EP0798228B1 - Stopper for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A stopper for a container, e.g. a small tube or a bottle, comprising (a) a chamber (1) which may be empty or filled with active material(s) (2), e.g. drying agents such as silica gel, active carbon, perfume, or a preservative such as naphthalene, and with an upper edge in the form of a cover part (7) on the other side of the centre line of the stopper and adapted to the shape of chamber (1), preferably a ring-shaped element with a rectangular, square, circular, oval or elliptical cross-section, (b) a sealing or retaining system (3), and optionally (c) a guarantee strip (4) with retainer (5) in the downwards extension (18) of element (7), and/or (d) a compression spring system (6) in the lower part of the stopper and in the downward extension of the side wall (8) of chamber (1). Novel features are that; (i) the lateral outer wall (8a) of chamber (1) forms the sealing/retaining system (3), (ii) the boundary between the inner wall (8b) of chamber (1) and the top (7a) of element (7 ) is designed in such a way that it can be combined with a sealing element (10) matching the size and shape of chamber (1) so that (1) can be sealed from above, either (iii) the lower part of side wall (8) is in the form of a retaining edge (11) facing the centre line which prevents an element (12) inserted into the chamber from above passing this zone and (iv) element (12) consists of a material which retains the active substance (2) in chamber (1) but does not inhibit its action on the other side of (12), or (v) chamber (1) has a base (13) with perforations (14) of the size required to produce the same result as in (iv), and (vi) the space (15) between the side wall (8a) of (1) and the cover part (7) with optional strip (4)/(5) is designed so as to accept and fix the top of the container inserted into this space. Also claimed is a process for the production of this stopper.

Description

The present invention relates to a stopper for a container and a method of manufacture this stuffing.

Stopper with or without guarantee band, which in the 1 are known in the prior art shown to 3.

Figures 1 to 3 show side views, which are partially cut open axially from the stand stopper known in the art.

FIG. 1 shows a stopper with a guarantee band 54 of the first generation.

The cover 50 has the function of this stopper a carrier for four parts, namely the chamber wall 51, the compression spring 52, the olive 53 and the guarantee tape 54.

If this stopper is provided for closing a tube with an inner diameter of 27 mm and the chamber for receiving the drying agent 56 has a volume of 2.56 cm ³ , then this stopper, without box 55 and without drying agent 56, weighs 5.5 g .

The parts 51 to 54 are all next to each other and arranged at certain distances from each other.

Such a stopper can only be used in one complicated injection mold. The Demolding takes place in 5 stages, which means that the cycle time is significantly extended.

FIG. 2 shows a stopper with a guarantee band 60 shown, in which the compression spring 61 in the extension the olive 62 is positioned.

In comparison to the stopper shown in Figure 1 the cover 64 is only a carrier of three parts.

This plug has the same for the same one above described application has a weight of 5.0 g and is in Comparison simpler and to the plug shown in Figure 1 manufacture faster. The demoulding can be done in 4 stages respectively.

Because the compression spring 61 in the extension of the Olive 62 is positioned, remains between the outer dimensions the compression spring 61 and the inner diameter of the container opening very little scope.

Therefore this plug must be very precise otherwise the container opening will be inserted Compression spring 61 is damaged.

FIG. 3 shows a stopper with a guarantee band 70 shown. This plug has an empty space 71. Conditional through this empty space 71 becomes part 72 of the cover shifted down. This allows the outside dimensions of the Compression spring 73, compared to that shown in Figure 2 Darning, reduce while taking advantage of To keep demoulding in 4 stages.

This plug in turn has the same application described above has a weight of only 3.5 g more.

Unwanted can occur in the empty space 71 Collect substances such as dust.

In order to maintain the usual volume of approximately 2.6 cm ^{3 of} the chamber 74, it is necessary because of the smaller diameter of the chamber 74 to increase the height of this chamber 74 by the distance d.

As a result, the active zone of the Compression spring 73 reduced accordingly.

In the plugs shown in Figures 1 to 3 the desiccant must be from the direction of each Compression spring introduced, i.e. from below become.

Then it must come from the same direction forth a cardboard disc 55, 65, 75 inserted and by means of Flanging can be fixed.

With all the plugs described above, this will Drying agents 56, 66, 76 in a separate step introduced.

The injection molds for making this Plugs are very complicated, expensive to buy and expensive to maintain.

The plugs described above consist of one piece.

The injection molding of a single piece implies also that all parts are made of the same plastic are made and have the same color.

In FR-A-1 090 874 there is a stopper with less Functions and described for other applications.

This is neither a guarantee band nor a Compression spring system described.

This stopper consists of one, one chamber with openwork base and a Cover.

This body and this lid are for Removable purpose of replacing the desiccant arranged.

FR-A-1 213 774 describes a similar one Stopper, which is at the bottom of the chamber Pressure spring system connects. The connection points this system with the chamber form a holding border for holding a desiccant in capsule form.

In DE-U-92 03 763.1 there is a plug for one Container with a lid part with a circumferential, tear-off Circlip described.

The tabs are made up of wall sections the locking ring is formed by ultrasound.

This stopper is made in one piece and is monochrome.

This stopper is a first generation stopper, as described above and in Figure 1 is shown and corresponds to the plug of the generic term of claim 1.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above and one To provide plugs, which means Injection molding made in simple injection molds can be.

A plug is to be made available in which the lid is no longer a carrier for different Elements is.

A plug is to be made available where the side wall has multiple functions.

A plug is to be made available be, its weight, compared to that described above Darning, is reduced again.

The opening of the injection mold for manufacture the main element of the plug should be in two up to a maximum of three stages so that the cycle time is significantly shortened.

The distance between the inside wall of the container and the outside dimension of the compression spring system be such that the stopper is convenient and light on the Container can be put on, without that Compression spring system is damaged.

The top part of the stopper should be a regular, and preferably transparent, surface have which is free of empty spaces.

The active zone of the compression spring system should meet the respective requirements.

The chamber should be active from above Means can be filled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stopper at which different parts from the same or from different Materials are made that are the same or have different colors.

To visually highlight the opening guarantee, the guarantee band should preferably be a different one Have color than the rest of the plug.

It is also said to be a simple and inexpensive procedure for the manufacture of this stopper become.

It is another object of the present invention all individual parts at the time of filling of the active agent in a simple and inexpensive manner the required number of stations in the same Workflow and put together in the same device.

All of these goals are met with the present Invention achieved.

The invention is characterized by the features in the characterized independent claims.

Preferred embodiments are in the dependent ones Defined claims.

The following section describes possible embodiments of the present invention. there reference is made to the figures.

Figure 4 shows a side view, partially is cut open axially, one according to the invention Stuffing.

Figure 5 shows an axial section through a stopper according to the invention with a holding border 11 and element 12.

Figure 6 shows an axial section through a stopper according to the invention with bottom 13 and openings 14, wherein the closure element 10 is not shown is.

Figure 7 shows the top view of the embodiment according to FIG. 6.

Figures 8a to 8f show possible forms of Openings 14 in the bottom 13.

Figures 9a and 9b schematically show a possible one Type of welding of the surface 7a with the Closure element 10.

The table below contains, inter alia, the radii r and the heights h of plugs known in the prior art and a preferred embodiment of the plug according to the invention. Stopper according to figure no. Plug weight (g) Radius (mm) Height (mm) Chamber volume (cm ³ ) 1 5.5 r ₁ 7.5 h ₁ 7.25 2.56 2 5.0 r ₂ 8 h ₂ 6.5 2.61 3rd 3.5 r ₃ 7.5 h ₃ 8 2.83 4th 3.05 r ₄ 12.4 h ₄ 3.55 3.4

This table shows that the Weight of the stopper according to the invention compared to the known stopper again reduced by about 13% could be.

