Container for holding liquids

Abstract

A container (100) for holding liquid has a container body, the container body comprising: an upper wall portion (150) in the longitudinal direction of the container body that surrounds the cavity with a substantially constant cross-section; a lower wall portion (110) that surrounds the cavity, starting from its upper end (112) and expanding toward its lower end (111); a shoulder portion (170) including an outlet opening (172); and a bottom portion (160). The lower wall portion (110) has at least three web-like portions (130) extending from the upper end (112) of the lower wall portion (110) toward the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110), and at least three surface portions (120), each surface portion (120) being positioned between two web-like portions (130) between the upper end (112) and the lower end (110) of the lower wall portion (110), and in a plane (AA, BB) perpendicular to the centerline (M) of the container body, each surface portion (120) has a larger radius of curvature than each web-like portion (130) or is not curved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for containing a liquid, for example, a liquid for cosmetic use, and particularly to a container made of a plastic material, such as a bottle-shaped one.

Background Art

[0002] Liquids such as shampoos, hair gels, emulsions, hair dyes, conditioners, hair masks, etc. are often supplied in bottle-shaped containers for use by end customers or by employees of professional hair salons and beauty parlors. The liquid can be a mixture of ready-for-use substances (so-called ready-for-use cosmetics), or a mixture that is later mixed with other components at the customer's facility to make a ready-for-use mixture. An example of a mixture required by the customer to make a ready-for-use mixture is a so-called hair dye mixture, which contains water, hydrogen peroxide, and usually an organic acid. In addition to water and dyes, other ready-for-use mixtures can also contain alcohol, fatty alcohols, surfactants, organic acids and bases, and other substances.

[0003] Such ready-for-use mixtures, i.e., pre-mixtures, are mixed by manufacturers in industrial facilities, filled into bottle-shaped containers, and then sealed, prepared for shipment or stored in intermediate storage facilities. It may take several months from filling the container with the mixture until the customer first uses it. During that time, the container filled with the mixture is stored in a warehouse, delivered to a distributor, and sold by the distributor.

[0004] Liquids for cosmetic use are usually mixtures of very different components. These components can include substances that tend to evaporate, such as alcohol, or substances that tend to be absorbed by the inner wall of the bottle-shaped container. In addition, although a small part, some substances may react with each other over time or diffuse through the wall material of the container.

[0005] Typically, containers are made of plastic. For example, gases above the liquid level, where partial pressure equilibrium with the liquid is established, can diffuse through the plastic material, particularly oxygen, carbon dioxide, and short-chain hydrocarbons. This diffusion of gases can change the composition of the gas volume, and as a result of the equilibrium state, the composition of the liquid mixture may also change.

[0006] Even if manufacturers take the utmost care to ensure that bottle-type containers are tightly sealed, the possibility of partial leakage of some liquid or one of the mixed substances through the closure cannot be ruled out. This may result in a slight decrease in volume and the creation of a slight negative pressure within a tightly sealed container. Negative pressure can also occur when substances react with each other, are absorbed by the inner wall, or diffuse through the container wall, as described above.

[0007] Other reasons for negative pressure occurring within a container can also be explained by the fact that certain external pressures exist during the filling of the liquid and sealing of the container, and that these external pressures are lower than the external pressures during the transport or storage of the container, or by the fact that the liquid was filled at a higher temperature and stored at a slightly lower temperature.

[0008] The process described above can also occur and negative pressure can form inside the container if the end customer stores a liquid-filled container in a sealed container for an extended period after its initial use.

[0009] Such negative pressure inside a container can lead to slight deformation of the container wall, which is visible from the outside because relatively thin container walls are not very rigid. Since containers are usually sold in the form of cylindrical bottles, the negative pressure inside the bottle causes the circular cross-section to change into a more elliptical one. Such deformation is not only undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint, but it can also mean that product information printed or affixed to the outside of the bottle becomes illegible.

[0010] Therefore, given this background, there is a need to provide containers, particularly bottle-shaped containers, in which the readability of product information is not impaired by deformation. [Overview of the project]

[0011] According to one embodiment described herein, a container for holding liquid includes a container body including a container wall, the container wall having an upper wall portion that surrounds a cavity in the longitudinal direction of the container body with a substantially constant cross-section, the upper wall portion having a lower end and an upper end, and a lower wall portion including an upper end and a lower end, the lower wall portion having an upper end that transitions to the lower end of the upper wall portion, and surrounding the cavity with an expanding cross-section starting from the upper end and moving toward the lower end. The container further includes a shoulder portion at the upper end of the upper wall portion, including an outlet opening, and a bottom portion at the lower end of the lower wall portion. The container body has a centerline. The lower wall portion has at least three web-like portions extending from the upper end of the lower wall portion toward the lower end of the lower wall portion, and at least three surface portions, each surface portion being positioned between two web-like portions between the upper and lower ends of the lower wall portion, and in a plane perpendicular to the centerline, each surface portion has a larger radius of curvature than each web-like portion or is not curved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the description in the specification, serve to illustrate the principles of the solutions described herein; however, the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of protection as defined by the claims. The elements of the drawings are relative to each other and are not necessarily to scale.

[0013] [Figure 1] A three-dimensional view of a bottle according to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 2A] Figure 1 shows a first side view of the bottle. [Figure 2B] Figure 1 shows a second side view of the bottle. [Figure 2C] A diagram of the bottom of the bottle is shown. [Figure 2D]This shows a cross-sectional view of the shoulder connection area with different closure mechanisms. [Figure 3] The cross-sectional views in planes AA and BB of Figure 1 are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following describes various embodiments of containers for liquids with improved dimensional stability, which can be appropriately combined with one another.

[0015] In a rough design, for example, a bottle-shaped container has a container body including a container wall, a bottom, and a shoulder including an outlet opening. The container wall forms the outer surface of the container body, its lower end connects to the bottom, and its upper end connects to the shoulder, thereby forming a cavity enclosed by the container wall, bottom, and shoulder. Access to this cavity is provided through a closable outlet opening in the shoulder.

[0016] The container body's walls have two distinct sections. The upper wall section, which transitions to the shoulder, has a substantially constant cross-section along the longitudinal direction of the container body. On the other hand, the lower wall section, which transitions to the bottom, has an increasing cross-section towards the bottom. The upper end of the lower wall section transitions to the lower end of the upper wall section.

[0017] The container body defines the centerline within the space enclosed by the container walls. In particular, the lower and upper walls share a common centerline, and this centerline defines the centerline of the container body.

[0018] The term "section" defines the outer cross-section of the container body, upper wall, or lower wall. The "internal cross-section" of the container wall typically corresponds to the outer cross-section and is smaller by the thickness of the container wall. The outer and internal cross-sections of the container body, or the lower and upper walls, are viewed in a plane perpendicular to the centerline.

[0019] The lower wall portion has surface portions with different radii of curvature and web-like portions when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis. Each surface portion is disposed in the circumferential direction of the container wall between two web-like portions and, in particular, is in contact with the boundary of the two web portions. The radius of curvature of the surface portion when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis is larger than the radius of curvature of the web-like portion in that plane. The surface portion may also not be curved, i.e., may be flat. The web-like portion may be inclined outward with respect to the central axis toward the bottom.

[0020] The surface portion and the web-like portion define regions of different mechanical rigidities in the lower wall portion. In particular, the web-like portion is more rigid than the surface portion because its curvature is greater with respect to deformation, especially in a direction perpendicular to each portion. Therefore, a change in the pressure conditions between the internal space of the sealed container and the environment tends to lead to deformation of the surface portion. This also has a beneficial effect on the upper wall portion. Since the lower wall portion has a portion with lower rigidity with respect to pressure changes, it is mainly the surface portion of the lower wall portion that deforms, rather than the upper wall portion, and the upper wall portion maintains its cross-sectional shape.

[0021] In the lower wall portion, its cross-section increasing toward the bottom expands the available space and makes it possible to slightly lower the height of the container. Furthermore, the larger cross-section improves the positional stability of the container when placed on a plane. Therefore, the special design of the lower wall portion provides a container including a uniform upper cross-section, for example, a circular cross-section, and a more angular lower cross-section, for example, a triangular, square, or pentagonal cross-section.

[0022] Since the above problem occurs particularly when there is a negative pressure in the container, according to one embodiment that can be combined with all embodiments described herein, the surface portion bulges outward. In the case of negative pressure, the surface portion is slightly pushed inward.

[0023] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all the embodiments described in this specification, the radius of curvature of the surface portion is larger than the radius of curvature of the upper wall portion. The upper wall portion has a cylindrical shape, particularly a circular cylindrical shape. Since the deformation is limited to the surface portion, the cross-sectional shape of the upper wall portion is retained.

[0024] Therefore, the upper wall portion may have, for example, printed or affixed product information. Due to the design of the lower wall portion, deformation is prevented within the upper wall portion, so the negative pressure inside the container does not affect the legibility of the product information.

[0025] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all the embodiments described in this specification, the radius of curvature of each surface portion in a plane perpendicular to the center line is at least twice as large as the radius of curvature of each web-like portion in the plane. The greater the radius of curvature and the flatter and thus more flexible the surface portion, the more likely it is that a change in pressure will cause deformation limited to the surface portion.

[0026] To more reliably limit the deformation due to negative pressure to the lower wall portion, according to one embodiment that can be combined with all the embodiments described in this specification, the lateral elongation of each surface portion viewed perpendicular to the center line can increase from the top towards the bottom. Similarly, the lateral elongation of each web-like portion can decrease from the top towards the bottom. Therefore, the web-like portion is wider in the upper region than below towards the bottom. On the other hand, the surface portion becomes wider towards the bottom. Therefore, particularly the surface portion in the region near the bottom deforms. Therefore, the deformation in the region closer to the upper wall portion is small, and thus the upper wall portion is not affected by the deformation.

[0027] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all embodiments described herein, the surface portion has a total area greater than the total area of ​​the web portion. This ensures that a sufficient wall area is available for controlled deformation limited to the surface region. For example, the ratio of the total area of ​​the web portion to the total area of ​​the surface portion can be about 1:1.5 to about 1:2. The web portion includes all areas except the surface area of ​​the lower wall portion extending from a virtual plane in contact with the upper end of the surface portion toward the bottom.

[0028] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all embodiments described herein, the surface portions and web-like portions are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the container wall. Furthermore, each surface portion has the same shape, and each web-like portion has the same shape, so that the surface portions differ in shape from the web-like portions. Thus, the lower wall is preferably symmetrical about the center line, and the rotational symmetry depends on the number of surface portions and web-like portions. Two surface portions and two web-like portions result in double rotational symmetry (180° rotation in each case), three surface portions and three web-like portions result in triple rotational symmetry (120° rotation in each case), four surface portions and four web-like portions result in quadruple rotational symmetry (90° rotation in each case), and five surface portions and five web-like portions result in quintuple rotational symmetry (72° rotation in each case). The number of surface portions and web-like portions are equal.

[0029] A configuration including four surface sections and four web-like sections has proven particularly advantageous in that it evenly distributes deformation while maintaining sufficient stability in the lower wall. For example, in a container with two surface sections and two web-like sections, the surface sections could be designed to be relatively large to allow for sufficient deformation. However, since there are only two web-like sections, even if their widths are slightly increased, this may come at the expense of the overall stability of the lower wall. In the opposite case, where there are many surface sections and web-like sections, the surface area of ​​each individual surface section becomes rather small, reducing the benefit of controlled deformation or making it only occur at very low negative pressures. Three to five, and especially four, surface sections and four web-like sections, represent a good compromise between sufficient stability in the lower wall and controllable deformability.

[0030] The configuration, which includes four surface sections and four web-like sections, is advantageous in terms of optimizing space when packing containers into transport containers, as the shape of the base area of ​​the container is more rectangular, and therefore the containers can be packed together. However, the more circular cross-section of the upper wall makes it easier to grasp the container during packing and unpacking.

[0031] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all embodiments described herein, the radius of curvature of the web-like portion as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the center line is 0.5 to 1.2 times the distance from the center line to the web-like portion in that plane. Therefore, the web-like wall portion does not have a very small curvature, which would result in a narrow web-like portion.

[0032] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all embodiments described herein, the minimum width of the web-like portion as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the center line is at least 0.15 times, preferably at least 0.2 times, and particularly at least 0.25 times, the distance from the center line to the web-like portion in that plane. This ensures sufficient width and thus the stability of the web-like portion.

[0033] The container walls, bottom, and shoulders can be designed as integrally formed, and can be formed, for example, by single or multi-layer wall materials made of one or more plastic materials. In particular, to manufacture the container by extrusion blow molding, a pre-molded product can be produced first by injection molding, for example, and this pre-molded product has an outlet opening and an axially continuous tubular body including a closed bottom. The pre-molded product, including the cavity, is inserted into a blow mold that defines the outer shape of the container. The tubular body is inflated at a high temperature and under the action of force until the inflated material of the tubular body contacts the inner wall of the blow mold and the shape specified by the blow mold is achieved. After cooling, the container can be removed from the blow mold.

[0034] In the case of multi-layered wall materials, the materials can be extruded simultaneously to produce pre-formed products. The layered structure is maintained during the expansion process.

[0035] For example, the inner wall of a container that comes into contact with a liquid can be made of a material or pure substance that is as inert as possible with respect to the liquid. Virgin resins are suitable materials for this purpose. For example, the inner wall may be entirely composed of virgin polyethylene (PE), virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or virgin polypropylene (PP), which are often referred to as virgin PE, virgin HDPE, or virgin PP. If the container wall material is two-layer or multi-layer, the container wall may have an inner layer made of virgin PE, new HDPE, or new PP, an outer layer made of a different material, such as recycled PP, recycled PE, recycled HDPE, or other recycled plastic material, and / or an intermediate layer placed between the inner and outer layers. Since polyethylene is more flexible than polypropylene, the inner layer of an inner container is advantageously made of new HDPE.

[0036] Virgin plastic materials differ from recycled plastic materials, particularly in terms of their purity. Therefore, by using virgin polyethylene (PE), virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or virgin polypropylene (PP), it becomes possible to more precisely control the properties of PE, HDPE, and PP, thus better meeting the requirements of the cosmetics industry in terms of purity and inertness.

[0037] In contrast, the outer and / or intermediate layers, in particular, may be made of a different plastic material. However, it is also possible for all layers of the container wall material to be made of the same plastic material, differing only in their mechanical or physicochemical properties, which can be adjusted by the polymer structure of the plastic material (e.g., chain length and degree of branching).

[0038] For example, the middle layer of a wall material can primarily be responsible for mechanical stability, the outer layer can play a role in improving tactile feel (how it feels when grasped) and / or printability, and the inner layer can be adapted in terms of purity.

[0039] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all embodiments described herein, the container wall has at least three layers, and includes an intermediate layer located between the inner and outer layers of the wall material. The intermediate layer may contain recycled high-density polyethylene with a melt flow index of 0.40 g / 10 min or more and 0.85 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg). The outer layer may contain high-density polyethylene with a melt index of 0.20 g / 10 min or more and 0.35 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg), or recycled high-density polyethylene with a melt index of 0.40 g / 10 min or more and 0.85 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg). The inner layer may contain high-density polyethylene with a melt index of 0.20 g / 10 min or more and 0.35 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg). The inner layer may be made of virgin high-density polyethylene.

[0040] Decomposition during polyethylene recycling causes a decrease in its molecular weight. Therefore, recycled polyethylene has a lower molecular weight than virgin polyethylene. The lower molecular weight of recycled polyethylene is reflected in a higher melt index than that of virgin polyethylene. Because the intermediate layer, and sometimes the outer layer, contains recycled polyethylene, these layers have polyethylene with a relatively high melt index.

[0041] According to one embodiment that can be combined with all embodiments described herein, the wall thickness of the container wall in the web-like portion is greater than that in the surface portion. This makes the web-like portion more stable than the surface portion, thus improving the overall dimensional stability of the lower wall portion without impairing the ability of the surface portion to deform more strongly. The increased wall thickness can be achieved, for example, by manufacturing a pre-molded product with increased wall thickness in the region where the web-like portion will later be formed. This can be done particularly by extrusion blow molding.

[0042] Referring to Figures 1, 2A to 2D, and 3, an embodiment that appropriately supplements and modifies the above description will be described in more detail. Therefore, the following description can be combined with the general embodiment above as desired.

[0043] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a bottle-shaped container 100. Hereafter, the container 100 will also be referred to as a bottle 100, but it is not particularly limited to this.

[0044] The container 100 has a container body, which has a circumferential container wall and a centerline. The container wall includes an upper wall portion 150 and a lower wall portion 110. The upper wall portion, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the container body, radially surrounds the longitudinal cavity of the container body with a substantially constant cross-section and has a lower end 151 and an upper end 152. The lower wall portion 110 has an upper end 112 and a lower end 111. In the embodiment shown herein, the upper wall portion is a circular cylinder, that is, it has an outer surface that defines the cavity with a circular cross-section. Therefore, the outer shape of the upper wall portion 150 corresponds to the outer surface of a rotating body (circular cylinder).

[0045] The lower wall portion 110 has a cross-section that expands from its upper end 112 towards its lower end 151, with its upper end 112 transitioning to the lower end 151 of the upper wall portion 150.

[0046] The container 100 further includes a shoulder portion 170 at the upper end 152 of the upper wall portion 150, which includes an outlet opening 172 (see Figure 2A). In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the outlet opening is closed by a removable closure portion 180. The closure portion can be, for example, a screw cap (Figure 2D), a hinged cap or hinged lid (Figures 1 and 2B), or a closure portion including a dispensing device.

[0047] The container 100 further includes a bottom portion 160 at the lower end 111 of the lower wall portion 110, and the bottom portion 160 closes the bottom of the container. The bottom portion 160 of the container can be placed on a flat surface. The bottom portion 160 is molded to accommodate this.

[0048] The lower wall portion 110 has at least three web-like portions 130, in the embodiment shown herein, four web-like portions 130, extending from the upper end 112 toward the lower end 111 of the lower wall portion 110. The lower wall portion 110 further has at least three surface portions 120, in the embodiment shown herein, four surface portions 130, each surface portion 120 positioned between the two web-like portions 130 between the upper end 112 and the lower end 110 of the lower wall portion 110. In a plane (AA, BB) perpendicular to the centerline, each surface portion 120 has a larger radius of curvature than each web-like portion 130 or is not curved.

[0049] The web-like portion 130 is a virtual plane indicated by EE in Figure 2A, and includes all areas of the lower wall portion 110, excluding the surface portion 120 that extends from the virtual area tangent to the upper end of the surface portion 120 toward the bottom. The ratio of the total area of ​​the web-like portion 130 to the total area of ​​the surface portion 120 can be approximately 1:1.5 to approximately 1:2.

[0050] The lower wall portion 110 may have a cross-sectional shape that does not exceed the outer surface of the virtual truncated cone as an envelope. The web-like portion 130 may exist within the range of the outer surface of the virtual truncated cone. The wall portion 120 has its edge 121 in contact with the outer surface of the virtual truncated cone along the line that forms the transition to each adjacent web-like portion 130, and otherwise extends within the range of the outer surface of the virtual truncated cone. The surface portion 110 may be considered as a cut surface on the outer surface of the virtual truncated cone.

[0051] Therefore, the lower wall portion radially surrounds a cavity whose cross-section expands from its upper end 112 to its lower end 111 when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

[0052] If an inclination angle is assumed for the outer surface of the hypothetical truncated cone, the inclination angle of the surface portion 120 may be greater than the inclination angle of the outer surface. Since the surface portion 120 may be slightly convex outward, the plane determined by the edge 121 of the surface portion 120 can be considered as the "plane" of the surface portion 120.

[0053] The boundary between the bottom portion 160 and the lower wall portion 110 is considered to be the region where the lower wall portion 110 exists in the plane with the greatest extent, and where the bottom portion 160 is adjacent to it as the cross-section shrinks (Figure 2A). The boundary between the upper wall portion 150 and the shoulder portion 170 is considered to be the highest plane perpendicular to the centerline, and where the cross-section of the upper wall portion 150 still corresponds to the cross-section in the plane below it. This can be seen in Figure 2A.

[0054] Figure 1 shows two planes AA and BB within the lower wall 110, where plane BB lies above plane AA, meaning the wall 110 has a smaller cross-sectional area than plane AA. Figure 3 shows a projection of the cross-section of the lower wall 110 along the center line M in planes AA and BB, as shown in Figures 2A and 3. The cross-section of the lower wall 110 in plane BB is shown by a dashed line. This section lies within the range of the cross-section of the lower wall 110 in plane AA.

[0055] In the embodiment shown herein, the radius of curvature R1a of the web-like portion 130 in plane AA corresponds to the radius of the cross-section of a virtual truncated cone in plane AA, and the radius of curvature R1b of the web-like portion 130 in plane BB corresponds to the radius of the cross-section of a virtual truncated cone in plane BB. The cross-section of the virtual truncated cone is not shown here.

[0056] On the other hand, the surface portion 120 has a considerably larger radius of curvature. Here, the radius of curvature R2b of the surface portion 120 in plane AA is shown as an example.

[0057] Figure 3 shows that the width of the surface portion 120 in plane AA is greater than the width in plane BB, and this can also be seen in Figure 1. Conversely, the width of the web-like portion 130 in plane AA is smaller than the width in plane BB. Therefore, the width of the surface portion 120 increases from top to bottom when viewed in the corresponding plane perpendicular to the center line M. Conversely, the width of the web-like portion 130 decreases from top to bottom. Consequently, the surface portion 120 has its greatest width or lateral elongation in the "lower" plane, i.e., in the region closer to the bottom region 160, and as a result, when there is negative pressure inside the container 100, the surface portion 120 deforms most greatly here. Since the region that deforms most greatly is sufficiently far from the upper wall portion 150, and the width of the more strongly curved web-like portion 130 increases toward the upper wall portion 150, the deformation of the surface portion 120 does not affect the upper wall portion 150. The upper wall portion 150 does not deform.

[0058] The surface portion 120 is convex in particular toward the outside, i.e., it has a large but finite radius of curvature. Preferably, the radius of curvature of each surface portion 120 in planes AA and BB is at least twice, particularly at least three times, or at least four times, greater than the radius of curvature of each web-like portion 130 in the corresponding planes AA and BB. The same plane is always referenced when comparing the radii of curvature of the surface portion 120 and the web-like portion 130.

[0059] The radius of curvature of the surface portion 120 is also larger than that of the upper wall portion 150 when viewed again in a plane perpendicular to the centerline. The radius of curvature of each surface portion can be at least twice, in particular at least three times, or at least four times, larger than that of the upper wall portion 150. In other words, the surface portion 120 has the smallest curvature, i.e., the surface portion 120 is rather flat and deforms more easily than the web-like portion 130 and the upper wall portion 150.

[0060] As can be seen in Figure 3, the radius of curvature (R1a, R1b) of the web-like portion 130 can increase toward the bottom portion 160. On the other hand, the radius of curvature of the surface portion 120 can remain constant or increase only slightly, thereby ensuring consistent deformability of the surface portion 120. The radius of curvature of each surface portion 120 can, for example, remain essentially constant toward the bottom end 111 of the lower wall portion 110, or increase by an amount less than the increase in the radius of curvature of the web-like portion 130.

[0061] Figure 1 shows that the surface portion 120 and the web-like portion 130 are evenly distributed and alternate in the circumferential direction of the lower wall portion 110. Therefore, changes in pressure result in evenly distributed deformation, which prevents the entire lower wall portion 110 from deforming unevenly, otherwise potentially having a detrimental effect on the upper wall portion 150.

