EP1666371A1 - Container closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle seal has outpouring section, in which, or at the flowing area adjacent to outpouring section, an oscillation producing device is fitted. The oscillation device shifts the oscillations through the flowing fluid or produces self oscillations through overflowing liquid in the liquid. The frequency of the oscillations produced through the element, in the fluid is in hearing range. Bottle seal has lower seal part (10) for fastening the seal to a bottle within the range of a bottle opening, discharge section (13,12,19) and a sealing plug (18) which releases or locks discharge cross section.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure for beverage bottles or spray bottles with a fastening portion for fixing the closure in the region of a bottle opening, an outflow portion and a stopper which selectively closes or releases a Ausströmquerschnitt.

Corresponding closures are known from various drinking and spray bottles. The longest known closures of this type are so-called cyclist bottles for drinking, in which an attachable to a bottleneck part expires to a thin spout in which an axially limited displaceable plug is arranged. When the plug is completely pushed into the grommet, it completely closes off the free cross-section of the outlet grommet with a correspondingly thick section near its upper end. As the plug is withdrawn (for example, with the teeth while a hand holds the bottle), a thinner portion of the plug enters the discharge passage, leaving a sufficient cross-section free to pass water or other liquid through the nozzle and to the thin one Siphon out section of the plug over or push out by pressure on the (generally made of plastic) bottle. The inner end of the plug is provided with a cross member which prevents complete removal of the plug from the spout.

A more modern variant are so-called push-pull closures, which are known both from beverage bottles and spray bottles, such as detergent bottles. Also in these cases, the bottles are made of a thin-walled plastic material, the closures have a mounting portion which is mounted on a bottle neck or a bottle neck and sealed to the bottle fastened, and the upper end of the closure is formed by two nested sleeves, the axially limited relative to each other, wherein the outer sleeve has on its upper side in general a central opening which is closed during the firm pressing of the outer sleeve to a second closure member of a plug. The plug is secured to an inner sleeve having respective through holes to the outer sleeve between the plug and its peripheral wall, an outer sealing lip or bead on the upper outer edge of the inner sleeve providing a seal against the outer sleeve sliding on the inner sleeve , The inner sleeve is connected via stepped extensions with a closure bottom, which in general has a much larger diameter than the inner sleeve and is tightly connected to the bottle neck.

By moving the outer sleeve into an extended position, the plug firmly attached to the inner sleeve is removed from the central opening of the outer sleeve and thus the flow channel is opened from the interior of the bottle to the outside of the closure. In principle, this closure works much like the known closure of the bicycle bottles with the difference that the outer sleeve is the axially movable part, while the plug is attached to an inner sleeve and the flow channel is slightly more complicated from the inner to the outer sleeve, including the inner wall of the outer sleeve should be sealed in all relative axial positions with respect to the outer wall of the inner sleeve.

These so-called push-pull closures have been enjoying great popularity with beverage bottles for several years. They are practical, since the closure can be opened and closed in a very simple manner, for example by holding the outer closure sleeve with the teeth and pulling on the bottle with one hand. In this way, a one-hand operation is possible. When the shutter is open, even a small opening is released, so that it is practically impossible or at least very largely prevented that the contents of the bottle is contaminated or about insects get into the bottle, as in other drinks bottles with screw caps, which has a comparatively large opening cross-section release, quite possible. Moreover, in normal use, due to the limited orifice area, only a relatively limited amount of liquid (per unit of time) will escape from the closure, so that inadvertent spillage or ingestion when drinking directly from the bottle can be more easily avoided.

In addition, if the closures are detachable from the bottle, they can also be reused.

Finally, these bottles also allow the ejection of liquid by vigorous pressure on the bottle, with good control of the dosage.

Such closures also bring something with what is commonly referred to as a "fun factor", which is ultimately determined by their technical function and the specifics of opening and closing and the relatively small Ausströmquerschnitt. The small outflow cross-section not only allows a targeted dosing of small quantities, for example of detergents, but also a splashing of liquid over long distances.

Therefore, only by the fact that certain bottles or bottles with other liquids, such as detergent, which should be dispensed sparingly, achieve better sales only because the bottles are equipped with such a closure, its use also in the use can be fun.

Compared to this prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a closure that creates more Kaufanreize due to its technical design and a possible "fun factor" even further increased and also feedback or control over the removal of a certain amount of liquid from the bottle offers.

This object is achieved in that an element is arranged in the outflow channel or a flow region communicating with the outflow channel, which element is set in vibration by a fluid flowing past or itself generates vibrations in the fluid by passing fluid.

Corresponding elements are generally known from so-called flutes or whistles or other oscillatory elements, e.g. elastically suspended tongues, membranes, or strained thin bands, or "lips," which vibrate an impinging fluid stream. Such concrete embodiments of vibration generating elements are the subject of particular embodiments of the present invention.

When a corresponding bottle is used for drinking, for example, a certain amount of liquid flows through the discharge channel or the adjacent outflow region, wherein the outer walls of such a bottle are generally compressed or solely due to the external air pressure and the sucking out of liquid from inside the bottle. After discontinuation of such a bottle, the elastic restoring forces of the bottle body generally ensure that the bottle will return to its original shape while sucking in air through the discharge opening. According to the invention, this sucked air is now passed along an element along or through an element which is either itself vibrated by the passing air and / or generates vibrations in an adjacent cavity or an air column.

According to the invention, conventional tone generating elements can be used for this, such as the already mentioned flutes, pipes and the like, which are available in a simple and inexpensive form, such as those traded on fairgrounds and the like or otherwise sold for small amounts.

Conveniently, the frequencies of the vibrations caused by the vibration generating element are in the audible range, preferably between 20 and 5000 Hz, in particular between 100 and 2000 Hz. In this range lies the maximum sensitivity of human hearing and most common Generate sound generating elements Frequencies in this area. In particular, tone generators that produce vibration frequencies above 500 Hz can generally be made quite small and compact.

In the preferred variant, the closure in question of the present invention is designed as a push-pull closure and the vibration-generating element is preferably in the inner sleeve or axially immediately adjacent to the inner sleeve of this closure, which defines an outflow together with the outer sleeve arranged. Since the fasteners, such as e.g. a Schraubkappenteil, such a closure usually axially still significantly beyond the inner sleeve out in the direction of the bottle neck, for such a vibration generating element usually enough space is available to accommodate it completely within the closure or the cap, as a cap here the entire, for example, screwed onto a bottleneck or otherwise patch part is called.

Expediently, the outflow channel of such a closure, in particular in the region of the vibration-generating element, has a free flow cross-section which is less than 0.5 cm ² , preferably less than 0.2 cm ² . The lower flow cross-section results in normal use of such a bottle that, for example, in the elastic spring back of the bottle into its original shape, after being drunk, the flow velocity of the back-flowing air in the region of the vibration generating element is greater than in the case of a considerably larger flow cross-section. However, a certain flow velocity is usually required so that a vibration generating element actually produces corresponding vibrations with sufficient amplitude or even (audible) vibrations.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the vibration generating element is a cantilevered, elastic tongue or membrane, in particular a slotted membrane which is clamped on at least two opposite sides, or a double-sided clamped band. Such elements get easily by oscillating air into vibrations and then produce the desired tone. To achieve special effects and a multi-sounding, a plurality of such movable and oscillatable elements can be provided side by side or one behind the other, which have different resonance frequencies within the audible range, which are preferably harmonically matched to one another.

Eventually, such movable elements may also be provided with a standing element, such as e.g. the lip of a whistle, which produces a sound that depends on the shape and size of the cavity behind or adjacent to it.

Conveniently, the vibration generating element is arranged in the flow channel or in its extension in direct contact with the flow medium.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying figure.

The single figure shows an apparatus shown in axial section according to the present invention. It can be seen in the figure on a screw thread on a bottle neck attachable push-pull closure. This closure consists of a closure lower part 10 with an axially directly to the closure lower part 10 inner Ausströmhülse 13, a limited axially slidably mounted on the inner sleeve outer sleeve 12 and an additional protective cap 11th

The closure or the closure lower part 10 is secured by a guarantee strip 15 on the (not shown) bottleneck. Likewise, the protective cap 11 is secured by a guarantee strip 16 on the closure lower part 10 or more precisely in a transition region between the closure lower part 10 and the inner sleeve 13 attached thereto via step-like tapers. After loosening the tear strip 16, the cap 11 can be removed and is generally not used further, since it has essentially only warranty function and is therefore no longer needed after the first use.

The inner sleeve 13 has a plurality of inwardly projecting ribs 17 which carry a central plug 18, which in turn closes a central opening 19 of the outer sleeve 12. The inner sleeve 13 also has an annular peripheral and in cross-section nose-shaped projection 21 at its upper outer edge, which is in engagement with the inner surface of the sleeve 12. The outer sleeve 12 in turn has on its inner wall and at a distance from its upper opening 19 an inwardly projecting projection 22 which is in engagement with the outer side of the inner sleeve 13. Also this projection 22 has a substantially nose-shaped profile, wherein the two annular circumferential projections 21 and 22 are just oriented so that their inclined ramp surfaces slide on each other, if during the initial assembly, the outer sleeve 12 is pushed onto the inner sleeve 13, but then the two nose-shaped projections 21, 22 can be moved past each other only with considerable force and form an axial stop in normal use, when the outer sleeve 12 relative to the inner sleeve 13 is pulled upward in the vertical direction while the plug 18, the opening 19 releases. Liquid can then flow from the bottle between the ribs 17 and through openings in the top of the inner sleeve 13, which are formed between the ribs 17, first into the space between inner sleeve and outer sleeve and then by the released from the stopper 18 opening 19 after Outside.

It can also be seen inside the closure or a pipe 14 which is inserted directly into the lower part of the inner sleeve 13. In addition, since this pipe 14 is inserted into the lower portion of the inner sleeve 13, the liquid must necessarily also flow through the pipe 14 before it can pass through the outflow channel formed in and between the sleeves 12, 13 to the outside. Appropriately, this is an embodiment of the invention, in which, as shown in the figure, the vibration generating element is a conventional, commercially available whistle with a substantially cylindrical housing, which is inserted in close fitting in the inner sleeve (13). The inner contour of the inner sleeve is usefully adapted to the outer contour of the pipe available as a mass product, at least in sections. Conversely, however, the outer shape of the whistle (or other vibration generating element) of the inner shape of a given sleeve can be adjusted. In both cases, large numbers of items are required, so that the expert has the freedom of choice, which of the two elements should be adapted to the respective other existing. As can be seen, corresponds in the embodiment shown in the figure, the inner diameter of the inner sleeve immediately below the ribs 17 to the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion of the pipe 14. Moreover, it is useful in this case, when the pipe is provided with an annular peripheral collar 25 which is latched in a lower, expanded portion of the inner sleeve behind an annular bead 26 or projection on the inner side of the inner sleeve.

The closure is sealed placed on a bottle neck, with an annular circumferential, axially extending sealing ridge 23 rests against the inside of the bottle neck and the closure upper part also firm and tight against the upper outer circumference of the bottle neck, when the closure member 10 is screwed onto a bottle neck is. Necessarily, the walls of the bottle move inwardly as liquid flows out through the closure, because then inside the bottle creates a negative pressure and the external air pressure squeezes the bottle. Of course, the user can also support this by actively squeezing the generally thin-walled plastic bottle.

However, once the pressure on the outside of the bottle decreases and the opening 19 is released, the bottle returns due to elastic restoring forces back to their original shape, whereby air is necessarily sucked through the discharge opening 19 into the outer sleeve 12, the inner sleeve 13 and the pipe 14 therethrough. In this case, a arranged in the interior of the pipe 14 tongue 24 is in vibration or as the front side flowing (rigid) lip element ensures that the air column in the pipe 14 in turn gets into vibration, whereby a corresponding sound is generated. As can be seen, the whistle 14 is axially so short that it is received substantially in the lower portion of the inner sleeve 13 and the adjacent transition portion to the closure lower part 10 including the inner sealing ridge 23. So it does not protrude in the axial direction of the closure bottom and does not interfere with the placement of the closure on a bottleneck.

The fact that the pipe 14 makes a corresponding sound when the bottle sucks in air is at the same time a proof that liquid has been previously removed from the bottle and the bottle has been compressed accordingly. In addition to the "fun factor" that the bottle produces a corresponding sound at or immediately after drinking, this can also be used as a control that was actually drunk from the bottle. This is of particular interest to elderly persons in need of care and possibly also to young children who, in certain situations, do not voluntarily or on their own take in as much fluid as would be necessary from a medical point of view.

The whistling sound generated by the return of air is then, as it were, evidence that at least a certain small amount of liquid was drunk and the bottle was not only supposed to be used for drinking. Especially with children, this can also be used as an incentive to drink.

For purposes of the original disclosure, it is to be understood that all such features as will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description, drawings, and claims, even though they have been specifically described in connection with certain further features, both individually and separately any combination with other of the features or feature groups disclosed herein are combinable, unless this has been expressly excluded or technical conditions make such combinations impossible or pointless. On the comprehensive, explicit representation of all conceivable combinations of features is omitted here only for the sake of brevity and readability of the description.

Claims (12)

Closure for beverage bottles or spray bottles with a closure bottom part (10) for fastening the closure to a bottle in the region of a bottle opening, an outflow section (13, 12, 19) defining a Ausströmquerschnitt, and a closure plug (18) which selectively closes the Ausströmquerschnitt or releases, characterized in that in the outflow section (13) or a flow region adjoining the outflow section (13), a vibration generating element is arranged, which is vibrated by a passing or flowing fluid or by passing fluid in the fluid itself generates vibrations. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency of the vibrations generated by the element and the fluid flowing past it is in the audible range, preferably between 20 and 5000 Hz, and in particular between 100 and 2000 Hz. Closure according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it is designed as a push-pull closure with an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve and inner sleeve are axially displaceable against each other and parts of the outer or inner sleeve in a corresponding, relative axial position act as a plug which closes the flow channel, wherein the flow channel is opened by relative axial displacement of the outer and the inner sleeve. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flow channel, in particular in the region of the vibration-generating element has a free flow area which is less than 0.5 cm ² , preferably less than 0.2 cm ² . Closure according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vibration-generating element is provided on a separately insertable into the sleeve member which adjoins the flow channel of the closure and in turn forms a flow channel of the closure in series flow channel. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the vibration-generating element is arranged in the flow channel or in its extension in direct contact with the flow medium. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vibration-generating element is an elastically suspended, movable member which is a cantilevered elastic tongue or membrane, in particular a slotted membrane, or a double-sided clamped band. Closure according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of movable and vibratory elements having different resonant frequencies in the audible range. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the vibration-generating element is a whistle in which a sound is generated by flowing past a pipe opening gas or air. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the vibration-generating element is arranged within the closure in the subsequent in the axial direction on the outlet sleeve area. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the vibration generating element is a conventional whistle having a substantially cylindrical housing which is snugly inserted into the inner sleeve (13). Closure according to claim 11, characterized in that the whistle is latched with an annularly circumferential collar behind an annular bead or Vorsprucng on the inside of the inner sleeve.

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