U.S. patent application number 13/965795 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-12 for plastic container with a pour spout.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER GMBH & CO. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Christian Krammer.
Application Number | 20130327795 13/965795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43929023 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130327795 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krammer; Christian |
December 12, 2013 |
PLASTIC CONTAINER WITH A POUR SPOUT
Abstract
A plastic container is disclosed which can include a pour spout
for mounting on a container neck and having one or more closable
pour openings. At least one blow molded cam can project over a neck
wall of the container neck, the pour spout having a body configured
for connection to the container neck, and made to correspond with a
peripheral contour of the container neck and to have a
corresponding number of receptacles for cam(s) in a wall facing the
neck wall. For example, at least one cam is formed in an inside
wall of the container neck.
Inventors: |
Krammer; Christian; (Hard,
AT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER GMBH & CO. KG |
Hard |
|
AT |
|
|
Assignee: |
ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER GMBH &
CO. KG
Hard
AT
|
Family ID: |
43929023 |
Appl. No.: |
13/965795 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2011/003288 |
Jul 2, 2011 |
|
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13965795 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/568 ;
222/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/122 20130101;
B65D 47/242 20130101; B65D 47/265 20130101; B65D 2547/066 20130101;
B65D 1/023 20130101; B65D 47/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/568 ;
222/109 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/38 20060101
B65D035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 2011 |
CH |
00264/2011 |
Claims
1. A plastic container, comprising: a pour spout for mounting on a
container neck and having one or more closable pour openings; and
at least one blow molded cam which projects over a neck wall of the
container neck, the pour spout having a body configured for
connection to the container neck, and made to correspond with a
peripheral contour of the container neck and to have a
corresponding number o f receptacles for cam(s) in a wall facing
the neck wall which is provided with at least one cam, wherein the
at least one cam is formed in an inside wall of the container neck
and wherein the at least one receptacle is formed in an outside
wall of the body of the pour spout.
2. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
wherein at least one cam opposite the neck wall has a projection
from 1.3 mm to 8 mm.
3. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the at least one cam has an extension from 3 mm to 8 mm
measured in a peripheral direction of the neck wall.
4. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the at least one cam is in a mold removal plane of a blow
mold.
5. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the container neck has an essentially rotationally
symmetrical peripheral contour.
6. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the at least one receptacle extends in the body of the pour
spout as far as a free end of the body.
7. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 6,
wherein the at least one receptacle runs into a centering guide
whose extension measured in the peripheral direction widens in a
direction of the free end of the body.
8. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the at least one receptacle is a link guide for the at
least one cam which runs in a peripheral direction and extends over
an angular range from 45.degree. to 90.degree..
9. The plastic container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pour
spout comprises: a pour opening configured to overlap an opening on
the container neck when the pour spout is twisted relative to the
container neck.
10. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 9,
wherein the at least one receptacle in the body of the pour spout
is a link guide for the at least one cam which extends in the
peripheral direction over an angular range from 45.degree. to
90.degree. and is arranged to run obliquely such that a twisting of
the pour spout relative to the container neck will axially displace
the pour spout out of the container neck or back again.
11. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed claim 10,
wherein the pour spout comprises: a pour opening located in the
side wall of the body, and configured to open only in an axially
extended position of the pour spout.
12. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 11,
wherein two end sections of the link guide comprise: catch
projections for the cam.
13. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
configured as an extrusion blow molded container.
14. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 1,
configured with a plastic injected pour spout.
15. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the at least one cam has an extension from 3 mm to 8 mm
measured in a peripheral direction of the neck wall.
16. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 15,
wherein the at least one cam is in a mold removal plane of a blow
mold.
17. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 16,
wherein the container neck has an essentially rotationally
symmetrical, circular peripheral contour.
18. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 17,
wherein the at least one receptacle extends in the body of the pour
spout as far as a free end of the body.
19. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed in claim 17,
wherein the at least one receptacle is a link guide for the at
least one cam which runs in a peripheral direction and extends over
an angular range from 45.degree. to 90.degree..
20. The plastic container with a pour spout as claimed claim 8,
wherein the pour spout comprises: a pour opening located in the
side wall of the body, and configured to open only in an axially
extended position of the pour spout.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority as a continuation
application under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to PCT/EP2011/003288, which
was filed as an International Application on Jul. 2, 2011
designating the U.S., and which claims priority to Swiss
Application 00264/2011 filed in Switzerland on Feb. 15, 2011. The
entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a plastic container with a
pour spout.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Containers of tin plate or nonferrous sheet metal, of glass
or also of ceramic which were known, arc being increasingly
displaced by plastic containers. Recently mainly plastic containers
are being used especially for the packaging of fluid substances,
for example for applications in the home, in agriculture, industry
and commerce, and so forth. The low weight and lower costs
certainly play a not inconsiderable part in this substitution. The
use of recyclable plastic materials and the generally more
favorable total energy balance in their manufacture also contribute
to promoting the acceptance of plastic containers, especially of
plastic bottles, among users.
[0004] Single-layer or multilayer plastic containers are often
produced in a so-called extrusion blow molding method, such as in a
method of extrusion of blown tubing. The extrusion blow molding
machines which are used for the extrusion blow molding method can
have one or more extruders for supply of the desired plastic
material. The outlet of the extruder is connected to an extruder
head, having an exit nozzle which can for example be adjusted in an
opening width, and upon which an extruded tubing emerges.
[0005] The extruded plastic tubing can have one or several layers.
The tubing which can emerge continuously or quasicontinuously from
the exit nozzle is transferred to a blow molding tool arrangement
and is inflated by overpressure using a blowing mandrel which has
been moved into the mold cavity. Afterwards the inflated plastic
container is removed from the mold cavity.
[0006] Plastic containers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and
similar materials can be produced in a so-called stretch blow
molding method. Here a cylindrical preform is produced first in an
injection molding process in an injection mold. Recently flow
molding methods have been considered for producing preforms.
[0007] The preform has an essentially elongated cylindrical body
and is made closed on one longitudinal end. A support ring
separates the body from a neck section with a pour opening. The
neck section already has what will be the later shape of the bottle
neck. On the outside of the neck section, threaded sections or the
like can be pre-formed for fixing a closure part.
[0008] The preform is removed from the mold after its production,
and further processed or stored temporarily for later processing on
a stretch blow molding machine. Before further processing in the
stretch blow molding machine the preform is conditioned if desired;
afterwards it is inserted into a blow mold of the stretch blow
molding machine.
[0009] In the blow mold, the preform is finally inflated by a gas
which has been blown in with overpressure according to the mold
cavity and here the preform can be additionally stretched with a
stretching mandrel. An injection blow molding method is also known
in which the blow molding process takes place directly subsequently
to the injection of the preform.
[0010] The preform remains on the injection core which moreover
forms a type of stretching mandrel. The preform is in turn inflated
by overpressure according to the mold cavity of a blow mold which
is delivered onto the injection core or vice versa, and in doing so
is stretched by the stretching mandrel. Afterwards the finished
plastic container is removed from the mold.
[0011] Depending on the type of substance to be poured out, the
plastic containers which have been produced in the extrusion blow
molding method or in the stretch blow molding method can be
provided with different pour spouts. The pour spout should for
example enable spill-free pouring, simplify proportioning or allow
smooth delivery of the substance contained in the container.
[0012] In addition to matching to the respective substance, the use
of a pour spout also can have an advantage that the same type of
plastic containers can be equipped with a different pour spout as
desired by the bottler. The pour spout can be equipped with a seal
which enables sealing of the container.
[0013] For example, for this purpose a pivotable cover part is
coupled to a top of the pour spout. But there can also be pour
spouts which have an external thread or external threaded sections
which interact with the internal thread or the internal threaded
sections of a twist cap.
[0014] When the twist cap is actuated, such as when screwing it on,
it can happen that the pour spout turns concomitantly as a result
of the applied torque. This can make it difficult to screw on the
twist cap. The concomitant turning of the pour spout can however
lead mainly to the pour spout no longer assuming its intended set
position with respect to the container body, which should be
maintained in presently known systems with an accuracy of
.+-.15.degree.. Therefore on the part of the container manufacturer
or the bottler, currently a not inconsiderable cost is borne to
ensure a position accuracy of the pour spout, and to prevent
twisting of the pour spout when the twist cap is actuated.
[0015] In one version, the pour spout which is attached after
filling of the plastic container is cemented to the container neck
into which it is inserted. Aside from the additional effort and the
added costs, the adhesive used for cementing is undesirable in the
recycling of plastic containers and involves added separation and
cleaning steps. Cementing-in of the pour spout using electrical
welding techniques involves a not inconsiderable technical effort
and financial cost.
[0016] An alternative version calls for the pour spout after
filling to be forced into the container neck and to be held there
by friction. Relatively large forces are applied to overcome the
frictional forces when forcing the pour spout into the container
neck. This results in the plastic container having to withstand
increased compression. To ensure this, the plastic container should
have a greater wall thickness and therefore should be produced with
a greater container weight. This can make the production of the
plastic container much more expensive.
[0017] In another version, the pour spout is inserted into a still
hot container neck immediately after the blow molding of the
plastic container. When the plastic container is cooled the
diameter of the container neck decreases. In this way the container
neck is more or less shrunk onto the pour spout. In this way the
plastic container is fixed essentially immovably with respect to
its position.
[0018] With this version however, the container is filled through
the pour spout. This reduces the filling rate. Depending on the
configuration of the pour spout, additional hardware modifications
can also be involved which can adversely affects cost.
[0019] Whether the pour spout is mounted immediately after
production of the container or only after filling, in any case a
very careful alignment of the pour spout with reference to the body
of the container should be undertaken.
[0020] In order to counteract the concomitant turning of the
mounted pour spout when unscrewing the twist cap, it has also
already been proposed that the twist cap and/or the pour spout be
provided with a lubricant, such as coated with a lubricant. The
lubricant should be inert to the contents, and for example in the
case of foods, should be unobjectionable to the consumer. The
choice of suitable lubricants is therefore relatively limited. The
application of the lubricant to the twist cap and/or the pour spout
can involve additional effort and added costs.
SUMMARY
[0021] A plastic container is disclosed, comprising: a pour spout
for mounting on a container neck and having one or more closable
pour openings; and at least one blow molded cam which projects over
a neck wall of the container neck, the pour spout having a body
configured for connection to the container neck, and made to
correspond with a peripheral contour of the container neck and to
have a corresponding number of receptacles for cam(s) in a wall
facing the neck wall which is provided with at least one cam,
wherein the at least one cam is formed in an inside wall of the
container neck and wherein the at least one receptacle is formed in
an outside wall of the body of the pour spout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Other advantages and features will become apparent from the
following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to
the schematics. The Figures, which are not to scale, are as
follows:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary container
neck with an inserted pour spout;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the exemplary container
neck with an inserted pour spout from FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the exemplary container neck
from FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the exemplary container
neck;
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the exemplary pour spout from
FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a partially cut perspective of another
exemplary embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a perspective according to FIG. 6 with an
exemplary pour spout which is twisted relative to FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a partially cut perspective of another
exemplary embodiment; and
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a perspective according to FIG. 8 with an
exemplary pour spout which has been axially shifted and twisted
relative to FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Exemplary embodiments can provide plastic containers with
pour spouts which can avoid a use of lubricants. A plastic
container and the pertinent pour spout are modified such that
simple mounting is possible. Additional fixing steps for the pour
spout can be omitted. It is also possible to omit adhesives which
could lead to added costs in the recycling of plastic
containers.
[0033] In exemplary designs, optimization of the plastic container
with respect to its weight can be achieved. Prerequisites are
created for the use of modified pour spouts with integrated or
alternatively arranged closure means.
[0034] An exemplary plastic container with a pour spout as
disclosed herein can be mounted on a container neck and can have
one or more closable pour openings.
[0035] On the container neck there is at least one cam which
projects over one neck wall and which is formed in a blow molding
method. This blow molding method can, for example, be an extrusion
blow molding method or a stretch blow molding method.
[0036] The pour spout has a body which can be connected to the
container neck and which can be made to correspond with a
peripheral contour of the container neck. A corresponding number of
receptacles for the cam(s) is made in a wall of the body facing the
neck wall which is provided with at least one cam. In contrast to
known plastic containers, the at least one cam which is shaped in a
blow molding method is formed in the inside wall of the container
neck. The at least one receptacle on the body of the corresponding
pour spout is provided in an outside wall of the body of the pour
spout.
[0037] The pour spout which is equipped with at least one
corresponding receptacle can be mounted quickly on a container neck
which is provided with a cam, and can be applied with force
thereon. The mounting of the pour spout on the container neck can
take place in known manner after filling; that is, no technical
modifications of the filling devices are necessary.
[0038] After its mounting, the pour spout is held positively on the
container neck, such that it can have a somewhat smaller diameter
than the container neck. In this way much smaller forces are
possible in the mounting of the pour spout and the plastic
container need not have increased compressive strength.
[0039] The positive connection between the pour spout and the
container neck can be made movable over a certain peripheral area.
But as soon as the at least one cam strikes one peripheral edge of
the receptacle, movability is ended and for example a twist cap can
be screwed off the pour spout or onto it. The positive connection
between the pour spout and the container neck allows an adhesive to
be omitted. This can make the production of the container less
expensive, and can facilitate recycling after its use.
[0040] An exemplary configuration of the plastic container and of
the pour spout as disclosed herein also makes it possible to omit
lubrication coatings of the pour spout and/or of a twist cap.
[0041] On the inside wall of the container neck there can be one or
more, for example two, cams opposite one another. Accordingly the
pour spout is equipped with a corresponding number of receptacles;
for example it has two receptacles opposite one another.
[0042] By at least one cam which has been produced in the blow
molding method being formed in the inside wall of the container
neck and at least one receptacle being formed in the outside wall
of the body of the pour spout, simple insertion mounting of the
pour spout can be achieved. The at least one cam on the inside wall
of the container neck does not represent a barrier to devices which
for example are slipped over the container neck when filling. If
the neck of the plastic container moreover on its outside wall has
a thread or threaded segments, it can also be easily used without
the pour spout and can be closed with any known, suitable twist
cap. This can increase the flexibility of the use of the plastic
container.
[0043] In order to address overrotation of the pour spout when the
screw cap is being actuated, at least one cam opposite the neck
wall can have an exemplary projection from 1.3 mm to 8 mm. Its
extension in the peripheral direction of the neck wall is, for
example, roughly 3 min to 8 mm.
[0044] The position of the at least one cam is freely selectable.
For reasons of production technology it can however be advantageous
if the at least one cam is located in the mold removal plane of the
blow mold. In this way the plastic container can be very easily
removed from the mold after inflation when the cams are located in
the inside wall of the container neck.
[0045] For reasons of symmetry and in order to avoid additional
alignment of the container and of the pour spout, it can be
advantageous if the container neck has an essentially rotationally
symmetrical peripheral contour. It can, for example, be made
circular.
[0046] To facilitate the mounting of the pour spout on the
container neck, at least one receptacle in the body of the pour
spout extends up to the free end of the body. In addition, in the
receptacle there can be an axial safeguard which can prevent the
pour spout from being pulled out and such that the pour spout can
only be removed by destroying the body.
