U.S. patent application number 12/637445 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for free flowing bottle.
Invention is credited to Steven W. Martin.
Application Number | 20100181278 12/637445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42336110 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100181278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin; Steven W. |
July 22, 2010 |
FREE FLOWING BOTTLE
Abstract
A glass bottle with improved pouring characteristics. In some
embodiments the bottle can hold pressurized liquid. The bottle
includes a neck with a non-circular cross section. The cross
sectional shape of the neck is adapted and configured to provide
less turbulence in the liquid being poured out of the bottle, and
further to assist in separating the in flow of single phase liquid
from the turbulent mixed flow of two phase, gas-liquid
substances.
Inventors: |
Martin; Steven W.;
(Ridgeville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BINGHAM MCHALE LLP
2700 MARKET TOWER, 10 WEST MARKET STREET
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-4900
US
|
Family ID: |
42336110 |
Appl. No.: |
12/637445 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61122128 |
Dec 12, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/40 ;
215/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2501/009 20130101;
B65D 23/04 20130101; B65D 1/023 20130101; B65D 23/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/40 ;
215/384 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02; B65D 23/10 20060101 B65D023/10 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising: a glass bottle defining an interior for
holding a quantity of a pourable substance consumable by humans,
said bottle including: a lip defining a cylindrical bore for
pouring the substance out of said bottle, the bore being
cylindrical about a centerline; a body with a generally cylindrical
base, the base being cylindrical about the centerline; said body
including a portion of the interior, the interior having a plane of
symmetry passing through the centerline; a shoulder integral with
said body and opposite of said base, said shoulder having two ends
with one end blending into said body, said shoulder including an
external molded recess for receiving the fingertip of a user, the
recess being centered in the plane of symmetry; and a neck having
two ends with a narrow end integrally connecting to said lip and
the other wider end integrally connecting to the other end of said
shoulder, said neck defining a non-circular internal flow channel,
the flow channel having an internal width in the plane of symmetry
that is wider than the internal width orthogonal to the plane of
symmetry.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the internal flow channel of
the neck has a first internal surface conically shaped at a first
taper angle relative to the centerline, the first internal surface
merging smoothly with a second internal surface conically shaped at
a second taper angle relative to the centerline, the first angle
being greater than the second angle.
3. The container of claim 3 wherein the first angle is about twice
the second angle.
4. The container of claim 2 wherein the first angle is more than
about ten degrees and less than about twelve degrees.
5. The container of claim 2 wherein the first internal surface has
a circumferential angular span of less than one hundred and eighty
degrees.
6. The container of claim 2 wherein the molded recess is adapted
and configured for a human thumb and the recess is molded into the
external surface of said bottle within the circumferential span of
the first internal surface.
7. The container of claim 2 wherein the recess is a first recess
and which further comprises a second molded recess adapted and
configured for the tip of a human index finger, the second recess
being centered in the plane of symmetry on a side of the bottle
opposite of the first recess.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein the plane is a first plane and
the interior has a second plane of symmetry passing through the
centerline and transverse to the first plane.
9. The container of claim 1 wherein the molded recess is a first
molded recess, and which further comprises a second external molded
recess for receiving the fingertip of a user, the first and second
recesses being on opposite sides of said bottle, the first and
second recesses being at different axial distances from the topmost
surface of said lip.
10. The container of claim 1 wherein the bottle is an industry
standard longneck bottle.
11. The container of claim 1 wherein the non-circular flow channel
has an oval shape.
12. The container of claim 1 wherein the non-circular flow channel
has a figure-8 shape.
13. A container, comprising: a glass bottle defining an interior
for holding a quantity of a pourable substance consumable by
humans, said bottle including: a lip defining a cylindrical bore
for pouring the substance out of said bottle, the bore being
cylindrical about a centerline; a body with a generally cylindrical
base, the base being cylindrical about the centerline; said body
including a portion the interior; a shoulder integral with said
body and opposite of said base, said shoulder having two ends with
one end blending into said body, said shoulder including an
external molded recess for receiving the fingertip of a user; and a
neck having two ends with a narrow end integrally connecting to
said lip and the other wider end integrally connecting to the other
end of said shoulder, one internal surface of said neck spanning a
first circumferential range of said neck and being conically
tapered at a first shallower angle relative to the centerline, the
opposing internal surface spanning the remaining circumferential
range of said neck and being conically tapered at a second steeper
angle relative to the centerline, the molded recess being
circumferentially located centrally within either the span of the
first range or the span of the remaining range.
14. The container of claim 13 wherein the first circumferential
range is greater than 180 degrees and the second circumferential
range is less than 180 degrees.
15. The container of claim 13 wherein the second angle is from
about ten degrees to about twelve degrees.
16. The container of claim 13 wherein the molded recess is adapted
and configured for a human thumb and the recess is centrally
located within the span of the first range.
17. The container of claim 13 wherein the molded recess is adapted
and configured for a human index finger and the recess is centrally
located within the span of the second range.
18. The container of claim 13 wherein said bottle is adapted and
configured to contain pressurized liquid.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/122,128, filed Dec. 12,
2009, entitled BOTTLE 1, incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present inventions pertain to a container for liquid,
and in particular to a glass bottle for a beverage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The glass bottle industry has accepted and implemented a
standard size bottle known as a "long neck." This standard was
developed for improved marketing and consumer convenience.
[0004] Some versions of the bottle include features that address
the need to accommodate the pressure of carbonation that brings
with it stresses in the bottle walls. In particular, the length of
the neck provides for a long cushion of air to absorb the
carbonation pressure and manage the stress levels.
[0005] However, a drawback of the long, slender neck has been the
turbulence created when the internal contents are poured out. There
can be excessive, turbulent mixing of air (trying to get into the
bottle) and liquid (trying to get out of the bottle). With more
viscous liquids, the release and flow rate of the liquids is slowed
as the pressure differential across the exit bore of the bottle is
equilibrated. Often, the consumer is dissatisfied with the result,
which can include blockage (especially for thicker liquids such as
catsup) or frothiness and subsequent decrease in carbonation (such
as for carbonated beverages).
[0006] Various embodiments of the present invention address some or
all of these drawbacks in novel and unobvious ways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One aspect of some embodiments of the present invention
pertains to a glass bottle that permits pouring of the internal
contents with less turbulence. In yet other embodiments, the bottle
further permits faster pouring.
[0008] One aspect of the present invention pertains to a glass
bottle defining an interior for holding a quantity of a pourable
substance, a lip defining a cylindrical bore for pouring the
substance out of a bottle, and a body with a generally cylindrical
base. The bottle further includes a shoulder integral with a body
and a neck with a narrow end integrally connecting to the lip and a
wider end integrally connecting to the other end of a shoulder.
Preferably, the bore is cylindrical about a centerline, and the
interior of the body has a plane of symmetry passing through the
centerline. The neck defines a non-circular internal flow channel,
the cross sectional shape of the flow channel being adapted and
configured for efficient intake of air and reduced turbulence in
the contents being poured out.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention pertains to a glass
bottle defining an interior. The bottle further includes a lip
defining a cylindrical bore for pouring the substance and a body
with a generally cylindrical base, the base being cylindrical about
the centerline. The bottle further includes a neck having two ends
with a narrow end integrally connecting to a lip and the other
wider end integrally connecting to the other end of a shoulder, one
internal surface spanning a first circumferential range of a neck
and being conically tapered at a first shallower angle relative to
the centerline, the opposing internal surface spanning the
remaining circumferential range of a neck and being conically
tapered at a second steeper angle relative to the centerline, the
molded recess being circumferentially located centrally within
either the span of the first range or the span of the remaining
range.
[0010] It will be appreciated that the various apparatus and
methods described in this summary section, as well as elsewhere in
this application, can be expressed as a large number of different
combinations and subcombinations. All such useful, novel, and
inventive combinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein,
it being recognized that the explicit expression of each of these
combinations is excessive and unnecessary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a left side and top perspective solid surface view
of a bottle according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a right side and bottom perspective solid surface
view of the bottle of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the bottle of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4A is a front elevational view of the bottle of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of the bottle of FIG. 4A
as taken along plane 25a and looking inward at the interior.
[0016] FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view of the bottle of FIG. 4A
as taken along plane 25C of FIG. 4B and with the secondary flow
channel oriented above the primary flow channel.
[0017] FIG. 5A is a left side elevational view of the bottle of
FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the bottle of FIG. 5A as taken
along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A with the secondary flow channel
oriented above the primary flow channel.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of the neck
of FIG. 4A.
[0021] FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of a portion of the neck
of the apparatus of FIG. 7 as viewed through section 7A-7A of FIG.
7.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a bottle according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a bottle according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of the neck of the
apparatus of FIG. 9 and similar to the view of FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, such alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates. At least one embodiment of the present invention will be
described and shown, and this application may show and/or describe
other embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that
any reference to "the invention" is a reference to an embodiment of
a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including an
apparatus, process, or composition that must be included in all
embodiments, unless otherwise stated.
[0026] The use of an N-series prefix for an element number (NXX.XX)
refers to an element that is the same as the non-prefixed element
(XX.XX), except as shown and described thereafter. As an example,
an element 1020.1 would be the same as element 20.1, except for
those different features of element 1020.1 shown and described.
Further, common elements and common features of related elements
are drawn in the same manner in different figures, and/or use the
same symbology in different figures. As such, it is not necessary
to describe the features of 1020.1 and 20.1 that are the same,
since these common features are apparent to a person of ordinary
skill in the related field of technology. Although various specific
quantities (spatial dimensions, temperatures, pressures, times,
force, resistance, current, voltage, concentrations, wavelengths,
frequencies, heat transfer coefficients, dimensionless parameters,
etc.) may be stated herein, such specific quantities are presented
as examples only. Further, with discussion pertaining to a specific
composition of matter, that description is by example only, and
does not limit the applicability of other species of that
composition, nor does it limit the applicability of other
compositions unrelated to the cited composition.
[0027] One embodiment of the present invention pertains to glass
bottles which have an improved capability to draw air into the
bottle as the contents are poured out. In one embodiment, the neck
of the bottle includes a larger, secondary flow chamber that is
located alongside, and substantially parallel to, a smaller primary
flow chamber. The deeper, secondary flow chamber is adapted and
configured for handling of two-phase flow (air and liquid). The
primary and shallower flow chamber is adapted and configured for
transport of liquids, including liquids of any viscosity or surface
tension, including water, catsup, and alcoholic beverages.
Generally, a glass bottle according to the present invention
provides a structure and interior for any type of liquid, including
the storage of liquids under pressures higher than ambient
pressure.
[0028] It has been found that if the bottle is oriented such that
the larger flow chamber is above the smaller flow chamber when the
bottle is tipped over for pouring the contents, then the contents
come out more smoothly with less interruption of flow due to
pressure imbalance between the interior of the bottle and ambient
conditions. The pressure imbalance that results from pouring of the
contents is smoothly relieved by introduction of air into the wider
flow channel, provided that the wider flow channel is placed about
the narrower flow channel. Further, in some embodiments, this
orientation of differing flow channels also results in a faster
pour of the contents, and in one embodiment a liquid such as water
can be poured from an inventive bottle in a time period reduced by
several tenths of a second.
[0029] As can be seen in all of the figures, the various features,
both internal and external, of bottle 20 are adapted and configured
to account for internal stresses within the glass walls that arise
from changes in geometry. As one example, the neck of a bottle
according to some embodiments of the present invention includes
smooth internal and external transitions from the secondary flow
chamber to the primary flow chamber. It is believed that for a
bottle as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the thickness of the glass wall can
be 0.050 inches or more, and still conform to industry standards
for pressurized bottles. The figures showing bottle 20 are scaled
figures, with the overall length of the bottle from the top of the
lip to the bottom of the base being nominally 9.000 inches and the
outermost diameter of the collar being nominally 1.000 inches.
[0030] It has been found that the placement of a deeper flow
chamber above a shallower flow chamber results in less turbulence
to the liquid flowing out of the bottle when the bottle is
horizontal, and especially when it is inclined at an angle
sufficient to fill the bore of the lip with existing liquid. As
used herein, the terms "deeper" and "shallower" refer to depth
measured from the centerline of the bottle to a surface of the
corresponding flow channel when the bottle is oriented horizontally
for pouring. It has also been found that flow is improved by
keeping any hand grips (such as fingertip recesses, finger
recesses, and ridges) away from the neck and instead located on the
shoulder or body of the bottle. In addition, it has been found that
it is preferable to minimize the extent of flow interruptions
within the interior of the bottle, such as by having molded
recesses for the tips of the fingers, as opposed to having ridges
intended for placement of a longer portion of the finger. Further,
as it is used herein, "fingertip" refers to tips of any of the four
fingers or the thumb of a human, unless otherwise specified.
[0031] FIGS. 1-8 show various views of a glass bottle 20 according
to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment,
glass bottle 20 includes a finish 28, neck 30, shoulder 46, body
48, and base 50, all preferably integrally molded in a narrow neck
press and blow process. Some embodiments of the present invention
pertain to modifications to an industry standard bottle (ISB)
referred to as a "long neck." However, yet other embodiments of the
present invention pertain to glass bottles fabricated from any type
of glass molding process, and further to glass bottles other than
ISB long necks, including, for example, wine bottles.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the finish
28 of bottle 20 preferably includes a threaded lip 24 and a collar
26. The external threads on lip 24 are adapted and configured for
coupling to a pressure tight seal, although other embodiments
contemplate coupling to any kind of seal or cap. A generally
cylindrical internal bore 21 is defined by lip 24.
[0033] Bottle 20 includes a neck 30 that has a primary or main flow
channel 32, and a lateral, vertically oriented auxiliary flow
chamber 40 for improving the flow of a liquid from bottle 20. In
one embodiment, primary flow channel 32 is generally circular about
centerline 22 at the opening 21 of bottle 20. Auxiliary flow
channel 40 preferably begins below the opening 21 and extends along
neck 30 until it reaches base 50. In one embodiment, flow channel
40 is located along one side of bottle 20, as best seen in FIGS. 1,
4, and 5. However, the present invention also contemplates those
embodiments in which a second auxiliary flow channel is located on
the opposite side of bottle 20.
[0034] In some embodiments, flow channels 32 and 40 are adapted and
configured to provide reduced turbulence of outpouring liquid, and
without the constraint that the neck 30 remain symmetrical about
centerline 22. As shown in bottle 20, neck 30 is symmetric only
about plane 25a. In this plane, secondary flow channel 40 is deeper
than flow channel 32. Therefore, when bottle 20 is oriented
horizontally for pouring (and especially angled such that base 50
is at or above lip 24) the additional deepness of flow channel 40
encourages separation of incoming air from outgoing liquid.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 5B and 7, it can be seen that primary
flow channel 32 has a circumferential or angular span 35 that is
greater than 180 degrees. Preferably, secondary flow channel 40 has
a circumferential or angular span 45 that is complementary to the
span 35 of channel 32. Further, as can be seen in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C,
and 7, the inner surfaces of primary flow channel 32 and secondary
flow channel 40 are substantially conical in shape. As shown in
FIG. 7, the taper angle 41 of the cone of flow channel 40 is
preferably more than about 10 degrees, and preferably less than
about 12 degrees. However, this range of taper angles is presented
by way of example only, and is not intended to be limiting on the
range of angles. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, it can be seen that
channel 40 of bottle 20 extends axially along the length of
centerline 22 for a long distance than channel 32. This increased
length assists in the smooth outflowing of contents by providing
additional top space for collection of inflowing gas when the
bottle is tipped past the horizontal for pouring.
[0036] The base 50 of bottle 20 includes gripping features 60 that,
in one embodiment, include a thumb recess or indentation 62
oriented generally opposite to finger indentations 64, 66, and 68.
In one embodiment, the forward-most recess or indentation 64
extends partly into the exterior of the rearward-most portion of
auxiliary flow chamber 40. In one embodiment, thumb indentation 62
is located generally between finger indentation 64 and 66.
[0037] Auxiliary flow chamber 40 is generally integral with the
main flow chamber 32 that starts at the threaded top of bottle 20.
As best seen in FIG. 7, auxiliary flow chamber 40 and main flow
chamber 32 are symmetric about a plane 25a that intersects
centerline 22.
[0038] In some embodiments, finger indentations 64, 66, and 68 are
oriented so that the user will instinctively maintain auxiliary
flow chamber 40 substantially vertically above centerline 22 when
drinking or pouring from the bottle. In one embodiment, finger
indentations 64, 66, and 68, as well as thumb indentation 62, are
centered along plane PL.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows a bottle 120 according to another embodiment of
the present invention. The right side view of bottle 120 would be
substantially similar to that of FIG. 3. The left side view of
bottle 120 would be substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 5A,
except with ridges 49 removed. Bottle 120 is similar to bottle 20,
except that neck 130 includes first and second flow channels 132
and 140, respectively, integrated into an oval shape. Preferably,
the primary and secondary flow channels are of different curvature,
with the primary flow channel being shallower than the secondary
flow channel. However, the present invention also contemplates
those embodiments in which the oval shape is elliptical, such as by
a plane cutting through a circular cone at an angle
nonperpendicular to the centerline of a cone. In some embodiments
bottle 120 does not include the external blending ridge 49 that can
be seen on the exterior of channel 40 of bottle 20. Therefore, in
some embodiments, bottle 120 can have different transitional stress
in the glass wall in this region. Further, although the fingertip
indentations 162, 164, 166, and 168 are generally centered within
plane of symmetry 125a, it is appreciated that the specific
side-to-side orientation of recess 162 is arbitrary, and can be on
either side, since the neck 130 is now symmetrical about plane
125a.
[0040] FIGS. 9 and 10 present two views, similar in orientation to
FIGS. 4A and 6, respectively, of a bottle 220 according to another
embodiment of the present invention. Bottle 220 includes primary
and secondary flow channels 232 and 240 that are mirror images of
one another, and equally spaced apart circumferentially from a
middle section 249. The exterior of each channel 232 and 240 blend
smoothly at transitions 239 to the middle section 249. It can be
seen that bottle 220 now has symmetry about plane 225b, as well as
symmetry about plane 225a. In bottle 220, the central portion 249
between first and second flow channels 232 and 240 provides an
internal flow separator, which may assist in maintaining liquid
flow within whichever flow chamber is oriented toward the bottom
during pouring. A cross section taken through the neck would show
that the neck has somewhat of a figure-8 shape, with a narrower
midsection separating two conical inner surfaces. As with bottle
120, the orientation of the single thumb recess can be on either
side of bottle 220 because of the symmetry in the two opposing flow
channels.
[0041] One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a bottle
fabricated from glass, and adapted and configured to hold a
pressurized liquid. However, other embodiments of the present
invention include bottles fabricated from any kind of material, and
holding any kind of liquid, including liquids not intended for
human consumption. Further, although a plurality of finger
indentations and a thumb indentation are shown, the present
invention includes other ways of gripping the bottle, including
individual ridges for one or more fingers, small ridges, a knurled
surface, and other manners of tactilely indicating to a user where
the user should hold the bottle, such that subsequent pouring of
the bottle by the user results in a smoother flow of the liquid out
of the bottle.
[0042] While the inventions have been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and
described and that all changes and modifications that come within
the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
* * * * *