EP1475315B1 - Assembly for storage and application of a liquid product - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator (10) for a liquid product package comprising a container (20) with a free rim (23) to define an opening, which is covered by a sealing closure (40) with a clip or screw lock, where the applicator nozzle (30) is attached to the container, and has an opener (38) to pierce the closure and free the flow path from the container, is new. An applicator (10), for a liquid product package comprises a container (20) with a free rim (23) to define an opening, which is covered by a sealing closure (40) with a clip or screw lock, where the applicator nozzle (30) is attached to the container, and is fitted with a distribution opening (36) as a flow path from the interior of the container to the application surface, the nozzle has an opener (38) to pierce the closure and free the flow path from the container and the applicator nozzle has a screw thread (32) to fit on to the container.

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for the packaging and application of a fluid product, and in particular to a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or dermopharmaceutical product. The set is particularly useful for the packaging and application of a hair product such as a lotion preventing hair loss.

The products intended to prevent hair loss are applied in the form of several doses that are applied in a spaced manner over time.

Such products may be packaged in self-breakable ampoules, for example, glass ampoules. However, there is a risk of injury when breaking the ampoule as well as during the application of the product since we put the broken end of the ampoule, which can be sharp, in contact with the scalp.

These products can alternatively be packaged in small bottles on which is fixed removably a plastic dispensing tip. It is therefore desirable that such a tip can easily be mounted on a bottle, and then removed from the bottle to be attached to another bottle corresponding to another dose.

In other fields of application, packaging and application assemblies formed by a receptacle on which is fixed an applicator tip are known. GB 2 249 078 for example describes a container containing a fluid such as paint, on which is screwed an applicator tip. In this document the tip is screwed onto the already open container. It is therefore necessary to open the container beforehand when it is closed, and then screw the tip, which requires two separate gestures.

Documents FR 2 811 372, US Pat. No. 5,042,690 and US Pat. No. 4,898,923 describe application devices formed by a receptacle sealed by a closure element and on which an applicator tip is fixed. In these documents, the container is opened during the introduction of the tip which perforates the closure element.

However, all these documents describe containers whose opening is closed by a membrane or a heat-sealed or welded film. The manufacturing cost of these containers thus closed is relatively important.

The document FR 2,236,748 describes a dispensing nozzle screwed onto the neck of a tube which is initially closed by a lid formed integrally with the neck of the tube. The tip comprises a cutting element intended to pierce the lid when screwing the tip on the neck of the tube. The tip further comprises at its base a detachable ring which abuts against the shoulder of the tube and which keeps the cutting element away from the lid. Before a first use, the ring is torn from the rest of the tip so that we can continue the screwing of the tip on the neck to bring the cutting element on the lid to cause the drilling of the cap. To dispense the product, it is necessary to press the walls of the tube so as to push the product into the nozzle and out through dispensing orifices provided on the nozzle. With such a configuration, it is difficult to easily control the flow of the product out of the mouthpiece.

US 3,812,992 describes a bottle formed by a container surmounted by a pacifier. The container is initially closed by a metal seal which is crimped on the neck of the container, a seal being further compressed between the lid and the neck to improve the seal. Again, the manufacturing cost of these closed containers is relatively important. In addition, a hollow cutting tip is provided inside the nipple for, when screwing the teat on the bottle, pierce the cap, substantially all around its periphery. The tip extending over 360 °, significant friction is generated during screwing. Finally, such a device is not configured to easily apply the product on a head.

US 5,817,082 discloses a container for pharmaceuticals. The container is closed by an elastomeric stopper surmounted by a tip having a central point, through which there is a duct, intended to pierce the stopper at a point. The product is then distributed through the tip by simple gravity, turning the container over. Again, such a device does not allow to apply the product by easily controlling its flow.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a packaging and application assembly that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is particularly an object of the invention to provide such a set at a lower cost.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a packaging and application package that is simple to use.

It is also another object of the invention to provide such an assembly in which the tip can be used several times identically, on several containers.

It is also another object of the invention to provide a packaging and application assembly that makes it possible to apply the product accurately and easily.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide such an assembly which has a small bulk to condition in particular low doses of product.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a reduced size assembly whose ergonomics are adapted to use with one hand.

• un récipient comportant un bord libre définissant une ouverture,
• un élément de fermeture prévu pour fermer l'ouverture de manière étanche au produit, l'élément de fermeture étant fixé sur le récipient par encliquetage ou vissage ;
• un embout d'application, apte à se fixer sur le récipient, comportant
  • i) un orifice de distribution du produit apte à communiquer avec l'intérieur du récipient ;
  • ii) un organe d'ouverture prévu pour rompre l'organe de fermeture du récipient lors de la fixation de l'embout sur le récipient, afin d'établir une communication entre l'orifice de distribution et l'intérieur du récipient ;
  • iii) une paroi déformable apte à se déformer en réponse à une pression extérieure exercée sur l'embout de manière à commander la sortie du produit.

The subject of the invention is an assembly for the packaging and application of a fluid product comprising:

• a container having a free edge defining an opening,
• a closure member provided to seal the opening sealingly to the product, the closure member being secured to the container by snapping or screwing;
• an applicator tip, adapted to be fixed on the container, comprising
  • i) a product dispensing orifice adapted to communicate with the interior of the container;
  • ii) an opening member intended to break the closure member of the container during attachment of the tip to the container, in order to establish a communication between the dispensing orifice and the inside of the container;
  • iii) a deformable wall capable of deforming in response to an external pressure exerted on the nozzle so as to control the outlet of the product.

The closure member of the container being snapped or screwed, the assembly can be made less expensive than when the container is closed by a heat-sealed membrane.

In addition, the user makes only one gesture to both attach the tip to the container, and open the container so that the package and application package is relatively easy to use.

The tip may include a thread for fixing the tip on the container. It is thus easy to fix the tip on the container and remove it to use it again. Alternatively, the tip can be fixed by snapping on the container.

The deformable wall may be a curved wall or a bellows.

The tip can be obtained from molding in one piece. It can be made of molding from a single piece, in particular mono-material, or alternatively, the deformable wall can be made by overmoulding, in particular by bi-injection, an elastomeric material. This gives a set made in few pieces and therefore can be achieved at lower cost. The assembly comprises only three parts, the container, the closure cap and the tip.

The tip may comprise a cannula at the end of which is formed the dispensing orifice of the product. We can then apply the product accurately. The cannula can be eccentric on the tip. It can thus leave enough room, especially in the axis of the nozzle, to produce a deformable wall large enough to control the flow of the product.

The opening member may be in the form of a blade. The blade may be formed in the axial extension of a wall of the cannula so as not to increase the bulk of the assembly and further facilitate the release of the tip. This gives a relatively compact set.

The closure member may include a weakening zone capable of breaking upon engagement of the opening member with the closure member.

The closure element can be made of mono-material. Alternatively, the closure element can be made of two materials. The closure element may for example comprise a fastening skirt made of rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic material and a central part obtained by bi-injection of an elastomeric material. The closure element may also comprise a rigid thermoplastic or semi-rigid material fixing skirt and a central portion made of a film, for example of aluminum, welded to the fixing skirt.

The edge of the container and / or the closure member may include anti-rotation means provided to limit the rotational movement of the element closure relative to the container. The edge of the container may for example have roughnesses engaging with roughnesses formed on the closure member.

The container may have a concave bottom to facilitate thumb positioning. This improves the gesture of the application.

• un récipient comportant un bord libre définissant une ouverture,
• un élément de fermeture prévu pour fermer l'ouverture de manière étanche au produit, l'élément de fermeture étant fixé sur le récipient par encliquetage ou vissage ;
• un embout d'application, apte à se fixer sur le récipient, comportant
  • i) une canule à l'extrémité de laquelle est formé un orifice de distribution apte à communiquer avec l'intérieur du récipient, la canule étant excentrée sur l'embout ;
  • ii) un organe d'ouverture prévu pour rompre l'organe de fermeture du récipient lors de la fixation de l'embout sur le récipient, afin d'établir une communication entre l'orifice de distribution et l'intérieur du récipient.

