CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container, comprising: a cover wall provided with at least one cover wall region which can be pierced to form a supply opening for introducing a liquid; a bottom wall provided with at least one bottom wall region which can be pierced to form an outlet opening; and at least one chamber surrounded by chamber walls, in which a basic product and an adjustment element are present, wherein the adjustment element is arranged so that it can be moved from a position of rest to an operating position, and in its operating position opens at least one chamber wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In beverage machines, particularly in coffee makers, disposable containers or disposable packaging, for example in capsule form, are used, which are sealed using one or two foils and which contain, for example, coffee or other substances, such as flavourings, in powder or liquid form. These disposable containers are inserted into the beverage machine, the contents of the disposable container are combined with a liquid, for example water, and this preparation is subsequently dispensed as a beverage that is ready to drink. The used disposable container is subsequently removed from the beverage machine and disposed of.

EP 0 451 980 B1 discloses a sealed package containing one or more powder, pasty or liquid comestible preparation ingredients. Through an inlet opening, water is supplied to these ingredients. The finished preparation is dispensed through an outlet nozzle in the bottom area, said outlet nozzle having a displaceable plug. For dispensing the finished preparation, the bottom wall of the package, consisting of a foil, is pierced from below in the area of the outlet nozzle by a connecting piece which is part of the machine, said connecting piece pushing the plug upwards against an intermediate wall after entering the outlet nozzle. This intermediate wall has a wall section equipped with predetermined breaking lines which is punctured by the plug, thus releasing the preparation. It flows downwards from the package through a central flow channel in the plug and subsequently through the connecting piece of the machine.

This packaging has the disadvantage that the bottom outlet has to be opened by the connecting piece of the machine, so that the connecting piece comes into contact with the finished preparation. To satisfy the rigorous hygiene requirements that such a device has to meet nowadays, it is necessary to dean this connecting piece every time before inserting a new package.

US 2004/0115317 A1 describes a cartridge filled with, for example, ground coffee, the bottom wall of which is pierced from the inside. Arranged above the bottom wall is a cup-shaped intermediate bottom which is termed an internal plunger, the dimensions of said intermediate bottom being adjusted to the interior dimensions of the cartridge. The powder resides between the intermediate bottom and the cover wall of the cartridge. The intermediate bottom has an outlet nozzle which is embodied as a cutting element. If water is introduced under pressure through the cover wall into the interior of the cartridge, the intermediate bottom is pushed downwards, whereby the cutting element pierces the bottom wall and the outlet is unblocked.

This cartridge satisfies hygiene requirements, but the operability of the cartridge is not always ensured. It is essential in this embodiment that the water pressure and hence the pressure acting on the intermediate bottom be high enough, even from the start of introduction, that the bottom wall can be pierced. Jamming of the displaceable intermediate bottom in the process cannot be ruled out. In addition, since the intermediate bottom has a multitude of openings, liquid may enter the space between the bottom wall and the intermediate bottom, which may lead to relatively quick reduction of the pressure on the intermediate bottom after the beginning of the introduction process, whereby the bottom wall cannot be pierced reliably any more.

Known from WO 2008/132671 are capsules containing a certain amount of a soluble beverage. The capsule has a cover foil which is perforated in the beverage machine by a connecting piece through which a liquid solvent under pressure, for example water, is led to the interior of the capsule.

The capsule is essentially sub-divided into four chambers. The liquid supplied is first led into a distribution chamber and from there supplied to a storage chamber where the quantity of the soluble beverage is present. In this storage chamber, the soluble beverage mixes with the liquid supplied, and the prepared beverage is subsequently collected in a collection chamber, from where it is dispensed through an opening in the bottom wall of the capsule.

To open the bottom wall, a displaceable perforator is arranged in a central chamber of the capsule, the perforator being pushed against the bottom wall by the connecting piece, so that the bottom wall is torn open.

In the process, a through-channel arranged inside the perforator is aligned with the outlet opening of the collection chamber, so that the prepared liquid can be dispensed downwards from the capsule.

This capsule, however, has the disadvantage that complicated built-in parts are required to separate the different chambers. A distribution chamber arranged before the storage chamber is required to ensure that the liquid is supplied to the storage chamber as uniformly as possible and to guarantee homogeneous mixing in the latter.

WO 2007/114685 describes a capsule-shaped packaging containing a portion of liquid. A column is arranged centrally, which is connected with the bottom wall of the packaging at its bottom end via an undulating flexible bottom region. Both the top side and the underside of the packaging are closed off by a sealing foil.

The upper sealing foil can be pierced and the column pushed downwards by means of a connecting piece, whereby it in turn punctures the foil attached to the bottom. The column is equipped with a venturi device through which the portion of liquid is drawn out of the chamber surrounding the column when a liquid is introduced into the column. Mixing of the two liquids takes place in the lower part of the column.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a container that has a simple construction and works reliably.

This object is solved with the container according to the invention.

The container is provided with a cover wall provided with at least one cover wall region that can be pierced to form a supply opening for introducing a liquid. The container further has a bottom wall that is provided with at least one bottom wall region that can be pierced to form an outlet opening, and with at least one chamber surrounded by chamber walls, in which a basic product and an adjustment element are present, wherein the adjustment element is arranged so that it can be moved from a position of rest to an operating position, and in its operating position opens at least one chamber wall. The chamber wall is provided with at least one opening to which or in which a component of the adjustment element is releasably attached in its position of rest, wherein this component of the adjustment element closes off the opening in the chamber wall.

The term container is understood to mean both reusable containers and packaging and disposable containers and packaging.

The term piercable indicates that the wall region in question can be opened in any particular manner and way. The opening of the wall region may, for example, be affected by incising or cutting open, broaching, puncturing or tearing open.

In its position of rest, the adjustment element takes on the, in particular sealingly, closing off of the chamber containing the basic product, and is at the same time fixed in place due to the releasable attachment. Releasable attachment to the opening means that the component of the adjustment element is positioned at the outer surface of the wall region of the chamber wall that delimits the opening.

Releasable attachment in the opening means that the component is arranged inside the opening at the wall region of the chamber wall which delimits the opening.

The opening closed off by the adjustment element can be opened with a connecting and dispensing means, for example the connecting piece of a beverage machine, in that the closing component of the adjustment element is pushed inwards and out of the way inside the chamber. Depending on where this opening is located, the supply opening or the outlet opening of the chamber can thereby be created.

The liquid supplied by the connecting and dispensing means of the beverage machine is led into the chamber and mixed with the basic product there. This chamber thus not only forms the storage space for the basic product but also the mixing chamber. Additional subdivisions of the container's interior can therefore be dispensed with.

In an embodiment of the container, the chamber wall is a cover wall of the container, a bottom wall of the container or a partitioning wall inside the container.

If the chamber wall forms the cover wall of the container, the supply opening through which the liquid can be led into the container out of the connecting and dispensing means of the beverage machine is created by detaching the releasable attachment of the component of the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the component of the adjustment element forms the cover wall region which can be pierced for the introduction of a liquid.

If the chamber wall in question is the bottom wall, the outlet opening through which the mixture of liquid and basic product can be discharged is created by detaching the releasable attachment of the component of the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the component of the adjustment element forms the bottom wall region which can be pierced to form the outlet opening. In this embodiment the connecting and dispensing means first punctures the cover wall, and subsequently the adjustment element is actuated by this connecting and dispensing means.

If the chamber wall is a partitioning wall located inside the container, an additional chamber is arranged inside the container between the partitioning wall and the cover wall or the bottom wall, which is advantageous for reasons of hygiene, be cause the component of the adjustment element closing off the opening is not directly exposed to external environmental influences. By detaching the releasable attachment of the component of the adjustment element, an access or exit opening of the chamber is created inside the container.

In an embodiment of the container, the component of the adjustment element closes off the opening in a liquid-tight manner.

The adjustment element may be connected to the chamber wall via a predetermined breaking line. This predetermined breaking line can, for example, be formed as an adhesive seam. Another possibility consists of casting the adjustment element to the chamber wall with a predetermined breaking line. In an embodiment a section of the predetermined breaking line may be constituted as a living hinge.

In an embodiment of the container, the component of the adjustment element comprises a plate-shaped element that closes off the opening in the chamber wall.

The plate-shaped element may be provided with an upstanding annular wall with at least one inlet opening. In this way, a cup-shaped formation is created, which the connecting piece of a beverage machine can engage, for example.

In an embodiment, the adjustment element is provided with a cutting and/or puncturing device, which, in a particular embodiment, may consist of a needle. The bottom wall may, for example, be provided with a piercable region or a sealing foil that can be punctured with the cutting and/or puncturing device.

When the connecting and dispensing means of a beverage machine engages the adjustment element, the opening in the chamber wall concerned is opened on the one hand and the bottom wall is simultaneously opened by means of the cutting and/or puncturing device on the other hand.

In an embodiment of the container, the cutting and/or puncturing device extends to the bottom wall. In particular, the cutting and/or puncturing device contacts the bottom wall, so that an additional fixation of the adjustment element in its position of rest is achieved. The supply opening or an access opening and the outlet opening are thus created in the operating position of the adjustment element.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the cutting and/or puncturing device may be provided with a tube section with at least one outlet opening. Other cutting and/or puncturing devices are possible.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the component of the adjustment element is a plate-shaped element that closes off an opening in the bottom wall.

The adjustment element may be provided with means for tilting the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the adjustment element, which is fixed to or in the bottom wall, projects upwards inside the container and is tilted by the connecting and dispensing means of the beverage machine so that the opening in the bottom wall is broken open. The means for tilting the adjustment element preferably comprise an actuating plate which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment element.

The term basic product is understood to mean a powder and/or liquid product, which may consist of one or several components. The basic product can, for example, be a syrup, a concentrate, or an extract. The basic product can be mixed with the liquid supplied from outside, and is preferably soluble in this liquid.

The basic product may be a foodstuff, a nutritional supplement, a dietary foodstuff, a pharmaceutical product or a cleaning agent.

The type of liquid is to be selected in dependence on the type of basic product. The associated device in which such a container may be used is directed to and equipped to suit the intended use concerned. Such a device may be a beverage machine in which containers, in particular disposable containers, with the contents of which the taste of for example, dunking water can be changed, are put to use.

The device is provided with a receiving part for a container and a connecting and dispensing means, in particular in the form of a connecting piece, with which the container can be pierced and with which at least one liquid can be supplied to the container.

The container and/or the adjustment element may be made of plastic. Production can take place by means of an injection moulding process. The container with its circumferential wall and its bottom wall and any further chamber walls may be manufactured in one piece, wherein the bottom wall may be formed entirely or partially onto the single-piece container, depending on the embodiment.

Depending on the embodiment, the two components, container and adjustment element, may also be manufactured in one piece. This single-piece container with adjustment element is subsequently filled with the basic product and sealed with a respective sealing foil as cover wall and/or bottom wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a container,

FIG. 2 a perspective bottom view of a container,

FIG. 3 a cross-section of the container according to FIGS. 1 and 2, together with a connecting piece which is part of the machine,

FIG. 4 the embodiment of a container shown in FIG. 3 with inserted connecting piece, and

FIG. 5-10 show further embodiments of a container with a connecting piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 and 2 a container 10, which is, for example, used as a disposable container, is shown in two perspective views. The container 10 has a cover wall 40, a circumferential wall 30 and a bottom wall 50.

In the embodiment shown here, the cover wall 40 is formed by a foil 41 which is attached to an annular bead 32 of the circumferential wall 30.

The bottom wall 50 consists of a ring plate 52 and a centrally arranged foil 54. Both the cover wall 40 and the bottom wall 50, respectively the foil 54, have a piercable wall region 42, 56.

The bottom wall 50 is further provided with two annular ribs 60 and radial ribs 62, which are not displayed in the following figures for the sake of clarity, between the two annular ribs 60. These ribs may be completely dispensed with.

In FIG. 3, a vertical cross-section through the container 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is depicted. The interior space of the container 10 is partitioned into a first chamber 12 and a second, smaller chamber 18. In the embodiment shown here, the chain chamber 18 is positioned centrally in the chamber 12. This particular arrangement is rotationally symmetrical. An embodiment such as, for example, an asymmetrical arrangement is also possible.

The two chambers 12, 18 are separated by a cylindrical partitioning wall 20, wherein the cylindrical partitioning wall 20 extends from the cover wall 40 downwards into the container. Furthermore, the basic product 14, above the surface level 15 of which a free space 16 in which a gas, for example air or a protective gas, is present, is provided in the chamber 12.

The chamber walls 13 of the first chamber 12 are formed by the cover wall 40, the circumferential wall 30, the bottom wall 50 and the partitioning wall 20, wherein the partitioning wall 20 is provided with the opening 19.

Also, an adjustment element 100, which is in its position of rest and is provided with a plate-shaped element 102, on which an upstanding annular wall 104 with an inlet opening 106 is moulded, is provided in the chamber 12. The plate-shaped element 102 with the annular wall 104 forms the component 101 of the adjustment element 100 that closes off the opening 19 in the partitioning wall 20. A cup-shaped configuration of the component 101 is created by the annular wall 104.

The annular wall 104 abuts the inside of the partitioning wall 20 and is connected with it via a predetermined breaking line 108, wherein the inlet openings 106 located above the predetermined breaking line 108 are closed off by the interior wall 20. The annular wall 104 can, for example, be bonded adhesively to the partitioning wall 20 along the predetermined breaking line 108. The component 101 is thus releasably attached in the opening 19.

A cutting and/or puncturing device 110, which is formed in the shape of a needle 112, is arranged on the underside of the plate-shaped element 102. The needle extends from the underside of the plate-shaped element 102 to the bottom wall 50 and ends above the piercable region 56 of the bottom wall 50. The bottom wall 50, like the cover wall 40, may consist of a foil 54, in particular a sealing foil.

In FIG. 3, the connection element 200 in the form of a connecting piece of a beverage machine, not shown, has been drawn in, with the connection element 200 being provided with a cutting and/or puncturing device 210 at its lower end, which has already partially punctured the cover wall 40 in its piercable region 42 for the purpose of forming the supply opening 46, and is moving in the direction of the adjustment element 100. The annular wall 104 forms the connection element 140 for the connecting piece 200. After complete introduction of the connecting piece into the container 10, a liquid can be led into the interior 12 of the first chamber via the through-channel 212 of the connecting piece 200, as shown in FIG. 4. The mixing of liquid and basic product 14 takes place in the chamber 12.

While FIG. 3 shows the adjustment element 100 in its position of rest, the operating position of the adjustment element 100 is shown in FIG. 4. The adjustment element 100 is pushed downwards by means of the connecting piece 200, whereby the predetermined breaking line 108 on the component 101 is broken open. The inlet openings 106 are unblocked, whereby an access opening to the chamber 12 is created.

The cutting and/or puncturing device 110 has punctured the bottom wall 50 and in this way created the outlet opening 58 of the container 10. The foil parts of the piercable region 56 hang downwards. The liquid supplied via the connecting piece 200 enters into the cup-shaped interior region of the adjustment element 100, that is, the second chamber 18, and can flow into the chamber 12 through the inlet openings 106 present in the annular wall 104, and there mix with the basic product 14 into a mixture 14′. The chamber 12 thus also forms the mixing chamber for the two substances.

If a free space 16 is present above the surface level 15 of the basic product 14, as can be seen in the depiction shown here, the liquid introduced via the connecting piece 200 can first spread in this upper free space 16 before the mixing takes place in the lower part of chamber 12.

The length of the cutting and/or puncturing device 110, in particular the length of the needle 112, may be shorter than shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The advantage of a shorter needle 112 is that, when the adjustment element 100 is moved, the access openings in the form of the inlet openings 106 are opened first and the piercable area 56 is punctured at a later point in time. The liquid can thus enter into the chamber 12 prior to the opening of the bottom wall and begin the mixing process before discharge from the container 10 takes place. To promote this premature entering of the liquid into the chamber 12, the connection piece 200 can be provided with a device 220 for puncturing the cover wall 40 and for creating at least one venting opening 44 (drawn in as an optional feature only in FIG. 4 by means of dashed lines).

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a further embodiment with an adjustment element 100 is shown in its position of rest and operating position, respectively, in which the cover wall 40 does not cover the region above the adjustment element 100. This region remains uncovered, so that the component 101 of the adjustment element 100 is directly accessible. The partitioning wall 20, which is also the chamber wall 13, forms a component of the outer wall, that is, the cover wall 40, of the container 10. The component 101 of the adjustment element 100 forms the cover wall region 42 that is piercable to allow for the supply of the liquid in this embodiment.

Here too, a plate-shaped element 102 with an annular wall 104 is shown as the component 101, the end face of the annular will 104 being adapted to the shape of the cutting and/or puncturing device 210 of the connecting piece 200. Also, only one lateral inlet opening 106, which is arranged below the predetermined breaking line 108, is provided in the annular wall.

A column 122 is present at the underside of the component 101, at the lower end of which bars 130 are arranged, between which openings 132 are formed, through which the mixture 14′ of liquid and basic product can enter the interior region in the operating position of the adjustment element 100. An annular cutting and/or puncturing device 110 with a tube section 114, which is provided with an outlet opening 116, is arranged at these bars 130. The mixture issues downwards through this outlet opening 116.

The opening 106 is unblocked, and thus the opening 19 opened, through detachment of the releasable attachment of the component 101 of the adjustment element 100, whereby the supply opening 46 is formed.

In FIG. 7 a further embodiment is shown, in which the plate-shaped element 102 of the component 101 of the adjustment element 100 is provided with a significantly shorter annular wall 104 without an opening. The annular wall 104 serves as a clamping element, which the connection piece 200 engages. The predetermined breaking line 108 is provided between the end surfaces of the interior wall 20, which is part of the cover wall 40, and the annular wall 104. The component 101 of the adjustment element 100 is located at the opening 19 and closes off the opening 19.

The connecting piece 200 has a through-channel 212 which branches into two transversely arranged outlet channels 214.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lower section 202 of the connecting element 200 engages the space between the annular wall 104 and holds the component 101 in clamping relationship, so that it cannot drop down in an uncontrolled manner and possibly close the discharge opening 58 unintentionally. The separation force required for separating the predetermined breaking line 108 must be set such that the clamping connection can be established first, and the tearing off takes place only then.

The liquid supplied is dispensed laterally from the outlet channels 214 into the chamber 12 where the mixing with the basic product 14 takes place.

In FIG. 9, a further embodiment is shown, in which the adjustment element 100 is provided with a plate-shaped element 102, which forms the component 101 that is releasably attached to the opening 19 of the bottom wall 50 and closes off the discharge opening 58 of the container 10. A column 122 is moulded to the plate-shaped element 102, the column 122 projecting upwards into the interior of the container 10 and provided at its upper end with an actuating plate 124, inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 105 and slantingly arranged.

Instead of the inclined actuating plate 124, the column 122 may also be provided with a correspondingly inclined end face.

The plate-shaped element 102, and thus the component 101, forms the piercable area 56 of the bottom wall 50 of the container 10. The component 101 is connected to the bottom wall 50 via a predetermined breaking line 108, wherein, in a section, the predetermined breaking line 108 is constituted as a living hinge 109. The adjustment element and the bottom wall 50 and the circumferential wall 30 are constituted as a single piece.

Once the connecting piece 200—as shown in FIG. 10—has punctured the cover wall 40, the tip of the connecting piece 200 comes into contact with the slantingly arranged actuating plate 124 and swivels the adjustment element 100 sideways via the living hinge 109, whereby the predetermined breaking line 108 in the region of the bottom wall 50 is broken open, and thus the discharge opening 58 is opened up.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 container

12 first chamber

13 chamber walls

14 basic product

14′ mixture

15 surface level

16 free space

18 second chamber

19 opening

20 partitioning wall

30 circumferential wall

32 annular collar

40 cover wall

41 foil

42 piercable wall region

44 venting opening

46 supply opening

50 bottom wall

52 ring plate

54 foil

56 piercable wall region

58 discharge opening

60 annular rib

62 radial rib

100 adjustment element

101 component

102 plate-shaped element

104 annular wall

105 longitudinal axis

106 inlet opening

108 predetermined breaking line, attachment point

109 living hinge

110 cutting and/or puncturing device

112 needle

114 tube section

116 outlet opening

122 column

124 actuating plate

130 bar

132 opening

140 connection element

200 connection element

202 lower section

210 cutting and/or puncturing device

212 through-channel

214 outlet channel

220 device for creating a venting opening

Information

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