[0047] In order to reduce the effort for alignment of the pour
spout for mounting, in an exemplary embodiment the at least one
receptacle runs into a centering guide whose extension measured in
a peripheral direction widens in a direction of a free end of the
body. Depending on the axial length of the body, the feed bevels of
the centering guide can allow tolerances in the alignment accuracy
of the pour spout with reference to the container neck, for example
with reference to an arrangement of the cams on the container neck,
of up to .+-.30.degree..
[0048] In another version, the at least one receptacle can be made
as a link guide for the at least one cam. The link guide can run in
a peripheral direction and extend over an exemplary angular range
from 45.degree. to 90.degree..
[0049] Exemplary versions which are based on a fundamental
principle of positive connection of the pour spout and of the
container neck are intended, for example, with pour spouts with
alternative arrangements of the pour opening(s) and with
alternatively made closure means. For example the pour spout has a
cover plate which is provided with the pour opening and which can
be moved to overlap an opening provided on the container neck by
twisting the pour spout relative to the container neck.
[0050] Another exemplary embodiment of the plastic container with a
pour spout calls for at least one receptacle to be made in the body
of the pour spout as a link guide for at least one cam which
extends over an angular range from 45.degree. to 90.degree. in a
peripheral direction. Here the link guide is arranged to run
obliquely such that twisting of the pour spout relative to the
container neck results in an axial displacement of the pour spout
out of the container neck or back again. The axially movability of
the pour spout can facilitate the pouring process. This however can
also enable alternative arrangements of the pour opening(s).
[0051] For example, the pour spout can have at least one pour
opening which is located in the side wall of the body and is opened
only in the extended position of the pour spout. When the pour
spout has been drawn back into the container neck, the pour opening
is closed.
[0052] On the two end sections of the link guide there can be catch
projections for the cam. The catch projections project into the
positioning path of the cam to such an extent that they can be
overrun with a relatively small expenditure of force. The catch
projections however can provide for embodiments wherein a set
relative position between the cam and link guide will not change
unintentionally.
[0053] The plastic container with cam(s) on the container neck can
be produced, for example, in the extrusion blow molding method or
also in a stretch blow molding method from a separately produced
preform. Prefabricated preforms however can have a completely
formed neck section with an external thread which is no longer
altered in the following blow molding process.
[0054] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that preforms can
also be prefabricated without a thread in the neck section. The
threaded sections can then be produced in the following blow
molding process by correspondingly shaped sliding parts. At least
one cam can then also be prepared on the container neck.
[0055] Exemplary versions produced in an extrusion blow molding
method as disclosed herein can provide greater degrees of freedom
with respect to the configuration of the neck section of the
plastic container. For example, in an exemplary extrusion blow
molding method as disclosed herein, a formation of the container
neck can take place exclusively in the blow mold.
[0056] The pour spout with at least one receptacle in its body can
be advantageously produced in an economical plastic injection
method.
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a partially cut neck section of an exemplary
plastic container labeled 1, for example a plastic bottle, with a
pour spout which is labeled 10. The plastic container 1 is produced
in a blow molding method, for example in an extrusion blow molding
method or in a stretch blow molding method and can include (e.g.,
consist of) known plastic materials which are known for use in
these methods, such as for example PE, HDPE, PP, PET, PEN, PS, PLA,
PA, as well as copolymers of these materials, and so forth. It can
be built up in one or more layers.
[0058] The plastic container 1 has a container neck 2 on whose
outside wall a screw thread 3 is formed. In the case of a plastic
container which has been produced in a stretch blow molding method
this external thread can be completed in advance on the preform
which had been produced beforehand in a plastic injection method
and is not further changed in the blow molding process. In the
extrusion blow molding method the container neck with the external
thread is only formed in the blow mold on the inserted section of
the extruded plastic tubing.
[0059] The pour spout which has been inserted into the container
neck 2 has a pour opening 11. The illustrated pour spout 10 is made
such that liquid trickling down can be collected on the opening
edge and routed back into the interior of the plastic container 1.
To do this, the pour spout can have a body 12 with a cylindrical
jacket, from whose bottom a pour fitting projects in which there is
the actual pour opening 11. The bottom is provided with at least
one opening (not shown) through which the liquid can drain again
into the plastic container. The cylindrical jacket of the body 12
has a peripheral flange-like collar 13 with which it is supported
on the edge of the opening of the container neck 2.
[0060] In an exemplary alternate version of the plastic container,
in the container neck a peripheral ring projection can be made on
which the body of the pour spout is supported. The body 12 of the
pour spout 10 has an outside wall 14 with a peripheral contour
which corresponds to that of the inside wall 4 of the container
neck 2.
[0061] The cross section of FIG. 2 shows that the inside wall 4 of
the container neck 2 and the outside wall 14 of the body 12 of the
pour spout can have a circular cross section which are made
corresponding to one another. The pour opening of the pour spout 10
is labeled 11.
[0062] FIG. 2 shows that the pour spout 11 which has been inserted
into the container neck 2 can be fixed positively against twisting.
For this reason a cam 7 is formed on the inside wall 4 of the
container neck 2. The cam interacts positively with a receptacle 15
in the outside wall 14 of the body 12 of the pour spout 11. The cam
7 is produced in a blow molding method within the blow mold. Its
contour follows that of a corresponding projection on the blow mold
and is fixed by the inflation process.
[0063] If desired, during the blow molding method, a calibration of
the container neck takes place. On the outside of the container
neck 2 a recess 8 shows where the plastic material was pressed
against the projection on the blow mold. To simplify the removal of
the plastic container from the mold after inflation, the cam 7 is
located in a mold removal plane of the blow mold. A plane turned by
90.degree. relative to the parting plane of the blow mold is called
the mold removal plane here.
[0064] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary plan view of the plastic container
1. The container neck is labeled 2, the external thread is labeled
3. The Figure shows the cam 7 which projects from the inside wall 4
of the container neck 2. The projecting length of the cam 7
relative to the inside wall 4 is for example roughly (e.g., .+-.10
percent) 1.3 mm to 8 mm. The length of the cam 7 measured in the
peripheral direction is for example 3 mm to 8 mm.
[0065] FIG. 3 shows only a single cam. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that there can be several, for example two cams
which, diametrically opposite one another, are molded on the inside
wall of the container neck. In the outer wall of the body of the
pour spout there are then two corresponding receptacles. But there
can also be several cams which are distributed asymmetrically over
the inside wall of the container neck. This can be advantageous for
precise mounting of the pour spout.
[0066] In the side view of the plastic container 1 shown in FIG. 4,
the recess resulting from the blow mold on the outside of the
container neck 2 is labeled 8. It is located for example underneath
the threads 3. The recess can however also be located between the
threads for reasons of space.
[0067] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the exemplary pour spout 10 from
FIG. 1. The body of the pour spout 10 is labeled 12. It has a
cylindrical jacket from whose bottom a pour fitting projects in
which there is the pour opening 11. The bottom runs tilted and is
provided with at least one opening (not shown) through which the
liquid can drain off.
[0068] The cylindrical jacket of the body 12 has a peripheral
flange-like collar 13 with which it is supported on the edge of the
opening of the container neck. The receptacle 15 is recessed in the
outside wall 14 of the body 12. In the illustrated exemplary
embodiment of the pour spout 10, the receptacle 15 extends in a
direction facing away from the flange-like collar 13 and discharges
into a centering guide 17 with feed bevels 18. The centering guide
17 with the feed bevels 18 facilitates positionally accurate
mounting of the pour spout 10 in the container neck.
[0069] Depending on the axial length of the body 12, the feed
bevels 18 of the centering guide 17 allow tolerances in the
alignment accuracy of the pour spout 10 with reference to the
container neck, for example with reference to the arrangement of
the cam(s) on the container neck, of for example up to
.+-.30.degree..
[0070] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an exemplary embodiment in schematic form
in two positions. The container neck in turn is labeled 2. The pour
spout is labeled 20. It has a somewhat cup-like body 22 in whose
bottom there is a pour opening 21.
[0071] In the wall 24 of the body 22 facing the inside wall 4 of
the container neck 2 a slot-like receptacle 25 is recessed for
positive accommodation of a cam 7 which projects from the inside
wall 4 of the container neck 2. The receptacle 25 is made as a link
guide 26 and extends in the peripheral direction over an angular
range from for example roughly 45.degree. to 90.degree..
[0072] In the container neck 2 a plate-like neck seal 6 which has
an opening 5 is formed. By twisting the pour spout 20 relative to
the container neck 2 the pour opening 21 in the pour spout 20 and
the opening 5 in the neck covering 6 are caused to overlap and thus
the plastic container is opened (FIG. 7). By turning the pour spout
20 back into the initial position (FIG. 6) the plastic container is
closed again.
[0073] On the two end sections of the link guide 26 catch
projections 29 for the cam 7 project. The catch projections 29
project into a positioning path of the cam 7 to such an extent that
they can be overrun with a relatively low expenditure of force. But
the catch projections 29 provide for an embodiment whereby the set
relative position between the cam 7 and the link guide 26 will not
change unintentionally.
[0074] FIGS. 8 and 9 show another exemplary embodiment in schematic
form in two positions. The container neck in turn is labeled 2. The
pour spout is labeled 30. It has a somewhat cup-like body 32 in
whose bottom there is a pour opening 31.
[0075] In the wall 34 of the body 32 facing the inside wall 4 of
the container neck 2 a slot-like receptacle 35 is recessed for
positive accommodation of a cam 7 which projects from the inside
wall 4 of the container neck 2. The receptacle 35 is made as a link
guide 36 and extends in the peripheral direction over an angular
range of for example from roughly 45.degree. to 90.degree.. The
link guide 36 is made to run obliquely in the wall 34 of the body
32 such that twisting of the pour spout 30 relative to the
container neck 2 results in axial displacement of the pour spout 30
out of the container neck 2 or back again. Here a pour opening 31
which is provided in the wall 34 of the body 32 is cleared or is
reclosed,
[0076] On the two end sections of the link guide 36 catch
projections 39 for the cam 7 project. The catch projections 39
project into the positioning path of the cam 7 to such an extent
that they can be overrun with relatively low expenditure of force,
But the catch projections 39 provide an embodiment whereby a set
relative position between the cam 7 and the link guide 36 will not
change unintentionally.
[0077] For reasons of better clarity, FIG. 6-FIG. 9 omit explicit
illustration of threads on the container neck. Alternatively to a
twist cap however, a snap cap can be provided which can be mounted
on the body of the respective pour spout, which body can be made
cup-like.
[0078] The initially described issues of known plastic containers
with a pour spout can be remedied by positive linking of the pour
spout to the container neck. The positive linking of the pour spout
can also create prerequisites for alternative versions of the pour
spout and caps.
[0079] The cam which is formed on the container neck can be
produced in a blow molding method. For example, the extrusion blow
molding method for production of plastic containers with one or
more cams located in the neck wall can involve only minor
modifications and can be made on existing molding tools without
greater effort.
[0080] In an arrangement of the cam(s) on an inside wall of the
container neck, the plastic container is not optically adversely
affected. It can be used with or without mounted pour spouts.
Depending on execution of the pour spout, the positioning accuracy
can be improved by the positive linkage. The pour spout need only
be equipped with corresponding receptacles and can be
advantageously produced in an economical plastic injection
method.
[0081] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof The
presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all
respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the
invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the
foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning
and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced
therein.
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