GB2433062A

GB2433062A - Neck of a container in particular a sachet

Info

Publication number: GB2433062A
Application number: GB0705145A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christoph Huemmler
Original assignee: Georg Menshen GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Georg Menshen GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2004-09-23
Filing date: 2005-08-09
Publication date: 2007-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-09
Also published as: GB0705145D0; WO2006032326A1; GB2433062B; DE102004046124B4; DE102004046124A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a neck for filling and/or emptying a container, in particular a sachet, comprising ribs (4) that are formed in the lower neck region. The surfaces of the container, in particular sachet, can be fixed, heat-sealed or welded onto said ribs and at least one electronic component (8) is located in the gap (5) between two ribs (4). The exterior of the gap (5) is covered by a surface, in particular a wall.

Description

Neck of a container, in particular a sachet The invention relates to a

neck for filling and/or emptying a container, in particular a sachet with ribs formed in the lower neck area to which the surfaces of the container, in particular the sachet, can be attached, more particularly heat-sealed or welded.

It is known to provide electronic components for various purposes on containerS, in particular bottle closures. From US patent 5575383 it is known to let an electronic component emit a signal when the closure cap is unscrewed. However in this case the electronic component is accessible to the user so that he/she can manipulate, more particularly, destroy it.

The aim of the invention is to improve a neck of the type stated in the introduction in such a way that an electronic component attached to the neck is invisible and difficult to access.

This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that in the Intermediate space between two ribs at least one electronic component is arranged and the intermediate space is covered towards the outside by a surface, in particular a wall.

In such an arrangement the electronic component is attached in a manner invisible to the user so that it ensured that it cannot be manipulated, destroyed or removed by the user. Furthermore, it requires considerable mechanical

I

intervention by the user to gain access to the electronic component. The arrangement of the component in accordance with the invention does not require any design changes to the neck, so that manufacture and assembly are simple and cost-effective.

Particularly simple manufacture and assembly are assured if the surface, in particular wall, covering the intermediate space, is formed by the wall of the container, in particular the sachet. Additionally or alternatively it is proposed that the surface, in particular wall, covering the intermediate space is an additional component that can be attached to the neck, in particular the ribs.

It is particularly advantageous if a manipulation, in particular remo,al of the electronic component or the wall/component covering the electronic component, results in. destruction of the electronic component.

Preferably it is proposed that by removing the closure cover from the neck the electronic component is activated in order to emit an acoustic and/or optical signal.

An example of embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and will be described in more detail below: Figure 1 showS a side view of the neck Figure 2 shows section A-A in figure 1 and Figure 3 showS a perspective view of the neck on a sachet wall, whereby only the rear sachet wall is shown.

The neck has an upper tubular section 1 which at its upper end forms the inlet or outlet opening 2 for filling and/or emptying a container, in particular a sachet 7.

On its outer side the upper area I has the helix 3 of an external thread onto which a closure cap, which is not shown, can be screwed.

On the underside of the upper area I ribs 4 are formed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the area 1, whereby between the ribs there are intermediate spaces 5 and the ribs are penetrated by a tubular extension 6 of the area 1. On each side of the tubular extension 6 a radially projecting wall 9 is formed which divides the intermediate spaces 5 into two equal halves. Also, on the side of the ribs 4 the vertical side wall 7 of the sachet is shown which thus lies perpendicular to the ribs.

The neck with all its parts is injection moulded in plastic in one piece and after manufacture is then welded to a container, in particular into a sachet, whereby the container/sachet wall(s) 7 are welded or heat-sealed to the ribs 4.

In one of the intermediate spaces 5 between two ribs 4 an electronic component 8 is inserted that rests on the wall 9 and can exhibit various functions. In particular, it can be designed in such a way that on removal of the closure cover/the closure cap from the neck it is activated to emit an acoustic and/or optical signal. "Acoustic signal" is taken to mean tones, speech, noises or sounds, and "optical signals" light beams, light flashes or images. The electronic component can also form a smart chip or RFID which on reaching an electrical field receives energy in order to emit signals, in particular information. In this way the electronic component can assume the following tasks: -Protection against theft -Security against unauthorised opening of the container/sachet -Provision of information relating to the contents and/or condition of the contents of the container/sachet -Emitting of tones, music, speech and/or warning signals -and much more.

The intermediate space 5 containing the electronic component 8 is either closed on the outside by the welded-on wall 7, in particular the foil of the container or the sachet, or there is an additional part, which is not shown, that is inserted into the intermediate space in order to close the intermediate space. In both cases it is ensured that unauthorised removal of the wall or closing component from the intermediate space 5 results in the electronic components being destroyed. This can occur in that the wall or the closing section is connected to the electronic component in such a way that removal destroys the component. It is also ensured that removal of the electronic component itself also destroys the component.

Claims

Claims Neck for filling and/or emptying a container, in particular a

sachet with ribs (4) formed in the lower neck area to which the surfaces of the container, in particular the sachet, can be attached, more particularly heat-sealed or welded, characterised in that in the intermediate space (5) between two ribs (4) an electronic component (8) is arranged and the intermediate space (5) is covered towards the outside by a surface, in particular a well.

2. Neck in accordance with claim 1, characteriSed in that the surface, in particular wall, covering the intermediate space (5) is formed by the wall of the container, in particular the sachet.

3. Neck in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the surface, in particular wall, covering the intermediate space (5) is an additional part that can be attached to the neck, in particular to the ribs (4).

4. Neck in accordance with any one of the preceding claims characterised in that a manipulation, in particular removal of the electronic component (8) or the walVpart covering the electronic component leads to destruction of the electronic component (8).

5. Neck in accordance with any one of the preceding claims characterised in that by removing the closure cover from the neck the electronic component (8) is activated in order to emit acoustic and/or optical signals.