WO2014139892A1

WO2014139892A1 - Economical container for a product in liquid form

Info

Publication number: WO2014139892A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/054471
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilles Baudin; Christian Revenu
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2013-03-12
Filing date: 2014-03-07
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: FR3003143B1; FR3003143A1

Abstract

The container (10) has a hollow receptacle (12), comprising: walls (16, 18, 20) that define between one another a cavity (22) for receiving the product (11), said receptacle (12) having an opening (26) that leads into said cavity (22), said opening (26) being delimited by a lip (24); an orifice (32) for releasing the product, said orifice (32) leading into the cavity (22); and a tab (28) that extends one (16) of the walls adjacent to the lip (24) beyond this lip (24), said tab (28) being connected to said wall (16) by a first hinge region (30) about which the tab (28) is able to be moved in rotation between a first position in which the releasing orifice (32) is open and a second position in which the releasing orifice (32) is closed off. A film (14) is secured to said lip (24) in order to close said opening (26).

Description

Economical container for a product in liquid form

The present invention relates to an economic container, for packaging a product in liquid or semi-liquid form, in particular a cosmetic product.

In the present description, the term "cosmetic product", a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council, dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

The present invention relates for example to a container for a shampoo, a liquid soap, a liquid body care product, or any other liquid cosmetic product.

Such a container is generally in the form of a bottle or a tube, the manufacturing cost of which depends in particular on the purpose of the packaged product. In particular, some luxury goods, or requiring special packaging, are associated with relatively expensive containers, while some other types of product can be associated with smaller containers.

An example of an economic container is described in EP 1 399 372. However, such a container does not have means for being closed once opened.

WO 03/002414 discloses a similar container.

WO 9 727 043 discloses relatively complex means for closing a product release port of a container.

US 201 1/297690 also discloses an economic type container. However, this container has a relatively complex form.

Finally, FR 2 738 216 describes in particular the closure of a pot by sealing a lid on the rim of an opening of this pot.

The present invention aims to provide a particularly economical container for a liquid cosmetic product, especially for shampoo.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is in particular a container for a cosmetic product in liquid or semi-liquid form, comprising:

a hollow container, comprising:

walls delimiting between them a cavity for receiving the cosmetic product, said container having an opening opening into said cavity, said opening being delimited by a rim, a product release opening opening into the cavity, and a tongue, extending one of the walls adjacent to the rim, beyond this rim, and said tongue being connected to said wall by a first hinge zone around which the tongue is movable in rotation, between a first position in which the release port is clear, and a second position in which the release port is closed,

- A film, secured to said flange to close said opening.

Such a container has a basic form relatively simple and economical to achieve, while maintaining an effective mode of use to deliver the cosmetic product. In addition, thanks to the tongue, it is possible to close the container after opening, in a simple and effective manner.

A container according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically feasible combination.

- The first hinge zone is formed by a fold line.

- The release port is formed by a release channel of the product, extending both on the tongue and the wall extended by this tongue, from the cavity to one end of the tongue.

- The film comprises a first portion, covering the opening, and a second portion, connected to the first portion by a hinge zone, covering the tongue so as to close the channel transversely.

- The container comprises a breakable sealing member of the channel, extending the tongue at its end, connected to this tongue by a zone of least resistance, said channel opening on the shutter element as the shutter element is connected to the tongue.

- The release port is formed by a through orifice formed in the wall extended by the tongue, opening into the cavity.

- The tongue being movable by rotation to a folded position against an outer surface of the wall it extends, the container has locking means of the tongue in the folded position.

- The locking means comprise a first latching portion carried by the tongue, and a second latching portion, complementary to the first, carried on said outer surface, on the periphery of the through hole.

- The container has a general shape of triangular prism, comprising two triangular side walls interconnected by a rear wall, and a bottom wall, the bottom wall is extended by the tongue, and extends longitudinally between the rear wall and this tongue, and these walls delimit between them the cavity, each of these walls being adjacent to the rim.

- The film is heat sealed on the rim.

- The film is decorated, for example printed. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a container as defined above, comprising:

a step of supplying a thermoplastic sheet,

a step of thermoforming the thermoplastic sheet, to form the container,

a step of filling the cavity with cosmetic product through the opening,

a step of applying a film on the opening, and

a step of sealing this film with the rim of the opening.

Advantageously, the sealing step is a heat-sealing step.

Advantageously, the sealing step also comprises sealing a portion of the film with the tongue.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container for a liquid cosmetic product, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, in a configuration of use for the delivery of the cosmetic product;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the container of FIG. 1, in a storage configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of a container for a liquid cosmetic product, according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a container 10 for the packaging of a cosmetic product 11 in liquid form. For example, said cosmetic product is a shampoo, a liquid soap or a body care product.

The container 10 according to the invention is formed by a hollow container 12 and a film 14, assembled together as will be described later.

