24 and below it to the foot of the chimney 29 or the protuberance 28 with which it is secured. In another possible embodiment, the flange 31 is not flat and arranged exactly or substantially exactly transversely, but it forms a kind of funnel or bowl and is inclinedly disposed from the center (axis 20a) towards the periphery and the inside to the outside, which reduces the axial size of the service plug 20 in its middle portion to the axis 20a. The diameter of the emptying hole 16 is smaller than the outside diameter of the flange 31 so that the flange 31 can bear on the emptying wall 10, on its inner face 14 as shown so that the flange 31 is the inside of the container 1, which avoids any contact of the flange 31 with the outside of the container 1 and ensures good performance of the assembly. However, according to another embodiment, the flange 31 is supported on the outer face 13 of the emptying wall 10. The diameter of the emptying hole 16 is greater than that of the projecting flange 24, to allow the introduction of the flange 24 into the drain hole 16 and fix the flange 31 on the emptying wall 10. In this way, in this embodiment, the flange 31 is inside the bag, which avoids any contact of the flange 31 with the outside of the bag and ensures a good behavior of the whole. In order to firmly and securely fasten the service plug 20 on and to the emptying wall 10, the flange 31 of the service plug 20 is disposed flat on an annular securing zone 17 belonging to the emptying wall 10 and located around the hole emptying 16, while the flange 31 and said annular zone of attachment 17 are rendered mutually rigidly fixed and sealed by an annular fastening means 18 such as heat sealing, gluing or other.

A service cap 20 as described may be flat, having a small thickness in the axial direction. The container 1 comprises the service cap 20, with the inherent advantages, and this service cap 20 is simple in its structure and in its assembly, so economic, flat with a small axial thickness, and well suited to the case of a container 1 which is reclosable and intended for a quantity of content 30 for several uses, but a small number of uses, for example a number of uses less than 8, more particularly less than 5. We now describe the location on the empty wall 10 the service cap 20 and a pressing zone 6 of the container 1. To do this, it is appropriate to virtually divide the outside face 13 of the emptying wall 10 into a median zone 42 and a peripheral zone 46 which surrounds the median zone 42, these areas 42 and 46 are generally not identified as such on the outer face 13 of the empty wall 10.

To simply describe the median 42 and peripheral 46, the particular example of a square or circular contour 35 is assumed, it being specified that the median 42 and peripheral 46 are in line with the shape and dimensions of the contour 35 which may be other than square or circular.

In this example, the term "median" in relation to the emptying wall 10 to qualify the zone 42, an area of the outer face 13 of the emptying wall 10 whose center 43 is located approximately equidistant from two parts. diametrically opposite the contour 35 and whose radial extent from the center 43 is of the order of one third or half of the distance between the center 43 and the corresponding portion of the contour 35. In doing so, the central zone 42 has an area of the order of 10% to about 25% of the total area of the outer face 13 of the empty wall 10. This definition should be understood as meaning that the median zone 42 is a range of the outer face 13 the emptying wall 10 which (i) is in the central portion thereof, (ii) extends radially substantially and (iii) is clearly spaced from the contour 35.

The service plug 20, and consequently the emptying hole 16, the annular securing zone 17 and the annular securing means 18, are, first of all, located away from the central zone 42 of the emptying wall 10. Thus, the median zone 42 of the emptying wall 10 is free from the emptying hole 16, the service cap 20, the annular securing zone 17 and the annular securing means 18. emptying hole 16, the annular securing zone 17 and the annular securing means 18, are, secondly, located in the peripheral zone 46, towards a close portion 44 of the fold and / or securing zone 15, without be adjacent to it. By close part 44, is meant the section of the folding and / or securing zone 15 whose service cap 20, the emptying hole 16, the annular securing zone 17 and the annular securing means 18 are the least distant in distance. According to the embodiments, the close portion 44 is a single section of the folding and / or securing zone 15 or comprises several sections, for example when the service cap 20 and the emptying hole 16 are located towards an angle of the container 1. In doing so, the service plug 20, the emptying hole 16, the annular securing zone 17 and the annular securing means 18 are further apart, in particular away, from the section or sections of the folding and / or joining zone. 15 other than that or those constituting the close portion 44, and which form the parts described as remote parts 45 of the folding zone and / or securing 15.

To ensure the flow or removal of the contents 30 through the emptying orifice 27, the user presses the envelope 2 of the container 1, for example between the fingers, which is possible since, although the envelope 2 presents overall hold, it also has a local deformation capacity, especially towards the interior of the container 1, so as to compress the interior space 5. To do this, the user presses the envelope 2 in at least two pressing zones vis-à-vis or more or less vis-à-vis, namely a pressing zone 6 of the outer face 13 of the emptying wall 10 and a pressing zone 7 of the outer face 13 of the pressing wall 11, the container 1 being designed to include these two pressing zones 6 and 7 thus disposed. According to the embodiments, these pressing zones 6 and 7 are or are not identified as such on the outer face 13 of the walls 10 and 11. The pressing zone 6 of the outer face 13 of the emptying wall 10 is located on the outside. firstly out of the service cap 20, the emptying hole 16, the annular securing zone 17 and the annular securing means 18. Next, the two pressing zones 6 and 7 are located at the right of the central zone respectively. 42 of the emptying wall 10 and the central zone of the pressing wall 11, the latter being defined in a manner similar to that of the median zone 42 of the emptying wall 10. By the expression "to be at right It is understood that the pressing zone 6 is in line with the median zone 42, the two zones 6 and 42 being either identical or substantially identical to be in correspondence or not identical because the correspondence between them is only partial . Finally, the two pressing zones 6 and 7 are located on the emptying wall 10 and on the pressing wall 11, being separated from the folding and / or securing zone 15. With this structure, it is possible that the the area of each pressing zone 6 and 7 is greater than of the order of 10%, in particular of the order of 50%, more especially to the order of 80%, of the area of the face outer 13 of the wall 10, 11 corresponding. The arrangement of the service plug 20 and the pressing zones 6 and 7 in combination provides several advantages. There is an envelope area 2 large enough to handle the container 1 properly and in particular to press it effectively, without interfering with the service cap 20 or be hindered by it. The flow or withdrawal of the contents 30 through the emptying orifice 27 is not impeded by the folding and / or securing zone 15 which is separated therefrom. The manufacture of containers 1 is facilitated.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 6 to 8, the interior space 5 receives the amount of content 30, the dose 3 thus being formed. The amount of content 30 only partially fills the interior space 5 when it is in its configuration where this interior space 5 has the largest possible volume, as illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7 where the emptying walls 10 and pressing 11, schematically represented planar and parallel, are the most spaced apart from each other with a spacing E1 between them, counted in the axial direction.

In this state, which may be the one just before the use of the container 1 for the flow or removal of the contents 30, the service cap 20 in the closed state can project outwardly from the emptying wall 10, This arrangement makes it possible, first of all, to easily open the service cap 20 by manipulating the sealing part 22, then, once the service cap 20 is in the open state, to press the pressing zones 6 and 7 in order to the flow or withdrawal of the contents 30. Then, as indicated, the service cap 20 can be returned to the closed state so as to maintain and protect the unused content remaining in the interior space 5 for other subsequent use.

When the container 1 is filled with the quantity of contents 30, as exposed, and while the service cap is in the closed state, if a force is exerted on the service cap 20 in the direction of the pressing wall 11, as illustrated by the arrow F in FIG. 8, the service plug 20 can be moved in axial sliding direction towards the pressing wall 11, including until it comes against its inner face 14, the content 30 being for its part also moved, in the inner space 5 away from the service cap 20 which pushes it. The emptying walls 10 and pressing 11 are deformed and may have a maximum spacing E2 between them, counted in the axial direction. If the service plug 20 has a size counted in axial direction equal to e, between the flange 31 and the transverse closing wall 26, which is less than or equal to the spacing E2, the service plug 20 will come to be completely lodged between the two flat envelopes of the walls 10 and 11 emptying and pressing. Thus, the service cap 20 does not protrude at all from the geometric envelope which limits the container 1. Such a force F is exerted when several containers 1 filled with contents are packed flat against each other. In this situation, because each service cap 20 does not protrude from the geometric envelope which limits the container 1 which includes it, it can not affect the integrity of the adjacent container on the side where the service cap in question is located. . This advantage results from the structure of the container 1. In another possible embodiment that does not reach the quality of the preceding result, the service plug 20 has a size counted in the axial direction which is greater, in particular slightly greater (for example greater than order of 15%), at the spacing E2, the service cap 20 will be housed partially between the two walls of the walls 10 and 11 emptying and pressing and protruding only a small geometric envelope that limits the container 1 , so that the risks of damage to the integrity of the neighboring container in case of packaging containers 1 filled with flat content against each other with compression.

Claims (21)

CLAIMS Container (1) for flowable contents, comprising: an envelope (2) forming a 2D flat bag or a 3D cushion bag or known as a "pillow" or an elongated container in the form of a sealed tube at the ends known as "Stickpack" or a standing container known as "Doypack" or a carton, or a similar container, adapted to receive a quantity of contents (30): o having a overall strength and local deformation capacity, o formed from one or more deformable walls (10, 11, 12), with an outer face (13) and an inner face (14) flat, o delimiting a space interior (5) compressible, closed by a folding and / or securing zone (15) of the wall or walls (10, 11, 12), o having a emptying wall (10) and a pressing wall (11) substantially flat or slightly curved and disposed more or less vis-à-vis, the outer face (13) of the wall d e emptying (10) being divided into a median zone (42) and a peripheral zone (46), o having a hole (16) for emptying in the emptying wall (10) and, around, an annular zone of attachment ( 17), ^ and a service cap (20) made of plastic material: o having, on the one hand, a base portion (21) comprising a flat flange (31) and a discharge opening (27) and, on the other hand, part, a closing part (22) of the emptying orifice (27), where the base part (21) and the closing part (22) being able to cooperate with each other in the open state, in which: the flange (31) and the annular securing zone (17) are arranged flat on one another and secured in a fixed manner and sealed by a securing means (18), characterized in that: ^ the emptying hole (16) and the service cap (20) are located on the emptying wall (10), on the one hand , away from the median area (42) and, on the other hand, in the peripheral zone (46) towards a close part (44) of the folding and / or securing zone (15), without being adjacent to said close part (44), it is arranged on the external faces (13) of the emptying wall (10) and of the pressing wall (11), two pressing zones (6, 7) more or less facing each other, capable of pressing the envelope ( 2) for the flow or removal of the contents (30) through the emptying orifice (27), located at the right of the central zone (42) of the emptying wall (10) and out of the service cap (20) and the emptying hole (16) and at the right of the central zone of the pressing wall (11), being spaced apart from the folding and / or securing zone (15). 2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the emptying orifice (27) has a limited opening, just necessary to allow the flow or removal of the content (30). A container according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the size of the emptying orifice (27) is of a diameter equal to or less than of the order of 1 cm to 2 cm and equal to or greater than to the order of one or a few millimeters. Container according to claim 1, wherein the area of each pressing zone is greater than 10 , more particularly in the order of 80%, of the area of the outer face (13) of the corresponding wall (10, 11). Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the service plug (20) has a size counted axially less than or equal to the maximum spacing between the emptying (10) and pressing (11) walls. ) counted in the axial direction, so that, a force being exerted on the service plug (20) in the direction of the pressing wall (11), the service plug (20) is housed completely between the two flat envelopes of the walls of emptying and pressing (10, 11) without protruding from the geometric envelope which limits the container (1). Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the service plug (20) has a size counted in the axial direction slightly greater than the maximum spacing between the emptying walls (10) and pressing (11). counted in the axial direction, so that, a force being exerted on the service plug (20) in the direction of the pressing wall (11), the service plug (20) is housed partially between the two flat envelopes of the emptying walls and pressing (10, 11) projecting only a little of the geometric envelope which limits the container (1). 7. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the service cap (20) is in one piece. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the service cap (20) has a base portion (21) and a closure portion (22) joined by a deformable peripheral portion (23), the shutter portion (22) can not be lost and the service cap (20) can be closed. 9. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the service cap (20) has a base portion (21) and a sealing portion (22) arranged and adapted to be associated with each other. other in the closed state of the service plug (20) by cooperation of complementary members cooperating by pressing force and maintenance by friction. 10. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the service cap (20) has a base portion (21) and a sealing portion (22) arranged and adapted to be associated with one to the other in the closed state of the service cap (20) by cooperation of complementary members to the exclusion of a complementary threading type arrangement. 11. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transverse sealing wall (26) has a curved upper surface convexity facing outwardly, so as to limit the friction between the service cap (20). ) and another adjacent container. 12. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the flange (31) is flat and disposed at least substantially transversely to the axis (20a) of the service cap (20). Container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the flange (31) forms a kind of funnel or bowl and is arranged inclined from the axis (20a) of the service cap (20) to the periphery and from the inside to the outside. 14. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the emptying orifice (27) of the service cap (20) is provided with a removable closure cap. 15. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the service cap (20) comprises tamperproof means (32), frangible for the first use. 16. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the interior space (5) is empty of content. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the interior space (5) is filled with the contents (30), whereby the dose (3) of contents is formed. Container according to claim 17, wherein the amount of contents (30) only partially fills the interior space (5). 19. Dose of flowable content packaged in a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the interior space (5) of the container (1) being filled with a certain amount of the contents ( 30). 20. Dose content according to claim 19, for a small number of uses less than 8, more particularly less than 5.40 21. The dose of content according to any one of claims 19 and 20, wherein the amount of content (30) only partially fills the interior space (5), and wherein, a force being exerted on the service cap (20) in the direction of the pressing wall (11), the service plug (20) is housed completely or partially between the two flat envelopes of the emptying and pressing walls (10, 11) without protruding or protruding little of the geometric envelope that limits the container (1).