Closing unit intended to be connected to a water bottle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure unit (100) for connection to a drinking bottle with at least one spout element (10) with a spout edge which surrounds at least one pouring opening (15), in which the pouring opening (15) can be closed via a sealing element, in which an inlet nozzle (11) is provided which surrounds the pouring opening (15) of the spout element (10) and which connects to the underside of the spout element (10), characterized in that the inlet nozzle (11) has against its inner wall in at least two diametrically opposite positions respectively a pair of ribs (11.1) between which an inwardly open, fluid-conducting chamber (11.4) is designed, in which the ribs (11.1) extend radially inwards to the outer circumference of the element sealing. Figure 9

Description

Title of the invention: Closure unit intended to be connected to a water bottle FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a closure unit intended to be connected to a water bottle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] DE 10 2019 128 302 B3 describes a drinking bottle cap for a drinking bottle with a narrow drinking bottle neck. This offers a high level of tightness because two independent sealing planes are provided. This not only ensures high safety against leakage when the container is tilted, but also provides high tightness in the case of carbonated beverages resulting in high internal container pressure. Leakage of residual quantities of liquid after closing the cap is also prevented. The disadvantage is that the sealing element of the open drinking bottle cap is always in the area of ​​the flow of the drinking liquid when drinking. The liquid must flow past the sealing element through a relatively narrow annular gap; at the same time, air must then flow into the drinking bottle. In doing so, the opposing fluid flows hinder each other.The mixture of the drink flowing out and the air flowing in causes the typical gurgling sound and an irregular, jerky flow of drink out. Statement of the invention

[0003] The objective of the invention is therefore to provide a closure unit intended to be connected to a drinking bottle, with which the beverage can flow evenly.

[0004] As is customary for known closure units for insulated bottles, insulated cups and drinking bottles for the mobile transport of beverages, a spout element is provided with a spout edge which surrounds at least one pouring opening, the pouring opening being closable via a sealing element. Furthermore, an inlet nozzle is provided which surrounds the pouring opening of the spout element and which connects to the underside of the spout element.

[0005] According to the invention, an inlet pipe is provided against the closure unit, which extends in the direction of the interior space of the bottle when the closure unit is connected to this type of bottle, and which has against its inner wall and in several positions, at least in at least two diametrically opposite positions, respectively a pair of ribs between which a fluid-conducting chamber is designed. In doing so, the ribs extend radially towards the inside, so that a chamber open towards the center is respectively designed. The sealing element lies on the edge side against the ribs. This blocks the flow path in the center. Liquid and air must flow through the chambers. As long as the drinking bottle with the closure unit is always used horizontally or tilted when drinking, the fluid flows automatically separate due to their density, i.e. when drinking, the liquid flows through at least one deeper chamber while the air then flows continuously through at least one further chamber above. Due to the separation of the flow paths, the liquid flows out evenly and a jerky liquid outlet is avoided.

[0006] In the case of the closure element according to the invention, the spout element is preferably not directly connected to the drinking bottle or cup; rather, a complementary base element is provided, which is arranged between the drinking bottle or cup and is to be fixedly connected thereto. The spout element is mounted and movably guided in the base element so that it can be slid along the central axis of the closure unit or parallel thereto and can thus be lifted from the base element. At least one spring element is provided for lifting the spout element from the base element. This also results, among other things, in the advantage that a relatively long inlet nozzle can be provided, through which the fluid flows can be separated over a longer path. Due to its length, the inlet nozzle first penetrates deep into the hollow space of the drinking bottle.As it is connected to the movable spout element or formed against it, it is lifted upwards when the closure unit is opened. Another advantage is that the spout element, which is movable relative to the base element, is guided through the inlet nozzle into the base element.

[0007] It is in particular provided that the inlet pipe is formed from several segments, each of which extends through a partial area of ​​the discharge opening of the base element.

[0008] It is also advantageous to provide, at least between one of the segments and the base element, a form-fitting fastening that can be removed, by which the sliding stroke of the spout element is limited. This can be achieved in that at least one segment is elastically connected to the spout element and in that at least one projection is formed against the segment, which engages form-fittingly in a recess or under a recess at the base element.

