Abstract
A container has a head piece (7). The container can be or is filled with a medium and is produced of plastic materials using a blow molding, filling, and sealing method. A transition region (13) is between the container (1) and a first type of a head surface (11) arranged on the head piece (7) at an end face, can be penetrated by a piercing or cutting part and extends with a specifiable curvature. A second type of a head surface (41) has a specifiable curvature, which is the same as the curvature of the head surface (39) of the first type, but preferably is different from it and is present on the head piece (7). The head surfaces transition into each other such that a whole surface is formed, which whole surface spans the free end of the transition region (13) directed away from the container (1). The head piece (7) is an integral component of the container (1).
Claims
1. A container filled with a medium and producible from plastic materials using a blow molding-filling-sealing method, the container comprising: a container body having a longitudinal axis; a head piece; a transition region connecting said head piece to said container body as integral components; a first head surface being on said head piece at a front end thereof, being penetrable by a piercing or cutting part and extending with a specifiable first curvature; a second head surface being on said head piece and extending with a specifiable second curvature different from said first curvature, said first and second head surfaces transitioning into each other forming an overall head surface spanning a free end of said transition region directed away from said container body, being rotationally symmetrical relative to said longitudinal axis and extending concentric relative to said longitudinal axis, one of said first and second head surfaces being convex relative to said head piece and extending axially along said longitudinal axis in a direction away from said container body and another of said first and second head surfaces being concave relative said head piece and opening axially along said longitudinal axis in the direction away from said container body; and a third head surface being on said head piece and extending with a specifiable third curvature different from said first and second curvatures, said third head surface surrounding said first and second head surfaces.
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said first and second head surfaces transitions directly or via connecting region into each other forming said overall head surface.
3. A container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second head surfaces extend transverse to longitudinal axis.
4. A container filled with a medium and producible from plastic materials using a blow molding-filling-sealing method, the container comprising: a container body having a longitudinal axis; a head piece; a transition region connecting said head piece to said container body as integral components; a first head surface being on said head piece at a front end thereof, being penetrable by a piercing or cutting part and extending with a specifiable first curvature; and a second head surface being on said head piece and extending with a specifiable second curvature different from said first curvature, said first and second head surfaces transitioning into each other forming an overall head surface spanning a free end of said transition region directed away from said container body, being rotationally symmetrical relative to said longitudinal axis and extending concentric relative to said longitudinal axis, one of said first and second head surfaces being convex and another of said first and second head surfaces being concave relative said head piece; and a third head piece surface being on said head piece and extending with a third curvature different from said first and second curvatures, said third head piece surface having a bar-shaped stiffening rib.
5. A container filled with a medium and producible from plastic materials using a blow molding-filling-sealing method, the container comprising: a container body having a longitudinal axis; a head piece; a transition region connecting said head piece to said container body as integral components; a first head surface being on said head piece at a front end thereof, being penetrable by a piercing or cutting part and extending with a specifiable first curvature; a second head surface being on said head piece and extending with a specifiable second curvature different from said first curvature, said first and second head surfaces transitioning into each other forming an overall head surface spanning a free end of said transition region directed away from said container body, being rotationally symmetrical relative to said longitudinal axis and extending concentric relative to said longitudinal axis, one of said first and second head surfaces being convex and another of said first and second head surfaces being concave relative said head piece; and a cap with an elastomer sealing element connected to said head piece, said elastomer sealing element being essentially only located opposite a penetration surface of said head piece and being connected to said penetration surface with a small spacing.
6. A container according to claim 5 wherein said cap comprises an energy guide for welding said cap to said head piece by ultrasonic welding, friction welding or vibration welding.
7. A container according to claim 5 wherein said elastomer sealing element has an opening for a spike.
8. A container according to claim 7 wherein said opening is cylindrical.
9. A container according to claim 7 wherein said opening is annular.
10. A container according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second head surfaces as an annular periphery surrounding said longitudinal axis.
11. A container filled with a medium and producible from plastic materials using a blow molding-filling-sealing method, the container comprising: a container body having a longitudinal axis; a head piece; a transition region connecting said head piece to said container body as integral components; a first head surface being on said head piece at a front end thereof, being penetrable by a piercing or cutting part and extending with a specifiable first curvature; a second head surface being on said head piece and extending with a specifiable second curvature different from said first curvature, said first and second head surfaces transitioning into each other forming an overall head surface spanning a free end of said transition region directed away from said container body, being rotationally symmetrical relative to said longitudinal axis and extending concentric relative to said longitudinal axis, one of said first and second head surfaces being convex relative to said head piece and extending axially along said longitudinal axis in a direction away from said container body and another of said first and second head surfaces being concave relative said head piece and opening axially along said longitudinal axis in the direction away from said container body, said first head surface surrounding said second head surface; and a third head surface being on said headpiece and extending with a specifiable third curvature different from said first and second curvatures, said third head surface being entirely laterally spaced from said longitudinal axis.
12. A container according to claim 11 wherein said first head surface is concave; and said second head surface is convex.
13. A container according to claim 11 wherein said first head surface is convex; and said second head surface is concave.
14. A container body according to claim 1 wherein said third head surface is entirely laterally spaced from said longitudinal axis.
15. A container body according to claim 1 wherein said third head surface does not extend axially along said longitudinal axis in the direction away from said container beyond said one of said first and second head surfaces being convex.
16. A container body according to claim 11 wherein said third head surface surrounds said first and second head surfaces.
17. A container body according to claim 11 wherein said third head surface does not extend axially along said longitudinal axis in the direction away from said container beyond said one of said first and second head surfaces being convex.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Referring to the drawings that form a part of this disclosure:
(2) The invention is explained in detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings, in which:
(3) FIG. 1 is a front view, slightly enlarged compared with a practical embodiment, of a container in the form of an infusion bottle with two removal openings, the upper one of which in the figure is provided with a head piece according to the prior art of DIN ISO 15759;
(4) FIG. 2 is, on a smaller scale, a perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
(5) FIG. 3a is, at approximately twice the size compared with a practical embodiment, a perspective view of a head piece of a container according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(6) FIG. 3b is a partial side view in section showing a modified cross-sectional shape for the bar-shaped rib of the head piece of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3a;
(7) FIG. 4a is a front view of a container according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(8) FIGS. 4b and 4c are a front view and a top view, respectively, of the head piece of a container according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(9) FIGS. 5a to 5c are a front view and perspective views, respectively, of head pieces according to fourth and fifth exemplary embodiments of the invention;
(10) FIGS. 6a and 6b are a front view and a perspective view of a container and head piece, respectively, according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(11) FIG. 7a is a front view of a container according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(12) FIGS. 7b, 7c, 7d are perspective views (7b, 7d) and a side view (7c), respectively, of modified embodiments of the head piece of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7a;
(13) FIGS. 8a and 8b are a front view and a perspective view of a container and head piece, respectively, according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(14) FIGS. 9a and 9b are a front view and a perspective view of a container and head piece, respectively, according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(15) FIGS. 10a and 10b are a front view and a perspective view of a container and head piece, respectively, according a tenth exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(16) FIG. 11 is a perspective oblique view of a head piece according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the invention;
(17) FIG. 11a is a perspective view of the head piece of FIG. 11, with an additional reinforcing rib;
(18) FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of head pieces according to twelfth and thirteenth exemplary embodiments of the invention;
(19) FIG. 13a is a perspective view of the head piece of FIG. 13, with an additional reinforcing rib;
(20) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the head piece of FIGS. 10a and 10b;
(21) FIG. 15a is a front view of a container according to a fourteenth exemplary embodiment of the invention, with a cross-sectional depiction of a cover cap of the head piece in the state prior to a welding operation;
(22) FIG. 15b is a perspective view of a cover cap for the head piece of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5a;
(23) FIG. 15c is a front view section of a head piece with a welded on cap according to FIG. 15b, after the welding operation;
(24) FIG. 16a is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a cover cap for a container according to the invention, according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11;
(25) FIG. 16b is a front view in section of the cap according to FIG. 16a on a head piece according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11;
(26) FIG. 17 is a front view of a container according to a fifteenth exemplary embodiment of the invention in the form of an infusion bottle with two removal openings, one of which is provided with a screw connection;
(27) FIG. 18 is a front view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with a head piece according to FIG. 5a provided on a removal opening; and
(28) FIG. 19 is a front view, partially in section, of the infusion bottle of FIG. 18, wherein the head piece lying at the bottom is provided with an end cap according to FIG. 15b, prior to the welding operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(29) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a container or container body produced using the mentioned blow-fill-seal (BFS) method in the form of an infusion bottle 1 with a top removal position 3 and a bottom removal position 5. The bottle 1 is produced from a plastic material such as LDPE, HDPE, PP or PET. In the case of a multiple layer embodiment, polyolefins in combination with EVOH, PET, COC, COP, PA or the like, can be provided, for example. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottle 1 lying at the top in the drawings has a head piece 7, which corresponds to the prior art according to DIN ISO 15759. In the case of containers with head pieces of this type, caps with an elastomer sealant (DIN ISO 15759) can be connected, e.g. by welding, injection molding or sealing, to the head piece of the filled and sealed bottle 1. On the front end of the head piece 7, a head surface 11 is provided for removal and/or feeding operations, which, in the form of a head membrane penetrable by a cannula or a spike, spans a transition region 13 at which the head piece 7 transitions into the neck part 9 of the bottle 1. The head surface 11 formed by this head membrane spans the transition region 13 with a uniformly convex curvature in the prior art.
(30) FIGS. 3 to 15a and 17 to 19 show, to some extent in separate depictions, i.e. without depicted bottle bodies 1, different exemplary embodiments of containers according to the invention with head pieces 7, which have different types of head surfaces. FIG. 3a shows an example in which, in addition to a head surface 11 of the first type, which spans the transition region 13 with a convex curvature like the head surface 11 of the prior art, a head surface of the second type in the form of a reinforcing rib 15 is provided. Rib 15 forms a bar projecting significantly from the head surface 11 of the first type, spans the head surface 11 and lies diametrically therein. This bar-shaped rib 15 increases the resistance to the bending of the curvature of the head surface 11 into the inside of the container and permits the secure abutment of the elastomer component of a cover cap (not depicted), and thus, the secure sealing of the pierced spike. FIG. 3b shows a modified cross-sectional shape for the reinforcing rib 15 of FIG. 3a, wherein the top side of the rib 15 is not flat, but convex.
(31) FIGS. 4a to 4c provide a bridge body 17 as a reinforcing or stiffening element, which, in the form of a projecting head with an oval contour, spans the free end of the transition region 13 and which, at its front top end, forms a head surface 19 of the first type with only a slightly convex curvature. Another head surface 21 connects to the foot of the bridge body 17, which other head surface is once again convex, but with greater curvature than the head surface 19. As FIG. 4c shows, the largest width of the bridge body 17 is somewhat more than half of the diameter of the transition region 13. Also, the height of the bridge body 17, measured relative to the surrounding head surface 21, is somewhat less than half of the largest width of the bridge body 17 as the comparison of FIGS. 4b and 4c shows. From the front head surface 19, the side wall 23 extends out from a rounding 25 surrounding the head surface 19, to the surrounding head surface 21.
(32) FIGS. 5a and 5b show an exemplary embodiment, in which two nipple-shaped knuckles 29 project from a head surface 27 that spans the transition region 13. The knuckles 29 lie at a distance from one another on a line extending diametrically on the head surface 27 and form, on their respective front end, a round, easily penetrable head surface 31. These head surfaces have only an extremely slight curvature, i.e. they extend almost parallel to the main plane of the head surface 27. A side wall 33 with concave curvature connects the front face surface 31 with the surrounding head surface 27. In another embodiment (not depicted), a bar-shaped rib, as in FIGS. 3a and 3b, can extend between the knuckles 29. FIG. 5c shows a modification compared with FIGS. 5a and 5b, wherein the head surface 31 is not provided at the top end of the knuckles 29, but is rather set back towards the inside.
(33) FIGS. 6a to 9b show other exemplary embodiments, in which all of the head surfaces are formed rotationally symmetrical and extend concentric to a longitudinal axis 35 of the transition region 13. In the example of FIGS. 6a and 6b, a convex head surface 37 is formed torus-shaped on the front edge of the circular cylindrical transition region 13. This head surface 37 surrounds concentrically a circular head surface 39 in the form of a concave depression, from which in turn another head surface 41 rises in the form of a convex dome, concentric to the axis 35. The radial width of the edge-side, outer head surface 37 is approximately ⅙ of the diameter of the transition region 13. The diameter of the dome forming the head surface 41 is approximately ⅓ of the diameter of the transition region 13. The depth of the depression forming the head surface 39 is in turn approximately 1/16 of the diameter of the transition region 13.
(34) The head piece 7 of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7a to 7d has a convex head surface 43 connecting to the front edge of the circular cylindrical transition region 13, which head surface, as part of a torus, encircles the transition region 13. This head surface 43 surrounds a knuckle 45, concentric to the axis 35, which forms a convex head surface 47 at its top side. The radial width of the outer edge-side head surface 43 corresponds to the width of the edge-side head surface 37 of the example of FIGS. 6a and 6b. The height of the knuckle 45 projecting above the edge-side head surface 43 is approximately ⅛ of the diameter of the transition region 13. In the example shown in FIGS. 7c and 7d, an additional reinforcing rib 48 is provided, which spans the head surface 47 diametrically.
(35) The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8a and 8b has a head surface 51 in the form of a convex annular surface connecting to the circumferential edge 52. A knuckle 53 rises from the central region of this annular surface concentric to the axis 35, which knuckle forms a head surface 55, which is also convex, but with greater curvature than the head surface 51. The diameter of the cylindrical transition region 13 is approximately two and a half times the diameter of the knuckle 53. The height of the knuckle 53 relative to the surrounding head surface 51 is approximately ⅙ of the diameter of the knuckle 53.
(36) The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9a and 9b has, like the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6b, a head surface 59 with convex curvature surrounding the circumferential edge 57 of the cylindrical transition region 13. A depression-shaped recess is connected to head surface 59. The base of the recess forms a concave head surface 61. The difference compared with the example of FIGS. 6a and 6b is only that no knuckle is located in the center of the head surface 61. The width of the convex head surface 39 at the edge 57 is, in the example of FIGS. 9a and 9b, a little greater than the width of the edge-side head surface 37 in the example of FIGS. 6a and 6b. The width of the head surface 61 formed by the central depression, or pocket, is a little more than half of the diameter of the transition region 13. The axial depth of the depression forming the head surface 61 is approximately 1/10 of the diameter of the transition region 13.
(37) The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10a and 10b resembles the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4a to 4c to the extent that a bridge region 63 is provided. Bridge region 63 projects from a convex head surface 65, which connects to the edge 66 of the connecting region 13. By contrast with the oval bridge body 17 of FIGS. 4a to 4c, the bridge region 63 of the present example has a contour in the shape of a horizontal figure eight, with side walls 67, which descend from a front head surface 69, relatively steeply relative to the surrounding head surface 65. As FIG. 10a more clearly shows, the head surface 69 has a convex curvature. The height of the bridge body 63 relative to the surrounding head surface 65 is approximately ¼ of the diameter of the circular cylindrical transition region 13. The largest width of the bridge region 63 at the arms of the figure eight forming the contour is somewhat less than half of the diameter of the transition region 13.
(38) FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment which, similarly to the head surface 11 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, has a convex head surface 74, which connects to the edge 70 of the transition region 13 over the entire circumference thereof. Arranged on this head surface 74 are two annular bodies 71 in the form of flat circular rings, which are arranged at a spacing from one another along a line extending diametrically over the head surface 74. The external diameter of these flat rings is approximately ⅙ of the diameter of the transition region 13. The annular bodies 71 are arranged such that the spacing between them is greater than the spacing of each annular body 71 from the circumferential edge 70 of the transition region 13. At their top side, the annular bodies 71 each form a head surface 73 in the form of a slightly convex circular surface.
(39) In addition, as is also the case in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 3a and 3b, a bar-type reinforcing rib 15 can be provided, extending diametrically over the head surface 74, as depicted in FIG. 11a.
(40) The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12 resembles the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9a and 9b. In other words, it has a depression 77 delimited by the edge-side, convex head surface 75, which depression 77 forms a concave head surface 79. Mounted on the base of the depression 77, a diametrically extending stiffening rib 81 extends in the form of a straight bar with axially parallel side walls and a slightly convex top side, which abuts the edge-side head surface 75 as another head surface 83.
(41) FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment, in which a convex head surface 85 continuously spans the transition region 13 between its circumferential edge 86. In a symmetrical arrangement, chamfers 89 lying diametrically opposite one another connect at arc-shaped connecting lines, which chamfers each form another, slightly convex head surface 91. As FIG. 13a shows, in a modification of the example of FIG. 13 too, an additional bar-type reinforcing rib 15 can be provided, which rib spans the head surface 85.
(42) The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 resembles the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10a and 10b, wherein side penetration surfaces 101, defined by the contour shape of the bridge body 63, are formed. In this configuration, the penetration surfaces 101 have a maximum spacing from one another. This is advantageous when both locations are used for piercing and the corresponding spike or the drip chamber remains therein. A reinforcing rib 15 is additionally provided in the example of FIG. 14 to ensure a high level of bending resistance. This reinforcing rib can also have a rounded shape, as depicted in FIG. 3b.
(43) FIGS. 15a to 16b also show by way of an example cover caps 93, with the design shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b being provided for head pieces according to the examples of FIGS. 5a to 5c and the design of FIGS. 16a to 16c being provided for a head piece 7 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, for example. The cover cap 93 of FIGS. 15a to 15c is a hollow body made of a plastic, for example, the same material from which the bottle is made. The cover cap 93 has a hollow cylindrical main part 92, which spans the transition region 13 of the head piece 7 and has, at the open end, an edge 95 forming a radial extension, in which a circumferential annular groove 96 is located. In the case of a cover cap 93 fixed onto the head piece 7 by welding, injection molding, adhesion or sealing, the edge 95 can form a connecting part for an adapter. FIG. 15a shows a state prior to welding. As can be seen, a lug 106 is formed on the end edge of the main part 92, which lug forms an energy guide for welding processes, such as ultrasonic welding. This lug 106 is welded so that, once a welding operation has been carried out, the state depicted in FIG. 15c is obtained. Sleeve bodies 97 are molded onto the top side 94, which sleeve bodies are aligned in such a way that they are flush with the knuckles 29 on the head piece 7. In the initial state, which is depicted in the figures, the sleeve bodies 97 are closed by a disk 98 that can be torn off at predetermined breaking points. A tab 99 is installed that permits easy tearing off of the disks 98 so as to clear the way for access to the elastomer 103 bearing against the penetrable head surface 31 of the head piece 7.
(44) The example of FIGS. 16a and 16b differs from the FIG. 15a-c embodiment in that, instead of the projecting sleeve bodies 97 on the top side 94, a dome-shaped hollow box construction 100 is provided. In box construction 100, two openings 102 are arranged in such a way that they are aligned with the region of the annular bodies 71 of FIG. 11, which are located on the head surface 74 of the head piece 7. For use operations, the part of the head surface 74 surrounded by the annular body 71 can therefore be penetrated via the openings 102. As depicted, an elastomer 103 is provided above the penetration surface delimited by the annular bodies 71, for the formation of a seal on the penetration surfaces.
(45) FIG. 17 shows, in a depiction corresponding to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the bottle 1 which has two removal positions 3 and 5 lying opposite one another. The access lying at the bottom in the figure is provided with an external thread 105. A head piece 7 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 is located at the top removal position.
(46) FIG. 18 shows a bottle 1 corresponding to FIG. 17 with a head piece 7 according to the example of FIG. 5b located at the bottom removal position 5.
(47) FIG. 19 shows the bottle 1 of FIG. 18, wherein the head piece 7 at the bottom removal position 5 is provided with a cap 93 according to the example of FIG. 15b.
(48) All solutions according to the invention described above have in common that the container 1 is produced using the blow molding, filling, and sealing method and is formed in one piece with its special head piece 7 according to the invention. Amongst other things, the container wall transitions continuously into the wall of the head piece 7.
(49) While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
