Device for conditioning and applying a product

Abstract

Product packaging and application device comprising: - a container having a body and a neck forming a shoulder with the body, the neck having at least one raised or recessed feature, - a container closure element comprising a cap and an insert having at least one snap-on feature, the closure element having a flange made of a metallic material and having a lower portion folded inwards towards the closure element, the insert of the closure element cooperates with the neck of the container such that the folded lower portion of the flange of the closure element comes into contact with the shoulder of the body when the snap-on feature(s) of the insert have passed through at least one raised feature of the container or have engaged in at least one recessed feature of the container to ensure the closure of the device. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for conditioning and applying a product. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the closure devices for cosmetic product containers, in particular perfume, makeup product or skincare product.

[0002] More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products. Previous technique

[0003] There are many types of closure devices. For example, a snap-on cover is known, which can, for instance, cover a cover belonging to a product applicator or a pump fixing flange by using additional snap-on reliefs.

[0004] It is also known to produce a closure cap comprising an insert in a hood, the insert having flexible tabs at two different heights, more precisely two higher tabs and two lower tabs. This ensures that two tabs, the lower ones, are fully passed under the screwed part, in particular by ensuring that the snap-on projections they carry are passed under the front edge of the applicator hood or the pump mounting flange screwed onto the neck of the container, as well as two tabs, the higher ones, which limit any axial movement, either by limiting play or by remaining under constraints in the radial direction after the snap-on projections they carry have passed behind the front edge of the applicator hood or the pump mounting flange, depending on the manufacturing tolerances.

[0005] When snap-on projections are positioned below the applicator cover or a pump fixing collar in the closed position, the applicator cover or the fixing collar must be raised above the container, which may alter the aesthetics of the device or constitute a possible point of fouling.

[0006] Devices comprising a groove, for example for receiving raised features of the closure cap, are also known, for example from applications EP 2 1074 572, EP 4 014 786 and FR 3 117 749, the groove being positioned towards the top of a neck of the container. There is little or no friction of the closure cap against the container during closure.

[0007] Cosmetic bottles are known in which the cap of the closure mechanism clips onto the shoulder of the container. The closing sound is produced by the base of the cap striking the shoulder of the bottle. The shoulder must therefore be quite flat for this to occur, and visible, unsightly friction marks appear.

[0008] Figure 1 illustrates a device 1 for packaging and applying a product P, such as makeup or skincare, according to the prior art. The device 1 comprises a container 10 for holding the product P and a closure member 20 for the container 10. The container 10 comprises a body 11 in the form of a bottle and a pump 12 for dispensing the product P, to be drawn from the container 10. The container 10 further comprises a neck 13 forming a shoulder 14 with the body 11. The neck 13 comprises a pump support 33, raised relative to the shoulder 14. The closure member 20 of the container 10 comprises a cap 23 and an insert 24 inserted into the cap and slightly raised relative to the latter, as can be seen in particular in Figure 1A. The cover 23 of the closing member 20 snaps into the rear of the front edge of the pump support 33 to ensure the closure of the device 1 and rests on the shoulder.The outer surface of the casing cover may be made of metallic material and is in contact with the shoulder of the container on only one edge. This is likely to leave a mark on the shoulder and produce an unsatisfactory sound.

[0009] KR 20-0490575 discloses a lipstick tube having a cap whose inner surface has a longitudinal rib. A collision portion is defined such that the tube body penetrates the cap along the rib to make contact and close the tube. At least one part of the tube body and the collision portion is made of metal.

[0010] French application FR 3 117 749 describes a perfume bottle comprising a case having a flexible snap-fit ​​relief and a cap having a flexible snap-fit ​​relief adapted to cooperate with the flexible snap-fit ​​relief of the case. At least one of its flexible snap-fit ​​reliefs is made of metal and has a clip tab extending between two slots.

[0011] Cosmetic bottle closure systems comprising one or more magnets to ensure contact between the closure member and the container by a phenomenon of magnetic attraction are also known, for example by utility models CN 217791865 U, CN 207979222 U, and applications JP 2020-89680 and FR 3 056 386.

[0012] EP 1 201 553 describes a closure device for a container, comprising an outer casing and an insert. The outer casing is adapted to clamp around a portion of the lower edge of the insert, a radially the interior of this part being inclined relative to the closing axis in order to improve contact with the outer casing.

[0013] EP 3 736 227 describes a closure system for a perfume bottle, comprising a cap adapted to close a portion of the bottle's neck. The cap is made of metal and includes elastic engagement means for coupling by pressure with the bottle's neck.

[0014] Magnetic closure systems are particularly appreciated by consumers, especially for their ease of use and the sensations they provide.

[0015] However, such systems require the use of permanent magnets, which represent a high cost, penalize the recycling of the product at the end of its life and constitute a scarce resource.

[0016] 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.

[0017] It is therefore essential to design products that reduce the amount of materials used and / or replace them with more environmentally friendly materials and / or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0018] There is therefore a need to further improve container closure mechanisms in order in particular to reproduce the behavior of a magnetic closure system, while being inexpensive, reliable and eco-friendly. Summary of the invention

[0019] The invention aims to meet all or part of this need and relates to a device for conditioning and applying a product, in particular a perfume, makeup product or skincare product, extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising:

[0020] - a container for containing the product, the container comprising a body and a neck forming a shoulder with the body, the neck presenting at least one raised or recessed relief, and

[0021] - a container closure element comprising a cap and an insert having at less a ratcheting relief, the closing element comprising a clevis made of a metallic material and having a lower part folded inwards towards the closing element,

[0022] device in which the insert of the closure member cooperates with the neck of the container such that the lower folded-down part of the cap of the closure member comes into contact with the shoulder of the body when the relief(s) The snap-fit ​​parts of the insert have passed through at least one protruding feature of the container or have lodged in at least one recessed feature of the container to ensure the closure of the device.

[0023] The invention allows the generation of a sound, at the level of the shoulder, indicating the arrival at the end of the closing stroke of the closing member relative to the container, imitating the sound generated when a magnetic closing system arrives in the closing position.

[0024] Thanks to the invention, the shoulder is no longer damaged because the surface of the closing member which rubs on the shoulder is wider than a simple localized slice.

[0025] The invention allows the user to experience the sensations obtained when opening and / or closing a container where the closing mechanism and / or the container contains one or more permanent magnets. The invention mechanically imitates a magnetic closure of a container, without using a permanent magnet.

[0026] The closing mechanism according to the invention is advantageously free of a permanent magnet. The container is advantageously free of a permanent magnet. The device is advantageously free of a permanent magnet.

[0027] The device extends along a longitudinal axis, preferably a straight one.

[0028] Advantageously, there is no screwing of the closing member onto the neck of the container, the closure of the device is achieved only by snapping and axial contact.

[0029] The insert is advantageously devoid of flexible legs.

[0030] By "lower part of the screed", it is necessary to understand the part of the screed which is closest to the container along the longitudinal axis of the device. Description of the invention Closing mechanism

[0031] The clevis of the closing element can be made of stainless steel or aluminium.

[0032] The screed is preferably made in one piece

[0033] In one embodiment, the screed is an external cladding screed, the closing element being without elements covering the screed. In this case, grooves may be provided on the outer lateral part of the insert, in order to allow the screed to be glued to the latter.

[0034] In one variant, the cap is internal, the closing member comprising another element covering the cap, the latter surrounding in particular the insert.

[0035] The folded-down part advantageously resembles a metal ring.

[0036] The width of the lower folded part of the sash, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, can be between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0037] The thickness of the lower folded part of the screed, measured along the longitudinal axis of the device, can be between 0.4 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0038] The ratio between the width of the lower folded part of the yoke and the width of the shoulder can be between 0.4 and 0.7. Preferably, the entire width of the lower folded part of the yoke is in contact with the shoulder.

[0039] The total surface area of ​​the lower folded part of the screed can be between 15 mm2 and 1200 mm2.

[0040] The closing mechanism may have an opening at the top of the clevis to accommodate the insert. This opening is advantageously closed by the cover.

[0041] The insert having a lower part, the lower folded part of the cap is preferably located at a non-zero axial distance from the lower part of the insert, in particular between 0.1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm. The space thus created allows a resonance chamber to be formed to increase the perceived noise when the closing mechanism is closed on the container.

[0042] In one variant, the lower folded part of the clevis is located at zero axial distance from the lower part of the insert.

[0043] Said at least one snap-in relief of the insert is advantageously located in the lower part of the latter.

[0044] The insert can be made of a material chosen from the following, non-exhaustive list: PP, PE, PET, PETG. The chosen material, metallic or non-metallic, must have good resistance and an attractive appearance. Indeed, the insert may be visible to users, and its appearance may be a factor in the choice of material. Container

[0045] Preferably, said at least one raised or recessed relief of the neck is located in the lower part of the latter.

[0046] The container may include a product dispensing pump. In one embodiment, the container may include a bottle and a product dispensing pump. Alternatively, it may be without a pump.

[0047] In the case where the container includes a product distribution pump, the neck advantageously includes a pump support.

[0048] The pump support can be made in one or more pieces, in particular one, two or three pieces.

[0049] In one embodiment, the pump support is made in one piece. This piece can be made of injection-molded plastic or machined metal, in particular an aluminum bracket. The pump support may have raised features designed to cooperate with a threaded portion of the neck.

[0050] In preferred embodiments, the pump support is made of two or three parts. The parts of the pump support may be concentric. The outer part may be made of a metallic material, in particular a stamped or machined metal yoke. The inner part of the pump support may have raised features designed to cooperate with a threaded portion of the neck. The pump support may further include an intermediate part, located between the inner and outer parts.

[0051] If the pump support is made of two parts, a radial space may be provided between the two parts of the pump support. If the pump support is made of three parts, the radial space may be provided between the middle part and the outer part.

[0052] At least one of the parts of the pump support can be made of a material chosen from the following list, which is not limiting: PP, PE, PET, PETG.

[0053] The container may include a plate covering the shoulder, in particular made of a metallic material, in particular aluminum. The sound indicating the end of the closing stroke of the closing element relative to the container is particularly satisfactory in this case.

[0054] The container may be made of glass or plastic, in particular of a material chosen from the following list, which is not exhaustive: PP, PE, PET, PETG. All or part of the container may be lacquered.

[0055] The material(s) chosen for the container and for the outer part of the pump support, if applicable, may have good resistance as well as an attractive appearance. Indeed, these parts are advantageously visible to users, and their appearance may be a criterion for choosing the material(s).

[0056] The invention can be applied to any device comprising a container and a closing element.

[0057] The container advantageously holds the product. The latter may be a product to be dispensed from the container, in particular by means of an applicator or a pipette. The device may include an applicator, or alternatively, be without one. The invention can thus also be applied to a solid lipstick mechanism, forming the container holding the product in the form of a lipstick stick, and associated with a closing cap.

[0058] The product may be, but is not limited to, a cosmetic product, such as a perfume, a makeup product or a skincare product. Brief description of the drawings

[0059] 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 on which:

[0060] [Fig-1] Fig. 1, already described, is a cross-sectional view of an example of a device according to earlier art,

[0061] [Fig.1A] The [Fig.1A], already described, is a detail of the device according to the prior art of the [Fig.1],

[0062] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a device according to the invention, and

[0063] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention. Detailed description

[0064] Figure 2 illustrates a device 1 for conditioning and applying a product P, makeup or skincare, comprising a container 10 for holding the product P and a closing element 20 for the container 10. In this example, the container 10 comprises a body 11 in the form of a bottle and a pump 12 for dispensing the product P to be taken from the container 10.

[0065] The container 10 further comprises a neck 13 forming a shoulder 14 with the body 11. The container includes a metal plate 18 covering the shoulder 14. In the illustrated example, the neck 13 includes a pump support 33 and has recessed reliefs 15 located in the lower part 19 thereof. In the example considered, the pump support 33 is made of three separate parts: an outer part 36, at least the outer upper part 16 of which is made of a metallic material, an intermediate part 34, and an inner part 35.

[0066] As shown in [Fig. 3], the closure member 20 of the container 10 comprises a cap 23, an insert 24, and a yoke 28 made in one piece from a metallic material and having a lower portion 28a folded inwards towards the closure member. The yoke 28 is preferably made of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0067] The insert 24 has locking ridges 25 located in the lower part 24b of the insert. As shown in [Fig. 2], the insert 24 of the closure member 20 cooperates with the neck 13 of the container 10 such that the lower folded part 28a of the cap 28 of the closure member comes into contact with the shoulder 14 of the body when the locking ridges 25 of the insert have engaged in the recessed ridges 15 of the container 10 to ensure the closure of the device 1. The closure member 20 has a weight 29 inserted in the cap.

[0068] In the example shown, the cap 28 is an external cladding cap, the closing member 20 having no elements covering the cap. In an alternative variant not shown, the cap 28 is internal, the closing member having another element covering the cap, the latter surrounding in particular the insert.

[0069] The width of the folded-down lower portion 28a of the slab 28, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the device 1, is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm. Its thickness, measured along the longitudinal axis X of the device 1, is between 0.4 mm and 5 mm, and in particular between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The ratio between the width of the folded-down lower portion 28a of the slab 28 and the width of the shoulder 14 is between 0.4 and 0.7. The total surface area of ​​the folded-down lower portion of the slab 28 is between 15 mm² and 1200 mm².

[0070] In the example of [Fig.2], the insert having a lower part 24b, the lower folded part 28a of the clevis 28 is located at a zero axial distance from the lower part of the insert.

[0071] Preferably and as in the variant illustrated in [Fig.3], the lower folded part 28a of the clevis 28 is located at a non-zero axial distance dr from the lower part of the insert, in particular between 0.1 mm and 10 mm.

[0072] The invention is not limited to the examples described above.

[0073] The container may have any other shape and other functions. The neck may be pump support not included.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (1) for packaging and applying a product (P), in particular a perfume, makeup product or skincare product, extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising: - a container (10) for containing the product (P), the container having a body (11) and a neck (13) forming a shoulder (14) with the body (11), the neck (13) having at least one raised or recessed relief (15), and - a closure member (20) for the container (10) comprising a cap (23) and an insert (24) having at least one snap-on relief (25), the closure member having a cap (28) made of a metallic material and having a lower part (28a) folded inwards towards the interior of the closure member,device in which the insert (24) of the closing member (20) cooperates with the neck (13) of the container (10) such that the lower folded part (28a) of the cap of the closing member comes into contact with the shoulder (14) of the body when the locking ridge(s) (25) of the insert have passed through at least one protruding ridge (15) of the container (10) or have lodged in at least one recessed ridge (15) of the container (10) to ensure the closure of the device (1).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the clevis (28) of the closing member is made of stainless steel or aluminum.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cap (28) is an external cladding cap, the closing member being devoid of elements covering the cap.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cap (28) is internal, the closing member comprising another element covering the cap, the latter surrounding in particular the insert.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleat (28) is made in one piece.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the lower folded part (28a) of the cleat (28), measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) of the device (1), is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the lower part (28a) folded down from the slab (28), measured along the longitudinal axis (X) of the device (1), is between 0.4 mm and 5 mm.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between the width of the lower part (28a) folded down from the yoke (28) and the width of the shoulder (14) is between 0.4 and 0.

7.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total surface area of ​​the lower part (28a) folded down from the screed (28) is between 15 mm2 and 1200 mm2.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (24) having a lower part (24b), the lower part (28a) folded down from the clevis (28) is located at a non-zero axial distance (dr) from the lower part (24b) of the insert, in particular between 0.1 mm and 10 mm.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (10) comprises a plate (18) covering the shoulder (14), in particular made of a metallic material.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one relief (15) projecting or recessed from the neck (13) is located in the lower part (19) of the latter.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one snap-in relief (25) of the insert (24) is located in the lower part (24b) of the latter.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (10) includes a pump for dispensing the product (P) (12), the neck (13) includes a pump support (33).

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (10) contains the product (P), the product is to be taken from the container (10), in particular by means of an applicator.

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