DE19547957A1 - Multi-compartment containers for, e.g. cosmetic products - Google Patents

Abstract

The containers (4) have two or more compartments (2) formed from them. The compartments have their own separate side and base walls. The outer side walls of the containers form a single peripheral wall for the overall container which can be compressed. The top sections of each container are held together in a connector region (6) with their individual outlets (8) leading to a single outlet valve in the top of the container. The individual compartments and their connector regions are formed from an integral moulded piece (12).

Description

The invention relates to a multichamberbe container with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Ein such multi-chamber container is for example from WO-Ver publication 94/19 251 known.

In this known multi-chamber container individual vessels that form two or three chambers, each initially for yourself with a custom-made neck piece Mistake. These neck pieces are then in turn together e.g. B. connected by welding. The content of each Vessels become one before they exit the multi-chamber container Mixing chamber fed. This communicates with one Exit opening, which is connected to it by a foldable NEN stopper is closable. The individual vessels have z. B. semicircular cross section and complement each other to a circular circumference of the multi-chamber container. Dude natively, this can also have an oval size or other speci have all circumferential shapes, which are shown in detail.

This multi-chamber container already offers opposite other known multi-chamber containers, in which in one single vessel, for example, to form two chambers, a separator wall with trained or used, the advantage that it not too undesirable during production and filling thermal distortion of one chamber at the expense of the other Chamber can come. To such possible thermal distortion Compensations have already been according to EP-0 330 528 B1 in such a multi-chamber container with a partition these with S-shaped inner curvature "Accordion-like" trained.

Multi-chamber containers, which by a simple Zwi  partition with even extension in two similar chambers FR-A-2 260 506 shows, for example or FR-A-1 379 257. These are only examples of those in Rah men of the invention not considered construction, at of the individual chambers in a common vessel a longitudinal partition are separated and their Problem due to the S-shaped design of such an intermediate is fixed in accordance with the aforementioned EP-0 330 528 B1 should.

The mentioned known multi-chamber containers with the Features of the preamble of claim 1 still have the Disadvantage that when connecting the individual vessels in Ver commitment area at least one additional work step of the Welding, gluing, stapling or the like required is. When connecting by welding, gluing or the like. Tolerances can occur which affect the attachment of the separate hinder the removal valve device. In the event of a parenthesis is a very complex Ent that can be coupled Take valve device required which the use difficult by standard components.

Trying to overcome such difficulties through the already mentioned S-shaped folding of a simple partition to avoid wall in a single container, in which the An introduction of sampling valve devices from the start fold, leads to an elaborate production method of Container body and an associated expensive Her positional technology.

A multi-chamber container with the characteristics of The preamble of claim 1 also shows US Pat. No. 5,318,203. Here, each individual container is already covered with Tei len provided the sampling valve device, these parts then be coupled together. As in the case of execution Examples of WO 94/19 251 already mentioned are included considered such vessels, which from their head side in Taper towards your bottom part like a tube. The more Chamber container according to US Pat. No. 5,318,203 dispenses with  the content of the two vessels of the same type in this case to mix already in the sampling valve device. It is a common output pipe is provided, which is still out the two components of the Separates vessels from each other and both components during ent merge immediately. For both channels of the off gang tube is a common closure on a folding dec provided.

It is also known (DE-GM 75 32 451), a individual tube-like bodies, each of which is typical Tube screw cap on her tube neck, to an Ag Combine gregat, whereby in a two-man shown each tube has a cross section not quite one Has half circle segment.

The invention lies in relation to the stated state the technology based the task of a multi-chamber container create the general in simple manufacturing and especially with minimal effort in the manufacture of the container body of the multi-chamber container a problem-free closure of the sampling valve device allows.

This task is with a multi-chamber container the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the characteristic features solved.

By the individual vessels and their connection rich are originally originally made in one piece, it is not necessary at first, individual vessels still together connect to. This makes the manufacturing technology special ders simple and cost-saving and can regarding the container terkörpers in a single process step, for. B. by Injection molding (claim 14) or blow molding (claim 15) ge be won. Then only the connection with the Tapping valve device, which in turn prefabricated can be done. The connection can be particularly simple connection technologies are provided (cf. only e.g. An Proverbs 31). In principle, the invention does not end here from the individual vessels through the sampling valve device  or fill a portion of the same; is preferred in However, the scope of the invention provided that the integral The fitting and the removal valve device only together be connected before filling the individual at the bottom NEN vessels are made (especially claims 11 and 12).

