EP2163483A1 - Plastic container - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle has a base (2) that is provided with a cross-section different from a circular cross-section, where an injection point (4) is provided in a central region of the base. The base has radially extending two main ribs (6a, 6b) that linearly extend over the base such that a geometric connection line (L1) runs through the injection point. The injection point is arranged in a recess (12) of the base, where the recess extends in a direction of an interior of the bottle and separates both the main ribs from each other.

Description

The present invention relates to a plastic container which can be used in particular for drinks. In the beverage industry, more and more plastic containers have prevailed over glass bottles in recent years. The most varied basic shapes or cross sections for such plastic bottles are known. On the one hand, such plastic containers often have circular cross-sections, but it is also known to provide the containers with a rectangular or square cross-section. The latter embodiment brings particular advantages in terms of space utilization during storage and in terms of stability.

Furthermore, efforts are also being made to further reduce the consumption of materials in the production of such containers. This leads to the fact that the walls and the bottom of these containers are always made thinner walls. On the other hand, however, make sure that the bottle wall and in particular the bottom of these containers is made stable enough to withstand one hand, the own weight of a filled bottle and on the other hand, any resulting internal pressure, especially in carbonated drinks. In the prior art bottles are always used with a round cross section for the filling of carbonated drinks. However, such containers go hand in hand with an increased need for materials, a limited Pressure resistance and also a poorer tilt stability due to the circular cross-section.

The WO 2006/067590 A1 describes a bottle bottom made of plastic. More precisely, reinforcing recesses are provided which extend transversely with respect to this bottle bottom, wherein a continuous main rib is arranged in the bottom. The floor itself has a square cross-section with rounded corners. The said main ribs extend up to an injection point of the container. By such a design of the bottle bottom, an increased stability can be achieved, but in particular in the region of the injection point, unfavorable stress distributions result, if necessary, through the design of the corresponding reinforcing ribs.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to further increase the stability of heights of plastic bottles and in particular to increase the pressure resistance. In addition, the material requirements for the production of plastic containers should be further reduced.

This is inventively achieved by a plastic container according to claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments and developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A plastic container according to the invention has a bottom which has a cross section deviating from a circular cross section, wherein an injection point is provided in a central region of this bottom. According to the invention, the floor has at least two first radially extending main ribs which extend in a straight line over the floor in such a way that a geometric connecting line runs through the injection point. Furthermore, the injection point is arranged in a preferably in the direction of the interior of the plastic container extending first recess of the bottom, said recess separating the two first main ribs from each other. Preferably, this recess is circular in shape surrounding the injection point completely.

In other words, the bottom in the region of the recess or of the injection point has a dome-like structure, wherein the injection point itself preferably sits in the center of this dome-like structure.

A cross section deviating from a circular cross section is understood to mean but not exclusively square or rectangular cross sections, a square cross section also being such a cross section having more or less rounded corners and sections extending substantially rectilinearly between these corners.

By separating the two main ribs and through the recess increased stability of the soil is achieved. In particular, the said recess contributes to increase its stability in the central region of the soil. Preferably, the two main ribs reach up to the recess or contact them. In this way it is possible to produce a particularly stable framework, in particular in the area of said recess. In the following, ribs will be particularly straightforward Recesses understood, which preferably extend in the direction of the interior of the container. These ribs material reinforcement is achieved without the wall thickness in the area of the soil must be significantly increased for this purpose. Furthermore, with the help of these ribs, the stability of the container can be increased on its bottom surface.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the bottom has two second main ribs, which extend in a straight line over the bottom in such a way that a geometric connecting line runs through the injection point. In other words, these two second main ribs also extend in the radial direction starting from the injection point or a longitudinal axis of the container. Through these two other main ribs, the stability can be increased in other directions of the soil.

In this case, preferably, the recess also separates the two second main ribs from one another, wherein here too, the main ribs particularly preferably approach the recess or even extend into the recess. In a further preferred embodiment, the first geometric connecting line is substantially perpendicular to the second geometric connecting line. In this way, the two first main ribs and the two second main ribs form a cross which extends over the bottom of the bottle.

The two preferably at right angles arranged main ribs or drawstrings preferably have an inner radius which is between 30mm and 60mm, preferably between 35mm and 50mm and more preferably between 40mm and 50mm. All main ribs are, as I said, preferred by the Recess or the central dome interrupted, the injection point is located in the middle of this recess. The recess preferably has a radius between 4 mm and 25 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 20 mm and particularly preferably between 8 mm and 15 mm. The main ribs or drawstrings are advantageous to the outlet of this recess.

The wall thickness at the point of attachment of the main ribs to the recess is advantageously relatively high and serves to achieve a high pressure stability. On the other hand, the size of the diameter of the recess is significant for the steepness of the main ribs and thus also crucial for the material requirements. Characterized in that the injection point is retracted within the recess, that is displaced in the direction of the interior of the container, is contributed to a ground contact of the container to improve the ground clearance.

The preferred use of four main ribs or drawstrings increases the pressure resistance of the container. The four main ribs distribute the internal pressure more homogeneously to the square cross-section. In this way, a pressure-stable bottom is achieved up to an internal pressure of more than 3 bar. Furthermore, a low material usage and also a high tilt angle are guaranteed.

Through this cross of the main ribs a high stability of the soil and thus the entire container is reached. Preferably, at least one main rib extends to an edge of the bottom. In a further advantageous embodiment, all main ribs extend to the each of these associated edge of the soil. Advantageously, the respective main ribs extend not only to the edge of the bottom but also into a region of the container which adjoins the bottom, such as a curved transition region, with which the bottom merges into the side wall of the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the bottom has a symmetrical cross section. Preferably, the floor is designed such that there are a plurality of geometric axes of symmetry. For example, it is possible for the first main ribs and also the second main ribs to form respective axes of symmetry of the bottom. Advantageously, the bottom is designed symmetrically with respect to the arrangement of the individual main ribs, or the recesses in which the main ribs are arranged.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the edge of the bottom has four substantially rectilinear sections. In this case, a straight-line section is understood as meaning such a section which has a radius of curvature of more than 300 mm. Furthermore, the edge of the bottom preferably has four corner sections with a predetermined radius of curvature. In order for a total of a substantially square cross-section is provided which has four straight sections and between these rectilinear sections each corner sections with predetermined radius of curvature.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a sub-rib is arranged between at least one first main rib and at least one second main rib, this sub-rib extending along a geometric line which again passes through the injection point. Thus, the sub-rib also extends in the above-mentioned radial direction and thus contributes to a stabilization of the soil, in particular in the region lying between the main ribs.

Preferably, the bottom between the main ribs on four side ribs. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, the four main ribs, as mentioned above, a cross and the four side ribs form a cross, since also here particularly preferably the extension lines of these side ribs are perpendicular to each other.

In a further advantageous embodiment, each of the side ribs is shorter than each of the main ribs. In this case, the side ribs preferably do not extend as far as the above-mentioned recess, and particularly preferably do not extend as far as the edge of the container. Preferably, the connecting lines of each pair of secondary ribs are substantially perpendicular to each other.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the main ribs extend either parallel or perpendicular to the rectilinear sections. Preferably, the main ribs extend from the recess up to the respective rectilinear edges, wherein they meet or cut these edges substantially in the middle thereof. The connecting lines of the secondary ribs in this embodiment preferably extend in the direction of the rounded corners, more precisely, preferably in the geometric center of these corners.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

Fig. 1

eine Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behältnisses;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf einen Boden eines erfindungsgemäßen Behältnisses;

Fig. 3

den Boden aus Fig. 2 zur Veranschaulichung unterschiedlicher Perspektiven;

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht des Bodens aus Fig. 3 entlang der Linie A-A aus Fig . 3;

Fig. 5

ein Detail der in Fig. 4 gezeigten Darstellung;

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht des in Fig. 3 gezeigten Bodens entlang der Linie B-B aus Fig. 3;

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht des Bodens aus Fig. 3 entlang der Linie F-F aus Fig. 3;

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Bodens.

Show:

Fig. 1

a view of a container according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a plan view of a bottom of a container according to the invention;

Fig. 3

the ground out Fig. 2 to illustrate different perspectives;

Fig. 4

a view of the ground Fig. 3 along the line AA Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

a detail of in Fig. 4 shown illustration;

Fig. 6

a view of the in Fig. 3 shown floor along the line BB Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 7

a view of the ground Fig. 3 along the line FF Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 8

a side view of a floor according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a container according to the invention 1. This container has an orifice 3 and a wall body 5 and a bottom 2. It can also be arranged in the region of the wall body stabilizing ribs.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view from below of a floor according to the invention. It can be seen here that this floor has a substantially square cross-section, ie a wall 20 with rectilinear sections 22 and rounded Has corners 24. an injection point 4 is provided at the center of this floor.

This injection point in turn is disposed within a recess 12, wherein this recess 12 in the direction of the container interior, ie in the plane of FIG Fig. 2 hineinerstreckt.

The reference numerals 6a and 6b refer to first main ribs, which in Fig. 2 run horizontally. In the process, these main ribs 6a and 6b adjoin the recess 12 in each case. More specifically, these main ribs each have curved projections which project into the recess 12. In this way, a particularly stable design of the soil is achieved. The two first main ribs 6a, 6b extend along the geometric line L1. The two main ribs 6a, 6b are arranged within a recess 9 symmetrical with respect to this line L1. This recess 9 extends, as well as the main ribs themselves inward, ie in the direction of the container interior.

Reference numerals 8a and 8b refer to two further main ribs which extend substantially perpendicular to the first main ribs 6a and 6b. These second main ribs 8a and 8b extend along a geometric line L2, as in FIG Fig. 2 shown. These second main ribs 8a, 8b are arranged in recesses 9.

The individual recesses 9 are symmetrical with respect to the respective lines L1, L2. The recesses 9 contribute together with the actual ribs to reinforce the soil. It would also be possible to choose the entirety the respective main rib 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b and their recess 9 to be defined as the main rib.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an end portion of the individual main ribs 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b. This end portion protrudes into the recess 12 and interrupts at these points the otherwise circular cross-section of this recess. This type of transition creates a particularly high stability of the soil.

In the illustrated main ribs 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, further side ribs 16a, 16b, 18a and 18b are provided. In this case, the two side ribs 16a, 16b extend along the geometric line N1 and the two side ribs 18a and 18b along the geometric line N2. It can be seen that the side ribs are shorter than the main ribs and on the one hand extend neither to the recess 12 nor to the edge 20. The geometric line N2 is offset from the geometric line L1 by 45 degrees. The two geometric lines N1 and N2 are perpendicular to each other.

The secondary ribs 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b are likewise arranged in recesses 19, these recesses also being axially symmetrical with respect to the lines N1, N2.

Fig. 3 shows a representation corresponding to those in Fig. 2 However, here different perspectives for the following figures are shown.

Fig. 4 shows a section of the in Fig. 3 shown floor along the line AA Fig. 3 , It can be seen here in particular the two main ribs 6a and 6b, which pass into the recess 12. It can be seen that the two Main ribs 6 a and 6 b in their lower regions in a curved portion of the recess 12 pass. In the plan view of the main rib 8 b can also be seen how it is arranged within the recess 9. The main ribs 6a and 6b have in the case of Fig. 4 embodiment shown a constant radius of curvature, which is preferably between 20 mm and 80 mm, more preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm and particularly preferably between 40 mm and 50 mm,

Fig. 5 shows a detail of in Fig. 4 shown illustration. It can be seen here the transition between the recess 12 of the injection point 4 and the first main rib 6b. In this area, a curvature is provided, wherein the radius of curvature increases starting from the region 32 towards the region 34 and in the region 35 is provided a nearly rectilinear region, which is immediately followed by the main rib 6b.

Fig. 6 shows a section through the bottom along the lines BB Fig. 3 ie, a view of the side ribs 16a, 16b. In detail, here you can see the two side ribs 16a and 16b and again the recess 12 and the injection point 4 in the middle. In this case, the curvature of these side ribs 16 a, 16 b decreases toward the outside or inwards towards. In the areas 36 there is a nearly straight course, ie here, the secondary rib is no longer or hardly any more. This is also in Fig. 2 seen.

Outwardly, the side ribs 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b in the points or areas E in the bottom surface 40 on. Thus, the side ribs 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b have in this Areas, and preferably also in the area 36, tangential inlets and outlets with respect to the bottom surface 40 on. This can be seen from the fact that in these areas, the side ribs in each case pass into lying between these ribs areas 40 of the bottom 2. In this way, wrinkling in the feet of the container 1 can be prevented.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the recess 12 between twice and eight times as large as the diameter of the injection point is preferably between 2.5 times and 6 times, more preferably between 3 times and 4 times as large.

Fig. 7 shows a section of the soil Fig. 3 along the lines FF out Fig. 3 ie an area in which neither a main rib nor a sub-rib runs. In this area, in particular, the course of the bottom surface 40 can be seen in a region in which neither main nor secondary ribs are arranged. It can be seen here that the radius of curvature first increases from the region 42 to the region 44, and then decreases sharply in the region 46. In a 48 is also a curvature, however, in the opposite direction, before.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the bottom according to the invention 2. It can be seen here that the main ribs 6a much further upwards, ie in the direction of the mouth 3 of the container extends as the respective side ribs 16a, 18b.

The reference numeral 50 refers to feet, which are each formed between a main rib and a side rib. On this foot is the container 1. In the in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the container has eight such feet 50.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

Claims (14)

Plastic container (1) having a base (2) which has a cross section deviating from a circular cross section, wherein an injection point (4) is provided in a central region of this base (2),
characterized in that
the bottom (2) has at least two first radially extending main ribs (6a, 6b) which extend in a straight line over the bottom (2) such that a geometric connecting line (L1) extends through the injection point (4), the injection point ( 4) is arranged in a first recess (12) of the base (2) extending in the direction of the interior of the plastic container (1), and this recess (12) separates the two first main ribs (6a, 6b) from one another. Plastic container (1) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the two first main ribs (6a, 6b) reach as far as the recess (12). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the bottom (2) has two second main ribs (8a, 8b) which extend in a straight line over the bottom (2) such that a geometric connecting line (L2) extends through the injection point (4). Plastic container (1) according to claim 3,
characterized in that
the recess (12) separates the two second main ribs (6a, 6b) from each other. Plastic container (1) according to claim 3,
characterized in that
the first geometric connecting line (L1) is substantially perpendicular to the second geometric connecting line (L2). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
at least one main rib (6a, 6b, 8a, 8b) extends to an edge (20) of the bottom (2). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the bottom (2) has a symmetrical cross-section. Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
an edge (20) of the bottom (2) has four substantially rectilinear portions (22). Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the edge (20) of the bottom (2) four corner sections (24) with having predetermined radius of curvature. Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
between at least one first main rib (6a) and at least one second main rib (8a) a sub-rib (16a) is arranged, said sub-rib extending along a geometric line (N) which extends through the injection point (4). Plastic container according to claim 10,
characterized in that between the main ribs (6a, 6b, 8a, 8b) four side ribs (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) are arranged. Plastic container according to claim 10,
characterized in that
each sub-rib (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) is shorter than each of the main ribs (6a, 6b, 8a, 8b). Plastic container according to claim 11,
characterized in that
the connecting lines (N1, N2) of each two secondary ribs (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) are substantially perpendicular to each other. Plastic container (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 8 - 13
characterized in that the main ribs (6a, 6b, 8a, 8b) extend either parallel or perpendicular to the rectilinear portions (22).

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