Plastic container made of single material and method for producing same

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic container (10) for receiving liquids, in particular beverages, having a base section (10a), a base body (10b) adjoining the base section and a mouth section adjoining the base body, the base section (10a), the base body (10b) and the mouth section (10c) being designed in one piece and produced from a predetermined plastic, characterized in that a label (14) is arranged on the plastic container (10), the label is produced from a predetermined plastic material, wherein laser-produced printed content is arranged on the label (14).

Description

[0001] Plastic containers, in particular such plastic containers made of PET, have long been known from the prior art. Such PET bottles are usually labeled. The label material is usually polyolefin, i.e. different from the material of the container itself. Furthermore, PET bottles are known from the prior art which are printed directly with color ink. In addition thereto, it is known from the prior art to print certain product information directly on the container. This product information can be, for example, the shelf life.

[0002] Furthermore, such containers are usually closed with a screw closure made of LDPE, HDPE or PP.

[0003] Label materials with polyolefin are currently not recyclable as food-grade material. Directly printed pigments also pose a problem when recycling, as they enter the washing water and are difficult to remove. Direct laser engraving of information onto the container takes a lot of time, as the process is very slow, in particular too slow for high-speed applications. In addition thereto, these laser printing methods also pose a risk to the stability and tightness, in particular for very light containers.

[0004] Furthermore, the usual closure material cannot be recycled together with the PET material of the container. This problem is highlighted by a new EU regulation according to which the container closure should remain permanently at the container. Such container closures are also referred to in the following as tethered caps.

[0005] A closure at the container of this kind is known from US 2021 36 29 10 A1.

[0006] EP 0 766 546 B1 describes plastic labels which can be laser-marked. These labels have a core layer and a skin layer.

[0007] A label is known from KR 2022 0145015 A which can be detached from the container.

[0008] A method for producing recyclable containers with labels in a sustainable and energy-saving manner is known from DE 10 2018 108 094 A1, It is therefore an object of the present application to produce plastic containers which are easier to recycle. According to the application, this object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments and improvements are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The plastic container for containing a liquid, in particular a beverage, according to the application has a base section, a base body adjoining, in particular directly adjoining, the base section, and a mouth section adjoining, in particular indirectly adjoining and in particular adjoining via a shoulder section, the base body, wherein the base section, the base body and the mouth section are designed as one piece and are produced from a predetermined plastic.

[0010] According to the application, a label is arranged at the plastic container, wherein a printed content produced by laser is arranged at the label.

[0011] It is possible here for the laser-printed content to be applied at the label and for the label thus provided with laser-printed content to be applied at the container. However, it is also possible for a label already provided with laser-printed content to be provided for use.

[0012] Preferably, the label is already provided with laser-printed content before being arranged at the container.

[0013] In a further embodiment according to the application, a closure is arranged at the mouth section, which is produced from the same plastic as the plastic container. It is pointed out that this technical solution is also available even in embodiments which do not employ a label or a label provided with laser-printed content.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the container itself and the closure arranged at the container and / or the label arranged at the container are produced from the same plastic. In this way, the recyclability of the container is improved. Thus, the container is particularly preferably designed as one piece and consists of the above-mentioned base section, base body and mouth section. Particularly preferably, the entire container, in particular including the container closure and the label, is made of the same material.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the container is designed to be free of printing pigments and / or free of ink. In particular, no printed content with printing pigments or ink is arranged at the container.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the container has a containing volume which is greater than 0.1 1, preferably greater than 0.3 1. Particularly preferably, the container has a containing volume which is less than 20 1, preferably less than 15 1, preferably less than 10 1, particularly preferably less than 5 1.

[0017] Preferably, the container is a blow-moulded container, in particular a stretch blow-moulded container. In a further preferred embodiment, the container has a printed content applied by a blow-mould of a blow-moulding machine. This means that, during the blow-moulding process, the printed content or one printed content is also produced at the outer wall of the container.

[0018] It is particularly preferred that the container is a closed container, in particular a closed container with a container closure. Preferably, the closure is a screw closure. It is particularly preferred that the closure is screwed onto an outer thread of the container.

[0019] It is particularly preferred that both the closure arranged at the mouth section is produced from such a predetermined plastic and that the label arranged at the plastic container is produced from such a predetermined plastic.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the predetermined plastic is selected from the group of plastics comprising PET, OPP (oriented polypropylene) and the like. It is particularly preferred that the plastic is PET.

[0021] It is particularly preferred that the container is produced from PET.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the label is produced from PET or OPP.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the closure of the container is produced from PP or PE. In addition thereto, it is also conceivable that the closure is produced from PET.

[0024] It is particularly preferred that the plastic of the container contains a predetermined proportion of recycled PET. Preferably, the proportion is greater than 10%, preferably greater than 20%, preferably greater than 25%. It is particularly preferred that the predetermined proportion of recycled PET is less than 99%, preferably less than 97%, preferably less than 95% and particularly preferably less than 93%.

[0025] Thus, a beverage container is proposed which is preferably made entirely (possibly with the exception of the closure) from a (plastic) material, in particular PET. Thus, the PET container has a base body made of PET.

[0026] Preferably, a marking is present at the base body and is preferably applied via laser. In addition thereto, it is also preferred that a label is present which is made of PET material and it is also preferred that a container closure is present which is made of PET.

[0027] Thus, it is particularly preferred to use a label which is made of PET material (or made of OPP). The advantage of PET is that it can be recycled into a food-grade material. It is further proposed not to print these labels but to apply all relevant and prescribed product information on the label with a laser. It is particularly preferred that these labels are arranged or applied at the container in a conventional manner, for example by being stuck.

[0028] PET can be recycled into a food-grade material and it is preferred that the container closure is easier to mark when PET is used.

[0029] The described advantage is that the label can be recycled together with the PET of the container. That is, for example, the container can be shredded together with the label arranged at the container.

[0030] There is no ink or foreign matter into the PET recycling stream, and the container itself is not (laser) "pierced" (or rather, this danger does not exist, since the text marking is not carried out on the container but on the label), so the container does not have to be precisely guided. In addition to this, high throughput is also possible, and the solution described here can also be retrofitted to old systems, since standard labeling technology is preferably used. That is, for example, so-called stretch sleeve labels or full- circumference labels can be used.

[0031] In the decoupled label production process, the label can be more precisely guided and positioned, for example via a drum. It is also possible in addition to this to switch several lasers in succession and also to generate overall printed content with a large amount of information (even in the case of high unit throughput), and thus also to apply a large amount of easily readable information.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, the wall of the plastic container, in particular the wall of the base body, has a wall thickness of greater than 0.02 mm, preferably greater than 0.04 mm, preferably greater than 0.06 mm, preferably greater than 0.08 mm and particularly preferably greater than 0.1 mm.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment, the wall of the plastic container, in particular the wall of the base body, has a wall thickness of less than 1.0 mm, preferably less than 0.8 mm, preferably less than 0.6 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm and particularly preferably less than 0.4 mm.

[0034] These wall thicknesses or wall thickness ranges have proven to be particularly suitable for the application of a label in PET thereon. In addition to this, with these wall thicknesses, a high processing speed is also guaranteed.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment, the label has a thickness of greater than 1 μm, preferably greater than 2 μm, preferably greater than 5 μm and particularly preferably greater than 10 μm.

[0036] In a further preferred embodiment, the label has a thickness of less than 400 μm, preferably less than 300 μm, preferably less than 200 μm and particularly preferably less than 150 μm.

[0037] In another advantageous embodiment, a printed content is arranged at the plastic container and / or the label and / or the container closure by means of a laser. In particular, the printed content is produced here by means of a CO2 laser, a solid-state or an ultraviolet laser. In another preferred embodiment, the container closure is fixed and / or arranged at the container by means of a connecting device. The container closure is preferably arranged here in such a way that it remains and / or is fixed at the container even if the container is in an open state.

[0038] The container closure is therefore preferably a so-called tethered cap. This can be arranged at the mouth of the container, for example, with a lasso-like connecting device. In particular, the connecting device is designed to be integral with the container closure.

[0039] In particular, the connecting device is produced from the same material as the container closure and / or the container. In particular, this connecting device is also produced from PET.

[0040] In another embodiment, the container closure can be produced integrally from one or two materials. Preferably, the closure collar remaining at the container is made of PET, in particular by means of injection molding, and the thread of the closure cap is preferably made of a common material, for example PP or PE. Thereby, the separation of the materials is achieved by a simple means by separating the cap from the tear-off ring.

[0041] In another advantageous embodiment, the closure has a lettering and / or a printed content, wherein the lettering and / or the printed content is produced in particular by means of a laser.

[0042] The printed content can be, for example, a manufacturer's logo or the like. However, in addition thereto, such a printed content or lettering can also be complex. It is possible here that the container, including its container closure, has been produced by means of several lasers and / or lettering and / or printing. That is, a different laser can be used for the container closure or its lettering or printed content than for the container and / or the label or its lettering or printed content, for example.

[0043] It is advantageous if the production material is coded on the label or the cap / closure, so that it is already known before the recycling process whether certain reprocessing steps can be skipped or whether a simplified treatment can be used, for example, the separation of the container closure, with purpose.

[0044] In another preferred embodiment, the label is fixed at the container by means of an adhesive. Preferably, this adhesive is also a hot-melt adhesive which dissolves or decomposes in the customary cleaning liquid of the container washing machine. A PET-Cycle hot-melt adhesive (colfix HM 4433 / 2) based on synthetic polymers is known.

[0045] Preferably, the label completely surrounds the plastic container in its circumferential direction in at least one section of the plastic container, particularly in a section of the substrate. Preferably, the label is arranged on the plastic container without overlap.

[0046] That is, it may be feasible to stretch the label onto the plastic container in the stretch sleeve method, so that it is neither overlapping nor does it adhere to the container around its entire circumference. An equally well-established method is the shrink wrapping of the label.

[0047] Preferably, the base of the container has a cylindrical shape.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a method for producing plastic containers, particularly plastic containers of the type described above, wherein the plastic container has a bottom section, a base adjacent to the bottom section, and a mouth section adjacent to the base, and wherein the bottom section, the base, and the mouth section are designed to be integral with each other.

[0049] In the described production method, a container is first produced, wherein the container is integrally formed from a predetermined plastic material. Next, the container is filled with liquid, specifically a beverage. Finally, a container seal is applied to the container, wherein the seal is preferably made of the same plastic as the container.

[0050] Furthermore, a label with laser-printed content is applied to the container. Preferably, the label is applied to a filled and closed container; however, it is also conceivable that the container may not be filled or closed when the label is applied.

[0051] "Made of plastic" is specifically understood to mean that the plastic accounts for at least 80% by mass of the material of the object (i.e., container, label and / or container seal), preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, preferably at least 97%, preferably at least 98%, and particularly preferably at least 99%.

[0052] In a preferred method, a label is placed on the container, wherein preferably, the label is made of the same plastic as the container. As mentioned above, this is particularly for PET.

[0053] In another advantageous method, lasers are used to mark text on the container seal and / or on the label and / or on the container.

[0054] Preferably, different types of lasers are used to mark text on containers or labels and / or container seals.

[0055] In another preferred method, containers are manufactured by a blow molding process, particularly by a stretch blow molding process, especially by means of a stretch blow molding machine.

[0056] Particularly preferably, one or more labels are transported via a roll. Particularly preferably, text is marked on the labels using several lasers, particularly lasers arranged sequentially.

[0057] In another preferred method, the label is pushed onto the container in its longitudinal direction and / or stretched and wrapped around the container or affixed to the container.

[0058] For further advantages and implementation methods, please refer to the accompanying drawings: in: Figure 1 A container according to the present invention is shown.

[0059] Figure 1 A container 10 according to the invention is shown. The container has a bottom section 10a, a base 10b, and a mouth section 10c. Preferably, the container 10 is made of PET, wherein the PET can be new PET, recycled PET, or a mixture of new PET and recycled PET.

[0060] A container 10 is provided with, in particular, a container seal 12 that is screwed on. Reference numeral 12a indicates a mark provided at the container seal, which may be produced, for example, by laser.

[0061] Liquids, especially beverages, are contained in containers.

[0062] Reference numeral 14 indicates a label placed on the container. Reference numeral 14a indicates a text mark placed on the label, which is also preferably laser-made.

[0063] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features essential to the utility model disclosed in the application documents, provided that these features, individually or in combination, are novel compared to the prior art. Furthermore, it should be noted that features that may be advantageous in themselves are also described in individual figures. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a particular feature described in a figure may be advantageous even without employing other features in that figure. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also be derived by combining several features shown in a single figure or different figures.

Claims

1. A plastic container (10) for containing liquids, particularly beverages, the plastic container having a bottom section (10a), a base (10b) adjacent to the bottom section, and a mouth section adjacent to the base, wherein the bottom section (10a), the base (10b), and the mouth section (10c) are designed as a single unit and are produced from a predetermined plastic. Its features are, A label (14) is arranged on the plastic container (10), the label being made of a predetermined plastic, wherein printed content made by laser is arranged on the label (14).

2. The plastic container according to claim 1, Its features are, The container and the label are made of the same plastic.

3. The plastic container (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, A sealing portion (12) is provided at the opening section (10c), the sealing portion being made of a predetermined plastic and preferably of the same plastic as the container.

4. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The predetermined plastic is selected from the group of plastics containing PET, OPP, etc., and the predetermined plastic is preferably PET.

5. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The plastic container has a wall thickness greater than 0.02 mm, preferably greater than 0.04 mm, preferably greater than 0.06 mm, preferably greater than 0.08 mm, and particularly preferably greater than 0.1 mm, and / or the plastic container has a wall thickness less than 1.0 mm, preferably less than 0.8 mm, preferably less than 0.6 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 0.4 mm.

6. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The label has a thickness greater than 1 μm, preferably greater than 2 μm, preferably greater than 5 μm and particularly preferably greater than 10 μm, and / or the label has a thickness less than 400 μm, preferably less than 300 μm, preferably less than 200 μm and particularly preferably greater than 150 μm.

7. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The printed content is produced by CO2 laser or ultraviolet laser.

8. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The container sealing part (12) is fixed to the container by means of a connecting device, so that even if the container is in an open state, the container sealing part is still fixed to the container.

9. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The sealing portion (12) has text markings and / or printed content, wherein the text markings and / or printed content are specifically made by means of a laser.

10. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The label (14) is fixed to the container with adhesive.

11. The plastic container (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The label completely surrounds the plastic container (10) in its circumferential direction in at least one section of the plastic container (10), wherein preferably, the label is arranged in the plastic container (10) without overlap.

12. The plastic container according to at least one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The label is a shrink label.

13. A method for producing a plastic container (10), particularly a plastic container (10), according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein, The plastic container (10) has a bottom section (10a), a base (10b) adjacent to the bottom section (10a), and a mouth section (10c) adjacent to the base (10b), wherein the bottom section (10a), the base (10b), and the mouth section (10c) are designed as a single unit, and the method includes the following steps: - Producing the plastic container (10), wherein the plastic container (10) is manufactured from a predetermined plastic monolith; - To fill the plastic container with liquid, especially beverages. - Apply a label to the container, wherein the label uses laser to mark text. - Apply a seal (12) to the plastic container.

14. The method according to claim 11, Its features are, The label (14) is made of the same plastic as the container.

15. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The sealing portion (12) is marked with text using a laser.

Images