Bottle neck

Abstract

The invention relates to a neck (21) of a bottle (20) with a flange (22), the bottle comprising a body having a side wall and a shoulder arranged between the neck and the side wall, characterized in that the neck (21) of the bottle (20) comprises at least one protrusion (27) which is arranged: - between the flange (22) and the body, - close to the shoulder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of liquid food containers, and in particular to a preferably thin-walled bottle neck (usually made of plastic) containing liquid food, such as non-carbonated mineral water. The present invention also relates to an object or device that can be coupled to the bottle. Background Art

[0002] Containers for liquid foods are known in the prior art, in particular thin-walled bottles with necks, for example made of plastic, for transporting and delivering mineral water to consumers who wish to drink high-quality water and retain flavor and quality. Such plastic containers or bottles are disclosed in documents WO201012956A1, WO201093602A2, EP1873067A1 or WO2014101957A1.

[0003] In return, the production of these plastic bottles has an impact on the environment and a recycling sector must also be provided to minimize this impact.

[0004] In addition, it is known to manufacture such a necked bottle by injection blow molding, wherein a preform is manufactured by injection and then the bottle is obtained by blowing the preform. In these manufacturing methods, during transportation or final use, it may be necessary to orient or connect the bottle and / or preform with an apparatus, a machine or other object, and solutions by providing a relief shape at the level of the neck are proposed, such as those disclosed in documents EP2522479B1 or US9533788B2. However, this relief shape may not be suitable for situations where the bottle must be connected to another object or device for use. This is especially true when the bottle must be connected to an object or device by a user rather than a machine. In particular, during connection with another object or device, it may be necessary to provide a reliable direction, and / or the possibility of identifying that the bottle is a real bottle... and these functions may require mechanical actions or contacts of the bottle, which must be safe and repeatable, especially by various users.

[0005] Furthermore, minimizing the thickness of the bottle may be interesting (economically and / or ecologically), but the bottle must be given a thickness that remains easy to handle and does not deform or deforms too much when the consumer holds it (usually with a force of 20 Newtons). This aspect is particularly important for small-capacity bottles (less than 2 L, preferably less than 1.5 L or even 1 L), since they are intended to be able to accompany the consumer's movements and the risk of deformation (which could lead to spillage if the consumer squeezes the bottle too hard) must be minimized. Documents US20040124192A1, FR1114750A or DE29915618U1 describe bottles coupled to an external structure. However, no document gives a practical and low-cost solution to provide the user with a durable object that is easy to use and handle, especially during the coupling or disconnection phase. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art documents and in particular to propose for the first time a bottle neck which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture while providing the ability to be easily, reliably and reproducibly coupled to an object or device, in particular by a user.

[0007] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a bottle neck having a flange,

[0008] The bottle includes a body having a sidewall and a shoulder disposed between the neck and the sidewall,

[0009] The bottle is characterized in that the neck of the bottle comprises at least one protrusion, which is configured as:

[0010] - between the flange and the body,

[0011] - Close to the shoulder.

[0012] The invention also relates to a bottle having such a neck. The invention also relates to some bottle preforms having such a neck. The invention also relates to an object comprising a bottle and a device associated with the neck and arranged to cooperate with the protrusion.

[0013] The bottle according to the above-described embodiment comprises a protrusion at the level of the neck but below the flange and adjacent to the shoulder. Therefore, the protrusion below the flange can interact with a device such as an object or equipment without the risk of being affected by the presence or absence of a cover, because the cover is arranged on the other side of the flange. In addition, the protrusion is adjacent to the shoulder, which means that it is adjacent to or adjacent to the shoulder, which eliminates any risk that a part of a device such as an object or equipment that is arranged to be connected to the protrusion passes between the protrusion and the shoulder. Therefore, the cooperation with the device such as an object or equipment is solid. In other words, the protrusion includes a part adjacent to the shoulder or it occupies the shoulder, so that the reverse shape of the protrusion or the sensing or carrying member cannot pass between the protrusion and the shoulder.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the bottle is made of plastic, glass, metal or cellulose material. According to one embodiment, the neck is made of plastic, glass, metal or cellulose material. According to one embodiment, the body of the bottle is made of plastic, glass, metal or cellulose material. According to one embodiment, the neck and the body are made of the same material, plastic, glass, metal or cellulose material.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the bottle is a thin-walled bottle.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the protrusion extends along an angular sector in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bottle, the angular sector having an angular dimension of at least 40°, preferably at least 50°. Such an angular range provides an easy visual detection for the end user, who can naturally use it to locate the direction to be applied for a specific use.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the angular dimension does not exceed 180°.In other words, in at least one front view of the bottle and its protrusion, the dimension of the channel at the level of the neck is the diameter of the neck over its entire height.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the neck comprises a cylindrical portion between the flange and the protuberance, whose height X1 in the axial direction of the bottle is at least 2.5 mm and preferably at least 3.5 mm. In other words, between the flange and the protuberance, the neck comprises a right cylindrical portion (that is, it can be imagined that the generatrix is ​​a line segment carried by parallel straight lines passing through a basic curve, usually a circle, but a rounded square, an ellipse...).

