GLASS CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for sorting or classifying glass containers provided with correspondingly different marking elements according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] In known glass containers, such marking elements are provided on the body of the glass container. When such glass containers are located in close proximity to one another, it is often difficult to detect the marking elements formed on the body of the glass container, which leads to difficulties in classifying and sorting such glass containers. Sorting or classifying such glass containers is advantageous, for example, for the purpose of assigning such similar glass containers to different manufacturers of beverages, etc.

[0003] The projections or recesses on the bottle neck described in DE 112 886 C serve to secure a ring, which serves as the container's closure, to the container's mouth. When the container is emptied, this ring is separated from the container. If marking elements such as trademarks, lettering, or seals are mentioned, these are provided on the ring. This ring is removed from the container when the container closure is removed and cannot be reattached to the container. Accordingly, a marking element is provided on the container closure, but not on the container itself.

[0004] GB 09215 A discloses the mouth area of ​​a container in which recesses are formed on the outside of the mouth area into which inwardly directed projections of a capsule are pressed in order to close a container.

[0005] Projections shown in US 1,796,728 A are a technical component of a device for closing and opening the container.

[0006] Raised areas within a groove provided at the mouth of the container, as described in DE 678 282 C, have an exclusively mechanical function, namely securing the container against unauthorized opening and reclosing.

[0007] FR 2 112 052 A1 discloses threads which are arranged or formed in a predetermined manner at the mouth area of ​​a container and which serve to fix a container closure.

[0008] The ring shown on the mouth of the container according to US 2,340,353 A is designed as the lower part of the container-side closure device. A different design or arrangement of this ring on the mouth area of ​​the container is neither mentioned nor shown.

[0009] The convex parts provided on the mouth of the container described in DE 20 2012 010 853 U1 are an integral part of the container's closure mechanism. In conjunction with the closure cap, they serve to engage the container when the closure cap is used to close it.

[0010] Based on the prior art described above, the object of the invention is to further develop the generic method in such a way that a classification or sorting of glass containers can be realized with considerably less technical and constructive effort compared to the prior art.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for sorting or classification which, in addition to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1, also has those of the characterizing part thereof. Since the mouth parts of the glass containers usually have a smaller diameter than the body parts of these glass containers and since the outer surfaces of the mouth parts are therefore clearly visible, especially from above, even when the glass containers are standing side by side, the arrangement and design of marking elements implemented in the method can ensure that the glass containers can be reliably sorted or classified with the least possible technical and structural effort. A ring can be formed on the glass mouth part as a marking element.The arrangement of the ring on the glass mouthpiece, for example, the distance of the ring from the upper edge of the mouthpiece, the inclination of the ring relative to a glass container's longitudinal axis, or similar factors, can serve as a classification or sorting feature. Alternatively, at least one discrete projection is formed on the glass mouthpiece as a marking element. The arrangement of the projection on the glass mouthpiece or the shape of the projection can serve as classification or sorting features.

[0012] Such marking elements can be realized in a particularly simple and durable form if they are integral components of the glass mouth part of the glass container.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the ring formed on the glass mouth part can be arranged horizontally.

[0014] In addition, greater variability in sorting and classification options is available if the ring formed on the glass mouth part has interruptions in the circumferential direction, with the length of the circumferential sections of the ring or the length of the interruptions then being available as additional classification features.

[0015] Advantageously, the main extension of the discrete projection can run parallel to the glass container longitudinal axis.

[0016] If several projections are provided, the spatial arrangement of the projections to one another can serve as a further classification feature.

[0017] Simple and reliable detection of multiple projections can be ensured if the projections are arranged in a horizontal plane of the glass container.

[0018] If the multiple projections are equally spaced from each other, the distance between the projections can act as a further classification or sorting feature.

[0019] Due to the arrangement and design of the marking features on the mouth part of the glass container, which is always provided for in the method according to the invention and is clearly visible even when the glass containers are placed close together, a considerable advantage in sorting and classification results compared to the prior art.

[0020] A further simplification can be achieved if the marking element or the marking elements are designed in such a way that they can be used as a fastening means on the glass container side for a closure element by means of which the glass container is closed at its mouth part.

[0021] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using embodiments with reference to the drawing.

[0022] They show: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a glass container used in the process according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the glass container used in the process according to the invention.

[0023] One in Figure 1 The glass container 1 shown in a schematic diagram is divided into a body part 2 and a mouth part 3 which is integrally connected to it via a glass seam.

[0024] A marking element in the form of a ring 4 is provided on the mouth part 3, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed integrally with the glass mouth part 3.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the ring 4 protrudes radially from the outer surface of the mouth part 3. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the ring 4 is arranged in a horizontal plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 5 of the glass container shown in dash-dotted lines in the figure.

[0026] The distance of the ring 4 from the upper edge of the mouth part 3, the cross-sectional dimension or shape of the ring 4, the inclination of the ring plane relative to the longitudinal axis 5 of the glass container, or similar factors can serve as sorting or classification features. Glass containers 1 that match the selectable classification or sorting feature are assigned to a class or type of glass container.

[0027] Alternatively, the marking element can correspond to the Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in principle, it can be designed as an arrangement of projections 6. Embodiments are also conceivable in which only one projection 6 is provided, in which case the arrangement and dimensions of the projection 6 serve to sort or classify the glass container 1.

[0028] If several projections 6 are provided, the spacing of these projections 6 can also serve as a sorting or classification feature.

[0029] In the case of the Figures 1 and 2 In the embodiments shown, the marking elements, namely the ring 4 and the projections 6, are visible when viewed from above the glass container 1. This allows for the sorting or classification of glass containers 1 provided with correspondingly different marking elements with comparatively little effort.

[0030] The ring 4 or the projections 6 can be provided with a shape with which they are suitable to serve as a fastening means on the glass container side for a closure element of the glass container, for example a threaded lid.

Claims

1. Method for sorting or classifying glass containers (1) which are provided with correspondingly different marking elements (4, 6), wherein the glass containers are equipped with a body part (2) and a neck part (3), characterised in that the glass containers (1) have at least one marking element (4, 6), by means of which similar glass containers (1) can be sorted, in that the at least one marking element (4, 6) of the glass container (1) is arranged or formed on the neck part thereof and in that the marking element (4, 6) is a ring (4) which is formed on the glass neck part (3) and of which the arrangement on the glass neck part (3), e.g. its distance from the upper edge of the neck part (3), its inclined position in relation to the glass container longitudinal axis (5), serves as a classifying or sorting feature, or in that the marking element (4, 6) is at least one discrete protrusion (6) which is formed on the glass neck part (3) and of which the arrangement on the glass neck part (3) or the shaping thereof serves as an identifying or sorting feature.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one marking element (4, 6) is a one-piece component of the glass neck part (3) of the glass container (1).

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ring (4) formed on the glass neck part (3) is arranged horizontally.

4. Method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ring (4) formed on the glass neck part (3) has interruptions in the circumferential direction.

5. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the main extension of the discrete protrusion (6) runs in parallel with the glass container longitudinal axis (5).

6. Method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 5, wherein a plurality of protrusions (6) are provided.

7. Method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of protrusions (6) are arranged in a horizontal plane of the glass container (1).

8. Method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the plurality of protrusions (6) are equally spaced apart from one another.

9. Method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the marking element(s) (4, 6) is / are configured in such a manner as to be used as glass container-side fastening means for a closure member, by means of which the glass container (1) is closed at its neck part (3).