U.S. patent application number 12/449776 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for bottle and bottle package.
Invention is credited to Juhani Salovaara.
Application Number | 20100072095 12/449776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37832211 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100072095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salovaara; Juhani |
March 25, 2010 |
BOTTLE AND BOTTLE PACKAGE
Abstract
A bottle (10) substantially spherical in shape and with a
concave recess (20, 21) in three sides so that other bottles in the
vicinity of the bottle can be located so close to the said bottle
that at least portions (15) of the other bottles are, directly or
via a spacing piece, in the said recesses. The neck portion (11) of
the bottle is directed vertically upwards or obliquely to the side
and upwards. A recess (21) in the bottom of the bottle is similar
to the recesses (20a, 21b) in the side walls or, in the middle of
the recess in the bottom, there is an additional recess (21b) for
the neck portion (11) and/or cap of a bottle.
Inventors: |
Salovaara; Juhani;
(Naantali, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUBOVCIK & KUBOVCIK
SUITE 1105, 1215 SOUTH CLARK STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
37832211 |
Appl. No.: |
12/449776 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
February 28, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI2008/000034 |
371 Date: |
November 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/427 ;
206/504; 215/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20130101; B65D
21/0202 20130101; B65D 71/70 20130101; B65D 21/0231 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/427 ;
215/383; 206/504 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 8/12 20060101 B65D008/12; B65D 21/024 20060101
B65D021/024 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2007 |
FI |
20070168 |
Claims
1. A spherical bottle (10) having, in at least one side (15), a
recess (20) or a notch so that another bottle in the vicinity of
the bottle can be located so close that at least portions of the
other bottle are, directly or via a spacing piece, in the said
recess, characterized in that there are recesses (20, 21) in three
sides of the bottle (10) so that other bottles both beside the said
bottle and on top of or below it can be located so close to the
said bottle that at least portions of the other bottles are,
directly or via a spacing piece, in the said recesses.
2. A bottle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the
bottle (10) is substantially spherical, and the recesses (20, 21)
in three sides of the bottle (10) are concave so that the spherical
surface (15) of a bottle in the vicinity of the said bottle can be
fitted into the said recess.
3. A bottle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the
neck portion (11) of the bottle (10) is directed obliquely to the
side and upwards, and the said recesses (20a, 20b) in the side wall
(15) of the bottle (10) are in the vicinity of the neck portion
(11) of the bottle, on both sides of the neck portion.
4. A bottle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the
curvature radii of the three recesses (20, 21) in the bottle (10)
are equal to the curvature radius of the spherical surface (15) of
the bottle.
5. A bottle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the
concave recesses in three sides of the bottle (10) are located so
that the section planes of the segments of the recesses are
perpendicular to one another, i.e. their principal directions are
perpendicular relative to the axes x, y and z in a
three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system.
6. A bottle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the
bottle (10) is substantially spherical, in two sides of the bottle
(10), there is a concave recess (20) for adjacent spherical
bottles, and a recess (21) in the bottom of the bottle (10) is so
shaped that the neck portion (11) and/or cap of a bottle underneath
may be fitted into the recess.
7. A bottle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that there
is a barcode on the spherical surface of the bottle (10).
8-9. (canceled)
10. A bottle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that an
alignment recess (22) is arranged in the spherical surface (15) of
the bottle (10) and on the opposite side of the bottle an alignment
protrusion (23) is arranged, and when the bottles (10) are placed
on top of one another, the alignment protrusion (23) in the bottom
of the topmost bottle goes into the alignment recess (22) on top of
the lowermost bottle locking said bottles in place.
11. A bottle package (30) wherein the spherical bottles (10) can be
placed, characterized in that the bottle package (30) includes a
stacking rack (30) or a packing box which is in an oblique position
relative to the horizontal plane during the packing of bottles, and
that the level of the stacking rack (30) is most preferably at an
angle of 45.degree. relative to the horizontal plane, and the
bottles (10) are put in place by hanging them by the neck (11).
12. A bottle package (30) according to claim 9, characterized in
that the bottles (10) are placed on the stacking rack (30) so that
under the bottles and/or between bottle layers there is a packing
tray (31), which has matching shapes for the alignment recesses
(22) and the alignment protrusions (23).
Description
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The object of the invention is a spherical bottle having, at
least on one of its sides, a recess or a notch so that another
bottle in the vicinity of the bottle can be located so close that
at least portions of the other bottle are, directly or via a
spacing piece, in the said recess.
PRIOR ART
[0002] When transporting and packing bottles in boxes or other
transportation packages, bottles are generally not in contact with
one another, leaving a great deal of empty space between the
bottles. This is due both to the shape of bottles and often also to
divider walls or similar structures between the bottles. Thus the
package becomes unnecessarily large in relation to the volume of
the bottles, which means that, uneconomically, a lot of empty space
has to be transported.
[0003] Attempts have been made to solve this problem by shaping the
bottles so as to pack them as tightly against one another as
possible, using quadrangular and triangular shapes for the bottles.
However, such forms are not very strong and durable, making it
necessary to provide the bottles with uneconomically thick walls. A
known solution is presented in the publication DE-299 07 258 U1,
which presents a bottle with a recess for an adjacent bottle. Thus
adjacent bottles can be packed closer to one another. The
publication DE-296 00 051 U1 presents a bottle with a recess for
the mouth and the cap of the bottle under it. These solutions are,
however, not very advantageous.
PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to create a bottle which
overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. A further purpose of this
invention is to create a strong bottle shape enabling the packing
of several bottles on top of one another.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A bottle according to the invention is characterised in that
there are recesses in three sides of the bottle so that other
bottles both beside the said bottle and on top of or below it may
be located so close to the said bottle that at least portions of
the other bottles are, directly or via a spacing piece, in the said
recesses.
[0006] The packing density of such bottles can be very high. In
other words, the total volume of the contents of the bottles is
very high in relation to the space required for the multi-bottle
package. Thanks to the invention, the bottle package can be made
very small in terms of its external dimensions. This makes the raw
material requirements for both the bottles and the package
substantially smaller than in known solutions.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A preferred embodiment of the bottle according to the
invention is characterised in that [0008] the bottle is
substantially spherical, and [0009] the recesses in three sides of
the bottle are concave so that the spherical surface of a bottle in
the vicinity of the said bottle can be fitted into the said
recess.
[0010] The spherical shapes of the bottle according to the
invention make the bottle very strong. Its wall thickness can be
decreased without decreasing the strength, which reduces the
required amount of raw materials. A spherical bottle is also very
resistant to pressure. Furthermore, the concave recesses in
combination with the spherical surface provide a shape that
reflects light in a unique way, giving the bottle and its contents
an advantageous appearance. A bottle according to the invention is
therefore preferable also for retail consumer packages.
[0011] Another preferred embodiment of the bottle according to the
invention is characterised in that [0012] the neck portion of the
bottle is directed obliquely to the side and upwards, and [0013]
the said recesses in the side wall of the bottle are in the
vicinity of the neck portion of the bottle, on both sides of the
neck portion.
[0014] A third preferred embodiment of the bottle according to the
invention is characterised in that [0015] the bottle is
substantially spherical, [0016] in two sides of the bottle, there
is a concave recess for adjacent spherical bottles, and [0017] a
recess in the bottom of the bottle is so shaped that the neck
portion and/or cap of a bottle underneath it may be fitted into the
recess.
[0018] The object of the invention also includes a bottle package,
wherein the spherical bottles can be placed. The bottle package
according to the invention is characterised in that the bottle
package includes a stacking rack or a packing box, which is in an
inclined position relative to the horizontal plane during the
packing of bottles.
[0019] According to one preferred embodiment, the plane of the
stacking rack is most preferably at an angle of 45.degree. relative
to the horizontal plane, and the bottles are put into place by
hanging them on its neck.
EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
[0020] In the following, the invention is described using examples
with reference to the appended drawings, in which
LIST OF FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the bottle
according to the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottle in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of the bottle in FIG. 1 from another
side.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bottle in FIG. 1 from a third
side.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a section along the line V-V of FIG. 4.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows bottles according to FIG. 1 placed adjacent to
and on top of one another.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a side view of the bottles in FIG. 6 from another
side.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a section along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a top view of the bottles in FIG. 6.
[0030] FIG. 10 is an oblique side and top view of the bottles in
FIG. 6 shown axonometrically.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a side and bottom view of the bottles in FIG. 6
shown axonometrically.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of the bottle
according to the invention.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a side view of the bottle in FIG. 12.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a side view of the bottle in FIG. 12 from another
side.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a side view of the bottle in FIG. 12 from a third
side.
[0036] FIG. 16 is a section along the line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15.
[0037] FIG. 17 shows bottles according to FIG. 12 placed adjacent
to and on top of one another.
[0038] FIG. 18 is a side view of the bottles in FIG. 12 from
another side.
[0039] FIG. 19 is a section along the line XiX-XiX of FIG. 18.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a top view of the bottles in FIG. 12.
[0041] FIG. 21 is an oblique side and top view of the bottles in
FIG. 17 shown axonometrically.
[0042] FIG. 22 is an oblique side and bottom view of the bottles in
FIG. 17 shown axonometrically.
[0043] FIG. 23 is a top view of a third embodiment of the bottle
according to the invention.
[0044] FIG. 24 is a section along the line XXIV-XXIV of FIG.
23.
[0045] FIG. 25 is an oblique side and top view of the bottles
according to FIG. 23 shown axonometrically.
[0046] FIG. 26 is an oblique side and bottom view of the bottles
according to FIG. 23 shown axonometrically.
[0047] FIG. 27 is a sectional side view of the bottles according to
FIG. 24 shown placed against one another.
[0048] FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the bottles according to FIG.
23 shown placed in a packing box.
[0049] FIG. 29 shows the bottles in FIG. 28 from another
direction.
[0050] FIG. 30 matches FIG. 27 and shows the bottles placed against
one another so that there are packing divider sheets between the
bottle layers.
[0051] FIG. 31 is an oblique side and top view of the bottles and
the packing divider sheets between them shown axonometrically.
[0052] FIG. 32 is a sectional side view of the bottle according to
FIG. 24 shown filled with liquid.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0053] FIG. 1 is a top view of a bottle 10 according to the
invention. In the usual way, the top portion of the bottle 10
comprises a neck portion 11 and a thread 12 for a threaded cap,
which is not shown in the figure. The bottle 10 in FIG. 1 is
substantially spherical in shape; however, there are two concave
recesses 20a and 20b in a spherical side surface 15 of the bottle
10. The curvature of the recesses 20a and 20b matches the curvature
of the surface 15 in the bottle 10 so that spherical sides of
similar bottles placed in the vicinity can be fitted into the
recesses 20a and 20b. Furthermore, the bottle 10 also has a recess
in its bottom, the recess being shown in greater detail in FIG.
5.
[0054] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the bottle 10 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2
also shows one recess 20a of the spherical side wall 15 of the
bottle 10 and the recess 21 in the bottom. The recess 21 is also
concave and substantially matches the shape of the spherical
surface 15. In this embodiment, however, the recess 21 also has a
recess for the neck portion 11 of the bottle underneath, as shown
in FIG. 5.
[0055] FIG. 3 shows the bottle 10 in FIG. 1 as seen from another
side. As the figure illustrates, the spherical side wall 15 of the
bottle 10 has concave recesses 20a and 20b in two sides and a
recess 21 in the bottom.
[0056] In FIG. 4, the bottle 10 is shown with the recess 20a in the
spherical side wall 15 of the bottle 10 towards the viewer.
[0057] The sectional view in FIG. 5 shows that the concave recess
20a in the side wall 15 of the bottle 10 matches in shape the
spherical side surface 15 of the bottle 10. An annular edge portion
21a of the recess 21 in bottom of the bottle 10 also matches in
shape the spherical surface of the bottle 10, so that the edge
portion 21a rests on the spherical surface around the neck portion
11 of a similar bottle located underneath. The recess 21 also
includes a deeper mid portion 21 b, which provides sufficient space
for the neck portion 11 and the threaded cap of a similar bottle
underneath.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows several bottles 10a-10d in accordance with
FIGS. 1-5 placed adjacent to and on top of one another. In this
example, one group contains eight bottles placed tightly against
one another, but a bottle package or box can naturally contain any
number of bottles. FIG. 7 shows the group of bottles in FIG. 6 from
another side.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a group of bottles 10. As the
sectional view shows, a side wall of each bottle 10 has a concave
recess 20a, wherein the spherical side wall surface 15 of the
adjacent bottle 10 fits and whereon it can rest. The bottom of the
bottle 10 also has a recess 21, the annular edge portion 21a of
which recess rests on the spherical surface around the neck portion
11 of the bottle 10 located underneath. The neck portion 11 of the
bottle 10 underneath is fitted into a deeper portion 21b in the
middle of the recess 21. Thus the bottles 10 rest with their side
walls on the adjacent bottles and with their bottom portions, on
the bottle underneath. This kind of packaging method for bottles is
very stable because the bottles have support portions that fit well
into one another. At the same time, the bottles in a way lock into
one another, which is advantageous for transportation of the
bottles.
[0060] FIG. 9 is a top view of the group of bottles in FIGS. 6-8.
As the figure shows, the bottles 10 are located tightly against one
another, also as seen from this direction. Almost no empty space at
all is left between the bottles 10, which gives a very high total
volume relative to the volume of the entire package. Thus the
packing density of bottles according to the invention is very high,
and bottles according to the invention provide a highly efficient
and advantageous solution for packaging and transporting
liquids.
[0061] FIGS. 10 and 11 are axonometric views of the bottle group in
FIGS. 6-9 from various sides. These figures also clearly show how
well the bottles 10 can be fitted in a tight group against one
another.
[0062] FIG. 12 is a top view of a bottle 10 according to another
embodiment of the invention. Similarly to the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 1-11, this embodiment has concave recesses 20a and 20b in a
spherical side wall 15 of the bottle 10. However, the bottle 10 in
FIG. 12 differs from those presented above in that the neck portion
11 of the bottle 10 and the thread portion 12 belonging therein are
directed obliquely to the side and upwards.
[0063] Thus the neck portion 11 is not in the middle of the bottle
10, directed vertically upwards, as in a conventional bottle.
[0064] The solution presented in FIG. 12 provides an adequate space
in the small empty space between the bottles in the package or
bottle group for the neck portion 11 of the bottle 10 and for the
threaded cap thereon, which is not shown in the figure. As a result
of this, no notch has to be made separately in the bottom of the
bottle 10 for the neck portion 11 and cap of the bottom 10
underneath. The topmost bottle 10 can rest directly on the
spherical surface 15 of the bottle 10 beneath because, in this
embodiment, the bottom of the bottle 10 comprises a similar concave
recess matching the spherical surface 15 as in the bottle's side
wall. The shape of bottle according this embodiment is shown in
greater detail in the following figures.
[0065] FIGS. 13-15 are side views of the bottle 10 in FIG. 12 as
seen from three different sides. As the figures show, the spherical
side wall 15 of the bottle 10 has two concave recesses 20a and 20b,
and the neck portion 11 is located at a vertex between the
recesses, directed obliquely to the side and upwards. The bottom of
the bottle 10 is a part of the same spherical shape and surface 15
as the other walls of the bottle 10, but in this second embodiment
the bottom of the bottle 10 has a concave recess 20c similar to the
recesses 20a and 20b in the side walls. Thus the bottle 10
comprises three recesses 20a, 20b and 20c matching the concave,
spherical surface, the recesses being located in a similar position
relative to one another as three faces of a cube having a common
vertex.
[0066] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the bottle 10 showing that
the spherical surface 15 of the bottle 10 has two similar concave
recesses 20a and 20b in the side wall and one recess 20c in the
bottom.
[0067] FIG. 17 shows several bottles 10a-10d in accordance with
FIGS. 12-16 placed adjacent to and on top of one another. In this
example also, one group contains eight bottles placed tightly
against one another, but a bottle package or box can naturally
contain any number of bottles. FIG. 18 shows the group of bottles
in FIG. 17 from another side.
[0068] FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a group of bottles 10. As the
section shows, each bottle 10 has a concave recess 20a in its side
wall, wherein the spherical side wall surface 15 of the adjacent
bottle 10 fits and whereon it can rest. The side surface 15 of the
bottle 10, beside the recess 20a, has another, similar recess 20b.
The bottom of the bottle 10 also has a similar recess 20c, so that
in this embodiment the spherical surface 15 of the bottle 10 has
three concave recesses 20a, 20b and 20c. FIG. 20 gives an
additional top view of the group of bottles in FIGS. 17-19.
[0069] FIGS. 21 and 22 are axonometric views of the group of
bottles in FIGS. 17-20 from various sides, with bottles 10
according to the second embodiment of the invention.
[0070] FIG. 23 shows a third embodiment of the bottle 10 according
to the invention, wherein an alignment recess 22 is arranged in the
top portion of the spherical surface 15 of the bottle 10. The
recess 22 is oval in shape.
[0071] FIG. 24 is a sectional side view of the bottle 10 in FIG.
23. Opposite to the alignment recess 22 in the top portion of the
spherical surface 15, below the sphere 10, there is an alignment
protrusion 23, which is also oval in shape, as seen from below the
sphere 10, so that the shape of the protrusion matches the
alignment recess 22. When the bottles 10 are placed on top of one
another, the alignment protrusion 23 in the bottom of the topmost
bottle goes into the alignment recess 22 on top of the lowermost
bottle. Thus bottles placed on top of one another are locked to one
another so that they cannot slide or rotate relative to one
another. It is specifically the elongated oval shape of the
alignment protrusion 23 and the alignment recess 22 that prevents
the rotation of bottles relative to one another. This shape can
also be different, however, as long as it creates a similar locking
effect.
[0072] FIGS. 25 and 26 are axonometrically presented oblique side
views of the bottles 10 with an alignment protrusion 23 and an
alignment recess 22 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.
[0073] FIG. 27 is a sectional side view of the bottles 10 according
to FIG. 24 shown placed against one another. This leaves very small
spaces between the bottles 10, and the bottles 10 are locked in
place by means of the alignment protrusions 23 and the alignment
recesses 22.
[0074] FIG. 28 shows bottles 10 placed on a stacking rack 30 or in
a packing box, tightly against one another. In this figure, two
walls of the stacking rack 30 are shown, whereby the position and
location of the bottles 10 placed in the box stand out clearly. Due
to the shape of the bottles 10, it is most preferable to stack the
bottles in the stacking rack 30 or in the packing box so that the
tray or the packing box 30 is in an oblique position, as if having
one of its corners downwards. In this way it is easy to place the
bottles 10 in place, and they will settle tightly against one
another. FIG. 29 shows the packing arrangement in FIG. 28 as seen
from another direction.
[0075] FIG. 30 matches FIG. 27 and shows the bottles 10 placed
against one another so that there are packing trays 31 between
bottle layers. The packing trays 31 are shaped so that the bottles
10 will settle tightly also in this arrangement. The packing tray
31 also has matching shapes for the alignment protrusions 23 and
the neck portions 11 of the bottles 10. FIG. 31 is an oblique side
view of the bottles 10 and the packing trays 31 between them.
[0076] FIG. 32 is a sectional side view of a bottle 10 according to
FIG. 24, with a cap 24 and shown filled with liquid 40. The surface
41 of the liquid 40 forms a circular pattern inside the spherical
bottle 10. In this way the appearance of the bottle 10 filled with
the liquid 40 is particularly attractive because, due to its shape,
the bottle has circular details on several sides. The spherical
surface of the bottle 10 functions as a lens, creating a magnified
impression of an object behind the bottle. Similarly, the concave
recesses, spherical and circular in shape, function as a lens that
creates a diminishing impression of an object behind the bottle.
The visual appearance is completed by the spherical shape created
by the liquid surface.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
[0077] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the
different embodiments of the invention may vary within the scope of
the claims presented below. Thus a bottle according to the
invention may in some cases also deviate from the spherical shape.
It is essential, however, that the bottles overlap one another by
means of the recesses described above. Advantageously, the bottles
described above are tightly against one another. In some cases, a
spacing piece or padding, such as plastic foam, may be added
between the bottles if required, for example when it is known that
the bottles or their package will be subjected to exceptionally
hard impacts or vibrations.
[0078] The spherical shape is particularly advantageous due to its
resistance to high pressure. The outside surface of the bottle is
substantially a sphere, and the recesses on the surface are also
spherical surfaces directed inwards, the curvature radii of which
are most preferably equal to the curvature radius of the spherical
surface of the bottle. Shaped this way, the bottles can be packed
more tightly than bottles of any other shape. In other words, the
packing density, i.e. the relation of the total volume of the
bottles to the volume of the entire package, is maximal.
[0079] The applicant has found that a conventional, 1200
mm.times.1000 mm sized Europallet can accommodate regular soft
drink bottles in two layers, which gives a total volume of 200-230
litres. A unit of the same height can accommodate five layers of
spherical bottles according to the invention giving a total volume
of 300 litres.
[0080] Most preferably, the concave recesses in the spherical
bottles are located in three sides, i.e. one in the bottom and two
in the side walls. The section planes of the segments of the
recesses are thus most preferably perpendicular to one another,
i.e. their principal directions are perpendicular relative to the
axes x, y and z in a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate
system. In this way the bottles also lock well relative to one
another in the package. During packaging, it is easier to place the
bottles on top of one another when the bottles have the alignment
recesses and alignment protrusions described above. No intermediate
trays are necessarily needed between the bottles because the
bottles settle tightly against one another. Shaped packing trays
can be used, however, because they align the bottles well relative
to one another.
[0081] A bottle according to the invention can be provided with a
barcode for an automatic bottle collection machine. In this case,
the barcode is most preferably located on the spherical side
surface of the bottle because the collection machine will spin the
bottle to recognise the bottle by means of the barcode.
[0082] For packaging and stacking, it is preferable to use a
stacking rack with the surfaces at a 45.degree. angle relative to
the horizontal plane. In this way the bottles can be lowered into
place by hanging them by the neck.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0083] 10 Bottle [0084] 11 Neck portion [0085] 12 Thread [0086] 15
Spherical surface [0087] 20 Recess in the side wall [0088] 21
Recess in the bottom [0089] 22 Alignment recess [0090] 23 Alignment
protrusion [0091] 24 Cap [0092] 30 Stacking rack or packing box
[0093] 31 Packing tray [0094] 40 Liquid [0095] 41 Liquid
surface
* * * * *