CONTAINER AND SOCKET ASSEMBLY WITH FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The removably connected container and ferrule assembly with complementary thread shapes addresses recycling issues by minimizing material and time consumption, ensuring secure coupling and easy separation for recycling.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024014708
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-19
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-12
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing ferrule-container assemblies with permanent metallic connections hinder recycling due to heterogeneous materials, requiring increased material consumption, longer manufacturing times, and oil usage in threading processes.
A removably connected container and ferrule assembly with complementary thread shapes featuring protrusions, minimizing material and machining time, and eliminating the need for stamping oils, allowing easy separation for recycling.
Facilitates efficient and secure coupling with reduced material and time consumption, enabling proper recycling of components made from different materials.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: CONTAINER AND FLOOR ASSEMBLY WITH FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly consisting of a container and a ferrule coupled to it, preferably from the perfumery and cosmetics sector, where the ferrule includes a system for distributing the liquid or fluid contained in the container. Background of the invention
[0002] Containers containing a certain type of fluid and incorporating a ferrule coupled to said container as a closure system and element for distributing the fluid contained in said container, are known in the prior art.
[0003] Usually made of metallic material, these ferrules are permanently attached to the container, which is itself made of another type of material such as glass, which is conventionally used as a general rule. This permanent connection between the ferrule and the container prevents proper recycling of the assembly once it reaches the end of its life, due to the heterogeneous composition of the materials in the different parts of the ferrule-container assembly.
[0004] To solve this problem, ferrules allowing a threaded connection to the container are known in the prior art. This solution makes it possible to separate the ferrule and the container at the time of disposal, and thus ensure their proper processing for separate recycling, according to the materials composing each part. This solution also entails certain drawbacks directly related to the ferrule's thread configuration, as a greater consumption of forming material is required to profile the entire threaded development of the part.
[0005] This solution, based on creating a thread between the ferrule and the container, also has the disadvantage of a slower manufacturing process, since its industrialization requires the use of transfer machines operating at a rate of 100-150 parts per minute to create the ferrule threads. In addition to the above, the increased oil consumption for threading the ferrule must also be considered. The use of stamping oils is indeed necessary during thread production, as stamping is the conventional method for threading metal ferrules.
[0006] The configuration of a shell and container assembly allowing for a secure but removable connection between them is thus necessary so that the user can properly and easily separate them and manage their recycling. All this must be achieved without must significantly affect the consumption of environmentally impactful materials while minimizing damage to the productive capacity of all or one of the parts involved, such as, in this case, the ferrule. Description of the invention
[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a container and shell assembly with a fluid distribution system for containers, which makes it possible to resolve the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide other advantages indicated below.
[0008] For the sake of clarity, ferrule should be understood as the cap, sleeve or similar element for coupling to the neck of a container for its effective closure and the placement of the system for distributing the fluid contained in the container, where conventionally, said cap or similar appears open at both ends, to couple by one of them to said neck of the container and, by the other, to allow passage of the dosing, distribution, spraying, etc. system, attached thereto and intended to penetrate to the bottom or inside of the container.
[0009] For the sake of clarity, fluid distribution system should be understood as any system for distributing the fluid contained in the container, whether by spraying, dosing by pumping or similar, conventionally used on containers of perfumery, cosmetic, deodorant or other similar products.
[0010] To conclude the notions of precision deemed necessary, the notion of shape or distance substantially identical to a shape or distance described, must be understood as a distance or shape coinciding with that compared in its description or presenting similar shapes or values allowing to retain the functionality and advantages associated with said shape or distance specific to the shape described.
[0011] In accordance with the objective of the invention, and according to a first aspect, the present invention is based on a container and ferrule assembly with a fluid distribution system, where the ferrule is configured so as to be removably joined by threading to the container.
[0012] Advantageously in the present invention, the thread of the container and ferrule assembly is formed by the complementarity between a first thread shape of the face of the thread interaction surface of the ferrule body, and a second thread shape of the face of the thread interaction surface of the neck of the container, where two or more protruding protuberances of the thread interaction surface are located on the first or second thread shape, positioned so as to be able to serve as a thread coupling on the other thread shape of the thread assembly.
[0013] Each of these protuberances takes on a shape substantially identical to a cone or spherical cap projecting from the thread interaction surface where it is located, with a cone or spherical cap section diameter substantially identical to the free distance between the crests of each thread pitch and a cone or spherical cap height substantially identical to the free height of the recess between the flanks of the threads of the other thread form.
[0014] In this way, a container and shell assembly is obtained, allowing for their coupling and uncoupling by threading, as well as their proper disposal as waste, both of the container and the shell. For this purpose, one of the two thread forms is advantageously used, with minimal mechanical action for generating the protrusions that act as a replacement for the complementary thread of the other thread form.
[0015] This mechanical action, preferably but not exclusively, relies on a stamping process on one of the two thread forms and at predetermined points, of spherical or conical marks which, as indicated, act as a replacement for the complementary thread of the other thread form. This solution implies a minimization of the manufacturing time of parts incorporating the thread forms corresponding to the protrusions, compared to other threading solutions using, for example, stamping, in addition to avoiding greater material consumption for said part generation, as well as oil consumption during said stamping of the complete threads on these metal parts.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distribution of the protrusions on the first or second thread form is carried out so as to have between 2 and 4 protrusions for each complete turn on the thread axis, following the helical trajectory of a thread configured to couple with the thread of the other thread form of the thread assembly.
[0017] It has been verified that, although this is the minimum number of protrusions required to achieve coupling between the thread of the container neck and the ferrule, to maintain correctly and securely the two interaction surfaces on this thread, and furthermore, to require the minimum number of operations on the part incorporating the protrusions minimizing working time on it and thus minimizing the effects of machining on the productivity of these parts, the preferred and optimal distribution of protrusions on the first or second thread form is 4 protrusions per complete turn on the thread axis, following the helical path of a thread configured to couple with the thread of the other thread form of the thread assembly and with a minimum number of protrusions allowing to complete two thread turns.
[0018] Alternatively, the distribution of the protrusions on the first or second thread form is carried out so as to have more than 4 protrusions for each complete turn on the thread axis, following the helical path of a thread configured to mate with the thread of the other thread shape of the thread assembly.
[0019] This latter embodiment configures the assembly with a larger arrangement of protrusions increasing the points of contact between the thread forms of the ferrule and the neck of the container for applications requiring the reinforcement of these points of contact or simply to improve the threaded coupling between the ferrule and the container.
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, regardless of the number of protrusions applied to the first or second thread form, these protrusions are homogeneously distributed angularly with respect to the thread axis along the helical path of the thread. This improves the stability and security of the threaded coupling without any significant area of the thread path being unsupported by the protrusions on the thread.
[0021] According to an alternative embodiment, the protuberances homogeneously distributed at one or more points at an angle with respect to the thread axis along the helical path of the thread, form sets of protuberances with two or more adjacent protuberances in the helical direction of the thread.
[0022] This configuration makes it possible to facilitate the guidance and / or to reinforce the contact between the ferrule and the thread of the neck of the container at points deemed necessary, such as for example at the beginning of the coupling between threads and / or other points of the helical thread trajectory.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body of the ferrule configured for its adaptation to the neck of the opening of the container, includes the protruding protrusions at the level of its inner face, as a first form of thread of the face of the interaction surface for threading the body of the ferrule, where said protrusions are configured according to an arrangement enabling them to serve as a coupling for the complementary thread arranged as the second form of thread of the face on the interaction surface for threading the neck of the container, where each protrusion is formed by a hollowing of the outer face of the body towards the inside of the ferrule.
[0024] This preferred configuration allows for the placement of protrusions on the ferrule, a part that is easier to machine for creating said protrusions, and the threading on the container. The invention thus takes on particular relevance in the case of metal ferrules, maximizing the advantages of each preceding embodiment with this particular feature.
[0025] Alternatively to the above, the neck of the container comprises the protruding protrusions on its outer face, as a second form of thread on the face on the threading interaction surface of the container neck, where said protrusions are configured in an arrangement to serve as a coupling for the complementary thread arranged as the first thread form of the face of the threading interaction surface of the ferrule body, where each protrusion is formed by a projection from the outer face of the container neck outwards.
[0026] This alternative configuration allows the protrusions to be placed on the container and the thread on the ferrule, for applications requiring, more appropriately, that these protrusions be placed on the container and not on the ferrule.
[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ferrule is mainly composed of metallic materials. Alternatively, the ferrule can be made of other materials; more specifically, it can be mainly composed of plastic materials.
[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the container, the container is mainly made of glass or plastic and the ferrule is made of metallic material.
[0029] Alternatively, the container is mainly made of metal or glass and the ferrule is made of plastic material.
[0030] This invention is particularly relevant for combinations of ferrules and containers made of different materials. Indeed, the known configuration of non-removable coupling did not allow for proper waste treatment, whereas the solution of the invention described allows for easy and correct separation of the parts made of different materials and their proper treatment as waste. Brief description of the figures
[0031] To facilitate understanding of the presentation, drawings are attached representing, schematically and solely as a non-limiting example, practical cases of the following embodiments.
[0032] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a front view of a ferrule equipped with the fluid distribution system of the invention, in a position close to its thread on the threaded neck of a container also of the invention.
[0033] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a lower perspective view of a ferrule that is the object of the invention, without a container or fluid distribution system.
[0034] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a top perspective view of a ferrule that is the subject of the invention, without container or fluid distribution system, with groups of protrusions at different points on the body of the ferrule.
[0035] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a front view of a ferrule with a distribution system fluid according to an alternative embodiment of the invention where the protuberances are located on the neck of the container.
[0036] Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0037] In the present preferred embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a ferrule (10) is provided, formed by a cylindrical sleeve or cap open at both ends. One end is used to couple to the threaded neck (101) of a container (100) and create a leak-proof seal between the two parts (10 and 101), and the other end is used to couple to the fluid distribution system (105), namely, in this case, a system for spraying the fluid contained in the container (100). Alternatively, this spraying system could be replaced, as the fluid distribution system (105), by a pumping system or other system for distributing said contained fluid.
[0038] The body (11) of the ferrule (10) includes slots at its outer face (11.2) from body (11) to the inner space of the ferrule (10), forming protrusions (12) on the inner face (11.1) of the threading interaction surface of the body (11) of the ferrule (10), as a first threading form.
[0039] These protuberances (12), which in the present preferred embodiment have a substantially conical shape, although they may alternatively have substantially spherical or similar cap shapes, are arranged relative to each other along a helical trajectory so as to remain configured in an arrangement enabling them to serve as a coupling for the complementary thread (102) of the outer face (101.1) of the thread interaction surface of the neck (101) of the container (100), as a second thread form.
[0040] In this preferred embodiment, four protrusions (12) are arranged uniformly at an angular interval of 90° for each complete turn of the ferrule around the thread axis (e), following the helical path configured to mate with the thread (102) of the neck (101) of the container (100), with two thread turns covered by said distribution of protrusions (12). It is possible to use a different number of protrusions (12) per complete thread turn. This can be at least 2, although more optimally and as indicated, 4 protrusions (12) are arranged per turn to ensure an efficient and secure coupling between the first thread form of the face (11.1) of the interaction surface of the ferrule (10) and the second thread form of the face (101.1) of the thread interaction surface of the neck (101) of the container (100).Alternatively, the ferrule (10) can be configured with more than 4 protrusions (12) per complete thread turn, in order to provide better guidance during the threading action of the ferrule (10) on the neck (101) of the container (100) and / or a better coupling which enables it to withstand pressures for specific applications of pressurized fluids contained in the container.
[0041] Optionally, as can be seen in [Fig. 3], at one or more points where the protuberances (12) are homogeneously distributed angularly on the body (11) of the ferrule, two or more adjacent protuberances (12) are provided, so as to allow at these points, better guidance and coupling to the thread of the neck (101) of the container (100).
[0042] Common to any of the preceding embodiments, the protrusions (12) have a shape that allows them to be coupled between the threads of the thread (102) of the neck (101) of the container (100). This coupling provides a secure and efficient passage of the protrusions (12) through the recess between the threads of said thread (102), allowing guided passage and retention within the thread without thread skipping, at least under normal use of the assembly. To achieve this, the protrusions are dimensioned so that the diameter (D) of the cone's cross-section is substantially the same as the free distance (d) between the crests of each thread pitch (102) of the neck (101) of the container (100), and the height (A) of the cone is substantially the same as the free height (a) of the recess between the flanks of the threads of the thread (102) of the neck (101) of the container (100).
[0043] In the preceding embodiments, the ferrule (10) is predominantly composed of metal, in this case preferably aluminum, although other metals are possible. Alternatively, other materials are possible for the majority of the ferrule, such as plastics. These alternative materials are intended for possible design combinations involving differences in the potential treatment of the container and the ferrule as waste, which is where this invention becomes particularly relevant.
[0044] As described in previous embodiments, the container (100) and ferrule (10) assembly with fluid distribution system (105) enables efficient and secure coupling between the thread (102) of the container (100) and the ferrule (10) using minimal machining elements of the ferrule body (11), such as protrusions (12) with a substantially conical or spherical shape arranged helically for thread coupling. This results in a ferrule with minimal manufacturing and thread forming time, as well as eliminating the need for additional raw material for forming the thread surface and the need for stamping oils when using this machining process.This also allows the ferrule (10) and the container (100) to be easily separated for proper disposal when the material of the ferrule (10) is different from the material of the container (100), as in the case of glass and plastic containers with metal ferrules and in the case of glass and metal containers with plastic ferrules.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the protrusions (12) are created on the neck (101') of the container (100') so as to provide the complete thread on the ferrule (10'), the outer surface (101.1') of the neck (101) of the container (100) being the surface containing the protuberances (12) towards the outside of the container to make contact and couple to the recesses between threads on the inner face (11.1') of the body (111) of the ferrule (10').
[0046] Although reference is made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is obvious to an expert in the field that the container and shell assembly with fluid distribution system described can be subject to numerous modifications and variations, and that all the details indicated can be replaced by others that are technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.
Claims
Demands
1. - A container and shell assembly with a fluid distribution system, wherein the shell (10) is configured to join the container (100, 100') removably by threading the container (100, 100') and shell (10, 10') assembly, characterized in that the threading of the container (100, 100') and shell (10, 10') assembly is formed by the complementarity between a first thread shape on the face (11.1, 11.1') of the threading interaction surface of the body (11, 11') of the shell (10, 10'), and a second thread shape on the face (101.1, 101.1') of the threading interaction surface of the neck (101, 101') of the container (100, 100'), wherein the threads are located on the first or second shape thread (11.1, 11.1', 101.1, 101.1') two or more protrusions (12) projecting from the thread interaction surface, positioned so as to be able to serve as a thread coupling (102, 102') on the other thread form of the thread assembly, in which each protrusion (12) takes a shape substantially identical to a cone or spherical cap projecting from the thread interaction surface where it is located, with a diameter (D) of the cone or spherical cap section substantially identical to the free distance (d) between the crests of each thread pitch (102, 102') and a height (A) of the cone or spherical cap substantially identical to the free height (a) of the recess between the flanks of the threads of the thread (102, 102') of the other thread form.
2. - Container and ferrule assembly with fluid distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the protrusions (12) on the first or second thread form (11.1, 11.1', 101.1, 101.1') is carried out so as to have between 2 and 4 protrusions (12) for each complete turn on the thread axis (e), following the helical path of a thread configured to mate with the thread (102, 102') of the other thread form of the thread assembly.
3. - Container and shell assembly with fluid distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the protrusions (12) on the first or second thread form (11.1, 11.1', 101.1, 101.1') is arranged so as to have 4 protrusions (12) for each complete turn on the thread axis (e), according to the helical trajectory of a thread configured to mate with the thread (102, 102') of the other thread form of the thread assembly and with a minimum of protrusions (12) allowing to complete two thread turns.
4. - Container and ferrule assembly with fluid distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the protrusions (12) on the first or second thread form (11.1, 11.1', 101.1, 101.1') is carried out so as to have more than 4 protrusions (12) for each complete turn on the thread axis (e) following the helical path of a thread configured to mate with the thread (102, 102') of the other thread form of the thread assembly.
5. - Container and ferrule assembly with fluid distribution system, according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the protrusions (12) are homogeneously distributed angularly with respect to the thread axis (e) along the helical path of the thread.
6. - Container and ferrule assembly with fluid product distribution system, according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the protrusions (12), homogeneously distributed at one or more points angularly with respect to the thread axis (e) along the helical path of the thread, form protrusion assemblies (12) with two or more adjacent protrusions in the helical direction of the thread.
7. - Container and ferrule assembly with fluid distribution system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (11) of the ferrule (10), configured for adaptation to the neck (101) of the opening of the container (100), comprises the protrusions (12) projecting at its inner face, as the first thread form of the face (11.1) of the thread interaction surface of the body (11) of the ferrule (10), said protrusions being configured in an arrangement enabling them to serve as a coupling for the complementary thread (102) arranged as the second thread form of the face (101.1) on the thread interaction surface of the neck (101) of the container (100), each protrusion (12) being formed by a hollowing of the outer face (11.2) of the body (11) towards the interior of the ferrule (10).
8. - Container and ferrule assembly with fluid distribution system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the neck (101') of the container (100') comprises the protrusions (12) projecting at its outer face as a second thread form of the face (101.1') on the thread interaction surface of the neck (101') of the container (100'), said protrusions (12) being configured in an arrangement enabling them to serve as a coupling for the complementary thread (102') arranged as the first thread form of the face (11.1') of the thread interaction surface of the body (111) of the ferrule (10'), each protrusion (12) being formed by a projection of the outer face (101.1') of the neck (101) outwards.
9. - Container and shell assembly with fluid distribution system according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the shell (10, 10') is predominantly composed of metallic materials.
10. - Container and shell assembly with fluid distribution system according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the shell (10, 10') is predominantly composed of plastic materials.
11. - Container and ferrule assembly with fluid distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the container (100, 100') is predominantly made of glass or plastic and the ferrule is predominantly made of metallic material.
12. - Container and shell assembly with fluid distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the container (100, 100') is predominantly made of metal or glass and the shell is predominantly made of plastic material.