EP3197310A1 - Container for accommodating a free-flowing fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for accommodating a liquid, in particular a deodorant roller, has a container jacket (2), a discharge opening (3) arranged in the container jacket (2), a supporting and holding unit (4) which is arranged on the container jacket (2) and which encloses a flow channel (5) connected to the discharge opening (3), and a ball (6) arranged such that the ball can rotate in the supporting and holding unit (4) and is able to seal off said flow channel (5) with respect to the surroundings of the container (1). Formed between the supporting and holding unit (4) and the ball (6) are at least three contact areas (7), which run around the ball (6) and are formed substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, at least two contact areas (7) are formed as a supporting and holding areas (8), and at least one contact area (7) as a sealing area (9).

Description

 Container for receiving a flowable fluid

Description

Hereby, the entire content of the priority application DE 20 2014 007 748.7 by reference is part of the present application.

The present invention relates to a container for receiving a flowable fluid having a container casing, a discharge opening arranged in the container casing, a support and holding unit arranged on the container casing, which encloses a flow channel connected to the discharge opening, and a ball arranged in the support and holding unit .

Such containers are commonly used to apply a liquid or pasty substance to a surface. Particularly well-known is the use of such containers as so-called Deoroller or roll-on deodorants for applying a deodorizing fluid to the human skin. The present invention will be described below using the example of such a de-role scraper, but this is not to be understood as a limitation in the application of the invention.

In order to be able to apply the fluid in the container to the skin, the movably held ball must be wetted with the liquid. When the deodorant roller is stored in a position where the ball is above the fluid, the deodorant roller must be placed in a position where the ball is below the fluid so that the ball will absorb fluid as it rotates and again can give to the skin. from However, users generally find it more comfortable to store the deodorant in a position where the ball is below the fluid. In this case, the ball is already wetted with the fluid and the order can be done faster.

In both designs, but especially in the last design with the ball arranged below, care must be taken to ensure that the dispensing opening of the container is well sealed by the ball to expire at the top of a ball desiccation of the liquid and at bottom arranged ball leakage to avoid the liquid.

When constructing a suitable sealing device, as with the construction of the entire de-scaler, it should be borne in mind that it is usually or frequently not refilled and thrown away after emptying. For reasons of environmental protection, care must therefore be taken that as little material as possible has to be used for the container itself, and that this material must also meet increased requirements for recycling or biodegradability. Of course, the costs for the production and for the filling itself play a significant role.

Therefore, the present invention has for its object to provide a container of the type mentioned, which allows a good seal of the liquid volume.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred developments are subject of the dependent claims. The container according to the invention serves to receive a liquid or a fluid and has a container jacket. An arranged in the container shell discharge opening serves to deliver the liquid from the container or container interior to the environment. On the container casing a support and holding unit is arranged, which one with the Includes discharge port connected flow channel. In the supporting and holding unit, a ball is movably arranged, whose shape is at least substantially approximated to the ideal geometric shape. The ball substantially closes this flow channel with respect to the environment of the container. Between the supporting and holding unit and the ball at least three contact areas are formed, which rotate around the ball and are formed substantially parallel to each other.

A first contact area causes the transmission of forces between the ball and the supporting and holding unit (supporting forces), which serve the support of the ball in particular during the use of the container (support function). At least one other of the contact areas (sealing area) is used for sealing (sealing function) between the supporting and holding unit and the ball, but essentially not for transmitting supporting forces. Therefore, in the sealing area, a wall portion of the supporting and holding unit may be designed to abut against the ball and thereby only deform elastically.

For the purposes of the invention, a container casing is understood to mean a wall of the container which can limit a receiving space of the container relative to the environment and counteract the exchange of substances between the receiving space and the environment. Preferably, the container shell is at least partially rotationally symmetrical, formed with a polymer and / or produced by injection blow molding, extrusion blow molding or a similar method.

In the context of the invention, a discharge opening is to be understood as meaning an opening in the container casing, which serves for the directed discharge of the liquid received from the receiving space to the surroundings of the container. Preferably, the dispensing opening is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container and / or formed substantially circular.

For the purposes of the invention, a support and holding unit is to be understood as meaning a unit which is arranged on the container casing and for supporting or serves to hold the ball. Supporting and holding the ball is such that it is rotatable within the support and holding unit. Preferably, the support and holding unit is formed with the material of the container shell, materially connected to the container jacket and / or formed integrally with the container shell.

For the purposes of the invention, a flow channel is to be understood as meaning a channel which serves to guide the liquid received from the receiving space in the direction of the dispensing opening. Thus, the flow channel extends at least between the receiving space and the discharge opening. The flow channel is at least partially enclosed by the supporting and holding unit.

For the purposes of the invention, a sphere is to be understood as meaning a body which is essentially rotationally symmetrical, and which at times is intended for

Providing the liquid from the receiving space to the environment serves.

Together with the supporting and holding unit, the ball is used at times for

Sealing of the container or the discharge opening or the flow channel.

Preferably, the ball has a diameter between 25 and 45 mm or between 20 and 45 mm, more preferably between 22 and 28 or between 30 and 38 mm.

For the purposes of the invention, a contact area is to be understood as an area in which the supporting and holding unit can mechanically contact the ball. The term "mechanically touching" also includes the case where there is a liquid film between the contact partners During use and storage of the container, the contact areas may shift along the spherical surface Preferably, one of the contact areas is located adjacent to the dispensing opening.

Below preferred embodiments of the container are described, which can each be combined with each other, unless it is expressly excluded. According to a preferred development, at least two contact regions are designed as supporting and holding regions and at least one contact region as a sealing region. The supporting and holding areas counteract an exit of the ball from the supporting and holding unit in the environment and in the direction of the receiving space. Within the supporting and holding areas, supporting forces can be transmitted between the ball and the supporting and holding unit. The sealing area is used for sealing between the support and holding unit and the ball, but not essentially for the transmission of supporting forces. By dividing support function and sealing function into different contact areas, these contact areas can be better adapted to the respective function. It is particularly advantageous that smaller sealing forces occur because the supporting forces do not have to be absorbed in the sealing area and that therefore lower deformation forces occur. Since cheap plastic materials tend to settle, can be achieved by ensuring that over a long period of time extending sealing effect even with low-cost materials.

According to a preferred embodiment, the supporting and holding unit in one of the support and holding areas a particular circumferential paragraph, in particular with a boundary edge, which may serve as a seat of the ball, against which the ball can be pressed. Preferably, the shoulder for receiving supporting forces is mechanically stable enough or designed stiff. This improves the seal.

According to a preferred refinement, at least two contact regions are designed as supporting and holding regions and at least two contact regions as sealing regions. In this case, a contact area adjacent to the dispensing opening serves both as a support and holding area and as a sealing area and performs both the support function and the sealing function. At the end of the supporting and holding unit opposite the dispensing opening, both a supporting and holding area and a sealing area spatially separated from this supporting and holding area are arranged. Due to this separation, the sealing area can be freed from the support function. In addition, forces which, during the application of the container, the ball in Press the direction of the receiving space, be better absorbed by the separate support and holding area.

According to a preferred development, at least one of the contact regions, in particular one of the sealing regions, is formed with at least one projection, which is arranged circumferentially in the supporting and holding unit and on which the ball rests at least in one of the two possible vertical positions. According to a preferred embodiment of at least one projection is formed with a peripheral boundary edge. This boundary edge serves to mechanically contact the ball along a circular line.

According to a preferred development at least one projection with a wall of the supporting and holding unit is integrally connected to or formed in one piece ^". Thus, production costs can be reduced.

The supporting and holding unit may also be formed in several pieces, wherein at least one contact area or its projection is preferably formed as an insert.

According to a preferred development, a substantially hollow-cylindrical first section of the at least one projection extends parallel to a longitudinal axis extending through the supporting and holding unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, a second portion of the at least one projection, in particular by the ball, elastically deformable or elastically expandable. In this case, the second section can be transferred elastically, ie reversibly, from its undeformed state into its deformed state. Because of the merely elastic deformation or expansion, the provision of the second portion can be substantially complete. Preferably, the second portion is formed integrally with the first portion of the projection. As a result, the resilience of the projection can be improved. Preferably, the projection is with Polypropylene or polyethylene formed. Particularly preferably, the entire container and supporting and holding unit is integrally formed of polypropylene or polyethylene. But other plastics are eligible for this.

According to a preferred refinement, at least one of the sealing regions is spaced apart from one of the supporting and holding regions by a predetermined distance C along a longitudinal axis L extending through the supporting and holding unit. Preferably, the distance is more than 1 mm. The distance between a delimiting edge of at least one projection of one of the sealing regions and a boundary edge of one of the supporting and holding regions is preferably more than 1 mm along a longitudinal axis L extending through the supporting and holding unit. According to a preferred embodiment, the container has a cap which is detachably connected to the container casing or to the supporting and holding unit. In this case, the ball can be pressed against a shoulder or projection of the support and holding unit. Thus, the seal can be improved.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the figures. FIG. 1 shows a section through a first preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG

 container

2a and 2b details of the container of Fig. 1,

3 is another view of the detail of Fig. 2a,

Fig. 4a shows a section through a second preferred embodiment of

Container and Fig. 4b Details of the container of Fig. 4a.

1 shows a section through a first preferred embodiment of the upper part of a designed as a deodorant embodiment.

The container 1 for receiving a liquid comprises the container casing 2, a discharge opening 3 arranged in the container casing 2, a support and holding unit 4 arranged on the container casing 2, which encloses a flow channel 5 connected to a discharge opening 3 (indicated by a horizontal dashed line) , a ball 6 arranged in the supporting and holding unit 4, which can close the flow channel 5 with respect to the surroundings of the container 1, and three contact areas 7a, 7b, 7c between the supporting and holding unit 4 and the ball 6. In addition, the container 1 a cap 20, which is detachably connected to the container casing 2 and the ball 6 along the extending through the supporting and holding unit 4 longitudinal axis L in the direction of not shown, but indicated by an arrow and numeral 12, receiving space of the container 1 presses , thus in this presentation down. Thus, the sealing of the container 1 can be improved when not in use.

The above the center of the ball 6 arranged contact area 7a, hereinafter referred to as the first contact area 7a, is formed as a support and holding portion 8a. In a particular embodiment, which is not shown in FIG. 1, the first contact region 7a also serves as a sealing region. Below the center of the ball 6, the second contact portion 7b and the third contact portion 7c are spaced from each other with respect to the vertical longitudinal axis L in the figure. The second contact region 7b serves as a sealing region 9 and the third contact region 7c serves as a supporting and holding region 8b. The supporting and holding portions 8a, 8b support the ball 6 against gravity and against the contact force when applying the deodorant fluid and the force through the screwed closure. The support and holding unit 4 has a sleeve whose upper end extends upward beyond the center of the ball 6 into the first contact area 7a. In Fig. 1 it is indicated that the supporting and holding unit 4 in the second contact region 7b or sealing region 9 has a circumferential projection 10 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

2a and 2b show details of the container of Fig. 1, which are marked in Fig. 1 with X. Shown are a section through the supporting and holding unit 4 and two contact areas 7b, 7c. The second contact region 7b is designed as a sealing region 9 and the third contact region 7c as a supporting and holding region 8b. In the sealing region 9, the supporting and holding unit 4 has a projection 10 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The projection 10 has the boundary edge 1 1 b. Compared to the dimension C, with which the projection 10 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L, the wall thickness of the projection 10 in cross section is small, the projection 10 thus slim. Due to the slim shape of the projection 10 can be easily deformed by the ball 6, in particular elastic and almost completely reversible. Thus, mechanical stresses in the projection 10 due to a deformation or bending, in particular by the ball 6, are kept low. As a result, a favorable material, in particular a polymer such as polypropylene or polyethylene, can also be used for the projection 10.

In the supporting and holding region 8b is the supporting and holding unit 4 with a boundary edge 1 1 c, with a substantially rectangular shoulder and with an annular surface which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L by the supporting and holding unit 4, educated. This compared to the projection 10 rather massive design of the wall of the supporting and holding unit 4 in the supporting and holding area 8b allows the improved transmission of supporting forces or for supporting the ball. 6 Due to the division of support function and sealing function on different contact areas 7a, 7b, 7c, their design can be better adapted to the respective function.

In Fig. 2a, the ball 6 is not shown and the projection 10 is undeformed. In contrast, in Fig. 2b, the ball 6 is located on the boundary edge 1 1 c and the second portion 14 of the projection 10 is elastically deformed or elastically expanded (deformed state). The second portion 14 abuts the ball 6, whereby the seal is improved.

Fig. 3 shows another view of the detail of Fig. 2a. Shown is the annular surface of the shoulder in the wall of the support and holding unit in the support and holding area 8b.

Fig. 4a shows a section through a second preferred embodiment of the upper part of a designed as a deodorant embodiment. Therein, the supporting and holding region 8b and the sealing region 9 are interchanged with respect to the container of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the order of their arrangement along the longitudinal axis L. In this embodiment, therefore, the second, closer to the discharge opening 3 contact area 7b serves as a support and holding area 8b and the third, further away from the discharge opening 3 contact area 7c as a sealing area 9. The first contact area 7a is still as a support and holding area 8a and, in the embodiment according to FIG. 4a, has a radially inwardly directed retaining ring with a very small extent in the axial direction. This results in a very small contact surface between the supporting and holding unit 4 and the ball. 6

Fig. 4b shows details of the container of Fig. 4a, which are marked in Fig. 4a with X. Therein - as in Fig. 4a - the sealing area 9 is shown in a non-deformed and therefore the ball 6 in the representation penetrating state. Since, in the cross section illustrated in FIG. 4b, the tangent of the ball 6 at the contact region 7c and thus at the sealing region 9 forms a greater angle with the longitudinal axis L than at the contact region 7b (at which the sealing region is arranged in the embodiment according to FIG. 1), is also the shape of the projection 10 in the sealing area 9 opposite to that in Fig. 1 different. The projection 10 protrudes substantially in the radial direction of the ball inwardly from the supporting and holding unit 4 and runs inwardly towards its boundary edge 1 1 c towards pointed. If the ball 6 on the boundary edge 1 1 c, so the second portion 14 of the projection 10 is elastically deformed. The bearing surface of the boundary edge 1 1 c is formed substantially by the rounded side of the second portion 14 of the projection 10. The following dimensions and materials are preferred:

• Material: polypropylene or polyethylene for containers and

 support means

 • Ball diameter of 25 to 45 mm or 20 to 45 mm, more preferably 22 to 28 or 30 to 38 mm

 • Height of the projection (dimension C in Fig. 2a) of 0.5 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 mm, more preferably from 0.5 to 2 mm, more preferably from 0.8 to 2 mm , even more preferably from 1 to 2 mm

• Wall thickness of the projection 0, 1 to 0.5 mm

reference numeral

1 container

2 container jacket

 3 discharge opening

 4 support and holding unit

 5 flow channel

 6 ball

7a First contact area

 7b Second contact area

 7c Third contact area

 8a, 8b supporting and holding areas

 9 sealing area

10 lead

 1 1 b, 1 1 c boundary edges

 12 recording room

 13 First section of the projection

 14 Second section of the projection

20 cap

L longitudinal axis

C Distance between two boundary edges or height of the

 projection

Claims

P a t e n t a n s r ü c h e Container (1) for holding a liquid with: a container jacket (2), a dispensing opening (3) arranged in the container jacket (2), one on the container jacket (2) arranged support and holding unit (4), which has one with the dispensing opening (3) connected flow channel (5) encloses a rotatably arranged in the support and holding unit (4). Ball (6), the shape of which is at least substantially close to the ideal geometric shape, and which can close off this flow channel (5) from the surroundings of the container (1), characterized in that between the support and holding unit (4) and this ball (6) at least three contact areas (7) are formed, which revolve around the ball (6) and are formed essentially parallel to one another. 2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two contact areas (7) are designed as support and holding areas (8) and at least one contact area (7) as a sealing area (9). 3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two contact areas (7) are designed as support and holding areas (8) and at least two contact areas (7) are designed as sealing areas (9). Container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the contact areas (7) is formed with at least one projection (10), which is arranged circumferentially in the support and holding unit (4) and on which the ball (6) rests at least in one of the two possible vertical positions of the container. Container (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one projection (10) is formed with a circumferential boundary edge (1 1). Container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the at least one projection (10) is formed in one piece with the support and holding unit (4). Container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a substantially hollow cylindrical first section (13) of the at least one projection (10) is parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) running through the support and holding unit (4). extends. Container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a second section (14) of the at least one projection (10), in particular by the ball (6), is elastically deformable or elastically expandable. Container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the at least one projection (10) is arranged within one of the sealing areas (9) and in sections, in particular with its second section (14), on the ball (6) may apply. Container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that one of the second sections (14) of the at least a projection (10) can press the ball (6) along a longitudinal axis (L) running through the support and holding unit (4) in the direction of one of the support and holding areas (8). Container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the sealing areas (9) is at a predetermined distance (C) along a longitudinal axis (L) running through the support and holding unit (4) from one of the support and holding areas (8) are spaced apart. Container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the sealing areas (9) is arranged between two further contact areas (7) along a longitudinal axis (L) running through the supporting and holding unit (4). Container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cap (20) which is connected to the container jacket (2) is detachably connected, which removes the ball (6) from the dispensing opening (3) can push away. Container according to claim 1 1 and at least one of claims 1 to 10 or 12 and 13, characterized in that the height (C) of the projection is between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, particularly preferred between 0.5 and 2 mm, more preferably between 0.8 and 2 mm, even more preferably between 1 and 2 mm. Container (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the wall thickness of the projection is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm.