Cap for dispensers of product in vaporized or aerosol form, cap / product dispensers assembly and method for manufacturing such a cap

Abstract

The invention relates to a cap (10) for a dispenser (20) of product in vaporized / aerosol form, the cap (10) being made of at least one material based on plant fibre and in particular based on paper, the cap comprising an axisymmetric cylindrical skirt (11), one base (12) of which is closed and the other base (13) of which is open to receive an end (21) of the dispenser (20). The cylindrical skirt (11) has successive first and second circumferential portions respectively having first and second internal diameters (d2, d3) of reduced size with respect to a mean internal diameter (d1) of the rest of the cylindrical skirt, the first and second circumferential portions being arranged spaced apart from one another in such a way as to be able to receive a rib (22) formed on the end (21) of the dispenser (20) when the cap (10) closes the end of the dispenser (20).

Description

Description Title: Cover for dispensers of product in spray or aerosol form, cover / product dispenser assembly and method of manufacturing such a cover Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of closing dispensers of products in vaporized or aerosol form and in particular aerosol cans.

[0002] Thus, the invention relates more specifically to a cover for a dispenser of a product in vaporized or aerosol form, a cover / product dispenser assembly and a method of manufacturing such a cover. State of the prior art

[0003] The closure of spray or aerosol dispensers, such as aerosol cans, is generally made from plastic caps. However, while such dispensers, when made of tinplate or aluminum, can be easily recycled, this is not the case for their caps.

[0004] In order to limit the carbon footprint of such covers and promote their recycling, consideration has been given to making them from plant-fiber-based materials, particularly paper-based ones. This type of solution is described in particular in documents KR2023040367A and JP2021160774A.

[0005] According to these documents, such a plant fiber cover comprises a cylindrical skirt of revolution, one base of which is closed, the other base of which is open to accommodate the distributor. The cover is held on the end of the distributor by providing an inwardly rolled edge at the open base of the skirt to reinforce the skirt at the latter base.

[0006] In such a configuration, it is this single rolled edge that abuts the spherical dome of the aerosol cans based on a wedge effect during vertical compression. Thus, if such caps allow easy recycling, since they are made in plant fibers, they do not have a perfect hold, since it is obtained only by this unique corner effect. Statement of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to remedy this drawback and thus aims to provide a cover which, while allowing easier recycling compared to covers made of plastic material, has a better hold on the end of a dispenser of product in vaporized or aerosol form when this cover closes said end.

[0008] The invention relates to this purpose to a cover for a dispenser of a product in vaporized or aerosol form, the cover being made of at least one material based on plant fiber and in particular based on paper, the cover comprising a cylindrical skirt of revolution of which one base is closed and the other base is open to receive one end of the dispenser, the cylindrical skirt having a first and a second successive circumferential portion having respectively a first and a second internal diameter whose dimension is reduced with respect to that of an average internal diameter of the rest of the cylindrical skirt, the first and the second circumferential portion being arranged spaced from each other in such a way as to be able to receive a rib arranged on the end of the dispenser when the cover closes the end of the dispenser.

[0009] With such first and second circumferential portions of reduced diameter of the cylindrical skirt, the rib of the dispenser, such as a rolled neck of a dome of an aerosol can, is retained by the latter. This results in a better retention of the cap on the end of the dispenser than that obtained by simple wedge effect implemented by the plant fiber caps of the prior art. In addition, the present cap being made of plant fiber, its recycling is facilitated.

[0010] According to the invention, each of the first and second circumferential portions can take the form of a groove arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical skirt.

[0011] The dispenser may be an aerosol can and wherein the rib is a rolled neck of the aerosol can.

[0012] Such an aerosol can particularly benefits from the cap according to the invention, since it comprises, by its structure, a rib capable of cooperating with the cap which is the rolled neck of the aerosol can.

[0013] The at least one plant fiber-based material from which the cover is made may be spiral-wound cardboard.

[0014] Such spiral cardboard is particularly suitable for forming the hood skirt since with such a design the skirt is unlikely to deform under radial stresses.

[0015] The plant fiber-based material is at least partly coated with a finishing agent and / or a waterproofing material, such as a varnish or a resin.

[0016] Such a coating allows the finish of the cover to be adapted to the needs and appearance of the dispenser and, if necessary, to provide protection against humidity and possible accidental releases of product.

[0017] The first and second internal diameters may both be less than the average internal diameter of the remainder of the cylindrical skirt by at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 0.8 mm, even more preferably at least 1.2 mm.

[0018] Such a dimension of the first and second diameter provides a particularly optimized fit of the cover on the distributor.

[0019] The first and second circumferential portions may be separated from each other by a distance of between 1 and 8 nm, preferably between 2 and 6 mm, and may advantageously be separated by a distance substantially equal to 4 mm.

[0020] Such a distance also contributes to a particularly optimized fit of the cover on the distributor.

[0021] The invention further relates to an aerosol cap / housing assembly comprising a cap according to the invention and a dispenser for a product in spray / aerosol form, the dispenser for a product in spray / aerosol form having an end intended to be received by an open base of the skirt and a rib arranged on the end of the dispenser, wherein the first and second circumferential portions are spaced apart to accommodate the rib provided on the end of the distributor when the cover closes the end of the distributor.

[0022] Such a set benefits from the advantages linked to the hood it includes.

[0023] The product dispenser may be an aerosol can, the rib being a rolled neck of the aerosol can.

[0024] Such an assembly, comprising an aerosol can as a product dispenser, particularly benefits from the cap according to the invention given that the aerosol can comprises, by its structure, a rib capable of cooperating with the cap which is the rolled neck of the aerosol can.

[0025] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a cap for an aerosol can comprising the following steps: providing a cylindrical skirt of revolution made from at least one material based on plant fiber and in particular based on paper, forming on the skirt a first and a second successive circumferential portion respectively having a first and a second internal diameter whose dimension is reduced compared to that of an average internal diameter of the rest of the cylindrical skirt, the first and the second circumferential portion being arranged spaced apart from each other in such a way as to be able to accommodate a rolled neck of the aerosol can between them, in which the cap thus formed has its cylindrical skirt which comprises a closed cylinder base, the other base being open to receive one end of the dispenser.

[0026] Such a method makes it possible to manufacture a hood according to the invention and to benefit from the advantages attached thereto. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] The present invention will be better understood by reading the description of exemplary embodiments, given purely for informational purposes and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a hood according to the invention in partial sectional view on the right part of the figure, Figure 2A illustrates a cap / aerosol assembly comprising a cap as illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2B illustrates in close-up view a cap / aerosol assembly of Figure 2A, with the cap partially cut away to show the arrangement of the cap relative to the rolled neck of the aerosol can.

[0028] Identical, similar or equivalent parts of different figures bear the same numerical references so as to facilitate the transition from one figure to another.

[0029] The different parts represented in the figures are not necessarily on a uniform scale, to make the figures more readable.

[0030] The different possibilities (variants and embodiments) must be understood as not being mutually exclusive and can be combined with each other. Detailed description of specific embodiments

[0031] Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a cover 10 according to the invention intended to equip an aerosol can 20, such as that illustrated in Figure 2A, the right part of Figure 1 being a sectional view, the left part of Figure 1 being a front view. If such a cover 10 is particularly suitable for equipping an aerosol can, it is not limited to this sole use and it can be adapted to equip a dispenser of product in vaporized or aerosol form as long as this dispenser comprises at one of its ends, the one to be closed, a rib. Thus, for example, a cover according to the invention can be adapted to equip a dispenser comprising a vaporizer pump, whether the latter is clipped or screwed to the rest of the dispenser. According to this possibility, the cover 10 can then be adapted to equip the valve or the ring of the pump by clipping onto a rib of said valve or pump ring.

[0032] A cover according to the invention is made from a material based on plant fibers and advantageously based on paper. Thus, in accordance with the present method of embodiment, the cover 10 according to the invention can in particular be made of spiral cardboard (in particular with regard to its cylindrical skirt 11 as specified below). It can be seen in Figure 1 that a cover according to the invention comprises: a cylindrical skirt 11 of revolution of which one base 12 is closed and the other base 13 is open to receive one end 21 of the dispenser 20, a cover 12A closing the base 12.

[0033] According to the invention, the cylindrical skirt 11 has a first and a second successive circumferential portion 15, 16 having respectively a first and a second internal diameter d2, d3 whose dimension is reduced with respect to that of an average internal diameter d1 of the rest of the cylindrical skirt, the first and the second circumferential portion being arranged spaced from one another in such a way as to be able to accommodate a rib 22 arranged, here the rolled neck of the aerosol can, on the end of the dispenser 20 when the cover 10 closes the end of the dispenser 20. It is this arrangement which is shown in Figures 2A and 2B in which a part of the skirt has been removed to show this accommodation.

[0034] The skirt has a cylindrical shape of revolution with its first base 12 closed by the cover 12A and its second base open to receive one end of the distributor 20. As a result, the average internal diameter dl of the cylindrical skirt 11 is adjusted to substantially correspond to that of the end 21 of the distributor 20 that the cover 10 receives. Thus, in the present example, this average internal diameter dl of the cylindrical skirt 11 may be equal to 50.8 mm. As specified above, in order to give it a certain strength, in the present embodiment, the skirt is made of spiral cardboard. The thickness el of the cylindrical skirt 11 may be between 2 mm and 0.2 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 0.5 mm, or even substantially equal to 0.75 mm.The height of the cylindrical skirt 11 is adapted to accommodate the end of the dispenser and its accessories, here the nozzle of the dispenser 20, not shown, thereby limiting the risks of accidental actuation of said nozzle. Thus, the height of the cylindrical skirt 11 is adapted to receive the nozzle and provide an additional safety height to prevent any accidental actuation.

[0035] As already specified above, in order to allow good retention of the cover 10 on the end 21 of the distributor, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 are arranged on the cylindrical skirt 11. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 are formed by stamping and each take the form of a groove arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical skirt 11 (and therefore a rib on the inside of the cylindrical skirt 11). According to the invention, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 respectively have a first and second internal diameter d2, d3 of reduced size compared to the average internal diameter d1 of the cylindrical skirt 11.

[0036] In a usual configuration of the invention, taken up by the present embodiment, the first and second internal diameters d2, d3 may be identical. Of course, as a variant, the invention the first and second internal diameters d2, d3 may be different from each other. According to this possibility, in order to form a stop for the rib 22 of the distributor 20, the first diameter d2 may be less than the second diameter d3.

[0037] As specified above, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 have an arrangement spaced apart from each other so as to be able to accommodate the rib 22 arranged on the end 21 of the distributor 20. Such an arrangement can be obtained by a spacing between the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 equal to the thickness of the rib 22 of the distributor 20. In the present embodiment, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 are spaced apart from each other by a height h2 which is substantially equal to 4 mm. In order for the opening of the skirt to abut on a shoulder of the end 21 of the distributor, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 can be at a distance from the open base 13 of the cylindrical skirt 11.In the context of the present embodiment, the first circumferential portion 15, that distal to the open base 13 of the cylindrical skirt 11, is thus arranged at a height hl of 6 mm with respect to the open base 13 of the cylindrical skirt 11.

[0038] It will be noted that according to a variant not shown, the second circumferential portion 16 can be arranged at the level of the open base 13 of the skirt cylindrical 11, for example in the form of a rolled edge of the cylindrical skirt 11. In such a configuration, the cover 10 does not rest on a shoulder provided on the end and only held by the cooperation of the first and second circumferential portions with the rib 22 of the end 21 of the distributor 20.

[0039] It will be noted that if, in the present embodiment, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 are formed by stamping at the level of the cylindrical skirt 11, they can of course be formed differently. Thus, for example, it is perfectly conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention that the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 are arranged on the inside of the cylindrical skirt 11 in the form of an internal groove each. Thus, according to such an alternative configuration, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 are each formed by an excess thickness projecting from the inside of the cylindrical skirt 11.

[0040] At its closed base 12, the cylindrical skirt 11 has a rolled edge 17 towards the inside of the skirt. The cover 12A thus comes, from the inside of the cylindrical skirt 11, to bear on this rolled edge which forms a stop for it. The cover has a shape complementary to the skirt and can thus be in the form of a disc whose diameter is substantially equal to the average internal diameter dl of the cylindrical skirt 11. The cover 12A is made of a material based on plant fiber and in particular based on paper. Thus in the present embodiment, the cover 12A is made of rigid cardboard (or gray cardboard) or even cardboard, the rigidity then being provided according to the latter possibility by the cylindrical skirt 11 made of spiral cardboard.

[0041] In order to provide it with protection against humidity and possible accidental releases of product, the cover 10 may be at least partly coated with a waterproofing material, such as a varnish or a resin.

[0042] As an alternative or in addition to such a coating, the material of the cover, and in particular that of the skirt of the latter, may comprise a finishing layer of the “coated” type. Such a finishing layer, known to those skilled in the art of stationery and cardboard, makes it possible to provide a matte or glossy appearance to papers and cardboards. Such a finishing layer comprises a coating comprising 80 to 92% mass of fine peppers, i.e. those with a size of less than 2 pm, such as calcium carbonate or kaolinite, combined with 8 to 20% by mass of a binder, such as an adhesive, in particular starch.

[0043] Such a cap 10 can be manufactured by implementing a manufacturing method comprising the following steps: providing a cylindrical skirt 11 of revolution made from at least one material based on plant fiber and in particular based on paper, forming on the skirt a first and a second successive circumferential portion whose diameter is reduced relative to the rest of the cylindrical skirt, the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 being arranged spaced apart from each other in such a way as to be able to accommodate a rolled neck of the aerosol can between them.

[0044] In the context of this method, the cover 10 thus formed has its cylindrical skirt 11 which comprises a closed cylinder base, the other base 13 being open to receive one end of the distributor 20. Of course, this closing of the cylindrical skirt 11 can be carried out during the supply of the cylindrical skirt 11, between the step of supplying the skirt and the step of forming the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16, during the step of forming the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 or after the latter.

[0045] According to the present embodiment of the invention, the step of forming the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 may be a step of stamping a cylindrical skirt 11. Of course, such formation may be carried out by means of another method without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, in particular, it is perfectly conceivable that the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 may be formed by thermoforming.

[0046] According to another variant of the invention, the step of forming the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 may be concomitant with the step of providing the cylindrical skirt 11. According to this possibility, during this step of providing the cylindrical skirt 11, the cylindrical skirt 11 may be formed with said first and second circumferential portions 15, 16. This possibility may in particular be implemented in the case where the first and second circumferential portions 15, 16 are provided in the form of an excess thickness of the cylindrical skirt 11.

Claims

Claims 1. Cover (10) for a dispenser (20) of product in vaporized / aerosol form, the cover (10) being made of at least one material based on plant fiber and in particular based on paper, the cover comprising a cylindrical skirt (11) of revolution of which one base (12) is closed and the other base (13) is open to receive one end (21) of the dispenser (20), the cover (10) being characterized in that the cylindrical skirt (11) has a first and a second successive circumferential portion having respectively a first and a second internal diameter (d2, d3) whose dimension is reduced with respect to that of an average internal diameter (dl) of the rest of the cylindrical skirt, the first and the second circumferential portion being arranged spaced from each other in such a way as to be able to accommodate a rib (22) arranged on the end (21) of the dispenser (20) when the cover (10) closes the end of the dispenser (20).

2. A cover (10) for a dispenser (20) according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser (10) is an aerosol can and wherein the rib (22) is a rolled neck of the aerosol can.

3. Cover (10) for dispenser (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one plant fiber-based material from which the cover is made is spiral cardboard.

4. Cover (10) for dispenser (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the plant fiber-based material is at least partly coated with a finishing layer and / or a layer of a waterproofing material, such as a varnish or a resin.

5. A cover (10) for a dispenser (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second internal diameters are both less than the average internal diameter of the remainder of the cylindrical skirt of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 0.8 mm, even more preferably at least 1.2 mm.

6. Cover (10) for dispenser (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the first and second circumferential portions (15, 16) are separated from each other by a distance of between 1 and 8 nm, preferably between 2 and 6 mm and can advantageously be separated by a distance substantially equal to 4 mm.

7. A cap (10) / dispenser (20) assembly for spray / aerosol product comprising a cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a dispenser (20) for spray / aerosol product, the dispenser (20) for spray / aerosol product having an end intended to be received by an open base (13) of the skirt (11) and a rib (22) provided on the end (21) of the dispenser (20), wherein the first and second circumferential portions are spaced apart to accommodate the rib (22) provided (22) on the end (21) of the dispenser (20) when the cap (10) closes the end of the dispenser (20).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, in which the product dispenser (20) is an aerosol can, the rib (22) being a rolled neck of the aerosol can.

9. Method for manufacturing a cover for a dispenser (20) of product in vaporized / aerosol form comprising the following steps: providing a cylindrical skirt (11) of revolution made from at least one material based on plant fiber and in particular based on paper, forming on the skirt a first and a second successive circumferential portion having respectively a first and a second internal diameter (d2, d3) whose dimension is reduced with respect to that of an average internal diameter (dl) of the rest of the cylindrical skirt, the first and the second circumferential portion being arranged spaced apart from each other in such a way as to be able to accommodate a rolled neck of the dispenser (20) between them, in which the cover thus formed has its cylindrical skirt (11) which comprises a closed cylinder base, the other base (13) being open to receive one end of the dispenser (20).

Images