Adapter for glass container

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The present invention relates to the packaging of products in glass containers. Technique antérieure

[0002] Glass bottles known as "freshness bottles" are bottles with a neck that meets the TO 43 mm, TO 38 mm or TO 48 mm standard. These bottles have an external thread and are generally closed by a metal cap, called a "Twist-off cap", screwed onto the bottle so that it can be opened by a quarter turn. The seal is achieved using an elastomer seal in the base of the cap. Generally, opening is accompanied by an audible pop, which signals to the user that the bottle has not been opened since its contents were packaged. The seal of the closure cap is crushed and generally does not allow the bottle to be reused with the same closure cap, while maintaining a satisfactory seal.

[0003] So, most users do not keep these bottles once empty.

[0004] However, this is a shame, because they have a fairly wide neck which makes it easy to wash them. US 7,210,508 B2 shows an adapter for attaching an accessory to a glass container having a wall defining an opening and carrying an external thread, the adapter comprising: A fixing part comprising an internally threaded skirt 71, configured to screw onto the external thread of the container in order to allow complete attachment thereto; A support held by the fixing part, comprising an inner part arranged to engage in the opening of the container and an outer part, and A sealing element carried by the inner part of the support, arranged to apply in a sealing manner to a surface of the container, the outer part having a thread of smaller diameter than that of the container, in order to allow the attachment of the accessory to the adapter. Exposé de l'invention

[0005] There is therefore a need to facilitate the reuse of these glass containers as well as others with which the same problem arises, such as glass jars.

[0006] The invention aims to meet this objective and has as its subject, according to one of its aspects, an adapter for fixing an accessory to a glass container having a wall delimiting an opening and carrying an external thread, the adapter comprising: A fixing part comprising an internally threaded skirt, configured to screw onto the external thread of the container in order to allow complete fixing thereto in less than half a turn, in particular in a quarter turn, A support held by the fixing part, comprising an internal part arranged to engage in the opening of the container and an external part, and A sealing element carried by the internal part of the support, arranged to apply in a sealed manner to an internal surface of the wall of the container, the outer part having a thread of smaller diameter than that of the container, in order to allow the accessory to be fixed to the adapter.

[0007] The accessory allows the most appropriate distribution of the product (e.g.: pouring spout for oil and vinegar, spray for window cleaner, toilet nozzle for toilet gel, service capsule for shower gel, pump bottle for hand soap, etc.).

[0008] The adapter according to the invention makes it possible to reuse a glass container by switching from the initial closure standard of the container neck to another standard requiring a smaller diameter thread. In particular, the adapter according to the invention makes it possible to switch from the TO 43 mm standard to the TO 28 mm or PP 28 mm standard, for example. Thus, it is possible to attach different dispensing accessories to the glass container, and thus to reuse it for packaging various products, food, sanitary or maintenance products for example.

[0009] Preferably, the sealing element is attached to the inner part of the support.

[0010] The sealing element is advantageously removably fixed, preferably by snap-fastening or tight mounting, on the inner part of the support, in order to allow its removal by the user for cleaning, hygiene being an important parameter for reuse.

[0011] Alternatively, the sealing element is integral with the support, in particular by molding, in particular by bi-injection.

[0012] The sealing element may comprise one or more annular lips carried by a tubular body coaxial with the support, preferably a succession of lips, in particular oriented obliquely towards the outside and towards the opening of the container. Such a shape ensures good sealing despite the manufacturing tolerances of the glass container, while being simple to manufacture.

[0013] The seal can be achieved in multiple ways. Thus, in one embodiment, the support is made with an annular groove and the sealing element comprises an O-ring received in this groove. In another embodiment, the sealing element comprises a ring having a tubular central body and an annular membrane carried by this central body, applied by its top against the wall of the container. The seal can be achieved in another way, by any sealing means adapted to the glass container and the desired reuse.

[0014] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to an assembly comprising a glass container, in particular a bottle, preferably a bottle called a "freshness bottle", and an adapter according to the invention, arranged to be fixed to the container, in particular to be screwed onto the neck of the bottle.

[0015] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to an assembly comprising an adapter according to the invention, and at least one dispensing accessory arranged to be fixed on the adapter, in particular an accessory chosen from a closing capsule with a pivoting lid, a pump, in particular with a dispensing tip or a spray nozzle, preferably a dispensing pump actuated by pressing on the top of a part comprising the dispensing tip or a “gun” type spray pump, with an actuating lever. Of course, this list is not exhaustive. The accessory may also be different, depending on the applications. If necessary, the adapter and the accessory are packaged together, for example in a bag or box. The user may also be offered several accessories simultaneously, with the same adapter; all these accessories may be packaged with the adapter, if necessary.The user can also be offered two different adapters, suitable for containers with different opening diameters, and the same accessory which can be mounted on either of the adapters; the two adapters and the accessory can be packaged together in the same packaging.

[0016] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to an assembly comprising a glass container, an adapter according to the invention, and at least one accessory arranged to be fixed to the adapter. The adapter and / or the accessory may be packaged with the container, in the same packaging.

[0017] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a method for mounting an adapter according to the invention on a glass container, comprising the replacement of an original closing member of the glass container, by the adapter according to the invention. Such a method can be implemented, if necessary, with two accessories, and comprise the replacement of one accessory by another, depending on the use made of the product present in the container or the nature of the latter. Brève description des dessins

[0018] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, non-limiting examples of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which: [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 schematically represents different views of an example of an adapter according to the invention; [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 schematically illustrates different views of the fixing part and the adapter support of the figure 1 ; [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 schematically represents different views of the sealing element of the adapter of the figure 1 ; [ Fig 4 ] there figure 4 illustrates the attachment to the adapter of the figure 1 , mounted on a freshness bottle, with a closing capsule; [ Fig 5 ] there figure 5 is a view analogous to the figure 4 illustrating the mounting of a movable tip pump on the adapter; [ Fig 6 ] there figure 6 is a view analogous to the figure 5 illustrating the mounting of a spray gun type pump on the adapter; [ Fig 7 ] there figure 7 shows an example of fixing an adapter according to the invention on a container of the glass jar type; [ Fig 8 ] there figure 8 schematically represents an example of a sealing element of an adapter according to the invention, before and after mounting the adapter on the container; [ Fig 9 ] there figure 9 is a view analogous to the figure 8 of an adapter variant; and [ Fig 10 ] there figure 10 is a view analogous to the figure 8 . Description détaillée

[0019] This has been schematically illustrated in the figure 1 different views of an example of an adapter 1 according to the invention.

[0020] THE figures 1(a) et 1(b) are respectively a front view and a perspective view of the adapter 1, which comprises: a fixing part 10, a support 12 held by the fixing part 10, comprising an inner part 122 arranged to engage in an opening of a glass container and an outer part 120, and a sealing element 2 carried by the inner part 122 of the support 12.

[0021] Examples of glass containers 3 on which the adapter 1 can be mounted are illustrated in Figures 4 to 11. In each of these examples, the container 3 has a wall 30 delimiting an opening 31 and carrying an external thread 33.

[0022] The fixing part 10 comprises an internally threaded skirt 100, configured to screw onto the external thread 33 of the container 3, in order to allow complete fixing thereto in less than half a turn, in particular in a quarter turn. The skirt 100 comprises at its end teeth 130 directed radially inwards and arranged to engage on the thread 33 of the container 3. These teeth are for example four in number, as illustrated.

[0023] The outer part 120 of the support 12 has an outer thread 125 of smaller diameter than that of the container 3, in order to allow the attachment to the support of a dispensing accessory 4 on the adapter 1. Examples of accessories 4 are illustrated in figures 4 à 7 , and will be described later.

