CONTAINER CLOSURE AND CONTAINER

Abstract

The invention relates to a container and to a container closure (100). The container closure (100) comprises a main body (1) for fastening to a container, and a metering unit (2) for the metered dispensing of a liquid. The metering unit (2) has a metering body (4) comprising a discharge opening (21), and has a channel (22) adjoining the discharge opening (21). The channel (22) extends in the direction of the container and forms, together with the metering unit (2), an annular groove (23). A metering cap (3) is arranged on the metering unit (2). A metering cap (3) closes the annular groove (23) to form an annular volume (V). The annular volume (V) is connected to a buffer volume (27) by a first opening (24) and to the channel (22) by a second opening (25). The first opening (24) and the second opening are arranged such that any liquid that flows from the first opening (24) to the second opening (25) passes through the annular volume (V), at least along a portion of the annular volume (V), in a direction around the channel (22).

Description

The present invention relates to a container closure and a container according to the preamble of the independent claims.

Different closures for containers are known from the prior art. A container closure is an element suitable for closing off a container in which, for example, a food item is stored. Container closures of containers for liquid or pasty foods are preferably designed in such a way that the respective foodstuff can be dispensed through these closures. Such container closures are often found on containers for sauces such as ketchup or the like.

A generic container closure has become known with DE 201 12 974 U1. This utility model discloses a container closure with a closure cap and a discharge opening. An inner cap is arranged inside the closure cap and has a lateral opening through which the liquid to be discharged enters the inner cap and is discharged from the inner cap directly through the outlet opening.

In order to prevent uncontrolled outflow, a sealing lip is arranged in the lateral opening. The production of this movable sealing lip is complex. Movable sealing lips are also susceptible to malmanipulations. As soon as the sealing lip has a malfunction, it must be cleaned in a complex manner and repaired accordingly so that further metering of the liquid to be discharged is possible. Sealing lips also require an increased initial pressure to release a corresponding opening. Due to a sudden decrease in resistance, this often leads to undesirably high discharge amounts of the liquid.

US 2017/0057709 A1 discloses a container closure for metering individual drops of a liquid. This has a complicated labyrinth of channels, which in turn makes it necessary for a relatively long or high design of the container closure and is not particularly suitable for the output of pasty liquids, such as ketchup.

It is the task of the invention to eliminate one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a container closure and a container are to be created with which metered dispensing of a liquid, in particular a thick liquid, is easily possible and which is in particular easy to manufacture.

This object is solved by the devices defined in the independent claims. Further embodiments result from the dependent claims.

A container closure according to the invention comprises a main body for fastening to a container and a metering unit for metered dispensing of a liquid. In other words, the metering unit comprises those elements that enable metering. The metering unit has a metering body with a discharge opening. The metering unit also has a channel adjacent to the discharge opening. This channel extends in the direction of the container, in other words towards the container interior, and forms an annular groove with the metering unit. The annular channel is completely formed in the metering unit. The annular groove is preferably formed in the metering body. A metering cap is arranged on the metering body.

The channel is preferably formed by a wall extending in the direction of the container. This wall is preferably designed as a wall surrounding the circumference, in particular as a section of a pipe or tubular. In particular, the metering unit is formed from the metering cap and the metering body.

The metering cap closes the annular groove to form an annular volume. The annular volume is connected to a buffer volume with a first opening, in particular directly, and is connected to the channel with a second opening, in particular directly.

In this arrangement, the annular volume is thus formed, in particular completely, in the metering unit and by the elements of the metering unit, namely the metering cap and the metering body, and is thus formed independently and without interaction with a container.

The discharge opening defines a substantially central axis which extends from the container interior to the outside through the discharge opening. In the case of containers having a circular cross-section, it typically coincides with a longitudinal axis of the container if the metering opening is arranged centrally. When the metering opening is arranged in a decentralized manner and/or in the case of containers with non-uniform cross-sections, the central axis runs collinearly to the container axis through the metering opening.

The first opening and the second opening are arranged in such a way that all liquid flowing from the first opening to the second opening passes through the annular volume at least along a section of the annular volume in one direction around the channel, in particular on a circular path around the central axis. The liquid flows through the annular volume from the first opening in the direction of the second opening, as a whole in particular in a spiral shape. In other words, the liquid passes through the metering unit from its periphery in the direction toward the center.

The passage through the annular volume of the liquid has several effects. On the one hand, the liquid is deflected several times between the inside of the container and the discharge opening, and on the other hand, this ensures that the liquid runs along an inner surface that defines the volume and is accordingly subjected to a certain amount of friction. This is of particular advantage, since the liquid is correspondingly decelerated.

Simple metering of the liquid to be carried out is thereby made possible and independent leakage of the liquid from the container is at least partially prevented.

The provision of a buffer volume ensures that enough liquid to be dispensed is stored downstream from the first opening. In addition, pressure peaks while using the container can be reduced by this buffer volume. The discharge of the liquid from the container is thereby additionally homogenized.

The liquid is preferably a thick or pasty liquid, in particular ketchup.

The extension of the channel in the direction of the container and the respective references between elements of the container closure and the container respectively relate to directions and references between the container closure and the container in the generic use of the container closure.

The metering body is preferably arranged on the main body. In such a configuration, the main body forms a closure of the container together with the metering body. This makes it possible to insert the same metering body into different main bodies, each of which is adapted to different containers. It may be provided that the metering body is formed as an integral part of the metering unit.

Overall, this configuration enables the container closure to be formed with a low structural height.

The buffer volume can be separated from the container interior by the metering cap.

This enables simple and cost-effective production.

To connect the buffer volume to the container interior, it can be provided to provide at least one third opening in the metering cap.

The buffer volume can be filled with liquid from the container interior through this third opening. Four third openings are preferably arranged.

A partition can be arranged in the annular volume for preventing a direct connection between the first opening and the second opening.

This increases on the one hand the resistance to the flow of the liquid, on the other hand the path that the liquid must travel from the first opening to the second opening is increased. This also increases the frictional resistance of the liquid in the container closure. Undesired or overly smooth leakage of the liquid from the container can be effectively prevented.

The first opening may be arranged at a distance from the second opening in an axial direction of the channel.

This arrangement also increases the resistance to the flow of the liquid.

The axial direction of the channel is essentially defined by the outlet direction of the liquid from the channel. The axial direction of the channel preferably corresponds to the direction from the container interior to the container closure.

The second opening may be formed within the channel.

This allows for the simple and precise production of the second opening.

The first opening may be formed within the metering body.

The metering body can be manufactured simply and precisely.

The metering body can have a wall to form the annular groove.

By forming the channel in or on the dosing body, for example, the container closure can be adapted to the corresponding material to be dispensed, in other words to the corresponding liquid to be dispensed, by simply exchanging or manufacturing the dosing body correspondingly.

The metering cap can have a projection for engaging in a corresponding depression on the metering unit, in particular on the metering body.

As a result, the metering cap can be connected to the metering unit easily and reliably. The projection and the depression can in particular be designed as a snap connection.

The container closure may have a closure cap. This is preferably connected to the main body in an articulated manner. The closure cap can in particular have a closure pin for closing the discharge opening.

This allows the container to be closed securely and in an airtight manner, for example.

The main body and the metering body can be formed in one piece.

This enables simple production, for example as an injection-molded part.

The cross-section of the second opening and/or the cross-section of the first opening is less than 50%, in particular less than 40% and preferably less than 30% of the cross-section of the channel.

This ensures that the flow velocity of the liquid decreases as the liquid is discharged from the first and/or second opening downstream in the direction of the channel and correspondingly in the direction of the discharge opening.

This facilitates the metering of the liquid.

In particular, the container closure has no movable or flexible sealing elements, i.e. is free of them.

Both the production and the use of the container closure are facilitated.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a container comprising a container closure as described herein.

This makes it possible to provide a container with a closure which is specifically aligned with a corresponding liquid to be filled into the container. In particular, the finished product can be provided including the liquid.

The container is preferably flexible.

This enables the container to be compressed and thus a corresponding metering of the liquid and a corresponding discharge of the liquid.

Several embodiments of a container closure are explained with reference to the figures. In the figures:

FIG. 1: shows a perspective view of a container closure;

FIG. 2: shows the container closure according to FIG. 1 with an open closure cap;

FIG. 3: shows a sectional view of the container closure according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4: shows a bottom view of the container closure according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5: shows the view according to FIG. 4 without a metering cap.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container closure 100. The container closure 100 has a main body 1. A closure cap 5 is arranged on the main body 1 and is connected in an articulated manner to the main body 1 by means of a joint 101 (see FIG. 2). Located opposite the joint 101 is a projection 102 with which the closure cap 5 can be lifted off the main body 1. The container closure 100 can thus be unfolded. After unfolding, the container closure 5 releases a discharge opening 21, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows the container closure 100 according to FIG. 1 in an unfolded state. A metering unit 2 is arranged within the main body 1. In the view according to FIG. 2, the discharge opening 21 for discharging a liquid is arranged at the top of the metering unit 2. During use of a container with the container closure 100, the discharge opening 21 points downward, that is to say in the opposite direction as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, in generic use, the container closure 100 is in a head position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main body 1, the closure cap 5 and the metering unit 2 are formed together in one piece.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the container closure 100 according to FIG. 1, namely a sectional view through the metering unit 2 according to FIG. 2. It can be seen that the metering body 4 of the metering unit 2 and the main body 1 are designed in one piece. The main body 1 has a thread 103 with which the container closure 100 can be screwed onto an opening of a container (not shown here) and thus wears it. Alternatively, a snap connection can be provided. Accordingly, the container closure 100 is connected to a container interior 201. The metering unit 2 is arranged centrally in the main body 1 of the thread 103. The metering unit 2 has a metering body 4 which is designed in one piece with the main body 1. The metering unit 2 comprises a metering cap 3 which is arranged on the metering body 4, in particular in a fluid-tight and non-detachable manner. In this embodiment, the discharge opening 21 of the metering unit 2 is arranged on the metering body 4. The discharge opening 21 extends toward the container interior 201 with a channel 22 adjoining this discharge opening 21. The discharge opening 21 is closed by a closure pin 51, which is arranged on the closure cap 5. The discharge opening 21 is released by unfolding the closure cap 5. Liquid, such as ketchup, can be discharged to the outside of the container interior 201 through the discharge opening 21. This defines the exit direction or also the discharge direction. This discharge direction corresponds to an axial direction R. The channel 22 extends in this axial direction R from the container interior 201 toward the container closure 100.

The metering unit 2 has a discharge opening 21 that extends in the direction of a container interior 201 with a channel 22 adjoining this discharge opening 21. The channel 22 is substantially tubular or designed as a section of a pipe. It has a wall surrounding a central axis and opens into the discharge opening 21. The metering unit 2 has a separately designed wall 41 which extends like the channel 22 in the direction of the container interior 201. The channel 22 and the wall 41 form an annular groove 23, which can be better seen in FIG. 5.

The metering unit 2 has a metering cap 3 that is arranged on the metering body 4 and engages over the wall 41 and closes off the channel 22 from the container interior 201. Accordingly, by installing the metering cap 3, the annular groove 23 is closed to form an annular volume V. The annular volume V forms a Torus with a substantially rectangular cross-section which is interrupted only by a partition 26 shown in FIG. 5. The annular volume V extends substantially along a circular path around the central axis. This annular volume V is directly and immediately connected to a buffer volume 27 through a first opening 24 (see FIG. 5). This annular volume V is likewise directly and immediately connected to the channel 22 through the second opening 25.

In the present case, the metering cap 3 extends beyond the wall 41 so that the buffer volume 27 is formed circumferentially around the wall 41. The metering cap 3 is connected to the metering unit 2. In the present case, the projections 37 engage in corresponding recesses in the metering unit 2. The projections 37 and the recesses are configured as a snap connection. The buffer volume 27 is therefore closed off from the container interior 201 by the metering cap 3.

As already explained, the buffer volume 27 is connected to the first opening 24 with the annular volume V. This in turn is connected to the channel 22 via the second opening 25. Liquid to be dispensed can therefore be supplied from the buffer volume 27 into the annular volume V, wherein it runs in a direction around the channel 22 in this annular volume V.

On the one hand, the liquid is deflected along a circular path in the annular volume V and flows along surfaces of the annular volume V and is thereby decelerated. The liquid is additionally decelerated by the multiple deflection at the partition wall 26 and at the channel 22. This deceleration is constant over the course of discharging the liquid. A sudden and undesirable change in the resistance when the liquid is discharged is prevented, in particular because a flexible membrane or sealing lip is dispensed with.

The buffer volume 27 additionally allows the liquid to be buffered before being dispensed, and pressure peaks can be reduced by this volume.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the container closure 100 according to FIG. 1. It can be seen that four third openings 36 are arranged in the metering cap 3. Through these third openings 36, the liquid can flow from the container interior 201 into the buffer volume 27. This is illustrated by the arrows P1.

FIG. 5 shows the view according to FIG. 4 without a metering cap in order to represent the flow in the annular volume V. As discussed in FIG. 4, the buffer volume 27 is filled from the container interior.

To discharge a liquid from the container interior 201 outwards through the discharge opening 21, the flexible container (not shown here) is deformed so that the volume of the container interior 201 is reduced. The liquid flows through the third openings 36 into the buffer volume 27. This is illustrated by the arrows P1. From the buffer volume 27, the liquid flows through the first opening 24 into the annular volume V. All liquid then flows along a portion of the annular volume V in a direction around the channel 22. In this example, the liquid flows circularly in the annular volume V around the central axis. This is illustrated by the arrow P2. As soon as the liquid reaches the partition wall 26, it is deflected in the direction of the center of the metering unit and then in the axial direction R. These two movements are partly superimposed. The liquid now flows in the axial direction R into the channel 22 and exits from the discharge opening 21.

On the one hand, the liquid is deflected along a circular path in the annular volume V and flows along surfaces of the annular volume V and is thereby decelerated. The liquid is additionally decelerated by the deflection in the region of the partition wall 26 and at the channel 22. This deceleration is constant over the course of discharging the liquid. A sudden and undesirable change in the resistance when the liquid is discharged is prevented, in particular because a flexible membrane or sealing lip is dispensed with. The flow is additionally homogenized by the buffer volume 27, and pressure peaks can be absorbed.

Claims

16. A container closure (100) comprising: a main body (1) for fastening to a container,a metering unit (2) for the metered dispensing of a liquid, whereinthe metering unit (2) has a metering body (4) having a discharge opening (21) and a channel (22) which adjoins the discharge opening (21) and extends in the direction of the container and forms an annular channel (23) with the metering unit (2), whereina metering cap (3) is arranged on the metering body (4), whereinthe metering cap (3) closes the annular channel (23) to form an annular volume (V), wherein the annular volume (V) is connected by a first opening (24) to a buffer volume (27) and by a second opening (25) to the channel (22), wherein the first opening (24) and the second opening (25) are arranged such that all liquid which flows from the first opening (24) to the second opening (25) passes through the annular volume (V) at least along a portion of the annular volume (V) in a direction around the channel (22), in particular in a spiral shape.

17. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the buffer volume (27) is separated from the container interior (201) by the metering cap (3).

18. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein at least one third opening (36) is arranged in the metering cap (3) for connecting the buffer volume (27) to the container interior (201).

19. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein one or more partitions (26) are arranged in the annular volume (V) for preventing a direct connection between the first opening (24) and the second opening (25).

20. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the first opening (24) is arranged at a distance from the second opening (25) in an axial direction of the channel (22).

21. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the second opening (25) is formed inside the channel (22).

22. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the first opening (24) is formed inside the metering body (4).

23. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the metering body (4) has a wall (41) to form the annular groove (23).

24. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the metering cap (3) has a projection (37) for engaging in a corresponding depression on the metering unit (2).

25. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, comprising a closure cap (5) which is connected in an articulated manner to the main body (1) and has a closure pin (51) for closing the discharge opening (21).

26. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the main body (1) and the metering body (4) are formed in one piece.

27. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the cross-section of the second opening (25) is less than 50%, in particular less than 40%, preferably less than 30%, of the cross-section of the channel (22).

28. The container closure (100) according to claim 16, wherein the container closure (100) is free of movable or flexible sealing elements.

29. A container comprising a container closure (100) according to claim 16.

30. The container according to claim 29, wherein the container is flexible.