WO1993004609A1

WO1993004609A1 - A flask for perfume

Info

Publication number: WO1993004609A1
Application number: PCT/EP1992/002011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephens Somogyi
Original assignee: D.Swarovski & Co.
Priority date: 1991-09-04
Filing date: 1992-09-01
Publication date: 1993-03-18
Also published as: FR2680654A1

Abstract

The present invention proposes a new flask for perfume including an ampulla (3) containing the perfume, put in position in a shaft (13) formed to this effect in an envelope (10) and held by means (4, 5) which are simple to handle.

Description

A FLASK FOR PERFUME

The present invention relates to a new presentation for perfumery products.

This new presentation is akin to a flask containing a perfume ampulla or refill which is changed when empty. However, the present invention aims at proposing such a presentation allying luxury and beauty so as to become not only useful and practical but also decorative. In a usual manner, such flasks are in the shape of an envelope in two parts which can be rigidly fixed to one another, for example by screwing, inside which an ampulla is held in position by the secured relationship of the two envelope portions.

The flask according to the invention is designed so as to be much more simple to use than those of known type which require much handling for the replacement of the ampulla.

To this effect, the flask according to the invention includes: - an ampul la containing the perfume;

- an envelope through which extends a shaft for the setting in position of the ampulla; and

- holding means of the ampulla inside the envelope.

According to other features:

- the ampulla and the shaft are at least in part of elliptical section;

- the holding means of the ampulla inside the envelope are made of a plastic material;

- the ampulla is inserted inside the shaft by starting from the bottom face of the envelope and the holding means include a ring and a plate cooperating through a bayonet type mounting;

- the shaft ends near the upper face via a portion of circular section;

- the ring is forcibly pressed around the neck of the ampulla and is held in position by a shoulder of said neck;

- the ring is formed with axial grooves extending over its outer surface from the upper end to the circumferential grooves;

- the plate has an upper plane face and is formed on its lower face with axial lugs having bent over end portions in the direction of the axis;

- for the bayonet mounting, the portions are introduced in the axial grooves of the ring until they can engage inside the

circumferential grooves;

- the ampulla is inserted in the shaft by starting from the upper face of the envelope and the holding means are formed by a ring which is deformed during the introduction of the ampulla through the shaft;

- the ring has an upper face of a surface such that it covers the opening of the shaft on the upper face of the envelope;

- the ring is made of two portions, each one of at least one part, for its retention on the ampulla neck and against the shaft of the envelope;

- the flask includes a cap adapted for carrying a plug with a honed extension for closing the ampulla;

the envelope, the cap and the ampulla are made of crystal.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 2 of a first alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig.2 is a sectional view along line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig.3 is a partial sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig.4 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the

invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are shown two sectional views along planes perpendicular to one another of the same flask according to a first embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 2, the cap 2 provided for closing the flask 1 according to the invention has been removed.

The envelope 10 inside which the ampulla 3 containing the perfume is to be positioned includes a central shaft 13 opening at the two upper 11 and lower 12 faces of envelope 10.

The shaft 13 is mostly of elliptical shape; Fig. 1 shows a sectional view along the great axis while Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the short axis of this elliptical section.

The shaft 13 ends near the upper face 11 via a portion 14 of circular section.

Moreover, the shaft 13 is sl ightly flaring out in the direction of its end which opens in the lower face 12 of envelope 10. Ampulla 13 is also of elliptical shape and ends at its opened end via a neck 31 of circular section.

Around the neck 31 is provided a ring 4 made of a plastic material and held in position by a radial shoulder 32. This ring 4 is forcibly inserted about this neck 31 so that its positioning be rapid and reliable.

The ring 4 is formed with a flange 41 which is placed so as to bear on the top of ampulla 13 on the connecting shoulder of neck 31.

The ring 4 is also formed with axial grooves, not shown in the drawing, extending over the outer face from the upper end to

circumferential grooves 42 extending each over a determined sector in the same direction from the axial grooves. These grooves 42 can form only a single groove around the totality of the ring 4.

Moreover, the flask according to the invention includes a plate 5, also in a plastic material, so as to reduce its manufacturing costs and avoid a direct contact between the crystal ampulla and the crystal envelope, which would be likely to damage the crystal.

