Impact-protection device capable of being provided on a bottle and impact-resistant container

Abstract

The invention relates to an impact-protection device for a glass bottle (1) having a body (11), a bottom (10) and a distal portion comprising, in series starting from the body (11), a shoulder (12), a neck (15) and a mouth (16), said device comprising a first cup (2) engaging with the bottom (10) and a second cup (3) engaging with the shoulder (12), each of the cups (2, 3) having an impact-absorbing portion which, following a transverse plane (19), projects beyond an area of largest diameter of the bottle (1), characterised in that the protruding portion of at least one among the first cup (2) and the second cup (3) includes a plurality of damping studs (4) spaced apart from one another.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates to a shock protection device usable for bottle-type containers, more particularly glass bottles.

[0002] A preferred application relates to pharmaceutical products, and preferably those for veterinary use, these products advantageously being in liquid form. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] Veterinary products, such as those used in livestock farming, are often contained in glass containers (vials, flasks, bottles, etc.). Given the conditions in which they are used, it is not uncommon for the vials to slip out of the operator's grasp (the veterinarian or the farmer) and be inadvertently dropped on the ground during handling or movement of the product. Sometimes, the vials break. Given the cost of some products, this loss has practical (delay in administering the medication to the animal) and economic (necessary replacement of the product to treat the animal) consequences.

[0004] The existing protections for pharmaceutical products available on the market are plastic boxes that surround the bottle containing the pharmaceutical product. They are expensive and have the disadvantage that it is not possible to visually check the level of product in the bottle, the latter being largely hidden by the plastic box. The user must then remove the bottle from its protection, which therefore loses its usefulness.

[0005] International application WO2014128179 A1 describes a shock protection device comprising an upper shell and a lower shell, each comprising a stiffener in the form of a circular volume which projects from the internal face of the cup, making it possible to protect the bottle in the event of an impact.

[0006] Furthermore, from US patent publication 3698586 A1, a protective device for glass containers is known, this device comprising two cover elements, one applicable at the bottom of the container and the other applicable at the shoulder of the latter. By means of a thermosetting material which is shrunk around the container, an intimate cooperation between the cover elements and the container is produced. Furthermore, visual access to the contents is possible in the area of the container located at an intermediate level between the two cover elements. However, the shock absorption capacity provided by this technical solution is very unconvincing, so that, in practical conditions in which a fall of the container occurs at human handling height, the probability of breakage of the glass container is very high.Furthermore, the use of thermosetting material is not suitable for bottles containing heat-sensitive medicines.

[0007] Other protective devices are known from FR 10 567 E, WO 2010 / 063919 A1, GB 357 678 A, FR 3 028 501 A1 and US 4 300 612 A.

[0008] One objective of this technique is to improve existing protection techniques. Another objective of the technique is to propose an ergonomic alternative, easily grippable and which fits well in the operator's hand. SUMMARY

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a protection device according to claim 1.

[0010] The studs of the device according to the invention give the cup that comprises them a discontinuous circumference around the bottle. The studs form elements having a certain degree of freedom of movement relative to each other when they are stressed during an impact. This freedom provides better absorption of energy during impacts. Indeed, the deformation of the studs, preferably elastic, is greater than in the case of a shock absorber continuously traveling the circumference of the bottle so that more energy can be absorbed.

[0011] Another non-limiting aspect relates to a shock-proof container, comprising: a bottle, preferably made of glass, having a cylindrical body of revolution terminated, at a first end, by a bottom and, at a second end opposite the first end, by a distal portion comprising successively from the body, in a longitudinal direction of the bottle, a shoulder, a neck and a neck, and a device as described previously. BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other characteristics, aims and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with regard to the attached drawings given as non-limiting examples and in which: there Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment applied to a bottle; the Figure 2 is a perspective representation of the device according to the first embodiment; Figure 3is a perspective representation of the device according to a second embodiment; figures 4 to 6 present three possible alternatives for constituting the plots with, respectively, full, empty and hollow shapes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In this application, the term "approximately", where used, means that the value may vary by plus or minus 10%.

