DE10324893A1 - Plastic bottle has peripheral ribs with concave upper surfaces which fit against convex lower surfaces on ribs above when bottle is compressed, barb on rod attached to base interlocking with hooked section in neck - Google Patents

Abstract

The plastic bottle has peripheral ribs (13) with concave upper surfaces (15) which fit against convex lower surfaces (16) on the ribs above when the bottle is compressed for disposal. A barb (21) on a rod (20) attached to the base (19) of the bottle then interlocks with a hooked section (25) in the neck.

Description

The Invention relates to a plastic bottle which, when emptied is folded up from its content to a minimum of its capacity and then, in order not to change the state, can be locked.

containers in the form of bottles there are made of glass, plastic and metal. They are available as single-use and reusable bottles. returnable bottles are containers for liquids, the multiple for the same purpose. Disposable bottles are for the one time Use determined. After that, they become like the Waste Management Act prescribes by citizens disposed of. One-way bottles on which a deposit will be charged from the beverage trade according to the nature - glass or plastic - provided in containers collected and, when full, the recycling company fed. One-way bottles that are not subject to a bottle deposit will be used from the citizens as waste - in so called "yellow Tons "- disposed of.

criticism State of the art: Empty disposable bottles form unusable ones Cavities. In collection containers become about 80% of the capacity from these cavities ingested. According to the current nature of the bottles no other way and has the consequence that the cavities are collecting in containers and making their transportation more expensive. From the waste disposal company the disposable containers machine perforated and for further transport compressed into bales. The same goes for for disposable bottles, the citizens in the "Yellow Dispose of tons. Would be different it if after emptying the volume of the bottles to a minimum could be reduced. The then increased intake of bottles would increase the collection and storage costs reduce significantly in retail - including that of yellow bins of households.

Documents considered for the assessment of patentability:
All publications of the classes:
B 05 B, 11/04; B 65 D, 1/08; B 65 B, 8/00; B 67 C, 9/00
From the classes mentioned, in particular the following patent, disclosure and utility model documents:
DE 32 17913.8-35 ; DE 199 57 788.9 ; EP 0 702 968 ; G 90 17 361.9

According to the invention proposed a bottle made of plastic in which the trunk body up close of the bottle bottom up close of the bottle neck with repeatedly changing diameters as a folding surface is formed into a bellows shape, in such a way that on the folded edges of the outer diameter and on the folded edges of the inner diameter, these for the folding process are acute-angled. To during the folding process the bellows shape of the bottle the tensions between the surfaces that of the outside and to take up that of the inner diameter, the surfaces are weak domed trained - the while of the folding process into a strongly curved shape.

Around place a bottle folded to a minimum of volume and to be able to store it is designed with components in the form of tools that meet these requirements. That is part of it on the one hand: in the middle of the surface The bottom of the bottle is in the space of the bottle protruding hollow rod, which is designed as a catching cone at the upper end and on the other: the bottle neck is provided with a sleeve that from the bottle neck down protrudes into the bottle. At the lower end of the sleeve, this is with the inside in the sleeve area protruding segment-shaped Spreading ribs formed. In the immediate area of the bottle neck, at the contact surface with the bottle neck, the outer surface of the sleeve forms a closed unit. From the point from which the sleeve The sleeve protrudes freely into the space of the bottle, the sleeve is multiple perforated, so that the lower part of the sleeve as a ring with expanding ribs formed longitudinal struts, connected to them.

bottles are made of plastic depending on the intended use different technical processes. In case that the coupling elements - hollow rod / cone and sleeve - from process engineering establish out of the question it is possible on the acute-angled folded edges of the outer diameter of the bellows shape, this with corresponding coupling elements directed upwards and downwards to be designed so that they snap into each other when the folding process is complete and a spreading of the folding surfaces and prevent stretching of the bellows shape.

