EP3838840A1 - Adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter (100) is disclosed for connecting a refill container (200) to a container (300) during a refilling process. The adapter (100) has a connection element (1) for operative connection with a pouring opening (301) of the container (300) and a filling element (2) for operative connection with a pouring opening (201) of the refill container (200). The connecting element (1) and the filling element (2) are connected to one another by a connecting element (3) in such a way that an opening (4) is formed between the connecting element (1) and the filling element (2).

Description

The present invention relates to an adapter for connecting a refill container to a container during a refill process according to the preamble of the independent claims.

Various devices and methods are known from the prior art for refilling bottles or containers. This need arises, on the one hand, from the fact that complexly designed original containers can be used several times and refill bottles or refill containers have to be made less stable for single use, for example. In addition, there is a need to design packaging materials in such a way that resources are conserved. This also results, for example, in original containers that are manufactured in a correspondingly stable manner so that they can be used again and again in daily use and in refill containers that are made of relatively thin materials and are only intended for single use. Refill containers can for example be made in the form of bags.

From the GB 2,342,347 A For example, a refill container has become known which has a special closure. This closure has a breakable wall which is broken open by screwing the refill container together with the closure onto the original container to be refilled. This closure is complex to manufacture, consumes a lot of material and can only be used once. If, for example, not all of the liquid can be dispensed from the refill container into the original container to be refilled, the refill container can no longer be closed. This is particularly disadvantageous if, for example, there is only one concentrate in the refill container that has to be diluted. Typically, such refill containers are larger in content than the original container. The Closure of the in the GB 2,342,347 A shown connects the refill container to the original container to be refilled. Due to the specific design of the closure, it is not possible to completely empty the refill container.

It is therefore the object of the invention to eliminate at least one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, an adapter is to be provided for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process, which is easy to manufacture, can be used several times and, as a result, in particular saves resources.

This object is achieved by the devices defined in the independent patent claims. Further embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

An adapter according to the invention for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process has a connection element for operative connection with a pouring opening of the container. The adapter has a filling element for operative connection with a pouring opening of the refill container. The connection element and the filling element are connected to one another with a connection element in such a way that an opening is formed between the connection element and the filling element.

The connection element and the filling element for operative connection with the corresponding pouring opening make it possible to connect the refill container and the container to one another.

The formation or formation of an opening between the filling element and the connection element ensures that an exchange of air can take place between the interior of the respective container and its surroundings in such a way that negative or positive pressures in the containers can be compensated.

The connection element which connects the connection element and the filling element to one another ensures that the connection element and the filling element are arranged in a fixed position and in relation to one another and that the adapter has the required stability.

When using the adapter, the connection element is preferably inserted into the pouring opening of the container and the filling element is inserted into the pouring opening of the refill container.

The connection element preferably has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are connected to one another with a wall, preferably with a hollow cylindrical wall. The wall has an inner surface and an outer surface.

This wall can preferably be designed as a circular ring. Polygonal and / or star-shaped and / or corrugated configurations of the wall along its circumference are also conceivable. A form-fitting connection with a container can be created, for example, by means of non-circular configurations, provided that the container has a corresponding contour at its pouring opening. It is also conceivable to provide an additional opening for the passage of air into the container through such non-circular configurations and / or to enlarge and / or provide the opening between the filling element and the connection element.

The formation of the connection element with a first open end and a second open end makes it possible to provide a channel for the liquid to flow through.

It can be provided that the connection element has a holding element at its first open end. The holding element can in particular be designed as a radially extending collar running around the first end.

With the holding element, the adapter can be held stationary in or on the pouring opening of a container, the holding element in particular being supported on an edge of the pouring opening of the container. The holding element can comprise several individual elements in such a way that the holding element is only supported at certain points on the pouring opening of the container.

The filling element preferably has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are connected to one another with a wall, preferably with a hollow cylindrical wall. The wall has an inner surface and an outer surface.

This wall can preferably be designed as a continuous circular ring running around a central axis of the adapter. Polygonal and / or star-shaped and / or corrugated configurations of the wall along its circumference are also conceivable. A form-fitting connection with a refill container can be created, for example, by means of non-circular configurations, provided that the refill container has a corresponding contour at its pouring opening. It is also conceivable to use such non-circular configurations to provide an additional opening for the passage of air into the refill container and / or to enlarge and / or provide the opening between the filling element and the connection element.

