DE19924827A1 - Bottle primarily for drinks such as beer, lemonade etc. is provided with elements which are located on the inner surface of the bottle mouth and mesh with the corresponding elements on the stopper circumference - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle (F) is provided with a stopper (V) which is joined to the neck section (H) of the bottle by meshing elements (1, 2) located respectively on the inner surface of the bottle mouth (M) and on the outer circumference of the stopper. Also claimed is a blank of a plastic bottle. It is characterized by the fact that the inner surface of its mouth is provided with elements (1) which are to mesh with the corresponding elements of the stopper.

Description

The invention relates to a bottle according to the preamble of claim 1 and a bottle preform according to the Preamble of claim 17.

To close a bottle, in particular a beverage keflasche made of glass or plastic, it is known to screw the closure with a cap-like shape and an internal thread on an external thread of the bottle neck adjacent to the opening in order to either be airtight with the screw connection itself or to seal yourself to compress. Especially for beer bottles that are made of glass, it is also known to use crown caps to close Ver. The crown cork claws with deformed holding elements behind a bead formed on the outside of the bottle neck near the mouth opening. Crown corks are usually not re-attachable so that they close tightly. In the case of plastic reusable bottles, it has been shown in practice that the material shrinks over time and / or the external thread of the bottle neck wears out as a result of several cleaning and refilling cycles. Even with glass bottles, the external thread or the bead for the crown cork can wear out or break out over time. Already during filling, the sealing function aimed at with screw caps or crown caps is no longer reliably achieved. Furthermore, with screw caps and crown caps, the gas or air volume enclosed above the fill level is relatively large. This can be disadvantageous especially for beverages that are sensitive to oxygen, such as beer, and also for other beverages that contain CO ₂ , which tend to foam when opened due to the large enclosed and pressurized gas volume. A disadvantage of screw caps is that their air content is inevitably introduced into the bottle during the closing process.

The invention has for its object a bottle of to create the type mentioned at the beginning, in which also longer service life or multiple opening and closing the desired sealing function is easily guaranteed and entrainment of air be drastically reduced during the sealing process can. Within the scope of the invention is also a preform for specify a plastic bottle for later use leaks caused by or caused by the bottle material are easy to avoid.

The task is with the features of the claims 1 and 17 solved.

Since the closure is fixed inside the mouth, the sealing function is guaranteed even with shrinking bottle necks or wear on the outside and even after the bottle has been used several times. In the case of beverages which are sensitive to acid and / or drinks containing CO ₂ , it is also of considerable advantage that the volume remaining in the bottle and thus the oxygen content is considerably smaller than previously. Due to a significantly smaller, pressurized gas volume in the bottle, the tendency to foaming is considerably reduced even with pressurized fillings, possibly with CO ₂ . The stopper-like closure itself has no significant cavities through which air is introduced into the bottle interior during screwing into the bottle. This type of closure is therefore particularly suitable for beverages that are sensitive to acid such as beer.

A preform, especially made of injection molded ther plastic such as PET, for the production of a Stretch blow bottle, or a preform like it for one Glass bottle can be used thanks to the preformed th counter-engagement elements on the inside wall of the mouth Realize production of a bottle in which the previous sealing problems due to shrinkage and / or wear ßes, and a large trapped air and / or gas volume are avoided. Since the preform be the counter-engagement element or the counter-engagement element contains elements at least in a raw state, the end valid form of the finished bottle simplified. Before in part, the counter-engagement element is even already formed in the preform exactly in its final shape.

The engagement elements and / or are expedient Counter-engagement elements raised or deepened. In particular, it means that at least one Counter-engagement element on the inside wall of the mouth either in this is deepened or raised, depending on  of how it best fits the purpose of the bottle speaks.

A particularly expedient embodiment uses one Screw cap with a thread inside in a counter thread of the inner wall of the mouth is screwed in, the Locking pistons of the closure which are closed at the end dives far into the mouth.

