Plastic canister for containing a liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic canister for holding a liquid, comprising a base, side walls (2) and an upper wall (3), a nozzle (5) for filling and emptying the liquid, wherein the nozzle (5) is arranged in the upper wall (3) in a front region (11) of the plastic canister (1) and has a thread (6) for screwing on a screw cap, a ventilation channel (8) which leads from a channel opening (9) in the nozzle (5) into a rear region (12) of the plastic canister (1) and opens into the interior (4) of the plastic canister (1), wherein a nozzle axis (13) is defined vertically and centrally in the nozzle (5), wherein a horizontal longitudinal axis (14) is defined perpendicular to the nozzle axis (13), which intersects the nozzle axis (13) and extends from the front region (11) to the rear region (12) of the plastic canister (1), wherein a vertical center plane through the nozzle axis (13) and the longitudinal axis (14),wherein a partition wall (15) parallel to the axis (13) of the nozzle is formed in the nozzle (5), which partition wall separates the ventilation duct (8) including the duct opening (9) from the remaining interior of the support, wherein the partition wall (15) is tapered towards the central plane.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plastic canister for holding a liquid, for example mineral oil.

[0002] Prior art is shown, for example, in EP 1 803 650 A1. It discloses a plastic container with a ventilation channel extending from a nozzle for filling and emptying the liquid to a rear area of ​​the canister. The ventilation channel makes it possible to ensure even emptying of the container. The ventilation channel allows the negative pressure that develops in the container to be compensated for by inflowing air. This prevents interruptions or disruptions in pouring, such as gurgling or splashing.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a plastic canister for holding liquids which, with simple production, in particular by blow molding, enables the liquid to be poured out as safely as possible.

[0004] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The invention thus shows a plastic canister for holding a liquid. The plastic canister comprises a base, side walls, and a top wall. The side walls connect the base to the top wall. Preferably, the plastic canister has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0006] In the upper wall there is a nozzle for filling and emptying the liquid. On the nozzle there is a thread, in particular an external thread, for screwing on a screw cap. Using such a screw cap the plastic canister can be tightly closed. The nozzle is located in a front area of ​​the plastic canister. A ventilation channel leads from the nozzle to a rear area of ​​the plastic canister. The ventilation channel leads from a channel opening in the nozzle to the rear area of ​​the plastic canister. This ventilation channel allows the negative pressure that arises in the interior of the plastic canister to be equalized when the liquid is poured out. This enables safe, and in particular gurgling-free, pouring.

[0007] The following defines the axes and planes of the plastic canister. The terms "vertical" and "horizontal" refer to the usual, upright position of the canister. The base of the canister is, in particular, oriented horizontally. A nozzle axis is located vertically and centrally in the nozzle. A horizontal longitudinal axis is defined perpendicular to this nozzle axis. The horizontal longitudinal axis extends from the front to the rear of the plastic canister. The described ventilation channel preferably runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis intersects the nozzle axis. A vertical center plane is defined by the nozzle axis and the longitudinal axis. The center plane can be a plane of symmetry of the plastic canister. During the production of the plastic canister using the blow molding process, the seam between the two blow molds is preferably formed along the center plane.

[0008] The channel opening is preferably arranged so that the center plane intersects the channel opening.

[0009] The nozzle contains a partition that separates the ventilation duct and its opening from the rest of the nozzle's interior. This partition is essentially parallel to the nozzle axis. Particularly preferably, the partition is essentially perpendicular to the center plane. The partition tapers toward the center plane. Viewing the partition in a sectional plane perpendicular to the center plane and passing through the nozzle axis, this partition is higher at its outer ends than in the center.

[0010] The basic function of the partition is to separate the channel opening or the ventilation channel from the rest of the interior of the nozzle, which means that the partition must be a certain size. However, tests have shown that contact occurs between the liquid and the partition when the liquid is poured out. Due to adhesion forces, for example, contact between the liquid and the partition can result in turbulence or a laminar flow breaking off, which can cause the liquid to flow over the partition and into the channel opening. However, to enable pouring with as little gurgling as possible, the entire cross-section of the ventilation channel should be available for the inflow of air. To prevent this negative effect, namely the penetration of liquid into the channel opening, as far as possible, the partition is tapered towards the center plane.This means that there is less surface area available for contact with the liquid, which prevents liquid from penetrating the ventilation channel.

[0011] For a further description of the tapered partition, a partition surface is considered. This partition surface is the surface of the partition that faces the nozzle axis. In particular, the partition surface is essentially parallel to the nozzle axis. Furthermore, the partition surface can be essentially perpendicular to the center plane; however, it can also be slightly concave. The partition surface has an upper edge and a lower edge. A first distance is defined between the upper edge and the lower edge. This first distance tapers from both sides towards the center plane. The partition surface therefore has the shape of a horizontal hourglass. The taper is designed in particular such that the upper edge and the lower edge do not run perpendicular to the center plane, but are inclined to the center plane.

[0012] The partition preferably tapers so sharply that the first distance decreases by at least 25%. For example, the largest first distance, in the region farthest from the center plane, is 4 mm, and the smallest first distance in the center plane is 3 mm. More preferably, the first distance tapers by at least 50%.

[0013] The channel opening is preferably located below the thread. For this purpose, a second distance is defined, measured vertically from the lower end of the thread to the upper end of the channel opening. This second distance is preferably at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 3 mm.

[0014] The channel opening preferably has a triangular cross-section. This triangular shape may have outwardly curved sides.

[0015] Preferably, one tip of the triangular cross-section faces the nozzle axis. As a result, the center plane preferably approximately intersects the tip of the triangular cross-section. This orientation of the triangular cross-section of the channel opening ensures that a large portion of the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel opening is as far away from the nozzle axis as possible. This has the advantage that when liquid flows over the partition wall towards the channel opening during pouring, as little area of ​​the channel opening as possible, i.e. only the tip of the triangle facing the nozzle axis, is available for the liquid to enter the ventilation channel. The majority of the area of ​​the channel opening is located as far away from the nozzle axis as possible and can still be available for the inflow of air.

[0016] The ventilation channel preferably extends along an inner side of the upper wall.

[0017] Preferably, the plastic canister includes a handle on the top wall. Alternatively or additionally, the ventilation channel may extend inside this handle.

[0018] The entire plastic canister, in particular including the nozzle and any handle as well as the ventilation channel, is preferably manufactured in one piece using a blow molding process.

[0019] The invention also encompasses a method for producing the described plastic canister, in which the plastic canister is manufactured using a blow molding process. The low positioning of the channel opening, i.e., the selected second distance, results in simple production of the plastic canister, since no double blow mandrel needs to be used during the blow molding process. This eliminates the need for the complex design of a vertically extending ventilation channel in the nozzle, which would extend upwards into the area of ​​the thread.

[0020] Further details, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a plan view of the plastic canister according to the invention according to an embodiment Fig. 2 the in Fig. 1 marked section AA, Fig. 3 a detail from Fig. 1 , and Fig. 4 in Fig. 1 marked section BB.

[0021] In the following, an embodiment of a plastic canister 1 according to the invention is explained in detail. Unless otherwise stated, reference is always made to all figures.

[0022] The plastic canister 1 comprises side walls 2 which connect a bottom (not shown) to an upper wall 3. Fig. 1shows a top view of this upper wall 3. The bottom, the side walls 2 and the upper wall 3 form an interior space 4 of the plastic canister 1.

[0023] In the upper wall 3 there is a nozzle 5. On the outside of the nozzle 5 there is a thread 6. Furthermore, the embodiment shows a handle 7 on the upper wall 3.

[0024] As especially the cut AA in Fig. 2 As illustrated, the plastic canister 1 comprises a ventilation channel 8, which extends inside the upper wall 3 and is separated from the interior 4 by an inner channel wall 16. Shown purely schematically by a dashed line, Fig. 2 that in addition to or alternatively to the ventilation channel 8 on the inside of the upper wall 3, a ventilation channel 8 can also run through the handle 7.

[0025] Figures 1 and 2illustrate that the plastic canister 1 has a front area 11 and a rear area 12. The nozzle 5 is located in the front area 11.

[0026] Furthermore, the figures show a vertical nozzle axis 13, which runs centrally through the nozzle 5. A longitudinal axis 14 runs perpendicular to the nozzle axis 13 and intersects the nozzle axis 13 from the front area 11 to the rear area 12. The handle 7 and the ventilation channel 8 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 14.

[0027] As explained in the general part of the description, the longitudinal branch 14 and the nozzle axis 13 define a central plane. The ventilation channel 8 extends from a channel opening 9 to a mouth 10. The channel opening 9 is located in the nozzle 5 and thus in the front area 11 of the plastic canister 1. The mouth 10 is located in the rear area 12 of the plastic canister 1 and opens into the interior 4.

[0028] In the area of ​​the nozzle 5, the inner channel wall 16 merges into a partition 15. This partition 15 separates a small part of the nozzle 5. Behind this partition 15 is the channel opening 9. Show in detail Figures 3 and 4 this partition wall 15.

[0029] According to Fig. 3 The duct opening 9 is located behind the partition wall 15. In the exemplary embodiment, the duct opening 9 has a triangular cross-section. The sides of the triangular cross-section are slightly curved outward. One tip of the triangular cross-section faces the nozzle axis 13. Accordingly, the center plane intersects this tip.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows the Fig. 1 marked section BB. This section runs through the nozzle axis 5 and is perpendicular to the center plane. In this sectional view, the partition 15 or the partition surface mentioned in the general part of the description can be seen. The partition and thus also the Fig. 4 The partition wall surface shown is tapered towards the central plane.

[0031] It can be seen that the partition wall surface has an upper edge 17 and a lower edge 18. A first distance 19 is defined between the upper edge 17 and the lower edge 18. This first distance 19 decreases toward the center plane, resulting in the tapered shape. The tapering is designed in particular such that the upper edge 17 and the lower edge 18 do not run perpendicular to the center plane, but are inclined to the center plane.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows the design of the partition surface in the shape of a horizontal hourglass. This shape is achieved in particular by tapering the first distance and simultaneously sloping the upper edge 17 and the lower edge 18 toward the nozzle axis 13.

[0033] Furthermore, Figures 2 and 4that the channel opening 9 is positioned so deep in the nozzle 5 that the channel opening 9 has a second distance 20 from the lower end of the thread 6, as explained in the general part of the description. List of reference symbols

[0034] 1Plastic canister 2Side walls 3Top wall 4Interior 5Connector 6Thread 7Handle 8Ventilation duct 9Channel opening 10Mouth 11Front area 12Rear area 13Connector axis 14Longitudinal axis 15Partition 16Inner channel wall 17Top edge 18Bottom edge 19First distance 20Second distance

Claims

1. Plastic canister (1) for holding a liquid, comprising • a base, side walls (2) and an upper wall (3), • a nozzle (5) for filling and emptying the liquid, wherein the nozzle (5) is arranged in the upper wall (3) in a front region (11) of the plastic canister (1) and has a thread (6) for screwing on a screw cap, • a ventilation channel (8) which leads from a channel opening (9) in the nozzle (5) into a rear region (12) of the plastic canister (1) and opens into the interior (4) of the plastic canister (1), • wherein a nozzle axis (13) is defined vertically and centrally in the nozzle (5), wherein a horizontal longitudinal axis (14) is defined perpendicular to the nozzle axis (13), which intersects the nozzle axis (13) and extends from the front region (11) to the rear region (12) of the plastic canister (1), wherein a vertical Central plane is spanned by the nozzle axis (13) and the longitudinal axis (14),• wherein a partition wall (15) parallel to the axis (13) of the nozzle is formed in the nozzle (5), which partition wall separates the ventilation duct (8) including the duct opening (9) from the rest of the interior of the support, • wherein the partition wall (15) is tapered towards the central plane., 2. Plastic canister (1), wherein the partition (15) has a partition surface facing the nozzle axis (13), wherein a first distance (19) is defined between the upper edge (17) and the lower edge (18) of the partition surface, wherein the first distance (19) tapers from both sides towards the central plane and the upper edge (17) and the lower edge (18) are inclined towards the central plane.

3. A plastic canister according to claim 2, wherein the first distance tapers by at least 25%.

4. Plastic canister according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel opening (9) is arranged at a second distance (20) of at least 1 mm below the thread (6).

5. Plastic canister according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel opening (9) has a triangular cross-section.

6. A plastic canister according to claim 5, wherein the sides of the triangular cross-section are curved outwards.

7. A plastic canister according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an apex of the triangular cross-section lies on the median plane.

8. Plastic canister according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation channel (8) extends on an inner side of the upper wall (3).

9. Plastic canister according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a handle (7) on the upper wall (3).

10. Plastic canister according to claim 9, wherein the ventilation channel (8) extends inside the handle (7).

11. Plastic canister according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the entire plastic canister is manufactured in one piece by blow molding.

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