U.S. patent application number 11/457001 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-18 for container with improved crush resistance.
Invention is credited to Raymond C. Eble.
Application Number | 20070012650 11/457001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37625944 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070012650 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eble; Raymond C. |
January 18, 2007 |
Container with Improved Crush Resistance
Abstract
A plastic container having improved crush resistance through the
inclusion of a window and column design which is principally
intended to increase its load bearing ability and/or a series of
circumferential ribs intended to improve the container's
circumferential strength to inhibit deformation during vacuum
filling. The plastic container can be used in place of glass
containers of similar volume.
Inventors: |
Eble; Raymond C.;
(Sugarloaf, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH, LC;ATTN: BOX IP DEPT.
500 NORTH BROADWAY
SUITE 2000
ST LOUIS
MO
63102
US
|
Family ID: |
37625944 |
Appl. No.: |
11/457001 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60698534 |
Jul 12, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/382 ;
215/379 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/0223 20130101;
B65D 1/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/382 ;
215/379 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/02 20060101
B65D090/02 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a main body comprised of plastic, said
main body including a top section, a middle section, and a bottom
section arranged vertically and enclosing an internal volume; a rim
through which material can be placed in said internal volume, said
top section interconnecting said rim and said middle section; and a
base, said bottom section interconnecting said base and said middle
section; wherein said middle section is generally cylindrical about
a center axis; and wherein, at least one of said top section and
said bottom section include a window and column structure
comprising; at least two windows arranged circularly symmetrically
about said center axis, each of said windows being a portion of
said main body recessed into said internal volume; and at least two
columns, a column being arranged between any two adjacent windows,
each of said columns having an outer surface and two transition
surfaces; wherein each of said transition surfaces is rounded.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein both said top section and said
bottom section include said window and column structure.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein said top section has the same
number of windows and columns as said bottom section.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein each of said transition
surfaces on said top section is vertically aligned with a
transition section on said bottom section.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein said at least two windows
comprises between five and eleven windows.
6. The container of claim 5 wherein said at least two windows
comprises between seven and nine windows.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein said at least two windows
comprises exactly eight windows.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein said middle section further
comprises at least three ribs arranged circumferentially about said
center axis, each of said ribs comprising a groove recessed into
the structure of the middle section.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein said groove comprises a flat
bottom surface and two rounded side surfaces.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein said ribs comprise at least
four ribs.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein said ribs are arranged to
form a middle rib arrangement and a flanking rib arrangement.
12. The container of claim 11 wherein said middle rib arrangement
is symmetrical about a predetermined point.
13. The container of claim 12 wherein said flanking rib arrangement
is symmetrical about a different predetermined point.
14. The container of claim 11 wherein said middle rib arrangement
comprises four ribs and said flanking rib arrangement comprises two
ribs.
15. The container of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder
connected to said rim and including at least one protrusion
positioned so as to allow a lid to be screwed onto said
cylinder.
16. The container of claim 1 wherein said container is generally
barrel-shaped.
17. A container comprising a main body comprised of plastic, said
main body including a top section, a middle section, and a bottom
section arranged vertically and enclosing an internal volume; a rim
through which material can be placed in said internal volume, said
top section interconnecting said rim and said middle section; and a
base, said bottom section interconnecting said base and said middle
section; wherein said middle section is generally cylindrical about
a center axis; and wherein, said middle section comprises at least
three ribs arranged circumferentially about said center axis,
wherein each of said ribs comprising a groove recessed into the
structure of the middle section; and wherein said groove comprises
a flat bottom surface and two rounded side surfaces.
18. The container of claim 17 wherein said ribs comprise at least
four ribs.
19. The container of claim 18 wherein said ribs are arranged to
form a middle rib arrangement and a flanking rib arrangement.
20. The container of claim 19 wherein said middle rib arrangement
is symmetrical about a predetermined point.
21. The container of claim 20 wherein said flanking rib arrangement
is symmetrical about a different predetermined point.
22. The container of claim 19 wherein said middle rib arrangement
comprises four ribs and said flanking rib arrangement comprises two
ribs.
23. The container of claim 17 wherein, at least one of said top
section and said bottom section include a window and column
structure comprising; at least two windows arranged circularly
symmetrically about said center axis, each of said windows being a
portion of said main body recessed into said internal volume; and
at least two columns, a column being arranged between any two
adjacent windows, each of said columns having an outer surface and
two transition surfaces;
24. The container of claim 23 wherein each of said transition
surfaces is rounded.
25. The container of claim 23 wherein both said top section and
said bottom section include said window and column structure.
26. The container of claim 25 wherein said top section has the same
number of windows and columns as said bottom section.
27. The container of claim 26 wherein each of said transition
surfaces on said top section is vertically aligned with a
transition section on said bottom section.
28. The container of claim 27 wherein said at least two windows
comprises between five and eleven windows.
29. The container of claim 28 wherein said at least two windows
comprises between seven and nine windows.
30. The container of claim 29 wherein said at least two windows
comprises exactly eight windows.
31. The container of claim 17 further comprising a cylinder
connected to said rim and including at least one protrusion
positioned so as to allow a lid to be screwed onto said
cylinder.
32. The container of claim 17 wherein said container is generally
barrel-shaped.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/698,534, filed Jul. 12, 2005, the
entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of containers,
particularly to plastic containers with improved crush
resistance.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Containers are ubiquitous for the sale of goods in society.
The sale of many products such as liquids or products provided in
liquid is essentially impossible without containers in which to
transport the products. While the concept of bulk foods (where a
user supplies their own container which is filled from a larger
container) is popular for some items, most items in today's society
are prepackaged in disposable or recycleable containers for sale.
In this way, a consumer can simply grab a single container of
product for easy transport, purchase and storage.
[0006] While the container in which items are sold is often of
relatively little import to the end consumer, the design of a
container can sometimes have an effect on the product that will
influence the consumer due to specific benefits provided by the
container. For a manufacturer, however, performance of the
container under certain conditions allows for the product to be
provided to the consumer easier or less expensively which can have
a dramatic effect on both profitability of the manufacturer and
resultant retail price of the product. Both of these can result in
increases in the manufacturers' profitability and can influence the
consumer in purchasing.
[0007] Modern container filling machines in a wide variety of
industries rely on vacuum filling whereby a container is placed
over a nozzle or spigot which will release the product to be placed
in the container when a sufficient pressure vacuum is obtained
inside the container. Once the vacuum is achieved, the nozzle will
open allowing the material to dispense into the container. This
type of filling provides for safe and secure packaging of product
at the high rate of speed required for modern manufacturing
plants.
[0008] Vacuum filling, however, places significant demands on the
container. In particular, the container will need to maintain its
rigidity throughout the process to insure that the container is
filled correctly, and the resultant product and container has an
attractive appearance to facilitate sale of the product. This has
traditionally been a problem for plastic containers which are more
susceptible to being crushed than glass containers which are
heavier and more rigid. The problem is particularly acute because
plastic containers made to be inexpensive and disposable, which are
usually desirable traits in consumer product packaging, often have
relatively thin and flexible walls.
[0009] A second problem of product containers is their packing and
storage. Once containers are packed with product they are stored
and shipped to the ultimate point of sale. In many cases, this can
require transport over great distance and warehousing for storage.
The product inside the containers will generally weigh
significantly more than the container itself and the products often
need to be stacked for both efficient storage and transport.
[0010] The concern is that many plastic containers lack the
rigidity to support additional filled containers being placed on
top of them. The weight of the upper containers, pressing down from
above on a container, can easily become sufficient that the
container will crush under the weight resulting in deformed, or
worse damaged, product.
[0011] Because of these and other problems in the art, many
products, particularly those which are liquid or have significant
liquid components, are packed and shipped in glass containers.
Glass is a fairly rigid material and can provide both resistance to
deformation during vacuum filling and can provide for significant
load bearing strength due to its thickness and rigidity. While
glass containers are a useful solution, glass containers have some
specific problems. In particular, glass containers are generally
much more breakable than plastic containers are, which can lead to
their being less popular amongst consumers.
[0012] In some cases, a more major problem is that glass containers
are generally significantly heavier than plastic containers of a
similar volume. This additional weight can lead to dramatic
increases in shipping and transport cost for the resultant product.
In particular, a glass container filled with product is often more
difficult to handle due to its weight, and can be more expensive to
transport, particularly over large distances.
SUMMARY
[0013] Because of these and other problems in the art, discussed
herein is a plastic container having improved crush resistance. In
an embodiment, the container serves as a replacement for a glass
container of similar volume and may be able to be used in a
manufacturing process designed to operate on glass containers
without modification to the process. The container preferably
includes two structural devices. The first device is the inclusion
of a window and column design which is principally intended to
increase its load bearing ability. The second device is a series of
circumferential ribs and is principally intended to improve the
containers circumferential strength to inhibit deformation during
vacuum filling.
[0014] There is described herein, among other things, a container
comprising: a main body comprised of plastic, said main body
including a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section
arranged vertically and enclosing an internal volume; a rim through
which material can be placed in said internal volume, said top
section interconnecting said rim and said middle section; and a
base, said bottom section interconnecting said base and said middle
section; wherein said middle section is generally cylindrical about
a center axis; and wherein, at least one of said top section and
said bottom section include a window and column structure
comprising; at least two windows arranged circularly symmetrically
about said center axis, each of said windows being a portion of
said main body recessed into said internal volume; and at least two
columns, a column being arranged between any two adjacent windows,
each of said columns having an outer surface and two transition
surfaces; wherein each of said transition surfaces is rounded.
[0015] In an embodiment of the container, both said top section and
said bottom section include said window and column structure. Both
sections may have the same number of windows and columns and each
of said transition surfaces on said top section may be vertically
aligned with a transition section on said bottom section.
[0016] In an embodiment of the container said at least two windows
comprises between five and eleven windows, between seven and nine
windows or exactly eight windows.
[0017] In an embodiment of the container the middle section further
comprises at least three ribs arranged circumferentially about said
center axis, each of said ribs comprising a groove recessed into
the structure of the middle section. The groove may comprises a
flat bottom surface and two rounded side surfaces. There may be at
least four ribs which may be arranged to form a middle rib
arrangement and a flanking rib arrangement wherein said middle rib
arrangement is symmetrical about a predetermined point, or said
flanking rib arrangement is symmetrical about a different
predetermined point. In such an arrangement, said middle rib
arrangement may comprise four ribs and said flanking rib
arrangement comprises two ribs.
[0018] In an embodiment of the container, it further comprises a
cylinder connected to said rim and including at least one
protrusion positioned so as to allow a lid to be screwed onto said
cylinder. The container may be barrel-shaped.
[0019] There is also described herein, a container comprising: a
main body comprised of plastic, said main body including a top
section, a middle section, and a bottom section arranged vertically
and enclosing an internal volume; a rim through which material can
be placed in said internal volume, said top section interconnecting
said rim and said middle section; and a base, said bottom section
interconnecting said base and said middle section; wherein said
middle section is generally cylindrical about a center axis; and
wherein, said middle section comprises at least three ribs arranged
circumferentially about said center axis, wherein each of said ribs
comprising a groove recessed into the structure of the middle
section; and wherein said groove comprises a flat bottom surface
and two rounded side surfaces.
[0020] In an embodiment of the container, the middle section
further comprises at least four ribs which may be arranged to form
a middle rib arrangement and a flanking rib arrangement wherein
said middle rib arrangement is symmetrical about a predetermined
point, or said flanking rib arrangement is symmetrical about a
different predetermined point. In such an arrangement, said middle
rib arrangement may comprise four ribs and said flanking rib
arrangement comprises two ribs.
[0021] In an embodiment of the container, at least one of said top
section and said bottom section include a window and column
structure comprising; at least two windows arranged circularly
symmetrically about said center axis, each of said windows being a
portion of said main body recessed into said internal volume, and
at least two columns, a column being arranged between any two
adjacent windows, each of said columns having an outer surface and
two transition surfaces. These transition surfaces may be
rounded
[0022] In an embodiment of the container, both said top section and
said bottom section include said window and column structure. Both
sections may have the same number of windows and columns and each
of said transition surfaces on said top section may be vertically
aligned with a transition section on said bottom section.
[0023] In an embodiment of the container said at least two windows
comprises between five and eleven windows, between seven and nine
windows or exactly eight windows.
[0024] In an embodiment of the container, it further comprises a
cylinder connected to said rim and including at least one
protrusion positioned so as to allow a lid to be screwed onto said
cylinder. The container may be barrel-shaped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0025] FIG. 1 Provides a perspective view of an embodiment of a
first embodiment of a container.
[0026] FIG. 2 provides a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 provides a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 4 provides a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of
a container.
[0030] FIG. 6 provides a side view of a number of different
embodiments of containers, arranged by size.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0031] FIGS. 1 through 4 show a first embodiment of a container
(100) designed to provide for improved crush resistance by
including both the above devices. The container (100) in the
depicted embodiment comprises a screw-top jar of generally
barrel-shaped construction. This shape of jar is common in food
service and other industries and is of the type often used for
packaging flowable liquids or products including flowable liquids
such as, but not limited to, pickled vegetables, fruits in syrup,
mayonnaise, or mustard. There is no requirement that the container
(100) be used for food service products and may be used for any
type of product, but food service is a likely industry in which it
would be useful. Additionally, there is no requirement that the
container (100) be a jar having a screw-top lid or generally
barrel-shape, the devices may be used on any container of any shape
and having any sealing attachment. The screw top-lid and
barrel-shape is, however, a popular general design for a variety of
products. The container (100) may be of any size but the devices
are particularly valuable for larger containers such as those with
a volume over 64 fluid oz.
[0032] The container (100) in the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 1
through 4 includes a main body (103) having a generally
barrel-shaped design as discussed above. The design will generally
not have as large of ends as a traditional barrel-shape, but will
still comprise a center cylinder, with ends tapered in to a
resultant circle of decreased diameter. When looking at the
container (100), the main body (103) can be considered to include
three main sections, a top section (105), a middle section (107),
and a bottom section (109). The division into sections is arbitrary
and is done simply for ease of discussion of structures located
generally in such sections. The container (100) will generally be
molded as a single monolithic piece. The top section (105) and
bottom section (109) generally are shaped to smoothly taper from
the middle section (107) toward a circle centered therein. While
this design is generally preferable from a aesthetic point of view,
the top section (105) and bottom section (109) may instead taper
linearly or using any other form of taper in alternative
embodiments.
[0033] The top section (105) will generally connect to the middle
section (107) by an arched ring (157). Another arched ring (179)
may connect between the middle section (107) and the bottom section
(109). These rings will generally curve outward from the container,
but may be only slightly raised from the main surface of the
container.
[0034] At the top of the top section (103) there is located a rim
(501). The rim (501) surrounds an opening (503) into the container
(100) which is generally circular and is generally centered in the
top section. The rim (501) will generally have attached thereto a
hollow low cylinder (507) which includes at least one protrusion
(505) on its outer surface. The protrusion (505) is positioned so
as to allow a lid (not shown) to be screwed onto the low cylinder
(507) to seal the container (100). The low cylinder (507) may also
have a raised ring (509) which can act as a stop or lower seal for
the lid (not shown) when it is screwed into position.
[0035] The top section (105) is generally curved or bent inward
from the middle section (107) providing for a shoulder connecting
the middle section (107) to the rim (501). The top section (105)
includes a plurality of windows (511). The windows (511) comprise
shaped indents which are recessed into the volume of the container
(100). The exact number of windows (511) is variable but the number
is preferably between five and eleven, more preferably between
seven and nine and most preferably exactly eight. The windows (511)
are evenly distributed about the top section (105) so that, as
shown in FIG. 3 the windows (511) are arranged circularly
symmetrically about the center axis (707) of the middle section
(and, therefore, also about the rim (501)).
[0036] The windows (511) are specifically sized and shaped to
provide for improved structural strength to the container (100). In
particular, the windows (511) are arranged so that the outer
surfaces (523) of the columns (521) located between adjacent
windows (511) are generally in the shape of a parallelogram.
Specifically, they are preferably either rectangular or square.
Generally, this will give the windows (511) a slightly trapezoidal
shape. The windows (511) are not openings in the main body (103)
but instead constitute recessed panels (513) where the material of
the container (100) sits back a distance from the main outer
surface of the container (100). Therefore, the top section (105) is
effectively made up of three different levels of material, the
outer surfaces (523) of columns (521) which are generally near the
main surface of the container (100), the recessed panels (513) of
the windows (511) which are pushed "into" the container (100), and
the transition surfaces (533) between a column (521) and the
neighboring window (511). The window (511), column (521), and
transition surfaces (533) arrangement is generally referred to
herein as a window and column structure.
[0037] The columns (521) preferably do not include any extra
material and are not of any significantly greater thickness in
their actual structure than the other portions of the container
(100). In particular, it should be recognized that container (100)
is preferably formed by known plastic molding techniques.
Therefore, the entire surface of the container (100) is of a
relatively uniform thickness. However, by creating the windows
(511), the resulting columns (521) end up having an essentially
three-sided hollow structure with an outer surface (523) formed at
or near the level of the major outer surface of the container (100)
and two transition surfaces (533) arranged to extend into the
volume of the container (100) and connect to the recessed panel
(513) of the window (511).
[0038] The transition surfaces (533) shown in the depicted
embodiment are rounded convexly outward from the outer surface
(523) to the recessed panel (513) so as to produce an arcuate
transition between the column (521) outer surface (523) and the
recessed panel (513). This is by no means necessary, but is
generally preferred for both ease of molding and to provide
additional strength to the columns (521). A curved structure
requires more force to bend across its major surface than a linear
one as is well understood in the art. Therefore, by making the
transition surfaces arcuate, the load bearing of the columns (521),
and therefore the container (100) may be increased.
[0039] It should be recognized that transition surfaces (533) do
not need to be that significant in size. In an embodiment, the
transition surfaces (533) may only be about as wide or deep as the
plastic forming the container (100) is thick. However, virtually
any depth of penetration of the recessed panel (513) may be used
providing for various different widths of transition surface (533).
As should be apparent from the FIGS., the transition surfaces
(533), in this embodiment, surround the recessed panel (513),
however, it is by no means necessary and there can only be
transition surfaces (533) in the vertical direction in an
alternative embodiment.
[0040] In the depicted embodiment, the bottom section (109) is
constructed similarly to the top section (105) also including a
plurality of windows (911) of similar design and forming similar
columns (921) to those of the top section (105). The bottom section
(109) also includes a circular rim (901), but as opposed to the rim
(501) on the top section (105), there is no low cylinder (507).
Instead the rim is connected to a base (907). Generally, the base
(907) will be of greater diameter than the low cylinder (507) and
the base (907) may therefore interact with the bottom section (109)
to create a smaller shoulder. Because of this, the windows (911) on
the lower section (109) will often be smaller than those on the top
section (105), but the principle of the construction of windows
(911) and windows (511) is the same. The base (907) is generally of
hemispherical or other generally rounded construction including
revolved parabolas or hyperbolas extending into the volume of
container (100). Such rounded bases are understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0041] It is preferred, but not required, that the bottom section
(109) have the same number of windows (911) as the top section
(511), and that the windows (911) (and thus the columns (921)) on
the bottom section (109) be vertically aligned with those of the
top section (105). By aligning the columns (521) and (921), force
which is transferred from the column (521), through the middle
section (107), is not transferred to a weaker point in the bottom
section (109), but is instead transferred to a column (921) on the
bottom section (109). The similar is true for force applied from
the bottom of the container (100) due to the container (100)
resting on a surface.
[0042] While applicants are not limited by a proposed manner of
operation, it is believed that the additional load bearing strength
of the container is provided because the transition surfaces (933)
and (533) of both the bottom section (109) and top section (105)
run vertically and linearly relative to the container (100) when
the container (100) is placed on its base. The columns (521) and
(921), therefore generally align to each other to form a roughly
U-shaped elongated support, with the "U" being arranged facing into
the center of the container (100). When a load is applied in a
vertical direction, the load is generally directed downward onto
the support is such a way that the column will only flex by the
legs of the U being bent in a line which require compression of
material in the legs (the transition surfaces (533)). As the legs
necessarily resist such compression, they therefore provide a
significant resistance to such bending.
[0043] This structure essentially serves to provide increased
rigidity to the container (100) during the imposition of a vertical
load. In particular, the columns (521) and (921) provide for
support to prevent collapse of either rim (501) or (901) into the
container (100). When force is exerted in a downward direction on
the rim (511), the force must overcome the bending resistance of
the columns (521) and (921) before it will deform.
[0044] Further, the columns (521) and (921) provide for particular
benefit when a barrel-shaped, or other container (100) where the
top section (105) and/or bottom section (109) is contoured inward
from the middle section (107), is used. In a barrel-shaped design,
when the container (100) is placed on an end and a force is applied
vertically, the force is generally focused on the two rims (501)
and (901) which provide contact points and support the container
(100). Therefore the rims (501) and (901) will often try to depress
into the volume of the container (100) under the force. The
shoulder section will generally not be able to resist this type of
deformation as there is little material to prevent deformation in
that direction.
[0045] With the window device, however, as the top section (105)
approaches the rim (501), the transition surfaces (533) of the
columns become more horizontal, therefore the U is placed in a more
inverted vertical position, preserving the requirement that the
column be bent compressing the legs of the U for crushing to
occur.
[0046] The middle section (107) is designed to be the center
section of the barrel and is generally cylindrical about a center
axis (705). The middle section (107) will serve both as an
attachment point for a label and will provide most of the structure
and volume of the container (100).
[0047] While stacking will generally induce a load in the vertical
direction on the container (100), vacuum filling will instead
generally generate forces trying to push the surfaces of the
container (100) in toward its center. Toward the top section (105)
and bottom section (109) of the container, the sections will
generally be able to resist this type of deformation as the center
of the container (100) is generally in the vertical direction and
the window device will still inhibit collapsing in the vertical
direction of the top section (105) and bottom section (109). The
middle section (107), however, has its surfaces generally
horizontal to the middle of the container (100). Under a vertical
load, the surfaces are generally quite strong as the forces are
vertical requiring compression or sharing of the material of the
middle section (107), however, during vacuum filling, the force is
in a direction whereby the material of the middle section (107) is
easier to deform as it is toward the center of the container
(100).
[0048] The middle section (107) also is the area where the label
for the products in the container (100) is generally applied.
Therefore, any attempt to strengthen it cannot inhibit attachment
of the label. To provide for a label area, the middle section (107)
will generally include an upper label surface (703) and a lower
label surface (705). These label surfaces (703) and (705) are
designed to have the label attached thereto by glue or by other
means as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The label
attachment surfaces (703) and (705) will generally be positioned so
that standard sized labels, as are used in the art, as well as any
specific product labels for products the container (100) is
produced to carry can be attached to the two label attachment
surfaces (703) and (705) by the label's upper and lower edges. In
this way the label is still relatively secure even though only a
portion of it surface area is actually attached to the container
(100).
[0049] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the two label
attachment surfaces ('703) and (705) are positioned on the middle
section (107) towards its lower and upper edges. In particular,
they are located to either vertical side of the middle rib
arrangement (751). In the depicted embodiment, the middle rib
arrangement (751) comprises four ribs (753), (755), (757), and
(759) which will be arranged in the area between the two label
attachment surfaces (703) and (705) and circumferentially about the
center axis (707) of the middle section (107). The container (100)
of the depicted embodiment includes two further ribs (761) and
(763) which are arranged to flank the label attachment surfaces
(703) and (705) and are called the flanking ribs to have six ribs
in total. This number of ribs is preferred, but is not required. In
an alternative embodiment (shown in FIG. 5) the container (1000)
only has three ribs. Depending on embodiment, there will generally
be at least three ribs with generally no more than eight ribs
present.
[0050] Each of the ribs (753), (755), (757), (759), (761), and
(763) regardless of whether it is a flanking rib or a member of the
middle rib arrangement (751) will generally comprise a groove
recessed into the structure of the middle section (107)
circumferentially about the middle section (107). The grooves are
generally shaped so as comprise flat bottom surfaces (771) and
curved or rounded side surfaces (773) often of similar shape to the
transition surfaces (533) on the top section (105) and bottom
section (109). In such an arrangement, the side surfaces (773) may
also be convex from the outer surface of the middle section (107)
to the bottom surface (771) as shown in FIG. 2.
[0051] Generally, the ribs (753), (755), (757), (759), (761), and
(763), will extend a greater distance into the volume of the
container (100) than the windows (511) or (911). The ribs (753),
(755), (751), (759), (761), and (763) are principally intended to
prevent the middle section (107) from collapsing inwardly. This
inward collapse is particularly concerning in the middle section
(107) when a vacuum is created inside the container (100) during
vacuum filing procedures. The design, however, can also provide
improved load bearing from vertical forces by inhibiting the middle
section (107) from collapsing inward and allowing the top and
bottom section to move toward each other when a vertical load is
present.
[0052] The location of the ribs (753), (755), (757), (759), (761),
and (763) is specifically chosen so as to counteract the most
likely points where collapse is to occur. One of ordinary skill in
the art would recognize that the ribs (753), (755), (757), (759),
(761), and (763) will preferably be placed at points where a
container (100) of particular size and shape is known to collapse.
This can be determined empirically by testing for collapse points
on the container (100) through experimental testing. The depicted
embodiment of six ribs in the depicted container (100), however, is
believed to provide a particularly beneficial arrangement
especially when combined with the windows (511) and (911) of the
top segment (105) and bottom segment (109) previously
discussed.
[0053] The arrangement of the ribs (753), (755), (757), (759),
(761), and (763) in the depicted embodiment is generally as follows
the lowermost rib (763) and uppermost rib (761) which together form
the flanking ribs are symmetrical about a predetermined point near
the middle of the middle section (107). Generally, this point will
be approximately centered in the middle section (107) so that each
of the lowermost rib (763) and uppermost rib (761) may be
symmetrical, or close to symmetrical, relative to the middle
section (107).
[0054] The two label attachment surfaces (703) and (705) are then
defined as the area between the upper most rib (761) and the top
rib (753) of the middle rib arrangement (751), and the area above
the lowermost rib (763) and below the bottom rib (759) of the
middle rib arrangement (751).
[0055] The middle rib arrangement (751) comprises a series of ribs
(753), (755), (757), and (759) that are generally located at least
partially behind the label when a label is attached. The ribs
(753), (755), (757), and (759) in the middle rib arrangement (751)
are evenly spaced about their own center point (point of symmetry)
so that each of the ribs is preferably equidistant from each
adjacent rib in the middle rib arrangement (751) as shown in the
FIGS. However, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the middle rib
arrangement (751) may actually be offset from the symmetry of the
flanking ribs (761) and (763), making the resultant structure
asymmetrical. In a preferred embodiment, there is a first symmetry
of arrangement of the two outermost ribs (761) and (763) of the
flanking ribs and the ribs (753), (755), (757), and (759) of the
middle rib arrangement (751) are symmetrical about a different
point. In an alternative embodiment, both sets of ribs may be
symmetrical about the same point.
[0056] In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5, the two flanking
ribs (761) and (763) are eliminated, and the label attachment
sections extend above the top rib (1753) in the middle rib
arrangement (1751), and below the bottom rib (1759) of the middle
rib arrangement (1751). The middle section (1107) also only
includes three ribs (1753), (1755), and (1759). This construction
is not believed to be as strong as the six rib embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 through 4, but may have sufficient strength for some
applications. In this case, there would only be the single symmetry
of the middle rib arrangement (1751). FIG. 6 shows a number of
other embodiments, indicating certain rib arrangements for
different sizes of containers.
[0057] In a yet further alternative embodiment, it should be
recognized that the window and column structure of the container
(100) may be extended through the middle section (107) of the
container (100) and the ribs (753), (755), (757), (759), (761), and
(763) could either be used in addition to this structure or be
eliminated. In this type of arrangement, the windows (511) and
(911) may be interconnected through the middle section (107) to
provide for a long column extending from the top section (105) to
the bottom section (109). Preferably, however, the middle section
(107) will include a number of smaller windows, arranged so as to
preserve the vertical alignment of the transition surfaces (533)
and (933) and of the columns (521) and (921) through the middle
section (107) windows. In this arrangement, the label attachment
surfaces (703) and (705) can comprise areas vertically between the
various groups of windows and placed so that they can accept
standard sized or custom labels as discussed above.
[0058] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with
certain preferred embodiments, this should not be taken as a
limitation to all of the provided details. Modifications and
variations of the described embodiments may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and other
embodiments should be understood to be encompassed in the present
disclosure as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art.
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