Process for manufacturing a glass bottle and packaging device comprising such a bottle

Abstract

A process for manufacturing a glass bottle (11), comprising the following steps: - hot deforming a glass tube segment (1) to form a rod (7) which is closed at one end, or providing such a prefabricated rod (7), - placing the rod (7) into a mold (8) which has a mold cavity (10), - causing the rod (7) to expand in the mold by applying a pressure differential between the inside of the rod and the mold cavity outside the rod.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Process for manufacturing a glass bottle and packaging device comprising such a bottle

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the manufacture of glass bottles and to packaging devices comprising such bottles.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] It is known practice to package certain cosmetic compositions, such as lotions, oils or serums, in packaging devices comprising glass bottles.

[0007] The bottles conventionally have a body surmounted by a neck, and are manufactured by a conventional process referred to as press and blow, as illustrated in Figure 1, or by a process referred to as blow and blow on machines known as "US" machines.

[0008] The press and blow process involves (step A) depositing a gob 1 of glass, typically a soda-lime glass, at a temperature higher than the softening temperature into a parison mold 2, pressing this gob to form a parison 3 (steps B and C), inverting the parison 3 by means of a rotary arm 5 in order to bring it into a finishing mold 6 (steps D and E), and blow molding the bottle (step F). In the case of the blow and blow process, the step of pressing the glass gob is replaced by a blowing step.

[0009] The bottles obtained by such a process have a relatively thick wall, typically greater than 1 mm, and are relatively heavy.

[0010] A ratio "L" has been proposed by Bucher Ernhart Glass to quantify the weight reduction of a bottle. This ratio is given by the formula L=0.44*m / V°77, where m denotes the tare weight of the bottle and V denotes the capacity measured to the brim of the neck.

[0011] Figure 2 shows the curves corresponding to various values for mass and capacity to the brim of the neck for given values of the ratio L.

[0012] Existing bottles have a value for the ratio L that is much greater than 0.7, typically greater than 1, with shapes that essentially have the form of a cylinder of revolution.

[0013] Also known are processes for manufacturing light bulbs in which the glass bulb is formed by a process involving using a glass tube segment, heating the latter, forming a rod which is closed at one end and placing the rod into a mold while rotating the rod, and then expanding the rod, while it is rotating, in the mold.

[0014] Disclosure of the invention

[0015] Proposing ecologically responsible, environmentally friendly solutions of which the design and development take account of environmental issues, is becoming a major concern in terms of tackling global challenges.

[0016] It is therefore proving essential to design more durable products, thus making it possible to reduce the amount of materials used.

[0017] In this context, it is important to develop containers that are optimized for the amount of product transported.

[0018] There is therefore a need to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the manufacture of glass bottles and to reduce the value for the parameter L as much as possible, and in particular to bring it below the threshold of 0.7, in order to maximize the capacity of the bottle as a function of its weight.

[0019] The invention aims to meet this need.

[0020] Summary of the invention

[0021] The invention thus relates to a process for manufacturing a glass bottle, comprising the following steps: hot deforming a glass tube segment to form a rod which is closed at one end, or providing such a prefabricated rod, placing the rod into a mold which has a mold cavity, causing the rod to hot expand in the mold by applying a pressure differential between the inside of the rod and the mold cavity outside the rod.

[0022] The rod may be prevented from rotating relative to the mold as the rod expands. However, in the case of a bottle which has a body exhibiting symmetry of revolution, the rod may be rotated in the mold, thereby making it possible to avoid parting line marks.

[0023] The invention makes it possible to manufacture a bottle that is relatively light, in particular has a value for the ratio L of less than 0.7, but nevertheless satisfies the requirements of use, in particular in terms of mechanical strength.

[0024] The parameter L for the bottle is given by the formula L=0.44*m / V°77, where m denotes the tare weight of the bottle (in g) and V denotes the capacity (in mL) to the brim of the neck. The parameter L of a bottle according to the invention is preferably less than or equal to 0.7, better still less than or equal to 0.6, even better still ranges between 0.4 and 0.6. The thickness of the wall of the bottle, measured at the body of the bottle, in particular halfway up the bottle, may be less than 1 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.8 mm, even better still range between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0025] The pressure differential is advantageously obtained by applying a vacuum to the mold cavity, this vacuum being obtained for example by an aspiration generated by the Venturi effect. The wall of the rod becomes thinner as the rod expands in the mold.

[0026] The mold is preferably heated to a temperature of between 100 and 400°C.

[0027] The capacity of the bottle (measured to the brim of the neck) preferably ranges between 5 and 100 ml, better still from 5 to 75 ml, even better still from 5 to 50 ml, for example between 10 and 50 ml.

[0028] The invention makes it possible to produce small bottles with a wide variety of geometries.

[0029] The mold cavity may have a symmetrical cross section with respect to a median plane.

[0030] The mold cavity may in particular have a shape that does not exhibit symmetry of revolution. The bottle may have a polygonal cross section over a part of its height, a parting line of the mold preferably passing through two opposite vertices of the polygon. This in particular makes it possible to create a multitude of facets on the body of the bottle.

[0031] The mold cavity may also have a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution.

[0032] The mold cavity may have a substantially flat bottom. "Substantially flat" should be understood to mean that the shape of the bottom of the bottle allows it to rest vertically when placed on a horizontal flat surface.

[0033] The mold cavity may be configured to form the bottle with a body connected to a neck by shoulders extending downward at an angle p of greater than or equal to 3°, better still greater than or equal to 20°, in relation to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle. This makes it possible to improve the axial compressive strength of the bottle.

[0034] The neck of the bottle may have a relief for attaching a closure and / or dispensing means.

[0035] The glass is preferably a soda-lime glass. The invention also relates to a glass bottle obtained by the process according to the invention, having a value for a parameter L less than or equal to 0.7, having a substantially flat bottom.

[0036] The invention also relates to a packaging device comprising a bottle according to the invention. This packaging device may have a closure and / or dispensing means mounted on the neck of the bottle. This closure and / or dispensing means may comprise a collar fastened to the neck and a shut-off and / or dispensing member mounted on the collar or held in the neck by the collar. The collar may be made of plastics material or metal. The shut-off member may be a hinged lid or a snap-fastened or screw stopper. The dispensing member may be a pump, a pipette or a valve, among other things.

[0037] The device may contain a cosmetic, care or make-up composition, for example a lotion, an oil or a serum, or else a perfume.

[0038] Brief description of the drawings

[0039] The invention may be understood better from reading the following detailed description of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0040] [Fig 1] figure 1, described above, illustrates a manufacturing process according to the prior art,

[0041] [Fig 2] figure 2 illustrates various curves giving the weight as a function of the capacity for a variety of values for the parameter L,

[0042] [Fig 3] figure 3 illustrates various steps of an exemplary manufacturing process according to the invention,

[0043] [Fig 4] figure 4 shows a variant of the process in figure 3,

[0044] [Fig 5] figure 5 schematically shows a partial perspective view of an exemplary bottle,

[0045] [Fig 6] figure 6 is an elevation view of the bottle in figure 5,

[0046] [Fig 7] figure 7 is a side view on VII in figure 6,

[0047] [Fig 8] figure 8 is a top view on VIII in figure 7,

[0048] [Fig 9] figure 9 is a partial schematic view of the mold used to produce the bottle in figure 5,

[0049] [Fig 10] figure 10 shows an elevation view of an exemplary packaging device produced with the bottle in figure 5, [Fig 11] figure 11 shows a perspective view of a variant of the bottle according to the invention, on its own,

[0050] [Fig 12] figure 12 is an elevation view of the bottle in figure 11,

[0051] [Fig 13] figure 13 shows an elevation view of another variant embodiment, and [Fig 14] figure 14 is a longitudinal section on A- A of the bottle in figure 13.

[0052] Detailed description

[0053] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary process for manufacturing a glass bottle according to the invention.

[0054] This manufacturing process can begin by forming, in step A, a starting segment 1, which can be extruded from a molten glass gob and retained on a support 2.

[0055] The support 2, also referred to as a mandrel, may be part of a carousel of a vertical rotary machine having for example between 9 and 18 such mandrels. The installation for manufacturing the bottles may be such that one complete lap of the machine makes it possible to carry out all the operations in figure 3 in succession.

[0056] The segment 1 may be preheated in step B by heating means 3 as it descends from the mandrel 2 to bring it to the correct length, which corresponds substantially to the future height of the bottle, and to rotate the assembly of the mandrel and the tube.

[0057] In step C, the lower end of the tube 4 is heated as it rotates by heating means 6, such as burners, to a temperature of typically between 700 and 1000°C; under the combined effect of the heating and the rotation, this end closes to form a substantially hemispherical bottom 5. A rod 7 which is closed at one end is obtained. If appropriate, it is possible to use a clamp (not shown) to assist the deformation and closure of the bottom.

[0058] During steps A to C, the support 2 may be rotated on itself about the longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0059] In step D, the rod 7 is heated up in particular on its median portion before being introduced, in step E, into a finishing mold 8 having an internal cavity 10 with a shape which corresponds to that of the bottle to be produced. In this step, the mold 8 is relatively cold, at a temperature of preferably between 100 and 400°C.

[0060] A pressure differential 9 is applied in step E between the outside of the rod 7 and the mold 8 to cause the rod 7 to expand in the mold, thus forming a glass bottle 11.

[0061] During this step E, in the example illustrated the rod 7 is not rotated on itself, since the cavity 10 has a shape that does not exhibit symmetry of revolution. The rod 7 may, however, rotate in the mold in a variant in which the cavity 10 exhibits symmetry of revolution.

[0062] The bottom 34 of the mold is substantially flat to ensure a stable footing of the bottle.

[0063] A relief 12 such as a flange may be formed on the neck 21, as illustrated in figure 5.

[0064] After molding, the neck 21 of the bottle is separated from the glass rod in a manner known per se, after having subjected the cutting zone to a thermal shock via a mixture of heating and cooling by blowing in cold air, using a cutting means 13 such as a cold cutting wheel applied to the neck 21 below the mandrel 2 while being rotated, as illustrated in step F. This separates the bottle 11 from the support 2.

[0065] The manufacturing process may involve, as is conventional, annealing the bottle after step G in an annealing lehr to a temperature of typically between 500 and 600°C for a duration of around 20 to 45 min to eliminate residual internal stresses.

[0066] The glass may receive a variety of known treatments to improve its strength, if appropriate.

[0067] The glass bottle 11 obtained by the process according to the invention may, as illustrated in figures 5 to 8, have a polygonal cross section over a part of its height, with facets 17.

[0068] The bottle 11 may have shoulders 18 formed of obliquely extending facets 18.

[0069] The neck 21 of the bottle may be connected to the body by a frustoconical base 20.

[0070] The bottom 35 of the bottle is substantially flat, ensuring optimum stability.

[0071] The bottom 35 may be connected to the facets 17 via upwardly and outwardly oriented facets 19, which have a smaller height than the facets 17.

[0072] The height H of the bottle 11 ranges for example from 40 to 80 mm. The outside diameter D of the neck 21 ranges for example from 10 to 30 mm at the upper end of the neck, excluding the relief 12.

[0073] The largest transverse dimension W of the body of the bottle ranges for example from 20 to 60 mm when viewed from the front, as in figure 6.

[0074] The width I of the body of the bottle ranges for example from 15 to 50 mm when viewed from the side, as in figure 7. The angle p of the shoulders 18 in relation to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the bottle may be greater than or equal to 3°, better still greater than or equal to 20°, as illustrated.

[0075] Figure 9 shows the glass bottle 11 in the mold 8, after having been formed therein. The parting line of the mold preferably corresponds to edge corners at the join between consecutive facets 17.

[0076] The negative pressure may be established in the cavity 10 of the mold 8 by means of internal channels 25. These channels may communicate with a vacuum source, for example a Venturi pump.

[0077] The neck 21 of the bottle 11 is intended to be fitted with a closure and / or dispensing means in order to form a packaging and dispensing device 40 as illustrated in figure 10.

[0078] This closure and / or dispensing means may have, as shown schematically in figure 10, a collar 30 fastened to the neck 21 and bearing a shut-off or dispensing member 31.

[0079] The collar 30 may be a part made of thermoplastic material or a metal part crimped onto the neck 21.

[0080] The member 31 mounted on the collar 30 is for example a removable stopper, which can be snap-fastened into a dispensing orifice formed by the collar 30, or be fastened to a dispensing endpiece formed by the collar 30.

[0081] The member 31 may also be a pump borne by the collar 30, or a pipette.

[0082] The process illustrated in figure 3 corresponds to manufacture on a production line continuously carrying out all of the steps from forming the tube segment 1 through to molding the bottle 11.

[0083] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is possible to firstly produce the rods 7 by implementing steps A to C in figure 3, allowing them to cool and storing them.

[0084] Then, these rods 7 can be received in the cold state and transformed, as illustrated in figure 4, on the same site or on a different site, by implementing steps D to F in figure 3.

[0085] By virtue of the manufacturing process according to the invention, the parameter L for the bottle may be less than or equal to 0.7, better still less than or equal to 0.6, even better still range between 0.4 and 0.6. The thickness of the wall of the bottle measured at the body of the bottle, for example in the middle of a facet 17, may be less than 1 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.8 mm, even better still range between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0086] Example

[0087] The process of figure 3 was implemented to manufacture a soda-lime glass bottle having the geometry illustrated in figures 5 to 8, a capacity of 30 ml, a weight of 12 g and a value for the parameter L of 0.4. The values for H, W, I and D are 63.7 mm, 37.9 mm, 33.9 mm and 18 mm, respectively. The starting tube segment has a thickness of around 1.5 mm. The bottle obtained has a thickness of around 0.6 mm halfway up.

[0088] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described.

[0089] In particular, the shape of the bottle 11 illustrated in the figures is given only by way of non-limiting example, and the mold cavity 10 can be produced with a different shape.

[0090] The ranges for the dimensions H, W, D and I mentioned above apply for bottles of different shapes.

[0091] As an alternative example, figures 11 and 12 show a bottle 11 which has a body of a different shape, with three facets 52, a rounded bottom 51 and an upper part, below the neck 21, which has the form of a cylinder of revolution.

[0092] This figure also shows that it is possible to produce the neck 21 with a screw thread 54 for screwing on a closure cap. Figure 12 gives exemplary dimensions for the bottle in figure 11.

[0093] The total length H ranges for example between 90 and 100 mm, the largest diameter W ranges for example between 19 and 23 mm and the length of the body LB ranges for example between 75 and 85 mm.

[0094] The variant embodiment in figures 13 and 14 has a body which defines waves 55 on the outside over a part of its circumference.

[0095] The thickness of the body can vary, as illustrated, such that crests 56 are formed on the waves 55 and have a variable axial positioning about the longitudinal axis of the bottle 11. The neck 21 may be extended downward by an intermediate part 57 which has the form of a cylinder of revolution about the longitudinal axis of the bottle. This intermediate part 57 may be connected to the body and form a shoulder 58.

[0096] The neck 21 may be provided with a screw thread 59. The inside diameter Di of the neck 21 ranges for example between 8.5 and 9 mm, and the neck 21 may have a narrowing 60 which has for example a diameter Dr of between 7.8 and 8.2 mm. The intermediate part has for example an inside diameter De of between 13 and 17 mm.

[0097] The total length H ranges for example between 70 and 80 mm, and the largest diameter W ranges for example between 18 and 19 mm.

[0098] The outside diameter SF considered at the screw thread 59 of the neck 21 is for example greater than the outside diameter of the neck 21 at the base of the thread 59 by approximately 1.4 mm.

[0099] The bottles in figures 11 to 14 may contain an eyelash and / or eyebrow makeup composition, for example.

[0100] The neck 21 may receive a member intended for wiping an applicator stem and borne by the closure cap which is also used as gripping member.

Claims

Claims1. A process for manufacturing a glass bottle (11), comprising : hot deforming a glass tube segment (1) to form a rod (7) which is closed at one end, or providing such a prefabricated rod (7), placing the rod (7) into a mold (8) which has a mold cavity (10), causing the rod (7) to hot expand in the mold by applying a pressure differential between the inside of the rod and the mold cavity outside the rod.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1, the rod being prevented from rotating relative to the mold as the rod expands.

3. The process as claimed in claim 1 or 2, the pressure differential being obtained by applying a vacuum to the mold cavity (10).

4. The process as claimed in claim 3, the vacuum being obtained by an aspiration generated by the Venturi effect.

5. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the capacity to the brim of the neck of the bottle (11) ranging between 5 and 100 ml, better still from 5 to 75 ml, and even better still from 5 to 50 ml.

6. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the mold cavity (10) having a symmetrical cross section with respect to a median plane.

7. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the shape of the mold cavity (10) not exhibiting symmetry of revolution.

8. The process as claimed in the preceding claim, the bottle (11) having a polygonal cross section over a part of its height, a parting line of the mold preferably passing through two opposite vertices of the polygon.

9. The process as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6 without dependency on claim 2, the shape of the mold cavity (10) exhibiting symmetry of revolution and the rod (7) being rotated as it expands in the mold (8).

10. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the mold cavity (10) having a substantially flat bottom (34).

11. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the thickness of the bottle measured at the body of the bottle being less than 1 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.8 mm, even better still ranging between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm.

12. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the parameter L for the bottle being less than or equal to 0.7, better still less than or equal to 0.6, even better still ranging between 0.4 and 0.6, this parameter being defined by L=0.44*m / V°77, where m denotes the tare weight of the bottle in g and V denotes the capacity in mL measured to the brim of the neck.

13. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the mold cavity (10) being configured to form the bottle with a body connected to a neck (21) by shoulders (18) extending downward at an angle (p) of greater than or equal to 3°, better still greater than or equal to 20°, in relation to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) of the bottle.

14. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the glass being a sodalime glass.

15. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the mold (8) being heated to a temperature of between 100 and 400°C.

16. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the bottle having a neck (21), this neck having a relief (12) for attaching a closure and / or dispensing means (30, 31).

17. A glass bottle (11) having a value for a parameter L which is less than or equal to 0.7, having a substantially flat bottom (35), the parameter L being defined by L=O.44*m / V077, where m denotes the tare weight of the bottle and V denotes the capacity measured to the brim of the neck.

18. The bottle as claimed in the preceding claim, having a cross section that does not exhibit symmetry of revolution over a part of its height.

19. The bottle as claimed in either of claims 17 and 18, having a capacity to the brim of the neck of between 5 and 100 ml.

20. The bottle as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, the thickness of the wall of the bottle measured at the body of the bottle being less than 1 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.8 mm, even better still ranging between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm.

21. The bottle as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, having a body connected to a neck (21) by shoulders (18) extending downward, in particular at an angle (p) of greater than or equal to 3°, better still greater than or equal to 20°, in relation to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle.

22. A packaging device comprising a bottle (11) as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21 and a closure and / or dispensing means (30, 31) mounted on the neck (21) of the bottle.

23. A device as claimed in claim 22, containing a cosmetic composition.

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