WO2022136111A1

WO2022136111A1 - Extrusion blow-molded container

Info

Publication number: WO2022136111A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/086205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas BOHLE; Christian SCHARINGER
Original assignee: Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2020-12-21
Filing date: 2021-12-16
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: DE212021000469U1; CH718207A9; CH718207A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an extrusion blow-molded container (10), in particular a painter's bucket, comprising a container body (20) which is closed with a container base (30). The container body (20) has an inner wall (21) provided with wiper elements (22). The container (10) has a container handle (40) which is integrally arranged at the container body (20).

Description

Extrusion blown container

The present invention relates to an extrusion-blown container, in particular a paint bucket, according to the preamble of the independent claims.

Different containers for use as transport containers for paint and/or for mixing paint are known from the prior art.

WO 2020/180556 A1 discloses a paint bucket whose inner wall has a structure for scraping off a paint roller or brush. This paint bucket also has an essentially strip-shaped element for holding or hanging up the paint bucket. In addition, a separate handle is provided, which is also in the form of a band and is arranged on the side of the paint bucket. This handle is slidably mounted in longitudinal grooves. This paint bucket has an opening with a rim, a slot for storing a paint roller being arranged on this rim. This slot prevents uncontrolled movement of the paint roller when placed in the paint bucket.

The paint bucket of WO 2020/180556 A1 has several different individual parts and is therefore complicated and expensive to manufacture. Due to the storage of the paint roller inside the paint bucket, in particular standing up on the bottom of the paint bucket, it is not clear how much paint is still in the paint bucket, on the one hand, and on the other hand, such storage promotes the absorption of paint into the paint roller. When using the paint roller again after a longer break, the user does not know how much paint is sticking to the paint roller.

It is the object of the invention to remedy at least one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, one should Paint buckets are created, which is easy to manufacture, can be used multi-functionally and is preferably inexpensive to produce.

This object is achieved by the container defined in the independent patent claim. Further embodiments result from the dependent patent claims.

Hollow plastic containers are typically produced by so-called blow molding processes. The most common blow molding processes are extrusion blow molding and stretch blow molding. Both blow molding processes have in common that the final shape of a plastic hollow body is given in a blow mold.

These two blow molding processes differ in essential points.

The extrusion blow molding process is characterized in that a hollow body is produced from an elongated thermoplastic tube. In the stretch blow molding process, on the other hand, hollow bodies are produced from a prefabricated hollow body, namely a preform, by stretching it in the circumferential direction and in the longitudinal direction. The plastic of the container is then stretched biaxially.

In general it can be said that a person skilled in the art would expect that a body which has been blown up in a mold and which is produced using the extrusion blow molding process can still be deformed without any problems immediately after it has been blown up. This is not necessarily to be expected in the case of a stretch-blown body, because a person skilled in the art knows that stretched plastic resists subsequent deformation.

In the case of containers that are produced using this blow molding process, it can also be determined from the finished container which process was used to produce them. Extrusion blown containers have a pinch seam in or on the bottom. In the case of stretch-blown containers, only one injection point is visible on the bottom, which occurs when the preform is manufactured. Containers that have been produced using the extrusion blow molding process can also be recognized by the fact that the inner contour essentially follows the outer contour. A thread formed in the extrusion blow molding process on a bottle neck can thus be recognized as a negative contour inside the container. In the case of stretch-blown containers, however, there is an inner contour that deviates from the outer contour, particularly in the area of the pouring opening, which is typically produced by injection molding. The outer contour can have a thread, for example, and the inner contour can have smooth walls. This is necessary in order to demould the preforms in the previous injection molding process.

Larger containers and in particular containers that are open on one side, such as paint buckets, are often only produced using the injection molding process or the deep-drawing process. Both processes require complex production lines and/or expensive injection molds or deep-drawing molds. A formation of, for example, protruding elements is only possible to a limited extent or requires a relatively large amount of material.

A container according to the invention is designed as an extrusion-blown container. The extrusion-blown container is designed in particular as a paint bucket. This includes a container body which is closed with a container bottom. The container body has an inner wall which is provided with stripping elements. The container has a container handle integrally disposed on the container body.

Scraper elements are elements that protrude in the direction of the application side and form a more or less pronounced structure. This structure allows excess paint to be wiped off a brush and/or paint roller when they are on be moved along the respective structure. The stripping elements are, in particular, a large number of elements arranged in a recurring manner, such as ribs.

A container handle arranged integrally on the container body enables the container to be manufactured simply and inexpensively, in particular using the extrusion blow molding process. As a result of the integral production, on the one hand an additional production of a container handle is superfluous and a separate work step for attaching such a container handle to the container is eliminated. Additional stability can be imparted to the container by means of a container handle arranged integrally on the container. Production using the extrusion blow molding process also makes it possible to design the container handle to be hollow and thus save on material.

It can be provided that at least one groove is arranged on the container handle in order to fasten a paint roller, in particular a holding rod of a paint roller, in it.

If the user takes a break while using the container as a paint bucket, the painting tool, in particular a paint roller, can be attached to the container without the paint roller being in contact with the paint in the container.

It can be provided that the groove is arranged in such a way that the paint roller is located in the region of a container opening of the container and is in particular arranged above a paint reservoir. Paint that can be on the paint roller, for example, drips back into the paint reservoir and is not lost. In addition, contamination of the environment is avoided.

The paint roller can thus be put down or stowed away without any additional equipment.

The groove preferably has an undercut. This enables a corresponding paint roller to be securely fastened, in particular a holding rod of a paint roller. The undercut is preferably designed in such a way that a narrowest diameter of the groove is narrower than a largest diameter of the retaining rod. Correspondingly, the holding rod of the paint roller can be snapped into the groove and is held essentially captive in the groove.

Provision can also be made for two grooves to be arranged opposite one another on the side of the container handle, in particular on the side of the container handle. This allows the container to be used by both right-handed and left-handed people alike.

Containers typically have an axial direction that is essentially defined by a connection from the container bottom to the container opening of the container. The axial direction typically corresponds to the direction of a perpendicular on a plane through the opening of the container and/or the production direction of the container. Extrusion blown containers are typically made from an extruded tube. The longitudinal extent of the hose thus also corresponds to the axial direction.

The groove may be inclined to the axial direction. An inclination of the groove makes it possible to fasten a paint roller in the groove at different positions along its extent, for example in the direction of a holding grip. This allows the part of the paint roller bearing the paint to be placed above the tank opening of the tank.

Additionally or alternatively it can be provided that the at least one groove and/or one further groove is arranged in the axial direction above the container handle, in particular above the container handle, and in particular is arranged transversely to the axial direction. The paint roller can thus be attached to the container in a further position or in an alternative position. Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular that, for example, to refill paint in the container, the paint roller outside or. can be placed and fastened next to the opening of the container.

The container handle can have an upper end and a lower end in the axial direction and can be connected to the container body with the upper end in the region of a container opening. It can be provided that the lower end of the container handle is not connected to the container body, in particular is spaced apart from the lower region of the container. The container can thus be hooked, for example during use, with the container handle, for example via a corresponding edge or rung of a ladder. In addition, penetration of paint from below into a cavity in the container handle is prevented.

In particular, the groove or grooves is or are located at the upper end of the container handle.

Alternatively, however, it can be provided that the container handle is connected to the container body with its lower end in the region of the container bottom.

This leads to increased stability of the container.

At its lower end, the container handle can be squashed in the area of the connection to the container body. The penetration of paint from below into a hollow space of the container handle can be reliably prevented by pinching.

A holding device for attaching an object, in particular a magnet, a brush holder or a container lid, can be arranged on the container body. Depending on the needs of the user, the container can be equipped with different additional devices, i.e. objects. With such modular extensions, resources can be saved and containers can be provided that are each intended for a specific application. However, should further applications or other work need to be done during use, the user can simply retrofit the container.

By using a magnet, for example, brushes with a metallic coating can simply be placed on the container without being dipped in the paint. If a container lid is also equipped with a ferromagnetic element or a magnet, this can also be arranged magnetically on the container.

Even upgrading with an extension for attaching a container lid, for example a hook, only has to take place if the container is actually used with a container lid, in other words if it is a container that is to be used several times or in different places . If the containers or the container are only intended for single use, an extension for attaching a container lid is superfluous and does not have to be produced or disposed of after use.

The holding device thus makes it possible to arrange different extensions, ie additional elements or additional devices, on the container.

The holding device can be formed from two protruding elevations, with each of the elevations having an undercut.

The elevations are preferably aligned in such a way that either both undercuts face each other or both Undercuts are facing away from each other. As a result, an additional element can be fastened to the holding element, for example by being pushed in laterally. Alternatively, an additional element can also be clipped onto the holding element by pressing it into the undercuts, creating a so-called snap-fit connection.

A fastening element for a container lid can be arranged on the container body in the region of the container opening.

The Canister Lid Fastener allows you to equip canisters with canister lids that are reusable. The container can thus be closed easily and the paint inside can be protected from environmental influences. The container can be closed in a dust-tight manner, in particular, so that contamination by dust, for example, can be reliably prevented. During breaks during work or when the place of work is changed, the contents of the container are protected when the container lid is in place. In particular, the drying out of the paint can also be delayed in this way, so that it can be stored for at least several hours without any loss of quality.

The fastening element can be in the form of a groove, in particular a circumferential groove, and/or one or more projections. The groove can also only extend on two sides of the container, so that a container lid can be fitted onto the container by sliding it on. The groove can also extend on the side from which the cover is pushed on, so that after the cover has been pushed on completely, it is also in engagement with a groove on the face side.

The container lid can also be opened or closed by means of projections by a relatively short movement of the container lid. The stripping elements can be arranged in the container in the axial direction only over a partial area of the container body. In particular, these are delimited from an intended filling volume by a marking arranged below this partial area.

Such an arrangement enables a simple visual check of the filling level, or the maximum filling level, of paint inside the container.

The mark may be formed as an indentation within the container.

A notch can easily be produced in production using the extrusion blow molding process. The indentation can be formed towards the interior of the container as well as towards the outside.

Additionally or alternatively, the container can have a transparent area as a viewing window. This transparent area preferably extends in the axial direction. The transparent area enables a visual check of the fill level from outside the container, in particular when the container is closed.

Provision can be made for the container to be divided into two separate container halves or compartments with a wall. Thus, for example, the paint can be picked up in a first half and additional tools, such as spatulas or brushes, can be carried along in a second half. The two halves are not necessarily divided into two halves mathematically. The size of the individual departments or halves can be chosen individually.

The container can also have a handle which is preferably attached to two projecting hooks. The handle makes it easy to transport. In addition, the container can optionally be fastened with the handle, for example to an upper end of a ladder, if this is not held in one hand by a user, for example by the container handle.

Individual exemplary embodiments and/or elements of a container are described below with reference to schematic figures. Show it:

Figure 1: A perspective view of a container with

Lid ;

FIG. 2: a perspective view of the container from FIG

Figure 1 with the lid open;

FIG. 3: a detailed view of the container handle of the container from FIG. 1;

FIG. 4: a side view of the container from FIG. 1;

FIG. 5: the view according to FIG. 4 with a paint roller;

FIG. 6: a detailed view from FIG. 4;

FIG. 7: a detailed view from FIG. 4;

FIG. 8: a side view of a container according to FIG. 1 with a handle;

Figure 9: a perspective view of a container with a partition.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container 10 with a lid 70. The container 10 has a container body 20 which is closed with a container base 30 at its lower end. The container 10 has a substantially rectangular cross-section. At its upper end, the Container body 20 has a container opening 23 (see FIG. 2), which is closed with the container lid 70. Due to the essentially rectangular cross section, the container 10 has two longitudinal sides and two broad sides. A container handle 40 is arranged integrally on one broad side and holding devices 24 on the second broad side (see also FIG. 4). Stripping elements 22 (see FIG. 2) are arranged on the longitudinal sides, the negative imprint of which is visible on the outer wall of the container 10 . This is due in particular to the extrusion blow molding process in which the container 10 is manufactured. The axial direction of the container 10 is essentially defined by a connection between the container bottom 30 and the container opening 23 (see FIG. 2). By definition, in the area of the container opening 23 is at the top of the container 10 and in the area of the container bottom 30 at the bottom of the container. In the lower area of the container 10, the unspecified reservoir for receiving paint is arranged.

2 shows a perspective view of the container 10 from FIG. 1 with the lid 70 open. The lid 70 is arranged magnetically with a ferritic element (not specified) on a magnet (also not specified) on the holding device 24 (see FIG. 4). is, fastened. The container body 20 has an inner wall 21 which is provided with stripping elements 22 . The stripping elements 22 extend in the axial direction up to an upper edge of a filling volume, in particular up to a corresponding marking 28 (see FIG. 4). The representation according to Figure 2 allows a view into the interior of the container 10.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the container handle 40 of the container 10 from FIG. 1. The view is from above towards the interior of the container 10. In this detailed view the upper end 42 of the container handle 40 is shown. At the upper end 42 of the container handle 40 there are three grooves 41 educated. Two of the grooves 41 are located opposite each other on the side of the container handle 40 and one groove 41 is located on the top of the container handle 40 . This extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the container 10. The latter groove 41 can be seen in FIG. 4 in cross section.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the container 10 from FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the groove 41 arranged at the top of the container handle 40 can be seen in cross section, the cross section being explained with reference to the following FIG. In addition, a laterally arranged groove 41 can be seen, the design of which can also be seen in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the lateral groove 41 is inclined toward the center of the container 10 with respect to the axial direction. The container 10 has a container handle 40 which is connected to the container body 20 with its upper end 42 in the region of the upper end of the container, ie in the region of the container opening 23 . The container handle 40 is also connected to the container body 20 with its lower end 43 in the area of the container bottom 30 . The container handle is pinched with a pinch 14 in the area of this connection. This prevents paint in the container 10 from penetrating into the container handle 40 . A plurality of markings 28 are arranged above the container bottom 30, which in the present case are in the form of indentations. The stripping elements 22 can be seen above these notches. A holding device 24 is arranged on the container wall which is opposite the container handle 40 . This holding device 24 is explained in detail below with reference to FIG. At the upper end of the container 10 is the container opening 23 which is formed with fastening elements for the lid 70 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The fastening elements 25 are designed on the one hand in the form of a groove 26 extending on both sides of the container and as projections 27 extending laterally. The cover 70 can be moved along the groove 26 pushed over the container opening 23, the lateral projections 27 being able to be brought into engagement with corresponding counterparts on the lid 70. This engagement presses the lid 70 onto the container opening 23 so that the lid 70 closes the container opening 23 tightly. To protect against accidental opening, these projections 27 have latching elements, not designated in any more detail, which interact with corresponding elements on the cover 70 .

FIG. 5 shows the view according to FIG. 4 with a paint roller 90 fastened to the container 10. The holding rod 91 of the paint roller 90 is pressed into a groove 41 on the container handle 40 and is thus securely fastened to the container 10. The roller 92 of the paint roller 90 is located inside the container body 20, in other words, it protrudes into the container opening 23 inside. Paint that is on the roller 92 can drip into the interior of the container 10 with it. This position is made possible by the inclination of the groove 41.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view from FIG. 4. In this detailed view, the upper end 42 of the container handle 40 is shown enlarged. Two grooves 41 can be seen, one groove 41 being on the side of the container handle 40 and one groove 41 on the top of the container handle 40. The upper groove 41 is shown in cross-section. The formation of the groove 41 with undercuts 411 is clearly visible. In relation to an opening of the groove 41, ie in an insertion direction of the paint roller to be fastened, this groove has a narrower cross section than the cross section lying behind it. A corresponding holding rod 91 (see FIG. 5) is held securely in the groove 41 by this configuration. All of the grooves 41 described here have the same configuration in terms of cross sections and undercuts. FIG. 7 shows a further detailed view from FIG. In this detailed view, the holding device 24 is shown enlarged. The holding device 24 has two protruding elevations 241 and 242 . Each of these elevations has an undercut 243 or 244 . The elevations 241 and 242 with their undercuts 243 and 244 are arranged in relation to one another in such a way that the undercuts 243 and 244 are aligned with one another. Correspondingly, an additional object, such as a magnet , can be snapped into the holding device 24 so that it is held securely in the undercuts 243 and 244 . If the object fastened to this holding device 24 is a magnet, for example, then a correspondingly ferromagnetic counterpart can be held at this point.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a container 10 according to FIG. 1 with a handle 12 . The handle 12 is fastened to two hooks 13 and is movably mounted on them. The handle 12 allows easy transport of a container or container 10 .

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a container 10 with a partition wall 29 . For the sake of simplicity, only the elements relevant to this view are shown. For example, the stripping elements and/or other elements are not shown. It can be seen in FIG. 9 that the container is divided into two individual compartments by a wall 29, one of which is larger than the other. The larger compartment essentially corresponds to a container body 20 as described for the remaining figures. The smaller compartment can also be designed in accordance with the container body 20 as described here, but this is not absolutely necessary. The division into two compartments makes it possible to carry additional tools, such as additional paintbrushes, brushes or spatulas, and/or these with you to fill another color if, for example, several different colors are required. The design according to FIG. 9 is compatible with all of the exemplary embodiments described here.

Claims

patent claims

1. Extrusion-blown container (10), in particular a paint bucket, comprising a container body (20) which is closed with a container bottom (30), the container body (20) having an inner wall (21) which is provided with stripping elements (22), characterized in that characterized in that the container (10) has a container handle (40) integrally disposed on the container body (20).

2. Container (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one groove (41) is arranged on the container handle (40) in order to fasten a paint roller (90), in particular a holding rod (91) of a paint roller (90).

3. Container (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the groove (41) has an undercut (411).

4. Container (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that two grooves (41) are arranged opposite one another on the side of the container handle (40).

5. Container (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the groove (41) is inclined with respect to the axial direction.

6. Container (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the at least one groove (41) is arranged in the axial direction above the container handle (40).

7. Container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the container handle (40) has an upper end (42) and a lower end (43) in the axial direction and with the upper end (42) in the area a container opening (23) is connected to the container body (20). Container (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the container handle (40) is connected to the container body (20) with its lower end (43) in the region of the container base (30). Container (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the container handle (40) is pinched at its lower end (43) in the region of the connection to the container body (20). Container (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container body (20) has a holding device (24) for fastening an object, in particular a magnet (50), a brush holder (60) or a container lid (70), is arranged. Container (10) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the holding device (24) is formed from two projecting elevations (241, 242), each of the elevations (241, 242) having an undercut (243, 244). Container (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a fastening element (25) for a container lid (70) is arranged on the container body (20) in the region of the container opening (23). Container (10) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the fastening element (25) is designed as a circumferential groove (26) and/or as projections (27). Container (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the stripping elements (22) are arranged in the axial direction only over a partial area of the container body (20) and in particular by a marking (28) arranged below this partial area of a provided Filling volumes are delimited. 18 container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the marking (28) is formed within the container (10) as a notch. Container (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the container (10) has a transparent area (11) as a viewing window. Container (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the container (10) is divided into two separate container halves by a wall (29). Container (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the container (10) has a handle (12) which is preferably attached to two projecting hooks (13).