CN111566020A

CN111566020A - Plastic container with opening device

Info

Publication number: CN111566020A
Application number: CN201880082581.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗尔夫·米勒曼
Original assignee: Mullerman Intellectual Property Co ltd
Current assignee: Mullerman Intellectual Property Co ltd; Muehlemann IP GmbH
Priority date: 2017-12-20
Filing date: 2018-12-07
Publication date: 2020-08-21
Also published as: BR112020012174A2; MX2020005834A; EA038169B1; US20210362920A1; EP3728072A1; EP3728072B1; EA202091525A1; CH714475A1; WO2019121067A1; JP2021506692A; CA3085834A1; KR20200097272A

Abstract

A plastic container comprising a container body (1), a container closure (2, 2', 2") and an opening device (9) for opening the container closure (2, 2', 2"); the container body (1) comprises a container wall (3) and a container bottom (4) arranged in the lower region, wherein a container opening (5) is formed at the upper end of the container body (1) opposite the container bottom (4); the container body (1) comprises a circumferential upper skirt (6) in an upper region; wherein a container closure (2, 2') for covering the container opening is fastened to the upper skirt (6) of the container body (1); the upper skirt (6) is spaced radially outwardly from an upper edge (7) of the container wall (3) and is connected to the container wall (3) by a hinged connection (8), wherein the hinged connection (8) allows the upper skirt (6) to be moved relative to the container wall (3) and the opening device (9) such that the plastic container can be brought from a closed position into an open position.

Description

Plastic container with opening device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a plastic container with an opening device, which comprises a container body and a container cover.

Background

From the patent documents WO2012048922, CH700312, W02006046730, W003093128, US6705462, US6886686, US4247001 and US2008067172, respectively, a plastic container is known which has an integrated dispensing device in the container chamber for dispensing the substance contained in the container chamber into a mixing container. Such plastic containers are usually designed as container closures or, in use, are placed over the mixing container opening. When the dispensing device is operated, the container is opened and the substance is dispensed from the container chamber into the mixing container.

Each plastic container includes a container body, a piercing member, and a sealing membrane. The container body forms a container interior or container chamber for receiving solid or liquid substances, such as solid, droplet-like or liquid medicaments, beverage additives, reagents or the like, which is closed by a sealing membrane. The piece is movably received in the container interior space in the following manner: the piercing member is actuated to move in a direction toward the sealing membrane and cut the sealing membrane. The substance received in the interior space of the container may exit the container. The piercing member can be actuated by a flexible, arched membrane, or a part of the piercing member is guided sealingly through the container wall and can be actuated directly.

Patent document US6003728 shows an alternative to a sealing membrane. Instead of the sealing membrane, the container chamber is closed by a lower sealing cover that can be pushed open and that is received in a force-fitting manner in a groove of the container wall by means of a circumferential bead. The sealing lid may be connected to the container wall by a narrow hinge bridge and extend substantially vertically into the mixing container in the open position. The piercing element acts intermediately on the sealing cap. In order to effect dispensing, the sealing cap must be pressed out of the locking connection with considerable force and then "snapped" into the open position. Here it may happen that: the hinge bridge breaks and the sealing lid falls into the mixing container.

The disadvantages of these known plastic containers are: they consist of a plurality of parts which are manufactured separately and subsequently assembled according to a further method step. This takes time and money.

Another drawback of these known container devices is that: the cut membrane or outwardly pivoted sealing lid is often immersed in the liquid of the mixing container and held in an open position. Therefore, it is almost impossible to cleanly remove the plastic container from the mixing container. Moreover, the structural design of such known containers with integrated dispensing devices is often complex and expensive. Furthermore, the tearing or cutting of the sealing membrane is not controllable, so that the actuation of the plastic container is error-prone. Another drawback of the known container is that: the substance is dispensed uncontrollably and often along the peripheral edge region. Thus, for example, powdery or granular substances may stick to the inner surface of the neck of the mixing container without being completely and cleanly dispensed into the mixing container.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to enable a more cost-effective production.

The object of the invention is achieved by a plastic container known with the features of claim 1. The plastic container includes a container body, a container closure, and an opening device for opening the container closure.

The container body comprises a container wall and a container bottom arranged in the lower region, wherein a container opening is formed at an upper end of the container body opposite the container bottom. The container body includes a peripheral upper skirt in an upper region. A container closure for covering the container opening may be secured to the upper skirt of the container body. The upper skirt is spaced radially outwardly from the upper edge of the container wall with respect to the container axis. The upper skirt is connected to the container wall by a hinged connection, wherein the hinged connection allows the upper skirt to move relative to the container wall and the opening device, thereby allowing the plastic container to be brought from a closed position into an open position.

By means of this relative movement, the opening device, which is operatively connected to the container wall and is used to open the container closure, is pressed against the container closure, which is operatively connected in a stationary manner to the upper skirt.

The hinged connecting element makes it possible to easily produce a plastic container with an integrated dispensing or opening device for a substance contained in the plastic container, wherein the container body and the container closure define a container interior space for the substance. The upper edge of the container wall can be designed here as an opening device for the container closure, as will be explained further below.

Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange a separate opening device, for example a piercing element, in the container interior space.

The container axis is centrally delimited by the container bottom and the container opening, wherein the container wall does not have to be configured as a cylinder around the container axis, but can also have other shapes.

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

In some embodiments, the opening device may be located below or inside the container closure in the closed position and move upwards in the open position such that the container closure is cut, pierced or pushed open.

In some embodiments, the hinged connection may be substantially annular or U-shaped when viewed in cross-section in the closed position. When the upper skirt is moved to the open position, the hinged, annular or U-shaped connection will be stretched. Where it can generate a return force to urge the upper skirt back to the closed position. The maximum movement may correspond approximately to the length of the connecting portion, i.e. approximately twice the length of the side of the loop-or U-shaped connecting portion.

In some embodiments, the hinged connection may be configured as a flexible and/or elastic thin point. Typically, the hinged connection is designed to be thinner than the standard wall thickness of the container wall. The container wall and the upper skirt may have substantially the same wall thickness.

In some embodiments, the upper skirt may form a wall extending substantially parallel to the container wall. The lower end of the wall may be connected to the hinged connection. A circumferentially outwardly directed flange may be formed at the upper skirt or at the upper end of the wall.

In some embodiments, the upper skirt may be integrally formed on the container wall by the connecting portion. The container body can be integrally made, for example, by injection molding.

In some embodiments, the container closure may be a container lid having a plurality of flaps, and the upper edge of the container wall forms the opening means. The opening device may, for example, be arranged and designed such that it can push open a container lid having a plurality of flaps. Usually, the opening device protrudes upwards, i.e. in the direction of the container lid, with respect to the protruding area of the hinge connection.

Such a container lid may have a peripheral fastening edge and a plurality of flaps, which are each connected to the fastening edge by a hinge, wherein a movement of the opening device in the direction of the container lid causes a deflection of the flaps about the respective hinges.

Actuation of the plastic container causes the flaps to pivot outwardly, wherein the container lid begins to open in the center. In this case, the flap itself acts like a ramp, releasing the substance centrally into the mixing container.

Such container lids with flaps are described in the swiss patent application entitled "capsule with integrated dispensing device (Kapselmit integrator abbabeeinrichtung)" by the same applicant and on the same filing date, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

In some embodiments, the plurality of flaps may be formed by slits in the container lid or slits in the top surface of the container lid that form sections of the container lid. These sections may be tapered sections, the tips of which meet on the longitudinal axis of the plastic container. Preferably, they are uniform or identically shaped sectors, so that the flat circular surface of the container lid is divided into at least three identical sectors. The container lid is thereby opened from the center and thus ensures a controlled dispensing of the substance. Between the flaps there may be webs bridging the slit, which webs form the predetermined breaking points.

In some embodiments, the hinge can be designed such that in the open state of the container lid, a restoring force acts on the flap. The hinge can be embodied, for example, in the form of an arc, in particular a circular arc. Here, a restoring force acts on the flaps pivoted open outwards and, after the opening device is withdrawn, the flaps move back into the closed position. The capsule can now be taken out of the mixing vessel cleanly.

In some embodiments, the opening device, which is preferably formed by the upper edge of the container wall, can have a front stop face which presses against the flaps and pivots them outwards when the plastic container is actuated.

The stop surface can also be formed by a plurality of (sub) stop surfaces. Preferably, the stop surface is configured annularly or a plurality of (sub) stop surfaces are arranged annularly. In this case, each stop surface is usually arranged offset radially inward with respect to the respective hinge.

In other words, the annular stop surface is arranged offset radially inward with respect to the plurality of film hinges, or the plurality of annularly arranged stop surfaces is arranged offset radially inward with respect to the plurality of film hinges, respectively.

In other words, the diameter of the annular stop surface or of the plurality of annularly arranged stop surfaces is smaller than the distance of the hinge from the center of the ring. Preferably only slightly smaller so that the stop surface hits the flap as close as possible to the film hinge, but still far enough from the flap to ensure that there is a high enough leverage to press the flap open. In this way, the flap can be pivoted almost completely outwards, i.e. to approximately 90 ° relative to the flat initial position, even if the opening device is slightly moved. Ideally, said outward pivoting is at least 60 ° when the opening device is fully moved forward.

In some embodiments, the container closure may be a sealing film and the opening device may be configured as a cutting edge. Here, the sealing membrane can be fastened to an outwardly directed flange of the upper skirt. The upper skirt or the flange may have a support surface with which the plastic container is supported to cause movement along the mixing container opening of the mixing container.

In some embodiments, the upper skirt may comprise a threaded, preferably internally threaded, peripheral skirt by means of which the plastic container can be screwed onto the mixing container.

In some embodiments, the opening means may be a piercing member arranged in the inner space, which is supported with respect to the container wall or the container bottom.

Drawings

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a plastic container;

fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the plastic container according to fig. 1;

fig. 3 shows a detail view of the sectional view according to fig. 2;

figure 4 shows a detail view of the joint in the closed position (a) and in the open position (b),

fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the plastic container according to fig. 1 with the container closure partially opened;

FIG. 6 shows a detail view of a plastic container with a sealing membrane;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a plastic container with an opening device having a plurality of piercing elements and a sealing membrane;

fig. 8 shows a detail view of the plastic container according to fig. 7.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 3 show a plastic container with an integrated opening device. Fig. 4 shows a cross section of a plastic container in an open position and a closed position. The plastic container comprises a container body 1 and a container closure 2 (shown partially in section in fig. 1 and 2). The container body 1 comprises a container wall 3 having a container bottom 4 at a lower end and a container opening 5 at an upper end. The container wall 3 has a substantially conical shape. The container wall also has a peripheral circumferential upper skirt 6 at the upper end. In the embodiment shown, the skirt 6 is configured as a wall 61 extending parallel to the container wall 3, having a height of, for example, 5 to 15 mm. The skirt 6 has a radially outwardly directed flange 62 at the upper end of the wall 61, the flange having a downwardly directed peripheral skirt 63 for reinforcement.

At the lower end of the wall 61, the skirt 6 is connected to the container wall 3 by a hinged connection 8. In the embodiment shown, the articulated connection 8 has a circular or U-shaped cross section. The container wall 3 and the skirt 6 have substantially the same wall thickness. The connecting portion 8 is designed to be thinner than the vessel wall 3 or the skirt 6. The connecting portion 8 is flexible so that the skirt 6 can be moved relative to the container wall 3 from a closed position (fig. 4(a)) to an open position (fig. 4 (b)). Above the projection 81 of the hinge connection 8 on the container wall 3, the container wall 3 extends further upwards and forms an opening device 9 on its upper edge 7. The upper edge 7 is located below the plane defined by the flange 62.

The annular or U-shaped hinge connection 8 is connected to the container wall 3 or to the upper skirt 6 via two end regions. In the closed position, the two ends are located at substantially the same height. In the open position they move away from each other and the hinge connection 87 is stretched.

In the embodiment shown, the container closure 2 is a container lid 2' with a plurality of flaps 24 for covering the container opening 5 and has a peripheral fastening 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 on the same filing date, the content of which is incorporated by reference into the present application. The container lid 2' can be fastened directly to the skirt 6 by means of the fastening edge 21 or, as in the embodiment shown, on the peripheral fastening edge 21 there is a circumferential, downwardly directed skirt 22 with a circumferential ridge 23 arranged on its outer surface. To fasten the container lid 2', the circumferential ridge 23 is locked in a complementary groove 64 arranged on the inner surface of the wall 61 of the skirt 6.

In the embodiment of the illustrated container lid 2', four uniform scalloped shaped flaps 24 are formed by continuous slits 25 in the lid surface. These flaps 24 are each connected to the fastening edge 21 of the container lid 2' by a hinge 26, preferably a film hinge. Between the flaps 24 there may be a retaining tab bridging the slit 25, which forms a predetermined breaking point. Instead of slits, predetermined breaking points in the form of thin points can also be used.

Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the hinged connection 7 in the closed position (a) and in the open position (b). In the closed position, the skirt 6 is in an upper position relative to the container wall 3 or opening device 9, in which the hinged connection 8 has an annular or U-shaped cross-section and the upper edge 7 of the container wall 3 or opening device 9 is located below the plane defined by the flange. The opening device 9 is covered by the container lid 2'.

To open the container lid 2', the skirt 6 with the container lid 2' fastened thereto is moved downwards along the container axis a in the direction of the container bottom 4. This can be achieved, for example, by pressing a plastic container with a flange 62 onto the neck of the mixing container. The flange simultaneously forms the support surface 65. In this case, the opening device 9 is moved relative to the container lid 2' and presses the flap 24 of the container lid against the upper edge 7. In the open position, the opening means 9 protrudes beyond the flange 62 of the skirt 6. The flexibly designed hinge connection 8 is stretched here (see fig. 4 (b)). The maximum displacement corresponds here approximately to twice the length of the connecting section 8 or the side of the U.

A film hinge 26 on the container lid 2', which may be designed as a curved hinge (see fig. 1), holds the flap 24 on the container lid 2'. This causes a restoring force to act on the flaps 24 in the outwardly pivoted flaps 24, i.e. in the open position. If the opening means 9 is withdrawn again, the flap 24 is also at least partially closed.

The container bottom 4 is arched outward in the embodiment shown. At the lower end of the container wall 3, a closure 31 is formed which projects beyond the container bottom 4.

Fig. 5 shows the plastic container according to fig. 1 with the container lid 2' partially opened. In this case, the flap 24 pivots outwards about the film hinge 26.

Fig. 6 shows a detail view of a plastic container with a sealing film 2 "as container closure 2. The sealing membrane 2 "is fastened to the upper skirt 6, for example by welding it to the flange of the skirt 6.

The opening device 9 can be configured as a cutting edge, for example formed by the upper edge 7 of the container body 1 or the container wall 3. The relative movement of the cutting edge from the closed position of the plastic container to its open position causes the sealing film 2 "to be cut open.

Fig. 7 and 8 likewise show a plastic container with a sealing film 2 ″ in a perspective view and a detail view, wherein the sealing film 2 ″ is not shown in fig. 7. In contrast to the plastic container of fig. 6, the opening device 9 is provided with at least one piercing element 10. The opening device 9 is designed such that it is operatively connected to the container wall 3. The relative movement of the piercing element 10 from the closed position of the plastic container into its open position causes piercing of the sealing membrane 2 ".

In the embodiment shown, the opening means 9 are located on the upper edge 7 of the container wall 3. It can also be fastened to the container wall 3, for example by means of a locking element.

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

List of reference numerals

1 Container body

2 container cover

2' Container lid

2' sealing film

21 fastening edge

22 coaming

23 bump

24-type valve

25 slotted

26 hinge, film hinge

3 container wall

31 coaming

4 container bottom

5 opening of container

6 skirt edge

61 wall

62 Flange

63 coaming

64 grooves

65 support surface

7 upper edge

8 hinged joint

9 opening device

10 piercing member

11 filter opening

A container axis.

Claims

1. A plastic container comprising a container body (1), a container closure (2, 2', 2") and an opening device (9) for opening the container closure (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 at an upper end of the container body (1) opposite the container bottom (4); the container body (1) comprises a circumferential upper skirt (6) in an upper region; wherein the container closure (2, 2') for covering the container opening is fastened on an upper skirt (6) of the container body (1); characterized in that the upper skirt (6) is spaced radially outwardly from an upper edge (7) of the container wall (3) and is connected to the container wall (3) by a hinged connection (8), wherein the hinged connection (8) allows the upper skirt (6) to move relative to the container wall (3) and the opening device (9) such that the plastic container can be brought from a closed position into an open position.

2. The measuring sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening means (9) is located below the container hood (2, 2', 2") in a closed position and is moved upwards in an open position, so that the container hood (2, 2', 2") is pierced, cut or pushed away.

3. A plastic container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinged connection part (8) is configured substantially ring-shaped or U-shaped in cross-section in the closed position.

4. A plastic container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinged connection (8) is configured as a flexible thin point.

5. A plastic container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper skirt (6) forms a wall (61) extending substantially parallel to the container wall (3).

6. A plastic container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirt (6) forms a radially outwardly directed flange (62).

7. A plastic container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper skirt (6) is integrally formed on the container wall (3) by the hinged connection (8).

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

9. A plastic container according to claim 8, characterized in that the container closure (2) in the form of a container lid (2') has flaps (24) which are constructed so as to be able to be pushed open by means of the upper edge (7) of the container wall (2).

10. A plastic container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container closure (2) is configured in the form of a sealing film (2") and the opening means (9) is configured as a cutting edge.

11. A plastic container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper skirt (6) has a support surface (65) by means of which the plastic container can be supported on the mixing container to cause movement over the mixing container opening.

12. A plastic container according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the upper skirt (6) has a peripheral skirt with a thread, preferably an internal thread, by means of which the plastic container can be screwed onto the mixing container.