ES2999670T3 - Container and set of dispenser and container - Google Patents

Abstract

A vessel (5) containing a pumpable medium, having an opening that is closed by an insert (16) into which a suction opening (24) can be pierced by means of a suction nozzle (3), wherein the insert (16) has at least two, preferably overlapping, regions (21, 22) of different hardness, wherein the harder region (21) of the insert (16) bears against the opening of the vessel (5), and the softer region covers at least part of the suction opening (24), wherein the harder region (21) has properties that are coordinated to support the softer region (22) when the insert (16) is pierced, and wherein the softer region (22) has properties that are coordinated to provide a sealing function for the suction nozzle (3). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Container and assembly comprising a dispenser and a container

The invention relates to a container containing a pumpable medium, with an opening closed by an insert, in which a suction opening can be pierced by a suction nipple, the insert having at least two regions of different hardness, preferably one superimposed on the other, and in which the harder region of the insert fits into the opening of the container. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a dispenser for a pumpable medium with a dispensing device arranged in a dispenser part, preferably in an upper housing part, in which a suction nipple is provided, and the container containing the pumpable medium.

Document DE 29920517 U describes a soap dispenser that features a soap container with a neck, into which an insert made of a corrosion-resistant and germ-preventing metal, such as stainless steel, is glued. The insert has a central bore into which a dispensing unit with a pump is pressed, creating a fine or press-fit seal. A suction port for the pump projects from below into the medium to be sucked in. A slot is provided in the wall of the bore, which forms a ventilation channel when the pump is inserted. Both the container and the dispensing unit are designed for extended periods of use, so that the dispensing unit can be removed from the insert bore to refill the soap.

Instead of refilling the dispensing container with the pumpable medium from a larger reservoir, it is easier, especially in terms of handling, to use refills. These are disposable containers filled with the medium and placed in the dispenser part. These refill containers are equipped with a hermetic seal that is opened or removed before placing the container in the housing. After establishing the flow connection between the pump in the housing and the medium in the container, the dispenser is ready for use again.

A container of the type mentioned above is known from document DE 102005029746. The container is specifically designed as a replacement for an atomizer and has an insert at the container opening, which is sealed gastight at the top by a lid or seal. A sealing element is arranged at the inner end of the insert, which can be pierced by the suction nozzle and fits tightly onto the suction nozzle after piercing. Due to the distance between the upper cover and the sealing element located inside, an excessively long path is required to establish the flow connection between the medium in the container and a dispensing device.

EP 3172146 shows a breakaway seal for closing an opening in a container containing a medium, as well as a container with such a breakaway seal. The breakaway seal has a central region that can be pierced by a suction nozzle and is weakened by radial notches.

Document EP 3708260 A1 shows a container with an insert consisting of two components. This document falls under Article 54(3) of the EPC.

Document EP 3708054 A1 shows a container with an insert comprising a pierceable membrane. This document falls under Article 54(3) of the EPC.

Document EP 3 162 732 A1 shows a paper inner container that can be inserted into a plastic outer container. The inner container has a membrane that can be pierced by a tube.

Document EP 0001 595 A1 shows a soap dispenser with an inverted container with an insert. The one-piece insert can be pierced by a socket and is sealed with respect to the socket.

Document WO 2004/094067 A2 shows a device for spraying cleaning agent with a container. The container has a mounting part with an opening that is either perforated or pre-opened. Furthermore, a pierceable seal is provided, which can be connected to the container or can be arranged independently between the mounting part and the container.

The invention has set itself the object of providing a container of the type mentioned at the beginning, which only requires a very short insertion path for the suction pipe to pierce the insert and is therefore also suitable as a replacement container for a set having a dispenser with a dispensing device.

Therefore, in a container according to the invention it is provided that the insert has at least two zones of different hardness, preferably one superimposed on the other, the harder zone of the insert adapting to the opening of the container, and the softer zone covers at least a part of the suction opening, so that the harder zone has properties that are adapted to support the softer zone during piercing of the insert, and that the softer zone has properties that are adapted to a sealing function for the inlet pipe.

By eliminating the distance between the two regions of different hardness, the travel that the suction nozzle must cover to pierce the suction opening is limited to the thickness of the two regions located one above the other. Furthermore, according to the invention, it is provided that in the harder region of the insert, at least a portion of the suction opening is recessed and covered by the softer region, and that the suction opening comprises a groove, the edge of which forms a cutting edge along which the softer region is supported by the harder region when it is cut by the suction nozzle. The support of the softer region prevents the softer region from stretching and bending inward if the end of the suction nozzle is blunt, so that the suction opening is not pierced.

In a preferred embodiment, which is particularly suitable for a suction nozzle with a round cross-section, the slot is provided with a C-shaped groove, and the inner cutting edge is formed in a removable material bridge in the hardest region. Depending on the brittleness of the material in the hardest region, the material bridge can bend downward or break. The width of the C-shaped groove can range from 0.2 to 1.5 mm; a groove width of 0.37 mm has proven particularly advantageous.

The harder region is preferably made of a conventional hard plastic, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, or a similar material. The materials for the softer region preferably have a Shore A hardness of 30 to 90, in particular Shore A 50. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is formed from a two-component sealing material comprising a hard component and a soft component, which form the harder and softer regions.

In another preferred embodiment, in which the container is dimensionally stable, a vent channel is provided into which a valve is inserted. The vent channel extends only through the harder region of the insert if the softer region around the vent channel is recessed. The valve can be, for example, a duckbill valve or similar.

Due to the very short travel required to pierce the suction opening, a bayonet lock can be used to connect the container to a dispenser part. Another preferred embodiment also provides for the container to have a neck, on which bayonet lock elements are provided on the outside and the insert on the inside. To achieve the travel, in a first embodiment, the bayonet lock elements can each have an axially pressed rib with a recess ending in a stop, the transition to the rib forming an opening resistance. Thus, the bayonet lock is locked upon reaching the stop and cannot accidentally open itself, but must be deliberately turned over the opening resistance. "Axially pressed" is understood in this case to mean that the rib extending in the circumferential direction has a bevel at least initially, such that when the bayonet lock is closed, the rim of the container is pressed against the dispenser part, a seal preferably arranged between them being compressed.

In a second embodiment, a rib arranged parallel to the stop may be provided in front of a stop of the bayonet closure on the neck of the container, also providing resistance to opening after its passage.

An assembly according to the invention comprises a dispenser for the pumpable medium, which has a dispensing device with a suction connection arranged in a dispenser part, preferably in an upper housing part, and the replaceable container containing the pumpable medium, which is preferably also provided with a removable closing lid. When the container is inserted into the dispenser part, the suction connection pierces the insert, which is made of a sealing material. This surprisingly simple solution is based on the knowledge that the container opening must be sealed against gas both before and during use in the dispenser, specifically as a replacement with a closing lid and after the container has been inserted into the dispenser part, for example in the upper housing part, in connection with the pump arranged in the dispenser. Various combinations are also possible here, depending on the type of container (dimensionally stable or compressible), the type of pump (manually or motor-actuated), etc., and an insert made of sealing material can be optimally adapted to the different requirements.

A preferred embodiment provides that the insert is formed from a two-component sealing material, with a region touching the container being made of a harder first component, the properties of which are adapted to a support in the container, and a region acting as a seal being made of a softer second component, the properties of which are adapted to a sealing function. In particular, in this embodiment, a first sealing region can be formed from the softer second component of the insert, which is associated with the suction opening, and optionally a second sealing region can be formed, which encloses a ventilation channel required for a dimensionally stable container. Both sealing regions of the softer second component of the insert are preferably arranged concentrically.

Naturally, a stable container can be vented in any known manner. It is advantageous if the venting channel runs through the insert, as in this case, it is covered by the closing lid together with the suction opening. Once the container is placed in the dispenser part, the container must be vented so that only the sealing area associated with the suction opening can fulfill its function. Therefore, in a first embodiment, the second sealing area preferably projects above the container, thereby sealing it against the applied closing lid. After the container is placed in position, it is disengaged from its function at a distance from the underside of the discharge device, so that the venting channel remains unobstructed.

After removing the sealing cap, the container can be placed in the dispenser part, with the suction nozzle of the dispenser device inserting into the suction opening. The first sealing region of the second, softer component of the insert fits around the suction nozzle, thereby sealing it to the container.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. They show:

Figure 1 shows a view of an assembly according to the invention, in which the container is placed in an upper housing part,

Figure 2, individual parts of the container with closing lid,

Figure 3, a longitudinal section through the connection area between the container and the upper housing part,

Figure 4, an enlarged-scale detail of zone A in Figure 3,

Figure 5, the detail of Figure 4 with the closing lid instead of the upper casing part,

Figure 6, corresponding to Figure 2, individual parts of a second embodiment of the container, Figure 7, a longitudinal section through the connection area between the second embodiment of the container and the upper housing part,

Figure 8, an enlarged-scale detail of zone A in Figure 7,

Figure 9 shows the detail of Figure 8 with a closing lid instead of the upper housing part, and Figure 10 shows an enlarged top plan view of the insert in the second embodiment of the container corresponding to Figure 6.

An assembly according to the invention comprises a dispenser for a pumpable medium, of which an upper housing part 1 is shown in FIG. 1 as a dispenser part and at least one container 5, which is provided primarily as a refill, and in which the medium to be dispensed, for example soap, gel, cream, disinfectant, etc., is contained. The container 5 is connected to the upper housing part 1 by means of a bayonet lock 9 ( FIG. 3 ). If the container 5 is located within the outer contours of the upper housing part 1, the upper housing part 1 can be supplemented by a lower part, not shown, in the form of a bucket or the like, which has, for example, an improved storage surface, gripping elements for a wall mount, or decorative elements.

The dispenser part contains a dispensing device 2 for the medium contained in the container 5, which has, for example, a motor-driven, sensor-controlled, or similar peristaltic compression pump, and, when manually actuated, has, for example, an oscillating pump. However, this is of minor importance for understanding the invention.

The dispensing device 2 has a suction connection 3, which projects from the underside of the upper housing part 1 and is connected in flow communication with a riser tube 20 inside the container 5. The container 5 comprises a cylindrical neck 6, in which an insert 16 is arranged, from which the riser tube 20 projects downwards. The insert 16 comprises two regions 21, 22 of different hardness and is explained in more detail below. Preferred materials for the harder region 21 are conventional hard plastics, such as polypropylene, polyethylene or similar materials. The materials for the softer region 22 preferably have a Shore A hardness of 30 to 90, in particular Shore A 50. The insert 16 preferably consists of a two-component sealing material.

On the outside of the neck 6, two or four elements of the container-side bayonet lock 9 are formed. These include a rib 11 extending approximately in the circumferential direction to a stop 14, which has at least one insertion bevel and connects with a recess 13 terminating in the stop 14.

On the upper housing part 1, housing-side elements 17 of the bayonet lock 9 are provided, in particular cylindrical protrusions or the like. When the container 5 is inserted into the upper housing part 1 and subsequently rotated about its longitudinal axis, the housing-side elements 17 extend below the ribs 11, and the container 5 is pressed upwards into the upper housing part 1 by the insert chamfer, thereby creating a seal between the suction connection 3 and the suction opening of the insert 16.

In order to prevent unintentional opening of the bayonet lock 9, an opening resistance is provided, which is achieved, for example, by the transition between the recess 13 and the rib 11 and/or by a rib 15 formed parallel to the stop 14. This means that the container 5 perceptibly overcomes an obstacle when locking or opening the bayonet lock 9. Figure 2 further shows a closure lid 7 for the container 5, which has the same projections or protrusions as the housing-side elements 17 of the upper housing part 1. The container 5 can have any cross-sectional shape to which a possibly provided bucket is adapted.

As mentioned above, the insert 16 is made in particular of a two-component sealing material, the first, harder region 21 for connection to the inner side of the neck 6 comprising a support ring 28 and a central sleeve 29 in which the riser tube 20 is placed inside the container 5. The second component of the sealing material of the insert 16 forms the softer region 22, which comprises two sealing regions 26 and 27. The first sealing region 26 encloses the resulting suction opening 24 and seals against the inserted suction pipe 3 of the dispensing device 2, as shown in Figure 4.

In the embodiment according to Figures 2 to 5, the second sealing region 27 is provided concentrically with respect to the suction opening 24 on the upper side of the softer region 22 and projects above the container 5. The second sealing region 27 is provided at a distance from the first sealing region 26, a ventilation channel 23 running through the insert 16 in between.

In Figure 4 it can be seen that when the container 5 is connected, the second sealing zone 27 is located at a distance 25 from the discharge device 2 and therefore has no sealing function, so that when the discharge device 2 is actuated, air can flow through the ventilation channel 23 of the insert 16 to the container 5. Here only the first sealing zone 26 is functional.

In Figure 5 it can be seen that the closing lid 7, when fitted, is sealed against the second sealing region 27, so that the medium contained in the container 5 cannot escape through the open suction opening 24 or through the ventilation channel 23. Here, only the second sealing region 27 is functional, but not the first sealing region 26 in the suction opening 24.

This saves a sealing element, since conventional soap dispensers with interchangeable containers have a sealing element in the closing lid and a sealing element in the discharge device.

An assembly consisting of the upper housing part 1, as described above for Figures 1 to 5, and a second embodiment of the container 5 according to the invention are shown in Figures 6 to 10. The main difference between the two container embodiments lies in the details of the insert 16 formed from the two-component sealing material.

The insert 16, shown in Figure 10 in a top plan view, again comprises a harder region 21 which is connected to the neck 6 of the container 5 by means of the support ring 28 and is made of a harder sealing component, and a second softer region 22 which is embedded in the upper side of the harder region 21 and is made of the softer sealing component. In the hardest region 21, a roughly C-shaped groove 31 with a width of 0.2 to 1.5 mm, in particular 0.37 mm, is formed, which is only covered by the softer region 22. The harder region 21 thus supports the softer region 22 during the piercing of the central suction opening 24, since the outer edge of the C-shaped groove 31 forms a cutting edge for the lower outer edge of the suction nozzle 3. The C-shaped groove 31 is delimited on the inside by a part 30 connected to the hardest region 21 by a material bridge 32. Above the part 30, the softer region 22 may be recessed, as can be seen in Figure 10. When the container 5 is inserted into the upper housing part 1, its suction nozzle 3 penetrates the insert 16, piercing the C-shaped groove 31. softer 22 along the cutting edge and presses on the workpiece 30, which either breaks and falls down, or is bent outwards, depending on the properties of the harder area 21 of the insert 16. The softer area 22 then seals the suction pipe 3, as can be seen in figures 7 and 8.

The harder region 21 of the first component is provided with a ventilation opening or ventilation channel 23, around which the softer region 22 is recessed. As shown, the ventilation channel is equipped with a duckbill valve 33 or similar, through which air can flow steadily into the container 5 when the contents of the container are removed.

Puncturing the suction opening or removing the material bridge 32 via the suction connection 3 requires only a very small axial travel, which is achieved at most by tightening the bayonet lock, so that the container 5 is securely open. Due to the small width of the slot 31 and the support of the softer region 22, which overlaps the slot 31 with the harder region 21, the softer region 22 is securely separated when the container is inserted into the upper housing part 1.

The embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 10 can also be used in dispensers in which the container 5 is inserted upside down, in which case the rising tube 20 in the container 5 is omitted.

Claims (16)

1. Container (5) containing a pumpable medium, with an opening which is closed by an insert (16), in which a suction opening (24) can be pierced by a suction nozzle (3), wherein the insert (16) has at least two regions (21, 22) of different hardness, preferably one superimposed on the other, wherein the harder region (21) of the insert (16) fits into the opening of the container (5) and the softer region covers at least a part of the suction opening (24), so that the harder region (21) has properties which are adapted to support the softer region (22) during piercing of the insert (16), and where the softer region (22) has properties which are adapted to a sealing function for the suction nozzle (3), at least a part of the opening being recessed in the harder region (21) of the insert (16). suction (24) and covered by the softer area (22), characterized in that the suction opening (24) has a groove (31), the edge of which forms a cutting edge, along which the softer area (22) can be sectioned. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the groove (31) is C-shaped and is internally limited by a piece (30) connected to the harder area (21) through a bridge of removable material (32). 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the groove (31) has a width of 0.2 to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.37 mm. 4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the harder zone (21) is made of a conventional hard plastic, for example polypropylene, polyethylene or a similar material, and the softer zone (22) is preferably made of a material with a Shore A hardness of 30 to 90, in particular Shore A 50. 5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insert (16) is formed from a two-component sealing material, comprising a hard component and a soft component, which form the harder region and the softer region (21, 22). 6. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container (5) is dimensionally stable, characterized in that a ventilation channel (23) is led through the harder region (21) of the insert (16), into which a valve is inserted, wherein the softer region (22) is preferably recessed around the ventilation channel (23). 7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the valve is a duckbill valve (33). 8. Assembly comprising a dispenser for a pumpable medium, with a dispensing device (2) arranged in an upper housing part (1), in which a suction connection (3) is provided, and a container (5) according to one of claims 1 to 7 containing the pumpable medium, with an insert (16) formed by a sealing material having a suction opening (24), wherein the suction connection (3) of the dispensing device (2) extends through the suction opening (24) with sealing after the container (5) has been placed in the upper housing part (1). 9. Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the insert (16) is formed from a two-component sealing material, and a region (21) touching the container (5) is made from a first component, the properties of which are adapted for support in the container (5), and a region (22) assuming sealing is made from a second component, the properties of which are adapted to a sealing function. 10. Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that a first sealing zone (26) surrounding the suction opening (24) is formed on the second component of the insert (16), and preferably if the container (5) is dimensionally stable, a second sealing zone (27) surrounding a ventilation channel (23). 11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the second component of the insert (16) has two sealing zones (26, 27), in particular concentric, wherein the first sealing zone (26) surrounds only the suction opening (24) and the second sealing zone (27) surrounds the suction opening (24) and the ventilation channel (23). 12. Assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the sealing area (27) surrounding the ventilation channel (23) projects above the container (5) and is located at a distance (25) from the underside of the discharge device (2) after the container (5) has been placed in the upper housing part (1). 13. Assembly according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the container (5) has a neck (6) attachable to the upper housing part (1), wherein elements of a bayonet closure (9) are provided on the outside on the container side and the insert (16) of sealing material is provided on the inside, the bayonet closure (9) preferably having an opening resistance. 14. Assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the bayonet closure elements (9) on the container side each have a rib (11) which is axially pressed with a cavity (3) which ends in the stop (14) and whose transition to the rib (11) forms the opening resistance. 15. Assembly according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the elements on the side of the housing (17) are cylindrical protuberances. 16. Assembly according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the container (5) containing the pumpable medium is closed by a closing lid (7) and sealed against gas by the sealing area (27) of the insert (16) projecting above before it is inserted into the upper housing part (1).