EP2644521A1 - Plastic container, in particular for carbonated liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

The plastic container (1) has a main body (4) adjoining a base area (2) and extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container. A shoulder area (6) adjoins the body in the longitudinal direction. A mouth area (8) adjoins the shoulder area in the longitudinal direction. A gripping area (10) is formed between the body and a container mouth (12) of the mouth area along the longitudinal direction, and has a smaller external cross section than a mean external cross section of the shoulder area. A bead area (14) has indentations (24) to compensate pressure differences inside the container. The plastic container is formed in an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape. An independent claim is also included for a method for filling a plastic container.

Description

The present invention relates to a plastic container and in particular a container for carbonated liquids and in particular drinks. From the prior art, a variety of plastic containers is known. These plastic containers usually have a base, a base body adjoining this base and a shoulder region adjoining the basic body and an orifice.

For some time, efforts have been made to make such plastic containers as easy as possible. On the other hand, such plastic containers, in particular, if they are intended for filling with a carbonated beverage, must also be able to withstand a certain internal pressure. The lighter the weight of the bottle, the more susceptible these containers are usually to deformation in internal pressure (increase in diameter, height growth).

Containers are known from the prior art, which can compensate for a certain internal pressure or can expand deliberately. The US 6,841,262 describes a container with a handle area. This grip area is constricted with respect to a body region.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a plastic container available, which on the one hand is very light and on the other hand is suitable for filling with carbonated drinks.

This is inventively achieved by a plastic container according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A plastic container according to the invention for receiving liquids and in particular for receiving carbonated drinks has a bottom region, a base body adjoining this bottom region in a longitudinal direction of the container, a shoulder region adjoining this base body in the longitudinal direction of the container and a longitudinal direction of the container at this shoulder region subsequent mouth region with a container mouth.

According to the invention, the container has a gripping region arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container between the base body and the container mouth, whose outer cross section (or in particular in the case of a circular cross section whose outer diameter) is at least partially smaller than a middle outer cross section (or in particular in the case of a circular outer cross section) Cross-section of its outer diameter) of the shoulder area.

Connecting a region to another region is understood to follow it to the other region, with no immediate consequence (but may be). Thus, for example, the body indirectly via an intermediate area (for example, to the bottom area) connect. The same applies to the shoulder area, the mouth area and the mouth.

A smaller outer cross-section of the grip region with respect to the shoulder region is understood in particular to mean that a middle outer cross-section (averaged in the longitudinal direction) of the shoulder region is larger than an outer cross-section of the grip region. Advantageously, the outer cross section of the grip region is smaller than the outer cross section of the shoulder region, regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction of the container, at which the cross section of the shoulder region is determined. In other words, an arbitrary cross-section of the shoulder region measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container always larger than any perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container measured cross-section or diameter of the handle portion.

Advantageously, the plastic container is formed substantially rotationally symmetrical. However, it would also be conceivable that a plastic container, for example, has an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape. In the case of a circular design of the container, the terms outer cross section and outer diameter can be used interchangeably. In the case of cross-sections other than circular cross-sections, it can be assumed that the average diameter is (averaged in the circumferential direction). However, in all cross sections, a distance between the wall and a geometric axis of symmetry of the container in the case of the grip region is preferably smaller than a mean distance of the wall of the shoulder region from this geometric axis of symmetry.

Advantageously, therefore, the grip area in its entirety has a smaller outer cross section than the shoulder area.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the grip region also has a smaller outer cross section than the base body and particularly preferably also a smaller outer cross section than the base region.

This advantageously means that a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container, all regions of the shoulder region and / or the base body and / or the bottom region have a larger cross-section than the grip region.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the grip region has a structured outer surface. This structured surface can be fully formed in the circumferential direction of the container, but only in sections. By means of this structured outer surface, the grip area can be gripped comfortably by a user, in particular by hand. For example, the grip region can have a plurality of circumferential grooves and / or a plurality of grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the container. The structuring can also be given in the form of other patterns. Preferably, other areas of the container have no such structures. However, other wall (ungs) areas of the container stabilization elements as supporting webs or the like. The structuring of the grip area is at least preferably not for stability purposes.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the grip region has a higher wall thickness than in particular the base body.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the grip region is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container between the shoulder region and the mouth region. This means that advantageously the container between the shoulder region and the mouth region can be gripped.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a bead region is provided between the grip region and the mouth. In this case, a bead region is understood in particular to mean a region which has a larger cross section than the mouth of the container and in particular also a larger cross section than the mouth region.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the bead region has a larger outer cross section than the grip region.

Advantageously, the bead region also serves to compensate for pressure fluctuations and particularly preferably has a volume that can be varied within a certain range.

In an advantageous embodiment, a wall of the bead area has at least one notch. Advantageously, the wall of the bead area has a plurality of indentations. In this case, these notches are particularly preferably distributed in the circumferential direction of the bead region and particularly preferably distributed uniformly in this circumferential direction.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a longitudinal direction of the notches extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container. These indentations thus preferably protrude into an interior of the container. Also, the bead area can serve to grip the container and also preferably has a higher material thickness than about the wall of the body. It would therefore also be conceivable to regard the gripping area and the bead area together as gripping section of the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, therefore, the container of at least two zones is constructed, which differ from each other at least in terms of their wall thickness.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an outer diameter of the grip region is <50 mm, preferably <45 mm and particularly preferably <40 mm.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the main body of the container has a concave wall section. This means that the body at least in sections, in particular with respect to other areas of the container inwardly, i. extends to a geometric longitudinal axis of the container added.

In other words, a projection of a wall of the main body perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container is concave, i. arched inwards. In other words, the main body has a first end portion and a second end portion and a lying between this first portion and the second end portion central portion. In this case, the middle portion has a smaller outer cross-section than the first end portion and the second end portion. By means of this concave design of the container, it is possible to achieve, in particular during the filling of carbonated drinks, that the container can expand slightly.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the plastic container has a wall thickness which changes in the longitudinal direction of the container. In this case, for example, the base body have a smaller wall thickness than the grip area and / or a smaller wall thickness than the shoulder area. The grip area can have a greater wall thickness than the shoulder area.

The following table indicates wall thicknesses for the respective areas of the container, which have proved to be particularly advantageous. In detail, typical wall thicknesses, preferred and particularly preferred wall thicknesses are given for the respective areas. In particular, a combination of these respective wall thicknesses in the individual areas has, as has been determined in extensive experiments, shown to be particularly advantageous. Typical wall thickness [mm] preferred wall thickness [mm] Particularly preferred wall thickness [mm] Mouth area 8 0.10 - 0.30 0.17-0.23 0.19 - 0.21 Bead region 14 0.18 - 0.28 0.20 - 0.26 0.22-0.24 Shoulder area 6 0.07 - 0.17 0.09 - 0.15 0.11-0.13 Basic body 4 0.08 - 0.18 0.10 - 0.16 0.12-0.14 Floor area 2 0.04 - 0.14 0.06 - 0.12 0.08 - 0.10

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the container has a thread to attach a closure to the container. This is preferably an external thread. Advantageously, a comparatively short thread is used, the thread then extends a maximum of three times around a thread body around.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the container has a high floor. Advantageously, a floor height of the floor area is at least 40%, preferably at least 45% and particularly preferably at least 50% of the diameter of the floor area.

Advantageously, the bottom region forms at least three, preferably at least four, and particularly preferably at least five, standing surfaces for the container. Preferably, the floor area is a so-called petaloid floor.

Advantageously, the plastic container is a plastic container that can be produced by a blowing process and, in particular, by a stretch blow molding process. The present invention is further directed to the use of a plastic container of the type described above for carbonated drinks and / or heated drinks to be filled. Advantageously, at least one wall region and particularly preferably at least one wall region of the main body and / or the bead region serve to compensate for an internal pressure of the liquid to be filled into the container or filled into the container. By heated liquids to be filled or drinks are in particular those liquids or drinks understood that with a temperature in the Be filled container which is higher than 30 ° C, preferably higher than 40 ° C, preferably higher than 50 ° C and particularly preferably higher than 60 ° C.

The present invention is further directed to a method of filling a container of the type described above (i.e., using a container of the type described above). In this case, a liquid is introduced into the container and the container is further supplied to another medium, in particular a gaseous or liquid medium.

Preferably, a heated liquid and in particular a heated beverage is filled into the container. The gaseous or liquid medium is preferably a medium which contains oxygen or nitrogen (that is, for example, an oxygen compound or a nitrogen compound) and particularly preferably oxygen or nitrogen.

Preferably, the container is subjected to a pressure, in particular an internal pressure, during the filling process (to which a closing operation in particular also counts). Preferably, the container is closed after filling with the liquid and supplying the gaseous medium. Preferably, the gaseous medium is supplied or supplied under such physical conditions that it expands after closing the container in the interior of the container and thus pressurizes the container with an internal pressure. Preferably, the gaseous medium is supplied to a headspace of the container.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

Fig. 1

Eine perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoffbehältnisses;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht, des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Behältnisses;

Fig. 2a

die Ansicht aus Fig. 2 mit geometrischen Längenangaben; und

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht von oben auf das in Fig. 1 und 2 gezeigte Behältnis.

Show:

Fig. 1

A perspective view of a plastic container according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a side view of the in Fig. 1 shown container;

Fig. 2a

the view Fig. 2 with geometric lengths; and

Fig. 3

a top view from the top of the Fig. 1 and 2 shown container.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a plastic container according to the invention 1. This plastic container 1 in this case has a bottom portion 2 on which a plurality of support surfaces 26 is formed here. A base body 4 of the container adjoins this base region and a shoulder region 6 in turn adjoins this base body 4. This shoulder region 6 tapers in the longitudinal direction L of the container 1 from the bottom region 2 in the direction of an orifice 12 of the container.

The reference numeral 10 denotes a grip region of the container, which at least in sections has a structured outer surface 22. It can be seen that a cross-section or diameter of this grip region 10 is smaller than a cross-section of the shoulder region 6. Above the grip region 10 there is a bead 14, which in particular serves to compensate for internal pressures of the container. The reference numeral 16 denotes a support ring of the container. It can be seen that the bead 14 is formed below this support ring 16. However, it would also be possible to provide the bead between the shoulder region 6 and the grip region 10.

The bead region 14 has a plurality of notches 24, which also serve to compensate for pressure differences inside the container.

The reference numeral 8 indicates the mouth region of the container, which terminates with the mouth or the mouth opening 12.

This is the in Fig. 1 shown container, in particular optimized for filling with a carbonated product. The container forms with its base body a so-called pouch area, which is preferably relatively soft or compressible. In addition to the handle portion 10, the container can also be advantageously used on the overlying bead 14. This bead preferably also ensures a secure grip of the container, in particular, since carbonated drinks or their containers when opening require a higher torque for the closure. By the notches 24, as mentioned above, a larger diameter increase possible. In a container according to the state In the art, smaller diameters usually deform more strongly than larger ones and this would result in a loss of contour of the container in this area.

In this context, the Applicant reserves the right to direct his own request for protection specifically to the illustrated bead area or a container which has such a bead area with a large number of circumferential notches.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of a container according to the invention 1. It can be seen here that the base body 4 has a slightly concave shape. This concave portion 4a prevents a convex deformation, in particular by an internal pressure of the liquid in the container.

Furthermore, in Fig. 2a various geometric relationships of the container drawn. In this case, DB1 and DB2 designate the diameters of the floor area once the lower area with the feet and once the area in which the floor area merges into the base area or main body 4. Preferably, however, the base body 2 encloses in the circumferential direction most of the inner volume of the container, but in particular a larger internal volume than all other areas or sections of the container. The reference DG1 denotes the diameter of the base portion at the transition portion to the bottom portion and the reference DG2 the diameter at a central portion of the base member. Reference character DS1 denotes a cross section of the shoulder region in a transition section to the base body, and reference character DS2 designates the cross section of the shoulder region 6 in a transition section to the grip region 10. The reference character DGr denotes the diameter of the grip region.

The reference character DWmax indicates the maximum diameter of the bead portion 14 and the reference number DWmin the minimum diameter. The reference numeral DM indicates the diameter of the mouth 12th

The reference characters HB, HG, HS, HGr and HM respectively denote the heights of the floor area, the height of the main body (HG), the height of the shoulder area (HS), the height of the grip area (HGr), the height of the bead (HW) and the height of the estuary (HM).

The diameter DG2 in a central region of the main body is between 0.8 times and 0.98 times, preferably between 0.9 times and 0.99 times the diameter DG1. The upper diameter of the shoulder region DS2 is located at the lower diameter of the shoulder region DS in a ratio which is between 2:10 and 8:10, preferably between 4:10 and 7:10 and more preferably between 5:10 and 7:10. The ratio between the diameter DGr of the grip region and any desired diameter of the shoulder region, but always between DS1 and DS2, is between 2:10 and 9.9: 10, preferably between 4:10 and 9:8:10, preferably between 6:10 and 9.5: 10.

The minimum diameter DWmin of the bead region 14, which preferably lies at a transition to the mouth region 8, is, as in FIG Fig. 2 can be seen, preferably slightly smaller than the diameter DGr of the handle portion. Also, the diameter DGr of the grip portion 10 is particularly slightly larger than the diameter DM of the mouth.

The minimum diameter DWmin of the bead region is in a ratio which is between 1: 3 and 2.5: 3, preferably about 2: 3, with respect to the maximum diameter DWmax of the bead region.

It can also be seen that the height HGr of the grip region is preferably smaller than the height HW of the bead region. Furthermore, however, preferably the height HS of the shoulder region is greater than the height HW of the bead. The height HB of the bottom region is preferably slightly less than the height HS of the shoulder region and relates to this in a ratio which is in particular between 0.7: 1 and 1: 1, preferably between 0.8: 1 and 0.95: 1 lies.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown container. It can be seen again the mouth 12, the support ring 16 and the bead 14 arranged thereunder with the notches 24. The handle portion 10 is in Fig. 3 not visible, but only at this subsequent shoulder area 6 and also the base body. 4

The Applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container 2 floor area 4 body 4a concave area 6 shoulders 8th mouth area 10 grip area 12 muzzle 14 Bead (range) 16 support ring 22 Outer surface of the grip portion 10 24 notches 26 booths DB1 Cross section of the bottom area (lower area) DB2 Cross section of the ground area (transition to the ground area) DG1 Cross section of the basic area (transition section to shoulder area) DG2 Cross section of the basic area (central area) DS1 Cross section of the shoulder area (transition section to main body) DS2 Cross section of shoulder area (transition section to grip area) DGr Cross section of the grip area DWmax maximum cross section of the bead DWmin minimal cross section of the bead DM Cross section of the estuary HB Height of the ground area HG Height of the main body HS Height of the shoulder area Army Group Height of the grip area HW Height of the bead HM Height of the mouth area

Claims (13)

Plastic container (1) for receiving liquids with a bottom region (2), in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container to this bottom region (2) adjoining the base body (4) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container (1) this base body (4) adjoining the shoulder region (6) and with a longitudinal region (L) of the container (1) adjoining this shoulder region (6), the mouth region (8) having a container mouth (12),
characterized in that
the container (1) has a handle region (10) arranged in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container (1) between the base body (4) and the container mouth (12), whose outer cross section is smaller than a middle outer cross section of the shoulder region (6). Plastic container according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the grip region (10) has a smaller outer cross section than the shoulder region (6). Plastic container according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the grip region (10) has a structured surface (22) at least in sections. Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that
the grip region (10) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container (1) between the shoulder region (6) and the mouth region (8). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
between the handle portion (10) and the mouth (12) a bead region (14) is provided. Plastic container (1) according to claim 5,
characterized in that
the bead region (14) has a larger outer cross section than the grip region (10). Plastic container according to claim 5,
characterized in that
a wall of the bead region (14) has at least one notch (24). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
an outer diameter of the grip region (10) is less than 50 mm, preferably less than 45 mm and particularly preferably less than 40 mm. Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the base body (4) has a concave wall section (4a). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the plastic container (1) has a wall thickness which changes in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container (1). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a floor level of the floor area (HB) is at least 40%, preferably at least 45%, and more preferably at least 50% of the diameter (DB1, DB2) of the floor area. Use of a plastic container according to at least one of the preceding claims for receiving carbonated drinks and / or heated to be filled Liquids. Method for filling a plastic container (1) according to at least one preceding claim,
characterized in that
in the plastic container (1) a liquid is filled and the plastic container (1) is further supplied to a gaseous or liquid medium.

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