CA2852249C - Polymeric replacement for a glass drinking container - Google Patents
Polymeric replacement for a glass drinking container Download PDFInfo
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- CA2852249C CA2852249C CA2852249A CA2852249A CA2852249C CA 2852249 C CA2852249 C CA 2852249C CA 2852249 A CA2852249 A CA 2852249A CA 2852249 A CA2852249 A CA 2852249A CA 2852249 C CA2852249 C CA 2852249C
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Abstract
A polymeric replacement vessel, or container, for glassware and glass containers and a method of making the same, polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container having a glass drinking container volume. The polymeric drinking container comprises a base and an enclosed wall composed of the polymer. The wall is formed with the base and extends from the base while defining an opening opposite the base. The enclosed wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The base and enclosed wall form a polymeric drinking container volume made of the polymeric material. This polymeric drinking container volume is equal to the glass component drinking container volume plus an amount equal to the glass component drinking container volume multiplied times the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer.
Description
2 PCT/US2012/060696 Attorney Docket No. 008738 Customer Nc. 23456 POLYMERIC REPLACEMENT FOR A GLASS DRINKING CONTAINER
[0001] I, Dr. Paul J.
Fenelon, a citizen of the United States, residing at 13 Inveraray, Nashville, Tennessee 37215 have invented a new and useful "Polymeric Replacement for a Glass Drinking Container."
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] I, Dr. Paul J.
Fenelon, a citizen of the United States, residing at 13 Inveraray, Nashville, Tennessee 37215 have invented a new and useful "Polymeric Replacement for a Glass Drinking Container."
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0003] This application claims benefit of the following Provisional Patent Application:
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/627,659 Filed October 17, 2011 for:
"UTILITY FUNCTIONAL POLYMERIC
REPLACEMENT FOR SODA LIME GLASS
AND/OR CONTAINERS AND/OR DRINKING GLASSES"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/627,659 Filed October 17, 2011 for:
"UTILITY FUNCTIONAL POLYMERIC
REPLACEMENT FOR SODA LIME GLASS
AND/OR CONTAINERS AND/OR DRINKING GLASSES"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456
[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to the use of a polymeric material to create a drinking container that is similar in functionality to a glass drinking container without the drawbacks of the glass material. More particularly, the current disclosure is directed at a polymeric drinking container, and a method of making the same, such that the drinking container has the same "weighted feel," transparency, and rigidity as glass without having the brittle nature of glass.
[0005] It is known in the art to use glass material to make many items associated with the consumption of food and beverages. These items are typically containers or vessels that can fall into a multitude of categories including beverage containers and food containers. Numerous categories of beverage containers include glassware and beverageware, or drinkware. Which can be further described as barware, glassware, crystal, and stemware.
Glassware can include beverage containers of all kinds and various plates, platters, pitchers, decorative items and the like, used in the consumption of food and beverage.
Glassware can include beverage containers of all kinds and various plates, platters, pitchers, decorative items and the like, used in the consumption of food and beverage.
[0006] The use of soda lime glass is typically the glass of choice in these beverage containers. The soda lime glass is an inorganic composition that is made up of typically inexpensive and readily available ingredients. This type of glass has many acceptable features that are beneficial in these beverage containers. These acceptable features include exceptional transparency and clarity along with a Moh hardness of 6.1 that provides scratch resistance.
Soda Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 lime glass has a density of 2.52 grams per cubic centimeter, which yields a characteristic "heavy weighted feel" to a use of the glass beverage containers.
Additionally, it has a high melting point (1024 degrees centigrade) which provides a useful resistance to wear and deterioration from household and commercial cleaning products, surfactants and scrubbers.
Soda Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 lime glass has a density of 2.52 grams per cubic centimeter, which yields a characteristic "heavy weighted feel" to a use of the glass beverage containers.
Additionally, it has a high melting point (1024 degrees centigrade) which provides a useful resistance to wear and deterioration from household and commercial cleaning products, surfactants and scrubbers.
[0007]
Unfortunately, the soda lime glass has several unacceptable characteristics and features when used in beverage containers. For example, one huge issue is the fact that the soda lime glass is very brittle and is thus prone to breaking. This breakage creates two issues: reduces the useful life span of the glass beverage containers and creates a safety issue upon breakage.
Unfortunately, the soda lime glass has several unacceptable characteristics and features when used in beverage containers. For example, one huge issue is the fact that the soda lime glass is very brittle and is thus prone to breaking. This breakage creates two issues: reduces the useful life span of the glass beverage containers and creates a safety issue upon breakage.
[0008] Due to the brittle nature of the glass, the glass beverage containers have a tendency to break, sometimes in just normal handling and cleaning. This breakage requires employee to clean up the breakage and additional supplies of the glass containers to replace the broken containers. This breakage reduces the useful life and increases the cost for those glass beverage containers.
[0009] Glass beverage containers also have potential health hazards due to shards, splinters, knife-like edge pieces, etc., that can pierce and cut the skin.
This hazard is so detrimental to workers and patrons in the United Kingdom that the British Government has instituted a directive to improve the safety of glassware in restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. The directive, issued in an article entitled "Design Out Crime," includes a forward by Alan Campbell, the United Kingdom's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, that article outlines Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 the issues with glass containers, such as beer glasses or bottles. The article explained that glass containers can be dangerous and cause many issue when accidentally broken, but they can be a huge issue if purposely broken and used as weapons. In this article, the British Government asked for improvements to the glass material or alternatives to the current glass material used in drinking containers. The British Government asked for improved glassware that increased the safe use of that glassware, while trying to give a similar drinking experience to the drinking consumer as the current glassware.
This hazard is so detrimental to workers and patrons in the United Kingdom that the British Government has instituted a directive to improve the safety of glassware in restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. The directive, issued in an article entitled "Design Out Crime," includes a forward by Alan Campbell, the United Kingdom's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, that article outlines Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 the issues with glass containers, such as beer glasses or bottles. The article explained that glass containers can be dangerous and cause many issue when accidentally broken, but they can be a huge issue if purposely broken and used as weapons. In this article, the British Government asked for improvements to the glass material or alternatives to the current glass material used in drinking containers. The British Government asked for improved glassware that increased the safe use of that glassware, while trying to give a similar drinking experience to the drinking consumer as the current glassware.
[0010] Further, the actual brittleness of the glass requires the glass beverage container to have a rounded thick lip at the open end, or mouth, in order to protect a user from actually cutting themselves during proper use of that glass beverage container.
[0011]
Additionally, soda lime glass is a high melting composition. This requires high energy to manufacture the glasses, which again increases costs.
Additionally, the glass has a thermal conductivity that facilities a transfer of heat between the contents within the glass and the external atmosphere. This leads to the glass "sweating" and "dripping" when filled with liquids that are colder than the ambient air temperature. This "sweating" can cause the glass beverage container to slip or drop from the hand of a user when wet leading to the afore mentioned breaking. Additionally, the "sweating' necessitates protection for whatever service upon which the glass is set in the form of coasters, beverage sleeves, table cloths, and even protective coatings on wood and Attorney Docket No. 008738 Customer No. 23456 the like. Again, this raises the dangers and associated cost for the restaurant, bar, pub, etc.
Additionally, soda lime glass is a high melting composition. This requires high energy to manufacture the glasses, which again increases costs.
Additionally, the glass has a thermal conductivity that facilities a transfer of heat between the contents within the glass and the external atmosphere. This leads to the glass "sweating" and "dripping" when filled with liquids that are colder than the ambient air temperature. This "sweating" can cause the glass beverage container to slip or drop from the hand of a user when wet leading to the afore mentioned breaking. Additionally, the "sweating' necessitates protection for whatever service upon which the glass is set in the form of coasters, beverage sleeves, table cloths, and even protective coatings on wood and Attorney Docket No. 008738 Customer No. 23456 the like. Again, this raises the dangers and associated cost for the restaurant, bar, pub, etc.
[0012] The move to polymeric material for glass replacement has been slow. This is due to the lack of the same experience provided to the drinkware user and the difficulties in the manufacturing of the polymeric material. In a conventional molding operation, the mold is comprised of a cavity area and a core area and divided into two halves. During the molding process, parting lines in the molded part are formed at the joints of the two halves of the mold.
This is due to a portion of the thermoplastic/polymeric material that is injected into the mold seeping through those joints. This creates "parting lines" which typically then are removed during a finishing process that adds expense and can be aesthetically unappealing.
This is due to a portion of the thermoplastic/polymeric material that is injected into the mold seeping through those joints. This creates "parting lines" which typically then are removed during a finishing process that adds expense and can be aesthetically unappealing.
[0013] Another issue with conventional drinkware in restaurants, bars, pubs, and the like is the transport of those from location to location.
Typically these drinking containers are moved stacked inside one another and yet are not designed to properly hold their position when so stacked. Typically these drinking containers have a single point of contact once stacked inside another container of a similar geometric shape. This facilitates sliding and movement of the top container with respect to the bottom container. Once several of these drinking containers are stacked on top of each other, the top containers tend to exaggerate this sliding movement and fall over to one side, typically falling Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 outside the footprint of the bottom container therefore causing a tumbling and/or falling effect of the stacked drinking containers.
100141 What is needed then is an acceptable alternative to glass vessels or glass containers, especially for beverage containers or drinkware. Preferably these improved containers will have a clarity equivalent to glass along with a "weighted feel" that is similar to the glass container that it replaces.
Additionally, the improved container is preferably shatter resistant, crush resistant and cleaning detergent and dishwasher safe. Additionally, the improved container preferably have a resistance to stress cracking and discoloration while having good surface aesthetics. The needed improved container is preferably compliant with all regulations of the Food and Drug Administration and be economically viable. This needed improved container for glass containers is lacking in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100151 Disclosed herein is a polymeric replacement vessel, or container, for glassware and glass containers. Also included is a method of making such a polymeric replacement container. The polymeric replacement container incorporates the beneficial features of glass while substantially eliminating many of the non-beneficial features of glass when used in similar containers.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 The polymeric container is both economically and functionally achievable through the use of thermoplastic materials and novel architectural manufacturing techniques. Both clear thermoplastic materials and filled thermoplastic materials, those with additives, can be utilized with the inventive architectural features to create the novel and unique polymeric replacement containers.
[0016] The polymeric replacement container is preferably a polymeric drinking container and includes several characteristics similar to a glass drinking container. These characteristics can be achieved through the design of the polymeric drinking container and the manufacturing processes used to create that polymeric drinking container.
[0017] The polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container having a glass drinking container volume. The polymeric drinking container comprises a base and an enclosed wall composed of the polymer. The wall is formed with the base and extends from the base while defining an opening opposite the base. The enclosed wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The base and enclosed wall form a polymeric drinking container volume made of the polymeric material. This polymeric drinking container volume is equal to the glass component drinking container volume plus an amount equal to the glass component drinking container volume multiplied times the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 [0018] The volume of the glass drinking container (AVG) that is to be replaced by the polymeric drinking container can be described as being the external volume of the glass container (EVG) minus the internal volume of the glass container (IVG) as seen in the following equation:
AVG=EVG-IVG
Additionally, generally the volume of the polymeric drinking container (AVp) can be described as the external volume of the polymeric drinking container (EVp) minus the internal volume of the polymeric drinking container (IVp), as shown in the following equation:
AVp=EVp-IVp (Note IVp is equal to IVG, since internal volume remains unchanged) Since the specific gravity and/or density of the glass is typically greater than that of polymeric materials, in order to get an equal weight of the polymeric drinking container to the glass drinking container, which gives the "equal weighted feel"
to the user, an additional volume of the polymeric material is required in the polymeric drinking container. As such, the equivalent volume of polymeric material can be described as equaling the volume of the glass drinking container (AVG) plus an ideal added volume of polymeric material (AVph). This added volume of polymeric material is the added volume of polymeric material that Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 gives the equal "weighted feel" of the polymeric drinking container to that of the glass drinking container.
[0019] In actuality, the amount of polymeric volume added does not have to equate to this ideal added volume of polymeric material. For example, the actual added volume of polymeric material (AVpA) used to simulate the glass drinking container can range between 0.7 to 1.3 times the ideal volume of added polymeric material (AVpE). Alternate ranges can include 0.8 to 1.2 times the amount of AVpE, and 0.9 to 1.1 times ANTpE. In a more preferred embodiment, the AVpA ranges between 0.7 and 1.0 times AVpE, more preferably between 0.8 to 1.0 times AVpE and most preferably between 0.81 and 1.0 times AVPE.
[0020]
Additionally, the polymeric drinking container can maintain design aesthetics and dimension ratios by proportionally increasing the dimensions of the polymeric drinking container in relation to the glass drinking container.
This increase of dimensions can take into account the square dependency of volume on the diameter of the polymeric drinking container and the linear dependency of volume on the length of the polymeric drinking container. In this polymeric drinking container the percentage of increase of added polymer material (AVp-h) with respect to the external volume of the glass container (EVcr) can be calculated as follows:
AN7p+ = (AVPA ¨ AVG) X 100 EVG
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 This equation yields the percentage increase in the material volume to ideally achieve the same "weighted feel" of the polymeric drinking container in relation to the glass drinking container being replaced.
[0021]
Experimentation has also shown that the increases in the volume of the polymeric material should preferably be proportionally divided between the diameter and length of the polymeric drinking container to maintain the similar user experience in that the polymeric drinking container in relation to the glass drinking container being replaced. For example, the increase in the diameter and lengths of the polymeric drinking container can be increased as a factor of the percentage of increase of added polymer material (AVp+). These increases can range between 0.25 and 0.41 of the AVp+. More preferably, these increases are between 0.30 and 0.36 of the AVp+ and preferably at 0.333 of the AVp-h.
[0022]
Additionally, a polymeric drinking container made in accordance with the current disclosure is designed with little to no visible parting lines in the final drinkware. This can be accomplished during the molding process by using additional cooling lines at the seams of the mold. Preferably the mold which can include the core and cavity, with the core making the internal shape of the container in which the liquid is held during use and the cavity establishing the external shape of the container. The actual volume of the container is formed between the cavity and core using normal polymer/thermoplastic molding technologies.
Attorney Docket No. 008738 Customer No. 23456 [0023] However, in the current inventive design, cooling lines are spread within the mold to help solidify the polymer/thermoplastic within that mold.
This design includes various independent cooling lines spread throughout the cavity and specifically calibrated to provide different temperatures (Ti. T2) at the location of the connection locations of the mold. These temperatures are such that the temperature of the cooling lines at those mold assembly locations is less than the temperature of the cooling lines at the other cooling line locations within the mold and/or cavity. This reduced temperature at the traditional "parting line" location hastens the solidification of the thermoplastic/polymeric material within the mold at those locations. This early stage solidification increases the viscosity of the polymeric material at those locations thereby reducing and/or eliminating the movement of the polymeric material in the cracks of the mold. This lack of movement reduces, or eliminates, the visible parting lines that plague a typical thermoplastic mold parts. In turn, this removes the need for carrying out secondary finishing operations such as flame treatments, polishing, buffing, and the like.
[0024] Another feature of a polymeric replacement container made in accordance with the current disclosure includes a multiple over molded container. In this embodiment a fixed core is used as a first layer or first volume of the container. That core is inserted into incrementally increasing cavities where additional over molded layers or volumes of polymeric material are applied to the core layer. Each layer can be allowed to cool and solidify into a Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 piece that is removable. Each subsequent layer can then be inserted into another incrementally larger cavity and an additional layer of polymeric material can be overmolded onto the first two layers. This process can continue until these desired volume and weight are achieved. This process can allow the insertion of decorative designs and visual markings within the layers in between their applications. These techniques can include the insertion of indicia, such as messages and logos in between the layers as well as the inclusion of patterns, colors, alternate materials, and the like in between the various layers. There can also be included various markers, thermochromatic elements and the like within the various layers. For example, thermochromatic layers that are responsive to termperature change can be inserted in between the core and the second layer to benefit the most from the temperature change by the addition of a cool or hot liquid within the container. Also various diffraction patterns can be included on the outer layers which maximize the light diffraction which allows an aesthetically pleasing look without compromising the internal integrity of the container made with the overmolded layers.
[0025]
Additionally, a primary replacement container in accordance with the current disclosure can be made by the use of a single core segment to generate a family of products. In this embodiment the same core can be used to form a base drinking vessel, such as a stemless wine glass, and then through the use of an over-molding process various stem lengths can be added as desired.
These stem lengths can create a short stem, a standard stem, or a long stern to simulate standard wine glasses, chalices, line crystal glasses and the like.
100261 Additionally, an embodiment of the polymeric replacement container can have physical characteristics that allow secured stacking of those containers.
100271 The improved polymeric drinking container includes external and internal geometric shapes such that a portion of the lower outside diameter is larger than a portion of the internal diameter of a container. Additionally.
the angle of the inside diameter with respect to the base of the container can be approximately equal to the angle of the outside diameter with respect to the base of the container. In this design. the angles of the outside and inside diameters will substantially match such that as the two containers are inserted one in the other the outside diameter of the first container will engage a portion of the inside diameter that substantially matches its angle in relation to the base and its diameter. This increases the surface contact between the stacked polymeric drinking containers thereby reducing the toppling effect and allowing easy transport of the polymeric drinking containers in such a fashion.
10027a1 Also disclosed herein is a polymeric drinking container simulating a weighted feel of a glass drinking container having a glass material volume and a rim thickness, the polymeric drinking container comprising a base composed of a polymer; an enclosed wall composed of the polymer, the wall integrally !brined with and extending from the base. the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base: wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material VOIMIle that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer in an ;Amount or from 0.7 times to 1.3 times the glass material volume such that the total polymeric material approximates the weight of the glass contained in the glass drinking container; and wherein the added amount of polymeric material is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness generally equal to the rim thickness of the simulated glass container.
101127b1 Also disclosed herein in a polymeric drinking container simulating a glass drinking container having a glass material volume and a glass material specific gravity, the polymeric drinking container comprising a base constructed of a polymer having a specific gravity generally lower than the glass material specific gravity: an enclosed wall constructed of the polymer. the wall integrally formed with and extending from the base, and the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base: wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material volume that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer. wherein the added aMOUlli of the polymer is equal to the glass material volume multiplied by the ratio of specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer. and wherein the added amount of polymer is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness such that the polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container with a generally equal rim thickness.
1002SI It is therefore a general object of the current disclosure to provide an: improved polymeric replacement container for a glass container.
13a 100291 Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved polymeric drinking container.
l',1) Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 [0030] Still another object of the current invention is to provide a polymeric container that has beneficial characteristics of a glass container while reducing or eliminating non-beneficial characteristics.
[0031] Yet another object of the current disclosure is to provide a polymeric container that has the "weighted fill" of a glass container.
100321 Another object of the current disclosure is to provide a polymeric container that has little to no visible parting lines from the manufacturing process.
[0033] Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
100341 Fig. 1A is a top perspective view of a polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0035] Fig. 1B is a view similar to Fig. 1A showing a relation of the internal volume within the container.
[0036] Fig. 1C is a side view of a container as shown in Figs. 1A-1B.
[0037] Fig. 1D is a cross sectional view taken along Line AA in Fig. 1C.
[0038] Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway illustration of polymeric containers made in accordance with the current disclosure in a stacked relationship.
Typically these drinking containers are moved stacked inside one another and yet are not designed to properly hold their position when so stacked. Typically these drinking containers have a single point of contact once stacked inside another container of a similar geometric shape. This facilitates sliding and movement of the top container with respect to the bottom container. Once several of these drinking containers are stacked on top of each other, the top containers tend to exaggerate this sliding movement and fall over to one side, typically falling Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 outside the footprint of the bottom container therefore causing a tumbling and/or falling effect of the stacked drinking containers.
100141 What is needed then is an acceptable alternative to glass vessels or glass containers, especially for beverage containers or drinkware. Preferably these improved containers will have a clarity equivalent to glass along with a "weighted feel" that is similar to the glass container that it replaces.
Additionally, the improved container is preferably shatter resistant, crush resistant and cleaning detergent and dishwasher safe. Additionally, the improved container preferably have a resistance to stress cracking and discoloration while having good surface aesthetics. The needed improved container is preferably compliant with all regulations of the Food and Drug Administration and be economically viable. This needed improved container for glass containers is lacking in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100151 Disclosed herein is a polymeric replacement vessel, or container, for glassware and glass containers. Also included is a method of making such a polymeric replacement container. The polymeric replacement container incorporates the beneficial features of glass while substantially eliminating many of the non-beneficial features of glass when used in similar containers.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 The polymeric container is both economically and functionally achievable through the use of thermoplastic materials and novel architectural manufacturing techniques. Both clear thermoplastic materials and filled thermoplastic materials, those with additives, can be utilized with the inventive architectural features to create the novel and unique polymeric replacement containers.
[0016] The polymeric replacement container is preferably a polymeric drinking container and includes several characteristics similar to a glass drinking container. These characteristics can be achieved through the design of the polymeric drinking container and the manufacturing processes used to create that polymeric drinking container.
[0017] The polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container having a glass drinking container volume. The polymeric drinking container comprises a base and an enclosed wall composed of the polymer. The wall is formed with the base and extends from the base while defining an opening opposite the base. The enclosed wall includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The base and enclosed wall form a polymeric drinking container volume made of the polymeric material. This polymeric drinking container volume is equal to the glass component drinking container volume plus an amount equal to the glass component drinking container volume multiplied times the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 [0018] The volume of the glass drinking container (AVG) that is to be replaced by the polymeric drinking container can be described as being the external volume of the glass container (EVG) minus the internal volume of the glass container (IVG) as seen in the following equation:
AVG=EVG-IVG
Additionally, generally the volume of the polymeric drinking container (AVp) can be described as the external volume of the polymeric drinking container (EVp) minus the internal volume of the polymeric drinking container (IVp), as shown in the following equation:
AVp=EVp-IVp (Note IVp is equal to IVG, since internal volume remains unchanged) Since the specific gravity and/or density of the glass is typically greater than that of polymeric materials, in order to get an equal weight of the polymeric drinking container to the glass drinking container, which gives the "equal weighted feel"
to the user, an additional volume of the polymeric material is required in the polymeric drinking container. As such, the equivalent volume of polymeric material can be described as equaling the volume of the glass drinking container (AVG) plus an ideal added volume of polymeric material (AVph). This added volume of polymeric material is the added volume of polymeric material that Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 gives the equal "weighted feel" of the polymeric drinking container to that of the glass drinking container.
[0019] In actuality, the amount of polymeric volume added does not have to equate to this ideal added volume of polymeric material. For example, the actual added volume of polymeric material (AVpA) used to simulate the glass drinking container can range between 0.7 to 1.3 times the ideal volume of added polymeric material (AVpE). Alternate ranges can include 0.8 to 1.2 times the amount of AVpE, and 0.9 to 1.1 times ANTpE. In a more preferred embodiment, the AVpA ranges between 0.7 and 1.0 times AVpE, more preferably between 0.8 to 1.0 times AVpE and most preferably between 0.81 and 1.0 times AVPE.
[0020]
Additionally, the polymeric drinking container can maintain design aesthetics and dimension ratios by proportionally increasing the dimensions of the polymeric drinking container in relation to the glass drinking container.
This increase of dimensions can take into account the square dependency of volume on the diameter of the polymeric drinking container and the linear dependency of volume on the length of the polymeric drinking container. In this polymeric drinking container the percentage of increase of added polymer material (AVp-h) with respect to the external volume of the glass container (EVcr) can be calculated as follows:
AN7p+ = (AVPA ¨ AVG) X 100 EVG
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 This equation yields the percentage increase in the material volume to ideally achieve the same "weighted feel" of the polymeric drinking container in relation to the glass drinking container being replaced.
[0021]
Experimentation has also shown that the increases in the volume of the polymeric material should preferably be proportionally divided between the diameter and length of the polymeric drinking container to maintain the similar user experience in that the polymeric drinking container in relation to the glass drinking container being replaced. For example, the increase in the diameter and lengths of the polymeric drinking container can be increased as a factor of the percentage of increase of added polymer material (AVp+). These increases can range between 0.25 and 0.41 of the AVp+. More preferably, these increases are between 0.30 and 0.36 of the AVp+ and preferably at 0.333 of the AVp-h.
[0022]
Additionally, a polymeric drinking container made in accordance with the current disclosure is designed with little to no visible parting lines in the final drinkware. This can be accomplished during the molding process by using additional cooling lines at the seams of the mold. Preferably the mold which can include the core and cavity, with the core making the internal shape of the container in which the liquid is held during use and the cavity establishing the external shape of the container. The actual volume of the container is formed between the cavity and core using normal polymer/thermoplastic molding technologies.
Attorney Docket No. 008738 Customer No. 23456 [0023] However, in the current inventive design, cooling lines are spread within the mold to help solidify the polymer/thermoplastic within that mold.
This design includes various independent cooling lines spread throughout the cavity and specifically calibrated to provide different temperatures (Ti. T2) at the location of the connection locations of the mold. These temperatures are such that the temperature of the cooling lines at those mold assembly locations is less than the temperature of the cooling lines at the other cooling line locations within the mold and/or cavity. This reduced temperature at the traditional "parting line" location hastens the solidification of the thermoplastic/polymeric material within the mold at those locations. This early stage solidification increases the viscosity of the polymeric material at those locations thereby reducing and/or eliminating the movement of the polymeric material in the cracks of the mold. This lack of movement reduces, or eliminates, the visible parting lines that plague a typical thermoplastic mold parts. In turn, this removes the need for carrying out secondary finishing operations such as flame treatments, polishing, buffing, and the like.
[0024] Another feature of a polymeric replacement container made in accordance with the current disclosure includes a multiple over molded container. In this embodiment a fixed core is used as a first layer or first volume of the container. That core is inserted into incrementally increasing cavities where additional over molded layers or volumes of polymeric material are applied to the core layer. Each layer can be allowed to cool and solidify into a Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 piece that is removable. Each subsequent layer can then be inserted into another incrementally larger cavity and an additional layer of polymeric material can be overmolded onto the first two layers. This process can continue until these desired volume and weight are achieved. This process can allow the insertion of decorative designs and visual markings within the layers in between their applications. These techniques can include the insertion of indicia, such as messages and logos in between the layers as well as the inclusion of patterns, colors, alternate materials, and the like in between the various layers. There can also be included various markers, thermochromatic elements and the like within the various layers. For example, thermochromatic layers that are responsive to termperature change can be inserted in between the core and the second layer to benefit the most from the temperature change by the addition of a cool or hot liquid within the container. Also various diffraction patterns can be included on the outer layers which maximize the light diffraction which allows an aesthetically pleasing look without compromising the internal integrity of the container made with the overmolded layers.
[0025]
Additionally, a primary replacement container in accordance with the current disclosure can be made by the use of a single core segment to generate a family of products. In this embodiment the same core can be used to form a base drinking vessel, such as a stemless wine glass, and then through the use of an over-molding process various stem lengths can be added as desired.
These stem lengths can create a short stem, a standard stem, or a long stern to simulate standard wine glasses, chalices, line crystal glasses and the like.
100261 Additionally, an embodiment of the polymeric replacement container can have physical characteristics that allow secured stacking of those containers.
100271 The improved polymeric drinking container includes external and internal geometric shapes such that a portion of the lower outside diameter is larger than a portion of the internal diameter of a container. Additionally.
the angle of the inside diameter with respect to the base of the container can be approximately equal to the angle of the outside diameter with respect to the base of the container. In this design. the angles of the outside and inside diameters will substantially match such that as the two containers are inserted one in the other the outside diameter of the first container will engage a portion of the inside diameter that substantially matches its angle in relation to the base and its diameter. This increases the surface contact between the stacked polymeric drinking containers thereby reducing the toppling effect and allowing easy transport of the polymeric drinking containers in such a fashion.
10027a1 Also disclosed herein is a polymeric drinking container simulating a weighted feel of a glass drinking container having a glass material volume and a rim thickness, the polymeric drinking container comprising a base composed of a polymer; an enclosed wall composed of the polymer, the wall integrally !brined with and extending from the base. the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base: wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material VOIMIle that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer in an ;Amount or from 0.7 times to 1.3 times the glass material volume such that the total polymeric material approximates the weight of the glass contained in the glass drinking container; and wherein the added amount of polymeric material is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness generally equal to the rim thickness of the simulated glass container.
101127b1 Also disclosed herein in a polymeric drinking container simulating a glass drinking container having a glass material volume and a glass material specific gravity, the polymeric drinking container comprising a base constructed of a polymer having a specific gravity generally lower than the glass material specific gravity: an enclosed wall constructed of the polymer. the wall integrally formed with and extending from the base, and the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base: wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material volume that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer. wherein the added aMOUlli of the polymer is equal to the glass material volume multiplied by the ratio of specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer. and wherein the added amount of polymer is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness such that the polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container with a generally equal rim thickness.
1002SI It is therefore a general object of the current disclosure to provide an: improved polymeric replacement container for a glass container.
13a 100291 Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved polymeric drinking container.
l',1) Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 [0030] Still another object of the current invention is to provide a polymeric container that has beneficial characteristics of a glass container while reducing or eliminating non-beneficial characteristics.
[0031] Yet another object of the current disclosure is to provide a polymeric container that has the "weighted fill" of a glass container.
100321 Another object of the current disclosure is to provide a polymeric container that has little to no visible parting lines from the manufacturing process.
[0033] Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
100341 Fig. 1A is a top perspective view of a polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0035] Fig. 1B is a view similar to Fig. 1A showing a relation of the internal volume within the container.
[0036] Fig. 1C is a side view of a container as shown in Figs. 1A-1B.
[0037] Fig. 1D is a cross sectional view taken along Line AA in Fig. 1C.
[0038] Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway illustration of polymeric containers made in accordance with the current disclosure in a stacked relationship.
14 Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 [0039] Fig. 3A is a side view of an alternate polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0040] Fig. 3B is a side view similar to Fig. 3A showing the internal volume of the polymeric container.
[0041] Fig. 3C is a top view of the container shown in Fig. 3A.
[0042] Fig. 3D is a bottom view of the container shown in Fig. 3A.
[0043] Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of an alternate polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0044] Fig. 4B is a side view of the container shown in Fig. 4A.
[0045] Fig. 4C is a top view of the container shown in Fig. 4B.
[0046] Fig. 4D is a cross sectional view along Line A-A in Fig. 4B.
[0047] Fig. 5A is a side view of an alternate container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0048] Fig. 5B is a cross sectional view taken along Line B-B of Fig. 5A.
[0049] Fig. 6A is a top perspective view of a polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0050] Fig. 6B is a side view of the container shown in Fig. 6A.
[0051] Fig. 6C is a cross sectional view taken along Line A-A of Fig. 6B.
[0052] Fig. 6D is a side view of the container shown in 6A shown in a stacked relationship.
[0053] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a mold showing a process of making a polymeric container in accordance with the current disclosure.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0054] Referring generally now to the Figures, a polymeric container can be shown and generally illustrated by the numeral 10. The container includes a base 12 and an enclosed wall 14. The enclosed wall 14 can be formed with the base 12 and extends from the base 12 and defines an opening 16, or a mouth 16, opposite the base 12. The wall includes an inside surface 18 and an outside surface 20.
[0055] The polymeric material is preferably a thermoplastic and can be a clear engineering thermoplastic or a filled engineering thermoplastic. For example a clear engineering thermoplastic can include PET, PETG, SAN, PC, TPX, PVC, and the like. The filled engineering thermoplastics can be thermoplastics, such as can be polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, PVC, and the like, filled with additives such as Mica, Calcium Carbonate, Talc, Aluminum Silicate, and the like. Either of these thermoplastics can be the molded compounds used to form the container structures and base. Further, the base can be intricately molded with a heavy walled streamlined configuration. This facilitates the elimination of voids during the melting and formation processing, including the cooling of the base during the manufacture. Alternately, the base Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 can be intricately molded around an insert or filler that is suitably sized and shaped to provide part of the weight of the base.
[0056] The polymeric container 10 is preferably a drinking container, or drinkware, as used to hold a liquid for consumption by a user. The polymeric container 10 is designed to simulate a glass container and provide a similar user experience as the glass container without having various drawbacks of that glass container. Given the variations and the properties of glass and polymers, alterations in the polymeric container design are used to provide that same "user experience" as the glass container.
[0057] For example, the polymeric drinking container as composed of the base and enclosed wall, has a polymeric drinking container volume of the polymeric material that simulates the drinking glass container volume for which it replaces. This polymeric drinking container volume is approximately equal to the glass drinking container volume plus the added volume of polymer material needed to achieve the approximate equivalent weight of the glass container in the polymeric container. This added volume is approximately equal to the volume of the glass, which is the external volume of the glass container minus the internal volume of the glass container, multiplied times the ratio of specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer chosen.
[0058] Table 1 includes a listing of specific gravities of some polymers that could be used to create the polymeric drinking container as disclosed. The volume of polymeric material used to create a polymeric drinking container made Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 in accordance with the current disclosure can be configured based upon the specific gravity ratio of the glass of the container of which is replaced, typically soda lime glass, in relation to the specific gravity of the polymer/thermoplastics chosen for the polymeric container.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment this volume of polymeric material is configured such that the weight of the polymeric container almost exactly equals the weight of the glass container being replaced. In actuality though, experiments have shown that a different volume of added polymeric material that is actually used (AVpA) will work, give more than satisfactory results, and maintain both functionality and economic viability. This range of AVpA can be expressed as a percentage amount of the ideal volume of polymeric material used added to the initial starting volume to create the desired polymeric container.
[0060] The starting point to establish the ideal volume for the polymeric replacement container (AVpE) begins with the volume of the glass container that is to be replaced. This volume can be expressed as the volume of glass of the container (AVG) which equals the external volume of glass (EVG) minus the internal volume of glass (TVG). With this as the starting volume, the amount added to the composition of the polymeric container in order to establish a comparable weight between the polymeric container and the glass container can be explained as follows. The polymeric materials are typically less dense than the glass used in conventional glass containers. As such, an additional volume of the polymeric material is required to establish the same "weight feeling" in the Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 polymeric container to satisfy the end user of the polymeric container when that end user is used to and comfortable with the glass container. This additional added volume can be described as the added volume of polymeric material needed to achieve an equivalent weight feeling in the container in comparison to a glass container (AVpE). This amount of ideal added polymeric material to create the equivalent weight of the glass container in the polymeric container can equal the volume of glass (AVG) in the original glass container multiplied times the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer.
[0061] It has been discovered that the exact equivalent is not necessary as such a range of volume actually added is preferred and within the scope of this disclosure. This volume range can be expressed in a range, or percentage of the ideal volume of polymer to be added (AVpE). For example, one range of acceptable (A,VpA) includes 0.7 to 1.3 of the (AVpE). Preferably this range is 0.8 to 1.2 (AVpE) and more preferably 0.9 to 1.1 (AVpE). In a more preferred embodiment the percentage of actual volume of the polymeric material added (AVpA) is actually less than the ideal amount of polymer used to equate the weight to the glass (AVpE). In this embodiment, there are ranges that are preferred including a range of 0.7 to 1.0 AVpE, and preferably 0.8 to 1.0 AVpE. In a most preferred embodiment, the value of AVpA is between 0.81 and 1.0 AVpE.
[0062] Another feature of a polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure is the overall aesthetic feel and look as used by the Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 consumer to partake of the liquid stored therein. It has been discovered that an adherence to a dimension ratio helps facilitate this aesthetic look and feel to the user. Since the overall volume of the polymeric container is increased in comparison to the glass container, an adjustment in the ratios of the diameter and length of the polymeric container are required. As such, a polymeric drinking container has increased dimensions in both diameter and length in comparison to the glass container to which it replaces. The adherence to the comparison ratios in diameters and length of the polymeric container with respect to the glass container maintains an overall dimensional feel and look in the polymeric container that is appeasing to the end user.
[0063] For example, the percentage increase of additional polymer with respect to the external volume of the glass container that is replaced can be indicated by AVp+. This number can be calculated by taking the volume of added polymer actually used (AVrA) and subtracting out the volume of the glass container that is replaced (AVG) and dividing that sum by the external volume of the original glass container (EVc). That number is then multipled by 100 to obtain the percentage increase in the material volume needed to achieve the weighted feel of the polymeric container. From this percentage, the amount increase in diameter and length of the polymeric container is determined.
[0064] For exampleõ
the percentage increase in the diameter and length can be between 0.25 and 0.14 of AVp-h, more preferably between 0.30 and 0.36 AVp-F and most preferably at 0.333 AVp+. Alternately stated, the ratio of Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 diameters to the polymeric container is 1/3 larger than the diameter of the glass container to which it is simulating. Correspondingly, the length of the polymeric container is 1/3 larger than the length of the glass container to which it replaces.
[0065] Another feature of the polymeric drinking container is the gradual increased thickness of the enclosed wall 14 from the opening 16 to the base 12.
This gradual increase also facilitates the overall weighted feel of the polymeric container in comparison to the glass container which it replaces. This programmed and controlled thickness increase facilitates the clear appearance of the polymeric container once formed and facilitates sufficient rigidity in the polymeric drinking container to withstand its use as a drinking vessel. In a most preferred embodiment, the thickness of the walls of the polymeric container in relation to the glass container follows the same ratios as described above in reference to AVp-F.
[0066] A polymeric drinking container made as just described will have several advantages which include a gradual uniformly increasing side wall thickness. This allows a functional transparency and clarity when the polymeric material is selected as a clear engineering thermoplastic. Additionally, there will be a lack of obvious or unwanted disruptions of light due to refraction or transmission in the polymeric container so constructed. Additionally, the polymeric container as mentioned has a weight that substantially matches, or simulates, that of the glass containers but has a rigidity and resistance to crunching that matches, or in most cases exceeds, that of glass containers.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 Typically the rigidity is proportional to the cube of the container sidewall thickness multiplied times the material modulus. In this instance, the polymeric material has increased rigidity and the gradual increase in the sidewall thicknes,s along with the aforementioned dimensional adjustments and volume metric adjustments, has a profound effect on the container resistance to breaking and fragmenting. These engineered thermoplastics in the container have an excellent toughness and are resistant to abuse while having increased their durability. The thermoconductivity of the polymeric container is improved thus providing an approved cooling capacity for the polymeric container in relation to the glass container. This is facilitated by the material used and also in the increased wall thickness of the polymeric material and the polymeric container since the diffusion of heat is proportional to the square of the container wall thickness. In addition, there is a reduced tendency for moisture condensation on the outside of the polymeric container due to this improved cooling capacity.
Additionally, there is an improved balance in resisting to tipping or toppling due to the predominance of the polymeric container weight being distributed towards the bottom portion or bottom half of the polymeric container.
100671 In this container, the average container wall thickness of the polymeric container is proportional to the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass, such as 2.52 for soda lime glass, to that of the polymeric material selected, typically between 0.85 to 1.4 for those thermoplastics listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Additionally, since the wall thickness in the polymeric container is proportional Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 and gradual along the length of the container, a majority of the weight ends up in the lower half of the polymeric container. This again improves the balance of the container and resistance to tipping and/or toppling.
[0068] Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful POLYMERIC REPLACEMENT
FOR A GLASS DRINKING CONTAINER it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.
Table Average Thickness Needed to Achieve "Weighted Glass" Feel Assumption: Equivalent Soda Line Glass has an Average Thickness of 0.10 in.
Material Specific Gravity Average Wall Thickness (inches) PET 1.36 .185 PC 1.20 .210 SAN 1.07 .235 TPX .85 .296 PVC 1.40 .180 40% FILLED POLYPRO 1.23 .205 Table 2 COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SODA LINE GLASS
AND CLEAR ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS MATERIAL
PROPERTY UNITS SODA LINE PET
SAN PC TPX
GLASS
Density Grms/CC 2.52 1.4 1.07 1.2 0.85 Tensile Modulus Psi x 106 10.2 .45 0.52 0.35 0.20 Tensile Strength Psi x 103 4.79 3.0 10.0 9.0 3.4 Hardness Molt or R MOH 6.1 70 R 86 R 70 R
1200 Impact Ft. Lbs/in. <0.1 1.4 0.6 >10 0.8 Melt/Softening C 724 150 ' 150 130 130 Point Thermal W/m.K 1.1 0.31 0.30 0.32 0.28 Conductivity Clarity Obs Excellent Very Very Very Excellent Good Good Good Chemical Obs Excellent Very Fair Good Excellent Resistance Good Scratch Obs Excellent Good Very Good Good Resistance Good , Table 3 COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SODA LINE GLASS
AND 40% FILLED POLYPROPYLENES
MATERIAL
GLASS MICA CaCO3 TALC NYOLYN
Density Grms/CC 2.52 1.24 1.22 1.24 1.22 Tensile Psi x106 10.2 0.45 0.42 0.47 0.50 Modulus Tensile Psi x 103 4.79 4.5 4.2 4.7 - 4.9 Strength Hardness MOH or R MOH 6.1 89 R 90 R 99 R
1Z00 Impact Ft. Lbs/in. <0.1 0.6 0.8 0.5 0.6 Melt/Softening C 724 120 120 120 Point Thermal W/m.K 1.1 0.33 0.31 0.35 0.32 Conductivity Chemical Obs Excellent Very Very Very Very Resistance Good Good Good Good Scratch Ohs Excellent Good Fair Good Good Resistance
[0040] Fig. 3B is a side view similar to Fig. 3A showing the internal volume of the polymeric container.
[0041] Fig. 3C is a top view of the container shown in Fig. 3A.
[0042] Fig. 3D is a bottom view of the container shown in Fig. 3A.
[0043] Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of an alternate polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0044] Fig. 4B is a side view of the container shown in Fig. 4A.
[0045] Fig. 4C is a top view of the container shown in Fig. 4B.
[0046] Fig. 4D is a cross sectional view along Line A-A in Fig. 4B.
[0047] Fig. 5A is a side view of an alternate container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0048] Fig. 5B is a cross sectional view taken along Line B-B of Fig. 5A.
[0049] Fig. 6A is a top perspective view of a polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure.
[0050] Fig. 6B is a side view of the container shown in Fig. 6A.
[0051] Fig. 6C is a cross sectional view taken along Line A-A of Fig. 6B.
[0052] Fig. 6D is a side view of the container shown in 6A shown in a stacked relationship.
[0053] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a mold showing a process of making a polymeric container in accordance with the current disclosure.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0054] Referring generally now to the Figures, a polymeric container can be shown and generally illustrated by the numeral 10. The container includes a base 12 and an enclosed wall 14. The enclosed wall 14 can be formed with the base 12 and extends from the base 12 and defines an opening 16, or a mouth 16, opposite the base 12. The wall includes an inside surface 18 and an outside surface 20.