[0009] One-handed operation of the closing unit is facilitated in that a pivoting cover is present which acts against the force of high spring, also necessary in the case of a closing unit according to the invention in order to ensure sealing. In doing so, however, it is convenient to use one or more fingers on the upper side of the cover to carry out the pivoting, which is easier than pressing a central actuating button axially downwards, especially when holding the closing unit with the same hand at the same time.

[0010] During the opening movement, the cover slides over the edge of the elastically mounted spout element. In doing so, only the sliding friction force has to be overcome. During the closing movement, the cover slides again over the edge of the elastically mounted spout element. In doing so, in addition to overcoming the sliding friction force, the spring element also has to be pre-tensioned. Since the pivotally mounted cover is pivoted through a large radius and the increasing spring tension during closing is held in each intermediate position by the cover fixedly mounted against the base element, the closing movement with one hand can also be carried out with less force compared to a known closing unit with a central actuating button.

[0011] The sealing of the pouring opening is achieved by pushing the movable spout element onto the base element and thereby pushing at least one sealing element present at the spout element or the base element onto at least one pouring opening against the respective other element. If the spout element is raised again by the spring force, the seal is then released.

[0012] In doing so, the sealing element can be fixedly arranged in the base element, so that in the event that a pouring spout element is lowered onto the base element, the pouring opening of the pouring spout element is closed.

[0013] Alternatively, the sealing element may be fixedly arranged in the spout element, so that in the event that a spout element is lowered onto the base element, the pouring opening is closed against the base element.

[0014] The user must press the spout element against the base element by closing the cover against the force of the spring element inserted between the two. In doing so, the spring element is pre-tensioned, so that the spout element is automatically lifted from the base element when the cover is later pivoted apart and no further force is exerted.

[0015] Therefore, a stop device is also provided to hold the spout element in the lowered position relative to the base element and against the force of the pre-stressed spring element. Preferably, the shut-off equipment is formed with the cover, with which the upwardly open area of ​​the spout element can at the same time be covered and protected against soiling.

[0016] The cover preferably comprises a bracket which is pivotally mounted against the base element, as well as a cover element which in turn is movably mounted against the bracket. In order to hold the cover element on the upper side of the closure unit and to prevent unintentional pivoting of the bracket, the cover element may have on its underside an actuating button with at least one cam, which is fixed by positive engagement against the inner edge of the spout edge in a closed position of the closure unit.

[0017] A particularly advantageous design of the invention provides a spring element which is designed in the form of a pipe section and is made of an elastomeric plastic material, in particular silicone. In doing so, several advantages can thus be simultaneously achieved: - The silicone spring element stores sufficient spring energy in the compressed state to be able to lift the spout element from the base element again at a later date, even if beverage residues cause occasional sticking. - It is food safe and can come into direct contact with drinking liquid.

[0018] In particular, this type of pipe section-shaped spring element, which is placed between the base element and the spout element, also makes it possible to design a sealing tunnel which surrounds the sealing element, the pouring opening of the base element and the pouring opening of the spout element. The spring element connects with its ends to the underside of the spout element and to the upper side of the base element, so that a space completely closed to the outside is formed inside the closure element as soon as the sealing element bears against the pouring opening.

[0019] Thus, the application proposes a closure unit for connection to a drinking bottle with at least one pouring spout element with a pouring spout edge which surrounds at least one pouring opening, in which the pouring opening can be closed via a sealing element, in which an inlet nozzle is provided which surrounds the pouring opening of the pouring spout element and which connects to the underside of the pouring spout element, characterized in that the inlet nozzle has against its inner wall in at least two diametrically opposite positions respectively a pair of ribs between which an inwardly open and fluid-conducting chamber is designed, in which the ribs extend radially inward to the outer circumference of the sealing element.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the inlet pipe has ribs in a star arrangement distributed over the inner wall in several positions, in which an inwardly open, fluid-conducting chamber is respectively designed between neighboring ribs.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the inlet tubing is formed of several segments, each of which extends through an area of ​​the discharge opening of the base element.

[0022] According to one embodiment, at least one segment is resiliently connected to the spout element and at least one projection is formed against the segment, which engages in a recess in the base element or under a recess at the base element.

[0023] According to one embodiment:

[0024] a base element separate from the spout element is provided with at least one pouring opening to be fixedly connected to the drinking bottle;

[0025] the spout element is guided in a vertically movable manner in or against the base element, wherein the spout element can be lifted from the base element via a spring element;

[0026] the sealing element closes at least one of the pouring openings in the event that the pouring spout element is lowered onto the base element;

[0027] a stopping device is provided, with which the spout element can be stopped in the lowered position relative to the base element and against the force of the spring element;

[0028] between the base element and the spout element is designed a sealing tunnel which surrounds the sealing element, the pouring opening of the base element and the pouring opening of the spout element and

[0029] the inlet tubing extends through the sealing tunnel and the at least one discharge opening of the base member.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the sealing element is fixedly arranged in the base element and in the case where the pouring spout element is lowered onto the base element, the pouring opening is closed against the pouring spout element.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the sealing element is fixedly arranged in the spout element and in that in the case where the spout element is lowered onto the base element, the pouring opening is closed against the base element.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the spring element is formed by a tubular section of elastomer and the sealing tunnel is designed inside the spring element.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the sealing element has a mushroom-shaped head on the upper side and a circumferentially enlarged collar on the lower side of its shaft.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the closure unit comprises a covering placed over and covering an area of ​​the spout element surrounded by the spout rim, and the covering comprises a bracket which is pivotally mounted against the base element, as well as a cover element which is movably mounted against the bracket.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the lid element has at the lower side an actuating button with a cam, which is fixed by positive engagement against the inner edge of the spout edge in a closed position of the closure unit. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The figures respectively show a perspective sectional representation, unless otherwise indicated, of:

[0037] [Fig.l] a closure unit with a bottle in the closed position, in a perspective view;

[0038] [Fig.2] the combination of the bottle and the closure unit in the open position, in a perspective view;

[0039] [Fig.3] parts of the closing unit according to figures 1 and 2;

[0040] [Fig.4] a fully assembled closing unit in the closing position;

[0041] [Fig.5] the closing unit at the start of opening;

[0042] [Fig.6] the closing unit fully open;

[0043] [Fig.7] preparing to remove the spout element from the base element;

[0044] [Fig.8] the closing unit removed from the base element;

[0045] [Fig.9] the spout element seen from below; and

[0046] [Fig. 10] the basic element seen from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] [Fig.l] shows, in a perspective view, a closed closure unit 100 which is designed for a slim drinking bottle 200. The closure unit 100 comprises a base element 20, which is to be directly connected to the drinking bottle 200, and a cover 30. The cover 30 has a bracket 33, which is pivotally connected to the base element 20 via pivot pins 31, and a lid element 32 which on its side is hingedly connected to the stirrup 33. An unlocking button 34 is integrated into the cover element 32.

[0048] [Fig. 2] shows, in another perspective view, the combination of the drinking bottle 200 and the closure unit 100 in an open position. The bracket 33 has been pivoted downwards about the pivot axes 31, whereby the lid element 32 has been moved away from the upper side of the base element 20. In doing so, a spout element 10 elastically mounted inside the base element 20 is no longer held by positive engagement, so that it has been propelled vertically upwards due to the force of a spring acting between the base element 20 and the spout element 10. The area surrounded by a spout edge 12 is now free. A pouring opening 15 is freed there. A sealing element 51 can be seen there.

[0049] [Fig. 3] shows parts of the alternative closure unit 100 for the slim drinking bottle 200. The closure unit 100 comprises a base element 20 and a cover 30 which is pivotally attached thereto against a bearing axis 31. The closure unit 100 also has a spout element, which is not shown here.

[0050] In the lower region of the base element 20, a threaded section 29 is designed for connection to the thin bottle neck 201 of the bottle. The base element 20 tapers for this purpose from a threaded section 29 upwards to a discharge opening 25. A support bridge 27 holds a sealing element holder 24 for fixing the sealing element 51 in the center of a discharge opening 25. The sealing element 51 has a mushroom-shaped head 51.1 on the upper side and a circumferentially widened collar 51.2 on the lower side of its shaft.

[0051] In the shown example of the closure unit 100, a lid area 23 between a pouring spout edge 22 and the pouring opening 25 is designed very thin and tapers into a channel, which serves to accommodate a cylindrical spring element 52.

[0052] [Fig. 4] shows the closure unit 100 fully assembled in the closed position. In the lower area, an upper section of the bottle 200 with the bottle neck 201 can be seen. The base element 20 is screwed with its threaded section 29 onto the bottle neck 201. A bottle neck seal 55 inserted between these ensures the seal between the two elements.

[0053] In the upper region of the closure unit 100, a cover 30 is placed and covers the region of the pouring spout element 10 surrounded by the pouring spout edge 12. The cover element 32 of the cover 30 is mounted against the bracket 33, the latter this being in turn pivotally mounted against the base member 20, as already described previously with reference to [Fig.l].

[0054] The cover 30 has an actuating button 34 which has a cam 35 at the lower side. This bears against the inner edge of the spout edge 12 and is thus fixed by positive engagement. In the position shown, pivoting of the bracket 33 is not possible because the cover element 32 bears on the upper edge of the rib 22 in a pivoting direction to the left, and in the opposite direction the cam 35 bears against the spout edge 12.

[0055] The sealing element 51 is inserted into the sealing element holder 24. A spout element 10 is inserted into the space inside the rib 22 of the base element 20. This surrounds with the spout edge 12 an upwardly open space, at the lower side of which there is a discharge opening which in the position shown in [Fig. 2] is closed by the mushroom-shaped head 51.1 of the sealing element 51.

[0056] Between the base element 20 and the spout element 10 is inserted an elastomer spring element 52 made of silicone which is formed in the manner of a pipe section. Inside, it forms a sealing tunnel 53 which surrounds the area of ​​the pouring opening in the base element 20 and the inlet nozzle 11 of the spout element 10 and thereby makes the entire intermediate space between the base element 20 and the spout element 10 liquid-tight. For this purpose, both the upper edge area and the lower edge area of ​​the spring element 52 are pressed in a sealing manner into annular grooves in the base element 20 or in the spout element 10.

[0057] The inlet tubing 11 extends through the areas of a discharge opening in the base element 20 which are not locked by the support bridge 27 for the sealing element 51. To bypass the support bridge 27, the inlet tubing 11 is divided into several segments, one or more of which extend respectively through a section of the discharge opening.

[0058] [Fig.9] shows the spout element 10 seen from below. In the center of the element of base 10 is the discharge opening 15. In this case, the inlet nozzle 11 consists of two segments 11.2, 11.3 between which there is a gap on either side in which the support bridge of the base element can be accommodated. If the segment 11.2 is rigidly connected to the base element 10, the other segment 11.3 is, on the other hand, elastically brought against the base element, so that it can be pushed inwards, towards the center. Ribs 11.1 on the inner side of the segments 11.2, 11.3 extend radially somewhat inwards, until the mushroom-shaped head of the element sealing element can be positioned in the center. A chamber 11.4 is respectively provided between a pair of ribs 11.1 and the sealing element in the center. This allows liquid or air to pass separately past the mushroom-shaped head. The fact that several chambers 11.4 are provided around the circumference, in particular in at least two diametrically opposite positions, allows an outgoing liquid and the subsequently inflowing air to be guided in separate flow paths. In the case of the closure unit 100 according to the invention, the typical gurgling noise that occurs when drinking from drinking bottles with a narrow bottle neck and the outward flow of liquid is interrupted by the incoming air is avoided.

[0059] [Fig. 10] shows the base element 20 from the lower side. The discharge opening 25 is divided into two parts by the support bridge 27 and the sealing element support 24.

[0060] [Fig. 5] shows the start of the opening of the closing unit 100. This is triggered by pushing the button 34 downwards. In doing so, the cam 35 is disengaged from the spout edge 12 and the stop equipment formed by the cover is thus unlocked. The bracket 33 can now be pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0061] In [Fig. 6], the closure unit 100 can be seen completely open. The bracket 33 has been pivoted downwards as far as possible, whereby the cover element 32 has at the same time been brought into a lateral position against the base element 20. The spring element 52 can relax due to the pivoting of the cover, whereby the spout element 10 is propelled vertically upwards, so that a larger gap is created between the spout element 10 and the base element 20. The central sealing element 51 with its mushroom-shaped head is moved away from the pouring opening 15 by the movement of the spout element 10 and releases it.

[0062] Inside the spring element 52 is formed a sealing tunnel 53 which completely seals the area which is delimited upwards and downwards by the base element 20 and the spout element 10. The inlet pipe 11 is passed through the sealing tunnel 53.

[0063] [Fig. 7] shows how the spout element 10 can be removed vertically upwards. The segments 11.2, 11.3 of the inlet pipe are pushed against each other. A projection 11.5 is formed against the segment 11.3, which engages under the cover section 23. As soon as the projection 11.5 is extended, the form-fitting connection is released and the spout element 10 can be removed from the base element 20.

[0064] In the representation in [Fig.8], the spout element 10 is removed from the base element 20, including the silicone hose section which serves as the spring element 52 and forms the sealing tunnel. Reference signs#:

[0065] 100 closing unit 10 spout element 11 inlet pipe 11.1 rib 11.2 segment 11.3 segment 11.4 bedroom 11.5 nose 12 spout rim 13 cover area 14 spill chamber 15 spill opening 16 ventilation closing element 20 basic element 21 level 22 rib 23 cover area 24 sealing element support 25 spill opening 26 ventilation pipe 27 support bridge 29 threaded section 30 recovery 31 pivot axes 32 cover element 33 stirrup 34 button 35 came 51 sealing element 52 spring element 53 sealing tunnel 55 bottle neck seal 200 gourdes 201 bottle neck

Claims

Claims

1. Closure unit (100) for connection to a drinking bottle (200) with at least one spout element (10) with a spout edge (12) which surrounds at least one pouring opening (15), in which the pouring opening (15) can be closed via a sealing element (51), in which an inlet nozzle (11) is provided which surrounds the pouring opening (15) of the spout element (10) and which connects to the underside of the spout element (10), characterized in that the inlet nozzle (11) has against its inner wall in at least two diametrically opposite positions respectively a pair of ribs (11.1) between which an inwardly open, fluid-conducting chamber (11.4) is designed, in which the ribs (11.1) extend radially inwards up to the outer circumference of the sealing element (51).

2. Closure unit (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet nozzle (11) has ribs (11.1) in a star arrangement distributed over the inner wall in several positions, in which a chamber (11.4) open to the inside and conducting fluid is respectively designed between neighboring ribs (11.1).

3. Closure unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inlet pipe (11) is formed from several segments (11.2, 11.3), each of which extends through a region of the discharge opening (25) of the base element (20).

4. Closure unit (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one segment (11.2, 11.3) is elastically connected to the spout element (10) and in that at least one projection (11.5) is formed against the segment (11.2, 11.3), which engages in a recess in the base element (20) or under a recess at the base element (20).

5. Closure unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - a base element (20) separate from the spout element (10) is provided with at least one pouring opening (25) to be fixedly connected to the drinking bottle (200); - the spout element (10) is guided vertically movable in or against the base element (20), in which the spout element (10) can be lifted from the base element (20) via a spring element (52); - the sealing element (51) closes at least one of the pouring openings (15; 25) in the event that the spout element (10) is lowered onto the base element (20); - a locking device is provided, with which the spout element (10) can be locked in the lowered position relative to the base element (20) and against the force of the spring element (52);- between the base element (20) and the spout element (10) a sealing tunnel (53) is designed which surrounds the sealing element (51), the pouring opening (25) of the base element (20) and the pouring opening (15) of the spout element (10) and - the inlet nozzle (11) extends through the sealing tunnel (26) and the at least one pouring opening (25) of the base element (20).;

6. Closing unit (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sealing element (51) is fixedly arranged in the base element (20) and in that in the case where the spout element (10) is lowered onto the base element (20), the pouring opening (15) is closed against the spout element (10).

7. Closing unit (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sealing element (51) is fixedly arranged in the spout element (10) and in that in the case where the spout element (10) is lowered onto the base element (20), the pouring opening (25) is closed against the base element (20).

8. Closing unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (52) is formed by a tubular section of elastomer and in that the sealing tunnel (53) is designed inside the spring element (52).

9. Closing unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (51) has at the upper side a mushroom-shaped head (51.1) and at the lower side of its shaft a circumferentially widened collar (51.2).

10. A closure unit (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising a cover (30) placed over and covering an area of the spout member (10) surrounded by the spout rim (12), and wherein the cover (30) comprises a bracket (33) which is pivotally mounted against the base member (20), and a cover member (32) which is movably mounted against the bracket (33).

11. Closure unit (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the lid element (32) has at the underside an actuating button (34) with a cam (35), which is fixed by positive engagement against the inner edge of the spout edge (12) in a closed position of the closure unit (100).

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