FR2560521A1 - Packaging of products for oral hygiene - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging is constituted by a strip 1 carrying pockets 5 each containing a dose of the product A, in particular toothpaste. Each pocket 5 has a shrunk part 5a next to which is a transverse weakening 6 of the strip 1. By cutting the strip 1 along a weakening 6, simultaneous opening is caused of the pocket 5 by its shrunk part 5a which is calibrated to allow the product A to emerge in the shape of a strand of desired diameter, and, in this case, compatible with the width of a toothbrush. This packaging allows the production of sequences of several products each adapted, for example, to the circumstances of various times of the day: toothpaste for the morning, after lunch and bedtime.

Description

PACKAGING OF PRODUCTS FOR ORAL HYGIENE
Oral hygiene products are packaged differently depending on whether they are liquid or pasty. However, they are generally presented in relatively large quantities and, in any case, greater than the amount necessary for unitary use. Even in the form of samples, toothpaste, for example, is presented in a tube from which only a fraction of the total mass must be extracted to cover the bristles with a toothbrush.

 For effective hygiene, it is necessary to operate several times a day, and even, to use different products according to the time of the day: morning, after-lunch and after-dinner. However, this proves impractical in reality because if one can easily carry a portable toothbrush, it is not the same for the products and it would be unrealistic to hope that the users carry on them different tubes, bottles etc.

 In the event that a user could be in his bathroom at any time of the day, there would still be the inconvenience of disparate packaging and the possibility of error.

 The present invention overcomes all these drawbacks by making it possible to present products in unit doses in a portable packaging that is not very bulky and disposable after each use.

 To this end, the subject of the invention is a packaging of products for oral hygiene, and more particularly toothpaste, characterized in that it consists of a strip carrying at least two cells containing a dose of product, the strip with transverse weakening located in the immediate vicinity of each cell.

According to other features of the invention
- Each cell being constituted by a shell fixed on the strip, the corresponding transverse weakening is located practically directly above the shell;
- Each cell has near its transverse weakening, a part that is narrowed to have at most the width of a cord of current toothpaste and a part opposite to the previous one which is widened to present substantially the width of a human inch;
- The first cell of the strip is preceded by a fraction of a strip deprived of a cell but having a transverse weakening for said first cell;
- cells of the same strip include different products;
- The strip comprises three cells containing different toothpastes, that of the first cell being adapted to the needs of oral hygiene in the morning, that of the second cell being adapted to the needs of oral hygiene of midday and that of the third cell being adapted to evening oral hygiene needs.

 The invention will be better understood from the detailed description below made with reference to the accompanying drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are only given as an indicative and non-limiting example.

 Figure i is a schematic perspective view of a packaging according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the difference in constitution between the support strip and a cell.

 Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the fragmentation of the strip for the use of the contents of a cell.

 Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the placement of the contents of a cell on the bristles of a toothbrush.

 Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an embodiment of the invention according to which the packaging comprises a strip 1 composed of a relatively rigid part 2 forming the base for a second relatively flexible part 3 consisting of a flat part 4 applied against the base 2 and shells forming cells 5.

 This assembly can be obtained from a ribbon of thin synthetic material which is subjected to thermoforming operations well known to those skilled in the art, to form successive shells.

 The thermoformed ribbon is driven step by step towards a filling station which deposits a dose of product in each shell, then these solid shells are sealed, one after the other, to form the cells 5 by applying a continuous ribbon in more rigid synthetic material which constitutes the base 2, either with bonding or with welding, so that the closure of the cells 5 is well sealed.

 In the vicinity of each cell 5, there is a weakening intended to favor its opening to extract the content A.

 Here, this weakening is constituted by a transverse line 6 etched in the support 2 and, if the chosen material requires it, in the flat part 4 also.

 The engraving can be obtained by means of a shears with possibly heated blades, which are brought into action after the sealing of the cells 5, that is to say after having applied the part 2 on the part 3 .

 With the embodiment shown, the lines 6 are perpendicular to the wall of the shells formed in part 3.

 We can also be satisfied with a very slight marking which serves as a guide for a cutting instrument such as scissors but the use of packaging is less convenient.

 Each cell 5 has, in plan, a substantially triangular shape, that is to say a narrowed part 5a near the corresponding weakening line 6 and an enlarged part 5b opposite the previous one 5a.

 The part 5a has a width such that after opening of the cell 5 as said below, the product A comes out of it according to a width, or section, corresponding substantially to that of a current bead of toothpaste.

 The part 5b has a width which corresponds substantially to that of a human thumb.

The use of the packaging which has just been described is as follows
To access a cell 5, the strip 1 is broken transversely, along the closest line 6 (fig.3).

 In so doing, the continuity of the part 3 is destroyed by causing the creation of a slot 7 of length equal to the width of the part Sa. The part 4 being applied and glued (or welded) to the base 2 all around the cell 5, the slot 7 constitutes the only possible opening of the cell 5.

 The user presses with a thumb on the cell to subject product A to a more or less strong pressure.

 The slot 7 then opens under the thrust of the product A and this passes without difficulty in the form of a cord whose width is given by the length of the slot 7 and, therefore, by the width of the part 5a (fiv. 4).

 This width, as said above, corresponds roughly to that which is generally given to cords of common toothpaste and which is a function of the diameter of the tube containing the paste.

 The important thing is that this width is at most equal to that of the tuft of bristles B of a standard toothbrush C.

 The slot 7 opens automatically, one can provide in front of the first cell 5 of the strip 1, a portion 8 devoid of cell to constitute a security preventing this opening from occurring accidentally.

 Part 8 has a line 6 by which it is separated from the rest of the strip 1 to give access to the first cell 5. This part 8 can receive a hole, a label or any other accessory favoring its presentation for sale.

 Preferably, the slot 7 is virtual, that is to say that the wall 5c of the cell 5 remains integral with the part 4. The resistance to opening which results therefrom is nevertheless low since the parts only remain integral according to a fraction of rectangular material with a very small surface since this fraction has a length equal to the width of the part 5a and a width equal to the thickness of the part 3, this thickness being a few microns.

 A slightly stronger thumb pressure than the previous one is then necessary to first detach the lips from the slot 7 and then the product outlet. Here, the opening of the cell 5 is therefore done by pressure.

 These arrangements are desired because they make it possible to handle and transport the packaging without the great risk of accidental opening of the cell 5 which happens to be closest to the end of the strip 1.

 Indeed, after emptying a cell 5, there inevitably remains a little product on the edges of the slot 7 especially if the product is pasty or sticky, as well as inside the open cell. If the strip 1 is thus placed in a pocket, a pouch or a bag, these product residues can cause soiling.

To avoid them, the cell used must be discarded, that is to say separate from the strip 1 by breaking the latter along line 6 adjacent to the next cell 5. However, the latter must remain closed until the time of its use and it must therefore not be subjected to the risks of an accidental opening, the consequences of which would be worse than those of the presence of the product remains in the empty cell.

 To ensure an effective closure, the lines 6 are placed practically in line with the walls 5a of the cells 5, that is to say at a very short distance from these walls Sa, which distance is evaluated in fraction of a millimeter.

 The opening of the slot 7 is easy by a relatively low thumb pressure because it is concentrated on the only surface of the cell 5 located at the end of the strip 1.

 On the other hand, this opening is difficult to create accidentally because it would either be that a pressure or a shock occurs locally exactly on this alveolus and with at least the same intensity as that given by the thumb, which is unlikely, or that 'pressure or shock occurs in a larger area including the cell under consideration and at an extremely high intensity, which is even less likely. I1 is certain that the user who wants to keep on him the tape 1 to use it outside his home, will take a minimum of precaution to protect it, for example by placing it in a small case.

 One of the advantages of the invention lies precisely in the possibility of dividing a strip 1 into segments comprising only a limited number of cells 5.

 One can, for example, provide segments of three cells 5 corresponding to the needs of a day: brushing teeth in the morning, after lunch and after dinner.

 Naturally, all of the cells 5 in the same segment can contain a dose of the same product. But it is an advantage of the invention to provide several different products.

