CH704476A1 - Plastic container with a spout. - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a plastic container (1) with a pourer (10) which is mountable on a container neck (2) and one or more lockable pouring openings (11) has described. A neck wall (4) of the container neck (2) has at least one cam (7) projecting beyond the neck wall (4) and formed in a blow-molding process. The blow molding process may be an extrusion blown process or a stretch blown process. The pouring spout (10) has a body (12) which can be connected to the container neck (2) and which is formed corresponding to a peripheral contour of the container neck (2). In a wall (14) of the body (12) facing the neck wall (4) provided with the at least one cam (7), a corresponding number of receptacles (15) are formed for the cam (s) (7).

Description

The invention relates to a plastic container with a pourer according to the preamble of claim 1.

The usual in the past containers made of white or stained, glass or ceramic are increasingly being replaced by plastic containers. In particular, for the packaging of fluid substances, for example, for household applications, agriculture, industry and commerce, etc., recently mainly plastic containers are used. The low weight and the lower costs certainly play a significant role in this substitution. The use of recyclable plastic materials and the overall more favorable overall energy balance in their production also contribute to demand from the users of the acceptance of plastic containers.

Single-layer or multi-layer plastic containers are often produced by the so-called extrusion blow molding method, in particular a tubular blowing method. The extrusion blow molding machines used for the extrusion blow molding process usually have one or more extruders for feeding the required plastic material. The outlet of the extruder is connected to an extruder head, at the outlet opening of which the extruded tube preferably exits in the opening width. The extruded plastic tube can be constructed in one or more layers. The out of the outlet nozzle continuously or quasi-continuously exiting hose is connected to a. Blow mold assembly passed and inflated by means of a retracted into the mold cavity mandrel by overpressure. Thereafter, the inflated plastic container is removed from the mold cavity.

Plastic containers made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and similar materials are usually produced in a so-called stretch blow molding. In this case, a cylindrical preform is first produced in an injection molding process in an injection mold. Recently, also flow molding processes for the production of preforms have been proposed. The preform has a substantially elongated, cylindrical body and is formed closed at one longitudinal end. A support ring separates the body from a neck portion with a pouring spout. The neck portion already has the later shape of the bottle neck. On the outside of the neck portion already threaded portions or the like can be formed for the determination of a closure part. The preform is demolded after its production and immediately further processed or stored for later processing on a stretch blow molder. Before further processing in a stretch blow molding machine, the preform is conditioned if necessary; then it is introduced into a blow mold of the stretch blow molding machine. In the blow mold, the preform is finally inflated by means of a gas injected with excess pressure in accordance with the cavity of the cavity, and in most cases additionally drawn with a stretching mandrel. An injection blow molding process is also already known, in which the blowing process takes place directly after the injection of the preform. The preform remains on the injection core, which at the same time forms a kind of stretching mandrel. The preform is in turn inflated by overpressure according to the Fonnkavität a blow mold, which is delivered to the injection core or vice versa, and thereby stretched by the mandrel. Thereafter, the finished plastic container is removed from the mold.

Depending on the nature of the substance to be ejected, the plastic containers produced in the extrusion blow molding process or in the stretch blow molding process are often provided with different pouring spouts. For example, the spout is intended to enable a spill-free pouring, to simplify dosing or to permit a spreading of the substance contained in the container over the surface. In addition to the adaptation to the particular substance, the use of a pourer also has the advantage that the same type of plastic containers can be equipped with a different pourer depending on the wishes of the bottler. The spout may be provided with means for closing the container. For example, a pivotable cover part is hinged to the top of the spout. But it can also be provided Ausgiesser having an external thread or male threaded portions which cooperate with the internal thread or with the female threaded portions of a rotary closure.

When operating the rotary closure, in particular when screwing, it may happen that the pourer rotates as a result of the torque used. This can complicate the screwing on the screw cap. The co-rotation of the spout, however, above all can cause the spout no longer assumes its intended target position with respect to the container body, the compliance is currently required usually with an accuracy of + 15 °. On the part of the container manufacturer or the bottler therefore a considerable effort is currently operated to ensure the positional accuracy of the pourer and prevent twisting of the pourer in the operation of the rotary closure.

In one embodiment, the patch after filling of the plastic container pourer is glued to the container neck into which it is inserted. Apart from the additional expense and additional costs, the adhesive used for gluing is undesirable when recycling the plastic containers and requires additional separation and purification steps. Even the gluing of the spout Using electrical welding techniques means a significant technical and financial effort.

An alternative embodiment provides that the pourer is pressed into the container neck after filling and is held there by frictional engagement. To overcome the frictional forces when pressing the pourer in the container neck relatively large forces are expended. This requires that the plastic container must withstand increased compression pressure. To ensure this, the plastic container must have a greater wall thickness and therefore be made with a larger container weight. As a result, the production of the plastic container is not negligible.

In a further embodiment of the pourer is used immediately after the blow molding of the plastic container in the still hot container neck. When cooling the plastic container, the diameter of the container neck is reduced. As a result, the container neck is virtually shrunk onto the spout. As a result, the pourer is fixed virtually immovable in terms of its location. A disadvantage of this embodiment, however, is that the container must be filled through the spout. This reduces the filling speed. Depending on the design of the spout and additional equipment modifications may be required, which has a negative effect on the cost.

Whether the pourer is mounted immediately after the manufacture of the container or only after filling, in any case, a very careful alignment of the pourer with respect to the body of the container must be made.

To counteract the problem of co-rotation of the mounted spout when unscrewing the rotary closure, has also been proposed to provide the rotary closure and / or the spout with a lubricant, in particular to coat. The lubricant must be inert to the contents and, in particular in the case of foods, harmless to the consumer. The choice of suitable lubricants is therefore relatively limited. The application of the lubricant to the rotary closure and / or the spout requires additional effort and additional costs.

Object of the present invention is therefore to remedy these disadvantages of the known from the prior art plastic container with pourer. The use of lubricants should be avoided. A plastic container and an associated spout are to be modified so that a simple assembly is possible. Additional fixation steps for the pourer should be avoided. Also should be able to glue, which could lead to additional expense when recycling the plastic container, can be dispensed with. A solution is sought which does not contradict the desire for an optimization of the plastic container in terms of its weight. It should create the conditions for the use of modified pourers with integrated or alternatively arranged closure devices.

The solution to these problems consists in a plastic container with a spout, which have the stated in the characterizing portion of claim 1 features. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

By the invention, a plastic container with a pourer, which is mounted on a container neck and one or more lockable pouring has created. A neck wall of the container neck has at least one cam projecting the neck wall, which is formed in a blow molding process. The blow molding process may be an extrusion blown process or a stretch blown process. The spout has a body which can be connected to the container neck and which is formed corresponding to a peripheral contour of the container neck. In a wall of the body facing the neck wall provided with the at least one cam, a corresponding number of receptacles for the cam (s) are formed.

The spout equipped with at least one corresponding receptacle can be mounted in the usual way quickly on the container neck equipped with at least one cam, in particular aufprellbar. The assembly of the spout on the container neck can be done in the usual way after filling; no technical modifications of the filling devices are required. Since the spout is held in a form-fitting manner after mounting on the container neck, it may have a slightly smaller or larger diameter than the container neck. As a result, significantly smaller forces are required during assembly of the spout, and the plastic container does not have to have increased compression crush strength. The positive connection between the spout and the container neck can be designed to be movable over a certain circumferential area. However, as soon as the at least one cam comes into abutment against a peripheral edge of the receptacle, the mobility is completed and, for example, a screw cap can be unscrewed from the pourer or screwed onto it. The positive connection between the spout and the container neck allows the abandonment of an adhesive. This reduces the cost of manufacturing the container and facilitates recycling after use. The inventive design of the plastic container and the spout also makes it possible to dispense with sliding coatings of the pourer and / or a rotary closure.

The container neck may have one or more, for example, two opposing cams. Accordingly, the spout is equipped with a corresponding number of receptacles; For example, it has two opposing shots.

The at least one cam may be formed on the outer wall or on the inner wall of the container neck. The corresponding receptacle is then arranged in each case on the wall of the body of the spout facing the cam. According to the arrangement of the cam (s) and the receptacle (s) of the pourer is inserted into the container neck or slipped over this. An expedient variant of the invention provides that the at least one cam produced in the blow-molding process is formed in the inner wall of the container neck and the at least one receptacle is formed in the outer wall of the body of the pourer. This embodiment of the invention is intended for an insert assembly of the pourer. If the neck of the plastic container also has a thread or thread segments on its outer wall, it can also be used without a pourer and can be closed with a screw cap.

In order to prevent over-rotation of the spout during actuation of the screw cap, the at least one cam against the neck wall has a projection of 1.3 mm to 8 mm. Their extension in the circumferential direction of the neck wall is about 3 mm to 8 mm. The position of the at least one cam is arbitrary. For manufacturing reasons, however, it proves to be advantageous if the at least one cam is located in a demolding plane of the blow mold. As a result, the plastic container is very easy to demold, especially when arranged in the inner wall of the container neck cams after inflation.

For reasons of symmetry and to avoid additional alignment of the container and the pourer, it proves to be advantageous if the container neck has a substantially rotationally symmetrical peripheral contour. This is preferably circular.

To facilitate the assembly of the spout on the container neck, the at least one receptacle in the body of the spout extends to the free end of the body. In addition, an axial securing can be provided in the receptacle, which prevents removal of the spout or this allows only by destruction of the body.

In order to reduce the effort for the alignment of the spout for assembly, opens in a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one recording in a centering, whose circumferentially measured extension widens in the direction of the free end of the body. Depending on the axial length of the body, the insertion chamfers of the centering guide allow tolerances in the alignment accuracy of the pourer with respect to the container neck, in particular with respect to the arrangement of the cams on the container neck, up to + 30 °.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one receptacle is designed as a slotted guide for the at least one cam. The slotted guide runs in the circumferential direction and extends over an angular range of 45 ° to 90 °. This variant of the invention based on the basic principle of the positive connection of the spout and the container neck is provided in particular for pourers with alternative arrangements of the pouring opening (s) or with alternatively formed closure devices. For example, the spout has a cover plate provided with a pouring opening, which can be brought by twisting the spout relative to the container neck with an opening provided on the container neck opening for overlapping.

A further embodiment of the plastic container with a spout provides that the at least one receptacle in the body of the spout is formed as a slotted guide for the at least one cam extending in the circumferential direction over an angular range of 45 ° to 90 °. Here, the slotted guide is arranged obliquely so that a rotation of the spout relative to the container neck results in an axial displacement of the spout from the container neck out or back again. The axial displaceability of the spout can facilitate the pouring process. However, this also allows alternative arrangements of the pouring opening (s). For example, the spout has at least one pouring opening, which is arranged in the side wall of the body and is open only in the extended position of the spout. When withdrawn into the container neck spout the pouring spout is closed.

At the two end portions of the slotted guide latching projections may be arranged for the cam. The locking projections just protrude into the position of the cam so far that can be run over with relatively little effort. However, the locking projections ensure that the set relative position between the cam and slide guide does not change unintentionally.

The plastic container with cam (s) on the container neck can be prepared by extrusion blow molding or in a stretch blown from a separately manufactured preform. Prefabricated preforms, however, usually already have a fully formed neck portion with an external thread, which is not changed in the subsequent blow molding process. It is understood, however, that preforms without thread in the neck section can be prefabricated. The threaded sections can then be produced in the subsequent blow molding process by correspondingly shaped sliding parts. In this case, the at least one cam can then be created at the container neck. However, the embodiment according to the invention is preferably produced in an extrusion blow molding method which allows greater degrees of freedom with regard to the design of the neck section of the plastic container. In particular, in the extrusion blow molding process, the formation of the container neck takes place only in the blow mold.

The spout with the at least one receptacle in his body is conveniently prepared in a cost plastic injection molding process.

Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic drawings. It shows in not to scale representation: <Tb> FIG. 1 <sep> is a perspective view of a container neck with an inserted pourer; <Tb> FIG. 2 <sep> a cross section through the container neck with inserted pourer of Fig. 1; <Tb> FIG. 3 <sep> is a plan view of the container neck of FIG. 1; <Tb> FIG. 4 <sep> is a side view of the container neck; <Tb> FIG. 5 <sep> is a side view of the spout of Fig. 1; <Tb> FIG. Fig. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; <Tb> FIG. 7 is a perspective view according to FIG. 6 with a spout rotated in relation to FIG. 6; FIG. <Tb> FIG. Fig. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and <Tb> FIG. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view according to FIG. 8 with a spout twisted in relation to FIG. 8 and axially displaced.

Fig. 1 shows a partially sectioned neck portion of a total of the plastic provided with the reference numeral 1, for example, a plastic bottle, with a pourer, which carries the reference numeral 10. The plastic container 1 is made by a blow-molding method such as an extrusion blow-molding method or a stretch-blowing method, and is composed of the plastic materials conventionally used for these methods, such as e.g. PE, in particular HDPE, PP, PET, PEN, PS, PLA, PA, as well as copolymers of these materials, etc. It can be constructed in one or more layers.

The plastic container 1 has a container neck 2, on the outer wall of a screw thread 3 is formed. In the case of a plastic container produced in a stretch blow molding process, this external thread is already finished on the preform previously produced in a plastic injection molding process and is not further changed during the blow molding process. In the extrusion blow molding process, the container neck with the external thread is first formed in the blow mold on the inserted section of the extruded plastic tube. The pouring spout inserted into the container neck 2 has a pouring opening 11. The spout 10 shown here is designed in such a way that liquid collecting at the edge of the opening is collected and returned to the interior of the plastic container 1. For this purpose, the spout on a body 12 with a cylindrical shell, protruding from the bottom of a Ausgiessstutzen, in which the actual pouring opening 11 is provided. The bottom is provided with at least one opening (not shown) through which the liquid can flow back into the plastic container. The cylindrical shell of the body 12 has a circumferential flange-like collar 13, with which it is supported at the mouth edge of the container neck 2. In an alternative variant of the plastic container, a circumferential annular projection may be formed in the container neck, on which the body of the pourer is supported. The body 12 of the spout 10 has an outer wall 14 with a peripheral contour which corresponds to that of the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2.

The sectional view of Fig. 2 shows that the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2 and the outer wall 14 of the body 12 of the spout have a mutually correspondingly formed circular cross-section. The pouring opening of the spout 10 is indicated by the reference numeral 11. From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the pouring spout 11 inserted into the container neck 2 is positively fixed against rotation. For this purpose, a cam 7 is formed on the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2. This acts positively with a receptacle 15 in the outer wall 14 of the body 12 of the spout 11 together. The cam 7 is blow-molded within the blow mold. Its contour follows that of a corresponding projection on the blow mold and is determined by the inflation process.

If necessary, takes place during the blow molding process still calibration of the container neck. On the outside of the container neck 2 shows a recess 8, where the plastic material was pressed against the projection on the blow mold. To simplify the demolding of the plastic container after inflation, the cam 7 is arranged in a removal plane of the blow mold. The demolding plane is a plane rotated by 90 ° with respect to the parting plane of the blow mold.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the plastic container 1. The container neck bears the reference numeral 2, the external thread is denoted by 3. From the illustration, the protruding from the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2 cam 7 is clearly visible. The projection of the cam 7 relative to the inner wall 4 is about 1.3 mm to 8 mm. The length of the cam 7 measured in the circumferential direction is, for example, 3 mm to 8 mm. Fig. 3 shows only a single cam. It is understood that several, for example, two cams can be provided, which are formed diametrically opposite one another on the inner wall of the container neck. In the outer wall of the body of the pourer then two corresponding receptacles are provided. However, it is also possible to provide a plurality of cams which are distributed asymmetrically over the inner wall of the container neck. This can be advantageous for the positionally accurate mounting of the spout.

In the side view of the plastic container 1 shown in Fig. 4, the recess resulting from the blow mold on the outside of the container neck 2 is indicated by the reference numeral 8. This is, for example, below the threads 3. The recess may be arranged for reasons of space but also between the threads.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the spout 10 from FIG. 1. The body of the spout 10 bears the reference numeral 12. It has a cylindrical shell, from the bottom of which a spout protrudes, in which the spout 11 is provided. The bottom is inclined and is provided with at least one opening (not shown) through which liquid can flow. The cylindrical shell of the body 12 has a circumferential flange-like collar 13, with which it is supported at the mouth edge of the container neck. In the outer wall 14 of the body 12, the receptacle 15 is recessed. In the illustrated embodiment of the spout 10, the receptacle 15 extends in the direction facing away from the flange-like collar 13 and opens into a centering guide 17 with Einführschrägen 18. The centering 17 with the chamfers 18 facilitates the registration of the spout 10 in the container neck. Depending on the axial length of the body 12, the chamfers 18 of the centering guide 17 allow tolerances in the alignment accuracy of the spout 10 with respect to the container neck, in particular with respect to the arrangement of the cam (s) on the container neck, up to + 30 °.

In Fig. 6 and 7, a second embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in two positions. The container neck in turn carries the reference numeral 2. The pourer is provided with the reference numeral 20. He has an approximately cup-like body 22, in the bottom of a pouring opening 21 is provided. In the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2 facing wall 24 of the body 22, a slot-like receptacle 25 is recessed for the positive reception of a projecting from the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2 cam 7. The receptacle 25 is formed as a slide guide 26 and extends in the circumferential direction over an angular range of about 45 ° to 90 °. In the container neck 2, a plate-like neck 6 is formed, which has an opening 5. By turning the spout 20 relative to the container neck 2, the spout 21 in the spout 20 and the opening 5 in the neck cover 6 are made to overlap, thereby opening the plastic container (FIG. 7). By turning back the spout 20 in the starting position (Fig. 6), the plastic container is closed again. At the two end portions of the slotted guide 26 protrude locking projections 29 for the cam 7 from. The locking projections 29 extend just so far in the trajectory of the cam 7 in that can be run over with relatively little effort. However, the locking projections 29 ensure that the set relative position between the cam 7 and slide guide 26 does not change unintentionally.

8 and 9 show a further embodiment of the invention schematically in two positions. The container neck in turn carries the reference numeral 2. The pourer is provided with the reference numeral 30. It has an approximately cup-like body 32, in the bottom of a pouring opening 31 is provided. In the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2 facing wall 34 of the body 32, a slot-like receptacle 35 is recessed for the positive reception of a projecting from the inner wall 4 of the container neck 2 cam 7. The receptacle 35 is formed as a slotted guide 36 and extends in the circumferential direction over an angular range of about 45 ° to 90 °. The slotted guide 36 is formed obliquely in the wall 34 of the body 32, that a rotation of the spout 30 relative to the container neck 2 has an axial displacement of the spout 30 from the container neck 2 out or back again. In this case, provided in the wall 34 of the body 32 pouring opening 31 is released or closed again. At the two end portions of the slotted guide 36 protrude locking projections 39 for the cam 7 from. The latching projections 39 extend just so far into the trajectory of the cam 7 in that can be run over with relatively little effort. However, the locking projections 39 ensure that the set relative position between the cam 7 and slide guide 36 does not change unintentionally.

For reasons of clarity, in the representations of FIGS. 6 to 9, the indication of threads on the container neck has been dispensed with. Alternatively, however, a snap closure could also be provided which can be mounted on the cup-shaped body of the respective spout.

Due to the positive connection of the pourer on the container neck the disadvantages described above, the plastic container with spout of the prior art is remedied. The positive connection of the pourer also creates the conditions for alternative design variants of pourers and closures. The cam formed on the container neck can be produced in a blow molding process. In particular, the extrusion blow molding requires for the production of plastic containers with one or more arranged in the neck wall cams only minor modifications that can be carried out on existing molds without much effort. In an arrangement of the cam (s) on the inner wall of the container neck, the plastic container has no visual impairment. It can be used with or without mounted pourer. Depending on the design of the spout, the positioning accuracy can be improved by the positive connection. The spout only has to be equipped with corresponding receptacles and is advantageously produced in a cost-effective plastic injection molding process.

Claims (15)

1. A plastic container with a pourer, which is mountable on a container neck and one or more closable pouring has, characterized in that a neck wall (4) of the container neck (2) at least one neck wall (2) superior cam (7) which is formed in a blow molding process, and in that the pourer (10; 20; 30) has a body (12; 22; 32) which can be connected to the container neck and which is formed corresponding to a peripheral contour of the container neck (2) and in one of the at least one cam (7) provided neck wall (4) facing wall (14; 24; 34) has a corresponding number of receptacles (15; 25; 35) for the cam (s) (7). 2. Plastic container with a pourer according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one cam (7) in the inner wall (4) of the container neck (2) and the at least one receptacle (15; 25; 35) in the outer wall (14; 24; 34) of the body (12; 22; 32) of the spout (10; 20; 30) are formed. 3. plastic container with a pourer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one cam (7) relative to the neck wall (4) has a projection of 1.3 mm to 8 mm. 4. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cam has a moderate extent in the circumferential direction of the neck wall extension of 3 mm to 8 mm. 5. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cam (7) is located in a demolding plane of the blow mold. 6. plastic container having a pourer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container neck (2) has a substantially rotationally symmetrical, preferably circular, peripheral contour. 7. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receptacle (15) in the body (12) of the spout (10) extends to the free end of the body (12). 8. Plastic container with a pourer according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one receptacle (15) opens into a centering guide (17) whose circumferentially measured extension widens in the direction of the free end of the body (12). 9. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receptacle (25; 35) as a slotted guide (26; 36) for the at least one cam (7) is formed which extends in the circumferential direction and extends over an angular range of 45 ° to 90 °. 10. Plastic container according to claim 9, characterized in that the pourer (20) is equipped with a pouring spout 21), which is provided by turning the spout (20) relative to the container neck (2) with an opening (5) provided on the container neck (2). can be brought to cover. 11. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one receptacle (30) in the body (32) of the spout (30) as a slotted guide (36) for the at least one cam (7) is that extends in the circumferential direction over an angular range of 45 ° to 90 ° and is arranged obliquely so that a rotation of the pourer (30) relative to the container neck (2) in an axial displacement of the pourer (30) from the container neck ( 2) out or back again results. 12. Plastic container with a pourer according to claim 11, characterized in that the pourer (30) has a pouring opening (31) which in the side wall (34) of the body (32) and arranged only in the axially extended position of the pourer (30 ) is open. 13. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that at the two end portions of the slotted guide (26; 36) latching projections (29; 39) are arranged for the cam (7). 14. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic container is produced in an extrusion blow molding process. 15. Plastic container with a pourer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pourer is produced in a plastic injection molding process.