DISPOSABLE SINGLE-USE PACKAGING, AND RELATED MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Abstract

- Disposable single-use packaging, and related manufacturing process. - Disposable single-use packaging (1) having an elongated shape and rising vertically between lower (3) and upper (4) ends, the packaging having, at the upper end, a destructible portion (6) allowing a permanent access opening (7) to be made, the packaging comprising: a flat support portion (14) at the lower end, for resting the packaging stably vertically on a flat surface, a flexible skirt (15) integral with said flat portion and extending from it to the upper end, said skirt extending longitudinally between a lower edge (16) which follows the contour of said flat portion and an upper edge (17) flattened onto, and attached to, itself, to form a closed edge at the upper end. - Disposable packaging, disposable consumer goods, and their manufacture. - Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: DISPOSABLE SINGLE-USE PACKAGING, AND RELATED MANUFACTURING METHOD

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of consumer products, and more particularly to the general field of packaging for liquid, pasty or bulk products, especially cosmetic, care or hygiene products.

[0002] The present invention relates more specifically to a single-use disposable packaging, suitable for being grasped and handled by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product, said packaging having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end and an upper end, said packaging being provided, at the level of said upper end, with a destructible portion allowing a permanent opening for access to the inside of the packaging.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a single-use disposable article comprising disposable packaging as described above.

[0004] The present invention also relates to an intermediate container intended for the production of a single-use disposable packaging as described above.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an intermediate container intended for the production of a single-use disposable packaging suitable for being grasped and handled by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product, said intermediate container having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end and an upper end.

[0006] The present invention finally relates to a method of manufacturing a single-use disposable article as described above.

[0007] Packaging for everyday products presents a major challenge in terms of logistics (transport, storage), reducing carbon footprint, and more generally, pollution, both at the source (packaging production) and at the point of use (destruction, landfilling, recovery, recycling, etc. of used packaging). Used packaging constitutes a significant, if not the majority, of our household waste. Managing packaging waste is also costly due to the bulk, quantity, and variety of packaging and its constituent materials. Furthermore, packaging remains essential to the consumer economy, as its function is to protect and store products, and it also allows consumers to identify these products as quickly as possible while ideally presenting a positive image of them.

[0008] Thus, a large number of everyday products are packaged in known "disposable" and "single-dose" packaging, that is, packaging designed to be opened in a single, destructive manner, before being emptied of its contents and then discarded. The most common known packaging of this type is frequently referred to by the generic term "bellingots." These known berlingots, as their name indicates, often take the form of a plastic envelope that is relatively flexible and flimsy. They are therefore stored and arranged almost horizontally, in a haphazard manner, loose, sometimes piled on top of each other. The shelf life of these known berlingots does not exceed the consumption, generally in a single use, of the product.Indeed, to access the product inside a standard single-dose sachet, it is necessary to make an opening, sometimes facilitated by a pre-cut, at one end of the sachet. This opening is therefore destructive and irreversible once the product inside is needed, and it must be emptied into a more durable container, such as a pump bottle, to refill it. The pump bottle thus allows for the dispensing of the product initially contained in the sachet as required. Standard single-dose sachets therefore offer the advantage of being usable for "refilling" purposes, which is cost-effective and space-saving, both before and after use (i.e., before and after the product is emptied).

[0009] However, known berlingots, although they generally fulfill their functions of storing and releasing various products all at once satisfactorily, have certain drawbacks which can prove to be particularly troublesome.

[0010] Known cartons are produced in large quantities for consumption by the public or industries and require a very high rate of replacement. Consequently, the quantities of waste generated by these known cartons are both massive and consistent, which presents major challenges in terms of the environment, logistics, and even public opinion, as already mentioned above. Furthermore, due to their general design, known cartons are particularly impractical, polluting relative to the amount of plastic used to store a certain quantity of product, and have relatively low overall mechanical resistance, which increases the risk of unwanted release or leakage of the product from the cartons should they rupture.

[0011] Furthermore, the known pyramid-shaped pouches are generally impractical to use, difficult to transport and store, and poorly suited to being presented attractively and conveniently in points of sale (supermarkets, grocery stores, etc.), or simply at home. Indeed, their flabby nature complicates their visibility and therefore the identification of the product they contain, as well as their storage and handling. pulation.

[0012] The objects assigned to the present invention are therefore aimed at remedying the various disadvantages listed above and at proposing a new single-use disposable packaging suitable for being grasped and handled by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product, which, while being particularly easy to produce industrially, also allows the secure and durable storage of a sufficient quantity of product, while being particularly practical to use and easy to store.

[0013] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new single-use disposable packaging which has a universal character and is suitable for containing a wide variety of products.

[0014] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging whose design allows it to be easily spotted and identified by a user or consumer.

[0015] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging whose design allows it to be handled particularly easily by a user or consumer.

[0016] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new single-use disposable packaging whose design minimizes its carbon footprint.

[0017] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging whose design allows it to require only a minimal amount of polluting material relative to the amount of product it is capable of containing.

[0018] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging of particularly compact, lightweight, simple and robust construction.

[0019] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new single-use disposable packaging which uses a minimum of separate parts that are easy to produce and assemble.

[0020] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging whose design allows it to be particularly simple and easy to use, especially to open, by a user.

[0021] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging that allows for quick and easy refilling of a product dispensing device, for example a pump bottle.

[0022] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging whose impact on the environment is minimized.

[0023] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging which allows for the durable and secure storage of a common consumer product, in particular a liquid product.

[0024] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new disposable packaging for use unique, its design allows it to be stored efficiently, with a reduced footprint, and to be presented to consumers in a particularly practical and attractive way.

[0025] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging whose design allows for simple, economical and easy industrialization.

[0026] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging, the design of which allows it to have an aesthetic appearance which, on the one hand, is easy to enhance, and which, on the other hand, remains substantially the same before use, which allows both to enhance and quickly and easily recognize the disposable packaging and therefore the product it contains.

[0027] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable packaging whose design allows it to be, once used, reprocessed, destroyed, recovered, and / or recycled easily, at reduced costs, and according to less restrictive legislation and / or channels.

[0028] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new single-use disposable article which, while being particularly easy to produce industrially, can also be stored sustainably and conveniently, and finally be presented to the consumer in a particularly accessible and attractive way.

