plastic containers

Abstract

Disclosed is a plastic container (1, 1'') comprising a container body (10, 10', 10'') forming a fill volume and a through gripping opening (11, 11'') penetrating the container body (10, 10', 10''). The through gripping opening (11, 11'') forms a handle (12, 12', 12'', 12''') together with a partial region (10a, 10a', 10a'') of the container body (10, 10', 10''). A handle insert (13, 13', 13'', 13''') is disposed in the through gripping opening (11, 11'').

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plastic container as defined in the preamble of the independent claim. [Background technology]

[0002] Many plastic containers are known from the prior art.

[0003] Various methods are known for producing plastic containers, specifically plastic bottles, and their application depends to a large extent on the plastic used. Typically, plastic containers are produced by a blow molding process, in which a plastic container, such as a plastic bottle, is expanded into its final shape in a blow mold by overpressure. In the case of blow molding, various process techniques are distinguished, among which the extrusion blow molding process, the injection blow molding process, and the injection stretch blow molding process should be mentioned in particular. In the extrusion blow molding process, a single-layer or multi-layer plastic hose is extruded at high temperature, introduced into a blow mold, and expanded by a blow mandrel introduced into the mold cavity of the blow mold to form a plastic container. The injection blow molding process is a combination of injection molding and blow molding. In this case, a preform is first produced in an injection mold by an injection molding process. The preform is then released from the injection mold, optionally conditioned, and introduced into the blow mold cavity, where it is finally expanded by overpressure according to the shape predetermined by the mold cavity. Since the neck typically already has its final shape after injection molding, only the area of ​​the preform located below the neck is expanded here. In injection stretch blow molding, the preform introduced into the mold cavity is further stretched by a stretching mandrel during the blow molding process. The expansion of the preform can be carried out immediately after its production by injection molding. In alternative production methods, the further processing of the preform can be carried out spatially and / or temporally separated from its production. Finally, it should be mentioned that the preform can also be produced by an extrusion process or an extrusion blow molding process.

[0004] Additionally, plastic containers having integral handles are known, and it has been found that only plastic containers having a handle that is separate from the rest of the container and that can be fully grasped by hand are inherently popular with users. A relatively simple solution for providing such a handle is achieved by having the plastic container have a through gripping opening that extends through the container body.

[0005] WO 2017 / 211540A1 discloses a plastic container, specifically made of PET, having a through grip opening and a corresponding handle. The through grip opening of the plastic container of WO 2017 / 211540A1 is obtained by welding two wall portions together after stretch-blow molding of the plastic container, and then cutting out a corresponding area from the container separated from the container by a welded seam.

[0006] A comparable plastic container made of polypropylene is known from EP 1 835 461 A2.

[0007] Both plastic containers have a connecting seam located at the through-grip opening. Under certain circumstances, this can create a weak spot in the plastic container, which can be particularly disadvantageous in the mail-order sector, where product handling cannot be fully monitored and products are loaded multiple times beyond their tolerance limits. Because this connecting seam is formed in the finished blow-molded plastic container, it must be carefully rolled for a comfortable feel, particularly to reduce the risk of injury to the user, which requires an additional processing step. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, a plastic container should be provided which is robust, preferably has an attractive appearance, is particularly pleasant to the touch, and / or reduces the risk of injury. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This object is achieved by a plastic container as defined in the independent claim. Further embodiments follow from the dependent claims.

[0010] The plastic container according to the present invention has a container body defining a fill volume and a through gripping opening extending through the container body, which, together with a partial region of the container body, forms a handle, and a handle insert is disposed in the through gripping opening, which partial region of the handle insert is also part of the handle.

[0011] The handle insert disposed in the through gripping opening, specifically positioned to fit completely within the through gripping opening, allows for the provision of a handle contour / inner contour that is independent of the contour and / or size of the through gripping opening, i.e., independent of the specific design, and in this case, specifically, a mold or structure that cannot be easily produced by a blow molding process.

[0012] By providing a handle insert within the through grip opening, it is also possible to cover a connection seam, such as a welded seam, that would likely extend along the periphery of the through grip opening into the through grip opening with the handle insert, preventing the user's hand from touching the handle insert.

[0013] The handle insert therefore extends along the entire inner contour of the through gripping opening or around the periphery of the through gripping opening to cover the connection seam.

[0014] In the region of the through-grip opening, the container body has two separate cross sections that are connected to each other above and below the through-grip opening and thus form a common filling volume, with the cross section of the part forming the handle typically being several times smaller than the other cross section.

[0015] The handle insert may also have a split surface.

[0016] This means that even in a configuration having a handle insert, the handle insert can be inserted into the through-grip opening at an outward end or surface area of ​​the handle insert that is larger than the open cross-section of the through-grip opening, allowing the handle insert to cover a partial area of ​​the container body extending along the periphery of the through-grip opening.

[0017] In this case, it is envisaged that the parting surface will be arranged substantially in the direction of the through gripping opening, allowing the handle insert to be inserted into the through gripping opening in a substantially helical manner.

[0018] A two-piece design of the handle insert is also contemplated, with the parting surface facing the through gripping opening, which allows a first half of the handle insert to be inserted into the through gripping opening and moved substantially along the mold parting surface of the plastic container, and a second half of the handle insert to be inserted into the through gripping opening in a substantially similar manner and moved in the opposite direction.

[0019] Preferably, the handle insert is formed in two pieces and has a first shell and a second shell.

[0020] This allows the handle insert to be inserted into the through gripping opening in sections from multiple sides.

[0021] The parting surface of the handle insert can be formed substantially parallel to the mold parting surface of the plastic container.

[0022] The formation of the parting plane of the plastic container substantially parallel to the mold parting plane allows the handle insert divided into two halves, which in this case correspond to the first and second shells of the handle insert, to be introduced into the through gripping openings from two sides, which allows for a simple, in particular mechanical, installation of the particular handle insert into the plastic container.

[0023] In this case, the first shell may have a first contact surface and the second shell may have a second contact surface that are opposed, i.e., the first and second shells have substantially complementary surfaces that can be brought into contact with and / or operatively connected to one another.

[0024] This allows, on the one hand, to maintain a certain distance between the outer surfaces of the handle insert, and, on the other hand, to provide and / or attach corresponding connecting means to these surfaces to connect the first shell to the second shell.

[0025] The first contact surface and the second contact surface can be connected to one another, in particular glued to one another or welded together.

[0026] An adhesive is therefore provided as a connecting means, which in this case can be simply applied to the corresponding contact surfaces and immediately connects them to one another when the contact surfaces are pressed together.

[0027] Welding can also be used to reliably and permanently connect the first shell to the second shell via the contact surfaces, although welding is not suitable for all plastic materials and therefore various plastic materials require more or less preparatory measures for welding.

[0028] However, the connection between the first and second shells may additionally or alternatively be formed mechanically, or the first and second shells may be connected to each other via a snap-in connection.

[0029] Snap-in connections are distinguished by the fact that when a first element is connected to a second element, one of the elements is at least partially elastically deformed, and this deformation is fully reversible after the connection is established. It is also possible for the deformation to only be partially reversible, so that the connection is under tension even in the final state.

[0030] In this case, openings or undercuts can be formed in the first element, e.g. the first shell, and elastically deformable protrusions of the second element, i.e. the second shell, can engage in corresponding undercuts or corresponding openings.

[0031] In the case of a rotationally symmetrical handle insert, it is also conceivable to provide a threaded connection as the connecting means.

[0032] The plastic container can have a peripheral protrusion within the through gripping opening, and the handle insert can have a first pressing element and a second pressing element, the first pressing element and the second pressing element contacting the protrusion under pretension.

[0033] Of course, in the fully assembled state, i.e. when the first shell and the second shell are connected to each other, a pretension force is present.

[0034] This allows the plastic container to be compressed in the area of ​​the through grip opening, in this case the area of ​​the protrusion, to reduce the loads that occur in the protrusion and / or to distribute the loads on the handle insert, resulting in a stiffening of this area as a whole. A peripheral connection seam can also be arranged in the through grip opening.

[0035] By locating the connection seam within the through gripping opening, it is possible to cover and / or shield the connection seam with the handle insert.

[0036] The connection seam can be formed as part of the protrusion, which makes it accessible before the insertion of the gripping area and can be positioned at a distance from the rest of the container body, in other words, the connection seam is spaced from the container body via the protrusion in the direction from the center of the through gripping opening to the container body.

[0037] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a plastic container having a container body defining a fill volume and a through gripping opening extending through the container body. The through gripping opening, together with a partial region of the container body, forms a handle. A handle insert can be disposed in the through gripping opening. In this case, the partial region of the handle insert is also part of the handle. The plastic container is specifically formed as described herein.

[0038] The plastic container can have a load relief notch at the through gripping opening that allows for reducing the energy of a shock wave transferred from the liquid to the plastic container when the plastic container is filled with the liquid and is subjected to an impact.

[0039] The load relief notch is formed as a recess in the plastic container.

[0040] The stress relief notches can be formed as part of the protrusions. These stress relief notches can form undercuts in the direction of the plastic container or in the direction of a partial area of ​​the plastic container that belongs to the handle, viewed from the center of the through-grip opening. The free cross section in this direction is therefore narrowed. Therefore, the protrusions have an expansion or bulge relative to the stress relief notches.

[0041] The undercuts form peaks on the inside of the plastic container that are flexible, i.e., they will flex to some extent when struck by a shock wave, thereby absorbing some of the energy of the shock wave.

[0042] Additionally, the space in the area of ​​the protrusion expands relative to its narrowest cross section, and this expansion or bulging creates turbulence within the liquid, thereby further reducing the energy of the shock wave.

[0043] The handle insert may have protruding elements that at least partially engage these load-relieving notches.

[0044] On the one hand, this provides increased stability, and on the other hand, the position of the handle insert relative to the plastic container can be improved or more accurately maintained.

[0045] Preferably, the stress relief notch is covered by a handle insert, which improves the feel and appearance of the plastic container.

[0046] In the case of the configuration of the plastic container described in this case, in which the handle insert with the first and second pressing elements places the protrusion under pretension, the connection seam can be correspondingly relieved. Thus, for example, forces that occur when vibrations occur or when the plastic container is handled improperly can be at least partially absorbed by the handle insert, and the resulting forces acting on the connection seam are significantly reduced.

[0047] The first and / or second pressing element can be formed in several parts, for example they can be formed from a plurality of individual ribs.

[0048] On the one hand, this allows saving of material, and on the other hand, the pretension can be applied to the projection at a point.

[0049] Preferably, the handle insert has reinforcing ribs, in particular arranged between the surfaces associated with the particular pressure element, which in each case are the outward facing surfaces of the handle insert and provide the surface of the handle.

[0050] The configuration with reinforcing ribs is particularly advantageous when the surface of the handle insert is a large distance from the container body and / or when a high degree of overlap between the handle insert and the container body is desired.

[0051] The plastic container may be a stretch-blow molded plastic container, in particular a plastic container made from PET, PET-G, EBM-PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, PVC, PEN, PHA, PHB, PEIT, PCTG, LLDPE, MDPE and copolymers of the mentioned plastics, bioplastics, in particular PLA or PEF, filled plastics and mixtures of the mentioned plastics.

[0052] The handle insert can be an injection-molded part, in particular a part made from PET, PET-G, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, PVC, PEN, PHA, PHB, PEIT, PCTG, LLDPE, MDPE and copolymers of the mentioned plastics, bioplastics, in particular PLA or PEF, filled plastics and mixtures of the mentioned plastics.

[0053] Preferably, the plastic container and the handle insert are made from the same material.

[0054] This eliminates the need for complicated sorting processes when recycling.

[0055] As already explained, the handle insert is disposed in the through grip opening. This means that the handle insert does not completely encompass any element or partial area of, for example, a plastic container. The handle insert is preferably disposed so that it fits completely within the outer contour surrounding the plastic container. In other words, the surface of the handle insert does not protrude beyond the outer contour surrounding the plastic container.

[0056] The invention will now be explained in more detail in the light of exemplary embodiments on the basis of the drawings, which are given only diagrammatically. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0057] [Figure 1] A plastic container is shown. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle insert of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a further embodiment of a plastic container. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the handle insert of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is an alternative embodiment of the handle insert of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the handle insert of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a further embodiment of a handle insert. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the handle insert of FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a plastic container 1 having a container body 10. The container body 10 provides a filling volume, which is not shown in detail. The container body 10 is pierced by a through-grip opening 11 and is therefore formed in two parts in the region of the through-grip opening 11. The container body 10 therefore has two different cross sections in this region. A handle insert 13 is arranged in the through-grip opening 11. For holding and handling the plastic container 1, the handle insert 13 forms a handle 12 together with a partial region 10a of the container body 10.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. A handle insert 13 is disposed within the through-grip opening 11. In this case, the handle insert 13 has a first shell 13a and a second shell 13b connected to each other along a parting surface 14. The parting surface 14 is located substantially within the mold parting surface (not shown in detail) of the plastic container 1 (see FIG. 1). The handle insert 13 forms the handle 12 together with the partial region 10a of the container body 10. The handle insert 13 has a first outward-facing surface 135 and a second outward-facing surface 136. In this case, "outward-facing" means that the outer surface or surface faces toward the outer contour of the plastic container 1. However, the handle insert 13 is disposed so as to fit completely within the outer contour surrounding the plastic container 1. In other words, the handle insert's surfaces 135 and 136 do not protrude beyond the outer contour surrounding the plastic container 1. In the region of the through-grip opening 11, the surrounding outer contour is the contour that the plastic container 1 would have if the through-grip opening 11 were not provided, i.e., if the surface of the container body 10 surrounding the through-grip opening were substantially continuous. The first shell 13a has a first pressing element 133, and the second shell 13b has a second pressing element 134. In the region of the through-grip opening 11, the container body 10 has a peripheral protrusion 16 on which a connecting seam 17 is arranged. In this embodiment, the peripheral protrusion 16 has two outward curvatures or bulges. These are connected to the plastic container via stress-relieving notches 161. The cross section therefore has a narrowed portion in the region of the stress-relieving notches 161 and an expanded portion in the region of the protrusions 16. The first pressing element 133 and the second pressing element 134 are operatively connected to the protrusions 16, in this case via the respective curvatures. The first shell 13a and the second shell 13b are in contact with each other via a first contact surface 131 and a second contact surface 132 (see FIG. 3). Thus, a certain distance is provided between the first pressing element 133 and the second pressing element 134, which is less than the minimum width of the peripheral projection 16 at the corresponding point.The peripheral projection 16 is therefore compressed and placed under pretension by the first and second pressure elements 133, 134. The forces occurring in this area are therefore absorbed by the handle insert 13. The connecting seam 17, which is located within the contour of the handle insert 13, is therefore relieved.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows an exploded, three-dimensional view of the handle insert 13 of FIG. 2. The handle insert 13 comprises a first shell 13a and a second shell 13b. The first shell 13a has a first contact surface 131. A first pressing element 133 is disposed along the periphery of the first contact surface 131, and in this case is formed from individual ribs. The second shell 13b also has a second contact surface 132. Similarly, a second pressing element 134 is disposed along the periphery of the second contact surface 132. The second pressing element 134 is also formed from individual ribs. When properly used, the first contact surface 131 faces toward the second contact surface 132.

[0061] In this case, the first contact surface 131 and the second contact surface 132 are substantially flat. In this embodiment, to connect the first shell 13a to the second shell 13b, adhesive is applied to the first contact surface 131 and / or the second contact surface 132, and the first shell 13a and the second shell 13b are pressed together at the contact surfaces 131, 132.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the plastic container 1 corresponding to the view in FIG. 2. The plastic container 1 corresponds to that in FIG. 1. A handle insert 13′ is disposed within the through grip opening 11. The handle insert 13′ is also disposed so as to fit completely within the outer contour of the plastic container 1. In this case, the handle insert 13′ has a first shell 13a′ and a second shell 13b′ connected to each other along a parting surface 14′. The parting surface 14′ is located substantially within the mold parting surface (not shown in detail) of the plastic container 1. The handle insert 13′ forms the handle 12′ together with the partial region 10a′ of the container body 10. The handle insert 13′ has a first outward-facing surface 135′ and a second outward-facing surface 136′. In this case, “outward” means that the outer surface or surface in question faces toward the outer contour of the plastic container 1. The first shell 13a' has a first pressing element 133', and the second shell 13b' has a second pressing element 134'. In the region of the through-grip opening 11, the container body 10 has a peripheral protrusion 16 on which a connecting seam 17' is arranged. In this embodiment, the peripheral protrusion 16' has two outward curvatures or bulges. They are connected to the plastic container via relief notches 161'. The cross section therefore narrows in the region of the relief notches 161' and expands in the region of the protrusions 16'. The first pressing element 133' and the second pressing element 134' are operatively connected to the protrusions 16', in this case via the respective curvatures. The first shell 13a' and the second shell 13b' are in contact with each other via a first contact surface 131' and a second contact surface 132' (see FIG. 5). Therefore, a certain distance is provided between the first and second pressing elements 133' and 134' that is shorter than the minimum width of the peripheral projection 16'. The peripheral projection 16' is therefore compressed and placed under pretension by the first and second pressing elements 133' and 134'. The forces occurring in this area are therefore absorbed by the handle insert 13'. The connecting seam 17', located within the contour of the handle insert 13', is therefore relieved.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows an exploded, three-dimensional view of the handle insert 13′ of FIG. 4. The handle insert 13′ comprises a first shell 13a′ and a second shell 13b′. The first shell 13a′ has a first contact surface 131′. A first pressing element 133′ is disposed along the periphery of the first contact surface 131′, which in this case is formed as a peripheral shoulder. The second shell 13b′ also has a second contact surface 132′. Similarly, a second pressing element 134′ is disposed along the periphery of the second contact surface 132′. The second pressing element 134′ is also formed as a peripheral protrusion. When properly used, the first contact surface 131′ faces toward the second contact surface 132′.

[0064] In this case, the first contact surface 131' and the second contact surface 132' are substantially flat. In this embodiment, four snap-in connections 15a', 15b' are provided to connect the first shell 13a' to the second shell 13b'; however, for clarity, only one of the snap-in connections 15a', 15b' is shown and described in detail in this case. The snap-in connection 15a', 15b' includes a first element 15a' and a second element 15b', where the first element 15a' is formed as an opening with an undercut and the second element 15b' is formed as an elastically deformable protrusion. During joining, the elements 15a' and 15b' engage with each other to form a connection between the first shell 13a' and the second shell 13b'.

[0065] The handle insert 13' according to Figure 5 is provided with reinforcing ribs 137', which are arranged between the first pressing element 133' and the associated surface 135' or between the second pressing element 134' and the associated surface 136', respectively.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the handle insert 13′ of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the plastic container 1″ corresponding to the view of FIG. 2. A handle insert 13″ is disposed within the through gripping opening 11″. The handle insert 13″ is also disposed to fit completely within the outer contour of the plastic container 1″. In this case, the handle insert 13″ has a first shell 13a″ and a second shell 13b″ connected to each other along a parting surface 14″. The parting surface 14″ is located substantially within a mold parting surface of the plastic container 1″, not shown in detail. The handle insert 13″ forms a handle 12″ together with a subregion 10a″ of the container body 10″. The handle insert 13″ has a first outward-facing surface 135″ and a second outward-facing surface 136″. In this case, “outward” means that the outer surface or surfaces in question face toward the outer contour of the plastic container 1″. The first shell 13a'' has a first pressing element 133'', and the second shell 13b'' has a second pressing element 134''. In the region of the through-grip opening 11'', the container body 10'' has a peripheral connecting seam 17'', which protrudes from the container body 10'' and thus provides an element corresponding to the protrusion 17' in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the peripheral connecting seam 17'' comprises two substantially flat portions of the wall of the plastic container 10''. These flat portions are connected to the plastic container via stress-relieving notches (not shown in detail). The first pressing element 133'' and the second pressing element 134'' are operatively connected to these walls, and thus to the connecting seam 17''. The first pressing element 133'' and the second pressing element 134'' press the walls of the connecting seam 17'' against each other, so that the connecting seam 17'' is placed under pretension.

[0067] The forces occurring in this area are therefore absorbed by the handle insert 13''. The connection seam 17'' located within the contour of the handle insert 13'' is therefore relieved.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the handle insert 13″ of FIG. 6. The handle insert 13″ comprises a first shell 13a″ and a second shell 13b″. The first shell 13a″ has a first pressing element 133″, which in this case is formed as a peripheral surface. The second shell 13b′ also has a second pressing element 134′, which is also formed as a peripheral surface. When properly used, the first pressing element 133″ faces the second pressing element 134″.

[0069] In this embodiment, five snap-in connections 15a'', 15b'' are provided for connecting the first shell 13a'' to the second shell 13b'', but in this case, for the sake of clarity, only one of the snap-in connections 15a'', 15b'' is shown and described in detail. The snap-in connection 15a'', 15b'' has a first element 15a'' and a second element 15b'', where the first element 15a'' is formed as an opening with an undercut and the second element 15b'' is formed as an elastically deformable protrusion. During joining, the elements 15a'' and 15b'' engage with each other, forming a connection between the first shell 13a'' and the second shell 13b''. The first pressing element 133'' and the second pressing element 134'' then press the walls of the connecting seam 17'' against each other, so that the connecting seam 17'' is placed under pretension (see Figure 6).

[0070] The handle insert 13" according to Fig. 7 is provided with reinforcing ribs 137" which are arranged respectively between the first pressing element 133" and the associated surface 135" or between the second pressing element 134" and the associated surface 136". In order to be able to set a specific distance between the pressing elements 134" and 133" from each other, one of the pressing elements 133" and 134" can be provided with protrusions 138". In this case, these are formed as lumps and arranged on elastic protrusions.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a handle insert. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view through a plastic container 1″ corresponding to the view of FIG. 2. This plastic container 1″ corresponds to the plastic container described in FIG. 6. A handle insert 13′″ is disposed within the through gripping opening 11″. The handle insert 13′″ is also disposed so as to fit completely within the outer contour of the plastic container 1″. In this case, the handle insert 13′″ has a first shell 13a′″ and a second shell 13b′″ connected to each other along a parting surface 14′″. The parting surface 14′″ is located substantially within a mold parting surface of the plastic container 1″, not shown in detail. The handle insert 13′″ forms a handle 12′″ together with a partial region 10a′″ of the container body 10′″. The handle insert 13′″ has a first outward-facing surface 135′″ and a second outward-facing surface 136′″. In this case, “outward” means that the outer surface or surfaces in question face toward the outer contour of the plastic container 1″. The first shell 13a''' has a first pressing member 133''', and the second shell 13b''' has a second pressing member 134'''. In the region of the through-grip opening 11'', the container body 10'' has a peripheral connecting seam 17'', which protrudes from the container body 10'', thus providing an element corresponding to the protrusion 17 of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the peripheral connecting seam 17'' comprises two substantially flat portions of the wall of the plastic container 10'', which are connected to the plastic container via stress-relieving notches (not shown in detail). A first pressing element 133''' and a second pressing element 134''' are operatively connected to these walls and thus to the connecting seam 17''. The first pressing element 133'' and the second pressing element 134'' press the walls of the connecting seam 17'' against each other, so that the connecting seam 17'' is placed under pretension. The first shell 13a''' and the second shell 13b''' are in contact with each other simultaneously via the first contact surface 131''' and the second contact surface 132''' (see also FIG. 9 in this regard).

[0072] The forces occurring in this area are therefore absorbed by the handle insert 13''. The connection seam 17'' located within the contour of the handle insert 13''' is therefore relieved.

[0073] 9 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the handle insert 13''' of FIG. 8. The handle insert 13' comprises a first shell 13a''' and a second shell 13b'''. The first shell 13a''' has a first contact surface 131'''. A first pressing element 133''' is arranged along the periphery of the first contact surface 131''', which in this case is formed as a peripheral shoulder. The second shell 13b''' also has a second contact surface 132'''. Similarly, a second pressing element 134''' is arranged along the periphery of the second contact surface 132'''. The second pressing element 134''' is also formed as a peripheral shoulder. When properly used, the first contact surface 131''' faces towards the second contact surface 132'''.

[0074] In this case, the first contact surface 131''' and the second contact surface 132''' are substantially flat. In this embodiment, six plug-in connections are provided to connect the first shell 13a''' to the second shell 13b'''. Each plug-in connection has a protrusion 19 and an opening 18. For clarity, only one element of the plug-in connection is shown and described in detail in this case. To connect the shell 13a''' to the shell 13''', they are moved towards each other and the protrusion 19 is introduced into the opening 18. The protrusion has an outwardly arranged rib, and the outer contour of the protrusion 19 is larger than the inner contour of the opening 18. This allows the protrusion 19 to fit inside the opening 18. A reliable connection between the shells 13a''' and 13b''' is therefore achieved.

[0075] The number of connection elements described in this case, e.g., the number of plug-in connections or the number of snap-in connections, should also be understood to be non-limiting, although it is preferred that at least three connection elements are provided.

Claims

1. 1. A plastic container (1, 1'') comprising a container body (10, 10', 10'') forming a filling volume, and a through gripping opening (11, 11'') penetrating the container body (10, 10', 10''), the through gripping opening (11, 11'') forming a handle (12, 12', 12'', 12''') together with a partial region (10a, 10a', 10a'') of the container body (10, 10', 10''), and a handle insert (13, 13', 13'', 13''') arranged to fit completely within the through gripping opening (11, 11'').

2. 2. The plastic container (1, 1'') according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle insert (13, 13', 13'', 13''') has a parting surface (14, 14', 14'', 14''').

3. 3. The plastic container (1, 1") according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle insert (13, 13', 13", 13'") is made in two parts and has a first shell (13a, 13a', 13a", 13a'") and a second shell (13b, 13b', 13b", 13b'").

4. The plastic container (1, 1'') according to claim 3, characterized in that the parting surface (14, 14', 14'', 14''') is formed parallel to the mold parting surface of the plastic container (1, 1'').

5. 5. The plastic container (1, 1'') according to claim 4, characterized in that the first shell (13a, 13a', 13a''') has a first contact surface (131, 131', 131'') and the second shell (13b, 13b', 13b''') has a second contact surface (132, 132', 132'''), which face each other.

6. 6. The plastic container (1, 1'') according to claim 5, characterized in that the first contact surface (131, 131', 131''') and the second contact surface (132, 132', 132''') are glued or welded to each other.

7. 6. Plastic container (1, 1'') according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first shell (13a', 13a'') and the second shell (13b', 13b'') are connected to each other via a snap-in connection (15a', 15a'', 15b', 15b'').

8. 8. The plastic container (1, 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plastic container (1, 1'') has a peripheral protrusion (16, 16') in the through gripping opening (11, 11''), and the handle insert (13, 13', 13'', 13''') has a first pressing element (133, 133', 133'', 133''') and a second pressing element (134, 134', 134'', 134'''), the first pressing element (133, 133', 133'', 133''') and the second pressing element (134, 134', 134'', 134''') contacting the peripheral protrusion (16, 16') under pretension.

9. 9. Plastic container (1, 1'') according to claim 8, characterized in that a peripheral connecting seam (17, 17', 17'') is arranged in the through-grip opening (11, 11'').

10. 10. Plastic container (1, 1'') according to claim 9, characterized in that the peripheral connection seam (17, 17') is formed as part of the peripheral projection (16, 16').

11. Plastic container (1, 1'') according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the first pressing element (133) and / or the second pressing element (134) are formed in several parts.

12. Plastic container (1, 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the handle insert (13, 13', 13, 13'', 13''') has reinforcing ribs.

13. Plastic container (1, 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the plastic container (1, 1'') is a stretch blow molded plastic container.

14. Plastic container (1, 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the handle insert (13, 13', 13'', 13''') is an injection molded part.

15. The plastic container (1, 1'') according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the handle insert (13, 13', 13'', 13''') and the plastic container (1, 1'') are made of the same material.

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