CONTAINER WITH APPROPRIATE OPENING AND CORRESPONDING COVER
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers to the domain of containers intended to contain a certain amount of liquid, conserving a part of its internal volume filled with gas. Such containers are generally provided with a sealing cap. When opening the lid, a part of the liquid in the vicinity, for example a drop retained by capillarity in the vicinity of the lid, can be projected to the outside of the container in case of an imbalance between the pressure inside the container. container and the environmental pressure on the outside. The liquid runs the risk of spilling in the vicinity of the opening of the container, of being projected on the user's hands or clothes. This drawback becomes more important when the liquid is susceptible to causing stains, which is the case when it comes to conditioning products to dye the hair. In this regard, EP-A-0 528 707 is known, which proposes a two-bottle container that allows two products, mainly liquids, to be stored separately and mixed at the time of use. This container is for the purpose of storing
Ref: 127271 separately on the one hand a dye solution intended for a hair dye, and on the other hand the oxidant that is necessary to use the dye solution. To dye the hair with "oxidation dyes", it is necessary to reveal the dye on the hair by adding an oxidant, for example oxygenated water, on the dye at the moment in which it is placed on the hair. The double-bottle presentation considerably facilitates the practice of hair coloring. The user causes, before opening the container, the mixture of the dye solution and the oxidant and generally shakes the container to improve the mixture. A chemical reaction of oxidation is triggered which causes the release of a gas, mainly oxygen, which tends to increase the pressure inside the container. In the upper part of the bottle there is provided a conduit or male tube with rope or thread in which a closed distribution tube can be screwed tightly and whose tip can be broken for the creation of an opening 20 at the time of its use, with the purpose of pouring the product into the hair. This breakable tip prevents the user from recapping the container for the reuse of said tip, which is desirable insofar as the oxidation dye is not retained after mixing. The user, then, is obliged to discard the container
^ .x.-aA * ^ g & k after a first use of the colorant. However, it has been found that generally a drop of dye is found in the immediate vicinity of the breakable tip at the time of opening or breaking said tip, since the inner end of the dispensing tube has a tip shape, which tends to retaining a drop of the dye by capillarity once the user has shaken the container, which causes the formation of this drop. Thus, when the user breaks the tip to open the container, the drop present in the immediate vicinity runs the risk of being projected on the outer surface of the container, on the hands of the user or even on his clothing, running the risk of staining it hopelessly This phenomenon is more marked when the user mixes the two components of the dye some time before opening the container, for example, if the hair is washed between these two operations. In effect, the chemical reaction between the two components will cause a rise in pressure, causing a greater pressure differential between the interior of the container and the atmospheric pressure when the container is opened. In addition, it is observed that breakable sealing elements, which have high hygiene qualities, they are not always easy to use. In fact, if their mechanical characteristics are very high, the user will tend to use a cutting blade or scissors to break the tip, with the potential risk of causing a wound and making a more complex opening. Conversely, if the mechanical characteristics of the breakable tip are weak, the tip may be broken accidentally when handling the container for operations such as packing, stowing or transport. Then a container is spoiled which can stain the neighboring containers, which can no longer be marketed, which causes a significant loss. The present invention proposes to provide a liquid storage device that exhibits high hygiene qualities before use and during the opening operation, even when well stirred, and easy to use. The device, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, serves to store liquids, mainly capillaries, and comprises a container and a movable lid, wherein the cap is of a type comprising a grasping portion and a suitable sealing portion. to cooperate with a tube or conduit of the container, wherein the tube forms a passage between the interior zone of the container and the outside, a free end of the tube forms an outlet for the liquid. The device comprises an element for maintaining the liquid contained within the container at an axial distance from the orifice of the tube or conduit, the lid being in its closed position. Thus, an abrupt spillage of the liquid from the container is prevented when it is opened due to the pressure prevailing in the interior area of the container, which is higher than the external pressure, where the container is partially filled with a liquid and in part with a gas. The liquid is kept at a distance from the hole in the pipe or tube. Advantageously, fastening elements of the lid are provided in the container and the lid comprises elements to allow a balance of the pressure in the inner zone of the container and the pressure of the outside during the opening of the container, before the fastening elements of the container. the lid of the container are deactivated. This arrangement allows the depressurization of the container before spilling the liquid it contains. Advantageously, the lid comprises a portion extending substantially between the hole of the tube and an opposite end of said tube, in communication with the interior area of the container in the closed position. In other words, said element extends from one extreme
ij &ßwÉij ^^^^^^^^^ J ^ closed the lid to an opposite open end and may or may not pass said open end. The liquid can not accumulate in the pipe or duct before the opening of the container, which reduces the risk of projecting during the opening of the lid. Preferably, the element comprises at least one channel capable of communicating the internal area of the container and an area delimited by the cover and in communication with the outside. The channel, of weak section, allows the passage of gas, but slows the passage of the liquid. In one embodiment of the present invention, the element comprises at least two legs capable of sealing at least in part the tube. The partial sealing of the tube prevents or at least reduces the formation of the drop of liquid ready to splash outwards during the opening of the container. A channel can be formed between the legs. The legs can be of different lengths against each other. The free ends of the legs can be flat, pointed or rounded. The legs can be separated by at least one slit. The slits may be of different lengths with respect to each other. In one embodiment of the present invention, the legs are of a length substantially equal to that of the tube or conduit. The amount of liquid next to the tube, then, is extremely small and generally occurs in the form of a film. In another embodiment of the present invention, the 5 legs have a length substantially greater than that of the tube or conduit and protrude in the interior area of the container, in the closed state. The amount of liquid next to the tube, then, is extremely small and generally occurs in the form of a convex droplet.
10 small dimensions at the tip of the legs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the elemerto extends substantially between the orifice of the tube or conduit and an opposite end of said tube, in communication with the inner zone of the container, being
15 in accordance with the shape of the inner surface of said tube or conduit. The sealing portion may be provided to cooperate with a free end of the tube, or to cooperate with one end of the tube proximate the inner region of the container. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure balancing elements are adapted to traverse a portion of the liquid retained in the tube by capillary action. The device can comprise a length tube
25 higher than that of the lid, arranged inside the
^ j ^^ a! ^ l ^ - --- ffr lid and that ends at one end in the vicinity of the hole of the tube or conduit in closed position and at the other end in the inner area of the container. The present invention also proposes a mobile cover for a container used to store liquids, mainly capillaries. The lid is of a type comprising a gripping element and a sealing element adapted to cooperate with a tube or conduit of the container. The tube or duct forms a passage between an interior area of the container and the outside, wherein a free end of the tube forms an outlet orifice for the liquid. The lid comprises an element for keeping the liquid contained within the container at a distance from the orifice of the tube or conduit, the lid being in the closed position. If a drop of liquid appears in the vicinity of the lid, said drop is isolated from the tube or conduit, which allows a depressurization of the container without the projection of the liquid capable of spilling on the outer surfaces of said container, in the hands of the user, about his clothes, et cetera. The depressurization can be done by extracting the gas under the drop of liquid. The device according to one aspect of the present invention serves to store liquids, mainly capillaries, and comprises a container and a removable lid. The lid is of a type comprising a gripping element and a sealing element adapted to cooperate with a tube or conduit of the container, wherein the tube or duct forms a passage between an interior area of the container and the exterior. A free end of the tube forms an exit orifice of the liquid. The device comprises an element impermeable to the liquid to maintain said liquid at a distance axially from the outlet orifice and at the same time is permeable to gas. The device according to one aspect of the present invention serves to store a liquid, mainly capillaries, and comprises a container and a removable lid. The lid is of a type comprising a gripping element and a sealing element adapted to cooperate with a conduit or tube of the container, wherein the tube or duct forms a passage between an interior area of the container and the exterior. A free end of the tube forms an outlet hole for the liquid. The device comprises an element for maintaining, by adsorption, a portion of the liquid at a distance from the orifice of the tube or conduit, during the opening of the device. The device may comprise surfaces on which the liquid is distributed during depressurization. In addition, the device may comprise surfaces in which the liquid is distributed in the course of the opening movement. The device according to one aspect of the present invention serves to store liquids, mainly capillaries, and comprises a container and a removable lid. The lid is of a type comprising a gripping part and a sealing part capable of cooperating with a tube or conduit of the container, wherein the tube forms a passage between an interior area of the container and the outside. A free end of the tube forms an outlet orifice for the liquid. The device comprises a gas communication element adapted to extract the gas contained in the device, the liquid remaining inside said device. Generally a drop of liquid is formed in the vicinity of the outlet orifice, the gas communication element is adapted to extract the gas, mainly beyond the drop, for example below the drop, the container being in the normal position and the lid up. The extraction of the gas at a distance from the drop, in particular at a radial and / or axial distance, makes it possible to avoid projecting it. The inconvenience of prohibiting the user from recapping the container after opening it for the first time can be avoided. The lid, according to one aspect of the present invention, is designed to movably seal an opening in communication with a reservoir of the product formed inside the container, wherein the lid comprises mechanical latching elements, adapted to cooperate with complementary coupling elements in the container or an intermediate element mounted in the container. The lid comprises elements adapted in position not mounted on the lid, to oppose the placement of the lid on the opening. Thus, a user is prevented from recapping the container with the lid, which is an incentive to pull the container, which is desirable in the case of products susceptible to degradation after being opened and contacting the atmosphere. Advantageously, the elements comprise elastically deformable elements which, in the raised position of the lid, engage in the interior of the opening, wherein the elastically deformable elements are such that in the non-raised position of the cover they at least partially delimit a upper section in an interior section of the opening. The elastically deformable elements have, in the free state after opening the container, a cross section greater than the diameter of the opening and normally can not enter said opening, which has a substantially cylindrical or slightly truncated shape. Advantageously, the lid comprises a side wall whose first end is sealed by a transverse wall, and whose second end is open. Preferably, the elastically deformable elements are formed from at least two legs arranged at least partly inside the side wall and engage the transverse wall. The legs can be formed in one piece with the rest of the lid. In one embodiment of the present invention, the legs are oriented substantially towards a longitudinal axis of the side wall. In one embodiment of the present invention, the section of the legs, superior to an inner section, is formed at least in part by a free end of said legs. Advantageously, the legs protrude with respect to the p >; side ared. In one embodiment of the present invention, the legs are separated from one another by slits.
The legs may have different lengths with respect to each other. The free ends of the legs can be flat, pointed or rounded. The legs can be separated by at least one slit. The slits can be of different lengths with respect to each other. The slits can extend to the transverse wall. The slits may be short and terminate substantially at the level of the free end of the side wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastically deformable elements are formed by at least one skirt disposed at least in part on the inside of the side wall and engages the transverse wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, the legs engage the side wall. The lid can be manufactured in one piece by molding. The container can also be manufactured in one piece by molding. In view, then, that the lid is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, there is no risk of opening untimely during the maintenance stages and it opens easily and appropriately. The present invention will be better understood through the study of the detailed description of any modalities that are presented as non-limiting and illustrative examples, with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a container in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view following the line II-II of Figure 1; Figures 3 to 6 are variants of Figure 1; Figures 7 to 12 show the steps of placing the lid on the bottle; Figure 13 is a sectional view following the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12; Figures 14 to 17 show the steps of opening the container; and Figure 18 is an axial sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in the figures, the bottle comprises a bottle body 1 and a cover 2. The body 1 is made of glass or a molded synthetic material and has, for example, a general truncated shape, for example of round section , oval and other and ends at the top with a shoulder 3 from which upwards follows a tube 4 of a very long truncated shape. The tube 4 has an upper edge 5 that forms its free end, and its other end joins the shoulder 3.
The tube 4 is hollow and thus forms a passage 6 which places the inside of the body 1 in communication with the outside. An outlet hole 7 of flat circular shape is formed at the upper end of the passage 6 in the same plane as the upper edge 5 of the tube 4. A male thread or string 8 is formed on the outer surface 4a of the tube 4. The lid 2 comprises a sidewall 9 in the form of a skirt, very long truncated, so that its shape is consistent with the shape of the tube 4. The lid 2 further comprises a circular upper flat wall 10 and closing the upper end 9a of the side wall 9. The lower end 9b of the side wall 9 is open. The inner surface 9c of the side wall 9 has a female thread 11, adapted to cooperate with the male thread or string 8 of the tube 4. The side wall 9 forms a grasping part. The upper wall 10 forms a sealing part. On the lower surface 10a of the upper wall 10 adjacent to the side wall 9, an impermeable rim 12 of a relatively steely circular shape is formed and with a diameter corresponding to that of the rim 5 of the bottle when closed, wherein the impermeable rim 12 it is in waterproof or watertight contact with the upper edge 5 of the tube 4.
The cover 2 comprises three elongated legs 13 which are joined at their upper end with the lower surface 10a of the upper wall 10 of the inside of the sealing rim 12. Each leg 13 extends through the base to the inside of the side wall 9. The lower end 14 of each leg 13 extends beyond the side wall 9 axially on the opposite side of the upper wall 10., extending axially in the direction of the axis of the trunk of the cone formed by the side wall 9. Each leg 13 is in the form of an arc of a circle in cross section and is separated from the neighboring legs 13 by a groove 15, which extends throughout the length of the legs 13. As a variant, it could be devised that one or a plurality of slits 15 would not extend more than a part of the length of the legs 13 from its lower end 14. It will always be convenient to keep one of the slits extending to the vicinity of the upper wall 10 for a reason to be explained later. Between the legs 13 is defined a channel 16 extending along the entire length of the legs 13, which could be provided to extend no more than only a part of its length from its lower end 14. In Figure 1 shows that the cover 2 is separated from the body 1. The legs 13, which are relatively flexible in their transverse axis, are shown in the free state. In this free state, its lower ends 14 are inscribed in a fictitious circle whose diameter is greater than that of the hole 7 of the tube 4. Thus, a user who unscrews the lid 2 and completely separates it from the tube 4, will have great difficulties to return to place the lid 2 on the tube 4, since the ends 14 of the legs 3 occupy a larger diameter than that of the hole 7 of the passage 6. The user, then, is urged not to recap the container with the lid 2. In the variant illustrated in figure 3, the legs 13 have a longer length than in figure 1, which, with the constant elasticity of the material with which they are formed, allows greater separation of their lower ends 14, which may make it more difficult to attempt to recap with the lid 2. On the contrary, in the variant illustrated in Fig. 4, the lower ends 14 of the legs 13 are substantially matched to the lower end of the wall later to 9, presenting a movement such that they can no longer enter, in a free state, in the hole 7. This variant is particularly advantageous if one thinks that a user will not try to close the container with the lid 2 again, helping with an instrument such as a foil or clip to re-close the lower ends 14 of the legs 13. The lower ends 14 of the legs 13 are bevelled, being shorter at their inner radial edge than at their outer radial edge. In this way, in the course of a possible attempt to recap the container, if the end of a leg 13 comes into contact with the upper edge 5 of the tube 4, the leg 13 will tend to leak radially outwards and, in consequently, outside the hole 7. In the variant illustrated in Figure 5, the lid 2 comprises a single leg 17, but whose lower part is divided into a plurality of branches 18 that are separated one from the other from the base, so having lower ends 19 similar to those of the lower ends 14 of the variants described above. It could even be provided a leg 13 and a leg 17 with two branches 18, or two legs 17 with two branches 18. In the variant illustrated in figure 6, the cover 2 comprises the legs 13 of very short length, clearly less than the axial length of the lid and between which an extension tube 26 is coupled. The extension tube 26 has a cylindrical general shape with a super end 26a 26a formed in a bias and disposed in the channel 16 between the legs 13, and a lower end 26b beyond the lower end 9b of the side wall 9. Thus, in the closed frame, the lower end 26b of the tube 26 is arranged so that it does not pass through the passage 6, but if it is in the interior area of the body of the bottle 1. Upon opening after breaking the seal formed between the flange 12 and the upper edge 5 of the tube 4, before the complete decoupling of the threads 8 and 11, the gas suspended in the interior area of the body of the bottle escapes passing through the interior of the tube 26 and then by one or a plurality of slits 15 that separate the legs 13 and then fall again between the tube 4 and the side wall 9. The upper end 26a cut in bevel, guarantees a communication between the inside of the tube 26 and at least one of the slits 15. If a drop of liquid is present in the passage 6, the decompression of the gas prior to the uncoupling of the threads 8 and 11, guarantees an absence of projection of said liquid thanks to the equalization of the internal and external pressures. When the bottle is in the closed normal position, the lid 2 is oriented towards the upper portion, the lower end 26b of the tube 26 must be located at a level comprised between the upper surface of the liquid contained in the body