| JP11029180 | MIXING CONTAINER |
| JP2011025424 | USAGE OF POUCH CONTAINER FOR HYDRAULIC COMPOSITION MATERIAL |
| JP3167940 | RICE-COOKING VESSEL |
ABOU, Marine (8 rue de Langeac, Paris, F-75015, FR)
MAELSTAF, Luc (21 rue Amiral Courbet, Bois Colombes, F-92270, FR)
ABOU, Marine (8 rue de Langeac, Paris, F-75015, FR)
| CLAIMS 1.- Method for producing a neck (22) for a first receptacle (12) for a cosmetic product, the neck (22) being of the type comprising: - a base wall (40); - a skirt (42) for coupling a second receptacle (14) for a cosmetic product to the first receptacle (12), the coupling skirt (42) comprising: * a substantially tubular sleeve (54) defining a passage (56) for the introduction of an end fitting (84) of the second receptacle (14), the introduction passage (56) extending along an introduction axis (A-A'); * an internal screw thread (58) for screwing the end fitting (84) of the second receptacle (14) into the sleeve (54), the internal screw thread (58) projecting into the introduction passage (56) towards the introduction axis (A-A') from the sleeve (54), the internal screw thread (58) being of a substantially helical shape at least before a second receptacle (14) is first screwed into the first receptacle (12); the method comprising the following steps: * introducing a deformable material into a moulding cavity (106) of a mould (100), the moulding cavity (106) being of a shape substantially complementary to that of the neck (22) at least in the closed position of the mould (100), the mould (100) comprising at least one movable core (130) delimiting an internal impression (138) which is to form the internal screw thread (58); * at least partially solidifying the deformable material to form the neck (22), the movable core (130) extending into the introduction passage (56) defined by the sleeve (54) of the coupling skirt (42); * removing the neck (22) from the mould, including forcibly removing the movable core (130) from the introduction passage (56). 2.- Method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the forcible removal comprises moving the movable core (130) in translation relative to the sleeve (54) along the introduction axis (A-A') without rotation about the introduction axis (A-A'). 3.- Method according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that it comprises, before the introduction step, placing in the mould (100) a hollow container (20) having an outer edge (16) disposed in the mould cavity (106), the deformable material coming into contact with the outer edge (160) so as to join the base wall (40) of the neck (22) to the hollow container (20) during the solidification step. 4.- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the internal impression (138) of the movable core (130) comprises a plurality of disjointed impression regions, the neck (22) having, after the solidification step, an internal screw thread (58) comprising a plurality of disjointed threads (62) of a shape complementary to the disjointed regions, the disjointed threads (62) being spaced angularly from one another about the introduction axis (A-A'). 5.- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that after the neck has been removed from the mould, the neck comprises a peripheral skirt (44) extending around the coupling skirt (42) and a wall (46) connecting the peripheral skirt (44) to the coupling skirt (42), the peripheral skirt (44) advantageously having an external screw thread (70) projecting radially away from the coupling skirt (42). 6.- Mould (100) for producing a neck (22) for a first receptacle (12) for a cosmetic product, the neck (22) being of the type comprising: - a base wall (40); - a skirt (42) for coupling a second receptacle (14) for a cosmetic product to the first receptacle (12), the coupling skirt (42) comprising: * a substantially tubular sleeve (54) defining a passage (56) for the introduction of an end fitting (84) of the second receptacle (14), the introduction passage (56) extending along an introduction axis (A-A'); * an internal screw thread (58) for screwing the end fitting (84) of the second receptacle (14) into the sleeve (54), the internal screw thread (58) projecting into the introduction passage (56) towards the introduction axis (A-A') from the sleeve (54), the internal screw thread (58) being of a substantially helical shape at least before a second receptacle (14) is first screwed into the first receptacle (12); the mould (100) being characterised in that it comprises a first mould half (102) and a second mould half (104) which are movable relative to one another between an open position of the mould (100) and a closed position of the mould (100), in which the first mould half (102) and the second mould half (104) delimit a moulding cavity (106) of a shape complementary to the shape of the neck (22), the first mould half (102) comprising a movable core (130) delimiting an internal impression (138) which is to form the internal screw thread (58), the core (130) being movable during the removal from the mould of the neck (22) relative to at least one of the first mould half (102) and the second mould half (104) between a position inserted into the introduction passage (56) of the coupling skirt (42) and a position extracted from the introduction passage (56) of the coupling skirt (42) to remove the movable core (130) forcibly from the introduction passage (56). 7.- Mould (100) according to claim 6, characterised in that the movable core (130) can be moved in translation relative to the sleeve (54) along the introduction axis (A-A') without rotation about the introduction axis (A-A') during the removal of the neck from the mould. 8.- Mould (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the internal impression (138) of the movable core (130) comprises a plurality of disjointed impression regions for forming on the neck (22) an internal screw thread (58) comprising a plurality of disjointed threads (62) spaced angularly from one another about the introduction axis (A-A'). 9.- Neck (22) for a first receptacle (12) for a cosmetic product, the neck (22) being of the type comprising: - a base wall (40); - a skirt (42) for coupling a second receptacle (14) for a cosmetic product to the first receptacle (12), the coupling skirt (42) comprising: * a substantially tubular sleeve (54) defining a passage (56) for the introduction of an end fitting (84) of the second receptacle (14), the introduction passage (56) extending along an introduction axis (A-A'); * an internal screw thread (58) for screwing the end fitting (84) of the second receptacle (14) into the sleeve (54), the internal screw thread (58) projecting into the introduction passage (56) towards the introduction axis (A-A') from the sleeve (54), the internal screw thread (58) being of a substantially helical shape at least before a second receptacle (14) is first screwed into the first receptacle (12); characterised in that the screw thread (58) comprises a plurality of disjointed threads (62) spaced angularly from one another about the introduction axis (A-A'), the threads (62) advantageously delimiting between them at least one axial channel (64) which is exposed over the entire height of the screw thread (58). 10- Neck (22) according claim 9, characterised in that it comprises at least one internal stop (60) for blocking the screwing of the second receptacle (14), the or each stop (60) projecting towards the axis of introduction (A-A') in the introduction passage (56). 11.- Neck (22) according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of internal blocking stops (60), each internal blocking stop (60) being disposed axially opposite a thread (62) of the screw thread (58). 12.- Neck (22) according to either claim 10 or claim 11 , characterised in that the or each stop (60) delimits a flat (66) extending substantially perpendicular to the introduction axis (A-A'). 13.- Neck (22) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that it comprises a peripheral skirt (44) extending around the coupling skirt (42) and a wall (46) connecting the peripheral skirt (44) to the coupling skirt (42), the peripheral skirt (44) advantageously having an external screw thread (70) projecting radially away from the coupling skirt (42). 14.- Receptacle (12) for containing a cosmetic product, characterised in that it comprises a hollow container (20) for receiving a cosmetic product and a neck (22) according to any one of claims 8 to 12 closing the hollow container (20). 15.- Device (10) for preparing a cosmetic composition, characterised in that it comprises a first receptacle (12) according to claim 14, containing a first cosmetic product, and a second receptacle (14) containing a second cosmetic product and having an end fitting (84) of a shape substantially complementary to the introduction passage (56) and able to be screwed into the introduction passage (56). 16.- Method for preparing a cosmetic composition, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: - providing a preparation device (10) according to claim 15, the first receptacle (12) containing a first cosmetic product and the second receptacle (14) containing a second cosmetic product; - screwing the end fitting (84) of the second receptacle (14) into the introduction passage (56) of the first receptacle (12); - transferring the second cosmetic product contained in the second receptacle (14) to the first receptacle (12). |
The present invention relates to a method for producing a neck for a first receptacle for a cosmetic product. A neck of this type is suitable for sealing a first receptacle containing a first cosmetic product, to which a second receptacle containing a second cosmetic product is to be coupled by screwing.
The term "cosmetic product" is to be in particular understood within the meaning of the present invention as a product defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14th June 1993.
Receptacles of this type are used in particular for preparing cosmetic compositions containing two cosmetic products before being mixed immediately prior to the application thereof on a user.
For example, the cosmetic composition is an oxidation dye for hair. In this case, the first cosmetic product is formed by a colorant and the second cosmetic product is formed by an oxidant. These products must be stored separately and not mixed until the time of application of the dye composition to the hair, on account of the high reactivity of the oxidant in particular.
To facilitate the preparation of the cosmetic composition, it is known to dispose the first cosmetic product in a first receptacle of large volume formed from plastics material for example, and to place the more reactive second cosmetic product in a compressible metal tube provided at the end thereof with a distribution fitting.
At the upper end thereof, the first receptacle comprises a neck of the aforementioned type having a coupling skirt which defines a passage for introducing the second receptacle. The skirt is provided with an internal screw thread projecting into the introduction passage to enable the second receptacle to be screwed in.
When the user wishes to prepare the cosmetic composition, he takes the second receptacle and screws the end fitting thereof into the interior of the coupling skirt of the first receptacle. The user then compresses the flexible tube forming the second receptacle to cause the second cosmetic product contained in the second receptacle to pass into the interior volume defined by the first receptacle.
The user then removes the second receptacle and fits a distribution end fitting onto the coupling skirt of the first receptacle. Finally, the user mixes the products in the first receptacle in order to apply the cosmetic composition onto his hair.
A known preparation device is disclosed in the French application FR-A-2 685 301 for example.
The first receptacle of this device is provided with a neck having a coupling skirt provided with a continuous internal screw thread for screwing the tube thereto. It further comprises a peripheral skirt provided with an external screw thread for screwing a cap onto the first receptacle before inserting the tube.
A neck of this type is thus difficult to produce by moulding, since the internal thread and the external thread present on the neck form back-draft on undercut portions which require careful removal from the mould. It is thus necessary to provide a complex mould to allow the internal screw thread to be removed, for example by unscrewing a movable core from the mould. However, a mould of this type is costly and does not allow the productivity of the production method to be optimised since unscrewing the movable core increases the cycle time. An object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for producing a neck for a first receptacle which enables easy coupling to a second receptacle to be achieved, the method being simple to implement while still permitting the neck to be produced at a low cost.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a method of the aforementioned type, the neck being of the type comprising:
- a base wall;
- a skirt for coupling a second receptacle for a cosmetic product to the first receptacle, the coupling skirt comprising:
* a substantially tubular sleeve defining a passage for the introduction of an end fitting of the second receptacle, the introduction passage extending along an introduction axis;
* an internal screw thread for screwing the end fitting of the second receptacle into the sleeve, the internal screw thread projecting into the introduction passage towards the introduction axis from the sleeve, the internal screw thread being of a substantially helical shape at least before a second receptacle is first screwed into the first receptacle the method comprising the following steps: * introducing a deformable material into a moulding cavity of a mould, the moulding cavity being of a shape substantially complementary to that of the neck at least in the closed position of the mould, the mould comprising at least one movable core delimiting an internal impression which is to form the internal screw thread; * at least partially solidifying the deformable material to form the neck, the movable core extending into the introduction passage defined by the sleeve of the coupling skirt;
* demoulding the neck including forcibly removing the movable core from the introduction passage. The method according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination:
- the forcible removal comprises moving the movable core in translation relative to the sleeve along the introduction axis without rotation about the introduction axis; - it comprises, before the introduction step, placing in the mould a hollow container having an outer edge disposed in the mould cavity, the deformable material coming into contact with the outer edge so as to join the base wall of the neck to the hollow container during the solidification step;
- the internal impression of the movable core comprises a plurality of disjointed impression regions, the neck having, after the solidification step, an internal screw thread comprising a plurality of disjointed threads of a shape complementary to the disjointed regions, the disjointed threads being spaced angularly from one another about the introduction axis;
- the deformable material introduced in the mold is compressed to form the neck.
The invention further relates to a mould for producing a neck for a first receptacle for a cosmetic product, the neck being of the type comprising:
- a base wall; - a skirt for coupling a second receptacle for a cosmetic product to the first receptacle, the coupling skirt comprising:
* a substantially tubular sleeve defining a passage for the introduction of an end fitting of the second receptacle, the introduction passage extending along an introduction axis;
* an internal screw thread for screwing the end fitting of the second receptacle into the sleeve, the internal screw thread projecting into the introduction passage towards the introduction axis from the sleeve, the internal screw thread being of a substantially helical shape at least before a second receptacle is first screwed into the first receptacle; the mould being characterised in that it comprises a first mould half and a second mould half which are movable relative to one another between an open position of the mould and a closed position of the mould, in which the first mould half and the second mould half delimit a moulding cavity of a shape complementary to the shape of the neck, the first mould half comprising a movable core delimiting an internal impression which is to form the internal screw thread, the core being movable during the removal from the mould of the neck relative to at least one of the first mould half and the second mould half between a position inserted into the introduction passage of the coupling skirt and a position extracted from the introduction passage of the coupling skirt to remove the movable core forcibly from the introduction passage.
The mould according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination:
- the movable core can be moved in translation relative to the sleeve along the introduction axis without rotation about the introduction axis during the removal of the neck from the mould; and
- the internal impression of the movable core comprises a plurality of disjointed impression regions for forming on the neck an internal screw thread comprising a plurality of disjointed threads spaced angularly from one another about the introduction axis; and
- the deformable material introduced into the mould is compressed to form the neck. The invention further relates to a neck for a first receptacle for a cosmetic product, the neck being of the type comprising:
- a base wall;
- a skirt for coupling a second receptacle for a cosmetic product to the first receptacle, the coupling skirt comprising:
* a substantially tubular sleeve defining a passage for the introduction of an end fitting of the second receptacle, the introduction passage extending along an introduction axis;
* an internal screw thread for screwing the end fitting of the second receptacle into the sleeve, the internal screw thread projecting into the introduction passage towards the introduction axis from the sleeve, the internal screw thread being of a substantially helical shape at least before a second receptacle is first screwed into the first receptacle; characterised in that the screw thread comprises a plurality of disjointed threads spaced angularly from one another about the introduction axis.
The neck according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination:
- the threads delimit between them at least one axial channel which is exposed over the entire height of the screw thread; - it comprises at least one internal stop for blocking the screwing of the second receptacle, the or each stop projecting towards the introduction axis into the introduction passage;
- it comprises a plurality of internal blocking stops, each internal blocking stop being disposed axially opposite a thread of the screw thread; - the or each stop delimits a flat extending substantially perpendicular to the introduction axis; and
- it comprises a peripheral skirt extending around the coupling skirt and a wall connecting the peripheral skirt to the coupling skirt, the peripheral skirt having an external screw thread projecting radially away from the coupling skirt. The invention further relates to a receptacle for containing a cosmetic product, characterised in that it comprises a hollow container for receiving a cosmetic product and a neck as defined above closing the hollow container. The invention further relates to a device for preparing a cosmetic composition, characterised in that it comprises a first receptacle as defined above, containing a first cosmetic product, and a second receptacle containing a second cosmetic product and having an end fitting of a shape substantially complementary to the introduction passage and able to be screwed into the introduction passage.
The second receptacle is advantageously a tube, in particular a tube having a body and an end fitting with a diameter smaller than the maximum size of the body.
The invention also relates to a method for preparing a cosmetic composition, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:
- providing a preparation device as defined above, the first receptacle containing a first cosmetic product and the second receptacle containing a second cosmetic product;
- screwing the end fitting of the second receptacle into the introduction passage of the first receptacle;
- transferring the second cosmetic product contained in the second receptacle to the first receptacle.
A clearer understanding of the invention will be obtained upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and in reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first device for preparing a cosmetic product according to the invention comprising two receptacles to be coupled;
- Fig. 2 is a sectional view along a vertical median plane of the neck of the first receptacle of the device of Fig. 1 , before the second receptacle is attached; - Fig. 3 is a plan view of the neck of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 when the second receptacle is coupled to the first receptacle;
- Fig. 5 is a view of a detail of Fig. 4 showing the coupling of the second receptacle to the first receptacle; - Fig. 6 is a partial perspective plan view of the neck of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 7 is a partial schematic sectional view along a vertical median plane of the mould for producing the neck of Fig. 2 during a first step of the production of the neck; - Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7 during a second step of the production of the neck;
- Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 8 during the forcible removal of the neck from the mould; and - Fig. 10 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7 after the neck has been forcibly removed from the mould.
In the following, the terms "interior" and "exterior" refer to the receptacle and the internal volume defined thereby. The terms "lower" and "upper" refer to the positioning of the receptacles in the figures which are arranged so as to allow the reference numerals to be read.
A first device 10 for preparing a cosmetic composition according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1.
This device comprises a first receptacle 12 containing a first cosmetic product, a second receptacle 14 containing a second cosmetic product intended to be mixed with the first cosmetic product, and an end fitting 16 for applying the cosmetic composition on a user, this end fitting being suitable to be connected by means of screwing to the end of the first receptacle after the products have been mixed. The applicator end fitting is in the form of a comb and comprises holes for distributing the mixed product. The device 10 further comprises a packaging 17 to store the containers 12,
14 and the applicator end fitting 16.
The first cosmetic product and the second cosmetic product are intended to be mixed by the user to form the cosmetic composition in the first receptacle 12 immediately prior to application of said composition onto the user. The composition is an oxidation dye for hair for example, the first cosmetic product and the second cosmetic product being a colorant paste and an oxidant respectively.
As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the first receptacle 12 comprises a hollow container 20, a neck 22 according to the invention which is connected to the hollow container 20, and a closure cap 24 which is screwed onto the neck 22 before the second receptacle 14 is coupled to the first receptacle 12. As shown in Fig. 1 , the shape of the container 20 is generally cylindrical. It has a base 26 and a lateral wall 28 which delimits an internal volume 30 which opens out via an upper opening 32 which is closed by the neck 22.
The container 20 is advantageously formed in one piece from a thermoplastic synthetic material such as a polyolefin, high-density polyethylene for example.
As shown in Fig. 2, the neck 22 comprises a base wall 40 in the form of a truncated cone, a central skirt 42 for coupling the second receptacle 14 to the first receptacle 12, a peripheral skirt 44 for screwing the cap 24, and a connecting wall 46 in the form of a truncated cone between the coupling skirt 42 and the peripheral skirt 44.
The base wall 40 has a cross-section, when viewed in any vertical median plane such as the cross-sectional plane of the figure, which converges externally towards the skirts 42, 44 away from the container 20. The wall 40 extends between a lower peripheral edge 50, to which the lateral wall 28 of the container 20 is connected, and an upper edge 52 from which the peripheral skirt 44 projects upwards.
In this example, and as shown below in relation to figures 7 to 10, the base wall 40, the coupling skirt 42, the peripheral skirt 44 and the connecting wall 46 are formed in one piece by moulding a thermoplastic synthetic material such as a polyolefin, high-density polyethylene for example.
With reference to Fig. 2, the central skirt 42 comprises a tubular coupling sleeve 54 which defines a central passage 56 for the introduction of the second receptacle 14, and a discontinuous screw thread 58 which projects radially into the central passage 56. The sleeve 54 projects externally from the base wall 40.
Below the screw thread 58, the coupling skirt 42 comprises discontinuous stops 60 for immobilising the second receptacle 14 in the passage 56.
The sleeve 54 projects externally along and about the axis of introduction A- A', defined by the passage 56, from the connecting wall 46 above the base wall 40 to an external edge 61.
The external edge 61 of the sleeve 54 defines an axial notch 61 A for introducing air into the passage 56. The notch 61 A opens upwards and through the sleeve 54. In this example, the axis A-A' of the sleeve 54 and the central passage 56 is coaxial with the central vertical axis of the container 20. In a variant, the axes are transversely offset.
Internally, the introduction passage 56 opens downwards into the internal volume 30 through the opening 32 below the base wall 40. Externally, it opens upwards out of the first receptacle 12.
As shown below, the introduction passage 56 is intended to receive an end fitting of the second receptacle 14 when it is screwed onto the first receptacle 12.
When the second receptacle 14 is not connected to the first receptacle 12, the introduction passage 56 allows the application end fitting 16 to be attached and the cosmetic composition contained in the internal volume 30 of the first receptacle 12 to be extracted.
The screw thread 58 has a helical shape with an axis A-A' extending angularly over more than one revolution, and advantageously over one and a half revolutions, about the axis A-A'. The screw thread 58 is formed in a helical shape when the neck 22 is moulded, before the second receptacle 14 is first screwed into the neck 22.
In the example shown in Fig. 2, 3, 4 and 6, the screw thread 58 is discontinuous. It thus comprises a plurality of continuous threads 62 which are spaced angularly from one another about the axis A-A' and run along the general helical trajectory of the screw thread 58. In this example, the threads 62 delimit between them, while running axially along an internal surface of the sleeve 54, axial channels 64 which are exposed over the entire height of the screw thread 58.
As shown in Fig. 3, the threads 62 project radially towards the axis A-A' from an internal surface of the sleeve 54 which delimits the introduction passage 56.
The threads 62 are distributed in three disjointed angular sectors α1 , α2, α3, shown in Fig. 3, about the axis A-A'. Each thread 62 is separated from an adjacent thread 62 by a longitudinal channel 64. Each thread 62 has an angular extension α1 , α2, α3 greater than 15° and strictly less than 120°. In the example shown in the figures, each angular sector α1 , α2, α3 about the axis A-A' comprises two threads 62 arranged one above the other and facing one another.
Each thread 62 comprises an internal inclined face directed towards the internal volume 32. When viewed in an axial plane passing through the axis A-A', the internal face has a cross-section which is inclined by an angle of less than 50° and approximately 45° relative to the axis A-A' to facilitate the process of forcibly removing the neck 22 from the mould, as shown below.
The maximum radial extension of each thread 62, when viewed in the introduction passage 56 from the internal surface of the sleeve 54, perpendicularly to the axis A-A', is less than 20 %, advantageously less than 10 % of the maximum radial extension of the introduction passage 56, when viewed perpendicularly to the axis A-A' in a region without a thread 62.
The channels 64 are defined axially between the lateral ends of each pair of adjacent threads 62. Each channel 64 extends in an angular sector β1 , β2, β3 located around the axis A-A' between two angular sectors α1 , α2, α3 containing threads 62.
Each channel 64 opens upwards and downwards. There are no back-draft portions over the entire height of the screw thread 58 between the threads 62. The process of forcibly removing the neck 22 from the mould according to the invention is thus facilitated by the presence of the channels 64, in which no part projects radially towards the axis A-A'.
In the example shown in Fig. 1 to 6, the neck 22 comprises three immobilisation stops 60 which are distributed angularly in the angular sectors α1 , α2, α3. Each stop 60 is thus positioned internally axially opposite a thread 62.
Each stop 60 comprises a flat 66 which extends perpendicularly to the axis A-A' along the upper edge 68 of the stop 60 towards a thread 62.
The flats 66 project radially towards the axis A-A' in the passage 56 so as to define a surface for immobilising the end fitting of the second receptacle 14. In this example, the flats 66 extend exclusively in the angular sectors α1 , α2, α3 containing the threads 62. The exposed longitudinal channels 64 thus extend between the flats 66. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6, one of the threads 62 extends up to a flat
66 against which it abuts. This configuration enables gradual resistance against the screwing of the second receptacle 14 into the neck 22 to be exerted before said second receptacle is immobilised in the passage 56. The peripheral skirt 44 comprises a peripheral sleeve 69 which has an axis
A-A' and projects upwards parallel to the axis A-A' towards the exterior from the upper edge 52 of the base wall 40. The peripheral sleeve 69 extends externally around and at a distance from the coupling sleeve 54.
The peripheral sleeve 69 has an external screw thread 70 which projects radially at a distance from the axis A-A' from an external surface of the sleeve 69 to enable the cap 24 to be screwed on.
The connecting wall 46 has a cross-section, when viewed in any median vertical plane, which converges towards the container 20. The wall extends radially between a median portion of the peripheral sleeve 69 and the lower edge of the coupling sleeve 54 over the entire periphery of the sleeves 54, 69 about the axis A-A'.
Internally, the connecting wall 46 tightly closes off an annular space 72 which is delimited between the respective sleeves 54, 69 of the skirts 42, 44. Externally, the annular space 72 opens upwards. The second receptacle 14 is advantageously produced from a metal tube which is harder than the plastics material forming the neck 22.
As shown in Fig. 1 , the second receptacle 14 comprises a hollow deformable body 80 delimiting an internal volume 82 for receiving the second cosmetic product. The second receptacle further comprises an end fitting 84 for coupling to the first receptacle 12 and a plug 86 for sealing the internal volume 82.
In this example, the body 80 is a tube closed along the lower edge thereof and opening only via the end fitting 84.
As is shown in Fig. 5, the end fitting 84 is of a shape substantially conjugate to that of the introduction passage 56. It comprises an external screw thread of a shape complementary to the internal screw thread 58.
The operation of the first device 10 according to the invention will now be described. Initially, the first receptacle 12 and the second receptacle 14 are provided, for example in the packaging 17 thereof.
The first receptacle 12 contains the first cosmetic product in the internal volume 30 thereof. The second receptacle 14 contains, in the internal volume 82 thereof, the second cosmetic product for mixing with the first cosmetic product to form the cosmetic composition.
To prepare the composition, the user removes the plug 24 from the first receptacle 12 and the plug 86 from the second receptacle 14. He turns the second receptacle 14 upside-down and brings the end fitting 84 thereof into contact with the neck 22 of the first receptacle 12. For this purpose, he introduces the end fitting 84 of the second receptacle 14 into the introduction passage 56 of the coupling skirt 42 by screwing it into the screw thread 58.
Although the screw thread 58 is discontinuous to facilitate the removal from the mould of the neck 22, it is still easy to engage the end fitting 84 and screw it onto the threads 62 in a reliable manner.
When the lower edge of the end fitting 84 comes into contact with a flat 66 on the upper edge 68 of a stop 60, screwing the end fitting 84 of the second receptacle 14 becomes more difficult and then stops, the flats 66 thus forming a hard spot. The presence of the flats 66 forming a hard spot prevents mechanical deterioration of the screw 58 and of the thread parts 62 thereof. This configuration makes it possible to avoid drilling the screw thread.
In this configuration, shown in part in Fig. 5, the internal volume 82 of the second receptacle 14 is connected to the internal volume 30 of the first receptacle through the passage 56 of the neck 22.
The user thus squeezes the body 80 to make the second cosmetic product pass from the internal volume 82 to the internal volume 30 of the first receptacle.
The presence of the longitudinal channels 64 between the threads 62 of the discontinuous screw thread 58 makes it possible to evacuate the air contained in the internal volume 30 of the first receptacle 12, which is driven out when the second cosmetic product is introduced. The flow of the second cosmetic product into the internal volume 30 of the first receptacle through the neck 22 is therefore regular and easy to control. The presence of the notch 61 A on the upper edge 61 of the sleeve 54 further allows the air coming from the first receptacle to escape completely into the atmosphere during the transfer of the product.
Further, the play, selected so as to be significant, between the neck 22 and the end fitting of the second receptacle also allows the evacuation of the air.
When the product has been transferred completely, the user unscrews the second receptacle 14 and mixes the first cosmetic product with the second cosmetic product in the first receptacle 12 by shaking the first container, which was sealed beforehand. Then, when the cosmetic composition is ready, the user applies this composition using the application end fitting 16, which was screwed onto the first receptacle beforehand.
As will be seen below, the presence of a first receptacle 12 provided with a neck 22 according to the invention facilitates the production of the receptacle 12 and of the neck 22 thereof, while offering a user simple and reliable use. The method for producing the first receptacle 12 according to the invention will now be described in connection with Fig. 7 to 10, which show the mould 100 for moulding the neck 22 and joining it to the hollow container 20.
As is shown in Fig. 7 to 10, the mould 100 comprises a first mould half, forming a die 102, and a second mould half, forming a punch 104 which is mounted so as to be movable relative to the die 102 between an open position of the mould, shown in Fig. 7, and a closed position of the mould, shown in Fig. 8.
In the closed position, the die 102 and the punch 104 delimit between them a mould cavity 106 of a shape complementary to that of the neck 22.
The die 102 comprises an external peripheral shell 108 and a central bar 110 comprising a core which can be moved in translation along a central movement axis B-B' relative to the external shell 108.
The shell 108 comprises an upper region 112 delimiting an internal shoulder 114, which is to form the base wall 40, and a lower region 116, which delimits a substantially cylindrical lower surface 118 having an external impression 120. The cylindrical surface 118 is to delimit the outer surface of the peripheral skirt 44. The external impression 120 is of a shape conjugate to the shape of the external screw thread 70 of the peripheral skirt 44. The lower region 108 is made from a plurality of mould elements distributed angularly around the axis B-B'. The mould elements are movable radially relative to the axis B-B' between a closed configuration, in which the region 108 delimits a continuous peripheral surface 118 in the mould cavity 106, and an open configuration shown in Fig. 9 in which the different elements are spaced radially from one another and are spaced from the axis B-B' so as to allow the external screw thread 70 to be removed from the mould.
The bar 110 comprises a movable central core 130 which is to form the inner surface of the coupling skirt 42 and a fixed annular casing 132 forming the annular space 72 between the skirts 42, 44.
The central core 130 is of a substantially cylindrical shape. It has an upper surface 134 for application against the punch 104 and a peripheral surface 136, with axis B-B', for partially delimiting the mould cavity 106 to form the inner surface of the skirt 42. The peripheral surface 136 delimits an internal impression 138 for forming the screw thread 58 and an upper cavity 140 forming the stops 60 and the flats 66 thereof.
The internal impression 138 is of a shape conjugate to that of the screw thread 58. When the mould 100 is to form a neck 22 as shown in Fig.1 to 6, the impression 138 thus has a plurality of disjointed hollow regions, spaced annularly, of shapes complementary to the different threads 62 of the screw thread 58.
In a variant, when the mould 100 is to form a neck 22 provided with a continuous screw thread 58, the internal impression 138 is formed by a continuous helical cavity extending around the axis B-B'.
The annular casing 132 has an upper projection 142 of a shape conjugate to the shape of the annular space 72.
The central core 130 is displaceable along the axis B-B' relative to the annular casing 132 and relative to the external shell 108, between a moulding position, retracted into the external shell 108, shown in Fig. 7 and 8, for delimiting the mould cavity 106, and a position for extracting the second receptacle 14 from the mould, shown in Fig. 9, in which the core 130 projects externally out of the external shell 108. The punch 104 is of a generally cylindrical shape. It has an external peripheral surface 150 supporting the hollow container 20 and a lower surface 152 for sealing the mould cavity 106 disposed opposite the die 102.
The sealing surface 152 extends substantially transversely to the axis B-B'. It comprises a peripheral region 154 of a shape conjugate to the inner surface of the base wall 40 and to the inner surface of the connecting wall 46.
The sealing surface 152 further has a central region 156 for application against the upper surface 134 of the core 130 when the punch 104 is in the position thereof for closing the mould 100. The mould cavity 106 is of a shape substantially conjugate to that of the neck 22 when the punch 104 is in the closed position of the mould, when the external shell 108 is in the closed configuration thereof and when the core 130 is in the retracted position thereof. The cavity 106 is then delimited respectively by the shoulder 114, the outer surface 118, the upper projection 142 of the annular casing 132, the peripheral surface 136 of the core 130, and the outer region 154 of the lower surface 152 of the punch.
In this configuration, the central region 156 of the sealing surface 152 is applied against the upper surface 134.
The process for producing the first receptacle 12 comprises a phase of producing the hollow container 20, a phase of moulding the neck 22 and joining it to the hollow container 20, and a phase of forcibly removing the neck 22 from the mould.
During the phase of producing the hollow container 20, the hollow container 20 is produced by extruding the lateral wall 28 in the form of a tube and by cutting the tube thus formed.
The container 20 is thus engaged around the punch 104 so as to be held in contact with the outer surface 150. Part of the free outer edge 160 of the lateral wall 28 projects downwards away from the punch 104.
Then, during the moulding and joining phase, the punch 104 is brought opposite the die 102 in the open position of the mould 100. A dose 158 of partially melted plastics material, capable of deformation, is introduced between the punch
104 and the die 102 into the cavity delimited by the outer region 112 of the shell
108 above the bar 110. The dose 158 forms a string. In this configuration, the core 130 is in the retracted position thereof.
Then, the punch 140 is brought towards the die 102 as far as the closed position of the mould 100. In this position, the mould 100 delimits, as was seen above, a mould cavity 106 having a shape complementary to that of the neck 22. The upper edge 160 of the lateral wall 28 thus projects into the mould cavity
106.
During this displacement, the dose 158 introduced into the die 106 is deformed and fills the mould cavity 106 to form the neck 22 and to join it to the outer edge 160 of the wall 28. The molten plastics material contained in the cavity 106 then at least partially solidifies, for example by cooling the punch 104 and the die 102.
The skirts 44, 46, provided with the respective screw threads 58, 70 thereof, are then formed. The core 130 is disposed in the introduction passage 56 of the coupling skirt 42 with the displacement axis B-B' thereof coincident with the axis A- A' of the passage 56. The upper projection 142 occupies the annular space 72.
During the phase of removal from the mould, the mould elements in the lower region 116 of the outer shell 108 thus open radially into the open configuration shown in Fig. 9, to disengage the external screw thread 70 and allow the extraction thereof from the die 102. The punch 104 is extracted from the container 20. The core 130 then passes from the retracted position thereof to the deployed position thereof, as shown in Fig. 9. This displaces the neck 22 and the container 20 upwards away from the die 102. During this displacement, the upper projection 142 leaves the annular space 72 between the skirts 42, 44 which is thus cleared. Then, in a step of forcible removal from the mould, the container 20 and the neck 22 are held so as to be unable to move along the axis B-B', by a holding means (not shown). The core 130 is again displaced along the axis B-B' towards the retracted position thereof in the die 102, leading to the forcible extraction thereof out of the introduction passage 56, from the connecting wall 46 towards the outer edge 61 , to remove the internal screw thread 58 from the mould.
The inclined shape of the inner face of the or each thread 62, the dimensions, and where applicable the discontinuities of the screw thread 58 facilitate this forcible removal from the mould. Further, the sleeve 54 of the coupling skirt 42 deforms radially into the annular space 72 to promote the passage of the core 130 between the or each thread 62 of the screw thread 58.
During removal from the mould, the relative movement of the central core 130 relative to the coupling skirt 42 is a translational movement along the axis A-A', without rotation about said axis A-A', allowing rapid removal from the mould using a mould 100 which has a low complexity and is thus inexpensive to produce.
The first receptacle 12 is thus detached from the mould and the production of another receptacle can begin, with a very low cycle time.
The method disclosed above, comprising a step of forcibly removing the internal screw thread 58 from the mould, is implemented identically for producing necks 22 provided with a discontinuous internal screw thread 58 as shown in Fig.
1 to 6, or necks 22 provided with a continuous internal screw thread 58 comprising a single continuous thread 62.
The neck 22 is thus produced in one piece in a simple and inexpensive manner suitable for mass production.
It is therefore advantageous to implement the method according to the invention, which includes the compression of the dose 158 to form the neck 22 followed by forcible demoulding of the neck 22. This method makes it possible to produce necks of complex shapes by compression in a simple manner without an intervening injection process being necessary.
This method also advantageously makes it possible to demould forcibly an internal screw thread disposed on an internal skirt when the neck further comprises a peripheral skirt located around the internal skirt.
As stated above, the connecting wall 46 is solid, so as to seal internally the annular space disposed between the skirts 42 and 44.