Alternative production of a container from a sustainable material

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for producing a container from a sustainable material, having the steps of: applying (101) a sustainable material, in particular a fiber-containing material, onto the inner surface of a mold, said inner surface of the mold defining the outer shape of the container to be produced, said applying step (101) taking place over the base of the mold, said base of the mold defining the outer shape of the base of the container to be produced; compressing (102) and / or dewatering the sustainable material applied onto the inner surface of the mold in order to mold the container; and removing the molded container from the mold.

Description

[0001] Alternative production of a container made of sustainable material

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a method for producing a container from sustainable material, as well as a container produced by said method, and a device for producing a container from sustainable material according to said method.

[0004] Given the necessary shift away from fossil packaging materials based on petroleum products, especially plastics, towards sustainable, renewable packaging materials, the processing of sustainable natural fibers in the production of containers in the food and beverage industry is of particular interest.

[0005] For example, it is known to produce containers from a mixture of water and fibers, e.g., plant fibers or wood fibers. Such a mixture can also be referred to as fiber pulp, among other things, with water, in particular, making up the majority of the mixture.

[0006] However, one of the disadvantages of manufacturing containers from sustainable materials, such as fiber pulp, is that conventional manufacturing processes are very complex and prone to failure. For example, conventional manufacturing processes often result in damage to the containers, particularly in the neck or mouth area, which can lead to high reject rates for damaged containers.

[0007] Task

[0008] It is therefore, among other things, an object of the invention to provide a method and a device or means which improve the production of containers from sustainable materials.

[0009] In particular, it is an object of the invention to simplify and make more flexible the production of containers from sustainable materials.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to improve the quality of containers made from sustainable materials and to reduce the rejection rates for damaged or defective containers.

[0011] This is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] For example, an exemplary method described herein for manufacturing a food and beverage container from sustainable material, particularly fibrous material, may comprise one, some, or all of the following steps:

[0014] • applying sustainable material to the inner surface of a mold, the inner surface of the mold defining the outer shape of the container to be produced, and applying it via the bottom of the mold, the bottom of the mold defining the outer shape of the bottom of the container to be produced;

[0015] • optional compression of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container, whereby alternatively or additionally optional dewatering of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container can also take place;

[0016] • Removing the formed container from the mold.

[0017] The optional drainage can be achieved, for example, by blowing excess water out of the container with compressed air and only then removing the container.

[0018] A sustainable material can be understood in particular as renewable and / or recycled natural materials based on plants, e.g. materials containing cellulose or cellulose, e.g. natural fibres such as plant fibres or wood fibres.

[0019] The fibers of an exemplary fibrous material are, in particular, at least partially, plant fibers. Pulp may comprise a suspension of water and fibers. The fibers may comprise lignin, banana leaves, quinine, glass fibers, metal threads, and / or surgical threads. The fibers may, for example, comprise fibers from conifers, deciduous trees, and / or plane trees, and / or from grasses, reeds, and / or bamboo, or the like. Lignin may have a supporting effect on the pulp and may also be suitable for transparent applications. Banana leaves may be suitable for larger containers, such as disposable tableware. Strength can be improved by embedding glass fibers, metal threads, and / or surgical threads.

[0020] The exemplary sustainable material can, for example, be in the form of fibers and / or flakes and / or particles.

[0021] In particular, the sustainable material may comprise a mixture of fibers and / or flakes or particles, in particular a mixture of fibers and / or flakes and / or particles.

[0022] However, it is also conceivable that said sustainable material may also contain portions of non-sustainable materials, e.g. synthetic fibers or metallic fibers or non-sustainable coatings.

[0023] A container made of sustainable material can be understood in particular to mean that the majority of the container material consists of sustainable material(s). It is therefore not excluded that a container manufactured according to the process steps described herein may also contain portions of non-sustainable materials, e.g., synthetic fibers or metallic fibers.

[0024] The application of sustainable material to the inner surface of the mold can be understood as a flow or an inflow or an injection or an injection or a blowing or a suction of the sustainable material into the inner surface of the mold.

[0025] As mentioned, the sustainable material may comprise a mixture of fibers and / or flakes and / or particles.

[0026] In particular, the sustainable material may be a water-containing or aqueous suspension, which may comprise a mixture of fibers and / or flakes and / or particles.

[0027] For example, the sustainable material can be understood as a mixture of substances or a suspension with a liquid content, e.g., water content, of more than 50% (weight or mass fraction), whereby the mixture of substances or the suspension can contain a proportion of said fibers and / or flakes and / or particles made of sustainable material. Said sustainable material, in particular said fiber-containing material, can therefore also be referred to below as pulp or slurry or fiber pulp.

[0028] However, it is also conceivable that when applying the sustainable material to the inner surface of a mold, the sustainable material is initially dry, ie it is not applied as a pulp, but is only wetted or sprayed or sprayed with a liquid in a later process step to crosslink the applied material in the mold.

[0029] A dry sustainable material can be understood, for example, as a sustainable material with no water content or with a water content of less than 50% (weight or mass fraction) or with a water content of less than 10% (weight or mass fraction).

[0030] A container can, for example, be understood to mean a bottle. However, the term "container" can also include general packaging used in the food and beverage industry.

[0031] The term compression can be understood to mean, among other things, pressing and / or squeezing, in particular, for example, pressing or squeezing the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold or the container material.

[0032] The said shaping of the container can be understood herein to mean, inter alia, that the container has completely or at least partially assumed the desired container shape, at least partially predetermined by the inner surface of the mold.

[0033] In other words, it is not excluded that the container, after being removed from the mold, can be subjected to further processing steps, e.g. drying steps, for the final shaping of the container.

[0034] Drying the container, e.g., by heated air or heated compressed air, or by infrared / microwave treatment, is particularly possible both while the container is still in the mold, i.e., before the removal step, and / or after the container has been removed from the mold. Flowing the sustainable material through the bottom of the mold facilitates flow, as it does not have to flow through the narrow upper part of the mold, which forms the container mouth.

[0035] The flow described here as an example can be understood, among other things, as a flow against the direction of gravity.

[0036] Internal tests have shown that flow through the orifice is fraught with difficulties, as the flow velocity is fastest here and material / pulp can be deposited with greater difficulty. These difficulties are overcome by the process described here.

[0037] Flowing the sustainable material / pulp over the widest part of the mold or the container to be produced also enables a more even pulp distribution, improved formation and shaping of the container mouth, so that containers of better quality can be produced and, for example, the number of containers with defective or damaged mouths can be reduced.

[0038] In addition, the flow of the sustainable material through the bottom of the mold allows other components or materials to be introduced into the mold or container at the same time via the upper end of the mold.

[0039] The upper end of the mold is therefore not blocked during the flow.

[0040] For example, the mold may be provided with a mouthpiece or mouthpiece and / or inflatable means, e.g. an inflatable balloon or an inflatable bag / pouch or an inflatable preform, may be brought into the mold via the upper end of the mold to carry out and / or assist in the compression of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container.

[0041] The mouthpiece can, for example, have a thread for a screw cap, whereby the mouthpiece / mouthpiece including the thread can be made of a sustainable material or can contain a sustainable material. In particular, the mouthpiece can be made of the same material as the sustainable material, which can be applied via the bottom of the mold to the inner surface of the mold. The application can include the sustainable material flowing in or onto the inner surface of the mold via the bottom of the mold. Furthermore, the application or the flow of the sustainable material onto the inner surface of the mold enables a positive connection to the possibly inserted components.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, in addition to the form fit, a chemical connection, e.g. in the form of hydrogen bonds, can be created between the applied / flown sustainable material and components / parts introduced into the mold.

[0043] In particular, for example, by applying or by flowing in the sustainable material, a chemical connection, e.g. in the form of hydrogen bonds, can be created or produced between the flowing in / on sustainable material and the said possible mouthpiece / orifice.

[0044] Since, for example, said mouthpiece can consist entirely or at least partially of sustainable material, a chemical connection, e.g. in the form of hydrogen bonds, can be established between the mouthpiece and the oncoming / incoming sustainable material, e.g. between the possible fibers of the oncoming / incoming sustainable material and the possible fibers of the mouthpiece.

[0045] In other words, before the application of the sustainable material, a mouthpiece for the container can be introduced into the mold and, by means of the application, a positive connection can be created between the applied sustainable material and the mouthpiece, so that a container with a mouthpiece can be produced, wherein the mouthpiece can comprise a thread for a screw cap and wherein the mouthpiece can consist at least partially of a sustainable material, e.g. of the same sustainable material as the applied sustainable material.

[0046] Said components or agents no longer need to be subsequently inserted into the mold or container, which can lead to damage, for example, in a wet pulp container.

[0047] Likewise, components that can be inserted into the mold or container can have a larger diameter than the upper end of the mold or the mouth of the container and still be used. For example, inflatable elements such as an inflatable balloon, inflatable bag, or inflatable preform can be inserted into the mold before the sustainable material is applied to the inner surface of the mold, i.e. before the sustainable material / pulp flows in. An inflatable bag, pouch, or balloon could also be pulled together using a vacuum or protrude from the upper end of the mold to create more space for the sustainable material / pulp.

[0048] By introducing the sustainable material / pulp through the bottom, the upper end of the mold or the opening or mouth of the container is free and can therefore accommodate an inflatable device, e.g. balloon / pouch or bladder or preform, or a mouthpiece or a simple end piece of any shape, e.g. for the formation / shaping of special container shapes and surfaces, e.g. a sealing surface, even during the flow / introduction of the sustainable material / pulp.

[0049] An inflatable device, e.g. balloon / pouch or bladder or preform, can also be pre-tempered, e.g. heated, inserted into the mold if required and can also contain a heating mandrel, for example, so that the inflation process can be simplified.

[0050] The application of sustainable material / pulp to the inner surface of a mold can be carried out via the bottom of the mold, in particular via at least one opening in the bottom of the mold.

[0051] Said at least one opening in the bottom of the mold can be opened or released and / or closed optionally via a closure element or via a closing element.

[0052] Here, the term "sealed" can also be understood as a state in which it is not impossible for excess liquid to penetrate the closure element and be discharged from the mold. In other words, the closure element does not necessarily completely seal the bottom of the mold, but can be partially permeable, for example, forming part of a possible sieve structure of the mold bottom.

[0053] The bottom of the mold can be designed as a sieve bottom. The bottom of the mold, e.g., the sieve bottom of the mold, can be designed in multiple parts. The bottom of the mold, e.g., the sieve bottom of the mold, can, for example, have a fixed, non-movable part and a movable part, wherein the closure element can be part of the movable part of the bottom of the mold. Said at least one opening in the bottom of the mold can be opened or closed by moving the closure element, in particular, for example, by moving the closure element relative to the mold.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, the opening in the bottom of the mold can be opened or closed by moving the mold, in particular for example by moving the mold relative to the closure element, wherein for example the closure element can be stationary.

[0055] The possible movement of the closure element and / or the possible movement of the mold can in particular be a vertical lifting movement, e.g., a lifting movement parallel to the direction of gravity, in particular against and / or in the direction of gravity. In other words, the possible movement of the closure element and / or the possible movement of the mold can be toward or away from the container.

[0056] In addition to the aforementioned possible lifting movement of the mold, the mold may have movable side parts which can open the mold so that the molded container can be removed from the mold.

[0057] Said compression of the sustainable material, e.g. pulp, applied to the inner surface of the mold can be carried out by flowing / introducing a pressurized fluid, e.g. a liquid, e.g. water or another liquid medium, or a gaseous medium, e.g. compressed air or carbon dioxide gas, against the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container.

[0058] The pressure of the said exemplary fluid, with which the sustainable material, e.g. pulp, applied to the inner surface of the mold can be compressed, can be, for example, 0.1 to 20.0 bar or more.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the compression of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold can be achieved by inflating an inflatable means inserted into the mold or by a component inserted into the mold.

[0060] The exemplary component or inflatable means can be, for example, an inflatable balloon, an inflatable bladder, an inflatable bag / pouch, or an inflatable preform. Inflation of the inflatable means can also be achieved by introducing a pressurized fluid, in particular a gaseous medium, e.g., compressed air or carbon dioxide gas.

[0061] It is also conceivable that the inflatable device could be inflated by introducing a pressurized liquid, such as water. The pressure of said pressurized liquid could also be, for example, 0.1 to 20.0 bar or more.

[0062] It is also conceivable that with the optional possible use of an inflatable part or means, such as said inflatable balloon or an inflatable bladder or an inflatable bag or an inflatable pouch or an inflatable preform, the inflatable means or part remains in the molded container after inflation and can form an inner coating of the container, which can act, for example, as a barrier layer.

[0063] The ability to form an effective barrier layer in this simple way is particularly advantageous in the production of containers for the food and beverage industry in order to better meet the high requirements for hygiene and durability.

[0064] However, the method described above and herein by way of example can also be carried out entirely without the use of an inflatable means, i.e. without the use of a balloon or a bladder or a bag or a preform.

[0065] Furthermore, during and / or after compression of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container, excess sustainable material and / or excess liquid, e.g. excess water, can be drained via the bottom of the mold, e.g. via a sieve in the bottom of the mold.

[0066] For this purpose, at least part of the bottom of the mold can be designed as a sieve or have a sieve structure.

[0067] Excess liquid, such as excess water or moisture, can also escape through the mold walls, e.g., via channels or openings in the mold walls. The collected excess sustainable material and / or excess liquid can be reused, for example, in the production of another container.

[0068] This potential reuse can conserve energy and material resources and improve the energy efficiency of container production.

[0069] As mentioned, the bottom of the mold can be designed at least partially as a sieve, whereby the sustainable material / pulp can be introduced / flowed into the mold / container through the sieve and can also be drained / flowed out again.

[0070] Before the application / flow process of sustainable material / pulp onto the inner surface of the mold begins, the mold, e.g. the mold halves and possibly other components, such as balloon / bladder / preform / pouch / mouthpiece, can be brought into position.

[0071] When the application / flow of the sustainable material / pulp begins over the bottom of the mold, e.g. via the aforementioned opening in the bottom of the mold, the container wall can continue to develop due to the deposition of the sustainable material / pulp on the inner surface of the mold until it reaches the upper end of the mold / at the neck.

[0072] Excess sustainable material / pulp or excess water can be separated through the bottom of the mold, which can partly be designed as a sieve mold / sieve.

[0073] The separation can be effected, for example, by vacuum application and / or the pressing force of the inflatable means or by a simple pressure gradient across said opening and / or across said sieve structure of the bottom of the mold.

[0074] Once this process is complete, the opening in the bottom of the mold can be closed, for example, before the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold is optionally compressed to form the container.

[0075] It should be emphasized again at this point that said compression is purely optional. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible, for example, to simply dewater the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold before removing the molded container from the mold. This possible dewatering can be achieved, for example, by blowing out excess water with compressed air.

[0076] For example, if a nozzle is located at the top of the mold, this can enable a positive connection to the introduced sustainable material / pulp. In particular, by allowing the sustainable material / pulp to flow over the bottom of the mold, a positive connection can be achieved more easily.

[0077] For this purpose, the possible mouthpiece can, for example, have a ring with recesses or other toothing options so that a positive connection to the sustainable material / pulp can be possible at the upper end of the mold / at the neck.

[0078] If, for example, an inflatable material such as a balloon / bladder / preform / pouch is located in the mold, this can now press or squeeze the sustainable material / pulp against the inner surface of the mold during the compression process with high pressure, e.g. with a pressure of 0.1 to 20 bar or more, to form the container.

[0079] After the compression / pressing process, the pressure in the container / the internal pressure of the container can be reduced to such an extent that the container still contains an internal pressure that does not destroy the free wet / moist container, but still provides enough pressure to prevent shrinkage during possible drying.

[0080] For example, if drying is carried out from the outside, e.g. by hot air / infrared / microwave etc., an internal pressure can be applied to prevent the container from shrinking.

[0081] The internal pressure of the container can be maintained, for example, by means of a bell jar or by temporarily closing the container under pressure.

[0082] For example, with a bell jar attached, the internal pressure of the container can be varied depending on the degree of drying or reduced to ambient pressure.

[0083] However, it is also conceivable that the solidification or drying of the container takes place only passively, ie the container remains in the mold for a predetermined period of time before being removed from the mold until it is sufficiently dried, whereby the moisture or the excess liquid can escape via the mold, for example via the bottom of the mold, e.g. via said opening or via said sieve structure.

[0084] After the container has been dried, further process steps such as filling and closing the container can be carried out.

[0085] Process steps described above and herein as examples enable environmentally friendly and energy-efficient production of a container, e.g. a bottle, from sustainable material, whereby an improved container quality can be achieved compared to known processes, in particular with regard to the quality and stability of the shape of the container, in particular in the neck area or mouth area of ​​the container.

[0086] An exemplary device for producing a container from sustainable material according to one of the possible method steps described above may, for example, comprise some or all of the following components:

[0087] • A multi-part mold, wherein the inner surface of the mold defines the outer shape of the container to be produced, wherein the multi-part mold comprises a bottom which defines the outer shape of the bottom of the container to be produced, and wherein the bottom can have at least one opening.

[0088] • A closure element / closing element which is configured to selectively release or open or close the at least one opening in the bottom of the mold.

[0089] • At least one supply line for supplying sustainable material / pulp to the inner surface of the mold via the at least one opening in the bottom of the mold.

[0090] • At least one supply line for supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold to compress the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container and / or for supplying a pressurized gaseous fluid, e.g., compressed air, into the mold to dewater the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container, wherein, e.g., excess water is blown out of the container with compressed air. Said exemplary closure element and / or the mold can be movable and, in particular, be designed to perform a vertical lifting movement to selectively release, open, or close said at least one opening in the base of the mold.

[0091] Said exemplary closure element can be designed, for example, as a valve or plug.

[0092] As already mentioned, the bottom of the mold or at least a part of the bottom of the mold can be designed as a sieve bottom or comprise a sieve structure.

[0093] The bottom of the mold can, for example, comprise both a sieve structure, e.g. a fixed / non-movable sieve structure, and a movable closure element, wherein the movable closure element itself can have a sieve structure.

[0094] The device may further comprise at least one discharge line for discharging excess sustainable material / excess pulp and / or excess liquid, e.g. excess water, for discharging excess sustainable material / excess pulp and / or excess liquid via the bottom of the mold, e.g. via the possible sieve structure and / or the opening of the bottom of the mold.

[0095] The device may further comprise an inflatable means, e.g. an inflatable balloon or an inflatable bladder or an inflatable bag / pouch or an inflatable preform.

[0096] The device can be designed to introduce the inflatable means into the mold and to inflate the inflatable means to compress the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container.

[0097] The device may further comprise a mouthpiece configured to form a positive connection with the part of the mold designed to form the mouth of the container, and wherein the mouthpiece may accommodate at least a portion of the supply line for supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold to compress the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container. The device may further comprise some or all of the device features described above in the context of the description of the manufacturing method.

[0098] The device can be controlled by an internal or external control unit and can carry out all the process steps described above and below fully automatically.

[0099] The following figures serve only to illustrate some technical aspects and possible features of the method steps and the device described above.

[0100] Fig.1 : Example process diagram

[0101] Fig.2a: Exemplary device in an exemplary first process step

[0102] Fig.2b: Exemplary device in an exemplary second process step

[0103] Fig.2c: Exemplary device in an exemplary third process step

[0104] Fig.2d: Exemplary device in an exemplary fourth method step

[0105] Fig.2e: Exemplary device in an exemplary fifth method step

[0106] Fig.2f: Exemplary device in an exemplary sixth method step

[0107] Fig.2g: Exemplary device in an exemplary seventh process step

[0108] Fig.2h: Example container in an example eighth process step

[0109] Fig.1 shows an exemplary flow chart for an exemplary method 100 for producing a container from sustainable material.

[0110] The said procedure includes the following exemplary possible procedural steps.

[0111] An application 101 of sustainable material / pulp to the inner surface of a mold, wherein the inner surface of the mold defines the outer shape of the container to be produced, and wherein the application is carried out via the bottom of the mold, wherein the bottom of the mold defines the outer shape of the bottom of the container to be produced.

[0112] An optional compression 102 of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container and a removal 103 of the formed container from the mold.

[0113] Alternatively or additionally, optional dewatering of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold can also be performed to form the container. Before and / or after removal, the container can also be dried, as described above, e.g., by heated air or heated compressed air, or by infrared treatment / microwave treatment, laser irradiation, or similar.

[0114] Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2g show, by way of example, the same exemplary device 200 for producing a container from sustainable material, wherein the device can be configured to carry out some or all of the method steps described above.

[0115] The device 200 comprises, for example, a multi-part mold 201, e.g. with mold halves 201a, 201b and base 203, the inner surface 201c of which determines the outer shape of the container to be produced.

[0116] The exemplary bottom 203 of the mold 201 can, for example, at least partially have a sieve structure. The bottom 203 can therefore be designed as a sieve bottom.

[0117] The exemplary sieve bottom 203 can have, in addition to a fixed component 203a, a closure element 203b, which can release an opening 203c in the bottom 203 by a lifting movement and can initiate a flow process of sustainable material / pulp 204 into the mold 201.

[0118] The bottom 203 of the mold 201 can therefore be formed by the component 203, an exemplary fixed, immovable part, and the movable closure element 203b.

[0119] The device 200 may have an end piece 205 which is connectable to an inflatable means 202, e.g. balloon or bladder or bag / pouch or preform / preform (shown), and can enable a positive connection with the upper end of the mold or with the inflatable means 202, so that the upper end 212 of the mold or the container mouth can be sealed.

[0120] The exemplary end piece 205 can accommodate at least part of an exemplary supply line 205a for supplying a pressurized fluid, e.g., compressed air, into the mold to compress the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container. For example, inflatable means 202 connectable to the end piece 205 can be inflated with compressed air via the supply line 205a. Reference numeral 206 denotes, by way of example, a support ring for holding the inflatable means 202 or the container to be produced.

[0121] The reference number 219 indicates, by way of example, a possible mouthpiece, by way of example with a thread, which, by way of example, can be made at least partially of sustainable material.

[0122] As explained above, the exemplary mouthpiece 219 may be inserted into the mold 201 prior to applying the sustainable material.

[0123] By applying the material, a positive connection can then be established between the applied sustainable material and the mouthpiece 219, so that a container 216 with a mouthpiece can be produced, wherein the mouthpiece 219 can comprise a thread for a screw cap and wherein the mouthpiece 219 can consist at least partially of a sustainable material, e.g. of the same sustainable material as the applied sustainable material.

[0124] Since, for example, said mouthpiece 219 may consist entirely or at least partially of sustainable material, a chemical connection, e.g. in the form of hydrogen bonds, may be established between the mouthpiece and the oncoming / incoming sustainable material, e.g. between the possible fibers of the oncoming / incoming sustainable material and the possible fibers of the mouthpiece 219.

[0125] Instead of the optional exemplary mouthpiece 219, however, the container can also be provided with any closure part or end part (not shown), wherein a positive connection can also be established between said possible closure part or end part and the applied material, wherein in this example the positive connection can also be effected via a chemical connection, e.g. in the form of hydrogen bonds.

[0126] For example, the container 216 could have a flat closure member or end portion (not shown) that could be sealed.

[0127] The reference numeral 203e indicates, by way of example, a possible discharge line for discharging excess sustainable material / excess pulp and / or excess liquid, e.g., excess water, via the bottom 203 of the mold 201, wherein the discharge line 203 may, by way of example, be part of the movable closure element 203b.

[0128] The exemplary movable closure element 203b is designed as a valve or plug, for example, and the discharge line 203e is, for example, a possible part of an exemplary movable rod 203d, e.g., a valve rod, via which the closure element 203b can perform a vertical lifting movement.

[0129] The reference numeral 211 denotes, by way of example, a supply line for supplying sustainable material / pulp to the inner surface 201c of the mold 201 via the bottom 203 of the mold 201, in particular via at least one opening 203c in the bottom 203, wherein the opening 203c of the bottom 203 can be opened via the closure element 203b.

[0130] The figures Fig. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2g show the device 200 by way of example in various possible method steps / possible configurations / possible operating states in chronological order.

[0131] For the sake of clarity, however, not all reference numerals of Fig. 2a of the device 200 are shown in the figures Fig. 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2g.

[0132] Fig. 2a shows the device in an exemplary configuration / in an exemplary method step in which parts of the mold 201, e.g. the mold halves 201a, 201b, and / or the mouthpiece / endpiece 205 and / or the inflatable means 202 are brought into a working position, wherein e.g. the inflatable means 202 is introduced into the interior of the mold.

[0133] The arrows in Fig. 2a represent an exemplary movement of the mold halves 201a, 201b for closing the mold 201.

[0134] Fig. 2b shows the device in an exemplary configuration / in an exemplary process step in which the application of sustainable material / pulp to the inner surface 201c of the mold 201, ie the flow of the sustainable material / pulp over the bottom 203 of the mold 201, takes place.

[0135] By way of example, it is shown that the exemplary vertical lifting movement of the exemplary closure element 203b can release the exemplary opening 203c in the bottom 203 of the mold 201, so that the sustainable material / pulp can flow into the mold 201 via the bottom 203 of the mold.

[0136] The reference number 207 indicates an exemplary flow direction of the sustainable material / pulp into the mold / onto the inner surface 201c of the mold 201.

[0137] For example, reference numeral 209 indicates arrows illustrating the flow pressure of the sustainable material / pulp onto the inner surface 201c of the mold 201.

[0138] For example, reference numeral 210 indicates arrows which illustrate that excess liquid or moisture can penetrate / diffuse through the walls of the mold 203.

[0139] As the sustainable material / pulp flows in, the mouthpiece / endpiece 205 can simultaneously be pressed against the inflatable means 202 and / or against the upper end 212 of the mold 201.

[0140] The reference number 208, for example, indicates the pressing direction of the end piece 205.

[0141] Fig. 2c shows the device 200 in an exemplary configuration / in an exemplary process step in which the sustainable material / pulp 204 has flowed into the mold 201 up to the upper end 212 of the mold 201.

[0142] Fig. 2d shows the device 200 in an exemplary configuration / in an exemplary process step in which the compression of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold begins to form the container.

[0143] In this step, the movable closure element 203b is again in a position in which it closes the opening 203 in the bottom 203 of the mold.

[0144] In the example shown, the compression of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container takes place by inflating the inflatable means 202, here the preform, wherein a pressurized fluid, e.g., compressed air or another gaseous or liquid medium, can be fed into the inflatable means 202 via the mouthpiece 205. Alternatively, however, it is possible to dispense with an inflatable means 202 entirely and simply feed a pressurized fluid 202a, e.g., compressed air or another gaseous or liquid medium, into the mold 201 via the mouthpiece 205 in order to compress the sustainable material / pulp applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container and / or to dewater the container, for example by blowing out excess water using a pressurized gaseous medium, e.g., compressed air.

[0145] The pressurized fluid 202a can have a pressure between 0.1 and 20 bar or higher.

[0146] The reference numeral 213 indicates, for example, the inflow direction of the pressurized fluid 202a.

[0147] For example, reference numeral 214 indicates arrows that illustrate the compression pressure acting on the sustainable material / pulp.

[0148] For example, the reference numeral 210 indicates arrows which illustrate the possible drainage of excess liquid / moisture via the bottom 203 of the mold.

[0149] Fig. 2e shows the device 200 in an exemplary configuration / in an exemplary process step in which all parts / all areas of the sustainable material / pulp applied to the inner surface of the mold 201 are compressed to form the container 216 and a maximum compression pressure / pressing pressure, illustrated by the arrows 215, acts on the sustainable material / pulp 204 applied to the inner surface of the mold 201.

[0150] The inflatable means 202 can form an inner coating 217 of the container 216, ie can be left in the container, ie can become part of the container 216.

[0151] Fig. 2f shows the device 200 in an exemplary configuration / in an exemplary method step in which the pressure prevailing in the container 216 / in the inflatable means 202 / in the mold 201 can be relieved. For example, the introduced, pressurized fluid 202a can escape via the mouthpiece 205, as indicated by the arrow 213a. Fig. 2f shows the device 200 in an exemplary configuration I in an exemplary method step in which the sustainable material / pulp 204 applied to the inner surface of the mold 201 is sufficiently compressed / pressed, the container 216 is formed, and the mold 201, e.g., the mold halves 201a, 201b, is opened, as illustrated by the arrows.

[0152] Fig. 2h shows, by way of example, the container 216 produced by the device 200, which container hangs, for example, on an exemplary support ring 206 and is, for example, still connected or closed to the end piece 205 and is dried from the outside, e.g. by hot air.

[0153] The arrows 218 indicate, by way of example, the drying effected from the outside on the container, e.g. hot air or drying by irradiation with microwave radiation or infrared wave irradiation and / or laser irradiation.

[0154] The possible closure of the container 216 by the end piece 205 can, among other things, facilitate the application of an exemplary internal pressure in the container in order to avoid undesired shrinkage of the container due to drying.

[0155] After sufficient drying, the container 216 can be removed from the device 200 or from the support ring 206 and then fed to further processing steps, e.g. filling and / or labeling and / or coating.

[0156] For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out again that the possibility of the inflatable agent 202 remaining in the container as an internal coating is purely optional.

[0157] It is also possible that the inflatable means 202 can be removed from the mold 201 and thus from the container via the upper end 212 or via the container mouth after the sustainable material / pulp applied to the inner surface 201c of the mold 201 has been compressed to form the container.

[0158] For example, the inflatable means 202 can be an inflatable balloon or an inflatable bladder or an inflatable bag / pouch, which, after inflation and compression of the sustainable material / pulp applied to the inner surface 201c of the mold 201, can be deflated and removed via the upper end 212 or via the container mouth. It is also conceivable that the compression of the sustainable material / pulp applied to the inner surface 201c of the mold 201 to form the container takes place entirely without the inflatable means 202.

[0159] Instead of using an inflatable means 202, a pressurized fluid, e.g. a liquid or a gaseous medium, can be introduced into the mold, for example via the mouthpiece / endpiece 205 or via any other shaped mouthpiece / endpiece, to compress the sustainable material / pulp 204 applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container 216.

[0160] The following are the figures Fig. 1, Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, Fig. 2c, Fig. 2d, Fig. 2e, Fig. 2h, Fig. 2g and Fig. 2h.

[0161] The reference symbols are used as examples as follows.

[0162] 100 Exemplary procedure

[0163] 101 , 102, 103 Example procedural steps

[0164] 200 Example device

[0165] 201 Exemplary form

[0166] 201a Example mold half

[0167] 201 b Example mold half

[0168] 201c Example inner surface of the mold

[0169] 202 Example inflatable means, e.g. preform, balloon, bladder, bag / pouch 202a Example pressurized fluid, e.g. liquid or gaseous medium

[0170] 203 Example soil, e.g. sieve soil

[0171] 203a Example of a fixed, immovable part of the floor 203

[0172] 203b Exemplary movable closure element, exemplary valve

[0173] 203c Example opening in the bottom of mold 201

[0174] 203d Exemplary movable rod, e.g. valve rod, via which the closure element 203b can perform a vertical lifting movement

[0175] 203e Example of a discharge line for the removal of excess sustainable material / excess pulp and / or excess liquid

[0176] 204 Exemplary sustainable material / pulp

[0177] 205 Example end piece

[0178] 205a Example supply line for supplying a pressurized fluid

[0179] 206 Example support ring Example flow direction of the sustainable material / pulp, e.g. against the direction of gravity Example pressing direction / pressing movement of the mouthpiece / end piece Example flow pressure of the sustainable material / pulp Example of excess liquid / moisture escaping via the mold b Example of excess liquid / moisture escaping via the mold, discharged through the discharge line 203e Example feed line for feeding sustainable material / pulp, e.g. L-shaped Example upper end of the mold Example inflow direction of the pressurized fluid 202a Example direction of action of the building up compression pressure / pressing pressure Example direction(s) of action of the compression pressure / pressing pressure Example container Example inner coating Example drying of the container from the outside, e.g.by heated air / hot air Example of a mouthpiece, example with thread, example of a mouthpiece made of sustainable material.

Claims

Claims 1. A method (100) for producing a container from sustainable material, comprising: Applying (101) sustainable material, in particular fibrous material, to the inner surface of a mold, wherein the inner surface of the mold defines the outer shape of the container to be produced, and wherein the application (101) is carried out via the bottom of the mold, wherein the bottom of the mold defines the outer shape of the bottom of the container to be produced; compressing (102) and / or dewatering the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container; Removing the formed container from the mold.

2. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sustainable material comprises a mixture of fibers and / or flakes and / or particles, wherein in particular the sustainable material is a water-containing suspension, e.g. a pulp, which comprises a mixture of fibers and / or flakes and / or particles.

3. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application (101) of sustainable material to the inner surface of a mold takes place via an opening in the bottom of the mold, wherein the opening in the bottom of the mold can be opened or closed via a closure element.

4. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the opening in the bottom of the mold is opened or closed by moving the closure element and / or wherein the opening in the bottom of the mold is opened or closed by moving the mold.

5. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the movement of the closure element and / or the movement of the mold is a vertical lifting movement.

6. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compression (102) of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold is effected by flowing a pressurized fluid, e.g. a liquid and / or a gaseous medium, against the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container, or wherein the compression (102) of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold is carried out by inflating an inflatable means introduced into the mold, wherein the inflatable means can be e.g. an inflatable balloon or an inflatable bag or an inflatable preform.

7. The method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the compression (102) of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold is carried out by inflating an inflatable means introduced into the mold, and the inflatable means, e.g. an inflatable balloon or an inflatable bag or an inflatable preform, remains in the molded container after inflation and forms an inner lining of the container.

8. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during and / or after compression (102) of the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container, excess sustainable material and / or excess liquid, e.g., excess water, can be drained off via the bottom of the mold, e.g., via a sieve in the bottom of the mold; and / or wherein, prior to application (101) of the sustainable material, a mouthpiece (219) for the container is introduced into the mold, and the application (101) creates a positive connection between the applied sustainable material and the mouthpiece (219), wherein the mouthpiece (219) can comprise a thread for a screw cap, and wherein the mouthpiece can be at least partially made of a sustainable material, e.g., of the same sustainable material as the applied sustainable material.

9. Container (216) manufactured by a method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Device (200) for producing a container (216) from sustainable material (204), in particular fibrous material, according to one of the preceding method claims, comprising: a multi-part mold (201), wherein the inner surface (201c) of the mold defines the outer shape of the container to be produced, wherein the multi-part mold comprises a bottom which defines the outer shape of the bottom of the container to be produced, and wherein the bottom has at least one opening; a closure element which is configured to selectively open or close the at least one opening in the bottom of the mold; at least one supply line for supplying sustainable material to the inner surface of the mold via the at least one opening; and at least one supply line for supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold for compressing (102) the sustainable material (204) applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container and / or for supplying a pressurized gaseous fluid, e.g.Compressed air into the mold to dewater the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container.

11. Device (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein the closure element and / or the mold are movable and are designed to perform a vertical lifting movement for selectively opening or closing the opening in the bottom of the mold.

12. Device (200) according to one of the preceding device claims, wherein the closure element is designed as a valve or plug and / or wherein a part of the bottom of the mold is designed as a sieve.

13. Device (200) according to one of the preceding device claims, further comprising at least one discharge line for discharging excess sustainable material and / or excess liquid, e.g. excess water, via the bottom of the mold.

14. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding apparatus claims, further comprising an inflatable means, e.g. an inflatable balloon or an inflatable bag or an inflatable preform, and wherein the apparatus (200) is adapted to introduce the inflatable means into the mold and to inflate the inflatable means to compress (102) the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container.

15. Device (200) according to one of the preceding device claims, further comprising an end piece which is designed to produce a positive connection with the part of the mold which is designed to form the mouth of the container, and wherein the end piece can receive at least a part of the supply line for supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold for compressing (102) the sustainable material applied to the inner surface of the mold to form the container.

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