Adapter for connecting a re-fill container

Abstract

Disclosed is an adapter (100) for connecting a refill container (200) with a container (300) during a refilling process. The adapter (100) has a first open end (10) and a second open end (11). The first open end (10) and the second open end (11) are connected to an in particular peripheral wall (12). A breaking element (20) is arranged inside the adapter (100). Said breaking element (20) extends in the direction of the first open end (10) and is connected on one side via a web (21) to the wall (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process, according to the preamble of the independent claims. Various devices and methods for refilling bottles or containers are known in the prior art. This need arises, on the one hand, from the fact that elaborately designed containers are intended for multiple uses, while refill bottles or refill containers for single use, for example, need to be less robust. Furthermore, there is a need to design packaging materials in such a way as to conserve resources. This also results, for example, in containers that are manufactured to be sufficiently robust so that they can be used repeatedly in daily use, and in refill containers that are made of relatively thin materials and are intended for single use only.Refill containers can, for example, be made in the form of bags.

[0002] For example, a refill container with a special closure is known from GB 2 342 347 A. This closure has a breakable wall that is broken by screwing the refill container, along with the closure, onto the container to be refilled. This closure is complex to manufacture, requires a high amount of material, and can only be used once. If, for example, not all the liquid from the refill container can be dispensed into the container to be refilled, the refill container cannot be closed. This is particularly disadvantageous if, for example, the refill container only contains a concentrate that needs to be diluted. Typically, such refill containers are larger in capacity than the container itself. The closure shown in GB 2 342 347 A connects the refill container to the container to be refilled.Due to the specific design of the closure, complete emptying of the refill container is not possible.

[0003] An adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from FR 1 420 585 A.

[0004] Furthermore, connecting fittings are known from the prior art for connecting a refill container to the container being refilled. These are removed after the process so that the containers can be resealed. After use, these connecting fittings must either be disposed of or extensively cleaned so that they can be stored until the next use.

[0005] Refilling containers is particularly desirable when the container is equipped with a pump or spray system. These systems are relatively expensive compared to the containers they are attached to. Therefore, there is a need to reuse these pump or spray systems.

[0006] These systems each have at least one suction or connecting hose that leads into the interior of the container. Often, these suction or connecting hoses are positioned eccentrically to the dispensing opening when the container is assembled. Therefore, these systems are either incompatible with existing refill systems, or the existing refill systems must be removed, cleaned, or disposed of after each refill.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome at least one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, an adapter for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process is to be provided, which is easy to manufacture, can be used multiple times and thus conserves resources, and is compatible with different spray and pump systems.

[0008] This problem is solved by an adapter according to claim 1. Further embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] An adapter according to the invention for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are connected to each other by a wall, in particular a circumferential one. A breaking element is arranged inside the adapter. This breaking element extends towards the first open end and is connected to the wall on one side by a web.

[0010] This allows the break-up element to be positioned between the first open end and the second open end, and in particular the break-up element to be positioned within, especially centrally, the wall.

[0011] As already discussed, the breakout element is connected to the wall on one side via a web. This means that it is only connected on one side and has no other connections. This one-sided connection results in a continuous free space being created around the breakout element, extending at least along half the circumference of the wall, preferably along 75% of the wall's circumference, and particularly preferably along 90% of the circumference.

[0012] The breaking element allows the use of refill containers with the present adapter, even those with a dispensing opening that lacks a separate or openable closure. Furthermore, such a breaking element can be designed to break a quality or seal on the dispensing opening of the refill container. Refill containers typically have a seal that closes the dispensing opening. Opening or breaking this seal is easily accomplished with a breaking element such as the one presented here. Its placement within the container wall, particularly centrally, allows the breaking of seals on refill containers whose dispensing opening has a smaller diameter than the corresponding inner diameter of the adapter.

[0013] The bridge forms a stop that prevents the dispensing opening of a refill container from being inserted too deeply into the adapter.

[0014] The extension of the breaking element from the second open end towards the first open end is not limited by the first open end. The breaking element can therefore extend beyond the first open end and project beyond it, at least partially. Preferably, however, the uppermost point of the breaking element is set back from the first open end. This allows the refill container to be inserted into the adapter without prematurely breaking the seal.

[0015] Preferably, the breaking element extends radially inwards from the wall in the direction of a central axis of the adapter, and in particular beyond this axis.

