TUBULAR DOSING CONTAINER

This invention relates to a dosing container for the discharge of pasty or viscous product by manual pressure on the container. Containers of this nature are also known as tubes which can be emptied by pressing on the outside.

Appropriate tubes are normally used for toothpaste, tomato purée, mayonnaise, mustard and similar products. Generic tubes may consist of a metal foil. Toothpaste tubes are also known which are made from a film material which is initially circumferentially formed as a tube and the tube is closed off by welding at the end remote from the discharge opening. At the oppositely situated end a container head is provided, forming the removal opening.

With tubular containers of the generic type one of the problems is obtaining the most complete discharge of the tube possible. In particular with tubes of plastic material there is also the problem that although the content can be discharged by pressing against the external surface of the tube, release inevitably leads to the return of the tube to its original shape and therefore to air being drawn into the tube.

Not all products which are sold in tubular dosing containers can tolerate lengthy storage in an atmosphere containing oxygen. For example, with the inclusion of oxygen mustard shows a negative sensory change and accelerated ageing.

On the other hand it can also be desirable to produce a certain suction into the tube through releasing the tube so that product located at the removal opening is not discharged unintentionally. The dosing container should have a characteristic of this nature in particular if exact dosing of the contents of the container is desired.

Principally, there is the requirement of manufacturing dosing containers as economically as possible. In this respect a high degree of automation and the widest possible standardisation of the dosing container is required for different applications. On the other hand, in practice various requirements are placed on dosing containers which run contrary to standardisation, in particular to the manufacture of dosing containers.

The object of the invention is to provide a dosing container which is as adaptable as possible with regard to the problems described above.

To solve this problem a dosing container having the features of Claim 1 is provided by this invention.

The invention assumes a dosing container as is known for example from DE-A-24 60 440. This state of the art discloses a dosing container comprising two side walls which are arranged substantially parallel to each other and which are connected and spaced to each other by two face-side walls. The face-side walls have at least one side fold through which the face-side walls are divided into at least two face-side wall segments which can be laid against each other and/or against the inside of the side walls. The side walls are joined together and abut each other at an end remote from the removal opening. The face-side wall segments project inwards. Furthermore, a removal opening is provided on a container head extending substantially at right angles with respect to the side walls.

The prior-art dosing container can be emptied as far as possible due to its container shape, because with increasing emptying the face wall segments can be laid next to one another or inside on the oppositely situated side walls, which leads to the dosing container being capable of being almost fully emptied. The prior-art dosing container however has no restoring properties which prevent air from being drawn in nor does it promote precise dosing when product is discharged from the dosing container.

Here, the present invention provides a remedy in that it suggests that the dosing container is formed from a film material which is joined to a shoulder element. The shoulder element surrounds the removal opening and creates predefined functional surfaces on the otherwise flatly formed film material, which normally at the most has been formed by folding and welding (longitudinal welded seam) the layers against one another to form an accommodating tube. The film material can be closed off at one end by welding (transverse welded seam). At the end situated opposite this weld the shoulder element is normally located which surrounds the removal opening. The shoulder element can form a container head which extends substantially at right angles to the side walls and forms a removal opening which is of small cross-section compared to the container cross-section at this end. Alternatively the shoulder element can also have functional surfaces for attaching a cap or an applicator at the approximate height of the film material, i.e. in the region of the external circumference of the formed film material. Functional surfaces of this nature can be formed, for example, by a contour provided on the external circumferential surface of the shoulder element and against which a container head, an applicator or a container cover is secured. The joint can, for example, be made by bonding a cap or applicator to the external contour.

Since the shoulder element is formed by means of injection moulding, very complicated modules can be formed with it and then joined to the film material. In this way a container meeting individual requirements can be relatively economically manufactured. The major part of the container, i.e. in particular the container volume, is here made available using the relatively economical film material, whereas only the shoulder element is formed by means of injection moulding from high quality plastic, which is in any case however, thick-walled compared to the film material.

For the purposes of the invention a plastic film is in particular a film with a thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm. Preferably a co-extruded film with various layers is used. The film normally consists exclusively of polyolefins such as PE, PP, PVC or PS.

In the embodiment of this shoulder element together with the container head, due to its geometrical embodiment, a certain restoration capability can be imparted to the film material which initially exhibits no predetermined elasticity. In this way the film material of the dosing container can be formed elastically in a predetermined manner when the shoulder element is moulded on. It is possible to preform the film material when the shoulder element is attached such that the side walls contact one another centrally and the face wall segments abut one another or at the edge on the internal surface of the side walls. When the film material is joined to the shoulder element in this position a tendency is impressed on the film material to deform inwards when the dosing container is increasingly emptied. The film material can therefore promote a discharge of product out of the dosing container, but, after discharge of material from the dosing container, it can in all cases prevent this elastic restoration and the drawing in of air.

In a similar manner the film material can be held in a bloated state on attaching the shoulder element. When the shoulder element is joined onto the film material, this bloated, i.e. relatively large volumetric, orientation of the film material is predefined. Accordingly the dosing container has a tendency to form a relatively large internal volume. After the discharge of the product the side walls move away from one another elastically so that product located in the region of the removal opening is drawn inwards into the dosing container.

This dosing container according to the invention has two oppositely situated side walls which often form the main side walls of the dosing container and converge slightly and in fact from the end with the removal opening to the opposite end. The side walls come together at this end. In the side view an appropriately embodied container can have a wedge-shaped form. However, an essentially rectangular embodiment is also conceivable, whereby the side walls are formed to converge on one another only in the rear end section at the closure side of the dosing container.

The container according to the invention also has face-side walls which join together the oppositely situated side walls. These face-side walls are divided into at least two face-side wall segments, between which a side fold is located and which can be laid against each other and/or the inner side of the side walls. The particular embodiment of the two face-side wall segments accordingly leads to the possibility of the dosing container folding up like a bellows in the region of the face sides. In this connection the face-side wall segments initially approach one another. With the embodiment normally realised in which the face-side wall segments are pressed inwards and the side fold is located within an envelope area which envelopes the circumference of the dosing container in a transverse cross-section, the face-side wall segments approach one another with their outer surface with increased emptying of the dosing container, whereas the inner surfaces of the respective face-side wall segments move increasingly towards the inner surfaces of the side walls. This approach can be supported by suitable tensing of the material forming the container so that the dosing container has a tendency to reduce its volume automatically due to the adjacently located face-side wall segments.

With increasing emptying of the dosing container the container is folded up in the region of its face-side walls by means of which the inner surfaces of the side walls abut one another and the filling volume reduces continuously. This restoration movement into a folded up state can also be promoted by suitable shaping of the face-side wall segments and on the joining lines between these segments and the side walls so that the dosing container closes increasingly from the rear closed end in the direction of the removal opening due to folding up.

The dosing container according to the invention is mainly formed from a film material and preferably exclusively from plastic. This film material can for example be manufactured by injection moulding, blow-moulding or preferably by longitudinal welding and folding of a fed film web. The film material can be formed multi-layered for forming barrier layers, in particular for the case in which foodstuffs are to be accommodated in the dosing container. The barrier layers prevent the ingress of oxygen and/or UV radiation into the container. The film material and the shoulder element can be joined by means of moulding on, welding or adhesive bonding.

With regard to good restoration properties of the dosing container, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is suggested that stiffening ribs are formed on the side walls. These stiffening ribs are formed such that they improve the restoration of the container to the original state, i.e. the state which an unfilled container would assume with the removal opening open. The stiffening ribs are preferably formed in the longitudinal direction and on the outer side of the container. It has proven expedient to provide two stiffening ribs on each side wall and in fact at the edge. Therefore, appropriate stiffening ribs are preferably formed in the region of each edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the dosing container. The stiffening ribs as such can also be essential to the invention, i.e. characterising the invention together with the pre-characterising features.

In principle it should be noted here that all functional elements, preferably formed together with the shoulder element in the course of injection moulding, can be provided on the inner side of the dosing container so that it initially gives the impression of a normal tube package. It is only in use that the functional elements of the dosing container, which provide the special restoration properties of the tube, become noticeable to the user.

As with the shoulder element, the stiffening ribs can be joined to the film material by means of injection moulding or by means of welding. Preferably the stiffening ribs and the shoulder element are formed on the film material in the same working step.

With regard to the fact that on the end of the film material remote from the removal opening the film material is normally welded together to close off the container and is optionally formed thickened to form a lug, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is suggested that the stiffening ribs are allowed to open out at their ends remote from the removal opening into a container reinforcement which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container. A hole, formed in this container reinforcement or surrounded by this container reinforcement, normally penetrates the lug. This hole can be used to suspend the dosing container and be penetrated by a rod which holds a plurality of dosing containers suspended.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention a cover, which is formed in one part with the shoulder element and connected to it by a film hinge, is provided to close the container head. This aspect as such may be essential to the invention. The stated solution is characterised apart from the prior art in that the cover is provided in one part with the shoulder element which in turn is joined in one piece to the film material of the container by overmoulding or welding. In the state of the art normally the container is formed together with the container head in the course of injection moulding. On this first component a second component is fitted which forms the cover and a pivotable cover base which is joined to the cover and can be connected to the container head.

With regard to easy handling of the dosing container according to the invention, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is suggested that stiffening grip elements reinforcing the film material are formed on both side walls at the container head end. These grip elements extend for example over approx. 5 to 25% of the longitudinal extension of the film material and are normally formed when injection moulding the shoulder element. The grip elements are normally joined to the film material on the side walls. Normally the joint is made over the full area so that the movement of the grip elements is directly transferred to the film material. The grip elements are particularly preferably supported pivotable about a pivot axis which runs parallel to a joining edge of the side wall and container head. The grip elements can accordingly be pivoted essentially in the region of the front edge of the container head. The grip elements not only provide stiffening of the film material, but rather impart a certain tendency for the film material to return to its original shape. Here, the grip elements can act on the film material such that the dosing container is restored to a large initial volume. Just as well, the grip elements can promote automatic collapsing of the dosing container.

The present invention offers the possibility of forming initially functional elements of the container or functional elements which can be provided for use with the container or its content as part of the injection moulded shoulder element. Such functional elements can just as well be plugged onto a unit at the end consisting of the shoulder element and film material which for example also comprises the container cap. Here there is the possibility of plugging on or welding on the further functional elements. Here consideration is especially given to a joint by means of a predetermined breaking point which is designed such that a functional element, which is provided for use with the container content, can be released by manual shearing off.

According to a preferred further development the grip elements are formed continuing as a contour of the cover in the longitudinal direction of the dosing container. In the longitudinal direction of the dosing container there is accordingly no discontinuity between the grip elements and the cover. Important too, with regard to the stiffening of the side walls the cover also has on its side walls, which are formed corresponding to the side walls of the container, elevations, the contour of which is continued by the grip elements.

The grip elements preferably protrude beyond a contact base, formed by the shoulder element, for the cover. This contact base interacts with the front of the cover on the container side. The elevations on the cover are formed inwardly offset in relation to the cover, so that the part of the grip elements protruding beyond the contact base protrudes beyond the phase boundary between the shoulder element and the cover whilst transferring directly into the elevation. By extending the grip elements beyond the contact base the stiffening and restoration effect by the grip elements can be improved. The thickened material of the grip elements preferably continues on the container head, stiffening it, in a radial extension in relation to the inside of the container.

Depending on the desired dosing characteristic, the grip elements can be joined to the side walls. The stiffening effect can however already be achieved if the grip elements are only assigned to the side walls without being directly joined to them. The stiffening effect of the grip elements then occurs when a user presses against externally located grip elements from the outside. Where the grip elements are formed separately from the film material, this offers the possibility of enabling the grip elements to separately pivot back into their initial position when released without the tube in the region of the grip elements also being simultaneously extended and optionally drawing oxygen into the tube.

The grip elements are preferably provided with a surface designed to improve the surface feel. The design of the surface to improve the surface feel may include groove-shaped elevations, dimples or other surface profiles.

The size of the side wall segments may vary depending on the purpose and the definitive dimensioning of the dosing container. For example, the side wall segments may each have about half the width of the side wall so that the side folds touch or almost touch in the inside of the dosing container when it is empty. With an embodiment of this nature the filled container which has not yet been emptied has essentially a square cross-sectional area. If rectangular cross-sectional areas are required, with the container completely empty the side folds are normally situated inside, but spaced to one another.

Further details and advantages of the invention are given in the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. This shows the following:

FIG. 1 a perspective side view of a first embodiment with the dosing container closed;

FIG. 2 the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in a plan view;

FIG. 3 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a view of the head end;

FIG. 4 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in a side view;

FIG. 5 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the cover removed in the empty state;

FIG. 6 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 in a plan view with the cover removed;

FIG. 7 the representation according to FIG. 6 in a view of the head end;

FIG. 8 a plan view of an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 9 the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in a side view;

FIG. 10 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in a view of the head end;

FIG. 11 a plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 in a view of the head end;

FIG. 13 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in a side view;

FIG. 14 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 in a plan view with the cover removed;

FIG. 15 the representation according to FIG. 14 in a view of the head end;

FIG. 16 a plan view of a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 17 the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 in a view of the head end;

FIG. 18 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in a side view;

FIG. 19 a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 with the cover removed;

FIG. 20 the representation according to FIG. 19 in a view of the head end;

FIG. 21 a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the dosing container according to the invention;

FIG. 22 a longitudinal section of the head region of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 a longitudinal section of the head region of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 24 a plan view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of the first embodiment of the invention based on a dosing container 1 formed as a tubular package, comprising two oppositely situated side walls 2 and face-side walls 3 connecting these side walls 2.

The side walls 2 are spaced and fixed in the region of a container head 4 by a container head plate 5, which can be seen in FIG. 5 and from which an outlet section 6 with an oval base area protrudes, which is formed slightly crowned, i.e. convex, and is provided with a collar 7 perpendicular to the container head plate 5 to which it is joined. Centrally at the end, the outlet section 6 has an outlet nozzle 8 protruding from it and forming the removal opening.

On the end 9 oppositely situated to the container head 4 the side walls 2 are welded together and form a welded lug 10. The face-side wall 3 terminates at the point at which the side walls 2 contact one another. The welded lug 10 can be formed stiffened and in each case may impart a reinforced inwardly directed elastic deformation to the region of the side walls 2 in the vicinity of the end 9, through which the side walls 2 are laid with their inner surfaces mutually adjacent.

As FIG. 4 illustrates, the face-side walls 3 are formed from segments 11, 12, which are joined together by a side fold 13 provided within the envelope surface. With the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 the side fold 13 extends up to the end 9 where the side walls 2 and the face-side walls 3 are joined together at a point, in each case in the side view according to FIG. 4. In the region of the container head 4 there is a gusset 15, initially branching off from an edge 14 delimited by one of the side walls 2 and the tip 16 of which is in alignment with the side fold 13. The side wall segments 11 branch off from the oblique surfaces of the gusset 15. In the present case the gusset 15 has a length corresponding to 0.09 times the length of the dosing container 1. This length of the dosing container 1 is given by the spacing of the container ends 9 and the container plate 5. In other words a cap 17 (cf. FIGS. 2, 7) forming the cover of the dosing container is not considered in the determination of the total length of the dosing container. The length of the gusset can correspond to a length of 0.05 to 0.15, preferably 0.08 to 0.1 of the total length of the dosing container 1.

As can be seen for example from the illustration in FIG. 4, the side walls 2 in the region of the end 9 of the dosing container 1 remote from the removal opening 8 are formed essentially flat. With increasing proximity of the side walls 2 to the container head 4 this embodiment becomes increasingly convex.

The cap 17 forms a standing surface when the dosing container 1 is placed upright.

With increasing emptying of the dosing container by pressing the oppositely situated side walls 2 together the product contained in the container 1 is discharged through the outlet nozzle 8 in a manner known per se. In this connection a pasty or viscous product, such as for example tomato purée, mustard, toothpaste or cream, is involved. In doing this the side wall segments 11 lie with their internal surfaces against the inner side of the side walls 2. The outer surfaces of the oppositely situated side wall segments 11, 12 pivot about the side fold 13 and lie mutually adjacent.

At the end of discharge the state as shown in FIG. 5 is reached in which, essentially without any remaining product, the oppositely situated side walls 2 lie mutually adjacent with the inclusion of the side wall segments 11 which are folded inwards. Only the region of the gusset 15 is slightly raised up and merges from this flat section of the dosing container 1 to the container head plate 5, where the side walls 2 are raised up and spaced from one another by the container head plate 5 which extends at right angles to them.

With the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 only the container head plate 5, extending at right angles to the longitudinal extension of the dosing container 1, is formed as the shoulder element 24 by means of injection moulding. In this shaping process the front ends of a film material 25 essentially forming the dosing container 1 are joined to the fusible plastic of the shoulder element 24 and sealed with it. The ends of the film material 25 can here be located in the plane extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis and thus in the region of the container head plate 5. Also, as an alternative or supplement, it is conceivable that the plastic material of the shoulder element 24 is formed flowing over a certain length of the film material 25.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the gusset 15 branches off from the end 9. Also in this embodiment the gusset 15 extends inwards and meets the side fold 13 with its tip.

In contrast to the previous embodiment the welded lug 10 in the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 is formed substantially longer and is penetrated by a hole 20 with which the dosing container 1 can be suspended on a sales display provided with a rod. Instead of a circumferentially completely closed hole, a tongue open at the side can also be provided. In this sense a hole is taken to mean any receptacle which is suitable for suspending the container 1.

Based on the arrangement and embodiment of the gusset 15 in the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, in the side view shown in FIG. 9 a type of saddle-roof embodiment is produced initially at the end 9 of the dosing container, starting from the point 21 at which the side walls 2 meet one another, whereby the gusset 15 brings the two side walls 2 together essentially already at their maximum spacing.

As the side views shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 illustrate, the side walls 2 are essentially flat, but can be bent slightly convexly outwards. Accordingly, a certain spacing is produced in the side view between the edge 14 and the outermost point of the side wall 3. At least with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 the curvature of the side walls 2 in the region of the container head 4 corresponds to the contour of the cap 17. The tube can also be rectangular or square in cross-section.

With the embodiment in FIGS. 8 to 10 the cap 17 is smaller than the container head plate 5, which in this embodiment protrudes slightly outwards and bears a cap collar 22 which protrudes beyond it, the collar being joined to the cap 17 by a film hinge 23.

With the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 the side walls in the region of the removal opening formed by the outlet nozzle 8 are formed slightly convex, whereas at the end 9 they are formed almost flat. With the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 a similar picture is produced, whereby however the curvature in the region of the removal opening is less predominant, but the convex curvature of the side walls 2 is retained through to the welded lug 10, even though reduced.

FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate a third embodiment of a dosing container according to the invention. The same components here are also identified with the same reference numerals as the previously discussed embodiments.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 15 is in particular characterised by grip elements 26 attached to the oppositely situated side walls 2 and in fact in the vicinity of the container head 4. The grip elements 26 each extend parallel to the side walls 2 and are formed by means of injection moulding during the manufacture of the shoulder element 24 and have been joined to the side walls 2. The side walls 2 are reinforced and stiffened in the vicinity of the container head by these grip elements 26. As can be particularly seen in FIGS. 13 and 15, the grip element 26 in each case protrudes beyond the side wall 2 in the height direction, i.e. transversely to the drawing plane according to FIG. 13. The grip elements 26 are formed essentially plate-shaped and are slightly curved in the circumferential direction of the dosing container 1 (cf. FIG. 12). The end pointing away from the container head 4 is formed semi-circular in shape. In the region of this end the transverse ribs 27 are formed which improve the surface feel and which protrude outwards from the otherwise smooth surface of the grip element 26.

The end of the grip elements 26 at the container head end protrudes beyond a contact base 28 formed by the shoulder element 24 for the cap 17. An elevation 29 with the curvature and extent of the grip element 26 provided on the cap 17 is located directly adjacent to the grip element 26 at the head end. The elevation 29 is provided in the region of the grip element 26 accordingly offset with respect to the free cap end (cf. FIG. 11). The elevation 29 and the grip element 26 can have mutually corresponding end faces, so that with the cap 17 in place the grip elements 26 and therefore the side walls 2 are in each case held in a certain alignment in the region of the container head 4. In other words putting the cap 17 in place on the dosing container 1 supports the alignment of the side walls 2.

As can also be seen from FIG. 15, the enlargement forming the grip element 26 also extends in the radial direction, i.e. transversely to the longitudinal extension of the dosing container 1, by means of which the injection moulding of the shoulder element 24 and the joining of the shoulder element 24 to the film material 25 is simplified.

FIGS. 16 to 20 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a dosing container according to the invention. The same components are identified with the same reference numerals compared to the previous embodiments. In contrast to the previously discussed embodiments the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 20 has stiffening ribs 30 extending in the longitudinal direction of the container and which protrude beyond the film material 25 in the region of the side walls 2 and reinforce it. The stiffening ribs 30 can be attached to the film material 25 by means of ultrasonic welding. Alternatively the stiffening ribs can be fitted on the film material by overmoulding onto the film material 25 together with the shoulder element 24 and joined to the film material 25. In this respect, for example, a gas pressure acting inside the dosing container 1 can keep the container bloated with a relatively large volume so that on solidifying the stiffening ribs 30 promote a restoration of the shape of the dosing container 1 to this initial state.

The stiffening ribs 30 extend over the total length of the dosing container 1 and open out in the container reinforcement 31 containing the hole and which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container. Accordingly, the hole 20 is formed in a strengthened region of the dosing container 1.

The grip elements 26 are pivotable about an axis A with respect to the container head plate 5 in order to promote a pumping movement of the grip elements 26 through which material is dosed from the container 1 (cf. FIGS. 11, 13, 15). This axis is in alignment with the contact base 28, i.e. the outer surface of the container head plate 5.

As can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, the stiffening ribs 30 terminate at the height of the cap 17. The cap 17 itself has no corresponding stiffening ribs 30. The stiffening ribs 30 are located on the edge of the side walls 2. Each of the side walls 2 has two stiffening ribs 30.

FIG. 21 illustrates an applicator which can be placed upon the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 15. Here the applicator is shown with the reference numeral 32 and is used for the planar application of the content of the dosing container. The applicator 32 comprises a delivery channel 33 over which a spatula 34 protrudes. Material delivered out of the dosing container 1 is accordingly passed through the delivery channel 33 to the spatula 34.

The applicator 32 has a mounting ring 35, over the inner circumferential surface of which a latching ring 36 protrudes, which interacts with a latching groove 37 formed by the shoulder element 24 in order to attach the applicator 32 to the dosing container 1.

The previously discussed embodiment is only an example of the variability, which the suggestion according to the invention facilitates, in which the shoulder element 24 is manufactured as a separate component initially by means of injection moulding and is joined to the film material. During injection moulding, for example, functional elements or applicators can be formed initially as one part on the shoulder element 24 by thin ridges which form predetermined breaking points. After joining the film material 25 and the shoulder element 24, these applicators or additional elements are initially formed as single parts on the dosing container 1. In preparation for use these further elements can be released by parting the predetermined breaking point and used in conjunction with the dosing container 1.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate longitudinal sectional views through the container head 4 and show the shoulder element 24, which is represented hatched in FIGS. 22, 23 and forms a mounting flange 38 projecting to the end 9, through which the joint between the film material 25 and the shoulder element 24 is made.

With the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 a valve element 39 is located in the outlet nozzle 8 with a slit valve 40 closing the outlet opening and which is provided on a retention ring 41 that is a constituent part of the valve element 39. This valve element 39 can be joined to the shoulder element 24 by overmoulding. It is also conceivable to initially consider the injection moulded embodiment of the valve element 39 and the overmoulding of the valve element 39 with a second plastic component, essentially forming the shoulder element 24. In this case the valve element 39 is manufactured by two-component injection moulding.

With the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 23, the construction of which essentially corresponds to the construction according to FIG. 22, a valve flap element 42 is provided to close the removal opening and which is formed during the injection moulding of the shoulder element 24. The valve flap element 42 has a plurality of valve flaps which are linked to the shoulder element 24 and joined to it by relatively thin walls. Therefore, the valve flap element 42 can be relatively easily removed in order to access the content of the dosing container 1. An intact valve flap element 42 indicates the original state of the dosing container 1 to the user.

The embodiments illustrated in the figures all have dosing containers with an envelope surface having a rectangular cross-section. The side wall segments 11, 12 are orientated inwards and are therefore located outside of the envelope surface. Accordingly, the dosing containers 1 can be stored relatively compact adjacent to one another and vertically upright and offered for sale in cardboard packaging. In the illustrated embodiments the cap 17 forms a standing base for the upright dosing containers 1.

The material forming the container can be cardboard, composite material, laminate or film, in particular plastic film. With composite material a material is preferentially preferred, the inner layer of which is formed from a plastic film. In this way the inner surfaces of the material forming the dosing container 1 can be welded together. The material should preferably have at least one plastic or cardboard layer which lends a certain inherent stability to the container. Special restoring action can be imparted to the plastic material so that the dosing container automatically folds up as it is increasingly emptied. In any event the contouring should be such that the container shows no restoration after removal of product from the container 1, which would draw air into the container. The inherent stability is thus selected such that the container exhibits no corresponding restoration with the removal opening open and the side walls 2 released.

FIG. 24 illustrates a relatively simply arranged embodiment of a dosing container 1 according to the invention. Here also, the main part of the container 1 is produced from folded film material 25 formed to a tube by a longitudinal welded seam and welded at one end. The film material 25 has a welded lug 10 at one end. At the other end of the initially tubular manufactured film material 25 there is a shoulder element in the form of a shoulder ring 43. This shoulder ring 43 is adhesively bonded to the inner circumferential surface of the film material and has a base area essentially corresponding to the base area of the previously described container head 4, so that the folded film material can be connected to the shoulder ring 43 in the same manner as has been described with reference to the previous embodiments. The shoulder ring 43 has a slightly conical, inwardly sloping mounting section 44 to which the film material 25 is connected on one end. At the oppositely situated end the mounting section 44 has in each case a nozzle 45 contoured to the external circumferential surface protruding over it. The contouring on the external circumferential surface of the nozzle 45 corresponds here essentially to the inner circumferential surface of the supporting ring 46 of an injection moulded end cap 47. Here, the end cap 47 only represents one example of an end closure of the dosing container 1. Depending on the definitive requirements, also other, preferably injection moulded elements can be mounted on the nozzle 45. In this respect the mounting is preferably realised by bonding onto the closing element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Dosing container

2 Side wall

3 Face-side wall

4 Container head

5 Container head plate

6 Outlet section

7 Collar

8 Outlet nozzle

9 End

10 Welded lug

11 Face-side wall segment

12 Face-side wall segment

13 Side fold

14 Edge

15 Gusset

16 Tip

17 Cap

18 Closing collar

19 Retaining edge

20 Hole

21 Joining point of the side walls 2

22 Cap collar

23 Film hinge

24 Shoulder element

25 Film material

26 Grip elements

27 Transverse ribs

28 Contact base

29 Elevation

30 Stiffening ribs

31 Container reinforcement

32 Applicator

33 Delivery channel

34 Spatula

35 Mounting ring

36 Latching ring

37 Latching groove

38 Mounting flange

39 Valve element

40 Slit valve

41 Retention ring

42 Valve flap element

43 Shoulder ring

44 Mounting section

45 Nozzle

46 Supporting ring

47 End cap

TUBULAR DOSING CONTAINER

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