DE8906440U1 - Storage container in the form of a tube or bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to provide a container (1), which is operationally reliable in handling and can be produced economically, in the form of a tube or bottle with a neck (2), in whose end face (9) the removal opening (3) is arranged, which can be closed by a lid (5) which is held against its seat in the closed position by a restoring element arranged in the interior of the container (1), the restoring element being constructed in such a way that its force is less than a force caused by a pressing-on pressure exerted on the contents of the container, the lid (5), being axially movable and constructed in a conical shape or in the shape of a calotte shell, is arranged in a correspondingly shaped seat in the end face (9) of the removal opening and the restoring element is constructed as a spring (4) which is connected to the lid (5) via a pulling element (8). <IMAGE>

Description

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The innovation relates to a storage container in the form of a tube or bottle with a neck, in the front surface of which the removal opening that can be closed with a lid is arranged.

Such storage containers are usually provided with an external thread on their neck, onto which a cap-like closure is screwed. Tubes with a screwed-on closure, but also bottles with a screwed-on closure, each of which has a substantially pasty, sauce-like, i.e. highly viscous or liquid, low-viscosity content, for-

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This involves unscrewing the capsule-like closure each time the product is taken out. In the case of tubes, the contents are then pushed out through the neck by applying pressure. Toothpaste tubes are a typical example of this. Bottles must be _tilted after opening. Low-viscosity, i.e. highly liquid contents can only be dispensed in approximately predetermined quantities if special precautions are taken. In many cases, special additional closures or specially designed openings are used to achieve a largely dosed or almost precisely dosed release of the liquid contents. However, this does not work if the contents of the bottle have a higher viscosity, for example if it is a salad dressing.

,&pgr; After removal, the container, tube or bottle must be closed again. With a pasty or highly viscous content, there is always the difficulty that this is not separated exactly at the opening and therefore, when closing the container, the entire front part of the

2Q opening and is also lubricated into the thread. This is unpleasant and disadvantageous in several respects. In particular, if some of the container contents gets into the screw thread of the closure, its function is impaired. If the container contents dry there or sets, it can also get to the point where the screw cap becomes practically inoperable and can no longer be removed later.

In order to avoid the complicated handling of opening and closing _screw caps, tubes and bottles, various proposals have already been made for special closures for storage containers such as bottles and tubes. In connection with the innovation, the known designs are important, according to which the existing screw cap is replaced by a preferably also

screwed cap, which is provided with a flap-like closure of the opening, whereby this flap-like closure is also held in the closed position by means of an externally attached spring-like element and whereby this spring-like element gives way when the internal pressure increases and allows the flap-like closure to open to release the contents of the container. Such known solutions have various disadvantages, which essentially consist in the fact that the container contents not only return to the seat of the flap-like closure and hardens there, but also smears the spring-like locking device and thus disrupts its function, especially if the container contents dry out, solidify or stick together. In addition, in the case of such closures with a spring-like locking device, this must be in terms of their spring characteristics, they must be adjusted in such a way that the pressure on the tube or the bottle with elastic walls does not have to be too great to cause the closure to open and release the contents. Adjusting the spring characteristics in this way is difficult. riabilities, since these are mass-produced products and, depending on the design of the overall closure, assembly errors and subsequent mechanical influences can cause significant differences in the spring characteristics of the closure.

The innovation has set itself the task of creating a storage container of the generic type in which the disadvantages of known closures described above are avoided and which also offers further advantages having.

To achieve the object, a storage container of the generic type is characterized in that the lid is held against its seat in the closed position by a spring arranged inside the container, the spring being designed in such a way that

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is formed in such a way that its force is less than the squeezing pressure exerted on the container contents.

By arranging the closing spring for the lid inside the container, it is safely protected against any external mechanical stress, and even assembly difficulties cannot lead to a significantly different function. Furthermore, by arranging the locking device for the container closure inside the container,

IQ that hardening, sticking or smearing of the contents of the container in the area and surroundings of the container opening cannot have a detrimental effect on the functions of the closure or the spring effect. Rapid drying, hardening or smearing of the contents of the container is not possible inside the container. sticking of the container contents is excluded. This ensures that the closing spring for the container closure always functions evenly and works properly.

The spring is advantageously designed as a leaf spring, arranged transversely inside the container immediately before the transition to the neck, with a length greater than the neck diameter and preferably connected to the lid by means of a tension element in the middle between its end contacts on the inner wall of the container. This is the simplest embodiment, which is also very easy to assemble. and therefore requires only a very small manufacturing effort.

According to another embodiment, the cover is conical 3Q or in the form of a ball kaiotte, held in a correspondingly shaped seat in the front face of the removal opening by the spring. This design is also very simple to manufacture and assemble, so that it is associated with relatively low production costs.

According to a further embodiment, the lid is designed as a flap, hinged to the edge of the removal opening on the container neck and the tension element connecting the spring to the lid is attached to a point on the inside of the lid that is expediently as far away as possible from the hinge point.

the spring can be designed as a leaf spring, with one end attached to the neck of the container below the hinge of the lid and bent under pre-tension into the neck space with its other, free end projecting over the

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The design can be chosen in such a way that the front surface of the neck is partially rigid and is connected to the lid by means of a hinge at a straight linear edge, which can be a chord of the surface, whereby the spring, designed as a leaf spring and attached there at one end, projects from the rigid front surface into the neck space approximately parallel to the axis and is connected at its free end via the tension element to the folding area of the lid.

The tension element can be a thread or a rod, whereby the rod is articulated to the leaf spring and/or the underside of the cover.

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Of course, the arrangement can also be made in such a way

that instead of the leaf spring there is a rigid rod, at the free end of which an elastic element, for example in the form of a rubber band or a small spiral spring, is arranged instead of the tension element.

~$_ All the different versions described above

Examples of the innovation show that apart from the

^ The advantages mentioned above, the structure of the locking device

S _ _c for the lid is very simple and therefore

not only easy to manufacture, but also easy to install. Furthermore, this closing device is designed in such a way that it offers practically no additional resistance to the contents being pressed out of the container, since it only takes up very little space and this space is essentially in the direction of flow. It is particularly important to note that this closing device for the container closure is permanently embedded in the container contents inside the container. As long as the container contents do not change due to drying out

in &eegr;_ Hol is subjected to the ^locking mechanism remains fully functional ^even after the innovation. It should be noted that the arrangement can also be such that in the case of a hinged lid, the pulling element or the elastic element used in its place in the form of, for example, an elastic band, is mounted in such a way that when the lid is opened ^wide by hand, a dead center is overcome, so that it remains open in its wide-open position if that is desired and closes completely again after only a small push and thus overcoming the dead center of the locking device. This has the advantage that the removal or printing opening of the container can be opened completely and remains ^open , so that when the contents of the container are printed out, the force of the container closure can no longer be overcome.

The arrangement according to the innovation is advantageous in such a way that the lid with its linkage and preferably also the spring are attached to an insert which is adapted with its outer border to the inner shape of the container neck and can be inserted into it. The insert can advantageously be provided with locking projections which overlap the outer edge of the container holder and lock with the inner edge of the neck at the transition into the interior of the container. The insert expediently consists of a ring which is essentially against the inside of the container.

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neck lies directly inside the opening and from which at least three posts with end claws protrude parallel to the axis, whereby these end claws are designed in such a way that they lock into the inner edge of the neck at the transition into the interior of the holder. This design has the advantage that a container closure according to the innovation can be manufactured individually and, if necessary, also assembled later on any suitable container neck and can be attached by simply pressing or sliding it on.

Another possibility is, of course, that

the insert is provided with a covered cap and screwed onto the existing thread on the container, whereby the additional option exists of providing this covered cap with an external thread onto which the usual screw-on cap is placed.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the innovation, this is characterized in that the container neck or its extension is designed as a bellows, preferably for use on a rigid container. A rigid container is meant in particular as a glass bottle. The contents of such a rigid container cannot be squeezed out by applying pressure to the container - rather, pressure on the bellows creates pressure on the contents of the container, which opens the spring-loaded closure in the manner described above and squeezes out the contents of the container. If such a rigid container with attached bellows is a container whose contents have a low viscosity, i.e. the contents are very liquid, the container is held with the neck pointing downwards to remove or squeeze out the contents.

. When arranging the bellows, the removal flap can also be arranged in such a way that it has a front face opening of the

The bellows or the container neck closes in the area of the greatest folding movement of the lid with a lateral, gap-shaped opening which is covered and closed by a tab or tongue formed on the lid. The tab or tongue formed on the lid is advantageously provided with a locking catch which engages in a projection on the neck or bellows.

When a bellows is arranged, the bellows can

_1Q a spiral spring can be arranged, which acts as a compression spring between a container-fixed abutment and an inwardly projecting projection on the opening edge of the bellows. The spiral spring is advantageously placed against the beam from the inside. This arrangement has the advantage that the spring or restoring force

,c of the bellows is supported or increased by the spring effect, so that it is ensured that the entire stroke of the bellows is always available for further removal of the container contents. This is particularly important if the container contents have a higher viscosity. In this

2&ggr;, it is also advisable to store the container with the neck pointing downwards at all times, so that it is ensured that the heavy liquid content is always available for removal at the opening and that one does not have to wait until the container has been tilted until the content is directed downwards towards the neck.

&ldquor;r has flowed. A tight closure of the container in the "upside down" position is ensured due to the design of the removal opening with the flap that closes it, which is under spring tension.

The innovation is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show

- Figure 1 shows a container closure with flap and transverse leaf spring

- Figure 2 shows a container closure with a stopper and a transverse leaf spring

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- Figure 3 a closure with flap and axially parallel

gender leaf spring

- Figure 4 a closure with flap, axially parallel holder and elastic tension element - Figure 5 fastening of the insert in the container neck

- Figure 6 Formation of a bellows-shaped closure.

The upper part 1 of a container is shown broken off, which fits into the neck 2 of the container with the removal opening. 3. The container can be a tube or a bottle. The bottle can be made of a flexible material, preferably plastic; and preferably be slightly compressible by forming flat, membrane-like side walls^" so that a

j5 Pressure is to be exerted on the container contents.

According to the embodiment according to Figure 1, a leaf spring 4 is arranged below the neck in the container, which has a greater length than the diameter of the neck and which preferably lies in the direction of a diameter transverse to the passage opening between the container and the neck and can be fixed at its ends in the container.

The opening 3 in the neck 2 of the container 1 is closed by a lid 5, which is hinged on one side to the edge of the removal opening on the container neck 2 with a hinge 6. The lid 5 closes the free removal opening of the container neck.

On the underside or inside of the cover 5, at a point that is as far away as possible from the hinge 6, a tension element 8, for example in the form of a thin thread, is conveniently attached with a ring 7 or a loop. The other side of this tension element 8 is moderately in the middle of the leaf spring 4 and thus in the middle

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the passage opening 9 of the container 1 in its neck 2. The arrangement is such that when the leaf spring 4 is slightly tensioned, the lid 5 is held in the flow position via the tension element 8 and when opened, i.e. when the lid 5 _is swung up, the leaf spring 4 is deflected more and more depending on the opening position and is thus tensioned. It can be seen that when the internal pressure on the container 1 increases, the lid 5 is opened against this point on the leaf spring 4 so that the pressurized contents IQ can escape from the container 1, and after the pressure on the container, tube or elastic bottle ^is released, the lid 5 is pulled back into its closed position via the tension element 3 due to the tension in the leaf spring 4.

According to another embodiment according to Figure 2, in which the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, the front surface 9 of the container neck 2 is closed with a central opening 3. This central opening 3 is provided with a seat for a lid 5, which in this

«&eegr; trap is designed in the form of a cone or a spherical cap.

At the innermost point of this cone or the cone cap the traction element 8 is attached, which connects to the Leaf spring 4 is produced and is held elastically in the closed position by this. When pressure is exerted on the tube or bottle, the leaf spring gives way and the conical or spherical castellated lid 5 releases the opening so that the contents of the container can escape there until

₃ q the pressure on the container is released and the lid 5 is pulled back into the closed position by the leaf spring 4 against the seat at the opening 3.

In the embodiment according to figure 3, a leaf spring is attached near the upper edge of the container shark 2,

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so that it extends downwards approximately parallel to the axis. This leaf spring

4 is attached at its free end facing the container 1 in a slightly deflected position via a tension element 8 to the point 7 on the lid 5 which can be opened at the hinge 6. It can be seen that when the lid 5 is opened via the tension element 8, the leaf spring 4 fixed to the upper end of the container neck 2 is deflected with its lower end to a lesser or greater extent depending on the opening of the lid 5 and thus also exerts a greater or lesser spring force. When pressure is applied to the contents of the container 1, the lid 5 is opened against the force of the leaf spring 4 so that the contents can escape as long as the pressure on the container contents continues. After this pressure is released, the leaf spring 4 pulls the lid 5 back against its seat and thus closes the container.

It is easy to see that all the previously described

Embodiments can also be designed in such a way that not a leaf spring 4, but instead a rigid rod is used, but on the other hand instead of the tension element 8 an elastic, preferably thread-like, element is used, such as a rubber thread; it can also be a thin spiral spring.

In the above sense, in the embodiment according to Figure 4, the opening 3 is provided with a fixed front surface 9

partially covered and the lid or flap 5 is hinged to this front surface with a hinge 6. On the underside of the fixed front surface 9, a rigid rod 11 is attached at one end, which projects approximately parallel to the axis 3Q in the direction of the container 1 and is appropriately bent at its free end Π a, namely in the opening direction of the lid or flap 5. There, at the free end, the tension element in the form of a rubber thread 10 is attached, which with its other end is attached to a point 7 on the flap that is far away from the hinge 6 of the lid.

5 is attached.

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It can be seen that according to this embodiment, when the flap 5 is opened, the leaf spring 4 does not deform elastically, as in the embodiment of Figure 3, but rather the rigid rod 11 maintains its position and position and only the tension element 10 is elastically extended due to its elasticity when the flap 5 opens to allow the container contents to escape due to the increased pressure on the contents of the container and when the pressure on the container contents decreases the flap closes again under the effect of the 7un<; dps plast.isrhpn Flpmpnt.ps IfI.

The embodiment according to Figure 5 shows how the container closure is connected to the container according to the innovation. A neck 7, a half-shell or a half-ring 12 can be formed on the inside of the front face 9. This half-shell or the half-ring 12 can be designed with its free ends 13 projecting beyond the front face in such a way that it is firmly clamped in the neck 2 in a spring-elastic manner. Instead of the half bowl, three locking lugs 14 arranged at a distance from one another can also be arranged below the ring 12, which at their free ends overlap the inner edge 15 of the neck 12 at the transition into the interior of the container 1 with outwardly projecting lugs 16.

The insert is thus firmly secured within the neck 2 of the container with the front surface 9 resting on the free edge of the neck on the one hand and with the locking projections 16 on the other hand in the neck.

Instead, the insert can of course also be designed in such a way that it forms a sleeve extending from the outer edge of the front surface and firmly connected to it, spanning the neck, which is provided with an internal thread and screwed onto the external thread of the neck.

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According to a further embodiment according to Figure 6, a bellows 17 is placed on the neck 2, which protrudes above the height of the neck and is expediently formed in one piece from plastic. This bellows is firmly connected to the neck at its inner end and at its free end it has a tightly closing front surface 18 which merges into a ring-shaped or cylindrical edge 19. On the periphery of the front surface 18, overlapping the short cylindrical edge 19, a flap 21 is arranged with a hinge 20, which closes an opening in the bellows 17 and is formed in an angled manner. This flap 20 is expediently provided with a locking catch on its lower edge 22. This flap can be provided with a locking device inside the container neck 2 in the manner described in connection with the above embodiments. However, in the embodiment described here, this closing device consists only of rigid, non-elastic parts, because the spring effect for closing the flap 21 is taken over by the spring effect of the bellows 17. A spiral spring can also be arranged inside the bellows to support its spring effect, which spring advantageously rests on the inner parts of the inner wall of the bellows, is supported on the one hand on a projection on the neck 2 which is fixed to the holder, and on the other hand acts as a compression spring from the inside against the end face 18 of the bellows.

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This closure is particularly suitable for rigid containers, for example glass bottles, where pressure on the container cannot cause internal pressure on the contents of the container and thus an opening of the ejection flap. Rather, pressure is exerted on the contents of the container by pressure on the front surface 18 of the bellows 17, so that the flap 21 opens and the contents of the container can be ejected. Of course, it will be necessary, at least in most cases, to hold the container in place.

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By placing the container with the neck facing downwards, it is ensured that the contents of the container flow into the neck so that they can be pressed out when pressure is applied to the bellows 17 under the opened flap. This also enables very good dosing when squeezing out the contents of the container.

Claims (18)

20 25 30 35 1. Storage container in the form of a tube or bottle with a neck, in the front surface of which the removal opening which can be closed with a lid is arranged, characterized in that the lid (5) is held against its seat in the closed position by a spring (4) arranged inside the container, the spring (4) being designed in such a way that its force is less than an ejection pressure exerted on the container contents. 2. Storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring (4) is designed as a leaf spring, is arranged transversely inside the container (1) immediately before the transition to the neck (2), has a length greater than the neck diameter and is connected to the lid (5) by means of a tension element (8), preferably in the middle between its end contacts on the inner wall of the container. 3. Storage container according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the lid (5) is conical or in the form of a spherical cap and is held in a correspondingly shaped seat in the front surface (9) of the removal opening by the spring (4). 4. Storage container according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the lid, designed as a flap (5), is hinged (6) to the edge of the removal opening (3) on the container neck (2) and the tension element (8) connecting the spring (4) to the lid (5) is attached to a, expediently as far as as far away as possible from the linkage (6) of the cover (5) is attached to the inside of the cover (5). 5. Storage container according to claim 1 and one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (4), designed as a flat spring, is fastened with its one end in the neck (2) of the container (D below the articulation (6) of the lid (5) and, bent under prestress and projecting into the neck space, is connected at its other, free end via the tension element (8) to the folding-out region of the lid (5). 6. Storage container according to claim 1 and one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front surface (8) of the neck (2) is partially rigid, is connected to the lid (5) by means of a hinge (6) at a straight edge, which can be a chord of the surface (9), wherein the spring (4), which is designed as a leaf spring and is attached there with one end, projects from the rigid front surface (9) into the neck space approximately parallel to the axis and is connected at its free end via the tension element (8) to the folding area of the lid (5). 7. Storage container according to claim 1 and one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension element (8) a thread or a rod, wherein the rod is connected in an articulated manner to the leaf spring (4) and/or the underside of the lid. 8. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that instead of the leaf spring (4) a rigid rod and an elastic thread or a thin spiral spring is used instead of the tension element (8). - 3 - .· W.1709 9. Storage container according to claim 1 and one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (5) with its articulation (8) and preferably also the spring (4) are arranged on an insert (12) which, with its outer boundary adapted to the inner shape of the container neck, can be inserted into the latter. 10. Storage container according to claim 9, characterized in that the insert (12) is provided with locking recesses (14, 16) which engage the outer edge of the container neck (2). overlap and lock into place with the inner edge (15) of the neck (2) at the transition into the interior of the container (1). 11. Storage container according to claim 10, characterized in that the insert (?.·') &<;$ consists of a ring which rests essentially against the inside of the container neck (2) immediately inside the opening and from which at least three rods (14) with end claws (16) protrude parallel to the axis, said end claws (16) being designed in such a way that they lock into place with the inner edge (15) of the neck (2) at the transition into the interior of the container (1). 12. Storage container according to claim 10, characterized in that the insert (12) is cylindrical in shape to rest against the the entire inner surface of the neck (2) is formed with an axially parallel opening or slot, which is preferably arranged in an area opposite the articulation (6) of the lid (5). 13. Storage container according to claim 1 and one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the container neck (2) or its continuation is designed as a bellows (17), preferably for use on a rigid container. 14. Storage container according to claim 13, characterized in that the front face opening of the bellows (17) or of the container neck in the region of the furthest folding out movement of the lid (5) is provided with a lateral, gap-shaped opening. g voltage which is connected to the cover (21) by a shaped tab or tongue (21a) is covered and closed. 15. Storage container according to claim 14 or one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the a tab or tongue (21a) formed integrally on the collar is provided with a locking catch (22) which engages in a projection on the neck or bellows (17). ^5 16. Storage container according to claim 14 and one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spiral spring is arranged within the bellows (17), which acts as a compression spring between an abutment fixed to the container and an inwardly projecting projection on the opening edge of the 2Q Bellows (17) works. 17. Storage container according to claim 16, characterized in that the spiral spring rests against the bellows (17) from the inside. 18. Storage container according to claim 13, characterized in that the bellows (17) is screwed or firmly attached to the neck (2) of the container (1) instead of the container closure.