Container, container assembly, and method for producing a container

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) made of plastics material for storing and / or transporting liquids, comprising a pouring spout (3) which is disposed on the container top side (2) and which has an outlet opening (4), wherein a closure (5) can be attached to the pouring spout (3) in order to close the outlet opening (4) of the container (1), characterised in that the container (1) has, on the container top side (2), a safety element (6) which engages in the action region of the closure (5) such that, when the container (1) is opened, the safety element (6) can be completely or at least partly removed from the container top side (2) with the closure (5) or is at least damaged.

Description

[0001] Container, container arrangement and method for producing a container

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a plastic container for the storage and / or transport of liquids, in particular a canister, with a pouring spout arranged on the top of the container, which has an outlet opening, wherein a closure can be attached to the pouring spout to close the outlet opening of the container.

[0004] The container is preferably a canister designed to be stackable. The container is preferably made of thermoplastic material by blow molding. During the blow molding process, the pouring spout is molded onto the top of the container. The container can be not only emptied through this spout, but also filled through it. The container can be used for transporting and storing liquids or fluid media, such as chemicals, oils, or similar.

[0005] Such containers are known from the prior art. DE 10 2014 116 429 A1 describes a generic container with a molded pouring spout and a closable outlet opening. This canister for storing and / or transporting liquids is manufactured from thermoplastic by blow molding. A similar container is also known from DE 10 2009 021 997 A1.

[0006] Incidentally, the process for producing such plastic containers by blow molding is also known. During the production of a hollow body made of thermoplastic material, waste parts are created on the molded hollow body, known, for example, as shoulder waste or handle waste. These are separated from the hollow body after blow molding and after the container has been removed from the mold, as described in DE 102 45 413 A1 or DE 102 45 414 A1.

[0007] In practice, such containers are equipped with a closure, in particular a screw cap, which consists of a closure cap and a tear-off ring. The containers are filled and then closed with the closure. The tear-off ring, which is connected to the closure cap and can be detached from it, serves as a tamper-evident seal. As soon as the container is opened for the first time, the tear-off ring is separated from the rest of the closure or cap, so that it remains clear from the closure that it has already been opened. The problem remains that if the container is refilled and fitted with a new closure with an intact tear-off ring, the impression is given that it is a canister with its original seal. This carries the risk that already opened containers containing liquids orRefilled with fluid media of reduced quality, then sealed with the new, supposedly tamper-evident closure and sold on the market as a new, original product. This is where the invention comes in.

[0008] Based on the known prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a container of the type described at the outset with improved tamper evidence.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in a generic container in that the container has a securing element on the top side of the container which engages in the effective range of the closure in such a way that the securing element can be completely or at least partially separated from the top of the container when the container is opened with the closure, or at least is damaged. The container therefore has - e.g. in addition to the closure known from the prior art - a (further) element, the securing element, which clearly and independently of the state of the closure indicates whether the container has already been opened. This securing element is not arranged on the closure, but on the container in such a way that it engages in the effective range of the closure and is separated with or by the closure when the container is opened. This separation can take place either completely or at least partially.The invention also encompasses damage to the security element during opening, e.g., bending or tearing. It is always ensured that the condition of the security element clearly indicates whether the container is still in its original sealed state after the first filling or whether the container has already been opened and refilled (possibly improperly) and resealed.

[0010] The invention is based on the realisation that it is expedient, for example, to attach a (further) security element for tamper-evident protection directly to the container in addition to the tear-off ring of a closure, which cannot be repaired during refilling or resealing of the canister.

[0011] According to the invention, the security element is designed and arranged on the top of the container in such a way that when the container is first filled and when the closure element is screwed on - i.e., when the container is closed - the security element is not detached or damaged. This is important in order to equip the container with the undamaged tamper-evident device according to the invention and then deliver it. Preferably, the security element is molded integrally onto the top of the container, e.g., with reduced-thickness material bridges. Therefore, no further manufacturing step is necessary to produce the container according to the invention. The security element is manufactured together with the container and molded onto the top of the container, so that it is directly connected to the container.The optionally provided, reduced-thickness material bridges serve as predetermined breaking points when the container is opened to ensure the defined detachability of the securing element.

[0012] Optionally, the container has a handle next to the pouring spout. The locking element is preferably located between the handle and the pouring spout.

[0013] The outlet opening of the container is preferably closed with a closure comprising a closure cap and a tear-off ring connected to and detachable from the closure cap. The closure is particularly preferably designed as a screw cap, with the pouring spout having an external thread onto which the screw cap is screwed. A closure known from the prior art can be used, meaning that the invention does not necessarily require any adaptation of the closure.

[0014] According to the invention, the securing element can be separated when the closure is unscrewed. For this purpose, the pouring spout has, for example, projections on its outer side in the area of ​​the top of the container, and the tear-off ring has, for example, lugs on its inner side. These lugs interact with the projections of the pouring spout in such a way that the tear-off ring can be separated from the closure cap during the (first) unscrewing. Furthermore, according to the invention, the securing element interacts with the lugs of the tear-off ring during the (first) unscrewing of the closure in such a way that the securing element can be completely or at least partially separated from the top of the container with the closure or by the closure, or at least is damaged. When the container is opened, the closure cap is separated from the tear-off ring by unscrewing the closure.The securing element is arranged on the container in such a way that it interacts with this closure and can be completely or at least partially separated or at least damaged when the closure is unscrewed.

[0015] The securing element is preferably designed such that it has a first section that engages in the effective range of the closure. When the container is opened, the closure interacts with this first section in such a way that (at least) this first section with the closure is completely or at least partially severed from the top of the container. In any case, this first section is at least damaged when the container is opened. This damage can also merely comprise bending or tearing. The securing element preferably has a second section. This does not engage in the effective range of the closure, but is connected to the first section in such a way that this second section is also completely or initially partially severed or at least damaged when the container is opened with the closure from the top of the container.The first and second sections are therefore preferably separated from the container together. This makes the condition of the security element easier to recognize. The first section, which can also be referred to as the functional section, interacts directly with the closure. For example, this first section can engage behind the closure and is severed or damaged when the closure is unscrewed due to its interaction with the lugs of the tear-off ring. However, due to the engagement behind the closure, this first section may not be visible when a newly applied, intact closure (e.g. after improper refilling). The second section, on the other hand, which can also be declared as a marking section, is arranged on the top of the container in such a way that it does not (directly) interact with the closure and is located in the visible area.However, since the second section is cut off together with the first section when the container is first opened, a missing second section always indicates that the container has already been opened and is no longer sealed with the original closure.

[0016] Both the first and second sections of the securing element are preferably molded onto the top of the container and connected to the container, for example, via reduced-thickness material bridges. The first section is integrally connected to the second section via a transition section.

[0017] The container is preferably made of a thermoplastic material. Production is preferably carried out by blow molding.

[0018] The invention further includes a container assembly that provides for the combination of the container with the closure.

[0019] Furthermore, a method for producing the described plastic container for the storage and / or transport of liquids is also protected. This container is manufactured from thermoplastic material by blow molding, and the securing element is molded onto the top of the container in the area of ​​the pouring spout. The container according to the invention is therefore preferably manufactured by the method according to the invention. In principle, however, the invention also encompasses containers manufactured by an alternative manufacturing process.

[0020] During production of the container, a waste part is preferably created on the top side of the container by blow molding. The securing element is produced, for example, as a region of the waste part and is connected, for example, to the remaining sections of the waste part via reduced-thickness material bridges. These (second) reduced-thickness material bridges, via which the securing element is connected to the remaining waste sections, are not to be confused with the (first) reduced-thickness material bridges with which the securing element is molded onto the top side of the container. The waste part is preferably separated from the top side of the container in sections such that the securing element remains on the top side of the container. For this purpose, the material bridges can be designed with different thicknesses and consequently different levels of stability. The waste parts generated during production are separated from the container, for example, using a punching element.The (second) reduced-thickness material bridges of the waste part are therefore designed to be detachable from the container during this punching process or other separation methods. The (first) material bridges connecting the securing element to the container top are designed to be detachable or damaged during the opening of the container, but are not detachable or damaged during the opening of the container.

[0021] To produce the reduced-thickness material bridges in the desired different thicknesses, the tools can be designed accordingly for the manufacturing process, e.g., by adapting the tools with appropriate cutting edges. The invention is based on the realization that during the production of the container by blow molding, a waste part usually arises on the top of the container anyway. The invention takes advantage of this, since the molded waste parts created during the process are accordingly utilized as the inventive securing element.

[0022] Furthermore, the reduced-thickness material bridges between the security element and the top of the container are designed in such a way that the security element is not damaged when the container is first filled and the closure element is screwed on. This is important for equipping the container with the undamaged tamper-evident device according to the invention and then delivering it.

[0023] Of particular importance according to the invention is the described securing element, which is not arranged on the closure but on the container (ie the container body) itself, e.g. is formed on it.

[0024] The securing element, which is preferably also made of thermoplastic, is preferably plate-shaped and thus designed as a (small) securing plate which is, for example, molded integrally onto the top of the container, for example during the container molding process. The plate can have a (maximum) thickness of, for example, 0.5 to 3 mm, for example 1 mm to 2 mm. The optionally provided material bridges are thinner than this thickness. The (maximum) total length of the plate can be, for example, 5 mm to 30 mm, for example 10 mm to 20 mm. The (maximum) height of the plate can be 3 mm to 15 mm, for example 5 mm to 15 mm or 5 mm to 10 mm. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to several drawings which merely represent one exemplary embodiment.

[0025] They show:

[0026] Fig. 1 : an embodiment of a container according to the invention in plan view

[0027] Fig. 2: the container according to Fig. 1 in a horizontal section

[0028] Fig. 3: the container according to Fig. 1 in a vertical section

[0029] The figures show a container 1 according to the invention in one embodiment as a canister. This container is made of a single piece of thermoplastic material by blow molding. The canister is stackable and is suitable for the storage and transport of liquids such as chemicals or oils.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a container 1 in a plan view. The container top 2 can be seen, as well as a handle 8 formed onto the top. This handle can be designed such that it is closed on both sides, so that the interior of the handle is not connected to the interior of the container. Also visible is a pouring spout 3, which is also formed onto the hollow body of the container 1 or the container top, and has an outlet opening 4 not visible in the figure. The container can be both emptied and filled via the pouring spout 3 or the outlet opening 4. The container 1 is closed by means of a closure 5. This closure 5 can be screwed onto the pouring spout 3. The closure 5 shown in Figure 1 is shown as a screw cap. However, the invention is not exclusively limited to screw caps.Furthermore, the figure shows a securing element 6 according to the invention, which is arranged between the pouring spout 3 and the handle 8. This securing element 6 is arranged on the container top 2 and engages in the effective area of ​​the closure 5 in such a way that the securing element 6 can be completely or at least partially separated from the container top 2 when the container is opened with the closure 5, or at least is damaged. When the container 1 has been filled for the first time and the closure 5 is screwed onto the pouring spout 3 for the first time, the securing element 6 is in an intact and undamaged state. Therefore, before the container is opened for the first time, it shows no damage in the form of kinks or cracks and is also not separated from the container 1. The securing element 6 is only separated from the container top 2 when the closure 5 is unscrewed for the first time.For this purpose, the securing element 6 with reduced-thickness material bridges 7 is formed in one piece on the container top 2.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a horizontal section of the container 1 according to the invention. Figure 3 shows a corresponding vertical section of the container 1 according to the invention. The outlet opening 4 can be seen there. The closure 5 has a tear-off ring 10 which has (barb-like) lugs 13 on the inside. The pouring spout 3 has (hook-like) projections 12 on the outside in the region of the container top 2, which interact with the lugs 13 when the container 1 is opened such that the tear-off ring 10 is separated from the rest of the closure 5 or the closure cap 9. The closure 5 therefore has a closure cap 9 and a tear-off ring 10 connected to the closure cap 9 and detachable from it. When the container is opened, the lugs 13 of the tear-off ring 10 also interact with the securing element 6 such that the latter is completely or at least partially separated from the container top 2.

[0032] The securing element 6 has a first section 14 and a second section 15, which are connected to each other via a transition section 16.

[0033] In Figure 3, the securing element 6 is also shown in an enlarged view isolated from the container arrangement.

[0034] In the embodiment shown, the first section 14 of the securing element 6 engages behind the closure 5, in particular the tear-off ring 10. When the container is opened or the closure is unscrewed in the direction of rotation B shown, the lugs 13 hook up with the first section 14 of the securing element 6, resulting in the securing element 6 being separated from the container top 2. In the process, the second section 15 and the transition section 16 are also separated from the container top 2, although they themselves do not directly engage in the effective area of ​​the closure 5.

[0035] A remnant of the waste part 17 or the securing element 6 may remain between the second section 15 and the handle 8. The securing element 6 may be severed or even simply damaged when the container 1 is opened. In any case, it is clearly evident that the container 1 has already been opened and no intact securing element 6 is left, so that - regardless of the condition of the closure - it is traceable whether the container has already been opened and subsequently refilled. During a second filling, it is possible to attach a new closure 5 with a closure cap 9 and a tear-off ring 10 connected to it. With regard to the closure 5, the impression can therefore be created that the container is in its original condition.However, the securing element 6, which is formed integrally on the top of the container, cannot be returned to its original state after blow molding after a second filling, so that a subsequently refilled canister can be clearly identified.

[0036] When the cap is unscrewed or the container is closed for the first time in the direction of rotation A, the securing element is neither separated nor damaged.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the securing element 6 is manufactured as a region of a waste part 17 produced on the container 1 during blow molding. In Figure 3, the position of this waste part 17 is schematically simplified and shown merely as an example. The shape and size of the waste part 17 are merely indicated by the dash-dotted line. This waste part 17 is initially connected to the securing element 6 during production via (second) reduced-thickness material bridges 18. These break when the waste part 17 is separated, so that only the securing element 6 remains. These (second) reduced-thickness material bridges 18, via which the securing element 6 is connected (during production) to the remaining waste part 17, are not to be confused with the (first) reduced-thickness material bridges 7 with which the securing element 6 is molded onto the container top 2 (of the finished container).The reduced-thickness (first) material bridges 7, which connect the securing element 6 to the container top 2, are designed with a different thickness compared to the (second) material bridges 18; these are preferred.

[0038] Material bridges 7 are thicker and do not break during production when the waste part 17 is separated.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Container (1) made of plastic for the storage and / or transport of liquids, with a pouring spout (3) arranged on the top side (2) of the container, which spout has an outlet opening (4), wherein a closure (5) can be attached to the pouring spout (3) to close the outlet opening (4) of the container (1), characterized in that the container (1) has a securing element (6) on the top side (2) of the container, which engages in the effective area of ​​the closure (5) in such a way that the securing element (6) can be completely or at least partially separated from the top side (2) of the container with the closure (5) or is at least damaged when the container (1) is opened.

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing element (6) is formed integrally on the container top (2), e.g. with reduced-thickness material bridges (7).

3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container (1) has a handle (8) next to the pouring spout (3) and that the securing element (6) is preferably arranged between the handle (8) and the pouring spout (3).

4. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closure (5) has a closure cap (9) and a tear-off ring (10) connected to the closure cap (9) and detachable from the closure cap.

5. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the closure (5) is designed as a screw closure, that the pouring spout (3) has an external thread (11) onto which the screw closure is screwed and that the securing element (6) Unscrewing the closure (5) with the closure (5) from the container top (2) is completely or at least partially detachable or at least damaged.

6. Container (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the pouring spout (3) has projections (12) on its outer side in the region of the container top (2) and that the tear-off ring (10) has lugs (13) on its inner side which interact with the projections (12) of the pouring spout (3) in such a way that the tear-off ring (10) can be separated from the closure cap (9) during (first) unscrewing.

7. Container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the securing element (6) interacts with the lugs (13) of the tear-off ring (10) during the unscrewing of the closure (5) in such a way that the securing element (6) with the closure (5) can be completely or at least partially separated from the container top (2) or at least is damaged.

8. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the securing element (6) has a first section (14) which engages in the effective area of ​​the closure (5) and can be completely or at least partially separated from the container top (2) or at least damaged when the container (1) with the closure (5) is opened.

9. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the securing element (6) has a second section (15) which does not engage in the effective area of ​​the closure (5), but is connected to the first section (14) in such a way that this second section (15) together with the first section (14) when opening the container (1) with the Closure (5) can be completely or at least partially separated from the container top (2) or at least is damaged.

10. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, made of thermoplastic material, preferably by blow molding.

11. Container arrangement comprising a container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a closure (5) with which the container (1) is or can be closed.

12. A method for producing a container (1) made of plastic for the storage and / or transport of liquids according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container (1) is manufactured from thermoplastic material by blow molding and the securing element (6) is molded onto the container top (2) in the region of the pouring spout (3).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that a waste part (17) is produced on the container (1) on the container top side (2) and that the securing element (6) is produced as a region of the waste part and is connected to the remaining sections of the waste part via thickness-reduced material bridges (18).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the waste part (17) is partially separated from the container top (2) in such a way that the securing element (6) remains on the container top (2).

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