TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a packaging device, in particular for a cosmetic product.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Packaging devices are known, particularly in the field of cosmetic products, which comprise a case, a bottle intended to contain a product to be dispensed, and a dispenser assembly situated at the top of the case and configured to dispense the product contained in the bottle.
Some examples of such devices are provided in US 2020/102138 A1, WO 2021/125513 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 9,573,151 B1, WO 03/030699 A2.
Prior-art document FR 2 780 621 A1 discloses a liquid packaging and dispensing unit having a container fixed in an outer shell by fasteners which are engaged by pressure application and by tool insertion through shell side openings. In particular, the unit comprises an inner container, a dispensing device engaging a container opening and an outer open-bottom rigid or semi-rigid shell for accommodating the internal container. The shell has a top opening for container communication with the exterior and has fasteners for engaging complementary container fasteners to fix the container within the shell when axial pressure is applied onto the shell and/or the container. The shell also has one or more side openings extending towards its fasteners to allow passage of a tool which causes engagement of the shell and container fasteners.
This type of packaging device suffers from a number of drawbacks that should be remedied.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved packaging device which can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, it is desirable to provide a packaging device that, once used, can be easily disassembled, so that its components can be disposed of and possibly recycled.
According to the present invention, these and other objects are achieved through a packaging device having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim.
It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided herein merely as a non-limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging device made in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2a and 2b are longitudinal sectional views, respectively obtained through a lateral plane and a frontal plane, of the packaging device made in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3a and 3b are longitudinal sectional views, respectively obtained through a lateral plane and a frontal plane, of a packaging device made in accordance with an embodiment which is alternative to the one shown in the preceding figures.
FIGS. 4a to 4c are front elevation views showing an operating sequence for the extraction of a removable bottle, which is applicable to a packaging device made in accordance with the preceding embodiments.
FIGS. 5a to 5c are front elevation views of an operating sequence for the insertion of a removable bottle, which is applicable to a packaging device made in accordance with the preceding embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a packaging device made in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7a and 7b are longitudinal sectional views, respectively obtained through a lateral plane and a frontal plane, of the packaging device made in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
FIGS. 8a and 8b are longitudinal sectional views, respectively obtained through a lateral plane and a frontal plane, of a packaging device made in accordance with an embodiment which is alternative to the one shown in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b.
FIGS. 9a to 9c are front elevation views of an operating sequence for the extraction of a removable bottle, which is applicable to a packaging device made in accordance with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b.
FIGS. 10a to 10c are front elevation views of an operating sequence for the insertion of a removable bottle, which is applicable to a packaging device made in accordance with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b.
For completeness' sake, the following is a list of alphanumerical references and names used herein to identify parts, elements and components illustrated in the above-summarized drawings.
- 10. Packaging device
- 12. Case
- 14. Bottle
- 16. Container body
- 18. Receptacle
- 20. Aperture
- 22. Neck
- 24. Dispenser assembly
- 26. Delivery nozzle
- 28. Actuator
- 29. Pump
- 30. Piston
- 32. Releasable coupling means
- 34. Mouth
- 36. Support annular member
- 38. Thread
- 39. Thread
- 40. Cover member
- 42. Suction tube
- 44. Hollow body
- 46. Bottom cap
- 48. Annular abutment
- 49. Connection perimetral portion
- 50. Outer guide annular wall
- 52. Inner guide annular wall
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, numeral 10 designates as a whole a packaging device for a cosmetic product, made in accordance with an embodiment which is not a subject of the present invention.
As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, packaging device 10 is particularly suitable for use in the field of cosmetic products, but may also be used in different applications for dispensing products other than cosmetic ones.
Packaging device 10 comprises a case 12, preferably made of plastic, and a bottle 14, preferably made of glass. Bottle 14 is intended to contain a product to be dispensed, advantageously but not necessarily a cosmetic product. Furthermore, bottle 14 is configured to be housed inside case 12.
In particular, bottle 14 comprises a hollow container body 16 internally defining a receptacle 18 intended to contain the cosmetic product. As can be seen in the drawings, hollow container body 16 preferably has a cylindrical shape, in particular with a circular cross-section. Hollow container body 16 has an aperture 20 at its top, through which the cosmetic product contained in receptacle 18 can exit; for example, aperture 20 may be provided in a neck 22 forming a narrower portion at the top of the hollow container body 16.
In addition, packaging device 10 comprises a dispenser assembly 24 situated at the top of case 12 and configured to dispense the product contained in bottle 14. In particular, as will be further described hereinafter, dispenser assembly 24 can be fluidically coupled to bottle 14 in different ways in order to achieve product dispensation.
Furthermore, bottle 14 is housed in a manner such that it can be extracted from case 12 and can be mechanically coupled, in a removable fashion, to either case 12 or dispenser assembly 24. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, bottle 14 can be mechanically coupled, in a removable fashion, to case 12. In particular, bottle 14 is a tank that can be removed from case 12. Preferably, bottle 14 can be repeatably inserted into and extracted from case 12. Thus, bottle 14 can be easily separated from case 12, so that it can be readily disposed of or replaced with a spare bottle. This is also advantageous in view of recycling when case 12 and bottle 14 are made of different materials, e.g. when case 12 is made of plastic and bottle 14 is made of glass.
Dispenser assembly 24 further comprises a delivery nozzle 26 and an actuator 28 configured to be manually operated by a user, e.g. by applying pressure thereon, so as to push out the cosmetic product contained in bottle 14 through delivery nozzle 26 in a per se known manner. In particular, actuator 28 is situated at the top of dispenser assembly 16, and delivery nozzle 26 is formed through it, extending laterally outwards of actuator 28.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, dispenser assembly 24 comprises a mechanical pump 29, per se known, in particular a vacuum-operated pump, while bottle 14 comprises a piston 30 slidably and guidedly mounted inside container body 16 and delimiting receptacle 18 at its bottom, in particular forming the bottom wall of the latter. When bottle 14 is fluidically coupled to dispenser assembly 24, upon pressing actuator 28 pump 29 will cause piston 30 to slide upwards within container body 16. Piston 30 will then push the cosmetic product contained in the bottle towards delivery nozzle 26.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, as aforementioned, dispenser assembly 24 supports bottle 14 and is mechanically coupled, in a removable fashion, to case 12, in particular via releasable coupling means 32 (only visible in FIGS. 4c and 5a). In other words, bottle 14 and dispenser assembly 24 form a single unit that can be extracted from case 12 when dispenser assembly 24 is disconnected from case 12. Particularly, dispenser assembly 24 can be repeatably coupled to and decoupled from case 12.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, bottle 14 can be extracted through the top of case 12. In particular, case 12 has a mouth 34 at its top, through which bottle 14 can be inserted or removed. In fact, the width of mouth 34 is greater than the width of bottle 14, which can thus be inserted and extracted through it.
Dispenser assembly 24 preferably also has a support annular member 36 which is configured to support bottle 14 and which is a part of either case 12 or the dispenser assembly 24. Still with reference to the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, support annular member 36 is a part of dispenser assembly 24. Moreover, support annular member 36 can be decoupled from case 12 and can be extracted, together with the rest of dispenser assembly 24 and bottle 14, through the top of case 12.
Preferably, support annular member 36 comprises, on its external lateral surface, releasable coupling means 32 that co-operate with an internal annular surface of the mouth 22. More preferably, releasable coupling means 32 establish, together with mouth 22, a bayonet-type coupling.
Preferably, the support annular member 36 can be removably coupled to bottle 14. In particular, support annular member 36 can be repeatably coupled to and decoupled from bottle 14. Advantageously, support annular member 36 can be coupled to bottle 14 via a threaded coupling. Preferably, support annular member 36 also comprises a thread 38, in particular formed on its inner side, which can be coupled to a complementary thread 39 formed on neck 22 of bottle 14, in particular on the outer side thereof.
Furthermore, support annular member 36 supports pump 29 and actuator 20 of dispenser assembly 24, permitting them to be actuated by pressure.
Preferably, packaging device 10 comprises also a cover member 40 which can be removably coupled to either case 12 or dispenser assembly 24, so as to enclose dispenser assembly 24. In particular, cover member 40 is configured to enclose and cover actuator 28 and delivery nozzle 26, thus protecting them from the outside environment. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, cover member 40 can be removably coupled to dispenser assembly 24, e.g. to support annular member 36. In particular, cover member 40 can be repeatably coupled to and decoupled from support annular member 36 of dispenser assembly 24.
With reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the following will illustrate an embodiment which is alternative to the one described above.
Those parts and elements which are similar to—or which perform the same function as—those of the above-described embodiment have been assigned the same reference numerals. For simplicity, the description of such parts and elements will not be repeated below, and reference should be made to the above description of the preceding embodiment.
Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, bottle 14 lacks piston 30, while dispenser assembly 24 is provided with a suction tube 42 configured to take in the cosmetic product contained in bottle 14. In particular, suction tube 42 is operatively connected to pump 29 and extends within container body 16, when dispenser assembly 24 is fluidically coupled to bottle 14. Upon actuation of actuator 28, pump 29 will take in the cosmetic product contained in receptacle 18 through suction tube 42 and will deliver it through delivery aperture 20.
With reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, the following will describe, through FIGS. 4a to 4c, one illustrative mode of extraction of bottle 14 from case 12.
In FIG. 4a, cover member 40 is removed to expose dispensing assembly 24.
In FIG. 4b, dispenser assembly 24 is decoupled from case 12, in particular by deactivating the releasable coupling means 32. For example, support annular member 36 is turned to release the bayonet-type coupling means.
In FIG. 4c, dispenser assembly 24 is raised from mouth 34 and extracted from case 12. The single unit made up of dispenser assembly 24 and bottle 14—which are made integral by support annular member 36—is then removed from case 12.
During a next step (not shown) it is also possible to decouple bottle 14 from dispenser assembly 24, e.g. by separating neck 22 from support annular member 36. In particular, by mutually turning container body 16 and support annular member 36 in a decoupling direction, complementary threads 38, 39 of support annular member 36 and of neck 22 can be mutually disengaged.
Still with reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, the following will describe, through FIGS. 5a to 5c, one illustrative mode of insertion of bottle 14 into case 12.
During a previous step (not shown) it is also possible to couple bottle 14 to dispenser assembly 24, e.g. by joining neck 22 to support annular member 36. In particular, by mutually turning container body 16 and support annular member 36 in a coupling direction, complementary threads 38, 39 of support annular member 36 and of neck 22 can be mutually engaged.
In FIG. 5a, the single unit made up of dispenser assembly 24 and bottle 14 is inserted into case 12. Bottle 14 is introduced into case 12 through mouth 34.
In FIG. 5b, dispenser assembly 24 is coupled to case 12, in particular by activating releasable coupling means 32. For example, support annular member 36 is turned to lock the bayonet-type coupling means.
In FIG. 5c, cover member 40 is applied to enclose the dispensing assembly 24.
With reference to FIGS. 6, 7a, 7b, the following will describe an illustrative of embodiment of the present invention.
Those parts and elements which are similar to—or which perform the same function as—those of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b have been assigned the same reference numerals. For simplicity, the description of such parts and elements will not be repeated below, and reference should be made to the description of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b.
Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, support annular member 36 is a part of case 12. In addition, case 12 comprises a hollow body 44 and a bottom cap 46 removably mounted to hollow body 44. As is visible in FIGS. 6, 7a, 7b, in hollow body 44 the top end is designated as 44a and the bottom end is designated as 44b.
In particular, hollow body 44 and bottom cap 46 are assembled in such a way that they can be repeatably coupled to and decoupled from each other. The coupling between hollow body 44 and bottom cap 46 preferably occurs via releasable coupling means, e.g. snap-type ones.
Hollow body 44 carries the support annular member 36, which is situated at the top of said hollow body 44. Preferably, support annular member 36 is made as one piece with the top of hollow body 44. In particular, support annular member 36 cannot be removed or extracted from hollow body 44 of case 12.
With reference to FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, bottle 14 can be decoupled from support annular member 36 and can be extracted through the bottom of hollow body 44, once bottom cap 46 has been removed from hollow body 44. Preferably, bottle 14 protrudes past the bottom of hollow body 44 when bottle 14 is coupled to support annular member 36. In particular, bottle 14 extends below hollow body 44. In this manner, when bottom cap 46 is removed, bottle 14 will be accessible to a user, who will then be able to decouple it from case 12, in particular from support annular member 36. Vice versa, when bottom cap 46 is coupled to hollow body 44, the bottom of bottle 14 will be enclosed in and protected by case 12.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, hollow body 44 has a substantially tubular shape and/or bottom cap 46 has a substantially cup-like shape. In particular, hollow body 44 has a cylindrical shape, more specifically with a circular cross-section. Advantageously, but not necessarily, case 12 will have, as a whole, cylindrical shape when hollow body 44 is coupled to bottom cap 46, in particular showing a continuous connection between the substantially tubular shape of hollow body 44 and the cup-like shape of bottom cap 46.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, support annular member 36 forms, internally to hollow body 44, an annular abutment 48 against which bottle 14 is configured to abut and to which neck 22 of bottle 14 can be coupled. In particular, annular abutment 48 has a radially inward thread 38 with which a complementary thread 39 formed radially outwards of neck 22 can be coupled.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, annular abutment 48 is advantageously cylindrical in shape, in particular with a circular cross-section. Preferably, annular abutment 48 is situated in a transversally (more specifically, radially) internal position within hollow body 44, being surrounded by the latter.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, support annular member 36 further comprises a connection perimetral portion 49 that widens laterally (more specifically, radially) outwards of annular abutment 48 and joins hollow body 44. Preferably, perimetral portion 49 widens from the bottom end (not numbered) of the annular abutment 48 on one side and/or, on the other side, joins the inner surface of hollow body 44, underneath top end 44a. For example, connection perimetral portion 49 has a shape that tapers off towards annular abutment 48, having in particular a substantially frustoconical shape.
Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, cover member 40 can be removably coupled to case 12, e.g. by snap-type coupling. In particular, cover member 40 is mounted in a manner such that it can be repeatably coupled to and decoupled from case 12. In particular, cover member 40 can be coupled to end 44a of hollow body 44, so that case 12 and cover member 40 create, as a whole, a cylindrical shape when coupled together.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, actuator 28 is slidably mounted on and guided by case 12 and/or support annular member 36. Preferably, actuator 28 is slidably mounted on and guided by both case 12 and support annular member 36.
In particular, as far as its sliding action relative to case 12 is concerned, actuator 28 is slidably mounted on hollow body 44. More particularly, actuator 28 is slidably mounted on the laterally internal surface of hollow body 44. Even more particularly, actuator 28 has, at its bottom, an outer guide annular wall 50 (having in this example a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section) slidably mounted on the laterally internal surface of hollow body 44, in the vicinity of its top end 44a.
In particular, as far as its sliding action relative to support annular member 36 is concerned, actuator 28 is slidably mounted on annular abutment 48. More particularly, actuator 28 is slidably mounted on the laterally external surface of annular abutment 38. Even more particularly, actuator 28 has, at its bottom, an inner guide annular wall 52 (having in this example a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section) slidably mounted on the laterally external surface of annular abutment 44.
Preferably, outer guide annular wall 50 is situated in a radially external position relative to the further inner guide annular wall 52, in particular such walls being mutually concentric. With reference to FIGS. 8a, 8b, the following will illustrate an embodiment which is alternative to the embodiments previously described herein.
Those parts and elements which are similar to—or which perform the same function as—those of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b have been assigned the same reference numerals. For simplicity, the description of such parts and elements will not be repeated below, and reference should be made to the description of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b.
Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, bottle 14 lacks piston 30, while dispenser assembly 24 is provided with a suction tube 42 configured to take in the cosmetic product contained in bottle 14. In particular, suction tube 42 is operatively connected to pump 29 and extends within container body 16, when dispenser assembly 24 is fluidically coupled to bottle 14. Upon actuation of actuator 28, pump 29 will take in the cosmetic product contained in receptacle 18 through suction tube 42 and will deliver it through delivery aperture 20.
With reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b, the following will describe, through FIGS. 9a to 9c, one illustrative mode of extraction of bottle 14 from case 12.
In FIG. 9a, bottom cap 46 is removed from hollow body 44, thus making bottle 14 accessible, which protrudes axially from said hollow body 44.
In FIG. 9b, bottle 14 is decoupled from case 12, in particular by disengaging neck 22 from support annular member 36. In particular, container body 16 is rotated relative to hollow body 44 in a decoupling direction, so that complementary threads 38, 39 on support annular member 36 and on neck 22 can be disengaged from each other.
In FIG. 9c, bottle 14, which has been unconstrained from case 12, is extracted from hollow body 44.
Still with reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b, the following will describe, through FIGS. 10a to 10c, one illustrative mode of insertion of bottle 14 into case 12.
In FIG. 10a, bottle 14 is inserted d into case 12 through hollow body 44.
In FIG. 10b, bottle 14 is coupled to case 12, in particular by joining neck 22 to support annular member 36. In particular, container body 16 is rotated relative to hollow body 44 in a coupling direction, so that complementary threads 38, 39 on support annular member 36 and on neck 22 can be engaged with each other.
In FIG. 10c, bottom cap 46 is applied to hollow body 44, thereby enclosing bottle 14 within case 12.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7a and 7b, and, respectively, in the one shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the assembly made up of hollow body 44 and annular member 36—which are preferably made as one piece—performs simultaneously the following functions: housing and coupling bottle 14, covering and guiding the travel of actuator 28, and coupling cover member 40.
The technical characteristics that differentiate the various embodiments and variants thereof described and illustrated herein are freely interchangeable, whenever compatible.
Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20250213021
