Tube head and tube including said tube head

Abstract

The invention relates to a head (1) for manufacturing a flexible tube having a main axis for containing a liquid or paste-like product, comprising an upper wall (10) and an annular side wall (20) with a free lower end edge (21) defining a reference plane (A), said head (1) comprising a dispensing orifice, the lower end edge comprising a raised or recessed angular indexing mark (3) about the axis (X), a portion (4) of which is axially offset from the plane. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Tube head and tube comprising said tube head

[0001] The invention relates to a tube head and a tube comprising said tube head.

[0002] Flexible tubes comprising a tube head with a distribution orifice, a cap mounted on the tube head and reversibly closing the distribution orifice and a flexible skirt fixed on the tube head.

[0003] The invention relates to the orientation or alignment of the various components of the tube with respect to each other. The skirt may be decorated and may include, in particular, a longitudinal weld. The orientation of the decoration, with or without the longitudinal weld, and therefore the orientation of the skirt relative to the tube head and the cap, is an important aspect for the consumer. Indeed, the correct orientation of the skirt relative to the tube head and the cap gives the tube good ergonomics by allowing the consumer to intuitively find the finger grip for lifting the cap. Furthermore, a good orientation of the skirt relative to the head gives the tube an aesthetic and high-quality appearance.

[0004] Tube heads according to the prior art include a positioning tab on the outer diameter of the tube head cooperating with a complementary tab on the cap, said tabs cooperating with each other to properly position the cap, particularly with respect to the decoration and / or the longitudinal weld of the skirt, during tube manufacturing. Such a solution requires many separate components and therefore results in excessive consumption of plastic material. Furthermore, this solution does not allow the tube head itself to be oriented relative to the skirt.

[0005] The invention will be better understood and other details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a perspective view representing the upper part of a tube fitted with a head made according to the teachings of the invention; - Fig. 2 is a perspective view which represents the rear of a head equipping the tube of Fig. 1, the head being made according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Fig. 3 is a perspective view, a cross-section parallel to the axis of the tube in Fig. 1, allowing us to see the inside of the tube fitted with the head of Fig. 2; - Fig. 4 is a perspective view which represents the rear of a head equipping the tube of Fig. 1, the head being made according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Fig. 5 is a perspective view, a cross-section parallel to the axis of the tube in Fig. 1, allowing us to see the inside of the tube fitted with the head of Fig. 4.

[0006] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the present invention relates to a head 1 for manufacturing a flexible tube intended to contain a liquid or paste-like product. The tube generally has a main axis (X). The head 1 according to the invention comprises an upper wall 10 and an annular side wall 20.

[0007] The upper wall 10 extends here in a radial plane that is orthogonal to the principal axis (X). The annular lateral wall 20 extends axially downwards from the periphery of the upper wall 10.

[0008] The free lower end edge 21 of the side wall 20 defines a reference plane (A). This reference plane (A) is shown in [Fig. 2]. The reference plane (A) extends orthogonally to the principal axis (X).

[0009] The side wall 20 can have different shapes, including cylindrical or frustoconical shapes. The side wall 20 here has, but is not limited to, a surface of revolution about the principal axis (X). The free lower end edge 21 then has a circular shape.

[0010] The head 1 includes a distribution orifice 2. Advantageously, the distribution orifice 2 is located on the upper wall 10 of the head 1. Non-limitingly, the distribution orifice 2 is arranged on the main axis (X) of the head 1.

[0011] The lower end edge 21 of the side wall 20 has a marker 3 for angularly indexing the head 1 about the axis (X). The marker 3 is either projecting or recessed in the lower end edge 21 such that a portion 4 is axially offset from the reference plane (A). Preferably, the lower end edge 21 has a single marker 3 to uniquely identify the angular position of the head 1 about its axis (X).

[0012] According to a first embodiment of the invention which is shown in figures 2 and 3, the marker 3 is formed in a recess, by a notch 3A made in the lower end edge 21 of the annular side wall 20. A bottom of the notch forms the portion 4 which is axially offset upwards with respect to the reference plane (A).

[0013] The notch 3A has an axial height hl on the order of one millimeter from the reference plane (A). Preferably, the height hl is between 1 and 2 mm, for example, 1.16 mm.

[0014] The notch 3A has a width 11, taken in the direction of the circumference of the lower end edge 21 at the level of the reference plane (A), of the order of a millimeter. Preferably, the width 11 is between 1 and 3 mm, for example it is equal to 2 mm.

[0015] Notch 3A here has a generally rectangular shape. The upper corners of the rectangle are rounded.

[0016] In an unrepresented variant of the invention, the notch may have other shapes, for example a triangular shape or an arc shape.

[0017] The notch 3A is intended to be used as an angular reference point 3 during a method for detecting the angular position of the head 1. The angular orientation around the principal axis (X) is, for example, determined using an optical device emitting a light beam, for example an infrared beam, and an optical sensor. The infrared radiation is emitted at a lower section of the side wall 20 while the head 1 is rotated around its principal axis (X). When the beam strikes the solid side wall 20, it is reflected to an optical sensor which determines that the side wall 20 is indeed solid. When the light beam passes through the notch 3A, the optical sensor detects that the beam is no longer reflected, and the angular position of the head 1 is thus determined.

[0018] According to a second embodiment of the invention, which is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the marker 3 is projecting by a finger 3B which extends axially downwards from the annular lateral wall 20 below the reference plane (A). The free lower end of the finger 3B forms the portion 4 which is offset axially downwards with respect to the reference plane (A).

[0019] The finger 3B has an axial height h2 on the order of one millimeter from the reference plane (A). Preferably, the height h2 is between 1 and 2 mm, for example, 1.16 mm.

[0020] The finger 3B has a width 12, measured along the circumference of the lower end edge 21 at the level of the reference plane (A), on the order of a millimeter. Preferably, the width 12 is between 1 and 3 mm, for example, 2 mm.

[0021] Finger 3B here has an overall rectangular shape.

[0022] In an unrepresented variant of the invention, the finger may have other shapes, for example a triangular shape or an arc shape.

[0023] The finger 3B is intended to be used as an angular reference point 3 during the method of detecting the angular position of the head 1. The angular orientation around the principal axis (X) is, for example, determined using an optical device emitting a light beam, for example an infrared beam, and an optical sensor. The infrared radiation is emitted just below the lower end edge 21 of the side wall 20 while the head 1 is rotated around its principal axis (X). When the beam does not encounter the side wall 20, it is not reflected towards an optical sensor that detects no presence of matter. When the light beam is interrupted by finger 3B, the optical sensor detects that the beam is reflected and the angular position of head 1 is thus determined.

[0024] As an alternative to the method for detecting the angular position of the head 1, the finger 3B is intended to be received between two converging rails from an opening as wide as the tube head 1 to a portion having substantially the same width as the finger 3B. Thus, the orientation is achieved mechanically when the head 1 moves along a production path.

[0025] The reference mark 3, whatever its embodiment, thus allows the tube head 1 to be oriented in particular with respect to the decoration and / or a longitudinal weld 51 of the skirt during the manufacture of the tube so that the skirt is subsequently fixed in an appropriate position.

[0026] Preferably, the entire tube head 1 according to the invention is formed from a continuous piece of material. The head 1 is thus made of a single piece, that is to say, a monolithic piece. In the prior art, a means for positioning a portion of the tube head cooperates with a complementary shape of another portion of the cap. Since the head 1 according to the invention is not divided into at least two separate pieces but is instead made of a single piece combining the functionalities of these two components, the method of centering the head 1 according to the invention relative to the skirt is a completely different approach.

[0027] Advantageously, the tube head comprises a hinged cover 11. Said cover 11 is connected to the tube head by a hinge 12 and is movable between an open and a closed position. The reference numeral 3 is arranged radially aligned with the hinge 12 with respect to the main axis (X).

[0028] Advantageously, the tube head 1, the hinged cover 11, and the hinge 12 are formed as a single piece. The entire tube head 1 assembly is advantageously formed by injection molding, in particular from plastic.

[0029] Preferably, the hinged cover 11 includes a lug allowing the distribution orifice 2 to be closed in a hermetic manner when said cover is in the closed position.

[0030] The hinged cover 11 is here centred with respect to the central axis X. The hinge 12 is eccentric.

[0031] Advantageously, the head 1 has a finger grip 22 allowing the user to lift the cover 11 by inserting a finger between the side wall 20 and the cover 11 and pressing the cover 11 upwards.

[0032] The cover 11 The finger grip 22 here includes a tab 22. Said tab 22 facilitates the gripping of said cover 11 when opening said cover by a user's finger.

[0033] In an alternative not shown, the finger grip may also include a recess formed in the annular side wall 20. Such a recess 22 allows a user of the tube comprising the head 1 according to the invention to insert their thumb in order to lift the cover 11. Advantageously,

[0034] The configuration of the head 1 according to the present invention allows the formation of a tube head 1 with reduced dimensions.

[0035] The tube head 1 has a diameter d shown in particular in [Fig.4]. Advantageously, the diameter d of the head 1 is between 10 and 60 mm.

[0036] Advantageously, the diameter d of the head is between 20 and 60mm.

[0037] Advantageously, the diameter d of the head 1 is between 15 and 20 mm. Advantageously, the diameter d of the head 1 is between 30 and 50 mm.

[0038] Advantageously, the tube head 1 according to the invention is made of plastic. Advantageously still, said head 1 is formed by injection molding of plastic.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention illustrated in particular in figures 1, 3 and 5, the present invention also relates to a tube 100 comprising a tube head 1 as described above and a flexible skirt 50.

[0040] Advantageously, the flexible skirt 50 is formed from a sheet of laminated material. Said sheet has two opposite edges and is rolled up on itself so that the opposite edges overlap. Said opposite edges are then welded together to form a longitudinal weld 51.

[0041] Advantageously, the longitudinal weld 51 of the skirt 50 of the tube 100 is positioned near the hinge 12. Thus, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, when a user looks at the tube 100 with the finger grip 22 facing them, the longitudinal weld 51 is located at the rear of the skirt 50. This configuration is particularly advantageous with regard to the aesthetic appearance of the tube. Indeed, the longitudinal weld 51 is an element of the skirt considered unattractive, especially since this area of ​​the skirt is often devoid of decoration. It is therefore advantageous to position this longitudinal weld 51 at the rear of the skirt, i.e., on the side of the hinge 12. Moreover, according to this configuration, the decoration of the skirt 50 is advantageously oriented so as to be on the same side as the opening 22, thus facing the user.This improves the ergonomics of the 100 tube by giving the user a visual indication to quickly find the finger grip 22.

[0042] To do this, the tube head 1 orientation process is applied before assembling the head 1 with the skirt 50.

[0043] The angular marker 3 is used solely to allow the orientation of the head 1 during the manufacture of the tube 100. However, it is not very aesthetically pleasing. It is therefore preferable that the marker 3 not be visible to the end user when the tube 100 is assembled. For this purpose, the lower end portion of the side wall 20 which bears the mark 3 is inserted inside the flexible skirt 50 so that the mark 3 is hidden inside the skirt 50, as illustrated in figures 3 and 5.

[0044] Preferably, the skirt 50 is fixed directly onto the tube head 1. No additional parts are required to fix the skirt 50 to the head 1. This reduces the number of parts and thus the amount of plastic material needed to manufacture the tube 100 according to the invention, thereby improving the recyclability of said tube 100.

[0045] Preferably, an inner face of the skirt 50 is fixed to an outer face of the lower end section of the side wall 20 of the tube head 1 by high-temperature welding or by ultrasonic welding.

[0046] Preferably, the laminated material forming the skirt 50 is a multilayer comprising at least one layer of plastic material. Preferably, the laminate comprises at least one layer of PE (polyethylene). Even more preferably, the laminate comprises at least one layer of PP (polypropylene).

[0047] Advantageously, the laminated material forming the skirt 50 comprises at least one barrier layer. Advantageously still, the barrier layer is a plastic barrier layer of the EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) type.

[0048] Preferably, the laminated material forming the skirt 50 is a multilayer comprising at least one layer of paper. Even more preferably, the paper represents at least 60% by mass of the skirt 50 of the tube 100, in particular 70% by mass. Such a composition of the skirt 50 of the tube 100 further improves the recyclability of said tube 100.

[0049] Advantageously, said tube 100 comprises bio-based and / or recycled material. Advantageously still, the tube 100 according to the invention comprises at least 50% paper by mass. Advantageously still, the tube 100 according to the invention comprises at least 70% paper by mass. Advantageously still, the tube 100 according to the invention comprises at least 80% paper by mass.

Claims

Demands

1. Head (1) for manufacturing a flexible tube having a main axis intended to contain a liquid or pasty product, comprising an upper wall (10) and an annular side wall (20) of which a free lower end edge (21) defines a reference plane (A), said head (1) comprising a dispensing orifice (2), the lower end edge (21) comprising an angular indexing mark (3) about the axis (X) in projection or recess of which a portion (4) is axially offset from the plane (A).

2. Head (1) according to claim 1, wherein the marker (3) is formed by a notch made in the lower end edge (21) of the annular side wall (20), a bottom of the notch forming the portion (4) which is axially offset upwards with respect to the reference plane (A).

3. Head (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the notch forming the marker (3) has an axial height on the order of one millimeter.

4. Head (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the notch forming the marker (3) has a width on the order of one millimeter.

5. Head (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the notch forming the marker (3) has an overall rectangular shape.

6. Head (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least the marker (3) is formed by a finger which extends axially downwards the annular lateral wall (20) below the reference plane (A), the lower end of the finger forming the portion (4) which is axially offset downwards with respect to the reference plane (A).

7. Head (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the finger forming the marker (3) has an axial height on the order of one millimeter.

8. Head (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the finger forming the marker (3) has a width on the order of one millimeter.

9. Head (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the finger forming the marker (3) has an overall rectangular shape.

10. 10. Head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter d of the tube head (1) is between 20 and 60mm, in particular between 30 and 50mm.

11. 11. Tube (100) comprising a tube head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a flexible skirt (50), in which a lower end portion of the tube head (1) is introduced inside the flexible skirt (50) so that the marker (3) is hidden inside the skirt (50).

12. 2 Tube (100) according to claim 11, wherein the skirt (50) is fixed directly onto the tube head (1).

13. 13. Tube (100) according to the preceding claim, said tube (100) comprising at least 50% by mass of paper.

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