[0016] The central axis of the adapter is essentially defined by a connection between the first and second ends of the adapter, in particular by a connection between the centers of gravity of the respective ends. In the generic usage, this central axis extends essentially along a longitudinal axis of the container through its opening or a correspondingly additional refill opening.

[0017] This arrangement of the break-up element allows for a simple and, in particular, symmetrical introduction of a force acting on the break-up element into the wall of the adapter.

[0018] The web via which the break-up element is connected to the wall preferably extends over at least 25% and at most over 75% of the axial length of the break-up element.

[0019] The portion of the breaking element not connected to the bridge extends towards the first open end of the adapter. This creates a recess into which the wall of the refill container's dispensing opening can be inserted. The specified maximum and minimum values ​​ensure that the breaking element is securely attached to the wall via the bridge and that it protrudes sufficiently from the bridge to guide the refill container within the adapter. This ensures that the seal is reliably broken and, simultaneously, that the breaking element pushes the seal into the refill container, allowing for complete emptying.

[0020] The break-up element has a flank inclined towards the central axis. The flank slopes downwards towards the central axis. In other words, viewed in the direction of the web, the break-up element has a shorter axial extent near the central axis than further away from it.

[0021] The highest point of the breaking element, in the direction of the central axis, is therefore positioned off-center within the adapter. The direction of the central axis corresponds to the pouring direction.

[0022] An inclined flank allows for the one-sided and therefore force-reduced breaking of a seal. The flank's downward slope towards the central axis ensures that the maximum force during the breaking process is applied close to the bridge and thus close to the wall. This results in favorable leverage, and therefore favorable force ratios, during the initial breaking. The inclined flank thus forms a point on the breaking element, facilitating the breaking of the seal. The force is applied essentially at a single point during the initial breaking.

[0023] This tip simultaneously defines the highest point of the breaking element and is therefore arranged off-center with respect to the adapter. Starting from the central axis in the radial direction, the highest point is preferably located at least after the first third of the distance between the central axis and the wall, more preferably after half the distance, and particularly in the last third.

[0024] Alternatively, the slope of the flank can be aligned so that it rises towards the central axis. Naturally, this orientation results in less favorable leverage than with the previously described slope. However, there are conceivable applications where maximum force is not required to break a seal.

[0025] Preferably, a cutting edge is formed at one end of the inclined flank facing the first opening. The cutting edge is particularly located at the tip of the breaking element.

[0026] The cutting edge allows the initial penetration of the breaking element into the seal to be broken.

[0027] The breaking element can extend towards the central axis of the adapter over more than 50% of an open cross-section of the adapter, and in particular over more than 70%. If the adapter has, for example, a circular cross-section, the breaking element extends from the wall of the adapter at least towards the central axis and preferably beyond it.

[0028] This design results in a broken seal being pushed into the refill container by the breaking element, thereby creating an opening that allows for easy and essentially complete emptying of the refill container.

[0029] During the breaking process, the broken seal is successively pushed through the flank into the refill container and, after completion of the breaking process, is essentially fixed in a vertical position by the flank of the breaking element opposite the bridge, i.e. the release.

[0030] It can be provided that the break-up element has a sliding edge opposite the web. In other words, the flank opposite the web can be designed as a sliding edge.

[0031] The broken seal can slide along this sliding edge and is guided by this sliding edge and pressed into the refill container.

[0032] The sliding edge can be inclined relative to the central axis. Preferably, the sliding edge is inclined such that an angle formed between the sliding edge and the central axis opens towards the first open end. This corresponds to an inclination opposite to the flank.

[0033] By tilting the sliding edge towards the flank, a specific kinematics of the breakup process can be enforced.

[0034] An inclination opposite to the flank means that the broken seal, in its fully broken state, only rests on a single point of the breaking element, which in turn reduces the flow resistance for the liquid being refilled.

[0035] The sliding edge and the flank preferably merge into each other via a curvature.

[0036] This improves the kinematics of the breakup process.

[0037] The adapter can be manufactured in one piece, especially using an injection molding process.

[0038] The one-piece design allows for simple and straightforward manufacturing. In particular, the injection molding process enables the easy and cost-effective production of adapters, as described here.

[0039] The wall of the adapter is preferably cylindrical, thus forming a ring.

[0040] The adapter can simply be inserted into appropriately designed openings in a container.

[0041] It is conceivable that the wall, especially opposite the bridge, is completely or partially interrupted.

[0042] This allows the adapter to have an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of a container opening. When the adapter is inserted into this opening, it is compressed, creating a pre-tensioned connection between the adapter and the container opening.

[0043] A break is taken into account when assessing the length of a wall's circumference.

[0044] Preferably, the breaking element, together with the web, has a planar form, wherein the breaking element has a thickness that is less than three times the wall thickness. In particular, the thickness is less than twice the wall thickness.

[0045] The flat design allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing.

[0046] Limiting the maximum thickness of the bridge and / or the break-up element ensures that it is not excessively stiff compared to the adapter and that excessively large jumps in the force and / or tension curve are avoided.

[0047] It may be provided that the adapter has a retaining element at its first open end, wherein the retaining element is in particular designed as a radially extending collar circumferentially along the first end.

[0048] The retaining element allows the adapter to be held in a fixed position within the opening of a container relative to the direction of the central axis, with the retaining element in particular being supported on an edge of the container opening. The retaining element can comprise several individual elements, such that the retaining element is supported only at specific points on the container opening.

[0049] It may be intended that the adapter is placed in the container only once.

[0050] The present design of the breaking element and its one-sided connection to the wall via a bridge allows the adapter to remain in the container, even if a pump or spray system is subsequently attached. As previously described, the one-sided connection provides sufficient clearance to route eccentrically arranged hoses or connecting lines within the pump or spray system past the breaking element into the interior of the container and to rotate the attached pump or spray system there, for example, to align a spray nozzle.

[0051] Another aspect of the invention therefore relates to a container comprising an adapter as described herein.

[0052] The need to subsequently insert an adapter into the container for the customer is eliminated.

[0053] Schematic drawings illustrate one embodiment of the adapter. They show: Figure 1: A perspective view of an adapter; Figure 2: A vertical sectional view of the adapter of Figure 1; Figure 3: A sectional view of the adapter inserted in an original container; Figure 4: The sectional view according to the Figure 3 after inserting a refill container.

[0054] The Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an adapter 100. The adapter 100 has a first open end 10 and a second open end 11. The first open end 10 is connected to the second open end 11 by means of a wall 12. The wall 12 is designed as an essentially circular cylindrical sleeve, i.e., it has an annular cross-section. A break-off element 20 is arranged inside the wall 12. The break-off element 20 is connected to a web 21 (see Figure 1). Figure 2 ) connected to wall 12.

[0055] The Figure 2 shows a vertical sectional view of adapter 100. Figure 1 The cut extends vertically through the break-up element 20. The adapter 100 has a first open end 10 and a second open end 20. The first open end 10 has a larger diameter than the second open end 11. The circular cylindrical wall 12 is therefore conical and has an outer diameter that tapers from the first open end 10 towards the second open end 11.

[0056] At the first open end 10, a retaining element is formed which is designed as a radially extending collar 13 circumferentially along the first end 10.

[0057] In the Figure 2 Also shown is a central axis A that runs from the second open end 11 to the first open end 10.

[0058] The breaking element 20 is arranged within the wall 12 and extends towards the first open end 10. The breaking element 20 is set back from the first open end 10. This allows a refill container to be inserted during the refilling process before the seal is broken (see [reference]). Figure 4 The break-up element 20 is connected to the wall 12 on one side by a web 21. The web 21 extends over 30% of the axial length of the break-up element 20. The axial length of the break-up element 20 corresponds in this case to its greatest extent in the direction of the central axis. A.

[0059] In other words, the break-up element 20 projects approximately 70% of its length beyond the web 21 in the direction of the central axis. This projection, together with the wall 12, forms a recess 24 into which a corresponding wall of a refill container can be inserted.

[0060] The break-up element 20 has a sliding edge 23 opposite the web 21, which is inclined with respect to the central axis A. The inclination of the sliding edge is such that an angle opens between the sliding edge 23 and the central axis A in the direction of the first open end 10.

[0061] The breaking element 20 terminates in a flank 22 towards the first open end 10, which ends in a point 221 in the direction of the web 21. The point 221 can be designed as a cutting edge. In this case, the flank 22 is inclined relative to the central axis A. The inclination is downwards in the direction of the central axis. In other words, an acute angle, i.e., less than 90°, is formed between the flank 22 and the central axis on the side of the web 21.

[0062] In this configuration, a corner (not further specified here) forms between the flank 22 and the sliding edge 23, which is located furthest radially from the web 21. In practical use, this corner enables specific guidance of a seal to be broken (see [reference]). Figure 4 ).

[0063] The Figure 3 shows a sectional view of adapter 100 inserted in an original container 300. In the Figure 3 A refill container 200 is also shown, which has a dispensing opening 201 that is closed with a seal 202. The seal is designed as a cap encompassing an edge of the dispensing opening 201 and is pressed onto the refill container 200. A thin area 203 is formed on the seal 202, which in this case runs along the periphery of the seal 202.

[0064] The adapter 100 is inserted into an opening 301 of the container 300. The collar 13 of the adapter 100 rests on one end of the opening 301. The wall 12 of the adapter 100 has a diameter in the area of ​​the collar, or directly adjacent to the collar 13, that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the opening 301. Thus, when the adapter 100 is inserted into the opening 301 of the container 300, it is pressed into the opening 301 and is securely held there. The adapter 100 can therefore remain within the opening 301 of the container 300. As shown, for example, in the Figure 1As can be seen, even after the adapter 100 is inserted, the cross-section of the opening 301 remains almost completely unobstructed, with the exception of the thickness of the web 21 or the breaking element 20. A pump or spray system that is reattached to the container 100 after the refilling process can therefore be arranged on the container 100 without any significant restriction.

[0065] The Figure 4 The sectional view shows the Figure 3 after inserting a refill container 200. In other words, the one in Figure 3The refill container 200 was moved towards the container 300. From the outset, the refill container was guided through the wall 12 of the adapter, and after a delay, contact was made between the tip 221 and the seal 202, and in particular the thin section 203. The thin section 203 was broken open by further movement of the refill container 200 towards the container 300. An unspecified section of the wall of the dispensing opening 201 of the refill container 200 was inserted into the recess 24. During insertion, the seal 202 was further pressed open by the flank 22, and the thin section 203 was gradually torn open. The refill container 200 was moved towards the container 300 until one end of the dispensing opening 201 rested on the stop 211 of the bridge 21.During this process, the seal 202 is pressed on until it is aligned almost parallel to an inner wall of the refill container 200 and / or to the central axis A of the adapter 100. Depending on the position of the unspecified corner between the flank 22 and the sliding edge 23, the now pressed-on seal 202 is held more or less parallel to the central axis A.

[0066] Tearing or breaking the seal 202 releases the dispensing opening 201 of the refill container 200. The contents to be refilled, such as a liquid, can now flow from the refill container 200 into the container 300.

[0067] After the refilling process, the refill container 200 is removed. The adapter 100 can remain in the container 300.

Claims

1. An adapter (100) for connecting a refill container (200) to a container (300) during a refilling process, wherein the adapter (100) has a first open end (10) and a second open end (11), wherein the first open end (10) and the second open end (11) are connected to one another with a wall (12), in particular a peripheral wall, wherein a breaking element (20) is arranged inside the adapter (100), wherein said breaking element (20) extends in the direction of the first open end (10), characterized in that the breaking element (20) is connected on one side via a web (21) to the wall (12) wherein the breaking element (20) has a flank (22) which is inclined toward the central axis (A), wherein the flank (22) is designed to slope down in the direction of the central axis (A) such that a highest point of the breaking element in the direction of the central axis is thus arranged decentrally in the adapter.

2. The adapter (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the breaking element (20) extends radially inward in the direction of a central axis (A) of the adapter (100).

3. The adapter (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the web (21) extends over at least 25% and at most 75% of the axial length of the breaking element (20).

4. The adapter (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that a cutting edge is formed on an end of the inclined flank (22) facing toward the first opening (10).

5. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the breaking element (20) extends over more than 50% of an open cross section of the adapter (100), in particular over more than 70%.

6. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the breaking element (20) has a sliding edge (23) opposite the web (21).

7. The adapter (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sliding edge (23) is inclined relative to the central axis (A).

8. The adapter (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the sliding edge (23) and the flank (22) merge into one another via a curve (R).

9. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adapter is manufactured in one piece, in particular in an injection molding method.

10. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the wall (12) is circularly cylindrical.

11. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the breaking element (20), together with the web (21), has a flat design, wherein the breaking element (20) has a thickness which is less than three times the thickness of the wall (12), in particular less than twice the thickness of the wall (12).

12. The adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the adapter (100) has a holding element at its first open end (10), wherein the holding element is designed in particular as a radially extending collar (13) which orbits along the first end (10).

13. A container (300) comprising an adapter (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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