EP0970634B1 - Packaging and dispensing unit with an outer shell and an internal container and a method for mounting it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and distribution of a fluid product, in particular a cosmetic product, pharmaceutical, or dermo-pharmaceutical. The invention can be used for the packaging of a cream, in particular a care cream, a milk, a shampoo, gel, or whatever.

The invention relates in particular to packaging and distribution of the type comprising an internal container containing a product, which internal container is placed inside an external shell, generally rigid or semi-rigid. Typically such an internal container can consist of a flexible pocket, the walls of which are capable of collapsing on themselves as and when distributed. The rigid or semi hull rigid allows to realize a structure which keeps its integrity over uses, and which in particular can be placed upright, after use, on a bathroom shelf or other.

One of the problems with this type of packaging is its industrial assembly, and in particular the assembly of the internal container inside of the outer shell. The problem is particularly acute when the internal container is made of a flexible material, in particular in the form of a pocket. Indeed, the attachment, in particular when it is carried out by breakdown, requires exerting a relatively large force to allow the crossing of a bead of breakdown, formed for example on a collar rigid flexible container, by a ring or a plurality of legs elastically deformable carried by the outer shell. Indeed, arises the problem of maintaining the flexible container in position relative to the shell during attachment, which maintenance cannot be ensured by the bottom of the flexible container, due to the too low resistance it would offer.

To solve this problem, it is known, in particular from patent EP 0 447 687, to use an outer shell in two parts which one closes one on the other after inserting the container inside. This process requires operations complex machines. In addition, it requires the use of expensive molds, in particular for the realization of the hull in two articulated parts one on the other.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to produce a set of packaging of the aforementioned type and whose assembly is facilitated compared to conventional packaging.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a set of packaging simple to assemble and economical to use.

It is another object of the invention to carry out an assembly process of such packaging, and in particular for mounting the internal container to inside the outer shell.

Other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing an assembly for the packaging and distribution of a fluid product comprising a container internal, a means of distribution intended to come into engagement on a opening of the container, and an outer shell comprising a rigid body or semi rigid X axis, the bottom is open, said shell being intended to receiving said container, via said open bottom, and having an opening opposite the open bottom to allow the container to be placed in communication with the outside, said shell comprising attachment means suitable for come in engagement with additional hanging means worn by the container, so as to immobilize the container inside the shell, said engagement resulting directly from pressure exerted axially on the shell and / or on the container, said outer shell comprises at least one lateral opening extending at least in the vicinity of the means of attachment so as to allow the passage of a tool participating in the setting in engagement with the means for hooking the hull with the means additional attachment of the container.

Preferably, the means for hooking the shell are arranged inside. of the hull. This makes it even more advantageous, the presence of this (or these) opening (s) capable of allowing the passage of the tool participating in the mounting.

Thus, the opening or openings in a side wall of the shell allow access to the interior of the outer shell, and to introduce a tool, in particular one or more support arms, which will allow keep the internal container in a location close to the hanging area, this which allows you to exert the axial force necessary for setting engagement of the respective hooking means of the shell and of the container internal. Such a modification of the container does not significantly increase the cost of mold necessary for the production of the outer shell.

The complementary attachment means of the container are carried by a collar rigid surmounting the internal container and of which a free edge delimits said opening of said container. Such a rigid neck can be obtained by molding with the body of the container, which can be, like a pocket, i.e. much more flexible. Typically, such attachment means are made up of a hanging bead formed on the outer surface of the neck, and able to come into engagement with at least one elastically deformable element carried by the outer shell, in particular in the form of legs.

Advantageously, the internal container comprises means to allow the tool to hold the inner container when hanging the inner container on the outer shell. Preferably, the means for enabling said tool to maintain the internal container consist of a shoulder formed by the rigid neck in the vicinity of one end of the neck, opposite to said free edge, said shoulder being able to form a surface, turned away from the free edge, and able to be engaged with a free end of at least one arm of the tool.

