CA2191296C - Plastic container - Google Patents
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- CA2191296C CA2191296C CA 2191296 CA2191296A CA2191296C CA 2191296 C CA2191296 C CA 2191296C CA 2191296 CA2191296 CA 2191296 CA 2191296 A CA2191296 A CA 2191296A CA 2191296 C CA2191296 C CA 2191296C
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- intermediate sidewall
- sidewall portion
- plastic container
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Abstract
A plastic container includes a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion. The neck portion defines an opening. The shoulder portion is continuous with the neck portion. The intermediate sidewall portion is continuous with the shoulder portion. The intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content and is comprised of at least fourteen distinct and vertically extending segments. The segments are joined to form the intermediate sidewall portion and extend substantially for the length thereof. The base portion is continuous with the intermediate sidewall portion for supporting the container.
Description
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to containers, and more particularly, to a thin-walled container having an intermediate sidewall formed from a plurality of flattened segments for achieving a relatively increased top loading strength at a reduced weight.
The overall shape of the main body portion of most containers is substantially cylindrical wherein the cross-section of the main body portion is substantially circular.
Like most items of manufacture, costs for manufacturing containers increase as the amount of material used is increased. Accordingly, the less material that is used to manufacture a container, the less costly the final product.
Technological advances in molding processes such as blow molding and injection molding have made it possible to mold containers and other objects such that they have very thin walls. However, in typical cases, as the thickness of the walls decreases so does the strength of the container, and particularly, the top loading strength. To combat loss of strength in thin-walled containers, different and stronger materials may be used to form the container. Regardless of the material, however, as material use is reduced to form even thinner containers from the stronger materials, the strength of the classic circular cylindrically walled 2 1 9 1 2~6 containers, in particular the top loading strength thereof, is compromised.
There exists, therefore, a need for a container having thin walls and improved top loading strength.
8UMMARY OF TH~ l~.v~L.,lON
The primary object of this invention is to provide a thinned walled container having excellent strength characteristics, particularly with respect to top loading.
Another object of this invention is to provide a relatively lighter container having at least comparable physical properties to similar containers using more material and weighing more.
Another object of this invention is to provide a thinned walled container having an intermediate sidewall portion which is formed from a plurality of flattened segments, which segments provide an increase in top loading strength over the typical circular cross-section and cylindrically shaped container.
And still another object of this invention is to provide a thinned walled container including a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content 21 9 1 2~6 and which is formed from a plurality of joined flattened segments.
And yet another object of this invention is to provide a container having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion has an outermost diameter less than that of the outermost diameter of both the shoulder portion and base portion, and wherein the intermediate sidewall portion is formed from a plurality of flattened segments.
And still another object of this invention is to provide a container which has an improved resistance to denting.
And yet another object of this invention is to provide a container which has an intermediate wall portion formed from a plurality of segments and requires relatively less material to manufacture while maintaining its toploading strength and having improved resistance to denting.
The foregoing objects and advantages are achieved by the container of the present invention which includes a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion. The neck portion defines an opening. The shoulder portion is continuous with the neck portion. The intermediate sidewall portion is continuous with the shoulder portion. The intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content and is comprised of at least fourteen distinct and vertically extending segments. The segments are joined to form the intermediate sidewall portion and extend substantially for the length thereof. The base portion is continuous with the intermediate sidewall portion for supporting the container.
In one embodiment, the shoulder portion, base portion and intermediate sidewall portion each have an outermost diameter and the outermost diameter of the intermediate sidewall portion is smaller than the outermost diameter of the shoulder portion and the base portion. The segments are preferably flattened or curved having a lengthwise dimension extending in the longitudinal direction of the container.
The flattened or curved segments preferably have longitudinally extending sides and the sides of each of the flattened or curved segments also comprise the sides of another of the flattened or curved segments.
The details of the present invention are set out in the following description and drawings wherein like reference characters depict like elements.
'- 2 1 9 1 296 FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a container in accordance with the principals of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
l;
FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of area 2A circled in FIG.
2;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a container in accordance with the principals of the present invention;
FIG. 4 ia a sectional view taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the container of the present invention.
DBTAILED DBSCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings in detail there is shown in FIG. 1 an elevational view of the container of the present invention, designated generally as 10. Container 10 includes neck portion 12, shoulder portion 14, intermediate sidewall portion 16 and base portion 18.
Neck portion 12 is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape forming an opening 20 for flow of the contents of container 10. Neck portion 12 has a threaded portion 22 on the external surface thereof for engagement with a closure (not shown) for sealing in content gases and maintaining content freshness. Neck portion 12 also includes a circular flange 24 positioned below threaded portion 22 which may be used for gripping or holding the container. Neck portion 12 is continuous with shoulder portion 14.
Shoulder portion 14 extends from the lower end 26 of neck portion 12 and outwardly and downwardly therefrom, having a substantially hemispherical shape. Accordingly, container 10 preferably tapers inwardly from the bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14 to the lower end 26 of neck portion 12. Shoulder portion 14 preferably has a contoured surface for ornamental purposes and for facilitating improved gripping of the container. The contoured surface is preferably a plurality of raised swirls 30 extending from lower end 26 of neck portion 12 to bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14, although the design is not critical and other designs may be used for the same purposes. At bottom end 28, shoulder portion 14 has an outermost diameter A. Bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14 curves slightly inwardly and is continuous with intermediate sidewall portion 16, as shown in FIG. 1.
Intermediate sidewall portion 16 is substantially polygonal in cross-section and tubular in shape, as shown in FIGs. 2 and 2A, estimating closely a circular cylindrical shape, extending from bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14 - 21 91 ~96 downwardly to base portion 18. Intermediate sidewall portion 16 has an outermost diameter B which is preferably less than the outermost diameter A of shoulder portion 14.
Accordingly, a step 32, as shown in FIG. 1, is formed between shoulder portion 14 and intermediate sidewall portion 16.
Intermediate sidewall portion 16 is preferably formed from a plurality of flattened segments 34. In a preferred embodiment, at least fourteen or more flattened segments 34, and in another embodiment, thirty flattened segments 34, are joined to form the entire intermediate sidewall portion 16, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 and the enlarged view thereof in FIG. 2A. The flattened segments 34 preferably extend for at least a substantial portion of intermediate sidewall portion 16. That is, each flattened segment 34 shares its sides with another flattened segment 34 for the entire circumference of intermediate sidewall portion 16, thereby forming the cross-section shown.
Accordingly, a polygonal cross-section is shown in the preferred embodiment with a plurality of flattened segments having substantially equal widths. In the preferred embodiment shown, the flattened segments are all substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of container 10 and thus substantially parallel in the longitudinal - 21 ql 2~6 direction to each other. The flattened segments provide for an increased top loading strength of container 10.
The bottoms of flattened segments 34 are continual with top end 36 of base portion 18. Outermost diameter B of intermediate sidewall portion 16 is preferably less than the outermost diameter C of base portion 18 thereby forming a step 38 between intermediate sidewall portion 16 and base portion 18.
Steps 32 and 38 are shown in the figures in a manner to clearly illustrate the stepped arrangement. However, the figures are not intended to limit the size of the steps to the proportions shown. That is, the steps may be much smaller in proportion to the container than shown. In fact, with specific reference to step 32, it may be preferable to form this step as small as possible so as to further increase top loading strength. Step 38 may or may not be formed equally as small.
Base portion 18 is preferably substantially cup-shaped extending slightly outward from the bottom of intermediate sidewall portion 16, downward and preferably tapered slightly inward to bottom end 40. Base portion 18 is preferably formed through molding techniques known in the art to have a plurality of feet separated by indents 42, as shown in FIG. 1 and an axially extending recess 44 in the bottom thereof, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1.
-This footed base portion support structure provides additional stabilization to container 10.
Container 10 is preferably formed from a thin layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) although other materials may be used. Due to the added structural rigidity provided by the plurality of flattened segments 34, a layer of PET
can be used to form container 10 which is thinner than layers currently known in the art. That is, by using flattened segments 34, the top loading strength of container 10 is increased as compared to a container having an intermediate sidewall body portion with a circular cross-section and cylindrical shape and formed from the same thickness of PET. A considerable advantage is therefore provided by the container of the present invention in that less material can be used, thereby saving manufacturing costs, while still achieving equal or better top loading structural rigidity than containers having the same thickness but not formed from a plurality of flattened segments 34.
