EP3838840B1 - Adapter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an adapter for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Such an adapter is known from US 5 259 426 A known.

Various devices and methods for refilling bottles or containers are known from the state of the art. This need arises on the one hand because elaborately designed original containers can be used multiple times and refill bottles or refill containers for single use, for example, have to be less stable. There is also a need to design packaging materials in such a way that resources are conserved. This also results, for example, in original containers that are made to be sufficiently stable so that they can be used again and again in daily use and in refill containers that are made from relatively thin materials and are only intended for single use. Refill containers can, for example, be made in the form of bags.

From the GB 2 342 347 A For example, a refill container has become known that has a special closure. This closure has a breakable wall that can be broken open by screwing the refill container together with the closure onto the original container to be refilled. This closure is complex to manufacture, uses a lot of material and can only be used once. If, for example, not all of the liquid from the refill container can be dispensed into the original container to be refilled, the refill container can no longer be closed. This is particularly disadvantageous if, for example, the refill container only contains a concentrate that needs to be diluted. Typically, such refill containers are larger in content than the original container. The Closure of the GB 2 342 347 A shown, connects the refill container with the original container to be refilled. Due to the specific design of the closure, it is not possible to completely empty the refill container.

It is therefore an object of the invention to remedy at least one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, an adapter for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process is to be provided, which adapter is easy to manufacture, can be used multiple times and thus in particular conserves resources.

This object is achieved by the adapter defined in independent claim 1. Further embodiments emerge from the dependent patent claims.

An adapter according to the invention for connecting a refill container to a container during a refilling process has a connection element for operative connection to a pouring opening of the container. The adapter has a filling element for operative connection to a pouring opening of the refill container. The connection element and the filling element are connected to one another with a connection element in such a way that an opening is formed between the connection element and the filling element, wherein the connection element has at least two webs, each of which extends from the connection element to the filling element, wherein the at least two webs extend axially in the region of the connection to the filling element in such a way that they each form a filling rib.

The connecting element and the filling element for the operative connection with the corresponding pouring opening make it possible to connect the refill container and the container to each other.

The formation or design of an opening between the filling element and the connecting element ensures that an exchange of air can take place between the interior of the respective containers and their surroundings, such that negative or positive pressures in the containers can be compensated.

The connecting element which connects the connection element and the filling element ensures that the connection element and the filling element are arranged in a fixed position relative to each other and that the adapter has the required stability.

When using the adapter, the connecting element is preferably inserted into the pouring opening of the container and the filling element into the pouring opening of the refill container.

Preferably, the connection element has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are connected to one another by a wall, preferably a hollow cylindrical wall. The wall has an inner surface and an outer surface.

This wall can preferably be designed as a circular ring. Polygonal and/or star-shaped and/or corrugated designs of the wall along its circumference are also conceivable. Non-circular ring-shaped designs can, for example, create a positive connection with a container, provided the container has a corresponding contour on its pouring opening. It is also conceivable to use such non-circular ring-shaped designs to provide an additional opening for the passage of air into the container and/or to enlarge and/or provide the opening between the filling element and the connection element.

The design of the connection element with a first open end and a second open end makes it possible to provide a channel for the flow of the liquid.

It can be provided that the connection element has a holding element at its first open end. The holding element can in particular be designed as a radially extending collar running along the first end.

The holding element can be used to hold the adapter in a fixed position in or on the pouring opening of a container, with the holding element in particular being supported on an edge of the pouring opening of the container. The holding element can comprise several individual elements, such that the holding element is only supported at certain points on the pouring opening of the container.

Preferably, the filling element has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are connected to one another by a wall, preferably a hollow cylindrical wall. The wall has an inner surface and an outer surface.

This wall can preferably be designed as a continuous circular ring running around a central axis of the adapter. Polygonal and/or star-shaped and/or corrugated designs of the wall along its circumference are also conceivable. Non-circular designs can, for example, create a positive connection with a refill container, provided that the refill container has a corresponding contour on its pouring opening. It is also conceivable to use such non-circular designs to provide an additional opening for the passage of air into the refill container and/or to enlarge and/or provide the opening between the filling element and the connection element.

If the wall of the filling element is not continuous, it is preferably designed to be closed around a central axis of the adapter by at least 50%, preferably by at least 70%, in particular by at least 80%. This creates an opening along the central axis through which, for example, a hose from a pump sprayer can be inserted. This is particularly advantageous if the adapter remains in the container to be filled after the first use.

The design of the filling element with a first open end and a second open end makes it possible to provide a channel for the flow of the liquid.

It can be provided that the filling element has a breaking element at its first open end, wherein the breaking element is designed in particular as an obliquely extending cutting edge. Obliquely extending means that the cutting edge has an inclination relative to the central axis of the adapter.

The breaking element makes it possible to use refill containers with the adapter in question that, for example, do not have a separate or openable closure. In addition, such a breaking element can be provided to break a quality seal on a refill container. Typically, refill containers often have a so-called sealing film. Opening or breaking this sealing film is easy with a breaking element that is designed as a cutting edge. An inclined design simplifies the breaking process because this inclined design means that the breaking and/or cutting begins on one side and the forces required to break it open are therefore lower.

The filling element is preferably arranged substantially concentrically within the connection element.

This ensures a space-saving arrangement. It also ensures that a refill container is also located within the connection element when refilling, thus simplifying the refilling process. In particular, this type of arrangement prevents excessive spilling.

The connecting element can have three, in particular more than three webs, each of which extends from the connecting element to the filling element. Accordingly The webs are each connected at a first end to the connecting element and at a second end to the filling element.

Such an arrangement ensures that the connecting element is securely connected to the filling element and the filling element is appropriately spaced from the connecting element. Webs are easy to manufacture and make it possible to create an appropriately large opening between these webs.

The webs are preferably arranged in a substantially uniform circular shape around a central axis of the adapter.

This results in a simple and cost-effective design of the adapter as well as evenly distributed openings.

The adapter can be designed such that the filling ribs extend substantially over an entire axial length of the filling element. In other words, the second end of the web is designed as a filling rib.

The webs therefore form filling ribs in the area of the filling element, which are arranged on the filling element and thus provide a widening or thickening of the wall of the filling element in the area of the filling ribs. The filling ribs are arranged on the outer surface of the wall of the filling element and are directed essentially radially outwards. A refill container that is placed on the filling element is thus spaced from the rest of the wall of the filling element at least in the area of these filling ribs. This means that a gap remains between the filling element and a corresponding wall of a pouring opening of the refill container, through which an exchange of air can take place between the interior of the refill container and the environment.

An extension over essentially the entire length of the filling element ensures that the distance can be maintained over the entire length of the filling element.

The axial direction is essentially defined by a connection between the respective first and second ends of the filling element or the connection element and is essentially defined by the flow direction of the liquid to be refilled. The central axis of the adapter runs essentially along the axial direction.

The adapter can be designed such that at least two webs extend axially in the area of the connection to the connection element, such that they each form a connection rib which preferably extends essentially over the entire axial length of the connection element. In other words, the first end of the web is designed as a connection rib.

The webs therefore form connection ribs in the area of the connection element, which are arranged on the connection element and thus provide a widening or thickening of the wall of the connection element in the area of the connection ribs. These connection ribs are arranged on the inner surface of the wall of the connection element and are essentially directed radially inwards. A refill container that is attached to the adapter is thus spaced from the rest of the wall of the connection element at least in the area of these connection ribs. This means that a gap remains between the connection element and a corresponding wall of a pouring opening of the refill container through which air can exchange.

When the adapter is inserted into a pouring opening of a container, this prevents the container from being hermetically sealed when a refill container is placed on the adapter. The aforementioned distance leaves an opening for air to pass through from the inside of the container to the environment.

An extension over essentially the entire length of the connecting element ensures that the distance can be maintained over the entire length of the connecting element.

The webs can be essentially U-shaped.

This ensures that the refill container is spaced apart from the filling element and the connection element on both sides. In addition, production is simplified.

It can be provided that a thread is formed on the connecting element.

The thread can be designed to engage with a corresponding thread on a pouring opening of a container. The adapter can then be securely connected to the pouring opening.

Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that a thread is formed on the filling element, in particular on the connecting element.

The thread can be designed to engage with a corresponding thread on a pouring opening of a refill container. The adapter can then be securely connected to the pouring opening.

It can be provided that the thread on the connecting element and/or on the filling element is interrupted.

This ensures that even with a screwed-on container and/or refill container, air can still be exchanged inside the respective container.

The adapter is preferably manufactured by an injection molding process, in particular from PET, PP, PE, HDPE, LDPE, PC or PEF or combinations thereof.

Figur 1:

Einen Nachfüllvorgang;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Adapters;

Figur 3:

eine Schnittansicht einer Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Adapters.

Several embodiments of the adapter are explained in more detail using schematic drawings. It shows:

Figure 1:

A refill process;

Figure 2:

a perspective view of an adapter;

Figure 3:

a sectional view of an exploded view;

Figure 4:

a perspective view of an adapter.

Figure 1 shows a refilling process. A container 300, which is only partially shown, is refilled with a refill container 200. For refilling, an adapter 100 is inserted into a pouring opening 301 of the container 300. The refill container 200 is then connected to its pouring opening 201 (see Figure 2 ) into the adapter 100. When the refill container 200 is plugged onto or into the adapter 100, a seal 202 (see Figure 3 ) is broken and a liquid in the refill container 200 can flow unhindered into the container 300.

The Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an adapter 100. The adapter 100 has a connection element 1, a filling element 2 and a connecting element 3.

The connection element 1 has a first open end 10 and a second open end 11. A holding element in the form of a collar 111 is formed on the first open end 10. The first open end 10 is connected to the second open end 11 via a wall 12.

The filling element 2 also has a first open end 20 and a second open end 21. A cutting edge 211 is formed as a breaking element at the first open end 20. The cutting edge 211 runs obliquely, i.e. has an inclination in relation to a longitudinal axis or central axis. The first open end 20 is connected to the second open end 21 via a wall 22.

Both the connection element 1 and the filling element 2 are designed as hollow cylindrical elements. The filling element 2 and the connection element 1 are connected to one another by the connecting element 3.

A lower edge of the connecting element 3 as well as the second open end 11 and the second open end 21 lie in a common plane.

The connecting element 3 is formed from several webs 30, in this case eight webs 30. For the sake of clarity, however, only one web 30 and its corresponding elements are provided with reference symbols. The webs 30 are arranged in a circle around the filling element 2. Openings 4 are formed between the webs 30. Each of the webs 30 extends from the connection element 1 to the filling element 2. The webs 30 are essentially U-shaped, with the legs of the U forming connection ribs 31 and filling ribs 32. The U is open against the flow direction when refilling. The connection ribs 31 extend essentially over the entire axial extent of the connection element 1 and the filling ribs 32 extend essentially over the entire axial length of the filling element 2. Essentially the entire length is to be understood here as at least 90% of the respective reference length, with the reference length being measured in the area of the respective element.

The Figure 3 shows a sectional view of an exploded view of a container 300 in combination with an adapter 101 and a refill container 200. The adapter 100 is inserted into the pouring opening 301 of the container 300. As in the Figure 3 As can be seen, the outer contour of the adapter 100 essentially corresponds to the inner contour of the pouring opening 301 of the container 300. After the adapter 100 has been inserted into the pouring opening 301, the collar 111 rests on an unspecified upper edge of the pouring opening 301. Following this step, the refill container 200 with its pouring opening 201 is inserted into the adapter 100. To do this, the pouring opening 201 is pushed over the filling element 2. In the process, a seal 202 which closes the pouring opening 201 is broken open by the cutting edge 211. At the end of the process, the refill container 200 comes to rest on the webs 30 with an edge of the pouring opening 201.

In the present example, the diameter of the inner contour of the pouring opening 201 essentially corresponds to an outer diameter of the filling ribs 32. As can be seen from the Figure 3 As can be seen, an inner surface of the pouring opening 201 is spaced from an outer surface of the wall 22 of the filling element 2 by at least the height of the filling ribs 32, measured in the radial direction, after the refill container 200 has been plugged onto the adapter 100. Accordingly, air can get into the interior of the refill container 200, which reliably prevents a negative pressure inside the container 200. Likewise, an outer surface of the pouring opening 201 is spaced from an inner surface of the wall 12 by at least the height of the connecting ribs 31, measured in the radial direction. This also allows air to get into the interior of the container 300, or air can escape from the interior of the container 300 when it is filled with a liquid.

The Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an adapter 100' in a position corresponding to the adapter 100 according to the Figure 2 alternative embodiment. The adapter 100' corresponds to the adapter 100 according to the Figure 2 with the exception of the design of the filling element 2'. The filling element 2' is, in contrast to the filling element 2 of the Figure 2 not continuous, but has an opening in its wall 22', which extends along the central axis of the adapter 100'. The remaining filling element 2' is closed by approximately 75% around the central axis. The first open end 20' of the filling element 2' is thus interrupted, just like a corresponding cutting edge 211'. In the present case, the interruption is in the area in which the filling element 2' has the smallest axial extension. Thus, it is still easy to break open a corresponding seal on a refill container using the cutting edge 211'. The opening allows the Figure 2 , consequently a web 30 which would have been arranged in the area of the opening has also been omitted.

The other elements correspond to those already included in the adapter 100 of the Figure 2 and will not be described again for the sake of clarity, but refer to the corresponding description of the Figure 2 referred to.

Claims (15)

1. Adapter (100, 100') for connecting a refill container (200) to a container (300) during a refilling process, wherein the adapter (100) has a connection element (1) for operative connection to a pouring opening (301) of the container (300) and a filling element (2) for operative connection to a pouring opening (201) of the refill container (200), wherein the connection element (1) and the filling element (2, 2') are connected to one another by a connection element (3) in such a way that an opening (4) is formed between the connection element (1) and the filling element (2), wherein the connection element (3) has at least two webs (30) which each extend from the connection element (1) to the filling element (2, 2'),
   characterized in that
   the at least two webs (30) extend axially in the region of the connection to the filling element (2, 2') in such a way that they each have a filling rib (32) form.
2. Adapter (100, 100') according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection element (1) has a first open end (10) and a second open end (11), the first open end (10) and the second open end (11) are connected to one another with a wall (22), preferably with a hollow cylindrical wall (22).
3. Adapter (100, 100') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting element (1) has a holding element at its first open end (10), the holding element in particular being a radially extending one along the first end (10 ) circumferential collar (111) is formed.
4. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filling element (2, 2') has a first open end (20, 20') and a second open end (21), wherein the first open end (10) and the second open end (11) are connected to one another by a wall (22, 22'), preferably by a hollow cylindrical wall (22, 22').
5. Adapter (100, 100') according to claim 4, characterized in that the filling element (2, 2') has a breaking element at its first open end (20, 20') , wherein the breaking element is designed in particular as an obliquely extending cutting edge (211, 211').
6. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the filling element (2, 2') is arranged essentially concentrically within the connection element (1).
7. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connecting element (3 ) has three , in particular more than three, webs (30).
8. Adapter (100, 100') according to claim 7, characterized in that the webs (30) are arranged essentially uniformly in a circle around a central axis of the adapter (100).
9. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the filling ribs (32) extend substantially over an entire axial length of the filling element (2, 2').
10. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least two webs (30) extend axially in the area of the connection to the connecting element (1) in such a way that they each form a connecting rib (32). preferably extends substantially over an entire axial length of the connecting element (1).
11. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the webs (30) are essentially U-shaped.
12. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a thread is formed on the connecting element (1).
13. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a thread is formed on the filling element (2, 2'), in particular on the connecting element (3).
14. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the thread on the connecting element (1) and/or on the filling element (2, 2') is designed to be interrupted.
15. Adapter (100, 100') according to one of claims 1 to 14, made from PET, PP, PE, HDPE, LDPE, PC or PEF or a combination thereof, in particular by injection molding.

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