CA2162480A1 - Refillable package - Google Patents

Abstract

A refillable package for liquid, viscous or powdery substances is disclosed. An exchangeable container (2) is held in a stable position in a housing (1) even while it is emptied, and collapse of the container is prevented. Lateral guides (3) or reinforcements of the container (2) engage corresponding holding members (4) in the container or are form-fittingly linked to the container. The refillable package is simple and economical to produce and is easy to handle. The housing is reusable and the container has low volume and weight.

Description

`_ 2 1 6 2 ~ 8 0 ~fE~1533 AS ORIGI~:ALLY FILED

Refillable Package This invention relates to a refillable package comprising a housing and an exchangeable fillable container so that said package can be refilled without any pouring and/or transfusing of the substance to be dispensed. This way, clean, hygienic and lossfree refilling can be ensured.

US-4,469,250 discloses a refillable package with a squeezable container and an exchangeable bladder. Said container consists of an upper portion and a lower portion, which secure said bladder inbetween when screwed together.
In addition, said upper portion comprises a first one-way check valve for dispensing the contents of said bladder and said lower portion comprises a second one-way check valve disposed to permit air flow from outside into the space between said bladder and said container. When emptied, said container is squeezed together and the contents of said bladder is squeezed out via said first one-way check valve.
The vacuum in said container produced by the loss of contents is balanced by supplying air via the second one-way check valve. Underneath the container thread, the bladder hangs unsecured in the container.

US-5,156,299 relates to a refillable package consisting of a two-part container with a manual pump head and an exchangeable bladder. The side walls of said bladder are provided with grooves or folds connected to the opening of said bladder which are to facilitate the transport of the liquid from all parts of the bladder. The only connection of said bladder with said container is in the area of the opening of said bladder.

In refillable packages, one problem is to equally empty the substance to be dispensed since the bladder, bladder or bag tends to collapse when partially emptied and, when the dispensing process is caused by air pressure, this causes ~ ~ 1 6 2 ~ 8 ~ 1533 AS ORIGL~'ALLY FILED

the pressure to decrease. The described state of the art tries to solve this problem by means of increased technical expenditure. US-4,469,250 teaches to balance the pressure loss by means of the second one-way check valve, and US-5,156,299 uses a pump head and product flow channels in the bladder.

In contrast, the object of this invention is to provide a refillable package comprising a housing and an exchangeable container, having a simple and inexpensive design, and wherein collapsing of said container is reliably prevented when said container is emptied.

Advantageously, the container according to this invention is of low volume and weight so that only little waste will occur. The housing can be reused several times and, if desired, can be elaborately designed.

This object is achieved by means of the features of the claims.

The solution according to this invention is based on the principle idea to provide at least one guide means on the sides of said container engaging with at least one corresponding mounting in said housing. This way said container is stabilized in its position within said housing and prevented from collapsing even when completely or partially empty. Thus, said container can be reliably and completely emptied.

The advantage of this invention lies in a simple and inexpensive production of said refillable package, in a user-friendly usability and a wide variety of applications, e.g. for liquid, viscous or powdery substances. Besides, the housing can be adjusted to an appearance of known vessels without internal containers and replace them.

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In the following, the invention is explained in more detail based on the Figures:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along the line A-A' of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3a is an enlarged depiction of the upper portion of the embodiment of this invention of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through part lb of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows a side view of part lb with bars of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the container of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 shows a side view of the container of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the container of Fig. 6 mounted on the part lb of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8a shows a side view of a container mounted on part lb in another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 9 shows a side view of the mounted container of Fig. 8 perpendicular to the drawing plane;

Fig. 10 shows a top view of the mounted container of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 shows a cut through an embodiment of the invention with level control;

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K'r'LP~A)15;3 AS ORlCil~JALLY FIII~D

Fig. 12a shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 12b shows a cross-sectional view along the line B-B' of Fig. 12a;

Fig. 12c shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 12b;

Fig. 13a shows a cross-section through another embodiment of this invention with guide means for the container integrated in the housing wall;

Fig. 13b shows a cross-section through another embodiment of this invention with bars upright projecting from the bottom of the housing as guide means for the container;

Fig. 13c shows a cross-section through another embodiment of this invention with a guide ring only partially surrounding the container;

Fig. 14a shows a cross-section through another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 14b shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 14a;

Fig. 14c shows a cross-section through Fig. 14b perpendicular to the drawing plane;

Fig. 15a shows the assembled embodiment of this invention of Fig. 14a;

Fig. 15b shows a top view of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. l5a;

Fig. 16a shows a side view of the closed embodiment of the invention of Fig. 15a with cut upper portion;

2 1 6 2 4 8 0 PCT,'EPW,01533ASORIGL~ALLYFQED

Fig. 16b is an enlarged depiction of the cut area of Fig.
16a;

Fig. 17a shows the embodiment of this invention of Fig. 15a ready for dispension;

Fig. 17b shows a top view of the embodiment of this invention of Fig. 17a;

Fig. 18 shows a cross-section through another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. l9a shows a cross-section through another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. l9b shows a top view of the embodiment of this invention of Fig. l9a, wherein the housing is cut perpendicular to the drawing plane;

Fig. l9c is an enlarged depiction of Fig. l9b;

Fig. 20a shows the container of ~ig. 19 in a partially cut side view; and Fig. 2Ob shows a front view parallel to the drawing plane of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 20a.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-section through an embodiment of the refillable package of this invention, which exhibits an oval shape with two wide and two narrow sides in the cross-section parallel to the drawing plane. The cross-section depicted in Fig. 1 runs through the center axis perpendicular to the wide sides of an outer housing 1. A
container 2 comprises loops 3, which are pushed over bars 4, and with the flange 8 surrounding a container opening 7 rests on the upper ends 13 of said bars 4 in recesses 14.
Said housing 1 comprises a first part la and a second part 2 ~ ~i 2 4 8 0 P~ r 1 533 AS ORIClt~'ALLY FILED

lb which are detachably connected to one another via at least one locking means 11 (below and/or above the drawing plane). Said part la comprises a dispensing means 5 for the substance, a closure cap 6 and a connection piece 10 at its upper end. When said parts la and lb are connected with one another, the connection piece 10 engages with the container opening 7 and seals it against the flange 8 by means of a seal lOa. If said opening 7 of said container 2 is covered by a film before the assembly of said container 1, the film is pierced by said connection piece 10 when said housing parts la and lb are connected with one another. Said housing 1 and said container 2 are preferably made of plastics, said housing being stiff but flexible and said container being a film bag 9. In order to empty said bag 2, said housing 1 is squeezed by the user's hand and the pressure is transferred to said bag 2 causing its content to be dispensed via the dispensing means 5 when said closure cap 6 is open. The compressed housing 1 changes the shape of said bars 4 to a certain extent. Then these bars 4 pull said bag 2 back into its starting position when said housing 1 is let go with the result that said bag 2 is supplied with air again.

The design according to this invention with said bag guided in said mountings of a housing also allows for a simple pouring out of said refillable package without applying any pressure.

Fig. 2 shows a preferred location of said bars 4. It is advantageous if they are located on the wide sides of said housing 1 and outside the center. This allows for the pressure to be transferred to said bag 2 via the sides of said housing 1, which are preferable lower in their wall thickness in the pressure area, without being affected by said bars 4.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the embodiment of Fig.
2 along the line A-A'.

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PCT/EW4,01533 AS ORIGI~IALLY FILED

Fig. 3a is an enlarged depiction of the upper portion of said refillable package of Fig. 3 comprising said connection piece 10 and said seal lOa.

Figs. 4 and 5 show said second part lb of said housing comprising said bars 4, and Figs. 6 and 7 show corresponding depictions of the matching bag 2 with loops 3 for said bars 4. Preferably, said bag consists of a transparent film welded together at its edges, wherein said film is printed only partially so that the substance level can be visually controlled. Said loops 3 are preferably connected to the bag envelope 9 by means of welding. In addition, as shown in Fig. 11, there are several transparent windows 15 provided in the side wall of said housing 1 to make it possible to control the substance level in said bag 2.

Figs. 8 and 9 show front and side views of the bag of Figs.
6 and 7, mounted by means of said bars 4 onto said second part lb. Two locking means 11 are provided on said second part lb. When said housing is closed, the protruding locking means are engaged with holes 12 in said first part la of said container 1 (see also Fig. 2). Part la can easily be removed from part lb by means of exerting pressure on the elastically held protrusion 11.

Fig. 8a shows another embodiment according to this invention of mounting said bag 2 on said part lb. In this embodiment, said bars 4 as well as said loops 3 taper off upwardly and/or they are wedge-shaped. This renders the insertion of said bag 2 into said part lb easier for the user.

Fig. 10 shows a top view of the mounted bag of Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 shows a cut through the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 1 perpendicular to the drawing plane. The elongated holes drawn in broken lines represent transparent windows 15 located in said side wall la of said housing, making it ~- 2162480 possible to control the substance level in said bag 2, which is transparent underneath said transparent window 15.

Figs. 12a to d show another embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 12a shows the embodiment of this invention cut open. On its outside, said bag 2 comprises an injection-molded surrounding ring 16 as mounting guided in two bars 4 (only one is visible). As can be seen in the cross-section (Fig.
13b), said bars, which stand freely on the housing bottom, comprise a dove-tail shape 18, wherein the dove tail 18 is guided in dove-tail grooves 17 of said ring 16.
Fig. 12b shows a cross-sectional view along the line B-B' of Fig. 12a. With regard to the other features of this embodiment, reference is made to the above description e.g.
of Fig. 1. Fig. 12c shows an enlarged detail of said ring 16 and said dove-tail guide 17, 18 in said bar 4.

Figs. 13a to c show various embodiments of this invention of said guide means and mounting of said bag in said housing.

Fig. 13a shows the mounting of said bag as an integrated component 19 of said container wall lb. In its cross-section, the means 19 comprises a hollow dove-tail shape, which is engaged with a corresponding groove in said ring 16. The hollow dove-tail shape ensures an elastic deformation when said housing wall is squeezed together.
Fig. 13b shows an alternative mounting of said bag inside said housing. Fig. 13c shows an embodiment of this invention, wherein said ring 16 of the embodiment of the mounting according to Fig. 13a only partially surrounds said bag 2. This makes it easier for said bag to be squeezed together when being emptied. As in the embodiments according to Figs. 1 to 11, the embodiments of this invention according to Figs. 13a to 13c comprise a thinner wall in the direction of the shorter axis of said housing 1 in its pressure area, which also makes it easier to squeeze said housing together when emptying said bag 2.

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Figs. 14a to 17b show another embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, said ring 16 does not completely surround said bag 2 (see Fig. 13c), and said flange 8, said first part la and said closure cap 6 differ from the embodiments shown so far.

Fig. 14a shows said bag and said housing in an unassembled state. Said bag 2 is introduced into said dove tails integrally connected with said second housing part lb by means of dove-tail grooves on said ring 16, pushed into said second housing part lb, and then said part lb is connected with said first housing part la. Said flange 8 comprises a membrane 21 at its upper end comprising a dispensing opening 7, which is closed by means of an insert 22 before said first dispensing. This insert 22 serves as a tamper proof seal, which is grabbed and removed by means of hooks 24 within said closure cap 6 when said bag is first opened.
Fig. 14b shows an enlarged depiction of the membrane 21 and said insert 22 of Fig. 14a. Said membrane 21 comprises a surrounding swelling 26 at its side to prevent said insert 22 from being taken off. Said membrane 21 elastically and resiliently pushes against a stopper 22a of said insert 22 protruding downwards and thus seals the dispensing opening 7. Fig. 14c shows a cross-section through Fig. 14b perpendicular to the drawing plane. There are two opposite comb-like recesses 23 in the swelling 26, into which the hooks 24 snap when said closure cap 6 is closed and they thus snap behind said insert 22. Fig. 15a shows said housing 1 with said bag 2 in an assembled state. Said insert 22 closes said opening 7, i.e. the tamper proof seal is not yet removed when said closure cap 6 is open. Fig. 15b shows a top view of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 15a.
Upon closing the lid 6, said hooks 24 snap behind said insert 22 (Fig. 16a and enlarged depiction Fig. 16b). The curvature of said insert 22 lies inside a corresponding indentation 25 of said closure cap 6. When said closure cap 62q80 PCr~EP94.~1533 AS ORIGINALLY FILED

6, which is movably mounted on part la e.g. by means of hinges, is tilted, said insert 22 is removed from said opening 7 and thus exposes said bag 2 for a first dispension. This state is depicted in a cross-sectional view in Fig. 17a and in a top view in Fig. 17b. Said insert 22, held by said hooks 24, remains inside said closure cap 6 and seals off said bag 2 when said housing 1 is closed. When a new bag 2 with a new insert 22 is inserted, the old insert 22 is removed from said closure cap 6 by pushing it to the side, and the process of removing the tamper proof seal in the form of said insert 22 is repeated as described above, said new insert 22 remaining inside said closure cap 6.

The above-described flange 8 can be used according to this invention in various containers.

Fig. 18 shows another embodiment of this invention, wherein said flange 8 is depicted only schematically, but corresponds to the embodiment of Figs. 15a and b. Said bag 2 comprises surrounding rings 20 on its inside, spreading the wall of said bag open and enforcing it (Fig. 18 shows two rings). After said bag 2 has been inserted into said second housing part lb, said rings 20 are form-fit with said housing 1 via said wall of said bag 2, with said wall of said part lb serving as a mounting. Said rings 20 reliably prevent the empty bag 2 from collapsing and allow an elastic squeezing together of said bag 2 when emptying it.
Alternatively, said bag can comprise only one ring. Said ring(s) can be open and/or spiral-shaped.

Figs. l9a to c and 20a and b show another embodiment of this invention.

Fig. l9a shows a refillable package with said container 2 being self-supporting and thin-walled. This kind of container is preferably blown, which process makes very thin walls possible. Said flange 8 with said container opening 7 is formed directly onto said container 2. Said flange 8 can ~_ 21~24~0 11 K'r/EW-,01533 A~5 ORIGI:`IALLY FIII~D

also be in the two-part form. First, a large hole is provided for a better filling of said container 2, which hole is then closed by means of an intermediate ring comprising said container opening 7 and said insert 22.
Fig. l9b shows a top view of the embodiment of this invention of Fig. l9a, wherein said housing 1 is cut open.
Fig. l9c is an enlarged depiction of Fig. l9b. Said container 2 comprises dove tails 18 on both sides. During recharging, the latter is inserted in dove-tail grooves 17 located at said housing part lb and thus holds said container 2 inside said housing 1. Fig. 20a shows said container 2 of Figs. l9a to c in a partly cut side view.
Fig. 20b shows a front view parallel to the drawing plane of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 20a. Said dove tails 18 located on both sides can have different lengths, wherein one dove tail can also be located at a different hight than the other one. This can make it easier for the user to insert said container 2 into said housing 1.

Preferably, the refillable package is for containers having a cubic content of 125, 250 or 500 ml. However, refillable packages for larger containers can also be produced.

The refillable package can be used for beverages, foodstuffs (e.g. Ketchup), cosmetics, detergents, paints, adhesives, powders, graphite powder, and other things.

The invention can be modified in various ways. For instance, said container and/or said bag 2 can comprise strips instead of loops 3 which are engaged with rails instead of said bars 4 in said housing.

An embodiment with e.g. a pair of loops 3 and a pair of bars 4 each being arranged in the largest distance from one another quasi diagonally from one another is also possible.

By means of a suitable closure, e.g. with a wider opening perpendicularly above said container opening 7, the content '_ 21629gQ
PCT!EW~ )1533 ~5 ORlGl.~iALLY FILED

of said container 2 can e.g. also be sucked out using a straw. This embodiment can be used filled with milk, fruit juice, etc., e.g. when used as a drinking utensil. Due to the fact that said bars 4 can vary in design and location, said housing 1 can be designed rather freely (freeform).
Thus, said housing 1 can be designed like a known bottle without container.

Claims (34)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS.

1. A refillable package comprising a housing (1) and an exchangeable fillable container (2), characterized in that said container (2) comprises at least one guide means (3; 16; 17; 18; 20) at its sides, which is in engagement with at least one corresponding mounting (4;
17; 18; 19) in said housing (1), wherein said container (2) is held in a stable position and is prevented from collapsing when emptied.

2. The refillable package of claim 1, characterized in that the guide means is at least one ring (16) partly or completely surrounding said container (2).

3. The refillable package of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide means is a dove-tail groove (17) or a dove tail (18) and the mounting (4) is a dove tail (18) and/or a dove-tail groove (17) which can be in engagement with one another.

4. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mountings are bars (4) in said housing (1) or means (19) in the wall of said housing (1).

5. The refillable package of any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said ring (16) is injection-molded with or welded to said container (2).

6. The refillable package of claim 5, characterized in that said ring (16) is made of plastics, preferably polypropylene.

7. The refillable package of claim 1, characterized in that said guide means is at least one ring (20) completely surrounding the inside of said container (2), which ring is preferably injection-molded or welded, wherein the mounting of said container (2) in said housing (1) is formed by means of a form fit.

8. The refillable package of claim 7, characterized in that said ring (20) is spiral-shaped.

9. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a) said housing (1) comprises:
a1) a first part (1a) comprising a dispensing means (5) and a closure cap (6), and a2) a second part (1b) detachably connected to the first part (1a), and b) said container (2) comprises:
b1) an opening (7) surrounded by a flange (8), and b2) a container envelope (9) connected to said flange (8), wherein c) said container (2) can be pushed into said mounting (4) by means of said- guide means when said first part (1a) of said housing (1) is removed, and d) said first part (1a) is then connected with said second part (1b), with a sealed connection of said dispensing means (5) with the bag's interior being ensured via said container opening (7) at the same time.

10. The refillable package of claim 1, characterized in that a) said housing (1) comprises:
a1) a first part (1a) comprising a dispensing means (5) and a closure cap (6), and a2) a second part (1b) detachably connected to the first part (1a), wherein at least two bars (4) standing upright on the bottom of said second part (1b) serve as mountings for said container (2) and reach into the interior of said housing (1), and b) said container (2) comprises:
b1) an opening (7) surrounded by a flange (8), and b2) a container envelope connected to said flange (8) comprising loops (3) as guide means for said bars (4), wherein c) said container (2) with said loops (3) can be pushed over said bars (4) and with the flange (8) and/or the protrusions protruding therefrom being positioned on the upper ends (13) of said bars (4) in recesses (14) when said first part (1a) of said housing (1) is removed, and d) said first part (1a) is then connected with said second part (1b), with a sealed connection of said dispensing means (5) with the bag's interior being ensured via said container opening (7) at the same time.

11. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said housing (1) can be squeezed together so that the content of said container (2) can be squeezed out.

12. The refillable package of any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that said dispensing means (5) comprises a connection piece (10) fitting into said opening (7) of said container (2), which engages with said opening (7) when said first part (1a) is connected with said second part (1b).

13. The refillable package of claim 12, characterized in that said connection piece (10) opens a container closure upon being engaged with said opening (7).

14. The refillable package of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said connection piece (10) comprises a seal (10a) which surrounds it laterally and seals said container opening (7) against the flange (8).

15. The refillable package of any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that said first part (1a) is connected to said second part (1b) at the bottom of said housing (1).

16. The refillable package of any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that said first part (1a) is connected to said second part (1b) at the top of said housing (1).

17. The refillable package of any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that said first part (1a) is connected to said second part (1b) via at least one locking means (11).

18. The refillable package of claim 17, characterized in that said locking means is a protrusion (11) elastically held in the wall of said second part (1b) which can be engaged with a corresponding hole (12) in the wall of said first part (1a).

19. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it is made of plastics.

20. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that said housing (1) has an essentially oval cross-section with two wide and two narrow sides and that the wide side has a thinner wall than the narrow side.

21. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that said container is thin-walled and self-supporting or a film bag (9).

22. The refillable package of claim 21, characterized in that said film bag (9) consists of two rectangular pieces of film connected to one another, preferably of a folded and welded film.

23. The refillable package of any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that two bars (4) are located on each of the two wide housing sides outside the centers of each side such that pressure can be exerted on said container (2) via the wide housing sides without touching said bars (4).

24. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that said housing (1) comprises a level control and said container (2) is transparent at least in one area stretching from top to bottom due to lack of any printing that might be on the remainder of said container (2).

25. The refillable package of claim 24, characterized in that said housing comprises several transparent windows (15) located from top to bottom.

26. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that said dispensing means (5) and said closure cap (6) can be mounted to said housing part (1a) as a separate part.

27. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that said dispensing means (5) and said closure cap (6) are located on said flange (8) and are held by said housing part (1a).

28. The refillable package of any one of claims 9 to 27, characterized in that said flange (8) comprises:
a) a membrane (21) surrounding said opening (7), b) an insert (22) resiliently sealed off being engaged with said opening (7) and closing it off, wherein c) said membrane (21) comprises a surrounding swelling (26) at its side with at least two comb-like recesses (23), into which said closure cap (6) can be snapped underneath said insert (22) by means of at least two hooks (24) so that d) said insert (22) is removed together with said closure cap (6) when said closure cap (6) is opened, thus exposing said opening (7).

29. The refillable package of claim 28, characterized in that said closure cap (6) comprises an indentation (25) for accommodating a curvature of said insert (22).

30. The refillable package comprising a housing (1) and an exchangeable fillable container (2), characterized in that at least one ring (20) is located at said container (2) spreading said container open and preferably being in contact with said housing (1).

31. A closure for particularly the refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized by a) a membrane (21) surrounding an opening (7) b) an insert (22) resiliently sealed off being engaged with said opening (7) and closing it off, wherein c) said membrane (21) comprises a surrounding swelling (26) at its side with at least two comb-like recesses (23), into which a closure cap (6) comprising at least two hooks (24) can be snapped underneath said insert (22) so that d) said insert (22) is removed together with said closure cap (6) when said closure cap (6) is opened, thus exposing said opening (7).

32. The refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that said dispensing means (5) can be a mechanical sprayer or a pump.

33. Use of the refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 32 for liquid, viscous or powdery substances.

34. Use of the refillable package of any one of claims 1 to 33 in combination with a cup, which can preferably be stuck on, as a drinking utensil.