CLOSURE MEMBER FOR AN ASSEMBLY FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING A PRODUCT, AND ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A CLOSURE MEMBER

Abstract

Assembly (1) for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a reservoir (10) delimiting an internal volume (14) intended to contain a product and comprising an opening (16a) for accessing said internal volume (14), provided with at least one inner shoulder (18c), and a member (20) for closing the opening (16a) of the reservoir, comprising a mounting skirt (22) that extends along an elevation axis (Z-Z′) and is mounted in the reservoir, and closes the opening (16a) of said reservoir (10). The closure member (20) comprises a fastening lip (28) delimited axially by a proximal end (28a) connected to the mounting skirt (22) and a free distal end (28b), on the opposite side from the proximal end (28a), the fastening lip (28) being folded and radially surrounding the mounting skirt and the distal end (28b) of said fastening lip (28) butting axially against the shoulder (18c) of the reservoir (10).

Claims

1. Assembly (1) for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product comprising: a reservoir (10) delimiting an internal volume (14) intended to contain the cosmetic product and comprising an opening (16a) for accessing said internal volume (14), the inner surface of said opening comprising at least one shoulder (18c); and a member (20) for closing the opening (16a) of the reservoir, comprising a mounting skirt (22) extending along an elevation axis (Z-Z′), mounted in the reservoir, and delimited axially by an open lower end (22a) and an upper end (22b) on the opposite side from the lower end (22a), the closure member (20) comprising an annular flange (22c) protruding radially towards the outside from the upper end (22b) of the mounting skirt (22), the annular flange (22c) comprising an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the opening (16a) of the reservoir (10) and bearing axially against the upper end of said reservoir, the closure member (20) further comprising a radial upper wall (24) that closes the upper end (22b) of the mounting skirt (22) and is provided with at least one dispensing orifice (24a) for the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir (10) to pass through, characterized in that said closure member (20) comprises: a fastening lip (28) delimited axially by a proximal end (28a) connected to the mounting skirt (22) and a free distal end (28b), on the opposite side from the proximal end (28a), the fastening lip (28), in the position fastening the closure member in the opening of the reservoir, being folded and radially surrounding the mounting skirt, the distal end (28b) of said fastening lip (28) butting axially against the shoulder (18c) of the reservoir (10), and in that in an initial position not mounted of the closure member (20) in the reservoir (10), the fastening lip (28) protrudes towards the outside with respect to an outer cylindrical surface (22d) of the mounting skirt (22) forming an obtuse angle (a1) with respect to said surface (22d), and the free distal end (28b) of the fastening lip has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the reservoir (10) in order to obtain the turning of the fastening lip (28) into the folded position fastening during the assembly of the closure member (20) in the reservoir (10).

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, in the position fastening the closure member (20) in the opening (16a) of the reservoir (10), the fastening lip (28) protrudes towards the outside, with respect to an outer cylindrical surface (22d) of the mounting skirt (22), in a direction (d2) forming an acute angle (a2) with respect to said surface (22d).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening lip (28) comprises a cross section which increases, in particular gradually, between the proximal end (28a) and the distal end (28b).

4. Assembly (1) claim 1, wherein the proximal end (28a) and the distal end (28b) of the fastening lip (28) are connected by an internal frontal surface (28c) and an external frontal surface (28d), the internal frontal surface (28c) of the fastening lip (28) being for example in radial contact with the outer cylindrical surface of the mounting skirt (22).

5. Assembly (1) according claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises, on its inner surface, at least one annular recess (18a) delimited axially by the upper shoulder (18c) and a lower shoulder (18b), the distal end (28b) of the fastening lip (28) being disposed radially in said recess (18a).

6. Assembly (1) according claim 1, wherein the fastening lip (28) is connected to a lower end (22a) of the mounting skirt (22).

7. Assembly (1) according claim 1, wherein the closure member (20) comprises a lid (26) that is hinged with respect to the mounting skirt (22) by means of at least one articulation about a transverse pivot axis (AO), perpendicular to the elevation axis (Z-Z′), between a closed position, in which the dispensing orifice (24a) is closed, and an open position, in which the dispensing orifice (24a) is free.

8. Assembly (1) according claim 1, wherein the closure member (20) comprises a sealing skirt (30) protruding axially, and towards the inside, from the annular flange (22c), radially surrounding the mounting skirt (22), at least partially, and in radial contact with the inner surface of the reservoir (10), in the position fastening the closure member(20).

9. Method for assembling an assembly (1) for packaging and dispensing a product according to any of the preceding claims comprising the following successive steps: moving the closure member (20) axially towards the reservoir (10), the fastening lip (28) being in an initial position not mounted in the reservoir, in which said fastening lip (28) protrudes towards the outside, with respect to an outer cylindrical surface (22d) of the mounting skirt (22), in a first direction (d1) forming a first, obtuse angle (a1) with respect to said surface (22d); turning up the fastening lip (28) of the closure member (20) so as to cause said fastening lip (28) to bend about an annular bending line (A1), or annular tum-up line, extending around the elevation axis (Z-Z′) towards the outer surface (22d) of the mounting skirt (22); and inserting the mounting skirt (22) of the closure member (20) into the opening (16a) of the reservoir (10), by press-fitting it using an axial pushing force, until the free distal end (28b) of the fastening lip (28) is inserted under the shoulder (18c) of the reservoir (10), during the press-fitting of the mounting skirt (22) into the reservoir (10), the fastening lip (28) moves towards the outer surface (22d) of the mounting skirt (22) until a fastening position is reached in which the fastening lip (28) protrudes towards the outside, with respect to the outer cylindrical surface (22d) of the mounting skirt (22), in a second direction (d2) forming a second, acute angle (a2) with respect to said surface, and in which the free distal end (28b) of the fastening lip (28) is in axial abutment against the shoulder (18c) of the reservoir (10).

10. Assembly method according to claim 9, wherein the turning up of the fastening lip (28) of the closure member (20) is carried out when the fastening lip (28) of the closure member (20) is brought into contact with the reservoir (10).

Description

[0069] The present invention will be understood better from studying the detailed description of embodiments that are given by way of entirely non-limiting examples and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0070] FIG. 1 is a view in partial axial section of an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0071] FIG. 2 is a view in axial section of a closure member of the assembly for packaging and dispensing a product in FIG. 1, in which the fastening lip is in an initial position, not mounted in the reservoir of the assembly in FIG. 1;

[0072] FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the steps of assembling the closure member in FIG. 2 in a reservoir of the assembly in FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a step of demoulding the closure member in FIG. 2;

[0074] FIG. 7 is a view in partial axial section of an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0075] FIG. 8 is a view in axial section of a closure member of the assembly for packaging and dispensing a product in FIG. 7, in which the fastening lip is in an initial position, not mounted in the reservoir of the assembly in FIG. 7.

[0076] In the rest of the description, reference will be made to an orthonormal basis X, Y, Z, where Z corresponds to an elevation axis representing the vertical direction. The expressions “upper” and “lower” refer to the upper part and the lower part of the figures.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows an assembly 1 for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product.

[0078] A “product” is understood to be a liquid, semi-liquid or viscous product that is intended to flow out of a reservoir under the effect of gravity. The product may be a cosmetic product, such as a hygiene product, a care product or a makeup product, for example.

[0079] The assembly 1 for packaging and dispensing the product comprises a reservoir or container 10, for example in the form of a hollow body 12, delimiting an internal volume 14 containing a product. The reservoir 10 extends axially along an axis Z-Z′ that is presumed to be vertical in the figures, from an upper end 16 forming a neck provided with an opening 16a for accessing the internal volume 14 to a lower end (not shown) forming the bottom of the reservoir.

[0080] The body of the reservoir 10 may be made, for example, of rigid synthetic material.

[0081] By way of non-limiting example, the neck 16 may have an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the body 12 of the reservoir 10.

[0082] As illustrated, the neck 16 comprises, on its inner surface 18, an annular recess 18a delimited along the elevation axis, which in this case is vertical Z-Z′, between a lower shoulder 18b and an upper shoulder 18c.

[0083] A “shoulder” is understood to be any surface that is substantially normal to the elevation axis of a cylindrical component resulting from an abrupt change in diameter.

[0084] As illustrated, the lower and upper shoulders 18b, 18c are surfaces substantially normal to the inner surface 18 of the neck 16 of the reservoir 10.

[0085] An “annular recess” is understood to be a cylindrical notch formed in the neck of the reservoir 10.

[0086] The assembly 1 for packaging and dispensing the product comprises a member 20 for closing the neck 16 of the reservoir 10.

[0087] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure member 20 comprises a mounting skirt or body 22 that is substantially cylindrical, extends along the elevation axis Z-Z′, shown here in a vertical use position, and is configured to be mounted inside the neck 16 of the reservoir 10.

[0088] The mounting skirt 22 is delimited axially by an open lower end 22a and an upper end 22b, on the opposite side from the lower end 22a. The upper end 22b comprises a substantially annular flange 22c that has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the neck 16 of the reservoir 10 and bears axially against the upper end of said neck 16 in the mounted position of the closure member 20, which can be seen in FIG. 1.

[0089] Advantageously, and as illustrated in particular in FIG. 1, in the position fastening the closure member 20 in the reservoir 10, the upper end 22b of the mounting skirt 22 is in tight radial contact with the inner surface of the neck 16.

[0090] The closure member 20 also comprises a radial upper wall 24 that closes the upper end 22b of the mounting skirt 22 and is provided with a dispensing orifice 24a for the product contained in the reservoir 10 to pass through.

[0091] As illustrated, the closure member 20 is a closure cap which also has a cap or cover 26 that is hinged with respect to the mounting skirt 22 by means of one or more articulations or hinges about a transverse pivot axis A0, along the transverse axis X, perpendicular to the elevation axis Z-Z′, between an open position, which can be seen in FIG. 1, in which the dispensing orifice 24a is free, and a closed position, in which the dispensing orifice 24 is closed by a closure peg or stud 26a protruding axially towards the inside from an inner surface of the cover 26 when said cover 26 is in the closed position.

[0092] The cover 26 may be connected to the mounting skirt 22 for example by a hinge of the “film” hinge type or a strip that has a reduced thickness at the pivot axis A0 so as to give the hinge bending properties.

[0093] Other systems for connecting the cover 26 to the mounting skirt 22 could be provided. For example, provision could be made for the cover 26 to be screwed or snap-fastened into said mounting skirt 22. In this case, the mounting skirt 22 would not comprise a radial upper wall provided with a dispensing orifice and would directly define an opening by way of its inner surface, itself provided with a screwing or snap-fastening relief designed to cooperate with a complementary screwing or snap-fastening relief provided on the cover.

[0094] Provision could also be made for the closure member 20 not to comprise a pivoting lid, but rather a temporary membrane seal covering the dispensing orifice 24a or a removable peg that is inserted into said dispensing orifice in a position closing said orifice and has radial and axial dimensions configured so as to be withdrawn from said orifice by the user before the packaging assembly is used.

[0095] Provision could also be made for the closure member 20 to be a reducer configured to reduce the flow section for the product through said closure member compared with the section of the internal volume 14 of the reservoir 10. Such a reducer could, for example, be combined with a stopper or removable peg.

[0096] The closure member 20 comprises a fastening lip 28 that is hinged with respect to the mounting skirt 22 by means of an articulation or hinge about an annular bending line A1 extending around the elevation axis Z-Z′, between an initial position, which can be seen in FIG. 2, in which the closure member 20 is not mounted in the neck 16 of the reservoir 10, and a fastening position, which can be seen in FIG. 1, in which the closure member 20 is mounted in the neck 16 of the reservoir 10.

[0097] In the initial position of the fastening lip 28, the latter protrudes towards the outside, with respect to the outer cylindrical surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22, in a first direction d1 forming a first, obtuse angle al with respect to said surface 22d. The first angle is, for example, between 90° and 180°, for example equal to 120°.

[0098] In the fastening position of the fastening lip 28, the latter protrudes towards the outside, with respect to the outer cylindrical surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22, in a second direction d2 forming a second, acute angle α2 with respect to said surface 22d. The second angle α2 is, for example, between 5° and 45°, for example equal to 15°. Thus, in the fastening position of the fastening lip 28, a free annular space is defined between the fastening lip 28 and the outer cylindrical surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22, this annular space allowing the fastening lip 28 to bend elastically, allowing the closure member to be centred in the opening 16a of the reservoir 10.

[0099] Advantageously, in the position fastening the closure member 20 in the opening 16a of the reservoir 10, the fastening lip 28 is elastically loaded in the radial direction.

[0100] Thus, in the fastening position, the closure member 20 is supported elastically in the radial direction and centred in the opening 16a of the reservoir 10 via the fastening lip 28. Furthermore, the reliability of the distal end 28b of the fastening lip 28 butting axially and being kept in axial abutment against the shoulder 18c of the reservoir 10, in the position fastening the closure member 20 in the opening 16a of the reservoir 10, is thus reinforced.

[0101] The fastening lip 28 may be connected to the mounting skirt 22 for example by a hinge of the “film” hinge type or a strip that has a reduced thickness at the bending line A1 so as to give the hinge bending properties.

[0102] As illustrated, the fastening lip 28 is connected to the lower end 22a of the mounting skirt 22. As a variant, provision could be made for the fastening lip 28 to be connected to some other point on the outer surface of the mounting skirt 22.

[0103] The fastening lip 28 may be annular or may comprise segments that are spaced apart circumferentially from one another, in a regular or irregular manner. In other words, provision may be made for the fastening lip to be continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction.

[0104] The fastening lip 28 comprises a proximal end 28a connected to the mounting skirt 22 and a free distal end 28b, on the opposite side from the proximal end 28a.

[0105] The fastening lip 28 comprises a cross section which increases between the proximal end 28a and the distal end 28b. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the cross section of the fastening lip 28 increases gradually towards the distal end 28b.

[0106] The proximal end 28a and the distal end 28b are connected by two opposite frontal surfaces 28c, 28d, namely an internal frontal surface 28c and an external frontal surface 28d.

[0107] In the position fastening the closure member 20 in the opening 16a of the reservoir 10, the internal frontal surface 28c is closer to the outer surface of the mounting skirt 22 than the external frontal surface 28d.

[0108] The first and second angles α1, α2 are defined between the external frontal surface 28d and the outer cylindrical surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22 in the initial position and in the position fastening the closure member 20 in the reservoir, respectively.

[0109] In the initial position, the outer diameter of the distal end 28b is greater than the inner diameter of the reservoir 10, in particular of its neck 16.

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the fastening position, the internal frontal surface 28c of the fastening lip 28 is in radial contact with the outer cylindrical surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22.

[0111] Provision could also be made to use the closure member 20 to close the open end of a tube head equipping a reservoir 10 without a neck, such as a tube, or even to directly close the open end of a tube. The open end of the tube or of the tube head comprises an internal shoulder or annular protrusion that extends towards the inside of the reservoir and is intended to cooperate with the distal end 28b of the fastening lip 28 in the position fastening the closure member 20 in the open end of the reservoir 10.

[0112] An example of assembling the assembly 1 for packaging and dispensing a product is carried out using the following method, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0113] The closure member 20 is moved towards the reservoir 10 along the longitudinal axis Z-Z′, which can be seen in FIG. 3, until it comes into contact with said reservoir, as can be seen in FIG. 4.

[0114] At the end of the moving step, the closure member 20 is no longer in its initial position not mounted in the reservoir, in which the fastening lip 28 protrudes towards the outside, with respect to an outer cylindrical surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22, in the first direction d1 forming the first, obtuse angle al with respect to said surface 22d. Specifically, at the end of the moving step, the external frontal surface 28d of the fastening lip 28 of the closure member 20 comes into contact with the upper end 16 of the reservoir, so as to cause said fastening lip 28 to bend about the bending line A1 towards the outer surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22. The bringing of the fastening lip 28 into contact with the reservoir 10 corresponds to a step of turning up said lip 28.

[0115] The mounting skirt 22 of the closure member 20 is then inserted into the opening 16a of the neck 16 of the reservoir 10 by press-fitting, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

[0116] In this intermediate position of assembly or insertion into the opening 16a of the reservoir 10, the internal frontal surface 28c of the fastening lip 28 moves towards the outer surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22.

[0117] The mounting skirt 22 of the closure member 20 is press-fitted until the annular flange 22c comes to bear axially against the upper end 22b of the mounting skirt 22 and the free distal end 28b of the fastening lip is inserted into the annular recess 18a of the neck, in particular by elastic return. The free distal end 28b of the fastening lip then bears axially against the inner upper shoulder 18c of the neck 16, preventing the closure member 20 from being disassembled from the reservoir 10.

[0118] In the fastening position, which can be seen in FIG. 1, the fastening lip 28 protrudes towards the outside, with respect to the outer cylindrical surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22, in a second direction d2 forming a second, acute angle α2 with respect to said surface 22d.

[0119] By virtue of the flexible fastening lip, reliable fastening of the closure member 20 against an inner shoulder of the reservoir is achieved even with a shoulder of small radial size, this fastening lip 28 then acting in the manner of a harpoon so as to be immobilized in the elevation axis Z-Z′ behind the inner shoulder 18c of the neck 16 and thus to prevent the withdrawal of the closure member 20 from the reservoir 10.

[0120] It is particularly simple to mount the closure member 20 in the neck 16 of the reservoir 10, only requiring an axial pushing force in only one direction extending along the elevation axis Z-Z′.

[0121] Once the closure member 20 has been mounted in the neck 16 of the reservoir 10, it is no longer removable.

[0122] As a variant, provision could be made for the step of turning up the fastening lip 28, during which the fastening lip 28 of the closure member 20 bends about the bending line A1 towards the outer surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22, to be carried out before the step of insertion into the opening 16a of the reservoir 10.

[0123] The turn-up step may, for example, be carried out manually or be automated.

[0124] Bending the fastening lip 28 before press-fitting or inserting the closure member 20 into the reservoir 10 has the advantage of centring the mounting skirt 22 with respect to the reservoir 10. Specifically, the external frontal surface 28d of the turned-up fastening lip 28 defines a frustoconical bearing surface that makes it easier to insert the mounting skirt 22 into and centre it in the opening 16a of the reservoir 10 during the press-fitting of the closure member 20 into the opening 16a of the reservoir 10.

[0125] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, such an assembly method comprises the following successive steps: a step of moving the closure member 20 towards the reservoir 10 along the longitudinal axis Z-Z′, which can be seen in FIG. 3, a step of turning up (not shown) the fastening lip 28 so as to cause said fastening lip 28 to bend about the bending line A1 towards the outer surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22, and a step of inserting the mounting skirt 22 of the closure member 20 into the opening 16a of the neck 16 of the reservoir 10 by press-fitting, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

[0126] In this position inserted into the opening 16a of the reservoir 10, the internal frontal surface 28c of the fastening lip 28 moves further towards the outer surface 22d of the mounting skirt 22. The closure member 20 is made in one piece for example by injection-moulding a plastics material, for example a polymer such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or any other polymeric composition having similar physical properties.

[0127] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the closure member 20 is moulded in a mould M in the initial position in which the fastening lip 28 is opened out with respect to the mounting skirt 22 and extends in a direction away from the annular flange 22c. The closure member 20 is first of all demoulded by removing a first mould along the arrow 1, and then the fastening lip 28 is demoulded by force by removing a second mould along the arrow 2.

[0128] In the initial moulding position, the obtuse angle defined between the fastening lip 28 and the outer surface of the mounting skirt 22 makes it possible for there to be a small radial dimension exhibiting an undercut during the moulding of the closure member 20 and thus for it to be easier to demould the fastening lip 28 by force along the arrow 2 in FIG. 6, said fastening lip also being able to bend about the annular bending line to accompany this demoulding by force.

[0129] The turning or bending of said fastening lip during the assembly of said member 20 in the neck 16 of the reservoir 10, defining an acute angle between said fastening lip 28 and the outer surface of the skirt 22, makes it possible to have a larger radial dimension than the radial dimension in the initial position, and thus reliable catching of said fastening lip 28 on the upper shoulder of the neck 16.

[0130] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 only in that the closure member 20 comprises a sealing skirt 30 protruding axially towards the inside from the annular flange 22c.

[0131] The sealing skirt 30 is coaxial with the mounting skirt 22 and radially surrounds said skirt 22 partially.

[0132] The sealing skirt 30 may be annular.

[0133] In the position fastening the closure member 20 in the neck 16 of the reservoir, the sealing skirt 30 is in tight radial contact with the inner surface of said neck 16.

[0134] In the fastening position, the sealing skirt 30 does not extend axially beyond the distal end 28b of the fastening lip 28, so as not to interfere with said fastening lip 28.

[0135] By virtue of the invention, the fastening of the closure member on the container is improved, while maintaining a small radial size of said closure member, making it easier to manufacture said member by moulding and minimizing the quantity of material required to produce it.