U.S. patent application number 10/887824 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for receptacle and a method of manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Ramet, Marc.
Application Number | 20050023185 10/887824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33443276 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050023185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramet, Marc |
February 3, 2005 |
Receptacle and a method of manufacturing the same
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a receptacle configured to contain a
substance, such as a cosmetic, the method including: disposing a
preform, at least in part, inside a hollow covering piece having an
outside surface that is one of fibrous and rough textured, the
preform having a single opening; and deforming the preform by
exerting internal pressure, so as to make the preform substantially
match a shape of an inside surface of the covering piece.
Inventors: |
Ramet, Marc; (Asnieres,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
33443276 |
Appl. No.: |
10/887824 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60490277 |
Jul 28, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/581 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29K 2105/0809 20130101;
B29K 2311/10 20130101; B65D 23/0864 20130101; B29C 49/20 20130101;
B29K 2711/08 20130101; B29C 49/46 20130101; B29K 2713/00 20130101;
B29C 49/0042 20130101; B29C 2049/2404 20130101; B29K 2995/0072
20130101; B29L 2031/7158 20130101; A45D 33/18 20130101; B29K
2705/00 20130101; B29C 49/06 20130101; B29L 2009/003 20130101; B29K
2313/00 20130101; B29C 49/04 20130101; B29L 2031/718 20130101; B29C
49/24 20130101; B29K 2023/12 20130101; B29K 2711/12 20130101; B29L
2031/722 20130101; A45D 2034/007 20130101; B29K 2023/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/581 |
International
Class: |
B65D 069/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 11, 2003 |
FR |
03 08554 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of manufacturing a receptacle configured to contain a
substance, the method comprising: disposing a preform, at least in
part, inside a hollow covering piece having an outside surface that
is one of fibrous and rough textured, the preform having a single
opening; and deforming the preform by exerting internal pressure,
so as to make the preform substantially match a shape of an inside
surface of the covering piece, the covering piece not being
disposed in a mold during deforming the preform.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the preform is deformed
by blow-molding.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the covering piece
includes a single opening.
4. A method according to claim 1, comprising making the preform by
injection.
5. A method according to claim 1, comprising making the preform by
extrusion.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the covering piece
comprises at least one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric and a
metal.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the covering piece
comprises at least one of felt, leather, imitation leather, fur,
imitation fur, flocking and paper.
8. A method according to claim 6, wherein the covering piece
comprises a metal in the form of one of a woven fabric and a
grid.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the preform comprises
thermoplastic material.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the preform comprises a
polyolefin.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the polyolefin
comprises one of polyethylene and polypropylene.
12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the covering piece
comprises one seam.
13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising disposing an
insert inside the covering piece.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the insert is designed
to give the receptacle a flat bottom.
15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the preform comprises a
threaded neck.
16. A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a
substance in the deformed preform.
17. A receptacle configured to contain a cosmetic, the receptacle
comprising: an inside wall having an inside surface designed to
come into contact with the cosmetic; and a covering piece covering
at least a portion of the inside wall, and having an outside
surface that is one of fibrous and rough textured, the inside wall
being made using the effect of internal pressure to deform a
preform engaged at least in part inside the covering piece, the
covering piece not being disposed in a mold during deforming the
preform.
18. A receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the inside surface
of the inside wall includes at least one portion in relief having a
shape that substantially matches a shape of a portion in relief of
the covering piece.
19. A receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the covering piece
includes at least one seam.
20. A receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the covering piece
includes openings inside which the inside wall extends at least in
part.
21. A receptacle according to claim 20, wherein the openings are
defined by one of a mesh of a woven fabric and a grid.
22. A receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the inside wall is
blow molded.
23. A method of manufacturing a receptacle configured to contain a
substance, the method comprising: disposing a preform, at least in
part, inside a hollow covering piece having an outside surface that
is one of fibrous and rough textured, the preform having a single
opening; and deforming the preform by exerting internal pressure,
so as to make the preform substantially match a shape of an inside
surface of the covering piece, the covering piece including at
least one seam.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the preform is deformed
by blow-molding.
25. A method according to claim 23, wherein the covering piece
includes a single opening.
26. A method according to claim 23, comprising making the preform
by injection.
27. A method according to claim 23, comprising making the preform
by extrusion.
28. A method according to claim 23, wherein the covering piece
comprises at least one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric and a
metal.
29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the covering comprises
at least one of felt, leather, imitation leather, fur, imitation
fur, flocking and paper.
30. A method according to claim 28, wherein the covering piece
comprises a metal in the form of one of a woven fabric and a
grid.
31. A method according to claim 23, wherein the preform comprises
thermoplastic material.
32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the preform comprises a
polyolefin.
33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the polyolefin
comprises one of polyethylene and polypropylene.
34. A method according to claim 23, further comprising disposing
the covering piece in a mold during deforming the preform.
35. A method according to claim 23, wherein the covering piece is
not disposed in a mold during deforming the preform.
36. A method according to claim 23, further comprising disposing an
insert inside the covering piece.
37. A method according to claim 36, wherein the insert is designed
to give the receptacle a flat bottom.
38. A method according to claim 23, wherein the preform comprises a
threaded neck.
39. A method according to claim 23, further comprising providing a
substance in the deformed preform.
40. A receptacle configured to contain a cosmetic, the receptacle
comprising: an inside wall having an inside surface designed to
come into contact with the cosmetic; and a covering piece covering
at least a portion of the inside wall, and having an outside
surface that is one of fibrous and rough textured, the inside wall
being made using the effect of internal pressure to deform a
preform engaged at least in part inside the covering piece, the
covering piece including at least one seam.
41. A receptacle according to claim 40, wherein the inside surface
of the inside wall includes at least one portion in relief having a
shape that substantially matches a shape of a portion in relief of
the covering piece.
42. A receptacle according to claim 40, wherein the covering piece
includes openings inside which the inside wall extends at least in
part.
43. A receptacle according to claim 42, wherein the openings are
defined by one of a mesh of a woven fabric and a grid.
44. A receptacle according to claim 40, wherein the inside wall is
blow molded.
45. A receptacle according to claim 40, wherein the covering piece
is not disposed in a mold during deforming the preform.
46. A method of manufacturing a receptacle configured to contain a
substance, the method comprising: disposing a preform, at least in
part, inside a hollow covering piece having an outside surface that
is one of fibrous and rough textured, the preform having a single
opening; and deforming the preform by exerting internal pressure,
so as to make the preform substantially match a shape of an inside
surface of the covering piece, wherein an insert is disposed inside
the covering piece.
47. A method according to claim 46, wherein the preform is deformed
by blow-molding.
48. A method according to claim 46, wherein the covering piece
includes a single opening.
49. A method according to claim 46, comprising making the preform
by injection.
50. A method according to claim 46, comprising making the preform
by extrusion.
51. A method according to claim 46, wherein the covering piece
comprises at least one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric and a
metal.
52. A method according to claim 51, wherein the covering piece
comprises at least one of felt, leather, imitation leather, fur,
imitation fur, flocking and paper.
53. A method according to claim 51, wherein the covering piece
comprises a metal in the form of one of a woven fabric and a
grid.
54. A method according to claim 46, wherein the preform comprises
thermoplastic material.
55. A method according to claim 54, wherein the preform comprises a
polyolefin.
56. A method according to claim 55, wherein the polyolefin
comprises one of polyethylene and polypropylene.
57. A method according to claim 46, further comprising including
the covering piece in a mold during deforming the preform.
58. A method according to claim 46, wherein the covering piece is
not disposed in a mold during deforming the preform.
59. A method according to claim 46, wherein the covering piece
includes at least one seam.
60. A method according to claim 46, wherein the insert is
configured to give the receptacle a flat bottom.
61. A method according to claim 46, wherein the preform comprises a
threaded neck.
62. A method according to claim 46, further comprising providing a
substance in the deformed preform.
63. A receptacle configured to contain a cosmetic, the receptacle
comprising: an inside wall having an inside surface designed to
come into contact with the cosmetic; and a covering piece covering
at least a portion of the inside wall, and having an outside
surface that is one of fibrous and rough textured, the inside wall
being made using the effect of internal pressure to deform a
preform engaged at least in part inside the covering piece, and an
insert disposed inside the covering piece.
64. A receptacle according to claim 63, wherein the inside surface
of the inside wall includes at least one portion in relief having a
shape that substantially matches a shape of a portion in relief of
the covering piece.
65. A receptacle according to claim 63, wherein the covering piece
includes at least one seam.
66. A receptacle according to claim 63, wherein the covering piece
includes openings inside which the inside wall extends at least in
part.
67. A receptacle according to claim 66, wherein the openings are
defined by one of a mesh of a woven fabric and a grid.
68. A receptacle according to claim 63, wherein the inside wall is
blow molded.
69. A receptacle according to claim 63, wherein the insert is
designed to give the receptacle a flat bottom.
70. A receptacle according to claim 63, wherein the covering piece
is not disposed in a mold during deforming the preform.
71. A method according to claim 16, wherein the substance comprises
a cosmetic.
72. A method according to claim 39, wherein the substance comprises
a cosmetic.
73. A method according to claim 62, wherein the substance comprises
a cosmetic.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of French Application
No. 03 08554 filed on Jul. 11, 2003 and of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/490,277 filed on Jul. 28, 2003, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to receptacles designed, for
example, for packaging fluids, such as sprays, liquids, or gels,
and also relates to methods of manufacturing such receptacles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] European patent application EP 1 281 333 describes a
cosmetic article that is covered on its outside by a fabric.
[0004] International patent application WO 97/28944 describes the
manufacture of an article that is made of plastics material covered
by a fabric, the plastics material being injected onto the
fabric.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A need exists to further improve the appearance of
receptacles, without overly complicating their manufacture.
[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method of
manufacturing a receptacle configured to contain a substance, such
as a cosmetic, the method comprising: disposing a preform, at least
in part, inside a hollow covering piece having an outside surface
that is one of fibrous and rough textured, the preform having a
single opening; and deforming the preform by exerting internal
pressure, so as to make the preform substantially match a shape of
an inside surface of the covering piece.
[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the preform may be deformed by
blow-molding.
[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the invention may, for example,
enable a receptacle to be made having a non-cylindrical shape while
being covered over all or practically all of its height, for
example, up to a base of a neck, by the covering. For example, the
receptacle may include shoulders at the base of the neck, covered
by the covering.
[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the covering may be retained
mechanically on the receptacle by the shape of said receptacle.
[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the covering piece may include a
single opening, for example, via which the preform is inserted
before the blow-molding operation.
[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the preform may be made by
injection or by extrusion. Making the preform by injection may be
preferred, for example, when the receptacle is to be made with a
threaded neck, or to be provided with a relief that enables a pump
or a valve to be fastened thereto.
[0012] In such embodiments, the preform may be made with the neck
by injection, and blow-molding may be performed in such a manner as
to avoid modifying the shape of the neck, for example, with said
neck being held captive by a mold during the blow-molding
operation.
[0013] In exemplary embodiments in which manufacturing the preform
is by extrusion, the preform may be pinched in order to close the
preform at one end, before putting the preform in place in the
covering piece.
[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the covering piece may optionally
be disposed in a mold before the deformation of the preform, for
example, before the blow-molding operation, depending on the nature
of the deformation, and on the shape that the receptacle is to be
given, for example.
[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the covering piece may comprise
one of the materials selected from: woven fabric, non-woven fabric,
such as felt, leather, imitation leather, fur, imitation fur,
flocking, paper, metal, and the like. For example, the covering
piece may comprise a metal grid.
[0016] In exemplary embodiments, where necessary, the covering
piece may contribute to reinforcing the strength of the receptacle,
for example, when said receptacle is designed to contain a
substance under pressure.
[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the body of the receptacle may be
preferably made of optionally-transparent thermoplastic material,
for example, polyolefin, such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene
(PP).
[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the preform may be made of glass.
In such embodiments, the covering piece may be made of a material
that is sufficiently resistant to heat, for example, a metal
fabric.
[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the covering piece may include at
least one seam. For example, the covering piece may include at
least two, or indeed at least three seams, in order to produce an
assembly of pieces of fabric or of some other material that
substantially reproduces the shape of the receptacle to be
made.
[0020] In exemplary embodiments, the covering piece may have no
seams, and may include portions that are assembled together by
adhesive or by heat sealing, or may even be constituted by using a
single sheet, said sheet being thermomolded, for example.
[0021] In exemplary embodiments, the method of the invention may
further comprise disposing an insert inside the covering piece
prior to blow-molding the preform, for example, an insert designed
to give the receptacle a flat bottom so as to enable the receptacle
to stand on a planar surface.
[0022] In exemplary embodiments, the insert may be a piece made of
plastics material or made of some other material, for example,
metal, in order to ballast the receptacle where necessary.
[0023] In exemplary embodiments, the method of the invention may
also comprise fixing an external element onto the covering piece
prior to blow-molding the preform, in order, for example, to cover
an opening in said preform. For example, such an element may
constitute a stand that enables the receptacle to stand on a planar
surface.
[0024] In such embodiments, during the blow-molding step, the
preform may come into contact with at least a portion of the insert
or the external element, and may match a shape thereof, at least in
part.
[0025] In exemplary embodiments, the dispenser member may be made
integrally as a single piece with the preform by molding plastics
material, for example, by injection-molding.
[0026] For example, the dispenser member may be no more than a neck
provided with an external thread that enables a closure cap to be
screwed onto the receptacle.
[0027] In exemplary embodiments, where necessary, the closure cap
may include an applicator which extends into the inside of the
receptacle when said receptacle is closed.
[0028] In exemplary embodiments, the dispenser member may not form
part of the preform, and may be put in place after blow-molding
said preform.
[0029] For example, the dispenser member may include a pump, a
valve, or a flow reducer.
[0030] After blow-molding the preform, the covering piece may have
various shapes, and, for example: an optionally-circular
cylindrical shape, for example, of substantially circular, oval,
elliptical, or polygonal cross-section; a substantially polyhedral
shape, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped, a cube, a
pyramid, a sphere, or an egg-shape; or even a pear-shape or a
kidney-shape; or the like.
[0031] In exemplary embodiments, the wall of the receptacle may be
flexible or rigid. For example, the receptacle may return
elastically to its initial shape after a user has exerted pressure
thereon in order to dispense the substance.
[0032] For example, the capacity of the receptacle may lie in the
range of about 10 milliliters (ml) to about 500 ml.
[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide,
independently or in combination with the foregoing features, a
receptacle configured to contain a cosmetic. The receptacle may
comprise: an inside wall having an inside surface designed to come
into contact with the cosmetic; and a covering piece covering at
least a portion of the inside wall, the inside wall being made
using the effect of internal pressure, such as blow-molding, to
deform a preform engaged at least in part inside the covering
piece, the inside surface of the inside wall including at least one
portion in relief having a shape that substantially matches a shape
of a portion in relief of the covering piece.
[0034] In exemplary embodiments, the covering piece may include
openings inside which the inside wall extends at least in part, for
example, openings defined by a mesh of a woven fabric or a
grid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The invention will be better understood on reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof,
and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a receptacle
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross-section view of
the receptacle of FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view separately
illustrating the covering piece and the preform used to make the
receptacle of FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a detailed partial cross-section view of a portion
IV in FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a detailed partial cross-section view of a portion
similar to FIG. 4 showing a second exemplary embodiment according
to the invention;
[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view of
a mold in which the covering piece of FIG. 3 can be disposed before
blow-molding the preform;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary cross-section view
of a third exemplary embodiment of a receptacle according to the
invention, including an insert disposed inside the covering
piece;
[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary cross-section view
of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a receptacle according to the
invention, including an external element fixed onto the covering
piece;
[0044] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary cross-section view
of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a receptacle according to the
invention, using a covering piece having a multi-layer
structure;
[0045] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary view of a sixth
exemplary embodiment of a receptacle according to the invention,
fitted with a dispenser member constituted by a pump or by a valve;
and
[0046] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic elevation view of an exemplary kit
according to the invention constituted by associating a garment
with a receptacle that includes a covering made of a same fabric as
the garment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0047] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first exemplary embodiment of a
receptacle 1 that is designed to contain a liquid, for example, a
cosmetic, and includes a body 2 that is elongate along a
longitudinal axis X. The exemplary receptacle 1 is generally
pear-shaped with a flat bottom 3.
[0048] At a top end thereof, the receptacle 1 includes a dispenser
member 4, constituted in the first exemplary embodiment by a neck 5
that is threaded on an outside thereof, and defines a single
opening 6. The opening 6 can be closed in a sealed manner by a
closure cap 13 that is arranged so as to be screwed onto the neck
5.
[0049] As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the outside of the body 2
comprises a covering piece 10, and the inside of the body 2
comprises an inside wall 11. The inside wall 11 matches the shape
of the covering piece 10. The neck 5 is made integrally as a single
piece made of plastics material with the inside wall 11.
[0050] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the covering
piece 10 has an outside surface 14 that is fibrous or that has a
rough texture, i.e., is rough textured.
[0051] In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the receptacle 1
may be made as follows.
[0052] The covering piece 10 is made in such a manner that the
covering 10 substantially matches the shape of the receptacle
1.
[0053] For example, the covering piece 10 may be made by assembling
together several pieces of fabric along seams.
[0054] For example, one of the pieces can extend over the bottom 3
of the receptacle 1, and the other pieces may extend between the
bottom 3 and a top end of the covering piece 10, the other pieces
being assembled together along longitudinal seams 12a to define
overall a single opening 7, for example, a substantially circular
opening. The piece extending over the bottom 3 of the receptacle
may be sewn along a substantially circular seam line 12b.
[0055] In addition, a preform 15 made of thermoplastic material may
be made by injection molding.
[0056] In the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the
preform 15 includes a tubular body 27 that is closed at a bottom
end thereof. The tubular body 27 is fastened at a top end thereof
to the neck 5.
[0057] The preform 15 is then inserted into the opening 7 of the
covering piece 10 until only the neck 5 emerges from the covering
piece 10. For example, the diameter of the opening 7 may be
substantially equal to an outside diameter of the neck 5 at the
base thereof. In the first exemplary embodiment, the neck 5 has an
annular shoulder 8 that comes to rest on an edge 9 of the opening
7, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0058] The mold used to make the preform 15 may include a portion
serving to mold the neck 5, which also serves to hold the neck 5
during the blow-molding operation. Alternatively, the preform 15
may be made by injection molding, unmolded completely, and then
transported by an appropriate member to a blow-molding station.
[0059] Hot gas is injected through the opening 6 into the inside of
the preform 15, in such a manner as to expand the still
sufficiently hot tubular body 27 until said tubular body 27
substantially matches the shape of the inside surface 16 of the
covering piece 10.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the inside surface 16 can include a
plurality of portions in relief 20, that result, in the example
shown, from the presence of the yarns 19 of the fabric of which the
covering piece 10 is made.
[0061] An outside surface 17 of the inside wall 11 may come to
match at least one portion in relief 20, and an inside surface 18
of the inside wall 11 may have at least one portion in relief 21 of
substantially corresponding shape, as a result of the inside wall
11 being formed by blow-molding.
[0062] Where necessary, the material of the preform may be engaged
substantially in the openings or the interstices of surfaces
features resulting from the roughness of the covering piece. For
example, FIG. 5 is a detailed partial cross-section view of a
portion, similar to FIG. 4, showing a second exemplary embodiment
of a covering piece comprising a metal grid that defines a mesh in
which the material of the preform is substantially engaged. Wires
19' of the metal grid thus appear embedded in the material of the
preform (the inside wall 11). Where necessary, the covering piece
can contribute to reinforcing the strength of the receptacle, for
example, against impacts or internal pressure.
[0063] The preform 15 may be blow-molded without placing the
covering piece 10 in a mold. In such embodiments, the covering
piece 10 is made in such a manner as to withstand the pressure
exerted by the preform 15 during blow-molding.
[0064] Alternatively, the covering piece 10 may also be disposed
inside a mold M having at least two portions M.sub.1 and M.sub.2
which are brought together before blow-molding, as illustrated in
FIG. 6, so as to form a mold cavity against which the covering
piece 10 can come to bear during blow-molding.
[0065] For example, for the purpose of making it easier to provide
a flat bottom, an insert 25 maybe engaged inside the covering piece
10 before the preform 15 is inserted therein, as in a third
exemplary embodiment of a receptacle according to the invention,
shown in FIG. 7.
[0066] An insert may be used with or without a mold.
[0067] For example, the presence of an insert can make it possible
to avoid having to use a mold cavity having a very precise
shape.
[0068] For example, the insert 25 may be in the form of a disk
having a circular outline, and may be made of a relatively rigid
plastics material or a metal.
[0069] In such embodiments, during blow-molding, the inside wall 11
substantially matches the shape of the insert 25 and a setback 22
is formed at a periphery of said insert 25.
[0070] In a fourth exemplary embodiment of a receptacle according
to the invention, shown in FIG. 8, the covering piece 10 includes,
at a bottom portion thereof, an opening 24 which is covered by an
external element 26 that is fastened onto the covering piece 10 at
said opening 24. For example, the external element 26 may be bonded
onto the region of the covering piece 10 bordering the opening 24
by adhesive or by heat sealing.
[0071] An external element may be used with or without a mold.
[0072] In such embodiments, a setback 23 is formed during
blow-molding of the inside wall 11 at the edge of the opening
24.
[0073] Where necessary, the inside wall 11 may be assembled to the
external element 26 by local melting of material. In the fourth
exemplary embodiment, said external element 26 forms a stand on
which the receptacle can stand.
[0074] The covering piece 10 may be a single-layer, as shown in the
embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 8, or may be multi-layer, as in a fifth
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9.
[0075] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the covering piece 10 may
include an outer layer 10a and an inner layer 10b, said inner layer
10b coming into contact with the inside wall 11.
[0076] For example, the outer layer 10a may include flocking, and
the inner layer 10b may include a film supporting the hairs of the
flocking.
[0077] The dispenser member 4 need not be merely a simple opening,
but may include a pump or a valve 30, as in a sixth exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 10.
[0078] The covering piece 10 may be constituted by a fibrous
material, for example, a textile. Said textile may be obtained by
weaving or by knitting. The textile may include natural or
synthetic fibers, for example, yarn of cotton or other plant
material. The fabric may also include polyester or polyamide yarn,
or even metal wires. The fibrous material may also be a felt, a
non-woven fabric, animal fur, or imitation animal fur. The fibrous
material may also be flocking.
[0079] The covering piece 10 may include a print or can be
subjected to a surface treatment. Instead of fibers, the covering
piece 10 may include particles, for example, mineral particles
embedded in a film of plastics material, enabling a rough texture
to be imparted thereto. The covering piece 10 may also be made of
leather or imitation leather.
[0080] The inside wall 11 may be devoid of fibers and may be
constituted by a thermoplastic material, for example, a polyolefin,
such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). For example, the
thickness of the inside wall 11 may lie in the range of about 0.5
millimeters (mm) to about 2.5 mm, for example, about 0.5 mm to
about 1.5 mm.
[0081] A receptacle made in accordance with the invention may be
associated with an object, for example, an article of clothing. The
fabric of which the article is made may be the same as the fabric
constituting the covering piece 10, as illustrated in the exemplary
embodiment of a kit shown in FIG. 11.
[0082] Whatever its nature, the covering piece may, where
necessary, be coated on an inside surface thereof with an adhesive
designed to improve adhesion on the material constituting the
preform.
[0083] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described above.
[0084] For example, the receptacle may be of a shape that is
different from that shown in the drawings.
[0085] The preform may be deformed in a manner other than by
blowing a gas.
[0086] The preform may, for example, be deformed by blowing or
injecting a liquid or a powder.
[0087] The preform may also be deformed by disposing therein a
material which changes state or expands as a result of a chemical
reaction. Where necessary, the material may be removed after the
material has expanded by being dissolved by a solvent, for
example.
[0088] Throughout the description, including the claims, the term
"comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with
"comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.
[0089] Although the present invention herein has been described
with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood
that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles
and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *