WO2019121067A1

WO2019121067A1 - Plastic container having an opening means

Info

Publication number: WO2019121067A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/083985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf MÜHLEMANN
Original assignee: Mühlemann Ip Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-12-20
Filing date: 2018-12-07
Publication date: 2019-06-27
Also published as: MX2020005834A; JP2021506692A; EA038169B1; KR20200097272A; CA3085834A1; US20210362920A1; EA202091525A1; EP3728072B1; CN111566020A; EP3728072A1; CH714475A1; BR112020012174A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic container, comprising a container body (1), a container cover (2, 2', 2''), and an opening means (9) for opening the container cover (2, 2', 2''). The container body (1) comprises a container wall (3) and a container bottom (4) arranged in a lower region. A container opening (5) is formed at an upper end of the container body (1) lying opposite the container bottom (4). The container body (1) comprises a peripherally extending upper border (6) in the upper region. The container cover (2, 2', 2'') is fastened to the upper border (6) of the container body (1) in order to cover the container opening. According to the invention, the upper border (6) is connected to the container wall (3) at a distance radially outward from an upper edge (7) of the container wall (3) and by means of a flexible connecting portion (8), the flexible connecting portion (8) permitting sliding of the upper border (6) relative to the container wall (3) and to the opening means (9) such that the plastic container can be brought from a closed position into an open position.

Description

Plastic container with opening agent

Technical area

The invention relates to a plastic container with opening means comprising a container body and a container cover.

Technical background

From WO2012048922, CH700312, W02006046730, W003093128, US6705462, US6886686, US4247001 and US2008067172 are each a

Plastic container known, which has an integrated dispensing device for dispensing received in the container chamber substrates in a mixing container in a container chamber. The plastic container is often designed as a container closure or is placed in use on a mixing container opening. Upon actuation of the dispenser, the container is opened and the substrate is dispensed from the container chamber into the mixing container.

The plastic containers each comprise a container body, a piercer and a sealing foil. In this case, the container body forms the container interior respectively. the container chamber for receiving solid or liquid substrates, such as solid, free-flowing or liquid agents, beverage additives, reagents, etc., which is closed by the sealing film. In the container interior of the piercing is so movably received, which moves an actuation of the piercing, this in the direction of sealing film and thereby severing the sealing film. The substrate received in the container interior can escape from the container. The operation of the piercing can be done by means of a flexible, curved membrane or a part of the piercing is sealingly guided by the container wall and directly operable.

US6003728 shows an alternative to the sealing film. In this case, the container chamber with a push-up, lower cap instead sealed the sealing film, which is received non-positively by means of a circumferential bead in a groove of the container wall. The closure lid can be connected via a narrow hinge bridge with the container wall and protrudes in the open position essentially vertically into the mixing container. The piercer acts centrally on the cap. To discharge the cap must be pressed with relatively great force from the latching connection and then "jumps" in the open position, there may be occurrence that also breaks the hinge bridge and the cap falls into the mixing container.

A disadvantage of the known plastic containers is that they are composed of several parts, which are manufactured separately and subsequently assembled in a further method step. This costs time and money.

A further disadvantage of the known container devices is that the severed foil or the pivoted-out closure lid often immerse in the liquid of the mixing container and remain in this open position. Subsequently, it is hardly possible to cleanly remove the plastic container from the mixing container. Also, the construction of the known container with integrated dispensing device is usually complex and expensive. In addition, a tearing or slicing of the sealing film is not controllable and the handle of the plastic container is therefore error-prone. Another disadvantage of the known containers is that the substrate is discharged uncontrollably and frequently along the peripheral edge region. It may occur that, for example, powdery or granular substrate on the inner surface of the

Mixing neck remains stuck and is not completely and cleanly discharged into the mixing container. Presentation of the invention

An object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to enable a more cost-efficient production.

This object is achieved by a plastic container with the features of claim 1. The plastic container comprises a container body, a container cover and an opening means for opening the container cover.

The container body comprises a container wall and a container bottom arranged in a lower region, wherein a container opening is formed at an upper end of the container body opposite the container bottom. In the upper area of the container body comprises a circumferential upper border. The container cover for covering the container opening is attachable to the upper border of the container body. The upper rim is spaced radially outwardly from an upper edge of the container wall with respect to a container axis. The upper border is connected via an articulated connecting portion with the container wall, wherein the articulated connecting portion allows a displacement of the upper edge relative to the container wall and the opening means, so that the plastic container can be brought from a closed position to an open position.

As a result of the relative displacement, the opening means, which is operatively connected to the container wall, is pressed against the opening of the container cover against the container cover which is fixedly connected to the upper border.

