JPH0219253A - Foldable hollow article having improved throttling and dispensing shape - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To further utilize high density linear-polymer plastics with improved shape and dimension by reducing or preventing 'crystalline' cracks at the first inner fold ring of bellows. CONSTITUTION: Sidewalls 20 and 22 hold the same angular relationship of about 90 deg. at positions being unable to be folded back and the same angular relationships 13 and 15 with respect to the center line 11. Neighboring the region of inner fold ring, the sidewalls 20 and 22 vary into angular relations 24 and 26, respectively, as shown by an angle of about 140 deg. at each sidewall. The variation is not sharp showing a smooth transfer of the curvature. In consequence, the angle 28 molded and not folded back between sidewalls at the inner fold ring is about 10 deg.. When folding back to a constricted position, the angle 28 decreases down to about 5 deg. and angles at 24 and 26 increase up to about 160 deg.. Angular relationship with respect to the centerline 11 increases as shown by 17 and 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to hollow articles such as containers and tubular products made of flexible plastic structures, and in particular to hollow articles such as containers and tubular products formed with a plurality of side wall bellows. Or it relates to a hollow product that can be folded into a tubular product. An example of the container described above is provided in U.S. Pat.
．． No. 492,313. Numerous other examples of collapsible containers are disclosed in the numerous references cited in the applicant's reissued patents.

[Conventional technology]

Containers manufactured in accordance with the applicant's above-mentioned patents have proven successful in a number of plastic containers, but the folding action can cause some plastic materials to crack or crack at the inner fold ring, causing gray or gray color in transparent containers. I made a cloudy ring.

This split or crack is due to severe angular deformation of the plastic material in the inner fold ring. On the other hand, although it is not obvious from the appearance of the bottle, the cracks and cracks mentioned above make it easier to fold and tighten the bottle.
It makes some bottles brittle.

As an example, high-density polyethylene bottles in particular have improved tightness after manufacture, following the initial folding, and the strength of the bottle is not severely compromised, whereas polyvinyl chloride bottles, after the initial folding of the plastic material, , becomes brittle in the inner fold ring. Reuse of these bottles is therefore not recommended.

Bottles that are blown from resilient materials, polyethylene terephthalate, and low density plastics generally do not develop lamination or cracking in the inner fold ring upon initial folding of the bottle. The bottles retain their strength, but as a result the tightening effect is not compromised and the folding of the bottles is not as effective as high density plastic.

With the aim of providing a tightening effect to collapsible bottles, and even more so to other hollow articles over a wide range of plastic materials, the applicant has developed the improvements disclosed below.

A further improvement to the tight bellows of hollow articles such as plastic bottles and tubes includes a portion of the bellow side wall formed with an improved inner crease ring, the bellows side wall having an inner crease ring. is modified to reduce the unfolded angle between the wall and the inner fold ring by reducing the slope of the sidewall as it approaches. The slope of the walls of the bellows does not vary except in the area adjacent to the inner fold ring. The change in volume or length of the hollow article remains virtually the same and unchanged for the improved inner fold ring described above.

The improved geometry described above allows for greater utilization of dense linear polymeric plastics by reducing or preventing "crystalline" fracturing in the first tightening inner fold ring of the bellows. The above bottle material does not deform the plastic material beyond its elastic limit, so
Manufacturing does not result in brittleness in the inner fold ring. Nevertheless, the folding and tightening of the bellows)
The shell will remain until Nanera is done. For improved inner fold rings, high density linear polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride plastics are more widely utilized for collapsible bottles and other hollow articles.

The improved geometry also allows the use of low density polymeric plastics, elastomers, and rubber materials that would otherwise fail to reliably tighten and return to the unfolded state.

Surprisingly, the improved geometry improves the tightening effect of the bellows by reducing the deformation of the relatively stiff plastics mentioned above, and also of the relatively soft and elastic material by reducing the deformation in the inner fold ring. Improves the tightening effect of In both cases, the inner fold ring is placed at a very large angle (approximately 3
60"). A small angle or less is utilized for the folding deformation with the required balance of deformation distributed within the bellows wall proximate to the inner fold ring. .

A dispensing bottle is disclosed as an example of a hollow article that utilizes an improved tightening bellows in combination with a loose bellows.

Although the dispensing bottle is disclosed with the improved clamping bellows of this application, the clamping bellows of Applicant's aforementioned patents may also be used. Therefore, a wide range of bottle materials can be used and is suitable for the above-mentioned dispensing bottles.

... Appropriately large standing spots ■Kiri What is shown in Figures 13 and lb is the relationship between the unfolded angle and the folded angle between the two side walls 10 and 12 in the inner fold ring 14. be. An acute angle that can typically be about 90°16
is directed outwardly, and the supplementary angle 18 of approximately 270° is directed inwardly, ie virtually to the axis 11 of the cylindrical hollow article. When the acute angle 16 is generally 5° when folded tightly, the supplementary angle 18 becomes 3
Increases to 55°. A change of 85° in angle in the inner fold ring results in a virtual deformation of the plastic material of this inner fold ring without substantially reducing the diameter 9 of said inner fold ring. The above angles are shown enlarged for clarity. For certain +4 materials, crystallization or lamination and microscopic cracking in the inner fold ring 14 helps the bellows to tighten more securely and remain tight.

Newly made hollow articles require virtually no more effort to fold prior to the first folding, as the inner fold ring is not damaged by crystallization, cracking and cracking and therefore does not act effectively as a hinge. Requires. The initial folding and subsequent deformation of the inner folding ring results in the folding ring becoming a relatively effortless hinge to deform, so that the bellows are more easily deformed and tightened securely. It is believed that the small radius of the inner fold ring of the new hollow article makes the initial fold crisp.

The above effects are best available only to certain grades of crystallizing plastic resins such as high density polybrene and polyvinyl chloride. However, for some grades of polyvinyl chloride, crystallization and cracking may occur if the bottles are stored and transported in a folded state and then unfolded for filling, which requires numerous bending of the bottles. In particular, making the side walls in the inner fold ring more brittle than is permissible will reduce the usefulness of the hollow article.

In particular, relatively highly elastic materials and plastics do not crystallize and crack upon deformation of the bellows inner fold ring, nor do they effectively tighten because the inner fold ring does not become weak enough to form a hinge. Repeated folds require virtually the same effort. The inherent resilience of the resin is maintained to resist bottle compaction. Polyethylene, the only resin approved for use in carbonated beverages.
Terephthalate does not crystallize and is also unlikely to form the inner fold ring of the hinge necessary for optimal tightening action.

In Figures 2a and 2b, the improved angular relationship of the two bellows sidewalls is shown in the unfolded position and in the folded or tightened position. In the unfolded position, the side walls 20 and 2
2 maintain the same angular relationship of approximately 90° as described above, and also maintain the same angular relationship 13 and 15 with respect to the centerline 11.

Adjacent to the inner fold ring region, at side walls 20 and 2
2 change to angular relationships 24 and 26, respectively, as shown at an angle of approximately 1406 on each sidewall. The transition is not a sharp change, but a smooth transition curvature. As a result, the shaped, unfolded corner 28 between the sidewalls in the inner fold ring is approximately 10'' (shown exaggerated for clarity).

When folded to the tight position as shown in FIG. 2b, corners 28 are reduced to approximately 5" and 24 and 26
The angle at increases to approximately 160°. The angular relationship of the inner fold ring 14 to the centerline 11 increases as indicated at 17 and 19. but,
Deformations in the inner fold ring are significantly reduced. 1st
In the unmodified inner fold ring shown in the figure, the reduction in angle is from 90° to 5° or about l/1
It becomes 8. In the improved inner fold ring shown in FIG. 2, the angle decreases from 10' to 5° or about 1
/2. The 20° increase in angles 24 and 26 is a very small deformation spread over a relatively large area of the sidewall. The improved inner fold ring of the bellows of FIGS. 2 and 3 tends to have a reduced wall thickness because of the mold shape as the parison is blown into the bottle mold that makes the bottle. This thinning replaces the hinge action of the unmodified inner fold ring.

In Figures 3a and 3b, the angular relationship of the improved inner fold ring is limited by forming the inner fold ring at the corner 30, which is actually 0'' in the "U" portion of the inner fold ring. Each side wall 32 and 34
The angles between the sections of are generally kept at about 90°, but the angular changes at corners 36 and 38 are greater than in the unfolded and formed condition; the elastic changes at corners 36 and 38 due to folding and tightening are , is increased slightly over that in the example of FIG. 2, but the deformation remains only a small deformation since it is spread over a relatively large area.

The drastic reduction in deformation reduces the weaknesses caused by crystallization and cracking of relatively hard plastic materials, and surprisingly, amorphous elastic plastics can be effectively utilized in the tightening bellows of hollow articles.

In the latter case of elastic plastics, small deformations do not store enough elastic energy to automatically untighten the bellows from the tightened state; in the former case of relatively hard plastics, the above deformations cause the inside Not enough to compromise the strength of the plastic sidewall at or near the crease ring.

In Figures 4a and 4b, multiple tongue portions of the hollow cylindrical article are shown. The inner fold ring 40 is
The bellows preserves the irregular sidewalls 42 and 44, which may be either the shape shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or the shape shown in Applicant's previous FIG. Limited inner diameter 48 without sharp corners
This has been improved by providing . A sharp-edged outer fold ring provides a concentrated contact surface for manufacturing, storage,
Easily exposed to damage and banking due to mishandling during filling and transportation. At the largest diameter, the wall thickness of the outer fold ring tends to be the smallest. Modifications 48 to the outer fold ring 46 reduce concentrated contact points to reduce the potential for damage.

The shape of the bellows in hollow products and especially in bottles and wide-mouthed bottles increases the stiffness and strength of the side walls compared to straight walls, but with a typically 10-40% increase in material. Because of their shape, these bottles perform better in drop tests than conventional bottles due to the cushioning action similar to the spring bounce from the ground caused by the bellows.

As shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the bellows fold and tighten in a similar manner despite the improved outer fold ring 46. It has been found that the shape of the inner crease ring 40 is more important to proper wadding of the irregular sidewall bellows shape than the shape of the outer crease ring 46.

The dispensing bottle shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 shows the application of non-clamping bellows sidewalls 50 and clamping bellows sidewalls 52 to hollow cylindrical articles; the top 54 of the dispensing bottle is used with a dispensing opening or nozzle 56. The top 54, which includes an area 58 for depression by a person, may be attached to a bottle by any conventional means, such as by threads or a detent molded into the top and an engaging portion of the bottle.

Depending on the usage and the nature of the contents of the bottle, the nozzle 56 may extend into the interior of the contents as shown at 60, and the contents may be filled to the level of the substantially tight bellows 50 as shown. The non-tightening bellows 50 are placed above the tightening bellows 52, but in some applications the non-tightening bellows can be placed below the tightening bellows, or in between the sidewall cotton ribbells.

By depressing the region 58, the contents are dispensed through the dispensing hole or nozzle 56.

Air enters the bottle through a conventional check valve 62 and enters the bottle 58
Bellows 50 that do not tighten after releasing return to equilibrium.Due to repeated dispensing, the tightening bellows 52 folds as the contents are dispensed, and finally collapses completely as shown in FIG. It will be done.

To minimize undispensed contents, the bottle is formed with a raised bottom 64, which is surrounded by a tightening bellows as shown in FIG.

