FR3022896A1 - CONTAINER OBTAINED BY A BLOWING PROCESS, CLOSED ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A CONTAINER AND A COVER, MOLD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A CONTAINER AND INTERMEDIATE CONTAINER FOR OBTAINING SUCH A CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

Container (1) of thermoplastic material obtained by a blowing process, the container (1) being defined by an inner wall (11) and an outer wall (12), the container (1) comprising a body (8) extended by a collar (10) extending along a main axis (A) to an opening (9), the neck (10) comprising means (13) for cooperation with a lid for closing the opening (9) of the container (1), the means (13) for cooperation comprising at least one groove (20) directly bordered by at least one main surface (21a, 21b) so that the groove (20) forms a recess on the outer wall (12) the neck (10), the dimension along the axis (A) of the main groove (20) being smaller than the dimension along the axis (A) of the main at least one surface (21a, 21b).

Description

The invention relates to the field of containers made of thermoplastic material, and more specifically to the means for closing the containers. Conventionally, a container of thermoplastic material is obtained by a blowing process, optionally accompanied by stretching, of a previously heated preform. The heated preform is placed in a mold, then air is blown into the preform so as to press the material against the wall of the mold, and to obtain the container of the agreed shape. The container also comprises, in a conventional manner, a body closed at one end by a bottom and surmounted at the other end of a neck, forming an opening, a shoulder ensuring the junction between the body and the neck of the container. In the case of bottles, the neck is narrower than the body of the container. The neck is threaded, so as to cooperate with a screw cap on the neck. The dimensions of the threads make it almost impossible to form the threaded neck during the blowing of the container while respecting production rates on an industrial scale. In addition, the manufacturing processes require the establishment of references, that is to say, surfaces whose dimensions will not vary during the manufacturing process. This is why it is known to previously form on the preform the neck in its final form. For this purpose, the preform provided with the neck is obtained for example by injection of material into a mold provided for this purpose. The injection process makes it possible to obtain precise dimensions of the neck. In addition, the neck dimensions of the preforms are stable, i.e. the neck undergoes virtually no change in the container manufacturing process. Thus, the neck of the preforms can serve as a reference, for example, for conveying tools for preforms and containers, and for blowing installations, in particular for sealing reasons on the mold for blowing the container. However, for some containers such as jars, the neck previously formed on the preform is not suitable. Indeed, for such containers, the diameter of the opening of the neck is almost equal to that of the body, or at least greater than the diameter of standard necks. Although there are very wide opening preforms for jars, whose neck is conventionally made by injection, they require a specific machine configuration, which increases production costs. In addition, the bulk of such preforms is higher than that of conventional preforms, the amount of material they require is considerably increased and, ultimately, their production cost is much higher. Thus, one solution consists in forming, by blowing, from preforms which may comprise a neck which will serve as a reference, an intermediate container. The intermediate container is therefore provided with a collar narrower than the body of the container. The intermediate container then undergoes a cutting step to separate the neck of the intermediate container to obtain the final container with an opening of larger size. The cut is located for example under the shoulder of the intermediate container, so that the opening is of dimension almost equal to that of the body. FR 2 063 660 describes an example of such a method comprising a cutting step to form a container with a large opening. In order to be able to close the container thus obtained, means of cooperation with a lid must be provided and formed during the blowing operation of the intermediate container. It may be for example a thread or protruding lugs under which tabs of the cover are intended to come jam. The cutting of the intermediate container is then performed in such a way that the threads or the lugs are placed as close as possible to the opening of the final container. Document US 2003/0124374 describes an example of an embodiment of a thread on an intermediate container during a blowing operation, followed by a cutting step. A disadvantage is that the formation of the net or lugs on the neck during blowing is a delicate operation. Indeed, during blowing, once the material has come into contact with the wall of the mold, it cools and freezes suddenly. To further stretch the material to form the net and the pins, it is necessary either that the time of passage in the mold increases, at the expense of production rates, or that the blowing pressure increases, increasing the energy consumption and therefore manufacturing costs. In addition, the neck of the container (in other words the area with the lugs or nets) type jar formed by blowing has a lower stiffness compared to the necks obtained by injection. Thus, when the lid is applied to the container to close it and is clamped on it, a phenomenon of ovalization of the container may occur, deteriorating the quality and sealing of the closure by the lid, while giving an impression to the consumer the container is damaged.

The invention aims in particular to provide a solution to the aforementioned drawbacks.

For this purpose, a first object of the invention is to provide a new thermoplastic container comprising means for cooperation with a cover that can be manufactured respecting the rates and production costs usually expected.

A second object of the invention is to provide a thermoplastic container comprising cooperation means with a little or no lid, sensitive to the phenomenon of ovalization. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a thermoplastic container obtained by a blowing process. The container is defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, and comprises a body extended by a neck extending along a main axis to an opening, the neck comprising means for cooperation with a lid for closing the opening of the container. The cooperation means comprise in particular at least one groove, which is formed on the outer wall of the neck extending around the main axis and is directly bordered, in the direction of the main axis, by at least one main surface defining a diameter greater than that of the groove, so that the groove forms a recess on the outer wall of the neck, the dimension along the main axis of the groove being less than the dimension along the main axis of the at least one main surface. The groove can then cooperate with a tab or a projecting thread on a cover that would close the opening. The rigidity of the neck of the container cooperating with the lid is increased. Blow-molding is particularly facilitated, making it possible to increase production rates without losing the quality of the final containers. Indeed, the main surfaces require, during blowing, to stretch the material radially more than the grooves. The dimension along the main axis of the main surfaces can then be chosen to limit the problems related to the fixing of the material on the groove. The invention may also include the following features, taken separately or in combination: the groove is substantially helical around the main axis; the body has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the main surface, the container forming a jar; - The groove on the outer wall of the neck forms a projection on the inner wall of the neck; a plurality of grooves is evenly distributed about the main axis; - The at least one groove comprises a proximal edge opening on a facet of the outer wall of the neck of the container, and a distal edge, opposite the proximal edge, forming a stop; the at least one groove extends around the main axis at an angle of less than 30 °; the at least one groove extends helically around the main axis at an angle of about 90 °; - The groove extends helically around the main axis; the groove is formed between two lugs offset from each other on the one hand along the longitudinal axis and on the other hand in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis on the outer wall of the container, each lug forming a surface main. According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a closed assembly comprising a container as presented above and a lid. The cover then comprises at least one radially projecting tab intended to be inserted into the groove of the neck of the container.

Alternatively, the cover comprises at least one radial projecting thread intended to be inserted into the groove of the neck of the container. According to a third aspect, the invention provides a mold for the manufacture of a container as presented above, the mold comprising a neck portion forming the neck impression and means of cooperation with a lid, the portion of neck then comprising at least one projection intended to form at least one groove of the neck. According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides an intermediate container comprising a main portion and an upper portion having an intermediate neck connected to the main portion by a shoulder, the intermediate container being adapted to undergo a cutting step to separate the main portion of the upper portion, the main portion corresponding to the container as presented above. To be able to be executed, the invention is set forth in a sufficiently clear and complete manner in the following description which is, in addition, accompanied by drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of an intermediate container made of thermoplastic material, according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a side view of the intermediate container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the final container according to the first embodiment; Figure 4 is a detail view of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI of the container of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a detail view of the cross-sectional view of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of an intermediate thermoplastic container according to a second embodiment; Figure 9 is a side view of the intermediate container of Figure 8; Fig. 10 is a side view of the final container according to the second embodiment; Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a detail view of Figure 10; Figure 13 is a three-dimensional view of an intermediate container of thermoplastic material, according to a third embodiment; Figure 14 is a side view of the intermediate container of Figure 13; Fig. 15 is a side view of the final container according to the third embodiment; Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a detail view of Figure 15; Figure 18 is a three-dimensional view of an intermediate container of thermoplastic material, according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 19 is a side view of the intermediate container of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is a side view of the final container according to the fourth embodiment; Figure 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container of Figure 20; Fig. 22 is a detail view of Fig. 20; Figure 23 is a schematic representation illustrating, in cross-sectional view, the cooperation between a cover and the neck of a container according to one of the four embodiments; Figure 24 is a schematic representation illustrating, in longitudinal sectional view, the cooperation between a cover and the neck of a container according to one of the four embodiments; FIG. 25 is a representation similar to that of FIG. 24, illustrating the cooperation between a variant of the lid and a container according to one of FIGS. 10 to 12.

In a manner known to those skilled in the art, a container 1 made of thermoplastic material may be obtained by a process for blowing or stretch-blow molding a preform, followed by a cutting step. The container 1 is for example PET. Subsequently, the container obtained after the cutting step and the intermediate container 2 will be called the final container 1 after the blowing or stretch-blow molding process and before the cutting step. The intermediate container 2 comprises a main portion 3, for example of substantially cylindrical shape extending along a principal axis A, closed at a lower end by a bottom 4 and extended at the upper end by an upper portion ending in a 6 intermediate open collar. A shoulder 7 connects the intermediate neck 6 to the main portion 3. The intermediate neck 6 is possibly threaded, and can serve as a reference for the manufacturing steps of the final container 1. In the following description, the terms "lower", "higher", "high", "lower", "below", "above", etc. are used with reference to the orientation natural figures for greater ease of understanding. They should not be understood as limitations of the scope of the invention. The intermediate container 2 undergoes a cutting step at a level located on the main portion 3, below the shoulder 7. The upper portion 5 is then separated from the rest of the container. Its material can be recycled later. The intermediate container 2, reduced by the upper portion, then corresponds to the final container 1. The final container 1 thus obtained then comprises a body 8 extending along the main axis A and closed at the lower end by the bottom 4, and an opening 9, of diameter greater than that of the intermediate neck 6, and preferably of diameter substantially equal to that of the body 8, so that the final container 1 is jar type. The final container 1 is defined by an inner wall 11, with reference to the internal volume formed by the container, and an outer wall 12. For the sake of simplicity and, in accordance with the practice, with reference to that commonly used for bottles, the upper end portion of the final container 1, on which the opening 9 is made, is called a neck. 8 of the final container 1 is extended by a neck 10 to the opening 9. The neck 10 is substantially cylindrical in revolution about the main axis A. The final container 1 comprises means 13 for cooperation with a lid, formed on the neck 10 of the final container 1. These cooperation means 13 are obtained, as described in the introduction, during the blowing process of the intermediate container 2.

The invention will now be described using four embodiments illustrated in the figures. For each embodiment, the same references designate the same characteristics and / or elements. In what follows, in order to facilitate understanding, the adjectives "radial" and "angular" are used with reference to the system of cylindrical coordinates whose main axis A is the longitudinal axis. Therefore, in what follows, "longitudinal" will designate any direction parallel to the main axis A. Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a final container 1 according to a first embodiment, and the corresponding intermediate container 2.

The means 13 for cooperation with a cover comprise at least one groove 20, in practice a plurality of grooves 20, which are evenly distributed on the neck 10, angularly around the main axis A, and which are longitudinally surrounded in both directions by a surface 21a, 21b main. Each groove 20 is delimited on the one hand by two lateral edges 22, 23, namely an upper edge 22 and a lower edge 23, extending substantially, but not necessarily, parallel to each other substantially in the direction angular and secondly by two extreme edges 24, 25, namely a proximal edge 24 and a distal edge, so that the groove 20 is defined by a contour. The two main surfaces 21a, 21b project radially relative to the groove 20, and together define, in cross section of the neck 10, substantially circular portions of the same circle. In other words, the diameter of the groove 20, measured from the main axis A on the bottom 26 of the groove 20, is smaller than the diameter, said principal, of the main surfaces 21a, 21b. More specifically, a so-called upper main surface 21a extends from the upper edge 22 and a so-called lower main surface 21b extends from the lower edge 23. The diameter of the upper major surface 21a is preferably, but not necessarily, equal to the diameter of the lower major surface 21b. The two main surfaces 21a, 21b can meet at the distal edge. Thus, the groove 20 forms a recess on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10.

It is understood that the term "groove" implies here, and in what follows, in particular that the recess has a dimension in a direction, in this case in the angular direction, much greater than a second direction, in this case here in the longitudinal direction. The shape of the recess is for example U-shaped, the legs of the U extending from the bottom 26 away from the other from the bottom 26 and forming between them an angle preferably lower than 90 °.

According to the illustrated example, the neck comprises six grooves 20 regularly distributed around the main axis A. The number of grooves 20 can however be easily adapted. Two successive grooves 20 around the main axis A are separated by a facet 27, in the continuity of the main surfaces 21a, 21b, defining a diameter greater than the diameter of the grooves 20. Thus, when seen in cross section to the axis A main, the neck 10 has a hexagonal shape whose facets 27 form the sides. The neck 10 can also be defined from the main cross-sectional areas 21a, 21b, which together define a circular main section of the neck 10, the facets 27 truncating the main section of the neck 10.

Each groove 20 extends to a facet 27. The facet 27 is advantageously, but not necessarily, flat. For example, the proximal edge 24 of a groove 20 is formed on a facet 27, while the distal edge of the same groove 20 is formed between the two major surfaces 21a, 21b. The groove 20 extends angularly around the main axis A at an angle of about 30 °. It is slightly inclined relative to the transverse plane, that is to say it extends along an axis B, forming an angle of between 2 ° and 10 °, for example 6 °, with a transverse plane, at the way of a helix portion around the main A axis. According to the embodiment, the inclination of the groove 20 is such that the proximal edge 24 is closer to the opening 9 of the neck than the distal edge.

The bottom 26 of the groove 20 is ramp-shaped, i.e. the diameter of the groove measured between the main axis A on its bottom 26 decreases from the proximal edge 24 to the distal edge. In other words, the depth of the recess formed by the groove between the major surfaces 21a, 21b increases from the proximal edge 24 to the distal edge. The proximal edge 24 can melt on the facet 27 on which it is formed, so that the groove 20 is open by its proximal edge 24. A boss 28, radially projecting on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10, may be formed on the bottom 26 of the groove 20, near the proximal edge 24. The longitudinal dimension of the groove 20, measured between the upper edge 22 and the lower edge 23, is smaller than that of at least one of the main surfaces 21a, 21b. More specifically, according to the illustrated example of the first embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of the upper surface 21a, which extends from the upper edge 22 of the groove 20 to an upper end 29, from which the diameter collar 10 decreases. Similarly, the lower main surface 21b extends from the lower edge 23 of the groove 20 to a lower end 30 from which the diameter of the neck 10 decreases. The longitudinal distance between the upper edge 22 and the lower edge 23 of the groove 20 is then less than the longitudinal distance between the upper edge 22 of the groove and the upper end 29 of the upper surface 21a and is at most equal to the longitudinal distance between the lower edge 23 of the groove 20 and the lower end of the lower main surface 21b.

Since the groove 20 can be inclined and the lateral edges 22 and 23 of the groove are not necessarily parallel to one another, the longitudinal dimension of the main surfaces 21a, 21b may not be constant. In this case, the smallest longitudinal distance measured on the upper surface 21a is greater than the longitudinal distance measured on the largest groove.

The neck 10 may further comprise reinforcing beads 31, placed on each facet 27 in the continuity of the main surfaces 21a, 21b, that is to say of diameter corresponding to the diameter of the main section of the neck 10. The beads 31 extend in a lower portion of the neck 10, close to the body 8. The body 8 may itself further comprise a succession of annular beads 18, known per se, to stiffen the body. A lid, not shown in the figures, is in the form of a disc of diameter greater than that of the opening 9 of the container 1. It is for example metallic. On an inner face, it comprises tabs projecting radially inwardly, that is to say extending towards each other, without joining, the end of the tabs defining a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the grooves 20 of the container 1, but greater than the diameter of the facets 27. The number of tabs of the cover corresponds to the number of grooves 20 on the neck 10, and the tabs are evenly distributed on the perimeter of the cover. The lid is assembled on the container by applying its inner face on the opening 9, its legs sliding along the outer wall 12 of the neck 10 at the level of the facets 27. Then, the lid is pivoted about the main axis A on the container 1, the tabs sliding in the grooves 20 penetrating them by the proximal edge 24. The bosses 28 allow the user to feel resistance to rotation, and to indicate the passage in the closed position. Once the boss 28 is passed, the lid can be further pivoted until the lid is tightened on the opening 9, before or until the tabs abut against the distal edge. The lid is clamped on the container 1 by clamping, the tabs being inserted into the grooves 20. To reopen the container 1, the lid is rotated in the opposite direction. The user feels there again resistance to the passage of the bosses 28, indicating the passage in the open position.

The inclination of the grooves 20 ensures progressive tightening.

The beads 31 of the neck 10 in particular to limit the introduction of dust or other polluting elements between the neck 10 and the lid. In Figures 8 to 12, there is shown a second embodiment. The means 13 for cooperation with a cover comprise at least one groove 120 in the form of an inverted thread, that is to say forming a recess, or recess, on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10 of the container 1, the groove 120 being formed on a main surface 121. The neck 10 comprises a circular step 127 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 in particular), so as to define two substantially cylindrical sections around the main axis A: a first section 128, extending longitudinally from the opening 9 and having a first diameter and a second section 129, said main, extending longitudinally from the first section 128 to the body 8, and forming a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The groove 120 is formed on the second section 129 of larger diameter, and is delimited on the one hand by an upper lateral edge 122 and a lower lateral edge 123. The upper edge 122 and the lower edge 123 are substantially, but not necessarily, parallel to each other, and helically extend about the principal axis A. The groove 120 is further defined by a proximal edge 124 opening on the step 127 and a closed distal edge 125. The diameter of the groove 120, measured from the main axis A on its bottom 126, is smaller than the diameter of the main surface 121. Thus, the groove 120 forms a recess, for example C-shaped, on the outer wall 12 of the main surface 121 of the neck 10. More specifically, the main section 129 of the neck 10 surrounds on both sides in the direction longitudinal, the groove 120 on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10. Thus, for each groove 120, there is defined an upper main surface 121a corresponding to the portion of the main section 129 extending from the upper edge 122 and a surface 121b main lower corresponding to the portion of the main section 129 extending from the lower edge 123.

The groove 120 extends helically around the main axis A, on an angular portion of about 90 °, the inclination of the helix relative to the transverse plane being about 5 °. Other values of extension and inclination can obviously be envisaged, depending on the pitch of the helix of the groove 120. In practice, the means 13 for cooperation with a cover comprise a plurality of grooves 120, by example four, formed on the main section 129, so that the upper edge 122 of a groove 120 is facing at least partially the lower edge 123 of the adjacent successive groove 120, in the direction of rotation of the propeller. As a result, the lower main surface 121b of a first groove corresponds to the upper main surface 121a of a second groove. Each main surface 121a, 121b thus extends, on the one hand, between the lower edge 123 of a groove and the upper edge 122 of the adjacent successive groove and, on the other hand, between the step 127, acting as an upper end, and a lower end 130. The main surfaces 121a, 121b of the grooves 120 can meet at the lower end 130. In FIG. 11 in particular, for purposes of simplification, the references 121a, 121b are referenced to the groove 120 that can be seen entirely, from its distal edge 125 to its proximal edge 124. The longitudinal dimension of the groove 120 is smaller than the longitudinal dimension of at least one of the main surfaces 121a, 121b. More precisely, on the same longitudinal direction, the longitudinal dimension of the groove 120, measured between the upper edge 122 and the lower edge 123, is smaller than the longitudinal dimension of at least one of the main surfaces 121a, 121b which surround it. . The longitudinal dimension of a main surface 121a, 121b can thus correspond to the distance between the lower edge 123 of a groove and the upper edge 122 of the adjacent successive groove, or the longitudinal distance between the step 127 and the edge 122. upper of the groove or at the longitudinal distance between the lower edge 123 and the lower end 130. A lid, substantially similar to that described in the first embodiment, can be assembled on the container 1 of the second embodiment. However, the net shape of the groove 120 of this second embodiment is more particularly adapted to cooperate with a complementary thread of a cover. In particular, the cover in this case is made of plastic, with a stiffness equal to or close to that of the body 8 of the container 1. The cover then comprises a protruding rim on an inner face, a thread projecting radially inwardly being formed on the ledge. The net of the lid defines an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the main surfaces 121a, 121b and greater than or equal to the diameter of the groove 120.

In practice, the container 1 comprising a plurality of grooves 120, the cover comprises as many complementary threads. The inner face of the lid is applied to the opening 9 of the container 1, and the threads slide along the first section 128 of the neck to come into the grooves 120 through the proximal edge 124. Then, the lid is pivoted on the container 1, so that the threads slide along the grooves 120 towards the distal edge 125, the helical shape of the grooves 120 ensuring a progressive tightening of the lid on the container 1.

The threads may possibly come into abutment on the distal edge 125, thus blocking the lid. In Figures 13-17, a third embodiment is shown. The means 13 for cooperation with a cover comprise a groove 220 formed between two main surfaces 221 in the form of flash or Z. Specifically, the neck 10 extends around the main axis A according to a first diameter corresponding to the diameter groove 220. The neck 10 then comprises at least two lugs 227 projecting radially on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10, each forming a main surface 221. Each main surface 221 defines a second diameter greater than the diameter of the groove 220 measured on the bottom 226 of the groove 220. Each groove 220 is formed between two lugs 227. Each lug 227 is delimited, in the longitudinal direction, on the one hand by a lower edge 222 and an upper edge 223, the upper edge 223 being closer to the opening 9 than the lower edge 222. Each lug 227 comprises two branches 228, 229, offset relative to each other both in the longitudinal direction and in an angular direction on the neck 10, so that the lug 227 is in the form of a flash . A first branch 228 is said to be upper because it is closer to the opening 9 of the container and extends angularly on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10 from a first lateral edge 230; the second branch 229 is said lower and extends angularly to a second side edge 231. A middle branch 232, extending mainly longitudinally, provides continuity between the upper branch 228 and the lower branch 229. The longitudinal offset between the upper branch 228 and the lower branch 229 of the lugs 227 is such that the upper branch 228 of a first lug 227 is vis-à-vis longitudinally with the lower branch 229 of a second lug 227. Read More precisely, the first lateral edge 230 of the first lug 227 is spaced from the second lug 227, opposite the upper edge 223 of the middle branch 232 of the second lug 227. Similarly, the second lateral edge 231 of the second lug 227 is spaced from the first lug 227, vis-à-vis the lower edge 222 of the middle branch 232 of the first lug 227. Thus, the groove 220 is defined longitudinally between the lower edge 222 of the upper branch 228 of a first lug 227 and the upper edge 223 of the lower branch 229 of a second lug 227. A clear surface, of diameter corresponding to the diameter of the groove 220, is formed between the first edge 230 of the first lug 227 and the second lug 227, so as to angularly separate the two lugs 227, the groove 220 opening into this disengaged surface. The groove 220 is then angularly defined between on the one hand a proximal edge 224 corresponding to the portion of the upper edge 223 of the second lug 227 on its middle branch 232 and on the other hand a distal edge 225 corresponding to the portion of the lower edge 222. first lug 227 on its branch 232 middle. The groove 220 formed between the two lugs 227 has a longitudinal dimension smaller than that of the main surfaces 221. More precisely, the longitudinal dimension between the lower edge 222 of the first lug 227 and the upper edge 223 of the second adjacent adjacent lug 227 is smaller, on the one hand, than the longitudinal distance between the lower edge 222 and the upper edge 223 of the first lug 227. and secondly at the longitudinal distance between the upper edge 223 and the lower edge 222 of the second lug 227. In practice, the neck 10 comprises a plurality of grooves 220 formed by a plurality of lugs 227 distributed regularly around the lug 227. main axis A, two successive adjacent pins 227 around the main axis A defining a groove 220. A cover, substantially identical to that of the first and second embodiments, and whose tabs define a diameter greater than that of the grooves 220 but less than the diameter of the main surfaces 221 is assembled on the container 1 by applying its internal face to the opening 9 of the neck 10 The tabs of the cover slide along the exposed surfaces between two adjacent successive pins 227, for example by sliding on the proximal edge 224 of the grooves 220. The lid can then be pivoted on the container 1, in a direction such that the tabs slide in the grooves 220. A progressive tightening can be ensured by tilting the lugs 227, and therefore the grooves 220, with respect to the angular direction. The lid can be rotated on the container 1 until the lid is tightened on the opening 9, before or until the tabs abut against the distal edge 225. Any further rotation in the same direction is prevented by the stop against the distal edge 225. In Figures 18 to 22, a fourth embodiment is illustrated. This fourth embodiment can be seen as a variant of the third embodiment. According to the fourth embodiment, the means 13 for cooperation with a cover comprise a groove 320 defining a first diameter measured on the bottom 326 of the groove 320, and formed between two main surfaces 321. The main surfaces 321 are formed, as for the third embodiment, by two lugs 327 projecting radially on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10 of the container 1, and define a second diameter greater than the diameter of the groove 320. More specifically, each lug 327 comprises a first branch 328, said upper branch, and a second branch 329, said lower branch. The lower branch 329 is offset longitudinally and angularly with respect to the upper branch 328. A middle branch 330, extending mainly longitudinally, provides continuity between the upper branch 328 and the lower branch 329, so that the pin 327 has a shape of flash or Z. While in the third embodiment , the lugs 227 are spaced apart from each other, in this fourth embodiment, the lower legs 329 of the lugs 327 merge into a single annular bead 331 on the neck 10, reinforcing the rigidity of the neck 10. Therefore, for each lug 327, one can define on the one hand a lower edge 322, delimiting the upper branch 328 and the middle branch 330 in a first longitudinal direction, but stopping on the middle branch 330, and on the other hand an edge 323 upper boundary defining the upper branch 328, the lower branch 329 and the middle branch 330 in the other longitudinal direction, but stopping at the lower branch 329. Each lug 327 extends angularly on the neck 10 from an extreme edge 332 to the bead 331. The bead 331 has a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the lugs 327, forming a continuity in the main surface 321. Thus, the groove 320 forms a recess between the bead 331 and the lugs 327 on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10 of the container 1. The bead 331 extends longitudinally from the lugs 327 to a lower rim 333. The lugs 327 are angularly offset relative to each other so that the lower edge 322 at the level of the upper branch 328 of a first lug 327 is in facing relation with the edge 323 greater than the level the lower branch 329 of the second lug 327, the longitudinal gap between the upper branch 328 of the first lug 327 and the lower branch 329 of the second lug defining the groove 320. Thus, the groove 320 is defined longitudinally between the lower edge 322 of the first lug 327 at its upper branch 328 and the upper edge 323 of the second lug 327 at its lower branch 329. Furthermore, the edge 332 end of the first lug 327 is vis-à-vis, but at a distance, from the middle branch 330 of the second lug 327, so as to form a free surface, of diameter corresponding to the diameter of the groove 320 , angularly separating the two pins 327.

The groove then extends angularly between a proximal edge 324 corresponding to the portion of the upper edge 323 of the second lug 327 on its middle branch 330 and a distal edge 325 corresponding to the portion of the lower edge 322 of the first lug 327 on its branch 330 middle.

The longitudinal dimension of the groove 320 is smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the main surfaces 321 of the lugs which surround it. More precisely, the longitudinal distance between the lower edge 322 at the level of the upper branch 328 of the first lug 327 and the upper edge 323 at the level of the lower branch 329 of the second lug 327 is smaller, on the one hand, than the longitudinal distance. between the lower edge 322 and the upper edge 323 of the first lug 327 on its upper branch 328 and, on the other hand, at the longitudinal distance between the upper edge 322 of the second lug 227 and the lower rim 333 of the bead 331. In practice , the means 13 for cooperation with a cover comprise a plurality of lugs 327 regularly distributed around the main axis A, forming a plurality of grooves 320. A cover, substantially identical to that described in the first three embodiments, and whose legs define a diameter greater than that of the grooves 320 but smaller than the diameter of the main surfaces 321, is assembled on the container 1, by applying its inner face to the opening 9 of the neck 10, the tabs of the cover sliding along the surfaces disengaged between two adjacent adjacent pins 327, for example by sliding along the proximal edge 324 of the grooves 320. The lid can then be pivoted on the container 1, in a direction such that the tabs slide in the grooves 320. A progressive tightening can be provided by tilting the lugs 327 relative to the angular direction. The lid can be rotated on the container 1 until the lid is tightened on the opening 9, before or until the tabs abut on the edge 325 of the distal grooves, blocking any additional rotation in the same direction. In the four embodiments presented above, the means 13 for cooperation with a cover are formed by the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320 which correspond to recesses on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10 of the final container 1. In fact, the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320 are bordered longitudinally by the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321, unlike the containers of the state of the art in which threads or lugs are formed protruding on the outer surface of the neck. In addition, the distal edge 25, 125, 225, 325 may serve as an abutment for the lugs of the lid.

In FIGS. 23 and 24, diagrammatic representations illustrate the comparison between a jar-type container 1 'of the state of the art (to the left of the median axis) and a container 1 (to the right of the median axis). according to one of the four embodiments presented above, on which the same lid 14a metal type legs is assembled. The container 1 'type jar of the state of the art comprises a neck 10' on which are formed means 13 'of cooperation with a thread type cover. The thread comprises several threads 20 'projecting radially on the outer wall 12' of the neck 10 '. Only one of these threads 20 'is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

The cover 14a includes an inner face 15a from which extends a flange 16a, which comprises a plurality of radially projecting lugs 17a directed towards each other. Only four legs 17a are shown, but it is obvious that this number can be any. The flange 16a defines an inside diameter of the lid 14a, which inside diameter is sufficiently large so that the lid 14a can be placed on the opening 9 of the container 1, the flange 16a partially covering the neck 10. While for the container 1 ' of the state of the art, the principle consists in passing a tab 17a of the cover 14a under a net 20 ', for the container 1 according to the invention, a tab 17b slides in a groove 20, 120, 220, 320 on the neck 10 of the container 1. In FIG. 25, it is represented similarly to FIG. 24, the comparison between a jar-type container 1 'of the state of the art (to the left of the central axis) and a container 1 (at right of the median axis) according to the second embodiment presented above, on which a cover 14b of plastic type net is assembled. The lid 14b includes an inner face 15b from which extends a flange 16b, which comprises a plurality of radially projecting threads 17b directed towards each other. The flange 16b defines an inside diameter of the lid 14b, which inside diameter is sufficiently large so that the lid 14b can be placed on the opening 9 of the container 1, the flange 16b partially covering the neck 10. On the container 1 'of the state of the art, the net 17b of the lid 14b slides under a net 20 'of the container, so that the lid 14b can no longer be detached from the neck 10' by an upward movement. On the container 1 according to the invention, the thread 20b is inserted into a groove 120 in a helix of the container 1.

As a result, for the container 1 'of the state of the art, the inside diameter of the lid 14a, 14b is greater than or equal to the outside diameter measured on the neck 10' at the threads 20 ', while the legs 17a or the threads 17b of the cover 14a, 14b define a diameter greater than or equal to the outside diameter measured on the neck 10 'at the level of the threads 20'. However, as indicated in the introduction, the blow-molding process implies that the radial extension of the threads 20 'is limited. In other words, the difference between the diameter measured on the neck 10 'excluding threads 20' and the diameter measured on the neck at the level of the threads is small, of the order of one millimeter. Indeed, beyond, during blowing, the material that has already frozen on the neck 10 'is difficult to stretch further to form the nets 20'. Therefore, when screwing the lid on the container 1 ', the user does not necessarily feel an effort indicating that it is at the end of screwing. By continuing the screwing, the tabs 17a or the threads 17b of the cover 14a, 14b can easily exceed the threads 20 'of the neck 10' at the end of screwing under the action of a slight manual effort. The lid 14a, 14b is then no longer secured to the container 1 '. Moreover, because of the difference between the inside diameter of the lid 14a, 14b and the outside diameter of the neck 10 'of the container 1' of the state of the art, without net, a space is created between the lid 14a, 14b and the neck 10 'when the lid 14a, 14b is placed on the container 1'. Impurities can become lodged in this space, which favors the pollution of the internal face 15a, 15b of the lid and hence of the contents in the container 1 '. This pollution is particularly unfavorable in the field of food, the impurities on the lid 14a, 14b may be at the origin of mold extending over the entire face 15a, 15b of the lid 14a, 14b. The space between the lid 14a, 14b and the neck 10 'of the container 1' of the state of the art is also causing a phenomenon of ovalization of the container 1 'of the prior art . Indeed, typically, the lid 14a comprising the tabs 17a may be metallic, and therefore of greater rigidity than the neck of the container obtained by blowing. Thus, when the metal lid 14a is screwed onto the neck 10 'of the container 1', the difference in rigidity causes deformation of the neck 10 '. This deformation may give the impression to a user that the container 1 'is defective. When the lid 14b comprising the threads 17b is plastic, the rigidity of the lid 14b is substantially identical to that of the neck of the container. Thus, the assembly formed by the lid 14b made of plastic and the plastic container is easily deformed, for example during the grip by a user. On the contrary, in the container 1 as presented above, the radial extension of the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 is not so limited by the blowing process, because they present a longitudinal extension greater than the longitudinal extension of the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320. For example, the longitudinal dimension of the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 is at least two times greater than that of the grooves 20 , 120, 220, 320. Indeed, the material can be distributed more easily during the blowing process to the surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 main because the amount of material is already frozen at the bottom 126 grooves 20, 120, 220, 320 are smaller than those which remain to be stretched towards the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321. For example, the difference between the diameter of a groove and the diameter of a main surface may be 3 mm. Thus, with a blowing pressure and a blowing time identical to that of containers 1 'of the state of the art, the means 13 for cooperation with a lid can be formed on the neck 10 of the container 1. Thus, in the container according to the invention, the lid 14a, 14b, and more precisely its flange 16a, 16b is closest to the surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 principal. This makes it possible to limit the phenomenon of deformation by preventing the neck 10 from being deformed in the space between the flange 16a, 16b of the cover 14a, 14b and the neck 10. This larger radial extension of the surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b , 221, 321 main also improves the holding of the lid 14a, 14b on the neck 10 of the container 1. In fact, the tabs 17a or the threads 17b of the lid 14a, 14b pass in the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320, and the effort to exert the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320 and slide on the surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 main is more important than the effort to exercise to slide on the nets 20 'of the container 1' of the state of the art. In addition, the tabs 17a or the threads 17b can abut against the distal edge 25, 125, 225, 325, extending mainly longitudinally, grooves 20, 120, 220, 320, blocking the tabs 17a or the threads 17b. so that it is necessary to develop a greater effort than a user normally makes to remove the tabs 17a or the threads 17b of the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320 and separate the lid 14a, 14b of the container 1. By elsewhere, the inside diameter of the lid 14a, 14b is greater than or equal to the diameter of the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321, so that the space between the lid 14a, 14b and the neck 10 is reduced. In addition, the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 reinforce the stiffness of the neck. Indeed, the longitudinal succession of the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 with the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320 operates in a manner similar to beads 18 that can be found in a known manner on the body. 8. The neck 10 is thus less subject to deformations during the establishment of the lid.

By the method of blowing the neck 10 of the container 1, the grooves 20, 120, 220, 320 which form a recess on the outer wall 12 of the neck 10 complementarily form projections towards the main axis A on the wall 11 inside the neck 10 of the container 1.

Thus, to produce the container 1 according to the invention by a blowing process, the preform is inserted into a mold whose imprint comprises a collar portion corresponding to the formation of the neck 10 and means 13 for cooperation with a lid. More specifically, the neck portion of the mold comprises at least one inward projection of the mold corresponding to a groove 20, 120, 220, 320 and recessed surfaces, towards the outside of the mold, with respect to the projection, on either side, in the longitudinal direction, of the projection, these surfaces corresponding to the main surfaces 21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321 of the cooperation means 13.

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. Container (1) of thermoplastic material obtained by a blowing process, the container (1) being defined by an inner wall (11) and an outer wall (12), the container (1) comprising a body (8) extended by a neck (10) extending along a main axis (A) to an opening (9), the neck (10) comprising means (13) for cooperation with a cover (14a, 14b) for closing the opening (9) of the container (1), the container (1) being characterized in that the means (13) for cooperation comprise at least one groove (20, 120, 220, 320), which is provided on the wall (12) outside the neck (10) extending around the main axis (A) and is directly bordered, in the direction of the main axis (A), by at least one surface (21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321) defining a diameter greater than that of the groove (20, 120, 220, 320), so that the groove (20, 120, 220, 320) forms a recess on the outer wall (12). with the neck (10), the dimension along the principal axis (A) of the groove (20, 120, 220, 320) being smaller than the dimension along the principal axis (A) of the at least one surface (21a , 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321). 2. Container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the groove (20, 120, 220, 320) is substantially helical around the main axis (A). Container (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body (8) has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the main surface (21a, 21b, 121a, 121b, 221, 321), the container ( 1) forming a jar. 4. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the groove (20, 120, 220, 320) on the outer wall (12) of the neck (10) forms a projection on the inner wall (11) of the collar (10). Container (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a plurality of grooves (20, 120, 220, 320) evenly distributed about the main axis (A). Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one groove (20, 120, 220, 320) comprises a proximal edge (24) opening on a facet (27) of the wall (12). ) outside the neck (10) of the container (1), and a distal edge (25) opposite the edge (24) proximal, forming a stop. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one groove (20, 120, 220, 320) extends around the main axis (A) at an angle of less than 30 °. . The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one groove (20, 120, 220, 320) extends helically about the main axis (A) at an angle about 90 °. 9. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove (20, 120, 220, 320) extends helically around the axis (A) principal. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the groove (20, 120, 220, 320) is formed between two lugs (227, 327) offset from each other. a part along the axis (A) longitudinal and secondly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (A) on the outer wall (12) of the container (1), each lug (227, 327) forming a surface (221, 321) main. 11. Closed assembly comprising a container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a cover (14a), the cover (14a) comprising at least one tab (17a) radially projecting for insertion into the groove ( 20, 120, 220, 320) of the neck (10) of the container (1). 12. Closed assembly comprising a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a cover (14b), the cover (14b) comprising at least one thread (17b) projecting radially for insertion into the groove (20, 120, 220, 320) of the neck (10) of the container (1) 13. Mold for the manufacture of a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the mold comprising a neck portion forming the footprint of the neck (10) and means (13) for cooperation with a cover, the neck portion comprising at least one projection for forming at least one groove (20, 120, 220, 320) of the neck (10) 14. Intermediate container (2) comprising a main portion (3) and an upper portion (5) comprising an intermediate neck (6) connected to the main portion (3) by a shoulder (7), the intermediate container (2) being intended to undergo a cutting step to separate the main portion (3) of the upper portion (5), the main portion (3) corresponding to the container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.