Reusable plastics container

Abstract

The invention relates to a reusable plastics container, in particular a reusable PET bottle (11), having a side wall (13), a base (15), an opening (21) for filling and emptying the container (1), and a first raised spacer element (27) which is present on the side wall (13) and spaces the side wall (13) apart from adjacent containers. A second raised spacer element (29) is present on the side wall (13) and has a smaller elevation from the side wall (13) than the first spacer element (27).

Description

[0001] Reusable plastic containers

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a reusable plastic container, in particular a reusable PET bottle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Refillable PET bottles collide with neighboring bottles during each reuse cycle, particularly during bottle transport, in the washing system, etc. Neighboring bottles inevitably rub against each other over large areas in the base and shoulder areas (scuffing) when they come into contact during the aforementioned process steps. These friction surfaces are white in color and are therefore unsightly, as the discoloration makes them appear used and dirty.

[0006] Very often, the bottles are still technically usable, but are no longer visually acceptable due to scuffing. Therefore, these bottles are often replaced prematurely, even though their material properties are still flawless and reusable.

[0007] Spacers are known from the prior art that protrude from the bottle shell and space adjacent bottles apart. This limits the contact surfaces of neighboring bottles to the spacers. Although the surface of the spacers turns white due to scuffing, the whitened area is so small that it is not visually disturbing.

[0008] However, these spacer elements are not able to indicate when a reusable bottle reaches the end of its life from the point of view of its material properties, since these elements turn white after just a few reuse cycles and the bottle remains usable for a long time.

[0009] Object of the invention

[0010] The disadvantages of the described prior art give rise to the task of creating a reusable plastic bottle that not only prevents scuffing as much as possible, but also features an indicator that indicates when the bottle should be removed from the recycling cycle. Description

[0011] The stated problem is solved in a reusable plastic container, in particular a reusable PET bottle, by the features stated in the characterizing portion of patent claim 1. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0012] The invention is preferably characterized in that a second raised spacer element is provided on the shell, which has a smaller elevation from the shell than the first spacer element, whereby a difference in elevation exists between the first and the second spacer element. The difference in elevation or the projection of the first spacer element compared to the second spacer element is abraded by scuffing. The first spacer element protects the rest of the container shell from abrasion, which results in an unsightly white discoloration. The surface of the first spacer element that is whitened by friction is, however, so small that it is not visually disturbing. In addition, the first spacer element serves to protect the second spacer element from scuffing as long as a difference in elevation exists. Only when the container reaches the end of its useful life is the projection of the first spacer element abraded orused up, and the second spacer element is no longer protected against scuffing. Accordingly, the second spacer element turns white, serving as a visual indicator that the container should be removed from the reusable recycling system. The white discoloration of the second spacer element is not only visible to the human eye, but also to optical sensors. Therefore, such "used" containers can be removed fully automatically.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second spacer elements are arranged on a shell section which has the greatest transverse or radial extent and is accordingly the area of ​​the shell which comes into contact with adjacent containers. This reliably protects the remaining shell from scuffing. It is also conceivable for the shell to have the shape of a right cylinder, whereby the protective position of the two spacer elements is possible at any point on the shell. It is essential that no other area of ​​the shell has a greater projection than the spacer elements, since this area would inevitably no longer be protected from the undesirable white discoloration of the scuffing. It has proven expedient for the first spacer element to be a ring enclosing the shell by 360 degrees.The ring acts as a protective layer around the casing and is worn evenly due to the statistical probability of contact with neighboring containers. This means that the probability of the ring being particularly severely abrasive in one spot is low.

[0014] It is also advantageous if the second spacer element is a pattern that surrounds the casing 360 degrees, particularly lettering or a logo. This allows the second spacer element to serve advertising, decorative, or informative purposes in addition to its function as a visual wear indicator. The uniform wear and tear or the uniform white color, as described in the last paragraph, also applies to the second spacer element due to its arrangement enclosing the casing.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second spacer elements are formed from the container material during container production. This allows the spacer elements to be manufactured with minimal effort. Preferably, the negative mold of the spacer elements is provided in the mold for container production.

[0016] In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the elevation difference between the first and second spacer elements is selected such that the elevation difference on the first spacer element is abraded when the reusable container reaches the end of its life, whereby the second spacer element also becomes abradable and the second spacer element represents a visual indicator for detecting the end of the reusable container's life. The projection of the first spacer element relative to the second spacer element is therefore used up when the container is no longer suitable for refilling or the reusable cycle. The height of the elevation difference or projection can be determined through tests by measuring the extent of abrasion on the first spacer element when the container has reached the end of its life.

[0017] The elevation difference between the first and second spacer elements is expediently between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, and preferably 0.2 mm. Tests have shown that this elevation difference is abraded by scuffing when the container is to be removed from the reusable cycle. It is understood that the required elevation difference depends on many influencing factors, such as the shape and plastic of the container, and can deviate from 0.2 mm. It has proven expedient for the first spacer element to rise between 0.4 and 0.6 mm, and preferably by 0.5 mm, from the shell surface. This height enables sufficient abrasion protection of the shell surface while using as little plastic as possible.

[0018] Because the second spacer element protrudes between 0.2 and 0.4 mm, and preferably by 0.3 mm, from the shell surface, the protrusion is sufficiently high that the adjacent shell surface is not damaged when the second spacer element is exposed to scuffing. This ensures that the white color resulting from the scuffing is clearly visible. Furthermore, the plastic required for this protrusion is as minimal as possible.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first spacer element is arranged on the shell section with the greatest transverse extent below the second spacer element. This ensures that during many refilling cycles, the first spacer element is worn away first, and subsequently the first and second spacer elements are abraded before the remainder of the shell comes into contact with an adjacent container. It is also conceivable for the first spacer element to be arranged above the second spacer element.

[0020] Advantageously, the width or axial extent of the first spacer element is between 2 and 3 mm. It is also advantageous if the width or axial extent of the second spacer element is between 2 and 3 mm. This dimensioning of the width ensures that the color change to whitish on the surface of the spacer elements is clearly visible. This is particularly important for the second spacer element, as it acts as a visual indicator.

[0021] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. These are not to scale:

[0022] Figure 1 : A side view of a reusable plastic bottle

[0023] Figure 1 shows a reusable plastic container, in particular a reusable PET bottle, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 11. The bottle 11 has a jacket 13, a base 15, and a shoulder region 17 connecting the jacket 13 to a neck 19. The neck 19 encloses an opening 21, which serves for filling and emptying the bottle 11. An external thread 22 can be formed on the neck 19 so that a closure cap can be screwed onto the neck 19.

[0024] The bottle 11 has a jacket section 23 on which the largest diameter 25 or the greatest transverse extent of the bottle 11 lies. A first raised spacer element 27 is formed on this jacket section and encloses the jacket section 23. For example, during bottle transport and during washing of the reusable bottles 11 before refilling, neighboring bottles come into contact and are rubbed against one another. This results in what is known as scuffing, which creates an unsightly white abrasion surface on the jacket 13. The first spacer element 27 protects the jacket 13, and only the first spacer element 27 is abraded upon contact with neighboring bottles, since no other area of ​​the jacket can come into contact with neighboring bottles. However, the first spacer element 27 discolors after just a few contacts and therefore says nothing about the life cycle of the reusable bottle 11.The first spacer element 27 can have various patterns and shapes. It is preferred if the first spacer element is a ring 27 that surrounds the casing section 23 by 360 degrees.

[0025] To provide a visual indicator when the reusable bottle 11 reaches the end of its life, a second raised spacer element 29 is formed in the region of the jacket section 23. The second spacer element 29 can be a pattern or lettering that encloses the jacket section 23 by 360 degrees. The second spacer element 29 has a smaller elevation from the jacket 13 than the first spacer element 27. The elevation difference is preferably 0.2 mm. To achieve this elevation difference, the elevation of the first spacer element 27 is preferably 0.5 mm and the elevation of the second spacer element 29 is preferably 0.3 mm.

[0026] The elevation difference of 0.2mm was determined through numerous tests and has proven to be a suitable indicator of the bottle's end of life. The end of life of a reusable bottle means that the bottle material no longer has the properties to be refilled and placed on the market. For example, the bottle may no longer be leak-tight or its pressure resistance against carbonated drinks may no longer be guaranteed. These are technical reasons that prevent the reusable bottle from being used any further. Another reason that could mean the reusable bottle's end of life is due to cosmetic reasons, such as excessive abrasion or scratches. In this case, reusable bottles are also rejected and can no longer be refilled. If the 0.2mm elevation of the first spacer element 27 has been worn down by scuffing, the reusable bottle has had extensive contact with neighboring bottles.Once this "sacrificial layer" is removed, the second spacer element is also abraded and changes color to white or whitish. This color change serves as a visual indicator that the bottle must be removed from the reusable cycle. This color change is detectable both with the naked eye and by a machine's optical sensors, allowing the bottle to be sorted out fully automatically.

[0027] The second spacer element 29 can be formed above the first spacer element 27 on the shell section 23. Preferably, the spacer elements 27, 29 are formed from the plastic material of the bottle during the bottle's manufacture. The axial extension of the spacer elements 27, 29 is between 2 and 3 mm, which allows a color change to be clearly visible.

[0028] The invention makes it easy to identify when a bottle needs to be sorted out and removed from the reusable cycle. At the same time, the bottle is protected from scuffing.

[0029] Legend:

[0030] 11 reusable plastic containers, reusable PET bottles

[0031] 13 Coat

[0032] 15 Standing floor

[0033] 17 Shoulder area

[0034] 19 Neck

[0035] 21 Opening

[0036] 22 external threads

[0037] 23 Sheath section

[0038] 25 Largest diameter, largest radial extent

[0039] 27 First spacer element, ring

[0040] 29 Second spacer element, lettering, pattern

Claims

1. Reusable plastic container, in particular a reusable PET bottle (11), comprising - a coat (13), - a base (15), - an opening (21) for filling and emptying the container (11) and - a first raised spacer element (27) provided on the casing (13) which spacers the casing (13) from adjacent containers, characterized in that a second raised spacer element (29) is provided on the casing (13) which has a smaller elevation from the casing (13) than the first spacer element (27), whereby there is a difference in elevation between the first and the second spacer element.

2. Reusable container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second spacer elements (27, 29) are arranged on a jacket section (23) which has the greatest transverse or radial extent (25) and is accordingly the area of ​​the jacket (13) which comes into contact with adjacent containers.

3. Reusable container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first spacer element is a ring (27) enclosing the casing (13) by 360 degrees.

4. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second spacer element is a pattern (29) enclosing the casing (13) by 360 degrees, in particular a lettering or a logo.

5. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second spacer elements (27, 29) are formed from the container material during the manufacture of the container (11).

6. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevation difference between the first and the second spacer element (27, 29) is selected such that the elevation difference at the first spacer element (27) is abraded when the reusable container (11) reaches the end of its life, whereby the second spacer element (29) also becomes abradable and the second spacer element (29) represents an optical indicator for detecting the end of the life of the reusable container (11).

7. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevation difference between the first and the second spacer element (27, 29) is between 0.1 and 0.3 mm and preferably 0.2 mm.

8. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spacer element (27) rises between 0.4 and 0.6 mm and preferably by 0.5 mm from the shell surface.

9. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second spacer element (29) rises between 0.2 and 0.4 mm and preferably by 0.3 mm from the jacket surface.

10. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spacer element (27) is arranged on the casing section (23) with the greatest transverse extent below the second spacer element (29).

11. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width or the axial extent of the first spacer element (27) is between 2 and 3 mm.

12. Reusable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width or the axial extent of the second spacer element (29) is between 2 and 3 mm.

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