Jar refill capsule

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule suitable for containing a product and intended to be contained in a transparent jar comprising an internal cavity configured to receive the capsule, the capsule comprising an outer surface visible from outside the jar when the capsule is in the transparent jar, characterized in that the outer visible surface comprises a micron texture.

Description

Title of the invention: Jar refill capsule Technical field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of packaging and conditioning, more particularly of products traditionally offered in jars or pots, in particular, but not exclusively, cosmetic or food products such as spices. Prior art

[0002] The types of products mentioned particularly when it comes to products with a luxury connotation are offered in glass jars, in mineral or organic glass, in these small containers so that the weight of the jar is easily greater than the weight of the product it contains.

[0003] Particularly in the cosmetics field, the trend towards avoiding the use of preservatives is leading to a reduction in the size of containers.

[0004] The small size of the jar and the nature of the products contained, which must for example be stored under suitable sterile conditions, make it difficult to envisage refilling said jar with bulk product.

[0005] In order to avoid packaging waste, jar refills are offered. These refills include the product in a lightweight, sealed plastic container, the dimensions of which are perfectly adapted to the internal size of the jar for which they are intended.

[0006] Thus, [Fig.l] the packaging system comprises a jar (10) or pot, frequently transparent or translucent, a lid (20) adapted to close the jar and a capsule (100) containing the product and adapted to be introduced into the jar (10) without preventing the latter from being closed by the lid (20).

[0007] The capsule (100) is hermetically sealed by a peelable membrane (110) crimped onto its end.

[0008] The identification of the product and in particular its brand is carried out by printing on this membrane and / or by printing the walls of the capsule.

[0009] The jar being generally transparent, the printing on the walls of the capsule is visible when the latter is inside the jar and the membrane (110) has been removed.

[0010] In the case of luxury products or those with a luxury connotation, the overall appearance is not always very flattering and identifying the product, for example in the middle of several jars on a shelf, is not easy for the consumer who must consult the information written on the walls of the capsule through the jar. Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention relates to a jar refill capsule aimed at: - Reduce the quantity of material constituting the capsule, in particular by thinner walls; - Use bio-sourced materials for the construction of said capsule; - Integrate markings and textures on capsule surfaces without resorting to printing; - While remaining compatible with very large-scale production

[0012] These objectives are achieved by implementing a manufacturing process chosen from: plastic injection, blow molding or thermoforming of a thermoplastic material chosen in particular from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PEI), in their classic or biosourced version.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the materials mentioned can be reinforced by short fibers of the same polymer or of a different polymer.

[0014] The textures and markings on the surface of the capsule are produced during the forming process, i.e. at the same time as injection, blow molding or thermoforming without any additional operation, directly upon demolding.

[0015] The thickness of the capsule walls depends on the production process; this thickness is always less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0016] The textures and markings include so-called micronic patterns whose relief height / depth is between 1 and 100 micrometers, or even between 0.1 and 10 micrometers and include: strands to give a “velvet” appearance, patterns of the “wood”, “carbon fiber”, “leather” type or a hologram without these examples being limiting.

[0017] According to embodiments, these patterns are arranged so as to reveal a marking in the pattern itself.

[0018] In all cases the forming process is implemented with a tool comprising a die, one surface of which is laser engraved so as to reproduce the micron pattern.

[0019] The tooling comprises a means for induction heating a surface of the die and a means for cooling said surface by fluid circulation, so that the heating rate and the cooling rate of the surface are at least equal to 2°Cs 1 between the ambient temperature and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material used. Brief description of the drawings Fig.l

[0020] [Fig.l] relating to the prior art represents in exploded view an example of embodiment of a jar comprising a refill capsule; Fig.2

[0021] [Fig.2] shows, according to a principle view in section, an example of the embodiment of a matrix for implementing the invention. Fig.3

[0022] [Fig.3] presents examples of micron textures achievable on surfaces visible from a capsule Description of the embodiments

[0023] [Fig.2] according to an exemplary embodiment the mold (200) object of the invention intended for injection molding, thermoforming or blow molding of a thermoplastic material, comprises a matrix (210) comprising a molding surface (211). The molding surface is engraved by laser ablation in order to create a micron pattern there,

[0024] The matrix (210) is made of a metallic material, for example a ferromagnetic tool steel, a stainless steel, a light alloy, copper or a copper alloy,

[0025] The die (210) and the molding surface (211) can be brought to a temperature close to a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material, by a series of inductors (220) extending in conduits surrounding the molding surface.

[0026] According to exemplary embodiments, the inductors are made of copper tubes or multi-strand cables.

[0027] When the magnetic permeability of the material constituting the matrix does not allow its direct heating by induction, the conduits in which the inductors extend comprise a coating (221) made of a ferromagnetic material.

[0028] The inductors are connected to a high-frequency generator. Thus, when these are supplied with current at a frequency between 10 Khz and 200 Khz, they induce eddy currents which produce induction heating either directly of the matrix or of the walls of the conduits, causing rapid heating, greater than 2°Cs 1 and uniform heating of the molding surface.

[0029] Whatever the forming process, the shaped thermoplastic material comes into contact with a hot molding surface, it is not cooled, retains a low viscosity which allows it to fill the entire mold cavity, even in the case of a small part thickness, and to perfectly and faithfully match the micron relief engraved on the molding surface.

[0030] The matrix (210) further comprises a plurality of cooling conduits (230) for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid.

[0031] When the inductors are of the tubular type, the heat transfer fluid can also be circulated in the inductors.

[0032] The heat transfer fluid may be a liquid, such as water, or a gas such as air, argon or helium, without these examples being limiting.

[0033] When the heating is finished and the thermoplastic material has properly matched the molding surface (211), the electrical supply of the inductors (220) is coupled and the circulation of the heat transfer fluid rapidly lowers the temperature of the matrix (210), of the molding surface (211) and of the thermoplastic material in contact with it.

[0034] When the temperature drops below a determined value, the solid capsule can be demolded.

[0035] Thus the rapid heating and cooling cycle makes it possible to obtain a very short cycle time compatible with very large series production while ensuring faithful and perfect reproduction of the micron pattern engraved on the molding surface and the possibility of producing thin walls.

[0036] Due to the preheating of the matrix and the molding surface, the process is compatible with bio-sourced thermoplastic materials, which are generally more viscous.

[0037] [Fig.3] shows some examples of textures and patterns, in no way limiting, which can be carried out on the visible walls of the capsule, such as a “carbon fiber” effect (311), a hologram (312)

Claims

Claims

1. Capsule capable of containing a product and intended to be contained in a transparent jar comprising an internal cavity configured to receive the capsule, the capsule comprising an exterior surface visible from the exterior of the jar when the capsule is in the transparent jar, characterized in that the visible exterior surface comprises a micron texture.

2. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein a wall thickness is less than 1 mm.

3. Capsule according to claim 2 in which the wall thickness is less than 0.5 mm.

4. Capsule according to claim 1, made of a thermoplastic material selected from PE, PP and PEI.

5. Capsule according to claim 4, in which the thermoplastic material is bio-sourced.

6. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the micron texture reproduces an appearance selected from leather, wood, marble, and velvet.

7. Capsule according to claim 1, in which the micron texture reproduces a hologram.

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