The articulated connection element allows a simple production of a plastic container with integrated dispensing or opening device for a recorded in the plastic container substrate, wherein container body and container cover define a container interior for the substrate. In this case, an upper edge of the container wall may be formed as an opening means for the container cover, as will be explained below. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange a separate opening means, for example a piercer in the container interior.

The container axis is defined centrally through the container bottom and the container opening, wherein the container wall does not have to be circular cylindrical formed around the container axis, but may also have other shapes.

Further embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In some embodiments, the opening means in the closed position below the container cover resp. lie within the container and be offset in the open position so that the container cover is cut, pierced or pushed.

In some embodiments, in the closed position, the hinged connection portion may be substantially loop-shaped or U-shaped when viewed in cross-section. With a displacement of the upper border in the open position of the articulated, loop or U-shaped connecting portion is stretched. He can generate a restoring force to favor a return shift of the upper border in the closed position. The maximum displacement may be approximately equal to the length of the connection portion, i. in about twice the length of a leg of the loop or U-shaped connecting portion.

In some embodiments, the articulated connection portion may be formed as a flexible and / or elastic thin point. In general, the articulated connection portion is made thinner than a standard wall thickness of the container wall. Container wall and upper border can have substantially the same wall thickness.

In some embodiments, the upper border may form a wall that is substantially parallel to the vessel wall. The lower end of the wall may be connected to the articulated connection portion. At the upper border resp. At the upper end of the wall may be formed a circumferential outwardly directed flange. In some embodiments, the upper border may be integrally formed with the container wall via the connecting portion. The container body may be manufactured in one piece, for example by means of injection molding.

In some embodiments, the container cover may be a multi-flap container lid and the upper edge of the container wall may form the opening means. This can for example be arranged and configured such that it can burst the multi-flap container lid. As a rule, the opening means projects upwards with respect to a shoulder region of the articulated connection section, i. in the direction of the container lid, over.

Such a container lid may have a peripheral fastening edge and a plurality of flaps connected to the fastening edge via a respective hinge, the displacement of the opening means in the direction of the container lid causing a deflection of the caps around the respective hinge.

An actuation of the plastic container causes a swinging out of the flaps, wherein the container lid begins to open in the middle. The flaps themselves act as ramps, which deliver the substrate in the center of the mixing container.

Such a container lid with flaps is described in the Swiss patent application entitled "capsule with integrated dispenser" by the same applicant and with the same filing date, the content of which is hereby incorporated into this application.

In some embodiments, the plurality of flaps through slots in the container lid, respectively. Slots may be formed in the top surface of the container lid, which form a plurality of sectors of the container lid. The sectors may be tapered sectors whose tips meet at the longitudinal axis of the plastic container. Preferably, it is uniform resp. uniform circular sectors, so that a flat circular surface of the container lid is divided into at least three equal circular sectors. This opens the container lid from the middle, thus guaranteeing a controlled release of the substrate. Between the flaps, the bridges bridging webs may be present, which form predetermined breaking points.

In some embodiments, the hinge may be configured such that in the open state of the container lid, a restoring force acts on the flap. The hinge may for example be in the form of an arc, in particular a circular arc. In this case, a restoring force acts on the pivoted, open flap and after retraction of the opening means, the flap moves back into the closed position. The capsule can now be removed cleanly from the mixing container.

In some embodiments, the opening means, which is preferably formed by the upper edge of the container wall, having a front stop surface, which presses upon actuation of the plastic container against the plurality of flaps and causes swinging of these valves.

In this case, the stop surface may also be formed from a plurality of (partial) stop surfaces. Preferably, the abutment surface is configured annular or the plurality of (partial) abutment surfaces are arranged in a ring. As a rule, each abutment surface is arranged offset radially inwards relative to a respective hinge.

That an annular abutment surface is offset radially inwardly with respect to the plurality of film hinges, or the plurality of annularly disposed abutment surfaces are offset radially inwardly with respect to the plurality of film hinges, respectively.

In other words, the diameter of an annular abutment surface or a plurality of annularly arranged stop surfaces is less than the distance of the hinges from the center of the ring shape. Preferably only slightly so that the stop surface as close to the hinge on the flap hits, but still sufficiently far away, so that a sufficiently large leverage for pressing the flaps is present. In this way, the flaps can also almost completely by means of a small movement of the opening means, that is, to almost 90 ° with respect to the plane starting position are swung. Ideally, the swinging is at least 60 ° with a fully forward moving opening means.

In some embodiments, the container cover may be a sealing foil and the opening means may be formed as a cutting edge. The sealing film can be attached to an outwardly directed flange of the upper border. The upper rim or flange may have a support surface with which the plastic container is supported for effecting the displacement via a mixing container opening of a mixing container.

In some embodiments, the upper border may have a peripheral apron with a thread, preferably an internal thread, with which the plastic container is festschraubbar on a mixing container.

In some embodiments, the opening means may be an internally located piercer which is supported against the container wall or the container bottom.

Brief explanation of the figures

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments in connection with the (s) drawing (s). Show it :

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic container;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the plastic container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the sectional view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the connecting portion under (a) in one

Closed position and under (b) in an open position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the plastic container of Figure 1 with a partially open container cover.

6 shows a detailed view of a plastic container with sealing film; 7 shows a perspective view of a plastic container with an opening means with a plurality of piercing means and with a sealing foil; and

8 is a detail view of the plastic container of FIG. 7.

Ways to carry out the invention

Figures 1 to 3 show a plastic container with integrated opening mechanism. Fig. 4 shows a section of the plastic container in an open position and a closed position. The plastic container comprises a container body 1 and a container cover 2 (shown partially cut in Figs. 1 and 2). The container body 1 comprises a container wall 3 with a container bottom 4 at the lower end and a container opening 5 at the upper end. The container wall 3 has a substantially conical shape. At the upper end, the container wall further comprises a peripherally encircling, upper border 6. In the embodiment shown, the border 6 is formed as a wall 61 extending parallel to the container wall 3, which for example has a height of 5 to 15 mm. The skirt 6 comprises at the upper end of the wall 61 a radially outwardly directed flange 62 with a peripheral, downwardly directed skirt 63 for reinforcement.

At the lower end of the wall 61, the border 6 is connected to the container wall 3 via an articulated connection section 8. The articulated connecting portion 8 has in the embodiment shown on a loop or U-shaped cross-section. The container wall 3 and the border 6 have substantially the same wall thickness. The connecting portion 8 is thinner than the container wall 3, respectively. designed the border 6. The connecting section 8 is so flexible that the border 6 is movable relative to the container wall 3 from a closed position (FIG. 4 (a)) into an open position (FIG. 4 (b)). Above the attachment point 81 of the articulated connection 8 on the container wall 3, the container wall 3 further extends upwards and forms at its upper edge 7 the opening means 9 off. The upper edge 7 lies below a plane defined by the flange 62.

The loop or U-shaped, articulated connection portion 8 is with the two end portions of the container wall 3, respectively. the upper border 6 connected. In the closed position, the two ends are essentially at the same height. In the open position, they are moved away from each other and the articulated connection portion 87 is stretched.

In the illustrated embodiment, the container cover 2 is a container lid 2 'with a plurality of flaps 24 for covering the container opening 5 and has a peripheral attachment edge 21. Such a container lid 2 'is described in the Swiss patent application entitled "Capsule with integrated dispensing device" by the same applicant and with the same filing date, the contents of which are hereby incorporated into this application The container lid 2' can be fastened directly to the border 6 with the fastening edge 21 be, or - as in the embodiment shown - on the peripheral mounting edge 21 has a circumferential, downwardly directed skirt 22 with a circumferential bead 23 disposed on its outer surface the wall 61 of the border 6 arranged, complementary groove 64 a.

In the illustrated embodiment of the container lid 2 'are formed by means of through slots 25 in the lid surface four flaps 24 in the form of uniform circular sectors. These flaps 24 are each connected via a hinge 26, preferably a film hinge, with the fastening edge 21 of the container lid 2 '. Between the flaps 24, the slots 25 bridging retaining webs may be present, which form predetermined breaking points. Instead of the slots and predetermined breaking points in the form of thin bodies are possible.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the articulated connection portion 7 under (a) shown in a closed position and under (b) in an open position. In the closed position, the border 6 is in relation to the Container wall 3 resp. the opening means 9 in an upper position in which the articulated connecting portion 8 has a loop or U-shaped cross-section and the upper edge 7 of the container wall 3, respectively. the opening means 9 is located below a surface defined by the flange. In this case, the opening means 9 is covered by the container lid 2 '.

In order to open the container lid 2 ', the border 6, to which the container lid 2' is fastened, is pushed downwards along the container axis A in the direction of the container bottom 4. This can be done, for example, by pressing the plastic container with the flange 62, which simultaneously forms a support surface 65, onto the neck of a mixing container. In this case, the opening means 9 move relative to the container lid 2 'and press with the upper edge 7 of the flaps 24. In the open position, the opening means 9 project beyond the flange 62 of the border 6. The articulated connection section 8, which is designed to be flexible, is thereby stretched (compare Fig. 4 (b)). The maximum displacement corresponds approximately to the length of the connecting portion 8, respectively. twice the length of a leg of the U-shape.

