EP0598092A1

EP0598092A1 - Dual compartment container with means for mixing and dispensing the product.

Info

Publication number: EP0598092A1
Application number: EP93913101A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal Laine
Original assignee: SCOPIC
Current assignee: Societe de Conseils et dEtudes des Emballages SCEE
Priority date: 1992-06-09
Filing date: 1993-06-08
Publication date: 1994-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-08
Also published as: EP0598092B1; JPH08501753A; US5447226A; DE69307836T2; WO1993025454A1; DE69307836D1; CA2113649A1

Abstract

Conditionnement mélangeur pour deux composants à stocker séparément, et à mélanger extemporanément à la première utilisation. L'invention concerne un conditionnement mélangeur pour deux composants à stocker séparément et à mélanger extemporanément à la première utilisation, pourvu de deux compartiments (1, 2) contenant chacun l'un des composants, d'un moyen d'obturation (11) et de séparation étanche disposé, au repos, dans un passage de communication entre lesdits compartiments et qui est solidaire d'un élément de liaison (12) en prise avec un organe d'actionnement (16) rotatif. Le dispositif selon l'invention est remarquable en ce que l'élément de liaison (12) est solidaire en rotation de l'organe d'actionnement (16), mais libre et guidé en translation, tandis que le moyen d'obturation (11) et/ou élément de liaison (12) comportent un système de vissage de telle sorte que la rotation de l'organe d'actionnement (16) entraîne le dévissage du moyen d'obturation et/ou de l'élément de liaison et le soulèvement dudit moyen d'obturation qui se dégage de sa position d'obturation, alors que ledit élément de liaison coulisse dans l'organe d'actionnement (16).Mixer packaging for two components to be stored separately, and to be mixed immediately upon first use. The invention relates to a mixing package for two components to be stored separately and to be mixed immediately at the first use, provided with two compartments (1, 2) each containing one of the components, a sealing means (11) and sealed separation device disposed, at rest, in a communication passage between said compartments and which is integral with a connecting element (12) engaged with a rotary actuator (16). The device according to the invention is remarkable in that the connecting element (12) is integral in rotation with the actuating member (16), but free and guided in translation, while the closure means (11 ) and / or connecting element (12) comprise a screwing system so that the rotation of the actuating member (16) causes the unscrewing of the closure means and / or of the connecting element and the lifting of said closure means which disengages from its closed position, while said connecting element slides in the actuating member (16).

Description

TWO-COMPARTMENT CONTAINER WITH MEANS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING THE PRODUCT

The invention relates to a mixer packaging for two 05 components to be stored separately and to be mixed extemporaneously on first use, provided with two compartments each containing one of the components, with sealing and sealing means arranged in a passage. of communication between said compartments and of an opening system of said closure means to open at will said communication passage between the compartments and allow the components to be mixed.

The mixing packaging according to the invention is in particular intended, for example, for the separate storage of a dye and an oxidant for hair dyeing or also of a powder and a

Liquid for pharmaceutical products, or other veterinary and pharmaceutical products of the extemporaneous mixing type.

There are indeed products of this type which must be mixed only at the time of the first use.

There are a large number of such packaging. According to a known technique, the sealing means between the compartments is constituted by a film or sealed cover while the opening system comprises a means of perforation and / or cutting of said cover. In document EP-A-0260179, for example, a system of this type is described. According to another technique, the sealing means is a plug while the opening system makes it possible to expel said plug (for example by an unscrewing operation), said plug then remaining in one of the packaging compartments.

We also imagined devices in which the system

30 opening comprises a connecting element which is integral with the closure means and which is engaged with a rotary actuating member whose operation causes the opening of the communication passage by displacement of the closure means.

This is for example the case of the device described in document 35 EP-A-0243730, in which the sealing means, in the form of a plug, is pushed down by a connecting rod when the screw is screwed in. actuator. The device described in document US-A-5088627 also includes a plug and the connecting element which is tubular, is also integral with the actuating member so that the opening takes place here by unscrewing the actuator. In the two aforementioned cases, it is understood that the action member has a helical movement, that is to say combined movements of rotation and longitudinal translation.

In addition, in these known devices, the compartments are produced in a single container, the communication passage coming from a constricted part of the container, which presents significant difficulties to be solved in order to obtain a good seal.

The invention relates to a device of the general type mentioned above at the start and which further comprises, as specified above, a connecting element which is integral with the closure means and which is engaged with a rotary actuating member the maneuver causes the opening of the passage by displacement of the closure means.

However, this device is remarkable in that the connecting element is integral in rotation with the actuating member, but free and guided in translation, while the shutter means and / or the connecting element comprise a screwing system so that the rotation of the actuating member results in the unscrewing of the shutter means and / or of the connecting element and the lifting of said shutter means which emerges from its shutter position , while said connecting element slides in the actuating member.

Preferably, the communication passage is a conduit forming a tubular skirt or a neck and the closure means a cap which comes to close off said conduit while resting on it. According to one embodiment, each compartment is consti¬ killed by a separate container, said containers being connected to each other in leaktight manner by a junction ring.

In this case, for example, the communication conduit on which the cap is supported consists of a neck of one of the containers, which is introduced into an open end of the other container.

However, according to another embodiment, the conduit of communication on which the cap is applied is constituted by a tubular skirt of the junction ring, which opens at its two ends into opposite openings made in the containers. More particularly in this case, the openings facing the containers are constituted by necks on each of which the junction ring is connected in leaktight manner, while the tubular skirt of said ring extends in one of the containers from of the connection plan of said containers.

Another embodiment, the compartments of which come from the same container body, is remarkable in that one of the compartments consists of a tube which projects into said container from the bottom of the latter, the other compartment being produced by the volume of the container outside the tube, while the closure means comes to close at rest the mouth of said tube. The communication conduit between the compartments or the tube forming one of the compartments comprises, for example, a helical ramp intended to cooperate with a combined unscrewing means provided on the cap, so that the operation of the member actuation forces the cap to move away from said conduit or said tube in a helical movement.

In this case, the cap may comprise a sealing disc connected by lugs to a ring intended to surround the communication conduit or the tube forming one of the compartments and which is provided with the conjugate unscrewing means. To prevent any new closure between the compartments after the components have been mixed during the first use, the combined unscrewing means comprises, for example, at least one guide pin, while the helical ramp is open at the end. of the duct on which it is formed so that the lug or the guide lugs of the cap escape therefrom at the end of the race, preventing, after opening, any subsequent closure by return in the ramp of said one or more lugs. Advantageously, the extremity of the helical ramp has an asperity intended to be easily crossed by the lug (s) during the opening, but which reinforces the prevention of an untimely return in said ramp.

According to a particular embodiment, the actuating member is mounted at one end of one of the compartments and the connecting element comprises, on the side engaged with the actuating member, a screw ring intended to cooperate with a conjugate thread arranged at the corresponding end of said compartment. In this case of course, it is not necessary to provide a screwing means on the conduit or the tube forming the container.

The actuating member advantageously has a ring accessible from the outside, mounted free in rotation and provided with slides which extend in said compartment and which serve as means for taking in rotation and guiding in translation for the connecting rod. of the cap, the length of said slides being sufficient to allow said connecting element to move between the positions of respectively closing and opening of said means of closing.

The ring, accessible from the outside, can also be provided with a toothed crown which serves as a means for taking rotation and guiding in translation for the connecting element provided for this purpose with conjugate grooves.

Preferably in these cases, the actuating member covers and closes an opening in the compartment on which it is mounted in the manner of a capsule and comprises an orifice for dispensing the product from the mixture of the components, which orifice is temporarily closed.

Other particularities will appear (for example the shape of the connecting element, etc.) on reading the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a first embodiment, or a section along II of Figure 2 (a half-section represents the device in the storage position and the other half-section, the device in position of use),

FIG. 2 is a section on II-II of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows in elevation a possible communication conduit between the two packaging containers, FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the actuation member of the system for opening the device of the preceding figures,

FIG. 5 is a section on V-V in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a section on VI-VI of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows in elevation the closure cap and its connecting element,

FIG. 8 is a section on VIII-VIII of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is an end view along arrow F9 in FIG. 7,

FIGS. 10 and 11 are longitudinal sections of another embodiment according to the invention in the storage and use positions respectively,

FIG. 12 is a section on XII-XII of FIG. 10,

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section of another embodiment in the manner of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show in elevation and half-section, respectively the actuating member, the closure cap and its connecting element, and the body with two compartments of the device of FIG. 13.

The packaging according to the invention, represented in FIGS. 1 to 9, comprises two compartments in the form of two receptacles respectively upper 1 and lower 2, here of circular section, connected together so as to have facing openings, delimited by necks 3 and 4 respectively. These necks and more particularly the neck 4 can be narrower and connected to the corresponding container by a tray part. Containers 1 and 2 are tightly connected by a junction ring 5 which, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, comprises a plate 6 which defines the junction plane of the necks 3 and 4 and from which the sealing skirts 7 extend , 7 ′ inside said necks 3 and 4, the ring 5 also comprising connection rings 8 and 9 which extend on either side of the plate 6.

The plate 6 which is here circular, is pierced in its center and has a conduit 10 in the form of a tubular skirt, which is coaxial with the necks 3 and 4 and which extends into the upper container 1. The shape of the plate 6 depends of course on that of the containers (simple ring in this embodiment).

In this way, it is understood that the two containers 1 and 2 can communicate with each other through said conduit 10.

A means of closing off said conduit consists of a cap 11 provided with a connecting element or rod 12, here in the form of an openwork plate here in its center, the cap 11 and the plate 12 being shown more particularly on Figures 7 to

9.

The cap 11 comprises a sealing disc 11a connected by lugs 11b (FIG. 10) to a ring II (FIGS. 9 and 10).

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the ring 11 is intended to surround the duct 10 while the disc 11 a allows it to be closed (left part of said figure).

As shown more particularly in Figure 3, the conduit 10 has a helical ramp 13 or thread which is intended to cooperate with internal lugs 14, 15, or the like, formed in the ring binds.

In this way, a rotation in the direction of unscrewing the cap 11 causes a helical movement which separates the disc 11a 'from the conduit 10.

To rotate the cap 11, the invention provides an actuating member 16, more particularly shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

The actuating member 16 is engaged with the connecting plate 12 of the cap 11 as will be seen in more detail below.

The actuating member has the form of a capsule and it covers and obturates an opening of the upper container 1, opening bounded by a collar 17.

As shown in FIG. 1, the member 16 is mounted in leaktight manner in the neck 17 of the container 1, for example by a skirt 18, but also in a free manner and can be actuated in rotation by means of a ring 19 which surrounds the said col 17.

In addition, the member 16 comprises an orifice 20 for distributing the product obtained after mixing, here temporarily closed by a detachable end piece 21 (it could also be a removable plugging means). The member 16 is provided with two slides 22a, 22b in the form of gutters (FIG. 6) which extend towards the interior of the container 1 and which are intended to guide the edges of the plate forming the connecting element 12.

The edges of the wafer 12 being taken in said slides, it is clear that a rotation of the member 16 (by means of its ring 19) causes a rotation of the wafer 12 and of the cap 11.

The aforementioned helical movement of the cap 11 (thanks to the ramp 13 and the pins 14, 15) is possible due to the freedom of translational movement of the plate 12 in the slides 22a, 22b. The lengths of the slides 22a and 22b and of the plate 12 are calculated so that the latter has sufficient clearance to move from the low shutter and storage position (left side of FIG. 1) to the high position opening (right side of said figure 1).

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the helical ramp 13 is open, that is to say that the pins of the cap can escape at the end of the race. Asperity such as 23

(Figure 3) may also be provided for the reasons which will be recalled below.

The use is simple to understand.

The lower container 2 is filled with powder or a liquid.

The container 2 is then closed by placing the cap 11 and its plate 12 until the disc 11a hermetically sits on the conduit 10 (the pins 14, 15 being available in the ramp 13). The container 1 is then filled and the latter is closed with the member 16 forming a capsule, by fixing the ring 19 on the outside of the neck 17 and taking care that the slides 22a, 22b come into proper engagement with the plate 12. To avoid any risk of inadvertent opening, all kinds of tamper-evident means can be provided such as a protective cap or labels, plates or the like, straddling the ring 19 of the member 16 and a wall of the container 2, like the label 24 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, for the first use, after tearing off the label 24, the ring 19 is turned in the direction of unscrewing (the rotation of the plate 12 in the component is facilitated due to its central recess), the cap 11 is thus raised as already explained, so that the two containers 1 and 2 communicate and that the components which they contain can mix (the components can pass between the tabs 11b of the cap 11).

To distribute the product from the mixture in the embodiment shown, it then suffices to cut or break the end piece 21. It is important to note that after unscrewing, the pins 14, 15 of the cap leave the helical ramp 13, so that it is no longer possible then to close the conduit 10, the ring 19 then rotating in a vacuum.

The roughness 23 provided at the end of travel of the ramp 13 and which is crossed by the lugs at the time of unscrewing, prevents any return of the lugs in said ramp.

This can be important, to avoid repositioning the device in the storage position after mixing.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 12, the same references are used for similar means and only the main references are mentioned.

This embodiment differs from that described above, mainly because the conduit 10 for communication between the containers consists of a neck of the lower container 2 instead of a tubular skirt of the junction ring.

In addition, here, the connecting element 12 of the cap has the shape of a cross-section rod, the slides of the member 16 then being, for example, four in number.

However, here, the junction ring 5 has no part which can be introduced into the container 2, the sealing then being ensured by the cooperation of skirts 25, 26 fitted respectively on the cap 11 and on the ring 5 as shown in Figures 10 and 11.

It is clear that the materials of the containers can be varied, flexible or not and different, for example glass or PVC for the lower container and flexible polyethylene for the other, etc. This is important because, depending on the products to be mixed, the materials used for each compartment must, in certain cases, be different, for example with the use of an oxidizing product, which is not possible with devices described in the aforementioned documents EP-A-0243730 and US-A-5088627. However, the invention also provides that the compartments can be made from an element in one piece. However, in this case, the invention proposes an entirely original embodiment which avoids the drawbacks of the container, the compartments of which are produced by a simple tightening of said container, such a known device being generally manufactured by extrusion. blowing, while in the embodiment according to the invention which is shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the body forming the two compartments can be obtained by injection.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 of course includes an opening system of the type described in the previous figures, however with variants which could be used in the embodiments previously described, as well as the system of The opening of Figures 1 to 12 could be used here. For this embodiment (Figures 13 to 16), as for that of Figures 10 to 12, similar or equivalent means carry the same references.

Thus, in particular, there are two compartments 1 and 2, a closure cap 11 secured to a connecting element 12 engaged with an operating member 16 provided with a ring 19. We also find the orifice 20 and the nozzle 21.

However here, the two compartments 1 and 2 come from the same container body 26 in the bottom of which protrudes a tube 27, the compartments 1 and 2 being produced by the respective volumes outside and inside the tube 27, while the cap 11 is provided for closing the mouth of said tube 27 The cap 11 here comprises a plate 28, an inner sealing skirt 29 and an outer guide skirt 30 with opening 31.

By cons, it is understood that the cap 11 is not provided here with screw means, these means being provided on the connecting element 12. In fact, if the connecting element 12 is presented as previously under the form of a perforated plate, it is it which comprises at its end opposite to the cap 11 screwing means.

The latter are in the form of a screw ring 32, more particularly visible in FIG. 15, internally provided with longitudinal grooves 33 and a sealing skirt 34.

The ring 19 of the member 16 also has openings 35 (FIG. 14) intended to produce internal projections 36 while it is internally provided with a sealing skirt 37 and a toothed crown 38. Furthermore , in the embodiment shown, it can be seen that the ring 19 is connected to the duct 20 by shaded plates.

As shown again in FIG. 13 and more particularly in FIG. 16, the end of the inner tube 27 has a groove 39 and the open end of the body of the container 26 is provided with a ring 40, itself provided with a base 41, an internal thread 42 and an external rib 43, the part 44 above the thread 42 being perfectly calibrated.

The three parts 16, 12 and 26 which have just been described are advantageously manufactured by injection.

As for the other embodiments described, the filling is simple.

The compartment 2 is first filled with a first product and the said compartment 2 is closed by the cap 11 and in particular its sealing skirt 29 during the positioning of the connecting element 12 by screwing its ring 32 into the thread 42 of the ring 40 of the body 26. It then suffices to condition the second product by filling the compartment 1 and to clip the operating member 16 onto the ring 40 by forcing the projections 36 of the ring 19 of the member 16 to be placed under the rib 43 of said ring 40, so that the operating member 16 is immobilized in translation, but free in rotation, the sealing skirt 37 coming into the calibrated part 44 of the body 26.

The toothed crown 38 of the element 16 engages with the grooves 33 of the screw ring 32 of the element 12. It is understood that at the time of the first use, it then suffices to turn the ring 19, such so that the cooperation of the crown 38 and the grooves 33 thus allows the element 12 to turn and unscrew from the body 26, which has the effect of lifting the cap 11 and therefore putting the compartments 1 into communication and 2.

It is clear that the element 16 being immobile in translation, during unscrewing, it is the element 12 which slides in the member 16 by cooperation of the crown 38 and the aforementioned grooves 33.

To distribute the product, it then suffices, as in the other embodiments, to cut or break the element 21.

One can of course provide a non-return means blocking in reverse translation the element 12 (roughness, ...).

We understand that the operation is quite similar to that of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 12, the connecting element 12 being driven in rotation while sliding in the member 16, the latter being immobilized in translation .

It is also quite clear, as already said, that the screwing system of the embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 16 could be provided on the tube 27 and the cap 11, as already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, from even that the screwing system of the embodiments of said figures 1 to 12 could be of the type described in the last embodiment, it being understood that it is sufficient that it is provided on the element 12 or the cap 11 which are united.

In addition, the slides of the first embodiments can of course be replaced by a ring gear and cannelu¬ res and vice versa.

Claims

- CLAIMS

1) Mixer packaging for two components to be stored separately and to be mixed extemporaneously on first use, provided with two compartments (1,2) each containing one of the components, a sealing means (11) and watertight separation disposed, at rest, in a communication passage between said compartments and which is integral with a connecting element (12) engaged with a rotary actuating member (16) whose operation causes the opening of the communication passage between the compartments by displacement of the closure means in order to allow the mixing of the components, characterized in that the connecting element (12) is integral in rotation with the actuating member (16 ), but free and guided in translation, while the sealing means (11) and / or the connecting element (12) comprise a screwing system so that the rotation of the actuating member (16 ) involves unscrewing the sealing means n and / or of the connection element and the lifting of said closure means which emerges from its closure position, while said connection element slides in the actuation member (16).

2) mixer packaging according to claim 1, caracté¬ ized in that the communication passage is a conduit (10) forming a tubular skirt or a neck and the sealing means a cap (11) which closes said conduit at rest by applying on it.

