Container, container lid and refill container

Abstract

A container closure (100) is disclosed having a base body (20) for fastening to a container. In the base body (20) a discharge opening (21) and a refill opening (22) are arranged. The refill opening (23) is closed with a plug (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container lid, a container including a container lid, a refill container, and a kit consisting of a container having a container lid and a refill container. Background Technology

[0002] Various apparatuses and methods are known from the prior art for refilling bottles or containers. On the one hand, this arises from the need for complexly designed containers to be used multiple times, and for refilled bottles or containers intended for single use to be designed to be very robust, for example. Furthermore, there is a need to design packaging materials in a way that conserves resources. This need has also led to the development of containers made with corresponding stability so that they can be reused repeatedly in daily use, and refilled containers made of relatively thin materials for single use only. For example, refilled containers can be made in the form of bags.

[0003] For example, a refill container with a special closure is known from GB 2 342 347 A. This closure has a breakable wall that breaks off when the refill container and the closure are screwed together onto the container to be refilled. This closure is complex to manufacture, consumes a lot of material, and can only be used once. For example, the refill container cannot be closed again if all the liquid in it cannot be transferred to the container to be refilled. Typically, the capacity of the refill container is larger than that of the container. The closure shown in GB 2 342 347 A connects the refill container to the container to be refilled. Due to the special design of this closure, the refill container cannot be completely emptied.

[0004] Furthermore, connectors are also known in the prior art, used to connect refill containers to containers that need to be refilled. These connectors are removed again after the filling process so that the containers can be resealed in each case. These connectors must be disposed of after use or require time-consuming and laborious cleaning so that they can be temporarily stored for future use.

[0005] In addition, there are containers, such as those used for shower gels or shampoos, that have a lid with only a small outlet for metering purposes. To obtain a sufficiently large opening for refilling, the lid must be removed, which is often very difficult for these containers.

[0006] In addition, there is a demand, particularly from manufacturers, for refilling only products that correspond to the original products. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate at least one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a container cap should be provided that makes it simple and safe to refill a container fitted with the cap. In particular, a container cap should be provided that simplifies the refilling of original products.

[0008] This objective is achieved by means of a device according to the invention. Further embodiments are described below.

[0009] The container cap according to the invention has a base for securing it to a container. A discharge port and a refill port are arranged in the base. The refill port is sealed with a plug.

[0010] This makes it possible to provide a container cap with a relatively small opening as an outlet or drain for the metered dispensing of liquids such as shampoo or shower gel. Simultaneously, the container has a correspondingly large refill port through which it can be refilled. By providing a refill port in the container cap, the need to remove the cap from the container for refilling is eliminated.

[0011] The refill port is sealed with a stopper, allowing the container to be used in any position, especially when inverted, without the risk of accidentally discharging the contents through the refill port.

[0012] Preferably, the refill port and the plug are releasably connected using matching fasteners, particularly using threaded or bayonet closures.

[0013] With these matching fasteners, it is possible to guide the connection between the refill port and the plug. Specifically, with such fasteners, the relative positions of the plug and the refill port can be set in exactly the same repeatable manner. That is, the relative positions can be reproduced repeatedly. Also advantageously, the refill port is sealed with the plug to a uniform degree of tightness.

[0014] The plug can have a synchronized profile.

[0015] It is feasible to synchronize the profile by manipulating the plug, i.e., loosening or fixing the plug.

[0016] Preferably, the synchronization profile is designed as a product-specific profile. In particular, the synchronization profile is coded for a specific product.

[0017] By designing a synchronized profile for a specific product, the use of plugs with non-original (i.e., not belonging to this product) accessories can be prevented, at least to some extent. In other words, the corresponding design of the synchronized profile promotes the use of original products.

[0018] The synchronous profile can, for example, have a polygonal cross-section, and thus be, for example, a triangle, a square, or generally designed as an n-sided polygon. In particular, it is also conceivable that there are recesses between the corners of the polygon, and the profile is correspondingly designed as a star shape.

[0019] Preferably, the plug and the refill port are connected via a sealing surface interaction.

[0020] This can be configured such that a sealing surface is arranged at the stopper. Alternatively, a sealing surface can be arranged at the refill port. It is conceivable that a seal is arranged at one of the two elements, the stopper and the refill port, instead of the sealing surface. For example, such a seal can be designed as part of the refill port or as part of the stopper. It is also conceivable to use a separate sealing element, such as a rubber seal, which can be designed, for example, in the shape of an O-ring.

[0021] The sealing surface and / or corresponding seal ensure a tight seal in the refill port. The corresponding design of the sealing surface and / or seal generates a preload when the plug is connected to the refill port, thus securing the plug firmly within the refill port.

[0022] Position marks may be arranged on the stopper and / or the base to indicate the closure state. It is conceivable that several position marks are arranged on the base, and these position marks correspond to the position of another position mark on the stopper, depending on the closure state of the stopper.

[0023] Therefore, users can visually verify whether the container lid, especially the refill opening, is securely sealed with a stopper.

[0024] The container lid can be designed as a flip-top closure.

[0025] The flip-top closure design makes the container lid easy to operate, and in particular, it makes it possible to have the sealing plug irremovably placed on the container lid to seal the discharge port.

[0026] The flip-top closure design also makes it possible to hide the stopper, so the stopper is not visible on the product and therefore cannot be accessed when the product is closed.

[0027] Another aspect relates to a refill container for refilling containers with lids, particularly those with lids as described in this case. The refill container has a filling nozzle and a sealing cap. The filling nozzle is closed by the sealing cap. A drive profile is designed at the sealing cap for releasing the stopper.

[0028] This design of the refill container with a drive profile at the closed cap makes it possible to open the plug that seals the refill port at the container cap.

[0029] Preferably, the drive profile is designed to be product-specific. Specifically, the drive profile matches the synchronization profile at the plug. Here, each product preferably has exactly one pair of profiles: a drive profile and a synchronization profile.

[0030] The driving profile can, for example, have a polygonal cross-section, and thus be, for example, a triangle, a square, or generally designed as an n-sided polygon. In particular, it is also conceivable that there are recesses between the corners of the polygon, and the profile is correspondingly designed as a star shape.

[0031] By designing the drive profile specifically for a particular product, it is possible to prevent, at least to some extent, the plug from being opened using a non-original (i.e., not belonging to this product) sealing cap. In other words, by designing a corresponding drive profile (matching the synchronization profile), the use of the original product can be facilitated.

[0032] Preferably, the refill port of the filling nozzle and the container cap have matching fasteners, particularly threaded or bayonet closures, so as to releasably connect the two.

[0033] With these matching fasteners, it is possible to guide the refill container to the refill port. Specifically, this fastener allows the refill container to be inseparably connected to the container, more precisely, to the container cap located thereon. The vent on the container cap allows for air exchange, even for refill containers fixedly connected to the cap. Excess air can escape. By connecting the filling nozzle to the refill port, splashing or spilling of liquid during refilling is prevented.

[0034] In particular, this type of fastener allows for the exact and repeatable setting of the relative positions of the filling nozzle and refill port. That is, the relative positions can be reproduced repeatedly. Furthermore, this fastener allows for the establishment of a preload in the connection, which at least partially prevents accidental opening of the connection.

[0035] Refillable containers can be designed as bags.

[0036] Bags can be manufactured relatively simply and inexpensively, requiring relatively little material.

[0037] Alternatively, refilled containers can be designed as extruded blow-molded containers.

[0038] Extruded blow-molded containers are also relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Because these containers are typically blown from a single-layer tube, their reuse or the redirection of residual material back into the material flow becomes easier.

[0039] Another aspect relates to a container that includes a container lid as described in this case. This makes it possible to serve a product in a container with a corresponding container lid having a stopper for the specific product, or more precisely, a product-specific synchronous profile at the location of the stopper.

[0040] Another aspect relates to a kit consisting of a container with a lid (particularly as described in this case) and a refill container (particularly as described in this case). The refill container has a sealing lid, and a stopper is arranged at the lid, which specifically seals the refill port. The sealing lid has a drive profile, and the stopper has a synchronization profile. The drive profile and the synchronization profile are designed to match each other.

[0041] Such a kit makes it possible to provide a product-specific combination consisting of a refillable container and a corresponding refillable container.

[0042] Preferably, the container cap of the kit has a refill port that is sealed with a stopper. In this case, the refill container preferably has a filling nozzle that is sealed with a cap. By providing both the filling nozzle and the refill port, the corresponding container can be easily refilled.

[0043] This can be configured such that matching fasteners, particularly threaded or bayonet closures, are arranged at the refill port and the filling nozzle to releasably connect the two.

[0044] Using these matching fasteners, it is possible to guide the refill container to the refill port. Ensure that only genuine products are used. Attached Figure Description

[0045] The present invention will be described based on the figures. In the figures:

[0046] Figure 1 A perspective view of the container lid is shown;

[0047] Figure 2 The refill container is shown;

[0048] Figure 3 The closed lid is shown;

[0049] Figure 4 The plug was shown;

[0050] Figure 5 The image shows a container lid and stopper that interlock.

[0051] Figure 6 The container lid with the stopper removed is shown;

[0052] Figure 7 A refill container is shown engaging with a refill port at the container cap.

[0053] For clarity, the container with the lid is not shown in the figure. Detailed Implementation

[0054] Figure 1 A perspective view of a container cap 100 is shown. The container cap 100 has a base 20. A discharge port 21 and a refill port 22 are arranged in the base 20. The refill port 22 is closed with a plug 30. Two position marks 23 and 24 are arranged in the area of ​​the refill port 22, and the corresponding position mark 32 of the plug 30 can be aligned with these position marks.

[0055] The container lid 100 is designed as a flip-top closure and has a flip-top cover 101, on which a sealing plug 102 is arranged. When the flip-top cover 101 is operated, the sealing plug 102 closes the discharge port 21. In addition, the flip-top cover also covers the stopper 30.

[0056] Figure 2 A refill container 300 is shown. The refill container has a filling spout 40, which is closed with a sealing cap 50. The refill container 300 is designed as a bag.

[0057] Figure 3 A perspective view of the closure cover 50 is shown. The closure cover 50 has a structure (not shown in detail) on its periphery to ensure a secure grip. The closure cover 50 has a recess at one end in which a drive profile 51 is arranged. The drive profile 51 rises from the bottom of the recess, forming a positive bulge. In this embodiment, the drive profile is designed to have five radially extending protrusions, thus forming a star shape.

[0058] Figure 4 A perspective view of the plug 30 is shown. The plug 30 has threads (not shown in detail) as a fastener for securing it in the refill port 22 (see [reference]). Figure 1 Or 6). The plug has a recess at one end as a synchronization profile 31. In this example, the synchronization profile 31 is designed to be complementary to the drive profile 51 (see...). Figure 3 In this example, the drive profile is designed with five radially extending recesses. Furthermore, a position mark 32 is arranged at the plug 30, which in this case is designed as a radially extending protrusion.

[0059] Figure 5 The interlocking container cap 100 and stopper 30 are shown. For this purpose, the drive profile 51 and the synchronization profile 31 are interlocked. It can be seen that at this moment, when the refill port 22 is still closed, position marks 32 and 23 are adjacent to each other. Typically, the closing cap 50 is unscrewed from the refill container 300 to create... Figure 5 The state shown.

[0060] Figure 6 The container lid with stopper 30 removed is shown. For this purpose, the sealing cap 50 has been attached to the stopper 30. Figure 5 They are rotated counterclockwise together until position mark 32 and position mark 33 are adjacent. Then the stopper 30 can be removed. It can be seen that the refill port 22 is exposed.

[0061] Figure 7 A refill container is shown engaging with a refill port 22 at a container cap 100. A refill container 300 is arranged at a refill container 40, the refill port having fasteners that mate with the fasteners at the refill port 22. In this case, they are interlocking threads. This makes it possible to securely connect the refill container to the container with the container cap 100.

[0062] During refilling, air can escape from the container through the vent 21.

[0063] The thread at the filling nozzle is the same as the thread at stopper 30 (see...). Figure 4 Correspondingly, the internal thread at point 50 of the sealing cap (see...) Figure 3 It is also designed to have the same thread as the refill port.

Claims

1. A container cap (100) having a base (20) for securing to a container, wherein a discharge port (21) and a refill port (22) are arranged in the base (20), characterized in that, The refill port (22) is closed with a plug (30) having a synchronous profile (31).

2. The container lid (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refill port (22) and the plug (30) are releasably connected by mutually matching fasteners.

3. The container lid (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The synchronization profile (31) is designed to be product-specific.

4. The container lid (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The plug (30) and the refill port (22) are connected via a sealing surface interaction.

5. The container lid (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Position marks (23, 32, 33) are arranged at the plug (30) and / or the base (20) to indicate the closed state.

6. The container lid (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The container lid (100) is designed as a flip-top closure.

7. The container lid (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The refill port (22) and the plug (30) are releasably connected by a threaded or bayonet closure.

8. The container lid (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The synchronization profile (31) is coded for a specific product.

9. A refill container (300) for refilling a container having a container cap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the refill container (300) has a filling nozzle (40) and a sealing cap (50), wherein the filling nozzle (40) is closed by the sealing cap (50), characterized in that, A drive profile (51) for releasing the plug (30) is designed at the closed cap (50).

10. The refill container (300) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The filling nozzle (40) and the refill port (22) of the container cap (100) have matching fasteners to releasably connect the two.

11. The refill container (300) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The refill container (300) is designed as a bag.

12. The refill container (300) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The refill container (300) is designed as an extrusion blow molding container.

13. The refill container (300) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The filling nozzle (40) and the refill port (22) of the container cap (100) have threaded or bayonet closures so that they can be loosely connected.

14. A container comprising a container lid (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

15. A kit comprising a container having a container lid (100) and a refill container (300) having a closing cap (50), said container lid being a container lid according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said refill container being a refill container according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein a stopper (30) is arranged at said container lid (100), characterized in that, The closure cap (50) has a drive profile (51) and the plug (30) has a synchronization profile (31), wherein the drive profile (51) and the synchronization profile (31) are designed to match each other.

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