Bottle with polygonal base plate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing bottle (10) associated with a dispensing member (20), the bottle (10) comprising: a cylindrical outer container (12) comprising a peripheral wall (14) which extends around a main axis (P), the peripheral wall (14) delimiting an internal volume intended to contain at least the product to be dispensed, a base plate (18) separate from the outer container (12) and intended to close an axial end (16, 16b) of the outer container (12), the base plate (18) comprising at least one base having a polygonal shape projecting in a radial plane, the base comprising a circular central portion from which extend radially triangular-shaped retaining tabs whose vertices extend radially opposite from the peripheral wall (14), the retaining tabs extending radially beyond a circumference of the outer container (12).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: BOTTLE WITH POLYGONAL BASE PLATE

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention typically relates to a bottle intended to contain a liquid or paste-like product and associated with a system for withdrawing and dispensing the product.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] A bottle contains a product and dispenses said product to a user on demand via a dispensing member. Such a bottle thus protects the product contained therein from contamination by the external environment before the dispensing thereof.

[0007] Two main types of bottle can be distinguished: so-called atmospheric bottles and so-called “airless” bottles. In the case of so-called atmospheric bottles when withdrawing the product, the volume of product withdrawn from the bottle is compensated by a volume of air entering the bottle by venting the container. For so-called “airless” bottles, the volume of product withdrawn is compensated by a reduction in the volume of the container.

[0008] The most commonly used “airless” bottles are so-called piston-operated and are thus formed of a container sealed on one side by a dispensing device and on the other by a piston that slides hermetically into the container. The piston then moves axially to the container as the product is dispensed.

[0009] The piston-operated “airless” bottles therefore require an optimum sliding piston seal to ensure satisfactory dispensing of the product.

[0010] Moreover, it is known that the most reliable sliding seals are based on cylindrical shapes. Thus, most “airless” piston-operated bottles are cylindrical in shape.

[0011] However, although the cylindrical shape of containers is optimal for sealing the piston, it also has disadvantages in terms of storing and / or transporting the bottles. Indeed, cylindrical bottles offer limited support both when resting on their base plate and when not resting on their base plate, for example when lying on the side.

[0012] Such a disadvantage is detrimental both to a user of the bottle, which may lack stability during use thereof, and is also detrimental for example during the processing of waste by a recycling chain. Indeed, the cylindrical structure of such bottles makes them unstable for example on sorting conveyors, and complicates recycling.

[0013] For example, in a waste treatment method initially comprising a step of detecting material and a step of ejecting the bottle by a jet of air in a second step, the rolling of the bottle between these two steps does not allow it to be sorted correctly. Indeed, the time delay between the detection step and the ejection step requires the bottle to remain stationary after detection thereof in order to be correctly ejected by the jet of air.

[0014] Thus, the aim of the present invention is to propose a cylindrical bottle that has greater stability during daily use thereof by a user and also during recycling thereof, for example by a waste recycling channel.

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] The invention proposes a dispensing bottle, intended to contain a liquid or paste-like product and associated with a dispensing member, the bottle comprising: a cylindrical outer container comprising a peripheral wall which extends around a main axis, the peripheral wall delimiting an internal volume intended to contain at least the product to be dispensed, a base plate separate from the outer container and intended to close an axial end of the outer container, the base plate comprising at least one base having a polygonal shape projecting in a radial plane, the base comprising a circular central portion from which extend radially triangular-shaped retaining tabs whose vertices extend radially opposite from the peripheral wall, the retaining tabs extending radially beyond a circumference of the outer container. The bottle according to the invention is thus advantageous in that the base thereof, which has a polygonal shape, is more stable when the bottle is resting on a surface standing on the its base plate and when the bottle is lying on its side on the surface, the polygonal shape of the base of the base plate preventing the bottle from rolling over the surface.

[0017] For example, the bottle according to the invention is advantageous in that the base plate thereof prevents said bottle from rolling on a conveyor belt used as a conveyor at a waste sorting site.

[0018] According to other features of the invention: the retaining lugs of the base of the base plate have a curved shape so that their vertices form bearing surfaces for the dispensing bottle when it is resting on the base plate thereof; flat faces extend between the vertices of the retaining lugs of the base, the flat faces extending tangentially to the cylindrical outer container projecting in a radial plane of the base; the base plate comprises a cylindrical wall which extends as an axial projection from the base whilst being coaxial with the main axis so as to extend into the internal volume delimited by the peripheral wall; the cylindrical wall comprises a circular groove which extends circularly on an outer peripheral face of the circular wall, opposite the central portion of the base; the peripheral wall comprises a peripheral bead which extends circularly against an inner face of the peripheral wall and so that the bead engages with the circular groove of the cylindrical wall when the base plate closes the axial end of the outer container; the dispensing member extends at least partly outside the outer container from an upper axial end, the base plate closing a lower axial end of the outer container opposite the upper axial end along the main axis. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which may be understood with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 is a general side view which shows a bottle according to an example of the invention comprising an outer container, one axial end of which is closed by a base plate, the bottle being placed on a flat surface;

[0021] Figure 2 is a side view which shows the base plate in Figure 1 , comprising a base and a cylindrical wall;

[0022] Figure 3 is a top view of the base plate in Figure 1 showing the polygonal shape of the base of the base plate;

[0023] Figure 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of the base plate in Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of the base plate in Figure 1 when it engages with the outer container of the bottle to close the axial end;

[0025] Figure 6 is a general side view which shows the bottle in Figure 1 in a position lying on the flat surface.

[0026] Detailed description of the invention

[0027] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be referred to by the same reference numbers.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a dispensing bottle 10, intended to contain and dispense a liquid or paste-like product. For example and in a non-limiting way, the bottle 10 may contain a cream or even a liquid such as a perfume which it can dispense to a user.

[0029] The bottle 10 comprises, inter alia, a cylindrical outer container 12 comprising a peripheral wall 14 which extends around a main axis P, otherwise known as the axis of revolution, and which delimits an internal volume 15, partly seen in Figure 5, of the bottle 10 intended to contain at least the product to be dispensed. The outer container 12 comprises two axial ends 16, defined along the main axis P, and named upper axial end 16a and lower axial end 16b.

[0030] The bottle 10 also comprises a base plate 18 separate from the outer container 12 and intended to close one of the axial ends 16 of the outer container 12.

[0031] The base plate 18 is herein an attachment to the outer container 12.

[0032] More specifically, the base plate 18 is intended to close the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12.

[0033] Use of the upper and lower terms associated with the axial ends 16 of the outer container 12 must notably be considered according to a position of use of the bottle 10, when the latter rests with its base plate 18 in an upright position on a flat surface SP, as shown in Figure 1 .

[0034] The bottle 10 also comprises a dispensing member 20 for the product, partially seen in Figure 1 . The dispensing member 20 comprises, inter alia, a pump 22 configured to extract the product from the internal volume of the bottle 10 such that the product is available to a user.

[0035] According to the example of the invention shown, the pump 22 of the dispensing member 20 extends at least partly outside the outer container 12, from the upper axial end 16a of the outer container 12.

[0036] It should also be considered that, as the dispensing member 20 is not the subject of the invention and is already known to the skilled person, it will not be described in detail.

[0037] According to the invention seen in Figures 2 and 3, the base plate 18 of the bottle 10 comprises at least one base 24 having a polygonal shape projecting in a radial plane, considering the main axis P of the outer container 12.

[0038] More precisely and according to the example embodiment shown, the base 24 has a hexagonal shape projecting in a radial plane, considering the main axis P of the outer container 12. More precisely, a central portion 26 of the base 24 is defined as circular in shape, coaxial with the main axis P.

[0039] The central portion 26 of the base 24 then forms a flat surface of the base plate 18. The central portion 26 of the base 24 extends notably in a radial plane considering the main axis P.

[0040] As seen in Figures 2 and 5, a receiving zone 28 of the peripheral wall 14 extends circularly around the central portion 26 of the base.

[0041] More precisely, the receiving zone 28 comprises a first annular bearing surface 30 which extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the central portion 26 of the base 24 and axially offset from the central portion 26 towards the opposite side of the outer container 12.

[0042] Thus, the first bearing surface 30 is connected to the central portion 26 of the base 24 by a second frustoconical bearing surface 32 which extends in an intersecting plane with respect to the planes in which the central portion 26 and the first bearing surface 30 extend such that it interconnects them.

[0043] According to the invention and seen in Figure 5, one axial end of the peripheral wall 14 at the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12, comprises an edge 34 at least part of which is chamfered towards the internal volume of the outer container 12.

[0044] Thus, it is understood that the receiving zone 28 comprising the first bearing surface 30 and the second bearing surface 32 is able to receive the edge 34 of the peripheral wall 14 at the lower axial end 16b and whose chamfered part of the edge 34 engages with the second frustoconical bearing surface 32.

[0045] In other words, the receiving zone 28 of the base 24 comprising the second frustoconical bearing surface 32, is complementary in shape to the edge 34 of the peripheral wall 14, part of which is chamfered.

[0046] As seen in Figure 3, the retaining tabs 36 extend from the first bearing surface 30 of the receiving zone 28 described hereinbefore. More precisely, the retaining tabs 36 each have a substantially triangular shape and such that a vertex 38 of the triangular shape of the retaining tabs 36 is directed radially away from the central portion 26 of the base.

[0047] It is then understood that the retaining tabs 36 extend radially beyond a circumference of the outer container 12 of the bottle, as seen in Figure 5.

[0048] Thus, the base 24 of the base plate 18 extends at least partly radially beyond the circumference of the outer container 12, with the retaining tabs 36 forming radial projections of the base 24.

[0049] It is also understood that the base plate 18 according to the example of the invention shown comprises six retaining tabs 36 arranged angularly with respect to each other at an identical angle so as to grant the hexagonal shape to the base 24 projecting in a radial plane as previously described and seen in Figure 3. The six retaining tabs 36 are therefore evenly distributed circumferentially around the main axis P.

[0050] Depending on the shape of the base 24, it is then understood that said base may comprise more or less than six retaining tabs.

[0051] As seen in Figure 3, a flat face 39 extends between each vertex 38 of each retaining tab 36.

[0052] As seen in Figures 2 and 4, the retaining tabs 26 have a curved shape with respect to a radial plane of the bottle considering the main axis P.

[0053] More specifically, the retaining tabs 26 are curved such that the vertex 38 of each retaining tab forms a bearing point on the base plate when the bottle 10 is positioned upright resting on its base plate 18, as seen in Figure 1.

[0054] It is understood that the flat faces 39 thereby have a curved shape as seen in Figure 2.

[0055] Thus, it is understood that when the bottle 10 is arranged on a support, or flat surface SP, in its upright position resting with the base plate 18 thereof on the flat surface SP as seen in Figure 1 , only the vertices 38 of the retaining tabs 36 are in contact with the support.

[0056] Advantageously, the vertices 38 of the retaining tabs 36 each comprise a bearing surface 43 seen in Figure 2, parallel to a radial plane, intended to rest on the support or flat surface.

[0057] It is also understood that, when the bottle 10 is in a position lying on the surface or flat surface SP as seen in Figure 6, that is, when it rests partially on the base plate 18 and peripheral wall 14 thereof, one of the flat faces 39 of the base 24 and the vertices 38 adjacent to said flat face 39 form a bearing surface of the base plate 18 on the surface or flat surface SP.

[0058] By virtue of these flat faces 39, the bottle 10 cannot roll over the support or flat surface SP. This is particularly advantageous when this support or flat surface SP is a conveyor belt used at a waste sorting site.

[0059] In particular, when the waste sorting site implements a waste sorting method comprising at least one step of detecting material and one bottle ejection step, and wherein the steps are staggered in time, it is advantageous that the bottle, once detected, does not roll in order to ensure the correct ejection thereof by the jet of air.

[0060] As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the base plate 18 comprises a cylindrical wall 40 which extends as an axial projection from the central portion 28 of the base.

[0061] More precisely, the cylindrical wall 40 extends circularly around the main axis P and radially between the central portion 26 and the second bearing surface 32 of the receiving zone 28 mentioned previously.

[0062] It is then understood that the cylindrical wall 40 is configured to extend into the internal volume 15 of the outer container 12 of the bottle 10, as seen in Figure 5.

[0063] More precisely, the cylindrical wall 40 is dimensioned such that it extends axially into the internal volume 15 of the outer container 12 and against an inner face 42 of the peripheral wall 14 which extends into the internal volume 15. According to the example of the invention shown, the cylindrical wall 40 may comprise a chamfered end face, seen in Figure 5, so as to facilitate its insertion into the internal volume 15 of the outer container 12 when the base plate 18 is mounted thereon.

[0064] The cylindrical wall 40 comprises a circular groove 44, seen in Figures 2 and 5, which extends circularly on an outer peripheral face 41 of the circular wall 40, opposite the central portion 26.

[0065] In particular, the circular groove 44 extends opposite the inner face 42 of the peripheral wall 14 when the base plate 18 closes the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12, as seen in Figure 5.

[0066] Thus, the inner face 42 of the peripheral wall 14 comprises a peripheral bead 46 which extends circularly against the inner face 42 of the peripheral wall 14 and such that it engages with the circular groove 44 of the cylindrical wall 40 when the base plate 18 closes the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12.

[0067] In other words, the bead 46 extends circularly against the inner face 42 of the peripheral wall 14 such that it fits into the circular groove 44 of the cylindrical wall 40 of the base plate 18 when the latter closes the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12.

[0068] It is then understood that the bead 46 helps to lock the base plate 18 in position on the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12.

[0069] It should also be considered that, alternatively and not shown, the bead could be formed on the outer peripheral face of the cylindrical wall of the base plate while the inner face of the peripheral wall comprises the circular groove.

[0070] It is understood from the foregoing that the base plate is mounted on the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12 of the bottle by axial insertion of the cylindrical wall 40 thereof into the internal volume 15 at the lower axial end 16b of the outer container 12 and until the edge 34 of the peripheral wall 14 comes into abutment against the receiving zone 28 previously described, and so as to snap the bead 46 into the circular groove 44 as previously described. The advantage of the bottle as described above is thus that the polygonal shape of the base thereof gives it better support when standing on a support, in particular by resting on the vertices of the retaining tabs thereof.

[0071] Also, the bottle according to the invention is advantageous in that, in a lying position of the bottle on a surface, that is, resting at least partly on the peripheral wall and base plate thereof, the polygonal shape of the base of the base plate limits its rolling over said surface. In other words, the vertices of the retaining tabs of the polygonal base of the base plate, which extend radially beyond the circumference of the outer container, form angular stops for the bottle, thus preventing it from rotating when it rests on one of the flat faces of the base.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A dispensing bottle (10), intended to contain a liquid or paste-like product and associated with a dispensing member (20), the bottle (10) comprising: a cylindrical outer container (12) comprising a peripheral wall (14) which extends around a main axis (P), the peripheral wall (14) delimiting an internal volume (15) intended to contain at least the product to be dispensed, a base plate (18) separate from the outer container (12) and intended to close an axial end (16, 16b) of the outer container (12), the base plate (18) comprising at least one base (24) having a polygonal shape projecting in a radial plane, the base (24) comprising a circular central portion (26) from which extend radially triangularshaped retaining tabs (36) whose vertices (38) extend radially opposite the peripheral wall (14), the retaining tabs (36) extending radially beyond a circumference of the outer container (12), the retaining tabs (36) of the base (24) of the base plate (18) having a curved shape so that their vertices (38) form bearing surfaces for the dispensing bottle (10) when it rests on its base plate (18), a flat face (39) extending between each vertex (38) and so that the flat faces (39) have a curved shape.

2. The bottle (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein flat faces (39) extend between the vertices (38) of the retaining tabs (36) of the base (24), the flat faces (39) extending tangentially to the cylindrical outer container (12) projecting in a radial plane of the base (24).

3. The bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (18) comprises a cylindrical wall (40) which extends axially projecting from the base (24) whilst being coaxial with the main axis (P) so as to extend into the internal volume (15) delimited by the peripheral wall (14).

4. The bottle (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cylindrical wall (40) comprises a circular groove (44) which extends circularly on an outer peripheral face (41) of the circular wall (40), opposite the central portion (26) of the base (24).

5. The bottle (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the peripheral wall (14) comprises a peripheral bead (46) which extends circularly against an inner face (42) of the peripheral wall (14) and such that the bead (46) engageswith the circular groove (44) of the cylindrical wall (40) when the base plate (18) closes the axial end (16, 16b) of the outer container (12).

6. The bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing member (20) extends at least partly outside the outer container (12) from an upper axial end (16, 16a), the base plate (18) closing a lower axial end (16, 16b) of the outer container (12) opposite the upper axial end (16, 16a) along the main axis (P).

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