Alternatively, the lock could be a bayonet lock, by a pushing and rotating movement in its closing position is brought. For example, at the Mün the inside of the molded wart-like projections engaging guideways of the locking piston or corresponding projections on the piston of the closure in Ver indentations are made on the inner wall of the mouth. Advantageously, the bayonet lock in the Ab sealing position be positively locked to the user display when the sealing position is reached correctly is, and also an automatic release of the closure to avoid.

Another alternative would be an elastic closure Snap lock or an eccentric lock in question which the at least one engagement element of the closure by a movement or an elastic deformation in is brought into engagement with the counter-engagement element.

To the air volume in the bottle or the volume of the com keep the primary gas mixture as low as possible, if the piston is closed on all sides in the manner of a Immerse the sinker relatively deep into the mouth. In addition, with a deeply engaging piston is a very  reliable and permanent holding effect for the closure possible or a high tightening voltage for sealing.

The cooperation between the opposing and the opposing engagement element inside the bottle neck is special expedient for reusable plastic bottles, esp special PET because such bottles tend to shrink and Counter-engagement elements arranged on the outside due to the material elements would be sensitive to wear.

Especially in the case of a plastic bottle, it is advisable to use au a stabilizing and gripping collar on the bottle neck shape. The collar not only makes it easier to grip and transporting the bottle, but also reinforcing the Bottle neck clearly. By an overlap at least with a part of the counter-engagement element are the Ge Stability and the resistance to deformation of the counterpart Handle elements very high at least locally, which takes a long time adhesive closure function with high sealing security accomplishes.

Basically, the inside of the bottle neck seated closure especially to ensure integrity easy to implement. This means that structural Measures can be conveniently provided to the user show if the closure does not close properly should or was partially or fully open.

Cooperation between the closure and the muzzle the inner wall can already be airtight, because a relatively large mutual contact area is usable, or can alternatively generate a tightening tension to a Compress seal.  

The piston of the closure expediently has we at least one ventilation or ventilation groove with which when opening Pressure can be reduced or equalized before the Ver is completely open.

For easy handling and to protect the muzzle opening The bottle neck should be flush with the plunger Be connected to the opening end gripping head part. This he also makes handling of the closure easier.

The closure is easy to use if the Ver finally has a turning aid, for example an order catch corrugation, a slot into which a coin or a Tool can be used, or a non-circular contour or the like

Several embodiments of the Subject of the invention explained. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a partial vertical section of a closed bottle

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a preform for fla rule production

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of another preform for bottle manufacture

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a closure for a fla made from the preform of FIG. 3

Fig. 5 is a plan view of another preform or the bottle made therefrom.

A bottle F in FIG. 1, more precisely a plastic reusable bottle for a drink G, has a bottle body per K, which tapers into a bottle neck H. From a circular mouth opening 3 , a bottle mouth M extends inwards, which can be cylindrical in basic terms. At least one bottle counter-engagement element 1 is formed on the inner wall L of the mouth M, in FIG. 1 an internal thread 4 , which is raised against the inner wall of the mouth.

The bottle F is hermetically closed by a closure V, with which - in the embodiment shown - an annular seal D is pressed against the mouth opening 3 . The closure V has a mouth part 3 overlapping head part KO and a plunging into the mouth M piston 6 and is provided with at least one engagement element 2 , which is with the Gegeneingriffsele element 1 on the inner wall L in at least positive engagement and the sealing tension for the seal D creates. Alternatively, the engagement between the counter-engagement element 1 and the engagement element 2 itself could already be airtight. The engaging element 2 on the piston 6 of the closure is in the embodiment shown a counter thread 5 of the piston 6 . Depending on whether the counter-engagement element 1 is raised or recessed, the engagement element 2 is designed to match.

The piston 6 fills a considerable part of the volume in the mouth M above a filling level 8 of a drink G filled into the bottle F. The piston 6 , which could also extend, for example, only to the height 6 a, is significantly extended down to the height 6 b in the embodiment shown in order to keep the residual volume 7 of air or gas mixture as small as possible. The piston forms an all-round closed gas displacement body N, ie its interior has no connection to the gas space in the bottle F. Furthermore, at least one ventilation or ventilation groove 14 can be seen on the outer circumference of the piston 6 , with the overpressure or underpressure in the bottle F can be dismantled after a slight opening turn of the closure V.

The head part KO expediently reaches through the opening 3 Mün outwards, for. B. with a circumferential lip 9 , which serves to protect the mouth opening 3 and ensures the correct seat of the seal D. At the head part K, a turning aid 10 can be provided, for example a transverse slot 12 for attaching a coin or a tool, a circumferential corrugation 11 or another form of technical measure which makes it possible to generate a relatively strong torque at the closure if required.

The bottle F is - as I said - in Fig. 1 a plastic reusable bottle. For better handling of the relatively thin bottle and also to increase the structural strength of the bottle neck H, a circumferential collar 13 is formed , which overlaps in the vertical direction of the bottle at least with a portion of the counter-engagement element 1 on the inner wall L Mün. As a result, this particular area of the bottle neck is very dimensionally stable, even with high internal pressure and a screwed-in closure, because the Ge engaging element 1 cannot evade in this area. In addition, the collar 13 serves to hold the bottle when filling, closing and transporting it.

In Fig. 1, the closure V is a screw closure, which can be brought into the air-tight closing position shown by a rotary movement, and can be loosened and unscrewed by an opposite rotary movement. Alternatively, the closure could also be a bayonet closure, which is inserted and rotated over a partial area, the sealing and holding function also being effected via internal, mutually cooperating counter-engagement elements and a grip elements. As a further alternative, the closure V could be a snap or eccentric closure which plunges into the interior of the mouth M and has at least one elastic or movable engagement element which engages at least one counter-engagement element provided on the inner wall L of the mouth M.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a preform R (preform) as it is injection molded for the manufacture of a bottle F by stretch blow molding from a thermoplastic P such as PET. The preform R has only approximated or partially the shape of the later bottle, ie the bottle body K 'and the bottle neck H' do not yet have the final shape. The mouth area M with the collar 13, however, already has its exact final shape; it is no longer changed during stretch blow molding.

Before stretch blow molding, the preform R is heated to its processing temperature of the order of 130 ° C. and then inserted into a blow molding station, where it is positioned in the area of the bottle neck H ′ and the neck collar 13 . Then a mechanical stretching rod 21 (shown in broken lines) is inserted through the open mouth M against the bottom of the preform R, after which it is mechanically pre-stretched. The diameter of the stretching rod 21 is smaller than the inside diameter of the internal thread 4 , so that it does not touch it. Through the annular gap formed in this way, the required compressed air between the stretching rod 21 and the opening M is then supplied with the aid of a blow-molded mandrel 22 (shown in broken lines) to the mouth M and the preform R in the region of the bottle body K and the bottle neck H into its final shape blown. After the plastic material P has cooled on the cooled mold wall, the blowing station is opened and the finished bottle F is removed.

By the above-described method for producing a Bottle F using a preform with a injection molded internal thread in the mouth area is on particularly economical manner and with high performance Production of the bottle according to the invention enables.

The preform R could also be made of glass if a glass bottle is to be made. Here too, the preformed counter-engagement element 1 is expedient. The internal thread could also be machined.

The preform according to FIG. 3 for a beer bottle F is also injection molded and in the mouth area M with the collar 13 already has its exact final shape, while the body K 'is deformed by stretch blow molding to form the dash-dotted bottle body K. The collar 13 sits here at a distance below the internal thread 4 , which is deepened and is therefore particularly well protected against damage. In the area of the mouth opening 3 , an annular recess 15 is provided, into which an annular sealing lip 16 formed on the closure V engages. Between the mouth opening 3 and the neck collar 13 , a bead-like thickening 17 is formed, as is known from beer bottles made of glass for crown caps. The thickening 17 is separated by an annular groove 18 from the conditions 13 Kra. Below the collar 13 a Zylin derfläche 19 is formed, which already has its final shape. Through the collar 13 in connection with the cylinder surface 19 and the annular groove 18 , a problem-free transport animals of the bottle F in the area of a filling system by alternately gripping above or below the support ring 13 is possible (so-called neck handling).

The closure V according to FIG. 4 differs from the United closure V according to FIG. 1 essentially in that the air displacement body N is shortened and on the underside of the head part KG a different type of sealing lip 16 for engaging in the recess 15 is formed . At the lower edge of the head part K, a tamper-evident device 20, indicated by dashed lines, in the form of a tear ring or the like encompassing the bead on the bottle head can be attached in a simple manner. The completion of a bottle F with an essentially cylindrical bottle body K, whose diameter is substantially larger than that of the bottle head, is carried out in the same manner as described with reference to the preform R according to FIG. 2, by stretching, the mouth region including the internal thread remains unchanged.

The preforms according to FIGS. 2 and 3 can also be manufactured according to the multilayer system, the barrier property of the bottle body K being improved by an injected thin layer of another plastic with extremely low gas permeability. This is particularly advantageous for oxygen-sensitive beverages, such as beer, as this greatly reduces the diffusion of oxygen from the environment into the interior of the bottle.

After filling a bottle F according to Fig. 1 or 3, the closure V can be screwed on with conventional capping machines without any problems. In contrast to cup-type screw caps with an internal thread, which hold a few cubic centimeters of air, there is no air leakage into the bottle. For this reason too, the bottle-closure combination according to the invention is particularly suitable for oxygen-sensitive drinks such as beer, be it for disposable or reusable filling.

The preform R or the bottle F produced therefrom according to FIG. 5 differs from the preform according to FIGS. 2 and 3 in that the internal thread 4 in the mouth M is not continuous, but by three evenly, ie by 120 degrees the circumference of the mouth M distributed and parallel to its central axis recesses 23 a, 23 b, 23 c is continuously interrupted at three points. Since by three evenly distributed over the circumference of the mouth M partial thread 4 a, 4 b, 4 c are formed. The angle Y claimed by a partial thread is somewhat smaller than the angle 2 occupied by a recess.

The above-described subdivision of the internal thread 4 into a plurality of partial threads, preferably of the same size, with intermediate recesses of greater width, facilitates the removal of the preforms R during injection molding. In addition, the recesses can serve as a ventilation or ventilation groove when closing or opening the bottle F.

For the bottle F according to FIG. 5, a closure V with a continuous external thread 5 according to FIG. 1 or 4 can be used without changes. Instead, it is also possible to subdivide the external thread 5 complementary to the partial threads 4 a, 4 b, 4 c into three threaded sections 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, which can be inserted into the recesses 23 a, 23 b, 23 c . This ensures that the bottle F is tightly closed by a maximum rotation of 120 degrees.

Of course, instead of three partial threads 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, fewer or more partial threads or recesses 23 are also possible. These do not have to be identical to each other, but can occupy different widths or angles.

Claims (30)

1. Bottle (F), in particular beverage bottle made of plastic (P), with a through a bottle neck (H) be limited mouth (M) and a seal the mouth, the possibly re-attachable closure (V) by interlocking closure engagement elements ( 2 ) and bottle counter-engagement elements ( 1 ) with the bottle neck (H) is at least form-fitting engagement, characterized in that the counter-engagement elements ( 1 ) on the mouth wall (L) and the engagement elements ( 2 ) on the outside in Mouth (M) inside engaging closure (V) are arranged on. 2. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the engaging elements ( 2 ) and / or the Gegenein handle elements ( 1 ) are raised or recessed. 3. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure (V) is a screw cap with a Ge thread ( 5 ) on a sealing piston ( 6 ) which can be screwed into a counter thread ( 4 ) on the inner wall of the mouth (L). 4. Bottle according to claim 3, characterized in that the counter thread ( 4 ) on the inner wall of the mouth (L) through preferably parallel to the central axis of the Mün extension (M) recesses ( 23 a, 23 b, 23 c) in several partial threads ( 4th a, 4 b, 4 c) is divided. 5. Bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle (Z) claimed by a recess ( 23 a, 23 b, 23 c) is greater than the angle claimed by a partial thread ( 4 a, 4 b, 4 c) ( Y). 6. Bottle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the partial thread ( 4 a, 4 b, 4 c) and the recesses ( 23 a, 23 b, 23 c) distributed uniformly over the circumference of the inner wall of the mouth (L) are. 7. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure ver on the counter-engagement elements bolted bayonet catch, preferably with shape conclusively locked sealing position. 8. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure on the counter-engagement elements set elastic snap lock or a Eccentric closure, preferably with at least one movable engaging element. 9. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure (V) as an air displacement body (N) up to close to the filling level ( 8 ), preferably up to approximately the transition of the generally cylindrical Mün inner wall (L) in the expansion of the bottle body pers (K), in the mouth elongated ( 6 ) piston ben. 10. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottle is a stretch blow bottle made of plastic, especially PET.   11. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement between the closure (V) and the coin inner wall (L) is airtight. 12. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of the engagement between the closure (V) and a permanent seal on the inside wall of the mouth (L) tension for one in the bottle mouth and / or positioned on the opening end of the bottle neck Seal (D) can be generated. 13. Bottle according to claim 3, characterized in that the piston ( 6 ) of the closure (V) has at least one approximately axial ventilation or ventilation groove ( 14 ). 14. Bottle according to claim 3, characterized in that the piston ( 6 ) is connected to a head part (KO) which engages over the opening end of the bottle neck. 15. Bottle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a turning aid ( 10 ) is provided on the closure (V), for example egg ne circumferential corrugation ( 11 ), a slot ( 12 ), an un-round closure contour or the like .. 16. Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that an elastic, ring-like sealing lip ( 16 ) is formed on the closure (V) which engages in egg ne the mouth opening ( 3 ) of the bottle surrounding recess ( 15 ) . 17. Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a support ring or collar ( 13 ) is preferably formed in the transition region between the bottle head and bottle neck. 18. Bottle according to claim 17, characterized in that cylindrical annular surfaces ( 19 ) and / or cylindrical annular grooves ( 18 ) are formed directly above the collar ( 13 ) and immediately below the collar ( 14 ). 19. Bottle according to claim 18, characterized in that an annular groove ( 18 ) is formed above the collar ( 13 ), which is followed by a thickening ( 17 ) preferably similar to a crown cork mouth. 20. Preform made of injection-molded plastic for a stretch blow bottle, in particular of PET, with a molded, a mouth having a bottle head, characterized in that at the mouth inner wall (L) at least one counter-engagement element ( 1 ) for a lock in NEN in the mouth is provided. 21. Preform according to claim 20, characterized in that the counter-engagement element ( 1 ) is formed by an inner thread ( 4 ). 22. Preform according to claim 21, characterized in that the internal thread ( 4 ) on the inner wall of the mouth (L) through preferably parallel to the central axis of the Mün extension (M) recesses ( 23 a, 23 b, 23 c) in several partial threads ( 4th a, 4 b, 4 c) is divided. 23. Preform according to claim 22, characterized in that the angle claimed by a recess ( 23 a, 23 b, 23 c) bean (Z) is greater than that of a partial thread ( 4 a, 4 b, 4 c) claimed Angle (Y). 24. Preform according to claim 22, characterized in that the partial thread ( 4 a, 4 b, 4 c) and the recesses ( 23 a, 23 b, 23 c) are evenly distributed over the circumference of the inner wall of Mün (L). 25. Preform according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the counter-engagement element ( 1 ) already has its final shape. 26. Preform according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that the counter-engagement element ( 1 ) is injection molded in situ. 27. Preform according to one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that a support ring or collar ( 13 ) is preferably formed in the transition region between the head and neck of the preform. 28. Preform according to claim 27, characterized in that cylindrical annular surfaces ( 19 ) and / or cylindrical annular grooves ( 18 ) are formed directly above the collar ( 13 ) and immediately below the collar ( 14 ). 29. Preform according to claim 28, characterized in that an annular groove ( 18 ) is formed above the collar ( 13 ), to which a thickening ( 17 ) preferably similar to a crown cork mouth adjoins. 30. Preform according to claim 29, characterized in that the internal thread ( 4 ) sits at the level of the thickening ( 17 ).