Patent ID: 12207724

FIGS.1to11show an example of a device for packaging two products separately and dispensing a mixture M of those two products on first use, denoted by the general reference number10.

The device10may be used for packaging two cosmetic products A and B, for example two liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic products, or a liquid product and a powder. For example, the products may be hair products, such as, hair-care products, for example, hair dye, cream hair or the any product used for hair. However, it might be possible to provide the packaging, and dispensing of other types of products. The device10is suited for one application products. By way of example, the first product A is an oxidative colorant and the second product is an oxidant agent B which when mixed together to make a mixture M forms a hair dye.

The device10may also be used for packaging other types of cosmetics products such as skin care products, or other types of products like food products, such as flavoured liquids, or any products that may be kept separated during transport and storage, such as adhesive products, polymer coatings, etc.

However, the device10may also be used for packaging and dispensing only one single product.

The device10extends along a longitudinal axis X-X′ assumed to be vertical on the Figures. The device10comprises a lower container12and an upper container14that are capable of turning one relative to the other about said longitudinal axis X-X′.

When used to package and dispense only one product, the device may comprise only the upper container14and not the lower container12, or the both containers, but the upper container act like a dispensing member.

The lower container12has the shape of a bottle having an elongated body along the longitudinal axis provided with a closed lower end16forming a bottom and an upper end18forming a neck provided with an opening20, opposite the lower end16, allowing access to the internal cavity22containing the first product A.

In the embodiment illustrated, the neck18has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the body of the lower container12and comprises, on its outer surface, two outer annular shoulders18adelimiting an annular groove18b. The body of the lower container12may be made, for example, of rigid plastic material.

The upper container14is in the form of a cap and comprises a central dispensing chimney or duct24containing the second product B having an upper portion shaped with a dispensing closure26and a lower end provided with an opening28, opposite to the dispensing closure26, and allowing access to an internal cavity24aof the duct24containing the second product B.

The dispensing closure26is designed to be broken for first use in order to open a dispensing orifice24bin flow communication with the internal cavity24a.

In the embodiments shown onFIGS.1to10, the dispensing closure26is frangible. Alternatively, the dispensing closure26may be unscrewed or teared off or pealed from the duct24.

As illustrated, the end of the duct24is provided with notches26ain order to easily separate the dispensing closure26from the duct24. A plurality of notches26amay be located circumferentially around the duct24and spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, a single notch26amay be provided around the duct24.

The dispensing closure26may be provided with a plug (not shown) opposite to the notches26adesigned to be inserted in the dispensing orifice24bafter the dispensing closure26is broke off from the duct24. The dispensing closure26is thus repositionable and may close the dispensing orifice after use.

The dispensing duct24is surrounded by an assembly skirt30provided on its radially inner surface with an annular bead30acooperating with the annular groove18bof the lower container12by snap-fit attachment, such that the upper container14is held axially relative to the lower container12, while allowing a rotating movement one relative to the other.

The upper container14has an annular sealing lip32extending substantially along the longitudinal axis X-X′ down into an annular channel14aformed between the dispensing chimney24and the assembly skirt30. The sealing lip32is annular and bears closely against the radially inside surface of a portion18cof the neck18, which surface is annular, thereby providing sealing between the lower container12and the upper container14.

Advantageously, the annular sealing lip32of the upper container14is configured to be elastically deformed in the radial direction against the sealing portion18cof the neck18when inserting the dispensing duct24of the upper container14in the neck18of the lower container12.

In particular, the sealing portion18cof the neck18comprises a slope extending inwardly in the radial direction from an upper portion18dof the neck, this slope assisting the elastic deformation of the annular sealing lip32of the upper container14when this latter is assembled on the lower container12.

Advantageously, the upper portion18dof the neck18of the lower container12has an inner diameter that is bigger than the outer diameter of the annular sealing lip32of the upper container14. Therefore, the risk that the opened end of the neck18of the lower container12and the annular sealing lip32be damaged by mutual contact when the upper container14is assembled on the lower container12is lowered.

The sealing portion18cis located axially away from the opened end of the neck18and is thus not subjected to degradation when the lower container is carried by its neck and/or when the upper container14is assembled on the lower container12.

The sealing portion18chas a C-shape in cross section, which allows said sealing portion18cto be elastically deformed when inserting the dispensing chimney24of the upper container14in the neck18of the lower container12. Such a particular shape increases radial interference between the sealing portion18cand the sealing lip32. The airtightness of the device10is thus increased.

The upper portion18dof the neck18is configured to guide the upper container14until the assembly skirt30of the dispensing chimney24cooperates by snap-fit attachment with the lower container12.

As illustrated, the upper container14further comprises an application member40mounted on the dispensing chimney24and comprising a cover42mounted on the upper end of the dispensing chimney24and a plurality of application teeth44extending outwardly from said cover42.

The cover42comprises an opening42afor the dispensing closure26.

As a non-limiting example, the application member40comprises four rows44a,44b,44c,44dof application teeth44each inclined towards the flow path of the product to be dispensed.

Alternatively, the application member40may comprise only two rows of application teeth44or more than four.

All teeth44are inclined towards the central longitudinal axis X-X′ of the device10.

Each tooth44has a base section connected to the cover42and a free end opposite to the base section.

Each tooth44is elastically deformable and capable of flexing around the junction with its base section and the cover42.

In other words, the teeth are thus capable, from the material used and/or their dimension, to be deformed under a slight solicitation, for example by the dispensing closure26, or by the user during the application on an application surface such as the hair and/or the scalp, and to return to their initial position when no solicitation is exerted on the teeth.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, during transport and before the first use, the dispensing orifice24bof the upper container14is closed off by the dispensing closure26, which is located between the application teeth44. The rows of the plurality of teeth44are thus arranged two by two on each side of the dispensing closure26. The rows44a,44b,44c,44dof the plurality of teeth44are parallel to each other.

As illustrated onFIG.5, the teeth44of two adjacent rows of teeth44a,44b;44c,44dare in a staggered arrangement, in such a way that when the four rows are pushed towards the axis X-X′ of the dispensing orifice24b, their free ends only form two rows of teeth44. In other words, when the rows of teeth are brought towards the axis X-X′ of the dispensing orifice24b, the free ends of teeth44of a first row44afit between the free ends of teeth44of the second row44band the free ends of teeth44of a third row44cfit between the free ends of teeth44of the fourth row44d.

During transport and before the first use, when the dispensing closure26is located between the teeth44, the teeth44of the second and the fourth rows44b,44dof teeth are stressed mechanically in a first position in which the teeth44in contact with the dispensing closure26form a first angle α1with the longitudinal axis.

When the dispensing closure26is removed, the teeth42of the second and the fourth rows44b,44dof teeth that were in contact with the dispensing closure26are flexed automatically in a second position which correspond to the rest position of the teeth. In this rest position, the teeth of the second and the fourth rows44b,44dof teeth form a second angle α2with the longitudinal axis. The second angle is bigger than the first angle.

In this rest position, the free end of the teeth of the second and the fourth rows44b,44dof teeth are in the flow path of the product to be dispensed.

Elastically deformable inclined teeth44allow good retention and restitution of the product to be dispensed. Indeed, the distribution of the product is easily controlled by the inclined teeth44.

Furthermore, the staggered arrangement of the teeth44allows a zig-zag distribution of the product to be dispensed.

Each tooth44has a triangular cross section. The cross section of each tooth may decrease continuously, on at least a part of its length, towards its free end.

As illustrated, the application teeth extend transversally beyond the first dispensing orifice, and the teeth have the shape of a straight rod.

The free ends of the teeth are not in contact in the rest position.

The teeth44are made in a flexible deformable and capable of bouncing back material, such as a thermoplastic, for example a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or any material capable of being elastically deformed.

The cover42and/or the upper container14may be made in a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Nylon or any material stiffer than the teeth44.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, during transport and before the first use, a temporary closing member50. In the example illustrated, the closing member50is a lid that is able to be screwed, in a sealed manner, onto an outer thread28aprovided on the outer surface of the lower end28of the dispensing chimney24, between the dispensing chimney24and the inner surface of the neck18.

The closing member50comprises a cylindrical skirt52and a plug54connected to said skirt52. The cylindrical skirt52extends radially between the neck18of the lower container12and the lower end28of the dispensing chimney24of the upper container14.

The cylindrical skirt52is provided on its inner cylindrical surface with inner threads42acooperating with the outer thread28aof the dispensing chimney24.

The cylindrical skirt52is further provided on its outer cylindrical surface with outer longitudinal ribs52bregularly spaced apart on the whole circumference of the cylindrical skirt52. Said outer longitudinal ribs52bcooperate with inner longitudinal ribs18eprovided on the inner circumferential surface of the neck18, such that the closing member50is prevented from rotating relative to the lower container12.

As illustrated and in a non-limiting example, the outer longitudinal ribs52bextend axially beyond the upper surface of the cylindrical skirt52.

In the example shown, the outer diameter of the plug54is larger than the outer diameter of the opened end28of the dispensing chimney24.

The cylindrical skirt52and the lower container12may be provided with anti-rotation means having a different shape than longitudinal ribs. Generally, the cylindrical skirt52and the lower container12are provided with anti-rotation means for preventing the closing member50from rotating relative to the lower container12.

The upper surface of the plug54comprises a first annular sealing lip54aaxially extending towards the upper container14and having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the lower opened end28of the dispensing chimney24in order to be inserted into said dispensing chimney24and to close it in a sealed manner.

The upper surface of the plug54comprises a second sealing lip54bextending axially in an annular groove28bprovided at the end of the lower opened end28.

The second sealing lip54bmay be annular.

Adding a second sealing lip increase airtightness of the upper container14.

As illustrated, the second sealing lip54bhas an axial length smaller than the axial length of the first sealing lip54a.

The plug54is connected by a bridge of hinge-forming material54cand by links or bonds of breakable material54dto the cylindrical skirt52. In the embodiment shown on the Figures, there are seven links of breakable material54dregularly spaced apart on the circumference of the plug54. It could be possible to provide a number of breakable links54ddifferent than seven. For example, the plug54is connected to the cylindrical skirt52by a bridge of hinge-forming material54cand by at least one breakable link54d.

As shown, the plug54comprises a plurality of axially projecting bars or blocks54eprovided on the lower surface of the plug54, opposite to the upper surface of the plug54having the annular sealing lips54a,54b. The axially projecting blocks54eare disposed circumferentially on the lower surface of the plug54and are regularly spaced apart from each other.

As illustrated onFIG.9, there are four blocks44e. However, the number of blocks54eis not limited to four and may be for example equal to one, two or three, or higher than four.

The blocks54eare disposed on a diameter of the plug54substantially equal to the diameter of the dispensing chimney24, so that when the closing member50is dropped in the lower container12, the blocks54eavoid obstructing the opened lower end28of the dispensing chimney24.

It is also possible to provide a closing member without axially projecting blocks54eand/or without breakable links54dand bridge54c.

In a non-limited example, the first rotation direction may be a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

The device10is assembled as follows.

The upper container14is filled with the second product B and the closing member50is screwed onto the dispensing chimney24until the plug54bears axially against the opened end28of said dispensing chimney24.

The upper container14is fitted in a simple translation movement along the longitudinal axis X-X′ on the lower container12which has been previously filled with the first product A, until the assembly skirt30of the upper container14snap-fasten onto the neck18of the lower container12.

In order to put the inner volume24aof the upper container14in flow communication with the inner volume22of the lower container12on first use of the device10, the user turns the upper container14relative to the lower container12in a first rotation direction F1, as shown onFIG.10, causing the closing member50to translate downwardly along the longitudinal axis X-X′ compared to the lower container12until falling into the inner volume22of said lower container12.

As illustrated onFIG.10, and in a non-limited example, the first rotation direction F1is a counter-clockwise direction. The first rotation direction could also be a clockwise direction.

In this embodiment, once the closing member50is in the inner volume22of the lower container12, said closing member acts as a stirring member for the mixture M comprising the first and second products A, B by twist and shaking movements of the device10.

The user then breaks the frangible dispensing closure26for using the device10and dispensing the resulting mixture M contained in the lower container12through the dispensing chimney24and the dispensing orifice24b.

The lower container12may be processed with injection blow molding process. The lower container12is made for example in polymer material, such as thermoplastic material. The lower container12is, for example, injection molded onto a preform core consisting of the container neck with a thick tube of polymer material attached. The preform core has longitudinal outer ribs which will form the anti-rotation longitudinal ribs18eprovided on the inner circumferential surface of the neck18when compressed air is filled into the preform for inflating the thick tube into the bottle shape of the lower container.

The longitudinal anti-rotation ribs18eare thus manufactured directly during injection blow molding process of the lower container12.

When the user rotates the upper container in a second rotation direction F2, as shown onFIG.12, the closing member50translates upwardly until the breakable links54care broken by force causing the plug54to pivot around the bridge of hinge-forming material54band the second product B to flow towards the inner cavity22of the lower container12.

As illustrated onFIG.12, and in a non-limited example, the second rotation direction F2is a clockwise direction. The second rotation direction F2could also be a counter-clockwise direction as inFIG.10.

The user further may rotate the upper container14in a rotation direction opposite to the second rotation direction F2, in order to translates the closing member50downwardly until falling into the inner cavity22of the lower container12. (not shown on the Figures)

In this embodiment, the user may open the dispensing chimney24by rotating the upper container14in both rotation directions.

When using the device10, in case the closing member50comes in front of the opened lower end28of the dispensing chimney24, said closing member50will bear against said lower end28with its blocks54e, thus allowing the mixture M contained in the lower container12to flow between the blocks54ein the upper container14when turning said device10upside-down.

The embodiment as shown onFIG.13, in which the same elements bear the same references, differ from the embodiment ofFIGS.1to12only by the shape of the dispensing closure.

As illustrated onFIG.13, the dispensing closure60is configured to close the dispensing orifice24band comprises a handling element62having a griper62aand a body62bextending from the gripper62a. As illustrated, the body62bis tubular and is provided with a sealing annular flange62cat an end opposite to the gripper62a.

The dispensing closure60further comprises a closure member64suitable for closing the dispensing orifice24bof the upper container14. Said closure member64is tubular.

As illustrated onFIG.13, the closure member64comprises a fastening element64adesigned to cooperate with a complementary fastening element provided on the inner surface of the dispensing orifice24b. Fastening element64ais here a quarter turn. Alternatively, any other fastening element may be used to temporarily secure the dispensing closure60in the dispensing orifice24b, such as a screw thread, a clipping mechanism, etc. . . .

The closure member64further comprises a through-hole66at a vicinity of its free end, opposite to the handling element62.

The dispensing closure60, and especially the through-hole66act as a collecting or sampling member for collecting or extracting a part of the product contained in the upper container14, or the mixture M contained in the lower container12. The user may then test said extracted part before using the whole product.

There is thus not need to add a distinct collecting member or to use a cotton swab to test the product before the first use.

The embodiment as shown onFIG.14, in which the same elements bear the same references, differ from the embodiment ofFIG.13only by the shape of the sampling member of the dispensing closure.

As illustrated onFIG.14, the dispensing closure70comprises a handling element72having a griper72aand a body72bextending from the gripper72a. As illustrated, the body72bis tubular and is provided with a sealing annular flange72cat an end opposite to the gripper72a.

The dispensing closure70further comprises a closure member74suitable for closing the dispensing orifice24bof the upper container14. Said closure member74is tubular.

As illustrated onFIG.14, the closure member74comprises a fastening element74adesigned to cooperate with a complementary fastening element provided on the inner surface of the dispensing orifice24b. Fastening element74ais here a screw thread of a quarter turn. Alternatively, any other fastening element may be used to temporarily secure the dispensing closure70in the dispensing orifice24b.

The closure member74further comprises at its free end, opposite the handling element72, a collecting or sampling member76comprising a plurality of axial grooves76a, for example regularly spaced apart circumferentially.

The dispensing closure70, and especially the grooves76aallows to collect or extract a part of the product contained in the upper container14, or the mixture M contained in the lower container12. The user may then test said extracted part before using the whole product.

There is thus not need to add a distinct sampling member or to use a cotton swab to test the product before the first use.

The embodiment as shown onFIG.15, in which the same elements bear the same references, differ from the embodiment ofFIG.14only by the shape of the collecting member of the dispensing closure.

As illustrated onFIG.15, the dispensing closure80comprises a handling element82having a griper82aand a body82bextending from the gripper82a. As illustrated, the body82bis tubular and is provided with a sealing annular flange82cat an end opposite to the gripper82a.

The dispensing closure80further comprises a closure member84suitable for closing the dispensing orifice24bof the upper container14. Said closure member84is tubular.

As illustrated onFIG.15, the closure member84comprises a fastening element84adesigned to cooperate with a complementary fastening element provided on the inner surface of the dispensing orifice24b. Fastening element84ais here a screw thread of a quarter turn. Alternatively, any other fastening element may be used to temporarily secure the dispensing closure80in the dispensing orifice24b.

The closure member84further comprises at its free end, opposite the handling element82, a collecting member86comprising a plurality of radial grooves86afor example regularly spaced apart axially.

The dispensing closure80, and especially the grooves86aallows to collect a part of the product contained in the upper container14, or the mixture M contained in the lower container12. The user may then test said extracted part before using the whole product.

There is thus not need to add a distinct collecting member or to use a cotton swab to test the product before the first use.

Thanks to the device according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a device for packaging two separate products of simple structure, easy to manufacture and providing good sealing between the two containers.