EP3544901B1 - Container with attachment - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container which has a cylindrical pouring spout with an external thread and an attachment with an internal thread for screwing onto the pouring spout. The attachment can be screwed to an end position in which the attachment rests against a stop of the pouring spout in the direction of rotation. In the end position, the attachment adopts a desired orientation, for example with respect to a front side of the container.

A container in the form of a detergent bottle is known from the prior art, in which an annular seal is provided for the seal between the attachment in the form of a screw cap and the pouring spout. The seal is made of a material that is softer than a material of the attachment and than a material of the pouring spout. The seal is arranged in the axial direction between an end edge of the pouring spout and an end contact surface of the attachment. When the attachment is screwed onto the pouring spout, the soft seal is compressed in the axial direction.

Furthermore describes the US 5251788 A1 a system of a container with a spout screwed onto it, to which a cap is screwed, according to the preamble of claim 1. This basically results in two connection points, one between the container and the pouring spout and a second between the pouring spout and the closing cap.

WO2017 / 167565 , which falls under Art. 54 (3) EPC, discloses a container with an attachment having a seal.

If one of the aforementioned arrangements is also sold through electronic commerce (eCommerce), either with the pouring spout closed by the screw cap or the two-part design with a pouring spout and a cap on the pouring spout, it cannot be ruled out that the bottle, for example when it is delivered by a parcel service, will last for longer Time is in any position and, for example, is upside down. This places high demands on the seal between the screw cap and the pouring spout, which the axial seal described above does not always meet. More stringent requirements result from the fact that the bottle is filled with liquid detergent, which usually contains surfactants. The lower surface tension of the liquid increases the risk of leakage. Due to manufacturing tolerances, it cannot be ruled out that the attachment reaches the desired end position when it is screwed on, but the axial seal is not compressed to the required extent in order to be able to seal sufficiently well.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a container with a pouring spout and an attachment which meets high requirements with regard to the sealing between the pouring spout and an attachment.

The object on which the invention is based is achieved with the combination of features according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims to claim 1.

According to the invention it is provided that the seal has a first sealing element that, when the attachment is screwed on, is arranged in the radial direction between attachment and pouring spout is and rests on a lateral surface section of the pouring spout. The first sealing element can thus also be referred to as a radial sealing element, since it is arranged in the radial direction between the components to be sealed. The first sealing element can, for example, be designed as a circumferential sealing lip, with the sealing lip being able to have a thickness of less than 0.5 mm in the radial direction in the profile. For example, the thickness of the first sealing element in the radial direction can be 0.2 to 0.4 mm.

The attachment for the pouring spout can, for example, be designed as a closure cap in order to close the pouring spout. In another exemplary embodiment, the attachment is designed as a pouring aid. The pouring aid can comprise a special pouring spout, which is intended to facilitate pouring out liquid from the container through the pouring spout. The stop of the pouring spout can ensure that the pouring aid with the pouring spout is correctly aligned with the front side and / or with a handle of the container.

The pouring aid preferably has an external thread onto which an internal thread of a further attachment can be screwed. This further attachment can, for example, be the closure cap described above. The closure cap can thus be screwed onto the pouring spout both directly and indirectly via the pouring aid. In the latter case, the pouring aid is screwed onto the pouring spout, on which in turn the closure cap is screwed. In order to also define an end position of the closure cap in relation to the pour-out aid, the pour-out aid can have a stop beyond which the closure cap cannot be screwed onto the pour-out aid.

The attachment has an essentially cylindrical outer wall and an essentially cylindrical inner wall, which delimit a receiving space in the form of an annular cylinder for the pouring spout. The cylindrical outer wall and / or the cylindrical inner wall can have shoulders, conical sections, threads, etc., as a result of which the outer wall or the inner wall deviate from a mathematically exact cylindrical jacket surface. Accordingly, the recording space is not a mathematically exact ring cylinder.

The seal can be arranged in the receiving space at a front end of the receiving space. This front end is preferably a closed end of the receiving space. The receiving space is open on the opposite side so that the pouring spout can be moved into the receiving space when the attachment is screwed on. When the attachment is screwed on in the end position, only an upper end of the pouring spout can protrude into the receiving space.

In one embodiment, the seal and the attachment are firmly connected to one another. The fixed connection between the seal and the attachment is preferably created solely during the manufacture of the attachment and the seal, with both components being able to be produced by injection molding and one component can be molded onto the other. The seal can first be injection molded onto or around which the attachment is injected.

The seal can comprise a first leg and a base, wherein the first sealing element is arranged on the first leg and can have a bulge facing the receiving space. The first leg can rest with a rear side on a lateral surface section of the inner wall of the attachment and be firmly connected to it. The first leg extends in the axial direction along the lateral surface section of the inner wall of the attachment.

