WO2021046838A1

WO2021046838A1 - Device for packaging two products separately

Info

Publication number: WO2021046838A1
Application number: PCT/CN2019/105820
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jinseok Kim; McGrady XUE; Venkatesh SHEREGAR; Thomas OCONNOR
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2019-09-13
Filing date: 2019-09-13
Publication date: 2021-03-18

Abstract

A device (100, 200) for packaging two products (A, B) separately and dispensing a resulting mixture (M), comprising an upper container (120, 210) and a lower container (110, 220) being capable of rotating one relative to the other, further comprises a hollow plug (100, 200) defining a communication passageway (314) between the two containers. The plug (100, 200) forms a dock (315) configured to removably retain a blocking element (400) and comprises at least one pusher (316) deformable between a rest position and an active position, and the upper container (120, 210) being provided with a corresponding protrusion (117) configured so that when the upper container (120, 210) is rotated, the protrusion (117) forces the pusher (316) against the blocking element (400) so as to eject it from the dock (315), opening the passageway (314).

Description

Device for packaging two products separately

The present invention relates to a device for packaging two products that must be kept separated during transport and storage and are to be mixed on first use before dispensing the resulting mixture.

More particularly the present invention relates to a device comprising two superposed containers, which are capable of turning one relative to the other and which are suitable for communicating with each other.

One advantageous application of the invention is the use of the multiple-compartment device for packaging multi-component cosmetic products, comprising a first component to be mixed with a second component right before use. The cosmetic product may be a care product or a hair coloration or makeup product, comprising in particular reactive components to be kept separated before they are used.

Other advantageous applications of the invention may be the use of the multiple-compartment container to store non-cosmetic products such as, adhesive products, polymer coatings, flavoured liquids, etc, comprising reactive components to be kept separated until they are used.

The components may preferably be in fluid, powder or liquid form. In particular, the components may be a fluid powder and a liquid, or two liquids.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood to mean a product as defined in Regulation (CE) N°1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

Reference can be made to document JP2010/083534 which describes a device for packaging two separate components comprising a container body, a powder storage chamber fitted in a non-rotatable manner with respect to the container body, a plug member for closing said powder storage chamber before the first use and a nozzle member configured to transmit rotational movement to said plug member. The plug member is capable of rotating relatively to the container body and to be screwed downwardly until falling into the container body when the nozzle member is rotated with respect to the container body.

However, such device comprises a large number of components and is particularly difficult to manufacture.

Reference can also be made to document US5944175 which describes a device for packaging two separate components having a lower container containing a first product, an upper container containing a second product, which are capable of turning one relative to the other, and a shutter for closing the upper container. Said shutter comprises a plug connected to a holding member by a hinge-forming bridge. The device further comprises means for preventing the rotation of the holding member relative to the containers when the containers are rotated relative to one another.

Therefore, when the upper container is rotated relative to the lower container in a first rotation direction, the holding member of the shutter translates upwardly, causing the plug to pivot around the hinge from a first position of closing the upper container to a second position of opening the upper container.

However, the holding member being held axially on the lower container by an annular rim, when the user rotates the upper container in a second rotation direction, opposite to the first rotation direction, the holding member of the shutter translates downwardly until said annular rim bears on an inner shoulder of the lower container, which may cause the plug to pivot back from the second position to the first position.

The upper container can thus be closed inadvertently by a user, causing an inappropriate use of the device.

One may also refer to document US20180127171 disclosing a mixing container for heterogeneous contents, more particularly, a mixing container for heterogeneous contents configured to include a container body storing first content and a pipette part storing second content separately from each other. The pipette part is coupled to a lower portion of the container body, second content stored in the pipette part move to the container body when a rotation body is rotated and then first and second contents are mixed.

Although it is claimed that such a device is easy to fill and to assemble, it still has a high number of components and requires several operations from the user.

Finally, reference can also be made to document CN2017-114302 disclosing a device for packaging two products separately in containers capable of rotating relative the other without moving axially. The device comprises a plug connected to the cylindrical skirt of the upper container and a temporary closing member configured to close an open end of an upper container before the first use. When the upper container is rotated in a first rotation direction, the closing member translates downwardly until falling into the first product cavity.

