EP4166471A1 - Head for manufacturing a flexible tube and tube comprising such a head - Google Patents

Abstract

Head (1) for the manufacture of a flexible tube intended to contain a liquid or pasty product, having a height (h7) reduced in relation to its diameter (d) and comprising a base (2) configured to be fixed on a skirt said tube and a lid (3) pivotally mounted on the base (2) between an open position and a closed position, the head (1) comprising at least one tamper-evident system having at least two lugs (81) projecting from the cover (3), the lugs (81) being interconnected by at least one divisible bridge (82) continuous.

Description

The invention relates to a head for the manufacture of a flexible tube, also called a tube head or cap or “service cap” or “hinged cap” or even “flip top”. The invention also relates to a flexible tube comprising such a head. The flexible tube is suitable for storing and dispensing a fluid, creamy or pasty material. It is generally a material belonging to the cosmetic, food, household, pharmaceutical or parapharmaceutical field.

A tube head includes a base configured to mount to a tube skirt and a pivoting cover attached to the base via a hinge. Such a head provides the assurance that the cover remains attached to the base and therefore to the tube, unlike a conventional dispensing head provided with a removable cap which, once detached, can be removed and involuntarily abandoned anywhere. . In addition, such a head offers the consumer the possibility of handling the tube with one hand. The user only has to give a simple thumb impulse to trigger the opening or closing of the lid relative to the base.

Since the opening of the lid with respect to the base is designed to be carried out in a simple manner without much effort, it is necessary to provide at the level of the tube head a tamper-evident system to avoid a accidental opening of the lid before the first use and thus guarantee to the consumer that the product has not been opened before this first use.

To form the tamper evident system, the prior art teaches a solution consisting of a circular ring or a tongue which connects the lid to the base by means of breakable bridges. The inviolability system can also take the form of a tab formed on the cover and intended to be inserted into an opening of the base, the tab being connected to the cover by at least one breakable bridge.

In each of the solutions presented above, the breakable bridge or bridges are intended to be broken during the first opening of the service capsule, thus making it possible to release the lid relative to the base.

In the case of a tamper-evident system formed from a tongue, the latter constitutes, after breaking breakable bridges, waste intended for disposal. Thus, the tab potentially becomes a source of environmental pollution. In some cases, the tab gives way to an unsightly opening on the tube head. When the tamper evident system is formed from a circular ring, the latter remains in position on the tube head. However, the ring is subsequently unusable and remains perceived as a cumbersome and unsightly element. It is the same when the tamper evident system is formed from at least one leg of the cover in cooperation with an opening of the base: after breaking the breakable bridges, the leg remains blocked in the opening thus giving an appearance unsightly while being unusable.

There is therefore a need for a tube head comprising a tamper evident system which at least partially overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

Thus the invention proposes a head for the manufacture of a flexible tube intended to contain a liquid or pasty product, said head having a reduced height compared to its diameter and comprising a base configured to be fixed on a skirt of a tube flexible and a cover pivotally mounted on the base between an open position and a closed position, the head comprising at least one tamper evident system having at least two tabs projecting from the cover, the tabs being interconnected by at least one bridge divisible continuously.

By “continuous” is meant the fact that the bridge extends from one end of a first leg to one end of a second leg without the presence of an intermediate third element. By "severable" is meant the fact that the bridge can be broken by a minimal effort, unlike the tabs which cannot be broken or be detached from the cover by this minimal effort. In other words, the term “breakable” relating to the bridge is introduced as opposed to the non-breakable nature of the legs and the permanent nature of the connection between the legs and the cover.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to maintain the tabs attached to the cover and thus to preserve, after breaking the breakable bridge or bridges, the general appearance formed by the cover and the tabs. In addition, the invention opens up the possibility for the tabs to perform new functions after breaking the breakable bridge or bridges. In particular, the tabs thus preserved in their integrity can serve as means for holding the cover in the closed position.

• le système d'inviolabilité comprend un pion formé au niveau de la base ;
• le au moins un pont sécable est conçu de sorte que lors de la première fermeture du couvercle, les pattes coopèrent avec le pion de la base sans rupture du pont sécable et que lors de la première ouverture du couvercle, le pont sécable est rompu ;
• le pion est biseauté de sorte à faciliter une mise en place et un maintien du système d'inviolabilité autour du pion ;
• le pion s'étend en saillie depuis une paroi latérale de la base, selon une direction orthogonale ou une direction sensiblement inclinée par rapport à ladite paroi latérale ;
• le pion est formé dans un dégagement pratiqué dans la paroi latérale de la base,
• les pattes sont destinées à être logées dans le dégagement pratiqué dans la paroi latérale de la base lorsque le couvercle est en position fermée ;
• le pion présente une face avant inclinée, une face supérieure convexe et une face horizontale inférieure ;
• la face supérieure convexe et la face horizontale inférieure du pion s'étendent depuis une face verticale du dégagement formé dans la paroi latérale de la base ;
• la face avant inclinée du pion s'étend depuis la face convexe dudit pion ;
• la face avant inclinée comprend une portion supérieure et une portion inférieure qui forment un bord distal du pion ;
• les pattes s'étendent depuis un bord inférieur d'une paroi latérale du couvercle dans un plan de ladite paroi latérale ;
• les pattes et le au moins un pont sécable forment une ouverture destinée à être positionnée autour du pion ;
• les pattes et le au moins un pont sécable forment autour de ladite ouverture une face interne concave ;
• ladite face interne concave est destinée à prendre appui sur la face supérieure convexe du pion ;
• les pattes et le au moins un pont sécable forment autour de ladite ouverture une face interne sensiblement rectiligne ;
• ladite face interne rectiligne est destinée à être positionnée en regard de la face plane horizontale du pion ;
• l'ouverture formée par les pattes présente une hauteur supérieure à une hauteur et une profondeur du pion de sorte à prévenir, lors de la mise en place des pattes autour du pion, tout contact entre le au moins un pont sécable et le pion ;
• le pion débouche de l'ouverture formée par les pattes lorsque le couvercle est en position fermée ;
• le au moins un pont sécable est plus fin que les au moins deux pattes;
• le au moins un pont sécable est configuré pour être rompu lors de la première ouverture du couvercle sans perte de matière ;
• le au moins un pont sécable est situé à distance d'un fond concave du dégagement pratiqué dans la paroi latérale de la base lorsque le couvercle est en position fermée.

The invention may also include any of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

• the inviolability system comprises a pin formed at the level of the base;
• the at least one breakable bridge is designed so that when the cover is first closed, the lugs cooperate with the base pin without breaking the breakable bridge and that when the cover is first opened, the breakable bridge is broken;
• the pin is beveled so as to facilitate installation and maintenance of the inviolability system around the pin;
• the pin projects from a side wall of the base, in an orthogonal direction or a direction substantially inclined with respect to said side wall;
• the pawn is formed in a recess made in the side wall of the base,
• the lugs are intended to be housed in the recess made in the side wall of the base when the cover is in the closed position;
• the pin has an inclined front face, a convex upper face and a lower horizontal face;
• the convex upper face and the lower horizontal face of the pin extend from a vertical face of the clearance formed in the side wall of the base;
• the inclined front face of the pin extends from the convex face of said pin;
• the inclined front face comprises an upper portion and a lower portion which form a distal edge of the pin;
• the tabs extend from a lower edge of a side wall of the cover in a plane of said side wall;
• the tabs and the at least one breakable bridge form an opening intended to be positioned around the pin;
• the lugs and the at least one breakable bridge form around said opening a concave internal face;
• said concave internal face is intended to rest on the convex upper face of the pin;
• the lugs and the at least one breakable bridge form around said opening a substantially rectilinear internal face;
• said rectilinear inner face is intended to be positioned facing the flat horizontal face of the pin;
• the opening formed by the tabs has a height greater than a height and a depth of the pin so as to prevent, when the tabs are placed around the pin, any contact between the at least one breakable bridge and the pin;
• the pin emerges from the opening formed by the tabs when the cover is in the closed position;
• the at least one breakable bridge is thinner than the at least two legs;
• the at least one breakable bridge is configured to be broken during the first opening of the cover without loss of material;
• the at least one breakable bridge is located at a distance from a concave bottom of the recess made in the side wall of the base when the cover is in the closed position.

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a tube comprising a tube head as described above and a flexible skirt.

• la jupe est fixée directement sur la tête de tube ;
• la jupe est fixée sur la tête de tube par soudage haute température ou par surmoulage.

The invention according to this second aspect may also comprise any one of the following characteristics, taken individually or according to any technically possible combination:

• the skirt is attached directly to the tube head;
• the skirt is fixed to the tube head by high temperature welding or by overmoulding.

• [Fig. 1] la figure 1 est une vue isométrique de droite d'un tube comprenant une tête selon l'invention dans une configuration ouverte;
• [Fig. 2] la figure 2 est une vue isométrique de gauche de la tête selon l'invention;
• [Fig. 3] la figure 3 est une vue de profil de droite de la tête selon l'invention;
• [Fig. 4] la figure 4 est une vue de profil de gauche de la tête selon l'invention;
• [Fig. 5] la figure 5 est une vue de coupe isométrique de la tête selon l'invention;
• [Fig. 6] la figure 6 est une vue isométrique arrière de la tête selon l'invention;
• [Fig. 7] la figure 7 est une vue isométrique de dessous de la selon l'invention;
• [Fig. 8] la figure 8 est une vue isométrique de droite de la tête selon l'invention dans une configuration fermée;
• [Fig. 9] la figure 9 est une vue de coupe isométrique de la tête selon l'invention dans une configuration fermée ;
• [Fig. 10] la figure 10 est une vue isométrique de gauche d'un détail de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 11] la figure 11 est une vue isométrique de droite de la figure 10;
• [Fig. 12] la figure 12 est une vue isométrique d'un autre détail de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 13] la figure 13 illustre différents états d'un système d'inviolabilité de la tête selon l'invention;
• [Fig. 14] la figure 14 illustre un autre état du système d'inviolabilité de la figure 13;
• [Fig. 15] la figure 15 est une vue isométrique d'une tête de tube selon l'invention après une première ouverture.