[0024] There figure 1(c) is a longitudinal section of the adapter 1 along the longitudinal axis X of the support 12, with the sealing element 2 attached to the inner part 122 of the support 12. The inner part 122 of the support 12 comprises, for example, at its base as illustrated a bead 123 allowing the sealing element 2 to be fixed by snap-fastening.

[0025] In variants, the attachment is carried out differently, and the bead can be removed or replaced by another retaining means.

[0026] There figure 1(d) is a sectional view, similar to the figure 1(c) , with the sealing element 2 detached from the support 12.

[0027] The sealing element 2 is arranged to be applied in a sealed manner to an interior surface of the wall 30 of the container 3.

[0028] In this example, the sealing element 2 is a seal comprising a succession of annular lips 20, oriented obliquely towards the outside and towards the opening of the container, and carried by a tubular body 21 coaxial with the support 12.

[0029] There figure 2 schematically illustrates different views of the fixing part 10 and the support 12 of the adapter of the figure 1 . There figure 2(a) is a front view. The figure 2(b) is a longitudinal sectional view along section AA. The figure 2(c) is a view from below and the figure 2(d) is a top view.

[0030] The height h1 of the support 12, measured between the two axial ends of the outer and inner parts, is for example between 30 mm and 36 mm.

[0031] The height s1 of the outer part 120 of the support 12 is for example between 15 mm and 19 mm.

[0032] The height s2 of the inner part 122 of the support 12 is for example between 12 mm and 18 mm.

[0033] We can see on the figure 2(c) at the end of the skirt 100 the four teeth 130 configured to engage the thread 33 of the container 3, so as to retain the adapter on the neck thereof. In this example, the number of teeth 130 is equal to four, but it is possible to have a different number of teeth, preferably an even number. The teeth 130 are preferably arranged along the entire circumference of the end of the skirt 100. The teeth may each have a shape of a portion of a screw thread, if appropriate.

[0034] The major diameter d1 of the thread 125 of the outer part 120, measured at the crest of the screw thread, is for example between 23 mm and 27 mm, and may be equal to 25 mm.

[0035] The minor diameter d2 of the thread 125 of the outer part 120, measured at the base of the screw thread, can be between 19 mm and 23 mm, being for example equal to 21 mm.

[0036] The diameter c2 of the thread of the skirt 100 of the fixing part 10 may be between 42 mm and 48 mm, in particular between 44 mm and 47 mm, for example equal to 46 mm.

[0037] The diameter c3 of the circle passing through the top of the teeth 130 can be between 41 mm and 45 mm, in particular between 42 mm and 44 mm, for example being equal to 43.5 mm.

[0038] The fixing part 10 preferably comprises a plate 102, perpendicular to the axis X, connecting the support 12 to the skirt 100 and having a thickness s3 which can be equal to 2 mm.

[0039] The height c1 of the fixing part 10, measured between the plate 102 and the end of the skirt 100, can be between 10 mm and 14 mm, being for example equal to 12 mm.

[0040] The outer diameter D of the plate 102 can be between 53 mm and 56 mm, and for example equal to 55 mm.

[0041] There figure 3 schematically represents different views of the sealing element 2 of the adapter 1 of the figure 1 . There figure 3(a) is a front view. The figure 3(b) is a longitudinal sectional view along section AA, and the figure 3(c) is a bottom view.

[0042] The height h2 of the sealing gasket 2 may be between 10 mm and 20 mm, in particular between 12 mm and 18 mm, being for example equal to 15 mm.

[0043] The internal diameter q4 of the seal 2 can be between 23 mm and 27 mm, being for example equal to 25 mm.

[0044] The annular lips 20 can form with the axis X of the seal an angle α of between 50° and 70°, or even equal to 60°.

[0045] The annular lips 20 may have a thickness e of between 1 mm and 2 mm, for example equal to 1.5 mm.

[0046] In this example, seal 2 has a succession of three lips with respective different external diameters q1, q2 and q3 decreasing from top to bottom. For example, q1 = 38.5 mm, q2 = 38 mm and q3 = 37.5 mm, for a container with the TO 43 mm standard. This decrease in external diameters allows the seal to be pushed more easily into the container opening when the adapter is fitted.

[0047] The seal 2 is for example injection molded in a thermoplastic material such as Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM), a silicone, or Polyethylene (PE).

[0048] The support 12 and the fixing part 10 are molded in one piece from a thermoplastic material such as Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene or Polyamide (PA).

[0049] These plastics can be food grade, and in particular meet standards aimed at demonstrating through migration tests the possibility of use with products for human consumption.

[0050] They can be recycled (plastic materials with a certain proportion of PCR).

[0051] The support 12 and the fixing part 10 are preferably made of a harder material than that of the seal 2. Preferably, the support 12 and the fixing part 10 have a hardness of between 70 and 90 Shore D, and the seal 2 has a hardness of between 30 and 80 Shore A.

[0052] The adapter 1 can be offered to the user with the seal 2 already mounted on the inner part 122. Alternatively, the two are offered separately within the same package, with the user being responsible for fixing the seal 2 to the inner part 122.

[0053] There figure 4(a) illustrates the attachment of adapter 1 of the figure 1 on a fresh bottle 3. The figure 4(b) is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the top of the bottle of the figure 4(a) .

[0054] It can be seen that the lips 20 of the seal 2 are applied against the inner surface of the inner wall of the neck of the bottle 3, the teeth 130 being engaged on the external thread 33 of the neck of the bottle, thus retaining the adapter 1 thereon.

[0055] A dispensing accessory 4, such as a closing capsule, is mounted on the outer part 120 of the support 12. This capsule comprises an internally threaded skirt arranged to screw onto the threaded outer part 120 of the support 12. The capsule has an upper wall 40 crossed by a dispensing orifice 41, and a pivoting cover 42 connected by a film hinge to the rest of the capsule, provided with a closing pin 43.

[0056] Bottle 3 can be used to package a liquid to be dispensed at a low flow rate, thanks to the presence of the capsule which acts as a flow reducer in the open configuration.

[0057] There figure 5(a) illustrates the mounting on the adapter 1 of a pump 4 with a movable dispensing nozzle 44, the actuation of the pump being carried out by exerting a downward thrust on the top of the nozzle. figure 5(b) is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the bottle of the figure 5(a) .

[0058] The dispensing tip 44 includes a dispensing orifice 45 in communication via the pump mechanism with a dip tube 47, this mechanism being housed in a support 46. Downward pressure exerted on the top of the tip 44 actuates the pump mechanism and the product drawn by the tube 47 is dispensed via the orifice 45.

[0059] There figure 6(a) represents the mounting on the adapter 1 of a spray pump 4 of the “gun” type, with an actuating lever. The figure 6(b) is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the bottle of the figure 6(a) .

[0060] The pump 4 comprises a spray nozzle 48 and an actuating lever 49, the movement of which actuates the pump mechanism. When a user presses this lever 49, the product is sprayed from the nozzle 48.

[0061] There figure 7 illustrates the mounting of an adapter according to the invention on a glass jar type container. Of course, other types of dispensing accessories are possible.

[0062] To use the adapter according to the invention, the original capsule closing the container is removed. In the case where it is desired to use the container to package a different product, the container is washed so as to clean it of any residue of the product it contained, it is allowed to dry if necessary, it is filled with the new product, and the adapter is fixed on the neck of the container.

[0063] When doing this, the accessory may already be in place on the adapter; alternatively, it is mounted on the adapter once the latter is in place.

[0064] When the container is empty again, the adapter is removed. The seal 2 can be removed from the support 12 to facilitate cleaning. The assembly can then be reused as described above.

[0065] The invention is not limited to a particular sealing means for ensuring the sealing of the mounting of the adapter on the container.

[0066] THE figures 8 à 10 schematically represent different examples of variants of the sealing element 2. In each of these figures, view (a) illustrates the adapter fixed to the container 3, view (b) is a longitudinal section schematically representing the adapter fixed to the opening of the container 3 and view (c) is a schematic longitudinal section of the adapter shown in isolation.

[0067] There figure 8 represents an example of a seal 2 similar to that described previously in connection with the figure 1 , with a succession of horizontal lips 20, parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the axis X of the support 12.

[0068] These lips 20 are applied by their edge on the interior surface of the wall defining the neck of the container 3.

[0069] In the example of the figure 9 , the support 12 is produced with an annular groove 22 and the sealing element 2 comprises an O-ring, not shown in the figure, received in this groove 22. This O-ring is applied to the inner surface of the neck 31.

[0070] In this example, the fixing part 10 is a separate part of the support 12, which can rotate freely relative to the latter. The fixing part 10 is, for example, a ring snap-mounted onto the support 12, the latter having a boss 127 delimiting a groove 129 in which the fixing part 10 is retained.

[0071] In the example of the figure 10, the sealing element 2 has a tubular central body 24 and an annular membrane 25 carried by this central body, applied by its top against the wall 30 of the container 3.

[0072] Such a seal can be made by injection or bi-injection (for example PET and EPDM).

[0073] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and is limited by the scope of the claims. Other embodiments are possible for the sealing element within the scope of the claims. Other accessories may be mounted on the support, for example an accessory intended to facilitate the filling of the container.

Claims

1. Adapter (1) for fastening an accessory (4) to a glass container (3) having a wall (30) delimiting an opening (31) and having an external thread (33), the adapter (1) including: - A fastening part (10) including an internally threaded skirt (100), designed to be screwed onto the external thread (33) of the container (3) to enable complete fastening thereto in less than a half turn, notably in a quarter turn, - A support (12) held by the fastening part (10), including an inner part (122) arranged to be engaged in the opening (31) of the container (3) and an outer part (120), and - A sealing element (2) carried by the inner part (122) of the support (12), arranged to bear sealingly on an inner surface of the wall (30) of the container (3), the outer part (120) having a thread (125) of smaller diameter than the thread of the container (3) to enable the accessory (4) to be fastened to the adapter (1).

2. Adapter according to the preceding claim, the sealing element (2) being attached to the inner part (122) of the support (12).

3. Adapter according to the preceding claim, the sealing element (2) being detachably fastened, preferably by snap-fastening, to the inner part (122) of the support (12), to enable it to be removed by the user for cleaning.

4. Adapter according to one of Claims 2 and 3, the sealing element (2) including one or more annular lips (20) carried by a tubular body (21) coaxial with the support (12), preferably a succession of lips, notably oriented obliquely outwards and towards the opening of the container (3).

5. Adapter according to one of Claims 2 and 3, the support (12) being made with an annular groove (22) and the sealing element (2) including an O-ring seated in this groove (22).

6. Adapter according to one of Claims 2 and 3, the sealing element (2) including a ring (23) having a tubular central body (24) and an annular membrane (25) carried by this central body, the top thereof bearing against the wall (30) of the container (3).

7. Assembly comprising a glass container (3), notably a bottle, preferably a "freshness bottle", and an adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged to be fastened to the container (3), notably to be screwed onto the neck of the bottle.

8. Assembly comprising an adapter (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, and at least one dispensing accessory (4) arranged to be fastened to the adapter (1), notably an accessory (4) selected from a hinged lid closure cap, a pump, notably with a dispensing nozzle or a spray nozzle, preferably a dispensing pump actuated by pressing on the top of a part including the dispensing nozzle or a "spray gun" pump with an actuating lever.

9. Assembly comprising a glass container (3) and the assembly in Claim 8.

10. Method of mounting an adapter (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 on a glass container (3), including replacing an original closing member of the glass container (3) with the adapter (1).