COSMETIC PRODUCT CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MAKING IT

Abstract: The invention relates to a cosmetic product container (1) comprising a container body (2) for holding a cosmetic product therein and at least a covering element (5). The main feature of the invention is that the container body (2) and covering element (5) are made as a single piece by injection molding a single component so as to be coupled to one another by a hinge assembly (4). The invention relates moreover to a method for making a cosmetic product container (1), said method comprising at least an injection step for injection molding at least a component for providing an assembly comprising a container element (2) and at least a covering element (5) therefor, the container element (2) and covering element (5) being coupled by a hinge (4).

Description: COSMETIC PRODUCT CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MAKING IT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cosmetic product container and a method for making it. As is known, cosmetic products such as creams, of the paste or fluid type, solar oils, bath products and so on, are conventionally contained in a lot of different containers such as jars, small bottles or tubes, made of a lot of different materials, such as plastic materials or glass. Prior cosmetic product containers, however, are conventionally made by combining two or more distinct pieces, and, in particular, they comprise a container body and a respective covering element, which is frequently threaded on the body of the container. This approach, in which two or more discrete elements must be coupled to one another to provide a finished container, is not considered as satisfactory, from an economic standpoint, since it would be desirable to reduce as far as possible the making and assembling cost of the above mentioned containers, before filling said containers with the cosmetic product to be held therein. in this connection it should be pointed out that the above mentioned problems are further compounded in all the cases in which, because of the nature of the cosmetic product to be handled, it is necessary to also provide an intermediate element, including a throughgoing hole, for providing a metered delivery of the liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic products, which further complicates the container construction. From the above, it should be apparent that it would be desirable to provide a cosmetic product container allowing to solve the above mentioned problems . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic product container which is made as a single piece, both in a single component embodiment and in a bi-component embodiment thereof. The above mentioned aim, as well as further objects which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by the present invention which specifically provides a cosmetic product container comprising a container body for a cosmetic product and at least a covering element, characterized in that said container body and covering element are made as a single-piece by injecting at least a component and in that said container body and covering element are coupled to one another by a hinge. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the covering element is provided with a gasket, made of a material different from that forming the assembly constituted by the covering element and container body. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gasket and covering element and container body assembly are made by a bi- injection of two different components. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container body is open at the end portion thereof opposite to the covering element, thereby said container body can be easily coupled to a bottle or tube. In this connection it should be pointed out that an opened configuration of the container body would allow the bottle or tube associated therewith to be easily made by a blow molding operation. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, between the container body and covering element a perforated flat element is arranged, in turn coupled to said container body by a second hinge, the assembly being made as a single piece by injecting either a single component or two different components . Alternately, the container body is closed, at the end portion thereof opposite to said covering element, thereby providing a jar configuration. The present invention relates moreover to a method for making a cosmetic product vessel, characterized in that said method comprises at least an injection step for injecting at least a component to provide an assembly including a container body and at least a covering element, coupled to one another by a hinge. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also comprises a second blow molding step, to define the configuration of the container body. Finally, the injection step can be made by using two different components, which are processed by a bi-injection apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure, provided by way of an illustrative, but not limitative example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cream jar according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in an open configuration thereof; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cream jar of Figure 1, in a closed configuration or condition thereof; Figure 3 is a side view of the cream jar shown in Figures 1-2, in an open configuration or condition thereof; Figure 4 is an axonometric view illustrating a capsule which can be coupled to containers of vial or tube configuration, according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a further axonometric view of a capsule coupled to a vial or small bottle according to a modified embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detail showing a possible embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a partially cross-sectioned view illustrating the capsule of Figure 5, in an open condition thereof; Figure 8 is a further partially cross- sectioned view illustrating the capsule of Figure 5, in a closed condition thereof; Figure 9 is yet another partially cross- sectioned view illustrating the capsule of Figure 5, coupled to a tube, in a closed condition thereof; and Figure 10 is a side view of a tube provided with a capsule according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following disclosure, reference will be made to some preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are illustrated, by way of a non limitative example for disclosing different possible variations of the invention. A first exemplary embodiment of the cosmetic product container according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1-3 and is generally indicated by the reference number 1. According to this embodiment, the cosmetic product container comprises a container body 2, for holding therein a set cosmetic product, and a covering element 5. The container body 2 and covering element 5 are made in a single piece, by injecting a first component, and are coupled to one another by a hinge 4. Moreover, to the covering element 5 a gasket or seal 3 is applied, said gasket being made of a material different from that of the assembly constituted by the covering element 5 and container body 2. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the gasket 3 and the covering element 5 and container body 2 can be made by bi-injecting two different components . As shown, the container body 2 is closed at the end thereof opposite to said covering element 5, so as to provide a jar 1. A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4 and generally indicated by the reference number 10; in this embodiment, the container body 12 is open at the end thereof opposite to the covering element 15, in turn provided with a gasket 13. Thus, the container body 12 can be coupled to a vial or bottle 30 or to a tube 40. Also in this embodiment, the container body 12 and covering element 15 are made in a single piece by injecting a first single component and are coupled to one another by a hinge 14. According to this embodiment, the open container body 12 would allow to provide, by a blow- molding operation, the vial or bottle 30 associated therewith, as is shown in Figure 5, or a tube 40, as s shown in Figures 9-10. According to a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 5 and 7-9, and generally indicated by the reference number 20, between the container body 22 and covering element 25 is arranged a flat element 26, provided with a throughgoing hole 28 and a gasket 27. Said flat element 26 is in turn coupled to the container body 22 by a hinge 41, the container body 22 and covering element 25 being coupled by a hinge 24. Also in this embodiment, the device 20 is made as a single piece, by injecting a single component or, possibly, two different components, in the case in which the disclosed gasket elements must be made. The present invention further relates to a method for making cosmetic product containers. At first, the cream jars 1 can be made starting from a single component, by using an injection apparatus, or, if a gasket 3 or other different material must be made, then they can be made starting from two different components, by using a bi-injection apparatus. In the case of the vials 30 or of the tubes 40, they can be made by a making method comprising a first injection step and a second blowing step. The first injection step can be carried out by a single component or by a bi-component material, as already disclosed, and depending on the result to be obtained with reference to the materials forming the finished products. The blowing step will define the type of the finished product, which can comprise either a vial 30 or a tube 40. This would mean that, with a same injection pre-mold it would be possible to make, by blowing, different types of vials or bottles 30 and/or tubes 40 having the same volume or slightly different volumes . From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended objects.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A cosmetic product container, comprising a container body for holding therein a cosmetic product and at least a covering element, characterized in that said container body and covering element are made as a single piece by injecting at least a component and being coupled to one another by a hinge. 2. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 1, characterized in that to said covering element a gasket, made of a material different from that of the assembly comprising said covering element and container body, is applied. 3. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 2, characterized in that said gasket and covering element and container body assembly are made by bi-injecting two different components. 4. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that said container body is open at the end portion thereof opposite to said covering element, to be easily coupled to a vial or a tube. 5. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 4, characterized in that said open container body allows to make, by a blow molding operation, a vial or tube of any set configurations. 6. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that between said container body and said covering element is arranged a perforated flat element, said perforated flat element being coupled to said container body by a second hinge, in a single piece, by injecting a single component or two different components. 7. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said container body is closed at the end portion thereof opposite to said covering element, thereby providing a jar. 8. A method for making a cosmetic product container, characterized in that said method comprises at least an injection step in which is injected at least a component for making an assembly constituted by a container body and at least a covering element, which are coupled to one another by a hinge. 9. A method for making a cosmetic product container, according to Claim 8, characterized in that said method comprises a further blow molding step for define a set configuration of said container body. 10. A method for making a cosmetic product container, according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said injection step is carried out starting from two different components, by using a bi- injection apparatus. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 11 April 2000 (11.04.00); original claims 1-10 replaced by new claims 1-6 (2 pages)] 1. A cosmetic product container ( 1 ) , comprising a container body (2) for holding therein a cosmetic product and at least a covering element (5), said container body (2) and covering element (5) being made as a single piece by injecting at least a component and being coupled to one another by a hinge (4), characterized in that to said covering element (5) a gasket (3), made of a material different from that of the assembly comprising said covering element (5) and container body (2), is applied. 2. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said gasket (3) and covering element (5) and container body assembly are made by bi-injecting two different components. 3. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said container body (2) is open at the end portion thereof opposite to said covering element (5), to be easily coupled to a vial (30) or a tube (40). 4. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 3 , characterized in that said open container body (2) allows to make, by a blow molding operation, a vial (30) or tube (40) of any set configurations. 5. A cosmetic product container, according to Claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that between said container body (2) and said covering element (5) is arranged a perforated flat element (26), said perforated flat element being coupled to said container body (2) by a second hinge (41), in a single piece, by injecting a single component or two different components. 6. A method for making a cosmetic product container, according to any preceding claims, said method comprising at least an injection step in which is injected at least a component for making an assembly constituted by a container body (2) and at least a covering element (5), which are coupled to one another by a hinge (4, 41), characterized in that said injection step is carried out starting from two different components, by using a bi-injection apparatus . STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 This is in response to the PCT Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report or the Declaration (PCT Rule 44.1). The prior art documents have been carefully considered. Claims 1 to 10 have been cancelled and new Claims 1 to 6 have been submitted in order to clearly distinguish Applican ' s invention over the prior art documents either individually or in combination. From new main claim, which is substantially a combination of previous claims 1 and 2, the gist of the invention should be envisaged in the fact that to the covering element (5) is applied a gasket (3) made of a material different from that of the assembly comprising said covering element (5) and the container body (2). It is believed that such new main claim is actually novel and not obvious over the prior art documents . In fact, the document US 5 662 245, which has been marked as X in the Search Report, discloses an integrally molded plastic container including a container body and a closure. The closure includes an orifice cap and a sealing cap. The orifice cap us flexibly hinged to the neck portion adjacent to the container opening for pivoting movement from an open position to a closed position where the orifice cap closes the opening. The sealing cap is also flexibly hinged to the neck portion adjacent to the opening for pivoting movement relative to the orifice cap between a closed position, where the sealing cap is in sealing relationship with an orifice in the orifice cap and an open position where the sealing cap is out of sealing relationship with the orifice. Thus, it should be apparent that this document specifically relates to a closure element for a container, the closure element having a specifically designed construction with integral cover-hinge assemblies: however, such a closure element, which can be considered as constructionally equivalent to Applicant's cosmetic product container, is not a container proper but, as stated, a closure element proper. This closure element, separated from the vessel closed thereby, could not be used as a container for separately holding therein a cosmetic product. Moreover, this document neither teaches nor addresses to provide in the cover element a gasket made of a material different from that of the assembly comprising the covering element and container body. With respect to the method for making this prior closure, it is at first made the container to which the closure would be applied: in particular, in this prior document, the container is produced, using a multiple injection blow molding apparatus, an injection stretch molding apparatus, an injection molding apparatus or other any suitable molding apparatus . In producing the integrally molded double cap container, a first parison is formed with the integrally molded sealing cap and the orifice cap, then transferred to the blow station where the final shape of the container body is formed. The parison including any solid parts, such as the integrally molded sealing cap and the orifice cap, is formed by injection molding tooling at a first injection molding station of an injection molding apparatus .... Thus, it should be apparent that such a making method is very different from the method taught by Applicant in new claim 6. which is substantially a combination of previous claims 8 and 10, in which the method comprises an injection step which is carried out starting from two different components, by using a bi-injection apparatus . In this connection, Applicant desires to draw the attention of the Examiner that the container-cap assembly of this prior art document exclusively suggest the shapes of the embodiment of Applicant's invention shown in Figure 5, but not that shown in the other figures. Anyhow, as stated, this document does not provide to associate with the cover an inner gasket made of a material different from that of the cover. The document EP 0 302 702, which has been marked by a Y, teaches a self locking and sealing plug and method for making it. This prior document relates to all filling or plugging, self locking and self sealing plugs and to a method for making the same. Thus, it should be apparent that this document does not provide any useful teachings for making a container like that disclosed by the Applicant in new main claim and, in particular, does not provide any suggestions or teachings to make a container with an integral cover element in which a gasket is applied made of a material different from that of the assembly comprising the covering element and container body. Thus, it should be apparent that also this document does not anticipate new main claim. The document EP 069 999, marked by a X in the Search Report, on the other hand, discloses a container having an integral hinged cap. However, this document does not disclose to provide a container having an integral hinged cap in which the hinged cap is provided therein with a gasket made of a material different from that of the assembly comprising the covering element and container body. Finally, the US 3 587 944 document, marked by a X in the Search Report discloses a dispensing apparatus having a plurality of integrally connected parts for use with dispensing containers, wherein the dispensing apparatus has a portion framing a central aperture therethrough. In particular, this document illustrates a dispensing apparatus having a first closure portion, integrally connecting to a framing portion by a thin flexible strip and a second closure portion integrally connected to the frame portion by a thin flexible strip which is diametrically opposed to the first strip thereby the first closure portion is movable or swingable along a path to close a central aperture through the framing portion and the second closure portion is movable or swingable along a path to close a material dispensing passage way through a first closure portion. This document too neither teaches nor addresses to provide a closure portion or cover having a gasket therein made of a material different from that of the assembly comprising the covering element and container body. Thus, it is believed that new main claim, as well as new claims 2 to 6 dependent thereon have patentable merits over the art.

Inventors: BOCOLA GIOVANNI, BOCOLA, GIOVANNI
Applicants: BOCOLA GIOVANNI, GIBO ITALIA S R L, BOCOLA, GIOVANNI, GIBO ITALIA S.R.L.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B65D47
IPC codes: B29C45, B65D47