3) mixer packaging according to claim 2, each compartment of which is constituted by a separate container (1,2), said containers being connected to each other in leaktight manner by a junction ring (5), characterized in that the communication conduit - Cation on which the cap (11) is supported consists of a neck (10) of one (2) of the containers, which is introduced into an open end of the other (1) container.

4) mixer packaging according to claim 2, each compartment of which is constituted by a separate container (1,2), said containers being connected to each other in leaktight manner by a junction ring (5), characterized in that the communication conduit ¬ cation on which the cap (11) is applied is constituted by a tubular skirt (10) of the junction ring (5), which opens at its two ends into facing openings made in the containers (1,2).

5) mixer packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the openings facing the containers (1,2) are constituted by necks (3,4) on each of which the junction ring (5) is connected sealingly, while the tubular skirt of said ring extends into one (1) of the containers from the connection plane of said containers. 6) mixer packaging according to one of claims 1 and 2, the compartments (1,2) of which come from the same container body (26), characterized in that one (2) of the compartments is constituted by a tube (27) which projects into said container (26) from the bottom thereof, the other compartment (1) being produced by the volume of the container (26) external to the tube (27), while the means obturation obturates at rest the mouth of said tube (27).

7) mixer packaging according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the conduit (10) for communication between the compartments or the tube (27) forming one of the compartments, comprises a helical ramp (13) intended to cooperate with a conjugate unscrewing means (14,15) provided on the cap (11), so that the operation of the actuating member forces the cap to move away from said conduit (10) or said tube (27 ) in a helical movement. 8) mixer packaging according to claim 7, caracté¬ ized in that the cap (11) comprises a sealing disc (lia) connected by lugs (11b) to a ring (lie) intended to surround the conduit (10) communication or the tube (27) forming one of the reci¬ pients, and which is provided with the conjugate means (14,15) unscrewing. 9) mixer packaging according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the combined unscrewing means comprises at least one guide pin (14,15) and in that the helical ramp (13) is open to the end of the conduit (10) or of the tube (27) on which it is formed so that the lug or the lugs (14,15) for guiding the cap (11) escape therefrom at the end of the race, preventing, after opening, any subsequent closure by returning to the ramp of said one or more lugs. 10) mixer packaging according to claim 9, charac¬ terized in that the end of the helical ramp (13) has an asperity (23) intended to be easily crossed by the lug (s) (14,15) during the opening, but which reinforces the prevention of an untimely return in said ramp (13).

11) Mixer packaging according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the actuating member (16) is mounted at one end of one (1) of the compartments and in that the élé¬ ment (12) of connection comprises, on the side engaged with the actuating member (16), a screw ring intended to cooperate with a conjugate thread arranged at the corresponding end of said compartment (1).

12) Mixer packaging according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the actuating member (16) is mounted at one end of one (1) of the compartments and has a ring (19 ) accessible from the outside, freely rotatably mounted and provided with slides (22a, 22b) which extend in said compartment (1) and which serve as means for taking rotation and guiding in translation for the connecting element (12) of the shutter means (11), the length of said slides being sufficient to allow said connecting element (12) to move between the respective positions of shutter and opening of the shutter means (11 ).

13) Mixer packaging according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the actuating member (16) is mounted at one end of one (1) of the compartments and has a ring (19 ) accessible from the outside, freely rotatably mounted and provided with a toothed ring (38) which serves as a means for taking rotation and guiding in translation for the connecting element provided for this purpose with grooves (33) combined .

14) mixer packaging according to one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the actuating member (16) covers and closes an opening (17) of the compartment (1) on which it is mounted in the manner of a capsule and comprises an orifice (20) for dispensing the product coming from the mixture of the components, which orifice is temporarily closed (21). 15) Mixer packaging according to one of claims 1 14, characterized in that the connecting element (12) of the closure means (11) is in the form of an openwork wafer.