SEALABLE CONTAINER ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A closable container arrangement includes a container, which includes a container material and has a container longitudinal axis and a container connecting element, a lid which includes a lid material, a sealing element, which includes a sealing material, for sealing the lid on the container, the sealing material includes a hardness which is less than the hardness of the container material and/or is less than the hardness of the lid material.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/935,365 filed Mar. 26, 2018, which claims the priority of German Patent Application 10 2017 205 160.4 filed Mar. 27, 2017, the entire contents of each application are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sealable container arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

WO 02/087 986 A1 discloses a container having a seal on the container lid. The seal is integrally molded on the lid as a sealing lip. Further containers with a seal are known from DE 40 02 982 A1, DE 297 06 611 U1 and DE 102 24 369 A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to increase the sealing of a container interior of a container arrangement of the generic type.

Said object is achieved according to the invention by a sealable container arrangement having

• • a. a container which comprises a container material and has a container longitudinal axis and a container connecting element,
  • b. a lid which comprises a lid material and
    • I. is connectable to the container and
    • ii. comprises a lid connecting element which corresponds to the container connecting element,
    • iii. comprises a collar and a cover plate which is connected in one piece to the collar,
  • c. a sealing element, which comprises a sealing material, for sealing the lid on the container,
  • characterized in that
  • d. the sealing material comprises a hardness which is less than the hardness of the container material and/or is less than the hardness of the lid material
  • e. the lid comprises a circumferential groove in which the sealing element is arranged in a captive manner, wherein the groove comprises a groove width (B_N) which is smaller than or equal to a thickness of the sealing element,
  • f. a displaceable bottom which is arranged in a sealed manner along the container longitudinal axis in the container is provided.

It has been recognized according to the invention that the tightness of a container arrangement is thus improved when use is made of a sealing element produced from a sealing material, the hardness of which is less than the hardness of a container material of a container and/or than the hardness of a lid material of a lid. The sealing action is improved. Tests have shown that the sealing element produced from the softer sealing material comprises an improved sealing action in particular compared to the sealing lip disclosed in the prior art. The sealing lip consists of the same material as the lid and comprises a structural flexibility as a result of being realized in a particularly thin manner. Compared to a container according to WO 02/087 986 A1, the tightness is more than tripled and is, in particular, approximately 360% of the tightness of the container arrangement according to WO 02/087 986 A1. The container comprises a container longitudinal axis and a container connecting element. The lid is connectable to the container and comprises for this purpose a lid connecting element which corresponds with the container connecting element. In particular, the connecting elements are realized as thread such that the lid is advantageously screw-connectable onto the container. In particular, an exterior thread is provided on the container and an interior thread is provided on the lid. As an alternative to this, a snap-on-type connection is conceivable in such a manner that a radially outwardly protruding, in particular circumferential web is arranged on the container. In a corresponding manner, the lid can comprise an undercut element which engages behind the circumferential web on the container and consequently ensures a reliable connection between the container and the lid.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a lid is provided with a circumferential groove in which the sealing element is arranged in a captive manner. The lid simplifies the mounting of the sealing element. The sealing element is arranged reliably on the lid. The risk of the sealing element being lost when the lid is removed from the container is excluded.

The configuration of the groove which comprises a groove width which is smaller than or equal to a thickness of the sealing element, ensures a reliable arrangement of the sealing element in the groove. The sealing element is arranged in a captive manner in the groove. When the container arrangement is opened and when the lid is removed from the container, the sealing element remains on the lid and is, in particular, not ejected due to gravity. The sealing action is additionally improved.

A displaceable bottom which is arranged in a sealed manner along the container longitudinal axis in the container, enables a product to be delivered in an advantageous manner from the container arrangement.

The sealing element serves for sealing the lid on the container. In particular, an, in particular ring-shaped, end face of the container is sealed with the sealing element. The sealing element therefore seals, in particular, the end face. A sealing face, which is oriented radially with reference to the container longitudinal axis, is avoided as a result. The end face comprises, in particular, a surface normal which is oriented parallel to the container longitudinal axis. The sealing element is realized so as to be flexibly deformable. The sealing material, from which the sealing element is produced, is in particular elastic. The sealing element is arranged, in particular, in such a manner between the container and the lid, which is connected thereto, that reliable sealing is ensured. Where the internal pressure in an interior which is closed by the container arrangement is additionally increased, the sealing element, on account of the interior pressure, can additionally adhere to the container and/or the lid and the sealing effect can increase in an additional manner. The container arrangement is suitable, in particular, for the preparation of cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical masses, as where an agitation process is necessary for these, air inclusion is able to be reliably ruled out.

A separate sealing element according to the invention simplifies the production of the container arrangement. The sealing element can be realized as a separate element, in particular, as an O-ring which is placed into the groove of the lid. The sealing element is available, in particular, in large quantities and at favourable costs as a standardized element. The separate sealing element can also be realized as a flat sealing ring.

As an alternative to this, it is possible to mould the sealing element integrally in one piece on the lid or on the container, in particular as a result of two component injection moulding. For example, a silicone ring can be integrally moulded in one piece on the lid from a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene and/or polypropylene, as a result of two component injection molding technology.

An arrangement of the sealing element in a pre-stressed manner, in particular in the axial direction with reference to the container longitudinal axis, ensures that the interior of the container arrangement is already reliably sealed as a result of fitting the lid onto the container. The handling of the container arrangement is unsusceptible to error. In particular, the sealing element and/or the thread connection of the container and the lid is/are realized in such a manner that manually screwing the lid onto the container ensures reliable sealing of the container arrangement.

In the case of a container arrangement with the lid connected, the end face of the container being arranged inside the groove, the sealing effect is additionally increased.

An arrangement, wherein the end face defines a reduced groove depth (T_N,red) which is smaller than the height of the sealing element, wherein T_N,red is less than 0.95 times the height of the sealing element in particular, provides an increased sealing effect.

A container arrangement, wherein the container is arranged at a spacing from the lid, in particular as a result of a radial gap, in the region of the groove, ensures that the sealing action is effected exclusively by the sealing element. There is no direct contact surface between the lid and the container. As a result, a contact surface between two comparatively hard contact partners is excluded, which could open due to increased internal pressure in the container.

A container which comprises a rotationally symmetrical inside surface is suitable, in particular, for the production of cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical products, such as ointments or creams.

A central spout which is closable, in particular sealed, by means of a cap, on the one hand improves the dosed delivery of the product from the container arrangement. On the other hand, the spout can serve as access for an agitating tool in order to prepare the product in the container arrangement.

A sealing material which comprises a hardness of between Shore A 15 and Shore A 95, in particular between Shore A 20 and Shore A 90, and in particular between Shore A 30 and Shore A 60, enables particularly advantageous sealing of the lid on the container.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached figures. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view according to the line of intersection II-II in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the detail III in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The container arrangement designated as a whole in FIGS. 1 to 3 by way of the reference 1 is realized as a pot. A storage and delivery vessel, which is used chiefly for semi-solid preparations such as ointments, pastes or creams, is designated as a pot. It is particularly advantageous that the semi-solid preparation, which serves, in particular, for cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical purposes, is also able to be prepared directly in the pot 1. The risk of contaminants is reduced and, in particular, excluded.

The container arrangement 1 includes a container 2 which is closable by means of a lid 3.

The container 2 is realized in a substantially hollow cylindrical manner and comprises a container longitudinal axis 4. The container 2 is produced as a one-piece molded part, in particular as a result of plastics material injection molding, in particular from a thermoplastic material, in particular from polypropylene.

The container 2 is produced from a thermoplastic material, in particular from polypropylene. The hardness of the container material is between Shore D 50 and Shore D 90, in particular Shore D 60 and Shore D 80 and in particular Shore D 65 and Shore D 75.

The container 2 comprises an inside surface 5 which is rotationally symmetrical with reference to the container longitudinal axis 4. The inside surface 5 is realized as a shell wall of a circular cylinder. The outer contour of the container 2 can essentially be configured freely and, in particular, can be realized in a non-rotationally symmetrical manner.

At a first end along the container longitudinal axis 4, the container 2 comprises a container opening 6 which is closed by the lid 3. A container connecting element 8 in the form of a thread is integrally molded in one piece on the outside 7 of the container 2 in the region of the container opening 6. The container connecting element 8 is an external thread. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the container connecting element 8 is a triple trapezoidal thread.

The container 2 comprises a chamfer 15 on its inside surface 5 in the region of the container opening 6. The chamfer 15 forms a lead-in chamfer for the lid 3. The chamfer 15 facilitates the fitting and screw-connecting of the lid 3 on the container 2. The container 2 comprises a ring-face-shaped end face 16 in the region of the container opening 6 at the first end.

At a second end, which is located along the container longitudinal axis 4 opposite the first end, the container 2 comprises a substantially ring-face-shaped standing surface 9, by way of which the container 2 is stood in a defined manner on a base. The standing surface 9 is realized as a rounding of the cylinder shell wall of the container 2. The standing surface 9 comprises a central opening 10.

The lid 3 comprises a substantially circular cylindrical collar 11 and a cover plate 12. The collar 11 encompasses the container 2 in the region of the container opening 6. On an inside of the collar 11, a lid connecting element 13 is realized in the form of an internal thread which corresponds with the external thread of the container 2. The lid connecting element 13 is realized as a triple trapezoidal thread.

The lid 3 is produced from a thermoplastic material, in particular polypropylene. The hardness of the lid material is between Shore D 50 and Shore D 90, in particular Shore D 60 and Shore D 80 and in particular Shore D 65 and Shore D 75.

Gripping grooves 14 are provided on an outside surface of the collar 11 in order to facilitate the opening of the container arrangement, that is to say the unscrewing of the threaded connection between the container 2 and the lid 3. The gripping grooves 14 are realized as elevations on the outside surface of the collar 11. The gripping grooves 14 extend along the container longitudinal axis 4. The gripping grooves 14 are arranged along the outer circumference of the collar 11.

The cover plate 12, which is connected, in particular in one piece, to the collar 11, extends substantially over the container opening 6. The cover plate 12 covers up the container opening 6.

A rectangular groove 17 is provided in the lid 3 between the collar 11 and the cover plate 12 in the radial direction with reference to the container longitudinal axis 4. The rectangular groove 17 comprises a groove width B_N and a groove depth T_N. The groove depth T_N is oriented parallel to the container longitudinal axis 4. The groove width B_N is oriented radially to the container longitudinal axis. With the container arrangement 1 in the closed state, the container 2 projects with the end face 16 into the groove 17. A reduced groove depth T_N,red is fixed as a result.

As shown in FIG. 3, the groove 17 is not perfectly rectangular. In particular, the inner side flank 18 of the groove 17 is arranged in an inclined manner in relation to the container longitudinal axis 4. A conically tapering development is produced for the groove 17 as a result.

The lid 3, in particular the cover plate 12, with the container arrangement 1 in the closed state, is arranged spaced from the container 2 by a radial gap 19, in particular in the region of the groove 17 and in particular in the region of the chamfer 15. There is no direct contact surface between the container 2 and the lid 3—with the exception of the threaded connection 8, 13.

A sealing element 20 in the form of an O-ring is placed into the groove 17. The sealing element 20 comprises a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter D which corresponds to a thickness of the sealing element 20 and to a height of the sealing element 20. The thickness of the sealing element is oriented radially to the container longitudinal axis 4. The height of the sealing element is oriented parallel to the container longitudinal axis 4. Other geometric configurations of the sealing element 20 are also possible, such as, in particular, a flat sealing ring which comprises a rectangular cross-sectional area.

In the representation according to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the container arrangement 1, where the lid 3 is fitted on the container 2, the sealing element 20 is arranged in the groove 17 in a pre-stressed manner. The pre-stressing is produced as a result of the sealing element 20 being arranged in a deformed manner in the groove 17. Deformation is produced as a result of the groove width B_N being smaller than the thickness of the sealing element 20. This means that the sealing element 20 is arranged in the groove 17 pre-stressed in the radial direction with reference to the container longitudinal axis.

Axial pre-stressing of the sealing element 20 is produced as a result of the end face 16 of the container 2 protruding so far into the groove 17 that the reduced groove depth is smaller than the height of the sealing element 20. As a result of interaction between the threads of the container connecting element 8 and the lid connecting element 13, the end face 16 is pressed into the groove 17 and in particular against the sealing element 20.

The sealing element 20 comprises a sealing material with a hardness of between Shore A 30 and Shore A 60. The lid 3 comprises a central spout 21 on which is provided a circumferential sealing lip 22 which faces the container opening 6. An external thread, onto which a cap 23 is screw-connectable, is provided on the spout 21. The cap 23 is realized in the shape of a spherical calotte. The cap 23 is arranged in a sealed manner on the spout 21. The lid 3 is realized in a completely tight manner as a result of the cap 23.

