MXPA06011959A

MXPA06011959A - Plastic container and method of integrally securing a neck attachment thereto.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06011959A
Application number: MXPA06011959A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Michael J Lonsway
Original assignee: Graham Packaging Pet Tech
Priority date: 2004-04-21
Filing date: 2005-04-18
Publication date: 2007-01-26
Also published as: WO2005108047A1; CA2562043A1; US20050236356A1; AR050499A1

Abstract

A method of making a container by providing a container (11) having a neck (118), providing a container attachment having a circumferentially continuous ring (126), telescoping the ring over the neck (m8), and radially expanding at least a portion of the neck (m8) to secure the attachment to the neck (m8).

Description

PLASTIC CONTAINER? METHOD OF COMPREHENSIVE ASSEMBLY OF NECK UNION TO THE SAME Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the manufacture of containers, and more particularly, to the manufacture of plastic containers having components such as rings and finishing handles. they are assembled with them.

Background of the Invention Containers for fluid products, such as liquid and granular products, have been configured from plastic through a variety of methods. For example, plastic containers have been blow molded from preforms in order to provide container bodies having integral neck and handle finishes. Also, the plastic containers have been configured with a container body that includes an integral neck finish with the body of the container, and a handle separately attached to the container. Other containers have been configured by positioning a handle molded by the injection process and finishing in a blow mold, so that the handle and the finish are incorporated into the container as it is molded REF. 175981 by blowing. At least in some examples, it may be desirable to configure a container body separately from a neck and / or handle finish. One reason is that the neck finish that is integrally formed with a preform usually requires a more accurate and stable sizing than the rest of the body. the preform, which could limit the cycle time of the molding process of the preform. Another reason is that the blow molds that are used to configure the container body can be of a simpler design because they do not require receptacles to configure or hold an integrally molded handle. It may also be desirable to use a different plastic material due to issues of strength, color, aesthetics or cost for example, where the handle and the finish do not need to be made of the same material as the body of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention includes a number of different aspects, which could be implemented separately, or more preferably in combination with each other. A method according to one aspect of the invention includes the steps of supplying a container having a neck, also, the supply of a container joint having a circumferentially continuous ring, the external clutch in a radially outward direction in a clutch with the ring in order to secure the handle on the neck. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a container is provided that includes a body, a neck extending from the body and a joint that includes a tie ring that encloses a portion of the neck, the neck portion is hardened by plastic deformation by radial expansion against the inner diameter of the ring. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a connection is provided for a container having a container neck with a pair of external cords or clutch lips, the joint includes a ring having an internal surface having at least one characteristic of anti-rotational clutch, wherein the joint is adapted for securing the container neck between the pair of external clutch rims, so that the pair of external clutch rims restrict the ring in axial direction, and at least an anti-rotational clutch feature restricts the rotational movement of the ring relative to the neck of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention, together with the objectives, features, advantages and additional aspects thereof will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preform for use with a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of a blow molded container from the preform of Figure 1 and for use with a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of a container assembly that is produced from a separate finish ring joint and the container of Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of a container assembly that is produced from a separate integrated finishing ring and a handle joint and the container of Figure 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an elevational view of a partially assembled version of the container assembly of Figure 3, illustrating a method step according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5A-5A of Figure 5, once the method step is completed, wherein the neck of the container is radially expanded in clutch with a joint, so that the union is integrally secured in the neck; Figure 6 is an elevational view illustrating a method step for integrally joining a handle to a container according to another example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is an elevational view illustrating another method step for integrally joining the handle of Figure 6 with the container of Figure 6 according to another example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of the completed assembly of the container of Figure 7 taken along line 7A-7A thereof; and Figure 8 is an elevational view illustrating a method step for integrally joining a handle to a container having a neck portion that is narrower at one end than at a finishing end according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 illustrates a preform 10 that includes a 7 closed end 12 and an open end located in opposite position 14. A body portion 16 extends from the closed end 12 towards the open end 14 and ends in the shape of a neck 18. The neck 18 extends upwards from of the body portion 16 so as to include an integral annular support flange 20, further extending upward to include a first and second integral orientation flanges or rings 22, 24 and ending at the open end.14. For reasons to be discussed below, the neck portion 18 of the preform 10, particularly this portion between the orientation rings 22, 24 inclusive, is preferably provided with surface features of fluted or knurled. The surface features of flute are defined herein as a pattern of small ridges, ridges or cross stripes provided on a surface to assist in securing another surface that will be placed in contact therewith. The preform 10 could also be of a layer construction or could be of a multilayer construction having an inner layer of a protective resin, for example, of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and outer layers composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or the like, or any other type of suitable container materials. The preform 10 could be produced by the operation of pressure molding such as injection molding or compression molding. Subsequently, the preform 10 could be blow molded to form a blow molded container 110 as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the container 110 shown includes a closed bottom end 112 and an open end located in opposite position 14. A body portion 116 extends from the closed end 112 towards the open end 14, then becomes conical in the shape of a. projection 117 and terminates in the shape of the neck 18. The neck 18 extends upwardly from the projection 117 to include the integral annular support flange 20, further extending upward to include the first and second flanges or integral rings of orientation 22, 24 and ends at the open end 14. Again, by means of the preform 10 of Figure 1, the fluted characteristics are provided on the neck 18, preferably between the orientation rings 22 , 24. Figure 3 illustrates, in schematic form, a method step according to an example embodiment of the present invention, wherein the joint in the form of a continuous circumferential finishing ring 126 contracts on the neck of the vessel 110, as it is represented in a directional way by the arrow. In other words, the finishing ring 126 and the container neck 18 are inserted together in longitudinal or axial direction, with the container neck 18 entering the finishing ring 126 as a result of the joint or collision together of the container 110 and the finishing ring 126. Preferably, the finishing ring 126 is placed on the container neck 18 before the container 110 has been cooled from the blow molding step and in this way, while the container material is still find relatively soft. It is also contemplated that this step could be completed once the vessel 110 has cooled. The finishing ring 126 includes an upper surface 128, a lower surface located in opposite position 130 parallel to the upper surface 128 and the inner and outer diametrical surfaces 132, 134 extending in a perpendicular direction therebetween. The outer diametrical surface 134 includes threads 136 or thread-shaped features or segments integrally formed thereon. The inner diametrical surface 132 includes the annular recess 138 formed therein, and further, it is preferred that it includes the fluted characteristics located between the recesses 138. The finishing ring 126 is contracted on the neck 18 until the lower surface 130 of the finishing ring 126 makes contact with the upper surface of the support flange 20. The finishing ring 126 could be injection molded or compression molded and could 10 be composed of any desired material, in particular, any material that is different from the material composition of the preform and the container. In other words, the material and manufacturing conditions of the finishing ring 126 could be selected separately from the material and manufacturing conditions of the preform to achieve optimum operation characteristics of the finishing area of the container 110. In this way, the preform and the container 110 can be molded with relatively thin wall sections without having to accommodate the flow of the molten plastic material in a relatively thicker finishing area, which reduces the cost of material and the cycle time of the mold. However, it is preferred that the finishing ring 126 be composed of polypropylene (PP), or the like, or any other plastic material having sufficient elasticity so as to expand and retract elastically. The finishing ring 236 shown in Figure 4 is identical to the finishing ring 126 of Figure 3, except that the finishing ring 236 of Figure 4 is provided with an integral extension handle 244 that extends from the lower surface 230 (or any other surface). Expressed otherwise, the handle 244 has a circumferentially continuous member that is integrally connected thereto. In any case, the ring of 11 finish 236 contracts on neck 18 of container 110, as described above. Figure 5 depicts, schematically, a step of securing a method of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a mandrel or anvil A is inserted into the open end 14 of the container 110. The anvil A, or a plurality of sequential anvils, could be used to stretch the neck finishes of different containers to various desired sizes. The anvil A could be a solid single tool as shown, or it could be a multi-piece expansive tool such as an expansion mandrel or the like. The anvil A is moved towards the container 110, so that a conical surface T of the anvil A first works on the open end 14 and subsequently, the outer diameter D of the anvil A works on the inner surface 146 of the neck 118 so as to displace in a radially outward direction and plastically deforms the neck 118 until the first and second rings 22, 24 are seated within their respective recesses 138 of the finishing ring 126 and the corresponding flute characteristics of the container neck 18 and the ring Finishing 126 clutch together according to compression. Accordingly, at least a portion of the finishing ring 126 is axially captured between the rings 22, 24 of the container 110. It is contemplated that the material for the container 110 and the finishing ring 126 will be selected, so that the movement of the anvil A will deform the neck 118 of the container 110 in a significantly plastic manner and will only elastically deform the neck ring 126. However, it is preferred that this step be executed while the container 110 is still relatively hot from the preceding stages of preform and blow molding. It is contemplated that the neck 18 of the container 110 could be heated in any way in order to maintain the neck 18 in a relatively soft and flexible state. In any case, the finishing ring 126 does not expand in a substantially radial direction during the radial expansion stage. The resulting fit of pressure interconnection between the rings 122, 124 and the recesses 138 is provided to prevent relative axial movement between the container neck 18 and the finishing ring 126. Similarly, the clutch to each other of the characteristics of fluted provides frictional resistance added to the rotational movement between the container neck 18 and the finishing ring 126. In Figure 5A, an additional or alternative feature is illustrated. Figure 5A illustrates an assembled version of Figure 5 taken in the form of a cross section along line 5A-5A thereof. The 13th • finishing ring 126 includes a lug extending in radial direction 148 formed on inner diametrical surface 132, and container 110 includes a radially extending receptacle 152 formed in neck 118 and which is adapted for receiving the lug 148 of the finishing ring 126. The interconnecting lug 148 and the receptacle 152 are provided to prevent relative rotation between the container 110 and the finishing ring 126. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The container 310 includes a closed end (not shown) and an open end located in the opposite position 314. The body portion 316 extends from the closed end towards the open end 314, then becomes conical in the shape of a projection 317 and terminates at neck 318. Neck 318 extends upwardly from projection 317 so as to include a pair of retaining beads or rings 319, then extends upward to include the integral support flange annular 320, also extends upwardly to include the integral collar finish 321 and ends at the open end 314. The collar finish 321 includes one or more threads or thread segments 323 thereon for securing a member of closure (not shown) in the container 310. The joint in the shape of a handle or handles 326 includes a circumferentially shaped ring. continuous 327 having a top surface 328 and a curved spike 329 extending integral from the surface. bottom 330 of ring 327. Handle 326 could be injection or compression molded and could be composed of any desired material, including even the same material composition as container 310. However, it is preferred that handle 326 be composed of polypropylene (PP) or the like, which has sufficient elasticity so that it can expand or retract elastically. The handle 326 is shown to be contracting on the neck 318 of the container 310, as represented by the directional arrows. In other words, the ring 327 of the handle 326 and the container neck 318 are inserted together in the longitudinal or axial direction with the container neck 318 entering the ring 327. The ring 327 includes an inside diameter 332 that is provided just larger that the outer diametral size of the support tab 320, so that the ring 327 freely passes therethrough. The handle 326 is lowered until the ring 327 is placed in a substantially axial position between the retaining rings 319 of the container 310. Figure 7 depicts, schematically, a step of assembling a method of another example embodiment of the present invention, wherein the anvil A is inserted into the open end 314 'of the container 310. The anvil 15 A includes a conical surface T and an outer diameter D which is dimensioned just larger than the internal diameter of the neck 318. The anvil A is displaced towards the container 310, so that the conical surface T of the anvil A first works on the end open 314, and subsequently, the outer diameter D of the anvil A works on the inner surface (not shown) of the neck 318, so as to move in a radially outward direction and plastically deform the neck 318 until the rings 319, under of the radial displacement outward thereof, capture the ring 327 of the handle 326 therebetween. It is contemplated that the materials for the components are selected, so that the movement of the anvil A will greatly deform the neck 318 of the container 310 in a plastic manner and also greatly elasticly deform the ring 327 of the handle 326. The adjustment pressure capturing of the ring 327 of the handle 326 between the rings 319 of the container 310 is provided to prevent relative axial movement between the container neck 318 and the handle 326. Similarly, the clutch to each other of the fluted characteristics provides a frictional resistance added to the rotational movement between the container neck 318 and the handle 326. In addition, Figure 7A illustrates an assembled version of Figure 7 taken in the form of a cross section at 16 along line 7A-7A thereof. In Figure 7A it can be seen that the ring 327 of the handle 326 includes a lug extending in radial direction 348 formed on the inner diametrical surface 322, and that the container 310 includes a radially extending receptacle 352 formed in the neck 318 and adapted for receiving the lug 348 of the ring 327. The lug 348 and the interconnecting receptacle 352 are provided to prevent relative rotation between the container 310 and the handle 326. Figure 8 depicts another example embodiment of the present invention. invention. The container 410 includes a closed end (not shown) and an open end located in opposite position 414. A body portion 416 extends from the closed end towards the open end 414, then, becomes conical in the shape of a projection 417 and ends in the shape of a neck 418. The neck 418 extends forward from the projection 417 so as to include a portion of reduced diameter 418 'having a pair of retaining rings 419, then further extends forward to include an integral annular cap flange 420, it also extends forward to include an integral neck finish 421 and ends at the open end 414. The neck finish 421 includes one or more threads 423 thereon the assurance of a 17 closure member (not shown) in the container 410. In this manner, the container 410 is largely the same as the container 310 shown in Figures 6 and 7, except that the neck finish 421 is provided in size as the final finish size is desired and therefore, is not stretched during the stretching operation, while the neck 418 includes the reduced diameter portion 418 'which does not elongate during the stretching operation. Still with reference to Figure 8, a joint in the shape of a handle 426 includes a circumferentially continuous ring 427 having an upper surface 428 and a spigot 429 extending from the ring 427. The handle or handle 426 could be molded by injection or compression and could be composed of any desired material, still including the same material composition as the container 410. However, it is preferred that the handle 426 be composed of polypropylene (PP) or the like, having a sufficient elasticity of way that it can expand and retract elastically. The handle 426 is shown to be contracted on the neck 418 of the container 410, as represented by the directional arrows. In other words, the ring 427 of the handle 426 and the container neck 418 are inserted together in longitudinal or axial direction, with the container neck 418 entering the ring 427 as a result of the collision 18 between them. The ring 427 includes an inner diameter 432 that is sized to be larger than the outer diameter size of the lid flange 420, so that the ring 427 freely passes therethrough. The handle 426 is lowered until the ring 427 is located in a substantially axial position between the retaining rings 419 of the container 410. Figure 8 also represents, schematically, a step of assembling or securing a method of another embodiment. example of the present invention, wherein the anvil A is inserted into the open end 414 of the container 410. In contrast to the previous embodiment of Figure 7, here the outer diameter D of the anvil A is smaller than the inner diameter of the Complete neck finish 421 although it is larger than the reduced diameter portion 418 '. The anvil A is moved towards the container 410, so that the conical surface T of the anvil A first works on the open end 414 and subsequently, the outer diameter D of the anvil A works on the inner surface (not shown) of the portion of reduced diameter 418 'of the neck 418 so as to move in a radially outward direction and plastically deform the reduced diameter portion 418' of the neck 418 until the rings 419 catch the ring 427 of the handle 426 therebetween. 19 Several advantages are provided with one or more of the embodiments of the present invention described above. For example, it is now possible to fully secure a joint or component in a neck of a container using the same machine or station that is used to stretch the neck finish to a desired size, thereby adding value to a product. of container without adding capital costs. Simultaneously, the neck size of the various preform designs can be produced in a common single diameter and subsequently, can be expanded to a variety of desired sizes, thereby minimizing the cost per part. Also, the present invention allows the integral securing of a joint in a container neck using an integral compression fitting, rather than a more annoying gluing or compression process. It may also be possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the container as a result of a higher cavitation of the preform due to the use of a smaller common collar size. Finally, the present invention also provides a simplified method of orienting a finish or handle in a container and minimizes unwanted rotation of the joint relative to the neck of the container. Therefore, a container, a union for a container, a. method of making a container and the methods of making a container of 20 mango. The present invention has been described in conjunction with the presently preferred embodiments thereof, and a number of modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations will be readily suggested by themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing description. Directional words such as upper, lower, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, and the like are employed by way of description and not as limitation. Instead, it is intended that the invention include all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

twenty-one CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A method of making a container characterized in that it includes the steps of: (a) providing a container having a neck, (b) providing a container union having a ring circumferentially. continuous, (c) contracting the ring on the neck, and (d) expanding in the radial direction the inner diameter of at least a portion of the neck to secure the junction in the neck, and wherein the ring is not expanded in a manner substantially radial during the radial expansion stage. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint has at least one external thread segment. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint includes a handle coupled with the ring. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one portion of the neck comprises at least one external clutch element on the neck before expansion in (d) to engage the clutch. ring based on the expansion of the inner diameter of the neck in step (d). The method according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one external clutch element comprises separate flanges on the neck for the clutch of the ring. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the steps (a) and (b) includes the provision of at least one anti-rotational characteristic on at least one of the neck and the ring. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the delivery steps include providing a groove on at least one of the neck and the ring. 8. The method of conformance with claim 6, characterized in that the delivery steps include providing at least one lug on one of the neck and ring and at least one corresponding receptacle on the other of the neck and ring, so that at least one tab clutch at least one corresponding receptacle. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that step (d) includes the displacement in the axial direction of an anvil inside the container to expand in the radially outward direction at least one portion of the neck in clutch with the ring. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one external clutch element on the neck engages with the ring based on the expansion of the inner diameter of the neck in step (d) and in addition where the anvil simultaneously expands a finished portion of the neck and at least one external clutch element on the neck. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one external clutch element on the neck engages with the ring based on the expansion of the inner diameter of the neck in step '(d) and furthermore where the Anvil expands at least one external clutch element on the neck although it does not expand the finished portion of the neck. 12. The container, characterized in that it is produced by the method according to claim 1. 13. A method of manufacturing a container with handle characterized in that it includes the steps of: (a) providing a container having a neck, (b) ) providing a handle having a circumferentially continuous ring, (c) contracting the ring externally on the neck, and (d) expanding the diameter 24 in the radial direction. at least one portion of the neck for securing the handle to the neck and wherein the ring is not expanded in a substantially radial direction during the radial expansion cap. 14. The method according to the claim 13, characterized in that the ring includes at least one external thread forming an externally threaded finish when the ring is secured in the neck in step (d). 15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the neck includes on its external surface a thread, a lid flange and a pair of spaced flanges. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the neck and the pair of spaced ridges are smaller in diameter than the cap flange and the thread, and wherein step (d) includes the expansion of the portion of neck having the flanges separated without the expansion of the neck portion having the cap flange and the thread. 17. The method of compliance with the claim 13, characterized in that at least one of the steps (a) and (b) includes the provision of at least one anti-rotational characteristic on at least one of the neck and the ring. 18. The method according to claim 25 17, characterized in that the delivery steps include providing a groove on at least one of the neck and the ring. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the delivery steps include providing at least one lug on one of the neck and the ring and at least one corresponding receptacle on the other of the neck and of the ring, so that at minus one clutch tab with at least one corresponding receptacle. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that step (d) includes the displacement in the axial direction of an anvil within the open end of the container for radially outwardly expanding at least a portion of the neck in clutch with the ring 21. A container with handle, characterized in that it is produced by the method according to claim 13. 22. A method of manufacturing a container with handle characterized in that it includes the steps of: (a) providing a preform having a body and a neck with at least one external clutch element, (b) providing a handle having a circumferentially continuous tie ring, (c) blow-molding the body of the preform to configure the body of the container having the neck extending therefrom, and (d) either before or subsequent to step (c): (di) contracting the the handle ring on the neck of the container until the ring is adjacent to at least one external clutch element, and subsequently (d2) expanding the inner diameter of at least one portion of the neck containing at least one clutch element externally radially outwardly in clutch with the ring to secure the handle to the neck and wherein the ring is not expanded in a substantially radial manner during the radial expansion stage. 23. A container with handle, characterized in that it is produced by the method according to claim 22.