Dispensing cap for mounting on a container and associated dispensing system for dispensing a viscous product

Description

[0001] The entire content of priority application DE 10 2021 121 639.7 is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

[0002] The invention relates to a dispensing closure for mounting on a container and an associated dispensing system for dispensing a viscous product.

[0003] The recyclability of packaging, and therefore also of packaging for dosing systems for viscous products, is becoming increasingly important.

[0004] Commercially available dispensing systems are typically made of standard thermoplastic materials, which are very inexpensive to produce in large quantities and are versatile in their applications. The product container is usually made of polyethylene, while the dispensing system's closure is made of the somewhat harder and more heat-resistant polypropylene.

[0005] Especially with viscous products, a relatively large dispensing opening is necessary to deliver the desired portion. To prevent unintentional, sudden leakage and to ensure precise dosing of the viscous product, a valve made of silicone or other flexible materials is typically installed in the dispensing system's opening.

[0006] The different materials used and their material properties represent a significant obstacle with regard to recyclability.

[0007] FR 2 888 567 A1 relates to a closure for pouring liquids, consisting of a base with a pouring device, a lid with a circumferential rim, and means that rotatably connect the lid to the base. The pouring device comprises a generally cylindrical wall, the upper section of which forms a radially outward-facing bulge that creates a localized spout. This spout is located opposite the rotating means and, when the closure is closed, is concealed within the cap, so that it is invisible from the outside, and the circumferential rim of the lid does not have an outward-facing bulge as is typical for a spout.

[0008] WO 2007 / 087895 A1 concerns a container closure consisting of a pouring device with a spout and a pouring opening, as well as a cap for closing the pouring opening. The closure has a longitudinal axis, with the spout ending in a pouring lip. The cap has a sealing sleeve that, in the closed position, lies within the pouring opening and seals it completely. The spout is funnel-shaped along its longitudinal axis.

[0009] US 2005 / 098589 A1 describes a valve device for placement near a container opening and for metered dispensing of a medium from the container, comprising a first valve that closes the container opening as long as the pressure difference between the inside of the container and the outside environment is less than a first predetermined limit, and that opens the container opening when the pressure difference exceeds the first predetermined limit. It also includes a second valve that opens the container opening to allow air intake as long as the pressure difference between the inside of the container and the outside environment is less than a second predetermined limit, and that closes the container opening to allow air intake when the pressure difference exceeds the second predetermined limit. In the valve device, one of the valves is integrated into the other.

[0010] EP 3 336 004 A1 relates to a closure for liquid containers with flow control, consisting of three parts: a lower, a middle, and an upper body, which are formed and pressed together independently. The lower body includes means for connection to the bottle neck, fixed openings for liquid flow, means for connection to the upper body, and means for connection to the middle body. The middle body contains a removable safety diaphragm and conical-radial projections extending below this diaphragm in the opposite direction to the liquid flow. These projections are deformable and not connected in the middle and work together with the fixed openings to regulate the flow rate. The middle body can rotate relative to the lower body. The upper body contains a removable strip that seals a cap.

[0011] EP 2 559 632 A1 relates to a cap for oil bottles, comprising a pouring element connected to the bottle neck and a second annular extension projecting beyond the neck. A cap can be placed on the pouring element and / or the bottle neck and includes a closure body and a circumferential rim. The closure body has a peripheral bulge forming an upper cylindrical surface and a lower cylindrical surface. An annular partition is located behind the closure body, in the direction of the bottle neck. Between the partition and the inner wall of the upper cylindrical surface is a cavity for inserting and connecting the annular extension of the pouring element, thus preventing oil from escaping the bottle.

[0012] FR 2 492 774 A1 comprises a pouring spout for a container, such as a bottle, comprising a rim that fits over a bottle neck and a concentric, tubular sleeve forming a spout. This spout encloses a central transverse obstruction connected to the wall by arms, with openings formed between these arms. The central transverse obstruction and the arms form an inwardly concave dome, with the lateral openings arranged in the side wall of this dome.

[0013] FR 2 572 367 A1 describes a sealed pouring stopper that is firmly inserted into the neck of the container and reduces the original cross-section of the neck to 110 mm² or less. The base zone of this stopper is located deeper in the container than the opening zone. The pouring stopper comprises a cup-shaped structure with at least three openings evenly distributed around the circumference, located in both the side wall and the base zone, the openings preferably being in the form of slots.

[0014] One object of the invention is to provide a metering closure for mounting on a container and a metering system for dispensing a viscous product, with which the recyclability can be improved and thus the efficiency of the recycling process can be increased.

[0015] To solve the problem, a dispensing closure according to claim 1 and a dispensing system according to claim 9 are proposed. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims. The dispensing closure according to the invention makes it possible to manufacture a dispensing closure for a viscous product without an additional valve, while still ensuring the usual dispensing function.

[0016] The dispensing closure for mounting on a container for a viscous product comprises a closure body. A pouring opening for dispensing the viscous product is arranged in the closure body. Furthermore, the closure body includes a dispensing device located at the pouring opening, which is configured to generate a product jet flowing substantially perpendicular to a boundary plane of the pouring opening along a flow axis. The dispensing device has a barrier impermeable to the product, which is connected to the pouring opening via a surface surrounding the flow axis. The barrier is arranged downstream of the pouring opening along the flow axis in the direction of product jet flow.The outer surface has at least two recesses which are designed to allow the viscous product to flow through them in such a way that the individual jets generated by the at least two recesses combine until they exit the pouring opening, in order to produce the usual product jet flowing perpendicular to the pouring opening.

[0017] The dosing system according to the invention does not have a valve that would need to be made of a different, and in particular more flexible, material than the material of the closure body. This gives the developer less restriction in selecting the materials used for the dosing closure and allows for a more targeted selection of these materials, also with regard to recycling. This improves the recyclability of the dosing closure and thus solves the problem underlying the invention.

[0018] A viscous product within the meaning of the invention is a product with a medium or high viscosity. An example of a viscous product is ketchup.

[0019] A dosing device within the meaning of the invention is a device which serves the purpose of enabling the user of the dosing system to dispense a product stored in a container in defined portions of a desired size in a controlled manner.

[0020] An impermeable barrier device according to the invention effectively blocks the viscous product, particularly in the immediate vicinity of the pouring opening. This prevents the viscous product from escaping dynamically, for example, due to rapid movements.

[0021] In the metering closure according to the invention, the viscous product can only escape via the recesses arranged in the outer surface due to the obstruction device arranged upstream of the pouring opening along the flow axis in the direction of product stream flow. The obstruction device thus directs the flow of the viscous product away from the direct path to the pouring opening and towards the recesses.

[0022] A recess within the meaning of the invention is an opening through which the viscous product, coming from the interior of the container, can exit through the pouring opening.

[0023] According to the invention, the viscous product emerging from the at least two recesses forms individual streams flowing through them, which then combine in the pouring opening to form a single product jet.

[0024] The arrangement of the obstruction device according to the invention along the flow axis upstream of the pouring opening in the flow direction results in the obstruction device being located inside the metering closure. The obstruction device is thus arranged offset from the pouring opening along the flow axis.

[0025] A product jet within the meaning of the invention is the emerging viscous product which moves, preferably in a straight line.

[0026] Preferred further developments of the invention are described below.

[0027] According to the invention, the dosing closure is manufactured in one piece, in particular from a thermoplastic material, especially polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0028] In the context of the invention, "one-piece" means that the dispensing closure is thermoformed and therefore consists of a homogeneous material composition. Injection molding is a preferred manufacturing process for this plastics processing. In this process, the respective material is plasticized using an injection molding machine and injected under pressure into a mold. Within the mold, the material solidifies upon cooling and is removed as a finished part after the mold is opened.

[0029] The advantage of the dispensing cap according to the invention is that it possesses all the necessary functional properties for dispensing a viscous product, eliminating the need for further manufacturing steps, such as adding a silicone valve. This not only leads to cost savings but, more importantly, simplifies the manufacturing process, which is crucial given the very large production volumes. Furthermore, the homogeneous material composition facilitates recycling of the dispensing cap, as it eliminates the need to separate parts made of different plastics.

[0030] According to the invention, the outer surface extends from the obstruction device in a conical shape along the flow axis until it reaches a cylindrical section, the cylindrical section being terminated by the pouring opening.

[0031] Advantageously, at least one of the at least two recesses in the circumferential direction of the surface has a maximum width of 0.5 mm to 4 mm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, and more preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. The maximum width can be the same for all recesses. The maximum width can also vary for individual recesses. The appropriate maximum width depends primarily on the viscosity of the viscous product, with more viscous products requiring a larger cross-sectional area of ​​the recesses and therefore a greater maximum width than less viscous products.

[0032] Advantageously, the obstruction device has a diameter of 1 mm to 5 mm in the radial direction to the flow axis, preferably 2 mm to 4 mm, and more preferably 3 mm to 4 mm. The diameter of the obstruction device can be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the diameter of the pouring opening. However, from a manufacturing perspective, it is advantageous to make the diameter of the obstruction device smaller than the diameter of the pouring opening to avoid potential undercuts during the manufacturing process.

[0033] Advantageously, the obstacle device comprises a flat plate which is preferably arranged essentially perpendicular and / or essentially concentric to the flow axis and / or intersects the flow axis.

[0034] According to the invention, if the at least two recesses are disregarded, the lateral surface has at least partially the shape of a truncated cone.

[0035] Advantageously, at least two of the cutouts have the same maximum width.

[0036] Advantageously, the at least two recesses are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and are rotationally symmetrical to each other. Rotational symmetry here means that the recesses can be mapped onto themselves by rotating them through a specific angle about an axis, in particular about the flow axis. A deviation from rotational symmetry can be advantageous if the pouring opening in the closure body is arranged such that the dosing system is designed to tilt at a specific angle.

[0037] According to the invention, the dispensing closure further comprises a dispensing closure lid which is hinged to the closure body in order to selectively close or open the pouring opening. For this purpose, the dispensing closure lid preferably has a plug on the side facing the pouring opening, which has a slight interference with its tolerances relative to the pouring opening in order to close it as tightly as possible on the one hand and to allow easy opening for the user of the dispensing system on the other.

[0038] Advantageously, the dispensing cap has a first connection device, in particular a thread or a locking mechanism, which can be connected to a second connection device arranged on the container. Thus, the container can be filled with the viscous product through a container opening and then closed by the dispensing cap using the first and second connection devices. It is also conceivable to connect the dispensing cap to the container not by a friction-fit or form-fit connection device such as a thread or a locking mechanism, but by a material-fit connection device such as a weld.

[0039] Advantageously, the at least two recesses are designed to reduce the pressure of the product flowing through the metering device in the metering device compared to the product in the interior of the container, preferably by at least 5%, more preferably by at least 10%, and even more preferably by at least 30%.

[0040] For example, if the pressure inside the container is 1.2 bar due to external pressure and the ambient pressure outside the container is 1 bar, the pressure of the product in the dosing device will be reduced by approximately 16.6%.

[0041] The pressure reduction is preferably dependent on the total area of ​​the recesses. The smaller the total area of ​​the recesses, the greater the pressure reduction. The viscosity of the viscous product also influences the pressure reduction. The required pressure reduction to expel the product from the container increases with the viscosity of the viscous product.

[0042] The dosing closure according to the invention is also part of a dosing system according to the invention for dosing a viscous product.

[0043] The dosing system includes, in addition to the dosing closure, a container comprising a closed container body with a flexible area that limits a volume for receiving the viscous product.

[0044] A flexible area within the meaning of the invention is preferably an area of ​​the container body that is flexible enough to reduce the volume of the container interior by the pressure applied by an average user when squeezing the container body, thereby increasing the pressure prevailing there. Advantageously, the flexible area comprises the entire container body.

