Packaging and distribution system for a product, especially cosmetics.

Abstract

Assembly (1) for packaging and dispensing a product, particularly a cosmetic, extending axially along an elevation axis (Z-Z') and comprising a container (10) having an opening (O) and defining an internal volume for receiving the product, a reducer (20) fixed to the container (10) and comprising a dispensing orifice in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the container (10) in an assembled position, the dispensing orifice having an internal diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the opening (O) of the container (10), the assembly (1) further comprising a cap (30) removably fixed to said container (10) and configured to close the dispensing orifice of the reducer (20) in the assembled position. The reducer (20) is removably fixed by screwing onto the container (10). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Packaging and distribution system for a product, in particular a cosmetic product.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging and distribution of a product, in particular cosmetics.

[0002] For the purposes of this invention, "cosmetic product" means, in particular, a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of packaging and distribution assemblies for a product, in particular cosmetics, comprising a bottle intended to contain the product and comprising a flow orifice, a reducer mounted on said bottle and provided with a distribution orifice of diameter less than the diameter of the flow orifice and a cover intended to close the distribution orifice of the reducer in a closed position.

[0004] The proposal of eco-responsible, environmentally friendly solutions, whose design and development take into account environmental issues, is becoming a major concern in order to contribute to meeting planetary challenges.

[0005] It is therefore essential to design products that reduce the amount of materials used and / or replace them with more environmentally friendly materials and / or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0006] In this context, it is important to develop packaging that generates less waste, in particular optimized for the quantity of products transported, notably by redesigning and / or resizing them in order to reduce the volume and weight of the amount of packaging.

[0007] The objective is to offer eco-responsible reusable containers, in particular refillable at home or in stores, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging devices.

[0008] The present invention is part of this approach to developing refillable packaging for the field of cosmetic products, and in particular for care products such as shampoo or washing gel.

[0009] Typically, whether in the field of cosmetic or other product packaging, the reducer is generally clipped onto the container and cannot be detached from it without damaging the container. Indeed, it is possible, using a tool such as a screwdriver, corkscrew, or other object, to extract the reducer from the container, albeit with difficulty. However, such extraction damages the reducer which cannot be repositioned while ensuring a good seal with the container.

[0010] Reference can be made to document JP 2002 - 166958A which proposes a reducer mounted by snapping onto the neck of a container and comprising a system to prevent the reducer from being separated from the container.

[0011] Such a solution does not allow the reducer to be separated from the container without damaging it. Furthermore, the reducer and container described in this document have a plurality of shapes, which complicates the manufacture of these components and increases the amount of material used.

[0012] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the above disadvantages and to improve the product packaging and distribution assemblies comprising a container and a reducer of the diameter of the container's distribution orifice mounted on the container in order to allow the said reducer to be separated without damaging it.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to simplify the manufacture of the product packaging and distribution assembly.

[0014] The invention relates to a product conditioning and distribution system, in particular a cosmetic, extending axially along an axis of elevation and comprising a reservoir or container having an opening and delimiting an internal volume intended to receive the product.

[0015] The assembly further includes a reducer fixed to the container and comprising a distribution orifice in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the container in an assembled position, the distribution orifice having an internal diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the opening of the container.

[0016] The assembly further includes a hood or cover removably fixed to said container and configured to close the dispensing orifice of the reducer in the assembled position.

[0017] The reducer is removably fixed by screwing it onto the container.

[0018] By "screw fastening" is meant a cooperation of the threads with each other, for the purpose of separating the reducer from the container only by a relative rotational movement of the reducer with respect to the container.

[0019] The removable fixing by screwing directly onto the container allows the container to be refilled when it is empty.

[0020] The term "product" means a liquid, semi-liquid, or viscous product intended to flow out of a reservoir under the effect of gravity. The product may be, but is not limited to, a cosmetic product, such as a hygiene or skincare product.

[0021] The reducer thus forms a reducing element for the flow diameter of the product contained in the container.

[0022] Advantageously, the container comprises a main body extending axially along the axis of elevation between a closed lower end forming a bottom and an open upper end, opposite the lower end, forming a stepped neck with an opening allowing access to the internal volume for receiving the product.

[0023] Said stepped collar comprises: - a first neck connected to the body of the container by a first joint, for example a shoulder, and comprising, in particular on its external cylindrical surface, a first external thread intended to cooperate with a tapped or first internal thread provided on the cap; and - a second collar connected to the first collar by a second junction, for example a shoulder, and comprising a second thread intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread carried by the reducer.

[0024] Generally, a thread carried by the second neck of the container cooperates with a corresponding thread carried by the reducer and allows the reducer to be removably fixed by screwing it onto the container.

[0025] In other words, the axial holding of the reducer on the container is achieved by the cooperation of the threads.

[0026] By "shoulder" is meant any surface substantially normal to the elevation axis of a cylindrical part, here the elevation axis of the container, resulting from a sudden variation in diameter.

[0027] In other words, the first neck is radially recessed inwards relative to said body and the second neck is radially recessed inwards relative to the first neck.

[0028] Generally, the stepped collar comprises a stepped cylindrical outer surface comprising a first outer surface of the first collar carrying a first thread and a second outer surface of the second collar carrying a second thread, said first and second outer surfaces being connected by the second junction, preferably a shoulder.

[0029] Alternatively, the first neck could be connected to the body of the container by a junction having an inclined slope.

[0030] One could also provide for the combination of a shoulder and a junction between the body and the first neck of the container; the second neck extends along the axis of elevation directly from the first neck, without an intermediate element between the two necks.

[0031] Preferably, the first internal thread of the first collar is offset axially and radially with respect to the second thread of the second collar.

[0032] In other words, the second thread is located axially above the first thread in the direction of the elevation axis and the second thread is located radially recessed relative to the first thread.

[0033] Advantageously, the reducer comprises a radial upper wall provided with the distribution orifice, said reducer comprising at least one mounting skirt extending from the radial upper wall and comprising the corresponding thread.

[0034] For example, and in no way limiting, the reducer includes a boss which extends axially outwards from the radial upper wall and the distribution orifice opens onto said boss.

[0035] Alternatively, the distribution orifice could be provided to open onto a flat or substantially flat radial upper wall.

[0036] In the assembled position, the radial upper wall is, for example, in axial contact with the upper end of the container.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the reducer includes an inner skirt intended to be inserted into the second neck of the container in the assembled position and the mounting skirt is an outer skirt connected to the inner skirt by the radial upper wall surrounding said inner skirt radially and comprising an inner cylindrical surface carrying the corresponding thread intended to cooperate with the second thread carried by an outer cylindrical surface of the second neck.

[0038] For example, the mounting skirt, here the outer skirt, has a smaller axial dimension than the inner skirt.

[0039] In general, the axial dimension of the mounting skirt, here the external skirt, is substantially equal to the axial dimension of the second neck of the container.

[0040] Advantageously, the inner skirt includes a sealing portion whose outer surface is in radial contact with an inner surface of the second neck of the container in the assembled position.

[0041] For example, and in no way limiting, the inner skirt includes an insertion portion extending axially from the sealing portion on the side opposite the radial upper wall and having an outside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the sealing portion in order to facilitate the insertion of the reducer into the opening of the container.

[0042] Alternatively, the inner skirt could comprise only the sealing portion.

[0043] Advantageously, the mounting skirt, here the outer skirt, comprises on its outer surface a plurality of raised features, for example, regularly and circumferentially distributed around the perimeter of said outer surface. Such raised features allow the user to easily grip the reducer for positioning it in the container and unscrewing it from the container.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the mounting skirt is an internal skirt intended to be inserted into the second neck of the container in the assembled position, said mounting skirt comprising an external cylindrical surface carrying the corresponding thread intended to cooperate with the second thread carried by the internal cylindrical surface of the second neck.

[0045] Advantageously, said mounting skirt further includes an annular sealing bead extending radially from the external cylindrical surface of said mounting skirt outwards and in radial contact with the internal cylindrical surface of the second neck of the container in the assembled position.

[0046] For example, the stepped neck of the container is connected to the body of the container via an annular collar, said stepped neck being connected to said annular collar by a shoulder.

[0047] For example, the annular collar is connected to the body by a first junction so as to be offset radially inwards with respect to said body and the neck is connected to the annular collar by a second junction, such as the shoulder, so as to be offset radially inwards with respect to said collar.

[0048] Alternatively, the neck could be directly connected to the body of the container by a shoulder, without an intermediate annular collar.

[0049] The first junction has, for example, an inclined slope. Alternatively, the first junction could be a shoulder.

[0050] For example, the external thread carried by the first neck of the container comprises a single thread including a distal end and a proximal end and the first neck of the container includes on its external surface at least one stop for screwing the cap onto the container.

[0051] The distal end is the end of the thread of the external thread of the first neck closest to the distal end of the container and the proximal end is the end of the thread of the external thread of the first neck closest to the second shoulder between the first neck and the annular collar.

[0052] The net forms a helix around the elevation axis on the outer surface of the first neck between the distal end of the container and a proximal end of the first neck connected to the second shoulder.

[0053] The external thread of the first collar has a screwing direction going from the distal end to the proximal end of the first collar.

[0054] Alternatively, the neck of the container comprises two pairs of screw end stops extending radially from the outer surface of the first neck outwards.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the screw-end stop comprises a first projecting element extending axially from the shoulder between the first neck and the annular collar towards the distal end of the container and a second element in projection extending axially from the proximal end of the thread of the external thread of the first neck to the first protruding element.

[0056] For example, the first protruding element includes a stop surface, for example vertical, and forms a stop or screw end notch for the hood.

[0057] For example, the second protruding element is in the form of an axial rib extending axially along the elevation axis from the first protruding element to the proximal end of the thread of the external thread of the first collar. The axial ribs form a circumferential stop for each proximal end of the threads of the cap tapping.

[0058] For example, the body of the container has a non-circular cross-section and the stepped neck has a circular cross-section.

[0059] Alternatively, the body of the container could have a circular cross-section or any other shape.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the hood comprises an outer wall delimited by an end and a radial upper wall, and a stepped inner wall conforming in shape to the stepped neck of the container, delimited by an end wall provided with a sealing lip intended to contact the radial upper wall of the reducer in the assembled position. Said stepped inner wall comprises a first cylindrical skirt radially surrounding the first junction connecting the first neck to the body of the container, a second cylindrical skirt radially surrounding the first neck of the stepped neck of the container and comprising on its inner surface the first internal thread cooperating with the first external thread carried by said first neck, and a third cylindrical skirt radially surrounding the second neck of the stepped neck of the container and the reducer in the assembled position.The third cylindrical skirt has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the second cylindrical skirt on the inner wall of the hood.

[0061] Thus, we obtain a conditioning and distribution set that is particularly axially compact.

[0062] For example, the outer wall of the hood has a non-circular cross-section and the inner wall of the hood has a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the outer wall of the hood could have a circular cross-section or any other shape.

[0063] Alternatively, the hood could have a completely different shape and comprise a cylindrical wall delimited by an open end and a radial upper wall intended to come into axial contact, directly or via the boss, with the radial upper wall of the reducer in the assembled position, the cylindrical wall comprising on its inner surface the first internal thread cooperating with the first external thread carried by the first neck of the container. The cylindrical wall of the hood radially surrounds the entire reducer in the assembled position.

[0064] The hood can be made in one piece or in several pieces joined together.

[0065] For example, the container and the cap can be made of any plastic material using techniques such as stretch injection blow molding (ISBM), injection blow molding (IBM), extrusion molding (EBM), injection molding (IM), in particular of thermoplastic polymer, such as for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or even of recycled plastic material, known by the abbreviation PCR or Post Consumer Recycling in Anglo-Saxon terms.

[0066] The reducer is preferably made in one piece, for example by injection molding of a plastic material, for example a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene (PE) or recycled plastic material "PCR" or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or any thermoplastic elastomer.

[0067] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0068] [Fig.1] represents an exploded perspective view of a product packaging and distribution system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0069] [Fig.2] is a front view of the conditioning and distribution assembly of the [Fig.1] in an assembled position, with the hood offset axially relative to the container;

[0070] [Fig.2A] is a top view of the container of the whole of [Fig.l];

[0071] [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3B] are partial views of the conditioning and distribution assembly of [Fig.2] according to two perpendicular axial sections;

[0072] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view of the entire conditioning and distribution assembly of the [Fig.l], without a hood;

[0073] [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] are perspective views of the reducer alone of the conditioning and distribution assembly of [Fig. 1]; and

[0074] [Fig.7] is a partial axial cross-sectional view of a conditioning and distribution assembly according to another embodiment.

[0075] In the following description, we consider an orthonormal basis X, Y, Z, with Z corresponding to an axis of elevation or extension representing the vertical direction in which we find:

[0076] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and extending from left to right on the [Fig.2];

[0077] - a horizontal transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and extending from front to back on the [Fig.2]; and

[0078] - a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y and extending from bottom to top on the [Fig.2].

[0079] The expressions "upper" and "lower" refer to the upper and lower parts of the figures.

[0080] The terms "interior" or "internal" and "exterior" or "external" refer to the interior of the product packaging and distribution assembly, the internal or interior parts being closer to the Z-Z' elevation axis than the external or exterior parts.

[0081] Figure 1 shows a set 1 for the conditioning and distribution of a product, in particular a cosmetic.

[0082] The term "product" means a liquid, semi-liquid, or viscous product intended to flow out of a reservoir under the effect of gravity. The product may be, but is not limited to, a cosmetic product, such as a hygiene or skincare product.

[0083] The product packaging and distribution assembly 1 includes a tank or container 10, a reducer 20 removably fixed to the container 10 and a hood or cover 30 removably fixed to the container 10.

[0084] The container 10 delimits an internal volume V containing the product.

[0085] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the container 10 comprises a main body 11 extending axially along the elevation axis Z-Z' assumed to be vertical in the figures and having a closed lower end forming a bottom 12 and an open upper end 13, opposite the lower end 12, forming a stepped neck 14 having an opening O allowing access to the internal volume V for receiving the product.

[0086] As illustrated, the body 11 of the container 10 has, here, a non-circular cross-section and the stepped neck 14 has a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the body 11 of the container 10 could have a circular cross-section or any other shape.

[0087] The non-circular cross-section of the body 11 of the container 10 here has an ovoid shape defined by a major axis Al and a minor axis A2 which are at least 20% lower than the major axis AL. The axes Al, A2 are visible on [Fig.2A].

[0088] The stepped neck 14 includes a first neck 15 connected to the body 11 of the container 10 by an annular collar 16.

[0089] The annular collar 16 is connected to the body 11 by a first junction 1a so as to be offset radially inwards with respect to said body 11 and the first collar 15 is connected to the annular collar 16 by a second junction 16a so as to be offset radially inwards with respect to said collar 16.

[0090] Alternatively, the first neck 15 could be provided for to be directly connected to the body 11 of the container 10 by a shoulder, without an intermediate annular collar.

[0091] By “junction”, we mean a portion of connection between two parts.

[0092] The first junction lia here has an inclined slope. Alternatively, the first junction lia could be a shoulder.

[0093] The second junction 16a is here a shoulder.

[0094] By "shoulder" is meant any surface substantially normal to the elevation axis of a cylindrical part, here the elevation axis Z-Z' of the container 10, resulting from a sudden variation in diameter.

[0095] The first collar 15 extends around the elevation axis Z-Z' and includes on its external cylindrical surface 15a a first external thread 15b intended to cooperate with an internal tapping or thread 36b provided on the hood 30.

[0096] The first external thread 15b here comprises a single thread including a distal end 15c and a proximal end 15d, visible in figures 1 and 4.

[0097] The distal end 15c is the end of the thread of the external thread 15b closest to the distal end 13 of the container 10 and the proximal end 15d is the end of the thread of the external thread 15b closest to the second shoulder 16a between the first neck 15 and the annular collar 16.

[0098] The net 15b forms a helix around the elevation axis Z-Z' on the outer surface 15a of the first neck 15 between the distal end 13 of the container 10 and a proximal end of the first neck 15 connected to the second shoulder 16a.

[0099] The external thread 15b has a screwing direction going from the distal end 13 to the proximal end of the first collar 15.

[0100] As illustrated, the first neck 15 of the container 10 further comprises a first pair 17 of two projecting elements 17a, 17b extending radially from the outer surface 15a of the first neck 15 outwards.

[0101] The first pair 17 of protruding elements forms a screwing end stop for the hood 30 on the container 10.

[0102] Said first pair 17 comprises a first projecting element 17a extending axially from the second shoulder 16a to the distal end 13 of the container 10 and a second projecting element 17b extending axially from the proximal end 15d of the thread of the external thread 15b to the first projecting element 17a.

[0103] The first projecting element 17a includes a stop surface (not referenced), here vertical, and forms a stop or screw end notch for the cover 30.

[0104] The second projecting element 17b is in the form of an axial rib extending axially along the elevation axis Z-Z' from the first projecting element 17a to the proximal end 15c of the thread of the external thread 15b.

[0105] The axial ribs 17b form a circumferential stop for each proximal end of the threads of the tapped hole 36b of the hood 30.

[0106] As illustrated, the first neck 15 of the container 10 further comprises a second pair 17c of projecting elements extending radially outward from the outer surface 15a of the first neck 15. The second pair 17c is located 180° to the first pair 17 on the surface 15a of the first neck 15. This second pair 17c forms an axial support for the cap 30 in the position where the container 10 is closed by the cap 30.

[0107] The stepped collar 14 further includes a second collar 18 connected to the first collar 15 by a second shoulder 19 in order to be radially offset inwards with respect to said first collar 15.

[0108] As illustrated, the second col 18 extends along the elevation axis Z-Z' directly from the first col 15, without an intermediate element between the two cols 15, 18.

[0109] The second collar 18 is radially delimited by an outer cylindrical surface 18a and an inner cylindrical surface 18b.

[0110] Generally, the stepped collar 14 comprises a stepped outer surface comprising the outer surface 15a of the first collar 15 and the outer surface 18a of the second collar 18, said outer surfaces 15a, 18a being connected by the second shoulder 19.

[0111] As illustrated, the second collar 18 includes on its external cylindrical surface 18a a second thread 18c, here external, intended to cooperate with an internal tapping or thread 25b provided on the reducer 20.

[0112] The first thread 15b is offset axially and radially with respect to the second thread 18c. In other words, the second thread 18c is located axially above the first thread 15b in the direction of the elevation axis Z-Z' and the second thread 18c is located radially recessed with respect to the first thread 15b.

[0113] Alternatively, as illustrated in [Fig.5], the second collar 18 includes on its inner cylindrical surface 18b a second internal thread 18d intended to cooperate with an external thread 21d provided on the reducer 20.

[0114] Generally, a thread 18c, 18d carried by the second neck 18 of the container 10 cooperates with a corresponding thread 25b, 21d carried by a mounting skirt 25, 21 of the reducer 20 and allows the removable fixing by screwing of the reducer 20 on the container 10. In other words, the axial holding of the reducer 20 on the container 10 is achieved by the cooperation of the threads 18c, 18d, 25b, 21d.

[0115] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the mounting skirt is the outer skirt 25 and in the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.7], the mounting skirt is the inner skirt 21.

[0116] As illustrated in the figures, the reducer 20 extends along the elevation axis Z-Z'.

[0117] The reducer 20 includes an internal skirt 21 intended to be inserted into the second neck 18 of the container 10 and delimited by an open lower end 22 and a radial upper wall 23 provided with a distribution orifice 24 for the passage of the product contained in the container 10.

[0118] The inner skirt 21 includes a sealing portion 21a whose outer surface 21b is in radial contact with the inner surface 18b of the second neck 18 of the container 10 in the assembled position shown in Figures 3A and 3B. As illustrated, and in no way limiting the application, the inner skirt 21 includes an insertion portion 21c extending axially from the sealing portion 21a on the side opposite the radial upper wall 23 and having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing portion 21a in order to facilitate the insertion of the reducer 20 into the opening O of the container 10. Alternatively, the inner skirt 21 could include only the sealing portion 21a.

[0119] In the assembled position, the radial upper wall 23 is in axial contact with the upper end 13 of the container 10.

[0120] As illustrated, and in no way limitingly, the distribution port 24 opens onto a boss 23a which projects axially outwards from the radial upper wall 23. Alternatively, the distribution port 24 could open onto a flat or substantially flat radial upper wall 23.

[0121] The diameter of the distribution orifice 24 of the reducer 20 is less than the diameter of the opening O of the container 10.

[0122] The reducer 20 thus forms a reducing element for the flow diameter of the product contained in the container 10.

[0123] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the reducer 20 comprises an external skirt 25 extending axially from a lateral end of the radial upper wall 23 downwards and radially surrounding the internal skirt 21.

[0124] The outer skirt 25 here has a smaller axial dimension than the inner skirt 21. In general, the axial dimension of the outer skirt 25 is substantially equal to the axial dimension of the second neck 18 of the container 10.

[0125] The outer skirt 25 includes on its inner surface (not referenced) an internal thread or tapping 25b cooperating with the thread 18c provided on the second neck 18 of the container 10.

[0126] The outer skirt 25 here forms a mounting skirt for the reducer 20 on the container 10.

[0127] As illustrated and in no way limiting, the outer skirt 25 comprises on its outer surface 25a, a plurality of reliefs 26, here axial recesses, regularly circumferentially distributed around the periphery of said outer surface 25a. Such reliefs 26 allow the user to easily grip the reducer 20 for positioning it in the container 10 and unscrewing it from the container 10. Other forms of reliefs could be provided, for example a plurality of axial ribs.

[0128] The reducer 20 is put in place on the container 10 either by a screwing force, or by an axial force on the reducer 20 towards the container 10 during which the threads of the internal thread 25b snap into the threads of the external thread 18c of the second neck 18 of the container 10.

[0129] The separation of the reducer 20 from the container 10 is achieved exclusively by a rotational movement of the reducer 20 relative to the container 10 generating the unscrewing of said reducer 20 relative to the container 10.

[0130] After unscrewing the reducer 20, the container 10 can be filled and reused when its internal volume V is empty.

[0131] The hood 30 is configured to close the distribution port 24 of the reducer 20 in the assembled position.

[0132] As illustrated, and in no way limiting, the hood 30 is understood along an elevation axis assumed to be vertical in the figures and comprises an external wall 31, here of non-circular cross-section, delimited by a closed lower end 32 and a radial upper wall 33 intended to come above the radial upper wall 23 of the reducer 20 in the assembled position.

[0133] The hood 30 is here made in two pieces joined together.

[0134] Alternatively, the hood 30 could be made in one piece.

[0135] Alternatively, a cylindrical hood could also be provided.

[0136] The hood further comprises an internal wall 34 connected to the lower wall 32.

[0137] The inner wall 34 of the hood 30 is in conformity of shape with the step collar 14 of the container 10.

[0138] The inner wall 34 of the hood 30 comprises successively, along the extension axis Z-Z', a first cylindrical skirt 35 radially surrounding the annular collar 16 of the container 10, a second cylindrical skirt 36 radially surrounding the first neck 15 of the stepped neck 14 and a third cylindrical skirt 37 surrounding the second neck 18 of the stepped neck 14, and in particular the outer skirt 25 of the reducer 30.

[0139] Said skirts 35, 36, 37 being connected by a corresponding shoulder (not referenced) so as to form a stepped skirt whose outer diameter decreases in stages along the axis of extension, on the side opposite the container 10.

[0140] The second cylindrical skirt 36 includes on its internal surface 36a an internal thread or tapping 36b cooperating with the external thread 15b carried by the first neck 15 of the container 10.

[0141] In the assembled position, the inner wall 34 of the hood 30 radially surrounds the entire reducer 20.

[0142] As illustrated, the hood 30 further comprises an end wall 38 extending radially to the upper end of the third cylindrical skirt 37 and located axially above the reducer 20 in the assembled position.

[0143] Said end wall 38 includes an annular sealing lip 38a extending from a lower surface of said end wall 38 towards the reducer 20, in an oblique direction, inclined inwards.

[0144] The sealing lip 38 is intended to come into contact with the upper wall 23 in the assembled position and ensure the sealing of the assembly 1.

[0145] The example illustrated in [Fig.7], in which the same elements bear the same references, the reducer 20 comprises a single skirt 21 extending between the opening 22 and the radial upper wall 23.

[0146] Said skirt 21 includes on its external cylindrical surface 21b, an external thread 21d intended to cooperate with a second thread 18d provided on the internal cylindrical surface 18b of the second neck 18 of the container 10.

[0147] Said skirt 21 further includes an annular sealing bead 21e extending radially from the external cylindrical surface 21b of said skirt 21 outwards and in radial contact with the internal cylindrical surface 18b of the second neck 18 of the container 10 in the assembled position.

[0148] In this embodiment, the inner skirt 21 forms the mounting skirt of the reducer 20 on the container 10.

[0149] In all embodiments, the container 10 and the cap 30 can be made of plastic material, in particular of thermoplastic polymer, such as for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or of recycled plastic material, known by the abbreviation PCR or Post Consumer Recycling in Anglo-Saxon terms.

[0150] The reducer 20 is made in one piece for example by injection molding of a plastic material, for example a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene (PE) or recycled plastic material “PCR” or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or any thermoplastic elastomer.

[0151] Thanks to the various features of the invention, the Applicant Company is able to offer its customers a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing unit comprising a removable reducer with a minimalist structure. by ensuring good axial retention and sealing, thus reducing the environmental impact resulting from both the manufacture of this assembly, through in particular a limitation of the raw materials used, its packaging and its transport, through in particular a limitation of the mass of the assembly, or its treatment at the end of its life.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic, extending axially along an axis of elevation (Z-Z') and comprising a container (10) having an opening (0) and delimiting an internal volume (V) intended to receive the product, a reducer (20) fixed to the container (10) and comprising a dispensing orifice (24) in fluidic communication with the internal volume (V) of the container (10) in an assembled position, the dispensing orifice (24) having an internal diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the opening (O) of the container (10), the assembly (1) further comprising a cap (30) removably fixed to said container (10) and configured to close the dispensing orifice (24) of the reducer (20) in the assembled position, the reducer (20) being removably fixed by screwing onto the container (10),characterized in that the container (10) comprises a main body (11) extending axially along the elevation axis (Z-Z') between a closed lower end forming a bottom (12) and an open upper end (13), opposite the lower end (12), forming a stepped neck (14) provided with an opening (O) allowing access to the internal volume (V) for receiving the product, said stepped neck (14) comprising: - a first neck (15) connected to the body (11) of the container (10) by a first junction (16, 1 la) and comprising a first external thread (15b) intended to cooperate with a first internal thread (36b) provided on the hood (30); and - a second collar (18) connected to the first collar (15) by a second junction (19) and comprising a second thread (18c, 18d) intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread (25b, 21d) carried by the reducer (20).

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first internal thread (15b) of the first collar (15) is offset axially and radially with respect to the second thread (18c, 18d) of the second collar (18).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reducer (20) comprises a radial upper wall (23) provided with the distribution orifice (24), said reducer (20) comprising at least one skirt mounting (21, 25) extending from the radial upper wall (24) and including the corresponding thread (25b, 21b).

4. Assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the reducer (20) comprises an inner skirt (21) intended to be inserted into the second neck (18) of the container (10) in the assembled position, and wherein the mounting skirt (25) is an outer skirt connected to the inner skirt (21) by the radial upper wall (23) radially surrounding said inner skirt (21) and comprising an inner cylindrical surface carrying the corresponding thread (25b) intended to cooperate with the second thread (18c) carried by an outer cylindrical surface (18a) of the second neck (18).

5. Assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the inner skirt (21) comprises a sealing portion (21a) whose outer surface is in radial contact with an inner surface (18b) of the second neck (18) of the container (10) in the assembled position.

6. Assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the mounting skirt (25) comprises on its external surface (25a), a plurality of reliefs (26) circumferentially distributed around the perimeter of said external surface (25a).

7. Assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the mounting skirt (21) is an internal skirt intended to be inserted into the second neck (18) of the container (10) in the assembled position, said mounting skirt (21) comprising an external cylindrical surface (21b) carrying the corresponding thread (21d) intended to cooperate with the second thread (18d) carried by the internal cylindrical surface (18b) of the second neck (18).

8. Assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the mounting skirt (21) further comprises an annular sealing bead (21e) extending radially from the external cylindrical surface (21b) of said mounting skirt (21) outwards and in radial contact with the internal cylindrical surface (18b) of the second neck (18) of the container (10) in the assembled position.

9. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body (11) of the container (10) has a non-circular cross-section and the stepped neck (14) has a circular cross-section.

10. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hood (30) comprises a delimited outer wall (31) by an end (32) and a radial upper wall (33) and a stepped inner wall (34) conforming in shape to the stepped neck (14) of the container (10) delimited by an end wall (38) provided with a sealing lip (38a) intended to come into contact with the radial upper wall (23) of the reducer (20) in the assembled position, said stepped inner wall (34) comprising a first cylindrical skirt (35) radially surrounding the first junction (16, 1a) connecting the first neck (15) to the body (11) of the container (10), a second cylindrical skirt (36) radially surrounding the first neck (15) of the stepped neck (14) of the container (10) and comprising on its inner surface the first internal thread (36a) cooperating with the first external thread (15b) carried by said first neck (15)), a third cylindrical skirt (37) radially surrounding the second neck (18) of the neck stepped (14) of the container (10) and the reducer (20) in the assembled position,the third cylindrical skirt (37) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second cylindrical skirt (36) of the inner wall (34) of the hood (30).

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