PHARMACEUTICAL, COSMETIC, FOOD PRODUCTS OR THE LIKE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a container, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like.

Background Art

With special reference to the pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic industries, the use of containers made of polymeric material is known for the packaging of one or more doses of fluid, liquid or pasty products.

Such containers have the advantage of making available a sufficient quantity of product for an extremely limited number of applications, thus maintaining the characteristics of the product unchanged.

The opposite extremity of the containment body is provided with an opening adapted to introduce the product, which is closed once filling has terminated, e.g. by sealing.

Generally speaking, such containers are produced by means of molding techniques, such as injection molding, using specially designed molds.

Known containers can be disposable or re-closable and generally comprise a containment body of a predetermined dose of product, having a substantially tubular and elongated shape, which has an extremity provided with a neck, at the top of which a mouth is defined for dispensing the product.

In particular, disposable containers are phials or the like in which a sufficient quantity of product is contained for a single application and which usually cannot be reclosed after use.

These containers are typically equipped with a removable tear-off cap which does not permit reclosing the dispensing mouth after the application of the product.

Such containers are shown, for example, in patent document EP 0326529 Bl. Re-closable containers, on the other hand, comprise closure means, associable in a removable way with the container itself at the neck, and which make it possible to close the dispensing mouth, thus preventing product contamination. In particular, the containment body and the closure means can be made separately, and then assembled together, or, alternatively, they can be made in a single body piece and then separated before use by a user.

With particular reference to the closure means and their conformation, different types of container are known according to the different methods of use and manufacture.

Special types of re-closable containers are manufactured in a single body piece comprising a shutter element, of the type of a cap or the like, insertable tight in the dispensing mouth, and deformable or breakable elements which connect the closure means to the container body.

These deformable or breakable elements are adapted to alert the user to the possible presence of contamination of the product due to possible tampering and/or accidental opening of the product, thus acting as a tamper-evident seal. Such containers are shown in patent documents EP 2190750 Bl, EP 1289842 Bl.

Furthermore, known containers can be produced in individual units or associated in series with each other to form a so-called "strip", which allow for simpler and smaller volume packaging.

In this case, the containers are equipped with fins made, in general, on the containment bodies of two successive containers temporarily associated with each other at connection lines with weakened section easily tearable, which make it possible to separate one container from the other.

Such containers do however have a number of drawbacks.

In fact, in containers of known type, the product is dispensed through the mouth, generally in the form of drops or, in any case, of a flow that can be directed onto a precise point, so that the application of the product is substantially punctiform.

This type of product dispensing, however, is not functional if it is to be applied on a portion of surface, because it does not allow homogeneous and uniform distribution.

It is also known that for the application of particular cosmetic products such as nail varnishes, compresses, foundations and other fluid substances, phials are normally used made of glass or other material containing the product, and which are provided with an opening into which a closing cap can be screwed.

The closing cap is usually associated with a small rod which supports a brush adapted to allow the product to be spread on the nails and/or on the body parts to be sprinkled with the product.

Such containers of known type have a number of drawbacks, including the fact that they usually have a considerable weight and size and are not practical and easy to use as they require the use of both hands, one to hold the phial firmly and the other to grasp the brush and spread the product to be applied, resulting in significant loss of time and practicality for the user.

The above mentioned drawbacks have been overcome, at least in part, by the contents shown in patent document EP 2299964 Bl, which concerns a container fitted with an applicator.

In particular, such container comprises a containment body for containing a fluid product which is provided with a product dispensing mouth, a mouth closure element and an applicator associable with the containment body in the proximity of the mouth which allows the product to be distributed out of the mouth itself.

However, because the applicator is associated with the mouth outwardly, it is subject to contact with air, dust and possible sources of microbial contamination.

This is an undesirable condition, as it can lead to contamination of the product during application and does not guarantee hygienic conditions.

Furthermore, the production of containers of this type is highly complex and involves significantly higher production costs than conventional containers. Furthermore, the particular conformation of such containers is cumbersome and involves the need for a packaging different from those commonly used and with a larger volume, with a consequent increase in packaging and transport costs which are inevitably passed on to the retail price, with the risk of making the products less attractive to customers.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a container, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, which makes it possible to apply the product contained in it in a homogeneous and even manner on a surface of any kind, maintaining the conditions of hygiene of the product itself, isolating it from contact with pollutants.

Within the illustrated aim, one object of the present invention is to provide a container which permits reducing production costs.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container which is not cumbersome and which permits using a simple packaging which does not involve an increase in packaging costs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container which allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the scope of a simple, rational, easy, efficient to use and cost-effective solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present container, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a container, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting example, in the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric, partly sectional view, of a strip of containers according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the container according to the invention, in a filling configuration, in a first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a partly exploded view of the container according to the invention, in a filling configuration, in a second embodiment;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the container of Figure 3 in a packaging configuration.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these illustrations, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a container, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like. The container 1 comprises at least one hollow body 2 for containing at least one fluid product, provided with at least one chamber 3, which describes a volume inside the hollow body itself, which is filled with the fluid product.

It should be made clear that the term "fluid product" in this document does not refer only to liquid products, but also to viscous products, e.g. in the form of paste and gel, and to powdered products, in particular very fine powders with high flowability.

In the embodiments of the container 1 shown in the illustrations, the hollow body 2 extends in a substantially longitudinal direction, but shapes of other type cannot be ruled out.

The container 1 also comprises at least one closure element 4 made in single body piece with the hollow body 2 and provided with:

at least one attachment portion 5 which, in a packaging configuration, is associated with the hollow body 2 along a predefined breaking line 6 which is adapted to allow the separation of the closure element 4 from the hollow body itself in a separation configuration, in which onto the hollow body 2 is formed at least one dispensing opening 7 of the fluid product; and

at least one gripping portion 8 adapted to be grasped to allow the separation of the closure element 4 from the hollow body 2.

Within the scope of the present document, the term "predefined breaking line" means an area of the container 1 with a thin and weakened section, and which is therefore easily tearable.

Preferably, the hollow body 2 and the closure element 4 are made in a single body piece by means of a plastic material injection molding process inside a specially shaped mold.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the dispensing opening 7 has a substantially circular shape, but solutions involving shapes of different type cannot be ruled out.

Usefully, the hollow body 2 has a substantially tubular shape and comprises at least one introduction opening 9 formed in a position substantially opposite to the predefined breaking line 6 and adapted to insert the fluid product inside the chamber 3, in a filling configuration. The filling of the chamber 3 is performed with the closure element 4 which is still connected to the hollow body 2, so that the fluid product does not come out. Furthermore, the introduction opening 9 is closable after filling, so as not to allow the fluid product to come out and to allow easily packaging the container 1.

Usefully, the introduction opening 9 comprises at least one edge 10 and is adapted to be sealed, after filling, by crushing the edge itself to define at least one sealed portion 11.

It is possible to provide making the sealed portion 11 with a substantially plate shape and to indicate on such portion the data relating to the fluid product contained in the container 1, such as, e.g., the name, the composition, the expiry date, etc.

The possibility cannot be ruled out of providing the closure of the introduction opening 9 by a means other than sealing, such as, e.g., a cap insertable in the introduction opening itself.

As shown in the illustrations, moreover, the gripping portion 8 has a substantially plate shape, so as to allow the user to grip it and lever with respect to the hollow body 2 with extreme ease, separating the closure element 4.

The possibility of making the gripping portion 8 with a different shape, e.g., with gripping fins, of at least in part cylindrical shape, etc., cannot however be ruled out.

The possibility cannot furthermore be ruled out of making the closure element 4 shaped in such a way as to comprise an enlarged portion defining at least a shutter element insertable into the dispensing opening 7, thereby making it possible to reclose the container 1 and preserve the fluid product for uses subsequent to the first use.

According to the invention, the container 1 comprises at least one applicator element 12 which is associated with the attachment portion 5, which in the packaging configuration is housed in the chamber 3, which in the separation configuration is removed from the hollow body 2 through the dispensing opening 7 and is adapted to the application of the fluid product.

The applicator element 12 therefore permits distributing the fluid product evenly on any surface, without the need to use other means for distribution. Moreover, since the applicator element 12, in the packaging configuration, is housed inside the chamber 3, it does not come into contact with air, dust or micro-organisms, so no risk exists of polluting the fluid product at the time of application, which is very important in the event of this being a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic product.

Advantageously, the applicator element 12 has a substantially elongated shape and is provided with at least one distal portion 13 for the application of the fluid product and at least one proximal portion 14 to join the closure element 4.

It should be noted that within the scope of this document, the terms "distal" and "proximal" are used to refer to the closure element 4, whereby the distal portion 13 is the furthest from the closure element 4 and the proximal portion 14 is the closest to the closure element 4.

The distal portion 13 is the one that allows distributing the fluid product and can have different shapes, depending on the type of fluid product itself which is inserted in the chamber 3 and on the type of application to be performed.

In particular, the type of distal portion 13 is selected from the list comprising: a spatula, a plurality of bristles, a nozzle, a spongy applicator, a thin tip applicator, although the possibility of providing distal portions 13 of a different type cannot be ruled out.

With reference to the particular embodiment shown in Figure 2, the applicator element 12 is made in a single monolithic body with the closure element 4.

Therefore, the hollow body 2, the closure element 4 and the applicator element 12 are made in a single body piece, preferably by injection molding of the plastic material into a specially shaped mold.

This way, therefore, the entire container 1 can be produced ready to be filled with the fluid product, without the need for further production steps.

In Figures 3 and 4 is shown a second embodiment of the container 1, wherein the applicator element 12 is associated with the closure element 4 by means of attachment means 15 and is insertable inside the chamber 3 through the introduction opening 9.

In other words, the applicator element 12 is inserted inside the chamber 3 before filling with the fluid product and is permanently associated with the attachment portion 5 of the closure element 4 by means of the attachment means 15.

Usefully, the attachment means 15 are selected from the list comprising: interlocking means, sealing means, gluing means.

In particular, the interlocking means shown in Figures 3 and 4 comprise at least one protruding portion 15a obtained on the proximal portion 14 and at least one seat 15b defined on the attachment portion 5, so that the protruding portion 15a is inserted into the seat 15b.

With regard to the sealing means, these comprise, e.g., sealing by means of ultrasounds or heat sealing performed between the proximal portion 14 and the attachment portion 5.

On the other hand, in the event of gluing means being used, these provide for the application of an adhesive or a gluing substance between the proximal portion 14 and the attachment portion 5, which are then joined together.

The possibility cannot however be ruled out of providing attachments means 15 of a type different to those mentioned.

Advantageously, the container 1 comprises at least one frangible attachment area 16 adapted to connect the container itself to at least one adjacent container 1 to form a strip 17 of containers 1.

In this regard it is specified that a strip consists of a group of containers integral with one another and joined along special connection lines with easily tearable weakened section.

In the embodiments shown in the illustrations, the container 1 is provided with at least one spacer element 18, preferably substantially plate shaped, and associated along the frangible attachment area 16 with the spacer element 18 of the adjacent container 1 to form a strip 17 of containers 1.

Preferably, the hollow body 2 is provided with a pair of spacer elements 18 each made on lateral portions diametrically opposite the hollow body 2.

Furthermore, as shown in the illustrations, the closure element 4 is associated with the closure element 4 of the adjacent container 1 at another frangible attachment area 16.

The possibility cannot however be ruled out of making a strip of containers 1 associated with each other in a different way than that previously shown.

The strip 17 of containers comprises a plurality of containers 1, having the characteristics previously shown, associated with each other at at least one frangible attachment area 16.

As has been seen, it is possible to provide a plurality of frangible attachment areas 16 between the containers 1 forming the strip 17, which can be easily broken in order to separate the container itself from the strip 17.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In this regard, the fact is underlined that the particular solution of providing a container, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food products or the like, allows applying the product contained in it in a homogeneous and uniform manner on a surface of any kind, while maintaining hygiene characteristics.

In particular, the particular solution of housing the applicator element inside the hollow body permits preventing the distal portion from coming into contact with dust, air or micro-organisms which could pollute the fluid product.

Moreover, the particular solution of providing an applicator element provided with a distal portion with different possible conformations allows making the invention flexible to use according to the type of fluid product used and to the type of application to be performed.

Again, the particular solution of providing the applicator element made in a single body with the closure element or, alternatively, fitted before proceeding to fill the container itself, permits significantly cutting production time and costs.

Again, the particular solution of providing a strip of containers in which the applicator element is housed inside the container itself makes it possible to obtain a solution which is not cumbersome and which requires simple packaging, so that packaging costs can be kept very low.