DE112017002824T5 - A plastic tank comprising a blow molded body and a method of making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plastic tank (21) having a blow-molded body (22) and two ends forming the inner closed volume of the tank. At least one of the two ends is formed by a blow-molded attachment part (25) extending from the blow molded body and an injection molded part (23) externally attached to the blow molded attachment part (25) in a sealed manner. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a tank.

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of plastic tanks, in particular the plastic tanks for motor vehicles. More particularly, it relates to a plastic tank having a blow-molded body and the method for producing the same.

Plastic tanks have many different uses. Among these are those used in the automotive field, such as fuel tanks for receiving gasoline or diesel, additive tanks for receiving urea, other precursors of ammonia or ammonia solutions for use in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, tanks for storing Engine coolant, fluid for the hydraulic brake control system, windshield washer fluid or headlight washer fluid, and the like.

Plastic tanks for vehicles must comply with safety and environmental regulations. In general, the wall thickness of such tanks is one of the key factors. It is known to produce plastic tanks for vehicles by an extrusion blow molding process. In general, an extrusion blow molding process consists of blowing a plastic blank (or preform) (in one piece or in multiple layers) in a mold. In general, the mold comprises two half-molds. Each half mold has a cavity against which the blank is pressed during the blow molding process. In general, a cavity is characterized by an opening height and a depth.

Through simulation, it was found that if the depth of the cavity is greater than the opening height, the blank would be greatly stretched during the blow molding operation, resulting in very large thickness variations between the area of the parting line (where the two half molds come in contact) and the end areas of the tank (a large thickness can be achieved in the area of the dividing line, while the thickness in the upper area and / or in the lower area of the tank is still too low). This can lead to failure of the tank thickness or tank failure (no compromise can be made between the tank over-thickness and the under-thickness at the ends), or at least lead to significant weight gain. internal volume reduction to meet the minimum thickness requirement in certain areas (eg Mason Jar thread, which is generally in the upper part of a fuel tank, or lower in the case of a SCR).

In the case that the depth of the cavity is smaller than the opening height, a good wall thickness is generally obtained when the depth of the cavity is smaller than the opening height. However, if some special elements (eg, a Mason Jar thread) are arranged in an area through which the dividing line of the tank passes, there is a problem that there is a risk of leakage. The present invention is therefore based on the object to produce a blow-moldable tank with improved quality.

To this end, the present invention provides a plastic tank having a blow molded body and two ends forming the inner closed volume of the tank, at least one of the two ends being formed by a blow molded fastener extending from the blow molded body , and an injection-molded part, which is fastened from the outside close to the blow-molded fastening part.

The fact that the tank is formed by a blow-molded body and at least one externally attached injection molded part which together form the inner closed volume of the tank (ie, the injection molding part forms a portion of the wall of the tank) allows the tank to be manufactured Combination of extrusion blow molding and injection molding, which are user-friendly and easy to carry out. In other words, the at least one injection molded part tightly covers an opening formed in the blow-molded body from outside, so that a closed inner volume of the tank is formed. For very large or very long tanks, the overall height or length of the section to be blown (ie the depth of the cavity of the blow mold for the production of the tank) can be reduced (only the blow-molded body compared to the entire tank in the classical process), whereby the tank without the problem of thickness, and / or the separate production of certain areas is made possible, which require a minimum thickness in the injection molded part, whereby the production of the tank easier and its tank is optimized.

In other words, there is no need to create an excess thickness in the region of the dividing line of the tank in order to meet the minimum thickness requirement in the end regions of the tank. This leads to a saving of material, ie to weight, volume and cost savings. For tanks having one or more special elements (eg, a Mason Jar thread) located in the area traversed by the parting line, the special element may be separately injection molded, thereby reducing the risk of leakage in that area. The term "tank" becomes a dense chamber intended for the storage of any fluid, such as fuel, fuel additive (such as those required to reduce the combustion temperature of particulates trapped on diesel engine particulate filters), for example an exhaust additive (such as urea, others) Precursor of ammonia or ammonia solution in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, an engine coolant, a fluid for the hydraulic brake control system, a windshield washer or headlight washer fluid.

The tank can be made of any suitable plastic material. Thermoplastics provide good results in the context of the invention, in particular because of the advantages of weight, mechanical strength and chemical resistance and easier processing. The term "thermoplastic" refers to any thermoplastic polymer including thermoplastic elastomers and mixtures thereof. The term "polymer" is understood to mean both homopolymers and copolymers (in particular binary or ternary copolymers). Non-limiting examples of such copolymers are: random copolymers, alternating copolymers, block copolymers and graft copolymers. Polyvinyl halides and polyolefins are generally preferred. A commonly used polymer is polyethylene. High density polyethylene (HDPE) has achieved excellent results. The impermeability of this plastic to volatile hydrocarbons can be improved by surface treatment (fluorination, sulfonation etc.) and / or by using a barrier layer (for example based on polyamide (PA) or a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer (PVOH)) or ethylene / vinyl alcohol. Copolymer (EVOH).

Preferably, the tank has multilayer structures comprising at least one HDPE-based layer and at least one EVOH-based layer, the term "based on" being "primarily composed", it being understood that these layers comprise other polymers and / or or additives in lesser amount (by weight). Preferably, the term "on a material" means "more than 50% by weight of the material", more preferably "more than 80% by weight of the material".

The term "inner closed volume of the tank" means the working volume of the tank for the storage of liquid and / or gas (e.g., steam). In some embodiments, the inner closed volume of the tank may be formed by a single storage compartment (i.e., storage volume). In some other embodiments, the inner closed volume of the tank may be formed by two or more storage compartments in fluid communication with one another.

• - Das mindestens eine Spritzgussteil ist mit dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil verschweißt. Es versteht sich, dass auch andere Verbindungsmittel, wie Kleben, Bonden, Schrauben und dergleichen, verwendet werden können, um das Spritzgussteil bzw. die Spritzgussteile an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil zu befestigen.
• - Der Kunststofftank ist ein Kraftstofftank oder ein Harnstofftank für ein Kraftfahrzeug. Es versteht sich, dass der Tank ein beliebiger anderer Tank sein kann, beispielsweise ein Tank zum Speichern eines Abgasadditivs, eines Motorkühlmittel, eines Fluids für das hydraulische Bremssteuersystem, beispielsweise eines Scheibenwaschmittel oder einer Scheinwerferwaschflüssigkeit. Der Fachmann würde wissen, welches Material für den Tank entsprechend dem Inhalt ausgewählt werden soll, der darin gespeichert werden soll.
• - Die beiden Enden umfassen ein erstes Ende und ein zweites Ende, wobei das erste Ende durch das blasgeformte Befestigungsteil gebildet wird, das sich vom blasgeformten Körper aus erstreckt, und dem Spritzgussteil, das dicht an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil befestigt ist. Gemäß einer Variante wird das zweite Ende durch das blasgeformte Befestigungsteil gebildet, das sich vom blasgeformten Körper aus erstreckt, und dem Spritzgussteil, das dicht an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil befestigt ist. Gemäß einer anderen Variante werden sowohl das erste als auch das zweite Ende des Tanks durch das blasgeformte Befestigungsteil gebildet, das sich vom blasgeformten Körper aus erstreckt, und dem Spritzgussteil, das dicht an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil befestigt ist. Im Falle von vertikal verwendeten Tanks (d.h. mit ihrer längsten Achse in vertikaler Richtung) beziehen sich das erste und das zweite Ende auf das obere und das untere Ende des Tanks in der normalen Betriebsposition. Im Falle von Tanks, die horizontal verwendet werden (d.h. mit ihrer längsten Achse in horizontaler Richtung), beziehen sich das erste und das zweite Ende auf das linke und das rechte Ende des Tanks in der normalen Betriebsposition.

The tank may further comprise, alone or in combination, one or more of the following features:

• - The at least one injection molded part is welded to the blow-molded fastening part. It is understood that other connecting means, such as gluing, bonding, screwing and the like, may be used to secure the injection molded part (s) to the blow-molded fastener.
• - The plastic tank is a fuel tank or a urea tank for a motor vehicle. It will be understood that the tank may be any other tank, such as a tank for storing an exhaust additive, engine coolant, fluid for the hydraulic brake control system, such as a windshield washer or a headlight washer fluid. One skilled in the art would know which material to select for the tank according to the content to be stored therein.
• The two ends comprise a first end and a second end, the first end being formed by the blow-molded fastening part extending from the blow-molded body and the injection-molded part being fastened tightly to the blow-molded fastening part. According to a variant, the second end is formed by the blow-molded fastening part extending from the blow-molded body and the injection-molded part which is fastened tightly to the blow-molded fastening part. According to another variant, both the first and the second end of the tank are formed by the blow-molded fastening part which extends from the blow-molded body, and the injection-molded part, which is fastened tightly to the blow-molded fastening part. In the case of vertically used tanks (ie with their longest axis in the vertical direction), the first and second ends refer to the upper and lower ends of the tank in the normal operating position. In the case of tanks that are used horizontally (ie with their longest axis in the horizontal direction), the first and second ends refer to the left and right ends of the tank in the normal operating position.

• - Das Spritzgussteil umfasst mindestens eine Komponente wie Nippel, Ventile und andere Elemente des Entlüftungssystems. Dies ist besonders bei funktionalen Komponenten von Vorteil, da ihre Integration eine bestimmte Form und / oder Dicke des Aufnahmebereichs am Tank erfordern kann, um deren ordnungsgemäße Funktion sicherzustellen. Eine solche bestimmte Form und / oder Dicke kann beim Blasformen Fehlwerten unterliegen, wenn sich der Aufnahmebereich am Ende des Tanks befindet. Da die Funktionskomponenten an einem Spritzgussteil integriert sind, kann die Qualität ihres Aufnahmebereichs verbessert werden. Gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform ist das Spritzgussteil ein Gewindeverbindungselement, das vorzugsweise zur Verbindung mit einem Pumpenmodul konfiguriert ist. Ein vorteilhaftes Beispiel für das Gewindeverbindungselement ist ein Mason Jar-Gewinde, das sich typischerweise bei einem Kraftstofftank auf der Oberseite oder bei einem SCR-Tank auf der Unterseite befindet und ein kritischer Bereich der Tankhülle ist, die eine minimale Dicke erfordert, um der durch die Schließmutter erzeugten Spannung standzuhalten und eine gute Dichtheit des Tanks zu gewährleisten.
• - Das Spritzgussteil umfasst ein Speichervolumen. Dieses Speichervolumen bildet einen Teil des inneren Volumens des Tanks. Dies ist besonders vorteilhaft, da es ermöglicht, einen Tank mit mehreren Taschen (Volumen zum Aufnehmen eines Fluids) durch Kombination von Extrusionsblasformen und Spritzgießen herzustellen. Gemäß einem Beispiel ist ein Tank mit zwei Taschen vorgesehen, wobei eine Tasche blasgeformt ist, die andere spritzgegossen ist und an einem Ende der blasgeformten Tasche befestigt (z.B. verschweißt) ist. Gemäß einem weiteren Beispiel ist ein Tank mit drei Taschen vorgesehen, wobei die Tasche in der Mitte blasgeformt ist, und die beiden anderen Taschen spritzgegossen und an beiden Enden der blasgeformten Tasche befestigt (z.B. verschweißt) sind. Mit dieser flexiblen Lösung können einige spezielle Formen, die durch Blasformen schwer herzustellen sind, durch Spritzgießen erhalten werden, wodurch es möglich ist, Tanks mit hoher Komplexität zu geringen Kosten herzustellen.

• - Gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen umfasst der Tank eine Trennlinienebene (die Ebene, der die Trennlinie umfasst) und das erste Ende und das zweite Ende sind in einer Richtung senkrecht zur Trennlinienebene. Vorzugsweise ist der blasgeformte Körper länglich, so dass eine Höhe des Blasformkörpers, gemessen in einer Richtung senkrecht zur Trennungslinienebene des Kunststoffbehälters, größer ist als eine Breite, die in einer Richtung parallel zur Trennungslinienebene gemessen wird. Dies erleichtert die Herstellung des Tanks und optimiert seine Dicke, wie oben erläutert. Gemäß einigen anderen Ausführungsformen liegen das erste Ende und das zweite Ende in einer Richtung parallel zur Trennlinienebene.
• - Der blasgeformte Körper und das daran angebrachte Spritzgussteil definieren gemeinsam das geschlossene Innenvolumen des Tanks. Mit anderen Worten, das Spritzgussteil bildet einen Abschnitt der Wand des Tanks, genauer gesagt eine Wand des inneren geschlossenen Volumens des Tanks.

It is understood that tanks can be used in any other position, for example in an inclined position, depending on the particular application.

• - The injection molded part comprises at least one component such as nipples, valves and other elements of the ventilation system. This is particularly advantageous in the case of functional components, as their integration may require a certain shape and / or thickness of the receiving area on the tank to ensure their proper functioning. Such a particular shape and / or thickness may be deficient in blow molding when the receiving area is at the end of the tank. Since the functional components are integrated on an injection molded part, the quality of their receiving area can be improved. According to a further embodiment, the injection-molded part is a threaded connection element, which is preferably configured for connection to a pump module. An advantageous example of the threaded fastener element is a Mason Jar thread, typically located on a fuel tank on the top or an SCR tank on the bottom, which is a critical area of the tank shell that requires a minimum thickness to pass through Lock nut to withstand generated voltage and to ensure a good tightness of the tank.
• - The injection molded part comprises a storage volume. This storage volume forms part of the internal volume of the tank. This is particularly advantageous since it makes it possible to produce a multi-pocket tank (volume for receiving a fluid) by combining extrusion blow molding and injection molding. According to one example, a tank is provided with two pockets, one pocket being blow molded, the other being injection molded and attached (eg, welded) to one end of the blow molded bag. As another example, a three-pocket tank is provided with the pocket blow molded in the center and the other two pockets injection molded and attached (eg, welded) to both ends of the blow molded bag. With this flexible solution, some special molds which are difficult to produce by blow molding can be obtained by injection molding, whereby it is possible to produce tanks of high complexity at a low cost.

• According to some embodiments, the tank includes a dividing line plane (the plane including the dividing line), and the first end and the second end are in a direction perpendicular to the dividing line plane. Preferably, the blow molded body is elongated so that a height of the blow molded article measured in a direction perpendicular to the dividing line plane of the plastic container is larger than a width measured in a direction parallel to the dividing line plane. This facilitates the manufacture of the tank and optimizes its thickness, as explained above. According to some other embodiments, the first end and the second end lie in a direction parallel to the dividing line plane.
• - The blow-molded body and the attached injection molded part together define the closed inner volume of the tank. In other words, the injection molded part forms a portion of the wall of the tank, more specifically, a wall of the inner closed volume of the tank.

• - Blasformen eines Kunststoffrohlings oder eines Vorformlings in einer Form, um den Blasformkörper herzustellen;
• - Entfernen des Körpers aus der Form;
• - Abschneiden eines Abschnitts des Körpers an mindestens einem seiner Enden, um das blasgeformten Befestigungsteil zu bilden;
• - Anbringen des mindestens einen Spritzgussteils an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil dicht von außen.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing a plastic tank as described above, comprising the following steps:

• Blow molding a plastic blank or a preform in a mold to produce the blow molded article;
• - removing the body from the mold;
• - cutting off a portion of the body at at least one of its ends to form the blow-molded fastener;
• - Attaching the at least one injection molded part to the blow-molded fastening part tightly from the outside.

• - Blasformen eines Kunststoffrohlings oder eines Vorformlings in einer Form, um den blasgeformten Körper mit dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil um eine Öffnung herum herzustellen;
• - Entfernen des Körpers aus der Form;
• - Anbringen des mindestens einen Spritzgussteils an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil dicht von außen.

Preferably, the blow-molded body is closed as it is removed from the mold. The present invention further relates to a method for producing a plastic tank as described above, comprising the following steps:

• Blow molding a plastic blank or preform in a mold to produce the blow molded body with the blow molded fastener around an opening;
• - removing the body from the mold;
• - Attaching the at least one injection molded part to the blow-molded fastening part tightly from the outside.

Preferably, the fastening step is carried out by welding. It is understood that this step can also be performed by any other suitable means, for example by gluing, bonding, screwing and the like.

• 1 eine schematische Seitenquerschnittsansicht eines Tanks gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 2 eine schematische Seitenquerschnittsansicht eines Tanks gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 3 eine schematische Seitenquerschnittsansicht eines Tanks gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;
• 4 eine schematische seitliche Querschnittsansicht eines Tanks gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform;
• 5 eine schematische seitliche Querschnittsansicht eines Tanks gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform;
• 6 eine schematische Ansicht, die einen Schritt eines Verfahrens zum Herstellen eines Tanks gemäß einer Ausführungsform darstellt;
• 7 eine schematische Ansicht, die einen weiteren Schritt des in 6 gezeigten Verfahrens veranschaulicht;
• 8 eine schematische Ansicht, die die Hauptschritte eines Verfahrens zum Herstellen des Tanks von 1 darstellt;
• 9 eine schematische Ansicht ist, die die Hauptschritte eines Verfahrens zum Herstellen des Tanks von 2 darstellt;
• 10 eine schematische Ansicht ist, die ein System zur Herstellung des Tanks von 5 darstellt; und
• 11 ist eine schematische Ansicht, die die Hauptschritte eines Verfahrens zum Herstellen des Tanks von 5 darstellt.

The present invention will be better understood when read with reference to the accompanying figures which are given by way of illustration only. In the drawings:

• 1 a schematic side cross-sectional view of a tank according to a first embodiment;
• 2 a schematic side cross-sectional view of a tank according to a second embodiment;
• 3 a schematic side cross-sectional view of a tank according to a third embodiment;
• 4 a schematic lateral cross-sectional view of a tank according to a fourth embodiment;
• 5 a schematic lateral cross-sectional view of a tank according to a fifth embodiment;
• 6 a schematic view illustrating a step of a method of manufacturing a tank according to an embodiment;
• 7 a schematic view showing a further step of in 6 illustrated method illustrated;
• 8th a schematic view showing the main steps of a method for producing the tank of 1 represents;
• 9 is a schematic view showing the main steps of a method for manufacturing the tank of 2 represents;
• 10 is a schematic view showing a system for producing the tank of 5 represents; and
• 11 is a schematic view showing the main steps of a method of manufacturing the tank of 5 represents.

1 shows a plastic container 11 according to a first embodiment. In this embodiment, the tank is 11 an SCR tank for motor vehicles. It includes an elongated blow-molded body 12 and two ends. It should be noted that the term "elongated" here means the fact that the height (or length) H of the body 12 greater than its width W is. In this embodiment, the height H becomes in the direction perpendicular to the parting line plane 14 of the tank 11 measured and the width W is in the direction parallel to the dividing line 14 of the tank 11 measured. The body 12 and the two ends together form the inner closed volume of the tank 11 out. As in 1 which illustrates an example of the vertical use of the tank, becomes the top end 15 of the tank through a part of the body 12 formed, and becomes the lower end of the tank 11 is by a blow-molded fastener 16 formed, different from the body 12 extends out, and one from the outside tightly with the blow-molded fastening part 16 welded injection molded part 13 , In other words, the injection molded part 13 covers one in the body 12 made opening so that a closed inner volume of the tank is formed. It is understood that the injection molded part 13 on the blow-molded attachment part 16 can be fixed by other means, for example by gluing, bonding, screws, as long as it ensures a good tightness between the two parts.
In this embodiment, the injection molded part 13 a Mason Jar thread to be connected to a pump. The Mason Jar thread is a critical area of the tank shell that requires a minimum thickness to withstand the tension created by the closure nut and to ensure good tightness of the tank. In the case of a very large (or very long) tank, if the Mason Jar thread were formed during the blow molding operation, the minimum thickness requirement could not be met because the blank is greatly stretched in this area or could meet this requirement at the expense of over-center thickness Tanks (thereby overweight and cost increase of the tank) are met.

The body 12 and the injection molded part 13 may be made of any suitable plastic, especially thermoplastic material, such as HDPE. The material of the injection molded part 13 should match that of the blow-molded fastener 16 be compatible, so that the two parts can be tightly interconnected, for example by welding.

2 shows a tank 21 according to a second embodiment in an example of vertical use. In this embodiment, the tank is 21 a fuel tank for motor vehicles. This embodiment is similar to the first one with differences in that the lower end 26 of the tank 21 through a part of the blow-molded body 22 and the top of the tank 21 through a blow-molded fastening part 25 which is formed by the blow-molded body 22 and an injection molded part 23 extends, with the blow-molded fastener 25 is tightly welded from the outside.

In the injection molded part 23 One or more components such as nipples, valves and other elements of the ventilation system can be integrated. These components can be integral with the part 23 shaped or attached thereto, for example by welding.

3 shows a tank 31 according to a third embodiment in an example of vertical use. The Tank 31 includes a blow-molded body 32 and two ends. The body 32 and the two ends together form the inner one closed volume of the tank 31 , As in 3 shown is the top of the tank 31 through a blow-molded fastening part 35 formed, which differs from the body 32 extends, and an injection molded part 33 , which from the outside close to the blow-molded fastening part 35 is welded. Likewise, the bottom of the tank 31 through a blow-molded fastening part 36 formed, that differs from the body 32 extends from, and an injection molded part 33 ' , which is tight from the outside with the blow-molded fastening part 36 is welded. The reference number 38 denotes a functional component (in this example, a valve) incorporated in the injection molded part 33 is integrated. It is understood that the number, type and position of in 3 shown component are exemplary only.

4 shows a tank 41 according to a fourth embodiment in an example of vertical use. In this embodiment, the tank is 41 similar to the second tank a fuel tank for motor vehicles. The Tank 41 includes a blow-molded body 42 and two ends. In the exemplary vertical position of use, the upper end of the tank 41 through a blow-molded fastening part 45 formed, that differs from the body 42 extends from, and an injection molded part 43 , which is tight from the outside with the blow-molded fastening part 16 is welded. In this embodiment, the injection molded part comprises 43 in itself a storage volume which forms part of this internal volume of the tank. According to a variant, the lower end of the tank is formed by a blow-molded fastening part which extends from the body, and an injection-molded part, which is welded from the outside tightly with the blow-molded fastening part and has a storage volume. According to another variant, both ends of the tank are formed by such an injection molded part.

This solution is particularly advantageous because the combination of extrusion blow molding and injection molding enables the manufacture of a multi-pocket tank (volume for holding a fluid). With this flexible solution, some special shapes which are difficult to produce by blow molding can be obtained by injection molding, whereby it is possible to manufacture multiple tanks with high complexity at a low cost.

5 shows a tank 51 according to a fifth embodiment in an example of vertical use. This embodiment is similar to the first with differences in that the end of the container formed by the blow-molded fastener 56 that is different from the body 52 extends, and the injection molded part 53 (here a Mason Jar thread), the outside of the molded attachment part 56 is fixed, in the direction parallel to the dividing line plane 54 the tank is located. If the Mason Jar thread were formed during the process of blow molding the tank, it would be at the parting line 54 be passed, resulting in an increased risk of leakage. According to a variant, both ends are in the direction parallel to the dividing line plane 54 the tank formed by a blow-molded part and an externally attached to the molded part injection molded part.

The fact that the tank is formed by a blow-molded body and an externally attached injection molded part which together form the inner closed volume of the tank (ie, the injection molded part forms a portion of the wall of the tank) allows the tank to be combined produced from extrusion blow molding and injection molding, which are user-friendly and easy to carry out.

For very large or very long tanks, the overall height or length of the section to be blown (ie the depth of the cavity of the blow mold for the production of the tank) can be reduced (only the blow-molded body compared to the entire tank in the classical process), whereby the tank without thickness problem, and / or allows the separate production of specific areas requiring a minimum thickness in the injection molding, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the tank and optimizing its thickness (in other words, there is no longer any need for excess thickness in the region of the dividing line of the tank in order to meet the minimum thickness requirement in the end areas of the tank, which leads to material savings and thus to weight and cost savings.). In tanks with one or more special elements (e.g., a Mason Jar thread) located in the area traversed by the parting line, the special element can be separately injection molded, thereby reducing the risk of leakage in that area.

Now the manufacturing process of the tanks 11 . 21 and 51 described above with reference to the 6 to 11 have been described.

• - Platzieren eines Kunststofrohlings (oder eines Vorformlings) 10 zwischen einer ersten Formhälfte 1 und einer zweiten Formhälfte 2 und Schließen der Form ( 6);
• - Blasformen des Rohlings (oder der Vorform) 10 in der Form, um einen blasgeformten Körper 12 (7), vorzugsweise einen geschlossenen blasgeformten Körper, herzustellen;
• - Entfernen des Körpers 12 aus der Form und Abkühlen des Körpers (Schritt A von 8);
• - Abschneiden eines Abschnitts des Körpers 12 an seinem unteren Ende, um das blasgeformten Befestigungsteil 16 um eine Öffnung 17 herum auszubilden (mit anderen Worten, das blasgeformte Befestigungsteil 16 ist der Rand der Öffnung 17, siehe Schritt B von 8);
• - Anbringen des Spritzgussteils 13 an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil 16, dicht, von außen aus (Schritt C von 8).

The process of making the tank 11 from 1 mainly includes the following steps (see 6 . 7 and 8th ):

• Placing a plastic blank (or preform) 10 between a first mold half 1 and a second mold half 2 and closing the mold ( 6 );
• Blow molding the blank (or preform) 10 in the mold to form a blow molded body 12 ( 7 ), preferably a closed blow-molded body;
• - removing the body 12 from the mold and cooling the body (step A of 8th );
• - cutting off a section of the body 12 at its lower end, around the blow-molded fastener 16 around an opening 17 around (in other words, the blow-molded fastener 16 is the edge of the opening 17 , see step B of 8th );
• - Attaching the injection molded part 13 on the blow-molded attachment part 16 , tight, from the outside (step C of 8th ).

• - Platzieren eines Kunststoffrohlings (oder eines Vorformlings) 10 zwischen der Halbform 1 und einer zweiten Halbform 2 und Schließen der Form (6);
• - Blasformen des Rohlings (oder des Vorformlings) 10 in der Form, um einen Körper 22 (7), vorzugsweise einen geschlossenen, blasgeformten Körper herzustellen;
• - Entfernen des Körpers 22 aus der Form und Abkühlen des Körpers (Schritt A von 9);
• - Abschneiden eines Abschnitts des Körpers 22 an seinem oberen Ende, um das blasgeformten Befestigungsteil 25 um eine Öffnung 27 herum auszubilden (mit anderen Worten, das blasgeformte Befestigungsteil 25 ist der Rand der Öffnung 27, siehe Schritt B von 9);
• - Anbringen des Spritzgussteils 23 (kann eine oder mehrere zuvor darin integrierte Komponenten umfassen) an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil 25, dicht, von außen aus (Schritt C in 9).

Similarly, the method of manufacturing the tank includes 21 of the 2 essentially the following steps (see 6 . 7 and 9 ):

• Placing a plastic blank (or preform) 10 between the half form 1 and a second half form 2 and closing the mold ( 6 );
• Blow molding the blank (or preform) 10 in the form of a body 22 ( 7 ), preferably to produce a closed, blow-molded body;
• - removing the body 22 from the mold and cooling the body (step A of 9 );
• - cutting off a section of the body 22 at its upper end, around the blow-molded fastener 25 around an opening 27 around (in other words, the blow-molded fastener 25 is the edge of the opening 27 , see step B of 9 );
• - Attaching the injection molded part 23 (may include one or more components previously integrated therein) on the blow-molded fastener 25 , tight, from the outside (step C in 9 ).

The person skilled in the art can easily find out the method of manufacturing the tanks as described in US Pat 3 to 5 in view of the foregoing.

• - Platzieren eines Kunststoffrohlings (oder eines Vorformlings) 10 zwischen einer ersten Formhälfte 3 und einer zweiten Formhälfte 4 und Schließen der Form ( 10);
• - Blasformen des Rohlings (oder des Vorformlings) 10 in der Form, um den blasgeformten Körper 52 mit dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil 56 um eine Öffnung herum herzustellen (dies kann mit Hilfe eines beweglichen Teils 5 realisiert werden (zum Beispiel in zylindrischer Form, siehe 10) an der Unterseite, um den Rohling oder die Vorform richtig einzuklemmen);
• - Entfernen des Körpers 52 aus der Form und Abkühlen des Körpers (Schritt A von 11); - Entfernen von Graten 57 (überschüssiges Material) aus dem Körper 52;
• - dichtes Anbringen des Spritzgussteils 53 an dem blasgeformten Befestigungsteil 56.

Preferably, the tank 51 from 5 produced by another method mainly comprising the following steps (see 10 and 11 ):

• Placing a plastic blank (or preform) 10 between a first half of the mold 3 and a second mold half 4 and closing the mold ( 10 );
• Blow molding the blank (or preform) 10 in the form, around the blow-molded body 52 with the blow-molded fastening part 56 to make an opening around (this can be done with the help of a moving part 5 be realized (for example in cylindrical form, see 10 ) at the bottom to properly clamp the blank or preform);
• - removing the body 52 from the mold and cooling the body (step A of 11 ); - Removing burrs 57 (excess material) from the body 52 ;
• - Close attachment of the injection molded part 53 on the blow-molded attachment part 56 ,

Preferably, in the above processes, the welding step is performed.

The drawings and the description above describe non-limiting particular embodiments of a tank or process for manufacturing a tank. Some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted in teaching the principles. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the variations of these embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the above features may be combined in various ways to form a variety of variations. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, but is formed by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (15)

A plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41; 51) comprising a blow-molded body (12; 22; 32; 42; 52) and two ends forming the inner closed volume of the tank, characterized in that at least one end the two ends are formed by a blow-molded fastening part (16; 25; 35,36; 45; 56) extending from the blow-molded body (12; 22; 32; 42; 52) and an injection molded part (13; 23; 33 , 33 ';43; 53), which is fastened from the outside tightly to the blow-molded fastening part (16; 25; 35,36; 45; 56). A plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41; 51) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the at least one injection molded part (13; 23; 33,33; 43; 53) is welded to the blow-molded fastener (16; 25; 35,36; 45, 56). A plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41; 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic tank is a fuel tank or a urea tank for automobiles. A plastic tank (21; 31; 41) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two ends comprise a first end and a second end, the first end being formed by the blow-molded fastener (25; 35; 45) extending from the first blow molded body (22; 32; 42) and the injection molded part (23; 33; 43) tightly secured to the blow molded attachment member (25; 35; 45). A plastic tank (21; 31; 41) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the injection molded part (23; 33; 43) comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of a sucker and a valve system. Plastic tank (11, 31, 51) after Claim 4 wherein the second end is formed by the blow molded attachment member (16; 36; 56) extending from the blow molded body (12; 32; 52) and the injection molded member (13; 33 '; 53) attached to the blow molded body Attachment (16, 36, 56) is tightly attached. A plastic tank (11; 31; 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the injection molded part (13; 33 '; 53) is a threaded connection member configured to be connected to a pump module. Plastic tank (41) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the injection molded part (43) has a storage volume. Plastic tank (11, 21, 31, 41) after one of Claims 4 to 8th wherein the tank comprises a dividing line plane and wherein the first end and the second end are in a direction perpendicular to the dividing line plane. A plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41) according to the preceding claim, wherein the blow-molded body (12; 22; 32; 42) is elongated so that a height (H) of the blow molded body (12; 22; 32; 42) is measured, measured in a direction perpendicular to the parting line plane (14) of the plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41), greater than a width (W) measured in a direction parallel to the parting line plane (14). Plastic tank (51) after one of Claims 4 to 8th wherein the tank comprises a dividing line plane and wherein the first end and the second end are in a direction parallel to the dividing line plane. A plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41, 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blow-molded body (12; 22; 32; 42; 52) and the injection molded part (13; 23; 33,33 '; 43; 53) together form the closed internal volume of the tank. A method of manufacturing a plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41; 51) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: Blow molding a plastic blank or preform (10) into a mold (1, 2, 3, 4) to produce the blow molded body (12; 22; 32; 42; 52); - removing the body (12; 22; 32; 42; 52) from the mold; - cutting off a portion of the body at at least one of its ends to form the blow-molded fastener (16; 25; 35,36; 45; 56); Attaching, preferably, welding the at least one injection-molded part (13; 23; 33,33 '; 43) externally, in a sealed manner, to the blow-molded fastening part (16; 25; 35,36; 45). Method for producing a plastic tank (11; 21; 31; 41; 51) according to Claim 13 wherein the blow-molded body is closed when it is removed from the mold. Process for producing a plastic tank (51) according to Claim 11 blow molding machine comprising: - blow molding a plastic blank or preform (10) in a mold (3, 4) to make the blow molded body (52) with the blow molded fastener (56) around an opening; - removing the body (52) from the mold; Attaching, preferably welding the at least one injection-molded part (53) from the outside, in a sealed manner, to the blow-molded fastening part (56).

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