Device for packaging two products separately

Abstract

Device (10) for packaging two products (A, B) separately and dispensing a resulting mixture (M) on a first use, comprising a lower container (12) delimiting a first product cavity (22) containing a first product (A) and an upper container (14) delimiting a second product cavity (24c) containing a second product (B), and being capable of rotating relative to the lower container (12) without moving axially, and a temporary closing member (30) configured to close an opened end (24b) of the upper container (14) before the first use, and comprising a cylindrical skirt (32) surrounding said opened end (24b) and a plug (34) connected to said cylindrical skirt (32), said cylindrical skirt (32) being designed to cooperate by thread engagement with the upper container (14) and being prevented from rotating relative to the lower container (12). The closing member (30) is deprived from any axially retaining members with both containers (12, 14), such that when the upper container (14) is rotated in a first rotation direction (F1), the closing member translates downwardly until falling into the first product cavity (22).

Claims

1. Device for packaging two products separately and dispensing a resulting mixture on a first use, said device comprising a lower container delimiting a first product cavity containing a first product and an upper container comprising a dispensing chimney delimiting a second product cavity containing a second product and having a dispensing orifice, said upper container comprising an assembly skirt surrounding the dispensing chimney and snap-fitted on the lower container, such that the upper container is held axially relative to the lower container, while allowing a rotating movement one relative to the other, said containers being capable of rotating one relative to the other without moving axially, wherein said device further comprises a temporary closing member configured to close an opened end of the upper container before the first use, and comprising a cylindrical skirt surrounding said opened end and a plug connected to said cylindrical skirt, said cylindrical skirt being provided, on its inner cylindrical surface, with inner threads cooperating with outer threads provided on the dispensing chimney of the upper container and on its outer cylindrical surface, with first anti-rotation means cooperating with second anti-rotation means provided on the lower container for preventing rotation between the closing member and the lower container, wherein the closing member is deprived from any axially retaining members with both containers, such that when the upper container is rotated in a first rotation direction, the closing member translates downwardly until falling into the first product cavity.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the closing member comprises a bridge of hinge-forming material and at least one link of breakable material connecting the plug to the cylindrical skirt, such that when the upper container is rotated in a second rotation direction, opposite to the first rotation direction, the closing member translates upwardly until the breakable link is broken by force causing the plug to pivot around the bridge of hinge-forming material between a first position where the opened end is closed to a second position where the opened end is opened so that the second product to flow towards the first product cavity of the lower container.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the closing member comprises a plurality of links of breakable material regularly spaced apart on the circumference of the plug.

4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closing member comprises at least one axially projecting block provided on a lower surface of the plug.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the closing member comprises a plurality of axially projecting blocks provided on the lower surface of the plug.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the blocks are disposed on the lower surface of the plug on a diameter of the plug substantially equal to the diameter of the opened end of the upper container.

7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug comprises an annular sealing lip on its upper surface configured to close the opened end of the upper container in a sealed manner.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the annular sealing lip is provided with an annular groove.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper container is provided with an annular axial sealing lip configured to bear closely against a radially inside surface of the lower container, thereby providing sealing between the lower container and the upper container.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the annular sealing lip of the upper container is provided with an outer annular groove.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper container comprises an upper portion, opposite to the open lower end, and having a dispensing frangible end piece designed to be broken for first use of said device in order to open a first dispensing orifice in flow communication with the second product cavity.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the upper container comprises a plurality of application teeth and wherein the frangible end-piece is located between said application teeth and provides access to a second dispensing orifice communicating with the first dispensing orifice.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower container is manufactured with injection blow molding process, such that the second anti-rotation means are manufactured directly during injection blow molding process of the lower container.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first anti-rotation means are longitudinal ribs provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical skirt, said longitudinal ribs cooperating with inner longitudinal ribs provided on the inner surface of the lower container.

Description

(1) The present invention will be better understood from studying the detailed description of an embodiment considered by way of a non-limiting example and illustrated by the attached drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross section view along line II-II of the device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross view of a lower container of the device of FIG. 1, showing anti-rotation means;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closing member of the device of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the device of FIG. 1 in an opened position of an upper container after rotation of the upper container in a first rotation direction;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a closing member according to a second embodiment;

(8) FIGS. 7 and 8 shows the device of FIG. 1 having the closing member of FIG. 6, in which the upper container is in an opened position after rotation of the upper container in two opposite rotation directions;

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a closing member according to a third embodiment;

(10) FIG. 10 is a cross section view of a device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIGS. 11 and 12 show example of the device of FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 13 is a front view of a device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

(13) FIG. 14 is a cross section view along line XIV-XIV of the device of FIG. 13.

(14) FIGS. 1 to 5 show 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 number 10.

(15) The device 10 may 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 device 10 is 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.

(16) The device 10 may 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.

(17) The device 10 extends along a longitudinal axis X-X′ assumed to be vertical on the Figures. The device 10 comprises a lower container 12 and an upper container 14 that are capable of turning one relative to the other about said longitudinal axis X-X′.

(18) The lower container 12 has the shape of a bottle having an elongated body along the longitudinal axis provided with a closed lower end 16 forming a bottom and an upper end 18 forming a neck provided with an opening 20, opposite the lower end 16, allowing access to the internal cavity 22 containing the first product A.

(19) In the embodiment illustrated, the neck 18 has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the body of the lower container 12 and comprises, on its outer surface, two outer annular shoulders 18a delimiting an annular groove 18b. The body of the lower container 12 may be made, for example, of rigid plastic material.

(20) The upper container 14 is in the form of a cap and comprises a central dispensing chimney or duct 24 containing the second product B having an upper portion shaped with a dispensing frangible end piece 24a and a lower end provided with an opening 24b, opposite to the frangible end piece 24a, and allowing access to an internal cavity 24c containing the second product B. The dispensing frangible end piece 24a is designed to be broken for first use in order to open a dispensing orifice 24d in flow communication with the internal cavity 24c.

(21) The dispensing chimney 24 is surrounded by an assembly skirt 26 provided on its radially inner surface with an annular bead 26a cooperating with the annular groove 18b of the lower container 12 by snap-fit attachment, such that the upper container 14 is held axially relative to the lower container 12, while allowing a rotating movement one relative to the other.

(22) The upper container 14 has an annular sealing lip 28 extending substantially along the longitudinal axis X-X′ down into an annular channel 14a formed between the dispensing chimney 24 and the assembly skirt 26. The sealing lip 28 is annular and bears closely against the radially inside surface of the top portion 18c of the neck 18, which surface is annular, thereby providing sealing between the lower container 12 and the upper container 14.

(23) As illustrated in FIG. 2, during transport and before the first use, the opened end 24b of the upper container 14 is closed off by a temporary closing member 30. In the example illustrated, the closing member 30 is a lid that is able to be screwed, in a sealed manner, onto an outer thread 24e provided on the outer surface of the lower end 24b of the dispensing chimney 24, between the dispensing chimney 24 and the inner surface of the neck 18.

(24) The closing member 30 comprises a cylindrical skirt 32 and a plug 34 connected to said skirt 32. The cylindrical skirt 32 extends radially between the neck 18 of the lower container 12 and the lower end 24b of the dispensing chimney 24 of the upper container 14.

(25) The cylindrical skirt 32 is provided on its inner cylindrical surface with inner threads 32a cooperating with the outer thread 24e of the dispensing chimney 24.

(26) The cylindrical skirt 32 is further provided on its outer cylindrical surface with outer longitudinal ribs 32b regularly spaced apart on the whole circumference of the cylindrical skirt 32. Said outer longitudinal ribs 32b cooperate with inner longitudinal ribs 18d provided on the inner circumferential surface of the neck 18, such that the closing member 30 is prevented from rotating relative to the lower container 12.

