CH714981A1 - Method for the fluid-tight connection of a container made of thermoplastic material with a closure part or functional part made of thermoplastic material. - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a method for fluid-tight connection of a one or more extruded at least partially thermoplastic rubber hose or one of at least partially single or multi-layer injection molded and / or flow-molded preform blow-molded container with a closure member or with a functional part (14) a thermoplastic described. In this case, the closure part or the functional part (14) form a first joining partner (14) and the plastic container a second joining partner (3). A connection region between the plastic container and the closure part or the functional part (14) is formed in or on the container neck (3) of the plastic container. The container neck (3) is formed free of structuring for the firm connection of the closure part or the functional part (14) to the container neck (3). The connection between the first and the second joining partner (14, 3) is created with the aid of irradiated laser energy (L). In this case, a first joining partner (14), which is first acted upon by the irradiated laser energy (L), is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy (L). The irradiated laser energy (L) is at least partially absorbed in the connection region in which the first and the second joining partners (14, 3) bear against one another under the action of force. With the aid of the irradiated laser energy (L), a non-detachable cohesive connection between the two joining partners (14, 3) is created by melting the first joining partner (14) and / or the second joining partner (3) in the connection area and subsequent solidification. Here, the plastic of the first joining partner (14) and the plastic of the second joining partner (3) are compatible with each other at least in the connection region. There is also described a container produced by the method with a closure part or with a functional part (14).

Description

Description: The invention relates to a method for the fluid-tight connection of a container made of a thermoplastic with a closure part or with a functional part made of a thermoplastic according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a plastic container produced according to the method according to the invention a closure or with a functional part.

Various techniques are known from the prior art for connecting components made of thermoplastic materials. These include different types of positive connections, frictional connections, connections by deformation, such as Rivets, connections by mechanical means, e.g. Screws and integral connections, for example welded connections or adhesive connections. Laminations are also known in order to connect plastic parts to one another. In addition to the mechanical strengths that such plastic-plastic connections must have, there is often the requirement for connections of plastic containers with closures or with functional parts, such as pouring spouts, etc., that the connections are particularly tight against fluids, i.e. gases and liquids , and giant-shaped goods such as powder.

The usual in the past containers made of tin or colored sheet, glass or ceramic are increasingly being replaced by plastic containers. Especially for the packaging of fluid substances, e.g. beverages, flowable foods such as Ketchup, sugo, pesto, sauces, mustard, mayonnaise and the like, household products, care products, cosmetics, etc., meanwhile 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, the use of bioplastics and the overall lower overall energy balance in their manufacture also help to promote the acceptance of plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, by the consumer.

For an inexpensive manufacture of a large part of the plastic containers used today, essentially two methods have been established, namely the stretch blow molding process and the extrusion blow molding process. In the stretch blow molding process, a preform of usually elongated, tube-like shape is first produced in an injection molding process, which is closed at one longitudinal end with a base and has a neck section at the other longitudinal end. The preforms can be produced temporally and / or spatially separately from the subsequent blowing process. In an alternative process, the preform produced is further processed immediately after it has been produced without intermediate cooling. In so-called injection blow molding, this can be done with the aid of a single machine on which the preform is sprayed, inflated to a container of the desired shape and demolded. In the blowing process, the preform can also be axially stretched using a stretching mandrel. Stretch-blown plastic containers can be identified at a injection point usually arranged in the bottom region of the container, which originates from the injection-molded preform forming the exit.

In the extrusion blow molding process, a section of a single- or multi-layer extruded plastic tube is inserted into a mold cavity of a blow molding tool and inflated to the desired container by a medium, usually air, which is supplied with excess pressure. Extrusion-blown containers can be identified by the pinch seam that is usually located in the bottom region of the container, which is created by squeezing together the extruded plastic tube inserted into the blow mold.

As raw materials for the extrusion of the plastic hose used for the extrusion blow molding process are thermoplastics, in particular polyolefins, such as e.g. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and their derivatives or copolymers for use. The thermoplastic materials or parts thereof can be of one or more layers and / or colored. The condition for the usable plastics is their suitability for extrusion blow molding of the plastic container.

Depending on the type of substance to be poured out, the plastic containers are often provided with different pourers or similar functional parts. The pourer should, for example, enable spill-free pouring, simplify metering or allow the substance contained in the container to be spread over a wide area. In addition to the adaptation to the respective substance, the use of a pouring spout also has the advantage that the same type of plastic container can be equipped with a different pouring spout, depending on the wishes of the wasters. The pourer can be equipped with devices that enable the container to be closed. For example, a pivotable cover part can be hinged to the top of the spout. Alternatively, means can be provided on the pouring spout or on the container neck which enable a positive connection, for example with a screw cap. The agents can e.g. Male thread sections or link guides for a bayonet lock and the like, which interact with correspondingly designed positive elements on the closure part. The pourer and / or the closure part usually consist of a thermoplastic polymer that can be processed in an injection molding process, e.g. a polyolefin, in particular polypropylene. The formation of the means for the positive connection with a closure part requires special designs of the injection mold for the functional part and / or the closure part and / or the blow mold for the plastic container. The resulting additional costs lead to the desire for a simpler and more cost-effective shaping of the plastic components and thus for an alternative method for creating a fluid-tight connection

CH 714 981 A1 a thermoplastic container with a closure or with a functional part made of a thermoplastic.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for fluid-tight connection of a container made of a thermoplastic with a closure or with a functional part made of a thermoplastic, which allows the plastic container and / or the functional parts and / or to manufacture the closure parts with simpler geometries.

The inventive solution to the above objects consists in a method for fluid-tight connection of a container made of a thermoplastic with a closure part or with a functional part made of a thermoplastic and in a resulting plastic container with the features of the independent claims. Further developments and / or advantageous variants of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention proposes a method for the fluid-tight connection of a thermoplastic tube, which is extruded from at least one single or multi-layer at least in regions or from an at least partially single-layer or multi-layer injection molded and / or extruded preformed container with a closure part or with a functional part from one thermoplastic plastic. The closure part or the functional part form a first joining partner and the container neck a second joining partner. A connection area between the two joining partners, namely the plastic container and the closure part or the functional part, is formed in or on the container neck of the plastic container. The container neck is free of structures for the firm connection of the closure part or the functional part to the container neck. The connection between the first and the second joining partner is created with the aid of irradiated laser energy. In this case, a joining partner that is initially acted upon by the irradiated laser energy is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy. The irradiated laser energy is at least partially absorbed in the connection area in which the first and the second joining partner bear against one another under the action of force. With the help of the irradiated laser energy, an inseparable material connection is created between the two joining partners by melting the first joining partner and / or the second joining partner in the connection area and then solidifying the melted plastic. The plastic of the first joining partner and the plastic of the second joining partner are compatible with one another in the connection area.

In contrast to the known positive or non-positive connection types between the container neck and a closure part or a functional part, for example a pourer, in the proposed method the two joining partners are bonded together in a laser welding process. The compatibility of the two plastics, namely the plastic of the first joining partner and the plastic of the second joining partner, enables a secure, that is to say mechanically loadable and fluid-tight welded connection. The compatibility can be characterized in that a mixing length d is so long that entanglements can form. The mixing length is greater than or equal to the so-called critical length l _c at which entanglements occur in polymers (d> l _c ). The following applies to the critical length:

l _c = b * (M _c / (6 * MO)) ^0.5 with l _c critical length b Kuhn segment length

M _c critical molar mass from which entanglements occur

MO Molar mass of the monomer More precisely, the mixing length d can be defined according to the Helfand formula, as follows:

d = b / (6'z) ^{! 0} ' ⁵ⁱ with d intermingling length b Kuhn segment length χ Flory-Huggins parameter hierbei here can be defined according to Hansen as follows:

CH 714 981 A1 χ = (D ² ) * 100 / (4 * R * T) with

D Hansen distance (HSP)

R ideal gas constant

T temperature [0014] where D ² can be defined by Hansen as follows

D ² = 4 * ^ + AD2) ² + (ΔΡί - ΔΡ2) ² + (ΔΗ _Ί + ΔΗ ₂ ) ² with

AD, dispensable part of the Hansen solubility parameter for the first joining partner,

AD ₂ dispensable part of the Hansen solubility parameter for the second joining partner,

AP ι polar part of the Hansen solubility parameter for the first joining partner,

AP ₂ polar part of the Hansen solubility parameter for the second joining partner,

AH-i share of hydrogen bonding for the first joining partner,

AH ₂ Share of hydrogen bonding for second joining partner.

Due to the compatibility of the two plastics, the polymers can ideally form co-continuous phases at their interface and thus form entanglements of molecular chains by interdiffusion. Due to the compatibility of the two plastics, any structuring for fixing the closure part or the functional part can be dispensed with in the container neck, at least in the connection area. Structuring for fixing can be, for example, threads or sections thereof, snap elements, link guides or bayonet elements. In its simplest embodiment, the container neck resembles a hollow cylinder in the area of its receptacle for the closure part or the functional part. The same applies analogously to the sections of the closure part or the functional part used for the connection. In its simplest embodiment, at least the area of the closure part or of the functional part facing the container neck is flat, that is to say free of projections and / or recesses. Since the proposed method is aimed at connecting a closure part or a functional part to a container neck, there are no special requirements for the further configuration of the plastic container. The term “plastic container” includes bottles, tubes and other plastic articles that have a closure part or a functional part. The product to be stored in the plastic container, called the filling material, can be filled into the container neck after the closure part or the functional part has been joined. This can be done through an opening in the closure part or in the functional part. In the case of tubes, the filling material can be poured into an opening opposite the closure part or in the functional part, this end, as a rule, being closed in a fluid-tight manner by gluing or welding after filling. The filling material can also be filled in before the closure part or the functional part is joined to the container neck. In particular in the case of liquid contents in connection with a plastic container with a closed bottom, the plastic container can already be brought into its final shape by means of the liquid filling material in the blow mold and already remain in the plastic container. During laser welding, a joint melt is formed in the connection area of the two joining partners that are in contact with one another by the absorption of the irradiated laser energy, into which both joining partners are pressed, and which leads to the cohesive connection when cooled. The connection is fluid-tight and unsolvable or can only be separated by using force. The joint melt can mean that both joining partners have been liquefied at their interfaces in the connection area. Ideally, none of the joining partners has been heated above its ceiling temperature or its decomposition temperature. The glass transition temperature is said to have been exceeded for amorphous thermoplastics. In the case of partially crystalline thermoplastics, the crystallite melting temperature is said to have been exceeded. With the proposed method, the blow mold and the injection mold or extrusion mold can be made simpler. The plastic container can be made with less material. The demolding of the closure part or the functional part according to the injection molding or extrusion process can also be carried out in a simplified manner. As a result, the components can be manufactured more cost-effectively. The fact that the closure part or the functional part cannot or only slightly protrude beyond the mouth of the plastic container also opens up new design options for the container.

It goes without saying that the first joining partner and the second joining partner, which are generally both flat, overlap one another to produce the connection. The one between the first joining partner and the second

CH 714 981 A1

Joined joint created joint is inseparable or can only be separated by using force. Either the first or the second joining partner consists of a thermoplastic which at least partially absorbs the irradiated laser energy. As a rule, the joining partner will at least partially absorb the laser energy, the second person to whom the laser energy is applied. As a result, the partial absorption beyond the connection area can also take place in adjacent areas of the first or second joining partner. The at least partial absorption of the incident laser energy is therefore not limited to the connection area. An additive can be arranged in the connection area which supports the energy input into the two joining partners by at least partially absorbing the irradiated laser energy. As a result, the at least partial absorption of the incident laser energy can be better limited to the connection area. As a rule, both joining partners are at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy. The additive and / or the plastic can have fillers which at least partially absorb the wavelength of the incident laser light. The additive can be applied on or in one of the joining partners or also on or in both joining partners, in particular in the connection area, or at least embedded in the plastic in the connection area. Also, the plastic as such can already be at least partially absorbent to the radiated laser energy, so that there is no need to add absorbent fillers and / or absorbent additive. Furthermore, a plastic that at least partially absorbs the irradiated laser energy can also be combined with an additive in the connection area. With a suitable selection of the additive, absorption can be supported by partial reflection on the fillers. By arranging the additive in the connection area between the first and the second joining partner, the laser energy can be introduced directly where it is needed to form the common melt. Basically, if necessary, the punctiform introduction of the laser energy is possible. Accordingly, no large heating of the joining partners is necessary, which could damage them. The method according to the invention borrows from known laser welding methods for flat components and requires only minor modifications in the construction of the apparatus.

According to a modified embodiment of the invention, the closure part or the functional part can only partially consist of a plastic which at least partially absorbs the irradiated laser energy. For example, the closure part or the functional part has a section which consists of a plastic which is transparent to the irradiated laser energy. A plastic can be connected to this section, which at least partially absorbs the irradiated laser energy. This plastic can be applied, for example, in a two-component injection molding process. The absorbent plastic differs from the transparent plastic in that it has been mixed with fillers and / or an additive that at least partially absorb the laser energy.

