Memory foam bottle

Abstract

Shape memory bottle (1), generally flattened in shape, comprising a stiffening band (10) formed with at least one groove having at least one step having at least one portion extending over a main face of the bottle, of depth Pmax, and at least one portion extending over the side of the bottle, of depth Pmin, with Pmax > Pmin. Figure for abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Shape memory bottle technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to shape-memory bottles used for packaging fluid compositions, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to bottles used for packaging and dispensing cosmetic compositions such as shampoos, conditioners, or shower gels, which the user squeezes to dispense the contents. Prior art

[0002] Many shampoos, conditioners, or shower gels are packaged in bottles extending along a longitudinal axis, having a generally flattened cross-section, and therefore a non-circular cross-section, and made with a neck to which a dispensing cap is attached. An example of a known bottle, made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET, intended to contain 250 mL of shampoo, weighs 21.8 g.

[0003] To dispense a dose of product, the user holds the bottle upside down and applies pressure with their hand to the main opposite faces of the bottle, generally in a central area along the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

[0004] Once the desired dose has been dispensed, the user releases the bottle, which elastically returns to its original shape. The number of doses that can be dispensed successively until the bottle is empty is typically at least twenty-five, typically between 40 and 80 depending on the consumer.

[0005] To ensure shape recovery, the bottle body is made with a relatively thick wall, in a semi-rigid thermoplastic material such as PET or Polyethylene (PE).

[0006] The bottles must be able to return to their original shape after use, ideally without whitening in the areas most subjected to mechanical stress.

[0007] The empty bottles must also, after being manufactured, be able to withstand bulk storage and transport in large bags, pending filling, without collapsing under the weight of the other bottles above them in the bag. The bottles must also be able to withstand axial stress when stored stacked on top of each other.

[0008] One or more labels may also be affixed to the body of the bottle.

[0009] Applications WO2013 / 080926, EP1099638, JP2000309320 and CA2543687 describe thermoplastic containers whose body has various reliefs. Description of the invention

[0010] 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.

[0011] It is therefore essential to design more durable products, thereby reducing the amount of materials used.

[0012] In this context, it is important to develop packaging that generates less waste, particularly optimized for the quantity of products transported, notably in order to reduce the weight of the packaging.

[0013] There is therefore a need to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the manufacture of shape memory bottles used for packaging shampoos, conditioners and shower gels, among others, and to facilitate their recycling.

[0014] There is also a need to allow users who wish to do so to reuse these bottles as many times as possible, by refilling them.

[0015] There is also an interest in improving control of the distributed dose.

[0016] There may also be an interest in facilitating the recycling of the bottle. Summary of the invention

[0017] The invention aims to improve control of the distributed dose, while reducing, if desired, the amount of material used for manufacturing the bottle.

[0018] The invention addresses this need by providing a shape-memory bottle, generally non-cylindrical in shape, comprising a stiffening band formed with at least one groove having at least one notch, at least one portion extending over a main face of the bottle, this notch having a depth Pmax, and at least one portion extending along the side of the bottle, with a depth Pmin, where Pmax > Pmin*

[0019] Thanks to the invention, a relatively high rigidity can be maintained at the level of the main faces of the bottle, which is desirable to avoid a loss of elasticity and to increase the quantity distributed according to the displacement of the wall, without unduly harming the deformability of the bottle necessary to cause the decrease in the internal volume corresponding to the dose to be distributed.

[0020] Furthermore, the stiffening belt causes the bottle to deform, in the event of pressure on one face, with a hollowing of the opposite face, which increases the internal volume variation for a given pressure. In other words, it is possible to dispense a given dose with less pressure compared to a bottle made without a belt with more material, which facilitates control of the dispensed dose and improves user comfort.

[0021] The bottle can be made with a relatively thin wall at least in a central support area on which the user exerts pressure during dispensing.

[0022] The bottle can thus be lighter than a known bottle of the same nominal capacity and made of the same material, and the carbon footprint is reduced. The invention can allow for a saving of approximately 25% to 50% of plastic material compared to prior art bottles of the same volume.

[0023] Nevertheless, the bottle can, thanks to the stiffening belt, retain sufficient rigidity to regain its shape after each pressure, particularly at the end of its life, and withstand bulk storage and transport.

[0024] This can also reduce the mechanical stresses exerted on the plastic of the bottle, despite a thinner wall, thus reducing the risk of weakened and potentially bleached areas appearing in the plastic over time. The mechanical lifespan of the bottle can therefore be improved, allowing for longer use through multiple refills. The appearance of bleached areas due to stress is delayed, or even prevented.

[0025] Such a bottle is advantageously equipped with a dispensing cap, preferably of the service cap type, with a pivoting lid connected by a hinge to a base part fixed on the neck of the bottle.

[0026] Preferably, in a manner known per se, the dispensing cap has a flattened-shaped lid allowing the bottle to be placed vertically upside down in a stable manner on a horizontal flat surface.

[0027] The bottle may have a neck with a circular cross-section and a flat bottom.

[0028] Preferably, the stiffening band is concave towards the inside of the bottle, which can facilitate the application of labels. The band may be the only concave raised feature extending around the longitudinal axis of the bottle. However, for aesthetic or usability reasons, particularly for gripping, this band may be concave, projecting outwards and dimensionally adapted to achieve the desired stiffening.

[0029] The belt may have a maximum width (measured along the longitudinal axis of the bottle) which corresponds to less than 20% of the height H of the bottle, better less than 15%, even better less than 10%.

[0030] The bottle can receive one or more labels. The presence of the stiffening band allows a smooth surface to be maintained elsewhere on the bottle to receive the labels. one or more labels that do not have to surround the bottle in order to stay on it; labels glued with hot melt glue can be used, which are easier to separate from the wall of the bottle during recycling.

[0031] The bottle may have a label or marking or be contained in packaging indicating a nominal content (or volume V).

[0032] The bottle can be filled with a volume V of composition.

[0033] Since the bottle has a neck, said volume V may be between 80% and 98%, and in particular between 85% and 95%, of the bottle's internal volume measured at the neck. Specifically, said volume V may be close to 90% of the bottle's internal volume measured at the neck. Shape memory

[0034] The bottle according to the invention has shape memory, that is to say that it is able to return to its initial shape with the return of air by elastic return of its wall, after pressure has been exerted in a central support area to distribute a dose of product.

[0035] The pressure exerted during dispensing typically corresponds to an indentation of at least 1 mm on one face. The displacement of the bottle wall may vary depending on the amount of composition remaining in the bottle and its level at the time of dispensing; the indentation is thus, for example, 1 to 3 mm at the beginning of use and then 6 to 9 mm at the end of use.

[0036] The force exerted by the user on a face to distribute a dose is for example between 1 and 10 N, better between 2 and 6 N.

[0037] A dose corresponds for example to a distributed volume of between 1 and 10 mL, better between 2 and 8 mL, or even between 3 and 5 mL.

[0038] The pressure is typically exerted by the user at least with his thumb on one of the faces of the bottle, and preferably with his thumb on one of the faces of the bottle and his four other fingers in opposition on the opposite face of the bottle.

[0039] To be suitable for the distribution of multiple doses, the bottle must be able to return to its initial shape after at least 50 cycles of pressure pressing / releasing on its faces, better more than 100 cycles, even better more than 200 cycles, which corresponds for example to 4 refills for a distributed dose of 5 mL on average for a bottle with a nominal content of 250 ml, each cycle being defined by the distribution of a dose of composition. General shape of the bottle

[0040] The bottle has a general non-cylindrical shape of revolution, preferably with a generally flattened cross-section.

[0041] It preferably has, at least at mid-height, a non-circular cross-section, with a larger external dimension (i.e. greater width) in a so-called flattening plane which is greater than its largest external transverse dimension (i.e. greater thickness) in a plane perpendicular to this flattening plane.

[0042] The bottle may in particular have, over at least a portion of its height located between the upper quarter and the lower quarter, a cross-section which is generally oblong in shape, in particular oval or lenticular, for example elliptical.

[0043] The half-height ratio LIE, where L denotes the width (measured outside the wall of the bottle) and E denotes the thickness (measured outside the wall of the bottle) is preferably between 1.2 and 3 (inclusive), better between 1.2 and 2 (inclusive).

[0044] The height of the bottle is preferably from 5 to 40 cm, better from 10 to 30 cm.

[0045] The maximum width of the bottle is preferably between 3 and 9 cm, better 5 and 7 cm.

[0046] The maximum thickness of the bottle is preferably between 2 and 8 cm, better 3 and 6 cm.

[0047] The outer diameter of the neck is for example between 15 and 40 mm, better between 20 and 35 mm.

[0048] The neck may have a collar or an external thread to allow the dispensing cap to be attached by snapping or screwing. Bottle manufacturing

[0049] The bottle is made by molding a thermoplastic material, preferably chosen from PET and polyolefins, preferably PE.

[0050] The bottle is preferably made of PET or PE, virgin or PCR or a mixture containing at least one of these.

[0051] The bottle can be made by an injection blow molding or extrusion blow molding process.

[0052] Preferably, the thermoplastic material used has a Young's modulus between 2000 and 3500 MPa for PET, and between 900 and 1500 MPa for PE.

[0053] The thickness of the wall of the bottle excluding the neck and base, in particular when the latter is made of PET, is for example less than or equal to 0.35 mm in the thinnest areas and greater than or equal to 0.35 mm in the thickest areas.

[0054] The thickness of the wall of the bottle excluding the neck and base, in particular when the latter is made of PE or PET, is preferably always greater than or equal to 0.1 mm including in the thinnest areas.

[0055] The thickness of the wall of the bottle excluding the neck and base, in particular when the latter is made of PE or PET, is preferably always less than or equal to 0.6 mm including in the thickest areas.

[0056] The wall thickness of the bottle body is in particular between 0.15 mm and 0.35 mm at the level of the belt and / or between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm outside the belt. The wall thickness of the bottle on its main faces immediately above or below the belt is for example between 0.15 and 0.4 mm, better between 0.2 and 0.3 mm. Mass / volume ratio (m / V)

[0057] The volume V considered in this m / V ratio is the nominal content of the bottle, i.e. the volume of composition with which it is filled for marketing, and the regulations generally require that this volume be indicated on a label or affixed in any other way to the bottle or its packaging, by any type of marking, for example a print or an indication molded with the bottle.

[0058] The nominal content is typically slightly less than the internal volume of the bottle measured at the top of the neck. The nominal content can represent between 80% and 98% of the internal volume measured flush with the neck, preferably between 85% and 95% and in particular be close to 90% of the internal volume of the bottle measured flush with the neck.

[0059] A bottle which initially contains 250 mL of composition (or a nominal content of 250 mL) when offered for sale has, for example, an internal volume of 280 mL at the neck.

[0060] The nominal contents of the bottle are preferably less than or equal to 1000 mL, better less than or equal to 500 mL, even better 400 mL.

[0061] The nominal contents of the bottle are preferably between 100 and 400 mL, better between 200 and 400 mL. The volume of product contained in the bottle is, for example, 250 mL, 280 mL, 300 mL, 370 mL, 400 mL or 500 mL.

[0062] The mass m of the bottle, especially when made of PET, is preferably between 10 and 17 g, better between 12 and 16 g, for a nominal content of 250 mL.

[0063] The mass of the bottle, especially when made of PE, is preferably between 14 and 20 g, better between 16 and 19 g, for a nominal content of 250 mL.

[0064] The m / V ratio, where V designates the nominal content of the bottle, and m the mass of the bottle, is preferably greater than or equal to 0.035 g / mL.

[0065] Furthermore, the m / V ratio is preferably less than or equal to 0.090 g / mL.

[0066] In particular, the m / V ratio preferably ranges from 0.035 g / mL to 0.090 g / mL, better to 0.040 g / mL to 0.080 g / mL, for example, between 0.045 and 0.070 g / mL. The mass is measured with the empty bottle alone, without the dispensing cap, and without any label(s) affixed to it.

[0067] When the bottle is made of PET, the m / V ratio is preferably between 0.035 g / mL and 0.070 g / mL, better between 0.040 g / mL and 0.068 g / mL, and in particular between 0.048 g / mL and 0.064 g / mL.

[0068] When the bottle is made of PE, the w / v ratio is preferably between 0.045 g / mL and 0.090 g / mL, better between 0.056 g / mL and 0.080 g / mL, and in particular between 0.064 g / mL and 0.076 g / mL. Stiffening belt

[0069] By "stiffening belt" is meant one or more notches extending globally over a complete revolution around the longitudinal axis of the bottle, for example in the form of at least one notch extending over at least 360° or a plurality of notches extending in total over at least 360° around the longitudinal axis of the bottle, with an angular overlap between two successive notches.

[0070] The depth of a notch corresponds to less than 20% of the thickness (E) of the bottle measured at mid-height, and preferably less than 10%. The maximum depth of a notch is preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, better 1 mm, and even better 1.5 mm. The depth of a notch may be greater than the thickness of the wall with which the notch is formed.

[0071] The stiffening belt is preferably positioned at least partially in the middle third of the bottle, that is to say between the upper third and the lower third of the bottle.

[0072] Preferably, the stiffening belt is unique, being for example located either in the upper half of the bottle or in the lower half.

[0073] The bottle may not have any raised features other than the stiffening band. This can have the advantage of providing smooth surfaces that facilitate the application of one or more labels to each side, these labels being in a form other than a sleeve. It remains possible, however, to use sleeve-shaped labels if necessary, particularly when the bottle surface is not developable.

[0074] Limiting the number of breaks to the bare minimum also helps to avoid the formation of product traps that could slow down its flow during distribution.

[0075] The stiffening belt can be made in various ways.

[0076] The belt may include at least one groove, i.e., a recessed relief (which therefore protrudes inwards on the inner surface of the bottle) which is laterally delimited by two notches. These notches may each be continuous angularly over a complete revolution around the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

[0077] The two notches can each be connected to the bottom of the groove, at a distance from each other.

[0078] The bottom of the groove may have in section, in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the groove, a flat or rounded shape concave outwards.

[0079] The two notches define the width of the groove between them.

[0080] The width of the groove can be constant or variable.

[0081] The two notches laterally delimiting the groove can connect on their outer edge to respective walls of the bottle located at the same level (resting on the same line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle) or at different levels (one of the walls can thus be closer to the longitudinal axis of the bottle than the other).

[0082] The belt may have two grooves spaced apart from each other which laterally delimit the belt.

[0083] These two grooves can delimit between themselves a band located at a lower level relative to the wall bordering the belt above and below.

[0084] The height of the belt (i.e. the dimension of the belt measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle, also called the width of the belt) can vary angularly, and the belt in particular may have a greater height on the sides of the bottle than on its main faces.

[0085] The height of the belt can be between 2 and 40 mm.

[0086] The ratio Wf / Wc of the height Wf of the belt measured in a median plane of the bottle cutting its main faces at mid-width, to that Wc measured in a median plane cutting its sides at mid-thickness of the bottle, is for example less than ^2.

[0087] The stiffening belt may include a groove whose depth varies angularly around the longitudinal axis of the bottle, being less on the sides than on the main faces of the bottle. The ratio Pmax / Pmin of the maximum depth Pmax of the groove to its minimum depth Pmin is, for example, greater than or equal to 2, preferably 3.

[0088] The depth Pmin can be between 0.2 and 0.8 mm.

[0089] The maximum depth Pmax can be greater than or equal to 1.5 mm, preferably 1.6 mm, or even 1.8 mm is best, but preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0090] The stiffening belt may have at least two overlapping grooves when viewed in projection along the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

[0091] In exemplary embodiments, the belt has two grooves, each continuous over a complete revolution around the axis of the bottle, and the spacing between them varies, being greater on the sides of the bottle where they delimit a wider portion of the belt, the grooves being, for example, parallel to each other and close together over a narrow portion extending over at least a quarter of the width on each main face of the bottle, and parallel to each other over a widened portion extending along the sides of the bottle, with, for example, a linear change in width between the narrow and widened sections. Such a belt can define, between the grooves, a band set back from the bottle wall, bordering the belt externally.

[0092] In embodiments, the belt has a central groove extending over 180° around the longitudinal axis of the bottle between its main faces on one side, and on the other side two grooves each extending over 180° around the longitudinal axis of the bottle, angularly overlapping the central groove at their ends.

[0093] In embodiments, the belt has a single groove extending over 360° around the longitudinal axis of the bottle, and whose ends are axially offset and overlap (in top view projection along the longitudinal axis of the bottle) on one of the main faces of the bottle.

[0094] In exemplary embodiments, the belt comprises two grooves, each extending over 180° along intersecting inclined planes, one of the grooves having its end on one of its main faces located at a height greater than that of the other groove, and vice versa. The overlap may also occur on the sides, as an alternative.

[0095] In exemplary embodiments, the belt comprises a main groove extending less than 360° around the longitudinal axis of the bottle, interrupted on each of the main faces of the bottle, and a complementary groove on each of the main faces, offset axially from the main groove and longer than the interval separating the ends of the main groove so as to overlap it when the bottle is viewed along its longitudinal axis.

[0096] In exemplary embodiments, the belt has two notches that laterally define its boundaries, and between these notches a band that may be recessed from the adjacent wall of the bottle outside the belt; decorative reliefs may be formed on this band, these reliefs preferably being of a height such that they do not exceed the level of the adjacent wall of the bottle outside the band. The notches may each have an irregular contour.

[0097] In exemplary embodiments, the belt extends to different heights on the sides and on the main faces, being, for example, closer to the bottom on the main faces. This can provide more space for affixing a label above the belt on at least one main face.

[0098] The width of the belt is for example between 3 mm and 40 mm.

[0099] The bottle may be devoid, apart from the stiffening band, of ribs or grooves extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bottle; the absence Such reliefs are advantageous in that they can allow the fluid contained in the bottle to flow more quickly towards the outlet, especially when the bottle has been stored upside down and there is little product left, and it is turned upside down at the last moment to dispense a dose of product.

[0100] The bottle can exhibit a response of the displacement of the wall as a function of the force exerted by a support defined by a punch having a spherical head of radius of curvature equal to 8.5 mm truncated at its apex on a radius of 1 mm, at mid-height and in the middle of a large face, between 1 and 6.5 mm for a force of 10 N, better between 2 and 6.5 mm.

[0101] For example, the thickness E of the bottle decreases by 35% under the pressure of 10 N punches, i.e., for E=40 mm, -35% corresponds to a 14 mm indentation for both faces, or 7 mm per face. The bottle may, in particular, exhibit a wall displacement response as a function of the force exerted by a support defined by a punch having a spherical head with a radius of curvature of 8.5 mm, truncated at its apex on a radius of 1 mm, at mid-height and in the middle of a large face, which falls within the shaded Z range of [Fig. 20], for a PET bottle with a nominal capacity of 250 mL, and in particular exhibit a displacement of between 1 and 6 mm for a force of 10 N, or more precisely between 2 and 6 mm.

[0102] The bottle can exhibit a response of the volume of air expelled (as a function of the force exerted by two opposite supports, each defined by a punch having a spherical head with a radius of curvature of 8.5 mm truncated at its apex on a radius of 1 mm, and each at mid-height and in the middle of a large face), greater than 2 mL, better than 3 mL for a force exerted by each punch of 4 N.

[0103] The volume of air expelled corresponds to the initial volume of the bottle less the volume obtained when pressure is exerted by the punches on the bottle.

[0104] The bottle may in particular exhibit, for a PET bottle with a nominal content of 250 mL, a response of the volume of air expelled as a function of the force exerted by two opposite supports, each defined by a punch having a spherical head with a radius of curvature equal to 8.5 mm truncated at its apex on a radius of 1 mm, and each at mid-height and in the middle of a large face, greater than 2 mL, preferably 3 mL, for a force exerted by each punch of 4 N.

[0105] The bottle can exhibit an elastic response to pressure exerted by two opposing supports, each defined by a punch having a spherical head with a radius of curvature of 8.5 mm, truncated at its apex with a radius of 1 mm, and each positioned at mid-height and in the middle of a large face, up to a penetration stroke of at least 5 mm, or preferably at least 10 mm. In other words, after each punch has been driven in by a distance of 3 mm, or even 6 mm, and the punch is withdrawn, the wall returns to its initial shape due to its inherent elasticity.

[0106] The stiffening band can be offset along the longitudinal axis of the bottle from the midpoint of the height H' of the bottle body by a distance of at least H76. Label

[0107] The bottle may include an adhesive label, in particular a label covering at least part of the stiffening band, this label preferably extending over less than one revolution around the longitudinal axis of the bottle. This label serves in particular to reinforce the bottle in the area of ​​the band, in order to give it good resistance to collapse and slamming, as well as reducing the sound generated by this phenomenon.

[0108] Alternatively, the bottle includes an adhesive label that does not cover the belt, particularly when the belt has a decorative pattern.

[0109] The bottle can receive one or more labels, which can be glued to the main faces of the bottle, outside or not of the stiffening belt, this or these labels not extending onto the sides of the bottle.

[0110] The label(s) can be affixed with a hot melt adhesive which facilitates their removal when recycling the bottle, as mentioned above.

[0111] The label(s) may be made of a polyolefin, in particular PE or Polypropylene (PP). Content

[0112] The bottle can contain any fluid product suitable for distribution in successive doses by squeezing the body of the bottle.

[0113] The product is for example a liquid cosmetic composition such as a shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, sunscreen product, etc.

[0114] The invention is not limited to the packaging of a cosmetic product and more generally covers any fluid product suitable for this method of packaging, for example a food product. Conditioning device

[0115] The invention further relates to a product packaging device, particularly for cosmetics, comprising a bottle according to the invention, filled with said product, and a dispensing and / or closure system fixed to the neck. The dispensing and / or closure system may be a cap comprising a base portion fixed to the neck and a pivoting lid connected to the base portion by a hinge. The dispensing and / or closure system may also be a flow restrictor fixed in the neck and a closure cap screwed or snapped onto the neck. The dispensing and / or closure system may also be a simple cap. Brief description of the figures

[0116] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0117] [Fig. 1] represents in elevation, schematically and from the front, an example of a conditioning and distribution device according to the invention,

[0118] [Fig.2] is a side view of the device of [Fig. 1],

[0119] [Fig 2A] represents a detail of [Fig.2],

[0120] [Fig.3] represents in isolation the bottle of the device of [Fig.1],

[0121] [Fig.4] is a view analogous to [Fig.3] of a variant of the bottle according to the invention,

[0122] [Fig.5] is a partial and schematic section along VV of [Fig.4],

[0123] [Fig.6] represents detail VI of [Fig.4],

[0124] [Fig.7] is a side view of the bottle from [Fig.4],

[0125] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the bottle in [Fig.4],

[0126] [Fig.9] shows, in elevation and from the front, a variant of the bottle,

[0127] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to [Fig. 9], of a variant of the bottle,

[0128] [Fig. 11] schematically represents, in perspective, a variant of the bottle,

[0129] [Fig. 12] represents the bottle of [Fig. 11] in front view,

[0130] [Fig. 13] represents the bottle of [Fig. 11] in side view,

[0131] [Fig. 14] represents in perspective a variant of the bottle,

[0132] [Fig. 15] schematically and partially represents, in front view, a variant of the bottle,

[0133] [Fig. 16] schematically represents, in elevation, a variant of the bottle,

[0134] [Fig. 17] is a view analogous to [Fig. 16] of a variant of the bottle,

[0135] [Fig. 18] is a view analogous to [Fig. 16] of a variant of the bottle,

[0136] [Fig. 19] is a view analogous to [Fig. 16] of a variant of the bottle,

[0137] [Fig.20] illustrates the effect of the presence of a stiffening belt and its positioning based on the bottle's response in terms of wall displacement as a function of the force exerted on it,

[0138] [Fig.21] schematically and partially represents the shape of the tool used for exert pressure on the wall,

[0139] [Fig.22] illustrates the impact of the presence of the stiffening belt on the bottle Figures 1 to 3, in terms of wall displacement (abscissa) as a function of the force exerted on it (ordinate),

[0140] [Fig.23] illustrates the impact of the presence of the stiffening belt on the bottle Figures 1 to 3, in terms of volume of air expelled (abscissa) as a function of wall displacement (ordinate),

[0141] [Fig.24] illustrates the impact of the presence of the stiffening belt on the bottle Figures 1 to 3, in terms of volume of air expelled (abscissa) as a function of the force exerted on the wall (ordinate),

[0142] [Fig.25] illustrates the impact of the presence of the stiffening belt on the bottle Figures 4 to 8, in terms of wall displacement (abscissa) as a function of the force exerted on the wall (ordinate)

[0143] [Fig.26] illustrates the impact of varying the depth of the belt grooves of stiffening on the bottle in figures 1 to 3, in terms of wall displacement (abscissa) as a function of the force exerted on the wall (ordinate), and

[0144] [Fig.27] is a view analogous to [Fig.1] of another variant embodiment of the bottle. Detailed description

[0145] In the following description, identical elements or elements with analogous functions may bear the same reference numeral. For the sake of brevity, their description is not repeated opposite each of the figures.

[0146] In the figures, the actual proportions of the different constituent elements have not always been respected, for the sake of clarity.

[0147] Measurements or simulation of deformation and displacement of the wall of the vials are carried out with empty vials of composition.

[0148] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a packaging device 1 according to the invention, comprising a bottle 2 and a closure cap 3 fixed to the bottle.

[0149] Bottle 2, shown in isolation in [Fig.3], comprises a body 4 and a neck 5 used for mounting the closure cap 3.

[0150] The body 4 has a general elongated shape with longitudinal axis X.

[0151] The cross-section of the body 4 is generally flattened in shape, for example oval.

[0152] The bottle 2 has a base 9 whose external shape is preferably chosen, as illustrated, to allow the bottle to stand upright when placed by its base on a horizontal flat surface.

[0153] The body of the bottle has in its upper part a shoulder 7 which connects the central part of the body to the neck 5.

[0154] The bottle 2 includes a stiffening belt 10 extending in the example considered continuously over the entire circumference of the body 4.

[0155] Labels 6 and 7 can be affixed to the main faces of the bottle, respectively below and above the belt 10, as seen in [Fig. 1].

[0156] The belt 10 is located between the first and last quarters of the total height H of the bottle 2, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The belt 10 is also located at least partially, in the example considered, in the middle third of the height H' of the portion of the body extending between the base of the shoulder 8 and the beginning of the bottom 9, that is to say where the rounding begins towards the lower end of the bottle, when the latter is observed from the front, as in [Fig.3].

[0157] The area A on which the user normally presses to dispense a dose of the product contained in the bottle is schematically represented by an ellipse in [Fig. 1]. This area A is located in the central third of bottle 2.

[0158] The width L of the bottle can, as illustrated in figures 1 and 3, increase slightly downwards, except in the area where the belt 10 is located, until it is at its maximum substantially at the beginning of the base 9. Its thickness E can be constant between the shoulder 8 and the beginning of the base 9, except in the area where the belt 10 is located.

[0159] The closure capsule 3 can be a service capsule, comprising a base part 30 fixed on the neck 5, for example by snapping or screwing, and a lid 31 hinged on the base part 30.

[0160] The belt 10 has, in the illustrated example, two grooves 11 and 12 formed in the wall of the bottle, offset axially along the longitudinal axis of the bottle 2.

[0161] Each groove 11 or 12 extends continuously, angularly, around the X axis, over a complete revolution.

[0162] The grooves 11 and 12 delimit between each other a band 15 of width k and have a spacing which varies around the axis X, being minimum at the main faces of the bottle and maximum on the sides of the bottle.

[0163] The width Wf of the belt at the main faces of the bottle is less, in the illustrated example, than that Wc at the sides.

[0164] The grooves 11 and 12 have two parallel portions 1la and 12a on each main face of the bottle, and two other parallel portions 11b and 12b extending along the sides of the bottle, portions 1la and 11b being connected by inclined transition portions 16, as are portions 12a and 12b. Portions 1la and 12a preferably extend over more than half of the width L, and better still over at least two-thirds of the width L.

[0165] The groove 11 is formed, as illustrated in [Fig 2A], by two recesses 13 and 14, which are for example inclined obliquely at an angle s of more than 45° with the adjacent wall 21 of the body of the bottle 2.

[0166] The same applies to groove 12, which is symmetrical to groove 11 with respect to a median plane of symmetry M perpendicular to the X axis and cutting the strip 15 at mid-width, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0167] The depth d of the groove 11 or 12 varies around the X axis.

[0168] The depth d of the grooves 11 and 12 is greater at the portions 11a and 12a located on the main faces of the bottle, where it reaches its maximum value Pmax, than at the portions 11b and 12b located on the sides. This depth d is measured between the bottom of the groove 11 or 12 and the plane N tangent to the adjacent wall 21 of the body of the bottle 2, as illustrated in [Fig 2A].

[0169] The steps 13 and 14 are not symmetrical to each other and the band 15 is set back from the plane N by a distance g, as illustrated [Fig 2A].

[0170] Bottle 2 can be made by injection blow molding in PET.

[0171] The belt 10 makes it possible to make the bottle 2 with a lower weight, while retaining the mechanical properties required for use.

[0172] Thus, the bottle, for a nominal content of 250 mL, can be made with a weight of about 14g instead of more than 21g in the prior art for the same nominal content and the same material.

[0173] Figures 4 to 8 show another example of a bottle according to the invention, also preferably made of PET.

[0174] In this example, the bottle 2 is made with an externally threaded neck 5, allowing, for example, the screwing on of a cap (not shown). If necessary, a flow restrictor is fixed inside the neck 5.

[0175] In [Fig. 5], it can be seen that the belt 10 can present, as in example of realization of figures 1 to 3, a symmetrical shape with respect to a median plane M.

[0176] In the example of figures 4 to 8, the belt 10 has two grooves 11 and 12 spaced along the X axis on each of its main faces, with straight portions 11a and 12a, perpendicular to the X axis and parallel to each other, and end portions 11c and 12c curved towards the median plane M.

[0177] The groove 12 is formed by notches 18 and 19 and the width of the belt, measured at mid-depth of the outermost notches 13 and 19, is for example between 8 and 12 mm, being for example on the order of 10 mm.

[0178] The band 15, in the widest area located between portions 1la and 12a of grooves 11 and 12, may display, as seen in [Fig.4], patterns 40 which may be of any type, for example alphanumeric or in the form of symbols.

[0179] In [Fig. 5], it can be seen that band 15 is also located, in this example, in withdrawal from plane N by a distance g.

[0180] Grooves 17 formed by notches 51 and 52 extend along the sides of the bottle 2, as seen in particular in [Fig.6], the bottom of the grooves 17 extending in continuity with the band 15 located between the grooves 11 and 12.

[0181] The depth of the steps 51 and 52 is less than that at the level of the main faces, which is d.

[0182] In the example of [Fig.9], the bottle 2 has a stiffening belt 10 formed of two grooves 11 and 12 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the X axis. The depth of the grooves 11 and 12 is not constant and is less on the sides of the bottle.

[0183] In the example in [Fig. 10], the bottle 2 has a stiffening band 10 which differs from that in the example in Figures 1 to 3 by the path followed by the grooves 11 and 12; in this example, portions 11a and 12a of the ribs 11 and 12 located on the main faces of the bottle are further apart along the X-axis than portions 11b and 12b extending along the sides of the bottle. The depth of the grooves 11 and 12 is not constant and is less on the sides of the bottle.

[0184] In the example of figures 11 to 13, the bottle 2 is made with a stiffening belt 10 without symmetry with respect to a median plane M perpendicular to the axis X.

[0185] The bottle 2 is made with a single groove 17 which extends continuously around the X axis, with portions 17a on the main faces of the bottle which are offset along the X axis relative to those 17b extending along the sides of the bottle, the portions 17a being closer to the bottom 9 than the portions 17b. The depth of the portions 17a is greater than that of the portions 17b.

[0186] Bottle 2 shown in [Fig.14] is preferably made of PE, with a stiffening belt 10 having a single, relatively wide groove formed between notches 13 and 19.

[0187] These follow, for example, as illustrated, an irregular path all around the longitudinal axis X of the bottle.

[0188] Decorative reliefs 40 can be formed between the notches 13 and 19.

[0189] The depth of the groove is not constant and is less on the sides of the bottle.

[0190] In the example of [Fig. 15], the stiffening band 10 is formed with grooves 11 and 12, the outermost ones, and between these additional grooves 41, which can be inclined differently.

[0191] The depth of grooves 11 and 12 is less on the sides of the bottle.

[0192] In [Fig. 16], the possibility for the stiffening belt 10 of not to be formed of grooves extending continuously all around the X axis. In this example, the belt 10 has two grooves 11 and 12 offset axially and both perpendicular to the X axis, extending over only part of the circumference of the bottle 2, for example the left half as illustrated.

[0193] A single groove 17 extends over the right half.

[0194] The grooves 11 and 12 protrude to the right of the longitudinal median plane cutting the bottle at mid-width, and the groove 17 protrudes to the left of this plane, such that the grooves 11, 12 and 17 overlap, in projection along the X axis, by a distance y.

[0195] In this example, the belt 10 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a median plane of symmetry M.

[0196] In the example of [Fig. 17], the bottle 2 has a stiffening belt 10 formed of a single groove 17 which extends along a helical path over more than one revolution around the X axis.

[0197] The ends of the groove 17 overlap, in projection along the X axis, over a distance y.

[0198] In the example of [Fig. 18], the stiffening belt 10 is formed of two nested C-shaped grooves 11 and 12, each inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the X axis, the inclinations of the grooves 11 and 12 relative to the X axis being opposite, the groove 11 extending between the ends of the groove 12 and vice versa.

[0199] In an unillustrated variant, the interlocking grooves 11, 12 in C are both angularly offset by 90° around the X axis, and consequently overlap at the main faces of the bottle and not on its sides.

[0200] The nested grooves can overlap, in the example of [Fig. 18] or the variant above, over a non-zero distance in projection along the X axis.

[0201] In the example of [Fig. 19], the stiffening band 10 is formed by two opposing grooves 11 extending along the sides and principal faces of the bottle 2, and two grooves 12 extending respectively along the principal faces and overlapping the grooves 11 by a distance y, when the grooves 11 and 12 are viewed in projection along the X-axis. Each groove 12 extends, for example, over approximately half the width of the bottle. The grooves 11 and 12 are, for example, all parallel to a plane perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0202] The belt 10 may have, as illustrated, a symmetrical shape with respect to a longitudinal median plane containing the X axis and cutting the bottle at mid-width, and the groove 12 may be closer than the groove 11 to the plane located at mid-length of the bottle 2.

[0203] In the example of [Fig.27], the bottle 2 has a stiffening belt formed of a single groove 17, which describes undulations when moving around the X axis.

[0204] The groove 17, for example, as illustrated, has a generally semicircular cross-section.

[0205] The groove 17 may have on each main face a wave which causes it to be closer to the bottom of the bottle in the median plane cutting the bottle at mid-width, and further from the bottom in the median plane cutting the bottle at mid-thickness.

[0206] Figure 20 illustrates the impact of the axial position of the stiffening belt on the evolution of the displacement of the wall of bottle 2 (on the x-axis) as a function of the force exerted (on the y-axis).

[0207] Pressure is exerted on a main face of the bottle, approximately halfway up, using a tool O as illustrated in [Fig.21].

[0208] This tool O has a spherical head with a radius of curvature of 8.5 mm truncated at its apex on a radius of 1 mm.

[0209] Bottles A to E and V8 considered in [Fig.20] have a general non-cylindrical shape, are made of PET, and, in the case of bottles A to E, have a single stiffening band located at different heights on the bottle.

[0210] The V8 bottle corresponds to a comparative version outside the invention, lighter than the prior art, made with a mass of PET of 14.2g, without a stiffening belt.

[0211] Versions A to E weigh approximately the same, but include the stiffening belt.

[0212] Versions A and E are outside the invention, the grooves being located outside an area situated between the first quarter and the last quarter of the height H' of the portion of the bottle located between the base of the shoulder and the beginning of the bottom.

[0213] The groove of version B is located at the end of the first third of the height H' from the top, the groove of version C in the middle of the two thirds, and the groove of version D at the end of the two thirds from the top.

[0214] Zone Z is the one for which the behavior of the bottle is similar to those of the prior art.

[0215] It can be seen that the bottle without a belt does not allow a satisfactory displacement to be obtained for a force of 10 N, the displacement being too large.

[0216] It can be seen that bottle C exhibits a U-shaped offset of between 6 and 8 mm of wall displacement, which corresponds to a sudden sagging of the bottle that may be accompanied by a clanging noise. It is preferable to avoid such a clanging noise, and in this respect, moving the belt slightly away from the support area, as with bottles B and D, is advantageous. It may therefore be beneficial to position the belt around the boundary between the first third and the second third of the height H' or around the boundary between the second and third thirds of the height H', as illustrated, for example at 1 / 3 H' + / - 1 / 10 H' or at 2 / 3 H' + / - 1 / 10 H'.

[0217] Figure 22 illustrates the mechanical behavior of a V9 bottle identical to that shown in figures 1 to 3, compared to a lightweight V8 bottle without a stiffening belt, of the same weight.

[0218] Pressure is applied to the opposite principal faces, at the level of the areas marked by a circle.

[0219] We can see that the V8 bottle does not exhibit satisfactory behavior, unlike the V9 bottle, particularly from a force of approximately 7 N.

[0220] Fig. 23 illustrates for the same bottle V9 the evolution of the volume of air expelled as a function of the displacement of the wall, compared to bottle V8 without stiffening belt.

[0221] Fig. 24 illustrates for the same bottle V9 the evolution of the volume of air expelled as a function of the force exerted on the wall, compared to bottle V8 without stiffening belt.

[0222] Figures 23 and 24 show that the presence of the stiffening belt allows a gain on the distributed dose both because a displacement of the wall of the bottle on the side of one face causes a deformation, inwards, of the wall on the opposite side, and because a less force is required to cause the expulsion of a given dose.

[0223] Fig. 25 is a simulation showing the impact of the stiffening belt on a V8 2C bottle with a nominal content of 370 mL, weighing 21 g, similar to that shown in Figures 4 to 8, compared to a V6 bottle with the same nominal content but slightly lighter, weighing 23.5 g, and without a stiffening belt, outside the scope of the invention.

[0224] Fig. 26 represents the evolution of the displacement of the wall (abscissa) as a function of the force exerted on it (ordinate) for different empty bottles of the same nominal content, in PET, the support area being materialized by a circle C.

[0225] The V8 bottles are outside the scope of this invention, as they do not have any stiffening band. The bottle weighing 14.2 g does not have sufficient rigidity to achieve the desired behavior (grey area Z). A bottle with a thicker wall, weighing 17.7 g, is required to achieve the desired behavior.

[0226] The stiffening belt of the 14.2 g PET bottle V9 has relatively deep grooves, each 1.9 mm deep, which remain constant around the longitudinal axis of the bottle. The stiffening provided by such a belt is high, and the bottle deviates from its intended behavior when the displacement is greater than or equal to approximately 4.5 mm.

[0227] On the other hand, the V9 bottle, with the same belt shape and the same weight, but a variable groove depth, ranging from a maximum value Pmax equal to 1.9 mm on the main faces of the bottle to a minimum value Pmin equal to 0.6 mm on the sides, exhibits less rigidity on the sides, and retains the desired behavior even for a displacement of up to 14 mm.

[0228] By reducing the groove depth to 1.6 mm (constant value) instead of 1.9 mm, the desired behavior is maintained, as illustrated by the 14.2 g vial D08. However, the behavior of vial V9 is better, as it offers a

[0229]

[0230] improved elasticity (spring strength / resistance) in the area of ​​use, and controlled weakening of its faces is achieved thanks to improved flexibility of the sides. Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described. In particular, the stiffening belt can be made in other shapes as well.

Claims

Demands

1. Shape-memory bottle (1), generally non-cylindrical in shape, comprising a stiffening band (10) formed with at least one groove (11; 12; 17) having at least one notch having at least one portion extending over a principal face of the bottle, this notch being of depth Pmax, and at least one portion extending over the side of the bottle, of depth Pmin, with Pmax>Pmin-

2. Bottle according to claim 1, the ratio Pmax / Pmin being greater than or equal to 2, preferably to 3.

3. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the depth Pmin being between 0.2 and 0.8 mm.

4. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the depth Pmax being greater than or equal to 1.5 mm, better to 1.6 mm, even better to 1.8 mm, preferably being between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

5. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, being made of PET.

6. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, being made of PE.

7. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, having an empty mass / volume ratio (m / V) greater than or equal to 0.035 g / mL, and preferably less than or equal to 0.090 g / mL, preferably being between 0.040 g / mL and 0.080 g / mL, more preferably between 0.045 and 0.070 g / mL.

8. Bottle according to claim 7, the bottle being made of PET, the m / V ratio being between 0.035 g / mL and 0.070 g / mL, better between 0.040 g / mL and 0.068 g / mL, and in particular between 0.048 g / mL and 0.064 g / mL.

9. Bottle according to claim 7, the bottle being made of PE, the m / V ratio being between 0.045 g / mL and 0.090 g / mL, better between 0.056 g / mL and 0.080 g / mL, and in particular between 0.064 g / mL and 0.076 g / mL.

10. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the half-height ratio LHV of the bottle, where L denotes the width (measured externally) and E denotes the thickness (measured externally) being between 1.2 and 3, preferably between 1.2 and 2.

11. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the nominal contents (V) of the bottle being less than or equal to 1000 mL, preferably less than or equal to 400 mL, in particular between 200 mL and 400 mL.

12. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the stiffening belt being positioned at least partially in the middle third of the bottle.

13. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the bottle being devoid of reliefs other than the stiffening band.

14. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the belt (10) having two grooves (11, 12) spaced apart from each other and which laterally delimit the belt.

15. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the belt (10) having two grooves (11; 12) which are each continuous over a complete revolution around the axis (X) of the bottle, and whose spacing between them varies, being greater on the sides of the bottle where they delimit an enlarged portion of the belt, the grooves being preferably parallel to each other and close together over a narrow portion extending over at least one quarter of the width of each main face of the bottle, and parallel to each other over an enlarged portion extending over the sides of the bottle, with in particular a linear evolution of the width between the narrow and enlarged portions.

16. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the width of the belt being between 2 mm and 40 mm.

17. Device (1) for packaging a cosmetic product, in particular a shampoo, conditioner or shower gel, comprising a bottle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, filled with a cosmetic product, and a dispensing and / or closure system fixed to the neck, the dispensing and / or closure system preferably being a capsule comprising a base part fixed to the neck and a pivoting lid connected to the base part by a hinge.

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