WO1993025441A1

WO1993025441A1 - Squeeze bottle with dosing device and squirting closure

Info

Publication number: WO1993025441A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/001414
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Finke
Original assignee: Hem Gmbh
Priority date: 1992-06-12
Filing date: 1993-06-04
Publication date: 1993-12-23
Also published as: DE9207892U1

Abstract

A squeeze bottle, in particular for cleaning products, has a filling and emptying tube (2) eccentrically arranged in relation to a main axis (1) and upon which a squirting closure (3) can be set. An ascending tube (4) which extends into a chamber (5) separated from a reservoir (6) is set into the squirting closure (3). In an approximately horizontal use position, the filling and emptying tube (2) is upwardly offset, at the front side of the bottle, and in this use position the chamber (5) is separated from the reservoir (6) by a partition (7) that extends upwards at least into an upwardly raised vault (8) or into an ascending part (8B) of the wall in the direction of the filling pipe, leaving a narrow inflow opening (9), so that the chamber (5) forms a dosing chamber for a dosed amount (DM) of product contained therein. The squirting closure (3) is constituted by a screw cap (10) screwed on the filling and emptying tube (2) with a squirting tube inclined in relation to the screwing axis, and by a closure cap that closes the squirting tube (11) and that can be removably set on the screw cap.

Description

Squeeze bottle with dosing device and ejection closure

The invention relates to a squeeze bottle, in particular for cleaning agents, with an eccentric and inclined against a main axis filling and emptying nozzle in which a riser tube is inserted, which extends into a chamber that from a storage space, which takes up the essential part of the squeeze bottle, by a is divided in a horizontal position of use of the squeeze bottle from bottom to top of the chamber wall.

Such a bottle with an eccentric and inclined to the main axis filling and emptying nozzle, in which a riser and spray tube is used is known from DE 31 21 591 AI. This squeeze bottle has a siphon-like neck, the supply inlet of which is approximately at the middle height when the bottle is in the use position and the riser and spray tube protrude into the end of the siphon. The curved neck is used for a largely complete emptying of the bottle by conveying residual liquid into the siphon when the head is down and this must be expressed in the horizontal position of use. In addition, the siphon-shaped neck creates an oblique spray effect for hard-to-reach areas. Economical automatic dosing of the liquid when using the bottle in a horizontal position is not possible as long as the liquid flows into the siphon in the horizontal position. There is also a filling of the bottle due to the curved neck with foaming Cleaning agents are very time-consuming and overexposure can hardly be avoided.

Furthermore, from DE 34 41 172 AI a squeeze bottle is known, which has an inclined towards the main axis, eccentrically offset filling and emptying nozzle, which is designed siphon-like with respect to a horizontal position of use of the bottle, this bend is so small that it a straight filling tube can be inserted into the lower area of the bottle, which facilitates the filling of foaming agents. However, it is not possible to squeeze the liquid out of the curved neck. It is also not possible to empty it completely in the horizontal position of use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a squeeze bottle which can be emptied practically completely in a horizontal position of use, moreover continuously provides economical metering of the liquid each time it is pressed out and ensures the oblique spray effect for optimal application of the cleaning agent in difficult to access places via an ejection closure, this closure is simple and cost-effective and enables efficient bottle filling.

The solution to the problem is that in the position of use, the filling and emptying nozzle is arranged offset upwards at the front and the chamber wall extends at least up to an upward bulge or into a nozzle-side wall slope, leaving a narrow inflow opening free, so that the Chamber forms a dosing chamber for a dosing amount contained therein.

The ejection closure on the front, designed for the diagonal spray effect, is made up of a screw-on cap Ejection pipe standing at an angle to the screw-on axis with a riser pipe and a closure cap which can be detachably fixed on this screw cap and which, in the screwed-on position, securely closes the ejection tube of the screw cap with a locking pin.

Advantageous refinements are specified in the subclaims.

The dosing chamber with the inlet at the top ensures that each time the bottle is squeezed in the usual squeezing area, the dosing chamber volume previously filled when it is in an overhead position is emptied. This ensures economical consumption in accordance with the Detergent and Cleaning Agents Act.

Furthermore, the filler neck and the inlet located in the metering chamber offer the simple possibility of using a straight filling tube on an automatic machine to carry out a rational filling near the bottle bottom, thereby largely avoiding foaming of the liquid. In addition, the barrier wall between the storage room and the dosing room forms an obstacle to the ascent for any foam that may still be formed. This makes it possible to deliver the empty bottles set up in the factory in cardboard boxes and fill them directly in the bottling plant, as no foam escapes during this time or later, which would make the box unusable.

The bottle can be easily and inexpensively manufactured using plastic blowing technology. The partition between the storage space and the metering space is preferably produced by being crushed and compressed during the blowing process.

In another embodiment, an insert, which forms the dosing chamber, is inserted into the nozzle. Exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawings and are explained below. It shows:

1 is a view of a first embodiment of the squeeze bottle in the horizontal position of use,

Fig. 2 is a view of the first embodiment of the

Squeeze bottle with inserted filling tube in the filling position,

3 shows a side view of the first embodiment with an ejection closure,

4 shows a section through the ejection closure, consisting of a screw cap and a closure cap,

5 is a view of a second embodiment of the squeeze bottle in the horizontal position of use,

6 is a view of a third embodiment of the squeeze bottle,

7 is a view of a fourth embodiment of the squeeze bottle,

8 vertical sections through two versions of the and ejection closure with dosing pot and riser, FIG. 9

Fig. 10 shows a section through a snap connection of screw cap and dosing pot.

In Fig. 1 is a first embodiment of the squeeze bottle made of plastic in its horizontal position of use shown. Most of the bottle wall encloses a storage room (6). The filling and emptying nozzle (2) on the front is arranged next to the wall, which bulges upwards towards the front area. In the front area, a metering chamber (5) is separated from the storage space (6) by a chamber wall (7) which, while leaving an inflow opening (9), extends close to the upward curvature area (8). A riser pipe (4) extends into the lower bottom area of the metering chamber (5) and is inserted obliquely upwards in a screw-on ejection closure (3). The arch area (8) encloses an air chamber (LK) which extends through the inflow opening (9) into the metering chamber (5).

Before dispensing a metered amount of liquid, the bottle is tilted downwards at the front so that the storage liquid (VF) enters the metering chamber (5). When it is then held horizontally, excess liquid flows back into the storage space (6) and the metered quantity (DM) is in the metering chamber (5), with air collecting in the air chamber (LK). With the following pressure on the bottle wall, the air from the air chamber (LK) presses on the dosing quantity (DM) and drives it out through the riser pipe (4). The air chamber (LK) below the inflow opening (9) has an air volume that corresponds at least to the volume of the metered quantity (DM). In this way, when the bottle wall is normally pressed together, no storage liquid (VF) enters the metering chamber (5); and only the dosing quantity (DM) provided is expelled upon actuation. The dosing bottle can be manufactured inexpensively using the blowing process. The chamber wall (7) is produced by a squeezing process.

Figure 2 shows the bottle during the filling process. The ejection cap is not screwed on. The one that is inserted vertically down into the filling and emptying nozzle (2) Filling tube (13) is inserted through the inflow opening (9) past the chamber wall (7) along the curvature (8) of the side wall. The escaping liquid flows gently down the side wall, being braked by the rounding (8A) at the lower end of the bulge (8). If there is still some foam despite the smooth flow control, it is prevented from escaping by the chamber wall (7) and, in the worst case, is collected in the metering chamber (5) located upstream of this. As a result, an efficient bottle filling is achieved.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a preferred ejection closure for the squeeze bottle.

The ejection closure consists of a screw cap (10) which can be screwed onto the filling and emptying neck (2) of the squeeze bottle, with an ejection tube (11) standing at an angle to the screw-on axis (19) and a removable one on the screw cap (10), which Injection tube (11) closing cap (12) together.

At a distance from its screw part (20), which has an internal thread (20a), the screw cap (10) has an end wall (22), which is at an angle to the screw-on axis (19) and forms an oblique cap neck (21) with the screw part (20) The molded ejection pipe (11) protrudes from the center at right angles to the end wall (22).

The ejection pipe (11) is at an angle () of 30 ° to 40 ° to the screw-on axis (19).

The ejection tube (11) is formed by a cylindrical tube and has a conical extension (28) on the end wall (22) and on the free ejection end. The closure cap (12) can be screwed onto the screw cap (10) and has a locking pin (25) which engages in the ejection tube (11) in the screwed-on position and is formed on the end wall (12B) of the cap and which, when the closure cap (12) is removed releases the ejection pipe (11) for cleaning agent dispensing.

The screw cap (10) has on its end wall (22) a screw-on sleeve (23) formed coaxially around the ejection pipe (11) and showing an external thread (23A), and the closure cap (12) has one coaxially around its locking pin (25) the inside of the cap end wall (12B), which has an internal thread (24A) and can be screwed onto the screw-on sleeve (23) of the screw cap (10).

The cap (12) with its cap jacket (12A) runs at least almost flush with the cap neck (21) of the screw cap (10). A ring (21A) is integrally formed on the inside of the cap neck (21), which engages in the filling and emptying nozzle (2) for locking purposes.

The screw cap (10) with screw part (20), cap neck (21), end wall (22), screw-on sleeve (23) and ejection tube (11) and the closure cap (12) with locking pin (25) and counter sleeve (24) are each made in one piece Plastic trained.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the squeeze bottle. In this case, instead of a riser pipe, a riser duct (14) is separated from the metering chamber (5A) by a further squeezed-off intermediate wall (15). This intermediate wall (15) lies in the use position of the bottle on the neck side from above in front of the chamber wall (7) and extends deeper than the inflow opening (9). The dosing amount (DM) is in the intermediate height between the inflow opening (9) and the lower edge of the Partition (15) included. The plug (17A) has no riser pipe.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the squeeze bottle. In this case, the top wall in the use position runs in the form of a wall slope (8B) at an angle to the bottle neck (8C) with the filling and emptying nozzle (2), which is opposite the bottle base (8D) by about the support width against the base body of the bottle, which contains the storage room (6), is laterally offset. The bottle neck (8C) contains the dosing space (5).

FIG. 7 shows a further variant of the squeeze bottle in terms of production technology. In this case, a hollow cylindrical insert (16) is inserted into the cylindrical bottle neck (8E), which forms the dosing chamber (5). The hollow cylinder insert (16) is closed towards the bottle interior, the storage space (6), except for the inlet opening (31) located at the top. The riser pipe (4) protrudes deep into the dosing chamber through the front cap (17B). The closure cap (17B) can be connected to the cylinder insert (16) or reach over the bottle neck (8E). Instead of a cylinder, a truncated cone can also be selected for the shape of the bottle neck and the use.

If an adjustable dosage is to be provided, the riser pipe (4) is slidably mounted in a seal (18) and a scale is attached to the riser pipe (4).

If the dosing chamber insert (16) is provided interchangeably, there is the simple possibility of using standard bottles, onto which, depending on the desired dosing quantity, suitable for the liquid filled, an insert of a certain dosing volume after filling. When filling, the full nozzle opening is advantageously free. 8 and 9, the ejection closure is equipped with a dosage for the amount of detergent to be ejected, which is formed by a dosing pot (26) and a riser pipe (4).

According to the closure design according to FIG. 8, a metering pot (26) is removably inserted into the filling and emptying nozzle (2), fits practically in a form-fitting manner into the nozzle (2) and is supported with a bearing rim (36) formed radially all round on the open rim of the pot the end face of the filling and emptying nozzle (2).

The riser pipe (4) is inserted into the ejection pipe (11) and extends in the extension of the ejection pipe (11) into the cap neck (21) at the same angle as the ejection pipe (11).

This riser pipe (4) lies above the metering pot (26) in the cap neck (21) and thus outside of the metering pot (26).

In order to achieve a complete metered emptying of the bottle, the riser pipe (4) is guided into a cavity (27) in the cap neck (21); this cavity (27) forms a trough lying outside the metering pot (26) - pulled outwards - into which the riser pipe (4) protrudes above the metering pot (26) and ends at a short distance from the bottom of the cavity. The hollow (27) lies opposite the ejection end of the riser pipe (4) and ejection pipe (11) and forms a collecting trough for the metered liquid in the spray position of the bottle, from which the same can be sprayed out through the riser pipe (4). The last remnant of bottle content for a complete emptying of the bottle thus collects in this cavity (27).

The dosing pot (26) has an inlet opening (31) for the liquid in the center of its pot, the latter Inlet opening (31) diagonally opposite the cavity (27) and is recessed near the pot casing.

In this type of closure, the ejection pipe (11) and thus the riser pipe (4) extend at an extremely steep (large) angle () to the screw axis (19); the rise and spray angle () of the bottle is e.g. at approx. 75 ° to the screw axis - (19), so that the bottle is kept almost horizontal when in use. The angular dimension () can be designed in a range up to 90 °.

When loosening the screw cap (10) from the bottle, the dosing pot (26) remains in the filling and emptying nozzle (2) and can then be removed from it.

According to the further embodiment according to FIG. 9, the dosing pot (26) also removably engages in the filling and emptying nozzle (2). The dosing pot (26) has a holding rim (29) formed all around on the open rim of the pot and drawn in radially to the inside of the pot, which is gripped by claws (30) or a claw rim formed on the inside of the cap neck (21) and is thereby connected to the screw cap (10) , so that this dosing pot (26) forms part of the closure and is removed from the filling and emptying nozzle (2) when the screw cap (10) is loosened.

If not required, the dosing pot (26) can be detached from the claws (30) and thus removed from the screw cap (10).

This closure shows an ejection angle () of approximately 35 ° to the screw axis (19) and the riser tube (4) inserted into the ejection tube (11) assumes the same angular position. The riser pipe (4) protrudes through the opening into the dosing bowl (26) and the inlet opening (31) is located in the pot (26) end of the riser pipe (4) opposite in the pot bottom - as Fig. 8 -.

In both versions, the dosing pot (26) has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section, which engages at least almost positively in the filling and emptying nozzle (2).

The size of the dosing pot (26) determines the adjustable dosing volume of liquid to be ejected.

The closure cap (12) is connected to the screw cap (10) in a childproof connection (forms a HIS closure) by the screw cap (10, with lugs (32) formed on its end wall (22), in corresponding recesses (33) in the closure cap (12) engages and a loosening of the cap (12) from the screw cap (10) is only possible by deliberate pressure on it and by turning the cap (12).

A further child safety device is provided between the screw cap (10) and the filling and emptying nozzle (2), which, when pressed on the screw cap (10), engages with the screw thread to loosen the screw cap (10).

According to Figure 10, the screw cap (10) is provided with a recessed undercut locking groove (34), preferably a dovetail-shaped locking groove, and the dosing pot (26) shows a molded bead (35) on its rim, which is a counterpart in di Bounding locking groove (34) and thus creates a connection between the scraper cap (10) and dosing cup (26), which, however, can be released if necessary.

Claims

1. squeeze bottle, in particular for cleaning agents, with an eccentrically arranged against a main axis (1) filling and emptying nozzle (2), on which an ejection closure (3) can be fixed, in which a riser pipe (4) is inserted into a chamber (5), which is divided from a storage room (6), which occupies the essential part of the squeeze bottle, characterized in that

in an approximately horizontal position of use, the filling and emptying nozzle (2) is arranged offset from the front on the front and in this position of use the chamber (5) is divided from the storage space (6) by a chamber wall (7) directed upwards from below, whereby the chamber wall (7) extends at least into an upward bulge (8) or into a wall slope (8B) directed towards the nozzle, leaving a narrow inflow opening (9) free, so that the chamber (5) has a metering chamber for a metered quantity contained therein (DM) forms, and

the ejection closure (3) by means of a screw cap (10) which can be screwed onto the filling and emptying nozzle (2) and has an ejection tube (11) which is at an angle to the screw-on axis (19), and an ejector tube (11) which can be removably attached to the screw cap (10) and closes the ejection tube (11) Cap (12) is formed.

2. squeeze bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that in the use position in the uncrushed state in the storage space (6) above the storage liquid (VF) is an air chamber (LK) below the inflow opening (9), which is at least the volume of the metered amount ( DM) has.

3. Squeeze bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inflow opening (9) and the filler neck (2) for an oblique insertion against the main axis of the squeeze bottle of a straight filling tube (13) are arranged offset from one another.

4. squeeze bottle according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it is made by blowing and the chamber wall (7) is squeezed.

5. squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a riser (14) is separated by a in the use position from above into the dosing chamber (5A) extending intermediate wall (15) of this nozzle side.

6. squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate wall (15) is made squeezed.

7. squeeze bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering chamber (5) is used as an insert (16) in a bottle neck (8C) from the nozzle (2).

8. squeeze bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle (2) with a stopper

(17B) or a cap is closed, in which the riser pipe (4) is slidably held in a seal (18).

9. squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the screw cap (10) at a distance from its internal thread (20A) having screw part (20) obliquely to the screw-on axis (19), with the screw part (20) one sloping cap neck (21) forming end wall (22) has, in the center of which the ejection tube (11) protrudes at right angles to the end wall (22).

10. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the ejection tube (11) is at an angle () of 30 ° to 40 ° to the screw-on axis (19).

11. squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the ejection tube (11) is formed by a cylindrical tube with a circular cross-section and on the end wall (22) and at the free ejection end shows a conical extension (28).

12. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the closure cap (12) on the screw cap (10) by screw connection (23, 24) can be fixed and has a locking pin (25) engaging in the ejection tube (11).

13. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the screw cap (10) on its end wall (22) has a spacing around the ejection tube (11), an external thread (23A) showing screw-on sleeve (23) and Sealing cap (12) around its locking pin (25) has a mating sleeve (24) which has an internal thread (24A) and can be screwed onto the screw-on sleeve (23) of the screw cap (10).

14. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the closure cap (12) with its cap jacket (12A) at least almost flush with the cap neck

(21) of the screw cap (10).

15. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the screw cap (10) with screw part (20), cap neck (21), end wall (22), screw-on sleeve (23) and ejection tube (11) and the Closure cap (12) with locking pin (25) and counter sleeve (24) are each made in one piece from plastic.

16. squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in the ejection tube (11) of the screw cap (10) in the cap neck (21) projecting riser tube (4) and in the filling and emptying nozzle (2) a detachable Dosing cup (26) are used for a quantity-dosed liquid spraying.

17. squeeze bottle according to claim 16, characterized in that the riser pipe (4) within the cap neck (21) extends outside the metering pot (26) and with its inlet end in a cavity (27) of the cap neck (21) at a distance from the metering pot (26) lies.

18. Squeeze bottle according to claim 16, characterized in that the riser pipe (4) protrudes obliquely through the pot opening into the metering pot (26).

19. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the dosing cup (26) is supported on the end face of the filling and emptying nozzle (2) in a removable manner with a bearing rim (36) formed radially outwardly on the open rim of the pot.

20. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the metering pot (26) has on its open pot rim a retracted to the inside of the pot holding edge (29) with which it in the screw cap (10) by on the screw cap (10 ) integrally formed, the holding edge (29) gripping claws (30) or a claw edge fixed and releasably held.

21. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the metering pot (26) in the bottom of the pot has an off-center inlet opening (31) diagonally opposite the inlet end of the riser pipe (4).

22. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the screw cap (10) with the closure cap (12) forms a child-resistant closure and the screw cap (10) on its end wall (22) molded lugs (32) and Closure cap (12) with the lugs (32) as counterparts cooperating recesses (33).

23. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the screw cap (10) with the filling and emptying nozzle (2) is a childproof closure.

24. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that on the screw cap (10) an undercut locking groove (34) is formed in the cross-section and on the dosing cup (26) is formed as a counterpart to the locking groove (34) locking bead (35) is integrally formed and the dosing cup (26) with its locking bead (35) is detachably locked into the locking groove (34) of the screw cap (10).

25. Squeeze bottle according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized by a screw cap (10) which can be screwed onto the filling and emptying neck (2) of the squeeze bottle and has an ejection tube (11) which is at an angle to the screw-on axis (19), one on the screw cap (10). Removable lockable closure cap (12) closing the ejection tube (11), a riser tube (4) inserted into the ejection tube (11) and an engagement in the filling and emptying nozzle (2), removable in the filling and emptying nozzle (2) or stored with the screw cap (10) connected as a detachable component dosing cup (26).