The container in which the product is packed

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container in which a product is packaged, comprising a rigid cylindrical container having a bottom (2), a side wall (3) and a cover, a flexible liner (5) and a pasty product (A) surrounded by the liner and disposed within the container, further comprising an insert (6) disposed above the bottom and below the product contained within the liner, having a substantially circular outline smaller than the base and substantially centered in the bottom in such a manner that there is a gap between the insert and the side wall.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container having a product packaged therein. In particular, the present invention relates to a rigid cylindrical container having a pasty product packaged therein. [Background technology]

[0002] In many applications, products are packaged in drum-shaped containers. In particular, paste-like products such as adhesives and sealants are typically packaged in a film layer in sheet metal drums. The product is often pumped out of the top of these drums, where a funnel-shaped plate squeezes the contents, forcing the product up to the pump, from where it can be transported further.

[0003] However, this process inevitably leaves a residual amount of product in the container that cannot be pumped. Depending on the system, this can be 5-10 litres (for a 200 litre can). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution which allows to increase the utilization rate at the time of use of the products packaged in the containers, in particular the residual amount which cannot be transported further should be kept as low as possible and the economic and environmental compatibility of such packaged products should be improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This object is achieved by providing a container having a product packaged therein, the container comprising a rigid cylindrical container having a bottom, side walls and a lid, a flexible liner and a pasty product contained within the liner and disposed within the container, the container further comprising an insert disposed above the bottom and below the product contained within the liner, the insert having a substantially round circular outline smaller than the bottom and disposed substantially centered above the base such that there is a space between the insert and the side walls.

[0006] In tests it was found that the limited utilization during pumping was largely due to the pump plates getting stuck on the folded liner during their downward movement. In particular, in the case of liners made of plastic film, there is a risk that the liner being compressed against the side wall of the container will create an insurmountable resistance force for the pump moving towards the bottom of the container.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, this discovery is now utilized by having an insert provide a space into which the compressed liner can be forced. The insert raises the effective bottom of the container in the central area (but not the peripheral areas), allowing the pump to squeeze out more material before being stopped by the compressed liner.

[0008] It has further been demonstrated that this effect can be optimized by adjusting the shape and size of the insert, such optimized inserts being the subject of particular dependent claims.

[0009] The economic and environmental aspects of the invention can be further improved by making the insert as easy and cost-effective as possible. The use of such an insert is particularly advantageous in the case of products that are expensive and / or difficult to recycle.

[0010] The core concept of the present invention is to optimize the known process of discharging the contents of such containers without modifying the discharging process or the equipment (e.g. pumps). Instead, the present invention provides a container that further includes an insert to optimize the content discharging process. In this way, the customer does not need to make any adjustments or modifications to either the equipment or the process.

[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, the insert has dimensions relative to the container such that it provides a space of 2 to 10 cm, preferably 3 to 9 cm, and particularly preferably 3 to 8 cm.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, the height of the insert is 1-6%, preferably 1.5-4%, of the height of the container.

[0013] In one exemplary embodiment, the height of the insert is between 1 and 6 cm, preferably between 1.5 and 4 cm.

[0014] In certain exemplary embodiments, the insert has a rectangular, trapezoidal or polygonal cross section.

[0015] In certain exemplary embodiments, the insert is formed as a substantially frusto-conical shape, or as a frusto-conical shape on a seat, or as a cylinder with a radiused or chamfered upper edge.

[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, the insert has at least two spacers that are sized and positioned to span the space between the insert and the sidewall, thereby predefining the position of the insert above the bottom.

[0017] In certain exemplary embodiments, the insert has at least three or at least four spacers.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the insert has a surrounding ring as a spacer sized and positioned to span the space between the insert and the sidewall, thereby pre-locating the position of the insert above the bottom.

[0019] In certain exemplary embodiments, the encircling ring and the insert are formed integrally and / or from the same material.

[0020] In certain exemplary embodiments, the spacer or spacers have a lower height than the insert, in particular a height less than half the height of the insert, and / or in particular the height of the spacer is 20-60% of the height of the insert.

[0021] In one exemplary embodiment, the insert is formed from a foamed plastic material.

[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the insert is designed as a one-piece piece.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the insert is formed in multiple pieces, each piece being specifically of the same design.

[0024] In certain exemplary embodiments, the product is a one-component adhesive or sealant, particularly a polyurethane, silane-terminated polymer, epoxy, or silicone based composition.

[0025] In certain exemplary embodiments, the flexible liner is formed as a foil / film, particularly an aluminum foil, or as a polyethylene film.

[0026] In certain exemplary embodiments, the container is formed from sheet metal.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the volume of the container is 50-500 liters, preferably 100-300 liters.

[0028] Details and advantages of the invention will now be explained below by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to schematic drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1a] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a container with a product packaged therein according to the prior art. [Figure 1b] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a container with an insert and a product packaged therein. [Figure 2a] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a container with a product packaged therein, according to the prior art, when the product is being dispensed by a pump. [Figure 2b] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a container with a product packaged therein and an insert, when the product is being dispensed by a pump. [Figure 3a-5b] Schematic diagrams of various inserts are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In Figure 1a, a container 1 according to the prior art is shown, in which product A is packaged. The container 1 is cylindrical and has a bottom 2, a side wall 3 and a lid 4. The product A is further contained within a liner 5.

[0031] Turning now to Figure 2b, container 1 is shown with product A packaged therein, further including an insert 6. The insert 6 is disposed above the bottom 2 of container 1, below product A contained in liner 5, where the insert 6 has a smaller diameter than the bottom 2 of container 1. Since the insert 6 is substantially centrally disposed in the bottom 2, a periphery of the insert 6 is spaced 9 from the sidewall 3. The insert 6 further has a height 10.

[0032] In figure 2a, according to the prior art, a container 1 is shown in which product A is packed, as it is being removed by a pump 7. During removal, the liner 5 is cut at the top of product A and a driven plate 8 of a removal device (not shown in its entirety) now presses against product A, whereby it is squeezed - against gravity - towards the pump 7. The pump 7 then continues to transport product A, for example in the direction of an application robot (not shown).

[0033] The progressive compression of product A within the liner 5 causes the liner 5 to fold into pleats next to each side wall 3. At a certain point, these pleats in the liner 5 will not allow product A to be compressed any further because further compression would create too much resistance from the pleats, which will stop the removal process before product A has been completely transported (i.e., drained to empty or consumed).

[0034] Fig. 2b alternatively shows container 1 with product A packaged therein as it is being removed by pump 7. However, now container 1 further includes an insert 6, which is disposed on bottom 2 of container 1. By centrally disposing insert 6 on bottom 2, pleats of liner 5 can escape at least partially into the area between insert 2 and side wall 3. As a result, more product A can be transported overall than without insert 6, as shown in Fig. 2a.

[0035] 3a to 5b show various exemplary embodiments of the insert 6, respectively in spatial and cross-sectional views.

[0036] A first exemplary insert 6 is shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The insert 6 has a substantially rectangular cross section. Moreover, the insert 6 is made in multiple pieces, with four identical pieces being used to form one insert 6. The insert 6 does not have a spacer.

[0037] A second exemplary insert 6 is shown in Figures 4a and 4b. The insert 6 has a substantially trapezoidal cross section. Moreover, the insert 6 is made in multiple parts, with four identical parts being used to form one insert 6. The insert 6 has four spacers 12, with each part having one spacer 12.

[0038] A third exemplary insert 6 is shown in Figures 5a and 5b. The insert 6 has a substantially rectangular cross section. Moreover, the insert 6 is formed in one piece. The insert 6 is formed as a ring that goes around the periphery of the insert 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 container 2 bottom 3 side wall 4 Lid 5 Liner 6 Insert 7. Pump 8 Follower plate 9 intervals 10 Insert Height 11 Insert diameter 12 Spacer A product

Claims

1. a container in which a product is packaged; The container comprises: a rigid cylindrical container having a bottom, a sidewall, and a lid; A flexible liner and a pasty product contained within the liner and disposed within the container; Including, The container further comprises an insert positioned above the bottom and below the product stored in the liner, the insert having a substantially round circular outline smaller than the bottom, and positioned substantially centered above the bottom with a space between the insert and the sidewall.

2. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert is sized relative to the container such that the space is between 2 and 10 cm.

3. 3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height of the insert is 1 to 6% of the height of the container, and / or the height of the insert is 1 to 6 cm.

4. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert has a rectangular, trapezoidal or polygonal cross section.

5. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is formed substantially as a truncated cone, or as a pedestal truncated cone, or as a cylinder with a rounded or chamfered upper edge.

6. 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert has at least one spacer that is sized and positioned to span the space between the insert and the side wall, thereby predetermining the position of the insert above the bottom.

7. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the insert has at least two, or at least three, or at least four spacers.

8. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the spacer has a height less than the insert and / or the height of the spacer is 20-60% of the height of the insert.

9. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is formed from a foamed plastic material.

10. 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the insert is designed as a single piece.

11. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is made of several parts, the individual parts being in particular of the same design.

12. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the product is a one-component adhesive or sealant, in particular a polyurethane, silane-terminated polymer, epoxy or silicone-based composition.

13. 3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible liner is configured as a foil or film, in particular as an aluminum foil or as a polyethylene film.

14. 3. The container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is formed from a metal sheet.

15. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the volume of the container is 50 to 500 liters.

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