The subclaims describe advantageous developments of the invention. Consider the following in particular:
Claims 2 to 9 and 32 describe various preferred spatial shapes of the individual containers, which can have the same container volume but do not have to have it (claim 8).

The multi-chamber container according to the invention has fer ner in a preferred manner a floor-side standing area (cf. Claim 10) and / or a head-side footprint (cf. An claim 21 or claim 30). The arrangement of a floor side stand corresponds to the standard set-up of one Multi-chamber container. The provision of a frontal stand Area is especially useful for this, with only partial Ent emptying the multi-chamber container so "upside down" make sure that the remaining chamber contents towards Ent Take valve device flows or slips, depending on whether it is a liquid or generally flowable gen or a slipping chamber contents delt.

Without restricting generality, Men of the invention, especially chamber contents considered gene that is liquid or at least flowable, such as are slightly or moderately pasty.

Also without restriction of generality who the ge as ingredients, especially cosmetics pulled, such as shower gels (or gels in general), Bath additives, washing shampoos and creams, lotions and the like. the like

The choice of cross-section and the length of each Vessels and, as a result, their volume of content ben from the desired application and the type of ingredients used.  

The invention is particularly suitable and determined for multi-chamber containers with a total content of have at least about 100 cm³ and at most about 1000 cm³, preferred volumes of the total aggregate Chamber contents are in the range of about 200 to 1000 cm³. The scope should still slightly compress from the Hand can be grasped, as this is the maximum for normalized ones liter bottles, like mineral water bottles, is the case. The Container length can then be adjusted accordingly. Be containers with a total chamber volume of one liter particularly preferred.

It is not uncommon in the context of the invention mandatory that the adjacent walls of the individual vessels are in turn flexibly compressible. The compressibility of the outer wall is essential. At injection-molded vessels can therefore under certain circumstances The outer wall is thinner than the neighboring ones Walls if desired for reasons of shape stability is. With blow-molded vessels, the wall thickness of the vessels do not vary very much all around. Nevertheless, you will too for blow-molded vessels the still within the scope of the invention achieve the required dimensional stability. The blow molding bie is a particularly inexpensive process and enables in particular, it fills a filling according to claim 12 to be able to perform while in the case of a Spritzfor mens rather a filling according to claim 11 comes into question.

Claim 19 describes a type of removal valve device, as particularly within the scope of the invention preferred and according to the above description in the Mehrkam container with the features of the generic term known Design is not realized. Which are independent of each other orderly removal openings correspond to the schil derten relatively large structure of multi-chamber according to the invention container and give the user the opportunity to use the individual components of the container either individually white terzuverfahren or the components then one to Mi  spreading surface serving large areas prepare for later distribution.

In particular, two types of Entnah Valve equipment considered, namely according to the Claims 20 to 23 on the one hand and Claims 24 to 30 on the other hand.

The design of a sampling valve device in the sense of claim 20 is to extract the content from a single gene chamber known per se from US Pat. No. 4,964,537. This previously known extraction valve device is, however, on the Special case turned off that the removal opening is centrally located is arranged, while according to claim 19 at least for the further removal opening is excluded, whereby in As a rule, an even distribution of the circumference of the individual Discharge openings according to claim 19 on the end face of the Removal valve device is sought, for. B. in the case of two chambers one with respect to the container axis diagonally ge opposite arrangement or in the case of three chambers one Distribution around the axis at 120 ° intervals, expediently regardless of the sectoral distribution the cross sections of the individual vessels. In other words you can use the discharge openings regardless of the mixture needs of the ingredients so optimally over the appropriate ver front discharge surface of the tapping valve device share that in any case a uniform assignment of the individual components.

The general according to the invention according to claim 19 desired distanced arrangement of the removal openings the sampling valve device offers in the sense of modern Trends of being able to refill containers if possible, too the possibility, for example, even of an original bo Multi-chamber containers filled laterally through the one refill individual discharge openings through what the one carry out individual customer himself with a reasonable amount of time can. This is when a mixing chamber is arranged in the outlet valve arrangement not possible from the start and then,  if in the other known generic case two Ab cuts of a common sampling tube are provided, only with extreme difficulty and the risk of being wrong guided tours possible. Incorrect introductions can already take place during filling to react with the components lead others from the outset the desired effect of the Can destroy the ingredient.

Even with internal overpressure in the vessels open Closing membranes are known per se, and how derum only for removal from a single chamber z. B. according DE-GM 19 05 452.

The invention adapts these previously known types the basic construction of the multi-chamber container according to the invention ters and in doing so, according to claim 24, to the will conventional container emptying tending membrane closure type sure that even with arbitrary compression of the invent multi-chamber container according to the invention by a Sicherheitsver in the end there is no unwanted content delivery.

The invention will now be described more schematically Drawings explained in more detail using two exemplary embodiments.

Show it:

Fig. 1 The integral fitting ( 12 ) in one embodiment, which is provided for receiving the closing membrane ( 3 ) according to claims 24-29, the further shape of the chambers of the vessels is not shown.

FIG. 2 shows the top view of the integral fitting according to FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the removal valve device ( 10 ) which is described in claims 24-29. The integral fitting ( 12 ) corresponds to that as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 5, the two projections ( 34 ) shown on the rotating part ( 32 ) are engaged in the closing membrane ( 3 ).

Fig. 4 shows a top view of the removal valve device ( 10 ). The arrow-shaped signs indicate an embossing on the top, which shows the consumer the removal valve device as a rotating cap.

Fig. 5 shows the bottom view of the removal valve device ( 10 ), on which the arcuate arrangement of the ribs ( 38 ) of the dome-like projections ( 34 ) are shown.

Fig. 6 shows the integral fitting ( 12 ) according to claims 18 and 19.

Fig. 7 shows the integral molding (12) / the stationary part 28. The tripod-like connection of the sealing element 26 to the integral molded part 12 / the stationary part 28 is shown

Fig. 8 shows the closure part 22 , in supervision.

Fig. 9 shows the closure part 22 in side view.

Fig. 10 shows the rotating part 32 in supervision.

Fig. 11 shows the rotary member 32 in side view.

Fig. 12 shows the removal valve device 10 according to claims 20-23, the integral fitting 12 , the stationary part 28 according to the claims 18 and 19. The removal valve device is shown in the open form, so that the outlet opening ( 24 ) is in operation.

FIG. 13 shows the removal valve device from FIG. 12 in the closed position. In this case, the sealing element 26 is pushed into the outlet opening 24 on the stationary part 28 , so that a closure takes place.

Fig. 14 shows the formation of a closure cap 14 with a bottom-side arrangement of a filling nipple sixteenth

Fig. 15 shows the formation of a closure cap 14 at the bottom side of the disposed filling nipple 16 is welded in accordance with claim 13 and reset.

Reference list

2 chamber
4 vessel
6 connection area
8 passage opening
10 sampling valve device
12 fitting
14 sealing cover
16 filling nipples
18 removal opening
20 rotating ring
22 closure part
24 outlet opening
26 sealing element
28 stationary part
30 closing membrane
32 turned part
34 tabs
36 guide surface
38 ribs

Claims (32)

1. multi-chamber container, in which two or more chambers ( 2 ) are each formed by a separate vessel ( 4 ) with mutually separate side walls and mutually separate bottom parts, outer side wall parts of the vessels ( 4 ) describing a common, compressible scope of the multi-chamber container, and the head parts of the individual vessels ( 4 ) are connected to one another in a connection area ( 6 ), each with a passage opening ( 8 ) from the respective inner space of the individual vessels ( 4 ) through the connection area ( 6 ) to one of the vessels ( 4 ) common Entnahmeven valve device ( 10 ) is provided, characterized in that the individual vessels ( 4 ) and their connecting region ( 6 ) are formed by an integral molding ( 12 ). 2. Multi-chamber container according to claim 1, characterized records that the circumference of the multi-chamber container axially symmetrical is arranged trically. 3. Multi-chamber container according to claim 2, characterized records that the circumference of the multi-chamber container is circular or oval. 4. Multi-chamber container according to claim 2, characterized records that the circumference of the multi-chamber container is square or elongated rectangular.   5. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the individual vessels ( 4 ) are distributed sectorally over the circumference of the multi-chamber container. 6. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that all vessels ( 4 ) are of equal length. 7. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that all vessels ( 4 ) have the same cross-sectional area. 8. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least two vessels ( 4 ) have uneven cross-sectional areas. 9. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that only two or three vessels ( 4 ) are seen before. 10. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom parts of the individual vessels ( 4 ) form a common footprint of the multi-chamber container. 11. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bottom parts of the individual vessels ( 4 ) each have a closure lid ( 14 ) which can be provided after the bottom side filling of the vessels ( 4 ). 12. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bottom parts of the individual vessels ( 4 ) each have a compressible, preferably weldable, filling nipple ( 16 ) after the bottom side filling of the vessels ( 4 ). 13. Multi-chamber container according to claim 10 and claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the respective closure lid ( 14 ) or the respective welded filling nipple ( 16 ) is arranged to be reset relative to the common footprint of the container. 14. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the integral molding ( 12 ) is an injection molded part. 15. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the integral molding ( 12 ) is a blow molding. 16. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the integral molded part ( 12 ) consists of a plastic, preferably an injection or blowable plastic, most preferably based on PE or PP. 17. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the integral molded part ( 12 ) forms a flat connection surface on the removal valve device ( 10 ) on the end face of its connecting region. 18. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the integral fitting ( 12 ) on the end face of its connecting region forms an axially stepped connection surface on the removal valve device ( 10 ). 19. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the through openings ( 8 ) of the individual vessels ( 4 ) through the removal valve device ( 10 ) communicate with separate, independently arranged removal openings ( 18 ). 20. Multi-chamber container according to claim 19, characterized in that the removal openings ( 18 ) of the Entnahmeventilein direction ( 10 ) through an rotating ring ( 20 ) actuated axially displaceable closure part ( 22 ) can be opened and closed. 21. Multi-chamber container according to claim 19, characterized in that the closure part ( 22 ) forms a head-side stand surface of the multi-chamber container and each have an annular outlet opening ( 24 ) around a central sealing element ( 26 ) of a stationary part ( 28 ) of the removal valve device ( 10 ) controls. 22. Multi-chamber container according to claim 21, characterized in that the rotary ring ( 20 ) is in threaded engagement with the sta tionary part ( 28 ) of the removal valve device ( 10 ). 23. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the rotary ring ( 20 ) and the United closure part ( 22 ) are axially displaceable together. 24. Multi-chamber container according to claim 19, characterized in that the removal openings ( 18 ) are each provided with a closing membrane ( 30 ) which can be opened by internal overpressure in the vessels ( 4 ), and in that the removal valve device ( 10 ) has a rotating part ( 32 is provided) having inwardly directed projections (34) in a removal Stel the extraction valve means (10) lung machines with the Schließmembra (30) are disengaged and such membranes in a safety position of the extraction valve means (10) with the Schließmem ( 30 ) are engaged so that in the event of internal overpressure in the vessels ( 4 ), opening of the closing membranes ( 30 ) is blocked. 25. Multi-chamber container according to claim 24, characterized in that the projections ( 34 ) engage in the closing position in the closing membranes ( 30 ). 26. Multi-chamber container according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the projections ( 34 ) along guide surfaces ( 36 ) in and out of engagement with the closing membranes ( 30 ) can be brought bar. 27. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the projections ( 34 ) are divided into at least two, preferably a plurality, of ribs ( 38 ), which are arranged in a circular arc concentrically on the rotating part ( 32 ), that they come with and narrow engagement with the closing membranes ( 30 ) and out of engagement. 28. Multi-chamber container according to claim 27, characterized in that the narrow end faces of the projections ( 34 ) are provided with chamfers. 29. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that the top of the projections ( 34 ) has a common spherical surface. 30. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the rotating part ( 32 ) forms an end face of the multi-chamber container, on the outside of the removal openings ( 18 ) and on the inside the projections ( 34 ) with respect to the axis of the rotating part ( 32 ) are arranged in the circumferential direction against each other. 31. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the integral fitting ( 12 ) and the removal valve device ( 10 ) by deformation of one of these two parts, preferably the integral fitting, are tightly connected to one another. 32. Multi-chamber container according to one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that the cross section of the respective Ge vessel ( 4 ) remains the same over its length.