MXPA99010501A - Dual-component container system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dual-component container system (1) consisting of at least two containers (2, 3) for keeping separately substances which are used as a mixture. Said containers (2, 3) each have a mixing opening (5, 7) which can be closed by means of a sealing cap (6, 8), and are interconnected by means of a connecting piece (4) interacting with sealing caps (6, 8) with mixing openings (5, 7) facing each other. At least one (6) of the sealing caps (6, 8) is connected to said connecting piece (4) by means of a clamping joint.

Description

TWO-COMPONENT CONTAINER SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container system comprising at least two containers for storing separate substances to be used as a mixture in which arrangement the containers each have an opening for mixing which may be sealed by As a means of a sealing cap and which are interconnected by means of a connecting element that interacts with the sealing caps, the mixing openings face one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For example, a two-chamber system is known, in the chambers of the system the components of two component substances are stored and sealed separately. Before use, seals will be opened by destroying them, for example by cutting or drilling, in order to combine the substances. From the patent DEC-C-44 36 863 a system of two chambers of this type is known, wherein the containers are sealed by obstructions that can be hermetically fastened and that if they move in reciprocal relation, they push each other from their position is clamped in such a way that the connecting conduits between the containers P1693 / 99 X remain open. In this arrangement, the container openings remain, however, very restricted and the flow of the substances to be mixed is hindered by the construction elements to which these substances tend to stick. In addition, a container system of this type is described in German patent application 19635833 not disclosed to the public, of the applicant of the. present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The container system described herein, which serves to store a two-component hair dye, consists of a lower cylindrical container and an upper spherical container. The lower container on its upper side, and the upper container on its lower side respectively, are provided with an opening for mixing. Both mixing openings are sealed by a screw cap each, in which arrangement the screw cap of the lower container is screwed into the neck of this container while the screw cap of the upper container is screwed into a threaded portion of a connecting ring . The upper container is screwed into a threaded outer portion of the connecting ring, such that the opening of the upper container is sealed by the caps P1693 / 99MX corresponding sealants as well as the connecting ring. The lower container including the cap screwed tightly thereto is screwed with its neck into the threaded inner portion of the connecting ring. As the respective containers, the corresponding caps and the connecting ring are screwed together, a snap connection is also established between the two caps. Before being screwed together, the two containers are each filled with a different component of the hair dye. All screw connections except the screw connection to hold the sealing cap on the lower container are threaded in the same direction. In addition both screw caps are provided with a pin each, these pins engage with each other and the screw cap of the lower container is provided with a protruding element that can cooperate with a guide groove provided in the connecting ring. If now the liquids contained in the two containers are to be mixed to be used, first a part of the intermediate ring, which could be left out, for example as a tear strip, is pulled in such a way that an axial movement of the containers, one with respect to the other. Subsequently, the lower container is rotated with respect to the connecting ring and the P1693 / 99MX upper container, in this process, its lid, due to the opposite threaded direction on the lid, it will rotate too. The pins in this screw-in cover and the latches in the lid of the upper container are coupled in such a way in this process that this cover is also rotated and thus unscrewed from the connecting ring. During rotation, the protruding elements of the threaded cap in the lower container will be engaged sooner or later, so that the screwed cover is secured against further rotation. While the lower container is rotated further with respect to the intermediate ring, its screwed cover is blocked and, due to the opposite direction of the thread in the cover, the neck is unscrewed from the lower container. In this form, finally the screw cap of the lower container and the screw cap of the upper container connected thereto are unscrewed from the respective openings in such a way that an open passage for liquids is established between the lower and upper containers. The components contained in the respective containers can thus be mixed if the container system is stirred, in which arrangement the two covers form a stirring element. Subsequently, the two-component liquid created in this way can flow out of an opening that had been sealed P1693 / 99MX by a sealant cap that was screwed and can be used.

OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION Compared with other containers for two-component liquids in which the elements are to be cut or are going to be perforated, this container system shows the advantage that between the two containers a large opening is created for the liquids while the two sealing caps are unscrewed. In addition, the system after use can, in principle, be re-filled and can be reused. The container system described above has the disadvantage, however, that the manufacture and assembly of the system is relatively complicated and high cost due to the multiple application of threaded connections while the assembly must be carried out with great care in order to ensure that the The sealing cap of the upper container is completely unscrewed during the rotary movement of the lower container. In addition, the tear lid that determines the position of the two containers relative to each other can not be reused once the system has been opened. In addition, the connecting ring in its entirety, must be replaced to refill.

P1693 / 99MX Thus, it is the object of the present invention to improve a container system of the type described above, so that its elements can be manufactured and assembled in a simpler and less expensive manner. In accordance with the present invention, this object is fulfilled by using an arrangement in which at least one of the sealing caps is connected to the connecting element with the aid of an articulated connection. While the sealing cap is articulated on the connecting element, both the sealing cap and the connection element can be designed more simply and the connection of the elements can be made faster. Advantageously, the sealing cap is attached under pressure to the connecting element, in such a way that a positive connection is established between the sealing cap and the connecting element. Advantageously, at least one of the fasteners is connected in an almost immobile manner in the axial direction to the connection element. Thus, the axial movement between the two containers to release the caps is no longer required and in this way, the tear strip is no longer required, and the connecting element as a whole can, in this way, be reused. Advantageously, the sealing caps and the container can be attached to the connecting element using a snap connection whose arrangement further simplifies the design of the P1693 / 99MX form and assembly. In this way, a positive clamping of these elements to the connection element is established. The other sealing cap, preferably, is screwed to the corresponding container in whose arrangement the connection element is provided with means for securing the screw cap against rotary movements. In this way, a rotation of the container is transformed into a direct axial movement of the screw cap. The securing means in this arrangement may comprise at least one guide ring, arranged between the two sealing lids, in cooperation with the screw cap, the ring is preferably designed to be self-centering in such a way that, even if the position of the screw-in cover, with respect to the connection element must not be exactly aligned, the guide ring and the screw-in cover still fit. In order to unambiguously verify the sealed initial position of the container system, preferably, the container sealed by the screw cap in any case and the connecting element are not circular in cross section. In this arrangement, it can be observed at first sight if the container had been turned away from its initial position. To ensure that the screw cap is in fact released while the corresponding container is rotated, the container and the connecting element are provided with cooperating block means of P 1 6 93 / 99MX preferentially, which are effective in a certain direction, for example, in the form of sprockets to block the coupling. In this way, the container can be rotated only in the proper direction desired with respect to the connection element. Advantageously, the container sealable by means of the screw cap and the connecting element can be rotated in reciprocal relationship by at least half a turn. If the containers and the connection element are of asymmetric cross section, it can be clearly observed in which position the container system is located. In order to establish a container system which is spill-proof under all circumstances, in spite of the relatively simple connections provided between the various elements, at least one seal arranged between the containers can be provided. The sealing caps can be mutually connected advantageously, to form a spill-proof connection. Together in this form, these elements form a floating body in such a way that the release of the sealing caps of the openings is facilitated and that this body serves, at the same time, as a stirring element to better mix the respective liquids. To use the combined component liquids, at least one of the containers may be provided with a dispensing opening which, P1693 / 99MX using a sealing cap attached to it, can be sealed. If the sealing cap is only attached to the dispensing opening, the design of the container system is further simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The present invention is described in greater detail in the following with reference to an example design illustrated in the drawings. Shown in: Figure 1, an axonometric view of a container system of the invention before being used. Figure 2, an axonometric view of a first embodiment of the container system in an exploded view omitting certain elements. Figure 3, an axonometric view of a cross section along a symmetrical plane of the axonometric illustration of the container system, in accordance with Figure 2 before being used. Figure 4, an enlarged view corresponding to the view according to Figure 3 of the container system during the separation of the sealing caps. Figure 5, a view comparable with the view according to Figure 2 of an alternative embodiment of the container system. Figure 6, an axonometric view of a P1693 / 99MX cross section along a plane of symmetry of an axonometric view of part of the container system, in accordance with Figure 5 before being used. Figures 7 and 8, top views of the lower container of the container system, and in the directions of the arrows VII and VIII in accordance with Figure 5 the seal ring is omitted for clarity of the illustration. Figure 9, a view corresponding to the view shown in Figure 6 of the container system during removal of the sealing caps. In the Figures, elements shown identically are mentioned using the same reference numbers, unless otherwise stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A container system 1 according to the present invention, consists of an upper container 2 and a lower container 3, the containers are interconnected by means of a connection element 4 (Figure 1). As can be seen from Figure 1, the upper container 2, the connecting element 4 and the lower container have, in cross section, a non-circular, in particular elliptical, form. Containers 2, 3 may contain different substances, in particular P1693 / 99MX liquids, which will be stored separately but will be mixed before use, for example, the components of a two-component liquid. The containers 2, 3 are each provided with a mixing opening 5, 7 which, in the assembled state of the system, are oriented towards each other. The openings 5, 7 are each sealed using a sealing cap 6, 8 wherein the arrangement of the sealing cap 8 is screwed into the neck of the lower container 3, while the sealing cap 6 is connected to the connecting element 4 using a connection 9 under pressure and to this connecting element the upper container 2 is connected using a screw connection 10. The opening 5 of the container 2 thus is sealed by the connecting element 4 as well as by the sealing cap 6. In order to ensure the With proper sealing, the sealing cap is provided with a circumferential groove 38 into which the bevelled end portion 28 of a cylindrical portion 23 of the connecting element 4 is inserted. In addition, the connecting element 4 is provided with a circumferential seal rib. 27 which, together with the threaded cylindrical portion 26 of the connecting element 4, forms a groove 39 into which a bevelled end portion of the upper container is inserted. 2. Correspondingly, the sealing cap 8 is provided with a circumferential groove 33 to which a P1693 / 99MX beveled end portion of the neck 31 of the lower container 3. The lower container 3 is connected to the connecting element 4 (Figure 4) using a snap connection 11 consisting of a circumferential rib 30 arranged in the lower container 3 and of a circumferential rib 29 in the cylindrical portion 23 of the connecting element 4. The lower container 3 and the connecting element 4 are further provided with cooperating locking means 20 which are effective in a certain direction of rotation consisting of two pins 21. sawtooth arranged on the lower container 3 and a large number of locking wheel teeth 22 cooperating therewith, arranged on the underside of the cylindrical portion 23 of the connecting element 4. The sawtooth pins 21 in this arrangement, are provided with a side face 45 projecting vertically from the upper side face of the container 3 and with a a surface 44 inclined towards the upper side face of the container 3 (Figure 3). In addition, the connecting element 4 is provided with means 13 securing the screw sealing cap 8, against rotation. These securing means consist of four parallel guide strips 14 arranged in pairs opposite one another along the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 23 of the guide element.

P1693 / 99MX connection 4 (compare Figure 2). The two guide strips 14 arranged in pairs of this arrangement each form a guide groove 49 inside which extends a guide pin 32 of the screw cap 8. The screw cap 8, on its upper side, is further provided with a number of protruding segments 35 each having a pressure attachment ring 36 projecting outwards (Figure 4). Correspondingly, the sealing cap 6 is provided with a circumferential flange 50 having a snap ring 37 projecting inwardly. The protruding parts 35 are arranged as segments that do not form an uninterrupted flange, the projecting portions are relatively flexible and can be bent compared to the other elements of the array. The upper container 2 on its side opposite the mixing opening 5 is provided with a dispensing opening 15 which is sealed using a sealing cap 16 attached thereto by means of a snap connection 17. The sealing cap 16 in this arrangement consists of of a dispensing body attached in a relatively narrow dispensing aperture 18 sealed by a cap 19 mounted thereon using a screw connection 48. Instead of a screw connection, of course it could also P1693 / 99MX use a snap connection with sealing spring rings in analogy with the rings 46 and 47 of the pressure connection 17. Before the container system 1 can be used, the lower container 3 is first filled with the corresponding liquid and it is sealed using the screw sealing cap 8. Subsequently, the lower container 3 including the sealing cap 8 screwed thereto is snapped into the connecting element 4, the guide pins 32 engage the guide slots 49. Then, the sealing cap 6 of the upper container 2 it can be placed under pressure in the connecting element 4 and the upper container 2 can be screwed into the connection element 4, whereby the upper container 2 can be filled by means of the opening 15 before this opening is sealed using the lid sealant 16. It is also possible to fit the first sealing cap 16 into the container 2, turn the container upwards and fill it by means of the mixing opening 5 and subsequently, screw the excess part of the container system (i.e., the lower container 3, the connecting element 4 and the sealing cap 6 closed under pressure thereon) in the inverted position in the container 2. In this state, the two components can store being encased separately in containers 2 and 3, respectively. The P1693 / 99MX cross-sectional shapes, not circular, in the described elliptical example, of the lower container and of the connecting element 4 are arranged adjacent to each other in such a way that just by looking at the container system 1 it can be observed whether the containers 2 and 3 are in fact, properly sealed and ready to use. If now the contents of the container system 1 are to be used, the components stored in the containers 2 and 3 must be mixed first. For this purpose, the lower container 3 is rotated with respect to the connecting element 4 in the direction admitted by the blocking means 20 (arrows Rl t Figure 3). In this arrangement, the press-fitted lid 8 can not rotate together with the lower container 3 while it is secured against rotation by means of the guide strips 14. The screw-in cover 8 is thus rotated clockwise with respect to the lower container 3 in such a way that this cover is unscrewed from the neck 31 of the lower container 3. In this process the screw cap 8 moves upwards until the snap rings 36 of the protruding segments 35 engage the ring 37 press fit of the upper sealing cap 6 and the flange 50 of the upper sealing cap 6 rests against the upper face of the screw cap 8. While the lower container 3 is rotated P1693 / 99MX additionally, the upper sealing cap 6 due to the additional upward movement (in the direction indicated by the arrow L in Figure 4) of the screw cap 8 is carried out in such a way that the snap connection 9 between the sealing cap 6 and the connecting element 4 is disconnected. Now, the screw cap 8 also reaches the end of the threaded part of the neck 31 so that the two sealing caps 6 and 8 are separated from the connecting element 4, and from the lower container respectively, and the passage for the fluids is established. between the openings 5 and 7 of the upper container 2 and the lower container 3 which are oriented reciprocally. The components contained therein can thus be mixed and combined by stirring the container system 1 in whose process the interconnected sealing caps 6 and 8 floating in the liquid in the upper container 2 act as a stirring element. Finally, after the lid 19, or even the sealing cap 16 respectively, is removed, the blended two-component liquid can flow out of the dispensing opening 15.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES In an alternative embodiment of the container system according to the present invention (Figure 5), the lower container 3 is connected P1693 / 99MX to connection element 4 using a bayonet connection. In this arrangement, the lower container 3 is provided with a circumferential ring 54 with two diametrically opposed recesses 55 and 56 while the connecting element 4 is provided with two cams 57 and 58 adjusting in the recesses and protruding inwardly from the wall inside the cylindrical portion 23 of the connecting element 4. The cam 56 and the recess 55 in this arrangement differ in their dimensions from the dimensions of the cam 58 and the recess 56 in such a way that the connecting element 4 can be mounted to the lower container 3 in only one way only. The recesses 55, 56 and the cams 57, 58 are designed in such a way that the lower container 3 can be rotated in a single direction only with respect to the connecting element 4 after the cams have been inserted into the recesses. In this arrangement, each recess 55, 56 on one side has a beveled surface 63 towards the underside which serves as a guiding element for the rotational movement of the lower container 3 relative to the intermediate connection element 4 while the opposite surface 64 of each recess 55, 56 serves as a stop preventing rotation of the lower container 3 in another direction. The recesses 55, 56 as mentioned, are arranged diametrically opposite in the ring 54 and in the example design shown, are symmetrically arranged with P1693 / 99MX with respect to the short axis of symmetry of the lower container 3. The cams 57, 58, also arranged diametrically opposite each other, are arranged approximately midway between the cutting axis of symmetry and the long axis of symmetry of the connecting element 4 in such a way that the lower container 3 covers an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the connecting element 4 in the position in which the cams 57, 58 can be inserted into the recesses 55, 56. While the lower container 3 and the connection element are of non-circular cross-section, this angle between the two elements is clearly visible and in this way is a good indicator showing the actual situation during the assembly of the container system 1. Around the neck 31 of the lower container 3, a A ring-shaped seal made of a deformable spring-elastic material, for example of a rubber-like material, is arranged in the lower ring 54. The seal ring in the assembled state of the container system 1 cooperates with the lower ring 65 of the cylindrical portion 23 of the connecting element 4 to prevent spillage of the liquid in the bayonet connection. The lower ring 65 of the cylindrical portion 23 in this arrangement is pressed firmly against the seal ring 62 while the cams 57, 58 during rotation of the lower container 3 relative to the connecting element 4, are P1693 / 99MX forced under the ring 54. By assembling the lower container 3 and the connecting element 4, the lower container 3 can be rotated in a sealed position for use, in this arrangement the outer contour of the lower container 3 is arranged adjacent to one of the intermediate connection elements 4 (Figure 6). In this position, the two elements are locked together while the cams 57, 58 lie in the recesses 60 and 61, respectively, below the ring 64. At least one of these recesses, in the example shown in the recess 60, is provided with a ring 66 extending downwards (Figure 7) that serves as a stop and which prevents any backward rotation, of the lower container 3. When the contents of the container system 1 will make use of the lower container 3 it is rotated again with with respect to the intermediate connecting element 4 (arrow R2 in Figure 6), in the case shown, a half turn. In this process, the cams 57, 58 are pushed down in some way from the recesses 60, 61, such that the lower ring 65 of the intermediate connection element 4 is pressed with additional force against the upper surface of the seal ring. 62 and that a suitable sealing effect is also ensured in case of dimensional tolerances of the various elements of the container 1 system have increased the time P1693 / 99MX due to deformations of the materials. At the extreme point of the half-turn rotation, the cams 57, 58 are located in the opposite recesses 60 and 61, respectively, so that the lower container 3 again locks against the return rotation. Due to the stop ring 59 (FIG. 5) on the upper part of the bayonet ring 54 cooperating with a longer guide ring 14 of the intermediate connection element 4, additional rotation of the lower container 3 is also avoided. The various elements of the container system 1, in this way, can not be removed further. The screw cap 8, as well as the sealing cap which is placed under pressure 6 in the example design shown, differ slightly in their forms from those shown with reference to the first embodiment described. Both sealing caps 6, 8 have a hemispherical portion 52 and 53, respectively, which together form a liquid-proof sphere after the sealing caps have been brought into contact. For this purpose, the screw cap 8 is provided with a protruding ring 67 which can be snapped onto the collar 68 which extends downwardly from the sealing cap 6 to form a narrow connection. The sealing cap 6 for forming a snap connection 9 is further provided with a circumferential flange 50 which is inserted into a slot 51 in the wall P1693 / 99MX inside the cylindrical portion 23 of the intermediate connecting element 4. While the ring 43 and the slot 51 are designed relatively shallow, this snap connection is more easily disconnected. During rotation of the lower container 3, the screw cap 8, in analogy with the arrangement shown in the first described embodiment, is secured against further rotation while the protruding cams 32 engage the rings 24 of the intermediate connecting element 4. Also, if the cams 32 at the beginning are not yet resting against the rings 14, this position is reached after an additional light rotation of the screw cap 8, that is, the rings 14 exert a self-centering effect. The screw cap 8 thus moves upwards towards the neck 31 of the lower container 3. In this process, this cap will make contact with the sealing cap 6 of the upper container 2 and thus form a liquid-proof connection, the rings 67, 68 are mutually assured (Figure 9). While the spherical space between the two sealing caps 6, 8 is filled with air, the sealing caps 6, 8, which together form a sphere, are lifted upwards from the opening of the intermediate connecting element 4 in the upper container 2. When lifting these sealing caps 6, 8, these can P1693 / 99 X disconnect more easily. The sealing caps 6, 8 which float in the upper container 2 further serve as an excellent stirring element so that the mixing of the liquid component is improved. While in the container system 1, according to the present invention, many different pressure connections can be used, the individual elements can be manufactured and easily assembled. In addition, the containers 2, 3 do not require a relative axial movement between themselves, which are required in the aforementioned German Patent Application No. 19635833, and that likewise no non-blocking devices in the form of tear strips are required in order to mutually fix the two containers 2, 3 in their initial positions. All the elements of the container system 1 can thus, in principle, be re-filled and can be reused, thus generating less waste.

P1693 / 99 X

Claims (14)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property; A system consisting of at least two containers for storing, separately, substances to be used after mixing, in this system the containers are each provided with a mixing opening which can be sealed using a sealing cap and which cooperates with the sealing caps via a connecting element, its mixing openings are connected and oriented facing each other, characterized in that at least one of the sealing caps is connected to the connecting element using a clamping connection.
2. 2. Container system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing cap is connected to the connection element using a snap connection. Container system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the containers is axially connected almost without movement to the connecting element. 4. The container system according to claim 3, characterized in that P1693 / 99 X axially connected containers with almost no movement are clamped or subjected to pressure on the connecting element. Container system according to claim 3, characterized in that the axially connected vessels with almost no movement and the connection element form a bayonet connection. Container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the other sealing cap is connected to the corresponding container using a screw connection and in that the intermediate connecting element contains means securing the sealing cap against rotation. The container system according to claim 6, characterized in that the securing means comprises at least one guide ring protruding between the sealing caps and cooperating with the screw cap. The container system according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide ring is designed as a self-centering ring. Container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the container that is sealed by the screw-in lid and the connection element are designed with a non-circular cross-section. P1693 / 99MX 10. The container system according to claim 9, characterized in that the container that is sealed by the screw-in lid and the connection element are provided with cooperating block means that are effective in a certain direction. The container system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the container that is sealed by the screw-in lid and the connecting element are arranged in such a way that they can be rotated in mutual relation by at least half a turn. The container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one seal is provided between the containers. The container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing caps can be connected to form a liquid-proof unit. Container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the containers is provided with an opening for dispensing that can be sealed using a sealing cap attached thereto. P1693 / 99MX