U.S. patent application number 12/003587 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for plastic bottle.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Coca-Cola Company. Invention is credited to Kenshi Matsuoka.
Application Number | 20090166314 12/003587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40796844 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090166314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsuoka; Kenshi |
July 2, 2009 |
Plastic bottle
Abstract
A plastic bottle is provided with a constricted portion and a
non-constricted portion contiguous above and below with the
constricted portion. One of the constricted portion or the
non-constricted portion has a substantially polygonal
cross-sectional shape, and the other one of the constricted portion
or the non-constricted portion has a circular cross-sectional
shape.
Inventors: |
Matsuoka; Kenshi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Assignee: |
The Coca-Cola Company
|
Family ID: |
40796844 |
Appl. No.: |
12/003587 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2501/0036 20130101;
B65D 1/0223 20130101; B65D 23/102 20130101; B65D 1/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/384 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/02 20060101
B65D090/02 |
Claims
1. A plastic bottle, comprising: a barrel portion having a
constricted portion and a non-constricted portion contiguous above
and below with the constricted portion, wherein one of the
constricted portion or the non-constricted portion has a
substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape, and the other one of
the constricted portion or the non-constricted portion has a
circular cross-sectional shape.
2. The plastic bottle of claim 1, wherein the constricted portion
has a substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape, and the
non-constricted portion has a circular cross-sectional shape.
3. The plastic bottle of claim 2, wherein the constricted portion
has a concave circumferential rib at a vertical center position
thereof.
4. The plastic bottle of claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape
of the circumferential rib is circular.
5. The plastic bottle of claim 3, wherein the constricted portion
includes an upper polygonal surface above the circumferential rib
and a lower polygonal surface below the circumferential rib;
wherein the upper polygonal surface and the lower polygonal surface
are formed in mutual vertical symmetry centered on the
circumferential rib; and wherein the upper polygonal surface and
the lower polygonal surface respectively have substantially
polygonal cross-sectional shapes, and are inclined on an inner side
of the barrel portion toward the circumferential rib.
6. The plastic bottle of claim 5, wherein the upper polygonal
surface and the lower polygonal surface both include first and
second surfaces alternately repeating in the circumferential
direction, wherein the first surfaces incline toward the inside of
the barrel portion at an angle different from that of the second
surfaces.
7. The plastic bottle of claim 5, wherein the upper polygonal
surface and the lower polygonal surface respectively connect to the
upper edge and lower edge of the circumferential rib by gradually
changing surfaces.
8. The plastic bottle of claim 5, wherein the upper polygonal
surface and the lower polygonal surface respectively have
circumferential ribs.
9. The plastic bottle of claim 2, wherein the constricted portion
includes: a deepest portion that is most constricted; an upper
polygonal surface; and a lower polygonal surface, wherein the upper
polygonal surface and the lower polygonal surface are formed in
mutual vertical symmetry centered on the deepest portion, and
wherein the upper polygonal surface and the lower polygonal surface
respectively have substantially polygonal cross-sectional shapes,
and are inclined on an inner side of the barrel portion toward the
deepest portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a plastic bottle for
storing a liquid, such as a beverage or the like, and, in
particular, relates to a plastic bottle that is easy to hold and
minimizes the amount of resin used.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A large number of plastic bottles typified by PET bottles
are sold as containers for filling with beverages. For example,
JP2007-76717 discloses an example of a 500 ml bottle with improved
ease of holding. In this bottle, a constricted portion is formed by
constriction toward the center of a barrel portion, resulting in a
shape that is easy for a consumer to hold, centered on this
constricted portion. In order to maintain strength, a rib is
arranged in the constricted portion.
[0003] Also, JP2005-247393 discloses a large 2 L size bottle. In
this bottle, a barrel portion is formed with a rectangular
cross-sectional shape, and a waist portion is formed at the
vertical center portion of the barrel portion. This bottle also
includes a concave finger insertion portion, which shares part of
the waist portion.
[0004] Attempts have been made to improve bottle strength by adding
liquid nitrogen prior to capping in order to place the interior of
the bottle under a positive pressure. JP2006-137463 discloses an
example of such a method.
[0005] Recently the reduction of bottle weight has advanced with
the growing awareness of environmental problems. Disadvantages of
reducing bottle weight by reducing wall thickness have included an
overall reduction in bottle strength, such that bottles could not
stand up to distribution, and could become extremely difficult for
consumers to hold. The positive pressure used in JP2006-137463 may
provide strength for distribution but, because the interior of the
bottle returns to normal pressure after the cap is opened, the
strength may be greatly reduced when the bottle is opened and
holding the bottle may result in squeezing that could cause the
contents to overflow out of the bottle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a
plastic bottle capable of assuring ease of holding and strength
even when the bottle is reduced in weight, not only when the cap is
closed, but also after opening.
[0007] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a plastic
bottle includes a constricted portion and a non-constricted portion
contiguous above and below with the constricted portion. One of the
constricted portion or the non-constricted portion has a
substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape, and the other one of
the constricted portion or the non-constricted portion has a
circular cross-sectional shape.
[0008] The bottle, as compared to barrel portion with a cylindrical
cross-sectional shape, is configured to have improved lateral and
vertical strength in the barrel portion for a bottle having reduced
weight. By furnishing the barrel portion with a part having a
substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape, ease of holding the
barrel portion can be improved, which may, for example, enhance the
ease with which the cap may be opened and closed.
[0009] The constricted portion may have a substantially polygonal
cross-sectional shape, and the non-constricted portion may have a
circular cross-sectional shape. This may facilitate engaging a
finger on the constricted portion, thereby improving the ease of
holding of the constricted portion, which may, for example, improve
the ease with which the cap may be opened. Moreover, an advantage
of the non-constricted portion having a circular cross-sectional
shape is that it may facilitate handling in the manufacturing
process. Strength of the constricted portion can also be assured
even in bottles in which the basic cross-sectional shape of the
barrel portion is circular.
[0010] In some embodiments, the constricted portion may have a
concave circumferential rib in a position at the vertical center of
the constricted portion. This may permit a significant increase in
the strength of the constricted portion by combining the
substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape and the
circumferential rib.
[0011] In addition, the circumferential rib may have a circular
cross-sectional shape. This may result in a cross-sectional shape
which, in order starting from the vertical center of the
constricted portion, is circular, substantially polygonal then
circular, thereby greatly improving the strength of the constricted
portion and the barrel portion.
[0012] The constricted portion may have an upper polygonal surface
above the circumferential rib and a lower polygonal surface below
the circumferential rib. The upper polygonal surface and the lower
polygonal surface may be formed in mutual vertical symmetry
centered on the circumferential rib. The upper polygonal surface
and lower polygonal surface respectively have approximately
polygonal cross-sectional shapes, and are inclined toward the
circumferential rib on the inside of the barrel portion. This may
permit the alleviation of stress concentration between the upper
polygonal surface and lower polygonal surface and the
circumferential rib.
[0013] In some embodiments, the upper polygonal surface and the
lower polygonal surface may include first and second surfaces
repeating and alternating in the circumferential direction, wherein
the first surfaces incline toward the inside of the barrel portion
at an angle different from that of the second surfaces. This may
improve the strength of the upper polygonal surface and the lower
polygonal surface.
[0014] In some embodiments, the upper polygonal surface and the
lower polygonal surface may respectively connect to the upper edge
and lower edge of the circumferential rib by a gradually changing
surface. This permits a smooth connection between the polygonal
cross-sectional shape and the circular cross-sectional shape.
[0015] The upper polygonal surface and the lower polygonal surface
may respectively have concave circumferential ribs. This may result
in further strengthening of the upper polygonal surface and the
lower polygonal surface. The cross-sectional shape of this
circumferential rib may be circular.
[0016] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the upper
polygonal surface and the lower polygonal surface may be in the
shape of a dodecagon.
[0017] In some embodiments, the constricted portion comprises a
deepest portion that is most constricted, an upper polygonal
surface, and a lower polygonal surface. The upper polygonal surface
and the lower polygonal surface may be formed in mutual vertical
symmetry centered on the deepest portion. The upper polygonal
surface and the lower polygonal surface may respectively have an
approximately polygonal cross-sectional shape and may be inclined
toward the deepest portion at the inside of the barrel portion.
[0018] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part
will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will
be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be
understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of a plastic bottle according to a
first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the plastic bottle in FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an expansion of the
constricted portion of the plastic bottle in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic bottle in
FIG. 1, taken at line IV-IV in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic bottle in
FIG. 1, taken at line V-V in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic bottle in
FIG. 1, taken at line VI-VI in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the plastic
bottle in FIG. 1, taken at line VII-VII in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the plastic
bottle in FIG. 2, taken at line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a plastic bottle according to a
second embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the plastic bottle in FIG.
9;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the plastic
bottle in FIG. 9, taken at line XI-XI in FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the plastic
bottle in FIG. 9, taken at line XII-XII in FIG. 9; and
[0031] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic bottle in
FIG. 9, taken at line XIII-XIII in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary Embodiments
[0032] The discussion below, refers to the attached Figures, and
describes plastic bottles according to exemplary disclosed
embodiments.
Exemplary Embodiment 1
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plastic bottle 1 is formed by a
stretch forming method such as biaxial stretch blow molding, using
a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or
polyethylene terephthalate as a primary material. An exemplary
version of bottle 1 may have a weight of approximately 18g, a
height of approximately 200 mm, and a fully filled capacity of
approximately 570 ml.
[0034] Bottle 1 may be washed and sterilized after molding, then
filled with a beverage. Exemplary beverages that may be contained
in bottle 1 include water, green tea, oolong tea, juice, and other
non-carbonated beverages. In general, the internal pressure in the
bottle is negative with non-carbonated beverages, making bottle
strength weak. To provide strength, concave rib(s) may be formed on
the disclosed bottle. For example, in embodiment 1, bottle 1 may
have concave ribs 11-18 described below and may, therefore, be
appropriate for filling with a non-carbonated beverage. In some
cases, however, the liquid filled into bottle 1 may also be a
carbonated beverage (e.g., soft drinks) or a food product such as
sauce or the like.
[0035] The following are definitions of some of the terms used
herein. Top and bottom (and up and down) are defined using FIG. 1,
with the top of the page on which FIG. 1 is printed being "up" and
the bottom of the page being "down." The vertical direction means
the direction along a center axis Y-Y of bottle 1. Height means the
length along center axis Y-Y. Cross-sectional shape means the
sectional shape of the bottle 1 in a plane (cross-section plane)
perpendicular to center axis Y-Y. Circumferential direction means
the direction along the profile of the cross-sectional shape.
Radial direction means the direction extending radially from any
point on center axis Y-Y in a direction perpendicular to center
axis Y-Y.
[0036] In order starting from the top of center axis Y-Y, bottle 1
has a mouth portion 2, a shoulder portion 3, a barrel portion 4,
and a bottom portion 5. These parts (2, 3, 4, and 5) may be
integrally formed and constitute the walls of a bottle for storing
a beverage therein. The center of gravity of bottle 1, when holding
a drink in a filled state, may be located at center axis Y-Y.
[0037] Mouth portion 2 may be open at the top end and function as a
pour spout for drinks. The opening of mouth portion 2 may be opened
and closed using a cap (not shown). Shoulder portion 3 may have a
circular cross-sectional shape, which gradually expands from the
top to the bottom of shoulder portion 3. The bottom edge of
shoulder portion 3 may be connected to a concave rib 11. Bottom
portion 5 may be formed by a bottom wall 21 and a perimeter wall
22. Perimeter wall 22 may be a cylindrical part which stands
upright so as to open upward from the perimeter of bottom wall 21.
The top edge of perimeter wall 22 may be connected to a concave rib
18.
[0038] Barrel portion 4 may extend vertically between shoulder
portion 3 and bottom portion 5. Barrel portion 4 may comprise a
constricted portion 41 and non-constricted portions 42 and 43
connected to the top and bottom of constricted portion 41.
Constricted portion 41 may be a section of barrel portion 4 that is
constricted, and may be positioned slightly below the vertical
center portion of bottle 1. Constricted portion 41 may be
positioned slightly below the center of gravity of bottle 1 when
filled with a beverage. This may permit easy tilting and stable
handling of bottle 1 when a consumer drinks a beverage by holding
the constricted portion 41. Constricted portion 41, given its
shape, may also be referred to as the "waist" portion.
[0039] Non-constricted portions 42 and 43 may be cylindrical
sections with a circular cross-sectional shape forming the maximum
outer diameter of bottle 1. The upper non-constricted portion 42
may extend in the vertical direction without constrictions, and may
be formed with multiple, circumferential, concave ribs 11,12,13,
14, and 15. The lower non-constricted portion 43 may extend in the
vertical direction without being constricted, and may also be
formed with multiple, circumferential, concave ribs 16, 17, and 18.
The cross-sectional shape of concave ribs 11-18, although shown as
circular, could have any shape that reinforces strength. The
strength (particularly the radial strength) of non-constricted
portions 42 and 43 may be reinforced by ribs 11-18.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 6, constricted portion 41 may be
formed so that its cross-sectional shape is substantially a
dodecagon, with 12 sides. As described below, while the
cross-sectional shape of constricted portion 41 maintains an
essentially 12 sided shape, it does change in the vertical
direction. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape was described as
substantially a dodecagon. Although, a dodecagon is shown and
described as an exemplary cross-sectional shape that may be used
for constricted portion 41, other polygons such as a hexagon,
octagon, or decagon could be used.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, constricted portion 41 may include upper
and lower polygonal surfaces 52 and 53, formed in mutual vertical
symmetry centered about a circumferential rib 51. Circumferential
rib 51 may be located at a vertical center position of constricted
portion 41, and may be the deepest portion, (i.e., the most
constricted) of constricted portion 41. The strength at the
vertical center of constricted portion 41 may be reinforced by
circumferential rib 51. Circumferential rib 51, as shown in FIG. 4,
may be a concave rib with a circular cross-sectional shape, and may
have the smallest diameter of barrel portion 4.
[0042] The polygonal surfaces 52 and 53 may be respectively formed
so as to gradually expand in diameter with vertical distance from
circumferential rib 51. As shown in FIG. 5, polygonal surfaces 52
and 53 may have approximately dodecagonal cross-sectional
shapes.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the cross-sectional shape of
polygonal surfaces 52 and 53 may be formed in such a way that an
approximately dodecagonal shape approaches the shape of a circle
with distance from circumferential rib 51. In other words, the
cross-sectional shape of polygonal surfaces 52 and 53 may be formed
so that the polygonal corners are the most angular nearest to
circumferential rib 51 (as shown in FIG. 5), and the polygonal
corners become gradually more rounded with distance from
circumferential rib 51 (as shown in FIG. 6). In light of the fact
that the circumferential rib 51 is formed in the position at which
the corners are most angular, polygonal surfaces 52 and 53 in the
present embodiment connect with the top and bottom edges of
circumferential rib 51 via surfaces 55 and 56, which gradually
change in the vertical direction. By this means polygonal surfaces
52 and 53 and circumferential rib 51 may be smoothly connected.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, polygonal surface 52 may
include 6 each of first surfaces 61 and second surfaces 62
alternately positioned about bottle 1. Polygonal surface 53 may
include the same configuration of surfaces as that of polygonal
surface 52 and, therefore, a detailed description of polygonal
surface 53 is not provided herein.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, first surface 61 may have a greater
circumference than second surface 62 in the vicinity of the
circumferential rib 51. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3, first
surface 61 may be formed to be shorter than second surface 62 where
it is distant from circumferential rib 51. As shown in FIGS. 7 and
8, first surface 61 and second surface 62 may be inclined, on the
inside of constricted portion 41, toward circumferential rib 51 at
mutually differing angles. More particularly, between
circumferential rib 51 and a circumferential rib 71, first surface
61 may be inclined at a smaller angle with respect to the
cross-section than is second surface 62. The same may be true
between circumferential rib 51 and a circumferential rib 72. Hatch
marks in the cross-section section have been omitted from FIGS. 7
and 8 for purposes of clarity.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, circumferential ribs 71 and 72
may be concave ribs formed on polygonal surfaces 52 and 53, and may
each have a circular cross-section. The position of circumferential
ribs 71 and 72 is not particularly limited. In some embodiments,
circumferential ribs 71 and 72 may be positioned at any location
where reinforced strength is desired, such as at the vertical
center of polygonal surfaces 52 and 53, as shown. The height
between circumferential rib 71 and circumferential rib 72 may also
be not particularly limited. In some embodiments, this height may
correspond, approximately, to the width of a single finger. By
using this size, a consumer may be able to easily place his or her
finger between ribs 71 and 72 when holding constricted portion
41.
[0047] According to bottle 1 of the embodiment explained above, the
cross-sectional shape of barrel portion 4 may be basically round
like non-constricted portions 42 and 43, while only constricted
portion 41 has an approximately 12 sided polygonal shape. Therefore
even with an overall round bottle shape, the radial strength of the
constricted portion 41 as a whole can be improved, as can vertical
strength. Radial strength can also be obtained for non-constricted
portions 42 and 43 using concave ribs 11-18. Because the
cross-sectional shape of barrel portion 4 is arranged in this way,
weight reduction of the bottle 1 can be achieved through reducing
wall thickness and the like, while assuring strength. This strength
can also be assured after the cap has been opened. Exemplary
specifications for bottle 1 according to embodiment 1 may include a
weight of approximately 18 g and a capacity of approximately 570
ml, with a quotient of weight (PF gauge) divided by capacity being
greater than or equal to 20 and less than or equal to 50.
[0048] Circumferential ribs 51, 71, and 72 may be formed so that
the strength of constricted portion 41 may be reinforced. In
particular, the cross-sectional shape of constricted portion 41 may
alternately repeat in an order starting from the vertical center as
follows: round (circumferential rib 51), approximately 12 sided
(polygonal surfaces 52 and 53), round (circumferential ribs 71,
72), and approximately 12 sided (polygonal surfaces 52 and 53).
Because of this alternating round and polygonal structure, a
synergistic effect may be realized, and strength may be greatly
improved. Since polygonal surfaces 52 and 53 may incline on the
inside toward circumferential rib 51, the concentration of stress
between polygonal surfaces 52 and 53 and circumferential rib 51 can
be ameliorated compared to the case in which the polygonal surfaces
52 and 53 extend in parallel to center axis Y-Y. Moreover, an even
greater strength improvement can be achieved due to the differing
inclination angles of polygonal surfaces 52 and 53 between first
surface 61 and second surface 62.
[0049] Because the cross-sectional shape of constricted portion 41
may be approximately dodecagonal, opening and closing of the cap
can be more smoothly accomplished compared to a circular shape. In
addition, because a consumer's finger engages easily with
constricted portion 41, bottle 1 can be easily held. Thus,
according to embodiment 1, bottle 1 may permit ease of holding and
assure strength when weight is reduced, as well as suppressing the
deformation caused by external pressures such as gripping force or
the like.
Exemplary Embodiment 2
[0050] FIGS. 9 through 13 illustrate a bottle 100 according to a
second embodiment. The main point of difference vs. embodiment 1
discussed above is the constitution of the constricted portion.
Below we assign the same reference numerals to those parts of
embodiment 2 which are the same as in embodiment 1.
[0051] Bottle 100 may include a constricted portion 110, which may
have an approximately dodecagonal cross-sectional shape. The
cross-sectional shape is described as "approximately" dodecagonal
for the same reason as explained above with respect to embodiment
1. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of constricted
portion 110 may approximate polygons other than a dodecagon. Unlike
constricted portion 41 in embodiment 1, embodiment 2 does not
include circumferential ribs formed on constricted portion 110.
[0052] Constricted portion 110 may have upper and lower polygonal
surfaces 112 and 113 centered around a most-constricted, deepest
portion 111. As shown in FIG. 13, the cross-sectional shape of
deepest portion 111 may be approximately dodecagonal. The
cross-sectional shape of polygonal surfaces 112 and 113 may be
formed so that the approximately dodecagonal shape approaches a
circle as it gets farther away from deepest portion 111 (see FIGS.
9 and 10).
[0053] Polygonal surfaces 112 and 113 may contain 6 each of a first
surface 121 and a second surface 122 repeating and alternating in a
circumferential direction about bottle 100. As shown in FIGS. 9 and
10, one of the first surface 121 and second surface 122 becomes
longer in the circumferential direction in proximity to deepest
portion 111 and the other becomes longer in the circumferential
direction with distance from deepest portion 111. And as shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12, first surface 121 and second surface 122 may be
inclined inward toward deepest portion 111 at mutually differing
angles. Note that the cross-section hatch marks have been omitted
from FIGS. 11 and 12 for purposes of clarity.
[0054] Constricted portion 110 of bottle 100 may be provided with
no circumferential rib, and may, therefore, have less transverse
strength than bottle 1 in embodiment 1. However, even if bottle
100, as a whole, is a "round bottle," the overall radial strength
and vertical strength of constricted portion 110 may be improved
because the cross-sectional shape of barrel portion 4 may be
non-uniform in the same way as in embodiment 1.
[0055] Since constricted portion 110 may have an approximately
dodecagonal cross-sectional shape, bottle 100 may be easy to hold
for consumers, which may, for example, facilitate smooth opening
and closing of a cap thereon. Therefore, ease of holding and
strength can be assured in bottle 100 even when weight is reduced,
not only when the cap is closed, but also after it is opened.
[0056] As discussed above, in both embodiment 1 and embodiment 2,
constricted portions 41 and 110 may have an approximately polygonal
cross-sectional shape, and non-constricted portions 42 and 43 may
have a circular cross-sectional shape. Other embodiments, however,
may include a constricted portion with a circular cross-sectional
shape and non-constricted portions with an approximately polygonal
cross-sectional shape.
[0057] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with
the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *