REFILLABLE COLLAR CONTAINER FOR PRODUCT DISPENSING
The two-part collar system for bottles addresses the challenge of easy applicator removal and sealing, enhancing recyclability and product preservation in containers.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023007620
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-15
- Estimated Expiration
- 2033-07-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing containers with integrated applicators face challenges in easy removal for cleaning, refilling, or recycling, and often suffer from product leakage and oxidation due to inadequate sealing mechanisms.
A two-part collar system for bottles that includes a flexible ring with buttons and a collar body, allowing the collar to transition from a closed to an open configuration by deforming the flexible ring to slide past stop tabs, enabling easy removal and attachment of applicators, while maintaining a seal to prevent leakage.
Facilitates easy cleaning, refilling, and recycling of bottles by allowing easy removal of applicators, and maintains product integrity by preventing leakage and oxidation.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: RE COLLAR CONTAINER LOADABLE FOR PRODUCT DISPENSING SUMMARY
[0001] This summary is provided to present a selection of concepts in simplified form which are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter or to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0002] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a collar for a container. The collar includes a flexible ring having first and second buttons opposing each other and at least one ring tab for abutting at least one stop tab of a bottle in a closed configuration of the container, and a collar body having at least one body tab for movably securing the flexible ring to the collar body. Pressure applied at the first and second buttons deforms the flexible ring and slides the at least one ring tab outwardly past the at least one stop tab of the bottle to transition from the closed configuration to an open configuration of the container.
[0003] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a collared container. The collared container includes a bottle and an applicator removably attached to the bottle by means of a collar. The collar includes a flexible ring having first and second buttons opposite each other and at least one ring tab for abutting at least one stop tab of the bottle in a closed configuration of the container, and a collar body having at least one body tab for movably securing the flexible ring to the collar body. Pressure applied at the first and second buttons deforms the flexible ring and slides the at least one ring tab outwardly past the at least one stop tab of the bottle to move from the closed configuration to an open configuration of the container. Description of the drawings
[0004] The foregoing aspects and numerous related advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0005] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] shows a perspective view of an example of a container with a bottle, a collar and an overcap in the closed position.
[0006] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a perspective view of the container with the overcap in open position.
[0007] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a perspective view of the container in a confi exploded figure.
[0008] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a perspective cutaway view of the container with the sur cap in closed position.
[0009] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a front perspective cutaway view of the container with the overcap removed.
[0010] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a perspective view of a side cutaway of the container, with the flayed position at the level of a flexible ring of the collar.
[0011] [Fig.7A] [Fig.7A] shows a top perspective view of the collar.
[0012] [Fig.7B] [Fig.7B] shows a bottom perspective view of the collar.
[0013] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] shows a perspective view of the bottle with the collar removed.
[0014] [Fig.9A] [Fig.9A] shows a top plan view of the bottle with collar elements in broken lines.
[0015] [Fig.9B] [Fig.9B] shows the top plan view of the bottle with elements of the collar in broken lines, the long black arrows indicating the pressure applied to the buttons of the collar and the short black arrows indicating a direction of deformation of the flexible ring at these positions.
[0016] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] shows a perspective view of a bottle with a first example of an applicator attached to it.
[0017] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] shows a perspective view of a bottle with a second example of an applicator attached to it.
[0018] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] shows a perspective view of a bottle with a third example of an applicator attached to it. Detailed description
[0019] In a general aspect, the disclosure provides a two-part collar for use with a bottle and a container that is comprised of the collar and the bottle. The collar is attachable to the bottle for attaching an applicator to the bottle and is removable from the bottle for removing the applicator from the bottle for cleaning, refilling, or recycling the bottle. The bottle may contain a flowable product (e.g., liquid, powder, and the like) that is applied with the applicator to a surface during use of the applicator. Non-limiting examples of uses of the container include storing and delivering liquid health care and skin care products from the bottle to a subject's skin using the applicator. The bottle is refillable and may be cleaned and recycled because the applicator is easily removed from the bottle using the collar of the disclosure.
[0020] As shown in [Fig.l], the container 1 comprises a bottle 2, a collar 3 and an overcap 4. A view of the container 1 with the overcap 4 removed is shown in [Fig. 2]. In embodiments, the collar 3 is secured to the bottle 2 with complementary threading within the collar 3 and on external portions of a lip of the bottle 2, and at least one stop tab that keeps the collar in place when the container 1 is in use, as described elsewhere herein. In embodiments, the overcap 4 may also be secured to the collar 3 by means of complementary threading within the overcap 4 and on external portions of a lip of the collar, as shown in [Fig. 2]. In such embodiments, the overcap 4 is removable from the collar 3 by unscrewing the overcap 4 from the collar 3 along the complementary threading. In embodiments, the overcap 4 may be secured to the collar 3 by means of a snap-fit or an interference fit.
[0021] As shown in [Fig. 3], the exemplary container 1 may be disassembled so that individual components are separated from each other, for example for cleaning, maintenance, replacement of parts, recycling, disposal or refilling of the bottle. The bottle 2 has at least one stop tab 11 thereon which slidably engages with portions of the collar 3, as explained herein, to secure the collar 3 to the bottle 2. A lip 10 of the bottle 2 may be inserted into a lower portion of the collar 3 and the collar 3 may be secured to the lip 10 of the bottle 2 by complementary threading.When present, an applicator member 9, which may be a straw, wick, tube, or other type of member suitable for conveying a fluid product from an interior of the bottle 2 through the collar 3 and to an applicator 6, may be inserted into the bottle 2 and through the collar 3 to firmly engage the applicator 6. The applicator 6 may be secured by a snap-fastening to an upper portion of the collar 3, and an inner cap 5, when present in one embodiment, may be used to cover the applicator 6 and be secured to the collar 3 by a snap-fastening. The overcap 4, when present in one embodiment, may be used to cover the applicator 6 and / or the inner cap 5, as shown in [Fig.l], to keep the applicator and the product fresh. In embodiments, the collar 3 comprises a flexible ring with a pair of oppositely positioned buttons 8.The flexible ring is movably secured to a collar body 7 of the collar, and the flexible ring and the collar body 7 are structurally distinct components, as explained below.
[0022] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a seal is formed by the applicator 6 and the collar 3 to secure a liquid, powder, or other flowable product within the bottle to prevent leakage and maintain the integrity of the product, thereby extending the shelf life of the product. The exemplary container 1 is shown with the overcap 4 attached in [Fig. 4] and removed in [Fig. 5]. The seal formed by the applicator 6 and the collar 3 is intact even when the overcap 4 is detached from the collar 3, as [Fig. 5] shows. In this manner, the product within the bottle 2 does not leak from the bottle 2 or undergo oxidation or evaporation when the collar 3 is secured to the bottle 2 in a closed configuration of the container 1. The inner cap 5, when present in one embodiment (e.g., as shown in [Fig. 5]), forms a seal around the applicator 6, thereby preventing leakage or evaporation of the product from the applicator 6 when the container is not in use. In embodiments that employ a porous (e.g., porous or sponge) applicator 6, as shown, keeping the inner cap 5 secured to the porous applicator 6 when not in use maintains the effectiveness of the porous applicator 6 and prevents the product from drying on or in it.The collar 3 is composed of the collar body 7 and the flexible ring which has the opposing buttons 8, the operation of which is described in more detail below.
[0023] Referring now to Figures 6, 7A, 7B and 8, the collar 3 for the container 1 comprises the flexible ring 13 having the first and second buttons 8, positioned opposite each other, and a ring tab 12 for abutment against a stop tab edge 14 of the stop tab of the bottle 2 in a closed configuration of the container 1. The collar 3 also comprises a collar body 7 having a body tab 11 for movably securing the flexible ring 13 to the collar body 7. When pressure is applied at the first and second buttons 8, this deforms the flexible ring 13 and slides the ring tab 12 outwardly past the stop tab edge 14 of the bottle 2 to move from the closed configuration of the container 1 to an open configuration of the container 1.
[0024] The pressure that can be applied to the buttons 8, and the directions of the resulting deformation of the flexible ring 13, are shown in Figures 9A and 9B. Applying pressure at the arrows 18 against the first and second buttons 8 causes the buttons 8 to move toward each other and the ring tabs 12 away from each other in the direction of the arrows 19, in a flexible deformation of the flexible ring 13. This deformation causes the ring tabs 12 to move outwardly beyond the stop tab edge 14 of the bottle 2, allowing the collar 3 to rotate relative to the bottle 2 as the ring tabs 12 slide from the stop tab edge 14 to the stop tab end 15. As the ring tabs 12 rotate around the neck of the bottle 2, the thread of the collar 3 slides along the thread of the bottle 2 and the collar 3, and any associated applicator, can be removed from the bottle 2.
[0025] In embodiments, the collar 3 comprises two components, the flexible ring 13 and the collar body 7. The flexible ring 13 is movably secured to the collar body 7 as a separate, distinct component, which facilitates deformation. In the embodiment shown, the flexible ring 13 deforms from a circular shape to a non-circular shape when pressure is applied at the first and second buttons (arrows 18 of [Fig.9B]). This results in a shape that at least approximates an ellipse, wherein the ring tabs 12 are at vertices of the ellipse, and the first and second buttons 8 are at first and second co-vertices of the ellipse.
[0026] The flexible ring 13 is movably secured to the collar body by means of the body tab 11, and is structurally continuous with or connected to the first and second buttons 8. In the embodiment shown, the collar 3 has four body tabs 11 for movably securing the flexible ring 13 to the collar body, however, other quantities of body tabs 11 may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the bottle 2 has two stop tabs (11 of [Fig. 3]) and the flexible ring 13 has two ring tabs (12 of Figures 9A and 9B), however, other quantities of stop tabs and ring tabs may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the two stop tabs are positioned opposite each other on the bottle 2 and the two ring tabs 12 are positioned opposite each other on the flexible ring 13, however, alternative positions for these elements may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
[0027] In general, the collar 3 may be of any shape and may be used with any type, shape, or size of vial 2 or container 1, of any material, including but not limited to glass, metal, alloy, ceramic, polymer, plastic, etc. It is desirable that the flexible ring 13 of the collar 3 be circular and flexible, and thus, although a particular embodiment may include a flexible ring 13 of plastic, other flexible or deformable materials may be used for the flexible ring 13, including but not limited to plastic, composite material, shape memory alloy, or additive manufacturing material. The collar 3 may be used with any type of applicator configured for the application of a liquid or other fluid product to a surface, such as the skin of a subject. Examples of types of applicators that may be used are shown in Figures 10-12. [Fig.10] illustrates an example of a porous applicator 20, [Fig. 11] shows an example of a roller ball applicator 21, and [Fig. 12] shows an example of a pump applicator 22 with the overcap 4 attached. Regardless of the type of applicator, the collar 3 removably secures the applicator to the bottle 2, forming a seal to secure and preserve the product inside the bottle 2, as shown and described herein. NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Although general features of the disclosure are described and shown and particular features of the disclosure are set forth in the claims, the following non-limiting embodiments relate to features, and combinations of features, which are explicitly contemplated as part of the disclosure. The following non-limiting embodiments are modular and may be combined with each other in any number, order, or combination to form a new non-limiting embodiment, which may itself be combined with other non-limiting embodiments.
[0029] Embodiment 1. A collar for a container, the collar comprising: a flexible ring having first and second buttons opposite each other and at least one ring tab for abutment against at least one stop tab of a bottle in a closed configuration of the container; and a collar body having at least one body tab for movably securing the flexible ring to the collar body; wherein pressure applied at the first and second buttons deforms the flexible ring and slides the at least one ring tab outwardly past the at least one stop tab of the bottle to move from the closed configuration to an open configuration of the container.
[0030] Embodiment 2. A collar of any other embodiment, wherein the collar has four body tabs for movably securing the flexible ring to the collar body.
[0031] Embodiment 3. A collar of any other embodiment, wherein the bottle has two stop tabs and the flexible ring has two ring tabs.
[0032] Embodiment 4. A collar of any other embodiment, wherein the two stop tabs are positioned opposite each other on the bottle and the two ring tabs are positioned opposite each other on the flexible ring.
[0033] Embodiment 5. A collar of any other embodiment, wherein the flexible ring deforms from an at least approximately circular shape to a non-circular shape when pressure is applied to the first and second buttons and returns to the at least approximately circular shape when the pressure is released.
[0034] Embodiment 6. A collar of any other embodiment, wherein the non-circular shape is at least approximately an ellipse, the at least one ring tab is at a vertex of the ellipse, and the first and second buttons are at first and second co-vertices of the ellipse.
[0035] Embodiment 7. A collar of any other embodiment, wherein the bottle has two stop tabs and the flexible ring has two ring tabs, and wherein the two stop tabs are positioned opposite each other on the bottle and the two ring tabs are positioned opposite each other on the flexible ring.
[0036] Embodiment 8. A collared container, comprising: a bottle and an applicator removably attached to the bottle by means of a collar, wherein the collar comprises: a flexible ring having first and second buttons opposite each other and at least one ring tab for abutting at least one stop tab of the bottle in a closed configuration of the container; and a collar body having at least one body tab for movably securing the flexible ring to the collar body; wherein pressure applied at the first and second buttons deforms the flexible ring and slides the at least one ring tab outwardly past the at least one stop tab of the bottle to move from the closed configuration to an open configuration of the container.
[0037] Embodiment 9. A collared container of any other embodiment, wherein the collar is removably attached to the bottle for removably attaching the applicator to the bottle.
[0038] Embodiment 10. A collared container of any other embodiment, wherein the applicator is selected from the group consisting of: a porous applicator, a brush applicator, a pump applicator, a sponge applicator, a rollerball applicator, and any combination thereof.
[0039] Embodiment 11. A collared container of any other embodiment, wherein the bottle has two stop tabs and the flexible ring has two ring tabs.
[0040] Embodiment 12. A collared container of any other embodiment, wherein the two stop tabs are positioned opposite each other on the bottle and the two ring tabs are positioned opposite each other on the flexible ring.
[0041] Embodiment 13. A collared container of any other embodiment, wherein the flexible ring deforms from an at least approximately circular shape to a non-circular shape when pressure is applied to the first and second buttons and returns to the at least approximately circular shape when the pressure is released.
[0042] Embodiment 14. A collared container of any other embodiment, wherein the non-circular shape is at least approximately an ellipse, the at least one ring tab is at a vertex of the ellipse, and the first and second buttons are at first and second co-vertices of the ellipse.
[0043] Embodiment 15. A collared container of any other embodiment, wherein the bottle has two stop tabs and the flexible ring has two ring tabs, and wherein the two stop tabs are positioned opposite each other on the bottle and the two ring tabs are positioned opposite each other on the flexible ring.
[0044] Although illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
Claims
1. A collared container, comprising: a bottle and an applicator removably attached to the bottle by means of a collar, wherein the collar comprises: a flexible ring having first and second buttons opposite each other and at least one ring tab for abutment against at least one stop tab of the bottle in a closed configuration of the container; and a collar body having at least one body tab for movably securing the flexible ring to the collar body; wherein pressure applied at the first and second buttons deforms the flexible ring and slides the at least one ring tab outwardly past the at least one stop tab of the bottle to move from the closed configuration to an open configuration of the container.
2. The collared container of claim 1, wherein the collar is removably attached to the bottle for removably attaching the applicator to the bottle.
3. The collared container of claim 1, wherein the applicator is selected from the group consisting of: a porous applicator, a brush applicator, a pump applicator, a sponge applicator, a rollerball applicator, and any combination thereof.
4. The collared container of claim 1, wherein the bottle has two stop tabs and the flexible ring has two ring tabs.
5. A collared container according to claim 4, wherein the two stop tabs are positioned opposite each other on the bottle and the two ring tabs are positioned opposite each other on the flexible ring.
6. The collared container of claim 1, wherein the flexible ring deforms from an at least approximately circular shape to a non-circular shape when pressure is applied to the first and second buttons and returns to the at least approximately circular shape when the pressure is released.
7. The collared container of claim 6, wherein the non-circular shape is at least approximately an ellipse, the at least one ring tab is at an apex of the ellipse, and the first and second buttons are at a first and a
8. second co-vertices of the ellipse. The collared container of claim 7, wherein the bottle has two stop tabs and the flexible ring has two ring tabs, and wherein the two stop tabs are positioned opposite each other on the bottle and the two ring tabs are positioned opposite each other on the flexible ring.