This plate 5 has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the portion 14 of circular section of the shaft 13. The plate 5 has a plane upper face and is formed on Its lower face with lugs 54 extending axially and defining an opening having an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of ring 4.

These lugs 54 have end portions 55 bent over in the direction of the axis at a distance from the upper face of the plate 5 which is equal to the distance where the grooves 42 of ring 4 are placed with respect to the upper face thereof. These portions 55 have a width which is equal or less than that of the axial grooves of the ring 4.

When one buys a new perfume ampulla 3 in order to place it Inside the envelope 10, it carries the ring 4 positioned about its neck.

Said ampulla 3 is then inserted, after having removed its closing capsule, inside the shaft 13 and starting from the lower face 12 of envelope 10 until it comes to bear against the lower end of the portion 14 of circular section of said shaft. The flange 41 is placed in this position between the ampulla 3 and the envelope 10 so as to avoid any brutal contact between these parts. Replacement ampullae are supplied with a temporary plug which is discarded once the ampulla 3 has been inserted inside envelope 10.

When the ampulla 3 is thus positioned, the plate 5 is set in position. To this effect, the portions 55 thereof are placed in the axial grooves of ring 4, and then the plate 5 is Inserted until said portions 55 extend inside the circumferential grooves 42.

The plate 5 is then driven in rotation so that the portions 55 slide inside said circumferential grooves 42 and are no more in register with the axial grooves.

This mounting, usually called bayonet mounting, allows a rapid and easy setting in position of the ampulla 3 inside the envelope 10.

The flask 1 includes also a cap 2 adapted for closing the ampulla 3 put in position in the manner just described in the envelope 10. This cap 2 carries a plug 22 of the type carrying a honed

extension 24 for closing ampulla 3.

When one wishes to use the perfume contained in the ampulla 3, one removes the cap 2 and thus the plug 22, by imparting thereto a rotary movement and simultaneously an axial movement in the direction tending to extract it from the envelope 10. In order that the ampulla is not entrained during this rotary movement, its section and that of the shaft 13 are provided with an elliptical shape.

The envelope, the cap and the ampulla of the flask according to the invention are made of a noble material such as crystal in order to impart to it a luxury and decorative appearance.

The cap 2 and the envelope 10 have then an outer surface with facets such as those visible in the figures in order to create plays of light.

As shown in Fig. 2, the lower face 12 can also be slanting with respect to the axis of shaft 13 so as to further improve the

decorative effect.

Figs. 3 to 5 show alternative embodiments of the flask according to the invention.

Fig. is a alternative embodiment of the flask of Figs. 1 and 2 after insertion of the ampulla from the top.

Fig. 4 corresponds to an ampulla provided with a sprayer.

Fig. 5 corresponds to a perfume ball applicator.

In Fig. 3, the embodiment is different as to the means provided for the setting in position and holding the ampulla 103 inside the envelope 110.

The ampulla 103 is substantially Identical to ampulla 3. Its section is elliptical and it includes a neck 131 at its opened end, adapted for being closed by the plug 122 having a honed extension 124 carried by the cap 102. The plug 122 is held in position inside the cap 102 by a lining 123 made of a plastic material. Unlike the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ampulla 103 is formed with a circumferential groove 133 at a distance from neck 131.

Likewise, the envelope 110 is different in that the shaft 113 is of elliptical shape over its whole length and is flaring out in the direction of its upper face 111.

A ring 104 made of a plastic material is provided so as to be put in position around the neck 131 of ampulla 103.

This ring 104 has an upper plane face 143 with a surface such that its covers totally the opening of shaft 113 on the upper face of envelope 110.

From the plane face 143 depend two globally cylindrical portions formed of one or several parts. The Inner portion 144 is of circular section and intended for being forcibly pressed around the neck 131 and held by a shoulder 132 thereof.

The outer portion 145 is of elliptical shape; its outer surface is adapted to the inner surface of the shaft, while Its Inner surface is adapted to the outer surface of the ampulla. The end of the outer portion 145 is situated, when the ring 104 is placed on the ampulla 103, at the level of groove 133.

In this embodiment, the ampulla 103 provided with the ring 104 is inserted inside the shaft 113 by starting from the upper face 111 of envelope 110 until the plane face 143 of the ring is applied against said upper face 111 of the envelope. The ampulla 103 is then held in position by the deformation of the outer portion 145 of ring 104 the end of which can extend inside the groove 133.

Fig.4 is an alternative embodiment wherein ampulla 203 is a sprayer flask. The cap 202 is then adapted to cover the spraying nozzle 234 and to be held in position via a cylindrical sleeve 206 carried by the plastic material plate 205 which cooperates with the ring 204 for retaining ampulla 203.

The shaft 213 of envelope 210 ends near the upper face 211 thereof by a portion of circular section 214, while its section is elliptical everywhere else.

The ampulla 203 is also generally of elliptical section except at its end which is close to the neck 231 where it is of circular section.

In this embodiment as in that of Fig. 1, the ampulla 203 is inserted into the shaft by starting from the lower face of the envelope.

Fig.5 shows a new embodiment of the invention similar in its principle to that of Fig.4.

The difference lies in the fact that the ampulla 303 is in that case closed and held in the envelope 310 by a ring 304.

This ring 304 carries a ball 346 for spreading the perfume in small quantities by rolling said ball 346 on the skin of the person wishing to be perfumed.

The two portions 347, 348 depending from the plane face 343 of ring 304 are adapted for being positioned Inside and outside the neck 331 and for holding the ampulla inside the envelope 310 by

deformation.

The cap 302 is also modified in order to cooperate with the ring 304 and to leave a free space for the ball 346.

Of course, it is possible to adapt anyone of the modes of fixation of an ampulla to the envelopes for any one of the shapes of the ampulla: an open neck, a sprayer or a ball, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Likewise, the cylindrical portions of rings 4, 104, 204, 304 may be provided in the shape of lugs or of continuous walls.

Claims

1. A flask for perfume of the type including a body and a cap, said body comprising an ampulla containing the perfume, an envelope and means for holding the ampulla in the envelope, characterized in that :

- a shaft (13, 113, 213, 313) for the setting in position of ampulla (3, 103, 203, 303) extends through the envelope (10, 110, 210, 310) ;

- said ampulla (3, 103, 203, 303) and said shaft (13, 113, 213, 313) are at least in part of elliptical section in order the ampulla not to be rotated upon rotation of the cap, and

- the means (4, 5, 104, 204, 304) for holding the ampulla inside the envelope are made of a plastic material.

2. A flask according of claim 1, characterized in that the ampulla (3) is inserted inside the shaft (13) by starting from the lower face (12) of the envelope, and in that the holding means (4, 5) include a ring (4) and a plate (5) cooperating with one another via a bayonet mounting.

3. A flask according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaft (13) ends near the upper face (11) by a portion (14) of circular section.

4. A flask according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the shaft (4) is forcibly inserted around the neck (31) formed on the ampulla (3) and is held in position by a shoulder (32) of said neck (31).

5. A flask according to claim 4, characterized in that the ring (4) is formed with axial grooves extending on its outer surface from the upper end till circumferential grooves (42).

6. A flask according to one of claims 2 through 5, characterized in that the plate (5) has an upper plane face and is formed on its lower face with axial lugs (54) having end portions (55) bent over in the direction of the axis.

7. A flask according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that for the bayonet mounting, the portions (55) are introduced in the axial grooves of the ring (4) until they can stand out inside the circumferential grooves (42).

8. A flask according of claim 1, characterized in that the ampulla (103, 203, 303) is inserted inside the shaft (113, 213) by starting from the upper face (111, 211, 311) of the envelope (110, 210, 310) and that the holding means are formed by a ring (104, 204, 304) which is deformed during the introduction of the ampulla in the shaft.

9. A flask according to claim 8, characterized in that the ring (104, 204, 304) has an upper face (243, 343) with a surface such that it covers the opening of the shaft (113, 213) on the upper face of the envelope (110, 210, 310)

10. A flask according to claim 9, characterized in that the ring (104, 204, 304) has two portions (144, 145, 347, 348), each one in at least one part, for being held on the ampulla neck and against the envelope shaft.

11. A flask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a cap (2, 102, 202, 302) which may carry a plug (22, 122) with a honed extension (24, 124) for the closing of ampulla (3, 103).

12. A flask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the envelope, the cap and the ampulla are made of crystal.