PACKAGING CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The invention according to claim 1 relates to a packaging container, in particular stackable, for receiving liquid and / or pasty products, with a container wall extending from an upper edge towards a bottom and circumferentially around a container axis.

[0002] Such a packaging container is used in particular for holding dairy products such as yogurt or beverages, or as a drinking container for consuming the food contained in the packaging container.

[0003] In known packaging containers, such as those described in German patent application DE 10 2011 100 171 A1, it has proven disadvantageous that the container base, particularly the so-called bottom surface, tends to bulge outwards towards the container axis in certain situations. This effect occurs, for example, during the cooling or shrinking process after the packaging container has been manufactured. Furthermore, this phenomenon can also occur in subsequent processes, such as printing, when the packaging containers are subjected to internal pressure. The bulged packaging containers are generally considered rejects, as the base no longer returns to its original shape automatically and cannot be manually reset, thus compromising the stability of the packaging containers and severely impairing downstream processing.Document US 2012 / 242012 A1 discloses the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] There are already approaches to addressing this problem. For example, the material distribution is modified so that the material content in the base is significantly increased. However, this means that with the same amount of material used, material is lacking in other parts of the packaging container, resulting in compromises, particularly regarding resistance to axial loads along the container's length. In existing packaging containers, this is countered by using more material overall, which in turn negatively impacts the overall weight and the associated costs.

[0005] Furthermore, there are approaches in which several concentric circular grooves, each with a different radius, are embedded in the base of the packaging container. In practice, however, it has been shown that the base of such containers lacks sufficient stability against deformation, and a pasty product tends to settle between the grooves, making it more difficult to empty the container.

[0006] Furthermore, there are designs in which the base has a recess formed by a side wall that preferably runs continuously around the recess in an approximately circular pattern. However, in practice, it has also been shown that even with these designs, the base of the container can deform under the influence of a radial force.

[0007] In view of these problems in the prior art, the invention is based on the objective of providing a packaging container with a more stable base.

[0008] This problem is solved by a packaging container for receiving liquid and / or pasty products, in particular dairy products, with a container wall extending from an upper edge towards a bottom and circumferentially around a container central axis, wherein the bottom has a recess projecting towards the upper edge and circumferentially, wherein the recess has a circumferentially circumferential side wall which is bounded by a first edge circumferentially around the container central axis towards the bottom and by a second edge circumferentially around the container central axis towards the upper edge.

[0009] Such a packaging container is characterized in particular by the fact that the side wall has at least one edge extending from the first circumferential edge to the second circumferential edge.

[0010] The invention is based on the inventors' finding that such an edge extending from the first circumferential edge to the second circumferential edge creates a discontinuity in the side wall surrounding the indentation, thereby increasing the stability of the container bottom with an indentation against forces acting axially on the container bottom.

[0011] This reduces the risk of base deformation, for example, under pressure changes within the packaging container. This, in turn, reduces the number of rejected packaging containers during manufacturing and subsequent filling. Furthermore, the amount of material in the base of the packaging container can be reduced while maintaining sufficient resistance to deformation along the container's central axis. Finally, this simplifies the base design, making the containers easier to empty.

[0012] An edge can also be called a kink line, for example. In other words, an edge can also be called a discontinuity line.

[0013] In some aspects, the side wall forms at least one section which is bounded circumferentially on opposite sides by edges extending from the first circumferential edge to the second circumferential edge and in the direction of the container's central axis on opposite sides by a first segment of the first circumferential edge formed between adjacent edges that bound at least one section circumferentially on opposite sides and a second segment of the second circumferential edge formed between adjacent edges that bound at least one section circumferentially on opposite sides.

[0014] In particular, the inventors have found that by structuring the side wall with one or more sections, which are separated from each other in the circumferential direction by the edges extending from the first circumferential edge towards the second circumferential edge, the resistance of the bottom to deformation in the direction of the container's central axis is improved.

[0015] The inventors discovered that the more the shape of the side wall in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container approximates a circle—that is, the more segments the side wall has—the more the stability of the base decreases. The structure of the side wall thus influences the stability of the base. Conversely, the inventors found that if the number of segments is reduced too drastically, the stability of the base also decreases. In particularly advantageous aspects, the inventors found that exceptionally high stability is achieved with approximately 9, 10, or 13 segments in the side wall.

[0016] In some aspects, the surrounding side wall is contoured in such a way that, in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container, the radial distance of a point on the side wall to the container's central axis differs from the radial distance of at least one other point on the side wall to the container's central axis.