The subject of the invention is, independently or in combination with the foregoing, an assembly for the packaging and application of a fluid product comprising:

• a container having a free edge defining an opening,
• a closure member provided to seal the opening sealingly to the product, the closure member being secured to the container by snapping or screwing;
• an applicator tip, adapted to be fixed on the container, comprising
  • i) a cannula at the end of which is formed a dispensing orifice adapted to communicate with the interior of the container, the cannula being eccentric on the tip;
  • ii) an opening member intended to break the closing member of the container during attachment of the tip to the container, in order to establish a communication between the dispensing orifice and the inside of the container.

The assembly according to the invention is particularly useful for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product, especially a hair product, the product may contain alcohol-based compounds.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective d'un ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue éclatée de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3A représente en coupe l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application de la figure 1 lors de la fixation de l'embout d'application sur le récipient ;
• la figure 3B représente en coupe l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application de la figure 1, lorsque l'embout d'application est monté sur le récipient ;
• la figure 4 illustre l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application de la figure 1 en cours d'utilisation ;
• la figure 5 illustre un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention ;
• la figure 6 illustre une variante de la capsule du flacon ;
• la figure 7 illustre l'organe d'ouverture de la capsule ; et
• la figure 8 illustre une variante de l'organe d'ouverture de la capsule.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 1;
• Figure 3A shows in section the packaging and application assembly of Figure 1 during attachment of the applicator tip on the container;
• Figure 3B shows in section the packaging and application assembly of Figure 1, when the applicator tip is mounted on the container;
• Figure 4 illustrates the packaging and application assembly of Figure 1 in use;
• FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 6 illustrates a variant of the capsule of the bottle;
• Figure 7 illustrates the opening member of the capsule; and
• Figure 8 illustrates a variant of the opening member of the capsule.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, an example of an assembly 10 according to the invention for the packaging and application of a liquid product for preventing hair loss can be seen. The assembly 10 comprises a receptacle 20 surmounted by an applicator tip 30.

The container 20 is in the form of a rigid bottle of thermoplastic material, for example PET. Alternatively, a bottle made of glass can be used. The bottle has for example a capacity of 6 ml. The bottle has a longitudinal axis X and comprises a cylindrical side wall 21 of revolution whose end is closed by a bottom 22. The bottom 22 is for example a concave wall, provided to facilitate the positioning of the thumb. The second end of the bottle ends with a free edge 23 which defines an opening 24.

To ensure the attachment of the applicator tip 30 to the bottle, the bottle has on its outer surface, near the free edge 23, a thread 25 provided to cooperate with a complementary thread provided on the inner surface of the applicator tip.

Between the thread 25 and the free edge 23, the outer surface of the bottle has grooves 26, whose function will be explained later, which extend parallel to the axis X. The striations 26 may extend over a portion only the periphery of the bottle, for example on two diametrically opposite annular portions on the bottle. Alternatively, the bottle may have streaks all over its periphery.

The bottle also has an annular groove 27 formed between the ridges 26 and the thread 25, and which allows, as will be seen later, the attachment of a capsule 40 on the bottle.

The applicator tip 30 is designed to be screwed onto the neck of the bottle. For this purpose, the tip has a fixing skirt 31 provided with a thread 32 on its inner surface provided to cooperate with the thread 25 of the bottle. Alternatively, it can be provided that the tip is fixed by snapping on the neck of the bottle.

The skirt 31 comprises, in its upper part, a radial shoulder 33 provided with a sealing ring 34 intended to bear tightly on the capsule 40, as seen in Figure 3B.

The fixing skirt extends beyond this shoulder by a cannula 35 delimiting an inner conduit 35a which opens, at the free end of the cannula, through a dispensing orifice 36 of the product. The cannula is formed on an edge of the nozzle, eccentrically relative to the axis X. The dimensions of the inner conduit 35a are chosen according to the viscosity of the product, in particular to prevent the product from flowing. by simple gravity.

The fixing skirt 31 is furthermore closed, in its upper part, by a convex wall 37. The curved wall 37 is able to deform when pressure is exerted in a direction parallel to the X axis so as to push in towards the inside of the mouthpiece. This deformation makes it possible to break the surface tension of the product inside the nozzle so as to allow the flow of the product towards the dispensing orifice 36.

The tip 30 also comprises an opening member 38 used to break a capsule 40, described later, which before use of the bottle, sealingly closes the opening 24 of the bottle. The opening member is a blade 38 which extends parallel to the axis X to a free edge 39 facing the bottle. The blade 38 is slightly curved so as to follow the contour of the fastening skirt 31 on only a portion of an arc of a circle. As seen in Figure 3A, the free edge 39 of the blade is beveled to facilitate its introduction into the capsule 40. The free edge 39 is further inclined relative to the plane of the capsule to break, as seen in the Figure 7, so as to come gradually in contact with the capsule. According to a variant illustrated in Figure 8, the free edge 39 has two parts inclined in two different slopes, a first part 39a, relatively inclined, which is intended to initiate the cutting of the capsule, and a second portion 39b, less inclined than the first, for finishes.

To limit the bulk of the assembly while producing a sufficiently large deformable wall, the blade 38 is formed in the axial extension of a wall of the cannula. This also facilitates the release of the tip.

To further improve the cut, the threads 25 and 32 preferably have a slight slope so that screwing the tip to the bottle requires more than one turn to be fully screwed. The capsule is then cut gently and it is safe to cut it enough to clear the opening of the bottle.

The tip is advantageously obtained by molding from a single piece. It can be made of a single thermoplastic material, in particular a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyamide. Alternatively, the curved wall 37 may be overmolded on the remainder of the tip, and made for example of elastomeric material, in particular rubber, for example Santoprene®. In both cases, a tip is obtained which can be washable so that it can be used several times.

According to a variant shown in FIG. 5, the convex wall 37 can be replaced by a bellows 137.

Before fixing the applicator tip 30, the bottle is closed by a capsule 40 of thermoplastic material, for example PET. The capsule is snapped onto the neck of the bottle. Alternatively, the capsule 40 could be screwed onto the bottle.

The capsule 40 is formed by a circular wall 41 which has a weakening zone 42 intended to be cut. The weakening zone 42 extends along a circle, preferably located near the periphery of the capsule to be able to clear substantially all the opening 24 of the bottle. The weakening zone 42 may be formed by a circular portion of the wall 41 which has a smaller thickness than the rest of the wall. Instead of having a smaller thickness all along the circle, the weakening zone can have a variable thickness, which can vary in particular in crenellations. The thickness may vary along the circle between two values repetitively, a first value corresponding to the thickness of the wall 41 and a second smaller value.

The circular wall 41 extends, beyond the thinner portion 42, by an axially extending fastening skirt 43, and which comprises an annular bead 44 on its inner surface intended to be housed in the groove 27 of the bottle. The fixing skirt 43 also has grooves on its inner surface, not visible in the figures, and which are intended to come into engagement with the striations 26 of the bottle. This is thus anti-rotation means that limit the rotational movement of the capsule on the bottle. Of course, one could provide, on the capsule and / or the bottle, any other form of roughness different streaks, which could have this anti-rotation function. Alternatively or in addition, it is possible to choose the internal diameter of the fixing skirt with respect to the external diameter of the bottle so that the tightening of the capsule 40 on the bottle limits the rotational movement of the capsule with respect to the bottle.

A sealing skirt 45, concentric with the fixing skirt, is also provided on the capsule. It extends axially from the circular wall 41, between the zone of smaller thickness 42 and the fixing skirt 43, to an end lip 46. The skirt bears tightly against the inner surface of the bottle. The lip 46 is slightly inclined towards the center of the skirt so as to facilitate the introduction and the centering of the sealing skirt 45 in the neck of the bottle during the attachment of the cap 40 to the bottle. Such a shape also facilitates the distribution of the capsules on a production line, in particular avoiding stacking them into each other. According to the example illustrated in Figure 2, the end lip 46 is continuous. According to a variant illustrated in Figure 6, the end lip is formed by tabs 47 which make it possible to obtain a more flexible lip.

The capsule 40 is also obtained from molding, in one piece, a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride or a polyamide. The capsule may be made of mono-material, or alternatively, the circular wall 41 may be made by bi-injection of an elastomeric material.

According to a variant not shown, the applicator tip 30 can be screwed, not on the bottle, but on the cap 40 which then has a thread on its outer wall. Alternatively again, the tip 30 can snap onto the bottle.

To use the device, the user grasps a bottle 20 closed by a capsule 40. It fixes the tip 30 on the bottle thus closed by screwing it on the neck. During screwing, the capsule remains fixed with respect to the bottle by virtue of the presence of grooves on the capsule which, by friction on the ridges 26 formed on the bottle, prevent any rotational movement of the capsule with respect to the bottle. During screwing, the blade 38 is gradually engaged with the circular portion 42 of lesser thickness of the capsule, as shown in Figure 3A, to break this portion. The dispensing orifice is then in communication with the inside of the bottle. At the end of screwing, the circular wall 41 of the capsule can be completely disengaged and fall into the bottle as shown in Figure 3B. Altematively, the circular wall 41 can remain attached to the capsule by a small radial portion.

The user can then apply the product by flipping the device and applying the cannula to his scalp. As seen in Figure 4, the user holds the applicator by positioning for example his thumb on the bottom of the container and his index on the curved wall. He can then control the exit of the product by pressing on the bulging wall to bring out the product. He just has to stop pressing to stop the flow. The user then perfectly controls the output of the product. The resulting set is very ergonomic and its miniature shape is suitable for use between two fingers so it is very convenient to use. In addition, the orifice being of small diameter and located at the end of the cannula, the product flows on the head very punctually which allows to apply the product with great control.

After having applied the contents of the bottle, the user can unscrew the tip 30 of the empty bottle for the purpose of reusing it later. The tip can indeed be reused on another bottle under the same conditions as when first used, preferably after having been washed.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (18)

1. Assembly for storage and application of a liquid product that includes:

   - a receptacle (20) that includes a free edge (23) defining an opening (24),

   - a closure element (40) provided in order to close the opening (24) in a product-tight manner;

   - an applicator (30), capable of being fastened on to the receptacle, that includes

   i) a dispensing orifice (36) capable of communicating with the inside of the receptacle;

   ii) an opening member (38) provided in order to break the closure element (40) of the receptacle when the applicator is fastened on to the receptacle in order to establish a communication between the dispensing orifice and the inside of the receptacle;

   the assembly being characterized in that the closure element is fastened on to the receptacle by snap-fitting or screwing, and in that the applicator also includes a deformable wall (37; 137) capable of being deformed in response to an external pressure exerted on the applicator so as to command exit of the product.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the applicator (30) includes a screw thread (32) serving for fixing the applicator on to the receptacle.
3. Assembly according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable wall is a domed wall (37) or a bellows (137).
4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (30) is obtained by moulding as a single piece.
5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable wall is produced by overmoulding, in particular by twin injection of an elastomeric material.
6. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the applicator (30) is produced from a single material.
7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator includes a cannula (35) at whose end the dispensing orifice (36) for the product is formed.
8. Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the cannula (35) is off-centre on the applicator.
9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening member (38) is in the form of a blade.
10. Assembly according to the two immediately preceding claims, characterized in that the blade (38) is formed in the axial extension of a wall of the cannula (35).
11. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (40) includes a zone (42) of weakening that is capable of breaking upon engagement of the opening member (38) with the closure member (40).
12. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (40) is produced from a single material.
13. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the closure element (40) is produced from two materials.
14. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge (23) of the receptacle and/or the closure element (40) includes (include) anti-rotation means (26) provided in order to limit the rotational movement of the closure element relative to the receptacle.
15. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge (23) of the receptacle includes roughnesses (26) that engage with roughnesses formed on the closure element (40).
16. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (20) includes a concave base (22).
17. Assembly for storage and application of a liquid product that includes:

    - a receptacle (20) that includes a free edge (23) defining an opening (24),

    - a closure element (40) provided in order to close the opening (24) in a product-tight manner;

    - an applicator (30), capable of being fastened on to the receptacle, that includes

    i) a cannula (35) at whose end is formed a dispensing orifice (36) capable of communicating with the inside of the receptacle;

    ii) an opening member provided in order to break the closure element (40) of the receptacle when the applicator is fastened on to the receptacle in order to establish a communication between the dispensing orifice and the inside of the receptacle, the assembly being characterized in that the closure element is fastened on to the receptacle by snap-fitting or screwing, and in that the cannula is off-centre on the applicator.
18. Use of an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims for storage and application of a cosmetic product, in particular a hair-care product.

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