[0019] Specifically, and starting from the upper end of the bottle, the neck comprises:

[0020] - an end defining the opening of the bottle,

[0021] - Bottle closing / opening interface, such as a threaded or elastic interlocking (snap-on) interface,

[0022] - flange,

[0023] - a cylindrical section without protrusions over more than 360°,

[0024] - A connecting shoulder portion and a lower portion including a protrusion.

[0025] In at least one cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the bottle, the lower part of the neck has:

[0026] - in a region distinct from the protrusion: at least a first dimension relative to the axial direction, and

[0027] - At the level of the protrusion: at least a second dimension relative to the axial direction, which is greater than the first dimension.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the second dimension is at least 1.5 mm, preferably 2.0 mm, greater than the first dimension.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the protrusion comprises a lower portion arranged on the shoulder.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the protrusion is solid. In this embodiment, the bottle can be obtained from a preform comprising a neck, a flange and a protrusion below the flange. In other words, the protrusion is at least partially and preferably completely obtained or formed due to a change (increase) in the thickness of the neck at the level of the protrusion. Usually, the protrusion is already provided at the level of the preform before the blow-moulding step.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the protrusion is hollow. In other words, the protrusion is at least partially and preferably completely obtained or formed during the blow-molding operation. The groove inside the neck (inside the bottle) can then be seen.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the protrusion is greater than or equal to 150 μm, preferably 200 μm, very preferably greater than 250 μm. Typically, the protrusion has a similar thickness as the upper part of the shoulder, which may give it a better stiffness than, for example, the sidewalls of the body.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the protrusions have a thickness less than or equal to 600 μm, preferably 500 μm and very preferably greater than 400 μm.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the protuberance has, in a region less than 1 mm from the shoulder, a thickness equal to ±20% of the thickness of the shoulder in a region less than 1 mm from the protuberance.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the bottle may be obtained from a preform comprising a flange and wherein the preform has no protrusions below the flange.

[0036] According to one embodiment:

[0037] - the protrusion has a first radius R1 relative to the axial direction of the bottle,

[0038] - the flange has a second radius R2 relative to the axial direction of the bottle,

[0039] And among them:

[0040] 0.8x R2≤R1≤1.2x R2

[0041] According to one embodiment, in a cross-sectional plane including the axial direction of the bottle and passing through the protrusion, the radius of the side surface of the protrusion is between 4 mm and 11 mm, preferably between 5.5 mm and 8.5 mm.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the neck comprises a cap that is preferably opened and closed in a reversible manner, the cap being of a type that can be detached from the bottle or attached to the bottle, wherein the projection is arranged to receive at least a portion of the cap therein and / or between it and the flange when the bottle is opened. According to this embodiment, the projection can be used as a seat, support or reservoir for the cap when the bottle is opened. In other words, the projection can include at least a partially reversed shape or cavity of the cap to receive it and / or keep it in place. A spacing, a distance or a specific shape can also be provided between the projection and the flange to provide the possibility of receiving at least a portion of the cap and therefore keeping it in place.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the protrusion is arranged to provide a support portion for the cap or to form a load-bearing counter-shape for the cap. The protrusion protruding relative to the rest of the neck may have a concave counter-shape to receive the cap in a stable manner.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the protrusion is arranged to engage with the lid, for example by elastic interlocking. In other words, the protrusion comprises means for retaining the lid, for example by elastic deformation, clamping, snap fit.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the bottle comprises a cap arranged to open and close the bottle, preferably in a reversible manner, and the protrusion is arranged to form an abutment or stopper at the cap when the bottle is closed. It is conceivable to have a rotating abutment for a screw-on cap or a 1 / 4 turn, or a stopper for a swinging cap.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the protrusion carries indicia, preferably in relief. The position of the protrusion below the flange is repeatable, easily identifiable, visible, so the indicia will be easily accessible and within the user's sight or reach. For example, Braille indicia can be envisaged.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the protrusions have a constant thickness within ±15%.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the bottle comprises a bottom portion adapted to receive the neck (21) of a similar bottle, the bottom portion having a first inverse shape to receive the neck of a similar bottle, the first inverse shape being provided with a protrusion of a second inverse shape to receive the neck of a similar bottle. This embodiment provides stacking capability while ensuring the angular orientation of the bottle, the protrusion providing a stop in the correct direction. Chamfers may be implanted in the side edges of the protrusion to facilitate destacking, a small rotation resulting in a "breakaway" of the upper bottle.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the bottle comprises a plurality of protrusions between the flange and the shoulder, at least one of the protrusions, preferably each of them, being adjacent to the shoulder. According to a particular embodiment, each protrusion has an angular dimension between 20° and 60° and is separated from the adjacent protrusions by a cylindrical neck portion having an angular dimension between 20° and 60°. The plurality of protrusions provides the possibility of coding or improved identification.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the protrusion is arranged to be deformed by a user to become a recessed portion.In order to distinguish two bottles from each other, personalization or identification of the bottles is possible.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the protrusion has V-shaped side ends; in front view. When the protrusion engages with the inverse shape of the object or device to be coupled, a V-shape or an inverted V-shape can be provided to generate an upward or downward vertical force.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the bottle comprises a single wall, which is not laminated. In other words, the wall of the bottle is continuous, does not form a sandwich structure and does not comprise a plurality of layers or sheets. The bottle is generally obtained from a single preform.

