U.S. patent application number 14/938596 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for carbonated soft drink finish modification.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLC. Invention is credited to Jay Clarke Hanan.
Application Number | 20160137331 14/938596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55955257 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160137331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanan; Jay Clarke |
May 19, 2016 |
CARBONATED SOFT DRINK FINISH MODIFICATION
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for a finish configured to
define an opening to an interior of a container and to
substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is
opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body comprising a
peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at
opposite ends. The first edge defines a first opening and is
configured to receive a container cap. The second edge defines a
second opening and is configured to receive a neck of the
container. The first and second openings are in fluid
communication. One or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral
portion are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads
of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed at the first
edge, peripheral to the first opening, and comprises a
cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce
foaming of the contents.
Inventors: |
Hanan; Jay Clarke; (Ontario,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLC |
ONTARIO |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLC
Ontario
CA
|
Family ID: |
55955257 |
Appl. No.: |
14/938596 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62079431 |
Nov 13, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/44 ; 215/40;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/023 20130101;
B65D 1/0246 20130101; B65D 23/00 20130101; B65D 51/1688 20130101;
B65D 11/04 20130101; B65D 2501/0036 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02 |
Claims
1. A finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a
container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the
container is opened, the finish comprising: a cylindrical body
comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge
disposed at opposite ends, the first edge defining a first opening
and configured to receive a container cap, the second edge defining
a second opening and configured to receive a neck of the container,
wherein the first and second openings are in fluid communication;
one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the
threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of
the container cap; and at least one notch disposed at the first
edge, peripheral to the first opening, the at least one notch
comprising a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially
reduce foaming of the contents.
2. The finish of claim 1, wherein the first edge is configured to
receive a seal of the container cap.
3. The finish of claim 1, wherein the first edge comprises two
notches disposed on opposite sides of the first opening.
4. The finish of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is a
half-circle.
5. The finish of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is a
square.
6. The finish of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is
triangular.
7. The finish of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is
designed to produce an audible sound when pressurized gas exits
through the at least one notch during twisting of the container
cap.
8. A container configured to substantially reduce foaming of
contents when the container is opened, the container comprising: a
base which extends upward to a sidewall of the container; a
shoulder connected between the sidewall and a bell, a diameter of
the bell decreasing as the bell extends upward to a neck of the
container; a finish connected to the neck, the finish configured to
receive a container cap and defining an opening to the interior of
the container; and at least one notch at the top of the finish
configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the
container is opened.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the top of the finish is
further configured to receive a seal of the container cap.
10. The container of claim 8, wherein the sidewall comprises a grip
portion connected to the base and a label portion connected between
the grip portion and the shoulder.
11. The container of claim 8, wherein the grip portion comprises a
plurality of circumferentially disposed grip portion ribs, and the
label portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially disposed
label portion ribs.
12. The container of claim 8, wherein the grip portion and the
label portion comprise a smooth continuous surface extending from
the base to the shoulder.
13. The container of claim 8, wherein the top of the finish
comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the opening to
the interior of the container.
14. The container of claim 8, wherein the at least one notch
comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially
reduce foaming of contents.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein the cross-sectional shape is
a half-circle.
16. The container of claim 14, wherein the cross-sectional shape is
a square.
17. The container of claim 14, wherein the cross-sectional shape is
triangular.
18. The container of claim 14, wherein the cross-sectional shape is
designed so as to produce an audible sound when the container cap
is twisted.
19. A method for a container to substantially reduce foaming of
contents when the container is opened, the method comprising:
extending a base upward to a sidewall of the container; connecting
a shoulder between the sidewall and a bell; extending the bell from
the shoulder to a neck of the container, such that a diameter of
the bell decreases as the bell extends to a neck; connecting a
finish to the neck, such that the finish defines an opening to the
interior of the container; configuring the finish to receive a
container cap; and forming at least one notch at the top of the
finish so as to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the
container is opened.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein configuring the finish further
comprises forming a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral
portion with a first opening and second opening disposed at
opposite ends, such that the first opening is configured to receive
the container cap and the second opening is configured to receive
the neck, and forming one or more threads on an exterior of the
peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with
one or more threads of the container cap.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application, entitled "Carbonated Soft Drink Finish
Modification," filed on Nov. 13, 2014 and having application Ser.
No. 62/079,431.
FIELD
[0002] The field of the present invention generally relates to
plastic containers. More particularly, the field of the invention
relates to an apparatus and method for reducing foaming occurring
with carbonated soft drink containers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Plastic containers have been used as a replacement for glass
or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several
decades. The most common plastic used in making beverage containers
today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Containers made of PET
are transparent, thin-walled, and have the ability to maintain
their shape by withstanding the force exerted on the walls of the
container by their contents. PET resins are also reasonably priced
and easy to process. PET bottles are generally made by a process
that includes blow-molding of plastic pre-forms which have been
made by injection molding of the PET resin.
[0004] A drawback to plastic containers is that those that contain
carbonated contents may allow foaming of the contents onto a
consumer upon initially opening the container. In some cases, the
foaming may be great enough to spill the contents of the container
onto the lap of a consumer, or onto nearby furniture. Another
drawback to plastic containers is that carbon-dioxide content
within the containers must be limited so as to accommodate the
foaming tendency of carbonated liquids. Limiting the carbon-dioxide
content effectively decreases the shelf-life of the contents. What
is needed, therefore, is an apparatus and method for decreasing the
foaming tendency of bottled carbonated contents, such that the
carbon-dioxide content may be increased, thereby increasing the
shelf-life of the bottled carbonated contents.
SUMMARY
[0005] An apparatus and method are provided for a finish configured
to define an opening to an interior of a container and to
substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is
opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body comprising a
peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at
opposite ends. The first edge defines a first opening and is
configured to receive a container cap. Generally, the first edge is
configured to receive a seal of the container cap. The second edge
defines a second opening and is configured to receive a neck of the
container. The first and second openings are in fluid
communication. One or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral
portion are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads
of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed at the first
edge, peripheral to the first opening, and comprises a
cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce
foaming of the contents. In one embodiment, the first edge
comprises two notches, disposed on opposite sides of the first
opening, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the notches
comprises a half-circle configured to substantially reduce foaming
of the contents.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises a finish
configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and
to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is
opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body comprising a
peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at
opposite ends, the first edge defining a first opening and
configured to receive a container cap, the second edge defining a
second opening and configured to receive a neck of the container,
wherein the first and second openings are in fluid communication;
one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the
threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of
the container cap; and at least one notch disposed at the first
edge, peripheral to the first opening, the at least one notch
comprising a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially
reduce foaming of the contents.
[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, the first edge is
configured to receive a seal of the container cap. In another
exemplary embodiment, the first edge comprises two notches disposed
on opposite sides of the first opening. In another exemplary
embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is a half-circle. In another
exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is a square. In
another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is
triangular. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional
shape is designed to produce an audible sound when pressurized gas
exits through the at least one notch during twisting of the
container cap.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises a
container configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents
when the container is opened. The container comprises a base which
extends upward to a sidewall of the container; a shoulder connected
between the sidewall and a bell, a diameter of the bell decreasing
as the bell extends upward to a neck of the container; a finish
connected to the neck, the finish configured to receive a container
cap and defining an opening to the interior of the container; and
at least one notch at the top of the finish configured to
substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is
opened.
[0009] In another exemplary embodiment, the top of the finish is
further configured to receive a seal of the container cap. In
another exemplary embodiment, the sidewall comprises a grip portion
connected to the base and a label portion connected between the
grip portion and the shoulder. In another exemplary embodiment, the
grip portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially disposed
grip portion ribs, and the label portion comprises a plurality of
circumferentially disposed label portion ribs. In another exemplary
embodiment, the grip portion and the label portion comprise a
smooth continuous surface extending from the base to the shoulder.
In another exemplary embodiment, the top of the finish comprises
two notches disposed on opposite sides of the opening to the
interior of the container. In another exemplary embodiment, at
least one notch comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed
to substantially reduce foaming of contents. In another exemplary
embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is a half-circle. In another
exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is a square. In
another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is
triangular. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional
shape is designed so as to produce an audible sound when the
container cap is twisted.
[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, a method for a container to
substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is
opened comprises extending a base upward to a sidewall of the
container; connecting a shoulder between the sidewall and a bell;
extending the bell from the shoulder to a neck of the container,
such that a diameter of the bell decreases as the bell extends to a
neck; connecting a finish to the neck, such that the finish defines
an opening to the interior of the container; configuring the finish
to receive a container cap; and forming at least one notch at the
top of the finish so as to substantially reduce foaming of contents
when the container is opened. In another exemplary embodiment,
configuring the finish further comprises forming a cylindrical body
Comprising a peripheral portion with a first opening and second
opening disposed at opposite ends, such that the first opening is
configured to receive the container cap and the second opening is
configured to receive the neck, and forming one or more threads on
an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to
rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure
in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a lower perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a container in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a finish, according to the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a finish with a container cap installed, according to
the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of a Carbonated Soft Drink container cap in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of a Hot Fill container cap, according to the present disclosure;
and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a table illustrating observational data acquired
during experimental testing of various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0018] While the present disclosure is subject to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof
have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein
be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not
be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of
ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may
be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
specific numeric references such as "first notch," may be made.
However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted
as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the
"first notch" is different than a "second notch." Thus, the
specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific
details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within
the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term "coupled"
is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or
indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as
used herein, the terms "about," "approximately," or "substantially"
for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional
tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to
function for its intended purpose as described herein.
[0020] In general, the present disclosure describes an apparatus
and a method for a finish configured to define an opening to an
interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of
contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a
cylindrical body including a peripheral portion with a first edge
and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines
a first opening and is configured to receive a container cap.
Generally, the first edge is configured to receive a seal of the
container cap. The second edge defines a second opening and is
configured to receive a neck of the container. The first and second
openings are in fluid communication. One or more threads on an
exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably
engage with one or more threads of the container cap. At least one
notch is disposed at the first edge, peripheral to the first
opening, and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to
substantially reduce foaming of the contents. In one embodiment,
the first edge comprises two notches, disposed on opposite sides of
the first opening, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the
notches comprises a half-circle configured to substantially reduce
foaming of the contents.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a lower perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a container 100 in accordance with the present
disclosure. The container 100 comprises a base 104 that extends up
to a grip portion 108. The grip portion 108 comprises a plurality
of grip portion ribs 112 (i.e., sidewall ribs). As illustrated in
FIG. 1, the plurality of grip portion ribs 112 generally may vary
in depth, and may swirl or angulate around the grip portion 108. A
label portion 116 is connected to the grip portion 108 and
comprises one or more label panel ribs 120 (i.e., sidewall ribs).
The label panel portion 116 transitions into a shoulder 124, which
connects to a bell 128. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,
the bell 128 comprises a plurality of scallops 132. In other
embodiments, however, the bell 128 may include design features, or
may be smooth and generally unornamented. The bell 128 connects to
a neck 136, which connects to a finish 140. As shown in FIG. 1, the
bell 128 comprises a diameter that generally decreases as the bell
128 extends upward from the shoulder 124 to the neck 136 and the
finish 140. The finish 140 can be adapted to receive a closure to
seal contents in the container 100, such as by way of non-limiting
example, a container cap or bottle cap. The finish 140 generally
defines an opening 144 that leads to an interior of the container
100 for containing a beverage, or other contents.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the finish 140 that is configured to substantially
reduce foaming of contents, particularly carbonated contents,
during opening of the container 100. The finish 140 comprises a
cylindrical body 148 that includes a peripheral portion with a
first edge 152 and a second edge 156 disposed at opposite ends. The
first edge 152 defines a first opening 160 and is configured to
receive a container cap 164, or bottle cap, as shown in FIG. 3. The
second edge 156 defines a second opening 168 and is configured to
receive the neck 136 of the container 100, as shown in FIG. 1. It
will be appreciated that the first and second openings 152, 156 are
in fluid communication so as to define the opening 144 into the
interior of the container 100 once the finish 140 is installed
thereon.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an exterior of the cylindrical
body 148 comprises one or more threads 172 that are configured to
rotatably engage with one or more threads 176 of the container cap
164. An engagement of the threads 172 of the finish 140 with the
threads 176 of the container cap 164 is best shown in FIG. 3. It
should be borne in mind, however, that the bottle cap need not be
limited to the container cap 164 and thus bottle caps other than
the cap 164 may be coupled with the finish 140, without limitation.
As such, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) container cap 180 which
may be used to seal pressurized contents within the container 100.
The CSD container cap 180 comprises a multiplicity of threads 176
suitable for rotatably engaging with the threads 172 of the finish
140. During tightening of the container cap 180, a seal 188 within
the cap enters into the opening 144 and is placed into a pressed
relationship with the first edge 152. Further, FIG. 4B is a
cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a Hot Fill
container cap 184. The container cap 184 is substantially similar
to the container cap 180, with the exception that the container cap
184 comprises a seal 192 which is taller than the seal 188. Thus,
during tightening of the container cap 184 onto the finish 140, the
seal 192 enters more deeply into the opening 144 than the seal 188.
It will be appreciated that the first edge 152 is configured to
tightly receive the seals 188, 192 into the opening 144 so as to
retain the contents within the container 100 without leaking.
[0024] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first edge 152
comprises two notches 196 disposed on opposite sides of the first
opening 160. Each of the two notches 196 comprises a
cross-sectional shape suitably formed so as to substantially reduce
foaming of the contents when the container cap 164 is removed from
the container 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the
cross-sectional shape of the notches 196 is a half-circle. In other
embodiments, one or both of the notches 196 may comprise
cross-sectional shapes other than a half-circle, such as, by way of
non-limiting example, various segments of circles, ellipsoids,
ovals, rectangles, squares, triangles, V-shaped wedges, and any
other cross-sectional shape which advantageously reduces foaming of
contents when the container cap 164 is removed from the container
100. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the notches
196 may be specifically designed so as to produce an audible tone
or sound as pressurized gas exits the container 100 through the
notches 196 when the container cap 164 is twisted. Moreover, it is
to be understood that although the finish 140 is described herein
specifically in connection with the container cap 164, the finish
140 is not limited to being coupled solely with the container cap
164, but rather any container cap that is suitably configured to
engage with the finish 140, such that contents are sealed within
the container 100, including but not limited to the CSD container
cap 180 and the Hot Fill container cap 184, may be coupled with the
finish 140 without detracting from the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure.
[0025] It will be appreciated that when the container cap 164 is
tightly engaged with the finish 140, as shown in FIG. 3, the seal
within the cap, such as the seal 188, and the first edge 152
cooperate so as to prevent pressurized contents within the
container 100 from leaking out of the container. When the container
cap 164 is loosened, generally by twisting so as to loosen the
engagement between the threads 172 and 176, the seal 188 is
withdrawn from the first edge 152. In absence of the two notches
196, withdrawing the seal 188 from the first edge 152 causes an
abrupt drop in pressure within the container 100 to the ambient
atmospheric pressure. Such a drop in pressure may cause the
contents within the container 100 to foam and potentially force the
contents between the seal 188 and the first edge 152, and out of
the container 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2,
however, as the seal 188 is withdrawn from the finish 140, the seal
disengages from the two notches 196 before withdrawing from the
rest of the first edge 152, thereby slowing down the pressure
release occurring within the container 100. As will be appreciated,
more slowly releasing pressure within the container 100
substantially reduces the likelihood that the contents will foam
and push out of the container. Those skilled in the art will
further appreciate that slowly reducing internal pressure within
the container 100 permits the use of additional carbon-dioxide
content within the container, thereby increasing the shelf-life of
the contents.
[0026] As mentioned above, the cross-sectional shape of the notches
196 need not be limited to those illustrated in FIG. 2, but rather
various other cross-sectional shapes may be utilized for the
notches 196. Further, the number and positions of the notches 196
on the first edge 152 need not be limited to the number and
positions illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, in some embodiments, the
first edge 152 may comprise more than two notches 196. In other
embodiments, the first edge 152 may comprise one suitably
configured notch 196. In some embodiments, multiple notches 196 may
be uniformly distributed around the circumference of the first edge
152. In some embodiments, multiple notches 196 may be positioned
around the circumference of the first edge 152 with a non-uniform
spacing between the notches. Accordingly, FIG. 5 is a table 200
illustrating results observed during experimental testing performed
in connection with applications of various embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0027] In some embodiments, suitably sized and shaped holes may be
implemented in lieu of the notches 196. It is envisioned that the
holes may be positioned just below the first edge 152 so as to be
covered over by the seal 188 when the container cap 164 is tightly
engaged with the container 100. It is further envisioned that the
shape of the holes may be suitably designed to issue an audible
sound when the container cap 164 is removed from the container 100
and pressure is relieved from the interior of the container. In
some embodiments, the shape of each hole may be fashioned to
resemble a flute, or a reed, which vibrates when the container cap
164 is removed from the container, thereby amplifying the audible
sound as pressure within the container 100 is relieved.
[0028] While the invention has been described in terms of
particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary
skill in the, art will recognize that the invention is not limited
to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods
and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in
certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such
modifications are in accordance with the variations of the
invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed
concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as
performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are
variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the
disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it
is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well.
Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not
limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *