Cosmetic product conditioning assembly with closure member

Abstract

Cosmetic product conditioning assembly with closure member The present invention relates to a packaging assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising: - a container having a neck (16), - a closure member designed to engage with the neck (16) to seal the container and consisting of a sealing plate, a fastening skirt (44), and a sealing skirt (46), with the sealing skirt (46) extending inside the fastening skirt (44) in a radial direction. The inner surface (20) of the neck (16) comprises an upper portion (28) extending from a rim (24) and a clamping portion (30) extending from the upper portion (28) and away from the rim (24). The upper portion (28) comprises a recess (34) featuring an axial segment (36) extending from the rim (24) and a radial component segment (38) connecting the axial segment (36) to the clamping portion (30).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Cosmetic product conditioning assembly with closure member

[0002] The present invention relates to a packaging assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

[0003] - a container having a main axis defining an axial direction, the container having a neck defining an opening, the neck comprising: an inner surface, an outer surface with fasteners, and a rim connecting the inner surface and the outer surface;

[0004] - a closure member designed to engage with the neck to seal the container and comprising: a sealing plate adapted to extend transversely to the opening of the container, a fastening skirt having additional fastening elements, the additional elements being complementary to the fastening elements of the neck so as to secure the closure member to the neck of the container, and a sealing skirt, with the sealing skirt extending inside the fastening skirt in a radial direction and extending perpendicularly to the sealing plate.

[0005] Packaging device refers to any packaging that enables the sale, transport, protection and storage of the product that it contains.

[0006] A cosmetic product is advantageously a product as defined in EC Regulation N° 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

[0007] The product contained in the device according to the invention may be, for example, a makeup product like foundation, a makeup remover such as micellar water, a hygiene product specifically for the body or hair, or a skincare cream or serum.

[0008] Such a packaging assembly, wherein the inner surface of the neck has an axial upper portion extending from the rim, the sealing skirt being clamped in contact with said upper portion from the rim, is known.

[0009] The clamping contact is designed to create a seal between the neck of the container and the closure member, ensuring that the container is sealed tightly.

[0010] However, a significant proportion of containers show signs of stress cracking at the neck, specifically in the area where it clamps in contact with the closure member. Such cracking refers to the formation of cracks that extend from one side of the rim to the other. This may then cause the device to leak. In particular, the more fluid the packaged cosmetic product in the assembly is, the more likely it is to seep through those cracks.

[0011] In a typical model, for example, approximately 70% of packaging assemblies are found to be defective in terms of sealing due to stress cracking.

[0012] One solution to this problem involves providing a sealing skirt with a convex outer face or a bead at one free end of said skirt to ensure a seal with the inner surface of the neck.

[0013] However, a closure member with such a sealing skirt has the drawback of being more complicated to manufacture, particularly when it comes to injection molding, as it requires a complex sequence of movements of mold elements for demolding. The outer skirt, with its convex outer face or its bead, features undercut elements that necessitate clearing a central core first before this undercut element can be forcibly removed.

[0014] 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.

[0015] It therefore proves to be essential to design more sustainable products making it possible to reduce the quantity of materials used and / or replace with more environmentally friendly materials and / or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0016] In this context, it is important to provide recyclable packaging materials containing elements that can be separated and / or consisting of minimal materials and / or free from materials that are difficult to recycle in order to facilitate their end of life.

[0017] Thus, it proves to be necessary to develop packaging materials consisting of environmentally friendly recyclable materials to allow valorization of the packaging materials at end of life and prevent recycling process contamination.

[0018] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a cosmetic product packaging assembly that maintains the integrity and reliability of the sealed assembly between the container and the closure member, while also allowing for improved recyclability of the device and straightforward manufacturing.

[0019] For this purpose, the invention relates to an assembly as described previously, wherein the inner surface of the neck comprises an upper portion extending from the rim and a clamping portion extending from the upper portion and away from the rim in the axial direction, wherein the upper portion of the inner surface of the neck comprises a recess, the recess comprising an axial segment extending from the rim over a length and a radial component segment connecting the axial segment to the clamping portion of the inner surface of the neck, and wherein the sealing skirt of the closure member is designed to be in clamped contact with the inner surface of the neck in an axial portion comprised within the clamping portion of the inner surface of the neck, when the closure member engages with the neck.

[0020] The recess or step allows the clamping contact to be moved away from the rim by at least the dimension of the axial segment in the axial direction. This therefore helps to limit the forces applied to the neck near the rim, which is a relatively fragile area that may be prone to stress cracking, and / or, for example, in the event of potential geometric defects in the skirt, such as ovalization.

[0021] The addition of the recess in the typical model mentioned in the introduction reduces the percentage of packaging assemblies deemed defective in terms of sealing from approximately 70% to 0%.

[0022] This also makes it possible to shift the contact area of the sealing skirt on the neck of the bottle into a more flexible region than at the base of the skirt, where it connects to the plate, which is a very rigid area of the closure member.

[0023] This offers, for example, the possibility of using a copolyester material to manufacture the container, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is highly recyclable worldwide but susceptible to the stress cracking phenomenon mentioned earlier, especially when the cosmetic product inside the container contains alcohol or a branched- chain alkane, such as isododecane. With a clamping area positioned at the rim, this is likely to cause the free edge of the neck to flare, potentially leading to the development of cracks. Thus, by ensuring a tight fit between the neck of the container and the skirt of the closure member, which is axially offset from the rim of the neck due to the presence of the recess, the radial clamping forces are applied to the neck away from the relatively fragile area located near the rim, significantly reducing the risk of flaring and, consequently, cracking, even when the container is made from a copolyester material, such as PET, and when the cosmetic product inside the container contains alcohol or a branched-chain alkane, such as isododecane.

[0024] This also offers the possibility of using the same material, for example PET, for the container and the closure member. Using the same material facilitates recycling. However, by using the same material, the material of the closure member no longer has additional resilience, with respect to the neck, such that it does not absorb the radial clamping force existing between the closure member and the neck to ensure a reliable and sealed assembly of these elements, with the radial force then being transmitted to the neck. With the clamping zone located at the free edge of the rim, this is liable to induce a flaring of the free edge, possibly resulting in the appearance of crack(s). Thus, by ensuring a tight fit offset due to the presence of the recess, the radial clamping forces are applied to the neck away from the relatively fragile area located near the rim, which substantially reduces the risk of flaring, and thus of cracking, even when the closure member and the container are made of the same material, such as PET, which is a particularly well recyclable material worldwide.

[0025] Furthermore, the sealing skirt of such an assembly is not difficult to manufacture, especially since it has a generally cylindrical shape without any undercut portions.

[0026] Finally, if the container is manufactured using blow injection molding, this helps to minimize the impact of venting or filling defects in the mold cavity during the blow injection process, which occur during the injection of the preform. These defects are more likely to be present on the neck, particularly at the rim of the neck, than in other areas of the preform. Indeed, a preform manufactured by injection and intended to be subsequently blown conventionally has a neck and a tubular portion extending from the neck and defining a bottom. The injection point of such a preform during its injection molding is located at the bottom of the tubular portion of the preform, opposite the neck. Thus, when the material constituting the preform is injected into the cavity, the air present in the cavity of the injection mold is evacuated from the bottom of the cavity, in the vicinity of the injection point, and towards the cavity area defining the neck of the preform. Furthermore, the material constituting the preform from the injection process has an optimal temperature at the injection point, and this temperature gradually decreases as the material moves through the mold cavity, until it reaches the cavity area defining the neck of the preform. This area is therefore the most likely to exhibit defects, which may sometimes be invisible and consist, for example, of residual internal stresses caused by imperfect air evacuation / venting or suboptimal material temperature, leading to a risk of injection defects such as microbubbles, and / or affecting the isotropy of the mechanical properties of the preforms at the neck, particularly at the rim of the neck.

[0027] According to further advantageous aspects of the invention, the assembly comprises one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

[0028] - the axial segment is connected to the rim and / or the radial component segment through a chamfer or a thread, and / or the radial component segment is connected to the clamping portion of the inner surface of the neck through a chamfer or a thread; This is particularly advantageous for centering and / or the progressive tensioning of the sealing skirt during assembly of the container and the closure member.

[0029] - the container is made of copolyester material, specifically a semi-aromatic copolyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and the closure member is also made of the same copolyester material, more specifically polyethylene terephthalate;

[0030] The recyclability of the packaging device itself is thus improved. PET is furthermore an easily and widely recyclable material. Moreover, PET offers a Young's modulus greater than 1.5 GPa, is transparent, and is strong enough to form a container containing the cosmetic product which holds its shape with a conventional thickness (except in the case of deformable portions specifically designed to be deformed).

[0031] When the container and the closure member are both made of the same copolyester material, in particular PET, the recyclability of the packaging device itself is improved; indeed, as the closure member and the container are made of the same material, these two constituent elements of the packaging assembly can be placed in the same recycling system, in particular without requiring a prior disassembly operation.

[0032] Finally, using PET to create the container and potentially the closure member is particularly beneficial because this material is highly compatible with a wide variety of cosmetic products intended to be housed within the container. Since PET is transparent, it allows consumers to see the cosmetic product inside the container, and this feature is a marketing advantage for promoting the cleanliness of certain cosmetic products, such as micellar waters.

[0033] - the axial segment of the recess has a height measured in the axial direction greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.7 mm, for example between 0.4 mm and 2 mm;

[0034] Such an axial distance is beneficial for reducing the radial forces exerted on the relatively fragile area near the rim, by distancing the clamping contact of the rim from the neck that is prone to cracking.

[0035] - the axial segment of the recess has a height measured in the axial direction, and the neck has a thickness measured between the clamping portion of the inner surface and the outer surface, with the ratio of height to thickness ranging from 1 :4 to 1 :2;

[0036] Such a distance is beneficial to reduce the radial forces applied on the relatively fragile area located in the vicinity of the rim, according to the thickness of said area.

[0037] - the radial component segment has a radial dimension greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 mm; Such a radial distance ensures that there is no radial contact between the sealing skirt and the inner surface of the neck near the rim, while maintaining a non-zero clearance between these elements in this area, and ensuring the closure member is centered with respect to the neck during insertion of the sealing skirt.

[0038] - the radial component segment has a radial dimension, and the neck has a thickness measured from the clamping portion of the inner surface to the outer surface, with the ratio of radial dimension to thickness ranging from 1 :20 to 1 :5;

[0039] Such a distance is particularly beneficial to reduce the radial forces applied on the relatively fragile area located in the vicinity of the rim, according to the thickness of said area.

[0040] - the rim comprises a radial portion, the radial portion forming a free end of the neck, the radial portion having a radial dimension greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 0.6 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 0.8mm, and in particular greater than or equal to 1 mm;

[0041] Such a thickness of the rim allows for a rim that is more resistant to stress cracking, enabling better distribution of the axial stop contact forces with the closure member, and limiting the impact of venting or filling defects in the mold cavity during the injection of a preform to create the container, which are more prevalent at the rim.

[0042] - the axial segment of the recess has a height measured in the axial direction, while the radial component segment has a radial dimension, with the ratio of the height of the axial segment to the radial dimension of the radial component segment being greater than or equal to 2, preferably greater than or equal to 3;

[0043] Such a ratio is particularly beneficial for reducing the transmission of stresses from the clamping contact to the area near the rim of the neck.

[0044] - the inner surface of the neck features, in the axial portion of the clamping portion, a diameter that is smaller, preferably strictly smaller, than the outer diameter of the sealing skirt designed to engage with the clamping portion when the closure member engages with the neck, by a distance referred to as radial interference, with the radial interference preferably being greater than or equal to 0.05 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 mm; and / or

[0045] Such a distance is particularly beneficial for ensuring the sealing of the assembly when the closure member engages with the neck.

[0046] - the axial segment of the recess has a height measured in the axial direction, with the ratio of radial interference to the height of the axial segment being less than or equal to 0.33, preferably less than or equal to 0.25, preferably less than or equal to 0.2. Such a ratio is particularly advantageous, such that the greater the force exerted by the clamping contact, the further it is positioned from the rim of the neck, which is the particularly sensitive area, in order to prevent stress cracking at the rim.

[0047] 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:

[0048] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of an assembly according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0049] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of zone A in Figure 1.

[0050] An example of a cosmetic product packaging assembly 10 according to the invention is partially represented in Figures 1 and 2.

[0051] The assembly 10 comprises a container 12 and a closure member 14.

[0052] The container 12 is, for example, made from a copolyester material, more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which may or may not be recycled.

[0053] The container 12 is, for example, a bottle.

[0054] The container 12 is designed to hold the cosmetic product within a vessel.

[0055] The container 12 has a main axis X defining an axial direction.

[0056] The term "radially" or "in a radial direction" is further defined according to the conventional meaning in relation to this main axis X.

[0057] The container 12 has a neck 16 defining an opening 18.

[0058] The opening 18 allows for the passage of the cosmetic product, specifically the removal from the container 10 of the cosmetic product contained in the vessel, or the refilling of the container 12 with the cosmetic product. The opening 18 also allows the filling tube to pass through during the packaging and filling of container 12 with the cosmetic product.

[0059] The neck 16 comprises an inner surface 20, an outer surface 22, and a rim 24 that connects the inner surface 20 and the outer surface 22.

[0060] The rim 24 forms a free end of the neck 16 in the axial direction.

[0061] The outer surface 22 features fastening elements 26 to a closure member, as described below.

[0062] The fastening elements 26 comprise, for example, a thread or portions of a thread, to allow said closure member to be screwed onto the neck.

[0063] The inner surface 20 has, for example, a rotational symmetry about the main axis X.

[0064] Here, the neck 16 has rotational symmetry about the main axis X, except possibly for the fastening elements 26.

[0065] The inner surface 20 comprises an upper portion 28 extending from the rim 24 and a clamping portion 30 extending from the upper portion and away from the rim 24 in the axial direction. The inner surface 20 also here comprises a lower portion 32 extending from the clamping portion 30 opposite the upper portion 28.

[0066] The upper portion 28, the clamping portion 30, and here additionally the lower portion 32, each correspond to a segment of the inner surface 20 in the axial direction.

[0067] The upper portion 28 comprises a recess or notch 34.

[0068] The recess 34 comprises an axial segment 36 and a radial component segment 38.

[0069] The axial segment 36 extends from the rim 24 over a certain length.

[0070] The axial segment 36 extends in the axial direction.

[0071] The axial segment 36 is here a cylinder with a circular base centered on the main axis X.

[0072] The axial segment 36 has a height h measured in the axial direction.

[0073] The height h is for example greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.7 mm.

[0074] The height h is for example between 0.4 mm and 2 mm.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the height h is approximately 0.7 mm.

[0076] The height h is equal to the extension length of the axial segment 36.

[0077] The thickness e of the neck 16 is measured between the clamping portion 30 of the inner surface 20 and the outer surface 22. It is, for example, between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness e of the neck is equal to 1.7 mm.

[0079] The ratio of the height h of the axial segment 36 to the thickness e of the neck 16 is in particular between 1 :4 and 1 :2.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of the height h of the axial segment 36 to the thickness e of the neck 16 is approximately 0.41.

[0081] The radial component segment 38 connects the axial segment 36 to the clamping portion 30.

[0082] The radial component segment 38 has a non-zero dimension n in the radial direction.

[0083] The diameter of the radial component segment 38 of the inner surface 20 decreases here continuously, and more specifically strictly, from the axial segment 36 to the clamping portion 30.

[0084] The radial component segment 38 has a radial dimension n, meaning it is measured in the radial direction.

[0085] The radial dimension n is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 mm.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the radial dimension n is approximately 0.225 mm.

[0087] The ratio of the radial dimension n of the radial component segment 38 to the thickness e of the neck 16 is in particular between 1 :20 and 1 :5. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of the radial dimension n of the radial component segment 38 to the thickness e of the neck 16 is approximately 0.13.

[0088] The ratio of the height h of axial segment 36 to the radial dimension n of radial component segment 38 is, for example, greater than or equal to 2, and preferably greater than or equal to 3.

[0089] In one embodiment, the radial component segment 38 is, for example, a radial component segment. The radial component segment then corresponds to a ring perpendicular to the main axis X.

[0090] Alternatively, the radial component segment 38 comprises both a radial component and an axial component, as illustrated in the example shown.

[0091] The axial segment 36 is, for example, connected to the rim 24 and / or to the radial component segment 38 via a chamfer or a thread.

[0092] This is particularly beneficial for centering the sealing skirt, described below, during the assembly process.

[0093] The radial component segment 38 is connected to the axial segment 36 and / or to the clamping portion 30 via a chamfer or a thread.

[0094] This is particularly advantageous for the progressive tensioning of the sealing skirt described below during the assembly process.

[0095] The clamping portion 30 comprises an axial portion, extending in the axial direction.

[0096] The axial portion has a circular cylindrical shape about the main axis X.

[0097] The axial portion here refers to the part of the clamping portion 30 that is closest to the upper portion 28.

[0098] The rim 24 comprises a radial portion 40.

[0099] The radial portion 40 extends in a plane perpendicular to the main axis X.

[0100] The radial portion 40 here forms a ring perpendicular to the main axis X.

[0101] The radial portion 40 has a radial dimension, meaning it is measured in the radial direction, that is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, specifically greater than or equal to 0.6 mm, particularly greater than or equal to 0.8 mm, and notably greater than or equal to 1 mm.

[0102] The radial portion 40 forms a free end of the neck 16, specifically of the container 12, in the axial direction.

[0103] The closure member 14 is designed to engage with the neck 16 to seal the container 12, specifically the opening 18, in a sealed closure configuration.

[0104] A main axis and an axial direction are defined in relation to the closure member 14, corresponding to the main axis and axial direction previously defined with respect to the container 12, when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16. In one specific embodiment, the closure member 14 is, for example, made from the same copolyester material as the container 12, and more specifically from polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0105] The closure member 14 comprises a sealing plate 42, a fastening skirt 44, and a sealing skirt 46.

[0106] The sealing plate 42 is designed to extend transversely across the opening 18 of the neck 16 when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16.

[0107] The sealing plate 42 has a lower surface 48 designed to extend in respect of the container 12.

[0108] The lower surface 48 has a stop circumference 50.

[0109] The stop circumference 50 extends in a plane perpendicular to the main axis X.

[0110] The sealing skirt 46 extends inside the fastening skirt 44 in a radial direction defined relative to the main axis X.

[0111] The stop circumference 50 extends radially between the fastening skirt 44 and the sealing skirt 46.

[0112] The fastening skirt 44 extends from the sealing plate 42, specifically from the lower surface 48.

[0113] The fastening skirt 44 extends from the outer perimeter of the sealing plate 42.

[0114] The fastening skirt 44 extends here from the sealing plate 42 in the axial direction.

[0115] The fastening skirt 44 has a circular cylindrical general shape.

[0116] The fastening skirt 44 comprises an inner surface 52 and an outer surface 54.

[0117] The inner surface 52 is designed to extend in respect of the outer surface 22 of the neck 16 when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16.

[0118] The fastening skirt 44, more particularly the inner surface 52, has additional fastening elements 56, the additional elements 56 being complementary to the fastening elements 26 of the neck 16 so as to secure the closure member 14 to the neck 16 of the container 12 by engagement of the fastening elements 26 and the additional elements 54.

[0119] The additional elements 56 comprise, for example, tapping or tapping portions that complement the threading.

[0120] The sealing skirt 46 extends perpendicularly to the sealing plate 42.

[0121] The sealing skirt 46 extends from the sealing plate 42, specifically from the lower surface 48.

[0122] The sealing skirt 46 extends from the circumference of the sealing plate 42.

[0123] The sealing skirt 46 extends here from the sealing plate 42 in the axial direction. The sealing skirt 46 has a circular cylindrical general shape. By "substantially cylindrical," it is meant that the sealing skirt 46 may have a slight undercut relative to the main axis, for example, an angle in the range of 0.5° to 3°.

[0124] The sealing skirt 46 comprises an inner surface 58 and an outer surface 60.

[0125] The outer surface 60 is designed to extend with respect to the inner surface 20 of the neck 16 when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16.

[0126] The inner surface 58 extends, for example, in the axial direction.

[0127] The outer surface 60 has an axial portion 62.

[0128] The outer surface 60 also has a free portion 64.

[0129] The axial portion 62 extends in the axial direction.

[0130] The axial portion 62 of the outer surface 60 is here substantially a circular cylinder around the main axis. Once again, by "substantially cylindrical" it is meant that the axial portion 62 may have a slight undercut relative to the main axis, for example, an angle in the range of 0.5° to 3°.

[0131] The axial portion 62 is designed to extend radially with respect to the upper portion 28 and the clamping portion 30 of the inner surface 20 of the neck 16 when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16 in the sealed closure configuration.

[0132] The free portion 64 extends from the axial portion 62 opposite the sealing plate 42.

[0133] The diameter of the outer surface 60 of the free portion 64 continuously decreases from the axial portion 62 to the free end of the sealing skirt.

[0134] The closure is designed to be removably fitted to the container, at the neck, so as to seal the opening 18.

[0135] The closure member 14 is thus movable relative to the container 12 between a position where it does not engage with the container and a position corresponding to the sealed closure configuration.

[0136] The fastening elements 26 engage with the additional elements 56 to guide the movement of the closure member in relation to the container, such as a screwing motion, all the way to the sealed closure configuration.

[0137] During the interaction of the closure member 14 with the neck 16, the sealing skirt 46, the neck 16, and the fastening skirt 44 are arranged in this order in the radial direction, with the sealing skirt 46 being closest to the main axis X.

[0138] During the interaction of the closure member 14 with the neck 16, the neck 16 is positioned radially between the sealing skirt 46 and the fastening skirt 44.

[0139] The radial portion 40 can create an axial stop contact with the closure member 14 when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16 in a sealed closure configuration. More specifically, the radial portion 40 can abut the lower surface 48, here more specifically the stop circumference 50, in the sealed closure configuration. The stop circumference 50 also comprises here an annular relief 51 that makes axial interference contact with the radial portion 40 in the sealed closure configuration.

[0140] The sealing skirt 46, specifically the axial portion 62, is designed to make clamped contact with the inner surface 20 of the neck 16, particularly with the axial portion comprised in the clamping portion 30 of the inner surface of the neck, when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16, especially in the sealed closure configuration.

[0141] "Clamping contact" refers to the application of a radial force between the closure member and the neck at this point.

[0142] Here, the inner surface of the neck features, in the axial portion of the clamping portion 30, a diameter that is less than, preferably strictly less than, the outer diameter of the sealing skirt designed to engage with the clamping portion 30 when the closure member 14 engages with the neck 16, particularly in the sealed closure configuration, by a radial interference distance ir.

[0143] Here, said outer diameter corresponds to the diameter of the axial portion 62.

[0144] The radial interference is preferably greater than or equal to 0.05 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 mm.

[0145] This creates a clamping contact away from the rim, thereby reducing the forces exerted on it and minimizing the risk of stress cracking.

[0146] The ratio of radial interference ir to the height h of the axial segment 36 is less than or equal to 0.33, preferably less than or equal to 0.25, preferably less than or equal to 0.2.

[0147] The assembly is arranged such that, in the sealed closure configuration, there is no clamping contact between the included rim 24 and the excluded clamping portion 30.

[0148] While in use, a user can separate the container from the closure member so as to release the opening 18, for example to pour out the cosmetic product or to refill the container.

[0149] Then, he can reseal container 12 with closure member 14, specifically through the interaction of the fastening elements and the additional fastening elements, here for instance by means of a screwing motion. The user moves the closure member 14 relative to the container 12 until a sealed closure configuration is achieved, specifically until it abuts the radial portion 40.

[0150] Alternatively, the sealing member 14 is formed by a service capsule, which typically comprises a base featuring the fastening skirt 44, the sealing skirt 46, and the sealing plate 42, the latter being endowed with a dispensing orifice that is selectively closed by a pin extending from the underside of a hinged cover attached to the base.

[0151] When the sealing member 14 engages with the neck 16, the clamping contact occurs at the clamping portion 30, positioned away from the rim 24 in the axial direction.

[0152] The axial segment 36 allows for the axial separation of the clamping area of the rim, without any additional radial offset relative to the radial component segment. This allows for a recess with significant axial offset, particularly in relation to the radial offset, specifically designed to compensate for the radial interface. This makes it possible to maintain a relatively thick neck at the rim, especially compared to a chamfer or a thread where the axial offset equals the radial offset, as refining the rim weakens the area around it. This helps to prevent cracking of the rim.

[0153] In addition, when the sealing member is installed, for example by screwing it in, the radial surface of the rim acts as a stop, such that if the contact area is reduced, it exerts greater pressure, which may also weaken the area around the rim.

[0154] Furthermore, digital simulations have demonstrated that the stresses are more evenly distributed and uniform in the circumferential direction in the area near the rim, with a recess according to the invention, compared to a thread or chamfer that would have a similar axial offset to the recess.

[0155] A method for manufacturing the assembly will now be described in relation to the example described above.

[0156] The method comprises the following steps:

[0157] Manufacture of a preform,

[0158] Blowing, possibly with stretching, of the preform to create the container, and Manufacture of the closure member, in particular by injection molding.

[0159] The preform is, for example, made by injection molding.

[0160] The preform features a neck that matches the geometry of the container to be manufactured, as previously described.

[0161] During the blowing stage, the preform is placed in a blowing mold that has a cavity shaped to match the outer form of the container.

[0162] The preform is heated to reach the proper temperature before blowing, and possibly stretch-blowing.

[0163] Then, air is injected into the preform through the opening defined by the neck, and the preform may also be simultaneously stretched in the case of a stretch-blow molding process.

[0164] The preform is blown in such a way as to create the container. The rim of the neck is located in the area of the preform that is injected last, where issues may arise with venting or evacuating the air trapped in the mold, as well as the risk of temperatures being below optimal levels, which hinders the optimal filling of the mold cavity. The rim of the neck is therefore likely to be more fragile and so more susceptible to stress cracking. This therefore particularly emphasizes the importance of the assembly according to the invention for such a manufacturing method.

[0165] Furthermore, the thinner the liquid, the more susceptible it is to venting defects and inadequate filling of the mold cavity, making it more likely to develop injection defects, such as microbubbles, which can lead to stress cracking. Thus, the assembly according to the invention makes it possible, on the one hand, to limit the formation of injection defects, and, on the other hand, a posteriori to limit the incidence of stresses on the rim likely to lead to cracking.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Assembly (10) for packaging a cosmetic product, comprising:- a container (12) having a main axis (X) defining an axial direction, the container (12) having a neck (16) defining an opening (18), the neck (16) comprising: an inner surface (20), an outer surface (22) with fastening elements (26), and a rim (24) connecting the inner surface (20) and the outer surface (22);- a closure member (14) designed to engage with the neck (16) to seal the container (12) and comprising: a sealing plate (42) adapted to extend transversely to the opening (18) of the container (12), a fastening skirt (44) featuring additional fastening elements (56), the additional elements (56) being complementary to the fastening elements (26) of the neck (16) so as to secure the closure member (14) to the neck (16) of the container (14), and a sealing skirt (46), with the sealing skirt (46) extending inside the fastening skirt (44) in the axial direction, the sealing skirt (46) extending perpendicularly to the sealing plate (42), characterized in that the inner surface (20) of the neck (16) comprises an upper portion (28) extending from the rim (24) and a clamping portion (30) extending from the upper portion (28) and away from the rim (24) in the axial direction, in that the upper portion (28) of the inner surface (20) of the neck (16) comprises a recess (34), the recess (34) comprising an axial segment (36) extending from the rim (24) over a length and a radial component segment (38) connecting the axial segment (36) to the clamping portion (30) of the inner surface (20) of the neck (16), and in that the sealing skirt (46) of the closure member (14) is designed to be in clamped contact with the inner surface (20) of the neck (16) in an axial portion comprised in the clamping portion (30) of the inner surface (20) of the neck (16), when the closure member (14) engages with the neck (16).

2. Assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the axial segment (36) is connected to the rim (24) and / or the radial component segment (38) through a chamfer or a thread, and / or the radial component segment (38) is connected to the clamping portion3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container (12) is made of copolyester material, specifically a semi-aromatic copolyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the closure member (14) is also made of the same copolyester material, more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the axial segment (36) of the recess (34) has a height (h) measured in the axial direction greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.7 mm, for example between 0.4 mm and 2 mm.

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the axial segment (36) of the recess (34) has a height (h) measured in the axial direction, and the neck (16) has a thickness (e) measured between the clamping portion (30) of the inner surface (20) and the outer surface (22), and wherein the ratio of height (h) to thickness (e) is between 1 :4 and 1 :2.

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radial component segment (38) has a radial dimension (n) greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 mm.

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the radial component segment (38) has a radial dimension (n), and the neck (16) has a thickness (e) measured between the clamping portion (30) of the inner surface (20) and the outer surface (22), and wherein the ratio of radial dimension (n) to thickness (e) is between 1 :20 and 1 :5.

8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rim (24) comprises a radial portion (40), the radial portion (40) forming a free end of the neck (16), the radial portion (40) having a radial dimension greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 0.6 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 0.8 mm, and in particular greater than or equal to 1 mm.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the axial segment (36) of the recess (34) has a height (h) measured in the axial direction, while the radial component segment (38) has a radial dimension (n), with the ratio of the height (h) of the axial segment (36) to the radial dimension (n) of the radial component segment (38) being greater than or equal to 2, preferably greater than or equal to 3.

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner surface (20) of the neck (16) features, in the axial portion of the clamping portion (30), a diameter that is smaller, preferably strictly smaller, than the outer diameter of the sealing skirt (46) designed to engage with the clamping portion (30) when the closure member (14) engages with the neck (16), by a distance referred to as radial interference (ir), with the radial interference (ir) preferably being greater than or equal to 0.05 mm, preferably greater than17 or equal to 0.1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 mm.

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein the axial segment (36) of the recess (34) has a height (h) measured according to the axial direction, with the ratio of radial interference (ir) to the height (h) of the axial segment (36) being less than or equal to 0.33, preferably less than or equal to 0.25, preferably less than or equal to 0.2.

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