Patent Application
20240336396
This application claims priority to French Application No. 2303535, filed Apr. 7, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The invention relates to a container for a cosmetic product, comprising a tubular skirt forming a reservoir for receiving the cosmetic product.
Containers of the flexible tube type are known, comprising a head and a tubular skirt attached to the head, in particular a flexible tubular skirt. In particular, the tube is closed at its end opposite the head by welding the edge of the skirt to itself, thus creating a ridge-shaped bottom. In such a configuration, the container must be placed on its head so as to stand upright. This type of configuration makes transport and storage logistics more complex, for example with packaging necessarily by the cover. Furthermore, if the cover does not have a flat surface, boxing and storage can be bulky.
In addition, in this type of container, filling is carried out by the end opposite the head, which is then closed by welding comprising a pressure step.
In the particular case of a container with an applicator end piece attached to a stem and housed in the bottom of the container, the sealing after filling can damage the applicator end piece, particularly during the pressing step.
This type of flexible tube-type container is known to improve the delivery of cosmetic product, in particular by pressure on the flexible wall of the latter. On the other hand, in the particular case of a container with an applicator end piece attached to a stem and housed in the bottom of the container, there is a risk of damaging the applicator end piece if a pressure is exerted on the flexible wall, particularly at the level of the lower portion of the container.
There is therefore a need for a solution that allows to solve at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art while maintaining a product that is simple and economical to manufacture.
The invention relates to a container for a cosmetic product, comprising a tubular skirt forming a reservoir for receiving the cosmetic product, a head located at a first end of the skirt and comprising a dispensing orifice for dispensing the cosmetic product, the skirt further comprising a second end opposite the first end and sealed by a complementary part having a rigidity greater than that of the skirt,
In other words, the complementary part is more resistant to torsion, crushing, pressure and deformation than the skirt of the container. For example, if the user applies a pressure at the level of the complementary part, it will not deform, unlike the skirt which, if a pressure is applied, can deform.
This allows to protect the inside of the container. Particularly in the case of an applicator end piece, this increased rigidity allows to help to prevent a damage to the latter in the event of crushing, for example.
The additional part allows the bottom of the container to be sealed, avoiding a pressure welding of the edge of the tubular skirt and therefore its crushing at the level of the second end, as is conventionally done in this type of tubular container. In addition, the rigidity of the complementary part allows the cross-section formed by the tubular skirt to be given a particular shape.
In this way, the container advantageously comprises a flat bottom, unlike conventional tubes closed by welding the lower end. The flat bottom allows the container to be held vertically with the head upwards, particularly during the storage and/or the transport.
The flat bottom can also allow a filling from the top, i.e. from the side of the head, which can be particularly advantageous for the containers comprising an applicator end piece.
The housing allows a protection to be added to the bottom of the container, particularly advantageous in the containers comprising an applicator end piece, but also a protection for the tubular skirt which can be easily compressed, particularly when the user is trying to restore the end of the cosmetic product.
According to different embodiments or examples, which may be taken together or separately:
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference is made to the attached drawings in which:
In the following description, elements with identical structure or similar functions will be referred to by the same reference.
In the following description, we will adopt in a non-limitative way:
The terms “inner” and “internal” are also used to designate elements located close to the main axis X of the container 1, and “outer” and “external” to designate elements located outside the container 1 away from the main axis X.
In a non-limitative way, the terms “upper” are also used to designate elements located towards the top of the figures, and “lower” to designate elements located towards the bottom of the figures.
In the remainder of the description, the term “reversible” will be used to mean that it is possible to detach two parts reversibly attached together without damaging said parts or the attachment means.
As illustrated in
Advantageously, the container 1 is designed for a liquid, fluid or viscous product. In particular, the cosmetic product is a nail varnish, a mascara, a liquid liner and/or a lip product.
Preferably, it is a cosmetic product that is applied with an applicator end piece 3.
The container 1 comprises a tubular skirt 5 forming a reservoir 7 for receiving the cosmetic product, a head 9 located at a first end 5a (also referred to as the upper end) of the tubular skirt 5 and comprising a dispensing orifice 11 and a reclosable cap 13 closing off the dispensing orifice 11.
Advantageously, the head 9 can be of several types.
This may be, as shown here, a head 9 comprising a shoulder 15 and a neck 17. The shoulder 15 is the portion of the head 9 connected to the tubular skirt 5. The connection between the tubular skirt 5 and the shoulder 15 can be made by welding or overmoulding. The neck 17 can comprise a threading to allow the cap to be screwed on and off.
Alternatively, not shown, the cap 13 can be clipped, snap-fitted onto the neck 17. The neck 17 then comprises snap-fitting means such as an annular rib cooperating with the rims or legs of the cap 13.
It can also be a “service capsule” or “hinged capsule” or “flip top” type head (not shown). The head then comprises a pivoting cap attached to a base by means of a hinge. The base comprises a transverse upper wall equipped with the dispensing orifice and a longitudinal wall to which the tubular skirt 5 is attached.
Advantageously, the head 9 is overmoulded onto the tubular skirt 5 at the level of the periphery of the shoulder 15 or made in the form of a separate part of plastic and then attached to the skirt 5 by heating the edge of the shoulder 15 and the edge of the skirt 5 and compressing them together, i.e. by welding.
In the example of embodiment shown here, the head 9 comprises a neck 17 on which the cap 13, in particular an applicator cap, is mounted.
The applicator cap comprises a base 21 and the applicator end piece 3, in particular an applicator end piece 3 for the mascara. The base 21 is designed to be attached to the head 9, in particular at the level of the neck 17, and to close off the dispensing orifice 11. The applicator end piece 3 is attached to the base 21 by means of a longitudinal stem 23 so that it houses inside the tubular tube when the base 21 is attached to the head 9 and closes off the dispensing orifice 11.
The tubular skirt 5 can be obtained from a flat strip of material which is wound into a tube (or sleeve) shape. The two lateral edges of the strip are then joined together by a longitudinal weld (not shown) so as to form the tubular skirt 5. The longitudinal weld can be obtained by overlapping the lateral edges or by placing the lateral edges opposite each other.
The container 1 then extends along a longitudinal axis X, and the tubular skirt 5 has a longitudinal weld substantially parallel to the axis X.
The tubular skirt 5 can also be obtained from an extruded tube. The tubular skirt 5 then comprises no longitudinal weld.
Advantageously, the tubular skirt 5 is made of a multilayer material, in particular a multilayer plastic material.
Advantageously, the multilayer material comprises at least an internal layer, a barrier layer and an external layer.
Preferably, the internal layer is based on polyethylene. The internal layer is made, for example, of 80% high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 20% low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
Preferably, the external layer is based on polyethylene. The external layer is, for example, made from 100% high-density polyethylene (LDPE).
The barrier layer can be a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or a layer of aluminium. Preferably an EVOH layer.
The EVOH is a polymeric layer with a barrier effect against oxygen and aromas, which allows to limit the loss of aroma or flavour from the packaged product.
More preferably, the multilayer material comprises bonding layers, preferably on both sides of the barrier layer. These bonding layers improve the bond between the barrier layer and the adjacent layers, such as the internal layer and the external layer.
Advantageously, the head 9 is made of plastic, for example polyethylene. Preferably, the head 9 is made from 90% high density polyethylene (HDPE) and 10% low density polyethylene (LLDPE).
The head 9 can also be made from any other suitable material, such as polypropylene.
Using a similar material to manufacture the head 9 and the skirt 5, for example a polyethylene-based material, ensures a better weld between the elements.
Preferably, the tubular skirt 5 is flexible.
The term “flexible” as used here describes a skirt 5 made of a material that can be folded or bent easily and does not break (unless it is overfolded). Here, in relation to the containers, the term flexible indicates that if the container 1 is subjected to a force, for example, by being filled with a liquid, or by applying a pressure with a finger or a hand, it will change shape without breaking.
On the other hand, we define the term “rigid” in relation to elements that cannot be deformed either by atmospheric pressure or by pressure exerted by the fingers of a user. These are typically the head 9 and the cap 13.
According to the invention, the tubular skirt 5 comprises a second end 5b opposite (also referred to as the lower end) the first end 5a and sealed by a complementary part with a greater rigidity than that of the skirt 5.
In other words, the complementary part 25 is more resistant to torsion, crushing, pressure and deformation than the skirt 5 of the container 1. For example, if the user applies a pressure at the level of the complementary part 25, it will not deform, unlike the skirt 5, which may deform if a pressure is applied.
This allows to protect the inside of the container 1. Particularly in the case of an applicator end piece 3, this increased rigidity allows to prevent a damage to the latter in the event of crushing, for example.
The complementary part 25 comprises an external sleeve 27 and a housing 31 for storing the cosmetic product, the sleeve 27 comprising in a lower portion an attachment area 33 for attaching the skirt 5 bonded to the skirt 5 and in a upper portion comprising at least one guiding area 35 for guiding the skirt 5.
In other words, the bottom of the container 1 comprises a complementary part allowing the bottom of the container 1 to be sealed, avoiding pressure welding of the edge of the tubular skirt 5 and therefore crushing of the tubular skirt 5 at the level of the second end 5b, as is conventionally done in this type of tubular container.
In this way, the container 1 advantageously comprises a flat bottom, unlike conventional tubes closed by welding and crushing the lower end.
Advantageously, the complementary part 25 forms the flat bottom of the container 1.
In this way, the additional part 25, particularly because of its rigidity, can give a particular shape to the cross-section formed by the tubular skirt 5. In the example shown, the complementary part 25 is circular in shape and thus maintains the cylindrical shape of the tubular skirt 5. The container 1 thus has the appearance of a cylinder, in particular the appearance of a conventional mascara product container.
The flat bottom allows the container 1 to be held vertically with the head 9 facing upwards, particularly during storage and/or transport.
The flat bottom can also allow a filling from the top, i.e. from the side of the head, which can be particularly advantageous for the containers comprising an applicator end piece.
Advantageously, as can be seen in
This particular shape makes it easier to insert the skirt 5 around the sleeve 27 or the sleeve 27 inside the skirt 5.
Here, the at least one guiding area 35 is an annular periphery at the level of the upper portion of the sleeve 27, in other words a surface of revolution at the level of the upper portion of the sleeve 27.
In other embodiments not shown, the at least one guiding area 35 can be a plurality of legs, for example between two and 8 legs, preferably between 3 and 5 legs, more preferably four legs.
Advantageously, the legs are laterally flexible, making it easy to insert the sleeve 27 into the skirt 5.
Advantageously, the diameter of the upper portion and therefore the diameter of the at least one guiding area 35 are also smaller than the diameter of the skirt 5. In this way, at least a segment of the upper portion of the sleeve 27 and therefore of the at least one guiding area 35 is at a distance from the skirt 5. Here, it is an annular area at the level of the upper end of the sleeve 27.
Consequently, the upper end and therefore the at least one guiding area 35 are not attached to the skirt 5. In other words, the upper end and the at least one guiding area 35 are detached from the skirt 5.
Again, these dimensions of the sleeve 27 and of the skirt 5 make it easier to insert the skirt 5 around the sleeve 27 or the sleeve 27 inside the skirt 5.
As shown in
The additional part 25 is attached to the skirt 5 by welding, in particular by welding the skirt 5 at the level of the attachment area 33. The tubular skirt 5 is attached to the complementary part 25 by welding, in particular by heating and applying a pressure to the tubular skirt 5 in the direction of the centre of the container 1.
Furthermore, the at least one guiding area 35 extends upwards inside the skirt 5, in other words towards the head 9. Even if it is not attached to the skirt 5, this area also allows the skirt 5 to be held more securely on the complementary part 25. In particular, this area allows to prevent the risk of the skirt 5 being torn off by limiting its lateral movement relative to the sleeve 27.
The housing 31 formed by the sleeve 27 and a transverse wall 29 of the complementary part 25 is concave upwards towards the reservoir 7 of the container 1. In other words, the transverse wall 29 has a curved shape with a flat bottom.
In other embodiments not shown, the transverse wall 29 may be completely rounded or completely flat.
Advantageously, the transverse wall 29 is located in the area of the lower portion of the sleeve 27. The housing 31 therefore occupies most of the internal volume delimited by the sleeve 27. In this way, the storage volume of the skirt 5 is not reduced compared with a conventional container.
The housing 31 allows a protection to be added to the bottom of the container 1, particularly advantageous in the containers 1 comprising an applicator end piece 3. When the base 21 of the cap 13 is attached to the head 9 and closes off the dispensing orifice 11, the applicator end piece 3 is housed in the housing 31, in this case in the rigid tank.
The housing 31 also allows to protect the tubular skirt 5, which can be easily compressed, particularly when the user is trying to restore the end of the cosmetic product.
In the example of embodiment shown here, the housing 31 is a rigid tank formed inside the reservoir by the transverse wall 29.
Thus, particularly in the case of an applicator end piece 3, the rigid tank allows to protect the applicator end piece 3, particularly if the skirt 5 is crushed, for example.
The rigid tank also means that the storage volume of the skirt 5 is not reduced, and it is therefore possible to keep a conventional length of stem in the case of an applicator end piece 3.
The container 1 also comprises a protective ring 37 that can be assembled on the complementary part 25.
Advantageously, the protective ring 37 is assembled at the level of the lower portion of the sleeve 27.
In the embodiment shown here, the protective ring 37 is in the form of a cap comprising an annular lateral wall 39 extending as far as a transverse wall 41 closing off the protective ring 37.
The protective ring 37 can be assembled to the complementary part 25 by any means known to the person skilled in the art, for example by welding, clipping or screwing.
This may be a permanent assembly, i.e. once assembled the complementary part and the protective ring 37 can no longer be separated, particularly by the user.
It can also be a reversible assembly, i.e. the user can easily attach and/or detach the complementary part 25 from the protective ring 37 without damaging either of them, or even the skirt 5.
In the example of embodiment shown here, the complementary part 25 comprises an annular groove 43 on its external surface at the level of the lower end of the sleeve 27.
In the example shown here, the groove 43 is located just below the second end 5b of the skirt 5, i.e. just below the attachment area 33.
This annular groove 43 cooperates with an annular rib 45 of the protective ring 37 located on an internal surface of the lateral wall 39 of the latter, close to the transverse wall 41.
The protective ring 37 allows to protect the lower end of the container 1, in particular the attachment area 33 for attaching the skirt 5 to the complementary part 25.
The protective ring 37 also allows to close off the bottom of the container 1, in particular the bottom of the sleeve 27.
The protective ring 37 also allows to provide an aesthetic finish to the container 1, in particular by masking the attachment area 33 and/or the bottom of the sleeve 27.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2303535 | Apr 2023 | FR | national |