The film hinges 26 on the container lid 2 ', which each hold the flaps 24 on the container lid 2', can be configured arcuate (see Fig. 1). This results in that the swung-flap 24, i. in the open position, a restoring force acts on the flap 24. If the opening means 9 withdrawn again, the flaps 24 close at least partially.

The container bottom 4 is curved in the embodiment shown to the outside. At the lower end of the container wall 3 a the container bottom 4 protruding apron 31 is formed.

In Fig. 5, the plastic container of Fig. 1 with partially opened container lid 2 'is shown. The flaps 24 are pivoted outwardly about the film hinges 26.

6 shows a detailed view of a plastic container with a sealing film 2 "as a container cover 2. The sealing film 2" is fastened to the upper border 6, for example by being welded to the flange of the border 6. The opening means 9 may be formed as a cutting edge, for example by the upper edge 7 of the container body 1, respectively. the container wall 3 forms the cutting edge. A relative displacement of the cutting edge of the closed position of the plastic container in its open position causes a cutting through the sealing film 2 ".

FIGS. 7 and 8 likewise show a plastic container with a sealing film 2 "in a perspective view and in a detailed view, wherein in FIG. 7 the sealing film 2" is not shown. In contrast to the plastic container from FIG. 6, the opening means 9 is provided with at least one piercing means 10. The opening means 9 is formed such that it is operatively connected to the container wall 3. A relative displacement of the puncture means 10 from the closed position of the plastic container into its open position causes puncture of the sealing foil 2 ".

In the embodiment shown, the opening means 9 rests on the upper edge 7 of the container wall 3. It may also be attached to the container wall 3 e.g. be fastened by means of locking means.

The opening means 9 may be formed, for example in the form of a filter plate with filter openings 11. The filter openings can be covered with a filter paper.

name list

1 container body

2 container cover

2 'container lid

2 "sealed foil

21 fixing edge

22 apron

23 bead

24 flaps 25 slots

26 hinge, hinge

3 container wall

31 apron

4 container bottom

5 container opening

6 border

61 wall

62 flange

63 apron

64 groove

65 support surface

7 upper edge

8 articulated connecting portion 9 opening means

10 piercing agents

11 filter openings

A container axis

Claims

claims

A plastic container comprising a container body (1), a container cover (2, 2 ', 2 ") and an opening means (9) for opening the container cover (2, 2', 2"); the container body (1) comprises a container wall (3) and a container bottom (4) arranged in a lower region, wherein a container opening (5) is formed on an upper end of the container body (1) opposite the container bottom (4); the container body (1) comprises in the upper region a peripheral upper border (6); the container cover (2, 2 ', 2 ") for covering the container opening being fixed to the upper border (6) of the container body (1), characterized in that the upper border (6) is from an upper edge (7) of the container wall (3) is spaced radially outwards and connected to the container wall (3) via an articulated connecting portion (8), the articulated connecting portion (8) displacing the upper rim (6) relative to the container wall (3) and the opening means (9 ), so that the plastic container can be brought from a closed position into an open position.

2. Plastic container according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening means (9) in the closed position below the container cover (2, 2 ', 2 ") and is offset in the open position such that the container cover (2, 2' , 2 ") is pierced, cut or pressed.

3. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulated connecting portion (8) in the Closed position seen in cross-section is essentially loop or U-shaped.

4. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulated connecting portion (8) is designed as a flexible thin point.

5. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper border (6) forms a wall (61) which extends substantially parallel to the container wall (3).

6. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the border (6) forms a radially outwardly directed flange (62).

7. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper border (6) via the articulated connecting portion (8) is integrally formed on the container wall (3).

8. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper edge of the container wall (3) forms the opening means (9).

9. Plastic container according to claim 8, characterized in that the container cover (2) in the form of a container lid (2 ') has a plurality of flaps (24) by means of the upper edge (7) of the container wall

(2) are formed aufstossbar.

10. Plastic container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container cover (2) in the form of a sealing film (2 ") is formed and the opening means (9) is designed as a cutting edge.

11. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper border (6) has a support surface (65), with which the plastic container for effecting the

Displacement over a mixing container opening can be placed on a mixing container.

12. Plastic container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the upper border (6) has a peripheral skirt with a thread, preferably an internal thread, with which the plastic container is festschraubbar on a mixing container.