[0029] Another object of the invention aims to provide a new intermediate container for the production of disposable packaging which is particularly practical in terms of storage, arrangement and handling, the new intermediate container being particularly easy and economical to produce industrially while being particularly eco-responsible and low polluting, and being able to be adapted to produce different types and sizes of disposable packaging, and this for a wide variety of products.

[0030] Another object of the invention aims to propose a new manufacturing process for an intermediate container which is particularly easy and economical to implement, requiring only a limited number of simple steps and using a standard industrial tool without requiring complex and / or costly modification.

[0031] Another object of the invention is to propose a new method for manufacturing a single-use disposable article which is particularly easy and economical to implement, requiring only a limited number of simple steps and using a standard industrial tool without requiring complex and / or costly modification.

[0032] The objects assigned to the present invention are reached by means of a single-use disposable package, suitable for being grasped and manipulated by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdered product, said package having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end and an upper end, said packaging being provided, at said upper end, with a destructible portion allowing a permanent opening to be made for access to the interior of the packaging, said disposable packaging being characterized in that it comprises: - a flat support portion, which is formed at said lower end and is designed to allow the packaging to rest stably upright on a flat surface against which said flat support portion rests, and - a flexible skirt attached to said flat support portion and extending from the latter to said upper end, said flexible skirt extending longitudinally between a lower edge which follows the contour of said flat support portion and an upper edge flattened on, and attached to, itself, to form at the upper end a closed edge.

[0033] The objects assigned to the present invention are also reached using a single-use disposable article, suitable for being grasped and manipulated by hand, comprising a quantity of liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product, as well as disposable packaging as described above, said disposable packaging containing said quantity of product.

[0034] The objects assigned to the present invention are also achieved using an intermediate container intended for the production of a single-use disposable package as described above, for a liquid, paste, granular or powdered product, said intermediate container having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end and an upper end, said intermediate container comprising at least: - a flat support portion, which is formed at said lower end and is designed to allow the intermediate container to rest stably vertically on a flat surface against which said flat support portion rests, and - a flexible skirt attached to said flat support portion and extending from the latter to said upper end, said flexible skirt extending longitudinally between a lower edge which follows the contour of said flat support portion and an upper edge forming at the upper end a filling opening.

[0035] The objects assigned to the present invention are also achieved using a method for manufacturing an intermediate container intended for the production of a single-use disposable package suitable for being grasped and handled by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdered product, said intermediate container having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end and an upper end, said manufacturing method comprising at least:

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[0041] - a step of supplying or manufacturing a flat support portion formed at said lower end and designed to allow the intermediate container to rest stably vertically on a flat surface 8 against which said flat support portion rests, - a step of supplying or manufacturing a flexible skirt extending longitudinally between a lower edge and an upper edge forming a filling opening at the upper end, and - a joining step, during which said flat support portion is joined to the lower edge of said flexible skirt, so that the lower edge follows the contour of said flat support portion and said flexible skirt extends from the latter to said upper end. The objects assigned to the present invention are finally achieved using a method for manufacturing a single-use disposable article as described above, said manufacturing method comprising at least: - a step involving the supply or manufacture of an intermediate container as described above, - a step of filling said intermediate container with a quantity of product via said filling opening, - a closing step, during which the upper edge is flattened onto, and attached to, itself, to form a closed edge at the upper end, said flexible skirt (15) comprising, at said upper end (4), a destructible portion (6) allowing a permanent opening (7) to be made for access to the inside of the flexible skirt (15). Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in more detail upon reading the following description, and with the aid of the accompanying figures provided for purely explanatory and non-limiting purposes, in which: [Fig.1] illustrates, schematically according to a perspective view, a single-use disposable packaging according to a particular embodiment of the invention. [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically according to a perspective view, the disposable packaging of [Fig.1], from another point of view. [Fig.3] illustrates schematically, from a side view, the single-use disposable packaging of [Fig.1], placed vertically and stably on a flat support. [Fig.4] illustrates schematically, from a front view, an example of implementation of the single-use disposable packaging of [Fig.1], in which the packaging is cut open and then emptied of the product it contains, in order to fill a pump bottle visible in the last two drawings on the right, the used packaging then being thrown into a bin visible at the top right.

[0042] [Fig. 5] illustrates, according to a schematic perspective view, a manufacturing process of an intermediate container, a disposable package and a disposable article, according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The invention relates, according to a first aspect illustrated in the figures, to a single-use disposable package 1, suitable for being grasped and handled by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular, or powdered product 2. This package 1 is therefore disposable, that is to say, it is preferably intended to (and designed to) be discarded immediately after use, and not reused. In particular, this disposable package 1 is advantageously not intended to be refilled with said product 2, as it could not, as will be seen, preserve it in a durable and secure manner. The fact that the package 1 is single-use follows preferably from the above, that is to say, the package 1 is intended to (and designed to) be, in its most common and simplest use, emptied in one go of the product 2 it contains, before being discarded.Of course, it is possible to store the packaging 1 for a period of time still partially filled with product 2 (or even empty of the latter), although this is not its primary purpose, and it is preferably not designed or intended for this. Product 2 is preferably an everyday product and can relate to very diverse fields, such as cosmetics, personal care, hygiene (particularly body hygiene: liquid soap, etc.), or other areas. Product 2 is preferably a liquid and / or bulk product, i.e., difficult to count. Packaging 1 can thus advantageously contain a wide range of different products 2, but preferably each packaging 1 according to the invention is adapted to a particular type of product 2 (or a nature of product: liquids, powders, etc.). Packaging 1 is preferably adapted to contain product 2 on a long-term basis.According to a particular variant, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, product 2 is a liquid. Packaging 1 is suitable for grasping and handling by hand, that is to say, it is preferably relatively small in size and weight, and is advantageously an everyday object, such as one found in stores like grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. Packaging 1 advantageously has a larger dimension, in particular a height, which is less than 80 cm, preferably less than 50 cm, more preferably less than 40 cm, for example, approximately 25 cm + / - 10 cm. Packaging 1 advantageously weighs, on its own, that is to say without said product 2, less than 3 kg, preferably less than 1 kg, more preferably less than 500 g.Indeed, said packaging 1 is advantageously suited to be handled, lifted, carried, grasped and used without particular difficulty by an adult user, or even by a teenage user or a child.

[0044] The invention further relates, according to a second aspect, to a disposable article for use A single, hand-held item, suitable for grasping and handling, comprising a quantity of product 2 (liquid, pasty, granular, or powdery), and a disposable package 1 as described above and below, said disposable package 1 containing said quantity of product 2. The preceding description, as well as the following description, concerning said disposable package 1, therefore preferably also applies to the disposable item according to the invention, and conversely, the following description concerning the disposable item preferably also applies to the disposable package 1 according to the invention. The liquid, pasty, granular, or powdery product 2 designated in the description of the disposable package 1 or the disposable item is preferably the same.

[0045] The disposable item therefore advantageously comprises both the disposable packaging 1 and the product 2 it contains. The disposable item preferably weighs less than 10 kg, preferably less than 5 kg, and more preferably less than 3 kg.

[0046] According to the invention, said packaging 1 has an elongated shape and rises vertically between a lower end 3 and an upper end 4. Thus, the packaging 1 is advantageously designed to be placed in a reference position where it extends substantially vertically, and where the lower end 3 is, as its name indicates, below the upper end 4, that is to say, positioned at a lower height than said upper end 4. The packaging 1 is thus advantageously designed so that, in said reference position, it can stand stably on a surface, in particular on a flat (and horizontal) surface, for example a flat (and horizontal) support 5, and be stored therein, as illustrated in particular in [Fig. 3]. Advantageously, the packaging 1 thus extends along a central axis of extension A.When the latter is vertical and said upper end 4 is positioned above said lower end 3, said package 1 is then preferably positioned substantially vertically (in its reference position) and can advantageously be placed stably on a flat surface 8, for example a flat surface 8 of a flat support 5. Obviously, the elongated shape of the package 1 can possibly be placed in positions other than vertically, but the reference position of the package 1, vertically, is that which will be observed here and which is represented in particular in figures 3 to 5.

[0047] According to the invention, and in a manner known as such, said packaging 1 is provided, at said upper end 4, with a destructible portion 6 allowing a permanent opening 7 to be made for accessing the interior of the packaging 1. This destructible portion 6 is, according to a first embodiment, formed by a portion of the packaging 1 having a zone of weakness, that is to say, a zone of the packaging 1 where the mechanical resistance has been intentionally weakened, compared to the rest of the packaging 1, in order to make the permanent opening 7 easy to make. According to a second embodiment, independently or in combination with said first embodiment, The destructible portion 6 is formed by a portion of the packaging 1 provided with an opening zone indicator 9, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. According to a third variant, the packaging 1 does not include a weak zone or an opening zone indicator 9, but is nevertheless designed to be opened at the level of the destructible portion 6, which is in any case located at, i.e., in this case in the immediate vicinity of, the upper end 4. In practice, a user wishing to open the packaging 1 to empty it of its product will separate the destructible portion 6 from the rest of the packaging 1, the destructible portion 6 preferably being an upper part of the packaging 1 located at the upper end 4. The destructible portion 6 comprises, for example, a dotted line (second variant), a solid line (second variant), a row of perforations (first variant), a protrusion and / or a slot (first variant).The destructible portion 6 is advantageously intended to be (and designed to be) breakable, cuttable, punctured, torn off, detachable, and ripped from the rest of the packaging 1, whether with a tool (such as a pair of scissors) or by hand (manually without a tool). The final opening 7 cannot advantageously be resealed independently, i.e., with the packaging 1 alone, and is therefore not designed for repeated and / or prolonged use of said packaging 1.

[0048] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the packaging 1 is without a reversible opening. Advantageously, the packaging 1 is designed to be emptied completely once the final opening 7 is made, after the destructible portion 6 has been separated from the rest of the packaging 1. The latter is preferably not designed for, nor intended to be reused repeatedly for the purpose of gradually emptying it of the product 2 it contains. Such a configuration eliminates the need to equip the packaging 1 with a reversible opening, such as a cap or a drain tap (or even a zip or zipper). One of the problems posed by reversible openings is that they generally require a relatively large quantity (in terms of weight, in particular, compared to the total weight of the packaging) of materials, and especially of polluting plastic materials.Reversible openings also make the manufacture of packaging more complex, longer, and more expensive when they are equipped with them.

[0049] The packaging 1 is therefore advantageously designed to be opened destructively (and thus irreversibly) at the level of said destructible portion 6 in order to preserve said final opening 7, so as to obtain the product 2 it contains. It is then possible to transfer the product 2, initially contained in the packaging 1, into a container equipped with a dispensing device 10, for example a pump bottle 10, in order to fill the latter, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. The pump bottle 10 thus makes it possible to dispense the product 2 in small quantities as needed, on an ad hoc basis. This allows the pump bottle 10 to be refilled at a lower cost, without having to buy a pre-filled pump bottle of product 2 each time. Typically, for the same product 2, a pump bottle 10 is generally more expensive and more polluting when disposed of than a package 1 as described above and below, due to the durable and reusable nature of the pump bottle 10, and also because it includes a dispensing means or "pump" 11. Said dispensing means 11 is advantageously fixed reversibly, for example by screwing, to and onto a reservoir 12 of said pump bottle 10. As illustrated in [Fig.[4] When it is desired to fill the pump bottle 10 with the product 2 contained in the packaging 1, the destructible portion 6 is detached, for example by cutting with scissors along the opening zone indicator 9 (here a dotted line), from the rest of the packaging 1 in order to make the final opening 7 in the latter, allowing access to the inside of said packaging 1 and thus to the product 2 (first and second drawings on the left of [Fig. 4]). The product 2 contained in the packaging 1 is then transferred into the reservoir 12 of the pump bottle 10, which is then deprived of its dispensing means or "pump" 11, in order to allow the product 2 to enter said reservoir 12 (third drawing, from left to right, of [Fig. 4]). Finally, packaging 1 is thrown into a bin 13, preferably a bin 13 for recyclable waste (top of the fourth drawing, from left to right, of the [Fig.4]) and the pump bottle 10, which is thus filled with said product 2, is provided with its dispensing means or "pump" 11 finally screwed to and onto said reservoir 12 (bottom of the fourth drawing, from left to right, of [Fig.4]), and can be used at will to dispense said product 2 on an ad hoc basis.

[0050] According to the invention, said disposable packaging 1 comprises a flat support portion 14, which is formed at said lower end 3 and is designed to allow the packaging 1 to rest stably vertically on a flat surface 8 against which said flat support portion 14 rests. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the flat support portion 14 has the shape of a flat disc. Said flat support portion 14 has, for example, a diameter of between 20 mm and 70 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm, more preferably between 35 mm and 55 mm, for example substantially equal to 50 mm + / - 2 mm. The flat surface 8 is, for example, part of, as already mentioned and illustrated in [Fig.3], of a flat support 5, which can be any type of support suitable for stably receiving the disposable packaging 1, for example a table, a counter, a shelf, the floor, shelving (in a supermarket, for example), etc. Particularly advantageously, said flat surface 8 extends substantially horizontally (i.e., it lies in a substantially horizontal plane), with a tolerance with respect to the exact horizontal which is, for example, . less than 15°, preferably less than 10°, more preferably less than 5%.

[0051] According to the invention, said disposable packaging 1 further comprises a flexible skirt 15 integral with said flat support portion 14 and extending from the latter to said upper end 4, said flexible skirt 15 extending longitudinally between a lower edge 16 which follows the contour of said flat support portion 14 and an upper edge 17 flattened onto, and attached to, itself, to form a closed edge at the upper end 4. Advantageously, the closed edge forms the upper end 4. The flexible skirt 15 thus extends advantageously (longitudinally, from top to bottom) between the closed edge and the flat support portion 14.The flexible skirt 15 preferably comprises a sleeve, which sleeve is more preferably formed by a lateral wall extending between the lower edge 16, at which the lateral wall has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the upper edge 17, at which the lateral wall is closed upon and attached to itself to form the upper edge 17 and the closed edge. Thus, the flexible skirt 15 advantageously forms a hollow sleeve extending between the lower edge 16 and the upper edge 17, the hollow sleeve being closed upon itself at the upper edge 17 and forming an opening at the lower edge 16 (the opening therefore preferably being closed by the flat support portion 14).Preferably, the upper edge 17 (which is therefore flattened) is formed by a substantially flat strip extending along and below the closed edge, that is, from the closed edge to the lower edge 16. Advantageously, this substantially flat strip extends substantially horizontally when the package 1 is positioned vertically (the central axis of extension A being vertical), for example, in the reference position. Advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the destructible portion 6 forms part of the flexible skirt 15. The flat support portion 14 is advantageously attached to the flexible skirt 15 at its lower edge 16.The disposable packaging 1 of the invention is thus particularly practical to position, vertically and stably thanks to the flat support portion 14, on a flat surface 8, while presenting an advantageous configuration allowing it to have an excellent compromise between a good internal volume (to accommodate a sufficient quantity of product), good overall mechanical resistance (the disposable packaging 1 is not flaccid and does not fold on itself), and excellent practicality of use thanks to the destructible portion arranged on the side of the closed edge and therefore immediately identifiable, the closed edge being therefore at the top of the disposable packaging 1. The latter presents, when placed in its vertical reference position, excellent visibility for the consumer in shops as well as in the consumer's home, fa- . thus facilitating the visualization, identification, grasping and storage of the disposable packaging 1 and therefore of the product 2 that the packaging 1 contains, while limiting the volume and weight of materials discarded when the packaging 1 is used.

[0052] The flexible skirt 15, as its name indicates, exhibits a certain flexibility, meaning that it can deform radially. More precisely, the flexible skirt 15 is preferably capable of deforming slightly in a plane substantially orthogonal to the central axis of extension A, or in a substantially horizontal plane when the packaging 1 is placed vertically (and therefore when the central axis of extension A is vertical). The flexible skirt 15 can thus advantageously bend slightly radially, that is, inwards or outwards from the packaging 1, in a horizontal plane and / or a plane orthogonal to the central axis of extension A. By "deform slightly" or "bend slightly," we preferably mean a deformation that does not exceed a few centimeters, or a relative portion of the skirt's height.For example, when the package 1 is placed vertically, the flexible skirt 15 has a certain skirt height (which advantageously corresponds in practice to the height of the package 1), and said flexible skirt 15 is designed to be able to undergo, to a certain extent, elastic radial deformation (i.e., orthogonal to the central axis of extension A) (i.e., reversible deformation). Said radial deformation is preferably proportional to the dimensions (e.g., the diameter) of the flat support portion 14 and / or to said skirt height. For example, said radial deformation is between 10 and 40% of the skirt height, and / or between 10 and 50% of the largest dimension (e.g., the diameter) of the flat support portion 14. Said flexible skirt 15 therefore advantageously exhibits a certain degree of flexibility, but is not limp.The flexible skirt 15 thus preferentially exhibits its own mechanical strength, meaning that it is preferably sufficiently rigid and resistant to, on the one hand, contain the product 2 within its side wall without significant deformation (for example, more than 40% of the skirt height in radial deformation) or bursting, and on the other hand, allow the packaging 1 to be placed in a stable vertical position, the flexible skirt 15 then also being in a practical vertical position. The flexible skirt 15 therefore advantageously exhibits its own mechanical strength, particularly vertically, while also having a certain degree of flexibility, particularly horizontally (the packaging 1 then being placed vertically).

[0053] The flat support portion 14 has, according to a particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, a generally rounded shape, preferably a disc shape. The lower edge 16 of said flexible skirt 15 then advantageously has a rounded shape (which therefore corresponds to the generally rounded shape of the flat support portion 14), preferably a circle, ring, or hollow cylinder shape. Said The flexible skirt 15 advantageously extends continuously and regularly between its lower edge 16, which is rounded, for example cylindrical, at the level of the flat support portion 14, and its upper edge 17, preferably in the form of a substantially flat strip terminating at its upper end 4 with the closed edge. Advantageously, the destructible portion 6 comprises at least a part of the upper edge 17, as illustrated in the figures. Detaching the destructible portion 6 from the rest of the packaging 1 then advantageously results in a reduction in the length of the closed edge.

[0054] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said flexible skirt 15 is formed at least in part from a first cellulose-based material. Preferably, said first cellulose-based material constitutes more than 50% by weight of the total weight of said flexible skirt 15. This makes it possible to use less polluting material, such as plastics (which are generally polymers made from hydrocarbons), for the manufacture of the flexible skirt 15, and therefore of the disposable packaging 1 as a whole. Indeed, the bulk of the packaging 1, in terms of its volume and / or weight, is advantageously formed by the flexible skirt 15. Packaging is increasingly subject to critical scrutiny from the public and the media, which have become aware of the overall polluting and energy-intensive nature of plastic packaging, particularly packaging made entirely of plastic or containing a high proportion of plastic.Furthermore, legislation is generally becoming stricter in the environmental field, particularly with regard to plastic packaging. Thus, packaging with a high plastic content is increasingly subject to specific standards, making its production, use, disposal, and reprocessing (recovery or recycling) increasingly complex, restrictive, and costly, especially because it presents a high risk of endangering wildlife and vegetation when released into the environment without appropriate treatment (recycling, recovery, landfill, destruction, etc.). According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said flexible skirt 15 is formed entirely from said first cellulose-based material.

[0055] Advantageously, the flat support portion 14 only closes the disposable packaging 1 at the lower end 3, but the rest of the disposable packaging 1 is essentially formed by the flexible skirt 15. Furthermore, said first cellulose-based material provides the flexible skirt 15 with both good mechanical strength, necessary for the packaging 1 to stand upright (vertically), and a certain degree of flexibility (particularly horizontally), which notably allows the flexible skirt 15 to be squeezed to expel the product 2 once the final opening 7 has been made in said flexible skirt 15. It is therefore the flexible skirt 15 that creates the necessary internal space within the packaging 1. which allows the quantity of product 2 that the packaging 1 must contain to be accommodated. According to a first embodiment, said first cellulose-based material comprises at least, and preferably is formed entirely of, cardboard and / or paper. According to a second embodiment, said first cellulose-based material comprises at least, and preferably is formed entirely of, cellulose fibers. According to a third embodiment, said first material comprises at least cardboard and / or paper, as well as cellulose fibers. When the first material comprises cellulose fibers, and preferably when it is formed only of them, the flexible skirt 15 is optionally formed by molding.

[0056] Said packaging 1 therefore preferentially exhibits good mechanical strength. This is made possible not only by the flexible skirt 15 made at least partly of said first cellulose-based material, which first cellulose-based material ensures a good compromise between mechanical strength and flexibility of said flexible skirt 15, but also by the general geometry of the disposable packaging 1.

[0057] Preferably, said flexible skirt 15 has a side wall having a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, more preferably less than 1 mm, more preferably still less than 0.6 mm, for example substantially equal to 0.32 mm + / - 0.05 mm.

[0058] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said flexible skirt 15 is also formed from at least a first plastic material. Said first plastic material preferably comprises at least ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polypropylene (PP), and / or polyethylene (PE). Said first plastic material is preferably a polymer conferring particular properties to the flexible skirt 15, for example, preservation, sealing, resistance, etc. properties. According to examples of embodiments of this latter embodiment, the flexible skirt 15 comprises or is formed from: - a single wall made entirely of polyethylene (PE), - a single wall made entirely of polypropylene (PP), - at least one first layer (film or wall) made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), and at least a second layer (film or wall) made of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), said first and second layers (each made of plastic) being pressed together (and joined to each other).

[0059] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said flexible skirt 15 is entirely formed from said first plastic material. According to this latter embodiment, said flexible skirt 15 is therefore preferably entirely formed from one or more polymers, and is therefore not formed even in part from the first cellulose-based material.

[0060] Thus, according to a particular embodiment, said packaging 1 is, before the final opening 7 is made, substantially watertight and / or airtight. In particular, the skirt 15 is, before the final opening 7 is made, advantageously substantially watertight and / or airtight. This is particularly advantageous when the product 2 is sensitive to air or humidity, or when it is composed of a liquid or a paste. The first plastic material makes it possible, in particular, to impart this property to the flexible skirt 15 (and therefore, by extension, to the packaging 1, assuming that the flat support portion 14 potentially already has this property). Preferably, said support plate 14 is also substantially watertight and / or airtight.

[0061] According to a particular embodiment, said flexible skirt 15 comprises a wall (lateral, that already mentioned above) formed by said first cellulose-based material, said wall being covered, on the outside and / or inside said packaging 1, by at least one film formed by said first plastic material. In other words, the flexible skirt 15 comprises a wall formed by said first cellulose-based material, said wall providing the essential mechanical strength of the flexible skirt 15, as well as a layer of said first plastic material, which layer forms a film, preferably impermeable, covering said wall formed by the cellulose-based material. The wall (of the flexible skirt 15) formed by said first cellulose-based material can thus be covered by: - a first film formed by said first plastic material on the outside of the packaging 1, for example to protect the product 2 contained therein and the wall formed by said first material from external air and humidity, - and / or a second film formed by said first plastic material on the inside of the packaging 1, for example to protect the product 2 contained in the latter from external air and moisture while protecting the wall formed by said first material from possible aggressions or contaminations due to the product 2.

[0062] Thus, said flexible skirt 15 is advantageously formed from the first cellulose-based material coated with one or more films of the first plastic material. In other words, the flexible skirt 15 comprises, according to this latter embodiment, a main body formed by the first cellulose-based material, said main body being complexed (i.e., covered here) by at least one layer formed by the first plastic material.

[0063] Preferably, said flexible skirt 15 is formed by said first cellulose-based material in a proportion of between 50% and 95% by weight, preferably in a proportion of between 70% and 90% by weight, and by said The first plastic material is present in a proportion of between 5% and 50% by weight, preferably between 10% and 30% by weight. Thus, packaging 1 of the invention, according to this particular embodiment, makes it possible to considerably reduce the amount of plastic needed to produce disposable packaging, for example, for refilling a pump bottle 10. This also eliminates the need to recycle or recover used disposable packaging 1 (i.e., opened and emptied) through so-called "plastic recycling" channels, and instead places it in so-called cardboard / paper (or cellulose) recycling channels, which are less restrictive, less costly, and more favorably viewed by the public than plastic recycling channels.Indeed, not only can the disposable packaging 1 of the invention be recycled, in a less restrictive manner by legislation, than packaging made entirely or mainly (by weight) of plastic, but it also aims to obtain better support from the media and the general public, in particular from consumers who will buy and use the disposable packaging 1 of the invention, which consumers, media and legislators are increasingly sensitive to the phenomenon of public denigration of plastic in packaging (commonly called "plastic bashing").

[0064] According to an advantageous embodiment, the flattened upper edge 17 is plastically welded to itself at the closed edge. This is achieved in particular by directly welding the upper edge 17 to itself to flatten it and thus create the substantially flat strip, optionally by folding a portion of the upper edge 17 back on itself, and / or by pressing two portions of the upper edge 17 together before joining them (by plastic welding or by depositing a plastic film, in particular) as illustrated in [Fig. 5]. This is done either with the addition of plastic material to the flexible skirt 15 at the level of the upper edge 17, or without the addition of plastic material, particularly when the flexible skirt 15 is formed (in addition to the first cellulose-based material) at least by said first plastic material.

[0065] According to a first particular embodiment, said flat support portion 14 is formed at least in part by a second cellulose-based material. According to a first variant, said second cellulose-based material comprises at least, and is preferably formed entirely by, cardboard and / or paper. Said flat support portion 14 is then advantageously formed by a disc made of cardboard and / or paper (which has, for example, been previously cut, in particular to have a disc shape), said disc optionally being covered with a plastic film (or plastic lamination) formed by the second plastic material as will be seen below. According to a second variant, said first cellulose-based material comprises at least, and is preferably formed entirely by, cellulose fibers.The said flat support portion 14 is then advantageously formed (at least in part) by molding the said cellulose fibers (with possibly, as will be seen, a re. (plastic garment on cellulose fibers). Here too, plastic lamination (coating with a plastic film based on a second plastic material) of the flat portion of support 14 is possible. According to a third variant, said first cellulose-based material comprises at least, and preferably is formed entirely from a mixture of cardboard and / or paper on the one hand, and cellulose fibers on the other. Plastic lamination remains possible and even advantageous if waterproofing is required.

[0066] In order to simplify the disposable packaging 1 as much as possible and reduce the number of separate compounds, the first cellulose-based material and the second cellulose-based material may be identical.

[0067] According to a second particular embodiment, independently or in combination with the first embodiment mentioned above, said flat support portion 14 is formed at least in part by a second plastic material. Said second plastic material preferably comprises at least ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polypropylene (PP), and / or polyethylene (PE). Said second plastic material is preferably a polymer conferring particular properties to the flat support portion 14, for example, preservation, sealing, resistance, etc. properties. In order to simplify the disposable packaging 1 as much as possible and reduce the number of separate compounds, the first plastic material and the second plastic material may be identical.

[0068] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said flat support portion 14 is entirely formed by said second plastic material. According to this latter embodiment, said flat support portion 14 is therefore preferably entirely formed from one or more polymers (preferably selected from those mentioned above), and is therefore not formed even in part by the second cellulose-based material.

[0069] The invention further relates, according to a third aspect, to an intermediate container 18 for the production of a single-use disposable package 1 as described above, for a liquid, pasty, granular, or powdered product 2 (which is preferably also as described above), illustrated in particular in [Fig. 5]. The preceding description, as well as the following one, concerning said disposable package 1 and the disposable item, therefore preferably also applies to said intermediate container 18 according to the invention, and conversely, the following description concerning the intermediate container 18 preferably also applies to the disposable package 1 and the disposable item according to the invention. Preferably, the elements common to the intermediate container 18 and the disposable package 1 are designated in the same way, even if they do not necessarily have the same geometry or configuration, such as, for example, the flexible skirt 15 as will be seen below.The said intermediate container 18 has an elongated shape and rises vertically between an end in. lower end 3 and upper end 4. The intermediate container 18 therefore advantageously allows the disposable packaging 1 to be made, which in a way constitutes a final or finished container.

[0070] According to the invention, said intermediate container 18 comprises at least: - a flat support portion 14, which is formed at said lower end 3 and is designed to allow the intermediate container to rest stably vertically on a flat surface 8 against which said flat support portion 14 rests, and - a flexible skirt 15 attached to said flat support portion 14 and extending from the latter to said upper end 4, said flexible skirt 15 extending longitudinally between a lower edge 16 which follows the contour of said flat support portion 14 and an upper edge 17 forming at the upper end 4 a filling opening 19.

[0071] The filling opening 19 allows a quantity of product 2 to be introduced into the intermediate container 18. The intermediate container 18 can then be closed by flattening the upper edge 17 onto itself and attaching the upper edge 17 to itself to form the closed edge at the upper end 4. In this way, the disposable packaging 1 is produced, and the disposable item is also formed (since the latter includes both the disposable packaging 1 and the product 2 it contains).

[0072] In summary, and alternatively, in the intermediate container 18 as in the disposable packaging 1, the flexible skirt 15 has, in the vicinity of the lower edge 16 (and advantageously at the lower end 3), a sleeve shape closed by the flat support portion 14, said lower edge 16 having, for example, a substantially circular or cylindrical shape. However, in the intermediate container 18, the flexible skirt 15 preferably has a general cylindrical sleeve shape open at the upper end by the filling opening 19 formed at the level 4 of the upper edge 17, which is, for example, substantially cylindrical or circular, the flexible skirt 15 also advantageously having a substantially constant and / or circular cross-section (preferably horizontal).In the disposable packaging 1, which is advantageously derived from a modification of the intermediate container 18 and more particularly of the flexible skirt 15, said flexible skirt 15 has a closed sleeve shape extending regularly and continuously between a lower part, also called the wide (and cylindrical) part at the lower edge 16 (and advantageously at the lower end 3) and an upper part, also called the narrow part, at the upper edge 17 and including the closed edge (advantageously at the upper end 4), the cross-section (preferably horizontal) of the flexible skirt 15 thus decreasing continuously and regularly from bottom to top, that is to say from the lower (wide) part. and cylindrical) at the top (and narrow, in practice the edge closed).

[0073] The invention further relates, according to a fourth aspect, an example of which is illustrated in [Fig. 5] (three drawings on the left), to a method of manufacturing an intermediate container 18 intended for the production of a single-use disposable packaging 1 suitable for being grasped and handled by hand (preferably as described above), for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product 2 (also preferably as described above), said intermediate container 18 having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end 3 and an upper end 4. The preceding description, as well as the following one, concerning said disposable packaging 1, said disposable article and said intermediate container 18, therefore preferably also apply to said method of manufacturing the intermediate container 18 according to the invention, and vice versa.In general, the elements common to the different aspects of the invention are advantageously designated in the same way, even if they do not necessarily have the same geometry or the same configuration, such as for example the flexible skirt 15 and the upper edge 17 in the disposable packaging 1 and in the intermediate container 18.

[0074] According to the invention, said manufacturing process comprises at least: - a step of supplying or manufacturing a flat support portion 14 formed at said lower end 3 and designed to allow the intermediate container 18 to rest stably vertically on a flat surface 8 against which said flat support portion 14 rests, - a step of supplying or manufacturing a flexible skirt 15 extending longitudinally between a lower edge 16 and an upper edge 17 forming at the upper end 4 a filling opening, and - a joining step S, during which said flat support portion 14 is joined to the lower edge 16 of said flexible skirt 15, so that the lower edge 16 follows the contour of said flat support portion 14 and said flexible skirt 15 extends from the latter to said upper end 4.

[0075] The intermediate container 18 is therefore advantageously able to rest stably vertically on the flat surface 8, which then allows it to be filled (and then closed) more easily, resulting in both the disposable packaging 1 and the disposable article of the invention.

[0076] According to one embodiment, during said joining step S, said flat support portion 14 is brought against the lower edge 16 of the flexible skirt 15 and then attached to the latter, for example by plastic welding or by deposition of a plastic film. Alternatively, the joining step S is carried out during said two steps of supply or manufacture (of the flat support portion 14 and the flexible skirt 15), said flat support portion 14 being made of material with said flexible skirt 15, said flat support portion 14 and said flexible skirt 15 being then preferably made simultaneously by molding.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the invention, the step of supplying or manufacturing the flexible skirt 15 comprises at least: - a step of supplying or manufacturing a flexible sheet 20 preferably of polygonal shape, for example of quadrilateral, rectangular or square shape, said sheet 20 extending between a first lateral edge 21 and a second lateral edge 21, - a rolling step E of said sheet 20 upon itself to give it a substantially cylindrical shape, said first lateral edge 21 being folded over or against said second lateral edge 22, - a fixing step X during which said first lateral edge 21 and second lateral edge 22 are attached together, for example by plastic welding or by deposition of a plastic film.

[0078] Thus, at the end of the said winding E and fixing X steps, said flexible skirt 15 advantageously has a hollow cylinder shape with an opening to the outside at the lower edge 16, intended to be closed by the flat support portion 14 during the joining step, and an opening to the outside at the upper edge 17, which opening essentially constitutes the filling opening 19 (intended to be closed subsequently during the closing step F detailed below).

[0079] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said sheet 20 is formed at least in part by said first cellulose-based material. Obviously, this latter embodiment advantageously corresponds to the embodiment in which the flexible skirt 15 is itself formed at least in part by said first cellulose-based material. Independently or in combination with the foregoing, said sheet 20 is formed at least in part by said first plastic material. According to a particular embodiment, said sheet 20 is formed at least simultaneously by said first cellulose-based material and by said first plastic material (preferably in the same way as the flexible skirt 15, since the flexible sheet 20 is advantageously intended to form the flexible skirt 15). According to yet another particular embodiment, said sheet 20 is formed entirely at least by said first plastic material (and therefore without said first cellulose-based material).

[0080] The flexible sheet 20 is, for example, formed by a rectangular sheet thus having four sides, as illustrated in [Fig. 5] on the far left. Advantageously, two of said opposite and parallel sides constitute the first and second lateral edges 21, 22, while two other of said opposite and parallel sides constitute the lower edge 16 and upper edge 17. Said flexible sheet 20 can therefore, according to an advantageous embodiment particularly in the context of reducing the use of plastic, be formed both by said first cellulose-based material and by said first plastic material.

[0081] The invention further relates, according to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of which is illustrated in [Fig. 5], to a method for manufacturing a single-use disposable article as described above. The preceding description, as well as the following one, concerning said disposable packaging 1, said disposable article, said intermediate container 18, and said method for manufacturing an intermediate container 18, therefore preferably also applies to said method for manufacturing a single-use disposable article according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0082] Thus, said manufacturing process for said single-use disposable article comprises at least: - a step of supplying or manufacturing an intermediate container 18 as described above, - a filling step R of said intermediate container 18 with a quantity of product 2 via said filling opening 19, and - a closing step F, during which the upper edge 17 is flattened onto, and attached to, itself, to form at the upper end 4 a closed edge.

[0083] Obviously, said flexible skirt 15 always includes, at said upper end 4, a destructible portion 6 allowing a permanent opening 7 to be made for access to the inside of the flexible skirt 15.

[0084] Said closing step F can be carried out in two stages, first by pinching the upper edge 4 to flatten it on itself (as indicated by the horizontal black arrows in the fifth drawing of [Fig.5] from left to right), then by attaching the upper edge to itself for example by plastic welding or by depositing a plastic film.

[0085] As illustrated in [Fig.5] (in particular in the fourth drawing from left to right), said filling step R is advantageously carried out using a tubing machine 23, preferably a tubing machine suitable for filling plastic tubes with liquid.

[0086] Advantageously, the manufacturing process for a disposable article further comprises a marking step during which said destructible portion 6 is marked to facilitate its visual identification in comparison with the rest of the flexible skirt 15. During this last step, the disposable packaging 1 is advantageously provided, as previously indicated, with an opening zone indicator 9, by for example, a dotted line.

[0087] Optionally, the manufacturing process for a disposable article further includes a weakening step in which said destructible portion 6 is mechanically weakened to facilitate its destruction and separation from the rest of the flexible skirt 15, for example by means of a line of small perforations, possibly along the opening zone indicator 9.

[0088] The invention optionally relates to a method for manufacturing a disposable packaging 1 as described above, said manufacturing method comprising in substance the steps of the manufacturing process of the intermediate container 18 and said closing step F.

[0089] According to various particular variants of the invention, the packaging 1 can be composed as follows: - the flexible skirt 15 and the flat support portion 14 are both formed entirely of plastic, said flexible skirt 15 therefore advantageously being entirely formed of said first plastic material, while said flat support portion 14 is advantageously being entirely formed of said second plastic material, or - the flexible skirt 15 is formed by both said first cellulose-based material and said first plastic material, the latter advantageously covering the first cellulose-based material (plastic lamination), while the flat support portion 14 is entirely formed by said plastic material, or alternatively - the flexible skirt 15 is formed from both said first cellulose-based material and said first plastic material, the latter advantageously covering the first cellulose-based material (plastic lamination), while the flat support portion 14 is formed from both said second cellulose-based material and said second plastic material, the latter advantageously covering the second cellulose-based material (plastic lamination), where the first cellulose-based material is (preferably entirely) formed either from cardboard and / or paper, or from cellulose fibers (which cellulose fibers are preferably, for the production of the flexible skirt 15, formed by molding).

Claims

Claims

1. Disposable packaging (1) for single use, capable of being grasped and handled by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product (2), said packaging (1) having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end (3) and an upper end (4), said packaging (1) being provided, at said upper end (4), with a destructible portion (6) allowing a definitive opening (7) to be made for access to the interior of the packaging (1), said disposable packaging (1) being characterized in that it comprises: - a flat support portion (14), which is formed at said lower end (3) and is designed to allow the packaging (1) to rest stably vertically on a flat surface (8) against which said flat support portion (14) comes to bear,and - a flexible skirt (15) integral with said flat support portion (14) and extending from the latter to said upper end (4), said flexible skirt (15) extending longitudinally between a lower edge (16) which follows the contour of said flat support portion (14) and an upper edge (17) flattened on, and attached to, itself, to form at the upper end (4) a closed edge.,

2. Disposable packaging (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said flexible skirt (15) is formed at least in part by a first cellulose-based material.

3. Disposable packaging (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first cellulose-based material comprises at least, and is preferably formed entirely by, cardboard and / or paper.

4. Disposable packaging (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said first cellulose-based material comprises at least, and is preferably formed entirely by, cellulose fibers.

5. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexible skirt (15) is also formed at least by a first plastic material.

6. Disposable packaging (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in wherein said first plastic material comprises at least ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polypropylene (PP) and / or polyethylene (PE).

7. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4 as well as according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said flexible skirt (15) comprises a wall formed by said first cellulose-based material, and in that said wall is covered, on the outside and / or inside of said packaging, by at least one film formed by said first plastic material.

8. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4 as well as according to claim 5 or 6, or according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said flexible skirt (15) is formed by said first cellulose-based material in a proportion of between 50% and 95% by weight, preferably in a proportion of between 70% and 90% by weight, and by said first plastic material in a proportion of between 5% and 50% by weight, preferably in a proportion of between 10% and 30% by weight.

9. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has no reversible opening.

10. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is, before the final opening (7) is made, substantially watertight and / or airtight.

11. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat support portion (14) has a generally rounded shape, preferably a disc shape, and in that the lower edge (16) of said flexible skirt (15) has a rounded shape, preferably a circle, ring or hollow cylinder shape.

12. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flattened upper edge (17) is, at the closed edge, plastically welded to itself.

13. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flat support portion (14) is formed at least in part by a second cellulose-based material.

14. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flat support portion (14) is formed at least in part by a second plastic material.

15. Disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that it has a specific mechanical resistance.

16. Single-use disposable article, capable of being grasped and handled by hand, comprising a quantity of liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product (2), as well as a disposable packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said disposable packaging (1) containing said quantity of product (2).

17. Intermediate container (18) intended for producing a single-use disposable packaging (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product (2), said intermediate container (18) having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end (3) and an upper end (4), said intermediate container (18) comprising at least: - a flat support portion (14), which is formed at said lower end (3) and is designed to allow the intermediate container (18) to rest stably vertically on a flat surface (8) against which said flat support portion (14) bears, and - a flexible skirt (15) integral with said flat support portion (14) and extending from the latter to said upper end (4),said flexible skirt (15) extending longitudinally between a lower edge (16) which follows the contour of said flat support portion (14) and an upper edge (17) forming at the upper end (4) a filling opening (19).,

18. A method of manufacturing an intermediate container (18) intended for producing a single-use disposable packaging (1) capable of being grasped and handled by hand, for a liquid, pasty, granular or powdery product (2), said intermediate container (18) having an elongated shape and rising vertically between a lower end (3) and an upper end (4), said manufacturing method comprising at least: - a step of providing or manufacturing a flat support portion (14) formed at said lower end (3) and designed to allow the intermediate container (18) to rest stably vertically on a flat surface (8) against which said flat support portion (14) comes into contact with the intermediate container (18), said intermediate container (18) being provided with a ... support, - a step of providing or manufacturing a flexible skirt (15) extending longitudinally between a lower edge (16) and an upper edge (17) forming at the upper end (4) a filling opening (19), and - a securing step (S), during which said flat support portion (14) is secured to the lower edge (16) of said flexible skirt (15), so that the lower edge (16) follows the contour of said flat support portion (14) and so that said flexible skirt (15) extends from the latter to said upper end (4).

19. Manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that during said securing step (S), said flat support portion (14) is attached against the lower edge (16) of the flexible skirt (15) then attached to the latter, for example by plastic welding or by depositing a plastic film.

20. Manufacturing method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the step of providing or manufacturing the flexible skirt (15) comprises at least: - a step of providing or manufacturing a flexible sheet (20) preferably of polygonal shape, for example of quadrilateral, rectangular or square shape, said sheet (20) extending between a first lateral edge (21) and a second lateral edge (22), - a step of rolling (E) said sheet (20) on itself to give it a substantially cylindrical shape, said first lateral edge (21) being folded over or against said second lateral edge (22), - a fixing step (X) during which said first lateral edge (21) and second lateral edge (22) are attached together, for example by plastic welding or by depositing a plastic film.

21. A method of manufacturing a single-use disposable article according to claim 16, said manufacturing method comprising at least: - a step of providing or manufacturing an intermediate container (18) according to claim 17, - a step of filling (R) said intermediate container (18) (1) with a quantity of product (2) via said filling opening (19), and - a closing step (F), during which the upper edge (17) is flattened onto, and attached to, itself, to form at the upper end (4) a closed edge, said flexible skirt (15) comprising, at said upper end (4), a destructible portion (6) allowing a definitive opening (7) to be made for access to the interior of the flexible skirt (15).

22. A method of manufacturing a disposable article according to the preceding claim, further comprising a marking step during which said destructible portion (6) is marked in order to facilitate its visual identification compared to the rest of the flexible skirt (15).

23. A method of manufacturing a single-use disposable article according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that said filling step (R) is carried out using a tube filling machine (23), preferably a tube filling machine (23) suitable for filling plastic tubes with liquid.

Images