U.S. patent application number 10/032654 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for implosion resistant containers.
Invention is credited to Bezek, Edward Anthony.
Application Number | 20030080135 10/032654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21866085 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030080135 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bezek, Edward Anthony |
May 1, 2003 |
Implosion resistant containers
Abstract
The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings
inherent in previous containers for packaging potato chips, corn
based chips, cookies and the like. The improved implosion-resistant
container of the present invention utilizes a collection of stress
dissipating mechanisms that counteract the forces causing
thermoplastic container deformation, implosion and loss of seal
integrity. This collection of stress dissipating mechanisms,
employed collectively or separately, allows a container for storing
fragile food products to be fashioned as a relatively lightweight,
thin-walled blow molded thermo-plastic container that is capable of
adapting to changing environmental conditions while maintaining its
visual aesthetic appearance.
Inventors: |
Bezek, Edward Anthony;
(Frisco, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARSTENS YEE & CAHOON, LLP
P O BOX 802334
DALLAS
TX
75380
|
Family ID: |
21866085 |
Appl. No.: |
10/032654 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/673 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 79/0084 20200501;
B65D 1/46 20130101; B65D 1/165 20130101; B65D 1/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/673 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/08; B65D
006/10; B65D 006/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A thermo-plastic container for packaging a single stack of
fragile articles, comprising: a generally tubular body with a
central longitudinal axis, said body having a sidewall, a closed
end and an open end; wherein said sidewall includes a corrugated
pattern formed therein.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the corrugated pattern is
annular.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the pattern is non-annular.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the corrugated pattern
traverses the central longitudinal axis.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the corrugated pattern
traverses the central longitudinal axis at a perpendicular
angle.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the corrugated pattern
traverses the central longitudinal axis in a sinusoidal
pattern.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein the sidewall further includes a
smooth section formed therein.
8. A thermo-plastic container for packaging a single stack of
fragile articles, comprising: a generally tubular body with a
central longitudinal axis, said body having a sidewall, a closed
end and an open end; wherein said sidewall includes a plurality of
three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein the sidewall further includes a
corrugated pattern formed therein.
10. A thermoplastic container for packaging a single stack of
fragile articles, comprising: a generally tubular body with a
central longitudinal axis, said body having a sidewall, a closed
end and an open end; wherein said sidewall includes a floating
panel mechanism formed therein.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein the floating panel mechanism
comprises a stable panel area defined by an encompassing flexible
corrugated suspension ring formed within the confines of a planar
surface fashioned in the sidewall.
12. The container of claim 10 wherein the sidewall further includes
a corrugated pattern formed therein.
13. The container of claim 10 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
14. The container of claim 12 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
15. A thermo-plastic container for packaging a single stack of
fragile articles, comprising: a generally tubular body with a
central longitudinal axis, said body having a sidewall, a closed
end and an open end; wherein said tubular body includes a morphing
geometries mechanism formed therein.
16. The container of claim 15 wherein the morphing geometries
mechanism comprises an annular bellows means.
17. The container of claim 15 wherein the sidewall further includes
a corrugated pattern formed therein.
18. The container of claim 17 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
19. The container of claim 17 wherein the sidewall further includes
a floating panel mechanism formed therein.
20. The container of claim 19 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
21. The container of claim 15 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
22. The container of claim 21 wherein the sidewall further includes
a floating panel mechanism formed therein.
23. The container of claim 15 wherein the sidewall further includes
a floating panel mechanism formed therein.
24. A thermoplastic container for packaging a single stack of
fragile articles, comprising: a generally tubular body with a
central longitudinal axis, said body having a sidewall, a closed
end and an open end; wherein said sidewall includes a flowing
geometries mechanism formed therein.
25. The container of claim 24 wherein the flowing geometries
mechanism comprises at least one lateral flexible hinged area
defining a weakened panel area.
26. The container of claim 24 wherein the flowing geometries
mechanism comprises at least two flowing geometries mechanisms
evenly spaced around the annular periphery of the body.
27. The container of claim 24 wherein sidewall further includes a
corrugated pattern formed therein.
28. The container of claim 27 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
29. The container of claim 27 wherein the sidewall further includes
a floating panel mechanism formed therein.
30. The container of claim 27 wherein said tubular body includes a
morphing geometries mechanism formed therein.
31. The container of claim 24 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
32. The container of claim 31 wherein the sidewall further includes
a floating panel mechanism formed therein.
33. The container of claim 32 wherein sidewall further includes a
corrugated pattern formed therein.
34. The container of claim 31 wherein said tubular body includes a
morphing geometries mechanism formed therein.
35. The container of claim 34 wherein sidewall further includes a
corrugated pattern formed therein.
36. The container of claim 24 wherein the sidewall further includes
a floating panel mechanism formed therein.
37. The container of claim 36 wherein said tubular body includes a
morphing geometries mechanism formed therein.
38. The container of claim 37 wherein the sidewall further includes
a plurality of three-dimensional shapes formed therein.
39. The container of claim 38 wherein sidewall further includes a
corrugated pattern formed therein.
40. The container of claim 24 wherein said tubular body includes a
morphing geometries mechanism formed therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention generally relates to containers for
storing fragile food products, and more particularly, to a blow
molded container for storing potato chips, corn based chips,
cookies and the like which is capable of adapting to changing
environmental conditions while maintaining its visual aesthetic
appearance.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are presently a great number of containers known for
the storage of fragile food products (e.g., snack chips, cookies
and the like). Inherent in every container's design is the
requirement to compensate for or adapt to changing environmental
conditions. Changes in environmental conditions (i.e., temperature,
pressure and humidity) are a natural consequence of manufacturing
processes. For example, dry food products are typically
manufactured at elevated temperatures and thereafter sealed to
protect the product from spoiling. Once sealed, a certain amount of
gas is trapped within the container. As the contents of the sealed
package cool to an ambient temperature, a vacuum is created which
may cause the container to implode, distort or destroy the
seal.
[0005] Changes in atmospheric pressure also affect the volume of
gas trapped within a container. This is normally not a problem for
dry food products because they are typically packaged in flexible
packages (e.g., bags and flexible film overwraps) that can adjust
their shape to changing environmental conditions. However, flexible
packages offer little, if any, protection from outside physical
forces to the contained fragile food products. Thus, increasingly,
a need to use more rigid containers has arisen.
[0006] While rigid containers constructed of paper and foil are
well known in the art, their utilization in packaging fragile food
products presents many inherent drawbacks. The manufacturing costs
of such rigid containers are relatively high. Moreover, in order to
provide enough strength to resist forces induced by environmental
change, the weight of such containers is relatively high.
Additionally, changes in humidity can adversely affect the
structural integrity of such containers.
[0007] Containers constructed of thermoplastic substances are
increasingly gaining in popularity for packaging fragile food
products. However, packaging dry food products utilizing current
thermo-plastic container technology is still problematic. While
previous efforts have addressed the problems associated with
utilizing thermo-plastic containers in packaging liquid products,
these efforts have not addressed the inherent problems associated
with packaging dry food products. Dry food products (e.g., snack
foods, baked goods and cereals) contain significantly larger
amounts of entrapped gas, both within their structure as well as in
their surrounding packaging, than do liquid products. The effect
environmental changes impart on this larger volume of entrapped gas
profoundly affects the packaging requirements of dry food products.
Currently, thermoplastic technology offers two basic alternatives
for manufacturing plastic containers that adapt to or compensate
for changing environmental conditions.
[0008] First, by increasing the thickness of the container's
sidewall, a thermo-plastic container may be fashioned which is
strong enough to resist forces induced by changing environmental
conditions. However, such containers are generally undersirable in
that they are expensive, in terms of materials, to manufacture and
their weight is relatively high.
[0009] Alternatively, the thickness of a container's sidewall may
be reduced so as to fashion a thermoplastic container capable of
adjusting its shape to changes in environmental conditions like a
flexible package, but being sufficiently rigid to offer some
protection from outside physical forces. However, such containers
have significant commercial drawbacks. While it is currently
possible to fashion a relatively thin walled thermo-plastic
container that is capable of withstanding expansion forces
resulting when the container's interior pressure is greater than
the ambient pressure; such thin walled thermo-plastic containers
tend to buckle, deform, or implode in a generally unpredictable
manner when the interior pressure is less than the ambient pressure
(e.g. the vacuum inducing manufacturing process discussed
previously). Such deformation or implosion tends to detract from
the commercial presentation of the container and often is
interpreted as a damaged or defective product by purchasing
consumers.
[0010] A variety of proposals have previously been made to
circumvent the problems inherent in designing thermoplastic
containers capable of adapting to environmental changes. For
Example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,677 to Croft discloses a composite
food container comprised of a vacuum packed inner flexible bag 60
and a rigid plastic tubular outer container 20. While the rigid
plastic outer container 20 protects the container's contents, the
differential between the vacuum in the inner flexible bag 60 and
the vacuum in the region R between the inner bag and the outer
container is sufficiently maintained so as to prevent the spoilage
of the food product within the inner bag 60. However, such a
container is both complicated and relatively expensive to
manufacture.
[0011] Another prior proposal is U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,429 to
Gruenbacher et al. which discloses a substantially rectangular
plastic container for multiple, side-by-side stacks of fragile food
articles comprised of a single blow molded body. Key to the
Gruenbacher et al. '429's design is the inclusion of an internal
partition 16 having two spaced apart walls 26 and 28 which are
adapted to deform in the presence of vacuum and pressure in the
compartments such that the outer perimeter dimension of the
container remains substantially the same and the wrap around
labeling retains its fit. In addition to requiring a relatively
complicated manufacturing process, the Gruenbacher et al. '429
design is not suited to packaging a single stack of fragile food
articles.
[0012] A need, therefore, exists for an improved blow molded
thermo-plastic container which is relatively simple to manufacture
and strong enough to resist external compressive force, yet capable
of adapting to changes in environmental conditions without
adversely impacting the commercial presentation of the
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings
inherent in previous containers for packaging potato chips, corn
based chips, cookies and the like. The improved implosion-resistant
container of the present invention utilizes a collection of stress
dissipating mechanisms that counteract the forces causing
thermo-plastic container deformation, implosion and loss of seal
integrity. This collection of stress dissipating mechanisms,
employed collectively or separately, allows a container for storing
fragile food products to be fashioned as a relatively lightweight,
thin-walled blow molded thermoplastic container that is capable of
adapting to changing environmental conditions while maintaining its
visual aesthetic appearance
[0014] In one embodiment, structural rigidity mechanisms comprising
molded ribs and "C" beams in a corrugated pattern traversing the
longitudinal axis of the container are utilized to strengthen the
structural integrity of the container. Alternatively, randomly
spaced three-dimensional figures formed into the sidewall of the
thermo-plastic container may also be employed as structural
rigidity mechanisms.
[0015] In another embodiment, a floating panel mechanism is
utilized which allows the internal gas volume to be accommodated
without detracting from the commercial presentation of the
container. The floating panel mechanism comprises a stable panel
area defined by a flexible corrugated suspension ring formed within
the confines of a planar surface fashioned in the curved sidewall
of the container. The flexible corrugated suspension ring
surrounding the stable panel area allows the entire stable panel
area to move uniformly without randomly distorting or buckling the
container.
[0016] In another embodiment, a morphing geometries mechanism is
employed whereby an annular bellows means is formed in the tubular
body of a container allowing the container to repeatedly increase
or decrease its internal volume to counteract changing
environmental conditions.
[0017] In another embodiment, a flowing geometries mechanism is
employed which allows a container to smoothly change its geometry
to counteract changes in environmental conditions thereby avoiding
the random buckling and deformation inherent in current packaging
techniques which detracts from the commercial presentation of the
container.
[0018] Thus, the present invention comprises numerous embodiments
of thermo-plastic, blow-molded containers that are capable of
adapting to changing environmental conditions while maintaining
their visual aesthetic appearance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0020] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b are perspective views of
alternative embodiments of container of the present invention
illustrating the employment of corrugated sides to induce
structural rigidity;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of the present
invention illustrating the employment of three-dimensional shape
molding to induce structural rigidity;
[0022] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the container of the
present invention illustrating the employment of a floating panel
mechanism;
[0023] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
present invention illustrating the employment of a floating panel
mechanism;
[0024] FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views of the container of
the present invention illustrating the employment of a morphing
geometries mechanism;
[0025] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the container of the
present invention illustrating the employment of a flowing
geometries mechanism;
[0026] FIG. 6b is a cut-away perspective view of the container of
the present invention illustrating the employment of a flowing
geometries mechanism; and
[0027] FIGS. 6c and 6d are cross-sectional views of the container
of the present invention illustrating the employment of a morphing
geometries mechanism.
[0028] Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same
numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the
terms "top," "bottom," "first," "second," "upper," "lower,"
"height," "width," "length," "end," "side," "horizontal,"
"vertical," and similar terms are used herein, it should be
understood that these terms have reference only to the structure
shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The container of the present invention utilizes a collection
of stress dissipating mechanisms that counteract the forces which
cause container deformation, implosion and loss of seal integrity.
This collection of stress dissipating mechanisms allows a container
for storing fragile food products to be fashioned as a relatively
lightweight, thin-walled blow molded thermo-plastic container that
is capable of adapting to changing environmental conditions while
maintaining its visual aesthetic appearance. The stress dissipating
mechanisms employed are adaptable to container designs generally
well known in the art. Thus, the various embodiments of the
container of the present invention all have a generally tubular
body comprising a sidewall permanently closed at one end comprising
the container's base and having a sealable cap or lid. While
employed collectively and/or separately, depending upon the
circumstances of a specific product and its packaging requirements,
the collection of stress dissipating mechanisms utilized in
containers of the present invention may best be understood by
examining each stress dissipating mechanism in isolation.
[0030] Structural Rigidity Mechanisms
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b and 4a, the use of molded
ribs and "C" beams in a corrugated pattern traversing the
longitudinal axis of the container may be employed to provide added
strength throughout the container. Compressive and expansive forces
are distributed over a larger area thereby resulting in a more
structurally rigid container. The molded ribs and corrugated "C"
beams may be either annular or non-annular. Thus, in one
embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the corrugated "C"
beams 10 are generally annular and perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the container. In another embodiment, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the corrugated "C" beams 20, while
generally annular, traverse the longitudinal axis of the container
in a wavy sinusoidal pattern. Alternatively, in another embodiment,
as shown in FIG. 4a, non-annular ribs 40 may be formed into
selected areas of a container.
[0032] Where applicable, the container may also include a smooth
surface area between corrugated sections. Thus, as shown in the
embodiment of a container illustrated in FIG. 1b, an upper
corrugated section 12a and the lower corrugated section 12b are
separated by a smooth section 14 that is suitable for attaching a
label 16. Similarly, in another embodiment of the container
illustrated in FIG. 2b, a smooth section 24 that is suitable for
attaching a label 26 separates the upper wavy corrugated section
22a and the lower wavy corrugated section 22b.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 3, in another embodiment of the
present invention, randomly spaced three-dimensional FIGS. 30a-j
formed into the sidewall of a thermoplastic container may be
employed to provide added strength throughout the container. The
randomly spaced three-dimensional FIGS. 30aj distribute compressive
and expansive forces over a larger area thereby resulting in a more
structurally rigid container. It is understood that the geometric
three-dimensional FIGS. 30aj illustrated in FIG. 3 are shown to
merely illustrate the concept and not to limit it. Thus, any
three-dimensional figure design formed into the sidewall of a
thermo-plastic container may be suitable in the appropriate
circumstance. Additionally, the three-dimensional figures may also
be evenly spaced for aesthetic purposes.
[0034] Floating Panel Mechanism
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, an embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated which utilizes a floating panel
mechanism. The floating panel mechanism comprises a stable panel
area 42 defined by an encompassing flexible corrugated suspension
ring 44 formed within the confines of a planar surface 46 fashioned
in the curved sidewall 48 of the container. The flexible corrugated
suspension ring 44 surrounding the stable panel area 42 allows the
entire stable panel area 42 to move uniformly (i.e., springs in and
out) without randomly distorting or buckling the container. Other
portions of the container may be sufficiently reinforced (e.g.,
using corrugated ribs 40) so that all container expansion and
contraction is accomplished by the floating panel mechanism. The
stable panel area 42 springs out and retracts in a direction
perpendicular to the planar surface 46. Thus, changes in the
internal gas volume may be accommodated without detracting from the
commercial presentation of the container.
[0036] Morphing Geometries Mechanism
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, an embodiment of the
present invention is shown which illustrates the utilization of a
morphing geometries mechanism. The structure of a morphing
geometries mechanism comprises an annular bellows means 54 formed
in the tubular body 50 of the container. The annular bellows means
54 expands (shown in FIG. 5a) and contracts (shown in FIG. 5b)
along the container's longitudinal axis allowing the container to
repeatedly increase or decrease its internal volume to counteract
changing environmental conditions. While the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 5a and 5b positions the annular bellows means 54 near the
top of the container's tubular body, it is understood that in
appropriate circumstances, the annular bellows means 54 may be
positioned anywhere along the entire longitudinal length of the
container's tubular body.
[0038] Flowing Geometries Mechanism
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 6a and 6b, an embodiment of the
present invention is shown which illustrates the utilization of a
flowing geometries mechanism. Flowing geometries mechanism are
designed allow a container to smoothly change its geometry to
counteract changes in environmental conditions thereby avoiding the
random buckling and deformation inherent in current packaging
techniques which detracts from the commercial presentation of the
container. In a preferred embodiment, the flowing geometries
mechanism comprises one or more lateral flexible hinge areas (e.g.
62 and 64) formed in the sidewall of the container 60 and defining
a weakened panel area 68 there between. The lateral flexible hinge
areas 62 and 64 effectively control the deformation of the
container in response to changes in environmental conditions by
allowing the container to contract and expand the weakened area 68
in a smooth and uniform manner. While the container's geometry or
shape is allowed to smoothly adjust to changes in environmental
conditions, the deformation is controlled such that the commercial
presentation of the container is not detracted from.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 6b-6d, in one embodiment of a
container utilizing a flowing geometries mechanism, the container
is designed so that a small annular space exists between the outer
periphery of the enclosed product stack 66 and the weakened panel
area 68 of the container 60 so as to aid in the manufacturing and
packaging process. The size of the container may be designed such
that the inner wall of the weakened panel area 68 contacts the
outer periphery of the enclosed product stack 66 when the container
contracts, thereby limiting the amount of controlled deformation.
The enclosed product stack 66 may actually provide some measure of
lateral structural support to the sidewall of the container when
the internal pressure of the container is less than the ambient
atmospheric pressure.
[0041] It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that
there has been described herein an improved container for storing
fragile food products, and more particularly, to an improved blow
molded container for storing potato chips, corn based chips,
cookies and the like which is capable of adapting to changing
environmental conditions while maintaining its visual aesthetic
appearance. Although the invention hereof has been described by way
of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other
adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing
from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, multiple stress
dissipating mechanisms may be utilized in a single container.
Additionally, while the containers of the present invention
illustrated in the Figures have a generally circular traverse cross
section, it is understood that the collection of stress dissipating
mechanisms utilized in containers of the present invention may be
employed on any containers having a generally annular traverse
cross section. Thus, in addition to containers having a circular
traverse cross-section, alternative embodiments of the container of
the present invention may have a traverse cross section which is
generally oval in shape. The terms and expressions employed herein
have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and
thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the
contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may
be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *