ES2976018T3 - Container and container closure - Google Patents

Abstract

A container and a container closure (100) are described. The container (100) comprises a base body (1) for fastening to a container and a dosing unit (2) for dosing a liquid. The dosing unit (2) has a dosing body (4) with a discharge opening (21) and a channel (22; 22') adjacent to the discharge opening (21). The channel (22; 22') extends in the direction of the container and forms with the dosing unit (2) an annular groove (23; 23'). A dosing cap (3; 3') is arranged on the dosing unit (2). The dosing cap (3; 3') closes the annular groove (23; 23') to form an annular volume (V; V'). The annular volume (V; V') is connected to the interior of the container (201) by a first opening (24; 24') and to the channel (22; 22') by a second opening (25; 25'). The first opening (24; 24') and the second opening are arranged such that all liquid flowing from the first opening (24; 24') to the second opening (25; 25') passes through the annular volume (V; V') at least along a portion of the annular volume (V; V') in a direction around the channel (22; 22'). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Closing of container and vessel

The present invention relates to a container closure and to a container according to the preamble of the independent claims.

Various container closures are known from the prior art. A container closure is an element suitable for closing a container in which, for example, food is stored. Container closures for liquid or pasty foods are preferably designed in such a way that the respective food can be dispensed through these closures. Such container closures are often found on containers for sauces such as ketchup or the like.

A generic container closure is known from DE 201 12974 U1. This utility model describes a container closure with a closure lid and a discharge opening. An inner lid is arranged inside the closure lid and has a side opening through which the liquid to be discharged enters the inner lid and is discharged from the inner lid directly through the outlet opening.

To prevent uncontrolled outflow, a sealing lip is arranged in the side opening. The production of this movable sealing lip is complex. Movable sealing lips are also susceptible to tampering. As soon as the sealing lip malfunctions, it must be cleaned in a complex manner and repaired accordingly, so that further dosing of the liquid to be discharged is possible. Sealing lips also require a higher initial pressure to release a corresponding opening. Due to a sudden decrease in resistance, this often leads to undesirably high discharge quantities of liquid.

US 2017/0057709 A1 describes a container closure for dispensing individual drops of a liquid. This has a complexly manufactured maze of channels, which in turn makes the container closure a relatively long or high construction necessary and is not particularly suitable for dispensing pasty liquids such as ketchup.

The object of the invention is to eliminate one or more drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, a container closure and a container are to be provided with which a metered release of a liquid, in particular a thick liquid, is easily possible and which is particularly easy to manufacture.

This objective is solved by the devices defined in the independent claims. Other embodiments result from the dependent claims.

A container closure according to the invention comprises a base body for attachment to a container and a dosing unit for metered release of a liquid. That is, the dosing unit comprises those elements which enable dosing. The dosing unit has a dosing body with a discharge opening. The dosing unit also has a channel adjacent to the discharge opening. This channel extends in the direction of the container and forms an annular groove with the dosing unit. The annular groove is completely formed in the dosing unit. The annular groove is preferably formed in the dosing body. A dosing cap is arranged on the dosing body.

The channel is preferably formed by a wall extending in the direction of the container. This wall is preferably designed as a circumferential wall, in particular as a tube or pipe section. In particular, the dosing unit is formed by the dosing cap and the dosing body.

The dosing cap closes the annular groove to form an annular volume. The annular volume is connected to the interior of the container with a first opening, in particular directly, and to the channel with a second opening, in particular directly.

In this arrangement, the annular volume is therefore formed, in particular completely, in the dosing unit and by the elements of the dosing unit, in particular the dosing cap and the dosing body, and is therefore formed independently and without interaction with a container.

The discharge opening defines a substantially central axis which extends from the inside of the container to the outside through the discharge opening. In the case of containers with a circular cross section, this normally coincides with a longitudinal axis of the container, if the dosing opening is arranged in the centre. If the dosing opening is arranged decentrally and/or in the case of containers with non-uniform cross sections, the central axis runs collinearly with the axis of the container through the dosing opening.

The first opening and the second opening are arranged such that, during discharge from the interior of the container to the outside through the outlet opening, all of the liquid flowing from the first opening to the second opening passes through the annular volume at least along a section of the annular volume in a direction around the channel, in particular in a circular path around the central axis. The liquid flows through the annular volume from the first opening in the direction of the second opening, as a whole, in particular in a spiral manner. In other words, the liquid passes through the dosing unit from its periphery in the direction towards the center.

The passage through the annular volume of the liquid has several effects. On the one hand, the liquid is diverted several times between the inside of the container and the discharge opening, and on the other hand, this ensures that the liquid runs along an inner surface defining the volume and is thus subjected to a certain amount of friction. This is particularly advantageous, as the liquid is slowed down accordingly.

This makes easy dosing of the liquid to be discharged possible and prevents independent leakage of the liquid from the container at least partially.

The liquid is preferably a thick or pasty liquid, particularly ketchup.

The extension of the channel in the direction of the container and the respective references between elements of the container closure and the container refer respectively to directions and references between the container closure and the container in the generic use of the container closure.

The dosing body is preferably arranged on the base body. In such a configuration, the base body forms one end of the container together with the dosing body. This makes it possible to insert the same dosing body into different base bodies, each of which is adapted to different containers. It can be provided that the dosing body is designed as an integral part of the dosing unit.

In general, this configuration allows the vessel closure to be formed with a low structural height.

One or more divisions may be arranged in the annular volume to avoid a direct connection between the first opening and the second opening.

This increases the resistance to the flow of the liquid on the one hand, and on the other hand increases the path that the liquid must travel from the first opening to the second opening. This also increases the frictional resistance of the liquid in the container closure. Unwanted or overly gentle leakage of liquid from the container can be effectively prevented.

The first opening may be arranged at a distance from the second opening in an axial direction of the channel. This arrangement also increases the resistance to the flow of the liquid.

The axial direction of the channel is substantially defined by the direction of liquid exit from the channel. The axial direction of the channel preferably corresponds to the direction from the inside of the vessel to the vessel closure. The second opening may be formed within the channel.

This allows the second opening to be made easily and accurately.

The first opening may be formed inside the dosing body.

The dosing body can be manufactured easily and precisely.

The dosing body may have a wall to form the annular groove.

The production of the container closure is simplified. By forming the channel in or on the dosing body, for example, the container closure can be adapted to the respective product to be dispensed, simply by exchanging or manufacturing the dosing body accordingly, in other words, to the respective liquid to be dispensed.

The second opening may be formed inside the dosing cap.

This enables uniform production of the dosing body for different applications, since, depending on the application, a corresponding dosing cap can be produced with the respective second openings corresponding to the respective application and, therefore, the dosing cap only has to be designed differently. For the same purpose, it can be provided that the first opening is formed inside the dosing cap.

The container closure may have a closure cap. This is preferably connected to the base body in an articulated manner. The closure cap may in particular have a closure pin for closing the outlet opening. This makes it possible, for example, to close the container securely and airtight.

The base body and the dosing body can be formed from a single piece.

This enables simple production, for example as an injection-molded part.

The cross section of the second opening and/or the cross section of the first opening is less than 50%, in particular less than 40% and preferably less than 30% of the cross section of the channel.

This ensures that the flow rate of the liquid decreases as the liquid is discharged from the first and/or second downstream opening in the channel direction and correspondingly in the direction of the discharge opening. This facilitates dosing of the liquid.

In particular, the container closure does not have any movable or flexible sealing elements, i.e. it is free of them. This makes both the production and the use of the container closure easier.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a container comprising a container closure as described herein.

This makes it possible to provide a container with a closure that is specifically designed to fill the container with the corresponding liquid. In particular, the finished product can be provided including the liquid.

The container is preferably flexible.

This allows the container to be compressed and thus a corresponding dosing of the liquid and a corresponding discharge of the liquid.

Various embodiments of a container closure are explained with reference to the figures. In the figures:

Figure 1: A perspective view of a container closure;

Figure 2: The container closure according to Figure 1 with the closing lid hidden;

Figure 3: a sectional view of the container closure according to Figure 1;

Figure 4: a perspective view of a dosing body;

Figure 5: a perspective view of a dosing cap;

Figure 6: The dosing cap according to Figure 5 in another perspective view;

Figure 7: A detailed view of Figure 3;

Figure 8: A flow path of the liquid to be discharged within the dosing unit of Figure 5;

Figure 9: A sectional view through a second embodiment of a dosing unit;

Figure 10: another sectional view through the dosing unit according to Figure 9;

Figure 11: A perspective view of a dosing body from the dosing unit according to Figure 9. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container closure 100. The container closure 100 has a base body 1. A closure lid 5 is arranged on the base body 1, which is hingedly connected to the base body 1 by means of a joint 101. Opposite the joint 101 is a projection 102, with which the closure lid 5 can be lifted off the base body 1. The container closure 100 can thus be unfolded. After unfolding, the container closure 5 releases a discharge opening 21, as can be seen in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows the container closure 100 according to Figure 1 with the closing cap concealed. A dosing unit 2 is arranged within the base body 1. In the view according to Figure 2, the discharge opening 21 for discharging a liquid is arranged at the top of the dosing unit 2. During use of a container with the container closure 100, the discharge opening 21 points downwards, i.e. in the opposite direction as shown in Figure 2. In other words, in general use, the container closure 100 is in an inverted position to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the container closure 100 according to Figure 1. The base body 1 has a thread 103 with which the container closure 100 can be screwed onto an opening of a container (not shown here) and thus closed. The container closure 100 is thus connected to an interior 201 of the container. The dosing unit 2 is arranged centrally with respect to the thread 103 on the base body 1. The dosing unit 2 is designed as a unit separate from the base body 1 and arranged thereon. Rather, the dosing unit 2 is fluid-tightly connected to the base body 1 in a non-detachable manner. The dosing unit 2 has a dosing body 4 and a dosing cap 3, which is fluid-tightly connected to the dosing body 4 in a non-detachable manner. In this embodiment, the discharge opening 21 of the dosing unit 2 is arranged in the dosing body 4. The discharge opening 21 extends into the container interior 201 with a channel 22 adjacent to this discharge opening 21. The discharge opening 21 is closed by a closing pin 51 arranged in the closing cap 5. The discharge opening 21 is released by unfolding the closing cap 5. Liquid, such as ketchup, can be discharged out of the container interior 201 through the discharge opening 21. This defines the outlet direction or also the discharge direction. This discharge direction corresponds to an axial direction R. The channel 22 extends in this axial direction R from the container interior 201 towards the container closure 100.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the dosing body 4 of Figure 3 in a view seen from the inside of the container in the direction of the discharge opening 21. Adjacent to the discharge opening 21 is the channel 22 which extends in the direction of the inside of the container. The channel 22 is substantially tubular or is designed as a section of a tube. It has a wall surrounding a central axis and opens into the discharge opening 21. Concentric to this channel 22 is a wall 41 which is designed as part of the dosing body 4. The wall 41 and the channel 22 are connected to each other at their ends remote from the inside of the container via another wall and thus form a slot 23. The slot 23 is open in the direction of the inside of the container and is U-shaped.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the dosing cap 3 of Figure 3. The dosing cap 3 has an inner wall 31 and an outer wall 32. The inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 are arranged concentrically and are connected to one another at one of their ends by a connection. The inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 thus form a U-shaped groove 33. Two partitions 26 are arranged within this channel 33 and connect the inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 within the channel 33. These two partitions 26 form, with a partial region of the outer wall 32, a connecting channel 34 extending in the axial direction R known from Figure 3.

A plurality of first openings 24 are arranged in connection with each other in the dosing cap 3, which openings extend to the outer wall 32. The partitions 26 connect the inner wall 31 with the outer wall 32 in such a way that they are connected in the axial direction R only over a part of their entire height. In an area of the partitions 26 that is opposite the first openings 24, these partitions 26 have second openings 25.

Figure 6 shows another perspective view of the dosing cap 3 of Figure 5. The connection between the inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 is interrupted by three first openings 24. Each of these three first openings 24 provides direct access to the slot 33 of the dosing cap 3. The connection channel 34 known in Figure 5 is arranged in an area of the dosing cap 3 where a first opening 24 is not provided. Accordingly, the connection channel 34 is not accessible through a first opening 24.

Figure 7 shows a detailed view of Figure 3. The dosing unit 2 is shown in an isolated view; only the dosing body 4 and the dosing cap 3 from which the dosing unit is formed are visible. The inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 of the dosing cap 3 delimit the annular groove 23 of the dosing body 4. In this embodiment, the dosing cap 3 and the dosing body 4 are pressed together in a tight and non-separable manner. The annular groove 23 is covered by a partial area of the dosing body 4 and thus forms a closed annular volume V. The annular volume V forms a torus with a substantially rectangular cross section which is shown shaded in Figure 7; this is only interrupted by the known divisions 26 in Figure 5. The annular volume V extends substantially along a circular path around the central axis. By means of the first openings 24 known from Figures 5 and 6, this annular volume V is directly and immediately connected to the interior of the container in generic use. Through the second openings 25 known in Figure 5 and the connection channel 34 known in Figure 5, this annular volume V is also directly and immediately connected to the channel 22.

Figure 8 shows a flow profile of the liquid to be discharged into the dosing unit 2 of Figure 3. In generic use, the dosing unit 2 is arranged within the container closure 100, which in turn is arranged on a container providing a container interior 201. In Figure 8, the container interior 201 is illustrated simply as a reference symbol.

In order to discharge a liquid from the container interior 201 out through the outlet opening 21, the flexible container (not shown here) is deformed such that the volume of the container interior 201 is reduced. The liquid flows through the first openings 24 from the container interior 201 directly into the annular volume V. This is illustrated by the arrow P1. Subsequently, the entire liquid flows along a section of the annular volume V in one direction around the channel 22. In this example, the liquid flows circularly in the annular volume V around the central axis. This is illustrated by the dashed arrow P2. As soon as the liquid reaches the deflections 26, it is deflected along the deflections 26 in the axial direction R. These two movements are partly superimposed. At the end of these divisions, the liquid is deflected and now flows in the connecting channel 34 against the axial direction R into the channel 22. The liquid is deflected again at the end of the channel 22 and now flows again in the axial direction R through the channel 22 and exits through the outlet opening 21. On the one hand, the liquid is deflected along a circular path in the annular volume V and flows along the surfaces of the annular volume V and is thus decelerated. The liquid is further decelerated by the multiple deflection in the divisions 26 and in the channel 22. This deceleration is constant during the course of the liquid discharge. A sudden and undesirable change in resistance when discharging the liquid is avoided, in particular because a flexible membrane or sealing lip is dispensed with.

Figure 9 shows a sectional view through a second embodiment of a dosing unit 2'. The dosing unit 2' has an outlet opening 21' extending towards an interior 201 of the container with a channel 22' adjoining this discharge opening 21'. The channel 22' is substantially tubular or designed as a tube section. It has a wall surrounding a central axis and opening into the discharge opening 21'. In contrast to the embodiment of the dosing unit 2 according to Figure 3, the dosing unit 2' has a separately formed wall 41' which, like the channel 22', extends towards the interior 201 of the container. The channel 22' and the wall 41' form an annular groove 23', which can best be seen in Figure 11.

The dosing unit 2' has a dosing cap 3' which is arranged on the dosing body 4' and surrounds the wall 41' and closes the channel 22' except for a second opening 25'. Accordingly, upon installing the dosing cap 3', the annular groove 23' is closed to form an annular volume V'. The annular volume V' forms a torus with a substantially rectangular cross section shown in Figure 9, which is interrupted only by a division 26' shown in Figure 11. The annular volume V' extends substantially along a circular path around the central axis. This annular volume V' is directly and immediately connected to its surroundings, and in generic use to the interior of a container, through a first opening 24' (see Figures 10 and 11). This annular volume V' is also directly and immediately connected to the channel 22' through the second opening 25'.

Figure 10 shows a further sectional view through the dosing unit 2' according to Figure 9. The section line in Figure 9 is selected such that the section extends through the second opening 25'. The section line in Figure 10 is selected such that the section extends through the first opening 24'. Thus, in the sectional view in Figure 10, it can be seen that the annular volume V' is connected to its surroundings via the first opening 24'. After its installation in the dosing body 4', the dosing cap 3' leaves open a region in the wall 41' to form this first opening 24'.

Figure 11 shows a flow profile of the liquid to be discharged into the dosing unit 2' of Figure 9. In generic use, the dosing unit 2 is arranged within a container closure 100, which in turn is arranged on a container providing a container interior 201 known in Figure 3. In Figure 11, the container interior 201 is illustrated simply as a reference symbol.

In order to discharge a liquid from the container interior 201 outwards through the outlet opening 21' known in Figure 9, the flexible container (not shown here) is deformed such that the volume of the container interior 201 is reduced. The liquid flows through the first opening 24' into the annular volume V'. This is illustrated by arrow P1. Subsequently, the entire liquid flows along a section of the annular volume V' in one direction around the channel 22'. In this example, the liquid flows circularly in the annular volume V'. This is illustrated by arrow P2 and partly by arrow P3. As soon as the liquid reaches the partition 26', it is deflected in the axial direction R along the partition 26'. These two movements are partly superimposed. In the region of the division, the liquid is deflected and flows through the second opening 25' in the axial direction R into the channel 22' and out through the outlet opening 21' (see Figure 9). On the one hand, the liquid is deflected along a circular path in the annular volume V' and flows along the surfaces of the annular volume V' and is thereby decelerated. The liquid is further decelerated by the deflection in the region of the dividing wall 26' and in the channel 22'. This deceleration is constant during the course of the liquid discharge. A sudden and undesirable change in resistance when discharging the liquid is avoided, in particular because a flexible membrane or sealing lip is dispensed with.

Claims (14)

i. Closure (100) of container comprising a base body (1) for fixing to a container, a dosing unit (2; 2') for the metered release of a liquid, wherein the dosing unit (2; 2') has a dosing body (4; 4') with a discharge opening (21; 21') and a channel (22; 22') adjacent to the discharge opening (21; 21') extending in the direction of the container and forming an annular groove (23; 23') with the dosing unit (2; 2'), wherein a dosing cap (3; 3') is arranged on the dosing body (4; 4'), wherein the dosing cap (3; 3') closes the annular groove (23; 23') to form an annular volume (V; V'), wherein the annular volume (V; V') is connected to the interior (201) of the container with a first opening (24; 24') and with a second opening (25; 25'). 25') with the channel (22; 22'), characterized by that The first opening (24; 24') and the second opening (25; 25') are arranged such that during discharge of the liquid from the inside of the container outwards through the outlet opening, all of the liquid flowing from the first opening (24; 24') to the second opening (25; 25') flows, in particular spirally, through the annular volume (V; V') at least along a section of the annular volume (V; V') in a direction around the channel (22; 22'). 2. Container closure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more divisions (26; 66') are arranged in the annular volume (V; V') to avoid a direct connection between the first opening (24; 24') and the second opening (25; 25'). 3. Container closure (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first opening (24; 24') is arranged at a distance from the second opening (25; 25') in an axial direction of the channel (22; 22'). 4. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second opening (25') is formed within the channel (22'). 5. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first opening (24; 24') is formed within the dosing body (4; 4'). 6. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dosing body (4; 4') has a wall (41; 41') for forming the annular groove (23; 23'). 7. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second opening (25') is formed within the dosing cap (3'). 8. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3 or 7, characterized in that the first opening (24') is formed within the dosing cap (3'). 9. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a closure lid (5), which is hingedly connected to the base body (1) and has a closure pin (51) for closing the discharge opening (21). 10. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base body (1) and the dosing body (4) are formed in a single piece. 11. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cross section of the second opening (25; 25') is less than 50%, in particular less than 40%, preferably less than 30%, of the cross section of the channel (22; 22'). 12. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the container closure (100) is free of movable or flexible sealing elements. 13. Container comprising a container closure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the container is flexible.