EP3589556B1 - Container packaging and method for its manufacturing - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to container packaging.

State of the art

From the prior art, container packagings are known which consist of an essentially dimensionally stable but elastically deformable outer container and a plastically deformable inner container arranged in this outer container. The inner container takes the product. The dimensional rigidity of the outer container is selected so that after the outer container is compressed, it deforms back into its original shape. The inner container consists of a plastically deformable material, so that it collapses almost completely under the action of pressure and can therefore also be emptied easily. At the same time, the outer container retains its aesthetically pleasing shape.

The DE 40 27 539 A1 discloses a packaging, in particular a squeeze bottle, with an essentially dimensionally stable, but elastically deformable outer container, within which an easily deformable inner container is arranged. A closure closes the space between the inner and outer containers. The closure has, among other things, a sealing lip through which air can flow into the space as soon as the tube contents have been pressed out. This ensures that the outer container returns to its original shape.

Subject of JP H02-258 563 A is a squeezable container for dispensing liquids, in particular mayonnaise, comprising an inner container and an outer container. The outer container retains its original shape regardless of the amount of product removed. In the wall of the outer container, a valve is introduced through which air can penetrate into an air chamber arranged in the outer container.

From the pamphlets U.S. 4,760,937 A , US 2006/0226171 A1 , U.S. 2,777,612 A and DE 697 00 069 T2 Further design variants of tubes with a dimensionally stable outer container, an inner container arranged in the outer container and containing the filling material and a valve arranged in the wall of the outer container, which allows air to penetrate into the area between the outer and inner container, can be found.

The known packagings have the disadvantage that the packagings can only be filled by introducing the contents into the inner container through the removal opening. This does not represent a satisfactory solution, since when the inner container is being filled, in order to ventilate the air displaced from the intermediate space by the filling, the valve must flow through against its intended opening direction. In addition, none of the known packagings can guarantee complete or at least almost complete removal of the contents JP H07 8242 has a container packaging according to the preamble of claim 1.

Despite the solutions known from the prior art, there is still a need for container packaging which can be filled in a simple manner and which, even after emptying, have a constant, aesthetically demanding external shape and which can be emptied almost completely.

Presentation of the invention

This is where the invention comes in. A container packaging is to be made available which can be filled in a simple manner, which has a constant, aesthetically demanding external shape even after emptying and which can be emptied almost completely. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the container packaging according to independent claim 1. Further advantageous aspects, details and configurations of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The present invention provides a container packaging having a plastically deformable inner container having an inner container jacket and an inner container shoulder for receiving a product. The inner container shoulder has a discharge section having a discharge opening. The container packaging also comprises an elastically deformable outer container jacket, an outer container shoulder and at least one valve having outer container, the outer container shoulder having an outer container nipple having an outer container opening. The inner container is completely inside of the outer container, the dispensing section extends into the outer container nipple and the dispensing section is connected to the outer container nipple in a sealed manner against the outside atmosphere. The valve enables the space between the inner container and the outer container to be connected to the outside atmosphere. The inner container jacket has a radial fold and is designed to overlap with itself in the area of the radial fold.

The valve provided according to the invention is preferably designed as a one-way valve in such a way that air from the outside can get into the space between the inner container and the outer container when, after the filling material has been removed and the pressure force applied manually, for example, the outer container returns to its original shape and so creates a negative pressure in the space between the inner container and the outer container.

When pressure is applied to the outer container, e.g. B. by squeezing the container packaging, when the container packaging is full or only slightly emptied, the filling material in the inner container is immediately compressed and pressed out of the container packaging through the output opening of the output section of the inner container shoulder. If a larger amount of filling material has already been removed from the packaging, the action of pressure from the outside compresses the air in the space between the inner and outer container so that, because it cannot escape through the valve, it compresses the inner container, causing the filling material the inner container shoulder is moved in the direction of the discharge opening of the discharge section and emerges therefrom.

In the course of emptying the container packaging, the plastically deformable inner container collapses more and more while reducing its volume, while the space between the inner and outer container is more and more filled with air. The external shape of the packaging therefore remains essentially the same during the entire period of use, regardless of the volume of the remaining amount of filling material.

Due to the dimensional stability of the outer container, the container packaging according to the invention maintains its original, aesthetically pleasing shape over its entire service life and, thanks to its flexible, plastically deformable inner container, ensures complete removal of the product.