When the attachment is in place, the first sealing element closes the given gap between the lateral surface section of the inner wall of the attachment and the lateral surface section of the pouring spout. The two lateral surface sections are radially opposite one another. The bulge, which is convex in section, lies against the lateral surface section of the pouring spout. Due to the bulge, there is an undercut in the axial direction. As will be described in more detail later, this undercut can be used to hold the seal in a fixed position within an injection mold for the attachment during the manufacture of the attachment.

In one embodiment, the seal has a second sealing element on the base which, when the attachment is screwed on, is arranged in the axial direction between attachment and pouring spout and rests against an end edge of the pouring spout. The seal thus provides a double seal: on the one hand by the first sealing element, which is arranged in the radial direction between two surfaces to be sealed, and on the other hand by the second sealing element, which is arranged between two surfaces to be sealed in the axial direction. The thickness of the second sealing element in the axial direction is preferably greater than 0.5 mm. In one embodiment it is 0.7 to 1.7 mm. Thus, the thickness of the second sealing element in the axial direction is preferably greater than the thickness of the first sealing element in the radial direction.

A rear side of the base can rest against a radial web of the attachment. The preferably circumferential radial web connects the inner wall and the outer wall of the attachment to one another in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, which have an annular cylindrical receiving space.

The front sides of the seal facing the receiving space are free of production-related surface structures. Such surface structures can, for example, be injection points that can arise during injection molding. The front sides of the seal can thus be particularly smooth, which is conducive to their sealing effect.

The preferably one-piece attachment can be made of plastic, preferably of polypropylene (PP). A plastic is preferably also used for the material of the seal; thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) have proven to be particularly favorable here. Although it is provided according to the invention that the material of the seal is softer than the material of the attachment and the material of the pouring spout, the material of the seal should not be too soft. Good seals are achieved with Shore A hardnesses of 30 to 90 or 60 to 80 ShA at 23 ° C for the material of the seal.

At the base of the seal, a groove open to the receiving space can be provided with groove side walls which diverge in the direction of a groove bottom. In other words, the groove represents a (further) undercut which is used to hold the seal securely in position by means of a holding element during the manufacture of the attachment.

In one embodiment, the seal is essentially U-shaped and has a second leg that is connected to the first leg by the base. The second leg also extends in the axial direction. A rear side of the second leg is firmly connected to a wall section of the attachment (for example the outer wall).

A projection directed towards the receiving space can be provided on the second leg, which projection generates a (further) undercut in the axial direction.

The undercuts described above ensure a firm connection between the seal and a holding device for the seal. The holding device is used in the production of the seal and the production of the attachment, which is preferably carried out in a chronological manner. The holding device serves as part of an injection mold for the seal. After the injection molding has taken place, the seal is placed in the injection mold of the attachment with the aid of the holding device. The various undercuts and the U-shape of the seal ensure that the seal is firmly seated on the holding device, which simplifies the manufacture of the attachment and the seal. The holding device can at least partially define the inner contour of the receiving space of the attachment. The holding device can be constructed in several parts so that it can be pulled out of the receiving space after the attachment has been injection molded. Thus, also detached from other features of the invention such as the stop, a special embodiment of the seal is disclosed here, which is used for the fixed connection between the seal and the holding element, for example, the seal in a further manufacturing step, in particular when the seal is overmolded with a other material to hold in place.

Figur 1

schematisch im Schnitt einen Behälter mit einem Aufsatz;

Figur 2

eine Verschlusskappe im Schnitt;

Figur 3

eine Ausgusshilfe im Schnitt;

Figur 4

die Verschlusskappe und die Ausgusshilfe im Schnitt;

Figur 5

in einer Vergrößerung eine Dichtung in der Verschlusskappe;

Figur 6

in einer Vergrößerung eine Dichtung in der Ausgusshilfe; und

Figur 7

die Dichtung mit einem oberen Teil eines Ausgießstutzens.

The invention is explained in more detail using the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

schematically in section a container with an attachment;

Figure 2

a closure cap in section;

Figure 3

a pouring aid in section;

Figure 4

the closure cap and the pouring aid in section;

Figure 5

an enlargement of a seal in the closure cap;

Figure 6

an enlargement of a seal in the pouring aid; and

Figure 7

the seal with an upper part of a pouring spout.

Figure 1 shows schematically a container 1 with a base body 2, which has a flattened front side 2a. The base body 2 is almost completely filled with a liquid detergent 3, which can be seen from a fill level line 5. A tapering region 6 adjoins an upper end of the base body 2, which is here conical and merges into a cylindrical pouring spout 7 with a central axis 4. The base body 2 can also assume other shapes, for example a handle can be molded into the base body 2. The region 6 which tapers between the base body 2 and the pouring spout 7 does not necessarily have to be conical either.

The container 1 further comprises an attachment 8, which has a cylindrical basic shape in the form of an upside-down pot or cup and sits on the pouring spout 7. The attachment 8 has a cylindrical outer wall 9 and a cylindrical inner wall 10 which delimit a receiving space 11. Due to the cylindrical walls 9, 10, the receiving space 11 assumes the shape of an annular cylinder.

In the receiving space 11, an annular seal 12 is arranged, which, starting from the central axis 4, is arranged in the radial direction between the inner wall 10 and an upper end of the pouring spout 7. The seal 12 thus seals an annular gap 13 between the inner wall 10 of the attachment 8 and the pouring spout 7. A typical gap dimension for the gap 13 (radial distance between pouring spout 7 and inner wall 10 is 0.2 to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.2 to 1 mm, further preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mm, in the area of the seal. Correspondingly, the seal 12 is also 0.2 to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.2 to 1 mm, further preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mm thick, it being possible for it to be compressed or compressed in the seat shown 12 can have a thickness of 0.2 to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.2 to 1 mm, further preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mm, in the radial direction.

The receiving space 11 is delimited at an upper end by a circumferential radial web or connecting ring 14. The radial web 14 connects the outer wall 9 and the inner wall 10. The upper end of the receiving space 11 is closed by the radial web 14.

In order to remove the liquid detergent 3 from the container 1, the attachment 8 is removed from the pouring spout 7. In the Figure 1 no threads are shown with which the attachment 8 can be screwed onto the pouring spout 7.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 the attachment 8 is designed as a closure cap 15. The function of the attachment 8 in Figure 1 consists in sealing the pouring spout in such a way that no detergent 3 accidentally escapes from the container 1. In particular, the seal 12 should be designed in such a way that no detergent 3 escapes from the container when the container 1 is lying or is upside down and the liquid detergent 3 is applied directly to the seal 12.

In one embodiment, the volume of the base body is 0.5 to 5 I. An inside diameter of the cylindrical pouring spout preferably has values between 30 and 50 mm. It should be emphasized at this point that Figure 1 shows the container according to the invention only schematically and the in Figure 1 aspect ratios shown are not limiting. For example, an axial length of the pouring spout can be smaller than the inner diameter (for example 10 to 30 mm). The conical area 6 can also be so flat that the pouring spout 7 adjoins the base body 2 practically directly.

Components or features belonging to the in Figure 1 denoted components or features are similar or identical, are provided with the same reference numerals in the further figures.

Figure 2 FIG. 11 shows, in section, an exemplary embodiment for the attachment 8, likewise in the form of a closure cap 15. Like the closure cap 15 in the embodiment of FIG Figure 1 has the cap 15 of the Figure 2 the function of a measuring cup or a dosing cap, which is clear from two markings 16, 17 (50 ml and 70 ml). In order to measure 50 ml, for example, the closure cap 15, starting from the in Figure 2 The position shown is rotated by 180 ° and the metering space 18 delimited by the inner wall 10 is filled up to the marking 16.

On an inner side 19 of the outer wall 9 facing the receiving space 11, an internal thread 20 is provided, through which the closure cap 15 of the Figure 2 could be screwed onto a pouring spout 7 with a corresponding external thread. The pouring spout 7 is equipped with a stop which defines an end position for the attachment in the turning or screwing direction, beyond which screwing is not possible and in which the attachment is correspondingly aligned with respect to the front side 2a. Preferably, the stop is designed as a stop edge against which a start of a thread of the in the end position Essay comes across. Thus, in the end position in the direction of rotation, there is a form fit between the attachment and the pouring spout.

The seal 12 sits in the upper end of the receiving space 11, here in a special embodiment. Figure 5 shows the seal 12 on an enlarged scale, whereupon the circle marked V in FIG Figure 2 should indicate. Like the one in particular Figure 5 As can be seen, the seal 12 rests directly on the inside of the connecting ring 14. The circumferential seal 12 of the Figure 5 is essentially U-shaped in profile and has a first leg 21, a second leg 22 and a base 23 which connects the two legs 21, 22. The first leg 21 lies with a rear side 24 on a lateral surface section 25 of the inner wall 10. A diameter of the lateral surface section 25 is larger, preferably 1 to 4 mm larger, than the diameter of the remaining sections of the inner wall 10.

A first sealing element 26 is arranged on the first or radially inner leg 21 which has a convex bulge 27 which is formed in the direction of the inner side 19 of the outer wall 11. In the representation of the Figure 5 a first undercut 28 results above the bulge or in the direction of the base 23. The undercut 28 relates to an axial direction, that is to say to a direction parallel to the central axis 4 (see FIG Figure 1 ).

A second sealing element 29 with a groove or recess 30 is provided on the base 23. The groove 30 has two groove side walls 32, 33 diverging in the direction of a groove bottom 31, so that the groove 30 is also undercut in the axial direction. On the second or radially outer leg 22, which is shorter than the first leg 21, a projection 34 directed in the direction of the first leg 21 is provided, through which an undercut 35 is also provided on the second leg 22 in the axial direction.

Due to the special design of the seal 12 with the opposing legs 21, 22 as well as the undercuts 28, 35 and the undercut groove 30 on the base 23, the seal 12 sits firmly on a part of the injection mold necessary for the injection molding of the seal on. This part is also referred to below as the holding element. During the injection molding of the seal 12, the holding element defines the inner contour of the seal 12. For the subsequent production of the attachment 8, the seal 12 with the holding element protrudes into the injection mold for the attachment 8. The material for the attachment 8 is injected onto the seal 12. Due to the tight fit of the seal 12 on the holding element, the seal 12 remains in the desired position during the injection molding of the attachment 8.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the attachment 8, but now in the form of a pouring aid 36. The pouring aid 36 is similar to the receiving space 11 of the closure cap 15, which is delimited by the outer wall 9 and inner wall 11 Figures 5 and 6 , whereby Figure 6 the seal 12 of the pouring aid 36 in an enlargement (compare the circle marked VI in Figure 3 ). Like the closure cap 15, the pouring aid 36 can also be screwed onto a pouring spout 7 provided with an external thread. Since the closure cap 15 can also be screwed directly onto the pouring spout 7, which has an external thread 38, a container that can be used in a variable manner is thus disclosed. The container comprises the base body 2 with the area 6 and pouring spout 7, preferably integrally formed thereon, as well as the removable closure cap 15 and the removable pouring aid 36. If necessary, the pouring aid 36 can be screwed onto the pouring spout 7, with the closure cap 15 continuing to move in the same way - but now indirectly via the pouring aid 36 - can be attached to the pouring spout 7.

A connector section 37 with the external thread 38 is provided above the radial web 14. The dimensions of the nozzle section 37 and the external thread 38 are selected so that the closure cap 15 can be screwed onto the pouring aid 36. Figure 4 shows the closure cap 15 and the pouring aid 36 in the screwed together state. In order to also achieve a certain alignment of the closure cap 15 in relation to the pouring aid 36, an abutting edge can be provided on the external thread 38 in a manner similar to that of the external thread of the pouring spout 7.

An important feature of the pouring aid 36 is the pouring spout marked 39. The pouring spout 39 extends from a lower end, which is integrally formed on one end of the inner wall 10, in the axial direction beyond an upper front edge 40 of the connecting piece section 37.

Figure 7 which shows an enlargement of the gasket 12 shown in FIG Figure 4 is circled by the circle marked VII, shows the interaction of the seal 12 and the nozzle section 37 of the pouring aid 36. The nozzle section 37 could also be replaced by the upper end of the pouring nozzle 7 of the container 1. With regard to the interaction with the seal 12, the nozzle section 37 and the pouring nozzle 7 do not differ from one another.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connector section 37 with a lateral surface section 41 rests on the one hand with a certain pressure on the bulge 27, so that a first seal is thus provided between the closure cap 15 carrying the seal 12 and the pouring aid 36. The first seal is independent of the end position of the screwing movement. The first sealing element 26 already develops its (full) effect when the bulge 27 presses in the radial direction against the nozzle section 37 or the pouring nozzle 7.

A second seal is achieved by the interaction of the second sealing element 29 and the upper front edge 40 of the socket section 37. However, the second sealing element 29, which acts in the axial direction, only develops its effect when the closure cap 15 has been screwed onto the pouring aid 36 completely to its end position is. Due to manufacturing tolerances, however, the second sealing element can be compressed too little, which impairs the sealing function of the second sealing element 29.

The exemplary embodiment according to the invention thus achieves a two-stage seal, the seal caused by the first sealing element 26 acting in the radial direction and the seal caused by the second sealing element 29 acting in the axial direction. The material of the seal is softer than the material of the attachment 8 and softer than the material of the pouring spout 7.

In one embodiment of the invention, the end position of the screwing movement is configured in such a way that a complete sealing effect is achieved by the first sealing element 26 even before the end position is reached. In the end position, there is preferably a gap of greater than or equal to 0.15 mm in the axial direction between the closure cap 15, which is firmly screwed onto the pouring aid 36, and the front edge 40 of the nozzle section 37. As a result, an optimal radial seal is created over an extended dimensional tolerance, which also has an extended accumulation resistance.

The interaction described here between the nozzle section 37 of the pouring aid 36 and the seal 12 relates to the connection between the pouring aid 36 and the closure cap 15. The above statements apply mutatis mutandis to the possible connection between the pouring nozzle 7 and the closure cap 15 as well as to the possible connection between the pouring nozzle 7 and the pouring aid 36.

The sealing by the first sealing element 26, which acts in the radial direction, is therefore essential for the invention. The provision of the second sealing element 29, which acts in the axial direction, is therefore only one exemplary embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, the seal 12 of the particular configuration, as shown in the Figures 5 to 7 is shown in detail, in particular with regard to the base that carries the second sealing element 29, differ. Thus, the seal can be U-shaped in profile (two legs extend in the axial direction, the base extends transversely thereto), but the provision of a second sealing element 29 or at least its sealing function can be dispensed with. In particular, as already stated above, the end position of the attachment 8 (for example in the form of the closure cap 15 or the pouring aid 27) on the pouring spout 7 or the end position of the closing cap 15 on the pouring aid 27 can be defined in such a way that in End position a gap remains between the upper edge 40 of the connecting piece section 37 and that arranged above it Closure cap 15 or between an upper edge of the pouring spout 7 and the attachment 8 seated on it.

List of reference symbols

1

container

2

Base body

3rd

laundry detergent

4th

Central axis

5

Level line

6th

Area, tapered area

7th

Pouring spout

8th

Essay

9

Outer wall

10

Inner wall

11

Recording room

12th

poetry

13th

gap

14th

Radial web / connecting ring

15th

Cap

16

mark

17th

mark

18th

Dosing room

19th

inside

20th

inner thread

21

first leg

22nd

second leg

23

Base

24

back

25th

Lateral surface section

27

Bulge

28

first undercut

29

second sealing element

30th

Groove

31

Groove bottom

32

Groove sidewall

33

Groove sidewall

34

head Start

35

second undercut

36

Pouring aid

37

Nozzle section

38

External thread

39

Pouring spout

40

upper edge

41

Lateral surface section

Claims (10)

1. A container (1) comprising a cylindrical pouring nozzle (7) having an outer thread and a cap (8) having an inner thread (20), which inner thread can be screwed onto an outer thread of the pouring nozzle (7) as far as an end position, the cap (8) having a substantially cylindrical outer wall (9) and a substantially cylindrical inner wall (10) which delimit a receiving space (11), in the form of an annular cylinder, for the pouring nozzle (7), characterized by a stop, the cap (8) abutting, in the end position, the stop of the pouring nozzle (7) in the direction of rotation, a seal (12) made of a material that is softer than a material of the cap (8) and a material of the pouring nozzle (7), the seal (12) being rigidly connected to the cap (8) and having a first sealing element (26) which is arranged between the cap (8) and the pouring nozzle (7) in a radial direction when the cap (8) is screwed on and abuts a lateral surface portion of the pouring nozzle (7), the seal (12) being arranged in the receiving space (11) at a front end of the receiving space (11), a sealing face of the seal (12) facing the receiving space (11) being free of production-related surface structures.
2. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (8) is designed as a closure cap (15).
3. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (8) is designed as a pouring aid (36) which comprises an outer thread (38) onto which an inner thread of an additional cap can be screwed.
4. The container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the seal (12) comprises a first leg (21) and a base (23), the first sealing element (26) being arranged on the first leg (21) and comprising a bulge (27) facing the receiving space.
5. The container (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that a rear face (24) of the first leg (21) abuts a lateral surface portion (25) of the inner wall (10) of the cap (8).
6. The container (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the seal (12) comprises a second sealing element (29) on the base (23), which second sealing element is arranged between the cap (8) and the pouring nozzle (7) in the axial direction when the cap (8) is mounted and abuts an upper end edge of the pouring nozzle (7).
7. The container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a rear face of the second sealing element (29) abuts a radial connection piece (14) of the cap (8), which connection piece connects the inner wall and the outer wall.
8. The container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a groove (30) that is open to the receiving space (11) and has groove side walls (32, 33) is provided on the base (23), which groove side walls diverge toward a groove floor (31).
9. The container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the seal (12) is substantially U-shaped and comprises a second leg (22) which is connected to the first leg (21) via the base (23).
10. The container (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a protrusion oriented toward the receiving space is provided on the second leg.

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