FR3052756A1 - SERVICE CAPSULE WITH DETACHABLE TAB - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a service capsule comprising a base (5) and a cap (7) attached to said base (5), said base (5) comprising an outer skirt (11) having a hollow zone (29), said capsule ( 1) further comprising a detachable tab (35), said tab (35), in the closed position of said cap (7), covering said hollow area (29) leaving free a portion, said finger grip, of said hollow area (29), said tongue (35) comprising a gripping zone (37) located at said finger-catching portion and an attachment zone (39) spaced from said finger-engaging portion, said capsule (1) being configured to allow an opening of the cap (7) by insertion of a finger at said finger-engaging portion, after removal of said tongue (35). The invention also relates to a container comprising such a service capsule.

Description

The invention relates to the field of closure capsules called "capsules services" or "hinged capsules" or "flip top" which are intended to be attached to containers, including containers for storing and dispensing fluid materials, creamy or pasty, generally belonging to the cosmetic, food, household, pharmaceutical or parapharmaceutical fields, such as flexible tubes or flasks.

The service capsules are provided with a pivoting cap attached to a base by means of a hinge. Such capsules services provide the assurance of not losing the cap unlike conventional dispensing heads where the cap, once detached, can be deposited and unintentionally abandoned in any place.

They also offer the consumer the ability to handle the container with one hand. The user only has to give a simple thumb impulse to trigger the opening or closing of the cap.

However, the opening being easily achievable, it may be necessary to provide these capsules services inviolability systems to prevent inadvertent opening of the cap before the first use and to guarantee the consumer that the product has not been open before.

A tamper-evident system imposes during the first opening to remove an item appropriately placed on the capsule to prevent the opening of the container.

The existing tamper evident systems are generally circular rings or detachable tabs more or less complex and / or more or less aesthetic. In particular, there are detachable tabs comprising an unattractive grip extension. Either the extension of gripping is too easily accessible, it may then be inadvertently hooked and cause the tearing of the tamper-evident tongue and inadvertent opening of the cap. Either the gripping extension comprises a locking means, the tongue is then too difficult to access and detachable by the user. In addition, these tabs are typically connected to the cap by breakable bridges placed at the location where the user puts his finger to open the cap causing inconvenience to the user when opening the cap.

There is therefore a need for a service capsule comprising a tamper-proof system which at least partially overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. For this purpose, the present invention proposes a service capsule comprising a base and a cap attached to said base, said base comprising an outer skirt having a hollow zone, said capsule further comprising a detachable tongue, said tongue, in the closed position of said cap, covering said hollow zone leaving free a portion, said finger grip, said hollow area, said tongue comprising a gripping area located at said finger grip portion and an attachment zone located at a distance from said portion of said finger grip, said capsule being configured to allow an opening of the cap by insertion of a finger at said finger gripping portion after removal of said tongue.

The tongue thus constitutes a reliable and easy-to-use tamperproof system. For this, the gripping zone is at the finger grip portion which allows the tongue to be easily accessible and detachable by the user during the first use.

In addition, the attachment zone and the gripping zone are distinct which reduces the risk that the tongue is torn off inadvertently. Such an arrangement also allows, once the tongue detached, to have an intact finger grip without risk of annoying the user.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: said cap is attached to said base by a hinge, said hollow zone is placed opposite said hinge, said gripping zone is extends in a direction of extension of said tongue over a dimension greater than a width of a finger, said tongue is linked only to said cap, said tongue is connected to said cap by at least one breakable bridge, or at least at least two breakable bridges, or at least four breakable bridges, - said breakable bridging or bridges are located in said fixing zone, - said breakable bridges are symmetrically distributed, - said tongue has an elongated shape extending in the circumferential direction perpendicular to the axis Z'-Z 'of the cap, - the said breakable bridging or bridges are arranged at at least one end of said tongue, or ch one of the ends, - said cap comprises a peripheral wall, - an outer surface of said fixing zone or zones is in the extension or slightly recessed of an external surface of said outer skirt and an outer surface of said peripheral wall , in the closed position of said cap, said tongue comprises at least one day forming said gripping zone, said day has a rounded shape, in particular circular or elliptical, said tongue comprises a peripheral edge, a portion, said gripping portion. of said peripheral edge corresponding to said gripping zone, said hollow zone comprises a protruding lug so as to prevent untimely opening of said cap, said protruding lug is adapted to cooperate with means complementary to said tongue; said complementary means of said tongue is a notch in said fixing zone, said notch being formed by at least two of said breakable bridges, - said attachment zone comprises bridges, - said bridges are situated on either side of said gripping zone, - said tongue comprises a decoration. The invention also relates to a fluid container, creamy or pasty comprising a capsule service as described above. Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, and which should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view a service capsule according to the invention in the closed position of the cap and without detachable tab; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the service capsule of Figure 1 in the open position of the cap; FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of a service capsule according to the invention in the closed position of the cap and comprising a detachable tab according to a first embodiment; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the detachable tab shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the service capsule of Figure 3 in the open position of the cap; - Figures 6 to 8 show different embodiments of a detachable tab for a service capsule according to the invention.

In all the figures, the common elements are identified by identical reference numerals.

Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 show a service capsule 1 according to the invention connected to the end of a skirt 3 to form a container, such as a tube.

In each of the embodiments shown here, the service capsule 1 comprises a base 5 and a cap 7 attached to said base 5 via a hinge 9.

The service capsule has a longitudinal axis Z-Z.

The base 5 comprises an outer skirt 11 and an upper plate 13. Said upper plate 13 is visible in Figures 2 and 5 where the cap 7 is shown in the open position. In the other figures, the upper plate 13 is hidden by the cap 7 in the closed position. The outer skirt 11 is here substantially in the extension of the skirt 3 of the container when the service capsule 1 is fixed thereon.

The upper plate 13 comprises a dispensing zone 15 for discharging the product contained in the container. Here, the distribution zone 15 is centered on the upper plate 13. This distribution zone 15 has a plate 17 projecting from the upper plate 13 of the base 5, the plate 17 being pierced with an outlet orifice 19 also center. The size of the outlet orifice 19 is adapted according to the product contained in the container, its viscosity and the amount to be discharged. It can also be envisaged that the distribution zone 15 is a well. It can also be envisaged that this distribution zone 15 is not centered on the upper plate 13.

The cap 7 has a longitudinal axis Z'-Z 'which corresponds to the Z-Z axis of the capsule when the cap 7 is closed. The cap 7 comprises, for example, a plate 21 which covers the upper plate 13 of the base 5 and a peripheral wall 23. Said peripheral wall 23 is positioned on a flange 25 of the outer skirt 11 of the base 5 located at the periphery of said upper plate 13 so that an outer surface of the outer skirt 11 of the base 5 and an outer surface of the peripheral wall 23 of the cap 7 are substantially in the extension of one another when the cap 7 is closed.

Said plate 21 further comprises a sealing means configured to ensure in association with the distribution area 15 of the base 5 a sufficient seal when the cap 7 is in the closed position. Here, said sealing means is a flange 27 projecting whose height and diameter are adapted to fit around the dispensing zone 15 and provide sealing.

Said outer skirt 11 of the base 5 has a hollow zone 29 placed, here, diametrically opposite the hinge 9. The hollow zone 29 opens on the periphery of the upper plate 13 so that it is radially recessed relative to the peripheral wall 23 of the cap 7 when it is closed. In the examples illustrated here, the peripheral wall 23 of the cap 7 has in the extension of the hollow zone 29 of the base 5 an edge 51 also recessed whose geometry is defined so that it completes the hollow zone 29.

In the examples shown, said hinge 9 extends from the base 5 to the cap 7. It is preferably formed of a thinner material than the rest of the service capsule 1 to allow the articulation of the cap 7 of the closed position to the open position and vice versa. Said hinge 9 comprises a central element 31 allowing articulation of the cap 7 and two spring strips 33 located on either side of the central element 31 to allow the cap 7 to remain substantially in the closed or open position. Any other type of hinge known to those skilled in the art to allow the opening and closing of a capsule 1 according to the invention can be used.

Said capsule 1 further comprises a detachable tab 35. In the closed position of said cap 7, said tab 35, covers said hollow zone 29 leaving free a part 53, said finger grip, of said hollow zone 29. Said capsule 1 is further configured to allow opening of the cap 7 by insertion of a finger at said finger-engaging portion, after removal of said tongue.

Once the tongue 35 has been removed, the service capsules 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to 8 have a general appearance similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Said tongue 35 comprises a gripping zone 37 located at said finger-catching portion and an attachment zone 39 located at a distance from said finger-catching portion. In other words, said attachment zone 39 is distinct from said gripping zone 37.

The tabs 35 shown have an elongated shape extending in the circumferential direction perpendicular to the axis Z'-Z 'of the cap 7. They comprise in their center the gripping zone 37 and at each end a fixing zone 39 from the tongue 35 to the cap 7.

Advantageously, an outline of the hollow zone 29 follows at least partly an edge of the tongue 35.

Advantageously, in the closed position of said cap 7, the outer surface of the one or more attachment zones 39 is in the extension or slightly behind the outer surface of said outer skirt 11 and the outer surface of said peripheral wall 23. The fixing zone 39 is thus protected against the eventual untimely tearing of the tongue 35 before a user detaches it during the first use.

Advantageously, said gripping zone 37 extends in an extension direction 55 of said tongue 35 over a dimension greater than a width of a finger. The user can thus easily slide his finger under the tongue 35 to be able to detach it during the first use.

Advantageously, said tongue 35 may comprise a day forming said gripping zone 37.

Various shapes and designs can be considered to form the day. These are chosen so that a good fingertip of the tongue 35 to detach it is possible. Thus, said day may have an elliptical shape as is the case in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 5 or be a circle as is visible in the embodiment of FIG. 6.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, said tongue 35 may comprise a peripheral edge of which a portion, referred to as a gripping portion, corresponds to said gripping zone 37. In other words, the tongue 35 is here a simple strip. extending from one attachment zone 39 to another with the gripping portion in the center. The gripping portion is here curved as the shape of the strip so that the fingertip of the tongue 35 is easy and the final rendering of the capsule 1 with the tongue 35 is aesthetic.

Said tab 35 is linked either solely to said cap 7, or only to said base 5, said cap 7 and said base 5. Here, as is apparent from Figure 5, the tongue 35 is linked only to said cap 7 The tongue is here designed with a slight overhang around the gripping portion to improve the grip / finger of it.

Advantageously, said tongue 35 is connected to the remainder of said capsule 1 by breakable bridges 41.

The breakable bridges 41 are material bridges of the capsule 1 having a sufficiently thin section to allow easy breakage by the user and tearing of the tongue 35 of the cap 7 while being strong enough not to observe a pulling inadvertent tongue before the first use.

In the examples shown, said tongue 35 is connected to said cap 7 by four breakable bridges 41 located in pairs in each of the attachment zones 39, that is to say at each of the two ends of the tongue 35. Said bridges breakable 41 are thus distributed symmetrically to ensure a good maintenance of the tongue 35 and prevent its inadvertent tearing before the first use. During tearing of the tongue 35 the breakable bridges are broken and the tongue is disengaged from the service capsule 1.

In the embodiments shown, the breakable bridges 41 are fixed to the cap 7 so as to form a notch 43 in said attachment zone 39. Said notch 43 is configured to cooperate with a projection 45 protruding so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said cap 7. Said lug 45 is located in the hollow zone 29, where the fixing zone 39 of the tongue 35 will be housed, typically in the upper part (near the cap 7). ) of this area.

Indeed, said tongue 35, especially in the embodiments where it is fixed only to the cap 7, does not block the cap 7 in its closed position. It only makes the opening gesture difficult and / or dissuasive because it covers, partially, said hollow area 29 and prevents a good grip of the cap 7.

In general, the service capsule 1 is molded in the "open cap" position as shown in FIG. 5. During the first closing, at the factory, of the cap 7 on the base 5, the fixing zone 39 of the tongue 35 is brought above the pin 45 which is trapped by the notch 43 formed by the two breakable bridges 41, thus preventing pivoting of the cap 7 in the opposite direction. When the tongue 35 is detached, the pin 45 is released and therefore the cap 7 is also released and can rotate in the direction of the opening.

Advantageously, the attachment zone 39 comprises bridges 47. These are located on either side of said gripping zone 37, symmetrically and connect the breakable bridges 41 to the rest of the tongue 35, particularly to the gripping zone 37.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the service capsule 1 is similar to that of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 and the tongue 35 comprises a decoration 49.

Advantageously, the decoration 49 is arranged on the tongue 35 so as to be readable according to the direction of storage of the container before its first use. In this example, the decoration 49 is readable when the capsule 1 is upward. The decor 49 can also be applied so as to be readable when the cap 7 is down ("stand up" position), as can be found on the shelves of stores. This decoration 49 may be produced by printing on the tongue 35, molded in relief during the molding of the service capsule 1 or by any other technique known to those skilled in the art.

The service capsule 1 according to the invention can be made by molding one or more plastics. It may be a polyolefin, such as a polypropylene (homopolymer or copolymer), a polyethylene, especially a high density polyethylene, or a mixture thereof.

In the embodiment shown in the various figures, said capsule 1 is adapted to be fixed on a container such as a flexible tube comprising a tube head and a flexible skirt 3. The service capsule 1 is generally fixed on said head of tube by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as screwing or snapping. It is usually attached to the tube head in the "closed position" of the cap.

In another embodiment not shown, one can imagine that said service capsule 1 is molded in one piece with said container and has the same characteristics as said service capsule 1 described above. An outer wall of said container plays the role of said outer skirt 11 of said base 5.

In yet another embodiment not shown, said service capsule 1 may be overmoulded or attached directly to a skirt 3 of tube not comprising a tube head.

Claims (14)

claims 1. Service capsule (1) comprising a base (5) and a cap (7) attached to said base (5), said base (5) comprising an outer skirt (11) having a hollow zone (29), said capsule ( 1) further comprising a detachable tab (35), said tab (35), in the closed position of said cap (7), covering said hollow area (29) leaving free a portion 53, said finger grip, of said area hollow (29), said tongue (35) comprising a gripping area (37) located at said finger-catching portion and an attachment zone (39) spaced from said finger-engaging portion, said capsule (1) ) being configured to allow an opening of the cap (7) by insertion of a finger at said finger-engaging portion, after removal of said tongue (35). 2. Service capsule (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said gripping area (37) extends in an extension direction 55 of said tongue (35) on a dimension greater than a width of a finger. 3. Service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tongue (35) is linked only to said cap (7). 4. Service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tongue (35) is connected to said cap (7) by at least one breakable bridge (41), said breakable bridging (41) being located at least in said attachment zone (39). 5. Service capsule (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said tongue (35) has an elongated shape extending in the circumferential direction perpendicular to the axis Z'-Z 'of the cap (7), the or said breakable bridges (41) being arranged at at least one end of said tongue (35). 6. Service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cap (7) comprises a peripheral wall (23), an outer surface of said fixing zone or zones (39) being in the extension or slightly recessed from an outer surface of said outer skirt (11) and an outer surface of said peripheral wall (23), in the closed position of said cap (7). 7. Service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tongue (35) comprises at least one day forming said gripping area (37). 8. Service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said hollow area (29) comprises a lug (45) projecting so as to prevent the inadvertent opening of said cap (7). 9. Service capsule (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said lug (45) projecting is adapted to cooperate with a complementary means of said tongue (35). 10. Service capsule (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said complementary means of said tongue (35) is a notch (43) in said attachment zone (39). 11. Service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said attachment zone (39) comprises bridges (47). 12. Service capsule (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said bridges (47) are located on either side of said gripping zone (37). 13. Service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tongue (35) comprises a decoration (49). 14. Container for fluid product, creamy or pasty comprising a service capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.