EP1809546A1

EP1809546A1 - Container unit, containers and method for producing said containers

Info

Publication number: EP1809546A1
Application number: EP05794000A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Germann
Original assignee: Nussbaum Matzingen AG
Current assignee: Nussbaum Matzingen AG
Priority date: 2004-11-09
Filing date: 2005-10-21
Publication date: 2007-07-25
Also published as: WO2006050620A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container unit comprising a threadless container and a closing element. The container has an outlet having a thickened section. The container unit also has structures (6) which retain the closing element on the container in a positive fit. Preferably, the container and the closing element, for example, a ring nut (2), comprise structures that give anti-twist protection and that allow to produce a closure having an excellent closing force. Said structures also allow to position a closing element in relation to the container.

Description

CONTAINER UNIT, CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH CONTAINER

The invention relates to a container unit with container and closure element, as well as threadless container and a method for producing such containers. It particularly relates to a container with a separate thread, such as aluminum cans and bottles for daily life needs.

Aluminum cans and bottles, so-called monobloc cans, are produced in a manner known per se from one piece of a starting material, for example by extrusion or deep-drawing. The starting material is brought into the desired container shape with the appropriate shapes and methods. In this case, in a method step, a part of the spout area of the container is formed as a thread on which a screw cap can be screwed. However, with certain container shapes and materials or uses, it is not possible or desirable to mold a thread directly into a container blank. In particular, in rolled threads in Fliesspress process the inner coating of the container material is damaged, which leads to porosity in the paint and makes the container useless for many applications.

The document WO 98/06636 closures are known in which a separate threaded ring is applied to the container neck on threadless containers. On this threaded ring can then be a lid with a corresponding screw cap be screwed on. Known disadvantages of such containers with a separate threaded ring are that the closure does not guarantee a secure closure or that such units are usually expensive to manufacture. To attach a threaded ring to a container, the threaded ring is clamped by, for example, the container rim. For this purpose, a threaded ring must first be applied to a container before the container edge can be crimped. If, in addition, a closure with a high closure force is required for tight and secure closure, then containers with a separate threaded ring are only of limited use since, in the case of such closures, the lid and threaded ring usually make a very strong connection. In an attempt to open the container, does not open the screw cap, but it turns the threaded ring on the neck. This happens even when, for example, a mechanical closure of the container. For closures with strong closing force containers are thus used with integrated thread, in which an opening is guaranteed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a container unit, a container for a closure, in particular for a separate threaded ring, as well as a corresponding closure, which overcomes disadvantages of the known prior art. In particular, a container and a container unit is to be created, which guarantees a secure holding a closure on the container. It is also an object to provide a method for producing such containers.

The object is solved by the invention as defined in the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

A container unit according to the invention comprises a threadless container and a closure element. The container has a thickening in a spout area in the area of a spout opening. In addition, the closure element and the container or only the closure element structures. If the structures are introduced only in the closure element, they are arranged or configured in such a way that the structures, together with the thickening in the container edge, effect a positive retention of the closure element on the container. If the closure element and the container have structures, then these are designed to correspond with one another in a form-fitting manner. Depending on the configuration of the structures, a closure element is secured against axial movement and / or rotation relative to a container. Preferably, the structures in the spout area of a container are an identical negative or positive to the corresponding structures in a closure element.

Such structures are molded into a container in a process step of the manufacturing process in a spout area of the container. The container can be made in an otherwise known manner by, for example, cold presses or deep drawing in metallic material or by molding or casting, for example in glass. The structure is preferably designed in such a way that a closure element which can be attached to the otherwise threadless spout area of the container, such as a threaded ring or a complete closure relative to the container, can be secured against rotation by positive locking.

Non-threaded containers generally have the advantages that no threading in the container itself must be made. In the case of flow-molding processes, an elaborate production step can be saved and, in addition, the injuries of an inner coating lacquer occurring during the thread forming process are eliminated. With separate threaded rings also containers without integrated thread can be provided with a screw cap. It can thus also be provided with complex threaded or closures for a container, which - A -

For example, cold-pressed containers otherwise can not be integrated. This applies in particular to threads that can be opened in small angles and multi-start threads, as well as sharp-edged structures. Technical limitations in thread rolling, as well as massive interior paint damage make such applications impossible. In a preferred embodiment, the container according to the invention has the additional advantage that it can be provided with a closure which, even with a high closing force of a lid - which is desirable for a secure closure of a container - guarantees opening of the container. Due to the structure in the container, which corresponds to the structure of a closure element, a closure member securely seated on the container and is secured against rotation due to rotation of the closure or a lid. This is desirable with a high closure force, as occurs, for example, in a mechanical application of a lid of a rotary closure on a container. With such structures, it is also possible to position a closure element and thus also a possible lid relative to a container with respect to the axis of rotation of the element. Thus, for example, a motif or a shape of a lid can be aligned with the position of a motif or element on or in the container. Thus, containers provided with structures are not only suitable for screw closures with a separate threaded ring. It may, for example, a one-piece closure, z. B. snap or click closure are applied or a substantially arbitrarily shaped retaining ring to which a closure is attachable.

The structures in a container mentioned here are formations of the container wall, which are arranged on the circumference of a spout area of a container. These structures may be structures formed from a container wall, such as in cold-pressed containers. For containers made of glass, these would preferably be structures on the outer circumference of the bottle neck. Structures on the inner circumference of the container are also possible with appropriately designed closure element. Structures can Recesses and bulges, which can be arranged parallel to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the container or a cylindrical spout area. They are preferably designed such that they can be produced by an axial displacement of a forming the structures forming tool along the spout area. Thus, the length of such a structure can be determined by the amount of feed of the tool. For example, structures may also be hemispherical or square bulges and / or depressions. If the structure is formed from the container wall, as is preferably the case with containers produced by cold extrusion, the depth of the structures, ie the distance between the outer and inner circumference of the spout area, is preferably less than the comparable depth of thread grooves. Due to the lower mechanical stress of the material in the manufacture of such structures, no damage to an interior paint is caused.

The structures allow a closure element attached to or at the spout area of a container, which on its inner or outer side to the

Having structures corresponding shapes, positively engages the structures of a container. The structures of container and closure element are arranged so that a rotation of the closure element to the container axis is not possible or only to a limited extent. The structures may additionally be designed so that they also prevent or reduce slippage of the threaded ring along the container axis up or down by their positive connection.

Contrary to the general opinion, it is possible in a container, which is made of a piece of a metal-containing material such as aluminum, for example. By cold extrusion, to introduce structures in a process step of the manufacturing process. Presumably, the rejection of such structures by the manufacturing violation of the material in the Thread rolls influenced. However, it is the merit of the invention to show that it is possible in the production of cold-pressed containers to introduce such structures without this leading to material damage. The present invention utilizes such structures, for example, to improve threaded fastener twist-type fasteners by using the structures as anti-rotation locks for threaded rings. Threaded rings need not be clamped by crimping the edge of an aluminum container with the edge and it can be made with high closure force closures without threading must be introduced into the container itself.

With the method according to the invention, structures can be introduced by a single additional method step in the molding process of a container, which is also executable on the same machine as the other production methods, thus creating the conditions for a substantially improved closure. Depending on the container material, there is no need for an additional process step: If the container or at least one spout area is shaped, e.g. made of glass, only the mold needs to be designed differently, for example. Instead of the thread shape have the shape of the structure.

Structures of containers may be identical or partial negatives of structures of closure elements and vice versa. Positive-locking structures, in particular in the form of identical negatives / positives, make it possible that in the resting state of the closure, ie when no opening or closing takes place, essentially no pressing of the closure element on the container is necessary. No or only a slight pressure takes less weight on the sealing material and makes plastic hardly deform (cold flow). This increases the selection options in terms of material, especially for low-cost material. Also, a closure element, in particular a threaded ring, are made correspondingly thin, so that material can be saved. A flow of the Plastic takes place essentially only upon rotation of a lid, which flow but is stopped by the structures. In addition, since the structures also serve as cropping elements for inaccurate manufacturing of a container, no thread changes due to manufacturing inaccuracies of the container or aging of the closure are to be expected.

An unthreaded container comprises a body, a spout area adjoining the body with a spout opening, wherein the spout area has a thickening, for example a crimp, in the area of the spout opening. In addition, the spout area preferably has structures which allow a form-fitting attachment of a closure element, for example a threaded ring or a snap closure. The structures may be regularly or irregularly spaced apart from one another, ie arranged rotationally symmetrically or non-rotationally symmetrically on the circumference of the spout area. The structures are preferably simple axial, oblong shapes, which allow a parallel displacement of a molding tool relative to the container or the spout area of the container in the manufacturing process. Various possibilities for introducing structures are: i) the structures are pressed from outside the container with a suitably shaped tool, so-called retracted, while the tool is guided axially to the container from the outside; ii) a mold in the form of a core is inserted into the container into the spout opening, while with a counterpart acting on the spout area from the outside, the corresponding structures are crept into the neck region. iii) A core piece includes molds corresponding to the structures to be embossed, but which forms are arranged retractable in the core. This allows the introduction of structures, which would otherwise result in a queuing of the tool at narrower points in the container. By drawing in 'protruding' forms in the tool reduces its diameter and allows an axial displacement of the same even after the introduction of the structures. The structures corresponding to the structures can also be lowered in the corresponding outer forming tool.

An externally applied mold is preferably in one piece and its inner circumference determines the outer circumference of the parts of a container which are processed therewith. But it is also possible to lay multi-part molds around the spout area. By closing the molds, the introduced on the molds structures are transferred to the spout area. Options i) and ii) allow the use of relatively simple tools without moving parts. They are essentially suitable for the introduction of structures which bring about a varying diameter along the circumference of the spout area, but not along the longitudinal axis of the spout area towards the spout opening. In a method according to i), preferably a molding tool is guided axially from the later pouring opening, over the container, and thus a round pouring area with a specific first circumference is formed. After removal of the first mold, a second mold is passed over the container in the same way. However, this second tool is only pushed so far over the spout area, that in the spout area an upper cylinder is formed with a narrower second perimeter. After the second tool has been removed from the container, again by axial retraction, a third mold having the structures is passed over the spout area from above. The second narrower circumference of the container is substantially equal to or smaller than the inner circumference of the molding tool caused by the structures. However, the inner circumference of the mold is smaller than the first circumference. This guarantees that the third mold can pass unhindered through the upper, narrower cylinder of the spout area. However, the structures in the mold deform the spout area in the lower, larger cylinder and transfer the structural shape to the container. The axial displacement of the third tool can influence the expansion of the structures in the axial direction. With knowledge of the invention, it is also possible to form the structures in another way in a container. For example, the second step in the method described above may be omitted. Thus, an entire spout area is provided up to the spout opening with structures. A rounding of the spout opening, for example, for subsequent crimping of upper, the spout opening proximal parts of the spout area, can be done later with a corresponding mold.

In a preferred embodiment, the edge region is crimped outwardly at the spout opening of a container, and a closure element is attached to the spout region of the container only after crimping. An advantage of this manufacturing method is that the container blank can be completed in a single-machine cohesive manufacturing process. "Finished" in this context includes all process steps for forming the container, such as cutting to length, drawing in, stretching and embossing. Such a blank may for example be provided with a threaded ring for a threaded closure, but also with a crown cap, a snap closure or other holding element to which a closure can be attached. Thus, the uses of the container are very diverse.

In another embodiment, the container is up to the edge region at the spout opening, so including the structures in a contiguous

Manufacturing process produced. Subsequently, a threaded ring on the

Container opening out and attached to the spout area. The mutually corresponding structures of container and threaded inner side engage with each other, wherein the threaded ring and the container are thereby held together and secured against rotation. The border area is only after the

Attaching the threaded ring crimped and outwards in a designated

Shoulder inserted in the threaded ring. In one embodiment of the invention, a container unit includes a container and a closure element. The container has an inwardly flared edge. The closure element is held in a form-fitting manner with structures, which are located on the outside of the closure element, on the inner flanging of the container. This positive holder prevents in the assembled state, an axial displacement of the closure element relative to the container.

