WO1988010215A1 - Sealed container - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealed container for a liquid has a closure part (5) in a top wall (2), which masks a drink opening. A protective layer (20) covers the closure part (5) and a mouth extensions region (12) on an adjacent wall (8) forming an angle with the top wall. The protective layer (20) extends sufficiently to cover the area immediately surrounding the drinking area (11) as well, namely either at least half of the top wall (2) and/or at least the attachment area (10) of the grip (4) on the closure part of the top wall (2).

Description

 CLOSED CONTAINER

The invention relates to a closed container for a liquid, with a closure part covering a drinking opening on a top wall, the closing part covering the drinking opening and an adjoining wall area enclosing an angle with the top wall being covered by an adhesive, removable protective layer.

Such containers are known from LU-A-78 308 or GB-A-2156772. In both cases the task was to improve the hygiene conditions on such containers, and in both cases the proposed solution was to apply the protective layer over the largest surface area of the closure part, i.e. that area of the top surface which should facilitate tearing open by a predetermined breaking point. On the other hand, the handle (for tearing open) and the adjoining piece of the locking part remained free.

If one realizes the situation in practice, the protective layer covering the mouth attachment area on the adjacent wall on the cover surface also forms an approximately triangular covering of predetermined thickness and will generally consist of a plastic (in the broadest sense) . If such a container is now stored on a shelf in a supermarket for a while, it is inevitable that the plastic will attract dust. The dust deposit will be larger at those places where it finds a protected corner, ie at the angle between the unprotected top wall and the edge of the protective layer. There it is stored safely before any attempts at cleaning until the protective layer is removed and the dust layer is stripped of its lateral hold. This means that the moment the container is ready to drink, the dirt is loosened so far. that it can fall into the drinking opening that has since opened because the container is also tilted for drinking.

The above consideration shows that the measure that should actually improve the hygiene conditions does the opposite. The present invention is therefore based on the object of solving the problem of improving the hygiene conditions on containers of the type mentioned at the outset.

According to the invention, this is achieved with astonishingly little outlay by the protective layer at least half the top wall and / or — in the case of the closure being designed as a tear-open closure, in which a handle is fastened to the closure part in a fastening region — at least also the fastening region covered. This means that the invention is in no way limited to containers with zippers. Nevertheless, the conditions are substantially improved, as will be explained below.

So far it has been assumed that the area of the container walls which comes into direct contact with the mouth should be kept clean by the protective layer and should only be released at the last moment before use. No attention was paid to the "environment" of this area. The fact that this environment - in the case of covering at least half the top wall - now also covers this means that any dirt accumulations are so far away from the actual drinking area that they hardly pose a danger.

If, however, in addition to the areas already known from the prior art, at least the fastening area of the handle is also covered, there are several advantages at once. For one thing it is it is no longer so easily possible to lift the handle - more or less involuntarily - during transport, storage and handling, or even by careless customers by touching it and easily tearing it. One should not forget that the fastening area in particular is subject to particularly high moments when a pull is exerted on the handle. These moments can now lead to tearing of the cover wall material. Already by making an involuntary pull on the handle more difficult, such tears are avoided more easily, which also facilitate the ingress of bacteria. On the other hand, the protective layer covers precisely that area where such cracks can form more easily, so that even if such a crack forms, bacteria are kept from penetrating into the container.

Protection is safer if the protective layer covers the entire top wall because the entire wall is then kept hygienically clean.

A further improvement can be achieved if the protective layer is essentially cup-shaped with a jacket wall and a bottom wall that is at least half of it. Such a design protects above all the lateral areas of the lips of the lower jaw, with playful tearing on the shelves being made even more difficult by careless buyers.

The measure outlined above for covering the zone at risk of cracking in the fastening area of the handle can, however - with a small handle or a very long protective layer - make it difficult to grasp the handle, for example, when a Piece of the protective layer should stick to it when removed. It is therefore advantageous if an opening slot within the protective cover for the passage of at least one Texles of the handle is provided. This makes it easier to grasp this handle without having to disclose the advantages achieved by the design according to the invention.