• • Als gegeneinander gerichtete mit Spreizrippen versehene Profile, die bei gefalteter Balgform ineinander rasten.
• • Mit nur einem Profil an jeder spitzwinkligen Faltkante, mit in den Profilen befindlichen Öffnungen, in die die Spreizrippen des Profils der nächsten Faltkante einrasten.
• • Als Druckleiste, die sich bei gefalteter Balgform nach dem Druckknopfprinzip

The coupling elements can be designed differently:

• • As mutually directed profiles with expansion ribs that snap into each other when the bellows shape is folded.
• • With only one profile on each acute-angled folded edge, with openings in the profiles into which the expanding ribs of the profile of the next folded edge snap into place.
• • As a pressure bar, which works according to the push button principle when the bellows is folded

Depending on the type of coupling elements, they are along the folded edge of the outer diameter sers, attached in segments at intervals. This form of segment spacing with coupling elements and segment spacing without coupling elements ensure that pallor cannot accumulate on the folding surfaces.

method when emptying and folding the plastic bottle: when emptying the bottle pours out the content through the openings between the longitudinal struts the sleeve towards the bottle neck opening. Depending on the original The contents of the emptied bottles will be on the inside of the bottle Bottle adhering valuable rest rinsed out - a process also at unfoldable bottles is practiced.

Around folding up the plastic bottle becomes the bottle cap, the screw cap of the bottle for venting loosened. Then the plastic bottle is held horizontally between both palms, squeezed - or one puts the bottle on the table, loosens the cap, puts both palms around the bottle neck and squeezes the bottle down together. In both processes, the folded surfaces are the spread Bellows shape of the trunk body pressed together. The resulting tensions between the outside and the inner diameter of the folding surfaces are determined by further Compensation for the already pre-formed curvature is compensated. The folding process is finished when the hollow rod penetrates the sleeve and the expansion ribs enclose the catch cone. The locking and retention device guaranteed that the folded plastic bottle up to its thermal or mechanical processing maintains this state. Before that folded bottle is disposed of, the bottle cap will come back screwed. For Bottles with coupling elements, which are located on the outside at the folded edges the same applies as for Bottles with hollow rod / cone and sleeve.

• 1. Bei Einwegflaschen mit einem Flaschenpfand, zu deren Rücknahme der Händler verpflichtet ist, wäre der Händler in der Lage in derzeitige Container mindestens die doppelte Menge an leerem Einweggut unterzubringen. Bei einem Fassungsvermögen von der doppelten Menge Leergut, erspart das die Hälfte der Kosten für die Lagerung und für den Transport.
• 2. Einwegflaschen ohne Flaschenpfand, beispielsweise Flaschen mit Reinigungsmitteln oder mit Mitteln für die Körperpflege, werden in so genannten "Gelben Tonnen" entsorgt. Zusammengefaltete Flaschen der genannten Art, fassen die "Gelben Tonnen" ebenfalls die doppelte Menge. Das Entleeren der "Gelben Tonnen" reicht dann, wenn sie bei jeder zweiten Tour vorgenommen würde – dass heißt, jede zweite Tour könnte ausfallen was zur Folge hat, dass der Müllentsorger Transportkosten und der Bundesbürger Entsorgungskosten spart. Bei einer Minderung des Volumens der Flasche um 50% werden etwa 50% der Kosten eingespart, wenn dadurch die Tonnen 50% mehr Einwegflaschen aufnehmen.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are:

• 1. In the case of disposable bottles with a bottle deposit, which the dealer is obliged to take back, the dealer would be able to accommodate at least twice the amount of empty disposable goods in current containers. With a capacity of twice the amount of empties, this saves half the costs for storage and transport.
• 2. Disposable bottles without a deposit, for example bottles with cleaning agents or with personal care products, are disposed of in so-called "yellow bins". Folded bottles of the type mentioned, the "yellow barrel" also double the amount. The emptying of the "yellow bins" is sufficient if it were carried out on every second tour - this means that every second tour could fail, which means that the waste disposal company saves transport costs and the German citizen saves disposal costs. If the volume of the bottle is reduced by 50%, about 50% of the costs will be saved if the tons absorb 50% more disposable bottles.

• • In den Druckschriften der aufgeführten Patent-Klassen waren keine Kopplungselemente dargestellt und beschrieben – so wie im erfindungsgemäßen Vorschlag der vorliegenden Beschreibung.
• • In den Druckschriften der genannten Patent-, Offenlegungs- und Gebrauchsmuster-Anmeldungen, sind faltenbalgartig ausgebildete Rumpfkörper dargestellt und beschrieben. Hierzu ist festzustellen:

Im entspannten Zustand klaffen die Faltflächen der Balggebilde gespreizt auseinander. Je nach Beschaffenheit und Festigkeit des Materials der Faltenbalgflaschen, besitzt dieses entsprechende starke Rückstellkräfte. Beim Zusammendrücken der Balggebilde in axialer Richtung und dadurch, dass die äußeren und inneren Durchmesser der Faltflächen ihre Maße unveränderbar beibehalten (nicht so bei Gummi), wölben sich die Faltflächen durch die aufkommenden Spannungen in axialer Richtung in eine radiale Ausprägung. Die radiale Wölbung kann axial gesehen, eine positiv nach oben gerichtete oder eine negativ nach unten gerichtete Ausprägung einnehmen. Bei der Betrachtung der Querschnitte zweier zusammengedrückter Faltflächen geben diese, wenn die obere positiv und die untere negativ gewölbt ist, eine Linsenform ab, bei der die aufkommenden Spannungen keinem gegensätzlichen Druck ausgesetzt sind. Ist im Gegensatz dazu, die obere Faltfläche negativ nach unten und die untere Faltfläche positiv nach oben gewölbt, nehmen bei der Betrachtung dieses Querschnitts beide Faltflächen eine konkave Form ein, bei der der aufkommende Druck einer Faltfläche sich gegen den der gegenüberliegenden Faltfläche richtet – mit der Folge, eines übersteigerten Aufkommens von Rückstellkräften. Das zusätzliche Aufkommen dieser so genannten Rückstellkräfte kann das Falten und Verriegeln der Flaschen erschweren. Erfindungsgemäß wird das jedoch dadurch verhindert, dass alle Faltflächen in eine Richtung gewölbt ausgebildet sind, wobei es unerheblich ist, ob die Faltflächen positiv nach oben oder negativ nach untern vorgeprägt sind. Diese schwache Vorwölbung bewirkt, dass bei dem Falten der Flasche, die aufkommenden Spannungen von in der gleiche Richtung gewölbten Flächen aufgenommen werden – sodass zusätzliche Kräfte für das Rückstellen, das Bestreben des Spreizens der Faltflächen, sich nicht entgegenstellen.At this point, further comments on the criticism of the state of the art and on the publications considered:

• • No coupling elements were shown and described in the publications of the listed patent classes - as in the proposal according to the invention of the present description.
• • In the documents of the mentioned patent, disclosure and utility model applications, bellows-shaped hull bodies are shown and described. It should be noted here:

In the relaxed state, the folding surfaces of the bellows form gaps apart. Depending on the nature and strength of the material of the bellows bottles, this has correspondingly strong restoring forces. When the bellows are compressed in the axial direction and because the outer and inner diameters of the folding surfaces retain their dimensions unchangeably (not so with rubber), the folding surfaces bulge radially due to the stresses that arise in the axial direction. Seen radially, the radial curvature can have a positive upward or a negative downward expression. When looking at the cross-sections of two compressed folding surfaces, when the upper one is positive and the lower one is curved, they give a lens shape in which the arising stresses are not exposed to any opposing pressure. In contrast, if the upper folding surface is curved downwards negatively and the lower folding surface is curved upwards, when considering this cross-section, both folding surfaces assume a concave shape, in which the pressure of one folding surface is directed against that of the opposite folding surface - with Result, an excessive amount of restoring forces. The additional occurrence of these so-called restoring forces can make it difficult to fold and lock the bottles. According to the invention, however, this is prevented by all the folding surfaces being curved in one direction, it being irrelevant whether the folding surfaces are positively embossed upwards or negatively downwards. This slight protrusion means that when the bottle is folded, the stresses that arise are curved in the same direction - so that additional forces for resetting, the striving of the chaff zens of the folding surfaces, do not oppose each other.

An exemplary embodiment is explained with reference to the drawings. Given the size of the figures shown, it would be irritating to show the cut surfaces hatched due to the low thickness of the material from which plastic bottles are made. Both 1 . 2 . 3 . 6 and 7 the line thickness represents the section through the material.

It shows:

1 : A longitudinal sectional view through a plastic bottle with spread folding surfaces ( 15 and 16 ).

2 : A sectional view through a plastic bottle in a state when folded ( 31 . 32 u. 33 ) and locked ( 35 u. 36 ) is.

3 : A sectional view through the sleeve

4 : A top view of the sleeve

5 : A representation of the inner surface of the shell of the sleeve

6 : A circular enlarged section of the representation using the code number 29 at 1 , It shows on the top and bottom edges of spread folding surfaces 71 , external coupling elements 73 . 74 and 79 ,

7 : A circular enlarged section of the representation using the code number 40 at 2 , It shows external coupling elements 75 . 76 . 77 and 79 which are snapped together and locked by the folding process.

The trunk body 10 ( 1 ) is close to the bottom of the bottle 11 ( 1 ) close to the bottle neck 12 ( 1 ) with changing diameters 93 and 14 ( 1 ), as a folding surface 15 and 16 ( 1 ) formed in bellows form. To help in the process of folding, the folding surfaces 15 and 16 ( 1 ) fold as close as possible without any exposed gaps ( 31 . 32 u. 33 ( 2 )), are the folded edges 17 ( 1 ) of the outer bellows diameter 13 ( 1 ) and the folded edges 19 ( 1 ) of the inner bellows diameter 14 ( 1 ) formed at an acute angle. In order during the process of collapsing the bottle, the tensions that arise in the folding surfaces 15 and 16 ( 1 ) between the outer and inner diameter 13 and 14 ( 1 ) are the folding surfaces 15 . 16 ( 1 ) and 71 ( 1 ) slightly arched.

In the presentation 2 and 6 - they show the folded bellows shape of the fuselage body 30 ( 2 ) - are the folding surfaces 31 and 32 ( 2 ) by absorbing the tensions with a more pronounced curvature 33 ( 2 ) and 72 ( 7 ) mapped.

From the middle of the surface of the bottle bottom 19 ( 1 ) is in the space of the trunk body 10 ( 1 ) protruding hollow bar 20 ( 1 ), at the top end as a catching cone 21 ( 1 ) is shown.

The bottleneck 22 ( 1 ) is with a sleeve 23 ( 1 ) (and 41 ( 3 ) and 34 ( 2 )) provided by the bottleneck 22 ( 1 ) down into the bottle 10 ( 1 ) protrudes. At the bottom of the sleeve 23 ( 1 ) this is with the inside in the sleeve space 24 ( 1 ) 42 ( 3 ) and 51 ( 4 ) protruding ribs 25 ( 1 ) 43 ( 3 ) and 52 ( 4 ) educated. The spreading ribs are like out 4 visible, segment-shaped ( 52 ( 4 )) educated. At the height of the bottle neck 22 ( 1 ) is the sleeve 23 ( 1 ) with locking bolts 26 ( 1 ) 37 ( 2 ) 45 ( 3 ) 57 ( 5 ) and 56 ( 4 ) trained - in such a way that the locking bolt has an outwardly spread position 45 ( 3 ) take in. With sleeves placed in bottles ( 23 ( 1 )), take the locking latch 26 ( 1 ) in the bar bays 27 ( 1 ) the bottles their spread layers. The position taken in this way ensures that the sleeve is in the process of locking the folded bottle 34 ( 2 ) cannot escape in the opposite direction, ie upwards from the bottle neck.

In the area of the bottle neck 22 ( 1 ) closes the surface 53 ( 5 ) the sleeve 41 ( 3 ) tight with the bottle neck ( 22 ( 1 )) from. The part of the sleeve protruding into the space of the bottle 23 ( 1 ) is for an unhindered pouring out of the liquid in several places 54 ( 5 ) broken. The material between the free open columns 54 ( 5 ) to longitudinal struts 55 ( 5 ) formed at the lower end of the sleeve 41 ( 3 ) a closed ring again 44 ( 3 ) represent. The ring 44 ( 3 ) is with the segmented spreading ribs mentioned 52 ( 4 ) 56 ( 5 ) and 43 ( 3 ) educated.

When the plastic bottle is folded, the hollow rod penetrates with the cone 35 ( 2 ) in the sleeve 34 ( 2 ) on. In the final phase of this process, the spreading ribs clasp 36 ( 2 ) directly behind the safety cone 35 ( 2 ) the upper end of the hollow rod ( 20 ( 1 )). In this process, the hollow rod with the catching cone and the sleeve form two coupling elements which snap into each other and the plastic bottle permanently in it keep folded state together.

The function of the locking bolt 26 ( 1 ) 37 ( 2 ) and 45 ( 4 ) and the function of the transom bay 27 ( 1 ) and 39 ( 2 ) is in a circle on an enlarged scale 68 ( 1 ). The numbers 61 and 62 mark with the Riegel Bay 65 the bottleneck. The numbers 63 and 64 mark with the spread locking bar 66 the sleeve ( 23 ( 1 )). The digit 67 identifies the screw cap of the bottle. The cut as it is on an enlarged scale 68 ( 1 ) with the sleeve 63 and 64 and the issued locking bolt 66 is shown, coincides with the section A: B 5 Instead of the so-called sleeve 41 ( 3 ) like from 1 u. 2 visible in the area of the bottle neck, it is also possible to attach it in a modified form on the inside of the screw cap. However, the coupling member can also be made as a component of the bottle, together with it from one piece - just as the hollow rod and the cone are part of the bottle.

Plastic bottles with coupling elements that are attached to the outside of the bottle are attached at locations that move towards each other during the folding process. The places in question for this are the upper and lower surfaces of the folded edges 13 and 17 ( 1 ) of the folding surfaces 15 and 16 ( 1 ). An example is given by 6 shown. reference number 73 and 74 ( 6 ) and 75 and 76 ( 7 ) represent a cross section through the profiles of the coupling elements. The profiles of the coupling elements surround the outer diameter in segments 13 ( 1 ) of the folding surface 15 and 16 ( 1 ). When folding the bellows shape ( 2 ) the profile strips snap into place 74 and 79 ( 6 ) into each other - just like through 77 and 78 ( 7 ) - and keep the plastic bottle together in this folded state in the long run.

The coupling elements 73 . 74 and 79 ( 6 ) and 75 and 76 ( 7 ) are profile strips which, seen in their cross-section, resemble barbs which engage in opposite directions 77 and 78 ( 7 ).

Other forms of coupling elements already described would be: The profile bar 74 ( 6 ) is omitted and the profile strips 73 and 79 ( 6 ) there are openings in which the barbs engage, for example: the barbs of 79 ( 6 ) reach into openings of 73 ( 6 ) etc. Another form of coupling elements would be that instead of the profile strips shown 74 and 79 ( 6 ) Profile strips are pressed together according to the push-button principle, which also keep the plastic bottles together in the long-term when folded.

etiquette on the bottles, the information about the Giving content will be convenient with an appropriate adhesive on the acute-angled outer edges of the folding surfaces attached, which are exposed in segments. When folding the bellows shape of the Bottles, minimizing the bottle volume, also fold the labels without affecting the process of folding the bottle.

Claims (10)

Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components designed as tools, characterized in that the fuselage body 10 ( 1 ) from near the bottom of the bottle 11 ( 1 ) close to the bottle neck 12 ( 1 ) with changing diameters 13 and 14 ( 1 ) is designed as a folding surface such that the folding surfaces 15 and 16 ( 1 ) are arched. Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components designed as tools, according to claim 1, characterized in that the curvature of the folding surfaces 15 and 16 ( 1 ) are designed to point in the same direction. Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components designed as tools, according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the folded edges 17 and 18 ( 1 ) of the folding surfaces 15 and 16 ( 1 ) are formed at an acute angle. Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components designed as tools, according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bottle bottom 19 ( 1 ) with a hollow rod protruding into the space of the bottle 20 ( 1 ) with a catch cone at the upper end 21 ( 1 ) is trained. Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components designed as tools, according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the bottle neck 22 ( 1 ) inserted and protruding into the bottle 23 ( 1 ) at the bottom with the sleeve space 24 ( 1 ) protruding ribs 25 ( 1 ) is trained. Plastic bottle for folding and locking, with components designed as tools, according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sleeve 23 ( 1 ), for an unhindered pouring of the bottle contents, with openings 54 ( 5 ) is trained. Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components as tools forms, according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the acute-angled folded edges 13 and 17 ( 1 ) of the outer diameter of the folding surfaces 15 and 16 ( 1 ), with profile strips 73 . 74 and 79 ( 6 ) and 75 and 76 ( 7 ) are trained. Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components designed as tools, according to claim 1 to 3 and 7, characterized in that the profile strips 73 . 74 and 79 ( 6 ) and 75 and 76 ( 7 ) are designed with ribs in the form of barbs. Plastic bottle to fold and lock it, with components designed as tools, according to claims 1 to 3 and 7 to 8, characterized in that the profile strips 73 . 74 and 79 ( 6 ) and 75 and 76 ( 7 ) are designed as push-button profile strips. Plastic bottle to fold and lock, with components designed as tools, according to claim 1 to 3 and 7 to 9, characterized in that the profile strips 73 . 74 and 79 ( 6 ) and 75 and 76 ( 7 ), on the folded edges 13 and 17 ( 1 ) are formed in segment lengths and at intervals of segment lengths.