[0017] In one aspect, the at least one section in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container has a point which has a radial distance to the container center axis that differs from a radial distance of at least one other point of the same section.

[0018] This means that the shape of the side wall, in particular of a section, formed in a radial cross-sectional area by the packaging container, deviates from a circular shape, thereby improving the stability of the base with respect to axial deformation.

[0019] In some aspects, the at least one edge extending from the first circumferential edge to the second circumferential edge, in particular the edges bounding the at least one section in the circumferential direction on opposite sides, extends at least partially in a direction approximately transverse to the circumferential direction.

[0020] Thus, at least one edge extending from the first circumferential edge to the second circumferential edge is aligned, at least partially, along the container's central axis in the direction of the upper rim. This improves the stability of the base, with a corresponding indentation, against axially acting forces.

[0021] In some other aspects, the at least one edge extending from the first circumferential edge to the second circumferential edge, in particular the edges bounding the at least one section in the circumferential direction on opposite sides, extends at least partially in the direction of the upper edge.

[0022] In other aspects, the at least one edge extending from the first circumferential edge to the second circumferential edge, in particular the edges bounding the at least one section in the circumferential direction on opposite sides, extends in a direction approximately transverse to the circumferential direction.

[0023] In one respect, the first segment and the second segment run essentially parallel to each other. In other words, every point on the first segment is equidistant from a corresponding point on the second segment.

[0024] In one aspect, the surface of the at least one section, bounded by the edges that define the at least one section on opposite sides and by the first and second segments, has approximately the shape of a preferably isosceles trapezoid. Preferably, the surface can be approximately planar.

[0025] With this type of shape of the sections forming the container wall, the bottom exhibits particularly high stability against forces acting axially on the bottom.

[0026] In one aspect, the surface of the at least one section, bounded by the edges defining the at least one section on opposite sides and by the first and second segments, has approximately the shape of the lateral surface of a truncated cone.

[0027] Thus, the shape of the sections forming the container wall has a rounded shape, which, with increased stability of the base, ensures easier emptying of the packaging container.

[0028] In one aspect, the first segment and the second segment are essentially linear.

[0029] Straight lines in the side wall increase the stability of the container wall against axially acting forces.

[0030] In some aspects, at least one section of the side wall has an inclination towards the central axis of the container. This causes the side wall of the indentation to taper towards the container edge. The first circumferential edge therefore has a larger circumference than the second circumferential edge.

[0031] This widens the area surrounding the indentation inside the packaging container towards the top edge. As a result, less product residue can accumulate at the bottom of the container, making it easier to empty.

[0032] In some aspects, the at least one section on an outer surface has a stiffening, in particular wherein the stiffening has a preferably regular pyramidal shape with a height directed approximately orthogonally to the outer surface.

[0033] By stiffening the sections of the side wall, the stability of the sections and thus of the side wall is increased, thereby increasing the overall stability of the floor with such an indentation.

[0034] In one aspect, the bottom is bounded by a third circumferential edge opposite the container wall, and the third circumferential edge encircles the container's central axis in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container, preferably approximately circularly in the circumferential direction.

[0035] A surface of the base formed between the third circumferential edge and the first circumferential edge constitutes the base surface. The first circumferential edge defines the side wall in the direction of the base surface. In this application, the packaging container rests with the base surface on a surface. The indentation surrounding the base surface prevents deformation of the base surface, particularly under axial forces acting on the base. A surface surrounding the second edge preferably runs parallel to the base surface and is offset from it in the direction of the upper edge.

[0036] In some aspects, the first circumferential edge and / or the second circumferential edge in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container form a circumferential, in particular regular, polygonal shape, preferably rotationally symmetrical about the container's central axis, wherein the respective first segments and second segments are formed between vertices of the polygonal shape, in particular identical in shape.

[0037] Thus, the side wall defining the indentation is symmetrically designed. This symmetrical design of the container wall, which forms corresponding sections, improves the stability of the base.

[0038] For example, a vertex can be a cross-section through a line extending from the first circumferential edge towards the second circumferential edge. A vertex can be rounded.

[0039] In certain aspects, the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge run parallel to each other.

[0040] According to the invention, all sections of the side wall are identically designed.

[0041] In one aspect, the packaging container has a stacking rim extending radially from the upper edge and / or the packaging container has a stacking edge projecting radially in the container wall towards the bottom, circumferencing the container's central axis.

[0042] Such a stacking rim allows multiple packaging containers to be stacked inside one another, with the stacking rim of one container resting on the upper rim of another. Furthermore, such a stacking rim allows multiple packaging containers to be stacked inside one another, with the bottom of one container resting on the stacking rim of another container in a circumferential area.

[0043] In other aspects, a packaging container can be made in one piece from a single layer of material, preferably plastic.

[0044] Furthermore, the aforementioned problem is solved by a packaging container for receiving liquid and / or pasty products, in particular dairy products, with a container wall extending from an upper edge towards a base and circumferentially surrounding a container central axis, wherein the base has a circumferentially projecting indentation extending towards the upper edge. The packaging container is characterized in that the indentation has a circumferentially circumferential side wall contoured such that, in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container, the radial distance of a point on the side wall to the container central axis differs from the radial distance of at least one other point on the side wall to the container central axis.

[0045] In one aspect, the side wall forms several sections in the circumferential direction, with each section having a point in the radial cross-sectional plane that has a radial distance to the container center axis that differs from a radial distance of at least one other point of the same section.

[0046] In some aspects, the circumferential side wall of the indentation forms a circumferential polygonal shape in the radial cross-sectional plane, in particular rotationally symmetrical about the container's central axis, wherein the sections of the side wall in the radial cross-sectional plane are formed between vertices of the polygonal shape, in particular identical in shape.

[0047] In some aspects, at least one section, preferably each of the several sections, is essentially straight in the radial cross-sectional plane, preferably each section being of equal length.

[0048] In some aspects, one or more sections, preferably each of the several sections, exhibit a stiffening on a surface.

[0049] In some aspects, the side wall has a first circumferential edge towards the bottom and a second circumferential edge towards the top edge, with the first circumferential edge having the same shape in a first radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container and the second circumferential edge having the same shape in a second radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container.

[0050] In some aspects, the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge have different shapes, wherein the first circumferential edge has several first nodes in the first radial cross-sectional plane and is subdivided into several first segments between adjacent first nodes, wherein the second circumferential edge has several second nodes in the second radial cross-sectional plane and is subdivided into several second segments between adjacent second nodes, wherein a bulge of at least one first segment in the first radial cross-sectional plane has a vertex opposite a second node in the second radial cross-sectional plane, and wherein a bulge of at least one second segment in the second radial cross-sectional plane has a vertex opposite a first node in the first radial cross-sectional plane.

[0051] In some aspects, the circumferential side wall tapers towards the upper edge, in particular where each section has a particularly uniform inclination with respect to the container's central axis.

[0052] In some aspects, the contour of the surrounding side wall increases the resistance of the bottom to axial deformation in the direction of the container's central axis.

[0053] Further properties, features and advantages of the invention will be clarified below by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, which show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging container with a contoured indentation according to a preferred embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a bottom view of the packaging container in Fig. 1 . Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging container with a contoured indentation comprising a side wall with stiffeners according to a preferred embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a packaging container with a contoured side wall with bulges according to a preferred embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the packaging container in Fig. 7 . Fig. 6 shows an exemplary schematic section of the underside view in Fig. 8 . Fig. 7 shows a cross-section through a packaging container along the container's central axis according to a preferred embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a cross-section through a packaging container along the container's central axis according to another preferred embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a cross-section through a packaging container along the container's central axis according to another preferred embodiment.

[0054] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the figures, and the claims can be important for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. Reference numerals in the figures refer to the same elements.

[0055] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging container 1 according to a preferred embodiment.

[0056] The packaging container 1 shown is formed by a container wall 4 that surrounds the container's central axis A in one direction of rotation and a base 2. The container wall 4 has an upper edge 2 at one end and transitions into the base 3 at the opposite end. The base 3 of the packaging container 1 is bounded by an edge 15 that surrounds the container's central axis A and is adjacent to the container wall 4. The edge 15 encloses a base surface. The space thus formed serves to hold liquid or pasty products, in particular dairy products.

[0057] In the base of the packaging container 1, the base 3 has a recess 5 directed into the interior of the packaging container 1, which is offset towards the upper edge of the container wall 4. The recess 5 comprises a circumferential side wall 6, which delimits the recess 5. As can be seen from Fig. 1As can be seen, the side wall 6 is bounded by a first circumferential edge 6a in the direction of the base or the base surface and by a second circumferential edge 6b in the direction of the upper edge 2. Several edges 14 extend between the first circumferential edge 6a and the second circumferential edge 6b, preferably approximately transversely to the direction of circumferential rotation. The edges 8 form several sections 7 in the side wall 6.

[0058] Thus, the side wall 6 is divided into several identical sections 7. In particular, each section 7 has a surface that is planar and trapezoidal.

[0059] As further in Fig. 1As shown, the side wall 6 tapers towards the upper edge 2 of the packaging container 1. The sections 7 of the side wall 6 shown are inclined with respect to the container's central axis A, with each section 7 having the same angle of inclination with respect to the container's central axis A.

[0060] Due to the contour of the side wall 6 shown, the bottom 3 has an increased resistance to axial deformation in the direction of the container's central axis A.

[0061] The contouring of the in Fig. 1 The depicted side wall 6 can be better understood by looking at the Figure 2 can be traced.

[0062] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of packaging container 1. Figure 1As can be seen from the underside view of the packaging container 1, the side wall 6 has a polygonal shape in a radial cross-section, with the side wall 6 forming several sections 7, and each section 7 being formed between adjacent vertices of the polygon. A section 7 is bounded towards the bottom 3 by a first segment 11 of the first circumferential edge 6a and towards the top 2 by a second segment 12 of the second circumferential edge 6b. The first circumferential edge 6a and the second circumferential edge 6b are substantially parallel and form a polygonal shape in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container 1. Both circumferential edges 6a and 6b are substantially identical in shape.

[0063] The shape of the side wall 6 in the radial cross-sectional plane is also determined by the in Fig. 2The underside view shows the following. The shape of the side wall 6 of the recess 5 in a radial cross-sectional plane is defined by the first circumferential edge 6a or the second circumferential edge 6b in the underside view. Since the sections 7 of the side wall 6 each have the same angle of inclination with respect to the container's central axis A, they are offset from each other in the underside view by the first circumferential edge 6a and the second circumferential edge 6b.

[0064] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a packaging container 1. The figure shown in Figure 1 shows a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a packaging container 1. Figure 3 The embodiments shown are essentially based on the one described in Figure 1 embodiment shown.

[0065] As in Figure 3As shown, the side wall 6 has several sections 7. Each section 7 has a surface that faces an exterior of the packaging container 1 in the direction of the container's central axis A. In contrast to the illustration in Figure 1 Each section 7 has a stiffening element 8 on its surface. The stiffening element 8 has a pyramidal shape. The surface of a section 7 has a rectangular shape, with one apex of the pyramidal shape of the stiffening element 8 located on the surface of the section 7, preferably at its center, and offset from the surface in the direction of the container's central axis A. The vertices of the pyramidal shape align with the vertices of the section 7.

[0066] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of another preferred embodiment.

[0067] The in Figure 4 The embodiments shown are based on the one described in Figure 1 embodiment shown.

[0068] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a side wall 6 with a first circumferential edge 6a directed towards the bottom 3 and a second circumferential edge 6b directed towards the upper edge 2. The side wall 6 tapers continuously towards the upper edge 2, so that the circumferential side wall 6 has an angle of inclination relative to the container's central axis A.

[0069] The side wall 6 is shaped such that the first circumferential edge 6a, which delimits the side wall 6 in the direction of the bottom 3, and the second circumferential edge 6b, which delimits the side wall 6 in the direction of the upper edge 2, have a different shape in the radial cross-sectional plane.

[0070] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the in Figure 4The packaging container 1 shown. It can be seen that both the first circumferential edge 6a and the second circumferential edge 6b have segments 11, 12 in the underside view, which are curved in different directions with respect to the container's central axis A in the underside view. For a better understanding of the contouring of the side wall 6 in this embodiment, the figure shows Figure 6 a schematic representation of a section from the in Figure 5 Underside view of packaging container 1 shown.

[0071] In particular, the underside view shows in Figure 6A section with a first circumferential edge 6a and a second circumferential edge 6b of the inclined side wall 6a. In the underside view of the packaging container 1, the first circumferential edge 6a has first nodes 10 and the second circumferential edge 6b has second nodes 13. Between adjacent first nodes 10, the first circumferential edge 6a forms first segments 11 and between adjacent second nodes 13, the second circumferential edge 6b forms second segments 12. The first segments 11 have a curvature directed towards the container's central axis A and the second segments 12 have a curvature directed away from the container's central axis A, with a vertex of each second segment 12 located opposite a first node 10 of the first edge 6a in the underside view and a vertex of each first segment 10 located opposite a first node of the second edge 6b in the underside view.

[0072] Figure 7Figure 1 shows a cross-section along the container's central axis A through a packaging container 1 according to the invention. The container wall 4, the bottom 3, the indentation 5, and a cross-section through a section 7 of the surrounding wall 6 are shown. As can be seen from... Figure 7 As can be seen, section 7 in the cross-section has a bulge along the container's central axis A, which is directed away from the container's central axis A. Furthermore, the section 7 of the side wall 6 shown can be inclined relative to the container's central axis A.

[0073] In other words, the side wall 6 of the indentation 5 is curved towards the interior of the packaging container 1. This curvature improves the stability of the base 3 and simplifies emptying the packaging container 1. Each section 7 of the side wall 6 can be configured as shown in Fig. 7 shown to be arched.

[0074] Figure 8shows a further cross-section along the container's central axis A in another embodiment. Figure 8 clarifies that corners and / or edges of a packaging container 1 according to the invention may be rounded. Figure 8 shows in particular that a corresponding first circumferential edge 6a, which delimits the side wall 6 in the direction of the bottom 3, and a corresponding second circumferential edge 6b, which delimits the side wall 6 in the direction of the upper edge 2, can be rounded.

[0075] Fig. 9 Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a packaging container 1 along the container's central axis A according to a further preferred embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the cross-section through the packaging container 1 is shown along the container's central axis A. Fig. 9As shown, one or more sections 7 of the side wall 6 are inclined relative to the container's central axis A or an axis parallel to the container's central axis A. The sections 7 of the side wall 6, preferably all sections of the side wall, can have an angle of inclination n with respect to the container's central axis A or an axis parallel to the container's central axis. The angle of inclination n is between 20° and 90°, particularly preferably between 40° and 50°.

Claims

1. Packaging container (1) for receiving pasty products, in particular milk products, having a container wall (4) which extends from an upper edge (2) in the direction of a base (3) and encircles a container centre axis (A) in a circumferential direction, wherein the base (3) has an indentation (5) which projects in the direction of the upper edge (2) and encircles in the circumferential direction, wherein the indentation (5) has a circumferentially encircling side wall (6) which is delimited by a first edge (6a), which encircles the container centre axis (A), in the direction of the base (3) and by a second edge (6b), which encircles the container centre axis (A), in the direction of the upper edge (2), wherein the side wall (6) has a plurality of edges (14) which extend from the first encircling edge (6a) to the second encircling edge (6b), and the side wall (6) forms a plurality of portions (7) which are delimited on opposite sides in the circumferential direction by edges (14) which extend from the first encircling edge (6a) to the second encircling edge (6b) and are delimited on opposite sides in the direction of the container centre axis (A) by a first segment (11), which is formed between adjacent edges (14) which delimit the at least one portion (7) on opposite sides in the circumferential direction, of the first encircling edge (6a) and a second segment (12), which is formed between adjacent edges (14) which delimit the at least one portion (7) on opposite sides in the circumferential direction, of the second encircling edge (6b), wherein the first encircling edge (6a) and the second encircling edge (6b) form an encircling polygonal shape in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container (1), and the portions are formed between vertices of the polygonal shape, characterized in that all the portions (7) of the side wall are of identical design.

2. Packaging container (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one edge (14) which extends from the first encircling edge (6a) to the second encircling edge (6b), in particular the edges (14) which delimit the at least one portion (7) on opposite sides in the circumferential direction, extends at least partially in a direction approximately transversely with respect to the circumferential direction.

3. Packaging container (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first segment (11) and the second segment (12) run substantially parallel to one another.

4. Packaging container (1) according to one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that an area of the at least one portion (7), which area is delimited by the edges (14) which delimit the at least one portion (7) on opposite sides and by the first and second segments (11, 12), has approximately the shape of a preferably isosceles trapezoid or has approximately the shape of a lateral surface of a truncated cone.

5. Packaging container (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first segment (11) and the second segment (12) run substantially rectilinearly.

6. Packaging container (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one portion (7) of the side wall (6) has an inclination in the direction of the container centre axis (A).

7. Packaging container (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one portion (7) has a stiffening (8) on an outer surface, in particular wherein the stiffening (8) has a, preferably regular, pyramidal shape with a height extending approximately orthogonally with respect to the outer surface.

8. Packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (3) is delimited by a third encircling edge (15) with respect to the container wall (4), and the third encircling edge (15) runs around the container centre axis (A) in a radial cross-sectional plane through the packaging container (1), preferably approximately circularly in the circumferential direction.

9. Packaging container (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the polygonal shape is a regular polygonal shape which is preferably rotationally symmetrical about the container centre axis (A).

10. Packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging container (1) has, at the upper edge (2), an encircling stacking edge which extends in the radial direction starting from the upper edge (2), and / or wherein the packaging container (1) has, in the direction of the base (3) in the container wall (4), a stacking edge which projects in the radial direction in the direction of the container centre axis (A) and encircles the container centre axis (A).