DISPENSER CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A DISPENSER CONTAINER

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser container with an outer container and an inner container for receiving a filling material, and to a method for manufacturing such a dispenser container. State of the art

[0002] Dispenser containers with an outer and an inner container are known in various embodiments from the prior art. The contents of the dispenser containers are always contained in the respective inner container.

[0003] For example, dispenser containers are known to consist of an elastically deformable outer container and a plastically deformable inner container arranged inside this outer container. The rigidity of the outer container is chosen so that it returns to its original shape after being compressed. The inner container is made of a plastically deformable material, allowing it to collapse almost completely under pressure and thus empty easily. To ensure that the outer container retains its aesthetically pleasing shape, pressure equalization must be provided in the space between the outer and inner containers.

[0004] In this context, DE 40 27 539 A1 describes, for example, a squeeze bottle with a substantially rigid, yet elastically deformable outer container, inside which a slightly deformable inner container is arranged. A closure seals the space between the inner and outer containers. The closure has a sealing lip through which air can flow into the space once the squeezing process of the tube's contents is complete. This ensures that the outer container returns to its original shape.

[0005] In an alternative type of dispenser, the dispensing process is not achieved by squeezing the container, but rather by creating a vacuum inside using a pump and a suction tube extending into the product. This type of dispenser allows for the use of outer containers made of a dimensionally stable material. It has been shown that many consumers perceive an outer container made of a dimensionally stable material, such as glass, as more valuable than one made of a deformable material, so products offered in such glass containers often sell better than the same products in deformable plastic containers.

[0006] These types of dispenser containers, as described by way of example in DE 10 2019 120 624 A1, are used, for example, for the metered dispensing of cosmetic or medical products which are in the form of fluids.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2014 113 535 A1 describes a dispenser container consisting of an outer container and an inner container. In this case, the outer and inner containers are made of two different blow-molded plastics, which are not bonded together. The plastic used for the inner container has a higher elasticity than the plastic used for the outer container, so that the inner container deforms under negative pressure, while the outer container remains dimensionally stable. The outer container has a pressure equalization opening to equalize pressure between the outer and inner containers.

[0008] The dispenser container of DE 10 2014 113 535 A1 is manufactured using an injection blow molding process, beginning with the production of a preform. To form the preform, a first layer is injected onto an injection blow mold located in the first cavity of a multi-component injection molding machine. The inner container of the dispenser is then formed from this first layer. The injection blow mold, with the first layer still on it, is then inserted into a second cavity. A second layer is then injected onto the injection blow mold located in the second cavity of the multi-component injection molding machine. The outer container of the dispenser is then formed from this second layer.In a further process step, the preform is brought to a temperature required for stretch blow molding, placed in a stretch blow molding machine and expanded there into the desired dispenser container with a flexible inner container and a dimensionally stable outer container.

[0009] Finally, dispenser containers are also known from the prior art in which a flexible plastic inner container is formed within a rigid outer container by a blow molding process. EP 2 246 267 B1, for example, discloses a dispenser container consisting of an outer, rigid container and a collapsible pouch that is housed inside the outer container. The collapsible pouch, a preform made of thermoplastic material, is inserted into the interior of the outer container and inflated there by a blow molding process. The resulting pouch forms a flexible inner container that can be compressed by pressure. The rigid outer container can be made of glass, aluminum, or a suitable plastic.

[0010] A similarly constructed dispenser container is described in US 2007 / 0267437 A1. This dispenser container also features an inner container with variable volume, which is enclosed in an outer container made of a rigid material such as aluminum. The inner container, manufactured from a preform using a stretch blow molding process, consists of a hard, temperature-resistant plastic such as Nylon 66 in its neck section and a softer, flexible plastic such as PET in the pouch area.

[0011] In the manufacture of the type of dispenser containers described in EP 2 246 267 B1 and US 2007 / 0267437 A1, a problem arises that during the formation of the inner container by expanding a preform within the rigid outer container, the air trapped in the outer container often cannot escape completely. This is because the forming inner container comes into contact with the outer container wall in the upper region, i.e., in the area adjacent to the outer container nipple, at a point when the air from the lower volume of the outer container, i.e., from the area adjacent to the outer container base (16), has not yet completely escaped. During the expansion of the preform, the inner container gains volume from top to bottom, thus trapping the air in the lower region.As a result, the inner container does not expand to the desired volume, leading to difficulties in filling it with material and an undesirable dead volume in the outer container. This problem occurs particularly frequently with outer containers that have a pronounced shoulder, and in no case is complete air expelled from the lower volume of the outer container when the inner container expands.

[0012] Document US2011 / 024380A1 (D1) discloses a method for manufacturing a dispenser container comprising the steps: a) Providing an outer container formed from a dimensionally stable material, wherein the outer container has an outer container base, an outer container body, and an outer container nipple having an outer container opening; b) Providing a preform, wherein the preform has a cup-shaped mold body, the mold body being composed of at least two sections, wherein a first section forms a closed end of the mold body and a second section forms an open end of the mold body, the closed end being opposite the open end, wherein the first section is provided for forming an inner container body and the second section is provided for forming an inner container dispensing section having a dispensing opening, wherein the second section has at least one groove-like depression on its outer surface for forming a venting channel; c) Heating the preform,d) Inserting the preform into the outer container and inserting a stretching blow mandrel into the preform, wherein the insertion of the stretching blow mandrel into the preform takes place before or after the insertion of the preform into the outer container; e) Stretching blows to form an inner container by displacing the air contained in the space between the preform and the outer container, wherein the air escapes into the environment via the at least one vent channel.

[0013] Other generic methods and containers are described in patent specifications US2021 / 316890A1, DE102018003793A1 and US4617780A.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need for dispenser containers and methods for their manufacture in which a flexible inner container occupies as much of the volume as possible of a dimensionally stable outer container. Description of the invention

[0015] The invention, as characterized in the claims, is based on the objective of providing a method for manufacturing a dispenser container which makes it possible to arrange a flexible inner container within a dimensionally stable outer container, wherein the inner container occupies as much of the volume of the outer container as possible.

[0016] This problem is solved according to the invention by the method for manufacturing a dispenser container according to claim 1 and the dispenser container according to claim 5. Further advantageous details, aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, the examples and the drawings.

[0017] The inventive method for manufacturing a dispenser container comprises the following steps: a) Providing an outer container made of a dimensionally stable material, the outer container comprising an outer container base, an outer container body, and an outer container nipple having an outer container opening; b) Providing a preform, the preform comprising a cup-shaped molded body, the molded body being composed of at least two sections, wherein a first section forms a closed end of the molded body and a second section forms an open end of the molded body, the closed end being opposite the open end, wherein the first section is provided for forming an inner container body and the second section is provided for forming an inner container dispensing section having a dispensing opening, wherein the first section is made of a blow-moldable elastic plastic, and wherein the second section is made of a dimensionally stable plastic.wherein the second section has at least one groove-like depression on its outer surface for forming a vent channel, c) heating the preform, d) placing the preform into the outer container and inserting a stretching mandrel into the preform, wherein the insertion of the stretching mandrel into the preform takes place before or after the preform is placed in the outer container, e) stretching blows to form an inner container by displacing the air contained in the space between the preform and the outer container, wherein the air escapes into the environment via the at least one vent channel.

[0018] According to the invention, a preform is used to form the inner container, which has at least one groove-like depression on its outer surface in its second section, which is intended for forming the inner container dispensing section. This allows the air, which is displaced from the space between the preform and the outer container during the stretch blow molding process for forming the inner container, to escape into the environment via the vent channel formed by the groove-like depression.

[0019] By combining the features of the inventive method for manufacturing a dispenser container, it is ensured that, regardless of the type of outer container, the air escapes completely from the entire volume of the outer container, and in particular from the area of ​​the outer container's base, during the expansion of the inner container. This allows the inner container to form as desired and ideally fill the volume of the outer container almost completely. In this way, the dead volume between the inner and outer containers in the base area of ​​the outer container, which is well known from the prior art, is avoided, and the inner container can be easily and completely filled with the product.

[0020] After stretch blow molding to form the inner container, the dispenser container is cooled, the stretch blow molding device is removed, and the dispenser container can be immediately filled with product.

[0021] Preferably, in step e), the stretch blow molding process is carried out until an outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with an inner surface of the outer container over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the extent of the outer container base. Particularly preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extent of the outer container base, preferably over the entire extent of the outer container base.

[0022] In this case, stretch blow molding continues at least until the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container essentially over the entire extent of the outer container base.

[0023] In this text, the term "extent of the outer container base" refers to the respective area of ​​the outer container base. Therefore, if the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the outer container base's extent, this means that the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the area of ​​the inner surface of the outer container base. The same applies to the extent of the outer container body and the outer container shoulder.

[0024] Preferably, in step e), the stretch blow molding process is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container body over at least 90% of the outer container body's expansion. This preferred embodiment ensures that, regardless of the type of outer container, the air escapes substantially completely from the entire volume of the outer container, and especially from the outer container body, during the expansion of the inner container. This allows the inner container to form as desired and practically fill the volume of the outer container completely, particularly in the area of ​​any corners of the outer container. Thus, dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be easily and completely filled with material.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in step e) the stretch blow molding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container body over at least 99% of the outer container body's extent. In this case, the inner container and the outer container are in contact with each other over substantially the entire extent of an inner surface of the outer container body. This embodiment ideally ensures that, regardless of the type of outer container and especially also in the case of an outer container with a pronounced outer container shoulder, the air escapes completely from the entire volume of the outer container, and particularly also from the area of ​​the outer container body, during the expansion of the inner container.This allows the inner container to form as desired and almost completely fill the volume of the outer container, especially in all corners of the outer container. This eliminates dead volume in the outer container, and the inner container can be easily and completely filled with material.

[0026] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extent of the outer container base and also over at least 99% of the extent of the outer container body.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container provided in step a) has, in addition to the outer container base, the outer container body, and the outer container nipple, an outer container shoulder. In step e), the stretch blow molding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the extent of the outer container shoulder.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container provided in step a) comprises an outer container base, an outer container body, an outer container nipple, and an outer container shoulder. The stretch blow molding according to step e) is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 99% of the extension of the outer container shoulder. This embodiment ideally ensures that, regardless of the type of outer container and especially in the case of an outer container with a pronounced outer container shoulder, the air escapes completely from the entire volume of the outer container, and particularly from the area of ​​the outer container body, during the expansion of the inner container.This allows the inner container to form as desired and almost completely fill the volume of the outer container, especially in the area of ​​the outer container's shoulder and in any other corners that may be present. This eliminates dead volume in the outer container, and the inner container can be easily and completely filled with material.

[0029] Particularly preferred are embodiments in which the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over substantially the entire extent of the outer container base, over substantially the entire extent of the outer container body, and over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the extent of the outer container shoulder. In this case, the inner container and the outer container are in contact not only over the entire extent of an inner surface of the outer container base and the outer container body, but also over the vast majority of the extent of the outer container shoulder.

[0030] For a person skilled in the art, it is self-evident that, due to the fact that a venting channel extending from the space between the preform and the outer container to the surrounding environment is formed, the inner container dispensing section, made of a dimensionally stable plastic, extends along the longitudinal axis of the dispenser container over the entire length of the outer container nipple. This creates a fluid connection between the surrounding environment and the space between the preform and the outer container.

[0031] For experts, it is also obvious that expressions like "completely escaping air," "in contact across the entire extent," etc., involve a certain degree of ambiguity. For example, the air does not escape "completely" from the space between the inner and outer containers in the sense of creating a vacuum, but merely "completely" in the sense that no visible bubbles or inclusions of air remain between the inner and outer containers. Similarly, "entire extent" cannot mean 100% in the mathematical sense, but simply describes the fact that no visible areas remain in the corresponding section of the container, such as the bottom, where the inner container is not in contact with the outer container.

[0032] In this text, the terms "space between the inner container and the outer container" and "space between the preform and the outer container" are used synonymously. As explained, a preform is first placed inside the outer container, which is then formed into an inner container through a stretch blow molding process. Depending on the progress of the stretch blow molding process, at a certain point it can still be referred to as a preform, but also as an inner container.

[0033] An outer container used within the scope of the present invention can be divided into the sections outer container base, outer container body, outer container nipple, and outer container shoulder. These terms are familiar to those skilled in the art. It is also known to those skilled in the art that, due to the extremely wide variety of geometric configurations of outer containers, a sharp demarcation of the individual sections is difficult. Nevertheless, it poses no problem for those skilled in the art to determine and distinguish the individual sections outer container base, outer container body, outer container nipple, and outer container shoulder from one another in the case of an outer container of any shape. For example, the outer container base is always suitable for placing the outer container on a surface. This also applies if, in the intended use of the dispenser container, placement "upside down," i.e., for example, on a cap attached to the outer container, is planned.The outer container body horizontally defines the portion of the container that receives the contents. This also applies to dispensers with a longitudinal axis that is not perpendicular to the surface. The optional outer container shoulder connects the outer container body to the outer container nipple, which is often equipped with an external thread.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a dispenser container comprising an outer container made of a dimensionally stable material and an inner container arranged within the outer container for receiving a filling material, wherein the outer container has an outer container base, an outer container body, and an outer container nipple having an outer container opening. The inner container comprises an inner container body arranged in the region of the outer container body and an inner container dispensing section arranged in the region of the outer container nipple, the inner container dispensing section extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the dispenser container over the entire extent of the outer container nipple. The inner container body is made of a blow-molded elastic plastic, while the inner container dispensing section is made of a dimensionally stable plastic.According to the invention, the inner container dispensing section has at least one groove-like recess on its surface facing the outer container nipple for forming at least one vent channel, wherein the vent channel forms a fluid connection between the environment and a space located between the inner container and the outer container. The outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the extent of the outer container base.

[0035] The problem known from the prior art, whereby the inner container gains volume from top to bottom during the expansion of the preform, thereby trapping air in the lower region, is overcome by the dispenser container according to the invention. The inner container forms completely with the entire desired volume, thus avoiding difficulties in filling with product and an undesirable dead volume in the outer container.

[0036] According to the invention, the outer container is made of a dimensionally stable material. In the context of this text, "dimensionally stable" means that a container made of a dimensionally stable material does not deform, or only deforms to a negligible extent, under the usual pressures that occur during the use of a dispenser container.

[0037] The filling material can be any substance with a sufficiently low viscosity for the dispensing process. Pastes, creams, gels, and liquids are preferred as filling materials.

[0038] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 99% of the outer container base. These preferred embodiments ensure that, regardless of the type of outer container, the inner container practically fills the volume of the outer container as desired, particularly in the area of ​​any corners the outer container may have.

[0039] This avoids dead volume in the outer container and allows the inner container to be easily and completely filled with material.

[0040] In particular, the outer surface of the inner container body is preferably in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extent of the outer container base, preferably over the entire extent of the outer container base.

[0041] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90%, and particularly preferably over at least 99%, of the outer container body's extent. These preferred embodiments ensure that, regardless of the type of outer container, the inner container practically fills the volume of the outer container as desired, especially in the area of ​​any corners the outer container may have. This avoids dead volume in the outer container, and the inner container can be easily and completely filled with material.

[0042] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extent of the outer container base and also over at least 99% of the extent of the outer container body.

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container comprises an outer container base, an outer container body, an outer container nipple, and an outer container shoulder, wherein the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90%, and more preferably over at least 99%, of the extent of the outer container shoulder. These preferred embodiments ensure that, regardless of the type of outer container, and especially also in the case of an outer container with a pronounced outer container shoulder, the inner container practically completely fills the volume of the outer container as desired, particularly in the area of ​​the outer container shoulder and in the area of ​​any other corners of the outer container that may be present.This avoids dead volume in the outer container and allows the inner container to be easily and completely filled with material.

[0044] Particularly preferred are embodiments in which the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over substantially the entire extent of the outer container base, over substantially the entire extent of the outer container body, and over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the extent of the outer container shoulder. In this case, the inner container and the outer container are in contact not only over the entire extent of an inner surface of the outer container base and the outer container body, but also over the vast majority of the extent of the outer container shoulder.

[0045] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner container dispensing section has a circumferential collar section in an area adjacent to the dispensing opening, wherein the collar section is flush with an edge region of the outer container nipple facing away from the outer container body. The collar section has, on its surface that is flush with the edge region of the outer container nipple facing away from the outer container body, a groove-like recess circumferential to form a venting groove and at least one groove-like recess extending away from the dispensing opening to form at least one venting recess.The at least one groove-like depression for forming at least one vent channel is in fluid communication with the groove-like depression for forming a vent groove, and the groove-like depression for forming the vent groove is in fluid communication with the groove-like depression for forming the vent recess, wherein the vent channel, the vent groove, and the vent recess form a fluid connection between the environment and a space located between the inner container and the outer container.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the groove-like recess provided in the collar section, which surrounds the dispensing opening, extends concentrically to the dispensing opening to form a venting groove. This type of venting groove is particularly easy to manufacture and ensures further improved venting of the volume between the outer and inner containers during the expansion of the inner container. The outer container nipple of a dispenser container typically has a cylindrical shape, since a cap or pump head is usually screwed onto it.

[0047] Particular advantages arise when the inner container dispensing section has several groove-like recesses on its surface facing the outer container nipple, forming multiple venting channels. In this case, the venting channels can be arranged arbitrarily around the entire circumference of the inner container dispensing section. All venting channels are in fluid communication with the circumferential venting groove, allowing the air displaced from the outer container to escape around the entire circumference of the inner container dispensing section. The displaced air is directed into the venting groove and released into the environment via the vent opening. The arrangement of the venting channels can be adapted to any geometric peculiarities of the outer container.If this is asymmetrically designed and has an area where the venting of the volume between the outer container and the inner container is expected to be particularly restricted, then a particularly large number of venting channels can be provided in the corresponding area of ​​the inner container dispensing section.

[0048] Preferably, the groove-like recesses forming the venting channels run parallel to each other and particularly preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser container. According to this embodiment, venting occurs directly and is therefore particularly effective.

[0049] Preferably, the groove-like recesses for forming the venting channels are evenly distributed around the circumference of the inner container dispensing section. Since the outer containers are often symmetrically constructed, it is advantageous to achieve uniformly effective venting across the entire circumference during the stretch blow molding process.

[0050] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the collar section has several groove-like recesses extending away from the dispensing opening to form multiple venting openings. In this case, the venting openings can be arranged arbitrarily around the entire circumference of the inner container dispensing section. The venting openings are all in fluid communication with the circumferential venting groove, allowing the air displaced from the outer container to escape around the entire circumference of the inner container dispensing section. The displaced air is directed into the venting groove and released into the environment via the venting openings. The arrangement of the venting openings can be adapted to any geometric peculiarities of the outer container.If this is asymmetrically designed and has an area where the venting of the volume between the outer container and the inner container is expected to be particularly restricted, then a particularly large number of venting recesses can be provided in the corresponding area of ​​the inner container dispensing section.

[0051] Preferably, the groove-like recesses for forming the venting openings are evenly distributed around the circumference of the inner container dispensing section. Since the outer containers are often symmetrically constructed, it is advantageous to achieve uniformly effective venting across the entire circumference during the stretch blow molding process.

[0052] Particular advantages regarding effective venting during the stretch blow molding process arise when several groove-like recesses for forming multiple venting channels are combined with several groove-like recesses for forming venting openings. While the number of venting channels is generally independent of the number of venting openings, a particularly uniform and unimpeded airflow during the stretch blow molding process is achieved when the number of venting channels matches the number of venting openings and these are distributed identically around the circumference of the inner container dispensing section. In this case, the outflowing air can flow directly from a venting channel, through the venting groove, into the corresponding venting opening.

[0053] Preferably, the outer container nipple is equipped with an external thread. Any type of pump device can be screwed onto the external thread to extract the contents of the inner container. Alternatively, a simple cap can be provided to close the outer container opening located at the end of the outer container nipple furthest from the outer container body.

[0054] The design of the fluid connection between the environment and the space located between the preform and the outer container by at least one groove-like depression for forming at least one vent channel on the surface of the inner container dispensing section facing the outer container nipple, a groove-like depression circumferential around the dispensing opening to form a vent groove on the surface of the collar section that is flush with the edge of the outer container nipple facing away from the outer container body, and a groove-like depression extending away from the dispensing opening to form at least one vent recess on the surface of the collar section that is flush with the edge of the outer container nipple facing away from the outer container body. This has proven ideal for venting the air present in the space between the preform and the outer container during the stretch blow molding process. The venting groove surrounding the dispensing opening allows both the venting channel and the venting recess to be positioned anywhere along the entire circumference of the inner container dispensing section and arranged in any relative position. The circumferential venting groove ensures a fluid connection between the venting channel and the venting recess in every case. The venting recess and the venting channel are in fluid contact with the circumferential venting groove, and the fluid connection between the The space between the inner container and the outer container, and the space to the outside atmosphere, is formed via the ventilation duct, the ventilation groove and the ventilation recess.

[0055] Preferably, the dimensionally stable material of the outer container is glass, plastic, metal, a metal alloy, or a composite material. For the purposes of the present invention, "dimensionally stable" means that a corresponding outer container or plastic does not deform, or only deforms to a negligible extent, under the pressures and / or vacuums that occur during use of the dispenser container.

[0056] The blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body is preferably a thermoplastic, in particular a polyamide, a polyolefin, or a polycarbonate. Polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polypropylene are especially preferred. These materials exhibit particularly advantageous properties with regard to melting temperature and viscosity and are particularly well-suited for blow molding processes.

[0057] Preferably, the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body and the dimensionally stable plastic of the inner container dispensing section have different viscosities and / or melting temperatures. This allows a wide range of plastics to be combined. The plastic of the inner container body can be adapted to the requirements of the product stored within it.

[0058] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dimensionally stable plastic of the inner container dispensing section has a higher melting point than the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body. This particularly well fulfills the desired properties for expanding the preform to form the inner container. A temperature can be set at which the elastic plastic of the inner container body already melts and has a low viscosity, while the dimensionally stable plastic of the inner container dispensing section remains unchanged. The expansion of the preform to form the inner container body can then proceed without difficulty.

[0059] The present invention also includes a dispenser container as described above, which was manufactured by one of the methods described above.

[0060] The preform used in a method according to the invention has a cup-shaped mold body and consists of at least two sections, wherein a first section forms a closed end of the mold body and a second section forms an open end of the mold body, the closed end being opposite the open end. The first section of the preform is designed to form an inner container body, and the second section of the preform is designed to form an inner container dispensing section having a dispensing opening. The first section is made of a blow-moldable elastic plastic, and the second section is made of a dimensionally stable plastic.

[0061] The second section has a circumferential collar section in the area adjacent to the open end of the cup-shaped molded body. On its outer surface, the second section has at least one groove-like recess for forming at least one venting channel. On its surface facing the first section, the collar section has a groove-like recess circumferentially around the dispensing opening to form a venting groove and at least one groove-like recess extending away from the dispensing opening to form at least one venting recess. The at least one groove-like recess for forming at least one venting channel is in fluid communication with the groove-like recess for forming a venting groove. The groove-like recess for forming the venting groove, in turn, is in fluid communication with the venting recess.

[0062] The preform serves to manufacture an inner container for one of the dispenser containers described above. The preform possesses all the features necessary to obtain the corresponding combination of features of the dispenser container, which consists of an outer container and an inner container. Expanding the preform within a dimensionally stable outer container results in the dispenser container according to the invention. All the advantages discussed above in connection with the dispenser container and the components forming such a dispenser container (outer container and inner container) also apply to the preform according to the invention. The same applies to the preferred embodiments of the preform described below.

[0063] Preferably, the blow-moldable elastic plastic of the first section of the preform is a thermoplastic, in particular a polyamide, a polyolefin or a polycarbonate. Polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene are particularly preferred.

[0064] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the dimensionally stable plastic of the second section of the preform has a higher melting temperature than the blow-moldable elastic plastic of the first section.

[0065] According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment, the second section of the preform has several groove-like recesses on its outer surface for forming multiple venting channels. These multiple groove-like recesses for forming the multiple venting channels preferably run parallel to one another, and particularly preferably, these multiple groove-like recesses are evenly distributed over the circumference of the second section. The advantages associated with these embodiments have already been discussed in connection with the corresponding embodiments of the dispenser container.

[0066] Particularly preferred is the groove-like recess provided on the surface of the collar section facing the first section, which surrounds the dispensing opening and forms a venting groove concentric to the dispensing opening.

[0067] According to a further preferred embodiment, the collar section has several groove-like recesses on its surface facing the first section, extending away from the dispensing opening to form multiple venting openings. Particularly preferably, these groove-like recesses for forming the venting openings are provided evenly distributed around the circumference of the inner container dispensing section. In this case as well, the advantages of the preferred embodiments have already been discussed in connection with the corresponding embodiments of the dispenser container. Brief description of the drawings

[0068] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. It is expressly pointed out that the invention is not limited to the examples given. The drawings show... Fig. 1 a dispenser container according to the invention in vertical section; Fig. 2A a preform according to the invention in side view; Fig. 2B the preform of the Fig. 2A in perspective view from a low angle; Fig. 3A an outer container with preform and stretch blow mandrel before the blowing process; Fig. 3B an outer container with inner container and stretch blow mandrel during the blowing process. Ways to implement the invention

[0069] The Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a dispenser container 1 according to the invention in a vertical section. The dispenser container 1 comprises an outer container 2 and an inner container 3 arranged inside the outer container 2. The inner container 3 can hold a filling material.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer container 2 is composed of an outer container base 16, an outer container body 5, an outer container shoulder 9, and an outer container nipple 10. The outer container nipple 10 is equipped with an external thread 15 on its outer surface. Any type of pump device for extracting the contents can be screwed onto the external thread 15. Alternatively, a cap can simply be screwed on, which closes the outer container opening provided at the upper end of the outer container nipple 10, i.e., the end furthest from the outer container body 5.

[0071] The outer container 2 is made of a dimensionally stable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer container 2 is made of glass.

[0072] The inner container 3 has an inner container body 6 arranged in the area of ​​the outer container body 5 and an inner container dispensing section 7 arranged in the area of ​​the outer container nipple 10, the latter having a dispensing opening 11. The inner container dispensing section 7 extends in the direction of a dispenser container longitudinal axis SBLA over the entire extent of the outer container nipple 10 to the area of ​​the outer container shoulder 9.

[0073] The inner container body 6 is made of a blow-molded elastic plastic, and the inner container dispensing section 7 is made of a dimensionally stable plastic. In the Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the inner container body 6 consists of polyethylene and the inner container dispensing section 7 consists of a cross-linked polyurethane.

[0074] As from the Figure 1As can be seen, the stretch blow molding process for forming the inner container was carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body 6 was in contact with the inner surface of the outer container 2 over the entire extent of the outer container base 15, the entire extent of the outer container body 5, and over more than 90% of the extent of the outer container shoulder 9. Thus, the inner container and the outer container are in contact not only over the entire extent of the inner surface of the outer container base 16 and over the entire extent of the inner surface of the outer container body 5, but also over the vast majority of the extent of the outer container shoulder 9.

[0075] Further features and characteristics of the inner container dispensing section 7 are described in the Figures 2A and 2B illustrates which preform 20 in side view ( Fig. 2A ) or from a perspective angle from below ( Fig. 2B) show. Such a preform is used to manufacture an inner container 3 for a dispenser container 1, as shown in the Figure 1 The preform 20 is shown and inserted. The preform has a cup-shaped mold body 21 and is composed of two sections 21.6, 21.7. The first section 21.6 forms the closed end of the mold body 21, while the second section 21.7 forms the open end of the mold body 21, with the closed end opposite the open end.

[0076] The first section 21.6 is intended for forming the inner container body 6, and the second section 21.7 is intended for forming the inner container dispensing section 7. The first section 21.6 consists of a blow-moldable elastic plastic, in this case polyethylene, while the second section 21.7 consists of a dimensionally stable plastic, in this case cross-linked polyurethane.

[0077] In the Figures 2A and 2Bis the one at the upper end, i.e., at the end of the inner container dispensing section 7 facing away from the first section 21.6 (see Fig. 1 The dispensing opening provided is marked with reference numeral 11. The second section 21.7, intended to form the inner container dispensing section 7, has several groove-like recesses on its outer surface to form a corresponding number of vent channels 4. The groove-like recesses run parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser container SBLA (see Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment has a total of ten groove-like recesses for forming a corresponding number of ventilation channels 4.

[0078] In the Figures 2A and 2BThe circumferential collar section 13, provided in one area adjacent to the dispensing opening 11 of the inner container dispensing section 7, is also clearly visible. A groove-like recess for the subsequent formation of a venting recess 14 is provided in the collar section 13.

[0079] In the perspective representation of the Fig. 2B The surface of the collar section 13, which is provided for flush installation on the edge area of ​​the outer container nipple 10 facing away from the outer container body 5, has a groove-like depression concentrically around the dispensing opening 11 to form a venting groove 8.

[0080] The groove-like depression for forming the vent recess 14 and the groove-like depressions for forming the vent channels 4 are in fluid communication with the circumferential groove-like depression for forming a vent groove 8. After the preform 20 is inserted into the outer container 2, these depressions form the vent channel, the vent groove and the vent recess, respectively, thereby creating a fluid connection between the space 12 located between the preform 20 and the outer container 2 (see Fig. 3A ) is formed towards the outer atmosphere.

[0081] In dispenser container 1 of the Figure 1The vent channels are arranged on the surface of the inner container dispensing section 7 facing the outer container nipple 10. The collar element 13 rests flush against an edge region 10.R of the outer container nipple 10 facing away from the outer container shoulder 9. The vent recess provided in the collar element 13 is in fluid communication with the circumferential vent groove and the vent channels, thus establishing a fluid connection between the space 12 located between the inner container 3 and the outer container 2 and the outside atmosphere. The vent recess, the vent groove, and the vent channels are shown in the sectional view of the Fig. 1 not visible.

[0082] Based on the Figures 3A and 3B The inventive method for manufacturing a dispenser container 1, as described in [reference to inventive text], will be described below. Figure 1 This will be explained. First, an external container 2 is provided (see Figure 3A), which is related to the Figure 1 The described outer container 2 corresponds to this. In addition, a preform 20 is provided, the properties and characteristics of which are related to the Figures 2A and 2B already discussed. The preform 20 is heated to a temperature sufficient for a stretch blow molding process, placed in the outer container 2, and a stretch blow molding mandrel 30 is inserted into the preform 20, thereby creating the Figure 3A The configuration shown is obtained. The insertion of the stretching blow mandrel 30 into the preform 20 can also take place before the preform 20 is inserted into the outer container 2.

[0083] A stretch blow molding process is then carried out, whereby the flow of the introduced gas in the Figure 3B symbolized by several arrows. The inner container 3 is formed by the stretch blow molding process. This process creates the space 12 located between the preform 20 and the outer container 2 ( Figure 3A The air contained within is displaced and escapes into the environment through the vent channels, the vent groove, and the vent recess. Stretch blow molding to form the inner container is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body 6 is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container 2 over the entire extent of the outer container base 15, the entire extent of the outer container body 5, and over more than 90% of the extent of the outer container shoulder 9. This forms the inner container 3 as desired and practically fills the volume of the outer container 2 (see Figure 1). Figure 3B ), especially also in the area of ​​the outer container shoulder 9. Reference symbol list

[0084] 1 Dispensing container 2 Outer container 3 Inner container 4 Grooved recess for forming a vent channel 5 Outer container body 6 Inner container body 7 Inner container dispensing section 8 Grooved recess for forming a vent groove 9 Outer container shoulder 10 Outer container nipple 10. Edge area of ​​the outer container nipple 11 Dispensing opening 12 Space between preform and outer container 13 Collar section 14 Grooved recess for forming a vent 15 External thread 16 Outer container bottom 20 Preform 21 Molded body 21.6 First section of the molded body 21.7 Second section of the molded body 30 Stretch blow mandrel SBLAS dispenser container longitudinal axis

Claims

1. Method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) comprising the steps: a) providing an outer container (2) formed from a dimensionally stable material, wherein the outer container (2) has an outer container base (16), an outer container body (5) and an outer container nipple (10) having an outer container opening, b) providing a preform (20), wherein the preform (20) has a cup-like moulded body (21), wherein the moulded body (21) is constructed from at least two sections (21.6, 21.7), wherein a first section (21.6) forms a closed end of the moulded body (21) and a second section (21.7) forms an open end of the moulded body (21), wherein the closed end is opposite the open end, wherein the first section (21.6) is intended to form an inner container body (6) and the second section (21.7) is intended to form an inner container dispensing section (7) having a dispensing opening (11), wherein the first section (21.6) consists of a blow-mouldable elastic plastic, wherein the second section (21.7) consists of a dimensionally stable plastic, wherein the second section (21.7) has at least one groove-like recess on its outer surface to form a vent channel (4), c) heating the preform (20), d) inserting the preform (20) into the outer container (2) and inserting a stretch blow mandrel (30) into the preform (20), wherein the insertion of the stretch blow mandrel (30) into the preform (20) takes place before or after the insertion of the preform (20) into the outer container (2), e) stretch blow moulding to form an inner container (3) while displacing the air contained in the space (12) between the preform (20) and the outer container (2), whereby the air escapes into the environment via the at least one vent channel.

2. Method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in step e) the stretch blow moulding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably over at least 99%, of the extension of the outer container base (16).

3. Method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in step e) the stretch blow moulding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably over at least 99%, of the extension of the outer container body (5).

4. Method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer container (2) provided in step a) has an outer container base (16), an outer container body (5), an outer container nipple (10) and an outer container shoulder (9), wherein in step e) the stretch blow moulding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably over at least 99%, of the extension of the outer container shoulder (9).

5. Dispenser container (1) comprising an outer container (2) and an inner container (3) arranged inside the outer container (2) for receiving a filling material, wherein the outer container (2) has an outer container base (16), an outer container body (5) and an outer container nipple (10) having an outer container opening, wherein the outer container (2) is formed from a dimensionally stable material, wherein the inner container (3) has an inner container body (6) arranged in the region of the outer container body (5) and an inner container dispensing section (7) arranged in the region of the outer container nipple (10) and having a dispensing opening (11), wherein the inner container dispensing section (7) extends in the direction of a dispenser container longitudinal axis (SBLA) over the entire length of the outer container nipple (10), wherein the inner container body (6) is formed from a blow-moulded elastic plastic and the inner container dispensing section (7) is formed from a dimensionally stable plastic, wherein the inner container dispensing section (7) has at least one groove-like recess on its surface facing the outer container nipple (10) to form a vent channel (4), wherein the vent channel forms a fluid connection between the environment and a space (12) located between the inner container (3) and the outer container (2), wherein an outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with an inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90% of the extent of the outer container base (16).

6. Dispenser container (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 99% of the extent of the outer container base (16).

7. Dispenser container (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably over at least 99%, of the extent of the outer container body (5).

8. Dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the outer container (2) has an outer container base (16), an outer container body (5), an outer container nipple (10) and an outer container shoulder (9), wherein the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably over at least 99%, of the extension of the outer container shoulder (9).

9. Dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the inner container dispensing section (7) has a circumferential collar section (13) in an area adjacent to the dispensing opening (11), wherein the collar section (13) is flush with an edge area (10.R) of the outer container nipple (10) facing away from the outer container body (5), wherein the collar section (13) has a groove-like recess extending around the dispensing opening (11) to form a vent groove (8) on its surface abutting flush against the edge region (10.R) of the outer container nipple (10) facing away from the outer container body (5), wherein the collar section (13) has, on its surface lying flush against the edge region (10.R) of the outer container nipple (10) facing away from the outer container body (5) has at least one groove-like recess extending away from the dispensing opening (11) to form a vent recess (14), wherein the at least one groove-like recess for forming a vent channel (4) is in fluid communication with the groove-like recess for forming the vent groove (8) and the groove-like recess for forming the vent groove (8) is in fluid communication with the groove-like recess for forming at least one vent recess (14), wherein the vent channel, the vent groove and the vent recess form a fluid connection between the environment and a space (12) located between the inner container (3) and the outer container (2).

10. Dispenser container (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the groove-like recess provided in the collar section (13) surrounding the dispensing opening (11) for forming a vent groove (8) runs concentrically to the dispensing opening (11).

11. Dispenser container (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the inner container dispensing section (7) has several groove-like recesses on its surface facing the outer container nipple (10) to form several venting channels (4), wherein the groove-like recesses for forming the venting channels (4) preferably run parallel to each other and particularly preferably run parallel to the dispenser container longitudinal axis (SBLA).

12. Dispenser container (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the groove-like recesses for forming the vent channels (4) are provided evenly distributed over the circumference of the inner container dispensing section (7).

13. Dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the collar section (13) has a plurality of groove-like recesses extending away from the dispensing opening (11) to form a plurality of vent recesses (14), wherein the groove-like recesses for forming the vent recesses (14) are preferably distributed evenly around the circumference of the inner container dispensing section (7).

14. Dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the dimensionally stable plastic of the inner container dispensing section (7) has a higher melting temperature than the blow-moulded elastic plastic of the inner container body (6).

15. Dispenser container (1) according to one of claims 5 to 14, manufactured by a method according to claims 1 to 4.