A bottom 24, which is arranged in a sealed manner by means of an integrated bottom sealing lip 25 on the inside surface 5 of the container 2, is arranged in the container 2. The bottom 24 is realized substantially in the shape of a cylinder disc and is arranged in the container 2 so as to be displaceable along the container longitudinal axis 4. The bottom 24 is manageable from outside the container arrangement via the opening 10. The bottom 24 can be displaced along the container longitudinal axis 4 manually or by means of an aid.

The container 2, the lid 3 and the bottom 24 delimit a substantially cylindrical interior 26 of the container arrangement 1. The interior 26 is closable in a sealed manner.

Experiments have been carried out to test the tightness with the container arrangement 1 and with a corresponding container arrangement in WO 02/087 986 A1. The test was run according to the specifications of an SPC inspection. The interior 26 was filled with water and the bottom 24 pressed at a test force along the container longitudinal axis 4 in the direction of the lid 3. The pressing force was measured. The force at which water exits from the interior 26 serves as the characteristic value for the tightness of the container arrangement 1. Said pressing force for the container 2 according to the invention with a capacity of 100 ml was 18 kg. The pressing force in the case of a similar-volume container according to the prior art was 5 kg.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A container arrangement, comprising:

a container body;

a lid connectable to the container body for placing the container arrangement in a closed state; and

a sealing element, the lid comprising a circumferential groove configured to receive the sealing element in a captive manner, the groove being at least partially defined by an inner side flank, the container body having an end portion configured to contact the sealing element inside the groove when the container arrangement is in the closed state, and the container body being further configured to be spaced apart from the inner side flank when inside the groove and the container arrangement is in the closed state.

2. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a displaceable bottom, wherein the container body has a container longitudinal axis, the displaceable bottom being arranged to sealably contact an inner wall of the container body and the displaceable bottom being configured to be movable along the container longitudinal axis.

3. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the container body has a container longitudinal axis, wherein the inner side flank of the groove is inclined relative to the container longitudinal axis.

4. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the end portion of the container body decreases in thickness towards an open end of the container body.

5. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the end portion of the container body has an end face and an inner surface, the end face being configured to contact the sealing element when the container arrangement is in the closed state.

6. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 5, wherein the sealing element is compressed by the end face of the end portion of the container body when the container arrangement is in the closed state.

7. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 5, wherein the inner surface of the end portion of the container body is chamfered.

8. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 5, wherein a radial gap separates the inner surface of the end portion of the container body and the inner side flank of the groove when the container arrangement is in the closed state, wherein the sealing element is reachable by fluid inside the container body via the gap when the container arrangement is in the closed state.

9. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the groove is further defined by an outer side flank and the inner side flank extends further in the container longitudinal direction than the outer side flank.

10. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein part of the end portion is inside the groove when the container arrangement is in the closed state, and a thickness of the part of the end portion inside the groove is less than a width of the groove.

11. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 10, wherein the part of the end portion inside the groove contacts only the sealing element and the part of the end portion inside the groove does not contact the lid.

12. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a collar with a lid connecting element, wherein an outside of the container body and the collar of the lid comprise complementary threads to allow threading of the lid to place the container arrangement in the closed state.

13. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 12, wherein direct contact between the container and the lid when the container arrangement is in the closed state is provided by only the complementary threads.

14. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sealing element is an O-ring.

15. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sealing element is a flat sealing ring.

16. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein an outside surface of the collar comprises gripping grooves to facilitate placing the container arrangement into the closed state and opening of the container arrangement from the closed state.

17. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a central spout.

18. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a cap, wherein the central spout comprises an external thread, the cap comprising internal threads for complementarily engaging the external threads on the central spout.

19. A container arrangement, comprising:

a container body; and

a lid connectable to the container body for placing the container arrangement in a closed state, the lid comprising a circumferential groove configured to receive a sealing element, the groove being at least partially defined by an inner side flank, the container body having an end portion with an end face and a chamfered inner surface configured to be spaced apart from the inner side flank when the container arrangement is in the closed state.

20. The container arrangement in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a displaceable bottom, the container body having a container longitudinal axis, the displaceable bottom being arranged to sealably contact an inner wall of the container body and the displaceable bottom being configured to be movable along the container longitudinal axis.