U.S. patent application number 13/806859 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-02 for container.
This patent application is currently assigned to BRITA GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is Thomas Hagen, Stefan Hother, Alexandra Merz, Claudio Schodler, David Zogg. Invention is credited to Thomas Hagen, Stefan Hother, Alexandra Merz, Claudio Schodler, David Zogg.
Application Number | 20130105340 13/806859 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44588249 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130105340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hother; Stefan ; et
al. |
May 2, 2013 |
CONTAINER
Abstract
A container having a top wall, which has at least one top wall
region that can be perforated to form a feed opening for feeding a
liquid; a bottom wall, which has at least one bottom wall region
that can be perforated to form an outlet opening; and at least one
chamber, which is surrounded by chamber walls and in which a base
product and an adjustment element are located. The adjustment
element is arranged such that it can be moved from an idle position
to a working position and, when in the working position, opens at
least one chamber wall. A chamber wall has at least one opening, on
or in which a component of the adjustment element is detachably
fastened when in the idle position. The component of the adjustment
element closes the opening in the chamber wall.
Inventors: |
Hother; Stefan; (Wiesbaden,
DE) ; Hagen; Thomas; (Mainz, DE) ; Merz;
Alexandra; (Taunusstein, DE) ; Zogg; David;
(Untersiggenthal, CH) ; Schodler; Claudio;
(Zurich, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hother; Stefan
Hagen; Thomas
Merz; Alexandra
Zogg; David
Schodler; Claudio |
Wiesbaden
Mainz
Taunusstein
Untersiggenthal
Zurich |
|
DE
DE
DE
CH
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
BRITA GMBH
TAUNUSSTEIN
DE
|
Family ID: |
44588249 |
Appl. No.: |
13/806859 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 5, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP11/61302 |
371 Date: |
December 26, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/8043 20130101;
A47J 31/3676 20130101; B65D 81/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/222 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20060101
B65D081/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 030 988.5 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising: a cover wall that is provided with at
least one cover wall region, which can be pierced to form a supply
opening for introducing a liquid, a bottom wall that is provided
with at least one bottom wall region, which can be pierced to form
an outlet opening, at least one chamber surrounded by chamber
walls, in which a basic product and an adjustment element are
present, wherein the adjustment element is arranged so that it can
be moved from a position of rest to an operating position, and in
its operating position opens at least one chamber wall, wherein a
chamber wall is provided with at least one opening to which or in
which a component of the adjustment element is releasably attached
in its position of rest, wherein the component of the adjustment
element closes off the opening in the chamber wall.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the chamber wall is
a wall from a group formed by a cover wall of the container, a
bottom wall of the container and a partitioning wall inside the
container.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the component closes
off the opening in a liquid tight manner.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment
element is connected to the chamber wall via a predetermined
breaking line.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment
element is glued to the chamber wall.
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment
element is cast to the chamber wall.
7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the component of the
adjustment element comprises a plate-shaped element which closes
off the opening in the chamber wall.
8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the plate-shaped
element is provided with an upstanding annular wall with at least
one inlet opening.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment
element is provided with a device that forms at least one of a
cutting device and a puncturing device.
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the device is a
needle.
11. The container according to claim 9, wherein the device is
provided with a tube section with at least one outlet opening.
12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the component of
the adjustment element is a plate-shaped element which closes off
an opening in the bottom wall.
13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment
element is provided with means for tilting the adjustment
element.
14. The container according to claim 13, wherein this means for
tilting comprises an actuating plate that is inclined relative to
the longitudinal axis of the adjustment element.
15. The container according to claim 1, wherein the opening closed
off by the adjustment element can be opened by pushing aside the
closing component of the adjustment element inwards in the chamber.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a container, comprising: a cover
wall provided with at least one cover wall region which can be
pierced to form a supply opening for introducing a liquid; a bottom
wall provided with at least one bottom wall region which can be
pierced to form an outlet opening; and at least one chamber
surrounded by chamber walls, in which a basic product and an
adjustment element are present, wherein the adjustment element is
arranged so that it can be moved from a position of rest to an
operating position, and in its operating position opens at least
one chamber wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In beverage machines, particularly in coffee makers,
disposable containers or disposable packaging, for example in
capsule form, are used, which are sealed using one or two foils and
which contain, for example, coffee or other substances, such as
flavourings, in powder or liquid form. These disposable containers
are inserted into the beverage machine, the contents of the
disposable container are combined with a liquid, for example water,
and this preparation is subsequently dispensed as a beverage that
is ready to drink. The used disposable container is subsequently
removed from the beverage machine and disposed of.
