An assembly composed of a fluid container and a dispenser package

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly consisting of a fluid container and a dispenser packaging capable of receiving and at least partially enclosing the container, the container comprising a dispenser and at least one flexible wall, the container being suitable for discharging the fluid by the dispenser by deforming the at least one flexible wall, and the dispenser packaging being suitable such that when the container is placed inside the dispenser packaging, at least a portion of the at least one flexible wall is accessible from outside the dispenser packaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly composed of a container for a fluid and a dispenser package that can receive and at least partially enclose the container. The container includes a dispenser and at least one wall made of a flexible material. The container is adapted to deform the at least one flexible wall to discharge the fluid by the dispenser. The dispenser package is adapted such that at least a part of the at least one flexible wall is accessible from the outside of the dispenser package when the container is placed inside the dispenser package.

Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, it is known to use a dispenser made of a flexible material that can enclose and discharge a fluid. Such a dispenser is basically in a cylindrical form with a first end provided with a dispenser and a sealed second end. In principle, the container dispenser is sealed by a breakable closure element. Before use, the user can remove the closure element with a finger to release the dispenser from the container. By deforming the container, the user can discharge the fluid contained inside the container through the dispenser.

[0003] This type of container is often used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields and is also known by the term "uni-dose".

[0004] Using a single-dose has the advantage of enclosing the fluid in a hygienic manner. The fluid is sealed before use and is released only when the user breaks the breakable element. Conversely, single-dose also has drawbacks. In fact, once the single-dose is opened, the user is forced to use all the contents at the time of opening. The prior art mentions single-doses where the breakable closure element can be returned to its starting position on the dispenser and thus function as a plug to allow the remaining contents of the container to be used later.

[0005] A first drawback of the solutions known in the prior art is that sealing the dispenser using a frangible element that has already been removed is not easy because the user is forced to relocate the closure element onto the dispenser. Since the dispenser is made of a flexible material, it is difficult to seal it securely.

[0006] Furthermore, since the user removes the frangible element from the dispenser using their finger, the hygiene of the dispenser during the replacement of the frangible element onto the dispenser is not guaranteed. This represents a second drawback of the solutions known from the prior art. In other words, there is a possibility that the dispenser is actually contaminated by foreign matter remaining on the dispenser.

[0007] Another drawback of using single - dose amounts according to the prior art is that once the single - dose amount is opened, the frangible element forms an element separated from the rest of the package. This means that the frangible element needs to be removed and discarded. If there is no garbage bin available nearby, such a small - sized element may pollute the environment. For the above reasons, there is a need to propose a novel solution that enables a container composed of a flexible material to be used in a more suitable way in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0008] The object of the present invention relates to an assembly composed of a container for a fluid and a dispenser package capable of receiving and at least partially enclosing the container. The container includes a dispenser and at least one flexible wall. The container is suitable for deforming the at least one flexible wall to discharge the fluid by the dispenser. The dispenser package is suitable for at least a part of the at least one flexible wall to be accessible from the outside of the dispenser package when the container is placed inside the dispenser package. The dispenser package includes at least a first element and a second element. The first element is suitable for partially enclosing the container, while the container dispenser remains free so that fluid can be discharged from the dispenser. The second element is suitable for sealing the dispenser of the container. The second element of the dispenser package is suitable for being fixed on the first element of the dispenser package.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second element of the dispenser package is in the form of a plug.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inside of the perforated tip is provided with a sealing piece suitable for sealing the container dispenser.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first element of the dispenser package includes an element surrounding the container dispenser, and the container dispenser is provided with a perforable sealing element. The element surrounding the dispenser is provided with a striker suitable for perforating the perforable sealing element.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the container is basically in a cylindrical form.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first element of the dispenser package is basically in a cylindrical form, and is provided with a first end that is basically open to enable the container to be introduced into the first element, and a second end suitable for protruding the dispenser from the first element.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second element of the dispenser package comprises a sealing element suitable for sealing the first end after the container has passed through the dispenser package.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the container comprises at least one protrusion at the end opposite the dispenser that enables the container to be easily removed from the dispenser package after use.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the container is in the form of a single-dose.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the single-dose comprises a dispenser provided with a pierceable sealing element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The objects, targets, and features of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following description with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly 1 comprising a container (see Figure 2) and a dispenser package 20. The purpose of the assembly 1 is to enable a user to use a "single-dose" type container (such as that shown in Figure 2) in a practical and hygienic manner. The dispenser package 20 may have a decorative appearance, which brightens the use of such a "single-dose" type container. As shown in Figure 1, the dispenser package 20 comprises a first part 21, which is basically cylindrical in shape. It should be noted that the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a "single-dose" type container and a dispenser package 20 that is basically cylindrical in shape. Of course, it is also conceivable to select a rectangular or any other arbitrary shape while maintaining the same advantages.

[0021] The first part 21 forming the body of the dispenser package 20 comprises a window or a flexible element 25. According to the examples shown in Figures 1 to 5, thanks to the window 25, the user can directly deform the container inside the dispenser package 20, which will be described in more detail below. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), a flexible element may be arranged instead of the window 25, which enables at least a part of the first part 21 to be deformed.

[0022] The dispenser package 20 comprises a second part 22, which is in the form of a plug, for example fixed using screws on one end of the first part 21 of the dispenser package 20. Thanks to the plug 22, the container present inside the dispenser package 20 can be sealed. The details of the sealing are shown in Figure 4.

[0023] The dispenser package 20 comprises a third element in the form of a sealing element 23, which may be fixed inside the end of the first part 21 of the dispenser package 20. After the container has been inserted into the first part 21 of the dispenser package 20, the sealing element 23 can be used to fix the container inside the dispenser package 20. The assembly of the various elements will be described in more detail in Figures 2 and 3.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, when the container is inserted inside the dispenser package 20, the user will only see the outside of the dispenser package 20. According to the examples shown in FIGS. 1-7, the dispenser package 20 is a reusable element. The container 10 is designed to be inserted into the dispenser package 20 and is a "disposable" type container 10. This is why options such as decoration can be added to the dispenser package 20 to brighten the appearance of the assembly 1. Since the dispenser package 20 is reusable, the use of so-called "precious" materials can be assumed.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the dispenser package 20, and to its side is provided a container 10 suitable for insertion into the dispenser package 20. For clarity, the sealing element 23 is shown in the "not screwed in" position.

[0026] According to FIG. 2, the container 10 is in the form of a "single dose", which is generally made of a flexible material. The container 10 is basically cylindrical, has a dispenser 11 at a first end, and a second end sealed by a base 12. The end of the dispenser 11 is sealed by a pierceable sealing element 13. The "single dose" type container 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is known from the prior art. The container 10 is particularly suitable for containing pharmaceutical or cosmetic type fluids. Immediately before use, the user inserts the container 10 into the dispenser package 20 and closes the dispenser package 20, and as will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 below, the pierceable element 13 of the container 10 is automatically pierced. When the pierceable sealing element 13 is pierced, the user can deform the outer wall of the container 10 to discharge a certain amount of fluid.

[0027] Unlike the conventional method of using the container 10, the user does not use the container 10 in an "exposed" state, but pre-inserts the container 10 into the dispenser package 20. The advantages of the assembly and use of the dispenser package 20 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0028] Figure 3 schematically shows an assembly of the dispenser package 20 and the container 10. First, the user must insert the container 10 into the first part 21 of the dispenser package 20 as shown in FIG. 3. After inserting the container 10 into the first part 21 of the dispenser package 20, the sealing element 23 is used to fix the container 10 to the dispenser package 20. When the assembly is completed, the assembly 1 composed of the container 10 and the dispenser package 20 can be used. To use the assembly 1, the user must first remove the plug 22 to release the dispenser 11 from the container 10. Then, by pressing the flexible element 25 of the first part 21, the user can apply pressure to deform the outside of the container 10, and thus enable the dispenser 11 to discharge the fluid present inside the container 10. If a window is provided in the first part 21 instead of the flexible element 25, the user can directly apply pressure to the outside of the container 10. When a sufficient amount of fluid has been discharged from the container 10, the user can reposition the plug 22 on the dispenser package 20 and seal the dispenser 11 again.

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly 1 according to the present invention, showing that the user can deform the flexible element 25 and the outer wall of the container 10 by the flexible element 25 as part of the first part 21 of the dispenser package 20. Further, FIG. 4 shows the plug 22, inside which a sealing piece 26 specially designed to close the dispenser 11 of the container 10 is accommodated. The sealing piece 26 cooperates with a cylindrical element 27 surrounding the outside of the end of the dispenser 11 of the container 10. Thus, when the plug 22 is placed on the dispenser package 20, the end of the dispenser 11 is optimally sealed.

[0030] It should be noted that this specification refers to the fact that at least a part of the flexible wall of the container 10 remains "accessible". This expression means that the user can directly touch the outside of the container 10 to deform the container 10, or can also deform a part of the dispenser package 20 to deform the container 10.

[0031] Figure 5 is a detailed view showing the end of the first portion 21 of the dispenser package 20 before the step of piercing the pierceable seal element 13 of the container 10. The end of the first portion 21 of the dispenser package 20 is provided with an element 27 designed on the one hand to form an outlet of the first portion 21 of the dispenser package 20 so that the fluid contained inside the container 10 can be discharged from the assembly 1. Inside the element 27 there is a striker 28 which is designed to cooperate with the pierceable seal element 13 of the container 10. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the container 10 is placed inside the dispenser package 20, the pierceable seal element 13 contacts the striker 28. By screwing the seal element 23 onto the first portion 21 of the dispenser package 20, the container 10 is fully inserted into the first portion 21 of the dispenser package 20 and pushed in the direction of the striker 28. When the seal element 23 is fully fixed on the first portion 21 of the dispenser package 20, the container 10 is fully inserted into the first portion 21 of the dispenser package 20 and, as shown in FIG. 6, the pierceable seal element 13 is struck by the striker 28.

[0032] It is clear that the piercing of the pierceable seal element 13 is automatically carried out by the striker 28 during the assembly of the assembly 1 according to the invention. Furthermore, the user does not come into contact with either the dispenser 11 of the container 10 or the pierceable seal element 13 of the container 10. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, by piercing the pierceable seal element 13, the container 10 can be opened without debris peeling off from the container 10. In other words, no unwanted waste is generated when the container 10 is opened.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the container 10 is opened by the striker 28, the plug 22 prevents the fluid from flowing out accidentally. This function can be ensured by the sealing piece 26 present inside the plug 22. In addition to the sealing piece 26, the plug 22 is provided with a cylindrical element 29 that surrounds the end of the element 27, both of which ensure that the end of the element 27 in the first part 21 of the dispenser package 20 is optimally leak-proof sealed, and thus ensures the sealing performance of the dispenser 11 of the container 10.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of filling the container 10, which comprises a first part 15 in the shape of a bottle. The first part 15 of the container 10 includes an opening 17 for filling the container 10. When the first part 15 of the container 10 is filled, the opening 17 is sealed by the second part 16 of the container 10. The second part 16 of the container 10 comprises a dispenser 11 and a pierceable sealing element 13. It is clear that FIG. 5 shows a specific embodiment. Any other suitable embodiment can also be used in combination with the dispenser package 20 as described above.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows that the first part 15 of the container 10 is provided with protrusions 19, two of which are depicted. The protrusions 19 can be used in combination with the inside of the sealing element 23 of the dispenser package 20 to easily remove the container 10 from the dispenser package 20 after use. To obtain this result, the protrusions 19 cooperate with a stop (not visible in the figure) present inside the inner wall of the sealing element 23 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0036] With the assembly 1 described in FIGS. 1 to 5, the user can use a "single-dose" type container 10 provided with a pierceable sealing element 13 hygienically and without causing contamination. When the pierceable sealing element 13 is removed, the user no longer needs to press with a finger at the end of the dispenser 11 or any other location near the end. The plug 22 provided with the sealing element can reliably re-close the container 10 after the first use while avoiding contamination of the contents of the container 10.

[0037] As described above, by using the dispenser package 20, an option of obtaining the assembly 1 having a decorative appearance is further provided.

Claims

1. An assembly (1) comprising a container (10) adapted to contain a fluid, and a dispenser package (20) for receiving and at least partially enclosing the container (10), wherein the container (10) includes a first end for discharging the fluid from the container (10) and a second end, the container (10) comprises a dispenser (11) disposed at the first end of the container, the dispenser (11) has a first end for discharging the fluid from the container (10) and at least one flexible wall, the container (10) is adapted to deform the at least one flexible wall to discharge the fluid by the dispenser (11), the dispenser package (20) is adapted such that when the container (10) is placed inside the dispenser package (20), a part of the at least one flexible wall is accessible from outside the dispenser package (20), the dispenser package (20) comprises at least a first element and a second element, the first element is adapted to partially enclose the container (10), while the dispenser (11) of the container (10) remains free to discharge the fluid from the dispenser (11) to a user, the second element is adapted to seal the dispenser (11) of the container (10), the second element of the dispenser package (20) is adapted to be fixed on top of the first element of the dispenser package (20), the first element (21) of the dispenser package (20) comprises an element (27) surrounding the dispenser (11) of the container (10), a pierceable sealing element (13) is provided at the first end of the dispenser (11), the element (27) surrounding the dispenser (11) comprises a striker (28) adapted to pierce the pierceable sealing element (13), the assembly (1).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second element of the dispenser package (20) is in the form of a plug (22).

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the interior of the plug (22) comprises a sealing piece (26) adapted to seal the dispenser (11) of the container (10).

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container (10) is in a cylindrical form.

5. The first element of the dispenser package (20) is in a cylindrical form, a first end that is open to allow the container (10) to be inserted into the first element, and a second end suitable for protruding the dispenser (11) from the first element. The assembly according to claim 4. **Claim 6** The second element of the dispenser package (20) comprises a sealing element (23) suitable for sealing the first end of the dispenser package (20) after the container (10) has passed through the dispenser package (20). The assembly according to claim 5. **Claim 7** The container (10) comprises at least one protrusion at the second end, which is arranged on the side of the container (10) opposite to the dispenser (11), to enable easy removal of the container (10) from the dispenser package after use. The assembly (1) according to claim 4. **Claim 8** The container (10) is in the form of a single-dose. The assembly (1) according to claim 1. **Claim 9** The single-dose comprises a dispenser (11) provided with a pierceable sealing element (13). The assembly (1) according to claim 8.

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