U.S. patent application number 11/502234 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for multiple-container packages.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graham Packaging Company, L.P.. Invention is credited to Keith Eshback, Robert P. Grant, Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, David P. Piccioli, Nicholas T. Stavropoulos, Qiuchen Peter Zhang.
Application Number | 20080035636 11/502234 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39049641 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080035636 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grant; Robert P. ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
Multiple-container packages
Abstract
Disclosed herein are hot-fill containers that can be packaged as
a multiple-container package. The hot-fill container comprises at
least three sidewalls, where at least one of the sidewalls contains
a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls is
free of the vacuum panel. When two or more hot-fill containers are
packaged together in a multi-pack, the sidewall containing the
vacuum panel of one container contacts that of at least one other
container so as to conceal each vacuum panel.
Inventors: |
Grant; Robert P.;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; Zhang; Qiuchen Peter;
(Alphareta, GA) ; Piccioli; David P.; (Auburn,
NH) ; Eshback; Keith; (Wilton, NH) ;
Krishnakumar; Suppayan M.; (Nashua, NH) ;
Stavropoulos; Nicholas T.; (Manchester, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RISSMAN JOBSE HENDRICKS & OLIVERIO, LLP
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 2101
BOSTON
MA
02114
US
|
Assignee: |
Graham Packaging Company,
L.P.
York
PA
|
Family ID: |
39049641 |
Appl. No.: |
11/502234 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 79/005 20130101;
B65D 81/3288 20130101; B65D 21/0201 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.4 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A multi-container package comprising: at least two plastic
hot-fill containers, each container comprising at least three
sidewalls, at least one of the sidewalls containing a deformable
vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls being free of the
vacuum panel; wherein the sidewall containing the vacuum panel of
one container contacts a sidewall of at least one other container
so as to conceal each vacuum panel of each container.
2. The multi-container package of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall containing the vacuum panel is substantially planar.
3. The multi-container package of claim 1, wherein a collective
footprint of the at least two containers is a substantially
geometric figure.
4. The multi-container package of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a curved surface.
5. The multi-container package of claim 4, wherein a collective
footprint of the at least two containers is substantially
circular.
6. The multi-container package of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a substantially planar
surface.
7. The multi-container package of claim 6, wherein a collective
footprint of the at least two containers is substantially square or
rectangular.
8. The multi-container package of claim 1, wherein each container
is a polyethylene terephthalate beverage container.
9. A plastic hot-fill container with three sidewalls, at least one
of the sidewalls containing a deformable vacuum panel, and at least
one of the sidewalls being free of the vacuum panel.
10. The hot-fill container of claim 9, wherein the at least one
sidewall containing the vacuum panel is substantially planar.
11. The hot-fill container of claim 9, wherein the at least one
sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a curved surface.
12. The hot-fill container of claim 9, wherein the at least one
sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a smooth surface.
13. The hot-fill container of claim 9, wherein the at least one
sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a ribbed surface.
14. The hot-fill container of claim 9, wherein the container
comprises at least one material chosen from polyesters,
polyolefins, polycarbonates, nitrites, and copolymers and blends
thereof.
15. The hot-fill container of claim 9, wherein the container is a
polyethylene terephthalate beverage container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to plastic hot-fill
containers, such as those that can be packaged as multiple
containers in a single package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many products are sold as a single package having multiple
containers, also known as "multi-packs." Commercially,
multiple-container packages can save storage space due to a smaller
footprint area. Such packages may be ideal for consumers who use
large amounts of a certain product. Alternatively, consumer may
find it desirable to buy two or more related products in one
package. The multi-pack can contain individual containers of the
same product, or different products, e.g., different juice or soup
flavors.
[0003] Although multi-packs are known in the prior art, hot-fill
containers having deformable vacuum panels may present undesirable
features when packaged as a multi-pack. Because of the recessed
nature of vacuum panels, container labels may not adhere as well
compared to a smooth surface. Additionally, consumers may find a
vacuum panel unsightly. Vacuum panels are often found in
cylindrical type packages, which may not necessarily save storage
space when sold as a multiple package.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for new types of containers
that can be packaged as a multiple-pack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The containers described herein can be useful for packaging
as multiple-container packages, e.g., a "multi-pack."
[0006] Accordingly, one embodiment provides a multi-container
package comprising at least two plastic hot-fill containers. Each
container comprises at least three sidewalls, where at least one of
the sidewalls contains a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one
of the sidewalls is free of the vacuum panel. The sidewall
containing the vacuum panel of one container contacts a sidewall of
at least one other container so as to conceal each vacuum panel of
each container.
[0007] Another embodiment provides a plastic hot-fill container
with three sidewalls. At least one of the sidewalls contains a
deformable vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls is free
of the vacuum panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Various embodiments of the invention will be understood from
the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a container having two
substantially planar sidewalls and one curved sidewall;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a container having two
substantially planar sidewalls and two different curved
sidewalls;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a multi-pack containing four
containers of the type shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a multi-pack containing three
containers of the type shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a multi-pack containing two
containers of the type shown in FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a multi-pack containing six
containers of the type shown in FIG. 3; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a multi-pack containing four
containers, each container having a substantially planar
sidewall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The present invention is directed to plastic containers that
can be fitted to form multi-container packages. One embodiment
disclosed herein provides a container with three or more sidewalls,
wherein at least one sidewall contains a deformable vacuum panel
and at least one sidewall is free of the deformable vacuum panel.
In one embodiment, this container is useful in packaging, such as
in a multi-pack, to hide the vacuum panels from the consumer while
displaying the side free of the vacuum panel. Additionally, having
a side without a vacuum panel allows a manufacturer to design the
side for a desired use, e.g., as a relatively smooth surface for
affixing a label, or as a ribbed surface for gripping the container
sidewall, etc. In some instances, the multi-pack may occupy a
smaller space than a similar number of individual containers,
permitting greater storage efficiency.
[0018] A "hot-fill container" is well known in the art as a plastic
container that is adapted to be filled with a product (e.g., food
or beverage), which has been heated to an elevated temperature to
allow adequate sterilization. In one embodiment, the hot-fill
container can withstand product temperatures of at least
160.degree. F., such as a temperature ranging from 160.degree. F.
to 200.degree. F., and often positive internal pressures of at
least 2 psi, e.g. pressures ranging from 2 to 5 psi. In another
embodiment, the product is filled at a temperature ranging from
176.degree. F. to 185.degree. F.
[0019] After being hot-filled, the container is sealed with the
contents still at or near the filling temperature. The subsequent
cooling of the product and the head space gases cause volume
contractions that can induce a partial internal vacuum within the
container. This partial vacuum in turn creates a net inward force
on the container sidewall which may cause the latter to buckle or
collapse.
[0020] Certain plastic containers, such as biaxially-oriented
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles have been
designed to receive a hot-fill product with a minimum of thermal
shrinkage and distortion. An exemplary bottle is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,863,046 entitled "Hot Fill Container," to Collette et
al. and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. The Collette et al. container is provided with a
plurality of recessed vacuum panels in the middle panel section of
the container; these vacuum panels move inwardly during cooling of
the product to reduce the magnitude of the vacuum generated in the
filled and capped container and prevent any large uncontrolled
shape distortion. Longitudinal (vertical) recessed ribs may be
provided in the post areas and raised wall portions of the panels
to increase the longitudinal stiffness of the panel section.
[0021] The design of the vacuum panels may vary as appreciated by
one of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary designs are disclosed
in: 1) U.S. Design Pat. 315,869, "Container Body For Liquids Or The
Like," to Collette; 2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,889, "Modular Mold," to
Collette et al.; 3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,475, "Reinforced and
Paneled Hot Fill Container," to Krishnakumar et al.; 4) U.S. Pat.
No. 5,178,289, "Panel Design For A Hot-Fillable Container," 1993 to
Krishnakumar et al.; 5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,834, "Squeezable
Container Resistant To Denting," to Krishnakumar et al.; 6) U.S.
Pat. No. 5,472,105, "Hot-Fillable Plastic Container with End Grip,"
to Krishnakumar; and 7) U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,503, "Hot-Fillable
Plastic Container with Tall and Slender Panel Section," to
Krishnakumar, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
[0022] Many prior art containers having vacuum panels possess a
rounded, cylindrical shape. The present invention, in contrast,
provides a container having three or more sidewalls, i.e.,
featuring at least three side faces. For example, a cylindrical
sidewall presents only one face. It can be readily appreciated that
the container can have more than three sidewalls, e.g., four, five,
six, etc. side faces. The container can have multiple sidewalls all
of substantially the same type, such as in the four-sided container
of FIG. 8 where all of the sides are substantially planar.
Alternatively, the container can have different side types, e.g.,
at least one side being curved or rounded and at least one side
being substantially flat, e.g., the container of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a top-plan view of one embodiment of a container
in accordance with the invention. Container 10 has three sidewalls
affording a general pie-shaped outline. One sidewall 12 features a
curved profile while the remaining two sidewalls 14 have a
substantially flat or planar profile. Container 10 further
comprises curved portions 15 that join two adjacent sidewalls. One
of ordinary skill in the art can readily appreciate that curved
portion 15 has a different curved geometry or tighter arc than
curved sidewall 12. For example, curved portion 15 has a tighter
arc (or non-arc shape) compared to curved sidewall 12, and can join
two sidewalls at a substantially 90.degree., 60.degree. etc., or
other angle as desired. Container 10 also has an upper reduced
diameter neck forming a mouth (opening) 16 at its top. The neck may
have exterior threads or other features for engaging a closure
(e.g., a cap). FIG. 1 depicts mouth 16 at the midpoint of the
container, although the position of opening 16 need not necessarily
reside at the center of the top plan profile.
[0024] In one embodiment, the sidewall containing at least one
vacuum panel is substantially planar. A "substantially flat or
planar sidewall," such as sidewall 14, containing a deformable
vacuum panel would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art as having a generally planar face while not being completely
flat since the vacuum panel offers deformations in the form of,
e.g., recesses and ribs. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a
substantially planar or flat sidewall is determined by a top plan
view of the sidewall, such as the view of FIG. 1. For example, at
least one sidewall 14 of container 10 in FIG. 1 contains a vacuum
panel, but a top plan view of sidewall 14 of the vacuum panel does
not reveal the deformed outline of the vacuum panel.
[0025] In FIG. 1, the container maintains a similar shape
throughout much of its vertical dimension (except for the area
around the neck) and thus, the top plan view of FIG. 1 also defines
the outline of the sidewall. Other bottles, however, can have a top
plan view that does not correspond with the sidewall outline. For
example, the container in FIG. 2 may have an upper shoulder of a
larger diameter or width compared to that of the sidewall, such
that a top plan view would overshadow the sidewall profile of the
container. In this instance, the flatness of sidewall 14 can be
determined by a top plan view of the sidewall only, thereby
eliminating the dominating profile of the shoulder 28.
[0026] The container can be made from any material used for forming
plastic containers, such as polyesters (e.g., phthalic acid
polyesters), polyolefins, polycarbonates, nitrites, and copolymers
and blends thereof. Exemplary materials include polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN).
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of container 10 corresponding
to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows one substantially flat or planar sidewall
14 and one adjacent curved sidewall 12 (the second flat sidewall 14
is not shown). The sidewalls 12 and 14 extend upward to shoulder 28
and to mouth 16. Sidewalls 12 and 14 are joined to each other by a
curved portion 15. At least one vacuum panel 20 is positioned on
flat sidewall 14. Optionally, vacuum panel 20 can be sandwiched by
supporting ribs 22 to lend structural support while the vacuum
panel 20 is drawn inwards during the cooling process.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of another embodiment of a
container in accordance with the invention. Container 40 has an
upper reduced diameter neck for forming mouth 46 at its top as well
as four sidewalls: one relatively wide curved sidewall 42 between
two opposing substantially planar sidewalls 44a and 44b, and a
second relatively narrow curved sidewall 48 opposing curved
sidewall 42. At least one substantially planar sidewall 44 contains
a deformable vacuum panel. Although container 40 of FIG. 3 provides
two different types of curved sidewalls 42 and 48, alternatively,
container 40 can have two curved sidewalls with the same arc, or
two different types of substantially planar sidewalls 44a and 44b,
e.g., differing in length. Opposing sidewalls 44a and 44b can face
each other at an angle, as depicted in FIG. 3, or can be parallel
with each other. Substantially planar sidewalls 44a and 44b are
joined to curved sidewalls 42 and 48 through curved portions
45.
[0029] Other components can be formed in the substantially planar
sidewalls, or in the curved or rounded sidewalls, such as recesses
or beads to provide gripping portions, structural support (e.g.,
adding stiffness and/or rigidity), and/or aesthetic features and
designs such as handles.
[0030] In one embodiment, the hot-fill container described herein
can be packaged as a multi-container package comprising at least
two hot-fill containers, where each container comprises at least
three sidewalls as disclosed herein, i.e., at least one sidewall
contains a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one sidewall is
free of the vacuum panel. It is desirable that the outside of the
package displays only the sidewalls free of the vacuum panels so
that the vacuum panels are not visible to the consumer. This can be
achieved, in one embodiment, by contacting each sidewall containing
the vacuum panel of one container with a sidewall of at least one
other container so as to conceal each vacuum panel of each
container in the package.
[0031] A "multi-container package" or "multi-pack" as used herein
refers to a package formed by joining at least two containers
together, where at least a portion of the outer wall of the
multi-pack is formed from at least a portion of the individual
container sidewalls. The multi-packs described herein are
distinguished from other packages of multiple containers where the
packaging comprises a box or bag that holds multiple containers;
there, the outside of the package is not formed from the walls of
the individual containers but rather the walls of the box or bag
itself. The containers of the multi-packs disclosed herein can
adhere to each other by any means known in the art, e.g., plastic
ties, adhesives (e.g., tape, glue), wrap-around plastic liner or
labels that encircle the periphery of the multi-pack (e.g., shrink
wrap liners or labels), a tray, or any other means that expose the
walls of the individual containers, and combinations thereof.
[0032] In one embodiment, the collective footprint of the
containers (the surface area covered by all of the containers) of
the multi-pack is a substantially geometric figure, e.g., a
triangle, a quadrilateral (square, rectangle, diamond, trapezoid),
a regular polygon (pentagon, hexagon, etc.), a circle, an ellipse,
etc. The geometric shape may be interrupted at certain points but
the overall footprint is generally that of a geometric figure.
[0033] FIGS. 4 and 5 show possible configurations of a multiple
container package using containers of the type shown in FIG. 1.
Multi-pack 50 comprises four containers 10 where the two
substantially planar sidewalls 14 of one container each contact a
substantially planar sidewall of two other containers 10. The
resulting multi-pack 50 has a substantially circular collective
footprint, where the substantially circular shape arises from the
sidewalls 12 of each container, which form the periphery of the
multi-pack 50. Recesses 18 may occasionally interrupt the circular
footprint due to the rounded shape of container 10, yet the
geometry of multi-pack 50 is clearly substantially circular.
Because of this arrangement, the multi-pack only exposes sidewalls
12 and conceals sidewalls 14 from view, and thus, conceals all of
the vacuum panels from view. Sidewalls 12 can have a substantially
smooth surface for adhering container labels, which are viewable.
Optionally, sidewalls 12 can have ribbed features for gripping the
multi-pack 50. Alternatively, the container can be fitted with a
handle.
[0034] Depending on the dimensions of sidewalls 12 and 14, the
multi-pack can comprise three containers 10, such as multi-pack 60
of FIG. 5. The sidewalls 14 contact each other in a manner similar
to FIG. 4, with the curved sidewalls 12 provided on the outside
periphery of the multi-pack. Again, multi-pack 60 provides a
substantially circular footprint.
[0035] The container 40 of FIG. 3 can form various multi-pack
shapes by virtue of having two different curved sidewalls 42 and
48, and two substantially planar sidewalls 44a and 44b. FIG. 6
shows multi-pack 70 containing two such containers 40. In this
two-container arrangement, each container 40 can only have one
vacuum panel (e.g., residing along sidewall 44a) since only one
sidewall can be concealed by the only other container in the
two-container pack. Planar sidewall 44b, and curved portions 42 and
48 are free of a vacuum panel, and labels or other features can be
placed on any of these surfaces.
[0036] Alternatively, additional containers 40 can be added to the
multi-pack along sidewalls 44a and 44b to form multi-packs of three
or more containers. FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a
multi-pack 80 formed from six containers 40 of the type shown in
FIG. 3. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate
that the sidewall dimensions of container 40 can be adjusted to fit
a desired number of containers in the multi-pack. In contrast to
the two-container multi-pack 70 of FIG. 6, each container 40 of
FIG. 7 can have vacuum panels in both sidewalls 44a and 44b, since
each sidewall 44a and 44b contacts a like sidewall of two adjacent
containers. The wider curved sidewalls 42 form the outer edge of
multi-pack 80 compared to the narrower sidewalls 48. Because
sidewall 48 remains on an inner portion of the multi-pack 80 that
is not visible, sidewall 48 can optionally contain a deformable
vacuum panel. Thus, FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment where a vacuum
panel need not always reside along a planar sidewall.
[0037] The containers disclosed herein do not necessarily require a
curved sidewall. FIG. 8 shows multi-pack 100 formed from four
containers 90, each container 90 comprising four substantially
planar sidewalls 92a, 92b, 94a, and 94b (joined by narrower arcuate
portions or corners 95). Abutting sidewalls 94a and 94b are
contacted with similar sidewalls of two other containers. One or
both of sidewalls 94a and 94b may contain a vacuum panel, while
abutting sidewalls 92a and 92b are free of vacuum panels and thus
remain on the outside of multi-pack 100. Although FIG. 8 shows a
multi-pack having a substantially square footprint, opposing
sidewalls 92a and 94a can have differing lengths than opposing
sidewalls 92b and 94b, thus forming a rectangular container that
can form a multi-pack with a rectangular footprint. Alternatively,
container 90 can be packaged with more than four containers to form
square, rectangular, or linear multi-packs (any of which can be
formed with square or rectangular containers 90). Sidewalls free of
the vacuum panels can contact other sidewalls whether or not they
contain a vacuum panel, so long as the sidewalls forming the
periphery of the multi-pack are free of the vacuum panels.
[0038] The multi-packs described thus far combine containers having
a substantially flat base and exposed mouth on top. It can be
readily appreciated, however, that the multi-packs can be formed
from other container types where the container sits on the mouth
(fitted with a closure) to expose the base on top. The container
shapes and resulting multi-packs described herein would equally
apply to such containers.
[0039] In one embodiment, the multi-packs are identical in
configuration, i.e., each container has the same dimensions. Each
container can have the same or different colors, and can be capped
with the same or different closures. Each container may be
individually labeled or the entire multi-pack can have a single
label that is applied to the exposed container sidewalls. The
multi-packs can be prepared by joining the individual containers
prior to or after filling the containers with the hot product.
[0040] A number of modifications and variations will readily
suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view
of the foregoing description. Directional words such as top,
bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, lateral,
longitudinal and the like are employed by way of description and
not limitation. The invention is intended to embrace all
modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *