PLASTIC BOTTLE, IN PARTICULAR TOILET CLEANSER BOTTLE, AND ATTACHMENT AND BOTTLE CONTAINER FOR SUCH A PLASTIC BOTTLE

Abstract

A plastic bottle, in particular a toilet cleanser bottle, has a bottle container, preferably formed by blow-molding, with a bottle neck and an angled attachment. The attachment is snapped onto the bottle neck in a direction of placement. The bottle neck has a first snap connection element and the attachment has a second snap connection element. In order to ensure a defined angular orientation between the angled attachment and the bottle container, an anti-rotation lock is formed between the attachment and the bottle neck, in particular between the two snap connection elements. To this end, preferably the snap connection elements engage positively with one another by way of toothings. Alternatively, an elevation having recesses is formed on a bottle shoulder for ensuring the anti-rotation lock.

Claims

1. A plastic bottle, comprising: a bottle container having a bottle shoulder and a bottle neck projecting from said bottle shoulder; an attachment snap-connected, in a plug-fitting direction, with said bottle neck, said bottle neck having a first snap connection element and said attachment having a second snap connection element; said attachment being an adapter attachment having an adapter neck for plug-fitting a closure cap; and an anti-rotation feature configured between said attachment and said bottle container.

2. The plastic bottle according to claim 1, wherein said attachment is an angular adapter attachment and said adapter neck has an angled orientation relative to said bottle neck of said bottle container.

3. The plastic bottle according to claim 1, wherein said anti-rotation feature is one of two different anti-rotation features that are effective mutually independently of one another.

4. The plastic bottle according to claim 1, wherein: said anti-rotation feature is formed by two snap connection elements which, selectively or in combination, engage in one another such that said snap connection elements configure a form-fit acting in a circumferential direction and defining a first anti-rotation feature; a first toothing, defining a second anti-rotation feature, is configured circumferentially on the bottle neck; and said bottle shoulder has an elevation which conjointly with said attachment configures a form-fit that acts in the circumferential direction and defines a third anti-rotation feature.

5. The plastic bottle according to claim 4, wherein said second and third anti-rotation features are combined with one another.

6. The plastic bottle according to claim 5, wherein said elevation circumferentially has at least one first securing element that extends in the radial direction, a corresponding second securing element of said attachment, interacting with said first securing element in order for the third anti-rotation feature to be configured.

7. The plastic bottle according to claim 6, wherein said first securing element is a concavity and said second securing element is a burl interacting with said concavity.

8. The plastic bottle according to claim 4, wherein said elevation, viewed in cross section, has a circumferential contour that deviates from a circular shape, and wherein said attachment bears on said circumferential contour to form the third anti-rotation feature.

9. The plastic bottle according to claim 4, wherein said elevation, in relation to a rotation about the plug-fitting direction by 180, is configured non-symmetrical.

10. The plastic bottle according to claim 1, wherein said anti-rotation feature is configured to enable a rotationally fixed positioning of said attachment relative to said bottle neck in rotational steps of less than or equal to 5.

11. The plastic bottle according to claim 4, wherein said second toothing comprises a plurality of second teeth formed externally on said bottle neck.

12. The plastic bottle according to claim 4, wherein said first toothing or said second toothing on said bottle neck extends only across part-regions of the circumference.

13. The plastic bottle according to claim 4, wherein said bottle neck and said attachment engage in one another by way of a first toothing that is configured between said two snap connection elements.

14. The plastic bottle according to claim 1, wherein said first toothing is formed by said snap connection elements that engage in one another in the plug-fitting direction.

15. The plastic bottle according to claim 1, wherein said first toothing is formed by said snap connection elements engaging in one another in the radial direction.

16. The plastic bottle according to claim 1, wherein said bottle container and said attachment each has a preferred orientation in relation to a rotation about the plug-fitting direction, and said attachment is snap-connected in a predefined rotational orientation in relation to said bottle container.

17. An attachment, comprising a second snap closure element configured for snap-connecting to a bottle neck of a bottle container of a plastic bottle according to claim 1.

18. A bottle container, comprising a bottle neck and a first snap closure element for a plastic bottle according to claim 1.

19. A plastic bottle, comprising: a blow-molded bottle container formed from a blow-molding preform, said bottle container having a bottle neck; a holding collar configured for holding and conveying the blow-molding preform while being blow-molded into the bottle container; and said holding collar having at least one, or a plurality of, first positioning elements.

20. The plastic bottle according to claim 19, wherein said positioning elements are recesses formed in said holding collar.

21. The plastic bottle according to claim 19, which further comprises an attachment to be fitted onto said bottle neck, said attachment having at least one, or a plurality of, second positioning elements to be associated with said first positioning elements so as to align said attachment in a defined orientation in relation to said bottle neck.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a fragmented sectional illustration of a plastic bottle in the upper region of a bottle neck and of an attachment plug-fitted thereon, having a closure cap screw-fitted thereon;

[0064] FIG. 2 shows the attachment according to FIG. 1 in a perspective illustration;

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a sectional illustration of an alternative variant of the attachment;

[0066] FIG. 4 shows the attachment according to FIG. 3 in a perspective illustration;

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a bottle container having a bottle neck and having a first anti-rotation feature having a first snap connection element that is configured with first teeth, in a simplified fragmented illustration;

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a fragmented sectional illustration in the region of a first toothing between snap closure elements of the attachment and of the bottle neck;

[0069] FIG. 7 shows a fragmented illustration of a bottle container having a second toothing on the bottle neck and having an elevation on a bottle shoulder, in order for a second and a third anti-rotation feature to be configured;

[0070] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the bottle container according to FIG. 7;

[0071] FIG. 9 shows an illustration, enlarged in fragments, of the plan view of the bottle container according to FIG. 8; and

[0072] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a blow-molding preform having positioning elements that are configured on a holding collar.

[0073] Parts having equivalent functions are in each case provided with the same reference signs in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0074] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a plastic bottle 2, in particular a bottle for a toilet cleanser, illustrated in only a fragmented manner in the upper region in FIG. 1, has a bottle container 4 having a bottle neck 6 and an angular attachment 8 that is configured as an attachment adapter, and finally a closure cap 10. The attachment 8 herein in the direction of a plug-fitting direction 12 is snap-connected to the bottle neck 6. The plug-fitting direction 12 herein at the same time corresponds also to an axial or longitudinal direction of the plastic bottle 2, or of the bottle container 4, a central axis 11 of the bottle neck 6 extending along said axial or longitudinal direction. In order for the snap closure to be configured, an annular first snap closure element 14 is configured on the outside on the shell of the bottle neck 6 and, in a corresponding manner thereto, a second annular segment or a annular segment-type snap closure element 16 is configured on the inside on an internal shell of the attachment 8. Both the attachment 8 as well as the bottle neck 6, at least in the region of the snap closure elements 14, 16, have a circular cross-sectional geometry. In the snap-fitted state such as is illustrated in FIG. 1, the first snap closure element 14 in the plug-fitting direction 12 is engaged from behind by the second snap closure element 16. In order to be plug-fitted, the snap closure elements 14, 16 are mutually deflected in an elastic manner, thus configuring a type of snap connection.

[0075] As can be derived in particular from FIGS. 1 and 2, the attachment 8 per se in turn has an adapter neck 18 which is oriented in an angular manner in relation to the plug-fitting direction 12, and which is furthermore provided with a thread 20 and a metering element 22. The closure cap 10 by way of an internal thread is screw-fitted to the thread 20 (FIG. 1), said closure cap 10 having a closure plug 24 which engages in the metering element 22.

[0076] In order for an anti-rotation feature to be configured between the attachment 8 and the bottle neck 6, a first toothing 26A such as is schematically drawn in a fragmented illustration in FIGS. 5 and 6 is configured between the two snap closure elements 14, 16 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. The first toothing 26A herein is configured between the two snap closure elements 14, 16.

[0077] An alternative embodiment of the attachment 8 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A substantial difference to the variant of embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is first to be seen in that this attachment does not have a circular base area by way of which the attachment 8 comes to bear on a bottle shoulder 40 (FIGS. 7, 8). Rather, the attachment 8 has an approximately trapezoidal base area, wherein the individual sides of the trapeze, in particular the longitudinal sides, are configured in an arcuate manner. An attachment 8 of this type is used in particular in combination with the bottle container 4 such as is described in the context of FIGS. 7 and 8. Accordingly, the approximately trapezoidal contour of the base area of the attachment 8 is also illustrated in a punctiform manner in FIG. 8. Overall, the base area by virtue of the convexly bent lateral faces is formed by a type of trapezoidal oval.

[0078] As can be derived in particular from the sectional illustration of FIG. 3, the attachment 8 is configured in a double-shelled manner, having an external shell 42 which extends up to the bottle shoulder 40 and defines the non-circular geometry of the base area. At the same time, an internal collar 44 by way of which the attachment 8 is push-fitted over the bottle neck 6 is configured. This internal collar 44 exhibits the second snap closure elements 16. The internal collar 44 herein is oriented so as to be concentric with the central axis 11. An introduction collar 48 which is likewise configured so as to be concentric with the central axis 11 and which typically sits in a sealing manner on an opening of the bottle neck 6 and partially protrudes into the latter is additionally configured. To this end, the introduction collar 48 on the end sides has chamfered sealing faces.

[0079] Furthermore, a bending angle a between the central axis 11 of the bottle neck 6 and a respective oblique axis 50 of the adapter neck 18 and of the metering element 22 can be readily derived by means of FIG. 3. This bending angle a herein is preferably in the range between 25 and 40 degrees.

[0080] Furthermore, an adapter shoulder 52 is oriented in relation to the bottle shoulder 40 at this bending angle a. Furthermore, elements for configuring a child-proof feature 54 are disposed on this adapter shoulder 52. A child-proof feature in the region of the adapter shoulder 52 is also configured in the case of the variant of embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0081] In each case an anti-rotation feature is configured between the attachment 8 and the bottle container 4. Different variants thereof will be explained in more detail hereunder by means of FIGS. 5 to 10, said variants being referred to as the first, second, and third anti-rotation feature 56A,B,C. In principle, the different variants described can be applied to both attachment types. The attachments 8 and the bottle containers 4, in view of the respective variant of the anti-rotation feature, are configured so as to be mutually complementary.

[0082] One preferred design embodiment which shows a combined variant having two different variants of the anti-rotation feature is described in the context of FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0083] The first anti-rotation feature 56A is described in the context of FIG. 1 and in particular to FIGS. 5 and 6. As can be derived from FIG. 5, the first snap closure element 14 in the exemplary embodiment is configured in an encircling manner as a continuous snap ring on the external shell of the bottle neck 6. The snap ring herein in a first part spreads in a conical manner in the plug-fitting direction 12, prior to a cylindrical part then adjoining the former. A first toothing having a multiplicity of first teeth 30A is configured on the lower side 28 of said snap ring.

[0084] In a similar design embodiment, a toothing having a multiplicity of complementary first teeth 32A is also configured in the case of the second snap closure element 16, as can be derived from FIG. 6. In this case, the complementary first teeth 32 are configured on an upper side 34 of the second snap closure element 16. The second snap closure element is preferably configured only in an annular-segment manner such that a simplified elastic deflection when snap-fitting is enabled. The second snap closure element 16 also has a conically-running lower side such that the two conical regions can slide on one another when snap-fitting.

[0085] As can be seen from FIG. 6, the teeth 30A, 32A engage in one another in the plug-fitting direction 12, and on account thereof configure a first toothing 26A and thus the first anti-rotation feature 56A that acts in the circumferential direction.

[0086] In order for the desired fine adjustability of the rotational orientation of the attachment 8 in relation to the bottle neck 6 to be guaranteed, the first teeth 30A or 32A, respectively, are preferably disposed at a mutual spacing in terms of an angle of rotation of approximately 5 maximum.

[0087] One preferred variant of embodiment in which a second anti-rotation feature 56B is combined with a third anti-rotation feature 56C is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0088] In order for the second anti-rotation feature 56B to be configured, a second toothing 26b is configured in the assembled state on the bottle neck 6, specifically on the cylindrical part thereof above the first snap closure element. To this end, the bottle neck 6 on the cylindrical external shell face thereof has a number of second teeth 30B which in the manner of part-segments extend along the circumferential side on two opposite part-regions. Therefore, two opposite tooth regions are configured. Said opposite tooth regions in the exemplary embodiment extend in each case across a limited angular range from, for example, 30 to 60, and in particular across an angular range of approximately 45. The second teeth 30B herein extend so as to be parallel with the central axis 11. Said second teeth 30B, when viewed in the cross section (cf. in particular FIG. 9 in this context), have an approximately triangular base area having a flattened tip of the triangle. The two triangle flanks herein are mutually oriented preferably at an angle between 30 and 60, and preferably at an angle of 45.

[0089] Accordingly, complementary teeth which likewise preferably have a cross-sectional shape of this type are attached to the attachment 8. Said complementary teeth engage in the second teeth 30B (not illustrated) in a form-fitting manner.

[0090] A third anti-rotation feature 56C is additionally configured in the case of the variant of embodiment according to FIGS. 7 to 9. To this end, an elevation 60 is configured on the bottle shoulder 40. Said elevation preferably has a height h which is in the range from 2 to 5 mm, in particular is 3 mm. In principle, such an elevation can also be configured in the case of the variant according to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0091] The elevation 60 in general first has a non-circular basic shape and, accordingly, a non-circular circumferential contour 62. The basic shape of this circumferential contour 62, in a manner corresponding to the base area of the attachment 8 according to FIGS. 3, 4, is likewise configured so as to be trapezoidal having convexly bent lateral faces. The internal wall of the external shell 42 of the attachment 8 herein in a fully circumferential manner bears directly on the circumferential contour 42.

[0092] As can furthermore be derived from FIG. 8, the elevation 60 has concavities 64 which extend approximately in the direction toward the central axis 11 and are thus to be seen as radial first anti-rotation feature elements. In a manner corresponding thereto, the attachment 8 also has burls 66 that extend in the radial direction and can be seen as second anti-rotation feature elements.

[0093] A plurality, in particular two, radial securing elements of this type are configured on each convexly bent longitudinal side of the trapezoidal basic shape in the exemplary embodiment. Said securing elements are expediently provided with an approximately triangular base area, wherein the one leg of the triangle is longer than the other such that a scalene triangle is formed. The two anti-rotation feature elements that are disposed on one longitudinal side herein are disposed in a mutually mirror-imaged manner, specifically in such a manner that the steeper triangle flank is in each case oriented toward the shorter sides of the trapeze.

[0094] Finally, a further design embodiment is schematically drawn by means of FIG. 10. FIG. 10 herein, in a heavily simplified illustration, shows a plan view of a blow-molding preform 65 that in the cross section is usually circular, the bottle container 4, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, having the non-circular cross-sectional shape being usually produced from said blow-molding preform 65. The bottle neck 6 having the first snap closure element 14 and, if required, having the second teeth 30A,B for the toothings 26A,B is preferably already configured on the blow-molding preform 65 (in a manner not illustrated here).

[0095] Said blow-molding preform 65 in the region of the bottle neck 6 typically has a holding collar 68. The holding collar 68 is resorted to for handling the blow-molding preform 65 for the blow-molding procedure.

[0096] It is henceforth to be highlighted that the holding collar 68 per se has at least one and in the exemplary embodiment two opposite positioning elements 70 in the form of recesses. In the completed design embodiment in the case of a plug-fitted attachment 8, preferably corresponding second positioning elements 72 of an attachment 8 (illustrated in dashed lines here) engage in these first positioning elements 70. An anti-rotation feature is configured on account thereof.

[0097] Independently of such an anti-rotation feature, the first positioning elements 70 are expediently resorted to in order for the blow-molding preform to be aligned as precisely as possible in a blow mold, such that a fixed correlation is set between the positioning elements 70 and the non-symmetrical shape of the bottle container 4.

[0098] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

[0099] 2 Plastic bottle

[0100] 4 Bottle container

[0101] 6 Bottle neck

[0102] 8 Attachment

[0103] 10 Closure cap

[0104] 11 Central axis

[0105] 12 Plug-fitting direction

[0106] 14 First snap closure element

[0107] 16 Second snap closure element

[0108] 18 Adapter neck

[0109] 20 Thread

[0110] 22 Metering element

[0111] 24 Closure plug

[0112] 26A,B First, second toothing

[0113] 28 Lower side

[0114] 30A,B First, second teeth

[0115] 32A Complementary first teeth

[0116] 34 Upper side

[0117] 40 Bottle shoulder

[0118] 42 External shell

[0119] 44 Internal collar

[0120] 48 Introduction collar

[0121] 50 Oblique axis

[0122] 52 Adapter shoulder

[0123] 54 Child-proof feature

[0124] 56A,B,C First, second, third anti-rotation feature

[0125] 60 Elevation

[0126] 62 Circumferential contour

[0127] 65 Blow-molding preform

[0128] 64 Concavity

[0129] 66 Burls

[0130] 68 Holding collar

[0131] 70 First positioning element

[0132] 72 Second positioning element

[0133] a Bending angle

[0134] h Height