COSMETIC PRODUCT PACKAGING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CONTAINER MADE OF CELLULOSE MATERIAL AND A CLOSURE ELEMENT

[0001]The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic product packaging assemblies comprising a container, in particular a bottle or a pot, and a closure element.

[0002]A cosmetic product is in particular a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of Nov. 30, 2009 on cosmetic products.

[0003]More specifically, the invention relates to a cosmetic product packaging assembly comprising a container and a closure element that is designed to close the container in a sealed manner in the storage configuration and to free up an opening of the container and allow the cosmetic product contained therein to be dispensed in the dispensing configuration.

[0004]Conventionally, the container extends along a longitudinal axis between a bottom and a neck, a peripheral wall connecting said bottom to said neck. The neck defines an opening through which the cosmetic product can be dispensed and has a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, which are connected by a frontal surface, also denoted mouth of the neck, extending in the radial direction. The radially outer surface of the neck of the container is provided with an axial joining portion. The radially inner surface and radially outer surface each have a smooth axial portion connected to the frontal surface. “Smooth axial portion” should be understood here as an axial portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and devoid of any protruding or recessed relief.

[0005]Still conventionally, the closure element comprises a plate intended to extend orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the container when the closure element closes the container and having an upper surface and a lower surface. The plate of the closure element moreover has a fastening skirt extending perpendicularly from the lower surface to a frontal surface and comprising a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface that are connected by the frontal surface. The radially inner surface of the fastening skirt of the closure element is provided with an axial joining portion designed to cooperate with the axial joining portion of the radially outer surface of the neck of the container.

[0006]The cosmetic product containers as defined above may, as standard, be made of plastic material. However, with a view to reducing the environmental impact of its activity, whether during manufacture of the packaging assemblies or at the end of life thereof, in particular to promote recycling thereof, the cosmetics industry tends to substitute or replace the plastic materials used to manufacture components of the packaging assemblies with materials that have less impact on the environment. Thus, cosmetic product containers as defined above have been developed in which at least the neck, and preferably the majority or even all of the container comprises a cellulose material.

[0007]These cellulose materials used to produce, at least in part, the container comprise for example paper or cardboard fiber or paper or cardboard pulp, the use of these materials having the advantage of reducing the use of raw materials derived from the petro-chemical sector and of improving the recyclability and/or the degradability of the container, these materials moreover possibly advantageously coming from recycling facilities.

[0008]However, the use of such cellulose materials to produce all or part of the container, and in particular its neck, is liable to cause certain problems, in particular in terms of sealing over time of an assembly implementing such a container associated with a closure element.

[0009]Specifically, it has been observed that the geometry of the neck of such containers, and in particular of the cross section of the neck, was liable to fluctuate or vary over time upon contact with ambient moisture and/or water contained in the cosmetic product received within the container. Thus, with such containers, it has for example been observed that a neck, originally of circular cross section, had a tendency to deform, and in particular to become oval or to exhibit undulations over time, upon contact with a source of moisture.

[0010]Moreover, it has also been observed that the thickness of the wall of the neck of such a container, which was initially constant in the circumferential direction, had a tendency to exhibit a certain variability over time, when exposed to a source of moisture.

[0011]Such fluctuations over time in the geometry of the container, and in particular of its neck, modify the regions of contact between the neck of the container and the closure element with which it is associated in the configuration of closure of the container, and risk leading to defective sealing of the packaging assembly when the closure element closes the container.

[0012]Conventionally, on a closure element intended to close a container it is known to provide a radially inner sealing skirt, extending from the lower surface of the closure element and designed to be inserted inside the neck and come into contact with its radially inner surface so as to ensure the sealing of the assembly in the configuration of closure of the container. However, such a closure element structure is not able to ensure the maintenance over time of the sealing of the packaging assembly in the configuration of closure of the container by the closure element, when at least the neck of the container comprises a cellulose material.

[0013]There is therefore a need to propose a cosmetic product packaging assembly comprising a closure element and a container of which at least the neck comprises a cellulose material, of which the maintenance over time of the sealing in the configuration of closure of the container by the closure element is improved.

[0017]“Interference region” should be understood here as a region in which clamping occurs between two joined elements, with deformation, preferably elastic deformation, of at least one of these two elements.

[0018]By virtue of these provisions, the invention proposes a cosmetic product packaging assembly of which the maintenance over time of the sealing in the configuration of closure of the container by the closure element is improved.

[0019]Specifically, the implementation within the packaging assembly according to the invention of a sealing element provided with an inner sealing skirt and an outer sealing skirt that define between them a groove for receiving by clamping the mouth of the neck when the closure element closes the container makes it possible to define on the closure element a portion for maintaining the geometry of the neck of the container, at least in the vicinity of the mouth, ensuring good sealing between the neck of the container and the closure element. Thus, even if the neck of the container is made to undergo geometric fluctuations over time, under the effect of the moisture to which it is exposed, during the closure of the container by the closure element equipped with a sealing element according to the invention, the radially inner sealing skirt and radially outer sealing skirt of the sealing element make it possible to guide and grip between them an end portion of the neck of the container, such that it returns to a geometry designed to ensure good sealing of the packaging assembly in the position of closure of the container by the closure element.

[0020]Moreover, according to the invention, the groove defined on the sealing element with which the closure element is equipped, and the axial joining portions provided on the neck of the container and on the fastening skirt of the closure element, are positioned and dimensioned such that, when the closure element closes the container, the frontal surface, or mouth, of the neck is held by clamping against the bottom of the groove of the sealing element with which the closure element is equipped.

[0021]Thus, by virtue of the provisions of the invention, in the position of closure of the container by the closure element, the sealing element defines with the neck of the container three sealed contact regions, formed by the interference regions, namely a radially inner continuous peripheral region between the smooth axial portion of the inner surface of the neck of the container and the inner sealing skirt of the sealing element of the closure element, a radially outer continuous peripheral region between the smooth axial portion of the outer surface of the neck of the container and the outer sealing skirt of the sealing element of the closure element and a continuous peripheral frontal region between the frontal surface of the neck of the container and the bottom of the groove of the sealing element of the closure element.

[0022]In the packaging assembly according to the invention, the at least partial overlap in projection on the longitudinal axis of the inner interference region and outer interference region makes it possible to pinch the neck of the container in the vicinity of its frontal wall and thus ensure the maintenance of sealed contact between the smooth axial portions of the inner surface and outer surface of the neck of the container and the sealing skirts of the sealing element when the closure element closes the container, despite a possible variability over time of the geometry of the neck of the container.

[0023]To this end, the width of the groove of the sealing element, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is advantageously less than or equal to the thickness of the neck, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between the smooth axial portions connected by the frontal surface.

[0024]According to an advantageous provision, the overlap in projection on the longitudinal axis of the inner interference region and outer interference region has an axial length greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, better still greater than or equal to 1 mm, even better still greater than or equal to 2 mm. In particular, the overlap may have a length between 2 mm and 5 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 2.5 mm.

[0025]Preferably, the axial joining portion of the outer surface of the neck and the axial joining portion of the inner surface of the fastening skirt of the closure element are threaded portions. Thus, in this embodiment, the closure element is designed to be fastened to the neck of the container by screwing.

[0026]As a variant, the axial joining portion of the outer surface of the neck and the axial joining portion of the inner surface of the fastening skirt of the closure element may have complementary elements forming a bayonet device, in particular implementing one or more pins provided on one of the neck of the container and the fastening skirt of the closure element and designed to cooperate with one or more complementary grooves provided on the other of the neck of the container and the fastening skirt of the closure element and (each) having a component extending in the circumferential direction and a component extending in the axial direction, in the direction of the bottom of the container or, if appropriate, of the frontal surface of the closure element.

[0027]In the above-mentioned embodiments, in which the fitting of the closure element onto the container involves a relative rotational movement, the outer surface of the neck of the container and the inner surface of the fastening skirt of the closure element necessarily have a circular cross section. As a corollary, the smooth axial portions of the inner surface and of the outer surface that are connected by the frontal surface of the neck are in the form of annular smooth axial portions, the groove defined by the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt of the sealing element is annular and the inner interference region, outer interference region and frontal interference region are also annular.

[0028]According to another variant, the axial joining portion of the outer surface of the neck and the axial joining portion of the inner surface of the fastening skirt of the closure element may have complementary snap-fastening means, for example implementing one or more levels of beads, which are continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction, provided on one of the neck of the container and the fastening skirt of the closure element and designed to cooperate with one or more levels of beads, which are continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction, or one or more levels of one or more grooves that are continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction and provided on the other of the neck of the container and the fastening skirt of the closure element.

[0029]In the above-mentioned variant, the outer surface of the neck of the container and the inner surface of the fastening skirt of the closure element do not necessarily have a circular cross section and may thus have a cross section with a shape that is ovoid, polygonal, in particular with rounded corners, such as a squircle shape, or the like.

[0030]Moreover, independently of the shape of the cross section of its neck, the container, which may in particular constitute a bottle or pot, may have a whole variety of cross-sectional shapes, in particular a shape that is circular, ovoid, polygonal, in particular with rounded corners, such as a squircle shape, or the like.

[0031]According to an advantageous provision, one and/or the other of the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt of the sealing element has (have) a chamfer flaring toward the outside of the groove. Preferably, the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt of the sealing element each have a chamfer flaring toward the outside of the groove, these chamfers extending facing one another.

[0032]By virtue of the implementation of a chamfer on one or the other, and preferably each, of the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt of the sealing element, the insertion and guiding of the frontal surface and the smooth axial portions of the neck of the container inside the groove of the sealing element are made easier. Moreover, this or these chamfers make it possible to realize gradual clamping of the end part of the neck of the container bearing the frontal surface and the smooth axial portions by the sealing skirts of the sealing element during the fitting of the closure element onto the container as far as the closure configuration.

[0033]In one embodiment, the base of the sealing element is in the form of a disk, of which the upper surface extends facing the lower surface of the plate of the closure element.

[0034]As a variant, the base of the sealing element is in the form of a ring, in other words a disk hollowed out at its center, of which the upper surface extends facing the lower surface of the plate of the closure element.

[0035]Advantageously, the sealing element is a separate element from the closure element, manufactured separately therefrom, and subsequently fastened to the closure element, preferably in a removable manner.

[0036]The design of the closure element and the sealing element as two separate elements advantageously makes it possible to produce them by means of different manufacturing methods and/or from different materials. Moreover, providing these two elements such that they are removable from one another makes it possible to promote the separation of these elements at the end of life of the assembly formed of the closure element and the sealing element, in particular with a view to recycling them in dedicated facilities.

[0037]According to a particular provision of the invention, the closure element is made of a first material and the sealing element is made of a second material, which is different from the first material.

[0038]It is thus possible to choose for the closure element a first material, in particular a first plastic material, having the desired mechanical features for fulfilling the functions of this element, and in particular the cooperation of its axial joining portion with the axial joining portion of the neck of the container, and for the sealing element a second material, in particular a second plastic material, having the desired mechanical features for fulfilling the functions of this element, and in particular good sealing between the sealing skirts and the frontal surface and smooth axial portions of the neck of the container, for example by way of increased deformability of the second material with respect to that of the first material.

[0039]According to one embodiment, the sealing element is attached to the closure element by overmolding.

[0040]As a variant or in addition, the sealing element is fastened to the closure element by way of complementary fastening elements comprising for example complementary snap-fastening reliefs making it possible to achieve axial retention of the sealing element on the closure element, which are optionally combined with axial protrusions provided on one or the other of the closure element and the sealing element and designed to be housed in axial grooves provided on the other of the closure element and the sealing element in order to secure these two elements in rotation.

[0041]In a variant embodiment of the invention, the closure element and the sealing element are formed integrally, in other words are monobloc and form just one mechanical piece.

[0042]Preferably, the cellulose material of which at least the neck, and preferably the majority or even all of the container is made comprises paper, cardboard, paper pulp, cardboard pulp or a mixture of these materials. The cellulose material of which at least the neck, and preferably the majority or even all of the container is made may also comprise bamboo or a bamboo derivative or else bagasse, a fibrous residue derived from sugarcane, or a mixture of these materials.

[0043]In one embodiment, the sealing element is made of plastic material, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), elastomer material, such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), or a mixture of these materials.

[0044]In one embodiment, the closure element forms a lid for the container, and comprises a plate, which is in particular substantially flat and continuous, designed to selectively close the container in a sealed manner in the storage configuration and to free up an opening of the container and allow the cosmetic product contained therein to be dispensed in the dispensing configuration.

[0045]In alternative embodiments, the closure element also forms a dispensing element for the product contained within the container, the assembly to which it belongs with the container then forming a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing assembly.

[0046]In one of these embodiments, the plate of the closure element has at least one dispensing orifice for the product contained within the container, the closure element also comprising a closure member that is designed to selectively close the dispensing orifice in a sealed manner in the storage configuration and to free up the dispensing orifice and allow the cosmetic product contained within the container to be dispensed in the dispensing configuration.

[0047]Thus, the closure element could for example form a flip-top cap, conventionally comprising a base fastened to the neck of the container, having a fastening skirt for fastening to the neck of the container and a plate provided with a dispensing orifice, and associated with a cover, mounted so as to be able to pivot on the base, in particular via a film hinge, between a position of closure of the dispensing orifice and a position of freeing up the dispensing orifice, the cover also being provided with a closure plug designed to be inserted in the dispensing orifice in the closure position. In this case, the base of the sealing element is designed to allow the product contained in the container to be dispensed through the dispensing orifice of the base of the flip-top cap; to this end, the base of the sealing element may for example have an annular shape that is centered on the longitudinal axis and bears the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt standing up from the base, or have a disk shape that bears the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt standing up from the base and is provided with a passage orifice situated in line with the dispensing orifice.

[0048]As a variant, the closure element may comprise a collar for fastening a dispensing device to the neck of the container, the dispensing device possibly for example being formed of a pump, a cannula, a nozzle or the like. In this case, the plate of the closure element and the base of the sealing element each have a recess designed for the passage and/or the sealed fastening of the dispensing device, while at the same time bearing respectively the fastening skirt for fastening to the container and the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt.

[0049]According to yet another variant, the closure element comprises a fastening collar for an attached lid, the plate of the closure element and the base of the sealing element each having an access opening, communicating with the opening of the neck of the container, while at the same time bearing respectively the fastening skirt for fastening to the container and the inner sealing skirt and outer sealing skirt, and the closure element, in particular its plate, and the attached lid moreover having complementary joining elements, which are preferably reversible, such as threaded portions, complementary elements forming a bayonet device, complementary snap-fastening elements or the like.

[0050]The invention may be better understood upon reading the following description, accompanied by nonlimiting implementation examples thereof, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0051]FIG. 1 shows in perspective a cosmetic product packaging assembly according to the invention;

[0052]FIG. 2 illustrates the packaging assembly according to the invention in longitudinal section on the plane of section P in FIG. 1;

[0053]FIG. 3 illustrates in longitudinal section a detail of the packaging assembly according to the invention, during a phase of closure of the container by the closure element;

[0054]FIG. 4 illustrates in longitudinal section a detail of the packaging assembly according to the invention, in the configuration of closure of the container by the closure element;

[0055]FIG. 5 illustrates in enlarged view the detail D in FIG. 4.

[0056]FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a cosmetic product packaging assembly 1 according to the invention, said assembly 1 comprising a container 2, in this case in the form of a bottle or a pot, and a closure element 3.

[0057]Such a bottle 2 may for example contain within it a cosmetic product of shampoo, shower gel, lotion or other type.

[0058]As a variant, the container 2 may be in the form of a pot, which is more particularly designed to contain within it a cosmetic product of cream, foam or other type.

[0059]As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 2 extends along a longitudinal axis X between a bottom 20 and a neck 21, which are connected to each other by way of a peripheral wall 22.

[0060]In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the bottom 20 of the container 2 is substantially flat. As a variant, the bottom 20 of the container may have an recess centered on the longitudinal axis X and extending toward the inside of the container 2.

[0061]Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the peripheral wall 22 has a circular cross section. However, the container 2 may have a whole variety of cross-sectional shapes, in particular a shape that is circular, ovoid, polygonal, in particular with rounded edges, such as a squircle shape, or the like, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0062]In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the container 2 is monobloc and entirely made of a cellulose material, optionally combined with a coating of another nature applied to its inner surface and/or its outer surface.

[0063]In particular, the cellulose material comprises paper, cardboard, paper pulp, cardboard pulp or a mixture of these materials.

[0064]As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 to 4, the neck 21 of the container 2 defines an opening O for access to the internal volume of the container 2 and has a radially inner surface 23 and a radially outer surface 24, which are connected to each other by way of a frontal surface 25, also denoted mouth of the neck, extending in the radial direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0065]As is apparent in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer surface 24 of the neck 21 of the container 2 is provided with an axial joining portion 26, which in this case is in the form of a threaded portion. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, the outer surface 24 of the neck 21 of the container 2 necessarily has a circular cross section.

[0066]Moreover, the inner surface 23 and the outer surface 24 of the neck 21 of the container 2 each have a smooth axial portion 27, 28, in other words one devoid of protruding or recessed reliefs, situated axially between the axial joining portion, in this case the threaded portion 26, and the frontal surface 25.

[0067]In the embodiment illustrated, in which the joining portion of the outer surface 24 of the neck 21 is in the form of a threaded portion 26, the smooth axial portions 27, 28 of the inner surface 23 and outer surface 24 of the neck 21 are in the form of annular smooth axial portions.

[0068]The assembly 1 according to the invention moreover comprises a closure element that is, in the embodiment illustrated, in the form of a lid 3 for the container 2, and comprises a plate 30, which is in particular substantially flat and continuous, designed to selectively close the container 2 in a sealed manner in the storage configuration and to free up the opening O of the neck 21 of the container 2 and allow the cosmetic product contained therein to be dispensed in the dispensing configuration.

[0069]More specifically, and as may be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, the lid 3 comprises a plate 30 intended to extend orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the container 2 when the lid 3 closes the container 2 and having an upper surface 31 and an opposite lower surface 32.

[0070]The lid 3 also has a fastening skirt 33 for fastening to the neck 21 of the container 2. This fastening skirt 33 extends substantially perpendicular to the lower surface 32 of the plate 30 to a frontal surface 36 and has a radially inner surface 34 and a radially outer surface 35, which are connected to each other via the frontal surface 36.

[0071]The radially inner surface 34 of the fastening skirt 33 of the lid 3 is provided with an axial joining portion 37 designed to cooperate with the axial joining portion 26 of the outer surface 24 of the neck 21 of the container 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the axial joining portion 37 of the radially inner surface 34 of the fastening skirt 33 of the lid 3 is in the form of a threaded portion designed to cooperate with the threaded portion provided on the outer surface 24 of the neck 21 of the container 2. Thus, in this embodiment, the inner surface 34 of the fastening skirt 33 of the lid 3 has a circular cross section.

[0072]According to the invention, and as is clearly apparent in particular in FIGS. 2 to 5, the lower surface 32 of the plate 30 of the lid 3 is provided with a sealing element 4. The sealing element 4 comprises a base 40 having an upper surface 41 and an opposite lower surface 42, a radially inner sealing skirt 43 and a radially outer sealing skirt 44, said base 40 and said sealing skirts 43, 44 together defining a groove 45 designed to receive by clamping at least an end portion of the neck 21 of the container 2.

[0073]More specifically, and as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the lid 3 closes the container 2, the smooth axial portions 27, 28 and the frontal surface 25 of the neck 21 of the container 2 are at least partially received in the groove 45 of the sealing element 4 and define therewith a radially inner interference region ZII, a radially outer interference region ZIE and a frontal interference region ZIF.

[0074]“Interference region” should be understood here as a region in which clamping occurs between two joined elements, with deformation, preferably elastic deformation, of at least one of these two elements. Thus, when the lid 3 closes the container 2, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, clamping is realized on the one hand between the smooth axial portions 27, 28 of the inner surface 23 and outer surface 24 of the neck 21 of the container and the inner sealing skirt 43 and outer sealing skirt 44 of the sealing element 4, and on the other hand between the frontal surface 25 of the neck 21 of the container 2 and the lower surface 42 of the base 40 defining the bottom of the groove 45 of the sealing element 4.

[0075]To this end, and as can be seen in FIG. 5, the width 1 of the groove 45 of the sealing element 4, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, is advantageously less than or equal to the thickness e of the neck 21 of the container 2, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, between the smooth axial portions 27, 28 connected by the frontal surface 25.

[0076]Advantageously, and as is also apparent in FIG. 5, the inner interference region ZII and outer interference region ZIE have an at least partial overlap c in projection on the longitudinal axis X.

[0077]In the embodiment illustrated, the overlap c of the inner interference region ZII and outer interference region ZIE is substantially complete. More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated, the inner interference region ZII and outer interference region ZIE have a substantially equal axial length and extend parallel in one and the same axial portion. As a variant, provision may be made for the inner interference region ZII and outer interference region ZIE to have different axial lengths and/or to be situated in respective axial portions, provided that these two axial portions have a non-zero overlap or coverage in projection on the longitudinal axis X.

[0078]In the embodiment illustrated, the lid 3 being fastened to the neck 21 of the container 2 by screwing, the groove 45 defined by the inner sealing skirt 43 and outer sealing skirt 44 of the sealing element 4 is annular and the inner interference region ZII, outer interference region ZIE and frontal interference region ZIF are also annular.

[0079]According to an advantageous provision of the present invention, the overlap c in projection on the longitudinal axis X of the inner interference region ZII and outer interference region ZIE has an axial length greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, better still greater than or equal to 1 mm, even better still greater than or equal to 2 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 5 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 2.5 mm.

[0080]Moreover, and as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 3 to 5, the inner sealing skirt 43 and outer sealing skirt 44 of the sealing element 4 each have a chamfer 46 flaring toward the outside of the groove 45. Thus, the sealing element 4 defines a groove 45 having two facing chamfers 46 that make it possible to promote the introduction and the gradual clamping of the portion of the neck 21 of the container 2 that is received in the groove when the lid 3 closes the opening O of the neck 21.

[0081]In the embodiment illustrated, the base 40 of the sealing element 4 is in the form of a substantially flat and continuous disk, of which the upper surface 41 extends facing the lower surface 32 of the plate 30 of the lid 3.

[0082]As a variant, provision may be made for the base 40 of the sealing element 4 to be in the form of a ring, hollowed out at its center, of which the upper surface 41 extends facing the lower surface 32 of the plate 30 of the lid 3.

[0083]Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated, the sealing element 4 is in the form of an element separate from the lid 3 and attached thereto.

[0084]Thus, in this embodiment, the sealing element 4 may be manufactured separately from the lid 3 and subsequently fastened thereto, preferably in a removable manner.

[0085]As a variant, still in one such embodiment, the sealing element 4 is attached to the lid 3 by overmolding.

[0086]According to an advantageous provision of such an embodiment, the lid 3 is made of a first material and the sealing element 4 is made of a second material, which is different from the first.

[0087]Thus, the lid 3 may for example be made of a first material, in particular a first plastic material, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an elastomer material, such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), or a mixture of these materials and the sealing element may for example be made of a second material, in particular a second plastic material, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an elastomer material, such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), or a mixture of these materials.

[0088]Thus, by virtue of the provisions of the present invention, when the lid 3 is fitted onto the container 2 in order to close the opening O of its neck 21 by cooperation of the axial joining portions 26, 37 provided on each of these elements, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, at least a part of the smooth axial portions 27, 28, and the frontal surface 25 of the neck 21, are received inside the groove 45 defined by the inner sealing skirt 43 and outer sealing skirt 44 of the sealing element 4, and clamping is gradually realized between these elements in the inner radial interference region ZII and outer radial interference region ZIE, and in the frontal interference region ZIF when the lid 3 arrives at the end of travel of joining to the neck 21. As a result, the geometric integrity of the cross section of the neck 21 of the container is preserved over time and the sealing between the lid 3 and the neck 21 of the container 2 is ensured when the lid 3 is in the configuration of closure of the container 2.

[0089]Although in the present detailed description the invention has been illustrated in relation to a lid 3 screwed onto the neck 21 of the container 2 and designed to selectively close the container 2 and free up the opening O of its neck 21 with a view to dispensing product contained therein, it is not limited to such a structure of the lid 3, nor of joining means between this lid 3 and the neck 21 of the container 2.

[0090]Thus, the present invention also extends to a lid 3 having other means for joining to the neck 21 of the container 2, such as snap-fastening means, which are formed for example of one or more levels of beads, which are continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction and intended to cooperate with complementary snap-fastening means provided on the neck 21 of the container 2, which are formed for example of one or more levels of beads, which are continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction, or one or more levels of grooves that are continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction.

[0091]In the same way, the invention also extends to a lid forming a flip-top cap, conventionally comprising a base fastened to the neck 21 of the container 2, having a fastening skirt 33 for fastening to the neck 21 of the container and a plate 30 provided with a dispensing orifice, and associated with a cover, mounted so as to be able to pivot on the base, in particular via a film hinge, between a position of closure of the dispensing orifice and a position of freeing up the dispensing orifice, the cover also being provided with a closure plug designed to be inserted in the dispensing orifice in the closure position. In this case, the base 40 of the sealing element 4 is designed to allow the product contained in the container 2 to be dispensed through the dispensing orifice of the base of the flip-top cap; to this end, the base 40 may for example have an annular shape that is centered on the longitudinal axis and bears the inner sealing skirt 43 and outer sealing skirt 44 standing up from the base 40, or have a disk shape that bears the inner sealing skirt 43 and outer sealing skirt 44 standing up from the base 40 and is provided with a passage orifice situated in line with the dispensing orifice.