The container 12 has a cavity 22 for receiving the cosmetic product, said cavity 22 being delimited by thin walls 16, 18, 20.

More particularly, in the example shown, the container 12 has a general triangular prism shape, comprising two triangular side walls 18, interconnected by a bottom wall 16 and a rear wall 20. Thus, these walls 16, 18, 20 delimit between them the cavity 22, each of these walls being adjacent to a flange 24 defining an opening 26 opening into the cavity 22. Note that the container 12 could alternatively have any other shape, having a bottom wall to keep the container 10 placed in a stable position, and an opening to be closed by a film. For example, the container 12 could have a parallelepiped shape, or any other suitable form.

The container 12 further comprises a tongue 28, extending one of the walls adjacent to the rim 24, in particular the bottom wall 16, beyond the rim 24. Thus, the bottom wall 16 extends longitudinally between the rear wall 20 and the tongue 28.

The tongue 28 is connected to the bottom wall 16 by a first hinge zone

30, around which this tongue 28 is movable in rotation. More particularly, as will be described later, the tongue 28 is rotatable in particular between a position of use (shown in Figure 2) and a storage position (shown in Figure 3). The first hinge zone 30 is generally formed by a fold line. According to the embodiment described, this fold line 30 coincides with the rim 24.

Preferably, the tongue 28 extends longitudinally perpendicular to this fold line 30, between a first end 28A connected to the bottom wall 16 by the first hinge zone 30, and a second free end 28B.

The container 12 further comprises a port 32 for the release of the cosmetic product, opening into the cavity 22 to allow the extraction of the product.

According to the example described, the release orifice is a channel 32 for releasing the cosmetic product, extending both on the tongue 28 and on the bottom wall 16, from the cavity 22 to the end free 28B of the tongue 28. Thus, the cosmetic product can flow from this cavity 22 to this free end 28B of the tongue 28, through this release channel 32.

Furthermore, as indicated above, the film 14 is assembled to the hollow container, being secured to the flange 24 to close the opening 26. Thus, the cosmetic product is held in the cavity 22 by the film 14.

More particularly, the film 14, for example formed by a stretch film, comprises a first portion 14A, intended to close the opening 26 as described above, and a second portion 14B, connected to the first portion 14A by a second hinge zone 34 , this second portion 14B being intended to cover the tongue 28 so as to close transversely the release channel 32. It will be noted that the second hinge zone 34 coincides with the first hinge zone 30 when the film 14 is attached to the container 12. The film 14 is advantageously decorated, for example printed, in particular to present one or more drawings, and / or text, making it possible to identify the product 11 contained in the container 10.

Advantageously, the container 10 comprises a breakable element 36 closing the release channel 32. This closure member 36 extends the tongue 28 at its free end 28B, being connected to this tongue 28 by a breakable connection formed by a zone of least resistance 38. The release channel 32 opens on this closure member 36 as it is connected to the tongue 28.

The closure member 36 generally comprises a first portion 36A, integral with the tongue 28 until their connection has been broken, and a second portion 36B integral with the film 14, intended to be applied to the first portion 36A.

Thus, as long as the closure element 36 is connected to the tongue 28, the release channel 32 is closed by this closure member 36.

When it is desired to release the cosmetic product, the breakable sealing member 36 is detached from the container 10, breaking the zone of weakness 38. The release channel 32 then opens at the free end 28B of the tongue 28 so that the cosmetic product can flow from the cavity 22 to that end 28B at which the product can be harvested.

Note that the container 12 is preferably flexible so that the cosmetic product can be driven to the release channel 32 by compressing the container 12. Advantageously, the container 12 is made of thermoplastic material.

In FIG. 2, the container 10 is shown in the product release configuration 1 1, the closure element 36 having been separated from the tongue 28.

In this configuration of release of the cosmetic product, the tongue 28 forms an angle greater than 90 ° with the bottom wall 16, in particular with an outer surface 16A of this bottom wall 16. Thus, the release channel 32 is clear to allow the release of the product 1 1.

FIG. 3 shows the container 10 in a storage configuration.

In this configuration, the tongue 28 is in the folded position against the outer surface 16A of the bottom wall 16. Thus, the release channel 32 is pinched at the fold 30, so that the cosmetic product can no longer s' flow freely through this channel 32. In other words, it can be considered that the container 10 is closed. FIG. 4 shows a container 10 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this figure, elements similar to those of the preceding figures are designated by identical references.

According to this second embodiment, the container 10 is provided, on its bottom wall 16, with a through hole 32 ', opening into the cavity 22, and thus forming a product release orifice 1 1.

The container 10 further comprises means 39 for locking the tongue 28 in the folded position. These locking means 39 include in particular a first latching portion 40 carried by the tongue 28, and a second latching portion 42, complementary to the first, carried on the outer face 16A of the bottom wall 16. This second part detent 42 is preferably arranged at the periphery of the through hole 32 '.

Thus, when the tongue 28 is folded down, the first latching portion 40 snaps into the second latching portion 42, thereby closing the through hole 32 '. In other words, these locking means can close the through hole 32 ', and keep the container 10 in the closed position effectively.

Advantageously, the through hole 32 'is closed by a lid before use of the container, sealed on the contour of this through hole 32' in a manner known per se. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is not necessary to tear a portion of the film 14 to open the container 10.

It is clear that a container 10, as described above, has a relatively simple structure and shape, so that it can be achieved during a particularly simple and economical manufacturing process. In particular, an example of a process for manufacturing the container 10 will be described below.

Such a manufacturing method comprises a step of supplying a thermoplastic sheet, followed by a step of thermoforming the thermoplastic sheet to form the container 12. Such a thermoforming step, known per se, is very simple to implement .

The manufacturing process then comprises a step of filling the cavity

22, by the cosmetic product 1 1, through the opening 26. This filling step can be performed automatically, by passing to the chain of the containers 12 under a clean nozzle to discharge measured quantities of cosmetic product in these containers 12. The method finally comprises a step of applying the film 14 to the opening 26 and the tongue 28, and a step of sealing the film 14 on the rim 24 of the opening 26 on the one hand, and on the tongue 28 on the other hand.

This sealing step is preferably a heat-sealing step, known per se.

It is clear that the manufacturing method described above is particularly simple to implement, and that it allows the realization of a large number of containers 10 in the chain.

In addition, the steps of this method, including thermoforming and heat sealing, are all particularly simple and economical to implement.

Note that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but could have various variants without departing from the scope of the claims.

In particular, the container could have a different shape, as long as this shape can be easily achieved by thermoforming.

Furthermore, the release duct could be arranged differently from that described above, or be replaced by a release orifice, adapted to be closed by the tongue 28 in the storage configuration.

Claims

1. Container (10) for a product (1 1) in liquid form, comprising:

a hollow container (12), comprising:

walls (16, 18, 20) delimiting between them a cavity (22) for receiving the product (1 1), said container (12) having an opening (26) opening into said cavity (22), said opening (26) ) being delimited by a flange (24),

o an orifice (32, 32 ') for releasing the product, opening into the cavity (22), and

a tab (28), extending one (16) of the walls adjacent to the rim (24), beyond this rim (24), and said tongue (28) being connected to said wall (16) by a first hinge zone (30) around which the tongue (28) is rotatable, between a first position in which the release orifice (32, 32 ') is disengaged, and a second position in which the release orifice ( 32, 32 ') is closed,

- A film (14), secured to said flange (24) for closing said opening (26).

Container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge zone (30) is formed by a fold line.

Container (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the release orifice

(32) is formed by a product release channel (32) extending both on the tongue (28) and the wall (16) extended by this tongue (28) from the cavity (22) to the at one end (28B) of the tongue (28).

4. Container (10) according to claim 3, wherein the film (14) has a first portion (14A) covering the opening (26), and a second portion (14B), connected to the first portion by a zone hinge (34), covering the tongue (28) so as to close transversely the channel (32).

5. Container (10) according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a breakable element (36) for closing the channel (32), extending the tongue (28) at its end (28B), connected to this tongue (28) by a zone (38) of least resistance, said channel (32) opening on this shutter element (36) as this shutter element (26) is connected to the tongue (28).

6. Container (10) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the release orifice (32 ') is formed by a through orifice formed in the wall (16) extended by the tongue (28), opening into the cavity (22).

7. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the tongue (28) being movable by rotation to a position folded against an outer surface (16A) of the wall (16) that extends , the container (10) comprises means (39) for locking the tongue (28) in the folded position.

8. Container (10) according to claims 6 and 7 taken in combination, wherein the locking means (39) comprises a first detent portion (40) carried by the tongue (28), and a second detent portion (42), complementary to the first, carried on said outer surface (16A), on the periphery of the through hole (32 ').

Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the container (12) has the general shape of a triangular prism, comprising two triangular side walls (18) interconnected by a rear wall (20) and a bottom wall (16),

the bottom wall (16) is extended by the tongue (28), and extends longitudinally between the rear wall (20) and this tongue (28),

- These walls (16, 18, 20) delimit between them the cavity (22), each of these walls (16, 18, 20) being adjacent to the flange (24).

The container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film (14) is heat sealed to the flange (24).

1 1. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film (14) is decorated, for example printed.

12. A method of manufacturing a container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

a step of supplying a thermoplastic sheet,

a step of thermoforming the thermoplastic sheet, to form the container (12),

a step of filling the cavity (22) with product through the opening (26),

a step of applying a film (14) to the opening (26), and

- A step of sealing the film (14) with the flange (24) of the opening (26).

The manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein the sealing step is a heat sealing step.

The manufacturing method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the sealing step also comprises sealing a portion (14B) of the film (14) with the tongue

(28).