EP1188679B1 - Automatic closure for an elastic deformable container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an automatic closure for elastically deformable, tube-like or bottle-like, a dispenser necked container of paste-like or liquid media having a discharge opening in an end wall of a hood cover and arranged by a movable in the axial direction of the discharge opening, plug-like Closing member is closed from the inside, wherein the hood lid can be placed on a dispenser neck Housing is arranged and wherein the closing member Part of an elastic membrane wall of a total made of elastic material hood-like Hollow body is that with an at least approximately cylindrical Wall section an inner ring wall one through a bottom enclosed chamber enclosing inside a medium flowed through the cavity of the housing arranged and by at least one ventilation duct with the environment is connected, which in a radial walkway is arranged, which the inner ring wall with the housing combines.

A closure of the generic type is already out of the WO 99/07614 (PCT / GB 98/02326).

With such closures, the output of the medium thereby becomes causes pressure on the side walls of the Container inside the container an overpressure is generated, which also affects the membrane wall and causes it the closing member of the discharge opening of the hood cover to remove, so that the medium through this Issue opening can escape. When the output process is finished and the manual pressure on the housing wall no longer exists, should the housing wall due to their elastic return forces back to their original Return shape. But at the same time it becomes the volume the interior again increased so that outside air in the Interior must flow, so that an atmospheric Pressure equalization can take place.

Depending on the nature of the contents of the container forming Medium and / or the plastic restoring forces the container wall, it may be necessary with the the medium filled interior of the container or the Additionally ventilate the closure after a dispensing operation, thus the container or its depressed side walls quickly return to its original shape can or can.

To take this circumstance into account, is at a closure similar to the generic species described in WO 00/07900 (PCT / GB 99/02522), an additional One-way valve for ventilation of the interior of the container intended. This one-way valve consists of a separate axially movable closing element and one in the bottom arranged the chamber formed by the inner annular wall Passage opening. The closing member has a annular closing surface which sealingly on a mating surface the passage opening of the bottom rests when exerted a corresponding pressure on the closing member which, for example, when 'forming the container during an output process.

This axially movable closing member is by finger-like Holder guided and limited in its axial movement. It consists of a dimensionally stable, so non-elastic material and can only be moved as a whole become. It is always completely out of the issue Medium enclosed. At certain viscosities of the medium can question its reliability be. If only small amounts of the medium at End or at the beginning of a dispensing operation on the valve seat surface or about this in the interior of the chamber arrive, this can have the consequence that the functionality the entire lock is lost.

In addition, the closing member of this one-way valve additional component to be produced separately, the must be retrofitted and thus as an additional Cost factor is included in the production costs.

The invention is based on the object, a closure of the type mentioned above, in which the at weak restoring forces of the elastic container walls required suction ventilation of the container by a simple both in terms of manufacture and assembly inexpensive valve assembly is achieved, the at the same time ensures that the medium in the container or in the case of the closure under any circumstances in the Chamber or enter a ventilation duct.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the inner ring wall surrounded by a second annular wall is that forms an annular groove with the inner annular wall, in that the annular groove has at least one axial ventilation opening having the ventilation duct with the of the second annular wall enclosing cavity connects, and that the cylindrical wall portion of the hood-like Hollow body is provided with an elastic lip, which the ventilation opening with the function of a one-way valve separates from the cavity.

By the invention is an automatic closure of created generic type, which also provides ventilation the container interior or the closure body interior allows, however, the one-way valve on the one hand no additional component required and no caused additional installation costs and in which the Guaranteed functional reliability to a much greater extent is as in the known one-way valve, because the elastic lip only partially and minimally of their counter surface lifts off, if really atmospheric Air through the closed by the lip opening in the Interior flows. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of claims 2 to 8.

With reference to the drawing, the invention will be described in more detail below explained.

Fig. 1

eine Schnittdarstellung gemäß der Schnittlinie I-I aus Fig. 2 eines selbsttätig schließenden Verschlusses für elastisch verformbare, tubenartige oder flaschenartige Behälter mit einem Ausgabehals;

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt II-II aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt III-III aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

das Gehäuse als Einzelteil im Schnitt gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

die untere Stirnansicht V aus Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

den Haubendeckel als Einzelteil im Schnitt gemäß Fig. 1

Fig. 7

einen gegenüber der Fig. 1 um 90° versetzten Schnitt VII-VII aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 8

einen Schnitt VIII-VIII aus Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

einen Schnitt IX-IX aus Fig. 7;

Fig. 10

den das Schließorgan und die elastische Membranwand umfassenden haubenartigen Hohlkörper als Einzelteil im Schnitt;

Fig. 11

eine Ansicht XI aus Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

einen Teilschnitt XII-XII aus Fig. 8;

Fig. 13

den inneren Teil des Gehäuses in vergrößerter Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 14

einen Schnitt XIV-XIV aus Fig. 13;

Fig. 15

eine Seitenansicht XV der Fig. 14;

Fig. 16

einen Schnitt XVI-XVI aus Fig. 14;

Fig. 17

den das Schließorgan und die elastische Membranwand sowie die Lippe umfassenden Hohlkörper aus Fig. 13 als Einzelteil im Schnitt;

Fig. 18

einen Schnitt XVIII-XVIII aus Fig. 17;

Fig. 19

die gleiche Schnittdarstellung wie Fig. 18, jedoch mit einer anderen Lippenform.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a sectional view along the section line II of Figure 2 of an automatically closing closure for elastically deformable, tube-like or bottle-like container with a Ausgabehals.

Fig. 2

a section II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

a section III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

the housing as a single part in section according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 5

the lower end view V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

the hood cover as a single part in section according to FIG. 1

Fig. 7

a comparison with Figure 1 by 90 ° offset section VII-VII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8

a section VIII-VIII of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

a section IX-IX of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10

the hood-like hollow body comprising the closing member and the elastic membrane wall as an individual part in section;

Fig. 11

a view XI of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

a partial section XII-XII of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13

the inner part of the housing in an enlarged sectional view;

Fig. 14

a section XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

Fig. 15

a side view XV of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16

a section XVI-XVI of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17

the closure member and the elastic membrane wall and the lip comprising hollow body of Figure 13 as an individual part in section.

Fig. 18

a section XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19

the same sectional view as FIG. 18, but with a different lip shape.

The automatic closure 1 is elastically deformable, Tubular or bottle-like containers (not shown) of pasty or liquid media, the one indicated only in phantom lines issue neck 2 have.

In an end wall 3 of a hood cover 4 is central a discharge opening 5 arranged on the inside the end wall 3 has a conical collar 6.

This discharge port 5 is through in the direction of the axis 7 of the discharge opening 5 axially movable, elastic, plug-like closure member 8 closed. This as hollow nipple trained closing member 8 is one piece Part of an elastic radial membrane wall 9 a total of elastic material hood-like Hollow body 10. This hollow body 10 has a integrally formed on the membrane wall 9 cylindrical Wall section 11 on (Fig. 7), which mounted in the Condition a dimensionally stable inner cylindrical annular wall 12th sealingly encloses. This inner ring wall 12 is with a closed bottom 13 and forms the radial Boundary of a chamber 15, the upper limit of the Membrane wall 9 forms with the closing member 8.

This inner annular wall 12 is of a second annular wall 16 surrounded, with the inner ring wall 12 an annular groove 17 forms and the axially almost to the end wall 3 of the Hood cover 4 comes up.

The second annular wall 16 is over a total of four radial webs 18, 19, 20 and 21 in integral connection with an outer cylindrical annular wall 22 of a total hollow cylindrical housing 23, the lower part 24 as Threaded sleeve formed with an internal thread 25 and thus for screwing onto a dispensing neck 2 of a bottle or tube-like container is suitable. How to it is also possible, instead of the one provided here Screw thread other fasteners, such as e.g. Provide snap devices or locking devices.

The radial webs 18, 19, 20 and 21 are above the internal thread 25 arranged approximately halfway up the housing 23. In the two radial webs 20 and 21, something wider and higher than the radial webs 18 and 19 are located There are ventilation channels 28 and 29, which the chamber 15 connect with the atmosphere. In addition, these are Ventilation channels 28 and 29 through axial ventilation openings 30 and 31 with the annular groove 17 in conjunction. These vents FIGS. 30 and 31 are best in FIGS and 16 recognizable.

For closing these ventilation openings 30 and 31 is the cylindrical wall portion 11 of the closing member also 8 and the membrane wall 9 integrally comprising hollow body 10 either with two diametrically opposite ones tongue-like lips 32 and 33 shown in FIG. 19 or with a ring lip 34 of FIG. 17 and 18th provided flat on the bottom surface 36 (Fig. 4) of Rest ring groove 17.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive the annular wall 11 of the hollow body 10 at its lower edge with a truncated cone radially projecting annular lip 35 provided. This annular lip 35 is not on the plane flat bottom surface 36 of the annular groove 17. Instead it lies with its outer edge 37 elastic sealing on the inner surface of the second annular wall 16 to on this way the function of a one-way vent valve In case of overpressure, this will give access to the ventilation openings 30 and 31 includes and at negative pressure Afterflow of atmospheric air from the ventilation channels 28 and 29 in the hollow body 10 surrounding Cavity 27 allows. In the same way in principle also work the lips 32 and 33 and the ring lip 34. The only difference is that these Lips 32 and 33 and the annular lip 34 their closing function by even resting on the flat floor surface exert the annular groove 17.

From Figs. 1, 2, 7, 13, 14 and 16 it can be seen that the ventilation channels 28 and 29 respectively within the inner Ring wall 12 in the chamber 15 ends, so that the chamber 15 constantly communicating with the atmosphere and the volume of the chamber 15 at the opening and Closing movements of the closing member 8 without pressure change can change.

As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 7, the hood cover 4 on the inside of its end wall 3 a the inner surface of the annular wall 22 of the housing 23 sealing adjacent sealing ring 40, which also has the shape a conical lip has.

The annular wall 16 of the housing 23 is of an annular Closing wall 42 of the hood cover 4 enclosed.

In this case, both the annular wall 16 of the housing 23 as also the closure wall 42 of the hood cover 4 sector-like Breakthroughs 45 and 46 or 47 and 48, by corresponding rotational movements of the hood cover 4 to the common axis 7 on the housing 23 with each other in Overlapping can be brought to either of the annular wall 16 enclosed cavity 27 of the between the annular wall 22 of the housing 23 and the closure wall 42 lying annular chamber 44 to separate or with this connect to.

With the help of the rotatable mounting of the hood cover 4 the housing 23 and the apertures 45 to 48 in the two closely or sealingly enclosing cylindrical Walls 16 and 42 it is possible to have an extra Separation of the container contents of the with the discharge opening 5 communicating cavity 27, what additional security against unwanted Leakage of the medium represents.

The hood cover 4 is concentric for this purpose Arrangement for the two concentric ring walls 11 and 16 to those with the axis 7 of the discharge opening 5 coincident housing axis rotatably mounted on the housing 23 stored.

The angle β of the hood cover 4 is by accordingly arranged rotational limiters 50 and 51 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5) limited to a dimension that is greater than the opening angle α (Fig. 3 and 5) of the two openings 47 and 48 of the Ring wall 16, where it can be assumed that the Breakthroughs 45 and 46 of the closure wall 42 at least approximately have the same opening angle.

Conveniently, the opening angle α is about 50 ° and the maximum rotation angle β about 90 °.

The Drehbegrenzer 50 and 51 consist of inwardly projecting Stop ribs, which in sector-like annular grooves 52 and 53 of the annular wall 22 of the housing 23 engage. These annular grooves each extend over the center angle β, the rotational movement of the hood cover 4 the housing 23 allowed by about 90 °.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 and 7 and 8 is the turn restrictors 50 and 51 on the inside arranged a cylindrical coupling wall 56, the one-piece on the inside of the end wall 3 of the hood cover 4 concentric with the common axis 7 formed is. This coupling wall 56 is at its lower Edge with a radially inner ring-like Rastnokken 49 provided which in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 3 circumferentially closed in itself and a radial projecting annular collar 57 of the housing 23 engages under latching.

To the ending within this coupling wall 56 ventilation channels 28 and 29 a trouble-free connection to Outside atmosphere to provide the collar 57 is at least at one point, preferably at two diametrically opposite points by corresponding recesses 58 and 59 (Figures 4 and 5) interrupted.

Instead of these recesses 58 and 59 on the annular collar 57th can also the coupling wall 56 shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 provided with slot-shaped recesses 54 and / or 55 be. The annular collar 57 can in this case circulating in to be closed.

The annular outer wall 60 of the hood cover 4 can be slightly conical or cylindrical. How out Figs. 1 and 7 it can be seen, has the end wall. 3 the hood cover 4 a concave shape.

Since the operation of the closing member 8 from the state The technique is well known on the description be waived at this point.

In Figs. 3 and 8, the closed position of the hood cover 4 shown. One recognizes that the breakthroughs 45 and 46 of the closure wall 42 with respect to the openings 47 and 48 of the annular wall 16 are offset by 90 °.

In contrast, in FIGS. 2 and 9, the rotational position of Hood cover 4 shown, in which the breakthroughs 45 and 46 of the closure wall 42 with the openings 47th and 48 of the annular wall 16 are in overlap, so that the Cavity 27 communicates with the annular chamber 44 and the medium from the container, not shown by the Output neck 2 and between the radial webs 18 to 21 lying ring sector-like passage openings 38 in the Ring chamber 44 and from there into the cavity 27 pass can. From the cavity 27, then the medium, if a appropriate overpressure is built, which is the Closing member 8 in downward movement from the discharge opening 5 moved out, exit through the discharge opening 5.

During the existence of this overpressure, the vents are 30 and 31 of the annular groove 17 either by the lips 32 and 33 and the annular lip 34 closed or in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 11 by the Ring lip 35 separated from the cavity 27.

Only when the manually pressed container wall back in their home position returns, is through the ventilation channels 28 and 29 outside air into both the chamber 15th as sucked into the annular groove 17. This ventilation both the chamber 15 and the annular groove 17 allows one hand a quick closing of the discharge opening 5 through the closing member 8 as well as a quick return the container wall in its normal position.

Claims (8)

1. Automatic closure for an elastic deformable, tubular or bottle-shaped container with an outlet neck for paste-like or liquid media having an outlet opening (5), which is situated in an end face (3) of a cap lid and can be closed from the inside by means of a plug-like closing element (8) which moves in the axial direction of the outlet opening, wherein the cap lid (4) is situated on a housing which can be placed on the outlet neck (2), and wherein the closing element (8) is a component of an elastic membrane wall (9) of a dome-shaped hollow body (10) made completely of an elastic material, which hollow body by means of an at least approximately cylindrical wall section (11) encloses an inner annular wall (12) of a chamber (15) sealed off by a base (13), which chamber is arranged inside a hollow chamber of the housing through which medium flows and is connected by at least one ventilation channel to the environment, the ventilation channel being situated in a radial web, which joins the inner annular wall (12) to the housing, characterised in that
   the inner annular wall is surrounded by a second annular wall, which with the inner annular wall (12) forms a circular groove (17), in that the circular groove (17) comprises at least one axial ventilation opening (30, 31), which connects the ventilation channel (28, 29) with the hollow chamber (27) surrounded by the second annular wall (16), and in that the cylindrical wall section (11) of the dome-shaped hollow body (10) is provided with an elastic lip (32, 33, 34, 35) which separates the ventilation opening (30, 31) with the function of a one-way valve from the hollow chamber (27).
2. Closure according to claim I, characterised in that the lip is designed as an orbital annular lip (34) and both in a state of rest and under excess pressure forms a seals all the way around with a base surface (36) of the circular groove (17), and with low pressure in the hollow chamber (27) allows air to flow into the hollow chamber (27).
3. Closure according to claim 1, characterised in that the lip is designed as an annular lip (35) projecting radially outwards like a truncated cone, and in both a state of rest and under excess pressure in the hollow chamber (27) forms a seal all around with second annular wall (16), and with low pressure in the hollow chamber (27) allows air to flow into the hollow chamber (27).
4. Closure according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the second annular wall (16) comprises radial openings axially outside of the annular lip (34, 35) through which the hollow chamber (27) surrounded thereby is connected to an annular chamber (42) surrounding the second annular wall (16), which annular chamber is itself connected with the inner chamber of a connection point (24) which can be placed onto the outlet neck (2) of the container or rather in an assembled state is connected to the outlet neck (2) of the container.
5. Closure according to claim 4, characterised in that the cap lid (4) is arranged rotatably on the housing (23) about the common axis (7) in an concentric arrangement relative to the two concentric annular walls (11, 16, 20), and has a ring-shaped sealing wall which seals around the second annular wall (16) and comprises openings (45, 46) which by rotating the cap lid (4) can be made to overlap the openings (47, 48) of the second annular wall, in order to connect the annular chamber (44) with the hollow chamber (27) inside the second annular wall (16) or to separate it from the latter.
6. Closure according to claim 5, characterised in that the angle of rotation of the cap lid (4) is delimited by suitably positioned rotation delimiters (50, 51) by a degree (β) which is greater than the opening angle (α) of the opening (47, 48) of the second annular wall (16) that is greatest in circumferential direction.
7. Closure according to claim 5, characterised in that the cap lid (4) is provided with a sealing ring (40) which forms a seal with the inner surface of a cylindrical housing wall (22) of the housing (23).
8. Closure according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the cap lid (4) is secured to the housing (23) by means of a cylindrical coupling wall (56) or by means of ring-sector like coupling wall elements, which comprise radially inner locking catches (49) and the latter undergrip a radially projecting annular flange (57) of the housing (23).

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