[0045] Furthermore, the container includes a container opening. The dispensing closure is designed to be mounted on the container in such a way that the container opening is completely sealed to the outside, allowing the product to exit the container opening and enter the closure body. The container can be connected to the dispensing closure by a form-fit, force-fit, or material-fit connection.

[0046] The dosing system is further designed such that when dynamic pressure is applied externally to the flexible section of the container, the volume of the container bounded by the flexible section is reduced, thereby displacing the viscous product through the at least two recesses in the dosing system in the form of individual product jets. These individual product jets then merge into a single product jet before exiting the pouring opening. When the dynamic pressure is released, any product located in the dosing device or at the pouring opening is drawn back into the container by the negative pressure created inside the container by the release of the dynamic pressure.

[0047] The container and the dispensing cap are advantageously made from the same material. Manufacturing them from the same material offers significant advantages for the recyclability of the entire dispensing system.

[0048] The advantage is that the container and the dispensing cap are manufactured as a single piece. This allows, for example, the cap to be injection-molded onto a tube.

[0049] Alternatively, the closure can be welded to the tube or crimped onto the tube.

[0050] A viscous product is advantageous in the form of a cosmetic product, especially shampoo, lotion, or shower gel. However, other viscous products such as toothpaste, dental gel, hair gel, or similar are also conceivable.

[0051] The viscous product is advantageously a foodstuff, especially honey, ketchup, or mayonnaise. However, other viscous products such as nut butter, compote, thick sauces, or the like are also conceivable.

[0052] Furthermore, other pasty products such as viscous oils, lubricants or other additives are also conceivable, which are to be dispensed in defined portions, whereby an unwanted excessive release through the dosing system should be prevented.

[0053] Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures.

[0054] It shows: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cross-section of a dispensing closure according to the invention with an open dispensing closure lid. Fig. 2 is a top view of the dispensing closure according to the invention. Fig. 1 Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the upper part of the dosing closure according to the invention. Fig. 1 Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the dosing closure according to the invention. Fig. 1 in both closed and open states.

[0055] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cross-section of a dispensing closure 10 according to the invention with an open dispensing closure lid 26. The dispensing closure 10 for mounting on a container containing a viscous product (not shown) comprises a closure body 12 to which the dispensing closure lid 26 is hinged at its edge in order to selectively close or open a pouring opening 14 of the dispensing closure 10 via a plug 30.

[0056] The dosing device 16 includes a collar 32 surrounding the pouring opening 14 to ensure a clean separation of the emerging product stream after the dynamic pressure in the container is released. The collar 32 also serves to stabilize the closure body 12, ensuring a tight seal of the pouring opening 14 over the plug 30 even after repeated closing and releasing.

[0057] In addition to the pouring opening 14 for pouring the viscous product, the metering closure 10 includes a metering device 16, which is designed to generate a product jet flowing along a flow axis 18 that is essentially perpendicular to a boundary plane of the pouring opening 14, which here is formed by an upper tangential plane of the collar 32.

[0058] Note that all figures show the metering cap 10 in its non-use position, i.e., the flow direction in the figures is from bottom to top. To bring the metering cap 10 into its use position, it is preferably rotated about a horizontal axis by approximately 180 degrees. However, it is also possible to use the metering cap 10 in a different angular position than with the pouring opening 14 pointing vertically downwards.

[0059] Furthermore, the metering device 16 has a barrier 20 that is impermeable to the viscous product and is connected to the pouring opening 14 via a lateral surface 22 that surrounds the flow axis 18. The barrier 20 is arranged upstream (i.e., below) the pouring opening 14 along the flow axis 18 in the direction of flow of the product jet. The lateral surface 22 has at least two recesses 24, 24', which are designed to allow the product to flow through them in such a way that the individual jets generated by the at least two recesses 24, 24' combine before exiting the pouring opening 14 to produce the product jet flowing perpendicular to the pouring opening 14.

[0060] Furthermore, the closure body 12 has an internal thread 28 designed as a connecting device, with which the metering closure 10 can be connected to a second connecting device arranged on a container, in this case an external thread arranged on the container opening.

[0061] The metering device 16 has the shape of a truncated cone. The obstruction device 20 has the shape of a round, flat plate and is arranged perpendicular and concentric to the flow axis 18.

[0062] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a top view of the metering closure 10 according to the invention. The metering closure lid 26 is hinged to the edge of the closure body 12. The obstruction device 20 is arranged concentrically with the pouring opening 14 to the flow axis 18. The flow axis 18 is in Fig. 2 not shown, but extends out of the drawing plane from the center point of the locking body 12, defined by the intersection of the horizontal line and the left vertical line.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to the recesses 24, 24', three further recesses are shown, for a total of five recesses, which are arranged at equal intervals and rotationally symmetrically around the circular obstacle device 20. All recesses have the same maximum width.

[0064] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the upper part of the metering closure 10 according to the invention. In the present embodiment, the metering device 16 has the shape of a truncated cone in its lower section, which faces the interior of the container. Starting from the obstruction 20, the outer surface 22 widens conically along the flow axis 18 until it reaches a cylindrical section, which terminates with the pouring opening 14. Recesses 24, 24' are provided in the outer surface 22 through which the product can flow from the interior of the container towards the pouring opening 14. In the present embodiment, the lower side of the recesses 24, 24' terminates with the obstruction 20.

[0065] Due to this design of the metering device 16, the upper part of the closure body 10 has no undercuts and can therefore be easily manufactured in an injection mold, with the upper and lower mold halves touching at the boundary surfaces of the recesses 24, 24' on the outer side of the shell surface 22.

[0066] The edge of the upper surface of the recesses 24, 24' forms an angle with the vertical surface 22 that corresponds to half the opening angle of the conical surface 22. This sharp-edged transition prevents the product flow from following the sudden change in contour, resulting in flow separation and a pressure drop. The pressure drop induced by this geometry allows the overall area of ​​the recesses 24, 24' to be kept small. A small overall area of ​​the recesses 24, 24' has the advantage of reducing gas exchange between the environment and the interior of the container when the closure is open, thus minimizing the viscous product's exposure to environmental influences, particularly reducing oxidation by the ambient air. Furthermore, a small overall area of ​​the recesses 24, 24' reduces unwanted excessive product leakage.

[0067] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dispensing closure 10 according to the invention in the closed (left) and open (right) states. The dispensing closure lid 26 is hinged to the closure body 12 at its edge and closes the pouring opening 14 via the plug 30 arranged in the dispensing closure lid 26. All components of the dispensing closure 10 are manufactured in one piece using an injection molding process.

[0068] The dispensing cap 10 is part of a dispensing system for dosing a viscous product. The dispensing system includes a container (not shown), which comprises a closed body with a flexible section. The container defines a volume for holding the viscous product. The viscous product can be a cosmetic product such as shampoo, lotion, or shower gel. It can also be a food product such as honey, ketchup, or mayonnaise. The container also includes an opening, and the dispensing cap 10 is designed to be mounted on the container such that the opening is completely sealed and the product can only exit through this opening.The dosing system is designed such that when dynamic pressure is applied externally to the flexible area of ​​the container, the volume bounded by the flexible area is reduced, causing the viscous product to be displaced from the dosing system through the at least two recesses 24, 24' and escape through the pouring opening 14. When the dynamic pressure is released, the product located in the dosing device 16 or at the pouring opening 14 is drawn back into the container by the vacuum created by the release of the dynamic pressure, thus preventing the dosing closure 10 from dripping.

[0069] By using the same material for the container and dosing closure 10, the entire dosing system can be transferred together into the recycling process without having to individually consider the individual components and their respective material properties. Reference symbol list

[0070] 10 Dispensing cap 12 Closure body 14 Pouring opening 16 Dispensing device 18 Flow axis 20 Obstruction device 22 Shell surface 24, 24' Recesses 26 Dispensing cap cover 28 Thread 30 Plug 32 Collar

Claims

1. Dosing closure (10) for dosing a viscous product, for mounting on a container containing a viscous product, comprising a closure body (12) in which are arranged: - a dispensing opening (14) for dispensing the viscous product, - a dosing device (16) configured to generate, along a flow axis (18), a product jet flowing substantially perpendicularly to a confining plane of the dispensing opening (14); wherein the dosing device (16) comprises a barrier device (20) impermeable to the product, which is connected to the dispensing opening (14) via a peripheral surface (22) enclosing the flow axis (18), wherein the barrier device (20) is arranged along the flow axis (18) upstream of the dispensing opening (14) as viewed in the direction of flow of the product jet, and wherein the peripheral surface (22) comprises at least two cutouts (24, 24') configured to be traversed by the product such that the individual product jets generated by the at least two cutouts (24, 24') merge before exiting the dispensing opening (14) to produce the product jet flowing substantially perpendicularly to a confining plane of the dispensing opening (14), wherein the dosing closure (10) is manufactured as a single piece, in particular from a thermoplastic synthetic material, in particular from polyethylene or polypropylene, wherein the dosing closure (10) further comprises a dosing closure lid (26) which is hinged to the closure body (12) in a hinged manner to selectively close or open the dispensing opening (14), wherein the peripheral surface (22), when the at least two cutouts (24, 24') are disregarded, has at least partially a frustoconical shape, wherein the peripheral surface (22) extends from the barrier device (20) in a conically widening manner along the flow axis (18) until it reaches a cylindrical section, wherein the cylindrical section ends with the dispensing opening (14).

2. Dosing closure (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two cutouts (24, 24') has a maximum width in the circumferential direction of the peripheral surface (22) of 0.5 mm to 4 mm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, and more preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

3. Dosing closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier device (20) has a diameter in the radial direction relative to the flow axis (18) of 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 2 mm to 4 mm, and more preferably 3 mm to 4 mm.

4. Dosing closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier device (20) comprises a flat plate which is preferably arranged substantially perpendicularly and / or substantially concentrically to the flow axis (18) and / or intersects the flow axis (18).

5. Dosing closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two cutouts (24, 24') have the same maximum width.

6. Dosing closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two cutouts (24, 24') are arranged rotationally symmetrically relative to one another at equal distances in the circumferential direction.

7. Dosing closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure body (12) comprises a first connection means, in particular a thread (28) or a latching device, which is connectable to a second connection means arranged at the container.

8. Dosing closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two cutouts (24, 24') are configured to reduce the pressure in the dosing device (16) of the product flowing through the dosing device (16) relative to the product inside the container, preferably by at least 5 %, more preferably by at least 10 %, and even more preferably by at least 30 %.

9. Dosing system for dosing a viscous product, comprising: - a container comprising a closed container body with a flexible area confining a volume for receiving the viscous product, and comprising a container opening, - a dosing closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the dosing closure (10) is mounted on the container such that the container opening is completely sealed off to the outside and the product can exit the container opening and enter the closure body (12), wherein the dosing system is configured such that, when a dynamic pressure is applied from the outside to the flexible area of the container, the volume confined by the flexible area is reduced, whereby the viscous product is displaced through the at least two cutouts (24, 24') from the dosing system and escapes through the dispensing opening (14), and that, when the dynamic pressure is released, product located in the dosing device (16) or at the dispensing opening (14) is drawn back into the container by the negative pressure generated by the release of the dynamic pressure.

10. Dosing system according to claim 9, wherein the container and the dosing closure (10) are made of the same material.

11. Dosing system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the container and the dosing closure (10) are manufactured as a single piece.

12. Dosing system according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the viscous product is a cosmetic product, in particular shampoo, lotion, or shower gel.

13. Dosing system according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the viscous product is a food product, in particular honey, ketchup, or mayonnaise.