U.S. patent application number 15/547639 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-31 for reusable bottle with defined scuffing band.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. Invention is credited to Ronald D. Moffitt, Roger Ian Moore.
Application Number | 20180148213 15/547639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56544365 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180148213 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore; Roger Ian ; et
al. |
May 31, 2018 |
REUSABLE BOTTLE WITH DEFINED SCUFFING BAND
Abstract
This disclosure provides reusable packaging materials, methods
and designs that provide improved life cycles to the package. In
one aspect, there is provided an effective and economical means for
improved scuff resistance on a package, by provided the refillable
container with a raised wear band around the largest circumference
of the container. The wear band focuses the wear such that the
abrasion pattern develops in a controlled and aesthetically benign
manner.
Inventors: |
Moore; Roger Ian; (Suffolk,
GB) ; Moffitt; Ronald D.; (Spartanburg, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
56544365 |
Appl. No.: |
15/547639 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
January 29, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/015511 |
371 Date: |
July 31, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62109854 |
Jan 30, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02W 30/807 20150501;
Y02W 30/80 20150501; B65D 1/0207 20130101; B65D 2501/0036 20130101;
B65D 1/0223 20130101; B65D 1/0246 20130101; B65D 1/0276 20130101;
B65D 1/42 20130101; B65D 2501/0045 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/42 20060101
B65D001/42; B65D 1/02 20060101 B65D001/02 |
Claims
1. A refillable polyester container comprising a polyester
composition, wherein the container comprises a raised wear band
around the largest circumference of the container, the outer
diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer diameter of
the container above and below the wear band.
2. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, wherein
the wear band is continuous.
3. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, wherein
the wear band is non-continuous or intermittent.
4. A refillable polyester container according to claim 3, wherein
the wear band comprises one type of geometric shape, each
individual shape having the same or different sizes or relative
proportions, or the wear band comprises more than one type of
geometric shape, with each type having the same or different sizes
or relative proportions, and wherein the wear band comprises one
type or more than one type of geometric shape, each individual
shape selected from triangles, rectangles, diamonds, regular or
irregular polygons having any desired number of sides less than
about 12, or irregular shapes, wherein the shapes do not interlock
on a conveyor system.
5. (canceled)
6. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, wherein
the wear band substantially limits wear of the container to the
peripheral area of the wear band.
7. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, further
comprising a second raised wear band around the second largest
circumference of the container.
8. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, wherein
the wear band has a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm.
9. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, wherein
the base of the container is a petaloid or a champagne base.
10. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, further
comprising a screw threaded closure and an injection molded
threaded neck finish for receiving a screw threaded closure.
11. (canceled)
12. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, wherein
the polyester composition comprises a homopolymer or copolymer of
polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
13. (canceled)
14. A refillable polyester container according to claim 1, wherein
the container is a monolayer or multilayer container and comprises
a polyester composition and one or more polymers selected from
polyamide, polycarbonate, acrylic/imide, amorphous nylon,
polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polystyrene, crystallizable nylon,
polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride
(PVC).
15. A refillable polyester container according to claim 14, wherein
the polyester composition comprises one or more polymers selected
from homopolymers, copolymers or blends of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET); polybutylene terephthalate (PBT);
polypropylene terephthalate (PPT); polyethylene naphthalate (PEN);
poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF); and cyclohexane dimethanol/PET
copolymer.
16. A method for reducing scuffing of a refillable polyester
container, wherein the refillable polyester container comprises a
polyester composition, the method comprising providing a raised
wear band around the largest circumference of the container, the
outer diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer
diameter of the container above and below the wear band.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the wear band is
continuous.
18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the wear band is
non-continuous or intermittent.
19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the wear band
substantially limits wear of the container to the peripheral area
of the wear band.
20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the polyester container
further comprises a second raised wear band around the second
largest circumference of the container.
21. A method according to claim 16, wherein the wear band has a
width of from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm.
22. A method according to claim 16, wherein the base of the
container is a petaloid or a champagne base.
23. A method according to claim 16, wherein the container further
comprises a screw threaded closure and an injection molded threaded
neck finish for receiving a screw threaded closure.
24. (canceled)
25. A method according to claim 16, wherein the polyester
composition comprises a homopolymer or copolymer of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET).
26. (canceled)
27. A method according to claim 16, wherein the container is a
monolayer or multilayer container and comprises a polyester
composition and one or more polymers selected from polyamide,
polycarbonate, acrylic/imide, amorphous nylon, polyacrylonitrile
(PAN), polystyrene, crystallizable nylon, polyethylene (PE),
polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the polyester
composition comprises one or more polymers selected from
homopolymers, copolymers or blends of polyethylene terephthalate
(PET); polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); polypropylene
terephthalate (PPT); polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); poly(ethylene
furanoate) (PEF); and cyclohexane dimethanol/PET copolymer.
29. A packaged beverage, wherein the beverage is packaged in a
refillable polyester container comprising a polyester composition,
wherein the container comprises a raised wear band around the
largest circumference of the container, the outer diameter of the
wear band being greater than the outer diameter of the container
above and below the wear band.
30. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/109,854, filed Jan. 30, 2015,
which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to reusable polymer packaging
designs having improved life cycles, and methods for improving the
scuff resistance of a reusable polymer package.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Reusable packaging can provide an economically efficient and
environmentally benign use of packaging materials and a viable
means of source reduction. The economics of reusable packaging are
based in large measure upon the amortization of the initial
packaging investment over the average number of return trips for
the package. Additional costs associated with the logistical
requirements of a reusable packaging system such as cleaning,
reconstitution, and assessment for reuse and the like, should also
be considered in the overall cost and profitability analysis.
[0004] Refillable carbonated soft drink (CSD) bottles represent an
important and growing renewable packaging application. Visual
appearance is an important parameter used to assess bottle quality
and determine bottle lifetime. Refillable poly(ethylene
terephthalate) (PET) carbonated beverage bottles can often be
reused for more than 20 refilling cycles before scuffing and
scratches around the base and upper contact diameters of the bottle
become severe. Scuffing damage to the bottles incurred while in
circulation accumulates with each return cycle, until the bottle
becomes so hazy that it must be rejected for excessive damage.
[0005] Therefore, there is a continuing need for packaging
materials, methods and designs that permit a specific type of
packaging to be reused as often as possible. One possible method to
improve the useful life cycle of a package might be to develop
economical and effective means of preventing, reducing, limiting,
or focusing scratches and scuffs on refillable bottle surfaces.
Desirably, such methods would be environmentally friendly and
preferably would not increase the complexity of the refilling
process by requiring additional steps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present disclosure provides, among other things,
reusable packaging materials, methods and designs that provide
improved life cycles, that is, the number of times the package can
be refilled. Specifically, there are provided effective and
economical methods and designs for preventing scratches and scuffs
on refillable bottle surfaces. It has been found that by localizing
the bottle wear in a more controlled manner than previously
possible, a refillable bottle is provided that is more resistant to
scuffing. This improved scuff resistance, in turn, increases
packaging life cycle. It has also been unexpectedly found that by
localizing the wear in the manner provided by this disclosure, the
controlled wear of the bottle is not as noticeable to the customer
or consumer, which increases the percentage of returned bottles
that can be refilled. The disclosed methods are environmentally
friendly and do not require additional steps to the refilling
process.
[0007] In one aspect, there is provided a refillable polymer
container, such as a polyester container, comprising a polymer
composition, wherein the container comprises a raised wear band
around the largest circumference of the container, the outer
diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer diameter of
the container above and below the wear band. Therefore, while this
disclosure refers primarily to refillable polyester containers, the
wear band applies generally to polymer containers of many different
polymer compositions as described herein.
[0008] According to another aspect, this disclosure provides a
method for reducing scuffing of a refillable polyester container,
wherein the refillable polyester container comprises a polyester
composition, the method comprising providing a raised wear band
around the largest circumference of the container, the outer
diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer diameter of
the container above and below the wear band.
[0009] There is also provided by this disclosure a packaged
beverage, wherein the beverage is packaged in a refillable
polyester container comprising a polyester composition, wherein the
container comprises a raised wear band around the largest
circumference of the container, the outer diameter of the wear band
being greater than the outer diameter of the container above and
below the wear band. Typically, the packaged beverage is a
carbonated soft drink.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Various aspects and embodiments of this disclosure are
illustrated in the drawings provided herein, as follows.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a refillable bottle
incorporating an wear band to focus and limit wear to a prescribed
peripheral area near the bottle base. As illustrated, the
refillable bottles has peripheral wear bands at the bottle exterior
contact points. As shown, elements of this design feature can
include the incorporation of a continuous, raised surface or "wear
band" for constraining bottle-to-bottle contact and abrasion, which
blocks the upper and lower surface of the bottle (above and below
the wear band), that is blocked from abrasion by the raised
surface.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional rendering of the
scuffing wear band concept shown in FIG. 1, showing the continuous
wear band at the largest diameter of the refillable bottle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This disclosure can provide for addressing at least in part
the continuing need for packaging materials, methods and designs
that permit a specific type of packaging to be reused more times
that is currently possible. Aspects of this disclosure can also
provide for improvement in the useful life cycle of a package, by
affording more economical and more effective means of limiting,
reducing, or focusing scratches and scuffs on refillable bottle
surfaces.
[0014] In one aspect, this disclosure also provides concepts for
reducing scuffing and scratching on a refillable PET bottle
surface, namely by creating molded-in, peripheral wear bands on the
bottle exterior. These peripheral wear bands are arranged at the
bottle exterior contact points. In one aspect, FIG. 1 illustrates
an embodiment of this concept, in which a refillable bottle is
shown having molded-in peripheral wear bands at the bottle exterior
contact points. As seen FIG. 1, this design feature includes one or
more of the following: 1) the incorporation of a peripherally
continuous, raised surface for limiting and focusing
bottle-to-bottle contact, wear, and abrasion; 2) both lower and
upper surfaces that are precluded from abrasion and damage by the
raised surface; and 3) the development of an abrasion pattern that
appears as well-defined, controlled, and aesthetically benign on
the contact surface of the bottle, as a result of the focused
bottle-to-bottle friction or abrasion. That is, the continuous and
non-intermittent raised surface largely constrains bottle-to-bottle
contact and abrasion to that raised surface that spans the outer
circumference of the bottle.
[0015] In another aspect, there are provided other concepts for
reducing scuffing on a refillable PET bottle surface, namely by
creating differently-shaped molded-in, non-continuous peripheral
wear bands on the bottle exterior. These non-continuous peripheral
wear bands can be arranged and shaped in any number of ways, as
long as the wear bands present raised surfaces for limiting and
focusing bottle-to-bottle contact and wear.
[0016] That is, the non-continuous or intermittent wear band can
include one type of geometric shape having the same or different
sizes or relative proportions. Alternatively, the non-continuous or
intermittent wear band can include more than one type of geometric
shape, with each type having the same or different sizes or
relative proportions. For example, when the wear band is
non-continuous or intermittent, the various geometric shapes can
comprise or can be selected from triangles, rectangles, diamonds,
circles, regular or irregular polygons having any desired number of
sides typically less than about 12 (for example, octagons), or any
variety of irregular shapes. The shapes and sizes are selected such
that the particular collection of shapes used in a bottle do not
interlock on a conveyor system. Generally, the various geometric
shapes constitute raised surfaces with sides having a desired
steepness associated with the geometric shape, although some
curvature of the surface is typical.
[0017] According to one aspect, the elements of this design feature
include one or more of the following: 1) the incorporation of an
intermittent, discontinuous, raised surface for constraining
bottle-to-bottle contact and abrasion; 2) a lower and an upper
surface that is blocked from abrasion by the raised surface; 3) the
development of an abrasion pattern that develops appears as
intentionally frosted discontinuous raised surfaces on the contact
surface of the bottle, as a result of bottle-to-bottle contact,
friction, or other abrasion. For example, when the intermittent,
discontinuous, raised surface includes a number of raised
rectangular surfaces or protrusions arranged in a desired pattern,
the abrasion pattern that develops will appear as an intentionally
frosted discontinuous pattern of rectangles on the contact surface
of the bottle, resulting from bottle-to-bottle contact and
abrasion. Again, the wear on the bottle is concentrated at the
peaks of the surface protrusions, which confines and limits the
surface damage to the designated raised areas, such that the
surrounding bottle surfaces remain transparent and essentially free
of scuffs and scratches.
