EP0794906B1 - Improvement to containers particularly pots or the like - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an improvement for container such as a pot or the like. It aims more particularly but not specifically containers for cosmetic products and perfumery.

Nowadays, we know the importance of containers used in the perfume industry and especially those marketed regarding skin care creams, like, for example, liposome-based creams. These containers should the consumer present an attractive distinctive appearance, while being compliance with the rules of elementary hygiene or dictated by quality standards.

The containers known and marketed today are consisting of closed glass or plastic pots by a cover or closure cap which generally screws on the body of the pot. But if the current containers are attractive on the aesthetically, this is not entirely the case in terms of hygiene contained product which must be kept as airtight as possible. Of course, manufacturers preferably use plugs fasteners that most often include a seal flexible seal interposed between said plug and the flange of the opening of the pot, to allow a good closing; but this guy despite its appearance, is not entirely satisfactory. This is why the perfumers thought to proceed to a sealing of the pot filled with cream to obtain a perfect seal before use of the product. But, in this case, the sealing operation must then be done by the perfumer after filling the pot and before placing the plug. It is therefore an additional operation for the perfumer, and therefore expensive. In addition, the establishment of the cover, while the container already contains the cream, may cause soiling and bring bacteria harmful to product hygiene.

We have already proposed pots solving the problem lidding like, for example, that disclosed in the application French No. 83 02 469 published under number 2 540 834, according to which the cover is put on an independent additional piece added on a traditional pot.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks previously mentioned by proposing a new conception of container, which has a number of advantages, both for the manufacturer of it only for the perfumer who will have the task of fill. The container of the invention is equipped with a cleanliness cover for which the perfumer will not be responsible, since he is part of a additional part, put in place after filling.

Thus, the container of the invention consists of a closed jar by a stopper, said pot being of the type constituted by a body of container formed by a first peripheral wall forming the enclosure intended to receive the container (13) and to which is attached a part intermediate comprising the cover, the plug cooperating with said intermediate piece, said container being characterized in that the wall outside of the pot is made up in whole or in part by a second peripheral wall of the container body separated from the first wall by an interval receiving the intermediate piece.

According to additional features, the container body includes the second peripheral wall spaced from the first peripheral wall to create a peripheral space between the two walls. Knowing that in a preferred solution, said second peripheral wall is connected to the lower transverse wall constituting the bottom of the pot to extend upward.

According to another additional characteristic, the body of container is formed by a first peripheral wall forming the enclosure intended to receive the container such as, for example, cosmetic cream, said enclosure being open upwards and closed downwards by a lower transverse wall constituting the bottom of the pot.

Add that the intermediate piece has the general shape of a ring and is constituted by an intermediate peripheral wall cylindrical forming a central cylindrical housing, the upper part of the external face of the wall comprising an external thread intended for cooperate with the internal thread of the plug, while said part intermediate includes a removable cover secured to the border superior of the peripheral wall, and that the peripheral wall intermediate of the intermediate piece is extended downwards by a peripheral wall extending downward.

Note that there are provided locking means ensuring the locking in rotation and in translation of the intermediate piece by relation to the container body.

According to a first embodiment, the external wall of the pot is formed at least in part by the peripheral wall of the body of container and partly through the peripheral wall of the intermediate piece, while according to a variant, the external wall of the pot consists entirely by the second peripheral wall of the container body.

Other advantages of the invention will emerge of the description which will follow with regard to the appended drawings which are not given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

La figure 1 est une vue latérale avec une demi-coupe radiale.

La figure 2 est une vue de dessus avec une demi-coupe selon II-II et une section partielle selon A-A.

La figure 3 est une vue éclatée latérale avec demi-coupe montrant les différents éléments constituants le récipient.

La figure 4 est une vue éclatée en perspective montrant, comme la figure 3, tous les éléments constituants le récipient.

La figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 3, montrant les éléments du récipient dans une position intermédiaire avec mise en place du joint dans le bouchon et de l'opercule sur la pièce intermédiaire.

La figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 5 mais dans une représentation en perspective.

La figure 7 est une vue latérale avec demi-coupe montrant le récipient avec ses sous ensembles tel qu'il peut être livré au laboratoire pour le remplissage.

La figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 7 mais dans une représentation en perspective.

Les figures 9, 10, 11 et 12 illustrent en perspective l'utilisation du récipient de l'invention.

Les figures 13 et 14 illustrent une variante d'exécution, la figure 13 étant une vue similaire à la figure 1, tandis que la figure 14 représente la pièce complémentaire servant de lest.

Les figures 15 et 16 illustrent une variant d'exécution concernant le procédé de mise en place de l'opercule.

Les figures 17, 18 et 19 représentent un deuxième mode de réalisation selon lequel la pièce intermédiaire forme en partie la paroi extérieure du pot.

La figure 20 est une vue latérale avec demi-coupe d'une variante d'exécution.

Figures 1 to 12 illustrate a first embodiment of a container according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view with a radial half-section.

Figure 2 is a top view with a half-section along II-II and a partial section along AA.

Figure 3 is an exploded side view with half-section showing the various elements constituting the container.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing, like Figure 3, all the components of the container.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the elements of the container in an intermediate position with positioning of the seal in the stopper and of the seal on the intermediate piece.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but in a perspective representation.

Figure 7 is a side view with half-section showing the container with its subassemblies as it can be delivered to the laboratory for filling.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but in a perspective representation.

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate in perspective the use of the container of the invention.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative embodiment, Figure 13 being a view similar to Figure 1, while Figure 14 shows the complementary part serving as ballast.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an alternative embodiment concerning the method of fitting the cover.

Figures 17, 18 and 19 show a second embodiment according to which the intermediate piece partially forms the outer wall of the pot.

Figure 20 is a side view with half section of an alternative embodiment.

Note that most of these drawings are made voluntarily without the hatching and this to make them more readable. In addition, similar elements of the different embodiments will bear the same references. Note also that for all that will not be described expressly, the reader will refer to the drawings.

Figures 1 to 12 illustrate a first embodiment of a container according to the invention which bears the global reference (1). Said container consists of a pot (2) and a closure cap (3) which is advantageously of the screw type, the pot (1) being closed by screwing the closure cap (3), as is well known per se.

Said plug (3) therefore consists of a peripheral wall plug (4) and by a transverse upper wall (5) for constitute a plug cavity (6) open at the bottom, the bottom includes in position of use a seal (7), the thread internal (8) necessary being produced on the internal surface of the wall peripheral (4).

The pot (2) is made up according to the invention by assembling a container body (9) with an intermediate piece (10) whose function will be explained in more detail below description.

The container body (9) constitutes the container itself and is formed by a first cylindrical peripheral wall (11) forming the enclosure (12) intended to receive the container such as, for example, cosmetic cream (13). Said enclosure (12) being open towards the high and closed downwards by a lower transverse wall (14) constituting the bottom of the pot. Furthermore, the container body (9) comprises a second peripheral wall (15) connected to the wall lower transverse (14) to extend upward while being spaced from the first peripheral wall (11) and thus create a space peripheral (16) open upwards.

The intermediate piece (10) has the general shape of a ring and is constituted by a cylindrical intermediate peripheral wall (17) forming a central cylindrical housing (18). The upper part of the external face of the wall (17) comprises an external thread (19) while that the upper edge (20) bordering the opening (180) is extended inward by a peripheral projection (21) which, as will be seen further, is intended to bear on the upper edge (22) of the first peripheral wall of the container body. Add that the external thread (19) of the intermediate piece (10) is intended to cooperate with the internal thread (8) of the closure plug (3).

Furthermore, the peripheral wall (17) of the intermediate piece (10) is extended downwards by a wall extension (17a) and includes an annular lateral projection (170) serving as a stop and locking.

There is provided a cover (23) for cleanliness and sealing which is secured to the upper edge (20) of the intermediate piece (10). This lid is cylindrical and is constituted, for example, by a disc in thin aluminum which advantageously comprises a grip tab (24). The lid is fixed on the part intermediate by welding or bonding, according to known methods, as by conduction or welding by ultrasound, or by induction. Add that the placement of the cover (23) on the part intermediate (10), Figure 5, is done before the installation thereof on the container body (9).

In the assembled position of the pot (2), the intermediate piece (10) sealed (23) is secured to the container body. To this end, the wall extension (17a) of the intermediate piece is engaged in the peripheral space (16) of the body, namely, between the first wall (11) and the second wall (15). In this position, the intermediate piece (10) is fixed to the container body (9) to be integral with it. Also, said intermediate piece (10) is locked in rotation and in translation by relative to said body, by means of locking in rotation (28) and in translation (27).

The means for locking in rotation are, for example, formed by the cooperation of a succession of teeth (25) produced on the external surface of the first peripheral wall (11) of the body of container (9) with a succession of hollow profiles (26) produced on the internal face of the wall extension (17a) of the intermediate piece.

The translational locking means ensure the blocking final of the intermediate piece (10) on the container body (9) and are made, for example, by a device of the latching type (27).

Add that the container body (9) of the intermediate piece (10) and the closure cap are produced, for example, by injection a plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or other. Of course, the container body (9), the intermediate piece (10) and the plug (3) can be made from the same material. But he can be otherwise and each of the parts can therefore be made with different materials according to needs, and in particular depending on costs, problems of compatibility of the cream with the container wall or even needs for pure aesthetics.

