METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CONTAINER COMPRISING FIBERS AND DEVICE

The disclosure relates to a method for producing a container comprising fibers by means of a controlled application head that applies material comprising the fibers to container positions. The disclosure further relates to a device, for example for carrying out the method, wherein the device comprises at least one controlled application head for applying material comprising the fibers to container positions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102022121459.1 filed on Aug. 25, 2022. The entire contents of the above-listed application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a method for producing a container and a device, for example, for carrying out the method.

BACKGROUND

In the case of container bodies produced from pulp by means of casting methods, it has been known to date to use a threaded region formed from plastic and attach it to the cast container body. Bonding the threaded region to the cast container body can be problematic in terms of tightness, barrier effect and strength.

SUMMARY

Object

The object of the disclosure is to provide a method for producing a container comprising fibers and a device, for example, for carrying out the method, which makes it possible to produce a container having sufficient tightness, barrier effect and strength.

Achievement

The object is achieved by a method for producing a container and a device, for example, for carrying out the method as described herein.

The method according to the disclosure is for producing a container comprising fibers by means of a controlled application head that applies material comprising the fibers to container positions.

By producing a container comprising a material with fibers by means of a controlled application head, the fibers, for example paper fibers, can be applied dry or wet or as pulp to the container positions where the material is to be located in the produced container.

For example, bonding and/or joining points between container parts that have been produced, for example, using different production methods, wherein “different” can comprise different times and/or with different types of methods, can thus be avoided. By avoiding bonding and/or joining points between container parts, problems that can relate to tightness, barrier effect and/or moisture can be avoided.

It is possible to avoid bonding and/or joining points altogether. Thus, the container can be largely finished by means of the application head, filled with a product, and then closed by the same or another application head.

Alternatively, after producing a container open at the top by the application head and a filling of the container with product, a previously produced closure can be applied to the container, for example by screwing it on.

The production of a container open at the top by means of a mold and the closing of the container by means of the application head may also be comprised.

The material can be applied to an inner wall of a mold by means of the controlled application head and the container can be produced by pressing or molding by means of a balloon in the mold.

The material can be applied by means of a 3D printer, wherein a layered construction can be provided for the application, for example. For example, by using the 3D printer, the water content of the material comprising the fibers can be selected to be lower than when the material is applied to an inner wall of a mold using the controlled application head. Thus, in methods with a 3D printer, the drying phase of the produced container can be shorter.

A plurality of containers can be produced simultaneously by synchronizing a plurality of nozzles of the 3D printer. For example, all of the plurality of nozzles can be moved by a common drive.

The controlled application head can be moved by means of a multi-axis robot. The multi-axis robot can comprise a 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7-axis robot, for example a 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7-axis buckling arm robot.

By means of the controlled application head, the material can be applied to an already at least partially produced container for further producing a sub-element of the container and simultaneously connecting the sub-element to the already at least partially produced container. For example, the sub-element can comprise a mouthpiece and/or a handle and/or a thread. For example, the thread can then be pressed after the production of the thread.

By means of the controlled application head, at least one further fiber-containing material can be applied to container positions, wherein the at least one further fiber-containing material can be different from the material comprising the fibers.

For example, a further fiber-containing material can be used for a thread or a threaded region that requires a thread or a threaded region of higher stability than the rest of the container after the container is produced.

Identification and/or durability information can be embossed on the container using the controlled application head.

A press tool can be arranged on the application head or separately, by means of which the freshly applied mass can be pressed or compressed incrementally after application. For example, the press tool can comprise two opposing plates, each of which can be smaller than 5 cm2, for example less than 1 cm2, and can compress the applied material.

For example, the press tool can be arranged at least in regions around the application head.

Furthermore, a drying device for drying the material can be arranged on the device.

The drying device can comprise a blower.

The drying device and/or the press tool can be arranged on the application head or can be moved along the contour of the container by means of its own drives.

Inside the container, at least one support can be provided that can, for example, connect two or more inner regions of the container. Such a container can be an independent disclosure.

For example, by providing the at least one support, the container can have thinner wall thicknesses than a corresponding container without the at least one support.

“Inside the container” can mean that the at least one support is surrounded by the material during the material comprising the fibers production of the container by means of the controlled application head that applies material comprising the fibers to container positions. The at least one support can be embedded in the material comprising the fibers.

For example, a bottom region and a shoulder region or a bottom region and a side part region can be connected by means of the at least one support. For example, by providing the at least one support, the container can have a thinner bottom thickness than a corresponding container without the at least one support. The at least one support can be arranged to run obliquely.

For example, the at least one support can circumferentially connect a side part region and a shoulder region. The at least one support can be designed to extend horizontally. It can be used for pressure resistance of the container when filled with a product containing carbon dioxide. It can also, or alternatively, be used to provide additional stability during the action of a dynamic pressure on the container during transport on a transporter.

For example, the at least one support can circumferentially connect a side part region and a bottom region. The at least one support can be designed to extend horizontally. It can be used for pressure resistance of the container when filled with a product containing carbon dioxide.

The supports can comprise a tension band for a bottom of the container and/or at least one horizontally circulating tension band and/or at least one obliquely extending tension band. For example, these tension bands can comprise long-fiber material.

An obliquely extending tension band connecting the bottom and a side part region prevents an outer curvature of the bottom when, for example, a product containing carbon dioxide is filled into the produced container.

For example, a center of the bottom region and a shoulder region or a center of the bottom region and a side part region can be connected by means of the at least one support.

The support can act as a tension band that counteracts an extension of the bottom region or the center of the bottom region away from the center (usually when the container is standing on the ground in the direction of the center of the earth) of the container.

A bottom of the container can comprise multiple segments, for example circular segments. A bottom thickness of the segment can be smaller than a bottom thickness of a partition wall of the segments. For example, the stability of a produced container can thereby be increased.

A partition wall of the segments can comprise properties similar to a tension band.

An inner region of the container can be formed in a flow-optimized manner by means of the controlled application head. For example, the process of filling the container with product can be facilitated with regard to product inflow. The inner region can comprise an inner surface of the container.

A coating can be applied to an inner surface, also referred to as an inner layer, and/or an outer surface of the produced container by means of a 3D printer. For example, the coating can comprise a nanolayer. Two inner layers can be provided, wherein the nanolayer can represent the inner layer of the inner layers. The nanolayer can comprise silicon atoms.

A coating on the inner surface can prevent passage of a product filled into the container through the material comprising the fibers.

A coating can be applied to an outer surface of the produced container by immersion in a coating bath. For example, the coating can comprise a resin. By coating the outer surface, the container can additionally be protected against external influences.

The device can comprise at least one controlled application head for applying material comprising the fibers to container positions.

The device can further comprise a 3D printer. The 3D printer can comprise a plurality of nozzles with which, for example, a plurality of containers can be produced simultaneously. For example, all of the plurality of nozzles can be moved by a common drive.

The device can further comprise a multi-axis robot for moving the at least one controlled application head. For example, the multi-axis robot can comprise a hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical or hydropneumatic actuator.

The device can comprise a mixing vessel for mixing fibers with other components, for example a liquid, for example water, and for example a feed line from the mixing vessel to the application head. A pump can be arranged along the feed line.

The device can further comprise a filler for filling a beverage into the container.

The device can comprise a labeling machine for labeling the container with a label and/or a printer for printing the container with ink or paint or the like.

The device can further comprise a packer for packaging the container with further containers, for example to form packs.

The device can further comprise a palletizer for palletizing containers or the packs.

The device can comprise a transport system that can transport the containers from the application head to one or more of the aforementioned fillers, labeling machines, packers and/or palletizers. The transport system can comprise conveyor belts and/or grippers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a container1with two horizontally circulating tension belts3,4. The container1comprises a shoulder region5, a side part6, a bottom region8having a bottom7and a non-visible thread that is covered by a cover2. The horizontally circulating tension band3connects the shoulder region5and the side part6and the other horizontally circulating tension band4connects the side part6and the bottom region8. As a result, they can be used for pressure resistance of the container1, for example when filled with a product containing carbon dioxide.

FIG.2shows a container9with two obliquely extending tension bands11,12. The container9comprises a shoulder region13, a side part14, a bottom15and a non-visible thread that is covered by a cover10. The two obliquely extending tension bands11,12connect the bottom15and the side part14. By means of the obliquely extending tension bands11,12, an outer curvature of the bottom15can be prevented if, for example, the container9is filled with a product containing carbon dioxide.

FIG.3shows a container16with two obliquely extending supports20,21, a horizontally circulating tension band19and a horizontally circulating support18. The container16comprises a shoulder region22, a side part23, a bottom region25having a bottom24and a non-visible thread that is covered by a cover17.

The two obliquely extending supports20,21connect the bottom region25and the shoulder region22. As a result, the stability of the bottom24can be increased.

The horizontally circulating tension band19connects the side part23and the bottom region25. As a result, a pressure resistance of the container16can be increased, for example when filled with a product containing carbon dioxide.

The horizontally circulating support18connects the shoulder region22and the side part23. The support18can be used for additional stability during the action of a dynamic pressure on the container16during transport on a transporter.

FIG.4shows a container26, wherein the bottom30comprises multiple segments32that are divided by partition walls31. A bottom thickness of the segment32is smaller than a bottom thickness of a partition wall31of the segments32.

The container26comprises a shoulder region28, a side part29, the bottom30and a non-visible thread that is covered by a cover27. In the case of increased pressure in the container26, for example when filled with a product containing carbon dioxide, the segment32can yield more and form a base, several of which, for example five, can be provided along the circumference. The stability can be increased.

In all embodiments shown, it is possible for a different closure to be provided. In addition, the number of supports and tension bands shown can be varied—for example one, two, three or more further horizontal tension bands could be provided between the two tension bands shown.

Furthermore, the containers can alternatively or additionally comprise vertically extending tension bands that extend at least in regions along the outer contour of the containers. Two, three, four, five or more belts can be provided along the circumference of these tension bands.

Other types of containers would also be possible, for example can-shaped containers.