WO2003004378A1 - Dispensing assembly comprising at least a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a dispensing assembly (1) comprising a support S (2) consisting of one or more support portions Si (20), and one or more containers Ri (3), each container Ri (3) being secured to a support portion Si (20). In said assembly: a) each container Ri (3) comprises a body (32) and an opening (31), typically a neck having an axial direction Ai passing through said opening (31); b) said support portion Si (20) comprises a recess Ei having a contour Ci (22) selected to receive all or part of the container Ri (3); c) each recess Ei (21) or each support portion Si (20) forms a plane including said axial direction of the corresponding container Ri (3), such that the opening of each container Ri (3) is typically centred relative to a median plane (23) of said support portion Si. Said assembly (1) comprises means enabling each container Ri (3) to be manually separated from its support portion (Si (20).

Description

 DISPENSER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of packaging, typically that of fluid or semi-fluid products contained in rigid or semi-rigid containers.

It also relates to the field of small to medium capacity packaging, typically up to 200 cm ³ . It relates more particularly to the field of multiple packaging presentations.

STATE OF THE ART

Grouping techniques are known, using an over-packaging plastic film, of containers or bottles, for example in the case of plastic bottles which condition mineral waters, which allow the consumer to take away the bottles per pack of 6. It is the same in the case of metal drink cans. In another field, flexible bags are also known which form strips, each bag being able to be separated from the strip for use.

PROBLEMS POSED The known means for forming sets of containers are typically intended for distribution in the field of mass consumption, especially food products or beverages.

In fields other than that of mass consumption, it is necessary, in particular in the field of packaging of cosmetic products, to use means which enhance the packaged product, and in any case, which deviate from the "low-end" image associated with the packaging of food products.

Furthermore, whatever the field, including that of the packaging of cosmetic products, it is important to be able to offer the conditioner a packaging which remains economical to manufacture, and which is convenient to use by the end consumer.

Finally, it is necessary for the packaging manufacturer to introduce into its packaging means of diversification and personalization to contribute, thanks to the originality of the packaging, to the promotion of the packaged product.

The distributor assembly according to the invention meets this set of needs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

* According to the invention, the dispenser assembly comprises a support S consisting of one or more support portions Si, and one or more containers R, each of which being intended to contain a product P, typically a cosmetic product, each container Ri being secured to a support portion Si by a connecting means. In this dispenser assembly: a) each container Ri can comprise a body and an opening, typically a neck, having an axial direction Ai passing through said opening, said body typically comprising a side wall and a bottom, b) said support portion Si may include a recess Ei having an outline Ci or dimensions chosen (ies) to receive all or part of the container Ri, and typically at least said body of the container Ri, c) each recess Ei or each portion of support Si can form a plane comprising said axial direction Ai of the corresponding container Ri, so that the opening of each container Ri is typically centered relative to a mean plane of said portion Si of support, said assembly comprising means allowing each container Ri to be separated manually from its support portion Si and / or possibly allowing, in the case where a container Rj secured to a support portion Sj adjoins said container Ri, to separate said support portion Si from said portion of neighboring support Sj.

The invention can be used for a single container, and in particular in this case, the support can also serve either as a decorative element or as an element ensuring a particular station of the container, in particular a standing station, or even as information support.

However, typically, the dispenser assembly according to the invention comprises several containers Ri, each secured to a support portion Si.

The combination of means which defines the invention solves all of the problems posed.

Indeed, on the one hand, the dispenser assembly is radically different from the known means for packaging one or more containers of products.

In addition, the idea of a perforated support S with recesses adapted to each container, constitutes a means which both enhances the containers and their contents, and which allows numerous possibilities for diversification and personalization of the packaging. Furthermore, as will appear later, the distributor assemblies according to the invention can be produced economically.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures la to 6 relate to the invention.

Figures la to le relate to an assembler mode (1) with 3 containers (3) denoted RI to R3, each secured to a support portion denoted SI to S3, the support portions being separated by the line ( 200) located halfway between the R containers.

Figure la is a sectional view along the axis (30) of the container.

Figure 1b is a top view.

Figure le is a side perspective view.

FIGS. 2a to 2c relate to another modality of assembler (1) with 6 containers (3), denoted RI to R6.

Figure 2a is a sectional view along the axis (30) of the container.

Figure 2b is a top view

FIG. 2c is a side perspective view of the assembler (1) folded up thanks to a spacer panel (24) forming part of the support (2) provided with hinge lines (202).

Figure 2d shows a cap modality (7) forming an applicator brush (70).

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a container R (3) linked to its support (2) or support portion (20), Figures la to 2c, in section along the axis (30) of the container R (3 ). Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, but it relates to the assembly blank (9) comprising the preform (8), and which, by blowing, leads to the container R (3).

FIG. 5 is a variant of FIG. 1a or 2a, and comprises a support S (2), the portions (20) of which can be articulated or cut manually by the lines (201) situated midway between the tanks R, by thinning ( 202) of the support.

Figure 6, similar to Figures la, 2a and 5, relates to another modality in which the support S is a trellis (6) forming a frame, plane or articulated along the dividing lines (200) or hinge (201 ).

In FIG. 6a, the trellis (6) comprises lines forming a hinge (201), and forms 4 support portions (20) folded back on themselves so as to form "a cube", which ensures the vertical station. In FIG. 6b, the trellis (6) comprises three portions of supports S folded in the manner of a screen, which ensures the vertical station.

Figure 7 is a sectional view in the case of a substantially circular support S, the containers (3) being arranged radially, four cavities or pots (27) being formed in the support (2, 5).

Figure 7a is a section of Figure 7 along the plane I-I of Figure 7 - one of the pots (27) being closed by a cover (28).

FIG. 8 represents, in axial section along the axis (30), the injection of the preform (8) and of the support (2) in a single press stroke, using the injection device (10) .

FIGS. 9a and 9b, similar to FIG. 3, represent respectively, the blowing of the preform (8) so as to form the container (3), and a modality of assembler (1) in which the core has been removed. material (80). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, said connecting means (4) can be chosen to allow manual separation of at least one of the containers Ri. Said connection means (4) may comprise at least two connection points (40) between said container Ri and said corresponding support portion Si (20), connection points (40) typically symmetrical with respect to said axial direction Ai.

As can be seen in Figures la or 2a, the support portions Si (20) are separated from each other by median lines (201) between the containers, or by lines forming a hinge or rupture line (202).

Preferably, and illustrated in the figures, said connection means (4) may comprise four connection points (40), two being located at said neck (31), the other two being located at said bottom (34).

Typically, said connecting means (4) can be formed by a material bridge or thinning of material, in the same plastic material or forming the junction of two different plastic materials, capable of being broken manually, connecting said container Ri to said portion support Si, by snap-fastening or clipping of elements of the container Ri cooperating with elements of said support portion Si, or by these two means simultaneously. It is simply important that the containers R (3) remain integral with their support S (2) as long as the end user does not wish to consume the contents of a container R.

According to one embodiment of the invention, which said support S (2) can form an openwork plate (5) of thickness chosen to form a rigid or semi-rigid support S. Such a plate is therefore distinguished from all flexible film materials.

Such an openwork plate (5) appears in Figures la, le, 2b, 2c, 3 and 4, etc. According to another embodiment of the invention, said support S (2) can form a trellis or a chain (6), comprising connecting lugs (60) intended to form all or part of said connecting means (4), as illustrated in Figures 6 to 6b. Thus, one can include in the rings of a chain or in frames, interconnected by rings or a hinge, rings or frames forming said support portions (20) for said containers R.

This modality, like the previous one, opens up many practical possibilities of implementation.

According to the invention, said support (2) can be made of plastic, typically of polyolefin. It can also be metallic, typically aluminum or stainless steel, or alternatively in the form of a strip or wire having sufficient rigidity for said assembly to hold said containers in a predetermined position.

According to a variant of the invention, said portions of supports Si (20) are typically all identical, so as to offer doses of different products or replacement doses of the same product.

This is one of the possibilities of using the distributor assembly (1) of the invention. However, according to another variant, said containers Ri (3) and said portions of supports Si (20) may not be identical, so as to offer a combination of typically complementary products, or different capacities of the same product.

Thus, the different containers Ri (3) may or may not be different and contain different products, typically care, make-up or beauty products, of the type of creams, nail polish, lotions, or any other fluid product used for the body care.

The various containers Ri can thus be used to make mixtures or compositions during their use, for example, a container Ri can contain a powder, to be mixed with a liquid contained in a neighboring container Ri; or again, a container Ri may contain a first active ingredient, and container Rj a second active ingredient, to be mixed with the first during use.

It is also conceivable that the different contents of the containers Ri form a range or a palette of colors.

According to the invention, at least one of said containers Ri (3) can be a container obtained by injection-blowing of a plastic material, for example a polyolefin (PE, PP). However, preferably, all of the containers Ri (3) are obtained by injection blow molding.

From a practical point of view, it is advantageous for said support S (2) and all of the containers Ri (3) to form a single piece of plastic material, the containers Ri being connected to the portions of supports Si by plastic bridges ( 41).

Figures 1 to 5 in particular correspond to this modality.

However, even in this case, the material constituting said support S (2) may or may not differ from that constituting said containers Ri (3), typically by nature or color. The supports and / or the containers can be translucent.

In addition, said support S (2) can be surface treated and typically carry information or a decoration, obtained in particular by printing or labeling.

It is easy to see the possibilities of the present invention to form a wide variety of objects, which are at the same time, aesthetic, new, functional and economical to manufacture.

According to the invention, the number of portions of support Si (20) or that of receptacles Ri (3) can typically be between 2 and 20, and typically from 4 to 8, said support portions Si being able to be articulated or not them, or comprise hinge elements (201), and possibly a spacer panel (24), so as to be able to fold, or wind, on itself said assembly (1). Typically, said neck (31) can be closed by a cap (7), screwed or snapped onto said neck, said cap (7) possibly carrying an application means, typically a brush (70), as illustrated in FIG. 2d.

Generally, said container Ri is centered relative to said obviously Ei, so as to form, apart from the location of said connecting points, a space or spacing (25) between said outline Ci and said container Ri of thickness typically constant and comprised between 0.5 and 5 mm. On an aesthetic level, it may be preferable that the outline Ci and the profile of the container Ri are homothetic, with a spacing (25) substantially constant, so as to better enhance the value of container Ri, as illustrated for example in FIG. 3 .

According to a variant of the invention, said support portions Si (20) forming said support S can form manually separable elements, typically by means of a line or weakening means (202) separating the support portion Si and the portion of next support Sj, and in which each container Ri remains integral with said corresponding support portion Si. As, according to this variant, the support portions Si (20) are separable from one another, it is no longer necessary for the containers Ri to be separable from the corresponding support portions Si. Thus, during the blowing of the container, it is not necessary to maintain a spacing (25), the contour C of the support portion Si possibly being able to merge into the wall of the body of the container Ri.

As illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 2c, 6a and 6b, said support S or said support portions Si can / can form or comprise a predetermined station means, typically of vertical station, so that said containers remain rights.

According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated, by way of example, in FIGS. 7 and 7a, said support S, or said support portion, can comprise one or more cavities intended to form, after the addition of a cover (28), one or more pots Pi (27) of axis (26) perpendicular to said support S or to said portion.

This additional method also makes it possible to package other products, typically less fluid than those packaged in containers Ri, in particular pasty or solid products, possibly agglomerated powders, which do not tend to flow or to flow whatever the position of their container. These products are usually packaged in pots or boxes with a wide opening and a shallow depth, so as to have direct access to the product.

Another object of the invention consists of methods of manufacturing the distributor assembly (1) according to the invention.

According to a first variant of the process: a) first, by injection of the same plastic material into a first mold, and in one piece, an assembly blank (9) comprising said support S provided with said recesses Ei , and, assembled to this support S, preforms Pi or blanks of the receptacles Ri (8), b) said assembly (1) is then formed by blowing said assembly blank, in a second multi-cavity mold, each preform (8 ) being blown into a cavity so as to form each of the containers Ri (3).

According to a second variant of the process: a) first forming by injection of a first plastic material said support S (2) provided with said recesses Ei, then by injection of a second plastic material of the preforms Pi or blanks of the containers Ri (8), assembled to this support S (2), so as to form in a single piece an assembly blank (9), b) said assembly (1) is then formed by blowing said blank into a multi-cavity mold assembly (9), each preform (8) being blown into a cavity so as to form each of the containers Ri (3). According to a third variant of the process: a) a support S (2) provided with said recesses Ei is supplied, and it is placed in a first mold, b) it is first formed by injecting a plastic material into said first mold preforms Pi or blanks for receptacles Ri (8), assembled to this support S (2), so as to form in a single piece an assembly blank (9), c) then forming said assembly (1) by blowing in a multi-cavity mold said assembly blank (9), each preform (8) being blown into a cavity so as to form each of the containers Ri.

As regards the support S (2), it can be in the form of a format, typically stackable, or of a very long strip which can be rolled up or folded.

Said support S (3) is rectangular or circular, the containers Ri being arranged respectively in a parallel or in a radial manner. In all of the figures, the containers are arranged in a parallel manner, except in FIG. 7 where they are arranged radially.

As regards the capacity of the containers Ri, the invention applies to all the usual capacities, thus the capacity of the said containers Ri (3), possibly different for the containers Ri and Rj, can vary from 0.5 cm ³ to 200 cm ³ , and preferably from 5 cm ³ to 50 cm ³ .

Whatever the manufacturing method, it is possible to use, to form the containers Ri, and depending on the products to be packaged, materials with higher or lower gas barrier properties.

Another object of the invention consists in using said assembly (1) according to the invention to form doses or samples of all types of products typically fluids, including for example pharmaceuticals or cleaning products, the same product thus being packaged in Ri containers, with i typically between 2 and 20, or even more than 20, in particular when said support forms a strip of great length .

This other object also includes a use of said assembly (1) according to the invention to form doses or samples of different products possibly forming a range of different products, for example by color, for all types of typically fluid products, including for example pharmaceuticals or cleaning products, coloring matters.

The invention can be applied to the packaging in said containers Ri of all fluid, semi-fluid, pasty or creamy products insofar as said container can be of flexible compressible wall, so as to allow the flow of the conditioned product by pressure manual exerted on the wall of the container. Furthermore, the possible presence of Pi pots also makes it possible to package products which are not very fluid or not, from pasty products to solid products.

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

All the figures correspond to realization tests

All the tests were carried out by injection blow molding of PE.

In the case of FIGS. 1 to 5, 7, 8, 9a and 9b, an assembly blank (9) comprising the support S and the preforms (8) of the containers was first formed by injection. Then, these preforms were blown to form the containers Ri. In the case of FIGS. 6 to 6b, the support (6) was first formed, then it was placed in the device for injecting the preforms so as to secure the support (6) and the preforms. Then the preforms were blown.

As support (6), we took either a cut aluminum sheet. Other tests have also been carried out in which the support (6) has a larger surface so as to form a print medium.

The variants of Figures 6a and 6b were thus produced.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention has many advantages:

on the one hand, it makes it possible to manufacture distributor assemblies (1) which are economical to manufacture, in particular in the case where the support and the preforms are simultaneously formed by injection,

- on the other hand, the invention discloses a new concept of distributor assemblies (1) which opens the way to a virtually very large number of practical achievements, so as to be able to offer different customers personalized distributor assemblies, - finally, the invention can lend itself to a large number of very diverse uses, in the field of cosmetology, but also in many other fields, for example that of paints, cleaning products, fluid polishes, etc., where it can be interesting to have on hand a distributor assembly bringing together different colors or shades of a certain type of product. LIST OF REFERENCES

Distributor assembly 1 Support S 2

Support portion 20

Partition line 200

Break line or hinge 201 Thinning of the support 202

Of course E 21

Contour C 22

Medium shot 23

Distance panel 24 Distance between contour 22 and R (3) 25

Axis perpendicular to plane 23 26

Cavity or Pot formed in the support S 27

Container R 3

Axis or axial direction in plane 23 30 Opening or neck 31

Body 32

Side wall 33

Background 34

Medium or connection point between 2 and 3 4 Connection points 40

Plastic bridge 41

Plate forming the support 2 5

Support mesh 2 6

Cap 7 Applicator brush 70

Preform 8

Feeding carrot 80

Assembly roughing 9

Injection device 10

Blowing device 11

Claims

1. Distributor assembly (1) comprising a support S (2) consisting of at least two support portions Si (20), and at least two containers Ri (3), each of them intended to contain a product P, typically a cosmetic product, each container Ri (3) being integral with a support portion Si (20) by a connecting means (4), assembly (1) in which: a) each container Ri (3) comprises a body (32) and an opening (31), typically a neck, having an axial direction Ai passing through said opening (31), said body (31) typically comprising a side wall (33) and a bottom (34), b) said support portion Si (20) comprises a recess Ei having a contour Ci (22) or dimensions chosen (ies) to receive all or part of the container Ri (3), and typically at least said body (32) of the container Ri ( 3), c) each recess Ei (21) or each support portion Si (20) forms a plane comprising said axial direction Ai of the container Ri (3) corresponding, so that the opening (31) of each container Ri (3) is typically centered relative to a mean plane (23) of said support portion Si, said assembly (1) comprising means allowing each container Ri (3) to be manually separated from its support portion Si (20) and / or possibly allowing, in the case where a container Rj secured to a support portion Sj adjoins said container Ri, to separate said support portion Si of said neighboring support portion Sj. 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said connecting means (4) is chosen to allow manual separation of at least one of the containers Ri. 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said connecting means (4) comprises at least two connecting points (40) between said container Ri and said support portion If (20) corresponding, connection points (40) typically symmetrical with respect to said axial direction Ai. 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said connecting means (4) comprises four connecting points (40), two being located at said neck (31), the other two being located at said bottom (34). 5. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said connecting means (4) is typically formed by a bridge or thinning, in the same plastic material or forming the junction of two different plastic materials, capable of being broken manually, connecting said container Ri to said support portion Si, by snap-fastening or clipping of elements of container Ri cooperating with elements of said support portion Si, or by these two means simultaneously. 6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said support S (2) forms an openwork plate (5) of thickness chosen to form a rigid or semi-rigid support S. 7. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said support S (2) forms a trellis or chain (6), comprising connecting lugs (60) intended to form all or part of said connecting means (4) . 8. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said support (2) is plastic, typically polyolefin. 9. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said support (2) is metallic, typically aluminum or stainless steel, in the form of strip or wire. 10. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said containers Ri (3) and said support portions Si (20) are typically all identical, so as to offer doses of different products or replacement doses of a same product. 11. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said containers Ri (3) and said support portions Si (20) are not identical, so as to offer a combination of different products typically complementary, or different capacities d 'the same product. 12. Assembly according to any one of claims 10 or 11 in which said containers Ri (3) are intended to contain different products, typically care, make-up or beauty products, of the type of creams, nail polish, lotions, or any other fluid product used for personal care. 13. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein at least one of said containers Ri (3) is a container obtained by injection-blowing of a plastic material, typically a polyolefin. 14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein all the containers Ri (3) are obtained by injection-blowing a plastic material, typically a polyolefin. 15. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said support S (2) and all of the containers Ri (3) form a single piece of plastic, the containers Ri being connected to the support portions Si by bridges of plastic (41). 16. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the material constituting said support S (2) is the same as or differs from that constituting said containers Ri (3), typically by nature or color. 17. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said support S (2) is surface treated and typically carries information or a decoration, obtained in particular by printing or labeling. 18. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17 in which the number of support portions Si (20) or that of the containers Ri (3) is typically between 2 and 20, and typically from 4 to 8, said support portions If it can be hinged or not, or include hinge elements (201), and possibly a spacer panel (24), so as to be able to fold, or wind, on itself said assembly (1). 19. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18 in which said neck (31) is closed by a cap (7), typically screwed or snapped onto said neck, said cap (7) optionally carrying an application means, typically a brush. (70). 20. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19 in which said container Ri is centered relative to said recess Ei, so as to form, apart from the location of said connecting points, a space or spacing (25) between said contour Ci and said container Ri of typically constant thickness and between 0.5 and 5 mm. 21. The assembly of claim 1, and according to any one of claims 6 to 20 wherein said support portions Si (20) forming said support S form manually separable elements, typically by a line or means weakening (202) separating the support portion Si and the next support portion Sj, and wherein each container Ri remains integral with said corresponding support portion Si. 22. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein said support S or said support portions If forms (s) or comprises / comprise a predetermined station means, typically of vertical station, so that said containers remain straight . 23. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 22 in which said support S, or said support portion, comprises one or more cavities intended to form, after the addition of a cover, one or more pots (27) of axis ( 26) perpendicular to said support S or to said portion. 24. A method of manufacturing an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein: a) first forming by injection of the same plastic material in a first mold, and in one piece, a blank d assembly (9) comprising said support S provided with said recesses Ei, and, assembled to this support S, preforms Pi or blanks of the containers Ri (8), b) said assembly (1) is then formed by blowing in a second mold with multiple cavities, said assembly blank, each preform (8) being blown into a cavity so as to form each of the receptacles Ri (3). 25. A method of manufacturing an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein: a) first forming by injection of a first plastic material said support S (2) provided with said recesses Ei, then by injection d '' a second plastic material preforms Pi or blanks for receptacles Ri (8), assembled to this support S (2), so as to form in a single piece an assembly blank (9), b) said assembly (1) is then formed by blowing into a multi-cavity mold said assembly blank (9), each preform (8) being blown into a cavity so as to form each of the containers Ri (3). 26. A method of manufacturing an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein: a) it supplies a support S (2) provided with said recesses Ei, and it is placed in a first mold, b) it is formed first by injecting a plastic material into said first mold of the preforms Pi or blanks of the receptacles Ri (8), assembled to this support S (2), so as to form in one piece an assembly blank (9), c) said assembly (1) is then formed by blowing said assembly blank (9) into a multi-cavity mold, each preform (8) being blown into a cavity so as to form each of the containers Ri. 27. The manufacturing method according to claim 26 wherein said support S (2) is a stackable format or a very long strip that can be rolled up or folded. 28. Method according to any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein said support S (3) is of rectangular or circular shape, the containers Ri being arranged respectively in a parallel or in a radial manner. 29. Method according to any one of claims 24 to 28 in which the capacity of said containers Ri (3), possibly different for containers Ri and Rj, varies from 0.5 cm ³ to 500 cm ³ , and preferably 5 cm ³ to 50 cm ³ . 30. Use of said assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23 to form doses or samples of all types of products, typically fluids, including for example pharmaceuticals or cleaning products, the same product being thus packaged in Ri containers, with i typically between 2 and 20, or even more than 20, in particular when said support forms a very long strip. 31. Use of said assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23 to form doses or samples of different products possibly forming a range of different products, for example by color, for all types of products, typically fluid, including for example pharmaceutical products or cleaning products, coloring matters.