Liquid-tight container, methods for the production thereof, and uses

Abstract

The invention relates to a container comprising a container wall at least partially enclosing a container interior, and a first joining element; wherein a jacket element and a first end element each form a region of the container wall; wherein at least one first plane running parallel to the length of the container through the container interior comprises a first joining layer sequence, over the entire lateral extent of which, with respect to the first joining layer sequence, the jacket element, the first joining element and the first end element directly succeed one another as layers; wherein the first joining element has a first surface contacting the first end element and a second surface contacting the jacket element; wherein an imaginary first straight line interconnects both end points of a first line formed in the at least one first plane through the first surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence; wherein an imaginary second straight line interconnects both end points of a second line formed in the at least one first plane through the second surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence; wherein the first straight line encloses a first acute angle with the second straight line. The invention further relates to methods and a device for the production of the container and to uses of the container, of a sheet-like composite and of joining tools.

Description

[0001] LIQUID-TIGHT CONTAINER, METHOD FOR ITS PRODUCTION AND USES

[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid-tight container, comprising a container wall at least partially surrounding a container interior, and a first joining element; wherein a jacket element and a first end element each form a region of the container wall; wherein the jacket element is formed at least partially from a first sheet-like material, laterally delimits the container interior, based on a length of the liquid-tight container, and includes a first edge region with a first edge; wherein the first sheet-like material includes a first cardboard and has a flexural rigidity in a range of 50 to 600 mN; wherein the first edge region is arranged at a first end of the liquid-tight container; wherein the first end element includes, preferably consists of, a central region and a further edge region enclosing the central region, in particular laterally, and having a further edge.wherein the central region delimits the container interior, relative to the length of the liquid-tight container, at the first end of the liquid-tight container in a first direction along the length of the liquid-tight container; wherein the further edge region is integrally connected to the casing element by means of the first joining element; wherein the further edge forms a closed curve with a circumference; wherein the further edge region has, at each point of the closed curve, an edge width extending from the further edge to the central region; wherein the first edge region projects beyond the further edge region at each point of the closed curve such that the first edge region has an overhang width from the further edge to the first edge; wherein the overhang width is measured on a side of the first edge region facing away from the first end element;wherein the projection width along at least 50% of the circumference is at least 30% of the edge width; wherein at least one first plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container through the container interior contains a first joining layer sequence, over the entire lateral extent of which, relative to the first joining layer sequence, the casing element, the first joining element, and the first end element directly follow one another as layers; wherein the first joining element has a first surface contacting the first end element and a second surface contacting the casing element; wherein an imaginary first straight line connects both end points of a first line formed in the at least one first plane by the first surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence;wherein an imaginary second straight line connects both endpoints of a second line formed in the at least one first plane by the second surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence; wherein the first straight line forms a first acute angle with the second straight line. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods and a device for producing the container, as well as uses of the container, a sheet-like composite, and joining tools.

[0003] For a long time, food has been preserved, whether for human consumption or animal feed, by storing it either in a can or in a glass jar with a lid. Cans and jars have a number of disadvantages. For example, cans and jars have a considerable weight, which leads to increased energy consumption during transport. In addition, the production of glass, tinplate or aluminum, even when the raw materials used come from recycling, requires a considerable amount of energy. In the case of glass, the increased transport costs are an additional complicating factor. The jars are usually prefabricated in a glassworks and then have to be transported to the plant that fills the food, which requires considerable transport volumes.In addition, jars and cans can only be opened with considerable force or with the help of tools, which is rather cumbersome. With cans, there is a high risk of injury from sharp edges that arise when opening them. With jars, it often happens that glass splinters get into the food when filling or opening the filled jars, which in the worst case can lead to internal injuries when the food is consumed. In addition, both cans and jars must be labeled to identify and advertise the food contents. The jars and cans cannot simply be printed directly with information and advertising. In addition to the actual printing, a substrate - a paper or a suitable film - as well as a fastening agent, an adhesive, or a sealing agent are necessary.

[0004] Other packaging systems are known from the state of the art for storing food over long periods of time with as little damage as possible. These are containers made from sheet-like composites – often referred to as laminates. Such sheet-like composites are often composed of a thermoplastic layer, a carrier layer, usually made of cardboard or paper, which imparts dimensional stability to the container, an adhesive layer, a barrier layer, and another plastic layer. Since the carrier layer imparts dimensional stability to the container made from the laminate, these containers, in contrast to film bags, can be seen as a further development of the aforementioned jars and cans.

[0005] One-piece, dimensionally stable food containers made of laminate are often essentially cuboid-shaped (see Figure 20). These containers are manufactured by folding and sealing a continuous piece of laminate. Forming the container base and container head often requires particularly sharp and numerous folds, some of which also intersect. Such accumulations of folds always tend to impair the longevity of the food in the container. Firstly, the barrier layer can be damaged at sharp fold edges or fold intersections. This is particularly true when a metal foil is used as the barrier layer. If the barrier layer is damaged, the gas-tightness of the container suffers. The oxygen penetrating the container reduces its shelf life. Secondly, the carrier layer, although foldable, is also rigid enough to give the container dimensional stability.This often means that it is not possible to produce an unlimited number of sharp folds cleanly over a small area. In the case of the container base in particular, many folded layers of the laminate are often placed on top of each other. Since the accumulated folds cannot be formed perfectly sharp and clean, and in addition, a targeted local application of the required amount of sealing agent is often not possible, it often happens that the laminate layers are not completely sealed together. This can lead to the formation of cavities between the layers. Germs can settle in such cavities, which are difficult to eliminate even with increased disinfection measures during container production. In addition, such cavities can form channels through the layer sequence of the laminate, which enable the transport of gas and liquid through the layer sequence and can therefore significantly impair the tightness of the container.

[0006] These durability problems of one-piece containers can be addressed by reducing the number of folds. To achieve this, the container can be constructed in multiple parts, i.e., with a separate lid and / or base. The lid or base is then manufactured from a separate piece of laminate, which is bonded to a piece of laminate forming the side wall of the container during container production. Such multi-piece containers have significantly fewer sharp folds than one-piece laminate containers. As a result, fewer leak-tightness problems occur in the unloaded container, and greater durability can be achieved more reliably.

[0007] However, the tightness of these multi-part containers depends significantly on the joint between the lid / base and the side wall of the container. As a result, such multi-part containers are more susceptible to leakage losses due to mechanical influences, such as those that occur when a container is dropped or when filled containers are stacked.

[0008] In general, it is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome a disadvantage resulting from the prior art.

[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a dimensionally stable, liquid-tight food container made of laminate, which is characterized by improved durability, in particular after a mechanical impact such as a fall. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a dimensionally stable, liquid-tight food container made of laminate, which has a denser container base or a denser container head, or both, in particular after a mechanical impact such as a fall. A further object of the invention is to provide a dimensionally stable, liquid-tight food container made of laminate, which is characterized by improved mechanical stability, in particular against a fall. A further object of the invention is to provide a method that is particularly designed for producing and preferably also filling one of the aforementioned advantageous food containers.

[0010] A contribution to at least partially fulfilling at least one, preferably several, of the above objects is made by the independent claims. The dependent claims provide preferred embodiments that contribute to at least partially fulfilling at least one of the objects.

[0011] A contribution to achieving at least one of the objects of the invention is made by an embodiment 1 of a liquid-tight container, comprising a container wall that at least partially, preferably completely, surrounds a container interior, and a first joining element; wherein a jacket element and a first end element each form a region of the container wall; wherein the jacket element is formed at least partially, preferably completely, from a first sheet-like material, laterally delimits the container interior, based on a length of the liquid-tight container, and includes a first edge region with a first edge; wherein the first sheet-like material includes a first cardboard and has a flexural rigidity in a range from 50 to 600 mN, preferably from 50 to 500 mN, more preferably from 55 to 480 mN, more preferably from 60 to 460 mN, even more preferably from 65 to 440 mN, most preferably from 70 to 420 mN.wherein the first edge region is arranged at a first end of the liquid-tight container; wherein the first end element includes a central region and a further edge region enclosing the central region and having a further edge; wherein the central region delimits the container interior, based on the length of the liquid-tight container, at the first end of the liquid-tight container in a first direction along the length of the liquid-tight container; wherein the further edge region is integrally connected to the casing element by means of the first joining element; wherein the further edge forms a closed curve with a circumference; wherein the further edge region has, at each point of the closed curve, an edge width extending from the further edge to the central region;wherein the first edge region projects beyond the further edge region at every point of the closed curve such that the first edge region has a projection width from the further edge to the first edge; wherein the projection width is measured on a side of the first edge region facing away from the first end element; wherein the projection width along at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, even more preferably at least 95%, most preferably 100% of the circumference is at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, even more preferably at least 70% of the edge width;wherein at least one, preferably each, first plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container through the container interior contains a first joining layer sequence, over the entire lateral extent of which, relative to the first joining layer sequence, the casing element, the first joining element, and the first end element directly follow one another as layers; wherein the first joining element has a first surface contacting the first end element and a second surface contacting the casing element; wherein an imaginary first straight line connects both end points of a first line formed in the at least one first plane by the first surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence; wherein an imaginary second straight line connects both end points of a second line formed in the at least one first plane by the second surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence;where the first straight line forms a first acute angle with the second straight line;

[0012] The overhang width is preferably 30 to 100%, preferably 40 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, more preferably 60 to 100%, most preferably 70 to 100%, of the circumference. Preferably, but not necessarily, the first edge region is in contact with the further edge region, preferably along at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably 100% of the overhang width.More preferably, the first edge region is connected to the further edge region, preferably along at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, even more preferably at least 95%, most preferably 100% of the overhang width. Here, the folded region of the first edge region is preferably connected to the further edge region, preferably sealed or welded. This ensures that neither the first edge nor the further edge points in the first direction and is thus exposed to the potentially moist environment. In this context, the person skilled in the art refers to this as a flanging.

[0013] A preferred first carton has a basis weight in a range of 50 to 500 g / m 2 , preferably from 100 to 500 g / m 2 , preferably from 100 to 450 g / m 2 , preferably from 150 to 450 g / m 2 , more preferably from 170 to 420 g / m 2, most preferably from 190 to 400 g / m 2 .

[0014] In an embodiment 2 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 1, wherein in the at least one first plane at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, even more preferably at least 95%, particularly preferably at least 98%, most preferably 100%, of an area of ​​the first joining element lies between the first straight line and the second straight line. Preferably, the first joining element in the at least one first plane has the shape of a triangle or a quadrilateral. A preferred quadrilateral is a trapezoid. A preferred trapezoid is not a parallelogram. Alternatively or additionally, the first joining element in the at least one first plane has the shape of a wedge cross section, wherein a pointed end of the wedge has the first acute angle. In this case, the shape of the wedge can be triangular. However, the end of the wedge tapering to the first acute angle can also be missing.

[0015] In an embodiment 3 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 1 or 2, wherein for at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of an outer circumference of the casing element there is at least one first plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container through the container interior and the outer circumference of the casing element, which first plane contains the first joining layer sequence, so that an imaginary first straight line connects both end points of a first line formed in the at least one first plane by the first surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence,and an imaginary second straight line connects both endpoints of a second line formed in the at least one first plane by the second surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence, wherein the first straight line encloses a first acute angle with the second straight line. In other words, for at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of an outer circumference of the casing element, there is at least one first plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container through the container interior and the outer circumference of the casing element, in which first plane the first straight line defined in embodiment 1 of the liquid-tight container encloses the first acute angle with the second straight line.

[0016] In an embodiment 4 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first acute angle is in a range from 0.5 to 10.0°, preferably from 1.0 to 9.0°, more preferably from 1.5 to 8.0°, more preferably from 2.0 to 7.5°, more preferably from 2.5 to 7.0°, more preferably from 3.0 to 6.5°, more preferably from 3.2 to 6.4°, more preferably from 3.5 to 6.4°, more preferably from 4.0 to 6.4°, even more preferably from 4.5 to 6.4°, most preferably from 5.0 to 6.4°.

[0017] In an embodiment 5 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein a vertex of the first acute angle is arranged in the first direction after the legs of the first acute angle. The first acute angle thus forms an arrowhead pointing away from the container interior.

[0018] In an embodiment 6 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first straight line encloses an angle in a range from 1.3 to 13.5°, preferably from 2.0 to 13.0°, more preferably from 3.0 to 12.0°, more preferably from 4.0 to 11.0°, even more preferably from 5.0 to 10.0°, most preferably from 5.8 to 9.9°, with the first direction. Alternatively or additionally, the second straight line preferably encloses an angle in a range from 0.4 to 5.0°, preferably from 0.5 to 4.5°, more preferably from 0.6 to 4.0°, even more preferably from 0.7 to 3.7°, most preferably from 0.8 to 3.5°, with the first direction.Alternatively or additionally, preferably, a region of the first end member contacting the first surface is angled laterally inwardly or outwardly, which is more preferred, relative to the liquid-tight container, in each case preferably at an angle in a range of 1.3 to 13.5°, preferably 2.0 to 13.0°, more preferably 3.0 to 12.0°, more preferably 4.0 to 11.0°, even more preferably 5.0 to 10.0°, most preferably 5.8 to 9.9°, relative to the first direction. Alternatively or additionally, a region of the casing element which contacts the second surface is angled laterally inwards or outwards, which is more preferred, with respect to the liquid-tight container, preferably at an angle in a range of 0.4 to 5.0°, preferably from 0.5 to 4.5°, more preferably from 0.6 to 4.0°, even more preferably from 0.7 to 3.7°, most preferably from 0.8 to 3.5°, with respect to the first direction.In an embodiment 7 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the jacket element surrounds the first end element at least partially, preferably laterally completely.

[0019] In an embodiment 8 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first carton has a basis weight in a range of 50 to 500 g / m 2 , preferably from 100 to 500 g / m 2 , preferably from 100 to 450 g / m 2 , preferably from 150 to 450 g / m 2 , more preferably from 170 to 420 g / m 2 , most preferably from 190 to 400 g / m 2 , has.

[0020] In an embodiment 9 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first sheet-like material has a first material direction and a further material direction, wherein the first material direction is perpendicular to the further material direction and to a thickness of the first sheet-like material at every point on a surface of the first sheet-like material, wherein the first sheet-like material satisfies one or more, preferably each, of the following criteria:

[0021] A] the first sheet-like material has an extensibility in the first material direction in the range of 2.5 to 10%, preferably 3.5 to 9%, more preferably 4.5 to 8%;

[0022] B] the first sheet-like material has an extensibility in the further material direction in the range of 1 to 6%, preferably 1.5 to 5.5%, more preferably 2 to 4.5%;

[0023] C] the first sheet-like material has a modulus of elasticity in the first material direction in the range from 800 to 4000 MPa, preferably from 1000 to 3500 MPa, more preferably from 1250 to 2500 MPa;

[0024] D] the first sheet-like material has a modulus of elasticity in the further material direction in the range from 1500 to 6000 MPa, preferably from 2000 to 5000 MPa, more preferably from 2500 to 4500 MPa.

[0025] Preferably, the first material direction in the liquid-tight container according to the invention runs along the first direction. In a further preferred embodiment, the further material direction in the liquid-tight container according to the invention runs along the first direction.

[0026] In an embodiment 10 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first sheet-like material has a first material direction and a further material direction, wherein the first material direction is perpendicular to the further material direction and to a thickness of the first sheet-like material at every point on a surface of the first sheet-like material, wherein an extensibility of the first sheet-like material in the first material direction is greater than an extensibility of the first sheet-like material in the further material direction. Alternatively or additionally, an E-modulus of the first sheet-like material in the first material direction is preferably smaller than an E-modulus of the first sheet-like material in the further material direction.

[0027] In an embodiment 11 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first sheet-like material is a first sheet-like composite comprising a first layer sequence; wherein the first layer sequence comprises, preferably over its entire surface, a first carrier layer.

[0028] In an embodiment 12 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 11, wherein the first carrier layer contains the first cardboard, preferably consists thereof.

[0029] In an embodiment 13 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 11 or 12, wherein the first carrier layer in the first layer sequence is overlaid with a first polymer inner layer on a side facing the container interior, preferably over its entire surface.

[0030] In an embodiment 14 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 13, wherein the first joining element is formed at least partially from the first polymer inner layer. Alternatively or additionally, the further joining element is preferably formed at least partially from the first polymer inner layer. For this purpose, the first polymer inner layer can be softened or melted in certain regions, and the first joining element can be formed from the softened or melted region. In this case, a transition between the first polymer inner layer and the first joining element is preferably continuous. Furthermore, the first joining element preferably also contains the materials from which the first polymer inner layer is made.

[0031] In an embodiment 15 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 11 to 14, wherein the first carrier layer in the first layer sequence is overlaid with a first polymer outer layer on a side facing away from the container interior, preferably over its entire surface.

[0032] In an embodiment 16 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 13 to 15, wherein the first layer sequence between the first carrier layer and the first polymer inner layer includes, preferably over the entire surface, a first barrier layer.

[0033] In an embodiment 17 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to any of its embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the first carrier layer has at least one through-hole that is covered at least with the first polymer inner layer. Alternatively or in addition to the first polymer inner layer, the at least one through-hole in the first carrier layer is covered with the first barrier layer.

[0034] In an embodiment 18 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first end element is formed at least partially, preferably completely, from a second sheet-like material. The second sheet-like material can differ in its structure from the first sheet-like material. Preferably, the second sheet-like material has the same structure as the first sheet-like material. In an embodiment 19 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 18, wherein the second sheet-like material contains, preferably consists of, one selected from the group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof, preferably over its entire surface. Preferably, the second sheet-like material contains a second cardboard.Preferably, the second carton has one or more of the properties described above for the first carton.

[0035] In an embodiment 20 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to its embodiment 18 or 19, wherein the second sheet-like material is a second sheet-like composite comprising a second layer sequence; wherein the second layer sequence, preferably over its entire surface, comprises a second carrier layer. The structure of the second carrier layer can differ from the structure of the first carrier layer. Preferably, the second carrier layer has the same structure as the first carrier layer.

[0036] In an embodiment 21 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to its embodiment 20, wherein the second carrier layer comprises, preferably consists of, one selected from the group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, the second carrier layer comprises a second cardboard. Furthermore, the second carrier layer preferably consists of the second cardboard. The second cardboard preferably has one or more of the properties described above for the first cardboard.

[0037] In an embodiment 22 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the second carrier layer in the second layer sequence is overlaid with a second polymer inner layer on a side facing the container interior, preferably over its entire surface. The second polymer inner layer can differ from the first polymer inner layer, for example, in its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the second polymer inner layer is constructed identically to the first polymer inner layer, i.e., in particular, from the same material and with the same basis weight.

[0038] In an embodiment 23 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 22, wherein the first joining element is formed at least partially from the second polymer inner layer. For this purpose, the second polymer inner layer can be softened or melted in certain regions, and the first joining element can be formed from the softened or melted region. In this case, a transition between the second polymer inner layer and the first joining element is preferably continuous. Furthermore, the first joining element preferably also contains the materials from which the second polymer inner layer is made. Furthermore, the first joining element is preferably formed from the first polymer inner layer and the second polymer inner layer.

[0039] In an embodiment 24 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 20 to 23, wherein the second carrier layer in the second layer sequence is overlaid with a second polymer outer layer on a side facing away from the container interior, preferably over its entire surface. The second polymer outer layer can differ from the first polymer outer layer, for example, in its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the second polymer outer layer is constructed identically to the first polymer outer layer, i.e., in particular, from the same material and with the same basis weight.

[0040] In an embodiment 25 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 22 to 24, wherein the second layer sequence between the second carrier layer and the second polymer inner layer, preferably over the entire surface, includes a second barrier layer. The second barrier layer can differ from the first barrier layer, for example in its material or its basis weight. Preferably, the second barrier layer is constructed identically to the first barrier layer, i.e. in particular from the same material and with the same basis weight. In an embodiment 26 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 22 to 25, wherein the second carrier layer has at least one through-hole which is covered at least with the second polymer inner layer.Alternatively or in addition to the second polymer inner layer, the at least one through-hole in the second carrier layer is covered with the second barrier layer. Preferably, the first end element closes the liquid-tight container at a first end, wherein the first end is preferably a container head located opposite a container base along the length of the liquid-tight container.

[0041] In an embodiment 27 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first end element is curved concavely with respect to the container interior, i.e. towards the container interior, or convexly, i.e. away from the container interior.

[0042] In an embodiment 28 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first end element, relative to the length of the liquid-tight container, is arranged at the first end of the liquid-tight container; wherein the casing element additionally delimits the container interior in a further direction opposite the first direction. Preferably, the first end element closes the liquid-tight container at the first end. Alternatively or additionally, the casing element preferably closes the liquid-tight container at a further end opposite the first end, relative to the length of the liquid-tight container.

[0043] In an embodiment 29 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 1 to 27, wherein the first end element, based on the length of the liquid-tight container, is arranged at a first end of the liquid-tight container; wherein a further end element forms a further region of the container wall; wherein the further end element delimits the container interior in a further direction opposite to the first direction; wherein the further end element, based on the length of the liquid-tight container, is arranged at a further end of the liquid-tight container opposite the first end; wherein the further end element is connected to the casing element.

[0044] In an embodiment 30 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 29, wherein the liquid-tight container additionally includes a further joining element; wherein the further end element is materially connected to the casing element by means of the further joining element; wherein at least one, preferably each, further plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container through the container interior includes a further joining layer sequence, over the entire lateral extent of which, based on the further joining layer sequence, the casing element, the further joining element and the further end element follow one another directly as layers; wherein the further joining element has a third surface contacting the further end element and a fourth surface contacting the casing element;wherein an imaginary third straight line connects both endpoints of a third line formed in the at least one further plane by the third surface and lying within the further joining layer sequence; wherein an imaginary fourth straight line connects both endpoints of a fourth line formed in the at least one further plane by the fourth surface and lying within the further joining layer sequence; wherein the third straight line encloses a further acute angle with the fourth straight line.;

[0045] In an embodiment 31 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 30, wherein in the at least one further plane at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, even more preferably at least 95%, particularly preferably at least 98%, most preferably 100%, of an area of ​​the further joining element lies between the third straight line and the fourth straight line. Preferably, the further joining element in the at least one further plane has the shape of a triangle or a quadrilateral. A preferred quadrilateral is a trapezoid. A preferred trapezoid is not a parallelogram. Alternatively or additionally, the further joining element in the at least one further plane has the shape of a cross-section of a wedge, wherein a pointed end of the wedge has the first acute angle. The shape of the wedge can be triangular.However, the end of the wedge that tapers to the first acute angle may also be missing.

[0046] In an embodiment 32 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 30 or 31, wherein for at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of an outer circumference of the casing element, there is at least one further plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container through the container interior and the outer circumference of the casing element, which further plane contains the further joining layer sequence, so that an imaginary third straight line connects both end points of a third line formed in the at least one plane by the third surface and lying within the further joining layer sequence,and an imaginary fourth straight line connects both endpoints of a fourth line formed in the at least one plane by the fourth surface and lying within the further joining layer sequence, wherein the third straight line encloses a further acute angle with the fourth straight line. In other words, for at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of an outer circumference of the casing element, there is at least one further plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container through the container interior and the outer circumference of the casing element, in which plane the third straight line defined in embodiment 32 of the liquid-tight container encloses the further acute angle with the fourth straight line.

[0047] In an embodiment 33 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to any of its embodiments 29 to 32, wherein the first end element closes the liquid-tight container at the first end; wherein the further end element closes the liquid-tight container at the further end.

[0048] In an embodiment 34 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 28 to 33, wherein

[0049] A) the first end is a container bottom and the further end is a container head; or

[0050] B) the first end is a container head and the other end is a container bottom.

[0051] In an embodiment 35 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 30 to 34, wherein the further acute angle is in a range from 0.5 to 10.0°, preferably from 1.0 to 9.0°, more preferably from 1.5 to 8.0°, more preferably from 2.0 to 7.5°, more preferably from 2.5 to 7.0°, more preferably from 3.0 to 6.5°, more preferably from 3.2 to 6.4°, more preferably from 3.5 to 6.4°, more preferably from 4.0 to 6.4°, even more preferably from 4.5 to 6.4°, most preferably from 5.0 to 6.4°.

[0052] In an embodiment 36 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 30 to 35, wherein an apex of the further acute angle is arranged in the further direction after the legs of the further acute angle. The further acute angle thus forms an arrowhead pointing away from the container interior.

[0053] In an embodiment 37 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 30 to 36, wherein the third straight line encloses an angle in a range from 1.3 to 13.5°, preferably from 2.0 to 13.0°, more preferably from 3.0 to 12.0°, more preferably from 4.0 to 11.0°, even more preferably from 5.0 to 10.0°, most preferably from 5.8 to 9.9°, with the first direction. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth straight line preferably encloses an angle in a range from 0.4 to 5.0°, preferably from 0.5 to 4.5°, more preferably from 0.6 to 4.0°, even more preferably from 0.7 to 3.7°, most preferably from 0.8 to 3.5°, with the first direction.Alternatively or additionally, a region of the further end element which contacts the third surface is angled laterally inwards or outwards, which is more preferred, with respect to the liquid-tight container, in each case preferably at an angle in a range of 1.3 to 13.5°, preferably from 2.0 to 13.0°, more preferably from 3.0 to 12.0°, more preferably from 4.0 to 11.0°, even more preferably from 5.0 to 10.0°, most preferably from 5.8 to 9.9°, with respect to the first direction. Alternatively or additionally, a region of the casing element which contacts the fourth surface is angled laterally inwards or outwards, which is more preferred, with respect to the liquid-tight container, preferably at an angle in a range of 0.4 to 5.0°, preferably from 0.5 to 4.5°, more preferably from 0.6 to 4.0°, even more preferably from 0.7 to 3.7°, most preferably from 0.8 to 3.5°, with respect to the first direction.

[0054] In an embodiment 38 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 29 to 37, wherein the jacket element surrounds the further end element at least partially, preferably laterally completely.

[0055] In an embodiment 39 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 29 to 38, wherein the further end element is formed at least partially, preferably completely, from a third sheet-like material. The third sheet-like material can differ in its structure from the first sheet-like material or the second sheet-like material or from both. Preferably, the second sheet-like material has the same structure as the first sheet-like material or the second sheet-like material or both. Alternatively, the further end element is preferably formed at least partially, preferably completely, from a shaped body. A preferred shaped body is made of plastic. The shaped body preferably includes a pouring hole.

[0056] In an embodiment 40 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to its embodiment 39, wherein the third sheet-like material comprises, preferably consists of, one selected from the group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof, preferably over the entire surface. Preferably, the third sheet-like material comprises a third cardboard. Preferably, the third cardboard has one or more of the properties described above for the first cardboard.

[0057] In an embodiment 41 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to its embodiment 39 or 40, wherein the third sheet-like material is a third sheet-like composite comprising a third layer sequence; wherein the third layer sequence comprises a third carrier layer. The structure of the third carrier layer can differ from the structure of the first carrier layer or the second carrier layer, or both. Preferably, the third carrier layer has the same structure as the first carrier layer or the second carrier layer, or both.

[0058] In an embodiment 42 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to its embodiment 41, wherein the third carrier layer comprises, preferably consists of, one selected from the group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, the third carrier layer comprises a third cardboard. Furthermore, the second carrier layer preferably consists of the third cardboard. Preferably, the third cardboard has one or more of the properties described above for the first cardboard.

[0059] In an embodiment 43 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 41 or 42, wherein the third carrier layer in the third layer sequence is overlaid with a third polymer inner layer on a side facing the container interior, preferably over its entire surface. The third polymer inner layer can differ, for example in its material or its basis weight, from the first polymer inner layer or the second polymer inner layer or from both. Preferably, the third polymer inner layer is constructed in the same way as the first polymer inner layer or the second polymer inner layer or both, i.e. in particular from the same material and of the same basis weight. In an embodiment 44 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to its embodiment 43, wherein the further joining element is formed at least partially from the third polymer inner layer.Alternatively or additionally, the further joining element is preferably formed at least partially from the first polymer inner layer. For this purpose, the first or third polymer inner layer, or both, can be softened or melted in certain regions, and the further joining element can be formed from the softened or melted region. In this case, a transition between the first and / or third polymer inner layer and the first joining element is preferably continuous. Furthermore, the first joining element preferably also contains the materials from which the first and / or third polymer inner layer is made.

[0060] In an embodiment 45 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 41 to 44, wherein the third carrier layer in the third layer sequence is overlaid with a third polymer outer layer on a side facing away from the container interior, preferably over its entire surface. The third polymer outer layer can differ, for example, in its material or its basis weight, from the first polymer outer layer or the second polymer outer layer, or from both. Preferably, the third polymer outer layer is constructed identically to the first polymer outer layer or the second polymer outer layer, or both, i.e., in particular, from the same material and with the same basis weight.

[0061] In an embodiment 46 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 43 to 45, wherein the third layer sequence between the third carrier layer and the third polymer inner layer, preferably over the entire surface, includes a third barrier layer. The third barrier layer can differ, for example, in its material or its basis weight, from the first barrier layer or the second barrier layer or from both. Preferably, the third barrier layer is constructed identically to the first barrier layer or the second barrier layer or both, i.e. in particular from the same material and of the same basis weight. In an embodiment 47 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 43 to 46, wherein the third carrier layer has at least one through-hole that is covered at least by the third polymer inner layer.Alternatively or in addition to the third polymer inner layer, the at least one through-hole in the third carrier layer is covered with the third barrier layer. Preferably, the further end element closes the liquid-tight container at a further end, wherein the further end is preferably a container head that lies opposite a container base along the length of the liquid-tight container.

[0062] In an embodiment 48 according to the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its embodiments 29 to 47, wherein the further end element is concavely or convexly curved with respect to the container interior.

[0063] In an embodiment 49 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the liquid-tight container, preferably the container wall, completely surrounds the container interior. In other words, the liquid-tight container is preferably closed.

[0064] In an embodiment 50 of the invention, the liquid-tight container is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the container interior contains a liquid. Preferably, the liquid is a food product or a component of a food product. Alternatively, the liquid is preferably a cosmetic product or a component of a cosmetic product. Preferably, the liquid, the food product, or the cosmetic product occupies at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90%, of the volume of the container interior.

[0065] A contribution to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects according to the invention is made by an embodiment 1 of a method 1 for producing the liquid-tight container according to the invention according to one of its embodiments, the method comprising as method steps a) providing i) a casing element formed at least partially, preferably completely, from a first sheet-like material, ii) a first end element, iii) a first joining tool, and iv) a second joining tool, wherein the first sheet-like material

[0066] - contains a first carton, and

[0067] - a bending stiffness in a range of 50 to 600 mN, preferably from 50 to

[0068] 500 mN, more preferably from 55 to 480 mN, more preferably from 60 to 460 mN, even more preferably from 65 to 440 mN, most preferably from 70 to 420 mN; b) contacting i) the first end element with at least one first tool surface of the first joining tool, and ii) the shell element with at least one second tool surface of the second joining tool; and c) materially connecting the first end element to the shell element.

[0069] Preferred elements from which the liquid-tight container according to the invention is obtained according to method 1 are formed according to one embodiment of the method as described for one embodiment of the liquid-tight container according to the invention. Preferably, but not necessarily, the casing element is crimped after method step c).

[0070] The first tool surface preferably forms at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of precisely that part of a total surface of the first joining tool which, in method step b), faces the second joining tool and is contacted with the first end element.The second tool surface is preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of the exact part of a total surface of the second joining tool that faces the first joining tool in method step b) and is contacted with the casing element. Preferably, the first tool surface or the second tool surface, or each of the two, is designed as a truncated cone casing surface or as a truncated pyramid casing surface.

[0071] In this case, the procedural steps of a process follow one another according to the order of their ordinal symbols. Successive procedural steps can be executed sequentially, with temporal overlap, or simultaneously.

[0072] In an embodiment 2 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to its embodiment 1, wherein in method step b), preferably also in method step c), the first tool surface and the second tool surface enclose a first acute tool angle.

[0073] In an embodiment 3 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to its embodiment 2, wherein the first acute tool angle is in a range from 0.5 to 10°, preferably from 0.5 to 8°, more preferably from 0.5 to 6°, more preferably from 0.5 to 4°, even more preferably from 0.5 to 3°, most preferably from 1 to 2°.

[0074] In an embodiment 4 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to its embodiment 2 or 3, wherein a vertex of the first acute tool angle is arranged in the first direction after the legs of the first acute tool angle. The first acute tool angle thus forms an arrowhead pointing away from the container interior.

[0075] In an embodiment 5 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein in method step b), preferably also in method step c), the first tool surface encloses an angle in a range from 5 to 20°, preferably from 6 to 18°, more preferably from 7 to 16°, even more preferably from 9 to 14°, most preferably from 10 to 12°, with a direction of the length of the casing element. The direction of the length of the casing element is preferably equal to a direction of a length of the liquid-tight container.

[0076] In an embodiment 6 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein in method step b), preferably also in method step c), the jacket element surrounds the first end element at least partially, preferably laterally completely.

[0077] In an embodiment 7 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein in method step b), preferably also in method step c), the first joining tool is at least partially surrounded by the second joining tool. Alternatively or additionally, the first and second joining tools are preferably engaged with each other in method step b), preferably also in method step c).

[0078] In an embodiment 8 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first joining tool in method step c) oscillates at a frequency in a range from 15 to 50 kHz, preferably from 15 to 40 kHz, more preferably from 20 to 35 kHz. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the first joining tool in method step c) oscillates at an amplitude in a range from 3 to 60 pm, preferably from 5 to 50 pm, more preferably from 10 to 45 pm. A preferred first joining tool is a sonotrode. A preferred second joining tool is an anvil, which is designed as a counter-tool to the sonotrode. The first joining tool is preferably designed in one piece. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the first joining tool is truncated pyramid-shaped or truncated cone-shaped. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the second joining tool is ring-shaped.

[0079] In an embodiment 9 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the material-to-material connection in method step c) is carried out by welding, preferably by friction welding.

[0080] In an embodiment 10 of the invention, the method 1 is configured according to any of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first end element is arranged at a first end of the liquid-tight container, relative to the length of the liquid-tight container; wherein the method further comprises a method step d) closing the container at a further end opposite the first end, relative to the length of the container.

[0081] Preferably, the first end member closes the container at the first end.

[0082] In an embodiment 11 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to its embodiment 10, wherein after closing in method step d) the container, preferably the container wall, completely surrounds the container interior.

[0083] In an embodiment 12 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to its embodiment 10 or 11, wherein

[0084] A) the first end is a container bottom and the further end is a container head; or

[0085] B) the first end is a container head and the other end is a container bottom.

[0086] In an embodiment 13 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to one of its embodiments 10 to 12, wherein the closure in method step d) is carried out with the casing element, so that the casing element delimits the container interior in a further direction opposite to the first direction. Here, the container according to claim 28 is preferably obtained in method step d).

[0087] In an embodiment 14 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to its embodiment 13, wherein the method step d) includes as substeps i) folding the casing element; and ii) connecting regions of the casing element to one another.

[0088] In an embodiment 15 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to one of its embodiments 10 to 12, wherein the method step d) comprises, as sub-steps i), contacting a further end element with at least a third

[0089] Tool surface of a third joining tool, and of the casing element with at least a fourth tool surface of a fourth joining tool; and ii) a material-to-material connection of the further end element to the casing element to obtain the container according to one of claims 29 to 50. The third tool surface preferably forms at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of precisely that part of a total surface of the third joining tool which, in method step d)i), faces the fourth joining tool and is contacted with the further end element.The fourth tool surface is preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of the exact part of a total surface of the fourth joining tool that faces the third joining tool in method step d)i) and is contacted with the casing element. Preferably, the third tool surface or the fourth tool surface, or each of the two, is designed as a truncated cone casing surface or as a truncated pyramid casing surface.

[0090] In an embodiment 16 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to its embodiment 15, wherein in the method step d)i), preferably also in the method step d)ii), the third tool surface and the fourth tool surface enclose a further acute tool angle.

[0091] In an embodiment 17 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to its embodiment 16, wherein the further acute tool angle is in a range from 0.5 to 10°, preferably from 0.5 to 8°, more preferably from 0.5 to 6°, more preferably from 0.5 to 4°, even more preferably from 0.5 to 3°, most preferably from 1 to 2°.

[0092] In an embodiment 18 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to its embodiment 16 or 17, wherein a vertex of the further acute tool angle is arranged in the further direction after the legs of the further acute tool angle. The further acute tool angle thus forms an arrowhead pointing away from the container interior.

[0093] In an embodiment 19 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to one of its embodiments 15 to 18, wherein in the method step d)i), preferably also in the method step d)ii), the third tool surface encloses an angle in a range from 5 to 20°, preferably from 6 to 18°, more preferably from 7 to 16°, even more preferably from 9 to 14°, most preferably from 10 to 12°, with a direction of the length of the open container.

[0094] In an embodiment 20 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to one of its embodiments 15 to 19, wherein in method step d)i), preferably also in method step d)ii), the casing element at least partially, preferably laterally completely, surrounds the further end element. In an embodiment 21 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to one of its embodiments 15 to 20, wherein in method step d)i), preferably also in method step d)ii), the third joining tool is at least partially surrounded by the fourth joining tool. Alternatively or additionally, the third and fourth joining tools are preferably in engagement with one another in method step d)i), preferably also in method step d)ii).

[0095] In an embodiment 22 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to one of its embodiments 15 to 21, wherein the third joining tool in method step d)ii) oscillates at a frequency in a range from 15 to 50 kHz, preferably from 15 to 40 kHz, more preferably from 20 to 35 kHz. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the third joining tool in method step d)ii) oscillates at an amplitude in a range from 3 to 60 pm, preferably from 5 to 50 pm, more preferably from 10 to 45 pm. A preferred third joining tool is a sonotrode. A preferred fourth joining tool is an anvil, which is designed as a counter-tool to the sonotrode. The third joining tool is preferably formed in one piece. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the third joining tool is truncated pyramid-shaped or truncated cone-shaped. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth joining tool is preferably ring-shaped.

[0096] In an embodiment 23 according to the invention, the method 1 is designed according to one of its embodiments 15 to 22, wherein the material-to-material joining in the method step d)ii) is carried out by welding, preferably by friction welding.

[0097] In an embodiment 24 according to the invention, method 1 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the container a} after method step c) and before method step d); or b} after method step d); or c} both is filled with a liquid. In case b}, the container, preferably the casing element, the first end element or the further end element, has a through-hole through which the filling takes place. After filling, the through-hole is preferably closed. For this purpose, for example, a pull tab can be applied, preferably glued or sealed. The liquid is preferably a foodstuff or a component of a foodstuff. Alternatively, the liquid is preferably a cosmetic product or a component of a cosmetic product.Preferably, after filling the container, the liquid, food or cosmetic product occupies at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90%, of a volume of the container interior.

[0098] A contribution to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects of the invention is made by an embodiment 1 of a method 2 for producing the liquid-tight container according to the invention according to one of its embodiments 28, 34, 49 and 50, the method comprising as method steps a. providing i. a casing element formed at least partially, preferably completely, from a first sheet-like material, ii. an end element, iii. a first joining tool, and iv. a second joining tool, wherein the first sheet-like material

[0099] - contains a first carton, and

[0100] - has a flexural rigidity in a range from 50 to 600 mN, preferably from 50 to 500 mN, more preferably from 55 to 480 mN, more preferably from 60 to 460 mN, even more preferably from 65 to 440 mN, most preferably from 70 to 420 mN; b. closing the casing element at one of its ends, based on a length of the casing element, to obtain an open container; c. contacting i. the end element with at least a first tool surface of the first joining tool, and ii. the casing element with at least a second tool surface of the second joining tool; and d. materially connecting the end element to the casing element.

[0101] Preferred elements from which the liquid-tight container according to the invention is obtained according to method 2 are formed according to one embodiment of the method as described for one embodiment of the liquid-tight container according to the invention. Preferably, but not necessarily, the casing element is crimped after method step d.

[0102] The first tool surface preferably forms at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of exactly that part of a total surface of the first joining tool which faces the second joining tool in method step c. and is contacted with the end element. The second tool surface is preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of exactly that part of a total surface of the second joining tool which faces the second joining tool in method step c.facing the first joining tool and contacting the casing element. Preferably, the first tool surface or the second tool surface, or each of the two, is configured as a truncated cone casing surface or a truncated pyramid casing surface.

[0103] The method steps of method 2 also follow one another according to the order of their ordinal symbols. Successive method steps can be performed sequentially, with temporal overlap, or simultaneously. In an embodiment 2 according to the invention, method 2 is configured according to its embodiment 1, wherein in method step c., and preferably also in method step d., the first tool surface and the second tool surface enclose an acute tool angle.

[0104] In an embodiment 3 according to the invention, the method 2 is designed according to its embodiment 2, wherein the acute tool angle is in a range from 0.5 to 10°, preferably from 0.5 to 8°, more preferably from 0.5 to 6°, more preferably from 0.5 to 4°, even more preferably from 0.5 to 3°, most preferably from 1 to 2°.

[0105] In an embodiment 4 according to the invention, method 2 is configured according to its embodiment 2 or 3, wherein a vertex of the acute tool angle is arranged in the further direction after the legs of the acute tool angle. The acute tool angle thus forms an arrowhead pointing away from the container interior.

[0106] In an embodiment 5 according to the invention, the method 2 is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein in method step c., preferably also in method step d., the first tool surface encloses an angle in a range from 5 to 20°, preferably from 6 to 18°, more preferably from 7 to 16°, even more preferably from 9 to 14°, most preferably from 10 to 12°, with a direction of the length of the open container.

[0107] In an embodiment 6 according to the invention, the method 2 is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the container obtained in the method step d., preferably the container wall, completely surrounds the container interior.

[0108] In an embodiment 7 according to the invention, the method 2 is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein in method step c., preferably also in method step d., the jacket element surrounds the end element at least partially, preferably laterally completely.

[0109] In an embodiment 8 according to the invention, method 2 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein in method step c., preferably also in method step d., the first joining tool is at least partially surrounded by the second joining tool. Alternatively or additionally, the first and second joining tools are preferably in engagement with one another in method step c., preferably also in method step d.

[0110] In an embodiment 9 according to the invention, method 2 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein method step b includes as substeps i. folding the sheath element; and ii. connecting regions of the sheath element to one another.

[0111] In an embodiment 10 according to the invention, method 2 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the first joining tool in method step d. oscillates at a frequency in a range from 15 to 50 kHz, preferably from 15 to 40 kHz, more preferably from 20 to 35 kHz. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the first joining tool in method step d. oscillates at an amplitude in a range from 3 to 60 pm, preferably from 5 to 50 pm, more preferably from 10 to 45 pm. A preferred first joining tool is a sonotrode. A preferred second joining tool is an anvil, which is designed as a counter-tool to the sonotrode. The first joining tool is preferably designed in one piece. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the first joining tool is truncated pyramid-shaped or truncated cone-shaped. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the second joining tool is ring-shaped.In an embodiment 11 according to the invention, the method 2 is designed according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein the material connection in the method step d. is carried out by welding, preferably by friction welding.

[0112] In an embodiment 12 according to the invention, method 2 is configured according to one of its preceding embodiments, wherein a] the open container is filled with a liquid after method step b. and before method step c.; or b] the container is filled after method step d.; or c] both. In case b], the container, preferably the casing element or the end element, has a through-hole through which filling takes place. After filling, the through-hole is preferably closed. For this purpose, for example, a pull tab can be applied, preferably glued or sealed. The liquid is preferably a food product or a component of a food product. Alternatively, the liquid is preferably a cosmetic product or a component of a cosmetic product.Preferably, after filling the container, the liquid, food or cosmetic product occupies at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90%, of a volume of the container interior.

[0113] A contribution to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects according to the invention is made by an embodiment 1 of a device for producing a container in a process stream, the device comprising as components a] a first closing device, comprising a first joining tool and a second joining tool; and b] a further closing device arranged downstream of the first closing device, comprising a third joining tool and a fourth joining tool; wherein A. the first closing device is designed and configured to carry out process steps b) and c), and the further closing device is designed and configured to carry out process step d), in each case of method 1 according to one of its embodiments 10 to 24; or

[0114] B. the first closing device is designed and configured to carry out method step b., and the further closing device is designed and configured to carry out method steps c. and d., each of method 2 according to one of its embodiments.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment, the device is designed and configured to carry out method 1 or 2, in each case according to one of its embodiments. Preferably, the first closing device according to the above alternative A. is designed and configured in addition to flanging the casing element at the first end. According to alternative A., the first closing device is preferably designed and configured in addition to flanging the casing element around an edge of the first end element, or the further closing device is preferably designed and configured in addition to flanging the casing element around an edge of the further end element, or both. According to alternative B., the further closing device is preferably designed and configured in addition to flanging the casing element around an edge of the end element.

[0116] In an embodiment 2 according to the invention, the device is designed according to its embodiment 1, wherein the device additionally includes a filling device, wherein the filling device i] is arranged between the first closing device and the further closing device, and is arranged and designed to fill the open container with a food product; or ii] is arranged downstream of the further closing device, and is arranged and designed to fill the container with a food product. In an embodiment 3 according to the invention, the device is designed according to its embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the device is a filling machine.

[0117] An embodiment 1 of a use 1 of the container according to the invention according to one of its embodiments for storing or transporting a liquid contributes to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects of the invention. Preferably, the liquid is a food product or a component of a food product. Alternatively, the liquid is preferably a cosmetic product or a component of a cosmetic product.

[0118] A contribution to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects of the invention is made by an embodiment 1 of a use 2 of a sheet-like composite for producing the container according to the invention according to one of its embodiments; wherein one selected from the group consisting of the jacket element, the first end element, and the further end element, or a combination of at least two thereof, is formed at least partially, preferably completely, from the sheet-like composite. In a preferred embodiment of use 2, one selected from the group consisting of the jacket element, the first end element, and the further end element, or a combination of at least two thereof, is designed as described for an embodiment of the container according to the invention.A preferred sheet-like composite has a flexural rigidity in a range from 50 to 600 mN, preferably from 50 to 500 mN, more preferably from 55 to 480 mN, more preferably from 60 to 460 mN, even more preferably from 65 to 440 mN, most preferably from 70 to 420 mN.

[0119] In an embodiment 2 according to the invention, the use 2 is configured according to its embodiment 1, wherein the sheet-like composite comprises a layer sequence of superimposed layers; wherein the layer sequence comprises a carrier layer.

[0120] In an embodiment 3 according to the invention, use 2 is configured according to its embodiment 2, wherein the carrier layer comprises, preferably consists of, one selected from the group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, and paper, or a combination of at least two thereof. A preferred cardboard has a basis weight in a range of 50 to 500 g / m 2 , preferably from 100 to 500 g / m2 , preferably from 100 to 450 g / m 2 , preferably from 150 to 450 g / m 2 , more preferably from 170 to 420 g / m 2 , most preferably from 190 to 400 g / m 2 .

[0121] In an embodiment 4 according to the invention, the use 2 is designed according to its embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the carrier layer is overlaid with a polymer inner layer on a first side in the layer sequence.

[0122] In an embodiment 5 according to the invention, the use 2 is designed according to its embodiment 4, wherein the carrier layer in the layer sequence is overlaid with a polymer outer layer on a further side opposite the first side.

[0123] In an embodiment 6 according to the invention, the use 2 is designed according to its embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the layer sequence between the carrier layer and the polymer inner layer includes a barrier layer.

[0124] In one embodiment 7 of the invention, use 2 is configured according to one of its embodiments 2 to 6, wherein the carrier layer has at least one through-hole that is covered at least with the polymer inner layer. Alternatively or in addition to the polymer inner layer, the at least one through-hole in the carrier layer is covered with the barrier layer.

[0125] A contribution to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects according to the invention is made by an embodiment 1 of a use 3 of a first joining tool and a second joining tool for forming a container bottom or a container head of a container by means of a} contacting i} a first end element with at least one first tool surface of the first joining tool, and ii} a casing element with at least one second tool surface of the second joining tool, and b} materially connecting the first end element to the casing element to obtain the container according to the invention according to one of its embodiments.

[0126] The first tool surface preferably forms at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of precisely that part of a total surface of the first joining tool which, according to the use, faces the second joining tool and is contacted with the first end element.The second tool surface is preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, of exactly that part of a total surface of the second joining tool which, according to the use, faces the first joining tool and is in contact with the casing element. Preferably, the first tool surface or the second tool surface or each of the two is designed as a truncated cone surface or as a truncated pyramid surface. In a preferred embodiment of use 3, step a) is carried out according to one selected from the group consisting of step b) of method 1, step d) described for embodiment 15 of method 1, and step c) of method 2, or according to several thereof.Alternatively or additionally, step b} is preferably carried out according to one selected from the group consisting of step c) of process 1, step dii) described for embodiment 15 of process 1, and step d) of process 2, or according to several thereof.

[0127] Features described as preferred in one category of the invention, for example, according to the container of the invention, are also preferred in an embodiment of the other categories of the invention, for example, an embodiment of the method 1 or 2 of the invention or of uses 1 to 3. Furthermore, the features described below are preferred in connection with each category.

[0128] container

[0129] The container according to the invention is preferably a food container. The interior of a container according to the invention preferably contains a food product. The container wall is preferably watertight. Furthermore, the container is preferably dimensionally stable. This means that the container wall essentially retains its shape when filled. A variety of different container wall shapes are conceivable here. The container wall preferably has, at least in sections, preferably at least in the region of the container head or the container base, or both, and more preferably essentially entirely, a substantially prism or cylinder shape. A preferred prism is a straight prism or an oblique prism. Alternatively or additionally, the prism is preferably regular or irregular.The phrase "essentially a shape" here means that the container wall or the corresponding section thereof does not have to have the shape of a geometrically exact prism or a geometrically exact cylinder. For example, the polygon forming a base of the prism can have rounded corners, so that the prism has rounded edges. Here, a container wall having such a shape also essentially has the shape of a prism. Another preferred container has a container wall which, at least in sections, preferably at least in the region of the container head or the container base or both, and even more preferably essentially entirely, has the shape of a geometric body obtainable by parallel displacement of a flat base with a rounded shape. A preferred flat base with a rounded shape is kidney-shaped.

[0130] The container wall can be made of various materials. It is conceivable that, in addition to sheet-like materials, in particular sheet-like composites, other materials could also be used, for example, one or more molded plastic parts. Such molded parts can be used, in particular, in the container head or container base. However, it is preferred that the container wall consists of at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 80%, and furthermore preferably at least 90%, of its surface facing away from the container interior (outer surface) from one or more sheet-like materials, in particular sheet-like composites.Alternatively or additionally, at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 80%, and further preferably at least 90% of the outer surface of the container wall is formed by the jacket element and the first and / or further end element.

[0131] The container according to the invention is preferably a closed container. The container can have a device for emptying the contents (opening aid). This can be molded, for example, from a polymer or a mixture of polymers and attached to the outside of the container. It is also conceivable for this device to be integrated into the container by direct injection molding.

[0132] Sheath element

[0133] The casing element forms a region of the container wall of the container according to the invention. This region is preferably a lateral region of the container wall, i.e. a region of the container wall which, relative to the length of the container, is lateral. Accordingly, the casing element delimits the container interior laterally. The region of the container wall formed by the casing element preferably has the shape of a casing surface of a prism or a cylinder. A preferred prism is a straight prism or an oblique prism. Alternatively or additionally, the prism is preferably regular or irregular. The casing element contains a first sheet-like material; more preferably, the casing element consists thereof. The first sheet-like material preferably has a first edge and an opposite further edge, wherein the first edge and the further edge are connected to one another, preferably sealed.A preferred jacket element is formed as a single piece. End element.

[0134] The first end element is preferably a lid element or a base element. If the first end element is a lid element and the container contains a further end element, the further end element is preferably a base element. If the first end element is a base element and the container contains a further end element, the further end element is preferably a lid element. If the container wall has the shape of a prism or cylinder, the first end element and, if present, preferably also the further end element each form an end face of the prism or cylinder. The first end element delimits the container interior in a first direction along the length of the container. If present, the further end element delimits the container interior in a direction opposite to the first direction. In other words, the first end element and the further end element delimit the container interior axially.The region of the container wall formed by the first end element preferably has the shape of a polygonal surface or a circular surface. Alternatively or additionally, the region of the container wall formed by the further end element preferably has the shape of a polygonal surface or a circular surface. A preferred polygonal surface is a surface of a regular polygon or a non-regular polygon.

[0135] A preferred first end element is formed in one piece or has no connection point, in particular no seam, or both. Alternatively or additionally, the further end element is preferably formed in one piece or has no connection point, in particular no seam, or both.

[0136] Joining element

[0137] The following statements about “the joining element” refer to the first joining element or the further joining element or to both. The joining element is preferably formed essentially from a polymer or a polymer mixture. “Essentially” here means in particular that the joining element can also contain gas inclusions, such as air bubbles. Preferred polymers and polymer mixtures are those listed below. With regard to the jacket element and the first end element and optionally the further end element, the joining element can be an additional element of the container that has been additionally introduced into the container, for example as a sealing means. However, the first joining element is preferably formed from at least one polymer layer, preferably at least the inner polymer layer, the jacket element or the first end element or from both.The further joining element is preferably formed from at least one polymer layer, preferably at least the inner polymer layer, the casing element or the further end element, or from both. For this purpose, the at least one polymer layer can be softened or melted in regions and the joining element can be formed from the softened or melted polymer. Accordingly, the at least one polymer layer in the container can merge continuously into the joining element. A preferred first joining element is annular. A cross-sectional area, preferably each cross-sectional area of ​​the annular first joining element, has the first acute angle. A preferred further joining element is annular. A cross-sectional area, preferably each cross-sectional area of ​​the annular further joining element, has the further acute angle. The projecting cross-sectional areas are preferably triangular areas or trapezoidal areas.A preferred joining element is wedge-shaped. Preferably, the first joining element is arranged between the casing element and the first end element, with the first joining element preferably being arranged laterally circumferentially around the casing element or, more preferably, around the first end element. The further joining element is preferably arranged between the casing element and the further end element, with the further joining element preferably being arranged laterally circumferentially around the casing element or, more preferably, around the further end element.

[0138] Sheet-like material / sheet-like composite

[0139] In the following, “the sheet-like material” refers to each of the first to third sheet-like materials. Likewise, the “sheet-like composite” refers to each of the first to third sheet-like composites. All sheet-like, in particular sheet-like, materials, in particular laminates, that are conceivable within the scope of the invention and that appear suitable to a person skilled in the art for use according to the invention for producing dimensionally stable food containers can be considered as sheet-like materials. The sheet-like material preferably includes a carrier layer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier layer is overlaid on one side with a layer of color, preferably printed. In a further preferred embodiment, the sheet-like material is in the form of a sheet-like composite. Sheet-like composites for producing food containers are also referred to as laminates.Such sheet-like composites comprise a sequence of superimposed layers. The sheet-like composites are often composed of a thermoplastic polymer layer, referred to herein as the outer polymer layer, a carrier layer, usually made of cardboard or paper, which imparts dimensional stability to the container, an optional thermoplastic polymer layer, referred to herein as the intermediate polymer layer and / or an optional adhesion promoter layer, a barrier layer, and a further thermoplastic polymer layer, referred to herein as the inner polymer layer. The layers forming the sequence of layers of the sheet-like composite are preferably bonded to one another over their entire surface. Two layers are bonded to one another when their adhesion to one another exceeds van der Waals forces of attraction.Interconnected layers are preferably one selected from the group consisting of sealed to one another, glued to one another, and pressed to one another, or a combination of at least two thereof. Unless otherwise stated, the layers in a layer sequence can follow one another indirectly, i.e. with one or at least two intermediate layers, or directly, i.e. without an intermediate layer. This is particularly the case with formulations in which one layer overlays another layer. A formulation in which a layer sequence includes listed layers means that at least the specified layers are present in the specified order. This formulation does not necessarily mean that these layers follow one another directly. A formulation in which two layers are adjacent to one another means that these two layers follow one another directly and therefore without an intermediate layer.However, this wording says nothing about whether the two layers are connected to one another or not. Rather, these two layers can be in contact with one another. Preferably, however, these two layers are connected to one another, preferably in a planar manner. The first to third planar materials mentioned in the invention, in particular the first to third planar composites, can have the same structure or different structures. In a preferred embodiment, the second and third planar materials have the same structure. In a further preferred embodiment, the first and second planar materials have the same structure. In a further preferred embodiment, the first and third planar materials have the same structure. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first to third planar materials have the same structure.

[0140] Polymer layers

[0141] In the following, the term "polymer layer" refers in particular to the inner polymer layer, the intermediate polymer layer, and the outer polymer layer. The polymer layers are each based on a polymer or a polymer mixture. A preferred polymer is a thermoplastic polymer, more preferably a polyolefin. The polymer layers are preferably incorporated or applied into the sheet-like composite material using an extrusion process, preferably by layer extrusion. In addition to the polymer or polymer mixture, each polymer layer can comprise further components. The further components of the polymer layers are preferably components that do not adversely affect the behavior of the polymer melt when applied as a layer. The further components can be, for example, inorganic compounds, such as metal salts, or other plastics, such as other thermoplastics.Suitable polymers for the polymer layers are particularly those that are easy to process due to their good extrusion properties. Among these, polymers obtained by chain polymerization are suitable, in particular polyolefins, with cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs) and polycyclic olefin copolymers (POCs), in particular polyethylene and polypropylene, being particularly preferred, and polyethylene being very particularly preferred. Among the polyethylenes, HOPE (high-density polyethylene), MDPE (medium-density polyethylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), and VLDPE (very low-density polyethylene), as well as mixtures of at least two of these, are preferred.Suitable polymer layers have a melt flow rate (MFR) in a range of 1 to 25 g / 10 min, preferably in a range of 2 to 20 g / 10 min and particularly preferably in a range of 2.5 to 15 g / 10 min, and a density in a range of 0.890 g / cm. 3 up to 0.980 g / cm 3 , preferably in a range of 0.895 g / cm 3 up to 0.975 g / cm 3 , and more preferably in a range of 0.900 g / cm 3 up to 0.970 g / cm 3 . The polymer layers preferably have at least one melting temperature in a range of 80 to 155°C, preferably in a range of 90 to 145°C and particularly preferably in a range of 95 to 135°C.

[0142] Polymer inner layer

[0143] The polymer inner layer is based on at least one thermoplastic polymer, whereby the polymer inner layer may contain a particulate inorganic solid. However, it is preferred that the polymer inner layer contains at least 70 wt.%, preferably at least 80 wt.%, and particularly preferably at least 95 wt.%, based in each case on the total weight of the polymer inner layer, one or more thermoplastic polymers. Preferably, the polymer or polymer mixture of the polymer inner layer has a density (according to ISO 1183-1:2004) in a range from 0.900 to 0.980 g / cm 3 , particularly preferably in a range of 0.900 to 0.960 g / cm 3 and most preferably in a range of 0.900 to 0.940 g / cm 3 The polymer is preferably a polyolefin. The polymer inner layer preferably comprises a polyethylene or a polypropylene, or both. A particularly preferred polyethylene is LDPE.

[0144] Polymer outer layer

[0145] The polymer outer layer preferably comprises a polyethylene or a polypropylene, or both. LDPE and HDPE, as well as mixtures thereof, are preferred as polyethylene. A preferred polymer outer layer comprises at least 50 wt.%, preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, even more preferably at least 80 wt.%, and most preferably at least 90 wt.%, based in each case on the weight of the polymer outer layer, of an LDPE.

[0146] Polymer interlayer

[0147] The polymer intermediate layer preferably comprises a polyethylene or a polypropylene, or both. A particularly preferred polyethylene is LDPE. The polymer intermediate layer preferably comprises the polyethylene or the polypropylene, or both together, in a proportion of at least 20 wt.%, more preferably at least 30 wt.%, more preferably at least 40 wt.%, more preferably at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, more preferably at least 80 wt.%, most preferably at least 90 wt.%, in each case based on the total weight of the polymer intermediate layer.

[0148] Barrier layer

[0149] Any material suitable for this purpose by a person skilled in the art can be used as a barrier layer, which has a sufficient barrier effect, particularly against oxygen. For this purpose, the barrier layer preferably has an oxygen permeation rate of less than 50 cm 3 / (m 2day atm), preferably less than 40 cm 3 / (m 2 day atm), preferably less than 30 cm 3 / (m 2 day atm), preferably less than 20 cm 3 / (m 2 day atm), preferably less than 10 cm 3 / (m 2 day atm), more preferably less than 3 cm 3 / (m 2 day atm), preferably not more than 1 cm 3 / (m 2 day atm). The barrier layer preferably also has a barrier effect against water vapor. Accordingly, the barrier layer is preferably an oxygen barrier layer and furthermore preferably additionally a water vapor barrier layer. In addition, the barrier layer preferably has a barrier effect against visible light, thus it is also a light barrier layer.

[0150] The barrier layer is preferably selected from a. a plastic barrier layer; b. a metal layer; c. an oxide layer; or d. a combination of at least two from a. to c.

[0151] If the barrier layer according to alternative a. is a plastic barrier layer, it preferably contains at least 70% by weight, particularly preferably at least 80% by weight, and most preferably at least 95% by weight of at least one plastic that is known to the person skilled in the art for this purpose, in particular because of its aroma or gas barrier properties suitable for packaging containers. Suitable plastics, in particular thermoplastics, include N- or O-bearing plastics, both alone and in mixtures of two or more. According to the invention, it can prove advantageous if the plastic barrier layer has a melting point in a range of more than 155 to 300°C, preferably in a range of 160 to 280°C, and particularly preferably in a range of 170 to 270°C.

[0152] More preferably, the plastic barrier layer has a basis weight in a range of 2 to 120 g / m 2, preferably in a range of 3 to 60 g / m 2 , particularly preferably in a range of 4 to 40 g / m 2 and in addition preferably from 6 to 30 g / m 2 Furthermore, the plastic barrier layer is preferably obtainable from melts, for example by extrusion, in particular layer extrusion. Furthermore, the plastic barrier layer can also preferably be incorporated into the sheet-like composite by lamination. In this case, it is preferred that a film be incorporated into the sheet-like composite. According to another embodiment, plastic barrier layers can also be selected that are obtainable by deposition from a solution or dispersion of plastics.

[0153] Suitable polymers are preferably those which have a weight-average molecular weight, determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using light scattering, in a range of 3 10 3 up to 1 107 g / mol, preferably in a range of 5 10 3 up to 1 10 6 g / mol and particularly preferably in a range of 6 10 3 up to 1 10 5 g / mol. Suitable polymers include, in particular, polyamide (PA) or polyethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), or a mixture thereof. Among the polyamides, all PAs considered suitable for the use according to the invention by a person skilled in the art are suitable.

[0154] Suitable EVOHs include all EVOHs deemed suitable for the inventive use by a person skilled in the art. Examples include those commercially available under the trade name EVAL™ from EVAL Europe NV, Belgium, in a variety of different versions, for example the types EVAL™ F104B or EVAL™ LR171B. Preferred EVOHs possess at least one, two, several, or all of the following properties: an ethylene content in a range from 20 to 60 mol%, preferably from 25 to 45 mol%; a density in a range from 1.0 to 1.4 g / cm 3 , preferably from 1.1 to 1.3 g / cm 3 ; a melting point in a range of more than 155 to 235 °C, preferably from 165 to 225 °C;

[0155] - an MFR value (210 °C / 2.16 kg, if T S( EVOH)<210°C; 230°C / 2.16kg when 210°C <T S(EV OH) <230 °C) in a range of 1 to 25 g / 10 min, preferably 2 to 20 g / 10 min; an oxygen permeation rate in a range of 0.05 to 3.2 cm 3 -20pm / (m 2 day atm), preferably in a range of 0.1 to 1 cm 3 -20pm / (m 2 day atm).

[0156] Preferably, at least one polymer layer, more preferably the inner polymer layer, or preferably all polymer layers, has a melting temperature below the melting temperature of the barrier layer. This applies in particular if the barrier layer is formed from polymer. In this case, the melting temperatures of the at least one layer, in particular the inner polymer layer, and the melting temperature of the barrier layer preferably differ by at least 1 K, particularly preferably by at least 10 K, even more preferably by at least 50 K, further preferably at least 100 K. The temperature difference should preferably be selected to be only sufficiently high that it does not lead to melting of the barrier layer, in particular not to melting of the plastic barrier layer, during folding.

[0157] According to alternative b, the barrier layer is a metal layer. In principle, all layers containing metals that are known to those skilled in the art and that can provide high light and oxygen impermeability are suitable as the metal layer. According to a preferred embodiment, the metal layer can be present as a film or as a deposited layer, e.g., after physical vapor deposition. The metal layer is preferably a continuous layer. According to a further preferred embodiment, the metal layer has a thickness in a range from 3 to 20 pm, preferably in a range from 3.5 to 12 pm, and particularly preferably in a range from 4 to 10 pm.

[0158] Preferred metals are aluminum, iron, or copper. A steel layer, e.g., in the form of a foil, may be preferred as the iron layer. Furthermore, the metal layer is preferably a layer containing aluminum. The aluminum layer can expediently consist of an aluminum alloy, for example, AlFeMn, AlFe1.5Mn, AlFeSi, or AlFeSiMn. The purity is typically 97.5% and higher, preferably 98.5% and higher, based on the entire aluminum layer. In a particular embodiment, the metal layer consists of an aluminum foil. Suitable aluminum foils have an extensibility of more than 1%, preferably more than 1.3%, and particularly preferably more than 1.5%, and a tensile strength of more than 30 N / mm 2 , preferably more than 40 N / mm 2 and particularly preferably more than 50 N / mm 2. Suitable aluminum foils exhibit a droplet size of more than 3 mm in the pipette test, preferably more than 4 mm, and particularly preferably more than 5 mm. Suitable alloys for creating aluminum layers or foils are commercially available under the designations EN AW 1200, EN AW 8079, or EN AW 8111 from Hydro Aluminium Deutschland GmbH or Amcor Flexibles Singen GmbH. In the case of a metal foil as a barrier layer, an adhesion promoter layer can be provided on one and / or both sides of the metal foil between the metal foil and a nearby polymer layer.

[0159] Furthermore, an oxide layer can preferably be selected as the barrier layer according to alternative c. All oxide layers that are familiar to the person skilled in the art and appear suitable for achieving a barrier effect against light, vapor and / or gas are suitable as oxide layers. A preferred oxide layer is a semimetal oxide layer or a metal oxide layer or both. A preferred semimetal oxide layer is a layer based on one or more silicon oxide compounds (SiOx layer). Preferred metal oxide layers are layers based on the aforementioned metals aluminum, iron or copper, as well as metal oxide layers based on titanium oxide compounds, with an aluminum oxide layer (AlOx layer) being particularly preferred. According to a preferred embodiment, the oxide layer can be present as a deposited layer.A deposited oxide layer is created, for example, by vapor-depositing the oxide layer onto a barrier substrate. A preferred method for this is physical vapor deposition (PVD) or, preferably plasma-enhanced, chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The oxide layer is preferably a continuous layer.

[0160] The barrier substrate can consist of any material that appears suitable to the person skilled in the art for use as a barrier substrate according to the invention. In this case, the barrier substrate is preferably suitable for being coated with an oxide layer. Preferably, a layer surface is sufficiently smooth for this purpose. Furthermore, the barrier substrate preferably has a thickness in a range from 3 to 30 μm, preferably from 2 to 28 μm, more preferably from 2 to 26 μm, more preferably from 3 to 24 μm, more preferably from 4 to 22 μm, most preferably from 5 to 20 μm. Furthermore, the barrier substrate preferably has a barrier effect against oxygen or water vapor, or both. Preferably, a barrier effect of the barrier substrate against oxygen permeation is greater than a barrier effect of the oxide layer against oxygen permeation. Preferably, the barrier substrate has an oxygen permeation rate in a range from 0.1 to 50 cm 3 / (m2 d bar), preferably from 0.2 to 40 cm 3 / (m 2 d bar), preferably from 0.3 to 30 cm 3 / (m 2d bar). A preferred barrier substrate contains, more preferably consists of, cellulose or a polymer or both. A preferred polymer is an oriented polymer. Preferably, the oriented polymer is mono-axially oriented or bi-axially oriented. Another preferred polymer is a thermoplastic polymer. Preferably, the barrier substrate consists of the polymer. Preferably, the barrier substrate contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycondensate, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of at least two thereof in a proportion of at least 50 wt.%, preferably at least 60 wt.%, more preferably at least 70 wt.%, more preferably at least 80 wt.%, most preferably at least 90 wt.%, in each case based on the weight of the barrier substrate. More preferably, the barrier substrate consists of the aforementioned polymer.A preferred polypropylene is oriented, in particular longitudinally stretched (oPP) or biaxially stretched (BoPP). A preferred polycondensate is a polyester or polyamide (PA), or both. A preferred polyester is one selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polylactide (PLA), and, or a combination of at least two thereof. A preferred vinyl polymer is a vinyl alcohol copolymer or a polyvinyl alcohol, or both. A preferred polyvinyl alcohol is a vinyl alcohol copolymer. A preferred vinyl alcohol copolymer is an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer.

[0161] Carrier layer

[0162] Any material suitable for this purpose by a person skilled in the art can be used as the carrier layer, which has sufficient strength and rigidity to provide the container with sufficient stability so that the container essentially retains its shape when filled. This is a particularly necessary feature of the carrier layer, since the invention relates to the technical field of dimensionally stable containers. Such dimensionally stable containers are fundamentally different from pouches and bags, which are usually made of thin films. In addition to a range of plastics, plant-based fibers, in particular cellulose, preferably glued, bleached and / or unbleached cellulose, are preferred, with paper and cardboard being particularly preferred. Accordingly, a preferred carrier layer contains a plurality of fibers. The basis weight of the carrier layer is preferably in a range of 120 to 450 g / m 2, particularly preferably in a range of 130 to 400 g / m 2 and most preferably in a range of 150 to 380 g / m 2 . A preferred cardboard generally has a single- or multi-layer structure and can be coated on one or both sides with one or more cover layers. Furthermore, a preferred cardboard has a residual moisture content of less than 20% by weight, preferably from 2 to 15% by weight, and particularly preferably from 4 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the cardboard. A particularly preferred cardboard has a multi-layer structure. Further preferably, the cardboard has at least one, but particularly preferably at least two, layers of a cover layer on the surface facing the environment, which is known to those skilled in the art as a "coat." Furthermore, a preferred cardboard has a Scott Bond value (according to Tappi 569) in a range from 100 to 360 J / m 2 , preferably from 120 to 350 J / m 2and particularly preferably from 135 to 310 J / m 2 . The above-mentioned areas make it possible to provide a composite from which a container with high tightness can be folded easily and with close tolerances.

[0163] The carrier layer is characterized by a flexural rigidity. The carrier layer preferably has a flexural rigidity in a first direction in a range from 80 to 550 mN. In the case of a carrier layer which contains a plurality of fibers, the first direction is preferably a direction of orientation of the fibers. A carrier layer which contains a plurality of fibers further preferably has a flexural rigidity in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a range from 20 to 300 mN. A preferred sheet-like composite with the carrier layer has a flexural rigidity in the first direction in a range from 100 to 700 mN. Furthermore, the aforementioned sheet-like composite preferably has a flexural rigidity in the second direction in a range from 50 to 500 mN.

[0164] Polyolefin

[0165] A preferred polyolefin is a polyethylene (PE) or a polypropylene (PP), or both. A preferred polyethylene is one selected from the group consisting of an LDPE, an LLDPE, and an HDPE, or a combination of at least two thereof. Another preferred polyolefin is a mPolyolefin (polyolefin produced using a metallocene catalyst). Suitable polyethylenes have a melt flow rate (MFI - melt flow index = MFR) in a range of 1 to 25 g / 10 min, preferably in a range of 2 to 20 g / 10 min, and particularly preferably in a range of 2.5 to 15 g / 10 min, and a density in a range of 0.910 g / cm 3 up to 0.935 g / cm 3 , preferably in a range of 0.912 g / cm 3 up to 0.932 g / cm 3 , and more preferably in a range of 0.915 g / cm 3 up to 0.930 g / cm 3 . mPolymer

[0166] An mPolymer is a polymer produced using a metallocene catalyst. A metallocene is an organometallic compound in which a central metal atom is arranged between two organic ligands, such as cyclopentadienyl ligands. A preferred mPolymer is an mPolyolefin, preferably an mPolyethylene or an mPolypropylene, or both. A preferred mPolyethylene is one selected from the group consisting of an mLDPE, an mLLDPE, and an mHDPE, or a combination of at least two thereof. A preferred mPolyolefin is characterized by at least a first melting temperature and a second melting temperature. Preferably, the mPolyolefin is characterized by a third melting temperature in addition to the first and second melting temperatures. A preferred first melting temperature is in a range from 84 to 108°C, preferably from 89 to 103°C, more preferably from 94 to 98°C.A preferred further melting temperature is in a range from 100 to 124 °C, preferably from 105 to 119 °C, more preferably from 110 to 114 °C.

[0167] Adhesion / adhesion promoter layer

[0168] An adhesion promoter layer is a layer of the sheet-like composite that contains at least one adhesion promoter in a sufficient amount so that the adhesion promoter layer improves adhesion between layers adjacent to the adhesion promoter layer. For this purpose, the adhesion promoter layer preferably contains an adhesion promoter polymer. Accordingly, the adhesion promoter layers are preferably polymeric layers. An adhesion promoter layer can be located between layers of the sheet-like composite that are not directly adjacent to one another, preferably between the barrier layer and the inner polymer layer. All plastics that, through functionalization using suitable functional groups, are suitable for creating a strong bond by forming ionic bonds or covalent bonds to a surface of an adjacent layer are suitable as adhesion promoters in an adhesion promoter layer.These are preferably functionalized polyolefins, in particular acrylic acid copolymers, obtained by copolymerizing ethylene with acrylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, acrylates, acrylate derivatives, or carboxylic acid anhydrides bearing double bonds, for example maleic anhydride, or at least two thereof. Among these, polyethylene-maleic anhydride graft polymers (EMAH), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), or ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers (EMAA) are preferred, which are marketed, for example, under the trade names Bynel® and Nucrel®0609HSA by DuPont or Escor®6000Ex-Co by ExxonMobile Chemicals.

[0169] Ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers are also preferred as adhesion promoters. A methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, butyl, i-butyl, or pentyl group is preferably selected as the alkyl group. The adhesion promoter layer can further preferably comprise mixtures of two or more different ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers. Likewise preferably, the ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer can comprise two or more different alkyl groups in the acrylate function, e.g., an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer in which both methyl acrylate units and ethyl acrylate units occur in the same copolymer.

[0170] According to the invention, it is preferred that the adhesion between the carrier layer, a polymer layer or the barrier layer to the next layer is at least 0.5 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 0.7 N / 15 mm and particularly preferably at least 0.8 N / 15 mm. In one embodiment according to the invention, it is preferred that the adhesion between a polymer layer and a carrier layer is at least 0.3 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 0.5 N / 15 mm and particularly preferably at least 0.7 N / 15 mm. Furthermore, it is preferred that the adhesion between the barrier layer and a polymer layer is at least 0.8 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 1.0 N / 15 mm and particularly preferably at least 1.4 N / 15 mm.If the barrier layer indirectly follows a polymer layer via an adhesion promoter layer, it is preferred that the adhesion between the barrier layer and the adhesion promoter layer be at least 1.8 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 2.2 N / 15 mm, and particularly preferably at least 2.8 N / 15 mm. In a particular embodiment, the adhesion between the individual layers is so strong that the adhesion test results in the carrier layer tearing—in the case of cardboard as the carrier layer, a so-called cardboard fiber tear.

[0171] Any connection that appears suitable to a person skilled in the art for the use according to the invention and through which a sufficiently strong connection can be achieved can be considered as a connection. A preferred connection is a material connection. A material connection is understood here as a connection between joining partners that is created by attractive forces between materials or within a material. A distinction must be made, in particular, between positive and non-positive connections that are created by geometric shapes or frictional forces. A preferred material connection can be one selected from the group consisting of sealing, welding, gluing, and pressing, or as a combination of at least two thereof.The material-to-material joining process using a joining element is preferably sealing, welding, or gluing, with the joining element serving as the sealing agent, welding consumable, or adhesive. In the cases of sealing and welding, the connection is created by means of a liquid and its solidification. In the case of gluing, chemical bonds form between the interfaces or surfaces of the two objects to be joined, creating the connection. When sealing, welding, or gluing, it is often advantageous to press the surfaces to be sealed or bonded together.A preferred pressing of two layers is a pressing of a first surface of a first of the two layers onto a second surface of the second of the two layers facing the first surface over at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95% of the first surface. A particularly preferred joining is sealing or welding. A preferred sealing or welding includes the steps of contacting, heating and pressing, with the steps preferably taking place in this sequence. Another sequence is also conceivable, in particular the sequence heating, contacting and pressing.Preferred heating is heating a polymer layer, preferably a thermoplastic layer, more preferably a polyethylene layer or a polypropylene layer, or both. Another preferred heating is heating a polyethylene layer to a temperature in a range from 80 to 140°C, more preferably from 90 to 130°C, most preferably from 100 to 120°C. Another preferred heating is heating a polypropylene layer to a temperature in a range from 120 to 200°C, more preferably from 130 to 180°C, most preferably from 140 to 170°C. Another preferred heating is to a sealing temperature of the polymer layer. Preferred heating can be achieved by friction, radiation, by hot gas, by solid-state thermal contact, by mechanical vibrations, preferably by ultrasound, by convection, or by a combination of at least two of these measures.A particularly preferred heating method is friction between the joining parts or by exciting an ultrasonic vibration, or both. In the latter case, the friction can be generated in particular by exciting an ultrasonic vibration of one or both joining parts. A preferred welding method is friction welding. In this process, the joining parts are moved relative to each other under pressure, with the joining parts touching each other. The resulting friction causes heating. The relative movement can be generated, for example, by an ultrasonic vibration. This procedure is also referred to as friction welding in the case of joining multilayer composites (laminates).

[0172] food

[0173] All foods known to the expert for human consumption and animal feed are considered foodstuffs. Preferred foods are liquids above 5°C, such as dairy products, soups, sauces, and, preferably, non-carbonated beverages.

[0174] through hole

[0175] The at least one through-hole provided in a carrier layer according to preferred embodiments can have any shape known to those skilled in the art and suitable for various purposes and for emptying the container. Furthermore, the through-hole is preferably suitable for opening the container with a drinking straw or an opening aid. Conceivable exemplary opening aids are a pull tab and a twist lock. The through-hole is preferably covered with the corresponding layer in such a way that the through-hole is closed, preferably watertight. Within the scope of the invention, a through-hole for passing through a drinking straw is preferred. A preferred through-hole has a flat, rather than linear, opening surface. The through-hole is preferably substantially circular, oval, elliptical, or teardrop-shaped.The shape of the at least one through-hole in the carrier layer usually also predetermines the shape of the opening, which is created either by an openable closure connected to the container, through which the container contents are dispensed from the container after opening, or by a drinking straw in the container. Thus, the openings of the opened container often have shapes that are comparable to or even identical to the at least one through-hole in the carrier layer. Container designs with a single through-hole in a carrier layer primarily serve to release the food contained in the container. A further through-hole in a carrier layer can be provided, in particular, for ventilating the container when the food is released.In connection with covering the at least one through-hole in a carrier layer, the regions of the layers covering the same through-hole that cover the through-hole are also referred to as hole-covering layers of the through-hole. These hole-covering layers are preferably at least partially connected to one another, preferably to at least 30%, preferably to at least 70%, and particularly preferably to at least 90% of the area formed by the at least one through-hole. It is further preferred that the hole-covering layers are connected to one another at the edges of the at least one through-hole and preferably bear against the edges in a connected manner, in order to achieve improved tightness via a connection extending over the entire hole area. The hole-covering layers are often connected to one another across the region formed by the at least one through-hole in the carrier layer.This results in a good seal of the container formed from the composite and thus in the desired long shelf life of the food stored in the container. Preferably, the at least one through-hole has a diameter in a range from 3 to 30 mm, more preferably from 3 to 25 mm, more preferably from 3 to 20 mm, more preferably from 3 to 15 mm, most preferably from 3 to 10 mm. The diameter of the through-hole is the length of the longest straight line that begins and ends at the edge of the through-hole and runs through the geometric center of gravity of the through-hole.

[0176] Opening / Opening aid

[0177] In most cases, the container is opened by at least partially destroying the hole cover layers covering the at least one through-hole. This destruction can be achieved by cutting, pressing into the container, or pulling out of the container. The destruction can be achieved by an opening aid connected to the container and arranged in the region of the at least one through-hole, usually above the at least one through-hole, for example by a drinking straw that is pushed through the hole cover layers. Furthermore, in an embodiment according to the invention, it is preferred that an opening aid is provided in the region of the at least one through-hole. In this case, it is preferred that the opening aid is provided on the surface representing the outside of the container. Furthermore, the container preferably includes a closure, for example a lid, on the outside of the container.It is preferred that the closure at least partially, preferably completely, covers the through-hole. The closure thus protects the container wall, which is less robust than the areas outside the at least one through-hole, from harmful mechanical influences. To open the perforated cover layers covering the at least one through-hole, the closure often includes the opening aid. Suitable opening aids include, for example, hooks for tearing out at least part of the perforated cover layers, edges or cutting edges for cutting into the perforated cover layers, or domes for pushing through the perforated cover layers, or a combination of at least two thereof. These opening aids are often mechanically coupled to a screw lid or cap of the closure, for example via a hinge, so that when the screw lid or cap is actuated, the opening aid acts on the perforated cover layers to open the closed container.Such closure systems, comprising composite layers covering a through hole and openable closures with opening aids covering this hole, are occasionally referred to in the technical literature as "overcoated holes" with applied fitments. MEASUREMENT METHODS.

[0178] The following measurement methods were used in the context of this invention. Unless otherwise stated, measurements were performed at an ambient temperature of 23°C, an ambient air pressure of 100 kPa (0.986 atm), and a relative humidity of 50%. Individual layers

[0179] If individual layers of a laminate - such as the barrier layer - are to be examined, the layer to be examined is first separated from the laminate as described below. Three sample pieces of the sheet-like composite are cut to size. Unless otherwise stated, unfolded and ungrooved areas of the sheet-like composite are used for this purpose. Unless otherwise stated, the sample pieces have the dimensions 4 cm x 4 cm. If other dimensions of the layer to be examined are necessary for the examination to be carried out, sufficiently large sample pieces are cut from the laminate. The sample pieces are placed in an acetic acid bath heated to 60 °C (30% acetic acid solution: 30 wt.% CH3COOH, remainder 100 wt.% H2O) for 30 minutes. This detaches the layers from one another. If necessary, the layers can also be carefully peeled off manually.If the desired layer cannot be removed sufficiently, new sample pieces are used and treated in an ethanol bath (99% ethanol) as described above. If there are any residues of the carrier layer on the layer to be examined (e.g., the outer polymer layer or the intermediate polymer layer) (particularly in the case of a cardboard layer as the carrier layer), these are carefully removed with a brush. From each of the three films prepared in this way, a sample of sufficient size for the test to be performed (unless otherwise stated, with an area of ​​4 cm) is cut. 2 ) cut out. These samples are then stored at 23 °C for 4 hours to dry. The three samples can then be tested. Unless otherwise stated, the test result is the arithmetic mean of the results for the three samples. MFR value

[0180] The MFR value is measured according to ISO 1133-1:2012, method A (mass determination method), unless otherwise stated at 190°C and 2.16 kg.

[0181] density

[0182] The density is measured according to ISO 1183-1:2013.

[0183] Scott Bond value

[0184] The Scott Bond value is determined according to Tappi 569.

[0185] The melting temperature is determined using the DSC method ISO 11357-1, -5. Instrument calibration is performed according to the manufacturer's instructions using the following measurements:

[0186] Temperature Indium - Onset Temperature, Heat of Fusion Indium,

[0187] T emperature Zinc Onset T emperature.

[0188] The recorded measurement curve can exhibit multiple local maxima (melting peaks), i.e., multiple melting temperatures. If a melting temperature above a certain value is required, this condition is met if one of the measured melting temperatures is above this value. If reference is made to a melting temperature of a polymer layer, a polymer composition, or a polymer, the highest melting temperature is always meant in the case of multiple measured melting temperatures (melting peaks), unless otherwise stated.

[0189] Viscosity number of PA

[0190] The viscosity number of PA is measured according to DIN EN ISO 307 (2013) in 95% sulfuric acid. Molecular weight distribution

[0191] The molecular weight distribution is measured after gel permeation chromatography using light scattering: ISO 16014-3 / -5 (2009-09).

[0192] Moisture content of the cardboard

[0193] The moisture content of the cardboard is measured according to ISO 287:2009.

[0194] Liability

[0195] To determine the adhesion of two adjacent layers, they are fixed on a 90° peel test device, for example the Instron “German rotating wheel fixture”, on a rotating roller that rotates at 40 mm / min during the measurement. The samples were previously cut into 15 mm wide strips. The layers are separated from one side of the sample and the detached end is clamped in a vertically upward pulling device. A measuring device for determining the tensile force is attached to the pulling device. As the roller rotates, the force required to separate the layers is measured. This force corresponds to the adhesion of the layers to one another and is given in N / 15 mm. The separation of the individual layers can be achieved, for example, mechanically or by targeted pretreatment, for example by soaking the sample for 3 minutes in 30% acetic acid at 60 °C.

[0196] The following devices are used to determine the flexural rigidity of a sheet-like material, in particular a sheet-like composite or cardboard:

[0197] - Bending stiffness measuring device L&W Bending Tester Code 160, Type 977682 from Lorentzen & Wettre, Sweden,

[0198] - Punch for flexural stiffness samples.

[0199] The material to be tested is conditioned for 24 hours under standard conditions (23 °C, 50% relative humidity). The measurement is also carried out under standard conditions. Samples with a width of 38.1 mm and a length of 69.85 mm are punched out of the material to be tested. For rolls, the samples are taken at five positions distributed across the web width. For each position, two samples are punched with their length in the machine direction (MD) and two samples with their length across the machine direction (CD), resulting in a total of 10 samples in MD and 10 samples in CD. In any case, at least four samples should be taken, half of which should be in MD and the other half in CD. Samples may only be taken from uncreased and unfolded areas of the material to be tested.

[0200] The flexural stiffness (in mN) of the outer side and the opposite inner side is determined, both in MD and CD. To do this, the specimen is placed in the testing device with the side to be measured facing forward, and the measurement is started by pressing the green button. The same number of specimens are measured for each of the combinations outer side / MD, outer side / CD, inner side / MD, and inner side / CD. The flexural stiffness measuring device performs a 2-point bending test. The specimen is clamped at one end and deflected at the other end by a measuring edge through a bending angle of 15°. The direction in which the material has flexural stiffness is the direction of a straight line connecting the two points of application of the 2-point bending test. In the case of the flexural stiffness measuring device, this direction is the direction of the shortest straight line from the clamp to the measuring edge. The specimen forms a curve in this direction when bent.A straight fold line would form perpendicular to this direction if the specimen were bent far enough. The free clamping length of the specimen is 50 mm. Each specimen may only be used for one measurement. Measurements of the outside and inside of the same specimen are not permitted. The individual measured values ​​are read from the display.

[0201] If multiple specimens were measured for each of the combinations (outside / MD, outside / CD, inside / MD, and inside / CD), the arithmetic mean of the specimens is calculated individually for each combination. The arithmetic mean values ​​are subsequently used as values ​​for each of the four combinations. The flexural stiffness in MD or CD is the geometric mean of the values ​​for the combinations (outside / MD and inside / MD, or outside / CD and inside / CD). The direction-independent flexural stiffness (hereafter "flexural stiffness") is the geometric mean of the values ​​for all four combinations (outside / MD, outside / CD, inside / MD, and inside / CD).

[0202] angle

[0203] First, the sample is treated with ice spray. Next, a microtome is used to create a section through the sample with a cutting plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container to be examined. An image of the section to be examined is then captured using a Nikon E800 Eclipse microscope. The angle to be determined is measured from this image using Olympus Stream Essentials 2.4 software.

[0204] Extensibility and modulus of elasticity

[0205] Extensibility indicates how far a material can be stretched before it breaks or tears. The following tools are used to determine the extensibility and Young's modulus of a sheet-like material, such as a laminate or cardboard:

[0206] Lever safety cutting machine

[0207] Circle cutter (50 or 100 cm 2 )

[0208] analytical balance

[0209] Thickness gauge

[0210] Universal tensile testing machine TIRA test 28025 (load cell: 1000 N)

[0211] The measurements are carried out according to the German version of the standard EN ISO 1924-2:2008 (identical to DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05). In this standard, elongation is referred to as elongation at break and the Young's modulus as elastic modulus. Sample preparation is specified in the standard DIN EN 20187:1993. The following instructions supplement the instructions in the standards and replace those in the standards where they deviate from them. The material to be tested is conditioned for 24 hours in a standard atmosphere (23 °C, 50% relative humidity). The test is also carried out in a standard atmosphere. Pre-drying as defined in paragraph 6.1 of DIN EN 20187:1993 is not performed. Five strip-shaped samples of the sheet-like material to be tested are cut using the lever-type safety cutting machine.If the sheet-like material contains a fibrous layer with a fiber orientation, five samples are cut, each with a strip length in the orientation direction (machining direction MD) and a strip length perpendicular to the orientation direction (cross direction CD). The strip width is 15 mm. The clamping length should be 180 mm, resulting in a strip length of at least 220 mm. Tensile elongation occurs in the direction of the strip length. For roll material, the samples are taken distributed across the roll width.

[0212] Additionally, a sample is taken with the circle cutter and weighed on the analytical balance. The result is converted to the basis weight in g / m 2 converted. The thickness of the circular sample is measured using a thickness gauge. The contact pressure for determining the thickness (Section 11i of EN ISO 1924-2:2008) is 100 kPa.

[0213] Before measuring the strip-shaped specimens, the tensile strain method for the material under test (e.g., composite or cardboard) is selected on the tensile testing machine. The test speed is set to 20 mm / min. The thickness of the specimen is entered under Test Settings - Dimensions - Special. Then, click on "Prismatic" and enter the thickness of the specimen. Finally, click on "Special" again and check the clamping length. It is essential to return to "Special," otherwise the basis weight will not be requested after the measurement has started.

[0214] Under Test Settings - Test Data, enter the sample data. Once all data has been entered, the measurement can begin. The force must not exceed 0.1 N. The test is then started using the traffic light symbol. A window opens for entering the basis weight of the samples. After entering the sample, sample number, and basis weight, the measurement is started by clicking "OK." This process is then repeated for the remaining four samples or for the remaining four samples with the same material orientation (MD or CD).

[0215] After completing the last measurement, click the Excel symbol with the number 3 to perform the Excel transfer (select the DIN-ISO 1924-2 variant here) and save this file. Optionally, a PDF file can be created and saved under the work card using the page view. The following values ​​should be recorded: FH [N] / AH [%] / M [MPa] / 1 [Nm / g]. The test result is the arithmetic mean of the individual results of the 5 samples with the same material orientation.

[0216] Case simulation

[0217] For this purpose, the filled and sealed container is inserted from above into a vertically suspended guide tube with a diameter adapted to the container size and then dropped. The tube is approximately 1.5 m long and suspended 1 m above the ground. By guiding the container for the first 1.5 m of its fall in the tube, it is possible to reproducibly drop it onto the container bottom or top, allowing the effects on the container's integrity to be investigated.

[0218] Liquid tightness

[0219] Crystal Oil 60 from Shell Chemicals with methylene blue is used as the test agent for leak testing of the containers. Depending on the test criteria, the container to be tested is subjected to the corresponding drop simulation if necessary. The container is cut open along its circumference by a cut through the shell element to create an open, cup-like container section containing the sealed container base, and an open, cup-like container section containing the sealed container head. The first container section with the container base and the second container section with the container head are each first emptied and then filled with a quantity of the test agent sufficient to completely cover the base of the respective cup-like container section. In particular, any sealing seam between the shell element and an end element should be completely covered with the test agent.The container parts are then stored for 24 hours. After the storage period, each container part is visually inspected on its exterior to determine whether the test agent has caused any blue discoloration in the event of a leak. If neither the first nor the second container part shows such discoloration, the container is considered liquid-tight.

[0220] If the leak tightness of container tops or bottoms of different containers is to be compared, 500 identical containers of each container type to be compared are tested as described above. The test result is the number of 500 identical containers that show a leak after a storage period of 24 hours. These numbers are then compared for the different containers.

[0221] durability

[0222] Tools:

[0223] The following tools are required for the durability test.

[0224] - Bacillus atrophaeus in alcoholic solution with concentration 10 8 CFU / ml (colony forming units per ml, article number: SPE8102-8 from SIMICON GmbH, Munich, Germany)

[0225] - Linden Grain Medium

[0226] - Yeast extract-peptone-glucose medium (HPG, also Plate Count Agar, Oxoid CM 325)

[0227] - Ethanol (purity: 99.9%)

[0228] - Multipette M4 from Eppendorf (The pipette must be adjusted before inoculating with ethanol so that exactly 10 pl can be withdrawn.)

[0229] - Plastic Petri dishes with a diameter of 9 cm

[0230] - Beakers

[0231] - Sponge tweezers

[0232] - sterile cotton ball - incubator room or incubator cabinet for an incubation temperature of 30 °C

[0233] - Microscope

[0234] - Sterile air workbench

[0235] - Soldering iron

[0236] Preparing the spore suspension:

[0237] Sufficient amounts of the above-mentioned commercially available Bacillus atrophaeus spore suspension are diluted with ethanol to concentrations of 10 6 CFU / ml and 10 7 CFU / ml. This is done on a sterile air bench. To obtain the spore suspension, dilute with 10 7 CFU / ml, 9 ml of ethanol are added to each 1 ml of the undiluted suspension. To obtain the spore suspension with 10 6 CFU / ml, 1 ml of the spore suspension is mixed with 10 7 Another 9 ml of ethanol is added to the sample at a concentration of 100 CFU / ml. Dilution and mixing are performed in the beakers.

[0238] Vaccinate:

[0239] For each container type to be tested (container with identically manufactured container bottom), 300 open containers, each containing 10 pl of the spore suspension, are filled with 10 6CFU / ml. A further 300 containers of each container type to be tested are inoculated with 10 μl of the suspension containing 10 7 CFU / ml. This work is carried out in a sterile air workbench to prevent cross-contamination via the air.

[0240] Inoculation is carried out as spot inoculation on the sterile air workbench. For this purpose, container production is interrupted after receipt of receipt of the finished container base. Inoculation is therefore carried out on open and still unfilled containers with sealed and crimped container bases. For this purpose, 10 μl of the respective spore suspension are added with a pipette into the interior of the open container at a single point on the sealed seam of the container base, i.e., at the connection between the jacket element and the end element of the container base. After applying the spore suspension to one point on the sealed seam of the container base, the container is briefly rotated so that the suspension can spread along the bottom seam. The inoculated, open containers are left on the sterile air workbench until the inoculated suspension has dried.

[0241] Per spore concentration (10 6 CFU / ml and 10 7Two positive control containers and two negative control containers are also prepared for each test (CFU / ml). The negative control containers are not inoculated but are further processed, i.e., sterilized, like the test containers. The positive control containers are inoculated but not sterilized. For this purpose, the positive control containers, after inoculation and drying, are not placed in the filling machine for further processing, but are placed directly from the sterile air workbench for incubation at 30°C for 14 days.

[0242] Completion of the containers:

[0243] The inoculated and dried, open containers are filled with linden grain medium and then sealed. The sealed containers are incubated for 14 days at 30 °C.

[0244] Microbiological evaluation:

[0245] The following steps are again performed on a sterile air workbench. A cotton ball is soaked in ethanol. The head of the incubated and closed container is rubbed with the cotton ball, thus disinfecting it with the ethanol. The cotton ball is held with sponge tweezers. The tip of the preheated soldering iron is pressed into the disinfected container head to open the container without causing contamination, allowing the culture medium to be removed.

[0246] Furthermore, 0.5 to 1 ml of the culture medium is taken from each container and placed in a Petri dish. 10 ml of HPG at 50 °C is poured over the sample in the Petri dish. The sample and the HPG are mixed by gently moving the Petri dish in a figure-8 circular motion on a smooth surface. After mixing, wait until the HPG has reached a gel-like consistency. The Petri dish is then incubated at 30 °C for 48 hours. The Petri dishes are incubated upside down to prevent condensation on the culture medium. Spore growth is then determined.

[0247] Colonies of the test bacteria are typically brown to orange. The exact color can be determined from Petri dishes containing samples from the positive control containers. In cases of doubt, microscopic examination can be performed to confirm the presence of the test bacteria.

[0248] If no colony of the test bacterium (Bacillus atrophaeus) is found in the Petri dish, the container from which the sample was taken is considered sterile with respect to the test bacterium. If a colony of the test bacterium has formed in the Petri dish, it is determined by counting whether the Petri dish contains 10 or fewer colony-forming units of the test bacterium. If this is the case, airborne contamination cannot be ruled out. Therefore, these samples are discarded. If a colony of the test bacterium with more than 10 colony-forming units is found in the Petri dish, the corresponding container is considered non-sterile.

[0249] For each container type tested, a ratio of the number of unsterile containers to the total number of evaluated (i.e., not discarded) containers is obtained for each concentration of the spore suspension used for inoculation. These ratios are compared for the different container types at the same spore suspension concentration. The higher the ratio, the worse the stability of the respective container type is rated. In the overall evaluation, the results for both spore suspension concentrations are treated equally.

[0250] The invention is illustrated in more detail below by examples and drawings, which do not limit the invention. Furthermore, the drawings are not to scale unless otherwise stated. Laminate structure

[0251] In the examples (according to the invention) and comparative examples (not according to the invention), laminates with the layer structure specified in Table 1 below were used to produce the containers.

[0252] Table 1 : Structure of the laminates of the examples and the comparative examples

[0253] Laminate production

[0254] The laminates for the examples and comparative examples are produced using an extrusion coating system from Davis Standard. The extrusion temperature ranges from approximately 280 to 330°C. In the first step, the polymer outer layer is fully coated onto the carrier layer by layer extrusion. In the second step, the barrier layer, together with the adhesion promoter layer and the polymer intermediate layer as a laminating agent, is applied over the entire surface of the carrier layer previously coated with the polymer outer layer. The polymer inner layer is then layer extruded over the entire surface of the barrier layer. To apply the individual layers by extrusion, the polymers are melted in an extruder. When applying a polymer in a layer, the resulting melt is transferred via a feedblock into a nozzle and extruded onto the carrier layer.

[0255] Container manufacturing

[0256] From the laminates obtained as described above, elements of the container wall are separated by punching. A rectangular shell element and a circular end element are punched out for each container. For each container with a three-part container wall, a molded plastic part is also provided as an end element for the container head (see Figure 6). This has a pouring hole in the center when viewed from above. Such an end element, which is circular when viewed from above, can be produced by injection molding. In the case of a container with a two-part container wall, the outer side of the container's shell element (side of the polymer outer layer) is provided with grooves before punching. These grooves predefine the fold lines for forming and closing the container head (see Figure 2).

[0257] By overlapping contact and sealing of opposite longitudinal edges of each jacket element, the latter is formed into a hollow cylindrical structure of the type shown in Figure 4. Sealing is performed here as a heat seal by blowing hot air and using the polymer inner layer as the sealing agent.

[0258] The resulting hollow cylindrical structure is placed into a precisely fitting cylindrical opening in a steel mold, with the lower edge of the structure flush with the edge of the opening. The end element for the base is then pressed into the opening with the inner polymer layer first by engaging a suitable tool in the opening, thus giving it a concave curve relative to the container interior. The end element thus formed has a central region and an edge surrounding the central region. The end element is then joined to the shell element by ultrasonic friction welding, as shown in Figure 15. The precise geometry of the resulting sealed seam is determined by the design of the sonotrode and anvil used for welding, in particular by the angles at which the surfaces of the tools engaging the container parts are positioned to one another during sealing.The seam shapes formed for the individual examples and comparative examples are summarized in Table 2. Furthermore, a protrusion of the jacket element is again ultrasonically flanged, i.e., folded around the edge of the end element's rim and sealed to it. The length of the protrusion here is approximately 80% of the height of the end element's rim.

[0259] In the case of a container with a two-part wall, it is now filled with 1 liter of water. The top section of the container is then sealed by folding the shell element along the grooves and joining the folded surfaces using ultrasonic sealing.

[0260] In the case of a container with a three-part wall, the plastic molded part is inserted into the head region of the shell element provided with the finished container base. The molded part is joined to the shell element by ultrasonic friction welding, as shown in Figure 16. The precise geometry of the resulting seal seam is determined by the design of the sonotrode and anvil used for welding, in particular by the angles at which the surfaces of the tools engaging the container parts are positioned to each other during sealing. The seam shapes formed for the individual examples and comparative examples are summarized in Table 2. The container is filled with 1 liter of water through the pouring hole in the molded part. The pouring hole is then sealed by sealing a strip of aluminum foil, which also forms the barrier layer and is coated on both sides with LDPE 23L430 from Ineos GmbH, Cologne, Germany, as a pull tab.

[0261] March 20, 2023

[0262] IG16090WO HZ / MF

[0263] March 20, 2023

[0264] IG16090WO HZ / MF

[0265] March 20, 2023

[0266] IG16090WO HZ / MF Table 2: Selected properties of the containers of the comparative examples and examples

[0267] Evaluation

[0268] 500 containers of each example and each comparative example are subjected to the drop onto the container bottom simulation described above. Another 500 containers of each example and each comparative example are subjected to the drop onto the container top simulation described above. Another 500 containers of each example and each comparative example are not subjected to a drop simulation. The liquid tightness test described above is carried out on all of these containers. The results of these tests are summarized in Table 3. For the respective criterion, +++ means a better result than ++, which means a better result than +, which in turn means a better result than 0, which in turn means a better result than -, which in turn means a better result than —.

[0269] Table 3: Overview of advantages and disadvantages of the containers of the comparison examples and examples

[0270] Further investigations

[0271] For further investigations, containers with a two-part container wall are manufactured (see Figure 1). For this purpose, cbö type packaging sleeves, commercially available from SIG Combibloc GmbH, are used for cuboid containers with a packaging volume of 350 ml. The packaging sleeves consist of a laminate with the layer structure shown in Table 1. These packaging sleeves serve as the shell elements of the containers with a two-part container wall. In contrast to Figures 1 and 2, no containers with a circular cross-section are manufactured. Instead, the containers in the other examples have a rectangular cross-section, with the rectangle having rounded corners.

[0272] As already described for the above examples, an end element for the container base is punched out of the laminate, which is constructed identically to the shell elements, for each shell element. In this case, the base element is rectangular and dimensioned such that a container base can be formed from it by inserting it into the cbö packing shell, which has been folded out into a cuboid shape, welding it to the packing shell and flanging it, in each case analogous to the above description of “container production”. For this purpose, the four corners of the end element are rounded with a radius of curvature of 15 mm. The tools used to weld the end element to the shell element (sonotrode and anvil) are designed in each further example such that the acute angles of the wedge-shaped sealing seam connecting the shell element to the end element, as specified in Table 4 below, are achieved.

[0273] Open containers obtained in this way with a welded and flanged bottom (see Figure 2) are subjected to the "shelf life" test method described above. The inoculated and dried containers are fed directly from the sterile air workbench to a CFA 612 filling machine from SIG Combiloc GmbH. For this purpose, the respective container is inserted into the cell chain behind the mandrel wheel of the filling machine. The bottom guide of the cell chain is adjusted so that the top edge of the container is at the height required for processing. The container is then sterilized in the filling machine, filled at least halfway with the Linden Grain medium, and, as is customary for cbö containers, a container head is formed and sealed by folding and welding the shell element. The following settings are used for sterilization with H2O2:

[0274] - H2O2 concentration: 33%

[0275] - H2O2 temperature: 250 °C

[0276] - H2O2 spray flow: 350 pl / s

[0277] - Transport air flow: 150 rpm

[0278] - Preheating temperature: 165 °C

[0279] - Drying temperature: 155 °C

[0280] After incubation, the containers are microbiologically evaluated as described in the “Stability” test method.

[0281] For each of the further examples A to L, a further 500 containers obtained as described above with welded and flanged bottoms are filled with water and sealed on the CFA 612 filling machine. These containers are subjected to the drop-on-bottom simulation described above. After the drop simulation, the containers are subjected to the liquid-tightness test described above. The liquid-tightness of the container bottom is examined after the drop simulation.

[0282] The test results for the containers of the other examples are summarized in Table 4. In Table 4, +++ indicates a better result for each criterion than ++, which indicates a better result than +, which in turn indicates a better result than 0, which in turn indicates a better result than -. These relative figures refer only to the results given in Table 4.

[0283]

[0284] Unless otherwise stated in the description or the respective figure, they show schematically and not to scale:

[0285] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a liquid-tight container according to the invention;

[0286] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a precursor to the liquid-tight container of Figure 1;

[0287] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of another liquid-tight container according to the invention;

[0288] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the liquid-tight container of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container bottom of the liquid-tight containers of Figures 1 to 3;

[0289] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container head of the liquid-tight container of Figure 3;

[0290] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom of another liquid-tight container according to the invention;

[0291] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom of another liquid-tight container according to the invention;

[0292] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet-like composite;

[0293] Figure 10 is a micrograph of a section through a seam in the container bottom of a liquid-tight container according to the invention;

[0294] Figure 11 is an enlarged partial view of the microscope image of Figure 11;

[0295] Figure 12 is a micrograph of a section through a seam in the container bottom of another liquid-tight container according to the invention;

[0296] Figure 13 is an enlarged partial view of the microscope image of Figure 12;

[0297] Figure 14 is a flow chart of a method according to the invention for producing a liquid-tight container;

[0298] Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating process steps b) and c) of the process of Figure 14;

[0299] Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating process step d) of the process of Figure 14;

[0300] Figure 17 is a flow chart of another method according to the invention for producing a liquid-tight container;

[0301] Figure 18 is a flowchart of a further method according to the invention;

[0302] Figure 19 is a schematic representation of an apparatus according to the invention for producing a liquid-tight container;

[0303] Figure 20 shows a dimensionally stable food container of the prior art;

[0304] Figure 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom of a container not according to the invention; and Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom of another container not according to the invention.

[0305] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention, the container wall 101 of which is formed in two parts. In each case, a region of the container wall 101 surrounding a container interior is formed by a jacket element 102 and a first end element 105. Both the jacket element 102 and the first end element 105 consist of the sheet-like composite 900 shown in Figure 9. The first end element 105 delimits the container interior in a first direction 106 along a length of the liquid-tight container 100. In addition, the first end element 105 closes the liquid-tight container 100 at a first end, which is formed by a container base 104, relative to the length of the liquid-tight container 100. The jacket element 102 delimits the container interior, based on the length of the liquid-tight container 100, laterally and in a further direction opposite to the first direction 106.Furthermore, the jacket element 102 closes the liquid-tight container 100 at a further end opposite the first end, based on the length of the liquid-tight container 100, which is formed by a container head 103. For this purpose, the jacket element 102 is folded at the further end, and folding regions of the jacket element 102 are sealed together. Details of the container base 104 designed according to the invention can be seen in Figure 5.

[0306] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a precursor to the liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 1. Thus, Figure 2 shows the container 100 of Figure 1 before the container 100 is closed at the further end with the jacket element 102. To facilitate folding the jacket element 102 to close the further end, the jacket element has grooves 201 that define the fold lines to be introduced. The liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 1 can be obtained by folding along the grooves 201 and sealing the folded surfaces together. Figure 2 also shows the container base 104 cut into the first end. This shows that the jacket element 102 completely surrounds the first end element 105 laterally. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention, the container wall 101 of which is formed in three parts.Each region of the container wall 101 surrounding a container interior is formed by a jacket element 102, a first end element 105, and a further end element 301. Both the jacket element 102 and the first end element 105 consist of the sheet-like composite 900 shown in Figure 9. While the first end element 105 is formed from a circular piece of the sheet-like composite 900, the jacket element 102 consists of a rectangular cut-out of the sheet-like composite 900. Opposite longitudinal edges of this cut-out are contacted with one another in an overlapping manner and sealed to one another. The seam thus obtained is referred to as the longitudinal seam 303 of the liquid-tight container 100. The jacket element 102 laterally delimits the container interior, based on a length of the liquid-tight container 100.The first end element 105 delimits the container interior in a first direction 106 along a length of the liquid-tight container 100. Furthermore, the first end element 105, relative to the length of the liquid-tight container 100, closes the liquid-tight container 100 at a first end, which is formed by a container base 104. The further end element 301 is a molded plastic part with a circular shape in plan view and a central pouring hole 606. The further end element 301 delimits the container interior in a further direction opposite the first direction 106. The liquid-tight container 100 further includes a closure lid 302. The pouring hole 606 of the further end element 301 is located beneath this closure lid 302. A pull tab 607, which consists of an aluminum foil coated on both sides with LDPE, is sealed over this pouring hole 606.The further end element 301 closes the liquid-tight container 100 together with the pull tab 607 at a further end opposite the first end, based on the length of the liquid-tight container 100, which is formed by a container head 103. After the liquid-tight container has been opened by tearing off the pull tab 607, the closure lid 302 offers a possibility of reclosing the liquid-tight container 100, albeit significantly less tightly. Details of the container base 104 designed according to the invention can be seen in Figure 5. A section through the container head 103 is shown in Figure 6. Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the container 100 of Figure 3.

[0307] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the container bottom 104 of the liquid-tight container 100 of Figures 1 to 3. These liquid-tight containers 100 further include a first joining element 505, by means of which the first end element 105 is integrally connected to the casing element 102. The first joining element 505 was formed from the polymer inner layers 902 (cf. Figure 9) of the first end element 105 and the casing element 102 when the first end element 105 was connected to the casing element 102. Figure 5 shows a section through the container bottom 104, wherein the sectional plane is a first plane that runs parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container 100 through the container interior 501. In this first level, the jacket element 102, the first joining element 505 and the first end element 105 form layers of a first joining layer sequence.These layers follow one another directly over the entire lateral extent of the joining layer sequence, relative to the first joining layer sequence. The first joining element 505 has a first surface contacting the first end element 105 and a second surface contacting the casing element 102. An imaginary first straight line 503 connects both end points of a first line formed in the first plane by the first surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence. In addition, an imaginary second straight line 504 connects both end points of a second line formed in the first plane by the second surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence. The first straight line 503 encloses a first acute angle with the second straight line 504. A vertex of this first acute angle is arranged in the first direction 106 after the sides of the first acute angle.Furthermore, the first straight line 503 forms an angle in the range of 0.8 to 3.5° with the first direction 106. The second straight line 504 forms an angle in the range of 5.8 to 9.9° with the first direction 106. In addition, a region 506 of the first end element 105 that contacts the first surface is angled laterally outward relative to the liquid-tight container 100. A region 507 of the jacket element 102 that contacts the second surface is also angled laterally outward relative to the liquid-tight container 100. Furthermore, it can be seen that the first end element 105 is convex with respect to the container interior 501, i.e., curved away from the container interior 501. The container base 104 is rotationally symmetrical about an axis 502.Accordingly, for 100% of the outer circumference of the casing element 102, there is at least one first plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container 100 through the container interior 501 and the outer circumference of the casing element 102, in which plane the container bottom 104 is formed as shown in Figure 5. Thus, the first joining element 505 is trapezoidal in every cross-section. In space, the first joining element 505 has the shape of an annular wedge. It is therefore wedge-shaped.

[0308] The casing element 102 includes a first edge region 508 with a first edge 509 at a first end of the liquid-tight container 100. The first end element 105 consists of a central region 510 and a further edge region 512 that laterally encloses the central region 510 and has a further edge 511. The central region 510 delimits the container interior 501, based on the length of the liquid-tight container 100, at the first end of the liquid-tight container 100 in the first direction 106 along the length of the liquid-tight container 100. The further edge region 512 is integrally connected to the casing element 102 by means of the first joining element 505. The further edge 511 forms a closed curve with a circumference. The further edge region 512 has an edge width 513 extending from the further edge 511 to the central region 510 at each point of the closed curve.The first edge region 508 projects beyond the further edge region 512 at every point of the closed curve such that the first edge region 508 has a projection width (514) from the further edge 511 to the first edge 509. This projection width 514 is measured on a side of the first edge region 508 that faces away from the first end element 105. Along the entire circumference, the projection width 514 is at least 30% of the edge width 513. In Figure 5, the casing element 102 is not (yet) flanged, i.e., the projection width 514 is not folded over the further edge 511 and connected to the further edge region 512. In contrast, the liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention is preferably flanged.

[0309] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the container head 103 of the liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 3. In the container head 103, the liquid-tight container 100 further contains a further joining element 603, which connects the further end element 301 to the casing element 102 in a materially bonded manner. The further joining element 603 was formed from the polymer inner layer 902 (cf. Figure 9) of the casing element 102 when the further end element 301 was connected to the casing element 102. Figure 6 shows a section through the container head 103, wherein the sectional plane in the sense of the invention is a further plane that runs parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container 100 through the container interior 501 and contains a further joining layer sequence.This further joining layer sequence consists, over its entire lateral extent, relative to the further joining layer sequence, of the jacket element 102, the further joining element 603 and the further end element 301 as directly successive layers. The further joining element 603 has a third surface contacting the further end element 301 and a fourth surface contacting the jacket element 102. An imaginary third straight line 601 connects both end points of a third line formed in the further plane by the third surface and lying within the further joining layer sequence. An imaginary fourth straight line 602 connects both end points of a fourth line formed in the further plane by the fourth surface and lying within the further joining layer sequence. The third straight line 601 encloses another acute angle with the fourth straight line 602.A vertex of this further acute angle is arranged in the further direction after the legs of the further acute angle. Furthermore, the third straight line 601 forms an angle in the range of 0.8 to 3.5° with the first direction 106. The fourth straight line 602 forms an angle in the range of 5.8 to 9.9° with the first direction 106. In addition, a region 604 of the further end element 301, which contacts the third surface, is angled laterally outward relative to the liquid-tight container 100. In contrast, a region 605 of the jacket element 102, which contacts the fourth surface, is angled laterally inward relative to the liquid-tight container 100. Furthermore, it can be seen that the further end element 301 is concave with respect to the container interior 501, i.e., curved towards the container interior 501. The container head 103 is also rotationally symmetrical about the axis 502.Accordingly, for 100% of the outer circumference of the casing element 102, there is at least one further plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container 100 through the container interior 501 and the outer circumference of the casing element 102, in which plane the container head 103 is configured as shown in Figure 6. Thus, the further joining element 603 is trapezoidal in every cross-section. In space, the further joining element 603 has the shape of an annular wedge. It is therefore wedge-shaped.

[0310] Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom 104 of a further liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention. The figure plane of Figure 7 is a first plane in the sense of claim 1. The container bottom 104 shown differs from the container bottom 103 of Figure 5 by a different arrangement of the first joining element 505. In particular, the apex of the first acute angle in Figure 7 is arranged in front of the legs of the first acute angle in the first direction.

[0311] Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom 104 of another liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention. The plane of the figure in Figure 8 is also a first plane within the meaning of claim 1. The container bottom 104 shown differs from the container bottom 103 of Figure 5 by the angles that the first straight line 503 and the second straight line 504 form with the first direction 106. In addition, the region 507 of the casing element 102 that contacts the second surface is not angled relative to the liquid-tight container 100.

[0312] Figure 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet-like composite 900. This consists, from its outer surface 901 towards its inner surface 902, of the following layers superimposed over each other over their entire surface: polymer outer layer 903, carrier layer 904, polymer intermediate layer 905, adhesive layer 906 and polymer inner layer 908. Suitable materials and basis weights of the layers are given in Table 1 above.

[0313] Figure 10 shows a microscope image of a section through a seam in the container bottom 104 of a liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention. The figure plane of Figure 10 is a first plane within the meaning of claim 1. Accordingly, the container interior 501 can be seen in the lower right corner of the figure. Furthermore, the first joining layer sequence consisting of jacket element 102, first joining element 505 and first end element 105 can be seen.

[0314] Figure 11 shows an enlarged partial view of the microscope image of Figure 10. Of the layers of the sheet-like composite 900 shown in Figure 9, from which the sheath element 102 and also the first end element 105 consist, the carrier layer 904, the slightly glossy barrier layer 907, and the polymer inner layer 908 are clearly visible in Figure 11. Furthermore, it can be seen that the first joining element 505 is formed from the polymer inner layers 908 of the sheath element 102 and the first end element 105. The vertical dashed-dotted lines mark the lateral edges of the first joining layer sequence. In other words: the first joining layer sequence lies between the two vertical dashed-dotted lines. To the left of the left dashed-dotted line and to the right of the right dashed-dotted line, the first joining element 505 is missing, so that the immediate sequence of layers is no longer present. The first surface of the first end element 105 forms a line in the plane of the figure shown.The intersection points of this line with the dashed-dotted lines are the endpoints 1101 of a first line formed in the plane of the figure by the first surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence. The first line is therefore precisely the section of the line formed in the plane of the figure by the first surface that lies within the first joining layer sequence, i.e., between the dashed-dotted lines. The first straight line 503 connects both endpoints 1101. Analogously, a second straight line 504 connects both endpoints 1102 of a second line formed in the plane of the figure by the second surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence. The first straight line 503 and the second straight line 504 enclose an acute angle of 5.7°.

[0315] Figure 12 shows a microscope image of a section through a seam in the container base 104 of another liquid-tight container 100 according to the invention. The figure plane of Figure 12 is a first plane within the meaning of claim 1. Accordingly, the container interior 501 can be seen in the lower right corner of the figure. Furthermore, the first joining layer sequence consisting of jacket element 102, first joining element 505 and first end element 105 can be seen. Figure 13 shows an enlarged partial view of the microscope image of Figure 12. Otherwise, the description of Figure 11 applies identically here, with the first straight line 503 and the second straight line 504 enclosing an acute angle of 6.3°.

[0316] Figure 14 shows a flow diagram of a method 1400 according to the invention for producing the liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 3. In a method step a) 1401, the casing element 102, the first end element 105, the further end element 301, a first joining tool 1501, a second joining tool 1502, a third joining tool 1601, and a fourth joining tool 1602 are provided. The first joining tool 1501 is a sonotrode for ultrasonic friction welding. The second joining tool 1502 is an anvil designed as a counter-tool thereto. In a subsequent method step b) 1402, the first end element 105 is contacted with a first tool surface of the first joining tool 1501, and the casing element 102 is contacted with a second tool surface of the second joining tool 1502. In a method step c) 1403, the first end element 105 is materially connected to the casing element 102 by friction welding.This creates the first joining element 505 as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, the container 100 is thus closed at the first end. In a subsequent method step d) 1404, the container 100 is closed at the opposite end, based on the length of the container 100. For this purpose, the further end element 301 is contacted with a third tool surface of the third joining tool 1601, and the casing element 102 is contacted with a fourth tool surface of the fourth joining tool 1602. The third joining tool 1601 is a sonotrode for ultrasonic friction welding. The fourth joining tool 1602 is an anvil designed as a counter-tool thereto. Further in method step d) 1404, the further end element 301 is integrally connected to the casing element 102 by friction welding. This creates the additional joining element 605 shown in Figure 6. In addition, the liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 3 is obtained.

[0317] Figure 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating method steps b) 1402 and c) 1403 of method 1400 of Figure 14. The figure is rotationally symmetrical about axis 502. Consequently, the first joining tool 1501 shown is frustoconical. The second joining tool 1502 is annular. The arrows indicate directions of pressing forces during friction welding. Furthermore, it can be seen that a tangent 1503 applied to the first tool surface and a tangent 1504 applied to the second tool surface enclose a first acute tool angle.

[0318] Figure 16 shows a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating method step d) 1404 of method 1400 of Figure 14. The figure is rotationally symmetrical about the axis 502. Consequently, the third joining tool 1601 shown is frustoconical. The fourth joining tool 1602 is annular. The arrows indicate directions of pressing forces during friction welding. Furthermore, it can be seen that a tangent 1603 applied to the third tool surface and a tangent 1604 applied to the fourth tool surface enclose a further acute tool angle.

[0319] Figure 17 shows a flow diagram of another method 1400 according to the invention for producing the liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 1. The method 1400 comprises method steps a) 1401 to d) 1404. The method steps a) 1401 to c) 1403 are identical to the steps of the same name described for Figure 14. In method step c) 1403, the precursor from Figure 2, which is closed at the first end and open at the other end, is first obtained. Here, too, the container 100 is closed at the other end in method step d) 1404. For this purpose, the jacket element 102 is folded along the grooves 202, and the folding areas are joined together by ultrasonic welding. This produces the liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 1.

[0320] Figure 18 shows a flow diagram of a further method 1800 according to the invention for producing the liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 1. In this method 1800, the precursor from Figure 2 is not initially created. In a method step a. 1801, a jacket element 102, an end element 105, a first joining tool 1501 and a second joining tool 1502 are provided. In a subsequent method step b. 1802, the jacket element 102 is closed at one of its ends, based on a length of the jacket element 102, to obtain an open container. This is done analogously to method step d) 1404 of the method 1400 of Figure 17. In a method step c. In step 1803, the end element 105 is contacted with a first tool surface of the first joining tool 1501, and the casing element 102 is contacted with a second tool surface of the second joining tool 1502. This occurs analogously to method step b) 1402 of method 1400 of Figure 17.In a method step d) 1804, the end element 105 is integrally connected to the casing element 102 by friction welding. This occurs analogously to method step c) 1403 of method 1400 of Figure 17. The liquid-tight container 100 of Figure 1 is obtained.

[0321] Figure 19 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus 1900 according to the invention for producing a liquid-tight container 100 in a process stream, which is indicated by arrows in the figure. The apparatus 1900 is a filling machine designed and configured to produce and fill the container 100 with a flowable food product. For this purpose, the apparatus 1900 includes a first closing device 1901, a further closing device 1902, and a filling device (not shown). The first closing device 1901 includes a first joining tool and a second joining tool. The further closing device 1902 is arranged downstream of the first closing device 1901 and includes a third joining tool and a fourth joining tool. The first closing device 1901 is configured to carry out process steps b) 1902 and c)

[0322] 1403, and the further closing device 1902 for carrying out the method step d)

[0323] 1404, each of the method 1400 of Figure 14. The filling device can be arranged between the first 1901 and the further closing device 1902, or downstream of the further closing device 1902.

[0324] Figure 20 shows a dimensionally stable food container 2000 of the prior art with a one-piece container wall.

[0325] Figure 21 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container bottom 2100 of a container not according to the invention. This container bottom 2100 differs from that shown in Figure 5 in particular in that the joining element 2101 is rectangular in the section shown in Figure 21. The first straight line 503 and the further straight line 504 are correspondingly parallel and do not enclose an angle. The first straight line 503 and the second straight line 504 are parallel to the first direction 106. Furthermore, neither the region 506 of the first end element nor the region 507 of the casing element 102 is angled.

[0326] Figure 22 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container base 2100 of a further container not according to the invention. This container base 2100 differs from that shown in Figure 5 in particular in that the joining element 2101 has the shape of a parallelogram in the section shown in Figure 22. This is clearly visible in the larger dash-dot circle, which shows an enlargement of the image section located in the smaller dash-dot circle. As a result, the first straight line 503 and the second straight line 504 are parallel to one another. They therefore do not enclose any angle. Furthermore, the first straight line 503 and the second straight line 504 enclose different angles with the first direction 106 than is the case in Figure 5.

[0327] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS liquid-tight container according to the invention

[0328] Container wall

[0329] Sheath element

[0330] Container head

[0331] Container bottom first end element / end element first direction

[0332] Grooving additional end element

[0333] Cover

[0334] Longitudinal seam

[0335] Container interior

[0336] Axis first straight line second straight line first joining element

[0337] Area of ​​the first end element contacting the first surface

[0338] Area of ​​the shell element that contacts the second surface first edge area first edge

[0339] Middle area further edge further edge area

[0340] Border width

[0341] Overhang width third straight line fourth straight line 603 additional joining element

[0342] 604 Area of ​​the further end element contacting the third surface

[0343] 605 Area of ​​the sheath element contacting the fourth surface

[0344] 606 Pouring hole

[0345] 607 Pull Tab

[0346] 900 sheet-like composite

[0347] 901 Exterior surface

[0348] 902 interior surface

[0349] 903 polymer outer layer

[0350] 904 Carrier layer

[0351] 905 polymer interlayer

[0352] 906 Adhesive layer

[0353] 907 Barrier layer

[0354] 908 polymer inner layer

[0355] 1101 Endpoints of a first line lying in the image plane and formed by the first surface

[0356] 1102 Endpoints of a second line lying in the image plane and formed by the second surface

[0357] 1400 Inventive method for producing a liquid-tight container

[0358] 1401 Process step a)

[0359] 1402 Process step b)

[0360] 1403 Process step c)

[0361] 1404 Process step d)

[0362] 1501 first joining tool

[0363] 1502 second joining tool

[0364] 1503 Tangent to first tool surface

[0365] 1504 Tangent to second tool surface

[0366] 1601 third joining tool 1602 fourth joining tool

[0367] 1603 Tangent to third tool surface

[0368] 1604 Tangent to fourth tool surface

[0369] 1800 inventive method for producing a liquid-tight container

[0370] 1801 Process step a.

[0371] 1802 Process step b.

[0372] 1803 Process step c.

[0373] 1804 Process step d.

[0374] 1900 inventive device for producing a liquid-tight container

[0375] 1901 first closing device

[0376] 1902 additional closing device

[0377] 2000 state-of-the-art dimensionally stable food containers

[0378] 2100 Container bottom of a container not according to the invention

[0379] 2101 joining element not according to the invention

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS A liquid-tight container (100) comprising a container wall (101) at least partially surrounding a container interior (501), and a first joining element (505); wherein a shell element (102) and a first end element (105) each form a region of the container wall (101); wherein the shell element (102) is at least partially formed from a first planar material, laterally bounds the container interior (501) with respect to a length of the liquid-tight container (100), and includes a first edge region (508) with a first edge (509); wherein the first planar material includes a first cardboard and has a bending stiffness in the range of 50 to 600 mN; wherein the first edge region (508) is arranged at a first end of the liquid-tight container (100);wherein the first end element (105) includes a central region (510) and a further edge region (512) enclosing the central region (510) and having a further edge (511); wherein the central region (510) limits the interior of the container (501), with respect to the length of the liquid-tight container (100), at the first end of the liquid-tight container (100) in a first direction (106) along the length of the liquid-tight container (100); wherein the further edge region (512) is materially connected to the shell element (102) by means of the first joining element (505); wherein the further edge (511) forms a closed curve with a circumference; wherein the further edge region (512) has an edge width (513) extending from the further edge (511) to the central region (510) at every point of the closed curve; wherein the first edge region (508) projects beyond the further edge region (512) at every point of the closed curve such that the first edge region (508) has a projection width (514) from the further edge (511) to the first edge (509); wherein the projection width (514) is measured on a side of the first edge region (508) that faces away from the first end element (105); wherein the projection width (514) is at least 30% of the edge width (513) along at least 50% of the circumference; wherein at least one first plane running parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container (100) through the interior of the container (501) includes a first joining layer sequence, over the entire lateral extent of which, with respect to the first joining layer sequence, the shell element (102), the first joining element (505) and the first end element (105) follow each other directly as layers;wherein the first joining element (505) has a first surface contacting the first end element (105) and a second surface contacting the shell element (102); wherein an imaginary first straight line (503) connects both endpoints (1101) of a first line formed in the at least one first plane by the first surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence; wherein an imaginary second straight line (504) connects both endpoints (1102) of a second line formed in the at least one first plane by the second surface and lying within the first joining layer sequence;wherein the first straight line (503) forms a first acute angle with the second straight line (504). The liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 1, wherein for at least 10% of an outer circumference of the shell element (102) there is at least one first plane extending parallel to the length of the liquid-tight container (100) through the interior of the container (501) and the outer circumference of the shell element (102), which includes the first layer sequence, such that an imaginary first straight line (503) connects both endpoints (1101) of a first line formed in the at least one first plane by the first surface and lying within the first layer sequence; binds, and an imaginary second straight line (504) connects both endpoints (1102) of a second line formed in the at least one first plane by the second surface and lying within the first layer sequence, wherein the first straight line (503) forms a first acute angle with the second straight line (504). The liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a vertex of the first acute angle is arranged in the first direction (106) according to the legs of the first acute angle. The liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second straight line (504) forms an angle in a range of 0.4 to 5.0° with the first direction (106).The liquid-tight container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first planar material has a first material direction and a further material direction, wherein the first material direction is perpendicular to the further material direction and to a thickness of the first planar material at every point on a surface of the first planar material, wherein the first planar material satisfies one or more of the following criteria:. A] the first planar material has an extensibility in the first material direction in the range of 2.5 to 10 %; B] the first planar material has an extensibility in the further material direction in the range of 1 to 6 %; C] the first planar material has a Young's modulus in the first material direction in the range of 800 to 4000 MPa; D] The first planar material has an E-modulus in the further material direction in the range of 1500 to 6000 MPa.

6. The liquid-tight container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first acute angle is in a range of 0.5 to 10.0°.

7. The liquid-tight container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first joining element (505) has a triangular or quadrilateral shape in the at least one first plane.

8. The liquid-tight container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end element (105), with respect to the length of the liquid-tight container (100), is arranged at the first end of the liquid-tight container (100); wherein the shell element (102) additionally limits the interior of the container (501) in a further direction opposite to the first direction (106).

9. The liquid-tight container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container interior (501) contains a liquid.

10. A method (1400) for producing the liquid-tight container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the method (1400) comprising as process steps a) providing i) a shell element (102) formed at least partially from a first planar material, ii) a first end element (105), iii) a first joining tool (1501), and iv) a second joining tool (1502), wherein the first planar material - includes a first box, and - has a bending stiffness in the range of 50 to 600 mN; b) Contact i) of the first end element (105) with at least one first tool surface of the first joining tool (1501), and ii) of the sleeve element (102) with at least one second tool surface of the second joining tool (1502); and c) material-bonding of the first end element (105) to the sleeve element (102). The method (1400) according to claim 10, wherein in process step b) the first tool surface and the second tool surface enclose a first acute tool angle. The method (1400) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first joining tool (1501) oscillates at a frequency in the range of 15 to 50 kHz in process step c). The method (1400) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the material-bonding in process step c) is carried out by welding. A method (1800) for producing the liquid-tight container (100) according to claim 8, comprising the method (1800) as process steps a. providing i.a sheath element (102) formed at least partially from a first planar material, ii. an end element (105), iii. a first joining tool (1501), and iv. a second joining tool (1502), wherein the first planar material. - includes a first box, and - has a bending stiffness in the range of 50 to 600 mN; b. Closing the shell element (102) at one of its ends, with respect to a length of the shell element (102), while maintaining an open container; c. Contacting i. the end element (105) with at least one first tool surface of the first joining tool (1501), and ii. the shell element (102) with at least one second tool surface of the second joining tool (1502); and d. joining the end element (105) to the shell element (102) by a material bond. A device (1900) for producing a liquid-tight container in a process stream, the device (1900) comprising as components a) a first closing device (1901), comprising a first joining tool (1501) and a second joining tool (1502); and b] a further closing device (1902) arranged downstream of the first closing device (1901), comprising a third joining tool (1601) and a fourth joining tool (1602); wherein A. the first closing device (1901) for carrying out process steps b) and c), and the further closing device (1902) for carrying out process step d), each of the process (1400) according to one of claims 10 to 13, is designed and configured; or B. the first closing device (1901) for carrying out process step b., and the further closing device (1902) for carrying out process steps c. and d., each of the process (1800) according to claim 14, is designed and configured. A use of the liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for storing or transporting a liquid. A use of a planar composite (900) for producing the liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; wherein one selected from the group consisting of the shell element (102), the first end element (105), and the further end element (301), or a combination of at least two thereof, is formed at least partially, preferably completely, from the planar composite (900).A use of a first joining tool (1501) and a second joining tool (1502) for forming a container bottom (104) or a container head (103) of a liquid-tight container by a} contacting i} a first end element (105) with at least one first tool surface of the first joining tool (1501), and ii} a shell element (102) with at least one second tool surface of the second joining tool (1502), and b} materially joining the first end element (105) with the shell element (102) while maintaining the liquid-tight container (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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