U.S. patent application number 12/781475 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for bottle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tropicana Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bryan J. Lembke.
Application Number | 20110049085 12/781475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43123504 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110049085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lembke; Bryan J. |
March 3, 2011 |
BOTTLE
Abstract
A bottle includes a neck portion having an opening configured to
permit filling and emptying of the bottle, a shoulder portion
connected to a lower end of the neck portion, a sidewall connected
to a lower end of the shoulder portion and extending vertically
downward from the shoulder portion, and a base connected to a lower
end of the sidewall and forming a bottom surface of the bottle. The
sidewall has a plurality of annular ribs extending around a
periphery of the sidewall. Each of the annular ribs includes a
plurality of sequential enlarged portions interconnected by
bridges, with each of the enlarged portions having a vertical width
that is greater than a vertical width of each of the bridges.
Inventors: |
Lembke; Bryan J.; (Crystal
Lake, IL) |
Assignee: |
Tropicana Products, Inc.
Bradento
FL
|
Family ID: |
43123504 |
Appl. No.: |
12/781475 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61178824 |
May 15, 2009 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/382 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29K 2067/003 20130101;
B65D 2501/0036 20130101; B65D 2501/0081 20130101; B29K 2023/065
20130101; B65D 1/0276 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/382 |
International
Class: |
B65D 23/00 20060101
B65D023/00 |
Claims
1. A bottle comprising: a neck portion having an opening configured
to permit filling and emptying of the bottle; a shoulder portion
connected to a lower end of the neck portion; a sidewall connected
to a lower end of the shoulder portion and extending vertically
downward from the shoulder portion; and a base connected to a lower
end of the sidewall and forming a bottom surface of the bottle,
wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of annular ribs
extending around a periphery of the sidewall, each of the annular
ribs comprising a plurality of sequential enlarged portions
interconnected by bridges, each of the enlarged portions having a
vertical width that is greater than a vertical width of each of the
bridges.
2. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the sidewall further comprises
recessed lands located between the annular ribs.
3. The bottle of claim 1, wherein a first rib of the plurality of
ribs is staggered in relation to at least one adjacent second rib
of the plurality of ribs, such that the enlarged portions of the
first rib are vertically offset from the enlarged portions of the
second rib, and the bridges of the first rib are vertically offset
from the bridges of the second rib.
4. The bottle of claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of ribs are
arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that the
enlarged portions and the bridges of each rib are vertically offset
from the enlarged portions and the bridges of each adjacent
rib.
5. The bottle of claim 4, wherein the plurality of ribs form a
brick-like pattern.
6. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the enlarged portions of the ribs
are generally rectangular in shape.
7. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the bottle has a
generally square cross-section and is formed by four generally flat
panels connected by four rounded corners.
8. The bottle of claim 7, wherein the plurality of ribs are
staggered, such that each rib of a first group of the ribs has one
of the enlarged portions vertically aligned with each of the four
corners, and each rib of a second group of the ribs has one of the
bridges vertically aligned with each of the four corners, and
wherein the first group of ribs and the second group of ribs are
arranged in an alternating arrangement.
9. The bottle of claim 7, wherein all of the plurality of ribs are
arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that the
plurality of ribs form an alternating pattern at each of the four
corners where the enlarged portions and the bridges of alternating
ribs are vertically aligned with each respective corner.
10. The bottle of claim 1, wherein a first rib of the plurality of
ribs is staggered in relation to at least one adjacent second rib
of the plurality of ribs, such that the enlarged portions of the
first rib are vertically centered in relation to the bridges of the
second rib and the enlarged portions of the second rib are
vertically centered in relation to the bridges of the first
rib.
11. The bottle of claim 10, wherein all of the plurality of ribs
are arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that
the enlarged portions and the bridges of each rib are vertically
centered in relation to the bridges and the enlarged portions,
respectively, of each adjacent rib.
12. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle is manufactured using
a blow molding process, from a material that includes at least some
recycled PET, and is capable of exhibiting a dimensional stability
of less than 1% dimensional change during a WAB steam sterilization
process that reaches temperatures in the range of 75-85.degree.
C.
13. A bottle comprising: a base comprising a lowermost surface of
the bottle; an opening proximate a top of the bottle, spaced
vertically from the base, configured to permit filling and emptying
of the bottle; and a sidewall extending vertically upward at least
a portion of a vertical distance from the base to the opening, the
sidewall comprising four generally flat panel sections connected by
four rounded corners; wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of
annular ribs extending around a periphery of the sidewall, each of
the annular ribs comprising a plurality of sequential enlarged
portions interconnected by bridges, each of the enlarged portions
having a vertical width that is greater than a vertical width of
each of the bridges, and wherein a first rib of the plurality of
ribs is staggered in relation to at least one adjacent second rib
of the plurality of ribs, such that the enlarged portions of the
first rib are vertically centered in relation to the bridges of the
second rib and the enlarged portions of the second rib are
vertically centered in relation to the bridges of the first rib,
and such that first rib has one of the enlarged portions vertically
aligned with each of the four corners and the second rib has one of
the bridges vertically aligned with each of the four corners.
14. The bottle of claim 13, wherein the sidewall further comprises
recessed lands located between the annular ribs.
15. The bottle of claim 13, wherein all of the plurality of ribs
are arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that
the enlarged portions and the bridges of each rib are vertically
offset from the enlarged portions and the bridges of each adjacent
rib to form a brick-like pattern.
16. The bottle of claim 13, wherein the enlarged portions of the
ribs are generally rectangular in shape.
17. The bottle of claim 13, wherein all of the plurality of ribs
are arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that
the enlarged portions and the bridges of each rib are vertically
centered in relation to the bridges and the enlarged portions,
respectively, of each adjacent rib, and such that the plurality of
ribs form an alternating pattern at each of the four corners where
the enlarged portions and the bridges of alternating ribs are
vertically aligned with each respective corner.
18. The bottle of claim 13, wherein the bottle is manufactured
using a blow molding process, from a material that includes at
least some recycled PET, and is capable of exhibiting a dimensional
stability of less than 1% dimensional change during a WAB steam
sterilization process that reaches temperatures in the range of
75-85.degree. C.
19. A bottle comprising: a neck portion having an opening
configured to permit filling and emptying of the bottle; a shoulder
portion connected to a lower end of the neck portion, the shoulder
portion having a tapered configuration that tapers from a narrower
top end with a generally circular cross-sectional shape to a wider
bottom end with a generally square cross-sectional shape; a
sidewall connected to the lower end of the shoulder portion and
extending vertically downward from the shoulder portion, the
sidewall having a generally square cross-sectional shape comprising
four generally flat panel sections connected by four rounded
corners; and a base connected to a lower end of the sidewall and
forming a bottom surface of the bottle, wherein the sidewall
comprises a plurality of raised, annular ribs extending around a
periphery of the sidewall, each of the annular ribs comprising a
plurality of sequential, generally rectangular enlarged portions
interconnected by bridges, each of the enlarged portions having a
vertical width that is greater than a vertical width of each of the
bridges, the ribs being separated by recessed lands located between
the ribs, and wherein all of the plurality of ribs are arranged in
an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that the enlarged
portions and the bridges of each rib are vertically centered in
relation to the bridges and the enlarged portions, respectively, of
each adjacent rib, and such that the plurality of ribs form an
alternating pattern at each of the four corners where the enlarged
portions and the bridges of alternating ribs are vertically aligned
with each respective corner.
20. The bottle of claim 19, wherein the bottle is manufactured
using a blow molding process, from a material that includes at
least some recycled PET, and is capable of exhibiting a dimensional
stability of less than 1% dimensional change during a WAB steam
sterilization process that reaches temperatures in the range of
75-85.degree. C.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/178,824, filed on May
15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety
and made part hereof.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to a bottle suitable for use
in steam sterilization processes, and more specifically, to a
bottle having structures that can provide sufficient strength to
allow a recycled PET bottle to be used in steam sterilization.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Steam rinse sterilization processes are often used on
bottles and other containers, including those made of HDPE and
other polymers. Such sterilization processes, for example using a
WAB peroxide steam rinser, often result in the bottles reaching
temperatures of 75-85.degree. C. This temperature coincides with
the glass transition temperature of PET, as shown in FIG. 8, and
the modulus of PET changes rapidly throughout this temperature
range, as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the physical stability of
PET bottles decreases and becomes unpredictable and inconsistent,
resulting in shrinkage and/or deformation of the bottles. Thus, the
use of PET bottles in steam sterilization processes can present
difficulties. The use of recycled PET (rPET) increases the
unpredictability and inconsistency of the physical properties, as
the intrinsic viscosities of recycled materials typically exhibit
greater variation. Additionally, certain deformation
characteristics are more difficult to control in square or other
non-cylindrical bottles, and controlling shrinkage of the bottle
becomes more important as a result.
[0004] The present device and method are provided to address the
problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide
advantages and aspects not provided by prior bottles and other
containers of this type. A full discussion of the features and
advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following
detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] Aspects of the present invention relate to a bottle that
includes a neck portion having an opening configured to permit
filling and emptying of the bottle, a shoulder portion connected to
a lower end of the neck portion, a sidewall connected to a lower
end of the shoulder portion and extending vertically downward from
the shoulder portion, and a base connected to a lower end of the
sidewall and forming a bottom surface of the bottle. The sidewall
has a plurality of annular ribs extending around a periphery of the
sidewall. Each of the annular ribs includes a plurality of
sequential enlarged portions interconnected by bridges, with each
of the enlarged portions having a vertical width that is greater
than a vertical width of each of the bridges.
[0006] According to one aspect, the sidewall further includes
recessed lands located between the annular ribs.
[0007] According to another aspect, a first rib of the plurality of
ribs is staggered in relation to at least one adjacent second rib
of the plurality of ribs, such that the enlarged portions of the
first rib are vertically offset from the enlarged portions of the
second rib, and the bridges of the first rib are vertically offset
from the bridges of the second rib. In one embodiment, the first
and second ribs may be staggered such that the enlarged portions of
the first rib are vertically centered in relation to the bridges of
the second rib and the enlarged portions of the second rib are
vertically centered in relation to the bridges of the first rib. In
another embodiment, all of the plurality of ribs may be arranged in
an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that the enlarged
portions and the bridges of each rib are vertically offset from the
enlarged portions and the bridges, respectively, of each adjacent
rib, and such that the enlarged portions and the bridges of each
rib are vertically centered in relation to the bridges and the
enlarged portions, respectively, of each adjacent rib. The
plurality of ribs may form a brick-like pattern in this
embodiment.
[0008] According to a further aspect, the enlarged portions of the
ribs are generally rectangular in shape.
[0009] According to yet another aspect, the sidewall of the bottle
has a generally square cross-section and is formed by four
generally flat panels connected by four rounded corners. The
plurality of ribs are staggered, such that each rib of a first
group of the ribs has one of the enlarged portions vertically
aligned with each of the four corners, and each rib of a second
group of the ribs has one of the bridges vertically aligned with
each of the four corners. In one embodiment, the first group of
ribs and the second group of ribs are arranged in an alternating
arrangement.
[0010] According to a still further aspect, the bottle is
manufactured using a blow molding process, from a material that
includes at least some recycled PET, and is capable of exhibiting a
dimensional stability of less than 1% dimensional change during a
WAB steam sterilization process in which the bottle reaches
temperatures in the range of 75-85.degree. C.
[0011] Additional aspects of the invention relate to a bottle that
includes a base that forms a lowermost surface of the bottle, an
opening proximate a top of the bottle, spaced vertically from the
base, configured to permit filling and emptying of the bottle, and
a sidewall extending vertically upward at least a portion of a
vertical distance from the base to the opening. The sidewall is
formed by four generally flat panel sections connected by four
rounded corners. The sidewall has a plurality of annular ribs
extending around a periphery of the sidewall. Each of the annular
ribs includes a plurality of sequential enlarged portions
interconnected by bridges, with each of the enlarged portions
having a vertical width that is greater than a vertical width of
each of the bridges. A first rib of the plurality of ribs is
staggered in relation to at least one adjacent second rib of the
plurality of ribs, such that the enlarged portions of the first rib
are vertically centered in relation to the bridges of the second
rib and the enlarged portions of the second rib are vertically
centered in relation to the bridges of the first rib, and such that
first rib has one of the enlarged portions vertically aligned with
each of the four corners and the second rib has one of the bridges
vertically aligned with each of the four corners.
[0012] According to one aspect, the sidewall further includes
recessed lands located between the annular ribs.
[0013] According to another aspect, all of the plurality of ribs
are arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such that
the enlarged portions and the bridges of each rib are vertically
offset from the enlarged portions and the bridges, respectively, of
each adjacent rib to form a brick-like pattern.
[0014] According to a further aspect, the enlarged portions of the
ribs are generally rectangular in shape.
[0015] According to yet another aspect, all of the plurality of
ribs are arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such
that the enlarged portions and the bridges of each rib are
vertically centered in relation to the bridges and the enlarged
portions, respectively, of each adjacent rib, and such that the
plurality of ribs form an alternating pattern at each of the four
corners where the enlarged portions and the bridges of alternating
ribs are vertically aligned with each respective corner.
[0016] According to a still further aspect, the bottle is
manufactured using a blow molding process, from a material that
includes at least some recycled PET, and is capable of exhibiting a
dimensional stability of less than 1% dimensional change during a
WAB steam sterilization process where the bottle reaches
temperatures in the range of 75-85.degree. C.
[0017] Further aspects of the invention relate to a bottle that
includes a neck portion having an opening configured to permit
filling and emptying of the bottle, a shoulder portion connected to
a lower end of the neck portion, a sidewall connected to the lower
end of the shoulder portion and extending vertically downward from
the shoulder portion, and a base connected to a lower end of the
sidewall and forming a bottom surface of the bottle. The shoulder
portion has a tapered configuration that tapers from a narrower top
end with a generally circular cross-sectional shape to a wider
bottom end with a generally square cross-sectional shape, and the
sidewall has a generally square cross-sectional shape formed by
four generally flat panel sections connected by four rounded
corners. The sidewall has a plurality of raised, annular ribs
extending around a periphery of the sidewall. Each of the annular
ribs includes a plurality of sequential, generally rectangular
enlarged portions interconnected by bridges, each of the enlarged
portions having a vertical width that is greater than a vertical
width of each of the bridges. The ribs are further separated by
recessed lands located between the ribs. All of the plurality of
ribs are arranged in an alternating, staggered arrangement, such
that the enlarged portions and the bridges of each rib are
vertically centered in relation to the bridges and the enlarged
portions, respectively, of each adjacent rib, and such that the
plurality of ribs form an alternating pattern at each of the four
corners where the enlarged portions and the bridges of alternating
ribs are vertically aligned with each respective corner.
[0018] According to one aspect, the bottle is manufactured using a
blow molding process, from a material that includes at least some
recycled PET, and is capable of exhibiting a dimensional stability
of less than 1% dimensional change during a WAB steam sterilization
process where the bottle reaches temperatures in the range of
75-85.degree. C.
[0019] Still further aspects of the invention relate to a method of
blow molding a bottle as described above, and a method of
sterilizing a bottle as described above. The method of sterilizing
may include conducting a WAB steam sterilization process on the
bottle, which process reaches temperatures in the range of
75-85.degree. C. The bottle may exhibit a dimensional stability of
less than 1% dimensional change during the WAB steam sterilization
process.
[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] To allow for a more full understanding of the present
invention, it will now be described by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a front view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a right view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a rear side view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a top view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the bottle of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the heatflow of PET and HDPE
over a temperature range; and
[0030] FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating the modulus of PET and HDPE
over a temperature range.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] In the following description of various example structures
according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way
of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments
in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example
devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural
and functional modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms "top,"
"bottom," "front," "back," "side," "rear," and the like may be used
in this specification to describe various example features and
elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter
of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in
the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally,
the term "plurality," as used herein, indicates any number greater
than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up
to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be
construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of
structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.
[0032] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a bottle 10
according to aspects of the present invention. The bottle 10
includes a neck 12, a shoulder portion 14, a sidewall 16, and a
base 18. The bottle 10 is generally square/rectangular in
cross-section, and the sidewall 16 is defined by four generally
flat panels 20 connected by rounded corners 22.
[0033] The neck 12 has a circular opening 11 for filling and
emptying the bottle 10 (see FIG. 6), and is threaded for attachment
of a cap (not shown) thereto, as is known in the art. The neck 12
also includes a flange 13 for supporting a cap ring (not shown) as
also known in the art. In other embodiments, the features of the
bottle 10, including the structure of the sidewall 16, can be
utilized in bottles that have different types and configurations of
openings for filling and emptying, as well as different types and
configurations of closures for such openings, including flip-top
lids, snap lids, peel-back lids, other types of lids, and/or
combinations of such. For example, in one embodiment, the bottle 10
may include a peel-back portion in addition to the threaded cap. As
another example, a bottle may have an opening that is not located
at the top of the bottle, such as by having an opening in a side
surface of the bottle.
[0034] The shoulder portion 14 expands the diameter of the bottle
10 from the narrower neck 12 to the wider sidewall 16. The shoulder
portion 14 also creates a gradual transition from a round
cross-section to the square/rectangular cross-section of the
sidewall 16. The lower end 14A of the shoulder portion 14 is
generally square in cross-section, having four flattened areas 15,
and has at least one greater cross-sectional dimension than the
sidewall 16. Each of the flattened areas 15 of the shoulder portion
14 is located directly above one of the panels 20 of the sidewall
16, described below. In this embodiment, the lower end 14A of the
shoulder portion 14, at the flattened areas 15, has a greater
cross-sectional width, a greater cross-sectional perimeter, and a
greater cross-sectional area measured perpendicular to the vertical
axis of the bottle 10, relative to the sidewall 16. In other
embodiments, the features of the bottle 10, including the structure
of the sidewall 16, can be utilized in bottles that have a
differently-configured shoulder portion 14, or that have no
identifiable shoulder portion.
[0035] The base 18 is located at the lower end of the sidewall 16,
and includes a generally vertical, upstanding portion 51 and a
bottom surface 50 forming the lowermost surface of the bottle 10.
The base 18 also has a generally square/rectangular cross-section,
having four flattened areas 19, and also has at least one greater
cross-sectional dimension than the sidewall 16. Each of the
flattened areas 19 of the base 18 is located directly below one of
the panels 20 of the sidewall 16, described below. In this
embodiment, the upstanding portion 51 of the base 18, at the
flattened areas 19, has a greater cross-sectional width, a greater
cross-sectional perimeter, and a greater cross-sectional area
measured perpendicular to the vertical axis of the bottle 10,
relative to the sidewall 16. The base 18 also includes a base
shoulder 17 that transitions from the upstanding portion 51 to the
bottom surface 50 of the bottle 10. The bottom surface 50 has a
generally circular recess 52 with a curvilinear profile and a
plurality of strengthening ribs 54 arranged in a radial formation
at the center of the recess 52. In other embodiments, the features
of the bottle 10, including the structure of the sidewall 16, can
be utilized in bottles that have a differently-configured base, or
that have no identifiable base below the sidewall.
[0036] The sidewall 16 is recessed from the shoulder portion 14 and
the base 18, and has generally smaller cross-sectional dimensions
in this embodiment. As described above, the sidewall 16 is
generally square/rectangular in cross-section, having four
generally flat panels 20 connected by rounded corners 22. The upper
and lower ends of the sidewall 16 each include an annular shelf 24
forming transitions from the shoulder portion 14 and the base 18 to
the recessed lands 28 of the sidewall 16, with each annular shelf
24 having a generally smooth outer surface that follows the
contours of the panels 20 and corners 22. Each annular shelf 24 is
separated from the shoulder portion 14 or the base 18,
respectively, by a first annular shoulder 24A that forms a
reduction in cross-sectional area from the shoulder portion 14 or
the base 18 to the respective shelf 24. Further, each annular shelf
24 is separated from the recessed lands 28 of the sidewall 16 by a
second annular shoulder 24B that forms a reduction in
cross-sectional area from the respective shelf 24 to the adjacent
recessed lands 28 of the sidewall 16.
[0037] The sidewall 16 also includes a plurality of annular ribs 26
extending around the perimeter of the bottle 10, formed as raised
or embossed segments of the sidewall 16. The ribs 26 extend across
each of the flat panels 20 and around each of the corners 22. The
ribs 26 are separated by recessed lands 28, and the ribs 26 are
raised with respect to the lands 28. In the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 1-7, the lands 28 are completely separated from each other
by the ribs 26. Each of the ribs 26 is formed in a brick-like
configuration, having a plurality of sequential enlarged portions
or brick portions 30 separated by narrower bridges 32. In the
embodiment shown, the enlarged portions 30 are each formed in a
generally rectangular configuration. However, in other embodiments,
the enlarged portions 30 may have a different shape, including a
square, tapered, or rounded shape. Additionally, the bridges 32 may
have different configurations in other embodiments, such as a
narrower or wider configuration. Alternately, the bridges 32 may be
only intermittently present, such that one of the ribs 26 may have
complete gaps or separations between two or more adjacent enlarged
portions 30, and in one embodiment, the bridges 32 may be
completely absent for one or more of the ribs 26. In such
embodiments, at least some of the lands 28 may not be completely
separated from each other. In another embodiment, additional
vertical bridges may exist between two or more of the ribs 26 on
the sidewall 16. In a further embodiment, the orientation of the
embossed ribs 26 and the recessed lands 28 may be reversed, with
the ribs 26 being recessed into the outer surface of the sidewall
16 and the lands 28 being raised above the ribs 26.
[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, the ribs 26 are
arranged in an alternating, staggered formation, such that adjacent
ribs 26 are offset from each other. In other words, the enlarged
portion 30 of a first rib 26A is offset from the enlarged portions
30 of the upper and/or lower adjacent ribs 26B, 26C, as shown in
FIG. 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the bridges 32 of the first
rib 26A are located in vertical alignment with the approximate
midpoints of the enlarged portions 30 of the adjacent ribs 26B,
26C. Likewise, the bridges 32 of the adjacent ribs 26B, 26C are
located in vertical alignment with the approximate midpoints of the
enlarged portions 30 of the first rib 26A. Further, in this
embodiment, the midpoints of the enlarged portions 30 and the
bridges 32 of alternating ribs 26 are centered at the midpoints of
each of the rounded corners 22, as best seen in FIG. 1. It is
understood that the bottle 10 is shown as a thin-wall, blow molded
bottle 10, and that the internal surfaces of the bottle 10 are
generally mirror-images of the external surfaces. It is also
understood that features of the bottle 10 may be useful in other
types of bottles, such as bottles having thicker walls.
[0039] Viewed another way, the sidewall 16 may be described as
having an arrangement of staggered ribs 26, such that the ribs 26
form an alternating pattern at each of the four corners 22 where
the enlarged portions 30 and the bridges 32 of alternating ribs 26
are vertically aligned with each respective corner 22. In one
embodiment, the enlarged portions 30 of a first group of the ribs
26 (e.g. 26A) are vertically aligned with each of the four corners
22, and the bridges 32 of a second group of the ribs 26 (e.g. 26B,
26C) are vertically aligned with each of the four corners 22. The
first and second groups of ribs 26 may be arranged in an
alternating pattern, as described above. Such an alternating
pattern may be described as an A-B-A-B repeating pattern, with "A"
signifying said first group of ribs 26 (e.g. 26A) and "B"
signifying said second group of ribs 26 (e.g. 26B, 26C). In another
embodiment, the ribs 26 may be arranged in an alternating pattern,
but each rib 26 may not have only bridges 32 or enlarged portions
30 aligned with the corners 22. For example, each rib 26 may have
two bridges 32 aligned with two of the corners 22 and two enlarged
portions 30 aligned with the other two corners 22, in alternating
arrangement. In this embodiment, each corner 22 will still have an
alternating bridge 32/enlarged portion 30 pattern progressing
vertically down the corner 22, with opposite corners 22 having
identical alternating patterns and adjacent corners 22 having
opposite alternating patterns 22.
[0040] The degree of offset or staggering of the ribs 26 can be
different in other embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the
sidewall 16 may include three or four different staggered rib
configurations, such that the ribs 26 alternate in an A-B-C-A-B-C
pattern or an A-B-C-D-A-B-C-D pattern, among other embodiments. In
a further embodiment, the ribs 26 may not be staggered or offset
from each other, or may be randomly staggered on the sidewall
16.
[0041] The sidewall 16 is also configured to have a label (not
shown) attached thereto. The large, flat surface area provided by
the plurality of enlarged portions 30 of the ribs 26 and the
surfaces of the annular shelves 24 provide sufficient area for
attachment of such a label, for example by using an adhesive.
[0042] The bottle 10 is suitable for manufacture by blow molding
processes, including stretch blow molding processes, but can also
be manufactured using other processes. Additionally, the bottle 10
is suitable for use with PET and/or rPET materials, but can provide
beneficial effects when manufactured from other materials,
including HDPE and other polymer materials. Further, the bottle 10
is suitable for use for steam sterilization processes, including
processes utilizing a WAB peroxide steam rinser, but can provide
benefits in other applications as well. Still further, the bottle
10 is suitable for use in cold-fill applications, but may also be
useful in hot-fill applications, as well as other applications.
[0043] The structural features of the bottle 10 shown in FIGS. 1-7,
including at least the structure of the ribs 26 and/or other
structures of the sidewall 16, provide sufficient strength and
stability to the bottle 10 to enable the bottle 10 to be used in a
steam sterilization process without unacceptable deformation of the
bottle 10. In particular, the structure enables a bottle 10 made of
PET (including rPET) be used in steam sterilization processes where
the bottle 10 reaches temperatures in the range of 75-85.degree. C.
Prototypes of one embodiment of the bottle 10 made using at least
some rPET have exhibited dimensional stability of less than 1%
dimensional change during a steam sterilization process.
Additionally, steam sterilization processes carried out on
prototypes of the bottle 10 have shown superior bacteria kill rates
during steam sterilization processes. It is thought that the
internal geometry of the bottle 10 may cause increased turbulence
of the sterilizing medium within the bottle 10, which may produce a
greater kill rate than in other bottles.
[0044] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the
invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
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