More preferably, the or the lateral openings are arranged so as to allow the internal container to be held by the tool during a relative axial displacement of the inner container relative to the outer shell, from the open bottom of the hull until the means are engaged hooking the hull with the complementary hooking means of the internal container. So, we use the same tool to firstly position the flexible container inside the shell, bring it to the hooking position on the hull, and allow the engagement of the attachment means the inner container and the outer shell respectively.

In this hypothesis, the opening (s) is (are) made up advantageously at least one slot opening onto the open bottom of the shell and extending longitudinally to the vicinity of the means hooking the hull. Thus, each of the slots can, in particular, slidingly receive a corresponding arm of said tool during said displacement relative axial. These slots also have another advantage when the shell outside is of decreasing section in the direction of the open bottom, and in in particular, when the open bottom is of smaller section than the section of the shell near the end opposite the open bottom. In this configuration, the through slots make it possible to facilitate the demoulding of the shell, by elastic deformation of the portions delimited by the slot (s) during demolding. This resulting elastic deformability especially the presence of through openings, is then used during assembly of the assembly to allow the insertion of the flexible container to inside the hull.

Preferably, the outer shell has at least two slots arranged at regular intervals around its periphery, and delimiting at least two portions elastically deformable.

According to a preferred embodiment, the slot (s) open onto the open bottom of the shell by forming a profile capable of cooperating with a profile complementary formed by (or the) arms of said tool. This profile makes it easier in engagement of the tool with the outer shell. As an example, said profile is V-shaped with the top facing away from the open bottom of the outer shell.

The internal container section can, at least in its part adjacent to the neck, is greater than or equal to the section at rest of the open bottom of the hull exterior.

Advantageously, the slots are substantially contiguous over a portion adjacent to the open bottom of the hull. Thus, the sliding of the arms of said tool in this portion causes said portions to move apart elastically deformable of the shell, said slots being, between said contiguous portion and one end opposite to the open bottom of the shell, of width greater than the width of said arms. This allows the elastically deformable shell portions to allow the portion of wider section of the inner container to engage inside the shell. On this substantially contiguous portion, the two edges of the slot can, before mounting the assembly, be connected by a bridge of breakable material when of the assembly. This characteristic ensures better "hold" of the shell, especially during transport.

The outer shell can be of elongated cross section, and define two large faces, a lateral opening being provided in the vicinity of the means attachment, substantially in the middle of each of the large faces. There where the side openings can be hidden after assembly of the assembly by one or more labels, for example with information commercial or technical relating to the packaged product.

The outer shell and the inner container can be made of material thermoplastic, the outer shell being made in particular of polypropylene, the internal container being made in particular of polyethylene low density. Still other materials can be used. Advantageously, the internal container consists of a flexible pocket.

The distribution means consist of a valve or a pump, topped with a push button. In the case of a valve, this can be pre conventionally mounted on the internal container, in particular on a flexible pocket. In this configuration, a rigid plate formed above the valve body can be used as a means of attachment capable of cooperating with the means for hooking the hull.

Alternatively, in particular in the case of a pump, the means of distribution can be secured to the outer shell, and be mounted on the outer shell before mounting the inner container.

By way of example, the distribution means are mounted, in particular by breakdown, inside an axial chimney carried by the outer shell, said chimney having one end facing the open bottom, and forming a skirt forming a seal inside the container opening.

After mounting the internal container inside the rigid shell, the bottom open of said shell can be closed by a bottom. Such a background can be screwed or slammed on the outer shell.

a) introduire le récipient interne à l'intérieur de la coque extérieure, via un fond ouvert de ladite coque, et déplacer l'un relativement à l'autre selon l'axe de la coque, jusqu'à ce que des moyens d'accrochage du récipient interne soient au voisinage de moyens d'accrochage correspondants prévus sur la coque extérieure; et

b) au travers d'au moins une ouverture ménagée dans une paroi latérale de la coque au voisinage des moyens d'accrochage de la coque extérieure, introduire un outil de montage; et

