CN113950452A

CN113950452A - Packaging system for at least one product preparation component and corresponding method for processing product preparation components

Info

Publication number: CN113950452A
Application number: CN202080022018.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·隆巴尔
Original assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 2019-03-21
Filing date: 2020-03-03
Publication date: 2022-01-18
Also published as: DE102019203858A1; JP2022526123A; US20220002067A1; EP3941843A1; WO2020187557A1

Abstract

The present application relates to a packaging system (1) for at least one product preparation component, comprising a first container (10) for storing a first product preparation component, a second container (20) for optionally storing at least one additional product preparation component, and a closure device (3) which seals an opening (11) in the first container (10) from the surroundings by means of a closure element (40) and which has a coupling device (30) for coupling the second container (20) to the closure device (3) and for establishing a fluid connection between the first container (10) and the second container (20). The present application additionally relates to a corresponding method for processing at least one product preparation component. The aim of the invention is to ensure a reliable packaging system (1) which essentially allows user-friendly handling of the contained product preparation components. This is achieved in that the closure element (40) and the coupling device (30) are joined together as separate parts in a non-releasable manner, thereby forming the closure device (3).

Description

Packaging system for at least one product preparation component and corresponding method for processing product preparation components

Technical Field

The present application relates to a packaging system for at least one product preparation component, comprising a first container for storing a first product preparation component, a second container for optionally storing at least one additional product preparation component, and a closure device which closes an opening in the first container with respect to the surroundings by means of a closure element and has a coupling device for coupling the second container to the closure device and for establishing a fluid connection between the first container and the second container. The application also relates to a corresponding method for processing the product preparation components. Such packaging systems are often used for targeted mixing of initially separately stored flowable product preparation components and are mainly used when using two-component or multi-component product preparations in which the individual preparation components are incompatible with one another or chemically highly responsive due to their chemical composition and should then only be mixed just before actual application (or application). The preparation and application of such multicomponent articles is known per se from the fields of cosmetics, medicine, food and cleaning agents, etc.

Background

For example, german utility model DE29721872U1 describes a facility for coupling two containers with the aim of possible mixing of the fluids initially stored separately in each container. The coupling facility described therein is used, for example, for mixing individual components of a hair dye, which are not compatible with one another and therefore have to be stored separately from one another in separate containers until they are actually used. The individual components are mixed to form the ready-to-use hair dye just prior to use. For this purpose, the coupling facility has two coupling elements, each allowing an associated container to be attached. Each coupling element forms a flow channel in fluid communication with the interior of the respective container. In addition, the two flow channels are aligned with each other within the coupling facility. The coupling facility also has a control element which is arranged in one of the channels so as to be displaceable between a first position and a second position. Depending on the position of the control element, each flow channel may be opened or closed. Thus, depending on the position of the control element, the flow through the flow channels and thus the entire coupling facility is made available or disabled. The flow channels are normally closed in the initial state of the coupling facility. In order to improve the sealing function, an additional plug is also provided, which closes off the flow channel in the initial state of the coupling facility. In use, the plug is removed under the action of the displaceable control element so that the flow channels are emptied for fluid flow therethrough.

Patent publication WO2007/111667a2 describes another system comprising two containers for separately storing two container contents, in which system the different container contents can be mixed just before use by means of a coupling device connecting the two containers. For this purpose, the coupling device has a valve structure which can be moved between a closed position and an open position. In the open valve position, the flow channel in the coupling device, which forms a fluid connection between the two containers, is emptied. Thus, the contents of the two containers can be mixed when the valve is in the open position.

Although the packaging system as described above basically allows separate storage of the different substances and mixing thereof to be achieved just before the actual application, these different substances are not suitable for separate storage in terms of function and also for efficient handling of the individual product preparation ingredients. This is of particular concern, for example, when substances which are chemically highly reactive or which may pose a health hazard are stored with the aid of such packaging systems. In this respect, the aforementioned packaging systems are only suitable for handling only very specific chemicals.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a closed packaging system for at least one product preparation component, which allows reliable storage and handling of product preparation components of as many and as different chemical substances as possible. In particular, a reliable and user-friendly handling of chemically highly reactive or health-hazardous substances should be achieved by means of the packaging system according to the present application.

This problem is solved by a packaging system for at least one product preparation component according to claim 1. The entire packaging system then generally comprises a first container for storing a first product preparation component, a second container for optionally storing at least one additional product preparation component, and a multi-functional closure. The closure means is adapted to seal the opening in the first container from the surroundings by means of the closure element in its initial state. In this way, firstly, chemically reactive substances as well as harmful substances can be safely stored in the first container. Due to the sealed closure of the first container, the substance contents from the first container cannot enter the surrounding environment, and environmental conditions such as atmospheric moisture or atmospheric oxygen cannot negatively affect the substance contents within the first container due to chemical reactions. The closure device additionally has a coupling device to detachably couple the second container to the closure device and thereby establish a fluid connection between the first container and the second container. The closure device is designed such that a fluid connection between the first container and the second container, or in other words an opening in the first container, can only be achieved when the closure device is fully coupled to the second container by means of the coupling device. In this way, the product preparation component is efficiently prevented from being undesirably dispensed from the first container into the ambient environment. In fact, the product preparation component may be expelled from the first container into the second container only after having been coupled. In this case, the closure element and the coupling device are joined together in a non-releasable manner as initially separate parts, thereby forming the closure device. In this way, the closure element and the coupling device can be manufactured particularly easily in a suitable manner independently of one another, for example by injection molding, and are advantageously handled as a common structural unit in the assembled state, i.e. as a closure device. The closure element and the coupling means can be joined together by means of a pressing process or a comparable joining step. In this case, the closure element and the coupling device are pressed together axially with respect to the axis of the closure device under the action of an external force and are locked together in a substantially unreleasable manner. In this context, a non-releasable connection between the closure element and the coupling device means that the two parts can no longer be released from each other after assembly, if not destroyed.

In the meaning of the present invention, the terms "product preparation" or "product preparation component" are understood in principle to mean free-flowing and/or pourable substances. This includes all liquids, gels, slurries or similar high viscosity substances (which typically have corresponding flow characteristics) as well as all powders, granules, particles or comparable solid substances (which typically have corresponding fluid or filling characteristics.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the packaging system, the closure element (and thus the entire closure device) is non-releasably connected to the first container by means of the fastening sleeve unless it is broken. In this context, "non-releasable" means that the closure element or the fastening sleeve cannot be detached from the first container in an unbroken manner. The non-releasable connection between the fastening sleeve and the first container is preferably achieved by snap-fitting or combined screw/snap-fitting. In a combined aspect, the fastening sleeve may be snap-fitted to the first container in a particularly advantageous manner. In such a way that it is non-releasably connected to the first container, the closure means store the product preparation component in the first container in an extremely reliable and sealed manner. Thus, the consumer cannot open the first container and the product preparation component cannot accidentally leak from the first container into the surrounding environment. Also, because of the sealed container envelope, the product preparation component stored within the first container is reliably protected from undesired environmental influences such as air moisture and/or atmospheric oxygen. Thus, such a packaging system also allows for the storage and handling of, for example, chemically highly reactive and possibly dangerous substances within the first container.

In the meaning of the present invention, "container" is understood to mean containers of various shapes, which have the common property that the interior of the container is surrounded by a container wall having an opening for discharging the container contents. The container opening can be emptied (opened) or closed by means of a suitable closure element. Such containers may therefore take different forms. However, containers in the form of bottles, bags, jars, pots, cartridges or similar shapes are obviously particularly suitable. As regards the container material, such a material should be chosen, depending on the content of the specific application, which, due to the physical characteristics of the material, initially ensures a suitable barrier effect with respect to the surrounding environment, in particular against atmospheric oxygen and moisture, so as to protect the container contents. In addition, the container material must be designed to be sufficiently inert with respect to its chemical-physical reactivity with the contents of the container. Glass, suitable plastics such as PP or PTFE, or materials with comparable properties have proven to be suitable container materials which best meet the requirements mentioned.

With regard to the choice of material for the closure, similar conditions apply to the container: the material of the closure should preferably be designed such that the closure also has a suitable barrier effect, above all against atmospheric oxygen and moisture, and also is chemically inert with respect to the container contents. Glass, suitable plastics such as PP or PTFE, or materials with comparable properties have proven to be suitable container materials which best meet the requirements mentioned.

In order to further improve the packaging system, the closure element comprises a cap for closing the first container, which cap is connected to the fastening sleeve of the closure element via a predetermined breaking point in the initial state of the closure device. In principle, the cap is designed such that it can close or also empty (open) the opening, thereby releasing the container contents from the first container. In the closed container state, the cap abuts the first container, so that the opening is completely covered and thus closed. In order to open the first container, the cap must be at least partially released from said container. For this purpose, starting from the initial state of the closure device, the cap is detached from the fastening sleeve (which is non-releasably connected to the first container) at a predetermined breaking point, so that the application state is achieved. After separation, the cap may be moved relative to the fastening sleeve or relative to the first container. By relative movement, the cap can be released from the first container to empty (open) the container opening. The connection of the cap to the fastening sleeve via the predetermined breaking point thus forms a type of tamper-evident seal which advantageously signals the unused initial state of the first container comprising the closure means.

A useful design of the packaging system comprising the corresponding closure is achieved in that the cap is arranged such that it is axially movable relative to the coupling means with respect to the axis of the closure and is non-rotatably fixed about the axis. The axis extends substantially centrally through the substantially cylindrical or barrel-shaped basic structure of the closure device. The corresponding arrangement of the cap relative to the closure device is of course only suitable to a limited extent for the initial state of the closure device, wherein the cap is preferably integrally connected to the fastening sleeve via a breaking point. That is, in an initial state, the cap is fixedly connected to the fastening sleeve of the closure device, so that the cap cannot be moved axially or rotated relative to the sleeve. In addition, in the application state, i.e. after separation from the fastening sleeve, the cap is arranged to be axially movable and rotatable to a limited extent relative to the fastening sleeve. In contrast to the coupling device, the cap is continuous, i.e. arranged in both its initial state and its application state of the closure device axially displaceable but non-rotatably fixed. As a result of this particular arrangement, there is a very particular interaction between the fastening sleeve, the cap and the coupling device during coupling of the two containers, which is due to the movement of the individual parts relative to each other. More specifically, because the cap is non-rotatably fixed with respect to the coupling means, the cap follows the rotational movement of said coupling means. Thereby, the cap can also be detached from the fastening sleeve at the predetermined breaking point when it is used (i.e. when it is rotated relative to the fastening sleeve). Even after the cap has been detached from the fastening sleeve, the cap follows a rotational movement, the cap then being axially movable both with respect to the fastening sleeve and with respect to the coupling means.

Another embodiment of the packaging system is due to the coupling means having a thread for screwing on the second container. In this way, during coupling, the coupling means are screwed onto the second container by means of the interaction of the coupling means and corresponding screwing portions on said second container. This allows a particularly user-friendly coupling of the two containers. In an advantageous variant of the packaging system, the fastening sleeve and the coupling device each have at least one mutually corresponding rotation-stop element, which allows a relative rotation of the fastening sleeve and the coupling device about the axis of the closure device only until the corresponding rotation-stop elements abut against one another. The mutually corresponding rotation stop elements on the clamping sleeve and on the coupling device substantially limit the relative rotation between the clamping sleeve and the coupling device to a rotation range of almost 360 °, i.e. to approximately one rotation. The respective rotary element is preferably designed as a rib, shoulder, projection or other comparable rotation-effective stop element. In summary, during use, in particular when two corresponding rotation stop elements abut each other, the mutually corresponding rotation stop elements serve to allow a substantial transmission of torque between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device. The fastening sleeve and the coupling device can also be rotated relative to each other to a limited extent.

According to a further developed embodiment of the packaging system, the fastening sleeve or the coupling device has at least two rotation-stop elements, which interact with at least one rotation stop of the coupling device or the fastening sleeve, so that a start-stop and an end-stop are formed for the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling appliance about the axis of the closure device. Continuing with the modification of having only one rotation stop element on the fastening sleeve and the coupling device, arranging two rotation stop elements on at least the fastening sleeve or the coupling device limits the relative rotation between the two components to a precisely defined rotation range. In this case, the two rotation-stop elements interact with at least one corresponding rotation-stop element on the further component and form a start-stop and an end-stop for the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device. In this way, the range of values for the relative rotation between the clamping sleeve and the coupling device can be set precisely at a rotation angle of less than 360 °. A preferred range of values for the angle of rotation between the start stop and the end stop has been shown to be grand 0 to 180 °, preferably 0 to 90 °. These limited rotational angle ranges ultimately also determine the maximum possible rotation of the cap relative to the first container. In this aspect, the maximum opening size of the cap or the maximum release position of the cap relative to the first container is also indirectly determined via the limited angle of rotation. That is, at the end stop of the corresponding rotation stop element, i.e. when the upper limit of the rotation angle is reached, the maximum release position of the cap on the first container is also reached. Thus, by suitably setting the upper limit of the angle of rotation, the cap can be securely fixed so that it is not safely released from the first container but is always in threaded engagement with the first container in each use state of the packaging system.

In a useful embodiment of the packaging system, the cap is connected to the first container via a thread having a first rotational direction opposite to the thread of the coupling means. This embodiment provides a great practical advantage in that during coupling of two containers by screwing the coupling means onto the second container, a constant rotational direction is maintained resulting in a fluid connection between the first and second container. For example, a clockwise thread is provided between the coupling device and the second container, while a counter-clockwise thread is formed between the cap and the first container. The first container with the closure device can thus be screwed onto the second container via the coupling device in a clockwise direction during the coupling. In this case, the first container is thus rotated together with the closure device in the clockwise direction relative to the second container. If this relative rotation of the first and second containers is continued in the clockwise direction, not only is the coupling completed but the cap is simultaneously released from the first container due to the reversed threads. In a very simple and user-friendly manner, the reverse threads between the coupling means and the second container and between the cap and the first container result in a reliable coupling of the containers and a fluid connection being established between the first and second containers due to the opening of the first container.

According to a preferred variant of the packaging system, the cap has a substantially basin-shaped basic structure with a bottom wall and a cylindrical circumferential wall adjoining said bottom wall. In this case, at least one opening is provided in the circumferential wall of the cap, via which opening a fluid connection between mutually coupled containers is finally established when the cap is sufficiently released. Ideally, a plurality of openings is provided in the cap circumferential wall, the plurality of openings ideally being evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the circumferential wall. The at least one window-shaped opening in the cap circumferential wall allows a fluid connection to be established even when the cap is only partially released from the first container. For this purpose, the opening in the cap circumferential wall is preferably positioned in the direct vicinity of the cap base. In particular, a clockwise relative rotation between the first container or the fastening sleeve and the second container or the coupling device comprising the cap (which is secured against rotation) causes the cap to be unscrewed from the first container. If the cap is sufficiently unscrewed but not fully released from the first container, the opening in the cap circumferential wall is emptied and a fluid connection between the first and second containers is established. In this case, the cap is partially released from the container, but is still connected to the first container via the reverse thread. In this context, it is particularly useful for the value range of the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device to be set with mutually corresponding rotation-stop elements, so that the cap can only be unscrewed from the first container until the opening in the cap circumferential wall is emptied. The start and end stops of the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device (these stops being set via the position of the rotation stop element) thus prevent the cap from being accidentally completely released from the first container. In fact, the initial stop and the end stop ensure a permanent threaded connection between the cap and the first container, regardless of the state of use of the entire packaging system and the opening state of the first container.

In principle, the fluid connection between the two coupled containers allows a reliable and loss-free transfer of the product preparation component stored within the first container (in particular via corresponding openings in the first container and in the cap) from the first container to the second container. At least in the case of free-flowing and/or respectively pourable product preparation components, as described above, the transfer is effected substantially by gravity and thus automatically, since the first container is held above. Alternatively or additionally, the transfer of the product preparation component can also be effected by means of an external force acting on the deformable first container. For example, this may apply to a bag or cartridge first container, where the product preparation component may be squeezed out of the first container for transfer to a second container.

In an alternative embodiment of the packaging system, additional product preparation components are stored in the second container, such that after coupling the second container to the first container by means of the closure device, the first product preparation component is mixed with at least one additional product preparation component. For this purpose, the two product preparation components, which are initially stored separately from one another in the two containers, are initially brought together during coupling of the containers (which results in the formation of a fluid connection), so that they are subsequently mixed to form the multi-component product preparation. The actual mixing is achieved by rapidly moving the two coupled containers. For this purpose, the two coupled containers are vibrated, turned, rotated, etc. by the user. In principle, such multi-component product preparation mixtures comprising individual product preparation components which are initially chemically incompatible with one another are not uncommon. Examples of such multi-component product preparation mixtures are cosmetic application products, such as multi-component hair dye products. The packaging system of the present application is advantageous in that its basic structure is sealed from the surrounding environment. That is, with the packaging system of the present application, chemically highly reactive or hazardous substances can also be safely disposed of as individual product preparation components. Finally, the first product preparation component may be transferred from the first container only, optionally for subsequent mixing with additional product preparation components, if the first container has been coupled with a corresponding second container and the first container is opened as desired. By means of the multi-functional closure of the present application, undesired leakage of the first product preparation component from the first container into the surroundings is efficiently avoided.

According to a further useful embodiment of the packaging system, the closure device may be coupled to the second container in a liquid-tight manner. The closure device is then tightly coupled to the second container by means of the coupling device, so that undesired leakage of the flowable and/or pourable product preparation component or components into the environment is reliably avoided. Thus, a closed packaging system is achieved which reliably ensures that the user does not come into contact with one of the product preparation components being processed.

A further developed modification of the packaging system results from the closure device being provided with at least one sealing element, so that a liquid-tight connection with the first container and/or the second container is ensured. Sealing elements of this type can essentially adopt almost any geometric configuration and have mainly a sealing action in axial and/or radial direction. In particular, the sealing element can be designed as a sealing ring, a sealing lip or the like.

In addition, two alternative method instructions are sought to be protected for processing at least one product preparation component using the packaging system described above.

A first alternative method is to be used to safely transfer at least one product preparation component from a first container to a second container using a packaging system as described above. Here, the packaging system comprises a first container for storing at least one product preparation component, the opening in the first container being sealed with respect to the surroundings by means of a closure element of a closure device, which closure element is fixedly connected to the first container. The closure element further comprises a cap which, in the initial state of the closure device, is connected to the fastening sleeve of the closure element via a predetermined breaking point. Being closed in this way, the first container cannot be opened manually by the user. Furthermore, the closure device has a coupling device, whereby the second container is coupled to the closure device and a fluid connection between the first container and the second container can essentially be established. The closure element and the coupling device are joined together as initially separate parts in a non-releasable manner, thereby forming the closure device. In this context, "non-releasable" means that the two components cannot be separated from one another in an undamaged manner after the joining process. Furthermore, the coupling device is axially displaceable relative to the closure device about an axis of the closure device and is non-rotatable about the axis. In addition, the coupling means are threaded so as to be screwed onto the second container. For such packaging systems, the following sequence of methods proves useful for the safe transfer of a product preparation component from a first container to a second container without undesired leakage into the environment. First, the first container is attached to the second container by means of the closure means, in particular by engaging corresponding threads on the coupling means and on the second container. The closure device is then screwed onto the second container by means of the coupling device until a coupling end position between the coupling device and the second container is reached. The coupling end position describes a state in which the coupling device is completely screwed onto the second container by means of the thread. Furthermore, the coupling device cannot be screwed further onto the second container and therefore forms a fixed structural unit at least temporarily together with the second container. Thus, not only the closure device itself but also the first container (which is non-releasably connected to the device) is coupled to the second container at the same time. The relative rotation between the first container or closure device and the second container (which has been prepared for screwing on the closure element) is then continued. This means that the first container together with the closure element is further rotated relative to the second container while maintaining the clockwise screwing direction of the coupling device. The cap, which is initially connected to the fastening sleeve via a predetermined breaking point and is not rotatable relative to the coupling device, is detached from the closure element or the fastening sleeve at the predetermined breaking point. The separation of the cap at the predetermined breaking point is achieved due to the fact that, with continued relative rotation between the two coupled containers, the fastening sleeve follows the movement of the first container, while the coupling means, together with the cap, follow the movement of the second container. After the cap is detached from the fastening sleeve, the relative rotation between the first container or the fastening sleeve and the second container with the coupling means is continued while maintaining the direction of rotation. The now separate cap is connected to the first container by means of a thread having a direction of rotation opposite or opposite to the thread of the coupling means. Thus, the cap is simultaneously unscrewed from the first container while the relative rotation is continued and due to the cap threads in the opposite direction. For example, the threads between the coupling device and the second container are designed to be clockwise, while the threads between the cap and the first container are designed to be counter-clockwise. Of course, opposite directions of rotation of the two threads are also conceivable, but the key is that the two threads must be oriented opposite to each other. Due to the continued relative rotation, the cap is now unscrewed from the first container at least to such an extent that the at least one opening in the circumferential wall of the pot-shaped cap is emptied (opened). The cap opening creates a fluid connection between the first and second containers because it overlaps the opening of the first container. After the fluid connection between the two containers has been set, the transfer of at least one display item component from the first container to the second container can then also be effected. This transfer of the product preparation component is preferably effected by gravity, the first container being arranged above when the containers are coupled. In addition, the product transfer, in particular in the case of a flexibly designed first container, can be supported by the action of external forces on the first container. This preferably applies to the first container in the form of a cartridge or a bag.

In principle, the above-described method is suitable for processing virtually all conceivable product preparation components. However, due to the closed mode of operation of the packaging system, which has the possibility of transferring the product only after the correct coupling of the two corresponding containers, it is particularly advantageous to use it in connection with substances that are chemically highly reactive or may be harmful. The method as described above can also be used very generally in a wide variety of application fields. For example only, the transfer method according to the invention may advantageously be used, for example, for any type of substance addition, for refilling processes from refill containers, for the addition of additives, and for similar substance transfer procedures.

The second alternative method is not only for the safe transfer of at least one product preparation component from a first container into a second container, but also for the subsequent mixing of the first product preparation component with additional product preparation components stored in the second container, thereby forming a multi-component product preparation. Packaging systems as described above are also used herein. Here, the packaging system comprises a first container for storing at least one first product preparation component, the opening in the first container being sealed with respect to the surroundings by means of a closure element of a closure device which is fixedly connected to the first container. The closure element further comprises a cap which, in the initial state of the closure device, is connected to the fastening sleeve of the closure element via a predetermined breaking point. Being closed in this way, the first container cannot be opened manually by the user. The packaging system also includes a second container for storing at least one additional product preparation component. Furthermore, the closure device has a coupling device, so that the second container is coupled to the closure device and a fluid connection between the first container and the second container can be substantially established. The closure element and the coupling device are joined together as initially separate parts in a non-releasable manner, thereby forming the closure appliance. In this context, "non-releasable" means that the two components cannot be separated from one another in an undamaged manner after the joining process. Furthermore, the coupling device is axially displaceable relative to the closure device about an axis of the closure device and is arranged to be non-rotatable about the axis. In addition, the coupling device has a thread for screwing onto the second container. For such packaging systems, the following method steps prove to be helpful for the safe transfer of a product preparation component from a first container into a second container without undesired leakage into the surrounding environment, and for mixing said component with additional product preparation component in said second container in order to form a multi-component preparation. First, the first container is attached to the second container by means of the closure means, in particular by engaging corresponding threads on the coupling means and on the second container. The closure device is then screwed onto the second container by means of the coupling device until a coupling end position between the coupling device and the second container is reached. The coupling end position describes a state in which the coupling device is screwed completely onto the second container by means of the thread. Furthermore, the coupling device cannot be screwed any further onto the second container and therefore forms a fixed structural unit with the second container at least temporarily. Thus, not only the closure device itself but also the first container (which is non-releasably connected with the device) is coupled to the second container. The relative rotation between the first container or closure device and the second container (which has been used to thread on the closure device) is then continued. This means that the first container together with the closure device is further rotated relative to the second container while maintaining the clockwise thread direction of the coupling device. Initially connected to the fastening sleeve via a predetermined breaking point and separated from the closure element or the fastening sleeve at the predetermined breaking point with respect to the cap which is not rotatable with respect to the coupling device. The separation of the cap at the predetermined breaking point is achieved due to the fact that, with continued relative rotation between the two coupled containers, the fastening sleeve follows the movement of the first container, while the coupling means, together with the cap, follow the movement of the second container. After the cap is detached from the fastening sleeve, the relative rotation between the first container or the fastening sleeve and the second container with the coupling means is continued while maintaining the direction of rotation. The now separate cap is connected to the first container by means of a thread having a direction of rotation opposite or opposite to the thread of the coupling means. Thus, the cap is simultaneously loosened from the first container while the relative rotation is continued and because of the cap threads in the opposite direction. For example, the thread between the coupling device and the second container is designed clockwise, while the thread between the cap and the first container is designed counter-clockwise. Of course, the counter-rotational direction of the two threads is also conceivable, but the key is that the two threads must be oriented in opposite directions to each other. Due to the continued relative rotation, the cap is now released from the first container at least to such an extent that the at least one opening in the circumferential wall of the pot-shaped cap is emptied (opened). The cap opening enables a fluid connection between the first and second container, because it overlaps the opening of the first container. The transfer of at least one product preparation component from the first container to the second container may also be accomplished after the fluid connection between the two containers has been set. This transfer of the product preparation component is preferably effected by gravity, the first container being arranged above when the containers are coupled. In addition, the product transfer, in particular in the case of a flexibly designed first container, can be supported by the action of external forces on the first container. This applies in particular to the first container in the form of a cartridge or a bag. After the first product preparation component has been transferred to the second container, the multiple product preparation components may then be mixed within the second container to form a multi-component product preparation. The mixing is preferably achieved by a suitable movement of the two coupled containers, for example by means of vibration, rotation or the like. In particular, the mixing process of the multiple product preparation components is achieved under continuous fluid connection between the two containers. This not only results in a very homogeneous mixture of the different product preparation components, but also ensures a complete mixing of the product preparation components to form a multi-component product preparation. This ensures that the stored amounts of the individual product preparation components flow virtually completely into the multi-component product preparation mixture. In this respect, it is at the same time ensured that by mixing the complete amounts of product preparation components, a defined and thus often desired mixing ratio between the individual product preparation components is maintained.

Furthermore, in the description of the second alternative method, the special design of the closed packaging system also ensures a particularly safe handling of the individual product preparation components which is critical for the user. In principle, the above-described mixing method is suitable for processing a large number of different product preparation components (which have to be further processed to form a mixture). First, this mixing method is applicable to individual product making components that are chemically highly reactive with each other or with respect to environmental parameters and must be maintained separately from each other until they are actually used. Multi-component cosmetics such as hair coloring products may be an example of such application forms. Even substances that are harmful, which can be considered separately, can advantageously and safely be handled by means of a mixing method, due to the closed design of the packaging system. In addition, the hybrid approach described above can be used extremely universally in a wide variety of application areas.

According to two alternative particularly advantageous variants of the above-described method, the method steps for coupling and releasing the cap from the first container while establishing a fluid connection between the first and second container can be carried out upside down. When the relative rotational direction used to couple the two containers is reversed, the two containers may be decoupled again in a similar manner in the reversed order corresponding to the respective method steps as described above. In principle, a reversal of the relative rotational direction between two coupled and fluidly connected containers initially causes the cap to be screwed on the first container. At the same time, axial movement of the cap relative to the first container closes the at least one opening in the cap circumferential wall, while the fluid connection between the two containers is cancelled and the first container is immediately closed again. When the cap is fully screwed onto the first container, the coupling means are unscrewed from the second container, in particular until the coupling means can be fully released again from the second container, when the reverse relative rotation is continued. This reversible method opens up the possibility of repeating the coupling process, the fluid connection process, the transfer of the product preparation components, and optionally the mixing of a plurality of product preparation components as often desired by means of the packaging system according to the invention. Furthermore, due to a suitably fine-grained separate control of the opening and closing process of the cap, the amount of product preparation component that is transferred can be influenced in a targeted manner, so that with the aid of the packaging system a substantially one type of metering system for the first product preparation component is achieved. This advantageously leads to an expanded field of application for such packaging systems. For example, it is conceivable to dispense only a specific amount of a product preparation component from a first container into a second container during each coupling. Thus, depending on the use, it is also conceivable to dispense a defined amount of a product preparation component from the first container. In any case, this reversible order of the preceding method steps is feasible for both the transfer method and the mixing method.

A further useful embodiment of the two method variants described above results from the fact that the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device about the axis of the closure device is limited to a range of rotation of less than 360 °, which is achieved by the arrangement of mutually corresponding rotation-stop elements on the fastening sleeve and the coupling device, which rotation-stop elements allow a relative rotation only between a start-stop position and an end-stop position of the corresponding rotation-stop element. As already mentioned, the two rotation-stop elements interact with at least one corresponding rotation-stop element on the other part and form a start-stop and an end-stop for the relative rotation between the clamping sleeve and the coupling device. In this way, the range of values for the relative rotation between the clamping sleeve and the coupling device can be set exactly at a rotation angle of less than 360 °. A preferred range of values for the angle of rotation between the start stop and the end stop has been shown to be approximately 0 to 180 °, particularly preferably 0 to 90 °. These limited rotational angle ranges ultimately also determine the maximum possible amount of rotation of the cap relative to the first container. In this respect, the maximum opening size of the cap or the maximum release position of the cap relative to the first container is also indirectly determined via the limited angle of rotation. That is to say, the maximum release position of the cap on the first container is also reached at the end stop of the corresponding rotation stop element, i.e. when the upper limit of the rotation angle is reached. Thus, by suitably setting the upper limit of the rotation angle, the cap can be reliably secured so that it cannot be completely released from the first container in every use state of the packaging system and is always threadedly engaged with the first container. In order to ensure that the cap is opened sufficiently wide within the rotational angle range limited by the rotation-stop element, in particular in order to establish a sufficient fluid connection, the thread between the cap and the first container must also be designed accordingly. In particular, not only the thread is designed to be opposite with respect to its direction of rotation for the thread between the coupling device and the second container, but also the pitch is selected to be significantly higher than the thread between the coupling device and the second container. Due to the high pitch of the thread between the cap and the first container, the cap is moved a sufficient distance in the axial direction to empty the radially directed opening in the circumferential wall of the cap despite the limited relative rotation. The design of the thread pitch optimized in this respect thus ultimately results in a sufficient axial opening or closing movement in the starting or end stop of the relative rotation between the closure element and the coupling device.

Drawings

Other features of the invention will also be explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of various components of a packaging system in a perspective view;

fig. 2 shows the closure device according to fig. 1 in two perspective views;

fig. 3 shows the closure device according to fig. 1 in different operating states by means of two sectional views;

fig. 4 shows the packaging system according to fig. 1 in three different operating states by means of three sectional views.

Detailed Description

The embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 4 shows a packaging system 1 comprising a first container 10 for storing a first product preparation component (not shown here) and a second container 20 for optionally storing at least one additional second product preparation component (also not shown here). The illustrated packaging system 1 is used to transfer a first product preparation component from a first container 10 to a second container 20 in a controlled and safe manner. If an additional second product preparation component is present in the second container 20, the two product preparation components may also advantageously be mixed to form a multi-component product preparation.

In addition to the two

containers

10, 20, the packaging system 1 also comprises a multi-functional closure 3, which seals the first container 10 from the surroundings in an initial state by means of a closure element 40. For a reliable closure of the first container 10, the closure element 40 firstly comprises a fastening sleeve 41 which is connected to the first container 10 in a non-breakable and non-releasable manner in the ready-to-use state. For this purpose, the fastening sleeve 41 is preferably snap-fitted to the first container 10, or screwed and snap-fitted thereto. In any case, the fastening sleeve 41, which is non-releasably connected to the first container 10, is fixed to the first container 10 in an axially and rotationally fixed manner with respect to the axis 4 of the closure device 3. In addition to the fastening sleeve 41, the closure element 40 has a substantially pot-shaped cap 45 which, in the ready-to-use state, seals the opening 11 in the first container 10. For this purpose, the cap 45 has a bottom wall 47 with an annular sealing stopper 48 capable of closing the opening 11 in the first container 10 with a precise fit. This reliably prevents the first product preparation component from undesirably escaping the first container 10 into the surrounding environment.

The closing device 3 also has coupling means 30 to couple the second container 20 to the closing device 3 and thus indirectly to the first container 10 and to establish a fluid connection between the first container 10 and the second container 20 by means of the intervention of the closing device 3. For this purpose, the coupling means 30 have an annular basic structure with a thread 31 to be used for engaging with a corresponding thread 21 on the second container 20. The coupling device 30 also has an inner sleeve 32 that is capable of interacting with the cap 45 in an interlocking manner.

In principle, the two parts of the closure device 3, i.e. the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30, are initially designed as separate parts, which is advantageous in that they can be easily manufactured independently of one another, for example by means of injection molding. When in use, the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 are joined together in a non-breakable and non-releasable manner, thereby forming the closure device 3. This is preferably achieved by means of a snap-fit connection, in which the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 are axially snap-fitted to each other. After the snap-fitting, the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 (as can also be seen in particular in fig. 2 to 4) are unreleasably joined together, thereby forming the closure device 3, so that the closure device 3 can then be handled very easily. At the same time, the closing element 40 and the coupling means 30 are joined together inside the closing means 3, so that a substantially limited relative rotation of the closing element 40 and the coupling means 30 about the axis 4 can be achieved. For this purpose, mutually corresponding rotation stop

elements

33, 43 are provided on the closure element 40 and on the coupling device 30, which elements, when they interact, limit the rotational angle range between the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 to a rotational angle range of less than 360 ° during use. This corresponds to a range of rotation that is less than full rotation. In this case, the rotation-

stop elements

33, 43 are preferably designed as radial ribs or projections, but can also have any other suitable geometric design. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, as in the embodiment shown in the figures (see fig. 2), a plurality of rotation stop

elements

33, 43 are distributed over the circumference of the closure element 40 and/or the coupling device 30. The rotation angle range for the relative rotation between the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 is therefore even further defined, for example limited to a rotation angle range of up to 180 °, particularly preferably up to 90 °. The desired degree of permitted relative rotation between the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 can thus be set in a very targeted manner via the positions of a plurality of rotation stop

elements

33, 43 distributed around the circumference/circumference. Firstly, the interaction of the plurality of rotation stop

elements

33, 43 distributed around the circumference allows the start stop position and the end stop position between the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 to be fixed in a defined manner. This means that a defined relative rotation between the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 is limited to a set, limited rotational angle range between the start rotational stop and the end rotational stop.

As mentioned above, in the initial state of the packaging system 1, the closure device 3 is non-releasably attached to the first container 10 filled with the first product preparation component. Furthermore, in this initial state, as shown in fig. 2, the closing element 40 and the coupling device 30 are arranged relative to each other such that the cap 45 extends in an interlocking manner into the inner sleeve 32 of the coupling device 30. Thus, the cap 45 is fixed to the coupling means 30 in a non-rotatable manner about the closure axis 4, so that the cap 45 follows each rotation of the coupling means 30 about the axis 4.

Furthermore, the cap 45 has a substantially basin-shaped basic structure, in particular comprising a bottom wall 47, which in the initial state covers the opening 11 of the first container 10, and a circumferential wall 49, which extends around the axis 4. A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) radially oriented openings 51 are provided in the circumferential wall 49, so that the bottom wall 48 is integrally connected to the circumferential wall 49 via three bridges 50. Furthermore, in the initial state, the cap 45 is integrally joined to the fastening sleeve 41 via a predetermined breaking point 52. In the present exemplary embodiment, the predetermined breaking points 52 comprise a plurality of dot-shaped connecting webs which are distributed over the circumference of the cap and each extend between the fastening sleeve 41 and the circumferential wall 49 of the cap. Of course, other alternative suitable designs of the predetermined breaking point are also conceivable within the meaning of the present application.

In order to improve the sealing effect, the closure device 3 preferably comprises at least one sealing

element

34, 48, 53, 54 which acts within the closure device 3 itself or between the closure device and the first and/or

second container

10, 20. In the embodiment of the closure device 3 shown in fig. 1 to 4, a plurality of sealing

elements

34, 48, 53, 54 are provided, which are preferably designed as sealing ribs, sealing rings, annular sealing plugs or the like. These sealing

elements

34, 48, 53, 54 in particular in combination prevent undesired leakage of product preparation components from one of the

containers

10, 20 into the surroundings and form a barrier for preventing environmental influences, such as atmospheric oxygen and water, from having a negative influence on the product preparation components.

In general, such a substantially closed packaging system 1 can be used in a particularly flexible manner for storing and handling a wide variety of product preparation components or other chemicals. In particular, the packaging system 1 allows a user to handle the product preparation components in the containers in a completely contactless manner. Basically, the packaging system 1 allows both a user-friendly transfer of the first product preparation component from the first container 10 to the second container 20 and optionally a subsequent mixing of the first product preparation component with a second additional product preparation component initially contained within the second container 20. These two basic process alternatives of the packaging system 1 are explained in more detail below, even though the shown embodiment of the packaging system 1 is preferably designed for mixed multi-component product preparation.

The process of container coupling for handling at least a first product preparation component stored within a first container 10 is mainly illustrated in fig. 3 to 4. In order to couple the two

containers

10, 20, the first container 10 with the closure device 3 non-releasably attached thereto is first positioned on the second container 20 one above the other. This can be seen at least substantially from fig. 4 (left side view). In this initial state, the cap 45 is completely screwed onto the first container 10 via the mutually screwed

connections

12, 46, so that the opening 11 of the first container 10 is sealed by means of the annular sealing stopper 48. At the same time, the mutually corresponding

threads

21, 31 on the second container 20 and on the coupling means 30 are attached to each other. The first container 10 is then rotated together with the closure 3 in a clockwise direction relative to the second container 20. The coupling means 30 is screwed via its threads 31 (clockwise in the embodiment) onto corresponding threads 21 on the second container 20. At this stage, there is no relative rotation between the closure and the piece 40 and the coupling device 30, since relative rotation in this direction of rotation is prevented by the corresponding interaction of the corresponding rotation-

stop elements

33, 43. The relative rotation between the first container 10 or the closure 3 and the second container 20 is continued until the coupling end position is reached, as shown in the left side view of fig. 4. The coupling device 30 is then screwed completely onto the second container 20, so that the coupling device 30 can no longer be rotated in the clockwise direction and the coupling device 30 forms a fixed structural unit with the second container 20 at least at this stage. In this coupling end position, the coupling device 30 thus follows further movements of the second container 20 in the course of continuing container coupling. After reaching the coupling end position, in which the two

containers

10, 20 are substantially coupled to each other but there is no fluid connection between the

containers

1, 20, the relative movement in the clockwise direction between the first container 10 or the closure device 3 and the second container 20, which has been used for screwing on the closure device 3, is continued. This means that the first container 10 together with the closure element 40 is further rotated relative to the second container 20 while maintaining the clockwise screwing direction of the coupling device 30. During this further rotational movement, the cap 45 (which is initially connected to the fastening sleeve 41 via the predetermined breaking point 52 and is arranged non-rotatably relative to the coupling device 30) is detached from the closure appliance 40 or the fastening sleeve 41 at the predetermined breaking point 52. The separation of the cap 45 at the predetermined breaking point 52 is achieved due to the fact that, with continued relative rotation between the two coupled

containers

10, 20, the fastening sleeve 41 follows the rotational movement of the first container 10, while the coupling means 30, together with the cap 45, follow the rotational movement of the second container 20. This results in the predetermined breaking point 52 breaking after the predetermined torque threshold is exceeded. In this context, it should be clear that the torque required to break the predetermined breaking point 52 is always greater than the torque required to screw the coupling device 30 onto the second container 20. This is the only way to maintain the desired order of the individual method steps when coupling the two

containers

10, 20.

After the cap 45 has been separated from the fastening sleeve 41, the relative rotation between the first container 10 with the fastening sleeve 41 and the second container 20 with the coupling means 30 is continued while maintaining the previous direction of rotation. The now separated cap 45 is connected to the corresponding thread 12 on the first container 10 by means of the thread 46, the corresponding

threads

12, 46 on the first container 10 and the cap 45 having an opposite rotational direction to the

corresponding threads

21, 31 on the second container 20 or the coupling device 30. Thus, as relative rotation between the two

containers

10, 20 continues and because of the counter-rotating cap threads (see middle view in fig. 4), the cap 45 is simultaneously unscrewed from the first container 10. For example, the mutually corresponding

threads

21, 31 on the second container 20 and on the coupling means 30 are designed to be clockwise, while the corresponding

threads

12, 46 on the first container 10 and on the cap 45 are designed to be counter-clockwise. Of course, a reversed direction of rotation is also conceivable for the

threads

21, 31, 12, 46, it being essential, however, that the thread pairs 21, 31, 12, 46 which correspond to one another are oriented in opposite directions to one another. Due to the continued relative rotation, the cap 45 is now unscrewed from the first container 10, at least to such an extent that the at least one opening 51 in the circumferential wall 49 of the basin-shaped cap 45 is emptied. The plurality of openings 51 are preferably distributed over the circumference/periphery of the circumferential wall; in the present embodiment, three openings 51 are formed in the cap circumferential wall 49. These openings 51 create a fluid connection between the first container 10 and the second container 20, because these openings overlap the opening of the first container 10. This state of establishing a fluid connection between the

containers

10, 20 is illustrated in particular by fig. 3 to 4 (respectively on the right). After the fluid connection between the

containers

10, 20 has been set, the transfer of at least one product preparation component from the first container 10 to the second container 20 may then also be effected. Such a transfer of free-flowing and/or pourable product preparation components (not shown here) is preferably effected by gravity, the first container 10 being arranged above when the containers are coupled. In addition, the product transfer (especially in the case of a flexibly designed first container 10) may be supported by external forces acting on the first container 10. This preferably applies to the first container 10 which is of cylindrical or bag-shaped design.

The above-described procedure for handling the packaging system 1 according to the present application also reveals decisive advantages. Due to the closed structure of the packaging system 1 with respect to the environment, safe handling of the product preparation components contained in the

containers

10, 20 can be ensured in all cases. Due to the non-destructively non-releasably fastened closing means 3, a separate manual removal of the contents from the first container 10 is no longer possible. In fact, in the initial state of the first container 10, the cap 45 is contained from manual access from the outside as shown in fig. 2, by virtue of its interlocking embedding in the inner sleeve 32 of the coupling means 30. Thus, the cap 45 cannot be detached from the first container 10 without the interaction of the closure means 3 with the corresponding second container 20. The cap 45 is detached from the opening 11 of the first container 10 only in the case where the corresponding second containers 20 are coupled due to the above-described interaction. The fluid connection of the first container 10 is therefore exclusively limited to its mating second container 20. Undesired connection of the first container 10 to the environment is precluded by the special design of the packaging system. The packaging system 1 is thus not only advantageously tamper-proof, but also enables the transfer of product preparation components only within the closed packaging system. In this way, for example, undesired spillage of the substance during transfer from one container to another is avoided. Finally, the closed packaging system 1 prevents any contact by the user with the product preparation components contained therein in each application state.

The above-described method for handling a packaging system 1 according to the invention has shown its decisive advantages. Due to the closed structure of the packaging system 1 with respect to its surroundings, a safe handling of the product preparation components contained in the

containers

10, 20 can be ensured in all cases. Thus, due to the closure means 3 being fastened in a non-destructible and non-releasable manner, it is no longer possible to merely manually transfer the contents from the first container 10. Indeed, in the initial state of the first container 10, the cap 45 (shown in fig. 2) is protected from external access, since it is interlockingly embedded in the inner sleeve 32 of the coupling device 30. The cap 45 cannot therefore be released from the first container 10 (if the closure means 3 do not interact with the associated second container 20). Because of the interaction described above, the cap 45 can be released only from the opening 11 of the first container 10 in the coupled condition with the associated second container 20. The fluidic connection of the first container 10 is thus exclusively limited to the corresponding second container 20. Undesired fluid connections of the first container 10 to the surroundings are excluded by the special design of the packaging system. The packaging system 1 is thus not only advantageously tamper-proof, but also results in the transfer of product preparation components only within the closed packaging system 1. In this way, for example, undesired spillage of the substance during transfer from one container to another can be avoided. Finally, in each use state, the closed packaging system 1 prevents any contact between the user and the product preparation components protected in the system.

The above-described process for coupling the two

containers

10, 20 and for establishing a fluid connection between the

containers

10, 20 by opening the cap 45 cannot be used solely for transferring the first product preparation ingredient from the first container 10 to the second container 20. Alternatively, it is conceivable to also use a packaging system as described above for mixed multi-component product preparation. To this end, a first product preparation component is initially stored in first container 10, while at least one additional product preparation component is stored within second container 20. In the initial state, the second container 20 is closed off from the surroundings, preferably by means of a removable enclosure (not shown here). If the two

containers

10, 20 are now coupled to each other according to the method as described above and the corresponding fluid connection is established, the first product preparation component may substantially be combined with the additional product preparation component in the second container 20. The first product preparation component is transferred from the first container 10 to the second container 20 as described. The two product preparation components may then be mixed with each other within the coupled and fluidly connected

containers

10, 20. For this purpose, the entire packaging system 1 with the coupled

containers

10, 20 is preferably shaken, tipped or similarly moved, so that the two product preparation components are mixed to form a multi-component product preparation which is homogenized as much as possible by the dynamics of the motion. Ideally, the fluid connection between the

containers

10, 20 is maintained during mixing, which increases the available mixing space and ensures that both product preparation components are used in their full amount to produce the product preparation mixture.

In the use state of the packaging system 1 with coupled

containers

10, 20 and with a fluid connection established between the containers, as shown in fig. 3 to 4 (right side views, respectively), it can also be seen that the cap 45 is not completely released from the first container 10. The cap 45 is only released to such an extent that the cap opening 51 is radially emptied, thereby setting a fluid connection between the

containers

10, 20. In this cap position, the cap threads 46 are still engaged with the corresponding threads 12 on the first container 10. This cap position is preferably set deliberately above the above-mentioned rotation stop

elements

33, 43 of the coupling device 30 and of the closure element 40. The basic interaction between the initial and end stop positions defined by the rotation stop

elements

33, 43 and the associated open and closed positions of the cap 45 for relative rotation has already been explained above. In particular, due to their interaction, the corresponding rotation-

stop elements

33, 43 define an end-stop for the relative rotation between the coupling device 30 and the closure element 40. This also creates an end stop for the relative rotation between the

containers

10, 20, due to the fixed connection of the coupling device 30 and the second container 20 and of the closure element 40 and the first device 10 at this stage. In particular, this end stop, due to the cap 45 being accordingly only partially released from the first container, offers the advantage that all essential method steps for coupling the

containers

10, 20 and for establishing a fluid connection between the

containers

10, 20 can be reversed. When the first relative rotational direction used for coupling the two

containers

10, 20 is reversed, the two

containers

10, 20 can be decoupled again in the reversed order of the respective method steps as has been described above. In principle, a reversal of the relative rotational direction between the two coupled and fluidly connected

containers

10, 20 initially causes the cap 45 to be screwed on the first container 10. At the same time, the axial movement of the cap 45 relative to the first container 10 closes the opening 51 in the cap circumferential wall 49, so that the fluid connection between the two

containers

10, 20 is cancelled and the first container 10 is immediately closed again. In this context, by suitably designing the respective thread parameters between the cap 45 and the first container 10 and between the coupling device 30 and the second container 20, it must be ensured that the torque required to tighten the cap 45 is set to be less than the torque required to loosen the coupling device 30. When the cap 45 is fully screwed onto the first container 10, the coupling means 30 is loosened (unscrewed) from the second container 20, in particular until the coupling means 30 can be fully released from the second container 20 again, when the reverse relative rotation is continued. This reversible method opens up the possibility of repeating the coupling process, the fluid connection process, the transfer of the product preparation component and, optionally, the mixing of a plurality of product preparation components as often desired by means of the packaging system 1 according to the invention. Furthermore, due to the substantially finely divided control of the opening and closing process of the cap 45, the amount of transferred product preparation component can be influenced in a targeted manner, resulting in one type of metering system for the first product preparation component by means of the packaging system. This advantageously results in an extended field of application for such a packaging system 1. For example, it is contemplated that only a specific amount of a product preparation component is dispensed from the first container 10 into the second container 20 during each coupling process. Thus, depending on the use, a defined discharge of product preparation components may also be metered from the first container. In any case, such an inverse order of the above method steps is feasible for both the transfer method and the mixing method.

In principle, the above-described method is suitable within the meaning of the present invention for the treatment of virtually all conceivable free-flowing and/or pourable product preparation components. However, due to the closed operating mode of the packaging system 1 (with the possibility of transferring the articles only after the two corresponding

containers

10, 20 have been correctly coupled), it is particularly advantageous to use it in association with chemically highly reactive substances, which may be harmful when considered separately. The method as described above can also be used very generally in a wide variety of application fields. Merely by way of example, the transfer method according to the invention can advantageously be used, for example, for any type of substance addition, for the refilling process of self-refilling containers, for the addition of additives and for comparable substance transfer processes.

Furthermore, the special design of the closed packaging system 1 ensures a particularly safe handling of individual product preparation components which are not critical for the user in the production situation in which the multi-component product preparation mixture is produced. In principle, the above-described mixing method is suitable for processing a large variety of different product preparation components, which have to be further processed to form a mixture. First, such mixing methods are useful for individual product preparation components that are chemically highly reactive with each other and must be stored separately from each other until they are used. Multi-component cosmetics, such as hair dyes, can be mentioned as an example of such a form of application. Even substances which may be harmful when considered separately can advantageously and safely be handled by means of a mixing method, because of the closed design of the packaging system. In addition, the above-described mixing method can be used extremely commonly in a wide variety of application fields.

List of reference numerals

1 packaging system

3 closure device

4-axis

10 first container

11 opening

12 screw thread

20 second container

21 screw thread

30 coupling device

31 screw thread

32 inner sleeve

33 rotation stop element

34 sealing element

40 closure element

41 fastening sleeve

43 rotation stop element

45 cap

46 thread

47 bottom wall

48 sealing plug

49 circumferential wall

50 projection

51 opening

52 predetermined breaking point

53 sealing element

54 sealing element

Claims

1. A packaging system (1) for at least one product preparation component, comprising a first container (10) for storing a first product preparation component, a second container (20) for optionally storing at least one additional product preparation component, and a closure device (3), the closure device seals the opening (11) of the first container (10) from the surroundings by means of a closure element (40), and having coupling means (30) for coupling the second container (20) to the closure device (3) and for establishing a fluid connection between the first container (10) and the second container (20), characterized in that the closure element (40) and the coupling device (30) are joined together as separate parts in a non-releasable manner, thereby forming the closure device (3).

2. A packaging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure element (40) is connected to the first container (10) in a non-releasable manner, if not destroyed, by means of a fastening sleeve (41).

3. Packaging system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (40) comprises a cap (45) which is connected to the fastening sleeve (41) of the closure element (40) via a predetermined breaking point (52) in the initial state of the closure device (3).

4. A packaging system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the cap (45) is arranged axially displaceable relative to the coupling means (30) with respect to the axis (4) of the closure means (3) and so as to be non-rotatably fixed with respect to said axis (4).

5. The packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means (30) have a thread (31) for screwing to the second container (20).

6. Packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening sleeve (41) and the coupling device (30) each have at least one mutually corresponding rotation-stop element (33, 43) which allows a relative rotation of the fastening sleeve (41) and the coupling device (30) about the axis (4) of the closure device (3) only until the corresponding rotation-stop elements (33, 43) abut against each other.

7. A packaging system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the fastening sleeve (41) or the coupling device (30) has at least two rotation-stop elements (43, 33) which interact with at least one corresponding rotation-stop element (33, 43) of the coupling device (30) or of the fastening sleeve (41) such that a start-stop and an end-stop for a relative rotation between the fastening sleeve (41) and the coupling device (30) about the axis (4) of the closure device (3) are formed.

8. The packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (45) is connected to the first container (10) via a thread (46) having a direction of rotation opposite to the thread (31) of the coupling means (30).

9. A packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (45) has a basin-shaped basic structure, at least one opening (51) being provided in a circumferential wall (49) of the cap (45).

10. Packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein additional product preparation components are stored within the second container (20) so as to mix the first product preparation component with the at least one additional product preparation component after the second container (20) has been coupled to the first container (10) by means of the closure device (3).

11. Packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closing means (3) can be coupled to said second container (20) in a liquid-tight manner.

12. Packaging system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure device (3) has at least one sealing element (34, 48, 53, 54) in order to ensure a liquid-tight connection to the first container (10) and/or the second container (20).

13. A method for transferring at least one product preparation component from a first container (10) to a second container (20) with a packaging system (3) according to claims 4 to 5, characterized by the following method steps:

a. attaching the first container (10) to the second container (20) by means of the closure device (3) by engaging corresponding threads (31, 21) on the coupling device (30) and on the second container (20);

b. screwing the closure device (3) to the second container (20) by means of a coupling device (30) up to a coupling end position between the coupling device (30) and the second container (20);

c. continuing the relative rotation between the first container (10) or the closure element (40) and the second container (20), a cap (45) arranged non-rotatably with respect to the coupling device (30) is separated from the closure element (40) at a predetermined breaking point (52);

d. continuing further the relative rotation between the first container () or the closure element (40) and the second container (20), a separate cap (45) is connected to the first container (10) by means of a thread (46) having a direction of rotation opposite to the thread (31) of the coupling means (30), and the cap (45) is thus unscrewed from the first container (10);

e. -establishing a fluid connection between the first container (10) and the second container (20) via at least one emptied opening (51) in a peripheral wall (49) of a basin-shaped, at least partially unscrewed cap (45);

f. transferring product preparation components from the first container (10) to the second container (20).

14. Method for mixing a multi-component product preparation with a packaging system (1) according to claims 4 to 5, comprising a first container (10) for storing a first product preparation component and a second container (20) for storing at least one additional product preparation component, characterized by the following method steps:

a. attaching the first container (10) to the second container (20) by means of the closure device (3) by engaging corresponding threads (21, 31) on the coupling device (30) and on the second container (20);

d. further continuing the relative rotation between the first container (10) or the closure element (40) and the second container (20), a separate cap (45) is connected to the first container (10) by means of a thread (46) having a direction of rotation opposite to the thread (31) of the coupling means (30), and the cap (45) is thus unscrewed from the first container (10);

f. transferring the first product preparation component from the first container (10) to the second container (20);

g. mixing two product preparation components in the first container (10) and/or the second container (20).

15. Method according to one of claims 13, 14, characterized in that method steps a to e for coupling two containers (10, 20) can be implemented upside down, so that two containers (10, 20) can be decoupled again in a similar manner when the relative rotational direction is reversed according to method steps e to a.

16. Method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve (41) and the coupling device (30) about the axis (4) of the closure device (3) is limited to a range of rotation of less than 360 ° by providing mutually corresponding rotation stop elements (43, 33) on the fastening sleeve (41) and the coupling device (30), which rotation stop elements only allow a relative rotation between a start stop position and an end stop position of the corresponding rotation stop elements (43, 33).