FR3122652A1 - Sealing element for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealing element for jars, in particular those intended to contain cosmetic products, comprising a closing lid (12) and an annular seal (13) received in an annular housing of the lid. The lid (12) has an upper discoid part (14) from which protrudes, in the lower position, an annular part (15) intended to be inserted into the opening of the pot. Said upper part (14) has, outside the annular part (15), an annular peripheral flange (18) provided with a lower surface (19) intended to face towards the edge of the opening of the pot. The annular part (15) of the cover (12) has, between its lower end (23) and the peripheral flange (18), a circumferential groove (22) facing outwards to form, with the peripheral flange (18) and a circumferential rib (24) protruding radially from the lower end (23), the gasket receiving housing (13). Figure for abstract: Fig 12

Description

Sealing element for containers

The present invention relates to a sealing element for containers, in particular for glass jars intended to contain cosmetic products.

The invention relates more specifically to a closure element consisting of a closure lid and a seal intended to be mounted on said lid to guarantee a leaktight closure with respect to the jar.

In the prior art, containers for cosmetic products are generally made of glass or plastic.

Plastic has the advantage of being lightweight and cheap, but it can have chemical incompatibility issues with some products and the consumer often associates it with inferior products.

In addition, in the current era where the problem of pollution is increasingly sensitive, the tendency is becoming widespread to want to eliminate, or at least reduce as much as possible, the use of plastic.

Glass, for its part, undoubtedly represents a more "noble" material, which generally poses no problem of compatibility with the products contained in the jars and which can contribute to consolidating, in the eyes of the consumer, the image of good quality of the product.

Furthermore, glass is a material which, due to its intrinsic rigidity and current production technologies (especially in the case of containers with a large diameter opening, such as jars for cosmetic products for example), is particularly subject to significant dimensional tolerances compared to the nominal design dimensions.

Therefore, it has always been problematic to make a container for cosmetics whose jar and lid are both made of glass. The rigidity of the material and the high dimensional tolerances in fact contribute to making satisfactory sealing of the container difficult. In general, this type of container is therefore made with a glass jar, provided with a threaded opening, and a lid in a material other than glass (for example plastic or metal), screwed onto said threaded opening of the jar. , possibly by inserting a plastic cover between the pot and the lid.

There are, of course, glass containers with glass closure caps as well, between which is inserted a suitable plastic or elastomer seal provided for this purpose, but these are usually bottles, that is to say containers having a high height and a relatively small diameter opening.

As noted above, in containers with a small diameter opening, such as bottles and vials, dimensional tolerances have less impact on closure tightness than cosmetic jars.

In addition, the great height of these containers makes it possible to use closures whose body has a vertical extension so as to be able to apply gaskets "high" enough to seal a sufficiently wide part of the interface between the internal lateral surface of the neck of the bottle and the outer side surface of the stopper part inserted into the opening of the bottle.

A well-known and widespread closure of this type is for example the so-called Vinolok ^® system.

The general object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a sealing element for containers, in particular for glass jars intended to contain cosmetic products, which is such as to guarantee an optimal closure offering both a tight seal hermetic against leakage of the product and pressure tightness if the product is vacuum packed, which are indispensable conditions for high-end cosmetic products such as skin care products.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the number of materials making up the entire container, thus making it possible, for example, to produce the container and its glass lid, with only the seal in a different material, which represents a clear advantage both for the management of materials and for the disposal of the product at the end of its life.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the separation of these different materials at the time of disposal, in particular the separation of the gasket with the lid.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the production of sealed glass containers for cosmetic products characterized by a reduced height, so as to make the container particularly pleasant and appreciable from the aesthetic point of view.

Given these objectives, it has been envisaged to produce, according to the invention, a leaktight closing element for jars, in particular those intended to contain cosmetic products, comprising a closing lid and an annular seal intended to be mounted in an annular receiving housing on the closure cover, said cover having an upper discoid part from which protrudes, in the lower position, an annular part intended, in use, to be inserted inside a side wall of the opening of a jar, the said lid of which is supposed to constitute a tight closure, the said upper discoid part having, outside the annular part, an annular peripheral flange provided with a lower surface intended, in use, to be turned towards an upper surface of the edge of the opening of the pot, characterized in that the annular part projecting from the lid has a circumferential groove turned towards the outside, between the annular peripheral flange and the lower end of the said annular part, the circumferential groove forming, with the lower surface of the peripheral flange and with a circumferential rib projecting radially towards the outside of the said lower end , the housing for receiving the seal, and in that the annular seal has, in section, a vertical central part intended to be received in the circumferential groove of the cover and from which extend, in upper position, a radial flange, facing outwards and intended to adhere to at least one segment of the lower surface of the peripheral flange of the cover and, in the lower position, a generally C-shaped part, including a convex part of the C is turned outwards and the concave part of the C is turned inwards, intended to embrace said circumferential rib by arranging an extr lower part thereof below the lower end of the annular part projecting from the cover, from which vertical central part project radially outwards at least two elastically deformable fins intended, in use, to adhere so as to sealed to the inner surface of the side wall of the opening of the pot, when the closing element is inserted on the pot.

To clarify the explanation of the innovative principles of the present invention and its advantages over the prior art, there will be described below, with reference to the attached drawings, a possible embodiment applying said principles. On the drawings:

shows a sectional view of a closure lid for containers according to the invention, before the application of the seal.

shows an enlarged detail of the lid of the , in the area intended to receive the seal.

shows a sectional view of the seal for the closure element according to the invention.

shows an enlarged detail of the sectional view of the gasket of the .

[Fig] 5 shows a sectional view of a pot intended to be closed in a sealed manner by the closure element according to the invention.

represents an enlarged detail of the pot of the , in the area intended for coupling with the closure element according to the invention.

shows a view from below of the cover of the .

shows a top view of the gasket of the .

shows a sectional view of the closure element according to the invention, with the seal mounted on the lid.

shows an enlarged detail of the closing element of the , in the area intended for coupling with the pot of the .

shows a sectional view of the closure element according to the invention, inserted in a sealed manner on the pot.

shows an enlarged detail of the coupling zone between the pot and the closure element according to the invention, under the conditions of the .

represents a sectional view, similar to that of the , of the seal according to an alternative embodiment.

shows an enlarged detail of the sectional view of the gasket of the .

shows a sectional view of the closure element according to the invention, with the seal of the mounted on the cover.

shows an enlarged detail of the closing element of the , in the area intended for coupling with the pot of the .

shows a sectional view of the closure element of the , inserted tightly on the pot.

represents an enlarged detail of the coupling zone between the pot and the closing element, under the conditions of the .

With reference to the figures, a closure element 10 for sealing jars 11, typically glass jars for cosmetic products, is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 with its two components (namely a closure lid 12 and a seal annular sealing 13) assembled with each other. On the other hand, in figures 1 and 2 and, respectively, 3 and 4, these two components are shown separated from each other.

The cover 12 is preferably also made of glass.

The lid 12 essentially consists of an upper discoid part 14, which substantially guarantees the closure of the interior space of the pot 11, from which protrudes in the lower position an annular part 15 intended to be inserted inside the opening of said pot, in a position adjacent to the inner surface 16 of its side wall 17, to achieve a mechanical fixing and a hermetic seal (by means of the seal 13) between the pot and the lid.

The annular projection 15 has a diameter smaller than the total diameter of the cover 12, so that the discoid element 14 of the cover has, outside the annular projection 15, an annular peripheral flange 18 whose lower surface 19 is intended to facing a top surface 20 of the top edge 21 of the pot opening 11.

The annular projection 15 of the cover 12 is formed such that it has a kind of circumferential groove 22 facing outwards, between the peripheral flange 18 and the lower end 23 of said annular projection 15. More precisely, as you can clearly see it on the , the circumferential groove 22 is delimited on its upper part by the lower surface 19 of the peripheral flange 18 and on its lower part by a circumferential rib 24 projecting radially outwards from said lower end 23 of the annular projection 15.

As will be explained below, the circumferential groove 22 is intended to constitute, with the lower surface 19 of the peripheral flange 18 and the circumferential rib 24, an annular housing for receiving the seal 13.

The annular seal 13 is advantageously made of an elastomeric composite material and has a diameter substantially corresponding to that of the annular projection 15 of the cover 12. The formula "substantially corresponding" means here that the diameter of the seal 13 is chosen so that, together with the elasticity of the material and with the partial complementarity of the respective cross-sectional profiles of the gasket and the cover, the gasket 13 can be inserted by adjustment on the outer surface of the annular projection 15 lid without risk of accidental detachment during use. However, the seal 13 can be removed from the cover relatively easily, by manually exerting an adequate force, at the moment when it is necessary to proceed with a separation of the two constituent elements, for example for the recycling of materials at the end of the life of the product. .

As we clearly see on the , the section of the annular seal 13 has a central vertical part 25, from which extend, in the upper position, a radial flange 26 oriented towards the outside and, in the lower position, a generally C-shaped part 27 , of which the concave part of the C faces inwards and the convex part of the C faces outwards.

Projecting radially outwards from the central part 25 are at least two elastically deformable fins 28 intended, in use, to adhere in a leaktight manner to the internal surface 16 of the side wall 17 of the pot 11, when the closure element 10 is inserted on the pot. In particular, at least in the rest condition of the gasket 13, the elastically deformable fins 28 project more radially outwards from the central part 25 than the convex part of the lower C-shaped part.

The lower end 29 of the C-shaped part 27 is on the other hand directed radially towards the inside of the annular joint 13.

As we clearly see on the , and even better on enlarging the , at rest, the annular seal 13 is mounted on the closure cover 12 with the internal face 30 of the central part 25 which adheres to the bottom of the circumferential groove 22 of the annular projection 15 of the cover, with the upper face 31 of the radial flange 26 which adheres to at least a segment of the lower surface 19 of the peripheral flange 18 of the lid and with the concave face 32 of the lower part 27 in the form of C which embraces the circumferential rib 24 of the end lower end 23 of the annular projection 15 of the lid, placing the lower end 29 of the C-shaped part below said lower end 23 of the annular projection 15.

On the and on the corresponding enlargement shown in the , the closure element 10 is shown in the operational state, that is to say inserted hermetically on a pot 11.

In this state, the upper radial flange 26 of the seal 13 remains interposed between the peripheral flange 18 of the lid 12 and the upper surface 20 of the upper edge 21 of the opening of the pot 11, while the fins 28 are elastically deformed against the inner surface 16 of the side wall 17 of the jar, thereby achieving both a hermetic seal against the leakage of the product contained in the jar, and a pressure seal if the product is vacuum-packed.

In particular, the hermetic seal is achieved at least by the upper radial flange 26 of the seal 13, which also avoids any "glass against glass" contact between the lid and the jar, and of course also with the radial fins 28.

The free ends of the elastically deformable fins 28 define, at rest, a diameter of the seal 13, in this zone, which is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the opening of the pot 11 in correspondence with the internal surface 16 of its wall. side 17.

More precisely, the internal diameter of the opening of the pot 11 is intermediate between said diameter of the seal 13 defined by the free ends of the radial fins 28 at rest and the diameter of the seal at the base of the fins 28, that is to say say in correspondence with the vertical central part 25 of said seal.

In this way, the insertion of the lid 12 in the opening of the pot 11 causes a deformation of the elastic fins 28 upwards (visible on the , in comparison with the ), such as to ensure satisfactory pressure tightness if the product is vacuum-packed.

The deformation of the fins 28 upwards caused during the insertion of the sealing element 10 on the pot 11 makes it possible to obtain a sealing contact between them and the internal surface 16 of the side wall 17 of the opening of the jar 11.

The presence in the seal 13 of at least two elastically deformable radial fins 28 makes it possible to produce a "labyrinth" type seal between the inside of the pot and the outside. The elastically deformable fins 28 are separated from each other by an air gap 33. In particular, in the case of a cosmetic product packaged under vacuum, in the air gap 33 between the two fins, delimited circumferentially by the side wall 17 of the pot, it is possible to have an intermediate pressure between the internal (vacuum) pressure and the external (atmospheric) pressure.

According to one embodiment, in the case of a vacuum-packed product, the air gap 33 is intended to be maintained at an intermediate pressure between the pressure inside the pot and the external atmospheric pressure. In use, when the sealing element 10 is inserted on the pot 11, an intermediate pressure between the pressure inside the pot 11 and the external atmospheric pressure is maintained in the air gap 33.

Of course, to further improve the performance of the seal in terms of pressure tightness, it would also be possible to provide more than two elastically deformable fins 28 projecting radially from the vertical central part 25, even if this requires increasing the height of the cover 12 compared to what is shown in the accompanying drawings, resulting in a greater overall size.

The configuration of the sealing element 10 according to the invention, and in particular the specific sectional profile of the sealing joint 13 which adheres completely to the corresponding receiving housing on the cover 12, with the lower end 29 of the C-shaped part of the seal which turns over below the lower end 23 of the annular projection 15 of the lid, as well as the friction generated, during the insertion of the closing element into the opening of the pot, between the wall of the jar and the at least two elastically deformable fins 28 having the shape, extent and arrangement described above, guarantee sufficient sealing and friction to allow for example to lift the jar filled with cosmetic product while holding it by the lid, without the lid coming off the jar or the gasket coming off the lid.

In order to make it possible to further improve the sealing characteristics of the lid and above all to increase the friction between the closure element and the pot, one could for example provide an additional fin 34 projecting radially outwards and towards the low with respect to the seal 13 in correspondence with the convex part of its lower part 27 generally in the form of C.

This possible embodiment of the seal 13 is illustrated in Figures 13 to 18 and its geometric configuration is clearly visible, in particular on the enlargements of Figures 14, 16 and 18.

When the cover 12 is inserted into the opening of the pot 11, said additional fin 34 projecting radially and downwards is guided by the wall of the opening of the pot to deform inwards, thanks to the elasticity of the material and to the empty space 35 which, at rest, separates it and keeps it radially at a distance from said lower end 29 of the C-shaped part, so as to guarantee, in use, an additional point of contact and hermetic sealing and pressure relative to said pot.

Of course, the description given above of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of the present invention is given by way of example of these innovative principles and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope of protection claimed in the present.

By way of example, the elastically deformable fins 28 could be, including at rest, already slightly inclined upwards rather than horizontal, both to facilitate the insertion of the lid into the opening of the pot and to facilitate the deformation by friction which is produced at the insertion of the lid.

The choice of the elastically deformable material in which the seal 13 is made can also be made according to the specific characteristics of deformability, friction and sealing that it is desired to obtain.

Finally, the annular seal 13 (and therefore the lid 12) could also be of non-circular shape, but for example elliptical or polygonal, if the specific shape of the pot required it.

Claims (9)

Sealing element (10) for jars, in particular those intended to contain cosmetic products, comprising a closing lid (12) and an annular seal (13) intended to be mounted in an annular receiving housing on the closure cover (12), said cover (12) having an upper discoid part (14) from which protrudes, in the lower position, an annular part (15) intended, in use, to be inserted inside a side wall (17) of the opening of a pot (11) of which said lid (12) is supposed to constitute a tight closure, said upper discoid part (14) having, outside the annular part (15), an annular peripheral flange (18) provided with a lower surface (19) intended, in use, to face an upper surface of the edge of the opening of the pot (11), characterized in that the annular protruding part ( 15) of the lid (12) has a circumferential groove (22) facing outwards, between the annular peripheral flange (18) and the lower end (23) of said annular part (15), the circumferential groove (22) forming, with the lower surface (19) of the peripheral flange (18) and with a circumferential rib (24) projecting radially outward from said lower end (23), the housing for receiving the seal (13), and in that the annular seal ( 13) has, in section, a central vertical part (25) intended to be received in the circumferential groove (22) of the cover (12) and from which extend, in the upper position, a radial flange (26), facing outwards and intended to adhere to at least a segment of the lower surface (19) of the peripheral flange (18) of the cover (12) and, in the lower position, a part (27) generally in the shape of a C, of which a convex part of the C faces outwards and the concave part of the C is round born inwards, intended to embrace said circumferential rib (24) by arranging a lower end (29) thereof below the lower end (23) of the annular projecting part (15) of the cover ( 12), from which vertical central part (25) project radially outwards at least two elastically deformable fins (28) intended, in use, to adhere in a sealed manner to the internal surface of the side wall (17) of the opening of the pot (11), when the closing element (10) is inserted on the pot. Sealing element (10) for pots according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower end (29) of the generally C-shaped part (27) is directed radially inward of the annular seal (13 ). Sealing element (10) for pots according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least in the rest condition of the seal (13), the elastically deformable fins (28) protrude more radially outwards from the central part vertical (25) than the convex part of said generally C-shaped part (27). Sealing element (10) for jars according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said at least two elastically deformable fins (28) are separated from each other by an air gap (33) which, in use , when the sealing element (10) is inserted on a pot (11), remains delimited circumferentially by the side wall (17) of the opening of the pot in order to maintain in said air gap (33) a pressure intermediate between the pressure inside the pot and the external atmospheric pressure, in the case of a vacuum-packed product. Sealing element (10) for jars according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an additional fin (34) projecting radially outwards and downwards from the convex part of said lower part (27) generally C-shape of the seal (13). Sealing element (10) for jars according to claim 5, characterized in that said additional fin (34) is radially separated from the lower end (29) of the generally C-shaped part (27) by an empty space (35). Sealing element (10) for jars according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closing lid (12) is made of glass and the annular seal (13) is made of an elastomeric composite material. Jar, intended in particular to contain cosmetic products, provided with an opening provided with a side wall (17) and with a leaktight closing element (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that the free ends of the elastically deformable fins (28) of the annular seal (13) define, at rest, a diameter of the seal (13), in the area of said fins (28), which is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the opening of the pot (11) in correspondence with the internal surface (16) of its side wall (17), so as to cause, during the insertion of the sealing element (10) on the pot (11), a deformation of the fins (28) upwards, making it possible to obtain sealed contact between them and the internal surface (16) of the side wall (17) of the opening of the pot (11). Pot according to Claim 8, characterized in that, when the sealing element (10) is inserted on the pot (11), between the fins (28) projecting radially from the vertical central part (25) of the gasket sealing (13) and the inner surface (16) of the side wall (17) of the opening of the pot, there is an air gap (33) intended to be maintained at a pressure intermediate between the pressure at the inside the pot and the outside atmospheric pressure, in the case of a vacuum-packed product.