EP2555984B1 - Petaloid base for a self-standing container and container therefor - Google Patents
Petaloid base for a self-standing container and container therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2555984B1 EP2555984B1 EP11717204.9A EP11717204A EP2555984B1 EP 2555984 B1 EP2555984 B1 EP 2555984B1 EP 11717204 A EP11717204 A EP 11717204A EP 2555984 B1 EP2555984 B1 EP 2555984B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- base
- container
- foot
- formations
- central
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
Links
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 117
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 117
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 32
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 15
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 15
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 15
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 description 7
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000071 blow moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- -1 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 235000012174 carbonated soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
- B65D1/0223—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
- B65D1/0261—Bottom construction
- B65D1/0284—Bottom construction having a discontinuous contact surface, e.g. discrete feet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/12—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums
- B65D1/14—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape
- B65D1/16—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape of curved cross-section, e.g. cylindrical
Definitions
- This invention relates to self-standing containers, more specifically to a petaloid base , according to the preamble of claim 1, for such a container.
- Such containers may be blow-moulded of plastics material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
- the generic term 'PET' includes compositions that predominantly contain polyethylene terephthalate - but may also including other materials.
- a suitable composition may comprise approximately 95% polyethylene terephthalate and 5% nylon.
- these materials may be mixed, or provided in different layers, for example via multilayer injection moulding and overmoulding.
- Blow-moulded PET containers have long been used as bottles for beverages. More recently, they have been proposed for use as kegs for transporting, storing and dispensing beverages such as beer. An example of such a keg is disclosed in WO 2007/064277 .
- the term 'petaloid' refers to a multi-footed base shape whose feet are disposed in an angularly-spaced arrangement around the base, the resulting shape resembling the petals of a flower when viewed from under the container in use.
- the container usually has a cylindrical side wall of circular horizontal cross-section, in which case the feet typically lie on a contact circle that is concentric with, and whose diameter is smaller than, the circular cross-section of the side wall. The feet act together to provide a stable multi-point support for the container.
- the container may be used for storing, transporting and dispensing effervescent beverages such as beer.
- the beverage itself may be carbonated, or a propellant gas may be injected into the container at superatmospheric pressure to force the beverage out of the container.
- a propellant gas may be injected into the container at superatmospheric pressure to force the beverage out of the container.
- Such a container needs to withstand these internal pressures under a range of environmental conditions. As well as withstanding internal pressures, the container needs to survive rough handling during transportation of the container.
- WO 2006/000408 A1 describes a container with an ovoid or cylindrical wall and a hemispherical bottom type continuing that wall from which originate feet spaced from one another.
- the ratio of the weight of the wall to the weight of the bottom is at least 4.
- the invention resides in a petaloid base of a blow-moulded self-standing container, the base having a spheroidal underlying base contour and a plurality of spheroidal foot formations that interrupt and project from the underlying base contour to define a corresponding plurality of feet, wherein the foot formations radiate from a central protrusion and the foot formations are ovoid.
- the elongate foot formations have respective longitudinal axes, which axes lie in planes extending radially from a central axis of the base. Those axes of the foot formations suitably extend outwardly and upwardly in conical relation from the central axis of the base.
- the feet are spheroidal, it will be understood that their contact with a planar surface on which the base can rest is via a convex surface. Preferably therefore, contact between a given foot and that planar surface is via a point on the curved surface of that foot.
- the underlying base contour is preferably substantially hemispherical.
- the contour may, for example, be that of an oblate spheroid whose polar axis coincides with a central axis of the base.
- the foot formations are ovoid (partially egg-shaped), in which case the contact points of the feet are most conveniently defined by the widest part of the cross-section of each foot formation being offset inwardly toward an inner end of the foot formation.
- the foot formations taper to a greater extent at their radially outer portions than their radially inner portions with respect to the central axis of the base.
- the base comprises formations, such as foot formations, whose shapes are substantially rotationally symmetrical about an axis.
- shapes such as spheroids, ellipsoids and ovoids that define the foot formations are preferably substantially rotationally symmetrical about an axis.
- the material used to form these structures can be minimised.
- the internal capacity of the base, as well as its strength can be maximised.
- Each foot formation may have an elliptical, preferably ovate intersection with the underlying base contour. To reduce stress concentration, the intersection is preferably of concave cross section.
- the foot formations radiate from a central protrusion. That protrusion may be approximately polygonal, with a number of sides corresponding to the number of foot formations.
- the foot formations are suitably separated by valleys, that may for example radiate from apices of the polygonal protrusion.
- each foot formation may have an enlarged central region from which the foot formation tapers inwardly across an inner portion to an inner end.
- the inner portions of the foot formations suitably lie in segmented relation around the base.
- each foot formation tapers from the enlarged central region outwardly across an outer portion to an outer end of the foot formation.
- the inventive concept extends to a blow-moulded container such as a keg or a bottle having the base of the invention.
- the container is constructed by blow-moulding a preform, ideally made of PET.
- the container has an average pressure resistance to material usage ratio of greater than 3 MPa / kg. More preferably, the average pressure resistance to material usage ratio is greater than 3.75 MPa / kg. Also, preferably, the container has a capacity to material usage ratio of over 40 litres / kg. More preferably, the container has a capacity to material usage ratio of over 80 litres / kg.
- a container 10 in this example of the invention comprises a hollow body of blow-moulded PET.
- the body of the container 10 is of circular horizontal section, the radius of that circle extending orthogonally from a central longitudinal axis 12 that extends centrally through the closed base 14 of the container 10.
- Above the base 14, but not shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a substantially cylindrical side wall surmounted by a neck portion.
- the side wall is integral with and terminates at its lower end in the base 14; in turn, the side wall is integral with and terminates at its upper end in the neck portion at the top of the container 10.
- the fundamental or underlying shape of the base 14 is a slightly flattened hemisphere, that hemisphere being rotationally symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10. More generally, the underlying shape of the base 14 is an oblate spheroid, being a rotationally symmetric ellipsoid having a diameter on its polar axis (coinciding with the central longitudinal axis 12) that is shorter than the diameter of the equatorial circle whose plane bisects it. This approximately hemispherical shape maximises resistance to internal pressure, reduces stress concentrations to resist cracking, and also maximises internal volume while minimising material usage.
- the base 14 further includes integrally-moulded blister-like feet disposed in a petaloid arrangement around the base, the feet being defined in this example by five hollow ovoid foot formations 16 that radiate equi-angularly from a relatively shallow generally pentagonal convex protrusion 18 on the central longitudinal axis 12. More generally, the foot formations 16 are elongate ellipsoids in the form of prolate spheroids, a prolate spheroid being a spheroid whose diameter along its polar axis is greater than its equatorial diameter.
- the polar axes 20 of the spheroidal foot formations 16 extend outwardly and upwardly in equi-angularly spaced radially-disposed planes from the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10.
- the polar axes 20 of the foot formations 16 lie on a virtual frusto-conical surface surrounding the central longitudinal axis 12.
- Circumferentially adjacent pairs of foot formations 16 are separated by valleys 22 that radiate equi-angularly from the apices 24 of the pentagonal central protrusion 18.
- the valley floors follow the spheroidal shape of the base 14 and open at their outer ends to an outer portion of the base 14 that lies radially outwardly beyond the foot formations 16.
- each foot formation 16 and the central protrusion 18 are joined via a transition portion that curves smoothly without distinct transitions or discontinuities.
- a foot formation 16, the smoothly curving transition portion and the central protrusion 18 together define a sinuous cross section.
- the convex central protrusion 18 has a radius of curvature r that is smaller than the general radius of curvature R of the spheroidal base 14: thus R > r . Moreover, the convex central protrusion 18 extends to a level beyond - and thus, in use, below - the lowermost apex of the underlying base contour. Also, the convex central protrusion 18 extends to a level within - and thus, in use, above - the extent of the foot formations 16.
- the foot formations 16 bulge outwardly from the underlying spheroidal contour of the base 14 by virtue of an ovoid convex wall.
- the convex wall of each foot formation 16 is surrounded by a concave transition zone 26 in the shape of an ovate ring.
- the transition zone 26 extends smoothly into the spheroidal wall of the base with a large radius of curvature to reduce stress concentration and hence to minimise stress cracking.
- the transition zones 26 of circumferentially adjacent foot formations 16 partially define the valley 22 between those foot formations 16.
- Each foot formation 16 is generally elliptical (in this example, ovate) in underneath plan view, reaching a maximum width in an enlarged central region 28 between its inner end 30 and its outer end 32.
- each foot formation 16 tapers in opposite directions from the widest part of the central region 28: along an inner portion 34 moving inwardly toward the central longitudinal axis 12 to the inner end 30; and along an outer portion 36 moving outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis 12 to the outer end 32.
- the inwardly-tapering inner portions 34 of the foot formations 16 fit closely between their neighbours around the circular base 14 like segments of an orange. These inner portions 34 of the foot formations 16 alternate with, and are separated by, narrow inner sections 38 of the valleys 22, which may be approximately parallel but, in this example, widen slightly as they extend outwardly from the pentagonal central protrusion 18. However where they extend outwardly into their outer sections 40 beyond the widest part of the foot formations 16, the valleys 22 widen near-exponentially between the tapering outer portions 36 of the foot formations 16 until they reach a maximum width between the outer ends 32 of adjacent foot formations 16.
- each foot formation 16 extends to a level beyond - and thus, in use, below - the lowermost apex of the base 14 defined by the central pentagonal protrusion 18.
- the foot formations 16 all extend to the same level.
- each foot formation 16 defines a contact point 42 that will lie stably upon a flat support surface (not shown) orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10.
- FIG. 1 shows that the foot formations are somewhat egg-shaped with the widest part of their cross-sections offset slightly inwardly and downwardly toward their inner ends 30.
- the contact points 42 of the foot formations 16 are equi-spaced on and around a contact circle centred on the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10.
- k is preferably between 3.6 and 5.5, more preferably between 4.0 and 5.3, still more preferably between 4.2 and 5.0 and typically 4.7. This may be contrasted with typical PET bottles on the market whose corresponding ratio k is typically 2.5 to 3.5.
- the relatively large value for k in the invention stems from a relatively small value for x. This is advantageous because a small contact circle creates a small - and hence inherently stiff - diaphragm between the contact points 42.
- the result is a central area within the contact circle between the contact points 42 of the foot formations 16 that is quite rigid and hence resistant to movement during internal pressure, up to burst pressure.
- the rigidity of the area within the contact circle is enhanced by the undulating wall section defined by the inner portions 34 of the foot formations 16, the valleys 22 between them, and the central protrusion 18.
- Stiffness within the contact circle is important not just for a high burst pressure but also for stability. This is because the lowest point on the central longitudinal axis (the lowermost apex of the base 14 defined by the central pentagonal protrusion 18) will tend to be pushed down under internal pressure. If that lowest point moves so far as to contact a supporting surface in use, the container cannot rest stably on the contact points 42 of the foot formations 16.
- the stiffness of the base shape of the invention means that compared to previously known designs, the distance from the central apex of the base to a supporting surface is relatively small, to the benefit of stability and capacity relative to the height of the container.
- any one foot formation 16 end-on i.e. from the side of the container 10 looking inwardly towards the central longitudinal axis 12
- the contour of that foot formation 16 describes a substantially constant convex radius between the concave radii of the transition zones 26 to each side.
- a conventional petaloid base typically has flatter surfaces defining a V-shaped valley between the feet, to the detriment of material usage and stress concentration. Stress concentrations create areas of a container that are particularly vulnerable to rupture under high internal pressure.
- the arrangement of the base 14 of the present invention is particularly suited to containers for dispensing liquids under pressure.
- the increased value for k makes the base stiffer and hence better suited for retaining stability whilst the container is subject to high internal pressure.
- the convex central protrusion 18 positioned axially lower than would otherwise be possible for a container that is subject to high internal pressure. This can maximise the quantity of beverage that can be practically dispensed from the container 10. This advantage is discussed with reference to Figure 12 in which is shown the same sectional side view of the container base 14 of Figure 3 , together with a beverage dispensing tube 120.
- the container is used as a beer keg 10 that is provided with a closure assembly that is sealed on to the tubular neck of the keg 10 in a push-fit arrangement.
- the tube 120 is coupled to the closure assembly (not shown) and extends from it along the central longitudinal axis 12 into the base of the keg 10.
- the axially lower end of the tube 120 extends into the central protrusion 18.
- the end of the tube 120 sits within the central protrusion 18 and hangs just inside the apex of the central protrusion 18, thereby providing an annular gap through which a beverage can pass from the keg 10 into the tube 120 or visa-versa.
- the shape of the central protrusion 18 also enables the axially lower end of the tube 120 to be correctly located and retained within the central protrusion during fitting and use.
- the keg 10 In use, when dispensing a beverage, the keg 10 is maintained in an upright position.
- the closure assembly allows a pressurised gas to be introduced into the headspace of the keg 10 to force the beverage out through the tube 120.
- the central protrusion 18 As the axially lowermost end of the tube 120 is located within the central protrusion 18, and the central protrusion 18 is disposed at a relatively low axial position within the keg 10, this ensures that almost all of the beverage within the keg 10 can be extracted from it.
- the tube 120 would need to bend away from the central longitudinal axis 12 at its lower end. Although this may marginally increase the amount of beverage that can be dispensed from the keg 10, this can complicate process of fitting the closure assembly and tube 120 to the keg 10.
- inserting a bent tube 120 into the keg 10 can require a complicated automated fitting process.
- the bending of the tube 120 away from the central longitudinal axis 12 can subject the closure assembly to which the tube 120 is attached at its axially upper end to uneven forces. This can reduce the reliability of the closure assembly, which is of particular concern when the keg 10 is subject to high internal pressure.
- the petaloid base of the invention may be applied to a wide range of containers such as bottles and kegs.
- Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) and Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) show a five-footed base of the invention applied, respectively, to a bottle 44 of 0.33 litre capacity, which may typically be used for carbonated soft drinks, and a keg 46 of 20 litres capacity, which may typically be used for beer.
- These drawings show features omitted from Figures 1 and 2 , namely a substantially cylindrical side wall 48 surmounted by a neck portion 50.
- the side wall 48 is integral with and terminates at its lower end in the base 14; in turn, the side wall 48 is integral with and terminates at its upper end in the neck portion 50 at the top of the container.
- Figure 10 shows a further five-footed base of the invention applied to a keg 104 of 18-litre capacity with a non-cylindrical side wall 108.
- the side wall 108 is convex, rotationally symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis of the keg 104 and so generally follows the shape of an ovoid.
- the side wall curves smoothly into the spheroidal underlying contour of the base of the present invention.
- the side wall curves smoothly into the concave neck of the keg 104.
- FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of a plastics preform for blow moulding into the container as shown in Figure 10 .
- a variant of the base of the invention shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) is applied to a bottle 52 of 1.5 litres capacity.
- This variant has seven foot formations 54 instead of five, with a generally heptagonal central protrusion 56 between them.
- seven-footed base variants can be applied to any size of container, such as bottles of 0.33 litres, 0.5 litres, 1 litre, 1.5 litres or larger, and kegs of 20 litres or other capacities.
- An odd number of feet is preferred for optimum stability, there being at least three feet (in which case the central protrusion is generally triangular) but preferably not more than seven feet; five or seven feet are considered optimal.
- the table below sets out a volume comparison between a conventional base and a base in accordance with the invention, assuming in this instance that the base defines five feet. Volumes in the table are expressed in millilitres (ml). The volume refers to the internal volume of the base, defined as the portion of the container below the cylindrical side wall of the container. It will be noted that the base of the invention has a volume approximately five times greater than the volume of a conventional petaloid container base, to the benefit of compactness and material usage for a given container capacity.
- Container with five feet Conventional base of the invention 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 128 (20%) 634 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 2.7 (18%) 15 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 3.5 (18%) 19 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 6.5 (18%) 36 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 11 (20%) 55
- Container with five feet Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour Diameter of contact circle 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 18.1 mm 99.9 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 5.3 mm 28.6 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 5.5 mm 31.0 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 7.1 mm 38.1 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm
- Figures 7 to 9 provide additional dimensional information relating to a 20-litre keg having a five-footed base 14.
- Figures 10 and 11 respectively show dimensional information relating to an 18-litre keg 104 having a five-footed base and its preform 106.
- Figure 8 shows a partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the 20-litre keg of Figure 7 , taken along section line VIII-VIII.
- the resulting section plane intersects a foot formation 16 at its contact point 42, and is parallel to and is radially-spaced at a distance of 50 mm from the central longitudinal axis 12 of the keg 10.
- Figure 9 is a partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the 20-litre keg of Figure 7 , taken along section line IX-IX.
- the resulting section plane is aligned with the central longitudinal axis 12 of the keg 10, and intersects the same foot formation 16 as shown in Figure 8 at its contact point 42.
- the view shown in Figure 9 corresponds to the view shown in Figure 3 , but provides the following additional dimensional information relating to the 20-litre keg: RADIUS DATA Radius of underlying base contour 135.0 mm Radius of convex central protrusion 35.0 mm Radius of concave transition zone between the convex central protrusion and the radially inner end of a foot formation 12.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the inner portion adjacent the radially inner end 35.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the inner portion between the radially inner end and the central region of the foot formation 43.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the central region between the contact circle and the inner portion 50.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the central region that is radially inner of and adjacent to the contact circle 20.5 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the central region that is radially outer of and adjacent to the contact circle 24.0 mm Radius of
- DISTANCE DATA Distance along central longitudal axis between convex central protrusion and plane containing the contact circle 3.0 mm Axial depth of convex central protrusion along central longitudinal axis 4.5 mm Distance along central longitudinal axis from underlying base contour to plane containing the contact circle 8.0 mm Distance along axis aligned with central longitudinal axis from transition zone (between central protrusion and a foot formation) to plane containing the contact circle 7.5 mm Axial depth of the base portion (i.e. axial distance from plane containing the contact circle to axially lower end of cylindrical side wall) 91.2 mm Radial length from central longitudinal axis to transition between base contour and foot formation 84.66 mm
- Figure 10 provides additional dimensional data corresponding to the 18 litre keg 104: Convex radius of underlying base contour 135.0 mm Diameter of body at widest point 287.0 mm Convex radius of body contour 352.0 mm Convex radius of contour between body and neck 185.0 mm Concave radius of neck contour 65.0 mm Diameter of neck 65.0 mm Total axial length 490.0 mm Axial length from base to neck collar 472.0 mm Axial length from keg opening, to beverage fill point (FP) mark - denoting an 18 litre fill from a level base 112.5 mm
- Figure 11 provides additional dimension data corresponding to the preform 106 of the 18 litre keg 104 of Figure 10: Total axial length 195.0 mm Axial length from base to neck collar 177.0 mm Axial thickness of base 6.0 mm Thickness of each cylindrical side wall 11.0 mm Axia
- the improved petaloid base shape of the invention has various additional advantages. Its softly-curving shape with an absence of sharp radii is beneficial to resist stress cracking. Also, importantly, its surface area is less than equivalent known designs. Thus, for a given amount of resin, the invention allows a thicker wall and hence a stronger base. Alternatively it is possible to reduce weight and material usage while maintaining the strength of the base. A strong base is particularly important in applications where the containers are subjected to elevated internal pressure and/or elevated temperature, such as carbonated soft drinks, beer and hot-fill or pasteurised liquids.
Description
- This invention relates to self-standing containers, more specifically to a petaloid base , according to the preamble of claim 1, for such a container. Such containers may be blow-moulded of plastics material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
- As will be understood in the art, the generic term 'PET' includes compositions that predominantly contain polyethylene terephthalate - but may also including other materials. For example, a suitable composition may comprise approximately 95% polyethylene terephthalate and 5% nylon. As is known in the art, these materials may be mixed, or provided in different layers, for example via multilayer injection moulding and overmoulding.
- Blow-moulded PET containers have long been used as bottles for beverages. More recently, they have been proposed for use as kegs for transporting, storing and dispensing beverages such as beer. An example of such a keg is disclosed in
WO 2007/064277 . - The example of
WO 2007/064277 is given for background reference only: the broad concept of this invention is not limited to any particular use, material or method of manufacture of a container. However the invention has particular advantages in the context of thin-walled blow-moulded containers of the type apt to be manufactured from PET. It is in that context that the invention will be described in this specification. - Early PET containers had a plain hemispherical base and were rendered self-standing by the attachment of a separate base moulding to the base. Whilst a hemispherical base is simple, light and strong in isolation, the addition of a separate base moulding increases material and production costs and may hinder recycling.
- To make a PET container self-standing without recourse to a separate base moulding, it is now well known to provide the container with an integrally-moulded petaloid base.
- The term 'petaloid' refers to a multi-footed base shape whose feet are disposed in an angularly-spaced arrangement around the base, the resulting shape resembling the petals of a flower when viewed from under the container in use. The container usually has a cylindrical side wall of circular horizontal cross-section, in which case the feet typically lie on a contact circle that is concentric with, and whose diameter is smaller than, the circular cross-section of the side wall. The feet act together to provide a stable multi-point support for the container.
- There is continual pressure in the art of containers to reduce material and production costs and to ease recycling. Not only has this led to the adoption of one-piece containers with petaloid bases, but efforts continue to improve the petaloid base so that containers can be produced more economically while still performing reliably during storage, transportation and use. It is particularly desirable to reduce the amount of material necessary to give the container sufficient integrity and stability for commercial use. Even a small saving of material per container has a massive effect on the cost of production when reproduced across potentially tens to thousands of millions of containers per annum.
- The correct trade off between the amount of material used and the integrity of the container is especially important when the container is to be used as a pressurised vessel. For example, the container may be used for storing, transporting and dispensing effervescent beverages such as beer. The beverage itself may be carbonated, or a propellant gas may be injected into the container at superatmospheric pressure to force the beverage out of the container. Such a container needs to withstand these internal pressures under a range of environmental conditions. As well as withstanding internal pressures, the container needs to survive rough handling during transportation of the container.
-
WO 2006/000408 A1 describes a container with an ovoid or cylindrical wall and a hemispherical bottom type continuing that wall from which originate feet spaced from one another. The ratio of the weight of the wall to the weight of the bottom is at least 4. - It is against this background that the present invention has been devised. From one aspect, the invention resides in a petaloid base of a blow-moulded self-standing container, the base having a spheroidal underlying base contour and a plurality of spheroidal foot formations that interrupt and project from the underlying base contour to define a corresponding plurality of feet, wherein the foot formations radiate from a central protrusion and the foot formations are ovoid. To define feet with minimal usage of material, the elongate foot formations have respective longitudinal axes, which axes lie in planes extending radially from a central axis of the base. Those axes of the foot formations suitably extend outwardly and upwardly in conical relation from the central axis of the base.
- As the feet are spheroidal, it will be understood that their contact with a planar surface on which the base can rest is via a convex surface. Preferably therefore, contact between a given foot and that planar surface is via a point on the curved surface of that foot. To maximise the capacity and strength of the container while minimising material usage, the underlying base contour is preferably substantially hemispherical. The contour may, for example, be that of an oblate spheroid whose polar axis coincides with a central axis of the base. For similar reasons, the foot formations are ovoid (partially egg-shaped), in which case the contact points of the feet are most conveniently defined by the widest part of the cross-section of each foot formation being offset inwardly toward an inner end of the foot formation. In other words, the foot formations taper to a greater extent at their radially outer portions than their radially inner portions with respect to the central axis of the base.
- Preferably, the base comprises formations, such as foot formations, whose shapes are substantially rotationally symmetrical about an axis. For example, shapes such as spheroids, ellipsoids and ovoids that define the foot formations are preferably substantially rotationally symmetrical about an axis. Advantageously, if these shapes that form the base are rotationally symmetrical, the material used to form these structures can be minimised. At the same time the internal capacity of the base, as well as its strength can be maximised.
- Each foot formation may have an elliptical, preferably ovate intersection with the underlying base contour. To reduce stress concentration, the intersection is preferably of concave cross section.
- To strengthen the base, the foot formations radiate from a central protrusion. That protrusion may be approximately polygonal, with a number of sides corresponding to the number of foot formations.
- The foot formations are suitably separated by valleys, that may for example radiate from apices of the polygonal protrusion. To minimise material usage,
- In plan view, each foot formation may have an enlarged central region from which the foot formation tapers inwardly across an inner portion to an inner end. In that case, the inner portions of the foot formations suitably lie in segmented relation around the base. To minimise material usage, it is preferred that in plan view, each foot formation tapers from the enlarged central region outwardly across an outer portion to an outer end of the foot formation.
- The inventive concept extends to a blow-moulded container such as a keg or a bottle having the base of the invention. The container is constructed by blow-moulding a preform, ideally made of PET.
- Preferably, where the material used is PET, the container has an average pressure resistance to material usage ratio of greater than 3 MPa / kg. More preferably, the average pressure resistance to material usage ratio is greater than 3.75 MPa / kg. Also, preferably, the container has a capacity to material usage ratio of over 40 litres / kg. More preferably, the container has a capacity to material usage ratio of over 80 litres / kg.
- In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
Figure 1 is a plan view from underneath a container having a petaloid base in accordance with the invention; -
Figure 2 is a side view of the petaloid base of the container shown inFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 is a sectional side view through the petaloid base of the container shown inFigure 1 ; -
Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) are, respectively, an underneath plan view, a side view and a perspective view of a container having a base as shown inFigures 1 to 3 , embodied in this example as a bottle of 0.33 litre capacity; -
Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) are, respectively, an underneath plan view, a side view and a perspective view of another container having a base as shown inFigures 1 to 3 , embodied in this example as a keg of 20 litres capacity; -
Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) are, respectively, an underneath plan view, a side view and a perspective view of another container having a base in accordance with the invention, embodied in this example as a bottle of 1.5 litres capacity, the base of this example being a variant having seven feet; -
Figure 7 is the underneath plan view of the container as shown inFigure 1 marked in this instance with section lines referred to inFigures 8 and9 ; -
Figure 8 is an enlarged partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the container ofFigure 7 , taken along section line VIII-VIII; -
Figure 9 is an enlarged partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the container ofFigure 7 , taken along section line IX-IX; -
Figure 10 is a side view of a container having a five-footed petaloid base as shown inFigures 1 to 3 , embodied in this example as a keg having a non-cylindrical side wall, and of 18-litre capacity; -
Figure 11 is a side view of a plastics preform for blow moulding into the 18-litre capacity keg as shown inFigure 10 ; and -
Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional side view of the container base as shown inFigure 3 , together with a beverage dispensing tube within the container. - Referring firstly to
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, acontainer 10 in this example of the invention comprises a hollow body of blow-moulded PET. The body of thecontainer 10 is of circular horizontal section, the radius of that circle extending orthogonally from a centrallongitudinal axis 12 that extends centrally through theclosed base 14 of thecontainer 10. Above thebase 14, but not shown inFigures 1 and 2 , is a substantially cylindrical side wall surmounted by a neck portion. The side wall is integral with and terminates at its lower end in thebase 14; in turn, the side wall is integral with and terminates at its upper end in the neck portion at the top of thecontainer 10. - The fundamental or underlying shape of the
base 14 is a slightly flattened hemisphere, that hemisphere being rotationally symmetrical about the centrallongitudinal axis 12 of thecontainer 10. More generally, the underlying shape of thebase 14 is an oblate spheroid, being a rotationally symmetric ellipsoid having a diameter on its polar axis (coinciding with the central longitudinal axis 12) that is shorter than the diameter of the equatorial circle whose plane bisects it. This approximately hemispherical shape maximises resistance to internal pressure, reduces stress concentrations to resist cracking, and also maximises internal volume while minimising material usage. - In accordance with the invention, the base 14 further includes integrally-moulded blister-like feet disposed in a petaloid arrangement around the base, the feet being defined in this example by five hollow
ovoid foot formations 16 that radiate equi-angularly from a relatively shallow generally pentagonalconvex protrusion 18 on the centrallongitudinal axis 12. More generally, thefoot formations 16 are elongate ellipsoids in the form of prolate spheroids, a prolate spheroid being a spheroid whose diameter along its polar axis is greater than its equatorial diameter. - The
polar axes 20 of thespheroidal foot formations 16 extend outwardly and upwardly in equi-angularly spaced radially-disposed planes from the centrallongitudinal axis 12 of thecontainer 10. Thus, thepolar axes 20 of the foot formations 16 (seeFigure 2 ) lie on a virtual frusto-conical surface surrounding the centrallongitudinal axis 12. - Circumferentially adjacent pairs of
foot formations 16 are separated byvalleys 22 that radiate equi-angularly from theapices 24 of the pentagonalcentral protrusion 18. The valley floors follow the spheroidal shape of thebase 14 and open at their outer ends to an outer portion of the base 14 that lies radially outwardly beyond thefoot formations 16. Furthermore, eachfoot formation 16 and thecentral protrusion 18 are joined via a transition portion that curves smoothly without distinct transitions or discontinuities. Thus, as shown inFigure 3 , afoot formation 16, the smoothly curving transition portion and thecentral protrusion 18 together define a sinuous cross section. - Also as shown in
Figure 3 , the convexcentral protrusion 18 has a radius of curvature r that is smaller than the general radius of curvature R of the spheroidal base 14: thus R > r. Moreover, the convexcentral protrusion 18 extends to a level beyond - and thus, in use, below - the lowermost apex of the underlying base contour. Also, the convexcentral protrusion 18 extends to a level within - and thus, in use, above - the extent of thefoot formations 16. - The
foot formations 16 bulge outwardly from the underlying spheroidal contour of the base 14 by virtue of an ovoid convex wall. The convex wall of eachfoot formation 16 is surrounded by aconcave transition zone 26 in the shape of an ovate ring. Thetransition zone 26 extends smoothly into the spheroidal wall of the base with a large radius of curvature to reduce stress concentration and hence to minimise stress cracking. Thetransition zones 26 of circumferentiallyadjacent foot formations 16 partially define thevalley 22 between thosefoot formations 16. - Each
foot formation 16 is generally elliptical (in this example, ovate) in underneath plan view, reaching a maximum width in an enlargedcentral region 28 between itsinner end 30 and itsouter end 32. Thus, eachfoot formation 16 tapers in opposite directions from the widest part of the central region 28: along aninner portion 34 moving inwardly toward the centrallongitudinal axis 12 to theinner end 30; and along anouter portion 36 moving outwardly away from the centrallongitudinal axis 12 to theouter end 32. - In underneath plan view, the inwardly-tapering
inner portions 34 of thefoot formations 16 fit closely between their neighbours around thecircular base 14 like segments of an orange. Theseinner portions 34 of thefoot formations 16 alternate with, and are separated by, narrowinner sections 38 of thevalleys 22, which may be approximately parallel but, in this example, widen slightly as they extend outwardly from the pentagonalcentral protrusion 18. However where they extend outwardly into theirouter sections 40 beyond the widest part of thefoot formations 16, thevalleys 22 widen near-exponentially between the taperingouter portions 36 of thefoot formations 16 until they reach a maximum width between the outer ends 32 ofadjacent foot formations 16. - Thus, moving along the
valleys 22 from the centrallongitudinal axis 12 toward the outer diameter of thebase 14, the gap between thefoot formations 16 increases. In contrast, in a previously-known petaloid base such as that disclosed inEP 0671331 , this gap decreases. - Viewed now from the side, the
foot formations 16 extend to a level beyond - and thus, in use, below - the lowermost apex of the base 14 defined by the centralpentagonal protrusion 18. Thefoot formations 16 all extend to the same level. Thus, at that level, eachfoot formation 16 defines acontact point 42 that will lie stably upon a flat support surface (not shown) orthogonal to the centrallongitudinal axis 12 of thecontainer 10. -
Figure 2 shows that the foot formations are somewhat egg-shaped with the widest part of their cross-sections offset slightly inwardly and downwardly toward their inner ends 30. -
- In accordance with the invention, k is preferably between 3.6 and 5.5, more preferably between 4.0 and 5.3, still more preferably between 4.2 and 5.0 and typically 4.7. This may be contrasted with typical PET bottles on the market whose corresponding ratio k is typically 2.5 to 3.5. The relatively large value for k in the invention stems from a relatively small value for x. This is advantageous because a small contact circle creates a small - and hence inherently stiff - diaphragm between the contact points 42.
