DEVICE FOR PACKAGING A DOSE OF A SOLID OR PASTY PRODUCT PLACED IN A RESERVOIR

Abstract

A device for packaging a dose of a solid or pasty product placed in a reservoir formed in a case. The device includes at least three laminated layers placed on top of each other. The laminated layers include two outer layers and at least one intermediate layer sandwiched between the two outer layers, at least one of the intermediate layer(s) having a layer corresponding to the section of the reservoir. A solid or pasty product is deposited in the layer covered by the second outer layer.

Claims

1. A device for packaging a dose of a solid, liquid or pasty product placed in a reservoir formed in a case formed by a superposition of layers comprising two outer layers arranged on either side of at least one intermediate layer, the two outer layers having a cut-out respectively delimiting a main body and a gripping tab, the two outer layers having between the main body and the gripping tap, respectively, a transverse frangible line, the two outer layers being solid elements, the two outer layers and the at least one intermediate layer being superimposed and laminated together, wherein the at least one intermediate layer comprises a first intermediate layer having an extension extending from the gripping tab and forming a stopper, the first intermediate layer having a cut-out delimiting a reservoir for receiving a solid, liquid or pasty substance, adjacent an inner edge of the extension and a peripheral zone in a shape of a U, the first intermediate layer having a gripping tab portion forming a portion of the gripping tab, the gripping tab portion connected to the peripheral zone by the frangible line, and wherein an inner surface of each of the two outer layers is not bonded to the first intermediate layer in a zone corresponding to the reservoir.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate layer comprises a second intermediate layer having another extension adjacent the extension of the first intermediate layer to form therewith a stopper, the extension of the second intermediate layer being extended by a tip complementary to the reservoir defined by the first intermediate layer, the tip being delimited by a cut-out separating the tip from a peripheral zone in the shape of a U of the second intermediate layer, the second intermediate layer having another gripping tab portion forming another portion of the gripping tab, the second intermediate layer having another peripheral zone in the shape of a U connected to the another gripping tab portion by the frangible line.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device consists essentially of cut-out cardboard layers.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the two outer layers has a transverse line of weakness between a zone thereof forming the main body of the device and a zone forming the gripping tab of the device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the reserve corresponding to a flat stopper and extended, on the side opposite a gripping shoulder by a blade, a shape of which corresponds to a shape of an aperture forming the at least one reservoir.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the extension and the another extension together form a flat stopper extended, on a side thereof opposite the gripping tab, by the tip, a shape of the tip corresponding to a shape of the reservoir.

7. The device claim 5, wherein the aperture is extended by a cut-out of a same width as the aperture, for removal without scraping of a product deposited on the tip, the cut-out extending to the transverse line of weakness.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate layer has cut-outs each delimiting a respective reservoir, and wherein at least one of the two outer layers has lines of weakness delimiting zones superimposed on the cut-outs the lines of weakness extending up to an edge of the at least one of the two outer layers to form tabs, the surface of the at least one of the two outer layers not being bonded to the surface of the at least one intermediate layer inside the lines of weakness except along transverse lines.

9. A method for manufacturing a device for packaging individual doses of solid or pasty products the method comprising the following steps: a) preparing pre-cut strips including two outer layers and at least one intermediate layer; b) laminating one of the two outer layers with the at least one intermediate layer; c) depositing a solid or pasty product in a reservoir defined by an aperture in the at least one intermediate layer; d) laminating another of the two outer layers onto the at least one intermediate layer to encapsulate the solid or pasty product within the reservoir between the two outer layers; and e) cutting into an assembly thus formed to define a main body and a gripping tab of the device, and forming a transverse frangible line between the main body and the gripping tab.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps a) and b) are carried out during a first sequence, and the steps c), d) and e) are carried out during a second sequence.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the steps a) and b) are carried out during a first sequence, the steps c) and d) are carried out during a second sequence, and the step e) is carried out in a third sequence.

12. An automated system for the manufacture of devices according to claim 1, the system comprising: a) at least three rollers of pre-cut strips each having a plurality of zones corresponding to the two outer layers and to the at least one intermediate layer; b) at least one station for bonding solid strips forming one of the two outer layers with at least one strip forming the at least one intermediate layer; c) at least one station for filling each of the reservoirs, defined by an aperture in the at least one intermediate layer, with the solid or pasty product; d) another bonding station for encapsulating the reservoir with a solid strip forming another of the two outer layers; and e) a station for cutting into the assembly thus formed.