Conversely, it is within the scope of the invention to firmly adhere the protective layer to the tear-open handle, so that when the protective layer is removed, the tear-open handle can be torn open at the same time, or that the protection or parts thereof serve as an extension of the tear-open handle . According to a further embodiment, it is then no longer necessary to mount complex eyelet-shaped or ring-shaped tear-open handles. Rather, an ear-shaped or mushroom-shaped attachment on the closure part is sufficient. Such an approach can be fastened to the closure part in a conventional manner by means of rivets or can itself be designed as a rivet. The cap can also be serrated to enlarge the adhesive surface. The tear-off force is then transmitted directly via the protective layer, which thus takes over the full function of the tear-open handle. The invention thus also eliminates the risk of injury since the fingers are prevented from touching the sharp metal edge of the closure when opening.

However, those variants are also practicable in which a ring-shaped tear-open handle can be attacked by the closed protective layer, in that the protective layer lies so closely and tightly on the tear-off handle or encloses it that it can be easily gripped through the protective layer remains. Such protective layers can also consist of preferably rubber-like material, e.g. made of latex, which can be applied by dipping or spraying, or from a soft shrink film, e.g. Made of polyethylene or the like. Such a material has the advantage that it nestles particularly close to the surface and is nevertheless resistant and elastic against

SPARE PARTS ISA / EP about damage remains. Polyethylene in turn has the advantage over other plastics of being food-neutral and yet toxicologically safe. For the sake of simplicity, such protective layers can also be drawn over the entire container, for example in the immersion process. The gluing process can then be omitted. In addition, one can refrain from the relatively complex painting of the containers and apply advertising imprints or labels etc. at the same time as the protective layer, which then serves as a carrier.

Another method for assembling a removable protective layer is that a cup-shaped cap forming the protective layer is provided on the inside with a pasty, essentially non-shrinking adhesive in the region of the tear-open handle and is then placed over the container in such a way that the adhesive, which later adheres to the protective layer, encloses the pull-open handle and thus inseparably connects to the protective layer. For this purpose, the adhesive itself does not have to adhere to metal, which would even be disadvantageous if it were to adhere to the top wall. However, wrapping the tear-open handle with adhesive or plastic alone is sufficient to transmit force to the tear-open handle. According to a further embodiment, such a method is also possible, for example, with a hot-melt adhesive and a cup as a protective layer, in the bottom of which a recess is provided. The hot-melt adhesive is introduced after the cup has been put on the top wall or the tear-open handle in such a way that it forms a unit with the edge of the bottom-free location of the protective layer and thus the protective bottom. The best way of distributing the hot-melt adhesive in such an application is easiest by means of a stamp, optionally preheated, which is adapted to the contour of the container or its tear-open handle. The cup blank can also be designed as a tube which is flanged shortly before or during the application of the adhesive. A further embodiment within the scope of the invention arises when a cup-shaped protective layer, which is initially turned upwards, is also attached when the tear-open handle is riveted, which is put over the container after final assembly and filling and optionally shrunk on. Tearing out such a protective layer would equally pull up the tear-open handle and vice versa, so that in some circumstances the tear-open handle can even be omitted in such a case to save material. Then the rivet with which the protective layer is fastened to the closure must, however, be of a wide design in accordance with the properties of the plastic. Instead of the cup-shaped protective layer, such a rivet, as mentioned above, can also be attacked by adhesive or a plastic encapsulation.

According to a special embodiment, predetermined tear lines are provided in the protective layer, which facilitate the separation. Touching the protective layer for better tearing is ensured by slits or incisions at the lower edge, since these slits or incisions result in protruding edges when shrinking later.

However, the design according to the invention also enables another method for applying a protective layer to a container. While previously the relatively narrowly delimited protective layer sections had to be applied in the right place in the manner of labels, which required precise positioning devices for the automatic finding of the closure part of the cover wall located within the tear-open marking, one can now proceed in such a way that a Hot melt adhesive is applied from a heatable nozzle with simultaneous relative movement between the container and the nozzle. The relative rotation can be brought about both by the fact that the container is driven to rotate while the nozzle is stationary and by the other way round that the nozzle is moved while the container is still. stands. A translatory movement is also possible, as is the combination of a movement of the container and nozzle, each of these movements again being able to be in a different direction of movement. It is preferred, however, if the relative movement is a rotary movement about the axis of the container, because this ensures the uniformity of the application of the protective layer.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions of exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a container in the manner of a canned drink with a protective layer indicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 2 shows the container according to FIG. 1, but with a partially opened closure;

3 to 7 further embodiments according to the invention;

8 to 10 representations to explain the method according to the invention;

Fig.il to 13 representations of other inventive methods;

14 and 15 containers connected to one another via the protective layer;

Fig. 16 top views of different drinking opening variants with one or more fastening areas;

Fig. 17 and 18 a mounting area without an annular

Tear-open handle, or a method for its manufacture;

19 shows the side view of containers with protective layers cut into the edge; and

20 and 21 a container with a stopper closure and thus a protective layer connected according to the invention.

1 shows a container 1, closed on all sides, for a drink. The container 1 has a top wall 2, of which part of the surface of the top wall 2 is covered by a stamped-in nominal break or line of weakness 6 forms the closure part 5 of a zipper 3. The zipper 3 has in the usual way a handle in the form of a zipper 4, which is attached to the closure part 5 in a fastening area 10, for example with the aid of a rivet 13 or in another conventional manner. Thus, when a pull is exerted on the tear-open handle 4 in the direction shown in FIG. 2, a drinking opening 7 is exposed. According to the state of the art, there is now a drinking area 11 adjoining the closure part 5, and a jacket wall directly adjoining the edge area 9 and a jacket wall adjoining the top wall 2 at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees 8 covered by a protective layer 20, so that an approximately triangular protected area results closely around the drinking opening 7. It is overlooked that the fastening area 10 is subject to special loads, in particular if the pull handle 4 is lifted during transport, during handling for storage (for example putting it on shelves) or by careless buyers or wanton children.

In order to make such a lifting more difficult on the one hand, and on the other hand - if it does happen - to make this fact known to the buyer public or the staff, but finally also to protect the sensitive fastening zone 10 and thus the penetration of bacteria via hairline cracks To make cover wall 2 impossible in this area, the protective layer 20 is enlarged according to the invention and (according to an alternative) should at least also cover the fastening area 10, preferably also part of the handle or tear-open handle 4, as shown in FIG 1 can be seen. It almost inevitably results in the fact that not only the narrow pouring area in the extension of the beads 1 delimiting the drinking area 11 is covered by the protective layer 20 on the wall 8, but the full mouthpiece area 12. Such beads 14 partially protect against any dust deposits on the top wall 2 falling into the drinking opening 7, but it is advantageous if the area outside the drinking area 11 delimited by the beads 14 is covered by the protective layer 20 in order to to keep such a large area hygienically clean.

The protective layer 20 should be of such a material quality that it is impervious to impurities and can easily be detached from the container 1 in use. Various plastic materials, such as polyethylene and other thermoplastics, metal foils or suitably coated paper, or a material that can be applied by a thermoplastic process, as will be described later, are suitable. However, if the material is not self-adhesive, an adhesive can be used to secure the protective layer 20 to the surface of the sleeve, in particular with antiseptic properties.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the protective layer 20 consists of one piece. However, this is by no means a requirement, even if it will be the preferred version. If at least part of the handle or tear-open handle 4 protrudes under the protective layer 20, this layer can easily be removed by means of the tear-open handle 4 at the same time as the drinking opening 7 is torn open.

Since the surface of the protective layer 20 is now enlarged with the design according to the invention, it is only possible to print this surface, for example for instructions for use; for information about when the content should be used; when it was filled, etc. Such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3 and 15, in which the protective layer 20 bears a writing field 22. The writing field 22 can be formed directly by the protective layer 20 or by a reinforcing strip such as paper. For some applications, it may be desirable to provide a reinforcement strip 22 without the intention of printing on it.

FIG. 4 shows that it is sufficient if the protective layer is connected to the container 1 only via linear or punctual adhesive points 24 or 25, which on the one hand saves on adhesive, but on the other hand also makes it easier to detach the protective layer. Nevertheless, it is preferred if the adhesive is applied linearly at least at the contour edges of the protective layer 20, as can be seen from FIG. 4, in order to avoid that dust etc. can get under the protective layer 20.

5 shows a particularly preferred embodiment, in which at least half of the top surface 2 of the container 1 is covered by the bottom wall 37 of the protective layer 20. As this corresponds to the inexpensive alternative explained above, the fastening area 10 for the tear-open handle 4 is also covered. If the handle 4 were now lifted up, this can only be done willfully, and this fact would be indicated by the deformation of the protective layer 20 or by its detachment from the surface of the top wall 2. In addition, the exposed surface of the top wall 2 is so far away from the closure part 5 that any accumulating dust on this free surface cannot get into the drinking opening. A jacket wall 38 also protects the area below the drinking opening.

As already mentioned with reference to FIG. 1, the enlargement of the surface of the top wall 2 covered by the protective layer 20 also practically automatically results in an enlargement of the protective layer 20 in the mouth attachment zone which comes into contact with the lower lip. So it does not matter how the drinking container is held or poured out, there is also a wide area around the mouth attachment area 12 on the jacket wall 8

SPARE SHEET ISA / EP In the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the protective layer 20 completely covers the top wall 2. As a result, any accumulated dust or the like is removed with the protective layer 20 prior to use, even during prolonged storage. Therefore, compliance with hygienic conditions is ensured under all circumstances. A problem may arise with regard to the accessibility of the pull handle 4. According to FIG. 6, this problem is solved in such a way that a slot 28 is provided through which part of the handle 4 can pass. This slot 28 can now be produced on the one hand by cutting or punching (if the protective layer 20 is prefabricated in the spherical shape shown). However, it is also possible to form the section 23 of the protective layer 20 located behind the slot 28 as a separate part.

Especially when the protective layer covers at least half, but preferably the entire top wall 2, as is the case with the embodiment according to FIG. 6, it may be desirable to facilitate the tearing open or peeling off by additional measures. In the case of the separate protective layer section 23, this could be done, for example, by attaching a tear-off tab or by welding a tear-open tape. The same can of course be done for the section of the protective layer 20 covering the drinking area 11. 6 now shows a solution in which the protective layer 20 is provided with a predetermined tear line 29 away from its leading edge facing the handle 4, which is generally formed by an embossing line, for example formed by heat sealing by means of a correspondingly shaped stamp, for example but can also be formed by a perforation. If the tear-open handle 4 is pulled up and down, the protective layer 20 also tears along the predetermined tear line 29, it being in one's hand to choose the line 29 such that when the further pulling is carried out either the entire protective layer 20 is also removed, or only the part delimited by line 29, but in the latter case line 29 should be chosen this way be that the rag of the protective layer 20 which is separated off in this way not only clears the immediate drinking area, but also a certain environment, as can be seen from FIG.

Finally, FIG. 7 shows a protective layer 20 which envelops the entire upper part of the container 1. The tear-open handle 4 is again expediently accessible via the slot 28, as has been described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, however, the tear-open aid for the protective layer 20 is solved in another way: at least one, preferably two, cutting threads 31, e.g. made of thread or wire, which are fixed in the protective layer 20 and, when the pull handle 4 is actuated, cut the protective layer 20 along the course of the thread. An embodiment in which the entire container 1 is surrounded by the protective layer 20 is easily conceivable on the basis of FIG.

A protective layer 20 according to FIG. 7 is also outstandingly suitable for configurations according to FIGS. 14 and 15, in which the protective layers of adjacent containers are connected to one another by webs 41. For example, 14 there is a web 41a between the protective layer 20a and the protective layer 20b, which can also be seen in FIG. This connecting web 41 consists of the same material as the protective layers 20a, b, c and is formed in one piece with them (for example by joint injection molding).

Flat connecting webs 41b result between protective layers 20b and 20c if prefabricated foils are used, which are placed over an arrangement of containers and then connected to them by shrinking or the like. Such processes are known in the so-called six-packs, in which such films are placed over 6 containers for easy transportation. In the case according to the invention placed over 6 containers. In the case according to the invention, the films in the area of the container zen are provided with a recess 40 which are poured out with hot-melt adhesive or liquid plastic, as a result of which the edge 36 of the recesses 40 is connected to the fastening region 10. The protective layers 20a, b according to FIG. 15 are preferably pre-sprayed as - for example three cup-shaped blanks connected to each other by webs 41a - which are put over three containers 1 each and then by means of liquid hot melt adhesive or plastic in their recess 40 be poured out. The transport packaging according to the invention eliminates the danger which caused excitement in maritime states. There six-pack films got into the sea. Fish slipped through the round openings of the six-pack film and wedged or died as a result. Such round openings are no longer available.

The protective layer 20b on the left-hand side of FIG. 15 shows an inscription field 22. Such an inscription field 22 is understood as an advertising medium or as an information area for dealers or consumers.

20 and 21 show a further idea according to the invention for the use of a cup-shaped protective layer 20. The protective layer 20 is firmly bonded there with a stopper 5a, for example also integrally formed therewith, so that tearing off the protective layer 20 also causes the closure part or stopper 5a to tear open. Such constructions are relatively cheap to manufacture, especially since the stamping and riveting of separate tear-open handles can be omitted. In the sense of the invention, the tear-open handle is that part of the plug 5a which usually has to be attacked to remove the plug 5a and therefore protrudes from the top wall 2. 21 shows the position in which the plug 5a has already ripped out of the drinking opening 7. The drinking opening 7 can in this as well

EΠS ^Ä TZBLATT

ISA / EP men; it is also possible to provide a plurality of drinking openings, as is indicated, for example, in FIG. 16 by 7a, b, c. In the extreme case, the plug 5a could be formed over such a large area that it replaces the top wall 2, so that the protective layer 20 forms the closure at the same time, to a certain extent. In such a case, however, the wall thickness of the protective layer 20 must be chosen to be sufficiently thick in order to be able to withstand the pressures occurring in the container 1.

FIG. 19 shows two further variants with cup-shaped protective layers 20 which have cuts 42a and b in the lower region of the jacket wall 38, which are arranged vertically in the case of the left embodiment and horizontally in the case of the right embodiment. If these cuts 42a, b are made prior to any shrinking, the edge region of the jacket wall 38 rises slightly and can therefore be gripped easily with the fingertips. In addition, the cuts 42a also usefully form the beginning of a line of weakness in the protective layer.

The method indicated in FIG. 11 for the production of a container according to the invention is essentially based on the fact that a pile 43 consists of a filled and closed can 1 (left) with an annular tear-open handle 4 approximately in the middle, ie approximately in the fastening area of the tear-open handle 4 Hot melt adhesive or liquefied plastic is applied after a cup-shaped protective layer 20 with a recess 40 in the bottom has been placed over it. Following this, the heap 43 is flattened or passed by a stamp (not shown), so that it surrounds the tear-open handle 4 as well as the edge 36 of the recess 40, or connects to it in an adherent manner. For better tearing open, a grip tab 44 can also be attached or formed on the jacket wall of the protective layer 20. The recess 40 according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. relatively large in diameter, while a recess 40a has a substantially smaller diameter in accordance with the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 12. This recess 40a in the bottom of the cup-shaped protective layer 20 serves to receive a filler tube 45, through which liquid hot-melt adhesive is filled into the space between the top wall 2 and the bottom of the protective layer 20. In this exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 12, instead of an annular tear-open handle, a tear-open handle 4a which only protrudes in the shape of an ear is provided, which is considerably cheaper to manufacture. The tear-open handle 4a, like the protective layer 20, combines with the filled hot-melt adhesive to form a compact unit, as can be seen on the right. As soon as the filler tube 45 is removed, preferably by a rotating or shearing movement, the container 1 is provided with its protective layer 20 so as to adhere firmly to it in the sense of the invention. Scribing on the protective layer also tears open the tear handle 4a, thereby exposing the drinking opening. At most, an injection mark 46 remains on the bottom of the protective layer 20. However, this can be prevented or removed again by known injection molding measures.

In the method according to the invention according to FIG. 13, a flexible cup 39 is already fastened in the region 10 by means of rivets 13, but protruding from the upper part 1a, during the manufacture of the upper part 1a of the container. After the upper part 1a has been connected to the lower part 1a to form the container 1 by one of the conventional methods, the cup 39 is slipped down over the container 1 by arching its inner wall outwards. This creates a well-adhering protective layer 20 without having to resort to spraying or gluing processes on the can. If necessary, the protective layer 20 can be solidified by shrinking on. The force transmission for tearing open the zip fastener takes place from the protective layer 20 onto the rivet 13, without the need for a specially shaped pull handle. If necessary, a disk similar to a washer can be provided to improve adhesion, as can also be seen, for example, from FIGS. 16 to 18. Such a washer 47 can also be held by a rivet projection 13a instead of a rivet 13, as is clear from FIG. 17 and the right-hand image of FIG. 18. The production of such a rivet projection 13a is symbolized in FIG. 18, in which an upper part blank 1a is shown starting from the left, which is bulged upwards in the second picture by means of a stamp 48, so that, as can be seen in the third picture, a washer 47 can be recorded. As soon as the washer 47 is received, the bulge to the rivet projection 13a is widened by means of a rivet punch 49 (eg wobble punch) (right picture). The disc 47 serves to increase the adhesion for the hot melt adhesive or the liquid plastic and replaces a vulnerable tear-open handle. The disc 47a can, as can be seen from the right image in FIG. 16, also be toothed. The different drinking openings 7a, b, c shown in FIG. 16 help to form a drinking opening 7 when the protective layer is torn open, regardless of the direction in which the tearing movement is carried out.

A number of methods are possible for producing protective layers of this type, in particular in the sense of applying labels. However, if the area to be covered is chosen to be larger, or if at least half of the top wall 2 is to be covered, this will be more difficult due to the pull handle 4 which is excellent there. A conceivable solution would be the use of a stamp which is provided in the course of a production line immediately after the filling process. It may be advantageous if the respective application station for the protective layer 20 is preceded by a pretreatment station in which the area to be covered with the protective layer 20 is first treated with an anti-septic agent. However, the use of a stamp does not appear to be the optimum because two walls 2 and 8 enclosing an angle are to be provided with the protective layer 20, which is a flat stamp for the top wall 2 and a further stamp, for example a roll stamp , required for the jacket wall 8. Care must be taken to ensure that the two partial layers applied in this way in the edge area 9, where the drinking area 11 and the mouth attachment area 12 come together, bond with one another because otherwise the hygiene is endangered.

The following figures are to be used to explain further methods according to the invention for applying the protective layer 20, which are particularly suitable for applying this layer over a large area, as was described in particular with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 and 11 and 14 to 21 .

If a hot melt adhesive is used (in the broadest sense of this term, ie a mass which both has adhesive properties and also liquefies due to heating), this can be broken down into one with the aid of FIGS. 8 and 9 in an axonometric representation and shown in side view, heatable slot-shaped nozzle 15 in the direction of arrow 16 are filled into a slot 19 located between two blocks 17, 18. This slot 19 is delimited on the side by an end plate 21, of which only one (the rear one) is shown, whereas the front one has been removed. The plates 21 can be extended upwards and form the holder for the nozzle 15.

In the interior of at least one of the blocks 17 and 18, but preferably in both, there is a heating device which can be designed in any known manner per se, but is indicated here by resistance wires 26. The blocks 17, 18 are heated by this heating device in such a way that

SPARE SHEET ISA / EP to the particular circumstances of how the hot melt adhesive is fed. A simple possibility is to place a filling funnel directly upstream of the nozzle 15, from where adhesive granulate can be obtained either in free fall, but preferably also by means of forced conveyance with the aid of a metering device (which simultaneously forms a shut-off when not in use), for example one Dosing screw or a rotary lock, is introduced into the slot 19, where the liquefaction takes place.

However, it is more favorable if the hot-melt adhesive is already heated in front of the nozzle 15 and then fed to it in the liquid state, where it then only has to be kept at its temperature. If necessary, the nozzle 15 can form the mouthpiece of an extruder which extracts the hot-melt adhesive and ensures a delivery under pressure.

In operation, only a relative movement between container 1 (Fig. 9) and nozzle 15 has to be ensured, i.e. in general, the production line will anyway be provided with a conveyor belt through which the containers 1 are transported in such a way that their upper surface moves in the level and in the direction of the arrow 27. As can be seen, the two blocks 17, 18 of the nozzle 15 are designed differently, the block 18 being at a predetermined distance a from the level 127. This distance a defines the application thickness of the hot melt adhesive, because this ensures that it connects to the surface of the container 1. A vortex zone is formed in the space below the heated block and ensures that adhesive material which has become tougher when it first hits the surface of the container immediately comes into contact with the hot block 18 or 17.

Block 17, on the other hand, is designed like a squeegee and determines the final layer height of the protective layer when it leaves the station. While a translational movement between the nozzle 15 and the container 1 was shown with reference to FIG. 9, a rotary movement is to be described with reference to FIG. In this case, a nozzle body 115 is provided which, although it could be designed in accordance with FIGS. 8 and 9, has a plurality of distribution openings 30 here. The nozzle body 115 has a shape conforming to the contour of the walls 2 and 8 enclosing an angle with one another, so that each of the distribution openings 30 has a small, preferably the same size, of the surface to be provided with the protective layer 20. Has distance.

If desired, the nozzle body 115 can be provided with a heating device; however, it may also be sufficient to supply the hot-melt adhesive at a temperature such that the cooling inside the nozzle body 115 cannot be very great, especially since it itself retains part of the heat. In any case, insulation of the nozzle can be useful to ensure even heat distribution and to keep heat loss to a minimum.

The hot melt adhesive flows in through a pipe 32 or in another way. If the relative movement between the nozzle and the container 1 is to be caused by a rotation of the nozzle 115, the tube 32 can be designed as a hollow shaft. However, this means that a corresponding device must be provided at the upper end of the tube 32 in order to secure the supply via a stationary feed line, for example a rotary inlet, which has to be sealed accordingly in a manner known per se.

In order to avoid these problems and also to be able to easily arrange a heating device on the nozzle body 115, the container 1 is preferably rotated under the nozzle, for example with the aid of a turntable. This also simplifies any centering device that ensures that the container 1 and the tube 32 both lie on a common axis A; For the turntable, corresponding stop surfaces can be sufficient to stop the movement of a container from the side on the turntable in precise positioning.

As soon as a container is pushed from a conveyor belt (not shown, but known per se) onto a turntable (not shown) located below the tube 32, the tube 32 lowers from an elevated position into the position shown. Sensors 33 can be provided on the nozzle 15, which interrupt the downward movement of the tube 32 as soon as the nozzle 15 has reached the correct position. These sensors 33 can simply consist of two electrical contacts, the circuit of which is bridged or closed by the metal of the container.

In itself, however, this sensor 33 is not absolutely necessary, since generally only containers of the same size will run on a production line, so that a single adjustment of the desired height of the nozzle 15 is sufficient. If sensors are nevertheless required, a contact-free sensor is preferable, for example a reflective light barrier, into which the nozzle body 115 is immersed with its lower edge 34 when it is lowered.

In order to give the protective layer 20 a smooth surface, it is advantageous to coat the applied layer 20 after the hot melt adhesive has been applied to the container 1. In principle, this may be done in a separate processing station, but it must be taken into account that the surface of the adhesive will first solidify and then be difficult to spread. It is therefore preferable to combine the spreading with the application process, for example by also connecting a spreading device 35 to the pipe 32. However, it should be pointed out here that the spreading device 35 shown is only an example, which can optionally be replaced by other designs, such as blow nozzles (which at the same time can also ensure rapid setting of the adhesive). Likewise, the nozzle 15 can also assume any desired shape in order to adapt to different containers 1 and / or different shapes of the protective layer. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the containers can be made of a wide variety of materials, for example also of elastic material, and may have different cross sections, for example instead of being cylindrical prismatic or guader-shaped. The closures, which were each shown here as tear-open closures 3, for which the invention is preferably used, can be of different types.

- ΛX

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

Container; Top wall; Zipper;

4 pull handle;

5 closure part; a (stopper)

6 line of weakness;

7 drinking opening

8 jacket wall;

9 edge area;

I0 mounting area;

I I drinking area;

12 mouth attachment area;

13 rivet;

14 beads;

15 nozzle (slit-shaped);

16 arrow;

1 block;

18 block;

19 slot;

20 protective layer;

21 end plate;

22 labeling field;

23 section;

24 detention center;

25 detention center;

26 resistance wires;

27 arrow;

28 slot;

29 predetermined tear line;

30 distribution openings;

31 cutting threads;

32 tube;

33 sensors;

34 lower edge; -.13-

5 spreading device; 6 rand; 7 bottom wall; 8 jacket wall; 9 cups; 0 recess; 1 connecting bars; 2 a, b cuts; 3 piles of hot melt adhesive; 4 grip tab; 5 filler pipe; 6 spray mark; 7 disc; 8 stamps; 9 rivet rod; 5 nozzle bodies; 7 level; a distance; A axis

Claims

- -PATENT REQUESTS 1. Closed container for a liquid, with a closure part (5) covering a drinking opening (7) on a top wall (2), the closure part (5) and an adjoining wall area enclosing an angle with the top wall (2) an adhesive, removable protective layer is covered, characterized in that the protective layer (20) at least half of the top wall (2) and / or - in the case of the closure being designed as a tear-open closure (3), in which the closure part (5) is in one Fastening area (10) a tear-open handle (4) is fastened - at least also covers the fastening area (10). 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective layer (20) covers the entire top wall (2) and / or is essentially cup-shaped with a jacket wall (38) and an at least half existing bottom wall (37). or, if necessary, encloses the entire container (1). (Fig.5-7) 3. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized ge indicates that an opening slot (28) within the protective layer (20) is provided for the passage of at least part of the tear-open handle (4), or that the tear-open handle (4) from the protective layer (20) is wrapped so tightly and tightly that it can be gripped by it, the protective layer (20) preferably consisting of a thin, optionally shrunk thermoplastic or of natural rubber. (Fig. 6,7) 4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized ge indicates that part of the protective layer (20) or an adhesive connected to it, preferably hot-melt adhesive, encloses the tear-open handle (4), which is optionally formed as a small ear-shaped sheet or merely as a rivet is. - t - 5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized ge indicates that it has a labeling field (22) which lies within the area covered by the protective layer (20) or is preferably formed on the protective layer (20), and / or that the protective layer (20a) has lateral connecting webs (41) which are connected to adjacent protective layers (20b, c) of adjacent containers (1) - if necessary in one piece. 6. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a stopper (5a) is provided as a closure, which is firmly adhered to the protective layer (20) - optionally integrally - connected. 7. A method for applying a protective layer (20) to a container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that from a possibly heated nozzle (15; 115 with simultaneous relative movement, for example a rotary movement about the container axis (A), a hot melt adhesive is applied between the container (1) and the nozzle (15; 115), whereupon a - preferably preheated - stamp presses the hot melt adhesive smoothly on the top wall (2) (Fig. 10). 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that a cup-shaped protective layer (20) having a recess (40) in the bottom is placed over the container (1), so that the recess (40) lies over the tear-open handle (4) comes, after which this point is charged with hot-melt adhesive or flowable plastic and smoothed, so that it connects tightly and non-positively to the tear-open handle and to the edge (36) of the protective layer (20). (Fig.11) 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the positioning of the nozzle (15; 115) and the container (1) to one another is carried out using at least one sensor (33). - 7 & - 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the movement is given to the container (1) while at the same time the nozzle (15; 115) is kept stationary. 11. A method for producing a container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the closure part (5) is connected - preferably riveted - to a cup (39) made of protective layer material which is open at the top and which is Final assembly and filling of the container (1) is placed over the container (1) and then shrunk if necessary.