Abstract
The invention provides a device (900) for containing a liquid or semi- liquid cosmetic or pharmaceutical product, the device comprising: a closure (902) comprising a product withdrawing conduit; a rigid container (901) having a first means for engaging with the closure, thereby closing the container; and a cartridge (905) enclosed within the rigid container, the cartridge having a second means for engaging with the closure, thereby forming a substantially airtight seal between the cartridge and the closure; wherein the cartridge comprises a biodegradable or recyclable rigid outer (906) enclosing a collapsible liner (907), the collapsible liner defining a cavity for containing the product, wherein the product withdrawing conduit extends inside the cavity. Also related methods, products and kits.
Claims
1. A device for containing a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic or pharmaceutical product, the device comprising: a closure comprising a product withdrawing conduit; a rigid container having a first means for engaging with the closure, thereby closing the container; and a cartridge enclosed within the rigid container, the cartridge having a second means for engaging with the closure, thereby forming a substantially airtight seal between the cartridge and the closure; wherein the cartridge comprises a biodegradable or recyclable rigid outer enclosing a collapsible liner, the collapsible liner defining a cavity for containing the product, wherein the product withdrawing conduit extends inside the cavity; and wherein the cartridge also comprises one or more further components for holding together the collapsible liner and the rigid outer, which is or are configured to restrict undesirable movement of the liner relative to the outer when the rigid container is engaged with and/or disengaged from the closure, wherein the liner and outer may still be deliberately decoupled from each other by a user for separate disposal, by means of removal or disengagement of the one or more further components; wherein the one or more further components comprise a ring (e.g. a screw-down ring), one or more clips, or a snap-off fastener, configured to engage with the rigid biodegradable outer and to hold together the collapsible liner and the rigid biodegradable outer.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rigid outer is biodegradable.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the material of the rigid outer comprises one or more of: polylactic acid; polyhydroxyalkanoate; a starch-based polymer; a cellulose-based polymer; a lignin-based polymer; a wood material; a material comprising fibers or particles of wood or other plant material embedded in a biodegradable resin; and a biodegradable fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the rigid outer is recyclable.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the material of the rigid outer comprises one or more of: of high density polyethylene; polyethylene terephthalate; polyethylenefuranoate; polytrimethylene furanicarboxylate; polypropylene; glass; aluminum; and steel.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more further components are configured to restrict rotation of the collapsible liner relative to the rigid outer when the rigid container is engaged with and/or disengaged from the closure.
7. (canceled)
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the collapsible liner and rigid outer comprise engagement means, wherein the engagement means are configured to restrict undesirable movement (for example rotation) of the liner relative to the outer when the rigid container is engaged with and/or disengaged from the closure, and wherein the liner.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the engagement means comprise an annular collar comprised by the collapsible liner that is configured to engage with a complementary annular section of the rigid outer, or complementary screw threads, or a bayonet fitting, or a snap-fit arrangement, or a friction fit arrangement, or a magnetic fastener.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first means for engaging with the closure comprises one or more detents, or a screw thread, or a bayonet fitting, or a snap-fit arrangement, or a friction fit arrangement, or a magnetic fastener; and/or wherein the second means for engaging with the closure comprises one or more detents, or a screw thread, or a bayonet fitting, or a snap-fit arrangement, or a friction fit arrangement, or a magnetic fastener.
11. (canceled)
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the second means for engaging with the closure is provided on or as part of the collapsible liner.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the engagement means comprise an annular collar comprised by the collapsible liner that is configured to engage with a complementary annular section of the rigid outer, or complementary screw threads, or a bayonet fitting, or a snap-fit arrangement, or a friction fit arrangement, or a magnetic fastener; and wherein the annular collar of the collapsible liner is disposed between a main body of the liner and the second means for engaging with the closure.
14-16. (canceled)
17. The device of claim 1, wherein the material of the rigid outer comprises at least 90 % by weight of the total material of the cartridge.
18. The device of claim 1, wherein a main body of the collapsible liner has a wall thickness of up to 0.5 mm; and/or wherein the material of the collapsible liner is formed of a recyclable material, such as a recyclable polyester (for example, one or more of: PET, PEF, PTF and PP) or is formed of a biodegradable material.
19-20. (canceled)
21. The device of claim 1, wherein the product withdrawing conduit extends into the cavity by no more than 25 % of the longest dimension of the collapsible liner, or wherein the product withdrawing conduit extends into the cavity by more than 50 % of the longest dimension of the collapsible liner.
22. The device of claim 1, wherein the product withdrawing conduit comprises a substantially cylindrical portion and a spiked portion, the spiked portion being substantially conical and suitable for piecing a foil or a film.
23. The device of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a pump (for example, a manually operated pump or an automatic pump) the pump being operable to pump the product from the cavity into the product withdrawing conduit and out of the device through a product dispensing head.
24. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises the liquid or semi-liquid product.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein the product is a cosmetic product or a pharmaceutical product.
26. (canceled)
27. A method of making the device of claim 1, the method comprising: providing the closure, the rigid container, and the cartridge; and attaching each of the rigid container and the cartridge to the closure.
28-32. (canceled)
33. A kit of parts for forming the device of claim 1, the kit comprising the closure of the device of claim 1, the rigid container and the cartridge of claim 1.
34. (canceled)
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0089] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which:
[0090] FIG. 1 shows side, top and cross-sectional views of a device according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0091] FIG. 2 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a rigid container and a closure;
[0092] FIG. 3 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a collapsible liner;
[0093] FIG. 4 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a cartridge;
[0094] FIG. 5 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a cartridge including a screw-down ring;
[0095] FIG. 6 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a rigid outer;
[0096] FIG. 7 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a rigid outer, together with a screw-down ring;
[0097] FIG. 8 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a screw-down ring;
[0098] FIG. 9 shows side and perspective exploded views of a device;
[0099] FIG. 10 shows side and perspective exploded views of a cartridge including a screw-down ring;
[0100] FIG. 11 shows side and perspective exploded views of a cartridge;
[0101] FIG. 12 shows a side view of a device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, with a rigid container and a closure in view;
[0102] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the device of FIG. 12;
[0103] FIG. 14 shows in detail a perspective view of part of a cartridge, including an opening adapted to receive a product withdrawing conduit;
[0104] FIG. 15 shows diagrammatically the position of a collapsible liner within a rigid outer, and illustrates progressive collapse of the liner as product is withdrawn for use;
[0105] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a rigid container;
[0106] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view, in progress, of the rigid container and cartridge of the device of FIG. 12 being coupled together. Part A shows the cartridge partially inserted into the rigid container, and Part B shows the cartridge fully installed;
[0107] FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge installed in the rigid container of the device of FIG. 12, with the product withdrawing conduit in place in the opening of the cartridge;
[0108] FIG. 19 shows side and perspective views of a product withdrawing conduit; and
[0109] FIG. 20 shows side, top, front and cross-sectional views of a product withdrawing conduit.
[0110] FIG. 21 shows an exploded view of a cartridge including a screw-down ring which is provided with a screw tread for engagement with the closure.
[0111] FIG. 22 show a collapsible liner as used in the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 21.
[0112] FIG. 23 shows a cartridge of FIG. 21 in cross-sectional view.
[0113] FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge and illustrates the progressive collapse of the collapsible liner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0114] Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.
[0115] FIG. 1 shows a device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Visible in the side and top views are rigid container 101 and closure 102. Closure 102 comprises a depressible manual pump actuator 103 which may be depressed by the thumb of a user in order to pump cosmetic product out of the product container via product outlet 104. Visible in the cross-sectional view, in addition to rigid container 101 and closure 102, is cartridge 105 comprising rigid outer 106 and collapsible liner 107. Rigid container 101 engages with closure 102 by means of detents 108. Cartridge 105 engages with closure 102 by means of screw thread 109. Collapsible liner 107 engages with rigid outer 106 by means of annular collar 111, which is shaped to engage with a complementary annular section of rigid outer 106. Screw-down ring 110 is optional, and may help secure annular collar 111 in place. Optionally, screw-down ring 110 may engage with rigid outer 106 by means of screw thread 112. It will be appreciated that where screw threads are shown in FIG. 1, these could be replaced in other embodiments with alternative engagement means, for example detents. Likewise, where detents are shown in FIG. 1, these could be replaced in other embodiments with screw threads.
[0116] FIG. 2 shows a rigid container 201 together with a closure 202 (closure 202 comprising depressible manual pump actuator 203 and product outlet 204). Rigid container 201 engages with closure 202 by means of detents 208. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, detents 208 could be replaced with other engagement means, for example a screw thread.
[0117] FIG. 3 shows a collapsible liner 307, having a screw thread 309 for engaging with a closure of the device (not shown) and an annular collar 311. Annular collar 311 is shaped for engagement with a rigid outer of the device (not shown).
[0118] FIG. 4 shows a cartridge 405, comprising rigid outer 406 and collapsible liner 407. Collapsible liner 407 engages with rigid outer 406 by means of annular collar 411, which is shaped to engage with a complementary annular section of rigid outer 406. Screw thread 409 is configured to engage with a closure of the device (not shown). Optional screw thread 412 is configured to engage with an optional screw-down ring of the cartridge of the device (not shown).
[0119] FIG. 5 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a cartridge 505, including an optional screw-down ring 510. Annular collar 511 of collapsible liner 507 engages with a complementary annular section of rigid outer 506. This restricts undesirable movement (for example rotation) of liner 507 relative to outer 506 when the rigid container is engaged with and/or disengaged from the closure, but liner 507 and outer 506 may nonetheless be decoupled by a user, for separate disposal. Optional screw-down ring 510 engages with screw thread 512. Thus, optional screw-down ring 510 supplements the action of annular collar 511, helping avoid undesirable movement (for example rotation) of liner 507 relative to outer 506. Optional screw-down ring 510 may also help prevent liner 507 from collapsing inwards, i.e., inside outer 506.
[0120] FIG. 6 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a rigid outer 606. In use, the annular collar of a collapsible liner of the device (not shown) engages with a complementary annular section 613 of rigid outer 606.
[0121] FIG. 7 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of a rigid outer 706, with an optional screw-down ring 710 in place.
[0122] FIG. 8 shows side, top, cross-sectional and perspective views of an optional screw-down ring 810.
[0123] FIG. 9 shows side and perspective exploded views of a device 900, according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1. In use, rigid container 901 engages with closure 902, thereby closing rigid container 901, and cartridge 905 is enclosed within rigid container 901. Cartridge 905 comprises rigid outer 906, which encloses collapsible liner 907. Collapsible liner 907 defines a cavity for containing a product, wherein a product withdrawing conduit (not shown) of the closure extends inside the cavity. Optional screw-down ring 910 is also comprised in the cartridge 905 of FIG. 9.
[0124] FIG. 10 shows side and perspective exploded views of a cartridge 1005, including an optional screw-down ring 1010.
[0125] FIG. 11 shows side and perspective exploded views of a cartridge 1105. In this embodiment, rigid outer 1106 is provided in two halves, which clip into place around collapsible liner 1107.
[0126] FIG. 12 shows a side view of a device 1200 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Rigid container 1201 comprises a body of approximately square cross-section. A bottom closure 1202 attaches to the body of rigid container 1201. Closure 1203 comprises a depressible manual pump actuator 1207 which may be depressed by the thumb of an operator in order to pump cosmetic product out of the device via product outlet 1205.
[0127] FIG. 13 shows an exploded of the device of FIG. 12. It can be seen that the bottom closure 1302 has been removed, to release cartridge 1300, in which a product is contained. Cartridge 1300 has an open-necked portion 1305. Also shown is an optional lid 1306, which fits over closure 1303 of rigid container 1301 and is absent in FIG. 12.
[0128] FIG. 14 shows in detail a perspective view of part of cartridge 1400, specifically open-necked portion 1401. It can be seen that open-necked portion 1401 has an opening 1402 through which product may be withdrawn. The opening is circular in cross-section and thus has an internal surface which is a cylindrical bore. The opening may optionally be closed by means of a sealing foil (not shown) fitted across the top of the opening. A tight seal between a product withdrawing conduit (not shown) and the bore of the opening may be achieved by locating a gasket of elastomeric material in the inner surface of the bore of the opening at position 1403 of FIG. 14 (gasket not shown). By placing a gasket in the cartridge, the gasket may operate to wipe the product withdrawing conduit clean of residual product when the cartridge is removed from the device, thereby reducing mess. Placing the gasket on the replaceable cartridge rather than the reusable rigid container also means that the gasket does not need to withstand the wear and tear of long-term use.
[0129] FIG. 15 shows the arrangement of collapsible liner 1504 within rigid outer 1500. The view of Part A illustrates the configuration when collapsible liner 1504 is full of a product. Parts B and C show progressive emptying and collapse of liner 1504, as product is removed. The wall of the rigid outer may contain an opening to assist admittance of atmospheric air into the gap 1505 between the inner wall of the rigid outer and the collapsible liner 1504, as the liner 1504 collapses.
[0130] The rigid container may be constructed of a durable, attractive material such as brushed aluminium, and may be machined or otherwise fabricated with, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 16, a cavity 1610 to receive a cartridge, a cavity 1611 to receive a pump mechanism and a suitable arrangement 1612 to receive a bottom closure.
[0131] FIG. 17 shows, in cross-section in Part A, a rigid container 1701, together with a manual pump having a pump actuator 1707 and a product dispensing outlet 1705. Also visible in Part A is a product withdrawing conduit having a cylindrical portion 1701 and a substantially conical portion 1703. Part A shows the partial insertion of a cartridge 1700 into cavity 1710. The cartridge may be inserted further into this position, as shown in Part B. As can be seen in Part B, the product withdrawing conduit is received in the opening of the cartridge 1700, such that the substantially conical portion 1703 has pierced a foil (not shown) across the opening of the cartridge 1700, and the cylindrical portion 1701 fills the bore of the cartridge opening. By placing a product in a collapsible liner inside the rigid outer of the cartridge, exposure of the product to the atmosphere is avoided and, provided that the cylindrical portion 1701 of the product withdrawing conduit and the bore of the cartridge opening form an airtight seal, product may be withdrawn until the cartridge 1700 is substantially empty, without the product withdrawing conduit needing to extend very far into the cavity of the collapsible liner. This also allows product to be dispensed when the device is inverted. A shorter product withdrawing conduit reduces the potential for it to be damaged, and reduces the amount of residual product clinging to it when cartridge 1700 is removed from the device.
[0132] FIG. 18 shows the cartridge 1800 in place and illustrates how the substantially conical portion 1803 of the product withdrawing conduit is inside the cartridge in this configuration.
[0133] FIG. 19 shows, in multiple views, an illustrative product withdrawing conduit 1900 in accordance with the invention. It comprises a cylindrical portion 1901 having an internal bore 1902. The cylindrical portion is dimensioned to be received by the opening of a rigid cartridge of the device (not shown). The product withdrawing conduit 1900 is at one end spiked into a substantially conical shape, suitable for piercing a sealing foil across the top of the opening of the rigid cartridge. The internal bore 1902 opens in the side wall of the substantially conical portion 1903; its position means it is unlikely to become blocked by a sealing foil.
[0134] FIG. 20, like FIG. 19, shows an illustrative product withdrawing conduit 2000 in accordance with the invention. It comprises a cylindrical portion 2001 having an internal bore 2002. The cylindrical portion is dimensioned to be received by the opening of a rigid cartridge of the device (not shown). The product withdrawing conduit 2000 is at one end spiked into a substantially conical shape, suitable for piercing a sealing foil across the top of the opening of the rigid cartridge. The internal bore 2002 opens in the side wall of the substantially conical portion 2003; its position means it is unlikely to become blocked by a sealing foil.
[0135] FIG. 21 shows side and perspective exploded views of a cartridge 1005, including an optional screw-down ring 1010. In contrast to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 10, it can be seen that the screw tread for engaging with the closure is provided as part of the screw-down ring, whereas in the arrangement shown in FIG. 10, that screw-thread is provided as part of the rigid outer which protrudes beyond the screw-down ring. The absence of the screw-tread on the collapsible liner in accordance with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 21, is shown clearly in FIG. 22 which is an illustration of the collapsible liner alone. It can be seen form FIG. 22, that the collapsible liner without the screw-tread is advantageously simple in form.
[0136] FIG. 23 shows a cross section of a cartridge as illustrated in FIG. 21. As can be seen, when the cartridge is assembled from the collapsible liner and the rigid outer, the means for engaging with the closure, in this case a screw tread, is provided as part of the screw down ring. This means that the neck of the collapsible liner is mechanically strengthened by the screw-down ring which means that sufficient robustness can be provided in the means for engaging with the closure whilst only requiring the use of a minimal amount of material for the collapsible liner.
[0137] FIG. 24 shows a cross-section of a cartridge of the invention which comprises a rigid outer 1006 and a collapsible liner. The three-illustrations show progressive collapse of the liner as product is withdrawn from the cavity of the collapsible liner. This method of collapse is in contrast to the deflation of the liner illustrated in FIG. 15, although it is to be understood that both modes of collapse are provided by the present invention.
Clauses Reciting Further Aspects of the Invention
[0138] Further aspects of the invention are recited in the following numbered Clauses. It will be appreciated that further features, disclosed elsewhere in this specification, may be incorporated into these Clauses.
[0139] Clause 1. A rigid cartridge comprising a rigid outer and a collapsible liner for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product wherein the cartridge has an opening adapted to receive a product withdrawing conduit, characterised in that the opening has a cross-section substantially identical to that of that product withdrawing conduit and elastomeric material on its inner surface such that a substantially airtight seal around the product withdrawing conduit and that when the product withdrawing conduit is removed from the opening, it is wiped substantially clean of any product on its exterior surface.
[0140] Clause 2. The rigid cartridge of clause 1, wherein the opening is in a necked portion of the cartridge and wherein the opening has an elastomeric ring gasket filled to the inner surface of the opening.
[0141] Clause 3. The rigid cartridge of clause 1 or 2, wherein the rigid outer is made of a compostable plastic material.
[0142] Clause 4. The rigid cartridge of clause 1 or 2, wherein the rigid outer is made of a recyclable plastics material having more than 95% purity.
[0143] Clause 5. The rigid cartridge of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the rigid cartridge contains a liquid or semi-liquid product.
[0144] Clause 6. The rigid cartridge of clause 5, wherein the liquid or semi-liquid product is a cosmetic product.
[0145] Clause 7. The rigid cartridge of any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the material of the rigid outer comprises at least 95% of the total material of the rigid cartridge by weight.
[0146] Clause 8. The rigid cartridge of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the material of the rigid outer is compostable, and wherein optionally, the material of the collapsible liner and optionally the elastomeric material is also compostable.
[0147] Clause 9. The rigid cartridge of any of clauses 1 to 8, further comprising a sealing film or foil across the opening.
[0148] Clause 10. A product container comprising an outer sleeve into which a rigid cartridge as defined in any of clauses 1 to 9 may be inserted, said outer sleeve comprising a product withdrawing conduit and a manually operated pump wherein operation of the pump is arranged to be suitable to pump a liquid or semi-liquid product into the product withdrawing conduit and out through a product dispensing head.
[0149] Clause 11. A product container of clause 10, further comprising a rigid cartridge as defined in any of clauses 1 to 9.
[0150] Clause 12. A product container of clause 10 or 11, further comprising a bottom closure adapted to retain a rigid cartridge which has been inserted into the outer sleeve.
[0151] Clause 13. A product container of clause 10, 11 or 12, wherein the product withdrawing conduit comprises a portion which is substantially cylindrical and which is suitable for engaging with a substantially cylindrical opening in the rigid cartridge, and a spoked portion which is substantially conical and is suitable for piecing a foil or film.
[0152] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.