[0018] Therefore, according to this disclosure, there is provided a
refillable polyester container comprising a polyester composition,
wherein the container comprises a raised wear band around the
largest circumference of the container, the outer diameter of the
wear band being greater than the outer diameter of the container
above and below the wear band. There is also provided a method for
reducing scuffing of a refillable polyester container, wherein the
refillable polyester container comprises a polyester composition,
the method comprising providing a raised wear band around the
largest circumference of the container, the outer diameter of the
wear band being greater than the outer diameter of the container
above and below the wear band. The refillable polyester container
can further include an injection molded threaded neck finish for
receiving a screw threaded closure, and is typically provides with
a screw threaded closure.
[0019] The wear band of the refillable polyester container
disclosed herein can be continuous, or the wear band can be
non-continuous or intermittent. In either case, the wear band
substantially limits scuffing and wear of the container to the
peripheral area of the wear band. If desired, the refillable
polyester container can further include a second raised wear band
around the second largest circumference of the container. The
methods and structures of this disclosure are applicable to any
type of refillable polyester container, including those with a
petaloid or a champagne base, single-layered or multilayered
containers, and those comprising homopolymers or copolymers.
[0020] According to a further aspect, the design disclosed herein
can incorporate two parallel wear bands situated perpendicular to
the bottle axis at the two primary contact points, that is, at the
two largest diameter peripheries of the bottle. Typically, these
two primary contact points occur above and below the bottle label
panel. Of the two parallel wear bands, the wear band having the
largest diameter around the largest circumference of the bottle
(the "major" wear band) is typically situated at the contact point
below the bottle label panel as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. This
disclosure also provides for a second wear band around a smaller
circumference of the bottle (the "minor" wear band) that typically
occurs at the contact point above the bottle label panel. This
smaller circumference of the bottle at the contact point above the
bottle label panel is not shown in FIG. 1 or 2.
[0021] In a further aspect, the design disclosed herein can
incorporate one, two, three, or more wear bands. Generally, when
more than one wear band is present, the multiple bands will be
parallel to each other and in their respective planes perpendicular
to the bottle axis. When two wear bands are present, they typically
can be located at the two "primary" contact points of the two
largest diameters of the bottle peripheries.
[0022] The dimensions of the wear bands, whether continuous or
discontinuous, can vary as a function of the overall bottle shape,
the locations of the two primary contact points (major and minor
wear bands) relative to each other, the locations of the major and
minor wear bands relative to the bottle label panel, and the like.
The wear bands can accumulate significant wear in a relatively very
narrow peripheral band. While the length of the band generally
extends for the entire circumference of the bottle, the width of
the wear band can vary considerably as desired. For example, with
respect to a 2.5 liter PET refillable carbonated soft drink ("CSD")
bottle, a wear band situated around the largest circumference of
the bottle at the contact point below the bottle label panel, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, can have a width of about 0.5 mm, 1
mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 5 mm, 5.5 mm,
6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, 7.5 mm, 8 mm, 8.5 mm, 9 mm, 9.5 mm, 10 mm, 11
mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 17 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm,
40 mm, 45 mm, or 50 mm, or even larger or smaller if desired. If
the bottle contains a second "minor" wear band, located around the
second largest circumference of the bottle, this wear band can also
have a width of about 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5
mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 5 mm, 5.5 mm, 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, 7.5 mm, 8 mm,
8.5 mm, 9 mm, 9.5 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 17
mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or 50 mm, or smaller
or even larger if desired. That is, the second "minor" wear band
can have a width that is less than, equal to, or greater than the
width of the "major" wear band around the largest circumference of
the bottle, depending on the desired performance, aesthetics, or
costs in producing such bands.
[0023] Further, with respect to a 2.5 liter PET refillable
carbonated soft drink ("CSD") bottle, a "major" wear band situated
around the largest circumference of the bottle, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, can have a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 50
mm; alternatively, from about 1 mm to about 25 mm; alternatively,
from about 2 mm to about 12 mm; alternatively, from about 3 mm to
about 10 mm; or alternatively, from about 4 mm to about 8 mm.
Similarly, when present and with respect to a 2.5 liter PET
refillable carbonated soft drink ("CSD") bottle, a "minor" wear
band can have a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm;
alternatively, from about 1 mm to about 25 mm; alternatively, from
about 2 mm to about 12 mm; alternatively, from about 3 mm to about
10 mm; or alternatively, from about 4 mm to about 8 mm.
[0024] Commercially available equipment, such as used in
manufacturing conventional thick wall refillable PET containers may
be used for fabricating the bottles disclosed herein. Implementing
the molded-in, peripheral wear bands on a bottle exterior can be
achieved by incorporating the bands by minor alternations or
adjustments of the die tooling segments used in the blow molding
process. That is, modifications to the mold halves that incorporate
the desired shape, size and structure of the raised wear band can
be made, and the bottle incorporating the desired wear bands can be
produced according to the standard injection stretch blow molding
processes.
[0025] Visual appearance or optical properties can be employed to
determine bottle lifetime. Specifically, scuffing detection for
refillable bottles generally can be performed using an optical
device for a "go" or "no go" selection of acceptable bottles to
remain in the loop of refilling and reuse. The disclosed wear ring
provides greater control over the extent of the sacrificial
scuffing area. The wear ring concept also provides for greater
simplicity in scuffing detection than concepts using a textured
surface, because the small, discrete wear domains in a textures
surface typically are distributed over a larger area of the
bottle.
[0026] The preforms and refillable polyester containers made
therefrom can be single layer or multilayer preforms and
containers. For example, the container can be formed of a single
layer of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer or copolymer
having a comonomer such as 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) or
isophthalic acid (IPA). In another aspect, the preforms and
containers can be multilayer. For example, in one embodiment, a
multilayer preform can have an interior layer of a first copolymer
polyester, and an exterior layer of a second polyester having
relatively less copolymer, and therefore a rate of crystallization
somewhat higher than the first polyester.
[0027] Thus, this disclosure provides for a refillable polyester
container that can comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of
polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For example, the polyester
composition can be substantially polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The container can be monolayer or multilayer container. Further,
the container can comprises a polyester composition and one or more
polymers selected from polyamide, polycarbonate, acrylic/imide,
amorphous nylon, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polystyrene,
crystallizable nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The polyester composition can include one
or more polymers selected from homopolymers, copolymers or blends
of polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polybutylene terephthalate
(PBT); polypropylene terephthalate (PPT); polyethylene naphthalate
(PEN); poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF); and cyclohexane
dimethanol/PET copolymer.
[0028] The wear band concept is not limited only to polyester
containers but can be applied to a wide range of polymeric
packaging materials. For example, suitable polymeric packaging
materials for use in container and bottles having the wear band
concept can include one or more plastic resins such as high density
polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low
density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
poly(ethylene-co-furandicarboxylic acid) (PEF), polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyamides (PA),
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC),
polyurethane (PU), melamine formaldehyde (MF), phenolics (PF),
polyetherketones (PEEK), polylactic acids (PLA), polymethyl
methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),
urea-formaldehyde (UF), post-consumer resins, bioplastics, and the
like. Therefore, disclosure information and data that is recited in
terms of a polyester is similarly applicable to other polymeric
packaging materials.
Definitions
[0029] To define more clearly the terms used herein, the following
definitions are provided, which are applicable to this disclosure
unless otherwise indicated by the disclosure or the context. To the
extent that any definition or usage provided by any document
incorporated herein by reference conflicts with the definition or
usage provided herein, the definition or usage provided herein
controls.
[0030] The term "major" wear band is the wear band located around
the largest circumference and therefore at the largest diameter of
the bottle, when the bottle is generally described as having a
circular cross section. The bottle may only have one wear band, and
if it is located around the largest circumference of the bottle, it
can be considered and termed the major wear band, even if there is
no second wear band around the bottle. The "major" wear band is
typically but not always situated at the contact point below the
bottle label panel as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0031] The term "minor" wear band is the wear band located around a
bottle circumference that is smaller than the largest circumference
and is most typically located about the second largest bottle
circumference and at the second largest bottle diameter, when the
bottle is generally described as having a circular cross section.
The "major" wear band is typically but not always situated at the
contact point above the bottle label panel. If the bottle has a
single wear band that is not located around the largest
circumference of the bottle, it can be considered and termed the
minor wear band, even if there is no second wear band around the
bottle.
[0032] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,
reference to "a rectangle" includes a single rectangle as well as
any combination of more than one rectangle if the context indicates
or allows, such as multiple rectangles of any size or combination
of sizes.
[0033] Throughout the specification and claims, the word "comprise"
and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises,"
means "including but not limited to," and is not intended to
exclude, for example, other additives, components, elements, or
steps. While compositions and methods are described in terms of
"comprising" various components or steps, the compositions and
methods can also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the
various components or steps.
[0034] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or "embodiments" means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, aspects, structures, or characteristics may be
combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0035] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently
described element, component, step, or circumstance can or cannot
occur, and that the description includes instances where the
element, component, step, or circumstance occurs and instances
where it does not.
[0036] Throughout this specification, various publications may be
referenced. The disclosures of these publications are hereby
incorporated by reference in pertinent part, in order to more fully
describe the state of the art to which the disclosed subject matter
pertains. The references disclosed are also individually and
specifically incorporated by reference herein for the material
contained in them that is discussed in the sentence in which the
reference is relied upon. To the extent that any definition or
usage provided by any document incorporated herein by reference
conflicts with the definition or usage applied herein, the
definition or usage applied herein controls.
[0037] Unless indicated otherwise, when a range of any type is
disclosed or claimed, for example a range of the sizes, number,
percentages, and the like, it is intended to disclose or claim
individually each possible number that such a range could
reasonably encompass, including any sub-ranges or combinations of
sub-ranges encompassed therein. When describing a range of
measurements such as sizes or percentages, every possible number
that such a range could reasonably encompass can, for example,
refer to values within the range with one significant figure more
than is present in the end points of a range, or refer to values
within the range with the same number of significant figures as the
end point with the most significant figures, as the context
indicates or permits. For example, when describing a range of
percentages such as from 85% to 95%, it is understood that this
disclosure is intended to encompass each of 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%,
89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, and 95%, as well as any ranges,
sub-ranges, and combinations of sub-ranges encompassed therein.
Applicant's intent is that these two methods of describing the
range are interchangeable. Accordingly, Applicant hereby discloses
that any individual member or members of any such group, including
any sub-ranges or combinations of sub-ranges within the group, can
be excluded by proviso for any reason, if Applicant chooses to
claim less than the full measure of the disclosure, for example, to
account for a reference that Applicant may be unaware of at the
time of the filing of the application.
[0038] Values or ranges may be expressed herein as "about", from
"about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular
value. When such values or ranges are expressed, other embodiments
disclosed include the specific value recited, from the one
particular value, and/or to the other particular value. Similarly,
when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the
antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value
forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that there
are a number of values disclosed therein, and that each value is
also herein disclosed as "about" that particular value in addition
to the value itself. In another aspect, use of the term "about"
means.+-.20% of the stated value, .+-.15% of the stated value,
.+-.10% of the stated value, .+-.5% of the stated value, or .+-.3%
of the stated value.
[0039] In any application before the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, the Abstract of this application is provided for
the purpose of satisfying the requirements of 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.72
and the purpose stated in 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.72(b) "to enable the
United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally
to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist
of the technical disclosure." Therefore, the Abstract of this
application is not intended to be used to construe the scope of the
claims or to limit the scope of the subject matter that is
disclosed herein. Moreover, any headings that are employed herein
are also not intended to be used to construe the scope of the
claims or to limit the scope of the subject matter that is
disclosed herein. Any use of the past tense to describe an example
otherwise indicated as constructive or prophetic is not intended to
reflect that the constructive or prophetic example has actually
been carried out.
[0040] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many
modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments disclosed
herein without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages described in this disclosure. Accordingly, all such
modifications and equivalents are intended to be included within
the scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims.
Therefore, it is to be understood that resort can be had to various
other aspects, embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof
which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves
to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
spirit of the present disclosure or the scope of the appended
claims.
[0041] Further attributes, features, and embodiments of the present
invention can be understood by reference to the following numbered
aspects of the disclosed invention. Reference to disclosure in any
of the preceding aspects is applicable to any preceding numbered
aspect and to any combination of any number of preceding aspects,
as recognized by appropriate antecedent disclosure in any
combination of preceding aspects that can be made. The following
numbered aspects are provided.
[0042] 1. A refillable polyester container comprising a polyester
composition, wherein the container comprises a raised wear band
around the largest circumference of the container, the outer
diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer diameter of
the container above and below the wear band.
[0043] 2. A method for reducing scuffing of a refillable polyester
container, wherein the refillable polyester container comprises a
polyester composition, the method comprising providing a raised
wear band around the largest circumference of the container, the
outer diameter of the wear band being greater than the outer
diameter of the container above and below the wear band.
[0044] 3. A refillable polyester container or a method according to
any of the above aspects, wherein the wear band is continuous.
[0045] 4. A refillable polyester container or a method according to
any of the above aspects, wherein the wear band is non-continuous
or intermittent.
[0046] 5. A refillable polyester container or a method according to
any of the above aspects, wherein the wear band is non-continuous
or intermittent, and the wear band comprises one type of geometric
shape, each individual shape having the same or different sizes or
relative proportions, or the wear band comprises more than one type
of geometric shape, with each type having the same or different
sizes or relative proportions.
[0047] 6. A refillable polyester container or a method according to
any of the above aspects, wherein the wear band is non-continuous
or intermittent, and the wear band comprises one type or more than
one type of geometric shape, each individual shape selected from
triangles, rectangles, diamonds, circles, regular or irregular
polygons having any desired number of sides less than about 12, or
irregular shapes, wherein the shapes do not interlock on a conveyor
system.
[0048] 7. A refillable polyester container or a method according to
any of the above aspects, wherein the wear band substantially
limits wear of the container to the peripheral area of the wear
band.
[0049] 8. A refillable polyester container or a method according to
any of the above aspects, further comprising a second raised wear
band around the second largest circumference of the container.
[0050] 9. A refillable polyester container or a method according to
any of the above aspects, wherein the wear band has a width of from
about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm.
[0051] 10. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, wherein the base of the container is a
petaloid or a champagne base.
[0052] 11. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, further comprising an injection molded
threaded neck finish for receiving a screw threaded closure.
[0053] 12. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, further comprising the screw threaded
closure.
[0054] 13. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, wherein the polyester composition
comprises a homopolymer or copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate
(PET).
[0055] 14. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, wherein the polyester composition is
substantially polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
[0056] 15. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, wherein the container is a monolayer
or multilayer container and comprises a polyester composition and
one or more polymers selected from polyamide, polycarbonate,
acrylic/imide, amorphous nylon, polyacrylonitrile (PAN),
polystyrene, crystallizable nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene
(PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
[0057] 16. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, wherein the polyester composition
comprises one or more polymers selected from homopolymers,
copolymers or blends of polyethylene terephthalate (PET);
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); polypropylene terephthalate
(PPT); polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); poly(ethylene furanoate)
(PEF); and cyclohexane dimethanol/PET copolymer.
[0058] 17. A refillable polyester container or a method according
to any of the above aspects, wherein the refillable polyester
container comprises a polyester composition, the method comprising
providing a raised wear band around the largest circumference of
the container, the outer diameter of the wear band being greater
than the outer diameter of the container above and below the wear
band.
[0059] 18. A packaged beverage, wherein the beverage is packaged in
a refillable polyester container and/or wherein the beverage is
packaged a method according to any of the above aspects.
[0060] 19. A packaged beverage, wherein the beverage is packaged in
a refillable polyester container and/or wherein the beverage is
packaged a method according to any of the above aspects, wherein
the beverage is a carbonated soft drink.
[0061] Although only preferred embodiments of the refillable and
reusable bottle comprising a scuffing or wear band has been
specifically set forth herein, it is to be understood that minor
variations may be made in the bottle or process without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *