Device for packaging and dispensing a product, method for producing the device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a pharma, dental or cosmetic product. The device comprises a sleeve (1) for holding the product. The sleeve (1) comprises a first end (2) and a second end (3). A shoulder (4) is attached to the sleeve (1) at the first end (2) and a dispensing cap (5) is attached to the shoulder (4) by ultrasonic welding. The device can be produced by an easy, reliable and material-saving process.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING A PRODUCT, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE DEVICE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a product , in particular a pharma, dental or cosmetic product . The device comprises a sleeve for holding the product , wherein the sleeve comprises a first end and a second end . The device comprises a shoulder attached to the sleeve at the first end and a dispensing cap attached to the shoulder .

[0004] Background Art

[0005] Flexible tubes are known as packaging devices for packaging and dispensing products in fluid form, in particular in the form of a lotion, gel , cream, paste or liquid . Tubes as primary packaging in the pharmaceutical , cosmetics , and dental industries must satis fy the most stringent of requirements in terms of hygiene and safety as well as aesthetics plus ease of use .

[0006] Such tubes comprise a sleeve with a first end and a second end . The first end of the sleeve is equipped with a dispensing cap and the second end of the sleeve is closed by welding or heat sealing . The sleeve is a specially made laminate tube or Polyfoil tube or coextruded tube sleeve , which reliably protects products against light , air and water vapor di f fusion and substance migration . It keeps its shape and can be printed on all around . The dispensing cap stabili zes the sleeve .

[0007] A large variety of caps exist . The range of caps varies from single-dose tubes with twist locks , flip-top hinge caps and screw caps , which can be embossed, metalli zed or decorated with a metal shell . Usually, the caps are screwed or snaped on the shoulder .

[0008] Disclosure of the Invention The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device for packaging and dispensing a product , which is sustainable and weight reduced .

[0009] This problem is solved by the device of the independent claims . According to this , the device is suitable for packaging and dispensing a product . In particular, the product can be a pharma, dental or cosmetic product . In particular, the device can be a flexible tube . The device comprises :

[0010] - a sleeve for holding the product , in particular a flexible sleeve . The sleeve comprises a first end and a second end . In particular, the sleeve is made of Polyfoil , PE or PP extrusion, PE-COEX or PP-COEX extrusion, or laminated tube sleeve production process Polyfoil is a laminated tube with extrusion coating after longitudinal sealing the laminate for creating the tube sleeve . The sleeve might have a thickness of 0 . 2 - 0 . 5 mm . The sleeve might be decorated on its outside on all around . The whole device can have capacities from 10 to 300 ml . In particular, the second end of the sleeve is welded together forming the bottom of the device for packaging and dispensing a product .

[0011] - a shoulder, which is attached to the sleeve at the first end . In particular, the shoulder is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE ) or polypropylene , which is a thermoplastic polymer with a high strength-to-den- sity ratio . The shoulder is used to hold and maintain the sleeve in its shape before a dispensing cap is attached to the device .

[0012] - the dispensing cap, which is attached to the shoulder . In particular, the dispensing cap is a premoulded flip-top hinge cap having a flat geometry and requiring only a very small amount of material . In particular, the dispensing cap is a shoulder less cap since it is attached to a separate shoulder . In particular, all the sleeve , the shoulder and the dispensing cap are based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE ) or polypropylene .

[0013] The dispensing cap is welded on the shoulder, in particular by ultrasonic welding . A water and airtight bond between shoulder and dispensing cap can be achieved . An ultra-low profile tube can be produced which is a sustainable product with reduced weight .

[0014] Advantageously, the shoulder is inj ection moulded or compression moulded on the sleeve such that a reliable bond between the sleeve and the shoulder can be achieved .

[0015] In particular, the shoulder and the dispensing cap are made of polyethylene or polypropylene .

[0016] Advantageously, the dispensing cap comprises a flip-lid with a pin for closing an ori fice of the dispensing cap, wherein the pin is made of the same material as the whole dispensing cap . In order to avoid that the pin is welded to the ori fice , the dispensing cap is ultra-sonic welded on the shoulder while the flip-lid is in an open state .

[0017] In particular, the flip-lid has an open position in which the flip-lid can be locked .

[0018] In particular, the shoulder has an ultra-low profile in order to save material costs . The shoulder has the shape of a ring, which is correspondingly axisymmet- ric . The si ze ratio between the maximal diameter of the shoulder and the thickness of the shoulder in the plane of the diameter is at least 7 to 1 . This means that the thickness of the ring is 7 times smaller than the maximal diameter of the shoulder or even smaller compared to diameter of the shoulder . In particular, the si ze ratio is at least 10 to 1 , in particular at least 12 to 1 , in particular at least 15 to 1 , in particular at least 20 to 1 . For example , i f the sleeve has a maximal diameter of 40 mm, the ring might have a thickness of only 2 . 5 mm, i . e . , a si ze ratio of 15 to 1 . Advantageously, the si ze ratio between the height of the shoulder and the thickness of the shoulder in the plane of the diameter is at least 1 to 1 , in particular at least 1 . 5 to 1 , in particular at least 2 to 1 . A si ze ratio of at least 1 to 1 means that the height of the shoulder is equal to the thickness of the shoulder or the height is larger compared to the thickness of the shoulder . With other words , the shoulder has a small thickness compared to its height .

[0019] Advantageously, the si ze ratio between the maximal diameter of the sleeve and the height of the dispensing cap is at least 3 to 1 , in particular at least 4 to 1 , in particular at least 6 to 1 . These ratios represent an ultra-low profile of the dispensing cap .

[0020] In particular, the sleeve has an outermost diameter between 20 mm and 65 mm .

[0021] Advantageously, the dispensing cap and the shoulder are mutually attached via a common surface which extends along the direction of the axial symmetry axis . Accordingly, the common surface can be dimensioned large which allows an easy and reliable welding of the dispensing cap with the shoulder .

[0022] In particular, the dispensing cap comprises an opening guarantee . This allows the user to know i f the device is opened the first time after being fabricated . In particular, the dispensing cap comprises two opening guarantees . When opening the dispensing cap, the first time , a small stripe on the lower side of the lid tears of f . Afterwards , it is visible for the user that dispensing cap was already opened .

[0023] Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a sustainable device as described . This obj ect is achieved by a method for producing a device as described before . The method comprises the following steps in the following order :

[0024] A) producing the sleeve ; B) attaching the shoulder on the first end of the sleeve. In particular, the shoulder is attached to the first end by injection moulding or compression moulding;

[0025] C) attaching the dispensing cap on the shoulder by welding, in particular by ultra-sonic welding.

[0026] This method allows manufacturing of the described devices, in particular flexible tubes, with dispensing caps of different designs. Different dispensing caps can be attached on the same shoulder. For all such devices, steps A) and B) are identically performed. In step C) dispensing caps of different designs can be attached to the same shoulder. The different dispensing caps have only to be compatible with the dimensions of the shoulder. Welding the dispensing cap on the shoulder creates a water and airtight bond between these two parts .

[0027] Advantageously, the steps A) , B) and C) are separate steps, i.e., the subsequent step only starts after the previous step has been completed.

[0028] In case the dispensing cap comprises a fliplid with a pin, the dispensing cap is attached on the shoulder with the flip-lid in open state. Such a process avoids the pin being welded to the orifice while the dispensing cap is attached on the shoulder by welding.

[0029] Other advantageous embodiments are listed in the dependent claims as well as in the description below.

[0030] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein :

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a device for packaging and dispensing a product, shaped as a tube, with an open lid; Fig. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 with a closed lid;

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of Fig. 2;

[0034] Fig. 4 shows the dispensing cap of the device according to Fig. 1 - 3 with a closed lid;

[0035] Fig. 5 shows the dispensing cap of Fig. 4 with an open lid, wherein a pin of the dispensing cap for closing the orifice of the dispensing cap is visible;

[0036] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the dispensing cap;

[0037] Fig. 7 shows a detailed view of Fig. 6; and

[0038] Fig. 8a - 8e illustrate the method for producing the device according to Fig. 1-7.

[0039] Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0040] Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show a device for packaging and dispensing a product. It is a flexible tube which packages a cosmetic, pharma or dental product. The flexible tube comprises a sleeve 1 wherein the cosmetic product is inside the sleeve. The sleeve 1 comprises a first end 2 and a second end 3. At the second end 3, the sleeve 1 is welded or heat sealed together forming the bottom of the tube. Alternatively, the packaging device is formed as a container by providing a bottom-lid. At the first end 2 a shoulder 4 is injection moulded or compression moulded on the sleeve 1 and a dispensing cap 5 is welded on the shoulder 4 by ultra-sonic welding. The dispensing cap comprises a flip-lid 6 and an orifice 7 and a pin 8 for closing the orifice 7.

[0041] The shoulder 4 and the dispensing cap 5 are made of polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows the tube with an open lid 6 in two different positions. Fig. 2 shows the tube with a closed lid 6. The pin 7 protrudes into the orifice 7. A dashed rectangle is shown in Fig. 2. It defines the detailed view of Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the shoulder 4 is visible with more details. It has an axisymmetric shape. The symmetry line is marked by reference number 9. The shoulder 4 has the shape of a ring with a maximal diameter 41 of 40 mm, a thickness 42 of 2.5 mm in the plane of the diameter and a height 43 of 5.3 mm. I.e., the size ratio between the maximal diameter and the thickness is 40 to 2.5 corresponding to 15 to 1. The size ratio between the height and the thickness is 5.3 to 2.5 corresponding to 2.12 to 1. The dispensing cap 5 has a height 51 of 7 mm.

[0043] The shoulder 4 is injection moulded or compression moulded to the sleeve 1 and the dispensing cap 5 is ultra-sonic welded to the shoulder 4. The dispensing cap 5 comprises a ring-shaped recess 51 for receiving a ring-shaped projection 44 of the shoulder 4. The fitting of the recess 51 and the projection 44 ensures a precise relative positioning between the shoulder 4 and the dispensing cap 5. After positioning, the shoulder 4 and the dispensing cap 5 are ultra-sonic welded via a common surface 10. The common surface 10 is vertical and extends along the direction of the axial axis 9. The lid 6 is connected to the other part of the dispensing cap 5 via a small connection 11. The connection 11 is small to have an easy movable hinge for flipping the lid 6.

[0044] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show only the dispensing cap 5. The dispensing cap 5 is shown in Fig. 4 with a closed lid 6 and in Fig. 5 with an open lid 6. The dispensing cap 5 comprises two opening guarantees 12. While opening the lid 6 the first time, the opening guarantees 12 are destroyed and a corresponding noise is audible for the user to understand that the tube was opened the first time after being fabricated.

[0045] Fig. 8a to 8e illustrate a method for producing the described tube. The method comprises the following steps with the following order: - Fig. 8a: the sleeve 1 is produced by rolling up a pre-manufactured tube laminate and welding the tube laminate along the seam;

[0046] - Fig. 8b: injection moulding or compression molding the shoulder 4 on the first end 2 of the sleeve 1. Both, the sleeve 1 and the shoulder 4 have an axisym- metric shape.

[0047] - Fig. 8c: a decoration is printed on the outer side of sleeve 1.

[0048] - Fig. 8d: the dispensing cap 5 is positioned on the shoulder 4 by matching recess 51 of the dispensing cap 5 with projection 44 of the shoulder 4.

[0049] - Fig. 8e: ultra-sonic welding the shoulder 4 with the dispensing cap 5 along the common surface 10 while the flip-lid is open.

[0050] The described steps 8a - 8e are separate steps, i.e., the subsequent step only starts after the previous step has been completed.

Claims

Claims1. A device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a pharma, dental or cosmetic product, in particular a flexible tube, comprising- a sleeve (1) for holding the product, comprising a first end (2) and a second end (3) ,- a shoulder (4) attached to the sleeve (1) at the first end (2) ,- a dispensing cap (5) attached to the shoulder ( 4 ) , characterized in that the dispensing cap (5) is welded on the shoulder (4) .

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder (4) is injection moulded or compression moulded on the sleeve (1) .

3. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing cap (5) is welded on the shoulder (4) by ultra-sonic welding.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shoulder (4) and the dispensing cap (5) are made of polyethylene or polypropylene, in particular wherein the sleeve (1) is based on polypropylene.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing cap (5) comprises a flip-lid (6) .

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the flip-lid (6) comprises a pin (8) for closing an orifice (7) of the dispensing cap (5) , wherein the pin is made of the same material as the whole dispensing cap.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the flip-lid (6) has an open position in which the flip-lid (6) can be locked.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shoulder (4) is an axisym- metric ring.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the size ratio between the maximal diameter (41) of the shoulder (4) and the thickness (42) of the shoulder (4) in the plane of the diameter (41) is at least 7 to 1, in particular at least 10 to 1, in particular at least 12 to 1, in particular at least 15 to 1, in particular at least 20 to 1.

10. The device according to any one of the claims 8 or 9, wherein the size ratio between the height (43) of the shoulder (4) and the thickness (42) of the shoulder (4) in the plane of the diameter (41) is at least 1 to 1, in particular at least 1.5 to 1, in particular at least 2 to 1.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the size ratio between the maximal diameter of the sleeve and the height of the dispensing cap is at least 3 to 1, in particular at least 4 to 1, in particular at least 6 to 1.

12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing cap (5) and the shoulder (4) are mutually attached via a common surface (10) which extends along the direction of the axial symmetry axis ( 9 ) .

13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing cap (5) comprises an opening guarantee (12) .

14. A method for producing a device according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the method comprises the following steps in the following order:A) producing the sleeve (1) ,B) attaching the shoulder (4) on the first end (2) of the sleeve (1) , in particular by injection moulding or compression moulding,C) attaching the dispensing cap (5) on the shoulder (4) by welding, in particular by ultra-sonic welding15. The method of claim 14, wherein the stepsA) , B) and C) are separate steps.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the dispensing cap comprises a flip-lid (6) and wherein the dispensing cap (5) is attached on the shoulder with the flip-lid (6) in open state.

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