EP2424788A1

EP2424788A1 - Tube package

Info

Publication number: EP2424788A1
Application number: EP10722557A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johann Beil; Thomas Wiederer
Original assignee: Linhardt GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Linhardt GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-04-27
Filing date: 2010-04-27
Publication date: 2012-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-27
Also published as: WO2010124675A1; DE102009031840A1; EP2424788B1; DE102009031840B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a tube package having a tube body for receiving a product, having a tube body opening closed by a wall segment that can be perforated, having an applicator comprising at least one application opening for discharging or applying a product received in the tube package, wherein the applicator is displaceable between a first position corresponding to a delivery or original state and a second position corresponding to a usage state, and comprises a mandrel, the free end thereof being disposed outside of the tube body opening and at a distance from the wall segment that can be perforated, said mandrel being displaced into the tube body opening when displacing the applicator into the second position and perforating the wall segment, connecting said opening to the applicator opening by means of at least one channel formed in the mandrel.

Description

tube package

The invention relates to a tube packaging according to the preamble of claim 1. In particular, the invention relates to a tube packaging, which is also suitable for a disposable application, i. for a single application of a product contained in this packaging, for example a medical and / or cosmetic product, which is contained in the tube packaging in a quantity which is required and sufficient for the single application, and via the applicator opening of the applicator specifically to a region to be treated, For example, can be applied to a tissue area to be treated.

The object of the invention is to show a tube packaging, the filled with the respective product tube body is sealed completely tight until use, but at the same time ensures a simplified application of the product. To solve this problem, a tube packaging according to the patent claim 1 is formed.

In the tube packaging according to the invention of the respective product receiving tube body until use, ie in the original or delivery state of the tube packaging is sealed absolutely tight, so that not only a guarantee of originality is given, but in particular a contamination of the product by dirt, germs, etc. is certainly avoided. Only in the case of use, the opening of the tube body at the tube opening by perforating or piercing the tube body opening hitherto occlusive wall or foil or membrane with a projection or mandrel of the adapter, so that then with removed cap by pressing the tube body, the respective product via at least one in the adapter trained channel can be applied to the application port of the adapter.

The opening of the tube packaging or the piercing of the wall closing the tube opening, i. the transfer of the tube packaging from the original itäts- and delivery state in the use state is carried out by simply moving the axial applicator relative to the tube body, preferably using interlocking threads on an adapter and the applicator, for example using an external thread on the adapter and an internal thread on the applicator and by manually rotating the applicator on a provided on this gripping surface or on a cap still left on the applicator.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

Figure 1 is a side view and an exploded view of the essential elements of the tube packaging according to the invention. 2 and 3 each in a perspective exploded view of the elements of

Tubular packaging of Figure 1 in different directions; 4 and 5 in a perspective view and in different views the

Adapter of the tube packaging of Figures 1 - 3; 6 and 7 in a perspective view and in front view and in

Rear view of the applicator of the nozzle package of Figures 1 - 3; Fig. 8 in a perspective exploded view similar to Figure 3 another

Embodiment of the tube packaging; FIG. 9 shows a perspective rear view similar to FIG. 5 of an adapter in a further embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 shows the adapter of FIG. 8 in a perspective front view similar to FIG

4; Fig. 1 1, the applicator of the further embodiment in a perspective

Rear view similar to Figure 7; Fig. 12 - 15 respectively in perspective exploded views of the essential

Elements of another embodiment of the invention

Tube packaging in different views or in different

Installation conditions; Fig. 16 - 18 in different perspective individual representations and in

Side view of the adapter of the tube packaging of Figures 12 - 15; 19 and 20 in different perspective rear views of the applicator of

Tubular packaging of Figures 12-15; 21 is a rear perspective view of the cap of the tube packaging

FIGS. 12-15.

The tube packaging generally designated 1 in the figures consists essentially of, for example, the plastic, but preferably of metal, e.g. made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy tube body 2 and an adapter 3, an applicator 4 and a cap 5, which are each, for example, molded plastic parts.

The tube body is integral with a tube jacket 6 enclosing the tube interior, with a tube shoulder 7 adjoining one end of the tube jacket 6 and with a tube shoulder 7 provided on the tube shoulder 7 Tube body nipple 8 is formed. The tube body nipple 8 forms a tube body opening 9, which is closed in the original or delivery condition by a likewise produced in one piece with the tube body 2 metallic, pierceable membrane 10.

The substantially sleeve-like open-ended adapter 3 is held securely against rotation on the tube body nipple 8 with its lower end in FIG. 1 by bouncing or by latching. For this purpose, the tube body nipple 8 is formed on its peripheral surface with a knurling 1 1 and with a locking groove 12 between this knurling 1 1 and the tube shoulder 7.

The tube body interior bounded by the tube jacket 6 and the tube shoulder 7 is closed after filling the tube body 2 with the respective product at the opposite side of the tube shoulder 7 in a suitable manner, for example by folding and / or welding or otherwise.

Figures 4 and 5 show the adapter 3 in more detail. This is formed substantially sleeve-like with a through-opening, with a portion 13 having larger, circular cylindrical inner and outer diameter and with a coaxial to the section 13 subsequent circular cylindrical portion 14 with reduced inner and outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the section 14th or its opening 14.1 are equal to or approximately equal to the diameter of the circular cylindrical tube opening 9. On the outer or lateral surface of the section 13, the adapter 3 is integrally provided with an axis TA of the tube packaging 1 and thus also the axis of the adapter 3 concentrically enclosing ring-like projection or collar 15 and axially thereafter in the direction of the section 14 with an external thread 16. With the end facing away from the section 14, the adapter 3 is bounced on the tube body nipple 8, in such a way that the tube body nipple 8 of the portion 13 of the adapter 3 is enclosed and formed on the inner surface of the adapter 3 and the portion 13 bead-like locking projections 17 in the locking groove 12 and on the inner surface of the section 13 integrally formed webs 18 in the knurling 1 1 engage, so that the adapter 3 captive and also torsion-proof on the tube body 2 and tube body nipple 8 is held.

The applicator 4 essentially forms a cap-like or screw-cap-like section 19, a section 20 adjoining it, and a section 21 adjoining thereto. The sections 19-20 are provided coaxially adjacent to one another, the sections 19 and 20 each on their outer surface However, the section 19 is designed substantially circular cylindrical, but with a substantially larger outer diameter than the portion 20. The portion 21 is formed on its outer surface tapering towards the free end.

In section 19, the applicator 4 is provided with a substantially circular cylindrical peripheral or cap wall 22, which encloses in a bounded by the wall 22 interior 23 a projecting over a cap base 24 sleeve-like projection or mandrel 25 at a distance. On the inner surface of the cap wall 22, starting from the side facing the inner space 23 of the cap base 24, an internal thread 26 is provided, which is designed for cooperation with the external thread 16. Is spaced from the internal thread 26 at the free end of the portion 19 and in the region of there opening into reaching into the interior 23, the axis of the applicator 4 and mounted tube packaging 1 and the axis of the adapter 3 and the tube body nipple 8 annularly enclosing projection 27th intended.

In the applicator 4, a channel 28 is formed, which is open at the free end of the mandrel 25 and at the opposite end of the applicator, ie at the free end of the section 21 and there forms an application opening 28.1. On its outer surface, the mandrel 25 is circular-cylindrical, but in any case with an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the opening 14.1 and the inner diameter of the tube body opening 9, so that an outwardly dense transition between the tube interior and the channel 28 in particular also exists when the mandrel 25 is inserted into the tube body opening 9 after piercing the membrane 10 in the manner to be described later.

When mounted and in the original state located tube packaging 1, ie in the state in which the tube filled with the product 1 tube package, stored and / or delivered to the respective customer or customer, the applicator 4 with its portion 19 so on the on Tube body 2 attached adapter 3 placed on the projection 27, the collar 15 engages behind and thereby the applicator 4 is also held captive on the tube body 2 and the local adapter 3. Furthermore, the internal thread 26 is laterally arranged in this original or delivery state of the tube packaging in the direction of the tube axis TA of the external thread 16, so that although the threads of these threads are supported against each other, but not yet engaged. As a result, the applicator 4 is secured to the adapter 3 against axial displacement in the direction of the tube body 2 out. The free end of the dome 25 and formed at this free end cutting-like projection 25.1 are spaced in this original or delivery state corresponding first position of the applicator 4 of the membrane 10, but received in the opening 14.1 of the adapter 3, so that thereby a additional support of the applicator 4 results on the adapter 3, ie the applicator 4 is therefore also provided in the original or delivery state "wobble-free" on the adapter 3 and thus on the tube packaging 1. For use of the tube contents, the internal thread 26 is increasingly screwed onto the external thread 16 by rotating the applicator 4 about the axis TA, whereby the applicator 4 is moved axially in the direction of the tube body nipple 8 and thereby the membrane 10 is finally perforated with the mandrel 25 or is pierced. When in the tube body opening 9 tightly inserted mandrel 25 (second position corresponding to the use of the applicator 4) and removed cap 5 then the product from the interior of the tube body 2 by pressing or squeezing this tube body can be applied to the application port 28.1. The mandrel 25 rests against the cone-shaped beveled inner edge .1 of the tube body opening 9 with a conical section (25.2 of FIG. 11) formed on the mandrel outer surface.

On the outer surface of the section 19, the applicator 4 is provided with a corrugation, which forms a handling surface facilitating the handling. Furthermore, the applicator 4 is provided on the outer surface of the section 20 with an external thread 29, on which the cap 5 designed as a screw cap with an internal thread 30 can be screwed. The external thread 29 forms at its end adjacent to the section 19 a stop 31, against which one end of the internal thread 30 abuts when the cap 5 is screwed on, thus avoiding screwing or jamming the cap 5 on the applicator 4, which is too strong and again loosening, in particular also when the closure cap 5 or the outer surface of this closure cap provided with knurling is used as a handle for rotating the applicator 4 about the axis TA during the first opening of the tube packaging 1 or when puncturing the membrane 10.

The assembly of the tube package 1 takes place, for example, in the form that in a previous assembly step or in a preceding assembly line respectively consisting of the applicator 4 and the cap 5 applicator is preassembled so that each applicator can then be mounted by pushing or bouncing their applicator 4 on an adapter 3, which in turn is pre-mounted on the tube body 2 and on the local tube body nipple 8 by bouncing or latching. The mandrel 25 is located after mounting with axial distance from the membrane 10, but extends, for example, fitting and / or sealed into the opening 14.1 of the section 14 inside. In this state, the packaging 1 provided on its outer surface with the necessary equipment is filled with the product by the user and closed.

In every possible position of the applicator 4, in particular also in the first and second position of the applicator 4, the mandrel 25 is received sealed in the opening 14.1, so that within the applicator unit consisting of the applicator 4 and the closure cap 5 the space occupied by the product itself then remains sealed to the outside, if after the first opening of the tube packaging 1 or after piercing the membrane 10 with the mandrel 25 of the applicator 4 from the second position in which the mandrel 25 extends sealed through the tube body opening 9 in the tube body interior , is consciously or unconsciously moved back by the user by turning to the first position, in which the free end of the dome 25 is spaced from the tube body opening 8.

FIGS. 8-11 show a tube packaging 1 a which differs from the tube packaging 1 by a modified design of the adapter 3 a or of the applicator 4 a.

The illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 in an individual representation adapter 3a differs from the adapter 3 only in that the adapter 3 is integrally formed on the portion 13 with a plurality of protruding beyond the circumference of this section locking lugs 33. The applicator 4a differs from the applicator 4 only in that on the bead-like projection 27 more Recesses 34 are formed, which cooperate with the locking lugs 33 such that in the position of use of the applicator 4a, ie after the piercing of the tube opening 9 originally closing membrane 10, the locking lugs 33 are each received in a recess 34, in such a way that a Turning back the applicator 4a in its initial position before piercing the membrane 10 is no longer possible.

By locking the detents 33 in the recesses 34 is thus prevented that the tight connection between the mandrel 25 and the channel 28 and the tube body opening 9, in particular by the concern of the conical portion 25.2 (sealing cone) against the inner edge 9.1 of the tube body opening 9 is lost by a possible incorrect operation and tube contents thereby enters the interior of the adapter 3a and in the interior 23 of the applicator 4a.

FIGS. 12-20 show a tube package 1b which consists of the tube body 2, the adapter 3b corresponding to the adapter 3 or 3a, the applicator 4b corresponding to the applicator 4, 4a and the closure cap 5b corresponding to the closure cap 5. The adapter 3b, the applicator 4b and the closure cap 5b are in turn molded parts made of plastic. Insofar as the element of the tube packaging 1b corresponds to that of the tube packaging 1 or 1a, at least in terms of their function, these elements are designated in FIGS. 12-21 by the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1-11.

The adapter 3b is in turn secured against rotation by latching or bouncing on the tube body nipple 8 (see also FIG. 14) and differs from the adapter 3 or 3a in that it integrally engages on its underside located at the portion 14 with the opening 14.1 a radially projecting and in the illustrated embodiment on the circumference annularly shaped flange or plate-like portion 35 is made, the mounted on the tube body 2 adapter 3b rests with its side facing away from the opening 14.1 side against the tube shoulder 7. The tube nipple 8 in turn forms the tube body opening 9, which in the original state of the tube packaging 1 b is closed by the membrane 10.

At the side or annular surface facing the opening 14.1, the section 35 is provided with locking lugs 36 protruding beyond this annular surface, which lugs are distributed at regular angular intervals around the central axis of the adapter 3b. In the illustrated embodiment, a total of four such locking lugs 36 are provided which cooperate in the manner described in more detail below with detents or lugs 37 of the applicator 4b and thus prevent the unwanted moving back or turning back of the applicator 4b from the use position back to the starting position and Therefore, correspond to the latching lugs 33 and the recesses 34 of the tube packaging 1 a locking means formed.

The latching lugs 36 are each formed axially sprung, by the fact that in the region of each latching lug 36 on the underside of the section 35, a recess 38 is formed and thus each latching lug 36 is located on a material portion of reduced wall thickness and thereby the axial suspension of the latching lugs 36th is reached.

Otherwise, the adapter 3b corresponds to the adapter 3 or 3a, so that at least the elements corresponding in function to the adapter 3 or 3a are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-11.

The adapter 4b differs from the adapter 4 or 4a substantially only in that provided in the interior 23 of the portion 19, and with an axial distance from the Applkatorabschnitt 21 facing away from the detents 37 in a the axis of the applicator 4b concentrically enclosing ring assembly are, with axial distance from this opening and at this edge facing the edge of a sleeve or circular cylindrical inner Wall portion 22.1, which extends from the cap base 24, protrudes into the interior 23 of the portion 19, is spaced from the inner surface of the cap wall 22 and is arranged with its axis coaxially with the axis of the applicator 4b. On the inside of the wall portion of the projection 27 is formed, which cooperates with the projection or collar 15 and is in this embodiment thus in the interior 23 of the section 19.

A special feature of the applicator 4b is further that the mandrel 25 is provided at its projecting into the interior 23 of the portion 19 end with a plurality of radially extending to the axis of the applicator 4b or to the axis of the formed in the mandrel 25 channel groove-shaped recesses 39 which are open both to the outside and inside of the dome 25 as well as the mandrel end. By means of these slot-shaped recesses 39, a membrane 10, which lays itself in front of the opening of the channel 28 during perforation, prevents this channel from closing for the passage or discharge of the product received in the tube body 2. Even if a membrane 10 should lay in perforation before the opening of the channel 28, the slot-shaped recesses 39 form a "bypass", via which the product from the tube body 2 in the channel 28 and thus to that of the channel 28 at In the original state or in the not yet open state of the tube package 1 b, the applicator 4 b is again held by locking the annular projection 27 on the projection or collar 15 on the adapter 3 b, for example in the form of that the mandrel 25 is axially spaced from the opening 14.1 or extends slightly into this opening 14.1, without perforating the membrane 10th

In order to prevent undesired perforation of the membrane 10 by the mandrel 25 by screwing the internal thread 26 on the external thread 16 of the adapter 3b, means are provided, the screwing of the applicator 4b on the adapter 3b only after overcoming a allow certain resistance or torque. These means are formed in the illustrated embodiment by an integrally formed on the external thread 16 and extending into the thread projection 40.

A peculiarity consists in the fact that with not yet open tube packaging 1 b, the portion 35 or at least the outer edge between the tube shoulder 7 and held on the adapter 3b by latching applicator 4b is visible. This optical guarantee display for the not yet open tube packaging 1 b is reinforced by the fact that the adapter 3b is formed at least in the region of the outer periphery of the portion 35 with a color that differs significantly from the color of the applicator 4b, for example in green or Blue is executed. In the open state, i. After perforating the membrane and after locking the applicator 4b with its locking lugs 37 on the latching lugs 36 of the adapter 3b, the portion 35 is no longer visible in the applicator 4b and in the section 19 received.

The closure cap 5b, which consists for example of a transparent material or plastic, is provided at the end of its internal thread 30 with a projection 41 which engages behind the stop or projection 31 when the closure cap 5b is fastened on the applicator 4b or on the section 21, thus unscrewing or removing the cap 5b from the applicator 4b is also possible only by overcoming an increased torque. Basically, the cooperating with the stop or projection 31 projection 41 may also be designed as child safety, in the form that a removal of the cap 5b is possible only by exerting radial compressive forces on the peripheral surface of the cap 5b, on one opposite the respective projection 41 offset circumferential region.

The tube packaging 1 b thus has, inter alia, the advantage that by the locking lugs 36 and the detents 37 an undesired turning back of the applicator 4b from the Cebrauchsposition in non-use position on a large diameter is prevented that the original state or the not yet open state of the tube packaging 1 b visually clearly indicated by the visible edge of the section 35, and that an undesired perforation of the membrane 10 by impact, for example during transport the tube packaging 1 b is prevented.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 a, 1 b Tu netwrapping

2 tube body

3, 3a, 3b adapter

4, 4a, 4b applicator

5, 5b cap

6 tube jacket

7 tube shoulder

8 tube body nipple

9 tube body opening

9.2 inner edge

10 membranes

1 1 knurling

12 locking groove

13, 14 section

14.1 opening

1 5 projection or collar

16 external thread

1 7 rest

18 footbridge

19 - 21 section

22 caps wall

22.1 sleeve or circular cylindrical wall section

23 interior

24 cap bottom

25 thorn

25.1 blade-like extension

25.2 conical section or sealing cone

26 internal thread 27 advantage

28 channel

28.1 Applicator opening

29 external thread

30 internal thread

31 stop

33 latch

34 recess

35 section

36, 37 latch

38, 39 recess

40, 41 ahead

TA axis of the tube packaging

Claims

claims

Tubular packaging with a tube body (2) for receiving a product, with a through a perforable wall portion (10) closed and on a tube body nipple (8) formed tube body opening (9), with an applicator (4, 4a, 4b), at least an applicator opening (28.1) for dispensing or applying a product received in the tube package (1, 1a, 1b), the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) axially between a first position corresponding to a delivery or original state and a use state corresponding second position is movable and has a mandrel (25) in the first position of the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) with a free end (25.1) outside the tube body opening (9) and at a distance from the perforable wall portion (10) is arranged and when moving the applicator (4, 4 a, 4 b) moved into the second position under perforation of the wall portion (10) in the tube body opening (9) and this connects to the applicator opening (28.1) via at least one channel (28) formed in the mandrel (25), characterized in that an adapter (3, 3a, 3b) is fastened on the tube body nipple (8), and in that the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) with a first portion (19) axially movable on the adapter (3, 3a, 3b) is arranged.

2. Tubular packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the mandrel (25) constantly, ie in particular in the first and in the second position of the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) and when moving the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) between these positions in an opening (14.1) of the adapter (3, 3a, 3b) received, preferably guided.

3. tube packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first applicator (19) is designed like a cap.

4. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first applicator section (19) on the adapter (3, 3a, 3b) is guided axially over at least a partial length thereof.

5. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (3, 3a, 3b) on its outer surface with an external thread (16) and the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) or its first applicator (19) on a Inner surface with an internal thread (26) for cooperation with the external thread (16) of the adapter (3, 3a, 3b) are formed.

6. tube packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that at the first position of the applicator (4, 4a, 4b), the thread relative to the axes of the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) and / or the adapter (3, 3a, 3b ) are offset against each other axially against each other.

7. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means which prevent undesired axial displacement of the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) from the first position in the direction of the second position.

8. tube packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the means of the threads of the thread (16, 26) are formed.

9. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) is held by latching on the adapter (3, 3a, 3b), for example, with an inner sleeve or circular cylindrical wall portion (22.1) at one of this Wall section (22.1) enclosed portion (13) of the adapter (3, 3a, 3b).

10. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a on the applicator (4, 4 a, 4 b) releasably, preferably by screwing back lös bare cap (5, 5 b).

11. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (3, 3a, 3b) and / or the applicator (4, 4a, 4b) and / or the closure cap (5, 5b) are molded parts made of plastic.

12. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by latching means (33, 34, 36, 37) which block the applicator (4a, 4b) in the second position against moving back into the first position.

13. tube packaging according to claim 12, characterized in that the latching means (36) relative to the axis of the adapter (3b) are formed axially resilient.

14. Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (3b) is provided with a preferably flange or plate-like portion (35) visible in the original state of the tube packaging (1 b) and in the open state of the tube packaging the applicator (4b) is covered.

Tubular packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (4) can only be moved from the first position to the second position by application of an increased force and / or increased torque.