CN105008229A - Retractable blow moulded plastic thin-walled container - Google Patents

Abstract

Self supported and retractable blow moulded plastic thin-walled bottle comprising - a top part (2,3,4,5); - a tubular body portion (6); - and a bottom structure (7); - retractable top (2,3,4,5) and/or bottom (7); - at least two transversal grooves and/or ribs (6.1), - the mean wall thickness (T mean) of the tubular body portion (6) being less than or equal to 200 [mu]m. The invention also concerns a method, a preform and a mold for the manufacture of said aforementioned container by blow moulding. The invention also concerns a method for bottling liquid into said containers, a method for dispensing said liquid, a dispenser for implementing said method and a method for packing the thin-walled containers, in view of storage and transportation.

Description

Returnable Blow Molded Plastic Thin Wall Containers

technical field

The present invention generally relates to the construction of thin walled containers, preferably bottles, suitable for containing water or other liquids. It is particularly applicable to the construction of thin walled bottles containing water for human consumption (in the following generally drinking water) and which may be used in conjunction with a water dispensing unit.

Background technique

Large containers, also called jugs, used in dispensing units in potable water service, usually in cylindrical form. This canister, when applied to units of electric or non-electric type, is inverted and positioned above the upper part of the dispensing unit to supply water to the internal water reservoir when dispensing. Water is fed to the water reservoir from a replaceable jug inverted on top of the cooler unit, the neck of the bottle being placed in the funnel-shaped inlet to the water reservoir at the top of the dispensing unit. A pump can also be used to pump water to the outside of the tank. Typical jars have a capacity of five gallons. When all the water in the jar has been dispensed, the empty jar is removed and replaced by another full bottle. Usually a few full jars are kept on site and from time to time the supplier will provide some freshly filled jars and collect the empty jars for cleaning and refilling.

The jars are blow molded from polyester terephthalate or polycarbonate plastic material. A plastic lid is fitted over the top of the neck to close the jar when the jar is in transport or storage. When full, the cans are difficult to lift and maneuver into place on the cooler unit due to their size and weight.

Since these cans are recyclable and refillable, they are thus subjected to a variety of handling and storage operations and situations in which they are exposed to conditions such as abrasion, especially in contact areas between cans after stacking, or such as dropping mechanical bondage.

Then, molded plastic jars are required to be especially resistant to abrasion (scratch) and impact or drop.

In this respect, the molded plastic jar has a wall thickness of at least 400 μm, preferably 500 μm, and more preferably comprised between 600 and 1500 μm. This wall thickness requirement is associated with a relatively large capacity for thin-walled bottles, ie at least in order of increasing preference and in liters: 10; 15; 21.

The fact that these cans are recyclable and reusable involves constraints such as the organization of the transfer loop for the full thin-walled bottles and the loop for packaging the empty cans. Furthermore, these empty jars are cumbersome and must be rinsed and disposed of before they can be refilled. This involves hygiene issues. A new cap will also need to be placed on the refilled bottle.

Due to their frequent handling and their storage conditions, they are subject to deformation, which makes their unsightly aspects unfavorable for marketing.

Due to the rigidity of these tanks so far, each sampling of a liquid, such as water, involved drawing in ambient air to compensate for the volume sampled. In doing so, the compensated ambient air contaminates the liquid (eg water). This contamination is at its highest when the thin-walled bottle is nearly empty. This is a notable hygiene flaw.

Overall, these jars are expensive, bulky, difficult to handle and market, and problematic with respect to hygiene issues.

Thin-walled PET containers for beverages, such as water, are also known by injection molding of preforms and stretching, blow molding and molding (ISBM).

EP1436203B1 discloses a PET container comprising a wall made of flexible PET plastic and comprising a 30-100 μm walled body 1 with a larger dimension d ₁ and a neck 2 with an inner diameter d ₂ closed by a closure member 3 . The wall 4 forming the body of the container is made of flexible plastic that can deform to a constant surface area, especially under the weight of the flowable product contained in the container when the wall meets a point or support surface, so as to form a non-planar wall portion 5 . The ratio of d2 to d1 is 1:3-1:10. These containers are however impractical eg on the basis of poor resistance and/or low compatibility.

EP1468930B1 relates to a container having a body 1 formed by a wall 4 with a diameter S1 and at least a neck 2 with a diameter S2 made of semi-crystalline PET, with a wall of less than 100 μm substantially in the middle of its body Thick, and having a complex three-dimensional shape (3) for easy handling, this part has a diameter S3. However, these containers are impractical, eg due to poor resistance and/or low compatibility.

EP1527999B1 describes a container comprising a body formed by walls with a base having a diameter d1 in its larger part and a neck having an inner diameter d2, the container being made of semi-crystalline PET, the The body comprises at its bottom at least three legs spaced from each other and integral with said body, wherein for the body the ratio of the weight of the wall to the weight of the bottom is comprised between 3 and 4, and wherein the body of the container The ratio volume per gram of ml, PET of the body is comprised between 80 and 120, and wherein the wall of the body has a thickness of less than 100 μm, and the bottom has a thickness of between 100 μm and 200 μm, and each leg has a thickness of 50 μm to a wall thickness of 150 μm. However, these containers are impractical, eg due to poor resistance and/or low compatibility.

However, this arrangement is not compatible with large volumes, since the resulting container cannot be handled without increasing the amount of material.

JP2001122237 discloses a PET thin-walled bottle comprising a neck 1 , a shoulder 2 , a barrel 3 formed in a thin-walled section. The shoulder 2 is formed to have a wall thickness of 0.2 to 0.3 mm. The section varying from the mouthpiece 5 of the shoulder 2 to the part below the barrel 3 is formed with an ultra-thin wall of 0.02 to 0.05 mm in such a way that after using thin-walled bottles it is possible to push the shoulder into the barrel so that Thin-walled bottles can be discarded. The deformation strength of the cartridge 3 is increased by the notches of the side ribs 6 of optional shape. However, these containers are impractical.

US2010206876A1 relates to a PET disposable thin-walled high volume container obtained by blow molding a preformed shape 10 having a collar 12 and a neck 14 designed to accommodate a plunger 16 and capable of exhibiting residual stress. The container has a material weight/developed surface ratio of said container of between 150 g/m ² and 250 g/m ² . The container is filled with water under cold conditions and without pressure, and then sealed with a pierceable plunger. This container 18, after filling, undergoes peripheral heating designed to release residual stresses stored in the material. These released stresses have a tendency to return the container to its original shape, ie the preformed shape, prior to the blow molding process. Due to this tendency towards a reduction in the volume of the container and due to the contained liquid, in this case water being incompressible, a pressurization of the liquid through the container occurs which makes this container 20 substantially compact and thus easy to operate.

This compact container can be set upside down in the dispenser, which includes a trocar that pierces the plunger and depressurizes the container, which becomes pliable and must be held by its receiving means. The distribution of water is facilitated by the ballast 32 which is inconvenient. These vessels are however impractical due to the ballast required for compact efficiency. Furthermore, these containers are suitable for easy storage in the smallest of spaces.

purpose of invention

In the background technology recited above, the present invention aims to achieve at least one of the following objectives:

1. Provide (blow molding) a molded plastic thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, which can be used to serve a beverage (eg, water) unit, which has a relatively high volumetric capacity, eg, greater than 2.0 liters, which overcomes the prior art Shortcomings.

2. To provide (blow moulding) a molded plastic thin walled container, preferably a bottle, which is food compatible, single use and thus environmentally friendly and cost effective.

3. To provide (blow moulded) preferably bottle molded plastic thin walled containers which require as little plastic raw material as possible, while they are watertight and airtight and they are easy to handle, store and stack.

4. Provide (blow moulding) a molded plastic thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, which can be used in a liquid (eg water) dispenser without air contamination for each sampling.

5. To provide (blow moulding) a molded plastic thin walled container, preferably a bottle, which can have a high volumetric capacity (for example between 2 liters up to 50 liters) while having a high resistance to impacts (drops).

6. To provide (blow moulding) a molded plastic thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, which fulfills at least one of the objectives 1 to 5 and which is compact, which is a great advantage in waste management.

7. Provide (blow moulding) shaped plastic thin-walled containers, preferably bottles, which fulfill at least one of the objectives 1 to 6 and which are easy to pressurize after being filled with a liquid solely on the basis of their structure.

8. Provided are (blow-molded) shaped plastic thin-walled containers, preferably bottles, which fulfill at least one of the objectives 1 to 7 and which can stand upright when they are placed on a (flat) support, Or in other words it is self-supporting.

9. Provided (blow molding) a shaped plastic thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, which fulfills at least one of the objectives 1 to 8 and which can be used in a liquid (eg water) dispenser, wherein the shaped plastic thin-walled container It is self-supporting (no guide required) and also self-retracting during overflow in the inverted position until the container is completely emptied.

10. There is provided a (blow molded) shaped plastic thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, which fulfills at least one of the objectives 1 to 9 and which has an attractive appearance during pot life.

11. To provide a shaped plastic preform for the manufacture of thin-walled containers, preferably bottles, by (blow) moulding, as referred to in at least one of objects 1 to 10.

12. To provide a cost-effective and high-performance method of manufacturing thin-walled containers, preferably bottles, by (blow) moulding, as referred to in at least one of objectives 1 to 10.

13. To provide a mold for the manufacture of thin-walled containers, preferably bottles, by (blow) moulding, as referred to in at least one of objectives 1 to 10.

Technical solutions

Wherein the above object is achieved by the present invention referred to,

In a first aspect, the plastic thin-walled container has:

including the top of the neck side;

the tubular body portion; and

a bottom structure opposite the top,

Preferably, especially a bottle for beverages, characterized in that:

a) it is self-shrinking during its emptying;

b) it comprises at least two transverse grooves and/or ribs preferably positioned in the tubular body portion, optionally at least a part of the grooves and/or ribs are each fitted with at least two retraction actuators;

c) the _average wall thickness (Taverage) of said tubular body portion, in order of increasing preference, is less than or equal to 200; 180; 160; 150 μm; preferably comprised between 65 and 150; and more preferably comprised between 90 Between and 130 μm; for example higher than 70 μm, higher than 100 μm, from higher than 70 μm to lower than 90 μm, or from 90 to 100 μm or from higher than 100 μm to lower than 130 μm.

Thin-walled containers according to the invention, preferably bottles, are endowed with the required properties: food-compatible, single-use, environmentally friendly, waterproof and airtight, easy to handle, store and stack, in dispensers Freedom from air pollution, good mechanical properties (impact and deformation strength), lightness, attractive appearance, and the best balance of characteristics and cost/performance ratio considered necessary for plastic containers.

And above all, the fact that its top and/or its bottom are retractable makes it possible to pressurize the liquid-filled bottles and facilitate storage by stacking. These thin-walled containers (bottles) can be pressurized for storage and transport simply by stacking.

This ability to pressurize a liquid filled container according to the invention by simply retracting the top and/or bottom provides a mechanical hold for the container which is self-supporting and strong.

The self-shrinking nature of the container during its emptying, without any guidance (the container is self-supporting) and/or any other force (ballast), is also a feature that attracts significant attention. Furthermore, said thin-walled bottle, which has been filled with liquid, closed by the cap, placed upside down, and connected to the dispenser by piercing the cap without holding means, can pass through without contaminating the liquid by the surrounding air. Sampling liquid and emptying, the continuity of sampling involves the self-shrinking of the bottle, which is finally compacted recyclable waste, which is extremely convenient in storage and transportation.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a molded plastics pre-form for the manufacture of thin-walled containers, preferably bottles, by blow moulding, said pre-form according to the invention comprising from top to bottom:

a neck rim comprising a neck end and a neck support ring;

neck;

the transition zone; and

Closed tubular body portion.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, by blow moulding, according to the invention. The method comprises the steps of:

A. Molding the plastic preforms according to the invention;

B. possible heating conditions and pre-blowing of the preform obtained in step A;

C. Stretch blow molding of the preform of step A and possibly step B, the cavity in the mould being the thin-walled container according to the invention, preferably a bottle;

D. Removal of the thin-walled container, preferably a bottle.

In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to the manufacture of thin-walled container ( ) molds, preferably bottles, according to the invention by blow moulding.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for bottling a liquid into a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, according to the invention or a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, obtained by a method according to the invention, wherein preferably a thin-walled container The walled container is filled with a liquid which serves to put the thin walled container, preferably a bottle, under pressure and provide it with mechanical retention/resistance to deformation.

In a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a method for dispensing a liquid contained in a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, according to the invention, or in a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, obtained by a method according to the invention ,in:

1. placing a filled thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, upside down on a dispenser comprising at least one valve for controlling the flow of liquid;

2. The valve used to control the liquid distribution is opened;

3. The thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, self-shrinks when the liquid flows out;

4. The valve used to control the flow of liquid is closed to stop the flow and self-contraction;

5. The shrunken thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, is withdrawn from the dispenser and replaced with a full thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, as soon as the thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, is no longer dispensing liquid.

In a seventh aspect, the invention relates to a dispenser for carrying out the dispensing method according to the invention, characterized in that said dispenser comprises a base comprising in its top part designed to accommodate the preferably A seat of a thin-walled container of a bottle, or of the top of a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, obtained by the method according to the invention, said container set upside down, said seat comprising an interior of the thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, with A connection between conduits connected to an outlet where liquid from a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, can be dispensed, the flow of liquid through the conduits being controlled by at least one valve.

In an eighth aspect, the invention relates to a method for packaging a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, according to the invention, or a thin-walled container, preferably a bottle, obtained by a method according to the invention, in view of storage and transport, preferably a bottle The thin-walled containers are preferably stacked on pallets at several heights by interposing at least a plate between two successive heights, each height is restrained and axial pressure is exerted on top of the pallet, To retract the top and/or bottom of palletized thin-walled containers to increase their non-deformation properties.

Beneficial effect

Some notable features of containers such as bottles arise from the fact that said containers are characterized by the following stretch ratios:

Ring stretch ratio: 4.0-6.5; preferably 4.2-6.0

Axial stretch ratio: 2.8-5.0; preferably 3.0-4.5

Overall stretch ratio: 11.20-32.5; preferably 12.6-27.0

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the thin-walled container is produced by a blow molding process, preferably by an injection stretch blow molding process. This processing is known to those skilled in the art. They generally involve the manufacture of plastic preforms by an injection molding process and then heating and blowing the preforms, optionally by stretching.

The plastic preforms, and thus the containers, are preferably made of a (thermo)plastic material selected among polymers which exhibit strain hardening when they are elongated, and more preferably which exhibit strain hardening when they are elongated. Plastics are chosen among polymers, and more preferably among polyesters, especially aromatic polyesters, more especially in the group comprising, and even especially including: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and /or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or polyvinyl furanone (PEF) or polytrimethylene naphthalate (PPT).

In a preferred embodiment, the thin-walled container according to the invention is preferably a bottle, wherein the top comprises:

a neck rim comprising a neck end (preferably designed to receive a screw or snap cap) and a neck support ring;

the neck; and

The neck is joined to the shoulder of the tubular body portion.

Plastic thin-walled containers according to the invention, generally, when filled, have at least a volume given in liters and in increasing order of preference of 2; 3; 5, and more preferably comprising 2-20 liters, preferably 7.5 to 12.5 liter range.

A (moulded) plastic thin-walled container (bottle) according to an advantageous feature of the invention comprises at least one terminal retractable portion in the top and/or bottom structure of the thin-walled bottle.

When thin-walled containers (bottles) include at least one terminal retractable portion at their bottom:

said bottom is preferably retractable under the influence of the thin-walled bottle's own weight when said thin-walled container contains liquid and when the bottomed thin-walled container is placed on a (flat) support;

said terminal retractable portion is preferably bulged when the thin-walled container is filled with liquid and when its bottom is not resting on a (planar) support;

and/or the bottom structure includes:

Terminal bends;

The outward axially extending terminal can be retracted and bulged;

and at least one retraction actuator engaging the terminal bend to the bulge, preferably selected in the group comprising, even better comprising: grooves and/or fold lines and/or ribs, Grooves and/or creases are preferred.

When the thin-walled container comprises at least one terminal retractable portion in its top region, said portion is preferably at least part of the neck rim, neck and shoulder, and the top is preferably in the applied (preferably axial) ) force to stack thin-walled containers, such as bottles, and/or to be retractable by placing thin-walled containers, such as bottles, on top.

In a preferred embodiment, the terminal retractable portion in the top region comprises at least one retractable actuator, preferably comprising, preferably selected from the group comprising, and better comprising : Grooves and/or fold lines and/or ribs, ribs are preferred.

This retraction of the top and/or bottom of the container, eg a bottle, facilitates the pressurization of the bottle filled with liquid.

According to another distinguishing feature of the (molded) plastic thin-walled bottle of the present invention, each transverse groove or rib comprises at least 2, preferably at least 4, and more preferably between 4 and 8 Shrink/close the starter.

The shrink starter preferably extends inward (recess) or outward (convex) relative to the axial direction of the thin-walled bottle.

For example, at least one transverse groove or rib:

a) having two coplanar edges with an intermediate portion between the two edges, said intermediate portion having apexes moved inwardly (grooves) or outwardly (ribs) relative to the two edges;

b) and has a width (w) measured between two edges and a maximum height (h) measured between an edge and a vertex.

For example, the retract/fold actuator has at least one of the following characteristics:

i) they extend advantageously inwards (recesses) or outwards (convexes) with respect to the axis of a thin-walled container such as a bottle;

ii) and they are evenly distributed and angularly offset from one groove or rib to another around the axis of a thin-walled container such as a bottle, each of said shrink/fold actuators in said recess The outward or inward length (recesses/convexities) λ in the mid-plane of the grooves or ribs is preferably about h/2.

The transverse grooves or ribs preferably meet at least one of the following specific specifications:

i) its width (w) and its maximum height (h) such that the ratio of maximum height to width (h/w) is, in increasing order of preference, greater than or equal to 0.8; 1.0; 1.2; and preferably inclusive between 1.2 and 200; between 1.2 and 50; between 1.2 and 20;

ii) It has a shape in rectilinear longitudinal section selected from the group comprising: U-shape; V-shape and combinations thereof.

A salient feature of the (molded) plastic thin-walled bottle according to the invention is that its tubular body part is substantially cylindrical, polyhedral or substantially planar comprising substantially planar surfaces connected by curved surfaces, preferably connected by curved surfaces.

Advantageously, the transverse grooves and/or ribs of the plastic thin-walled bottle may be continuous or discontinuous.

According to an advantageous possibility, the container according to the invention can be devoid of one or several vertical grooves and/or fold lines and/or ribs.

definition

Based on the terminology herein, the following non-limiting definitions need to be considered:

Each singular form means plural and vice versa.

""Thin-walled container or bottle" means any container for liquids; said container is especially suitable for beverage dispensers (Household & Office Delivery HOD), with a capacity of eg between 2 liters and 50 liters.

"Liquid" means a liquid suitable to be contained in a thin-walled container or bottle according to the invention, especially a beverage-like water or a non-food liquid, preferably a beverage, such as a household care product or personal care product.

"Plastic" refers to moldable thermoplastic homopolymers or copolymers that preferably exhibit strain hardening when they are stretched.

""Molding" means any formation technique of thermoplastic raw materials, such as extrusion blow molding, extrusion profile & layer, injection blow molding, injection molding (gas assist), injection stretch blow molding insert molding, rotational molding.

"Substantially" means at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%.

"About" or "around" means a tolerance of +/- 10%.

Description of drawings

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the thin-walled bottle according to the invention will enable a good understanding of the invention and highlight all its advantages and variants

This description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a front view of an empty and capless thin-walled bottle according to the invention with its bottom not retracted;

FIG. 1A' is a view showing a detail in circle A' of FIG. 1A on a larger scale;

Figure 1A" is a view on a larger scale showing a longitudinal section of a detail in circle A' of Figure 1A;

Figure 1B is a perspective view from the bottom of the thin-walled bottle of Figure 1A;

Figure 1C is a diagram showing a reduced scale of the shape of the shrink starter of the groove of the thin-walled bottle according to the invention as viewed from above;

Figure 1D is a view corresponding to Figure 1C but for a variant embodiment;

Figure 2 includes a partial longitudinal section of a thin-walled bottle according to the invention, filled with water and capped like the bottle of Figure 5C, placed on a flat support with its bottom retracted;

Fig. 3 is a graph showing the _average wall thickness Taverage of thin-walled bottles of the present embodiment made of PET W170;

Figure 4 includes a front view and a partial longitudinal section of a preform of a bottle according to the present embodiment;

Figure 5A shows a filled thin-walled bottle arranged upside down and connected to a dispenser according to this embodiment;

Figure 5B shows and is also shown on Figures 1A and 1B an empty capless thin-walled bottle according to this embodiment;

Figure 5C shows a thin-walled bottle filled with water and closed according to this embodiment;

Figures 5D to 5I show the thin-walled bottle of Figure 5C in an inverted arrangement and connected to the dispenser in different successive stages of emptying of the thin-walled bottle on the dispenser;

Figure 5J shows the shrunk and empty thin-walled bottle removed from the dispenser;

Figures 6A-6C respectively show a stack of filled thin-walled bottles (6A), pressurization of the stacked thin-walled bottles by retracting the tops of the bottles (6C), and a top view of the retracted bottles according to the present embodiment (6B).

Detailed ways

In the drawings, in particular Figures 1A, 1B to 2, the thin-walled bottle shown is a biaxially stretched blow-molded thin-walled bottle 1, which has a generally cylindrical shape and which is made of PET, but not Limited to this particular substance, it is also possible to manufacture bottles from single or synthetic, multilayer or compound materials such as PVC or polyolefins or polyesters. This thin-walled bottle 1 is of large size (eg 20 liters) and is especially intended to hold water and is placed upside down on a dispenser unit for home and office delivery use (HOD) as shown in Figure 5A.

This thin-walled bottle 1 consists of the following parts from top to base:

neck end 2;

Neck support ring 3;

Neck 4)

The shoulder 5 connection, which includes a retraction actuator 5 ₁ , which in this example is the rib visible in FIGS. 1A and 2 ,

_a tubular body part ₆ , imprinted with several continuous transverse grooves 61 and several retraction/folding actuators 62 positioned in the grooves 61 _; and

An integral bottom structure 7 comprising:

terminal curved portion 8;

an outwardly axially extending terminal retractable bulge 9; and

At least one retractable actuator 7 ₁ , which engages the terminal bend 8 to the bump 9 , and in this example is a groove, see FIGS. 1A , 1A", 1B.

In the thin walled bottle 1 shown in the figures, the neck end 2 is threaded to accommodate a screw cap 2' as shown in Figures 5C, 5J, 6A, 6B. In a variant, the cap 2 ′ may be a snap-fit cap that fits by force on a suitable neck rim comprising the neck end 2 and the neck support ring 3 . Typically, the bottom of the threaded cap 2' is connected to an anti-tamper ring placed on the neck support ring 3 separating the neck end 2 from the neck 4 .

The rib 5 ₁ of the shoulder 5 acting as a retraction starter for the top of the thin-walled bottle 1 is shown in detail in FIG. 2 . Said rib ₅₁ acts as a stiffener, which enables it to push against the shoulder 5 when a downward force is exerted on the neck end 2 and/or when an upward force is exerted on the bottom 7 of the thin-walled bottle 1. Upper part and neck end2. The retraction of the upper part of the shoulder 5 together with the neck end 2 of a water-filled and stacked thin-walled bottle 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 6B .

The width of the rib ₅₁ is, for example, comprised between 1-30 mm, preferably between 7-20 mm, more preferably approximately equal to 12 mm.

The height of the ribs ₅₁ is, for example, comprised between 0.5-20 mm, preferably between 2-10 mm, more preferably approximately equal to 6 mm.

The tubular body part 6 is imprinted with, for example, 9 transversely continuous grooves 6 ₁ , wherein each transversely continuous groove 6 ₁ comprises 4 or 6 retraction/folding actuators 6 ₂ angularly offset around the axis.

_In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, especially in FIG. An intermediate portion between edges 58 having an apex (56) moved inwardly relative to the two edges. These latter are the two rectilinear branches 58 of the V-shape connected via arcs 60 to the generally cylindrical side wall of the thin-walled bottle 1 . Each groove 61 has _a width w measured between two edges and a maximum height h measured between an edge and an apex. In this embodiment, each groove 61 includes pinch (or collapse) actuators 6 ₂ , which are protrusions uniformly angularly distributed around the longitudinal axis 64 of the bottle 1 and extending from the bottom of the groove 6 ₁ toward the protrude. Said groove ₆₁ has _a constant height h away from the retraction starter 62. _The shape of the folding actuator 62 can be defined as follows. In the plan view of FIGS. 1C and 1D (variant), the folding actuator ₆₂ is correspondingly curved and curved around, with an outwardly protruding apex. Each starter 62 has a median plane 66 of symmetry comprising the axis 64 of the bottle ₁ . _The median planes 66 of two consecutive retraction starters in the same groove 61 form between them an angle of _2.π /n, where n is the number _of retraction starters 62 per groove 61. _The angular extent ε of each retraction actuator 62 around the bottle axis 64 is in the range of about 0.2 radians to 2.π/n _{; Both} are defined by a generator line or ridge 68 extending between _two branches 58 of the groove 62, and each retraction actuator 62 is connected to one of said branches by an arc 70, the concave surface of which is The sides face outward and have a radius in the range of about 0.5 mm to the radius of the arc of the generator line 68 tangent to the branch 58 of the groove; the generator line or ridge line 68 is the circular portion via the smallest radius of curvature 72 is connected to the straight line of other side 58 of groove, and the shape of connecting line is curved in the plane perpendicular to bottle axis; Angle γ in the range of ° _; and the radial extension λ of the contraction starter 62 in the median plane 74 _of the groove 61 is substantially equal to or slightly less than half _of the maximum height h of the groove 61. The radial extension λ is the distance between the bottom 56 _of the groove 61 and the point of intersection between the ridge line 68 and the median plane 74 _of the groove 61 . From _one groove 61 to the next, the retraction starters ₆₂ are angularly offset by an angle equal to π/n, where n is the number _of retraction starters 62 per groove ₆₁ . The number n is usually in the range of 3 to 20. In this example n is equal to 4 or ₆ , where the ridge line 68 of the retraction actuator 62 is also inclined to slope downwardly and outwardly. However, it is also possible to use an orientation that is symmetrical about the axis 64 of the bottle 1 , shown perpendicular to the axis 64 of the bottle 1 .

In the embodiment described here as a non-limiting example, the average wall thickness T of the tubular body portion 6 is comprised on _average between 100 and 140 μm, so as to approximate the wall thickness, the generatrix G of the thin-walled bottle 1 is tapered from 0 to 440.

The origin 0 is arranged at the center of the bead 9 .

A scale 440 is arranged at the end of the shoulder 5 and the beginning of the neck 4 .

The tubular body portion 6 is comprised between about 100 mm and about 300 mm on a scale.

FIG. 3 shows the wall thickness along the generatrix G of a bottle according to the present embodiment and made of PETW170, the intrinsic viscosity of which is approximately 0.74 dl/g.

Integrated bottom structure 7

Engaging the terminal bend 8 to the bulging retraction actuator 1 is an annular groove or a fold line shown in detail in FIG. 2 . Said annular groove 71 makes it possible to retract when _an upward force is exerted on the bottom 7 and/or a downward force is exerted on the neck end 2 of the thin-walled bottle 1, since the neck end rests on a flat support. drum up9. This is what is shown in Figures 2, 5C and also in Figures 6A and 6C corresponding to the stack.

The width of the groove 71 is, for example, comprised between _1-15 mm, preferably between 2-8 mm, more preferably approximately equal to 4 mm.

_The height of the groove 71 is, for example, comprised between 0.1-10 mm, preferably between 0.5-4 mm, more preferably approximately equal to 2 mm.

The center of the bulge 9 includes an inwardly extending dome 10 .

Retraction of the top 2, 3, 4, 5 and/or bottom 9 of the liquid-filled bottles 1 puts the bottles under pressure and provides them with mechanical retention and toughness, which enables easy handling and stacking of the self-supporting bottles 1, see Figure 5C, Figure 6A, Figure 6B, Figure 6C.

Figure 4 shows a molded plastic pre-form 11 for the blow-molded manufacture of a thin-walled bottle 1 as described above.

The preform 11 comprises from top to bottom:

- Neck end 20, which is threaded and intended to cooperate with a threaded cap;

· Neck support ring 30;

a transition zone 40 which will form said neck 4 of said bottle after blow moulding; and

• Close the tubular body portion 50 .

The neck end 20 together with the neck support ring 30 forms a neck rim.

The ratio between the smallest outer diameter D _tz of the transition zone 40 and the largest outer diameter D _tb of the closed tubular body portion 50 is, for example:

D _tz /D _tb is between 1.8 and 0.3, preferably between 1.4 and 0.5 mm, more preferably eg equal to 36.5/39.5=0.92.

Advantageously the wall thickness of the preform 11 is between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 7 mm, more preferably for example equal to 3.25 mm.

Advantageously the ratio of weight (g) of preform 11/volume (liter) of bottle 1 is between 1 and 10, preferably between 4 and 7, for example equal to 5.5.

The blow molding manufacturing method of the thin-walled bottle/jar 1 as defined above can be illustrated by the following example.

The 20 liter bottle 1 as defined above was manufactured by injection molding and blow moulding, using standard blow molding equipment, comprising a shell formed in aluminum with an IR oven comprising 3 ovens and shafts.

The thermoplastic raw materials are NOVAPET's PET resin W170 and VORIDIAN's PET resin Xtreme. These have an intrinsic viscosity PET(IV) = 0.74 dl/g.

Carry out heating conditions with pre-blowing Step B. The parameters for this instance are provided below:

·Blow molding parameters:

Oven power %

The diameter of the shaft is 16mm

Speed 1.9m/s

Flow Control: 22%

For blow molding: open 150mm / closed 362mm

The dimensions of the preforms and bottles are as follows:

The bottles had a good appearance after blow molding.

The thickness distribution ( _Taverage ) of the bottles is provided in FIG. 3 .

The stretch ratios for the thin-walled bottle 1 of this example are as follows:

Ring stretch ratio: 209/35.65 = 5.86

Axial stretch ratio: 3.95

Overall stretch ratio: 23.15

A method of bottling a liquid into a thin-walled bottle 1 as described above, comprising filling the thin-walled bottle 1 with a liquid (such as water) on a bottling line, wherein the thin-walled bottle is under pressure by filling the liquid (such as water), which Mechanical retention/resistance to deformation is provided for the thin walled bottle 1 .

Conventional bottling lines can be adapted for this bottling method.

In view of the packaging method for storage and transport of the thin-walled bottle 1 as defined above, it includes in particular the use of the fact that the upper part of the shoulder 5 together with the neck 4 and the neck edges 2, 3 and the integral bottom structure 7 of the thin-walled bottle 1 The lower part is retractable under the action of coaxial force.

It is thus possible to stack water-filled bottles 1 closed by screw caps 2 ′, which are resistant to deformation and which have self-mechanical retention on top of each other at several levels 100 on pallet 110 .

6A-6B-6C show how the bottles 1 are arranged side by side at different stacking heights 100 with plates 120 interposed therebetween. At least some of the rows of bottles are bound with straps 130 . And if necessary (see FIG. 6C ), axial pressure is applied on top of the top array to shrink the top and/or bottom of at least some of the palletized thin walled bottles.

The plate 120 may be pierced with holes intended to allow the necks of the underlying bottles to pass through.

It must be emphasized that the remarkable features of the bottles 1 make possible a new and efficient storage of these bottles 1 . This storage is compact and optimized for transport.

A method for dispensing a liquid contained in a thin-walled bottle 1 as defined above, and a dispenser, are described below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5J .

The dispenser 500 shown in Figure 5A comprises a base 510 comprising a seat 520 on top thereof designed to accommodate the top of a thin-walled bottle 1 set upside down [neck end 2-neck support ring 3- Neck 4 - Shoulder 5.

The cap 2' of the bottle 1 is typically perforated through a tip (not shown) that is connected to an inlet tube (not shown) connected to an orifice through which liquid (eg water) from the thin walled bottle 1 is dispensed. Multiple exits. The outlets are each fitted with a valve 530 for controlling the flow of liquid (eg water).

Inverting the filled bottle 1 on the seat 520 of the dispenser 500 while at the same time piercing the cap 2' of the bottle 1 is the first step of the method for dispensing a liquid, eg water.

It is worth noting that the first step does not involve the entry of ambient air which may contaminate the liquid (eg water). Furthermore, the inverted bottle 1 maintains its mechanical hold (self-supporting) and self-contracts when liquid (eg water) is sampled from the dispenser 500 by opening the valve 530 as shown in Figure 5A.

Closing this valve 530 stops the sampling of the liquid (eg water) and the self-shrinking of the bottle 1 .

The emptying and self-shrinking of the bottle occurs until the bottle is (almost) empty and fully self-shrinking. In this state, the bottle 1 forms waste that is not difficult to dispose of (see Fig. 5J) and easy to transport and recycle.

Dispenser 500 is a Home Office Dispenser (HOD) that may be equipped with a manual or electronic pump and/or has means for chilled water, one valve 530 dispensing chilled water and the other valve 530 dispensing non-chilled water.

Claims (20)

1. a plastic thin wall container (1), it has:

Top (2,3,4,5);

Tubular body portion (6); And

The bottom construction (7) relative with described top (2,3,4,5);

Preferably, be particularly useful for the bottle (1) of beverage, it is characterized in that:

A) its top (2,3,4,5) and/or its bottom (7) be recoverable;

B) it comprises and is preferably positioned at least two transverse concave grooves in described tubular body portion (6) and/or flank (6.1);

C) average wall thickness (T of described tubular body portion (6) _{on average}), with the preferred sequence increased progressively, be less than or equal to 200; 180; 160; 150 μm; Be preferably incorporated between 65 and 150; And be more preferably included between 90 and 130 μm.

2. plastic thin wall container (1) according to claim 1, is characterized in that draft ratio below:

Ring draft ratio: 4.0-6.5; Preferably 4.2-6.0

Axial tensile rate: 2.8-5.0; Preferably 3.0-4.5

Integrally stretching compares: 11.20-32.5; Preferably 12.6-27.0

3. plastic thin wall container according to claim 1 and 2, is characterized in that, it, by blowing molding forming treatment, manufactures preferably by injection, drawing and blow-moulding forming processes.

4. the plastic thin wall container (1) according to item at least one in the claims, is characterized in that it is bottle (1) and described top comprises:

Neck end (2);

Neck support ring (3);

Neck (4); And

Shoulder (5), it joins described neck (4) to described tubular body portion (6).

5. the plastic thin wall container (1) according to item at least one in the claims, usually when filling, described plastic thin wall container (1) have at least with rise provide and with the preferred sequence 2 of increase; 3; The volume of 5, and be more preferably included in 2-20 liter, the volume preferably in the scope that 7.5-12.5 rises.

6. according to the plastic thin wall container (1) in the claims at least described in any one, it is characterized in that, described plastic thin wall container (1) comprises the described top (2 being positioned at described thin-walled pressure vessel (1), 3,4,5) the recoverable part of at least one terminal (2,3 and/or in described bottom construction (7), 4,5) (9).

7. according to the plastic thin wall container (1) in the claims at least described in any one, it is characterized in that, described plastic thin wall container (1) is included in the recoverable part (2 of at least one terminal in its top, 3, 4, 5), described part is described neck limit (2 preferably, 3), described neck (4) and described shoulder (5) are at least partially, and wherein said part (2, 3, 4, 5) at axial force, preferably recoverable under in order to stacking described thin-walled pressure vessel and/or the effect of power that applies by placing superincumbent described thin-walled pressure vessel.

8. according to the plastic thin wall container (1) in the claims at least described in any one, it is characterized in that, when comprising liquid when described thin-walled pressure vessel (1) and be placed on strut member when the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) of bottom, bottom it, (9) are recoverable under the own wt effect of described thin-walled pressure vessel.

9. the plastic thin wall container (1) according to claim 6,7 or 8, it is characterized in that, the recoverable part (2 of at least one terminal described, 3,4,5) (9) comprise at least one and regain starter (5.1) (7.1), and it preferably selects in the group comprising following structure, and comprises following structure better: groove and/or broken line and/or flank.

10. the plastic thin wall container (1) according to item at least one in the claims, it is characterized in that, described plastic thin wall container (1) is self-constriction in its cleanup process, and wherein, part transverse concave groove and/or flank (6.1) are all equipped with at least 2 separately, preferably at least 4, and the contraction starter (6.2) more preferably between 4 and 8.

11. plastic thin wall containers (1) according to claim 10, it is characterized in that, described contraction starter (6.2) extends internally (recess) or stretch out (protuberance) relative to the axle of described thin-walled pressure vessel (1).

12. plastic thin wall containers (1) according to item at least one in the claims, it is characterized in that, the described transverse concave groove realized or flank (6.1) have comprising the shape in the straight line longitudinal cross-section selected in the group of following shape, comprise following shape even better: U-shaped; V shape and combination thereof.

13. plastic thin wall containers (1) according to item at least one in the claims, it is characterized in that, described tubular body portion (6) is columned, polyhedral substantially or comprises substantitally planar and plane of bending, preferably by the substantitally planar that plane of bending connects.

14. plastic thin wall containers (1) according to item at least one in the claims, wherein plastics are preferably selected in the poly-mer when their overtimes display stress hardening, and more preferably in the polyester, especially aromatic polyester, more specifically select in the group comprising material beneath, and even especially comprise: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and/or PEN (PEN) or polyethylene furanone (PEF) or poly-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid propylene diester (PPT).

15. 1 kinds for being manufactured the shaping plastic preform (10) according to the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) at least described in any one in the claims by blow molding, described preformed member (10) comprises from the top to the bottom:

Neck end (20);

Neck support ring (30);

Transitional region (40); And

Closed tubular body portion (50).

16. methods being manufactured thin-walled pressure vessel (1) by blow molding according to any one of claim 1-14, described method comprises step:

A. molded plastic preform according to claim 12 (10);

B. the described preformed member (10) that obtains in step of heating condition and pre-blowing possibly;

C. stretch blow-molded steps A and may the preformed member (10) of step B, cavity is in a mold the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) according to item at least one in claim 1 to 11;

D. described thin-walled bottle (1) is taken out.

17. 1 kinds for manufacturing blowing mould of the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) according at least one item in claim 1 to 14 by blow molding.

18. 1 kinds of methods for the liquid in distributing the thin-walled pressure vessel that is contained according to item at least one in claim 1 to 14 or being contained in the thin-walled pressure vessel that obtained by method according to claim 16, wherein:

1. being inverted by the thin-walled pressure vessel be full of (1) is arranged on distributing box (500), and described distributing box (500) at least comprises the valve (530) for controlling flow of liquid;

2. the described valve (530) for controlling Liquid distribution is opened;

3. liquid described in flows out and described thin-walled pressure vessel (1) self-constriction;

4. the valve (530) for controlling flow of liquid is closed to make described flowing and described self-constriction stop;

As long as the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) shunk just is fetched from distributing box (500) and is replaced with the thin-walled pressure vessel be full of (1) by the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) 5. shunk no longer dispense liquid.

19. for performing the distributing box (500) of distribution method according to claim 18, it is characterized in that, described distributing box (500) comprises base portion (510), described base portion (510) comprises at its top and is designed to hold thin-walled pressure vessel (1) according to item at least one in claim 1 to 14, or the top (2 of the thin-walled pressure vessel obtained by method according to claim 16 (1), 3, 4, 5) seat (520), setting is inverted by described container (1), described seat (520) is included in the connecting device between the inside of described thin-walled pressure vessel (1) and the conduit being connected to outlet, exporting the liquid that can distribute from described thin-walled pressure vessel (1), the flowing by the liquid of described conduit is controlled by least one valve (530).

20. 1 kinds in view of the method stored with transport the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) packed according to item at least one in claim 1-14 or the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) obtained by method according to claim 16, wherein said thin-walled bottle (1) is stacked on on the supporting plate (110) on several height (100) preferably by least inserting plate (120) between two continuous height (100), preferably by least inserting two continuously between height (100) by plate (120), each height (100) is in bond, and axle pressure may be applied on the top of described supporting plate (110), so that by the described top (2 of the thin-walled pressure vessel (1) of at least some supporting plate, 3, 4, 5) and/or bottom (7) regain.