of the bottle 1 and the drop or liquid part that, by capillarity, is susceptible to stagnation in the passage 6 of the tube 4. In this way, degassing is allowed without the liquid outlet. In a variant, it can even be envisaged that the legs 13 occupy a reduced radial space, the tube 26 being disposed in its interior, whose upper end 26a will always be bevelled to allow gas communication. The stages of capping the container are illustrated in figures 7 to 12. These capping steps are carried out in the production unit of the manufacturer of the product in question and materially are not available to the consumer at home. In figure 7 the lid 2 is seen above the bottle 1, where the legs 13 are in free state. Then, by an axial movement towards the base, the lid 2 is brought close to the hole 7 of the tube 4, see figure 8. With the help of a tool 20, the legs 13 are brought closer together, so that they are inscribed in a fictitious circle of smaller diameter than that of opening 7 of passage 6, see figure 9. Tool 20 may be in the form of a plurality of fingers or tips, at least one for leg 13 or for branch 18, adapted to radially move each leg 13 or branch 18 inwardly. The fingers or tips of the tool 20 can be similar to the diaphragm of a photographic device, so as to close the legs 13. In FIG. 10 it can be seen that, after closing the legs 13 with the tool 20, it is continued the axial movement towards the base of the bottle 2, with the end 14 of the legs 13 towards the hole 7 and slightly entering said ends 14. In figure 11 it is observed that the tool 20 is removed, the legs 13 being retained in the upper part of the passage 6. Then the axial movement towards the base is again taken up to the mutual coupling of the threads 8 and 11. The cover 2 is subjected to a rotation to cause the displacement to the complete and hermetic seal, such as illustrated in figure 12. The ends 14 of the legs 13, then, protrude inside the body 1 below the shoulder 3. The operation of the device when opening it, is illustrated in figures 14 to 17. When the container is filled at least partially with a liquid, a drop 21 of said liquid generally accumulates in the vicinity of the shoulder 3, for reasons of a capillary phenomenon. In the case of a hair decolorizing applicator, drop 21 is formed in practically all cases in which the user shakes the container to mix the two components. Reference can be made to EP-A-0 528 737 for a more complete description of a two compartment container. The volume of drop 21 will depend on the physicochemical characteristics of the liquid, such as its viscosity, its surface tension, its hydrophilicity, and so on. In the case of a classic lid, devoid of the legs 13, the drop is formed at the upper end of the lid, in direct contact with its upper wall and can occupy a large part of the passage of the tube As seen in Figure 14, with the lid 2 in accordance with the present invlention, the drop 21 is formed in the shoulder area 3 and the legs 13. Thanks to the invention, the drop is maintained at a distance axially from the hole 7. When the lid is unscrewed 2, as illustrated in FIG. 15, it goes back slightly, which causes the separation of the hermetic seal flange 12 with the upper edge 5 of the tube 4 and the rupture of the hermeticity. If the excess gas presses with respect to the atmosphere when the recloser is opened, it is inside the body 1 thereof, it will escape through the slits 15 and / or through the channel 16 formed between the legs 13. , after passing through the legs 15 formed between the legs L3 in proximity to the upper wall 10, then
Bta escapes between the ropes or threads 8 and 11. As a large part of the volume of the drop 21 is in a zone comprised radially to the outside of the ends 14 of the legs 13, the escape of the gas with excess pressure carries no more than a very small amount of the liquid coming from the drop 21 towards the channel 16. Furthermore, this very small amount of liquid tends, by capillarity, to remain in the slits 15 formed between the legs 13 whose radial dimensions are smaller than those of the channel 16 This small amount of liquid can be maintained on the free surfaces of the legs 13 and the inner surface of the passage 6 formed by the tube 5, free surfaces defining the slits 15 and the channel 16. The channel 16, in general, will provide the largest part of the maintenance surfaces. The channel 16 also forms an element for extracting the gas at a distance from the droplet that is formed, on the larger part, instead of displacing it radially and / or axially with respect to the lower end of the channel 16 formed at the end free of the legs 13. The free section through which the gas escapes, is sufficiently small so that no significant amount of the liquid exits through the outlet orifice during this stage. In this way the gas can be extracted without projecting the liquid. The phenomenon of depressurization occurs, then, in the position illustrated in Figure 15, in which the threads or cords 8 and 11 are still engaged, which retains the cover with respect to the body 1 and prevents its projection, although it does. allows the escape of gas. Once the depressurization has taken place, the lid 2 continues to be disengaged and then removed axially, the legs 13 slide in the passage 6 of the tube 4. The sealing element formed here by the legs 13, reduces much the space susceptible to being occupied by the liquid in the passage 6, see figure 13. In the position illustrated in figure 16, it is observed that the remains of the drop 21 tend to remain on the wall of the passage 6, being slightly dragged by the legs 13. In the course of the opening movement, the distribution surface of the drop increases progressively. In effect, the legs 13 free a growing portion of the inner surface of the tube 5, part extending between the level of the lower end of the legs 13, in the closed state, and its instantaneous level in the course of said opening movement . The inner surface of the tube 5 has a shape, in the illustrated embodiment, slightly truncated, where the hole 7 has a diameter smaller than that of the base of the passage 6 in proximity to the shoulder. The legs 13 are forced to approach each other in the course of said opening movement, which reduces the free cross section for the liquid in the passage 6. In other words, the length of the slits 15 is reduced, which causes an effect of runoff, wherein a part of the drop falls back into the body of the bottle 1. At the end of the movement, the lid 2 of the body 1 is completely separated and the ends 14 of the legs 13 come out of the hole 7. The legs 13 again take their free form, occupying transverse dimensions superior to those of the hole 7, which prevents the reuse of the lid 2 on the body 1, see figure 17. In view, then, that the opening of the container occurs without projecting the liquid contained therein, insofar as a possible drop of liquid is distributed in the areas by which the gas with excess pressure can escape. In other words, the legs 13 allow the gas that has excess pressure to go beyond the drop and allows its escape after breaking the tightness and before the complete separation of the lid and the body 1, obtaining an extremely safe opening and appropriate from the container. If the escape of the gas drags a small drop of liquid, it is distributed in the foreseeable surfaces for this effect, which prevents a projection. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, the legs 13 are replaced by a single protuberance that occupies substantially all of the space formed in the tube 4 and is paired with the lower surface 24 of the shoulder 25 which in this case is relatively large in size. the radial direction with respect to the axis of the lid. This shoulder surface and the surface of the lower end 23 of the protrusion 22, offer an almost smooth surface on which no drop of liquid is formed. In general, only a thin film of liquid will remain on the surface after mixing the dye components and shaking the bottle by the user. When the container is opened, the upward movement of the protrusion 22 allows only a very small amount of liquid coming from the formed film, where this quantity tends to extend in the course of the movement along the wall internal of passage 6, which further reduces the amount likely to be projected during depressurization. In this embodiment, the tightness between the lid 2 and the body 1 can be formed either as in the other embodiments, in the vicinity of the upper wall of the lid, or on the contrary, in the vicinity of the lower end 23 of the lid. protuberance 22. Thanks to the invention, a lid and a container of economic manufacture and safe and appropriate use are available. The lid can be fixed by coupling or by screwing. The risk of projection of the liquid contained in the container is suppressed in the case of a norme.l use. In other words, at least a part of the passage 6 is provided, a liquid-tight structure to prevent its passage towards the gas permeable part to depressurize the container. The combination of liquid tightness and gas permeability offers great advantages. In addition, the lid can have elements that prevent or make it impossible in any way to reuse it in the container, which guarantees the unique use of the product contained in the container, prompting the user to throw said container after the first use. Finally, no additional piece is added to the lid or the container, which makes it possible for these two pieces to be manufactured in one piece by molding. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.
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