DE102009026125A1 - Beverage container has base, wall and head area with opening arranged in closable manner, where wall has lateral area parallel to longitudinal central axis at upper side - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage container (12) consists of thermoplastic material with a bottom (16), a wall (18) and a head region (20) with a closable opening (22) arranged on its top side, the wall (18) forming at least in sections a longitudinal central axis At least at one point and / or on one longitudinal side of the lateral surface (24) at least one connecting element (26) for positive, friction, material and / or non-positive connection with another, similarly shaped beverage container (12) is provided.

Description

The The present invention relates to a beverage container and a composite of several such beverage containers. The invention further relates to a method for producing a Such beverage container and a method for Producing a composite of several beverage containers.

Known Beverage containers are made of plastic, by injection molded PET preforms by stretch blow molding into a desired shape and to a desired one Volume to be reshaped. The individual containers will be after filling with liquid and after Closing depending on the selected transport, Warehouse and / or or distribution and marketing method to one Composite or so-called containers, in which three, four, six or more beverage containers by means of additional Holding means are mechanically fixed to each other, if necessary with addition a carrying handle on an upper side of the container.

A very common and frequently used container number in such containers is six, so this two rows of three juxtaposed beverage containers are summarized. The fixation of the container to each other takes place usually by means of a foil wrapper that grouped around the Beaten container and then by means of a Heating process for fixing the container is shrunk. The optional carrying handle may be before or after Applying the film introduced and possibly when shrinking the film be fixed.

To the Applying and in particular for heating the film is requires a significant amount of energy. Also the foil insert causes a handling effort and additional costs, which are to be minimized if possible. Should be completely on a foil wrap and subsequent heat shrinkage be omitted, different grouping options and connectivity, so for example, the fixing the container together by means of the lateral surfaces circumferential straps or bands that sufficient must be stable in order to handle the containers safely can fall apart without the containers falling apart.

A container assembly with two, three or more cylindrical bottles is from the EP 0 392 996 A1 known. The bottles are braced against each other and fastened in each case with ribbons on a neck portion and on a deeper lying coat area. By the bias of the bottles against each other a frictional fixation is achieved, while the upper band is fastened undetachably by the usually existing neck ring of bottles.

The US 33 69 658 A discloses various container assemblies of combined cuboid containers held together by circulating belts. In order to prevent slippage of the containers against each other, their mutually facing side walls are provided with corresponding recesses and projections which engage in a form-fitting manner when the containers are placed in alignment next to each other. Although the projections and recesses provide the proper positioning, but can not cause fixation of the container, which are not held together without the circulating belt.

From the DE 10 2004 047 830 A1 are plastic bottles known, which have on their lateral surfaces tap or stamp or push button-like elevations and depressions, which can serve to nesting and latching connecting several such bottles. In addition, the mutually facing fasteners may be provided with an adhesive layer, which can provide a permanent connection of the pressed bottles together.

The DE 103 24 119 A1 shows finally a beverage bottle and various container arrangements with several such bottles of beverage, which are connected to each other without additional aids on their side walls. For this purpose, the side walls each have form-fitting interlocking connecting elements for releasable connection with associated connecting elements of adjacent beverage bottles. The connecting elements formed on the side walls by undercut recesses and outwardly widening projections should be mutually latchable or clipped under elastic deformation. As an alternative to the interlocking interlocking fasteners attached adhesive films or Velcro strips are called in some areas of the side walls.

One The primary object of the invention is a beverage container to make it available at simpler and cheaper Manufacturability allows a reliable and mechanically sufficiently strong connection to at least one produce another similar beverage container, so that a composite or container of several such beverage containers can be formed. In addition, a simplified, cost-effective and reliable Process for the preparation of such a composite or container from at least two beverage containers available be put.

These Objects of the invention are with the objects with the Achieved features of the independent claims, wherein features of advantageous developments of the invention from the respective dependent claims.

