EP0475789A1 - Device to store separately at least two products and to mix them at the time of first use - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a glass container (1) delimiting a first compartment for one (A) of the products and provided with a neck (2), a bottle (16) mounted on the neck defining another compartment intended to receive a other product (B), means for separating the two compartments comprising at least one film (7, 7a) and a perforation assembly (18) and means for moving the perforation member. An intermediate ring (11) made of non-polluting plastic material is fixed on the neck (2) of the container and has an annular housing (12) opening on the side opposite the bottom of the container (1); the perforation assembly (18) is integral with the bottle (16). A skirt (25), projecting, integral with the end of the bottle is provided to remain engaged, in a sealed manner, in the above annular housing (12) while being able to slide, during the relative movement of the bottle (16) and the container (1) required for perforation. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for keeping at least two products separated from one another, and for effecting the mixing of these products at the time of use, a device of the kind of those which comprise: a container delimiting a first compartment for one of the products, and provided with a neck; a bottle mounted on the neck and defining another compartment intended to receive another product; separation means between the two compartments comprising at least one film; a perforation assembly adapted to be moved at least in the axial direction of the container so as to tear the film when it is desired to mix the products; and means for moving the perforation assembly.

The invention relates more particularly, because it is in this case that its application seems to be of most interest, but not exclusively, such a device for the conservation of the dye and the oxidant of a dye shampoo.

A device of this type is shown by FR-A-2,569,666, in the name of the same applicant. Such a device has been successfully tested, but the compartment containing the dye is provided in a plastic element of the PVC type, the disposal of which after use poses problems in terms of pollution.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a device of the kind defined above which, while having the advantages of operation and use of the prior devices, in particular maintaining a complete seal between the container and the bottle when the mixing has been carried out, no longer has the disadvantage of comprising elements likely to create annoying pollution during their elimination.

According to the invention, a device for keeping separate at least two products, of the kind defined above, is characterized in that the container is made of glass and, in the case of a coloring shampoo, is intended to receive the dye; that an intermediate ring of non-polluting plastic material is fixed to the neck of the container and has an annular housing with a U-shaped cross section opening on the side opposite the bottom of the container; that the perforation assembly is integral with the bottle; and that a protruding skirt, integral with the part of the bottle facing the container, is provided to remain engaged, in a sealed manner, in the aforesaid annular housing of the ring while being able to slide therein, during the relative movement of the bottle and container required for perforation.

Advantageously, the outer wall of the intermediate ring is provided with connection means, in particular with a thread, while conjugate connection means, integral with the bottle, are provided to cooperate with those of the ring and allow movement in translation of the bottle and the perforating member, relative to the container, in response to a rotational movement.

The neck of the container is equipped with a ring with a sealing skirt fixed, in particular by screwing, to the neck, ring on which is provided a separation means, in particular consisting of at least one film trapped between said ring and a shoulder. of the intermediate ring clipped onto this ring.

A separating film can be sealed on the ring and another sealed film on the shoulder of the intermediate ring, both films coming into abutment against each other during assembly of the bottle and the container for storage.

When the films are made of aluminum with an unvarnished periphery, the periphery located on the bottle side (oxidant) is protected to avoid any chemical phenomenon.

The perforation assembly preferably constitutes a part separate from the bottle and suitable for being fixed on the lower part of the bottle, in particular by clipping.

The said peripheral skirt is advantageously provided in the perforation assembly, around the perforator proper, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section turning its concavity on the side opposite to the intermediate ring, this skirt ensuring the connection between a cylindrical outer sleeve and a concentric inner sleeve, at the lower end of which is fixed the perforator which is eccentric relative to the assembly.

The inner sleeve has longitudinal openings and, at its lower end, a projection turned radially outward, constituting a kind of harpoon, while the intermediate ring has, on its inner wall and towards its upper end, a projection turned radially inward also forming a kind of harpoon suitable for cooperating with that of the inner sleeve of the perforation assembly to oppose an axial separation of the two elements.

The perforator can be constituted by a tubular element with a beveled end capable of opening and gradually folding the film over the largest possible diameter, during a rotation.

The bottle has, at its opposite end to the container, an applicator tip, and a cover is provided to cap the bottle.

The cover can be oval in shape and its self-orientation on the bottle can be obtained during assembly by means of teeth, in particular very fine, provided between a part of the cover and the applicator tip.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below with reference to the attached drawings, but which is in no way limiting.

Figure 1 of these drawings is an elevational view of a device according to the invention, when a guarantee strip is torn for use.

Figure 2 is a top view with respect to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section along line III-III of Figure 2, on a larger scale, of the device while the container and the bottle occupy their relative storage positions.

Figure 4 shows, similarly to Figure 3, the device in the use position, the perforator having torn the separation means between the container and the bottle.

Figure 5, finally, is an exploded vertical section, with parts on the outside, on a smaller scale, of the device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in particular to Figures 1 and 3, one can see a device D for keeping two products A and B separate from each other. In particular, the device D is intended to contain the components of a coloring shampoo, product A being formed by the dye while product B is constituted by the oxidant.

The device D comprises a container 1 situated at its lower part delimiting a first compartment for the product A, more aggressive from a chemical point of view than the product B. This container 1 is made of glass so as to resist the product A well, without creating pollution problems when it comes to disposing of container 1 after use. This container 1 forms a kind of cylindrical pot provided, at its upper part, with a neck 2 of smaller diameter provided, on its outer surface, with connecting means constituted by a thread 3. The neck 2 is equipped, externally, a ring 4 made of plastic, in particular polyethylene, fixed by screwing, said ring comprising on its inner cylindrical surface a thread conjugate with the thread 3 of the neck. The upper edge 5 of the ring 4 is located in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the ring and covers the upper edge of the neck 2; the edge 5 is provided, on its inner contour, with a frustoconical sealing skirt 6 which is applied against a conjugate flaring of the neck 2.

A separation or closing means is fixed on the upper edge 5 of the ring; it is generally a film 7, for example of aluminum, heat-sealed on this edge 5 so that the product A is sealed in the container 1.

The outer cylindrical surface of the ring 4 comprises a latching bead 8 forming a circular bead projecting outwards, below which is clipped a bead 9 projecting inwardly provided on the internal surface of the wall 10 of an intermediate ring 11. This intermediate ring 11 is made of a non-polluting plastic material, as is the ring 4, in particular made of polyethylene. The ring 11 has a annular housing 12 with U-shaped cross section, opening on the side opposite the bottom of the container 1.

The housing 12 is delimited by two cylindrical walls 13, 14, respectively external and internal, coaxial. The wall 14 is located radially set back from the above wall 10 so that a radial shoulder 15 is formed at the junction of the upper end of the wall 10 and the bottom of the housing 12. Another means of separation is fixed against this radial shoulder 15, along a plane orthogonal to the axis of the ring 11; this separating means is also formed by a film 7, for example made of aluminum, heat sealed to the shoulder 15. The ring 11 is fixed on the neck 2 of the container 1 by latching the bead 9 behind the bead 8, the shoulder 15 then coming to bear against the upper edge 5 by trapping the peripheral edges of the films 7, 7a superimposed.

Product B, the oxidant in the example of the coloring shampoo considered, is contained in a bottle 16, made of non-polluting plastic material, for example polyethylene, mounted on the neck 2 of the container. The upper part 16 a of the bottle 2 can be oval, as shown in FIG. 2, by being an extension of the cylindrical contour of the container 1, the lower part 16 b of the bottle 2 being arranged in a cylindrical shape to allow fixing of the bottle on the neck 2. The lower part of the bottle 16 is open and delimited by a cylindrical neck 17 of reduced diameter.

The unvarnished periphery of the film located on the bottle side 16 (oxidizing agent) is protected to avoid any chemical phenomenon.

A perforation assembly 18, constituting a separate part of the bottle 16 is fixed to the lower part of this bottle, on the neck 17. The perforation assembly 18, advantageously made of copolymer, comprises a perforator proper 19 constituted by a tubular element with a lower bevel end , facing the films 7 a , 7. The perforator 19 is located radially inside the cylindrical wall 14 and is eccentric relative to the common axis of the container 1 and the bottle 16.

The external diameter of the perforator 19 is substantially equal to the internal radius of the neck 2, and the outline of the perforator is substantially tangent to the extension of the internal cylindrical surface of the neck 2.

The perforator 19 is carried by an inner sleeve 20 coaxial with the container 1 and forming part of the assembly 18, which comprises a cylindrical outer sleeve 21 internally provided with a thread suitable for cooperating with a conjugate thread provided outside the wall 13 of the ring 11, so that a relative rotational movement of the sleeve 21 and of the ring 11 causes a displacement in translation of the sleeve 21 relative to this ring.

The inner sleeve 20 has, in its wall, longitudinal openings 22 and, at its lower end, a projection 23 turned radially outward, constituting a kind of harpoon. The inner wall 14 of the intermediate ring 11 has, at its upper end, a projection 24 facing radially inward also forming a kind of harpoon capable of cooperating with that 23 of the perforation assembly 18, to oppose an axial separation of the ring 11 and of the assembly 18 by unscrewing.

The inner sleeve 20 and the outer sleeve 21 are connected by a section part 25 transverse substantially in U turning its concavity on the side opposite to the ring 11. This part 25 is adapted to receive, in its concavity, the cylindrical neck 17 which is provided, towards its base, with a latching bead 26 suitable for cooperating with a corresponding groove, provided in part 25, to secure the perforation assembly 18 and the bottle 16. The U-shaped part 25 constitutes a peripheral skirt, integral with the neck 17 and the bottle 16, capable of sliding tightly in the housing 12 of the intermediate ring 11.

In the storage position of the device D (FIG. 3), the lower end of the part 25 remains engaged in the housing 12, but is located towards the upper end of this housing. In the position of use (FIG. 4), the skirt 25 is pressed into the housing 12 and its lower end is located in the vicinity of the bottom of this housing.

The sleeve 21 of the perforation assembly is provided, at its lower part, with a guarantee strip 31 which bears, in the storage position, against a shoulder 27 situated at the base of the wall 10. The guarantee strip 31 is connected to the sleeve 21 only in certain zones, which establishes a precut and facilitates the tearing of this strip 31, tearing necessary to allow the sleeve 21 to be screwed onto the ring 11 and to move the perforator 19 in view tear dandruff 7, 7 a .

The bottle 16 is provided, at its end opposite to the container 1, with a neck fitted with an applicator tip 28, for example made of polyethylene. The bottle 16 is capped by a cover 29, for example made of polypropylene, comprising in the center a stud 30 for sealingly closing the end piece 28. The self-orientation of the cover on the bottle can be obtained by means of teeth, in particular very fine, planned between the cover and the applicator tip.

That said, the packaging of the products and the use of the device are as follows.

After filling the dye A in the glass container, the assembly of the ring 4 and the intermediate ring 11 snapped onto said ring is screwed onto the neck 2. The aluminum films 7, 7 a are in place and establish a separation at the level of the support plane of the edge 5 and the shoulder 15.

The perforation assembly 18 is fixed by snap-fastening to the lower neck 17 of the bottle 16. This assembly is then screwed onto the intermediate ring 11 by cooperation of the internal thread of the sleeve 21 and the external thread of the wall 13, until that the lower edge of the guarantee strip 31 comes to bear against the shoulder 27. In this position, the harpoon 23 has crossed the harpoon 24 (see FIG. 3) and there has been a hooking between the ring 11 and the assembly perforation 18. The bottle 16 can no longer be removed by normal unscrewing. The perforator 19 remains separated from the films 7, 7 a .

The bottle B (oxidant) is then filled with the bottle 16 and the assembly of the cover 29 and the end piece 28 is clipped onto the upper neck of the bottle 16.

The packaging is finished and the device D can be kept, with the two separate products, until use.

It should be noted that the aluminum films 7, 7a are sealed on two different parts, namely the ring 4 and the intermediate ring 11 and tested separately before assembling, which is a safety for achieving the sealing of separation , by creating two successive barriers. However, one film may suffice.

When we want to mix the two products, we first remove the guarantee strip 31, as shown in Figure 1, to clear an annular free space between the lower part of the sleeve 21 and the shoulder 27, and to allow the screwing of this sleeve 21.

The assembly of the sleeve 21, of the bottle 16 and of the perforator 19 is then rotated, relative to the pot 1.

This results in an axial displacement of the bottle 16 and of the perforator 19 in the direction of the films 7 and 7 a and a rotational movement of the perforator 19 which is eccentric.

The films 7 and 7 a will be gradually cut practically over their entire surface thanks to this double movement of translation and rotation of the perforator 19.

At the end of screwing, the relative positions of the bottle 16, of the perforator 19 and of the pot 1 are shown in FIG. 4. The oxidant B contained in the bottle 16 falls into the dye A contained in the pot 1. The mixing is done taking into account the large perforation diameter provided by the perforator 19.

In use, the relatively thick product contained in the glass jar 1 flows as soon as pressure and vacuum are exerted on the plastic bottle 16.

Claims (9)

Device for keeping at least two products separated from each other, in particular the dye and the oxidant of a dye shampoo, and for mixing these products at the time of use, comprising: a container, (1) delimiting a first compartment for one of the products and provided with a neck (2); a bottle (16) mounted on the neck and defining another compartment intended to receive another product; separation means between the two compartments comprising at least one film (7, 7 a ); a perforation assembly (18) suitable for being displaced at least in the axial direction of the container so as to tear the film when it is desired to mix the products; and means for moving the perforating member, characterized in that: the container (1) is made of glass and, in the case of a coloring shampoo, is intended to receive the coloring; an intermediate ring (11), made of non-polluting plastic material, is fixed to the neck (2) of the container and has an annular housing (12) with a U-shaped cross section opening on the side opposite the bottom of the container; the perforation assembly (18) is integral with the bottle (16); and a skirt (25), projecting, integral with the end of the bottle (16) facing the container, is provided to remain engaged, in a sealed manner, in the above annular housing (12) of the ring (11) while being able to slide therein, during the relative displacement of the bottle (16) and of the container (1) necessary for the perforation. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the neck (2) of the container is equipped with a ring (4) with a sealing skirt (6) fixed on the neck (2), ring (4) on which is arranged a separation means, in particular consisting of at least one film (7, 7 a ) trapped between said ring (4) and a shoulder (15) of the intermediate ring (11) clipped onto this ring. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a separating film (7) is sealed on the ring (4), and that another separating film (7 a ) is sealed on a shoulder (15) of the intermediate ring, the two films (7.7 a ) coming to bear against one another during assembly of the bottle (16) and the container (1) for storage. Device according to Claim 3, in which the films are made of aluminum, characterized in that the unvarnished periphery of the film located on the bottle (16) (oxidizing) side is protected to avoid any chemical phenomenon. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the perforation assembly (18) constitutes a separate part from the bottle, suitable for being fixed on the lower part (17) of the bottle, in particular by clipping. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said peripheral skirt (25) is provided in the perforation assembly, around the perforator (19), and has a substantially U-shaped cross section turning its concavity of the opposite side to the intermediate ring (11), this skirt (25) ensuring the connection between a cylindrical outer sleeve (21) and a concentric inner sleeve (20) at the lower end of which is fixed the perforator (19) which is eccentric compared to the whole. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner sleeve (20) has longitudinal openings (22) and, at its lower end, a projection (23) turned radially outwards, constituting a kind of harpoon, while the intermediate ring (11) has, on its inner wall, towards its end upper a projection (24) turned radially inward also forming a kind of harpoon suitable for cooperating with that of the perforation assembly (18) to oppose an axial separation of the two elements. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the perforator (19) consists of a tubular element with a beveled end capable of gradually opening and folding the film (7, 7 a ) over the largest possible diameter, during a rotation. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottle (16) is provided, at its end opposite the container, with an applicator tip (28), and that a cover (29) is suitable for cap the bottle.

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