Liquid-tight container, preform, production method and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid-tight container comprising a container wall at least partially enclosing the interior of the container, in which: a sheath element and a first end element are connected to each other and each form part of the container wall; wherein the sheath element-defines a container interior in a transverse direction extending from inside to outside with respect to the container interior, and-comprises a rim ring portion having a first edge; wherein the first end element-delimits a container interior at a first end of the liquid-tight container in a longitudinal direction extending along the length of the container, and-comprises another edge directed towards the longitudinal direction; wherein the rim ring portion a. Is located at a first end of the container, and b. Surrounds the other edge from outside to inside opposite the transverse direction such that i. A first edge of the sheath element points in a direction opposite the longitudinal direction, and ii. The liquid-tight container comprises a sequence of plies in the transverse direction at the first end, the sequence of plies comprises A. a first ply of the sheathing element, B. a ply of the first end element, and C. another ply of the sheathing element; wherein the rim ring portion comprises a plurality of portions of a first type and a plurality of portions of another type at least on an inward side opposite to the lateral direction, the portions differing from each other in their thickness in the lateral direction. The invention also relates to a precursor for producing said liquid-tight container, to a method for producing a liquid-tight container, to the use of a liquid-tight container and to the use of a sonotrode and / or sonotrode.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid-tight container, comprising a container wall at least partially surrounding the interior of the container; wherein a sheath element and a first end element are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall; wherein the sheath element

[0002] - bounding the container interior in a transverse direction extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior, and

[0003] - comprising a rim portion having a first edge;

[0004] The first end element

[0005] - defining a container interior at a first end of the liquid-tight container in a longitudinal direction extending along the length of the liquid-tight container, and

[0006] - comprises another edge pointing in the longitudinal direction;

[0007] wherein the rim portion

[0008] a. located at the first end of the liquid-tight container, and

[0009] b. In the opposite direction to the transverse direction, the other edge is surrounded from the outside to the inside so that

[0010] i. the first edge of the sheath element points in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction, and

[0011] ii. The liquid-tight container comprises a layer sequence along the transverse direction at the first end, the layer sequence comprising

[0012] A. the first layer of the sheath element,

[0013] B. a ply of said first end element, and

[0014] C. another layer of the sheath element;

[0015] The rim portion includes, at least on an inner side opposite to the transverse direction, a plurality of portions of a first type and a plurality of portions of another type, the portions being different from each other in their thicknesses in the transverse direction.

[0016] The invention further relates to a precursor for producing said container, a method for producing a container, the use of a container, the use of an ultrasonic generator and / or an ultrasonic sonotrode.

[0017] Food, whether for human consumption or animal feed, has long been preserved by storing it in cans or in glass bottles sealed with lids. Cans and bottles have many disadvantages. For example, cans and bottles have a considerable dead weight, so that the energy consumption during transportation increases. In addition, the production of glass, tinplate or aluminum requires high energy consumption, even if the raw materials used come from recycling. In the case of bottles, the situation is made worse by the increase in transportation costs. Bottles are usually prefabricated in glass factories and then have to be transported to the factory where the food is filled using considerable transport volumes. In addition, bottles and cans can only be opened with considerable force or with the help of tools, making their opening rather cumbersome. In the case of cans, there is also a high risk of injuries caused by sharp edges that occur during opening. In the case of glass bottles, it often happens that glass fragments enter the food when filling or opening the filled bottle, which in the worst case can cause internal injuries when the food is consumed. In addition, cans and bottles must be labeled to identify and advertise their food content. Bottles and cans cannot be easily printed directly with information and advertising. In addition to the actual printing, a substrate, paper or a suitable film, as well as a fixing agent, adhesive or sealant are required.

[0018] Other packaging systems are known from the prior art for the long-term storage of foods with as little damage as possible. These are containers made of sheet-like composite materials, which are usually referred to as laminates. Such sheet-like composite materials usually consist of a thermoplastic layer, a carrier layer, usually made of cardboard or paper, which imparts dimensional stability to the container, an adhesion promoter layer, a barrier layer and a further layer of plastic material. Due to the dimensional stability imparted to the containers made of laminates by the carrier layer, these containers can be regarded as a further development of the above-mentioned bottles and cans compared to film pouches.

[0019] One-piece dimensionally stable food containers made of laminated materials are usually of a substantially cubic shape (see FIG. 20 ). These containers are made by folding and sealing a continuous sheet of laminated material. Here, the shaping of the container bottom and the container head usually requires particularly sharp and also particularly many folds, some of which also intersect with each other. This stacking of folds always tends to impair the particularly long shelf life of the food in the container. On the one hand, the barrier layer may be damaged at the sharp fold edges or fold intersections. This is especially true in the case of metal foil as a barrier layer. If the barrier layer is damaged, the airtightness of the container is impaired. Oxygen entering the container shortens its shelf life. On the other hand, although the carrier layer is foldable, it is also rigid enough to give the container dimensional stability. This usually means that it is impossible to make any number of sharp folds neatly in a small area. Especially in the case of the container bottom, many folded layers of laminated materials are usually superimposed on each other. Since the stacked folds cannot be perfectly sharp and neatly formed and it is also usually impossible to locally apply the required amount of sealant, it often happens that the layers of the laminated material are not sealed together without gaps. This may form cavities between the layers. Bacteria can colonize in such cavities and are difficult to eliminate even by enhanced sterilization measures during the container production process. In addition, such cavities can form passages through the ply sequence of the laminate material, so that gases and liquids can be transported through the ply sequence and can therefore significantly impair the tightness of the container.

[0020] These shelf life problems of one-piece containers can be counteracted by reducing the number of folds. To this end, the container can be constructed in multiple pieces, i.e. with a separate cover and / or bottom. The cover or bottom is then made from a separate sheet of laminate, which is connected to the sheet of laminate forming the container side wall during the container production process. Such a multi-piece container has significantly fewer sharp folds than a one-piece laminate container. As a result, fewer leakage problems occur in the unloaded container and a longer shelf life can be achieved more reliably.

[0021] However, the tightness of these multi-piece containers depends largely on the connecting seam between the lid / bottom and the side wall of the container. Therefore, such multi-piece containers are more susceptible to losing their tightness due to mechanical impacts, such as those that occur when the container is dropped or when filled containers are stacked.

[0022] In general, one object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a preferably dimensionally stable liquid-tight food container, which is formed by a separate end element and a separate jacket element which later forms the container bottom, wherein both the end element and the jacket element are made of a laminate, and the connecting seam between this end element and the jacket laminate is characterized by a particularly high liquid-tightness, in particular when the liquid-tight container stands with its container bottom in a water bath, for example on an irrigated conveyor belt as is standardly used in the industrial production of food containers. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a preferably dimensionally stable liquid-tight food container made of a laminate, which has a tighter container bottom, in particular after mechanical impacts such as falling. A further object of the present invention is to provide a preferably dimensionally stable liquid-tight food container made of a laminate, characterized by improved mechanical stability, in particular resistance to falling. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method specially designed for producing and preferably also filling one of the above-mentioned advantageous liquid-tight food containers. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing preferably dimensionally stable liquid-tight food containers by a separate end element and a separate jacket element which form the container bottom, wherein the productivity of the method is as high as possible and the scrap rate is as low as possible.

[0024] The independent claims help to at least partially achieve at least one, preferably several, of the above objects. The dependent claims provide preferred embodiments that help to at least partially achieve at least one of the objects.

[0025] Embodiment 1 of a liquid-tight container helps achieve at least one of the objects of the present invention, the liquid-tight container comprising a container wall at least partially surrounding the interior of the container;

[0026] wherein the sheath element and the first end element are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall;

[0027] wherein the sheath element

[0028] - bounding the container interior in a transverse direction extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior, and

[0029] - comprising a rim portion having a first edge;

[0030] The first end element

[0031] - defining a container interior at a first end of the liquid-tight container in a longitudinal direction extending along the length of the liquid-tight container, and

[0032] - comprises another edge pointing in the longitudinal direction;

[0033] wherein the rim portion

[0034] a. located at the first end of the liquid-tight container, and

[0035] b. In the opposite direction to the transverse direction, the other edge is surrounded from the outside to the inside so that

[0036] i. the first edge of the sheath element points in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction, and

[0037] ii. The liquid-tight container comprises a layer sequence along the transverse direction at the first end, the layer sequence comprising

[0038] A. the first layer of the sheath element,

[0039] B. the plies of the first end element, and

[0040] C. another layer of the sheath element;

[0041] wherein the rim portion comprises a plurality of first type portions and a plurality of other type portions at least on the inner side opposite to the transverse direction; wherein the first type portions and the other type portions are successive to each other in a circumferential direction extending along the other edge; wherein the first layer of the sheath element has a thickness in the transverse direction; wherein the thickness of the first layer is a mathematical function of the position along the circumferential direction; wherein the mathematical function has a plurality of local maxima and a plurality of local minima; wherein each first type portion comprises exactly one local maximum, and each other type portion comprises exactly one local minimum; wherein the thickness of the first layer in the entire portion of each first type is at least 0.7 times, preferably at least 0.8 times, and more preferably at least 0.7 times the local maximum value comprised by the corresponding first type portion. at least 0.9 times; wherein the thickness of the first layer in the entire part of each other type is at most 1.3 times, preferably at most 1.2 times, more preferably at most 1.1 times the local minimum included in the corresponding part of the other type; wherein each part of the first type has a first length in the circumferential direction; wherein each part of the other type has a second length in the circumferential direction; wherein each second length is at least 10% of each first length, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 100%, more preferably at least 110%, more preferably at least 120%, more preferably at least 130%, more preferably at least 140%, most preferably at least 150%.

[0042] Embodiment 1 of a liquid-tight container helps achieve at least one of the objects of the present invention, the liquid-tight container comprising a container wall at least partially surrounding the interior of the container;

[0043] wherein the sheath element and the first end element are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall;

[0044] wherein the sheath element

[0045] - bounding the container interior in a transverse direction extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior, and

[0046] - comprising a rim portion having a first edge;

[0047] The first end element

[0048] - defining a container interior at a first end of the liquid-tight container in a longitudinal direction extending along the length of the liquid-tight container, and

[0049] - comprises another edge pointing in the longitudinal direction;

[0050] wherein the rim portion

[0051] a. located at the first end of the liquid-tight container, and

[0052] b. In the opposite direction to the transverse direction, the other edge is surrounded from the outside to the inside so that

[0053] i. the first edge of the sheath element points in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction, and

[0054] ii. The liquid-tight container comprises a layer sequence along the transverse direction at the first end, the layer sequence comprising

[0055] A. the first layer of the sheath element,

[0056] B. the plies of the first end element, and

[0057] C. another layer of the sheath element;

[0058] wherein the rim portion comprises a plurality of first type portions and a plurality of another type portions at least on the inner side opposite to the transverse direction; wherein the first type portions and the another type portions are successive to each other in a circumferential direction extending along the other edge; wherein the first layer of the sheath element has a thickness in the transverse direction; wherein the thickness of the first layer is a mathematical function of the position along the circumferential direction; wherein the mathematical function has a plurality of local maxima and a plurality of local minima; wherein each first portion comprises exactly one local maximum, and each another portion comprises exactly one local minimum; wherein the thickness of the first layer in each entire first portion is at least 0.7 times, preferably at least 0.8 times, and more preferably at least 0. .9 times; wherein the thickness of the first layer in each entire other part is at most 1.3 times, preferably at most 1.2 times, more preferably at most 1.1 times the local minimum value included in the corresponding other part; wherein each first type of part has a first length in the circumferential direction; wherein each other type of part has a second length in the circumferential direction; wherein each second length is at least 10% of each first length, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 100%, more preferably at least 110%, more preferably at least 120%, more preferably at least 130%, more preferably at least 140%, most preferably at least 150%.

[0059] Preferably, the first end of the liquid-tight container is the container bottom or the container head. Preferably, each direction selected from the longitudinal direction, the transverse direction and the circumferential direction is perpendicular to the other two directions. Preferably, the value of each local maximum is greater than the value of each local minimum. Preferably, the minimum value of the thickness in each first portion is greater than the maximum value of the thickness in each other portion. Preferably, the value of each local minimum is at most 90%, more preferably at most 80%, more preferably at most 70%, even more preferably at most 60%, most preferably at most 50% of the value of each local maximum.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, each second length is greater than each first length, preferably at least 10% greater than each first length, more preferably at least 20% greater than each first length, more preferably at least 30% greater than each first length, even more preferably at least 40% greater than each first length, and most preferably at least 50% greater than each first length. This preferred embodiment is a second embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first type of parts and the other type of parts alternately, preferably directly follow each other in the circumferential direction. This preferred embodiment is a third embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the first or second embodiment of the invention.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the value of each local minimum is 10 to 80%, preferably 10 to 70%, more preferably 10 to 60%, more preferably 10 to 50%, more preferably 20 to 50%, most preferably 30 to 50% of the value of each local maximum. This preferred embodiment is a fourth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the preceding embodiments of the invention.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the further edge forms a closed curve having a third length in the circumferential direction.This preferred embodiment is a fifth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the preceding embodiments of the invention.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the rim portion surrounds the other edge along at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably 100% of the third length. This preferred embodiment is the sixth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first type of part and the other type of part together extend at least 50% of the third length, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably 100%. This preferred embodiment is the seventh embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the fifth or sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first end element has a height extending in the longitudinal direction at each point of the closed curve; wherein the rim portion protrudes beyond the other edge at each point of the closed curve so that the rim portion extends an overhang length from the other edge to the first edge; wherein the overhang length is measured on the side of the rim portion facing away from the first end element; wherein along at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably 100% of the third length, the overhang length is 30 to 100%, preferably 40 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, even more preferably 60 to 100%, most preferably 70 to 100% of the height. This preferred embodiment is the eighth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the fifth to seventh embodiments of the invention.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the sheathing element is at least partially, preferably completely, formed from the first sheet-like material.This preferred embodiment is a ninth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the preceding embodiments of the invention.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first sheet material comprises one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof, preferably on its entire surface. Preferably, the first sheet material consists of it. This preferred embodiment is the tenth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first sheet material is a first sheet composite material comprising a first layer sequence; wherein the first layer sequence comprises a first carrier layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is an eleventh embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the ninth or tenth embodiment of the invention.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first carrier layer comprises one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, the first carrier layer consists of it. This preferred embodiment is the twelfth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first carrier layer in the first layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing the interior of the container, preferably over its entire surface, with the first polymer inner layer. This preferred embodiment is the thirteenth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the eleventh or twelfth embodiment of the invention.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first carrier layer in the first layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing away from the interior of the container, preferably over its entire surface, with a first polymer outer layer. This preferred embodiment is a fourteenth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the eleventh to thirteenth embodiments of the invention.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first layer sequence comprises a first barrier layer between the first carrier layer and the first polymer inner layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is the fifteenth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the thirteenth or fourteenth embodiment of the invention.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first carrier layer has at least one through hole, which is covered by at least the first polymer inner layer. As an alternative or in addition to the first polymer inner layer, the at least one through hole in the first carrier layer is covered by the first barrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the sixteenth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the thirteenth to fifteenth embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first end element is at least partially, preferably completely, formed from the second sheet material.This preferred embodiment is a seventeenth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the preceding embodiments of the invention.

[0076] The second sheet material may differ from the first sheet material in its structure. Preferably, the second sheet material has the same structure as the first sheet material. In a further preferred embodiment, the second sheet material has a different structure from the first sheet material. Here, the second sheet material preferably contains materials that the first sheet material does not contain, or vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, the second sheet material preferably has a different, preferably lower basis weight than the first sheet material.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the second sheet material comprises one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof, preferably on its entire surface. Preferably, the second sheet material consists of it. This preferred embodiment is the eighteenth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the second sheet material is a second sheet composite material comprising a second layer sequence; wherein the second layer sequence comprises a second carrier layer, preferably over its entire surface. The structure of the second carrier layer may be different from the structure of the first carrier layer. Preferably, the second carrier layer has the same structure as the first carrier layer. In a further preferred embodiment, the second carrier layer has a different structure from the first carrier layer. In this case, the second carrier layer preferably has a different, preferably lower, basis weight than the first carrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the nineteenth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the seventeenth or eighteenth embodiment of the invention.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the second carrier layer comprises one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, the second carrier layer consists of it. This preferred embodiment is the twentieth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the second carrier layer in the second layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing the interior of the container, preferably on its entire surface, with a second polymer inner layer. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-first embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the nineteenth or twentieth embodiment of the invention.

[0081] The second polymer inner layer may differ from the first polymer inner layer, for example, in its material or in its basis weight. Preferably, the second polymer inner layer has the same structure as the first polymer inner layer, i.e. in particular consists of the same material and has the same basis weight. In a further preferred embodiment, the second polymer inner layer has a different structure than the first polymer inner layer. Here, the second polymer inner layer preferably consists of a different material than the first polymer inner layer, or the second polymer inner layer has a different basis weight than the first polymer inner layer, or both. Preferably, the second polymer inner layer has a lower basis weight than the first polymer inner layer.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the second carrier layer in the second layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing away from the interior of the container, preferably over its entire surface, with a second polymer outer layer. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-second embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the nineteenth to twenty-first embodiments of the invention.

[0083] The second polymer outer layer may differ from the first polymer outer layer, for example, in its material or in its basis weight. Preferably, the second polymer outer layer has the same structure as the first polymer outer layer, i.e. in particular consists of the same material and has the same basis weight. In a further preferred embodiment, the second polymer outer layer has a different structure than the first polymer outer layer. Here, the second polymer outer layer preferably consists of a different material than the first polymer outer layer, or the second polymer inner layer has a different basis weight than the first polymer outer layer, or both. Preferably, the second polymer outer layer has a lower basis weight than the first polymer outer layer.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the second layer sequence comprises a second barrier layer between the second carrier layer and the second polymer inner layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-third embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the twenty-first or twenty-second embodiment of the invention.

[0085] The second barrier layer may differ from the first barrier layer, for example in its material or its basis weight.Preferably, the second barrier layer has the same structure as the first barrier layer, ie in particular consists of the same material and has the same basis weight.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the second carrier layer has at least one through hole, which is at least covered by the second polymer inner layer. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-fourth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the nineteenth to twenty-third embodiments of the present invention.

[0087] Alternatively or in addition to the second polymer inner layer, the at least one through hole in the second carrier layer is covered by a second barrier layer. Preferably, a first end element closes the liquid-tight container at a first end, which is preferably a container head, which is arranged along the container length opposite the container bottom.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first end element is convex relative to the interior of the container, ie, bent outward from the interior of the container. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-fifth embodiment of the liquid-tight container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment of the container, the first end element closes the liquid-tight container at a first end; wherein the sheath element delimits the container interior in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction and closes the liquid-tight container at another end opposite to the first end relative to the length of the liquid-tight container. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-sixth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the preceding embodiments of the invention.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the further end element forms another part of the container; wherein the further end element

[0091] - delimiting the interior of the container in a direction opposite to said longitudinal direction,

[0092] - another end of the liquid-tight container arranged opposite the first end with respect to the length of the liquid-tight container, and

[0093] - connected to said sheath element.

[0094] This preferred embodiment is the twenty-seventh embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the first to twenty-fifth embodiments of the present invention.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the first end element closes the liquid-tight container at the first end; wherein the other end element closes the liquid-tight container at the other end. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-eighth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container,

[0097] - the first end is the bottom of the container and the other end is the head of the container, or

[0098] - said first end is a container head and said other end is a container bottom.

[0099] This preferred embodiment is the twenty-ninth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the twenty-sixth to twenty-eighth embodiments of the present invention.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the sheath element at least partially, preferably completely, laterally surrounds the other end element. This preferred embodiment is the 30th embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the first to twenty-seventh embodiments of the present invention.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the other end element is at least partially, preferably completely formed by a third sheet material. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-first embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the twenty-seventh to thirtieth embodiments of the present invention.

[0102] The third sheet material may differ in its structure from the first sheet material or the second sheet material or both.Preferably, the third sheet material has the same structure as the first sheet material or the second sheet material or both.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the third sheet material comprises one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof, preferably on its entire surface. Preferably, the third sheet material consists of it. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-second embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the thirty-first embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the third sheet material is a third sheet composite material comprising a third layer sequence; wherein the third layer sequence comprises a third carrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-third embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the thirty-first or thirty-second embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] The structure of the third carrier layer may be different from the structure of the first carrier layer or the second carrier layer or both. Preferably, the third carrier layer has the same structure as the first carrier layer or the second carrier layer or both.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the third carrier layer comprises one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, the third carrier layer consists of it. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-fourth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the thirty-third embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the third carrier layer in the third layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing the interior of the container, preferably on its entire surface, with a third polymer inner layer. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-fifth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the thirty-third or thirty-fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] The third polymer inner layer can be different from the first polymer inner layer or the second polymer inner layer or both, for example in terms of its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the third polymer inner layer has the same structure as the first polymer inner layer or the second polymer inner layer or both, i.e., is particularly composed of the same material and has the same basis weight.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the third carrier layer in the third layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing away from the interior of the container, preferably over its entire surface, with a third polymer outer layer. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-sixth embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the thirty-third to thirty-fifth embodiments of the invention.

[0110] The third polymer outer layer can be different from the first polymer outer layer or the second polymer outer layer or both, for example in terms of its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the third polymer outer layer has the same structure as the first polymer outer layer or the second polymer outer layer or both, i.e., is particularly composed of the same material and has the same basis weight.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the third layer sequence comprises a third barrier layer between the third carrier layer and the third polymer inner layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-seventh embodiment of the container according to the invention, which is preferably based on the thirty-fifth or thirty-sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0112] The third barrier layer may differ from the first barrier layer or the second barrier layer or both, for example in its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the third barrier layer has the same structure as the first barrier layer or the second barrier layer or both, ie in particular consists of the same material and has the same basis weight.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the third carrier layer has at least one through hole, which is covered by at least the third polymer inner layer. As an alternative or in addition to the third polymer inner layer, the at least one through hole in the third carrier layer is covered by a third barrier layer. Preferably, the further end element closes the liquid-tight container at the further end, wherein the further end is preferably a container head, which is arranged opposite the container bottom along the length of the liquid-tight container. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-eighth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the thirty-fifth to thirty-seventh embodiments of the present invention.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the other end element is curved concavely or convexly relative to the interior of the container. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-ninth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the thirty-fifth to thirty-seventh embodiments of the present invention.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment of the container, the liquid-tight container, preferably the container wall, completely surrounds the container interior. In other words, the liquid-tight container is preferably closed. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-ninth embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the first to thirty-eighth embodiments of the present invention.

[0116] In a preferred embodiment of the liquid-tight container, the container contains a liquid, preferably a food, inside. This preferred embodiment is the 40th embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the first to thirty-ninth embodiments of the present invention.

[0117] Embodiment 1 of a precursor of a liquid-tight container according to the present invention for producing a liquid-tight container according to the present invention, preferably according to one of the first to fortieth embodiments, also contributes to achieving at least one of the objects of the present invention, wherein the precursor comprises a container wall at least partially surrounding the interior of the container; wherein the sheath element and the first end element are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall; wherein the sheath element

[0118] - delimits the interior of the container in the transverse direction, and

[0119] - comprising a rim portion having a first edge;

[0120] The first end element

[0121] - delimiting a container interior at a first end of said front body in a longitudinal direction, and

[0122] - include another edge;

[0123] wherein the rim portion is arranged at the first end of the front body; wherein the first edge and the other edge point to the longitudinal direction; wherein the other edge forms a closed curve having a third length; wherein the first end element has a height extending in the longitudinal direction at each point of the closed curve; wherein the rim portion extends beyond the other edge at each point of the closed curve so that the rim portion extends an overhang length from the other edge to the first edge; wherein the overhang length is measured on the side of the rim portion facing away from the first end element; wherein along at least 50% of the third length, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably 100%, the overhang length is 30 to 100%, preferably 40 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, even more preferably 60 to 100%, and most preferably 70 to 100% of the height.

[0124] Embodiment 1 of a precursor of a liquid-tight container according to the present invention for producing a liquid-tight container according to the present invention, preferably according to one of the first to fortieth embodiments, also contributes to achieving at least one of the objects of the present invention, wherein the precursor comprises a container wall at least partially surrounding the interior of the container; wherein the sheath element and the first end element are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall; wherein the sheath element

[0125] - delimits the interior of the container in the transverse direction, and

[0126] - comprising a rim portion having a first edge;

[0127] The first end element

[0128] - delimiting a container interior at a first end of said front body in a longitudinal direction, and

[0129] - include another edge;

[0130] wherein the rim portion is arranged at the first end of the front body; wherein the first edge and the other edge point in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction; wherein the other edge forms a closed curve having a third length; wherein the first end element has a height extending in the longitudinal direction at each point of the closed curve; wherein the rim portion extends beyond the other edge at each point of the closed curve so that the rim portion extends an overhang length from the other edge to the first edge; wherein the overhang length is measured on the side of the rim portion facing away from the first end element; wherein along at least 50% of the third length, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably 100%, the overhang length is 30 to 100%, preferably 40 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, even more preferably 60 to 100%, and most preferably 70 to 100% of the height.

[0131] Embodiment 1 of the method for producing a liquid-tight container also contributes to achieving at least one of the objects of the present invention, the method comprising the following method steps:

[0132] a. Providing a liquid-tight container precursor, the precursor comprising a container wall at least partially surrounding the interior of the container; wherein the sheath element and the first end member are connected to each other and each form a portion of the container wall;

[0133] wherein the sheath element

[0134] - bounding the container interior in a transverse direction extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior, and

[0135] - comprising a rim portion having a first edge;

[0136] The first end element

[0137] - defining a container interior at a first end of the precursor in a longitudinal direction extending along the length of the precursor, and

[0138] - contains another edge;

[0139] wherein the rim portion is disposed at a first end of the front body;

[0140] wherein the first edge and the further edge point in the longitudinal direction;

[0141] b. by contacting the rim portion with a forming tool so that the rim portion surrounds the other edge from the outside to the inside in the opposite direction of the transverse direction so that

[0142] i. the first edge of the sheath element points in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction, and

[0143] ii. The precursor or the liquid-tight container obtained therefrom has a layer sequence at the first end along the transverse direction, the layer sequence comprising

[0144] A. the first layer of the sheath element,

[0145] B. the plies of the first end element, and

[0146] C. another layer of the sheath element;

[0147] Characterized in that the forming tool vibrates during the forming process at a frequency in the range of 15 to 50 kHz, preferably 15 to 40 kHz, more preferably 20 to 35 kHz. Preferably, the vibration of the forming tool in method step b) causes the first end element to be connected to the jacket element by material bonding.

[0148] Embodiment 1 of the method for producing a liquid-tight container also contributes to achieving at least one of the objects of the present invention, the method comprising the following method steps:

[0149] a. Providing a liquid-tight container precursor, the precursor comprising a container wall at least partially surrounding the interior of the container; wherein the sheath element and the first end member are connected to each other and each form a portion of the container wall;

[0150] wherein the sheath element

[0151] - bounding the container interior in a transverse direction extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior, and

[0152] - comprising a rim portion having a first edge;

[0153] The first end element

[0154] - defining a container interior at a first end of the precursor in a longitudinal direction extending along the length of the precursor, and

[0155] - contains another edge;

[0156] wherein the rim portion is disposed at a first end of the front body;

[0157] wherein the first edge and the further edge point in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction;

[0158] b. by contacting the rim portion with a forming tool so that the rim portion surrounds the other edge from the outside to the inside in the opposite direction of the transverse direction so that

[0159] i. the first edge of the sheath element points in the longitudinal direction, and

[0160] ii. The precursor or the liquid-tight container obtained therefrom has a layer sequence at the first end along the transverse direction, the layer sequence comprising

[0161] A. the first layer of the sheath element,

[0162] B. the plies of the first end element, and

[0163] C. another layer of the sheath element;

[0164] Characterized in that the forming tool vibrates during the forming process at a frequency in the range of 15 to 50 kHz, preferably 15 to 40 kHz, more preferably 20 to 35 kHz. Preferably, the vibration of the forming tool in method step b) causes the first end element to be connected to the jacket element by material bonding.

[0165] According to one embodiment of the present invention, preferred elements for obtaining a liquid-tight container according to the present invention according to this method are formed as described for the embodiment of the liquid-tight container according to the present invention.

[0166] Preferably, the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction are perpendicular to each other. Preferably, the vibration has an amplitude in the range of 3 to 60 μm, preferably 5 to 50 μm, more preferably 10 to 45 μm. The vibration is preferably carried out in a direction forming an angle of less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°, even more preferably less than 5° with the longitudinal direction and opposite to this direction. Most preferably, the vibration is carried out in the longitudinal direction opposite to the longitudinal direction. A preferred forming tool is a sonotrode. The forming tool is preferably designed in one piece.

[0167] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the sheathing element is at least partially, preferably completely, formed from, and preferably consists of, the first sheet-like material.This preferred embodiment is a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the first embodiment.

[0168] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first sheet material preferably comprises a material selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof, over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the second embodiment.

[0169] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first sheet material is a first sheet composite material comprising a first layer sequence; wherein the first layer sequence comprises a first carrier layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is a fourth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the second or third embodiment.

[0170] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first carrier layer comprises and preferably consists of a material selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. This preferred embodiment is a fifth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the fourth embodiment.

[0171] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first carrier layer in the first layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing the interior of the container, preferably over its entire surface, with the first polymer inner layer. This preferred embodiment is the sixth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the fourth or fifth embodiment.

[0172] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first carrier layer in the first layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing away from the container interior, preferably over its entire surface, with a first polymer outer layer. This preferred embodiment is the seventh embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the fourth to sixth embodiments.

[0173] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first layer sequence comprises a first barrier layer between the first carrier layer and the first polymer inner layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is an eighth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the sixth or seventh embodiment.

[0174] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first carrier layer has at least one through hole, which is covered by at least the first polymer inner layer. As an alternative or in addition to the first polymer inner layer, the at least one through hole in the first carrier layer is covered by the first barrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the ninth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the fourth to eighth embodiments.

[0175] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first end element is at least partially, preferably completely, formed by a second sheet material. The second sheet material may be different from the first sheet material in its structure. Preferably, the second sheet material has the same structure as the first sheet material. In a further preferred embodiment, the second sheet material has a different structure from the first sheet material. Here, the second sheet material preferably contains a material that the first sheet material does not contain, or vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, the second sheet material preferably has a different, preferably lower basis weight than the first sheet material. This preferred embodiment is the tenth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the first to ninth embodiments.

[0176] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the second sheet material comprises, preferably consists of, one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is the eleventh embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the tenth embodiment.

[0177] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the second sheet material is a second sheet composite material comprising a second layer sequence; wherein the second layer sequence comprises a second carrier layer, preferably over its entire surface. The structure of the second carrier layer can be different from the structure of the first carrier layer. Preferably, the second carrier layer has the same structure as the first carrier layer. In a further preferred embodiment, the second carrier layer has a different structure than the first carrier layer. In this case, the second carrier layer preferably has a different, preferably lower, basis weight than the first carrier layer. This preferred embodiment is a twelfth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the tenth or eleventh embodiment.

[0178] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the second carrier layer comprises, preferably consists of, one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. This preferred embodiment is a thirteenth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the twelfth embodiment.

[0179] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the second carrier layer in the second layer sequence is superimposed with a second polymer inner layer on the side facing the interior of the container, preferably over its entire surface. The second polymer inner layer can be different from the first polymer inner layer, for example in terms of its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the second polymer inner layer has the same structure as the first polymer inner layer, i.e., in particular consists of the same material and has the same basis weight. In a further preferred embodiment, the second polymer inner layer has a different structure from the first polymer inner layer. Here, the second polymer inner layer preferably consists of a different material from the first polymer inner layer, or the second polymer inner layer has a different basis weight from the first polymer inner layer, or both. Preferably, the second polymer inner layer has a lower basis weight than the first polymer inner layer. This preferred embodiment is the fourteenth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the twelfth or thirteenth embodiment.

[0180] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the second carrier layer in the second layer sequence is superimposed on the side facing away from the interior of the container, preferably on its entire surface, with a second polymer outer layer. The second polymer outer layer can be different from the first polymer outer layer, for example in terms of its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the second polymer outer layer has the same structure as the first polymer outer layer, i.e., in particular consists of the same material and has the same basis weight. In a further preferred embodiment, the second polymer outer layer has a different structure from the first polymer outer layer. Here, the second polymer outer layer is preferably composed of a different material from the first polymer outer layer, or the second polymer inner layer has a different basis weight from the first polymer outer layer, or both. Preferably, the second polymer outer layer has a lower basis weight than the first polymer outer layer. This preferred embodiment is the fifteenth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the twelfth to fourteenth embodiments.

[0181] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the second layer sequence comprises a second barrier layer between the second carrier layer and the second polymer inner layer, preferably over its entire surface. The second barrier layer can differ from the first barrier layer, for example, in its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the second barrier layer has the same structure as the first barrier layer, i.e. in particular consists of the same material and has the same basis weight. This preferred embodiment is a sixteenth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on the fourteenth or fifteenth embodiment.

[0182] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the second carrier layer has at least one through hole, which is covered by at least the second polymer inner layer. As an alternative or in addition to the second polymer inner layer, the at least one through hole in the second carrier layer is covered by a second barrier layer. Preferably, the first end element closes the liquid-tight container at a first end, the first end being preferably a container head, which is arranged along the container length opposite the container bottom. This preferred embodiment is a seventeenth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the twelfth to sixteenth embodiments.

[0183] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the shaping of the rim portion is performed by bringing the rim portion into contact with a working surface of a shaping tool;

[0184] The working surface has

[0185] - a groove designed to receive the first edge, and

[0186] - a plurality of recesses in said groove;

[0187] Wherein each recess extends in a direction from a first longitudinal side of the recess to another longitudinal side of the recess opposite to the first longitudinal side. Preferably, each recess extends from the first longitudinal side of the recess to the other longitudinal side of the recess. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the recess forms a closed curve. This preferred embodiment is an eighteenth embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the eleventh to seventeenth embodiments.

[0188] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the groove has

[0189] - a first depth in said recess, and

[0190] - another depth outside the recess

[0191] Wherein each other depth is 10 to 80%, preferably 10 to 70%, more preferably 10 to 60%, more preferably 10 to 50%, more preferably 20 to 50%, most preferably 30 to 50% of each first depth. This preferred embodiment is the nineteenth embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the eighteenth embodiment.

[0192] In a preferred embodiment of the method, each recess has a width in the length direction of the groove; wherein any two adjacent recesses of the plurality of recesses have a distance in the length direction of the groove; wherein each distance is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 100%, more preferably at least 110%, more preferably at least 120%, more preferably at least 130%, more preferably at least 140%, most preferably at least 150% of each width. This preferred embodiment is the twentieth embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the eighteenth or nineteenth embodiment.

[0193] In a preferred embodiment of the method, each distance is greater than each width, preferably at least 10% greater than each width, more preferably at least 20% greater than each width, more preferably at least 30% greater than each width, even more preferably at least 40% greater than each width, and most preferably at least 50% greater than each width. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-first embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the twentieth embodiment.

[0194] In a preferred embodiment of the method, each recess has a longitudinal curvature in the length direction of the groove.This preferred embodiment is the twenty-second embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the eighteenth to twenty-first embodiments.

[0195] In a preferred embodiment of the method, each longitudinal curvature, preferably at any point along the longitudinal curvature, has a radius of curvature in the range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1.2 to 3.0 mm, more preferably 1.5 to 2.5 mm. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-third embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the twenty-second embodiment.

[0196] In a preferred embodiment of the method, each recess has a transverse curvature in a direction transverse to the length of the groove.This preferred embodiment is a twenty-fourth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the eighteenth to twenty-third embodiments.

[0197] In a preferred embodiment of the method, each transverse curvature, at any point along the transverse curvature, has a radius of curvature in the range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1.2 to 3.0 mm, more preferably 1.5 to 2.5 mm. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-fifth embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the twenty-fourth embodiment.

[0198] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the function describing the dependence of the radius of curvature of each transverse curvature on the position along the transverse curvature has a local maximum at the deepest point of the corresponding cavity. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-sixth embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth embodiment.

[0199] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the recesses of the plurality of recesses extend in total at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60%, most preferably 70% of the length of the groove. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-seventh embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is preferably based on one of the eighteenth to twenty-sixth embodiments.

[0200] In a preferred embodiment of the method, a liquid-tight container according to the invention, preferably a liquid-tight container according to the invention according to one of the first to thirty-ninth embodiments, is obtained from the container precursor in method step b. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-eighth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the first to twenty-seventh embodiments.

[0201] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the further edge forms a closed curve having a third length; wherein the first end element has a height extending in the longitudinal direction at each point of the closed curve in method step a.; wherein the rim portion projects beyond the further edge at each point of the closed curve so that the rim portion extends an overhang length from the further edge to the first edge; wherein the overhang length is measured on the side of the rim portion facing away from the first end element; wherein along at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably 100% of the third length, the overhang length is 30 to 100%, preferably 40 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, even more preferably 60 to 100%, most preferably 70 to 100% of the height. This preferred embodiment is the twenty-ninth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the first to twenty-eighth embodiments.

[0202] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the precursor provided in method step a. is a precursor according to the invention. This preferred embodiment is a thirtieth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which preferably relates to one of the first to twenty-ninth embodiments.

[0203] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the forming tool is caused to start vibrating before contacting the rim portion. This preferred embodiment is a thirty-first embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which preferably relates to one of the first to thirtieth embodiments.

[0204] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the forming tool used for forming in method step b. acts on the rim portion with a contact pressure in the range of 30 to 500 N, preferably 60 to 400 N, more preferably 90 to 300 N. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the forming tool used for forming in method step b. acts on the rim portion with a contact pressure in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 N / mm of the length of the rim portion in the circumferential direction, more preferably 0.3 to 2.5 N / mm of the length of the rim portion in the circumferential direction, even more preferably 0.4 to 2.0 N / mm of the length of the rim portion in the circumferential direction, most preferably 0.5 to 1.8 N / mm of the length of the rim portion in the circumferential direction. Here, the circumferential direction extends along the other edge. Preferably, each direction selected from the longitudinal direction, the transverse direction and the circumferential direction is perpendicular to the other two directions. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-second embodiment of the method according to the invention, which preferably relates to one of the first to thirty-first embodiments.

[0205] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first end element is convex relative to the container interior, ie is bent outwardly from the container interior. This preferred embodiment is the thirty-third embodiment of the method according to the invention, which preferably relates to one of the first to thirty-second embodiments.

[0206] In a preferred embodiment of the method

[0207] - the container contains a liquid, preferably a food product, in method step a., or

[0208] After method step b., the interior of the container is filled with a liquid, preferably a food product.

[0209] This preferred embodiment is the thirty-fourth embodiment of the method according to the invention, which preferably relates to one of the first to thirty-third embodiments.

[0210] Use of the liquid-tight container according to the present invention, preferably the liquid-tight container according to one of the first to thirty-ninth embodiments, for storing or transporting liquids, preferably food, also contributes to achieving at least one of the objects of the present invention.

[0211] The first embodiment of the use of a sheet-like composite material for producing a liquid-tight container according to the present invention, preferably a liquid-tight container according to one of the first to thirty-ninth embodiments, also helps to achieve at least one purpose of the present invention; wherein the sheath element or the first end element or both are at least partially, preferably completely, formed by the sheet-like composite material.

[0212] In a preferred embodiment of the use, the sheet-like composite material comprises a layer sequence; wherein the layer sequence comprises a carrier layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is a second embodiment of the use according to the invention, which is preferably based on the first embodiment.

[0213] In a preferred embodiment of the use, the carrier layer comprises one selected from cardboard, paperboard and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof; it preferably consists thereof. This preferred embodiment is the third embodiment of the use according to the present invention, which is preferably based on the second embodiment.

[0214] In a preferred embodiment of the use, the carrier layer in the layer sequence is superimposed on the outside, preferably over its entire surface, with an inner polymer layer. This preferred embodiment is a fourth embodiment of the use according to the invention, which is preferably based on the second or third embodiment.

[0215] In a preferred embodiment of the use, the carrier layer in the layer sequence is superimposed on the outside, preferably over its entire surface, with an outer polymer layer. This preferred embodiment is the fifth embodiment of the use according to the invention, which is preferably based on one of the second to fourth embodiments.

[0216] In a preferred embodiment of the use, the layer sequence comprises a barrier layer between the carrier layer and the polymer inner layer, preferably over its entire surface. This preferred embodiment is a sixth embodiment of the use according to the invention, which is preferably based on the fourth or fifth embodiment.

[0217] a) an ultrasonic generator for exciting vibrations, or

[0218] b) Ultrasonic welding electrode as forming tool,

[0219] c) or a) and b)

[0220] The use of the method according to the invention for producing a liquid-tight container, preferably in a method according to the invention according to one of the first to thirty-fourth embodiments, also contributes to achieving at least one of the objects according to the invention.

[0221] Features described as preferred in one category according to the invention (e.g. a liquid-tight container according to the invention) are also preferred in one embodiment of another category according to the invention, e.g. a method for producing a liquid-tight container according to the invention or a use of a sheet-like composite material or an embodiment of a use of an ultrasonic sensor and / or a sonotrode. Furthermore, the features described below are preferred for each category.

[0222] container

[0223] The container according to the invention is preferably a food container. Preferably, the interior of the container according to the invention contains food. The container wall is preferably watertight. In addition, the container is preferably dimensionally stable. This means that the container wall substantially retains its shape when filled. A variety of different shapes of the container wall can be considered here. Preferably, the container wall at least partially, preferably at least in the region of the container head or the container bottom or both, and more preferably substantially completely has the shape of a prism or a cylinder. Preferred prisms here are right prisms or oblique prisms. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the prism is regular or irregular. The expression "basic shape" here means that the container wall or its corresponding part does not have to have the shape of a geometrically precise prism or a geometrically precise cylinder. For example, the polygon forming the bottom surface of the prism has rounded corners so that the prism has rounded edges. In this case, the container wall with this shape also substantially has the shape of a prism. Another preferred container has a container wall that at least partially, preferably at least in the region of the container head or the container bottom or both, and more preferably substantially completely has the shape of a geometric body that can be obtained by parallel displacement of a flat bottom surface with a rounded shape. A preferred flat bottom with rounded shape is kidney-shaped.

[0224] The container wall can be made of different materials. It is conceivable that in addition to sheet materials, in particular sheet composite materials, other materials are used, for example one or more molded parts made of plastic material. Such molded parts can be used in particular in the container head or the container bottom. However, it is preferred that the container wall is composed of one or more sheet materials, in particular sheet composite materials, to an extent of at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90% of its surface facing away from the container interior (outer surface). Alternatively or additionally, at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 80%, and further preferably at least 90% of the outer surface of the container wall is formed by the jacket element and the first and / or further end element.

[0225] The container according to the invention is preferably a closed container. The container may have a device for emptying the contents (opening aid). Such an aid may be formed, for example, from a polymer or a mixture of polymers and attached to the outside of the container. It is also conceivable to integrate the device into the container by "direct injection molding".

[0226] Sheath components

[0227] The sheath element forms an area of ​​the container wall of the container according to the invention. This area is preferably a lateral area of ​​the container wall, i.e. an area of ​​the container wall that is lateral relative to the length of the container. Accordingly, the sheath element defines the container interior laterally. The container wall area formed by the sheath element preferably has the shape of a lateral surface of a prism or a cylinder. Preferred prisms here are straight prisms or oblique prisms. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the prisms are regular or irregular. The sheath element comprises a first sheet material; the sheath element preferably consists of it. Here, the first sheet material preferably has a first edge and another edge arranged oppositely, wherein the first edge and the other edge are connected to each other, preferably sealed to each other. The preferred sheath element is integrally formed.

[0228] End element

[0229] The first end element is preferably a cover element or a bottom element, particularly preferably a bottom element. If the first end element is a cover element and the container contains another end element, the other end element is preferably a bottom element. If the first end element is a bottom element and the container contains another end element, the other end element is preferably a cover element. If the container wall has the shape of a prism or a cylinder, the first end element and (if present) preferably the other end element also each form the end face of a prism or a cylinder. The first end element defines the interior of the container in a first direction along the length of the container. If the other end element is present, it defines the interior of the container in a direction opposite to the first direction. In other words, the first end element and the other end element axially define the interior of the container. The container wall portion formed by the first end element preferably has the shape of a polygonal area or a circular area. Alternatively or preferably in addition, the container wall portion formed by the other end element has the shape of a polygonal area or a circular area. A preferred polygonal area is a regular polygon or a non-regular polygon area.

[0230] Preferably the first end element is integrally formed or has no connection point, in particular no seam, or both.Alternatively or additionally preferably the further end element is integrally formed or has no connection point, in particular no seam, or both.

[0231] Sheet materials / sheet composite materials

[0232] In the following, "sheet material" refers to each of the first sheet material to the third sheet material. Similarly, "sheet composite material" refers to each of the first sheet composite material to the third sheet composite material. All planes that are conceivable within the scope of the present invention and that appear suitable to those skilled in the art for use in the manufacture of dimensionally stable food containers according to the present invention, in particular sheet materials, can be considered as sheet materials. The sheet material preferably comprises a carrier layer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier layer is superimposed on one side, preferably with a printed color applied. In a further preferred embodiment, the sheet material exists as a sheet composite material. Sheet composite materials for producing food containers are also referred to as laminates. Such sheet composite materials have a sequence of layers superimposed on each other in a sheet-like manner. The sheet composite material is generally composed of a thermoplastic polymer layer (referred to herein as a polymer outer layer), a carrier layer (usually made of cardboard or paper, which imparts dimensional stability to the container), an optional thermoplastic polymer layer (referred to herein as a polymer intermediate layer) and / or an optional adhesion promoter layer, a barrier layer and an additional thermoplastic polymer layer (referred to herein as a polymer inner layer). The layers of the sheet composite material constituting the layer sequence are preferably connected to each other in a sheet-like manner. If the adhesion of two layers to each other exceeds the van der Waals attraction, the two layers are connected to each other. The layers connected to each other are preferably selected from one of the layers sealed, glued and pressed to each other, or a combination of at least two of them. Unless otherwise specified, the layers in the layer sequence can be connected to each other indirectly, i.e., with one or at least two intermediate layers, or directly connected to each other, i.e., without intermediate layers. This is especially true in a formulation where one layer is superimposed on another layer. The formulation in which the layer sequence includes the layers listed means that at least the specified layers exist in a specified order. This formulation does not necessarily mean that these layers are directly connected to each other. The formulation in which two layers are adjacent to each other means that the two layers are directly connected to each other, so there is no intermediate layer. However, this formulation does not mention whether the two layers are connected to each other. On the contrary, the two layers may contact each other. However, preferably, the two layers are connected to each other, preferably connected to each other in a sheet-like manner. The first to third sheet-like materials mentioned in the present invention, in particular the first to third sheet-like composite materials, can have the same or different structures. In a preferred embodiment, the second and third sheet-like materials have the same structure. In a further preferred embodiment, the first and second sheet-like materials have the same structure. In a further preferred embodiment, the first and the third sheet material have the same structure.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first to third sheet materials have the same structure.

[0233] Polymer layer

[0234] In the following, the term "polymer layer" refers in particular to a polymer inner layer, a polymer intermediate layer and a polymer outer layer. The polymer layers are each based on a polymer or a polymer mixture. Preferred polymers are thermoplastic polymers, more preferably polyolefins. The polymer layer is preferably combined or applied to the sheet-like composite material in an extrusion process, preferably by layer extrusion. In addition to the polymer or polymer mixture, each polymer layer may also include additional components. The other components of the polymer layer are preferably components that do not adversely affect the behavior of the polymer melt when applied as a layer. Other components can be, for example, inorganic compounds, such as metal salts, or other plastic materials, such as other thermoplastics. Suitable polymers for the polymer layer are particularly those that are easy to process due to good extrusion behavior. Suitable polymers are those obtained by chain polymerization, in particular polyolefins, wherein cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polycyclic olefin copolymers (POC), in particular polyethylene and polypropylene are particularly preferred, and polyethylene is very particularly preferred. Preferred polyethylene includes HDPE (high density polyethylene), MDPE (medium density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene), LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) and VLDPE (very low density polyethylene) and mixtures of at least two thereof. Suitable polymer layers have a melt flow rate (MFR) in the range of 1 to 25 g / 10 min, preferably in the range of 2 to 20 g / 10 min, particularly preferably in the range of 2.5 to 15 g / 10 min, and a viscosity of 0.890 g / cm 3 Up to 0.980g / cm 3 In the range of 0.895 g / cm 3 Up to 0.975g / cm 3 In the range of 0.900 g / cm 3 Up to 0.970g / cm 3 The polymer layer preferably has at least one melting temperature in the range of 80 to 155°C, preferably in the range of 90 to 145°C, particularly preferably in the range of 95 to 135°C.

[0235] Polymer inner layer

[0236] The polymer inner layer is based on at least one thermoplastic polymer, wherein the polymer inner layer may comprise particulate inorganic solids. Preferably, however, the polymer inner layer comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers in a proportion of at least 70% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight, particularly preferably at least 95% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the polymer inner layer. Preferably, the polymer or polymer mixture of the polymer inner layer has a density (according to ISO 1183-1:2004) of 0.900 to 0.980 g / cm 3 In the range of 0.900 to 0.960 g / cm3 In the range of 0.900 to 0.940 g / cm 3 Preferably, the polymer is a polyolefin. The inner polymer layer preferably comprises polyethylene or polypropylene or both. The particularly preferred polyethylene here is LDPE.

[0237] Polymer outer layer

[0238] The polymer outer layer preferably comprises polyethylene or polypropylene or both. LDPE and HDPE and mixtures of these are preferred as polyethylene. Preferred polymer outer layers contain LDPE in a proportion of at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, even more preferably at least 80% by weight, most preferably at least 90% by weight, based in each case on the weight of the polymer outer layer.

[0239] Polymer middle layer

[0240] The polymeric intermediate layer preferably comprises polyethylene or polypropylene or both. Particularly preferred polyethylene here is LDPE. Preferably, the polymeric intermediate layer comprises polyethylene or polypropylene or both together in a proportion of at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, more preferably at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, most preferably at least 90% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the polymeric intermediate layer.

[0241] Barrier layer

[0242] The barrier layer can use any material known to those skilled in the art to be suitable for this purpose and having a sufficient barrier effect, in particular a barrier effect against oxygen. For this purpose, the barrier layer preferably comprises less than 50 cm 3 / (m 2 ·day·atm), preferably less than 40cm 3 / (m 2 ·day·atm), more preferably less than 30cm 3 / (m 2 ·day·atm), more preferably less than 20cm 3 / (m 2 ·day·atm), more preferably less than 10cm 3 / (m 2 ·day·atm), and more preferably less than 3cm 3 / (m 2 ·day·atm), most preferably no more than 1cm 3 / (m 2The barrier layer preferably also has a barrier effect on water vapor. Therefore, the barrier layer is preferably an oxygen barrier layer, and further preferably is also a water vapor barrier layer. In addition, the barrier layer preferably has a barrier effect on visible light; that is, it is also a light barrier layer.

[0243] The barrier layer is preferably selected from

[0244] a. Plastic material barrier layer;

[0245] b. Metal layer;

[0246] c. oxide layer; or

[0247] A combination of at least two of da to c.

[0248] If the barrier layer according to alternative a. is a plastics material barrier layer, it preferably contains at least 70% by weight, particularly preferably at least 80% by weight, most preferably at least 95% by weight of at least one plastic material known to the person skilled in the art for this purpose, in particular due to its aroma or gas barrier properties suitable for packaging containers. As plastic materials, in particular thermoplastics, N- or O-containing plastics per se and mixtures of two or more are suitable here. According to the invention, it may prove advantageous if the melting temperature of the plastics material barrier layer is in the range of more than 155 to 300° C., preferably in the range of 160 to 280° C., particularly preferably in the range of 170 to 270° C.

[0249] More preferably, the basis weight of the plastic material barrier layer is between 2 and 120 g / m 2 In the range of 3 to 60 g / m 2 In the range of 4 to 40 g / m 2 , further preferably 6 to 30 g / m 2 In addition, the plastics material barrier layer is preferably obtainable from the melt, for example by extrusion, in particular by layer extrusion. In addition, the plastics material barrier layer can also be incorporated into the sheet-like composite material, preferably by lamination. Here, preferably, the film is incorporated into the sheet-like composite material. According to another embodiment, a plastics material barrier layer can also be selected which is obtainable by deposition from a solution or dispersion of the plastics material.

[0250] Suitable polymers are preferably those having a weight average molecular weight of 3.10 3 to 1.10 7 g / mol, preferably in the range of 5.10 3 to 1.10 6 g / mol, particularly preferably in the range of 6.10 3 to 1.10 5Suitable polymers include polyamides (PA) or polyethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or mixtures thereof. Among the polyamides, all PAs which appear suitable for use according to the invention to a person skilled in the art are suitable.

[0251] All EVOHs which appear to the skilled person to be suitable for use according to the invention may be considered as EVOH. Examples thereof are available under the trade name EVAL from EVAL Europe NV, Belgium. TM In various versions, such as EVAL TM F104B or EVAL TM LR171B is available. The preferred EVOH has at least one, two, more or all of the following properties:

[0252] - an ethylene content in the range of 20 to 60 mol %, preferably 25 to 45 mol %;

[0253] -1.0 to 1.4 g / cm 3 , preferably 1.1 to 1.3 g / cm 3 Density within the range of

[0254] - a melting point in the range of greater than 155 to 235°C, preferably 165 to 225°C;

[0255] - MFR values ​​in the range of 1 to 25 g / 10 min, preferably 2 to 20 g / 10 min (if TS(EVOH)<210°C, 210°C / 2.16 kg; if 210°C <TS(EVOH)<230℃,230℃ / 2.16kg);

[0256] - 0.05 to 3.2 cm 3 ·20μm / (m 2 ·day·atm), preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1 cm 3 ·20μm / (m 2 ·day·atm) range.

[0257] Preferably, at least one polymer layer, more preferably the inner polymer layer, or preferably all polymer layers has a melting temperature below the melting temperature of the barrier layer. This is particularly true if the barrier layer is formed from a polymer. In this case, the melting temperature of the at least one polymer layer, in particular the inner polymer layer, and the melting temperature of the barrier layer preferably differ by at least 1 K, particularly preferably by at least 10 K, even more preferably by at least 50 K, further preferably by at least 100 K. The temperature difference should preferably be selected to be only high enough not to cause melting of the barrier layer, in particular not to cause melting of a barrier layer of plastic material, during the folding process.

[0258] According to alternative b., the barrier layer is a metal layer. In principle, all metal-containing layers known to the person skilled in the art and which can provide a high degree of light and oxygen impermeability are suitable as metal layers. According to a preferred embodiment, the metal layer can be a foil or a deposited layer, for example after physical vapor deposition. The metal layer is preferably a continuous layer. According to a further preferred embodiment, the thickness of the metal layer is in the range of 3 to 20 μm, preferably in the range of 3.5 to 12 μm, particularly preferably in the range of 4 to 10 μm.

[0259] Preferred metals are aluminum, iron or copper. As an iron layer, a steel layer in foil form, for example, may be preferred. Furthermore, the metal layer is preferably an aluminum-containing layer. The aluminum layer can conveniently consist of an aluminum alloy, such as AlFeMn, AlFe1.5Mn, AlFeSi or AlFeSiMn. The purity is generally above 97.5%, preferably above 98.5%, in each case based on the entire aluminum layer. In a special design, the metal layer consists of an aluminum foil. Suitable aluminum foils have a ductility of greater than 1%, preferably greater than 1.3%, particularly preferably greater than 1.5%, and greater than 30 N / mm 2 , preferably greater than 40N / mm 2 , especially preferably greater than 50N / mm 2 A suitable aluminum foil exhibits a drop size of more than 3 mm, preferably more than 4 mm, particularly preferably more than 5 mm in the pipette test. Suitable alloys for producing the aluminum layer or foil are commercially available from HydroAluminium Deutschland GmbH or Amcor Flexibles Singen GmbH under the designations EN AW 1200, EN AW 8079 or EN AW 8111. In the case of a metal foil as barrier layer, an adhesion promoter layer can be provided on one or both sides of the metal foil between the metal foil and the nearest polymer layer.

[0260] Furthermore, according to alternative c., an oxide layer may be preferably selected as a barrier layer. Oxide layers familiar to those skilled in the art and which appear suitable for achieving a barrier effect against light, vapor and / or gas may be considered as oxide layers. Preferred oxide layers are semi-metallic oxide layers or metal oxide layers or both. Preferred semi-metallic oxide layers are layers based on one or more silicon oxide compounds (SiOx layers). Preferred metal oxide layers are layers based on the aforementioned metals aluminum, iron or copper, as well as metal oxide layers based on titanium oxide compounds, wherein aluminum oxide layers (AlOx layers) are particularly preferred. According to a preferred embodiment, the oxide layer may be present as a deposited layer. For example, a deposited oxide layer is produced by vapor deposition of an oxide layer on a barrier substrate. Preferred methods for this are physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), preferably plasma-assisted. The oxide layer is preferably a continuous layer.

[0261] The barrier substrate can consist of any material that appears suitable for use as a barrier substrate according to the present invention to a person skilled in the art. The barrier substrate is preferably suitable for being coated with an oxide layer. Preferably, the surface of the layer is sufficiently smooth for this purpose. Further preferably, the thickness of the barrier substrate is in the range of 3 to 30 μm, preferably 2 to 28 μm, more preferably 2 to 26 μm, more preferably 3 to 24 μm, more preferably 4 to 22 μm, and most preferably 5 to 20 μm. In addition, the barrier substrate preferably has a barrier effect against oxygen or water vapor or both. Preferably, the barrier effect of the barrier substrate against oxygen permeation is greater than the barrier effect of the oxide layer against oxygen permeation. Preferably, the oxygen permeability of the barrier substrate is in the range of 0.1 to 50 cm 3 / (m 2 ·d·bar), preferably 0.2 to 40 cm 3 / (m 2 ·d·bar), more preferably 0.3 to 30 cm 3 / (m 2·d·bar). Preferably, the barrier substrate comprises cellulose or a polymer or both, more preferably consists of cellulose or a polymer or both. The preferred polymer herein is an oriented polymer. Preferably, the oriented polymer is uniaxially or biaxially oriented. A further preferred polymer is a thermoplastic polymer. Preferably, the barrier substrate consists of a polymer. Preferably, the barrier substrate comprises a polymer selected from polycondensates, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol or a combination of at least two of them in a proportion of at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, most preferably at least 90% by weight, in each case based on the weight of the barrier substrate. More preferably, the barrier substrate consists of the above polymers. The preferred polypropylene is oriented, in particular longitudinally stretched (oPP) or biaxially stretched (BoPP). The preferred polycondensates are polyesters or polyamides (PA) or both. The preferred polyester is one selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactide (PLA), and / or a combination of at least two of them. The preferred vinyl polymer is an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer or polyvinyl alcohol or both. The preferred polyvinyl alcohol is an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. The preferred ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer is an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer.

[0262] Carrier layer

[0263] Any material known to those skilled in the art and suitable for this purpose can be used as the carrier layer, which has sufficient strength and stiffness to impart stability to the container so that the container substantially maintains its shape during filling. In particular, this is a necessary feature of the carrier layer because the present invention relates to the technical field of dimensionally stable containers. Such dimensionally stable containers must be fundamentally different from bags and pouches usually made of thin foils. In addition to many plastic materials, plant-based fiber materials, especially cellulose, preferably sized, bleached and / or unbleached cellulose are preferred, with paper and cardboard being particularly preferred. Accordingly, the preferred carrier layer comprises multiple fibers. The basis weight of the carrier layer is preferably in the range of 120 to 450 g / m 2 and particularly preferably in the range of 130 to 400 g / m 2 and most preferably in the range of 150 to 380 g / m 2The preferred cardboard generally has a single-layer or multi-layer structure and may be coated with one or more covering layers on one or both sides. In addition, the preferred cardboard has a residual moisture content of less than 20% by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, and particularly preferably 4 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the cardboard. Particularly preferred cardboard has a multi-layer structure. In addition, the cardboard preferably has at least one, but particularly preferably at least two covering layers on the surface facing the environment, which is referred to as "paper coating" by those skilled in the art. In addition, the preferred cardboard has a moisture content of 100 to 360 J / m 2 , preferably 120 to 350 J / m 2 , particularly preferably 135 to 310 J / m 2 The above range enables the provision of a composite material that can be used to fold containers with high compactness, easily and with low tolerances.

[0264] The carrier layer is characterized by a bending stiffness. The carrier layer preferably has a bending stiffness in a first direction in the range of 80 to 550 mN. In the case where the carrier layer comprises a plurality of fibers, the first direction is preferably the orientation direction of the fibers. The carrier layer comprising a plurality of fibers further preferably has a bending stiffness in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the range of 20 to 300 mN. A preferred sheet-like composite material with a carrier layer has a bending stiffness in the first direction in the range of 100 to 700 mN. In addition, the above-mentioned sheet-like composite material has a bending stiffness in the second direction in the range of 50 to 500 mN.

[0265] Polyolefins

[0266] Preferred polyolefins are polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or both. Preferred polyethylene is one selected from LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE, or a combination of at least two thereof. Another preferred polyolefin is m-polyolefin (polyolefin made using a metallocene catalyst). Suitable polyethylene has a melt flow rate (MFI: melt flow index = MFR: melt flow rate) in the range of 1 to 25 g / 10 min, preferably in the range of 2 to 20 g / 10 min, particularly preferably in the range of 2.5 to 15 g / 10 min, and a 0.910 g / cm 3 Up to 0.935g / cm 3 In the range of 0.912 g / cm 3 Up to 0.932g / cm 3 In the range of 0.915 g / cm 3 Up to 0.930g / cm 3 density within the range of .

[0267] M polymer

[0268] M polymers are polymers made using metallocene catalysts. Metallocenes are organometallic compounds in which the central metal atom is located between two organic ligands such as cyclopentadienyl ligands. Preferred m polymers are m polyolefins, preferably m polyethylene or m polypropylene or both. Preferred m polyethylene is one selected from mLDPE, mLLDPE and mHDPE, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferred m polyolefins are characterized by at least a first melting temperature and a second melting temperature. Preferably, the m polyolefin is characterized by a third melting temperature in addition to the first and second melting temperatures. Preferred first melting temperatures are in the range of 84 to 108°C, preferably 89 to 103°C, more preferably 94 to 98°C. Preferred another melting temperature is in the range of 100 to 124°C, preferably 105 to 119°C, more preferably 110 to 114°C.

[0269] Adhesion / adhesion promoter layer

[0270] The adhesion promoter layer is a layer of a sheet-like composite material comprising a sufficient amount of at least one adhesion promoter so that the adhesion promoter layer improves the adhesion between the layers adjacent to the adhesion promoter layer. For this reason, the adhesion promoter layer preferably comprises an adhesion promoter polymer. Therefore, the adhesion promoter layer is preferably a polymer layer. The adhesion promoter layer can be located between the layers of the sheet-like composite material that are not directly adjacent to each other, preferably between the barrier layer and the polymer inner layer. As the adhesion promoter in the adhesion promoter layer, it can be considered that all plastic materials that are suitable for forming permanent bonds by forming ionic bonds or covalent bonds with the surface of the adjacent layer by functionalization with the aid of suitable functional groups. Preferably, they are functionalized polyolefins, particularly acrylic copolymers obtained by copolymerization of ethylene and acrylic acid such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, acrylates, acrylate derivatives or carboxylic anhydrides (e.g. maleic anhydride) with double bonds or at least two of them. Preferred among these are polyethylene-maleic anhydride graft polymers (EMAH), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (EAA) or ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers (EMAA), which are marketed, for example, by DuPont under the trade name and or by ExxonMobile Chemicals under the trade name sell.

[0271] Ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers are also preferred as adhesion promoters. The alkyl group preferably selected is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or amyl. More preferably, the adhesion promoter layer may comprise a blend of two or more different ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers. Also preferably, the ethylene alkyl acrylate copolymer may have two or more different alkyl groups in the acrylate functionality, such as an ethylene alkyl acrylate copolymer in which both methyl acrylate units and ethyl acrylate units are present in the same copolymer.

[0272] According to the invention, it is preferred that the adhesion between the carrier layer, the polymer layer or the barrier layer and the next layer in each case is at least 0.5 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 0.7 N / 15 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.8 N / 15 mm. In one embodiment according to the invention, it is preferred that the adhesion between the polymer layer and the carrier layer is at least 0.3 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 0.5 N / 15 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.7 N / 15 mm. Furthermore, it is preferred that the adhesion between the barrier layer and the polymer layer is at least 0.8 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 1.0 N / 15 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.4 N / 15 mm. In the case where the barrier layer follows the polymer layer indirectly via an adhesion promoter layer, it is preferred that the adhesion between the barrier layer and the adhesion promoter layer is at least 1.8 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 2.2 N / 15 mm, particularly preferably at least 2.8 N / 15 mm. In a special embodiment, the adhesion between the individual layers is so strong that during the adhesion test, tearing of the carrier layer occurs, in the case of cardboard as carrier layer, so-called tearing of the cardboard fibers.

[0273] connect

[0274] Any connection that seems suitable for use according to the present invention and by which a sufficiently strong connection can be obtained by the skilled person can be considered as a connection. The preferred connection is to connect under material bonding. Connecting under material bonding is understood herein as a connection between joining partners formed by an attraction force between or within the materials. These should be distinguished in particular from form-fit and force-fit connections formed by geometry or friction. The preferred connection under material bonding can be one selected from sealing, welding, gluing and pressing, or a combination of at least two of them. The connection under material bonding by means of a connecting element is preferably sealing, welding or gluing, wherein the connecting element acts as a sealant, welding additive or adhesive. In the case of sealing and welding, a connection is formed by means of a liquid and its solidification. In the case of gluing, a chemical bond is formed between the boundary surface or the surface of two objects to be joined to form a connection. In the case of sealing, welding or gluing, it is usually advantageous to press the surfaces to be sealed or glued together. The preferred pressing of the two layers is to press the first surface of the first layer of the two layers onto the second surface of the second layer facing the first surface on at least 20% of the first surface, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%. Particularly preferred connections are sealing or welding. Preferred sealing or welding methods include contact, heating and pressing steps, wherein these steps are preferably performed in this order. Different sequences are also possible, in particular the sequence of heating, contacting and pressing. Preferred heating is heating a polymer layer, preferably a thermoplastic layer, more preferably a polyethylene layer or a polypropylene layer or both. Another preferred heating is heating the polyethylene layer to a temperature of 80 to 140°C, more preferably 90 to 130°C, most preferably 100 to 120°C. Another preferred heating is heating the polypropylene layer to a temperature of 120 to 200°C, more preferably 130 to 180°C, most preferably 140 to 170°C. Another preferred heating is heating to the sealing temperature of the polymer layer. Preferred heating can be achieved by friction, radiation, hot gas, thermal contact with solid, mechanical vibration (preferably ultrasound), convection or a combination of at least two of these measures. A particularly preferred heating method is by friction between the joining partners, or by exciting ultrasonic vibrations, or by both. In the latter case, friction can be generated in particular by exciting ultrasonic vibrations of one or two joining partners. Preferred welding is friction welding. When the joining partners are in contact with each other, the joining partners move relative to each other under pressure. The friction generated causes heating. Relative motion can be generated, for example, by ultrasonic vibrations. In the case of joining multilayer composite materials (laminated materials), this procedure is also referred to herein as friction welding.

[0275] food

[0276] All foods for human consumption known to the person skilled in the art as well as animal feed may be regarded as foods. Preferred foods are liquids above 5°C, such as dairy products, soups, sauces and preferably non-carbonated beverages.

[0277] Through Hole

[0278] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one through hole arranged in the carrier layer can have any shape known to those skilled in the art to be suitable for various containers and for emptying the container. In addition, the through hole is preferably suitable for opening the container with a straw or an opening aid. Possible examples of opening aids are pull tabs and screw caps. The through hole is preferably covered with a corresponding layer so that the through hole is preferably closed in a watertight manner. In the present invention, a through hole for passing a straw is preferred. The preferred through hole has a two-dimensional and non-linear opening area. Preferably, the through hole is substantially circular, oval, elliptical or drop-shaped. The shape of the at least one through hole in the carrier layer usually also determines the shape of the opening made of an openable closure connected to the container and dispensed from the container after opening, or made of a straw in the container. Therefore, the opening of the opened container usually has a shape comparable to or even identical to the at least one through hole in the carrier layer. The container design with a single through hole in the carrier layer is mainly used to discharge food in the container. Additional through holes can be provided in the carrier layer, particularly for container ventilation when discharging food. With regard to the covering of the at least one through hole in the carrier layer, the area of ​​the through hole covered by the layer covering the same through hole is also referred to as the hole covering layer of the through hole. These hole covering layers are preferably at least partially connected to each other, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 70%, and particularly preferably at least 90% of the area formed by the at least one through hole. It is further preferred that the hole covering layers are connected to each other at the edge of the at least one through hole and preferably connected against the edge to achieve improved tightness by a connection extending over the entire hole surface. Typically, the hole covering layers are connected to each other through the portion formed by the at least one through hole in the carrier layer. This brings about good tightness of the container formed by the composite material, and therefore brings about the desired long shelf life of the food stored in the container. Preferably, the diameter of the at least one through hole is in the range of 3 to 30 mm, more preferably 3 to 25 mm, more preferably 3 to 20 mm, more preferably 3 to 15 mm, and most preferably 3 to 10 mm. Here, the diameter of the through hole is the length of the longest straight line starting and ending at the edge of the through hole and passing through the geometric center of gravity of the through hole.

[0279] Opening / opening aid

[0280] In most cases, the opening in the container is produced by at least partially destroying the hole covering layer covering the at least one through hole. This destruction can be achieved by cutting, pressing into the container or pulling out from the container. The destruction can be achieved by an opening aid connected to the container and arranged in the area of ​​the at least one through hole, usually above the at least one through hole, for example by pushing a straw through the hole covering layer. Furthermore, it is preferred in an embodiment according to the invention that an opening aid is provided in the area of ​​the at least one through hole. In this case, it is preferred that the opening aid is provided on a surface representing the outside of the container. Furthermore, the container preferably includes a closure, such as a lid, on the outside of the container. Preferably, the closure at least partially, preferably completely covers the through hole. The closure thus protects the container wall, which is less strong than the area outside the at least one through hole.

[0281] Protected from destructive mechanical effects. In order to open the hole covering layer covering at least one through hole, the closure usually includes an opening aid. Suitable as such are, for example, a hook for tearing off at least a part of the hole covering layer, an edge or cutting blade for cutting into the hole covering layer or a spike for piercing the hole covering layer, or a combination of at least two thereof. These opening aids are usually mechanically coupled to the screw cover or cap of the closure, for example by a hinge, so that when the screw cover or the cap is turned, the opening aid acts on the hole covering layer to open the closed container. Sometimes, in the technical literature, such a closure system comprising a composite layer covering the through holes and an openable closure with an opening aid is referred to as "overcoated holes" with "applied fittings".

[0282] Measurement method

[0283] The following measurement methods are used in the present invention. Unless otherwise stated, the measurements are carried out at an ambient temperature of 23° C., an ambient air pressure of 100 kPa (0.986 atm) and a relative humidity of 50%.

[0284] Separating individual layers

[0285] If individual layers of a laminate, such as a barrier layer, are to be examined, first separate the layer to be examined from the laminate as described below. Cut three samples of the sheet-like composite material to size. For this purpose, the unfolded and ungrooved parts of the sheet-like composite material are used, unless otherwise specified. The dimensions of the sample pieces are 4 cm×4 cm, unless otherwise specified. If other dimensions of the layer to be examined are necessary for the examination to be carried out, cut sufficiently large sample pieces from the laminate. Place the sample in an acetic acid bath heated to 60° C. (30% acetic acid solution: 30% by weight CH3COOH, remainder to 100% by weight H2O) for 30 minutes. This separates the layers from one another. Here, if necessary, the layers can also be carefully peeled off from one another manually. If the desired layer cannot be removed well enough, use a new sample piece as an alternative and treat it in an ethanol bath (99% ethanol) as described above. If there are residues of the carrier layer on the layer to be examined (e.g. polymer outer layer or polymer intermediate layer) (especially in the case of a cardboard layer as carrier layer), remove these carefully with a brush. From each of the three films thus prepared, a sample of sufficient size for examination was cut (4 cm in area unless otherwise stated). 2 ). These samples are then stored at 23° C. for 4 hours and thereby dried. The three samples can then be checked. Unless otherwise stated, the test results are the arithmetic mean of the results of the three samples.

[0286] MFR value

[0287] MFR is measured according to ISO 1133-1:2012, method A (mass determination method, at 190°C and 2.16 kg unless otherwise stated).

[0288] density

[0289] Density was measured according to ISO 1183-1:2013.

[0290] Scott bond value

[0291] Determination of Scott bond value according to Tappi 569

[0292] Melting temperature

[0293] Melting temperature was determined using DSC method ISO 11357-1, -5. The device was calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions using the following measurements:

[0294] -TemperatureIn-Starting Temperature,

[0295] - Melting hot indium,

[0296] -Temperature zinc - starting temperature.

[0297] The recorded measurement curve can have multiple local maxima (melting peaks), i.e. multiple melting temperatures. If a melting temperature above a certain value is required, this condition is met if one of the measured melting temperatures is above this value. When the melting temperature of a polymer layer, polymer composition or polymer is mentioned in this document, this always refers to the highest melting temperature in the case of several measured melting temperatures (melting peaks), unless otherwise stated.

[0298] Viscosity of PA

[0299] The viscosity values ​​of PA were measured in 95% sulfuric acid according to DIN EN ISO 307 (2013).

[0300] Molecular weight distribution

[0301] Molecular weight distribution was measured by gel permeation chromatography using light scattering: ISO 16014-3 / -5 (2009-09).

[0302] Moisture content of cardboard

[0303] The moisture content of cardboard is measured according to ISO 287:2009.

[0304] Adhesion

[0305] To determine the adhesion of two adjacent layers, they are fixed on a 90° peel test device, such as the "German rotating wheel fixture" from Instron, on a rotating roller that rotates at 40 mm / min during the measurement. The sample is pre-cut into 15 mm wide strips. On one side of the sample, the layers are separated from each other and the separated ends are clamped in a pulling device facing vertically upward. A measuring device for determining the tensile force is attached to the pulling device. While the roller rotates, the force required to separate the layers from each other is measured. This force corresponds to the adhesion of the layers to each other and is given in N / 15 mm. The separation of the individual layers can be achieved, for example, mechanically or by targeted pretreatment, for example by soaking the sample in 30% acetic acid at 60°C for 3 minutes.

[0306] Bending stiffness

[0307] The bending stiffness of sheet materials, in particular sheet composite materials or cardboard, is determined using the following apparatus:

[0308] - Bending stiffness measuring device L&W Bending Tester Code 160, model 977682, from Lorentzen & Wettre, Sweden,

[0309] -Punch press for bending stiffness samples.

[0310] The material to be tested is acclimated for 24 hours in a standard climate (23°C, 50% relative humidity). The measurements are also carried out in a standard climate. Samples with a width of 38.1 mm and a length of 69.85 mm are punched out from the material to be tested using a punch press. For coils, samples are taken at 5 positions distributed over the width of the web. For each position, 2 samples whose length is in the running direction (machine direction - MD) and 2 samples whose length is across the running direction (cross direction - CD) are punched out to obtain a total of 10 MD samples and 10 CD samples. In each case, at least 4 samples should be obtained, half of the sample's length is on the MD and the other half of the length is on the CD. The samples must be taken only from the ungrooved and unfolded parts of the material to be tested.

[0311] The bending stiffness (in mN) of the outside and the opposite inside is determined both in MD and CD. To this end, the sample is placed in the test device with the side to be measured facing forward and the measurement is started by pressing the green button. For each combination: outside / MD, outside / CD, inside / MD and inside / CD, the same number of samples is measured. A 2-point bending test is carried out by means of a bending stiffness measuring device. The sample, which is clamped at one end, is deflected through a bending angle of 15° at its other end by means of the measuring edge. Here, the direction in which the material has bending stiffness is the direction of the straight line connecting the 2 points of force application of the 2-point bending test. In the case of a bending stiffness measuring device, this direction is the direction of the shortest straight line from the clamp to the measuring edge. In this direction, the sample forms a curve when it is bent. If the sample is bent far enough, a straight fold line perpendicular to this direction will be formed. The free clamping length of the specimen is 50 mm. Each sample must be used for only one measurement. Measurement of the outside and inside of the same sample is not permitted. The individual measured values ​​are read from the display.

[0312] If multiple samples are measured for each combination: outside / MD, outside / CD, inside / MD and inside / CD, the arithmetic mean of the samples is calculated separately for each combination. The arithmetic mean is then used as the value for each of these four combinations. The bending stiffness in MD or CD is the geometric mean of the values ​​of the combination: outside / MD and inside / MD or outside / CD and inside / CD. The direction-independent bending stiffness (herein referred to as "bending stiffness") is the geometric mean of the values ​​of all 4 combinations: outside / MD, outside / CD, inside / MD and inside / CD.

[0313] Falling simulation

[0314] For this purpose, the filled and closed container is inserted from above into a vertically suspended guide tube with a diameter adapted to the size of the container and then dropped. The tube has a length of approximately 1.5 m and is suspended 1 m above the ground. By guiding the container in the tube for the first 1.5 m of its fall, it is possible for it to fall reproducibly onto the container bottom or onto the container head, so that the effects on the integrity of the container can be checked.

[0315] Liquid tightness

[0316] Crystal oil 60 from Shell Chemicals containing methylene blue is used as a test agent for the tightness of the test container. According to the inspection standard, the container to be inspected can be subjected to a corresponding drop simulation. By cutting off the sheath element, the container is cut open along its circumference to obtain an open cup-shaped container portion comprising the bottom of the closed container and an open cup-shaped container portion comprising the head of the closed container. First, the first container portion with the bottom of the container and the second container portion with the head of the container are emptied separately, and then filled with a test agent of the amount sufficient to fully cover the bottom of the corresponding cup-shaped container portion. In particular, any sealing seam between the sheath element and the terminal element should be completely covered by the test agent. The container portion is then stored for 24 hours. After the storage period, the outside of each container portion is visually inspected to see whether the test agent has caused a blue discoloration due to leakage. If the first part of the container and the second part of the container do not show such a discoloration, the container is considered to be liquid-tight.

[0317] If the closure of the container head or container bottom of different containers is to be compared, 500 identical containers of each container type to be compared are checked as described above. The result of this test is the number of 500 identical containers that exhibit leakage after a storage period of 24 hours. These numbers are then compared for different containers.

[0318] The present invention will be explained in more detail below by way of examples and drawings, which do not limit the present invention. In addition, unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are not to scale.

[0319] Laminate construction

[0320] In the examples (according to the invention) and comparative examples (not according to the invention), laminates having the layer structure shown in Table 1 below were used to produce containers.

[0321]

[0322]

[0323] Table 1: Structure of Laminated Materials of Examples and Comparative Examples

[0324] Laminate production

[0325] The laminates of the examples and comparative examples were produced using a melt coating system from Davis Standard. The extrusion temperature was in the range of about 280 to 330° C. In a first step, the outer polymer layer was applied to the entire surface of the carrier layer by layer extrusion. In a second step, the barrier layer was applied together with an adhesion promoter layer as a laminating agent and a polymer intermediate layer to the entire surface of the carrier layer previously coated with the outer polymer layer. The inner polymer layer was then extruded over the entire surface of the barrier layer. In order to apply the individual layers by extrusion, the polymer is melted in an extruder. When the polymer is applied in layers, the resulting melt is transferred to a nozzle via a feed block and extruded onto the carrier layer.

[0326] Container production

[0327] The elements of the container wall are separated by punching out from the laminate material obtained as described above. For each container, a sheath element 101 and a rounded end element 103 (for the container bottom) are punched out. For each container having a three-piece container wall, a molded plastic part is also provided as an end element 108 for the container head (see Figure 1 ). This has a pouring hole 109 in the center. Such a rounded end element 108 can be manufactured by injection molding. In the case of a container with a two-piece container wall, the jacket element 101 of the container is provided with a groove 401 on the outside (on the side of the polymer outer layer) before stamping, which predefines the folding line for forming and closing the container head (see Figure 4 ).

[0328] By overlapping and sealing the opposite longitudinal edges of each sheath element 101, the sheath element is formed into Figure 5 A hollow cylindrical structure of the type shown in . Here, sealing is performed as a heat seal by blowing with hot air and using a polymer inner layer as a sealant to form a longitudinal seam 110 .

[0329] The hollow cylindrical structure thus obtained is placed in a precisely fitting cylindrical opening of a steel die acting as anvil 601 (see Figure 6 ), the lower edge of the structure is flush with the edge of the opening. The end element 103 for the bottom is now pressed into the opening with the polymer inner layer first by engaging a suitable tool in the opening to obtain a precursor 1200 (see Fig.12 ).

[0330] In this container precursor 1200, the lower edge is then Figure 6, wherein the end element 103 is connected to the sheath element 101 by ultrasonic friction welding. The exact geometry of the sealed seam thus obtained depends on the design of the sonotrode 600 and the anvil 601 used for welding, in particular the angles at which the tool surfaces engaging the container parts are relative to each other during the sealing process.

[0331] In order to bend the lower edge of the sheath element 102, a sonotrode 600 (see Figure 6 ), along its longitudinal axis, i.e. Figure 6 The ultrasonic welding electrode 600 has a groove 606, which has a first wall 603, a second wall 605 and a concave curvature, i.e. a groove bottom 604 with a radius of curvature. During the relative movement of the ultrasonic welding electrode 600 in the direction of the edge of the sheath element 102, i.e. in the vertical direction, the first edge 202 of the sheath element 102 first comes into contact with the first wall 603 of the ultrasonic welding electrode 600, which is inclined at an angle of inclination greater than 0 and less than 90° relative to the vertical direction, i.e. relative to the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic welding electrode. As soon as the first edge 202 of the sheath element 102 comes into contact with the inclined wall 603, the first edge 202 of the sheath element 102 bends inwardly, i.e. to the right in the figure. As soon as the first edge 202 subsequently comes into contact with the groove bottom 604, the curvature of the first edge 202 of the sheath element 102 increases further until the first edge 202 of the sheath element 102 reaches the second wall 605 and then approximately assumes a curvature of Figure 6 . The anvil 601 has a conical sealing surface 602, so that when the ultrasonic welding electrode 600 moves toward the anvil 601, that is, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the distance between the wall 605 and the conical sealing surface 602 decreases. Therefore, the tool not only curls the lower edge of the container 100, but also welds the curled portion to the bottom element 103 and the jacket element 102, so that the curling provides additional support for the bottom. Figure 6 The position shown in is the welding position. The curling position is between the described starting position and the welding position shown, during which the sheath element 102 successively contacts the groove walls 603 and 604 and the groove bottom 605 and is bent. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B , the ultrasonic welding electrode 600 has a plurality of recesses 701 in the groove 606, which results in the following in the production of the container 100 according to the invention: Fig. 9 and Fig.10As shown in the figure, a plurality of first type regions 301 and a plurality of other type regions 302 are formed in the edge region at least on the inner side in the direction opposite to the transverse direction. In the circumferential direction of the container, the first type of portions 301 each have a first length of 3 mm. The other type of portions 302 have another length of 4 mm in the same direction. A conventional ultrasonic welding electrode without a recess 701 in the groove was used in the comparative test. As a result, the bottom element 103 forms warps that are irregularly distributed along the perimeter of the container during the hemming process. These warps include folds extending in a direction perpendicular to the perimeter of the container, which form low-lying portions. These low-lying portions are not wider than 0.2 mm in the direction of the perimeter of the container. The higher portions located between the folds have a width in the range of 3 to 11 mm in the direction of the perimeter of the container.

[0332] Information about the bottom seam Example Bottom seam has corrugation Comparative Example No corrugation at the bottom seam

[0333] Table 2: Bottom seam shape

[0334] Evaluate

[0335] 500 containers of the embodiments and comparative examples were subjected to the above liquid determination test. The results of the test are summarized in Table 3. For each standard, +++ indicates a better result than ++, ++ indicates a better result than +, + indicates a better result than 0, 0 indicates a better result than -, and - indicates a better result than -.

[0336] Liquid tightness of the container bottom after a drop simulation on the container bottom Comparative Example +++ Example --

[0337] Table 3: Summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the containers of the comparative examples and the examples

[0338] Further Embodiments

[0339] In a further comparative test, 100 containers were produced for each of the further examples A to F as described above for the examples according to the invention. Figure 6 In Table 4, the overhang length 806 of each of the 100 containers of the further example is given as a percentage of the height 805 of the bottom element 103. It should be noted that the overhang length 806 also includes the portion of the rim portion 107 that does not extend vertically but is bent around the other edge 203. The overhang length 806 is therefore Figure 6 The total length of the dashed lines in .

[0340] The containers of further examples A to F were subjected to the above-described drop simulation on the container bottom. Thereafter, for each further example, the number of containers in which the seal of the rim portion 107 of the curling had been loosened at least at one point along the container perimeter was counted. The greater the proportion of containers with such open curling, the worse the rating of the corresponding further example.

[0341]

[0342] Table 4: Overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the containers in further embodiments A to F

[0343] In Table 4, for each criterion, ++ indicates a better result than +, + indicates a better result than 0, and 0 indicates a better result than -.

[0344] In a further comparative test, for each of the further examples G to J, 100 containers were produced as described above for the examples according to the invention. The method for crimping the bottom of the container was varied. In examples I and J, the crimping was performed using ultrasound as described above. In example I, the ultrasonic vibrations of the sonotrode were already activated in the starting position, i.e. before the tool was engaged, and remained activated until welding (pre-vibration). In example J, the ultrasonic vibrations were activated only in the welding position. In examples G and H, the crimping was not performed with ultrasound, but with a heated crimping tool. In example G, the containers were crimped one after the other as quickly as possible, without cooling the tool between successive crimping processes. In example H, after each crimping process, it was waited until the crimping tool had cooled to a temperature of 80° C. This reduced the softening of the polymer outer layer of the subsequent container during the crimping process and the adhesion of the tool to the tool. This extends the maintenance intervals of the crimping tools, since they do not need to be cleaned so often from polymer deposits to prevent the outer side of the subsequent container from being contaminated or the crimping tool even adhering to the finished welded container and thus damaging its outer side.

[0345] The containers of the other further examples G to J were also subjected to a drop simulation on the container bottom as described above. Thereafter, for each further example, the number of containers in which the seal of the rim portion 107 of the curled edge had been loosened at least at one point along the container perimeter was counted. The greater the proportion of containers with such open curled edges, the worse the rating of the corresponding further example.

[0346] In Table 5, for each criterion, ++ indicates a better result than +, which indicates a better result than 0, which in turn indicates a better result than −. These relative indications relate only to the results given in Table 5.

[0347]

[0348] Table 5:Overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the containers in further embodiments G to J

[0349] Unless otherwise indicated in the description or in the corresponding drawings, the drawings show schematically and not to scale:

[0350] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a liquid-tight container according to the present invention;

[0351] Figure 2 Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom of a liquid-tight container;

[0352] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the bottom of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention, viewed from below;

[0353] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention, wherein the upper end thereof is not yet closed;

[0354] Figure 5 Figure 1 An exploded view of a liquid-tight container 100;

[0355] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the conditions of the crimping method when connecting the first end member to the rim portion 107 of the sheath member 102;

[0356] Figure 7 like Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a sonotrode 600 used in the method shown in ;

[0357] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention in a rim portion 107 of a sheath element 101;

[0358] Fig. 9 A black and white photographic image of the bottom of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention, viewed from below;

[0359] Fig.10 Another black and white photographic view of the bottom of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention, viewed from below;

[0360] Fig.11 A schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet-like composite material 1100;

[0361] Fig.12 A schematic cross-sectional view of the lower end 105 of a precursor 1200 according to the invention for producing a liquid-tight container 100;

[0362] Fig.13 Flow chart of a method 1300 for producing a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention

[0363] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention is shown, wherein the container wall 101 is formed of three parts. In each case, the container interior 201 (see Figure 2 ) is formed by a sheath element 102, a first end element 103 and a further end element 108. The sheath element 102 and the first end element 103 are both formed by Fig.11 100 is composed of a sheet-like composite material 1100 shown in . The first end element 103 is formed by a circular piece of sheet-like composite material 1100, and the sheath element 102 is composed of a rectangular slice of sheet-like composite material 1100. The opposite longitudinal edges of the slice are brought into contact with each other in an overlapping manner and sealed together. The seam thus obtained is called the longitudinal seam 110 of the container 100. The sheath element 102 defines the container interior 201 laterally based on the length of the liquid-tight container 100. The first end element 103 defines the container interior 201 in a first direction along the length of the container 100. In addition, the first end element 103, relative to the length of the liquid-tight container 100, seals the liquid-tight container 100 at the first end 105 formed by the container bottom 103. The other end element 108 is a molded part made of plastic material, which is circular in a top view and has a central pouring hole. The other end element 108 defines the container interior 201 in another direction opposite to the first direction. In addition, 100 includes a closing cover 109. The pouring hole of the further end element 108 is located below the closure lid 109. A pull-tab made of an aluminum foil coated with LDPE on both sides is sealed over the pouring hole. The further end element 108 closes the liquid-tight container 100 together with the pull-tab at a second end 111 opposite to the first end 105 of the container 100 relative to the length of the liquid-tight container 100, the second end being formed by the container head 108. After the liquid-tight container has been opened by tearing off the pull-tab, the closure lid 109 provides a means of closing the liquid-tight container 100 again, although obviously less tightly. Details of the container bottom 103 designed according to the invention can be seen in Figure 2 .

[0364] Figure 2 show Figure 1Schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom of a liquid-tight container of the present invention. The sheathing element 102 delimits the container interior 201 in a transverse direction 104 extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior 201, and includes a rim portion 107 having a first edge 202. The first end element 103 delimits the container interior 201 at a first end 105 of the container 100 in a longitudinal direction 106 extending along the length of the container, and includes another edge 203 pointing in the longitudinal direction 106. The rim portion 107 is arranged at the first end 105 of the liquid-tight container 100 and surrounds the other edge 203 from the outside to the inside opposite to the transverse direction 104, so that the first edge 202 of the sheathing element 101 points in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction 106, and the liquid-tight container 100 has a layer sequence at the first end 105 along the transverse direction 104, such as Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the layer sequence comprises a first layer 801 of the sheath element 102, a layer 802 of the first end element 103 and a further layer 803 of the sheath element 102. The rim portion 107 comprises at least on the inner side 204 opposite to the transverse direction 104 such as Figure 3 , a plurality of first type portions 301 and a plurality of another type portions 302 are shown.

[0365] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the bottom of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention, seen from below, showing the parts 301 and 302. The first type of part 301 and the other type of part 302 are successive to each other in a circumferential direction extending along the other edge 203, wherein the first layer 801 of the sheath element 102 (at Figure 8 ) has a thickness 804 in the transverse direction 104. The thickness 804 of the first layer 801 is a mathematical function of the position along the circumferential direction, the mathematical function having a plurality of local maxima and a plurality of local minima. Each portion 301 contains exactly one local maximum, and each other portion 302 contains exactly one local minimum. The thickness 804 of the first layer 801 in each entire first portion 301 is at least 0.7 times the local maximum value included in the first portion 301. The thickness 804 of the first layer 801 in each entire other portion 302 is at most 1.3 times the local minimum value included in the other portion 302. Also as shown Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , each first type of portion 301 has a first length 303 in the circumferential direction, and each other type of portion 302 has a second length 304 in the circumferential direction. The liquid-tight container according to the present invention is characterized in that each second length 304 is at least 10% of each first length 303.

[0366] Figure 4A schematic diagram of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention is shown with its other end (upper end) 111 not yet closed. In order to facilitate folding of the sheath element 102 to close the other end 111, the sheath element 101 has a groove 401 which predetermines the folding line to be made. By folding along the groove 401 and sealing the folded surfaces together, a liquid-tight container 100 can be obtained, the head of which has a gable-shaped configuration (not shown). Figure 4 Also shown is the bottom of the container cut away at the first end 105. This shows that the sheath element 102 completely surrounds the first end element 103 laterally.

[0367] Figure 5 show Figure 1 An exploded view of the liquid-tight container 100.

[0368] Figure 6 Schematic diagram showing the conditions of the crimping process when connecting the first end element to the rim portion 107 of the sheath element 102 as detailed above in the experimental part in the paragraph "Container production". Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a sonotrode 600 as used in such a hemming method is shown.

[0369] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention in a rim portion 107 of a sheath element 101. According to this embodiment, the further edge 203 forms a closed curve having a third length in the circumferential direction, wherein the first end element 103 has a height 805 extending in the longitudinal direction 106 at each point of the closed curve. The rim portion 107 protrudes beyond the further edge 203 at each point of the closed curve, so that the rim portion 107 extends from the further edge 203 to the first edge 202 by an overhang length 806, wherein the overhang length 806 is measured on the side of the rim portion 107 facing away from the first end element 103 (which therefore corresponds to Figure 8 Preferably, along at least 50% of the third length, the overhang length 806 is 30 to 100% of the height 805.

[0370] Fig. 9 A black and white photographic diagram showing the bottom of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention as viewed from below, with portions 301 and 302 shown. Fig. 9 The liquid-tight container 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a container in which the sheath element (and accordingly, the first end element forming the bottom portion) has a substantially triangular cross-section. In order to produce such a container, Figure 6 The hemming method described in the invention uses a sonotrode 600, which is different from Figure 7 The circular shape shown in , which has a corresponding triangular shape.

[0371] Fig.10 A black and white photographic view showing a detail of the bottom of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention, seen from below, wherein the parts 301 and 302 are still shown. Fig. 9 The liquid-tight container 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a container in which the sheath member (and accordingly, the first end member forming the bottom portion) has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0372] Fig.11 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of a sheet-like composite material 1100. From its outer surface 1101 to its inner surface 1102, this consists of the following layers superimposed on each other over its entire surface: polymer outer layer 1103, carrier layer 1104, polymer intermediate layer 1105, adhesive layer 1106 and polymer inner layer 1108. Suitable materials and basis weights of the layers are given in Table 1 above.

[0373] Fig.12 A schematic cross-sectional view of the lower end 105 of a precursor 1200 according to the present invention for producing a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention is shown. The precursor 1200 comprises a container wall 101 at least partially surrounding a container interior 201, wherein a sheath element 102 and a first end element 103 are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall 101. The sheath element 102 delimits the container interior 102 in a transverse direction 104 and comprises a rim portion 107 having a first edge 202. The first end element 103 delimits the container interior 201 at a first end 105 of the precursor in a longitudinal direction 106 and comprises a further edge 203, wherein the rim portion 107 is arranged at the first end 105 of the precursor 1200. The first edge 202 and the further edge 203 point in the longitudinal direction 106. The further edge 203 forms a closed curve having a third length, wherein the first end element 103 has a height 805 ( Figure 8 ). The rim portion 107 projects beyond the further edge 203 at each point of the closed curve so that the rim portion 107 extends an overhang length 806 from the further edge 203 to the first edge 202, wherein the overhang length 806 is measured on the side of the rim portion 107 facing away from the first end element 103. Along at least 50% of the third length, the overhang length 806 is 30 to 100% of the height 805.

[0374] Fig.13 A flow chart showing a method 1300 for producing a liquid-tight container 100 according to the present invention is shown. In method step 1301, a method is provided as follows Fig.12The precursor 1200 according to the invention is shown in . The precursor 1200 comprises a container wall 101 at least partially surrounding a container interior 201, wherein a sheath element 102 and a first end element 103 are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall 101. The sheath element 102 delimits the container interior 201 in a transverse direction 104 extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior 201, and comprises a rim portion 107 having a first edge 202. The first end element 103 delimits the container interior 201 at a first end 105 of the precursor 1200 in a longitudinal direction 106 extending along the length of the precursor 1200, and comprises a further edge 203, wherein the rim portion 107 is arranged at the first end 105 of the precursor 1200, and wherein the first edge 202 and the further edge 203 point in the longitudinal direction 106. In method step 1302, as Figure 6 As shown in , the rim portion 107 is formed by contact with a forming tool. The rim portion 107 surrounds the other edge 203 from the outside to the inside opposite to the transverse direction 104 so that the first edge 202 of the sheath element 102 points in the direction opposite to the longitudinal direction 106, and the precursor 1200 or the liquid-tight container 100 obtained therefrom has a layer sequence at the first end 105 along the transverse direction 104, the layer sequence including the first layer 801 of the sheath element 102, the layer 802 of the first end element 103 and the other layer 803 of the sheath element 102 (as shown in FIG. Figure 8 During the forming process, the forming tool is vibrated at a frequency in the range of 15 to 50 kHz.

[0375] Reference numerals

[0376] 100 Liquid-tight container according to the present invention

[0377] 101 Container wall

[0378] 102 Sheath element

[0379] 103 first end element, preferably container bottom

[0380] 104 horizontal direction

[0381] 105 first end of the liquid-tight container 100

[0382] 106 Vertical direction

[0383] 107 rim portion of the sheath element 102

[0384] 108 Another end element, preferably a container head

[0385] 109 Closure cover

[0386] 110 Longitudinal seam

[0387] 111 The second end of the liquid-tight container 100

[0388] 201 inside the container

[0389] 202 A first edge of the rim portion 207

[0390] 203 The other edge of the first end element 103

[0391] 204 Inward side of the rim

[0392] 301 Multiple first type parts

[0393] 302 More than one part of another type

[0394] 303 first length of the first type of portion 301

[0395] 304 A first length of another type of portion 302

[0396] 400 Upper rim portion of sheath element

[0397] 401 Groove

[0398] 600 Ultrasonic welding electrode

[0399] 601 counter tool (anvil)

[0400] 602 Conical sealing surface

[0401] 603 First wall of groove

[0402] 604 Groove bottom

[0403] 605 Second wall of the groove

[0404] 606 Grooves or slots

[0405] 607 end face

[0406] 701 The recess in the groove 606

[0407] 801 The first layer of the sheath element 101

[0408] 802 Layer of the first end element 103

[0409] 803 Another layer of the sheath element 101

[0410] 804 Thickness of the first layer 801 of the sheath element 101

[0411] 805 Height of the first end element 103 in the longitudinal direction 106

[0412] 806 Overhang Length

[0413] 1100 Sheet Composite Material

[0414] 1101 External surface

[0415] 1102 Inner surface

[0416] 1103 Polymer outer layer

[0417] 1104 Carrier layer

[0418] 1105 Polymer interlayer

[0419] 1106 Adhesive layer

[0420] 1107 Barrier layer

[0421] 1108 Polymer inner layer

[0422] 1200 Precursor

[0423] 1300 Method for producing a liquid-tight container according to the present invention

[0424] 1301 Method step a)

[0425] 1302 Method step b)

Claims

1. A liquid-tight container (100), comprising a container wall (101) at least partially surrounding a container interior (201); wherein the sheath element (102) and the first end element (103) are connected to each other and each forms a part of the container wall (101); wherein the sheath element (102) - delimiting the container interior (201) in a transverse direction (104) extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior (201), and - comprising a rim portion (107) having a first edge (202); wherein the first terminal element (103) - defining a container interior (201) at a first end (105) of the liquid-tight container (100) in a longitudinal direction (106) extending along the length of the liquid-tight container, and - comprising another edge (203) pointing in the longitudinal direction (106); wherein the rim portion (107) a. located at the first end (105) of the liquid-tight container (100), and b. Encircling the other edge (203) from the outside to the inside in the opposite direction to the transverse direction (104) so ​​that i. the first edge (202) of the sheath element (101) points in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction (106), and ii. The liquid-tight container (100) comprises a layer sequence at the first end (105) along the transverse direction (104), the layer sequence comprising A. the first layer (801) of the sheath element (102), B. the ply (802) of said first end element (103), and C. another layer (803) of the sheath element (102); wherein the rim portion (107) comprises a plurality of portions (301) of a first type and a plurality of portions (302) of another type at least on an inner side (204) opposite to the transverse direction (104); wherein the first type of portion (301) and the another type of portion (302) are successive to each other in a circumferential direction extending along the another edge (203); wherein the first layer (801) of the sheath element (102) has a thickness (804) in the transverse direction (104); wherein the thickness (804) of the first ply (801) is a mathematical function of the position along the circumferential direction; wherein the mathematical function has a plurality of local maxima and a plurality of local minima; wherein each portion (301) of the first type contains exactly one local maximum, and each portion (302) of the other type contains exactly one local minimum; wherein the thickness (804) of the first layer (801) in the entire portion (301) of each first type is at least 0.7 times the local maximum value contained in the corresponding portion (301) of the first type; wherein the thickness (804) of the first layer (801) in the entire portion (302) of each other type is at most 1.3 times the local minimum contained in the corresponding portion (302) of the other type; wherein each first type of portion (301) has a first length (303) in a circumferential direction; wherein each of the other type of portions (302) has a second length (304) in the circumferential direction; Features Each second length (304) is at least 10% of each first length (303).

2. The liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 1, wherein the value of each local minimum is 10 to 80% of the value of each local maximum.

3. The liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the other edge (203) forms a closed curve having a third length along the circumferential direction; wherein the first end element (103) has a height (805) extending in the longitudinal direction (106) at each point of the closed curve; wherein the rim portion (107) extends beyond the other edge (203) at each point of the closed curve so that the rim portion (107) extends from the other edge (203) to the first edge (202) by an overhang length (806); wherein the overhang length (806) is measured on a side of the rim portion (107) facing away from the first end element (103); Wherein along at least 50% of the third length, the overhang length (806) is between 30 and 100% of the height (805).

4. A liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheathing element (102) is at least partially formed from a first sheet material.

5. The liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first sheet material is a first sheet composite material (1100) comprising a first layer sequence; The first layer sequence comprises a first carrier layer (1104).

6. The liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first carrier layer (1104) in the first layer sequence is superimposed with a first polymer inner layer (1108) on the side facing the container interior (201).

7. A liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first carrier layer (1104) in the first layer sequence is superimposed with a first polymer outer layer (1103) on the side facing away from the container interior (201).

8. The liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 7, wherein the first layer sequence comprises a first barrier layer (1107) between a first carrier layer (1104) and a first polymer inner layer (1108).

9. A precursor (1200) for producing a liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the precursor (1200) comprising a container wall (101) at least partially surrounding a container interior (201); wherein the sheath element (102) and the first end element (103) are connected to each other and each form a part of the container wall (101); wherein the sheath element (102) - delimiting a container interior (201) in a transverse direction (104), and - comprising a rim portion (107) having a first edge (202); wherein the first terminal element (103) - delimiting a container interior (201) at a first end (105) of said front body in a longitudinal direction (106), and - contains another edge (203); wherein the rim portion (107) is arranged at the first end (105) of the precursor (1200); wherein the first edge (202) and the further edge (203) point in the longitudinal direction (106); wherein the other edge (203) forms a closed curve having a third length; wherein the first end element (103) has a height (805) extending in the longitudinal direction (106) at each point of the closed curve; wherein the rim portion (107) extends beyond the other edge (203) at each point of the closed curve so that the rim portion (107) extends from the other edge (203) to the first edge (202) by an overhang length (806); wherein the overhang length (806) is measured on a side of the rim portion (107) facing away from the first end element (103); Wherein along at least 50% of the third length, the overhang length (806) is between 30 and 100% of the height (805).

10. A method (1300) for producing a liquid-tight container (100), the method comprising the following method steps: a. providing (1301) a precursor (1200) of a liquid-tight container (100), wherein the precursor (1200) comprises a container wall (101) at least partially surrounding the interior of the container (201); wherein the sheath element (102) and the first end element (103) are connected to each other and each forms a part of the container wall (101); wherein the sheath element (102) - delimiting the container interior (201) in a transverse direction (104) extending from the inside to the outside relative to the container interior (201), and - comprising a rim portion (107) having a first edge (202); wherein the first terminal element (103) - defining a container interior (201) at a first end (105) of said precursor (1200) in a longitudinal direction (106) extending along the length of said precursor (1200), and - contains another edge (203); wherein the rim portion (107) is arranged at the first end (105) of the precursor (1200); wherein the first edge (202) and the further edge (203) point in the longitudinal direction (106); b. shaping (1302) the rim portion (107) by contacting it with a shaping tool so that the rim portion (107) surrounds the other edge (203) from the outside to the inside opposite to the transverse direction (104) so ​​that i. the first edge (202) of the sheath element (102) points in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction (106), and ii. The precursor (1200) or the liquid-tight container (100) obtained therefrom has a layer sequence at the first end (105) along the transverse direction (104), the layer sequence comprising A. the first layer (801) of the sheath element (102), B. the ply (802) of said first end element (103), and C. another layer (802) of the sheath element (102); Features The forming tool is vibrated during the forming process at a frequency in the range of 15 to 50 kHz.

11. The method (1300) according to claim 10, wherein the vibration is performed in a direction forming an angle of less than 30° with the longitudinal direction (106) and opposite to this direction.

12. The method (1300) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the forming tool is caused to start vibrating before contacting the rim portion (107).

13. Use of the liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for storing or transporting liquids.

14. Use of the sheet-like composite material (1100) for producing a liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The sheath element (102) or the first end element (103) or both are at least partially formed from the sheet-like composite material (1100). 15.a) an ultrasonic generator for exciting vibrations, or b) Ultrasonic welding electrode as forming tool, c) or a) and b) Respective uses are used in the method (1300) according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

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