MXPA98005281A - Device for fractional discharge of a t - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device of geometrical axis X for the discharge of a tube formed by a body of deformable walls, a first end of which is enclosed along a line of union, a second end being topped by a neck or neck delimiting an opening for the exit of a product contained in the tube, said neck being joined to the body by an upper area or spine, said device comprising a base plate whose length is slightly less than the height under said upper area of the tube , a support plate, of axial length substantially identical to the length of the base plate, and articulated on the base plate about a geometric axis A perpendicular to the axis X, so that when said axis is disposed between the plate of base and the support plate, with the line of union located near the geometric axis A, the retraction of the support plate on the base plate ejects the product in dir opening to the opening, and causes the walls of the tube to collapse between the base plate and the support plate, characterized in that the support plate comprises at least two parts articulated on an axis B parallel to the axis A, to selectively allow the support of all or part of the support plate on the tube, and the total or fractional emptying of the

Description

- - DEVICE FOR THE FRACTIONAL DISCHARGE OF A TUBE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for releasing in a fractional manner a tube with deformable walls, containing a product of the cream or paste type. The invention is particularly adapted to the discharge of tubes formed with aluminum, or with a complex comprising at least one layer of aluminum. Such tubes are used particularly within the field of cosmetics, and in particular for the packaging of hair coloring products, mainly for wicks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous devices have been imagined to facilitate the emptying of the tubes, and in particular tubes made of aluminum. We can cite for example the "sardine key", which consists of emptying the tube by winding its bottom on a cylinder of small diameter. Such devices constitute a clear progress with respect to the technique of causing the product to exit by crushing the tube with the fingers. However, although effective, this device does not offer the possibility of emptying REF: 27791 - - the tube with one hand, or to know the amount of product remaining, or even know the amount of product expelled. In certain fields, in particular in the field of hair coloring, due to the relatively high manufacturing cost of this type of packaging, it has been proposed to pack in the same tube the quantity of product necessary for at least two uses, thus implying a use fractionated of the contents of the tube. Within the field of hair coloring, the quality of the result, in particular its reproducibility, depends to a large extent on the respect of the quantities of product to be used. This requirement of exact dosage is incompatible with the ordinary techniques of discharge of the tubes, which allow a very approximate dosage of the amount of product used. On the other hand, manipulation is not easy, in particular when the product distributed directly on the hair must be applied, by means of a mouth placed on the neck of the tube. Finally, there is the fact that the degree of emptying of the tubes is clearly insufficient, generally less than or equal to 80%, depending on the viscosity of the product. This is not satisfactory either for the consumer or for the manufacturer of such products, - - due to the need to pack more product in the tube than necessary. The European patent application EP-A-0 407 320 relates to a device for extruding the contents of a sachet, in the form of a clamp in V configuration operated by the user and provided with a zone of smaller thickness that forms joint. The clamp can be made by injection, followed by folding at the level of the articulation area, using a material of the type known under the trade name of RIGIPLAST®. Such a type of device, although satisfactory for the application it describes, is not satisfactory in the hypothesis that a fractional use of the content of the sachet is required. In fact, it is not possible to precisely dose the quantity of product distributed. On the other hand, the use of such a device to empty a sachet poses no problem, since, due to its relatively flat shape, it does not have a tendency to slide axially under the effect of the pressure exerted on it, taken in sandwich between the plate of support and the base plate. This is not the case when it comes to a tube-shaped container, which typically has a part inclined in the direction of the line of connection that clogs its bottom.

As regards US-A-5 145 093 describes a device for the discharge of a tube of toothpaste, in the form of a clamp, comprising a base plate and a support plate at least twice shorter than the base plate, and that allows a two-stage emptying of the contents of the tube. For this purpose, after partial discharge of the tube, the part emptied onto the non-emptied part of the tube must be retracted and the tube thus retracted back into the clip, to extrude the second half of the tube. The device described in this document suffers from several drawbacks. In effect, the base plate extends beyond the upper part of the tube, so that it is not possible to obtain a degree of discharge as high as would be desirable. On the other hand, when the second part of the tube is emptied, there is a risk that a part of the product flows untimely on the base plate. Finally we will say that nothing has been foreseen to prevent the tube from sliding axially under the effect of the pressure exerted by the support plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Thus, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a device that allows, in a simple and exact manner, the total or fractional discharge of the contents of a tube, and this with a degree of restitution higher than the degree of restitution obtained by the ordinary methods or devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the fractional discharge of the contents of a tube, which allows an accurate and reproducible dosing of the quantity of product distributed. It is also an object of the invention to provide a device that selectively allows, depending on the application, to empty the tube in its entirety, or only a fraction, which must be determined from the most accurate possible node. More objects will appear in more detail in the description that follows. According to the invention, these objects are achieved by making an X-axis device for the discharge of a tube formed by a body of deformable walls, a first end of which is closed along a line of union that constitutes a bottom, being crowned a second end by a neck or neck that defines an opening for the exit of a product contained in the tube, said neck being attached to the body by an intermediate upper zone, said device comprising a base plate whose length is slightly less than the height under said upper area of the tube, a support plate, of axial length substantially identical to the length of the base plate, and articulated on the base plate, articulated with the base plate on an axis A perpendicular to the X axis, so that when said tube is arranged between the base plate and the support plate, with the line of union located near the axis A, the retraction of the support plate on the pl the base ejects the product in the direction of the opening, and causes the walls of the tube to collapse between the base plate and the support plate, characterized in that the support plate comprises at least two parts articulated on an axis parallel to the axis A, in order to selectively allow the support of all or part of the support plate on the base plate, and the total or fractional discharge of the tube. The device according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that its cost of realization is extremely low. On the other hand, its use is simple. In particular, it can be used with only one hand, which allows, if necessary, use the other hand to hold the container in which the product is poured. On the other hand, the dosage of a fraction of the contents of the tube is more accurate than the dosage - - allowed by the devices in use. Finally we will say that the degree of discharge is very high. Advantageously, means are provided in the vicinity of the hinge axis A to maintain the connection line of the tube and to immobilize the tube between the support plate and the base plate. Such means make it possible to avoid that, when a pressure is exerted on the support plate, the tube is pushed forward, due to the sliding effect of the support plate on the inclined part of the tube. For this purpose, the support plate and the base plate advantageously form a reinforcement in the vicinity of the axis A, on either side of said axis, said means comprising at least one of the means for maintaining the connection line comprising the inside of one of the reinforcements, an organ having a free end and which is arranged so that when the support plate is retracted on the base plate, said free end intercepts a closing plane passing through axis A and that is parallel to the base plate. Advantageously, the reinforcements are in the form of a half cylinder. Said organ may comprise a rib or at least one protuberance or peak oriented along the geometric axis A. In the case of protrusions, several are used regularly arranged across the width of the device (i.e., parallel to axis A). In the case of a rib, it advantageously extends over the entire width of the device. Thus, when the support plate is closed on the base plate, the protuberances or the rib rest on the joining or welding area of the tube and fold it downwards in the reinforcement formed by the base plate. The tube is then blocked and can no longer slide forward. According to one embodiment, the support plate comprises two parts, one of them distal, located opposite the axis A, and the other, proximal, adjacent to the axis A, both parts being joined by a joint that allows the complete retraction of the distal part on the proximal part. This particularly facilitates handling to empty the first part of the tube. Advantageously, the joint joining the two parts forming the support plate is arranged so that the support of the proximal part on the base plate causes the discharge of half the contents of the tube. The position of the hinge area joining the two parts forming the support plate is determined in particular according to the shape of the tube. For this purpose, in the case that the tube must be emptied in two equal fractions, the position of the articulation zone may not coincide with half the length of the support plate. This depends mainly on the geometry of the tube. According to another advantageous feature of the invention, means are provided for keeping the proximal part in folded position on the base plate, after emptying the part of the tube located between the base plate and said proximal part. This feature is particularly advantageous in that it allows, after use of the first part of the tube, to preserve the same by keeping it inside the device according to the invention. Thus, the remaining product in the upper part of the tube can not flow back to the lower part of the tube. By way of example, we will say that the maintenance of the proximal part in retracted position on the base plate is done by grasping, by means of at least one hook provided on one or other of said base plates or support plate. The base plate may have a slightly concave shape, with the concavity on the side of the support plate being oriented. This makes it possible to compensate for the effect linked to the intrinsic flexibility of the base plate, depending on the nature of the material used and its thickness, and also allows reducing the effort necessary for emptying the tube. By way of indication, we will say that the concavity can have a radius of curvature that can be from 1 m to infinity. Advantageously, the hinge formed on the axis A, as well as the one or those joining the parts forming the support plate are constituted by hinge-films. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when the device is made by molding thermoplastic materials. Although it can be used with tubes made of other materials (thermoplastics for example), the device according to the invention is particularly adapted to aluminum tubes or formed with a complex comprising at least one layer of aluminum. The product contained in the tube can be, for example, a hair coloring product. The invention consists, apart from the provisions set forth above, in a number of other provisions that will be detailed below, with respect to non-limiting embodiments, described with reference to the attached figures, among which: Figure 1 represents a view in view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; and Figures 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 4A-4B represent different views illustrating the operation of the device according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a base plate 2, of generally rectangular shape and whose dimensions are adapted to the size of the tube to be discharged. The base plate 2 has a free end 3. The end 4 opposite the free end forms a section reinforcement 5 in the configuration of a half cylinder, and whose function will be explained in more detail below. The reinforcement 5 is attached to a reinforcement 6, of identical section to the reinforcement section 5, formed by a first end 7 of a support plate 8. The articulation of the support plate on the base plate is made on an axis geometric A perpendicular to the geometric axis X of the device. Advantageously, the hinge is constituted by a hinge film 15 joining two adjacent edges of the reinforcements 5 and 6. The shape and dimensions of the support plate 8 are identical to those of the base plate (2) so that in closed position the two plates are superimposed sensibly. The support plate 8 comprises two parts 9, 10 joined by a hinge film 11 which allows the part to fold back on the part 9, around an axis B, parallel to the axis A, as will be seen later in detail. In this embodiment, the film hinge 11 is located substantially in the middle of the support plate, to allow the discharge in two substantially identical parts of the contents of a tube. In fact, depending on the shape of the tube, the part 9 can be slightly longer than the part 10. Thus arranged, the part 10 can rotate about an axis at an angle of at least 180 °, so as to be able to part, retract completely on the part 9, in the course of the discharge of the first part of the tube, and on the other hand, be aligned with the part 9 when the second part of the tube is discharged. A hooking means, of the hook type 12, 13, is provided in the part 9, on each of its edges, in order to allow the part 9 to be hooked onto the base plate 2, after the first half of the base has been emptied. tube. All this will be explained more precisely with reference to Figures 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 4A-4B. A rib 14 is arranged radially over the entire width of the cylinder medium formed by the reinforcement 6. This rib is arranged so that in the closed position of the support plate 8 on the base plate 2, the free edge of the rib Intercept the closing plane of the device. Thus, when a tube is disposed inside the device, the welding zone 21 remains substantially in contact with the film hinge forming the axis A, the support plate being folded back onto the base plate, the rib 14 rests on the welding area and causes its retraction in the reinforcement 5, thus preventing the tube from sliding forward, as mentioned with reference to the device of the patent US-A-5 145 093. Alternatively, this function is ensured by a a row of at least two protrusions arranged radially in the reinforcement 6, and aligned parallel to the axis A. The width of the device following the axis A is preferably slightly greater than the width of the tube. Its length according to the X axis is slightly lower than the height under the upper area of the tube. In other words, the axial length of the device (measured between the axis A and the end of the base plate or the support plate) is such that, when the tube is placed inside the device, with the welding zone correctly located in position with respect to the rib 14, only the part constituted by the upper area of the tube, the neck and the outlet hole extends beyond the end of the base plate and of the support plate. Thus, in the closed position of the device, the jaws forming the base plate and the support plate arrive just under the upper area of the tube. This feature allows the degree of discharge of the tube to be maximized. We will explain in detail below how the device works, with reference to Figures 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 4A-4B. In Figures 2A and 2B, the tube 20 is located on the base plate 2, the junction line 21 being located near the axis A. As can clearly be seen, the base plate arrives just under the upper zone 22 that joins the body 24 of the tube 20 with the neck or neck 23. In this embodiment, the part 10 is folded over the part 9 about the axis 11, to allow only the discharge of the first half of the tube 20. In figures 3A and 3B , the two parts 9 and 10 folded over themselves, are folded down on the lower part of the tube 20. In this movement, the rib 14 requests the area of connection 21 of the tube in the reinforcement 5, thus preventing any sliding of the tube towards in front. The pressure exerted on the support plate, ejects the product towards the outlet orifice, and this until the part of the tube caught between the part 9 of the support plate and the base plate is completely empty. At this time, the corresponding part of the tube body is perfectly flat. This operation can be done with one hand. After the discharge of the first half of the tube, and assuming that a device with hooks 12, 13 is used, such as those described with reference to FIG. 1, the part 9 of the support plate is blocked on the base plate. The tube can then be closed again. Waiting for a new use, it can be saved, kept like this in the device. This avoids in particular that during the packaging, under the effect of accidental pressures, the product contained in the upper part of the tube refluxes towards the lower part. In Figures 4A and 4B, the part 10 of the support plate is unfolded on top of the tube 20 to empty the second half of the tube. The pressure exerted by this part 10 of the support plate 8 causes the product to be expelled out of the tube 20, and this until the tube is completely emptied. In fact, the ends of the base plate 2 and of the support plate 8 pass exactly under the upper zone, leaving a small cone 25 between said zone and the end of the device. The content remaining inside this cone can be substantially discharged by forcing the cone to fold it over the part 10 of the support plate 8. The degree of emptying is thus close to or even greater than 95%, which constitutes a remarkable progress with relation to ordinary methods and devices. As can be seen from the foregoing description, the device is of simple use, with the fractional dosage of the content being carried out with precision. The overall effort to be made is reduced by the creation of two successive lever arms: a first lever arm with the portion 9 of the support plate as the first force point, the tube 20 as a fulcrum and the A axis as a rotation point; and a second lever with the part 10 of the support plate as the second point of force, with only half of the tube as the second point of support, and the hinge 11 as the second point of rotation. The device can be used with only one hand, which allows holding the container in which the product is poured with the other hand. It is evident that the fractionation can be carried out differently than by half of the tube. It is possible, in fact, to consider a support plate in three parts articulated on two axes, with each of the axes located so that the tube is emptied by thirds. The presence of the support plate in two or more parts does not prevent, eventually, the discharge of the contents of the tube at one time. By way of materials used for the embodiment of the device according to the invention, mention may be made of the thermoplastic materials chosen from polyvinyl chlorides, polystyrenes, or any other suitable material. The device can be made in a single injection molding operation. In the foregoing description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is evident that variants can be provided without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (14)

1. Device of geometrical axis X for the discharge of a tube formed by a body of deformable walls, a first end of which is closed along a line of union, a second end being topped by a neck or neck that delimits an opening for the exit of a product contained in the tube, said neck being joined to the body by an upper area or spine, said device comprising a base plate whose length is slightly less than the height under said upper area of the tube, a support plate , of axial length substantially identical to the length of the base plate, and articulated on the base plate about a geometric axis A perpendicular to the axis X, so that when said tube is disposed between the base plate and the support plate, with the line of union located near the geometric axis A, the retraction of the support plate on the base plate ejects the product in the direction of the opening, and prov the flattening of the tube walls between the base plate and the support plate; characterized in that the support plate comprises at least two parts articulated on an axis B parallel to the axis A, to selectively allow the support of all or part of the support plate on the tube, and the total or fractioned emptying thereof .

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that means are provided in the vicinity of the articulation axis A to maintain the line joining the tube and immobilize the tube between the support plate and the base plate.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the support plate and the base plate form a reinforcement in the vicinity of the axis A, on either side of said axis, said means comprising to maintain the line of attachment of at least one member, located inside one of the reinforcements, said organ having a free end and being arranged so that upon the folding of the support plate on the base plate takes place, said free end intercepts a closing plane passing through the axis A and is parallel to the base plate, causing the reinforcement of the joining line in the other reinforcement.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said organ comprises a rib or at least one protrusion oriented along axis A.

5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support plate comprises two parts, one of them distal, located opposite the axis A, and the other proximal, adjacent to the axis A, both parts being joined by a joint that allows the complete retraction of the distal part on the proximal part.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the joint joining the two parts forming the support plate is arranged so that the support of the proximal part on the base plate causes the discharge of half the contents of the tube.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that means are provided for maintaining the proximal part in a retracted position on the base plate, after emptying the part of the tube located between the base plate and said proximal part.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the maintenance of the proximal part in the retracted position on the base plate is done by grasping, by means of at least one hook provided on one or other of said base plates or support plate .

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate has a slightly concave shape, the concavity facing the side of the support plate.

10. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the concavity defines a radius of curvature that can be from 1 m to infinity.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge formed around the axis A, as well as the joint (or joints) joining the parts forming the support plate are constituted by hinge-film.

12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is made by molding thermoplastic materials.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube is formed with aluminum or with a complex comprising at least one layer of aluminum.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is a hair coloring product.