Container and method for producing the container

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for a cosmetic composition, in particular a hair care product, comprising a container body (3) which extends along a longitudinal axis (L), in particular a central longitudinal axis, and forms a container interior (I), having a neck portion (9) which extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis (L) and laterally delimits an outlet opening (8), and having an orientation cam (20) which forms a mechanical stop (25) for the rotational orientation of the container body (3) with respect to rotation about the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the mechanical stop (25) is aligned at least in sections with a radial reference plane (BE1) in order to define a rotational orientation of the container body (3) about the longitudinal axis (L) with respect to the radial reference plane (BE1).

Description

[0001] Container and method for manufacturing the container

[0002] The present invention relates to a container, in particular a bottle, for a cosmetic composition, in particular a hair care product, comprising a container body extending along a longitudinal axis, in particular a central longitudinal axis, forming a cavity, and a neck section extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, defining an outlet opening at its edge.

[0003] Containers of the type mentioned above are well known for storing cosmetic compositions. Typically, such containers or vessels, especially bottles, have a body made of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow molding in a mold. To enable demolding of the container body produced in the mold, the mold typically comprises several, in particular at least two, mold shells that are adjustable relative to each other. During blow molding, the mold shells are arranged so that they are in direct contact with one another, thus forming the mold.

[0004] This technique can result in minor surface imperfections on the container body due to the manufacturing process, particularly in the form of a seam or ridge, caused by the joining points of the mold shells that abut each other during production. These surface imperfections generally have a negative impact on the container's appearance. Therefore, a key concern in the packaging industry is to avoid such manufacturing-related surface imperfections as much as possible.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a container of the type mentioned at the outset for a cosmetic product, which is improved with regard to its industrial handling and is easy to manufacture. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container which can be manufactured by blow molding, especially extrusion blow molding, and which is suitable for conveying a high-quality product with an appealing appearance to the consumer.

[0006] The present invention solves this problem by means of a container having the features of independent claim 1 and a method for manufacturing the container having the features of independent claim 12. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a container for a cosmetic composition, in particular a hair care product, is provided with a container body extending along a longitudinal axis, in particular a central longitudinal axis, and forming a cavity or container interior. The container body has a neck section extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, which borders an outlet opening at its edge.

[0008] According to the invention, the container body has an orientation cam which forms a mechanical stop for the rotational orientation of the container body with respect to a rotation about the longitudinal axis. The mechanical stop of the orientation cam is aligned with at least one radial reference plane in order to define a rotational orientation of the container body about the longitudinal axis with respect to the radial reference plane.

[0009] The radial reference plane, defined by the orientation cam, lies in a plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the container and a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mechanical stop is thus positioned at a predetermined radial position on the container body, particularly with respect to rotations about the longitudinal axis.

[0010] The orientation cam serves, for example, during further industrial processing and / or handling of the container, to orient the container body around its longitudinal axis, in order to position a decorative element, for example by printing or labeling, on the container body in a predetermined rotational orientation around the longitudinal axis. Alternatively or additionally, the orientation cam can serve to position a closure element, in particular a closure cap, in a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis, preferably to create an aesthetically pleasing overall impression, especially in conjunction with the rest of the container body's design.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the container described above, wherein the container body, the neck section and the orientation cam are manufactured as one piece from a thermoplastic material by means of blow molding, in particular extrusion blow molding.

[0012] The orientation cam can, for example, be arranged on the container body at a predetermined angle about the longitudinal axis with respect to a structured, in particular embossed, area of ​​the container body in order to define a radial reference plane for the arrangement of decorative elements in other, in particular non-structured, areas of the container body.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the container body is provided with at least one decorative element using a component of a production plant, wherein the container body is aligned with respect to the component by means of the orientation cam in order to apply the at least one decorative element in a region of the container body defined with respect to the radial reference plane, in particular by printing or labeling. The decorative elements applied in this way can in particular be arranged at a predetermined angle about the longitudinal axis with respect to the structured region of the container body.

[0014] The structured area can, for example, include embossed structures, particularly in the form of signs, symbols, letters, characters, numbers, lettering or similar, which are formed as surface elevations or surface depressions of the container body.

[0015] In preferred embodiments, the container body is a body of revolution which is essentially rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis and preferably has a cylindrically symmetric section.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the container body comprises a bottom surface, a wall adjoining it and arranged circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, and a tapered neck section.

[0017] In a possible embodiment, the orientation cam extends circumferentially over at least an angular range around the longitudinal axis, comprising a first and a second section which are arranged opposite each other with respect to a further radial reference plane. This further radial reference plane can, for example, be caused by the manufacturing process of the type described above and by joining points of mold shells that abut each other during blow molding. The container body can thus exhibit surface distortions that run along this further reference plane. The mechanical stop, aligned with the radial reference plane, is provided by the first section of the orientation cam; the radial reference plane defined by the stop of the orientation cam deviates from this further reference plane.

[0018] According to advantageous embodiments, the orientation of the further radial reference plane deviates from the radial reference plane defined by the orientation cam by an offset angle of at least 1°, preferably at least 5°, and particularly preferably about 15° about the longitudinal axis. In other words, the further radial reference plane is arranged offset from the radial reference plane by an angle of at least 1°, preferably at least 5°, and particularly preferably about 15° about the longitudinal axis. According to advantageous embodiments, the offset angle is determined by an extension of the first section of the orientation cam along a circumference about the longitudinal axis.

[0019] According to advantageous embodiments, the second section of the orientation cam is designed in a ramp shape to introduce forces into a wall of the container body, in particular the wall of the neck section.

[0020] According to advantageous embodiments, the first section of the orientation cam has a three-dimensional shape that has no undercuts with respect to a further radial reference plane. Similarly, the second section of the orientation cam has a three-dimensional shape that has no undercuts with respect to the further radial reference plane. The orientation cam is preferably manufactured integrally with the container body by means of a blow molding process, in particular extrusion blow molding, wherein the first and second sections of the orientation cam are formed in adjacent mold shells of a casting mold, which are adjusted in directions perpendicular to the further reference plane for demolding the formed container body.

[0021] According to advantageous embodiments, the container body and / or the neck section is provided with at least one decorative element which is arranged in a defined orientation with respect to the radial reference plane defined by the orientation cam.

[0022] According to advantageous embodiments, the container body, the neck section and the orientation cam are manufactured as one piece from thermoplastic material.

[0023] In advantageous embodiments, fastening means are provided on the neck section of the container body, which are designed to attach a closure element to the container body, wherein the closure element can be fixed to the neck section by means of a force-fit connection mediated by rotation about the longitudinal axis. Such a force-fit connection can be mediated, for example, by screw connections of the known type. The mechanical stop formed by the orientation cam is designed to limit rotation of the closure element about the longitudinal axis with respect to a rotational orientation defined by the radial reference plane.

[0024] Preferably, the container comprises a closure element with additional fastening means that correspond to the fastening means provided on the neck section and can be connected to them to form a fluid-tight connection. The fastening means arranged on the neck section can, for example, be provided as external threads and the additional fastening means as internal threads on the closure element. The closure element has a further mechanical stop which, in conjunction with the mechanical stop of the orientation cam, forms a rotational locking mechanism that limits rotation of the closure element about its longitudinal axis in one direction and thus defines the orientation of the closure element relative to the container body.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure part has a tilting closure with a tilting lid that can be tilted about a tilting axis, wherein the tilting axis of the closure part fixed to the container body runs in a rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis that is defined with respect to the radial reference plane. In a preferred embodiment, the tilting axis runs in the radial reference plane defined by the orientation cam.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, an opening of the tilting closure, which is fluid-tightly connected to the outlet opening of the container body, is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the radial reference plane defined by the orientation cam. Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are explained in detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment, based on the following description of the figures. These figures show:

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a container body according to one possible embodiment in a side view;

[0028] Fig. 2 shows the container body of Fig. 1 in a top view along a longitudinal axis of the container body;

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a locking element with a tilting lock in the closed position according to one possible embodiment;

[0030] Fig. 4 shows the locking part of Fig. 3 in the open position.

[0031] Identical or corresponding elements in the drawing figures are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an exemplary container 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As indicated in Figure 1, the container 1 can be designed as a vessel, in particular in the shape of a bottle. The container 1 is manufactured from a thermoplastic material by means of extrusion blow molding.

[0033] The vessel or container 1 has a container body 3 with an inner area I for receiving the liquid composition, in particular the hair care product. The container body 3 extends along a longitudinal axis L and comprises a circumferential wall 5 arranged around the longitudinal axis L, a bottom surface 7 extending substantially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, and a neck section 9 that forms a conical section of the container body 3 and surrounds an outlet opening 8 of the container body 3 at its edge.

[0034] The circumferential wall 5 can, in particular, as shown in Fig. 1, essentially correspond to the lateral surface of a cylinder. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface 7 has a circular cross-section.

[0035] The base surface 7, the circumferential wall 5 and the neck section 9 of the container body 3 are formed from the same thermoplastic material.

[0036] The container 1 is fluid-tight, and in particular gas-tight, sealable. For this purpose, fastening means 11 are provided on the neck section 9 for attaching a closure part 50, which is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening means 11 are designed in a conventional manner as an external thread 10, which extends circumferentially around a substantially cylindrical section of the neck section 9. The external thread 10 extends by at least one full turn, i.e., over an angular range of at least 360° around the longitudinal axis L of the container 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the external thread 10 comprises approximately 1.5 thread turns, thus extending over an angular range of approximately 540° around the longitudinal axis L of the container 1.

[0037] The closure part 50, which can also be designed as a closure cap or similar, has further fastening means 51 corresponding to the fastening means 11, in particular a correspondingly dimensioned internal thread 60 with a thread profile and thread pitch corresponding to the external thread 10 of the container 1.

[0038] An orientation cam 20 is arranged at the neck section 9 of the container body 3, which serves to orient the container body 3 about the longitudinal axis L. The orientation cam 20 has a mechanical stop 25 that is aligned with a radial reference plane BE1. The radial reference plane BE1 is thus structurally defined by the shape of the mechanical stop 25 on the orientation cam 20.

[0039] Figure 2 shows the container body 3 of the container 2 in a top view along the longitudinal axis L. The plane of Figure 2 thus lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The orientation cam 20 extends circumferentially over an angular range W about the longitudinal axis L. In the illustrated embodiment, the orientation cam 20 extends over an angular range W of approximately 90° about the longitudinal axis L.

[0040] The orientation cam 20 has a first section 21 and a second section 22. The mechanical stop 25, which is aligned with the radial reference plane BE1, is provided at the end of the first section 21 of the orientation cam 20. The second section 22 of the orientation cam 20 is ramp-shaped for introducing forces into a wall of the container body 3, in particular into the wall of the container body 3 in the region of the neck section 9.

[0041] The first section 21 and the second section 22 of the orientation cam 20 are arranged opposite each other with respect to a further radial reference plane BE2. The first and second sections 21, 22 of the orientation cam 20 are manufactured together with the container body 3 by blow molding, whereby the further reference plane BE2 is determined by the division of the mold into separate mold shells, which section by section define the three-dimensional shape of the container body 3. The first section 21 of the orientation cam 20 therefore has a three-dimensional shape that does not form any undercuts with respect to a direction perpendicular to the further radial reference plane BE2. Correspondingly, the second section 22 of the orientation cam 20 also has a three-dimensional shape that does not form any undercuts with respect to a direction perpendicular to the further radial reference plane BE2.With respect to the radial reference plane BE1, the orientation cam 20 can form undercuts. Undercuts within the meaning of this disclosure are, in a generally accepted manner, to be understood in particular as workpiece angles of more than 90° with respect to the respective reference plane, which would prevent the removal of the workpiece or container body 3 from a correspondingly complementary shaped form in a direction perpendicular to the respective reference plane BE1, BE2.

[0042] Since the container body 3 may exhibit manufacturing-related surface distortions, in particular seam-like surface distortions, along the further reference plane BE2, a structured area BS of the container body 3, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1, is arranged along the radial reference plane BE1, which is structurally defined by the orientation cam 20. The further radial reference plane BE2 is arranged relative to the radial reference plane BE1 at an offset angle OW about the longitudinal axis L, which is at least 1°, preferably at least 5°, and particularly preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, about 15°, wherein the offset angle OW is determined by an extension of the first section 21 of the orientation cam 20 about the longitudinal axis L.

[0043] The container body 3 is provided with at least one decorative element D, which is arranged on the container body 3 at a predetermined angle about the longitudinal axis L with respect to the radial reference plane BE1 defined by the orientation cam 20. The decorative element D, for example a label, inscription, or other marking, is arranged in a region of the container body 3 outside the structured area BS. In a process embodiment of the invention, when applying the decorative element D, the container body 3 is aligned with respect to a system component by means of the orientation cam 20 in order to subsequently apply the decorative element D in a region of the container body 3 defined with respect to the radial reference plane BE1.

[0044] An exemplary embodiment of the closure part 50 for the container body 3 is shown in cross-section in Figures 3 and 4. The closure part 50 can be fluid-tightly fixed to the neck section 9 of the container body 3 by means of the additional fastening means 51. The closure part 50 has a further mechanical stop 55 which, in conjunction with the mechanical stop 25 of the orientation cam 20, forms a rotational fix that limits rotation of the closure part 50 about the longitudinal axis L. In this way, the closure part 50 can, in particular, be arranged in a defined orientation with respect to the structured area BS of the container body 3.

[0045] The exemplary closure element 50 features a tilting closure. A closure seat 53 is fixed by means of the fastening means 11, 51 in the rotational orientation with respect to the radial reference plane BE1 as defined by the mechanical stops 25, 55. A tilting cover 57, which can be tilted about a tilting axis K with respect to the closure seat 53, forms the tilting closure of the closure element 50. In the illustrated example, the tilting axis K lies in the plane of the radial reference plane BE1.

[0046] The closure part 50 has an opening 59 that is fluid-tightly connected to the outlet opening 8 of the container body. The liquid composition received in the inner region I of the container body 3 can thus be dispensed via the opening 59 of the closure part 50. For this purpose, the tilting lid 57 must be pivoted by the user about the tilting axis K from a closed position PS1, as shown, for example, in Figure 3, to an open position PS2, as shown, for example, in Figure 4. In this way, the opening 59 of the closure part 50 can be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the radial reference plane BE1 defined by the orientation cam 20, in which the structured areas BS of the container body 3 are arranged.

[0047] The foregoing description discloses the invention with reference to specific embodiments. However, the components, elements, and processes described therein may be modified within the scope of the attached claims without departing from the subject matter of the present invention. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be understood as illustrative but not limiting.

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. Method for manufacturing a container (1) for a cosmetic composition, in particular a hair care product, wherein the container comprises a container body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (L), in particular a central longitudinal axis, forming a container interior (I), with a neck section (9) extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis (L) and defining an outlet opening (8) at its edge, and an orientation cam (20), wherein the orientation cam (20) forms a mechanical stop (25) for rotationally orienting the container body (3) with respect to a rotation about the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the mechanical stop (25) is aligned at least partially with a radial reference plane (BE1) in order to define a rotational orientation of the container body (3) about the longitudinal axis (L) with respect to the radial reference plane (BE1), wherein the orientation cam (20) extends circumferentially over at least an angular range (W) about the longitudinal axis (L).wherein the orientation cam (20) comprises a first and a second section (21, 22) which are arranged opposite each other with respect to a further radial reference plane (BE2), wherein the mechanical stop (25) aligned with the radial reference plane (BE1) is provided by the first section (21) of the orientation cam (20), characterized in that, the container body (3), the neck section (9) and the orientation cam (20) are manufactured as one piece from a thermoplastic material by means of blow molding, in particular extrusion blow molding, wherein the first and second sections (21, 22) of the orientation cam (20) are formed in adjacent mold shells of a casting mold, which are adjusted in directions perpendicular to the further radial reference plane (BE2) for demolding the formed container body (3).

2. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first section (21) of the orientation cam (20) has a three-dimensional shape which has no undercuts with respect to the further radial reference plane (BE2), and wherein the second section (22) of the orientation cam (20) has a three-dimensional shape which has no undercuts with respect to the further radial reference plane (BE2).

3. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the further radial reference plane (BE2) is arranged relative to the radial reference plane (BE1) at an offset angle (OW) of at least 1°, preferably at least 5°, particularly preferably about 15° around the longitudinal axis (L).

4. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to claim 3, wherein the offset angle (OW) is determined by an extension of the first section (21) of the orientation cam about the longitudinal axis (L).

5. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second section (22) of the orientation cam (20) is designed in a ramp shape for introducing forces into a wall of the container body (3), in particular the wall of the neck section (9).

6. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container body (3) and / or the neck section (9) is provided with at least one decorative element (D) which is arranged at a predetermined angle about the longitudinal axis with respect to the radial reference plane (BE1) defined by the orientation cam (20).

7. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein fastening means (11) are provided on the neck section (9) which are designed for fastening a closure part (50) to the container body (3), wherein the closure part (50) can be fixed to the container body (3) by means of a force-fit connection mediated by rotation about the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the mechanical stop (25) formed by the orientation cam (20) is designed to limit a rotation of the closure part (50) about the longitudinal axis (L).

8. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to claim 7, comprising a further fastening means (51) comprising a closure part (50) which can be connected to the fastening means (11) arranged on the neck section (9) to form a fluid-tight connection, wherein the closure part (50) has a further mechanical stop (55) which, in conjunction with the mechanical stop (25) of the orientation cam (20), forms a rotational fix which limits a rotation of the closure part (50) about the longitudinal axis (L).

9. Method for manufacturing a container (1) according to claim 8, wherein the closure part (50) has a tilting closure with a tilting lid (57) that can be tilted about a tilting axis (K), wherein the tilting axis (K) of the closure part (50) fixed to the container body (3) runs in a rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis (L) defined with respect to the radial reference plane (BE1).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container body (3) is provided with at least one decorative element (D) by means of a plant component of a production plant, wherein the container body (3) is aligned with respect to the plant component by means of the orientation cam (20) in order to apply the at least one decorative element (D) in an area of ​​the container body (3) defined with respect to the radial reference plane (BE1), in particular by printing or labeling.

Images