DE102016121182A1 - Drinking container unit with a plug connection between pedestal and drinking container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drinking container unit (1) for receiving a liquid, comprising a drinking container (2) which has a neck section (4) which can be closed with a closure element on its end face (5) and with a pedestal (3 ) with a receiving shaft (6) into which the neck portion (4) by means of a plug connection can be inserted overhead, wherein the connector of at least one receiving shaft side projection (7) and of a neck portion side, separate from the closure member collar (8) is formed.

Description

The present invention relates to a drinking container unit, also generalized about a container unit, according to the preamble of claim 1. The drinking container unit consists of at least one container, such as a drinking container, which is prepared for receiving or storing a liquid, and a pedestal unit, such as a pedestal, which is optionally prepared for fluid-tight sealing of a large-diameter opening or receiving a neck portion of the container together. The base is releasably coupled to the drinking container.

Background of the invention

In order to handle liquids, such as drinks, both logistically efficient, as well as enjoyable to eat, it is possible to store them in container units, on the one hand serve as a storage container and on the other hand are convertible into drinking vessels. Once such container units are converted into drinking vessels, the connection between the drinking container, which contains the liquid, and its base is generally realized via a plug connection.

At this connector various requirements are made. First, it should ensure a reliable connection of the two components, while at the same time simple and should be produced in a short time.

Since that connector is to be repeatedly made and released during a life cycle of a drinking container unit, it is subjected to a high load.

State of the art

From the International Patent Application WO 99/37190 A1 a drinking container unit is known which can be plugged into a receiving shaft overhead. Such connector is made by an additional closure unit, which is fixed on a neck portion of a drinking container, and a circumferential bulge in the receiving shaft.

Furthermore, the German patent application discloses DE 10 2016 110 807 A1 a generic drinking container unit. The connector disclosed herein is realized via a plurality of serially connected barbs in cooperation with an additional closure element.

Also the German utility model DE 20 2006 009 237 U1 as well as the European patent application EP 1 447 334 A1 are located in this technical field.

A disadvantage of the prior art is that the connector is caused in such a way that it is releasable only by applying a force. As a rule, in that release, the sealing element sealing the end face of the neck portion is irreversibly removed from the drinking container. A multiple manufacturing and releasing the connector is therefore not possible. On the other hand, such solutions, which ensure a multiple release, do not meet the requirements of the robustness of the connector, which is often solved undesirable.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the present invention, in view of this prior art, is to remedy or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art and, more particularly, to disclose a drinking container which contains the connector which places the drinking container unit in a drinking state in which the neck portion connected to the receiving shaft, realized reliably and reversibly solvable. The connector according to the invention may also be referred to as latching connection, latching mechanism, hooking mechanism, snap connection and / or locking mechanism. Another object is to ensure the connector so that this interfaces are responsible, which are independent of influences from the manufacturing process. Likewise, the invention aims at the most economical production possible while keeping as simple as possible design. Furthermore, according to the invention, a user-friendly handling of the drinking container unit is to be guaranteed. From this it follows, for example, the need for a feedback mechanism which clarifies to the consumer when the plug connection is made.

This is achieved according to the invention by means of a drinking container unit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

• - Die Steckverbindung ist ohne hohen Kraftaufwand herstellbar bzw. einstellbar, wodurch ein hohes Maß an Einstellkomfort realisiert ist. Für einen Verbraucher, der die Trinkbehältereinheit von einem Aufbewahrungszustand in einen Trinkzustand überführen möchte, ist somit weder viel Kraft, noch viel Konzentration aufzubringen.
• - Sobald die Steckverbindung etabliert ist, ist diese ohne eine von einer weiteren Komponente aufzubringende Vorspannung aufrechtzuerhalten. Somit ist die Steckverbindung auch über einen längeren Zeitraum gesehen zuverlässig robust.
• - Die Steckverbindung ist überdies leicht lösbar, was eine Umwandlung von dem Trinkzustand in den Aufbewahrungszustand erleichtert. Somit ist die Trinkbehältereinheit flexibel einsetzbar und leicht an sich ändernde Randbedingungen anpassbar.
• - Der Aufnahmeschacht des Sockels ist derart geschwungen und im Zusammenspiel mit den Vorsprüngen ausgeformt, dass ein Einführen des

For example, the following advantages can be derived from this embodiment of a drinking-container unit according to the invention:

• - The connector can be produced or adjusted without much effort, whereby a high degree of adjustment comfort is realized. For a consumer who wants to transfer the drinking container unit from a storage state into a drinking state, there is thus neither much strength nor much concentration to be applied.
• - Once the connector is established, this is without a applied by another component bias maintain. Thus, the connector is reliable and robust over a longer period of time.
• - The connector is also easily solvable, which facilitates a conversion of the drinking state in the storage condition. Thus, the Trinkbehältereinheit is flexible and easily adaptable to changing boundary conditions.
• - The receiving shaft of the base is so curved and shaped in conjunction with the projections that an insertion of the

• - Die Steckverbindung zwischen dem Vorsprung und dem Kragen sendet in dem Moment, in dem sie einrastet, ein Geräusch, wie ein Klicken, aus, um somit dem Verbraucher die Rückmeldung zu geben, dass eine sichere Steckverbindung hergestellt ist, was sowohl die Bequemlichkeit im Umgang, als auch die Betriebssicherheit erhöht.
• - Dadurch, dass das Verschlusselement selbst nicht für die Steckverbindung zuständig ist, ist der erfindungsgemäße Halsabschnitt des Trinkbehälters mit jedem beliebigen Verschlusselement koppelbar, ohne die Steckverbindung zu beeinflussen. Dies erhöht die variable Einsetzbarkeit der Erfindung in verschiedenen Fertigungsstätten.

Neck portion in this guided or centered takes place in order to increase the comfort of insertion and at the same time to protect the components involved.

• - The connector between the projection and the collar emits a sound at the moment in which it engages, such as a click, so as to give the consumer the feedback that a secure plug connection is made, which is both the convenience in handling , as well as increased operational safety.
• - The fact that the closure element itself is not responsible for the connector, the neck portion of the drinking container according to the invention with any closure element can be coupled without affecting the connector. This increases the variable applicability of the invention in various manufacturing facilities.

The subject of the invention is therefore a drinking container unit for receiving a liquid, such as a beverage. In particular, carbonated drinks, such as any type of beer, in particular wheat beer, come into question as a beverage. The drinking container unit is composed at least of a drinking container having a neck portion, which is closable at its front side with a closure element, such as a grain cork, and serving as a pedestal base with a receiving shaft into which the neck portion can be inserted by means of a plug-in connection overhead , together. For clarification, the various states which the drinking container unit can assume are explained again in this context: in a storage state, the base closes a large-diameter opening of the drinking container, while a small-diameter opening, namely the front side of the neck portion, is closed by the closure element. The overhead insertion of the neck portion of the drinking container into the receiving shaft of the base then takes place in order to transfer the drinking container unit into the drinking state. Once the drinking state is established, the connector according to the invention is made, which implies that the large diameter opening of the drinking container is unlocked to allow a consumer to drink from it.

According to the invention, the connector is formed by at least one receiving shaft-side projection in cooperation with a neck portion side, separate from the closure member collar. This basically allows the advantages of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the collar has a plane bearing surface facing away from the closure element, which is prepared to contact the at least one projection. This makes it possible to establish the plug connection independently of the closure element, which is arranged on a small-diameter opening on the front side of the neck section. Furthermore, that contact surface allows a positive connection between the at least one projection and the at least one collar. This is characterized by a high level of reliability, which can be achieved without much effort. The flat / smooth / flat contact surface of the collar also allows a surface contact is made to a projection and no line contact. A surface contact increases the robustness and the stability of the positive connection. With regard to the positive connection should be mentioned again that this is reversibly solvable. For this purpose, a slight pivoting of the drinking container relative to the base is necessary in order to release the engagement of the collar behind the projection. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the connection between the projection and the collar in an alternative embodiment is also formed non-positively or from a mixed form between a force and a positive connection.

Another advantage of an embodiment according to the invention is that the dimensions of the attached at the end of a filling closure element resulting from the different machines and machine settings in the filling process, do not affect the connector and thus are independent of this. This has an advantageous effect on the stability / robustness, precision and reliability. In addition, there are advantages for the operation by the consumer and the reversibility of the connector.

Preferably, the contact surface of the collar extends transversely, preferably perpendicular, to the container height axis. As soon as the drinking container is moved in a direction away from the base, a force acts relative to the base substantially along the container height axis. Due to the preferred embodiment of the contact surface transverse, or even orthogonal, to that axis, a release of the base of the drinking container in the drinking state is reliably counteracted even in jerky movements.

As soon as at least two projections are arranged segment-like in the circumferential direction of the receiving shaft, so do not run circumferentially over the entire circumferential direction, this has a positive effect on the connector. In order to adopt the latching or plug-in position, a certain elasticity of the components involved is unavoidable. The insertion process preferably proceeds in such a way that the neck portion-side collar, which is preferably designed to be completely circumferential in the circumferential direction, temporarily deforms the receiving shaft-side projections, which are formed separately and segment-like in this embodiment. Thus, as soon as the projection according to the invention is not configured circumferentially over the entire circumferential direction, such an elastic deformation takes place more easily. At the same time, this does not have a negative effect on compliance with the positive plug-in connection. At this point it should be noted that, of course, by the above formulation also that modification should be included, according to which the collar is segmented and the projection is configured circumferentially. Thus, alternatively, a principle reversal follows, in which therefore the projections elastically deform the collar.

In a further advantageous embodiment, more than two, preferably six, in particular equally distributed, protrusions are configured spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the receiving shaft. The individual projections in this embodiment each extend over an angular span of less than 30 °. In such an angular range not only the establishment, but also the release of the connector is reliably carried out. Preferably, the angular span extends between 5 ° and 20 °, about 7 °, 11 °, 15 ° or 19 °. These values have been found to be advantageous in order to efficiently combine the two opposing effects of stable plug retention and easy, easy disengagement. Likewise, this represent angular spreads that are far enough to be produced in the production economically and without high tolerances. Likewise, the idea of the invention encompasses the fact that the uniformly distributed projections each extend over the same angular spreads. Alternatively, the individual angle spans of the respective projections can be distinguished from one another in order to develop, for example, the advantages on which the invention is based.

If the circumferentially distributed projections are arranged diametrically opposite to each other, the connector is characterized in that the forces introduced from the side of the drinking container on the base forces are uniformly introduced into this. This prevents tilting of the base relative to the drinking container.

It is also advantageous if the at least one projection of the receiving shaft, or even all the projections, a contact surface which is prepared to form with the contact surface, which is formed by the neck portion side collar, extending in the radial direction and the circumferential direction surface contact , Compared to a line contact, the surface contact is characterized by an increased degree of robustness. Likewise, the surface contact of two surfaces prepared for this purpose allows secure seating of the two components relative to one another. Both the drinking container and the base are preferably produced in an injection molding process. By means of this it is economically possible to produce corresponding contact surfaces with the desired surface finish. In its width seen in the radial direction, the surface contact between the abutment surface and the contact surface is less than the abutment surface or the contact surface considered individually. As a result, that the contact surface and the contact surface are made in their width with a certain excess, the connector is so established even with tolerance deviations that it guarantees a secure connection between the base and the drinking container.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that, viewed in a container height direction, the at least one projection is arranged substantially centrally in the receiving shaft. In other words, as measured from the receiving shaft-side protrusion, the amount of the shortest distance along the container height direction to the receiving tray floor substantially corresponds to the amount of the shortest distance along the container height direction to the height of an insertion edge of the receiving shaft. In the storage state, that lead-in edge represents the edge which projects furthest in the direction of the container interior. Stated another way, the at least one projection is arranged halfway up the receiving shaft. Thus, a similar distance is realized both in the direction of the proximal, ie container interior, as well as in the direction distal, so environment. By means of this substantially central arrangement is the collar of the neck portion, and the closure receptacle of the neck portion and also the closure element, such as a crown cap, sufficient space left. Furthermore, the force between the base and the drinking container is introduced to each other such that a power flow is efficiently guided by the individual components.

Another advantage arises when the collar during insertion / insertion / locking in the receiving shaft temporarily elastically deforms the at least one projection in order to engage behind this after deformation in the connector. Thus, there is no bias in the connector in the stationary drinking state. This increases the life not only of the connector but the entire drinking container unit.

In particular, in an advantageous embodiment, a thickening section which forms the collar is formed integrally with the neck section of the drinking container. In this case, the thickening section is to be configured in such a way that, on the one hand, it receives the closure element and, on the other hand, implements the plug connection. Alternatively, the thickening portion is placed as a separate element on the neck portion. Here, a shrinking, gluing and / or pressing offers itself.

Preferably, the amount by which the at least one projection protrudes radially inward, seen in the radial direction is smaller than the amount by which the collar protrudes radially outward. Thus, the component, which is designed to be continuous in the circumferential direction, namely the collar, forms a larger area. The at least one projection is thus able to be configured less pointing in the radial direction, which makes it possible to shape it like a nose. The at least one projection is therefore, regardless of whether it is integral with the receiving shaft or is connected to it in an additional manufacturing step, not vulnerable to harmful effects that can lead to breakage.

• 1: eine Schnittdarstellung durch einen Teil einer erfindungsgemäßen Trinkbehältereinheit mit einem Trinkbehälter und einem Sockel in einem Trinkzustand;
• 2: eine perspektivische Ansicht des Sockels für sich alleine dargestellt;
• 3: eine vergrößerte Ansicht einer Steckverbindung; und
• 4: einen Längsschnitt entlang des Trinkbehälters.

The invention will be described in more detail by means of figures. Show it:

• 1 a sectional view through a portion of a drinking container unit according to the invention with a drinking container and a base in a drinking state;
• 2 a perspective view of the socket shown by itself;
• 3 an enlarged view of a connector; and
• 4 : a longitudinal section along the drinking container.

The figures are merely schematic in nature and are for the sole purpose of understanding the invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a drinking container unit 1 with a drinking container 2 and a pedestal 3 , In the illustrated state, the drinking container unit is located 1 in the drinking state. A large-diameter opening of the drinking container 2 whose dimension is opposite to a small diameter opening in 4 is therefore unlocked and a neck portion 4 of the drinking container 2 is in one of the pedestal 3 trained receiving shaft 6 plugged in. That principle is from the aforementioned German patent application DE 10 2016 110 807 A1 known, which is thus considered integrated into this application.

The neck section 4 refers to that section of the drinking container 2 from which a taper of the diameter takes place. The neck section 4 also has an end face 5 on, on which a small-diameter opening is arranged. The term small diameter is on the large diameter opening at the other end of the drinking container 2 based. That small-diameter opening is of a closure element 15 covered. The closure element 15 is not in contact with a peripheral surface of the receiving shaft 6 , With a bottom surface of the receiving shaft 6 , also referred to below receiving shaft floor, is the closure element 15 in contact to an insertion of the container 2 in the pedestal 3 to enable. The thickening section 9 is flexible in its geometric shape ausgestaltbar. Preferably, the closure element 15 represented by a crown cap on the contour of the thickening section 9 is customizable.

According to the invention of the closure element 15 or the front side 5 opposite end of the thickening section 9 a collar 8th formed to together with a receiving shaft side projection 7 to enter a plug-in connection, the in 3 is shown enlarged. The radially outermost point of the thickening section 9 of the neck section 4 is from the radially outermost point of the collar 8th realized. The collar 8th forms a contact surface 10 out. This is from the front 5 facing away and plan, so even in two dimensions, namely in the circumferential direction and the radial direction, designed. The contact surface 10 of the collar 8th the connector goes together with a contact surface 11 of the projection 7 one. This is the operating principle of a connector following the bottom of the receiving shaft 6 facing and also designed plan.

The receiving shaft 6 runs from an insertion edge 12 in a substantially degressive curve along the container height direction to the receiving shaft bottom. That form of reception shaft 6 allows approximately a line contact between a drinking container shoulder 13 and a corresponding counter-shoulder 14 of the receiving shaft 6 , This line contact allows a clearly defined force input line between the drinking container 2 and the pedestal 3 , which blocks a tilting of the two components to each other. Furthermore, the curved contour or the degressive course of the receiving shaft has an effect 6 between the lead-in edge 12 and the receiving shaft bottom advantageously on the insertion process of the neck portion 4 in the receiving shaft 6 from, because such a force-absorbing course is given.

2 represents the base according to the invention 3 in perspective. The in the receiving shaft 6 arranged protrusions 7 are arranged diametrically opposite. It is therefore six projections 7 , which are arranged in the container height direction at the same height and are configured in the circumferential direction separately from each other. The angular span between two protrusions 7 is as constant as the angular span over which a projection extends. The angular span between them is about twice to three times the angular span over which a single projection extends.

The counter-shoulder 14 of the receiving shaft 6 is provided with a slope that differs from that at which the projections 7 arranged are different. The section where the projections 7 are arranged, runs almost parallel to the container height axis. A slight inclination relative to the container height axis, namely an expansion to the leading edge 12 However, in that section, it is necessary to efficiently perform the above-mentioned insertion process.

In 3 the connector is shown enlarged. The amount by which the lead 7 in the radial direction to the container height axis is small compared to the amount to which the collar 8th protrudes away from the container height axis in the radial direction. In other words, the contact surface 10 many times larger than the contact surface 11 , This effect is caused by the fact that the contact surface 10 configured circumferentially and the contact surface 11 for the individual projections 7 is discreet, even stronger.

The contact surface 11 of the projection 7 preferably protrudes orthogonal to the peripheral surface of the receiving shaft 6 out. Their radial length is optimized to allow the opposite effects of robust insertion and easy connection.

In 4 is the drinking container 2 shown in a longitudinal section. The diameter of the contact surface 10 is small compared to that of the large-diameter opening, that of the front side 5 is arranged opposite.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Drinking container unit

2

drinkware

3

base

4

neck section

5

front

6

receiving shaft

7

head Start

8th

collar

9

Aufdickungsabschnitt

10

contact surface

11

contact area

12

lead-in

13

Drinking container shoulder

14

counter shoulder

15

closure element

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 99/37190 A1 [0005]
• DE 102016110807 A1 [0006, 0028]
• DE 202006009237 U1 [0007]
• EP 1447334 A1 [0007]

Claims (10)

Drinking container unit (1) for receiving a liquid, comprising a drinking container (2) which has a neck portion (4) which can be closed at its end face (5) with a closure element (15), and with a pedestal (3) serving as a base. with a receiving shaft (6), in which the neck portion (4) by means of a plug connection can be inserted overhead, characterized in that the connector of at least one receiving shaft side projection (7) and a neck portion side, the closure element (15) separate collar (8) is formed. Drinking container unit (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the collar (8) facing away from the closure element (15) planar contact surface (10) which is prepared to contact the at least one projection (7) in order to enter into a positive connection with this. Drinking container unit (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the contact surface (10) transversely, preferably perpendicular, extends to the container height axis. Drinking container unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that in the circumferential direction of the receiving shaft (6) at least two projections (7) are arranged segment-like. Drinking container unit (1) after Claim 4 , characterized in that in the circumferential direction of the receiving shaft (6) more than two, preferably equally distributed, projections (7) are configured spaced from each other over an angular range of less than 30 °, preferably between 5 ° and 20 °, approximately 15 °, extend. Drinking container unit (1) according to one of Claims 4 or 5 , characterized in that the circumferentially distributed projections (7) are arranged diametrically opposite to each other. Drinking container unit (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 6 , characterized in that the at least one projection (7) has a contact surface (11) which is prepared to form with the contact surface (10) extending in the radial direction and the circumferential direction surface contact. Drinking container unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one projection (7) is arranged in a container height direction substantially centrally in the receiving shaft. Drinking container unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar (8) when inserted into the receiving shaft (6) temporarily elastically deforms the at least one projection (7) to engage behind this after deformation in the connector. Drinking container unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thickening portion (9) forming the collar (8) is integrally formed with the neck portion (4) of the drinking container (2) or that the thickening portion (9) as separate element is placed on the neck portion (4).

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