Bottle collector

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement and a bottle collector for a particular type of plastic bottles (1), namely plastic bottles (1) which have a bottle neck (2), a bottle collar (3) projecting outward from the bottle neck (2), and a bottle shoulder (4) attached to the bottle neck (2), each having previously known dimensions, comprising: - a plate-like main body (5) and at least one holding opening (6), provided in the main body (5), for holding at least one bottle (1) on the bottle neck (2) thereof, - wherein the holding opening (6) comprises a slot-like holding portion (7) and an insertion portion (8) extending the slot shape, - wherein the holding opening (6) is dimensioned such that the bottle collar (3) can be passed through the insertion portion (8) along an insertion direction (9) and hung in the holding portion (7) along a hanging direction (10).

Description

[0001] Bottle collector

[0002] The invention relates to a bottle collector and an arrangement of at least one bottle on a bottle collector according to the features of the independent claims.

[0003] Collection and deposit systems for single-use or reusable bottles require empty bottles to be collected and transported undamaged to a return point or bottle return machine. "Undamaged" in this context means that the bottles must not be crushed, which means they require a relatively large amount of space during storage. Bottles are usually collected in large garbage bags or crates and transported to the return point. If bottles are left haphazardly in garbage bags, they require even more space than they already do. While crates can help with organized collection, they take up a lot of space, even if they only contain a single bottle.

[0004] The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to create a bottle collector that offers a simple and efficient means of collecting and temporarily storing bottles. Preferably, the bottle collector should also be suitable for transporting the collected bottles for return. For both collection and transport, it is advantageous if the bottles are kept organized and thus space-saving. The bottle collector should preferably be of simple design and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0005] The problem according to the invention is solved in particular by the features of the independent claims.

[0006] A bottle collector for a specific type of plastic bottles is revealed.

[0007] In particular, these are plastic bottles that have a bottle neck, a bottle collar projecting outwards from the bottle neck and preferably a bottle shoulder attached to the bottle neck, each with previously known dimensions.

[0008] The bottle collector preferably comprises a plate-shaped base body and at least one holding opening provided in the base body for holding at least one bottle by its bottle neck.

[0009] The retaining opening preferably comprises an elongated retaining section and an insertion section that widens the elongated shape.

[0010] The retaining opening is preferably dimensioned such that the bottle collar can be inserted through the insertion section along an insertion direction and hooked into the retaining section along an insertion direction.

[0011] Preferably, the free width of the holding section, perpendicular to its longitudinal extent or perpendicular to the insertion direction, is designed such that it is essentially equal to or larger than the diameter of the bottle neck but smaller than the smallest diameter of the bottle collar. The insertion section is equal to or larger than the outline of the bottle collar along the insertion direction.

[0012] In all embodiments, the bottle collector is preferably designed as a mobile carrying device for transporting bottles.

[0013] If necessary, the retaining opening is designed to be keyhole-shaped.

[0014] Optionally, the insertion section may have an insertion cross-section with a diameter greater than 34 mm. Preferably, the insertion cross-section has a diameter of less than 50 mm or less than 40 mm.

[0015] If necessary, the free width of the holding section perpendicular to its longitudinal extent or perpendicular to the suspension direction is greater than 24 mm but less than 29 mm.

[0016] If necessary, the retaining opening is provided for as a through-opening penetrating the base body transversely along the plate extension.

[0017] If necessary, the retaining opening is continuously surrounded by the base body and therefore does not extend to the edge of the base body.

[0018] If necessary, the length of the holding section is dimensioned such that several bottles can be arranged and suspended along the holding section.

[0019] The base body may contain several retaining openings. A through opening may be formed near the edge of the base body.

[0020] If applicable, the bottle collector is provided to consist exclusively of the plate-shaped base body and at least one, preferably several, through-opening(s) provided therein.

[0021] If necessary, the base body is designed to have or form a printed surface.

[0022] The base body may be made of at least one of the following materials:

[0023] - Corrugated cardboard,

[0024] - multi-layered corrugated cardboard,

[0025] - coated or printed corrugated cardboard

[0026] - PP, PE, recycled plastic.

[0027] Disclosed is an arrangement comprising several bottles and a bottle collector, wherein the bottle collars of the bottles are inserted along the insertion direction through an insertion section and hooked into the holding section along the hanging direction.

[0028] The bottle collector preferably comprises a plate-shaped base body and a holding opening provided therein. Preferably, several such holding openings are provided in one base body.

[0029] A holding opening preferably has a holding section and an insertion section.

[0030] The opening is dimensioned and shaped to allow a bottle to be inserted and hung. In particular, it should allow multiple bottles to be inserted and hung, enabling them to be organized and transported. The opening is dimensioned and shaped to accommodate standard single-use and reusable bottles.

[0031] The bottles collected by the bottle collector are preferably plastic bottles having a neck, a collar extending outwards from the neck, and a shoulder adjoining the neck. In particular, the neck is a section of the bottle with a smaller diameter than the collar and, especially, the shoulder. The neck is preferably positioned between the collar and the shoulder, thus forming a constriction. The distance between the collar and neck is preferably more than 2 mm, more preferably more than 3 mm, and most preferably about 5 mm. This constriction can be used to hold the bottles in the holding opening.

[0032] To secure the bottles to the bottle holder, the holding opening includes an insertion section. This insertion section is dimensioned so that the bottle, with its collar, can be pushed through the holding opening. Therefore, the insertion section must be greater than or equal to the contour of the part of the bottle that is inserted through it.

[0033] The insertion section is followed by the holding section of the retaining opening. This holding section is preferably elongated, i.e., slot-shaped. The free width of the holding section is smaller than the smallest diameter of the bottle collar, but larger than or essentially equal to the diameter of the bottle neck. This allows the bottle collar to be inserted through the insertion section and subsequently hooked into the holding section. In this way, the bottle can be attached to or hooked onto the bottle collector.

[0034] If the length of the holding opening is sufficiently long, several bottles can be suspended in one holding section. The bottles can be suspended one after the other along the opening in the holding section, following the direction of suspension.

[0035] Preferably, several retaining openings are provided in the base body. Preferably, the retaining openings run parallel to each other.

[0036] Preferably, the base body is a sheet made of a recycled and / or recyclable material. For example, the base body consists of corrugated cardboard.

[0037] Alternatively, the base body can also be made of PE, PP or recycled plastic.

[0038] Thanks to its simple design, the bottle collector can be stored away easily and in a space-saving manner when not in use. Furthermore, the bottle collector is easily reusable. For example, it can be hung on the wall to collect bottles. The bottle collector can be hung on the wall using its handle.

[0039] Subsequently, the bottle collector with the attached bottles can be used for transporting and returning the bottles.

[0040] The retaining opening preferably has an elongated retaining section and an insertion section that widens the elongated shape. The elongated shape is preferably straight, but can also be curved, swung, S-shaped, or angled. The insertion direction preferably follows the shape of the retaining section.

[0041] Preferably, the insertion section has a round or rounded shape. The rounded shape prevents any tearing of the corners during use.

[0042] Preferably, the retaining section has a rounded shape or a rounded end. In particular, the retaining section is elongated and transitions into the insertion section. This can result in a keyhole shape, with the keyhole shape being preferred.

[0043] The base has several holding openings, for example four. The individual holding openings are spaced a certain distance apart. This spacing is chosen so that, for example, several 1.5-liter PET bottles can fit side by side.

[0044] Preferably, the bottle holder is designed such that the bottles can be inserted into the holding opening from both sides. This allows for an even more compact storage of the bottles. Alternatively, the same bottle holder can also be designed to allow the bottles to be inserted from only one side.

[0045] If necessary, the bottles are designed to have a standardized neck, and the bottle collector is adapted to this neck. Preferably, the bottles are held by their necks in the bottle collector.

[0046] Preferably, the bottle collector includes a handle and / or a hanging opening. The handle and the hanging opening can be one and the same element of the bottle collector.

[0047] For example, the plate-shaped base has a rectangular form. The side lengths may be between 10 and 50 cm. As an exemplary embodiment, a bottle collector with a rectangular shape and dimensions of 370 mm x 474 mm can be standardized.

[0048] For example, a bottle holder can be designed to hold 2 to 40 bottles.

[0049] The bottle collector may, if necessary, be equipped with means for connecting it to other objects, such as beverage cans.

[0050] The handle is preferably located on the side of the holding openings where the insertion section of the holding opening is situated. This ensures that the bottles automatically move into the insertion section area under their own weight.

[0051] To connect a bottle to the bottle holder, the bottle is inserted, collar first, into the insertion section of the holding opening along an insertion direction until the collar is fully inserted. This movement, or insertion direction, runs transversely and / or obliquely towards the base body. If the base body is upright or hanging, the insertion direction is preferably horizontal. The bottle, or rather its neck, is then guided from the insertion section into the holding section of the holding opening. This movement, or insertion direction, runs along the plate-like contour of the base body. If the base body is upright or hanging, the insertion direction is preferably downwards or vertically. In this example, the insertion direction and the insertion direction are therefore essentially perpendicular to each other.

[0052] The bottle collector is primarily designed for a specific type of bottle, such as standard PET bottles. The dimensions of the holding opening are adapted to this type of bottle. However, bottle dimensions can vary. For example, the shape and dimensions of the bottle shoulder can differ even between bottles of the same type. Generally, the bottle shoulder will have a larger diameter than the bottle neck. The diameters of the bottle necks and collars may also vary within certain limits.

[0053] According to a typical bottle type, the neck diameter is between 24 mm and 26 mm. According to this typical bottle type, the collar diameter is between 33 mm and 37 mm. According to this typical bottle type, the shoulder diameter is more than 80 mm.

[0054] The retaining openings are preferably dimensioned to accommodate standard 0.5L, 1L, 1.5L and / or 2L PET bottles. The required figures are described in more detail below.

[0055] Figures 1 to 3 show a bottle collector or an arrangement during the loading process, with Fig. 2 also showing a schematic sectional view of a detail.

[0056] Figures 4a to 4n show different possible designs of bottle collectors in schematic views.

[0057] Unless otherwise specified, the reference symbols correspond to the following components:

[0058] Bottle 1, bottle neck 2, bottle collar 3, bottle shoulder 4, base body 5, holding opening 6, holding section 7, insertion section 8, insertion direction 9, hanging direction 10, insertion cross-section 11, free width (of the holding section) 12, length (of the holding section) 13, handle 14

[0059] Fig. 1 shows a bottle collector with a base body 5. The base body 5 has several retaining openings 6. However, it is also possible to have only a single retaining opening 6. The number of retaining openings can be varied depending on the intended use or application. Preferably, however, several retaining openings 6 are provided. The retaining openings have a retaining section 7, which in this embodiment is elongated. The elongated shape is extended in the area of ​​an insertion section 8 of the retaining opening 6. The bottle collector is designed for a specific type of bottle, namely for bottles 1 that have a neck 2 from which a collar 3 projects and which connects to a shoulder 4.

[0060] In all embodiments, a constriction can be provided in the area of ​​the bottle neck 2, preferably bounded on one side by the bottle shoulder 4 and on the other side by a bottle collar 3. For connection to the bottle collector, the bottle 1 is inserted with its bottle collar 3 along the insertion direction 9 into the insertion.

[0061] The collar 3 of the bottle 1 is inserted through the insertion section 8 along the insertion direction 9. In a further movement, the bottle 1 is inserted into the holding section 7 along the suspension direction 10 with the collar 3. This preferably occurs along the suspension direction 10 or along the course of the holding section 7.

[0062] The bottle 1 can be inserted into the holding section 7 until it reaches the end of the holding section 7 or abuts an already inserted bottle, as shown in detail in Fig. 2. The free width 12 of the holding section 7 is chosen to be smaller than the smallest diameter of the bottle collar 3. This prevents the bottle 1 from being pulled laterally out of the base body 5 or out of the holding section 7. To remove the bottle, it must be moved back into the insertion section 8 along the insertion direction 9 or against the insertion direction 9.

[0063] The insertion section 8 is dimensioned such that the bottle collar 3 of the bottle 1 can be inserted through it. The insertion cross-section 11, in particular the cross-section of the insertion section 8 in the plane of the base body 5, is preferably larger than the contour of the bottle 1 or the bottle collar 3 along the insertion direction 10.

[0064] Basically, bottle 1 can also be inserted into the insertion section 8 by a tilting motion or at an angle.

[0065] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottles 1 can be connected to or hung in the bottle holder alternately from their two flat sides. However, the user is also free to hang the bottles 1 in the holding opening 6 from only one side or in any order.

[0066] The handle 14, which can also serve as a hanging opening, is preferably provided at a location on the base body 5 that allows the bottle collector to be held securely. This allows the bottle collector to be held by the handle 14 with one hand, while the bottles 1 can be removed one after the other from the holding opening with the other hand.

[0067] Preferably, the handle 14 is arranged in the upper area in a normal operating position, so that the bottle collector hangs down from the handle 14. In this position, it can be advantageous if the insertion section 8 of the holding opening 6 is also arranged at the top, so that the bottles 1 fall into the holding section 7 by gravity alone.

[0068] Preferably, in all embodiments, the holding opening 6 has a certain excess size relative to the bottle 1, so that the bottle neck 2 or the bottle collar 3 can be easily conveyed through the insertion section 8 and further into the holding section 7.

[0069] Alternatively, a certain undersize can be provided, so that the retaining opening 6 is slightly widened, at least in sections, by the bottle 1. This allows the bottle 1 to be held in the retaining opening 6.

[0070] Figures 4a to 4n show different design possibilities for a bottle collector according to the described operating principle.

[0071] Figures 4a and 4b show two embodiments with four retaining openings 6. Figures 4c and 4d show embodiments with three retaining openings 6.

[0072] Figures 4e, 4f and 4g show designs with five, two and only one holding opening 6 respectively.

[0073] Figures 4h and 4i show further embodiments, with Fig. 4h having six holding openings 6 and Fig. 4i having four holding openings.

[0074] Figures 4j, 4k, and 4I show embodiments in which the basic body 5 has a round shape. Figures 4a to 4i show basic bodies with a rectangular shape. In principle, the basic body can have any feasible shape.

[0075] Figures 4m and 4n disclose embodiments in which the retaining sections 7 are very short. In particular, each retaining opening 6 can be designed to hold only a single bottle.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Bottle collector for a specific type of plastic bottles (1), namely plastic bottles (1) having a bottle neck (2), a bottle collar (3) projecting outwards from the bottle neck (2) and a bottle shoulder (4) attached to the bottle neck (2), each with previously known dimensions, comprising: - a plate-shaped base body (5) and at least one holding opening (6) provided in the base body (5) for holding at least one bottle (1) by its bottle neck (2), - wherein the retaining opening (6) comprises an elongated retaining section (7) and an insertion section (8) that widens the elongated shape, - wherein the retaining opening (6) is dimensioned such that the bottle collar (3) can be inserted through the insertion section (8) along an insertion direction (9) and hooked into the retaining section (7) along an insertion direction (10).

2. Bottle collector according to claim 1, characterized in that the free width (12) of the holding section (7) transverse to its longitudinal extension or transverse to the hanging direction (10) is designed such that it is essentially equal to or larger than the diameter of the bottle neck (2) but smaller than the smallest diameter of the bottle collar (3).

3. Bottle collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insertion section (8) has an insertion cross-section (11) which is substantially the same size or larger than the outline of the bottle collar (3) along the insertion direction (9).

4. Bottle collector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding opening (6) is keyhole-shaped.

5. Bottle collector according to which the insertion section (8) has an insertion cross-section (11) with a diameter greater than 34 mm.

6. Bottle collector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the free width (12) of the holding section (7) transverse to its longitudinal extension or transverse to the hanging direction (10) is greater than 24 mm but less than 29 mm.

7. Bottle collector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the retaining opening (6) is a through opening passing through the base body (5) transversely along its plate extension.

8. Bottle collector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holding opening (6) is continuously surrounded by the base body (5) and therefore does not extend to the edge of the base body (5).

9. Bottle collector according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the length (13) of the holding section (7) is dimensioned such that several bottles (1 ) can be arranged and suspended along the holding section (7).

10. Bottle collector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that several holding openings (6) are provided in the base body (5).

11. Bottle collector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a handle (14) is provided on the base body (5), wherein the handle (14) is preferably formed by a through-opening provided near the edge of the base body (5).

12. Bottle collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed exclusively by the plate-shaped base body (5) and at least one through-opening provided therein.

13. Bottle collector characterized in that the base body (5) has or forms a printed surface.

14. Bottle collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (5) is formed from one of the following materials: - Corrugated cardboard, - multi-layered corrugated cardboard, - coated or printed corrugated cardboard - PE, PP or recycled plastic.

15. Arrangement comprising several bottles (1 ) and a bottle collector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottle collars (3) of the bottles (1 ) are inserted along the insertion direction (9) through an insertion section (8) and are hooked into the holding section (7) along the hooking direction (10).

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