Cosmetic product packaging device with compressible portion and associated manufacturing method

Abstract

Cosmetic product packaging device with compressible portion and associated manufacturing method The invention relates to a cosmetic product packaging device comprising a main body having a compressible portion (26) in an axial direction (X). The compressible portion (26) comprises bellows (30), each bellows (30) extending projecting relative to the axial direction (X). Each bellows (30) comprises a top (32), a proximal base (36) and a distal base (34). For at least one of the bellows (30), for any point of the top (32), a first distance (d1) measured between said point of said top (32) and the proximal base (36) in a normal direction (YP) to the top of said point is strictly greater than a second distance (d2) measured in the axial direction (X) between the proximal base (36) and the distal base (34), in the absence of application of a force. The invention further relates to an associated manufacturing method.Figure for abstract: Fig 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Cosmetic product packaging device with compressible portion and associated manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic product packaging device comprising a main body, the main body delimiting an internal volume, the main body extending in an axial direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the main body having a dispensing opening at the distal end, the main body having a compressible portion in the axial direction at the proximal end, the compressible portion comprising bellows, each bellows extending in projection relative to the axial direction.

[0002] The invention further relates to an associated manufacturing method.

[0003] By packaging device is meant any packaging which allows the sale, transport, protection and storage of the product it contains.

[0004] A cosmetic product is advantageously a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

[0005] The product contained in the device according to the invention is, for example, a makeup product, such as a foundation, or a care cream or serum for the surface of the epidermis.

[0006] Document EP 2211410 A1 describes, for example, a packaging device having a compressible portion with triangular bellows allowing, under the effect of actuation by a user, to create an overpressure inside a product reservoir and thus cause the latter to exit through a dispensing orifice.

[0007] However, to allow good bending of said portion, the material forming the main body is made with a low thickness and / or in a flexible material.

[0008] If the main body is made with a low thickness, then the entire main body is likely to be very flexible, which can be inconvenient for a packaging device, in particular for handling the main body, and penalizing for application precision.

[0009] When the main body is made of a flexible material, this material is generally difficult or not recyclable.

[0010] Conversely, if the main body is made with a significant thickness, the compression of the compressible portion may prove difficult, this compressible portion having too high a rigidity requiring the application of a significant force to obtain its compression.

[0011] The proposal of eco-responsible, environmentally friendly solutions whose design and development take into account environmental issues is becoming a major concern to help meet global challenges.

[0012] It is therefore essential to design products that allow the quantity of materials used to be reduced and / or replaced with more environmentally friendly materials and / or to use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0013] In this context, it is important to offer recyclable packaging containing in particular separable elements and / or made up of a minimum of materials and / or free from materials that are difficult to recycle in order to facilitate their end of life and in particular their recycling at the end of life.

[0014] Thus, it is necessary to develop packaging made from environmentally friendly recyclable materials to enable the re-use of packaging at the end of its life and avoid pollution of recycling channels.

[0015] An object of the invention is therefore to propose a packaging device with a compressible portion that is easily actuated by a user, offering satisfactory application precision and is easily recyclable.

[0016] For this purpose, the invention relates to a device of the aforementioned type, in which each bellows comprises a top, a proximal base and a distal base, and for at least one of the bellows, for any point of the top, a first distance measured between said point of said top and the proximal base in a direction normal to the top of said point is strictly greater than a second distance measured in the axial direction between the proximal base and the distal base, in the absence of application of a force to the packaging device.

[0017] Thus, the material of the bellows is particularly stretched in the normal direction between the base and the top, for example by blowing the main body: this thus makes it possible to increase the deformability of the bellows and to create more significant flexion points within the bellows by locally refining the thickness, without modifying the thickness of the rest of the main body. This then makes it possible in particular to produce the main body from a single material in a single piece, using a material that is sufficiently rigid outside the bellows to offer satisfactory qualities for a packaging device, but whose reduced thickness with the bellows elongated in the normal direction allows flexibility of said bellows.

[0018] A packaging device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in all technically possible combinations:

[0019] - The main body comprises at least one wall having an internal face and a external face, the first distance and the second distance being measured at the level of the external face of the wall.

[0020] This is representative of the stretching undergone by the material at the level of the bellows.

[0021] - The main body is monobloc and formed from a single piece.

[0022] The main body is thus easy to produce and recycle.

[0023] - The main body is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1.5 GPa.

[0024] The packaging device then has a desired rigidity outside the compressible portion.

[0025] - the main body is made of poly(ethylene terephthalate).

[0026] PET is an easily recyclable material, so that, on the one hand, the main body is likely to be easily recycled, and, on the other hand, it is likely to be made at least partly from recycled PET.

[0027] - The first distance is greater than or equal to twice the dimension of the vertex along the axial direction.

[0028] Such a bellows is then particularly elongated in the normal direction, which makes it possible to increase the deformability of the bellows, in particular by locally refining the thickness, without modifying the thickness of the rest of the main body.

[0029] - For each bellows, the top and the proximal base are connected by a surface of proximal connection, the apex and the distal base being connected by a distal connection surface, and for T at least one of the bellows, the sum of the dimension of the proximal connection surface, the dimension of the apex and the dimension of the distal connection surface measured in any plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction is between twice the second distance and four times the second distance.

[0030] Such a bellows is particularly elongated in the normal direction, which makes it possible to increase the deformability of the bellows by locally refining the thickness, without risking compromising the structure of the main body at the level of the bellows.

[0031] - For each bellows, the top and the proximal base are connected by a surface of proximal connection, the top and the distal base being connected by a distal connection surface, for at least one of the bellows, the proximal connection surface and the distal connection surface being parallel or forming between them an angle strictly less than 30°, or each tangent to the proximal connection surface and each tangent to the distal connection surface in the same plane forming between them an angle strictly less than 30°.

[0032] Such an angle allows a progressive and significant refinement of the thickness of the wall of the main body at the level of the bellows.

[0033] - The proximal bonding surface is a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0034] This allows for a flexure point at each end of the flat surface. In addition, this allows for any product residue to flow towards the opening.

[0035] - The distal connecting surface is a continuous surface, any section of which along a direction normal to the distal bonding surface forms a straight line at a single angle with the axial direction.

[0036] This allows for a flex point at each end of the flat surface, and further facilitates flow of any product residue toward the opening.

[0037] - The top of each bellows extends substantially parallel to the direction axial.

[0038] This allows the top to have significant compressive strength in the axial direction, so that the bellows are mainly crushed outside the tops, which allows, for example, to improve the control and precision of the dosage of the cosmetic product. This also limits the swiveling of the compressible portion around an axis perpendicular to the axial direction, the actuation of the compressible portion thus being essentially in the axial direction, which allows to improve the control and precision of dispensing of the cosmetic product. Alternatively, the top of each bellows can form a non-zero angle, for example between 1° and 20° with the axial direction.

[0039] The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a packaging device as previously described, comprising an injection or extrusion of a preform and a blowing of the preform into the main body of the packaging device.

[0040] A method according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in all technically possible combinations:

[0041] the blowing is carried out in a blowing mold, the blowing mold having the complementary shape of the main body, the blowing mold comprising hollow elements complementary to the bellows.

[0042] This makes it easy to produce the bellows according to the desired shape, and in which the material becomes thinner as it advances into the hollow elements, as described in detail below.

[0043] Such a method makes it possible to easily produce the packaging device of the invention, by producing the main body in a single piece.

[0044] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, among which:

[0045] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a three-dimensional schematic view of a packaging device according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0046] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic sectional view of the packaging device of [Fig.l],

[0047] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlarged view of area A of [Fig.2],

[0048] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3] of the device of [Fig.l], in in which the compressible part is crushed in the axial direction,

[0049] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a partial schematic sectional view of a packaging device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0050] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a partial schematic sectional view of the device of the [Fig.5], in which the compressible part is crushed in the axial direction,

[0051] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a partial schematic sectional view of a packaging device according to a third embodiment of the invention,

[0052] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a partial schematic sectional view of a packaging device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,

[0053] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a partial schematic sectional view of a packaging device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, and

[0054] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a partial schematic sectional view of a packaging device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0055] A first example of a cosmetic product packaging device according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0056] The packaging device 10 comprises a main body 12.

[0057] The packaging device 10 further comprises a cannula 14.

[0058] In one embodiment, the packaging device 10 further comprises a cover (not shown).

[0059] The main body 12 delimits an internal volume 16.

[0060] The internal volume 16 is adapted to contain a cosmetic product.

[0061] The main body 12 comprises a wall 17 delimiting said internal volume 16.

[0062] The wall 17 has an internal face and an external face, the internal face delimiting the internal volume 16.

[0063] A normal direction YP is defined locally as the direction perpendicular to the tangent to the wall 17 at the point where the normal direction is considered.

[0064] The main body 12 is here monobloc and formed from a single piece.

[0065] The main body 12 is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1.5 GPa.

[0066] The main body 12 is, for example, made of poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET.

[0067] PET is, for example, at least partially recycled PET.

[0068] The main body 12 extends here in an axial direction X between a distal end 18 and a proximal end 20.

[0069] More particularly, in the example shown, the main body 12 has a symmetry of revolution around an axis of symmetry D extending in the axial direction X.

[0070] The main body 12 has a dispensing opening 22 at the distal end 18.

[0071] More particularly, the main body 12 has a distal portion 24 which opens at the level of the dispensing opening 22. The distal portion 24 has, for example, a section which decreases in the axial direction X up to the distal end 18.

[0072] The main body further has a compressible portion 26 in the axial direction X at the proximal end 20.

[0073] The main body 12 comprises a central portion 28 between the distal portion 24 and the compressible portion 26.

[0074] The central portion 28 is here a cylinder, that is to say that it has a section that is invariant by translation along the axial direction X along the central portion 28.

[0075] The cylinder has a base, for example circular or polygonal, for example triangular or square.

[0076] In the example shown, the central portion 28 is a cylinder with a circular base.

[0077] Alternatively, the central portion 28 is conical or banana-shaped.

[0078] The wall 17 in the central portion 28 has a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 3 mm.

[0079] In the example shown, for any section plane perpendicular to the axial direction X, the wall 17 of the main body 12 has a shape identical to that of the base of the central portion or which is a homothety of the base of the central portion 28, here in the example shown a circle.

[0080] The compressible portion 26 comprises a plurality of bellows 30.

[0081] A bellows is a folding or flexible part between two rigid parts.

[0082] Each bellows 30 extends in projection relative to the axial direction X, more particularly strictly here in a radial direction to the axis of symmetry D.

[0083] In the example shown, the normal direction of a bellows corresponds to the radial direction.

[0084] In the case of a polygonal base, the normal direction of a bellows at a point corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and to the side of the wall at said point.

[0085] Each bellows 30 comprises a top 32, a distal base 34 and a proximal base 36.

[0086] The base of the bellows closest to the distal end is called the “distal base”. 18, and “proximal base” the base of the bellows closest to the proximal end 20.

[0087] The apex 32 and the distal base 34 are connected by a wall whose external surface forms a distal connecting surface 38.

[0088] In the example shown, a distal rounding 42 connects the apex 32 and the distal connecting surface 38.

[0089] The top 32 and the proximal base 36 are connected by a wall whose external surface forms a proximal connecting surface 40.

[0090] In the example shown, a proximal rounding 44 connects the apex 32 and the proximal connecting surface 40.

[0091] For any section plane perpendicular to the axial direction X, the wall 17 forming each of the bellows has a shape identical to that of the base of the central portion or which is a homothety of the base of the central portion 28, here in the example represented a circle.

[0092] In the example shown, each vertex 32 here has a rotational symmetry around the axis of symmetry D.

[0093] Each vertex 32 has a dimension according to the axial dimension X greater than or equal to 1 mm.

[0094] This makes it possible in particular to limit the swiveling of the compression portion around an axis perpendicular to the axial direction X, for example to less than 20°, preferably to less than 5°.

[0095] In the example shown, the top 32 of each bellows 30 extends substantially parallel to the axial direction X.

[0096] More particularly here, the vertex 32 has a cylindrical shape, the base of which is, for example, similar to the base of the central portion or is a homothety of the base of the central portion 28.

[0097] The wall 17 at the level of the top 32 has a thickness of between 0.05 mm and 0.6 mm.

[0098] All of the proximal 36 and distal 34 bases of all the bellows are here aligned along the axial direction X.

[0099] The proximal base 36 of a bellows is connected to the distal base 34 of an adjacent bellows, except for the bellows closest to the proximal end 20, here by a wall extending in the axial direction X.

[0100] Alternatively, the proximal 36 and distal 34 bases of all the bellows are not all aligned along the axial direction X.

[0101] The distance between the bellows, measured between the proximal base 36 of a bellows and the distal base 34 of the adjacent bellows closer to the proximal end 20, is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.5 times the dimension of the apex 32 in the direction axial X.

[0102] The proximal connecting surface 40 is, for example, a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction X.

[0103] The wall having the proximal connecting surface 40 tapers from the proximal base 36 towards the apex 32.

[0104] The distal connecting surface 38 is, for example, a continuous surface, any section of which in a plane along the axial direction X and a direction normal to the distal connecting surface 38 forms a straight line forming a given angle [3 with a normal to the axial direction X.

[0105] The given angle [3 is equal for the entire bellows.

[0106] The given angle [3 is less than or equal to 60°, more particularly between 1° and 20°.

[0107] Here, the distal connecting surface 38 has, for example, the shape of a truncated cone, the base angle of which is the given angle [3.

[0108] The wall having the distal connecting surface 38 tapers from the distal base 34 towards the apex 32.

[0109] For each bellows 30, in the absence of external constraint, a first distance dl is defined for each point of the apex, measured between the apex 32 and the distal base 36 in a normal direction YP at the apex at said point of the apex 32.

[0110] Here we call the outline of an element, for example of a vertex, passing through a point, the section perpendicular to the axial direction X of said element at said point.

[0111] The normal direction YP at the vertex at said vertex point 32 is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction X and perpendicular to the tangent of the vertex contour passing through said point.

[0112] In the case of a polygonal-based device, the normal direction YP at the vertex of said vertex point 32 is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction X and perpendicular to the side comprising said point of the vertex contour passing through said point.

[0113] The first distance dl is measured on the external face of the wall 17.

[0114] The first distance dl is here equal for all the points of the vertex.

[0115] For each bellows 30, in the absence of external constraint, a second distance d2 measured along the axial direction X between the distal base 36 and the proximal base 34.

[0116] The second distance d2 is measured on the external face of the wall 17.

[0117] The second distance d2 is here constant over the entire bellows.

[0118] In the absence of external constraint, in particular in the absence of application of a force on the packaging device, for at least one of the bellows 30, for any point of the vertex, the first distance dl is strictly greater than the second distance d2.

[0119] More particularly for the majority of the bellows 30, more particularly for each of the bellows 30, for any point of the vertex, the first distance dl is strictly greater than the second distance d2.

[0120] Furthermore, for each bellows, the dimension of the bellows is defined, at a given point on the apex, as the sum of the dimension of the proximal connecting surface 38, the dimension of the apex 32 and the dimension of the distal connecting surface 40 measured in a plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction YP passing through said point.

[0121] Here, the dimension of the bellows is constant for all points of the bellows, in particular over the entire circumference of the bellows.

[0122] For at least one of the bellows 30, more particularly for the majority of the bellows 30, more particularly for each of the bellows 30, the dimension of the bellows for any point of the vertex is, for example, between twice the second distance d2 and four times the second distance.

[0123] For each bellows 30, in the absence of external constraint, a third distance d3 is defined for each point of the vertex, equal to the dimension of the vertex 32 measured in the axial direction X and in a plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction YP passing through said point.

[0124] The third distance d3 is measured at the level of the external face of the wall 17.

[0125] The second distance d2 is greater than or equal to the third distance d3. More by particularly here, the distal connecting surface 38 is oriented such that the second distance d2 is strictly greater than the third distance d3.

[0126] The third distance d3 is here constant for all the points of the vertex.

[0127] Furthermore, in the example shown, in the absence of external constraint, for at least one of the bellows 30, more particularly for the majority of the bellows 30, more particularly for each of the bellows 30, for any point of the vertex, the first distance dl measured at said point is here greater than or equal to twice the third dimension d3 measured at said point.

[0128] Here, in the absence of external constraint, the unique first distance dl is here greater than or equal to twice the unique third dimension d3.

[0129] Furthermore, for each bellows 30, in the absence of external constraint, the proximal connecting surface 40 and the distal connecting surface 38 are parallel or form an angle between them of less than 30°.

[0130] Each bellows 30 here has four flexion zones 46, 48, 50, 52: one 46 between the distal base 34 and the distal connecting surface 38, one 48 between the proximal base 36 and the proximal connecting surface 40, one 50 between the proximal connecting surface 40 and the apex 32, and one 52 between the distal connecting surface 38 and the apex 32.

[0131] In the event of pressure exerted in the axial direction X at the proximal end 20, as shown in [Fig. 4], the compressible portion 26 is crushed by flexing of the material in the four flexing zones, so that, for each bellows, the proximal base 36 approaches the distal base 34.

[0132] This bending is reversible.

[0133] In particular, in the absence of constraints, the compressible portion 26 returns to its initial uncompressed state.

[0134] The dimension along the axial direction X of each bellows is then reduced, and thus of the compressible portion.

[0135] On the other hand, the compressible portion does not deform outside the bellows 30. This makes it possible in particular to limit the swiveling of the compressible portion and to approach purely axial actuation of this compressible portion, thus promoting dosage precision when dispensing the product.

[0136] The cannula 14 is here fixed to the main body 12 at the level of the dispensing opening 22.

[0137] The cannula 14 here has a through passage 54, to allow the cosmetic product to exit.

[0138] More particularly, the cannula 14 blocks the distribution opening 22 with the exception of the passage 54.

[0139] Alternatively, the device does not include a cannula, the dispensing opening being provided for the direct dispensing of cosmetic product.

[0140] The hood is adapted to be reversibly fixed to the distal end 18 of the main body 12, so as to close the passage 54 in the case of a cannula 14 or the distribution opening otherwise.

[0141] In one embodiment, the base of the central portion 28 is not circular, but, for example, a polygon.

[0142] The normal direction YP is then directly the direction perpendicular to the wall at the point considered.

[0143] Similarly to previously, for any section plane perpendicular to the axial direction X, the wall 17 of the main body 12 has a shape identical to that of the base of the central portion or which is a homothety of the base of the central portion 28, here for example a polygon.

[0144] A second exemplary embodiment is partially shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0145] Only the aspects in which this second embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

[0146] The same numerical references incremented by 100 will be used for identical or similar elements.

[0147] The packaging device 110 according to the second embodiment differs from the first example in that the distance between the bellows 130 in the axial direction X is greater than that shown in the first example.

[0148] The distance between the bellows, measured between the proximal base 136 of a bellows and the distal base 134 of the adjacent bellows closer to the proximal end 120, is, for example, greater than or equal to 3 times the dimension of the apex 132 in the axial direction X.

[0149] As previously, each bellows comprises four flexion zones 146, 148, 150, 152: one 146 between the distal base 134 and the distal connecting surface 138, one 148 between the proximal base 136 and the proximal connecting surface 140, one 150 between the proximal connecting surface 140 and the apex 132, and one 152 between the distal connecting surface 138 and the apex 132.

[0150] In the event of pressure exerted in the axial direction X at the proximal end 120, as shown in [Fig. 6], the compressible portion 126 is crushed by flexing of the material in the four flexing zones, so that, for each bellows, the proximal base 136 approaches the distal base 134.

[0151] The dimension along the axial direction X of each bellows is then reduced, and thus of the compressible portion.

[0152] On the other hand, the compressible portion does not deform outside the bellows 130. This makes it possible in particular to limit the swiveling of the compressible portion and to approach purely axial actuation of this compressible portion, thus promoting dosage precision when dispensing the product.

[0153] A third exemplary embodiment is partially shown in [Fig.7].

[0154] Only the aspects in which this third embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

[0155] The same numerical references incremented by 200 will be used for identical or similar elements.

[0156] The packaging device 210 according to the third embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 230.

[0157] The bellows closest to the proximal end 220 is, for example, similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment.

[0158] The other bellows have a so-called rectangular shape.

[0159] The other bellows here have the same shape and dimensions between them.

[0160] More particularly, the apex 232 of each of these bellows extends substantially parallel to the axial direction X, and each of the proximal connecting surface 240 and the distal connecting surface 238 extends in a respective plane, perpendicular to the axial direction X.

[0161] Thus, the proximal bonding surface 240 and the distal bonding surface 238 are each perpendicular to the vertex 232.

[0162] The first distance dl is here equal to the dimension of the proximal connecting surface 240 in the normal direction.

[0163] The second distance d2 is here equal to the third distance.

[0164] The ratio of the first distance to the second distance is, for example, understood between 1.01 and 2, more particularly between 1.01 and 1.5.

[0165] A fourth exemplary embodiment is partially shown in [Fig.8].

[0166] Only the aspects in which this fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

[0167] The same numerical references incremented by 300 will be used for identical or similar elements.

[0168] The packaging device 310 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 330.

[0169] The bellows closest to the proximal end 320 is, for example, similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment.

[0170] The other bellows have a so-called pyramidal shape.

[0171] The other bellows here have the same shape and dimensions between them.

[0172] More particularly, the apex 332 of each of these bellows extends substantially parallel to the axial direction X, and each of the proximal connecting surface 340 and the distal connecting surface 338 forms a truncated cone.

[0173] The proximal connecting surface 340 and the distal connecting surface 338 form between them an angle α strictly less than 30°.

[0174] The given angle [3 formed with the normal direction at the vertex 332 is, for example, equal for the proximal bonding surface 340 and the distal bonding surface 338.

[0175] The proximal connecting surface 340 and the distal connecting surface 338 are, for example, symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane of the vertex 332.

[0176] The proximal connecting surface 340 and the distal connecting surface 338 are oriented such that the apex 332 has a dimension measured in the axial direction X less than the distance in the axial direction X between the distal base 334 and the proximal base 336.

[0177] A fifth exemplary embodiment is partially shown in [Fig.9].

[0178] Only the aspects in which this fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

[0179] The same numerical references incremented by 400 will be used for identical or similar elements.

[0180] The packaging device 410 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 430.

[0181] The packaging device 410 according to the fifth embodiment here has at least three bellows 430.

[0182] The bellows closest to the proximal end 420 is, for example, similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment.

[0183] At least one bellows has a rectangular shape, more particularly as described with regard to the third embodiment.

[0184] Alternatively or additionally, at least one bellows has a so-called curved shape, more particularly convex from the external face.

[0185] The proximal connecting surface 440 and the distal connecting surface 438 are, for example, symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane of the vertex 432.

[0186] Each tangent to the proximal connecting surface 440 and each tangent to the distal connecting surface 438, in the same plane, form between them an angle α strictly less than 30°.

[0187] A sixth exemplary embodiment is partially shown in [Fig.10],

[0188] Only the aspects in which this sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment will now be described.

[0189] The same numerical references incremented by 500 will be used for identical or similar elements.

[0190] The packaging device 510 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the first example in the shape of the bellows 530.

[0191] The packaging device 510 according to the sixth embodiment here has at least three bellows 530.

[0192] The bellows closest to the proximal end 520 is, for example, similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment.

[0193] The bellows closest to the distal end (not visible in [Fig.10]) has a vertex 532 parallel to the axial direction X, a planar proximal connecting surface 540 perpendicular to the axial direction X, and a distal connecting surface 538 oriented such that the second distance d2 is strictly greater than the third distance d3.

[0194] The distal connecting surface 538 is, for example, a continuous surface, any section of which in a direction normal to the distal connecting surface 538 forms a straight line forming a given angle [3 with a normal to the axial direction X.

[0195] The given angle [3 is constant for the entire bellows.

[0196] The given angle [3 is less than or equal to 60°, more particularly between 1° and 20°.

[0197] The intermediate bellows(s) here have the shape of the bellows outside the bellows closest to the proximal end of the fourth embodiment.

[0198] In each of the preceding embodiments, for at least one of the bellows, more particularly for each bellows, for any point of the vertex, the first distance dl is strictly greater than the second distance d2.

[0199] In each of the preceding embodiments, the thickness of the wall comprising the proximal bonding surface 40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540 tapers from the proximal base 36, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536 towards the apex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532, and the thickness of the wall comprising the distal bonding surface 38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538 tapers from the distal base 34, 134, 234, 334, 434, 534 towards the apex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532.

[0200] Furthermore, in each of the preceding embodiments, the first distance dl is, for example, greater than or equal to twice the dimension d3 of the vertex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532 in the axial direction.

[0201] Furthermore, in each of the preceding embodiments, for at least one of the bellows 30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, more particularly for each bellows, the sum of the dimension of the proximal connecting surface 40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, of the dimension of the apex 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532 and of the dimension of the distal connecting surface 38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538 measured in any plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction is, for example, between twice the second distance d2 and four times the second distance d2.

[0202] A method of using a packaging device according to any of the exemplary embodiments will now be described.

[0203] A packaging device 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 as previously described is provided.

[0204] If necessary, the user removes the cover.

[0205] The user presses on the proximal end 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 in the axial direction X, so as to compress the compressible portion 26, 126, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536 more particularly at the level of the bellows 30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530.

[0206] This results in the delivery of cosmetic product at the outlet, more particularly a dose of cosmetic product.

[0207] The dose here corresponds to the variation in internal volume due to the compression of the compressible portion.

[0208] This allows the user to precisely dose the quantity of product delivered through the dispensing opening following the actuation and compression of the compressible portion 26, 126, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536.

[0209] When the user stops pressing the proximal end 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, the compressible portion 26, 126, 226, 326, 426, 526 returns to the initial uncompressed state.

[0210] The user is then able to press the proximal end 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 as many times as desired to obtain the desired quantity of product.

[0211] A method of manufacturing a packaging device as described above according to any of the exemplary embodiments will now be described.

[0212] The manufacturing method comprises a step of injecting or extruding a preform, then a step of blowing the preform into a main body 12, as described previously.

[0213] In a particular embodiment, the preform comprises a wall having a thinner thickness in a portion intended to form the compressible portion.

[0214] The preform is made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET. The PET is, for example, at least partially recycled PET.

[0215] Before the blowing step, the preform is placed in a blow mold.

[0216] The blow mold has the shape complementary to the desired shape of the main body, and in particular of the bellows.

[0217] In particular, the blow mold comprises hollow elements complementary to the bellows.

[0218] The preform is, for example, held at the level of the future distal end 18.

[0219] During the blowing step, air is injected into the preform radially and possibly also axially. More particularly, an air ejection system is previously inserted into the preform along a central axis by the future distal end 18, the air ejection system ejecting air perpendicular to the central axis during the blowing step.

[0220] The radial air flow is substantially homogeneous.

[0221] Thus, during the blowing step, the preform is stretched radially at least and the wall of the preform is pressed against the blowing mold.

[0222] When the wall reaches the blow mold, it then freezes, in particular due to temperature differences.

[0223] The wall of the preform is stretched further at the hollow elements of the blow mold to reach the blow mold.

[0224] In particular, in the area of ​​the future compressible portion, the preform stretches until a portion of the preform reaches the surface of the mold that is not hollow. At these locations, the preform sets. In the other locations, the preform continues to stretch to reach the bottom of the hollow elements, and sets as it touches the mold.

[0225] Thus, the more the location of the preform reaches a recessed space in the element hollow, the more the wall of the preform is stretched at this level, and therefore the thinner the wall.

[0226] The thickness of the wall of the main body is therefore thinner at the level of the bellows, in particular at the tops, than outside the bellows.

[0227] Such a method makes it possible to produce a main body with an interior volume, to contain the cosmetic product, and a compressible portion in one piece.

[0228] This makes it possible in particular to use a relatively rigid material, which is not deformable during normal use of the device for a thickness equal to that of the wall outside the bellows, but which is deformable for a reduced thickness, as in the bellows, for example PET.

[0229] This is particularly advantageous from the point of view of the environmental footprint of the packaging device, as explained previously.

[0230] Furthermore, such a method is easy to implement.

Claims

Claims

1. A packaging device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) for a cosmetic product comprising a main body (12), the main body (12) delimiting an internal volume (16), the main body (12) extending in an axial direction (X) between a distal end (18) and a proximal end (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520), the main body (12) having a dispensing opening (22) at the distal end (18), the main body (12) having a compressible portion (26; 126; 226; 326; 426; 526) in the axial direction (X) at the proximal end (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520), the portion compressible (26; 126; 226; 326; 426; 526) comprising bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530) extending projecting relative to the axial direction (X), characterized in that each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530) comprises a top (32; 132; 232; 332; 432;532), a proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) and a distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534), and in that, for at least one of the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), for any point of the apex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532), a first distance (dl) measured between said point of said apex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) in a normal direction (YP) at the apex of said point is strictly greater than a second distance (d2) measured along the axial direction (X) between the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) and the distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534), in the absence of application of a force on the conditioning device.;

2. Packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the main body (12) comprises at least one wall (17) having an internal face and an external face, the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2) being measured at the external face of the wall (17).

3. A packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body (12) is one-piece and formed from a single piece.

4. A packaging device according to claim 3, wherein the main body (12) is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1.5 GPa.

5. A packaging device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the main body (12) is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

6. Packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the first distance (dl) is greater than or equal to twice the dimension (d3) of the vertex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) in the axial direction (X).

7. Packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, for each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the top (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) are connected by a proximal connecting surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540), the top (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534) being connected by a distal connecting surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538), and for at least one of the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the sum of the dimension of the proximal connecting surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540), of the dimension (d3) of the apex (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and of the dimension of the distal connecting surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438;538) measured in any plane parallel to the axial direction and to the normal direction (YP) is between twice the second distance (d2) and four times the second distance (d2).;

8. Packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, for each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the top (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the proximal base (36; 136; 236; 336; 436; 536) are connected by a proximal connecting surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540), the top (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) and the distal base (34; 134; 234; 334; 434; 534) being connected by a distal connecting surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538), for at least one of the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530), the proximal connecting surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) and the distal connecting surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438; 538) being parallel or forming between them an angle (a) strictly less than 30°, or each tangent to the proximal connecting surface (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) and each tangent to the distal connecting surface (38; 138; 238; 338; 438;538) in the same plane forming between them an angle (a) strictly less than 30°.;

9. A packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the top (32; 132; 232; 332; 432; 532) of each bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530) extends sens- possibly parallel to the axial direction (X).

10. A method of manufacturing a packaging device (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an injection or extrusion of a preform and a blowing of the preform into a main body (12) of the packaging device (10; 110).

11. A manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the blowing is carried out in a blow mold, the blow mold having the shape complementary to the main body (12), the blow mold comprising hollow elements complementary to the bellows (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530).

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