WALL COMPONENT FOR AN EXPANDABLE INFUSION CONTAINER

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall part (23) for an expandable infusion container (20) to accommodate a dry infusion substance for preparing an infusion beverage, an infusion container and a method for producing a wall part. The wall part has a first end (231) and a second end (232) and a deformable tubular film (233) connecting the first end (231) and the second end (232). The first end (231) has a fastening ring (50) which is integrally connected to the tubular film (233).

Claims

1. A wall part (23) for an expandable infusion container (20) for accommodating a dry infusion substance for the preparation of an infusion beverage, the wall part (23) comprising: a first end (231) and a second end (232) and a deformable tubular film (233) connecting the first end (231) and the second end (232), wherein the first end (231) has a fastening ring (50) which is integrally connected to the tubular film (233).

2. The wall part (23) according to claim 1, wherein the second end (232) is formed as a lid part (22) of the infusion container (20), wherein the lid part (22) is integrally connected to the tubular film (233).

3. The wall part (23) according to claim 1, wherein the first end (231) and the second end (232) are connected to each other via a helical structure (234).

4. The wall part (23) according to claim 3, wherein the helical structure (234) is integrally connected to the tubular film (233).

5. The wall part (23) according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the tubular film (233) and the lid part (22) and/or the fastening ring (50) and/or the helical structure (234) is formed as an injection-molded connection.

6. The wall part (23) according to claim 5, wherein the lid part (22) and the fastening ring (50) and the helical structure (234) are formed in one piece.

7. The wall part (23) according to claim 2, wherein the lid part (22) has one or more openings (222), wherein for closing these openings (222), a sealing film (221) is arranged on the lid part (22).

8. An expandable infusion container (20) for accommodating a dry infusion substance for the preparation of an infusion beverage, comprising a wall part (23) according to claim 1, a base part (21), a lid part (22), and the wall part (23) connecting the base part (21) and the lid part (22), wherein the wall part (23) has a variable length, wherein a first end (231) of the wall part (23) has an integral fastening ring (50), and the wall part (23) is fastened to the base part (21) with this fastening ring (50).

9. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 8, wherein the lid part (22) is formed as an integral component of the wall part (23).

10. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 9, wherein the fastening ring (50) and the lid part (22) are connected to each other via a helical structure (234).

11. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 9, wherein a tubular film (233) extends between the fastening ring (50) and the lid part (22).

12. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 11, wherein the tubular film (233) and the fastening ring and/or the lid part (22) and/or the helical structure (234) have an integral connection.

13. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 12, wherein the connection between the tubular film (233) and the lid part (22) and/or the fastening ring (50) and/or the helical structure (234) is formed as an injection-molded connection.

14. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 9, wherein an inlet valve (10) is arranged on the lid part (22).

15. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 8, wherein an outlet valve (30) is arranged on the base part (21).

16. The expandable infusion container (20) according to claim 8, wherein a filter screen (40) is arranged on the base part (21).

17. A method for producing a wall part (23), in particular a wall part (23) according to claim 1, for an expandable infusion container (20), for accommodating a dry infusion substance for the preparation of an infusion beverage, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tubular film (233), positioning the tubular film on a mold core (60), inserting the tool core (60) into an injection mold (61), injection molding a fastening ring (50) directly onto the tubular film (233) so that the fastening ring (50) and the tubular film (233) are integrally connected, demolding the tubular film (233) with the injection-molded fastening ring (50).

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein during the injection molding of the fastening ring (50), a lid part (22) is injected directly onto the tubular film (233) so that the lid part (22) and the tubular film (233) are integrally connected.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein during the injection molding of the fastening ring (50), a helical structure (234) is injected directly onto the tubular film (233) so that the helical structure (234) and the tubular film (233) are integrally connected.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the tubular film (233) is a deformable tubular film (233).

Description

[0063] Various aspects of the invention are explained below with reference to schematic figures. In the figures:

[0064] FIG. 1: shows a perspective sectional view of infusion container;

[0065] FIG. 2A: shows a perspective view of the infusion container of FIG. 1 in a collapsed form;

[0066] FIG. 2B: shows a perspective view of the infusion container of FIG. 2A in an expanded form;

[0067] FIG. 3: shows an exploded view of the infusion container of FIG. 1;

[0068] FIG. 4: shows a perspective view of a sealing film;

[0069] FIG. 5: shows a perspective view of a base part;

[0070] FIG. 6: shows a perspective view of a closure;

[0071] FIG. 7: shows a perspective view of a wall part;

[0072] FIG. 8: shows a detailed view from FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 9: shows a perspective view of a mold core;

[0074] FIG. 10: shows a perspective view of the mold core according to FIG. 9 with a tubular film arranged thereon;

[0075] FIG. 11: shows a perspective view of the mold core and the mold halves.

[0076] For the sake of clarity, the illustration of any dry infusion substance in the infusion container 20 is omitted in all of the figures.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a perspective sectional view of an infusion container 20. The infusion container 20 has an inlet valve 10 and an outlet valve 30 with a dispensing opening. The infusion container itself comprises a base part 21, a lid part 22 and a wall part 23. The wall part 23 is expandable and, in the present case, comprises a tubular film 233. The wall part 23 is connected on one side to the base part 21 in a liquid-tight manner and on the other side to the lid part 22 in a liquid-tight manner. A helical structure 234 is formed circumferentially around the tubular film 232. This wall part 23 is enclosed by the base part 21 and the lid part 22. For this purpose, a hollow cylindrical wall 211 extending in the direction of the lid part 22 is provided on the base part 21 at the periphery thereof.

[0078] It can also be seen that the outlet valve 30 is at least partially formed as an integral component of the base part 21. A closure 31 is provided to complete the outlet valve 30. A filter screen 40, which is arranged upstream of the outlet opening and thus of the outlet valve 30, is also illustrated.

[0079] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the inlet valve 10 is at least partially formed as a component of the lid part 22 and cooperates with a corresponding counterpart of the base part 21. This counterpart is an extension of the filter screen 40. A sealing film 221 is arranged on the lid part 22 and closes the inlet valve 10.

[0080] The infusion container 20 according to FIG. 1 is formed to be substantially rotationally symmetrical and has a central axis L. The latter also defines an axial direction. A central axis is also present in non-rotationally symmetrical designs of the infusion container 20. This central axis is substantially defined by the connection between the inlet valve 10 and outlet valve 30. The inlet valve 10 and the outlet valve 30 also define a flow direction which runs from the inlet valve 10 to the outlet valve 30.

[0081] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the infusion container from FIG. 1 in the collapsed form. It can be seen that the infusion container 20 in this form substantially consists of the base part 21 (see FIG. 1), which is arranged inside the closure 31, the hollow cylindrical wall 211 and the lid part 22, which is closed with the sealing film 221, and that the expandable wall part located inside the infusion container 20 is arranged such that it is protected by these elements.

[0082] As can be seen from FIG. 2A and from FIG. 1, in the collapsed form, the base part 21 is connected to the lid part 22 via the wall 211 arranged at the periphery of the base part.

[0083] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the infusion container 20 of FIG. 2A in an expanded form. By introducing an overpressure via the inlet valve 10 (see FIG. 1), the lid part 22 has been pushed out of a corresponding seat 215 (see FIG. 5) in the wall 211, and the wall part 23 has been expanded by filling infusion liquid into the infusion container 20. This expansion is supported by the helical structure 234. It is understood that the inlet valve 10 was opened before the overpressure was introduced. Thereafter, the infusion container 20 remains in this expanded form for a predetermined time and is subsequently compressed to dispense the infusion beverage. It is understood that the outlet valve 30 (see FIG. 1) is opened, in particular before compression, and the infusion beverage is dispensed through this outlet valve 30.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the infusion container 20 of FIG. 1. The infusion container 20 has a lid part 22 with a sealing film 221 attached thereto. In the present case, the sealing film 221 is attached to the lid part 22 using an adhesive. However, it is also conceivable that the sealing film 221 is arranged on the lid part 22 by means of ultrasonic welding or by conventional melting/fusing. It can be seen here that the lid part 22 has openings 222, which are also closed with the sealing film 221.

[0085] Also illustrated is the wall part 23 which has a first end 231 and a second end 232. The first end 231 and the second end 232 are connected to each other by means of a tubular film 233. In other words, the tubular film 233 has a first end 231 and a second end 232. The first end 231 is integrally connected to the lid part 22. The second end 232 is integrally connected to a fastening ring 50.

[0086] A helical structure 234 is formed circumferentially around the tubular film 233, which is also integrally connected to the tubular film 233. The lid part 22, the helical structure 234 and the fastening ring 50 are produced in one piece using an injection molding process and are correspondingly formed as an injection mold. By producing using the injection molding process, these elements can be molded or injected directly onto or at the tubular film 233.

[0087] Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is the base part 21 with the wall 211 extending in the direction of the lid part 22. A closure 31 of the outlet valve 30 is arranged on the base part 21. The closure 31 is arranged on the base part 21 in axially displaceable manner.

[0088] The closure 31 completely spans the base part 21. A closure body 312 (see FIG. 5) is formed as a central and integral component of the base part 21 which closes an opening on the base part 21. A filter screen 213, which is arranged upstream of a dispensing opening 212, is also illustrated. Moving the closure 31 in an axial direction allows the opening in the base part 21 to be uncovered, thereby opening the outlet valve 30.

[0089] In the following figures, individual elements of the infusion container 20 according to FIG. 3 are described in detail.

[0090] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a sealing film 221. The sealing film is made of polypropylene and has a thickness of between 0.05 mm and 0.1 mm and is 0.8 mm thick here.

[0091] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a base part 21. A hollow cylindrical wall 211 is arranged on the base part 21. The hollow cylindrical wall 211 has a seat 215 at its upper end for engagement of a lid part 22 (see FIG. 1). For this purpose, a projecting element is formed on the lid part 22. A clamping element 212 is located at the transition between the hollow cylindrical wall 211 and a substantially flat extending base element of the base part 21. The clamping element 212 is formed by a projection 214 axially extending in a substantially planar manner and a part of the hollow cylindrical wall 211. A corresponding counterpart, in the present case a fastening ring 50 (see FIG. 1), can be inserted between these two elements. A substantially axially extending sealing lip 213 is arranged inside the clamping element 212. Both the sealing lip 213 and the projection 214 are formed circumferentially around a center of the base part 21.

[0092] A filter screen 40 is arranged centrally on the base part 21.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a closure 31. The closure 31 has a peripheral edge 311 and a centrally arranged closure body 312. A radially inwardly directed extension is formed on the peripheral edge 311, for engagement with a corresponding counterpart on the base part 21.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a wall part 23. The wall part 20 has a first end 231 and a second end 231. In the present case, it comprises a lid part 22, which is arranged at the second end, and a fastening ring 50, which is arranged at the first end 231. The wall part 23 also comprises a helical structure 234. The lid part 22, the helical structure 234 and the fastening ring 50 are manufactured together in one piece using the injection molding process. The wall part 23 also comprises a tubular film 233. The lid part 22, the helical structure 234 and the fastening ring 50 are overmolded or injection-molded onto this tubular film 233. Accordingly, the tubular film 233 has an integral attachment to the lid part 22, the helical structure 234 and the fastening ring 50. These elements are therefore connected to each other in a liquid-tight and airtight manner. An opening 222 is visible in the lid part 22 as well as a portion of the inlet valve 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0095] The tubular film is made of PET and has a thickness of 0.1 mm. It is plasticizer-free and heat-resistant up to 200? C.

[0096] FIG. 8 shows a detailed view from FIG. 1. It shows a tubular film 233 with an integrally arranged fastening ring 50 having a first leg 51 and a second leg 52. The first leg 51 is spaced from the second leg 52 by a circumferential groove.

[0097] The fastening ring 50 is held in the clamping element 212 of the base part 21. The fastening ring 50 is clamped between the hollow cylindrical wall 211 and a circumferential projection 214. In order to prevent axial displacement, a projection 216 is provided on the wall 211, which secures the fastening ring 50 against axial displacement. The sealing lip 213 is in contact with the first leg 51 of the fastening ring 50.

[0098] The fastening ring 50 and thus the tubular film 233 integrally fastened thereto is thus held on the base part 21 in a secure and liquid-tight manner.

[0099] The following figures show individual steps of a manufacturing method for a wall part 23 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0100] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a mold core 60 and a tubular film 233. The tubular film 233 is produced by rolling up and welding a single sheet of the film. In the present case, this film is made of PET and has a thickness of 0.1 mm. The tubular film 233 has a first end 231 and a second end 232. The first end 231 has a slightly larger diameter than the second end 232. The tubular film 233 as a whole is therefore formed in conically tapering manner. Accordingly, the mold core 60 is formed conical. In a first step, the tubular film 233 is arranged in front of the mold core 60.

[0101] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the mold core 60 according to FIG. 9 with the tubular film 233 arranged thereon. The tubular film 233 is positioned on the mold 60. Subsequently, the mold 60 is inserted together with the tubular film 233 into an injection mold 61 (see FIG. 10), or an injection mold 61 is closed around the mold core 60.

[0102] Subsequently, appropriately liquefied plastic, in the present case polypropylene, PP, is injected into the injection mold 61, and the fastening ring 50, the helical structure 234 and the lid part 22 are injected onto the tubular film 233.

[0103] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the mold core 60 and the mold halves 62 and 63 of the injection mold 61. FIG. 11 shows the state after injection molding and after opening the mold halves 62 and 63. As can be seen, the helical structure 234, the lid part 22 and the fastening ring 50 are formed in one piece by injection molding and integrally connected to the tubular film 233 using the injection molding process.

[0104] Following the opening of the injection mold 61, the finished wall part can thus be removed from the mold 60.