[0014] The following optional features may be incorporated and may be used in combination or alternatively: at least one of the first 2 and the second cups 3 comprises a base 20, 30 having a hollow internal portion of circular section along the transverse plane 19, the internal portion being capable of cooperating by contact with the circumferential surface of the bottle 1, the plurality of damping pads 4 being carried by an external portion of the base 20, 30; at least a portion of the plurality of pads 4 is regularly distributed on the base 20 along the transverse plane 19; at least a portion of the plurality of pads 4 is arranged in a ring along the transverse plane 19; the pads 4 of the plurality of pads 4 each comprise a vertex 41, the cumulative surface area of the vertices 41 being less than 75% of that of the external portion of the base 20, 30, and preferably less than 65%. ; the internal cavity opens at the level of the internal portion of the base 20, 30;at least one of the plurality of studs 4 having an internal cavity is made of a material which has a Shore A hardness greater than 80, advantageously greater than 90, and preferably greater than 95; these ranges may optionally be understood as including a tolerance margin of plus or minus 10%; the plurality of studs 4 comprises at least one stud 4 of a shape chosen from: a polyhedron such as a truncated pyramid, a spike of circular or square section, a mushroom, a half-sphere, a half-ellipsoid, a cone or a truncated cone; at least one of the first 2 and the second cup 3 is made of a non-thermosetting material; the plurality of studs 4 is made of elastomer; the protective device consists solely of the first 2 and second cups 3; the first cup 2 comprises a portion covering the bottom 20 of the bottle 1, said portion comprising a suction cup;at least one of the first 2 and the second cup 3 comprises a preferential breaking zone, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the bottle; in particular, in one embodiment, the first cup 3 comprises a zone of fragility or preferential breaking zone in the longitudinal direction of the bottle, facilitating the separation of the first cup 3 and the bottle; in particular, in one embodiment, the second cup 2 comprises a zone of fragility or preferential breaking zone in the longitudinal direction of the bottle and / or in the covering portion of the bottom 20 of the bottle 1, facilitating the separation of the first cup 2 and the bottle; the first cup 2 and the second cup 3 are made of a material compatible with the recycling operations of the material constituting the bottle 1;the first cup 2 and / or the second cup 3 has a means for visually checking the level of product in the bottle, advantageously in the form of a recess or a plurality of recesses in the first cup 2 and / or the second cup 3, arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bottle; the first cup 2 and / or the second cup 3 is made entirely or partly of a transparent or translucent material, in particular to allow the level of product in the bottle to be visually checked, the first cup 2 and the second cup 3 are made of a biodegradable or recyclable material; the first cup 2 and / or the second cup 3 may have a means for hanging the bottle on a support. ;

[0015] Generally speaking, the device is intended to be used for bottles, and particularly bottles that are known to be easily breakable given the intrinsic fragility of the material they are made of, glass or even hard plastics. It can also be used with containers whose contents are friable or erodible, such as pharmaceutical tablets. It has been noted by the applicant that it is advantageous to reduce the physical degradation of the tablets contained in a pillbox by minimizing the intensity of shocks due to the container falling.

[0016] According to the present application, a bottle is understood to mean any container capable of receiving a product to be stored. The terms "bottle", "vial", or others are considered to be contained in the expression "bottle". The product to be stored may be in solid form, such as tablets, in particular pharmaceutical tablets, or in liquid form. Preferably, it is a product in liquid form. The bottle has a base which constitutes the lower part and is generally configured so as to allow the bottle to be kept in a vertical position when it is placed on a flat support.

[0017] The bottom is located at a first end, the lower end, of a body or barrel. The latter is a hollow cylindrical portion of circular section whose directrix extends in a longitudinal direction of the bottle. At a second end, the upper end opposite the lower end, the body is continued by a distal portion provided with a shoulder which constitutes a transition zone between the diameter of the body and the diameter of the upper part of the bottle, its neck.

[0018] The shoulder itself is circular in section, but tapers towards the distal end of the bottle. The neck, for its part, carries the mouth of the bottle, at the level of its neck. The neck may have a fixed circular section.

[0019] There Figure 1gives a purely indicative example of such a bottle 1. A longitudinal direction 18 is defined therein. Along this direction 18, the bottle 1 extends from the bottom 10 and comprises a body 11 which here constitutes the major part of the height of the bottle 1. The bottom 10 and the body 11 are connected by a fillet of the bottom 10, of convex shape. At its second end, the body 11 joins a transition portion, also called shoulder 12, at the level of a first connecting portion 13 of convex shape. At this point, the diameter of the bottle begins to decrease. In the illustrated case, the shoulder 12 ends with a second connecting portion 14 of the concave type continuing with the neck 15 of the bottle 1. The distal end of the latter is formed by the neck 16 having the mouth 17 allowing the insertion and evacuation of the product contained in the bottle 1.Of course, a closure device, typically a cap, can be fitted to the bottle 1. It will be noted that the neck 16 can be threaded to cooperate with such a cap. When the product contained in the bottle must be withdrawn with a syringe, the mouthpiece can be fitted with a septum or a transfer cap, for example a transfer cap of the Adapta cap type (marketed by the company Baxter), a transfer cap such as that described in international application WO 2016 / 166197, in particular a transfer cap such as that described in international application WO2018109215. Advantageously, the cap is separate from the protective device; it is preferably not covered by the cups 2, 3. Preferably, the second cup 3 covers an area of the container which is strictly below the neck so as not to interfere with the cap.

[0020] To prevent a bottle from breaking in the event of a fall, a trivial solution is to cover the entire external surface of the bottle with a reinforcing element, for example a coating in the form of a film or a heat-shrinkable polymer material envelope. Advantageously, the protective device does not include such coatings and, on the contrary, provides a protective device consisting only of separate and distant elements, spaced along the longitudinal direction of the bottle. Preferably, the device comprises only two elements, subsequently called the first cup and the second cup.

[0021] Each of the cups has a contact surface with the outer wall of a bottle 1, so as to be positionable, preferably fixedly, on such a bottle 1. By "fixedly" is meant that when the cup is in the appropriate position on the bottle 1, it is secured to this bottle under normal conditions of use, apart from a specific effort by the user to try to remove it. Preferably, this contact surface is defined by a cup base. This base has an internal portion whose surface is designed to complement the surface of the portion of the bottle wall on which it is intended to be applied.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiments, a first cup 2 is intended to cooperate with the bottom 10 of the bottle 1. Although this is not absolutely necessary, it is advantageous for this cup 2 to comprise a portion 22 for covering the bottom 10 of the bottle 1 and a portion 21 for partially covering the body 11. In this configuration, this first cup 2 defines a blind cavity which can be fitted by the bottom 10 of the bottle.

[0023] When the first cup 2 does not have a portion 22 covering the bottom 10 of the bottle 1, the fixing of this cup 2 is carried out essentially by its portion 21 covering the body. This portion 21 is consequently advantageously cylindrical with a circular section, with a diameter configured to allow the first cup 2 to be fitted around the body 11 of the bottle 1. The length of the fitting, along the longitudinal direction 18 of the bottle 1, may vary depending on the height of the body 11, the desired resistance to detachment or the height of the uncovered area desired for the bottle 1.

[0024] According to a first possibility, the material of the first cup 2 is rigid, for example in the form of a thermoplastic polymer, and its diameter has a tight fit relative to the diameter of the body 11 of the bottle 1.

[0025] Alternatively, the material of the first cup 2 is an elastomer, such as natural rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or a silicone elastomer. For the purposes of the present application, "elastomer" means any polymer that, when deformed at room temperature, quickly returns to its original size and shape when the stress causing the deformation has been removed.

[0026] Elastomers having the characteristics suitable for the device according to the present application are commercially available. Generic examples are natural rubber; thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic olefin elastomers (TPE-O), thermoplastic styrenic elastomers (TPE-S), vulcanized thermoplastic polypropylene elastomers (TPE-V), thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPE-E), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U or TPU), and thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPE-A or TPA); and silicone elastomers. These are preferably thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPE-U or TPU) and silicone elastomers. One can then either take advantage of the relatively high coefficient of friction of this type of material for holding on the bottle, or apply the first cup by deformation.In such a case, it is possible to elastically expand the material of the first cup so as to arrange it around the bottle and then release it.

[0027] Another option is to use a joining element between cup 2 and bottle 1; this can be glue or any other form of seal.

[0028] To reduce the environmental impact of the cups, the materials used in the cups are preferably recyclable or biodegradable. Thus, once the bottle has been emptied of its contents, the cups can be separated from the bottle and sent to a specific recycling circuit or reused in the manufacture of new products.

[0029] The term "biodegradable" applies to materials that are capable of decomposing in a favorable environment (temperature, humidity, light, oxygen, etc.) and / or under the action of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae) without harmful effects on the environment by emitting, for example, water, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and / or methane (CH 4 ). Biodegradable materials can, for example, be compostable.

[0030] The term "recyclable" applies to materials that, after use in cups, can be collected and reused to make the same or a different product. For example, 50% of silicone elastomers are currently reused in elastic road surfacing or sports equipment floors.

[0031] According to one possibility, the base 21 of the cup 2 is made of a first material, in particular those described above, and at least one other part of the cup 2 is made of a second material, different from the first. Optionally, the second material has a lower hardness than the first. Its modulus of elasticity, Young's modulus, may be smaller. Thus, more flexible or softer cup parts may be available. This may be useful for adjusting shock absorption, in particular when the second material is used for a damping portion described later.

[0032] This portion may be, for example, made of elastomer, while the base of the cup may be made of a non-elastomeric polymer, for example thermosetting.

[0033] Preferably, a material meeting the above constraints and not requiring removal from the bottle 1 during the glass recycling steps will be used. In particular, the material used may be compatible with the bottle recycling treatment; this may involve calcination during the melting of the glass, for example. Any treatment capable of removing (for example, by transforming it into a material equivalent to that used for recycling the container) the material of the device during the recycling of the bottle material is considered compatible.

[0034] In addition, or as an alternative, at least one of the cups may contain a preferential breaking zone allowing it to be removed from the bottle 1. This zone may be a zone of fragility; it may be a zone of concentration of mechanical stresses due to a reduction in the section of the cup at this location, to the use of a less resistant material at this location, to an initiation of breaking (by a notch or pre-cuts) at this location; for example, a portion of the cup may be thinner or even be a pre-cut zone, like those that can be found on cans, facilitating the breaking of the cups.

[0035] The first cup 2 and / or the second cup 3 may comprise an element for fixing the bottle to a support, in order to avoid having to hold it in your hand. The presence of this fixing means also reduces the risk of the bottle falling, the latter being held by said element for fixing to a support.

[0036] The bottle fixing element can be provided on cup 2, on cup 3 or on both cups, depending on the use made of the bottle.

[0037] This element may be, for example, a pre-cut area provided in the portion 22 of the cover of the bottom 10 of the bottle 1 which may be separated from the cover of the bottom 10 and provided with an orifice through which a fixing hook may pass. It may also be a hook or a carabiner, for example molded in the material constituting the cup or in metal, advantageously attached to the molded body of the cup.

[0038] The fixing element may be centered on the portion 22 so as to balance the container when it is suspended. In the case where a suction effect is produced by the portion 22 on the bottom, it may serve to increase the retention of the cup 2 on the bottle, even when traction is exerted on the means for fixing.

[0039] Such a fixing means is for example advantageous when the product contained in the bottle must be administered by infusion. In such a case, the fixing means is located on the cup 2, preferably in the bottom cover 10, which allows the bottle to be suspended from an infusion stand.

[0040] The attachment means can also be used to attach the bottle to a lanyard around the user's neck or belt. The attachment means then allows the user to carry the product while keeping their hands free for their operations. The attachment means is particularly advantageous for veterinarians or for farmers who have to administer a product by injection to a large number of animals repeatedly, for example in a stable because it allows them to have the use of both hands once the quantity has been withdrawn from the bottle.

[0041] The device further comprises a second cup 3 spaced from the first cup 2 in the longitudinal direction 18. Preferably, it can be positioned at the shoulder 12 of the bottle 1. In the illustrated case, the second cup 3 comprises a base 30 cooperating with the wall of the bottle 1 in particular at the shoulder 12. Taking into account the diameter transition of this portion of the bottle, the second cup 3 advantageously has an equivalent profile, that is to say with a progressive decrease in its internal diameter. In the most common case of a shoulder 12 with a convex connection profile from the body 11 then concave towards the neck 15, the second cup 3 can for example follow the same shape as the convex part of the shoulder 12.Preferably, at least one of the cups covers the portion(s) of the container which have the largest transverse dimension (i.e. generally the largest diameter for a container of circular section); this may in particular be the case at the shoulder 12.

[0042] A portion of the second cup 3 is also advantageously applied to an upper end portion of the body 11. Thus, as in the case of the first cup 2, the second cup 3 comprises an internal cylindrical portion 31 applicable to the body 11 and, possibly, an additional portion, here applicable at the level of the shoulder 12 and possibly at the level of the neck 15. In this context, the second cup 3 therefore frames the shoulder, which is advantageous because it is a zone of widening of section which it is useful to cover because it is a privileged zone of shocks; what is more, it can be a zone of concentration of mechanical stresses because of the variation of section.

[0043] The description given above regarding the materials and fixing methods of the first cup 2 is applicable to the second cup 3. It is not necessary, but only preferred, that the materials and fixing methods are identical between the two cups 2 and 3.

[0044] Preferably, the bases 20, 30 of the cups 2 and 3 continuously cover the portions of the surface of the bottle on which they are applied.

[0045] Advantageously, the cumulative height of the cylindrical portions 21, 31 of the first and second cups 2 and 3 in contact with the body 11 of the bottle 1 represents less than half, and preferably less than a third, of the height of the body 11. There is thus good visual access to the contents of the bottle 1 if the body 11 is transparent or at least translucent.

[0046] According to a variant, visual access to the contents of the bottle is facilitated by the presence, in the first cup 2 and / or the second cup 3, of a member for visually monitoring the level of product in the bottle.

[0047] Such product level monitoring is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to assess the number of doses remaining when the product is administered, for example, with a syringe or, in the case of an infusion, to know when the bottle needs to be changed.

[0048] The product level control member in the bottle can be provided in the first cup 2 when the bottle is intended to be used upside down or in the second cup 3 when the bottle is intended to be used upside down or in both cups.

[0049] This means of visually checking the level of product in the bottle can take different forms. It can be a recess or a plurality of recesses arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bottle. By "recess" is meant an area of the cup not having material allowing visual access to the contents of the bottle.

[0050] Alternatively, the visual control member for the level of the product in the bottle may result from the use of a transparent or sufficiently translucent material to have visual access to the contents of the bottle to manufacture the cup. The transparent material may constitute the entire cup or only a part, preferably in the form of a line arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bottle.

[0051] The means of visually checking the product may also be accompanied by a graduation such as an indication of the remaining volume or the number of doses remaining.

[0052] According to a preferred variant, the first and second cups 2 and 3 each comprise a zone of fragility or preferential breaking zone in the longitudinal direction 18 of the bottle. This preferential breaking zone allows the operator, if the constituent materials of the bottle and the cups are not to be disposed of in the same waste reprocessing circuit, for example if the constituent materials of the cups are biodegradable or recyclable, to allow and / or facilitate the separation of the cups 2 and 3 and the bottle 1 and to dispose of, as waste, the bottle 1 and the cups 2 and 3 each in their respective waste reprocessing circuits. This is a clear advantage for respecting the environment, which is particularly important in the pharmaceutical field.

[0053] According to yet another variant, the first cup 2 and the second cup 3 are made of a material compatible with the recycling operations of the material constituting the bottle 1.

[0054] For the remainder of the description, a transverse plane 19 (which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body of the bottle) defines a radial orientation along which the section of the body 11 is circular. The orientation of this plane 19 is notably represented in Figure 3 .

[0055] It is understood that in order to effectively protect the bottle 1, the device must generally come into contact with a surface on which the bottle 1 is likely to break before the outer wall of the bottle.

[0056] Assuming that such a surface is generally the ground and / or is substantially flat, the cups should have portions extending, along the transverse plane, beyond the largest dimensions of the bottle in this direction, i.e. beyond the diameter of the body. Thus, in the event of a fall, it is primarily one and / or the other of the cups which will come into contact with the surface on which the bottle could break. In this context, the cups 2 and 3 comprise a cushioning portion, at least part of which extends radially beyond the body so as to constitute a protrusion on the bottle along the transverse plane. The dimension of this extension is not limiting but, preferably, the thickness of a cushioning portion may represent a projection of at least 5% of the diameter of the body.

[0057] The damping portion comprises a plurality of pads 4.

[0058] The term “pad” means any element having a protruding shape on the surface of the cup in question 2 or 3 without covering the entire circumference of the cup on its own. The damping portion is therefore not a continuous bead surrounding the bottle 1. These pads 4 form damping elements produced next to each other on at least one of the cups 2, 3, projecting radially from the portion of the cup in contact with the bottle 1. “Radially” means that the pads have a component directed outwards in the transverse plane; however, the pads may have another component, for example in the longitudinal direction, so as to have an inclination relative to the transverse plane; in the transverse plane, the pads 4 do not, moreover, necessarily have a direction directed along a radius of the body of the bottle.

[0059] No assumption is made about the shapes and dimensions of the pads 4. In addition, pads 4 of different shapes and / or dimensions may coexist on the same cup.

[0060] The said cushioning elements in the form of pads can have any geometry: conical, triangular, pyramidal, cylindrical, polyhedral, ellipsoid.

[0061] Advantageously, they are polyhedral in shape, preferably parallelepiped or cubic. They may have axial symmetry along their direction of extension towards the outside of the cup.

[0062] Preferably, all the damping elements of a cup have the same shape, which is preferably parallelepiped or cubic or truncated pyramid.

[0063] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the studs 4 are regularly spaced so as to periodically surround the entire circumference of the bottle 1. In this context, in the transverse plane 19, the spacing between any two adjacent studs is constant. Alternatively or additionally, the studs 4 may be regularly spaced along the longitudinal direction 18, in several stages. Preferably, several rows of studs are available (along the transverse plane 19) and these studs 4 may form columns along the longitudinal direction 18. A staggered distribution is also possible, the studs 4 of two superimposed rows then being laterally offset. The appropriate number of studs 4 depends in particular on the shape and height of the studs as well as their relative position and their distribution on the surface of the cup. It also depends on the weight and dimensions of the bottle, in particular its height.Advantageously, the pads 4 are distributed over one or more rows, more particularly over 1 to 10 rows, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. The appropriate number of rows of pads, the size of the pads and the arrangement of the pads can be determined for each bottle by tests such as those described in the examples.

[0064] The example of the Figure 2illustrates these possibilities. In particular, the first cup 2 comprises studs 4 organized in two rows. The studs 4 of the rows are strictly superimposed, so as to be aligned along the longitudinal direction 18. The second cup 3 has three rows of studs 4. Furthermore, these rows do not have the same spacing between the studs 4 so that the latter are not aligned along the longitudinal direction 18. It will be noted that the density of studs 4 is higher in the intermediate row which is intended to be applied at the level of the convex portion of the shoulder 12.

[0065] There Figure 3 presents an alternative constitution of cups 2 and 3. The base 20 and 30 of cups 2 and 3 is of the same shape as in the case of the Figure 2. This part constitutes in both cases the envelope, the internal portion of which is applied to the external wall of the bottle. On the other hand, the studs 4 are of different shapes. Generally speaking, the studs 4 have a proximal end 40 at the level of their connection with the base of the cup in question, a trunk 42 projecting from the proximal end 40 in the direction of a summit 41. Preferably, the summit of the studs is pointed, or is flat (or of rectilinear profile in at least one direction of space) or else of convex shape. It thus does not form a summit crater.

[0066] In the case of the Figure 2, the studs 4 are ellipsoidal shapes, in particular half-ellipsoids, for example solid. Their proximal end 40 therefore forms an ellipse at the junction with the base of the cup and the apex 41 is the distal end of a convex profile. In the illustrated case, the major axis of the elliptical shape is directed in the transverse plane 19, but it could also be directed along the longitudinal direction 18 or along other orientations. Other curved shapes are also possible.

[0067] In the case of the Figure 4, two rows of studs 4 aligned along the longitudinal direction 18 are formed on each of the cups 2 and 3. In this example, the studs 4 are truncated pyramids: their proximal end 40 forms a rectangular or square closed contour at the junction with the base of the cup, the truncated 42 is formed of four sides organized like the phases of a pyramid, and the apex 41 corresponds to a cutting plane of this geometric pyramid. This example can be generalized to other shapes of truncated 42 formed on the basis of a polyhedron. Figure 4 further shows that the pads 4 can be joined at the base, as is the case for the second cup 3 in this figure. On the other hand, the pads 4 of the first cup 2 have proximal ends 40 distant so as to completely space the pads 4, not only at the level of their trunks 42 and their summits 41, but also at the level of their foundations.

[0068] It is advantageous for the pads to be arranged equidistantly to distribute the contact surface with the ground and therefore distribute the mechanical effects of shocks over a plurality of pads.

[0069] For example, a bottle with a body diameter of between 64.8 and 67.2 mm can be equipped. In this context, at least two rows, or even at least three rows, of studs can be formed per cup. Each row of studs has an annular carrier which preferably extends along the transverse plane. A row can comprise at least five studs and possibly at least ten studs. The projection represented by a stud is advantageously at least 5 mm, preferably at least 7 mm; it may be less than 10 mm.

[0070] The plots 4 or some of them can be empty, hollow or solid: By vacuum, we mean that the shock absorber pad 4 has an internal cavity that forms a pocket surrounded by the material constituting the pad 4, for example elastomer, and containing air. This pocket is however not systematically airtight, insofar as the material may be porous or insofar as at least one of the walls of the pocket may have vents. Nevertheless, in general, the pocket defines a closed volume, surrounded by a generally continuous wall. This defines a cell or alveolus filled with air and the compression of the air contributes to the damping. Figure 5gives an example of a configuration of pads 4 comprising a closed internal cavity 43 forming an air pocket, preferably sealed, the internal cavity 43 and the external wall of the bottle being separated by the base 20 of the cup (this is not limited to the first cup 2). by hollow, it is meant that the shock-absorbing pad 4 is not delimited by a bottom in contact with the bottle 1. The internal cavity of the pad 4 then opens onto the external wall of the bottle 1; in this configuration, the contact between the base 20, 30 of the cup 2, 3 and the external wall of the bottle 1 is discontinuous, because interrupted at the mouths of the internal cavities of the pads 4; the flexibility of the pads 4 can be increased by this means. Figure 6presents this solution in hollow form, the internal cavity 43 of the pads 4 opening out at the level of the external wall of the bottle 1. by full, we mean that the shock-absorbing pad 4 forms a solid element, filled with material. Figure 4 presents such a configuration in which the pads 4 are completely filled with material. The pads 4 are then in the physical continuity of the material of the base 20, 30 of the cup considered, here the first cup 2. The proximal end 40 of the pads 4 is also represented as the junction point with the base 20.

[0071] When the damping element is solid, an elastomer, for example thermoplastic, having a lower Shore hardness is preferably used than for an empty or hollow damper. According to the invention, the Shore A hardness ranges from 75 to 85, for example 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85. In this case, the energy due to the impact is absorbed by the deformation of the material. According to a preferred variant, a silicone elastomer having a Shore A hardness advantageously ranging from 75 to 85, for example 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, in particular having a Shore A hardness of approximately 80, is used. According to another preferred variant, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U or TPU) having a Shore A hardness of 75 to 85, for example 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, in particular having a Shore A hardness of approximately 85, is used.

[0072] When the damping element is empty or hollow, an elastomer, for example thermoplastic, having a Shore A hardness of at least 90, and preferably at least or equal to 95, may be used.

[0073] In the present application, the Shore A hardness of the elastomer is determined according to the ATSM-2240 standard ( Standard Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness).

[0074] It will be noted that it is possible to equip the portion 22 covering the bottom 10 of the bottle 1 with studs 4, even if this is not shown. Generally speaking, studs 4 can be installed at any useful location on one and / or the other of the cups 2 and 3. According to another possibility, the portion 22 is equipped with a suction cup arranged on the external wall of the portion 22 so as to promote adhesion by vacuum effect on a surface.

[0075] The bottle protection device can be usefully implemented and used to prevent the bottle from falling by providing improved gripping of the bottle by consumers / operators, to protect the bottle from breakage in the event of a fall, as well as to protect the contents of the bottle from damage following the impact resulting from a fall of the bottle. The device is particularly suitable for the protection of bottles and their contents in the pharmaceutical or cosmetics field, but also for protecting bottles in the food industry or everyday consumer goods (oils, vinegars, wines, hazardous products, etc.).

[0076] The cups can be formed by injection, preferably by injection with a single material, by overmolding, by bi-injection, by 3D printing, by thermoforming, by thermocompression, or by injection molding.

[0077] 3D printing can be advantageously used for the manufacture of cups comprising empty damping pads and / or having a reading window in the form of a recess or a plurality of recesses arranged for example in the longitudinal direction of the bottle. Furthermore, 3D printing can also be used to manufacture cups made of a transparent or translucent material (using materials from 3D printing technology having properties suitable for forming a transparent surface).

[0078] Thermocompression and injection molding are advantageously used for the manufacture of cups with solid or hollow studs. When the material used is a silicone elastomer, the cups are preferably manufactured by thermocompression, for example in a vulcanizing press.