- The result is a central area within the contact circle between the contact points 42 of the
foot formations 16 that is quite rigid and hence resistant to movement during internal pressure, up to burst pressure. The rigidity of the area within the contact circle is enhanced by the undulating wall section defined by theinner portions 34 of thefoot formations 16, thevalleys 22 between them, and thecentral protrusion 18. - Stiffness within the contact circle is important not just for a high burst pressure but also for stability. This is because the lowest point on the central longitudinal axis (the lowermost apex of the base 14 defined by the central pentagonal protrusion 18) will tend to be pushed down under internal pressure. If that lowest point moves so far as to contact a supporting surface in use, the container cannot rest stably on the contact points 42 of the
foot formations 16. The stiffness of the base shape of the invention means that compared to previously known designs, the distance from the central apex of the base to a supporting surface is relatively small, to the benefit of stability and capacity relative to the height of the container. - Viewing any one
foot formation 16 end-on (i.e. from the side of thecontainer 10 looking inwardly towards the central longitudinal axis 12), the contour of thatfoot formation 16 describes a substantially constant convex radius between the concave radii of thetransition zones 26 to each side. A conventional petaloid base typically has flatter surfaces defining a V-shaped valley between the feet, to the detriment of material usage and stress concentration. Stress concentrations create areas of a container that are particularly vulnerable to rupture under high internal pressure. - The arrangement of the
base 14 of the present invention is particularly suited to containers for dispensing liquids under pressure. In particular, the increased value for k makes the base stiffer and hence better suited for retaining stability whilst the container is subject to high internal pressure. Furthermore, by increasing the value of k, it is possible to have the convexcentral protrusion 18 positioned axially lower than would otherwise be possible for a container that is subject to high internal pressure. This can maximise the quantity of beverage that can be practically dispensed from thecontainer 10. This advantage is discussed with reference toFigure 12 in which is shown the same sectional side view of thecontainer base 14 ofFigure 3 , together with abeverage dispensing tube 120. - In this context, the container is used as a
beer keg 10 that is provided with a closure assembly that is sealed on to the tubular neck of thekeg 10 in a push-fit arrangement. Thetube 120 is coupled to the closure assembly (not shown) and extends from it along the centrallongitudinal axis 12 into the base of thekeg 10. The axially lower end of thetube 120 extends into thecentral protrusion 18. The end of thetube 120 sits within thecentral protrusion 18 and hangs just inside the apex of thecentral protrusion 18, thereby providing an annular gap through which a beverage can pass from thekeg 10 into thetube 120 or visa-versa. The shape of thecentral protrusion 18 also enables the axially lower end of thetube 120 to be correctly located and retained within the central protrusion during fitting and use. - In use, when dispensing a beverage, the
keg 10 is maintained in an upright position. The closure assembly allows a pressurised gas to be introduced into the headspace of thekeg 10 to force the beverage out through thetube 120. As the axially lowermost end of thetube 120 is located within thecentral protrusion 18, and thecentral protrusion 18 is disposed at a relatively low axial position within thekeg 10, this ensures that almost all of the beverage within thekeg 10 can be extracted from it. - It may be possible to further increase the amount of beverage that can be practically extracted from the
keg 10 by extending thetube 120 into one of thefoot formations 16. In such an arrangement, thetube 120 would need to bend away from the centrallongitudinal axis 12 at its lower end. Although this may marginally increase the amount of beverage that can be dispensed from thekeg 10, this can complicate process of fitting the closure assembly andtube 120 to thekeg 10. In particular, inserting abent tube 120 into thekeg 10 can require a complicated automated fitting process. Furthermore, the bending of thetube 120 away from the centrallongitudinal axis 12 can subject the closure assembly to which thetube 120 is attached at its axially upper end to uneven forces. This can reduce the reliability of the closure assembly, which is of particular concern when thekeg 10 is subject to high internal pressure. - The petaloid base of the invention may be applied to a wide range of containers such as bottles and kegs.
Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) andFigures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) show a five-footed base of the invention applied, respectively, to abottle 44 of 0.33 litre capacity, which may typically be used for carbonated soft drinks, and akeg 46 of 20 litres capacity, which may typically be used for beer. These drawings show features omitted fromFigures 1 and 2 , namely a substantiallycylindrical side wall 48 surmounted by aneck portion 50. Theside wall 48 is integral with and terminates at its lower end in thebase 14; in turn, theside wall 48 is integral with and terminates at its upper end in theneck portion 50 at the top of the container. -
Figure 10 shows a further five-footed base of the invention applied to akeg 104 of 18-litre capacity with anon-cylindrical side wall 108. In this example, theside wall 108 is convex, rotationally symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis of thekeg 104 and so generally follows the shape of an ovoid. At its axially lower end portion, the side wall curves smoothly into the spheroidal underlying contour of the base of the present invention. At its axially upper end portion, which tapers to a greater extent than the axially lower end portion, the side wall curves smoothly into the concave neck of thekeg 104. Theconvex side wall 108 is shaped in this way to maximise internal pressure resistance, maximise the internal capacity of thekeg 104 and minimise material usage.Figure 11 is an enlarged side view of a plastics preform for blow moulding into the container as shown inFigure 10 . - Other variations of the invention are possible without departing from the inventive concept. For example, a variant of the base of the invention shown in
Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) is applied to abottle 52 of 1.5 litres capacity. This variant has sevenfoot formations 54 instead of five, with a generally heptagonalcentral protrusion 56 between them. Like the five-footed base variant, seven-footed base variants can be applied to any size of container, such as bottles of 0.33 litres, 0.5 litres, 1 litre, 1.5 litres or larger, and kegs of 20 litres or other capacities. - An odd number of feet is preferred for optimum stability, there being at least three feet (in which case the central protrusion is generally triangular) but preferably not more than seven feet; five or seven feet are considered optimal.
- To put the invention into context but without limiting its broadest scope as defined in the claims, various dimensional characteristics will now be given by way of example.
- Firstly, the table below sets out a volume comparison between a conventional base and a base in accordance with the invention, assuming in this instance that the base defines five feet. Volumes in the table are expressed in millilitres (ml). The volume refers to the internal volume of the base, defined as the portion of the container below the cylindrical side wall of the container. It will be noted that the base of the invention has a volume approximately five times greater than the volume of a conventional petaloid container base, to the benefit of compactness and material usage for a given container capacity.