Crimping involves bending an edge - inwardly or outwardly - that may be substantially as viewed from 0 ° -360 ° or more from a container axis. With a beaded edge, the edge is typically bent by about 90 °, between 90 ° and 180 ° or even up to 360 °. The edge is preferably guided in a beading inside or outside of the container back down to prevent injury to the edges of the edge.

A thickening in the spout area in the region of a spout opening of a container is due to an enlarged outer diameter or a reduced diameter

Inner diameter in the spout area, optionally formed by both simultaneously. The thickening preferably extends over the entire circumference, but may also extend only partially over the circumference of the spout area. Such

Depending on the material of the container and production method, thickening preferably takes place by means of a wall thickness which is increased in the region of thickening or

Flare formed inside or outside.

Containers and / or closure elements may be supplemented with further projections and depressions, indentations and / or bulges which prevent the closure element from slipping up or down on the container. Regardless of the design of the edge portion of the container, a threaded ring is attached to the container such that its upper edge is substantially flush with an upper edge of the container rim in the spout area. In order to achieve a functional separation of closures and densities and thus to ensure a seal of a closure between the container edge and lid, the threaded ring is preferably arranged slightly below the container edge, but it is always guided at least substantially up to the spout opening. Such a separation of functions or sealing between container rim and lid is particularly advantageous at high pressures, for example due to the carbonated content of the container. This hindrance of the threaded ring can be prevented with liquid. However, a threaded ring can also be completely led to the edge or even slightly overhanging. The threaded ring can also be guided over the edge of the spout opening of the container to the inside, so that it closes flush with the inside of the container. The threaded ring can also be guided around the edge again into the interior of the spout opening. In this case, the edge of the container, or the spout opening is determined by the material of the threaded ring. An undesirable contact with, for example, metal of the container can thus be avoided. Depending on the application, this also eliminates an internal coating of the container material or it can be a cost-effective coating is selected, which serves as a lubricant or lubricant for the manufacturing tools in the manufacturing process, but otherwise no requirements are made regarding, for example acid resistance. Also, depending on the design of the threaded ring mold in the spout area different, for example, simpler lid shapes without separate sealing rings, possible.

In that a threaded ring is guided substantially to the spout opening, it is possible to attach a thread relatively high above, near the spout opening of a container. This allows material savings and threading with versatile thread standards. This is in known threaded rings, which are mounted or even clamped below a crimped or thickened edge, not possible. The entire outer area of the edge is not available for the threaded ring and thus not for an external thread introduced therein.

By introducing structures, a threadless container can be provided with a screw closure with high closure force. It can the

Manufacturing process with respect to the edge region of the container vary. In cold-pressed or deep-drawn containers can be a bit more elaborate

Beading by 180 ° or more of a container edge to be replaced by a procedurally easier easy beading by about 90 °, without affecting the quality of the closure. In the case of molded containers, for example glass bottles, a thickening of the container wall in the edge region occurs instead of the curling.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the following figures. It shows:

1: an exploded view with container, spreader and lid,

2 shows a longitudinal section through a spreader ring for a flanged container edge,

3 shows an obliquely above view of the spreader ring of Figure 2,

4: a container with bent edge,

5 shows a longitudinal section of a spreader ring for the container from FIG. 4 6 is an oblique bottom view of the expansion ring of FIG. 5,

7a, 7b: a threaded ring and the cross section thereof,

8a, 8b: a spout area and longitudinal section thereof,

9: a container unit with snap closure,

10: snap closure of Figure 9,

11 shows a detail of a further embodiment of a threaded ring,

12 shows an oblique view of a spout area of a container suitable for a threaded ring according to FIG. 11.

13: The ensemble of the threaded ring and container of FIGS. 11 and 12.

1 shows a one-piece bottle 1, for example made of aluminum, an aluminum-containing material or another material suitable for the production of monoblock containers, a matching threaded or expanding ring 2, and a cover 3. The aluminum bottle has a neck region 4 and a spout opening 5. In the neck or spout area rotationally symmetrical structures 6 are attached. These are, for example, by a correspondingly shaped tool, which is applied from outside the container to the container edge and axially is guided, formed (retracted). The structures are elongated, inwardly-shaped ribs and are disposed on a cylinder about an imaginary container axis and parallel thereto. The ribs can be designed essentially arbitrary, z. B. in length, width, distance and number vary. Below the structures 6, the bottle widens in a slightly conical shape. Such a bottle widening in this area allows a lining of a threaded ring, so that it can not slip down in the direction of the bottle body. The edge 7 of the bottle at the spout opening 5 is crimped to prevent any sharp edges of the material at the opening. The flange also serves as a stop for the threaded ring 2. A stop prevents the ring slipping upwards away from the bottle 1. The bottle with structures, flanging and any recoveries, ironing, etc., in the same machine and in a single, related manufacturing processes are produced. The resulting, essentially finished, blank can now be provided with the threaded ring 2. An advantage of this blank is that it is usable not only in combination with threaded fasteners, but also, for example, together with a crown cap or a snap closure.

The threaded ring has on its inside to the structures 6 of the bottle 1 corresponding, positive, regularly arranged longitudinal ribs 8. The longitudinal ribs are an identical negative to the structures of the container. The outside of the threaded ring 2 has a thread 9, via which the bottle can be closed and opened again in combination with a threaded cover 3 which fits the threaded ring. The threaded ring 2 is, after the bottle edge 7 has been crimped, placed over the edge of the bottle on the spout area of the bottle. The structures of the bottle and the threaded ring engage one another in a form-fitting manner and are thus "toothed" together. It is not possible to slide the threaded ring and the container together, even in the case of closures with high closure force. Also a pressing of the threaded ring on the bottle is not necessary: the positive-locking structures hold the threaded ring. This example clearly shows that a structure in the form of a single indentation or bulge in the container and threaded ring is sufficient to produce an anti-rotation of the closure and container. It would also be possible structures of container and threaded ring uneven, eg unequal width to make. Thus, for example, a narrower structure of a threaded ring in a wider structure of a container would be rotatable to a limited extent. However, ^' an optionally such a limited rotatable threaded ring is secured against rotation and opening the thus provided container possible. An irregular, not rotationally symmetrical, arrangement of structures in the container and correspondingly positive, corresponding structures in the threaded ring are advantageous. Such an asymmetry in the arrangement of the structure allows a defined positioning of the threaded ring on the container. Thus, the thread on the threaded ring relative to the container is arranged aligned according to and thus determines the position of a lid relative to a container. Markings on a container may be matched with marks or patterns on or in the container. A positioning of the closure and container by means of the structures at z. B. snaps possible. Asymmetries arise from a non-rotationally symmetric arrangement of structures, such as unequal distances between structures, by omitting a single structure, in an otherwise regular array of structures, or by placing a different number of structures in two container halves.

Closure elements, such as threaded rings and lid are preferably made of a plastic, as is common in the food industry, z. PE, PP, PET, PC. A closure element made of a flexible material such as plastic, also serves as a release element, which is able to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the diameter of a container, or even a lid or threaded ring. Structures such as gears can take over the function of free-cutting elements, so that, for example, in thread rings no asymmetries of the thread occur, which affect the rotary closure. This property of the structures on separate closure elements is particularly useful when used for glass bottles wear. The sometimes massive mismatching occurring in the conventional production process of glass bottles with thread is eliminated. Norm deviations are mainly noticeable in the structures. However, these can be compensated by the structures of a threaded ring attached to the bottle. The shape of the thread remains substantially unaffected by manufacturing defects in glass bottle production. Separate threaded plastic rings offer the further advantage that essentially any desired thread can be formed in its outer side: there are no restrictions in terms of material loading, material damage or technical restrictions, as for example in multi-threaded or pointed structures Containers manufactured by cold extrusion are applicable. Such a container can be provided for example with a screw cap, in which a lid can be removed with a quarter turn of the same.

A threaded ring for a beaded container edge is shown in Figure 2 in a sectional view and in Figure 3 in an oblique view. On the outside of the threaded ring is the thread 9 for a screw cap 3. In a central region of the inside of the threaded ring distributed over the entire inner circumference, evenly spaced, slightly inwardly projecting longitudinal ribs 8 are attached. The ribs have a round back and are tapered at its lower end opposite the spout opening. This shape of the ribs allows self-centering of the ring on the teeth of the container, especially with a high number of identical structures. The threaded ring has further, on the inner circumference annularly arranged, inwardly projecting projections 10. The projections are located above the ribs and below the upper edge 12 of the threaded ring. The protrusions 10 are in the assembled state of the threaded ring as possible positive fit between teeth 6 and flanging 7 of a container 1. The projections 10 cause the threaded ring can not slip up or down the container. A downward slipping is additionally by a slightly conical shape of the lower edge 11 of the threaded ring, this conical lower edge preferably corresponding to the corresponding conical shape of the container in this area. For example, the plurality of protrusions 10 may also be configured as a single continuous circular transverse rib, or as few transverse rib segments or a few protrusions.

A top portion 13 of the threaded ring is preferably a few millimeters long and unstructured. This section 13 extends in the assembled state of the ring 2 approximately parallel to the outside of a beaded edge of a container and closes with this in relation to the spout opening from substantially flush. Thereby, the boundary of the spout opening is formed in an inner region through the container and in an outer region through the threaded ring 2. Depending on the type of production, the materials chosen, the intended use and the design of container, threaded ring and cover, the threaded ring is preferred something, eg. B. little tenths of a millimeter, held below the container edge, so that a (metal-plastic) seal between the container and lid is guaranteed. Such a seal reliably seals even when the container and closure are under high pressure, as is the case with carbonated beverages. Is the threaded ring protruding in relation to the Augussöffnung of the container designed over the edge of the container inwardly guided or even guided in a U-shape around the container edge back down into the spout opening of the container, so there is usually a plastic-plastic seal, as Threaded ring and lid are preferably made of plastic.

FIG. 4 shows a container 21 which has only a slightly beaded edge on the spout opening. With a slight beading, the edge is bent by about 90 ° to the outside. If the edge after the slight beading only slightly from the container neck, for example, a threaded ring or a snap closure can be applied before or after the beading on the container. The edge is about approx. 0.2-1.5mm, preferably 0.3-0.8mm, eg bent 0.5mm outwards. Thus, a container including threaded ring attachment can be completed on the same machine in an uninterrupted manufacturing process. The container 21 has in the spout area over the entire outer circumference structures, so-called. Gears 26 in the form of longitudinal ribs. Between the teeth and the upper edge 27 of the container, which forms the spout opening, there is a, preferably a few millimeters wide unstructured area. However, it is also possible to make the beaded edge directly to the teeth then.

In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a threaded ring 22 is shown, which is suitable for the container from FIG. 4, in particular when the curling takes place only after the attachment of the threaded ring. The threaded ring has on its inside to the teeth 26 of the container corresponding, projecting longitudinal ribs 28. The surface of the longitudinal ribs is composed of several adjoining planes, so that an edged rib structure is formed. The configuration of the longitudinal ribs preferably corresponds with likewise edged toothing structures of a container. The rib ends 14 emerge in a discontinuous course from the threaded inner side. The projections formed thereby preferably abut against stops in the spout area of the container.

An upper part of the threaded ring 22, which is in the assembled state around the spout opening of the container around, has on its inside an annular shoulder 15 on. The width of the threaded ring, as well as the shape, i. Depth and width, the shoulder 15 is designed such that the outside of the

Threaded ends substantially flush with the spout opening or the upper edge of a container. However, the slightly beaded edge of the container lies in the shoulder. A possibly sharp edge of the container is in this way by the

Threaded ring covered. Through the shoulder area and the protruding lower

Rippenenden the threaded ring 22 is held at the spout area of a container, ie secured against slipping up and down. The inside of the threaded ring can thus be made substantially structureless except for the rib structures and shoulder.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a threaded ring 32 and a plan view of a cross section B-B through the ring. The structures 38 on the inside of the threaded ring are shaped as regularly spaced protruding ridges with circular ridges. This ridge shape with the substantially planar interstices 39 is an identical negative to the inwardly formed rib structures 38 'and flat spaces 39' of the container in Figure 8a. A projecting end of a rib in the threaded ring abuts against a stop 34 of the structure in the container. This structure prevents twisting of the threaded ring and container, as well as a downward slipping of the threaded ring at the spout area of the container. Figure 8b shows a plan view of a longitudinal section A-A through the container of Figure 8a.

FIG. 9 shows a scattering box with a container 51 with an edge 52 which is crimped inwards. The closure 53 is integrally formed, for example by injection molding. Of the

Closure is achieved by means of projecting structures 54, which are arranged on the outer circumference of a lower part 53a of the closure, at the crimp of the

Container positively held. The structures 54 are pressed over the crimp of the edge into the interior of the container until they snap. The lower part 53 a of the closure is up to a few openings 56 with a flat, in the

Closure integrated layer 55 completed. The layer has a on the

Layer encircling slight elevation 59 on. This survey can be very narrow and only a few tenths of a millimeter high and is used for sealing purposes between the lower

Part and an upper, acting as a lid portion 53b of the closure. This collection or sealing ring 59 allows a secure closure of the lid even when, for example, spice residues on the layer 55. These hinder in known

Shaker cans the whole closing of the can. In the box in Figure 9, lie in Closed state lid 53b and layer 55 not directly to each other, but are substantially parallel spaced from each other, the height of the sealing element 59 according arranged. The sealing element simultaneously prevents leakage of container contents when the lid is closed.

The closure has on its otherwise round outer periphery protruding elements 57, 58, with which an increased force can be exerted on the closure. One of these elements 57 is attached to the lid, the other to the lower part 53a of the closure. With the one element on the lid, the shaker can be opened for use. With the other element 58, the entire closure can be removed from the container, for example for cleaning or filling purposes.

The container 51 has a reduced diameter over a range of its height, which facilitates holding the container. The number and size of the openings 56 can be adapted to the contents of the container. For example, only a single large or multiple small openings may be located in the closure. An arrangement of the openings in the form of a specific pattern are conceivable. The shape and number of structures 54 for holding the closure on the container can vary substantially as desired. Advantageously, a plurality of rotationally symmetric distributed structures. The positive connection between structures 54 and flanging of the container is supplemented by a cylindrical section acting in the closure element as a stop for the flanging. The outer circumference of this section is equal to or greater than the outermost circumference of the structures and preferably terminates flush with the outer container wall. Structures and cylindrical portion are spaced apart such that the crimp of the container is positively disposed therebetween. The closure effect of the lid on the lower closure part, but also of the closure and the container can, as shown in FIG. 10, be supplemented by conical shapes 60a, 60b. These facilitate centering of the parts up or into each other. Figures 11 and 12 show a longitudinal section through a threaded ring 42 and an oblique view from above of a usable together with the threaded ring container. For better illustration, only the spout area of the container is shown and the same features are provided with the same reference numerals.

The inside of the threaded ring has longitudinal ribs 48 which are tapered at their lower ends to facilitate centering when applied to a container. The upper ends 46 of the ribs are flat and their surface form part of an annular shoulder 45, in which the outwardly flanged edge 47 of a container is inserted.

The longitudinal ribs 48, here for example a total of six, allow the remaining wall thickness of the threaded ring 42 to be made very thin. This saves material. By the longitudinal ribs, however, the threaded ring is reinforced at the points at which substantially the force in a rotation of the threaded ring or a closure (not shown) mainly attacks. The force is distributed through the ribs in exactly these places. The narrow shoulder 45 corresponding to a narrow threaded ring wall is enlarged by the additional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the ribs. This reinforces the ring with respect to mechanical stress, in particular also in a subsequent beading of the container.

The spout area of the container is on its outside in the region of the spout opening over a height of a few millimeters, for example 2-6mm, z. B. 4mm with a container diameter of about 15-25mm, z. B. 20mm, milled (dilute area 43). A thin container wall allows for easier beading and also saves material. A milling is preferably carried out as a last step before flanging or before the application of a threaded ring or closure. Below the milled region 43 corresponding to the ribs of the threaded ring longitudinal grooves 48 'are formed.

FIG. 13 shows the ensemble of the threaded ring from FIG. 11 mounted on the spout area of the container according to FIG. 12. The ribs 48 or grooves 48 ', which engage with one another in a positive manner, secure the closure against rotation. The threaded ring is also held on the one hand by the outwardly flared and inserted into the shoulder 45 of the threaded ring 42 container edge 47 and on the other hand by the slightly outwardly conical shape of the lower edge 11 of the threaded ring, which edge on the corresponding conical outwardly extending shape of the container gets up in this area.

Claims

Container unit comprising a non-threaded container (21,51) and a closure element, wherein the container has a spout area with a spout opening (5) with a thickening in the spout area in the region of the spout opening, and wherein structures (6,38, 38 ', 54) in the container unit are present, which hold the closure element form-fitting manner on the container.

2. Container unit according to claim 1, wherein the spout area except for the structures (6, 38 ', 54) has a round cross-section.

3. Container unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure element has the structures (38,54), such that a circumference in the region of the structures is not round.

4. Container unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the structures (6,38,38 ', 54) of container (21,51) and closure element form a positive connection, such that a rotation of closure element and container against each other is prevented.

5. Container unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element is a threaded ring (2,22,32), a snap closure or a holding element for attaching a closure.

6. Container unit according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the closure element is a threaded ring (2,22,32), and the threaded ring on its outside a thread (9) and on its inside to structures (6,38 ', 54) the container (21,51) corresponding positive-locking structures (38), which structures are identical negatives or positives of the structures of the container.

7. Container unit according to claim 6, wherein an upper edge of the container edge (7,27) in the spout area is substantially flush with an upper edge (12) of the threaded ring (2,22,32).

8. Container unit according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the threaded ring (2, 22, 32) has on its inside a shoulder (15), wherein a beaded

Edge (7, 27) of the container (21,51) is inserted.

Use of the container unit according to any one of claims 4-8, for securing a closure element or closure (53) against rotation relative to a container (21, 51).

Use of the container unit according to any one of claims 4-9, for positioning a closure (53) with respect to its axis of rotation relative to a container (21, 51).

11. Gewindeloser container (21) having a spout area with a

Spout opening (5) and a thickening in the spout area in the region of the spout opening, characterized in that the spout area structures

(6,38 ') for a positive attachment of a closure element, wherein a circumference in the region of the structures is not round.

12. Container (21) according to claim 11, wherein the spout area defines a longitudinal axis and the structure (6, 38 ') is designed as at least one axially extending, with respect to this longitudinal axis, indentation or molding.

13. Container (21) according to claim 11 or 12, with a plurality, over the circumference of the spout region rotationally symmetrical or non-rotationssysmmetπsch arranged inputs or formations.

14. A container according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the container edge (7, 27) is crimped.

15. threaded ring (2,22,32) for a container (21) according to any one of claims 11- 14, characterized in that its outer side has a thread (9) and its inner side structures for a positive attachment of the

Has threaded ring to a container, such that the threaded ring relative to the container is secured against rotation.

16. A method for producing a threadless container (21) according to any one of claims 11-14, in which in a spout area of the container structures

(6,38 ') are formed such that it can be attached to the spout area

Threaded ring (2, 22, 32) against the container can be secured against rotation.

17. The method according to claim 16, in which an edge (7, 27) is crimped on a spout opening (5) of the container (21), and then a threaded ring (2,

22, 32) is attached to the spout area of the container.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, in which the structures (6, 38 ') are produced by deformation of the container wall.

19. The method according to claim 16, including the following steps,

Forming a spout area having a first and a second perimeter, the second perimeter being smaller than the first perimeter and closer to one

Outlet opening (5) of the container (21) is arranged, forms of structures (6,38 ') in the spout area by partially changing the second circumference by an axial displacement of a molding tool along a container axis outside and over the spout opening, the first and at least partially the second circumference.