JP7579521B2 - Composite container and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a composite preform and a method for manufacturing the same.

Recently, plastic bottles have become common for storing liquid contents such as food and beverages, and these plastic bottles store liquid contents.

Plastic bottles that contain such liquid contents are manufactured by inserting a preform into a mold and performing biaxial stretch blow molding.

In conventional biaxial stretch blow molding, a preform containing a single-layer material such as PET or PP, a multilayer material, or a blended material is molded into a container shape. However, in conventional biaxial stretch blow molding, it is common to simply mold the preform into a container shape. For this reason, when endowing the container with various functions or properties (barrier properties, heat retention, etc.), the means for doing so are limited, for example by changing the material that constitutes the preform. In particular, it is difficult to endow different parts of the container (for example, the body or the bottom) with different functions or properties. For this reason, a technology has been developed to manufacture composite containers by providing plastic members with various functions on the outside of the preform and blow molding the preform and the plastic member as a single unit.

JP 2015-128858 A

In a composite container having such a configuration, when the liquid contained therein contains carbon dioxide gas, there is a demand for a function to prevent the carbon dioxide gas in the liquid from escaping to the outside, or a function to further enhance the insulation properties.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a composite preform and a manufacturing method thereof that has the function of preventing the release of carbon dioxide gas from the content liquid or the function of increasing thermal insulation.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container comprising a container body made of a plastic material and a plastic member that is tightly attached so as to surround the outside of the container body, the container body and the plastic member being expanded as a unit by blow molding, a space being formed between the container body and the plastic member, and the space being filled with a fluid.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container in which the container body has a mouth, a neck, a shoulder, a body, and a bottom, the plastic member is arranged to cover at least the shoulder, the body, and the bottom of the container body, and the space is formed between at least the body of the container body and the plastic member.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container in which the space extends from the bottom periphery of the container body to the boundary between the trunk and the shoulder.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container in which the space extends from the bottom periphery of the container body to the neck.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container in which an opening for filling a fluid is provided in a portion of the plastic member that corresponds to the bottom.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container in which the fluid is a gas.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container in which the fluid is air.

The present disclosure relates to a composite container in which the container body is filled with a carbon dioxide-containing liquid, and the fluid is carbon dioxide.

The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a composite container, the method comprising the steps of preparing a preform made of a plastic material, providing a plastic member so as to surround the outside of the preform, thereby producing a composite preform having the preform and the plastic member provided in intimate contact with the outside of the preform, performing blow molding on the composite preform in a blow molding die to integrally expand the preform and the plastic member of the composite preform, thereby molding a container body and the plastic member provided in intimate contact with the container body so as to surround the container body, and filling a fluid between the container body and the plastic member.

According to the present invention, the composite container can be provided with the function of preventing the release of carbon dioxide gas from the liquid contained therein, or the function of increasing the insulating properties.

FIG. 1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a composite container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure after being filled with air. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1) showing a composite container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a composite container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure prior to air filling. FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3) showing a composite container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a composite preform. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a plastic member. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a blow molding method. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a blow molding method. FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a blow molding method. FIG. 7D is a diagram showing a blow molding method. FIG. 7E is a diagram showing a blow molding method. FIG. 7F is a diagram showing a blow molding method. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a composite container after being filled with air according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a composite container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure before being filled with air. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a space between the container body and the plastic member. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a composite container according to a modified example of the present disclosure before being filled with air. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the bottom of a composite container according to a modified example of the present disclosure before being filled with air. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a composite container according to a modified example of the present disclosure after being filled with air. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a composite container according to a further modification of the present disclosure.

<Present embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 10 are diagrams illustrating the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, an overview of the composite container according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this specification, "upper" and "lower" refer to the upper and lower sides, respectively, of the composite container 10A in an upright position (Figure 1).

The composite container 10A shown in Figures 1 and 2 is obtained by performing biaxial stretch blow molding on a composite preform 70 (see Figure 5) including a preform 10a and a plastic member 40a using a blow molding die 50, as described below, to expand the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a of the composite preform 70 as a unit.

Such a composite container 10A comprises a container body 10 made of a plastic material located on the inside, and a plastic member 40 provided in close contact with the outside of the container body 10. Furthermore, a space 60 is formed between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and this space 60 is filled with a fluid, for example a gas such as air.

