Deformable small packaging structure
A deformable small packaging structure for free-flowing products, comprising a valve-like closure (10) produced by a two-component injection molding process and including a dimensionally stable carrier element (11) and an outer jacket (12) which envelopes the carrier element (11) at least in part and has a flexible squirt-nozzle (16) with slotted openings, should be constructed in such a manner that the squirt-nozzle (16) in withdrawn state occupies an extremely small space and that the change to the position clearing the openings is possible with little force application. According to the invention, the outer jacket (12), in relation to the withdrawn squirt-nozzle (16), has a meander-shaped configuration adjacent to the squirt-nozzle (16). The squirt-nozzle (16), in relation to the withdrawn state, is configured as a pot-shaped recess. According to a preferred embodiment, the outer jacket (12) has an inner annular flange (17) which engages in a recess of the carrier element (11) and is firmly connected therewith. Further, the outer jacket (12) has adjacent to the inner annular flange (17) a circumferential web (18) which engages in a groove of the carrier element (11) and is also firmly connected therewith. The deformable small packaging structure according to the invention is used in particular for condiments, like e.g. mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and the like.
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The invention relates to a deformable small packaging structure for free-flowing products, having a valve-like closure produced by a two-component injection molding process and including a dimensionally stable carrier element and an outer jacket which envelopes the carrier element at least in part and has a flexible squirt-nozzle with slotted openings.
The small packaging structure involved here is normally manufactured from a suitable plastic so that it can be squeezed together by hand to allow the product to be pushed through the valve-like closure.
When a sufficient quantity has been dispensed, the small packaging structure relaxes to return to the original shape. Small packaging structures involve preferably tubes, bottles, and the like. The closure is configured in such a manner as to open, when pressure is applied onto the product, and to spontaneously close again, after this pressure decreases. Moreover, the closure is designed so as to allow the product to be squeezed out from the small packaging structure in controlled doses. Products involved here include foodstuff in the form of condiments, for example mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, and the like.
The dimensionally stable carrier element is firmly placed onto the small packaging structure. The squirt-nozzle of the outer jacket is then located within this carrier element. Depending on the configuration, the carrier element is secured either on the neck of the small packaging structure or on the closing flap. It is further still possible to place onto the small packaging structure a cap closure which surrounds at least the outer jacket. This cap may be configured as screw cap, but may also be placed over the upper neck of the small packaging structure under elastic deformation. In these cases, the screw cap is provided with an opening which can be closed by a flap so that the user has to open this flap before dispensing the content from the small packaging structure.
Although the afore-described embodiment of the closure has proven itself, it still requires a fairly large free space in order to be able to transfer the squirt-nozzle into the position that clears the openings.
The invention is based on the object to configure a deformable small packaging structure of the afore-described type is such a manner that the squirt-nozzle occupies an extremely small space, when withdrawn, and that the change to the position to clear the openings is possible with little force. Furthermore, the small packaging structure should be configured in such a manner that most different foodstuffs can be filled without hesitation.
The posed object is solved by configuring the outer jacket in relation to the withdrawn squirt-nozzle in the shape of a meander in an area adjacent to the squirt-nozzle. As a result of the meandering configuration of the outer jacket adjacent to the squirt-nozzle, relatively little space is required for the withdrawn squirt-nozzle while the squirt-nozzle is of relatively large volume, when pressure is applied onto the small packaging structure, as the meandering shape is unraveled.
According to a preferred embodiment, the squirt-nozzle is configured in relation to the withdrawn state in the form of a pot-shaped recess. As a result, a closure is realized which is comparable to a valve. As soon as the deformable small packaging structure is deformed by forces acting from outside, the squirt-nozzle springs into the outwardly bulged state to allow the product to flow out.
According to a still further preferred embodiment, the outer jacket has an inner annular flange which sealingly engages in a recess of the carrier element and is connected therewith. As the carrier element and the outer jacket are produced from plastic by a two-component injection molding process, the carrier element is injection-molded first. The inner annular flange causes an intimate connection of the carrier element with the outer jacket during the subsequent injection molding operation. This component is further improved by providing the outer jacket adjacent to the inner annular flange with a circumferential web which engages in a groove of the carrier element and is connected therewith. Also this web forms an intimate connection with the groove so that a detachment of the outer jacket from the carrier element is prevented even after extended use.
