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 including an outer container and an inner container for containing a fill material, and to a method of producing such a dispenser container. [Background Art]

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

[0003] For example, a dispenser container consisting of an elastically deformable outer container and a plastically deformable inner container disposed inside this outer container is known. The shape rigidity of the outer container is selected such that after the outer container has been squeezed, it deforms to return to its original shape again. Since the inner container is formed of a plastically deformable material, the inner container is almost completely collapsed under the action of pressure, and thus can also be emptied well. In order for the outer container to maintain its aesthetically appealing shape, consideration must be given to pressure compensation in the space between the outer container and the inner container.

[0004] In this connection, German Patent Application Publication No. 4027539 describes, for example, a squeeze bottle having a substantially shape-rigid but elastically deformable outer container. An easily deformable inner container is arranged inside the outer container. A closure seals the space located between the inner container and the outer container. The closure has a sealing lip, through which air can flow into the intermediate space as soon as the extrusion process of the tube contents is completed. This ensures that the outer container regains its original shape again.

[0005] In alternative forms of dispenser containers, the dispensing process is carried out not by crushing the container, but by generating negative pressure inside the container using a pump and a suction tube that reaches into the contents. This type of dispenser container makes it possible to use an outer container made of a shape-stable material. In other words, it has become clear that products offered in such glass containers often sell better than the same products in deformable plastic containers, as many consumers perceive outer containers made of shape-stable materials, especially glass, as more valuable than outer containers made of deformable materials.

[0006] For example, this type of dispenser container, as described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102019120624, is used, for example, to measure and dispense cosmetic or medical products that exist as a fluid.

[0007] German Patent Application Publication No. 102014113535 describes a dispenser container comprising an outer container and an inner container. In this case, the outer and inner containers are formed from two different plastics that are blow-molded and are not materially bonded to each other. In this case, the plastic forming the inner container has higher elasticity than the plastic forming the outer container, so that the inner container is deformed by the negative pressure acting on it, while the outer container remains dimensionally stable. The outer container has a pressure-compensating opening for pressure compensation in the region between the outer and inner containers.

[0008] The manufacture of a dispenser container described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102014113535 is carried out by injection blow molding, in which a preform is first manufactured. To form the preform, in the first step, a first layer is injected and deposited onto an injection blow core located in the first cavity of a multi-component injection molding apparatus. From this first layer, the inner container of the dispenser container is later formed. Next, the injection blow core is introduced into a second cavity together with the first layer located above it. Next, a second layer is injected and deposited onto the injection blow core located in the second cavity of the multi-component injection molding apparatus. 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 and introduced into a stretch blow apparatus, where it is expanded into the desired dispenser container having a flexible inner container and a dimensionally stable outer container.

[0009] Ultimately, prior art also provides information on dispenser containers in which a flexible plastic inner container is formed by blow molding within a shape-stable outer container. European Patent No. 2246267 discloses, for example, a dispenser container comprising a rigid outer container and a collapsible bag housed within the inner chamber of the outer container. The collapsible bag is introduced into the inner chamber of the outer container as a preform made of thermoplastic plastic and is blow-molded within this chamber. The resulting bag forms a flexible inner container that can be compressed by pressure. The shape-stable outer container may be made of glass, aluminum, or a corresponding plastic.

[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0267437 describes a dispenser container with a similar configuration. This dispenser container also has an inner container with a variable volume, which is housed in an outer container made of a rigid material such as aluminum. The inner container, manufactured from a preform by stretch blow molding, is made of a rigid, heat-resistant plastic such as nylon 66 in its neck section and a soft, flexible plastic such as PET in its bag section.

[0011] When manufacturing dispenser containers of the types described in European Patent No. 2246267 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0267437, a problem often arises in which air trapped in the outer container cannot be completely released when forming the inner container by inflating a preform inside a rigid outer container. This is because the formed inner container comes into contact with the wall of the outer container in the upper region of the outer container, i.e., the region adjacent to the outer container bottom (16), before the air from the lower volume of the outer container, i.e., the region adjacent to the outer container bottom (16), has been completely released from the outer container.

[0012] During the expansion of the preform, the inner container increases in volume from top to bottom, so to speak, trapping air in the lower region. As a result, the inner container does not form with the desired volume, which makes filling difficult and leads to undesirable dead volume in the outer container. This problem occurs particularly frequently in outer containers with molded outer container shoulders, where complete escape of air from the lower volume of the outer container is not achieved during the expansion of the inner container.

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

[0014] Disclosure of the invention The fundamental problem of the present invention, as set forth in the claims, is to provide a method for manufacturing a dispenser container that enables the placement of a flexible inner container within a shape-stable outer container, such that the inner container occupies as completely as possible the volume of the outer container.

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

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

[0017] According to the present invention, a preform is used to form an inner container, and in a second section provided for forming an inner container outlet section, the preform has at least one groove-like recess on its outer surface. This makes it possible that air pushed out from the space between the preform and the outer container during the stretch blow molding process for forming the inner container can escape to the surroundings through the degassing passage formed by the groove-like recess.

[0018] By combining the features of the method according to the present invention for manufacturing dispenser containers, it is ensured that, regardless of the type of outer container, when the inner container expands, air is completely released from the entire volume of the outer container, and especially from the bottom region of the outer container. This allows the inner container to be formed in the desired shape and ideally substantially fill the volume of the outer container. This avoids dead volume between the inner container and the outer container in the bottom region of the outer container, which is well known from the prior art, and allows the inner container to be loaded with a filler without any problems and completely.

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

[0020] Preferably, in step e), stretch blow molding is performed until the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the extending length of the bottom of the outer container. 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 extending length of the bottom of the outer container, preferably over the entire extending length of the bottom of the outer container.

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

[0022] The expression "extended length of the outer container bottom" means, within the framework of this specification, the respective areas of the outer container bottom. In other words, if 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 extended length of the outer container bottom, it means that 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 area of ​​the inner surface of the outer container bottom. The same applies to the extended lengths of the outer container body and outer container shoulders.

[0023] Preferably, in step e), stretch blow molding is performed until 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 extending length of the outer container body. This preferred embodiment ensures that, regardless of the type of outer container, when the inner container expands, air is completely released from substantially the entire volume of the outer container, particularly from the area of ​​the outer container body. This ensures that the inner container is formed in the desired form and substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container, particularly in the area of ​​all corners where the outer container may be present. Thus, dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be loaded with a filler without any problems and completely.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in step e), stretch blow molding is performed 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. This embodiment ideally ensures that, regardless of the type of outer container, and particularly in the case of outer containers provided with a molded outer container shoulder, air can completely escape from the entire volume of the outer container, and particularly also from the region of the outer container body, when the inner container is expanded. Thereby, the inner container is formed in a desired shape and substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container, particularly even in the region of any optionally present corners of the outer container. Accordingly, dead volume inside the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be completely filled with a filling material without any problem.

[0025] Preferably, the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire extension length of the outer container bottom, and is further in contact 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 projection. In step e), stretch blow molding is performed 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 performed 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. This embodiment ideally ensures that, regardless of the type of outer container, and particularly even in the case of an outer container provided with a molded outer container shoulder, air can completely escape from the entire volume of the outer container, and particularly also from the region of the outer container body, when the inner container is expanded. Thereby, the inner container is formed in a desired manner and substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container, particularly also in the region of the outer container shoulder and in the region of all other optionally present corners of the outer container. Accordingly, dead volume within the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be completely filled with a filling material without problems.

[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, over substantially the entire extension length of the outer container body, and over 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 are not only in contact with each other over the entire extension length of the inner surfaces of the outer container bottom and the outer container body, but are also in contact with each other over most of the extension length of the outer container shoulder.

[0029] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that, based on the fact that a degassing passage extending from the space between the preform and the outer container to the surroundings is formed, the inner container outlet section formed of 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. This forms a fluid connection between the surroundings and the space located between the preform and the outer container.

[0030] To those skilled in the art, it is equally obvious that expressions such as "air completely escaped" and "in contact over the entire length" are inherently somewhat vague. Therefore, "completely" escapes the air not in the sense of forming a vacuum from the space between the inner and outer containers, but simply in the sense that no visible bubbles or air seals remain between the outer and inner containers. Similarly, "over the entire length" does not mean 100% in a mathematical sense, but simply the fact that there are no visible areas remaining where the inner container is not in contact with the outer container, i.e., at the bottom of the container.

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

[0032] An outer container used within the framework of this invention can be divided into several sections: the outer container bottom, the outer container body, the outer container projection, and the outer container shoulder. These concepts are well known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art also know that, given the great diversity in the geometrical molding of the outer container, it is difficult to clearly distinguish between the individual sections. Nevertheless, it is not a problem for those skilled in the art to identify and distinguish between the individual sections, namely the outer container bottom, the outer container body, the outer container projection, and the outer container shoulder, in an arbitrarily molded outer container. Therefore, the outer container bottom is suitable for standing the outer container upright on a base, in any case. This is also true when the dispenser container is specified to be used "upside down," that is, for example, on a closing cap attached to the outer container. The outer container body defines the portion of the outer container that contains the contents in the horizontal direction. This is also true for dispenser containers that have a longitudinal axis that does not extend vertically toward the base. The optional outer container shoulder connects the outer container body to an outer container projection, which often has male threads.

[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 filler, wherein the outer container has an outer container bottom, an outer container body, and an outer container projection 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 projection, the inner container outlet section extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the dispenser container over the entire extending length of the outer container projection. The inner container body is formed from blow-molded elastic plastic, while the inner container outlet section is formed from a shape-stable plastic. According to the present invention, the inner container outlet section has at least one groove-like recess on the surface facing the outer container projection for forming at least one degassing passage, the degassing passage forming a fluid connection between the periphery and the space located between the inner container and the outer container. 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 extending length of the bottom of the outer container.

[0034] The problem known from the prior art, in which the volume of the inner container increases from top to bottom when the preform expands, thereby trapping air in the lower region, is overcome by the dispenser container according to the present invention. The inner container is formed to have the exact desired overall volume, thereby avoiding difficulties in filling with the filler and unwanted dead volume in the outer container.

[0035] According to the present invention, the outer container is formed from a dimensionally stable material. Within the scope of this specification, “dimensionally stable” means that a container formed from a dimensionally stable material does not deform, or deforms only to a negligible degree, under the normal pressures that occur when the dispenser container is in use.

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

[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 extending length of the bottom of the outer container. These preferred embodiments ensure that, regardless of the type of outer container, the inner container substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container in the desired manner, particularly in the area of ​​all corners where possible. Thus, dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be loaded with contents without any 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 length of the outer container bottom, and preferably over the entire length of the outer container bottom.

[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% of the extending length of the outer container body, and more preferably at least 99%. These preferred embodiments ensure that, regardless of the type of outer container, the inner container substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container in the desired manner, particularly in the areas of the outer container, including any potentially present corners. Thus, dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be loaded with contents without any 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 extending length of the bottom of the outer container, and further over at least 99% of the extending length of the outer container body.

[0041] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer container comprises an outer container bottom, an outer container body, an outer container projection, and an outer container shoulder, in which case 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 extending length of the outer container shoulder, and particularly preferably at least 99%. These preferred embodiments ensure that, regardless of the type of outer container, and especially in the case of an outer container with a molded outer container shoulder, the inner container substantially completely fills the volume of the outer container in the desired form, particularly in the area of ​​the outer container shoulder, and also in the area of ​​any other corners of the outer container where present. Thus, dead volume in the outer container is avoided, and the inner container can be loaded with contents without any problems and completely.

[0042] A particularly preferred embodiment is one in which the outer surface of the inner container body is in contact with the inner surface of the outer container substantially over the entire length of the outer container bottom, substantially over the entire length of the outer container body, and over at least 90%, preferably at least 99%, of the length of the outer container shoulder. In this case, the inner and outer containers are in contact not only over the entire length of the outer container bottom and the inner surface of the outer container body, but also over a large portion of the length of the outer container shoulder.

[0043] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner container outlet section has an annularly extending flange section in a region adjacent to the outlet opening, the flange section being in coplanar contact with the edge region of the outer container projection opposite to the outer container body. The flange section has a groove-like recess extending annularly around the outlet opening for forming a degassing groove, and at least one groove-like recess extending away from the outlet opening for forming at least one degassing notch. At least one groove-like recess for forming at least one degassing passage is fluidly connected to a groove-like recess for forming a degassing groove, and the groove-like recess for forming a degassing groove is fluidly connected to a groove-like recess for forming a degassing notch, and the degassing passage, degassing groove and degassing notch form a fluid connection between the periphery and the space located between the inner container and the outer container.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a groove-like recess for forming a degassing groove is provided within the flange section and extends annularly around the outlet opening, extending concentrically with respect to the outlet opening. This type of degassing groove is particularly easy to manufacture and ensures additionally improved degassing from the volume between the outer and inner containers during the expansion of the inner container. The outer container projection of the dispenser container is usually cylindrical in shape, as a closure or pump head is screwed onto it.

[0045] A special advantage arises when the inner container outlet section has multiple groove-like recesses on the surface facing the outer container protrusion to form multiple degassing passages. These degassing passages can be arbitrarily arranged around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. All degassing passages are fluidly connected to annularly extending degassing grooves, thereby allowing air displaced from the outer container to flow out around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. The displaced air is guided into the degassing grooves and released into the surroundings through degassing notches. The arrangement of the degassing passages can be adapted to any specific geometric characteristics that may exist in the outer container. If the outer container is asymmetrically formed and has regions where degassing from the volume between the outer and inner containers is expected to be particularly suppressed, a particularly large number of degassing passages can be provided in the corresponding regions of the inner container outlet section.

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

[0047] Preferably, groove-like recesses for forming degassing passages are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. Since the outer container is often symmetrically constructed, it is advantageous to have uniform and effective degassing around the entire circumference during the stretch blow molding process.

[0048] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flange section has a plurality of groove-like recesses extending away from the outlet opening for forming a plurality of degassing notches. In this case, the degassing notches may be arbitrarily arranged around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. All degassing notches are fluidly connected to annularly extending degassing grooves, thereby allowing air displaced from the outer container to flow out around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. The displaced air is guided into the degassing grooves and released into the surroundings through the degassing notches. The arrangement of the degassing notches can be adapted to any geometric peculiarities that may exist in the outer container. If the outer container is formed asymmetrically and has regions where degassing from the volume between the outer and inner containers is expected to be particularly suppressed, a particularly large number of degassing notches can be provided in the corresponding regions of the inner container outlet section.

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

[0050] A particular advantage regarding effective degassing during the stretch blow molding process is obtained when multiple groove-like recesses for forming multiple degassing passages are combined with multiple groove-like recesses for forming degassing notches. In this case, while the number of degassing passages is indeed fundamentally independent of the number of degassing notches, if the number of degassing passages matches the number of degassing notches, and the degassing passages and notches are distributed in the same manner around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section, a particularly uniform and unhindered airflow is generated during the stretch blow molding process. In this case, the outflowing air can flow directly from the degassing passages through the degassing grooves into the corresponding degassing notches.

[0051] Preferably, the outer container projection is provided with a male thread. An optionally configured pump device for removing the contents present in the inner container may be screwed onto this male thread. However, the outer container projection may only be provided with a closing cap that closes the outer container opening located at the end opposite the outer container body.

[0052] - The inner container outlet section has at least one groove-shaped recess provided on the surface facing the outer container protrusion, for forming at least one degassing passage, - A groove-shaped recess extending in an annular shape around the outlet opening is provided on the surface of the flange section of the outer container protrusion that is in coplanar contact with the edge region opposite to the outer container body, for forming a degassing groove, - A groove-shaped recess extending away from the outlet opening is provided on the surface of the flange section of the outer container protrusion that is in coplanar contact with the edge region opposite to the outer container body, for forming at least one degassing notch. by, The configuration of the fluid connection between the surroundings and the space located between the preform and the outer container proved ideal for venting air from the space between the preform and the outer container during the stretch blow molding process. The annularly extending degassing groove around the outlet opening allows both the degassing passage and the degassing notch to be arbitrarily positioned around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section and to be arbitrarily positioned relative to each other. The annularly extending degassing groove ensures fluid connection between the degassing passage and the degassing notch in any case. The degassing notch and degassing passage are fluidly connected to the annular degassing groove, and the fluid connection of the space located between the inner and outer containers to the outside atmosphere is formed via the degassing passage, degassing groove, and degassing notch.

[0053] Particularly preferred are glass, plastic, metal, metal alloy, or composite material for the shape-stabilizing outer container. "Shape-stabilizing" in the intent of the present invention means that the corresponding outer container or corresponding plastic does not deform, or deforms only to a negligible degree, under the pressure and / or negative pressure generated when the dispenser container is in use.

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

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

[0056] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape-stabilizing plastic of the inner container outlet section has a higher melting temperature than the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body. This particularly well satisfies the desirable properties for expanding the preform while forming the inner container. The temperature at which the shape-stabilizing plastic of the inner container outlet section maintains constant shape stability can be controlled, while the elastic plastic of the inner container body is already melted and has low viscosity. Therefore, the preform can be expanded while forming the inner container body without any problems.

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

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

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

[0060] A preform is used to manufacture an inner container for one of the dispenser containers described above. The preform has all the features necessary to obtain the corresponding combination of features of a dispenser container consisting of an outer container and an inner container. The expansion of the preform within the outer container, which provides shape stability, results in the dispenser container according to the present invention. All the advantages described above in relation to the dispenser container and the components forming such a dispenser container, the outer container and the inner container, also arise in relation to the preform according to the present invention. The same applies to the preferred embodiments of the preform described below.

[0061] Preferably, the blow-molded elastic plastic of the first section of the preform is a thermoplastic plastic, particularly polyamide, polyolefin, or polycarbonate. Particularly preferred are 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 higher melting temperature than the blow-molded elastic plastic of the first section.

[0063] In a particularly preferred alternative embodiment, the second section of the preform has a plurality of groove-like recesses on its outer surface for forming a plurality of degassing passages. Particularly preferably, these groove-like recesses for forming the plurality of degassing passages extend parallel to each other, and particularly preferably, these groove-like recesses are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the second section. The advantages associated with these embodiments have already been described in relation to 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 in an annular manner around the outlet opening, is formed concentrically with respect to the outlet opening.

[0065] In another preferred embodiment, the flange section has a plurality of groove-like recesses extending away from the outlet opening on the surface facing the first section for forming a plurality of degassing notches. Particularly preferably, these groove-like recesses for forming the degassing notches are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section. In this case as well, the advantages of the preferred embodiment have already been described in relation to the corresponding embodiment of the dispenser container.

[0066] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be clearly noted that the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0067] [Figure 1] This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a dispenser container according to the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a side view showing a preform according to the present invention. [Figure 2B] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the preform shown in Figure 2A, taken from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 3A] This figure shows the outer container together with the preform and stretched blow pins before the blow molding process. [Figure 3B] This figure shows the outer container together with the inner container and stretch blow pin during the blow molding process.

[0068] Modes for carrying out the invention Figure 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a dispenser container 1 according to the present invention. The dispenser container 1 includes an outer container 2 and an inner container 3 disposed inside the outer container 2. A filler can be contained within the inner container 3.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer container 2 consists of an outer container bottom 16, an outer container body 5, an outer container shoulder 9, and an outer container projection 10. The outer surface of the outer container projection 10 is provided with a male screw thread 15. A pump device, arbitrarily formed for removing the filling, can be screwed onto the male screw thread 15. However, a closing cap that closes the outer container opening, which is provided at the upper end of the outer container projection 10, that is, the end opposite to the outer container body 5, can also be screwed onto it.

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

[0071] The inner container 3 comprises an inner container body 6 positioned in the region of the outer container body 5, and an inner container outlet section 7 positioned in the region of the outer container protrusion 10 and having an outlet opening 11. The inner container outlet section 7 extends in the direction of the dispenser container's longitudinal axis SBLA, across the entire length of the outer container protrusion 10 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 shown in Figure 1, the inner container body 6 is made of polyethylene, and the inner container outlet section 7 is made of cross-linked polyurethane.

[0073] As can be seen from Figure 1, the stretch blow molding to form the inner container was carried out until the outer surface of the inner container body 6 was in contact with 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. Therefore, the inner and outer containers are in contact 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 a large portion of the length of the outer container shoulder 9.

[0074] Another feature and characteristic of the inner container outlet section 7 is shown in Figures 2A and 2B, in which the preform 20 is shown in a side view (Figure 2A) or a perspective view from diagonally below (Figure 2B). Such a preform is used to manufacture the inner container 3 for the dispenser container 1 as shown in Figure 1. The preform 20 has a cup-shaped molded body 21 and consists of two sections 21.6 and 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, with the closed end located on the opposite side from 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 a blow-molded elastic plastic, polyethylene in this embodiment, while the second section 21.7 is made of a dimensionally stable plastic, cross-linked polyurethane in this embodiment.

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

[0077] Figures 2A and 2B clearly show an annular flange section 13 located in the region adjacent to the outlet opening 11 of the inner container outlet section 7. 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 Figure 2B, a groove-shaped recess 8 for forming a degassing groove can be seen on the surface of the flange section 13, which is provided to make coplanar contact with the edge region of the outer container protrusion 10 on the opposite side of the outer container body 5. This recess extends concentrically in an annular shape around the outlet opening 11.

[0079] The groove-shaped recess 14 for forming a degassing notch and the groove-shaped recess 4 for forming a degassing passage are fluidly connected to the annular groove-shaped recess 8 for forming a degassing groove. After the preform 20 is introduced into the outer container 2, these recesses form corresponding degassing passages, degassing grooves, and degassing notches, thereby forming a fluid connection point to the outside atmosphere in the space 12 (see Figure 3A) located between the preform 20 and the outer container 2.

[0080] In the dispenser container 1 shown in Figure 1, a degassing passage is located 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 an annularly extending degassing groove and degassing passage, thereby forming a fluid connection point between the space 12 located between the inner container 3 and the outer container 2 and the outside atmosphere. The degassing notch, degassing groove and degassing passage cannot be seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 1.

[0081] The method according to the present invention for manufacturing the dispenser container 1 shown in Figure 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. First, an outer container 2 (see Figure 3A) corresponding to the outer container 2 described in relation to Figure 1 is prepared. In addition, a preform 20 is prepared, the properties and features of the preform 20 have already been described in relation to Figures 2A and 2B. The preform 20 is heated to a sufficient temperature for the stretch blow molding process and introduced into the outer container 2, and the stretch blow pin 30 is introduced into the preform 20, thereby obtaining the configuration shown in Figure 3A. In this case, the introduction of the stretch blow pin 30 into the preform 20 can also be done before introducing 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 shown by multiple arrows in Figure 3B. The stretch blow molding process forms the inner container 3. The air contained in the space 12 (Figure 3A) located between the preform 20 and the outer container 2 is pushed out, and this air escapes to the surroundings through the degassing passages, degassing grooves and degassing notches. The stretch blow molding to form 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 extending length of the outer container bottom 15, over the entire extending length of the outer container body 5, and over more than 90% of the extending length of the outer container shoulder 9. This forms the inner container 3 in the desired form and actually completely fills the volume of the outer container 2, especially in the area of ​​the outer container shoulder 9 (see Figure 3B). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1. Dispenser container 2 Outer container 3 Inner container 4. Groove-shaped recess for forming a degassing passage 5 Outer container body 6 Inner container body 7 Inner container outlet section 8. Groove-shaped recess for forming a degassing groove. 9 Outer container shoulder 10 Outer container protrusion 10.R Edge region of the outer container protrusion 11 Exit opening 12 Space between the preform and the outer container 13 Tsuba (sword guard) classification 14. Groove-like recess for forming a degassing notch 15 Male screw thread 16 Bottom of outer container 20 preforms 21 Molded body 21.6 First division of the molded article 21.7 Second division of the molded article 30 Extendable Blow Pin SBLA dispenser container longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1), a) A step of preparing an outer container (2) formed from a shape-stable material, wherein the outer container (2) has an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), and an outer container projection (10) having an outer container opening, b) A step of preparing a preform (20), wherein the preform (20) has a cup-shaped molded body (21), the molded body (21) is composed of at least two sections (21.6, 21.7), the first section (21.6) forming a closed end of the molded body (21), the second section (21.7) forming an open end of the molded body (21), the closed end being located on the opposite side from the open end, and the first section (21.6) is on the inside A step comprising: a container body (6) provided, the second section (21.7) provided to form an inner container outlet section (7) having an outlet opening (11), the first section (21.6) made of blow-molded elastic plastic, the second section (21.7) made of shape-stable plastic, and the second section (21.7) having at least one groove-like recess (4) on its outer surface for forming a degassing passage; c) The step of heating the preform (20), d) A step of introducing the preform (20) into the outer container (2) and introducing the stretch blow pin (30) into the preform (20), wherein the introduction of the stretch blow pin (30) into the preform (20) is performed before or after the introduction of the preform (20) into the outer container (2), e) A step of stretch blow molding to form an inner container (3) while pushing aside air contained in the space (12) located between the preform (20) and the outer container (2), wherein the air escapes to the surroundings through at least one of the degassing passages, and A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) having [a certain feature].

2. A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in step e), the stretch blow molding is performed until the outer surface of the inner container body (6) comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90% of the extending length of the outer container bottom (16).

3. A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in step e), stretch blow molding is performed until the outer surface of the inner container body (6) comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90% of the extending length of the outer container body (5).

4. A method for manufacturing a dispenser container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer container (2) prepared in step a) has an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), an outer container projection (10), and an outer container shoulder (9), and in step e), stretch blow molding is performed until the outer surface of the inner container body (6) contacts the inner surface of the outer container (2) over at least 90% of the extending length of the outer container shoulder (9).

5. A dispenser container (1) having an outer container (2) and an inner container (3) disposed inside the outer container (2) for containing the filling, The outer container (2) has an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), and an outer container projection (10) having an outer container opening. The outer container (2) is formed from a shape-stable material. The inner container (3) comprises an inner container body (6) positioned in the region of the outer container body (5), and an inner container outlet section (7) having an outlet opening (11) positioned in the region of the outer container protrusion (10). The inner container outlet section (7) extends along the entire length of the outer container protrusion (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (SBLA) of the dispenser container. 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 surrounding area and the space (12) located between the inner container (3) and the outer container (2). Dispenser container (1), wherein 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 extending length of the outer container bottom (16).

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 extending 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% of the extending length of the outer container body (5).

8. The dispenser container (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the outer container (2) has an outer container bottom (16), an outer container body (5), an outer container projection (10), and an outer container shoulder (9), and 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 extending length of the outer container shoulder (9).

9. The inner container outlet section (7) has an annular flange section (13) in the region adjacent to the outlet opening (11), and the flange section (13) is in coplanar contact with the edge region (10.R) of the outer container projection (10) on the side opposite to the outer container body (5). The flange portion (13) has a groove-shaped recess (8) extending annularly around the outlet opening (11) for forming a degassing groove on the surface of the outer container projection (10) that is in coplanar contact with the edge region (10.R) on the side opposite to the outer container body (5). The flange portion (13) has at least one groove-shaped recess (14) extending away from the outlet opening (11) on the surface of the outer container projection (10) that is in coplanar contact with the edge region (10.R) on the side opposite to the outer container body (5), for forming a degassing notch. The at least one groove-shaped recess (4) for forming the degassing passage is fluidly connected to the groove-shaped recess (8) for forming the degassing groove, and the groove-shaped recess (8) for forming the degassing groove is fluidly connected to the groove-shaped recess for forming at least one degassing notch (14), The dispenser container (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the degassing passage, the degassing groove, and the degassing notch form a fluid connection between the surrounding area and the space (12) located between the inner container (3) and the outer container (2).

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

11. The dispenser container (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the inner container outlet section (7) has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses (4) on the surface facing the outer container protrusion (10) for forming a plurality of degassing passages, and the groove-shaped recesses (4) extend to form the degassing passages.

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

13. The flange section (13) has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses (14) extending 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 provided around the entire circumference of the inner container outlet section (7), characterized in that the dispenser container (1) according to claim 9.

14. The dispenser container (1) according to claim 5 or 6, 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 claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the blow-molded elastic plastic of the inner container body (6) is a thermoplastic plastic.

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

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