U.S. patent application number 11/559752 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for container with multiple surface depressions for enhancing insulative properties.
This patent application is currently assigned to COORS BREWING COMPANY. Invention is credited to Ray Alan Toms.
Application Number | 20080110853 11/559752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39368201 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toms; Ray Alan |
May 15, 2008 |
Container With Multiple Surface Depressions for Enhancing
Insulative Properties
Abstract
A container is provided with multiple surface depressions for
enhancing the insulative properties of the container. The surface
depressions are tightly grouped, and a label placed over the
surface depressions results in a greater surface area of the label
that is suspended over the depressions as compared to a surface
area of the label that is in contact with the exterior surface of
the container. The air gaps or chambers defining the space between
the applied label and the surfaces of the depressions provides an
insulating air barrier to better maintain the beverage in the
container at a desired temperature. The surface depressions may
also be used alone without a label to provide insulative benefits.
The surface depressions may be spaced and sized such that, under
normal grasping conditions, the consumer's hand does not penetrate
the entire depth of the depressions, and an air barrier is still
maintained between the consumer's hand and the exterior surface of
the container.
Inventors: |
Toms; Ray Alan; (Golden,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY, SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Assignee: |
COORS BREWING COMPANY
Golden
CO
|
Family ID: |
39368201 |
Appl. No.: |
11/559752 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/383 ;
62/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/40 20130101; B65D
23/085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/383 ;
62/60 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/02 20060101
B65D090/02 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a neck; a base; a mid-section
interconnecting said neck and said base; a plurality of surface
depressions formed on an outer surface of said container at said
mid-section, said surface depressions being arranged in a plurality
of lateral rows or longitudinal columns, said surface depressions
being arranged to create a plurality of primary gaps between
adjacent surface depressions, one primary gap defined as space
between two laterally adjacent surface depressions and two
longitudinally adjacent depressions, said gap having a height that
is less than a height of said depressions, and said gap having a
length that is less than a length of said depressions.
2. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: adjacent rows of
said plurality of rows are longitudinally offset with respect to
one another.
3. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: adjacent columns of
said plurality of columns are laterally offset with respect to one
another.
4. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of
surface depressions are elliptical shaped.
5. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of
depressions each have a same shape.
6. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: an area of said
outer surface of said mid-section comprises a greater percentage of
depressions as compared to spaces between said surface
depressions.
7. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a surface area of
said mid-section occupied by said surface depressions exceeds a
surface area occupied by said primary gaps.
8. A container, as claimed in claim 1, further including: a label
placed over said surface depressions, wherein an area of said label
in contact with said outer surface of said mid-section is less than
an area of said label not in contact with said outer surface.
9. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each said surface
depression of said plurality of surface depressions are symmetrical
about a line drawn normal to said outer surface of said
container.
10. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: at least one
depression of said plurality of surface depressions has a vertical
cross-sectional shape including a center defining a deepest part of
said depression, and wherein said depression smoothly transitions
in decreasing depth toward side edges of said depression.
11. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: at least one
depression of said plurality of depressions has a horizontal
cross-sectional shape including a center defining a deepest part of
said depression, and wherein said depression smoothly transitions
in decreasing depth toward side edges of said depression.
12. A method of insulating a beverage within a container, said
method comprising the steps of: providing a container having a
neck, a base, and a mid-section interconnecting said neck and said
base; creating a plurality of surface depressions on an outer
surface of said container at said mid-section, said surface
depressions being arranged in a plurality of lateral rows or
longitudinal columns, said surface depressions being arranged to
create a plurality of primary gaps between adjacent surface
depressions, one primary gap defined as space between two laterally
adjacent surface depressions and two longitudinally adjacent
depressions, said gap having a height that is less than a height of
said depressions, and said gap having a length that is less than a
length of said depressions.
13. A method, as claimed in claim 12, further including: applying a
label over said mid-section of said container, when gaps between
said surface depressions and said label form an air barrier to
insulate said beverage.
14. A container comprising: a neck; a base; a mid-section
interconnecting said neck and said base; a plurality of surface
depressions formed on an outer surface of said container at said
midsection, said surface depressions being arranged to create a
plurality of primary gaps between adjacent surface depressions, at
least one primary gap of said plurality of primary gaps defined as
space between two laterally adjacent surface depressions and two
longitudinally adjacent surface depressions, a surface area of said
midsection occupied by said surface depressions exceeding a surface
area occupied by said plurality of primary gaps.
15. A container, as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said plurality of
surface depressions are elliptical shaped.
16. A container, as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said plurality of
depressions each have a same shape.
17. A container, as claimed in claim 14, further including: a label
placed over said surface depressions, wherein an area of said label
in contact with said outer surface of said mid-section is less than
an area of said label not in contact with said outer surface.
18. A container, as claimed in claim 14, wherein: each said surface
depression of said plurality of surface depressions are symmetrical
about a line drawn normal to said outer surface of said
container.
19. a container, as claimed in claim 14, wherein: at least one
depression of said plurality of surface depressions has a vertical
cross-sectional shape including a center defining a deepest part of
said depression, and wherein said depression smoothly transitions
in decreasing depth toward side edges of said depression.
20. A container, as claimed in claim 14, wherein: at least one
depression of said plurality of depressions has a horizontal
cross-sectional shape including a center defining a deepest part of
said depression, and wherein said depression smoothly transitions
in decreasing depth toward side edges of said depression.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage container, and
more particularly to a container with multiple surface depressions
formed on the outer surface thereof for enhancing insulative
properties of the container in keeping the beverage at a desired
temperature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are a great number of glass and plastic containers
that have been used to hold a beverage. Many beverages such as soda
and beer are preferably consumed cold, and are therefore
refrigerated. However, these beverages will not remain at the
desired chilled temperature once removed from refrigeration, since
a number of factors are responsible for heat transfer to the
beverages. Generally, glass bottles and plastic bottles do not
provide adequate insulation for maintaining a beverage at a desired
temperature.
[0003] In a common beverage bottle, the mid-portion is cylindrical
shaped, and an elongated neck extends above the mid-portion. A
consumer typically grabs the container around the mid-portion. The
heat of the consumer's hand is directly transferred by conduction
through the container to the beverage. Since most labels are simply
a very thin sheet of plastic or paper, there is very little
insulative advantage that the label provides. Therefore, the
temperature of the chilled beverage will rise quite rapidly once a
consumer holds the beverage.
[0004] Some simple solutions have been provided for insulating a
container. One solution is to provide an outer sleeve in the form
of a polyurethane foam member which surrounds the base and side
walls of the container. The use of this type of sleeve is not
convenient for the consumer, since the sleeve is not typically sold
with the beverage.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide a container with
inherent insulative capabilities that help to maintain the beverage
at a desired chilled temperature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a container is
provided with surface depressions or concavities formed thereon. A
label placed over the surface of the container at the location of
the depressions results in trapped air serving as an insulative
barrier between a consumer's hand and the container surface.
[0007] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the size and spacing of the surface depressions are
provided so as not to substantially alter the overall shape of the
container, yet the depressions provide an air barrier between the
exterior surface of the container and the applied label, resulting
in greatly improved insulation.
[0008] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the surface depressions are provided without an
overlying label, and the depth and spacing of the depressions is
arranged such that when the consumer grasps the container at the
location of the depressions, there is still some defined gap or
space maintained between the surface of the consumer's hand and the
exterior surface of the container.
[0009] As also discussed below with respect to preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the depressions are
preferably arranged in rows that extend substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the container. Each of the rows is
staggered with respect to one another, and the depressions
preferably have the same size and shape. One preferable shape is an
elliptical shape. The depressions also preferably have a greatest
depth at a central region of the depressions, and the depth of the
depressions gradually decrease toward the edges of the depressions.
The depressions are also preferably angled such that each remains
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
container. Additionally, there are preferably very small spacings
between the depressions such that a great percentage of the
mid-portion of the container is covered with the depressions.
[0010] The size and spacing of the depressions may be adjusted to
accommodate the desired amount of insulation provided, and also to
accommodate the size and type of label to be applied to the
container.
[0011] Generally, it is desirable to maximize the volume of air
that exists between the exterior surface of the bottle and the
label. By maximizing the volume of air, better insulation is
provided. Maximizing this volume can be achieved by minimizing the
surface contact between the label and the bottle. By providing
tightly grouped depressions with little space between the
depressions, along with a nested configuration of the depressions
by an interlocking pattern of elliptical shaped depressions, the
area in contact between the label and surface of the bottle is
minimized.
[0012] If no label is used at the location of the depressions, then
increasing the size of the depressions may not necessarily improve
insulation as depressions of particularly large size may simply
allow the consumer's hand to more completely contact the surface of
the container. Therefore, with respect to containers not having a
label, the depth, size, and spacing of the depressions can be
adjusted to minimize contact with the consumer's hand to improve
insulation. For example, the depth of the depressions may be
increased to improve insulation.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the review of the following drawings, taken in
conjunction with the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a container incorporating the
multiple surface depressions of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1
illustrating the spacing and arrangement of the surface
depressions;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a
container of the present invention incorporating the surface
depressions;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a enlarged vertical cross-section taken along line
4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating the cross-sectional shape of a few of
the surface depressions;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal cross-section taken along
line 5-5 of FIG. 3 illustrating the cross-sectional shape of a few
of the surface depressions; and
[0019] FIG. 6 is another enlarged vertical cross-section of a
second embodiment of the present invention wherein the label is
removed but the surface depressions still provide insulative
benefits.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
container of the present invention is shown having a plurality of
surface depressions formed therein. More specifically, referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 10 is shown in the form of a bottle
having a mouth 12, neck 14, and mid-section 16. A base 18 forms the
bottom portion of the container. The mid-section 16 is defined as
the substantially cylindrical portion of the bottle disposed
between the base 18 and shoulder 19. The depressions 20 are
preferably provided in a geometric pattern. This geometric pattern
can be conceptually viewed in different ways, including surface
depressions 20 formed in a plurality of horizontally extending
rows, the rows being alternately staggered such that the surface
depressions of one row are not disposed directly above or below the
adjacent row. Alternatively, the surface depressions 20 may be
viewed as a plurality of vertically extending columns wherein each
adjacent column is staggered with respect to an adjacent column,
such that each of the depressions are laterally or horizontally
offset with respect to one another.
[0021] As also shown, the surface depressions 20 each have a
similar size and shape, namely, an elliptical shape wherein a long
axis of the ellipse extends horizontally as the container 10 is
illustrated in FIG. 1. However, it shall be understood that it may
be advantageous to provide surface depressions of different sizes
so that the surface depressions 20 do not necessarily align with
one another in rows or columns.
[0022] Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the size and spacing of
the surface depressions 20 results in the formation of a plurality
of primary gaps 24. More specifically, these gaps 24 may be defined
as the space between the facing lateral edges of adjacent
depressions in a row, and the space between the facing longitudinal
edges of depressions in a column. With the arrangement of the
surface depressions as shown, there is a very narrow seam or
corridor 25 that separates the adjacent surface depressions 20.
Each primary gap 24 can be defined as having a height 26 and a
width 28. Preferably, the height 26 of the gap is less than a
height 30 of a surface depression. Also, it is preferable that the
length 28 of the gap be less than a length 32 of a surface
depression. The particular arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 show
that the height 26 of the gap is less than one-half the height 30
of a surface depression, and the length 28 of the gap is
approximately one-half the length 32 of a surface depression. With
the arrangement of the surface depressions as shown, the
mid-section of the container is dominated with the surface
depressions, and the otherwise cylindrical-shaped surface area of
the mid-section is significantly reduced by the depressions.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cross-sectional shapes of
the surface depressions are illustrated as these cross sections are
taken along lines 4-4 and 5-5 of FIG. 3. Referring first to FIG. 4,
it is shown that the surface depressions 20 are substantially
symmetrical about lines L.sub.1, that are drawn normal to the
surface of the container and through the depressions. The deepest
part of the depressions is found at the centers 40 of the
depressions, and the depressions smoothly transition in a
decreasing depth toward the side edges 42 of the depressions. The
gaps 24 are shown as occupying much less overall surface area than
the depressions.
[0024] Referring to the cross-section of FIG. 5, a line L.sub.2
drawn normal to the surface of the container shows that the surface
depressions 20 are also symmetrical about this line, the deepest
portions of the depressions being at the respective centers 40 and
the depressions smoothly decreasing in depth at the edges 42 of the
depressions.
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate a label 44 secured to the
container. When the label 44 is secured to the container, a
plurality of chambers or air gaps 46 are formed between the surface
depressions and the facing surface 48 of the label 44. As shown in
the Figures, the amount of the facing surface 48 in contact with
the exterior surface of the container is significantly less than
the amount or area of the facing surface 48 that is suspended over
the depressions. This large amount of air that is trapped between
the label and the surface of the container provides an effective
insulative air barrier.
[0026] In order to modify the amount of insulative protection for
the container, the depth, size and spacing of the surface
depressions may be adjusted. Generally, reducing the amount of the
facing surface 48 in contact with the exterior surface of the
container increases the insulative benefit. Additionally, generally
increasing the depth of the depressions also increases the
insulative effect of the surface depressions.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention, wherein a label is not used. The fingers of a consumer's
hand H are shown in contact with the exterior surface of the
container. As shown, the surface depressions 20 are sized such that
under normal grasping by the consumer, the consumer's hand does not
penetrate the entire depth of the surface depression, thereby still
maintaining some chamber or air gap 46. By adjusting the depth of
the surface depressions, this air gap may be maintained. Of course,
if a consumer tightly grips the container in an unusual manner, it
may be possible to completely eliminate the air gap 46.
Nonetheless, under normal grasping conditions, even without a
label, the configuration of the surface of the container in this
embodiment provides insulative benefits. In this embodiment, the
label could be applied on the shoulder 19 or the neck 14. Thus, the
container could still be properly labeled. Additionally, there may
be some aesthetic benefit to leaving the surface depressions
exposed for viewing, to include special visual effects that may be
achieved by light that is refracted through the container and
through the various curved surfaces formed by the surface
depressions.
[0028] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrates elliptical shaped depressions, it should also be
understood that a number of other shapes could be provided for the
surface depressions. For example, circular shaped depressions allow
a similar arrangement of the depressions wherein a primary gap can
be formed that has a size that is less than a height and width of a
circular shaped depression. Additionally, different sized but
similar shaped depressions may be formed to adjust the area or size
of the primary gaps between the depressions.
[0029] Additionally, it shall be understood that the present
invention can be incorporated in containers made of a number of
different materials including, without limitation, glass, plastic,
and alumimim. The surface depressions may be formed in these
different types of materials in known manufacturing processes. For
glass and plastic, conventional blow molding techniques can be used
to create the desired pattern of surface depressions. For aluminum,
known ironing and bending techniques can be used to create the
desired pattern of surface depressions. Further, the particular
shape of the container illustrated in the preferred embodiment is
intended to cover other shaped containers that may traditionally
hold a beverage. For example, cylindrical shaped containers such as
aluminum cans are also contemplated in the present invention as
well as other shaped plastic and glass containers.
[0030] There are a number of benefits to the surface depressions
formed on the container of the present invention. The surface
depressions enhance insulative capability for the container, which
does not change the basic shape of the container, and allows use of
a standard sized bottle. Tightly grouped surface depressions
provide an integral insulative benefit for the container, and a
separate device is not required for maintaining the temperature of
the beverage.
[0031] While the foregoing invention has been described with
respect to various preferred embodiments, it shall be understood
that various other changes and modifications to the invention may
be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, in accordance
with the scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *