DE102012025129A1 - Plastic container e.g. plastic drink box, has film-like flat element provided on first upper surface covered by material layer that is made of covering material to be connected with container - Google Patents

Abstract

The container e.g. plastic drink box (1), has a data memory formed as a film-like flat element, and an upper surface lying opposite to the data memory. The data memory on the first upper surface is covered by a material layer that is made of a covering material to be connected with container. The second upper surface is provided with another material layer that is made of carrier material, which is not connected with the container, where the container is manufactured by a thermal injection molding method. The material layers are made of high-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a plastic container.

Description

The invention relates to a plastic container, in particular a bottle crate for drinks and a method for producing a plastic container and a method for attaching a data storage to a plastic container.

The plastic container according to the invention comprises a data memory, which gives the plastic container advantageous properties in use. For example, traceability in the logistics process can be achieved by means of a data store or the identification and traceability or possibility of locating products is facilitated. A data memory can be designed as a pure read-only memory (read-only) or as a read and write memory. Read memories are used to identify the relevant plastic container and / or its content, read and write memories can also contain information about, for example, circulation cycles in the field of reusable products, logistics and handling information and other data, such as advertising information.

From the prior art, for example from the WO 01/00493 Data storage on plastic containers are known, which are arranged on the surface of the plastic container below a promotional label. Such data storage are arranged in the plastic container in its production on a label to be attached, after which the label and the data memory with the plastic container in its formation by injection molding is firmly connected.

Furthermore, data carriers are on plastic containers from the DE 103 28 836 A1 known, which are used on the finished plastic container in recesses provided for this purpose and then over-injected with additional plastic in a further working process.

The problem with the known data storage devices, which are arranged underneath a label, is that they are hardly protected against damage and / or destruction as a result of external mechanical influences. Such destructions are not only due to unforeseen external mechanical influences, they can also occur due to structural loads, for example in thermal expansion or mechanical thrust-shear stress of the entire container. The range of thermal expansion in use and in the course of production is particularly relevant in that the data storage devices used are usually made of other material with different coefficients of thermal expansion than the plastic.

The proposed in the other prior art solution to arrange the data memory the interior of a wall of a plastic container, is expensive because of the required additional operation and therefore also not preferable.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a persistent, störungsunanfälligen data storage for a plastic container, in particular a beverage crate, which can be easily and inexpensively arranged on the plastic container.

This object is achieved starting from the preamble of claim 1 by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous developments and expedient embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. The production of a plastic container according to the invention is provided by a method according to claim 11.

In detail, the invention relates to a plastic container, in particular a beverage crate, parts container or the like, wherein the plastic container is produced by thermal injection molding and wherein the plastic container comprises at least one data memory and this data memory is formed as a sheet-like flat element with two substantially opposite surfaces. According to the invention, the data memory is covered on a first surface by a first material layer of a cover material which can be connected to the plastic container and is arranged with a second surface on a second material layer of a carrier material which is not connectable to the plastic container.

The first material layer according to the invention must be connectable to the plastic container, whereas the second material layer makes no connection with the plastic of the plastic container. The data storage provided are designed as film-like elements, so that their peripheral edge areas do not form surfaces in the sense of the invention. A corresponding embedded or laminated data storage is also an object of the invention.

Due to the inventive arrangement of the data memory between two layers of material is a kind of "sticking" of the data memory on the plastic of the plastic container, the data storage itself formed by the underlying second material layer no areal connection with the plastic container.

In an expedient development, it is provided that the data memory is designed for electromagnetically coupling, non-contact transmission of data, preferably for bidirectional transmission and reception of data, in particular as an RFID tag.

By an electromagnetically coupling, non-contact transmission of data is achieved that the data storage must not be visibly arranged in the outer region of a plastic container, but that an arrangement in the protected from external influences protected area, for example, can be done on an inner side. The technical function and usability of so-called RFID labels is well known from the prior art. Such RFID tags (radio frequency identification) can be provided, for example, with a fixed serial number and a freely programmable memory area, for example for order data, etc. The peculiarity of such labels is that they do not require their own power supply, as they are powered by the communication signal, which is used to establish contact with the respective RFID systems, with energy.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, so-called UHF (ultra-high-frequency) RFID in-mold labels have proven to be particularly preferred.

In a further expedient embodiment, it is provided that the first material layer at least partially projects beyond the data memory and / or the second material layer in its edge region.

By projecting the first material layer on the edge region, it is ensured that an at least partially encircling firm connection between the data memory and the plastic of the plastic container can be provided. Insofar as necessary in an individual case, with at least partially outstanding first material layer, it is possible to gain access to the area below the first material layer and thus to the data memory.

In a further expedient embodiment, it is provided that the first material layer projects beyond the data memory and / or the second material layer completely peripherally in its edge region.

The completely circumferential overhanging of the first material layer produces a completely surrounding "closure connection" between the first material layer and the plastic of the plastic container. The data storage is thus secured in the manner of an overlapping laminate on the plastic container and protected against manipulation or destruction. This is also called a laminated data memory.

A further expedient embodiment of the plastic container is characterized in that the first material layer is formed larger in its surface than the second material layer. The enlarged surface relative to the second material layer offers the first material layer the possibility of forming the connection desired according to the invention with the plastic of the plastic container in a dimension which is sufficient to ensure a secure and error-free arrangement of the data memory.

In a further expedient embodiment, it is provided that the first material layer is at least partially fused with the plastic container and the second material layer is movable relative to a wall section of a wall of the plastic container.

The firm fusion of the first material layer with a movable arrangement of the second material layer and thus also a movable arrangement of the data store arranged on the second material layer makes it possible to transmit no bending or shearing forces directly to the data memory during thermal deformation of the plastic container or during bending or torsion of the wall , In this way, a breakage or tearing of the structures of the data memory, in particular the RFID tag is avoided, whereby the durability and error rate is reduced.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the plastic container, the data memory is arranged in the interior of a cavity of the plastic container, preferably an edge spar, a support or a quill.

The arrangement in the interior of a cavity ensures that the data storage is better protected against external effects of destruction and in addition the viewer is not readily apparent his arrangement is accessible to avoid tampering.

Moreover, it is advantageous and expedient to produce the first material layer from a so-called "in-mold film", which preferably consists of HDPE (high density polyethylene). In addition, it is expedient to produce the second material layer of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), since this connects with the least common plastics for the production of such plastic containers.

Expediently, it has also been found to form the data memory in a thickness between 0.01 mm and 0.1 mm, preferably between 0.015 mm and 0.025 mm, taking into account all material layers. In this way, integration at the desired locations on the plastic container is readily possible.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a plastic container of the type according to the invention.

The method for producing a plastic container according to the invention, which is essentially formed by injection molding a plastic material in an injection mold in a single operation and connected to the data memory, is characterized in that the data storage together with the first and second layers of material in the injection mold, preferably in the area a cavity forming element is inserted, is held or fixed at the relevant point, the mold is closed and plastic is injected into the mold so that the first material layer with the plastic firmly connects and the second material layer with the plastic no connection received.

In a further development, it is provided that the data memory is fixed together with the first and second material layers in the tool after insertion through a contact-side coating with an adhesive which loses its effect during the injection molding process and / or is held by electrostatic charging and / or by vacuum channels is held and / or fixed by a depression in the tool and / or fixed by webs or fixing points in the tool.

In this way, a cost-effective method is provided in particular without additional equipment costs on the tool, etc. for the production of the plastic container.

It should be noted that if the data carrier is an RFID transponder with an antenna, the data carrier can not be arranged only on a PET film. Both antenna and transponder can also be on paper, metal, plastic or other materials. On this material including antenna and transponder then a film or a plate from the container compatible material is laminated.

Furthermore, it is also possible in a erfindungsgenäßen method, the disk incl. Laminated film / laminated cover material not directly in the injection molding process as inmould (injection molding during molding of the plastic container) to process, but to fix the present unit with adhesive subsequently to the container. It is irrelevant whether the film is stuck outside or in a cavity of the container.

By laminating the transponder (including antenna) with another foil, the transponder is fixed not only by the gluing, with which the transponder is originally held on the antenna, but also by the cover foil.

Since the transponder and the antenna lie within the base foil and the cover foil, both the transponder and the antenna are protected against external influences.

In addition, in the inmould process, the transponder and the antenna are not exposed directly to the hot plastic. This also ensures a safer process and a better and safer connection between transponder and antenna.

If a dissolves in the inmould process or by sticking fixed media, it is still protected because the lamination firmly encloses the disk and so excludes moisture etc.

In the following exemplary embodiment, the further features of the invention will be illustrated by way of example. However, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but rather includes all those embodiments that make use of the inventive concept.

Show it

1 a representation of a plastic beverage crate,

2 a schematic representation of a data memory with first and second material layer,

3 a representation of a plastic beverage crate with a detailed view of the arranged data memory,

4a . 4b a further illustration of a plastic beverage crate with a detailed view of the arranged data storage in the support spar,

5a . 5b a further illustration of a plastic beverage crate with a detailed view of the arranged data memory in the edge spar,

6 schematic representation of an injection molding tool in a sectional view.

In detail shows 1 a plastic container in the form of a beverage box 1 , The beverage box includes a storage area for bottles 2 passing through sidewalls 3 . 4 (not visible side walls are not marked) and a floor is limited. In the side walls are recessed grips 5 . 6 . 7 mounted (right side concealed handle without reference), in which a manual intervention to transport the beverage box 1 can be done. The structure of the beverage box 1 is used for static stabilization by edge beams 8th as well as supporting spars 9 (Triangular struts) reinforced. Such beverage boxes 1 are known from the prior art. In the area of the side wall 3 . 4 usually a label is applied, which in the beverage box 1 recorded beverage brand.

2 shows a schematic representation of a data memory 10 , The data store 10 , which as an RFID data storage structure 11 is present on a second material layer 12 arranged. The inventively arranged above first material layer 13 In the present case, on the left side, for reasons of clarity, it is shown as a contour ridge, along its contour 14 (shown in dashed lines) the entire data memory 10 covered and over the supernatant of the edge area 15 and 16 surmounted. The contour of the first material layer 14 is thus in the supernatant 15 and 16 further outside than the contour of the second material layer 17 , In the case of the connection of the first material layer with the plastic of the beverage box 1 becomes in the area of the edge overhang 15 and 16 a connection surface 18 created (in this case shown only in segments), with which the data memory 10 at the beverage box 1 is attached.

3 shows a plastic container according to the invention in the form of a beverage box 1 which is in the area of a support beam 9 in its internal cavity 30 at one of the receiving area for bottles 2 associated inner wall 31 a data store 10 having. To enable visualization became the outer segment of the beverage box 1 which is usually used as an exterior wall 4 the cavity 30 of the support beam 9 covering, hidden. In the enlarged view of the 3 is the plastic of the beverage box 1 connected first material situation 32 as well as those underneath with the plastic of the drinks crate 1 unconnected second material layer 33 shown. The structure of the RFID data storage 11 is not shown here.

4a shows a further beverage box according to the invention 1a in which the data memory also, as in 3 indicated, in the cavity 30a a support beam 9 is arranged. In the case of 4 is the data store 40 however on the outside wall 31a arranged the cavity, wherein the representation and arrangement according to the information of 3 he follows.

5 shows a further embodiment of a beverage box according to the invention 1b , Here is the data store 10 present at the receiving space 2 facing inside 31b of the cavity 30b of the edge spar 8th arranged.

6 shows a schematic partial representation of an injection mold 50 which by form walls 51 . 52 . 53 is limited. Those mold walls which would obstruct the view (left, front, top) are not shown here.

Inside the injection mold 50 there is a cavity slide 54 or the like, which along a direction of movement 55 through an implementation 56 in the injection mold 50 can be moved in or out. Of course, embodiments are also conceivable in which the cavity-generating components of the injection mold can be static components or differently shaped slides. All known from the prior art solutions are conceivable here, since it does not depend on the embodiment according to the invention.

The data memory according to the invention 10 is on the cavity slide 54 in the area in which it is to be arranged later in the plastic container according to the invention, held or fixed. After the execution of the injection molding process is the data memory 10 then at the appropriate position in the plastic container, preferably in the beverage crate 1 arranged and fastened.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

crate

1a

crate

1b

crate

2

Storage area for bottles

3

Side wall

4

Side wall

5

grip

6

grip

7

grip

8th

Randholm

9

support spar

10

data storage

11

RFID data storage

12

second material situation

13

first material situation

14

Contour of the first material layer

15

Overhang edge area

16

Overhang edge area

17

Contour of the second material layer

18

interface

30

cavity

30a

cavity

30b

cavity

31

inner wall

31a

outer wall

31b

inner wall

32

first material situation

33

second material situation

50

injection mold

51

mold wall

52

mold wall

53

mold wall

54

cavity slide

55

movement direction

56

execution

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 01/00493 [0003]
• DE 10328836 A1 [0004]

Claims (13)

Plastic container, in particular beverage box, parts container or the like, wherein the plastic container is produced by thermal injection molding, wherein the plastic container comprises at least one data storage and the data storage is designed as a sheet-like flat element with two substantially opposite surfaces, characterized in that the data storage on a first Surface is covered by a first material layer of a connectable to the plastic container cover material and is arranged with a second surface on a second material layer of a non-connectable to the plastic container carrier material. Plastic container according to claim 1, characterized in that the data memory for electromagnetically coupling, non-contact transmission of data, preferably for bidirectional sending and receiving of data, in particular as an RFID label is formed. Plastic container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first material layer at least partially surmounted in its edge region of the data storage and / or the second material layer. Plastic container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first material layer projects beyond the data memory and / or the second material layer completely circumferentially in its edge region. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material layer is formed in its surface larger the second material layer. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material layer is at least partially fused with the plastic container and the second material layer is movable relative to a wall portion of a wall of the plastic container. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data memory is arranged in the interior of a cavity of the plastic container, for example a side member, a support, a quill, a handle or the like. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material layer consists of a compatible with the container plastic "inmould film", preferably made of HDPE and / or the second material layer of an incompatible with the container plastic material, preferably PET. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material layer consists of a bondable to the container plastic material and / or the second material layer of paper, cardboard, metal or other plastic as a cover layer and a base made of incompatible with the container plastic material , Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data memory has a thickness between 0.01 mm and 0.1 mm, preferably between 0.015 mm and 0.025 mm. A method for producing a plastic container according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plastic container is formed by molding a plastic mass in an injection mold in one operation substantially and connected to the data memory, characterized in that the data storage together with the first and second material layer in the injection mold, preferably in the region of a cavity-forming element is inserted, is held or fixed at the relevant point, the mold is closed and plastic is injected into the mold so that the first material layer firmly connects to the plastic and the second Material layer with the plastic does not make a connection. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the data storage is fixed together with the first and second layers of material in the tool after insertion through a contact-side coating with an adhesive which loses its effect in the injection molding process and / or held by electrostatic charge and / or is held by vacuum channels and / or is fixed by a recess in the tool and / or fixed by webs or fixing points in the tool. A method for attaching a data storage to a plastic container, in particular to a beverage crate, characterized in that a) the data carrier on a lower second material layer, optionally with the insertion of a Zwischenmateriallage, is arranged and covered or laminated with an upper first layer of material and b) i) this disk is either merged by means of injection molding in the molding of the plastic container with this through the first layer of material or ii) is attached by means of a gluing process on the finished molded plastic container ,

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