 As we are practically obliged to use the cells one after the other in the order they have on the strip. 1, they can be garnished with products to be used in the same order.

 If the products are toothpastes, it is thus possible to place in the first cell 5 a paste for the morning, containing a relatively strong dose of substance promoting the whiteness of the teeth as well as aromas and perfumes felt as fresh and pleasantly perfumed. In the second cell, you can place a paste with more discreet perfumes and aromas because it must be used after midday meal. These perfumes and aromas are preferably adapted to the usual taste of the users at that time and can recall, for example, the flavor of coffee, tea, lemon etc. Taking into account the strong bacterial activity after a meal, one can increase the proportion of antiseptic agents or bodies having an action on the acidity of the mouth, that is to say modifying its pH. In the third alveolus one can place a paste containing slow-acting substances since it must be used at bedtime: fluoride ions to strengthen the enamel, antiseptics etc.

 We can also vary the products according to other criteria.

In particular, product changes can be programmed to avoid addiction which weakens the effect of the products used.

 You can also alternate pasta for brushing teeth and liquid for rinsing the mouth and impregnating the mucous membranes, or alternatively pasta particularly suitable for dental care and others for gum care etc.

 This leads to a planning of real treatments whose effectiveness is all the greater when any product error is practically excluded.

 In addition, the dose contained by each cell 5 is exactly proportioned, not only to avoid wastage, but also to precisely adapt the amounts of active ingredients absorbed each day by the user.

We thus make available to the medical profession a means
simple and efficient action in a particular area
sensitive.

 There is no difficulty in providing, if desired, several juxtaposed cells to open them all at the same time for simultaneous use if the products they contain cannot be presented in a mixed state.

 Naturally, we can consider as "first" the cell placed at one or the other end of the strip 1. We can thus detach from the band 1 the cell 5 which is opened, which avoids any possibility of soiling. To guide the user, it may be useful to number the cells 5 in the same sequence in the order in which they must be consumed so that the user does not get the wrong product and that he uses the packaging of the most convenient and rational way. Even if the cells 5 of the same strip all contain the same product, it may be wise to recommend their opening by starting with one end of the strip 1 rather than the other and, for this, one or more can be provided. landmarks.

 Given that the invention provides the possibility of giving any shape to the cells and also of perfectly calibrating the orifice through which the product must be extracted, provision may be made for a use different from that which has been described below. above.

 We can, for example, provide that the cells must cooperate with an object (a toothbrush, in particular) of which they constitute a temporary reservoir when they are put in place. The alveolus itself can be given the shape of a cylinder, cushion, sphere, etc. We can also provide no longer a simple narrowed part but a small channel, or neck, to facilitate its cooperation with an object.

 Depending on the intended use, the strip is produced from a single material or, as described, by combining several materials and the rigidity of the article obtained is adapted to its use. In particular, the cells can be given very great flexibility thanks to which they can be opened effortlessly and emptied quickly.

Claims (6)

 1- Packaging of products for oral hygiene, and more particularly toothpaste, characterized in that it is constituted by a strip (1) carrying at least two cells (5) containing a dose of product (A), the strip (1) having transverse weaknesses (6) located in the immediate vicinity of each cell (5).  2- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that each cell (5) being constituted by a shell fixed on the strip (2), the transverse weakening (6) corresponding is located practically in line with the shell.  3- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that each cell (5) has a part (5a) narrowed to have at most the width of a current bead of toothpaste. and a part (5b) opposite the previous one which is enlarged to present substantially the width of a human thumb.  4- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the "first" cell (5) of the band (1) is preceded by a fraction of band (8) without cell but having a transverse weakening (6) for said first cell (5).  5- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the cells (5) of the same strip (1) comprise different products.  6- Packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that the strip comprises three cells (5) containing different toothpastes, that of the first cell (5) being adapted to the needs of oral hygiene in the morning, that of the second cell (5 ) being adapted to the mid-day oral hygiene needs and that of the third socket (5) being adapted to the evening oral hygiene needs.