U.S. patent application number 10/359199 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for translucent container.
This patent application is currently assigned to PepsiCo, Inc.. Invention is credited to Curtiss, Charles, Headen, Cynthia, Leslie, Stuart.
Application Number | 20030168372 10/359199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27734346 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030168372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Headen, Cynthia ; et
al. |
September 11, 2003 |
Translucent container
Abstract
A container for storing a liquid includes at least one
translucent or transparent side wall with a first image formed on
an interior surface thereof and a second image formed on an
exterior surface thereof. The first image is formed in a manner
such that it is not visible when the container is filled with the
liquid. When the container is substantially empty of the liquid,
the first and second images become visible to form a composite
image.
Inventors: |
Headen, Cynthia; (Newtown,
CT) ; Leslie, Stuart; (Larchmont, NY) ;
Curtiss, Charles; (Long Island City, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
PepsiCo, Inc.
Purchase
NY
|
Family ID: |
27734346 |
Appl. No.: |
10/359199 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60354273 |
Feb 6, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C03C 17/34 20130101;
B65D 23/00 20130101; C03C 2217/72 20130101; C03C 15/00 20130101;
B65D 23/14 20130101; C03C 17/005 20130101; C03B 9/31 20130101; B65D
1/40 20130101; C03C 2218/365 20130101; B44F 1/10 20130101; B65D
2203/00 20130101; C03C 17/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A container for storing a liquid comprising: at least one
translucent or transparent side wall; means for forming a first
image on an interior surface of said side wall, said first image
not being visible when the container is filled with the liquid; and
means for forming a second image on an exterior surface of said
side wall, wherein when the container is substantially empty of the
liquid, the first and second images are visible to form a composite
image.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first image is
complementary to the second image.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said means for
forming the first image comprises embossing or debossing on the
interior of said side wall.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein said means for
forming the second image comprises embossing on the exterior
surface of said side wall.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein said means for
forming the second image comprises printing or painting on the
exterior surface of said side wall.
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein said means for
forming the second image comprises a label on the exterior surface
of said side wall.
7. The container according to claim 1, wherein said means for
forming the second image comprises etching on the exterior surface
of said side wall.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first image is
formed within a first predetermined region on the interior surface
and the second image is formed within a second predetermined region
on the exterior surface, the first and second predetermined regions
being directly opposed to one another through the thickness of said
side wall so as to appear to at least partially overlap when viewed
from the side of the container.
9. A method for forming a container for storing a liquid, said
method comprising the steps of: providing at least one translucent
or transparent side wall; forming a first image on an interior
surface of the side wall such that the first image is not visible
when the container is filled with the liquid; and forming a second
image on an exterior surface of the side wall such that when the
container is substantially empty of the liquid, the first and
second images are visible to form a composite image.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first image is
complementary to the second image.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of forming
the first image comprises embossing or debossing the interior of
the side wall.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of forming
the second image comprises embossing the exterior surface of the
side wall.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of forming
the second image comprises printing or painting the exterior
surface of the side wall.
14. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of forming
the second image comprises providing a label on the exterior
surface of the side wall.
15. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of forming
the second image comprises etching the exterior surface of the side
wall.
16. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first image is
formed within a first predetermined region on the interior surface
and the second image is formed within a second predetermined region
on the exterior surface, the first and second predetermined regions
being directly opposed to one another through the thickness of the
side wall so as to appear to at least partially overlap when viewed
from a side of the container.
17. A container for storing a liquid comprising: at least one
translucent or transparent side wall having structure on an
interior surface thereof forming a partial design, said structure
forming the partial design not being visible when the container is
filled with the liquid; and structure forming a complementary
design provided on an exterior surface of said side wall, wherein
when the container is substantially empty of the liquid, the
partial and complementary designs are visible to form a complete
design.
18. The container according to claim 17, wherein said structure
forming the partial design comprises embossing or debossing on the
interior of said side wall.
19. The container according to claim 17, wherein said structure
forming the complementary design comprises embossing on the
exterior surface of said side wall.
20. The container according to claim 17, wherein said structure
forming the complementary design comprises ink or paint on the
exterior surface of said side wall.
21. The container according to claim 17, wherein said structure
forming the complementary design comprises a label on the exterior
surface of said side wall.
22. The container according to claim 17, wherein said structure
forming the complementary design comprises etching on the exterior
surface of said side wall.
23. The container according to claim 17, wherein the partial design
is formed within a first predetermined region on the interior
surface and the complementary design is formed within a second
predetermined region on the exterior surface, the first and second
predetermined regions being directly opposed to one another through
the thickness of said side wall so as to appear to at least
partially overlap when viewed from the side of the container.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefits of Provisional U.S.
Patent Application No. 60/354,273, filed Feb. 6, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a translucent or
transparent container, preferably a glass bottle, for containing a
liquid beverage or the like, which has an internal surface
containing an embossed or debossed design and an external design on
the outer surface of the bottle that consists of a label, painting,
coating or the like, including etching or debossing. Preferably,
these designs are positioned in predetermined registration to form
a composite design or image.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] It has been found that glass bottles, and other containers,
can be formed with an embossed or debossed inner surface design
which will be invisible when the container is filled with a liquid,
including transparent liquid water. These inner surfaces can be
embossed or debossed by known techniques. For example, in the
formation of a glass bottle, a glass preform or parison (similar in
shape to a test tube with a threaded neck) is formed by injecting
molten glass into a hollow mold. The mold surfaces forming the
exterior of the preform can be carved or etched so that external
embossments are molded on the preform. The preform is then removed
from the small mold and placed in a larger mold. The larger mold
will have, for example, flat or smoothly curved surfaces located to
engage the embossments molded on the hot exterior surface of the
preform. As a result, when air is blown into the preform, the outer
surface thereof is pressed against the flat surfaces of the
finished bottle mold. This forces the embossments to the interior
of the preform, i.e., thereby reversing the embossment to the
interior of the bottle. Filling the bottle with a liquid will cause
the interior embossments to become invisible. When the liquid is
dispensed from the bottle, the interior embossments become
visible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention can provide a container for a product
in which the overall image of the container changes from its full
state to its empty state.
[0007] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a container
for storing a liquid including at least one translucent or
transparent side wall, means for forming a first image on an
interior surface of the side wall, the first image not being
visible when the container is filled with the liquid, and means for
forming a second image on an exterior surface of the side wall.
When the container is substantially empty of the liquid, the first
and second images are visible to form a composite image.
[0008] According to another aspect, the present invention relates
to a method for forming a container for storing a liquid. The
method includes the steps of providing at least one translucent or
transparent side wall, forming a first image on an interior surface
of the side wall such that the first image is not visible when the
container is filled with the liquid, and forming a second image on
an exterior surface of the side wall such that when the container
is substantially empty of the liquid, the first and second images
are visible to form a composite image.
[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
the present invention relates to a container for storing a liquid
including at least one translucent or transparent side wall having
structure on an interior surface thereof forming a partial design,
the structure forming the partial design not being visible when the
container is filled with the liquid, and structure forming a
complementary design provided on an exterior surface of the side
wall. When the container is substantially empty of the liquid, the
partial and complementary designs are visible to form a complete
design.
[0010] The above, and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent from the following detailed
description of the illustrated embodiments thereof which are to be
read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1-4 depict a first embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an empty container
according to the first embodiment, showing interior and exterior
features, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along section line 2-2
in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing only the interior
features of the container, and FIG. 4 is an elevational view
showing only the exterior features of the container of FIG. 1,
i.e., showing the container when filled with liquid.
[0012] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6 and 7 depict a container of a second
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is an elevational view
of the empty container, showing interior and exterior features,
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 5B-5B of
FIG. 5A, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along
section line 6-6 of FIG. 5B, showing only the interior features and
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the container when filled, showing
only the exterior features.
[0013] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 depict a container of the third embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the
empty container, showing interior and exterior features, FIG. 9 is
a cross-sectional view showing only the interior features thereof,
and FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the filled container showing
only the exterior features.
[0014] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 depict a container of a fourth
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an elevational view
of the container when empty, showing interior and exterior
features, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the container
showing only the interior features thereof, and FIG. 13 is an
elevational view of the filled container, showing only the exterior
features.
[0015] FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 depict a container according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an elevational view
of the empty container, showing interior and exterior features,
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the container showing only the
interior features, and FIG. 16 is an elevational view of the filled
container, showing only the exterior features.
[0016] FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 depict a container according to a sixth
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is an elevational view
of the empty container, showing interior and exterior features,
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the container showing only the
interior features, and FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the filled
container, showing only the exterior features.
[0017] FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 depict a container according to a
seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is an
elevational view of the empty container, showing interior and
exterior features, FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the
container showing only the interior features, and FIG. 22 is an
elevational view of the empty container, showing only the exterior
features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] A method of forming the containers and details of examples
of the containers themselves will now be described. Each container
is designed with an interior surface design or image which
registers with or complements an exterior surface design or image
to form a composite design or image. Preferably, the interior image
and the exterior image are partial images that complement one
another. When viewed as a whole, the images will combine to give
the appearance of a complete, composite image.
[0019] The interior surface design is intended to be invisible when
the container with filled with a liquid, such as a beverage
including water. In order to accomplish this, the interior surface
is embossed or debossed by known techniques to form the interior
image. In an ejection molding technique, a glass preform or parison
is formed by injecting molten glass into a first, smaller, hollow
mold. The mold surfaces forming the exterior of the preform can be
carved or etched so that external embossments are molded on the
preform. The preform is then removed from the first mold and placed
in a larger, second mold. The second mold will have, for example,
flat or smoothly curved surfaces located at positions so as to
engage the embossed images molded onto the hot exterior surface of
the preform by the first mold. When air is blown into the preform,
the outer surface thereof is pressed against the flat or smoothly
curved surfaces of the second mold. This forces the embossments
into the interior of the preform, thereby reversing the embossments
to the interior of the container or bottle. When the container is
filled with a liquid, the interior embossments become substantially
invisible. It is believed that this invisibility occurs as a result
of diffraction of light through the liquid and the curved surfaces
of the container or bottle, which causes the embossed edges of the
interior image to visually disappear. Of course, the internal
embossments can be formed by any other suitable method.
[0020] The exterior surface design can take any suitable form. In a
preferred embodiment, the exterior image can also take the form of
embossments or debossments. The second mold can be formed with
cavities or recesses carved or etched into its surface to form the
exterior design. At the time the preform is "inflated", the hot
glass may enter the cavities or recesses in the surface of the
second mold, so as to form the exterior design. When the container
is completed and cooled, it will have molded designs on both its
interior and exterior surfaces. These interior and exterior designs
preferably register with or complement one another. It is preferred
that the exterior design be formed directly opposed to the interior
design so that they are only separated by the thickness of the
container. For example, the interior and exterior images can be
provided on either surface of the front of the container. Thus, the
interior and exterior images will more readily be perceived as a
single composite image when the container is empty.
[0021] When the completed bottle is filled with a liquid, the
interior embossments forming the interior design become invisible.
When the liquid is dispensed from the container, the interior
embossments become visible and, with the exterior embossments on
the bottle, will form a complete and pleasing composite design.
[0022] The exterior design need not be embossed on the container.
Rather, the exterior design may be formed by etching, labels,
printing with ink, application of paint or the like.
[0023] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an empty
bottle 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention. As seen therein, the bottle has two sets of
circle patterns. An internal set 12 is formed on the inner surface
14 of the bottle, and an external set 16 of smaller circles is
formed on the outer surface of the bottle. The sets of circles may
be randomly related or, preferably, positioned in a predetermined
relation to one another or in registration with respect to each
other to form a complete predetermined pattern, i.e., a composite
image, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0024] As seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the internal
set of circles 12 is formed as internal embossments on the inside
surface of the bottle, while the external circles 16 are
embossments on the outer surface of the bottle. These embossments
are formed by the creation of a parison or preform, as described
above.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2, and shows the interior of the front face of the bottle, as
viewed in FIG. 1, with the set of embossments 12 thereon.
[0026] FIG. 4 is an elevational view with the bottle filled,
showing that the inner embossments 12 are invisible and only the
external embossments 16 may be seen.
[0027] FIGS. 5A-7 are similar to FIGS. 1-4, and disclose another
embodiment of the invention.
[0028] Again, FIG. 5A shows a bottle constructed in accordance with
the present invention which is empty. In this case, the bottle has
an external wave pattern 18 embossed thereon near its neck 20, and
an internal pattern embossed on the inside of the bottle in the
shape of a dolphin 22 (see FIG. 5B). When the bottle is empty, both
designs can be seen as in FIG. 5A.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5B,
and shows the embossment 22 on the interior surface of the
bottle.
[0030] FIG. 7 is an elevational view showing the bottle when
filled. In this condition, as described above, the interior design
becomes invisible as a result of the liquid in the bottle and only
the external wave pattern 18 is visible.
[0031] FIGS. 8-10 are similar to FIGS. 5-7, showing yet another
design in accordance with the present invention. In this case, the
empty bottle depicts a complete design of a snake, including a head
26 and a body 28. The body 28 is embossed on the inside of the
bottle, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 9, while the head 26
is on the outer surface of the bottle, near the neck, and is the
only thing that is visible when the bottle is full, as shown in
FIG. 10. As with the previously described embodiments, the head 26
can be embossed or molded into the surface of the bottle during the
blow molding process. Alternatively, it may be printed or painted
onto the bottle, or may simply be an adhesive label. The key point
is that it is located on the bottle in registration with the
interior embossment so that the completed bottle forms a finished,
composite design.
[0032] FIGS. 11-13 show yet another design formed on the bottle by
an exterior embossment 30 on the head and neck of the bottle, which
creates the image of a helmet. The internal design 32 is formed by
internal embossing on the inside of the bottle in the form of a
face (FIG. 12). Thus, in the empty bottle the two images in
registration form the image of a face with a helmet (FIG. 11),
while when the bottle is full only the helmet is visible (FIG.
13).
[0033] FIGS. 14-16 show yet another design having an embossed outer
surface 40 in the general form of a mountain (FIG. 16), and an
inner design 42 on the inside surface of the bottle creating a
partial image of a volcano, including smoke escaping from its vent
(FIG. 15). The combined designs are in registry and appear as a
composite image as in FIG. 14 when the bottle is empty.
[0034] FIGS. 17-19 show the components of yet another registered
design on a bottle in accordance with the present invention. In
this case, a series of animals 52 are embossed on the inside
surface of the bottle (FIG. 18), while branches or trees are either
embossed or debossed, printed or painted on the exterior surface of
the bottle (FIG. 19). Those elements 50 are visible when the bottle
is full, but the animals 52 embossed on the inside surface are not.
When the bottle is empty the registered designs form a montage of
animals within or about the tree branches (FIG. 17).
[0035] FIGS. 20-22 show yet another bottle in accordance with the
present invention, wherein a circular window type design 60 is
embossed on the outer surface of the bottle (FIG. 22), and an
internal design (in this case consisting of FIG. 62) is formed on
the inner surface of the bottle (FIG. 21). Thus, when the bottle is
empty, the inner design registers with the window and the design
appears as in FIG. 20. Again, as noted above, the exterior design
elements are positioned on the bottle in registration with the
interior design elements and may be formed in any of a number of
different ways.
[0036] It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that the
designs to be used in accordance with the present invention can
take any of a myriad of forms, and that the shape of the container
itself is not limited to the particular shapes illustrated in the
drawings.
[0037] While the present invention has been described as to what is
currently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to them. To the
contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications
and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the
appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
* * * * *