[0003] EP 0 451 980 B1 discloses a sealed package containing one or
more powder, pasty or liquid comestible preparation ingredients.
Through an inlet opening, water is supplied to these ingredients.
The finished preparation is dispensed through an outlet nozzle in
the bottom area, said outlet nozzle having a displaceable plug. For
dispensing the finished preparation, the bottom wall of the
package, consisting of a foil, is pierced from below in the area of
the outlet nozzle by a connecting piece which is part of the
machine, said connecting piece pushing the plug upwards against an
intermediate wall after entering the outlet nozzle. This
intermediate wall has a wall section equipped with predetermined
breaking lines which is punctured by the plug, thus releasing the
preparation. It flows downwards from the package through a central
flow channel in the plug and subsequently through the connecting
piece of the machine.
[0004] This packaging has the disadvantage that the bottom outlet
has to be opened by the connecting piece of the machine, so that
the connecting piece comes into contact with the finished
preparation. To satisfy the rigorous hygiene requirements that such
a device has to meet nowadays, it is necessary to dean this
connecting piece every time before inserting a new package.
[0005] US 2004/0115317 A1 describes a cartridge filled with, for
example, ground coffee, the bottom wall of which is pierced from
the inside. Arranged above the bottom wall is a cup-shaped
intermediate bottom which is termed an internal plunger, the
dimensions of said intermediate bottom being adjusted to the
interior dimensions of the cartridge. The powder resides between
the intermediate bottom and the cover wall of the cartridge. The
intermediate bottom has an outlet nozzle which is embodied as a
cutting element. If water is introduced under pressure through the
cover wall into the interior of the cartridge, the intermediate
bottom is pushed downwards, whereby the cutting element pierces the
bottom wall and the outlet is unblocked.
[0006] This cartridge satisfies hygiene requirements, but the
operability of the cartridge is not always ensured. It is essential
in this embodiment that the water pressure and hence the pressure
acting on the intermediate bottom be high enough, even from the
start of introduction, that the bottom wall can be pierced. Jamming
of the displaceable intermediate bottom in the process cannot be
ruled out. In addition, since the intermediate bottom has a
multitude of openings, liquid may enter the space between the
bottom wall and the intermediate bottom, which may lead to
relatively quick reduction of the pressure on the intermediate
bottom after the beginning of the introduction process, whereby the
bottom wall cannot be pierced reliably any more.
[0007] Known from WO 2008/132671 are capsules containing a certain
amount of a soluble beverage. The capsule has a cover foil which is
perforated in the beverage machine by a connecting piece through
which a liquid solvent under pressure, for example water, is led to
the interior of the capsule.
[0008] The capsule is essentially sub-divided into four chambers.
The liquid supplied is first led into a distribution chamber and
from there supplied to a storage chamber where the quantity of the
soluble beverage is present. In this storage chamber, the soluble
beverage mixes with the liquid supplied, and the prepared beverage
is subsequently collected in a collection chamber, from where it is
dispensed through an opening in the bottom wall of the capsule.
[0009] To open the bottom wall, a displaceable perforator is
arranged in a central chamber of the capsule, the perforator being
pushed against the bottom wall by the connecting piece, so that the
bottom wall is torn open.
[0010] In the process, a through-channel arranged inside the
perforator is aligned with the outlet opening of the collection
chamber, so that the prepared liquid can be dispensed downwards
from the capsule.
[0011] This capsule, however, has the disadvantage that complicated
built-in parts are required to separate the different chambers. A
distribution chamber arranged before the storage chamber is
required to ensure that the liquid is supplied to the storage
chamber as uniformly as possible and to guarantee homogeneous
mixing in the latter.
[0012] WO 2007/114685 describes a capsule-shaped packaging
containing a portion of liquid. A column is arranged centrally,
which is connected with the bottom wall of the packaging at its
bottom end via an undulating flexible bottom region. Both the top
side and the underside of the packaging are closed off by a sealing
foil.
[0013] The upper sealing foil can be pierced and the column pushed
downwards by means of a connecting piece, whereby it in turn
punctures the foil attached to the bottom. The column is equipped
with a venturi device through which the portion of liquid is drawn
out of the chamber surrounding the column when a liquid is
introduced into the column. Mixing of the two liquids takes place
in the lower part of the column.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the invention to provide a container that
has a simple construction and works reliably.
[0015] This object is solved with the container according to the
invention.
[0016] The container is provided with a cover wall provided with at
least one cover wall region that can be pierced to form a supply
opening for introducing a liquid. The container further has a
bottom wall that is provided with at least one bottom wall region
that can be pierced to form an outlet opening, and with at least
one chamber surrounded by chamber walls, in which a basic product
and an adjustment element are present, wherein the adjustment
element is arranged so that it can be moved from a position of rest
to an operating position, and in its operating position opens at
least one chamber wall. The chamber wall is provided with at least
one opening to which or in which a component of the adjustment
element is releasably attached in its position of rest, wherein
this component of the adjustment element closes off the opening in
the chamber wall.
[0017] The term container is understood to mean both reusable
containers and packaging and disposable containers and
packaging.
[0018] The term piercable indicates that the wall region in
question can be opened in any particular manner and way. The
opening of the wall region may, for example, be affected by
incising or cutting open, broaching, puncturing or tearing
open.
[0019] In its position of rest, the adjustment element takes on
the, in particular sealingly, closing off of the chamber containing
the basic product, and is at the same time fixed in place due to
the releasable attachment. Releasable attachment to the opening
means that the component of the adjustment element is positioned at
the outer surface of the wall region of the chamber wall that
delimits the opening.
[0020] Releasable attachment in the opening means that the
component is arranged inside the opening at the wall region of the
chamber wall which delimits the opening.
[0021] The opening closed off by the adjustment element can be
opened with a connecting and dispensing means, for example the
connecting piece of a beverage machine, in that the closing
component of the adjustment element is pushed inwards and out of
the way inside the chamber. Depending on where this opening is
located, the supply opening or the outlet opening of the chamber
can thereby be created.
[0022] The liquid supplied by the connecting and dispensing means
of the beverage machine is led into the chamber and mixed with the
basic product there. This chamber thus not only forms the storage
space for the basic product but also the mixing chamber. Additional
subdivisions of the container's interior can therefore be dispensed
with.
[0023] In an embodiment of the container, the chamber wall is a
cover wall of the container, a bottom wall of the container or a
partitioning wall inside the container.
[0024] If the chamber wall forms the cover wall of the container,
the supply opening through which the liquid can be led into the
container out of the connecting and dispensing means of the
beverage machine is created by detaching the releasable attachment
of the component of the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the
component of the adjustment element forms the cover wall region
which can be pierced for the introduction of a liquid.
[0025] If the chamber wall in question is the bottom wall, the
outlet opening through which the mixture of liquid and basic
product can be discharged is created by detaching the releasable
attachment of the component of the adjustment element. In this
embodiment, the component of the adjustment element forms the
bottom wall region which can be pierced to form the outlet opening.
In this embodiment the connecting and dispensing means first
punctures the cover wall, and subsequently the adjustment element
is actuated by this connecting and dispensing means.
[0026] If the chamber wall is a partitioning wall located inside
the container, an additional chamber is arranged inside the
container between the partitioning wall and the cover wall or the
bottom wall, which is advantageous for reasons of hygiene, be cause
the component of the adjustment element closing off the opening is
not directly exposed to external environmental influences. By
detaching the releasable attachment of the component of the
adjustment element, an access or exit opening of the chamber is
created inside the container.
[0027] In an embodiment of the container, the component of the
adjustment element closes off the opening in a liquid-tight
manner.
[0028] The adjustment element may be connected to the chamber wall
via a predetermined breaking line. This predetermined breaking line
can, for example, be formed as an adhesive seam. Another
possibility consists of casting the adjustment element to the
chamber wall with a predetermined breaking line. In an embodiment a
section of the predetermined breaking line may be constituted as a
living hinge.
[0029] In an embodiment of the container, the component of the
adjustment element comprises a plate-shaped element that closes off
the opening in the chamber wall.
[0030] The plate-shaped element may be provided with an upstanding
annular wall with at least one inlet opening. In this way, a
cup-shaped formation is created, which the connecting piece of a
beverage machine can engage, for example.
[0031] In an embodiment, the adjustment element is provided with a
cutting and/or puncturing device, which, in a particular
embodiment, may consist of a needle. The bottom wall may, for
example, be provided with a piercable region or a sealing foil that
can be punctured with the cutting and/or puncturing device.
[0032] When the connecting and dispensing means of a beverage
machine engages the adjustment element, the opening in the chamber
wall concerned is opened on the one hand and the bottom wall is
simultaneously opened by means of the cutting and/or puncturing
device on the other hand.
[0033] In an embodiment of the container, the cutting and/or
puncturing device extends to the bottom wall. In particular, the
cutting and/or puncturing device contacts the bottom wall, so that
an additional fixation of the adjustment element in its position of
rest is achieved. The supply opening or an access opening and the
outlet opening are thus created in the operating position of the
adjustment element.
[0034] In accordance with a further embodiment, the cutting and/or
puncturing device may be provided with a tube section with at least
one outlet opening. Other cutting and/or puncturing devices are
possible.
[0035] In accordance with a further embodiment, the component of
the adjustment element is a plate-shaped element that closes off an
opening in the bottom wall.
[0036] The adjustment element may be provided with means for
tilting the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the adjustment
element, which is fixed to or in the bottom wall, projects upwards
inside the container and is tilted by the connecting and dispensing
means of the beverage machine so that the opening in the bottom
wall is broken open. The means for tilting the adjustment element
preferably comprise an actuating plate which is inclined relative
to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment element.
[0037] The term basic product is understood to mean a powder and/or
liquid product, which may consist of one or several components. The
basic product can, for example, be a syrup, a concentrate, or an
extract. The basic product can be mixed with the liquid supplied
from outside, and is preferably soluble in this liquid.
[0038] The basic product may be a foodstuff, a nutritional
supplement, a dietary foodstuff, a pharmaceutical product or a
cleaning agent.
[0039] The type of liquid is to be selected in dependence on the
type of basic product. The associated device in which such a
container may be used is directed to and equipped to suit the
intended use concerned. Such a device may be a beverage machine in
which containers, in particular disposable containers, with the
contents of which the taste of for example, dunking water can be
changed, are put to use.
[0040] The device is provided with a receiving part for a container
and a connecting and dispensing means, in particular in the form of
a connecting piece, with which the container can be pierced and
with which at least one liquid can be supplied to the
container.
[0041] The container and/or the adjustment element may be made of
plastic. Production can take place by means of an injection
moulding process. The container with its circumferential wall and
its bottom wall and any further chamber walls may be manufactured
in one piece, wherein the bottom wall may be formed entirely or
partially onto the single-piece container, depending on the
embodiment.
[0042] Depending on the embodiment, the two components, container
and adjustment element, may also be manufactured in one piece. This
single-piece container with adjustment element is subsequently
filled with the basic product and sealed with a respective sealing
foil as cover wall and/or bottom wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below
with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a container,
[0045] FIG. 2 a perspective bottom view of a container,
[0046] FIG. 3 a cross-section of the container according to FIGS. 1
and 2, together with a connecting piece which is part of the
machine,
[0047] FIG. 4 the embodiment of a container shown in FIG. 3 with
inserted connecting piece, and
[0048] FIG. 5-10 show further embodiments of a container with a
connecting piece.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] In FIGS. 1 and 2 a container 10, which is, for example, used
as a disposable container, is shown in two perspective views. The
container 10 has a cover wall 40, a circumferential wall 30 and a
bottom wall 50.
[0050] In the embodiment shown here, the cover wall 40 is formed by
a foil 41 which is attached to an annular bead 32 of the
circumferential wall 30.
[0051] The bottom wall 50 consists of a ring plate 52 and a
centrally arranged foil 54. Both the cover wall 40 and the bottom
wall 50, respectively the foil 54, have a piercable wall region 42,
56.
[0052] The bottom wall 50 is further provided with two annular ribs
60 and radial ribs 62, which are not displayed in the following
figures for the sake of clarity, between the two annular ribs 60.
These ribs may be completely dispensed with.
[0053] In FIG. 3, a vertical cross-section through the container 10
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is depicted. The interior space of the
container 10 is partitioned into a first chamber 12 and a second,
smaller chamber 18. In the embodiment shown here, the chain chamber
18 is positioned centrally in the chamber 12. This particular
arrangement is rotationally symmetrical. An embodiment such as, for
example, an asymmetrical arrangement is also possible.
[0054] The two chambers 12, 18 are separated by a cylindrical
partitioning wall 20, wherein the cylindrical partitioning wall 20
extends from the cover wall 40 downwards into the container.
Furthermore, the basic product 14, above the surface level 15 of
which a free space 16 in which a gas, for example air or a
protective gas, is present, is provided in the chamber 12.
[0055] The chamber walls 13 of the first chamber 12 are formed by
the cover wall 40, the circumferential wall 30, the bottom wall 50
and the partitioning wall 20, wherein the partitioning wall 20 is
provided with the opening 19.
[0056] Also, an adjustment element 100, which is in its position of
rest and is provided with a plate-shaped element 102, on which an
upstanding annular wall 104 with an inlet opening 106 is moulded,
is provided in the chamber 12. The plate-shaped element 102 with
the annular wall 104 forms the component 101 of the adjustment
element 100 that closes off the opening 19 in the partitioning wall
20. A cup-shaped configuration of the component 101 is created by
the annular wall 104.
[0057] The annular wall 104 abuts the inside of the partitioning
wall 20 and is connected with it via a predetermined breaking line
108, wherein the inlet openings 106 located above the predetermined
breaking line 108 are closed off by the interior wall 20. The
annular wall 104 can, for example, be bonded adhesively to the
partitioning wall 20 along the predetermined breaking line 108. The
component 101 is thus releasably attached in the opening 19.
[0058] A cutting and/or puncturing device 110, which is formed in
the shape of a needle 112, is arranged on the underside of the
plate-shaped element 102. The needle extends from the underside of
the plate-shaped element 102 to the bottom wall 50 and ends above
the piercable region 56 of the bottom wall 50. The bottom wall 50,
like the cover wall 40, may consist of a foil 54, in particular a
sealing foil.
[0059] In FIG. 3, the connection element 200 in the form of a
connecting piece of a beverage machine, not shown, has been drawn
in, with the connection element 200 being provided with a cutting
and/or puncturing device 210 at its lower end, which has already
partially punctured the cover wall 40 in its piercable region 42
for the purpose of forming the supply opening 46, and is moving in
the direction of the adjustment element 100. The annular wall 104
forms the connection element 140 for the connecting piece 200.
After complete introduction of the connecting piece into the
container 10, a liquid can be led into the interior 12 of the first
chamber via the through-channel 212 of the connecting piece 200, as
shown in FIG. 4. The mixing of liquid and basic product 14 takes
place in the chamber 12.
[0060] While FIG. 3 shows the adjustment element 100 in its
position of rest, the operating position of the adjustment element
100 is shown in FIG. 4. The adjustment element 100 is pushed
downwards by means of the connecting piece 200, whereby the
predetermined breaking line 108 on the component 101 is broken
open. The inlet openings 106 are unblocked, whereby an access
opening to the chamber 12 is created.
[0061] The cutting and/or puncturing device 110 has punctured the
bottom wall 50 and in this way created the outlet opening 58 of the
container 10. The foil parts of the piercable region 56 hang
downwards. The liquid supplied via the connecting piece 200 enters
into the cup-shaped interior region of the adjustment element 100,
that is, the second chamber 18, and can flow into the chamber 12
through the inlet openings 106 present in the annular wall 104, and
there mix with the basic product 14 into a mixture 14'. The chamber
12 thus also forms the mixing chamber for the two substances.
[0062] If a free space 16 is present above the surface level 15 of
the basic product 14, as can be seen in the depiction shown here,
the liquid introduced via the connecting piece 200 can first spread
in this upper free space 16 before the mixing takes place in the
lower part of chamber 12.
[0063] The length of the cutting and/or puncturing device 110, in
particular the length of the needle 112, may be shorter than shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4. The advantage of a shorter needle 112 is that,
when the adjustment element 100 is moved, the access openings in
the form of the inlet openings 106 are opened first and the
piercable area 56 is punctured at a later point in time. The liquid
can thus enter into the chamber 12 prior to the opening of the
bottom wall and begin the mixing process before discharge from the
container 10 takes place. To promote this premature entering of the
liquid into the chamber 12, the connection piece 200 can be
provided with a device 220 for puncturing the cover wall 40 and for
creating at least one venting opening 44 (drawn in as an optional
feature only in FIG. 4 by means of dashed lines).
[0064] In FIGS. 5 and 6, a further embodiment with an adjustment
element 100 is shown in its position of rest and operating
position, respectively, in which the cover wall 40 does not cover
the region above the adjustment element 100. This region remains
uncovered, so that the component 101 of the adjustment element 100
is directly accessible. The partitioning wall 20, which is also the
chamber wall 13, forms a component of the outer wall, that is, the
cover wall 40, of the container 10. The component 101 of the
adjustment element 100 forms the cover wall region 42 that is
piercable to allow for the supply of the liquid in this
embodiment.
[0065] Here too, a plate-shaped element 102 with an annular wall
104 is shown as the component 101, the end face of the annular will
104 being adapted to the shape of the cutting and/or puncturing
device 210 of the connecting piece 200. Also, only one lateral
inlet opening 106, which is arranged below the predetermined
breaking line 108, is provided in the annular wall.
[0066] A column 122 is present at the underside of the component
101, at the lower end of which bars 130 are arranged, between which
openings 132 are formed, through which the mixture 14' of liquid
and basic product can enter the interior region in the operating
position of the adjustment element 100. An annular cutting and/or
puncturing device 110 with a tube section 114, which is provided
with an outlet opening 116, is arranged at these bars 130. The
mixture issues downwards through this outlet opening 116.
[0067] The opening 106 is unblocked, and thus the opening 19
opened, through detachment of the releasable attachment of the
component 101 of the adjustment element 100, whereby the supply
opening 46 is formed.
[0068] In FIG. 7 a further embodiment is shown, in which the
plate-shaped element 102 of the component 101 of the adjustment
element 100 is provided with a significantly shorter annular wall
104 without an opening. The annular wall 104 serves as a clamping
element, which the connection piece 200 engages. The predetermined
breaking line 108 is provided between the end surfaces of the
interior wall 20, which is part of the cover wall 40, and the
annular wall 104. The component 101 of the adjustment element 100
is located at the opening 19 and closes off the opening 19.
[0069] The connecting piece 200 has a through-channel 212 which
branches into two transversely arranged outlet channels 214.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 8, the lower section 202 of the connecting
element 200 engages the space between the annular wall 104 and
holds the component 101 in clamping relationship, so that it cannot
drop down in an uncontrolled manner and possibly close the
discharge opening 58 unintentionally. The separation force required
for separating the predetermined breaking line 108 must be set such
that the clamping connection can be established first, and the
tearing off takes place only then.
[0071] The liquid supplied is dispensed laterally from the outlet
channels 214 into the chamber 12 where the mixing with the basic
product 14 takes place.
[0072] In FIG. 9, a further embodiment is shown, in which the
adjustment element 100 is provided with a plate-shaped element 102,
which forms the component 101 that is releasably attached to the
opening 19 of the bottom wall 50 and closes off the discharge
opening 58 of the container 10. A column 122 is moulded to the
plate-shaped element 102, the column 122 projecting upwards into
the interior of the container 10 and provided at its upper end with
an actuating plate 124, inclined relative to the longitudinal axis
105 and slantingly arranged.
[0073] Instead of the inclined actuating plate 124, the column 122
may also be provided with a correspondingly inclined end face.
[0074] The plate-shaped element 102, and thus the component 101,
forms the piercable area 56 of the bottom wall 50 of the container
10. The component 101 is connected to the bottom wall 50 via a
predetermined breaking line 108, wherein, in a section, the
predetermined breaking line 108 is constituted as a living hinge
109. The adjustment element and the bottom wall 50 and the
circumferential wall 30 are constituted as a single piece.
[0075] Once the connecting piece 200--as shown in FIG. 10--has
punctured the cover wall 40, the tip of the connecting piece 200
comes into contact with the slantingly arranged actuating plate 124
and swivels the adjustment element 100 sideways via the living
hinge 109, whereby the predetermined breaking line 108 in the
region of the bottom wall 50 is broken open, and thus the discharge
opening 58 is opened up.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0076] 10 container [0077] 12 first chamber [0078] 13 chamber walls
[0079] 14 basic product [0080] 14' mixture [0081] 15 surface level
[0082] 16 free space [0083] 18 second chamber [0084] 19 opening
[0085] 20 partitioning wall [0086] 30 circumferential wall [0087]
32 annular collar [0088] 40 cover wall [0089] 41 foil [0090] 42
piercable wall region [0091] 44 venting opening [0092] 46 supply
opening [0093] 50 bottom wall [0094] 52 ring plate [0095] 54 foil
[0096] 56 piercable wall region [0097] 58 discharge opening [0098]
60 annular rib [0099] 62 radial rib [0100] 100 adjustment element
[0101] 101 component [0102] 102 plate-shaped element [0103] 104
annular wall [0104] 105 longitudinal axis [0105] 106 inlet opening
[0106] 108 predetermined breaking line, attachment point [0107] 109
living hinge [0108] 110 cutting and/or puncturing device [0109] 112
needle [0110] 114 tube section [0111] 116 outlet opening [0112] 122
column [0113] 124 actuating plate [0114] 130 bar [0115] 132 opening
[0116] 140 connection element [0117] 200 connection element [0118]
202 lower section [0119] 210 cutting and/or puncturing device
[0120] 212 through-channel [0121] 214 outlet channel [0122] 220
device for creating a venting opening
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