[0062] Furthermore, the surface portion 120 and the web-like portion 130 are adjacent to each other in the lateral direction, meaning they transition directly into each other.

[0063] The lower wall portion 110 and the upper wall portion 150 may have similar vertical extensions. Therefore, the transition portion 105 between the upper end 112 of the lower wall portion 110 and the lower end 151 of the upper wall portion 150 is located in the central region of the container body formed by the upper wall portion 110 and the lower wall portion 150.

[0064] The transition portion 105 between the lower wall portion 110 and the upper wall portion 150 may be located in a region that is 0.4 to 0.6 times, preferably 0.45 to 0.55 times, the distance between the lower end 111 of the lower wall portion 110 and the upper end 152 of the upper wall portion 150. Therefore, the lower wall portion 110 has sufficient vertical extension to absorb deformation and protect the upper wall portion 150 from deformation.

[0065] In Figure 2A, which shows the first side view, the transition 105 between the cylindrical upper wall 150 and the lower wall 110, which corresponds to the shape of the truncated cone within the area of ​​the web-like wall 130, is clearly visible. The first side view is selected here to show the outer surface of a hypothetical truncated cone defined by two opposing web-like wall sections 130.

[0066] The lower wall portion 110, which widens towards the bottom, is stabilized at its lower end 111 by the bottom portion 160, which includes a concave bottom portion 161. The concave shape of the bottom portion 161 not only contributes to stabilization, but also increases the material thickness of the concave bottom portion 161, as can be seen in Figure 2A. The base portion 160 stabilizes the entire lower wall portion 110, so that even if the surface portion 120 deforms, the lower wall portion 110 does not deform unevenly.

[0067] Meanwhile, the shoulder portion 170 stabilizes the upper end 152 of the upper wall portion 150. The shoulder portion 170 can be shaped as desired. Typically, when viewed in a cross-section including the center line M, the shoulder portion 170 transitions through several curves to the spout 171, which forms the outlet opening 172. The outlet opening 172 is closed by a removable closure portion 180. For this purpose, for example, the spout 171 may be provided with a male thread, to which the closure portion 180, which includes a female thread, is screwed. Any other closure portion may also be used.

[0068] Figure 2B shows a second side view of the container 100, where the container 100 is shown such that the fully exposed surface portion coincides with the opposite surface portion. That is, the line of sight is centered relative to the surface portion 120. Thus, the second side view is viewed from a direction rotated 45° with respect to the first side view.

[0069] As can be seen in Figure 2B, the surface portion 120 extends vertically parallel to the center line M. Therefore, the radius of curvature of the surface portion 120 is basically constant.

[0070] The edges 121 of the surface portion 120 are curved, and the shape of the surface portion 120 is symmetrical with respect to the central plane. This helps the surface portion 120 to deform uniformly.

[0071] Figure 2C is a view of the bottom 160, including the bottom 161. At the transition between the bottom 160 and the lower wall 110, the container 100 has the maximum cross-section indicated by Rmax. Furthermore, it can be seen that the surface portion 120 bulges slightly outward, i.e., is convex.

[0072] As can be seen in Figure 1, the web-like portion 130 may border a relatively flat and uniform short web 135 toward the bottom portion 160.

[0073] For example, as can be seen in Figure 3, the surface portion 120 changes the outer surface of the virtual truncated cone into an outer surface with a more rectangular cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the container 100 can be stored in a transport container in a space-saving manner along with other containers 100. The surface portions 120 of adjacent containers 100 are preferably positioned facing each other. For this reason as well, the lower wall portion 110, which includes four surface portions 120 and four web-like portions 130 arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, is advantageous.

[0074] The container 100 is a bottle made of plastic material, specifically intended for holding liquids intended for cosmetic use, such as shampoo, hair gel, emulsion, hair dye, conditioner, and hair mask. PP is a preferred material. The material of the container wall can be single-layer or multi-layer. A three-layer structure as described above is preferred. The bottle 100 can be filled with liquid and closed by the closure part 180.

[0075] Embodiment The following list describes various embodiments that can be suitably combined with all embodiments described herein.

[0076] Embodiment 1: A container for holding liquid, A container body including a container wall, wherein the container wall comprises an upper wall portion having a lower end and an upper end, and a lower wall portion including an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of which transitions to the lower end of the upper wall portion, and the lower wall portion having an expanding cross-section from the upper end toward the lower end, surrounding the cavity, the upper wall portion having an outlet opening at the upper end of the upper wall portion, and a bottom portion at the lower end of the lower wall portion, the container body having a centerline, and the lower wall portion having at least three web-like portions extending from the upper end of the lower wall portion toward the lower end of the lower wall portion, and at least three surface portions, each surface portion being positioned between two web-like portions between the upper and lower ends of the lower wall portion, and in a plane perpendicular to the centerline, each surface portion having a larger radius of curvature than each web-like portion or not being curved, a container for holding liquid.

[0077] Embodiment 2: A container for holding liquid, A container for holding liquid, comprising a container body having an upper wall, a lower wall, shoulders, and a bottom, wherein the upper wall surrounds a cavity in the longitudinal direction of the container body with a substantially constant cross-section, the lower wall surrounds a cavity with an expanding cross-section, and the lower wall has at least three web-like portions extending from the upper end of the lower wall toward the lower end of the lower wall, and at least three surface portions, each surface portion being positioned between two web-like portions between the upper and lower ends of the lower wall, and in a plane perpendicular to the centerline of the container body, each surface portion has a larger radius of curvature than each web-like portion or is not curved.

[0078] Embodiment 3: The container according to Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the transition between the lower wall portion and the upper wall portion is located in a region that, when viewed from the lower end of the lower wall portion, is 0.4 to 0.6 times, preferably 0.45 to 0.55 times, the distance between the lower end of the lower wall portion and the upper end of the upper wall portion.

[0079] Embodiment 4: A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the radius of curvature of each surface portion in the plane (AA, BB) is at least twice as large, and particularly at least three times as large, the radius of curvature of each web-like portion in the plane (AA, BB).

[0080] Embodiment 5: A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the radius of curvature of each web-like portion increases from the upper end of the lower wall to the lower end of the lower wall, and the radius of curvature of each surface portion from the upper end of the lower wall to the lower end of the lower wall remains substantially constant or increases by an amount less than the increase in the radius of curvature of the web-like portion.

[0081] Embodiment 6: The container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein each surface portion has a lateral extension that extends perpendicularly with respect to the center line, and the lateral extension of each surface portion increases from the upper end of the lower wall portion toward the lower end of the lower wall portion.

[0082] Embodiment 7: A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein each web-like portion has a lateral extension that extends perpendicularly to the center line, and the lateral extension of each web-like portion decreases from the upper end of the lower wall portion toward the lower end of the lower wall portion.

[0083] Embodiment 8: A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the surface portion and the web-like portion are defined laterally by each other.

[0084] Embodiment 9: The container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the lower and upper walls, bottom, and shoulders forming the container are formed from a single or multilayer wall material made of a plastic material, the plastic material being particularly polyethylene (PE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0085] Embodiment 10: The container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the container wall material comprises at least two layers, an inner layer made of virgin plastic material that comes into contact with the liquid, and an intermediate or outer layer made of recycled plastic material.

[0086] Embodiment 11: The container wall material has at least three layers, and the intermediate layer located between the inner and outer layers of the wall material contains high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.40 g / 10 min or more and 0.85 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg), the outer layer contains high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.20 g / 10 min or more and 0.35 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg), or recycled high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.40 g / 10 min or more and 0.85 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg), and the inner layer is ISO A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, comprising high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.20 g / 10 min or more and 0.35 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg).

[0087] Embodiment 12: The container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the surface portion and the web-like portion are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the container wall.

[0088] Embodiment 13: A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the radius of curvature of the web-like portion as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the center line is 0.5 to 1.2 times the distance from the center line to the web-like portion in that plane.

[0089] Embodiment 14: The container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the minimum width of the web-like portion as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the center line is at least 0.15 times, preferably at least 0.2 times, and particularly at least 0.25 times, the distance from the center line to the web-like portion in that plane.

[0090] Embodiment 15: A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the wall thickness of the container wall in the web-like portion area is greater than that in the surface portion area.

[0091] Embodiment 16: The container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the total surface area is greater than the total area of ​​the web-like portion.

[0092] Embodiment 17: A container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the ratio of the total area of ​​the web-like portion to the total area of ​​the surface portion is approximately 1:1.5 to approximately 1:2.

[0093] Embodiment 18: The container according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the container is a bottle made of plastic material and has a closure for closing the outlet opening, and the bottle is filled with a liquid intended for cosmetic use, such as shampoo, hair gel, emulsion, hair dye, conditioner, and hair mask.

[0094] Embodiment 19: A transport container including a storage space for storing a plurality of containers according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the containers are arranged adjacent to each other such that the surface portions of adjacent containers are adjacent to each other. Transport container.

[0095] While specific embodiments have been described in this specification, modifications to these embodiments will fall within the scope of the invention without departing from the protected scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 100 containers / bottles 105 Transition section between the upper wall and the lower wall 110 Lower wall 111 Lower end of the lower wall section 112 Upper end of the lower wall section 120 Surface area 121 Edge of the surface portion 130 Web-like portion 135 Web 150 Upper wall 151 Lower end of the upper wall section 152 Upper end of the lower wall section 160 Bottom 161 Concave bottom 170 Shoulder extremities / neck 171 Spout 172 Exit opening 180 Closure / Screw cap

Claims

1. A container (100) for holding liquid, A container body including a container wall, wherein the container wall has an upper wall portion (150) that surrounds the cavity in the longitudinal direction of the container body with a substantially constant cross-section, and has an upper wall portion (150) having a lower end (151) and an upper end (152), and a lower wall portion (110) including an upper end (112) and a lower end (111), wherein the upper end (112) of the lower wall portion (110) transitions to the lower end (151) of the upper wall portion (150), and surrounds the cavity with an expanding cross-section starting from the upper end (112) and moving toward the lower end (111), the container body, The shoulder portion (170) at the upper end (152) of the upper wall portion (150), including the exit opening (172), The bottom portion (160) of the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110), Equipped with, The container body has a center line (M), The lower wall portion (110) has three to five web-like portions (130) extending from the upper end (112) of the lower wall portion (110) toward the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110), Three to five surface portions (120), wherein the surface portions (120) are positioned between two web-like portions (130) between the upper end (112) and the lower end (110) of the lower wall portion (110), and in a plane (AA, BB) perpendicular to the center line (M), each surface portion (120) bulges outward and has a larger radius of curvature than each web-like portion (130), or is not curved, and three to five surface portions (120), It has, Each surface portion (120) has a lateral extension that extends perpendicularly with respect to the center line (M), and the lateral extension of each surface portion (120) increases from the upper end (112) of the lower wall portion (110) toward the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110). The surface portion (120) and the web-like portion (130) are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the container wall. A container (100) for holding liquid.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the transition portion (105) between the lower wall portion (110) and the upper wall portion (150) is located in a region that, when viewed from the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110), is 0.4 to 0.6 times, preferably 0.45 to 0.55 times, the distance between the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110) and the upper end (152) of the upper wall portion (150).

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radius of curvature of each surface portion (120) in the plane (AA, BB) is at least twice as large, and particularly at least three times as large, the radius of curvature of each web-like portion (130) in the plane (AA, BB).

4. The radius of curvature of each web-like portion (130) increases from the upper end (112) of the lower wall portion (110) toward the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110). The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radius of curvature of each surface portion (120) extending from the upper end (112) of the lower wall portion (110) to the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110) remains substantially constant or increases by an amount less than the amount by which the radius of curvature of the web-like portion (130) increases.

5. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each web-like portion (130) has a lateral extension that extends perpendicularly with respect to the center line (M), and the lateral extension of each web-like portion (130) decreases from the upper end (112) of the lower wall portion (110) toward the lower end (111) of the lower wall portion (110).

6. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the surface portion (120) and the web-like portion (130) are defined from each other in the transverse direction.

7. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lower wall portion and the upper wall portion (110, 150), the bottom portion (160), and the shoulder portion (170) forming the container are formed from a single-layer or multi-layer wall material made of a plastic material, the plastic material being particularly polyethylene (PE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the wall material of the container comprises at least two layers, an inner layer made of virgin plastic material that comes into contact with the liquid, and an intermediate or outer layer made of recycled plastic material.

9. The wall material of the container has at least three layers, and the intermediate layer located between the inner and outer layers of the wall material contains high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.40 g / 10 min or more to 0.85 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg), the outer layer contains high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.20 g / 10 min or more to 0.35 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg), or recycled high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.40 g / 10 min or more to 0.85 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to ISO 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg), and the inner layer contains ISO The container according to claim 7 or 8, comprising high-density polyethylene having a melt index in the range of 0.20 g / 10 min or more and 0.35 g / 10 min or less, as determined according to 1133 (190°C, 2.16 kg).

10. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the minimum width of the web-like portion (130) as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the center line (M) is at least 0.15 times, preferably at least 0.2 times, and particularly at least 0.25 times, the distance from the center line (M) to the web-like portion (130) in that plane.

11. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the total area of ​​the surface portion (120) is greater than the total area of ​​the web-like portion (130).

12. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the container is a bottle made of plastic material and has a closure portion (180) for closing the outlet opening (172), and the bottle is filled with a liquid intended for cosmetic use, such as shampoo, hair gel, emulsion, hair dye, conditioner, and hair mask.

13. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the radius of curvature of the web-like portion (130) as viewed in a plane (AA, BB) perpendicular to the center line (M) is 0.5 to 1.2 times the distance from the center line (M) to the web-like portion (130) in the said plane (AA, BB).

14. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the wall thickness of the container wall in the area of ​​the web-like portion (130) is greater than that in the area of ​​the surface portion (120).

15. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the ratio of the total area of ​​the web-like portion (130) to the total area of ​​the surface portion (120) is approximately 1:1.5 to approximately 1:

2.

16. A transport container comprising a storage space for storing a plurality of containers according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the containers are arranged adjacent to each other such that the surface portions of adjacent containers are adjacent to each other.

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