Container

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (11), preferably a bucket for receiving a filling material (12), in particular paints, lacquers, plastic dispersions, ready-mix plasters or other building materials, but also foodstuffs. The container (11) comprises a container lower part (13) having a base (15) and a casing (17) adjoining the base (15), the casing (17) comprising an opening (19) at its upper edge (29). The container (11) further comprises a lid (21) for closing and sealing the opening (19), which lid (21) has a sealing frame (23) for sealing the container lower part (13) and a support plate (25) bordered by the sealing frame (23). The support plate (25) is connected to the sealing frame (23) circumferentially by means of an expandable compensator element (31), by means of which compensator element (31) the support plate (25) can be lowered onto a filling material surface (35) when loaded.

Description

[0001] 1040-27328 1 18.03.2026

[0002] container

[0003] Field of invention

[0004] The invention relates to a container, preferably a bucket, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Especially in the construction industry, buckets or tubs are used as containers for building materials. These are sealed with a lid to prevent leakage and are made of plastic, such as polypropylene. Building materials like paints, emulsions, ready-mixed plaster, cement, and grout are typically filled into these containers. For transport, the containers are stacked in several rows on pallets and wrapped in foil to keep them connected. Typically, the containers have a capacity of 0.5 to 30 liters. To allow for stacking in multiple layers, the containers require considerable wall thickness in the body, base, and lid to support the weights of up to 100 kg. The containers in the bottom layer, in particular, are subjected to heavy loads. The production costs of such buckets are therefore considerable due to the required wall thickness.The containers are not so much designed to support the contents, but rather to be structurally sound enough to be stacked in multiple layers. Additionally, the containers have a dead space between the contents and the lid. This means that with each layer, the height of the stack increases by the height of the dead space, which is undesirable and takes up unnecessary space.

[0007] Object of the invention

[0008] The disadvantages of the described prior art give rise to the task of proposing an improved container of the same type, which can be manufactured more cost-effectively than prior art containers and yet contains at least the same quantity of material per stack as prior art containers. 1040-27328 2 18.03.2026

[0009] Description

[0010] The problem is solved in a container, preferably a bucket, for holding a contents, in particular paints, varnishes, emulsion paints, polymer dispersions, ready-mixed plasters, lime putty or other building materials, but also foodstuffs, by the features listed in the characterizing section of claim 1. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention is characterized in that the support plate is connected to the sealing frame by a circumferentially expandable compensator element, which allows the support plate to be lowered when loaded onto the surface of the contents. A valve is also provided for removing air from the lower part of the container when the lid is lowered. The compensator element ensures that the support plate rests on the contents when another container is placed on the lid for stacking purposes. The weight applied from above is absorbed by the contents of the container. The contents become the load-bearing element and support the weight exerted by the additional containers stacked on top. The lower part of the container merely needs to hold the contents together. As a result, the container is subjected to a much lower static load than if it had to support stacked containers.This relieves stress on the container shell, allowing it to have a thinner wall than comparable prior art containers. The container according to the invention is therefore cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, an unavoidable gap between the lid and the contents, present in prior art containers, is eliminated. This results in lower stacking towers, and the reduced stacking height even allows for an additional layer of containers to be stacked on a pallet. This advantage significantly reduces the transport costs of the buckets. Another advantage of the lowering support plate is that lowering the plate creates a recess above it, in which another bucket placed on the lid can be inserted and held. The valve allows air above the contents to escape when the support plate is lowered onto the contents.

[0012] It has proven advantageous for the compensator element to be made of a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer or a thermoplastic polyolefin plastomer. These plastics are sufficiently flexible and ensure that the support plate can be reliably lowered onto the material being filled when subjected to pressure. Such plastics are available, for example, under the trade names Borealis Queo, Exxon1040-27328 3 18.03.2026

[0013] Distributed by Vistamax, Exxon Exact, or Dow Engage. Both PO elastomers and PO plastomers can be mixed with polyolefins.

[0014] Advantageously, the thermoplastic PO elastomer or thermoplastic PO plastomer contains an alpha olefin as a co-monomer. The alpha ethylene functionality increases the number of short chain branches, which reduces the density, and also increases the modulus of elasticity, thereby improving stress crack resistance. This additive thus simultaneously improves the elongation and tensile strength of the compensator element.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least the plastic of the compensator element has a modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) between 0.1 MPa and 200 MPa. The extensibility of the compensator element is sufficient due to the specified Young's modulus to allow the support plate to be lowered onto the contents. The extensibility is also defined such that gaps of different heights between the lid and the contents level can be compensated for, and the support plate can be lowered onto the contents regardless of the height of the gap.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the compensator element has an expandable corrugated structure. The corrugated structure is expanded until the support plate rests on the contents. The corrugated structure allows the support plate to be lowered onto the contents, even if the fill level and, consequently, the space between the containers differ. The corrugated structure can be implemented using U-bends, Z-bends, lyre-shaped bends, or a spring structure. Alternatively, or in combination with the choice of plastic and the corrugated structure, the compensator element can be made thinner than the support plate to achieve or improve its expandability.

[0017] Advantageously, the sealing frame and the cover are made of a different plastic than the compensator element, for example, by manufacturing the cover using a two-component injection molding process. By injecting the different plastics in their molten state, they are welded together in the injection mold. This results in a stable connection between the compensator element, the sealing frame, and the support plate. It would be particularly advantageous if an ethylene-based PO elastomer or PO plastomer (compensator element) were bonded to an ethylene-based thermoplastic (support plate, frame) such as polyethylene (HDPE, PEMD, PELLD, PEVLD, PEULD, PELD).1040-27328 4 18.03.2026

[0018] This is because it maximizes the bond strength. The same applies analogously when a propylene-based PO elastomer or PO plastomer (compensator element) is joined to a propylene-based thermoplastic (support plate, frame) such as polypropylene.

[0019] The entire lid can also preferably be made of a stretchable, non-thermoplastic elastomer. Examples include ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), or natural rubber-based rubber. These rubbers can be manufactured by injection molding without two-component injection molding technology, by injection compression molding, or by compression molding. The lid can also be made of a stretchable, thermoplastic elastomer that is subsequently cross-linked or not. Examples include silicone-based polymers such as silicones / polysiloxanes, especially so-called "liquid silicone rubber" (LSR), and high-density silicone rubber (HTV). Further examples are thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), especially TPS (styrene-based TPE) such as SEBS.

[0020] It is advantageous if the wall thickness of the compensator element increases or decreases from the area where it abuts the sealing edge to the area where it abuts the support plate. By designing the wall thickness, the extensibility of the compensator element can be precisely adapted to the requirements of the lowering process, ensuring reliable contact of the support plate with the fill material. The extensibility can also be adjusted to the requirements by increasing or decreasing the wall thickness of the compensator element, preferably continuously or in stages. The flexibility of the compensator element can be controlled by varying its thickness. For example, this allows the compensator element to conform to the inner surface of the casing when the support plate rests on the fill material, thus improving the seal of the sealing frame.

[0021] The invention is also preferably characterized in that the support plate can be moved from a first raised position, in which the compensator element is contracted, to a second lowered position, in which the compensator element is extended, so that the support plate can rest on the surface of the contents. As described above, this change in position of the support plate allows the contents to be used as a static load-bearing element to support the weight of containers stacked above it. 1040-27328 5 18.03.2026

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid has a recess in the second position of the support plate, into which another container can be inserted. The recess is automatically formed by lowering the support plate and does not need to be additionally provided on the lid. Additionally, projections can be formed on the compensator element or on the support plate at the transition to the compensator element. These projections, in addition to the recess, prevent a container stacked on it from slipping horizontally.

[0023] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve is provided on the support plate or on the sealing frame. When the support plate is lowered, the air present in the space is forced out of the valve into the surrounding environment, thus preventing the air from impeding the lowering process. No ambient air can enter the container through the (one-way) valve. The valve is arranged on the support plate or the sealing frame in such a way that it does not hinder the stacking of containers and that the escape of air through the container placed on the support plate is not obstructed.

[0024] Preferably, the valve is positioned at the edge of the support plate adjacent to the compensator element. At this location, the valve does not obstruct any further container placed on the lid, nor does the container obstruct the valve.

[0025] It has proven advantageous for the valve to have a movable piston element. The piston element allows air to escape from the space, but seals the valve tightly upon contact with the contents.

[0026] Advantageously, the sealing frame has a circumferential groove in which the upper edge of the mantle, which defines the opening, is held in a sealing manner. To fulfill this function, a simple sealing frame, as known from the prior art, can be used for the cover.

[0027] Because the container has a filling volume between 0.5 liters and 30 liters, it has identical filling capacities to buckets of the same type. In addition to 0.5 liters and 30 liters, filling volumes of 1 liter, 2 liters, 5 liters, 10 liters, 15 liters, and 20 liters are possible. Particularly when the support plate rests on liquids, it makes sense to design the underside of the support plate to correspond to the structures on the inside of the top plate, as disclosed in WO 2022 / 248483 A1. The content of WO 2022 / 2484831040-27328 6 18.03.2026

[0028] A1, including the disclosed figures, should therefore be part of the disclosure content of the present patent application.

[0029] Accordingly, it is advantageous to have an adhesive surface on the inside of the support plate, which comes into contact with liquid, to improve liquid adhesion. This adhesive surface ensures that any liquid adhering to the inside of the lid after opening does not drip off, but instead reliably adheres to the support plate.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive surface is realized by a structure with alternating protrusions and cells, wherein the cells formed between the protrusions serve to generate an adhesive force with the liquid. A capillary effect or capillary rise acts within the cells, whereby liquid is retained in each cell and cannot drip out. The cells are closed on one side and have a filling opening facing away from the support plate. With a typical inner diameter of the support plate of approximately 300 mm, at least 20 ml of liquid are retained by the structure and reliably do not drip out. With a viscosity of the liquid higher than that of water, even more liquid can be retained by the adhesive structure.

[0031] It has proven advantageous for the raised areas to act as walls enclosing the cells, with the walls separating adjacent cells. The thin walls allow for the creation of as many cells as possible on the inside of the support plate, minimizing the amount of plastic required to manufacture the structure.

[0032] The cells are advantageously polygonal cavities, as these have a favorable ratio of wall material to cell volume. Liquid adheres particularly well to the corners.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the cells are hexagonal cavities, forming a honeycomb structure. The hexagonal cell shape has the best ratio of wall material to cell volume and represents an optimal shape in this respect. It is also advantageous if the cells are round, particularly circular, cavities. This cell shape has a similarly optimal ratio of wall material to cell volume as the honeycomb structure and can be easily demolded from the injection mold.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment, the cells are circular depressions in a support plate reinforced in the area of ​​the structure. These circular depressions 1040-27328 7 18.03.2026

[0035] They can also be added in the form of holes after injection molding. This allows for particularly flexible cell arrangement.

[0036] It is preferred that the structure has ring-shaped protrusions and ring-shaped cells enclosed by these. The injection mold for this embodiment can be manufactured with relatively little effort and is comparatively inexpensive.

[0037] It proves advantageous if the ring-shaped protrusions and the ring-shaped cells are arranged concentrically. This arrangement allows the liquid to adhere evenly to the inside of the support plate or structure.

[0038] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic diagrams. These are shown in a representation not to scale:

[0039] Figure 1: a schematic diagram of a container according to the invention with a lid attached in a first position;

[0040] Figure 2: a schematic diagram of the container with the lid in place in a second lowered position;

[0041] Figure 3: a perspective view of the container according to the invention and

[0042] Figure 4 shows a plurality of containers stacked on a pallet.

[0043] Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a container, collectively designated by reference numeral 11. Preferably, the container is a bucket 11. The bucket is preferably filled with paints, varnishes, plastic dispersions, ready-mixed plasters, or other building materials, but also with foodstuffs. The volume of the bucket 11 is between 0.5 and 30 liters. The bucket 11 typically has an elliptical cross-section, as is known from the prior art. The cross-section can also be rectangular or square with rounded corners. Such buckets 11 are referred to as "rounded-corner buckets" (Figure 3). Figure 3 shows a pallet 14 on which rounded-corner buckets are stacked in four rows. 1040-27328 8 18.03.2026

[0044] The bucket 11 has a container base 13. The container base 13 comprises a bottom 15 and a shell 17 adjoining the bottom 15. The shell 17 has an opening 19 around its upper edge 29. The bucket 11 also includes a lid 21 for closing and sealing the opening 19. The lid 21 has a sealing frame 23 for sealing the container base 13 and a support plate 25 surrounded by the sealing frame 23. The sealing frame 23 has a circumferential groove 27 in which the upper edge 29 of the shell 17 is received in a sealing manner.

[0045] The support plate 25 is connected to the sealing frame 23 by a circumferentially expandable compensator element 31. The compensator element 31 allows the support plate 25 to be lowered when loaded onto a level of fill material 35. When the lid 23 is placed on the container base 13, the support plate 25 is in a first position, and a gap 33 exists between the support plate 25 and the level of fill material 35. If the support plate 25 is lowered, for example, by placing another bucket 11 on it, the compensator element 31 expands until the support plate 25 rests on the level of fill material 35. The support plate 25 is then in a second position on the level of fill material. This second position has the advantage that the filling material 12 becomes a statically effective and supporting element, as it helps to bear the weight of the buckets 11 stacked above the support plate 25.As shown in Figure 4, four rows of buckets 11 can be stacked on the pallet 14. This means that the contents 12 of the bottom buckets 11 support the weight of three buckets 11 stacked above them. Fluctuations in the contents height can be compensated for by the flexible compensator element 31, ensuring that the support plate rests on the contents level 35 in the second position. In the second position of the support plate 35, the lid 21 forms a recess 37. Another container 11 can be inserted into the recess 37. The compensator element 31 therefore has the further advantage that the lid 21 forms the recess 37 for stacking containers 11.

[0046] The extensibility of the compensator element 31 can be achieved in several ways, either separately or in combination. Figure 1 shows the compensator element 31 with an expandable corrugated structure. The corrugated structure can be realized by U-bends, Z-bends, lyre bends, or a spring structure. The use of plastics with a low modulus of elasticity, such as thermoplastic polyolefin plastomer or thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, is also conceivable. The compensator element 31 is welded to the sealing frame 23 and the support plate 25 using a two-component injection molding process, creating a permanent welded connection.

[0047] these components are formed. The entire lid 21 can also be made of a stretchable non-thermoplastic elastomer. Examples include ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), or rubber based on natural rubber.

[0048] A valve 39 is arranged at the edge of the support plate 25 adjacent to the compensator element 31. This allows air to escape from the space 33 when the support plate 25 is lowered from the first to the second position. This ensures that the support plate 25 rests completely on the filling material 12 and is fully supported by it. The valve can have a movable piston element that allows air to escape but seals the valve upon contact with the filling material. This prevents any filling material from being forced out of the container and past the valve. 1040-27328 18.03.2026

[0049] Legend:

[0050] 11 containers, buckets

[0051] 12 Filling material

[0052] 13 Container base

[0053] 14 pallets

[0054] 15 Floor

[0055] 17 coat

[0056] 19 Opening

[0057] 21 lids

[0058] 23 sealing frames

[0059] 25 T support plate

[0060] 27 Nut

[0061] 29 Upper edge of the mantle 31 Compensator element 33 Space

[0062] 35 Fill level

[0063] 37 In-depth study

[0064] 39 valve

Claims

1040-27328 11 18.03.2026 1. Container (11), preferably a bucket for receiving a filling material (12), in particular paints, varnishes, plastic dispersions, ready-mixed plasters or other building materials but also foodstuffs, comprising - a container base (13) with a bottom (15) and a shell (17) adjoining the bottom (15), wherein the shell (17) has an opening (19) at its upper edge (29) and - a lid (21) for closing and sealing the opening (19), which lid (21) comprises a sealing frame (23) for sealing the container base (13) and a support plate (25) surrounded by the sealing frame (23), characterized in that that the support plate (25) is connected to the sealing frame (23) by a flexible compensator element (31) all around, by which compensator element (31) the support plate (25) can be lowered when loaded onto a fill material level (35) and that a valve (39) is provided for removing air from the lower part of the container (13) when the lid (21) is lowered on the container (11).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the compensator element (31) is made of a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer or a thermoplastic polyolefin plastomer.

3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer or the thermoplastic polyolefin plastomer comprises an alpha olefin as a co-monomer.

4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the plastic of the compensator element (31) has a modulus of elasticity between 0.1 MPa and 200 MPa.

5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensator element (31) has an expandable corrugated structure. 1040-27328 12 18.03.2026 6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing frame (23) and the lid (21) are made of a different plastic than the compensator element (31), in that the lid (21) is manufactured, for example, in a 2-component injection molding process.

7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the entire lid (21) is made of a stretchable non-thermoplastic elastomer.

8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the compensator element (31) increases or decreases from the area where it borders the sealing frame (23) to the area where it borders the support plate (25).

9. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the wall thickness of the compensator element (31) increases or decreases continuously or stepwise.

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support plate (25) can be moved from a first raised position, in which the compensator element (31) is contracted, to a second lowered position, in which the compensator element (31) is extended, so that the support plate (25) can rest on the filling material (35).

11. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that in the second position of the support plate (25) the lid (21) has a recess (37) into which recess (31) another container can be inserted.

12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (39) is provided on the support plate (25) or on the sealing frame (23) or on the upper edge (29) of the shell (17).

13. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the valve (39) is provided at the edge of the support plate (25) to the compensator element (31).

14. Container according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the valve (39) has a movable piston element. 1040-27328 13 18.03.2026 15. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing frame (23) has a circumferential groove (27) in which the upper edge (29) of the shell (17) is received in a sealing manner.

16. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (11) has a filling volume between 0.5 liters and 30 liters.

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