According to the invention, the inner container jacket has a radial fold and is designed to overlap itself in the area of the radial fold. Due to the radial folding of the inner container, it shows excess at the resulting folded edge Wall material on. The excess material on the folded edge ensures that the inner container can change its shape completely and at will, starting with the first removal process, following the external pressure. Due to the excess wall material available for any wall deformation, the inner container can essentially assume any conceivable crumpled shape and in this way ensures that even the smallest amounts of remaining filling material can be removed essentially completely and the container packaging completely emptied.

The excess material on the folding edge of the inner container and the valve provided in the wall of the outer container also work together in such a way that no negative pressure is created in the inner container during a removal process that ends with a reduction in the external pressure. This ensures that no air and thus no oxygen that oxidizes the contents and no moisture that changes the contents penetrates the inner container.

According to a preferred embodiment, the area in which the inner container jacket overlaps with itself due to its radial folding has an extension in the direction of a main axis of at least 10% of the total extension of the inner container jacket in the direction of the main axis, the main axis extending centrally through the dispensing section .

The main axis of the container packaging is generally defined in such a way that it extends parallel to the wall of the dispensing section of the inner container shoulder and centrally penetrates its dispensing opening. The output section of container packaging is usually designed essentially as a hollow, vertical circular cylinder. The main axis of the container packaging in this case represents the central axis of symmetry of this circular cylinder. The term "main axis" is also to be understood for differently shaped output sections so that the axis penetrates the output section centrally and parallel to the wall of the output section. Since the output section is usually arranged centered on the inner container shoulder, the main axis usually represents an axis of rotation of at least twofold symmetry for the entire container packaging.

A radial fold, in which the area in which the inner container jacket overlaps with itself, has an extension in the direction of a main axis of at least 10% of the total extension of the inner container jacket in the direction of the main axis, ensures that there is sufficient wall material so that the inner container beginning with the first removal process, it can change its shape completely and at will following the external pressure.

Particularly preferably, the area in which the inner container jacket overlaps with itself due to its radial folding has an extension in the direction of the main axis of at least 20% of the total extension of the inner container jacket in the direction of the main axis. This means that additional excess wall material is available, which is why the inner container can change its shape completely and at will from the first removal process, following the external pressure.

The filling material is preferably a paste, a cream, a gel or a liquid.

It is preferably provided that the connection of the dispensing section to the outer container nipple, which is sealed against the outside atmosphere, is effected by locking. Such a connection by locking can be achieved by all specific devices known to the person skilled in the art. For example, a locking groove can be provided on the inside of the outer container nipple, into which corresponding partially circular, bead-like projections provided on the outside of the dispensing section engage as notches. This connection between the outer container and the inner container makes it possible to introduce the inner container into the outer container before it is filled with filling material. The filling can therefore take place from the end of the inner container which is opposite the inner container shoulder and which is still openly accessible at this point in time. Only after filling are the inner and outer containers closed, in particular welded, in two, preferably one, work steps.

The inner container is closed at its end opposite the inner container shoulder by welding an edge region of the inner container jacket. The outer container is also closed at its end opposite the outer container shoulder by welding an edge region of the outer container jacket.

According to the invention, the outer container and inner container are closed at their ends opposite the outer container shoulder or the inner container shoulder in just one work step by forming a single, common weld seam.

The output section having the output opening is preferably formed in one piece with the inner container shoulder. A one-piece design of the output section and the inner container shoulder brings advantages in terms of manufacturing technology. In this embodiment, the inner container shoulder is connected to the inner container jacket in a known manner, for example by welding. The inner container shoulder can, however, also be formed in one piece with the inner container jacket.

In the embodiments in which the inner container shoulder and inner container jacket are not made in one piece, but the inner container shoulder is firmly connected to the inner container jacket, the inner container shoulder and inner container jacket can also be made from different materials. If the output section and the inner container shoulder are not formed in one piece either, but are only connected to one another in the course of the manufacturing process, the output section and the inner container shoulder can in principle also be manufactured from different materials.

Plastic, in particular plastic laminate, is particularly preferably used for the formation of the output section, the inner container shoulder and the inner container jacket. On the one hand, the materials mentioned have favorable properties during the manufacturing process and, on the other hand, they advantageously provide the plastic deformability of the inner container jacket that is desired for discharging the filling material. According to a preferred embodiment, the entire inner container consists of plastic, in particular a plastic laminate. The inner container is particularly preferably equipped with a barrier layer on its inside, the barrier layer preferably being formed from aluminum or SiOx. A barrier layer prevents the penetration of oxygen and water vapor in particular.

The outer container nipple having the outer container opening is likewise preferably designed in one piece with the outer container shoulder. A one-piece design of the outer container nipple and the outer container shoulder has advantages in terms of manufacturing technology. In this embodiment, the outer container shoulder is connected to the outer container jacket in a known manner, for example by welding.

The container packaging is preferably equipped with a closure element, the closure element preferably being designed as a molded part made of plastic. The Production of closure elements as molded parts made of plastic is established and can therefore be carried out easily and inexpensively.

In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the outer container nipple is usually provided with an external thread. In this case, the closure element has an internal thread that corresponds to the external thread of the outer container nipple, whereby a simple closure of the container packaging is made possible by screwing the closure element to the outer container nipple.

The inner container is preferably equipped with a coating on its inside. These can be the oxygen- and water-absorbing coatings known per se. This coating can also be provided in addition to the barrier layer already mentioned.

Embodiments in which the outer container is made of plastic, in particular of a plastic mono-material or a plastic laminate, are also preferred. Polyethylene and especially HDPE is particularly preferred. On the one hand, the materials mentioned have favorable properties during the manufacturing process and, on the other hand, they advantageously provide the elastic deformability of the outer container wall that is desired to maintain dimensional stability. The use of a plastic mono-material is associated with the particular advantage that the outer container can be extruded in a tube.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container is an outer tube and the inner container is an inner tube and thus the entire container packaging is a tube.

1. a) Herstellung eines einen plastisch verformbaren, einen Innenbehältermantel und eine Innenbehälterschulter aufweisenden Innenbehälters, wobei die Innenbehälterschulter einen eine Ausgabeöffnung aufweisenden Ausgabeabschnitt aufweist, und Herstellung eines elastisch verformbaren, einen Außenbehältermantel, eine Außenbehälterschulter und zumindest ein Ventil aufweisenden Außenbehälters, wobei die Außenbehälterschulter einen eine Außenbehälteröffnung aufweisenden Außenbehälternippel aufweist,
2. b) radiale Faltung des Innenbehältermantels, wobei der Innenbehältermantel im Bereich der radialen Faltung mit sich selbst überlappt,
3. c) Einbringen des Innenbehälters in den Außenbehälter, sodass der Innenbehälter vollständig innerhalb des Außenbehälters angeordnet ist und sich der Ausgabeabschnitt der Innenbehälterschulter in den Außenbehälternippel erstreckt,
4. d) Herstellen einer gegen die Außenatmosphäre dichten Verbindung des Ausgabeabschnitts mit dem Außenbehälternippel,
5. e) Einbringen eines Füllgutes in den Innenbehälter,
6. f) Verschließen des Innenbehälters in einem der Innenbehälterschulter gegenüberliegenden Randbereich des Innenbehältermantels, und Verschließen des Außenbehälters in einem der Außenbehälterschulter gegenüberliegenden Randbereich des Außenbehältermantels.

The present invention also comprises a method for producing a container package as described above according to claim 7, the method comprising the steps:

1. a) Production of a plastically deformable inner container having an inner container jacket and an inner container shoulder, the inner container shoulder having an output section having a dispensing opening, and production of an elastically deformable outer container having an outer container jacket, an outer container shoulder and at least one valve, the outer container shoulder having an outer container opening having outer container nipple,
2. b) radial folding of the inner container jacket, the inner container jacket overlapping with itself in the area of the radial fold,
3. c) introducing the inner container into the outer container so that the inner container is arranged completely inside the outer container and the output section of the inner container shoulder extends into the outer container nipple,
4. d) Establishing a connection between the discharge section and the outer container nipple that is sealed against the outside atmosphere,
5. e) introducing a product into the inner container,
6. f) Closing the inner container in an edge region of the inner container jacket opposite the inner container shoulder, and closing the outer container in an edge region of the outer container jacket opposite the outer container shoulder.

The radial folding of the inner container jacket can of course take place before or after the production of the elastically deformable outer container. It only has to be ensured that the inner container jacket is folded before the inner container is introduced into the outer container.

In addition to the connection of the dispensing section to the outer container nipple, which is sealed against the outside atmosphere, the inner container is preferably connected to the outer container, the connection preferably being made by latching. Such a connection between the outer container and the inner container makes it possible to introduce the inner container into the outer container before it is filled with filling material. The filling can then take place from the end of the inner container which is opposite the inner container shoulder and which is still openly accessible at this point in time. The inner and outer containers are only closed after filling.

The inner container is closed by welding the edge region of the inner container jacket opposite the inner container shoulder. It is also necessary to close the outer container by welding the edge region of the outer container jacket opposite the outer container shoulder. The welding of container walls is a long established process that ensures a secure, permanent closure and that can be carried out inexpensively at the same time.

According to the invention, the outer container and the inner container are closed in their edge regions opposite the outer container shoulder or the inner container shoulder by forming a single, common weld seam. The simultaneous closing of the outer container and inner container with the formation of a common weld seam means that one work step can be saved, which results in the corresponding time and cost savings.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the inner container jacket is radially folded in such a way that the area in which the inner container jacket overlaps with itself due to its radial folding has an expansion in the direction of a main axis A of at least 10% of the total expansion of the inner container jacket in the direction of the main axis A. with the major axis A extending centrally through the dispensing section. The inner container jacket is particularly preferably folded radially in such a way that the area in which the inner container jacket overlaps with itself due to its radial folding has an extension in the direction of the main axis A of at least 20% of the total extension of the inner container jacket in the direction of the main axis A. A radial folding in which the area in which the inner container jacket overlaps with itself has an expansion in the direction of a main axis of at least 10%, particularly preferably of at least 20%, of the total expansion of the inner container jacket in the direction of the main axis, ensures that sufficient wall material is available so that the inner container can change its shape completely and at will, starting with the first removal process, following the external pressure.

Developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

The invention is to be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in connection with the drawing. The Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vertical section through a container packaging according to the invention.

The container packaging 1 comprises a plastically deformable inner container 2 for receiving a product. The inner container 2 has an inner container jacket 3 and an inner container shoulder 4, the inner container shoulder 4 having an output section 5 having an output opening 6. The inner container jacket 3 consists of a plastic laminate that can easily be permanently plastically deformed. The inner container shoulder 4 and the dispensing section 5 are formed in one piece from a plastic.

The container packaging 1 also comprises an elastically deformable outer container 7 which is made of a plastic material. The outer container 7 comprises an outer container jacket 8, an outer container shoulder 9 and at least one valve 10 An outer container nipple 11, which has an outer container opening 12, is integrally formed on the outer container shoulder 9.

How out Figure 1 As can be seen, the inner container 2 is arranged completely within the outer container 7. The output section 5 of the inner container shoulder 4 extends into the outer container nipple 11 and is connected to the outer container nipple 11 in a manner sealed against the outside atmosphere.

The valve 10 penetrates the outer container jacket 8 and enables the space 13 located between the inner container 2 and the outer container 7 to be connected to the outside atmosphere. The valve 10 is designed as a one-way valve in such a way that air from the outside can get into the space between the inner container 2 and the outer container 7 when the outer container 7 resumes its original shape after the filling material has been removed and the manually applied pressure has been reduced, and so on a negative pressure is generated in the space 13 between the inner container 2 and the outer container 7.

The inner container jacket 3 has a total dimension L in the direction of a main axis A of 20 cm. The inner container jacket 3 has a radial fold 14 and is designed to overlap itself in the area of this radial fold 14. The area in which the inner container jacket 3 overlaps with itself has an extension W in the direction of a main axis of 2 cm, that is to say 10% of the total extension of the inner container jacket 3 in the direction of the main axis A. The additional inner container jacket material which is present in the area of the radial fold 14 and which goes beyond the material actually required to accommodate the intended filling material enables a particularly efficient, problem-free, permanent, plastic deformation of the inner container when filling material is removed. When applying external pressure by manually squeezing the container packaging, the inner container is deformed, which is retained even after the application of pressure has ended.

Until the container packaging 1 is filled with the filling material, the end of the inner container 2 opposite the inner container shoulder 4 is open and the inner container 2 has a circular cylinder shape. After the container packaging 1 has been filled, the end of the inner container 2 opposite the inner container shoulder 4 is closed by welding. The outer container 7 and the inner container 2 are closed by a common weld seam.

List of reference symbols

1

Container packaging

2

Inner container

3

Inner container jacket

4th

Inner container shoulder

5

Output section

6th

Dispensing opening

7th

Outer container

8th

Outer container jacket

9

Outer container shoulder

10

Valve

11

Outer container nipple

12th

Outer container opening

13th

Space between the inner container and the outer container

14th

radial folding

15th

External thread

A.

Main axis

L.

Total expansion of the inner container jacket in the direction of the main axis A.

W.

Expansion of the area in which the inner container jacket overlaps with itself

Claims (10)

1. Container packaging (1) comprising
   a plastically deformable inner container (2), having an inner container casing (3) and an inner container shoulder (4), for receiving a filling material, wherein the inner container shoulder (4) comprises a dispensing section (5) having a dispensing opening (6),
   a resiliently deformable outer container (7) having an outer container casing (8), an outer container shoulder (9), and at least one valve (10), wherein the outer container shoulder (9) comprises an outer container nipple (11) having an outer container opening (12), wherein the inner container (2) is arranged completely within the outer container (7), the dispensing section (5) extends into the outer container nipple (11), and the dispensing section (5) is connected to the outer container nipple (11) sealed against the outer atmosphere,
   wherein the valve (10) enables a connection of the space (13), located between the inner container (2) and the outer container (7), to the outer atmosphere,
   wherein the outer container (7) is closed at its end opposite the outer container shoulder (9) and the inner container (2) is closed at its end opposite the inner container shoulder (4) by the formation of a single, joint welded seam,
   characterized in that
   the inner container casing (3) comprises a radial fold (14) and the inner container casing (3) is designed to overlap itself in the area of the radial fold (14).
2. Container packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection of the dispensing section (5) to the outer container nipple (11), sealed against the outer atmosphere, is carried out by latching.
3. Container packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner container (2) consists of plastic material, in particular a plastic laminate, wherein the inner container (2) is preferably equipped on its inner side with a barrier layer, in particular with a barrier layer made from aluminum or SiOx.
4. Container packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer container (7) consists of a plastic material, in particular a plastic mono material or a plastic laminate.
5. Container packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the area, in which the inner container casing (3) overlaps itself due to its radial fold (14), has an extension in the direction of a main axis A of at least 10% of the total extension of the inner container casing (3) in the direction of the main axis A, wherein the main axis A extends centrally through the dispensing section (5).
6. Container packaging (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the area, in which the inner container casing (3) overlaps itself due to its radial fold (14), has an extension in the direction of the main axis A of at least 20% of the total extension of the inner container casing (3) in the direction of the main axis A.
7. Method for producing a container packaging (1) according to claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps:

   a) production of a plastically deformable inner container (2) having an inner container casing (3) and an inner container shoulder (4), wherein the inner container shoulder (4) comprises a dispensing section (5) having a dispensing opening (6), and production of a resiliently deformable outer container (7) having an outer container casing (8), an outer container shoulder (9), and at least one valve (10), wherein the outer container shoulder (9) comprises an outer container nipple (11) having an outer container opening (12),

   b) radial folding of the inner container casing (3), wherein the inner container casing (3) overlaps itself in the area of the radial fold (14),

   c) introduction of the inner container (2) into the outer container (7) such that the inner container (2) is arranged completely within the outer container (7) and the dispensing section (5) of the inner container shoulder (4) extends into the outer container nipple (11),

   d) production of a connection of the dispensing section (5) to the outer container nipple (11), said connection being sealed against the outer atmosphere,

   e) introduction of a filling material into the inner container (2),

   f) closing the inner container (2) in an edge area of the inner container casing (3) opposite the inner container shoulder (4), and closing the outer container (7) in an edge area of the outer container casing (8) opposite the outer container shoulder (9),
   wherein the outer container (7), at its edge area opposite the outer container shoulder (9), and the inner container (2), at its edge area opposite the inner container shoulder (4), are closed by the formation of a single, joint welded seam.
8. Method for producing a container packaging (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, in addition to the connection of the dispensing section (5) to the outer container nipple (11), being sealed against the outer atmosphere, the inner container (2) is connected to the outer container (7), wherein the connection is preferably carried out by latching.
9. Method for producing a container packaging (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the radial folding of the inner container casing (3) is carried out in such a way, that the area, in which the inner container casing (3) overlaps itself due to its radial fold (14), has an extension in the direction of a main axis A of at least 10% of the total extension of the inner container casing (3) in the direction of the main axis A, wherein the main axis A extends centrally through the dispensing section (5).
10. Method for producing a container packaging (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the radial folding of the inner container casing (3) is carried out in such a way, that the area, in which the inner container casing (3) overlaps itself due to its radial fold (14), has an extension in the direction of the main axis A of at least 20% of the total extension of the inner container casing (3) in the direction of the main axis A.

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