WO2001051359A2

WO2001051359A2 - Container for animal feedstuffs or moist animal feedstuff additives

Info

Publication number: WO2001051359A2
Application number: PCT/EP2001/000258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Walter Rittmeyer
Original assignee: Walter Rittmeyer
Priority date: 2000-01-12
Filing date: 2001-01-11
Publication date: 2001-07-19
Also published as: DE20000424U1; WO2001051359A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a mouldable, sealable container (10), such as a tube, cardboard packaging, or plastic bag, intended for liquid to paste-like animal feedstuffs or animal feedstuff additives. The container comprises: an outlet opening (2), arranged in the wall (1); an agitating element (5), with a long outlet nozzle (3), connected to the outlet (2), by means of which the contents of the container may be mixed and measured out by squeezing and a closure cap which encloses the entire outlet nozzle (3) with the agitating element (5).

Description

Container for animal feed or animal feed moist additives

The invention relates to a deformable, closable container, such as a tube, cardboard packaging or film pouch, which is intended for thin to pasty animal feed or animal feed moist additives and which has a wall, an outlet opening incorporated in the wall and a closure cap.

Viscous or paste-like feed supplements packed in a deformable tube are known. They are available on the market, for example, as supplements rich in vitamins or minerals or as feed concentrates for the occasional "snack" *, as a "reward" or as a particularly enriched supplement, which should only be fed in small quantities.

Since dry food alone is not particularly attractive for many animals, small amounts of industrially manufactured wet food can be added for upgrading. However, since moist feed has so far only been available in cans, trays or bags on the market is offered, the animal owner needs additional aids such as spoons, forks, etc. to mix the wet food into the dry food.

The consistency of the feed supplements offered is generally unsuitable for even mixing in with dry feed. Some products are very sticky, others are not moist enough to be easily distributed.

Cats and dogs clearly prefer wet food. The commercially available, finished wet food is offered in tin cans of various sizes, in foil packaging or in aluminum trays. The moisture of the content varies between 70% and 85%. The smallest - and therefore the most expensive - available quantity corresponds to one serving and is intended for immediate use. The larger, opened cans or food bowls must be kept cool and largely odorless until further use. In practice, this means:

The can containing the wet food is opened with a can opener and the feed itself with forks, spoons or the like. taken, which should actually be reserved for human use. Even if special "animal cutlery" should be used for feeding, this must be cleaned.

Commercial wet pet food smells so intense in the re ^¬ gel that it can not open up preserved in the refrigerator. In addition, the animal feed should not be stored next to food. So it must either be placed in a different, lockable container fills or the whole, opened container in a film or bag to prevent the smell.

It is therefore the task of specifying a closable container which is suitable for low-viscosity to pasty animal feed or animal feed moist additives and with which the disadvantages mentioned can be avoided. The container should be characterized in particular by simple handling and durability of the content.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a deformable, closable container, such as a tube, cardboard packaging or foil pouch, which is intended for liquid to pasty animal feed or animal feed moist additives, which has the following parts:

a wall,

an outlet opening worked out in the wall,

a stirring element with an elongated outlet connection which is connected to the outlet opening and by means of which the contents of the container can be mixed in and dosed by being pressed out,

and a closure cap to surround the entire outlet connection with the stirring element, the bottom of which does not come into contact with a free end of the outlet connection and / or the stirring element during the closing process.

The stirring element can be removably attached to the outlet connection or can be produced in one piece with it, for example in the form of stirring vanes which are preferably arranged in mirror image to one another and are arranged at the free end of the outlet connection. In Another preferred embodiment, the stirring element is spoon-shaped.

The entire container, with the exception of the closure cap, is preferably produced in one piece with regard to manufacturing costs, for example by spraying. However, it is not excluded to connect the outlet connection and the stirring element to the wall in a removable manner, for example via a snap-in connection or via corresponding threaded parts.

The closure cap can also form a screw closure or a snap connection with the outlet connection or with the wall.

In order to be able to use the principle according to the invention in the market-like rectangular containers made of cardboard-like material, it is proposed to attach a tab to the wall in the area of the outlet opening, which is provided with a guide for inserting and removing the elongated outlet nozzle. In this case, a closure cap can be provided which forms a latching connection with the tab attached to the wall.

It is advantageous to manufacture the container from a plastic tube, the sections of which are welded or tied together at one end.

The container can be made of cardboard-like materials, plastic, composite or metal, preferably aluminum.

The invention further relates to a container in which animal feed or animal feed moist additive (s) are packed in paste-like consistency as porridge, cream, paste, puree, sauce, etc. Advantages achieved with the invention are in particular that

dry pet food, especially dry cat and dog food, can be upgraded, enriched and adapted to taste by adding small amounts of wet or wet food.

the practical handling of the container means that the additional food can be mixed with the dry food without the need for additional cutlery items, such as Löffei,

the wet feed can be added to the dry portion in doses,

the air contact to the contents of the container is very limited, since after use the container can be sealed airtight, which ensures a longer shelf life,

the animal feed can be administered more hygienically,

the nutritional quality of pets can be improved because, firstly, a desired alternation of the diet, although it varies within reasonable limits, and secondly an increase in the content of active and aromatic substances, as well as in nutritional and medical-therapeutic proportions,

medical care can be facilitated, for example by the targeted application of medication dissolved in the moist portion,

are used for the production of ecologically harmless materials. The dry food can be commercially available products or - previously not offered - products made from only dried or from the outset dry, natural components without any flavoring, taste-improving additive. So far, dry food without flavor-enhancing additives has not been offered, because in such a dosage form it is only inadequately or not at all accepted by the animals.

As is known, dry food is generally cheaper than wet food. The fact that the animal owner can prepare an appropriate feed mixture himself results in considerable cost savings. When feeding cats with dry food, for example, around 10 to 20 grams of moisture are sufficient to wet the dry food sufficiently. This corresponds to approx. 10% to 20% of the usual portion when feeding only with wet food.

The animal feed additives can also be presented as a dry substance, for example in the form of a concentrated powder. Adding water creates a solution that can be used to drizzle dry food.

Finally, it is also conceivable to combine feed additives with dry feed that no longer contains any flavoring additives, that is, dry feed that is only consumed by the animal in conjunction with additives. Such a combination can be sold, for example, as a container in which the dry food is packaged in a conventional packaging tray and the wet food in the container according to the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated by the drawing are explained. The figures in the drawing show in detail:

Fig.l shows a longitudinal section through a container with a closure cap,

2 detail of a stirring element with blades,

3 detail of a snap connection of the closure cap with a collar,

4 shows a one-piece container in a perspective view, with a closure cap,

5a shows another embodiment of the one-piece container, without a closure cap,

5b the container according to FIG. 5a with the closure cap attached,

6 shows a further embodiment of the one-piece container,

7 shows an enlarged detail of a cardboard-like package with a welded-on closure flap,

8 shows a section A-A according to FIG. 7,

9 shows a section B-B according to FIG. 7,

10 shows a one-piece container in another embodiment,

Fig.11 detail of a stirring element according to Fig.10, and

12 shows a pack, consisting of a cardboard-like Ver ^¬ pack dry food and a container containing wet additives. In Fig.l a container 10 made of polyethylene in the form of a commercially available tube is shown, consisting of a wall 1, a short threaded connector 14 arranged in the head region 4 with outlet opening 2 and an elongated outlet connector 3 which is screwed onto the threaded connector 14 , The container is intended for pasty feed additives. In addition, the outlet nozzle 3 has a diameter D (D = 6 mm) which is suitable for such a consistency. As the figure shows, the tube is flattened at one end and welded there (weld seam 11). The

Spout 3 is gently rounded at its free end 3.1 and merges into a circular collar 3.2 on the side facing away from the free end 3.1. The collar 3.2 again has a short, cylindrical part 16 which surrounds the head region 4 of the tube when the outlet connector 3 is screwed on.

A cylindrical or slightly tapered closure cap 6 has a circumferential inner detent 6.2 which is introduced at its edge and which is compatible with a groove 3.3 (see FIG. 3) incorporated in the cylindrical part 16 of the collar 3.2, so that the closure cap 6 also can lock the collar 3.2. The cap 6 is long enough to keep its bottom 6.1 at a distance A from the free end 3.1 of the outlet nozzle 3. In this way it is achieved that as little or no food residues can smear during the closing process. The outlet nozzle 3 is also long enough (about 5 cm) to be used as a stirring aid (stirring element 5) in customarily high feed bowls. All ele ^¬ ments of container 10, including sealing cap 6 is made of polyethylene by injection molding.

2 shows another embodiment of the stirring element 5, in which the outlet nozzle 3 outlet nozzle 3 in two agitator blades 5.1, 5.2 arranged in mirror symmetry merges.

4 shows a further embodiment (reference number 20) of the container, in which the wall 1 is made in one piece with the outlet nozzle 3. In the head region 4 of the tube a circumferential groove 3.4 can be seen, which forms a latching connection 3.4, 13 with a corresponding nose 13 of the closure cap 6.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a container 30 in the form of a tube, which is also produced in one piece with the outlet connection 3. A threaded part 15 for screwing on the closure cap 6 is introduced below the outlet nozzle 3. The outlet nozzle 3 is, as also shown in Fig.l, slightly rounded at its free end 3.1. The length L of the outlet nozzle 3 (up to the collar) is 5.5 cm.

Another embodiment (reference number 40) of the container, which is made in one piece with the outlet nozzle 3, is shown in FIG. The wall 1 consists of a foil bag, which is ultrasonically welded in its head region to the stiffer outlet nozzle 3. The outlet connection 3 is integrated with the stirring element 5 (stirring blades 5.1, 5.2) and has a groove 3.5 for snapping into the closure cap (not shown).

This group of one-piece containers also includes a container 50 (see FIGS. 10 and 11), the wall 1 of which is constricted at its end 22 opposite the outlet connection 3, as in the case of a sausage casing. The wall part is cut from a hose. At the head area 4, a circumferential groove 3.6 is made for snapping into the closure cap. A sponge-shaped stirring element 5 integrated with the outlet nozzle 3 projects beyond the free end 3.1. out. The container is very handy and inexpensive to manufacture and guarantees that no air flows in during use, as with containers with less flexible walls.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a cardboard-like packaging (container 60) which is particularly suitable for low-viscosity feed additives. A tab 7 is glued to the cuboid wall 1, which is provided with an opening 12 which coincides with the outlet opening 2 and a guide 19 for pushing the outlet connector 3 in and out. The closure cap 6, which has a groove 21, latches with a circumferential locking lug 18 of the tab 7.

FIG. 12 shows a container 100 presented as a sales product, which consists of a commercially available cardboard packaging 200 with dry food and a container 50 with

Moist additives. The cardboard packaging 200 contains dry cat food (a 1000 g serving) without any flavorings. In addition to water, the moisturizing additives contain vitamins, flavors and aromas. The cardboard packaging 200 and the container 50 are connected to one another with a film-like adhesive strip 110.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. A deformable, closable container (10; 20; ....), such as a tube, cardboard packaging or film pouch, which is intended for thin to pasty animal feed or animal feed moist additives, comprising:

- a wall (1),

an outlet opening (2) worked out in the wall (1),

a stirring element (5) with an elongated outlet connection (3) connected to the outlet opening (2), with which the contents of the container can be mixed in and metered out by pressing out,

and a closure cap (6) surrounding the entire outlet connection (3) with the stirring element (5).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (6.1) of the closure cap does not touch a free end (3.1) of the outlet connector (3) and / or the stirring element (5) during the closing process.

3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the stirring element (5) is arranged on the outlet nozzle (3).

4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the stirring element (5) with the outlet nozzle (3) is in one piece.

5. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the

Stirring element (5) can be removably attached to the outlet nozzle (3).

6. Container according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the stirring element (5) in the form of preferably arranged in mirror image to each other, at the free end (3.1) of the outlet nozzle (3) arranged agitator blades (5.1, 5.2).

7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (3) is rounded at its free end (3.1).

8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the free end (3.1) of the outlet

Stub (3) arranged stirring element (5) is spoon-shaped.

9. A container according to claim 8, characterized in that the spoon-shaped stirring element (5) protrudes beyond the end (3.1) of the outlet nozzle (3).

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (3) and / or the stirring element (5) is made in one piece with the wall (1).

11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (3) and / or the stirring element (5) is removably attached to the wall (1).

12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (3) on its side opposite the free end (3.1) in one

Collar (3.2) merges, which can be screwed onto a threaded connector (13) of the container.

13. A container according to claim 12, characterized in that the closure cap (6) with the outlet nozzle (3) or with the collar (3.2) forms a snap connection (6,3; 6, 3.2).

14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the wall (1) in the region of the outlet opening (2) a tab (7) is attached, which has a guide (19) for pushing the outlet spout in and out ( 3) is provided.

15. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that the closure cap (6) with the on the wall (1) attached tab (7) forms a latching connection (6, 7).

16. A container according to claim 13 and 14, characterized in that the tab (7) is preferably a flat, mateπal section made of plastic, which has an opening (12) with the outlet opening (2) and an encircling locking lug (18), which is compatible with a circumferential groove (21) incorporated in the closure cap.

17. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (6) can be screwed onto the container or onto the outlet connection (3).

18. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of preferably easily deformable material, such as plastic, composite, cardboard or metal.

19. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body from one

Tubular film section is made.

20. A container according to claim 19, characterized in that the free end (24) is welded to a container base body made from a hose.

21. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (3) in the region of its free end (3.1) has an inside diameter (D) or an inside dimension between 2 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 6 mm and Has 12 mm.

22. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a capacity between 100 ml and 2000 ml, preferably between 500 and 750 ml.

23. In a deformable container according to claim 1 and optionally according to further claims 2 to 22 packaged animal feed or animal feed moist additive in the consistency of porridge, cream, paste, puree or solution or dispersion

24. Container (100) consisting of at least one package (200) with dry food and at least one container (10; 20;) according to one of claims 1 to 23.