EP3708512B1 - Container closure and container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container closure and a container according to the preamble of the independent claims.

Different closures for containers are known from the prior art. A container closure is an element that is suitable for closing a container in which, for example, food is stored. Container closures of containers for liquid or pasty foodstuffs are preferably designed in such a way that the respective foodstuff can be dispensed through these closures. Such container closures are often found on containers for sauces such as ketchup or the like.

A generic container closure is provided with the DE 201 12 974 U1 known. This utility model discloses a container closure with a closure cap and a discharge opening. An inner cap is arranged within the closure cap and has a side opening through which the liquid to be discharged enters the inner cap and is discharged from the inner cap directly through the outlet opening.

To prevent uncontrolled outflow, a sealing lip is arranged in the side opening. The production of this movable sealing lip is complex. Movable sealing lips are also susceptible to incorrect manipulation. As soon as the sealing lip malfunctions, it must be extensively cleaned and repaired accordingly so that further delivery of the liquid to be discharged is possible. Sealing lips also require increased initial pressure to open a corresponding opening. A sudden decrease in resistance often leads to undesirably high discharge quantities of liquid.

From the US 2017/0057709 A1 A container closure for dispensing individual drops of liquid has become known. This has a labyrinth of channels that is difficult to manufacture, which in turn requires a relatively long or high design of the container closure and is particularly not suitable for dispensing pasty liquids such as ketchup.

It is the object of the invention to eliminate one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a container closure and a container are to be created with which a metered delivery of a liquid, in particular a viscous liquid, is easily possible and which is particularly easy to manufacture.

This task is solved by the devices defined in the independent patent claims. Further embodiments result from the dependent patent claims

A container closure according to the invention comprises a base body for attaching to a container and a dosing unit for metered delivery of a liquid. In other words, the dosing unit includes those elements that make dosing possible. The dosing unit has a dosing body with a discharge opening. The dosing unit also has a channel adjacent to the discharge opening. This channel extends towards the container and forms an annular channel with the dosing unit. The annular channel is completely formed in the dosing unit. The annular groove is preferably formed in the metering body. A dosing cap is arranged on the dosing body.

The channel is preferably formed by a wall extending in the direction of the container. Preferably, this wall is a wall running around a circumference, in particular as a section of a tube, or tubular, educated. In particular, the dosing unit is formed from the dosing cap and the dosing body.

The dosing cap closes the annular channel to form an annular volume. The annular volume is connected to the interior of the container with a first opening, in particular directly, and is connected to the channel with a second opening, in particular directly.

In this arrangement, the annular volume is therefore formed, in particular completely, in the dosing unit and by the elements of the dosing unit, namely the dosing cap and the dosing body, and is therefore formed independently and without interaction with a container.

The dispensing opening defines a substantially central axis that extends from the inside of the container through the dispensing opening to the outside. For containers with a circular cross-section, this typically coincides with a longitudinal axis of the container if the dispensing opening is centrally located. If the dispensing opening is arranged decentrally and/or in containers with irregular cross-sections, the central axis runs collinearly to the container axis through the dispensing opening.

The first opening and the second opening are arranged such that during the dispensing of the liquid from the interior of the container through the outlet opening to the outside, all liquid which flows from the first opening to the second opening passes through the annular volume at least along a portion of the annular volume in one Direction around the channel, in particular on a circular path around the central axis. The liquid passes through the annular volume from the first opening towards the second opening, particularly in a spiral manner. In other words, the liquid passes through the dosing unit from its periphery towards the center.

Passing the liquid through the annular volume has several effects. On the one hand, the liquid is deflected several times between the interior of the container and the discharge opening, and on the other hand, this ensures that the liquid runs along an inner surface that defines the volume and is accordingly exposed to a certain amount of friction. This is particularly advantageous because the fluid is slowed down accordingly.

This makes it possible to easily meter the liquid to be discharged and at least partially prevents the liquid from leaking out of the container.

The liquid is preferably a viscous or pasty liquid, in particular ketchup.

The extension of the channel in the direction of the container and the respective references between elements of the container closure and the container each relate to directions and references between the container closure and the container in the generic use of the container closure.

The metering body is preferably arranged on the base body. In such a configuration, the base body forms a closure of the container together with the metering body. This makes it possible to use the same dosing body in different base bodies, each of which is tailored to different containers. It can be provided that the dosing body is formed as an integral part of the dosing unit.

Overall, this configuration enables the container closure to be designed with a low installation height.

One or more partition walls may be arranged in the annular volume to prevent direct communication between the first opening and the second opening.

On the one hand, this increases the resistance to the flow of the liquid, and on the other hand, the path that the liquid has to travel from the first opening to the second opening is increased. This increases the frictional resistance of the liquid in the container closure. Unintentional or too easy leakage of liquid from the container can be effectively prevented.

The first opening can be arranged at a distance from the second opening in an axial direction of the channel.

This arrangement also increases the resistance to the flow of the liquid.

The axial direction of the channel is essentially defined by the exit direction of the liquid from the channel. The axial direction of the channel preferably corresponds to the direction from the inside of the container to the container closure.

The second opening may be formed within the channel.

This enables the second opening to be manufactured easily and precisely.

The first opening can be formed within the metering body.

The dosing body can be manufactured easily and precisely.

To form the annular channel, the metering body can have a wall.

The production of the container closure is simplified. By forming the channel in or on the dosing body, the container closure can, for example, be adapted to the respective product to be dispensed, in other words to the respective liquid to be dispensed, by simply exchanging or appropriately manufacturing the dosing body.

The second opening can be formed within the dosing cap.

This enables uniform production of the dosing body for different applications since, depending on the application, a corresponding dosing cap can be manufactured with second openings corresponding to the respective application and therefore only the dosing cap has to be designed differently.

For the same purpose, it can be provided that the first opening is formed within the dosing cap.

The container closure can have a closure cap. This is preferably connected to the base body in an articulated manner. The closure cap can in particular have a closure pin for closing the discharge opening.

This enables the container to be closed securely and, for example, airtight.

The base body and the metering body can be made in one piece.

This enables simple production, for example as an injection molded part.

The cross section of the second opening and/or the cross section of the first opening is less than 50%, in particular less than 40% and preferably less than 30% of the cross section of the channel.

This ensures that the flow velocity of the liquid decreases when the liquid is dispensed from the first and/or second opening downstream in the direction of the channel and accordingly in the direction of the discharge opening. This makes dosing the liquid easier.

In particular, the container closure has no movable or flexible sealing elements and is therefore free of these.

Both the production and the use of the container closure are made easier.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a container comprising a container closure as described herein.

This makes it possible to provide a container with a closure that is specifically designed for a corresponding liquid to be filled into the container. In particular, the finished product can be provided including the liquid.

The container is preferably flexible.

This enables the container to be compressed and thus the liquid to be metered accordingly and the liquid to be discharged accordingly.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Behälterver-schlusses;

Figur 2:

den Behälterverschluss gemäss der Figur 1 mit aus-geblendeter Verschlusskappe;

Figur 3:

eine Schnittansicht des Behälterverschlusses ge-mäss der Figur 1;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Dosierkörpers;

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Dosierkappe;

Figur 6:

die Dosierkappe gemäss Figur 5 in einer weiteren perspektivischen Ansicht;

Figur 7:

eine Detailansicht aus Figur 3;

Figur 8:

einen Strömungsverlauf der auszugebenden Flüssig-keit innerhalb der Dosiereinheit aus der Figur 5;

Figur 9:

eine Schnittansicht durch eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Dosiereinheit;

Figur 10:

eine weitere Schnittansicht durch die Dosierein-heit gemäss der Figur 9;

Figur 11:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Dosierkörpers aus der Dosiereinheit gemäss der Figur 9.

Several embodiments of a container closure are explained using figures. It shows:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of a container closure;

Figure 2:

the container closure according to Figure 1 with hidden cap;

Figure 3:

a sectional view of the container closure according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 4:

a perspective view of a dosing body;

Figure 5:

a perspective view of a dosing cap;

Figure 6:

the dosing cap according to Figure 5 in another perspective view;

Figure 7:

a detailed view Figure 3 ;

Figure 8:

a flow pattern of the liquid to be dispensed within the dosing unit Figure 5 ;

Figure 9:

a sectional view through a second embodiment of a dosing unit;

Figure 10:

another sectional view through the dosing unit according to Figure 9 ;

Figure 11:

a perspective view of a dosing body from the dosing unit according to Figure 9 .

The Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container closure 100. The container closure 100 has a base body 1. A closure cap 5 is arranged on the base body 1 and is connected to the base body 1 in an articulated manner with a joint 101. Opposite the joint 101 there is a projection 102 with which the closure cap 5 can be lifted off the base body 1. The container closure 100 can thus be opened. After opening, the container closure 5 releases a discharge opening 21, as shown in Figure 2 visible.

The Figure 2 shows the container closure 100 according to Figure 1 with hidden cap. A metering unit 2 is arranged within the base body 1. In the view according to the Figure 2 The discharge opening 21 for discharging a liquid is arranged at the top of the dosing unit 2. While using a container with the container closure 100, the discharge opening 21 points downwards, i.e. in the opposite direction as in the Figure 2 shown. In other words, in generic use, the container closure 100 is in a position upside down to the position as in the Figures 1 and 2 shown.

The Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the container closure 100 according to Figure 1 . The base body 1 has a thread 103 with which the container closure 100 can be screwed onto an opening of a container, not shown here, and thus closes it. Accordingly, the container closure 100 is connected to a container interior 201. Central of Thread 103, the dosing unit 2 is arranged in the base body 1. The dosing unit 2 is designed as a separate unit from the base body 1 and is arranged on it. Rather, the metering unit 2 is permanently connected to the base body 1 in a fluid-tight manner. The dosing unit 2 has a dosing body 4 and a dosing cap 3, which is permanently connected to the dosing body 4 in a fluid-tight manner. The discharge opening 21 of the dosing unit 2 is arranged on the dosing body 4 in this embodiment. The discharge opening 21 extends with a channel 22 adjoining this discharge opening 21 in the direction of the interior of the container 201. The discharge opening 21 is closed with a closure pin 51 which is arranged on the closure cap 5. By opening the closure cap 5, the discharge opening 21 is released. Through the discharge opening 21, liquid such as ketchup can be discharged from the interior of the container 201 to the outside. This defines the exit direction or discharge direction. This discharge direction corresponds to an axial direction R. The channel 22 extends in this axial direction R from the interior of the container 201 towards the container closure 100.

The Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the dosing body 4 from the Figure 3 in a view seen from the interior of the container in the direction of the discharge opening 21. Adjacent to the discharge opening 21 is the channel 22, which extends in the direction of the interior of the container. The channel 22 is essentially tubular or formed as a section of a tube. It has a wall running around a central axis and opens into the discharge opening 21. Concentric to this channel 22 is a wall 41, which is designed as part of the metering body 4. The wall 41 and the channel 22 are connected to one another via a further wall at their ends facing away from the interior of the container and thus form a channel 23. The channel 23 is open towards the interior of the container and is U-shaped.

The Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the dosing cap 3 Figure 3 . The dosing cap 3 has an inner wall 31 and an outer wall 32. The inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 are arranged concentrically and are connected to one another at one of their ends by means of a connection. The inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 thus form a U-shaped channel 33. Two partition walls 26 are arranged within this channel 33, which connect the inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 within the channel 33. These two partitions 26 form a connecting channel 34 with a portion of the outer wall 32, which is in the Figure 3 known axial direction R extends.

On the dosing cap 3 there are also several first openings 24 arranged in the connection, which extend into the outer wall 32. The partitions 26 connect the inner wall 31 with the outer wall 32 so that they are only connected over part of their entire height in the axial direction R. In an area of the partition walls 26 that lies opposite the first openings 24, these partition walls 26 have second openings 25.

The Figure 6 shows the dosing cap 3 from the Figure 5 in another perspective view. The connection between the inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 is interrupted with three first openings 24. These three first openings 24 each create direct access to the channel 33 of the dosing cap 3. The one from the Figure 5 Known connecting channel 34 is arranged in an area of the dosing cap 3 in which no first opening 24 is provided. Accordingly, the connecting channel 34 is not accessible through a first opening 24.

The Figure 7 shows a detailed view from the Figure 3 . The dosing unit 2 is shown in an isolated view, only the dosing body 4 and the dosing cap 3 from which the Dosing unit is formed are visible. The inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 of the dosing cap 3 delimit the annular groove 23 of the dosing body 4. In this embodiment, the dosing cap 3 and the dosing body 4 are pressed together in a fluid-tight and non-releasable manner. The annular channel 23 is covered by a portion of the dosing body 4 and thus forms an enclosed, annular volume V. The annular volume V forms a torus with a substantially rectangular cross section shown hatched in FIG Figure 5 known partitions 26 is interrupted. The annular volume V extends essentially along a circular path around the central axis. Through the from the Figures 5 and 6 Known first openings 24, this annular volume V is directly and immediately connected to its surroundings, and in generic use to the interior of the container. Through the from the Figure 5 known second openings 25 and those from the Figure 5 Known connecting channel 34, this annular volume V is also directly and immediately connected to the channel 22.

Figure 8 shows a flow profile of the liquid to be dispensed within the dosing unit 2 from the Figure 3 . In generic use, the dosing unit 2 is arranged within the container closure 100, which in turn is arranged on a container which provides a container interior 201. Representing is in the Figure 8 the container interior 201 is only illustrated as a reference number.

To dispense a liquid from the interior of the container 201 to the outside through the outlet opening 21, the flexible container, not shown here, is deformed so that the volume of the interior of the container 201 is reduced. The liquid flows through the first openings 24 from the interior of the container 201 directly into the annular volume V. This is illustrated by the arrow P1. All liquid then flows along one section of the annular volume V in a direction around the channel 22. In this example, the liquid flows in a circular manner in the annular volume V around the central axis. This is illustrated by the dashed arrow P2. As soon as the liquid reaches the partitions 26, it is deflected along the partitions 26 in the axial direction R. These two movements partially overlap. At the end of these partitions, the liquid is deflected and now flows in the connecting channel 34 against the axial direction R into the channel 22. The liquid is deflected again at the end of the channel 22 and now flows again in the axial direction R through the channel 22 and exits Exit opening 21. On the one hand, the liquid is deflected along a circular path in the annular volume V and flows along surfaces of the annular volume V and is thereby slowed down. The liquid is additionally slowed down by the multiple deflection on the partition walls 26 and on the channel 22. This braking is constant over the course of the liquid being discharged. A sudden and undesirable change in resistance when discharging the liquid is prevented, especially because there is no flexible membrane or sealing lip.

The Figure 9 shows a sectional view through a second embodiment of a dosing unit 2 '. The dosing unit 2' has an outlet opening 21', which extends towards the interior of the container 201 with a channel 22' adjoining this discharge opening 21'. The channel 22' is essentially tubular or formed as a section of a tube. It has a wall that runs around a central axis and opens into the discharge opening 21'. In contrast to the embodiment of the dosing unit 2 according to Figure 3 the dosing unit 2' has a separately formed wall 41' which, like the channel 22', extends in the direction of the interior of the container 201. The channel 22' and the wall 41' form an annular channel 23', which is better in Figure 11 is visible.

The dosing unit 2' has a dosing cap 3', which is arranged on the dosing body 4' and surrounds the wall 41' and closes the channel 22' except for a second opening 25'. Correspondingly, by attaching the dosing cap 3', the annular channel 23' is closed to form an annular volume V'. The annular volume V' forms a torus with a substantially rectangular in Figure 9 Cross section shown in a checkered pattern, which is only represented by an in Figure 11 shown partition 26 'is interrupted. The annular volume V' extends essentially along a circular path around the central axis. This annular volume V' is connected to its surroundings, and in generic use to a container interior, through a first opening 24' (see Figures 10 and 11 ) directly and immediately connected. This annular volume V' is also directly and immediately connected to the channel 22' through the second opening 25'.

The Figure 10 shows a further sectional view through the dosing unit 2 'according to Figure 9 . The cutting line of the Figure 9 is chosen such that the section extends through the second opening 25 '. The cutting line from the Figure 10 is chosen such that the section extends through the first opening 24 '. In the section view of the Figure 10 It can thus be seen that the annular volume V' is connected to its surroundings through the first opening 24'. After being mounted on the dosing body 4', the dosing cap 3' leaves an area in the wall 41' open to form this first opening 24'.

Figure 11 shows a flow profile of the liquid to be dispensed within the dosing unit 2 'from the Figure 9 . In generic use, the dosing unit 2 'is arranged within a container closure 100, which in turn is arranged on a container which is one of the Figure 3 known container interior 201 provides. Representing is in the Figure 11 the container interior 201 is only illustrated as a reference number.

For dispensing a liquid from the interior of the container 201 through the Figure 9 Known outlet opening 21 'to the outside, the flexible container, not shown here, is deformed so that the volume of the container interior 201 is reduced. The liquid flows through the first opening 24' into the annular volume V'. This is illustrated with the arrow P1. All liquid then flows along a portion of the annular volume V' in a direction around the channel 22'. In this example, the liquid flows in a circular manner in the annular volume V'. This is illustrated by arrow P2 and partly by arrow P3. As soon as the liquid reaches the partition 26', it is deflected along the partition 26' in the axial direction R. These two movements partially overlap. In the area of the partition, the liquid is deflected and flows through the second opening 25' in the axial direction R into the channel 22' and emerges from the outlet opening 21' (see Figure 9 ) out of. On the one hand, the liquid is deflected along a circular path in the annular volume V' and flows along surfaces of the annular volume V' and is thereby slowed down. The liquid is additionally slowed down by the deflection in the area of the partition 26' and on the channel 22'. This braking is constant over the course of the liquid being discharged. A sudden and undesirable change in resistance when discharging the liquid is prevented, especially because there is no flexible membrane or sealing lip.

Claims (14)

1. Container closure (100) comprising

   a base body (1) for fastening to a container,

   a dosing unit (2; 2') for dosed release of a liquid, wherein

   the dosing unit (2; 2') has a dosing body (4; 4') with a discharge opening (21; 21') and a channel (22; 22') adjacent to the discharge opening (21; 21') that extends in the direction of the container and forms an annular groove (23; 23')with the dosing unit (2; 2'),

   wherein a dosing cap (3; 3') is arranged on the dosing body (4; 4'), wherein

   the dosing cap (3; 3') closes the annular groove (23; 23') to form an annular volume (V; V'), wherein the annular volume (V; V') is connected to the container interior (201) with a first opening (24; 24') and with a second opening (25; 25') with the channel (22; 22'),

   characterized in that

   the first opening (24; 24') and the second opening (25; 25') are arranged in such a way that during discharge of the liquid from the container interior outwards through the outlet opening all liquid flowing from the first opening (24; 24') to the second opening (25; 25') passes through, in particular spirally, the annular volume (V; V') at least along a section of the annular volume (V; V') in one direction around the channel (22; 22').
2. Container closure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more partitions (26; 66') are arranged in the annular volume (V; V') for preventing a direct connection between the first opening (24; 24') and the second opening (25; 25').
3. Container closure (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first opening (24; 24') is arranged at a distance from the second opening (25; 25') in an axial direction of the channel (22; 22').
4. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second opening (25') is formed inside the channel (22').
5. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first opening (24; 24') is formed inside the dosing body (4; 4').
6. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dosing body (4; 4') has a wall (41; 41') to form the annular groove (23; 23').
7. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second opening (25) is formed inside the dosing cap (3).
8. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3 or 7, characterized in that the first opening (24) is formed inside the dosing cap (3).
9. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a closure cap (5) which is connected in an articulated manner to the base body (1) and has a closure pin (51) for closing the discharge opening (21).
10. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base body (1) and the dosing body (4) are formed in one piece.
11. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cross-section of the second opening (25; 25') is less than 50%, in particular less than 40%, preferably less than 30%, of the cross-section of the channel (22; 22').
12. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the container closure (100) is free of movable or flexible sealing elements.
13. Container comprising a container closure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. Container according to Claim 13, characterized in that the container is flexible.

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