The invention will be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a right isometric view of a tube comprising a head according to the invention in an open configuration;
• [ Fig. 2 ] there picture 2 is a left isometric view of the head according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 3 ] there picture 3 is a right profile view of the head according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 is a left profile view of the head according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 is an isometric sectional view of the head according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 is a rear isometric view of the head according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 is an isometric bottom view of the invention;
• [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 is a right isometric view of the head according to the invention in a closed configuration;
• [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 is an isometric sectional view of the head according to the invention in a closed configuration;
• [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 is an isometric view from the left of a detail of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 is a right isometric view of the figure 10 ;
• [ Fig. 12 ] there figure 12 is an isometric view of another detail of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 13 ] there figure 13 illustrates different states of a head inviolability system according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 14 ] there figure 14 illustrates another state of the inviolability system of the figure 13 ;
• [ Fig. 15 ] there figure 15 is an isometric view of a tube head according to the invention after a first opening.

By convention, the central axis Y is an axis passing through the middle of the tubehead perpendicular to a plane containing a lower edge of the tubehead. The central axis Y is located substantially at equal distance from two diametrically opposite points of said edge. A direction orthogonal to the central axis Y is called radial direction.

In the detailed description of the figures which follows, the terms "upper" and "lower" or even "top" and "bottom" will be used in a non-limiting manner with reference to the central axis Y.

Likewise, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "outer or outer" and "inner or inner" are used with reference to the radial direction, an outer member being radially farther from the central axis Y than an inner member.

In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references.

As shown in figures 1 - 9 , the present invention relates to a head 1 for the manufacture of a flexible tube 100 intended to contain a liquid or pasty product. The head 1 comprises a base 2 and a cover 3. The base 2 is configured to be mounted or to receive a skirt 50 of the tube 100. The cover 3 is pivotally mounted on the base 2 using a hinge 4 (visible to figure 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ). Thus, the cover 3 can be moved between an open position and a closed position ( figure 8 And 9 ). In the open position, the cover 3 is straightened relative to the base 2. In the closed position, the cover 3 is folded down against the base 2 and closes the flexible tube hermetically.

The head 1 further comprises a tamper-evident system making it possible to avoid accidental opening of the cover 3 before the first use and thus to guarantee to the consumer that the tube has not been opened before this first use. The tamper evident system includes at least one means formed at the lid and at least one means formed at the base. The means of the inviolability system as well as their operation will appear in the following description.

Always with reference to figures 1 to 9 , the base 2 comprises an annular side wall 5 and an upper wall 6 which form an internal volume V (visible in particular to figure 5 , 7 , 9 ). In particular, with reference to figures 4, 5 And 6 , there annular side wall 5 comprises an upper edge 51 closed by the upper wall 6. In addition, the annular side wall 5 comprises a lower edge 52 forming a lower opening for access to the volume V.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 4 And 6 , the annular side wall 5 comprises an upper skirt 53 and a lower skirt 54. The upper skirt 53 has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lower skirt 54. In addition, the upper skirt 53 is connected to the lower skirt 54 by a shoulder 55. Thus, the upper skirt 53, the lower skirt 54 and the shoulder 55 give the side wall 5 of the base 2 a stepped profile.

In particular, as best illustrated at figure 4 , the upper skirt 53 has a first portion 531, called the rear portion, of constant height. Furthermore, the upper skirt 53 has a second portion 532, called the front portion. The front portion 532 of the upper skirt 53 has a first region 532a of constant height, as well as two opposite regions 532b located on either side of the first region 532a. Only a region 532b of the front portion 532 is visible on the figure 4 . The regions 532b each form a ramp, called a peripheral ramp.

Furthermore, the annular side wall 5 has a clearance 56 carrying a pin 7. In addition, the annular side wall 5 has a flat 57 which is extended by a concave lower lip 58. The clearance 56 and the flat 57 are formed at the level of the upper skirt 53 of the annular side wall 5, and more precisely at the level of the front portion 532 of the upper skirt 53.

With reference to the figure 10 , clearance 56 has a first face 56a which carries pin 7, as well as a second face 56b perpendicular to first face 56a. In the example illustrated, the first face 56a, called the vertical face, extends perpendicularly to the upper wall 6 of the base 2. In addition, the first face 56a is convex and has a curvature similar to a curvature of the upper skirt 53. The second face 56b is concave and forms a U around the piece 7. The second face 56b is called the concave face.

Still with reference to the figure 10 , the pin 7 extends perpendicular to the vertical face 56a of the clearance 56. In a variant not shown, the pin 7 can be arranged in an inclined manner with respect to the vertical face 56a of the clearance 56. Whatever its orientation with respect to the vertical face 56a of clearance 56, pin 7 advantageously has a bevelled shape. In the example illustrated, the pin 7 comprises two flat front faces 71, 72 which extend in an inclined manner with respect to the vertical face 56a of the recess 56. The flat front faces 71, 72 give the pin 7 its beveled shape. The front face 71, called the upper front face, is connected to the vertical face 56a of the clearance 56 by a convex upper face 73 of the pin 7. The front face 72, called the lower front face, is connected to the vertical face 56a of the clearance 56 by a flat lower face 74 of the pin 7. The upper front face 71 and the lower front face 72 form between them an obtuse angle. In addition, the upper front face 71 and the lower front face 72 form between them a line of intersection 75 corresponding to a distal edge of the pin 7. The lower front face 72 forms a chamfer between the upper front face 71 and the flat face lower 74.

It should be noted that the peg 7 has a maximum depth P1 which is defined between the vertical face 56a of the clearance 56 and the line of intersection 75 along a straight line perpendicular to the vertical face 56a of the clearance 56. The maximum depth P1 of the peg 7 is less than or equal to a depth P2 of clearance 56. Depths P1 and P2 are shown at figure 10 .

With reference to the figure 11 , the pin 7 has a height h1 which is defined between a vertex 73a of the upper convex face 73 and the flat lower face 74 of the pin 7 along a straight line perpendicular to the upper convex face 73 and/or to the lower flat face 74. The term vertex means the highest point of the upper convex face 73. In addition, the pin 7 has an upper portion 7A and a lower portion 7B defined on either side of the line of intersection 75. The upper portion 7A of the piece 7 has a height h2 which is defined between the vertex 73a of the upper convex face 73 and the line of intersection 75 of the piece 7 along a straight line perpendicular to the line of intersection 75 and/or to the upper convex face 73. The lower portion 7B of piece 7 has a height h3 defined between the line of intersection 75 and the lower flat face 74 of the pin 7, along a straight line perpendicular to the lower flat face 74 and/or to the line of intersection 75.

With reference again to figures 1 to 4 , the upper wall 6 of the base 2 comprises a first plate, called top plate 61, and a second plate, called bottom plate 62. The top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62 are connected by a vertical transverse wall 63 (visible in figure 1 And 2 ). In the example illustrated, the vertical transverse wall 63 extends along a diameter of the upper wall 6. The vertical transverse wall 63 thus divides the upper wall 6 into two half-discs corresponding respectively to the top plate 61 and to the bottom plate 62 As a variant, the vertical wall 63 is offset with respect to the central axis Y of the head 1 of the tube. This leads to an unequal distribution between the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62.

As best illustrated at figure 1 And 2 , the top plate 61 is adjacent to the rear portion 531 of the upper skirt 53. The bottom plate 62 is adjacent to the front portion 532 of the upper skirt 53. Furthermore, as best illustrated in figure 9 , the top plate 61 has an outer face 61a. The external face 61a is opposed to an internal face 61b illustrated in figure 7 . Finally, the top plate 61 has an edge which includes a curvilinear portion 61c and a rectilinear portion 61d.

With reference again to figure 1 , 2 , the bottom plate 62 has an outer face 62a which is provided with two ramps 64 each formed at an angle between the bottom plate 62 and the vertical transverse wall 63. The ramps 64 of the bottom plate 62 are adjacent to the peripheral ramps 532b of the skirt top 53. In addition, the bottom plate 62 has a dispensing orifice 65 which is extended by a protrusion 66.

As best illustrated at figure 7 , the protrusion 66 extends in the volume V of the head 1 of the tube. In addition, the protrusion 66 is formed on an internal face 62b of the bottom plate 62. By internal face (respectively external face) is meant the face oriented towards the internal volume V (respectively the face opposite the volume V).

The protrusion 66 makes it possible to orient the head 1 of the tube in particular with respect to a decoration and/or a longitudinal weld of a tube skirt during the manufacture of the tube. Thus, thanks to the protrusion 66, the skirt 50 can be fixed in a suitable position. The protuberance 66 thus forms a means for positioning the head 1 of the tube.

To ensure its function, the protrusion 66 has a portion 67, called the protruding portion, which protrudes from the volume V. The protruding portion 67 cooperates directly with the tooling of the tube production line and not with a component of the tube such as this is the case in the state of the art. The protruding portion 67 is visible in particular at the figure 5 .

According to the configuration illustrated in figure 5 , the protrusion 66 has an upper proximal end 66a formed by the dispensing orifice 65 and a lower distal end 66b located at the level of the projecting portion 67. The proximal end 66a of the protrusion 66 has the shape of a cylinder. Such a form has the advantage of being particularly resistant. However, this shape limits access to the dispensing orifice 65 for the product contained in the tube fitted with the head 1. Advantageously, at least part of the protrusion 66 has the shape of a half-cylinder. This half-cylinder shape makes it possible both to obtain a sufficiently strong structure and to facilitate access to the orifice 65 for the product contained in the tube fitted with the head 1. The proportion of the protrusion 66 having the shape of a cylinder may vary depending on the dimensions of the head. According to the configuration illustrated, a large proportion of the protrusion 66 has the shape of a half-cylinder, and not only the projecting portion 67. According to a configuration not shown, the whole of the protrusion 66 has the shape of a a half-cylinder.

The protruding portion 67 has a height h4 defined between a horizontal plane containing the lower edge 52 of the base 2 and the lower end 66b of the protrusion 66 along a straight line perpendicular to said plane. Advantageously, the height h4 of the protruding portion 67 is between 1.5 and 6mm. Advantageously again, the height h4 of the protruding portion 67 is between 2 and 4mm. Advantageously again, the height h4 of the projecting portion 67 is between 2.5 and 3.5 mm. Such a height h4 allows reliable positioning of the head 1 according to the invention.

In the example illustrated, the dispensing orifice 65, like the protrusion 66, is eccentric, that is to say it is offset radially with respect to the central axis Y of the head 1 of tube.

To reinforce its structure, and as shown in figure 7 , the base 2 has in the volume V at least one internal rib 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 2 comprises two ribs 9a, 9b which extend radially with respect to the central axis Y The ribs 9a, 9b are formed in a diametrically opposed manner substantially close to the vertical transverse wall 63.

With reference again to figure 1 And 2 , the lid 3 comprises a bottom 31 as well as a peripheral wall 32 which extends perpendicularly to the bottom 31. The bottom 31 of the lid 3 has an outer face 31a (visible at figure 6 ) as well as an inner face 31b which is provided with a lug 33. The lug 33 closes the dispensing orifice 65 in a sealed manner when the cover 3 is in the closed position. In the example illustrated, the lug 33 has a tubular shape with an external diameter substantially equal to an internal diameter of the dispensing orifice 65. The peripheral wall 32 forms an opening 34 located at the level of the hinge 4.

As shown in figure 6 , the bottom 31 of the lid 3 is in the form of a half-disc. Thus, the bottom 31 of the lid 3 has an edge 31c comprising a curvilinear portion 35 and a rectilinear portion 36. The curvilinear portion 35 has a rounded top 35a located opposite the hinge 4. The rectilinear portion 36 is connected to the hinge 4. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3 extends all along the curvilinear portion 35 of the edge 31c and over at least a fraction of the rectilinear portion 36 of the edge 31c. More specifically, the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3 extends over two fractions 36a, 36b of the rectilinear portion 36 of the edge 31b. A remaining fraction 36c of the rectilinear portion 36 of the edge 31c is connected to the hinge 4.

If in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 3 occupies substantially half the surface of the upper wall 6, in a variant not shown, the cover 3 is eccentric with respect to the central axis Y of the head 1 and occupies less than half of the surface of the upper wall 6. This makes it possible in particular to reduce the size of the lid 3 and thus to limit the quantity of material necessary for the manufacture of the head 1.

Again with reference to the figure 1 , the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3 has a height h5 which has different profiles along the edge 31c of the bottom 31 of the cover 3. Thus, the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3 has two opposite regions 32a located on either side of the hinge 4 and in which the height h5 has an increasing rate before becoming constant. The peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3 has two other regions 32b which each extend from an adjacent region 32a. In each of the regions 32b, the height h5 increases starting from the adjacent region 32a. Between the regions 32b of the peripheral wall 32 extends a central region 32c in which the height h5 is constant.

Regions 32a extend respectively along fraction 36a and fraction 36b of rectilinear portion 36 of edge 31c. Fractions 36a, 36b are visible on the figure 6 . The regions 32b of the peripheral wall 32 extend along the ends of the curvilinear portion 35 of the edge 31c of the bottom 31 (visible on the figure 6 ). The regions 32b of the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3 are intended to rest on the peripheral ramps 532b formed at the level of the upper skirt 53 of the base 2 when the lid 3 is in the closed position.

With reference again to the figure 2 , the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3 has a flat 37 which extends perpendicularly to the bottom 31 of the said lid 3. The flat 37 is located opposite the opening 34 formed by the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3. More specifically , the flat 37 is located at the level of the front region 32c of the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3. In addition, the flat 37 forms with the bottom 31 of the lid 3 a tab 38 intended to facilitate gripping said cover 3 by a finger of a user. The tab 38 corresponds to the rounded top 35a of the curvilinear portion 35 of the bottom 31 of the cover 3.

With reference to the picture 2 , the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3 has a lower edge 39 which is provided with a ring 8. More precisely, the ring 8 is formed at the level of the front region 32c of the peripheral wall 32. The ring 8 is intended to cooperate with the pin 7 when the cover 3 is in the closed position, in particular before a first use of the tube. Furthermore, the ring 8 is configured to be housed in the recess 56 formed on the upper skirt 53 of the base 2.

As best illustrated at figure 12 , the ring 8 comprises two tabs 81 which are formed facing each other as well as at least one breakable bridge 82 which connects the tabs 81. The tabs 81 and the breakable bridge 82 thus define an opening 83 intended to be positioned around piece 7.

In the rest of the description which follows in relation to the ring 8, the term “internal” (respectively “external”) is understood to mean a position close to (respectively remote) from the opening 83 of the ring 8. front” (respectively “rear”) a position turned towards the outside of the cover 3 (respectively towards the inside of the cover 3).

The legs 81 extend from the lower edge 39 of the peripheral wall 32 perpendicular to the bottom 31. Thus the ring 8 is perpendicular to the bottom 31 of the cover 3. In other words, the ring 8 extends in the extension of the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3.

Each leg 81 of the ring 8 has a proximal edge 84a which is connected to the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3, and more precisely to the lower edge 39 of said peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3. In addition, each leg 81 has an edge 84b which is connected to the breakable bridge 82. More specifically, the distal edge 84b of each tab 81 is connected to one end of the breakable bridge 82.

In the example illustrated, each tab 81 of ring 8 comprises a front face 81a and a rear face 81b. The rear face 81b is visible at picture 2 . The front face 81a and the rear face 81b of each tab 81 are substantially curved and define a thickness e1 of said tab 81. The thickness e1 is substantially equal to a thickness of the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3. In addition, each tab 81 of ring 8 comprises a concave internal face 81c and a convex external face 81d. The front face 81a and the rear face 81b of each tab 81 extend between the concave internal face 81c and the convex external face 81d of said tab 81.

The convex external face 81d and the concave internal face 81c of each tab 81 of the ring 8 define a width l1 which is variable between the proximal edge 84a and the distal edge 84b of said tab 81. More specifically, the width l1 of each tab 81 decreases from proximal edge 84a to distal edge 84b. In other words, the width l1 of each tab 81 has a maximum value at the level of the proximal edge 84a of said tab 81 and a minimum value at the level of the distal edge 84b of said tab 81. Indeed at the level of the proximal edge 84a of each leg 81, the concave inner face 81c and the convex outer face 81d of said leg 81 diverge. At the level of the distal edge 84b of each tab 81, the concave internal face 81c and the convex external face 81d of said tab 81 converge. Thus, each tab 81 has a crescent shape. By “width” is meant a measurement taken along a direction parallel to the lower edge 39 of the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3.

In the example illustrated, the breakable bridge 82 is in the form of a strip of thin material. The term "thin" means that the strip of material has a thickness e2 which is small compared to a width l3 and a depth P3 of said strip of material. The thickness e2 is defined between an internal face and an external face of the thin strip 82. The width l3 of the thin strip corresponds to a measurement taken between the distal portions 84b of the tabs 81 in a direction parallel to the lower edge 39 of the peripheral wall 32 of cover 3. Depth P3 is defined between a front face and a rear face of thin strip 82.

It should be noted that the thickness e2 of the thin strip 82 is also small compared to the rest of the ring 8 and in particular compared to the lugs 81 so that the breakage of said thin strip 82 is facilitated during a first opening of the lid 3. Furthermore, the depth P3 of the thin strip 82 is variable. In particular, the depth P3 of the thin strip 82 has a maximum value at the level of the ends of said thin strip 82, that is to say at the level of the junctions between the thin strip 82 and the tabs 81. On the other hand, the depth P3 of the thin strip 82 has a minimum value towards a middle 82a of said thin strip 82. In other words, the thin strip 82 forms in its middle 82a a constriction corresponding to a minimum value of the depth P3. This constriction constitutes, during a first opening of the cover 3, a zone of concentration of stresses allowing a localized rupture of the thin strip 82.

It should be noted that the legs 81 and the breakable bridge 82 together form a U-shaped outer surface. More specifically, this U-shaped outer surface is formed by the respective convex outer faces 81d of the legs 81 and the outer face of the breakable bridge 82 Furthermore, the respective concave internal faces 81c of the tabs 81 and the internal face of the breakable bridge 82 give the opening 83 of the ring 8 a concave profile at the level of an upper portion of said opening and a substantially rectilinear profile. at a lower portion of said opening 83. Opening 83 thus defined has a width l2 which extends between the respective concave internal faces 81c of the tabs 81, and in particular between two planes tangent respectively to said faces 81c. The opening 83 also has a height h6 which is defined between the breakable bridge 82 and a line 85 of junction of the legs 81. It should be noted that the line 85 of junction of the legs 81 extends perpendicularly to the respective front faces 81a of the legs 81. In the example shown in figure 12 , the join line 85 is represented by a single arrow pointing to its position.

The height h6 defined by the opening 83 of the ring 8 is greater than the depth P1 and the height h1 of the pin 7. Similarly, the width l2 of the opening 83 is slightly greater than a width of the pin 7. This makes it possible in particular to facilitate the installation of the ring 8 around the pin 7, in particular during a first closing of the cover 3 on the base 2.

To reinforce the structure of ring 8, and as shown in figure 2 , the cover 3 comprises at least one rib 31d formed close to said ring 8. In particular, the rib(s) 31d are formed at an angle between the bottom 31 and the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3. More specifically, the rib(s) 31d are formed between an internal face 31b of the bottom 31 and an internal face 32d of the peripheral wall 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 3 comprises two ribs 31d which are formed at the level of the front region 32c of the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3. Such an arrangement of the ribs 31d makes it possible in particular to preserve the shape memory of the ring 8 against the mechanical stresses induced by the action of the pin 7 on said ring 8. By action of the pin 7 on ring 8, the resistance that pawn 7 opposes to ring 8 when putting ring 8 in place or when removing it around pawn 7.

In the closed position of the cover 3, the peripheral wall 32 cooperates with the upper skirt 53 of the base 2 to give the head 1 a generally cylindrical shape and a certain continuity of design between the base 2 and the cover 3. Thus, the wall peripheral 32 of the lid 3 rests on the front portion 532 of the upper skirt 53 of the base 2. In particular the zones 32b of the peripheral wall 32 of the lid 3 rest on the peripheral ramps 532b of the upper skirt 53 of the the base 2. In addition, the flat 37 of the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3 is aligned with the flat 57 of the upper skirt 53 of the base 2. The flat 57 of the upper skirt 53 of the base 2 as well as the flat 37 of the peripheral wall 32 of the cover 3 form a higher height housing intended to facilitate access and handling of the tab 38. Finally, the tab 38 formed at the level of the cover 3 is positioned facing the lip bottom 58 formed at base 2.

