EP4072388B1 - Container system for liquid consumable materials with exchangeable replacement containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container system for receiving and dosing liquid consumables such as cosmetic products. The container system consists of a main container that can be connected to a pump device used to dose the consumables and can be combined with replacement containers made of material-saving, weight-optimized and/or fully recyclable materials, in particular renewable raw materials.

Cosmetic products on the market, such as soap, bath additives or shower gel, are mostly housed in containers made of plastic or glass. In addition to their very attractive design, these containers often have a pump mechanism for dosing that the consumer can easily operate with the touch of a finger. After use, however, these plastic containers, along with other plastic waste, also end up in the environment in a significant uncontrolled manner and represent an ever-growing global problem.

Like in the EN 10 2008 030 076 A1 Among other things, beverage cartons are an advantageous alternative to conventional containers made of plastic or glass. The beverage cartons, also known as composite packaging, are used for liquid or viscous contents. In particular, they are used as packaging for food, e.g. for milk or fruit juice. Such packaging is on the market under the well-known name Tetra Pak. An opening with a cylindrical part protruding outwards is often made on the top of the packaging. On the surface of the cylindrical part protruding outwards there is a thread that can be screwed onto a closure that also has a thread. This packaging is suitable for "pouring out" the contents. In contrast to containers made of plastic or glass, these packagings take up less space when folded up. Due to their standardized size, these Tetra Pak containers are also easy to stack and therefore offer efficient logistical advantages. Furthermore, the empty packaging can be delivered to the filling plant in the form of a roll before filling. Established waste disposal companies ensure that the empty packaging is recycled. Drinks cartons are currently also disposable packaging. However, the well-known Tetra Pak containers and stand-up pouches are the most ecologically sensible solutions. However, the use of these drinks cartons for cosmetic products is prevented by their main "pouring function".

With the JP 2004-352 349 A a container device is described which consists of an outer cylindrical body. Inside the cylindrical body, another cylindrical body with a mouthpiece is introduced which contains a liquid. In order to counteract rotation relative to one another, a fit is created between the lower end of the mouthpiece of the inner body and the opening of the outer body. The design form provided for this is designed as a female and male mold that can be joined together. The disadvantage of this container device is the restriction to cylindrical shapes of the parts that can be joined together and the restriction of the fit to a joining of a female and male mold.

It is also known after the US 5 474 212 A a liquid pump container for receiving a flexible container filled with a liquid substance. An outlet block with an outlet opening is provided on the top of the bag. A box serves to receive the bag, which consists of a pair of box components that are connected to one another by hinges for opening and closing the box parts. The claimed box shape and the resulting external shape of the container as well as the resulting internal receiving space of the container for the container to be replaced limits the application area of the liquid pump container to a few bag shapes.

In the case of the publication CN 205 972 348 U In the pump container described above, the replacement container, which is designed as a bag, is fixed in place using a bayonet lock connected to the container. Although this type of lock provides a simple and secure connection between the replacement container and the receiving container, the production of this type of connection is associated with a relatively high economic outlay.

Furthermore, the publication KR 20 2011 0000 633 U a container device is described which consists of an outer and an inner device. Both container parts have a shape such that they can be pushed into one another and the joined upper container part can be screwed together. The pumping device, which runs to the bottom of the inner container part, pumps the remaining collected liquid from a concentric depression in the bottom of the inner container part. The disadvantage of this solution, however, is that the shape of the replacement container must match the shape of the container device. The container device also requires that both container parts have the same properties.

The object of the invention is therefore to create a container system with exchangeable containers that enables environmentally friendly storage and dosing of liquid consumables and the use of stand-up pouches as replacement containers by ensuring that the connection between the stand-up pouch and the pumping device is as problem-free as possible.

This object is achieved by the container system according to the invention according to the descriptive features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the container system are described with the features of patent claims 2 to 7 .

The container system created uses replaceable replacement containers to hold consumables such as cosmetics, which are made of recyclable materials or other material-saving and/or weight-optimizing renewable raw materials. In contrast to conventional containers made of plastic or glass, these replacement containers represent an environmentally friendly alternative that also reduces logistics costs and production costs. It is advantageous to connect the containers, which are preferably made of cardboard or fully recyclable materials, to dosing pumps. This efficiently combines the advantages of easy operation when removing the cosmetics with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective design of the containers. In order to maintain the attractive design and color of the conventional containers for cosmetics, the replaceable containers are alternatively housed in stationary holding devices. The containers serve as so-called refill packs. It is advantageous if the conventional containers are split into two parts that can be joined together in their traditional design. The upper part is connected to the dosing pump in the conventional way. In another embodiment, the lid is placed on the base container and then the dosing pump is screwed on. The replaceable container is inserted into the interior of the assembled parts. When the parts are assembled, the dosing pump is inserted into the opening of the container. Stand-up pouches are preferably used as refill containers. After the stand-up pouches have been inserted into the interior of the main container, they can be rotated about their longitudinal axis due to their flexible nature. The torque generated during the screwing process of the dosing pump onto the stand-up pouch is transferred to the stand-up pouch and rotates it about its longitudinal axis. In order to be able to screw the dosing pumps onto the threaded spouts of the stand-up pouches without damage, the spouts connected to the stand-up pouches are held in their position as far as possible by the fixing solutions created.

• Fig. 1 : die schematische Darstellung der Baugruppen des Behältersystems,
• Fig. 2 : die schematische Darstellung des zusammengefügten Behältersystems mit Standbeutel,
• Fig. 3 : die Fixierung mittels zylindrischer Fixierungselemente,
• Fig. 4 : die schematische seitliche Schnittdarstellungmit den zylindrischen Fixierungselementen,
• Fig. 5 : die Fixierung mittels Formkörper als Fixierungselemente,
• Fig. 6 : die schematische seitliche Schnittdarstellungmit den Formkörpern als Fixierungselemente,
• Fig. 7 : die Fixierungmittels gekrümmter Erhebungen um die Austrittsöffnung desBehälterdeckels,
• Fig. 8 : die schematische seitliche Schnittdarstellungmit dengekrümmten Erhebungenals Fixierungselemente,
• Fig. 9 : die Fixierungmittels einer im Behälterdeckel eingebrachten Austrittsöffnung,
• Fig. 10 : die schematische seitliche Schnittdarstellungmit der Austrittsöffnung alsFixierungsmittel,
• Fig. 11 :die schematische Ansicht des Spouts mit einem Formkörper als Fixierungsmittel und
• Fig. 12 : die schematische Darstellung des Behälters mit einer Vertiefung im Behälterboden.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The drawings show

• Fig.1 : the schematic representation of the components of the container system,
• Fig.2 : the schematic representation of the assembled container system with stand-up pouch,
• Fig.3 : fixation by means of cylindrical fixing elements,
• Fig.4 : the schematic side sectional view with the cylindrical fixing elements,
• Fig.5 : fixation by means of shaped bodies as fixing elements,
• Fig.6 : the schematic side sectional view with the molded bodies as fixing elements,
• Fig.7 : the fixation by means of curved elevations around the outlet opening of the container lid,
• Fig.8 : the schematic lateral sectional view with the curved elevations as fixing elements,
• Fig.9 : the fixation by means of an outlet opening in the container lid,
• Fig.10 : the schematic lateral sectional view with the outlet opening as a fixation device,
• Fig. 11 : the schematic view of the spout with a molded body as a fixing means and
• Fig. 12 : the schematic representation of the container with a recess in the container bottom.

The schematic representation of the Figure 1 shows the components of the container system. It consists of the main container 1, the container lid 5 and the dosing pump 3. The assembled container system with a generally known stand-up pouch 2 as a refill pack is Figure 2 The stand-up pouch 2 is recycled in an environmentally friendly manner after it has been emptied. The external optical design of the container in this variant is identical to that of the original container. In this way, the optically pleasing design of the original container is retained. The Figure 2 The schematically shown metering pump 3 is connected to the container lid 5 either permanently or by screwing. After the stand-up pouch 2 has been inserted into the interior of the main container 1, the latter can be rotated around its longitudinal axis due to its flexible nature. The pouring form (spout) connected to the stand-up pouch 2 at the upper end is, as shown in Figure 3 shown, guided through the outlet opening 6 of the container lid 5 and screwed to the dosing pump 3 by means of the threaded adapter 8. And to achieve the required fixed position of the stand-up pouch 2 during screwing, four elevations 7 are introduced at the edge of the outlet opening 6. The upper part of the stand-up pouch 2 is inserted between the elevations 7 introduced on the underside of the container lid 5. This is done by placing the container lid 5 on the stand-up pouch 2. The schematic sectional view of the Figure 4 shows the container lid 5 in the attached state on the stand-up pouch 2. Shown are the elevations 7 located to the side of the welded surface of the stand-up pouch 2, which prevent the stand-up pouch 2 from twisting when screwing it onto the dosing pump 3. The elevations 7 can also be arranged on the welded surface of the spout 4 facing the outlet opening and engage in openings or recesses in the container lid.

With the Figure 5 The schematic arrangement of a molded body 13 in the outlet opening 6 of the container lid 5 is shown. This serves to fix the stand-up pouch 2, which is also provided with a matching molded body 13. The schematic sectional view of the Figure 6 the stand-up pouch 2 is shown after insertion into the container lid 5. In this illustration, the dosing pump 3 is screwed to the spout of the stand-up pouch 2.

Another variant of the fixation of the inserted stand-up pouch 2 shows Figure 7 . Two semi-circular elevations 7 arranged on the underside of the container lid 5 serve as fixing elements. The distance between the elevations 7 is chosen so that they leave space for the insertion of the upper part of the stand-up pouch 2. After the container lid 5 has been put on, the stand-up pouch 2 is then fixed between the two elevations 7. This fixed state with the screwed-on dosing pump 3 gives Figure 8 again.

In the fixation variant according to Figure 9 the outlet opening 6 is designed in such a way that the stand-up bag 2 inserted into the outlet opening 6 is fixed in the container lid 5 in a form-fitting manner.With the schematic sectional view of the Figure 10 This fixation state is reproduced after screwing the dosing pump 4 to the stand-up pouch 2. The screwing itself is carried out using the thread adapter 6.

With the schematic representation of the Figure 11 the formation of a spout 4 with a molded body 13 serving for fixing is shown. The molded body 13 is arranged above the welding surface 11 of the stand-up pouch 2. The connecting part of the spout 4 located at the top has a thread 12 serving for screwing to the dosing pump 3.

The representation of the Figure 12 shows the design of the container with a recess 9 in the container base 10. This recess 9 serves as a collection point for the remaining consumables. By means of a correspondingly long suction pipe of the dosing pump 3, the stand-up pouch 2 is pressed into the recess 9 and the consumables are completely removed.

Reference symbols

1

Main tank

2

Stand-up pouch

3

Dosing pump

4

Spout

5

Container lid

6

Outlet opening

7

Survey

8th

Thread adapter

9

deepening

10

Container bottom

11

Weld-in surface

12

thread

13

Molded body

Claims (7)

1. Container system for liquid consumable materials with exchangeable replacement containers made of material-saving, weight-optimising materials, in particular renewable and/or completely recyclable raw materials, which are designed to be connectable to a dosing pump (3), wherein the container system consists of a main container (1) into which stand-up pouches (2) serving as replacement containers are fixed when they are inserted in such a way that
   they can no longer be rotated along their longitudinal axis and this fixation is maintained during establishing and loosening the connection between the dosing pump and the stand-up pouches, characterised in that the fixation of the stand-up pouches (2) is carried out by inserting elevations (7) moulded onto on the upper side and/or on the weld-in part of spouts (4) connected to the stand-up pouch (2) into recesses in a container lid (5) closing the main container (1).
2. Container system according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixation of the stand-up pouches (2) is carried out by inserting the spout (4) between elevations and/or depressions (7) formed on the inside of the container lid (5).
3. Container system according to claim 2, characterised in that the fixation of the stand-up pouches (2) is carried out by inserting the spout (4) between cylindrical elevations (7) formed on the inside of the container lid (5) around the outlet opening (6).
4. Container system according to claim 2, characterised in that the fixation of the stand-up pouches (2) is carried out by inserting the spout (4) between elevations (7) formed on the inside of the container lid (5) and arranged in a curved manner around the outlet opening (6).
5. Container system according to claim 1, characterised in that the dosing pump (3) is detachably connected to the respective stand-up pouch (2) by means of a threaded adapter (8).
6. Container system according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixation of the stand-up pouches (2) is carried out by inserting the spouts (4) into moulded recesses in the container lid (5).
7. Container system according to claim 1, characterised in that a stationary receiving device is provided for the container system, which serves to receive the main container (1), in which the replacement container containing the consumable materials is arranged and is connected to the dosing pump (3) via the container lid (5).

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