Leak Tight Dispensing Pot For A Solid Or Paste Product

Abstract

The pot comprises a body in which a cavity is formed with an upper opening and a lid, the lid and the body being fixed by a hinge. This pot is characterized in that: a) it comprises a closing means that can be activated by manual pressure, the closing means comprising an upper closing element fixed to the lid cooperating with a lower closing element fixed to the body, b) the lid comprises a seal, made of a material with elastic resilience, and c) the upper opening is surrounded by an upper rim that will cooperate with the seal when the pot is closed, such that the seal is compressed in a leak tight manner between the upper rim and the lid when the pot is closed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the domain of dispensers for cosmetics and typically cosmetics with a solid or paste consistency, for example creams. These cosmetics are usually dispensed in pots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventional pots are known that comprise a body forming a cavity to contain the cosmetic with an opening at the top that can be closed by a closing means. The closing means is usually a lid or a cap that can be screwed onto the body.

[0003] Firstly, conventional pots with a screwed lid have to be held in two hands to open and close them. This presents certain disadvantages in terms of manipulation and ergonomics. Moreover, once the lid has been unscrewed, it has to be put down adjacent to the pot, and this has the disadvantage of taking up space. Additionally, with a separate lid, there is a risk of it getting lost.

[0004] Secondly, packagings of cosmetics have to be refilled, particularly when the products themselves are refilled, to attract the attention of users of the cosmetics and thus to encourage buying.

[0005] Furthermore, formulations of cosmetics are continually changing. Since some cosmetic compositions containing at least one volatile constituent are being developed, it is important to have a sealed dispenser adapted to these new formulations.

[0006] Finally, there is a need for dispensers adapted to use in the bathroom, in other words dispensers that can be placed on a work surface, that are easy to use directly and for example are easy to open.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the various embodiments of the invention, a pot for holding a paste or solid product, typically a cosmetic, comprises a body in which a cavity is formed with an upper opening and capable of containing the product, and a lid to close the upper opening. The lid and the body are fixed by a hinge formed by cooperation of a first hinge element fixed to the body with a second hinge element fixed to the lid.

[0008] This pot is characterized in that: [0009] a) the pot comprises a closing means that can be activated by manual pressure, typically an axial pressure, the closing means comprising an upper closing element fixed to the lid cooperating with a lower closing element fixed to the body so as to manually lock/unlock the lid with respect to the body, [0010] b) the lid comprises a seal made of a material with elastic resilience, capable of cooperating with the upper opening when the pot is closed, [0011] c) the upper opening is surrounded by an upper rim that will cooperate with the seal when the pot is closed, such that the seal is compressed in a leak tight manner between the upper rim and the lid when the pot is closed.

[0012] The pot can be opened easily by applying a simple manual pressure, and typically an axial pressure. The pot is ergonomic in use and just as easy to close, since all that is necessary is to pivot the lid around its hinge. Furthermore, since the lid is fixed to the body by the mechanical connecting hinge, there is no risk of losing it while the contents of the pot are being applied onto the body.

[0013] Largely due to its closing means that can be activated by manual pressure and typically by an axial pressure, this pot is different from existing pots and thus provides a means of renewing or refilling packagings of cosmetics, which is very important commercially.

[0014] Finally, the design of this pot assures preservation and use of product formulations containing a volatile constituent, which can also be used to package new formulations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] FIG. 1a is a front perspective view of a closed pot (1).

[0016] FIG. 1b shows a back perspective view of the pot in FIG. 1a.

[0017] FIG. 1c shows a top view of the pot in FIG. 1a.

[0018] FIG. 2a shows a section through the pot along the vertical plane A-A in FIG. 1c.

[0019] FIG. 2b shows a section through the pot along the vertical plane B-B in FIG. 1c.

[0020] FIG. 2c shows a section through the pot along a vertical plane C-C in FIG. 2b.

[0021] FIG. 2d illustrates a variant of the body composed of a single-piece molded part.

[0022] FIGS. 3a to 3b are partial enlarged diagrammatic views of part of FIG. 2a (top left part) and are intended to illustrate the closing means forming the mechanism for locking and unlocking the lid of the pot (1).

[0023] FIG. 3a shows the pot with its lid locked.

[0024] FIG. 3b shows the pot with its lid unlocked by manual axial pressure (13) applied on the push-button (6, 6').

[0025] FIG. 3c is a partial enlarged diagrammatic view of part of FIG. 2b (top left part).

[0026] FIGS. 4a and 4b are perspective views of the lower frame of the body (2) of the pot in FIG. 1a. FIG. 4a is a top view. FIG. 4b is a bottom view.

[0027] FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective elevation views of the central liner of the body (2).

[0028] FIGS. 6a and 6b are perspective views of the outer shell of the lid (3) of the pot in FIG. 1a. FIG. 6a is a top view. FIG. 6b is a bottom view.

[0029] FIGS. 7a and 7b are perspective views of the inner plate of the lid (3).

[0030] FIG. 7a is a bottom view that shows the cavity that houses the seal (32).

[0031] FIG. 7b is a top view.

[0032] FIGS. 8a and 8b are perspective views of the push-button (6, 6') of the lid forming a part of the closing mechanism (11). FIG. 8a is a top view. FIG. 8b is a bottom view.

[0033] FIGS. 9a and 9b are perspective views of the outer shell connecting part of the lid, forming a part of the closing mechanism (11). FIG. 9a is a top view. FIG. 9b is a bottom view.

[0034] FIGS. 9c and 9d are partial cross-sections that show the resilient or elastic displacement of the axial projection (92) supporting the upper hook (310, 310') in a transverse horizontal plane, due to bending of the two bending arms (91), and this displacement enables locking/unlocking of the lid. FIG. 9c shows the connecting part "at rest". FIG. 9d shows the connecting part (9') "activated" and compressed when an axial manual pressure is applied on the push-button.

[0035] FIGS. 10a and 10b are composite perspective views that show the assembly of three parts of the lid that contribute to forming the closing mechanism (11) FIG. 10a shows the front of the pot (1). FIG. 10b shows the back of the pot (1).

[0036] FIGS. 11a to 11c illustrate lids fitted with push-buttons with different cross-sections and placed at different locations on the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1a to 1c, aspects of the invention relate to a pot (1) for holding solid product. Referring also to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the body (2) may comprise a central liner (4) fixed to a lower frame (5), the lower frame surrounding the central liner and forming a support for the central liner (4). In general, the central liner may comprise the upper rim (24, 24', 24'') at its upper end.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3c, the upper rim may be an axial rim with a width typically less than 5 mm and height H.sub.R equal to at least the thickness E.sub.J of the seal facing the axial rim (24'), the thickness E.sub.J being the thickness of the seal in the uncompressed state. As can be seen in FIG. 3c, the height H.sub.R is the free rim height located above the horizontal part (51) of the frame (5). The axial rim may be a rounded rim with curvature R.sub.R. In certain aspects, R.sub.R may vary from 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0039] In embodiment of the pot such as illustrated in the Figures, the central liner and the lower frame may each form a distinct part, typically a plastic molded part, the body comprising an assembly, typically an axial assembly obtained by axial snap fitting of the central liner in the lower frame (5).

[0040] However according to another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2d, the central liner and the lower frame may form a single part, typically a plastic molded part.

[0041] Typically, the first hinge element of the body may be fixed to the lower frame (5). For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 3c, the lower frame may comprise a lower skirt (50, 50') forming a typically vertical axial projection and a typically horizontal part (51) fixing the lower skirt (50, 50') to the central liner through their upper rim. The central liner is generally fixed to the lower frame by axial snap fitting.

[0042] As can be seen in FIGS. 2a and 3a to 3b, the upper closing element may comprise at least one upper hook or attachment means (310, 310') that can be activated by a push-button (6, 6') with elastic resilience, in which the lower closing element comprises at least one lower hook or attachment means such that a manual pressure applied on the push-button (6, 6') makes the push-button (6, 6') move along a travel distance and consequently causes displacement of the upper hook or attachment means (310, 310') with respect to the lower hook or attachment means (210). The displacement of the upper hook or attachment means (310, 310') unlocks the lid from the body (2).

[0043] The lower hook or attachment means may be a hook fixed to the central liner and typically the upper rim (24).

[0044] In embodiments of the pot such as illustrated in the figures, the push-button (6) may be an axial push-button (6'), and the displacement is then an axial travel distance, the lid comprising an axial recess through which the axial push-button (6') passes. The axial recess may be a central recess (33') as illustrated in FIG. 1c, such that the lid and the central recess (33') typically have the same centre or axis of symmetry (12). In this case, the axial push-button (6') is a central push-button. This axial push-button (6') is centered and it has a square cross-section as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1c. The axial push-button (6'), however, may not necessarily be centered or may not necessarily have a square cross-section, such as illustrated for example in FIGS. 11a to 11c. In FIG. 11a, the axial push-button is shown as having a semi-circular cross-section and being placed at the center of the front part of the lid. In FIG. 11b, the axial push-button is shown as having a rectangular cross-section and being placed at the center of the back part of the lid. In FIG. 11c, the axial push-button is shown as having a circular cross-section and being placed at the left of the front part of the lid.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, in the absence of the manual pressure, and typically when the pot is closed, the push-button (6, 6') and the lid may be continuous on the surface, the push-button (6, 6') and the lid having external surfaces that are typically continuous with a common tangent.

[0046] As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 3a to 3c, and as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the lid may comprise an outer shell (7), if applicable comprising the axial recess or the central recess (33'), the outer shell being fixed to the second fixed hinge element or typically forming a single-piece molded part with the second hinge element (30).

[0047] The outer shell may comprise an upper skirt and an arch (71), the upper skirt and the arch joining each other at a fillet angle typically close to 90.degree.. However, other forms are possible according to embodiments of the invention, for example including rounded parts. Typically, all or part of the upper skirt of the outer shell may be an axial or straight upper skirt and the lower skirt (50) of the frame may be an axial or straight lower skirt (50'), the outer surfaces of the upper skirt and lower skirt (50') typically being in line with each other.

[0048] As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 3a to 3c, and as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the lid may comprise an inner plate provided with a central part forming a support for the seal (32), typically by means of a cavity formed in the inner plate and in which the seal is inserted, and a peripheral part fixed to the outer shell (7), typically by means of axial snap fitting as shown in FIG. 3c.

[0049] The central part of the inner plate and the arch of the shell may be at an axial spacing equal to at least the axial travel distance of the push-button (6') so as to enable axial displacement of the push-button (6'). The peripheral part of the inner plate may comprise an axial border providing the axial spacing.

[0050] As illustrated particularly in FIG. 3c and in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the central part and the peripheral part of the inner plate may be connected to each other through an intermediate part (83), typically in the form of an inverted "U" with axial elasticity. The central part thus may have a certain axial mobility with respect to the peripheral part (81). When the pot is closed, the lid can apply an approximately uniform axial pressure on the seal and particularly on the part of the seal in contact with the upper rim (24). FIG. 3c illustrates the leak tight cooperation of the seal of the lid with the upper rim of the body, particularly due to permanent compression applied on the seal by the central part of the inner plate of the lid.

[0051] As can be seen in FIG. 7b, this intermediate part (83) is circular and is external to the circular upper rim of the body or its liner (4). It is not continuous and for example forms three angular sectors located at 120.degree. from each other separated by perforated parts without the intermediate part (83), so as to provide a good compromise between an axial compression force and an axial elasticity.

[0052] As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b and as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b, the upper hook or attachment means (310, 310') may be supported by a connecting part cooperating with the push-button (6, 6'), such that the travel distance of the push-button (6, 6') can cause the displacement of the hook or upper attachment means and thus unlock the lid (3). The hook or upper attachment means (310, 310') may be supported by an axial projection (92) of the connecting part.

[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b and as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the push-button (6, 6') may include an axial projection provided with a beveled lower plane (600), and the connecting part may include a horizontal projection (90) provided with a beveled plane (900) at its central end. The beveled planes (900) cooperate such that the axial travel distance of the push-button (6, 6') causes a radial or transverse displacement of the connecting part and consequently of the upper hook or attachment means (310, 310').

[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the push-button (6, 6') may typically comprise two lateral bending arms (61) so as to form an elastic resilient means for the push-button (6, 6'), particularly when manual pressure or axial pressure is no longer applied. These side arms (61) are inclined at an angle .alpha. from the central bearing surface (62) of the push-button (6, 6'), such that an axial compression leads to an axial travel distance thus unlocking the lid.

[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b, the connecting part may include two front bending arms (91) so as to form an elastic resilient means for the connecting part (9).

[0056] According to an embodiment of the pot shown in the figures, the seal may be a plane seal (32') closing off the entire the upper opening when the pot is closed. The plane seal (32') may form or comprise a layer of a material forming a barrier to gases, typically oxygen or water vapor, or aromas. In this case, the plane seal is formed from a multi-layer composite material. Similarly, at least the body and preferably at least the central liner may form or comprise a layer of a material forming a barrier to gases, typically oxygen or water vapor, or aromas. The result is pots adapted to all sorts of products and satisfying even stringent requirements in terms of shelf life, even when these products include volatile constituents or constituents sensitive to air.

[0057] FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate the push-button (6, 6') and the connecting part placed on the inner plate (8), the outer shell not being shown. This assembly of three parts is shown placed on the body as if the lid comprises the outer shell (7).

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 2c, the hinge may comprise an automatic opening or pre-opening means (100), the automatic opening or pre-opening means (100) typically comprising a spring (101) so as to rotate the lid as soon as the closing means has been activated manually.

[0059] By way of example, the capacity of the body or the central liner may vary from about 15 cm.sup.3 to about 200 cm.sup.3, and preferably from about 40 cm.sup.3 to about 80 cm.sup.3. The body and the lid may have the same cross-section, the cross-section typically being square or oval or rectangular or round. The pot may have a height H varying from about 15 mm to about 60 mm, and preferably from about 30 mm to about 40 mm.

[0060] Pots according to embodiments of the invention are ergonomic, in other words easy to use, open and close for users who need to use the product contained in the pot, particularly due to its axial push-button. The pots can have an arbitrary form or cross-section, the body comprising a central liner forming a receptacle for the product, the liner being concealed by an inner skirt visible only from the outside, such that the pots can be manufactured in a wide variety of external shapes, possibly while keeping the same central liner. Finally, the pots provide excellent leak tightness and can be used for packaging all sorts of product formulations, for example products with a typically paste or creamy consistency that are collected on a finger or using a spatula or a special applicator for application onto the body. However, the pots can also be used to package any type of cosmetics or non-cosmetics, for example pharmaceutical products.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0061] A first pot such as illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 10b, except for FIG. 2d, was made. A second pot such as illustrated in FIG. 2d also was made. These two pots were produced by molding different parts made of a thermoplastic material.

[0062] Concerning the body of the pot, the central liner was fabricated by molding according to FIGS. 5a and 5b, and the lower frame was fabricated according to FIGS. 4a and 4b. The liner and the frame were assembled by snap fitting in the case of the first pot. The body formed a single molded part in the case of the second pot. Concerning the lid of the pot (1), the following were made by molding: [0063] an outer shell according to FIGS. 6a and 6b, [0064] an inner plate according to FIGS. 7a and 7b, [0065] a push-button (6, 6') according to FIGS. 8a and 8b, [0066] a connecting part according to FIGS. 9a and 9b.

[0067] A seal with the same diameter as the cavity in the inner plate was provided and assembled by fixing it in the cavity through the inner rim (830) of the intermediate part (83).

[0068] The three parts of the lid that contribute to forming the closing mechanism (11), namely the push-button (6, 6'), the connecting part and the inner plate (8), were assembled, such as illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b. The outer shell was assembled to the inner plate by snap fitting. Finally, the hinge was formed between the body and the lid (3). As illustrated in FIG. 2c, this was done using a "left" hinge pin (14) and a "right" hinge pin (15), The "left" hinge pin (14) was composed of a portion of a rod fixing a first hinge element of the body to a second hinge element of the lid. The "right" hinge pin (15) formed an automatic opening means (100) comprising a spring (101), one end of which is fixed to the first hinge element (20') of the body while the other end is fixed to the second hinge element (30') of the lid, the "right" hinge pin (15) being mounted with a torsion such that the spring applies a torsion torque when the pot is closed, and in that this torsion torque tends to automatically open the lid as soon as the closing means is unlocked.

[0069] In this example, all hinge elements (20, 20', 30, 30') form hub portions fixed in pairs by a hinge pin (14, 15), the two "left" hinge elements and being fixed by the "left" hinge pin (14), and the two "right" hinge elements (20') and (30') being fixed by the "right" hinge pin (15) formed by the automatic opening means (100).

Example 2

[0070] Pots according to FIGS. 11a to 11c were also manufactured. In this example, the connecting part and possibly the position of the upper hook (310) and the lower hook were adapted such that an axial pressure applied on the push-button (6, 6') locks the lid onto the body or unlocks it from the body, in a similar manner to that described in detail particularly in FIGS. 10a and 10b.

[0071] All fabricated pots in the above examples were tested to check their leak tightness. The pots were found to be leak tight even after a large number of opening and closing operations corresponding to normal use of the pot.

Claims

1. A pot for a paste or solid product comprising: a body having a cavity with an upper opening, a lid for closing the upper opening, and a hinge for connecting the lid and the body, the hinge formed by cooperation of a first hinge element fixed to the body and a second hinge element fixed to the lid, the pot characterized in that: a) the pot comprises a closing assembly activated by manual pressure, the closing assembly comprising an upper closing element fixed to the lid in cooperating engagement with a lower closing element fixed to the body for locking the lid with respect to the body, b) the lid comprises a seal made of a material with elastic resilience, the seal cooperating with the upper opening when the pot is closed, c) the upper opening is surrounded by an upper rim that cooperates with the seal when the pot is closed, the seal being compressed between the upper rim and the lid when the pot is closed.

2. Pot according to claim 1 in which the body comprises a central liner fixed to a lower frame, the lower frame surrounding the central liner and forming a support for the central liner.

3. Pot according to claim 2 in which the central liner comprises the upper rim at its upper end.

4. Pot according to claim 1 in which the upper rim is an axial rim with a width less than about 5 mm and height H.sub.R equal to or greater than the thickness E.sub.J of the seal in an uncompressed state facing the axial rim.

5. Pot according to claim 4 in which the axial rim is a rounded rim with curvature R.sub.R between about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

6. Pot according to claim 2 in which the central liner is distinct from the lower frame, the body comprising an axial assembly obtained by axial snap fitting of the central liner in the lower frame.

7. Pot according to claim 2 in which the central liner and the lower frame form a single part.

8. Pot according to claim 2 in which the first hinge element of the body is fixed to the lower frame.

9. Pot according to claim 2 in which the lower frame comprises a lower skirt forming a generally vertical axial projection and a generally horizontal part fixing the lower skirt to the central liner through the upper rim.

10. Pot according to claim 1 in which the upper closing element comprises at least one upper attachment means activated by a push-button with elastic resilience, and in which the lower closing element comprises at least one lower attachment means, application of a manual pressure on the push-button making the push-button move along a travel distance, the upper attachment means being displaced with respect to the lower attachment means to unlock the lid from the body.

11. Pot according to claim 10 in which the lower attachment means is a hook fixed to the central liner and generally the upper rim.

12. Pot according to claim 10 in which the push-button is an axial push-button, and the upper attachment means being displaced an axial travel distance, the lid comprising an axial recess through which the axial push-button passes.

13. Pot according to claim 12 in which the axial recess is a central recess, the lid and the central recess generally having the same center or axis of symmetry.

14. Pot according to claim 10 in which, in the absence of the manual pressure, the push-button and the lid are continuous on the surface, the push-button and the lid having external surfaces continuous with a common tangent.

15. Pot according to claim 1 in which the lid comprises an outer shell comprising the axial recess or the central recess, the outer shell being fixed to the second fixed hinge element or forming a single-piece molded part with the second hinge element.

16. Pot according to claim 15 in which the outer shell comprises an upper skirt and an arch, the upper skirt and the arch joining each other at a fillet angle of about 90.degree..

17. Pot according to claim 16 in which at least a part of the upper skirt of the outer shell is an axial or straight upper skirt and the lower skirt of the frame is an axial or straight lower skirt, the outer surfaces of the upper skirt and lower skirt aligned with each other.

18. Pot according to claim 17 in which the lid comprises an inner plate having a central part forming a support for the seal, the seal insertable into the central part, and a peripheral part fixed to the outer shell.

19. Pot according to claim 18 in which the central part of the inner plate and the arch of the shell are spaced axially a distance greater than or equal to the axial travel distance of the push-button to enable axial displacement of the push-button.

20. Pot according to claim 19 in which the peripheral part of the inner plate comprises an axial border providing the axial spacing.

21. Pot according to claim 18 in which the central part and the peripheral part of the inner plate are connected to each other through an intermediate part in the form of an inverted "U" with axial elasticity, the central part having axial mobility with respect to the peripheral part, the lid applying an approximately uniform axial pressure on the part of the seal in contact with the upper rim when the pot is closed.

22. Pot according to claim 18 in which the upper attachment means is supported by a connecting part cooperating with the push-button, the travel distance of the push-button displacing the upper attachment means to unlock the lid.

23. Pot according to claim 22 in which the push-button includes an axial projection provided with a beveled lower plane, and the connecting part includes a horizontal projection provided with a beveled plane at its central end, the beveled planes cooperating with one another, the axial travel distance of the push-button radially or transversely displacing the connecting part and the upper attachment means.

24. Pot according to claim 10 in which the push-button comprises two lateral bending arms to form an elastic resilient means for the push-button when the manual pressure or the axial pressure is not applied.

25. Pot according to claim 22 in which the connecting part includes two front bending arms to form an elastic resilient means for the connecting part.

26. Pot according to claim 1 in which the seal is a plane seal closing off the upper opening when the pot is closed.

27. Pot according to claim 26 in which the plane seal forms or comprises a layer of a material forming a barrier to gases or aromas.

28. Pot according to claim 1 in which at least the body forms or comprises a layer of a material forming a barrier to gases or aromas.

29. Pot according to claim 1 in which the hinge comprises an automatic opening or pre-opening means, the automatic opening or pre-opening means comprising a spring to rotate the lid when the closing means has been activated manually.

30. Pot according to claim 1 in which the capacity of the body or the central liner is between about 15 cm.sup.3 to about 200 cm.sup.3.

31. Pot according to claim 1 in which the body and the lid have the same cross-sectional shape.

32. Pot according to claim 1 having a height H between about 15 mm to about 60 mm.