The lifting bottom 64 can be formed with a special movable mold part when the dispensing bottle is blow molded, or the lifting bottom can be a separate part that is sonic welded to the open bottom of the bottle. The raised bottom can also be formed as a bistable protrusion from the bottom of the bottle during molding and then quickly grabbed inward from the bottom after molding and then cooled the bottle.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1a and lb are schematic partial cross-sectional views of the tightening bellows without an improved internal fold ring; Figures 2a and 2b are schematic partial cross-sectional views of the tightening bellows with an improved internal fold ring; , 3b is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of another type of tightening bellows with an improved inner fold ring; FIGS. 4a and 4b are
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a hollow article incorporating an improved bellows; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing bottle incorporating an improved bellows; and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fully folded dispensing bottle. 9 - diameter of inner fold ring, 0.12 - bellows side wall, 4 - inner fold ring, 16 - acute angle, 8 - supplementary angle, 20, 22 - side wall, 6 -
Outer crease ring, 48 partial modification, o-m non-aligning bellows, 52--clamping bellows 4-top, 56-dispensing hole or nozzle, 8--press down area, 62-
Check valve, 4-lift bottom. Name of agent Kawahara 1) - Ho ■, Incident display 3. Procedures related to the case of the person making the amendment

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) having a sidewall substantially including a plane rotating about an axis, at least a portion of the sidewall being formed into a plurality of bellows extending thereabout, the bellows forming an outer fold ring and an inner fold ring; a collapsible hollow article comprising upward and downward substantially conical portions joined together by an angle relative to the axis of the cone side walls in the inner fold ring so that each cone A foldable hollow article characterized in that the angle with respect to the axis of the side wall of the same cone is substantially larger than the size of the part. (2) A foldable hollow article according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle between adjacent conical side walls of the inner fold ring approaches 0°. (3) The change in the magnitude of the angle between adjacent conical sidewalls is multiple times the angular change between the same adjacent conical sidewalls in the inner fold ring upon folding. Foldable hollow product as described. (4) at least a portion of the plurality of bellows is adapted to flex from an unfolded position to a folded position to provide overcentering of the bellows sidewalls, with one of each pair of adjacent conical sidewalls; A foldable hollow article according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed. (5) having a sidewall substantially including a plane rotating about an axis, at least a portion of the sidewall being formed into a plurality of bellows extending thereabout, the bellows forming an outer fold ring and an inner fold ring; a collapsible hollow article comprising upwardly and downwardly facing substantially conical portions joined by said outer fold ring, said conical portions being of irregular height, said outer fold ring being substantially rounded; the conical sections joined by the inner crease ring are of irregular height, and the inner crease ring is grooved and held at a virtually fixed diameter, thereby allowing the short conical section to flex. A foldable hollow product characterized by overcentering of the bellows during folding and providing reliable tightening. (6) a plurality of circumferential bellows having circumferential sidewalls, the bellows being formed with a generally conical sidewall portion, the conical sidewall portion extending to an outer fold ring and an inner fold ring to form a plurality of circumferential bellows; a foldable hollow article integral with a part, wherein the included angle of said side wall part adjacent to at least one inner fold ring is different from the included angle of said side wall part substantially remote from said fold ring; A foldable hollow article characterized in that it imparts a fold in a crease ring. (7) A patent characterized in that the conical sidewall portions of at least one bellow are of substantially equal height and the conical sidewall portions of at least one other separate bellow are of unequal height. A foldable hollow article according to claim 6. (8) a generally conical sidewall having circumferential sidewalls formed in a plurality of bellows extending around the circumference thereof, the bellows being joined by an outer fold ring and an inner fold ring; A foldable hollow article containing parts,
the outer crease ring is substantially rounded relative to the inner crease ring, and the inner crease ring retains a substantially fixed diameter during folding, and the inner crease ring is grooved to allow folding at the inner crease ring. A foldable hollow product characterized by giving.