Container with five feet Conventional base Base of the invention 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 128 (20%) 634 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 2.7 (18%) 15 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 3.5 (18%) 19 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 6.5 (18%) 36 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 11 (20%) 55 - Secondly, the following dimensions help to define the base shape for each of the above capacities of container:
Container with five feet Radius of underlying base contour Radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 135.0 mm 49.6 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 34.5 mm 19.1 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 37.4 mm 20.7 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 46.0 mm 25.4 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 54.6 mm 30.2 mm Container with five feet Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour Diameter of contact circle 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 18.1 mm 99.9 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 5.3 mm 28.6 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 5.5 mm 31.0 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 7.1 mm 38.1 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 8.4 mm 45.3 mm Container with five feet Length of foot formations along polar axis* Width of foot formations across polar axis* 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 80.2 mm 59.5 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 22.9 mm 15.6 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 24.8 mm 16.9 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 30.6 mm 20.8 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 36.3 mm 24.7 mm *Including transition zone Container with seven feet Radius of underlying base contour Radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 135.0 mm 49.6 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 34.2 mm 18.9 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 37.3 mm 20.7 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 46.2 mm 25.6 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 54.6 mm 30.2 mm Container with seven feet Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour Diameter of contact circle 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 18.1 mm 99.9 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 5.3 mm 28.5 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 5.8 mm 31.0 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 7.2 mm 38.5 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 8.4 mm 45.4 mm Container with seven feet Length of foot formations along polar axis* Width of foot formations across polar axis* 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 78.9 mm 54.8 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 22.4 mm 14.0 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 24.4 mm 15.3 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 30.3 mm 19.0 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 35.7 mm 22.4 mm *Including transition zone Radius of transition zone (five feet) Radius of transition zone (seven feet) 20 litre keg, dia 235 mm 12.0 mm 8.0 mm 0.33 litre bottle, dia 60 mm 3.15 mm 1.88 mm 0.5 litre bottle, dia 65 mm 3.44 mm 2.05 mm 1.0 litre bottle, dia 80 mm 4.26 mm 2.54 mm 1.5 litre bottle, dia 95 mm 5.0 mm 3.0 mm -
Figures 7 to 9 provide additional dimensional information relating to a 20-litre keg having a five-footed base 14.Figures 10 and11 respectively show dimensional information relating to an 18-litre keg 104 having a five-footed base and itspreform 106. -
Figure 8 shows a partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the 20-litre keg ofFigure 7 , taken along section line VIII-VIII. The resulting section plane intersects afoot formation 16 at itscontact point 42, and is parallel to and is radially-spaced at a distance of 50 mm from the centrallongitudinal axis 12 of thekeg 10. - At this section of the
foot formation 16, its contour is a substantially constant convex radius of 23.0 mm between the concave radii of 12.0 mm of thetransition zones 26 to each side. -
Figure 9 is a partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the 20-litre keg ofFigure 7 , taken along section line IX-IX. The resulting section plane is aligned with the centrallongitudinal axis 12 of thekeg 10, and intersects thesame foot formation 16 as shown inFigure 8 at itscontact point 42. The view shown inFigure 9 corresponds to the view shown inFigure 3 , but provides the following additional dimensional information relating to the 20-litre keg:RADIUS DATA Radius of underlying base contour 135.0 mm Radius of convex central protrusion 35.0 mm Radius of concave transition zone between the convex central protrusion and the radially inner end of a foot formation 12.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the inner portion adjacent the radially inner end 35.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the inner portion between the radially inner end and the central region of the foot formation 43.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the central region between the contact circle and the inner portion 50.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the central region that is radially inner of and adjacent to the contact circle 20.5 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the central region that is radially outer of and adjacent to the contact circle 24.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the central region between the contact circle and the outer portion 32.0 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the outer portion between the radially outer end and the central region of the foot formation 27.75 mm Radius of a foot formation at a position on the outer portion adjacent the radially outer end of the foot formation 120.0mm Radius of concave transition zone between underlying base contour and radially outer end of a foot formation 12.0 mm Radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall 49.6 mm - These radius measurements are also applicable to points on
other foot formations 16 of thecontainer 10. These points typically lie within any one of the planes aligned with both the centrallongitudinal axis 12 of the container and a polar axis of a givenfoot formation 16.DISTANCE DATA Distance along central longitudal axis between convex central protrusion and plane containing the contact circle 3.0 mm Axial depth of convex central protrusion along central longitudinal axis 4.5 mm Distance along central longitudinal axis from underlying base contour to plane containing the contact circle 8.0 mm Distance along axis aligned with central longitudinal axis from transition zone (between central protrusion and a foot formation) to plane containing the contact circle 7.5 mm Axial depth of the base portion (i.e. axial distance from plane containing the contact circle to axially lower end of cylindrical side wall) 91.2 mm Radial length from central longitudinal axis to transition between base contour and foot formation 84.66 mm - In addition to dimensional data, the following data derives from pressure tests indicating the typical burst pressure of the 20-
litre keg 10 having a fivefooted petaloid base 14 according to the present invention. By way of comparison, pressure tests were also carried out on a conventional petaloid base under similar conditions. The values represent the burst pressure in bar.Test Conventional Base burst pressure (bar) Base of the invention burst pressure (bar) 1 9.29 9.55 2 7.68 9.04 3 9.09 8.59 4 8.92 9.57 5 8.8 9.29 6 5.99 7.78 7 5.96 8.69 8 6.25 8.08 9 9.14 9.31 10 8.82 8.33 AVG 7.99 8.82 MAX 9.29 9.57 MIN 5.96 7.78 DIFF 3.33 1.79 - Thus, it can be seen that the average burst pressure of the 20-litre keg having a five-footed base is approximately 8.8 bar = 880 kPa. Furthermore, the material usage of the 20 litre keg corresponds to 0.234 kg of PET. Accordingly, ratios directed to the pressure resistance, capacity and material usage can be derived for this 20-litre keg:
- It will be understood that similar ratios can be extrapolated for containers of different shapes and sizes, but also incorporating the base 14 according to the present invention.
Figure 10 provides additional dimensional data corresponding to the 18 litre keg 104: Convex radius of underlying base contour 135.0 mm Diameter of body at widest point 287.0 mm Convex radius of body contour 352.0 mm Convex radius of contour between body and neck 185.0 mm Concave radius of neck contour 65.0 mm Diameter of neck 65.0 mm Total axial length 490.0 mm Axial length from base to neck collar 472.0 mm Axial length from keg opening, to beverage fill point (FP) mark - denoting an 18 litre fill from a level base 112.5 mm Figure 11 provides additional dimension data corresponding to the preform 106 of the 18litre keg 104 of Figure 10:Total axial length 195.0 mm Axial length from base to neck collar 177.0 mm Axial thickness of base 6.0 mm Thickness of each cylindrical side wall 11.0 mm Axial length of cylindrical neck portion below neck collar 15.0 mm Axial length of neck portion from below neck collar to cylindrical side wall (including cylindrical neck portion and frustoconical neck portion) 57.3 mm Diameter of cylindrical neck portion 64.2 mm Diameter of cylindrical side wall 77.0 mm Internal bore diameter of the preform 55.0 mm Diameter of the neck collar 81.0 mm - The approximate burst pressure of this 18-litre keg having a five-footed base is approximately 14 bar = 1400 kPa. The material usage of the 18-litre keg corresponds to 0.468 kg of PET. Accordingly, ratios directed to the pressure resistance, capacity and material usage can be derived for this 18-litre keg:
- For a base with five feet, the following ratios apply in these examples:
- For 20-litre keg:
- Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.35
- Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.68
- Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.57 Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 2.72
- Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.13
- For bottles of various capacities:
- Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.47
- Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.83
- Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.58 Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 1.81
- Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.15
- Similarly, for a base with seven feet, the following ratios apply in these examples:
- For 20-litre keg:
- Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.44
- Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.82
- Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.57 Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 2.72
- Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.13
- For bottles of various capacities:
- Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.59
- Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 2.03
- Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.57
- Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 1.8
- Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.15
- It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the improved petaloid base shape of the invention has various additional advantages. Its softly-curving shape with an absence of sharp radii is beneficial to resist stress cracking. Also, importantly, its surface area is less than equivalent known designs. Thus, for a given amount of resin, the invention allows a thicker wall and hence a stronger base. Alternatively it is possible to reduce weight and material usage while maintaining the strength of the base. A strong base is particularly important in applications where the containers are subjected to elevated internal pressure and/or elevated temperature, such as carbonated soft drinks, beer and hot-fill or pasteurised liquids.
Claims (15)
- A petaloid base (14) of a blow-moulded self-standing container (10), the base (14) having a spheroidal underlying base contour and a plurality of spheroidal foot formations (16) that interrupt and project from the underlying base contour to define a corresponding plurality of feet (16); characterised in that:the foot formations (16) radiate from a central protrusion (18);the foot formations (16) are ovoid; andthe foot formations (16) have respective longitudinal axes (20), which axes lie in planes extending radially from a central axis (12) of the base, wherein:the longitudinal axes (20) of the foot formations extend outwardly and upwardly in conical relation from the central axis (12) of the base.
- The base (14) of Claim 1, wherein the underlying base contour is an oblate spheroid whose polar axis coincides with a central axis (12) of the base (14); and/or the underlying base contour is substantially hemispherical.
- The base of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the foot formations (16) are elongate ellipsoids and/or prolate spheroids.
- The base (14) of Claim 3, wherein the widest part of the cross-section of each foot formation (16) is offset inwardly toward an inner end of the foot formation (16).
- The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein the the longitudinal axes (20) of the foot formations meet at the central axis (12) of the base (14) at a position axially below the base (14).
- The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein each foot formation (16) has an elliptical intersection with the underlying base contour, the intersection ideally being ovate and/or of concave cross section.
- The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein the central protrusion (18):has a radius of curvature that is smaller than the radius of curvature of the underlying base curve; and/orextends to a level beyond the lowermost apex of the underlying base contour.
- The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein a foot formation (16) and the central protrusion (18) are joined via a smoothly curving transition portion, wherein ideally:the foot formation (16), the smoothly curving transition portion and the central protrusion (18) together define a sinuous cross section; and/orthe transition portion defines a curve whose curvature is converse to the curvature of at least one of the foot formations (16) and central protrusion (18).
- The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein:the central protrusion (18) is substantially convex with respect to the exterior of the container (10); and/orthe central protrusion (18) defines a recess with respect to the interior of the container, the recess being arranged to locate and retain a free end of a fluid delivery tube within the container (10); and/orthe central protrusion (18) is generally polygonal, with a number of sides corresponding to the number of foot formations (16).
- The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein the foot formations (16) are separated by valleys (22) preferably with:the valleys (22) radiating from apices of a generally polygonal central protrusion (18), the polygon having a number of sides corresponding to the number of foot formations (16).
- The base (14) of Claim 10, wherein the valleys (22) widen moving outwardly across the base, ideally with:each valley (22) having an inner and an outer section and the walls of the valley (22) diverging more sharply in the outer section than in the inner section, and ideally with the walls of the valley (22) diverging in both the inner and the outer sections of the valley.
- The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein in plan view, each foot formation (16) has an enlarged central region that tapers inwardly across an inner portion to an inner end of the foot formation (16) preferably with:each foot formation tapering from the enlarged central region outwardly across an outer portion to an outer end of the foot formation (16).
- A blow-moulded self-standing container (10) having a base (14) as defined in any preceding claim.
- The container (10) of Claim 13, wherein the foot formations (16) of the base (14) define respective contact points that together are spaced around a contact circle whose diameter (x) relates to a side wall diameter (Dy) of the container (10) as:
- The container (10) of Claim 13 or Claim 14, comprising a fluid delivery tube (120) aligned with a central longitudinal axis of the container (10), the tube (120) extending between the base (14) of the container (10) and an opening of the container (10).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1005717A GB2479360A (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2010-04-06 | Petaloid Container Base with Reduced Diameter Contact Circle |
PCT/EP2011/055383 WO2011124626A2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2011-04-06 | Self-standing container |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2555984A2 EP2555984A2 (en) | 2013-02-13 |
EP2555984B1 true EP2555984B1 (en) | 2016-08-24 |
Family
ID=42228918
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11717204.9A Not-in-force EP2555984B1 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2011-04-06 | Petaloid base for a self-standing container and container therefor |
Country Status (16)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130062306A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2555984B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5641267B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103003161B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2011237887B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112012025471A2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK2555984T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2602135T3 (en) |
GB (2) | GB2479360A (en) |
HU (1) | HUE033351T2 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2555984T3 (en) |
PT (1) | PT2555984T (en) |
RU (1) | RU2598995C9 (en) |
UA (1) | UA109276C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011124626A2 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201208013B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR3005035B1 (en) * | 2013-04-24 | 2016-01-15 | Sidel Participations | CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH A DOUBLE ARCHE DEFORMABLE BOTTOM |
FR3007392B1 (en) * | 2013-06-25 | 2016-02-05 | Sidel Participations | RECIPIENT MINI PETALOIDE GROOVE |
US10710765B2 (en) * | 2013-07-23 | 2020-07-14 | Graham Packaging Company, L.P. | Base for hot-fill plastic containers |
GB201401457D0 (en) | 2014-01-28 | 2014-03-12 | Petainer Large Container Ip Ltd | Improved self-standing container |
TWD167046S (en) * | 2014-06-30 | 2015-04-11 | 深圳市景田食品飲料有限公 | Beverage bottle (136) |
US11077979B2 (en) | 2014-08-01 | 2021-08-03 | The Coca-Cola Company | Small carbonated beverage packaging with enhanced shelf life properties |
WO2016100483A1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2016-06-23 | The Coca-Cola Company | Carbonated beverage bottle bases and methods of making the same |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS59178214U (en) * | 1983-05-18 | 1984-11-28 | 三菱樹脂株式会社 | Synthetic resin thin wall bottle |
US20060118560A1 (en) * | 2004-12-03 | 2006-06-08 | Schur Warren M | Water shedding designs for receptacle bottoms |
Family Cites Families (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2391582A (en) * | 1944-05-02 | 1945-12-25 | Ralph Walsh | Spray control valve |
GB840634A (en) * | 1957-05-15 | 1960-07-06 | Baguley S Sons 1932 Ltd J | Improvements in or relating to hot water cylinders |
US3038627A (en) * | 1960-05-31 | 1962-06-12 | Specialties Dev Corp | High-pressure container safety means |
FR1493309A (en) * | 1966-09-20 | 1967-08-25 | Frohn Plastic Gmbh Kunststoffw | Bottle-shaped container |
US3870181A (en) * | 1973-02-12 | 1975-03-11 | Monsanto Co | Molecularly oriented bottle |
USD257463S (en) * | 1977-08-17 | 1980-10-28 | Ball Corporation | Beverage container |
USD254957S (en) * | 1977-08-17 | 1980-05-13 | Ball Corporation | Beverage container |
JPS5821374Y2 (en) * | 1979-01-10 | 1983-05-06 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Biaxially stretched synthetic resin thin wall bottle |
JPS55110415U (en) * | 1979-01-26 | 1980-08-02 | ||
JPS5821373Y2 (en) * | 1979-01-10 | 1983-05-06 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Biaxially stretched synthetic resin thin wall bottle |
US4313545A (en) * | 1979-02-13 | 1982-02-02 | The Nippon Aluminum Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Metallic pressure vessel with thin wall |
NL8006687A (en) * | 1979-12-13 | 1981-07-16 | Shigeto Aoki | SOIL CONSTRUCTION FOR PLASTIC HOLDERS. |
USD267233S (en) * | 1980-04-18 | 1982-12-14 | Katashi Aoki | Bottle |
US4318489A (en) * | 1980-07-31 | 1982-03-09 | Pepsico, Inc. | Plastic bottle |
USD269761S (en) * | 1980-08-12 | 1983-07-19 | Plastona (John Waddington) Limited | Can or the like |
USD270332S (en) * | 1980-08-28 | 1983-08-30 | Plastona (John Waddington) Limited | Can or the like |
US4368825A (en) * | 1980-11-28 | 1983-01-18 | Standard Oil Company (Indiana) | Self-standing bottle structure |
AU90611S (en) * | 1982-12-29 | 1985-07-18 | Suntory Kabushiki Kaisha Suntory Ltd | A bottle |
BR8705767A (en) * | 1986-02-14 | 1988-02-09 | Norderney Investments Ltd | IMPROVEMENTS IN / OR RELATING TO PLASTIC MATERIAL CONTAINERS |
US5205434A (en) * | 1992-06-09 | 1993-04-27 | Constar Plastics, Inc. | Footed container |
US5454481A (en) * | 1994-06-29 | 1995-10-03 | Pan Asian Plastics Corporation | Integrally blow molded container having radial base reinforcement structure |
JP3612775B2 (en) * | 1995-03-28 | 2005-01-19 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Heat-resistant pressure-resistant self-supporting container and manufacturing method thereof |
JP3676426B2 (en) * | 1995-05-25 | 2005-07-27 | 北海製罐株式会社 | Polyethylene terephthalate resin bottle |
US6276546B1 (en) * | 1996-12-20 | 2001-08-21 | Ball Corporation | Plastic container for carbonated beverages |
US6296471B1 (en) * | 1998-08-26 | 2001-10-02 | Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation | Mold used to form a footed container and base therefor |