[0053] A second aspect of the invention relates to a bottle comprising a neck according to the first aspect.

[0054] A third aspect of the invention relates to a bottle preform comprising a neck according to the first aspect.

[0055] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to an object comprising a bottle and a device associated with the neck of the bottle, the device being arranged to cooperate with the protrusion. The device may be another object or equipment. The device is, for example, a housing, a system for dispensing a fluid contained in the bottle, or a device for connecting the bottle to a loop for dispensing the fluid contained in the bottle. The device is, for example, a fluid dispenser, a bubbler, a faucet or a valve contained in the bottle.

[0056] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to an object held by a user, comprising:

[0057] - an external structure arranged to be held by a user,

[0058] - the bottle according to the first aspect,

[0059] Features:

[0060] - the outer structure is a shell in contact with at least a portion of the body of the bottle,

[0061] - and said housing comprises an upper neck forming an opening U or C and arranged to interlock elastically on at least a portion of the neck of said bottle.

[0062] The object according to the fifth aspect is easy to handle, thanks to the elastic interlocking of the neck of the bottle on the housing. This elastic interlocking is also called snap fit. However, the housing has a U-shaped or C-shaped open upper neck, that is, it forms an open clip that is easy to open to insert or remove the neck of the bottle, which ensures that the user applies moderate force. However, the rigid housing reliably and firmly maintains the bottle, which provides an object that is easy to handle and set up (connect and disconnect).

[0063] Advantageously, the housing comprises a side wall and a housing shoulder arranged between the neck and the side wall, and the housing shoulder comprises a passage opening for providing passage for the neck of the bottle, the passage opening leading to the U-shaped or C-shaped opening of the upper neck of the housing. The passage opening allows the neck of the bottle to be inserted and presented at the level of the opening of the upper neck of the housing, which provides a convenient installation.

[0064] Advantageously, the channel size of the channel opening arranged to provide a channel for the neck of the bottle is larger than the channel size of the U or C of the upper neck of the housing arranged to resiliently interlock on at least part of the neck of the bottle.

[0065] Advantageously:

[0066] - the passage dimensions of the housing passage opening arranged to provide a passage for the neck of the bottle are strictly larger than the dimensions of the neck of the bottle including, for example, the flange, and / or

[0067] - the channel dimensions of the U or C of the upper neck of the housing arranged to elastically interlock on at least a portion of the neck of the bottle are strictly smaller than the dimensions of the neck of the bottle, for example including the flange. Mounting the neck of the bottle in the channel opening does not require any special or elaborate precautions, and then tilting or pushing the neck of the bottle into the open upper neck of the housing is sufficient to achieve elastic interlocking and coupling.

[0068] Advantageously, the housing comprises an introduction opening arranged in the side wall and arranged to allow a user to introduce a bottle into the housing. The introduction opening is usually located opposite the passage opening so that the bottle can simply pass therethrough and its neck can be positioned in the passage opening and the rest of the bottle easily passes through the introduction opening.

[0069] The neck of the bottle comprises a flange and a protrusion arranged below the flange. The protrusion can engage in the opening of the U or C of the upper neck of the housing. The protrusion provides a rotation stop for opening and closing the bottle, especially if the bottle is equipped with a screw cap. However, other types of closure are also possible, such as a lid with elastic interlocking or a hinged lid. Such a protrusion also provides an angular indexing, which allows, for example, to ensure that an inscription on the bottle will face the opening in the housing.

[0070] In other words, the bottle comprises a closure device, such as a screw-in or interlocking lid or top, a cover or a valve. The closure device may also comprise an anti-tampering device, such as an anti-tampering finish connected to the top or lid by a bridge, so as to be destroyed during the first use. It may also be a lid sealed on the neck, so as to be permanently removed during the first use. Where appropriate, the closure device may comprise a reversible device allowing the bottle to be closed again after the first use. This is the case, for example, with a screw-in and screw-out lid or top. It should be mentioned that the filled bottle is preferably closed by a screw-in or interlocking lid or top and provided with an anti-tampering finish, the bridge of which cannot be damaged.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the top or lid is arranged to remain attached to the neck of the bottle after opening. This is referred to as an attached top or lid. For example, the top or lid may include a connection in the form of at least one material strip and / or hinge between the tamper-evident strip and the body of the lid or a portion of the body of the lid.

[0072] Advantageously, the bottle comprises a drinking liquid, preferably water, preferably non-carbonated water, filling at least 80% of the inner volume of the bottle.

[0073] Advantageously:

[0074] - the opening of the U or C of the upper neck of the housing has a first angular dimension relative to the axial direction of the object,

[0075] The protrusion has a second angular dimension relative to the axial direction of the object, which is smaller than the first angular dimension. The presence of the protrusion does not interfere with the opening of the upper neck of the housing and does not impair the elastic interlocking.

[0076] Advantageously, the bottle has, seen from the outside, a concave bottom, for example hemispherical, and the housing has a bottom defining at least one planar support portion for placing said object in a vertical position. The planar or flat bottom allows providing a stable vertical support, although the thin-walled bottle itself, which is therefore by definition soft and whose bottom is hemispherical, cannot be placed and held vertically on a working plane.

[0077] Advantageously, the housing has an outer diameter and the bottom of the housing comprises at least one planar crown, or a support portion distributed along the planar crown (i.e. contained in one plane), the diameter of the planar crown being greater than or equal to 50% of the outer diameter. Such a crown may also be referred to as a planar ring, that is to say contained in one plane, which provides a stable support.

[0078] Advantageously, the housing comprises at least one gripping handle, for example forming a gripping portion.Two handles may be provided to facilitate handling.

[0079] Advantageously, the bottle has a body, preferably cylindrical, with a thickness comprised:

[0080] - in the range of 30 μm to 150 μm,

[0081] - and for example in the range of 30 μm to 50 μm or 50 μm to 70 μm or 70 μm to 100 μm or 100 μm to 125 μm or 125 μm to 150 μm,

[0082] - and preferably in the range from 100 μm to 125 μm. A bottle with such a thickness is not rigid enough to withstand a clamping or clamping force of, for example, 20 Newtons, and the locking in the (rigid) housing allows these deformations to be limited or avoided. In other words, the bottle is naturally soft and deformable, especially when it is handled by the user.

[0083] Advantageously, the bottom of the bottle has a thickness equal to ±20% of the thickness of the body of the bottle, except for the central portion of the bottom, the diameter of which comprises:

[0084] - less than or equal to 50% of the diameter of the cylindrical part of the body,

[0085] - preferably less than or equal to 35% of the diameter of the cylindrical part of the body,

[0086] - more preferably less than or equal to 20% of the diameter of the cylindrical part of the body.

[0087] Advantageously, the upper neck of the housing resiliently interlocks under the flange of the bottle neck. The flange is a peripheral protrusion of the bottle neck.

[0088] Advantageously, the thickness of the neck of the bottle and / or the flange of the bottle is greater than 150 μm, preferably greater than 200 μm, more preferably greater than 250 μm, preferably from 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0089] Advantageously, the bottle and / or the housing may have at least one cylindrical portion. A "wall or cylindrical portion" is understood to mean a portion of the housing or bottle which has sides whose generatrix is ​​parallel straight lines and which follows a basic curve which is a closed curve (defined by the intersection of the side faces with a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bottle). This closed basic curve may have a circular (circle), an elliptical (ellipse or any oval) or a square or rectangle, with rounded corners where appropriate.

[0090] Such a portion of the cylindrical portion may improve grip, limit flexibility and / or limit the risk of leakage when the bottle is opened.

[0091] Advantageously, the bottle, neck and / or body of the bottle is at least partially recycled plastic. Advantageously, the bottle, neck and / or body of the bottle is formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Advantageously, the bottle, neck and / or body of the bottle is formed from at least partially recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0092] The internal volume of the bottle may be at least 0.25 L, such as at least 0.5 L, such as at least 1 L, such as at least 1.5 L, such as at least 2 L, such as at least 5 L, such as at least 10 L. The internal volume of the bottle may be less than or equal to 20 L, such as less than or equal to 2 L, such as less than or equal to 1.5, such as less than or equal to 1 L, such as less than or equal to 0.8 L. The internal volume of the bottle may be 0.25 to 0.5 L or 0.5 to 1 L or 1 L to 1.5 L, or 1.5 L to 2 L or 2 L to 3 L, or 3 L to 4 L, or 4 L to 5 L, or 5 L to 6 L, or 6 L to 7 L, or 7 L to 8 L, or 8 L to 9 L, or 9 L to 10 L, or 10 L to 15 L, or 15 L to 20 L.

[0093] Advantageously, the upper neck of the shell has an upper edge, which forms more than 180° relative to the axial direction of the object. In other words, more than half of the circumference of the neck of the bottle is received and maintained by the open upper neck of the shell, which provides an effective grip.

[0094] Advantageously, the upper edge is comprised in a plane.

[0095] Advantageously, the housing is formed by:

[0096] - polymeric materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyamide (PA), or polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and optionally containing filler materials, such as fibers or mineral particles, or

[0097] -Metals such as aluminum.

[0098] Advantageously, the housing has the following thickness:

[0099] - at least twice the thickness of the bottle body, or

[0100] - At least larger than 200 μm. Therefore, the shell is stronger than the bottle.

[0101] Advantageously, during the operation of coupling the bottle with the housing, the latter is arranged to deform less than the bottle. In other words, the housing is rigid and non-deformable when it is manipulated by the user. Thus, such a rigid housing allows the manipulation of thin, flexible and deformable bottles, which would not be possible to manipulate themselves without proving a risk of spilling or falling from the user's hand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0103] [ Figure 1] shows a first perspective view of a housing to be coupled to a bottle to form an object to be manipulated by a user;

[0104] [ Figure 2 ]express Figure 1 A second perspective view of the housing;

[0105] [ Figure 3 ]express Figure 1 a third perspective view of a housing;

[0106] [ Figure 4 ] represents a perspective view of the bottle, which will be Figure 1 to form an object manipulated by a user;

[0107] [ Figure 5 ]express Figure 4 A side view of the bottle;

[0108] [ Figure 6 ] means to Figure 4 Bottles and Figure 1 The stage of shell connection;

[0109] [ Figure 7 ] indicates that Figure 1 The shell is connected Figure 4 The cross section of the bottle;

[0110] [ Figure 8 ]express Figure 4 Front view of the bottle;

[0111] [ Fig. 9 ]express Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the bottle, taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bottle and passing through the neck;

[0112] [ Fig.10 ] represents a first preform produced by injection molding, which can be used to form by blow molding Figure 4 of bottle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] Typically, bottles according to the present disclosure include a protrusion housed below the flange. The protrusion may provide a variety of functions. A connection to a housing will be described below, but interaction with a device, such as a device for dispensing a liquid contained in the bottle, is also envisioned. The interactions or functions are described below.

[0114] first, Figures 1 to 3 The outer shell 10 is shown to be coupled with a bottle and viewed from different directions. Generally, the outer shell 10 comprises an upper neck 11, a side wall 15, a bottom 14 and an outer shell shoulder 16 disposed between the upper neck 11 and the side wall 15.

[0115] In the example presented, the side wall 15 is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical (that is to say its outer surface comprises parallel rectilinear generatrixes which follow a basic curve, here a circle). The bottom 14 for its part has a lower plate which allows the housing 10 to be placed in a vertical position, such as Figure 7 discussed in .

[0116] In addition, the housing 10 includes a housing shoulder 16 which is mainly Figure 1 and Figure 3 The passage opening 12 visible in the Figure 2 The introduction opening 13 is visible in FIG.

[0117] Finally, the upper neck 11 is a C-shaped (or U-shaped) open neck, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown. The upper neck 11 has a channel size D2 according to its maximum inner diameter and a channel size D'2 at its opening. Figure 3 It can be seen that the opening of the upper neck 11 (the opening of dimension D'2) leads to or opens to the passage opening 12, and it can be noted that the passage dimension D1 of the passage opening 12 is greater than the passage dimensions D2 and D'2 of the upper neck 11. The details will be described below. Figure 6 Explained in.

[0118] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 2 shows a bottle 20, which includes a neck 21 (or neck), a shoulder 28, a sidewall 24 and a bottom 25. In the example shown, the neck 21 is threaded to receive a cap 26 (in Figure 6 ), and a flange 22 is provided below the thread, and a protrusion 27 is arranged below the flange 22. The bottle 20 also contains liquid food (such as non-carbonated mineral water).

[0119] As mentioned above, the neck 21 is threaded to receive the cap 26, but other closure means are envisaged (cap, hinged cap with resilient interlock, etc.). Figure 5 The flange 22 has an outer dimension D3 which is smaller than the passage dimension D1 of the passage opening 12 of the housing 10 but larger than the passage dimension D2 or D′ 2 of the upper neck 11 of the housing 10 .

[0120] In fact, if Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the housing 10 and the bottle 20 can be coupled and held together. In particular, the upper neck 11 of the housing 10 is configured to elastically interlock with the neck 21 of the bottle 20. In the example shown, the upper neck 11 of the housing 10 has a size suitable for elastically interlocking on the bottle 20 below the flange 22.

[0121] For this reason, Figure 1 and Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the upper neck 11 of the housing 10 is formed over more than 180° (eg 270°, at ±45°) so as to be able to remove, receive and retain the neck 21 of the bottle 20 , in particular by means of the retaining flange 22 .

[0122] In order to connect the bottle 20 to the housing 10, as Figure 6 As shown, the user only needs to introduce the bottle 20 through the introduction opening 13 of the shell 10, screw the neck 21 covered with the cap 26 of the bottle 20 into the passage opening 12 of the shell 10 (because the outer dimension D3 of the flange 22 (and the cap 26) is smaller than the passage dimension D1 of the passage opening 12), and then tilt the bottle 20 to complete the screwing of the bottom 25 into the shell 10, especially to elastically interlock the neck 21 of the bottle 20 into the upper neck 11 of the shell 10 (because the passage dimensions D'2 and D2 of the upper neck 11 are smaller than the dimensions of the neck 21 and the outer dimension D3 of the flange 22).

[0123] Specifically, the upper neck 11 of the shell has a cylindrical edge of several millimeters, the bottle 20 includes a flange 22 and a cylindrical neck portion arranged between the flange 22 and the shoulder of the bottle 20, and the cylindrical edge of the upper neck 11 squeezes the cylindrical neck portion of the bottle 20 while axially adjacent to the flange 22, which provides a combination of the shell 10 and the bottle 20.

[0124] To release the bottle 20 from the housing 10, it is only necessary to exert a transverse, lateral or oblique force on the cap 26 to "release" the neck 21 of the bottle 20 from the upper neck 11 of the housing 10. An aperture may also be arranged in the lower part of the housing 10 opposite the introduction opening 13 to allow the user to push the bottle laterally out of the housing 10 with his fingers.

[0125] like Figure 7 As shown, once coupled, the housing 10 and the bottle 20 form an object 30 that is easy for the user to handle. The bottom 14 of the housing 10 is flat, so that the object 30 has a stable vertical position when placed on a work surface. In addition, a return portion 16 is provided at the lower portion of the housing 10 to fix the coupling and retention of the bottle 20-housing 10 assembly.

[0126] As mentioned above, the cap 26 is screwed onto the bottle 20. In order to provide a rotation stop of the bottle 20 relative to the housing 10, a protrusion 27 is provided on the bottle 20 to be received in the opening of the upper neck 11 of the housing 10. Thus, the torque applied to the bottle 20 is transmitted to the housing 10 via the protrusion 27. Other embodiments for such indexing can be envisaged, such as a neck 21 of the bottle 20 having a non-circular cross section, a serration at the level of the upper neck 11 engaging with an opposite shape of the flange 22.

[0127] Independently of the screwing / unscrewing of the cap 26, it is also possible to print or stick markings on the bottle 20, using the angular indexing provided between the bottle 20 and the housing 10 by means of the protrusion 27 engaging in the opening of the upper neck 11, so that they are visible after coupling and face the passage opening 12 or the introduction opening 13, or any other opening of the housing 10.

[0128] Furthermore, it can be noted that the protrusion 27 is adjacent to the shoulder 28 of the bottle 20 so that the wall of the housing 10 at the level of the flange 11 or the housing shoulder 16 does not slip between the shoulder 28 and the protrusion 27 of the bottle 20. The rotation stop and the stop position are well controlled.

[0129] Figure 8 A front view of a bottle 20 and a protrusion 27 is shown. The flange 22 has a diameter D3, and the neck below the flange has a diameter D4 in its portion that is smaller than D3, at least over a height X1 of 2.5 mm, and over 360°. Thus, even in the presence of the protrusion 27, it is possible to grip with a clamp under the flange 22. In this front view, it can be noted that the width of the protrusion 27 is smaller than the value of the diameter D4 under the flange, so that the bottle 20 can be guided during manufacturing by a guide rail supported under the flange 22.

[0130] It is also possible to display the bottle 20 from the side. Figure 5 It is noted that the protrusion has a radial dimension similar to that of the flange 20 and it does not protrude. In particular, when reference is made to a cross section of the bottle 20 taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bottle and passing through the protrusion 27 and the flange 22, Fig. 9 When the protrusion 27 has a radial dimension A3 substantially equal to D3 / 2. On the other hand, the remaining portion of the neck has a radial dimension A2 that is smaller than A3.

[0131] Fig. 9 It is also shown that the protrusion 27 extends along an angular sector A1 , here having a value of approximately 90°, but values ​​between 30 and 150° are conceivable, for example.

[0132] These embodiments allow to propose a reusable shell 10 which is fairly rigid or at least not too flexible to be gripped (typically with a force of 20 Newtons) without significant deformation, and to propose a very thin disposable bottle 20, therefore too soft or too flexible to be gripped (typically with the same 20 Newtons) without deformation. Since the shell 10 is sufficiently rigid and reusable, this connection allows to propose a disposable and returnable bottle 20 made with a small amount of material but with correct ergonomics.

[0133] A strap or wristband or fabric loop and hook and loop strap (known by the trademark "Velcro" or scratch) may also be provided to allow the consumer to transport the object 30 during various activities (sports, hiking, etc.). One or more handles may also be provided on the housing 10.

[0134] The bottle 20, the neck and / or the body of the bottle are preferably formed of a preferably thin-walled thermoplastic material. The material is preferably a polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyethylene furanoate (PEF) or polytrimethylene furanoate (PTF). The material may be at least partially recycled. The bottle is preferably formed by an injection blow molding process, such as an injection stretch blow molding process. In these processes, a solid preform ( Fig.10 ), the preform is then heated to soften it, optionally stretched longitudinally using a rod, and then stretched axially and longitudinally into the shape of a bottle by blow molding in a mold.

[0135] These polyester materials and methods are known to those skilled in the art. Their combination allows obtaining thin and light walls with good mechanical resistance and good sealing or other barrier properties. These properties are due to the orientation of the macromolecular chains, at least in part, inducing crystallization. In addition to saving material, these polyesters also have the advantage of being easy to recycle. Recycling, sorting and regeneration sectors are organized. Regeneration can be mechanical recycling involving melting and molding, such as making pellets before new plastic processing operations such as injection blow molding, or chemical recycling involving depolymerization, recycling of monomers or precursors followed by new polymerization.

[0136] In addition to good practicality, the manufacture and use of the thin-walled bottles according to the invention therefore also present a very favorable environmental record, in particular in relation to the manufacture of non-activatable and thicker conventional PET bottles.

[0137] The thin wall is preferably such that the thickness of the body of the bottle is in the range of 30 μm to 150 μm, for example in the range of 30 μm to 50 μm or 50 μm to 70 μm or 70 μm to 100 μm, or 100 μm to 125 μm or 125 μm to 150 μm, preferably in the range of 100 μm to 125 μm. The thickness mentioned is the thickness at at least one point of the body, preferably the average thickness over a portion representing at least 50%, preferably at least 80% of the length or surface of the body, preferably the average thickness over the entire body. The bottom of the bottle may be slightly thicker than the body, for example up to 50%, for example up to 20%. The bottom may also have a cup-shaped portion roughly corresponding to the bottom of the preform and at its injection point.

[0138] For the target bottle volume, the thickness can be adjusted by adjusting the characteristics of the preform, in particular its shape and wall thickness, as well as the stretching characteristics. It should be mentioned that the thickness of the preform wall, the geometry of the preform, such as its length, its diameter and its bottom shape, together with the neck that can form a bottleneck, determine the weight. Unfilled, unclosed bottles and / or preforms have roughly the same weight. Therefore, the weight given refers to the bottle weight or the preform weight. For a 75cl bottle, a preform of 8 to 13g can be advantageously achieved. The total stretching rate can be, for example, between 12.0 and 27.0, preferably between 15.0 and 20.0. The axial stretching rate (usually the ratio between the height of the bottle and the length of the stretchable part of the preform (usually the distance below the neck)) can be included, for example, between 3.0 and 4.5. The radial stretching rate (usually the ratio between the diameter of the bottle and the diameter of the stretchable part of the preform) can be, for example, between 4.0 and 6.0. It should be mentioned that the total stretch ratio is approximately equal to the product of the axial stretch ratio and the radial stretch ratio.

[0139] For example, good results were obtained with the following characteristics in Table 1:

[0140] [Table 1]

[0141]

[0142] In detail, Fig.10 A preform 40 produced by injection molding is shown which can be used in a blow molding process to produce Figure 4 The preform 40 has a threaded upper portion CF which is not stretched during the blow-molding process and therefore has the same dimensions as the neck of the bottle 20. In particular, it is possible to note the presence of a flange 22 of the same dimensions as the bottle 20. A cylindrical portion separates the flange 22 from a slightly conical portion Ep which is adjacent to the lower portion Co of the preform.

[0143] Typically, portion Ep of the preform generally corresponds to shoulder 28 of bottle 20, and portion Co generally corresponds to sidewall 24 and bottom 25 of bottle 29. It is important to note that the cylindrical area between portion Ep and flange 22 of preform 40 is free of bosses or protrusions. In fact, in this exemplary embodiment, protrusion 27 will be formed during the blow molding operation.

[0144] As seen above, the preform 40 or 40A may be formed of a thermoplastic material, and it may have:

[0145] - Overall height between 50 mm and 80 mm;

[0146] -Weight between 7g and 17g;

[0147] - thickness at neck height between 1 mm and 2 mm;

[0148] - The thickness of the Co portion at the height is between 1.6 mm and 2.8 mm;

[0149] - a flange 22 having a diameter between 29 mm and 35 mm and a thickness between 0.7 mm and 1.5 mm;

[0150] - The height of some CFs is between 10mm and 15mm.

[0151] As seen above, the protrusion 27 arranged below the flange 22 and adjacent to the shoulder 28 of the bottle allows the bottle 20 to be securely coupled to the housing 10 .

[0152] Based on the protrusion 27 arranged below the flange 22 and adjacent to the shoulder 28 of the bottle, other functions interacting with the device or the cap can be realized.

[0153] In particular, you can:

[0154] - During the manufacture of bottles to be filled and stoppered with a tap, or during the installation of, for example, a reusable tap, the tap being oriented by the user on the bottle after opening the bottle.

[0155] - provide support or final seating for the opening of an attached (e.g. hinged) lid;

[0156] - provide the user with a visual indication of the orientation or opening area of ​​an attached (e.g. hinged) lid;

[0157] - provide a receiving or containing area for a lid to which is attached a hinge or flexible link connecting it to the bottle,

[0158] - Available with standoff or snap-on cover blocking.

[0159] During the operation of assembling the bottle 20, such as with secondary packaging, the protrusion 27 can be used to:

[0160] - preventing the bottle 20 from rotating and / or axially moving relative to the packaging or the handling support (eg a cardboard or plastic handle or similar cardboard picker);

[0161] - positioning the bottle relative to the same packaging or a handling support (such as a cardboard or plastic handle or a cardboard picker);

[0162] -To lock identical bottles stacked on top of each other, the bottom of the bottle includes a protrusion that is reverse shaped to see through and engage the bottle located below the stack.

[0163] During end use, the protrusions 27 may be used to:

[0164] -Prevent the bottle from rotating relative to an external device such as a housing;

[0165] - Provide presence detection areas or good arrangements for mechanical or even optical sensors;

[0166] - visual or optical inspection of the water level in the bottle, which is representative of the storage and / or usage period, e.g. before first use;

[0167] - Identify a bottle from many by crushing the protrusions.

[0168] Furthermore, the protrusion 27 can also be used to carry a mark, a logo, for example to provide material traceability or an indication for a specific recycling in the case of a specific material. The protrusion 27 itself can be used as a mark, for example to provide material traceability or an indication for a specific recycling in the case of a specific material.

[0169] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in this specification without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A bottle (20), comprising: - a bottle neck (21) with a flange (22), - a body having side walls and shoulders disposed between the neck and the side walls, The invention is characterized in that the neck (21) of the bottle (20) comprises at least one protrusion (27) which is configured as follows: - between the flange (22) and the body, - adjacent to or in contact with said shoulder, and characterized in that the bottle neck (21) comprises a cylindrical portion without protrusions of more than 360° between the flange and the protrusions, and characterized in that, when viewed from the front, the width of the protrusion (27) is smaller than the diameter of the protrusion-free cylindrical portion of more than 360° below the flange, And is characterized in that the protrusion (27) extends along an angular sector in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bottle (20), the angular sector having an angular dimension of at least 40° and not more than 180°.

2. The bottle (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that The bottle is made of plastic.

3. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The bottle is a thin-walled bottle.

4. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that It comprises a cylindrical portion between the flange (22) and the protrusion (27), the height X1 of which in the axial direction of the bottle is at least 2.5 mm.

5. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion (27) comprises a lower portion disposed on the shoulder.

6. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion (27) is solid.

7. The bottle (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that The bottle is obtained from a preform comprising a neck (21), a flange (22) and a protrusion (27) below the flange (22).

8. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The protrusion (27) is hollow.

9. The bottle (20) according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the protrusion (27) is: - greater than or equal to 150 μm, and / or - Less than or equal to 600 μm.

10. The bottle (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that The bottle is obtained from a preform comprising the flange (22) and having no protrusions below the flange.

11. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - the protrusion (27) has a first radius R1 relative to the axial direction of the bottle, - the flange (22) has a second radius R2 relative to the axial direction of the bottle, And among them: 0.8 x R2 ≤ R1 ≤ 1.2 x R2.

12. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a cross-sectional plane including the axial direction of the bottle and passing through the protrusion (27), the radius of the side surface of the protrusion is between 4 mm and 11 mm.

13. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A cap is provided for reversibly opening and closing the bottle, the cap being of a type detachable from the bottle or of a type attachable to the bottle, wherein a protrusion (27) is arranged to receive at least a portion of the cap therein and / or between it and a flange (22) when the bottle is opened.

14. Bottle (20) according to claim 13, wherein the protrusion (27) is arranged to provide a support portion or form a supporting counter-shape for the lid.

15. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion carries a mark, the mark being in relief.

16. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The bottle comprises a bottom adapted to receive the neck (21) of the bottle, the bottom having a first reverse shape to receive the neck (21) of the bottle, the first reverse shape being provided with a second reverse shape to receive a protrusion (27) of the neck of the bottle.

17. The bottle (20) of claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of protrusions between the flange and the shoulder, at least one of the protrusions being adjacent to or in contact with the shoulder.

18. The bottle (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion (27) is hollow and is arranged to be deformed by a user to become a recessed portion.

19. A bottle preform for producing a bottle (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

20. An object comprising a bottle (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and means associated with the neck (21) of the bottle, the means being arranged to cooperate with the protrusion (27).

21. The object according to claim 20, characterized in that The device is a housing, a system for dispensing a fluid contained in a bottle, or a device for connecting a bottle to a circuit for dispensing a fluid contained in a bottle.

22. The object according to claim 21, characterized in that The device is a fluid dispenser, a bubbler, a tap or a valve contained in a bottle.

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