EP2825319A1

EP2825319A1 - Tubular bag with metering device

Info

Publication number: EP2825319A1
Application number: EP13704392.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dan Barron
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2012-03-16
Filing date: 2013-02-04
Publication date: 2015-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-04
Also published as: US9481560B2; WO2013135434A1; DE102012204157A1; EP2825319B1; ES2742399T3; US20150053308A1

Abstract

The device (1) consists of a second connection piece (4), which can be welded via its flange (41) onto an aseptically closed tubular bag (2). A first connection piece (33) can be screwed into the second connection piece (4) and is provided at the end with opening means (34). The first connection piece (33) forms the intake piece of a metering pump (3). Securing means (5) hold the metering pump (3) in the correct position relative to the second connection piece (4) before the first use, and further means hold the metering pump (3) in the correct position relative to the second connection piece (4) in the use position.

Description

Tubular bag with dosing device

The present invention relates to a device for metered delivery of a fluid from a tubular bag. Under tubular pouches here are made of plastic film produced bags that are completely closed. Such tubular bags are machined by means of appropriate folding of a plastic film, whereupon they are completely closed by appropriate welds. Such tubular bags then have

Opening devices, which consists essentially of a nozzle with marginal flange and this flange is welded onto the bag, wherein in the nozzle a cutting element is held in a screw and can be actuated by a screw, so that at the first opening of the writing cap, the cutting element to the film out moves in a screwing motion while the fully closed tubular bag opens. The advantage of such tubular bags with a corresponding opening device is that the content of the tubular bag is completely aseptically packaged and protected until the effective moment of use. typical

- l - Examples of such opening devices are known, for example, from JP 7040982, WO 9900308A, WO 2004/083055 or also from EP 1533240, EP 1795456 or CH 695019. These tubular bags and their opening device are mainly used in the food industry. These closures are particularly widespread in the field of fruit juices, mixed milk drinks or other types of beverages.

However, tubular bags with opening devices are also known in which the opening device is designed as a simple screw cap, wherein the

Closure device is welded between two film edges of the container. There are variants in which a cutting device also cuts open a film of the tubular bag, as known for example from EP 2143658 or variants in which the bag itself remains open, but the closure has a sealing membrane, which is subsequently pierced by a screw cap , Such solutions are shown for example in US Pat. No. 6,273,307 or US 2008/0073348. Such and similar solutions are typically known in so-called refill bags as they are used in particular in the field of cosmetics for liquid soaps, shower or hair shampoos. With the refill bag then a solid container is filled, in which case the actual closure of that container is unscrewed and screwed back after the refilling process. In gastronomy, however, much larger tubular bags are offered today as refill containers.

In particular at fast food restaurants, viscous, pasty and often texotropic foods are dispensed in larger containers and are usually removed from them with a hand pump. These are today in particular large cans or plastic containers, which are provided with a simple screw cap and on which a hand-operated pump is placed. This has a variety of disadvantages. On the one hand, such containers are hardly bottled aseptically and after the first opening a reusable pump must be placed, which must be cleaned beforehand. In addition, when removing the screw cap and placing the appropriate pump ambient air enters the container. Thus, the content is no longer aseptic. Even after the pump has been put in place, air must be able to flow into the container to replace the pressed-out material in order to avoid a negative pressure in the container. However, since many such food products used in the catering industry can oxidise or otherwise be damaged by the contact with the ambient air, these products must therefore be better preserved by adding appropriate preservative additives. However, this is no longer accepted by consumers more and more. It is now the object of the present invention to provide a device for the metered delivery of a fluid from a tubular bag, by means of which the aforementioned problems can be avoided. This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that the device is a metering pump, the suction side is provided with a first nozzle with external thread, the end of which is provided with at least one cutting or perforating tooth, and wherein the first nozzle in a second socket with internal thread and a flange which is welded onto the tubular bag, is screw-connected, that by rotating the metering pump relative to the second nozzle of the first nozzle cuts the tubular bag.

This can be realized in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner by the metering pump preferably being realized as a disposable pump made of plastic. Further advantageous embodiments of the inventive device are listed in the dependent claims and their meaning and effect will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the subject invention is illustrated and described below. 1 shows a tubular bag with device mounted thereon for metered delivery of a fluid in the transport position prior to first use, and FIG. 2 shows the same tubular bag with the same

Device in the use position.

Fig. 3 shows the designed as Rotationsdosierpumpe

Device by itself before mounting on a tubular bag.

Fig. 4 shows a diametrical vertical section through a second, weldable to the tubular bag spigot with flange, while

Fig. 5 shows the first neck of the fixed with the

Rotary metering pump is connected, by itself in a side view shows. Fig. 6 again shows the Rotationsdosierpumpe by itself in a perspective view, and Fig. 7 shows a detail thereof on a larger scale, while

Fig. 8 shows the second nozzle according to the figure 4 in a perspective view obliquely from above, while

Fig. 9 shows a detail of this second nozzle on a larger scale.

Fig. 10 shows a vertical partial section through both

Neck in the use position, as well

Fig. 11 shows this, but here both nozzles are shown completely omitting the actual rotary metering pump.

Fig. 12a serves to illustrate the seal between the first and the second nozzle in an intermediate position and

Fig. 12b in the sealing end position.

The tubular bag 2 shown here and the arrangement of the inventive device 1 is a schematic representation. The tubular bag 2 must have in this case a lower flat top surface 21, opposite to a second cover surface or a simple folding can lie. This folding edge is designated 20. Along the longitudinal edges of the tubular bag is welded and the corresponding welding edges are designated 22. In a simpler version you would make the tubular bag 2 practically pillow-like and welded along three edges. In this case, the device 1 can be attached at any location on these surfaces of the tubular bag. However, since in one case the device 1 would only be visible from above and thus one could only recognize a little of the device, the symbolic design shown here has been chosen. The tubular bag can in this case either consist of a pure plastic film or of a film which is multi-layered and has, for example, a paper or cardboard layer, an aluminum coating and on the outer sides in each case a plastic coating.

The device 1 consists in principle of only two parts, namely a metering pump 3 and a nozzle 4, which is referred to below as the second nozzle. The metering pump is preferably a Rotationsdosierpumpe in Figs. 1 and 2 in the side view recognizable. Here you look at a pump housing 30, which is covered by a bearing cap 31. The metering pump shown here has, for example, two vane rotors, which act in a counter-rotating manner similar to a gear pump move. Furthermore, it can be seen an outlet 32, which may be in communication with a dispensing device, not shown here, for example via a hose which would be attachable to this outlet. The tubular bag can also be attached directly hanging and the outlet 32 are located above the place where the metered delivery of the contents. The outlet nozzle

32 opposite one recognizes in Fig. 2 a first nozzle 33, which is arranged on the suction side and thus can also be referred to as Einsaugstutzen. This first neck

33 has an external thread 36. The first piece 33 engages in the second socket 4, which has a corresponding internal thread. Fig. 1 shows the device 1 before its first use, ie in a storage and transport position. FIG. 2 shows the same situation but in the use position. The arrow R indicates that the metering pump 3 has been rotated in the direction of arrow R, in the present case by 360 °. As a result of this screwing movement, the thread 36 on the first connecting piece 33 is no longer visible, and the first connecting piece 33 can no longer be seen above the second connecting piece 4 either. For this purpose, the lower end of the first nozzle 33, which is provided with an opening means 34 at its inlet end, is now recognized. This opening means 34 has now cut open the film of the tubular bag 2 and the cut-open part Only now there is a continuous connection between the metering pump 3 and the interior of the tubular bag 2. In this way, a good can be aseptically filled, transported completely closed and opened without contamination. It makes sense to also use a metering pump that seals the connection between the intake-side first port 33 and the outlet port 32 in any position. Such a pump is preferably designed as a disposable pump. In principle, it would also be conceivable to provide the tubular bag with only the second port 4, while the metering pump 3 is made as a reusable pump, which remains with the user. However, this would also have a first, suction-side nozzle 33 with a corresponding opening means 34. For actuation, of course, this first stub 33 would also have an external thread 36, which fits on a not visible here internal thread of said second stub 4.

In FIG. 3, the device 1 according to the invention is shown as a whole, but in the state not mounted on the tubular bag 2. In this perspective view, one looks from below on the second port 4. This second port 4 has a terminal flange 41. This flange 41 has on its welding side, for example, a plurality of circumferential power-conducting ribs 42. These serve to make an intimate connection between the second nozzle 4 and the tube bag 2 during ultrasonic welding. Also in Fig. 3, the entire device 1 is shown in the transport position. It can be seen that the first neck 33 with its opening means 34 is still completely within the second neck 4 and does not protrude from this.

The second nozzle 4 is now shown in Fig. 4 by itself in a vertical diametral section. One

Connecting pipe section 43 forms the actual nozzle and to these a terminal flange 41 is formed. The flange 41, which faces the tubular bag in the mounted state, is provided with the mentioned energy-conducting ribs 42. The connecting tube section 43 has an internal thread 44. This internal thread is designed such that it fits the external thread 36 on the first connecting piece 33. In the preferred embodiment shown here, the terminal flange 41 is not directly connected to the connecting pipe section 43, but the connection is made via a conically outwardly directed connecting wall 45. The reason for this design is that the lower edge region of the connecting pipe Section 43 would be provided with a certain flexibility, since on the inside near the edge, which lies in the plane of the flange 41, a circumferential first sealing lip or sealing bead 46th is formed. This situation is shown again in FIG. 10 and on a larger scale.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the device 1 is preferably completely assembled and attached to the tubular bag 2, the customer or consumer delivered. Since, as already mentioned, the first nozzle 33 is provided with opening means 34, in particular perforating or cutting teeth 35, it must be ensured that the metering pump 3 and the thus firmly connected first nozzle 33 remain in this transport position during transport and storage can not unintentionally rotate relative to the second port 4. Because depending on the direction of rotation, either the metering would dissolve from the second port 4, and thus lost, or if he would turn in the opposite direction, the opening means 34 would come into contact with the film of the tubular bag 2 and possibly the tubular bag would thereby perforated and thus partially open, whereby the shelf life would of course no longer exist. In order to realize this fuse, a securing means 5 is preferably present. This securing means can be formed in various ways. In FIG. 4, such a securing means 5 as a guarantee strip is realized purely schematically by dashed lines, which has stop tabs 52 formed on the inside, and may be provided with a tear tab 53 on the outside, for example. These

- ll - Stop cam 52 may be formed with corresponding radially outwardly directed latching ribs 53 which on the pump housing 30 of the metering pump 3 at the transition of the first nozzle 33 to the housing 30, as shown for example in FIG. 3.

A second embodiment of a securing means 5 consists of an elevation 54 in the inlet region 37 of the first nozzle 33. In the assembled state, this cam-like elevation 54 fits into a latching recess 55, which is formed by two opposing ramp-like elevations in the internal thread 44 of the second nozzle 4. In the mounting position before first use of the first port 33 is screwed into the second port 4 so far that the survey 54 in the latching recess 55 comes into engagement. In this position, the opening means 34, which preferably consist of perforating and / or cutting teeth 35, lie completely in the region of the connecting pipe section 43 of the second nozzle 4. It is quite possible, this second form of securing means 5 with the first version of a securing means in the form of a guarantee strip 51 to combine.

In Fig. 6, the metering pump is shown by itself. Accordingly clearly recognizes the pump housing 30, the bearing cap 31 and integrally formed on the pump housing outlet 32 and the first port 33, which serves as an inlet nozzle and with the mentioned external thread 36 is provided. On the pump housing 30 can be seen two diametrically opposed locking ribs 53, which are shown enlarged in Fig. 7 as a section. The transition region of the first nozzle 33 to the pump housing 30 is formed by a circumferential sealing ramp 38. For the stability of the latching rib 53, this is integrally formed on the one hand on the sealing bead and on the other hand on the pump housing 33. So far, this latching rib 53 has been described only in cooperation with a securing means 5 in the form of a guarantee strip 51 with corresponding stop cam 52. However, the same locking ribs 53 can also be used to secure the metering pump 3 relative to the second port 4. The second port 4 has in a preferred imple mentation form at the, the flange 41 opposite end of the connecting pipe section 43 a collar 47 and between this collar 47 and the flange 41 a plurality of axially extending ribs 48. These ribs 48 hold the collar 47 deformation-resistant relative to the flange 41. On the collar 47, on the side facing away from the flange 41 anti-locking means are now attached, which engage with the locking ribs 53 on the pump housing 30 as soon as the metering pump 3 is completely screwed into the second port 4. In the simplest form could be directly in an upper ramp portion of the connecting pipe section 43 of the second nozzle 4 at least one Provide catch notch 56. In the present case, two latching notches 56 are provided in the region of the collar 47. These latching notches 56 are formed by two counter-rotating latching ramps 57 integrally formed on the collar 47. This is shown particularly clearly in the enlarged section in FIG. 9 and can be seen.

The inventive device 1 for the metered delivery of a fluid from a tubular bag 2 not only guarantees aseptic delivery of the packaged goods and an absolutely hygienic opening of the tubular bag, but has thanks to double seal an at least approximately gas-tight closure of the tubular bag by the inventive device. For this purpose, there is a first seal, as already mentioned and described, between the first port 33 and the second port 4. Here has the connecting pipe section 43 on its inner side a first sealing lip or sealing bead 46 which in the free area of the connecting pipe section 43 below the conical wall 45 is formed. This is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In Fig. 11 but also the second sealing region can be seen, which forms a seal between the second nozzle 4 and the pump housing 30. This sealing area is shown on an enlarged scale in FIGS. 12a and 12b. In this figure, one can see a part of the connecting pipe section 43 in the area where it merges into the collar 47. In the connecting pipe section 43 can be seen Internal thread 44. Directly above the wall of the connecting pipe section 43 of the second nozzle 4 is an aligned, vertically upwardly projecting sealing annular wall 49. The wall of the collar 47 of the second nozzle 4 has an annular recess 40, which is a flexible exemption the sealing ring wall 49 ensures. At the upper, free end of this annular wall 49, a circumferential sealing head 49 'is integrally formed. In Fig. 12a can be seen a part of the pump housing 3, which protrudes with its molded first nozzle 33 in the connecting pipe section 43 of the second nozzle 4. Between the first nozzle 33 and the pump housing 30, a circumferential annular sealing ramp 38 is formed, which has a ramp-like inclination. This annular sealing ramp 38 is located in FIG. 12a on top of the sealing head 49 'at the upper end of the sealing annular wall 49. In FIG. 12 b, the pump housing is now completely screwed into the second socket 4 with the first socket 33. In this situation, the latching rib 43 now lies in the latching notch 56, the boundary of which forms the latching ramp 57, which can be seen cut in FIGS. 12a and 12b. In this situation, the sealing ring wall is now deformed by the annular sealing ramp 38 of the pump housing 31 inwardly curved. Thus now the annular circumferential sealing head 49 'is absolutely sealingly against the sealing ramp 38.

Claims

claims

1. Device (1) for the metered delivery of a fluid from a tubular bag (2), characterized in that the device (1) is a metering pump (3), the suction side with a first nozzle (33) with external thread (36) is provided whose end is provided with at least one opening means (34), and wherein the first stub (33) in a second socket (4) with internal thread and a flange which is welded to the tubular bag (2), so screwed through that a rotation of the metering pump (3) relative to the second port (4) of the first port (33) the tubular bag (2) cuts open.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering pump (3) is a disposable pump made of plastic.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the metering pump (3) is a rotary pump.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a securing means (5) is provided which guarantees the relative position of the first nozzle (33) relative to the second nozzle (4) before the first use.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that at the lower edge of the second nozzle (4) via predetermined breaking point bridges a guarantee strip (51) is formed as securing means (5), which the relative rotation of the second nozzle (4) to the first nozzle (33). only after the removal of the guarantee strip allows.

6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the securing means (5) by a survey (54) in the inlet region of the external thread of the first nozzle and a Einrastvertiefung (55) on the internal thread (44) of the second nozzle (4) is formed so that before the first use of the opening means (34), the cutting and / or perforating teeth (35) are located completely within the second nozzle (4).

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second connecting piece (4) from the flange (41) to the internal thread

(44) of the nozzle (4) towards a conical connecting wall

(45).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that in the mounted state before the first use, the opening means (34) lie completely in the conical region of the connecting wall (45).

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the pump housing (30) adjacent to the first nozzle (33) on the suction side of the metering pump (3) at least one latching rib (53) is integrally formed and at the upper edge of the second nozzle (4) at least a Einrastvertiefung (55) is formed in which engages the at least one latching rib (53) when the metering pump (3) with the first nozzle (33) is completely screwed into the second nozzle (4).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the second neck (4) at the flange (41) remote end has a collar (47) and a latching notch (56) between two formed on the collar, opposing latching ramps (57) is formed.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the second nozzle (4) in the region near the flange on the inside of the nozzle (43) arranged first sealing lip or a sealing bead (46) is formed, which or which the first nozzle (33 ) externally fitting against the second nozzle (4) seals.

12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second connecting piece (4) at the flange-free end a running around the clear opening of the nozzle second sealing lip is formed as a sealing annular wall (49) which rests in the fully screwed on the first port state on the pump housing (30). 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the pump housing (30) on the suction side around the first nozzle (33) running around an inclined sealing ramp (38), in the fully screwed into the second socket state, the sealing ring wall (49) the sealing ramp (38) rests.

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of cutting and / or perforating teeth (35) are formed as opening means (34) on the first neck (33).

15. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that on the second connecting piece between the flange (41) and the collar (47) axially extending ribs (48) are integrally formed.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the ribs (48) protrude to at most the outer edge of the collar (47) to the outside.