U.S. patent application number 14/375004 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for load-bearing and vacuum-resistant containers.
The applicant listed for this patent is NESTEC S.A.. Invention is credited to Martin Geithmann, Robert Linden, Lise Zeboudj.
Application Number | 20150001172 14/375004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47630294 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150001172 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geithmann; Martin ; et
al. |
January 1, 2015 |
LOAD-BEARING AND VACUUM-RESISTANT CONTAINERS
Abstract
Containers having improved load-bearing and vacuum-resistance
features are provided. In a general embodiment, the present
disclosure provides a container (10) having a shoulder (16)
including four faces forming compound-radiused comers at
intersections (28,30) with a body of the container. In another
embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container having a
shoulder (16) with four faces, at least two of the four faces
having a cut-away (32) with a shape that is substantially U-shaped.
The structural features of the present containers advantageously
provide for improved compression capacity and vacuum-resistance
when compared to similar containers currently on the market.
Inventors: |
Geithmann; Martin; (Maumee,
OH) ; Linden; Robert; (Dublin, OH) ; Zeboudj;
Lise; (Columbus, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NESTEC S.A. |
Vevey |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
47630294 |
Appl. No.: |
14/375004 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
January 23, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/051185 |
371 Date: |
July 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61591302 |
Jan 27, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/42 ; 215/383;
215/44; 220/673 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/0223 20130101;
B65D 1/44 20130101; B65D 79/005 20130101; B65D 1/0246 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/42 ; 220/673;
215/383; 215/44 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02; B65D 1/44 20060101 B65D001/44 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a body; a neck; and a shoulder between
the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged
in a square pyramid frustum shape, at least two of the four faces
comprising a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially
U-shaped.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a shape
selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square,
rectangular, ovoid, and combinations thereof.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the body has a shape that is
substantially rectangular.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least
one circumferential rib.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least
one interrupted rib.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least
one wall having first and second opposing inwardly-sloped
portions.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the first and second opposing
inwardly-sloping portions are mirror images of each other and are
reflected about a location on the body corresponding to a
circumferential rib.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a
volume ranging from of about 100 mL to about 5000 mL.
9. The container of claim 1 further comprising a structure selected
from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and
combinations thereof.
10. A container comprising: a body; a neck; and a shoulder between
the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged
in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused
corners at intersections between the four faces and the body.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the compound-radiused
corners are radiused in a direction selected from the group
consisting of horizontal, vertical, and combinations thereof.
12. The container of claim 10, wherein each compound-radiused
corner includes at least two different radii.
13. The container of claim 10, wherein each of the four faces
intersect along a rounded edge.
14. The container of claim 10, wherein each of the four faces
intersect with the body along a rounded edge.
15. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a shape
selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square,
rectangular, ovoid, and combinations thereof.
16. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises at least
one circumferential rib.
17. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises at least
one interrupted rib.
18. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises at least
one wall having first and second opposing inwardly-sloped
portions.
19. The container of claim 10 comprising a structure selected from
the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and combinations
thereof.
20. A container comprising: a body having a shape selected from the
group consisting of substantially square, substantially
rectangular, and combinations thereof; a neck; and a shoulder
between the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces
arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming
compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces
and the body, and wherein at least two of the four faces comprises
a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to health and
nutrition. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
containers having improved load-bearing and vacuum resistance
capacities.
[0002] Currently, the market comprises many different shapes and
sizes of containers capable of housing fluids. The shape and size
of fluid containers can depend, among other things, on the amount
of fluid to be housed, the type of fluid to be housed, consumer
demands and desired aesthetics. For example, toxic fluids may be
required to be housed in containers that have thicker walls and a
more rigid structure. More often than not, the market for these
types of fluids is determined by safety of the containers more so
than that container's aesthetics. On the contrary, consumable
fluids such as water may be housed in containers that generally
have thinner walls and a less rigid structure. Indeed, the market
for consumable fluids may be determined by the aesthetics desired
by the consumer instead of safety requirements.
[0003] Regardless of the specific size and shape of a container,
the container should be able to withstand different environmental
factors encountered during, for example, manufacturing, shipping
and retail shelf stocking or storage. One example of such an
environmental factor includes top-loading forces. In this regard,
containers may be stacked one on top of another during packaging,
shipping and display. Thus, the containers should be manufactured
so as to withstand the compressive forces applied by one or more
filled containers placed on top of the container without buckling.
Accordingly, a need exists for a fluid container having improved
structural features as well as desirable aesthetic
characteristics.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure relates to load-bearing and/or
vacuum-resistant containers for housing liquid products. In a
general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container
including a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the
neck. The shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid
frustum shape, at least two of the four faces having a cut-away
portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.
[0005] In an embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the
group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, or
combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the body is substantially
rectangular.
[0006] In an embodiment, the body has at least one circumferential
rib. The body may also have at least one interrupted rib.
[0007] In an embodiment, the body has at least one wall with first
and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions. The first and second
opposing inwardly-sloping portions may be mirror images of each
other and may be reflected about a location on the body
corresponding to a circumferential rib.
[0008] In an embodiment, the container has a volume ranging from
about 100 mL to about 5000 mL.
[0009] In an embodiment, the container further includes a structure
selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or
combinations thereof.
[0010] In another embodiment, a container is provided and includes
a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck. The
shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum
shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections
between the four faces and the body.
[0011] In an embodiment, the compound-radiused corners are radiused
in a direction selected from the group consisting of horizontal,
vertical, or combinations thereof.
[0012] In an embodiment, each compound-radiused corner includes at
least two different radii.
[0013] In an embodiment, each of the four faces intersect each
other along a rounded edge.
[0014] In an embodiment, each of the four faces intersect with the
body along a rounded edge.
[0015] In an embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the
group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, or
combinations thereof.
[0016] In an embodiment, the body has at least one circumferential
rib. The body may also have at least one interrupted rib, and may
have at least one wall with first and second opposing
inwardly-sloped portions.
[0017] In an embodiment, the container further includes a structure
selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or
combinations thereof.
[0018] In yet another embodiment, a container is provided and
includes a body having a shape selected from the group consisting
of substantially square, substantially rectangular, or combinations
thereof, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck. The
shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum
shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections
between the four faces and the body. At least two of the four faces
includes a cut-away having a shape that is substantially
U-shaped.
[0019] An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an
improved container.
[0020] Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a
container having improved load-bearing and/or vacuum-resistant
features.
[0021] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is to
provide a container having a shoulder portion configured to hinge
in response to internal vacuum pressure.
[0022] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to
provide a container that is constructed and arranged for easy
handling by a consumer.
[0023] Additional features and advantages are described herein, and
will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container in an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2A shows a side view of a container in an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 2B shows a partial view of section A of the container
of FIG. 2A in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The present disclosure relates to load-bearing and/or
vacuum-resistant bottles for providing consumable products and
other fluids. The bottles are constructed and arranged to be
load-bearing and vacuum resistant to provide a bottle having not
only improved structural features, but also improved
aesthetics.
[0028] Market research has shown that consumers appreciate not only
standard cylindrically-shaped bottles, but also uniquely-shaped
bottles having shapes including, for example, square, rectangular,
ovoid, spherical, etc. Indeed, consumers may even prefer a
uniquely-shaped bottle such as, for example, a square or
rectangular bottle, to a standard cylindrical bottle. However,
square and rectangular bottles usually do not transmit vertical
load efficiently. Indeed, square-waisted bottles normally sacrifice
top-loading strength when compared to a round, straight-walled
bottle of equal mass. Additionally, during packaging, distribution
and retail stocking, bottles can be exposed to large amounts of
top-loading and can buckle at any existing points of weakness on
the bottle. Top-loading can be especially problematic for
lightweight bottles.
[0029] Additionally, during packaging, distribution and retail
stocking, bottles can be exposed to widely varying temperature and
pressure changes, as well as external forces that jostle and shake
the bottle. If, for example, the bottles contain carbonated fluids,
these types of environmental factors can contribute to internal
pressures or vacuums that affect the overall quality of the product
purchased by the consumer. For example, existing types of vacuum
panels, or thin plastic labels, can occupy large areas of the
bottle to which they are added and tend to have great visual
impacts to the shrink sleeve labels. When an internal vacuum is
created within the bottle, the shrink sleeve labels do not always
follow the slightly inverted shape of the bottle created by the
vacuum, thereby accounting for poor aesthetics of the bottle.
[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, in an embodiment, the present
disclosure provides a container, or bottle, 10 having a mouth 12, a
neck 14, a shoulder 16, a body 18, and a base 20. Container 10 may
be sized to hold any suitable volume of a liquid such as, for
example, from about 50 to 5000 mL including 100 mL, 200 mL, 300 mL,
400 mL, 500 mL, 600 mL, 700 mL, 800 mL, 900 mL, 1000 mL, 1500 mL,
2000 mL, 2500 mL, 3000 mL, 3500 mL, 4000 mL, 4500 mL and the
like.
[0031] Containers of the present disclosure may be configured to
house any type of liquid therein. In an embodiment, the containers
are configured to house a consumable liquid such as, for example,
water, an energy drink, a carbonated drink, tea, coffee, etc. In an
embodiment, the containers are sized and configured to house a
carbonated beverage.
[0032] Suitable materials for manufacturing containers of the
present disclosure can include, for example, polymeric materials.
Specifically, materials for manufacturing bottles of the present
disclosure can include, but are not limited to, polyethylene
("PE"), low density polyethylene ("LDPE"), high density
polyethylene ("HDPE"), polypropylene ("PP") or polyethylene
terephthalate ("PET"). Further, the containers of the present
disclosure can be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing
process such as, for example, conventional extrusion blow molding,
stretch blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, and the
like.
[0033] Mouth 12 may be any size and shape known in the art so long
as liquid may be introduced into container 10 and may be poured or
otherwise removed from container 10. In an embodiment, mouth 12 may
be substantially circular in shape and have a diameter ranging from
about 10 mm to about 50 mm, or about 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35
mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, mouth 12 has a
diameter that is about 33 mm.
[0034] Neck 14 may also have any size and shape known in the art so
long as liquid may be introduced into container 10 and may be
poured or otherwise removed from container 10. In an embodiment,
neck 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape having a diameter
that corresponds to a diameter of mouth 12. Alternatively, neck 14
may have a taped geometry such that neck 14 is substantially
conical in shape and tapers up to mouth 12. The skilled artisan
will appreciate that the shape and size of neck 14 are not limited
to the shape and size of mouth 12. Neck 14 may have a height (from
mouth 12 to shoulder 16) from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, or about
10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or the like. In an
embodiment, neck 14 has a height of about 25 mm.
[0035] Container 10 can further include an air tight cap 22
attached to neck 14. Cap 22 can be any type of cap known in the art
for use with containers similar to those described herein. Cap 22
may be manufactured from the same or a different type of polymeric
material as container 10, and may be attached to container 10 by
re-closeable threads, or may be snap-fit, friction-fit, etc.
Accordingly, in an embodiment, cap 22 includes internal threads
(not shown) that are constructed and arranged to mate with external
threads 24 of neck 14.
[0036] Shoulder 16 of container 10 extends from a bottom portion of
neck 14 downward to a top portion of body 18. Shoulder 16 comprises
a shape that is substantially a square pyramid frustum. As used
herein, a "square pyramid frustum" means that shoulder 16 has a
shape that very closely resembles a square pyramid having four
triangular faces and one imaginary square face (not shown) at a
base of the square pyramid, and having a top portion (e.g., the
apex) of the square pyramid lopped-off. Shoulder 16 has a
lopped-off apex since shoulder 16 tapers into neck 14 for
functionality of container 10. Further, the "square pyramid
frustum" shape also includes rounded edges 28 between triangular
faces 26, and rounded edges 30 between each triangular face 26 and
the imaginary square base, as will be discussed further below.
[0037] Shoulder 16 may have a height (from a bottom of neck 14 to a
top of body 18) ranging from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, or about
20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or the like. In an
embodiment, shoulder 16 has a height that is about 35 mm. At a
bottom portion (e.g., before body 18), shoulder 16 may have a width
and a length ranging from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or about 45
mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, or the like. In an
embodiment, the width and the length of a bottom portion of
shoulder 16 are the same and are about 60 mm. Alternatively, the
width and the length of a bottom portion of shoulder 16 may be
different.
[0038] As mentioned previously, containers of the present
disclosure may be used to house carbonated liquids, or may be
exposed to temperature and/or pressure changes during packaging,
shipping, storage and/or retail display. Any of the above-described
factors (e.g., carbonation, temperature changes, pressure changes,
etc.) can contribute to the presence of an internal vacuum within
sealed container 10 when container 10 houses a liquid. This is
problematic for aesthetic reasons because triangular faces 26 can
buckle, or sag, towards an interior of container 10. Sagging of
this nature causes an unappealing aesthetic for container 10 that
may be even further emphasized when container 10 includes an
exterior label (not shown) (e.g., a sticker, shrink-wrap, plastic
wrap, etc.) that covers at least a portion of triangular faces 26.
In this regard, sagging of triangular faces 26 can pull them away
from any exterior label, creating an undesirable aesthetic.
[0039] Additionally, when containers 10 are mass produced for
retail distribution, they may be packaged, shipped, stored and/or
displayed in a stacked position that exposes containers 10 to
top-loading. As mentioned above, however, although consumers may
prefer the aesthetics of a substantially square-shaped, or
substantially rectangular-shaped container, such containers do not
distribute load well and are susceptible to buckling under
top-loading. Applicants have surprisingly found, however, that
certain structural features can help to improve a container's
performance when exposed to an internal vacuum, top-loading, or
compressive forces.
[0040] One such feature is a cut-away portion 32 that is included
on each triangular face 26. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cut-away
portion 32 has a substantially U-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped,
configuration. Applicants have surprisingly found that providing
cut-away portion 32 having a substantially U-shaped, or
horseshoe-shaped configuration helps to resist any internal vacuum
that may be created in container 10 during packaging, shipping,
storage and/or retail display. Applicants performed various tests
to determine the best possible shape and size of cut-away portion
32 to resist vacuum deformation and surprisingly concluded that the
U-shaped feature provided the best resistance to vacuum
deformation. In the present embodiment each of the four faces 26
has a cut-away portion 32 but the number can vary and it is
possible to have only two cut-away portion on the container.
[0041] The skilled artisan will appreciate that, although cut-away
portion 32 is described herein as being "cut-away," the U-shaped
feature is not meant to be limited to formation by actually cutting
material out of container 10. Instead, "cut-away" portion 32 is
meant to describe an area of shoulder 16 having a specific shape
and a wall thickness that is less than the wall thickness of a
remaining portion of shoulder 16. Accordingly, cut-away portion 32
may be formed into a container preform during a blow-molding
process, may be cut out of a container after formation of container
10, or may be formed by other known processes for creating such
features. In an embodiment, cut-away portion 32 is formed into the
container during blow-molding. In this regard, the decreased
thickness of cut-away portion 32 is formed as a product of the
greater stretching of the polymer resin that occurs near the edges
of the cut-away portion 32 during blow-molding. The skilled artisan
will understand, then, that a mold used to form a plastic preform
into a container having a cut-away portion 32 includes a
corresponding U-shaped projection that extends into an interior of
the mold.
[0042] In an embodiment, cut-away portion 32 is located in a center
of triangular face 26, as measured vertically and horizontally. The
skilled artisan will appreciate, however, that cut-away portion 32
may be moved slightly higher, lower, left or right of the center of
triangular face 16. Similarly, the opening of the u-shaped cut-away
portion 32 may be oriented in any direction including left, right,
up, down, or combinations thereof. For example, the opening may be
oriented to point upward as is shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B. In an
embodiment, a base of the u-shaped cut-away portion 32 is oriented
Cut-away portion 32 may have a height that comprises from about 10%
to about 80% of a height of triangular face 16, or about 20%, 30%,
40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or the like. Similarly, cut-away portion 32 may
have a width that comprises from about 10% to about 80% of a width
of triangular face 16, or about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or
the like.
[0043] Cut-away portion 32 has a thickness that is generally less
than a thickness of the walls of body 18, which is due to the
greater stretching of the resin that occurs near the edges of
cut-away portion 32 during blow-molding, as discussed previously.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a wall thickness of an area
inside the c-shaped interior of cut-away portion 32 (e.g.,
thickness 1, designated as "t.sub.1"), can range from about 0.4 mm
to about 0.6 mm, or about 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47,
0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58,
0.59, or the like. In an embodiment, t.sub.1 is about 0.49 mm. A
wall thickness of an area inside cut-away portion 32 (e.g.,
thickness 2, designated as "t.sub.2"), can range from about 0.3 mm
to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37,
0.38, 0.39, or the like. In an embodiment, t.sub.2 is about 0.36
mm. A wall thickness of an area just below a base of cut-away
portion 32 (e.g., thickness 3, designated as "t.sub.3"), can range
from about 0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.26, 0.27, 0.28,
0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39,
or the like. In an embodiment, t.sub.3 is about 0.31 mm. A wall
thickness of an area just outside side walls of cut-away portion 32
(e.g., thickness 4, designated as "t.sub.4"), can range from about
0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30,
0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, or the like.
In an embodiment, t.sub.4 is about 0.33 mm.
[0044] Cut-away portions 32 of shoulder 16 are configured to hinge,
or move, allowing contraction of the bottle while allowing the
bottle to maintain a visually appealing design that conventional
vacuum panels do not allow. In this regard, the cut-away portions
32 are designed to hinge as internal vacuum pressure increases
during the shelf-life of the product. The configuration works with
any applied labels or shrink-wrap applied to container 10 to create
an outside appearance that is free from visual defects.
[0045] Another feature of the present containers that provides
structural benefits is the presence of compound radiused corners on
a bottom portion of shoulder 16, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 2A
and 2B. As mentioned previously, shoulder 16 includes rounded edges
28 between triangular faces 26, and rounded edges 30 between each
triangular face 26 and an imaginary square face (not shown) on a
bottom of the square pyramid frustum. Applicants have surprisingly
found that providing multiple radiuses at the corners of container
10, or the intersections of rounded edges 28 and rounded edges 30
provides significant structural advantages over corners having
single radius corners. Specifically, Applicants have surprisingly
found that multiple radiused corners helps to improve the
performance of the present containers when exposed to top-loading,
or compressive forces. In this regard, containers of the present
disclosure will be able to withstand increased amounts of
top-loading, or compressive forces, when compared to similar
containers currently on the market.
[0046] As used herein, a "multiple radiused corner" or a "compound
radiused corner" refers to a corner of the present containers that
has multiple radii (as measured substantially from the center of a
horizontal plane extending though the intersection between shoulder
16 and body 18) in the horizontal, vertical, or horizontal and
vertical directions. The compound-radiused corners of the present
disclosure may include any number of radii in either the horizontal
direction, vertical direction, or both. For example, the
compound-radiused corners may include any number of different radii
ranging from about at least 2 to about 10, or at least 3, at least
4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, or
the like.
[0047] Practically speaking, the skilled artisan will appreciate
that providing a compound radiused corner instead of a single
radiused corner provides a corner having a more curved intersection
of rounded edges 30, as opposed to a corner that is a straight,
diagonal connection of rounded edges 30. For example, and as shown
in FIG. 2B, radii 1-6 (i.e., r1, r2, r3, r4, r5 and r6) demonstrate
a plurality of different radii extending in a substantially
horizontal direction. The use of a plurality of different radii
(i.e., a compound radiused corner) creates a more rounded corner in
a substantially horizontal direction. Additionally, and as shown in
FIG. 2B, radii r8-r11 (i.e., r8, r9, r10 and r11) demonstrate a
plurality of different radii extending in a substantially vertical
direction. The use of a plurality of different radii (i.e., a
compound radiused corner) creates a more rounded corner in a
substantially vertical direction. The skilled artisan will
appreciate that any number of radii greater than one may be used
with the containers of the present disclosure.
[0048] As mentioned previously, Applicants have surprisingly found
that providing multiple radiused corners helps to improve the
performance of the present containers when exposed to top-loading,
or compressive forces, and resistance to vacuum. Indeed, the
geometry of the corners acts like rounded corners, but looks like
square corners, which can provide appealing aesthetics for
consumers. The multiple blended radii can efficiently transmit load
throughout the bottle walls to the base and equally distribute
vertical loading around the bottle while maintaining the shape of
container 10 (e.g., a square shape).
[0049] Immediately below shoulder 16 is body 18 of container 10.
Body 18 may have any size and shape known in the art and is not
limited to a substantially square or substantially rectangular
shape, despite the square pyramid frustum shape of shoulder 16. For
example, body 18 may have a shape selected from the group
consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, etc. In an
embodiment, however, body 18 has a shape that is substantially
square or substantially rectangular.
[0050] Similar to shoulder 16, body 18 may have rounded edges 34 if
body 18 is substantially square or substantially rectangular in
shape, as best shown in FIG. 1. Again, rounded edges 34 will help
to improve the performance of the present containers when exposed
to top-loading, or compressive forces.
[0051] Body 18 may have any length, width or height known in the
art. In this regard, body 18 may have a height ranging from about
50 mm to about 110 mm, or about 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm,
80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, 95 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm, or the like. In an
embodiment, body 18 has a height of about 80 mm. If body 18 is
substantially square-shaped or substantially rectangular-shaped
with a specific length and width, the length and width may be the
same. Alternatively, the width of body 18 may be different from the
length of body 18. Even further, the length and width of body 18
may change with respect to the height of body 18. For example, and
as shown in FIG. 1, body 18 may include at least a first portion 36
and a second portion 38 having mirror-image, inward-directed slopes
as measured with respect to a vertical, central axis of container
10. Inward-directed slopes may have an angle ranging from about
5.degree. to about 45.degree., or about 10.degree., 15.degree.,
20.degree., 25.degree., 30.degree., 35.degree., or the like. In an
embodiment, inward-directed slopes have an angle of about
15.degree.. Accordingly, as the height of container 10 increase or
decreases, either or both of the length and width of body 18 may
change as well. Such a configuration provides the added benefit of
ease of handling for the consumer. In this regard, the two
mirror-image, inward-directed sloped portions 36, 38 of body 18
meet at a tapered portion of body 18 that helps consumer to grip
container 10 for ease of handling. Containers of the present
disclosure are not limited to such first and second portions 36,
38, however, and body 18 may have substantially straight walls
and/or other appropriate configurations.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the tapered portion of body 18 where the
two mirror-image, inward-directed sloped portions 36, 38 of body 18
meet may include a circumferential rib 40 that also helps a
consumer to grip container 10 for ease of handling. By
"circumferential rib," it is meant that a rib (e.g., and indented
or protruding elongated shape) extends all the way around container
10 in a substantially horizontal plane. Container 10 may have any
number of circumferential ribs 40 and is not limited to just one.
Circumferential rib 40 may also be located at any place along the
height of body 18.
[0053] Circumferential rib 40 may have a height that ranges from
about 0.5 to about 5 mm, or 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5
mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or the like. Circumferential rib 40 may also
extend a certain amount into interior of container 10. For example,
rib 40 may extend into container 10 by an amount ranging from about
0.5 to about 5 mm, or 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4
mm, 4.5 mm, or the like. Applicants have found that rib 40 can help
to maintain an intended shape of container 10. For example, if
container 10 has a substantially square-shape or a
substantially-rectangular shape, rib 40 can help to limit container
10 from forming an oval shape during use. Rib 40 also enables even
contraction of container 10 vertically, thereby allowing internal
pressure to build within and enabling greater top-loading.
[0054] In addition to circumferential rib 40, body 18 may also
include an number of interrupted ribs 42, which are described as
"interrupted" because they do not extend all the way around
container 10 but are, instead, interrupted around container 10.
Body 18 may have any number of interrupted ribs 42 ranging, for
example, from about 1 to about 10, or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or
the like. Interrupted ribs 42 help to resist vacuum deformation of
the triangular faces 26. Each rib 42 is supported on its ends by
the corners 34 of body 18, forming a bridge across body 18. By
interrupting ribs 42 at the corners 34 of body 18, limited visual
impact can be attained for any applied labels or shrink
sleeves.
[0055] Interrupted ribs 42 may have the same height and depth into
container 10 as circumferential rib 40. Interrupted ribs 42 may
also have, however, a different height and depth into container 10
as circumferential rib 40. Ribs 42 may have a length ranging from
about 15 mm to about 45 mm, or 20 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or the
like. In an embodiment, ribs 42 have a length of about 30 mm. The
length and radius of the ribs can also aid in preventing vacuum
deformation. In fact, Applicants surprisingly found that full ribs
(i.e., circumferential ribs) were not necessary to help prevent
vacuum deformation and may even contribute to poor aesthetics with
respect to a label or shrink-wrap applied to container 10.
[0056] Container 10 can have a broad base 20 so as to be able to
stand up when the container is completely filled, partially filled
or empty. Base 20 can have any size or shape known in the art.
However, in an embodiment, base 20 includes a size and shape
corresponding to the size and shape of body 18. In this regard, if
body 18 is substantially square-shaped with a specific length and
width, base 20 may also be substantially square-shaped with the
same length and width. Alternatively, the skilled artisan will
appreciate that base 20 is not limited to the size and shape of
body 18 and may have a different size and shape than body 18. Base
20 may have a height ranging from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, or
about 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 25 mm, or 30 mm, or 35 mm, or
40 mm, or the like. Base 20 may be substantially vertical in
arrangement, or may be shaped (e.g., semi-circular), or may taper
inward in an upward direction from a bottom surface 44 of container
10. Base 20 is shaped and configured to contract under vertical
load, absorbing and distributing loads over a greater area.
[0057] Similar to body 18, base 20 may also include one or more
interrupted ribs 46 that may or may not have the same size and
shape as ribs 42. In an embodiment, base 20 includes one rib 46
that has the same length as ribs 42, but a slightly shorter
height.
[0058] Bottom surface 44 of container 10 may also include a punt 48
formed therein. Punt 48 may provide additional structural integrity
to container 10 and may aid in stacking containers 10 one on top of
another.
[0059] The structural features of the present containers described
herein advantageously allow for a preform of less mass to be used.
The reduced use of resin in the containers provides the advantage
of a lower cost per unit and increased sustainability when compared
to a bottle without such structural features. Further, by
manufacturing the containers of the present disclosure using lower
amounts of raw materials, the bottles can provide lower
environmental and waste impact. Along the same lines, the bottles
can be constructed to use less disposal volume than other plastic
bottles designed for similar uses.
[0060] Additionally, the containers of the present disclosure can
also improve the ease of use and handling by manufacturers, retails
and consumers. In this regard, the structural features described
herein provide for improved top-loading and reduced vacuum
deformation to help achieve a square shape to containers that is
desirable by consumers. Further, the same cut-out feature that
provides for decreased usage of raw material can also help to
resist any internal vacuums within the containers, thereby helping
to prevent any misshaping of the bottle that can result in poor
aesthetics.
[0061] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its
intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *