U.S. patent application number 10/036901 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for device and method for preventing skidding of a container.
Invention is credited to Beaver, Ted L., Estabrook, Rick, Guss, Theodore.
Application Number | 20030116527 10/036901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21891289 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030116527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beaver, Ted L. ; et
al. |
June 26, 2003 |
Device and method for preventing skidding of a container
Abstract
A container having a side wall having an exterior surface with
at least one friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the
side wall on a surface adjacent the side wall.
Inventors: |
Beaver, Ted L.; (Roselle,
IL) ; Guss, Theodore; (Lakeland, TN) ;
Estabrook, Rick; (Milford, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL
P.O. BOX 061080
WACKER DRIVE STATION
CHICAGO
IL
60606-1080
US
|
Family ID: |
21891289 |
Appl. No.: |
10/036901 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/382 ;
215/379 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 65/06 20130101;
B65D 1/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/382 ;
215/379 |
International
Class: |
B65D 090/02 |
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. A container comprising: a side wall having an exterior surface
with at least one friction portion effective to prevent skidding of
the side wall on a surface adjacent the side wall.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction portion
encompasses substantially all of the exterior surface of the side
wall.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction portion
encompasses less than the entire exterior surface of the side wall,
the friction portion having a coefficient of friction that is
higher than that of a remainder of the side wall.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction portion comprises
a stippled surface protruding from the side wall.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction portion comprises
wall members positioned about the side wall, the wall members being
protrusions from the side wall and effective to engage
complementary protrusions of the surface adjacent the side
wall.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction portion is
integral to the exterior surface of the side wall.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction portion is an
embossed structure on the exterior surface of the side wall.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction portion is
attached to the exterior surface of the side wall.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises at
least one of metal, plastic, and glass.
10. The container of claim 1, comprising a plurality of friction
portions on the exterior surface of the side wall.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the friction portions
encompass less than the entire exterior surface of the side wall,
each of the friction portions having a coefficient of friction that
is higher than that of a remainder of the side wall.
12. An anti-skid device comprising: an engagement surface having a
friction portion effective to prevent skidding of a container
against the engagement surface.
13. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the friction portion
encompasses substantially all of the engagement surface.
14. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the friction portion
encompasses less than the entire engagement surface, the friction
portion having a coefficient of friction that is higher than that
of a remainder of the engagement surface.
15. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the friction portion
comprises a stippled surface protruding from the engagement
surface.
16. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the friction portion
comprises wall members positioned about the engagement surface, the
wall members being protrusions from the engagement surface and
effective to engage complementary protrusions of the container.
17. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the friction portion
is integral to the engagement surface.
18. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the friction portion
is an embossed structure on the engagement surface.
19. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the friction portion
is attached to the engagement surface.
20. The anti-skid device of claim 12, wherein the container
comprises at least one of metal, plastic, and glass.
21. The anti-skid device of claim 12, comprising a plurality of
friction portions on the engagement surface.
22. The anti-skid device of claim 21, wherein the friction portions
encompass less than the entire engagement surface, each of the
friction portions having a coefficient of friction that is higher
than that of a remainder of the engagement surface.
23. A method of preventing skidding of a container having a side
wall on a surface adjacent the side wall, the method comprising the
steps of: providing a container having a side wall with an exterior
surface; and providing a surface adjacent the exterior surface of
the side wall, wherein at least one of the exterior surface of the
side wall and the surface adjacent the exterior surface of the side
wall comprises a friction portion effective to prevent skidding of
the exterior surface of the side wall on the surface adjacent the
exterior surface of the side wall.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion
encompasses substantially all of the exterior surface of the side
wall.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion
encompasses less than the entire exterior surface of the side wall,
the friction portion having a coefficient of friction that is
higher than that of a remainder of the side wall.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion comprises
a stippled surface protruding from the side wall.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion comprises
wall members positioned about the side wall, the wall members being
protrusions from the side wall and effective to engage
complementary protrusions of the surface adjacent the side
wall.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion is
integral to the exterior surface of the side wall.
29. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion is an
embossed structure on the exterior surface of the side wall.
30. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion is
attached to the exterior surface of the side wall.
31. The method of claim 23, wherein the container comprises at
least one of metal, plastic, and glass.
32. The method of claim 23, wherein the container comprises a
plurality of friction portions on the exterior surface of the side
wall.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the friction portions encompass
less than the entire exterior surface of the side wall, each of the
friction portions having a coefficient of friction that is higher
than that of a remainder of the side wall.
34. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion
encompasses substantially all of the exterior surface of the
surface adjacent the side wall.
35. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion
encompasses less than the entire surface adjacent the side wall,
the friction portion having a coefficient of friction that is
higher than that of a remainder of the surface adjacent the side
wall.
36. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion comprises
a stippled surface protruding from the surface adjacent side
wall.
37. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion comprises
wall members positioned about the surface adjacent the side wall,
the wall members being protrusions from the surface adjacent the
side wall and effective to engage complementary protrusions of the
side wall.
38. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion is
integral to the surface adjacent the side wall.
39. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion is an
embossed structure on the surface adjacent the side wall.
40. The method of claim 23, wherein the friction portion is
attached to the surface adjacent the side wall.
41. The method of claim 23, wherein the surface adjacent the side
wall comprises a plurality of friction portions.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the friction portions encompass
less than the entire surface adjacent the side wall, each of the
friction portions having a coefficient of friction that is higher
than that of a remainder of the surface adjacent the side wall.
43. A method of preventing skidding of a container having a side
wall on a surface adjacent the side wall, the method comprising the
steps of: providing a container having a side wall with a friction
portion; and providing a surface adjacent the side wall, the
friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the side wall on
the surface adjacent the side wall.
44. A method of preventing skidding of a container having a side
wall on a surface adjacent the side wall, the method comprising the
steps of: providing a container having a side wall; and providing a
surface adjacent the side wall, the surface adjacent the side wall
having a friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the side
wall on the surface adjacent the side wall.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to containers. More
particularly, the present invention relates to the conveying of
containers.
[0002] In container filling and packaging operations, containers
are guided by surfaces, such as rails, that are adjacent side walls
of the containers. As a container is conveyed against an adjacent
surface, the container typically "skids" along the surface on its
way to an intended destination. In a case of a round container, the
round container experiences little or no rotation as it skids along
the adjacent surface.
[0003] For example, in a rotary-style heater/cooler that has a
horizontal cylindrical rotating portion that horizontally rotates
on its center axis, containers are housed within carrier pockets
located about an interior surface of the rotating portion. The
carrier pockets comprise rails that generally restrict the
containers' movement in each direction, yet permit the containers
to move some and to rotate within the carrier pockets.
[0004] As the rotating portion rotates, the containers move in a
spiral path along the length of the horizontal cylindrical rotating
portion. Containers that are located in a lower part of the
rotary-style heater/cooler are in contact with an exterior rail
toward an exterior of the rotating portion due to gravity. For
round containers, the frictional forces between the side walls of
the containers and the exterior rail have a tendency to rotate the
containers against the exterior rail. In other words, as the
rotating portion rotates about its center axis, a round container
has a tendency to rotate about its center axis while it is
positioned in a lower part of the rotating portion. This rotation
causes some mixing of the contents of the containers to assist heat
transfer through the contents during heating or cooling of the
container and its contents. Due to the low coefficients of friction
of typical container and typical exterior rails, however, the
containers have a tendency to skid along the exterior rails.
Therefore, the containers do not typically continuously rotate
while in the lower portion of the heater/cooler.
[0005] Also, frictional defects, such as abrasions and scuff marks,
can occur on the side walls of the containers as the containers
skid along the adjacent surface
[0006] Accordingly, typical containers and typical exterior rails
do not provide enough frictional forces to provide enough rotation
to sufficiently mix some contents or to effect efficient heat
transfer throughout the contents. Further, this phenomenon is not
limited to rotary-style heaters/coolers and typically occurs when
containers travel against adjacent surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present disclosure provides one or more inventions
directed to preventing skidding of containers on adjacent surfaces.
These improvements can be practiced jointly or separately.
[0008] To this end, in an embodiment, there is provided a container
comprising a side wall having an exterior surface with at least one
friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the side wall on
a surface adjacent the side wall.
[0009] In an embodiment, the friction portion encompasses
substantially all of the exterior surface of the side wall.
[0010] In an embodiment, the friction portion encompasses less than
the entire exterior surface of the side wall, the friction portion
having a coefficient of friction that is higher than that of a
remainder of the side wall.
[0011] In an embodiment, the friction portion comprises a stippled
surface protruding from the side wall.
[0012] In an embodiment, the friction portion comprises wall
members positioned about the side wall, the wall members being
protrusions from the side wall and effective to engage
complementary protrusions of the surface adjacent the side
wall.
[0013] In an embodiment, the friction portion is integral to the
exterior surface of the side wall.
[0014] In an embodiment, the friction portion is an embossed
structure on the exterior surface of the side wall.
[0015] In an embodiment, the friction portion is attached to the
exterior surface of the side wall.
[0016] In an embodiment, the container comprises at least one of
metal, plastic, and glass.
[0017] In an embodiment, the container comprises a plurality of
friction portions on the exterior surface of the side wall. In an
embodiment, the friction portions encompass less than the entire
exterior surface of the side wall, each of the friction portions
having a coefficient of friction that is higher than that of a
remainder of the side wall.
[0018] There is also provided, in an embodiment, an anti-skid
device comprising an engagement surface having a friction portion
effective to prevent skidding of a container against the engagement
surface.
[0019] There is also provided, in an embodiment, a method of
preventing skidding of a container having a side wall on a surface
adjacent the side wall. The method comprises the steps of:
providing a container having a side wall with an exterior surface;
and providing a surface adjacent the exterior surface of the side
wall, wherein at least one of the exterior surface of the side wall
and the surface adjacent the exterior surface of the side wall
comprises a friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the
exterior surface of the side wall on the surface adjacent the
exterior surface of the side wall.
[0020] There is also provided, in an embodiment, a method of
preventing skidding of a container having a side wall on a surface
adjacent the side wall. The method comprises the steps of:
providing a container having a side wall with a friction portion;
and providing a surface adjacent the side wall, the friction
portion effective to prevent skidding of the side wall on the
surface adjacent the side wall.
[0021] There is also provided, in an embodiment, a method of
preventing skidding of a container having a side wall on a surface
adjacent the side wall. The method comprises the steps of:
providing a container having a side wall; and providing a surface
adjacent the side wall, the surface adjacent the side wall having a
friction portion effective to prevent skidding of the side wall on
the surface adjacent the side wall.
[0022] These and other features of the present invention will
become clearer with reference to the following detailed description
of the presently preferred embodiments and accompanying
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a container constructed
in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1
adjacent exterior rails.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1
having a friction portion in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1
having a friction portion in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
within a rotary-style heater/cooler in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a rotary-style
heater/cooler.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a plurality of
containers within a rotary-style heater/cooler in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exterior rail in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exterior rail in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] As described above, there is provided a device and method
for preventing skidding of a side wall of a container on an
adjacent surface.
[0033] In FIG. 1, there is depicted an illustrative container 100
constructed in accordance with the present invention. As
illustrated, the container 100 has a bottom portion 102, a side
wall 104 having a shoulder 106, and a neck 108. An opening in the
neck 108 of the container 100 can be closed by any suitable
structure. For example, as illustrated, the neck 108 can have
threads 110 for engaging a closure (not shown).
[0034] The container 100 is not limited to the illustrated shapes
and topologies and can embody shapes and/or topologies different
from those illustrated. For example, the container 100 can have a
handle. Further, the container can conform to an industry-standard
shape, such as, a shape that meets the specifications of an
industry-standard #10 can.
[0035] The container 100 can comprise any suitable material or
combination of materials. For example, the container can comprise
at least one of metal, plastic, and glass.
[0036] A first friction portion 112 and a second friction portion
114 are formed about the side wall 104. In the illustrated
embodiment, there are two friction portions 112 and 114. In
alternate embodiments, there can be one or more friction portions
formed about the side wall 104. In an embodiment, the container 100
can have a single friction portion encompassing substantially all
of the side wall 104. The first friction portion 112 and the second
friction portion 114 are depicted as horizontal bands formed about
the circumference of the container 1100. Alternatively, the
friction portions can be formed to any shape that is suitable to
provide friction on an adjacent surface. For example, the friction
portion can be formed as a spiral about the container's
circumference and along the side wall 104, a pattern of
disconnected friction portions, or bands that do not have linear
edges.
[0037] In the illustrative embodiment, the friction portions 112
and 114 are separated by other portions of the side wall 104. The
friction portions 112 and 114 may have coefficient of friction
values that are larger than coefficient of friction values of the
remainder of the side wall 104, however, the coefficient of
friction values of the friction portions 112 and 114 may be equal
to the coefficient of friction values of the other portions of the
side wall 104. Also, the friction portions 112 and 114 can each
have different coefficient of friction values.
[0038] The friction portions 112 and 114 can be, for example,
integral to the side wall 104. In this case, the friction portions
112 and 114 can be, for example, texturing formed or embossed on
the side wall 104. The texturing can comprise, for example,
stippling, projecting or raised portions, or a rough surface.
[0039] Alternatively, the friction portions 112 and 114 can be
devices attached to the side wall 104. In this case, the friction
portions 112 and 114 have textured outer surfaces. The texturing
can comprise, for example, stippling, projecting or raised
portions, or a rough surface. Additional embodiments of friction
portions 112 and 114 are described below with reference to FIGS. 3
and 4.
[0040] A recessed portion 116 is formed between the first friction
portion 112 and the second friction portion 114. In alternate
embodiments, the container 110 does not have a recessed portion
116, or the container has a plurality of recessed portions 116.
[0041] In the illustrative embodiment, the friction portions 112
and 114 of side wall 104 have a coefficient of friction value that
is greater than a coefficient of friction value of a remainder of
the side wall 104. Accordingly, when the friction portions 112 and
114 contact an adjacent surface, such as a rail in a rotary-style
heater/cooler, the friction portions 112 and 114 provide more
friction against the rail than would be provided by the remainder
of the side wall 104.
[0042] FIG. 2 depicts the container 100 contacting against a first
adjacent surface 200 and a second adjacent surface 202. In the
illustrated embodiment, the first adjacent surface 200 is a surface
of a first exterior rail 204 of a rotary-style heater/cooler. The
second adjacent surface 202 is a surface of a second exterior rail
206 of the rotary-style heater/cooler. Alternatively, the first
adjacent surface 200 and the second adjacent surface 202 can be any
surface that is adjacent the side wall 104 of the container
100.
[0043] As illustrated, the first friction portion 112 contacts
against the first adjacent surface 200 and the second friction
portion 114 contacts against the second adjacent surface 202. Since
the container 100 has friction portions 112 and 114, which have a
coefficient of friction value that is greater than the coefficient
of friction value of the remainder of the side wall 104, there is a
greater amount of friction between the container 100 and the
adjacent surfaces 200 and 202 than there would be between a typical
container and the adjacent surfaces 200 and 202. Accordingly, the
container 100 is less likely to skid against the adjacent surfaces
200 and 202 than a typical container that does not have a friction
portion.
[0044] FIG. 3 depicts a first embodiment of the friction portions
of the container 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the first
friction portion 112 comprises a rough surface, such as, for
example, a stippled surface. The stippled surface can be, for
example, MT11100 standard texturing.
[0045] FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the friction portions
of the container 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the first
friction portion 112 comprises a number of gear teeth or ribs 400
formed about a circumference of the side wall 104. The ribs 400 are
at least partially aligned in a direction of a height or
longitudinal axis of the container 100. Alternatively, the ribs 400
can have a different alignment. In an embodiment, a surface that is
adjacent the friction portions can have complementary ribs formed
thereon to engage the ribs 400 of the friction portions, as will be
described in more detail below.
[0046] Although the first friction portion 112 is depicted in FIGS.
3 and 4, the illustrated embodiments can also disclose any other
friction portions of the container 100, such as the second friction
portion 114. Further, in alternate embodiments, the friction
portions can have configurations that are different from those
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the friction portions
can comprise a plurality of connected or disconnected protrusions
of any shape that is suitable for providing a desired coefficient
of friction.
[0047] The above-described container 100 provides a side wall
having a larger coefficient of friction value than typical
containers. This provides advantages over typical containers when a
side wall having a large coefficient of friction value is desired.
For example, when a container is heated/cooled in a rotary-style
heater/cooler, it is beneficial for the container's side wall to
have a large coefficient of friction in order to prevent skidding
of the container on the exterior rails of the rotary-style
heater/cooler. FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the container
100 within a rotary-style heater/cooler in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The rotary-style heater/cooler
is designated generally as item 500.
[0048] As described above, and referring to FIG. 6, the
rotary-style heater/cooler 500 has a horizontal cylindrical
rotating portion 600 that rotates on its center axis. The
illustrative rotating portion 600 is depicted to rotate in a
counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, however,
the rotating portion 600 can alternatively rotate in a clockwise
direction. A plurality of containers 100 are housed within carrier
pockets 508 located about an interior 602 of the rotating portion
600.
[0049] Referring back to FIG. 5, a container 100 is housed within a
carrier pocket 508 in a space that has boundaries comprising the
first exterior rail 204, the second exterior rail 206, a first
inner rail 502, and a second inner rail 504. The first inner rail
502 and the second inner rail 504 are connected via a mounting rail
506. The carrier pockets 508 are large enough, however, to permit
the containers 100 to move some and to rotate within the carrier
pockets 508. The first exterior rail 204 and the second exterior
rail 206 are formed such that the containers move in a spiral path
604 along the length of the rotary-style heater/cooler 500 as the
rotating portion 600 rotates.
[0050] FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the rotating
portion 600. As the rotating portion 600 rotates, containers 100
that are located in an upper part 700 of the rotary-style
heater/cooler 500 are carried by an inner rail 502 or 504. The
upper part 700 comprises a distance of approximately 220 degrees
around the periphery of the rotating portion 600. While the
containers 100 are carried, the containers 100 rest against the
inner rail 502 or 504 and, for the most part, do not rotate.
[0051] Containers 100 that are located in a lower part 702 of the
rotary-style heater/cooler 500 are in contact with the exterior
rails 204 and 206 due to gravity. The frictional forces between the
side walls 104 of the containers 100 and the exterior rail 204 and
206 cause the containers 100 to rotate against the exterior rails
204 and 206. This is depicted by the rotation arrows illustrated
within the containers 100. In a transition part 704 that is between
the upper part 700 and the lower part 702, the containers 100 will
rotate when they are in contact with the exterior rails 204 and
206.
[0052] In the lower part 702 and in the transition part 704, a
typical container, however, has a tendency to skid against the rail
due to the coefficients of friction of typical container side walls
and typical exterior rails. In accordance with embodiments
consistent with the present invention, however, the friction
portions 112 and 114 of the side walls 104 of the containers 1100
have a coefficient of friction value that is large enough to
prevent the container 100 from skidding along the exterior rails
204 and 206. Instead, the friction portions 112 and 114 grip the
adjacent surfaces 200 and 202 of the exterior rails 204 and 206,
respectively, causing the containers 100 to continuously rotate
while in the lower part 702 and transition part 704 of the
rotary-style heater/cooler 500. This continuous rotation
advantageously causes the contents of the containers 100 to mix
and, therefore, assists heat transfer through the contents during
heating or cooling of the containers 100 and their contents.
Further, since the side walls 104 of the containers 100 do not skid
along the adjacent surfaces 200 and 202, frictional defects, such
as abrasions and scuff marks, are reduced.
[0053] In alternate embodiments of the present invention, friction
portions, as described above, are be provided on surfaces adjacent
the container 100 instead of or in addition to being provided on
the side wall 104 of the container 100. Illustrative embodiments of
the present invention that provide friction portions on adjacent
surfaces are depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 illustratively
depicts the first external rail 204 of the rotary-style heater
cooler 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the first external rail
204 comprises a rough surface, such as, for example, a stippled
surface. As illustrated, a friction portion 800 is formed on the
first adjacent surface 200. The stippled surface can be, for
example, MT11100 standard texturing. As the container 100 moves
along the first adjacent surface 200, the friction portion 800
prevents skidding of the container 100 on first adjacent surface
200.
[0054] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment wherein an alternative friction
portion 900 is formed on the first adjacent surface 200. The
friction portion 900 comprises a number of gear teeth or ribs 902
that protrude from first adjacent surface 200. The ribs 902 are at
least partially aligned in a direction of a height or longitudinal
axis of the container 100. Alternatively, the ribs 902 can have a
different alignment. In a case wherein the container 100 has
complementary ribs 400 formed thereon, as depicted in FIG. 4, the
ribs 902 of the first adjacent surface 200 engage the ribs 400 of
the container 100.
[0055] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the shapes of
the friction portions 800 and 900 are merely illustrative and,
similar to the friction portions 112 and 114, the friction portions
800 and 900 can have alternative configurations. For example, the
friction portions can comprise a plurality of connected or
disconnected protrusions or rough surfaces of any shape that is
suitable for providing a desired coefficient of friction.
[0056] Further, the friction portions (e.g. friction portions 800
and 900) can be on surfaces other than on the exterior rails of a
rotary-style heater/cooler. The friction portions can be formed on
any surface that is adjacent the container 100, such as, on a
conveyer, equipment rail, guard, wall, or base plate.
[0057] Therefore, the present apparatus and methods inventively
reduce skidding between containers and adjacent surfaces compared
to typical containers and adjacent surfaces.
[0058] As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the present
invention is susceptible to being embodied with various alterations
and modifications which may differ particularly from those that
have been described in the preceding specification and description.
It should be understood that it is desired to embody within the
scope of the patent warranted herein all such modifications as
reasonably and properly come within the scope of the presently
defined contribution to the art.
* * * * *