(27) As illustrated and in a non-limiting example, the outer longitudinal ribs 32b extend axially beyond the upper surface of the cylindrical skirt 32.

(28) In the example shown, the outer diameter of the plug 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the opened end 24b of the dispensing chimney 24.

(29) The cylindrical skirt 32 and the lower container 12 may be provided with anti-rotation means having a different shape than longitudinal ribs. Generally, the cylindrical skirt 32 and the lower container 12 are provided with anti-rotation means for preventing the closing member 30 from rotating relative to the lower container 12.

(30) The upper surface of the plug 34 comprises an annular sealing lip 34a having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the dispensing chimney 24 in order to be inserted into said dispensing chimney 24 and to close it in a sealed manner.

(31) The device 10 is assembled as follows.

(32) The upper container 14 is filled with the second product B and the closing member 30 is screwed onto the dispensing chimney 24 until the plug 34 bears axially against the opened end 24b of said dispensing chimney 24.

(33) The upper container 14 is fitted in a simple translation movement along the longitudinal axis X-X′ on the lower container 12 which has been previously filled with the first product A, until the assembly skirt 26 of the upper container 14 snap-fasten onto the neck 18 of the lower container 12.

(34) In order to put the inner volume 24c of the upper container 14 in flow communication with the inner volume 22 of the lower container 12 on first use of the device 10, the user turns the upper container 14 relative to the lower container 12 in a first rotation direction F1, as shown on FIG. 5, causing the closing member 30 to translate downwardly along the longitudinal axis X-X′ compared to the lower container 12 until falling into the inner volume 22 of said lower container 12.

(35) As illustrated on FIG. 5, and in a non-limited example, the first rotation direction F1 is a clockwise direction. The first rotation direction could also be a counter-clockwise direction.

(36) In this embodiment, once the closing member 30 is in the inner volume 22 of the lower container 12, 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 device 10.

(37) The user then breaks the frangible end-piece 24a for using the device 10 and dispensing the resulting mixture M contained in the lower container 12 through the dispensing chimney 24 and the dispensing orifice 24d.

(38) The lower container 12 may be processed with injection blow molding process. The lower container 12 is made for example in polymer material, such as thermoplastic material. The lower container 12 is, 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 ribs 18d provided on the inner circumferential surface of the neck 18 when compressed air is filled into the preform for inflating the thick tube into the bottle shape of the lower container.

(39) The longitudinal anti-rotation ribs 18d are thus manufactured directly during injection blow molding process of the lower container 12.

(40) The embodiment as shown on FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the same elements bear the same references, differ from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 only by the fact that the plug 34 is connected by a bridge of hinge-forming material 34b and by links or bonds of breakable material 34c to the cylindrical skirt 32. In the embodiment shown on the Figures, there are seven links of breakable material 34c regularly spaced apart on the circumference of the plug 34. It could be possible to provide a number of breakable links 34c different than seven. For example, the plug 34 is connected to the cylindrical skirt 32 by a bridge of hinge-forming material 34b and by at least one breakable link 34c.

(41) When the user rotates the upper container in a rotation direction F2, as shown on FIG. 7, the closing member 30 translates upwardly until the breakable links 34c are broken by force causing the plug 34 to pivot around the bridge of hinge-forming material 34b and the second product B to flow towards the inner cavity 22 of the lower container 12.

(42) As illustrated on FIG. 7, and in a non-limited example, the first rotation direction F1′ is a counter-clockwise direction. The first rotation direction F1′ could also be a clockwise direction as in FIG. 5.

(43) As shown on FIG. 8, when the user rotates the upper container 14 in a second rotation direction F2′, opposite to the first rotation direction F1′, the closing member 30 translates downwardly until falling into the inner cavity 22 of the lower container 12, the dispensing chimney 24 of the upper container 14 is thus in an opened position and the second product B flows inside the inner cavity 22 of the lower container 12.

(44) In this embodiment, the user may open the dispensing chimney 24 by rotating the upper container 14 in both rotation directions F1′, F2′.

(45) The embodiment as shown on FIG. 9, in which the same elements bear the same references, differ from the embodiment of FIG. 6 only by the fact that the plug 34 comprises a plurality of axially projecting bars or blocks 34d provided on the lower surface of the plug 34, opposite to the upper surface of the plug 34 having the annular sealing lip 34a. The axially projecting blocks 34d are disposed circumferentially on the lower surface of the plug 34 and are regularly spaced apart from each other.

(46) As illustrated on FIG. 9, there are four blocks 34d. However, the number of blocks 34d is not limited to four and may be for example equal to one, two or three, or higher than four.

(47) The blocks 34d are disposed on a diameter of the plug 34 substantially equal to the diameter of the dispensing chimney 24, so that when the closing member 30 is dropped in the lower container 12, the blocks 34d avoid obstructing the opened lower end 24b of the dispensing chimney 24.

(48) Indeed, when using the device 10, in case the closing member 30 comes in front of the opened lower end 24b of the dispensing chimney 24, said closing member 30 will bear against said lower end 24b with its blocks 34d, thus allowing the mixture M contained in the lower container 12 to flow between the blocks 34d in the upper container 14 when turning said device 10 upside-down.

(49) Such blocks 34d may also be added on the closing member 30 of the embodiment shown on FIG. 4.

(50) The embodiment as shown on FIGS. 10 to 12, in which the same elements bear the same references, differ from the embodiment of FIG. 8 only by the shape of the sealing lip 28 of the upper container 14 and the shape of the annular sealing lip 34a of the plug 34 of the closing member 30.

(51) As shown on FIG. 11, the annular sealing lip 28 of the upper container 14 is provided with an outer annular groove 28a in order to reduce the surface contact with the neck 18 of the lower container 12.

(52) As shown on FIG. 12, the annular sealing lip 34a of the plug 34 is provided with an outer annular groove 34e in order to reduce the surface contact with the dispensing chimney 24 at its opened lower end 24b and thus between the closing member 30 and the upper container 14.

(53) Thanks to the reduced contact surfaces, the strength necessary for the user to break the breakable links 34c of the closing member 30 is reduced.

(54) The embodiment as shown on FIGS. 13 and 14, in which the same elements bear the same references, differ from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 only by the shape of the upper container.

(55) The device 40 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 may 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 device 40 is 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.

(56) The device 40 extends along a longitudinal axis X-X′ assumed to be vertical on the Figures. The device 40 comprises a lower container 42 and an upper container 44 that are capable of turning one relative to the other about said longitudinal axis X1-X1′.

(57) The lower container 42 has the shape of a bottle having an elongated body along the longitudinal axis provided with a closed lower end 46 forming a bottom and an upper end 48 forming a neck provided with an opening 50, opposite the lower end 46, allowing access to an internal cavity 52 containing the first product A.

(58) In the embodiment illustrated, the neck 48 has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the body of the lower container 42 and comprises, on its outer surface, two outer annular shoulders 48a delimiting an annular groove 48b. The body of the lower container 42 may be made, for example, of rigid plastic material.

(59) The upper container 44 is in the form of a cap and comprises a central dispensing chimney or duct 54 containing the second product B having an upper portion shaped with a dispensing frangible end piece or tearable tab 54a and a lower end provided with an opening 54b, opposite to the frangible end piece 54a, and allowing access to an internal cavity 54c containing the second product B. The dispensing frangible end piece 54a is designed to be broken for first use in order to open a first dispensing orifice 54d in flow communication with the internal cavity 54c.

(60) The upper container 44 further comprises an application member 55 mounted on the dispensing chimney 54 and comprising a plurality of application teeth 55a. The frangible end-piece 54a is located between the application teeth 55a and provides access to a second dispensing orifice 55b communicating with the first dispensing orifice 54d.

(61) Alternatively, the dispensing chimney 54 and the dispensing member 55 could be made in one single piece.

(62) The dispensing chimney 54 is surrounded by an assembly skirt 56 provided on its radially inner surface with an annular bead 56a cooperating with the annular groove 48b of the lower container 42 by snap-fit attachment, such that the upper container 44 is held axially relative to the lower container 42, while allowing a rotating movement one relative to the other.

(63) The upper container 44 has an annular sealing lip 58 extending substantially along the longitudinal axis X-X′ down into an annular channel 44a formed between the dispensing chimney 44 and the assembly skirt 56. The sealing lip 58 is annular and bears closely against the radially inside surface of the top portion 48c of the neck 48, which surface is annular, thereby providing sealing between the lower container 42 and the upper container 44.

(64) As illustrated in FIG. 14, during transport and before the first use, the opened end 54b of the upper container 44 is closed off by a temporary closing member 30. The closing member 30 is identical to the closing member shown in FIG. 4 and will not be further described. It is also possible to provide a closing member as the closing member shown in FIG. 6 or 9.

(65) In the example illustrated, the closing member 30 is screwed, in a sealed manner, onto an outer thread 54e provided on the outer surface of the lower end 54b of the dispensing chimney 54, between the dispensing chimney 54 and the inner surface of the neck 48.

(66) The cylindrical skirt 32 of the closing member 30 extends radially between the neck 48 of the lower container 42 and the dispensing chimney 54 of the upper container 44.

(67) The cylindrical skirt 32 is provided on its inner cylindrical surface with inner threads 32a cooperating with the outer thread 54e of the dispensing chimney 54.

(68) The cylindrical skirt 32 is further provided on its outer cylindrical surface with outer longitudinal ribs 32b (shown on FIG. 4) regularly spaced apart on the whole circumference of the cylindrical skirt 32. Said outer longitudinal ribs 32b cooperate with inner longitudinal ribs 48d provided on the inner circumferential surface of the neck 58, such that the closing member 30 is prevented from rotating relative to the lower container 42.

(69) The upper face of the plug 34 comprises an annular sealing lip 34a having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the dispensing chimney 54 in order to be inserted into said dispensing chimney 54 and to close it in a sealed manner.

(70) The device 40 is assembled as follows.

(71) The upper container 44 is filled with the second product B and the closing member 30 is screwed onto the dispensing chimney 54 until the plug 34 bears axially against the opened end 54b of said dispensing chimney 54.

(72) The upper container 44 is fitted in a simple translation movement along the longitudinal axis X-X′ on the lower container 42 which has been previously filled with the first product A, until the assembly skirt 56 of the upper container 44 snap-fasten onto the neck 48 of the lower container 42.

(73) In order to put the inner volume 54c of the upper container 44 in flow communication with the inner volume 52 of the lower container 52 on first use of the device 40, the user turns the upper container 44 relative to the lower container 42 in a first rotation direction F1, for example the direction as shown on FIG. 5, causing the closing member 30 to translate downwardly along the longitudinal axis X1-X1′ compared to the lower container 42 until falling into the inner volume 52 of said lower container 42.

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

(75) Once the closing member 30 is in the inner volume 52 of the lower container 42, 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 device 40.

(76) The user then breaks the frangible end-piece 54a for using the device 40 and dispensing the resulting mixture M contained in the lower container 54 through the dispensing chimney 54 and the dispensing orifice 54d.

(77) The lower container 42 may be processed with the same injection blow molding process as the lower container 12 of the preceding embodiments and will not be further described.

(78) The longitudinal anti-rotation ribs 48d are thus manufactured directly during injection blow molding process of the lower container 42.

(79) Thanks to the device according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a device for packaging two separate products of simple structure and easy to manufacture.

(80) Furthermore, thanks to the invention, there is not risk of obstructing the opening of the upper container when the closing member is located in the first product cavity of the lower container.