[0055] The polymeric material is preferably a thermoplastic and can be a clear engineering thermoplastic or a filled engineering thermoplastic. For example a clear engineering thermoplastic can include PET, PETG, SAN, PC, TPX, PVC, and the like. The filled engineering thermoplastics can be thermoplastics, such as can be polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, PVC, and the like, filled with additives such as Mica, Calcium Carbonate, Talc, Aluminum Silicate, and the like. Either of these thermoplastics can be the molded compounds used to form the container structures and base. Further, the base can be intricately molded with a heavy walled streamlined configuration. This facilitates the elimination of voids during the melting and formation processing, including the cooling of the base during the manufacture. Alternately, the base Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 can be intricately molded around an insert or filler that is suitably sized and shaped to provide part of the weight of the base.
[0056] The polymeric container 10 is preferably a drinking container, or drinkware, as used to hold a liquid for consumption by a user. The polymeric container 10 is designed to simulate a glass container and provide a similar user experience as the glass container without having various drawbacks of that glass container. Given the variations and the properties of glass and polymers, alterations in the polymeric container design are used to provide that same "user experience" as the glass container.
[0057] For example, the polymeric drinking container as composed of the base and enclosed wall, has a polymeric drinking container volume of the polymeric material that simulates the drinking glass container volume for which it replaces. This polymeric drinking container volume is approximately equal to the glass drinking container volume plus the added volume of polymer material needed to achieve the approximate equivalent weight of the glass container in the polymeric container. This added volume is approximately equal to the volume of the glass, which is the external volume of the glass container minus the internal volume of the glass container, multiplied times the ratio of specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer chosen.
[0058] Table 1 includes a listing of specific gravities of some polymers that could be used to create the polymeric drinking container as disclosed. The volume of polymeric material used to create a polymeric drinking container made Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 in accordance with the current disclosure can be configured based upon the specific gravity ratio of the glass of the container of which is replaced, typically soda lime glass, in relation to the specific gravity of the polymer/thermoplastics chosen for the polymeric container.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment this volume of polymeric material is configured such that the weight of the polymeric container almost exactly equals the weight of the glass container being replaced. In actuality though, experiments have shown that a different volume of added polymeric material that is actually used (AVpA) will work, give more than satisfactory results, and maintain both functionality and economic viability. This range of AVpA can be expressed as a percentage amount of the ideal volume of polymeric material used added to the initial starting volume to create the desired polymeric container.
[0060] The starting point to establish the ideal volume for the polymeric replacement container (AVpE) begins with the volume of the glass container that is to be replaced. This volume can be expressed as the volume of glass of the container (AVG) which equals the external volume of glass (EVG) minus the internal volume of glass (TVG). With this as the starting volume, the amount added to the composition of the polymeric container in order to establish a comparable weight between the polymeric container and the glass container can be explained as follows. The polymeric materials are typically less dense than the glass used in conventional glass containers. As such, an additional volume of the polymeric material is required to establish the same "weight feeling" in the Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 polymeric container to satisfy the end user of the polymeric container when that end user is used to and comfortable with the glass container. This additional added volume can be described as the added volume of polymeric material needed to achieve an equivalent weight feeling in the container in comparison to a glass container (AVpE). This amount of ideal added polymeric material to create the equivalent weight of the glass container in the polymeric container can equal the volume of glass (AVG) in the original glass container multiplied times the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer.
[0061] It has been discovered that the exact equivalent is not necessary as such a range of volume actually added is preferred and within the scope of this disclosure. This volume range can be expressed in a range, or percentage of the ideal volume of polymer to be added (AVpE). For example, one range of acceptable (A,VpA) includes 0.7 to 1.3 of the (AVpE). Preferably this range is 0.8 to 1.2 (AVpE) and more preferably 0.9 to 1.1 (AVpE). In a more preferred embodiment the percentage of actual volume of the polymeric material added (AVpA) is actually less than the ideal amount of polymer used to equate the weight to the glass (AVpE). In this embodiment, there are ranges that are preferred including a range of 0.7 to 1.0 AVpE, and preferably 0.8 to 1.0 AVpE. In a most preferred embodiment, the value of AVpA is between 0.81 and 1.0 AVpE.
[0062] Another feature of a polymeric container made in accordance with the current disclosure is the overall aesthetic feel and look as used by the Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 consumer to partake of the liquid stored therein. It has been discovered that an adherence to a dimension ratio helps facilitate this aesthetic look and feel to the user. Since the overall volume of the polymeric container is increased in comparison to the glass container, an adjustment in the ratios of the diameter and length of the polymeric container are required. As such, a polymeric drinking container has increased dimensions in both diameter and length in comparison to the glass container to which it replaces. The adherence to the comparison ratios in diameters and length of the polymeric container with respect to the glass container maintains an overall dimensional feel and look in the polymeric container that is appeasing to the end user.
[0063] For example, the percentage increase of additional polymer with respect to the external volume of the glass container that is replaced can be indicated by AVp+. This number can be calculated by taking the volume of added polymer actually used (AVrA) and subtracting out the volume of the glass container that is replaced (AVG) and dividing that sum by the external volume of the original glass container (EVc). That number is then multipled by 100 to obtain the percentage increase in the material volume needed to achieve the weighted feel of the polymeric container. From this percentage, the amount increase in diameter and length of the polymeric container is determined.
[0064] For exampleõ
the percentage increase in the diameter and length can be between 0.25 and 0.14 of AVp-h, more preferably between 0.30 and 0.36 AVp-F and most preferably at 0.333 AVp+. Alternately stated, the ratio of Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 diameters to the polymeric container is 1/3 larger than the diameter of the glass container to which it is simulating. Correspondingly, the length of the polymeric container is 1/3 larger than the length of the glass container to which it replaces.
[0065] Another feature of the polymeric drinking container is the gradual increased thickness of the enclosed wall 14 from the opening 16 to the base 12.
This gradual increase also facilitates the overall weighted feel of the polymeric container in comparison to the glass container which it replaces. This programmed and controlled thickness increase facilitates the clear appearance of the polymeric container once formed and facilitates sufficient rigidity in the polymeric drinking container to withstand its use as a drinking vessel. In a most preferred embodiment, the thickness of the walls of the polymeric container in relation to the glass container follows the same ratios as described above in reference to AVp-F.
[0066] A polymeric drinking container made as just described will have several advantages which include a gradual uniformly increasing side wall thickness. This allows a functional transparency and clarity when the polymeric material is selected as a clear engineering thermoplastic. Additionally, there will be a lack of obvious or unwanted disruptions of light due to refraction or transmission in the polymeric container so constructed. Additionally, the polymeric container as mentioned has a weight that substantially matches, or simulates, that of the glass containers but has a rigidity and resistance to crunching that matches, or in most cases exceeds, that of glass containers.
Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 Typically the rigidity is proportional to the cube of the container sidewall thickness multiplied times the material modulus. In this instance, the polymeric material has increased rigidity and the gradual increase in the sidewall thicknes,s along with the aforementioned dimensional adjustments and volume metric adjustments, has a profound effect on the container resistance to breaking and fragmenting. These engineered thermoplastics in the container have an excellent toughness and are resistant to abuse while having increased their durability. The thermoconductivity of the polymeric container is improved thus providing an approved cooling capacity for the polymeric container in relation to the glass container. This is facilitated by the material used and also in the increased wall thickness of the polymeric material and the polymeric container since the diffusion of heat is proportional to the square of the container wall thickness. In addition, there is a reduced tendency for moisture condensation on the outside of the polymeric container due to this improved cooling capacity.
Additionally, there is an improved balance in resisting to tipping or toppling due to the predominance of the polymeric container weight being distributed towards the bottom portion or bottom half of the polymeric container.
100671 In this container, the average container wall thickness of the polymeric container is proportional to the ratio of the specific gravity of the glass, such as 2.52 for soda lime glass, to that of the polymeric material selected, typically between 0.85 to 1.4 for those thermoplastics listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Additionally, since the wall thickness in the polymeric container is proportional Attorney Docket No. 008788 Customer No. 23456 and gradual along the length of the container, a majority of the weight ends up in the lower half of the polymeric container. This again improves the balance of the container and resistance to tipping and/or toppling.
[0068] Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful POLYMERIC REPLACEMENT
FOR A GLASS DRINKING CONTAINER it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.
Table Average Thickness Needed to Achieve "Weighted Glass" Feel Assumption: Equivalent Soda Line Glass has an Average Thickness of 0.10 in.
Material Specific Gravity Average Wall Thickness (inches) PET 1.36 .185 PC 1.20 .210 SAN 1.07 .235 TPX .85 .296 PVC 1.40 .180 40% FILLED POLYPRO 1.23 .205 Table 2 COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SODA LINE GLASS
AND CLEAR ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS MATERIAL
PROPERTY UNITS SODA LINE PET
SAN PC TPX
GLASS
Density Grms/CC 2.52 1.4 1.07 1.2 0.85 Tensile Modulus Psi x 106 10.2 .45 0.52 0.35 0.20 Tensile Strength Psi x 103 4.79 3.0 10.0 9.0 3.4 Hardness Molt or R MOH 6.1 70 R 86 R 70 R
1200 Impact Ft. Lbs/in. <0.1 1.4 0.6 >10 0.8 Melt/Softening C 724 150 ' 150 130 130 Point Thermal W/m.K 1.1 0.31 0.30 0.32 0.28 Conductivity Clarity Obs Excellent Very Very Very Excellent Good Good Good Chemical Obs Excellent Very Fair Good Excellent Resistance Good Scratch Obs Excellent Good Very Good Good Resistance Good , Table 3 COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SODA LINE GLASS
AND 40% FILLED POLYPROPYLENES
MATERIAL
GLASS MICA CaCO3 TALC NYOLYN
Density Grms/CC 2.52 1.24 1.22 1.24 1.22 Tensile Psi x106 10.2 0.45 0.42 0.47 0.50 Modulus Tensile Psi x 103 4.79 4.5 4.2 4.7 - 4.9 Strength Hardness MOH or R MOH 6.1 89 R 90 R 99 R
1Z00 Impact Ft. Lbs/in. <0.1 0.6 0.8 0.5 0.6 Melt/Softening C 724 120 120 120 Point Thermal W/m.K 1.1 0.33 0.31 0.35 0.32 Conductivity Chemical Obs Excellent Very Very Very Very Resistance Good Good Good Good Scratch Ohs Excellent Good Fair Good Good Resistance
Claims (10)
1. A polymeric drinking container simulating a weighted feel of a glass drinking container having a glass material volume and a rim thickness, the polymeric drinking container comprising:
a base composed of a polymer;
an enclosed wall composed of the polymer, the wall integrally formed with and extending from the base, the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base;
wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material volume that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer in an amount of from 0.7 times to 1.3 times the glass material volume such that the total polymeric material approximates the weight of the glass contained in the glass drinking container; and wherein the added amount of polymeric material is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness generally equal to the rim thickness of the simulated glass container.
a base composed of a polymer;
an enclosed wall composed of the polymer, the wall integrally formed with and extending from the base, the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base;
wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material volume that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer in an amount of from 0.7 times to 1.3 times the glass material volume such that the total polymeric material approximates the weight of the glass contained in the glass drinking container; and wherein the added amount of polymeric material is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness generally equal to the rim thickness of the simulated glass container.
2. The polymeric drinking container of claim 1, wherein the polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container constructed of soda lime glass.
3. The polymeric drinking container of claim 1, wherein the enclosed wall includes an inside surface defining an inside volume and an outside surface defining an outside volume and the polymeric material volume is the difference between outside volume and the inside volume.
4. The polymeric drinking container of claim 1, wherein the added amount of the polymer is in an amount of from 0.8 times to 1.2 times the glass drinking material volume.
5. The polymeric drinking container of claim 1, wherein the added amount of the polymer is in an amount of from 0.9 times to 1.1 times the glass drinking material volume.
6. The polymeric drinking container of claim 1, further comprising a lower outside diameter and an internal diameter, wherein the lower outside diameter is greater than the internal diameter.
7. A polymeric drinking container simulating a glass drinking container having a glass material volume and a glass material specific gravity, the polymeric drinking container comprising:
a base constructed of a polymer having a specific gravity generally lower than the glass material specific gravity;
an enclosed wall constructed of the polymer, the wall integrally formed with and extending from the base, and the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base;
wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material volume that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer, wherein the added amount of the polymer is equal to the glass material volume multiplied by the ratio of specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer, and wherein the added amount of polymer is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness such that the polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container with a generally equal rim thickness.
a base constructed of a polymer having a specific gravity generally lower than the glass material specific gravity;
an enclosed wall constructed of the polymer, the wall integrally formed with and extending from the base, and the enclosed wall having a rim that defines an opening opposite the base;
wherein the base and enclosed wall form a polymeric material volume that is approximately equal to the glass material volume plus an added amount of the polymer, wherein the added amount of the polymer is equal to the glass material volume multiplied by the ratio of specific gravity of the glass to the specific gravity of the polymer, and wherein the added amount of polymer is dispersed proportionally from the base to the rim such that the rim has a rim thickness such that the polymeric drinking container simulates a glass drinking container with a generally equal rim thickness.
8. The polymeric drinking container of claim 7, wherein the added amount of the polymer is in an amount of from 0.7 times to 1.0 times the glass drinking material volume.
9. The polymeric drinking container of claim 7, wherein the added amount of the polymer is in an amount of from 0.8 times to 1.0 times the glass drinking material volume.
10. The polymeric drinking container of claim 7, further comprising a lower outside diameter and an internal diameter, wherein the lower outside diameter is greater than the internal diameter.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2012/060696 WO2013059382A1 (en) | 2011-10-17 | 2012-10-18 | Polymeric replacement for a glass drinking container |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2852249A1 CA2852249A1 (en) | 2013-04-25 |
| CA2852249C true CA2852249C (en) | 2017-09-12 |
Family
ID=50884561
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2852249A Expired - Fee Related CA2852249C (en) | 2012-10-18 | 2012-10-18 | Polymeric replacement for a glass drinking container |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2852249C (en) |
-
2012
- 2012-10-18 CA CA2852249A patent/CA2852249C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2852249A1 (en) | 2013-04-25 |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20211018 |