The container body 10 has a mouth 11, a neck 13 provided below the mouth 11, a shoulder 12 provided below the neck 13, a body 20 provided below the shoulder 12, and a bottom 30 provided below the body 20.

The plastic member 40 is thinly stretched and adhered to the outer surface of the container body 10, and is adhered tightly enough that it does not easily move or rotate relative to the container body 10.

It is considered that at least a portion of the plastic member 40 is translucent or transparent, in which case the container body 10 can be seen from the outside through this translucent or transparent portion. The plastic member 40 may be entirely translucent or transparent, or may have an opaque portion and a translucent or transparent portion (e.g., a window portion). In this embodiment, the case where the entire plastic member 40 is transparent will be described as an example.

Next, a detailed description will be given of the container body 10. The container body 10 has the mouth portion 11, the neck portion 13, the shoulder portion 12, the body portion 20, and the bottom portion 30 as described above.

The mouth portion 11 has a threaded portion 14 that is screwed into a cap (not shown) and a flange portion 17 provided below the threaded portion 14. The shape of the mouth portion 11 may be a conventionally known shape.

The neck 13 is located between the flange 17 and the shoulder 12, and has a generally cylindrical shape with a generally uniform diameter. The shoulder 12 is located between the neck 13 and the body 20, and has a shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the neck 13 side toward the body 20 side.

Furthermore, the body 20 has a cylindrical shape with a generally uniform diameter overall. However, this is not limited to this, and the body 20 may have a polygonal cylindrical shape such as a square cylindrical shape or an octagonal cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the body 20 may have a cylindrical shape with a horizontal cross section that is not uniform from top to bottom. In this embodiment, the body 20 has a generally flat surface without any irregularities, but this is not limited to this. For example, the body 20 may have irregularities such as panels or grooves.

The bottom 30 has a recess 31 located in the center and a grounding portion 32 provided around the recess 31. The shape of the bottom 30 is not particularly limited, and it may have a conventionally known bottom shape (e.g., a petaloid bottom shape or a rounded bottom shape). The bottom 30 also has a bottom rim 33 that is provided outside the grounding portion 32 and forms the boundary between the bottom 30 and the body 20.

The thickness of the container body 10 at the trunk portion 20 can be thinned to, for example, about 50 μm to 250 μm, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the weight of the container body 10 can be thinned to, for example, about 10 g to 20 g, but is not limited to this. By thinning the thickness of the container body 10 in this way, the weight of the container body 10 can be reduced.

Such a container body 10 can be produced by biaxially stretching and blow molding a preform 10a (described below) that is produced by injection molding a synthetic resin material. Note that it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), as the material for the preform 10a, i.e., the container body 10.

The container body 10 can also be formed as a multi-layered bottle with two or more layers. That is, by extrusion molding or injection molding, a preform 10a consisting of three or more layers, for example, with an intermediate layer being a resin (intermediate layer) having gas barrier properties and light blocking properties such as MXD6, MXD6 + fatty acid salt, PGA (polyglycolic acid), EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), can be extruded and then blow molded to form a multi-layered bottle having gas barrier properties and light blocking properties.

Alternatively, a foamed preform having a foam cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm may be molded by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with a molten thermoplastic resin, and the foamed preform may be blow molded to produce the container body 10. Since such a container body 10 has built-in foam cells, the light blocking properties of the entire container body 10 can be improved.

Such a container body 10 may be, for example, a bottle with a full capacity of 150 ml to 1500 ml.

Next, the plastic member 40 will be described. As described below, the plastic member 40 (40a) is provided so as to surround the outside of the container body 10, and is obtained by biaxially stretching and blow molding together with the preform 10a.

The plastic member 40 is in close contact with the container body 10 so that it does not move or rotate relative to the container body 10. This plastic member 40 is thinly stretched on the outer surface of the container body 10 and covers the container body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the plastic member 40 is provided over the entire circumferential area so as to surround the container body 10, and has a horizontal cross section that is approximately circular.

In this case, the plastic member 40 is provided to cover the shoulder 12, body 20, and bottom 30 of the container body 10, excluding the mouth 11 and neck 13. This allows the shoulder 12, body 20, and bottom 30 of the container body 10 to be given the desired functions and characteristics. In this embodiment, an opening 45 is formed in the plastic member 40 in a portion corresponding to the recess 31 of the bottom 30, and this opening 45 is used when filling the space 60 with air 60a, as described below.

Such a plastic member 40 may be one that does not have a shrinking effect relative to the preform 10a, or one that has a shrinking effect. In the latter case, the plastic member 40 may itself have shrinkability or elasticity and may be capable of shrinking without the application of an external action. Alternatively, the plastic member 40 may be one that shrinks (e.g., thermally shrinks) relative to the preform 10a when an external action (e.g., heat) is applied.

The thickness of the plastic member 40 is not limited to this, but can be, for example, about 50 μm to 500 μm when attached to the container body 10.

Next, the configuration of the composite preform according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the composite preform 70 includes a preform 10a made of a plastic material and a cylindrical plastic member 40a with a bottom that is provided in close contact with the outside of the preform 10a.

The preform 10a has a mouth 11a, a body 20a connected to the mouth 11a, and a bottom 30a connected to the body 20a. The mouth 11a corresponds to the mouth 11 of the container body 10 described above, and has approximately the same shape as the mouth 11. The body 20a corresponds to the neck 13, shoulder 12, and body 20 of the container body 10 described above, and has an approximately cylindrical shape. The bottom 30a corresponds to the bottom 30 of the container body 10 described above, and has an approximately hemispherical shape.

On the other hand, the plastic member 40a is attached to the outer surface of the preform 10a without being glued, and is in close contact with the preform 10a so that it does not move or rotate relative to the preform 10a. The plastic member 40a is provided over the entire circumferential area of the preform 10a so as to surround it, and has a horizontal cross section that is approximately circular.

In this case, the plastic member 40a is provided to cover the entire body 20a except for a portion 13a that corresponds to the neck 13 of the container body 10, and the bottom 30a. An opening 45 is formed in the portion of the plastic member 40a that corresponds to the recess 31 of the bottom 30.

Such a plastic member 40a may be one that does not have a shrinking effect relative to the preform 10a, or it may be one that has a shrinking effect.

Examples of the plastic member 40a include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, poly-4-methylpentene-1, polystyrene, AS resin, ABS resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl butyral, diallyl phthalate resin, fluorine-based resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylic acid, polymethyl acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylamide, polybutadiene, polybutene-1, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, Examples of the resin include acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, nylon MXD6, aromatic polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, polyethylene butylene terephthalate, polynaphthalene ethylene, U polymer, liquid crystal polymer, modified polyphenylene ether, polyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, unsaturated polyester, alkyd resin, polyimide, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, silicone resin, polyurethane, phenol resin, urea resin, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyacetal, and epoxy resin. Among these, it is preferable to use thermoplastic non-elastic resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). In addition, it may be a blend material thereof, a multilayer structure, or a partially multilayer structure. In addition, by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) into the molten thermoplastic resin, a foamed material having a foam cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm can be used, and this foamed preform can be molded to improve the light blocking properties.

The plastic member 40a may also be made of the same material as the container body 10 (preform 10a). In this case, the plastic member 40 can be placed in the composite container 10A, for example, in a portion where strength needs to be increased, and the strength of that portion can be selectively increased. For example, the plastic member 40 can be provided around the shoulder portion 12 and around the bottom portion 30 of the container body 10 to increase the strength of these portions. Examples of such materials include thermoplastic resins, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and PEN (polyethylene naphthalate).

The plastic member 40a may be made of a material that has gas barrier properties, such as oxygen barrier properties or water vapor barrier properties. In this case, the gas barrier properties of the composite container 10A can be improved and the content liquid can be prevented from deteriorating due to oxygen or water vapor without using a multi-layer preform or a preform containing a blended material as the preform 10a. For example, the plastic member 40 may be provided on the shoulder 12, neck 13, body 20, and bottom 30 of the container body 10 to improve the gas barrier properties of these parts. Such materials include PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and MXD-6 (nylon), or these materials may be mixed with an oxygen absorber such as a fatty acid salt.

The plastic member 40a may be made of a material that has a light barrier property against ultraviolet rays and the like. In this case, the light barrier property of the composite container 10A can be improved and the liquid content can be prevented from being deteriorated by ultraviolet rays and the like without using a multi-layer preform or a preform containing a blended material as the preform 10a. For example, the plastic member 40 may be provided on the shoulder 12, neck 13, body 20, and bottom 30 of the container body 10 to improve the ultraviolet barrier property of these parts. Such materials include blended materials, or materials in which a light-shielding resin is added to PET, PE, or PP. A foamed member having a foam cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm, which is made by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with a melt of a thermoplastic resin, may also be used.

The plastic member 40a may be made of a material with higher heat retention or cold retention (material with lower thermal conductivity) than the plastic material constituting the container body 10 (preform 10a). In this case, it is possible to make it difficult for the temperature of the content liquid to be transmitted to the surface of the composite container 10A without increasing the thickness of the container body 10 itself. This improves the heat retention or cold retention of the composite container 10A. For example, the container body 10 may be provided with a plastic member 40 to improve the heat retention or cold retention of the body 20. In addition, when a user grasps the composite container 10A, it is prevented from becoming difficult to hold the composite container 10A due to it being too hot or too cold. Such materials include foamed polyurethane, polystyrene, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), phenolic resin, polyvinyl chloride, urea resin, silicone, polyimide, melamine resin, etc. Also, a foamed member with a foam cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm, which is produced by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with a melt of a thermoplastic resin, may be used.

The plastic member 40a may be made of a material that is less slippery than the plastic material that constitutes the container body 10 (preform 10a). In this case, the user can easily grip the composite container 10A without changing the material of the container body 10. For example, the plastic member 40 may be provided on all or part of the body 20 of the container body 10 to make the body 20 easier to hold.

Furthermore, the plastic member 40a may be pre-designed or printed. For example, in addition to a design or product name, text information such as the name of the liquid content, the manufacturer, and the names of raw materials may be written on it.

Next, we will explain the shape of the plastic member 40a.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the plastic member 40a may be cylindrical overall with a bottom, and may have a cylindrical body 41 and a bottom 42 connected to the body 41. In this case, the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40a covers the bottom 30a of the preform 10a, so that various functions and characteristics can be imparted to the bottom 30 in addition to the body 20 of the composite container 10A. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, an opening 45 is formed in the center of the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40a.

Next, we will explain the manufacturing method of the composite preform.

First, a preform 10a made of a plastic material is prepared (see FIG. 7A). In this case, the preform 10a may be produced by injection molding using, for example, an injection molding machine (not shown).

Next, a plastic member 40a is provided on the outside of the preform 10a. This produces a composite preform 70 having the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a attached to the outside of the preform 10a (see FIG. 7B). In this case, the plastic member 40a has a bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole, and has a cylindrical body 41 and a bottom 42 connected to the body 41, with an opening 45 formed in the bottom 42. This plastic member 40a is attached so as to cover the entire body 20a except for the portion corresponding to the neck 13 of the container body 10, and the entire bottom 30a except for the opening 45. In addition, at least a part of the plastic member 40a may be translucent or transparent.

At this time, a plastic member 40a having an inner diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the preform 10a may be pressed into the preform 10a to adhere to the outer surface of the preform 10a. Alternatively, a heat-shrinkable plastic member 40a may be provided on the outer surface of the preform 10a, and the plastic member 40a may be heated to 50°C to 100°C to cause heat shrinkage and adhere to the outer surface of the preform 10a.

In this way, by first attaching the plastic member 40a to the outside of the preform 10a and producing the composite preform 70, it becomes possible to carry out the series of steps for producing the composite preform 70 (Figures 7A-7B) and the series of steps for producing the composite container 10A by blow molding (Figures 7C-7F) in separate locations (factories, etc.).

Next, the composite preform 70 is heated by the heating device 51 (see FIG. 7C). At this time, the composite preform 70 is heated evenly in the circumferential direction by the heating device 51 while rotating with the mouth portion 11a facing downward. The heating temperature of the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a in this heating process may be, for example, 90°C to 130°C.

Next, the composite preform 70 heated by the heating device 51 is sent to the blow molding die 50 (see Figure 7D).

The composite container 10A is molded using this blow molding die 50. In this case, the blow molding die 50 is composed of a pair of body dies 50a, 50b, which are separated from each other, and a bottom die 50c (see FIG. 7D). In FIG. 7D, the pair of body dies 50a, 50b are open from each other, and the bottom die 50c is raised upward. In this state, the composite preform 70 is inserted between the pair of body dies 50a, 50b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7E, the pair of body dies 50a, 50b are closed after the bottom die 50c is lowered, and the pair of body dies 50a, 50b and the bottom die 50c form a sealed blow molding die 50. Air is then forced into the preform 10a, and biaxial stretch blow molding is performed on the composite preform 70.

As a result, the container body 10 is obtained from the preform 10a in the blow molding die 50. During this time, the body dies 50a, 50b are heated to 30°C to 80°C, and the bottom die 50c is cooled to 5°C to 25°C. At this time, the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a of the composite preform 70 are expanded as a unit in the blow molding die 50. As a result, the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a are integrally shaped into a shape that corresponds to the inner surface of the blow molding die 50.

In this way, a composite container 10A is obtained, which comprises a container body 10 and a plastic member 40 provided on the outer surface of the container body 10.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7F, the pair of body molds 50a, 50b and the bottom mold 50c are separated from each other, and the composite container 10A is removed from the blow molding mold 50 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 9).

In this way, air 60a is sprayed from the air nozzle 75 between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 of the composite container 10A.

Specifically, air 60a is sprayed from an air nozzle 75 through an opening 45 provided in the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40 of the composite container 10A shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9. The air 60a sprayed from the air nozzle 75 enters the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40, and then the air 60a is sent from the bottom periphery 33 between the bottom 30 and the body 20 of the container body 10 to the outside of the body 20 of the container body 10. The air 60a sent to the outside of the body 20 of the container body 10 in this manner stretches the plastic member 40, and the air 60a sent to the outside of the body 20 forms a space 60 between the body 20 and the plastic member 40, and the air 60a is filled in this space 60.

In this way, a space 60 is formed between the trunk 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and a composite container 10A is obtained in which the space 60 is filled with air (see Figures 1, 2 and 8).

Here, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a composite container 10A in which air has been filled into the space 60 between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the composite container 10A before air has been filled into the space between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40.

Figure 10 shows a composite container 10A in which air is filled in the space 60 between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and shows the space 60 between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40.

In this embodiment, air 60a injected into the plastic member 40 through the opening 45 of the plastic member 40 is sent from the bottom periphery 33 between the bottom 30 and the body 20 of the container body 10 to the outside of the body 20 of the container body 10. The air 60a sent to the outside of the body 20 then rises along the outside of the body 20 and reaches the shoulder periphery 12a that forms the boundary between the shoulder 12 and the body 20, where the air 60a stops.

During this time, the air 60a injected into the plastic member 40 through the opening 45 can effectively pull the plastic member 40 away from the bottom periphery 33 and enter the outside of the body 20. After the air 60a enters the outside of the body 20 from the bottom periphery 33, the plastic member 40 again adheres tightly to the bottom periphery 33, sealing the gap between the bottom periphery 33 and the plastic member 40.

In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bottom rim 33 of the container body 10 is 5 mm to 12 mm. In this case, if the radius of curvature of the bottom rim 33 is 12 mm or more, the sealing performance between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40 decreases.

On the other hand, if the radius of curvature of the bottom periphery 33 is less than 5 mm, air 60a cannot enter between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and a space 60 cannot be formed between the body 20 and the plastic member 40.

In addition, above the body 20, the gap between the shoulder rim 12a and the plastic member 40 is sealed, and the space 60 formed between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is sealed above between the shoulder rim 12a and the plastic member 40, and below between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a space 60 is formed between the body 20 and the plastic member 40 of the container body 10, and air 60a is filled into this space 60. In this case, since the air 60a filled between the body 20 and the plastic member 40 has excellent insulating properties, even if the container body 10 of the composite container 10A is filled with high-temperature liquid content, the composite container 10A can be gripped without any problems via the plastic member 40.

In addition, the space 60 between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is sealed between the shoulder periphery 12a and the plastic member 40, and between the bottom periphery 33 and the plastic member 40, so the air 60a in the space 60 does not leak outward, and the space 60 can be maintained for a long time by the air 60a.

In the above embodiment, the space 60 between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is filled with air 60a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other gases, such as argon, may be filled in the space 60 instead of the air 60a. Argon is a stable inert gas with a lower thermal conductivity than air. This increases the heat insulating effect of the space 60. Alternatively, the space 60 may be filled with a liquid (e.g., carbonated liquid) instead of a gas. By filling the space 60 with carbonated liquid in this way, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the carbon dioxide concentration in the carbon dioxide-containing internal solution in the container body 10 when the container body 10 of the composite container 10A is filled with a carbon dioxide-containing internal liquid as described below.

<Modification>
Next, a modified example according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG.

In the modified example shown in Figures 11 to 13, a plastic member 40 provided on the outside of the container body 10 covers the neck 13, shoulder 12, body 20 and bottom 30 of the container body 10, and the other configurations are substantially the same as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10. In the modified example shown in Figures 11 to 13, the same parts as those in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, a composite container 10A is obtained by blow molding, which includes a container body 10 and a plastic member 40 that covers the neck 13, shoulder 12, torso 20, and bottom 30 of the container body 10. In this case, the container body 10 of the composite container 10A has a bottom 30 that has a recess 31, a grounding portion 32, and a bottom periphery 33, and an opening 45 is formed in the plastic member 40 in a portion that corresponds to the center of the bottom 30 of the container body 10.

For a composite container 10A having such a configuration, air is sprayed from the air nozzle 75 through the opening 45 into the plastic member 40 (see Figure 12).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, air 60a is sprayed from an air nozzle 75 (see FIG. 3) through an opening 45 provided in the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40 into the composite container 10A. The air 60a sprayed from the air nozzle 75 enters the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40, and then the air 60a is sent to the outside of the container body 10 from the bottom periphery 33 between the bottom 30 and the torso 20 of the container body 10. The air 60a sent to the outside of the container body 10 stretches the plastic member 40, and the air 60a sent to the outside of the container body 10 forms a space 60 between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and the air 60a fills this space 60.

In this way, a space 60 is formed between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and a composite container 10A is obtained in which the space 60 is filled with air (see Figure 13).

Here, Fig. 13 shows a composite container 10A in which air has been filled into the space 60 between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, while Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective views showing the composite container 10A before air has been filled into the space between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40.

In this modified example, air 60a injected into the plastic member 40 through the opening 45 of the plastic member 40 is sent from the bottom periphery 33 between the bottom 30 and the torso 20 of the container body 10 to the outside of the container body 10. The air 60a sent to the outside of the container body 10 then rises on the outside of the torso 20, passes through the shoulder periphery 12a that forms the boundary between the shoulder 12 and the torso 20, and reaches the neck 13, where the air 60a stops.

During this time, the air 60a injected into the plastic member 40 through the opening 45 can effectively pull the plastic member 40 away from the bottom periphery 33 and enter the outside of the body 20. After the air 60a enters the outside of the body 20 from the bottom periphery 33, the plastic member 40 again adheres tightly to the bottom periphery 33, sealing the gap between the bottom periphery 33 and the plastic member 40.

In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bottom rim 33 of the container body 10 is 5 mm to 12 mm. In this case, if the radius of curvature of the bottom rim 33 is 12 mm or more, the sealing performance between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40 decreases.

On the other hand, if the radius of curvature of the bottom periphery 33 is less than 5 mm, air 60a cannot enter between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and a space 60 cannot be formed between the body 20 and the plastic member 40.

In addition, at the neck 13 above the body 20, the neck 13 and the plastic member 40 are sealed, and the space 60 formed between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is sealed above between the neck 13 and the plastic member 40, and below between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a space 60 is formed between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and air 60a is filled into this space 60. In this case, since the air 60a filled between the trunk 20 and the plastic member 40 has excellent insulating properties, the composite container 10A can be gripped without problems via the plastic member 40 even when the container body 10 of the composite container 10A is filled with high-temperature liquid contents.

In addition, the space 60 between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is sealed between the neck 13 and the plastic member 40, and between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40, so the air 60a in the space 60 does not leak outward, and the space 60 can be maintained for a long time by the air 60a.

In the above embodiment, the space 60 between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is filled with air 60a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other gases, such as argon, may be filled in the space 60 instead of the air 60a. Argon is a stable inert gas with a lower thermal conductivity than air. This increases the heat insulating effect of the space 60. Alternatively, the space 60 may be filled with a liquid (e.g., carbonated liquid) instead of a gas. By filling the space 60 with carbonated liquid in this way, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the carbon dioxide concentration in the carbon dioxide-containing internal solution in the container body 10 when the container body 10 of the composite container 10A is filled with a carbon dioxide-containing internal liquid as described below.

Next, a further modification according to this disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 14, a plastic member 40 provided on the outside of the container body 10 covers the neck 13, shoulder 12, body 20 and bottom 30 of the container body 10, and carbon dioxide gas is filled in the space 60. The other configurations are substantially the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. In the modified example shown in FIG. 14, the same parts as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, a composite container 10A is obtained by blow molding, which includes a container body 10 and a plastic member 40 that covers the neck 13, shoulder 12, torso 20, and bottom 30 of the container body 10. In this case, the container body 10 of the composite container 10A has a bottom 30 that has a recess 31, a grounding portion 32, and a bottom periphery 33, and an opening 45 is formed in the plastic member 40 in a portion that corresponds to the center of the bottom 30 of the container body 10 (see FIG. 1).

For the composite container 10A configured in this way, carbon dioxide gas is sprayed from the carbon dioxide gas nozzle 75A through the opening 45 into the plastic member 40.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, carbon dioxide gas 60b is sprayed from a carbon dioxide gas nozzle 75A through an opening 45 provided in the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40 into a composite container 10A. The carbon dioxide gas 60b sprayed from the carbon dioxide gas nozzle 75A enters the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40, and is then sent to the outside of the container body 10 from the bottom periphery 33 between the bottom 30 and the torso 20 of the container body 10. The carbon dioxide gas 60b sent to the outside of the container body 10 in this manner stretches the plastic member 40, and the carbon dioxide gas 10b sent to the outside of the container body 10 forms a space 60 between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and the carbon dioxide gas 60b is filled in this space 60.

In this way, a space 60 is formed between the trunk 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and a composite container 10A is obtained in which the space 60 is filled with carbon dioxide gas (see Figure 14).

Here, FIG. 14 shows a composite container 10A in which the space 60 between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is filled with carbon dioxide gas 60b.

In this modified example, the carbon dioxide gas 60b injected into the plastic member 40 through the opening 45 of the plastic member 40 is sent from the bottom periphery 33 between the bottom 30 and the body 20 of the container body 10 to the outside of the container body 10. The carbon dioxide gas 60b sent to the outside of the container body 10 then rises on the outside of the body 20, passes through the shoulder periphery 12a that forms the boundary between the shoulder 12 and the body 20, and reaches the neck 13, where the carbon dioxide gas 60b stops.

During this time, the carbon dioxide gas 60b injected into the plastic member 40 through the opening 45 can effectively pull the plastic member 40 away from the bottom periphery 33 and enter the outside of the body 20. After the carbon dioxide gas 60b enters the outside of the body 20 from the bottom periphery 33, the plastic member 40 again adheres tightly to the bottom periphery 33, sealing the gap between the bottom periphery 33 and the plastic member 40.

In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the bottom rim 33 of the container body 10 is 5 mm to 12 mm. In this case, if the radius of curvature of the bottom rim 33 is 12 mm or more, the sealing performance between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40 decreases.

On the other hand, if the radius of curvature of the bottom periphery 33 is less than 5 mm, air 60a cannot enter between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and a space 60 cannot be formed between the body 20 and the plastic member 40.

In addition, at the neck 13 above the body 20, the neck 13 and the plastic member 40 are sealed, and the space 60 formed between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is sealed above between the neck 13 and the plastic member 40, and below between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40.

As described above, according to this modified example, a space 60 is formed between the container body 10 and the plastic member 40, and carbon dioxide gas 60b is filled into this space 60. On the other hand, the container body 10 is filled with a carbon dioxide gas-containing liquid. In this case, the concentration of carbon dioxide gas filled into the space 60 is set higher than the carbon dioxide gas concentration of the internal solution of the container body 10. This makes it possible to prevent the carbon dioxide gas in the liquid inside the container body 10 from leaking outward, and to maintain the carbon dioxide gas concentration of the liquid inside the container body 10.

Furthermore, since the carbon dioxide gas in the liquid contained within the container body 10 tends to reach equilibrium with the carbon dioxide gas 60b in the space 60, the concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the liquid contained within the container body 10 can also be increased.

In addition, the space 60 between the body 20 of the container body 10 and the plastic member 40 is sealed between the neck 13 and the plastic member 40, and between the bottom rim 33 and the plastic member 40, so the carbon dioxide gas 60b in the space 60 does not leak outward, and the space 60 can be maintained for a long time by the carbon dioxide gas 60b.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Container body 10A Composite container 10a Preform 11 Mouth 11a Mouth 12 Shoulder 13 Neck 20 Body 20a Body 30 Bottom 30a Bottom 31 Recess 32 Grounding portion 33 Bottom periphery 40 Plastic member 40a Plastic member 45 Opening 50 Blow molding die 60 Space 60a Air 60b Carbon dioxide gas 70 Composite preform 75 Air nozzle

Claims (8)

In composite containers,
A container body made of a plastic material;
a plastic member provided in close contact with and surrounding the outside of the container body , the plastic member being configured separately from the container body ;
The container body and the plastic member formed separately from the container body are expanded as a single unit by blow molding, a space is formed between the container body and the plastic member formed separately from the container body , and a fluid is filled into the space ;
the container body has a mouth, a neck, a shoulder, a body, and a bottom, the plastic member being provided so as to cover at least the shoulder, the body, and the bottom of the container body;
The space has a lower end defined by a bottom periphery of the container body and the plastic member sealingly sealing, and an upper end defined by a boundary between the body and the shoulder and the plastic member sealingly sealing.
Composite container. In composite containers,
A container body made of a plastic material;
a plastic member provided in close contact with and surrounding the outside of the container body , the plastic member being configured separately from the container body ;
The container body and the plastic member formed separately from the container body are expanded as a single unit by blow molding, a space is formed between the container body and the plastic member formed separately from the container body , and a fluid is filled into the space ;
the container body has a mouth, a neck, a shoulder, a body, and a bottom, and the plastic member is provided so as to cover at least the neck, the shoulder, the body, and the bottom of the container body;
The space has a lower end defined by a bottom periphery of the container body and the plastic member sealingly connected thereto, and an upper end defined by a neck portion and the plastic member sealingly connected thereto.
Composite container. 3. The composite container according to claim 1, wherein the plastic member is provided with a fluid-filling opening at a portion corresponding to the bottom. 4. The composite container according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a gas. 5. The composite container of claim 4 , wherein the fluid is air. 5. The composite container according to claim 4 , wherein the container body is filled with a carbon dioxide gas-containing liquid, and the fluid is carbon dioxide gas. In a method for manufacturing a composite container,
Providing a preform made of a plastic material;
a step of providing a plastic member configured separately from the preform so as to surround the outside of the preform, thereby producing a composite preform including the preform and a plastic member configured separately from the preform, the plastic member being provided in close contact with the outside of the preform;
a step of blow molding the composite preform in a blow molding die to integrally expand the preform of the composite preform and the plastic member formed separately from the preform , thereby molding a composite container having a container body and a plastic member formed separately from the container body and closely attached to the container body so as to surround the container body;
and filling a space between the container body and the plastic member formed separately from the container body with a fluid,
the container body has a mouth, a neck, a shoulder, a body, and a bottom, the plastic member being provided so as to cover at least the shoulder, the body, and the bottom of the container body;
The space has a lower end defined by a bottom periphery of the container body and the plastic member sealingly sealing, and an upper end defined by a boundary between the body and the shoulder and the plastic member sealingly sealing.
A method for manufacturing a composite container. In a method for manufacturing a composite container,
Providing a preform made of a plastic material;
a step of providing a plastic member configured separately from the preform so as to surround the outside of the preform, thereby producing a composite preform including the preform and a plastic member configured separately from the preform, the plastic member being provided in close contact with the outside of the preform;
a step of blow molding the composite preform in a blow molding die to integrally expand the preform of the composite preform and the plastic member formed separately from the preform , thereby molding a composite container having a container body and a plastic member formed separately from the container body and closely attached to the container body so as to surround the container body;
and filling a space between the container body and the plastic member formed separately from the container body with a fluid,
the container body has a mouth, a neck, a shoulder, a body, and a bottom, and the plastic member is provided so as to cover at least the neck, the shoulder, the body, and the bottom of the container body;
The space has a lower end defined by a bottom periphery of the container body and the plastic member sealingly connected thereto, and an upper end defined by a neck portion and the plastic member sealingly connected thereto.
A method for manufacturing a composite container.

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