In addition, the carrier element is provided with external thread turns for receiving a screw cap. The screw cap is provided with a corresponding central flap so that the deformable small packaging structure can be closed and the flap is opened before the product is dispensed.
A material-saving embodiment is realized, when the carrier element has a step-shaped cross section, with the area receiving the outer jacket having a smaller diameter than the area facing the body of the small packaging structure.
According to an alternative embodiment, the carrier element has a sleeve-shaped configuration and includes in an area adjacent to the outer jacket an annular groove which is bounded by two groove walls, and the carrier element is recessed inwards above the annular groove. The outer jacket then ends hereby in a particularly advantageous manner adjacent to the upper groove wall.
In order to close the slits of the squirt-nozzle in a valve-like manner, when the force acting on the small packaging structure drops, so that no product can continue to flow, several radial stabilizing ribs are arranged between the squirt-nozzle and the annular flange at an angular distance to one another. These stabilizing ribs promote closing of the slits of the squirt-nozzle. In an especially advantageous manner, the stabilizing ribs are formed onto the squirt-nozzle and end at a distance to the annular flange.
In order to be able to fill most different foodstuffs into the small packaging structure, at least the squirt-nozzle is made of oil-resistant plastic. Furthermore, it is provided that the small packaging structure is made of oil-resistant plastic at least in an area of the shoulder adjacent to the closure. Preferably, the resistant material is a thermoplastic vulcanized material (TPV).
The invention is described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings.
It is shown in:
The closure 10 depicted in
The closure 10 according to
The outer shape is shown in particular also in
At least the squirt-nozzle 16, preferably however the entire outer jacket is made of oil-resistant plastic. With respect to the small packaging structure, at least the shoulder associated to the closure 10 should be made of same material. Such a material is a thermoplastic vulcanized material (TPV).
The invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiment. It is only essential that at least the squirt-nozzle 16, preferably however the entire outer jacket and, optionally, also the shoulder of the small packaging structure associated to the closure 10 are made of oil-resistant plastic.
Claims
1. Deformable small packaging structure for free-flowing products, comprising a valve-like closure (10) produced by a two-component injection molding process and including a dimensionally stable carrier element (11) and an outer jacket (12) which envelopes the carrier element (11) at least in part and has a flexible squirt-nozzle (16) with slotted openings, characterized in that the outer jacket (12), in relation to the retracted squirt-nozzle (16), has a meander-shaped configuration adjacent to the squirt-nozzle (16).
2. Deformable small packaging structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the squirt-nozzle (16), in relation to the withdrawn state, is configured as a pot-shaped recess.
3. Deformable small packaging structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer jacket (12) has an inner annular flange (17) which engages in a recess of the carrier element (11) and is connected therewith.
4. Deformable small packaging structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer jacket (12) has a circumferential web (18) disposed adjacent to the inner annular flange (17) and engages in a groove of the carrier element (11) and is firmly connected therewith.
5. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (11) has outer thread turns (19) for receiving a screw cap.
6. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (11) has a step-shaped cross section, wherein the area receiving the outer jacket (12) has a smaller diameter than the area facing the body of the small packaging structure.
7. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (11) has a sleeve-shaped configuration and includes adjacent to the outer jacket (12) an annular groove (13) which is bounded by two groove walls (14, 15), and that the carrier element (11) is recessed inwardly above the annular groove.
8. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that several radial stabilizing ribs (20) are arranged between the squirt-nozzle (16) and the annular flange (18) and disposed at an angular distance relative to one another.
9. Deformable small packaging structure according to claim 8, characterized in that the stabilizing ribs (20) are formed onto the squirt-nozzle (16) and end at a distance to the annular flange (17).
10. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer jacket (12) is recessed inwards adjacent to the upper groove wall (14).
11. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer jacket (12) ends adjacent to the upper groove wall (14).
12. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the squirt-nozzle (16) is made of oil-resistant plastic.
13. Deformable small packaging structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the shoulder of the small packaging structure adjacent to the squirt-nozzle (16) is made of oil-resistant material, preferably of a thermoplastic vulcanized material (TPV).
Type: Application
Filed: May 15, 2008
Publication Date: May 21, 2009
Applicant: Krallmann Kunststoffverarbeitungs GmbH (Hiddenhausen)
Inventor: Rainer KRALLMANN (Hiddenhausen)
Application Number: 12/121,147
International Classification: B65D 35/38 (20060101);