EP0636104B1 - Arrangement for refilling a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an arrangement for refilling a container (1) to be refilled with pourable products and having at least one metering product outlet aperture (3) by means of a refilling container (2) with an outlet aperture (15). The arrangement is designed to facilitate the easy, user-friendly refilling of such expensive product containers from simple refilling containers, with the particular intention of preventing the product from contacting the user during the refilling process. This aim is achieved in that the container (1) to be refilled, fitted with a closable refilling aperture (4), is fitted with a first connecting component (8) and the refilling container (2) can be connected to the first connecting component (8) via a second connecting component (16) at its outlet aperture.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for refilling a container, consisting of the refillable container for flowable products with a closable product outlet opening and a closable refill opening, preferably arranged below the product outlet opening, with a first coupling element fixed therein, and a refill container with an adapter-like connection the second coupling element adapted to the first coupling element and a device for opening the outlet opening of the refilling container which was closed before the refilling process when the second coupling element is inserted into the first coupling element.

A large number of containers for flowable products are known which are equipped with permanently integrated dispensers. After these containers have been emptied, they can no longer be used because refilling is not possible. These containers are therefore only suitable for one-time use, which is unsatisfactory from an economic and ecological point of view.

However, arrangements have also become known in which the stable container to be refilled is equipped with a metering device screwed into the product outlet opening, which can be unscrewed. Subsequently, a refill package, which can consist, for example, of a flexible bag or the like, can then be used to refill the product through the product outlet opening. However, these arrangements have several disadvantages. On the one hand, there is a risk that the user when Refilling can come into contact with the product, which is particularly unacceptable for hazardous substances. On the other hand, screwing or unscrewing the dosing device requires great care, since otherwise no tightness between the dosing device and the outlet opening is guaranteed, so that an undesired leakage can occur during subsequent dosing. In addition, there is a risk that the user will use the container without a dosing device after unscrewing the dosing device, so that incorrect dosing and product delivery from the bottle that is no longer suitable for the application can occur.

A generic arrangement is known from DE-U-8606224. In this prior art, the connection between the refill container and the product container is designed as a screw thread. To open the refill container, the refill container must be screwed far onto the refill opening of the product container. With a small-volume refill container, as disclosed in this document, this process is relatively easy to carry out. With large-volume refill containers that have to be held with both hands when refilling, the execution of screwing movements during the refilling process is not particularly user-friendly. In addition, with large-volume refill containers, adequate ventilation of the product container and refill container must be ensured. In this known prior art, special ventilation devices are not provided. According to this prior art, if the product outlet opening is closed by a closure cap, the ventilation required for a larger-volume refill container is not provided.

Containers with two openings are known from US Pat. No. 3,182,861 and WO91 / 06503, the container according to WO91 / 06503 having a larger fill opening and a smaller discharge opening. A valve arranged as an end piece on a hose leading to a pump is screwed onto this discharge opening. To open the valve is a valve actuator in the Dispensing opening of the container arranged. But here, too, the valve is screwed onto the dispensing opening, so that the handling disadvantages explained above result. Furthermore, the closure element is a spring-loaded valve, which represents a complex closure for simple refill containers. Valve-like plug-in coupling elements for coupling two containers together are also known from DE-U-8429005. Furthermore, it is known from W089 / 07575 to open a closed container opening when coupling to a removal valve by means of a mandrel. In all these known arrangements, however, no ventilation option is provided in the area of the coupling. This must be designed elsewhere in a refill container.

Finally, EP-A-0 421 538 discloses a container with an opening and an element to be placed on the container opening for opening a refill bag. The refill bag is opened in that a mandrel of the container opening attachment pierces the wall of the refill bag. In this prior art, the refill bag does not have a special adapter, so that when the mandrel is inserted into the wall of the bag there is a risk that the liquid will spurt out in an uncontrolled manner. In addition, such an opening process is only possible with correspondingly thin refill bags.

The object of the invention is to provide a complete product container refill container system which ensures that the possibility of dispensing dosed quantities from the product container is not impaired by refill manipulations and with which a perfect, user-friendly refilling of the product container from simple refill containers is made possible, whereby in particular to avoid that the user can come into contact with the product when refilling.

This object is achieved according to the invention with an arrangement of the type described in the introduction in that the tubular second coupling element, with simultaneous penetration of the device for opening the outlet opening of the second coupling element, which was closed before the refilling process, into this outlet opening, into the tubular first coupling element, with the formation of a ventilation gap between the outer wall of the second coupling element and the inner wall of the first coupling element, and that a metering device is firmly integrated in the product outlet opening is.

With the invention, a complete product container refill container system is made available which enables the product container to be refilled properly without coming into contact with the product. For this purpose, the additional refill opening on the product container must be opened when refilling, so that the first coupling element is accessible, then the refill container is connected to the second coupling element, so that a tight connection is available and the product does not emerge from the connection area during refilling can. Apart from removing the closure of the refill opening, the user does not have to carry out any further manipulations on the product container; in particular, he does not have to disassemble and then reinstall a metering device provided approximately at the product outlet opening, so that the application safety of the product container is not impaired by the refilling process. It is particularly advantageous that the first coupling element is equipped with a device for opening the outlet opening on the second coupling element which was closed before the refilling process. The user then only has to place the refill container with the second coupling element on the first coupling element on the first coupling element of the product container, which then automatically opens the outlet opening of the refill container, so that the user does not come into contact with the product to be refilled even when the refill container is opened can guess.

The ventilation of the container during the refilling process and thus proper filling is ensured in that the inside diameter of the first coupling element is somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the end region of the second coupling element and thereby in the coupling state between the outer wall of the second coupling element and the inner wall an annular ventilation gap of the first coupling element is formed. Obviously, no product can escape undesirably during the refilling process, but goes completely into the product container. On the other hand, ventilation of the containers is ensured.

The device can advantageously be designed as a mandrel arranged inside the tubular first coupling element and the outlet opening on the second coupling element can be closed with a film or the like before the refilling process. When the second coupling element is placed on the first coupling element, the sealing film on the refill container is pierced by the mandrel of the first coupling element, so that the product to be refilled can enter the product container from the refill container.

Alternatively, it is also provided that the device is designed as a punch protruding from the tubular coupling element, which can be inserted into the tubular second coupling element, a sealing plug which can be inserted into the refill container by pressure being inserted in a sealing manner. When the second coupling element is placed on the first during the refilling process, the sealing plug is then pushed into the interior of the refilling container by the stamp on the first coupling element, so that the outlet is released. The diameter of the punch is advantageously chosen so that it fits smoothly into the second tubular coupling element and at the same time serves as a guide. On the other hand, the stamp is of course designed so that the product flow is not affected.

It is particularly advantageous if the second coupling element consists of a first tubular area arranged on the refill container, a bevelled transition area and a second tubular area with a smaller diameter, the sealing plug being a ball or collarless bump cap with an approximately the small diameter of the second tubular area corresponding diameter is formed. In this embodiment, when the two coupling elements are coupled, the closure ball or bump cap is pushed from the stamp of the first coupling element out of the smaller, second tubular area into the transition area or into the first tubular area of the second coupling element, so that the outlet opening is released.

It when the first coupling element is designed as an adapter part which is provided on the outer circumference with locking elements is particularly advantageous is that cooperate with corresponding locking elements at the refill opening. The adapter part is advantageously designed as a slightly tapered tube with additional lateral outlet openings. With the design as an adapter part, the production of the product container is correspondingly simplified, the adapter part can be produced as an individual part, it preferably being produced from a suitable plastic by injection molding.

It is also particularly advantageous that the first and second coupling elements are equipped with corresponding locking devices on the inside and on the outside. A particularly secure connection of the two coupling elements during the refilling process is then additionally ensured, so that undesired leakage of the product during refilling is particularly reliably avoided. The locking devices can be designed such that the opening on the second coupling element is not released until the coupling has been fully locked.

To simplify handling, it is expedient if the refill opening on the container is arranged below the product outlet metering opening. This ergonomic design of the container ensures that the container is inevitably emptied through the actual product outlet opening under application-technical conditions and not through the refill opening, for example.

Fig. 1

eine erste erfindungsgemäße Anordnung mit Produktbehälter und Nachfüllbehältnis in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

in Explosionsdarstellung das erste und zweite Kupplungselement gemäß der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine zweite Ausführungform einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung,

Fig. 4

das erste und zweite Kupplungselement gemäß der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 3 und in

Fig. 5

eine dritte Ausführungsform in Schnittdarstellung.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing, for example. This shows in

Fig. 1

a first arrangement according to the invention with product container and refill container in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

in an exploded view the first and second coupling element according to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

a second embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 4

the first and second coupling element according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 and in

Fig. 5

a third embodiment in a sectional view.

According to a first embodiment, an arrangement according to the invention has a product container 1, preferably made of blown plastic, and a refill container 2, preferably a polyethylene bag or a blown light bottle made of plastic.

The product container 1 contains two openings, a product outlet opening 3 and a refill opening 4, which is arranged below the product outlet opening 3, which ensures that the container 3 is inevitably emptied via the outlet opening 3 under application-technical conditions.

The product outlet opening 3 is provided with an external thread 5, which is used to screw on a sealing cover, not shown. A liquid metering device, which is not shown, is firmly integrated into the outlet opening 3, which is, for example, injected or welded and enables metered delivery of the product. Such dispensers are known per se, so that this will not be discussed in more detail here.

The refill opening 4 is also provided with an external thread, which is denoted by 6 and serves to tightly accommodate a closure cap 7. The refill opening 4 is also provided with a first coupling element, which is designated 8 in FIG. 1 and is advantageously designed as an adapter part. This adapter part is advantageously designed as a slightly tapered tube 9 with additional lateral outlet openings 10 and has on the outer circumference at least one circumferential locking bead 11 which cooperates with at least one circumferential locking groove 12 at the refill opening 4. The first coupling element 8, which is designed as an adapter part and is preferably produced from a suitable plastic by injection molding, then becomes corresponding after the production bumped into the refill opening 4 so that there is a tight connection between the first coupling element 8 and the refill opening 4.

A mandrel 13 is formed in the interior of the first coupling element 8, which is arranged in the center and results from four surfaces tapering to a radius (FIG. 2).

This mandrel 13 serves as a device for opening the closure on the refill container 2, which will be described in more detail below. On the upper inner edge of the first coupling element 8, cams 14 serving as latching devices are provided, for example three or four uniform, evenly distributed cams 14.

The refill container 2 is provided according to the invention at the outlet 15 with a second tubular coupling element 16, which is preferably tapered towards the free end. This tubular second coupling element 16 has at the free end an outlet opening 17, which is preferably closed with a film, not shown, before the refilling process. In the free end area, uniformly distributed cams 18 are provided on the outer circumference of the second coupling element 16, which cooperate with the counter cams 14 on the first coupling element.

To refill the product container 2, the closure 7 is first unscrewed, so that the refill opening 4 is released. Subsequently, the refill container 2 with the closed second coupling element 16 is inserted into the first coupling element 8, the sealing film being pierced by the mandrel 13 at the outlet opening 17. By rotating the second coupling element 16 into the final locking position (cams 14 and 18), the opening in the film is enlarged and the liquid penetrates into the container 1 without loss. The container 1 is ventilated and thus properly filled by the fact that the inside diameter of the first coupling element 8 is somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the tapered area of the second coupling element 16. Obviously, no product can escape undesirably during the refilling process, but reaches the product container 1 completely. After the refill container 2 has been emptied, the two coupling elements 8 and 16 become again separated from each other and the refill opening 4 is closed with the closure 7.

To increase user-friendliness, pictograms in the form of arrows 19, 20 are provided on the surface of the product container 1 in the area of the two outlet openings 3 and 4, which illustrate to the user the function of the container openings (pouring / refilling).

Another embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention of product container and refill container is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2 being used, provided the same or similar parts are identified.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment the first coupling element 8, which is also in the form of a tubular adapter part, is provided with a punch 21 protruding from the tubular coupling element, which is formed in one piece with the first coupling element 8 and which is arranged in the middle thereof is. The adapter part 8 is preferably made of plastic by injection molding. The stamp 21 is preferably cross-shaped in cross-section.

The second coupling element 16 at the outlet 15 of the refill container 2 consists of a first tubular region 22 arranged on the refill container 2, a bevelled transition region 23 and a second tubular region 24 with a smaller diameter. In the tubular area 24, a ball 25 serving as a sealing plug is arranged, the diameter of which corresponds approximately to the inside diameter of the area 24. This ball is bumped into the second coupling element 16 or welded to it in such a way that the ball 25 forms a tight seal for the refill container 2.

If the product container 1 is now to be refilled, the second coupling element with the free end region 24 is pushed onto the first coupling element 8 in such a way that the plunger 21 penetrates into the tubular region 24. The diameter of the punch 21 is chosen so that it fits smoothly into the inside diameter of area 24 and at the same time serves as a guide.

When the second coupling element 16 is inserted into the first coupling element 8, the plunger 21 comes into contact with the ball 25, which, with further pressure of the coupling element 16, reaches the first tubular region 22 with a larger diameter in such a way that liquid then flows out of the Refill container 2 can flow into the product container 1.

This design of the closure of the refill container 2 has the additional advantage that if the second coupling element slips or slides out of the first, the closure ball 25 in turn comes into its closed position, so that no product can escape from the container 2 undesirably.

A third embodiment of an arrangement of product container and refill container according to the invention is shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 4 being used insofar as the same or similar parts are identified.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the first coupling element 8, which is likewise tubular, is bumped into the refill opening 4, which has the external thread 6, with a collar 28 lying on the front edge of the wall region 29 of the container 1 surrounding the refill opening 4. A mandrel 26 is formed in one piece with and in the center of the tubular coupling element 8 and consists of a plurality of individual webs meeting in the tip of the mandrel. This adapter part is also preferably made of plastic by injection molding, the individual webs preferably being arranged in a cross shape with respect to one another.

The wall area surrounding the outlet opening 15 of the refill container 2 is provided with an external thread onto which the second coupling element 16 or adapter part is screwed. The thread of the second coupling element 16 is an internal thread which is on the outside a tube 30 abutting the inner wall of the outlet opening 15 is injection molded. The screw connection has an anti-rotation lock, not shown, so that the screwed-on coupling element 16 cannot be unscrewed again from the refill container 2. In the area of the outlet opening 17, the cylindrical tube 30 of the coupling element 16 is closed by a sealing washer 27 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5 in the closed position. The disc 27 is provided with thin points or predetermined breaking points, which cause the sealing disc 27 to tear open during the opening process described below.

If the product container 1 is now to be refilled, the refill container provided with the coupling element 16 is placed in the overhead position on the mandrel 26 of the first coupling element 8. Here, the sealing disk 27 is pierced by the mandrel 26, so that the refill product from the refill container 2 can flow past the individual webs of the mandrel 26 into the container 1. The ventilation of the container 1 during the refilling process is ensured in that firstly the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube 30 is smaller than the cylindrical region of the first coupling element 8 injected into the refill opening 4, and secondly that the cylindrical tube 30 is dimensioned in this way in its longitudinal extent is that in the coupling state of the coupling elements 8 and 16, an annular gap 31 remains between the tubular region of the first coupling element 8 and the cylindrical tubular element 30 or the threaded region molded thereon.

With all refill solutions there is the possibility of a clean, safe refill with the additional advantage of a system / product binding. When using the arrangements, the different coupling principles offer the possibility of restricting liquids that react dangerously with one another (acids, alkalis) to one arrangement each and thus to avoid erroneous confusion, i.e. it can be ensured that product container 1 and refill container 2 are matched to one another in such a way that only the same product is in the associated containers 1, 2.

Claims (7)

1. An arrangement for refilling a container (1) consisting of the refillable container (1) for fluid products with a closeable product outlet opening (3) and a closeable refill opening (4) positioned preferably beneath the product outlet opening (3) with a first coupling element (8) fixedly arranged therein and further consisting of a refill pack (2) with a second coupling element (16) - designed for adaptor-like connection to the first coupling element (8) - at its outlet opening (15) and an assembly (13,21,26) for opening the outlet opening (17) of the refill pack (2) closed before the refilling process during insertion of the second coupling element (16) into the first coupling element (8), characterized in that, as the assembly (13,21,26) for opening the outlet opening (17) of the second coupling element (16) closed before the refilling process enters the outlet opening (17), the tubular second coupling element (16) is designed to penetrate into the tubular first coupling element (8) with formation of a ventilation gap (31) between the outer wall of the second coupling element (16) and the inner wall of the first coupling element (8) and in that a dispenser is fixedly integrated in the product outlet opening (3).
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the assembly is in the form of a spike (13,26) arranged inside the tubular first coupling element (8) and the outlet opening (17) at the second coupling element (16) is closed by a foil, a sealing disc (27) or the like before the refilling process.
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the assembly is in the form of a punch (21) projecting from the tubular first coupling element (8) which is designed for insertion into the tubular second coupling element (16), a closure plug (25) adapted for insertion into the refill pack (2) by pressure being sealingly inserted into the second coupling element (16).
4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the second coupling element (16) consists of a first tubular section (22) arranged on the refill pack (2), a tapered transition section (23) and a second tubular section (24) of relatively small diameter, the closure plug (25) being in the form of a ball with a diameter substantially corresponding to the relatively small diameter of the second tubular section (24).
5. An arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling element (8) is in the form of an adaptor provided around its outer periphery with detent elements (11) which cooperate with corresponding detent elements (12) at the refill opening (4).
6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the adaptor is formed by a slightly downwardly tapering tube with additional lateral outlet openings (10).
7. An arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second coupling elements (8,16) are provided inside and outside with corresponding detent means (14,18).

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