In the case of a non-continuous construction of the wall of the filling element, it is preferably designed to be closed circumferentially by at least 50%, preferably by at least 70%, in particular by at least 80% around a central axis of the adapter. This creates an opening along the central axis through which, for example, a hose from a pump sprayer can be inserted. This is particularly advantageous if the adapter remains in the container to be filled after it has been used for the first time.

The formation of the filling element with a first open end and a second open end makes it possible to provide a channel for the liquid to flow through.

It can be provided here that the filling element has a break-open element at its first open end, the break-open element being designed in particular as an obliquely extending cutting edge. Extending obliquely means that the cutting edge has an inclination with respect to the central axis of the adapter.

The break-open element makes it possible to use refill containers with the present adapter which, for example, do not have a separate or openable closure. In addition, such a break-open element can be provided to break open a seal of approval or quality on a refill container. Typically, refill containers often have what is known as a sealing film. The opening or breaking of this sealing film is made possible in a simple manner with a break-open element which is designed as a cutting edge. An inclined design simplifies the breaking-open process because this inclined design means that the breaking open and / or the cutting open begins on one side and the forces for breaking open are therefore lower.

The filling element is preferably arranged essentially concentrically within the connection element.

This ensures a space-saving arrangement. In addition, this ensures that a refill container is also arranged within the connection element during refilling and the refilling process is thus simplified. In particular, such an arrangement prevents excessive spillage.

The connecting element can have at least two, preferably three, in particular more than three webs, which each extend from the connection element to the filling element. Corresponding the webs are each connected with a first end to the connecting element and a second end to the filling element.

By such an arrangement, the connection element is securely connected to the filling element and the filling element is correspondingly spaced from the connection element. Bars are easy to manufacture and make it possible to create a correspondingly large opening between these bars.

The webs are preferably arranged in a substantially uniform circle around a central axis of the adapter.

This leads to a simple and inexpensive construction of the adapter and to evenly distributed openings.

The adapter can be designed in such a way that at least two webs extend axially in the region of their respective connection to the filling element, in such a way that they each form a filling rib which preferably extends essentially over an entire axial length of the filling element. In other words, the second end of the web is designed as a filler rib.

The webs thus form filling ribs in the area of the filling element, which are arranged on the filling element and thus provide a widening or thickening of the wall of the filling element in the area of the filling ribs. The filling ribs are arranged on the outer surface of the wall of the filling element and are directed essentially radially outwards. A refill container which is applied to the filling element is thus at a distance from the remaining wall of the filling element, at least in the area of these filling ribs. This means that between the filling element and a corresponding wall of a pouring opening of the refill container there remains a distance through which an exchange of air between the interior of the refill container and the environment can take place. An extension over essentially the entire length of the filling element ensures that the distance can be maintained over the entire length of the filling element.

The axial direction is essentially defined by a connection between the respective first and second ends of the filling element or the connection element and is essentially defined by the direction of flow of the liquid to be refilled. The central axis of the adapter runs essentially along the axial direction.

The adapter can be designed in such a way that at least two webs extend axially in the area of the connection to the connection element, in such a way that they each form a connection rib which preferably extends essentially over an entire axial length of the connection element. In other words, the first end of the web is designed as a connection rib.

The webs thus form connection ribs in the area of the connection element, which are arranged on the connection element and thus provide a widening or thickening of the wall of the connection element in the area of the connection ribs. These connection ribs are arranged on the inner surface of the wall of the connection element and are directed essentially radially inward. A refill container that is applied to the adapter is thus spaced apart from the rest of the wall of the connection element, at least in the area of these connection ribs. This means that a distance remains between the connection element and a corresponding wall of a pouring opening of the refill container through which an exchange of air can take place.

When the adapter is inserted into a pouring opening of a container, this prevents the container from being hermetically sealed when a refill container is placed on the adapter. The aforementioned distance leaves a passage opening for air from the interior of the container to the environment. An extension over essentially the entire length of the connection element ensures that the distance can be maintained over the entire length of the connection element.

The webs can be essentially U-shaped.

This ensures that the refill container is spaced apart from the filling element and from the connection element on both sides. In addition, production is simplified.

It can be provided that a thread is formed on the connection element.

The thread can be provided for engagement with a corresponding thread of a pouring opening of a container. The adapter can thus be securely connected to the pouring opening.

Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that a thread is formed on the filling element, in particular on the connecting element.

The thread can be provided for engagement with a corresponding thread of a pouring opening of a refill container. The adapter can thus be securely connected to the pouring opening.

It can be provided that the thread is interrupted on the connection element and / or on the filling element.

This ensures that even with a screwed-on container and / or refill container, an exchange of air into the interior of the respective container can take place.

The adapter is preferably produced in an injection molding process, in particular from PET, PP, PE, HDPE, LDPE, PC or PEF or combinations thereof.

Figur 1:

Einen Nachfüllvorgang;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Adapters;

Figur 3:

eine Schnittansicht einer Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Adapters.

Several embodiments of the adapter are explained in more detail with the aid of schematic drawings. It shows:

Figure 1:

A refill process;

Figure 2:

a perspective view of an adapter;

Figure 3:

a sectional view of an exploded view;

Figure 4:

a perspective view of an adapter.

Figure 1 shows a refilling process. A container 300, only partially shown, is refilled with a refill container 200. For refilling, an adapter 100 is introduced into a pouring opening 301 of the container 300. The refill container 200 with its pouring opening 201 (see FIG Figure 2 ) plugged into the adapter 100. When attaching or inserting the refill container 200 onto or into the adapter 100, a seal 202 (see Figure 3 ) broken open and a liquid located in the refill container 200 can flow unhindered into the container 300.

The Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an adapter 100. The adapter 100 has a connection element 1, a filling element 2 and a connection element 3.

The connection element 1 has a first open end 10 and a second open end 11. A holding element in the form of a collar 111 is formed at the first open end 10. The first open end 10 is connected to the second open end 11 via a wall 12.

The filling element 2 also has a first open end 20 and a second open end 21. At the first open end 20, a cutting edge 211 is formed as a break-open element. The cutting edge 211 runs obliquely, that is to say has an inclination in relation to a longitudinal axis or central axis. The first open end 20 is connected to second open end 21 via a wall 22.

Both the connection element 1 and the filling element 2 are designed as hollow cylindrical elements. The filling element 2 and the connection element 1 are connected to one another with the connection element 3.

A lower edge of the connecting element 3 and the second open end 11 and the second open end 21 lie in a common plane.

The connecting element 3 is formed from several webs 30, in the present case eight webs 30. For the sake of clarity, however, only one web 30 and its corresponding elements are provided with reference symbols. The webs 30 are arranged in a circle around the filling element 2. Openings 4 are formed between the webs 30. Each of the webs 30 extends from the connection element 1 to the filling element 2. The webs 30 are essentially U-shaped, the legs of the U forming connection ribs 31 and filling ribs 32. The U is open against the direction of flow when refilling. The connection ribs 31 extend essentially over the entire axial extent of the connection element 1 and the filling ribs 32 extend essentially over the entire axial length of the filling element 2. Essentially the entire length is to be understood here as at least 90% of the respective reference length, whereby the reference length is measured in the area of the respective element.

The Figure 3 shows a sectional view of an exploded view of a container 300 in combination with an adapter 101 and a refill container 200. The adapter 100 is introduced into the pouring opening 301 of the container 300 here. Like in the Figure 3 As can be seen, the outer contour of the adapter 100 essentially corresponds to the inner contour of the pouring opening 301 of the container 300. After the adapter 100 has been introduced into the pouring opening 301, it rests with the collar 111 on an unspecified upper edge of the pouring opening 301. Following this step, the refill container 200 is introduced into the adapter 100 with its pouring opening 201. For this purpose, the pouring opening 201 is pushed over the filling element 2. A seal 202, which closes the pouring opening 201, is broken open by the cutting edge 211. At the end of the process, the refill container 200 comes to rest on the webs 30 with one edge of the pouring opening 201.

In the present example, the diameter of the inner contour of the pouring opening 201 corresponds essentially to an outer diameter of the filling ribs 32 Figure 3 As can be seen, after the refill container 200 has been plugged onto the adapter 100, an inner surface of the pouring opening 201 is spaced apart from an outer surface of the wall 22 of the filling element 2 by at least the height of the filling ribs 32, measured in the radial direction. Accordingly, air can get into the interior of the refill container 200, which reliably prevents a negative pressure in the interior of the container 200. Likewise, an outer surface of the pouring opening 201 is spaced apart from an inner surface of the wall 12 by at least the height of the connecting ribs 31, measured in the radial direction. Air can thus likewise get into the interior of the container 300, or air can escape from the interior of the container 300 when it is filled with a liquid.

The Figure 4 FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an adapter 100 ′ in a to adapter 100 according to Figure 2 alternative embodiment. The adapter 100 'corresponds to the adapter 100 according to FIG Figure 2 with the exception of the design of the filling element 2 '. The filling element 2 'is in contrast to the filling element 2 of Figure 2 is not formed continuously, but has an opening in its wall 22 'which extends along the central axis of the adapter 100 'extends. In the present case, the remaining filling element 2 'is closed circumferentially by approximately 75% around the central axis. The first open end 20 'of the filling element 2' is thus designed to be interrupted in the same way as a corresponding cutting edge 211 '. In the present case, the interruption is in the area in which the filling element 2 'has the smallest axial extent. It is thus still easily possible with the cutting edge 211 'to break a corresponding seal on a refill container. Through the opening, compared to the adapter 100, the Figure 2 , consequently also omitted a web 30, which would be arranged in the area of the opening.

The other elements correspond to those already included in the adapter 100 of Figure 2 Were described and are not described again for the sake of clarity, but on the corresponding description of the Figure 2 referenced.

Claims (15)

Adapter (100, 100 ') for connecting a refill container (200) to a container (300) during a refilling process, the adapter (100) having a connection element (1) for operative connection with a pouring opening (301) of the container (300) and a filling element (2) for operative connection with a pouring opening (201) of the refill container (200), characterized in that
the connection element (1) and the filling element (2, 2 ') are connected to one another with a connection element (3) in such a way that an opening (4) is formed between the connection element (1) and the filling element (2). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connection element (1) has a first open end (10) and a second open end (11), the first open end (10) and the second open end (11) are connected to one another with a wall (22), preferably with a hollow cylindrical wall (22). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection element (1) has a holding element at its first open end (10), the holding element in particular as a radially extending one along the first end (10 ) is formed circumferential, collar (111). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the filling element (2, 2 ') has a first open end (20, 20') and a second open end (21), the first open end (10) and the second open end (11) having a Wall (22, 22 ') are connected to one another, preferably with a hollow cylindrical wall (22, 22'). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to Claim 4, characterized in that the filling element (2, 2') has a break-open element at its first open end (20, 20 '), the break-open element in particular as an obliquely extending cutting edge (211 , 211 ') is formed. Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the filling element (2, 2 ') is arranged essentially concentrically within the connection element (1). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the connecting element (3) has at least two, preferably three, in particular more than three webs (30) which each extend from the connection element (1) to the filling element (2, 2 '). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to Claim 7, characterized in that the webs (30) are arranged essentially uniformly in a circle around a central axis of the adapter (100). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least two webs (30) extend axially in the area of the connection to the filling element (2, 2') such that they each form a filling rib (32) which preferably extends essentially over an entire axial length of the filling element (2, 2 '). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 7 to 9,
characterized in that at least two webs (30) extend axially in the area of the connection to the connection element (1) in such a way that they each form a connection rib (32) which preferably extends essentially over an entire axial length of the connection element (1) . Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 7 to 10,
characterized in that the webs (30) are essentially U-shaped. Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that a thread is formed on the connection element (1). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 12,
characterized in that a thread is formed on the filling element (2, 2 '), in particular on the connecting element (3). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of claims 12 or 13,
characterized in that the thread is designed to be interrupted on the connection element (1) and / or on the filling element (2, 2 '). Adapter (100, 100 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 14, produced from PET, PP, PE, HDPE, LDPE, PC or PEF or a combination thereof, in particular by injection molding.

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