c) en s'aidant de l'outil de montage, forcer les moyens d'accrochage de la coque à venir en engagement d'accrochage avec les moyens d'accrochage du récipient interne.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting a packaging and distribution assembly of the internal container type disposed inside a rigid or semi-rigid outer shell, and surmounted by a distribution member for placing in communication with the internal container via an opening, comprising the following steps:

a) introduce the internal container inside the outer shell, via an open bottom of said shell, and move relative to each other along the axis of the shell, until means for hooking of the internal container are in the vicinity of corresponding hooking means provided on the outer shell; and

b) through at least one opening made in a side wall of the shell in the vicinity of the means for hooking the outer shell, introduce a mounting tool; and

c) using the assembly tool, force the hooking means of the shell to come into hooking engagement with the hooking means of the internal container.

Advantageously, said relative axial displacement is obtained by displacement of the inner container inside the outer shell.

Preferably, the engagement of the means for hooking the container internal with the means for hooking the shell directly results from a pressure exerted axially on the container or on the shell, or on both, so as to press one towards the other, and this until the commitment of their additional hanging means.

Advantageously also, said tool is also used to allow said relative axial displacement of the inner container relative to the outer shell, said outer shell comprising at least two slots provided on the side wall of the outer shell, and delimiting at least two portions of elastically deformable shell, said slots opening onto the bottom open from the hull and extending to an end located near the means for hooking the shell, said tool comprising at least two arms which, during said axial movement, are engaged to slide inside a respective slot, and one free end of which is in engagement with a hooking surface of the internal container.

Preferably, in particular in the case of an internal container having a cross section in its part adjacent to the neck, greater than the open bottom section, the slots are contiguous on a portion adjacent to the open bottom so that the sliding of the tool arms in this portion causes separation by elastic deformation of said elastically deformable shell portions, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the X axis, said slots being, between said contiguous portion and said end located in the vicinity of the means hooking the hull, width greater than or equal to the width of the arms so as to allow the arms to slide freely.

d) après accrochage du récipient à l'intérieur de la coque extérieure, obturer le fond ouvert de ladite coque au moyen d'un moyen de fermeture approprié.

The method can further comprise the following step:

d) after hooking the container inside the outer shell, close the open bottom of said shell by means of an appropriate closing means.

e) apposer une étiquette sur la coque extérieure en regard de la (ou des) ouverture(s) latérale(s).

The method can further comprise the following step:

e) affix a label on the outer shell opposite the side opening (s).

• les figures 1A et 1B représentent deux vues en coupe d'un mode de réalisation d'une coque rigide ou semi rigide pouvant être utilisée dans un ensemble de conditionnement selon l'invention; et
• les figures 2A-2D illustrent les étapes d'un mode de réalisation du procédé de montage d'un ensemble de conditionnement selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which

• Figures 1A and 1B show two sectional views of an embodiment of a rigid or semi-rigid shell which can be used in a packaging unit according to the invention; and
• Figures 2A-2D illustrate the steps of an embodiment of the method of mounting a packaging assembly according to the invention.

As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the rigid or semi-rigid shell 1 participating in the production of a packaging unit according to the invention is of elongated cross section, defining two large faces 2, 3 and two small faces 4, 5. The section of the shell (in particular along its axis of greater width) in the vicinity of its upper part is slightly greater than the section at rest of the hull near the bottom 7. The hull 1 comprises a body 6, of axis X, of which one end 7 is open, and of which the end 8, opposite the end 7 forms a transverse shoulder 9 connected in its center to an axial chimney 10. Inside the axial chimney 10 is mounted, in particular by breakdown, a pump 11, comprising a body of pump 12, one lower end of which delimits an orifice for the inlet of the produced in the pump body 12. The pump comprises a pump rod 14, which emerges outside the shell 1 via an axial opening 15. On the rod pump 14 is mounted, in particular by force, a push button 16 including a channel is in communication with the pump rod 14, and leads to at minus one orifice for the distribution of the product. A cover 17 is mounted removable (for example by snapping) on the upper part of the shell 1, so as to protect the dispensing head from the outside, in particular by storage position. The rigid shell is obtained by molding a material thermoplastic, such as polypropylene.

