System, comprising an inner container and an outer container

Abstract

The invention relates to a system, comprising an inner container (2) and an outer container (1), wherein: the inner container (2) comprises a first interior (4), which is surrounded by a first wall, and a circumferential collar (8), which protrudes outward away from the first wall; the outer container (1) comprises a second interior (3), which is surrounded by a second wall; the inner container (2) can be disposed in the second interior (3); the system comprises a lid (5), which can be fastened to the outer container (1) by means of a screw connection; when the inner container (2) is disposed in the second interior (3), the first opening region and the second opening region are covered by the lid (5) when the screw connection is established; the screw connection defines a virtual center axis; the outer container (1) comprises a cross-section tapering means, which is disposed in the second opening region and protrudes inward from the second wall; the cross-section tapering means is disposed in a virtual plane; rotation of the inner container (2) about the center axis is blocked when the collar (8) is disposed in the virtual plane; the inner container (2) comprises a driver element (9), which protrudes away from the collar (8) toward the cross-section tapering means when the screw connection is established.

Description

System comprising an inner container and an outer container

[0001] The present invention relates to a system comprising an inner container and an outer container according to claim 1.

[0002] DE 20 2020 105 068 U 1 discloses a system comprising an inner container and an outer container. The inner container is disposed within the outer container. Both the inner container and the outer container are closed by a single screw cap that is screwed onto the outer container. When the screw connection is loosened, the screw cap moves into a release position. By pressing on a lid area of ​​the screw cap in the release position, the inner container can be released, causing it to fall down. The liquid in the inner container can then mix with the liquid in the outer container.

[0003] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of creating an improved system. Furthermore, a method for assembling such a system is to be created.

[0004] This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 9. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] The system comprises an inner container and an outer container. The inner container comprises a first interior space surrounded by a first wall and a circumferential collar projecting outwardly from the first wall. The outer container comprises a second wall surrounded by a second interior space. The inner container can be arranged in the second interior space, i.e., within the outer container.

[0006] The first interior space is fluidically connected to the environment of the system via a first opening area. The second interior space is fluidically connected to the environment via a second opening area. In the context of this description, a fluidic connection is understood to mean in particular that a fluid exchange is possible. A fluid can therefore flow through the opening area into the environment or vice versa. The system comprises a lid which can be fastened to the outer container with a screw connection. The first and the second opening areas are covered with the lid when the screw connection is established when the inner container is arranged in the second interior space. In this state, both opening areas are therefore covered with a single lid. For this purpose, the lid can, for example, be plugged onto the inner container. The screw connection defines a virtual center axis.In the context of this description, the term "virtual" specifically means that the feature referred to does not actually exist as a component, but is merely used to describe or define various functions or arrangements. The center axis is the axis around which the cover rotates when the screw connection is created.

[0007] In the context of this description, the terms "inside" and "outside" refer specifically to the position relative to the virtual center axis. The virtual center axis represents the center, i.e., the innermost area.

[0008] The outer container comprises a second opening region and projecting inwards from the second wall Cross-sectional tapering means I. The cross-sectional tapering means can, in particular, taper a continuous cross-section in the second opening region. In this case, for example, the continuous cross-section in the opening region can be smallest where the cross-sectional tapering means is arranged.

[0009] The cross-sectional tapering means is arranged in a virtual plane. Preferably, the normal vector of this virtual plane can be arranged on the center axis or parallel to the center axis. Rotation of the inner container about the center axis is blocked when the collar is arranged in the virtual plane. It should be noted that in practice, a slight rotation may still be possible due to tolerances.

[0010] The inner container comprises a driver element that protrudes from the collar in the direction of the cross-sectional tapering means when the screw connection is established. This applies in particular when the screw connection is fully established, i.e., when the lid can no longer be screwed more tightly onto the outer container without damaging components. It is particularly possible for the driver element to protrude perpendicularly from the collar, for example, parallel to the center axis.

[0011] The first and second opening regions can be arranged in particular in a respective bottle neck if the inner and outer containers are each a bottle. Furthermore, the second opening region can be arranged in the region of the thread with which the lid is attached to the outer container.

[0012] The interaction of the collar and the driver element with the cross-sectional tapering means is particularly advantageous. Due to the collar and the cross-sectional tapering means, the inner container can only be inserted into the second interior space in one or more defined orientations. When the screw connection is then established and the lid, which is attached to the inner container, for example, by means of a plug connection, is rotated, the driver element engages with the cross-sectional tapering means, preventing rotation of the inner container. The lid is thus rotated relative to the inner container.

[0013] When the screw connection is then loosened again, the driver element or the collar comes into contact with the cross-sectional tapering means due to the twisting, without the driver element or the collar being able to pass through the cross-sectional tapering means. Due to the force occurring when the screw connection is loosened, the fastening of the lid to the inner container is released, allowing the inner container to fall freely into the second interior space. The first opening area is then no longer covered. A substance located in the inner container can then mix with a substance located in the second interior space.

[0014] For example, two liquids can be mixed together in this way, which a user wishes to mix shortly before consumption. However, it is also possible, for example, to place a powder in the first compartment and a liquid such as water in the second compartment. This can be advantageous, for example, to mix the powder and water shortly before use. It is possible, for example, that the mixture may not have a long shelf life, as is the case with some pharmaceuticals, whereas the powder and water each have a very long shelf life when used separately.

[0015] A particularly advantageous feature is the way the lid is released from the inner container when the screw connection is loosened. No pressure is required on the lid. This is especially beneficial during transport of the system. Avoiding pressure on the lid is not necessary. Furthermore, the user can easily and intuitively loosen the screw connection. Furthermore, the shape of the surrounding collar reduces the risk of components breaking off.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the driver element can engage with the cross-sectional tapering means when the screw connection is established, causing the inner container to twist relative to the lid. This twisting can cause the screw connection to no longer be released without first removing the lid from the inner container.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner container may be threadless. Such a thread is not necessary, since the lid can be attached to the inner container, for example, with a plug connection.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid may have an internal thread and the outer container an external thread. The screw connection may be produced using the internal thread and the external thread.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner container can be freely rotatable about the central axis when the screw connection is made, as soon as the driver element is out of contact with the cross-sectional tapering means.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid can be attached to the inner container by means of a plug-in connection. This is particularly advantageous because the plug-in connection can be easily released by exerting a force on the collar or the driver element when loosening the screw connection, because the collar or the driver element cannot be passed through the cross-sectional tapering means.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collar can have an outer border whose contour corresponds to an inner border of the cross-sectional tapering means. This, of course, also applies only subject to tolerances during the manufacturing of the system.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outer border can comprise two partial circle sections and two non-curved sections. The partial circle sections can, for example, be merely sections of a circle's circumference. The non-curved sections can, for example, be free of any curvature. The partial circle sections can be separated from one another by the non-curved sections. The same can also apply the other way around in this case, namely, that the non-curved sections are separated from one another by the partial circle sections.

[0023] In the method according to claim 9, a connection, for example a plug connection, is first established between the lid and the inner container. The inner container is then inserted into the second interior space. In doing so, the collar is guided through the cross-sectional tapering means. The inner container can, for example, be inserted into the second interior space until the internal thread of the lid comes into contact with the external thread of the outer container. The screw connection of the lid to the outer container is then During the production of the screw connection, the driver element engages with the cross-sectional tapering means, thus causing the inner container to twist relative to the lid.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the Screw connection can be loosened. When the screw connection is loosened, the driver element or the collar can come into contact with the cross-sectional tapering means in a position in which the collar or the driver element cannot be passed through the cross-sectional tapering means. This can be caused, for example, by the inner container being rotated relative to the lid when the screw connection was made. By further loosening the screw connection, the connection between the inner container and the lid can then be released, so that the inner container can move freely in the second interior space and a fluid exchange can take place between the first and the second interior space.

[0025] Further features and advantages of an embodiment of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts with identical or similar functions. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention in the assembled state; and Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the inner container of the system of Fig. 1 .

[0026] It is not necessary for a device according to the invention to have all of the features described below. It is also possible for a device according to the invention to have only individual features of the exemplary embodiment described below.

[0027] The system comprises an outer container 1 and an inner container 2. A first wall of the inner container 2 surrounds a first interior space 4 in which a first liquid is disposed. A second wall of the outer container 1 surrounds a second interior space 3 in which a second liquid is disposed. The inner container 2 has a first opening area 6. The outer container 1 has a second opening area 7. Both the first opening area 6 and the second opening area 7 are closed by a lid 5. When the lid 5 is removed, the first interior space 4 is in fluid communication with the system's surroundings via the first opening area 6, and the second interior space 3 is in fluid communication with the system's surroundings via the second opening area 7. A circumferential collar 8 protrudes outward from the first wall of the inner container 2.

[0028] The lid 5 is attached to the outer container 1 with a screw connection. The lid 5 is attached to the inner container 2 with a plug connection. The plug connection is a positive connection, namely a snap-in connection. A circumferential edge of the inner container 2 is arranged within a circumferential groove in the lid. The connection can be released by deforming the lid 5.

[0029] The inner container 2 and the outer container 1 are closed by first connecting the lid 5 to the inner container 2. The lid 5 is then placed on the outer container 1 and, at the same time, the inner container 2 is inserted into the second interior space 3. This is only possible if the collar 8 is guided through a cross-sectional tapering means projecting inward from the wall of the outer container 1 in the second opening area 7. The outer edge of the collar 8 and the inner edge of the cross-sectional tapering means are coordinated with one another in such a way that the passage is only possible in one or more predefined Alignments of the inner container 2 relative to the outer container 1 are possible. The moment the collar 8 is arranged in a plane with the cross-sectional tapering means, rotation of the inner container 2 relative to the outer container 1 is no longer possible, apart from tolerances.

[0030] When the collar 8 is passed through the cross-sectional tapering means, the external thread of the outer container 1 and the internal thread of the lid 5 come into contact with each other, so that the production of the screw connection between the lid 5 and the container 1 can begin. This requires rotation of the lid 5 relative to the outer container 1, which is possible because the collar 8 is arranged below the cross-sectional tapering means.

[0031] However, a driver element 9 protrudes vertically from the collar 8. When the inner container 2 is arranged in the second interior space 3 as in Figure 1, the driver element 9 protrudes in the direction of the cross-sectional tapering means. The rotational movement of the lid 5 relative to the outer container 1 causes the inner container 2 to twist relative to the outer container 1, since the lid 5 and the inner container 2 are connected to one another. As soon as the driver element 9 strikes the cross-sectional tapering means, further twisting of the inner container 2 relative to the outer container 1 is no longer possible, so that the inner container 2 is twisted relative to the lid 5 when the lid 5 is screwed further onto the outer container 1.

[0032] When the screw connection of the lid 5 to the outer container 1 is fully established, the state shown in Figure 1 is reached. If a user now wishes to consume the two liquids arranged in the first interior space 4 and the second interior space 3, they begin to loosen the screw connection by rotating the lid 5 relative to the outer container 1. Due to the rotation of the inner container 2 relative to the lid 5 when the screw connection is established, the collar 8 can no longer be passed through the cross-sectional tapering means when the screw connection is loosened. The collar 8 comes into contact with the cross-sectional tapering means and blocks movement of the inner container 2 out of the second interior space 3.As the screw connection is further loosened, an ever-increasing force acts on the collar 8, causing the lid to deform, so that the connection between the lid 5 and the inner container 2 is released.

[0033] Since the inner container 2 has no further fastening, it can move freely in the second interior space and there is an exchange of liquids in the first interior space 4 and in the second interior space 3. The lid 5 can then be removed from the outer container 1 by further loosening the screw connection, as with a normal container, so that the user can consume the mixed liquids.

Claims

Claims: System comprising an inner container (2) and an outer container (1), wherein the inner container (2) comprises a first interior space (4) surrounded by a first wall and a circumferential collar (8) projecting outwards from the first wall, wherein the outer container (1) comprises a second interior space (3) surrounded by a second wall, wherein the inner container (2) is arrangable in the second interior space (3), wherein the first interior space (4) is fluidically connected to an environment of the system via a first opening area, wherein the second interior space (3) is fluidically connected to the environment via a second opening area, wherein the system comprises a lid (5) which is affixable to the outer container (1) by a screw connection, wherein the first opening area and the second opening area are covered by the lid (5) in the state of the inner container (2) being arranged in the second interior space (3).when the bolted connection is made, wherein the bolted connection defines a virtual center axis, wherein the outer container (1) comprises a cross-sectional tapering means arranged in the second opening region and projecting inwards from the second wall, wherein the cross-sectional tapering means is arranged in a virtual plane, wherein rotation of the inner container (2) about the center axis is blocked when the collar (8) is arranged in the virtual plane, wherein the inner container (2) comprises a drive element (9) that projects from the collar (8) in the direction of the cross-sectional tapering means away from the collar (8) when the bolted connection is made. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive element (9) engages with the cross-sectional reduction element during the formation of the screw connection and causes a rotation of the inner container (2) relative to the lid (5). System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner container (2) is free of a thread. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (5) has an internal thread and the outer container (1) has an external thread, wherein the screw connection can be formed using the internal and external threads. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner container (2) is freely rotatable about the central axis during the formation of the screw connection as soon as the drive element (9) is out of contact with the cross-sectional reduction element.System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (5) can be attached to the inner container (2) by means of a plug connection. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar (8) has an outer rim whose contour corresponds to an inner rim of the cross-sectional tapering means. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer rim comprises two partial circular segments and two uncurved segments. wherein the partial circle segments are separated from each other by the uncurved segments. Method for assembling a system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: Establishing a connection between the lid (5) and the inner container (2); then inserting the inner container (2) into the second interior space (3), whereby the collar (8) is passed through the cross-sectional reducing element; and then establishing the screw connection of the lid (5) with the outer container (1), wherein during the establishment of the screw connection the driving element (9) engages with the cross-sectional reducing element and causes a rotation of the inner container (2) relative to the lid (5).Method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the screw connection is loosened, wherein when the screw connection is loosened the drive element (9) or the collar (8) comes into a position in contact with the cross-sectional reduction means in which the drive element (9) or the collar (8) cannot be passed through the cross-sectional reduction means, and wherein by further loosening the screw connection the connection between the inner container (2) and the lid (5) is released.

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