U.S. patent application number 13/654410 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for polymeric replacement for a glass drinking container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul J. Fenelon. Invention is credited to Paul J. Fenelon.
Application Number | 20130112696 13/654410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48141325 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130112696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fenelon; Paul J. |
May 9, 2013 |
POLYMERIC REPLACEMENT FOR A GLASS DRINKING CONTAINER
Abstract
A polymeric replacement vessel, or container, for glassware and
glass containers and a method of making the same. polymeric
drinking container simulates a glass drinking container having a
glass drinking container volume. The polymeric drinking container
comprises a base and an enclosed wall composed of the polymer. The
wall is formed with the base and extends from the base while
defining an opening opposite the base. The enclosed wall includes
an inside surface and an outside surface. The base and enclosed
wall form a polymeric drinking container volume made of the
polymeric material. This polymeric drinking container volume is
equal to the glass component drinking container volume plus an
amount equal to the glass component drinking container volume
multiplied times the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass to
the specific gravity of the polymer.
Inventors: |
Fenelon; Paul J.;
(Nashville, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fenelon; Paul J. |
Nashville |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48141325 |
Appl. No.: |
13/654410 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61627659 |
Oct 17, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/604 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 70/682 20130101;
B29C 70/72 20130101; B29L 2031/7132 20130101; A47G 19/2205
20130101; B29K 2105/20 20130101; B65D 21/0233 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/604 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A polymeric drinking container simulating a glass drinking
container having a glass drinking container volume, the polymeric
drinking container comprising: a base composed of the polymer; an
enclosed wall composed of the polymer, the wall formed with the
base, extending from the base, defining an opening opposite the
base; wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric drinking
container volume of polymeric material that is approximately equal
to the glass drinking container volume plus an added amount of the
glass drinking container volume multiplied times the ratio of
specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the
polymer.
2. The drinking container of claim 1, wherein the glass is soda
lime glass
3. The drinking container of claim 1, wherein the enclosed wall
includes an inside surface defining an inside volume and an outside
surface defining an outside volume and the polymeric drinking
container volume is the difference between outside volume and the
inside volume.
4. All novel features disclosed herein.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of the following Provisional
Patent Application which is hereby incorporated by reference:
[0002] Provisional Patent Application No. 61/627,659 Filed Oct. 17,
2011 for: [0003] "UTILITY FUNCTIONAL POLYMERIC REPLACEMENT FOR SODA
LIME GLASS AND/OR CONTAINERS AND/OR DRINKING GLASSES"
[0004] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document
or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure relates generally to the use of a
polymeric material to create a drinking container that is similar
in functionality to a glass drinking container without the
drawbacks of the glass material. More particularly, the current
disclosure is directed at a polymeric drinking container, and a
method of making the same, such that the drinking container has the
same "weighted feel," transparency, and rigidity as glass without
having the brittle nature of glass.
[0006] It is known in the art to use glass material to make many
items associated with the consumption of food and beverages. These
items are typically containers or vessels that can fall into a
multitude of categories including beverage containers and food
containers. Numerous categories of beverage containers include
glassware and beverageware, or drinkware. Which can be further
described as barware, glassware, crystal, and stemware. Glassware
can include beverage containers of all kinds and various plates,
platters, pitchers, decorative items and the like, used in the
consumption of food and beverage.
[0007] The use of soda lime glass is typically the glass of choice
in these beverage containers. The soda lime glass is an inorganic
composition that is made up of typically inexpensive and readily
available ingredients. This type of glass has many acceptable
features that are beneficial in these beverage containers. These
acceptable features include exceptional transparency and clarity
along with a Moh hardness of 6.1 that provides scratch resistance.
Soda lime glass has a density of 2.52 grams per cubic centimeter,
which yields a characteristic "heavy weighted feel" to a use of the
glass beverage containers. Additionally, it has a high melting
point (1024 degrees centigrade) which provides a useful resistance
to wear and deterioration from household and commercial cleaning
products, surfactants and scrubbers.
[0008] Unfortunately, the soda lime glass has several unacceptable
characteristics and features when used in beverage containers. For
example, one huge issue is the fact that the soda lime glass is
very brittle and is thus prone to breaking. This breakage creates
two issues: reduces the useful life span of the glass beverage
containers and creates a safety issue upon breakage.
[0009] Due to the brittle nature of the glass, the glass beverage
containers have a tendency to break, sometimes in just normal
handling and cleaning. This breakage requires employee to clean up
the breakage and additional supplies of the glass containers to
replace the broken containers. This breakage reduces the useful
life and increases the cost for those glass beverage
containers.
[0010] Glass beverage containers also have potential health hazards
due to shards, splinters, knife-like edge pieces, etc., that can
pierce and cut the skin. This hazard is so detrimental to workers
and patrons in the United Kingdom that the British Government has
instituted a directive to improve the safety of glassware in
restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. The directive, issued in an
article entitled "Design Out Crime," includes a forward by Alan
Campbell, the United Kingdom's Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State, that article outlines the issues with glass containers, such
as beer glasses or bottles. The article explained that glass
containers can be dangerous and cause many issue when accidentally
broken, but they can be a huge issue if purposely broken and used
as weapons. In this article, the British Government asked for
improvements to the glass material or alternatives to the current
glass material used in drinking containers. The British Government
asked for improved glassware that increased the safe use of that
glassware, while trying to give a similar drinking experience to
the drinking consumer as the current glassware.
[0011] Further, the actual brittleness of the glass requires the
glass beverage container to have a rounded thick lip at the open
end, or mouth, in order to protect a user from actually cutting
themselves during proper use of that glass beverage container.
[0012] Additionally, soda lime glass is a high melting composition.
This requires high energy to manufacture the glasses, which again
increases costs. Additionally, the glass has a thermal conductivity
that facilities a transfer of heat between the contents within the
glass and the external atmosphere. This leads to the glass
"sweating" and "dripping" when filled with liquids that are colder
than the ambient air temperature. This "sweating" can cause the
glass beverage container to slip or drop from the hand of a user
when wet leading to the afore mentioned breaking. Additionally, the
"sweating" necessitates protection for whatever service upon which
the glass is set in the form of coasters, beverage sleeves, table
cloths, and even protective coatings on wood and the like. Again,
this raises the dangers and associated cost for the restaurant,
bar, pub, etc.
[0013] The move to polymeric material for glass replacement has
been slow. This is due to the lack of the same experience provided
to the drinkware user and the difficulties in the manufacturing of
the polymeric material. In a conventional molding operation, the
mold is comprised of a cavity area and a core area and divided into
two halves. During the molding process, parting lines in the molded
part are formed at the joints of the two halves of the mold. This
is due to a portion of the thermoplastic/polymeric material that is
injected into the mold seeping through those joints. This creates
"parting lines" which typically then are removed during a finishing
process that adds expense and can be athletically unappealing.
[0014] Another issue with conventional drinkware in restaurants,
bars, pubs, and the like is the transport of those from location to
location. Typically these drinking containers are moved stacked
inside one another and yet are not designed to properly hold their
position when so stacked. Typically these drinking containers have
a single point of contact once stacked inside another container of
a similar geometric shape. This facilitates sliding and movement of
the top container with respect to the bottom container. Once
several of these drinking containers are stacked on top of each
other, the top containers tend to exaggerate this sliding movement
and fall over to one side, typically falling outside the footprint
of the bottom container therefore causing a tumbling and/or falling
effect of the stacked drinking containers.
[0015] What is needed then is an acceptable alternative to glass
vessels or glass containers, especially for beverage containers or
drinkware. Preferably these improved containers will have a clarity
equivalent to glass along with a "weighted feel" that is similar to
the glass container that it replaces. Additionally, the improved
container is preferably shatter resistant, crush resistant and
cleaning detergent and dishwasher safe. Additionally, the improved
container preferably have a resistance to stress cracking and
discoloration while having good surface aesthetics. The needed
improved container is preferably compliant with all regulations of
the Food and Drug Administration and be economically viable. This
needed improved container for glass containers is lacking in the
art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Disclosed herein is a polymeric replacement vessel, or
container, for glassware and glass containers. Also included is a
method of making such a polymeric replacement container. The
polymeric replacement container incorporates the beneficial
features of glass while substantially eliminating many of the
non-beneficial features of glass when used in similar containers.
The polymeric container is both economically and functionally
achievable through the use of thermoplastic materials and novel
architectural manufacturing techniques. Both clear thermoplastic
materials and filled thermoplastic materials, those with additives,
can be utilized with the inventive architectural features to create
the novel and unique polymeric replacement containers.
[0017] The polymeric replacement container is preferably a
polymeric drinking container and includes several characteristics
similar to a glass drinking container. These characteristics can be
achieved through the design of the polymeric drinking container and
the manufacturing processes used to create that polymeric drinking
container.
[0018] The polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking
container having a glass drinking container volume. The polymeric
drinking container comprises a base and an enclosed wall composed
of the polymer. The wall is formed with the base and extends from
the base while defining an opening opposite the base. The enclosed
wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The base
and enclosed wall form a polymeric drinking container volume made
of the polymeric material. This polymeric drinking container volume
is equal to the glass component drinking container volume plus an
amount equal to the glass component drinking container volume
multiplied times the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass to
the specific gravity of the polymer.
[0019] The volume of the glass drinking container (.DELTA.V.sub.G)
that is to be replaced by the polymeric drinking container can be
described as being the external volume of the glass container
(EV.sub.G) minus the internal volume of the glass container
(IV.sub.G) as seen in the following equation:
.DELTA.V.sub.G=EV.sub.G-IV.sub.G
Additionally, generally the volume of the polymeric drinking
container (.DELTA.V.sub.P) can be described as the external volume
of the polymeric drinking container (EV.sub.P) minus the internal
volume of the polymeric drinking container (IV.sub.P), as shown in
the following equation:
.DELTA.V.sub.P=EV.sub.PIV.sub.P
(Note IV.sub.P is equal to IV.sub.G, since internal volume remains
unchanged) Since the specific gravity and/or density of the glass
is typically greater than that of polymeric materials, in order to
get an equal weight of the polymeric drinking container to the
glass drinking container, which gives the "equal weighted feel" to
the user, an additional volume of the polymeric material is
required in the polymeric drinking container. As such, the
equivalent volume of polymeric material can be described as
equaling the volume of the glass drinking container
(.DELTA.V.sub.G) plus an ideal added volume of polymeric material
(.DELTA.V.sub.PE). This added volume of polymeric material is the
added volume of polymeric material that gives the equal "weighted
feel" of the polymeric drinking container to that of the glass
drinking container.
[0020] In actuality, the amount of polymeric volume added does not
have to equate to this ideal added volume of polymeric material.
For example, the actual added volume of polymeric material
(.DELTA.V.sub.PA) used to simulate the glass drinking container can
range between 0.7 to 1.3 times the ideal volume of added polymeric
material (.DELTA.V.sub.PE). Alternate ranges can include 0.8 to 1.2
times the amount of .DELTA.V.sub.PE, and 0.9 to 1.1 times
.DELTA.V.sub.PE. In a more preferred embodiment, the
.DELTA.V.sub.PA ranges between 0.7 and 1.0 times .DELTA.V.sub.PE,
more preferably between 0.8 to 1.0 times .DELTA.V.sub.PE and most
preferably between 0.81 and 1.0 times .DELTA.V.sub.PE.
[0021] Additionally, the polymeric drinking container can maintain
design aesthetics and dimension ratios by proportionally increasing
the dimensions of the polymeric drinking container in relation to
the glass drinking container. This increase of dimensions can take
into account the square dependency of volume on the diameter of the
polymeric drinking container and the linear dependency of volume on
the length of the polymeric drinking container. In this polymeric
drinking container the percentage of increase of added polymer
material (.DELTA.V.sub.P+) with respect to the external volume of
the glass container (EV.sub.G) can be calculated as follows:
.DELTA. V P + = ( .DELTA. V PA - .DELTA. V G ) EV G .times. 100
##EQU00001##
This equation yields the percentage increase in the material volume
to ideally achieve the same "weighted feel" of the polymeric
drinking container in relation to the glass drinking container
being replaced.
[0022] Experimentation has also shown that the increases in the
volume of the polymeric material should preferably be
proportionally divided between the diameter and length of the
polymeric drinking container to maintain the similar user
experience in that the polymeric drinking container in relation to
the glass drinking container being replaced. For example, the
increase in the diameter and lengths of the polymeric drinking
container can be increased as a factor of the percentage of
increase of added polymer material (.DELTA.V.sub.P+). These
increases can range between 0.25 and 0.41 of the .DELTA.V.sub.P+.
More preferably, these increases are between 0.30 and 0.36 of the
.DELTA.V.sub.P+and preferably at 0.333 of the .DELTA.V.sub.P+.
[0023] Additionally, a polymeric drinking container made in
accordance with the current disclosure is designed with little to
no visible parting lines in the final drinkware. This can be
accomplished during the molding process by using additional cooling
lines at the seams of the mold. Preferably the mold which can
include the core and cavity, with the core making the internal
shape of the container in which the liquid is held during use and
the cavity establishing the external shape of the container. The
actual volume of the container is formed between the cavity and
core using normal polymer/thermoplastic molding technologies.
[0024] However, in the current inventive design, cooling lines are
spread within the mold to help solidify the polymer/thermoplastic
within that mold. This design includes various independent cooling
lines spread throughout the cavity and specifically calibrated to
provide different temperatures at the location of the connection
locations of the mold. These temperatures are such that the
temperature of the cooling lines at those mold assembly locations
is less than the temperature of the cooling lines at the other
cooling line locations within the mold and/or cavity. This reduced
temperature at the traditional "parting line" location hastens the
solidification of the thermoplastic/polymeric material within the
mold at those locations. This early stage solidification increases
the viscosity of the polymeric material at those locations thereby
reducing and/or eliminating the movement of the polymeric material
in the cracks of the mold. This lack of movement reduces, or
eliminates, the visible parting lines that plague a typical
thermoplastic mold parts. In turn, this removes the need for
carrying out secondary finishing operations such as flame
treatments, polishing, buffing, and the like.
[0025] Another feature of a polymeric replacement container made in
accordance with the current disclosure includes a multiple over
molded container. In this embodiment a fixed core is used as a
first layer or first volume of the container. That core is inserted
into incrementally increasing cavities where additional over molded
layers or volumes of polymeric material are applied to the core
layer. Each layer can be allowed to cool and solidify into a piece
that is removable. Each subsequent layer can then be inserted into
another incrementally larger cavity and an additional layer of
polymeric material can be overmolded onto the first two layers.
This process can continue until these desired volume and weight are
achieved. This process can allow the insertion of decorative
designs and visual markings within the layers in between their
applications. These techniques can include the insertion of
indicia, such as messages and logos in between the layers as well
as the inclusion of patterns, colors, alternate materials, and the
like in between the various layers. There can also be included
various markers, thermochromatic elements and the like within the
various layers. For example, thermochromatic layers that are
responsive to temperature change can be inserted in between the
core and the second layer to benefit the most from the temperature
change by the addition of a cool or hot liquid within the
container. Also various diffraction patterns can be included on the
outer layers which maximize the light diffraction which allows an
aesthetically pleasing look without compromising the internal
integrity of the container made with the overmolded layers.
[0026] Additionally, a primary replacement container in accordance
with the current disclosure can be made by the use of a single core
segment to generate a family of products. In this embodiment the
same core can be used to form a base drinking vessel, such as a
stemless wine glass, and then through the use of an over-molding
process various stem lengths can be added as desired. These stem
lengths can create a short stem, a standard stem, or a long stem to
simulate standard wine glasses, chalices, fine crystal glasses and
the like.
[0027] Additionally, an embodiment of the polymeric replacement
container can have physical characteristics that allow secured
stacking of those containers.
[0028] The improved polymeric drinking container includes external
and internal geometric shapes such that a portion of the lower
outside diameter is larger than a portion of the internal diameter
of a container. Additionally, the angle of the inside diameter with
respect to the base of the container can be approximately equal to
the angle of the outside diameter with respect to the base of the
container. In this design, the angles of the outside and inside
diameters will substantially match such that as the two containers
are inserted one in the other the outside diameter of the first
container will engage a portion of the inside diameter that
substantially matches its angle in relation to the base and its
diameter. This increases the surface contact between the stacked
polymeric drinking containers thereby reducing the toppling effect
and allowing easy transport of the polymeric drinking containers in
such a fashion.
[0029] It is therefore a general object of the current disclosure
to provide an improved polymeric replacement container for a glass
container.
[0030] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an
improved polymeric drinking container.
[0031] Still another object of the current invention is to provide
a polymeric container that has beneficial characteristics of a
glass container while reducing or eliminating non-beneficial
characteristics.
[0032] Yet another object of the current disclosure is to provide a
polymeric container that has the "weighted fill" of a glass
container.
[0033] Another object of the current disclosure is to provide a
polymeric container that has little to no visible parting lines
from the manufacturing process.
[0034] Other and further objects, features and advantages of the
present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a polymeric container
made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 1B is a view similar to FIG. 1A showing a relation of
the internal volume within the container.
[0037] FIG. 1C is a side view of a container as shown in FIGS.
1A-1B.
[0038] FIG. 1D is a cross sectional view taken along Line AA in
FIG. 1C.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway illustration of polymeric
containers made in accordance with the current disclosure in a
stacked relationship.
[0040] FIG. 3A is a side view of an alternate polymeric container
made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 3B is a side view similar to FIG. 3A showing the
internal volume of the polymeric container.
[0042] FIG. 3C is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 3A.
[0043] FIG. 3D is a bottom view of the container shown in FIG.
3A.
[0044] FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of an alternate polymeric
container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 4B is a side view of the container shown in FIG.
4A.
[0046] FIG. 4C is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 4B.
[0047] FIG. 4D is a cross sectional view along Line A-A in FIG.
4B.
[0048] FIG. 5A is a side view of an alternate container made in
accordance with the current disclosure.
[0049] FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view taken along Line B-B of
FIG. 5A.
[0050] FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a polymeric container
made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0051] FIG. 6B is a side view of the container shown in FIG.
6A.
[0052] FIG. 6C is a cross sectional view taken along Line A-A of
FIG. 6B.
[0053] FIG. 6D is a side view of the container shown in 6A shown in
a stacked relationship.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a mold showing a process of
making a polymeric container in accordance with the current
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0055] Referring generally now to the Figures, a polymeric
container can be shown and generally illustrated by the numeral 10.
The container includes a base 12 and an enclosed wall 14. The
enclosed wall 14 can be formed with the base 12 and extends from
the base 12 and defines an opening 16, or a mouth 16, opposite the
base 12. The wall includes an inside surface 18 and an outside
surface 20.
[0056] The polymeric material is preferably a thermoplastic and can
be a clear engineering thermoplastic or a filled engineering
thermoplastic. For example a clear engineering thermoplastic can
include PET, PETG, SAN, PC, TPX, PVC, and the like. The filled
engineering thermoplastics can be thermoplastics, such as can be
polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, PVC, and the like, filled with
additives such as Mica, Calcium Carbonate, Talc, Aluminum Silicate,
and the like. Either of these thermoplastics can be the molded
compounds used to form the container structures and base. Further,
the base can be intricately molded with a heavy walled streamlined
configuration. This facilitates the elimination of voids during the
melting and formation processing, including the cooling of the base
during the manufacture. Alternately, the base can be intricately
molded around an insert or filler that is suitably sized and shaped
to provide part of the weight of the base.
[0057] The polymeric container 10 is preferably a drinking
container, or drinkware, as used to hold a liquid for consumption
by a user. The polymeric container 10 is designed to simulate a
glass container and provide a similar user experience as the glass
container without having various drawbacks of that glass container.
Given the variations and the properties of glass and polymers,
alterations in the polymeric container design are used to provide
that same "user experience" as the glass container.
[0058] For example, the polymeric drinking container as composed of
the base and enclosed wall, has a polymeric drinking container
volume of the polymeric material that simulates the drinking glass
container volume for which it replaces. This polymeric drinking
container volume is approximately equal to the glass drinking
container volume plus the added volume of polymer material needed
to achieve the approximate equivalent weight of the glass container
in the polymeric container. This added volume is approximately
equal to the volume of the glass, which is the external volume of
the glass container minus the internal volume of the glass
container, multiplied times the ratio of specific gravity of the
glass to the specific gravity of the polymer chosen.
[0059] Table 1 includes a listing of specific gravities of some
polymers that could be used to create the polymeric drinking
container as disclosed. The volume of polymeric material used to
create a polymeric drinking container made in accordance with the
current disclosure can be configured based upon the specific
gravity ratio of the glass of the container of which is replaced,
typically soda lime glass, in relation to the specific gravity of
the polymer/thermoplastics chosen for the polymeric container.
[0060] In a preferred embodiment this volume of polymeric material
is configured such that the weight of the polymeric container
almost exactly equals the weight of the glass container being
replaced. In actuality though, experiments have shown that a
different volume of added polymeric material that is actually used
(.DELTA.V.sub.PA) will work, give more than satisfactory results,
and maintain both functionality and economic viability. This range
of .DELTA.V.sub.PA can be expressed as a percentage amount of the
ideal volume of polymeric material used added to the initial
starting volume to create the desired polymeric container.
[0061] The starting point to establish the ideal volume for the
polymeric replacement container (.DELTA.V.sub.PE) begins with the
volume of the glass container that is to be replaced. This volume
can be expressed as the volume of glass of the container
(.DELTA.V.sub.G) which equals the external volume of glass
(EV.sub.G) minus the internal volume of glass (IV.sub.G). With this
as the starting volume, the amount added to the composition of the
polymeric container in order to establish a comparable weight
between the polymeric container and the glass container can be
explained as follows. The polymeric materials are typically less
dense than the glass used in conventional glass containers. As
such, an additional volume of the polymeric material is required to
establish the same "weight feeling" in the polymeric container to
satisfy the end user of the polymeric container when that end user
is used to and comfortable with the glass container. This
additional added volume can be described as the added volume of
polymeric material needed to achieve an equivalent weight feeling
in the container in comparison to a glass container
(.DELTA.V.sub.PE). This amount of ideal added polymeric material to
create the equivalent weight of the glass container in the
polymeric container can equal the volume of glass (.DELTA.V.sub.G)
in the original glass container multiplied times the ratio of the
specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the
polymer.
[0062] It has been discovered that the exact equivalent is not
necessary as such a range of volume actually added is preferred and
within the scope of this disclosure. This volume range can be
expressed in a range, or percentage of the ideal volume of polymer
to be added (.DELTA.V.sub.PE). For example, one range of acceptable
(.DELTA.V.sub.PA) includes 0.7 to 1.3 of the (.DELTA.V.sub.PE).
Preferably this range is 0.8 to 1.2 (.DELTA.V.sub.PE) and more
preferably 0.9 to 1.1 (.DELTA.V.sub.PE). In a more preferred
embodiment the percentage of actual volume of the polymeric
material added (.DELTA.V.sub.PA) is actually less than the ideal
amount of polymer used to equate the weight to the glass
(.DELTA.V.sub.PE). In this embodiment, there are ranges that are
preferred including a range of 0.7 to 1.0 .DELTA.V.sub.PE, and
preferably 0.8 to 1.0 .DELTA.V.sub.PE. In a most preferred
embodiment, the value of .DELTA.V.sub.PA is between 0.81 and 1.0
.DELTA.V.sub.PE.
[0063] Another feature of a polymeric container made in accordance
with the current disclosure is the overall aesthetic feel and look
as used by the consumer to partake of the liquid stored therein. It
has been discovered that an adherence to a dimension ratio helps
facilitate this aesthetic look and feel to the user. Since the
overall volume of the polymeric container is increased in
comparison to the glass container, an adjustment in the ratios of
the diameter and length of the polymeric container are required. As
such, a polymeric drinking container has increased dimensions in
both diameter and length in comparison to the glass container to
which it replaces. The adherence to the comparison ratios in
diameters and length of the polymeric container with respect to the
glass container maintains an overall dimensional feel and look in
the polymeric container that is appeasing to the end user.
[0064] For example, the percentage increase of additional polymer
with respect to the external volume of the glass container that is
replaced can be indicated by .DELTA.V.sub.P+. This number can be
calculated by taking the volume of added polymer actually used
(.DELTA.V.sub.PA) and subtracting out the volume of the glass
container that is replaced (.DELTA.V.sub.G) and dividing that sum
by the external volume of the original glass container (EV.sub.G).
That number is then multipled by 100 to obtain the percentage
increase in the material volume needed to achieve the weighted feel
of the polymeric container. From this percentage, the amount
increase in diameter and length of the polymeric container is
determined.
[0065] For example, the percentage increase in the diameter and
length can be between 0.25 and 0.14 of .DELTA.V.sub.P+, more
preferably between 0.30 and 0.36 .DELTA.V.sub.P+ and most
preferably at 0.333 .DELTA.V.sub.P+. Alternately stated, the ratio
of diameters to the polymeric container is 1/3 larger than the
diameter of the glass container to which it is simulating.
Correspondingly, the length of the polymeric container is 1/3
larger than the length of the glass container to which it
replaces.
[0066] Another feature of the polymeric drinking container is the
gradual increased thickness of the enclosed wall 14 from the
opening 16 to the base 12. This gradual increase also facilitates
the overall weighted feel of the polymeric container in comparison
to the glass container which it replaces. This programmed and
controlled thickness increase facilitates the clear appearance of
the polymeric container once formed and facilitates sufficient
rigidity in the polymeric drinking container to withstand its use
as a drinking vessel. In a most preferred embodiment, the thickness
of the walls of the polymeric container in relation to the glass
container follows the same ratios as described above in reference
to .DELTA.V.sub.P+.
[0067] A polymeric drinking container made as just described will
have several advantages which include a gradual uniformly
increasing side wall thickness. This allows a functional
transparency and clarity when the polymeric material is selected as
a clear engineering thermoplastic. Additionally, there will be a
lack of obvious or unwanted disruptions of light due to refraction
or transmission in the polymeric container so constructed.
Additionally, the polymeric container as mentioned has a weight
that substantially matches, or simulates, that of the glass
containers but has a rigidity and resistance to crunching that
matches, or in most cases exceeds, that of glass containers.
Typically the rigidity is proportional to the cube of the container
sidewall thickness multiplied times the material modulus. In this
instance, the polymeric material has increased rigidity and the
gradual increase in the sidewall thickness along with the
aforementioned dimensional adjustments and volume metric
adjustments, has a profound effect on the container resistance to
breaking and fragmenting. These engineered thermoplastics in the
container have an excellent toughness and are resistant to abuse
while having increased their durability. The thermoconductivity of
the polymeric container is improved thus providing an approved
cooling capacity for the polymeric container in relation to the
glass container. This is facilitated by the material used and also
in the increased wall thickness of the polymeric material and the
polymeric container since the diffusion of heat is proportional to
the square of the container wall thickness. In addition, there is a
reduced tendency for moisture condensation on the outside of the
polymeric container due to this improved cooling capacity.
Additionally, there is an improved balance in resisting to tipping
or toppling due to the predominance of the polymeric container
weight being distributed towards the bottom portion or bottom half
of the polymeric container.
[0068] In this container, the average container wall thickness of
the polymeric container is proportional to the ratio of the
specific gravity of the glass, such as 2.52 for soda lime glass, to
that of the polymeric material selected, typically between 0.85 to
1.4 for those thermoplastics listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Additionally, since the wall thickness in the polymeric container
is proportional and gradual along the length of the container, a
majority of the weight ends up in the lower half of the polymeric
container. This again improves the balance of the container and
resistance to tipping and/or toppling.
[0069] Thus, although there have been described particular
embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful POLYMERIC
REPLACEMENT FOR A GLASS DRINKING CONTAINER it is not intended that
such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this
invention except as set forth in the following claims.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average Thickness Needed to Achieve
"Weighted Glass" Feel Assumption: Equivalent Soda Line Glass has an
Average Thickness of 0.10 in. Average Wall Thickness Material
Specific Gravity (inches) PET 1.36 .185 PC 1.20 .210 SAN 1.07 .235
TPX .85 .296 PVC 1.40 .180 40% FILLED POLYPRO 1.23 .205
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SODA LINE
GLASS AND CLEAR ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS MATERIAL SODA PROP- LINE
ERTY UNITS GLASS PET SAN PC TPX Density Grms/CC 2.52 1.4 1.07 1.2
0.85 Tensile Psi .times. 10.sup.6 10.2 .45 0.52 0.35 0.20 Mod- ulus
Tensile Psi .times. 10.sup.3 4.79 3.0 10.0 9.0 3.4 Strength Hard-
Molt or R MOH 6.1 70 R 86 R 70 R 60 R ness 1200 Ft. Lbs/in. <0.1
1.4 0.6 >10 0.8 Impact Melt/ .degree. C. 724 150 150 130 130
Soft- ening Point Thermal W/m K 1.1 0.31 0.30 0.32 0.28 Con- duc-
tivity Clarity Obs Excellent Very Very Very Excellent Good Good
Good Chem- Obs Excellent Very Fair Good Excellent ical Good Resis-
tance Scratch Obs Excellent Good Very Good Good Resis- Good
tance
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SODA LINE
GLASS AND 40% FILLED POLYPROPYLENES MATERIAL SODA PP PP PP PP PROP-
LINE WITH WITH WITH WITH ERTY UNITS GLASS MICA CaCO.sub.3 TALC
NYOLYN Density Grms/CC 2.52 1.24 1.22 1.24 1.22 Tensile Psi .times.
10.sup.6 10.2 0.45 0.42 0.47 0.50 Modulus Tensile Psi .times.
10.sup.3 4.79 4.5 4.2 4.7 4.9 Strength Hardness MOH or R MOH 89 R
90 R 99 R 100 R 6.1 1Z00 Ft. Lbs/in. <0.1 0.6 0.8 0.5 0.6 Impact
Melt/ .degree. C. 724 120 120 120 120 Softening Point Thermal W/m K
1.1 0.33 0.31 0.35 0.32 Con- ductivity Chemical Obs Excel- Very
Very Very Very Resistance lent Good Good Good Good Scratch Obs
Excel- Good Fair Good Good Resistance lent
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