Modular Plastic Container

Abstract

A plastics container of modular construction includes a first plastics segment and a second plastics segment. The first and second plastics segments are connected to one another by plastics welding. At least one of the first and second plastics segments has a paintable surface layer on an outer side thereof or is comprised of a paintable material.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A plastics container of modular construction, comprising: a first plastics segment; and a second plastics segment; wherein the first and second plastics segments are connected to one another by plastics welding; wherein at least one of the first and second plastics segments has a paintable surface layer on an outer side thereof or is comprised of a paintable material.

12. The plastics container according to claim 11, wherein the paintable surface layer is a metal plate or a metal foil.

13. The plastics container according to claim 11, wherein the paintable surface layer has plastic or is composed of plastic.

14. The plastics container according to claim 11, wherein the paintable surface layer is back-molded with plastic.

15. The plastics container according to claim 12, wherein the metal plate or the metal foil is installed on the at least one of the first and second plastics segments by a connector.

16. The plastics container according to claim 15, wherein the paintable surface layer has an installation element.

17. The plastics container according to claim 11, wherein the first and second plastics segments each have a partially encircling welding flange.

18. The plastics container according to claim 11 further comprising a third plastics segment, wherein one of the three plastics segments is a central part which is open on two sides thereof and wherein the other two of the three plastics segments are each a cover which is open on one side thereof and wherein the covers are disposed on respective sides of the central part.

19. The plastics container according to claim 11, wherein the plastics container is a fuel tank.

20. The plastics container according to claim 11 in combination with a faceplate, wherein the plastics container is covered at least in a region by the faceplate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 schematically shows a partial section through a plastics container according to the invention:

[0021] FIG. 2 schematically shows a plastics segment for a plastics container according to the invention; and

[0022] FIGS. 3a to 3c schematically show different method steps of a possible method for producing a plastics container according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a partial section through a modular plastics container 10 which has at least two plastics segments 12. The plastics container 10 may be a fuel tank.

[0024] The plastics segments are for example formed in an inexpensive manner as injection molded parts. In order to connect the plastics segments 12 to one another, these may for example be welded to one another, in particular by means of plastics welding, along at least partially encircling welding flanges 14.

[0025] A paintable surface layer 16 is arranged on one of the two plastics segments 12. The paintable surface layer 16 may be a metal plate, a metal foil, a plastics molded part, a plastics film or the like. In this way, it is possible for the plastics container 10 to be manufactured, and provided with a high-quality surface, in an inexpensive manner. Here, the paintable surface layer 16 need not imperatively be completely painted. It is also possible for only a part of the surface layer 16 to be painted. For example, the surface layer 16 may have a particularly high-quality material such as aluminum or titanium. It is furthermore possible for the surface layer 16 to be engraved in a customer-specific manner.

[0026] In the embodiment shown, the paintable surface layer is back-molded. In particular, the plastics segment 12 and the paintable surface layer 16 are connected to one another.

[0027] In addition to the paintable surface layer 16, a faceplate 18 is arranged on the plastics container 10. The faceplate 18 may likewise be painted but primarily has a protective function. In particular, the faceplate 18 may have a high strength. In this way, those plastics segments 12 of the plastics container 10 which are situated under the faceplate 18 can have a small thickness and thus be of material-saving, inexpensive and lightweight form. If required, for example in the event of an impact against the plastics container 10, the faceplate 18 protects the plastics segments 12 situated under it against damage. At the same time, the faceplate 18 simplifies maintenance, because the faceplate 18 can be easily exchanged.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a plastics segment 12 for a plastics container 10, in the case of which, by contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the paintable surface layer 16 is not back-molded, but rather the surface layer 16 is fastened to the plastics segment 12 with the aid of a connecting means 20. The connecting means is only schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. This may be a screw, a rivet or the like. Alternatively, the paintable surface layer 16 may also be adhesively bonded to the plastics segment 12.

[0029] In order to simplify the installation of the paintable surface layer 16 on the plastics segment 12, the paintable surface layer 16 has an installation element 22, in particular a hook 23. The paintable surface layer 16 can be pre-installed, in particular suspended, on the plastics segment 12 by means of the hook 23. Thus, the connecting means 20 can be easily attached without the need for the surface layer 16 to be held in its position by a technician during the installation process.

[0030] FIGS. 3a to 3c schematically show different method steps of a possible method for the production of a plastics container 10 according to the invention, in particular the production of a plastics segment 12. The advantage of the described method lies in the combination of multiple working steps. It is however also possible for the plastics segment 12 to be produced sequentially in a conventional manner.

[0031] In a first step shown in FIG. 3a, the material for a paintable surface layer 16 is placed into a two-part tool mold 24.

[0032] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3b, the paintable surface layer 16 is, by means of a plastics melt 26 which is injected at high pressure into a cavity 28, forced into the cavity 28 and thus deformed. Alternatively, the paintable surface layer may be deformed, for example by deep drawing, already before being placed into the tool mold 24 or before the injection of the melt 26.

[0033] In a further method step, which is shown in FIG. 3c, the plastics melt 26 is compressed by means of an embossing die 30. Subsequently, the plastics segment 12 can be removed from the tool mold 24. Any excess material can be removed by stamping.