Alternatively, a less expensive material can be used in manufacturing the container of the present invention. That is, due to the segmented design, a cheaper material having less desirable physical properties can be used at a thickness comparable to currently known containers using more expensive materials. Also due to the structural -21 9 1 ~36 design, a container formed as disclosed from the less expensive material will have comparable strength and other physical properties in comparison to the currently available, more expensive containers.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, as an alternative to the preferred embodiment is shown as container 100. Container 100 is preferably such that intermediate sidewall portion 116 comprised of flattened segments 134 is substantially directly continuous with the outermost diameter A of shoulder portion 114 and the outermost diameter C of base portion 118, wherein diameter A substantially equals diameter B and diameter C.
Referring to FIG. 5, another cross-section through container 10 of FIG. 1 is provided wherein another embodiment is shown. While the cross-section is different, the elevational view remains substantially the same and therefore FIG. 1 is used as the elevational view for this embodiment as well. Instead of the flattened segments, a plurality of curved segments 234 are used and joined together to form the circumference of intermediate sidewall portion 216. The details discussed with reference to the main body and that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are preferably used with the curved segments and are hereby incorporated.
The same advantages disclosed herein apply to the container formed from the segments of this embodiment - 21912~6 In another alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), container 10 may be formed such that flattened segments 34 or curved segments 234 extend into shoulder portion 14 or base portion 18 or form the entirety of shoulder portion 14 and base portion 18, as well as forming intermediate sidewall portion 16.
Furthermore, another embodiment of the container of the present invention (not shown) may also include circumferentially spaced flattened segments or curved segments for forming the circumference of container 10.
That is, a plurality of flattened segments 34 or curved segments 234 are used but are spaced from and joined with other flattened segments via arc segments further forming the circumference of intermediate sidewall portion 16.
Containers 10 and 110 are used as any other container.
A content 46 is placed into the container and the container is sealed with a closure (not shown). Upon removing the closure, the content 46 can be emptied from container 10.
Because of flattened segments 34, container lo is able to withstand greater top loads in comparison to existing containers of similar wall thickness so that stacking of the containers is permitted and non-damaging during transportation of the same.
The primary advantage of this invention is that a thinned-walled container is provided having excellent - 21 ql 296 ( 95-479 strength characteristics, particularly during top loading.
Another advantage of this invention is that a relatively lighter container is provided having at least comparable physical properties to similar containers using more material and weighing more. Another advantage of this invention is that a thinned-wall container is provided having an intermediate sidewall portion which is formed from a plurality of joined flattened segments, which segments provide an increase in top loading strength over the typical circular and cylindrically container of the same wall thickness. And still another advantage of this invention is that a thin-walled container is provided having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content, which intermediate sidewall portion is formed from a plurality of joined flattened segments. And still another advantage of this invention is that a container is provided having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion has an outermost diameter less than that of the outermost diameter of both the shoulder portion and base portion, and wherein the intermediate sidewall portion is formed from a plurality of flattened segments. And still another advantage object of this invention is that a container is provided which has an improved resistance to denting. And yet another advantage of this invention is that a container is provided having an intermediate wall portion formed from a plurality of segments which requires relatively less material to manufacture while maintaining its toploading strength and having improved resistance to denting.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.
This invention is directed to containers, and more particularly, to a thin-walled container having an intermediate sidewall formed from a plurality of flattened segments for achieving a relatively increased top loading strength at a reduced weight.
The overall shape of the main body portion of most containers is substantially cylindrical wherein the cross-section of the main body portion is substantially circular.
Like most items of manufacture, costs for manufacturing containers increase as the amount of material used is increased. Accordingly, the less material that is used to manufacture a container, the less costly the final product.
Technological advances in molding processes such as blow molding and injection molding have made it possible to mold containers and other objects such that they have very thin walls. However, in typical cases, as the thickness of the walls decreases so does the strength of the container, and particularly, the top loading strength. To combat loss of strength in thin-walled containers, different and stronger materials may be used to form the container. Regardless of the material, however, as material use is reduced to form even thinner containers from the stronger materials, the strength of the classic circular cylindrically walled 2 1 9 1 2~6 containers, in particular the top loading strength thereof, is compromised.
There exists, therefore, a need for a container having thin walls and improved top loading strength.
8UMMARY OF TH~ l~.v~L.,lON
The primary object of this invention is to provide a thinned walled container having excellent strength characteristics, particularly with respect to top loading.
Another object of this invention is to provide a relatively lighter container having at least comparable physical properties to similar containers using more material and weighing more.
Another object of this invention is to provide a thinned walled container having an intermediate sidewall portion which is formed from a plurality of flattened segments, which segments provide an increase in top loading strength over the typical circular cross-section and cylindrically shaped container.
And still another object of this invention is to provide a thinned walled container including a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content 21 9 1 2~6 and which is formed from a plurality of joined flattened segments.
And yet another object of this invention is to provide a container having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion has an outermost diameter less than that of the outermost diameter of both the shoulder portion and base portion, and wherein the intermediate sidewall portion is formed from a plurality of flattened segments.
And still another object of this invention is to provide a container which has an improved resistance to denting.
And yet another object of this invention is to provide a container which has an intermediate wall portion formed from a plurality of segments and requires relatively less material to manufacture while maintaining its toploading strength and having improved resistance to denting.
The foregoing objects and advantages are achieved by the container of the present invention which includes a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion. The neck portion defines an opening. The shoulder portion is continuous with the neck portion. The intermediate sidewall portion is continuous with the shoulder portion. The intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content and is comprised of at least fourteen distinct and vertically extending segments. The segments are joined to form the intermediate sidewall portion and extend substantially for the length thereof. The base portion is continuous with the intermediate sidewall portion for supporting the container.
In one embodiment, the shoulder portion, base portion and intermediate sidewall portion each have an outermost diameter and the outermost diameter of the intermediate sidewall portion is smaller than the outermost diameter of the shoulder portion and the base portion. The segments are preferably flattened or curved having a lengthwise dimension extending in the longitudinal direction of the container.
The flattened or curved segments preferably have longitudinally extending sides and the sides of each of the flattened or curved segments also comprise the sides of another of the flattened or curved segments.
The details of the present invention are set out in the following description and drawings wherein like reference characters depict like elements.
'- 2 1 9 1 296 FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a container in accordance with the principals of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
l;
FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of area 2A circled in FIG.
2;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a container in accordance with the principals of the present invention;
FIG. 4 ia a sectional view taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the container of the present invention.
DBTAILED DBSCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings in detail there is shown in FIG. 1 an elevational view of the container of the present invention, designated generally as 10. Container 10 includes neck portion 12, shoulder portion 14, intermediate sidewall portion 16 and base portion 18.
Neck portion 12 is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape forming an opening 20 for flow of the contents of container 10. Neck portion 12 has a threaded portion 22 on the external surface thereof for engagement with a closure (not shown) for sealing in content gases and maintaining content freshness. Neck portion 12 also includes a circular flange 24 positioned below threaded portion 22 which may be used for gripping or holding the container. Neck portion 12 is continuous with shoulder portion 14.
Shoulder portion 14 extends from the lower end 26 of neck portion 12 and outwardly and downwardly therefrom, having a substantially hemispherical shape. Accordingly, container 10 preferably tapers inwardly from the bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14 to the lower end 26 of neck portion 12. Shoulder portion 14 preferably has a contoured surface for ornamental purposes and for facilitating improved gripping of the container. The contoured surface is preferably a plurality of raised swirls 30 extending from lower end 26 of neck portion 12 to bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14, although the design is not critical and other designs may be used for the same purposes. At bottom end 28, shoulder portion 14 has an outermost diameter A. Bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14 curves slightly inwardly and is continuous with intermediate sidewall portion 16, as shown in FIG. 1.
Intermediate sidewall portion 16 is substantially polygonal in cross-section and tubular in shape, as shown in FIGs. 2 and 2A, estimating closely a circular cylindrical shape, extending from bottom end 28 of shoulder portion 14 - 21 91 ~96 downwardly to base portion 18. Intermediate sidewall portion 16 has an outermost diameter B which is preferably less than the outermost diameter A of shoulder portion 14.
Accordingly, a step 32, as shown in FIG. 1, is formed between shoulder portion 14 and intermediate sidewall portion 16.
Intermediate sidewall portion 16 is preferably formed from a plurality of flattened segments 34. In a preferred embodiment, at least fourteen or more flattened segments 34, and in another embodiment, thirty flattened segments 34, are joined to form the entire intermediate sidewall portion 16, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 and the enlarged view thereof in FIG. 2A. The flattened segments 34 preferably extend for at least a substantial portion of intermediate sidewall portion 16. That is, each flattened segment 34 shares its sides with another flattened segment 34 for the entire circumference of intermediate sidewall portion 16, thereby forming the cross-section shown.
Accordingly, a polygonal cross-section is shown in the preferred embodiment with a plurality of flattened segments having substantially equal widths. In the preferred embodiment shown, the flattened segments are all substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of container 10 and thus substantially parallel in the longitudinal - 21 ql 2~6 direction to each other. The flattened segments provide for an increased top loading strength of container 10.
The bottoms of flattened segments 34 are continual with top end 36 of base portion 18. Outermost diameter B of intermediate sidewall portion 16 is preferably less than the outermost diameter C of base portion 18 thereby forming a step 38 between intermediate sidewall portion 16 and base portion 18.
Steps 32 and 38 are shown in the figures in a manner to clearly illustrate the stepped arrangement. However, the figures are not intended to limit the size of the steps to the proportions shown. That is, the steps may be much smaller in proportion to the container than shown. In fact, with specific reference to step 32, it may be preferable to form this step as small as possible so as to further increase top loading strength. Step 38 may or may not be formed equally as small.
Base portion 18 is preferably substantially cup-shaped extending slightly outward from the bottom of intermediate sidewall portion 16, downward and preferably tapered slightly inward to bottom end 40. Base portion 18 is preferably formed through molding techniques known in the art to have a plurality of feet separated by indents 42, as shown in FIG. 1 and an axially extending recess 44 in the bottom thereof, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1.
-This footed base portion support structure provides additional stabilization to container 10.
Container 10 is preferably formed from a thin layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) although other materials may be used. Due to the added structural rigidity provided by the plurality of flattened segments 34, a layer of PET
can be used to form container 10 which is thinner than layers currently known in the art. That is, by using flattened segments 34, the top loading strength of container 10 is increased as compared to a container having an intermediate sidewall body portion with a circular cross-section and cylindrical shape and formed from the same thickness of PET. A considerable advantage is therefore provided by the container of the present invention in that less material can be used, thereby saving manufacturing costs, while still achieving equal or better top loading structural rigidity than containers having the same thickness but not formed from a plurality of flattened segments 34.
Alternatively, a less expensive material can be used in manufacturing the container of the present invention. That is, due to the segmented design, a cheaper material having less desirable physical properties can be used at a thickness comparable to currently known containers using more expensive materials. Also due to the structural -21 9 1 ~36 design, a container formed as disclosed from the less expensive material will have comparable strength and other physical properties in comparison to the currently available, more expensive containers.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, as an alternative to the preferred embodiment is shown as container 100. Container 100 is preferably such that intermediate sidewall portion 116 comprised of flattened segments 134 is substantially directly continuous with the outermost diameter A of shoulder portion 114 and the outermost diameter C of base portion 118, wherein diameter A substantially equals diameter B and diameter C.
Referring to FIG. 5, another cross-section through container 10 of FIG. 1 is provided wherein another embodiment is shown. While the cross-section is different, the elevational view remains substantially the same and therefore FIG. 1 is used as the elevational view for this embodiment as well. Instead of the flattened segments, a plurality of curved segments 234 are used and joined together to form the circumference of intermediate sidewall portion 216. The details discussed with reference to the main body and that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are preferably used with the curved segments and are hereby incorporated.
The same advantages disclosed herein apply to the container formed from the segments of this embodiment - 21912~6 In another alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), container 10 may be formed such that flattened segments 34 or curved segments 234 extend into shoulder portion 14 or base portion 18 or form the entirety of shoulder portion 14 and base portion 18, as well as forming intermediate sidewall portion 16.
Furthermore, another embodiment of the container of the present invention (not shown) may also include circumferentially spaced flattened segments or curved segments for forming the circumference of container 10.
That is, a plurality of flattened segments 34 or curved segments 234 are used but are spaced from and joined with other flattened segments via arc segments further forming the circumference of intermediate sidewall portion 16.
Containers 10 and 110 are used as any other container.
A content 46 is placed into the container and the container is sealed with a closure (not shown). Upon removing the closure, the content 46 can be emptied from container 10.
Because of flattened segments 34, container lo is able to withstand greater top loads in comparison to existing containers of similar wall thickness so that stacking of the containers is permitted and non-damaging during transportation of the same.
The primary advantage of this invention is that a thinned-walled container is provided having excellent - 21 ql 296 ( 95-479 strength characteristics, particularly during top loading.
Another advantage of this invention is that a relatively lighter container is provided having at least comparable physical properties to similar containers using more material and weighing more. Another advantage of this invention is that a thinned-wall container is provided having an intermediate sidewall portion which is formed from a plurality of joined flattened segments, which segments provide an increase in top loading strength over the typical circular and cylindrically container of the same wall thickness. And still another advantage of this invention is that a thin-walled container is provided having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content, which intermediate sidewall portion is formed from a plurality of joined flattened segments. And still another advantage of this invention is that a container is provided having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, an intermediate sidewall portion and a base portion, wherein the intermediate sidewall portion has an outermost diameter less than that of the outermost diameter of both the shoulder portion and base portion, and wherein the intermediate sidewall portion is formed from a plurality of flattened segments. And still another advantage object of this invention is that a container is provided which has an improved resistance to denting. And yet another advantage of this invention is that a container is provided having an intermediate wall portion formed from a plurality of segments which requires relatively less material to manufacture while maintaining its toploading strength and having improved resistance to denting.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.
Claims (35)
1. A plastic container, comprising:
a neck portion defining an opening;
a shoulder portion continuous with said neck portion;
an intermediate sidewall portion continuous with said shoulder portion, said intermediate sidewall portion defining a major portion of a volume for holding a content and having a length, said intermediate sidewall portion comprised of at least fourteen distinct and vertically extending segments, wherein said segments are joined to form said intermediate sidewall portion and extend substantially for said length; and a base portion continuous with said intermediate sidewall portion for supporting said container.
a neck portion defining an opening;
a shoulder portion continuous with said neck portion;
an intermediate sidewall portion continuous with said shoulder portion, said intermediate sidewall portion defining a major portion of a volume for holding a content and having a length, said intermediate sidewall portion comprised of at least fourteen distinct and vertically extending segments, wherein said segments are joined to form said intermediate sidewall portion and extend substantially for said length; and a base portion continuous with said intermediate sidewall portion for supporting said container.
2. The plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said segments are flattened.
3. The plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said segments are curved.
4. The plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder portion, said base portion and said intermediate sidewall portion each have an outermost diameter, and wherein said outermost diameter of said intermediate sidewall portion is smaller than said outermost diameter of said shoulder portion and said base portion.
5. The plastic container according to claim 2, wherein said flattened segments have a lengthwise dimension extending in the longitudinal direction of said container.
6. The plastic container according to claim 5, wherein said flattened segments have longitudinally extending sides and said sides of each of said flattened segments also comprise the sides of another of said flattened segments.
7. The plastic container according to claim 5, wherein said flattened segments are joined to each other in a quantity which causes said container to have a substantially circular cross section.
8. The plastic container according to claim 2, wherein each of said flattened segments extend in a longitudinally directed plane and each of said longitudinally directed planes are substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein said neck portion includes a threaded area for sealably engaging a closure.
10. The container according to claim 2, wherein said intermediate sidewall portion has a polygonal cross-section.
11. The container according to claim 1, wherein said base portion includes a plurality of feet.
12. The container according to claim 1, wherein each of said base portion and said shoulder portion have substantially equal outside diameters.
13. The container according to claim 1, wherein said neck portion includes a gripping flange.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder portion has one of a grip enhancing design and texture.
15. The container according to claim 14, wherein said grip enhancing design is comprised of a plurality of raised swirls.
16. The container according to claim 1, wherein said base portion has a bottom which includes an axially extending recess.
17. The plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder portion, said base portion and said intermediate sidewall portion each have an outermost diameter, and wherein said outermost diameter of said intermediate sidewall portion is substantially equal to said outermost diameter of said shoulder portion and said base portion.
18. The plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate sidewall portion includes thirty segments.
19. A plastic container, comprising:
a neck portion defining an opening;
a shoulder portion continuous with said neck portion;
an intermediate sidewall portion continuous with said shoulder portion providing improved structural rigidity and top loading strength in said plastic container, said intermediate sidewall portion defining a major portion of a volume for holding a content and having a length, said intermediate sidewall portion comprised of at least fourteen distinct and vertically extending segments, wherein said segments are joined to form said intermediate sidewall portion and extend substantially for said length, and wherein said segments have longitudinally extending sides and said sides of each of said segments also comprise the sides of other of said segments, and wherein said segments are joined to each other in a quantity which causes said container to have a substantially circular cross section; and a base portion continuous with said intermediate sidewall portion for supporting said container.
a neck portion defining an opening;
a shoulder portion continuous with said neck portion;
an intermediate sidewall portion continuous with said shoulder portion providing improved structural rigidity and top loading strength in said plastic container, said intermediate sidewall portion defining a major portion of a volume for holding a content and having a length, said intermediate sidewall portion comprised of at least fourteen distinct and vertically extending segments, wherein said segments are joined to form said intermediate sidewall portion and extend substantially for said length, and wherein said segments have longitudinally extending sides and said sides of each of said segments also comprise the sides of other of said segments, and wherein said segments are joined to each other in a quantity which causes said container to have a substantially circular cross section; and a base portion continuous with said intermediate sidewall portion for supporting said container.
20. The plastic container according to claim 19, wherein said segments are flattened.
21. The plastic container according to claim 19, wherein said segments are curved.
22. The plastic container according to claim 19, wherein said shoulder portion, said base portion and said intermediate sidewall portion each have an outermost diameter, and wherein said outermost diameter of said intermediate sidewall portion is smaller than said outermost diameter of said shoulder portion and said base portion.
23. The plastic container according to claim 20, wherein said flattened segments have a lengthwise dimension extending in the longitudinal direction of said container.
24. The plastic container according to claim 20, wherein each of said flattened segments extend in a longitudinally directed plane and each of said longitudinally directed planes are substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction.
25. The container according to claim 19, wherein said neck portion includes a threaded area for sealably engaging a closure.
26. The container according to claim 20, wherein said intermediate sidewall portion has a polygonal cross-section.
27. The container according to claim 19, wherein said base portion includes a plurality of feet.
28. The container according to claim 19, wherein each of said base portion and said shoulder portion have substantially equal outside diameters.
29. The container according to claim 19, wherein said neck portion includes a gripping flange.
30. The container according to claim 19, wherein said shoulder portion has one of a grip enhancing design and texture.
31. The container according to claim 3p, wherein said grip enhancing design is comprised of a plurality of raised swirls.
32. The container according to claim 19, wherein said base portion has a bottom which includes an axially extending recess.
33. The plastic container according to claim 19, wherein said shoulder portion, said base portion and said intermediate sidewall portion each have an outermost diameter, and wherein said outermost diameter of said intermediate sidewall portion is substantially equal to said outermost diameter of said shoulder portion and said base portion.
34. The plastic container according to claim 19, wherein said intermediate sidewall portion includes thirty segments.
35. The container according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of feet are separated by indents and wherein said base portion includes an axially, inwardly extending recess.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US56534095A | 1995-11-30 | 1995-11-30 | |
| US08/565,340 | 1995-11-30 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2191296A1 CA2191296A1 (en) | 1997-05-31 |
| CA2191296C true CA2191296C (en) | 2002-02-12 |
Family
ID=24258192
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2191296 Expired - Lifetime CA2191296C (en) | 1995-11-30 | 1996-11-26 | Plastic container |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BR (1) | BR9604630A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2191296C (en) |
-
1996
- 1996-11-26 CA CA 2191296 patent/CA2191296C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-11-29 BR BR9604630A patent/BR9604630A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| MX9605910A (en) | 1998-05-31 |
| CA2191296A1 (en) | 1997-05-31 |
| BR9604630A (en) | 1998-06-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20161128 |