FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to packages for containing a product therein, and more
particularly to pressurizable packages for dispensing products therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Packages for containing a product are well known in the art. Such packages may have
a dispensing nozzle or dispensing orifice to allow the product to be dispensed from
the package. The dispensing nozzle or dispensing orifice may be disposed near the
top of the package, although other configurations and locations are also known in
the art.
[0003] Motive force for dispensing the product from the package include gaseous propellants,
pumps (both manual and electric), gravity feed systems, elastic bladders, etc. Packages
using propellants are particularly popular, because such packages allow for continuous
dispensing at the touch of a button. Likewise, elastic bags may be filled with product
to a pressure greater than atmospheric. In either case, product dispensing occurs
due to the pressure differential between the product and the ambient.
[0004] Products to be contained in and dispensed from the package include almost any gaseous,
liquid, or farinaceous material, compatible with the package materials and suitable
for the intended use. Nonlimiting, exemplary products include, but are not limited
to, perfume, medicaments, air treatments, such as air fresheners, insect repellents,
cosmetics, cleaners, etc.
[0005] Furthermore, it may be desirable to have two or more products in the same packages.
The products may be separated until combined during the dispensing process at the
point of use. For example, enzymes and bleach may be separated until the point of
use, to prevent undue interaction and loss of efficacy during packaging.
[0006] It may be desirable to allow the product to be visible prior to dispensing from the
package. For example, this allows the user to see how much product is left before
depletion and/or may simply be aesthetically pleasing.
[0007] However, packaging which allows viewing of the product before dispensing presents
challenges. As the product is depleted flexible packaging may assume aesthetically
undesirable configurations, leading to a less preferred package. The challenge is
compounded for packaging holding plural, but separated, products. The search continues
for packages which are functional aesthetically pleasing and/or economical to manufacture.
[0008] US4,838,457 (Swahl James C (US) et al) relates to a lotion blending and dispensing unit for internally combining
and then discharging a composite lotion or solution which includes a cylindrical housing
having a storage chamber for enclosing at least a pair of lotion containers removably
mounted on a mounting block. The block is provided with at least a pair of orifices
on an annular surface having a central projection about which a selector dial rotates.
The projection includes at least a pair of passageways in fixed alignment with the
orifices so as to conduct lotion therethrough. A regulating disc is movably disposed
on the annular surface for revolving about the projection whereby a plurality of different
sized apertures may be selectively aligned between the orifices and the passageways.
The disc is movable in response to rotation of the selection dial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention comprises a container which expands and/or collapses in response to
the addition or removal inside or outside such container. The container expands/collapses
in a generally predetermined geometry or manner, due to the construction of that container.
All patents and other documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
Fig. 1 is a vertical elevational view of a package according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a variant embodiment of a package similar to
that shown in
Fig. 1 and having an inner container with an inversion having longitudinal hinge lines
and a central container with an inversion having circumferential hinge lines, the
inversions having equally spaced hinge lines on the right-hand sides of the inversion
and unequally spaced hinge lines on the left-hand sides of the inversions.
Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment not part of the invention,
having two inner containers disposed in parallel, one inner container having an asymmetrical
inversion.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of an exemplary inner container or central container,
having weakened regions.
Fig. 5A is an enlarged fragmentary view of the distal end of the container of Fig.
4.
Fig. 5B is a fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of a distal end of a container.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view of an exemplary attachment for the
valve cup according to the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring to Fig. 1, the invention is a package 10 comprising plural containers.
One or more containers may be disposed inside each other to yield an outer container
12 having one or more containers therein.
[0012] If the package 10 has two containers, this arrangement yields a package 10 having
an outer container 12 and an inner container 16 disposed therein. If the package 10
has three containers 12, 14, 16, this arrangement yields a package 10 having an outer
container 12 with a central container 14 disposed therein and an inner container 16
disposed in the central container 14. In such an arrangement the central container
14 is disposed between the outer container 12 and the inner container 16.
[0013] The plural containers 12, 14, 16 keep different materials contained therein substantially
isolated until the materials are dispensed at the point of use. During or after the
dispensing process the materials may be mixed. The materials may include one or more
products intended jointly or separately for one or more end uses, one or more propellants,
air, water, etc.
[0014] The product(s) may comprise any dispensable substance and includes gaseous, liquid,
and farinaceous particulate materials, which may be dispensed using the package 10
described and claimed herein. It is simply necessary that the product viscosity be
low enough for the product to be dispensed from a package 10 having the desired pressure
and dispensing characteristics.
[0015] The containers 12, 14, 16, may have a common discharge. The discharge may be a dispensing
orifice, drain, aperture or other dispensing device, as is known in the art. A nozzle
will be discussed for exemplary and illustrative purposes. The nozzle 20 may be pressed
or otherwise displaced from its normally closed position to provide a flow path for
material disposed in the - container to the environment. For example, one suitable
type of nozzle 20 is a normally closed spray orifice. Alternatively a trigger, cam,
etc. may be utilized to open the flow path for product disposed inside one container
to be dispensed to the environment. Suitable nozzle 20s are disclosed in
US Pat Nos. 3690515 issued to Ewald,
4940170 issued to Popp-Ginsbach,
4964539 issued to Mueller,
5497911 issued to Ellion et al. and
5839623 issued to Losenno et al.
[0016] If desired, one or more of the containers may have a dip tube. The dip tube may be
used to transport product from the bottom of that container to the discharge.
[0017] Examining the package 10 in more detail, one or more of the containers 12, 14, 16
may be translucent or clear. By translucent, it is meant that light can pass through
the wall of the container, sufficient for a viewer to discern the presence of product
therein. By clear it is meant that light can pass through the wall of the container
and images discerned on the other side of the wall. In either case, having a clear
container 12, 14, 16, or a translucent container 12, 14, 16, a product or container
14, 16 therein is visible from outside the package 10.
[0018] In one embodiment according to the invention the outer container 12 is clear or translucent.
This allows a central container 14 or inner container 16 therein to be viewed from
outside the package 10. Furthermore, any material disposed in the outer container
12 is likewise viewable from outside the package 10.
[0019] The outer container 12 may be rigid. By rigid, it is meant that the container 12,
14, 16 does not substantially change shape or size in response to normal usage forces
or depletion of the contents of the package 10. A rigid outer container 12 allows
the package 10 to be conveniently shipped, stored, displayed, placed on a tabletop,
etc. Furthermore, a rigid outer container 12 provides protection in the event that
the package 10 is dropped, or otherwise disturbed. Suitable materials for the outer
container 12 include plastic, glass, combinations thereof, etc. of any wall thickness
suitable for the intended pressurization.
[0020] The inner container 16 and/or central container 14, if present, may likewise be clear
or translucent. A clear or translucent central container 14 allows product therein,
as well as any inner container 16 to be viewed from outside the package 10. Similarly,
a clear or translucent inner container 16 allows product therein to be viewed from
outside the package 10. Of course, it will be apparent that a dip tube, if present,
would be visible inside any clear or translucent container 12, 14, 16, provided that
any containers 12, 14 outside of that container 14, 16 are likewise clear or translucent.
The dip tube, valve assembly, and/or valve cup 24, if present, may also be clear/translucent.
[0021] Materials suitable for use with the package 10 of the present invention include,
but are not limited to: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene napthylate
(PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polyamides (PA) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polyvinylchloride (PVC); and polystyrene (PS).
[0022] A transparent container 12, 14, 16 according to the invention may have a transmittance
of more than 25%, more than 30%, more than 40%, or more than 50% in the visible part
of the spectrum, approximately 410-800 nm. Alternatively, absorbency of container
12, 14, 16 may be measured as less than 0.6 or by having transmittance greater than
25% wherein percent transmittance equals: (1/(10 exp (absorbency))) x 100 %. For purposes
of the invention, as long as one wavelength in the visible light range has greater
than 25% transmittance, the respective container 12, 14, 16 is considered to be transparent/translucent.
[0023] By clear and translucent, it is meant to include inner containers 16, central containers
14 and/or outer containers 12 which are entirely clear or translucent. The terms clear
and translucent also include inner containers 16, central containers 14 and/or outer
containers 12 which have clear and/or translucent regions. The clear or translucent
regions may be sections of these containers, such as a top half, a bottom segment,
may be windows or portals, may be striped with alternating opaque regions, etc.
[0024] The inner container 16 and/or central container 14 may be rigid or flexible. By flexible
it is meant that the container 12, 14, 16 changes shape or size during ordinary use,
either due to forces exerted by the user or depletion of the contents. For example,
a flexible container 12, 14, 16 may assume a lesser volume due to contents being dispensed
therefrom. If a flexible container 12, 14, 16 is desired, suitable materials include
elastomers, natural or synthetic rubber, polyolefins, polyesters, nylons, etc., or
mixtures/combinations thereof, with the understanding that transparency/translucency
will be provided at least in part, as desired.
[0025] Referring to Fig. 2, the inner container 16, outer container 12 and central container
14, if present, may have a common discharge. The common discharge may include a flange
22, which is juxtaposed with an opening. The opening may be a generally planar opening
and disposed on the outer container 12, or the opening may be nonplanar and primarily
disposed on the inner container 16 and/or central container 14.
[0026] Product may be disposed or inserted into the inner container 16, central container
14, and/or outer container 12 using a positive displacement system. One suitable positive
displacement system is a volumetric piston. The volumetric piston has a linear displacement.
The linear displacement inserts the product from a chamber, displacing the product
from that chamber under pressure, into the desired container 14, 16, as is known in
the art.
[0027] The inner container 16 may have a flow path which is coaxially disposed, in whole
or in part, within the flow path of the flow path of the central container 14. The
coaxial flow path may extend from the flange 22 to a point juxtaposed with a swirl
chamber and comprise a conduit extending from each respective container. The outer
conduit may completely or partially circumscribe the inner conduit along all or part
of a common length.
[0028] The swirl chamber is a region disposed upstream of the nozzle 20. The swirl chamber
may have a volume sufficient to allow intermixing of materials from the inner and
central containers 14. Materials in the swirl chamber may mix and then exit through
the nozzle 20 with a circumferential velocity component.
[0029] The discussion below refers to a package 10 having a valve cup 24 used in conjunction
with the outer container 12. However, the invention is not so limited. The valve cup
24 may be used in conjunction with the inner container 16 or central container 14.
The valve cup 24 may be used to secure a valve assembly to the outer container 12.
[0030] A valve assembly may include a movable stem or plug which opens a flow path for dispensing
product from the corresponding container. Typically, metal valve cups 24 are used
for pressurized packages 10 and plastic valve cups 24 are used for packages 10 which
are not pressurized. However, a metal valve cup 24 is more expensive than a comparable
plastic valve cup 24 and requires plastic deformation of the metal flange 22 for attachment
to the outer container 12. This process requires specialized assembly machinery and
may require undue assembly time and stress on the neck 26 of the outer container 12.
[0031] If a plastic valve cup 24 is utilized, the assembly procedure can be simplified.
The valve cup 24 can be inserted into or outside of the neck 26 of the outer container
12. The valve cup 24 may be joined to the container neck 26 in any suitable fluid
tight or vapor tight manner, sufficient to withstand internal or external pressurization
of the container. A press fit, interference fit, clearance fit may be utilized for
joining the neck 26 and valve cup 24. Joining may also be accomplished by friction
welding, solvent welding, high frequency welding, adhesive, or a combination thereof.
If desired, in intermediate material or component may be disposed between the valve
cup 24 and neck 26, so long as such material or component provides an adequate seal.
[0032] Joining may also be accomplished by having protuberances on one of the neck 26 and
valve cup 24, to provide a snap fit for holding these components together. In one
embodiment, the protuberances may comprise plural flanges 22 disposed in series on
the inside surface or outside surface of the container neck 26, valve or a combination
thereof. In one embodiment, one or more of the flanges 22 may comprise an annular
ring. Plural flanges 22, such as annular rings, may be disposed in series.
[0033] The neck 26 of the container may be of any suitable size, geometry shape and/or cross-section.
Thus, while a round cross section is shown the invention is not so limited. The neck
26 may be parallel to the major axis of the package 10, perpendicular thereto, or
at any angle therebetween. Further the neck 26 may be concentric or eccentric with
respect to the major axis of the package 10. The neck 26 has an opening dimension
32. The opening dimension 32 extends from the center of the package 10 to the center
of the wall forming the neck 26.
[0034] Referring to Fig. 6, the container may further have a joining length 30. The joining
length 30, is the distance, which may be taken parallel to the neck 26, over which
the neck 26 and valve cup 24 may be joined together to form a seal. In one embodiment,
the neck 26 may comprise a protrusion 36 and the valve cup 24 may comprise a channel
34 for receiving such protrusion 36.
[0035] Alternatively, the neck 26 may comprise the channel 34 and the valve cup 24 may comprise
the protrusion 36 for being received in the channel 34. In either embodiment, the
length over which the protrusion 36 is received in the channel 34 may correspond to
the joining length 30. While Fig. 6 shows a particular arrangement of the inner and
outer walls of the valve cup 24, channel 34 and protrusion 36, the invention is not
so limited. This geometry may be transposed, so that it is inverted with respect to
the major axis of the package 10.
[0036] The joining length 30 may be dependent upon the opening dimension 32. If the neck
26 is not circular, the opening dimension 32 is taken as the largest opening dimension
32 in that neck 26 of the package 10. To provide for adequate sealing against the
internal and external pressurization of the containers 12, 14, 16, the package 10
may have a ratio of joining length 30 to opening dimension 32 of at least 1, 1.25,
1.5, 1.75, 2 or 2.5.
[0037] This arrangement provides the benefit, when used with a plastic container, and/or
plastic valve cup 24 that a less total material may be utilized. For example, utilizing
the current system of the prior art required additional material to form the crimp.
Since the crimping process utilized a metal outer container 12, forming may be difficult.
However, when utilizing the plastic container and/or plastic valve cup 24 of the present
invention, the above cited ratios can be advantageous.
[0038] If desired, a gasket 38 may be disposed in the channel 34. The gasket 38 may be attached
to the inside surface of the channel 34 or to the inside or outside of the protrusion
36 to be received in the channel 34. The gasket 38 may comprise any soft material,
such as rubber, PET, polyethylene, urethane, etc. suitable for sealing against the
desired pressurization. Of course, plural gaskets 38 may be utilized in series, and
disposed on any combination of surfaces of the protrusion 36 and channel 34.
[0039] If desired, the gasket(s) 38 may be integral with the plastic valve cup 24, or the
plastic neck 26 of the container. The gasket(s) 38 may be molded into the valve cup
24 or neck 26 as part of the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the valve cup 24
and/or and the neck 26 of the container may be made of a soft, pliable material obviating
the need for a gasket 38.
[0040] In yet another embodiment, the inner container 16, or central container 14, if present,
may provide the gasket 38, or obviate the need therefor. Such an arrangement may utilize
an inner container 16 or central container 14 if present, which is pliable. By pliable
it is meant that the material of that container 14, 16 can conform to the shape and
surface of the outer container 12. If desired, the inner container 16 or central container
14 may be sealed to the valve cup 24, a valve housing, the dip tube or to the neck
26 of the outer container 12.
[0041] Referring to Fig. 3, if desired, plural inner containers 16 may be disposed in parallel.
This arrangement allows generally equivalent volumes, and therefore generally equivalent
amounts of materials to be utilized and co-dispensed. However, the plural inner containers
16 disposed in parallel may be of the same or different shape, volume, position within
the outer container 12, color, transparency/translucency/opacity, flow rate, and contain
the same or different materials and/or propellant. Likewise the inner container 16
and central container 14 may be of the same or different shape, color, transparency/translucency/opacity,
flow rate, and contain the same or different materials and/or propellant.
[0042] Of course, while two inner containers 16 are shown for illustrative purposes, the
invention is not so limited. Three or more inner containers 16 may be utilized, as
desired. Furthermore, one or more of the inner containers 16 disposed parallel with
other inner containers 16 may be disposed inside a central container 14. Such an arrangement
yields a compound system of one or more central containers 14 disposed in parallel
with other central containers 14 and each having one or more inner containers 16 therein.
[0043] If plural inner containers 16 are disposed in parallel, the inner containers 16 may
discharge into a common flow path. The flow path may be annular, as shown, or may
be an inverted "T" or "Y" having one leg and two branches in fluid communication with
each other. Each branch of the flow path is in fluid communication with one of the
inner containers 16. The leg of the flow path is in fluid communication with the swirl
chamber or another downstream region of the flow path.
[0044] Referring to Fig. 4, the inner container 16, and/or central container 14 may have
weakened regions 40, which provide for preferential collapse of that container upon
depletion of its contents. The weakened regions 40 may comprise regions of the container
having a lesser/greater wall thickness, hinge lines, different materials having a
lesser/greater stiffness and/or regions having a geometry which promotes the desired
collapse. Such preferential collapse helps to obtain complete depletion of the contents
of that container, and also can provide an aesthetically desirable appearance as the
volume of that container shrinks.
[0045] The weakened regions 40 may comprise ribs, which act as hinge lines. The ribs may
be generally longitudinally oriented, and disposed substantially parallel to the major
axis of the package 10. This arrangement allows the diameter or other cross-sectional
area of the inner container 16 and/or central container 14 to diminish as material
is dispensed therefrom. Alternatively, the ribs/hinge lines may be oriented generally
parallel to the cross-section of the container and a generally perpendicular to the
major axis of the package 10. Alternatively, the ribs/hinge lines may be oriented
on a diagonal. Of course combination of the foregoing geometries may be utilized as
well.
[0046] Of course, the weakened regions 40 may be of plural orientations, extending in different
directions. The weakened regions 40 may be equally or unequally circumferentially
spaced around the container, and of the same or different weakness, size, longitudinal
position, radial position, circumferential position, etc. Any configuration which
provides for the desired collapse of the container may be suitable.
[0047] Referring to Figs. 5A - 5B, the inner container 16 and/or central container 14, if
present, may define a major axis. The major axis is the direction, generally longitudinally
oriented, along at the major dimension of the inner container 16, central container
14, outer container 12, or package 10. The inner container 16, central container 14,
and/or outer container 12, may each define a proximal end 44 juxtaposed with the discharge
and a distal end 46 remote therefrom.
[0048] The distal end 46 of the inner container 16 and/or central container 14, maybe inverted
upon itself to provide an inversion 42. The inversion 42 reentrantly extends back
towards the proximal end 44 of the respective container. The inversion 42 may be of
generally lesser stiffness, particularly in the direction parallel the major axis,
than the balance of that container 14, 16.
[0049] In another embodiment, the central container 14 and/or inner container 16 may be
telescoping upon pressurization and/or filling. This provides expansion of that container
14, 16 in the longitudinal directions, as desired.
[0050] When material is disposed in a container having an inversion 42, the inversion 42
may expand away from the proximal end 44, parallel to the major axis. After expanding
parallel to the major axis, the container may expand radially relative to the major
axis. Upon removal of material therefrom, the container may collapse in the opposite
order. Such expansion allows material with sufficient barrier properties to be utilized
for the inner container 16, and or central container 14 and expansion/collapse of
such container to occur upon insertion and removal of material therefrom, respectively.
[0051] This arrangement may provide the benefit that the distal end 46 of the inner container
16, or central container 14, if present, may contact the inner surface of the outer
container 12. Such contact may occur at the distal end 46 of the outer container 12,
the periphery (taken in the circumferential direction), or both. Such contact provides
the benefit that if the package 10 is dropped, dynamic load is transferred from the
outer container 12 through the contact to the inner and/or central container(s) 14,
16. This may reduce the chance of accidental rupture of the package 10 upon dropping.
[0052] If desired, the inner container 16 and/or central container 14 may be stiffer or
otherwise more resistant to pressure at the proximal end 44 of that container 14,
16. This provides the benefit that a more uniform collapse of that container 14, 16
may occur as contents are dispensed therefrom. Such increased resistance to pressure,
including extranl pressure may be accomplished by having an stiffer material, increased
sectionmodulus, increased wall thickness, etc. The increased resistance to collapse
may be provided as a gradient, increasing as the proximal end 44 of that container
14, 16 is approached or as one or more step functions.
[0053] Referring back to Fig. 1, the outer container 12 and/or central container 14 may
contain a propellant. The propellant may be used to dispense or otherwise discharge
contents from one or more central containers 14 and inner containers 16. Suitable
propellants include compressible propellants, including but not limited to nitrogen,
carbon dioxide, air, nitrous oxide, argon etc. and having the benefit of being inert.
Suitable propellants include condensable propellants, including but not limited to
fluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, etc. and having the benefit of constant
pressure during dispensing.
[0054] If a condensable propellant is desired, one may apply a vacuum to the volume of the
outer container 12. This vacuum minimizes the pressure from the condensable propellants,
preventing the pressure from becoming too great during a use of the package 10.
[0055] If a condensable or compressible propellant is desired, the propellant may be disposed
in the container as a solid state of matter, such as a capsule, granules etc. The
solid may rupture upon dispensing of material from the package 10, due to the decrease
of the pressure which occurs during dispensing.
[0056] Additionally or alternatively, the propellant may sublimate to provide the desired
pressure in the outer container 12. Illustrative propellants include dry ice and acid/base
combinations which generate gas. Generally cryogenic filling of the propellant may
be utilized. If cryogenic filling is desired, the bottom of the respective container
12, 14, 16 may be reinforced, as necessary. If desired, the cryogenic propellant may
be contained in a cup, for aesthetic purposes.
[0057] The package 10 may be charged with product as follows, although one of skill will
recognize there is flexibility in the order that the illustrative steps are performed.
First, the outer container 12 is provided. The outer container 12 may be filled with
propellant at atmospheric pressure. The central container 14, if desired, is inserted
in the outer container 12. The central container 14 is joined to the outer container
12 in fluid tight relationship, sufficient to withstand the expected pressurization
of the package 10 prior to dispensing and during storage, shipment and handling.
[0058] A charge of product to be dispensed, and/or propellant, may then be inserted into
the central container 14. The charge may be inserted into the central container 14
under pressure, causing it to expand. Expansion of the central container 14 decreases
the available volume between the central container 14 and the outer container 12.
Such decrease in the available volume pressurizes in the propellant within the outer
container 12. The propellant may be held at, above or even below atmospheric pressure.
Such pressurization of the propellant allows it to be useful for dispensing product
from the central container 14. This operation allows for filling of the containers
without the necessity of a bung hole, as is common in the art.
[0059] If desired, this process may be repeated for the inner container 16. Of course, one
will recognize that product and/or propellant may be contained in any viable combination
of the inner container 16, outer container 12 and the central container 14. Thus,
the outer container 12 may contain the product and inner container 16 and/or central
container 14 may contain product and/or propellant. Conversely, the central container
14 may contain the product and the inner and/or outer containers 12 may contain product
and/or propellant.
[0060] While, a round cross-section package 10 having a generally vertically oriented major
axis is illustrated, the invention is not so limited. The package 10 may be horizontally
oriented, of any desired cross-section or orientation and size. The cross section
may be constant or variable. The size and geometry must simply be suitable for the
intended use of the material contained in the package 10. Likewise, the illustrated
package 10 has the dispensing opening juxtaposed with the top of the package 10. Again,
the invention is not so limited. The dispensing opening may be juxtaposed with the
bottom of the package 10, as, for example, would be convenient for a gravity drain
system or may be disposed at any intermediate position.
1. Verpackung (10), umfassend:
einen Außenbehälter (12),
einen darin angeordneten Innenbehälter (16),
einen mittleren Behälter (14), der zwischen dem Außenbehälter (12) und dem Innenbehälter
(16) angeordnet ist, wobei der Innenbehälter (16) und der mittlere Behälter (14) von
außerhalb der Verpackung (10) sichtbar sind, und
einen gemeinsamen Auslass aus dem mittleren Behälter (14) und dem Innenbehälter (16),
wobei ein erstes Material, das in dem Innenbehälter (16) angeordnet ist, und ein zweites
Material, das in dem mittleren Behälter (14) angeordnet ist, voneinander getrennt
sein können, bis die gleichzeitige Abgabe der beiden Materialien erfolgt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich der Innenbehälter (16) und der mittlere Behälter (14) jeweils in einem vorbestimmten
Muster zusammenfalten, wenn das Produkt daraus entfernt wird.
2. Verpackung (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Innenbehälter (16) und/oder der mittlere Behälter (14) gefältelt ist.
3. Verpackung (10) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens einige der Fältelungen ungleich voneinander beabstandet sind.
4. Verpackung (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Innenbehälter (16) und/oder der mittlere Behälter (14) Bereiche mit verhältnismäßig
höherer und verhältnismäßig geringerer Steifigkeit umfasst.
5. Behälter nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Innenbehälter (16) und/oder der mittlere Behälter (14) drei Bereiche umfasst,
einen ersten Bereich mit verhältnismäßig höherer Steifigkeit, einen zweiten Bereich
mit verhältnismäßig geringerer Steifigkeit und einen dritten Bereich mit einer Steifigkeit
zwischen der Steifigkeit des ersten Bereichs und des zweiten Bereichs.
6. Verpackung (10) nach den Ansprüchen 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Innenbehälter (16) eine erste Wanddicke nahe dem proximalen Ende und eine zweite
Wanddicke nahe dem distalen Ende besitzt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Dicke größer ist als die zweite Dicke.
7. Verpackung (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Innenbehälter (16)
und der mittlere Behälter (14) jeweils ein proximales Ende, das mit dem Außenbehälter
(12) verbindbar ist, und ein davon entferntes distales Ende besitzen, wobei das distale
Ende des Innenbehälters (16) und/oder des Außenbehälters (12) auf sich selbst umgestülpt
ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Umstülpung bei der Zugabe von Material zu dem Behälter parallel zur Hauptachse
ausdehnt.
8. Verpackung (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich der Innenbehälter (16) und/oder der mittlere Behälter (14) zuerst parallel zur
Hauptachse ausdehnt und dann radial nach außen relativ zur Längsachse ausdehnt, wenn
Material darin eingebracht wird.
9. Verpackung (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Innenbehälter (16)
und/oder der mittlere Behälter (14) eine dadurch verlaufende Hauptachse aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich der Innenbehälter (16) oder der mittlere Behälter (14) hauptsächlich in die
Richtung parallel zu der Hauptachse zusammenzieht, wenn Material daraus entnommen
wird.