EP0060401B1 - Two-component packaging for pourable media - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a two-component packaging for pourable media, which carries at one end an optionally closable outlet nozzle, consisting of an outer container for one component and an elongated container for the second component, which is stored in plain bearings in the storage position, is located at least partially within the outer container and which is displaceable towards the outside in the working position, the outer container having a bottom piece, the central zone of which is surrounded by an annularly arranged projection which, in the storage position, forms a liquid-tight seal to the side wall of the inner container .

Packages of this type are known from U.S. Patent No. 3,856,138.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new embodiment of a two-component packaging for pourable media, which is easy to open and particularly convenient and safe to use by the consumer, and in which the filling of the packaging meets the requirements by simple structural measures without any particular additional outlay corresponds to series production.

• Weiterbildungen der Erfindung, welche insbesondere die Diffusion von Luft/Sauerstoff in das Innere der Verpackung unterbinden sowie Maßnahmen, welche bei einem sich bildenden inneren Überdruck diesen ungefährlich machen bzw. nach außen abführen, sind in den Unteransprüchen gekennzeichnet und werden nachstehend in Verbindung mit den Ausführungsbeispiele darstellenden, teilweise schematisch vereinfachten Figuren beschrieben. In diesen sind einander entsprechende Teile mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen, und es sind alle zum Verständnis der Erfindung nicht notwendigen Einzelheiten fortgelassen worden.

This object is achieved in a two-component packaging of the type mentioned in the introduction that in the neck part of the outer container there is a firmly connected sealing lip which lies tightly against the inner container, that the inner container has at least one radially on its outside carries outwardly extending projection and the outer container carries a stop for this projection in the vicinity of the sealing lip; which limits the longitudinal displacement of the inner container when changing from the storage position to the working position:

• Further developments of the invention, which in particular prevent the diffusion of air / oxygen into the interior of the packaging, and measures which, in the event of an internal overpressure which forms, make it harmless or lead to the outside, are characterized in the subclaims and are described below in connection with the exemplary embodiments illustrative, partially schematically simplified figures. In these, corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals, and all details which are not necessary for understanding the invention have been omitted.

• Figur 1 eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung in Vorratsstellung im Längsschnitt ;
• Figur 2 als konstruktives Detail den in Fig. 1 oben gezeichneten Bereich der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Ausführungsform in größerem Maßstab im Längsschnitt ;
• Figur 3 den in Fig. 1 dargestellten unteren Bereich in einem durch inneren Überdruck im inneren Behälter verformten Zustand im Längsschnitt ;
• Figur 4 die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 1 in Arbeitsstellung, also bei herausgezogenem inneren Behälter in Längsrichtung ;
• Figur 5 ein konstruktives Detail der Fig. 4 in größerem Maßstab im Längsschnitt ;
• Figur 6 als konstruktives Detail den in Fig. 1 unten dargestellten Bereich, jedoch umgekehrt in Füllstellung (noch ohne Bodenstück) ;
• Figur 7 das in Fig. 6 gezeigte Detail mit aufgesetztem und am Rande angeschweißtem Bodenstück ;
• Figur 8 eine andere Ausführungsform der Erfindung im Längsschnitt ;
• Figur 9 ein Detail (im Längsschnitt) einer anderen Ausführungsform ähnlich Fig. 7 bei der die äußere Seite der zentralen Zone im Bodenbereich des inneren Behälters durch eine Aluminiumverbundfolie abgedeckt ist ;
• Figur 10 einen Längsschnitt durch eine modifizierte Ausführungsform ähnlich Fig. 1 ;
• Figur 11 einen Längsschnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform ähnlich Fig. 10 ;
• Figur 12 ein Detail einer weiteren Ausführungsform ähnlich Fig. 7 mit modifiziertem Bodenstück.

It shows :

• Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in the storage position in longitudinal section;
• FIG. 2 shows, as a constructional detail, the area of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 drawn at the top in FIG. 1 on a larger scale in longitudinal section;
• 3 shows the lower region shown in FIG. 1 in a state in longitudinal section deformed by internal overpressure in the inner container;
• Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in the working position, ie with the inner container pulled out in the longitudinal direction.
• Figure 5 shows a structural detail of Figure 4 on a larger scale in longitudinal section.
• FIG. 6 shows the area shown in FIG. 1 as a constructive detail, but vice versa in the filling position (still without a base piece);
• FIG. 7 shows the detail shown in FIG. 6 with the base piece attached and welded to the edge;
• Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the invention in longitudinal section;
• Figure 9 shows a detail (in longitudinal section) of another embodiment similar to Figure 7 in which the outer side of the central zone in the bottom region of the inner container is covered by an aluminum composite film.
• FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal section through a modified embodiment similar to FIG. 1;
• FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section through a further embodiment similar to FIG. 10;
• FIG. 12 shows a detail of a further embodiment similar to FIG. 7 with a modified base piece.

A two-component packaging for hair color is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. The packaging essentially consists of two concentric containers, which are connected to each other in a very special way.

The outer container 1, which consists of a base piece 2, a side wall 3 and a neck part 4, contains liquid peroxide 5. The inner container 6, which consists essentially of a cylindrical jacket-shaped side wall 7 with a ring-like, lateral projection 8 at the lower end and a neck 9 with an outlet opening 11 which can be closed by a screw cap 10, contains the liquid hair color 12. The bottom part 2 of the outer container simultaneously forms the lower closure or the bottom of the inner container 6. The bottom part 2 has a central, circular zone 2A, which is surrounded by an annular bead 2B, the outer side of which lies closely against the inner side of the side wall 7 of the inner container. The annular bead 2B is chamfered on its outer set 2c in order to keep the radial force component as low as possible in the event of excess pressure occurring in the outer container and to prevent a leak. The circular zone 2A has a greater thickness than the annular bead 2B in order to achieve the highest possible diffusion density.

As a result of this special configuration, the sealing region which seals the inner container can deform when there is excess pressure within the inner container 6 and enables gas or liquid exchange in the direction of the space inside the outer container 1 but also causes that with a negative pressure generated by oxygen consumption of the hair color, the sealing system between the side wall 7 of the inner container 6 and the annular bulge 2B tends to produce a higher surface pressure.

The base piece 2 is equipped with four centering webs 14 in order to ensure that the base piece 2 is correctly inserted into the outer container 1.

The outer container 1 has - as can be clearly seen in the larger scale drawn figure 2 - at its end, drawn in the figures above, a neck part 4 with an internal thread 15, into which the external thread, which is designed as a mating member, is located on the outside of the inner container 6 16 is screwed in. A sealing lip 17 is arranged below the two threads 15 and 16. This is designed such that the inner container 6 can be inserted into the outer container 1 from above. Furthermore, the sealing lip 17 is designed such that after the inner container has been inserted into the outer container, it lies sealingly against the side wall 7 with slight pretension.

The sealing lip 17 also serves as a safety valve against excessive internal pressure in the outer container. If this internal pressure - for whatever reason - rises above a predetermined value, then the sealing lip is lifted off the side wall 7 and the excess gas pressure is blown off in the direction of the arrows 18 (in FIG. 2).

On the side of the sealing lip facing the interior of the outer container 1, an annular chamber 19 is provided, which is dimensioned in relation to the lateral projection 8 of the inner container 6 such that in the working position of the packaging shown in FIG of the inner container firmly connected annular projection 8 fits exactly into the annular chamber 19. This ensures that the inner container 6 having the outlet opening 11 in its neck 9 is well fixed in the outer container 1 in the working position. The inner container 6 has between the part provided with the external thread 16 and the outlet opening 11 an area designed as a handle 20 with a structured surface.

In order to bring the two-component packaging from the storage position shown in FIG. 1 to the working position shown in FIG. 4, the outer container 1, which is oval in cross-section, is expediently held with one hand and the one with a structured, preferably rimmed edge is held with the other hand Handle 20 rotated so that the inner container 6 screwed into the neck 4 of the outer container is unscrewed. As a result, the lower end of the cylindrical side wall 7 of the inner container 6 is pulled off from the annular bead 2B of the base piece 2 and, after the unscrewing has been completed, the inner container 6 is then pulled longitudinally out of the neck of the outer container 1 until it enters the annular one Chamber 19 drawn ring-shaped projection 8 limits the longitudinal movement and at the same time fixes the relative position of the two containers 1 and 6. As a result, a good mixture of the liquid hair color 12 with the liquid peroxide 5 is immediately achieved.

The lateral projection 8 pressed onto the lower end of the side wall 7 is slightly conical on the outer circumference 8A and the corresponding counter surface 19A of the annular chamber 19 is analogously conical in order to ensure a good fit in the working position (see FIG. 4 and in particular FIG. 5) guarantee.

As indicated in FIG. 6, the two components are filled into the packaging with the inner container 6 pushed in and the base piece 2 removed, while the two openings of the two containers are pivoted upward. The base piece 2 is then inserted, as shown on a larger scale in FIG. 7, and welded at the edge to the outer wall 3 of the outer container 1.

The volume of the outer container is selected such that during the transition to the working position, that is to say during the pulling up of the inner container, the filling level of the peroxide lies below the lower end of the pulled-up inner container, despite the outer wall falling due to the resulting negative pressure. This enables a good mixture of the two components.

As a rule, it is unavoidable that peroxides release some oxygen. This creates a certain overpressure. Existing overpressures can be reduced due to the increase in volume that occurs during the transition to the working position. This excess pressure supports the manual pulling out of the inner container 6.

In general, it is expedient to provide a longitudinal channel designed as a groove 21 on the outside of the cylindrical jacket-shaped side wall 7 of the inner container 6. This is arranged such that it is in its storage position with its entire length inside the outer container 1, but in the working position it is partly inside the outer container 1 and partly outside this container. As a result, the interior can be vented shortly before reaching the working position and an overpressure or underpressure can be reduced depending on the type and amount of the filling.

If an appreciable excess pressure arises in the interior of the inner container 6, the annular bead 28 is deformed somewhat and some liquid passes into the outer container 1, as indicated by the arrows 22 in FIG. 3, whereby the excess pressure in the inner container is reduced.

If a strong excess pressure arises in the interior of the inner container 6, then the middle part 2A of the base piece 2 can be deformed by this, as is shown by broken lines in FIG. 3. This ensures extensive security against damage to the packaging due to excess pressure in the inner container 6. It has proven useful to produce the side wall 3 of the outer container 1 and the base piece 2 from polyethylene. However, very favorable results have been achieved if polypropylene is used for this.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in longitudinal section in FIG. 8, the outlet opening 11, which is closed by a screw cap 10, is arranged on a neck extension 29 connected to the outer container 1.

The inner container 6 'carries at its lower end an external thread 16 which is screwed into an internal thread 15 of the external container 1'. The bottom part of the inner container 6 'has an upwardly bent flange-like edge 30A on the outside. By rotating the flange-like edge 30A against the side wall 3 'of the outer container 1', the external thread 16 is unscrewed from the internal thread 15 and then the inner container 6 'is pulled downward until the ring-like fastened to the cylindrical-shaped side wall 7' of the inner container 6 ' lateral projection 8 'against the bottom of the annular chamber 19' acting as a stop, then a good quick mixing of the two separately stored components is effected. In this case too, it is expedient to provide a channel formed as a groove 21.

In a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 - as indicated by broken lines - the neck extension 29A is arranged eccentrically on the edge.

The numbers in FIG. 8 designated by an index functionally correspond to the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 with the same numbers without an index.

The two-component packaging according to the invention also has the following two advantages. By pulling out the inner container 6 or 6 ', the excess pressure which arises when the two components reacting with one another is discharged to the outside through the groove 21, so that when the screw cap 10 is unscrewed, the user is not sprayed with any liquid from the outlet opening 11.

Due to the special design of the outer and inner container, no residual amount remains in the interior in the region of the annular chamber 19 closed by the annular projection 8 when the liquid is poured out.

So that the annular projection 8 is securely held there after being plugged onto the lower end of the inner container 6 after previous assembly of the inner container 6 in the outer container 1, a snap connection can be made with an annular groove 8a on the outside of the inner container 6 and a rib-shaped projection 8b are formed on the annular projection 8, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment (similar to FIG. 7), the base piece 2 is also covered on its outer side of the central zone 2A in the base region of the inner container 6. The aluminum composite film 21 consists of an inner plastic film 32 and an outer aluminum film 33 glued to this plastic film, the base piece 2 being firmly welded to the inner plastic film 32 before assembly. As a result, the oxygen diffusion from the outside in is largely prevented, so that an oxidative hair color present in the inner container 6 is protected from the action of atmospheric oxygen.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer container 1 has an oval cross section, FIGS. 1 to 9 each representing the broad side of this container 1, while its narrow side is not shown.

In a further embodiment according to FIG. 10, in contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 10, the base piece 2 is configured differently and the aluminum composite foil 31 arranged outside the base piece 2 in FIG. 9 is welded to the lower end of the container 6 after completion of the filling process. The base piece 2 is convexly curved and elastically deformable and carries on its inside a plurality of projections 34 which are distributed around the circumference and surround the central zone 2A in a ring shape, only two of which are shown in FIG. 10 and which in the storage position have the ring-shaped projection 8 from the outside touchingly surrounded. Storage position surrounding the annular projection 8 by touching. The free, axially projecting end of these projections 34 is bevelled on the inside, so that a conical opening funnel for better guidance of the ring-shaped projection 8 is formed when the bottom piece 2 is placed on the aluminum composite film 31 after the welding process has ended. Furthermore, the inside of the bottom piece 2 carries ring-shaped, axially inwardly projecting and in the storage position the aluminum composite foil 31 of the inner container 6 just not touching cutting teeth 35, which come to lie just inside the inner wall of the container 6 in the storage position.

• - Schraubgewinde (15, 16) - die Aluminiumverbundfolie 31 ringförmig ausgeschnitten, so daß die beiden Komponenten - wie vorstehend beschrieben - gemischt und ausgegeben werden können.

The mode of action is as follows: To use this two-component packaging, pressure, e.g. B. the thumb, in the direction of arrow 36 with simultaneous rotation of the inner container 6 by the unscrewing movement

• - Screw thread (15, 16) - the aluminum composite film 31 cut out in a ring, so that the two components - as described above - can be mixed and dispensed.

In a further embodiment according to FIG. 11, in contrast to FIG. 10, the base piece is made of non-deformable material as in the embodiment of FIG. 10, with the base piece 2 not being cut from the outside to cut open the aluminum composite foil 31 is pressed, but the inner container 6 must perform an additional downward movement in addition to the rotary movement. This can be done on the one hand by means of a container 6 which is not fully screwed in in the storage position by the axial length of the cutting stroke by means of a screw thread (not shown) (similar to 14/15 in FIG. 10). 11, instead of a screw thread, a sliding fit is provided on the neck part 4, which consists of a coaxial hollow cylindrical recess 37 formed on the inner wall of the neck part 4 with a radially inwardly projecting, circumferential stroke limiting wall 39 and a correspondingly adapted cylindrical outer surface 40 on the inner container 6 is formed. In the storage position, an intermediate ring 41 with a perforated predetermined breaking point (not shown) and a grip tab 42 is arranged between a flange 43 of the inner container and the end face 44 of the free end of the neck part 4 on the outer container 1 in a known manner.

The mode of operation is as follows: After tearing off the intermediate ring 41 by means of the grip tab 42, which serves as a transport and tamper-evident device, the container 6 is axially displaced in the direction of the arrow 45 (lower stroke limitation due to the interaction of the flange 43 and the end face 44) combined with a Rotating movement by means of the cutting teeth 35 cut out the aluminum composite film 31. The inner container 6 is then brought into the working position (similar to that in FIG. 4) by pulling it out in the opposite direction to the arrow 45. The further mode of operation corresponds to the mode of operation described earlier in FIG. 1.

So that the outlet opening 11 is not closed in the pouring position by the falling cut aluminum composite film 31 when the container contents are being discharged, the rotary movement can be limited in the embodiment according to FIG. 10 by the screw thread 15/16 in a manner not shown, so that a small angular range of Aluminum composite film 31 is not cut out and acts as a folding hinge, which means that it does not move freely. Similarly, in the embodiment according to FIG. 11, the cutting teeth 35 can be replaced in a further embodiment, not shown, by an annular cutting knife extending over a central angle of somewhat less than 360 °. As a result, the aluminum composite film 31 is not completely cut out when there is no rotary movement during the depression of the inner container 6, so that it is then only pivoted away.

The modified embodiment shown in FIG. 12 has a modified base piece 2 with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which the annular bulge 2B is not double-walled, but only single-walled. Due to the flatter design of the annular bead 2B compared to that of FIG. 7, lower pull-off forces result for the inner container 6, which must be applied by the user by hand when unscrewing by means of the handle 20 in order to transfer the transport position into the working position.

Claims (21)

1. Two-component packaging for pourable media, which has on one end an optionally closable outlet nozzle, consisting of an outer container (1) for one component and a container (6), formed in an elongate manner, for the second component, which container, in the storage position, and mounted in a sliding bearing, is situated at least partially inside the outer container (1) and in the operating position, is displaceable in an outwards direction, the outer container (1) having a base piece (2), the central area (2A) of which is surrounded by a projection (2B), which is disposed in an annular manner, and, in the storage position, forms a fluid-tight closure with respect to the lateral wall (7) of the inner container (6), characterized in that in the neck part (4) of the outer container there is provided a sealing lip (17) which lies close against the inner container (6) and is rigidly connected to the outer container, in that the inner container (6) has on its outside at least one projection (8) extending radially outwards and the outer container (1) has a stop for this projection (8) in the vicinity of the sealing lip (17), which stop restricts the longitudinal displacement of the inner container (6) when passing from the storage position to the operating position.

2. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the projections, disposed in an annular manner, are in the form of an annular bead (2B), which, in the storage position, lies close against the inside of the lateral wall (7), which is preferably in the shape of a cylinder jacket, of the inner container (6) (Figs. 1 and 12).

3. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the base piece (2) has a central area (2A) which is drawn inwards.

4. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized by arranging and shaping the sealing lip (17), which is secured to the inside of the outer container (1) and consists of resiliently flexible material, so that the sealing lip extends, in the area where it touches the lateral wall (7) of the inner container (6) (towards the free end of the sealing lip), outwards from the inside of the outer container (1) (Fig. 2).

5. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that in the area of the sealing lip (17) on its facing the inside of the outer container (1) a preferably annular chamber (19) is provided and the projection (8) disposed on the outer wall of the inner container (6) is formed in such a way that, when passing into the operating position, it can be inserted into the annular chamber (19) (Fig. 4).

6. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer container (1) has an inner thread (15), preferably in a neck part (4) on the inside, and the inner container (6) has, on its outside, an outer thread (16) in the form of a counter member and both threads are disposed in such a way with respect to the longitudinal dimensions of both containers that, in the rest position, in which the wall of the inner container (6) lies close against the annular bead (2B) of the base piece (2), the outer thread (16) of the inner container (6) is in a screwed-in state inside the thread (15) of the outer container (1).

7. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the lateral wall (3) of the outer container (1) facing the base piece (2) has, on its inside, an offset portion projecting inwards and preferably extending in a rounded-off manner, against which the base piece (2) rests, which preferably is connected to the outer container (1) by welding (Fig. 7).

8. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the base piece is inserted into an annular groove of the lateral wall (3) of the outer container (1) (Fig. 7).

9. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the base piece (2) consists of a more flexible, more easily deformable material than the lateral wall (3) of the outer container (1).

10. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the base piece (2) consists of a more flexible, more easily deformable material than the lateral wall (7) of the inner container (6) (Fig. 7).

11. Two-component packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the lateral wall (3) of the outer container (1) and the base piece (2) consist of polyethylene or preferably polypropylene (Fig. 7).

12. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the base piece (2) is covered on its outside by an aluminium foil, preferably only in the central area (2A) covering the base area of the inner container (6), the aluminium foil (33) being rigidly connected, preferably on the side facing the base piece, to a plastics foil (32), whose outer edge is rigidly welded to the base piece (2) (Fig. 9).

13. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided on the outside of the inner container (6) a groove (21) extending in a longitudinal direction, which is disposed in such a way that, in the storage position, its entire length is inside the outer container (1), but in the operating position, is partially inside the outer container (1) and partially outside this container (Fig. 4).

14. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that in the area between the outer thread (16) and the outlet nozzle (11) the inner container (6) has a gripping part (20) with a structured, preferably knurled edge (Fig. 1).

15. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer container (1) has an oval cross-section.

16. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner container (6) has a circular cross-section at least in its area inside the outer container (1).

17. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized by use as a storage container for hair dyes, wherein, when it is in the storage position, the hair dye components are preferably in the inner container (6) and the hydrogen peroxide components are in the outer container (1).

18. Two-component packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the inner container (6) adjacent the base piece (2) is rigidly connected, preferably welded, to an aluminium bonding sheet (31) and the opposite inner wall of the base piece (2) has at least one cutting tooth (35), preferably a plurality of cutting teeth (35), which protrude inwards, are disposed in an annular manner on a central area (2A), and whose height or heights are dimensioned in such a way that in the storage position these cutting teeth do not destroy the aluminium bonding sheet (31) (Figs. 10, 11).

19. Two-component packaging according to claim 18, characterized in that the projections (34), disposed in an annular manner around the central area (2A) of the base piece (2) in each case have on their inside a longitudinal profile, widening towards the base piece (2), and together form a conical opening funnel, their inner side in the area of the smallest inside diameter of the opening funnel, in each case, in the storage position, preferably contacting, from the exterior, the radial projections (8), rigidly disposed in an annular manner on the inner container (6) (Figs. 10, 11).

20. Two-component packaging according to claim 18, characterized in that the base piece (2) is resiliently deformable and is preferably arched inwards in a concave manner (Fig. 10).

21. Two-component packaging according to claim 18, characterized in that the base piece (2) has a central area (2A) drawn inwards and in that the inner container (6) is displaceable from the storage position axially onto the cutting teeth (35) into a lower intermediate position to such an extent that the aluminium bonding sheet (31) is destroyed (Fig. 11).

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