EP0694478A1 - Cup-shaped container - Google Patents

Abstract

The transition in the area of the container corners is formed with a larger radius, than in the area of the sidewalls (3,4,5,6). The different radii (7) located behind each other, merge into each other. The sidewalls extend upwards at an outward angle. An outward directed step (10) is located at the transition from the radius concerned, to the sidewall resp. corner area. The base (2) has a mainly oval cross-section. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a cup-shaped container which is produced by deep drawing from a flat film with a non-round cross-section, with a bottom and side walls rising therefrom, the transition between the bottom and the side walls being arched.

When producing such containers, thin areas are created in the area of the transition between the floor and the side walls, especially in the area of the container corners, which make it necessary to use a relatively thick starting film.

The invention has for its object to design a container of the type mentioned so that such thin spots are largely avoided.

This object is achieved in that the transition in the area of the container corners is formed with a larger radius than in the area of the side walls.

By forming the corners with a larger radius, a more uniform material distribution is achieved and thus thin spots are effectively avoided, which enables the use of a thinner starting film.

It has proven to be very advantageous if, according to the invention, the different radii lying one behind the other in the circumferential direction continuously merge into one another.

It is also very favorable if, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the side walls run obliquely outwards from bottom to top.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that an outward step is provided at the transition from the respective radius to the side wall.

This step does not prevent the flow of material from the side wall into the curved area, so that a uniform material distribution is nevertheless achieved. However, it brings a very advantageous stiffening for the container, whereby an optimal container stiffness is achieved even with very thin material.

It is very advantageous if, according to the invention, the bottom has an essentially oval cross section.

This ensures optimal transitions between the different radii.

Fig.1

eine Draufsicht auf einen becherförmigen im Querschnitt rechteckigen Behälter, der mit einem umlaufenden Flanschrand versehen ist,

Fig.2

eine teilweise aufgeschnittene Ansicht der Längsseite des Behälters,

Fig.3

eine Ansicht der Schmalseite des Behälters und

Fig.4

einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Bereich einer Behälter-Ecke.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment. Show:

Fig. 1

1 shows a plan view of a cup-shaped container with a rectangular cross section, which is provided with a circumferential flange edge,

Fig. 2

a partially cut-away view of the long side of the container,

Fig. 3

a view of the narrow side of the container and

Fig. 4

a vertical section through the area of a container corner.

1 in the figures denotes a cup-shaped, essentially rectangular container which has a base 2 and side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 rising from it, the corners lying between the side walls being rounded. The transition from the floor to the four side walls takes place with a radius of curvature (arrow 7) which is approximately 1/5 to 1/10 of the wall height H. In the area of the corners between the four side walls, a rounding toward the bottom 2 is also provided, the radius of curvature (arrow 8) of which is, however, significantly larger and is approximately 1/2 to 1/3 of the wall height H. This configuration of the radii of curvature 7 and 8 gives the base 2 an oval shape, as shown in FIG. The stability does not suffer as a result of this base design, but the material tapering in the corners in the deep drawing process is considerably less than with an approximately identical radius of curvature over the entire circumference. This makes it possible to select the film as a whole thinner and thus to achieve considerable material savings.

The different radii of curvature between the floor and the side walls on the one hand and between the floor and corners on the other hand merge into one another, so that there are no thin spots during deep drawing.

At the transition between the side wall or the corner area and the curved area adjoining the floor, a step 10 is provided, which the in Fig. 2 u. 3 has a visible course and serves to stiffen the container.

Claims (5)

Cup-shaped container (1), which is produced in the deep-drawing process from a flat film with a non-round cross-section, with a bottom (2) and side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) rising from it, the transition between the bottom and the side walls being arched is formed, characterized in that the transition in the area of the container corners is formed with a larger radius (arrow 8) than in the area of the side walls (3,4,5,6). Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the different radii (arrows 7 and 8) lying one behind the other in the circumferential direction merge continuously into one another. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) run obliquely outwards from bottom to top. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outwardly directed step (10) is provided at the transition from the respective radius (7, 8) to the side wall or to the corner area. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) has an essentially oval cross section.

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