Dispenser container and method for manufacturing a dispenser container

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) comprises the steps of: a) preparing an outer container (2) made of a shape-stable material, having an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), and an outer container protrusion (10); b) preparing a preform (20), which has a cup-shaped molded body (21) composed of at least two sections (21.6, 21.7), wherein a first section (21.6) made of a blow-moldable elastic plastic is provided for forming an inner container body (6), and a second section (21.7) made of a shape-stable plastic is provided for forming an inner container outlet section (7), and the second section has at least one groove-shaped recess (4) on its outer surface for forming a degassing passage; c) heating the preform; d) introducing the preform into the outer container and introducing a stretch blow pin (30) into the preform; and e) performing stretch blow molding to form an inner container (3) while pushing back the air contained in the space (12) located between the preform and the outer container, such that the air escapes to the periphery through the degassing passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser container having an outer container and an inner container for accommodating a filling, and a method for manufacturing such a dispenser container.

Background Art

[0002] Prior Art Dispenser containers having an outer container and an inner container are known in various embodiments from the prior art. The filling of the dispenser container is always accommodated in the respective inner container.

[0003] For example, a dispenser container is known that consists of an elastically deformable outer container and a plastically deformable inner container arranged within this outer container. The shape rigidity of the outer container is selected such that after the outer container has been crushed, the outer container deforms back to its original shape. Since the inner container is made of a plastically deformable material, the inner container can be folded almost completely under the action of pressure and thus emptied well. The outer container has to take into account pressure compensation in the space between the outer container and the inner container in order to maintain its aesthetically appealing shape.

[0004] In this context, German Patent Application Publication No. 4027539 describes, for example, a squeezing bottle having a substantially shape-rigid but elastically deformable outer container. An easily deformable inner container is arranged within the outer container. A closure body seals the space located between the inner container and the outer container. This closure body has a sealing lip through which air can flow into the intermediate space as soon as the extrusion process of the tube contents has ended. Thus, it is ensured that the outer container resumes its original shape.

[0005] In an alternative form of dispenser container, the dispensing process is carried out not by crushing the container, but by generating a negative pressure in the container using a pump and a suction tube reaching into the filling. This type of dispenser container allows the use of an outer container made of a shape-stable material. That is, for many consumers, an outer container made of a shape-stable material such as glass is perceived as being more valuable than an outer container made of a deformable material. It has thus become apparent that products offered in such glass containers often sell better than the same products in deformable plastic containers.

[0006] This type of dispenser container, as described, for example, in German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2019 120 624, is used, for example, to meter and dispense a cosmetic or medical product present as a fluid.

[0007] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2014 113 535 describes a dispenser container consisting of an outer container and an inner container. In this case, the outer container and the inner container are formed from two different plastics that have been blow-molded and are not materially bonded to each other. In this case, the plastic forming the inner container has a higher elasticity than the plastic forming the outer container, so that the inner container is deformed by the negative pressure acting on this inner container, while the outer container remains shape-stable. The outer container has a pressure compensation opening for pressure compensation in the region between the outer container and the inner container.

[0008] The production of the dispenser container described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102014113535 is carried out by injection blow molding. In this case, first a preform is produced. To form the preform, in a first step, a first layer is injected and deposited onto an injection blow core located in a first cavity of a multi-component injection molding device. From this first layer, the inner container of the dispenser container is later formed. Then, the injection blow core is introduced into a second cavity together with the first layer located thereon. Then, a second layer is injected and deposited onto the injection blow core present in the second cavity of the multi-component injection molding device. From this second layer, the outer container of the dispenser container is later formed. In another process section, the preform is brought to the temperature required for stretch blow molding, introduced into a stretch blow molding device, and inflated in this device into the desired dispenser container with a flexible inner container and a shape-stable outer container.

[0009] Finally, from the prior art, dispenser containers are also known in which a plastic inner container made of a flexible material is formed by blow molding within a shape-stable outer container. European Patent No. 2246267, for example, discloses a dispenser container consisting of an outer rigid container and a crushable bag accommodated in the inner chamber of the outer container. The crushable bag is introduced as a preform made of a thermoplastic plastic into the inner chamber of the outer container and inflated therein by blow molding. The bag thus formed forms a flexible inner container that can be compressed by pressure. The shape-stable outer container may consist of glass, aluminum or a corresponding plastic.

[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0267437 also describes a similarly configured dispenser container. In the case of this dispenser container as well, an inner container having a variable volume is provided, and this inner container is housed within an outer container made of a rigid material such as aluminum, for example. The inner container manufactured by stretch blow molding from a preform is made of a hard heat-resistant plastic such as nylon 66 in its neck section and is made of a soft and flexible plastic such as PET in the bag region.

[0011] When manufacturing a dispenser container of the type described in European Patent No. 2246267 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0267437, when forming the inner container by expanding a preform within a rigid outer container, there often arises the problem that the air trapped within the outer container cannot completely escape. This is because the inner container being formed already contacts the wall of the outer container in the upper region of the outer container, that is, the region adjacent to the outer container protrusion, at a time when the air from the lower volume of the outer container, namely the region adjacent to the bottom (16) of the outer container, has not yet been completely allowed to flow out of the outer container.

[0012] Upon expansion of the preform, the inner container increases in volume so to speak from top to bottom, whereby the air is trapped in the lower region. As a result, the inner container is not formed with the originally desired volume, which causes difficulties during filling of the filling material and leads to an undesirable dead volume within the outer container. This problem occurs particularly frequently in an outer container provided with a formed outer container shoulder, and complete escape of air from the lower volume of the outer container is not achieved during expansion of the inner container.

[0013] Accordingly, there is a need for a dispenser container in which a flexible inner container occupies the volume of a shape-stable outer container as completely as possible and a method for manufacturing such a dispenser container.

[0014] Disclosure of the Invention The problem underlying the invention as set out in the claims is to provide a method for manufacturing a dispenser container which enables a flexible inner container to be arranged within a shape-stable outer container, and in which the inner container occupies the volume of the outer container as completely as possible.

[0015] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method for manufacturing a dispenser container according to claim 1 and by a dispenser container according to claim 5. Further advantageous details, aspects and configurations of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims, the detailed description, the examples and the drawings.

[0016] The method according to the invention for manufacturing a dispenser container is a) preparing an outer container formed from a shape-stable material, the outer container having an outer container bottom, an outer container body and an outer container projection having an outer container opening; b) preparing a preform, the preform having a cup-shaped shaped body, the shaped body being composed of at least two sections, a first section forming a closed end of the shaped body, a second section forming an open end of the shaped body, the closed end being located on the side opposite the open end, the first section being provided for forming an inner container body, the second section being provided for forming an inner container outlet section having an outlet opening, the first section being made of an elastic plastic which is blow-moldable, the second section being made of a shape-stable plastic, the second section having at least one groove-shaped recess on its outer surface for forming a degassing passage; c) heating the preform; d) introducing the preform into the outer container and introducing a stretch blow pin into the preform, the introduction of the stretch blow pin into the preform being carried out before or after the introduction of the preform into the outer container. e) A step of performing stretch blow molding to form the inner container while pushing back air contained in a space located between the preform and the outer container, wherein the air escapes to the surroundings through at least one degassing passage has.

[0017] According to the present invention, a preform is used to form the inner container, and this preform has at least one groove-shaped recess on the outer surface of the preform in a second section provided to form the inner container outlet section. Thereby, there is a possibility that the air pushed back from the space located between the preform and the outer container during the stretch blow molding process for forming the inner container escapes to the surroundings through the degassing passage formed by the groove-shaped recess.

[0018] By combining the features of the method according to the present invention for manufacturing a dispenser container, regardless of the type of the outer container, it is ensured that when the inner container expands, air completely escapes from the entire volume of the outer container and particularly from the region of the bottom of the outer container. Thereby, the inner container is formed in a desired form and ideally substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container. Thereby, the dead volume, which is well known from the prior art, between the inner container and the outer container in the bottom region of the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be filled with the filling material without problems and completely.

[0019] After stretch blow molding for forming the inner container, the dispenser container can be cooled, the stretch blow molding device can be removed, and the filling material can be directly loaded into the dispenser container.

[0020] Preferably, in step e), stretch blow molding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the length of the extension of the bottom of the outer container. Particularly preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire length of the extension of the bottom of the outer container, preferably over the entire length of the extension of the bottom of the outer container.

[0021] In this case, the stretch blow molding is carried out at least until the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire length of the extension of the bottom of the outer container.

[0022] The expression "length of the extension of the bottom of the outer container" means, within the framework of this specification, the respective area of the bottom of the outer container. That is, when the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the length of the extension of the bottom of the outer container, it means that the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the area of the inner surface of the bottom of the outer container. The same applies to the lengths of the extension of the outer container body and the outer container shoulder.

[0023] Preferably, in step e), stretch blow molding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the length of the extension of the outer container body. By this preferred embodiment, regardless of the type of the outer container, when the inner container expands, it is ensured that air completely escapes from substantially the entire volume of the outer container, particularly from the region of the outer container body. Thereby, the inner container is formed in the desired form and substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container, particularly in the regions of all the corners that may exist in the outer container. Therefore, dead volume in the outer container is avoided and the inner container can be filled with the filling material without problems and completely.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in step e), stretch blow molding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over at least 99% of the extension length of the outer container body. In this case, the inner container and the outer container are in contact with each other substantially over the entire extension length of the inner surface of the outer container body. According to this embodiment, ideally, regardless of the type of the outer container, and particularly in the case of an outer container provided with a specially formed outer container shoulder, when the inner container expands, it is ensured that air completely escapes from the entire volume of the outer container, and particularly from the region of the outer container body. Thereby, the inner container is formed in a desired form and substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container, particularly in the region of all the corner portions that may exist in the outer container. Therefore, dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be loaded with the filling material without problems and completely.

[0025] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extension length of the outer container bottom and further over at least 99% of the extension length of the outer container body.

[0026] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container prepared in step a) additionally has an outer container shoulder in addition to the outer container bottom, the outer container body and the outer container protrusion. In step e), stretch blow molding is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the extension length of the outer container shoulder.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container prepared in step a) has an outer container bottom, an outer container body, an outer container protrusion, and an outer container shoulder. The stretch blow molding according to step e) is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over at least 99% of the extension length of the outer container shoulder. According to this embodiment, ideally, regardless of the type of the outer container, and especially in the case of an outer container provided with a specially formed outer container shoulder, when the inner container expands, it is guaranteed that air completely escapes from the entire volume of the outer container, and especially from the region of the outer container body. Thereby, the inner container is formed in the desired form and substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container, especially in the region of the outer container shoulder and in the region of all other possible corner portions of the outer container. Therefore, the dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be filled with the filling material without problems and completely.

[0028] An embodiment in which the outer surface of the inner container body contacts the inner surface of the outer container over substantially the entire extension length of the outer container bottom, substantially the entire extension length of the outer container body, and at least 90%, preferably at least 99% of the extension length of the outer container shoulder is particularly preferred. In this case, the inner container and the outer container not only contact each other over the entire extension length of the inner surfaces of the outer container bottom and the outer container body, but also contact each other over most of the extension length of the outer container shoulder.

[0029] For those skilled in the art, based on the fact that a degassing passage extending from the space between the preform and the outer container to the surroundings is formed, it is obvious that the inner container outlet section formed of a shape-stable plastic extends over the entire extension length of the outer container protrusion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the dispenser container. Thereby, a fluid connection between the surroundings and the space located between the preform and the outer container is formed.

[0030] Similarly, it is self-evident to those skilled in the art that expressions such as "air completely escaping" and "contacting over the entire length of extension" are accompanied by a certain degree of ambiguity. Therefore, the air escapes "completely" not in the sense of forming a vacuum from the space between the inner container and the outer container, but simply in the sense that no visible bubbles or air enclosure remains between the outer container and the inner container. Similarly, "the entire length of extension" does not mean 100% in the mathematical sense, but simply means the fact that there is no remaining visible area where the inner container does not contact the outer container, for example, at the bottom of the container corresponding to the container section.

[0031] Within the framework of this specification, the term "space located between the inner container and the outer container" and the term "space located between the preform and the outer container" are used synonymously. As described, first, the preform is introduced into the outer container, and then this preform is formed by a stretch blow molding process to form the inner container. Depending on the progress of the stretch blow molding process, at a specific point in time, it can still be called a preform, or it can already be called an inner container.

[0032] The outer container used within the framework of the present invention can be divided into a plurality of sections, namely the outer container bottom, the outer container body, the outer container protrusion, and the outer container shoulder. These concepts are well-known to those skilled in the art. It is also well-known to those skilled in the art that, based on the extremely high diversity of the geometric shaping of the outer container, it is difficult to clearly distinguish the individual sections. Nevertheless, in an arbitrarily shaped outer container, it is not a problem for those skilled in the art to identify and distinguish the individual sections, namely the outer container bottom, the outer container body, the outer container protrusion, and the outer container shoulder. Thus, the outer container bottom is, in any case, suitable for standing the outer container on a base. This also applies when the dispenser container is used as prescribed and is prescribed to be stood "upside down", i.e., for example, on a closure cap attached to the outer container. The outer container body defines, in the horizontal direction, the portion of the outer container that houses the filling. This also applies to a dispenser container having a dispenser container longitudinal axis that does not extend vertically towards the base. The optional outer container shoulder connects the outer container body to the outer container protrusion, which often has a male thread.

[0033] The present invention further relates to a dispenser container having an outer container formed from a shape-stable material and an inner container disposed within the outer container for containing a filling material, wherein the outer container has an outer container bottom, an outer container body, and an outer container protrusion having an outer container opening. The inner container includes an inner container body disposed in the region of the outer container body and an inner container outlet section disposed in the region of the outer container protrusion and having an outlet opening, and the inner container outlet section extends over the entire extent of the outer container protrusion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the dispenser container. The inner container body is formed from blow-molded elastic plastic, while the inner container outlet section is formed from shape-stable plastic. According to the invention, the inner container outlet section has at least one groove-shaped recess on the surface facing the outer container protrusion for forming at least one degassing passage, and the degassing passage forms a fluid connection between the surroundings and the space located between the inner and outer containers. The outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90% of the extent of the outer container bottom.

[0034] The problem known from the prior art that, upon inflation of the preform, the inner container increases in volume from top to bottom, thereby trapping air in the lower region, is overcome by the dispenser container according to the invention. The inner container is formed with a fully desired overall volume, thereby avoiding difficulties during filling of the filling material and undesired dead volume within the outer container.

[0035] According to the invention, the outer container is formed from a shape-stable material. Within the context of this specification, "shape-stable" means that a container formed from a shape-stable material does not deform or only deforms to an insignificant extent under the normal pressures occurring during use of the dispenser container.

[0036] The filling material may be any substance having a sufficiently low viscosity for the dispensing process. Preferably, pastes, creams, gels, and liquids are used as the filling material.

[0037] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 99% of the extent of the bottom of the outer container. With these preferred embodiments, regardless of the type of the outer container, it is ensured that the inner container substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container in the desired form, particularly also in the regions of all the corner portions that may exist in the outer container. Accordingly, dead volume within the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be filled with the filling material without problems and completely.

[0038] Particularly preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extent of the bottom of the outer container, preferably over the entire extent of the bottom of the outer container.

[0039] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90%, particularly preferably over at least 99% of the extent of the body of the outer container. With these preferred embodiments, regardless of the type of the outer container, it is ensured that the inner container substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container in the desired form, particularly also in the regions of all the corner portions that may exist in the outer container. Accordingly, dead volume within the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be filled with the filling material without problems and completely.

[0040] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extent of the bottom of the outer container and further over at least 99% of the extent of the body of the outer container.

[0041] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container has an outer container bottom, an outer container body, an outer container protrusion, and an outer container shoulder. In this case, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 99%, of the extension length of the outer container shoulder. According to these preferred embodiments, regardless of the type of the outer container, particularly in the case of an outer container provided with a specially formed outer container shoulder, the inner container can substantially completely fill the volume of the outer container in a desired form, particularly also in the region of the outer container shoulder and in the region of any other corner portions that may exist in the outer container. Therefore, the dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be filled with the filling material without problems and completely.

[0042] Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over substantially the entire extension length of the outer container bottom, substantially the entire extension length of the outer container body, and at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the extension length of the outer container shoulder. In this case, the inner container and the outer container are in contact with each other not only over the entire extension length of the inner surfaces of the outer container bottom and the outer container body, but also over most of the extension length of the outer container shoulder.

[0043] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner container outlet section has an annular flange section in the region adjacent to the outlet opening, and the flange section is in planar contact with the edge region of the outer container protrusion on the side opposite to the outer container body. The flange section has a groove-shaped recess extending annularly around the outlet opening for forming a degassing groove on the surface in planar contact with the edge region of the outer container protrusion on the side opposite to the outer container body, and at least one groove-shaped recess extending in a direction away from the outlet opening for forming at least one degassing notch. At least one groove-shaped recess for forming at least one degassing passage is in fluid connection with the groove-shaped recess for forming the degassing groove, and the groove-shaped recess for forming the degassing groove is in fluid connection with the groove-shaped recess for forming the degassing notch, and the degassing passage, the degassing groove and the degassing notch form a fluid connection between the surroundings and the space located between the inner container and the outer container.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the groove-shaped recess for forming a degassing groove, which is provided within the flange section and extends annularly around the outlet opening, extends concentrically with respect to the outlet opening. This type of degassing groove can be manufactured particularly easily and ensures additionally improved degassing from the volume between the outer container and the inner container during the expansion of the inner container. The outer container protrusion of the dispenser container usually has a cylindrical shape since a closure body or a pump head is usually screwed thereon.

[0045] A special advantage occurs when the inner container outlet section has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses for forming a plurality of degassing passages on the surface facing the outer container protrusion. In this case, these degassing passages can be arbitrarily arranged over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. All of the degassing passages are fluidly connected to an annularly extending degassing groove, whereby the air pushed back from the outer container can flow out over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. The pushed-back air is guided into the degassing groove and discharged to the surroundings through the degassing notch. The arrangement of the degassing passages can be adapted to the geometric particularities that may exist in the case of the outer container. If the outer container is formed asymmetrically and has a region where degassing from the volume between the outer container and the inner container is expected to be particularly suppressed, a particularly large number of degassing passages can be provided in the corresponding region of the inner container outlet section.

[0046] Preferably, the groove-shaped recesses for forming the degassing passages extend parallel to each other, and particularly preferably, they extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser container. According to this embodiment, degassing is performed in a direct path and is therefore particularly effective.

[0047] Preferably, the groove-shaped recesses for forming the degassing passages are evenly distributed and provided over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. Since the outer container is often symmetrically configured, it is preferably desired that uniform and effective degassing is performed over the entire circumference during the stretch blow molding process.

[0048] According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the flange section has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses extending in a direction away from the outlet opening for forming a plurality of degassing notches. In this case, the degassing notches may be arbitrarily arranged over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. All the degassing notches are fluid-connected to a degassing groove extending annularly, whereby the air pushed back from the outer container can flow out over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. The pushed-back air is guided into the degassing groove and discharged to the surroundings through the degassing notches. The arrangement of the degassing notches can be adapted to the geometric particularities that may exist in the case of the outer container. If the outer container is asymmetrically formed and has an area where degassing from the volume between the outer container and the inner container is expected to be particularly suppressed, a particularly large number of degassing notches can be provided in the corresponding area of the inner container outlet section.

[0049] Preferably, the groove-shaped recesses for forming the degassing notches are evenly distributed over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. Since the outer container is often symmetrically configured, it is preferably desired that uniform and effective degassing is performed over the entire circumference during the stretch blow molding process.

[0050] A special advantage regarding effective degassing during the stretch blow molding process is obtained when a plurality of groove-shaped recesses for forming a plurality of degassing passages are combined with a plurality of groove-shaped recesses for forming the degassing notches. At this time, although basically the number of degassing passages is independent of the number of degassing notches, when the number of degassing passages matches the number of degassing notches and the degassing passages and the degassing notches are distributed in the same pattern over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section, a particularly uniform and unobstructed air flow occurs during the stretch blow molding process. In this case, the outflowing air can flow directly from the degassing passages through the degassing groove into the corresponding degassing notches.

[0051] Preferably, the outer container protrusion has a male thread. An optionally configured pump device for taking out the filling material present in the inner container may be screwed onto this male thread. However, only a closing cap for closing the outer container opening provided at the end of the outer container protrusion on the side opposite to the outer container body may be provided.

[0052] - At least one groove-shaped recess provided on the surface of the inner container outlet section facing the outer container protrusion for forming at least one degassing passage, - A groove-shaped recess provided on the surface of the flange section that is in the same plane and in contact with the edge region of the outer container protrusion on the side opposite to the outer container body, for forming a degassing groove, and extending annularly around the outlet opening, - A groove-shaped recess provided on the surface of the flange section that is in the same plane and in contact with the edge region of the outer container protrusion on the side opposite to the outer container body, for forming at least one degassing notch, and extending in a direction away from the outlet opening by The configuration of the fluid connection between the surroundings and the space located between the preform and the outer container has proven to be ideal for discharging the air present in the space between the preform and the outer container during the stretch blow molding process. By means of the degassing groove extending annularly around the outlet opening, it is achieved that both the degassing passage and the degassing notch can be arbitrarily positioned around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section and can be arbitrarily arranged relative to each other. In any case, the annularly extending degassing groove ensures the fluid connection between the degassing passage and the degassing notch. The degassing notch and the degassing passage are fluid-connected to the annular degassing groove, and the fluid connection of the space located between the inner container and the outer container to the outer atmosphere is formed via the degassing passage, the degassing groove, and the degassing notch.

[0053] Particularly preferably, the material for the shape stability of the outer container is glass, plastic, metal, metal alloy or composite material. "Shape stability" means, in the context of the present invention, that the corresponding outer container or the corresponding plastic does not deform or only deforms to a negligible extent under the pressure and / or negative pressure occurring during the use of the dispenser container.

[0054] Preferably, the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body is a thermoplastic, particularly a polyamide, polyolefin or polycarbonate. Particularly preferably, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene or polypropylene is used. The materials mentioned have particularly advantageous properties with respect to the melting temperature and viscosity and are particularly well-suited to the blow molding process.

[0055] Particularly preferably, the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body of the inner container and the shape-stable plastic of the inner container outlet section have different viscosities and / or melting temperatures from each other. Thereby, a wide range of plastics can be combined with each other. The plastic of the inner container body can be adapted to the requirements of the filling stored in the inner container.

[0056] According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape-stable plastic of the inner container outlet section has a higher melting temperature than the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body. Thereby, the desired properties for expanding the preform while forming the inner container are particularly well satisfied. It is possible to adjust the temperature at which the elastic plastic of the inner container body has already melted and has a low viscosity, while the shape-stable plastic of the inner container outlet section has an unchanged shape stability. Therefore, it is possible to expand the preform while forming the inner container body without problems.

[0057] The present invention also includes a dispenser container as described above, manufactured by one of the methods described above.

[0058] The preform used in the method according to the invention has a cup-shaped molded body and consists of at least two sections. The first section forms the closed end of the molded body, and the second section forms the open end of the molded body. The closed end is located on the side opposite to the open end. The first section of the preform is provided to form the inner container body, and the second section of the preform is provided to form the inner container outlet section having an outlet opening. The first section is made of a blow-moldable elastic plastic, and the second section is made of a shape-stable plastic.

[0059] The second section has an annular flange section in the region adjacent to the open end of the cup-shaped molded body. The second section has at least one groove-shaped recess on its outer surface for forming at least one degassing passage. On the surface facing the first section, the flange section has a groove-shaped recess extending annularly around the outlet opening for forming a degassing groove and at least one groove-shaped recess extending in a direction away from the outlet opening for forming at least one degassing notch. At least one groove-shaped recess for forming at least one degassing passage is fluidly connected to the groove-shaped recess for forming the degassing groove. The groove-shaped recess itself for forming the degassing groove is fluidly connected to the degassing notch.

[0060] The preform is used to manufacture an inner container for one of the dispenser containers described above. The preform has all the features required to obtain a corresponding combination of features of the dispenser container consisting of an outer container and an inner container. The inflation of the preform within the shape-stable outer container results in the dispenser container according to the invention. All the advantages described above in connection with the dispenser container and the components forming such a dispenser container, the outer container and the inner container, also occur in connection with the preform according to the invention. The corresponding also applies to the preferred embodiments of the preform described below.

[0061] Preferably, the blow-moldable elastic plastic of the first section of the preform is a thermoplastic plastic, particularly a polyamide, a polyolefin or a polycarbonate. Particularly preferably, it is polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0062] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shape-stable plastic of the second section of the preform has a melting temperature higher than that of the blow-moldable elastic plastic of the first section.

[0063] According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the second section of the preform has, on its outer surface, a plurality of groove-shaped recesses for forming a plurality of degassing passages. Particularly preferably, these plurality of groove-shaped recesses for forming the plurality of degassing passages extend parallel to each other, and particularly preferably, these plurality of groove-shaped recesses are evenly distributed over the entire circumference of the second section. The advantages associated with these embodiments have already been described in connection with the corresponding embodiments of the dispenser container.

[0064] Particularly preferably, the groove-shaped recess for forming a degassing groove, which is provided on the surface of the flange section facing the first section and extends annularly around the outlet opening, is formed concentrically with respect to the outlet opening.

[0065] According to another preferred embodiment, the flange section has, on the surface facing the first section, a plurality of groove-shaped recesses extending in a direction away from the outlet opening for forming a plurality of degassing notches. Particularly preferably, these groove-shaped recesses for forming the degassing notches are evenly distributed over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. Also in this case, the advantages of the preferred embodiment have already been described in connection with the corresponding embodiments of the dispenser container.

[0066] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments related to the drawings. It is clearly pointed out that the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0067]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

[0068] Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention FIG. 1 shows a dispenser container 1 according to the present invention in a vertical cross-sectional view. The dispenser container 1 includes an outer container 2 and an inner container 3 disposed within the outer container 2. A filling material can be accommodated within the inner container 3.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer container 2 is composed of an outer container bottom 16, an outer container body 5, an outer container shoulder 9, and an outer container protrusion 10. An external thread 15 is provided on the outside of the outer container protrusion 10. A pump device arbitrarily formed for taking out the filling material can be screwed onto the external thread 15. However, a closure cap for closing the outer container opening provided at the upper end of the outer container protrusion 10, that is, the end on the side opposite to the outer container body 5, can also be screwed on.

[0070] The outer container 2 is formed from a material with shape stability. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer container 2 is made of glass.

[0071] The inner container 3 has an inner container body 6 disposed in the region of the outer container body 5 and an inner container outlet section 7 disposed in the region of the outer container projection 10 and having an outlet opening 11. The inner container outlet section 7 extends in the direction of the dispenser container longitudinal axis SBLA over the entire length of the outer container projection 10 up to the region of the outer container shoulder 9.

[0072] The inner container body 6 is formed from blow-molded elastic plastic, and the inner container outlet section 7 is formed from shape-stable plastic. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the inner container body 6 is made of polyethylene and the inner container outlet section 7 is made of crosslinked polyurethane.

[0073] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the stretch blow molding for forming the inner container is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body 6 contacts the inner surface of the outer container 2 over the entire length of the outer container bottom 15, over the entire length of the outer container body 5, and over more than 90% of the length of the outer container shoulder 9. Thus, the inner container and the outer container are in contact with each other not only over the entire length of the inner surface of the outer container bottom 16 and over the entire length of the inner surface of the outer container body 5, but also over most of the length of the outer container shoulder 9.

[0074] Another feature and characteristic of the inner container outlet section 7 are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in which the preform 20 is shown in a side view (FIG. 2A) or a perspective view seen obliquely from below (FIG. 2B). Such a preform is used to manufacture the inner container 3 for the dispenser container 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The preform 20 has a cup-shaped molded body 21 and is composed of two sections 21.6, 21.7. The first section 21.6 forms the closed end of the molded body 21, while the second section 21.7 forms the open end of the molded body 21, where the closed end is located on the side opposite to the open end.

[0075] The first section 21.6 is provided to form the inner container body 6, and the second section 21.7 is provided to form the inner container outlet section 7. The first section 21.6 is made of blow-moldable elastic plastic, polyethylene in this embodiment, while the second section 21.7 is made of shape-stable plastic, cross-linked polyurethane in this embodiment.

[0076] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, an outlet opening provided at the upper end of the inner container outlet section 7, i.e., the end opposite to the first section 21.6 (see FIG. 1), is indicated by reference numeral 11. The second section 21.7 provided to form the inner container outlet section 7 has a corresponding number of groove-shaped recesses 4 on its outer surface for forming a plurality of degassing passages. The groove-shaped recesses extend parallel to each other and parallel to the dispenser container longitudinal axis SBLA (see FIG. 1). The illustrated embodiment has a corresponding number of groove-shaped recesses 4 for forming a total of 10 degassing passages.

[0077] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, an annular flange section 13 provided in the region adjacent to the outlet opening 11 of the inner container outlet section 7 is also clearly shown. The flange section 13 is provided with a groove-shaped recess 14 for later forming a degassing notch.

[0078] In the perspective view shown in FIG. 2B, groove-shaped recesses 8 for forming a degassing groove, which extend concentrically in an annular shape around the outlet opening 11 and are present on the surface of the flange section 13 provided to contact coplanarly with the edge region of the outer container protrusion 10 opposite to the outer container body 5, can be confirmed.

[0079] The groove-shaped recess 14 for forming the degassing notch and the groove-shaped recess 4 for forming the degassing passage are fluidly connected to the annularly extending groove-shaped recess 8 for forming the degassing groove. These recesses form corresponding degassing passages, degassing grooves, and degassing notches after the introduction of the preform 20 into the outer container 2, thereby forming a fluid connection to the outer atmosphere of the space 12 (see FIG. 3A) located between the preform 20 and the outer container 2.

[0080] In the dispenser container 1 of FIG. 1, a degassing passage is arranged on the surface of the inner container outlet section 7 facing the outer container protrusion 10. The flange element 13 is in coplanar contact with the edge region 10.R of the outer container protrusion 10 on the side opposite to the outer container shoulder 9. The degassing notch provided in the flange element 13 is fluidly connected to the annularly extending degassing groove and the degassing passage, thereby forming a fluid connection portion of the space 12 located between the inner container 3 and the outer container 2 with respect to the outer atmosphere. The degassing notch, the degassing groove, and the degassing passage cannot be confirmed in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

[0081] Hereinafter, a method according to the present invention for manufacturing the dispenser container 1 as shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. First, an outer container 2 corresponding to the outer container 2 described in relation to FIG. 1 (see FIG. 3A) is prepared. Additionally, a preform 20 is prepared, and the characteristics and features of the preform 20 have already been described in relation to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The preform 20 is heated to a temperature sufficient for the stretch blow molding process, introduced into the outer container 2, and a stretch blow pin 30 is introduced into the preform 20, thereby obtaining the configuration shown in FIG. 3A. In this case, the introduction of the stretch blow pin 30 into the preform 20 can also be performed before the introduction of the preform 20 into the outer container 2.

[0082] Next, a stretch blow molding process is carried out, and the flow of the introduced gas is symbolically indicated by a plurality of arrows in FIG. 3B. By the stretch blow molding process, the inner container 3 is formed. The air contained in the space 12 (FIG. 3A) located between the preform 20 and the outer container 2 is pushed back, and this air escapes to the surroundings through the degassing passage, the degassing groove, and the degassing notch. The stretch blow molding for forming the inner container is carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body 6 contacts the inner surface of the outer container 2 over the entire length of the extension of the outer container bottom 15, over the entire length of the extension of the outer container body 5, and over more than 90% of the length of the extension of the outer container shoulder 9. Thereby, the inner container 3 is formed in the desired form and actually completely fills the volume of the outer container 2, particularly in the region of the outer container shoulder 9 (see FIG. 3B).

Explanation of Signs

[0083] 1 Dispenser container 2 Outer container 3 Inner container 4 Grooved recess for forming a degassing passage 5 Outer container body 6 Inner container body 7 Inner container outlet section 8 Grooved recess for forming a degassing groove 9 Outer container shoulder 10 Outer container protrusion 10.R Edge region of the outer container protrusion 11 Outlet opening 12 Space between the preform and the outer container 13 Flange section 14 Grooved recess for forming a degassing notch 15 Male thread 16 Outer container bottom 20 Preform 21 Molded body 21.6 First section of the molded body 21.7 Second section of the molded body 30 Stretch blow pin SBLA Dispenser container longitudinal axis

Claims

Claim 1 A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1), comprising: a) preparing an outer container (2) formed from a shape-stable material, said outer container (2) having an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), and an outer container protrusion (10) having an outer container opening; b) preparing a preform (20), said preform (20) having a cup-shaped molded body (21), said molded body (21) being composed of at least two sections (21.6, 21.7), a first section (21.6) forming a closed end of said molded body (21), a second section (21.7) forming an open end of said molded body (21), said closed end being located on the opposite side of said open end, said first section (21.6) being provided for forming an inner container body (6), said second section (21.7) being provided for forming an inner container outlet section (7) having an outlet opening (11), said first section (21.6) being made of a blow-moldable elastic plastic, said second section (21.7) being made of a shape-stable plastic, said second section (21.7) having at least one groove-shaped recess (4) on its outer surface for forming a degassing passage; c) heating said preform (20); d) introducing said preform (20) into said outer container (2) and introducing a stretch blow pin (30) into said preform (20), said introduction of said stretch blow pin (30) into said preform (20) being performed before or after the introduction of said preform (20) into said outer container (2); e) performing stretch blow molding to form an inner container (3) while pushing back air contained in a space (12) located between said preform (20) and said outer container (2), said air escaping to the surroundings through at least one of said degassing passages. A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1). Claim 2 In step e), the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is subjected to the stretch blow molding until it contacts the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably 99%, of the extension length of the outer container bottom (16). A method for manufacturing the dispenser container (1) according to claim 1.

3. In step e), the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is subjected to the stretch blow molding until it contacts the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the extension length of the outer container body (5). A method for manufacturing the dispenser container (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The outer container (2) prepared in step a) has an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), an outer container protrusion (10), and an outer container shoulder (9). In step e), the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is subjected to the stretch blow molding until it contacts the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the extension length of the outer container shoulder (9). A method for manufacturing the dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A dispenser container (1) having an outer container (2) and an inner container (3) disposed within the outer container (2) for containing a filling material, The outer container (2) has an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), and an outer container protrusion (10) having an outer container opening, The outer container (2) is formed from a shape-stable material, The inner container (3) has an inner container body (6) disposed in the region of the outer container body (5) and an inner container outlet section (7) having an outlet opening (11) disposed in the region of the outer container protrusion (10), The inner container outlet section (7) extends over the entire extension length of the outer container protrusion (10) in the direction of the dispenser container longitudinal axis (SBL A), The inner container body (6) is formed from blow-molded elastic plastic, and the inner container outlet section (7) is formed from shape-stable plastic. The inner container outlet section (7) has at least one groove-shaped recess (4) on the surface facing the outer container protrusion (10) for forming a degassing passage. The degassing passage forms a fluid connection between the surroundings and the space (12) located between the inner container (3) and the outer container (2). The outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90% of the extension length of the outer container bottom (16), dispenser container (1).

6. The dispenser container (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 99% of the extension length of the outer container bottom (16).

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

8. The outer container (2) has an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), an outer container protrusion (10), and an outer container shoulder (9). The outer surface of the inner container body (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90%, preferably at least 99% of the extension length of the outer container shoulder (9). The dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The inner container outlet section (7) has an annular flange section (13) in the region adjacent to the outlet opening (11). The flange section (13) is in planar contact with the edge region (10.R) of the outer container protrusion (10) opposite to the outer container body (5). The flange section (13) has a groove-shaped recess (8) extending annularly around the outlet opening (11) for forming a degassing groove on the surface in planar contact with the edge region (10.R) of the outer container protrusion (10) opposite to the outer container body (5). The flange section (13) has at least one groove-shaped recess (14) extending in a direction away from the outlet opening (11) for forming a degassing notch on a surface that is in coplanar contact with an edge region (10.R) of the outer container protrusion (10) on the side opposite to the outer container body (5). The at least one groove-shaped recess (4) for forming the degassing passage is in fluid connection with the groove-shaped recess (8) for forming the degassing groove, and the groove-shaped recess (8) for forming the degassing groove is in fluid connection with the groove-shaped recess for forming at least one degassing notch (14). The dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the degassing passage, the degassing groove, and the degassing notch form a fluid connection portion between the surroundings and the space (12) located between the inner container (3) and the outer container (2).

10. The dispenser container (1) according to claim 9, wherein the groove-shaped recess (8) for forming a degassing groove, which is provided in the flange section (13) and extends annularly around the outlet opening (11), extends concentrically with respect to the outlet opening (11).

11. The inner container outlet section (7) has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses (4) for forming a plurality of degassing passages on a surface facing the outer container protrusion (10), and the groove-shaped recesses (4) for forming the degassing passages preferably extend parallel to each other, and particularly preferably extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (SBL A) of the dispenser container. The dispenser container (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that

12. The dispenser container (1) according to claim 11, wherein the groove-shaped recesses (4) for forming the degassing passages are evenly distributed over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section (7).

13. The flange section (13) has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses (14) extending in a direction away from the outlet opening (11) for forming a plurality of degassing notches, and the groove-shaped recesses (14) for forming the degassing notches are preferably evenly distributed over the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section (7). The dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that

14. The dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the material for the shape stability of the outer container (2) is glass, plastic, metal, metal alloy or composite material.

15. The dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body (6) is a thermoplastic, in particular polyamide, polyolefin or polycarbonate, particularly preferably polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene or polypropylene.

16. The dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the shape-stable plastic of the inner container outlet section (7) has a melting temperature higher than that of the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body (6).

17. The dispenser container (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 16, produced by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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