As shown in the mounted position in Figure 2D, the assembly of packaging 100 according to the invention also includes an internal container 20 cross section (especially when filled with product) of shape similar to the internal section of the outer shell 1. The width of the container 20 along its axis of greatest width, in particular in its portion adjacent to the neck, is slightly greater than the section at rest of the shell rigid or semi rigid 1 near its open bottom 7. Such a container is preferably consisting of a relatively flexible pocket obtained from molding of a material such as low density polyethylene. The inner container 20 comprises a body 21, one end of which is closed by a bottom 22, and of which the other end is surmounted by a rigid collar 23, of which a free edge delimits an opening 24. The difference in rigidity between the body 21 of the container 20 and the col 23 corresponds for example to variations in material thickness obtainable easily during molding.

The neck 23 forms substantially at mid-height, a first annular step 25 so as to come into engagement with beads 26, 27 formed on the internal surface of two elastically deformable legs 28, 29 carried by the transverse wall 9 of the rigid shell 1, to allow the attachment of the container 20 inside the rigid shell. On the side opposite to the axial orifice 15, the axial chimney 10 is extended by a skirt 18, slightly frustoconical in direction of the X axis, so that, in the mounted position illustrated in FIG. 2D, place themselves inside the neck 23 of the internal container 20 and thus form seal. In the vicinity of its end opposite to the opening 24, the neck forms a second annular recess 30, which, as will be seen more in detail thereafter, forms a surface, turned towards the open bottom 7 of the shell, to allow the engagement of a mounting tool with the container 20 during assembly of the latter inside the shell. In the mounted position illustrated in FIG. 2D, the beads 26, 27 of the shell are in engagement with the annular surface 25 formed by the neck, immobilizing thus the container 20 inside the shell 1, the pump body 12 being partially arranged in the neck 23 of the container 20, the sealing skirt 18 being disposed inside the opening 24. In this mounted position, the shell rigid or semi rigid extends substantially to the bottom 22 of the flexible container. An added bottom 31 can be provided so as to close the open bottom 7 of said rigid shell 1.

As it clearly appears in Figures 1A and 1B, the shell 1 present on its two large faces 2, 3, substantially in the middle, two openings longitudinal 40, 41, extending from a first end 42 located at level of the free end of the hooking lugs 28, 29, and opening onto the open bottom 7 of the hull. The openings 40, 41 are slightly wider greater than the width of the arms 43, 44, of a mounting tool (of which will talk again in more detail later), and this, on a portion 45 going from the end 42 to a position close to the open bottom 7 of the shell. This width may be of the order of 5 mm. On the remaining portion 46, i.e. up to the open bottom 7, the openings 40, 41 are delimited by two edges which are substantially contiguous. On this portion 46, the spacing at rest between the edges can be of the order of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Openings 40, 41 lead to the open bottom 7 with a V-shaped profile 47, the vertex is turned towards the hooking means. Such a profile is chosen so as to coincide with the profile of the free end of the arms 43, 44 said mounting tool. Such openings 40, 41 contribute to delimiting two elastically deformable parts 50, 51, so as to facilitate mounting of the internal container 20 in the shell 1. Such openings favor also the release of the shell.

Reference is now made to Figures 2A-2D of the drawing, which illustrate schematically the assembly of the assembly according to the invention, and in particularly the attachment of the container 20 inside the rigid shell 1. This mounting is advantageously done from a pre-mounted assembly comprising the outer shell 1 on which the pump 11 is slammed, which is surmounted by a push button 16, the whole being covered by a cover removable 17. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the free ends of two arms 43, 44 are engaged with the surface 30 of the neck 23 of the container, in two diametrically opposite points located opposite the two large faces 2, 3 of the hull. The V-profile formed by the upper surface of the arms 43, 44 is engaged with the V-shaped cutout 47 formed near the bottom open 7 of the shell 1, by the longitudinal openings 40, 41. The progression arms 43, 44 in the contiguous portion 46 of the openings causes the spacing of the edges of the opening, in the direction indicated by the arrows 48, 49, which spacing is sufficient to allow engagement of the portion larger width of the container 20 inside the shell 1. The arms 43, 44 then arrive in the portion 45 of the openings 40, 41, inside which they can slide freely, and drive the container 20 into direction of the hooking lugs 28, 29. In FIG. 2C, in response to the axial pressure exerted by the container on the shell, the latter being maintained in a fixed axial position, the arms 43, 44, constrain the surface annular 25 to come in hooking engagement with the legs attachment 28, 29. After adequate positioning of the container 20 inside of the hull, the two portions 50, 51 of the hull 1 return by recall elastic, in the rest position, as shown by the arrows 55, 56. A once the attachment has been made, the pump is arranged at least partially inside of the neck 23. The sealing skirt is arranged inside the neck 23. The two arms 43, 44 are then withdrawn by a movement perpendicular to the plane of larger section of the shell 1. In FIG. 2D, the container is represented by mounted position. An attached bottom 31 can be slammed onto the shell so to close the open bottom 7. The device is ready for use.

The embodiment of the assembly which has just been described is of the type without air intake, the flexible walls of the internal container collapsing on them same over the uses. Reliefs, such as bosses, can be provided on the inner walls of the inner container, so as to allow passage of the product, including in the position of maximum collapse of the flexible walls of the internal container.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that there are variations be made without departing from the invention as claimed below.

Claims (27)

1. Assembly (100) for packaging and dispensing a fluid product comprising an internal container (20), a dispensing means (11) intended to engage onto an opening (24) of the container, and an external shell (1) comprising a rigid or semi-rigid body (6) of axis X, the bottom (7) of which is open, the said shell (1) being intended to accommodate the said container, via the said open bottom, and comprising an opening (15) away from the open bottom (7) to enable the container (20) to communicate with the outside, the said shell (1) comprising fastening means (26-29) capable of engaging with complementary fastening means (25) borne by the container (20), so as to immobilize the container (20) inside the shell, the said engagement resulting from a pressure exerted axially on the shell and/or on the container, the said external shell (1) comprising at least one side opening (40, 41) extending at least in the vicinity of the fastening means (26-29) so as to allow the passage of a tool (43, 44) taking part in engaging the fastening means (26-29) of the shell with the complementary fastening means (25) of the container.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (26-29) of the shell (1) are placed inside the shell.
3. Assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the complementary fastening means (25) of the container (20) are borne by a rigid neck (23) surmounting the internal container (20) and a free edge of which defines the said opening (24) of the said container.
4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that the complementary fastening means (25) consist of a fastening surface (25) formed on the external surface of the neck (23), and capable of engaging with at least one elastically deformable element (28, 29) borne by the external shell (1).
5. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the internal container (20) comprises means (30) to enable the tool (43, 44) to hold the internal container (20) when fastening the internal container (20) to the external shell (1).
6. Assembly according to Claim 3 or 4, and 5, characterized in that the means to enable the said tool to hold the internal container consist of a shoulder (30) formed by the rigid neck (23) in the vicinity of one end of the neck (23), away from the said free edge, the said shoulder (30) being capable of forming a surface turned away from the free edge, and capable of engaging with a free end of at least one arm (43, 44) of the tool.
7. Assembly according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the side opening or openings (40, 41) are placed so as to allow the internal container (20) to be held by the tool (43, 44) during a relative axial displacement of the internal container (20) with respect to the external shell (1), from the open bottom (7) of the shell until the fastening means (26-29) of the shell (1) engage with the complementary fastening means (25) of the internal container.
8. Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the opening(s) (40, 41) consist(s) of at least one slot emerging into the open bottom (7) of the shell and extending to the vicinity of the fastening means (26-29) of the shell (1).
9. Assembly according to Claim 8, characterized in that the external shell comprises at least two slots (40, 41) placed at regular intervals over its periphery, and defining at least two elastically deformable portions (50, 51).
10. Assembly according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the slot(s) (40, 41) emerge in the open bottom (7) of the shell (1), thereby forming a profile (47) capable of co-operating with a complementary profile formed by the arm or arms (43, 44) of the said tool.
11. Assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that the said profile (47) has a V shape, the apex of which is oriented away from the open bottom (7) of the external shell.
12. Assembly according to any one of Claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the cross section of the internal container (20), at least in its part adjacent to the neck (23), is greater than or equal to the cross section at rest of the open bottom (7) of the external shell (1).
13. Assembly according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 and 12, characterized in that the slots (40, 41) are substantially contiguous over a portion (46) adjacent to the open bottom (7) of the shell.
14. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the external shell (1) has an elongate cross section, and defines two large faces (2, 3), a side opening (40, 41) being made in the vicinity of the fastening means, substantially in the middle of each of the large faces (2, 3).
15. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the external shell (1) and the internal container (20) are made from a thermoplastic, the external shell (1) being especially made from polypropylene, the internal container (20) being made especially from low-density polyethylene.
16. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal container (20) consists of a flexible pouch.
17. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the dispensing means (11) consist of a valve or of a pump (11), surmounted by a pushbutton (16).
18. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the dispensing means (11) are secured to the external shell.
19. Assembly according to Claim 18, characterized in that the dispensing means (11) are mounted, especially by snap-fastening, inside an axial funnel (10) borne by the external shell (1), the said funnel (10) having one end turned towards the open bottom (7), and forming a leaktight skirt (18) inside the opening (24) of the container (20).
20. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after mounting the internal container (20) inside the rigid shell (1), the open bottom of the said shell is closed off by an attached bottom (31).
21. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a label is affixed to the external shell, facing the side opening(s).
22. Method of mounting a packaging and dispensing assembly (100) of the type having an internal container (20) placed inside a rigid or semi-rigid external shell (1) of axis X, and surmounted by a dispensing member (11) for placing the container (20) in communication with the outside via an opening (15), comprising the following steps:

    a) inserting the internal container (20) inside the external shell (1), via an open bottom (7) of the said shell, and displacing one relative to the other along the axis X of the shell, until the fastening means (25) of the internal container (20) are in the vicinity of the corresponding fastening means (26-29) provided on the external shell (1); and

    b) introducing a mounting tool (43, 44) through at least one opening (40, 41) made in a side wall of the shell (1), at least in the vicinity of the fastening means (26-29) of the external shell (1); and

    c) forcing the fastening means (26-29) of the shell (1) to engage in a fastening manner with the fastening means (25) of the internal container (20) with the help of the mounting tool (43, 44).
23. Method according to Claim 22, characterized in that the said relative axial displacement is obtained by displacing the internal container (20) inside the external shell (1).
24. Method according to Claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the said tool (43, 44) is further used to allow the said relative axial displacement of the internal container (20) with respect to the external shell (1), the said external shell comprising at least two slots (40, 41) made in the side wall of the external shell (1), and defining at least two elastically deformable shell portions (50, 51), the said slots (40, 41) emerging in the open bottom (7) of the shell (1) and extending to one end (42) located in the vicinity of the fastening means (26-29) of the shell, the said tool comprising at least two arms (43, 44) which, during the said axial displacement, are engaged in a sliding manner inside a respective slot (40, 41), and one free end of which engages with a fastening surface (30) of the internal container (20).
25. Method according to Claim 24, characterized in that the slots (40, 41) are contiguous over a portion (46) adjacent to the open bottom such that the sliding of the arms.(43, 44) of the tool in this portion causes a separation by elastic deformation of the said elastically deformable shell portions (50, 51), in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X, the said slots (40, 41) being, between the said contiguous portion (46) and the said end (42) located in the vicinity of the fastening means (26-29) of the shell, of a width greater than or equal to the width of the arms (43-44) so as to allow free sliding of the arms (43, 44).
26. Method according to any one of Claims 22 to 25, characterized in that it further comprises the following step:

    d) after fastening the container (20) inside the external shell (1), closing off the open bottom (7) of the said shell by means of a suitable closing means (31).
27. Method according to any one of Claims 22 to 26, characterized in that it further comprises the following step:

    e) affixing a label to the external shell facing the side opening(s).

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