Plastic Container

Abstract

Plastic container (1) being composed of a neck (3), a shoulder (5), a body (4) and a base section (2), where the base section (2) comprises at least two tie members (6a) extending from a central area (8) to the side wall of the base (2). According to the invention, the tie members (6b, 6c) and/or the function of the tie members (6b, 6c) of the base (2) at least in certain areas extend into the body section (4) or into the body (4) and the shoulder section (5) of the plastic container (1).

Claims

1. A plastic container comprising: a neck section, a shoulder section, a body section and a base section, wherein said base section comprises at least two tie members extending from a central area to a side wall of said base section, the tie members formed as partial grooves that extend in a longitudinal direction, such that the tie members are arranged between feet of the base section; wherein at least one reinforcement groove is provided between the two tie members, the reinforcement grooves comprising a varying depth in a radial direction; wherein there are at least in certain areas circumferential grooves provided in a peripheral direction comprising a varying depth, between said tie members; the tie members extend into the body section and the shoulder section of the plastic container; and wherein the tie members end immediately before or after a labeling area of the body region intended for receiving a label.

2. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein there are at least in certain areas the circumferential grooves are provided in a peripheral direction between said tie members, or above said tie members, or below said tie members in said body section or said shoulder section.

3. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein said tie members or said tie member function are designed extending substantially in a longitudinal direction on a periphery of said container from said base section towards said neck section of said container.

4. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein said base section comprises at least two feet and an amount of said feet is a multiple of the number of said tie members.

5. The plastic container of claim 4, wherein for two tie members, there are two, four, six, eight, ten, or twelve feet and for three tie members, there are three, six, nine, or twelve feet.

6. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein said tie members extend across certain regions of said bottle, in particular across said body region or across said body region and said shoulder region.

7. The plastic container of claim 2, wherein said tie members extend radially inwardly transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to said circumferential grooves.

8. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein said circumferential grooves at locations, at which they have a function of a tie member, have a distinctly shallower depth than in intermediate areas.

9. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein said tie members are formed in a labeling area such as to enable application of a label.

11. A plastic container comprising: a neck section, a shoulder section, a body section and a base section, wherein the base section includes at least two tie members extending from a central area to a side wall of the base section; wherein at least one reinforcement groove is provided between the two tie members, the reinforcement grooves comprising a varying depth in a radial direction; wherein there are at least in certain areas circumferential grooves provided in a peripheral direction comprising a varying depth, between the tie members; wherein the tie members configured in the shape of a radially outwardly projecting bar; and the base section further comprising a central dome, a first region, and a second region, the first region adjacent the central dome, the first region having a first radius of curvature greater than the central dome, the second region adjacent the first region, the second region having a second radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature.

12. A plastic container comprising: a neck section, a shoulder section, a body section and a base section, wherein said base section comprises at least three tie members extending from a central area to a side wall of said base section, wherein one of the tie members extends intermittently from an injection point in the base section into the body section and the shoulder section of said plastic container; wherein at least one reinforcement groove is provided between the two tie members, the reinforcement grooves comprising a varying depth in a radial direction; the plastic container further comprising circumferential grooves provided in a peripheral direction above the tie members in the body section or said shoulder section; and the circumferential grooves having varying depths in said peripheral direction, the circumferential grooves further having a first depth at a first location where the circumferential grooves function as a tie member, the circumferential grooves further having a second depth at an intermediate area, the first depth being shallower than the second depth.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings:

[0064] FIG. 1A shows a view of a container according to the invention from below towards the base;

[0065] FIG. 1B shows an alternative view of a container according to the invention from below towards the base;

[0066] FIG. 2A shows a side view of a container according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 2B shows an alternative side view of a container according to the invention;

[0068] FIG. 2C shows an alternative side view of a container according to the invention;

[0069] FIG. 3A shows a side view of a further embodiment of a container according to the invention;

[0070] FIG. 3B shows an alternative side view of a further embodiment of a container according to the invention;

[0071] FIG. 3C shows an alternative side view of a further embodiment of a container according to the invention;

[0072] FIG. 4A shows a plan view of the container according to the invention;

[0073] FIG. 4B shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention;

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a base section of a container according to the invention;

[0075] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the base of a container according to the invention;

[0076] FIG. 7 shows, a perspective view of the base of a container according to the invention;

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a section profile of a tie member of a container according to the invention;

[0078] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section through a part of the base section of a container according to the invention;

[0079] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a part of a container according to the invention;

[0080] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the base of a container according to the invention;

[0081] FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal section through a base section of a container according to the invention;

[0082] FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section through a base section of a container according to the invention;

[0083] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the base of a container according to the invention;

[0084] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a part of the body of a container according to the invention; and

[0085] FIG. 16 shows a cross section of a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] FIGS. 1A and 1B show two embodiments of the base 2 of the container 1 according to the invention. Here, the base 2 comprises an injection point 8 in a central area. The tie members 6a originating from there reach up to the outer wall region of the base and serve to draw the injection point towards the container cavity so that any tilting of the container is prevented.

[0087] These tie members 6a being arranged in the base section 2 increase the resistance of the base to pressure, so that carbonated beverages can be bottled without any problems and without deforming the base towards the outside.

[0088] FIG. 1A shows an advantageous embodiment of a base according to the invention in which exactly two tie members 6a are extended into the body section 4 of the container 1 (shown schematically by the points marked in thick black). Each tie member 6a is arranged exactly in the space between two feet 7. In FIG. 1A, a total of 12 feet are drawn in. The number of feet is advantageously a multiple of the tie members. For two tie members, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 etc. feet are therefore to be provided according to the invention.

[0089] An alternative advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1B. Here, three tie members are provided in the base section, which can be extended into the body and/or shoulder section 5. For three tie members, it is advantageous to provide 3, 6, 9, 12, etc. feet. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, 9 feet are provided.

[0090] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C show side views of an advantageous embodiment of the invention. There, a container 1 is shown comprising a neck section 3, a body section 4, a shoulder section 5 and a base section 2.

[0091] There, in the region of the central body, grooves 9, 10 are applied, enabling increased gripping stability of the container 1. Furthermore, the tie members 6a of the base 2 project up into the body section 4 of the container 1. The reference numeral 6b shows this extended tie member. The extension of the tie member 6b in the body section also there allows for embodying the container in a more pressure resistant manner. Thereby, the functions of gripping stability and pressure resistance are united in one container 1 by the two different elements of the grooves 9, 10 and the tie members 6b.

[0092] The tie member 6b drawn in can here, on the one hand, at least partially be formed as a groove extending in the longitudinal direction L, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the peripheral direction U of the container 1 or in the shape of a radially outwardly projecting bar or rib, respectively. In this, it is irrelevant whether the tie members 6b are extended visibly or only in their function in the direction of the neck section.

[0093] For extending the function, as shown in FIG. 2B, it is possible to provide the grooves 10 located in the labeling area 11 of the container with varying depth in the peripheral direction U. More preferably, the grooves 10 have a shallower depth in the extension of the tie member 6b than in the regions between the tie members 6b, in order to there create increased stability.

[0094] FIG. 2B shows an alternative embodiment very similar to that of FIG. 2A, with the difference being that the tie member 6b in FIG. 2B projects up into the shoulder section 5 (see tie member 6c).

[0095] FIG. 2C shows a further alternative embodiment. There, the tie member 6b itself and not only the function of the tie member 6b is directed through the labeling area 11. The entire tie member 6 in FIG. 2C therefore extends from the injection point 8 across the tie member 6a in the base section 2, as well as the tie member 6b in the body section 4 up to the shoulder section 5, in which the tie member 6c is shown.

[0096] All three embodiments are containers with two tie members 6a, 6b, (6c) and six feet 7.

[0097] FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C show side views of an alternative embodiment of the invention. In FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C tie member 6b and 6c project radially outwardly. However, alternatively the tie member 6b and 6c may also be provided to extend radially inwardly.

[0098] In contrast to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 3C here each show a container 1 with three tie members 6b and nine feet 7. The two embodiments shown with two and three tie members 6b therefore make sense because polygons (the triangle is formed when mentally connecting the tie members in the inside of the bottle with straight lines) are defined geometrically only up to a corner number of three . However, four, five, six or more tie members are conceivable, however, the stability is thereby then again reduced.

[0099] FIG. 3A shows a representation similar to FIG. 2B. FIG. 3C is again very similar to FIG. 2C.

[0100] FIG. 3B, however, shows an alternative embodiment in which the tie member 6b can only in certain areas be seen in the labeling area 11. Here again, however, the function of the tie member 6 is extended into the shoulder section 5, it is merely another embodiment of the tie member 6 in technically different design.

[0101] Furthermore, it is also conceivable to apply the design of FIG. 3B for a bottle 1 as shown in FIG. 2A/B/C, or the design of FIG. 2A in a bottle 1 as shown in FIG. 3A/B/C.

[0102] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B each also show a plan view of the container 1 according to the invention.

[0103] FIG. 4A shows a plan view of a container 1 with three tie members 6. The tie members are here each arranged at the same distance to each other distributed around the circumference. By mentally connecting one tie member 6 with the other two, an isosceles triangle results having symmetrical angles. The angular symmetry is represented by the axes A1, A2 and A3, each extending from a tie member 6 through the center axis of the container 1.

[0104] Such a polygon is geometrically defined and particularly well adapted to receive pressure without deforming.

[0105] FIG. 4B shows a plan view of a container 1 with two tie members 6. The two tie members are here arranged symmetrically with respect to the symmetry line A4.

[0106] It is evident in both FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B that the tie members 6c were extended up into the shoulder section 5.

[0107] How the tie members 6b are designed in the body section 4 cannot be seen using this representation. But all possible embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C are conceivable.

[0108] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a container according to the invention, in particular its base section. Here, the wall in the region 13 has an inwardly directed curvature. The region 13 can in particular be rotationally symmetrical to the longitudinal axis and be adjacent to the injection point or a central dome. The region 13 is connected to the foot rim 12 of the container across a planar surface 14. In the longitudinal section of FIG. 5, this planar surface 14 forms a straight line.

[0109] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the base of a container according to the invention. It shows in particular an annular rest 23 and a central dome 16. Three tie members 6a originate from the base center and extend continuously upwardly to the side wall of the base. Reinforcement grooves 15 are shown between the tie members 6a. The annular rest 23 is interrupted by the tie members 6a and the reinforcement grooves 15.

[0110] FIG. 7 shows a respective perspective view of the container of FIG. 6 according to the invention. FIG. 11 as well shows a respective perspective view, but at a slightly different perspective angle.

[0111] As can be gathered in particular from FIG. 11, the tie members in this example run into the central dome 16. In principle, the tie members 6a could also not run into the central dome 16, but tangentially peter out before, meaning outside of the central dome 16, to 0 mm depth.

[0112] Embodiments in which no central dome is formed are also possible.

[0113] The reinforcement grooves 15 can in the area of the foot rim 12 be deepest.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement grooves 15 can have a radially varying depth, therefore do not run parallel to the outer contour of the base. The depth of the reinforcement grooves 15 can therefore vary depending on the distance from the central axis of the container. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0115] The reinforcement grooves 15 can likewise extend into the central dome, and in particular into the end of the tie members in the injection point. FIGS. 6 and 11, however, illustrate the alternative, according to which the reinforcement grooves 15 end outside the central dome 16, i.e. do not reach into the central dome 16.

[0116] The section profile 17 of the tie member regions can have a constant radius (radius of curvature). This is illustrated in FIG. 8. This can in particular be the case in the area of the side wall of the base.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 10, the tie members 6b run on the outer side of the body section through a plurality of circumferential grooves. This has already been explained in connection with FIG. 2A.

[0118] The tie member bottom and the bottom of the circumferential grooves can in particular be located in one plane.

[0119] According to an alternative shown in FIG. 14, the tie members 6a can also tangentially run into or end in the lowermost circumferential groove 22 on the outer side of the body section.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 15, it is also possible that the tie members 6b on the outer side of the body section run through a plurality of circumferential grooves such, that the groove geometry of the intersected grooves remains. The tie member 6b and the circumferential groove 10 are in this area therefore arranged at the same depth (in the groove bottom). The groove 10 can be in this area therefore experience flattening between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. The variability of the groove 10 is here given in the upper lateral region. The geometry of the bottom of the groove is not interrupted.

[0121] FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal section through a base section of a further container according to the invention. It is shown therein, how a central dome is adjacent to a partial region 18 of the base section which has a constant radius of curvature and connects the central dome with the foot rim.

[0122] FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section through a base section of a further container according to the invention. This shows adjacent to the central dome 16, a first region 19 having a radius of curvature which is greater than that of the central dome 16. A first region 19 is followed by a second region 20, which can be either planar or has a radius of curvature which is greater than that of the first region 19. In this manner, a step 21 is formed between the first region 19 and the second region 20. Such a step is also formed between the central dome 16 and the first region 19. The second region 20 then merges into the foot rim of the container.

[0123] The dome 16 can in particular have a constant radius of curvature.

[0124] FIG. 16 shows a cross section of a container in the area of a tie member. The level of the bottle surface outside of the grooves is illustrated by the dashed lines. The depth of the grooves is indicated with T.sub.1 and the depth of the grooves in the area of a tie member is indicated as T.sub.2. The arrow U refers to the peripheral direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves have varying depths, T.sub.1, T.sub.2 in the peripheral direction

[0125] A container described above can be used in particular for an intended internal pressure of 0.1 bar to 1.5 bar.

[0126] All the features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as features being essential to the invention, to the extent that they are individually or in combination novel over prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0127] 1. container

[0128] 2. base

[0129] 3. neck

[0130] 4. body

[0131] 5. shoulder

[0132] 6. tie member

[0133] a. tie member in the base section

[0134] b. tie member in the body section

[0135] c. tie member in the shoulder section

[0136] 7. foot

[0137] 8. injection point

[0138] 9. groove

[0139] 10. groove with varying depth

[0140] 11. labeling area

[0141] 12. foot rim

[0142] 13. curved area

[0143] 14. planar area

[0144] 15. reinforcement groove

[0145] 16. central dome

[0146] 17. section profile tie member

[0147] 18. partial region of the base section

[0148] 19. first region

[0149] 20. second region

[0150] 21. step

[0151] 22. lowermost circumferential groove

[0152] 23. annular rest

[0153] A1 axis

[0154] A2 axis

[0155] A3 axis

[0156] A4 axis

[0157] U peripheral direction

[0158] L longitudinal direction