Cosmetic Product Packaging Device

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE

[0001]This disclosure relates to the field of cosmetic product packaging devices.

PRIOR ART

[0002]In the field of cosmetics, a packaging device generally comprises a container, forming a cosmetic product storage, and a closure device for closing the container. Conventionally, the closure device comprises a hoop, fixed on the container, and a cover fixed on the hoop.

[0003]For example, the container is a bottle with a substantially cylindrical portion of any cross section, a bottom, a front face at an end of the cylindrical portion opposite the bottom, and a neck projecting from the front face. The front face may form a platform around the neck, projecting from a peripheral part of the front face. The platform may be of polygonal cross section, for example similar to the cross section of the cylindrical portion. Such a polygonal cross section of the platform can allow indexing of the hoop, which forms a housing adapted for accommodating the platform.

[0004]In this case, typically, the neck has a screw thread and the hoop is screwed onto the screw thread of the neck.

[0005]For aesthetic and/or fluid-tightness reasons, it is sought to ensure that the closure device, in particular the hoop where applicable, is in contact with a peripheral part of the front face of the bottle, around the platform. However, in particular when the platform and the hoop are not rotationally symmetrical (in French “à symétrie de révolution”), it is difficult or even impossible to ensure that the hoop actually comes into contact on the peripheral part of the front face of the bottle. On the contrary, at least part of the hoop is generally in contact with the platform, so that a play appears between the hoop and the peripheral part of the front face of the bottle.

SUMMARY

[0006]This disclosure improves the situation.

[0012]Thus, advantageously, the closure assembly is elastically constrained towards the container, making it possible to eliminate any play between the closure assembly and the container.

[0025]According to another aspect, a cosmetic product packaging device comprising a container and a container closure device as described above, in all its combinations, fixed on the container, are described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033]Other features, details and advantages will become apparent from reading below detailed description, and from the attached drawings, in which:

[0034]FIG. 1 schematically represents in perspective, a first example of a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device, with a pump.

[0035]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a subassembly of the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device of FIG. 1 not including the pump implemented in the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device.

[0036]FIG. 3 is a sectional view along section plane III-III of FIG. 1, of the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device of FIG. 1.

[0037]FIG. 4 is a sectional view along section plane IV-IV of FIG. 1 of the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device of FIG. 1.

[0038]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an example of a cosmetic product packaging device.

[0039]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a first example of a cosmetic product packaging and application device.

[0040]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a second example of a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0041]In the following description, identical elements or elements having the same function bear the same reference sign. For the sake of brevity of this description, identical elements in the two examples are not described in detail, in the detailed description of each of these examples. Rather, the following description primarily details the differences between the two examples.

[0042]FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a first example 10 of a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device. As seen in FIG. 1, the packaging device 10 essentially comprises a container 12 and a closure device 13 for closing the container 12. The closure device 13 comprises here a hoop device 14, fixed to the container 12 and a pump device 15. Furthermore, a cap 16 is here fixed on the hoop device 14. It should be noted that the cap 16 can be considered as not being part of the closure device 13. Indeed, the hoop device 14 and the pump device 15 are a priori sufficient to close the container 12, i.e., to obstruct the opening of the container 12, preferably in a liquid-tight manner and also, more preferably, in a gas-tight manner. The cap 16 here essentially has a function of preventing inadvertent actuation of the pump device 15. In this respect, the cap 16 can be considered as a protection device for protecting the pump device 15, in particular the actuation button 70 for actuating the pump device 15.

[0043]The cosmetic product packaging device 10 extends here essentially in the direction of a longitudinal axis X (hereinafter axis X of the cosmetic product packaging device 10). The axis X is here an axis of symmetry of the cosmetic product packaging device 10.