The Invention comprises a beverage container made of thermoplastic Plastic with a bottom, a wall and a head area with a closable opening arranged on its upper side, wherein the wall at least partially to a longitudinal central axis has parallel lateral surface, and wherein at least at a point and / or on a longitudinal side of the lateral surface at least one connecting element for the form, friction, substance and / or non-positive connection with another, similar shaped beverage container is provided. This inventive connecting element can, for example. be formed by a material bridge. Also, that can at least one connecting element through one of the lateral surface protruding tab be formed. This tab may optionally be a locking element for latching, positive and / or non-positive, releasable Having connection with a corresponding locking element, the on the lateral surface of another beverage container is arranged. Alternatively, it is possible that the at least a tab an adhesive and / or welding surface for cohesive bonding by gluing and / or Welding with a corresponding tab on the Lateral surface of another beverage container having.

A further embodiment variant of the invention can provide that the at least one connecting element by one of the Lateral surface protruding connecting web is formed. This at least one connecting web can be designed differently and, for example, a material-point connection, a material-line connection or have a material-surface connection, so that the container by detachable and / or destructible compounds are held together until the compounds dissolve the containers are cut.

When another alternative embodiment can be provided that the at least one connecting element by a cross-section Trapezoidal, mushroom or peg-shaped, an undercut having, over a portion of the lateral surface with a constant width extending groove-shaped depression or web-like survey is formed, which is used to produce a positive connection with a corresponding Collection or deepening of another beverage container in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the beverage containers are pushed into each other. In addition, it is also possible that the at least one connecting element by a cross-section Trapezoidal, mushroom or peg-shaped, an undercut having groove-shaped depression or web-like elevation is formed, which is for producing a positive and / or non-positive, latching and releasable connection with a corresponding survey or recess of another beverage container in a direction perpendicular to the lateral surfaces of the beverage container are pushed into one another and / or pressed.

A Another alternative to the container arrangement or to a container connectable container provides that the at least one Connecting element by at least two head portions adjacent Beverage container connecting web is formed. Such a bridge can, for example, a connection in the neck or head area the plastic beverage container exhibit. The production of the bridge can during injection molding the preforms or during the blow-forming of the container respectively.

The At least one connecting element can optionally also by a Elevation and / or depression on at least one of the lateral surfaces be formed of the wall and to interact with at least a corresponding elevations or depressions of an adjacent Beverage container by means of vacuum connection be provided the adjacent surfaces. The corresponding molded and assembled containers can adhere to each other by means of negative pressure and for a stable Create a container.

The The invention further relates to a composite of several beverage containers according to at least one of the previously described Variants that by means of material, positive and / or non-positive, latching and / or releasable connection joined together are. Alternatively, the composite can also be formed by that the beverage containers by means of at least one around the lateral surfaces of juxtaposed container looped and / or biased tether joined together and are fixed. The at least one tether may preferably within along the circumference of the lateral surfaces of the Beverage container extending grooves held.

Finally, the present invention relates to a method for producing a composite of at least two beverage containers made of thermoplastic material having a bottom, a wall and a head portion arranged on the upper side closable opening, wherein the wall has an at least partially parallel to a longitudinal central axis lateral surface. At least at one point and / or on a longitudinal side of the lateral surface and / or on the head region is at least one connecting element for material connection between the little least two beverage containers provided. The connecting element may, for example, be formed by a material bridge which is formed between the lateral surfaces of at least two adjacent beverage containers during the simultaneous stretch-blowing operation for the at least two beverage containers.

Also the connecting element can be formed by a material bridge be that between the head areas and / or the lateral surfaces during the simultaneous injection molding process for producing preforms for the at least two Beverage container is formed. So can the Material bridge, for example, be formed by a bridge, the one connection between neck rings of at least two adjacent Preforms or the stretch blown beverage container manufactures.

While usually as packaging for containers from beverage containers Cardboard materials in the form of blanks, folding cartons, so-called Wraparound boxes etc. and for connecting preferably PET containers Shrink wrap is used, the present invention proposes the complete abandonment of such additional Carton and / or foil packaging and / or wrappings in front. It is known z. As well as the connection of can containers with so-called plastic Hi-Cone rings. Also on such rings can be dispensed with with the aid of the present invention. adversely On the known packaging is that for connecting containers through the use of such packaging materials, of which material and in whatever form, an additional material and raw material input is necessary. That's why beats the invention before, containers and / or articles and containers or sales units so that they are without packaging such as As carton, paper or foil combined into containers or sales units can be.

For this become different physical ways to connect the article proposed without packaging. This is how the connection types can be subdivide into material shortage, form fit, frictional engagement, and various other physical effects such as magnetism, vacuum, adhesion etc. Basically all are discussed above and based on the Figures exemplified and illustrated container shapes can be combined as desired with the indicated connection forms.

So comes, for example, a connection of the container by material shortage in question. The containers are preferably PET bottles for use. These are made by rotary or linear blowing machines individually made in a mold. By blowing several containers in a mold (n × m article) can be placed between the containers each formed a small material closure in point, line or surface shape become. This material closure allows the formation of a Canned already during the production of plastic containers in the blowing machine. The material connection between the articles in the Container is with a breaking point for later separating the Container provided by the end customer. Also the connection of PET containers at the so-called neck ring by means of molded coupling rods or by means a connecting foil is conceivable.

A Alternative provides the connection of the container by frictional engagement dar. The container or article can at their Manufacture designed to be multiple containers can be inserted into each other or each other and through Friction surfaces and the friction forces required thereby held together to separate in container form. Preferably are on the containers both raised places as well Recesses formed, each with respect to their shape are designed the same or nested. This can casually circles, rectangles, squares or all sorts of things Be polygonal or freeform shapes. At the perpendicular to the basic shapes arranged surfaces act the frictional forces. By smaller tolerances of the recess and larger Tolerancing the raised areas can be an additional Hold the containers together by shrink fit by plastic Deformation are generated.

A Special form of friction is the shrink fit by thermal expansion. Here, the connection types described above can stretch or shrink with the raised and recessed areas, which by cooling or heating during filling the products are made so that there is a shrink connection between the containers can be formed. Another special form is the design of a flat cone shape with different Cone slopes to create friction adhesion. Here can achieved a self-locking by different conical slopes become.

For the connection technique described above can also be the bottle cap used as a sublime place on the article. The closure connects the containers by placing them in a molded recess the other container is inserted. The sublime places and depressions can be arbitrary and in any situation at the Volume outer surface of the container arranged be. For connecting the containers in one 2- or 3-dimensional matrix organization can be attached to the Articles formed one or more recesses or sublime become.

As another type of connection for articles or Container to a container is to call the principle form fit. The containers are designed at least on one side or place with a mold element so that z. B. by pushing into one another and / or by overpressing of plastic deformation in a counterpart molding element of a second container a positive connection is made. Usual positive locking principles are z. As printhead or dovetail connections that can be used in a figurative sense for the connection of containers. A special form of the form closure is the Velcro fastener. Many small barbs are molded directly onto the plastic container. In addition, almost any adhesive bonds are suitable for the formation of containers, possibly in combination with other joining techniques such as positive engagement and / or frictional engagement.

A Another possibility of connection is over blown Lug and form fit given by the push-button principle, wherein a locking connection between several containers is delivered.

other Types of connection of containers is a vacuum or Vacuum network, similar to the principle of a suction hook. Other connection options are via rigid or flexible belts or traction means. In this The connection can be related to a rigid or flexible, d. H. stretchable and / or plastically deformable band also on the neck ring respectively. Also by adhesion, magnetism, electrostatics or bonding, for example by applying adhesive tape or adhesive in the form of adhesive dots, a compound can be made, as well as about the melting of materials, what a Thermal bonding means. In addition, you can sticky material properties in parts of the preforms or during the blowing process to be used, the desired Produce container forms. Other options are the connection of containers via Velcro, double-sided adhesive tapes, releasable adhesive, sticky material properties etc. The contact surfaces can be designed almost arbitrarily in this context become.

The Invention provides some advantages over the past known prior art. So can the material use in the Formation of transport units are significantly reduced. Also, the thermal energy expenditure for the shrinkage of foil packs eliminated because of the previously required shrink tunnel can be dispensed with after the packing machine. For education of containers according to the methods described above, however the generation of new machines will be required.

in the Below are embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures closer explain. The proportions of the individual elements to each other in the figures not always the real size ratios, as some forms are simplified and other forms for ease of illustration increased in proportion to other elements are shown.

1 shows schematically and in several views, a first variant of a container of a plurality of beverage containers, which are held together in each case with stretch-blown, punctiform material connections.

2 shows schematically and in several views, a second variant of a container of a plurality of beverage containers, which are held together in each case with stretch blown, sheet-like material connections.

3 shows schematically and in several views, a third variant of a container of a plurality of beverage containers, which are held together in each case with blown material connections at their head portions.

4 shows schematically and in several views, a fourth variant of a container of several beverage containers, which are held together in each case with blown and glued or welded material connections at their lateral regions.

5 shows schematically and in several views, a fifth variant of a container of a plurality of beverage containers, which are held together in each case with latched or verclipsten material connections on their lateral regions.

6 shows schematically and in several views, a sixth variant of a container of a plurality of beverage containers, which are each frictionally held together with molded rectangular recesses and elevations on their lateral regions.

7 shows schematically and in several views, a seventh variant of a container of a plurality of beverage containers, which are held together with integrally formed depressions on their lateral regions by means of negative pressure.

8th schematically shows a further variant of a beverage container having adhering to its lateral surfaces areas in the form of Velcro and / or adhesive surfaces.

9 schematically shows a further variant of a beverage container, the adhering to its lateral surfaces areas in the form of Klebepunk has ten lines or surfaces.

10 shows schematically and in several views a tenth variant of a beverage container and a container of several such beverage containers, which are each formed with differently designed contact surfaces for mutual adhesion to each other.

11 shows schematically and in several views an eleventh variant of a beverage container and a container of several such beverage containers, each having a circumferential outer profile for mutual fixation with a circumferential band or more circumferential bands.

12 shows schematically and in several views, a further variant of a container of several beverage containers, which are each frictionally held together with molded round or button-like depressions and elevations on their lateral regions.

13 shows schematically and in several views, a thirteenth variant of a container of several beverage containers, which are each frictionally held together with molded-in narrow rectangular or groove-shaped depressions and web-like elevations on their lateral regions.

14 shows schematically and in several views a fourteenth variant of a container of a plurality of beverage containers, which are held together in a form-fitting manner with molded, trapezoidal undercut recesses and elevations on their lateral regions.

The following detailed description of a variety of possible Embodiments of the invention serve as non-limiting Example and reference is made to the accompanying drawings. Identical components basically have the same reference numerals on and are sometimes not explained several times.

The 1 shows schematically and in several views a first variant of a container 10 from several cylindrical beverage containers 12 , each with stretch blown, punctiform material connections 14 are held together. The example. Be formed by known per se PET beverage bottles beverage containers 12 each consist of thermoplastic material and have a bottom 16 a cylindrical wall 18 and a head area 20 with a arranged at the top, by means of a lid 22 lockable opening on. The wall 18 has a lateral surface parallel to a longitudinal center axis 24 on. In the embodiment shown are at two different heights on the longitudinal side of the lateral surface 24 fasteners 26 in the form of cohesive connections with adjacent beverage containers 12 intended. The connecting elements 26 are at the in the 1a . 1b and 1c shown first variant of the container 10 through material connections 14 or material bridges formed during the stretch blow the beverage container 12 of the container 10 be manufactured and trained.

The through the material connections 14 formed connecting elements 26 are both in the top view of 1a as well as in the side view of 1b recognizable. The detailed representation of the 1c illustrates again the size ratios of relatively thin running material bridges 14 opposite the very small spaced beverage containers 12 , The detailed representation of the 1d illustrates a variant of the material bridge 14 passing through on the outer lateral surface 24 molded truncated cone sections 28 are formed, which are fused or welded together at their flattened tips during the Streckblasvorgangs by targeted local heating and thereby form a material connection.

This in 1a recognizable, six interconnected beverage containers 12 formed container 10 must due to the formed during the stretch blow molding material connections 14 processed at the same time, which by suitable grouping, in the same arrangement as the container to be formed 10 Assembled stretch blow molding can be ensured. The blow molding of the containers 12 can no longer be done on conventional rotary machines due to the arrayed arrangement, but requires suitable linear arrangements of the stretch blow molding stations and the downstream filling stations and the other container treatment stations.

The schematic representations of 2 show schematically and in several views a second variant of the container 10 from several beverage containers 12 , each with stretch blown, sheet-like material compounds 14 are held together. The in the perspective representations of 2a and the 2c as well as in the plan view of 2 B clarified areal material connections 14 can, for example, by a foil-like or foil-like compounds 30 be formed during the stretch blow molding by suitable modification of the blow molds. The connections 30 can optionally the entire lateral surfaces 24 the beverage container 12 cover like this in 2c is indicated.

The 3 shows schematically and in several views a third variant of a container 10 from several beverage containers 12 , each with blown or molded material connections 14 at their head areas 20 are held together. So in this variant is the connecting element 26 through one's head areas 20 two adjacent beverage containers 12 connecting footbridge 32 educated. The jetty 32 can optionally be formed during the stretch blow molding as a continuous material bridge. However, it is also a variant conceivable in which the very close to the neck ring 34 arranged or in the neck ring 34 passing bridge 32 already produced and formed during the injection molding of the preforms. In the in the 3a and 3b shown embodiment are doing two through the bridge 32 connected preforms in an injection mold simultaneously produced and then simultaneously formed in appropriately juxtaposed stretch blow molding. The jetty 32 is not significantly stretched or reshaped in this production variant. By contrast, in the alternative production variant in which the material connection is produced during the stretch blow molding process, it can be stretched and reshaped, if necessary at the same time a local heating to achieve a softening and / or melting temperature of the thermoplastic material is performed, that the web 32 the desired material connection 14 for the formation of the container 10 manufactures.

The representations of the 4 show schematically and in several views a fourth variant of a container 10 from several beverage containers 12 , each with blown and glued or welded material connections 14 on their jacket areas 24 are held together. The provided in this fourth variant fasteners 26 are each perpendicular to the lateral surface 24 the beverage container 12 protruding tabs 36 educated. As with the perspective view of two to a two-pack 10 interconnected beverage containers 12 of the 4a and in particular from the top view of 4b is clarified, are the mutually facing tabs 36 the beverage container to be connected to each other 12 are pushed over one another in alignment and are then connected to each other. The tabs 36 each have an adhesive and / or welding surface for cohesive bonding by gluing and / or welding with a corresponding tab 36 on the lateral surface 24 of the adjacent beverage container 12 on.

The perspective view of 4c shows a variant of the container 12 on their lateral surfaces 24 more tabs 36 have, for connection to other, not shown here containers to form larger containers 10 Serve with four, six or more containers. The tabs 36 are each at the same height on the lateral surface 24 the container 12 and each arranged in a position offset by 90 degrees. If the container from only four similar containers 12 are formed, it is sufficient for a number of two pairs offset by 90 degrees pairs of two or more superposed tabs 36 like this in 4c is shown. If you want larger containers 10 be formed, so would be more tabs 36 necessary, which must also be located in opposite positions, so that at least on such beverage containers 12 that are in the middle of the container 10 located, at three angular positions corresponding tab pairs must be appropriate.

The views of 5 illustrate a fifth variant of the container 10 as well as the beverage containers used for this purpose 12 , each with molded or blown and latched or verclipsten material connections 14 on their jacket areas 24 are held together. As in the fourth variant according to 4 are the fasteners 26 again through out of the lateral surface 24 of the beverage container 12 protruding tabs 36 educated. However, the tabs point 36 in the fifth variant each locking elements 38 for latching, positive and / or non-positive, releasable connection with a corresponding locking element 38 a corresponding tab 36 on the lateral surface 24 another, adjacent beverage container 12 on. As from the detailed representations of the 5a . 5b and 5c shows, are the locking elements 38 each by snap button-like, mushroom-like elevations 40 (see. 5c ) or corresponding depressions 42 (see. 5a ) formed, which can be pressed by suitable undercuts latching into each other, so that a detachable, but mechanically sufficiently stable connection to form loadable container 10 between two or more appropriately equipped beverage containers 12 can be created.

The production of in the 4 and 5 shown tabs 36 expediently takes place in the injection molding of the preforms, while the tabs 36 Normally, they are not significantly changed in shape during stretch blow molding. In the blow molds, if appropriate, corresponding recesses may be present which the tabs 36 in the formation of the beverage container 12 so that they will not be deformed.

The 6 shows schematically and in several views a sixth variant of a beverage container 12 and a container 10 from several such beverage containers 12 , each with molded rectangular recesses 44 and surveys 46 on their jacket areas 24 are held together by frictional engagement. The in the 6a . 6b and 6c shown beverage containers 12 each have a square cross section, each with mutually perpendicular lateral surfaces 48 on. In each of these four lateral surfaces 48 are each elongated, rectangular in plan and in volume cuboid elevations 46 (see. 6a ) or depressions 44 (see. 6b ) molded so that the container 12 by appropriate grouping into a container 10 according to 6c can be put together. The beverage containers 12 are preferably held by means of frictional engagement, which can advantageously be achieved by the extent of the elevations 46 each slightly larger than that of the corresponding recesses 44 , so that the existing plastic and thus relatively flexible container 12 by slight pressure and slight deformation of the lateral surfaces 48 be pushed together and latching the nested grooves 44 and surveys 46 can be held together.

The 7 shows schematically and in several views a seventh variant of the beverage container 12 and a container 10 from several such beverage containers 12 , each with molded recesses 50 on their jacket areas 24 held together by negative pressure. The in the 7a . 7b and 7c shown beverage containers 12 each have a square cross section, each with mutually perpendicular lateral surfaces 48 on. In each of these four lateral surfaces 48 are each oblong, rectangular in plan and trapezoidal in shape, bowl-like depressions 50 molded, which expand outward, leaving the container 12 by appropriate grouping into a container 10 according to 7c can be put together and pressed together. The beverage containers 12 are preferably by means of negative pressure of the mutually adhering and thereby easily deforming depressions 50 held. Made of plastic and thus relatively flexible container 12 can by slight pressure and with slight deformation of the depressions 50 pushed together and by displacement of the between the wells 50 Air are held together.

The presentation of the 8th schematically shows a further variant of a beverage container 12 , on its lateral surfaces 48 adhesive areas 52 in the form of Velcro and / or adhesive surfaces 54 having. The 9 schematically shows an alternative variant of a beverage container 12 , on its lateral surfaces 48 adhesive areas 52 in the form of adhesive dots, lines or surfaces 56 having.

The representations of the 10 show schematically and in several views a tenth variant of a beverage container 12 ( 10a ) and a container 10 from several such beverage containers 12 ( 10b . 10c ), each with differently designed contact surfaces 52 . 54 . 56 corresponding 8th or 9 may be formed for mutual adhesion to each other.

The representations of the 11 show schematically and in a variety of views and variations an eleventh variant of a beverage container 12 and a container 10 from several such beverage containers 12 , each having a circumferential outer profiling 58 (see. 11a . 11b ) for mutual fixation with a circulating band 60 (see. 11b . 11c . 11d . 11e ) or several circumferential bands 60 (see. 11f . 11g . 11h ) exhibit. The profiling 58 consists essentially of a transverse groove extending transversely to the container longitudinal direction 62 , for receiving the possibly flexible band 60 serves. The containers 12 can thus be grouped and by means of the exciting band 60 held together and thus secured, creating a container 10 corresponding 11d or 11e is formed. Additionally, below the neck ring 34 another band 60 be arranged for additional fixation and stabilization of the container 12 serves as in the 11f . 11g and 11h is shown.

Preferably, this attachment variant for the formation of containers 10 from four containers assembled into a square 12 serve, as with a larger number of containers 12 Under certain circumstances, the containers that are not at corners can only be adequately secured and, if necessary, removed from the container 10 can slip. At a variant with additional securing by means of the second belt 60 in the area of the neck ring 34 the container 12 however, the fuse may be sufficient to hold more than four containers 12 to fix each other.

The containers 12 according to 11 each have a square cross-section. However, they can optionally also have other shapes, for example cylindrical, oval, triangular, hexagonal or octagonal.

The 12 shows schematically and in several views a further variant of a container 10 from several cylindrical beverage containers 12 , each with molded round or button-like depressions 66 and surveys 64 on their cylindrical jacket areas 24 are held together by frictional engagement. Preferably, in each case a total of eight such connecting elements 26 on every lateral surface 24 a beverage container 12 arranged, four of them in a lower section, close to the ground 16 , and four of them at an upper section, below the head area 20 can be arranged. Furthermore, it makes sense, two surveys 64 or depressions 66 to arrange each other in alignment, as in the 12a and 12b is recognizable. The pairs of stacked elevations 64 and depressions 66 are each at angular intervals of 90 degrees at the periphery of the container 12 distributed so that a uniform grouping accordingly 12c and 12d and an almost arbitrary extensive connectivity of a plurality of similarly shaped container 12 results. The button-like elevations 64 and corresponding round wells 66 are preferably dimensioned so that when pushing together two containers 12 a frictional connection and / or latching takes place, so that from several containers 12 formed container 10 give a reliable mechanical bond.

The representations of the 13 show schematically and in several views a thirteenth variant of a container 10 from several beverage containers 12 , each with molded narrow rectangular or groove-shaped depressions 68 and corresponding web-like elevations 70 on their jacket areas 24 are frictionally held together, as shown in the schematic plan view of 13c and in the perspective view of 13d is clarified. As in 13a to recognize the one rectangular cross-section and thus a cuboid contour having elevations 70 parallel to the tank longitudinal direction. They do not extend over the entire lateral surface 24 but reach from below the head area 20 not quite to the ground 16 , The same applies to the corresponding groove-shaped depressions 68 ; see. 13b , About the circumference of a container 12 may, for example, four, six, eight or more such surveys 70 or depressions 68 be arranged so that a universal grouping is given. The ridge-like elevations 70 and corresponding groove-like depressions 68 are preferably dimensioned so that when pushing together two containers 12 a frictional connection and / or latching takes place, so that from several containers 12 formed container 10 give a reliable mechanical bond.

The 14 Finally, in a schematic way and in several views shows a fourteenth variant of a container 10 from several beverage containers 12 , each with molded, trapezoidal undercut recesses 72 and surveys 74 on their jacket areas 24 are held together in a form-fitting manner (cf. 14c ). In this variant, the connecting elements 26 by trapezoidal, mushroom or peg-shaped in cross-section, having an undercut extending over a portion of the lateral surface with a constant width groove-shaped depressions 72 and corresponding web-like elevations 74 formed, for producing a positive connection with a corresponding elevation 74 or recess 72 another beverage container 12 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the beverage containers 12 are sliding into each other, as in 14e is shown.

The The invention is not limited to the above embodiments limited. Rather, a variety of variants and Modifications conceivable that of the invention Use your thoughts and therefore also in the protection area fall.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

container

12

beverage containers

14

material connection

16

ground

18

wall cylindrical wall

20

head area

22

cover

24

lateral surface

26

connecting element

28

Cone section, Truncated cone section

30

film-type connection

32

web

34

collar

36

flap

38

locking element

40

survey

42

deepening

44

deepening

46

survey

48

lateral surface

50

deepening

54

Adhesive surface, contact area

56

Klebepunkt-, line, area

58

profiling

60

tape

62

groove

64

survey

66

deepening

68

deepening

70

survey

72

deepening

74

survey

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0392996 A1 [0005]
• - US 3369658 A [0006]
• DE 102004047830 A1 [0007]
• - DE 10324119 A1 [0008]

Claims (18)

Beverage containers ( 12 ) made of thermoplastic material with a bottom ( 16 ), a wall ( 18 ) and a header area ( 20 ) with arranged on its upper side closable opening ( 22 ), whereby the wall ( 18 ) a lateral surface parallel to a longitudinal central axis at least in sections ( 24 ), and wherein at least at one point and / or on a longitudinal side of the lateral surface ( 24 ) at least one connecting element ( 26 ) for positive, friction, substance and / or non-positive connection with a further, similarly shaped beverage container ( 12 ) is provided. Drinks container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element ( 26 ) through a material bridge ( 14 ) is formed. Drinks container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one connecting element ( 26 ) by a from the lateral surface ( 24 ) protruding tab ( 36 ) is formed. A beverage container according to claim 3, wherein the at least one flap ( 36 ) a latching element ( 38 ) for latching, positive and / or non-positive, releasable connection with a corresponding locking element ( 38 ), which in a tab ( 36 ) on the lateral surface ( 24 ) of another beverage container ( 12 ) is arranged. A beverage container according to claim 3, wherein the at least one flap ( 36 ) an adhesive and / or welding surface for cohesive bonding by gluing and / or welding with a corresponding tab ( 36 ) on the lateral surface ( 24 ) of another beverage container ( 12 ) having. Drinks container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one connecting element ( 26 ) is formed by a projecting from the lateral surface connecting web. Beverage container according to claim 6, in which the at least one connecting web is a material-point connection, a material-line connection and / or a material-surface connection. Drinks container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element ( 26 ) formed by an in cross-section trapezoidal, mushroom or peg-shaped, having an undercut, extending over a portion of the lateral surface ( 24 ) with a constant width extending groove-shaped depression ( 72 ) or web-like survey ( 74 ) is formed, which for producing a positive connection with a corresponding survey ( 74 ) or depression ( 72 ) of another beverage container ( 12 ) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the beverage containers ( 12 ) are pushed into each other. Drinks container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element ( 26 ) by a cross-section trapezoidal, mushroom or peg-shaped, having an undercut groove-shaped depression ( 44 . 66 . 68 ) or web-like survey ( 46 . 64 . 70 ) is formed, which for producing a positive and / or non-positive, latching and releasable connection with a corresponding survey ( 46 . 64 . 70 ) or depression ( 44 . 66 . 68 ) of another beverage container ( 12 ) in a direction perpendicular to the lateral surfaces ( 24 ) the beverage container ( 12 ) are pushed into one another and / or pressed. Drinks container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one connecting element ( 26 ) by at least two head regions ( 20 ) adjacent beverage containers ( 12 ) connecting bridge ( 32 ) is formed. Drinks container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one connecting element ( 26 ) by a survey and / or depression ( 50 ) on at least one of the lateral surfaces ( 24 ) of the wall ( 18 ) for cooperation with at least one corresponding elevations or depressions ( 50 ) of an adjacent beverage container ( 12 ) by means of vacuum connection of the adjacent surfaces. Composite of several beverage containers ( 12 ) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, which are joined together by means of material, positive and / or non-positive, latching and / or releasable connection. Composite according to Claim 12, in which the beverage containers ( 12 ) by means of at least one around the lateral surfaces ( 24 ) contiguous containers ( 12 ) looped and / or prestressed tether ( 60 ) are joined together and fixed. Composite according to claim 13, wherein said at least one tether ( 60 ) within along the circumference of the lateral surfaces ( 24 ) the beverage container ( 12 ) running grooves ( 62 ) is held. Process for producing a composite from at least two beverage containers ( 12 ) made of thermoplastic material, which has a bottom ( 16 ), a wall ( 18 ) and a header area ( 20 ) with arranged on its upper side closable opening ( 22 ), wherein the wall ( 18 ) a lateral surface parallel to a longitudinal central axis at least in sections ( 24 ), and wherein at least at one point and / or on a longitudinal side of the lateral surface ( 24 ) and / or at the head area ( 20 ) at least one connecting element ( 26 ) for materially connecting between the at least two beverage containers ( 12 ) is provided. Method according to Claim 15, in which the connecting element ( 26 ) through a material bridge ( 14 ) is formed between the lateral surfaces ( 24 ) at least two adjacent beverage containers ( 12 ) during the simultaneous stretch blow molding operation for the at least two beverage containers ( 12 ) is formed. Method according to Claim 15, in which the connecting element ( 26 ) through a material bridge ( 14 ) formed between the head regions ( 20 ) and / or the lateral surfaces ( 24 ) during the simultaneous injection molding operation for the production of preforms for the at least two beverage containers ( 12 ) is formed. The method of claim 17, wherein the material bridge ( 14 ) by a bridge ( 32 ) forming a connection between neck rings ( 34 ) of the at least two adjacent preforms or the stretch-blown beverage containers ( 12 ).

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