Furthermore, the bottom 31 of the lid 3 extends in a plane of the top plate 61 of the base 2. In other words, the external face 31a of the bottom 31 of the lid 3 is aligned with the external face 61a of the plate top 61 of the base 2. In addition, the bottom 31 of the lid forms with the bottom plate 62 a housing 69 illustrated in figure 9 . Departure and on the other side of the hinge 4, the rectilinear portion 36 of the bottom 31 forms with the rectilinear edge 61d of the top plate 61 a clearance intended to facilitate the pivoting of the cover 3 with respect to the base 2.

Finally, still in the closed position of the cover 3, the pin 7 emerges from the opening 83 of the ring 8. Indeed, the depth P1 of the pin 7 is greater than the thickness e1 of the ring 8. The external face U-shape of the ring 8 is positioned facing the concave bottom 56b of the recess 56. This outer face is at a distance from the concave bottom 56b. The concave internal face of the ring 8 is positioned opposite the upper convex face 73 of the pin 7. The flat lower internal face of the ring 8 is positioned opposite the lower flat face 74 of the pin 7. The rear face of the ring 8 is positioned opposite the vertical face 56a of the recess 56.

It should be noted that in the closed position of the lid 3, the head 1 has a height h7 which is between 5 and 20mm. Advantageously again, the height h7 of the head 1 of the tube is between 8 and 12mm. Advantageously again, the height h7 of the tube head 1 is between 9.3 and 10.3 mm. The height h7 of the head 1 is defined between the outer face 61a of the top plate 61 and the lower edge 52 of the annular side wall 5.

The height h7 of the head is relatively small, in particular compared to a diameter d of the head 1, which is between 30 and 50mm, and advantageously again between 35 and 45mm. Such a height h7 gives the head 1 a substantially flat design making it possible to limit the quantity of material. Advantageously, the ratio d/h7 is between 2 and 6. Advantageously again, the ratio d/h7 is between 3 and 5. A ratio d/h7 as described previously characterizes the substantially flat design of the head 1.

Preferably, the h7/h4 ratio is between 1.5 and 5.5. Preferably again, the h7/h4 ratio is between 2.5 and 4.5, in particular between 3 and 4.

Advantageously, the tube head 1 is made from a plastic material. The head 1 is obtained in a single piece, for example by a molding process by injection. The manufacture of the tube head is designed so that at the end of this operation, the cover 3 is in the open position with respect to the base 2 as illustrated in particular in figures 1 to 7 . The principle of a cover 3 formed in the open position with respect to the base 2 allows in particular the production of the pin 7 on the base 2 and the production of the ring 8 on the cover 3.

After manufacture of the head 1, it is necessary to fold the lid 3 over the base 2 and hold the two elements in position in order to allow the fixing of the skirt 50 on the head 1, then the filling of the tube 100 thus formed by a fluid or pasty product. The lid 3 must be held in position on the base 2 until a first opening of the tube 100 by a user. This closed position is illustrated in Figs 8 and 9.

To maintain the lid 3 in the closed position on the base 2 until the first use, the ring 8 cooperates with the pin 7. Thus, the tabs 81 and the breakable bridge 82 of the ring 8 form the first means of the system of inviolability. Piece 7 forms a second means of the inviolability system. The breakable bridge 82 also serves as a witness to know whether the tube 100 has already been opened or not. Its connection to the legs 81 certifies that the cover 3 has not yet been opened.

During the first closing of the lid 3 on the base 2 for the needs mentioned above, the ring 8 of the lid 3 is threaded around the pin 7 of the base 2 (see figure 13 - To). The beveled faces 71, 72 of the pin 7 facilitate this maneuver during which only the upper concave portion of the opening 83 of the ring 8 is in contact with the pin 7. This makes it possible to preserve the integrity of the breakable bridge 82 and prevent its breakage. Indeed, the concave upper portion of the opening 83 of the ring 8 delimits a zone of said ring 8 which is more resistant in comparison with a zone of said ring 8 which is less resistant and which includes the breakable bridge 82.

On the other hand, during the first opening of the cover 3 with respect to the base 2, the breakable bridge 82 comes into contact with the pin 7. More specifically, the internal face of the breakable bridge 82 comes into abutment against the lower flat face 74 of the piece 7. Thus, as shown in figure 14 , when the impulse given to the cover 3 for its opening is sufficient, the breakable bridge 12 of the ring 8 deforms before breaking. The deformation of the breakable bridge 12 is made possible thanks to the clearance formed between the outer face of the ring 8 and the concave bottom 56b of the recess 56. The breaking of the breakable bridge 82 following the first opening of the cover 3 is illustrated in there figure 13 - b.

Insofar as the breakable bridge 82 is less resistant than the piece 7, the second cannot be deformed by the first. Moreover, due to the flat horizontal configuration of the lower face 74 of the piece 7, and due to a ratio P1/P3 judiciously chosen between the depth P1 of the piece 7 and the depth P3 of the breakable bridge 82, the ring 8 cannot be completely unthreaded from the pin 7. Advantageously, the depth P1 of the pin 7 is at least twice the depth P3 of the breakable bridge 82. Thus, breaking the breakable bridge 82 is the only possible option for release the ring 8 from the pin 7 and thus proceed to a first opening of the cover 3 with respect to the base 2.

To achieve this breaking of the breakable bridge 82, the user thus does not have to perform an additional gesture. The breakable bridge 82 is broken with a conventional gesture of opening the lid 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the gesture of opening the lid 3 is an upward push applied to the tab 38.

Advantageously, the rupture of the breakable bridge 82 is carried out without loss of material. Moreover, the rupture of the breakable bridge 82 is such that the structure and the shape of the tabs 81 forming the ring 8 are globally preserved. In particular, the respective distal portions of the tabs 81 maintain an arcuate profile. This advantage is obtained in particular thanks to the choice of a decreasing lug width from the proximal edge to the distal edge of said lug. This advantage is also obtained thanks to the reduced thickness e2 of the breakable bridge 82 and thanks to the necking provided along the depth P3 of the breakable bridge 82, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the thickness e2 of the breakable bridge 12.

After breakage of the breakable bridge 82, the respective concave faces 81c of the tabs 81 and the branches of the breakable bridge 82 thus broken form an open loop (see figure 15 ). Thus, an element of the inviolability system, in this case the ring 8, provides an aesthetic function after breakage of the breakable bridge 82. In addition, the distal portions of the tabs 81 form, thanks to their arcuate profile, flexible hooks which can cooperate with the pin 7 in order to ensure that the lid 3 is maintained in the closed position on the base 2 during a subsequent closing of the lid 3 (see figure 13 -vs). In particular, the flexible hooks deform angularly on contact with the pin 7 and then return to their initial shape once placed around the pin 7. Thus, thanks to the invention, the tamper-evident system retains, after breaking the breakable bridge, a function of holding the cover in the closed position, where in the prior art the elements of the tamper-evident system are either intended to be discarded, or rendered unusable after breaking the breakable bridge. It should be noted that the solution for holding the lid 3 relative to the base 2 as implemented by the flexible hooks and the pin 7 complements or replaces a holding solution implementing the lug 33 and dispensing orifice 65.

To disengage the flexible hooks with respect to the pin 7 during a subsequent opening of the lid 3, the user deploys less effort than that required to break the breakable bridge 82 during the first opening of the lid 3. Thus, the fall the effort of opening the lid 3 relative to the base 2 indicates to the user that a first opening of the lid 3 has already taken place.

Claims (14)

Head (1) for the manufacture of a flexible tube intended to contain a liquid or pasty product, having a height (h7) reduced in relation to its diameter (d) and comprising a base (2) configured to be fixed on a skirt said tube and a cover (3) pivotally mounted on the base (2) between an open position and a closed position,
the head (1) comprising at least one tamper-evident system having at least two lugs (81) projecting from the lid (3), the lugs (81) being interconnected by at least one continuous breakable bridge (82). Head (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one breakable bridge (82) is designed so that when the cover (3) is first closed, the lugs (81) cooperate with a pin (7) of the base (2) without breaking the breakable bridge (82) and that during the first opening of the cover (3) the breakable bridge (82) is broken. Head (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the pin (7) is bevelled so as to facilitate positioning and holding of the lugs (81) around the pin (7). Head (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the pin (7) projects from a side wall (5) of the base (2), in a direction orthogonal or a direction substantially inclined with respect to said side wall (5). Head (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the pin (12) is formed in a recess made (56) in the side wall (5) of the base (2), the lugs (81) being intended to be housed in said release (56) when the cover (3) is in the closed position. A head (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the tabs (81) extend from a lower edge (39) of a side wall (32) of the cover (3) in a plane of said side wall (32), the lugs (81) and the at least one breakable bridge (82) forming an opening (83) intended to be positioned around the pin (7) . Head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lugs (81) and the breakable bridge (82) form around the opening (83) a concave internal face (81c) and a substantially rectilinear internal face, the concave internal face (81c) being intended to rest on an upper convex face (73) of the pin (7), the rectilinear internal face being intended to be positioned opposite a flat horizontal face (74) of the pin (7 ). Head (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the opening (83) formed by the tabs (81) and the at least one breakable bridge (82) has a height (h6) greater than a height (h1) and a depth (P1) of the pin (7) so as to prevent, when the tabs (81) are placed around the pin (7), any contact between the breakable bridge (82) and the pin (7). Head (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the pin (7) emerges from the opening (83) formed by the lugs (81) and the breakable bridge (82) when the lid (3) is in the closed position. Head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one breakable bridge (82) is thinner than the tabs (81). Head (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 10, in which the at least one breakable bridge (82) is configured to be broken without loss of material during the first opening of the lid (3). Head (1) according to the preceding claim, in which when the cover (3) is in the closed position, the breakable bridge (82) is located at a distance from a concave bottom (56b) of the recess (56) made in the side wall (5) of the base (2). Tube (100) comprising a tube head (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a flexible skirt (50). Tube (100) according to Claim 14, in which the skirt (50) is fixed directly to the head (1) of the tube.

Images