FR3022748A1 - CONDITIONING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging device, comprising: - a first part (15), having a neck (18), - a second part (40) extending at least around the neck, - an element comprising a central part (58) engaged in the neck (18) and a flexible peripheral portion (70), folded by one of the parts towards the other on at least a portion of its periphery outside the neck (18).

Description

The present invention relates to packaging devices and more particularly, but not exclusively, devices for packaging and applying a cosmetic or dermatological product. The invention is particularly concerned with the packaging of cosmetic products containing volatile solvents, for which a satisfactory sealing of the closure of the container containing them must be obtained. Packaging and application devices are known comprising containers with a wiper member for dewatering the rod and / or the applicator member of an applicator.

The application JP 2001-239 thus discloses a device for packaging and applying mascara, comprising a container body having a neck on which is mounted a hoop which serves to fix an applicator on the container. A wiper member is attached to the neck before assembly of the hoop. This wiper member has a groove arranged to engage the upper part of the neck and is molded in a shape that it retains substantially after mounting on the neck and implementation of the hoop. The wiper member has, at its outer periphery, an annular portion which extends downwards and which defines with the rest of the wiper member the aforementioned groove which is used for mounting on the neck. Such a wiper member is suitable for placement on a neck of circular section but if the neck is not circular, in case of slight angular offset between the wiper member and the neck, the desired seal can not to be obtained. In addition, the seal remains subject to compliance with precise manufacturing dimensions, and any dimensional variation is likely to negatively impact to a large extent the quality of the seal obtained. JP 2007-289664 discloses a packaging and application device in which the container is formed of two parts nested one inside the other. The outer part has a cylindrical shape of revolution while the inner part is made with a collar to serve for fixing an applicator and support a wiper member whose lower end is extended by a return to the outside and upwards, which engages in a groove formed between the inner part and the outer part.

The wiper member is molded to its final shape, which is substantially retained after placing the wiper member on the inner part. The neck of the inner part is of circular section.

The application US 2013/0101333 A1 discloses a pot for containing a cosmetic product, comprising a base provided with a neck on which is fixed by snapping an elastically deformable part, serving as a wiper and delimiting the opening allowing to access the product contained in the database. A cover can be mounted on the base, but not radially clamping said part. There is a need for further improvement of the conditioning devices, in order to obtain a satisfactory seal on closure and / or use, for pieces of various shapes and not necessarily having a symmetry of revolution.

The invention thus relates to a packaging device, comprising a first piece having a neck, a second piece extending at least around the neck, - an element having a central portion engaged in the neck and a flexible peripheral portion folded by one of the pieces towards the other on at least a part of its periphery outside the neck. By "fold", it must be understood that there is a certain deflection that tends to bring a portion, including the edge, of the p. peripheral to one of the rooms. The peripheral portion may flex at an angle greater than 90 °, up to 120 ° for example. The second piece can be fixed relative to the first, after assembly. The second piece can be provided to remain permanently in the same position relative to the first, throughout the life of the device. Thanks to the invention, the element whose peripheral portion is deformed by the establishment of the second piece on the first piece provides a satisfactory seal, for a neck of circular shape or not, because the part The device is made to fit tightly to the neck shape and to apply sealingly thereto, even in the presence of relatively high manufacturing tolerances. or a slight angular offset of the element relative to the neck when it is put in place. It is thus possible to obtain a good quality waterproof positioning of the element on the rest of the device. If desired, a closure of the space 30 between the two parts by the element can also be obtained. The flexible peripheral portion can be folded by the second piece towards the first.

Alternatively, the flexible peripheral portion can be folded by the first piece towards the second. This may be the case, in particular, when the element belongs to the second part, being for example molded in one piece with it. When the flexible peripheral portion is folded by the second part on the first, the element and the second part are for example two distinct and separate components before assembly of the device. The first piece can be integral with the body of a container and the neck can be advantageously made with a joint plane not extending to the upper end of the neck. In this case, the element can be applied to a surface of the first part without a joint plane, which makes it even easier to obtain a good contact seal between the element and the first part. The first and second parts of the device can be assembled by snapping or otherwise, no. by screwing or welding. The invention avoids, if desired, axial compression of the element between the end of the neck and the second part. This may facilitate the attachment of the second part on the first snap, avoiding due to manufacturing tolerances that the element does not hinder the relative movement of the two parts, necessary for snapping. The neck may be of non-circular cross-section, and is preferably of elliptical outer cross-section. The second piece can have an upward and downward return from its upper end when the container is viewed vertically with the opening directed upwards. Preferably, this return has a lower end extending at a non-zero distance from said element, above it. The device may comprise an applicator, which may comprise a gripping member, and an applicator member connected by a rod to the gripping member. The element may form a wiper member of the rod and / or the applicator member. The second part of the device may have a collar for mounting the closing cap, which may constitute the aforementioned gripping member. The aforementioned return 30 can be connected to the upper end of this neck. The second piece can carry a hood lock ring in place.

The second piece may have an opening allowing a user to deform the ring to unlock the cover. The latter is for example provided with an ejection spring. The ring may comprise a locking tab acting on the hood with a second opening.

The element can be made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The element can be made by molding with, before mounting in the neck of the first part, a tubular body intended to engage in the neck. The element, and in particular the flexible part, may comprise a collar connecting substantially perpendicularly to this body, intended to be folded towards the first piece by the establishment of the second piece on the first, the body may carry a ring bead intended to be applied on the radially inner surface of the neck of the first piece. The device preferably contains a cosmetic product. The subject of the invention is also a method for assembling a device according to the invention as defined above, comprising the following steps: introducing the element into the neck of the first piece, the element covering the upper end of the neck, - fix the second part on the first so that the mounting of the second part on the first piece causes the element to deform on at least a portion of its periphery and to fall back to the one of the pieces. In particular, when the element is distinct from the second part and mounted on the first part before the assembly of the two parts, the element may comprise a flange which is deformed by being folded in the direction of movement of the second part when setting up the second piece on the first piece. Alternatively, the element is part of the second part when assembling it with the first. This may make it possible to simplify the device assembly. The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing. in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically and in perspective example of packaging device and application made according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a section in a longitudinal sectional plane of the device of Figure 1, the figure 3 is a section in another longitudinal sectional plane, according to III-III of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view, in a schematic manner, of the neck of the container equipped with the wiper member, before assembly of the fret, Figure 5 is a top view along V of the fi. 4, FIG. 6 is an axial section of the container of FIG. 4, FIGS. 7 and 8 are sections of the container of FIG. 4, in section planes perpendicular to each other; FIGS. 9A to 9D schematically and partially show neck variants, - Figures 10 and 11 illustrate in section variants of devices according to the invention, - Figures 12A and 12B show, before assembly and in assembled position, another example of device according to the invention, and - Figure 13 illustrates another variant where the element is formed integrally with the second part. The packaging and application device 1 represented in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a container 10 that can contain any cosmetic or dermatological product, for example a mascara, a liquid foundation or - red or lip gloss, and a 20 applicator 20. The latter comprises a gripping member 21 which also serves as a closure cap of the container 10, a rod 22 which is fixed in the upper part to the inside of the cover 21 and which supports in the lower part an application member 23, which is shown only very schematically in Figures 2 and 3 and which is for example constituted by a brush, a brush, a foam or a flocked tip, among other possibilities. The applicator 20 may be retained on the container 10 by a locking mechanism which may comprise, as illustrated, a ring 30 made with a locking tab 31, the user being able to press the ring 30 to move the locking tab 31 and release the cover 21, the latter being made with at its base a shoulder 24 arranged to snap onto the locking tab 31.

The container 10 may have an elongate shape along the longitudinal axis X, which is preferably vertical when the container rests upright by its lower face 13 on a horizontal flat surface. In the example considered, the body 15 of the container which constitutes the first part according to the invention is made with a cross section of non-circular shape, in particular flattened along a plane of flattening which coincides with the sectional plane of FIG. The body 15 substantially defines the entire interior volume 16 of the container which contains the product to be applied.

A second piece 40 is mounted on the body 15, being for example, as illustzé, fixed by snapping on the body 15 thanks to the presence thereon of two ribs 43 opposite one another, on its main faces. When the second piece 40 is snap-fastened, it is sometimes called fret. The body 15 of the container is made with a stepped upper portion 17 is surmounted by a neck 18. In the example, the neck 18 has an elliptical outer section, of major axis coincides with the sectional plane of FIG. locking ring 30 is carried by the second piece 40, a space 120 being formed between the ring 30 and the neck 18, to allow the ring 30 to deform radially inwardly when the user presses it through e opening 32 made in the second piece 40. The device 1 comprises an element 52 serving for sealing, according to the invention, comprising a central part in the form of wiper member 50, which is mounted in the neck 18 and which is retained in the latter by snapping a flange 51 which bears on a shoulder 19 of the body 15, at the base of the neck 18. The wiper member 50 preferably comprises at the height of the collar 51, a lip of ess thunderstorm 53 which can define any form of opening 55 adapted to the wringing of the rod 22 and the applicator member 23 and for example an elongated opening as illustrated in FIG. 5. The wringing member 50 comprises a tubular body 58 which is engaged in the neck 18 and which can be provided, as illustrated, with an annular bead 59 which is applied to the radially inner surface. collar 18, which can help retain the wiper member 50 in the neck 18, by snapping into a corresponding groove of the neck 18. Where appropriate, as illustrated, the tubular body 58 i =, read extend under the lip 53 by a portion 62 which helps to stiffen the wiper member 50 below it.

The element 52 comprises in the upper part a flexible portion 70 in the form of a collar which, before placing the second piece 40, extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X, as seen in FIG. flexible portion 70 extends radially outward cantilevered beyond the outer surface of the neck 18, a distance d which is for example substantially uniform over the entire perimeter of the neck, and for example between 0.5 and 5 and preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. The flexible portion 70 may be of substantially constant thickness over the entire portion cantilevered with respect to the outer surface of the neck 18. The flexible portion 70 may also have, as illustrated, an extra thickness 73 in the region which is superimposed on the upper end 75 of the neck 18, serving both as a bearing surface and for absorbing a mounting clearance with a return 96 of the second part 40. The wiper member 50 is thus retained at both at the base of the neck 18 by the flange 51 and the axial support of the thickening 73 of the flexible portion 70.

The wiper member 50 may internally have an inlet cone 78 terminating at its lower end in a boss 80 which can bear against a corresponding surface 85 of the rod 22 when the applicator is in place as illustrated in FIGS. FIGS. 1 to 3, in order to obtain a sealed contact between the rod and the wiper member all around the periphery of the rod 22.

When the second piece 40 is placed on the body 15, and covers the neck 18, the neck 90 of the second piece is pressed against the flexible portion 70 and deforms it downwards, as shown in Figure 7 especially. The deformation caused by the flexible portion 70 tends to stretch it at its juncture with the body 58 and to apply it firmly against the upper end 75 of the neck 18, which makes it possible to obtain a good contact seal between the two. The flexible portion 70 can deform elastically in flexion to fall back to the neck 18.

In addition, the application of the flexible portion 70 on the radially inner surface 92 of the neck 90 of the second piece 40 tends to close in a sealed manner at this level the space 120 between the second piece 40 and the neck 18, this makes it possible to prevent product flow from opening the neck 18 downwards between the two.

The second piece 40 can be made, as illustrated, with the return 96 which extends the upper end of the neck 90 inwardly and downwardly, the lower end 98 of the return 96 remaining however at a non-zero distance of the flexible portion 70, as can be seen in Figure 7. This avoids a compression of the element 52 between the upper end of the neck 18 and the lower end 98 of the return 96, which ensures a clearance allowing correct clipping of the second part 40 on the body 15 despite possible manufacturing tolerances. The element 52 is for example made of any thermoplastic elastomer material and especially PP, Nitrile, NBR, TPE The thickness of the flexible portion 70, on its portion which extends cantilevered outside the neck 18, is for example between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The capacity of the container 10 is for example between 1 mL and 500 mL. The body 15 can be made by injection blow molding and then has at the neck 18, in particular in the section plane of Figure 2, a joint plane RI on its outer surface, which can affect the seal. The location of this joint plane on the neck has been indicated by dashed lines in FIG. It may be advantageous if the joint plane does not extend to the upper end 75 of the neck 18, but stops at an upper limit marked by the reference Iimpj on the Figures 9A and 9B. In this case, the neck 18 has at its upper end a shape that allows its demolding without requiring a joint plane at its level, for example a shape with a rounded 100 in longitudinal section, the limit of the joint plane being at the level from the top or below the top of this round, as shown in Figure 9A. In the variant illustrated in Figure 9B, the wall of the neck 18 has a shoulder 103 at which the joint plane stops, the thickness of the wall of the neck 18 above the shoulder 103 decreasing to at the end 75.

In the example of FIG. 9C, the neck 18 also has a shoulder 105 where the joint plane stops, the thickness of the wall of the neck 18 above this joint plane decreasing to In the variant of FIG. 9D, the neck 18 has its radially outer surface also a rounded section 109, of greater curvature in section than in the example of FIG. 9A, the limit of the plane seal is located at the top or below the top of this round. FIGS. 9A and 9B also show the possibility for the neck to present on its radially inner surface an annular groove 110 in which the above-mentioned annular bead 59 of the wiper member 50 can engage. example previously illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 in particular, the first part and the second part are assembled by snapping. In an alternative embodiment, the second part 40 is provided with a thread 140 cooperating with a thread 150 of the body 15 for a screw connection 15 of the two parts, as shown in FIG. 10. The flexible part 70 can be folded towards the base of the neck 18 by a tubular lip 145 molded in one piece with the skirt of the second part carrying the threading 140. FIG. 11 shows a detail of another variant embodiment with a welded joint. the second piece 40 on the first. The second piece 40 is for example welded at 141 to the lower end of the skirt surrounding the neck 18, on the shoulder at the base thereof. In the example of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the element 52 is integral with the second component 40 before mounting the latter on the body 15. The hose 70 is fixed under a shoulder 155 of the second piece 40 and folds down against a surface 158 of the second piece which extends upwardly the shoulder 155. The flexible portion 70 may have a local thinning 160 which facilitates its operation. upwardly against the surface 158. The neck 18 may have an annular boss 165 and the surface 166 a corresponding boss, which will pinch the flexible portion 70 once the parts are assembled, as shown in FIG. 12B.

In the variant illustrated in Figure 13, the element 52 is part of the first part 40, being for example molded on a rigid plastic skirt intended to be fixed by snapping on the neck 18. The flexible portion 70 can present itself in the form of a flexible annular lip c. folds upwards against the rest of the second piece 40 during assembly thereof with the neck 18. This annular lip may be connected by a thinned portion 168 to the rest of the element 52. is not limited to the examples just described. In particular, it is possible to modify the shape of the body 15 of the container, that of the neck 18, and to give the element 52 and in particular to the wiper member 50 any shape adapted to the applicator or sampling device used. Although the invention is particularly suitable for a container neck of elliptical section, it is still applicable when the container has a neck of circular section or a section other than circular or elliptical.

The element 52 may be made without a wiper member, and serve for example as a flow reducer or sieve present in the bottom of a housing in which is introduced the applicator member to load product. The element 52 may also comprise a membrane which serves to apply the product by defining an application surface, possibly flocked and provided with one or more dispensing orifices. The applicator which is introduced into the container and wiped by the wiper member 50 may be replaced by a sampling device such as a pipette. The expression "comprising a" shall be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless the contrary is specified.

Claims (20)

REVENDICATIONS1. Packaging device (1), comprising: a first piece (15) having a neck (18), a second piece (40) extending at least around the neck, a member (52) having a central portion (58) engaged in the neck (18) and a flexible peripheral portion (70), folded by one of the parts to the other on at least a portion of its periphery outside the neck (18). 2. Device according to claim 1, the first part being integral with the body (15) of a container. 3. Device according to claim 2, the neck (18) being made with a joint plane (PJ) not extending to the upper end (75) of the neck (18). 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and second parts being assembled by snapping, screwing or welding. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the neck (18) being of non-circular outer cross section. 6. Device according to claim 5, the neck (18) being of elliptical outer cross section. 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the second piece (40) having from its upper end a return (96) inwardly and downwardly. 8. Device according to claim 7, the return having a lower end (98) extending at a non-zero distance from said element (52), above it. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an applicator (20) and / or a sampling member, in particular a pipette. 10. Device according to claim 9, the applicator comprising a gripping member (21) and an applicator member (23) connected by a rod (22) to the gripping member. 11. Device according to the preceding claim, the member (52) forming the wiper member (50) of the rod and / or the applicator member. 12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the second part (40) having a neck (90) for mounting a closure cap (21). 13. Device according to claim 12, the second part carrying a cover locking ring (30) in place, the second part having an opening (32) allowing a user to deform the ring to unlock the cover. 14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the element (52) being made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the element (52) being made by molding with, before mounting in the neck (18) of the first part, a tubular body (58) intended to engage in the neck and a flexible portion (70), preferably connecting substantially perpendicular to said body, being intended to be folded towards the first piece by placing the second piece on the first. 16. Device according to claim 15, the body (58) carrying an annular bead (59) intended to be applied on the radially inner surface of the neck (18) of the first piece. 17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, containing a cosmetic product. 18. A method of assembling a device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - introducing the element (52) into the neck (18) of the first piece, the element ( 52) covering the upper end (75) of the neck, - fix the second piece (40) on the first so that the mounting 25 of the second piece on the first causes the element (52) to deform on at least part of its circumference and fall back to one of the rooms. 19. The method of claim 18, the element (52) being separate from the second part (40) before assembly of the two parts. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the member (52) is part of a second piece (40) when assembled with the first piece.