However, when heterogeneous products are used, for example a powder and a liquid, the temporary closing member does not allow homogenous mixing of the two products and lumps may be formed. These lumps might block the dispensing nozzle during application.

One aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks while keeping the device as simple as possible.

To this end, the present application pertains to a device for packaging two products separately and dispensing a resulting mixture on a first use. The device comprises an upper container delimiting a first product cavity for containing a first product and a lower container having an upper portion forming a neck and delimiting a second product cavity for containing a second product.

According to the present invention, the device further comprises a hollow plug fixed securely in the neck of the lower container and which defines a communication passageway between the two containers. The plug forms a dock configured to removably retain a blocking element in the communication passageway.

The plug comprises at least one pusher, which is deformable between a rest position, in which the pusher is close to an inner surface of the upper container and away from the blocking element, and an active position, in which the pusher is moved away from said inner surface inside the communication passageway.

The upper container is provided with at least one protrusion at an inner circumferential surface, the protrusion being configured such that when the upper container is rotated, said protrusion forces the pusher in its active position against the blocking element so as to eject it from the dock into the lower container, causing the communication passageway to open and thus allowing mixing of the two products.

Therefore, before use, the device presents an initial position where the blocking element obstructs the communication passageway and prevents the mixing of the two products.

By providing the plug with pushers which are able to exert a force against the blocking element and eject it out of its retaining dock or seat, a simple rotation of the upper container is required to move the protrusion under the pushers and result in the ejection of the blocking element. The blocking element may then be used as a mixing piece in order to facilitate homogenization of the two products.

By providing an activation via a protrusion present on the upper container, the device is kept simple and does not require a complex movement to be activated. Contrary to several prior art devices that implement plugs having complex movements combining rotation and translation, the plug only requires a rotational movement and the pusher is directly activated by the relative rotation of the two containers. In addition, such a configuration may operate in both directions (clockwise or counter clockwise rotation) , which also facilitates user’s operation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the upper container is provided with at least one pair of protrusions, said protrusions being preferably positioned diametrically opposite each other. Having several protrusions allows to limit the maximum rotation course from the user before ejecting the blocking element.

Advantageously, the plug comprises at least one pair of pushers, said pushers being positioned preferably diametrically opposite each other. Using several pushers also helps to limit the maximum rotation course from the user. Moreover, in conjunction with corresponding protrusions, simultaneous activation of several pushers helps to eject the blocking element and limit the effort from the user to ensure a smoother transition during the rotation.

Preferably, one protrusion is perpendicularly disposed to one pusher before first use. Thus, the activation course is substantially equal to 90 degrees. Preferably again, this is used in conjunction with diametrically opposed pushers or protrusions so the activation course is the same whatever the rotation direction. A 90 degree rotation prevents accidental activation while being simple to do with one hand.

In a specific embodiment, the upper container is threadedly engaged with the neck of the lower container. Thus, ejection of the blocking element and subsequent mixing of the two products may happen when unscrewing the device.

In an alternate embodiment, the upper container is rotationally engaged with the lower container without moving axially. The upper, or lower, container may then be equipped with a dispensing mean such as a dispensing nozzle temporarily closed by a cap to be removed after mixing the two products.

In a preferred embodiment, the blocking element is a ball, preferably a metallic ball. The blocking element may also be made from a thermoplastic material, glass or other suitable material. The dock is consequently formed in a spherical manner to accommodate the ball. Such a blocking ball is easy to retain in a complementary docking seat while being still easy to eject. Using a ball also does not require orientation of the blocking element when assembling the device. Last, the ball is easy to use as a mixing element when shaking the device after opening the passageway. Further, using a metallic ball allows to give the blocking element some weight which is important for improving the mixing efficiency.

According to a preferred embodiment, the protrusion is a longitudinal rib, preferably having a chamfer along a lateral surface, preferably on both lateral surfaces. The chamfer allows for a smoother transition when the protrusion moves under the pusher to force it against the blocking element. The chamfer also prevents a possible blocking point of the protrusion against the pusher when rotating the upper container. Chamfer is between 30 to 90 degrees, preferably about 20 degrees.

Advantageously, the pusher is elastically deformable. By providing an elastically deformable pusher, said pusher is allowed to come back to its rest position after having ejected the blocking element when the protrusion is moved passed said pusher. This way, the pusher does not stay in the passageway and does not hinder the fall of product B in the lower container.

In a preferred embodiment, the plug is provided with at least one radially projecting dot in a circumferential surface, opposite the pusher. Such a dot prevents the blocking element from blocking the passageway back during shaking of the device for mixing. Thus the dot always ensures that a minimal space is maintained between the blocking element and the plug.

Preferably, the hollow plug and the pusher are in one piece, in particular made from an elastomeric material such as LDPE, HDPE, TPU, etc. The plug may in particular be made by injection moulding. It is easily adaptable to usual type of containers.

In an advantageous embodiment, one of the lower or upper container may be squeezable, i.e. deformable by hand. This way, the user may press the squeezable container in order to help dispensing the product

In a first embodiment, the lower container is a squeezable bottle or vial and the upper container is a rigid non-squeezable container. Alternatively, the lower container may be a classic non-squeezable or rigid container and the upper container, in particular when it is a dispensing nozzle, may be squeezable.

The present application also relates to a method of using the device according to the invention, comprising the step of rotating the upper container relatively to the lower container in order to eject of the blocking element from the plug and uncover the passageway to allow communication between the upper and lower containers. The present invention will be better understood from studying the following detailed description of an embodiment considered by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing the various components of said device.

- Figures 2a, 2b, 2c are partial longitudinal views of the device of figure 1 in its various configurations.

- Figure 3 shows the plug 300 from the ejection side of the pusher 316.

- Figure 4 is an assembled view in a longitudinal section of a device 200 according to second embodiment of the invention.

- Figure 5 is a detailed view of the plug used in the device of figure 4.

- Figure 6 shows the operation/method of using the device 200 of figure 4 according to the invention.

- Figure 7 illustrates the method for dispensing the mixture through the upper container of the device of figure 4 by squeezing the upper container.

Figures 1 and 2 show a device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present application. Device 100 is used for packaging two products A, B separately and dispensing a mixture M of these two products on first use. The device 100 may be used for packaging different types of products such as cosmetic products or food products that might be heterogeneous and that must be kept separated during transport and storage.

The device 100 comprises an upper container 120 delimiting a first product cavity 125 containing the first product A and a lower container 110 delimiting a second product cavity 115 containing the second product B.

Lower container 110 and upper container 120 are arranged so that they are capable of rotating one relative to the other about a longitudinal axis of the device 100 to the other without moving axially.

As shown on figures 1 and 2, the lower container 110 is a vial comprising a peripheral wall 111, a closed bottom 112 and an opposite open neck 113 together delimiting the first cavity 115. The lower container 110 is integrally made from a thermoplastic material. Of course, the lower container is not limited neither in shape nor in material and may for example be made of glass and/or have a rounded bottle shape as shown on figures 4 and 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the neck 113 has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the body of the lower container 110 and comprises, on its outer surface, two outer annular shoulders 113a delimiting an annular groove 113b.

The upper container 120 is in the form of a cap inserted in the neck of the lower container and comprises a central dispensing chimney or duct forming the second cavity 125 and containing the second product B. The upper container 120 comprises a terminal dispensing orifice 126 covered with a removable terminal cap 123.

More specifically the lower container is a squeezable vial 110. Squeezability helps for the dispensing of the mixture M through the upper container dispensing120 orifice 126.

Alternatively, the upper container 120 may present an upper portion shaped with a frangible end piece. At the time of use, the frangible piece is broken away in order to open a dispensing orifice in flow communication with the internal cavity. For the description of a breakable ampule, one may refer to document EP1918214 for example.

The upper container 120 is rotatably mounted on the lower container 110 by way of an assembly peripheral skirt 122 provided on its radially inner surface with an annular bead 122a cooperating with the annular groove 113b of the lower container by snap-fit attachment, such that the upper container 120 is held axially relative to the lower container 110, while allowing a rotating movement one relative to the other.

In an alternate embodiment, the upper container 120 may be threadably engaged on the neck of the lower container 110 and thus also move axially when rotated.

The upper container 120 has an annular inner sealing skirt 128 extending substantially along the longitudinal axis X-X’ down into the neck 113. The sealing lip 128 is peripheral and bears closely against the radially inside surface of the neck 113, which surface is annular, thereby providing sealing between the lower container 110 and the upper container 120 without preventing relative rotation between the containers.

According to the present invention, the device further comprises a plug 300, separately shown on figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 4, arranged between the first cavity 115 and the second cavity 125.

The plug 300 is hollow and defines a communication passageway 314 between the two containers, opening both on the first cavity 115 of the lower container 110 and the second cavity 125 of the upper container 120.

More precisely, the plug 300 is mounted inside the neck of the lower container 110 and is fixed securely in said neck so that it does not move relatively to the lower container 110.

As shown, the hollow plug 300 is forced-fitted inside the neck and blocked into rotation by way of longitudinal ribs 311 arranged around said base and intended to cooperate with corresponding longitudinal grooves on an inner surface of the neck 113. The plug 300 may also be blocked longitudinally by way of a peripheral annular rib 312. In the exemplified embodiment, annular rib 312 is intended to clip inside a corresponding inner groove of the neck inner skirt of the upper container. The peripheral annular rib 312 allows for the upper container to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the neck.

The opening of the plug orientated toward the first cavity forms a dock or seat configured to removably retain a ball 400 in the communication passageway 314. When in place inside the dock, the ball 400 forms a blocking element which closes the passageway between the two containers. In order to retain the ball 400, the corresponding opening of the plug may comprise an inward rim. The ball 400 may be slightly forced in or out of the dock by passing said rim.

The opening of the plug orientated toward the second cavity bears two pushers 316 which are each deformable between a rest position (figure 2a) , in which the pusher 316 is close to an inner surface of the upper container 110, and an active position (figure 2c) in which the pusher 316 is moved away from said inner surface toward the opening and inside the communication passageway.

The pushers 316 are positioned diametrically opposite each other around the plug 300.

The pushers 316 extend longitudinally from an upper surface of the plug. The pushers each present a radial portion orientated towards the first cavity 115 and shaped so that it barely contacts the blocking element (ball 400) in its rest position.

In the exemplified embodiment, the hollow plug 300 and the pushers are in one piece, preferably made from an elastomeric material so that the pushers 316 are elastically deformable and tend to return back in their rest position.

In addition to the described plug 300 and its pushers 316, the upper container is provided two protrusions 117 protruding from the inner circumferential surface. As for the pushers 316, the protrusions 117 are diametrically arranged around the inner circumferential surface of the upper container.

Protrusions 117 are in the form of longitudinal ribs extending on the inner surface along a longitudinal direction of the device 100. In addition, each rib has chamfered lateral surfaces 117a. The apex line of each rib 117 is rounded.

Before use, the protrusions are advantageously positioned 90° of the pushers. This way, the rotation course for activating the mixing is short enough while preventing accidental activation from an undesired rotation.

As shown on figures 2a, 2b, 2c, the protrusions 117 are positioned so that when the upper container 110 is rotated relatively to the lower container, the course of the protrusions 117 interferes with the pushers 316. Thanks to the chamfered lateral surfaces, when the user continues to rotate the two containers, the protrusions 117 smoothly passes under the corresponding pusher, thus moving it from its rest position to its active position.

By doing so, the pushers 316 force against the ball 400 an eject it from its seating dock into the lower container. Once the ball has been ejected, the passageway between the two container is open and the product contained in the upper container falls inside the first container.

In order to prevent the blocking element from going back into the seat or docked position, especially when shaking the device or inverting the device in order to dispense the mixture through the terminal opening of the duct forming the upper container, the opening of the plug orientated toward the first cavity presents at least one(three exemplified) radially projecting dots arranged on an inner circumferential surface.

Figure 3 shows three radially projecting dots 320. However, the number of dots 320 is not limited to three and may be for example equal to one, two or three, or higher. After the ball has been ejected the projecting dots thus ensure that a minimal space will always be present should the ball come back toward its docking seat. Thus the mixture can always flow through the plug passageway.

Figure 4 shows an alternate embodiment of a device 200 in which the lower container 220 is made of glass and has a rounded bottle shape. Contrary to the device 100 where the lower container was advantageously squeezable, device 200 advantageously comprises a squeezable upper container 210. In particular, the upper container 210 is made from a thermoplastic material and has two opposite lateral elastomeric flanges 118, obtained for example by overmolding of bi-injection processes. Squeezability may also be obtained by providing the upper container with thinner portions that bring flexibility.

Since it is more difficult to make a glass container with inner ribs, the device 200 of figure 5 uses a slightly differently shaped plug 300’. More precisely, attachment of the plug 300’ in the neck of the lower container is made through a U-shaped skirt 310 extending downward from the plug (i.e. from the side of the blocking element) and going back up along the inner neck surface before forming a shoulder for passing over the edge of the neck opening.

The skirt 128 from the upper container 110 is to be inserted between the pushers 316 and the U-Shaped skirt 310. It is worth noting that said U-Shape skirt, in particular its shoulder part going over the edge of the neck can be used to ensure proper sealing of the various parts. Of course, said structure of plug 300’ is not limited to a glass bottle lower container and may be used with other containers.

As for plug 300, plug 300’ is fixed inside the neck and prevented from rotating with regards to said lower container. Such a blocking may be obtained through tabs arranged on an outside surface of the neck and acting as stops to a complementary tab of the skirt of the plug.

As illustrated on figure 6, use of the device 100 is substantially as follows: first the user rotates the upper container 120 relative to the lower container 110. By doing so the protrusion forces the pusher 316 in its active position, thus exerting a force on the blocking element 400 so that it passes the inward rim and is pushed out of its seat or dock. The pusher then regains its initial rest position thus clearing the communication passageway 314. The first product A falls and mixes with product B in the lower cavity 125. The ball 400 may then be used as a mixing element for homogenizing the mixture of the two product when shaking the packaging device. The mixture may then be dispensed through dispensing orifice 116 after removal of cap 113. In order to ease and more precisely control the dispensing of the mixture, the user may press on the squeezable parts of the upper container as appropriate. Use is similar for device 100.

Claims

Device (100, 200) for packaging two products (A, B) separately and dispensing a resulting mixture (M) on a first use, said device comprising an upper container (120, 210) delimiting a first product cavity (115) for containing a first product (A) and a lower container (110, 220) having an upper portion forming a neck (113) and delimiting a second product cavity (125) for containing a second product (B) , said containers (120, 210; 110, 220) being capable of rotating one relative to the other, the device (100) further comprising a hollow plug (300, 300’) fixed securely in the neck (113) of the lower container (110, 220) and defining a communication passageway (314) between the two containers,

the device (100, 200) being characterized in that:

- the plug (300, 300’) forms a dock (315) configured to removably retain a blocking element (400) in the communication passageway (314) , and comprises at least one pusher (316) which is deformable between a rest position, in which the pusher (316) is close to an inner surface of the upper container (120) , and an active position in which the pusher (316) is moved away from said inner surface inside the communication passageway (314) ,

- and in that the upper container (120) is provided with at least one protrusion (117) protruding from the inner circumferential surface, said protrusion (117) being configured such that when the upper container (120) is rotated, said protrusion (117) forces the pusher (316) in its active position against the blocking element (400) so as to eject it from the dock (315) into the lower container (110) , causing the passageway to open and thus allowing mixing of the two products.
Device (100) for packaging two products according to claim 1, wherein the upper container (120) is provided with at least one pair of protrusions (117) , said protrusions being preferably positioned diametrically opposite each other.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the plug (300) comprises at least one pair of pushers (316) , said pushers being positioned preferably diametrically opposite each other.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one protrusion (117) is perpendicularly disposed to one pusher (316) before first use.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper container (120) is threadedly engaged with the neck (123) of the lower container (110) .
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper container (120) is rotationally engaged with the lower container (120) without moving axially.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the blocking element (400) is a ball, preferably a metallic ball.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protrusion (117) is a longitudinal rib, preferably having a chamfer along a lateral surface, preferably on both lateral surfaces.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pusher (316) is elastically deformable.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plug (300) is provided with at least one radially projecting dot (320) in a circumferential surface, opposite the pusher (316) .
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hollow plug (300) and the pusher are in one piece, preferably made from an elastomeric material.
Device (100) for packaging two products separately according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which one of the lower or upper container may be squeezable, i.e. deformable by hand.
Method of using a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the step of rotating the upper container relatively to the lower container in order to eject of the blocking element from the plug and uncover the passageway to allow communication between the upper and lower containers.