Bottle with dosing cap and dosing cap with flexible side wall

Abstract

Bottle (1), in particular a washing or dishwashing detergent bottle, with a bottle neck (14) and with a dosing cap (30) that can be attached to the bottle neck (14) or to an attachment (20) that is screwed or pushed onto the bottle neck (14), wherein the dosing cap (30) has a closed bottom (31), an upper opening (36) and a closed side wall (32) extending from the bottom (31) to a cap rim (35), and wherein the side wall (32) has a first bottom-adjacent region (33) and a second region (34) adjoining it, characterized in that the dosing cap (30) can be converted from an unfolded state, in which the second region (34) is essentially an extension of the first region (33), to a folded-in state, in which the second region (34) is folded inwards towards the bottom (31) and the cap rim (35) is directed towards the ground (31),wherein, in the folded-down state of the dosing cap (30), the cap rim (35) is designed to hold the dosing cap (30) in a fastening position on the bottle neck (14) or the attachment (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bottle, in particular a washing or dishwashing detergent bottle, with a bottle neck and a dosing cap that can be attached to the bottle neck or to an attachment that is screwed or pushed onto the bottle neck. The invention further relates to a dosing cap for such a bottle.

[0002] Prior art discloses washing or dishwashing detergent bottles in which a closure-type attachment is screwed onto the bottle neck, onto which the dosing cap is placed. Furthermore, WO 2016 / 008693 A1 discloses, for example, a bottle for cleaning agents in which the dosing cap also functions as a closure. In this case, the dosing cap is screwed directly onto the bottle neck.

[0003] The dosing cap of WO 2016 / 008693 A1 is cup-shaped and has a round, closed base, an opening at the top, and a closed side wall extending from the base to a circular rim surrounding the opening. The side wall, which has the shape of a cylindrical surface, comprises a first, lower section and a second section. When the dosing cap is screwed onto the bottle neck, the second section of the side wall projects into the neck. A skirt with an internal thread is provided between the first and second sections of the side wall, allowing the dosing cap to be screwed onto an external thread of the bottle neck. Because the second section is located within the bottle neck, only the first section of the side wall contributes to the overall height of the bottle when the dosing cap is screwed on.

[0004] To keep storage and transport costs low, the overall height of a bottle with a dosing cap attached should not be too great. However, the dosing cap cannot be made arbitrarily small, as its size depends on the quantities typically dispensed. The measure described above, where part of the cup-shaped dosing cap protrudes into the bottle neck when screwed on, keeps the overall height relatively low. This, however, requires comparatively large bottle neck diameters and a correspondingly designed dosing cap with the aforementioned skirt for screwing the cap onto the bottle neck.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a bottle, in particular a washing or dishwashing detergent bottle, with a dosing cap that has a simple and space-saving design.

[0006] The problem underlying the invention is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1. Exemplary embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims to claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, the dosing cap can be transformed from an unfolded state, in which the second part of the side wall essentially extends the first part, to a folded state, in which the second part is folded towards the bottom and the cap rim faces the bottom. The cap rim is designed to hold the dosing cap in a secure position on the bottle neck when folded. In the unfolded state, the dosing cap has a high side wall, providing a large interior space and thus enabling it to hold larger quantities of liquid detergent or dishwashing liquid. In the folded state, the dosing cap has a reduced height, allowing the overall height of the bottle, including the attached dosing cap, to be kept low.According to the invention, in addition to defining the upper opening of the dispensing cap, the cap rim also serves to hold the dispensing cap in position on the bottle neck. The cap rim can include connecting elements that allow the dispensing cap to be detachably attached to the bottle neck.

[0008] It is understood that the interaction of the cap rim and bottle neck described here also applies analogously to the interaction of the cap rim and any attachment, if one is provided. When reference is made below to the bottle neck, this also applies analogously to the attachment, which may be, for example, a stopper or a pourer.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the rim of the dispensing cap rests under tension against the bottle neck (or the attachment) in the mounting position. The rim of the cap is then elastically deformed. Elastic restoring forces press the rim of the cap against the bottle neck. The resulting normal force, a frictional force between the rim of the cap and the bottle neck, or a combination of normal force and frictional force holds the dispensing cap in position.

[0010] The material of the second section of the sidewall, and thus of the dome's edge, can be more elastic than the material of the first section. For example, a stiffer material such as polypropylene or polyethylene can be used for the base and the first section of the sidewall that adjoins the base, while an elastomer, silicone, or thermoplastic elastomer can be chosen for the second section. Additionally or alternatively, greater flexibility or elasticity of the second section compared to the first can be achieved through other measures, such as adjusting the wall thickness and / or adding or omitting material-reinforcing structures like reinforcing ribs.

[0011] If different materials are chosen for the side wall sections, the dispensing cap can be manufactured using a two-component injection molding process. In this process, the material of the second section can be molded onto the previously cast first section. Alternatively, the second section can be injection molded first, and then the first section can be injection molded onto it. Preferably, the first section and the base are manufactured in one piece from a single material.

[0012] The material of the second section of the sidewall can be relatively soft. For example, the Shore hardness of the material in this second section can range from 10 to 80 Shore A at a temperature of 23°C. A preferred range extends from 40 to 65 Shore A.

[0013] If a harder material such as polypropylene or polyethylene is chosen for the bottle neck, the material pairing between the dome rim (which, as described above, can be made of an elastomer, silicone, or thermoplastic elastomer) and the polypropylene or polyethylene of the bottle neck results in a high coefficient of friction. This means that the friction between the dispensing cap and the bottle neck, and thus the resulting holding force, is high. Furthermore, a good sealing effect can be achieved through the material pairing of soft and hard materials, which is particularly important if the dispensing cap is placed directly onto the bottle neck without an intermediate closure.

[0014] The length of the second section of the side wall can be 10 to 100 mm, and preferably 20 to 40 mm. If the dispensing cap is substantially rotationally symmetrical, the diameter of the upper opening can be 20 to 200 mm, preferably 40 to 70 mm. The largest outer diameter of the dispensing cap can be 30 to 230 mm, preferably 50 to 80 mm. Assuming a cylindrical dispensing cap with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 60 mm (in the unfolded state), the maximum dispensing volume of the cap is approximately 120 ml. The (axial) height in the unfolded state, relative to the height of the dispensing cap in the folded state, can be between 1.2 and 1.8, preferably 1.3 and 1.7.

[0015] The cap rim can have a circumferential ridge (area with increased wall thickness) with a contact surface for the bottle neck. This contact surface is inclined outwards when the dispensing cap is unfolded and inwards when folded. Assuming a circular cap rim and a cylindrical bottle neck, the contact surface rests against the outside of the bottle neck when folded. In this position, the contact surface is directed radially inwards towards the bottle neck and rests against it.

[0016] In one embodiment, when folded down, the dispensing cap rests against the bottle neck with its contact surface covering essentially its entire surface. Full contact is defined as occurring when the contact surface of the cap's rim and a corresponding contact surface of the bottle neck are essentially parallel to each other. For example, the contact surface could be an inner surface of the cap and the contact surface of the bottle neck could be an outer surface, both of which have no or the same angle of inclination to a longitudinal axis of the bottle neck.

[0017] The cap rim can have an inclined or rounded leading edge that faces inwards when the dispensing cap is unfolded. For example, when the circular cap rim is placed onto the cylindrical bottle neck from above to secure the dispensing cap, the inclined or rounded leading edge causes the cap rim to roll down the bottle neck when axial pressure is applied. This initiates the folding motion, moving the dispensing cap from its unfolded position into its folded state. In other words, the dispensing cap can be designed so that simply placing it on the bottle neck and applying axial pressure automatically folds it into its closed position. It is also possible, however, to place the dispensing cap on the bottle neck already in its folded position.

[0018] The bottle neck may have a chamfer, which can be straight or curved. The interaction of the cap's rim's inlet surface and the bottle neck's chamfer ensures that pressing the dispensing cap down onto the bottle neck initiates the folding motion. If a closure is provided, it should also have the chamfer.

[0019] Another object of the invention, the provision of a dosing cap for a bottle, in particular for a washing or dishwashing detergent bottle, is solved by the combination of features according to claim 12.

[0020] The dispensing cap according to the invention has a closed base, an upper opening, and a closed side wall extending from the base to a cap rim, the side wall comprising a first region near the base and a second region further away from the base. The closed base and the closed side wall, which can be composed of a plurality of individual side walls, form a cup-shaped, sealed container for holding a liquid. The dispensing cap can be moved from an open state, in which the second region is essentially an extension of the first region, to a folded state, in which the second region is folded towards the base and the cap rim is directed towards the base. The cap rim has a bead with a contact surface for the bottle neck or for the attachment on the bottle neck.The contact surface is inclined outwards when the dosing cap is unfolded and inwards when folded.

[0021] The dosing cap according to the invention may have further features / properties which are disclosed in the description of the bottle according to the invention.

[0022] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The figures show:

[0023] Fig. 1 a washing or dishwashing detergent bottle with a dosing cap attached;

[0024] Fig. 2 the dosing cap in an open position; and

[0025] Fig. 3. The dosing cap in a folded-down position.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a bottle, which in its entirety with 1 The term "bottle" is generally understood to mean packaging for a pourable or liquid product.

[0027] The bottle 1 includes a bottle base 10 , which is the interior of a bottle 11 limited to the capacity for the product (for example, a liquid detergent or liquid dishwashing liquid). In the bottle base. 10 is a recess 12 to train a hand grip 13 molded. The bottle base. 10 is preferably made of plastic. The inside of the bottle 11 It can have a volume of 1 to 10 liters.

[0028] At one upper end of the bottle base 10 a cylindrical bottle neck closes. 14 on, who however in Fig. 1 by a screwed-on attachment in the form of a closure 20 is mostly concealed. The closure 20 It has an internal thread that engages with an external thread on the bottle neck. Between the bottle neck 14 and the bottle base 10is a bottle neckband 15 planned.

[0029] On the closure 20 sits one with 30 The dosing cap is labeled as such. A more detailed description of the dosing cap follows. 30 follows from the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 2 shows the dosing cap in an open position, while Fig. 3 the dosing cap 30 shows in a folded state. Fig. Figure 1 shows the dosing cap 30 also in the folded position.

[0030] The closure 20 has a circular front wall 21 and a cylindrical side wall 22 up. Between the front wall 21 and the side wall 22 is a circumferential inlet chamfer 23 planned.

[0031] How the Fig. 2 and Fig. The dosing cap shows that 3 can be removed. 30 a closed, level floor 31from which extends an essentially cylindrical, slightly bulbous side wall 32 extends. The side wall 32 This includes a first area 33 and a second area 34 on, whereby with 35 a dividing line is designated where the two areas 32 , 33 bumping into each other. The ground 31 and the first area 33 are manufactured in one piece from the same material. The second area 34 It consists of a material that is supposed to be softer than the material of the floor. 31 or of the first area 33 A preferred material for the second area 34 represents a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0032] The second area 34 the side wall 32 forms a cap edge 35 out, which has an upper opening 36 surrounds. The upper opening 36It is circular in shape. The dosing cap is upright. 30 on the floor 31 , can be placed in the dosing cap 30 through the opening 36 The liquid washing or dishwashing detergent is poured into the dosing cap for dispensing. The dosing cap may have several dosage markings, which are located in the Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 are not shown. The terms "bottom" and "base" refer to the dosing position in which the dosing cap can hold the detergent or dishwashing liquid (bottom down, opening up). 31 and upper opening 36 .

[0033] The cap's edge 35 has a circumferential ridge 37 on, which has an outward-facing mounting surface 38 includes when the dosing cap 30 in the unfolded state (see Fig. 2) is located. One of the plant areas 38 opposite inlet surface 39 at the cap edge 35 The ridge is rounded. 37is compared to a middle section 40 of the second area 34 characterized by a slightly increased wall thickness.

[0034] In the folded position (see Fig. 3) shows the cap edge 35 not from the ground 31 away, but is in the direction of the ground. 31 directed. In the folded state, the mounting surface 38 now directed inwards, while the previously inwards directed inlet surface 39 is turned outwards. The second area, viewed radially, is now mostly inside the first area.

[0035] The cap's edge 35 is when he is at the closure 20 (in Fig. 3 (indicated by the dashed line) is elastically expanded so that the corresponding restoring forces affect the contact surface 38 against the cylindrical side wall 22 of the closure 20Press radially inwards. If the dosing cap 30 in the unfolded position, press down on the clasp from above. 20 The cap edge is set 35 initially not expanded or stretched until it reached the first structure with the sloping inlet chamfer 23 of the closure 20 It comes. With further axial downward pressure of the dosing cap, the inlet surface slides. 39 of the cap edge along the inlet chamfer and widens increasingly until the restoring forces and thus the friction between the inlet surface 39 and inlet phase 23 become so large that the cap's edge 35 It remains at a specific axial height. This is due to the rounding of the inlet surface. 39 will occur with further downward pressure on the floor 31 A rolling or folding movement of the second area is initiated, so that finally, starting from the unfolded state, the folded state is reached. Fig. 3 is reached. Depending on the axial pressure, if the second section is already folded in, the contact surface can 38 during the warm-up phase 23 (with further expansion of the cap edge) 38 ) and along the cylindrical side wall 22 slide further downwards. The mounting surface 38 It now lies completely against the cylindrical side wall. 22 of the closure 20 to.

[0036] Instead of the closure 20 could the dosing cap 30 also directly with the cylindrical bottle neck 14 interact. In this case, the connection between the planting area would have to be 38 and the cylindrical surface of the bottle neck 14 also act as a seal.

[0037] Starting from the folded state (see Fig. 3) can the dosing cap 30to be brought into the unfolded state by applying an upward pulling force, for example via the first area 33 the side wall 32 , the dosing cap 30 from the closure 20 is pulled off. Due to friction between the contact surface 38 and the closure 22 The second area now unfolds. 34 , so that ultimately the second area 34 back to its original position according to Fig. 2 folds back or snaps back. Reference symbol list 1 bottle 10 bottle bases 11 bottle interior 12 recesses 13 Handle 14 bottlenecks 15 bottle neck bundles 20 Closure / Attachment 21 Front wall 22 side wall 23 Inlet phase 30 dosing caps 31 Floor 32 side wall 33 first area 34 second area 35 Cap edge 36 Opening 37 bulge 38 Plant area 39 Inlet area 40 middle section QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0038] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0039] WO 2016 / 008693 A1 [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Bottle ( 1 ), in particular a washing or dishwashing detergent bottle, with a bottle neck ( 14 ) and with a dosing cap ( 30 ), which is located at the bottleneck ( 14 ) or in an essay ( 20 ), which is on the bottleneck ( 14 ) is screwed on or plugged in, can be attached, whereby the dosing cap ( 30 ) a closed floor ( 31 ), an upper opening ( 36 ) and a closed side wall ( 32 ) exhibits which extend from the ground ( 31 ) up to a cap edge ( 35 ) extends, and wherein the side wall ( 32 ) a first area near the ground ( 33 ) and a second area adjoining it ( 34 ) shows, characterized by that the dosing cap ( 30 ) from an unfolded state in which the second area ( 34 ) essentially an extension of the first area ( 33) represents, can be transformed into a folded state in which the second area ( 34 ) towards the ground ( 31 ) is folded in and the cap edge ( 35 ) to the ground ( 31 ) is directed, whereby in the folded-in state of the dosing cap ( 30 ) the cap edge ( 35 ) is designed to include the dosing cap ( 30 ) at the bottleneck ( 14 ) or the essay ( 20 ) to hold in a fastening position. [2] Bottle ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized by that in the fastening position the cap edge ( 35 ) under tension at the bottleneck ( 14 ) or the essay ( 20 ) is pending. [3] Bottle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the material of the second area ( 34 ) the side wall ( 32 ) is more elastic than the material of the first area ( 33 ). [4] Bottle ( 1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the dosing cap ( 30 ) is manufactured using a two-component injection molding process. [5] Bottle ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the material of the second area ( 34 ) has a Shore hardness of 10 to 80 Shore A at a temperature of 23°. [6] Bottle ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the material of the second area ( 34 ) is an elastomer, a silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer and that the material of the bottle neck ( 14 ) and / or the essay ( 20 ) Polypropylene or polyethylene. [7] Bottle ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the dosing cap ( 30 ) is essentially rotationally symmetric. [8] Bottle ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the cap edge ( 35) a circumferential bead with a contact surface ( 38 ) for the bottleneck ( 14 ) or the essay ( 20 ) exhibits, which in the unfolded state of the dosing cap ( 30 ) is inclined outwards and inclined inwards when folded. [9] Bottle ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized by that in the folded position the dosing cap ( 30 ) with the installation area ( 38 ) essentially across the entire surface of the bottle neck ( 14 ) or the essay ( 20 ) is pending. [10] Bottle ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the cap edge ( 35 ) a sloping or rounded inlet surface ( 39 ) exhibits, which in the unfolded state of the dosing cap ( 30 ) is directed inwards. [11] Bottle ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, that the bottleneck ( 14 ) and / or the essay ( 20) has a leading-edge chamfer. [12] Dosing cap ( 30 ) with a closed bottom ( 31 ), an upper opening ( 36 ) and a closed side wall ( 32 ), which rise from the ground ( 31 ) up to a cap edge ( 35 ) extends, with the side wall ( 32 ) a first area near the ground ( 33 ) and a second area further away from the ground ( 34 ) has a dosing cap ( 30 ) from an unfolded state in which the second area ( 34 ) essentially an extension of the first area ( 33 ) represents, can be transformed into a folded state in which the second area ( 34 ) towards the ground ( 31 ) is folded in and the cap edge ( 35 ) to the ground ( 31 ) is directed, with the cap edge ( 35 ) a bulge with a contact surface ( 38 ) for a bottleneck ( 14) a bottle ( 1 ) or for an essay ( 20 ) of a bottleneck ( 14 ) has, and wherein the installation area ( 38 ) in the unfolded position of the dosing cap ( 30 ) is inclined outwards and inclined inwards when folded.

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