We understand that under these conditions the concept according to the invention is particularly interesting because, thanks to the mounting of the pot (2) by assembling two parts, namely, the container body (9) and the intermediate piece (10), it is possible to draw pieces of which the wall thickness is constant, while allowing aspects of the whole container as varied as possible.

Furthermore, thanks to the cover (23) placed on the part intermediate (10) before mounting thereof, the container can be supplied in the cosmetology laboratory in the position as illustrated in figures 7 and 8. Namely, the pot proper (9) and an upper assembly (30) consisting of the intermediate piece (10) with its cover (23) on which is screwed on the closure cap (3) with its seal (7). The laboratory will only have to fill with cream (13) the enclosure (12) of the container body (9), Figure 9, then install the upper assembly in force (30) by fitting it on the container body (9), Figure 10, until the locking means (27, 28) click into place. The container can then be opened at leisure by the user, who will not that remove the plug (3), as in Figure 11, to access the cream (13) by removing the cover (23), as illustrated in FIG. 12.

In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, it can be put in place an additional part intended to weigh down the container. This can be constituted by a ballast (31) having the form a cylindrical ring made of a higher density material than the one from which the rest of the pieces are made. This ring can thus be made with high density resin or with charged resin whose density can be, for example, 2.5. It is housed in space peripheral (16) of the pot, as appears more clearly in the figure 13.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a variant according to which, in the container manufacturing process, a sealed seal is used (237) comprising the seal (7) and the cover (23), the two elements being initially united. The seal (237) is interposed between the plug (3) and the intermediate piece (10), as illustrated in the figure 16, the upper assembly (30) then being passed through an induction furnace causing, on the one hand, the separation of the seal (7) from the cover (23) and, on the other hand, the welding of said cover on the rim (20) of the part intermediate (10). The seal (7) of the seal seal is advantageously a assembly of a foam (71) sandwiched between two layers of polyethylene (70a, 70b).

Figures 17, 18 and 19 illustrate another embodiment according to which the intermediate piece (10) comprises a peripheral wall complementary external (32) intended to cooperate and come into continuation of the second peripheral wall (15) of the pot. We aknowledge in this embodiment that the invention presents a large number of possibilities in terms of the presentation of the container which can take also all shapes, presentations and dimensions.

By the description which has been made, it is noted that the wall outside of the pot (2) can be entirely constituted by a wall device (15) of the container body (9) and more particularly its second peripheral wall (15), as according to the embodiment of the Figures 1, 16 and 20, or partly formed by this wall peripheral (15) and partly by a peripheral wall secured to the intermediate piece (10) as illustrated in Figures 17, 18 and 19.

It goes without saying that we would not go beyond the scope of the invention if the cover (23) was of plastic type material such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride, or other, see an association of these materials in a cover consisting of several layers.

Claims (10)

1. Container (1) formed by a pot (2) closed by a stopper (3), said pot being of the type formed by a container body (9) formed by a first peripheral wall (11) forming the enclosure (12) intended to receive the contents and to which is joined an intermediate part (10) comprising the cover (23), the stopper (3) cooperating with said intermediate part (10), characterised in that the external wall of the pot (2) is completely or partially formed by a second peripheral wall (15) of the container body (9) separated from the first wall by a space receiving the intermediate part.
2. Container (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the container body (9) comprises the second peripheral wall (15) spaced from the first peripheral wall (11) to thus create a peripheral space (16) between the two walls (11, 15).
3. Container (1) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the second peripheral wall (15) is connected to the lower transverse wall (14) forming the base of the pot to extend upwards.
4. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container body (9) is formed by a first peripheral wall (11) forming the enclosure (12) intended to receive the contents such as cosmetic cream (13), for example, said enclosure (12) being open at the top and closed at the bottom by a lower transverse wall (14) forming the base of the pot.
5. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate part (10) has the general shape of a ring and is formed by a cylindrical intermediate peripheral wall (17) forming a cylindrical central housing (18), the upper portion of the outer face of the wall (17) comprising an external thread (19) provided for cooperation with the internal thread (8) of the stopper (3), while said intermediate part comprises a detachable cover (23) joined to the upper edge (20) of the peripheral wall (17).
6. Container (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the intermediate peripheral wall (17) of the intermediate part (10) is extended downwards by a peripheral wall (17a, 32) extending downwards.
7. Container (1) according to Claim 6, characterised in that the intermediate part (10) is fixed to the container body (9) by locking means (27, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36) ensuring blocking against rotational and translatory movement of the intermediate part (10) relative to the container body.
8. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed by a container body (9) and an upper assembly (30) formed by the intermediate part (10) with its cover (23) and the closing stopper (3).
9. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the external wall of the pot (2) is formed at least partially by the peripheral wall (15) of the container body (9) and partially by the peripheral wall (32) of the intermediate part (10).
10. Container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the external wall of the pot (2) is formed completely by the second peripheral wall (15) of the container body (9).

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