WO2007096042A1

WO2007096042A1 - Extrusion blow moulded plastic container with two pouring openings

Info

Publication number: WO2007096042A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/000716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Findeis
Original assignee: Alpla-Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2006-02-23
Filing date: 2007-01-27
Publication date: 2007-08-30

Abstract

An extrusion blow moulded plastic container (1) has a body (2), which extends from a standing area (3), encloses a receiving volume and has a first pouring nozzle (4), which is provided with a thread (6) and has a closable first pouring opening (5). Arranged on the body (2) above a filling level is a second pouring nozzle (10), which preferably has a smaller cross section than the first pouring nozzle (4) and is closed by an integrally moulded-on nozzle part (14), which can be detached to form a second pouring opening. The detachable nozzle part (14) is formed in the manner of a plug and has a cylindrical portion (17), which protrudes from a gripping portion (15) widened in the manner of a flange and the free end (18) of which, remote from the gripping portion (15), is formed in a closed manner. After the detachment of the nozzle part (14), the cylindrical portion (17) can be fitted into the second pouring opening, where it interacts in a sealing manner with the inner wall of the second pouring nozzle (10).

Description

Extrusion blown plastic container with two pouring openings

The invention relates to an extrusion-blown plastic container with two pouring openings according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The usual in the past containers made of white or stained, glass or ceramic are increasingly being replaced by plastic containers. In particular, for the packaging of fluid substances, for example for applications fertilize in agriculture, industry and commerce, etc., are now mainly plastic containers used. The low weight and the lower costs certainly play a significant role in this substitution. The use of recyclable plastic materials and the overall more favorable overall energy balance in their production also contribute to promoting the acceptance of plastic containers among the users.

The production of plastic containers, for example made of polyethylene or polypropylene, often takes place in an extrusion blow molding process, in particular in a tubular blowing process. The extrusion blow molding machines used for the extrusion blow molding process usually have one or more extruders for feeding the required plastic material. The outlet of the extruder is connected to an extruder head, at the outlet opening of which the extruded tube preferably exits in the opening width. The plastic hose can be extruded one or more layers. The hose exiting the outlet nozzle continuously or quasi-continuously is transferred to a blow molding tool assembly and inflated by overpressure with the aid of a blow mandrel retracted into the mold cavity. Thereafter, inflated plastic containers are removed from the mold cavity.

Many of the fluid substances used in industry, commerce, agriculture or even households, in particular liquids, are accommodated in canister-type containers. These canisters often have two pouring openings with different sized pouring cross sections. The larger pouring opening serves to pour larger quantities of the contents; On the other hand, if required, the smaller Gießöffnung smaller amounts of the contents of the canister are dosed more accurately. The two Ausgiessöffhungen are provided on Ausgiessstutzen, which are formed in the upper region of the canister. While in the known canisters with two Ausgiessöffhungen the larger pouring is already provided in the usual way with a screw-off cap, the second Ausgiessstutzen is closed by a piece integrally formed nozzle section. To open the second, smaller pouring opening, the nozzle section must first be cut off by the user. Only then can the contents be poured out through the smaller pouring opening. To close the second, smaller pouring opening is another screw cap, which is enclosed with the canister.

The two screw caps are separate components and are produced in a separate production process, usually in a plastic injection molding process. It requires a significant logistical effort to merge the two screw caps with the canister. While the larger screw cap is screwed on after filling the canister in the usual way, the smaller screw cap must be enclosed as an additional component. In the process, a relatively large amount of effort has to be made to ensure that the screw cap for the smaller pouring opening during storage, transport, and the sale of the canister can not be lost. The separated by the user nozzle section is usually disposed of in the known canisters and rarely recycled.

Object of the present invention is therefore to remedy these disadvantages of the plastic container with two pour spouts of the prior art. The logistical effort of the manufacturer of the container and the associated caps should be reduced as well as that of the bottler. In the storage, transport and sale of plastic containers with two pouring openings no major effort should be operated as in containers with only one pouring spout. It should be ensured that each provided with two pouring plastic container arrives at the user with the appropriate number of closures. The

The likelihood that separated plastic parts are not disposed of, but that they will be recycled will be increased. The solution of these objects consists in a plastic container with two Ausgiessöff-, which has the features mentioned in the characterizing portion of claim 1 features. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An extrusion-blown plastic container has a body extending from a standing surface and enclosing a receiving volume, which has a first threaded pouring spout with a closable first pouring spout. Above a filling level, a second pouring spout is arranged on the body, which preferably has a smaller cross section than the first pouring spout and is closed by an integrally formed spout part which can be separated to form a second pouring spout. The separable nozzle part is formed like a plug and has a projecting from a flange-like widened gripping portion cylindrical portion, whose remote from the gripping portion free end is formed locked. After separation of the neck portion of the cylindrical portion is inserted into the second pouring opening and acts there sealingly with the inner wall of the second Ausgiessstutzens.

The plastic container designed according to the invention has an integrally formed closure part for its second pouring opening. For this purpose, the second Ausgiessstutzen is equipped with an integrally formed neck part, which is inserted after separation in the second pouring opening thus created and sealingly cooperates with the inner wall of the second Ausgiessstutzens. The stopper-like nozzle part, which is closed at its free end, is an integral part of the extrusion-blown container and thus from production to filling, storage, storage, and the like

Transport until sale captive connected to the container. If necessary, the user separates the nozzle part from the pouring spout in order to expose the second pouring opening. After pouring a desired amount of the container contents of a gripping portion projecting cylindrical portion of the nozzle part is inserted into the Ausgiesstutzen to close the second pouring opening.

The additional expense for the production of the container with an integrally molded closure part is negligible. The manufacturing effort for a separate two- Tes closure part and the logistical effort to ensure the equipment of the container with the second closure part accounts. The second closure is separated from the second pouring spout and then used for closing the second pouring spout. This eliminates unnecessary waste, which is usually disposed of. The separated part rather forms the closure part and can be plugged into the second Ausgiessöffhung after complete emptying of the container. As a result, it is usually not lost, but can be recycled. It also proves the fact that the second closure part made of the same material as the container of advantage.

To improve the sealing properties, it proves to be advantageous if at least one profiling is provided on the cylindrical portion of the separable neck part, which extends helically over part of the length of the cylindrical portion.

The profiles of the cylindrical portion of the neck part may be wing-like lobes. In another very convenient and manufacturing technology preferred form the profiles are designed as an external thread or as male threaded sections.

In the case of a separable neck part equipped with an external thread or external thread sections, the inner wall of the second pouring spout sealingly cooperating with the insertion of the neck part into the second pouring opening is expediently provided with an internal thread-like profiling. As a result, the nozzle part is screwed. The screw connection ensures even more reliable that the neck part can not accidentally come loose and fall, and the tightness of the closure is increased. As a result, contamination of the residual contents arranged in the container can be avoided. An evaporation or "Ausriechen" of the residual content is counteracted by this measure.

Another very useful embodiment of the extrusion blown plastic container provides that the gripping portion of the plug-like, separable neck portion adjacent to form a guide gap to a circumferential annular bead of the second Ausgiessstutzens. The guide gap makes it easier for the user Separating the neck part by the blade of a cutting instrument, such as a knife, section in the gap between the gripping and the annular bead is guided. This ensures a clean and straight cut.

The gripping portion of the separable nozzle part expediently has a larger outer diameter than the adjacent annular bead. When inserting or screwing in the nozzle part of the annular bead forms a stop for the gripping portion and prevents over-rotation. The larger diameter of the gripping portion facilitates unscrewing or -ausziehen the neck part.

Thus, the nozzle part is easier to grasp and in the case of a screw variant can be easily rotated, the gripping portion of the nozzle part Umfangssprof ilierungen on. For example, the circumferential profiles are flattened in the circumferential direction. The flats may also be slightly concave to get closer to the finger shape.

For better handling of the extrusion-blown plastic container, the body is expediently equipped with a handle part. The grip part may be blown integrally with the body. But it may also be a separate handle part, which is attached, for example, only later on the body of the plastic container.

By the second Ausgiessstutzen is provided on the opposite side of the handle of the body of the plastic container, a well metered pouring is facilitated by the second pouring opening.

The inventive, extrusion-blown plastic container can be designed in principle in terms of its external shape in principle. For most applications, however, it proves to be expedient if the container has the shape of a canister. Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic figures. It shows in not to scale representation:

1 shows a perspective view of an inventive extrusion-blown plastic container with two pouring openings;

2a and 2b show a second Ausgiessstutzen the plastic container with a molded neck part in side view and in a sectional view;

3a and 3b show the second Ausgiessstutzen and the separated nozzle part in side view and in a sectional view; and

4a and 4b show the screwed into the second Ausgiessstutzen neck part in side view and in a sectional view.

An extrusion-blown plastic container, in particular a plastic canister, shown by way of example in FIG. 1 bears the reference numeral 1. The plastic canister 1 has a body 2 which extends from a base 3 and encloses a receiving volume. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving volume on the body 2 of the plastic canister 1 is indicated by a relief-like inscription 5 1. The body 2 of the plastic canister 1 has at its upper end a first pouring spout 4 with a first pouring opening 5. The first pouring opening 5 initially serves for filling the plastic canister 1 with a fluid substance, in particular with a liquid. The user is the first pouring opening 5 for emptying the contents of the plastic canister 1. The first pouring spout 4 is provided with an external thread 6, on which a screw cap of well-known design is screwed. On the circumference of the first Ausgiessstutzens 4 also locking cam 7 are indicated which come into engagement with corresponding locking members of an integrally formed on the screw locking ring. The plastic canister 1 also has a handle part 8, which is integrally formed, for example, during inflation of the extruded tube inserted into the blow mold. But the handle part can also be a separate component, which is inserted into the blow mold and during inflation of the Plastic canister 1 is connected to the body 2 or only after inflation of the plastic canister 1 on the body 2 is attached.

At the opposite side of the handle of the plastic container 1, the body has a bay-like projection 9 from which above a filling level a second pouring spout 10 protrudes. At the second Ausgiessstutzen 10 a nozzle part 14 is integrally formed. The nozzle member 14 has a flange-like gripping portion 15, from which a cylindrical portion 17 protrudes, the free end 18 is formed closed. In FIGS. 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4a and 4b, the second pouring spout 10 and the spout part 14 are shown on a larger scale, respectively in side view and in section.

Fig. 2a and 2b show in analogy to Fig. 1, the second Ausgiessstutzen 10 with the integrally molded nozzle portion 14. From the illustrations it can be seen that the flan-like gripping portion 15 of the nozzle portion 14 adjacent to an annular bead 19, the second Ausgiessstutzen 10 is formed. The gripping portion 15 has a larger outer diameter than the annular bead 19. Between the gripping portion 15 and the annular bead 19, an annular circumferential guide gap 20 is formed, which serves for receiving and guiding a separating device, such as a knife blade. The gripping section 15 has circumferential profiles 21, for example flattenings. The protruding from flange-like gripping portion 15 cylindrical portion 17 is formed closed at its free end 18. On its outer surface of the cylindrical portion 17 is provided with spiral-shaped circumferential profiles 16, for example with an external thread. As indicated in Fig. 2b, the inner wall of the second Ausgiessstutzens 10 has a correspondingly formed internal thread 13.

3a and 3b show the inventive plastic canister with separated from the second Ausgiessstutzen 10, for example, cut, neck portion 14. In this case, a second pouring opening 11 is exposed on the second Ausgiessstutzen 10. The second pouring opening 11 is bounded by the circumferential annular bead 19 and usually has a smaller cross-section than the first pouring opening. The section along the guide gap between the annular bead 19 and the gripping portion 15 cut-piece part 14 is present as a separate part. The neck part 14 has the gripping portion 15th from which the cylindrical portion 17 protrudes, which is designed to be closed at its free end 18. The neck part 14 has the shape of a sealing plug.

4a and 4b show the nozzle part 14, which is inserted through the second pouring opening into the second Ausgiessstutzen 10, in particular screwed. In this case, the external thread 16 on the cylindrical portion 17 of the nozzle part 14 and the internal thread 13 formed on the inner wall of the second pouring portion 10 cooperate. The gripping portion 15 of the opposite to the integral position rotated by 180 ° spigot 14 is supported on the annular bead 19, which bounds the second pouring opening 11, from. The nozzle part 14 is a hollow part, which is closed at the projecting into the second Ausgiessstutzen 10 free end 18 of the cylindrical portion 17.

According to the invention, the plastic canister in the blow mold is inflated with the connecting piece 14 integrally formed on the second pouring spout 10. The user only has to separate the neck part 14 along the provided guide gap, wherein the second pouring opening is exposed. The function of the second pour spout 10 separated, stopper-like nozzle part 14 is self-explanatory. The nozzle part 14 inserted into the second pouring spout 10, in particular screwed in, ensures a sealing closure of the second pouring opening 11 and also maintains its sealing function when the plastic canister tips over. The neck part 14 is captively connected to the second Ausgiessstutzen 10 before separating. After separation, the screwed into the second Ausgiessstutzen 10 nozzle part is also held captive.

Claims

claims

An extrusion-blown plastic container having a body (2) extending from a standing surface (3) and enclosing a receiving volume, which has a first spout (4) provided with a thread (6) with a closable first pouring opening (5) and one having a second Ausgiessstutzen (10) arranged above a filling level which preferably has a smaller cross section than the first Ausgiessstutzen (4) and of an integrally formed, to form a second pouring opening (11) separable nozzle part (14) is closed, characterized in that the separable neck part (14) is of a plug-like construction and has a cylindrical section (17) projecting from a gripping section (15) widened in a flared manner, the free end (18) of which facing away from the gripping section (15) being closed, which after separation the nozzle part (14) in the second pouring opening (11) can be inserted is t and sealingly with the inner wall (12) of the second Ausgiessstutzens (10) cooperates.

2. Plastic container according to claim 1, characterized in that on the cylindrical portion (17) of the separable nozzle part (14) at least one profiling (16) is provided which extends helically over part of the length of the cylindrical portion (17).

3. Plastic container according to claim 2, characterized in that the profiling (16) is an external thread or external thread sections.

4. Plastic container according to claim 3, characterized in that with the cylindrical portion (17) of the separable nozzle part (14) sealingly cooperating inner wall (12) of the second Ausgiessstutzens (10) with an internal thread-like profiling (13) is provided.

5. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping portion (15) of the plug-like, separable nozzle part (14) to form an annular circumferential guide gap (20) adjacent to a circumferential annular bead (19) of the second Ausgiessstutzens (10) ,

6. Plastic container according to claim 5, characterized in that the gripping portion (15) of the separable nozzle nozzle (14) has a larger outer diameter than the adjacent annular bead (19).

7. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange-widened gripping portion (15) of the separable nozzle part (14) is provided with circumferential profiles (21).

8. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (2) is equipped with a handle part (8).

9. Plastic container according to claim 8, characterized in that the second Ausgiessstutzen (10) on the handle part (8) opposite side of the body (2) is provided.

10. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has the shape of a canister.