FR3040274A1 - DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND SAMPLING A PRODUCT. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (10) for packaging and sampling a product, comprising: - a container (1) containing a product and delimiting a neck (12), - a measuring device (20) fixed to the neck of the container and defining a sampling chamber (2), the chamber (2) comprising an opening (28), an air intake port (18, 181) and a bottom (26) delimiting a passage opening (22) of the product, - a piston (3) movable inside the sampling chamber (2) and configured to suck the product from the container (1) to the sampling chamber (2), - a dip tube (4) having an end ( 41) connected to the passage opening (22).

Description

Device for packaging and sampling a product

The present invention relates to a device for taking in a container a dose of a product, especially a cosmetic product, and for applying this dose.

"Cosmetic product" means any product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

Some cosmetic products are stored in large quantities, such as shampoos, hair salons or some lotions, at home.

Therefore, they must be packaged in large containers so as to avoid an over-frequent renewal of these containers.

However, these products are used each time in small doses.

As a result, the packaging containers of such products must allow both to keep the latter in large quantities and distribute them in low doses.

For this purpose, it has already been proposed high capacity containers provided at their upper part with a pump dispenser which, by simple pressure, delivers a dose of product.

In these devices, the dispenser often has a particularly complex configuration, which involves gaskets and non-return valves, so that the reliability of the mechanism is not assured.

To solve this problem, it has already been proposed, for example in EP 2 491 814, US Pat. No. 5,836,359, US Pat. No. 8,403,008, EP 0,723,921, US 2012/0261029, EP 1 015 114, devices comprising a container and a applicator pipette.

These documents teach to unscrew the closure cap of the container and to load a dose of product into a pipette. The pipette is then detached from the container and emptied directly onto the body surface to be treated or into the palm of the hand.

However, it is often difficult to completely empty the pipette. In addition, detaching the pipette from the container takes time. This step also endangers the pipette that can break.

To solve this problem, W0200060318 proposes a device comprising a sampling chamber attached to the neck of the container and connected to a dip tube. The room has the shape of a basin. A piston secured to the closure cap moves inside the chamber to suck up a dose of product each time the cap is unscrewed. By tilting the container in the hollow of the hand, the consumer collects the product stored in the room.

In this device, the dip tube passes entirely through a bottom wall of the sampling chamber. As a result, one end of the dip tube opens into the chamber.

A disadvantage of such a device is to require the realization of a passage channel of the composition of the plunger tube to the chamber. This passage is formed between the outside of the plunger tube and the piston. It complicates the manufacture of the device.

There is a need for further improvement of the packaging and sampling devices comprising a container containing the product.

In particular, there is a need to: - reduce the complexity of such devices, - to produce such devices delivering constant doses of product, - to facilitate and make safer the use of such devices. The invention achieves this through a device for packaging and sampling a product, comprising: - a container containing a product and delimiting a neck, - a metering device attached to the neck of the container and defining a sampling chamber, the chamber comprising an opening, an air intake opening and a bottom defining a product passage opening, - a piston movable inside the sampling chamber and configured to suck the product from the container to the sampling chamber, - a dip tube, the dip tube having an end connected to the passage opening.

The device according to the invention comprises a limited number of parts. This makes its manufacture simple and inexpensive.

Because one end of the dip tube is connected to the through hole, the doser and piston structures are simplified. Indeed, the product opens directly into the bottom of the chamber, without passing through intermediate channels.

The device according to the invention can be used with more or less viscous products, while delivering a constant dose each time the piston is actuated. The invention also relates to a cosmetic process comprising the steps of: - providing a device according to the invention, - extracting the piston from the sampling chamber, in particular by unscrewing or pulling, - tilting the container to collect the composition in the hollow of the hand.

This process is particularly hygienic and simple.

PRINIPAL DEFINITIONS

A "sample chamber" is a storage space for the product before emptying. The volume of the sampling chamber is greater than or equal to the volume of the product dose to be collected.

A "piston" is a piece able to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the chamber. It sucks the product through the passage opening of the chamber when it is moved towards the opening of the chamber. The movement of the piston can be a translation or a helical movement.

A "through hole" is a port for communicating the interior of the chamber and the outside of the dispenser. The passage orifice may in particular pass through either only the bottom of the tank, the bottom of the tank and a connecting channel. "The dip tube has one end connected to the passage opening" may mean that the dip tube engages the bottom of the tank or in connecting channel or is designed with the metering device. Generally speaking, this expression means that the outlet section of the dip tube is at least partially in contact with a section of the passage opening.

The heights are measured along the longitudinal axis X of the device. "The inner section of the dip tube" is the middle internal section of the dip tube. "The outlet section of the dip tube" is the section of the dip tube as the product exits the dip tube and heads towards the sampling chamber. "The inlet section of the through-hole" is the section of the through-hole when the product enters the through-hole to cross it and reach the sampling chamber.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: The dip tube has a restriction. It facilitates the circulation of the product. It reaches the sample chamber more easily. - The plunger tube defines an internal section less than 1.2 mm, preferably greater than 0.1 mm. It also facilitates the rise of the product towards the chamber. The value of the inner section is adjusted according to the viscosity of the product. The more viscous the product, the higher the internal section must be. - The outlet section of the dip tube is greater than the inlet section of the passage hole. This arrangement also facilitates the rise of the product to the chamber. The passage section variation encountered by the product does not require any complexity of the parts. It is simply a wise combination of these. - The sampling chamber is entirely housed in the neck. Thus, the sampling chamber is invisible if a cap closes the container. - The piston cooperates with the neck of the container. Thus, the container can be emptied without any external accessory to the device. - The piston is secured to a plug. Thus, the dosage of the product is achieved simply, while unscrewing or pulling the cap. - The sampling chamber is formed in one piece or in several pieces. In the case of one-piece manufacture, the cost is decreased. - The sampling chamber and the plunger tube together form a single piece or several pieces. In the case of one-piece manufacture, the cost is decreased. - The device comprises a mixer disposed in the container. Thus, the mixture is produced easily, without using a part external to the device. - The air intake port is located on a side wall of the sample chamber or on an upper wall of the chamber. Cutting is done easily, at low cost. The composition is a floral water, a perfume, a micellar water, an oil, an alcoholic or hydroalcoholic composition or a lotion or lotion. These compositions require precise dosing for reliable application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended schematic and partial drawing on which FIG. 1 represents, in axial section, an example of a packaging and sampling device according to the invention, the cap being in the closed position of the container, FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, after removal. partial part of the plug, - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, after complete removal of the plug, - Figure 4 illustrates the tilting of the container to empty the chamber, - Figure 5 represents separately the dispenser and the dip tube, FIG. 6 represents a first variant of the device represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 in front view, FIG. 7 is a section BB of the device of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 represents detail C of FIG. - l 9 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 6, FIG. 10 shows a second variant of the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 in front view, FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. Figures 12 to 14 show different examples of cross-sectional plunger tubes.

Figures 1 to 5 show a device 10 for packaging and sampling a product P in fluid form, preferably liquid. The device 10 comprises a container 1 for containing and storing the product before it is marketed and then during its lifetime with a user. The opening of the container 1 is defined by a neck 12 of circular section extending from a shoulder of the container 1. The axis of the opening coincides with the longitudinal axis X of the device 10. The neck 12 has a thread 121. The container 1 is closed by a closure cap 5 having an internal thread 51 complementary to the external thread 121 of the neck 12. The cap 5 could be slidably mounted in the neck 12.

The plug 5 comprises two tubular portions 55 and 58 interconnected by a bridge of material 57. It is preferably made by injection of a thermoplastic material. It may comprise an internal recess 56. The plug 5 comprises a lower plate forming a piston 3.

The piston 3 can be semi-deformable or rigid and be made of a polymeric material, such as low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers.

The container 1 is for example made of glass, or from a thermoplastic material. It can for example be obtained by a technique of extrusion blow molding or injection blow molding. It can also be obtained from the assembly of several components. It is for example of circular or ovoid cross section. The container 1 can be surmounted by a trim band to ensure the aesthetics and overall design of the device 10.

A proportioner 20 extending longitudinally along the axis X is fixed by force fitting in the neck 12 of the container 1. This metering device 20 is a hollow body. It comprises a storage chamber 2 in the form of a bowl. At least one air intake port 18 and / or 181 is provided on the side walls of the chamber 2 or above. The bottom 26 of the chamber 2 is pierced by a through hole 22. The dispenser 20 is thus held in the container 1 without it being necessary to hold it.

Fixing the dispenser 20 in the neck 12 can be effected in various ways and for example by snapping or snap-fitting by means of a lip snapping onto a corresponding bead of the neck 12. The dispenser 20 can rest on the periphery of the collar 12 by a rim 35. The height of the chamber 2 is sufficient to contain a dose of product.

Preferably, the volume of the chamber 2 is between 0.1 cm3 and 10 cm3. The orifice 22 holds the end 41 of a plunger tube 4 forcibly engaged. The dip tube 19 can extend to the bottom of the container 1. The orifice 22 can pass through a connecting channel of the dip tube 4 to the measuring device 20, in addition to passing through the bottom 26 of the container.

Alternatively, the plunger tube 4 is integral with the dispenser 20 to form a one-piece assembly. This assembly can be made for example of thermoplastic material such as polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Thus this assembly can be achieved by injection of a thermoplastic material in a single injection step. The assembly of the plunger tube 4 to the orifice 22 of the chamber 2 is simply made. It does not require complicated cutting of the different parts.

Preferably, the diameter of the through hole 22 is constant over its entire height.

More preferably, the diameter of the through hole 22 is between 0.1 mm and 1 cm.

The piston 3 is slidable in the chamber 2 when the cap 5 is screwed or unscrewed from the neck 12 of the container. For this purpose, the outer diameter of the tubular portion 55 is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the chamber 2. In order to form a sufficiently tight contact, the chamber 2 can flare in its lower part or have a flexible lip ensuring contact sealing ring with the outer periphery of the tubular portion 55.

Thus the displacement of the cap 5 relative to the container 1 allows suction pumping of the product in the chamber 2 when the free end 42 of the dip tube is in contact with the product P. The suction occurs when the displacement of the piston 3 in the chamber 2 causes an increase in the volume of the chamber 2. A sliding of the piston 3 in the opposite direction causes a decrease in the volume of the chamber 2 and allows a possible expulsion of the product stored in the dip tube 4.

In Figure 1, the container 1 is completely closed by the cap 5. The piston 3 abuts against the bottom 26. The volume of the chamber 2 is zero. The piston 3 closes the passage opening 22 of the product. The product is fully stored in the container 1.

In FIG. 2, the plug 5 is partially unscrewed relative to the neck 12. This configuration was obtained by a rotation of the plug 5 causing the piston 3 to move to half-way up the chamber 2. During this translation, the product was sucked into the chamber 2. The plug 5 is in an intermediate position.

In Figure 3, the cap 5 is completely clear of the dispenser 20. The chamber 2 is filled with a dose of product. The additional unscrewing with respect to the configuration of FIG. 2 caused the aspiration of a total dose of product into the chamber 2.

In Figure 4, the container 1 is tilted to empty the dose of product in the palm of the hand before applying it on the face for example.

FIG. 5 represents separately the measuring device 20 and the dip tube 4. The side walls 27 of the chamber 2 comprise at least one air intake port 18 and / or 181. The orifices 18 and 181 are distinct from the opening of the chamber 2. They prevent the return of the product into the container 1 once sucked into the chamber 2.

The chamber 2 has a connecting channel 38 through which the orifice 22 passes. The plunger tube 4 can be inserted into the connecting channel 38, so that the end 41 of the plunger tube is connected to the orifice 22. The channel 38 may comprise teeth or notches facilitating the snapping of the plunger tube 4.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 9, an ornamental plate 51 of aluminum may be disposed on the screw cap 5 PPH. The container 1 may be a double-walled bottle, the inner wall 15 delimiting a space containing the product and the outer wall 14 forming a covering. In this embodiment, the plunger and the plunger tube may be formed of HDPE.

According to another embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 10 and 11, a POM holding ring 9 can be inserted into the structure to stabilize the parts. The HDPE piston may also include teeth 31 improving the rigidity of the assembly. The dispenser 20 may be in PP.

Figure 12 illustrates a dip tube 4 having a restriction 44 at its end facing the bottom of the container.

FIG. 13 illustrates a plunger tube 4 whose outlet section is greater than the inlet section of the passage orifice 22.

FIG. 14 illustrates a dip tube 4 in two parts, the piece 440 defining a restriction 44.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described. In particular, it is possible to fix the cap 5 on the neck 12 other than by screwing, for example by snapping. The piston 3 may have a completely different shape. The expression "comprising one" shall be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless the contrary is specified.

Claims (14)

1. Device (10) for packaging and sampling a product, comprising: - a container (1) containing a product and delimiting a neck (12), - a measuring device (20) fixed to the neck of the container and defining a chamber sampling device (2), the chamber (2) comprising an opening (28), an air intake opening (18, 181) and a bottom (26) delimiting a passage opening (22) for the product, - a piston (3) movable inside the sampling chamber (2) and configured to suck the product from the container (1) to the sampling chamber (2), - a dip tube (4), characterized in that the dip tube (4) has an end (41) connected to the passage opening (22). 2. Device according to claim 1, the dip tube (4) having a restriction (44). 3. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the dip tube (4) defining an internal section less than 1.2 mm, preferably greater than 0.1 mm. 4. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the outlet section of the dip tube (4) being greater than the inlet section of the passage opening (22). 5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the sampling chamber (2) being entirely housed in the neck (12). 6 Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the piston (20) cooperating with the neck (12) of the container (1). 7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the piston (3) being secured to a plug (5). 8. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the sampling chamber (2) being formed in one piece or in several parts. 9. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the sampling chamber (2) and the plunger tube (4) forming a single piece or several pieces. 10. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a mixer disposed in the container (1). 11. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the air intake port (18, 181) being located on a side wall (27) of the sampling chamber (2) or on an upper wall of the room (2). 12. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the composition being a floral water, a perfume, a micellar water, an oil, an alcoholic or hydro alcoholic composition or a lotion. 13. Cosmetic process comprising the steps of: - providing a device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, - extracting the piston (3) from the sampling chamber (2), - tilting the container (1) to collect the composition in the palm of your hand. 14. The method of claim 13, the step of extracting the piston (3) being performed by unscrewing or pulling.