Pouring device for a bottle-shaped container, bottle-shaped container, and method for producing a bottle-shaped container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pouring device (16) for a bottle-shaped container (10), wherein the bottle-shaped container (10) consists of paper or cardboard, the pouring device comprising a connecting sleeve (18) for connecting to an open end of a bottle neck (14) of the container (10) and also comprising a pouring spout (20) for emptying container contents, wherein the pouring spout (20) can be connected to the connecting sleeve and, on its inner circumference, the connecting sleeve (18) has at least one clamping jaw (28) for receiving an end of the bottle neck (14) such that the end of the bottle neck (14) ends up located between an inner lateral surface (38) and the clamping jaw (28), in a corresponding clamping mount (40). The invention also relates to a bottle-shaped container (10) and to a method for producing a bottle-shaped container (10).

Description

[0001] Pouring device for a bottle-shaped container, bottle-shaped container and method for producing a bottle-shaped container

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to a pouring device for a bottle-shaped container, wherein the bottle-shaped container is made of paper or cardboard. The invention also relates to a bottle-shaped container and a method for producing a bottle-shaped container.

[0004] Bottle-shaped or bottle-like containers made of paper or cardboard are known in a wide variety. For example, CA 210195 A1 already describes a cardboard bottle whose body and neck are made from a single blank. In addition, a separately formed base element is connected to the bottle body. The same applies to DE 569275 C, US 1 310 117 B1, JP 3240041 A, and US 2 267 993 B1. A wide variety of plastic pouring devices are used to pour the contents of the container. In particular, the known pouring devices are glued or welded to the bottle-shaped container and, in particular, to an open end of the neck of the container.

[0005] A disadvantage of these known solutions, however, is that the adhesive bond between the paper or cardboard of the bottle-shaped container and the plastic pouring device cannot be removed or can only be removed with great difficulty. This makes sorted recycling and thus correct sorting and disposal by the consumer after use of these containers very difficult or simply not possible. Pouring devices with the features of the preamble of claim 1 are known from EP 0 909 718 A1, US 1 100 448 A and US 2023 / 226791 A1. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pouring device for a bottle-shaped container made of paper or cardboard, a bottle-shaped container and a method for producing a bottle-shaped container, which ensure simple and sorted separation of the different materials of the bottle-shaped container and the pouring device.

[0006] These objects are achieved by means of a pouring device having the features of claim 1, a method having the features of claim 10, and a bottle-shaped container having the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the inventive objects are described in the respective subclaims. Advantageous embodiments of the pouring device are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the bottle-shaped container and of the method for producing a bottle-shaped container, and vice versa.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a pouring device for a bottle-shaped container, wherein the bottle-shaped container is made of paper or cardboard, comprising a connecting sleeve for connection to an open end of a bottle neck of the container and a pouring spout for emptying the contents of the container. The pouring spout is connectable to the connecting sleeve, wherein the connecting sleeve has at least one clamping jaw on its inner circumference for receiving an end of the bottle neck, such that the end of the bottle neck comes to lie between an inner circumferential surface of the connecting sleeve and the clamping jaw in a corresponding clamping receptacle. This ensures, on the one hand, that the bottle neck of the bottle-shaped container is securely clamped to the connecting sleeve.On the other hand, the connecting sleeve and the connected pouring spout can be removed from the bottle neck after use of the bottle-shaped container with relatively little effort, since these elements are not glued together. This makes it easy to separate the different materials of the bottle-shaped container and the pouring device. Such pouring devices are usually made of plastic, metal, or a metal alloy. The elements of the pouring device described in the present invention, namely the connecting sleeve and the pouring spout, can also be made of plastic, in particular of plastic injection-molded elements and / or plastic molded elements, of metal, a metal alloy, ceramic, wood, or a combination of these materials.What is crucial in the present invention is that the pouring device according to the invention is arranged exclusively by means of a clamping action on the bottle-shaped container, in particular on the open end of the bottle neck.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the pouring device according to the invention, the pouring spout comprises an at least partially circumferential clamping collar for exerting pressure on the clamping jaw when the pouring device is assembled. This ensures a secure clamping connection between the pouring spout and, in particular, the connecting sleeve of the pouring spout and the bottle neck of the bottle-shaped container. Additional application or use of adhesive is not necessary.

[0009] In further advantageous embodiments of the pouring device according to the invention, the connecting sleeve and the pouring spout can be connected to one another by means of a snap-in, clamp-in, plug-in, or screw-in connection. These types of connection make it possible to dispense with an adhesive connection between the connecting sleeve and the pouring spout. In addition, the pouring device can be disassembled easily and without excessive force after use of the bottle-shaped container. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the connecting sleeve comprises at least one locking lug for locking into a locking receptacle formed in the pouring spout. In this case, the locking lug can be provided, for example, on the clamping jaw or as an at least partially circumferential collar element which is formed in an end of the connecting sleeve facing the end of the pouring device when assembled.These types of connections contribute to a secure and removable connection between the connecting sleeve and the pouring spout.

[0010] In further advantageous embodiments of the pouring device according to the invention, the connecting sleeve and the pouring spout are essentially hollow-cylindrical in shape. This creates a flow path within the pouring device from the interior of the bottle-shaped container to the outside via the pouring device.

[0011] In further advantageous embodiments of the pouring device, the pouring spout has an external thread for receiving a closure cap. Furthermore, it is possible for a support ring to be arranged on the outer surface of the pouring spout for better gripping of the pouring device and the associated bottle-shaped container. Furthermore, it is possible for the pouring spout to have a connecting element for attaching a liquid-tight bag. Furthermore, it is possible for the pouring spout to have an externally circumferential closure collar for closing the connecting sleeve when the pouring device is assembled. The closure collar can have a locking receptacle for the locking element formed in the connecting sleeve.Overall, there are a multitude of design options for the pouring spout of the pouring device according to the invention, whereby the design of these elements can be based on the given product conditions.

[0012] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a bottle-shaped container made of paper or cardboard with a bottle body and a bottle neck connected thereto, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: inserting an open end of the bottle neck into at least one clamping receptacle of at least one clamping jaw of a connecting sleeve of a pouring device and connecting the connecting sleeve to a pouring spout of the pouring device. As a result, according to the invention, the use of adhesive for connecting the pouring device to the bottle-shaped container made of paper or cardboard can be dispensed with. In addition to a secure connection by means of a clamping effect, an easier detachment of the pouring spout from the bottle-shaped container after use of the container is also possible. The pouring spout can be detached from the container again without excessive force.This allows for the separate sorting of the different materials of the bottle-shaped container. The clamping effect can be achieved, for example, by a clamping collar that runs at least partially around the outside of the pouring spout, exerting pressure on the clamping jaw to secure the bottle neck to the connecting sleeve. Furthermore, various connection types between the connecting sleeve and the pouring spout are conceivable. The connecting sleeve and the pouring spout can be connected to each other using a snap-in, clamp-in, plug-in, or screw connection, and can also be removed again if necessary.

[0013] In further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, at least the following method steps are carried out before the method step of inserting the bottle neck into the connecting sleeve: providing a blank made of paper or cardboard and shaping the blank to form the bottle body and the bottle neck of the bottle-shaped container, or providing a blank made of paper or cardboard and shaping the blank to form the bottle body and the bottle neck of the bottle-shaped container, wherein the bottle neck is formed around a tool designed as a centering aid for the connecting sleeve. These method steps mentioned as examples serve in particular to prepare the method step of inserting the bottle neck into the connecting sleeve.

[0014] In further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, after the method step of connecting the connecting sleeve to the pouring spout, a bottle base is inserted on the side of the container opposite the bottle neck and connected to the bottle body. The bottle base can be glued, sealed, welded, and / or connected to the bottle body by means of a flange.

[0015] In further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, a liquid-tight bag is attached to the spout prior to the process step of connecting the connecting sleeve to the pouring spout. The pouring spout, with the attached bag, is then inserted or moved into and through the connecting sleeve. This ensures a secure connection between the pouring spout and the bag, while also allowing the bag to be easily inserted into the bottle body.

[0016] Further advantages and embodiments of the method according to the invention according to the second aspect of the invention can be found in the description of the first aspect of the invention.

[0017] A third aspect of the invention relates to a bottle-shaped container made of paper or cardboard, wherein the container comprises a pouring device according to one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention and / or is produced by a method according to the second aspect of the invention. Such a bottle-shaped container according to the invention can be easily and readily separated after use into its components made of paper or cardboard and the materials of the pouring device. An adhesive connection between the pouring device and the bottle-shaped container can advantageously be dispensed with.

[0018] Further advantages and embodiments of the bottle-shaped container according to the third aspect of the invention can be found in the description of the first and second aspects of the invention.

[0019] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the exemplary embodiments, and the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the exemplary embodiments, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. They show:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a bottle-shaped container according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic detailed view of the bottle-shaped container according to Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a connecting sleeve of the pouring device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a pouring spout of the pouring device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5a is a schematic representation of the pouring device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

[0025] Figure 5b is a schematic sectional view of the pouring device according to

[0026] Figure 5a;

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a pouring spout with a bag connected thereto for collecting liquids;

[0028] Figure ? a schematic representation of a bottle-shaped container according to the invention according to a second embodiment with a closure cap; and Figure 8 a schematically illustrated flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

[0029] In the following descriptions of the figures, identical features of the various embodiments are designated with the same reference numerals.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a bottle-shaped container 10 according to a first embodiment. The bottle-shaped container 10 comprises a bottle body 12 and a bottle neck 14. The bottle body 12 and the bottle neck 14 are made of cardboard and are manufactured, in particular, from a one-piece blank. Furthermore, the bottle-shaped container 10 comprises a bottle base 26, which is connected to the bottle body 12 by means of a seal. Furthermore, it can be seen that the bottle neck 14 consists of a series of individual lamellae resting on one another and extending circumferentially. A pouring device 16 is arranged at the open end of the bottle neck 14 opposite the bottle base 26. The pouring device 16 consists of a connecting sleeve 18 and a pouring spout 20 connected thereto.In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting sleeve 18 is connected to the pouring spout 20 by means of a snap-in connection. Furthermore, both the connecting sleeve 18 and the pouring spout 20 are made of plastic.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a schematic detailed representation of the bottle-shaped container 10 according to Fig. 1. The pouring device 16 is shown in more detail. The two-part design of the pouring device 16 can be seen: the connecting sleeve 18, which is connected to one end of the bottle neck 14 by means of a clamping action, and the pouring spout 20, which is secured to the connecting sleeve 18. It can be seen that the pouring spout 20 has an external thread 32 for receiving a closure cap 22 (see Fig. 7), as well as a support ring 34 for gripping the pouring device 16 and thus the container 10 as a whole. Both elements are arranged on the outer circumference of the pouring spout 20. Furthermore, the pouring spout 20 shown comprises a closure collar 44 for closing the connecting sleeve 18 in the illustrated assembled state of the pouring device 16.As already mentioned, in the illustrated embodiment, both the connecting sleeve 18 and the pouring spout 20 are made of plastic. In particular, they are plastic injection-molded elements or plastic molded elements. However, other materials such as metal, metal alloys, ceramic, wood, or a combination of the aforementioned materials can also be used. Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows in detail the design of the bottle neck 14, which is formed by overlapping cardboard lamellas.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the connecting sleeve 18 according to a first embodiment. It can be seen that the connecting sleeve 18 is essentially hollow-cylindrical in shape. Several clamping jaws 28 are arranged on the inner surface 38 opposite the outer surface 36. Between the inner surface 38 and the clamping jaws 28, a clamping receptacle 40 is formed for receiving the corresponding ends of the bottle neck 14 of the bottle-shaped container 10. Furthermore, it can be seen that a locking lug 42 is formed on each of the clamping jaws 28 for locking with a locking receptacle 50 formed in the pouring spout 20 (see also Fig. 4).

[0033] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the pouring spout 20 of the pouring device 16 according to a first embodiment. The pouring spout 20 according to Fig. 4 interacts with the connecting sleeve 18 according to Fig. 3. The pouring spout 20 is designed such that it rusts with the connecting sleeve 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking lugs 42 of the clamping jaws 28 of the connecting sleeve 18 rust with the locking receptacle 50 of the pouring spout 20. As already described above, the illustrated pouring spout 20 also comprises an external thread 32, a support ring 34, and a closure collar 44, each of which is arranged on the outer circumference of the pouring spout 20. In addition, the pouring spout 20 has a clamping collar 46, which is also formed on the outer circumference of the pouring spout 20 adjacent to the locking receptacle 50.In the assembled state of the pouring device 16, i.e., with a pouring spout 20 inserted into the connecting sleeve 18, pressure is exerted on the clamping jaws 28 of the connecting sleeve 18 via the clamping collar 46. This reinforces the clamping effect of the clamping jaw 28, ensuring a secure fit of the bottle neck 14 in the clamping receptacles 40. Furthermore, it can be seen that an exclusion element 48 for attaching a liquid-tight bag 24 (see also Fig. 6) is formed at one end of the pouring spout 20.

[0034] The pouring spout 20 is also essentially hollow-cylindrical and accordingly has a continuous pouring opening 30. The pouring opening 30 forms an uninterrupted path from the interior of the bottle-shaped container 10, in particular the bag 24, to the outside. Figs. 5a and 5b show a pouring device 10 according to a second embodiment. The two figures are discussed together below. In Fig. 5a, the pouring device 16 is again shown in the assembled state. This means that the pouring spout 20 is arranged within the connecting sleeve 18 and connected thereto. This embodiment also involves a snap-in connection between the connecting sleeve 18 and the pouring spout 20.Furthermore, it can be seen that an external thread 32 for receiving a closure cap 22, a support ring 34 for improved grip of the pouring device 16, a closure collar 44 for closing the connecting sleeve 18, and a connecting element 48 for attaching the liquid-tight bag 24 are formed. A continuous pouring opening 30 is formed within the pouring spout 20, which, like the connecting sleeve 18, is also hollow-cylindrical.

[0035] From the schematically illustrated sectional view according to Fig. 5 it is clear that the connecting sleeve 18 in turn has clamping jaws 28 which delimit a clamping receptacle 40. It can be seen that the bottle neck 14 comes to lie between the clamping jaws 28 and the inner circumferential surface 38 of the connecting sleeve 18. To improve the clamping effect, the pouring spout 20 in turn has a clamping collar 46 on its outer circumference for exerting pressure on the clamping jaw 28 and thus on the corresponding ends of the bottle neck 14. In contrast to the elements of the pouring device 16 according to a first embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the clamping jaws 28 here do not have locking lugs 42. The locking lugs 42 are formed here in an upper collar region of the connecting sleeve 18 and engage with corresponding projections which are arranged in the closure collar 44 of the pouring spout 20.The locking lugs 42 are arranged in such a way that they can engage in the corresponding projections of the pouring spout 20 by means of a rotary movement and thus rust.

[0036] The connecting sleeve 18 and the pouring spout 20 according to the second embodiment of the pouring spout 16 are also made of plastic.

[0037] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a pouring spout 20 with a bag 24 connected thereto for holding liquids. It can be seen that the bag 24 is connected, in particular sealed, to the connecting element 48 of the pouring spout 20. The bag 24 is again made of a liquid-tight material.

[0038] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a bottle-shaped container 10 according to a second embodiment. It can be seen that in this embodiment, the bottle body 12 of the container 10, and in particular the bottle neck 14, has a different design than the bottle neck 14 according to the first embodiment of the container 10. The bottle body 12 and the bottle neck 14 are again made from a one-piece blank. At the end opposite the bottle neck 14, a bottle base 26 is again connected to the bottle body 12. The connecting sleeve 18 of the pouring device 16 is arranged at the end of the bottle neck 14. The connection between the bottle neck 14 and the connecting sleeve 18 is again achieved by means of a clamping action. With regard to the individual features of the pouring device 16, reference is made to the embodiments described above.Furthermore, it can be seen that the pouring spout 20 is secured to the connecting sleeve 18. A closure cap 22 is screwed onto the upper end of the pouring spout 20.

[0039] Fig. 8 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for producing a bottle-shaped container 10 from paper or cardboard, as already described above.

[0040] In a process step 100, a blank made of paper or cardboard is first provided for forming the bottle body 12 and the bottle neck 14 of the bottle-shaped container 10. In a subsequent process step 102, the bottle body 12 and the bottle neck 14 are formed or shaped. It is possible for the bottle neck 14 to be formed around a tool designed as a centering aid for the connecting sleeve 18 during the formation of the blank.

[0041] In a further method step 104, the connecting sleeve 18 and the pouring spout 20 are provided. After these two elements have been provided, the connecting sleeve 18 is connected to a liquid-tight bag 24 in a method step 106. In particular, the connection can be made by gluing, sealing, or welding. Subsequently, in a further method step 108, an open end of the bottle neck 14 is inserted into at least one clamping receptacle 40 of at least one clamping jaw 28 of the connecting sleeve 18.

[0042] After the connecting sleeve 18 has been connected to the bottle neck 14, in a method step 110 the pouring spout 20 with the bag 24 attached thereto is moved or inserted into and through the connecting sleeve 18. In addition, the connecting sleeve 18 is connected to the pouring spout 20, wherein the connection is designed as a snap-in connection. In this case, an at least partially externally circumferential clamping collar 46 of the pouring spout 20 can exert pressure on the clamping jaw 28 to fix the bottle neck 14 to the connecting sleeve 18. In a further method step 112, a bottle base 26 is then connected to the bottle body 12, in particular by flanging, gluing, welding and / or sealing. In a final method step 114, the bottle-shaped container 10 and in particular the bag 24 can then be filled.After appropriate filling, the bottle-shaped container 10 is closed by applying a closure cap 22 to the pouring device 16 or the pouring spout 20. For this purpose, the pouring spout 20 in the illustrated embodiment has an external thread 32 which is in operative connection with a corresponding internal thread of the closure cap 22.

Claims

Claims:

1. Pouring device (16) for a bottle-shaped container (10), wherein the bottle-shaped container (10) consists of paper or cardboard, comprising a connecting sleeve (18) for connection to an open end of a bottle neck (14) of the container (10) and a pouring spout (20) for emptying a container content, wherein the pouring spout (20) is connectable to the connecting sleeve, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (18) has at least one clamping jaw (28) on its inner circumference for receiving an end of the bottle neck (14), such that the end of the bottle neck (14) comes to lie between an inner circumferential surface (38) of the connecting sleeve (18) and the clamping jaw (28) in a corresponding clamping receptacle (40).

2. Pouring device (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pouring spout (20) comprises an at least partially externally circumferential clamping collar (46) for exerting pressure on the clamping jaw (28) in the assembled state of the pouring device (16).

3. Pouring device (16) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (18) and the pouring spout (20) can be connected to one another by means of a snap-in, clamping, plug-in or screw connection.

4. Pouring device (16) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (18) comprises at least one locking lug (42) for locking with a locking receptacle (50) formed in the pouring spout (20).

5. Pouring device (16) according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking lug (42) is formed on the clamping jaw (28) or as an at least partially circumferential collar element in an end of the connecting sleeve (18) facing the end in the assembled state of the pouring device (16).

6. Pouring device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (18) and the pouring spout (20) are substantially hollow-cylindrical in shape.

7. Pouring device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring spout (20) has an external thread (32) for receiving a closure cap (22) and / or a support ring (34) for gripping the pouring device (16) and the container (10) connected thereto and / or a connecting element (48) for attaching a liquid-tight bag (24) and / or a closure collar (44) for closing the connecting sleeve (18) in the assembled state of the pouring device (16).

8. Pouring device (16) according to claim 7 with reference back to claim 5, characterized in that the closure collar (44) has a locking receptacle for the locking element designed as a collar element.

9. Pouring device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (18) and the pouring spout (20) are made of plastic, in particular of plastic injection elements and / or Plastic casting elements, or made of metal or a metal alloy or Ceramic or wood or a combination of these materials.

10. A method for producing a bottle-shaped container (10) made of paper or cardboard with a bottle body (12) and a bottle neck (14) connected thereto, the method comprising at least the following steps: Inserting an open end of the bottle neck (14) into at least one clamping receptacle (40) of at least one clamping jaw (28) of a connecting sleeve (18) of a pouring device (16); and Connecting the connecting sleeve (18) to a pouring spout (20) of the pouring device (16).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that an at least partially externally circumferential clamping collar (46) of the pouring spout (20) exerts pressure on the clamping jaw (28) for fixing the bottle neck (14) to the connecting sleeve (18).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that before the method step of inserting the bottle neck (14) into the connecting sleeve (18) at least the following method steps are carried out: Providing a blank of paper or cardboard and shaping the blank to form the bottle body (12) and the bottle neck (14) of the bottle-shaped container (10); or Providing a blank made of paper or cardboard and forming the blank to form the bottle body (12) and the bottle neck (14) of the bottle-shaped container (10), wherein the bottle neck (14) is formed around a centering aid for the connecting sleeve (18) formed tool is formed.

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that after the method step of connecting the connecting sleeve (18) to the pouring spout (20), a bottle bottom (26) is introduced on the side of the container (10) opposite the bottle neck (14) and is connected to the bottle body (12).

14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that before the method step of connecting the connecting sleeve (18) to the pouring spout (20), a liquid-tight bag (24) is attached to the pouring spout (20) and the pouring spout (20) with the bag (24) attached thereto is inserted into and through the connecting sleeve (18).

15. Bottle-shaped container (10) made of paper or cardboard, characterized in that the container (10) comprises a pouring device (16) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and / or is manufactured according to a method according to one of claims 10 to 14.

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