EP3197310B1 - Container for accommodating a free-flowing fluid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container for receiving a flowable fluid having a container casing, a discharge opening arranged in the container casing, a support and holding unit arranged on the container casing, which encloses a flow channel connected to the discharge opening, and a ball arranged in the support and holding unit ,
Such containers are commonly used to apply a liquid or pasty substance to a surface, see for example US patent application Ser EP 1 673 998 A1 , Particularly well-known is the use of such containers as so-called Deoroller or roll-on deodorants for applying a deodorizing fluid to the human skin. The present invention will be described below using the example of such a de-role scraper, but this is not to be understood as a limitation in the application of the invention.
In order to be able to apply the fluid in the container to the skin, the movably held ball must be wetted with the liquid. When the deodorant roller is stored in a position where the ball is above the fluid, the deodorant roller must be placed in a position where the ball is below the fluid so that the ball will absorb fluid as it rotates and again can give to the skin. from However, users generally find it more comfortable to store the deodorant in a position where the ball is below the fluid. In this case, the ball is already wetted with the fluid and the order can be done faster.

In both designs, but especially in the last design with the ball arranged below, care must be taken to ensure that the dispensing opening of the container is well sealed by the ball to expire at the top of a ball desiccation of the liquid and at the bottom ball arranged a leak to avoid the liquid.

When constructing a suitable sealing device, as with the construction of the entire de-scaler, it should be borne in mind that it is usually or frequently not refilled and thrown away after emptying. For reasons of environmental protection, care must therefore be taken that as little material as possible has to be used for the container itself, and that this material must also meet increased requirements for recycling or biodegradability. Of course, the costs for the production and for the filling itself play a significant role.

Therefore, the present invention has for its object to provide a container of the type mentioned, which allows a good seal of the liquid volume.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred developments are subject of the dependent claims.

The container according to the invention serves to receive a liquid or a fluid and has a container jacket. An arranged in the container shell discharge opening serves to deliver the liquid from the container or container interior to the environment. On the container casing a support and holding unit is arranged, which one with the Includes discharge port connected flow channel. In the supporting and holding unit, a ball is movably arranged, whose shape is at least substantially approximated to the ideal geometric shape. The ball substantially closes this flow channel with respect to the environment of the container. Between the supporting and holding unit and the ball at least three contact areas are formed, which rotate around the ball and are formed substantially parallel to each other.

A first contact area causes the transmission of forces between the ball and the supporting and holding unit (supporting forces), which serve the support of the ball in particular during the use of the container (support function). At least one other of the contact areas (sealing area) is used for sealing (sealing function) between the supporting and holding unit and the ball, but essentially not for transmitting supporting forces. Therefore, in the sealing area, a wall portion of the supporting and holding unit may be designed to abut against the ball and thereby only deform elastically.

For the purposes of the invention, a container casing is understood to mean a wall of the container which can limit a receiving space of the container relative to the environment and counteract the exchange of substances between the receiving space and the environment. Preferably, the container shell is at least partially rotationally symmetrical, formed with a polymer and / or produced by injection blow molding, extrusion blow molding or a similar method.

In the context of the invention, a discharge opening is to be understood as meaning an opening in the container casing, which serves for the directed discharge of the liquid received from the receiving space to the surroundings of the container. Preferably, the dispensing opening is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container and / or formed substantially circular.

For the purposes of the invention, a support and holding unit is to be understood as meaning a unit which is arranged on the container casing and for supporting or serves to hold the ball. Supporting and holding the ball is such that it is rotatable within the support and holding unit. Preferably, the support and holding unit is formed with the material of the container shell, materially connected to the container jacket and / or formed integrally with the container shell.

For the purposes of the invention, a flow channel is to be understood as meaning a channel which serves to guide the liquid received from the receiving space in the direction of the dispensing opening. Thus, the flow channel extends at least between the receiving space and the discharge opening. The flow channel is at least partially enclosed by the supporting and holding unit.

For the purposes of the invention, a ball is to be understood as meaning an essentially rotationally symmetrical body which temporarily serves to provide the fluid from the receiving space to the surroundings. Together with the supporting and holding unit, the ball is used at times to seal the container or the discharge opening or the flow channel. Preferably, the ball has a diameter between 25 and 45 mm or between 20 and 45 mm, more preferably between 22 and 28 or between 30 and 38 mm.

For the purposes of the invention, a contact area is to be understood as an area in which the supporting and holding unit can mechanically contact the ball. The term "mechanically touching" also includes the case that there is a liquid film between the contact partners. During use and storage of the container, the contact areas may shift along the spherical surface. Preferably, one of the contact areas is arranged adjacent to the dispensing opening.

Below preferred embodiments of the container are described, which can each be combined with each other, unless it is expressly excluded. According to the invention, at least two contact areas are designed as support and holding areas and at least one contact area as a sealing area. The supporting and holding areas counteract an exit of the ball from the supporting and holding unit in the environment and in the direction of the receiving space. Within the supporting and holding areas, supporting forces can be transmitted between the ball and the supporting and holding unit. The sealing area is used for sealing between the support and holding unit and the ball, but not essentially for the transmission of supporting forces. By dividing support function and sealing function into different contact areas, these contact areas can be better adapted to the respective function. It is particularly advantageous that smaller sealing forces occur because the supporting forces do not have to be absorbed in the sealing area and that therefore lower deformation forces occur. Since cheap plastic materials tend to settle, can be achieved by ensuring that over a long period of time extending sealing effect even with low-cost materials.
According to a preferred embodiment, the supporting and holding unit in one of the support and holding areas a particular circumferential paragraph, in particular with a boundary edge, which may serve as a seat of the ball, against which the ball can be pressed. Preferably, the shoulder for receiving supporting forces is mechanically stable enough or designed stiff. This improves the seal.
According to a preferred refinement, at least two contact regions are designed as supporting and holding regions and at least two contact regions as sealing regions. In this case, a contact area adjacent to the dispensing opening serves both as a support and holding area and as a sealing area and performs both the support function and the sealing function. At the end of the supporting and holding unit opposite the dispensing opening, both a supporting and holding area and a sealing area spatially separated from this supporting and holding area are arranged. Due to this separation, the sealing area can be freed from the support function. In addition, forces which, during the application of the container, the ball in Press the direction of the receiving space, be better absorbed by the separate support and holding area. According to the invention, at least one of the sealing regions is formed with at least one projection, which is arranged circumferentially in the supporting and holding unit and on which the ball rests at least in one of the two possible vertical positions.
According to a preferred embodiment of at least one projection is formed with a peripheral boundary edge. This boundary edge serves to mechanically contact the ball along a circular line.
According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one projection with a wall of the supporting and holding unit is integrally connected or integrally formed. This can reduce manufacturing costs.
The supporting and holding unit may also be formed in several pieces, wherein at least one contact area or its projection is preferably formed as an insert.
According to a preferred development, a substantially hollow-cylindrical first section of the at least one projection extends parallel to a longitudinal axis extending through the supporting and holding unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, a second portion of the at least one projection, in particular by the ball, elastically deformable or elastically expandable. In this case, the second section can be transferred elastically, ie reversibly, from its undeformed state into its deformed state. Because of the merely elastic deformation or expansion, the provision of the second portion can be substantially complete. Preferably, the second portion is formed integrally with the first portion of the projection. As a result, the resilience of the projection can be improved. Preferably, the projection is with Polypropylene or polyethylene formed. Particularly preferably, the entire container and supporting and holding unit is integrally formed of polypropylene or polyethylene. But other plastics are eligible for this. According to the invention, at least one of the sealing regions is spaced apart from one of the supporting and holding regions by a predetermined distance C along a longitudinal axis L extending through the supporting and holding unit. Preferably, the distance is more than 1 mm. The distance between a delimiting edge of at least one projection of one of the sealing regions and a boundary edge of one of the supporting and holding regions is preferably more than 1 mm along a longitudinal axis L extending through the supporting and holding unit. According to a preferred embodiment, the container has a cap which is detachably connected to the container casing or to the supporting and holding unit. In this case, the ball can be pressed against a shoulder or projection of the support and holding unit. Thus, the seal can be improved.

Fig. 1

einen Schnitt durch eine erste bevorzugte Weiterbildung des Behälters,

Fig. 2a und 2b

Details des Behälters der Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine andere Ansicht auf das Detail der Fig. 2a,

Fig. 4a

einen Schnitt durch eine zweite bevorzugte Weiterbildung des Behälters und

Fig. 4b

Details des Behälters der Fig. 4a.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a section through a first preferred embodiment of the container,

Fig. 2a and 2b

Details of the container of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

another view on the detail of Fig. 2a .

Fig. 4a

a section through a second preferred embodiment of the container and

Fig. 4b

Details of the container of Fig. 4a ,

Fig.1 shows a section through a first preferred embodiment of the upper part of a designed as a deodorant embodiment.

The container 1 for receiving a liquid comprises the container casing 2, a discharge opening 3 arranged in the container casing 2, a support and holding unit 4 arranged on the container casing 2, which encloses a flow channel 5 connected to a discharge opening 3 (indicated by a horizontal dashed line) , a ball 6 arranged in the supporting and holding unit 4, which can close the flow channel 5 with respect to the surroundings of the container 1, and three contact areas 7a, 7b, 7c between the supporting and holding unit 4 and the ball 6.

In addition, the container 1 has a cap 20 which is detachably connected to the container casing 2 and the ball 6 along the extending through the supporting and holding unit 4 longitudinal axis L in the direction of not shown, but indicated by an arrow and numeral 12, receiving space the container 1 presses, in this illustration thus down. Thus, the sealing of the container 1 can be improved when not in use.

The above the center of the ball 6 arranged contact area 7a, hereinafter referred to as the first contact area 7a, is formed as a support and holding portion 8a. In a particular embodiment, the in Fig. 1 is not shown, the first contact area 7a also serves as a sealing area. Below the center of the ball 6, the second contact portion 7b and the third contact portion 7c are spaced from each other with respect to the vertical longitudinal axis L in the figure. The second contact region 7b serves as a sealing region 9 and the third contact region 7c serves as a supporting and holding region 8b. The supporting and holding portions 8a, 8b support the ball 6 against gravity and against the contact force when applying the deodorant fluid and the force through the screwed closure.

The support and holding unit 4 has a sleeve whose upper end extends upward beyond the center of the ball 6 into the first contact area 7a.

In Fig. 1 is indicated that the supporting and holding unit 4 in the second contact region 7b or sealing region 9 has a circumferential projection 10 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

Fig. 2a and 2b show details of the container Fig. 1 , what a Fig. 1 marked with X. Shown are a section through the supporting and holding unit 4 and two contact areas 7b, 7c. The second contact region 7b is designed as a sealing region 9 and the third contact region 7c as a supporting and holding region 8b.

In the sealing region 9, the supporting and holding unit 4 has a projection 10 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The projection 10 has the boundary edge 11b. Compared to the dimension C, with which the projection 10 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L, the wall thickness of the projection 10 in cross section is small, the projection 10 thus slim. Due to the slim shape of the projection 10 can be easily deformed by the ball 6, in particular elastic and almost completely reversible. Thus, mechanical stresses in the projection 10 due to a deformation or bending, in particular by the ball 6, are kept low. As a result, a favorable material, in particular a polymer such as polypropylene or polyethylene, can also be used for the projection 10.

In the support and holding region 8b, the supporting and holding unit 4 is formed with a boundary edge 11c, with a substantially rectangular step and with an annular surface, which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L by the supporting and holding unit 4. This compared to the projection 10 rather massive design of the wall of the supporting and holding unit 4 in the supporting and holding area 8b allows the improved transmission of supporting forces or for supporting the ball. 6

Due to the division of support function and sealing function on different contact areas 7a, 7b, 7c, their design can be better adapted to the respective function.

In Fig. 2a the ball 6 is not shown and the projection 10 is undeformed. In Fig. 2b on the other hand, the ball 6 rests on the boundary edge 11c, and the second portion 14 of the projection 10 is elastically deformed or elastically expanded (deformed state). The second portion 14 abuts the ball 6, whereby the seal is improved.

Fig. 3 shows a different view on the detail of the Fig. 2a , Shown is the annular surface of the shoulder in the wall of the support and holding unit in the support and holding area 8b.

Fig. 4a shows a section through a second preferred embodiment of the upper part of a designed as a deodorant embodiment. Therein, the supporting and holding region 8b and the sealing region 9 are opposite the container Fig. 1 and 2 in the order of their arrangement along the longitudinal axis L reversed. In this embodiment, therefore, the second contact area 7b, which is closer to the discharge opening 3, serves as the support and holding area 8b and the third contact area 7c, which is further away from the discharge opening 3, acts as the sealing area 9.

The first contact region 7a is furthermore designed as a supporting and holding region 8a and has in the embodiment according to FIG Fig. 4a a radially inwardly directed retaining ring with a very small extent in the axial direction. This results in a very small contact surface between the supporting and holding unit 4 and the ball. 6

Fig. 4b shows details of the container Fig. 4a , what a Fig. 4a marked with X. In it - as well as in Fig. 4a - The sealing portion 9 is shown in an undeformed and therefore the ball 6 in the representation penetrating state.

As in the in Fig. 4b illustrated cross-section of the tangent of the ball 6 at the contact portion 7c and thus at the sealing region 9 includes a larger angle with the longitudinal axis L than at the contact region 7b (at which the sealing region in the embodiment according to FIG Fig. 1 is arranged), is also the shape of the projection 10 in the sealing region 9 opposite to in Fig. 1 different. The projection 10 protrudes inwardly in the radial direction of the ball inwardly from the supporting and holding unit 4 and runs inwardly toward its boundary edge 11c towards pointed. If the ball 6 lies on the boundary edge 11c, the second section 14 of the projection 10 is elastically deformed. The bearing surface of the boundary edge 11 c is formed substantially by the rounded side of the second portion 14 of the projection 10.

• Material: Polypropylen oder Polyethylen für Behälter und Abstützeinrichtung
• Kugeldurchmesser von 25 bis 45 mm oder 20 bis 45 mm, besonders bevorzugt 22 bis 28 oder 30 bis 38 mm
• Höhe des Vorsprungs (Maß C in Fig. 2a) erfindungsgemäß von 1 bis 2 mm
• Wandstärke des Vorsprungs 0,1 bis 0,5 mm

The following dimensions and materials are preferred:

• Material: polypropylene or polyethylene for container and support
• Ball diameter of 25 to 45 mm or 20 to 45 mm, more preferably 22 to 28 or 30 to 38 mm
• Height of the projection (dimension C in Fig. 2a ) According to the invention of 1 to 2 mm
• Wall thickness of the projection 0.1 to 0.5 mm

reference numeral

1

container

2

container jacket

3

discharge opening

4

Supporting and holding unit

5

flow channel

6

Bullet

7a

First contact area

7b

Second contact area

7c

Third contact area

8a, 8b

Supporting and holding areas

9

sealing area

10

head Start

11b, 11c

boundary edges

12

accommodation space

13

First section of the tab

14

Second section of the projection

20

cap

L

longitudinal axis

C

Distance between two boundary edges or height of the projection

Claims (11)

1. A container (1) for accommodating a fluid, comprising:

   a container casing (2),

   a discharge opening (3) disposed in the container casing (2),

   a supporting and holding unit (4) arranged on the container casing (2) which encloses a flow channel (5) connected to the discharge opening (3), and

   a ball (6) movably arranged in the supporting and holding unit (4), its form at least substantially approximating the ideal geometrical shape and which can close off said flow channel (5) relative to the surrounding area of the container (1),

   wherein at least three contact areas (7) are formed between the supporting and holding unit (4) and the ball (6) which are disposed around the ball (6) and formed substantially parallel to one another,

   wherein at least two contact areas (7) are formed as supporting and holding areas (8) and at least one contact area (7) as a sealing area (9),

   wherein at least one of the sealing areas (9) is formed with at least one projection (10) arranged circumferentially in the supporting and holding unit (4) and upon which the ball (6) rests in at least one of the two possible vertical positions, and

   wherein at least one of the sealing areas (9) is spaced at a predetermined distance (C) from one of the supporting and holding areas (8) along a longitudinal axis (L) extending through the supporting and holding unit (4)

   characterized in that

   the height (C) of the projection is between 1 and 2 mm.
2. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two contact areas (7) are formed as supporting and holding areas (8) and at least two contact areas (7) as sealing areas (9).
3. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one projection (10) is designed with a circumferential boundary edge (11).
4. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one projection (10) is integrally formed with the supporting and holding unit (4).
5. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a substantially hollow cylindrical first section (13) of the at least one projection (10) extends parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) extending through the supporting and holding unit (4).
6. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second section (14) of the at least one projection (10) is elastically deformable and/or elastically expandable, particularly by the ball (6).
7. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one projection (10) is arranged within one of the sealing areas (9) and can abut against the ball (6) at least in sections, particularly its second section (14).
8. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the second sections (14) of the at least one projection (10) can press the ball (6) along a longitudinal axis (L) extending through the supporting and holding unit (4) in the direction of one of the supporting and holding areas (8).
9. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the sealing areas (9) is arranged between two further contact areas (7) along a longitudinal axis (L) extending through the supporting and holding unit (4).
10. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cap (20) detachably connected to the container casing (2) able to press the ball (6) away from the discharge opening (3).
11. The container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the projection is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm.

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