Combination container and in-mould-labelling injection-moulding process for producing such a combination container

Abstract

The invention relates to a combination container comprising a cup-like inner container made of an injection-moulded plastics material and also comprising an outer part which surrounds the inner container, and to an in-mould-labelling injection-moulding process for producing such a combination container. The outer part has a first and a second end portion, and these overlap in an overlap region. At least two continuous and mutually opposite first and second flow-aid thickenings are formed on an inner base surface and an inner lateral surface of the inner container. Over the course of the inner lateral surface, a thickening centre of the first flow-aid thickening is arranged closer to a second terminating edge of the second end portion than to a first terminating edge of the first end portion of the outer part and at a circumferential distance of 1° to 45° in relation to the second terminating edge of the second, outer end portion. On the inner lateral surface, the first flow-aid thickening runs at least substantially parallel to the overlap region.

Description

[0001] COMBINATION CONTAINER AS WELL AS IN MOULD LABELING INJECTION POURING METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH A COMBINATION CONTAINER

[0002] The invention relates to a combination container and an in-mold labeling injection molding process for manufacturing such a combination container.

[0003] Combination containers, as they are commonly known, can be designed for filling with food, particularly beverages. Consequently, such containers can be designed, for example, as drinking cups. These combination containers typically comprise a cup-shaped inner container made of injection-molded plastic to hold a product, such as a beverage. Furthermore, these combination containers also include an outer shell that encases the inner container. This outer shell can be functional, for example, to facilitate the use or handling of the combination container, or to provide a degree of protection, such as against hot beverages. Additionally, these outer shells are often printed, for example, to describe the contents or for advertising purposes. Hence the common term "label."

[0004] An increasingly common method for manufacturing such combination containers is known as "in-mold labeling." This is an injection molding process in which the outer part is placed or pre-positioned within a mold component, and then a plastic material, such as molten plastic, is injected into the closed injection mold, encompassing this component. The primary advantage of in-mold labeling is that additional process steps, such as subsequent encapsulation after injection molding, are generally unnecessary. However, compared to simple injection molding without outer parts or inserts, in-mold labeling manufacturing processes can be more problematic in terms of quality and susceptibility to defects.Particularly with complex geometries and / or geometric instability of these outer parts, an in-mold labeling injection molding process can be more prone to defects than conventional injection molding without the use of such outer parts or inserts in general, especially due to the significantly more complex flow behavior of the plastic material during injection molding. Measures for the improved and less defect-prone production of such combination containers using in-mold labeling processes are already known from the prior art. For example, EP 2836347 describes so-called flow aids formed on an inner or outer wall, which essentially protrude inwards or outwards as thickenings compared to the otherwise normal wall thickness of an inner container. Such flow aids can influence the flow of the plastic material during injection molding, for example, guiding it along more favorable paths.Despite the already known state of the art, there is still a need for improvement with regard to specific requirements, which arise, for example, from certain external parts.

[0005] The object of the present invention was to overcome the remaining disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a combination container that can be manufactured to a high standard and without defects using an in-mold labeling process. Furthermore, it was an object of the invention to provide a method for manufacturing such a combination container.

[0006] Firstly, this task is solved by a combination container.

[0007] The combination container comprises a cup-shaped inner container made of injection-molded plastic. The inner container has a outer shell with a circumferential inner surface and features an open end and a closed end with a base.

[0008] Furthermore, the combination container comprises an outer part that encases the inner container. This outer part is formed from a single blank, which has a first, inner end section with a first finished edge and a second, outer end section with a second finished edge. The blank is wound into a casing, with the first, inner end section and the second, outer end section overlapping in an overlap area.

[0009] The combination container is manufactured using an in-mold labeling injection molding process.

[0010] At least two continuous and opposing flow-aid thickenings, designated as first and second flow-aid ridges, are formed on the inner surface of the base and the inner surface of the inner container's outer shell, projecting inwards. These at least two flow-aid ridges originate from a injection point in the base of the inner container and extend at least over a portion of the shell's length from the base to the open end.

