Sealant system

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealant system (10), comprising: a) a sealant container (12) that comprises a container interior (14) which can be accessed via a container opening lying at the end of a container neck (16), and b) a container closure (18), said container closure (18) comprising a first fluid channel (20), which extends through the container closure (18), a second fluid channel (22), which extends through the container closure (18), and a securing region. A first circumferential securing elevation (24) is arranged on the container neck (16), said first securing elevation (24) tapering in the direction of the container opening, and a second circumferential securing elevation (26) is arranged on the securing region, said second securing elevation (26) tapering in a pressing direction A. The sealant system (10) is designed such that the container closure (18) can be arranged on the container opening by pressing the container closure (18) against the sealant container (12), thereby at least partly elastically deforming the securing region and / or the container neck (16), and the sealant system (10) is designed such that by engaging the first securing elevation (24) and the second securing elevation (26) into each other, a form-fitting connection is produced.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Sealant system

[0003] The invention relates to a sealant system and a container closure for closing a container opening located at the end of a container neck of a sealant container in a corresponding sealant system. Also disclosed are a method for producing a corresponding sealant system or a corresponding container closure and a breakdown kit comprising a corresponding sealant system, as well as a method for sealing a damaged vehicle tire with a corresponding breakdown kit.

[0004] In many areas of technology, such as the tire and automotive industries, sealants are regularly used to seal leaking components. In most cases, sealants are provided in viscous form in so-called sealant systems and only develop their sealing effect after leaving this sealant system, for example, through contact with air and / or the substrate to be sealed. The use of sealant systems is particularly widespread in the tire and automotive industries, for example, in the context of breakdown kits for at least the temporary repair of damaged vehicle tires.

[0005] Such sealing systems for storing sealant are regularly subject to particularly stringent requirements. They must, on the one hand, enclose the sealant to be stored in such a way that it does not harden prematurely, thus reliably preventing any unintentional leakage of sealant. On the other hand, they must enable quick and easy deployment in the event of an emergency, which, especially in the case of breakdown kits, must be accomplished even by laypeople or without the appropriate tools. Accordingly, sealing systems must be sealed fluid-tight after filling with sealant to protect the sealant from environmental influences, especially shocks and vibrations.Only when the sealant system is used by a user is the closure of the sealant system opened by appropriate measures in order to fill the sealant, which is usually promoted or caused by the application of external pressure and the extrusion of the sealant from the sealant system.

[0006] After filling the sealing system with sealant and before its intended use, it is often necessary to ensure that the container containing the sealant cannot be easily reopened, especially to prevent improper use of the sealant, for example, by children. Furthermore, the closure of the sealing system should be as pressure-resistant as possible, ensuring a secure seal even in the event of excess pressure within the container.This is particularly important because the release of the sealant during subsequent use in the sealing process is often caused by one or more fluid channels arranged in the closure being opened by applying pressure, by opening seals or separate sealing elements used for the closure, so that a sealant can leave the sealant system through at least one of these opened fluid channels, whereby it is important that the excess pressure does not force out the entire container closure.

[0007] In this respect, screw caps are known from the prior art for the closure of sealing systems. These are generally relatively easy to manufacture in practice and, if necessary, together with an additional sealing element such as a sealing ring, can be used to securely close corresponding sealing systems. However, such screw caps are often perceived as disadvantageous, particularly with regard to the risk of improper use of sealants, which arises from the possibility of reversible and non-destructive opening of screw caps. Accordingly, screw caps are often provided with an anti-twist device to prevent the closure of the sealing system from being easily opened and to protect the sealant from improper use and environmental influences.However, the use of additional fuses is in many cases associated with additional components or additional manufacturing effort and corresponding costs and time expenditure.

[0008] A particular disadvantage is that the production of corresponding sealant systems in machine production is often an inefficient and difficult-to-control or automate process, as a screwing movement, i.e., screwing the closure onto the container of the sealant system, is often time-consuming and the required tightening torque is difficult to control. In addition, corresponding container closures must also meet other application requirements. For example, for bottles that are upside down during operation, a suitable mount on the compressor or a base must be provided, which can limit design freedom.

[0009] Further prior art on the technological background is disclosed, for example, in EP 2123432 A1 and 3099473 A1.

[0010] It was the primary object of the present invention to eliminate or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0011] In particular, the object of the present invention was to provide a sealant system and a corresponding container closure that can simplify the closure of sealant containers from a manufacturing perspective. A desirable requirement was that the sealant system to be specified should nevertheless be particularly securely sealable thanks to the simplified container closure, thus reducing the risk of unwanted opening of the sealant system compared to the prior art.

[0012] A further object of the present invention was to enable the production of the specified sealing system to be particularly time- and cost-efficient. A desirable requirement was that the need for additional components for implementing a twist-off lock should be minimized compared to the prior art.

[0013] It was a further object of the present invention to provide a corresponding container closure for the sealing system to be specified, with which the advantageous closure can be realized.

[0014] A secondary object of the present invention was to provide a method for producing a corresponding sealing system or an associated container closure. A desirable requirement was that quality control of the container closure should be particularly easy.

[0015] Furthermore, it was a secondary object of the present invention to provide a breakdown assistance kit with one or more corresponding sealing agent systems and a method for sealing a damaged vehicle tire with such a breakdown assistance kit.

[0016] The inventors have now recognized that the objects described above can surprisingly be achieved if, in a sealing system, the container neck of a sealant container and a container closure of the sealing system are designed in such a way that a positive connection can be formed between them in the manner of a click closure via specific fastening elevations that are complementary to one another when the container closure is pressed against the container neck, as defined in the claims.In other words, to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the container closure is attached to the bottle with a click closure, for which purpose an undercut is provided at the opening in the container closure and a complementary bulge is provided at the bottle neck, so that when the container closure is pushed on and pressed on, the undercut slides over the bulge at the bottle neck and clicks into place behind it, so that simple removal of the closure is no longer possible.

[0017] This advantageously provides a sealing system with a simplified closure, which reliably minimizes the risk of unwanted openings and is particularly time- and cost-efficient to implement from a manufacturing point of view.

[0018] The above-mentioned objects are thus achieved by the subject matter of the invention as defined in the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following statements.

[0019] Such embodiments, which are designated as preferred below, are combined in particularly preferred embodiments with features of other embodiments designated as preferred. Combinations of two or more of the embodiments designated as particularly preferred below are thus very particularly preferred. Likewise preferred are embodiments in which a feature of one embodiment designated as preferred to any extent is combined with one or more further features of other embodiments designated as preferred to any extent. Features of preferred container closures, breakdown kits, and methods result from the features of preferred sealing systems.

[0020] The invention relates to a sealant system, in particular a sealant system for use in sealing vehicle tires, comprising: a) a sealant container, comprising a container interior for receiving sealant, wherein the container interior is accessible via a container opening located at the end of a container neck, and b) a container closure, wherein the container closure comprises a first fluid channel extending through the container closure and a second fluid channel extending through the container closure, wherein the container closure comprises a fastening region, wherein a circumferential first fastening elevation is arranged on the container neck, wherein the first fastening elevation tapers in the direction of the container opening, wherein a circumferential second fastening elevation is arranged on the fastening region, wherein the second fastening elevation tapers in a pressing direction A,wherein the sealing means system is designed such that the container closure can be arranged on the container opening by pressing the container closure onto the sealant container along the pressing direction A with at least partially elastic deformation of the fastening region and / or the container neck, and wherein the sealing means system is designed such that when the container closure is arranged on the container opening by the engagement of the first fastening elevation with the second,

[0021] A positive connection is formed via the fastening elevation.

[0022] The basic functionality of sealant systems and their use in breakdown kits are known to those skilled in the art based on their specialist knowledge. Accordingly, those skilled in the art understand that a sealant system according to the invention must be suitable for both fluid-tight storage and subsequent dispensing of sealants. The sealant system's basic design can be adapted by those skilled in the art to the requirements of the sealant to be contained, for example, with regard to the material of the sealant container.

[0023] To accommodate sealant, the sealant system according to the invention comprises a sealant container with a container interior accessible via a container opening located at the end of a container neck, which is sometimes also referred to as a sealant bottle. In accordance with the expert understanding, the container neck of the sealant container is considered in practice to be the section of the sealant container which is reduced in diameter compared to the sealant container and which opens directly into the container opening at its end. A sealant system according to the invention is relevant for essentially all embodiments in the field of sealing vehicle tires, wherein the container interior has a volume in the range of 0.05 to 10 L, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5 L, particularly preferably 0.2 to 2.5 L, very particularly preferably 0.2 to 1.25 L.

[0024] The person skilled in the art understands that the sealant does not necessarily have to be part of the above-defined sealant system according to the invention, which can, for example, also be provided as a (re-)fillable storage container by a producer to a sealant manufacturer. In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the sealant system according to the invention already comprises the sealant, so that it can be used directly in the sealing of vehicle tires. Compositions suitable for use as sealants, in particular for sealing vehicle tires, are known to the person skilled in the art from the prior art and are commercially available from various suppliers. Accordingly, a sealant system according to the invention is preferred which additionally comprises a sealant in the container interior, preferably a sealant for sealing damaged vehicle tires.A damaged vehicle tire is understood to mean, in particular, vehicle tires with small holes in the tread, such as those caused by nails or similar objects.

[0025] The person skilled in the art will understand that in practice the sealant container will in most cases be fluid-tight apart from the container opening, so that entry or exit of viscous sealant or other fluids can only occur via the container opening.

[0026] In principle, however, it is at least theoretically possible to equip the sealant container with multiple container openings, each of which would then have to be sealed. However, in most cases, it is advantageous to provide only a single container opening, both to increase the stability of the sealant container and facilitate the manufacture of corresponding containers, and to simplify the fluid-tight closure of the container interior. Therefore, a sealant system according to the invention is relevant for most cases, in which the container interior is accessible via only one container opening.

[0027] The sealing system according to the invention further comprises a container closure, which is designed to be arranged on the container neck of the sealing container, thereby closing the container opening. If a sealing agent is present in the interior, it is preferred that the container closure actually closes the sealing container in a fluid-tight manner. According to the invention, the container closure comprises a fastening region, which is described further below. An example of a sealing system according to the invention is one in which a sealing element, preferably a sealing ring, is arranged between the container closure and the sealing container.

[0028] During subsequent use in a sealing process, for example, for sealing vehicle tires, a sealant arranged in the sealant system is in most cases forced out of the container opening of the sealant system by external force through the previously fluid-tight container closure and fluid channels opened during the process. In many cases, particularly in the field of tire repair, this external force is caused or promoted by the introduction of another fluid, especially compressed air.

[0029] To enable this functionality, ie the introduction of a fluid and the discharge of the sealant, the container closure of the sealant system according to the invention comprises a specific fluid line system.

[0030] According to the invention, the container closure has a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel. The fluid channels are expediently sealed in a fluid-tight manner until the sealing system according to the invention is used, in order to minimize the risk of sealant arranged in the container interior escaping prior to the sealing process. According to the invention, the fluid channels extend through the container closure, so that the container interior, when closed with the container lid, would only be accessible via the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel if these are not sealed by corresponding sealing elements, because they have already been opened by suitable measures.For most cases, therefore, a sealing system according to the invention is relevant, wherein the container closure comprises one or more sealing elements for fluid-tight sealing of the first fluid channel and / or the second fluid channel, preferably the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel, wherein the sealing system is preferably designed such that the container closure, after being arranged on the container opening, closes the container opening in a fluid-tight manner until the sealing elements are opened by suitable measures.

[0031] The sealing system according to the invention will in most cases be operated in the subsequent sealing process in such a way that a sealant arranged in the container interior is forced out of the sealant container when gas pressure is applied via one of the two fluid channels of the container closure, so that it can be fed via a further line, for example, into the vehicle tire to be sealed. In practice, after the sealing elements have been opened, compressed air can, for example, be introduced into the first fluid channel via a compressor, so that the introduced compressed air subsequently displaces a sealant arranged in the container interior in such a way that the sealant can be fed, for example via a hose, into the object to be sealed, for example a damaged vehicle tire.In other words, this is a sealing system according to the invention, wherein the sealing system is designed so that after the sealing elements in the fluid channels have been opened, a working fluid can enter the container interior through the first fluid channel in order to displace a sealing agent arranged in the container interior from the container interior through the second fluid channel.

[0032] In later practice, the outward-facing ends of the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel will in many cases have to be connected to fluid lines for the guidance of fluids. Threaded connections, for example, can be used to connect the fluid lines to the fluid channels. Alternatively, so-called hose olives are also conceivable, i.e. pipe sockets to which a hose can optionally be additionally fastened with a hose clamp. Accordingly, a sealing system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first fluid channel comprises a first connection for a fluid line, wherein the first connection preferably comprises a hose olive or a thread, preferably a thread.Also relevant for most cases is a sealing system according to the invention, wherein the second fluid channel comprises a second connection for a fluid line, wherein the second connection preferably comprises a hose olive or a thread, preferably a thread.

[0033] Advantageously, the sealing system according to the invention is not limited with regard to the specific design of the fluid channels, whereby their dimensions will in practice be oriented in particular to the dimensions of the container closure and the structural design of the devices used in the sealing process. An example of a sealing system according to the invention is one in which the first fluid channel has a length in the range of 10 to 50 mm, preferably in the range of 25 to 35 mm, and / or wherein the first fluid channel has an average diameter in the range of 2 to 35 mm, preferably in the range of 3 to 8 mm.By way of example, additionally or alternatively, a sealing agent system according to the invention is also provided, wherein the second fluid channel has a length in the range of 10 to 50 mm, preferably in the range of 15 to 25 mm, and / or wherein the second fluid channel has an average diameter in the range of 2 to 35 mm, preferably in the range of 3 to 8 mm.

[0034] The sealing system according to the invention can advantageously be efficiently adapted to a wide variety of application requirements, so that, for example, the sealing system according to the invention can be operated both upright and "overhead". In other words, this means that the sealing system according to the invention can be designed as required to enable the discharge of sealant both against and along the force of gravity. For this purpose, in upright operation, i.e. when a sealant arranged in the container interior must be conveyed at least partially against the force of gravity in order to leave the sealing system through the container opening, it is necessary to provide a so-called riser pipe on at least one of the fluid channels, expediently the fluid channel through which the sealant is conveyed out.The term riser pipe is clear to those skilled in the art in connection with fluids and refers to a pipe or hose through which fluids can rise, for example due to external pressure. When the sealing agent system according to the invention is operated “overhead,” that is, when a sealant arranged in the container interior is transported essentially by gravity, such a riser pipe is not necessary for the fluid channel provided for the outlet. For later upright use, a sealing agent system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the second fluid channel is designed as a riser pipe, wherein the end of the second fluid channel pointing towards the container interior preferably extends over 0.85*H or more, preferably over 0.9*H or more, particularly preferably over 0.95*H or more, into the container interior, where H is the height of the container interior.

[0035] A sealing agent system according to the invention is preferred for later use “overhead”, wherein the end of the second fluid channel pointing in the direction of the container interior extends over 0.15*H or less, preferably 0.1*H or less, particularly preferably 0.05*H or less, into the container interior, wherein the end of the first fluid channel pointing in the direction of the container interior preferably extends over 0.05*H or more, particularly preferably 0.1*H or more, very particularly preferably 0.15*H or more, into the container interior, where H is the height of the container interior.

[0036] Even if, at least in theory, possible overpressure protection devices can also be provided, the inventors believe that for essentially all embodiments it is expedient if the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are completely spatially separated from one another and thus, in other words, cannot be short-circuited with one another. For essentially all embodiments, a sealing agent system according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel are separated from one another in the container closure. In this case, the inventors believe that two designs are fundamentally advantageous. On the one hand, the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel can be arranged next to one another or orthogonally to one another in the container closure. Alternatively, a coaxial arrangement of the fluid channels is also possible and, in many cases, also preferred.

[0037] According to the invention, a circumferential first fastening protrusion tapering in the direction of the container opening is arranged on the container neck of the sealant container, and a circumferential second fastening protrusion tapering in a pressing direction A is arranged on the fastening region of the container closure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the first fastening protrusion tapers accordingly, starting from the end of the container neck pointing toward the sealant container toward the end of the container neck pointing toward the container opening.

[0038] The pressing direction A is the direction in which the container closure is placed onto the container neck, whereby, in accordance with the expert understanding, this does not define that the container closure actually also has to be moved during closing, so that it is also possible for the container neck to be pressed against the container closure, which according to the definition would occur opposite to the pressing direction A. In practice, the pressing direction A and accordingly the taper of the second fastening elevation will thus be essentially opposite to the taper direction of the first fastening elevation. According to the invention, the container closure and the sealant container can be connected in a form-fitting manner as a result of a corresponding design of the sealant system, in that the two tapered fastening elevations engage with one another when the container closure is pressed onto the sealant container along the pressing direction A.According to the invention, when pressed on, the fastening region of the container closure and / or the container neck are at least partially elastically deformed. A person skilled in the art will understand that the question of which of the components is deformed during closing depends essentially on the structural design of the components, with regions with a lower material thickness and / or made of flexible materials usually being deformed more easily and thus more severely than thick-walled regions and / or regions made of particularly rigid materials. A sealing agent system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the sealing agent system is designed such that the container closure can be arranged on the container opening by pressing the container closure onto the sealant container along the pressing direction A with essentially completely elastic deformation of the fastening region and / or the container neck.

[0039] The inventive design, which the inventors also refer to as a snap fastener, is, in the inventors' estimation, particularly robust and particularly advantageous with regard to protecting corresponding fasteners against accidental opening. Accidental opening of the sealed sealing system can be particularly reliably prevented in this way, since the return of the fastening protrusions to their original position after elastic deformation—in other words, the locking of the snap fastener—advantageously occurs in such a way that the positive connection of the fastening protrusions can prevent accidental reopening of the snap fastener, even under high pull-off forces.This offers advantages, particularly when compared to a conventional screw cap, which usually has to be equipped with an anti-twist device to prevent unwanted opening, so that the manufacturing effort can be significantly reduced by dispensing with anti-twist devices.

[0040] According to the inventors, a corresponding click closure between the components can be produced with particularly low manufacturing effort.

[0041] In order to simplify the closure assembly, i.e. the creation of the positive connection between the container closure and the sealant container, it may be advantageous, in the opinion of the inventors, to divide the container closure into several segments so that the second fastening elevation or the segments of the second fastening elevation are more movable during the assembly process.

[0042] The inventors have found that a corresponding click closure is quick and easy to handle in use, particularly in mechanical, i.e., at least partially automated, production, so that, for example, pressing the container closure onto the sealant container of the sealant system according to the invention can be carried out particularly time-efficiently, particularly compared to a screw closure, which regularly requires the setting of specific torques and is correspondingly more difficult to handle in mechanical production. Therefore, a sealant system according to the invention is preferred for essentially all embodiments, wherein the container neck does not comprise a thread and / or wherein the fastening region does not comprise a thread.

[0043] A person skilled in the art will understand that the term “circumferential” does not exclude the possibility that the fastening elevations are interrupted and each formed by a plurality of fastening part elevations. In fact, it can even be seen as an advantage of the sealing agent system according to the invention that neither the first fastening elevation nor the second fastening elevation are restricted to one-piece elevations in terms of their structural design. In this respect, the circumferential fastening elevations within the scope of the present invention can, for example, also be designed as interrupted, continuous fastening elevations. For example, in order to simplify closure assembly, i.e. the production of the positive connection between the container closure and the sealant container, it can be advantageous, in the opinion of the inventors, to divide the container closure into a plurality of segments in order to improve deformability, so that the second fastening elevation orthe segments of the second fastening protrusion are more mobile during the assembly process and can be more easily guided over the first fastening protrusion. Thus, an example of a sealing system according to the invention is one in which the first fastening protrusion is a continuous, circumferential fastening protrusion, or the first fastening protrusion comprises two or more partially circumferential fastening part protrusions. Likewise an example of a sealing system according to the invention is one in which the second fastening protrusion is a continuous, circumferential fastening protrusion, or the second fastening protrusion comprises two or more partially circumferential fastening part protrusions.

[0044] For most applications, it is preferred in the sealing system according to the invention to design the fastening elevations in a complementary but essentially identical manner in order to achieve the best possible form fit. Accordingly, a sealing system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the height of the first fastening elevation Hi and the height of the second fastening elevation H2 differ by less than 30%, preferably by less than 20%, particularly preferably by less than 10%, very particularly preferably essentially not at all. An example is a sealing system according to the invention, wherein the first fastening elevation and / or the second fastening elevation, preferably the first fastening elevation and the second fastening elevation, have a wedge-shaped cross-section.

[0045] The closure system of the sealing system according to the invention can advantageously be designed in different ways, thereby advantageously achieving a high degree of design flexibility. In particular, the design of the fastening area and the orientation of the fastening protrusions are influenced.

[0046] A first embodiment results from the container closure enclosing the container neck of the sealant container with a fastening collar, at least in sections, so that the side walls of the fastening collar flank the container neck from the outside after it has been placed on it, as would also be the case with conventional screw-top bottle closures. The second fastening elevation is expediently directed inwards, so that the second fastening elevation is guided past the first fastening elevation when pressed on the radially outer side. Accordingly, a sealant system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the fastening region comprises a circumferential fastening collar, preferably a continuous fastening collar, wherein the circumferential second fastening elevation is arranged on the fastening collar, preferably on the side facing inwards in the radial direction.Accordingly, a sealing means system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the first fastening elevation is arranged on the radially outer side of the container neck, and wherein the second fastening elevation is arranged on the radially inner side of the fastening region.

[0047] Alternatively, there is a design in which the container closure, remotely resembling a cork, can be partially inserted into the container opening, so that the latter is at least partially enclosed by the sealant container. In this case, the second fastening protrusion expediently points outward, so that the second fastening protrusion is guided past the first fastening protrusion on the radially inner side. Thus, an alternative preferred sealant system according to the invention is one in which the fastening region comprises a central fastening plug, wherein the circumferential second fastening protrusion is arranged on the fastening plug, preferably on the side facing outward in the radial direction.Accordingly, a sealing means system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the first fastening elevation is arranged on the radially inner side of the container neck, and wherein the second fastening elevation is arranged on the radially outer side of the fastening region.

[0048] In this respect, the inventors propose that, regardless of the design of the fastening area, the steepest possible undercut can be provided, which particularly favors the interlocking of the fastening protrusions, so that not only can the container closure be pressed on particularly easily, but also that accidental removal of the container closure due to snagging is made more difficult. In this respect, for example, cross-sectional shapes of the fastening protrusions are preferred in which, with a triangular basic shape, the angle between the side facing away from the taper and the side adjacent to the respective component is greater than 90°, resulting in an arrowhead-like configuration.A sealing means system according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the first fastening elevation has a triangular cross-section, wherein the triangular cross-section between the side facing away from the taper and the side adjacent to the container neck preferably has an angle in the range of 80° to 135°, particularly preferably in the range of 85° to 120°, very particularly preferably in the range of 90° to 105°. A sealing means system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the second fastening elevation has a triangular cross-section, wherein the triangular cross-section between the side facing away from the taper and the side adjacent to the fastening region preferably has an angle in the range of 80° to 135°, particularly preferably in the range of 85° to 120°, very particularly preferably in the range of 90° to 105°.

[0049] The inventors propose that, for an optimal combination of easy closure and difficult reopening, the sealing system should be designed such that the force required to close the closure is significantly lower than the force required to open the closure. This can be advantageously adjusted thanks to the inventive design, in particular through the structural design of the fastening protrusions and the material selection. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the force required to open the closure of the sealing system is so high that a user cannot reach an opening without additional tools, thus preventing, in particular, improper use.A sealing means system according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the sealing means system is designed such that the first fastening elevation and the second fastening elevation can slide past one another when the container closure is pressed onto the sealant container along the pressing direction A using a pressing pressure Pi, and that as a result of the engagement of the first fastening elevation with the second fastening elevation, a positive connection is brought about, in which the first fastening elevation and the second fastening elevation cannot slide past one another when a peeling pressure P2 is applied, wherein the peeling pressure P2 is greater than the pressing pressure Pi, preferably by a factor of 5 or more, particularly preferably of 10 or more, most particularly preferably of 100 or more.In other words, the contact pressure Pi corresponds to the mechanical pressure that must be applied to create the positive connection between the container closure and the sealant container, while the removal pressure P2 is the pressure that would be required to break and / or destroy the positive connection.

[0050] It can be seen as an advantage of the sealant system according to the invention that, in principle, neither the sealant container nor the container closure are limited with regard to the materials used for production. However, the person skilled in the art understands that they should select the material such that, given the respective structural design of the components, at least one of the components has sufficient deformability to enable the formation of the positive connection. When using a very rigid container neck, sufficient flexibility of the container closure should be adjusted accordingly through the structural design and / or material selection. The inventors propose that, from a manufacturing point of view, particularly advantageous properties can be achieved if the components are made of a thermoplastic material.This not only makes particularly time- and cost-efficient manufacturing processes such as injection molding accessible, but the deformability can also be influenced, if necessary, by using elevated temperatures. Accordingly, a sealant system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the container closure consists of 90% or more, preferably 95% or more, particularly preferably 98% or more, very particularly preferably essentially completely, a first thermoplastic material, based on the mass of the container closure. Additionally or alternatively, a sealant system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the sealant container consists of 90% or more, preferably 95% or more, particularly preferably 98% or more, very particularly preferably essentially completely, a second thermoplastic material, based on the mass of the sealant container.An example of this is a sealant system according to the invention, wherein the first thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyesters and polyolefins, preferably selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene, very particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of polypropylene. An example of this is also a sealant system according to the invention, wherein the second thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyesters and polyolefins, preferably selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene, very particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of polypropylene.

[0051] The invention also relates to a container closure for closing a container opening of a sealant container located at the end of a container neck, wherein a circumferential first fastening elevation is arranged on the container neck, wherein the first fastening elevation tapers in the direction of the container opening, in a sealant system according to the invention, wherein the container closure comprises a first fluid channel extending through the container closure and a second fluid channel extending through the container closure, wherein the container closure comprises a fastening region, wherein a circumferential second fastening elevation is arranged on the fastening region, wherein the second fastening elevation tapers in a pressing direction A, wherein the container closure is designed such that the container closure can be fastened by pressing the container closure against a sealant container,along the pressing direction A with at least partially elastic deformation of the fastening region and / or the container neck at the container opening, and wherein the container closure is designed such that when the container closure is arranged at the container opening, a positive connection is effected by the engagement of the first fastening elevation with the second fastening elevation.

[0052] Also disclosed is a method for producing a sealing agent system according to the invention or a container closure according to the invention, comprising the method steps: i) producing or providing a first thermoplastic, and ii) forming the container closure blank from the first thermoplastic in a casting process, wherein the fastening region is formed as part of the container closure blank in method step ii).

[0053] The method for producing the sealing system according to the invention or the container closure according to the invention comprises, in a first method step, producing or providing a first thermoplastic material and, in a second method step, molding the container closure blank from this first thermoplastic material using a casting process. Various casting processes are known to those skilled in the art. An example is a process as disclosed above, wherein the casting process is an injection molding process.

[0054] Also disclosed within the scope of the invention is a breakdown assistance kit, comprising: aa) one or more sealing agent systems according to claim 1 comprising a sealant in the container interior, and bb) a pressure generation unit. In accordance with the expert understanding, a breakdown assistance kit is understood to be a kit comprising several units which, during use, can enable the at least temporary sealing of a defective vehicle tire. In this respect, for example, a vehicle with a defect remedied by the breakdown assistance kit can continue to drive independently at least for a certain period of time in order to be able to visit a workshop to replace or repair the affected vehicle tire, which in particular eliminates the need for a towing service. For this purpose, the breakdown assistance kit comprises at least one sealing agent system according to the invention with sealant and a pressure generation unit.Relevant for most applications is a breakdown assistance kit as disclosed above, wherein the pressure generating unit is an air compressor.

[0055] In practice, fluid lines, such as connecting hoses, are regularly used to connect the pressure-generating unit to the at least one sealing system and to connect the sealing system to the object to be sealed. For most embodiments, a breakdown assistance kit as disclosed above is appropriate, additionally comprising: cc) one or more fluid lines, preferably hoses, for connecting the sealing system to a vehicle tire and / or the pressure-generating unit.

[0056] Also useful in practice is a breakdown kit as disclosed above, additionally comprising: dd) operating instructions for sealing a damaged vehicle tire with the breakdown kit. Also disclosed is a method for sealing a damaged vehicle tire with a breakdown kit according to claim 3, comprising the steps: v) establishing a fluid-conducting connection between the first fluid channel and the pressure-generating unit, w) establishing a fluid-conducting connection between the second fluid channel and the pressure valve of the damaged vehicle tire, and z) discharging the sealant from the sealant system through the second fluid channel into the damaged vehicle tire.

[0057] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures:

[0058] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sealing system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment; and

[0059] Fig. 2 is a highly simplified schematic representation of various positive-locking connections between the container closure and the container neck of a sealing system according to the invention.

[0060] Fig. 1 shows a sealant system 10 according to the invention with a sealant container 12 and a container closure 18, which is intended for use "overhead" in sealing vehicle tires. In the example shown, both the sealant container 12 and the container closure 18 are made entirely of polypropylene.

[0061] The sealant container 12 has a container interior 14 with a volume of 450 mL, in which a sealant can be accommodated in a fluid-tight manner. The container interior 14 is accessible via a container opening located at the end of a container neck 16, which is closed with the container closure 18.

[0062] To ensure the functionality required for sealing processes during sealant provision, the container closure 18 also has a first fluid channel 20 and a second fluid channel 24. Both fluid channels are fluid-tightly sealed with sealing elements in the initial state, so that a sealant arranged in the container interior 14 cannot escape from the sealant system 10 without external force until the sealing elements are opened during the sealing process. The fluid channels are arranged coaxially to one another and separated from one another in sections in the container closure 18, so that direct fluid flow between the first fluid channel 20 and the second fluid channel 22 is not possible.

[0063] To create the positive connection, the container neck 16 comprises a continuous, circumferential first fastening elevation 24, i.e., a bulge that tapers towards the container opening. The fastening region of the container closure 18, on the other hand, has a fastening collar 28, on which a continuous, circumferential second fastening elevation 26 is arranged. The continuous, circumferential second fastening elevation 26 tapers along the pressing direction A, which is shown in Fig. 1 as a directional arrow. Both fastening elevations have a wedge-shaped cross-section, with the triangular cross-section each having an angle of 90° between the side facing away from the taper and the side adjacent to the respective component, the height of the side facing away from the taper being essentially identical in each case.

[0064] In the example shown, the components are closed by the first fastening protrusion 24 engaging with the second fastening protrusion 26, creating a positive connection. In other words, when the container closure 18 is pushed on and pressed on, the second fastening protrusion 26 slides over the first fastening protrusion 24 on the container neck 16 and engages behind it. The fastening collar 28 has thinner walls and a larger radius than the container neck 16, so that the positive connection in the example shown occurs primarily with essentially completely elastic deformation of the fastening area 28 of the container closure 18. Due to the engaging, loosening of the container closure 18 is made very difficult or even impossible.This is only possible by applying considerable force, which will usually require additional aids in addition to the user's conventional muscle strength and would usually result in irreversible damage to the components.

[0065] To obtain a particularly fluid-tight closure, a sealing element is additionally arranged between the container closure 18 and the container neck 16 (not shown) in order to compensate for manufacturing-related tolerances in the positioning of the container closure 18 over the container neck 16.

[0066] Fig. 2a) and 2b) show various designs of the positive connection between the container closure 18 and the container neck 16, wherein the container closure is shown in a highly abstract manner for reasons of clarity, so that, for example, the fluid channels are not shown. Fig. 2a) shows, analogous to Fig. 1, a cross-sectional view through a container closure 18 with a circumferential fastening collar 28, on which the second fastening elevation 26 is arranged radially inward, so that a sleeve-like shape is created. The first fastening elevation 24 is arranged complementarily thereto radially outward on the container neck 16, so that a positive connection can be achieved between the fastening elevations when the container closure 18 is placed onto the container neck 16.

[0067] In contrast, Fig. 2b) shows a container closure 18 with a central fastening plug 30, on which the second fastening protrusion 26 is arranged radially outward, creating a cork-like shape. In this embodiment, the first fastening protrusion 24 is arranged radially outward on the container neck 16, so that a positive fit between the fastening protrusions can be achieved when the container closure 18 is inserted into the container neck 16.

[0068] In both embodiments of Fig. 2, the removal pressure P2, which would be required to remove the container closure 18 from the container neck 16, is considerably greater than the contact pressure Pi, which is required to maintain the positive connection between the first fastening elevation 24 and the second

[0069] Mounting elevation 26 is required.

[0070] List of reference symbols

[0071] 10 Sealant system

[0072] 12 sealant containers

[0073] 14 Container interior 16 Container neck

[0074] 18 Container closure

[0075] 20 first fluid channel

[0076] 22 second fluid channel

[0077] 24 first fortification elevation 26 second fortification elevation

[0078] 28 mounting collars

[0079] 30 mounting plugs

[0080] Pressing direction

Claims

Claims 1. Sealant system (10), comprising: a) a sealant container (12) comprising a container interior (14) for receiving sealant, wherein the container interior (14) is accessible via a container opening located at the end of a container neck (16), and b) a container closure (18), wherein the container closure (18) comprises a first fluid channel (20) extending through the container closure (18) and a second fluid channel (22) extending through the container closure (18), wherein the container closure (18) comprises a fastening region, wherein a circumferential first fastening elevation (24) is arranged on the container neck (16), wherein the first fastening elevation (24) tapers in the direction of the container opening, wherein a circumferential second fastening elevation (26) is arranged on the fastening region, wherein the second fastening elevation (26) tapers in a pressing direction A, wherein the sealant system (10) is configured tothat the container closure (18) can be arranged at the container opening by pressing the container closure (18) against the sealant container (12) along the pressing direction A with at least partially elastic deformation of the fastening area and / or the container neck (16), and wherein the sealant system (10) is designed such that when the container closure (18) is arranged at the container opening, a positive connection is formed by the engagement of the first fastening elevation (24) with the second fastening elevation (26).

2. Sealant system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening region comprises a circumferential fastening collar (28), wherein the circumferential second fastening elevation (26) is arranged on the fastening collar (28), and / or wherein the fastening region comprises a central fastening plug (30), wherein the circumferential second fastening elevation (26) is arranged on the fastening plug (30).

3. Sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first fastening elevation (24) is arranged on the radially outer side of the container neck (16), and wherein the second fastening elevation (26) is arranged on the radially inner side of the fastening region.

4. Sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first fastening elevation (24) is arranged on the radially inner side of the container neck (16), and wherein the second fastening elevation (26) is arranged on the radially outer side of the fastening region.

5. Sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first fastening elevation (24) has a triangular cross-section, wherein the triangular cross-section preferably has an angle in the range of 80° to 135° on the side facing away from the taper and adjacent to the container neck (16).

6. Sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second fastening elevation (26) has a triangular cross-section, wherein the triangular cross-section between the side facing away from the taper and the side adjacent to the fastening region preferably has an angle in the range of 80° to 135°.

7. Sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealant system (10) is designed such that the first fastening elevation (24) and the second fastening elevation (26) can slide past one another when the container closure (18) is pressed onto the sealant container (12) along the pressing direction A using a pressing pressure P1, and that as a result of the interlocking of the first fastening elevation (24) with the second fastening elevation (26), a positive connection is brought about, in which the first fastening elevation (24) and the second fastening elevation (26) cannot slide past one another when a pulling pressure P2 is applied, wherein the pulling pressure P2 is greater than the pressing pressure P1.

8. Sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, additionally comprising a sealant in the container interior (14).

9. Sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the container closure (18) consists of 90% or more of a first thermoplastic material, based on the mass of the container closure (18).

10. Container closure (18) for closing a container opening of a sealant container (12) located at the end of a container neck (16), wherein a circumferential first fastening elevation (24) is arranged on the container neck (16), wherein the first fastening elevation (24) tapers in the direction of the container opening, in a sealant system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the container closure (18) comprises a first fluid channel (20) extending through the container closure (18) and a second fluid channel (22) extending through the container closure (18), wherein the container closure (18) comprises a fastening region, wherein a circumferential second fastening elevation (26) is arranged on the fastening region, wherein the second fastening elevation (26) tapers in a pressing direction A, wherein the container closure (18) is designed tothat the container closure (18) can be arranged at the container opening by pressing the container closure (18) against a sealant container (12) along the pressing direction A with at least partially elastic deformation of the fastening area and / or the container neck (16), and wherein the container closure (18) is designed such that when the container closure (18) is arranged at the container opening, a positive connection is effected by the engagement of the first fastening elevation (24) with the second fastening elevation (26).

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