The additive can be arranged in the connection area at least on that of the joining partner that is reached by the irradiated laser energy after the least partial irradiation of the other joining partner. Thus, for example, the first or the second joining partner is largely continuous for the wavelength of the laser light used, which is at least partially absorbed by the second or the first joining partner. The energy consumption via the additive on the one hand and the heat radiation on the other hand is sufficient to create a material bond, supported by the frictional connection between the two joining partners. The additive can also be provided on or in the second or first joining partner, which is only acted upon by the laser energy after irradiation of the first or second joining partner. The additive can be applied as a coating or can also be applied as a second plastic component in the manufacture of the component by overmolding. Coating can also be carried out by inkjet printing, pad printing, flexographic printing or the like. Materials that consist of soot, contain soot and / or contain substances that at least partially absorb the laser energy are used as the coating. Instead of soot, multipurpose lamination can also be used.

In a process variant of the invention, the additive is embedded at least in the plastic of the connection area of the first and / or the second joining partner. The joining partners designed in this way can be produced, for example, in a special two-component plastic injection molding process. Finally, provision can also be made for the laser energy-absorbing additive to be distributed, preferably embedded, substantially uniformly at least over the connection region of the second joining partner.

In a variant of this laser welding method, the closure part or the functional part is preassembled on the container neck of the plastic container in such a way that a circumferential sealing apron protruding from the closure part or the functional part overlaps an outer wall of the container neck of the plastic container at least in regions. Here, the outer wall and the protruding all-round sealing apron form the connection area. The circumferential sealing apron is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy, while the adjacent container neck of the plastic container, to which the sealing apron is applied under the action of force, which is generated by pretensioning, is absorbent to the irradiated laser energy, at least in the connection area.

In an alternative variant of the laser welding method, the closure part or the functional part is preassembled on the container neck of the plastic container in such a way that a circumferential sealing apron protruding therefrom projects through a container mouth into the interior of the container neck of the plastic container and under the action of force, which is generated by pretensioning, bears against an inner wall of the container neck. The inner wall and the protruding circumferential sealing apron form the connection area. The neck of the plastic container is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy, while the sealing apron is at least in the adjacent one

CH 714 981 A1

Connection area is absorbent to the incident laser energy. In particular in connection with the EBM process, the container neck can be designed without burrs on its inner wall. This desired freedom from burrs can be supported by calibrating the inner wall of the container neck using a calibration mandrel. The material closure generated with the aid of the irradiated laser energy in the connection area between the first and the second joining partner leads to a circumferential laser weld seam which has an axial extent of 0.005 mm to 0.8 mm, preferably 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm ,

In an alternative method variant of laser welding, a radially extending, circumferential flange of the closure part or the functional part is pressed at least during the introduction of the laser energy under the action of force against an annular circumferential mouth surface which borders a container mouth on the container neck of the plastic container. The radially extending, circumferential flange and the annular circumferential mouth surface form the connection area. The flange resting on the mouth surface is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy, while at least the mouth surface and optionally the axially adjoining section of the container neck is at least partially absorbent to the irradiated laser energy.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first or the second joining partner in the connection area has a ring-shaped circumferential rib which predetermines a setting path of the first and / or the second joining partner and which is melted during the irradiation of the laser energy. Due to this rib, the radiation energy of the laser can be reduced compared to a full-surface melting. The melted rib can form the melt into which the joining partners can be pressed. After the melt has cooled, a fluid-tight, non-detachable connection between the two joining partners can be formed. It is not absolutely necessary that the part to be joined, on which the rib is not formed, is also melted in the connection area, usually heating up above the glass transition temperature in order to produce a sufficiently good connection between the parts to be joined. In an embodiment variant, an annular circumferential rib projecting from the underside can be formed on a bottom side of the radially circumferential flange of the closure part or of the functional part facing the mouth surface of the container neck. For the cohesive connection, the closure part or the functional part are aligned with respect to the neck region of the plastic container in such a way that the ring-shaped circumferential rib lies approximately in the middle of the radial extent of the mouth surface. Since the laser energy introduced can only be sufficient to melt the rib and not additionally the surface on which the rib is built, in the present case the closure part or the functional part is pressed into the melt formed by the melted rib until the mouth surface of the The neck of the container and the underside of the radially circumferential flange of the closure part or of the functional part rest against one another. Alternatively, the rib can also be formed on the mouth surface of the container neck instead of on the underside of the radially circumferential flange. In a further embodiment variant, the annular circumferential rib can be formed on a side of the sealing apron of the closure part or of the joining part facing the container neck. Here, the rib can be formed on an outer wall of the sealing apron if the sealing apron is to be arranged in the container neck or on an inner wall of the sealing apron if the sealing apron is to be put over the container neck. Alternatively, the rib can also be formed on the container neck instead of on the sealing apron. In particular, if the sealing apron is to be put over the neck of the container, it may be better for manufacturing reasons to arrange the rib on an outer wall of the neck of the container.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the annular circumferential rib has a cross section which tapers towards its protruding end. The rib has a height between approximately 0.05 mm and approximately 1.0 mm and a maximum width between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm. The height can be between approximately 0.05 mm and approximately 0.5 mm for a diameter of the container mouth of less than 50 mm and between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 1.0 mm for a diameter of the container mouth between 50 mm and approximately 100 mm his. The maximum width can be between approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 0.5 mm for a diameter of the container mouth of less than 50 mm and between approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 1 mm for a diameter of the container mouth between 50 mm and approximately 100 mm ,

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the laser energy is irradiated in a region of a cone with a half opening angle of less than about 20 °, preferably less than about 7 ° and particularly preferably less than about 2 °, the central axis of the cone in Connection area is perpendicular to an outer wall of the joining part, which is first acted upon by the laser energy. It can also be used to join a plastic container and a closure part or functional part, the shape of which curves along the weld seam. Ideally, the laser energy in the connection area is introduced perpendicularly to an outer wall of the joining part, since this means that the laser energy requirement is the lowest.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the action of force is selected such that a surface pressure of the first and the second joining part is created in the connection area between approximately 5 MPa and approximately 35 MPa. The surface pressure can preferably be selected from approximately 15 MPa to approximately 30 MPa and particularly preferably from approximately 20 MPa to approximately 27 MPa. The application of force can be used to press the joining partners into the melt. In connection with the rib, which is melted by the laser energy and forms a melt, the surface pressure can be used to press the one joining part against the other joining part by the setting path into the melt.

CH 714 981 A1 According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the aid of the irradiated laser energy, a circumferential laser weld seam is produced in the connection area between the first and the second joining partner, which preferably extends between approximately 0.01 mm and approximately 0.8 mm between about 0.05 mm and about 0.2 mm, which is measured transversely to the circumferential line of the laser weld seam in a plane perpendicular to the direction of irradiation of the laser energy.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, alignment aids can also be arranged on the two joining partners for the precise positioning of the closure part or the functional part on the container neck. These can comprise one or more notches and strips or the like, which can interact with one another during the pre-assembly.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connection area of both the single-layer or multilayer plastic container produced in a blowing process and the connection area of the closure part or of the functional part are made of a plastic, the main component of which, i.e. 70% and more, is polar plastic , from the group consisting of PET, PET-G, PET-X, PVC, PEN, PA, PC, PU, PMMA, POM, copolymers of the listed plastics, bioplastics such as PEF or PPF, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the above Plastics, is selected The closure part or the functional part can also be produced in a two-component injection molding process and comprise different plastics.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connection area of both the one- or multi-layer blow molded plastic container and the connection area of the closure part or the functional part are made of a plastic whose main component, i.e. 70% and more, is non-polar plastic , is selected from the group consisting of HDPE, PP, PS, LDPE, LLDPE, PTFE, PS, copolymers of the plastics mentioned, bioplastics such as PLA, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first or the second joining partner in the connection area has a ring element which is made of polar plastic if the first or the second joining partner is made of non-polar plastic and the second or the first joining partner polar plastic is made. For example, a plastic container, which is made of PET, can be connected in a fluid-tight manner to a closure element or functional element, which is made of PP, in that the closure element made of PP has a ring element in the connection area, which is made of PET and thus with the PET-made plastic container is compatible and therefore easy to weld. It is not necessary for the non-polar plastic of the closure element and the polar plastic of the ring element to be bonded to one another. Rather, it may be sufficient for the ring element to be designed in such a way that it is fixed in the axial and radial directions by extrusion coating in the closure part or the functional part. For example, the ring element can have recesses or openings into which the encapsulating plastic can penetrate. Adhesion promoters can also be used to create adhesion of PP and PET.

For the creation of the integral connection, optionally supported by a force fit connection between the two joining partners, a laser with a wavelength of 800 nm to 1200 nm or from 1800 nm to 2400 nm is used as the source for the irradiated laser energy, in order to provide the joining partner, which the laser energy hits first, at least partially being able to penetrate, while the other joining partner at least partially absorbs the laser energy. Lasers of these wavelengths deliver the desired energy, which is required to create the integral connection. For example, the laser is a diode laser. Diode lasers have low purchase and maintenance costs, are durable and powerful.

In a variant of the method for connecting rotationally symmetrical joining partners, the laser energy can be radiated substantially simultaneously over 360 °. This can be achieved, for example, using special laser optics. If necessary, the irradiated laser energy can be selectively concentrated on selected angular ranges within 360 ° with the aid of shielding diaphragms. Furthermore, in order to connect rotationally symmetrical joining partners, they can be moved past a laser in a rotational and / or translatory manner in order to irradiate the laser energy. As a rule, the laser energy is introduced in a punctiform manner. By choosing the speed, a uniform connection quality is generally achieved over the circumference. Ideally, the first joining partner and the second joining partner are aligned coaxially to one another and the laser energy is introduced perpendicular to the two joining partners.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plastic container is produced from an at least partially single or multi-layer extruded thermoplastic hose or from an at least partially single or multi-layer injection molded and / or extruded preform in a blow molding process. It has a container body and a container neck adjoining it, which is fluid-tightly connected to a closure part or to a functional part made of a thermoplastic. The plastic container is at least in the connection area with the closure part or the functional part essentially free of structures for the firm connection of the closure part or the functional part. The fluid-tight connection between the neck of the plastic container and the closure part or the functional part is an integral connection created with the aid of laser energy. Both the plastic of the plastic container and the plastic of the closure part

CH 714 981 A1 and the functional part in the connection area are compatible with each other. The plastic container with the closure part or the functional part is ideally produced according to the method described above.

By connecting the container neck and the closure part or the functional part to one another by laser welding, they can be used in their manufacture to form form-fittingly interacting connecting elements, such as e.g. Threaded sections and threads or link guides and engaging projections, etc. are dispensed with. For example, the neck of the plastic container can be designed free of projecting or recessed structures at least in the later connection area. The same applies analogously to the sections of the closure part or the functional part used for the connection. As a result, the blow mold and the injection mold or extrusion mold can be formed in simpler geometries. This reduces the cost of making the molds. In addition, the plastic container and the closure part or functional part can be made simpler. This can also lead to a reduced use of material, since material accumulations to achieve a design effect can be dispensed with. The configuration of threads or thread segments in closure parts or functional parts, which are arranged on an inner wall of closure parts or functional parts, should be mentioned by way of example. The outer wall opposite the inner wall is smooth for design reasons. The threads or thread segments thus represent a material accumulation, which can be dispensed with due to the proposed design of the plastic container and closure part or functional part. The demolding of the closure part or the functional part according to the injection molding or extrusion process can also be carried out in a simplified manner. As a result, the components can be manufactured more cost-effectively.

For the purposes of this invention, the term “plastic container 46 also includes tubes. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the plastic container is designed as a tube with a tube body, which has a first and a second end, the tube body having a tube fold at the first end, which can be closed in a fluid-tight manner, and a circumferential, essentially cylindrical one at the second end Has recess, on which the closure part or the functional part is fluid-tightly connected. On the essentially cylindrical recess, which serves as a receptacle for the closure element or functional element and at the same time can also serve as a centering, the circumferential rib can also be arranged on the outer wall thereof, which serves to generate the common melt into which the closure element is located or can set the functional element. The product to be stored is filled into the tube body through the first opening before this first end is closed by gluing or welding to form a tube fold. The tube body can be produced by an extrusion blow molding process or by an injection molding process.

An alignment aid can be provided on the container neck or on a radially extending mouth edge bordering a container mouth, which is designed for a precise alignment of the closure part or the functional part and which interacts with a corresponding positioning means on the closure part or on the functional part. As a result, the positioning and rotational alignment of the closure part or of the functional part with respect to the container neck can be simplified during the pre-assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a fluid-tight seal between the container neck and the closure part or the functional part is arranged outside the connection area in the direction of the interior of the plastic container body. This fluid-tight seal can serve to prevent any smoke that could develop during the welding process from entering the interior of the container body and being deposited there. This fluid-tight seal can be designed, for example, as a cylindrical, conical or convex sealing apron which projects from the closure part or the functional part. As a rule, the two contact zones to the other joining partner are designed according to their function, so that the first contact zone adjacent to the interior of the plastic container body can have a sealing effect, whereas the second contact zone adjacent to the surroundings of the plastic container is usually designed as a rib, which is formed by the laser energy introduced is melted. The first contact zone can also be arranged on the first joining partner and the second contact zone on the second joining partner, or vice versa.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the closure part or the functional part has a radially extending, circumferential flange which rests on a mouth surface bordering a container mouth and forms a fluid-tight, form-fitting connection region there with the container neck.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, both the single-layer or multi-layer blow molded plastic container and the closure part or the functional part are made at least in the connection area from a plastic, the main component of which, i.e. 70% and more, is polar plastic the group consisting of PET, PET-G, PET-X, PVC, PEN, PA, PC, PU, PMMA, POM, copolymers of the plastics mentioned, bioplastics such as PEF or PPF, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned, is selected.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the plastic container produced in one or more layers in a blowing process and the closure part or the functional part are made at least in the connection area from a plastic, the main component of which, i.e. 70% and more, is non-polar plastic, is selected from the group consisting of HDPE, PR PS, LDPE, LLDPE, PTFE, PS, copolymers of the plastics mentioned, bioplastics such as PLA, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned.

CH 714 981 A1 [0043] The functional part can be a pouring attachment and can comprise an integrally formed closure part. Here, the pouring attachment and the closure part can also be in one piece.

It is clear to a person skilled in the art that features directed to the method can, as far as is reasonable, also be related to the device, and vice versa.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the following description of design variants with reference to the schematic drawings. In a representation that is not to scale:

Figure 1 is an axial section of a plastic container with a functional part.

2 shows an enlarged axial section of a connection area; and

Fig. 3 to Fig. 9 axial sections of variants of two pre-assembled joining partners.

The method for fluid-tight connection of a container made of a thermoplastic with a closure part or with a functional part made of a thermoplastic is explained below using the example of a plastic container provided with a pouring spout. A plastic container which has been inflated from a single-layer or multi-layer extruded tube or from an at least partially single-layer or multi-layer injection molded and / or extruded preform made of a thermoplastic material in a subsequent blowing process is provided with the reference number 1 in FIG. 1. The plastic container 1 has a container body 2, indicated by the reference number 2, to which a container neck 3 connects. A container mouth 4, for example rotationally symmetrical, is provided on the container neck 3. A pouring attachment mounted on or in the container neck 3 bears the reference number 11. For the sake of a better overview, different hatching of the plastic container 1 shown in the axial section and of the pouring attachment 11 has been dispensed with. The pouring attachment 11 has an annular circumferential plate-shaped flange 13 which is provided with a pouring opening 12 and which is supported on a mouth surface 6 bordering the container opening 4 in the neck section 3. The pouring opening 12 of the pouring attachment 11 is reclosable and is therefore equipped with a closure part 18, which is designed, for example, as a flip top and is articulated on the plate-shaped flange 13 via a hinge joint 19. A sealing apron 14 extends from the plate-shaped flange 13 into the container neck 3. The sealing apron 14 can be cylindrical, conical or convex and is located on an inner wall 7 of the container neck 3 in the receiving area for the sealing apron 14. The sealing apron 14 can have an excess compared to an inner diameter of the container neck 3 so that its outer wall 15 relative to the inner wall 7 of the Container neck 3 has a bias. With an inner diameter of up to 50 mm, this excess dimension, measured over a largest outer diameter of the sealing apron 14, can be, for example, 0.05 mm to approximately 0.5 mm. With inside diameters of the container neck 3 in the receiving area of> 50 mm, the oversize can be, for example, 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. Although FIG. 1 is only a schematic illustration, it can still be seen that the container neck 3 is free of structuring for the firm connection between the container neck 3 and the pouring attachment 11, such as threaded sections, snap connections, bayonet connections etc.

The plastic container 1 in the present exemplary embodiment is an extrusion-blown plastic container. In the extrusion blow molding process, a section of a single-layer or multi-layer extruded plastic tube made of a thermoplastic is inserted into a mold cavity of a blow molding tool and inflated to the desired container by a medium, usually air, which is supplied with excess pressure. Extrusion-blown containers can be identified by the pinch seam that is usually located in the bottom region of the container, which is created by squeezing together the extruded plastic tube inserted into the blow mold. Preforms, from which containers are made using the stretch blow molding process, are usually made by injection molding and usually have an injection point in the base area, which is also visible on the blown bottle.

Thermoplastic materials are used as raw materials for the extrusion of the plastic tube used for the extrusion blow molding process or for the injection molding of the preforms. The thermoplastic materials or parts thereof can be of one or more layers and / or colored.

To create a mechanically resilient connection between the container neck 3 of the plastic container 1 and the pouring attachment 11, which is free of residues, for example microparticles, adhesive residues and the like, can be carried out quickly and can be easily integrated into the process, this can be done from the stand known laser technology. A laser is indicated in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 31. The laser 31 has a wavelength of 800 nm to 1200 nm, for example. For example, it is a diode laser. With the help of special optics 32, the laser energy L radiated by the laser 31 can be directed simultaneously over 360 ° to the connection areas of the container neck 3 and the sealing apron 14 of the pouring attachment 11. Ideally, the laser light is directed perpendicularly onto an outer wall 5 of the container neck 3 and thus also essentially perpendicularly onto the outer wall 15 of the sealing apron 14 of the pouring attachment 11. If necessary, the irradiated laser energy can be selectively concentrated on selected angular ranges with the aid of diaphragms. The container neck 3 with the pouring cap 11 used can also be moved past the laser source in a rotational and / or translatory manner at a speed which is favorable for the method. The plastic of the container neck 3 and the plastic of the

CH 714 981 A1

Pouring attachment 11 are compatible with one another in the connection area. The joining part first acted on by the laser energy, that is to say the container neck 3 in the present case, is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy. The irradiated laser energy is at least partially absorbed in the connection area. This leads to a melting of both joining partners in their connection area. By melting the outer wall 15 of the pouring cap 11 and / or the inner wall 7 of the container neck 3, a material-tight connection is produced after the melt has cooled, which is mechanically loadable and fluid-tight. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the outer wall 5 of the container neck 3 is also free of structuring, such as Thread sections, thread grooves, link guides and the like. Such protruding or recessed structures can be dispensed with, since the pouring attachment 11 is connected to the container neck 3 by laser welding. This simplifies the manufacture of the plastic container, the external appearance of the plastic container can be improved and adapted to customer-specific requirements.

Fig. 2 shows schematically the situation when creating a laser welding connection between a first joining partner, namely the container neck 3, and a second joining partner, namely the sealing apron 14 of the pouring spout 11. For reasons of clarity, the two joining partners are shown at a distance from one another. However, it should be expressly pointed out that the two joining partners, at least in their joining area to which laser energy is applied, bear against one another under the action of force. In the present exemplary embodiment, the inner wall 7 of the neck part 3 and the outer wall 15 of the sealing apron 14 are under a prestress of about 20 to 27 MPa in the connection area. Ideally, the pre-stressed connection area is also the sealing zone of the first and second joining partners. In order to produce an inseparable and fluid-tight material connection between the first and the second joining partner, the area of the prestressing need not have been fully exposed to laser energy. Rather, a section-wise irradiation of laser energy is sufficient to produce a fluid-tight material connection, the sections also being punctiform or linear or also flat. The cohesive connection created results in a weld seam which can have an axial extent of approximately 0.005 mm to approximately 0.8 mm.

A first section of a first joining partner, for example the container neck 3 of the plastic bottle 1, is acted upon by the laser energy L. The laser energy L ideally strikes the first joining partner perpendicularly, but can also be irradiated in a region of a cone with a half opening angle of less than approximately 20 °, a central axis of the cone in the connection region being perpendicular to an outer wall of the joining part which is caused by the Laser energy is applied first. The container neck 3 is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy L in at least a first section in which the laser welding is to be carried out. After the container neck 3 has been irradiated, the irradiated laser energy L reaches a second section of a second joining partner, in the present exemplary embodiment the outer wall 15 of the sealing apron 14 of the pouring attachment 11. The laser energy L is at least partially absorbed with the aid of an additive 21 arranged there. The second section of the second joining partner, or the outer wall 15 of the sealing apron 14, the sealing apron 14 or the second joining partner itself, or the pouring attachment 11, can be made at least in regions of a plastic which at least partially absorbs the irradiated laser energy L. The additive 21 is a substance that absorbs the radiated laser energy L as well as possible and converts it into heat. The additive 21 can consist of soot, contain soot and / or substances that at least partially absorb the laser energy. The additive 21 can be applied as a coating or can be embedded in the plastic material in some areas or in its entirety. As a rule, the additive 21 is arranged on the wall of the second joining partner facing the first joining partner to be irradiated. 2 accordingly shows the additive 21 in the area of the outer wall 15 of the sealing apron 14. It goes without saying that the inner wall 7 of the container neck 3 in the connection area can also be provided with an additive in order to support a greater energy input there as well.

The irradiated laser energy L radiates through the first joining partner, the container neck 3, without significant heating. In the second joining partner, namely the sealing apron 14 of the pouring attachment 11, the laser energy is converted into thermal energy and the plastic is melted. Due to heat conduction processes, the irradiated first transparent joining partner 3 is also plasticized in the connection area. The prestressing and the internal joining pressure resulting from the expansion of the plastic melt result in a cohesive connection between the two joining partners. The plastic of the pouring attachment 11 and the plastic of the container neck 3 are compatible with one another. The main constituent of the plastic in the present exemplary embodiment, that is to say 70% and more, is non-polar plastic, selected from the group consisting of HDPE, PP, PS, LDPE, LLDPE, PTFE, PS, copolymers of the plastics mentioned, bioplastics such as PLA, filled Plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned. The main component of the plastic, i.e. 70% and more, can also be polar plastic, selected from the group consisting of PET, PET-G, PET-X, PVC, PEN, PA, PC, PU, PMMA, POM, copolymers of the listed Plastics, bioplastics such as PEF or PPF, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned.

4 to 9 different embodiments of the method according to the invention are shown schematically. The process variants are again explained using the example of the fluid-tight connection of a functional part designed as a pouring attachment or spray attachment on or in a container neck of a plastic container. The same elements have the same reference numerals in the figures. The respective joining partners are there

CH 714 981 A1 shown in the pre-assembled state before they are laser welded together. Different hatches of the joining partners shown in the section were again omitted for reasons of better clarity. The joining partners are also shown with a small distance between them so that their boundaries can be seen more clearly. However, it goes without saying that the two joining partners bear against one another, at least in the connection area, under the action of force. The action of force can be an externally applied pressure or result from a prestressing of one joining partner with respect to the other.

3 essentially shows a method variant which has already been explained with reference to FIG. 1. The first joining partner is formed by the container neck 3. The second joining partner is formed by a sealing apron 14 which projects from a plate-shaped flange 13 of the pouring top 11 into the interior of the container neck 3. A spray opening of the pouring attachment 11 bears the reference number 12. With regard to the oversize and the pretension for creating the laser welding connection, reference is therefore made to the description of the figures in FIG. 1. The laser welding is carried out analogously to the exemplary embodiment explained with reference to FIG. 1 by a lateral application of laser energy L to the joining partners.

4 shows an alternative arrangement of the two joining partners. In this case, the first joining partner is formed by the sealing apron 14, which protrudes from the plate-shaped flange 13 of the pouring attachment 11. The plate-shaped flange 13 lies on the mouth surface 6 bordering the container mouth 4. The sealing apron 14 is at least in the connection area under a prestress on the outer wall 5 of the container neck 3, which forms the second joining partner in this method variant. The laser welding is carried out analogously to the exemplary embodiment explained with reference to FIG. 1 by a lateral application of laser energy L to the joining partners. The first joining partner, in this case the sealing apron 14 of the pouring attachment 11, is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy, while the second Joining partner, namely the container neck 3 at least partially absorbs the laser energy at least in the connection area. The absorption of the irradiated laser energy L can in turn be supported by an additive which can be applied to the outer wall 5 of the container neck 3 or embedded in the plastic material of the container neck 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the container neck 3 in turn forms the first joining partner, while the second joining partner is formed by a sealing apron 14 which projects from a plate-shaped flange 13 of the pouring attachment 11 into the interior of the container neck 3. The plate-shaped flange 13 is inserted into the container mouth 4 and is held in the preassembled state only by the pretension exerted on the inner wall 7 of the container neck 3 as a result of an excess of the outer wall 15 of the sealing apron. With an inner diameter of up to 50 mm, the excess measured over a largest outer diameter of the sealing apron 14 can be, for example, 0.05 mm to approximately 0.5 mm. With inside diameters of the container neck 3 in the receiving area of> 50 mm, the oversize can be, for example, 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. The outer wall 15 of the sealing apron 14 and the inner wall 7 of the container neck 3 in the receiving area for the sealing apron 14 form a fluid-tight sealing zone between the pouring attachment after welding by irradiated laser energy L, i.e. with respect to gases and liquids, but also with respect to free-flowing solids such as powder or powder 11 and the container neck 3 of the plastic container 1. In contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the mouth compartment 6 bordering the container mouth 4 is freely accessible.

6 differs from the previously described exemplary embodiments in that the two joining partners are preassembled for axial laser welding. The pouring attachment 11, which forms the first joining partner that is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy L, is placed on the container neck 3, which forms the second joining partner, in such a way that a plate-shaped flange 13 of the pouring attachment 11 on the ring-shaped, the container mouth 4 bordering mouth surface 6 rests. A sealing apron 14 protrudes from the plate-shaped flange 13 into the interior of the container neck 3. A circumferential sealing bead 14 is arranged on the sealing apron 14, which lies outside a connection area of the pouring attachment 11 on the container neck 3 and towards the interior of the container body the container neck 3 and the pouring cap 11 seals from each other in a fluid-tight manner. This can ensure that any smoke that arises during the welding process cannot get into the interior of the container and is deposited there. In the case of axial laser welding, the laser energy L is radiated in approximately perpendicularly to the radial extent of the plate-shaped flange 13 and to the radial course of the mouth surface 6. The two joining partners, namely the flange 13 and the mouth surface 6 on the container neck 3, are pressed together for the laser welding process. The contact pressure of the flange 13 against the mouth surface 6 is selected from approximately 5 MPa to approximately 35 MPa, preferably from approximately 15 MPa to approximately 30 MPa and particularly preferably from approximately 20 MPa to approximately 27 MPa.

The flange 13 resting on the orifice surface 6 is at least partially transparent to the incident laser energy L, while at least the orifice surface 6 and the axially adjoining section of the container neck 3 are at least partially absorbent to the incident laser energy L. The absorption of the irradiated laser energy L can in turn be supported by an additive which can be applied to the mouth surface 6 or embedded there in the plastic material of the container neck 3.

As can be seen from the enlarged illustration in FIG. 7, the radially circumferential flange 13 of the pouring attachment 11 can be designed with an annular circumferential rib 20 projecting from its underside 17 facing the orifice surface 6 in the preassembled state. For the integral connection between the first

CH 714 981 A1

Joining partners, namely the flange 13 of the pouring attachment 11 and the mouth surface 6 forming the second joining partner, the two joining partners are aligned on the container neck 3 in such a way that the annular rib 20 rests approximately in the middle of the radial extent of the mouth surface 6. In the middle in the sense of the invention, a deviation of the support area of the rib 20 of 20% in both directions of extension [0060] of the mouth surface 6 is also considered. The annular circumferential rib 20 can have a cross section which tapers towards its free end, for example approximately triangular. It has an axial height h of approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 0.5 mm and, with a diameter of the container mouth of up to 50 mm, a maximum radial width b measured on the underside of the flange of approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0 , 5 mm. With a diameter of the container mouth of greater than 50 mm, the rib 20 has a maximum radial width b, measured on the underside 17 of the flange, of approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 1 mm. The annular circumferential rib 20 can facilitate the laser welding of the two joining partners and further increase the strength of the integral connection. In addition, the circumferential rib 20 can represent a limitation for a setting path, since, by reduced irradiation of the laser energy L, only the rib 20 and a partial area of the orifice surface 6, which forms the common melt, and the pouring attachment 11 are displaced into the common melt, are melted, until its underside 17 lies flat on the mouth surface 6.

FIG. 8 shows the pouring attachment 11 already known from FIG. 3, which is positioned opposite the container neck 3 in the direction of rotation. For this purpose, the sealing apron 14 has a nose 22 which is arranged on the outer wall 15 of the sealing apron 14 and which engages in a corresponding groove 23. For this purpose, the groove 23 extends from the mouth surface 6 in the axial direction on the inner wall 7 of the container neck 3. This prevents the pouring attachment 11 from being displaced relative to the container neck 3 before the welding process.

Fig. 9 shows a plastic container which is designed as a tube 25 with a tube body 26. A tube shoulder 27 adjoins the tube body 26 and has an essentially cylindrical recess 28. An outer wall 29 of the recess 28 has a circumferential rib 20 which bears against an inner wall 30 of the pouring top 11 under prestress. By means of the irradiated laser energy L, the rib 20 and an area of the inner wall 30 which bears against the rib 20 are melted, so that after the common melt has cooled, a fluid-tight material connection results. A free end 33 of the pouring attachment 11 lies against an outer side 34 of the tube shoulder 27, this not being absolutely necessary. As a rule, the tube shoulder 27 will protrude from an outer wall 34 of the pouring attachment 11.

The mouth surface 6 of the container mouth 4 is spaced from the pouring attachment.

The invention has been explained using the example of the integral connection of a functional part designed as a pouring attachment. It goes without saying that, instead of the functional part, a closure part can also be laser-welded to the container neck. The pouring attachment or the closure part are usually made of a polyolefin, for example polypropylene, or comprise a polyolefin, for example polypropylene, at least in the connection area of the two joining partners.

The laser welding of such components can be carried out without residues and can therefore be of particular interest in the food industry or in the pharmaceutical industry.

The above description of specific exemplary embodiments only serves to explain the invention and is not to be regarded as restrictive. Rather, the invention is defined by the patent claims and the equivalents which are obvious to the person skilled in the art and which are encompassed by the general inventive concept.

Claims (29)

claims 1. A method for the fluid-tight connection of a thermoplastic tube, which is extruded at least in regions with one or more layers, or a container which is injection molded and / or extruded from at least one region with one or more layers and / or extruded with a container neck with a closure part or with a functional part made of one thermoplastic material, wherein the closure part or the functional part form a first joining partner and the container neck form a second joining partner and a connection area is formed between the plastic container and the closure part or the functional part in or on the container neck of the plastic container, characterized in that the container neck Free of structures for the fixed connection of the closure part or the functional part on the container neck, the connection between the first and the second joining partner is made with the aid of irradiated lasers Ergie is created that a joining partner acted upon first by the irradiated laser energy is at least partially transparent to the irradiated laser energy, that the irradiated laser energy is at least partially absorbed in the connection area in which the first and second joining partners are in contact with one another and one A permanent, integral connection between the two joining partners is created by melting the first joining partner and / or the second joining partner in the connection area and subsequent solidification, the first and second joining partners each consisting of plastics which are compatible with one another at least in the connection area. CH 714 981 A1 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that either the first or the second joining partner has a thermoplastic material which at least partially absorbs the irradiated laser energy. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an additive at least partially absorbing the irradiated laser energy is arranged in the connection region. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the additive is arranged at least on or in the first or second joining partner, which is achieved by the irradiated laser energy after irradiation of the second or first joining partner. 5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the additive is applied as a coating. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that materials are used as the coating, which consist of soot, contain soot and / or contain substances which at least partially absorb the laser energy. 7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the additive is embedded in the plastic at least in the connection area between the first and the second joining partner. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part or the functional part is preassembled on the container neck of the plastic container in such a way that a circumferential sealing apron protruding from the closure part or the functional part overlaps an outer wall of the container neck of the plastic container at least in regions, wherein the outer wall and the protruding all-round sealing apron form the connection area. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the closure part or the functional part is preassembled on the container neck of the plastic container such that a circumferential sealing apron protruding from the closure part or the functional part through a container mouth into the interior of the container neck Plastic container protrudes and abuts an inner wall of the container neck under the action of force, which is generated by pretensioning, the inner wall and the protruding circumferential sealing apron forming the connection area. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a radially extending, circumferential flange of the closure part or the functional part is pressed at least during the introduction of the laser energy under the action of force against an annular circumferential mouth surface which a container mouth on the container neck of the plastic container, the radially extending, circumferential flange and the annular circumferential mouth surface forming the connection area. 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first or the second joining partner in the connection area has a ring-shaped circumferential rib, which predetermines a setting path of the first and / or the second joining partner, and which is melted during the irradiation of the laser energy , 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the annular circumferential rib has a cross section tapering towards its projecting free end, the rib having a height between approximately 0.05 mm and approximately 1.0 mm and a maximum width between approximately 0 , 1 mm to about 1.0 mm. 13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser energy is irradiated in a region of a cone with a half opening angle of less than about 20 °, preferably less than about 7 ° and particularly preferably less than about 2 °, the The center axis of the cone in the connection area is perpendicular to an outer wall of the joining part which is first acted upon by the laser energy. 14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the action of force is selected such that a surface pressure of the first and the second joining part in the connection area between about 5 MPa and about 35 MPa arises. 15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the aid of the irradiated laser energy in the connection area between the first and the second joining partner, a circumferential laser weld seam is generated, which extends between approximately 0.005 mm and approximately 0.8 mm, preferably between approximately 0.1 mm and about 0.2 mm, which is measured transversely to the circumferential line of the laser weld seam in a plane perpendicular to the direction of irradiation of the laser energy. 16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection area of both the single or multi-layer blow molded plastic container and the connection area of the closure part or the functional part are made of a plastic, its main component, that is 70% and more , polar plastic is from the group consisting of PET, PET-G, PET-X, PVC, PEN, PA, PC, PU, PMMA, POM, copolymers of the listed plastics, bioplastics such as PEF or PPF, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned. 17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the connection area of both the one- or multi-layer blow molded plastic container and the connection area of the closure part or the functional part are made of a plastic, its main component, that is CH 714 981 A1 70% and more, non-polar plastic is selected from the group consisting of HDPE, PP, PS, LDPE, LLDPE, PTFE, PS, copolymers of the plastics mentioned, bioplastics such as PLA, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned , 18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a laser with a wavelength of 800 nm to 1200 nm or from 1800 nm to 2400 nm is used as the source for the irradiated laser energy. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that a diode laser is used as the laser. 20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for connecting rotationally symmetrical joining partners, the laser energy is radiated substantially simultaneously over 360 °. 21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the irradiated laser energy is selectively concentrated on selected angular ranges within 360 ° with the aid of shielding diaphragms. 22. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to connect rotationally symmetrical joining partners, they are moved past a laser in a rotational and / or translatory manner to irradiate the laser energy. 23. Plastic container, which is produced from a thermoplastic plastic hose that is extruded at least in one or several layers or from a preform that is at least partially injected in one or more layers and / or a film extrusion and has a container body and a container neck adjoining it, which is also fluid-tight is connected to a closure part or to a functional part made of a thermoplastic, characterized in that the plastic container is at least in the connection area with the closure part or the functional part free of structuring for the firm connection of the closure part or the functional part and the fluid-tight connection between the Container neck of the plastic container and the closure part or the functional part is a cohesive connection created with the aid of laser energy, both the plastic of the plastic container and a uch the plastic of the closure part or the functional part are compatible with each other at least in the connection area. 24. Plastic container according to claim 23, characterized in that the plastic container is designed as a tube with a tube body which has a first and a second end, the tube body having a tube fold at the first end, which can be closed in a fluid-tight manner, and on the second End has a circumferential, substantially cylindrical recess, to which the closure part or the functional part is connected in a fluid-tight manner. 25. Plastic container according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that an alignment aid is provided on the container neck or on a radially extending mouth edge bordering a container mouth, which is designed for a precise alignment of the closure part or the functional part and with one with the alignment aid Corresponding positioning means cooperates on the closure part or on the functional part. 26. Plastic container according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that a fluid-tight seal between the container neck and the closure part or the functional part is arranged outside the connection area in the direction of the interior of the container body. 27. Plastic container according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that both the single or multi-layer blow molded plastic container and the closure part or the functional part are made at least in the connection area from a plastic, its main component, that is 70% and More, polar plastic is from the group consisting of PET, PET-G, PET-X, PVC, PEN, PA, PC, PU, PMMA, POM, copolymers of the listed plastics, bioplastics such as PEF or PPF, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned. 28. Plastic container according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that both the single-layer or multi-layer blow molded plastic container and the closure part or the functional part are made at least in the connection area from a plastic, its main constituent, that is 70% and more, non-polar plastic is selected from the group consisting of HDPE, PP, PS, LDPE, LLDPE, PTFE, PS, copolymers of the plastics mentioned, bioplastics such as PLA, filled plastics and / or mixtures of the plastics mentioned. 29. Plastic container according to one of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that the functional part is a pouring attachment and comprises an integrally formed closure part. CH 714 981 A1

CH 714 981 A1

CH 714 981 A1

CH 714 981 A1 AGREEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE OEM FIELD OF PATENTING REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL SEARCH KENWZEteWNUMG D £ H NÄTKJHAJLEN REGISTRATION AKTEM2EÎCHËN BES ANMSldiEBS OBEft ANWALTS P44Ö44CM0Ö Haesonaiss's file number 6852918 AtweWaM GH Note & ldedaium 154> 5n2G18 Secondary Year of Science Applicant (Nams) ALPLA Werke Afarth Lehner GmbH & Co. KG OaWm the application for a Rediercfrô-. tatöfnatlonal & f An. G74JS-2C18 Rutwners would kill the international law enforcement agency Allocated a request for a research of a similar type SN7Ì361 !. KLÄ & SimiERU! «G DES AWELEJUNGSŒGEKSTANDS Mta nwwwe KBMffik.-i'.æ ^ r.yffi.Lola , soifod éoMsaben) According to CIBf Iriteffietonata PaseotldsssifflcaSUitr (tPC) üöar both to det nahonaäsn · ICsssrftkaBon and such osta der lfC ®29C85 / 18; 8Ä9K101 / 12; B65D47m H. RESEARCHED FACTS Rectangular flow test substance WassifikattonssyEiam KfosssttihaWi ^ miKto B29C; B66D. ^ Rac »ian ± terte, ηι ^ ί .tuffi. 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