US6112924A (en) * | 1998-09-10 | 2000-09-05 | Bcb Usa, Inc. | Container with base having cylindrical legs with circular feet |
US6085924A (en) * | 1998-09-22 | 2000-07-11 | Ball Corporation | Plastic container for carbonated beverages |
CN1611421A (en) * | 2003-10-27 | 2005-05-04 | 巫有发 | Improved container |
SI1527999T1 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2008-04-30 | Nestle Waters Man & Technology | A container for product with less packaging material |
JP2006000408A (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2006-01-05 | Samii Kk | Pinball machine |
WO2006000408A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2006-01-05 | NESTLE WATERS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY (Société Anonyme) | A container for liquid with a lightweight bottom |
JP4986105B2 (en) * | 2005-09-21 | 2012-07-25 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Heat-resistant and pressure-resistant plastic bottle made of polyester resin |
USD532307S1 (en) * | 2005-10-11 | 2006-11-21 | Nestle Waters Management And Technology | Bottle |
CZ2006528A3 (en) * | 2006-08-25 | 2008-03-05 | Mušálek@Oto | Plastic-made foldable bottle |
US20100072167A1 (en) * | 2008-09-25 | 2010-03-25 | Dickie Robert G | Collapsible bottle |
US20120132676A1 (en) * | 2010-11-30 | 2012-05-31 | Reginal Rhodes | Liquid dispenser |
USD701763S1 (en) * | 2011-05-20 | 2014-04-01 | Petainer Lidköping AB | Container attachment and container |
-
2010
- 2010-04-06 GB GB1005717A patent/GB2479360A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2011
- 2011-04-06 HU HUE11717204A patent/HUE033351T2/en unknown
- 2011-04-06 PL PL11717204T patent/PL2555984T3/en unknown
- 2011-04-06 PT PT117172049T patent/PT2555984T/en unknown
- 2011-04-06 RU RU2012147015/12A patent/RU2598995C9/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2011-04-06 CN CN201180027895.2A patent/CN103003161B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-04-06 JP JP2013503105A patent/JP5641267B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-04-06 WO PCT/EP2011/055383 patent/WO2011124626A2/en active Application Filing
- 2011-04-06 DK DK11717204.9T patent/DK2555984T3/en active
- 2011-04-06 EP EP11717204.9A patent/EP2555984B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2011-04-06 ES ES11717204.9T patent/ES2602135T3/en active Active
- 2011-04-06 AU AU2011237887A patent/AU2011237887B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2011-04-06 GB GB1105839.3A patent/GB2479451B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-04-06 BR BR112012025471A patent/BR112012025471A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2011-06-04 UA UAA201212641A patent/UA109276C2/en unknown
-
2012
- 2012-10-05 US US13/639,853 patent/US20130062306A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-10-24 ZA ZA2012/08013A patent/ZA201208013B/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS59178214U (en) * | 1983-05-18 | 1984-11-28 | 三菱樹脂株式会社 | Synthetic resin thin wall bottle |
US20060118560A1 (en) * | 2004-12-03 | 2006-06-08 | Schur Warren M | Water shedding designs for receptacle bottoms |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2479360A (en) | 2011-10-12 |
ES2602135T3 (en) | 2017-02-17 |
UA109276C2 (en) | 2015-08-10 |
RU2598995C2 (en) | 2016-10-10 |
EP2555984A2 (en) | 2013-02-13 |
ZA201208013B (en) | 2014-03-26 |
CN103003161A (en) | 2013-03-27 |
GB2479451B (en) | 2012-12-26 |
WO2011124626A2 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
AU2011237887B2 (en) | 2016-01-28 |
DK2555984T3 (en) | 2016-12-05 |
HUE033351T2 (en) | 2017-11-28 |
US20130062306A1 (en) | 2013-03-14 |
RU2598995C9 (en) | 2016-11-20 |
GB201105839D0 (en) | 2011-05-18 |
JP5641267B2 (en) | 2014-12-17 |
PT2555984T (en) | 2016-11-16 |
BR112012025471A2 (en) | 2023-12-05 |
GB201005717D0 (en) | 2010-05-19 |
JP2013523549A (en) | 2013-06-17 |
PL2555984T3 (en) | 2017-02-28 |
RU2012147015A (en) | 2014-05-20 |
WO2011124626A3 (en) | 2011-12-01 |
GB2479451A (en) | 2011-10-12 |
AU2011237887A1 (en) | 2012-11-15 |
CN103003161B (en) | 2016-03-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2555984B1 (en) | Petaloid base for a self-standing container and container therefor | |
US7051892B1 (en) | Water bottle for a dispenser | |
AU660545B2 (en) | Freestanding plastic container for pressurized fluids | |
US10246210B2 (en) | Container having a petaloid base and groove | |
US10202221B2 (en) | Combined petaloid base of a container | |
CN105905387B (en) | Container with the small-flowered shape bottom with transverse concave groove | |
US20070007234A1 (en) | Synthetic resin bottle | |
JP4826379B2 (en) | Plastic container | |
EP3638593B1 (en) | Container having a bottom base provided with notches | |
CA2219135A1 (en) | Plastic container for carbonated beverages | |
US20160340072A1 (en) | Self-standing container | |
US20160288946A1 (en) | Container having a bottom provided with a stepped arch | |
CN110740941B (en) | Container bottom base with double concave arch | |
JP4992329B2 (en) | Plastic container | |
JP7455081B2 (en) | plastic bottle | |
RU73854U1 (en) | BOTTLE | |
JP2018030629A (en) | Plastic bottle and filling body | |
JP6862720B2 (en) | Plastic bottles and fillers | |
JP2018030643A (en) | Plastic bottle and filling body |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20121105 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602011029594 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: B65D0001020000 Ipc: B65D0001160000 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65D 1/16 20060101AFI20131129BHEP |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20140416 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20160304 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 822828 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20160915 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602011029594 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: RO Ref legal event code: EPE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: MICHELI AND CIE SA, CH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: FP Ref country code: PT Ref legal event code: SC4A Ref document number: 2555984 Country of ref document: PT Date of ref document: 20161116 Kind code of ref document: T Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION Effective date: 20161108 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: TRGR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: T3 Effective date: 20161128 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 822828 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20160824 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20161124 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2602135 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 Effective date: 20170217 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GR Ref legal event code: EP Ref document number: 20160402748 Country of ref document: GR Effective date: 20170130 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Payment date: 20170327 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602011029594 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20161124 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Payment date: 20170324 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20170414 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20170427 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: DK Payment date: 20170424 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: GR Payment date: 20170427 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: IE Payment date: 20170425 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20170526 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20170420 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Payment date: 20170403 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: HU Ref legal event code: AG4A Ref document number: E033351 Country of ref document: HU |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Payment date: 20170322 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170406 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Payment date: 20180322 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20180328 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20180326 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20180417 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20180607 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20180411 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20180417 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20180417 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170406 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: EBP Effective date: 20180430 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: EUG |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181008 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181106 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180407 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180406 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180430 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180406 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190406 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160824 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 602011029594 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20160824 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20190501 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20190430 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20190406 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20191101 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190406 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190501 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190406 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180407 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20161224 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20200828 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200407 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190407 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180407 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190406 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180406 |