[0044]According to the first example of a cosmetic product packaging device 10, the container 12 takes the form of a bottle 12. The bottle 12 comprises a substantially cylindrical part 18, extending according to the direction of a main extension axis X₁₂ of the bottle 12. The main extension axis X₁₂ of the bottle 12 (hereinafter, axis X₁₂ of the bottle 12) is here a symmetry axis of the bottle 12, in particular of the cylindrical portion 18. The axis X₁₂ of the bottle 12 coincides with the axis X of the cosmetic product packaging device 10 when the latter is assembled. Here, the cylindrical portion 18 of the bottle 12 has a polygonal cross section, in particular a square cross section, preferably with rounded sides and/or corners. Alternatively, the cross section shape of the cylindrical portion 18 of the bottle 12 is different, and is in particular circular or ellipsoidal. The cylindrical portion 18 is closed at a lower end, by a bottom 20 of the bottle 12.

[0045]At its end opposite the bottom 20, the bottle 12 comprises a neck 22 with a screw thread 24 (or thread). The neck 22 projects relative to a front surface 26 of the bottle 12. The front surface 26 extends substantially perpendicular to the axis X₁₂ of the bottle 12. The front surface 26 forms a platform 28 adjacent to the neck 22. The platform 28 projects, in the direction of the axis X₁₂ of the bottle 12, relative to a peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 extending around the platform 28. Here, the platform 28 is of polygonal cross section, in particular of square cross section, preferably with rounded sides and/or corners. Alternatively, the shape of the cross section of the platform 28 is different, in particular rotationally symmetrical or ellipsoidal. The cross section of the platform 28 is for example similar to the cross section of the cylindrical portion 18 of the bottle 12, but of smaller dimensions. Preferably, the cross section of the platform 28 is of non-circular cross-section.

[0046]The bottle 12 contains a liquid cosmetic product, for example a perfume, an eau de toilette, a lotion or even a cream.

[0047]The bottle 12 is for example made of transparent or translucent material. The bottle 12 may in particular be made of at least one of glass, a thermoplastic material, a ceramic, or a metal.

[0048]The hoop device 14 fixed to the bottle 12 comprises, here is made up of, three parts, namely a hoop 32, a base 34 and an insert 36.

[0049]Here, the hoop 32 extends mainly in the direction of an extension axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14 (hereinafter the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14), which coincides with the axis X₁₂ of the bottle 12, when the hoop device 32 is fixed on the bottle 12, and with the axis X of the cosmetic product packaging device 10 when the latter is assembled. The axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14 is here an axis of symmetry of the hoop device 14.

[0050]At a first longitudinal end, the hoop 32 comprises a first longitudinal portion 38, which is cylindrical, the cross section of which is complementary to the cross section of the platform 28 of the neck 22 of the bottle 12. Thus, the hoop 32 is adapted to accommodate, in the first longitudinal portion 38, the platform 28 of the neck 22 of the bottle 12.

[0051]At a second longitudinal end of the hoop 32, opposite the first longitudinal end, the hoop 32 comprises a second longitudinal portion 40, which is cylindrical. Here, the second longitudinal portion 40 has a circular cross section. In the example illustrated, the diameter of the second longitudinal portion 40 is greater than the diameter of the neck 22 of the bottle 12.

[0052]Between the first and second longitudinal portions 38, 40, the hoop 32 forms an annular bulge 42 and an annular groove 44, the groove 44 being located longitudinally between the bulge 42 and the first longitudinal portion 38. Here, the bulge 42 is of polygonal cross section, in particular of square cross section, preferably with rounded sides and/or corners. Likewise, the groove 44 is here of polygonal cross section, in particular of square cross section, preferably with rounded sides and/or corners. The cross section of the groove 44 is preferably similar to the cross section of the bulge 42, but of smaller dimensions. Here, the platform 28, the bulge 42 and the groove 44 are of similar cross sections, of different dimensions.

[0053]Notches 46 are formed on the radially inner face of the first longitudinal portion 38 of the hoop 32. Here, the notches 46 are rectilinear. Here, a notch 46 is formed on two opposite faces of the first longitudinal portion 38 of the hoop 32. The notches 46 extend in a plane perpendicular to the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14.

[0054]The base 34 of the hoop device 14 has the general shape of a socket, with a cylindrical portion extending in the direction of the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14, and a bottom, at one end of the cylindrical portion, oriented towards the bottle 12. The bottom of the base 34 has an orifice 47, here provided central. The orifice 47 is here circular in shape, with a diameter greater than the diameter of the neck 22 of the bottle 12. The cylindrical portion of the base 34 has a complementary cross section to the cross section of the first longitudinal portion 38 of the hoop 32 so that it can be accommodated inside this first longitudinal portion 38 of the hoop 32.

[0055]The base 34 forms housings 48, here four in number. As illustrated, the housings 48 are identical two by two. The housings 48 are here equally distributed angularly around the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14. Here, the housings 48 are each at a respective corner of the base 34.

[0056]As illustrated in FIG. 2 in particular, a slot 50 extending parallel to the direction of the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14, separates two neighboring housings 48. The slots 50 are here identical two by two. Here two opposite slots 50 are wider than two other opposite slots 50.

[0057]Finally, on two opposite external faces, the base 34 comprises ribs 51. Here, the ribs 51 are rectilinear. The ribs 51 extend in a plane perpendicular to the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14. The ribs 51 have here a complementary cross section to the cross section of the notches 46.

[0058]Furthermore, the insert 36 comprises a first cylindrical longitudinal portion 52, here of circular cross section. The first longitudinal portion 52 of the insert 36 forms, on its radially internal surface, a rim 64. Two grooves 62 are also formed on the radially inner surface of the first longitudinal portion 52. The two grooves 62 are symmetrical.

[0059]As illustrated, the insert 36 also includes a second longitudinal portion 56. Here, the second longitudinal portion 56 of the insert 36 is adjacent to the first longitudinal portion 52 of the insert 36. The second longitudinal portion 56 is here of generally cylindrical shape.

[0060]The second longitudinal portion 56 comprises, on its radially inner face, a screw thread 54 (or threading) adapted to cooperate with the screw thread 24 of the neck 22, to fix the insert 36 on the bottle 12. Thus, the fixing device 13, in particular the insert 56, is fixed to the neck 22 of the bottle 12 by moving it essentially in the direction of the axis X of the packaging device 10. The fixing device 13 is, in the present case, also pivoted around axis X to be fixed on the neck 22 of the bottle 12, the fixing device 13, in particular the insert 36 undergoing an essentially helical fixing movement on the screw thread 24 of the neck 22.

[0061]The second longitudinal portion 56 is, over at least part of it, of complementary cross section to the cross section of the orifice 47. Thus, the second longitudinal portion 56 is partially accommodated in the orifice 47 of the base 34. To this end, here, a section of the second longitudinal portion 52 of the insert 36 is cylindrical, of circular cross section and of a diameter substantially equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the orifice 47 in the bottom of the base 34. The section of the second cylindrical longitudinal portion 56 with circular section is for example arranged in the vicinity of one end of the second longitudinal portion 56 distant from the first longitudinal portion 52.

[0062]The insert 36 also comprises, on the radially outer face of the second longitudinal portion 56, lugs 58. The lugs 58 extend here essentially parallel to the direction of the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14. The lugs 58 are of substantially equal widths to the width of the slots 50 of the base 34. Thus, the lugs 58, here four in number, like the number of slots 50 of the base 34, are identical two by two.

[0063]The insert 36 also comprises elastically deformable tabs 60 on the second longitudinal portion 56. Here, there are four tabs 60, one tab 60 being arranged between two neighboring lugs 58. The tabs 60 are for example all identical.

[0064]In the illustrated example, the hoop device 14 is implemented to fix a pump device 15 on the bottle 12. The pump device 15 thus contributes to closing the bottle 12, preferably in a liquid-tight manner and, more preferably, in an air-tight manner.

[0065]To fix the pump device 15 on the hoop device 14, a fixing skirt 67 is here used for fixing the pump body 66 of the pump device 15. The fixing skirt 67 accommodates the pump body 66 tightly. The fixing skirt 67 rests on the edge 64. Furthermore, the fixing skirt 67 forms here reliefs accommodated in the grooves 62, in particular by elastic fitting or press fitting.

[0066]The pump body 66 contains at least a portion of a pump mechanism 68.

[0067]The pump device 15 also includes an actuation button 70 for actuating the pump mechanism 68. The button 70 is here slidingly mounted relative to the pump body 66 along the axis X of the conditioning device 10. The hoop 32 and the insert 36 define here an annular passage adapted to accommodate at least a portion of the button 70 when the latter is actuated. The button 70 comprises a delivery nozzle 72 for delivering the cosmetic product, the delivery nozzle 72 being in fluid communication with the pump mechanism 68.

[0068]The pump device 15 also comprises a tube or pipe 74 for placing the pump mechanism 68 in fluid communication with the cosmetic product storage 76, formed inside the bottle 12.

[0069]Furthermore, to ensure fluid-tightness of the arrangement of the pump device 15 on the bottle 15, a gasket 76 for liquid-tightness and, preferably, gas-tightness, is arranged between the neck 22 and the insert 36, on the one hand, and between the pump body 66 and the insert 36, on the other hand. In particular, the gasket 76 can be compressed in the direction of the axis X of the packaging device 10 between the neck 22, in particular the front end of the neck 22, and the insert 36, in particular the shoulder formed by the insert 36 at the junction of the first and second longitudinal portions 38, 40 of the insert 36. The gasket 76 can further be compressed in the plane perpendicular to the direction of the axis X of the conditioning device 10 between the pump body 66 and the insert 36, in particular the second longitudinal portion 40 of the insert 36.

[0070]Furthermore, the cap 16 has here a general socket shape, with a cylindrical portion closed at one end. Here, the cylindrical portion of the cap 16 has a polygonal cross section, in particular a square cross section, preferably with rounded sides and/or corners. The cylindrical portion of the cap 16 extends in the direction of the extension axis X₁₆ of the cap 16 (hereinafter the axis X₁₆ of the cap 16). The axis X₁₆ of the cap 16 coincides with the axis X of the packaging device 10 when the cap 16 is fixed on the packaging device 10. The cap 16 can be adapted to be fixed on the hoop 32 by elastic fitting. For example, the cap 16 comprises, on the internal surface of the cylindrical portion, a groove adapted to accommodate the bulge 42 of the hoop 32. Alternatively, the cap 16 is fixed on the hoop 32 by magnetization, forceful insertion of a relief of the hoop 32, for example the bulge 42, into the cap 16. Other fixing means for fixing the cap 16 onto the hoop 32 are accessible to the skilled person.

[0071]The packaging device 10 can be produced by implementing the following steps.

[0072]First of all, the insert 36 is placed in the base 34, such that the tabs 60 and the lugs 58 of the insert 36 are respectively accommodated in the housings 48 and the slots 50. In particular, the ends of the tabs 60 are accommodated in the housings 48, preferably without radial and/or orthoradial play. Here, the different dimensions of the slots 50 and the lugs 58 can allow indexing of the insert 36 in the base 34.

[0073]The hoop 32 is then rigidly fixed on the base 34. Here, fixing is achieved by elastic fitting of the hoop 32 onto the base 34 by means of the ribs 51 of the base 34 accommodated in the notches 46 provided to this end on the hoop 32. The hoop 32 and the base 34 are then secured, adapted to be moved together.

[0074]The hoop device 14 thereby formed is then fixed onto the bottle 12 by screwing the insert 36 onto the screw thread 24 of the neck 22. In doing so, the hoop device 14 undergoes an essentially helical movement, along the axis X of the conditioning device 10. During screwing, the insert 36 is rotationally secured to the base 34—and therefore also to the hoop 32—due to the lugs 58 of the insert 36 being accommodated in the slots 50 of the base 34. Also during the screwing process, when the hoop 32 is not aligned with the platform 28 around the neck 22 and the edge of the hoop 32 is in contact with the platform 28, the hoop 32 is pushed back in the direction of the axis X of the packaging device 10, in a direction which moves the hoop 32 away from the peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 of the bottle 12. In doing so, the base 34 of the hoop device 14, which is rigidly fixed to the hoop 32, is also pushed back. The base 34 then deforms the tabs 60, which elastically constrains them in a direction pushing the base 34 away from the closure assembly 13.

[0075]As the screwing process of the insert 36 onto the screw thread 24 continues, the hoop 32 returns to a position in which the hoop 32 is aligned with the platform 28, so that the platform 28 is accommodated in the first longitudinal portion 38 of the hoop 32, the edge of the hoop 32 not being in contact with the platform 28. In this position, the tabs 60 push the base 34—and with it the hoop 32—towards the bottle 12.

[0076]The screwing process continues in this way until a position of the hoop 32 is reached in which the platform 28 is accommodated in the first longitudinal portion 38 of the hoop 32 and the edge of the hoop 32 is in contact with the peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 of the bottle 12. This eliminates any play between the hoop 32 and the bottle 12, in particular the peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 of the bottle 12, in the direction of the axis X of the packaging device 10. The hoop 32 can thus be fixed to the bottle 12, in a liquid-tight manner and, preferably also, in a gas-tight manner. In other words, the contact between the peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 of the bottle 12 and the hoop 32 can thus in particular be liquid-tight, preferably also gas-tight.

[0077]The pump device 15 is fixed to the insert 36, here by means of a fixing skirt 67. The pump device 15 can be fixed on the insert 36 before the hoop 32 is fixed on the bottle 12 or, on the contrary, after the hoop 32 has been fixed on the bottle 12. The pump device 15 fixed on the insert 36 and the hoop 32 fixed on the bottle 12, the bottle 12 is closed in a preferably liquid-tight manner, and also, more preferably, in a gas-tight manner, in the absence of actuation of the pump device 15. However, as previously mentioned, to avoid untimely actuation of the pump device 15, the cap 16 can be fixed on the hoop 32.

[0078]FIG. 5 illustrates a second example of a cosmetic product packaging device 100.

[0079]In this second example of a cosmetic product packaging device 100, the closure device 15 of the bottle 12 comprises a base 34 identical to the base 34 of the hoop device 14 of the first example of a cosmetic product packaging device 10, an insert 36 substantially identical to the second longitudinal portion 56 of the insert 36 of the hoop device 14 of the first example of a cosmetic product packaging device 10, and a cover 102. Here, the cover 102 is substantially identical to the first longitudinal portion 38 of the hoop 32 of the hoop device 14 of the first example of a cosmetic product packaging device 10. However, the upper end of this first longitudinal portion 38 is here closed to form a cover 102.

[0080]Furthermore, here, the insert 36 is here filled, in that the insert 36 has a central portion in the form of a filled cylinder, extending along the axis X₁₄ of the hoop device 14. A gasket 76 here in the form of a solid disc can be glued onto the cylindrical central portion of the insert 36.

[0081]The packaging device 100 according to this second example is devoid of any cosmetic product dispensing and/or application device.

[0082]The fixing process of the closure device 13 to the bottle 12 is identical to the fixing process of the hoop device 14 of the first example of packaging device 10 to the bottle 12, described above. Thereby, the closure device 13 is here screwed onto the neck 22 of the bottle 12 until a position of the cover 102 is reached in which the platform 28 is accommodated in the cover 102 and the edge of the cover 102 is in contact with the peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 of the bottle 12. The tabs 60 then constrain the base 34 in a direction opposite to the cover 102. In this position, any play is eliminated between the cover 102 and the bottle 12, in particular the peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 of the bottle 12, in the direction of the axis X of the packaging device 10. The cover 102 can thus be fixed to the bottle 12, preferably in a liquid-tight and also, more preferably, gas-tight manner. In other words, the contact between the peripheral part 30 of the front surface 26 of the bottle 12 and the cover 102 can thus in particular be liquid-tight, preferably also gas-tight.

[0083]Furthermore, fixing the closure device 13 to the bottle 12 makes it possible to close the bottle 12 in a sealed manner, preferably against liquids and also, more preferably, against gases. Indeed, when the closure device 13 is fixed on the bottle 12 as previously described, the gasket 76 fixed on the insert 36 is constrained against the neck 22 of the bottle 12.

[0084]FIG. 6 illustrates a first example 200 of a cosmetic product packaging and application device.

[0085]The packaging device 200 of FIG. 6 differs from the packaging device 10 of FIGS. 1 to 4 in that the closure device 13 includes a cover 102. Furthermore, here, the cover 102 is secured to a cosmetic product application device 202. The cosmetic product application device 202 comprises, here consists of, a cosmetic product applicator element 204 and a stem 206 connecting the cosmetic product application element 204 to the cover 102. In this case, the cosmetic product applicator element 204 is a brush 208. Alternatively, the cosmetic product applicator element 204 is a makeup brush. The stem 206 is preferably such that when the closure device 13 is fixed on the bottle 12, the applicator element 204 is immersed in the cosmetic product storage formed within the bottle 12. The stem 206 thus passes through the neck 22 of the bottle 12 and the insert 36.

[0086]Also, in the packaging device 200 of FIG. 6, the gasket 76 is accommodated compressed between the insert 36 and the neck 22 of the bottle 12.

[0087]Furthermore, according to the illustrated example, a second gasket 210 is provided here. The second gasket 210 may be secured with the cover 102 and adapted to be accommodated compressed between the cover 102, on the one hand, and the insert 36 and/or the hoop 32, on the other hand, when the closure device 13 is fixed on the bottle 12.

[0088]FIG. 7 illustrates a second example 300 of a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device. This second example 300 differs from the first example 10 essentially in that it is devoid of a pump fixed to the bottle 12. Here, the closure device 13 comprises, preferably consists of, the hoop device 14 and a cover 102 fixed to the hoop device 14 in a removable manner. Furthermore, the cover 102 is secured to a pipette 302. The pipette 302 comprises a pipette body 304 extending from a first side of the cover 102 to be immersed at least partially in the cosmetic product storage formed inside the bottle 12 when the closure device 13 is fixed on the bottle 12. The pipette 302 further includes a suction bulb 306 attached to the pipette body 304 and extending from a side of the cover 102 opposite the pipette body 304.

[0089]Again, a gasket 76 can be provided. Here, the gasket 76 is accommodated compressed between the insert 36 and the neck 22 of the bottle 12, when the closure device 13 is fixed on the container 12. A second gasket 308 may be provided, alternatively or in addition. The second gasket 308 can be compressed between the cover 102, on the one hand, and the insert 36 and/or the hoop 32, on the other hand, when the closure device 13 is fixed on the bottle 12.

[0090]This disclosure is not limited to the examples described above, only as examples, but it encompasses all variations that may be envisaged by the skilled person within the framework of the sought protection. In particular, the different examples described above can be combined as long as their teachings are not contradictory.

[0091]Thus, for example, a cosmetic product application device as described with respect to FIG. 6 or a cosmetic product dispensing device as described with respect to FIG. 7 can be fixed to the cover 102 of the closure device 13 shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 may include no hoop 32, in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0092]Furthermore, the tabs 60 described in the examples can be replaced by elastically deformable elements, in particular elastically deformable blades, arranged between opposite surfaces of the insert 36 and the base 34. Alternatively again, a spring may be arranged between the insert 36 and the base 34.

[0093]Also, the tabs 60 are accommodated sufficiently compressed in the housings 48, i.e., without radial and/or orthoradial play, and can allow limiting or even preventing a relative rotation of the base 34 with respect to the insert 36. In this case, the lugs 58 may not be useful.

[0094]Finally, the insert 36, the tabs 60 or any other elastic element implemented in addition to or instead of the tabs 60 to elastically constrain the base 34, and the base 34 can be produced in a single piece. Alternatively, the insert 36 and the cap 16 or the insert 16 and the cover 102 may be produced in a single piece, with or without the tabs 60 or any other elastic element that could be implemented in addition to or instead of the tabs 60 to elastically constrain the base 34.