Thin-walled cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device and associated process

Abstract

Thin-walled cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device and associated process The device (10) comprises a container (16) comprising a reservoir (18) having an elevation axis (A- A'), the container (16) being formed from two half-shells (27) extending on either side of a medial axial plane and delimiting a bottom (28) and an internal volume (30) containing a cosmetic product (14), the container (16) further comprising a neck (20) having a cylindrical downstream region (22) defining a cosmetic product (14) dispensing passage (26). Each half-shell (27) has an average thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, the bottom (28) being configured to allow folding, from the bottom (28), of one of the half-shells (27) in contact with the other half-shell (27), over more than 80% of the area of at least one half-shell (27).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Thin-walled cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device and associated process

[0002] The present invention relates to a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device comprising a container comprising a reservoir having an elevation axis, the container being formed from two half-shells extending on either side of a medial axial plane and delimiting a bottom and an internal volume containing a cosmetic product, the container further comprising a neck having a cylindrical downstream region defining a cosmetic product dispensing passage.

[0003] The cosmetic product is for example a hair product, a hygiene product, a facial and / or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product.

[0004] More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in EC Regulation No. 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

[0005] The provision of ecologically-responsible, environmentally-friendly solutions, the design and development of which account for environmental concerns is becoming a major concern to help meet global challenges.

[0006] Hence, it proves to be essential to design more sustainable products thereby allowing reducing the amount of materials used and / or replacing with more environmentally- friendly materials and / or using recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0007] In this context, it is important to develop packaging generating less waste, in particular optimized for the quantity of product transported, particularly by modifying their design and / or resizing them in order to reduce the quantity of packaging in volume and in weight.

[0008] The objective is that of providing ecologically-responsible containers that are preferably reusable, particularly refillable at home or in-store, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of these containers.

[0009] For environmental, economic or practical reasons, cosmetic product packaging and dispensing devices are now rendered more lightweight, in particular by reducing the thickness of their walls.

[0010] When the cosmetic product is viscous, such as a conditioner for example, it may prove to be necessary for the user, if the formula does not flow quickly enough, to compress the walls of the container between their fingers, in order to speed up dispensing of the product. However, such devices, because of their small thicknesses, generally have walls with a limited elastic return. In other words, when the user compresses the walls of the device together in order to dispense a dose of product, the walls do not return, or, in the best case scenario, have difficulty returning, to their non-deformed state.

[0011] When the time needed for the wall to return to its non-deformed state exceeds the time taken by the user to close the device after use, the wall remains in the deformed state.

[0012] This has a first drawback when the contents of the container are almost depleted. When the wall has been deformed, especially when its faces have been compressed together, and they do not return to the non-deformed state, the product remaining in the device may remain stuck, its flow being obstructed by the faces of the wall applied against each other.

[0013] JP2002255144 discloses a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device formed from two half-shells foldable onto each other. A first half-shell is laminated with a layer of rigid material in order to provide the half-shell with a greater rigidity than that of a second half-shell. The device has a rigid bottom having a concavity directed toward the inside of the device. The second half-shell is more flexible and is configured to be folded in contact with the first half-shell during use of the device and dispensing of the product contained therein.

[0014] However, such a device is not optimal in terms of use. Firstly, it is not pleasant for the user to handle, particularly because of the rigid and concave bottom that the user must compress in order to retrieve the maximum amount of cosmetic product contained in the device. Furthermore, the cosmetic product restitution rate is not maximum, because some product might be stuck in the device, particularly in the vicinity of the bottom, its flow toward the dispensing opening being prevented by the half-shells folded onto each other.

[0015] Indeed, in JP2002255144, the half-shells press against each other effectively in a central zone of the device, but because of the concave bottom, which has an increased rigidity, the bottom zone is not readily deformed and some product might remain stuck.

[0016] Other cosmetic product packaging and dispensing devices are described in US20150217894, EP2379043, EP3083421 , EP3340959, or EP3321199.

[0017] An aim of the invention is that of providing a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device which has a reduced environmental impact and cost, while being pleasant to use, and offering maximized restitution of the product contained in the device.

[0018] For this purpose, the invention relates to a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that each half-shell has an average thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, the bottom being configured to allow folding, from the bottom, of one of the half-shells in contact with the other half-shell, over more than 80% of the area of at least one half-shell.

[0019] The bottom being configured to allow folding, from the bottom, of one of the half-shells in contact with the other half-shell, over more than 80% of the area of at least one half-shell, the cosmetic product contained in the container is dispensed effectively with a maximized restitution, from the bottom of the container. The risk of the cosmetic product being blocked inside the container in the bottom zone is thus reduced substantially, because the halfshells can be compressed together from the bottom.

[0020] Moreover, the half-shells and the bottom having a small thickness, the user can readily induce the deformation of the half-shells, for example by squeezing them between their fingers, and also of the bottom, in order to dispense all of the cosmetic product from the bottom. The device is thus simple to use and the product dispensing action is pleasant for the user.

[0021] Furthermore, the thickness of each half-shell advantageously has a maximum variation of 50%.

[0022] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the bottom has a seam line connecting the half-shells to each other, the seam line having a thickness of less than 0.7 mm, particularly between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, and particularly between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0023] The seam line having a small thickness, it does not stiffen the bottom of the container, which can therefore be deformed readily by a user. This allows pressing of the half-shells together from the seam line in order to empty all of the contents of the container in the bottom zone.

[0024] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the bottom is devoid of concavity. the bottom has a planar region having an area less than 30%, preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, and even more preferably less than 10%, of the maximum cross-sectional area of the container.

[0025] The bottom being convex, or having a slightly flat zone of reduced size, it is readily deformed by a user. This shape facilitates the folding of one half-shell onto the other, without the formation of folds, as with a bottle. The contact between the half-shells is thus solely over a thickness substantially equivalent to the sum of the thicknesses of the first half-shell and the second half-shell before folding. According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the container has an elongated cross-section, measured in a plane perpendicular to the elevation axis, for example an elliptical, almond-shaped or oval crosssection.

[0026] The container having an elongated cross-section, the half-shells are readily compressed by a user, who also visually identifies the zones of the half-shells to press to dispense the cosmetic product.

[0027] This elongated shape also facilitates the complete application of each half-shell onto the half-shell located opposite.

[0028] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the elongated cross-section has a junction at the connection of the half-shells to each other, the junction having a radius of curvature greater than 4 mm and a thickness varying at most by 30% relative to the average thickness of each halfshell.

[0029] Such a junction ensures effective folding of each half-shell onto the other while retaining a non-angular interface between the half-shells.

[0030] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: it comprises a cap mounted about the neck, the device being configured to be positioned stably on a planar surface by resting on the cap.

[0031] The device being configured to rest upside down in a stable manner, the cosmetic product is made available for dispensing immediately after opening the container. This feature delays the step of compressing the half-shells and allows the container to retain its non-deformed state for a longer time, over the course of successive uses of the device. This is particularly useful with formulas such as shampoo, which are relatively fluid, particularly with the viscosities described hereinafter.

[0032] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: one of the half-shells comprises a stiffening structure providing it with a greater rigidity than the rigidity of the other half-shell, the stiffening structure being particularly formed from ribs extending over said half-shell.

[0033] The stiffening structure increases the rigidity of the half-shell in question, without increasing its average thickness. Thus, the folding of a particular half-shell (that without a stiffening structure) onto the other half-shell is guided, allowing the container to retain its lightness and its uniform visually appealing appearance. Furthermore, the main face of the bottle is advantageously kept intact.

[0034] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the reservoir is devoid of a shoulder away from the neck or is equipped with a shoulder away from the neck having, in projection in a plane perpendicular to the elevation axis, an area less than 50% of the area delimited by the projection in the same plane of the maximum cross-section of the reservoir, and advantageously, an area greater than the area delimited by the projection of the maximum crosssection of the neck in the same plane.