13. The automated equipment of claim 12, further comprising a sheet-by-sheet unstacking system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present disclosure will be better understood from reading the detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments shown by the appended drawings, in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the four layers (A to D) of a first example embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the assembly of the first three layers of the first example embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cosmetic packaging device according to a first example embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the sheet for the first outer layers of a cosmetic packaging device according to a second embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the piece of cardboard showing the final cut of the 4 laminated sheets.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the piece of cardboard for the second intermediate layers of a cosmetic packaging device according to a second example embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the piece of cardboard for the third intermediate layers of a cosmetic packaging device according to a second example embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the piece of cardboard for the second outer layers of a cosmetic packaging device according to a second example embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 9 shows a top view of three layers (A, B, D) of a packaging device according to a second embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows another example embodiment, for a multi-sample tester application.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows another top view of the four layers (A to D) of a first example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The present disclosure is based on the production of packaging devices, preferably, single-material and more particularly cardboard, by assembling two solid outer layers A, D and an intermediate layer C cut to define the lateral contour of a reservoir whose main faces will be formed by the solid surfaces of the outer layers A, D. This reservoir forms a thin volume, having the thickness of the intermediate layers, and having a cross-section corresponding to the shape of the cut-out(s) of the intermediate layers. A solid, powdered or pasty substance may be deposited in this cut before the closure by the second outer layer.

[0054] This reservoir (40) is extended by a cut-out zone forming a stopper, which is connected to a transverse body forming a gripping tab.

[0055] This gripping tab is provided both on the outer layers A, D and on the intermediate layer(s) B, C. The outer layers A, D have a frangible line between this transverse body and the complementary part forming the main body; to make it possible, by exerting longitudinal traction, to separate the two bodies.

[0056] The intermediate layers B, C have a transverse body separated from the complementary part by two frangible line segments between which the transverse body extends longitudinally by a laterally cut-out part forming a stopper. The part complementary to this stopper is formed by a rim having a general U shape, connected to the transverse body by the frangible line segments.

[0057] The main intermediate layer C has, on the side opposite the transverse body, the cut-out forming the reservoir (40), surrounded by the U-shaped part. The two outer layers A, B and the intermediate layer C, and optionally the additional intermediate layers B, are superimposed and laminated at the transverse bodies and the U-shaped rims to form a lower multilayer block, forming the body of the device, and an upper multilayer block forming a gripping tab. The presence of frangible lines makes it possible to separate these two blocks by pulling longitudinally. The extension of the intermediate layer C forms a stopper, which is driven with the block forming the gripping body.

[0058] Optionally, the second intermediate layer B has a cut-out of the same shape as the cut-out surrounding the reservoir (40) of the main intermediate layer C, but this cut-out is not recessed but is at least partially solid, and forms a strip, one of the surfaces of which is open on the reservoir (40) and thus allows the removal of the contents from the reservoir.

[0059] Layer is understood to mean a stratum, for example, a cardboard or aluminum or plastic sheet, for example, or one made of a composite material, for example, a sheet of nonwoven material or paper or cardboard coated with a sealing or decorative film.

[0060] The assembly can be done from individual elements, superimposed to prepare the packages one after the other by superimposing the constituent layers onto one packaging before starting the manufacturing of the next one.

[0061] The cut-outs corresponding to the intermediate layers and to the two outer layers can be placed in unstackers to feed a pick and place robot that successively takes an outer layer, one or more intermediate layers, a solid product and finally a second solid layer. Alternatively, a nozzle deposits a pasty product into the aperture (45) of the intermediate layer.

[0062] This configuration also optionally allows industrial manufacture from rolls of cardboard forming a strip two being intended to form the first and last solid layer and one or more rollers having a pre-cut strip to form the intermediate layer(s). The strips forming the first solid layers and the intermediate layers, coming from these rollers are superimposed and glued. The solid or pasty product is then deposited in the cut-out zone in the intermediate layer defining the reservoir, before closing the assembly with the second solid layer coming from the corresponding roller.

[0063] Access to the content can be done according to two primarily alternatives: [0064] Either by an opening provided on one of the solid outer layers, for example, by partial tearing, drilling, or by a precut flap, or a notch temporarily closed by a detachable part to open up access to the reservoir and more generally by any means making it possible to create an opening in a layer; [0065] Or by an opening provided in the edge of one of the intermediate layers, which is temporarily closed by a detachable part of the intermediate layer.

[0066] In the latter case, one of the intermediate layers can define an applicator formed by a blade extending in the cut-out zone to define the section of the reservoir, this blade being extended by a gripping shoulder accessible by, for example, a cut-out formed in the solid outer layers or a partial gluing of the solid layers onto the shoulder of the intermediate layer, precut or embrittlement lines making it possible to detach the part forming the gripping shoulder from the other part forming the body with the reservoir.

First Exemplary Embodiment

[0067] FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 11 relate to a first example embodiment in the form of a packaging of pasty cosmetic samples, for example, lipstick, with a detachable applicator. FIG. 1 illustrates top views of the two solid outer faces (A, D) and the two intermediate faces (B, C).

[0068] This sampling packaging is in the form of a case with or without applicator to be extracted. The body of the packaging is provided with a cavity making it possible to package the makeup (lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, cream, powder, mascara, etc.) or food product (spread, granules, powder, etc.) for direct or indirect application or tasting by the consumer. Access to the cavity is done either by manual extraction of the applicator housed inside the case or optionally by opening the outer layer.

[0069] In the described example, the sample consists of four laminated layers (or more).

[0070] These layers may be of different thicknesses, preferably, consisting of paper, cardboard, or optionally plastic or aluminum complex, for example, cardboard sheets with a thickness of 0.2 to 10 millimeters of rectangular shape, for example, with cut-outs made by a cutting tool or any other known means. For greater thicknesses, it is possible to take either a thicker cardboard or to stack multiple sheets.

[0071] The four layers (A to D) are cut into the same rectangular shape, which in the described example has rounded corners. They are cut into cardboard sheets of the same thickness or a first thickness for the outer layers (A, D) and an optionally greater thickness for the intermediate layers (B, C).

[0072] The external layers (A, D) have a separation line (11, 21) delimiting a body (12, 22) and a gripping tab (13, 23). This separation line (11, 21) is completely cut, or formed by a perforated cut, or a cut-out preserving frangible connecting bridges (100), when pulled to separate the gripping tab (13, 23) from the body (12, 22) for example.

[0073] The first intermediate layer B has a cut-out delimiting the contour of a gripping tab (31) connected by frangible bridges (100) to a complementary part (32) defining the contour of the reservoir. This intermediate layer B is optional, in particular, in the case where the device is intended to contain a substance that will be extracted not using an applicator, but by being expelled through the opening formed by the recess of the stopper extending the transverse body of the intermediate layer C.

[0074] The gripping tab (31) has dimensions that correspond to the gripping tabs (13, 23) of the outer layers (A, D). This gripping tab (31) is extended by a convergent rectangular or trapezoidal part defining a neck (34) opening onto the reservoir. This neck (34) is extended by a blade (33) entirely surrounded by the complementary part (32).

[0075] The second intermediate layer C has a cut-out defining an aperture (45) whose shape corresponds to the section of the reservoir (40). It has a cut-out delimiting the contour of a gripping tab (41) connected by frangible bridges (100) to a complementary part (42) defining the contour of the reservoir (40).

[0076] The gripping tab (41) whose dimensions correspond to the gripping tabs (13, 23) of the outer layers (A, D) and to the gripping tab (31) of the first intermediate layer. This gripping tab (40) is extended by a convergent rectangular or trapezoidal part defining a neck (44) extended by a tip (43) the end of which is cut to form an aperture (45). Unlike the first intermediate layer B, the applicator and the body (140) are not completely complementary, the aperture (45) forming a gap extending between the tip (43) and the body (140).

[0077] The second intermediate layer C thus has a cut defining an aperture (45) whose shape corresponds to the section of a reservoir wherein a pasty or solid substance can be deposited, to form a stratum having a thickness corresponding to that of the second intermediate layer C.

[0078] The blade (33) is surrounded by a complementary part (32) defining the body surrounding the reservoir. This complementary part (32) can be directly adjacent to the blade (33) and simply separated by a cut line (35) having breakable bridges. It can also be separated by a cut-out of any shape defining the contour of a part of the reservoir.

[0079] The first three layers A to C are superimposed and assembled by gluing to form a reservoir that opens upward as shown in FIG. 2. The next step consists of depositing a pasty sample in the aperture (45) of the applicator, before applying the last solid layer D onto the intermediate layer C.

[0080] Optionally the aperture (45) can extend to the separation line (46) in order to allow the removal of the applicator without scraping the sample, or on the contrary have a neck (44) extending between the edge of the cut-out defining the aperture (45) and the separation line (46), in order to limit the quantity of pasty product removed from the reservoir during the extraction of the applicator.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows the view of the applicator extracted from the assembly formed by the superposition of the four layers A, B, C, and D. The applicator has a thick gripping shoulder formed by the superposition of the four layers, extended by a neck (34) ensuring the closing of the neck opening onto the reservoir, as well as the guiding of the applicator when entering or exiting the case, and an active zone loaded with a sample (36) of product, allowing it to be applied.

Operation

[0082] The operation of this first example embodiment is as follows:

[0083] During the manufacture of the packaging, the four layers A, B, C and D are prepared, the external cut of which is identical, and whose internal cut-outs are configured: [0084] For the two outer layers A, D: a transverse cutting line to delimit a first part forming a gripping tab (13, 23) and a second part forming the body (12, 22), the two parts being connected by frangible bridges (100). [0085] For the first intermediate layer B: a substantially U-shaped precut line delimiting, by a cutting line and frangible bridges: [0086] A first solid and non-divisible part defining a gripping tab (31), longitudinally extended by a strip, the first part of which forms a sealing neck (34), and the second part forms the blade (33), which serves as the support of the sampled substance. [0087] A second solid and non-divisible complementary

[0088] part (32) to the first solid part, the complementary part (32) corresponding to the body (130) of the sample dispenser. [0089] For the second intermediate layer C: a substantially U-shaped precut line delimiting by a cutting line and frangible bridges: [0090] A first solid and non-divisible part defining a gripping tab (41), longitudinally extended by a strip, the first part of which forms a sealing neck (44), and an end of the second part forms the tip (43), the end of which is cut away to form an aperture (45). [0091] A second solid and non-divisible complementary part 42, corresponding to the body (140) of the sample dispenser.

[0092] The two intermediate layers have the same frangible cut-out, and differ only by the fact that, for the second intermediate layer C, the strip has at its end a cut-out defining an aperture (45) while for the first intermediate layer, this strip including the neck (34) and the blade (33) extends to the inner edge of the body (130).

[0093] FIGS. 4 to 8 show pieces of cardboard for the production of sample dispensers as described herein.

[0094] In order to manufacture a sample dispenser, the first intermediate layer B is adhered to the outer layer A, over the entire surface of the gripping tab (31) and the complementary part (32), the neck (34) and blade (33) (the lighter part in FIG. 11) corresponding to the strip not being laminated.

[0095] The second intermediate layer C is then deposited on the first intermediate layer B, by bonding all of the adjacent surfaces, including the adjacent surfaces of the strips. An assembly is then obtained having an aperture (45) corresponding to the cut-out of the blade (33) at the end of the strip of the second intermediate layer C.

[0096] The pasty or solid sample is then deposited in this aperture (45) so that it covers the blade (33) at the end of the strip of the first intermediate layer B, ensuring that the sample layer is not thicker than the second intermediate layer C.

[0097] Finally, the other outer layer D is deposited onto the second intermediate layer C by bonding only the gripping tab (41), and leaving the lighter part of the second intermediate layer C unbonded.

[0098] The case thus produced preserves the sample enclosed in the aperture (45).

[0099] When the gripping tab formed by the superposition of the four layers ABC and FIG. 1D is pulled while the opposite end of the case is held in place, the frangible bridges (100) are torn, and an applicator is extracted with, for the gripping tab, four thicknesses, and at the strip, two thicknesses and, at the end, a single thickness coated with the sample, which was able to be extracted through the channel released by the removal of the two strips.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

[0100] FIGS. 4 to 8 show pieces of cardboard for the mass-production of a cosmetic product sample applicator device, for example, a lipstick. These are cardboard sheets with a thickness of 0.2 to 10 millimeters, rectangular in shape, for example, with cut-outs made by a cutting tool or any other known means. For greater thicknesses, it is possible to take either a thicker cardboard or to stack multiple sheets.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the cardboard board representing the final cut-out of the four laminated sheets according to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

[0102] The two pieces shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 are identical and correspond to the outer layers. They have linear cut-outs (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65). However, for certain particular designs, the two outer sheets may also have different configurations.

Third exemplary embodiment

[0103] FIG. 9 shows another example embodiment, for example, a pill container application.

[0104] The pill container according to the present disclosure has reservoirs formed in a case characterized in that it consists of the superposition of at least three laminated layers, comprising two outer layers (A, D) and at least one intermediate layer (B, C) sandwiched between the two outer layers (A, D), an intermediate layer (B) having two columns of layers (40 to 47) corresponding to the section of the reservoir.

[0105] To increase the volume of the reservoirs, it is possible to superpose multiple intermediate layers having the same cut-outs, or optionally cut-outs of increasing cross-section to form flared reservoirs.

[0106] Before closing with the solid layer (D), a tablet, a pill, a sachet and more generally one or more medicinal products in solid form are deposited in each reservoir. After filling, a second outer layer (D) is bonded.

[0107] This second outer layer (D) has lines of weakness (50 to 57) delimiting an unbonded zone (apart from a transverse line), comprising a tab extending to the edge of the layer (D) extending a flap whose surface is slightly smaller than that of the cut-outs (40 to 47) so as to preserve a bonded edge. The unbonded transverse line is located between the part forming the tab, and the flap. It ensures the sealing of the reservoir. Its width is determined to nevertheless allow the flap to be driven when a user lifts the tab despite the bonded line.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

[0108] FIG. 10 shows another example embodiment, for a multi-sample tester application. The intermediate cut-out has a plurality of reserves for the formation, on the same case, of several blades (33) each bearing a sample (36) of a particular pasty composition, each extended by a neck (34) and by a gripping tab (13).