[0079] In another variant, the present technique relates to a shock protection device capable of equipping a bottle 1, having a cylindrical body 11 of revolution terminated, at a first end, by a bottom 10 and, at a second end opposite the first end, by a distal portion comprising successively from the body 11, in a longitudinal direction of the bottle 1, a shoulder 12, a neck 15 and a neck 16, said device comprising a first cup 2 configured to cooperate fixedly with the bottom 10 of the bottle 1 and a second cup 3 configured to cooperate fixedly with the shoulder 12 of the bottle 1, each of the first and second cups 2, 3 having a shock-absorbing portion capable of projecting, in a transverse plane 19 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 18, beyond a zone of larger diameter of the bottle 1,characterized in that the projecting portion of the damping portion of at least one of the first 2 and the second 3 cups is made of an elastomer, preferably a silicone elastomer or a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U or TPU). This aspect constitutes a separable aspect of the present application, which can be implemented separately from the embodiments envisaged previously, in particular with reference to the cases illustrated.,

[0080] The aforementioned international application WO2014128179 A1 describes an impact protection device comprising an upper shell and a lower shell, each comprising a stiffener in the form of a circular volume which projects from the internal face of the cup, making it possible to protect the bottle in the event of an impact. Said stiffener can also be oriented longitudinally relative to the bottle. The cups have shapes which, with the wall of the bottle, define annular volumes filled with air which contribute to shock absorption. The cups are made of an injectable resin. The polymer used for the manufacture of the cups described in this application is low-density polyethylene. The hardness of such materials is generally measured on the Shore D scale and is of the order of 60.

[0081] The inventors of the present application have demonstrated that a device in accordance with this variant makes it possible, with equal geometric configuration but made of an elastomer, to significantly improve the resistance of a bottle during a fall. The device also makes it possible to do without a heat-shrinkable sleeve, thus resulting in a saving of material and avoiding subjecting the product contained in the bottle to heat.

[0082] According to this variant, the damping portion may advantageously be a plurality of pads as described above or a solid, empty or hollow annular volume. Preferably, the annular volume is empty. The annular volume preferably extends around the entire circumference of the bottle and advantageously forms a protuberance of constant thickness, in the form of a torus for example or another form of bead.

[0083] The characteristics relating to the shapes of the cups, the studs, the materials as well as all the advantageous characteristics are also valid for this variant, provided that they are not technically incompatible.

[0084] Thus, according to the invention, when the damping element is empty or hollow, it is possible to use an elastomer having a Shore A hardness of at least 90, and preferably at least or equal to 95. When the damping element is solid, an elastomer having a Shore A hardness ranging from 75 to 85, for example 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, is advantageously used. According to a preferred variant, a silicone elastomer having a Shore A hardness ranging from 75 to 85, for example 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, in particular having a Shore A hardness of approximately 80, is used. According to another preferred variant, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is used. (TPE-U or TPU) having a Shore A hardness ranging from 75 to 85, for example 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, in particular having a Shore A hardness of about 85. In this case, the energy due to the impact is absorbed by the deformation of the material.

[0085] A protocol used to test the effectiveness of the different protective devices is described below: A 250 ml bottle filled with water is fitted with the device made of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U or TPU) (Shore hardness 85A). The lower cup covers approximately 30% of the lower part of the bottle (including the base) and the upper cup also covers approximately 30% of the external surface of the bottle. The overall thickness of the protruding part and the base is 7 mm and the bottle has a diameter of 66 mm.

[0086] It is dropped onto a concrete block to simulate a concrete floor, which can be considered an extreme case, from different heights (80 cm or 120 cm) and in a situation where the bottle is lying down.

[0087] When the bottle has resisted, it is dropped a second time. If the bottle has resisted again, it is dropped under the same conditions a third time.

[0088] Each impact protection device is tested ten times.

[0089] The results are expressed as a percentage of the number of intact vials as follows: 1st throw: 8 bottles out of 10 resist = 80% 2nd throw: 4 bottles out of the initial 10 resist = 40% 3rd throw: 2 bottles out of the initial 10 resist = 20%

[0090] The results were as follows: Essay Bare bottle Bottle with two low-density polyethylene cups (Shore D 60 hardness), each containing an empty annular volume Bottle with two cups made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (Shore A hardness 85) each comprising an empty annular volume Configuration corresponding to the Figure 3 , the studs being solid, with two thermoplastic polyurethane cups (Shore A hardness 85) Configuration corresponding to the Figure 3 , the plots being empty with two thermoplastic polyurethane cups (Shore A hardness 95) Bottle lying down (fall height 80 cm) Fall 1 / 3 0% 60% 80% 100% 100% Fall 2 / 3 0% 40% 40% 100% 100% Fall 3 / 3 0% 20% 40% 100% 90%

[0091] When the shock absorbers are of equivalent shape (empty shock absorber volume), the impact resistance is very significantly improved with a device made of an elastomer material (Shore A hardness 85) instead of low density polyethylene.

[0092] It should be noted that for equivalent material, the presence of pads forming a discontinuous damping surface significantly improves shock resistance compared to a continuous damping surface.

[0093] It was found that the grip of a bottle equipped with the device is particularly good (better than that of a bottle without the device and better than that of an equipped bottle and two cups each with an empty annular bead). The studs distributed on the cups actively contribute to the improved ergonomics and the visibility of the water level contained in the bottle is excellent.

[0094] By implementing the same protocol as above, tests are carried out with the following cups: a) Configuration corresponding to the Figure 3 , the studs being solid, with two thermoplastic elastomer polyurethane cups (Shore A hardness 85) obtained by 3D printing: Bottle position (drop height) Lying down (80 cm) Lying down (120 cm) Standing (120 cm) Fall 1 90 % 90 % 60 % Fall 2 90 % 90 % 60 % Fall 3 90 % 90 % 60 % b) Configuration corresponding to the Figure 3 , the studs being solid, with two cups made of thermoplastic elastomer based on SEBS (polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene) having a Shore A hardness of 60, obtained by injection: Bottle position (drop height) Lying down (80 cm) Lying down (120 cm) Standing (120 cm) Fall 1 100 % 80 % 10 % Fall 2 100 % 60 % 0% Fall 3 100 % 40 % 0% c) Configuration corresponding to the Figure 3 , the studs being solid, with two silicone elastomer cups (Shore hardness 80A, Cenusil ® R marketed by the company Wacker Chemie), obtained by thermocompression: Bottle position (drop height) Lying down (80 cm) Lying down (120 cm) Standing (120 cm) Fall 1 90 % 90 % 90 % Fall 2 90 % 90 % 90 % Fall 3 90 % 90 % 40 % REFERENCES

[0095] 1. Bottle 10. base 11. body 12. shoulder 13. first connection 14. second connection 15. neck 16. neck 17. mouth 18. longitudinal direction 19. transverse plane 2. First cup 20. base 21. cylindrical portion 22. base covering portion 3. Second cup 30. base 31. cylindrical portion 32. shoulder covering portion 4. Studs 40. proximal end 41. top 42. trunk 43. internal cavity

Claims

1. Impact-protection device capable of being provided on a bottle (1), having a body (11) in the form of a cylinder of revolution terminated, at a first end, by a bottom (10) and, at a second end opposite the first end, by a distal portion successively comprising from the body (11), along a longitudinal direction of the bottle (1), a shoulder (12), a neck (15) and a mouth (16), said device comprising a first cup (2) configured to cooperate with the bottom (10) of the bottle (1) and a second cup (3) configured to cooperate with the shoulder (12) of the bottle (1), each of the first and second cups (2, 3) having a shock-absorbing portion capable of protruding, along a transverse plane (19) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (18), beyond a larger diameter area of the bottle (1), and the protruding portion of the shock-absorbing portion of the at least first cup (2) including a plurality of shock-absorbing pads (4) spaced apart from each other, the plurality of pads (4) being evenly distributed in the transverse plane (19), characterised in that the plurality of pads (4) are made of elastomer, and in that: either (i) at least one of the plurality of pads (4) is solid and is made of a silicone elastomer that has a shore A hardness ranging from about 75 to about 85 or of an elastomeric polyurethane (TPE-U or TPU) that has a shore A hardness ranging from about 75 to about 85, or (ii) at least one of the plurality of pads (4) has an internal cavity (43) and is made of a material that has a Shore A hardness greater than 90.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the shock-absorbing portion of each of the first cup (2) and the second cup (3) includes a plurality of pads (4).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the plurality of pads (4) is arranged in a ring along the transverse plane (19).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims wherein at least the first (2) of the first (2) and the second cups (3) includes a base (20, 30) having an a hollow inner portion of circular cross-section along the transverse plane (19), the inner portion being able to cooperate by contact with the circumferential surface of the bottle (1), the plurality of shock-absorbing pads (4) being supported by an outer portion of the base (20, 30).

5. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the pads (4) of the plurality of pads (4) each include a top (41), the cumulative area of the tops (41) being less than 75% of that of the outer portion of the base (20, 30), and preferably less than 65%.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastomer is selected from natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and silicone elastomers.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, when at least one of the plurality of pads (4) is solid: when the material of said pad is a silicone elastomer, it has a Shore A hardness of about 80, and, when the material of said pad is an elastomeric polyurethane (TPE-U or TPU), it has a Shore A hardness of about 85.

8. Device according to either one of Claims 4 or 5 alone or in combination with Claim 6, wherein, when at least one of the plurality of pads (4) has an internal cavity (43), the internal cavity (43) is open at inner portion of the base (20, 30).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, when at least one of the plurality of pads (4) has an internal cavity, the at least one of the plurality of pads (4) having an internal cavity (43) is made of a material that has a Shore A hardness greater than 95.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pads (4) comprises at least one pad (4) with a shape chosen from: a polyhedron such as a truncated pyramid, a spike with a circular or square cross-section, a mushroom, a half-sphere, a cone or a truncated cone, a half-ellipsoid.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first (2) and second cup (3) is made of a non-thermosetting material.

12. Impact-resistant container, comprising: - a bottle (1), preferably made of glass, having a body (11) in the form of a cylinder of revolution terminated, at a first end, by a bottom (10) and, at a second end opposite the first end, by a distal portion successively comprising from the body (11), along a longitudinal direction (18) of the bottle (1), a shoulder (12), a neck (15) and a mouth (16), and - a device according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Container according to the preceding claim, wherein the first cup (2) and the second cup (3) are separated and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (18).

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