[0035] The absence of a shoulder away from the neck prevents unwanted holding of product in recesses of the shoulder and increases the cosmetic product restitution rate further. This absence also simplifies mold release from the device during its manufacture.

[0036] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the two half-shells are asymmetrical relative to the medial axial plane, at least a first half-shell having, in cross-section, a contour of greater length than a second half-shell, the first half-shell being configured to guide the folding of the second half-shell in contact with the first half-shell.

[0037] The first half-shell having a contour of greater length than the length of the second half-shell, the folding of the two half-shells onto each other is performed preferably with the second half-shell on the first half-shell. Moreover, the contact area between the two halfshells is maximized, the two half-shells interlocking perfectly in order to render a maximum amount of cosmetic product.

[0038] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the radius of curvature of the half-shells in a bottom zone, from the bottom in the medial longitudinal section of the reservoir through the elevation axis having the greatest area, is greater than 40 mm, particularly greater than 80 mm, for example between 40 mm and 150 mm.

[0039] The bottom having such a radius of curvature, no region of the bottom of the reservoir is likely to create a non-folded zone wherein the cosmetic product would remain in an unwanted manner. Maximum restitution is then obtained.

[0040] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the internal volume contains a cosmetic product, the cosmetic product having a viscosity greater than 5 UD, measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180 apparatus, equipped with an MS-R4 spindle, particularly between 10 UD and 50 UD, or a viscosity greater than 5 UD, measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180, equipped with an MS-R3 spindle, particularly between 10 UD and 50 UD.

[0041] The cosmetic product having a high viscosity, it is adapted to such a device which allows its maximum restitution.

[0042] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: the container is formed from at least one polymer chosen from high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, or a copolymer or a mixture thereof, the container being advantageously produced by extrusion blow molding of a single layer or a plurality of layers of polymer and / or copolymer including for example a gas barrier layer, each layer being capable of being produced from a polymer and / or a copolymer or a mixture of polymer and / or copolymer.

[0043] According to one variant, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprises the following feature: at least one of the half-shells has a transverse reinforcement relative to the elevation axis, the container having advantageously a peripheral transverse reinforcement belt.

[0044] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising a main bottle and a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device as defined above, wherein the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device is a refill for the main bottle, the neck being configured to be inserted into an orifice of the main bottle to allow the transfer of cosmetic product from the internal volume of the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device to the internal volume of the main bottle.

[0045] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a process for dispensing a cosmetic product implemented with a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device as described above, the process comprising the following steps: gravitational-flow dispensing of a quantity of cosmetic product through the dispensing passage, from the container, deformation of at least one half-shell by a user manually pressing on at least one of the half-shells or / and by folding, from the bottom, one half-shell in contact with the other half-shell. According to one variant, the process for dispensing a cosmetic product according to the invention comprises the following feature: after folding one half-shell onto the other half-shell from the bottom, the half-shells have a tray shape.

[0046] The at least one half-shell can be deformed by folding the device particularly when the product present in the internal volume of the reservoir has been almost entirely emptied (particularly when more than 90% of the volume of the product initially present in the internal volume of the reservoir has been emptied).

[0047] The tray shape of the half-shells folded onto each other allows the container to rest stably on a planar surface, by laying the container on one of the two half-shells. The tray shape also offers complete pressing of the half shells together and therefore maximum restitution of cosmetic product.

[0048] The invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0049] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device according to the invention,

[0050] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a profile view of the device of Figure 1 , and

[0051] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the device of Figure 1 , after folding one half-shell of the container onto the other half-shell.

[0052] Hereinafter, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are understood generally with respect to the normal direction of dispensing of the product during use.

[0053] A device 10 for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 1.

[0054] The device 10 extends here along an elevation axis A-A’ shown as vertical in Figure 1.

[0055] The packaging and dispensing device 10 is intended to store a cosmetic product 14.

[0056] The cosmetic product 14 is for example a hair product, a hygiene product, a facial and / or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product.

[0057] In this specific example, the cosmetic product 14 is a conditioner or a hair care product.

[0058] The cosmetic product 14 has for example a viscosity generally greater than 5 UD, measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180 apparatus, equipped with an MS-R4 spindle, particularly between 10 UD and 50 UD.

[0059] In the case of a conditioner, this viscosity is for example between 10 UD and 35 UD. In the case of a shampoo, the viscosity is generally greater than 5 UD, measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180 apparatus, equipped with an MS-R3 spindle, particularly between 10 UD and 50 UD.

[0060] The viscosity of the cosmetic product is for example measured at 25°C by rotating the aforementioned spindle at a rotational speed of 200 rpm. The measurement is made after 10 min of rotation. The viscosity measurements are made at most 1 week after manufacturing the cosmetic product 14.

[0061] Alternatively, for shampoo, the viscosity is measured with a Ford cup according to the ASTM D1200(10) standard of 2018, and is particularly between 80 s CF6 and 140 s CF10.

[0062] The packaging device 10 comprises a container 16. The container 16 is for example obtained by extrusion blow molding.

[0063] The container 16 has a cross-section relative to the elevation axis A-A’ that is elongated along an elongation axis B-B’ seen in Figures 1 and 2, for example elliptical, almond-shaped or oval, measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis A-A’.

[0064] The container 16 comprises a reservoir 18 extending along the elevation axis A-A’, as well as a neck 20, extending the reservoir 18 downstream (toward the top in Figure 1).

[0065] It comprises a cap 40 intended to seal the neck 20 and to ensure an upside-down hold of the packaging device 10 on a support.

[0066] The neck 20 comprises a cylindrical downstream region 22 and an upstream region

[0067] 23 flaring in the upstream direction from the downstream region 22, up to an upstream edge

[0068] 24 extending a downstream edge 25 of the reservoir 18.

[0069] The downstream region 22 is cylindrical about the elevation axis A-A’.

[0070] The cylindrical downstream region 22 defines an inner dispensing passage 26 wherein the cosmetic product 14 flows before being dispensed.

[0071] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the upstream edge 24 of the upstream region 23 has an elongated contour along an axis perpendicular to the elevation axis A-A’. For example, the contour of the upstream edge 24 is oblong.

[0072] The neck 20 has a reversible fastening system 20A of the cap 40, for example a threading arranged on an outer surface of the neck 20.

[0073] The neck 20 is intended to be closed reversibly and tightly by a closing member borne by the cap 40, for example a movable sealing flap.

[0074] The container 16 is formed from two half-shells 27 extending on either side of a medial axial plane defined by the axes A-A’ and B-B’.

[0075] The half-shells 27 comprise a bottom zone defined by the region opposite the neck 20 along the axis A-A’, where the tangents to the lateral edges of the container 16 are inclined relative to the axis A-A’. In particular, in the bottom zone, the lateral edges of the container 16 converge toward each other so as to close the contour of the container 16.

[0076] The half-shells 27 delimit a bottom 28 in the bottom zone and an internal volume 30 containing the cosmetic product 14.

[0077] The length of the bottom zone, measured along axis A-A’ from the point of the bottom 28 farthest from the bottom to the point where the lateral edges are parallel to the axis A- A’, is generally less than 50%, particularly less than 30% of the length of container 16, measured along the same axis A-A’.

[0078] The internal volume 30 has a volume for example greater than 10 mL, and for example between 50 mL and 500 mL.

[0079] The half-shells 27 are for example made from a polymer, or a copolymer or / and a mixture of polymer and / or copolymer. The polymer and / or copolymer is particularly chosen from high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene or a mixture thereof.

[0080] The half-shells 27 are here made of one integral piece, in particular by extrusion blow molding.

[0081] In particular, the half-shells 27 are produced by extrusion blow molding of a single layer or a plurality of layers of polymer and / or copolymer including for example a gas barrier layer. Each layer may be made from a polymer or / and a copolymer or a mixture of polymer and / or copolymer.

[0082] For example, the half-shells 27 are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and / or low-density polyethylene (LDPE), with for example between 0% by mass and 100% by mass of high-density polyethylene and between 100% by mass and 0% by mass of low- density polyethylene, for example between 15% by mass and 100% by mass of high-density polyethylene and between 85% by mass and 0% by mass of low-density polyethylene.

[0083] Advantageously, the half-shells 27 are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and / or low-density polyethylene (LDPE), with for example between 40% by mass and 60% by mass of high-density polyethylene and between 60% by mass and 40% by mass of low- density polyethylene, or between 15% by mass and 25% by mass of high-density polyethylene and between 85% by mass and 75% by mass of low-density polyethylene.

[0084] The low-density polyethylene advantageously comprises at least one part (particularly between 40% and 100%) of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

[0085] One possible example is a coextrusion of an outer layer forming between 20% by mass and 30% by mass, for example 25%, of the total mass, made from a mixture from 40% by mass to 60% by mass of linear low-density polyethylene and from 60% by mass to 40% by mass of high-density polyethylene, and an inner layer forming between 80% by mass and 70% by mass, particularly 75%, of the total mass, made entirely of linear low- density polyethylene.

[0086] The barrier layer, when it is present, has a gas permeability at least 50% less than the gas permeability of a high-density polyethylene layer. It is for example made of polyvinyl acetate, an ethylene and vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), or an ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer or a mixture of these elements.

[0087] Each half-shell 27 has an average thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, particularly between 0.25 mm and 0.55 mm away from the bottom 28 and between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm in the bottom zone 28. This average thickness may advantageously be between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0088] The thickness of each half-shell 27 has a maximum variation of less than 50% relative to its average value, particularly less than 40% on the entire surface of each halfshell.

[0089] With such a thickness of the half-shells 27, and with the materials used mentioned above, the container 16 is lightweight and has a reduced environmental impact and cost.

[0090] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the reservoir 18 is devoid of a shoulder away from the neck 20.

[0091] The absence of a shoulder away from the neck 20 facilitates maximum restitution of the cosmetic product 14, particularly because the container 16 does not comprise a region likely to retain the cosmetic product 14 in an unwanted manner.

[0092] Alternatively (not shown), the reservoir 18 is equipped with a shoulder away from the neck 20 having, in projection in a plane perpendicular to the elevation axis A-A’, an area less than 50% of the area delimited by the projection in the same plane of the maximum cross-section of the reservoir 18, and advantageously, an area greater than the area delimited by the projection of the maximum cross-section of the neck 20 in the same plane.

[0093] With the same aim of maximizing the restitution rate of the cosmetic product 14, the bottom 28 is configured to allow folding, from the bottom 28, of one of the half-shells 27 in contact with the other half-shell 27, over more than 80% of the area of at least one halfshell 27, preferably more than 90% of the area of at least one half-shell 27.

[0094] Figure 3 shows the device 10 after folding the half-shells 27 onto each other. The two half-shells 27 are in contact over substantially all of their surface. Once the half-shells 27 have been folded onto each other, the reservoir 18 advantageously has a tray shape that is convenient to use for the user, who can place the device flat on one of the half-shells 27 after use.

[0095] In particular, the half-shells 27 folded onto each other delimit a bottom surface and a protruding peripheral surface relative to the periphery of the bottom surface. The internal volume measured between the two half-shells 27, once the half-shells

[0096] 27 are folded onto each other, is significantly less than the initial internal volume 30. For example, the internal volume after folding is less than 10% of the initial internal volume 30, particularly less than 5% of the initial internal volume 30.

[0097] Thus, this reduction in internal volume, from the bottom 28, helps to render a maximum quantity of cosmetic product 14.

[0098] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bottom 28 has a seam line 32 connecting the two half-shells 27 to each other. In other words, the seam line 32 is the connection line of the half-shells 27 during the finalization of the manufacturing process of the device 10.

[0099] The seam line 32 is a continuous line, starting from the neck 20, connecting the two half-shells 27 to each other on a first side of the reservoir 18, then passing through the bottom 28 and connecting the two half-shells 27 to each other on a second side of the reservoir 18, opposite the first side, up to the neck 20 substantially in the medial axial plane defined by the axes A-A’ and B-B’.

[0100] The seam line 32 advantageously has a thickness of less than 0.7 mm, particularly between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, and particularly between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0101] The small thickness of the half-shells 27, the bottom 28 and the seam line 32 allows the reservoir 18 to be flexible. The reservoir 16 can therefore be readily deformed by the user to place the half-shells 27 in contact with each other and to render a maximum amount of cosmetic product 14.

[0102] In particular, the neck 20 is more flexurally rigid than the half-shells 27, the bottom

[0103] 28 and the seam line 32 and therefore has less flexibility. Thus, the dispensing passage 26 is not obstructed by a folding of the walls of the neck 20 and dispensing of the cosmetic product 14 is allowed regardless of the deformation state of the half-shells 27.

[0104] In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the bottom 28 is devoid of concavity. In other words, the bottom 28 is convex and / or is convex with the exception of a planar region 34 having an area less than 10% of the maximum cross-section of the container 16.

[0105] The radius of curvature of the half-shells 27 in the bottom zone of the medial longitudinal section of the reservoir 18 passing through the elevation axis A-A’ having the greatest area (here in the front view of the reservoir 18), is greater than 40 mm, particularly greater than 80 mm, for example between 40 mm and 150 mm.

[0106] With no convex zone, the bottom 28 is readily deformed by the user, without creating folds of material retaining cosmetic product 14 in an unwanted manner.

[0107] In particular, in the bottom zone, wherein in projection in the medial axial plane, the seam line 32 is curved, the half-shells 27 are folded onto each other without creating an intermediate fold. The thickness of the folded bottom zone is then less than 110% of the sum of the thicknesses of the two half-shells 27.

[0108] The device 10 further comprises, for example, a cap 40, shown with dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2, reversibly mounted about the neck 20. The cap 40 bears for example the closing member mentioned above, reversibly and tightly closing the neck 20, in a closed position. For this purpose, the cap 40 has a movable sealing flap and is thus configurable to be switched to an open position, allowing the cosmetic product 14 to flow from the dispensing passage 26 to an external application surface.

[0109] In the closed position, the device 10 is configured to be positioned stably on a planar surface by resting on the cap 40.

[0110] In other words, the device 10 is typically stored upside down (with the neck 20 opening at the bottom), and the cosmetic product 14 is then made immediately available, by gravitational flow, to the user during its dispensing.

[0111] On the other hand, the bottom 28 being convex and / or the planar region 34 being of small size, the device is not suited to being stored upright (with the neck 20 opening at the top).

[0112] In the example shown in Figure 3, the two half-shells 27 are asymmetrical relative to the medial axial plane. At least a first half-shell 27 has for example, in cross-section, a contour of greater length than a second half-shell 27 for example of length between 101% and 110% of the length of the second half-shell 27. Thus, the first half-shell 27 is configured to guide the folding of the second half-shell 27 in contact with the first half-shell 27.

[0113] Thus, the folding of the half-shells 27 onto each other is optimal and the residual internal volume between the half-shells 27 after folding is minimized. This increases the restitution rate of the cosmetic product 14.

[0114] In one variant, not shown, one of the half-shells 27 comprises a stiffening structure giving it greater rigidity than that of the other half-shell 27. For example, the stiffening structure is formed from ribs extending over said half-shell 27.

[0115] This stiffening structure is for example present on the half-shell 27 in the form of a frame bearing a label. Thus, during folding, the non-stiffened half-shell is guided toward the stiffened half-shell and the label remains intact.

[0116] A process for dispensing a cosmetic product 14 implemented with a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device 10 as described above will now be described.

[0117] Initially, the device 10 is placed on a planar surface, upside down, i.e. resting on the cap 40.

[0118] In order to dispense cosmetic product 14, the user holds the device 10 upside down and allows the flow, for example by switching the cap 40 from its closed position to its open position, of the cosmetic product 14 through the dispensing passage 26 from the container 16. Gravitationally, a quantity of cosmetic product 14 is dispensed to the user toward an application body surface, such as the hand or an application hair surface, for example a lock of hair.

[0119] In some cases, if the cosmetic product 14 has a high viscosity, or if the container 16 contains a small quantity of product 14, the user is induced to deform at least one half-shell 27 by manual pressing on at least one of the half-shells 27.

[0120] In order to maximize the restitution rate of the cosmetic product 14, the user presses on at least one half-shell 27, by folding, from the bottom 28, one half-shell 27 in contact with the other half-shell 27.

[0121] Given the structure of the half-shells 27, the folding from the bottom zone is substantially complete and without intermediate fold formation between the half-shells 27 from the seam line 32 at the bottom 28 to a region of the internal volume 30 containing cosmetic product 14. Thus, the cosmetic product 14 present from the folded bottom 28 is substantially completely discharged by continuous application of the half-shells 27 onto each other along the elevation axis A-A’ from the bottom 28.

[0122] After folding one half-shell 27 onto the other half-shell 27 from the bottom 28, the half-shells 27 have a tray shape, as shown in Figure 3.

[0123] Such a shape after folding provides a maximized cosmetic product 14 restitution rate, for example greater than 95%.

[0124] Such a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device 10 has numerous advantages.

[0125] The bottom 28 being configured to allow folding, from the bottom, of one of the halfshells in contact with the other half-shell, over more than 80% of the area of at least one half-shell, the cosmetic product contained in the container 16 is dispensed effectively with maximized restitution, gradually over the course of dispensing from the bottom 28 of the container 16.

[0126] The features of the container 16, considered individually or in combination, such as the absence of a shoulder, the radii of curvature value ranges, the geometry of the bottom, reduce the risk of retaining cosmetic product 14 in an unwanted manner inside the container 16 for example through partial obstruction and thereby maximize the product restitution rate.

[0127] Moreover, the small thickness of the half-shells 27 and the bottom 28, as well as the particular geometry of the container 16, render deformation of the half-shells 27 easy for the user, who can, for example by squeezing the half-shells 27 between their fingers, dispense all of the cosmetic product 14 from the bottom 28. In one variant, at least one of the half-shells 27, preferably each half-shell 27, has a transverse reinforcement relative to the elevation axis A-A’. The container 18 has for example a transverse reinforcement belt around its perimeter, for example disposed on the half-shells 27 between the bottom 28 and the neck 20. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device 10 as illustrated above is a bottle that can be used as it is. Alternatively, the packaging device 10 serves as a refill for a main bottle (not shown).

[0128] Advantageously, the main bottle has a product dispensing orifice wherein the neck 20 of the device 10 acting as a refill is configured to be inserted. This allows the discharge of product from the internal volume 30 of the device 10 to the internal volume of the main bottle.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) comprising: a container (16) comprising a reservoir (18) having an elevation axis (A-A’), the container (16) being formed from two half-shells (27) extending on either side of a medial axial plane and delimiting a bottom (28) and an internal volume (30) containing a cosmetic product (14), the container (16) further comprising a neck (20) having a cylindrical downstream region (22) defining a cosmetic product (14) dispensing passage (26), characterized in that each half-shell (27) has an average thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, the bottom (28) being configured to allow folding, from the bottom (28), of one of the half-shells (27) in contact with the other half-shell (27), over more than 80% of the area of at least one half-shell (27), the bottom (28) having a planar region (34) of an area less than 30% of the area of the maximum cross-section of the container (16).

2. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom (28) has a seam line (32) connecting the half-shells (27) to each other, the seam line (32) having a thickness of less than 0.7 mm, particularly between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, and particularly between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

3. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom (28) is devoid of concavity.

4. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the planar region (34) has an area of less than 25%, preferably less than 15%, and even more preferably less than 10%, of the area of the maximum cross-section of the container (16).

5. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (16) has an elongated cross-section, measured in a plane perpendicular to the elevation axis (A-A’), for example an elliptical, almond-shaped or oval cross-section.

6. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the elongated cross-section has a junction at the connection of the half-shells (27) to each other, the junction having a radius of curvature greater than 4 mm and a thickness varying at most by 30% relative to the average thickness of each half-shell (27).

7. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cap (40) mounted about the neck (20), the device (10) being configured to be positioned stably on a planar surface by resting on the cap (40).

8. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the half-shells (27) comprises a stiffening structure providing it with greater rigidity than the rigidity of the other half-shell (27), the stiffening structure being particularly formed from ribs extending over said half-shell (27).

9. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (18) is devoid of a shoulder away from the neck (20).

10. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reservoir (18) is equipped with a shoulder away from the neck (20) having, in projection in a plane perpendicular to the elevation axis (A-A’), an area of less than 50% of the area delimited by the projection in the same plane of the maximum cross-section of the reservoir (18), and advantageously, an area greater than the area delimited by the projection of the maximum cross-section of the neck (20) in the same plane.

11. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two half-shells (27) are asymmetrical relative to the medial axial plane, at least a first half-shell (27) having, in cross-section, a contour of greater length than a second half-shell (27), the first half-shell (27) being configured to guide the folding of the second half-shell (27) in contact with the first half-shell (27).

12. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature of the half-shells (27) in a bottom zone from the bottom (28) in the medial longitudinal section of the reservoir (18) passing through the elevation axis (A-A’) having the greatest area, is greater than 40 mm, particularly greater than 80 mm, for example between 40 mm and 150 mm.1713. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal volume (30) contains a cosmetic product (14), the cosmetic product (14) having a viscosity greater than 5 UD, measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180 apparatus, equipped with an MS-R4 spindle, particularly between 10 UD and 50 UD, or a viscosity greater than 5 UD, measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180 apparatus equipped with an MS-R3 spindle, particularly between 10 UD and 50 UD.

14. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (18) is formed from at least one polymer chosen from high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, or a copolymer or a mixture thereof, the container (18) being advantageously produced by extrusion blow molding of a single layer or a plurality of layers of polymer and / or copolymer including for example a gas barrier layer, each layer being capable of being produced from a polymer and / or a copolymer or a mixture of polymer and / or copolymer.

15. The cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the half-shells (27) has a transverse reinforcement relative to the elevation axis (A-A’), the container (18) preferably having a peripheral transverse reinforcement belt.

16. A kit comprising a main bottle and a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) is a refill for the main bottle, the neck (20) being configured to be inserted into an orifice of the main bottle to allow the transfer of cosmetic product from the internal volume (30) of the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) to the internal volume of the main bottle.

17. A process for dispensing a cosmetic product implemented with a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the process including the following steps: gravitational-flow dispensing of a quantity of cosmetic product (14) through the dispensing passage (26), from the container (16), deformation of at least one half-shell (27) by a user manually pressing on at least one of the half-shells (27) or / and by folding, from the bottom (28), a half-shell (27) in contact with the other half-shell (27).1818. The method for dispensing a cosmetic product according to claim 17, wherein, after folding a half-shell (27) onto the other half-shell (27) from the bottom (28), the half-shells (27) have a tray shape.

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