Extrusion blow-molded container

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (11) made of a plastic material, in particular by extrusion blow molding, comprising a container body (13), a first end (15), a second end (17) substantially opposite the first end, and a shell (14), a filling opening (25) with a first and second sealing surface formed on the inner wall (23) of the first end (15), wherein the first and second sealing surfaces can be fluid-tightly connected to each other, a container base (19) with a base (21) formed at the second end (17), and a pouring opening (29) formed at the first end (15). The filling opening (25) has a first central axis (45), and the pouring opening (29) has a second central axis (47). The first and second central axes (45, 47) are substantially parallel to each other.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a container made of a plastic material by extrusion blow molding according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a combination of a container and a screw cap according to the preamble of claim 20. State of the art

[0002] The production of plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, for example made of polyethylene or polypropylene, takes place using extrusion blow molding. In this process, plastic suitable for blow molding is plasticized using an extruder and introduced into a tube head. In the tube head, the plastic is formed into a tube, which is then introduced into a blow molding tool. The tube is inserted into the blow molding tool and, with the tool closed, inflated using excess pressure from a gas via a blow mandrel. This causes the tube to expand and is pressed against the inner wall of a cavity in the blow molding tool, taking on the shape of the inner wall, which has the negative form of a container. The container blow-molded from the tube is cooled by means of the inner wall until the plastic has hardened. The container is then removed from the opened blow molding tool.In a separate step, the so-called slugs, which form due to the hose overhang when the blow mold closes and are usually connected to the removed container, are separated and can be fed into the recycling stream. The hose can be single-layer or multi-layer.

[0003] Typically, the outlet openings are formed at one end of the container during blow molding. Accordingly, the containers are filled via the outlet opening during the filling process. Thus, the filling speed at the filling line depends on the cross-section of the outlet opening and the consistency of the product being filled.

[0004] To enable increased filling speed, WO 2017 / 072185 A1 describes an extrusion blow-molded container having a first open end and a second end. The first end has a first and second sealing surface. The sealing surfaces enclose a filling opening and can be connected in a fluid-tight manner after filling. The second end is designed as a container base with a standing surface. Since the filling opening can extend across the entire cross-section of the container, rapid filling of the container is possible.

[0005] To pour the contents, the container must be cut open, or a closure element with a pouring opening must be welded between the sealed surfaces. Cutting open the container creates a pouring opening, which is less user-friendly because a tool is required to open it, and the contents can easily spill during pouring. If a closure element is present, it must be inserted between the sealed surfaces before it can be welded to them. Furthermore, the closure element may be made of a different plastic than the container, making it impossible to dispose of the container in a separate container.

[0006] To overcome this disadvantage, an extrusion blow-molded container can be provided with a filling opening and a separate pouring opening. It is preferred if the filling opening is larger than the pouring opening. This allows the container to be filled quickly and the contents to be poured precisely or transferred to another container. Furthermore, material requirements are reduced if a screw cap is provided for a small pouring opening. However, such containers are not trivial to manufacture, as both openings require sufficient space. Object of the invention

[0007] Given the disadvantages of the described prior art, the objective is to improve the manufacturability of an extrusion blow-molded container with separate filling and pouring openings. Furthermore, such containers should be suitable or optimized for easy use in filling systems. Description

[0008] The stated problem is solved in a container made of a plastic material, in particular by extrusion blow molding, by the features stated in the characterizing portion of patent claim 1. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0009] A further aspect of the invention relates to a container made of a plastic material, in particular by extrusion blow molding, according to the preamble of claim 24. The invention is also characterized in that the filling opening is defined by a first neck surrounding the filling opening, and a first and second shoulder adjoin the first neck, and in that the pouring opening is defined by a second neck surrounding the pouring opening, and at least one third shoulder adjoins the second neck. The shaping of the first and second necks creates two cones whose opening angles and shoulder angles can be flexibly configured.

[0010] Preferably, the shoulder angles of the first and second necks are defined in that the filling opening has a first central axis and the pouring opening has a second central axis, and in that the first and second central axes define a plane, wherein an imaginary first straight line running along the first shoulder and lying in this plane encloses an angle α with the first central axis, which differs from an angle β encloses an imaginary third straight line running along the third shoulder and lying in this plane with the first central axis. This allows the two necks to be adapted to different widths of the basic container shapes (bags).

[0011] It has proven useful to connect the third and fourth shoulders to the second neck, with the fourth shoulder merging into the first. This allows for even more flexible shoulder geometries on the second neck.

[0012] Preferably, shoulder angles of the first and second necks are also defined in that an imaginary second straight line running along the second shoulder and lying in a plane defined by the first and second central axes encloses an angle γ with respect to the first central axis, which differs from an angle δ encloses an imaginary fourth straight line running along the fourth shoulder and lying in this plane with respect to the first central axis.

[0013] By aligning the first and second central axes essentially parallel to an imaginary main axis of the container, space can be saved and multiple cavities can be incorporated into the blow mold. This enables faster cycle times, which is ecologically and economically advantageous.

[0014] The following 7 embodiments allow flexible geometries regarding the shoulders and shoulder angles, whereby the following points can be realized in a preferred manner. By adjusting the shoulder geometries, different sizes and volumes of the container or bag can be realized. Separating the height of the pouring opening from the height of the weld seam allows for a higher neck design of the second neck, providing sufficient space for design elements such as a captive screw cap or a tamper-evident ring. Sufficient space can be created between the filling and pouring openings to facilitate the mechanical sealing of the pouring opening with a capper and to enable the use of a sealing bar to seal the filling opening.

[0015] It has proven useful if the angle α is greater than the angle β or if the first and third shoulders together form at least an approximately concave shape.

[0016] It has proven useful if the angle α is smaller than the angle β or if the first and third shoulder together form at least an approximately convex shape

[0017] It has proven useful if the third and fourth shoulder are attached to the second neck, with the fourth shoulder merging into the first shoulder.

[0018] It has proven to be useful if the angle β and the angle δ are approximately equal and lie in the range of 10-30 degrees, especially 18-22 degrees.

[0019] It has proven useful if at least one of the shoulders is curved and the corresponding first, second, third or fourth straight line is a tangent at the vertex of the shoulder curvature.

[0020] It has proven useful if the angle α is in the range of 30-60 degrees, especially 40-50 degrees.

[0021] It has proven useful if angle β and / or angle δ are 0 degrees.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the pouring opening is located below the filling opening. This ensures that the pouring opening does not interfere with the welding of the filling opening. Nevertheless, it is possible for the second neck to have a specific height to incorporate design elements such as a retaining band or a tamper-evident ring on the screw cap. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when using the container according to the invention in filling systems.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to the feature that the filling opening has a first central axis and the pouring opening has a second central axis, and that the first and second central axes are substantially parallel to one another. This allows the openings to be formed particularly quickly and flexibly during extrusion blow molding.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second central axes are oriented parallel to the extrusion direction and the longitudinal extension of the container, respectively. This orientation of the central axes and the openings saves space, allows for multiple cavities in molds, and thus enables the production of a higher number of containers per cycle.

[0025] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the plane defined by the first and second central axes corresponds to the mold parting plane of the container. This arrangement of the central axes of the openings ensures that sufficient material is available for forming threads, especially external threads.

[0026] It proves expedient if the filling opening is defined by a first neck surrounding the filling opening, and if a first and second shoulder adjoin the first neck. The first neck can be closed particularly easily using suitable joining techniques such as welding or gluing after the container has been filled through the filling opening. An additional closure or an additional, separate inserted neck is therefore advantageously not required. The first and second shoulders form a first cone. The shoulder angles can be designed flexibly, allowing the shoulder geometries to be adapted to different container volumes.

[0027] The invention is also characterized in that the pouring opening is defined by a second neck surrounding the pouring opening, and at least one third shoulder adjoins the second neck. This also allows the shoulder geometries of the at least third shoulder to be adapted to the container shape and volume. It is possible for the second neck not to be adjoined by a fourth shoulder, and for the second neck to merge directly into the first shoulder, if this is required by the container design.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the third and fourth shoulders adjoin the second neck. As a result, the third and fourth shoulders also form a separate second cone, and the shoulder angles of the third and fourth shoulders can be flexibly adapted to the container design. It should be taken into account that closing the filling opening tilts the central axis of the small pouring opening, and that this is influenced by the two shoulder geometries and their intersection. The design of the third and fourth shoulders can thus lead to an optimized lateral inclination of the pouring opening. This is a consequence of the essentially circular filling opening becoming a line with half the length of the circumference of the filling opening after closing. An appropriately selected inclination can make use more comfortable for the consumer and improve the emptying of residual material from the packaging.

[0029] It is advantageous if the pouring opening is positioned below the filling opening. This ensures that the pouring opening does not interfere with the welding of the filling opening. Nevertheless, it is possible for the second neck to have a specific height to incorporate design elements such as a retaining band or a tamper-evident ring on the screw cap. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when using the container according to the invention in filling systems.

[0030] It has proven advantageous to have an external thread formed on the second neck that can interact with the internal thread of a screw cap. The external thread of the pouring opening was specifically developed for lightweight packaging applications. It can be formed using very little material. The external thread only achieves its final rigidity when screwed onto the screw cap, as it is compressed accordion-like during the screwing process.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second and third shoulders merge into the container's shell. This provides sufficient space between the first and second necks, ensuring that the respective processing steps do not interfere with each other. For example, the pouring opening can be closed for the first time with a closing tool without the first neck being in the way, or the filling opening can be welded without the second neck being in the way. This is also advantageous in filling systems.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the third shoulder merges into the first shoulder. This is advantageous if sufficient space remains between the first and second necks, even though the third shoulder does not directly open into the container shell or the container body.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second neck protrudes from a platform formed on the container, the platform having a first and second flank, these flanks merging into the shell. The platform increases the torsional rigidity of the pouring opening and the second neck, respectively. This is particularly advantageous during assembly and disassembly of the screw cap.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the shoulder facing the pouring opening has a convex shape. The downwardly extending first shoulder also creates sufficient space for the mechanical application of the screw cap or for attaching the screw cap to a tamper-evident band or a retaining band.

[0035] It is advantageous if the pouring opening is shaped so that, when viewed from above, it lies within the contour of the container base. This simplifies the requirements for the blow mold and allows the second neck to be formed accurately. Furthermore, this simplifies palletizing because the second neck does not protrude. This is also advantageous if the container is to be decorated, for example, printed, affixed with labels or the like, or wrapped in shrink film.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second necks are blow-molded together with the container. Therefore, providing the pouring and filling openings does not require an additional production step; instead, they are blow-molded in the identical mold and at the same time as the container. The container is therefore manufactured quickly and with no additional production effort. No leaks can occur between the necks and the container body, as both are blow-molded from the identical extruded plastic tube. Extrusion-blown containers are clearly recognizable by a seam on the underside of the base, which is created when the mold is closed by compressing the free end of the plastic tube.It proves particularly advantageous if the first and second sealing surfaces form a seam with a long side and a first and second seam end, if the sealing surfaces are connected in a fluid-tight manner, and if the first and second shoulders are formed on the container adjacent to the long side of the seam. After rapid filling of the container, enabled by an appropriately dimensioned filling opening, the container can be reliably closed.

[0037] A vent opening is conveniently provided on the container. This is conveniently located opposite the pouring opening and can be a cut-off nipple. This allows the contents to flow evenly and evenly from the container.

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, after the filling opening is closed, the first and second central axes form an acute angle ε with each other. As a result, the pouring opening is oriented in the direction of the container's tilting movement when pouring contents. The user-friendliness of the container is therefore significantly improved by forming the angle ε.

[0039] It is advantageous if at least one compensating groove is formed on the shoulders to compensate for thermal deformations, oriented in the circumferential direction of the shoulders. The compensating groove reduces the deformations and compensates for the thermal stresses caused by the welding of the filler opening.

[0040] Preferably, the compensating groove is formed at the transition of the second shoulder to the container body and at the transition of the second neck or the fourth shoulder into the first shoulder 39. At this point, the compensating groove can be easily formed and can compensate for thermal deformations particularly efficiently.

[0041] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one compensating groove extends toward the shoulders. This ensures that the shoulders are not weakened by the groove. However, it is also conceivable for the groove to be circumferential and not end before the shoulders.

[0042] The depth of the at least one compensating groove is advantageously variable. This allows the compensating groove to compensate for deformations to a greater or lesser extent at different locations. The cross-sectional shape can also be varied. The cross-section of the groove is preferably V-shaped.

[0043] A further aspect of the invention relates to a combination of a container according to one of the above descriptions and a screw cap that can be placed onto the second neck. The invention is characterized in that the sealing effect between the sealing element of the screw cap and the second neck is realized by the second neck being widened when the sealing element projects into the second neck. This type of sealing function allows the second neck to be designed with particularly thin walls, since the necessary rigidity to create the seal is provided by the sealing element. As a result, the second neck can be formed using little plastic material.

[0044] It proves advantageous if the external thread achieves its final rigidity by screwing it onto the screw cap. This allows the external thread, along with the second neck, to be formed in a material-saving manner. The rigidity is achieved through a kind of "accordion effect."

[0045] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the screw cap has a shoulder to which a tool can be attached, and a torque can be transmitted from the tool to the cap. This allows the screw cap to be screwed onto the second neck for the first time even when there is insufficient space on the wide side of the container for a standard tool (capper) to place the cap onto the second neck, and thus the capper cannot grip the screw cap on its outer side. The shoulder is preferably a hexagon socket or another positive connection using a multi-tooth drive.

[0046] Conveniently, the shoulder is a recess that acts as the sealing element. This allows the sealing element to fulfill two functions, and the screw cap, with the appropriate design, requires less plastic material to manufacture.

[0047] It proves particularly advantageous if the container is constructed in one piece. This not only eliminates further production steps, but also allows the container, including the pouring element, to be disposed of separately.

[0048] With regard to the production of the plastic according to the invention, it is particularly important to note that it should be weldable or adhesive-bondable, at least in the area to be sealed. In this context, reference is made to the disclosure of WO 2017 / 072185 A1.

[0049] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. These are not to scale: Figures 1a, 1b, 1c: A side view, a top view, and a perspective view of an extrusion blow-molded container with a filling opening and a pouring opening; Figure 2: A first embodiment of the container with a screw cap attached, in a side view; Figures 3a, 3b: A second and third embodiment of an extrusion blow-molded container with a screw cap attached, in a side view, showing, among other things, that the pouring opening is arranged below the filling opening; Figures 4a, 4b: The second and third embodiments, in which the space required between the two openings is emphasized; Figure 5: A perspective view of a fourth embodiment.Embodiment in which a platform is formed on the container; Figure 6: a sectional view through the pouring opening and a screw cap placed on the pouring opening; Figure 7: the screw cap in a perspective view; Figures 8a, 8b: a comparison of an embodiment with a straight and a convex shoulder geometry and the different position of the pouring opening compared to the filling opening; Figures 9a, 9b: a comparison of the embodiment with a straight and a convex shoulder geometry and the associated space requirement; Figure 10: a side view of the container after the filling opening has been welded; Figure 11: a side view in which the angle of inclination of the shoulders is shown; Figure 12: a side view of the container in an embodiment with two visualized compensating grooves; Figure 13: a further side view of the container from . Figure 12; Figure 14 another side view of the container from Figure 12 and Figure 15 a perspective view of the container from Figure 12 .

[0050] In the Figures 1 to 5 Figures 8 to 15 show possible embodiments of a container which is made of a plastic material by extrusion blow molding and is designated overall by the reference numeral 11. Figure 1 shows a front view, a side view and a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the container 11.

[0051] The container 11 has a container body 13, which has a first end 15 and a second end 17 substantially opposite the first end 15. The second end 17 is fluid-tightly closed and formed as a container base 19 on which a base 21 is formed. The extrusion blow-molded container 11 has an inner wall 23. The inner wall 23 defines a filling opening 25 at the first end 15, through which a filling material is filled into the extrusion blow-molded container 11. The first end 15 has, on its inner wall 23, a first sealing surface 27a and a second sealing surface 27b opposite the first sealing surface 27a, which can be connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner and are connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner after the filling material has been introduced. For this purpose, the sealing surfaces 27a, 27b can be welded. The container 11 is therefore preferably made of a weldable plastic.Alternatively, the sealing surfaces 27a, 27b can be coated with a hot-melt adhesive or a bonding agent, which can also be textured. The filling opening 25 is wide enough to allow the contents to be poured into the container 11 quickly and without overflow.

[0052] A pouring opening 29 is formed below the sealing surfaces 27a, 27b. The pouring opening 29 is blow-molded together with the remaining containers 11 and is therefore formed simultaneously with the container 11 in the blow mold by inflating the container material.

[0053] After filling the container 11, the sealing surfaces 27a, 27b are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner by bringing them into contact with each other, thereby closing the filling opening 25. In the closed state, the sealing surfaces 27a, 27b form a seam 31, which Figures 3 and 8The seam 31 has a longitudinal side 33 and a first and second seam end 35, 37. This deformation forms a first and second shoulder 39, 41 below the longitudinal side 31 on the container 11. The bottom 19 can have the shape of an ellipse 43.

[0054] The filling opening 25 has a first central axis 45, and the pouring opening 29 has a second central axis 47. It is particularly preferred if the first and second central axes 45, 47 are parallel to one another and oriented parallel to the extrusion direction or the longitudinal extent of the container 11. During production using the EBM (Extrusion Blow Molding) process, it is particularly advantageous if both openings 25, 29 are in a line parallel to the tube. This saves space, allows for a higher number of cavities in a mold, thus enabling higher output, and is therefore economically and ecologically advantageous.

[0055] The filling opening 25 is defined by a first neck 49 surrounding the filling opening 25, to which the first and second shoulders 39, 41 adjoin. The pouring opening 29 is defined by a second neck 51 surrounding the pouring opening 29. At least one third shoulder 53 adjoins the second neck 51.

[0056] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, both openings 25, 29 are located within the mold parting line. This ensures that sufficient material is available for forming an external thread 55 on the second neck 51.

[0057] In a further embodiment of the container 11 ( Figure 2 ), the first neck 49 extends into the first and second shoulders 39, 41, with the second shoulder 41 merging into the container body 13 or the shell 14 of the container 11. The second neck 51 extends into the third shoulder 53 and into a fourth shoulder 57 ( Figure 2). The third shoulder 53 can either run directly into the container body 13 ( Figure 2 , 3b,4b ) or is offset and runs into the first shoulder 39 ( Figure 1 , 3a , 4a , 8 , 9 ).

[0058] The second neck 51 can also merge directly into the first shoulder 39 if the basic shape of the container 11 allows this ( Figure 3, 4 , 8a , 9a ), which eliminates a fourth shoulder 57. The first and second necks 49,51 are therefore mounted on two separate cones ( Fig. 2). The division into four shoulders enables flexible adjustment of the pouring opening and filling opening 29,25. This means that there is sufficient space for the pouring opening and filling opening on the wide side of the container 11, even if the basic shape of the container 11 is of different widths. The up to four shoulders and their different shoulder angles have further advantages: By adapting the shoulder geometries, the pouring opening and filling opening 29,25 can be provided on the wide side of the container on containers of different sizes or volumes without space problems occurring. The pouring opening 29 is lower than the filling opening 25. This means that the filling opening 25 can be welded or glued without the pouring opening 29 getting in the way during this processing step. The adaptation of the shoulders also provides sufficient space for the closure of the pouring opening 29 and elements such as a guarantee ring 59 or a retaining strap.The different positions of the pouring opening compared to the filling opening for different shoulder geometries are shown in the . Figures 3 and 8 shown and highlighted by the double arrows.

[0059] There is also sufficient space between the pouring and filling openings to allow the use of a closure tool to place a screw cap 61 onto the second neck 51. The sufficient distance is indicated in the Figures 4 and 9 by the hatched area 63. In comparison with the Figures 4a and 9a shown shoulder geometries with the ones in the Figures 4b and 9b The shoulder geometries shown show that the Figures 4b and 9b The shoulder geometries shown allow for significant space savings with the same dimensions of the filling opening and the pouring opening.

[0060] In the Figure 5The container 11 is shown with a platform 65. The platform 65 has a first and second flank 67a, 67b, which flanks extend into the container body 13 and the shell 14, respectively. The platform 65 increases the torsional rigidity of the pouring opening 29 and the second neck 51, respectively. This is particularly important during assembly and disassembly of the screw cap 61.

[0061] The external thread 55 was specifically developed for lightweight packaging applications. It can be formed using very little material and only achieves its final rigidity when screwed onto the screw cap 61, as it is compressed by the attached screw cap 61.

[0062] The screw cap 61 has a sealing element 69 formed thereon, which projects into the pouring opening 29 when the screw cap is placed on the second neck 51. Furthermore, the screw cap 61 has an internal thread 71 that interacts with the external thread 55. The sealing element is designed to be so rigid that it can expand the thin-walled second neck 51. This creates the sealing effect between the second neck 51 and the screw cap 61.

[0063] The screw cap 61 preferably has a recess 73, which acts as the sealing element 69. The recess can have a shoulder for a tool to positively transmit torque to the screw cap 61. The shoulder can be a hexagon socket 75 or another multi-toothed tool.

[0064] In the Figures 8b and 9bA further embodiment is shown in which the first shoulder 39 has a convex shape. The first shoulder 39 is curved away from the pouring opening 29. In addition to providing two cones below the first and second necks 49, 51, the convex first shoulder allows for sufficient space for mechanically screwing on the screw cap 61, for closing the filling opening 25, and for providing a required height for providing a tamper-evident ring and / or a retaining band.

[0065] To form a homogeneous flow of filling material during pouring, a vent opening 77 can be provided on the container body 13 ( Fig. 2 ). This can be achieved by a cuttable nipple.

[0066] In the Figure 1bIt is shown that the pouring opening 29 and the filling opening 25 are shaped such that, in a top view of the container 11, they lie within the base 19 and the largest body contour, respectively. The pouring opening and the filling opening are therefore located within the "footprint" of the container 11.

[0067] The shoulder design can lead to an optimized lateral inclination of the pouring opening 29 by changing the shape during the welding process. This change in the inclination of the second central axis 47 by closing the filling opening 25 with a weld seam 79 is shown in Figure 10shown and defined by the angle ε, which indicates the angle between the first and the second central axis 45, 47 after the filling opening 25 has been closed and is an acute angle. This inclination of the second central axis 47 relative to the first central axis 45 is influenced by the two shoulder geometries and their intersection. Thus, the design of the third and fourth shoulders 53, 57 can lead to an optimized lateral inclination of the pouring opening 29, which is a consequence of the essentially circular filling opening 25 becoming a line with half the length of the circumference of the filling opening 25 after closure. A correspondingly selected inclination can make use more convenient for the consumer and improve the emptying of the packaging, since the second central axis 47 is oriented in the tilting direction of the container 11 during pouring.

[0068] In the Figure 11the angles between the four shoulders 39, 41, 53, 57 and the first central axis 45 are shown. The first and second central axes 45, 47 span a plane. In this plane lie a first, second, third, and fourth straight line, which extend along the first, second, third, and fourth shoulders. If one of the shoulders is curved, the corresponding straight line runs as a tangent at the apex of the shoulder curvature. The container 11 has a main axis 81, which is preferably parallel to the first and second central axes 45, 47 and oriented parallel to the extrusion direction or to the longitudinal extent or to the shell 14 of the container 11.

[0069] The first straight line forms an angle α with the first central axis 45. The third straight line forms an angle β with the first central axis 45. The second straight line forms an angle γ with the first central axis 45. The fourth straight line forms an angle δ with the first central axis 45. Since the first and second central axes 45, 47 are preferably parallel, the four angles also occur between the four straight lines and the second central axis 47.

[0070] It is preferred if the angles α and β are different and the angles γ and δ are different. It is preferred if the angle α is in the range of 30-60 degrees, in particular 40-50 degrees. It is also preferred if the angle β and the angle δ are approximately equal and in the range of 10-30 degrees, in particular 18-22 degrees. The angle β or the angle δ can be 0 degrees. If the angle β and the angle δ are 0 degrees, the second cone becomes a cylinder.

[0071] By choosing the size of the angles α, β, γ and δ, shoulder geometries can be designed flexibly, which allows the following points to be realized: By adjusting the shoulder geometries, different sizes or volumes of the container 11 can be realized. The separation of the height of the pouring opening 29 from the height of the weld seam 79 enables a higher neck design of the second neck 51, which provides sufficient space for design elements such as a captive screw cap 61 or a guarantee ring 59. The welding area 80, realized by welding bars, is in the Figure 12shown. Sufficient space can be created between the filling and pouring openings 25, 29 to facilitate the mechanical closure of the pouring opening with a closure tool (capper) and to enable the use of a sealing bar to close the filling opening. The design of the shoulder geometries can lead to an optimized lateral inclination of the pouring opening 29 by closing the filling opening 25. This can make use more convenient for the consumer and improve the emptying of the container 11.

[0072] Between the first and second shoulders 39,41 at least one compensating groove 80 can be formed, as shown in the Figures 12 to 15is shown. If the sealing surfaces 27a, 27b are welded in the welding area 80, severe thermal deformations can occur due to the welding of the filling opening 25. The compensating groove 83 can compensate for these deformations, whereby the rest of the container is only insignificantly deformed, if at all. The depth of the groove 83 can be variable and, for example, become increasingly smaller in the direction of the two shoulders 39, 41. As a result, the groove 83 can taper off to one or both shoulders. The groove can also run around the shoulders 39, 41 or end in front of one of the shoulders 39, 41 or in front of both shoulders 39, 41. The cross-section of the groove 83 can, for example, be V-shaped. The compensating groove 83 is preferably formed at the transition of the second shoulder 41 to the container body 13 and at the transition of the second neck 51 or the fourth shoulder 57 into the first shoulder 39.

[0073] These design embodiments of the groove 83 enable the compensating groove 83 to compensate for deformations of varying degrees at different locations, caused by the welding of the filling opening 25.

[0074] The extrusion-blow-molded container 11 is formed in one piece, and the first and second necks 49, 51 are blow-molded together with the container body 13 in a mold. The first and second necks are therefore an integral part of the container 11 and do not need to be subsequently inserted into and connected to it. The container 11 is characterized by the fact that, during production using the EBM (Extrusion Blow Molding) process, the filling and pouring openings 25, 29 are in a line parallel to the extruded tube. Legend:

[0075] 11Container 13Container body 14Skirt 15First end 17Second end 19Container base 21Base 23Inner wall 25Filling opening 27a, 27bFirst and second sealing surface 29Pouring opening 31Seam 33Long side of the seam 35First seam end 37Second seam end 39First shoulder 41Second shoulder 43Ellipse 45First central axis 47Second central axis 49First neck 51Second neck 53Third shoulder 55External thread 57Fourth shoulder 59Guarantee ring 61Screw cap 63Hatched area 65Platform 67a, 67bFirst and second flank 69Sealing element 71Internal thread 73Recess 75Hexagon socket 77Vent opening 79Weld seam 80Weld area 81Main axis of the vessel 83Compensation groove εAngle between the first and second central axis αAngle between the first central axis and the first straight line βAngle between the first central axis and the third straight line γAngle between the first central axis and the second straight line δAngle between the first central axis and the fourth straight line

Claims

1. A container (11) made from a plastic material, in particular by extrusion blow molding, comprising - a container body (13), a first end (15), a second end (17) substantially opposite the first end, and a jacket (14), - a filling opening (25) with first and second sealing surfaces (27a, 27b) formed on the inner wall (23) of the first end (15), wherein the first and second sealing surfaces (27a, 27b) can be connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner, - a container base (19) with a standing surface (21) formed at the second end (17) and a pouring opening (29) formed at the first end (15), characterized by thatthe filling opening (25) is defined by a first neck (49) surrounding the filling opening (25) and a first and second shoulder (39, 41) adjoin the first neck (49) and that the pouring opening (29) is defined by a second neck (51) surrounding the pouring opening (29) and at least one third shoulder (53) adjoins the second neck (51).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe filling opening (25) has a first central axis (45) and the pouring opening (29) has a second central axis (47) and that the first and the second central axes (47, 49) define a plane, wherein an imaginary first straight line running along the first shoulder (39) and lying in this plane encloses an angle α with the first central axis (45), which differs from an angle β which encloses an imaginary third straight line running along the third shoulder and lying in this plane with the first central axis (45).

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first central axis (45) and the second central axis (47) are aligned substantially parallel to an imaginary main axis of the container.

4. Container according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in thatthe angle α is greater than the angle β or that the first and third shoulders (39, 53) together form at least an approximately concave shape.

5. Container according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the angle α is smaller than the angle β or that the first and third shoulders (39, 53) together form at least an approximately convex shape.

6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third and a fourth shoulder (53,57) are connected to the second neck (51), the fourth shoulder (57) merging into the first shoulder (39).

7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in thatan imaginary second straight line running along the second shoulder (41) and lying in a plane defined by the first and second central axes encloses an angle γ with respect to the first central axis (45), which differs from an angle δ encloses an imaginary fourth straight line running along the fourth shoulder (57) and lying in this plane with respect to the first central axis (45).

8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle β and the angle δ are approximately equal and lie in the range of 10-30 degrees, in particular 18-22 degrees.

9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the shoulders (39,41,53,75) is curved and the corresponding first, second, third or fourth straight line is a tangent at the vertex of the shoulder curvature.

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe angle α is in the range of 30-60 degrees, especially 40-50 degrees.

11. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that Angle β and / or angle δ are 0 degrees.

12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring opening (29) is provided below the filling opening (25).

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