It also follows from these data that the volume of chamber 1 is significantly increased. The height h ₄ is only about half compared to the heights h ₁ to h ₃ . The radius r ₄ has been increased significantly compared to the radii r ₁ to r ₃ .

As a result, the compression spring system 6 with the same length of the individual coil springs has a much larger active zone.

The above increase in volume the chamber 1 has the advantage that with the same Amount of active agent to be introduced 2 this active Means 2 in the uncompressed state in chamber 1 is included.

This allows the flexibility of the side wall 8 maintain and so the seal and / or To guarantee the retention function of element 3.

The sealing and / or retention system 3 has preferably in the shape of an olive, with grooves or slats are possible.

This system 3 must meet the required requirements Tightness against liquids, such as water, moisture, Ensure dust or gases, such as oxygen.

The lower part of chamber 1 can be realized in two ways:
A. The lower part of the side wall 8 is designed as a holding border 11 facing the central axis of the stopper.

This holding border 11 is from above placed an element 12.

This element 12 is by means of welding or bonded to the retaining frame 11. It can also be locked in place.

B. The lower part of chamber 1 is the bottom 13 formed with openings 14. On this floor 13 a cover part 12a can be placed. This cover part 12a can be fixed to the floor 13.

The element 12, or the bottom 13 with the openings 14 and optionally the cover 12 a are made in such a way that they can be Chamber 1 imported active funds 2 is withheld and the effect of the active agent 2 on the other Side of the parts mentioned can unfold.

The number and shape of the openings 14 depend on the respective need. Possible Shapes of these openings 14 are shown in FIGS. 8a to 8f shown.

The compression spring system 6 normally comprises five individual coil springs and is either with the retaining frame 11 or connected to the bottom 13.

In most cases, the compression spring system 6 a cylindrical shape.

A corresponding conical shape has the advantage easier demolding of the injection mold.

Because with this conical shape of the pressure spring system 6 the space between the individual coil springs is completely free, the active zone of the compression spring system 6 enlarged accordingly.

The upper edge of the chamber 1 is as one of the center axis of the stopper and the shape The chamber 1 following and adapted cover part 7 is formed.

This cover part 7 is preferably in the form of a ring Element trained.

The border zone 9 between the inner side wall 8b and the upper surface 7a is formed such that they match the size and Form of the chamber 1 coordinated closure element 10 connected can be.

Depending on the type of active agent 2, the connection in border zone 9 must be appropriate to get voted.

A watertight weld is indicated when a desiccant is introduced into chamber 1 becomes.

One possible way of this welding is shown schematically in Figures 9a and 9b.

The closure element 10 can be made of a transparent Material.

This has the advantage of being visually ascertained can be whether an active agent 2, such as a perfume or preservative in solid Shape, is still present at all.

On the other hand, a transparent closure element allows 10 to observe an optical indicator.

For example, it can be determined whether a desiccant, such as Blaugel, is still sufficient Has activity.

Additional indicators placed in chamber 1 can with a transparent closure element 10 can also be observed.

The respective thickness of the closure element 10 is usually depending on the size of the Plug selected.

The thickness of the closure element 10 can be approximately 1 mm.

In the downward extension 18 the above-mentioned cover part 7 is the guarantee tape 4 with the restraint device 5.

To the first and all further openings of one closed with a stopper according to the invention To simplify the container, it is preferred that the outward surface of the extension mentioned 18 not even and not smooth.

It is therefore preferred that the outside directed surface of this extension 18 such Auxiliary elements 20, which favor the opening.

Such auxiliary elements 20 can, for example Grooves, notches, noses, etc.

These grooves can be arranged side by side be and be positive or negative.

This surface is generally structured or shaped.

On the outward surface of the Closure element 10 can be a simple guide to Opening a closed with a stopper according to the invention Container.

It is preferred that the extension 18 at least one to about four notches 19, which simplify the first opening.

If the main element, which among other things includes the cover part 7, and the guarantee tape 4 with Restraint device 5 are made from one part, then these parts are made of the same material and have the same color. In this case it is the guarantee tape 4 with the main element via tearable Bridges, which represent predetermined breaking points, connected.

It is preferred that the said main element and the guarantee tape 4 with the restraint 5 are two different parts, which are manufactured separately and which have different colors.

This has the advantage that the first opening guarantee is better visually highlighted.

In this embodiment, the cover part 7 and the guarantee band 4 with a retaining device 5 adjacent and coordinated edge zones 17 on.

These edge zones 17 can be arranged in steps or be weird. You can communicate with each other Welding or bonding.

The welding or the gluing can be continuous or preferably individual isolated points.

The weld can be a thermal weld, an ultrasonic welding or Be laser welding.

The mechanical resistance of the two so connected parts is such that this bond holds if you plug a stopper according to the invention over a continuous outer bead 21 on a container touches down, and that this combination when first opened easily destroyed by external force. This outer bead can have the shape of an axial section Have hooks.

The restraint 5 can be a specific one Include number of tabs, for example from 2 to 10 Tabs, with 6 tabs being preferred. These tabs are designed and placed in this way as well as on the outer bead 21 voted that the removal of the inventive Stopping is prevented as long as that Main element is combined with the guarantee tape 4.

At the first opening, the restraint is activated 5 retained by the outer bead 21, and the separation between main element and guarantee tape 4 along the edge zone 17.

The container can be a metal tube, for example aluminum, or made of plastic, for example Polypropylene, polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

• Garantieband 4 mit Rückhaltevorrichtung 5,
• Hauptelement, umfassend die Teile 1, 3, 6, 7 und 18,
• Verschlusselement 10.

In the method according to the invention, the individual parts required in each case are produced separately in an injection mold in a first step. The following parts can be manufactured separately:

• Guarantee tape 4 with restraint 5,
• Main element comprising parts 1, 3, 6, 7 and 18,
• Closure element 10.

If the main element has a holding border 11 then in a second step the element 12 introduced and connected or fixed accordingly.

If the main element has a bottom 13 having openings 14, the cover 12a can be inserted and can also be fixed if desired.

The lower part of the chamber 1 is thus formed.

In the chamber 1 prepared in this way, if desired, the active agent 2 from above into the Chamber 1 are introduced.

In a next step, chamber 1 completed with the closure element 10.

If the guarantee tape 4 with the restraint 5 has been produced as a single part, then this item must still be connected to the main element become. This bond takes place along the edge zones 17th

It is preferred to be this composite last Stage in the manufacture of the stopper according to the invention to execute.

Claims (15)

1. Stopper for a container, for example small tubes or bottles, whereby this stopper comprises

   a chamber (1), which has a cylindrical, spherical or hemi-spherical form and which may remain empty or which may take up at least one active agent (2), for example a drying agent, such as silica gel, activated charcoal, a perfume agent, a preserving agent, such as naphthalene,

   a sealing and/or retaining system (3), and

   a warranty strip (4) with retaining device (5), as well as occasionally

   a pressure spring system (6),
      whereby

   the upper edge of said chamber (1) is formed as a cap part (7), which is turned away from the middle axis of the stopper and which extends downwards along the lateral inner wall (8b) of said chamber (1), with auxiliary elements (20), which facilitate the opening of the container, whereby this cap part (7) is formed as a ring-shaped element,

   said warranty strip (4) with retaining device (5) is located in the downwards directed extension (18) of said cap part (7),

   said pressure spring system (6) is located in the lower part of the stopper and in the downwards directed area of the extension of the side wall (8) of said chamber (1),
      characterized in that

   the lateral outer wall (8a) of said chamber (1) is formed as sealing and/or retaining system (3),
      either

   the lower part of the side wall (8) of said chamber (1) is formed as a retaining border strip (11), which is turned to the middle axis of the stopper and which avoids that an element (12) introduced from the top into this chamber (1) may pass this area,

   this element (12) is made of such a material that on one hand it retains the active agent (2) introduced from the top into the chamber (1) and that on the other hand the efficacy of the active agent (2) may be developped on the other side of the element (12),
      or

   the chamber (1) has a bottom (13) in which are openings (14) with such dimensions that on one hand the active agent (2) introduced into the chamber (1) from the top is retained and that on the other hand the efficacy of the active agent (2) may be developped on the other side of this bottom (13),
      and

   the space (15) between the lateral outer wall (8a) of the chamber (1), formed as sealing and/or retaining system (3), and the cap part (7) as well as the warranty strip (4) with retaining device (5) is formed such that it may include and fix the upper part of the wall (16) of the container to be introduced into this space (15), whereby

   the fringe area (9) between the lateral inner wall (8b) of said chamber (1) and the upper surface (7a) of said cap part (7) is formed such that it is connected with a disk-shaped closing element (10), adjusted to the respective size and form of said chamber (1), and so this chamber (1) is closable from the top.
2. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (1) has a volume in the range from 1 cm³ to 10 cm³, preferably in the range from 2 cm³ to 3 cm³ _.
3. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 2,
   characterized in that the sealing and/or retaining system (3) has the form of an olive or is formed as at least one groove or lamella, especially three grooves or lamellas.
4. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the cap part (7) and the warranty strip (4) with retaining device (5) are made either of a single piece or of two separate pieces which are connected together in a detachable form.
5. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that the cap part (7) and the warranty strip (4) with retaining device (5) have adjacent rim areas (17) which are brought into line and which are especially arranged stepwise or are sloping and which are connected together by means of welding, especially a thermic welding, an ultrasonic welding or a laser welding, or by means of adhesive substances.
6. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that the pressure spring system (6) has a straight or spiral-shaped or conical or cylindrical form and is connected with the retaining border strip (11) or with the bottom (13).
7. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that the cap part (7) is connected with the closing element (10) by means of welding, especially a thermic welding, an ultrasonic welding or a laser welding, or by means of adhesive substances or by means of snapping.
8. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that the element (12) is made of cardboard, paperboard, paper, woven fabrics or plastic foam foils and is connected by means of welding, especially a thermic welding, an ultrasonic welding or a laser welding, or by means of adhesive substances with the retaining border strip (11) or is fixed by means of snapping onto the retaining border strip (11).
9. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that the bottom (13) has a thickness in the range from 0.2 millimeter to 1.0 millimeter, especially 0.5 millimeter.
10. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that the bottom (13) has from two to about fifty openings (14), which occasionally are covered with a cover part (12a), preferably made of cardboard, paperboard, paper, woven fabrics or plastic foam foils, and whereby this cover part (12a) may be fixed to the bottom (13).
11. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the stopper is made of plastic material, for example of polyethylene, such as LDPE or HDPE, or of polypropylene or EPDM, whereby the warranty strip (4) with retaining device (5) and the closing element (10) may be made of the same or of a different material as the rest of the stopper, and whereby the colour of these three pieces may be the same or may be different.
12. Stopper according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the closing element (10) is made of a transparent material, for example polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate, PET, polyethylene, such as LDPE or HDPE, or polypropylene or polystyrene, PS, or polycarbonate, PC.
13. A process for the preparation of the stopper according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that

    in a first step the respective required piece parts are each prepared separately,

    in a second step

    a.) in the case of the presence of the retaining border strip (11) the element (12) is introduced and is connected or fixed,

    b.) in the case of the presence of the bottom (13) with openings (14) if necessary the cover part (12a) is introduced and if necessary is also fixed,

    - in a third step, if desired, the active agent (2) is introduced from the top into the chamber (1), and

    - in a fourth step the chamber (1) is closed with the closing element (10),

       and in the case in which the warranty strip (4) with retaining device (5) has been prepared as piece part, this piece part is connected with the cap part (7) in the area of the rim areas (17) either between the first and the second step or during the fourth step or after the fourth step.
14. The process according to claim 13, characterized in that the piece parts are prepared each in an injection molding tool.
15. The process according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the various connections are realized by means of thermic welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding or by means of adhesive substances or by means of snapping.

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