[0011] The first flow aid thickening extends from the injection point towards the overlap area of ​​the outer part and is arranged along the inner surface of the outer part in the area of ​​the overlap area, such that a thickening center of the first flow aid thickening is located closer to the second end edge of the second end section than to the first end edge of the first end section of the outer part and is arranged at a circumferential distance of 1° to 45° with respect to the second end edge of the second, outer end section, wherein the first flow aid thickening has a course on the inner surface of the outer part that is at least substantially parallel to the overlap area.

[0012] These features allow for improved manufacturing of the combination container and effectively prevent injection molding defects. This enables the combination container to be produced with a very good and uniform surface texture. Specifically, the flow of plastic material in the overlap area of ​​the outer part's end sections can be directed during manufacturing in such a way that unwanted back-infiltration of the outer part—that is, the penetration of plastic material onto the outer surface of the outer part—is effectively prevented. In particular, these design features of the combination container allow the plastic material flow during manufacturing or injection molding to be directed in such a way that the plastic material flows faster to the overlap area, thus pressing the end sections against each other and against the outer contour of the corresponding injection-molded part more quickly than in other areas.Furthermore, these features of the combination container also enable the plastic material to flow over the first end section of the outer part towards the first edge during injection molding. This is because the plastic material in the area of ​​the flow aid thickenings can advance ahead of the plastic material in other areas during injection molding, and therefore spreads or distributes itself laterally from the flow aid thickenings. In addition, the at least two flow aid thickenings themselves can also stiffen the inner container, and thus the entire combination container. During injection molding, the plastic material can be provided, for example, as a free-flowing molten plastic or as a free-flowing, chemically crosslinkable plastic.In principle, the plastic material can be any injection-moldable plastic. During injection molding, adhesion can be generated or created between the injected plastic material and an inner surface of the outer part. In the case of the combination container, the plastic material of the inner container can therefore adhere to the outer part. The first, inner end section and the second, outer end section cannot be directly connected to each other, but can only be held together by the adhesion of the injection-molded plastic material to the outer part.

[0013] The second flow aid thickening, located outside the (near) overlap area, primarily serves to ensure a symmetrical flow of the plastic material during injection molding. In all embodiments, including the preferred configurations of the inner container of the combination vessel described below, the second flow aid thickening can be mirrored or symmetrically aligned with the first flow aid thickening. The at least two flow aid thickenings can, for example, protrude inwards by 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. In other words, the at least two flow aid thickenings can protrude inwards by 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm relative to the remaining or other inner surface of the casing.

[0014] The outer part can be made, for example, of a material comprising fibers, particularly cellulose fibers, and / or of a plastic material. The wall thickness of the inner container, outside of the at least two flow-enhancing thickenings, can be, for example, 0.2 mm to 1 mm. The base of the combination container can, of course, be formed by the base of the inner container, since the outer part merely encases the inner container.

[0015] The outer shell of the inner container can have a circular cross-section. Preferably, the thickening center of the first flow-aid thickening can be arranged at a circumferential distance of 1.5° to 25°, particularly 2° to 20°, relative to the second end edge of the second, outer end section. In a further development of the combination container, an outer surface of the outer part can have a convex curve at least in some areas, and the inner surface of the inner container can correspondingly have a concave curve at least in some areas along the length of the shell.

[0016] Such a geometric design of the combination container is particularly practical in terms of use and handling, but it presents a particular challenge in its manufacturing process using injection molding. However, it has been shown that even such a geometric design of the combination container can be achieved without major problems thanks to the characteristics described above. Specifically, the outer part can be formed from a conical section when loosely wound.

[0017] In another embodiment of the combination container, it may be provided that the at least two flow aid thickenings along their course on the inner surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the inner container have a minimum width of 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0018] A minimum width from the specified range can be chosen, for example, depending on the wall thickness of the inner container, outside of the at least two flow-aid thickenings. Such a minimum width has proven to be well suited for controlling the flow of the plastic material during injection molding.

[0019] In this context, a preferred embodiment of the combination container may also provide that the first flow aid thickening has a conically diverging section along its course at the bottom of the inner container.

[0020] This feature of the combination container allows for even better control of the plastic material flow during injection molding, thus effectively preventing injection molding defects, particularly unwanted back-injection defects in the combination container. This is also because such a conically diverging section can induce lateral spreading of the plastic material during injection molding, even at the base of the emerging inner container. Furthermore, the first flow aid thickening along its course on the inner surface of the inner container can be designed to widen by 1 mm to 5 mm compared to the minimum width.

[0021] This also provides improved prevention of back-injection defects on the combination container, as these features can also generate a lateral flow of the plastic material during injection molding.

[0022] In a preferred design of the combination container, exactly two opposing flow-aid thickenings can be formed on the inner surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the outer shell of the inner container.

[0023] These features allow the inner container to be manufactured with less material from the plastic used for the inner container. As it turns out, errors during injection molding, especially unwanted back-injection of the outer part, can still be effectively prevented.

[0024] Furthermore, the combination container may be designed so that at least two flow-aid thickenings extend over 25% to 80% of the outer shell length of the inner container.

[0025] This has proven sufficient to prevent injection molding defects during the injection molding process for forming the inner container. Preferably, the at least two flow-enhancing thickenings can each extend over 40% to 75%, and in particular 45% to 70%, of the inner container's shell length along the inner surface.

[0026] However, the object of the invention is also solved by an in-mold labeling injection molding process for the production of a combination container as described above.

[0027] The in-mold labeling injection molding process includes the following steps:

[0028] - Positioning the loosely wound outer part with first end sections and second end sections overlapping in the overlap area on an outer mold part of a mold tool, wherein the second, outer end section is arranged on the outside of the first, inner end section,

[0029] - Closing the mold by placing the outer mold part against an inner mold part, forming a cavity between the outer and inner mold parts of the closed mold.

[0030] - Injecting a flowable plastic material into the cavity via a sprue opening in the outer mold part, so that the flowable plastic material flows into a filling space between the outer part and the inner mold part and successively fills the cavity,

[0031] - Solidification of the plastic material,

[0032] - Opening the molding tool and removing the combination container.

[0033] Here, the loosely wound outer part is positioned on the outer mold part of the mold tool such that the first flow aid thickening extends from the injection opening towards the overlap area of ​​the outer part and runs along the inner surface of the outer part in the area of ​​the overlap area, wherein a thickening center of the first flow aid thickening is located closer to the second end edge of the second end section than to the first end edge of the first end section of the outer part and at a circumferential distance of 1° to 45° with respect to the second end edge of the second, outer end section, and wherein the first flow aid thickening is arranged on the inner surface of the outer part in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to the overlap area.

[0034] The outer shell of the inner container can have a circular cross-section. Preferably, the loosely wound outer part can be positioned on the outer molded part such that the thickening center of the first flow-aid thickening is arranged at a circumferential distance of 1.5° to 25°, in particular 2° to 20°, relative to the second end edge of the second, outer end section.

[0035] The advantages achievable with regard to the combination container, in particular the effective prevention of unwanted back-injection of the outer part, have already been described above in connection with the combination container itself, and these technical effects do not need to be repeated here, but reference is made to the above description.

[0036] A loosely wound outer part is defined as an outer part loosely wound from the blank into a shell, where the first and second end sections are not directly connected. During injection molding, adhesion can be generated or created between the injected, flowable plastic material and an inner surface of the outer part. In the case of a combination container, the plastic material of the inner container can therefore adhere to the outer part. Since the outer part is simply loosely wound from the blank and positioned on the outer molded part, the first, inner end section and the second, outer end section cannot be directly connected, but are only held together by the adhesion of the injection-molded plastic material to the outer part.

[0037] As is well known to those skilled in the technical field of injection molding, the general geometric shape, as well as the design of surface features of injection-molded bodies, such as the combination container in question, can be achieved by appropriately shaping the inner contour of the inner molded part and the outer contour of the outer molded part. It is therefore self-evident that, to form the at least two flow-aid thickenings of the combination container, appropriately shaped flow-aid channels can be formed on the inner contour of the inner molded part.

[0038] A flowable plastic material can be, for example, a flowable plastic melt or a flowable, chemically crosslinkable plastic material. In principle, any injection-moldable plastic material can be used. The solidification of the flowable plastic material can then be achieved depending on the type of plastic used, such as by cooling a hot plastic melt, cooling the two parts of the mold, or by chemically crosslinking a crosslinkable plastic material.

[0039] In the in-mold labeling process, it can be specifically provided that the loosely wound outer part is conically shaped in the wound state, and that the inner surface of the inner container is formed with a concave curve along the length of the shell, at least in some areas.

[0040] In this way, a combination container with a convexly curved outer contour can be produced, which is very practical in use and handling. As it turns out, using the in-mold labeling process described here, a combination container with such a convexly curved outer contour can be achieved without major problems, even with the insertion of an outer part that (originally) has a conical shape in its loosely wound state. For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0041] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment for an inner container of a combination container;

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment for an inner container of a combination container from Fig. 1;

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment for a blank to form an outer part of a combination container;

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view from above of an embodiment of a combination container comprising an inner container and an outer part;

[0046] Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a closed injection mold with an inserted, loosely wound outer part blank.

[0047] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the orientation designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these orientation designations must be applied analogously to the new orientation if the orientation is changed.

[0048] The combination container 1 comprises a cup-shaped inner container 2 made of an injection-molded plastic material and an outer part 3 which encloses the inner container 2. For better clarity, some features of the inner container 2 and the outer part 3 are shown separately in Figures 1, 2, and 3, respectively. An exemplary embodiment of a finished combination container 1 with the inner container 2 and outer part 3 assembled or joined together by injection molding is shown in cross-sectional view in Figure 4. It should be noted that the respective illustrations in Figures 1 to 4 are not to scale relative to each other, but are merely schematic representations.

[0049] As can best be seen by looking together at Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the inner container 2 has a container shell 4 with a circumferential inner surface 5, as well as an open end 6 and an end closed by a bottom 7. The container shell 4 of the inner container 2 can have a circular cross-section, as is also shown in the exemplary embodiments in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4.

[0050] The outer part 3 is formed from a blank 8, which is shown in Fig. 3 in its unwound state. The corresponding outer part 3 in its wound state, attached to the inner container 2, is shown in Fig. 4. As can be seen from a comparison of Figs. 3 and 4, the blank 8 (and thus also the outer part 3) has a first, inner end section 9 with a first end edge 10 and a second, outer end section 11 with a second end edge 12. As shown in Fig. 4, the blank 3 is wound into a shell, or outer part 3, in the finished combination container 1. The first, inner end section 9 and the second, outer end section 11 overlap in an overlap area 13, with the second, outer end section 11 being located on the outside of the first, inner end section 9.

[0051] The first end section 9 and the second end section 11 of the combination container 1 may not be directly connected to each other, but may be held in place by attaching the outer part 3 to the plastic material of the inner container 2. The outer part 3 or the cutout 8 may, for example, be made of a material containing fibers, in particular cellulose fibers, and / or of a plastic material.

[0052] The combination container 1 is manufactured using an in-mold labeling injection molding process, as described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 5. The process characteristics and technical effects of this in-mold labeling injection molding process are also evident from the characteristics of the combination container 1 and are further described below with reference to components 2 and 3 of the combination container 1.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, at least two continuous and opposing flow-aid thickenings, 15 and 16, are formed on the inner surface 14 of the base and 5 of the outer shell 4 of the inner container 2. These flow-aid thickenings 15 and 16 project inwards, as can be clearly seen in Figure 4. The at least two flow-aid thickenings 15 and 16 extend from a injection point 17 in the base 7 of the inner container 2 and over at least part of a shell extension 18 that stretches from the base 7 to the open end 6, as can be seen by looking at Figures 1, 2, and 4 together.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 4, the first flow-aid thickening 15 extends from the injection point 17 towards the overlap area 13 of the outer part 3 and is arranged along the inner surface 5 of the outer part 3 in the area of ​​the overlap area 13. This is such that a thickening center 19 of the first flow-aid thickening 15 is located along the inner surface 5 closer to the second end edge 12 of the second end section 11 than to the first end edge 10 of the first end section 9 of the outer part 3, and is positioned at a circumferential distance 20 of 1° to 45° from the second end edge 12 of the second, outer end section 11. Preferably, the thickening center 19 of the first flow aid thickening 15 can be arranged at a circumferential distance 20 of 1.5° to 25° and in particular of 2° to 20° with respect to the second end edge 12 of the second, outer end section 11.The first flow aid thickening 15 has a course on the inner surface 5 of the mantle that is at least substantially parallel to the overlap area 13, as can best be seen from Fig. 4.

[0055] As can be clearly seen in both Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the at least two flow-aid thickenings 15, 16 can be mirror images or symmetrically corresponding. In principle, further flow-aid thickenings, in particular further opposing pairs of flow-aid thickenings, can also be formed on the inner bottom surface 14 and the inner surface of the outer shell. However, it is also possible that exactly two opposing flow-aid thickenings 15, 16 are formed on the inner bottom surface 14 and the inner surface 5 of the outer shell 4 of the inner container 2, as is also illustrated in the embodiments shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4.

[0056] The at least two flow-aid thickenings 15, 16 can have a minimum width 21 of 1 mm to 5 mm along their course on the inner bottom surface 14 and the inner shell surface 5 of the inner container 2, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the at least two flow-aid thickenings can protrude inwards by, for example, 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. In other words, the at least two flow-aid thickenings can protrude inwards by 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm relative to the remaining or other inner shell surface 5.

[0057] As also shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 2, it can also be provided that the first flow aid thickening 15 (and, as in the illustrated embodiment, preferably also the second flow aid thickening 16) has a conically diverging section 22 in its course at the bottom 7 of the inner container 2.

[0058] Subsequently, it may also be provided that the first flow aid thickening 15 (and, as in the illustrated embodiment, preferably also the second flow aid thickening 16) has a widening of 1 mm to 5 mm along its course on the inner surface 5 of the inner container 2 compared to the minimum width 21, as is also shown in the embodiments according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 4.

[0059] The at least two flow-aid thickenings 15, 16 can each extend over 25% to 80% of the outer shell area 18 of the inner container 2 along the inner surface 5 of the shell. Preferably, the at least two flow-aid thickenings 15, 16 can each extend over 40% to 75%, and in particular 45% to 70%, of the outer shell area 18 of the inner container 2 along the inner surface 5 of the shell.

[0060] As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 and 4, an outer surface 23 of the outer part 3 can have a convex curve, at least in some areas, and the inner surface 5 of the inner container 2 can correspondingly have a concave curve, at least in some areas, along the length 18 of the outer shell. This is because an outer surface 24 of the inner container 2 is also formed with a convex curve during injection molding, and therefore the outer part 3, or rather its outer surface 23, assumes this convex curve or is forced into this shape by the injection molding process.

[0061] The in-mold labeling injection molding process is intended for the production of a combination container 1 as described above and illustrated by the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4. As already mentioned, the process characteristics and technical effects of this in-mold labeling injection molding process are also reflected in the features of the combination container 1, and therefore, the following description of the in-mold labeling process will refer to these features in conjunction with those shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0062] Reference is made to the features of the combination container 1, or its inner container 2 and outer part 3, already described in section 4. Additionally, the in-mold labeling process is also illustrated by a rough schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a mold 25 for use in the in-mold labeling process.

[0063] In principle, the in-mold labeling process comprises the following process steps:

[0064] - Positioning the loosely wound outer part 3 with first end sections 9 and second end sections 11 overlapping in the overlap area 13 on an outer mold part 26 of a molding tool 25, wherein the second, outer end section 11 is arranged outside the first, inner end section 9,

[0065] - Closing the mold 25 by placing the outer mold part 26 against an inner mold part 27, forming a cavity 28 between the outer and inner mold parts 26, 27 of the closed mold 25,

[0066] - Injecting a plastic material into the cavity 28 via a sprue opening 29 in the outer mold part 26, so that the plastic material flows into a filling space 30 between the outer part 3 and the inner mold part 27 and successively fills the cavity 28,

[0067] - Solidification of the plastic material,

[0068] - Opening the forming tool 25 and removing the combination container 1.

[0069] Figure 5 shows a corresponding mold 25 in its closed state, with the mold parts 26 and 27 abutting each other in a rough schematic representation. Also visible in Figure 5 is a loosely wound outer part 3, positioned on the outer mold part 26 before the mold 25 is closed, which is arranged in the cavity 28 after the mold 25 is closed.

[0070] This loosely wound outer part 3 is positioned on the outer mold part 26 of the mold tool 25 such that the first flow-aid thickening 15 extends from the injection point 17 towards the overlap area 13 of the outer part 3 and runs along the inner surface 5 of the outer part 3 within the overlap area 13. The center of the thickening 19 of the first flow-aid thickening 15 is located closer to the second end edge 12 of the second end section 11 than to the first end edge 10 of the first end section 9 of the outer part 3, and at a circumferential distance 20 of 1° to 45° from the second end edge 12 of the second, outer end section 11. The first flow-aid thickening 15 is arranged on the inner surface 5 in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to the overlap area 13.

[0071] These features generated during injection molding are, as mentioned, best recognized by the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4 for the product of the in-mold labeling process, namely the combination container 1, or its inner container 2 and outer part 3. Accordingly, the features of the combination container 1, or its inner container 2 and outer part 3, described in connection with Figures 1, 2, and 4 can also be generated using the in-mold labeling process.

[0072] In this context, it is of course self-evident to the average person skilled in the field of injection molding that the general geometric shape, as well as the design of surface features of injection-molded bodies, such as the combination container 1 in question, are achieved or generated by appropriately shaping an inner contour of the inner mold part 27 and an outer contour of the outer mold part 26. For example, it is self-evident to the average person skilled in the field that appropriately shaped flow aid channels can be formed on the inner contour of the inner mold part 27 to create the at least two flow aid thickenings 15, 16 of the combination container 1. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, such outer contours of the outer mold part 26 and inner contours of the inner mold part 27 are shown in Fig.

[0073] 5 not shown in detail.

[0074] As can be further seen from Fig. 5, in particular the loosely wound outer part 3 can be designed to have a conical shape in the loosely wound state, and the inner surface 5 of the inner container 2 can be designed with a concave curve at least in some areas along the length of the shell 18.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 5, the loosely wound outer part 3 does not completely abut a (convex) outer contour of the outer molded part 26, but rather a gap 31 remains, at least in some areas, between the outer contour of the outer molded part 26 and the loosely wound outer part 3. The convexly curved shape of the outer surface 23 of the outer part 3, described above, with a concavely curved inner surface 15 of the inner container 2, is therefore only achieved during injection molding by filling the filling chamber 30 with the flowable plastic material. This causes the conically shaped outer part 3 to expand and is thereby pressed against the outer contour of the outer molded part 26.

[0076] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.

[0077] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0078] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g., the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e., all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0079] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced. Reference symbol list

[0080] Combination container

[0081] Inner container

[0082] Outdoor part

[0083] Container jacket

[0084] Inner surface of the mantle

[0085] End

[0086] Floor

[0087] Cut

[0088] Final section

[0089] Finishing edge

[0090] Final section

[0091] Finishing edge

[0092] Overlap area

[0093] B floor interior surface

[0094] Flow aid thickening

[0095] Flow aid thickening

[0096] injection point

[0097] Mantle extension

[0098] Thickening agent

[0099] circumferential distance

[0100] Minimum width

[0101] Section

[0102] Outdoor area

[0103] Outdoor area

[0104] Forming tool

[0105] Molded part

[0106] Molded part

[0107] cavity

[0108] injection opening

[0109] Filling chamber

[0110] open space

Claims

Patent claims 1. Combination container (1) comprising - a cup-shaped inner container (2) made of an injection-molded plastic material, wherein the inner container (2) has a container shell (4) with a circumferential inner shell surface (5), and wherein the inner container (2) has an open end (6) and an end closed with a bottom (7), - an outer part (3) which encloses the inner container (2), wherein the outer part (3) is formed from a blank (8) which blank (8) has a first, inner end section (9) with a first end edge (10) and a second, outer end section (11) with a second end edge (12), wherein the blank (8) is wound into a jacket and the first, inner end section (9) and the second, outer end section (11) overlap in an overlap area (13), wherein the second, outer end section (11) is arranged outside the first, inner end section (9), - wherein the combination container (1) is manufactured using an in-mold labeling injection molding process, - wherein at least two continuous and opposing first and second flow aid thickenings (15, 16) are formed on an inner bottom surface (14) and the inner surface (5) of the outer shell (4) of the inner container (2), which project inwards, wherein the at least two flow aid thickenings (15, 16) are formed starting from a injection point (17) in the bottom (7) of the inner container (2) and extending at least over a part of a shell extension (18) extending from the bottom (7) to the open end (6), characterized by the fact that the first flow aid thickening (15) extends from the injection point (17) towards the overlap area (13) of the outer part (3) and is arranged along the inner surface (5) of the outer part (3) in the area of ​​the overlap area (13) of the outer part (3), such that a thickening center (19) of the first flow aid thickening (15) is located closer to the second end edge (12) of the second end section (11) than to the first end edge (10) of the first end section (9) of the outer part (3) and is arranged at a circumferential distance (20) of 1° to 45° with respect to the second end edge (12) of the second, outer end section (11), wherein the first flow aid thickening (15) has a course at least substantially parallel to the overlap area (13) on the inner surface (5).

2. Combination container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that an outer surface (23) of the outer part (3) has a convexly curved profile at least in some areas and the inner surface (5) of the inner container (2) correspondingly has a concavely curved profile at least in some areas along the length of the outer shell (18).

3. Combination container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least two flow aid thickenings (15, 16) along their course on the inner bottom surface (14) and the inner shell surface (5) of the inner container (2) have a minimum width (21) of 1 mm to 5 mm.

4. Combination container (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first flow aid thickening (15) has a conically diverging section (22) in the course at the bottom (7) of the inner container (2).

5. Combination container (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first flow aid thickening (15) has a widening by 1 mm to 5 mm compared to the minimum width (21) along its course on the inner surface (5) of the inner container (2).

6. Combination container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that exactly two opposing flow aid thickenings (15, 16) are formed on the inner bottom surface (14) and the inner surface (5) of the outer shell (4) of the inner container (2).

7. Combination container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two flow-aid thickenings (15, 16) are each formed extending over 25% to 80% of the shell extent (18) of the inner container (2) on the inner shell surface (5). - 19 - 8. In-mold labeling injection molding method for producing a combination container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps - Positioning the loosely wound outer part (3) with first end sections (9) and second end sections (11) overlapping in the overlap area (13) on an outer mold part (26) of a molding tool (25), wherein the second, outer end section (11) is arranged outside the first, inner end section (9), - Closing the mold (25) by placing the outer mold part (26) against an inner mold part (27) forming a cavity (28) between the outer and inner mold parts (26, 27) of the closed mold (25), - Injecting a plastic material into the cavity (28) via a injection port (29) in the outer mold part (26), so that the plastic material flows into a filling space (30) between the outer part (3) and the inner mold part (27) and successively fills the cavity (28), - Solidifying the plastic material, - Opening the molding tool (25) and removing the combination container (1), characterized by the fact that The loosely wound outer part (3) is positioned on the outer mold part (26) of the mold tool (25) such that the first flow aid thickening (15) extends from the injection point (17) towards the overlap area (13) of the outer part (3) and runs along the inner surface (5) of the outer part (3) in the area of ​​the overlap area (13), wherein a thickening center (19) of the first flow aid thickening (15) is located along the inner surface (5) closer to the second end edge (12) of the second end section (11) than to the first end edge (10) of the first end section (9) of the outer part (3) and is arranged at a circumferential distance (20) of 1° to 45° from the second end edge (12) of the second, outer end section (11), and wherein the first flow aid thickening (15) is located on the inner surface of the outer part (5). (5) is arranged in a course that is at least substantially parallel to the overlap area (13).

9. In Mould Eabeling injection molding process according to claim 8, characterized in that the loosely wound outer part (3) is conically shaped in the wound state, and that the inner surface (5) of the inner container (2) is formed with a concave curve at least in some areas along the length of the shell (18).

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