EP3087009A1 - Kunststoffbehälter mit festgeschnallter basis - Google Patents

Kunststoffbehälter mit festgeschnallter basis

Info

Publication number
EP3087009A1
EP3087009A1 EP14875517.6A EP14875517A EP3087009A1 EP 3087009 A1 EP3087009 A1 EP 3087009A1 EP 14875517 A EP14875517 A EP 14875517A EP 3087009 A1 EP3087009 A1 EP 3087009A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
base
ribs
rib
strap
container
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP14875517.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3087009A4 (de
Inventor
Jay Clarke Hanan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Niagara Bottling LLC
Original Assignee
Niagara Bottling LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US14/141,224 external-priority patent/US9132933B2/en
Application filed by Niagara Bottling LLC filed Critical Niagara Bottling LLC
Priority to EP20157495.1A priority Critical patent/EP3683161A1/de
Priority claimed from US14/157,400 external-priority patent/US9120589B2/en
Publication of EP3087009A1 publication Critical patent/EP3087009A1/de
Publication of EP3087009A4 publication Critical patent/EP3087009A4/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
    • B65D23/10—Handles
    • B65D23/102—Gripping means formed in the walls, e.g. roughening, cavities, projections
    • 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
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/0009—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures designed for pouring contents
    • B65D2501/0018—Ribs
    • B65D2501/0036—Hollow circonferential ribs

Definitions

  • the present application generally relates to plastic containers, particularly to plastic containers designed to hold liquids while resisting deformation.
  • PET containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several decades.
  • the most common plastic used in making beverage containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
  • Containers made of PET are transparent, thin-walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding the force exerted on the walls of the container by their contents.
  • PET resins are also reasonably priced and easy to process.
  • PET bottles are generally made by a process that includes the blow-molding of plastic preforms which have been made by injection molding of the PET resin.
  • plastic packaging include lighter weight and decreased breakage as compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and transportation into account.
  • plastic packaging is lighter in weight than glass, there is still great interest in creating the lightest possible plastic packaging so as to maximize the cost savings in both transportation and manufacturing by making and using containers that contain less plastic, while still exhibiting good mechanical properties.
  • a bottle design can provide one or more of the benefits of reducing bending and point loading failures.
  • the disclosed design embodiments can alleviate the stresses during shipping and handling (including film only packaging) while maintaining ease of blow molding.
  • a bottle design uses less resin for the same or similar mechanical performance, resulting in a lightweight product.
  • Embodiments of the bottle disclosed herein may use polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which has viscoelastic properties of creep and relaxation.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • ribs In response to loads at the first, larger length scale, ribs flex at the local, smaller length scale. When they are held in this position with time, the ribs will permanently deform through relaxation.
  • embodiments of the bottles disclosed herein may undergo pressurization. Pressure inside a bottle can be due to the bottle containing a carbonated beverage. Pressure inside a bottle can be due to pressurization procedures or processes performed during bottling and packaging. For example, a bottle can be pressurized to help the bottle retain its shape. As another example, the bottle can be pressurized with certain gases to help preserve a beverage contained in the bottle.
  • Embodiments of the bottles disclosed herein have varying depth ribs that achieve a balance of strength and rigidity to resist the bending described above while maintaining hoop strength, such as, for example, when pressure is not used or relieved.
  • a collection of flattened and/or shallow depth ribs act as recessed columns in the body of the bottle that distribute bending and top load forces along the wall to resist leaning, stretching, and crumbling.
  • the collection of flattened and/or shallow depth ribs can help the bottle retain its shape during pressurization, such as, for example, help inhibit stretching of the bottle when pressurized. Inhibiting stretching of the bottle helps retain desired bottle shape to aid in packaging of the bottles as discussed herein by, for example, maintaining a substantially constant height of the bottle.
  • Inhibiting stretching of the bottle can help with applying a label to a label portion of the bottle.
  • inhibiting stretching of the bottle helps retain a constant length or height of the bottle at the label panel portion, which can help prevent tearing of the label and/or prevent the label from at least partially separating from the bottle (i.e., failure of the adhesive between the bottle and the label).
  • Further details on the features and functions of varying depth ribs are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/705,040, entitled "Plastic Container with Varying Depth Ribs,” filed on December 4, 2012, now U.S. Patent No.
  • a balance may be achieved between flattened and/or shallow ribs and deep ribs to attain a desired resistance to bending, leaning, and/or stretching while maintaining stiffness in a lightweight bottle.
  • at least some of the aforementioned desired qualities may be further achieved through a steeper bell portion of a bottle.
  • a steeper bell portion can increase top load performance in a lightweight bell.
  • a lightweight bottle body and bell leaves more resin for a thicker base of the bottle, which can increase stability.
  • a thicker base may better resist bending and top load forces and benefits designs with a larger base diameter with respect to the bottle diameter for tolerance even when the base is damaged during packaging, shipping, and/or handling.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein have a base rib that can function as a strap from a base to a sidewall of the bottle to the help further achieve resistance to bending, leaning, stretching and/or flexing while maintaining stiffness.
  • a strap rib on a base helps the base resist deformation under pressure without necessitating the base being overly heavy in weight relative to the lightweight bottle (i.e., relative to wall thickness of flat foot base that does not resist pressure as well).
  • the strap base rib can be incorporated into a flat foot base.
  • a flat foot base helps retain base foot thickness.
  • Retaining base foot thickness helps retain bottle integrity during packaging and handling using lightweight packaging, such as, for example, film only packaging that requires the base to directly resist forces, including bending and point loading, during packaging, shipping, and/or handling.
  • a flat foot base performs well with or without internal pressure due to, for example, the ability to maintain relative foot thickness in the base in a lightweight bottle.
  • the base may have little internal pressure resistance and may rollout (pop out and create a rocker bottom).
  • the strapped base rib helps resist damage and deformation as discussed herein without requiring a relatively heavy footed base. Without requiring a relatively heavy footed base, less material is needed for the lightweight bottle.
  • a base with a strap rib as disclosed herein provides for a material efficient, pressure optional bottle base.
  • Incorporating a strap base rib into the base with column formations in the sidewall of the bottle as discussed herein offers pressure resistance for internally pressurized bottles while maintaining strength and performance (i.e., resistance to bending and leaning) when without internal pressure (i.e., pressure release by a user opening a closure of a bottle).
  • the strap base rib can act with the column formation on the sidewall of the bottle to form straps around the bottle to communicate stresses along the height of the bottle.
  • the base with a strap base rib helps maintain strength and performance of the column formations for internally pressurized bottles.
  • a strap base rib allows the utilization of a flat foot base for better base strength during processing at a plant (i.e., adding beverage contents), while preventing rollout or popping out of the base during pressurization. Rollout of the base bottle leads to what may be called a "rocker bottom.” Preventing rollout of the base helps the bottle stay level when resting on a surface and maintains the flat feet as the contact points on the surface.
  • base rollout can also occur without pressurization or low pressurization of the bottle, such as, for example, during shipping and handling or filling at high speed.
  • a strap base rib also helps prevent base rollout without or low internal pressurization. While the specification herein may discuss preventing or inhibiting deformation under external internal pressures and/or forces, it is to be understood that some deformation of a bottle may occur without straying outside of the scope of this disclosure. Some deformation of the bottle under external/internal pressures and/or forces may occur while retaining excellent structural properties of the features and functions disclosed herein.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein can be utilized for bottle pressures of a wide range.
  • the strap base rib can help resist pressurization pressures in the bottle of up to 3 bars, including up to 2.5, up to 2, up to 1.5, up to 1, up to 0.5 bars, and up to 0.3 bars, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the preform design also plays a role in resisting pressures such that much higher pressures than already demonstrated can be resisted with greater strap thickness available from the preform.
  • the strap design provides a more efficient way of resisting the pressure in a bottle that also performs well without pressure.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein can be utilized in bottle volumes of a wide range.
  • features and functions disclosed herein can be utilized with a 3 ounce bottle up to a multiple gallon bottle.
  • features and functions disclosed herein can be utilized with an 8 ounce (0.24 liter/0.15 liter) bottle up to a 3 liter bottle, including 12 ounces (0.35 liters) to 2 liters, 16 (0.47 liters) ounces to 1 liter, 18 ounces (0.53 liters) to 0.75 liters, and 0.5 liters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • a container comprising a flat foot base having strap ribs and a sidewall having recessed columns, the strap ribs and recessed columns vertically lined up to resist deformation in the base and the sidewall
  • the container can comprise one or more of the following: a flat foot base comprising a gate, a wall, and flat feet, the gate centered on a central axis of the container, the wall extending from the gate toward a resting surface of the container, the flat feet extending from the wall to the resting surface; a sidewall connected to the base, the sidewall extending substantially along the central axis to define at least part of an interior of the container; a bell connected to the sidewall and leading upward and radially inward to a finish connected to the bell; a plurality of strap ribs positioned in the base between the flat feet, the strap ribs extending radially outward from the gate or the wall toward the sidewall, the strap ribs sloping upward relative to the resting surface toward the side
  • the strap ribs extend radially outward from the wall of the base; the strap ribs extend radially outward from the gate of the base; the wall of the base comprises a dome extending from the gate toward the resting surface of the container without contacting the resting surface, the dome surrounding the gate about the central axis; at least one of the strap ribs extends radially outward from the dome of the base; the base further comprises a plurality of load ribs positioned between the strap ribs, the load ribs having a depth toward the interior of the container shallower than a depth of the strap ribs, the load ribs configured to resist deformation of the base when external forces are applied to the container; the sidewall comprises a base rib positioned along the periphery of the sidewall at a point of contact for the container with other containers when the container and the other containers are packaged together with central axes of the containers being vertical, the base rib centered about the central axis of the container; the sidewall
  • a container comprising a flat foot base having strap ribs and a sidewall having recessed columns, the strap ribs and recessed columns vertically lined up to resist deformation in the base and the sidewall
  • the container can comprise one or more of the following: a flat foot base comprising a gate, a dome, and flat feet, the gate centered on a central axis of the container, the dome extending from the gate toward a resting surface of the container without contacting the resting surface, the dome surrounding the gate about the central axis, the flat feet extending from the dome to the resting surface; a sidewall connected to the base, the sidewall extending substantially along the central axis to define at least part of an interior of the container; a bell connected to the sidewall and leading upward and radially inward to a finish connected to the bell; a plurality of strap ribs positioned in the base between the flat feet, the strap ribs extending radially outward from the gate or the dome toward the sidewall,
  • a container comprises a base.
  • the container can further comprise a grip portion connected to the base through a constant depth base rib and defining a grip portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis.
  • the container can further comprise a label panel portion connected to the grip portion and defining a label portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
  • the container can further comprise a bell with an obtuse angle as measured from the central axis to a wall of the bell of at least 120 degrees, the bell connected to the label panel portion through a shoulder and leading upward and radially inward to a finish connected to the bell, the finish adapted to receive a closure.
  • the container can further comprise a plurality of angulating and varying depth ribs positioned substantially along the perimeter of the grip portion wherein each angulating and varying depth rib comprises a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and a plurality of deep sections.
  • the container can further comprise a plurality of constant depth ribs positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion.
  • the shallow sections can have a rib depth less than a rib depth of the middle sections.
  • the deep sections can have a rib depth greater than the rib depth of the middle sections.
  • the shallow sections of the varying depth ribs can substantially vertically line up along the central axis and form recessed columns.
  • the recessed columns can be configured to resist at least one of bending, leaning, or crumbling, or stretching.
  • the plurality of deep sections can be configured to provide hoop strength.
  • a container comprises a base.
  • the container can further comprise a grip portion connected to the base through a constant depth base rib and defining a grip portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis.
  • the container can further comprise a label panel portion connected to the grip portion and defining a label portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
  • the container can further comprise a bell with an obtuse angle as measured from the central axis to a wall of the bell of at least 120 degrees, the bell connected to the label panel portion through a shoulder and leading upward and radially inward to a finish connected to the bell, the finish adapted to receive a closure.
  • the container can further comprise a plurality of angulating and varying depth ribs positioned substantially along the perimeter of the grip portion wherein each angulating and varying depth rib comprises a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and a plurality of deep sections.
  • the container can further comprise a plurality of varying depth ribs positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion wherein each varying depth rib comprises a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and a plurality of deep sections.
  • the shallow sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs can have a rib depth less than a rib depth of the middle sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs.
  • the deep sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs can have a rib depth greater than the rib depth of the middle sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs.
  • the shallow sections of the varying depth ribs can have a rib depth less than a rib depth of the middle sections of the varying depth ribs.
  • the deep sections of the varying depth ribs can have a rib depth greater than the rib depth of the middle sections of the varying depth ribs.
  • the shallow sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs can substantially vertically line up along the central axis and form a first plurality of recessed columns.
  • the shallow sections of the varying depth ribs can substantially vertically line up along the central axis and form a second plurality of recessed columns.
  • the first and second plurality of recessed columns can be configured to resist at least one of bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching.
  • the plurality of deep sections can be configured to provide hoop strength.
  • the first plurality of recessed columns substantially vertically line up along the central axis with the second plurality of recessed columns.
  • the varying depth ribs of the label portion angulate.
  • a container comprises a base.
  • the container can further comprise a sidewall connected to the base, the sidewall defining a sidewall perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis and extending substantially along the central axis to define at least part of an interior of the container.
  • the container can further comprise a bell connected to the sidewall and leading upward and radially inward to a finish connected to the bell, the finish adapted to receive a closure.
  • the container can further comprise a varying depth rib positioned substantially along the sidewall perimeter wherein the varying depth rib comprises a shallow section, a middle section, and a deep section.
  • the shallow section can have a rib depth less than a rib depth the middle section.
  • the deep section can have a rib depth greater than the rib depth of the middle section.
  • the shallow section of the rib can be configured to resist at least one of bending, leaning, or crumbling, or stretching.
  • the deep section can be configured to provide hoop strength.
  • the varying depth rib transitions from the shallow section to the middle section to the deep section as at least one of a gradual transition or an abrupt transition.
  • the varying depth rib has a shape of at least one of trapezoidal, triangular, rounded, squared, oval, or hemispherical.
  • the varying depth rib angulates around the sidewall perimeter.
  • the varying depth rib has a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and a plurality of deep sections.
  • the contain further comprises a plurality of varying depth ribs wherein at least two shallow sections substantially vertically line up along the central axis and form a recessed column whereby the recessed column is configured to resist at least one of bending, leaning, or crumbling, or stretching.
  • the plurality varying depth ribs have a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and a plurality of deep sections.
  • the container further comprises a rib of a constant depth.
  • the bell has an obtuse angle as measured from the central axis to a wall of the bell of at least 120 degrees.
  • a container comprising a base, a bell, a sidewall between the base and the bell, a neck and a finish which define an opening to the interior of the container, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the bell, comprises a grip portion of the sidewall comprising a multiplicity of circumferential ly positioned grip portion ribs; a label portion of the sidewall comprising a multiplicity of circumferentially positioned label portion ribs; a plurality of strap ribs, wherein each of the strap ribs extends substantially from a central portion of the base and terminates at a sidewall end in the grip portion, and wherein the strap ribs cooperate with recessed columns of the sidewall so as to resist at least one of bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base; a plurality of load ribs spaced equally between adjacent strap ribs, wherein the load ribs are configured to resist deformation of the base; and a plurality of feet formed between the
  • the plurality of strap ribs comprises three strap ribs, wherein the strap ribs are equally spaced around the circumference of the base.
  • the plurality of load ribs comprises six load ribs, wherein two of the load ribs are equally spaced between two of the strap ribs.
  • each of the load ribs comprises a sidewall end which terminates along the base substantially near the sidewall of the container.
  • each of the sidewall ends of the load ribs is vertically lower than the sidewall ends of the strap ribs along the central axis.
  • the sidewall ends of the load ribs terminate along the sidewall of the container at a height along the central axis which is equal to the height of the sidewall ends of the strap ribs.
  • the base further comprises a base rib extending around the circumference of the base, such that the base rib connects the base to the grip portion of the sidewall.
  • each of the strap ribs extends into the sidewall of the container beyond the base rib, thereby breaking the base rib into a plurality of segments.
  • the plurality of strap ribs comprises three strap ribs which break the base rib into 120-degree segments.
  • the base further comprises a gate centered on a central axis of the container, a wall extending from the gate toward the resting surface of the container, and a dome immediately surrounding the gate, where the dome is a portion of the wall of the base that slopes more steeply toward the resting surface of the container.
  • each of the strap ribs has a base end which terminates in the dome, near the periphery of the gate.
  • the base ends terminate substantially at the periphery of the dome.
  • the base ends are positioned outside of the dome region.
  • each of the strap ribs further comprises two rib side walls that connect the strap rib to portions of the base and the feet.
  • each of the rib side walls smoothly and gradually transitions into the base and the feet, such that the transitions comprise spherical features of the container.
  • the strap ribs have a depth into the base which is greater than a depth of the load ribs into the base.
  • each of the strap ribs begins at the base end substantially parallel to the resting surface of the container and then extends along an upward curved path, having a first radius, with an increasingly positive slope, wherein at a first height the first radius of the curved path of the strap rib changes to a second radius with an increasingly positive slope before extending into the straight portion, and wherein at a second height the straight portion connects to the sidewall end of the strap rib.
  • the first radius and the second radius cooperate to give the strap rib and the base a smooth and gradual, spherical configuration, such that the container better accommodates internal pressure.
  • the spherical configuration accommodates at least twice the internal pressure which may be accommodated by containers having other than the spherical configuration.
  • the first radius has a value between 20 and 85 millimeters
  • the second radius has a value between 0 and 30 millimeters
  • the diameter of the container has a value between 30 and 200 millimeters.
  • the first radius is substantially 45 millimeters
  • the second radius is substantially 10 millimeters
  • the diameter of the container is substantially 66 millimeters.
  • the first height has a value between 5 and 35 millimeters
  • the second height has a value between 10 and 60 millimeters
  • the container has a total height between 65 and 300 millimeters.
  • the first height is substantially 14.9 millimeters
  • the second height is substantially 26.5 millimeters
  • the container has a total height between substantially 196 and 197 millimeters.
  • the strap rib further comprises a first transition curve positioned along the curved path between the first radius and the second radius and/or a second transition curve positioned on the curved path between the second radius and the straight portion, such that the strap rib and the base have a generally spherical cross-sectional shape.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a bottle
  • Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 rotated 60 degrees
  • Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a base having six strap ribs
  • Figure 4 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a strap rib
  • Figure 5 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a bottle
  • Figure 5 A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the bottle
  • Figure 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a bottle with six recessed columns in a label portion
  • Figure 6 A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the bottle with columns in the label portion
  • Figure 7 illustrates a top perspective view of another embodiment of a strap rib
  • Figure 7A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a strap rib
  • Figures 8A and 8B illustrate bottom perspective views of embodiments of bottles with columns in the sidewalls
  • Figure 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a base
  • Figure 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 11 A illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 12 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a base
  • Figure 13 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 14 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 15 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 16A illustrates a cross-section along a central axis of an embodiment of a bottle
  • Figure 16B illustrates an embodiment showing a cross-section of a bottle
  • Figure 16C illustrates an embodiment showing a cross-section of a bottle
  • Figure 17 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of another embodiment of a bottle
  • Figure 18 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of an embodiment of a base
  • Figure 19 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 19A illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of an embodiment of a base
  • Figure 20 illustrates overlaid cross-sections along the central axis of embodiments of bases
  • Figure 21 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a bottle
  • Figure 22 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a bottle
  • Figure 23 illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 24 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base
  • Figure 25 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of another embodiment of a bottle
  • Figure 26 is a table and graph showing an increase in top load resistance of bottles
  • Figure 27 illustrates an embodiment showing angles of a bell
  • Figure 28 illustrates a preform of a bottle.
  • articles including preforms and containers, which utilize less plastic in their construction while maintaining or surpassing the ease of processing and excellent structural properties associated with current commercial designs.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the bottle 1.
  • the bottle 1 has a base 24a that extends up into a base rib 22.
  • the grip portion 8 comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs 3a (i.e., sidewall ribs).
  • grip portion ribs 3a positioned in the grip portion 8) may vary in depth by separating or transitioning the rib from a deep rib 2a to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6a to be discussed in further detail below.
  • the grip portion ribs 3a swirl or angulate around the grip portion 8.
  • a label portion 10 is connected to the grip portion 8 and comprises one or more label panel ribs 20a (i.e., sidewall ribs).
  • the label panel portion 10 transitions into a shoulder 18, which connects to a bell 16.
  • the bell 16 may include scallops (including as illustrated) or other design features or it may be smooth and generally unornamented.
  • the bell 16 connects to a neck 14, which connects to a finish 12. From the label portion 10, the bell 16 leads upward and radially inward, relative to a central axis 25, to the neck 14 and finish 12.
  • the finish 12 can be adapted to receive a closure to seal contents in the bottle 1.
  • the finish 12 defines an opening 1 1 that leads to an interior of the bottle 1 for containing a beverage and/or other contents.
  • the interior can be defined as at least one of the finish 12, the neck 14, the bell 16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion 8, or the base 24a.
  • a substantially vertical wall comprising the grip portion 8 and label portion 10 between the base 24a and bell 16, extending substantially along the central axis 25 to define at least part of the interior of the bottle 1 , can be considered a sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the sidewall may include the bell 16, shoulder 18, and/or base 24a.
  • the perimeter (i.e., periphery) of the sidewall is substantially perpendicular to the central axis 25 of the interior.
  • the sidewall defines at least part of the interior of the bottle 1.
  • the finish 12, the neck 14, the bell 16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion 8, and the base 24a can each define a respective perimeter or circumference (i.e., periphery) (substantially perpendicular to the central axis 25) corresponding to that portion.
  • the label portion 10 has a label portion perimeter.
  • the grip portion 8 has a grip portion perimeter.
  • each of the grip portion ribs 3a comprises a deep rib 2a section transitioning to a middle section 4a then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6a sections.
  • each of the label panel ribs 20a may comprise a deep rib 2b section transitioning to a middle section 4b then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6b sections.
  • the deep, middle, and shallow rib sections may also be called deep, middle, and shallow ribs as shorthand, but it is to be understood that these terms are meant to define sections of a rib in the grip portion 8, label portion 10, and base rib 22.
  • a varying depth grip portion rib 3a transitions from a deep rib 2a section to a middle rib/section 4a then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6a section.
  • a varying depth label panel rib 20a transitions from a deep rib 2b to a middle rib/section 4b then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6b.
  • the one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a,b form an equivalent of recessed columns 7a at portions where a plurality flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a,b substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figure 1.
  • a plurality of deep ribs 2a,b substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b of the label panel ribs 20a are vertically misaligned with the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the grip portion ribs 3a such that the label portion 10 has a set of recessed columns and the grip portion 8 has another set of recessed columns.
  • the recessed column of the label portion 10 can be vertically misaligned from the recessed columns of the grip portion 8.
  • the bottle 1 can have recessed columns in just the grip portion 8 or just the label panel portion 10.
  • the bottle respectively has three recessed columns 7a.
  • the three recessed columns 7a may be equally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle 1 and located on the opposite side of the bottle circumference from the deep rib 2a,b portions. With three equally spaced recessed columns 7a, the recessed columns 7a are spaced every 120 degrees around the bottle 1 circumference. Any number of recessed columns 7a may be incorporated into a design of the bottle 1 by increasing or decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a,b that substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25.
  • the bottle may have as few as 1 or up to 10 recessed columns 7a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 recessed columns 7a, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the collections of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a,b that form recessed columns 7a provide resistance to leaning, load crushing, and/or stretching. Leaning can occur when during and/or after bottle packaging, a bottle experiences top load forces (tangential forces or otherwise) from other bottles and/or other objects stacked on top of the bottle. Similarly, top load crushing can occur due to vertical compression (or otherwise) forces from bottles and/or other objects stacked on top. Stretching can occur when a bottle is pressurized.
  • Deep ribs 2a,b of the grip portion ribs 3a and label panel ribs 20a provide the hoop strength that can be equivalent to the hoop strength of normal or non- varying depth ribs.
  • the number of ribs, including base ribs 22, grip portion ribs 3a, and/or label panel ribs 20a may vary from 1 to 30 ribs every 10 centimeters of any rib containing portion of the bottle, such as, but not limited to the grip portion 8 and/or label panel portion 10, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29 ribs every 10 centimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the aforementioned 10 centimeter section that is used to measure the number of ribs need not be actually 10 centimeters in length. Rather, 10 centimeters is used illustratively to provide a ratio for the number of ribs.
  • the base 24a has a strap rib 40a.
  • the strap rib 40a has a sidewall end 42a that terminates along the sidewall of the bottle 1 as discussed herein.
  • the base has 24a has a load rib 44a.
  • the base 24a can have two load ribs 44a between two strap ribs 40a.
  • the base 24a can have 1, 3, 4, and 5 load ribs 44a between two strap ribs 40a.
  • the load rib 44a has a sidewall end 43 a that terminates along the base 24a near or at a transition from the base 24a to the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the sidewall end 43a of the load rib 44a may be vertically lower than the sidewall end 42a of the strap rib 40a along the central axis 25.
  • the sidewall end 43 a of the load rib 44a may terminate along the sidewall of the bottle 1 at a same height as to the sidewall end 42a of the strap rib 40a.
  • the base 24a has feet 45a formed between the strap ribs 40a and the load ribs 44a.
  • the strap rib 40a is relatively larger and deeper than the load rib 44a as discussed herein.
  • the strap base rib 40a may vertically align with the recessed columns 7a.
  • the base 24a can have three strap ribs 40a.
  • the strap ribs 40a are spaced equally around the circumference of the bottle L With three equally spaced strap ribs 40a, the strap ribs 40a are positioned every 120 degrees around the bottle circumference.
  • the load ribs 44a can vertically align with the grip portion rib 3a sections between the recessed columns 7a.
  • the strap ribs 40a may be vertically misaligned with the recessed columns 7a.
  • the strap ribs 40a may be spaced unequally around the bottle circumference.
  • the base 24a may have more or less strap ribs 40a than the number of recessed columns 7a.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 rotated 60 degrees.
  • the sidewall end 42a of the strap rib 40a vertically aligns or points to substantially the center of the recessed columns 7a (center point of the shallow and/or flattened ribs 2a,b).
  • the strap rib 40a forms a recess 46a from a side view perspective.
  • the recess 46a is relatively a small area in comparison to feet 45a contact area with a resting surface.
  • a small recess 46a aids in distributing more resin toward the feet 45a during the blowing process. More resin at the feet 45 a increases the abrasion resistance and strength of the feet 45a.
  • strap ribs 40a can function to provide internal pressure resistance while leaving enough resin for the feet 45a to achieve the benefits of a flat foot base (i.e., thicker resin feet 45a for greater abrasion, deformation, and/or stress resistance; and/or greater foot contact area for stability and load distribution).
  • the strap rib 40a can extend substantially from a central portion of the base 24a (from the central axis 25) as discussed herein.
  • the strap rib 40a can act as a strap between the recessed columns 7a of the sidewall to the central portion of the base 24a.
  • the strap rib 40a provides a more direct and shorter path to the center of the base 24a from the sidewall of the bottle 1 without proceeding to the vertical level of the feet 45a.
  • the strap ribs 40a thus provide a relatively more pressure resistant base 24a.
  • the strap rib 40a provides a link for forces and stresses between the sidewall, including the recessed column 7a, and the central portion of the base 24a.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a base 24c having six strap ribs 40c.
  • Three strap ribs 40c can vertically align with recessed columns 7a.
  • the other three strap ribs 40c can vertically align along the central axis substantially at the deep ribs 2a,b of the grip portion ribs 3a and the label panel ribs 20a.
  • the strap ribs 40c are equally spaced around the circumference of the bottle 1. With equally spaced strap ribs 40c, the strap ribs 40c are positioned every 60 degrees around the bottle circumference. Under pressure, the deep rib 2a,b sections may flex out, triangulating the bottle 1. Triangulation of the bottle 1 can occur in the grip portion 8 and/or label portion 10.
  • the strap ribs 40a vertically aligned with the deep rib 2a,b sections can at least partially prevent the flexing out of the deep ribs 2a,b.
  • the strap ribs 40a vertically aligned with the deep ribs 2a,b resist outward radial expansion, which in turn can help prevent outward radial expansion at the grip portion 8 and/or the label portion 10.
  • Preventing outward radial expansion at the grip portion 8 and/or the label portion 10 helps prevent triangulation of the bottle 1.
  • Preventing triangulation helps retain bottle roundness for consumer appeal. Further, maintaining bottle roundness aids in ensuring a labeler during the bottling process correctly labels the bottle. The labeler may not be able to properly label a triangulated bottle.
  • FIG 4 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a strap rib 40a.
  • the strap rib 40a has a sidewall end 42a that terminates at substantially the edge or boundary of the base rib 22.
  • the illustrated sidewall end 42a terminating at or near the base rib 22 still allows for the strap rib 40a to communicate with the recessed column 7a through the base rib 22 as discussed herein.
  • the base rib 22 is maintained as an unbroken rib around the perimeter of the bottle 1.
  • the base rib 22 can act as a contact point with other bottles during packaging, shipping, and/or handling.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a base 24b with a strap rib 40b leading into the sidewall of the bottle 1 beyond the base rib 22.
  • the sidewall end 42b of the strap rib 40b may terminate in the grip portion 8, such as at a first flattened and/or shallow rib 6a (first from the base 24b) when the strap rib 40b vertically aligns with the recessed column 7a.
  • the strap rib 40b may vertically align with the deep ribs 2a,b and may terminate into a first deep rib 2a (first from the base 24b).
  • the strap rib 40b may have a sidewall end 42a that terminates past the first shallow rib 6a and/or the first deep rib 2a, such as for example at the second, third, and/or third fourth grip portion ribs 3a.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the bottle 1 comprising a base 24d, three strap ribs 40d, and six load ribs 44d.
  • the base 24d has feet 45d formed between the strap ribs 40d and the load ribs 44d.
  • Each of the strap ribs 40d extends substantially from a central portion of the base 24d and terminates at a sidewall end 42d in the grip portion 8, as discussed in connection with embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-2.
  • the strap ribs 40d cooperate with the recessed columns 7a of the sidewall to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the central portion of the base 24d.
  • each of the load ribs 44d has a sidewall end 43d which terminates along the base 24d near or at a transition from the base 24d to the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • each of the sidewall ends 43d is vertically lower than the sidewall ends 42d along the central axis 25.
  • the sidewall ends 43d of the load rib 44d may terminate along the sidewall of the bottle 1 at a height along the central axis 25 which is equal to the sidewall ends 42d of the strap ribs 40d.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a label portion 10 with six recessed columns 7b.
  • the label portion 10 may have six shallow ribs 6b that align vertically. Each vertical alignment of the shallow ribs 6b forms a recessed column 7b.
  • the recessed columns 7b are equally spaced around the circumference of the bottle 1. With six equally spaced recessed columns 7b around the bottle circumference, the recessed column 7b are positioned every 60 degrees around the bottle circumference. More recessed columns 7b can help prevent triangulation of the bottle 1, including in the label portion 10, as discussed herein.
  • Shallow ribs 6a,b and/or recessed columns 7a,b better resist radially outward flexing, at least partially because shallower ribs have less radial depth to provide a range for flexing.
  • shallow ribs 6a,b and/or recessed columns 7a,b have better resistance to internal pressure relative to the deep ribs 2a,b.
  • more frequent shallow ribs 6a,b and/or recessed columns 7a,b around the bottle circumference helps inhibit triangulation of the bottle 1.
  • the six recessed column 7b may be combined with embodiments illustrated in Figure 3 with six strap ribs 40c. Accordingly, such embodiments may better resist triangulation in both label portion 10 and the grip portion 8 as discussed herein.
  • having three recessed columns 7a in the grip portion 8 with six recessed column 7b in the grip portion 10 helps achieve rigidity in the grip portion 8 with the three regions of deep ribs 2a providing hoop strength while avoiding triangulation in the label portion 10 with six recessed columns 7b inhibiting flexing out of the sidewalls, particularly at the label portion 10.
  • Figure 6A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the bottle 1 comprising a label portion 10 with six recessed columns 7b equally spaced around the circumference of the bottle 1. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that three of the recessed columns 7b are aligned with the recessed columns 7a in the grip portion 8 of the bottle 1, and thereby function as extensions of the columns 7a. Furthermore, the embodiment of the bottle 1 illustrated in Figure 6A is substantially similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5A, with the exception that the bottle 1 illustrated in Figure 6A further comprises a base rib 22. Each of the three strap ribs 40d extends into the sidewall of the bottle 1 beyond the base rib 22, thereby breaking the base rib 22 into 120-degree segments.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a strap rib 40b.
  • the strap rib 40b has a sidewall end 42b that terminates substantially at or in the first shallow rib 6a (first from the base 24b) via a straight portion 45 as discussed herein, and in particular, as discussed in reference to Figure 19.
  • a sidewall end 42b that proceeds into the grip portion 8 of the bottle, such as into the grip portion ribs 3a, allows the strap rib 40b to directly connect or communicate with a recessed column 7a.
  • the direct communication of the strap rib 40b and the recessed column 7a can help achieve resistance to internal pressure as discussed herein.
  • the direct communication between the strap rib 40b and the recessed column 7a can help achieve better transfer and resistance to stresses placed on a bottle as discussed herein.
  • Figure 7A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of the strap rib 40d, as illustrated in Figure 5A.
  • the strap rib 40d comprises the straight portion 45 and a sidewall end 42d which terminates substantially at or in the first shallow rib 6a.
  • extending the sidewall ends 42d into the grip portion 8 of the bottle 1, such as into the grip portion ribs 3a enables the strap ribs 40d to operate in conjunction with the recessed columns 7a to achieve resistance to internal pressure as discussed herein.
  • the direct communication between the strap ribs 40d and the recessed columns 7a achieves a better transfer of, and resistance to, stresses placed on a bottle as discussed herein.
  • Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a bottom perspective view of embodiments of the bottle 1 with columns in the sidewalls.
  • the bottle 1 may have a protruding column 47a,b.
  • a protruding column may be considered a column that radially protrudes outward from an immediately surrounding surface formed by, for example, the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the protruding column has a grip portion 8 (including the base rib 22) protruding column 47a and a label portion 10 protruding column 47b.
  • the protruding column 47a,b can resist bending, leaning, and/or stretching as discussed herein.
  • the protruding column 47a,b can also resist radially outward flexing at and near the protruding column 47a,b.
  • the protruding column 47a,b is formed substantially along the entire length or height of the bottle sidewall without breaking the continuity of other bottle contact points of the bottle as discussed herein, such as, for example, at or near the base rib 22.
  • the base 24a has a strap rib 40a that substantially vertically aligns with the protruding column 47a,b.
  • the alignment of the protruding column 47a, b with the strap rib 40a achieves substantially the same resistance to bending, leaning, stretching, and/or base rollout as discussed herein in reference to the base rib 40a vertically aligning with a recessed column 7a. .
  • the bottle 1 may have an indented column 49.
  • An indented column may be considered a column that radially indents inwardly from an immediately surrounding surface formed by, for example, the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the indented column 40 is positioned in the grip portion 8 (including the base rib 22).
  • the indented column 49 can resist bending, leaning, and/or stretching as discussed herein.
  • the indented column 49 can also resist radially outward flexing at and near the indented column 49.
  • the indented column 49 can achieve the desired function discussed herein while avoiding protruding from a perimeter of the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the indented column 49 can project through, for example, the base rib 22, making the base rib 22 discontinuous.
  • a discontinuous rib 22 can be utilized in pressurized bottle applications where at least some of the contact point resistance as discussed herein is provided due the bottle being pressurized.
  • the base 24b has a strap rib 40b that substantially vertically aligns with the intended column 49.
  • the strap rib 40b transitions into the indented column 49 continuously for potentially better functionality.
  • the strap rib 40b can directly communicate with the indented column 49 by the strap rib 40b directly transitioning into the indented column 49, through, for example, the base rib 22 as illustrated in Figure 8B.
  • the alignment and direct communication of the strap rib 40b with the indented column 49 helps form a pressure resistance strap as discussed herein, and in particular, in reference to Figures 16, 17, and 25.
  • the alignment and direct communication of the indented column 49 with the strap rib 40b achieves substantially the same resistance to bending, leaning, stretching, and/or base rollout as discussed herein in reference to the base rib 40b vertically aligning with a recessed column 7a.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the base 24a.
  • the base 24a has a strap rib 40a and a load rib 44a as discussed herein.
  • the base 24a has a gate 52.
  • the base 24a may have a dome 54.
  • the dome 54 may be considered the area generally or immediately around the gate 52.
  • the dome 54 may be termed as a push up of the base 24a.
  • the dome 54 is a wall of the base 24a that slopes more steeply toward a resting surface when the bottle is vertically placed on the resting surface relative to the rest of the wall of the base 24a leading to legs the 45a of the base 24a.
  • the strap rib 40a has a base end 56a that terminates near, at, or in the dome 54.
  • the base end 56a for a strap rib 40a can be positioned outside of the dome 54 region similarly to base ends 58a for load ribs 44a.
  • the strap rib 40a has a petal side wall (i.e., rib side or valley wall) 48a that connects that strap rib 40a to portions of the base 24a and the feet 45a of the base 24a.
  • the rib side wall 48a smoothly and gradually transitions into the base 24a and the feet 45a. The smooth and gradual transition provides internal pressure resistance at and near the rib side wall 48a since more spherical features of the bottle 1 can better accommodate internal pressure.
  • the strap rib 40a is relatively deeper in the base 24a than the load rib 58a to provide stress transfer and pressure resistance as discussed herein.
  • the load rib 44a has a base end 58a that terminates at, near, or at the dome 54. As shown in Figure 9, the base end 58a of the load rib 44a may terminate before the base end 56a of the strap rib 40a.
  • the load rib 44a is shallow relative to the strap rib 40a. As show in Figure 9, the load rib 44a may not have or may have a smaller rib side wall 48a feature as discussed herein reference to the strap rib 40a.
  • the transition from the load rib 44a to the base 24a and the feet 45a is more abrupt or sharper. The sharper transition provides external stress resistance relative to a shallow rib side 48a. When the bottle 1 is top loaded during packaging, shipping, and/or handling, sharper transitions of the load ribs 44a help resist bending and/or leaning as discussed herein by, for example, maintaining the integrity and shape of the base 24a.
  • the sharper transitions provide for faster transitions into the feet 45a of the base 24a. Faster transitions lead to more area of the base 24a being available for relatively larger feet 45a. Larger feet 45a of a flat foot base 24a as discussed herein and as illustrated in Figure 9 provide more resin contact area with a resting surface. More resin contacting the resting surface provides better abrasion resistance and stability of the base 24a.
  • the rib side wall 48a may transition into the strap rib 40a itself more abruptly or sharply relative to the transition from the wall 48a to the feet 45a.
  • the sharper transitions at the strap rib 40a itself may provide more rigidity to the strap rib 40a to resist or inhibit flexing due to internal pressures as discussed herein.
  • FIG 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the base 24b.
  • the base 24b has a strap rib 40b and a load rib 44b as discussed herein.
  • the strap rib 40b has a base end 56b that terminates near, at, or in the dome 54. As shown in Figure 10, the base end 56b of the strap rib 40b may terminate substantially near or at the gate 52.
  • the load rib 44b has a base end 58b that terminates near, at, or in the dome 54. As shown in Figure 10, the base end 58b of the load rib 44b may terminate before the base end 56b of the strap rib 40b.
  • Terminating the base ends 56b of the strap rib 40b and/or the base end 58b of the load rib 44b substantially near or at the gate 52 can provide more internal pressure resistance to the base 24b as discussed herein, helping prevent, for example, base 24b rollout.
  • Terminating the base ends 56b of the strap rib 40b substantially near or at the gate 52 provides a strap rib 40b that is continuous from (or near) the gate 52 to the sidewall end 42b.
  • the sidewall end 42b may terminate at the first shallow rib 6a and communicate directly with a recessed column 7a.
  • the continuity from the recessed column 7a to the gate 52 provides a substantially continuous pressure resistance band or strap from a top of the label portion 10 to the gate 52.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the base 24c.
  • the base 24c has a strap rib 40c and a load rib 44c as discussed herein.
  • the base 24c does not have a dome.
  • the walls of the base 24c radially extend directly from the gate 52. Not having a dome helps prevent puddle formation of resin near the gate 52. Avoiding puddle formation can reduce wasted resin.
  • the strap rib 40c can extend directly or nearly continuously to the gate 52.
  • the strap rib 40c can terminate near or at the gate 52 with a smooth transition into the wall near the gate 52 or the gate itself 52.
  • the smooth transitions from the gate 52, the wall around the gate 52, the base end 43c, and/or strap rib 40c create a more uniform wall or surface of the base 24c, particularly around the gate 52 where a majority of the flexing due to base rollout occurs.
  • the more uniform wall feature is better able to resist internal pressure as discussed herein, and in particular, resistance to bottle stretching and base rollout.
  • the resistance to internal pressure is further enhanced by providing six strap ribs 43c that inhibit base 24c rollout. With more strap ribs 40c resisting internal pressure, the less likely the base 24c is to rollout under increased pressure. Further, more of the base 24c is formed by the rib side walls 48c, which increases internal pressure resistance due to an increased surface area being provided by a spherical surface of the rib side walls 48c as discussed herein.
  • Figure 1 1 A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the base 24d, as illustrated in Figure 5A.
  • the base 24d comprises the strap ribs 40d and the load ribs 44d as discussed herein.
  • the base 24d shown in Figure 1 1 A further comprises the gate 52 and the dome 54.
  • the walls of the base 24d radially extend directly from the gate 52.
  • Each of the strap ribs 40d has a base end 56d which terminates in the dome 54, near the periphery of the gate 52.
  • the base ends 56d may terminate near or at the periphery of the dome 54.
  • the base ends 56d may be positioned outside of the dome 54 region, similarly to base ends 58d of the load ribs 44d.
  • Each of the strap ribs 40d has two rib side walls (i.e., valley walls) 48d that connect the strap rib 40d to portions of the base 24d and the feet 45d.
  • Each of the rib side walls 48d smoothly and gradually transitions into the base 24d and the feet 45d. The smooth and gradual transitions provide internal pressure resistance at and near the rib side walls 48d since more spherical features of the bottle 1 can better accommodate internal pressure.
  • the strap ribs 40d are relatively deeper in the base 24d than the load ribs 44d to provide stress transfer and pressure resistance as discussed herein.
  • each of the load ribs 44d comprises a base end 58d which terminates at, near, or within the dome 54. As shown in the embodiment of Figure 11A, the base ends 58d of the load ribs 44d terminate before the base ends 56d of the strap ribs 40d.
  • the load ribs 44d are shallow relative to the strap ribs 40d. As further shown in Figure 11 A, the load ribs 44d have a smaller rib side wall 48d feature as discussed with reference to the strap ribs 40d.
  • the transition from each of the load ribs 44d to the feet 45 d of the base 24d is more abrupt or sharper, thereby providing greater external stress resistance than possible with a larger rib side wall 48d feature.
  • Figures 12-1 illustrate bottom views of embodiments of the various bases discussed herein.
  • Figures 12-14 show a series of bases that illustrate a gradual progression of some of the base ends 56a-d, 58a-d closer toward the gate 52.
  • the base end 56b of the load rib 40b is closer to the gate 52 in the dome 54 than the base end 56a of the load rib 40a.
  • the base end 58b of the load rib 44b is closer to the gate 52 in the dome 54 than the base end 58a of the load rib 44a.
  • the base ends 58a,b of the load ribs 44a,b may be radially further away from the gate 52 than the base ends 56a,b of the strap ribs 40a,b.
  • the base ends 58d of the load ribs 44d may be radially equidistant from the gate 52 with the base ends 56d of the strap ribs 40d.
  • a closer proximity of the base ends 56a,b,c,d of the strap ribs 40a,b,c,d to the gate 52 may provide better internal pressure resistance, as discussed herein.
  • a closer proximity of the base ends 58a,b,c,d of the load ribs 44a,b,c,d to the gate 52 may provide further better internal pressure resistance as discussed herein, although the primary internal pressure resistance is still provided by the strap ribs 40a,b,c,d.
  • the base ends 58a,b,c,d of the load ribs 44a,b,c,d extending closer to the gate 52 with the base ends 56a,b,c,d of the strap ribs 40a,b,c,d may complement the pressure resistance provided by the strap ribs 40a,b,c,d.
  • an embodiment of the base 24c without a dome 54c forms a more uniform wall around the gate 52.
  • the strap ribs 40c can be a more smooth or continuous extension from or around the gate 52.
  • the continuous extension from or around the gate 52 helps form a pressure resistance strap 9c ( Figure 17) that extends from the gate 52 to a top of the label portion 10.
  • the continuous pressure resistance strap 9c is better able to resist internal pressure as discussed herein, and in particular, resistance to bottle stretching and base rollout.
  • Figure 16A illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of an embodiment of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the flat rib or recessed column 7a is located on the opposite side of the bottle circumference of the deep rib 2a,b portions (with, for example, an embodiment having three recessed columns 7a).
  • the base rib 22 has a constant cross-section throughout the circumference of the bottle 1.
  • the diameter Ld of the base 24 is larger by 0.5 to 2 millimeters, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 , 1 .1 , 1.2, 1 .3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1 .8, or 1 .9 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, than any other diameter of the bottle 1.
  • the bottle 1 has a single point of contact at just the base 24a with other substantially similar bottles in a production line and/or packaging. Further, a larger base 24a diameter Ld may improve stability when there is any damage to the base 24a.
  • the diameter Ls at the shoulder 18 may be equal to the diameter Ld, which provides for two points of contact, at the shoulder 18 and base 24a, with other substantially similar bottles in a production line and/or packaging.
  • the diameter(s) in any portion of the bottle 1 varies, where the largest diameters create points of contact in a production line and/or packaging.
  • the bottles may have either a single point of contact or multiple points of contact.
  • a strap rib 40a may vertically align with a recessed column 7a.
  • the strap rib 40a and recessed column 7a in combination can form a pressure resistance band 9a that substantially extends from the gate 52 to a top portion of the label portion 10 or a top portion of the recessed column 7a.
  • the pressure resistance band 9a provides resistance against internal pressure substantially for the base 24a and sidewall of the bottle 1 to, for example, inhibit stretching and/or base rollout as discussed herein.
  • Figure 16B and 16C illustrate embodiments where the deep rib 2a,b is a depth that is larger than a depth of the middle rib 4a,b which is larger than a depth of the flattened and/or shallow rib 6a,b.
  • the transition between the varying depths is smooth as depicted in Figures 1 A.
  • the transition may be some other form such as a step change connecting the varying depth portions or sections.
  • a grip portion rib 3a i.e., sidewall ribs
  • the term “portions" can be equivalent to the term “sections" in reference to varying depth ribs.
  • FIG 16B an embodiment showing a cross-section of the bottle 1 , looking down the vertical or central axis 25, illustrates a cross-section of a grip portion rib 3a.
  • the term "vertical axis” can be equivalent of the term “central axis”.
  • the depth of the grip portion rib 3a varies from deep ribs 2a to flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a.
  • the one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a form an equivalent of recessed columns 7a at portions where a plurality flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • a plurality of deep ribs 2a substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • a plurality of middle ribs 4a substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the bottle 1 respectively has three recessed columns 7a.
  • the three recessed columns 7a are equally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle and located on the opposite side of the bottle circumference from the deep rib 2a portions.
  • the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a may be unequally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle 1.
  • any number of recessed columns 7a may be incorporated into a design of the bottle 1 by increasing or decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a that substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25.
  • the bottle may have as few as 1 or up to 10 recessed columns 7a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 recessed columns 7, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the collections of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a that form recessed columns 7a provide resistance to leaning, and/or load crushing, and/or stretching. Leaning can occur when during and/or after bottle packaging, a bottle experiences top load forces (tangential forces or otherwise) from other bottles and/or other objects stacked on top of the bottle. Similarly, top load crushing can occur due to vertical compression (or otherwise) forces from bottles and/or other objects stacked on top. Stretching can occur when a bottle is pressurized.
  • Deep ribs 2a of the grip label rib 3a provide the hoop strength that can be equivalent to the hoop strength of normal depth ribs.
  • the deep rib 2a portions may vary from 1 to 10 in number on the grip panel ribs 3a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 deep rib 2 portions, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • certain embodiments may minimize the triangle-shaped or flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a to 20-30%, including 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29%, of the bottle circumference, resulting in a respective 70-80%, including 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, or 79%, of the bottle circumference being trapezo id-shaped or deep ribs 2a and middle ribs 4a, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • any ratio of triangle-shaped to trapezoidal ribs, or other shapes known in the art may be utilized.
  • an embodiment showing a cross-section of the bottle 1, looking down the vertical or central axis 25, illustrates a cross-section of a label panel rib 20a (i.e., sidewall ribs).
  • the depth of the label panel rib 20a varies from deep ribs 2b to flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b.
  • the one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b form an equivalent of recessed columns 7a at portions where a plurality flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the recessed columns 7a can include one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the grip portion 8 as discussed herein.
  • a plurality of deep ribs 2b substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • a plurality of middle ribs 4b substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the bottle 1 respectively has three recessed columns 7a.
  • the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b of the label panel ribs 20a can vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 with the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the grip portion ribs 3a to form the three recessed columns 7a.
  • the recessed columns 7a can extend along a majority or substantial entirety of the sidewall (e.g., height and/or length) of the bottle 1 as, for example, illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b of the label panel ribs 20a are vertically misaligned with the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the grip portion ribs 3a such that the label portion 10 has a set of recessed columns and the grip portion 8 has another set of recessed columns.
  • the recessed column of the label portion 10 can be vertically misaligned from the recessed columns of the grip portion 8.
  • the plurality of deep ribs 2b of the label portion 10 can substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 with the plurality of deep ribs 2a of the grip portion 8 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the plurality of deep ribs 2b of the label portion 10 can be vertically misaligned with the plurality of deep ribs 2a of the grip portion 8.
  • the plurality of middle ribs 4b label portion 10 can substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 with the middle ribs 4a of the grip portion 8 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the plurality of middle ribs 4b label portion 10 can be vertically misaligned with the middle ribs 4a of the grip portion 8.
  • the three recessed columns 7a are equally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle and located on the opposite side of the bottle
  • any number of recessed columns 7a may be incorporated into a design of the bottle 1 by increasing or decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a,b that substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25.
  • the bottle 1 may have as few as 1 or up to 10 recessed columns 7a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 recessed columns 7a, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the collections of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b that form recessed columns 7a provide resistance to leaning, load crushing, and/or stretching as discussed herein.
  • the recessed columns 7a transfer the resulting tangential or compression forces along the wall to the base 24a and increase bottle 1 rigidity.
  • Deep ribs 2b of the label panel rib 20a provide the hoop strength that can be equivalent to the hoop strength of normal depth ribs.
  • the deep rib 2b portions may vary from 1 to 10 in number on the label panel rib 20a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 deep rib 2b portions, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • a depth Dd of a deep rib 2a may vary from 1 to 10 millimeters, including 1.1 , 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1 , 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, or 2.9 millimeters, or 1 to 9, 1 to 7, 1 to 5, or 1 to 3 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • a depth DL of label panel rib 20a may vary from 0.5 to 10 millimeters, including 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2,2.1,2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, or 4.9 millimeters, 0.5 to 9, 0.5 to 7, 0.5 to 5, or 0.5 to 3 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • a depth Dm of a middle rib 4a may vary from 0 to 5 millimeters, including 0.1, 0.2, 0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4,2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, or 4.9 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of Dd of the deep ribs 2a to the Dm of middle ribs 4a may vary from 1 : 1 to 20: 1 , including 2:1, 3:1,4:1,5:1,6:1,7:1,8:1,9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, or 19:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • a depth Df of a shallow rib 6a may vary from 0 to 2.5 millimeters, including 0.1 , 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 , 1.1 , 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1 , 2.2, 2.3, or 2.4 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of Dd of the deep ribs 2a to the Df of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a may vary from 1:1 to 100: 1 , including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1,15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1, 25:1, 26:1, 27:1, 28:1, or 29:1, or 1:1 to 90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1 to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to 50:1, 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1 or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including where Df is zero, resulting in an infinite ratio.
  • the ratio of Dm of the middle ribs 4a to the Df of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a may vary from 1:1 to 50:1, including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, or 24:1 or 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1, or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including where Df is zero, resulting in an infinite ratio.
  • a depth Ds of a flattened and/or shallow rib 6b may vary from 0 to 2.5 millimeters, including 0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8,0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, or 2.4 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of Dd of the deep ribs 2a to the Ds of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b may vary from 1:1 to 100:1, including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1,6:1,7:1,8:1,9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1,18:1, 19:1,20:1,21:1,22:1,23:1,24:1,25:1, 26:1, 27:1, 28:1, or 29:1, or 1:1 to 90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1 to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to 50:1, 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1 or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including where Ds is zero, resulting in an infinite ratio.
  • the ratio of DL of the deep ribs 2b to the Ds of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b may vary from 1:1 to 100:1, including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1,20:1,21:1,22:1,23:1,24:1,25:1,26:1,27:1, 28:1, or 29:1, or 1:1 to 90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1 to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to 50:1, 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1 or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including where Ds is zero, resulting in an infinite ratio.
  • the ratio of Dm of the middle ribs 4a, 4b to the Ds of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b may vary from 1:1 to 50:1, including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1,7:1,8:1,9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1. 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1,20:1,21:1,22:1, 23:1, or 24:1 or 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1, or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including where Ds is zero, resulting in an infinite ratio.
  • the ratio of DL of the deep ribs 2b to the Ds of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b may vary from 1 : 1 to 100: 1 , including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1,9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1,20:1,21:1,22:1,23:1,24:1,25:1,26:1,27:1, 28:1, or 29:1, or 1:1 to 90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1 to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to 50:1, 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1 or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including where Ds is zero, resulting in an infinite ratio.
  • Figure 17 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of an embodiment of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figure 3.
  • the flat rib or recessed column 7a is located on the opposite side of the bottle circumference of the deep rib 2a portions (with, for example, an embodiment having three recessed columns 7a).
  • the base rib 22 has a constant cross-section throughout the circumference of the bottle 1.
  • the features and function of various diameters, including Ld and Ls, can be utilized as discussed herein.
  • a strap rib 40c may vertically align with a recessed column 7a.
  • Another strap rib 40c may vertically align with the deep rib 2a,b portions.
  • the two strap ribs 40c and recessed column 7a in combination can form a pressure resistance band 9c that substantially extends from the base rib 22 near the deep ribs 2a, through the gate 52, and to a top portion of the label portion 10 or a top portion of the recessed column 7a.
  • the pressure resistance band 9c provides resistance against internal pressure substantially continuously through the base 24c to the sidewall of the bottle 1 to, for example, inhibit stretching and base rollout as discussed herein.
  • the other strap rib 40c may vertically align another recessed column 7a where, for example, the bottle 1 has six recessed columns 7a.
  • a pressure resistance band may be formed by the combination of two recessed columns and two strap ribs. The pressure resistance band may extend from a top portion of the label portion 10 on one side of the bottle 1 , down the sidewall on the one side of the bottle 1 and through the gate 52, up the sidewall on the other side of the bottle 1 to a top portion of the label portion 10 on the other side of the bottle 1 to provide pressure resistance as discussed here and substantially continuously through a longitudinal perimeter of the bottle 1 (along the central axis 25 at the sidewalls and through the central axis at the base 24c).
  • Figure 25 illustrates such an embodiment.
  • Figure 18 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of an embodiment of the base 24a as illustrated in Figure 16A.
  • the base 24a has a strap rib 40a that begins from the base end 56a with a positive slope upward (relative to a resting surface of the base 24a of the bottle 1 ) at an angle ⁇ 1 a toward the sidewall of the bottle 1. Stated differently, the strap rib 40a does not proceed toward or get closer to the resting surface from the base end 56a surface before proceeding upwardly to connect to the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the immediate or near immediate upward/positive slope at the angle Ola of the strap rib 40a relative to the resting surface toward the sidewall of the bottle 1 helps inhibit flexing of the gate 52 and dome 54 due to internal pressures.
  • the upward/positive slope at the angle Ola combined with a connection to a sidewall of the bottle 1 at the sidewall end 42a as discussed herein further helps inhibit flexing of the gate 52 and dome 54 due to internal pressures.
  • the angle 01a may initially be zero and positively increase along radius Rla as the strap rib proceeds away from the base end 56a toward the sidewall end 42a.
  • the larger the angle Ola is starting from the base end 56a, the larger the pressure resistance will be.
  • angle Ola may vary from 0 to 60 degrees, including 5 to 50, 10 to 55, 15 to 50, 20 to 45, 25 to 35, 20 to 30, including up to 45, up to 40, up to 35, up to 30, up to 25, and up to 20, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the angle Ola may initially be negative from the base end 56a with a radius (curve) of the strap rib 40a curving the strap rib 40a toward the sidewall end 42a as discussed herein without departing from the scope of the features and functions disclosed herein.
  • the strap rib 40a extends from the base end 56a to the sidewall end 42a along one or more radii. As shown in Figure 18, the strap rib 40a may extend from the base end 56a with a radius Rl a and transition to a radius R2a to terminate at the sidewall end 42a near or at the base rib 22.
  • the radius Rla may vary from 20 to 80 millimeters, including 25 to 75, 30 to 65, 35 to 60, 40 to 55, and including 50 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the diameter (Ld and/or Ls) of the bottle 1 may vary from 30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 40 to 190, 50 to 180, 60 to 170, 70 to 160, 80 to 150, 90 to 140, 100 to 130, and 1 10 to 120 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of radius Rl a to bottle diameter can vary from 8: 1 to 1 : 10, including 7: 1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1 :1, 1 :2, 1 :3, 1 :4, 1 :5, 1 :6, 1 :7, 1 :8 and 1 :9, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the radius R2a may vary from 1 to 25 millimeters, including 5 to 10, 5 to 20, 5 to 10, 1 to 10, 1 to 5, and 10 to 20 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the diameter (Ld and/or Ls) of the bottle 1 may vary from 30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 40 to 190, 50 to 180, 60 to 170, 70 to 160, 80 to 150, 90 to 140, 100 to 130, and 1 10 to 120 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of radius R2a to bottle diameter can vary from 1 :1 to 1 :200, including 1 :10, 1 :20, 1 :30, 1 :40, 1 :50, 1 :60, 1 :70, 1 :80, 1 :90, 1 : 100, 1 : 120, 1 : 130, 1 :140, 1 :150, 1 :160, 1 :170, 1 :180, 1 :190, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the above ranges and/or ratios are provided as examples.
  • the radii of the strap rib 40a and/or diameter of the bottle or other types of containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for example, in barrel-type containers.
  • the radius Rla and/or radius R2a are relatively large or infinite.
  • the strap rib 40a can be straight or nearly straight from the base end 56a to the sidewall end 42a.
  • a straight strap rib can resist more pressure.
  • Providing a curvature with one or more radii to the strap rib can improve the blowing process to help prevent poorly blown bottles, which may reduce pressure resistance.
  • the strap rib 40a is a combination of curved and straight portions, such as, for example, as discussed in reference to Figure 19.
  • a transition 41 a from radius R 1 a to radius R2a can occur anywhere along the strap rib 40a. As show in Figure 18, the transition 41a from radius Rla to radius R2a may occur at height HI a.
  • the height Hla may vary from 5 to 30 millimeters, including 10 to 25 and 15 to 20, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the height of the bottle 1 may vary from 65 to 300 millimeters, including 80 to 290, 90 to 270, 100 to 260, 1 10 to 250, 120 to 240, 130 to 230, 140 to 220, 150 to 210, 160 to 200, 170 to 1 0, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of height Hla to bottle height can vary from 1 :3 to 1 :60, including 1 :4, 1 :5, 1 :6, 1 :7, 1 :8, 1 :9, 1 :10, 1 :11, 1 :12, 1 : 13, 1 : 14, 1 :15, 1 :20, 1 :25, 1 :30, 1 :40, 1 :45, 1 :50, and 1 : 55, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the above ranges and/or ratios are provided as examples.
  • height Hla and/or height of the bottle or other types of containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for example, in barrel-type containers.
  • Figure 19 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of an embodiment of the base 24b as illustrated in Figure 17.
  • the base 24b has a strap rib 40b that begins from the sidewall end 56b with a positive slope upward (relative to a resting surface of the base 24a of the bottle 1) at an angle 61b toward the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the strap rib 40a does not proceed toward or get closer to the resting surface before proceeding upwardly to connect to the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the immediate or near immediate upward/positive slope at the angle 01b of the strap rib 40a relative to the resting surface toward the sidewall of the bottle 1 helps inhibit flexing of the gate 52 and dome 54 due to internal pressures.
  • the angle 61b may initially be zero and positively increase along radius Rib as the strap rib proceeds away from the base end 56b toward the sidewall end 42b. In some embodiments, the larger the angle 91b is starting from the base end 56b, the larger the pressure resistance will be.
  • angle 61b may vary from 0 to 60 degrees, including 5 to 50, 10 to 55, 15 to 50, 20 to 45, 25 to 35, 20 to 30, including up to 45, up to 40, up to 35, up to 30, up to 25, and up to 20, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the angle 91b may initially be negative from the base end 56b with a radius (curve) of the strap rib 40b curving the strap rib 40b toward the sidewall end as discussed herein without departing from the scope of the features and functions disclosed herein.
  • the strap rib 40b extends from the base end 56b to the sidewall end 42b along one or more radii. As shown in Figure 19, the strap rib 40b may extend from the base end 56b with a radius Rib and a transition 41b to a radius R2b through the base rib 22, followed by a transition to a straight portion 45 to terminate at the sidewall end 42b near, at, in the first shallow rib 6a as discussed herein .
  • the radius Rib may vary from 20 to 85 millimeters, including 25 to 80, 30 to 70, 35 to 65, 40 to 60, 45 to 55 and including 50 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the diameter (Ld and/or Ls) of the bottle I may vary from 30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 40 to 190, 50 to 180, 60 to 170, 70 to 160, 80 to 150, 90 to 140, 100 to 130, and 1 10 to 120 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of radius Rib to bottle diameter can vary from 9:1 to 1 :10, including 8:1 , 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4: 1, 3:1 , 2: 1, 1 :1 , 1 :2, 1 :3, 1 :4, 1 :5, 1 :6, 1 :7, 1 :8 and 1 :9, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the radius R2b may vary from 0 to 30 millimeters, including 5 to 25, 5 to 20, 5 to 10, 1 to 10, and 10 to 20 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the diameter (Ld and/or Ls) of the bottle 1 may vary from 30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to 80, 40 to 190, 50 to 180, 0 to 170, 70 to 160, 80 to 150, 90 to 140, 100 to 130, and 110 to 120 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of radius R2b to bottle diameter can vary from 1 : 1 to 1 :200, including 1 : 10, 1 :20, 1 :30, 1 :40, 1 :50, 1 :60, 1 :70, 1 :80, 1 :90, 1 :100, 1 :120, 1 :130, 1 :140, 1 : 150, 1 :160, 1:170, 1 :180, 1 :190, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, or infinite with a radius R2b that is zero.
  • the above ranges are provided as examples.
  • the radii of the strap rib and/or diameter of the bottle or other types of containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for example, in barrel-type containers.
  • the radius Rib and/or radius R2b are relatively large or infinite.
  • the strap rib 40b can be straight or nearly straight from the base end 56b to the sidewall end 42b.
  • a straight strap rib can resist more pressure. Providing a curvature with one or more radii to the strap rib can improve the blowing process to help prevent poorly blown bottles, which may reduce pressure resistance.
  • the strap rib 40b has more than one straight portion 45 as discussed herein positioned anywhere along the strap rib 40b from the base sidewall end 42b to the base end 56b.
  • the straight portions 45 can be positioned to connect with curved portions and/or other straight portions of the strap rib 40b.
  • the straight portions 45 can be any length, including substantially an entire length of the strap rib 40b from the sidewall end 42b to the base end 56b.
  • the transition 1 b from radius Rl b to radius R2b may be positioned anywhere along the strap rib 40b. As shown in Figure 19, the transition 41b from radius Rib to radius R2b occurs at height HI b.
  • the height Hlb may vary from 5 to 35 millimeters, including 10 to 30, 15 to 25, and 15 to 20, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the height of the bottle 1 may vary from 65 to 300 millimeters, including 80 to 290, 90 to 270, 100 to 260, 1 10 to 250, 120 to 240, 130 to 230, 140 to 220, 150 to 210, 160 to 200, 170 to 190, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of height HI b to bottle height can vary from 1 :2 to 1 :60, including 1 :3, 1 :4, 1 :5, 1 :6, 1 :7, 1 :8, 1 :9, 1 :10, 1 :11, 1 :12, 1 :13, 1 :14, 1 :15, 1 :20, 1 :25, 1 :30, 1 :40, 1 :45, 1 :50, and 1:55, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the above ranges and/or ratios are provided as examples.
  • height Hlb and/or height of the bottle or other types of containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for example, in barrel -type containers.
  • the transition from radius R2b (or Rib in some embodiments) to the straight portion 45 may be positioned anywhere along the strap rib 40b. As shown in Figure 19, the transition from the straight portion 45 (or R2b in some embodiments) to the sidewall end 42b occurs at height H2b.
  • the height H2b may vary from 10 to 60 millimeters, including 15 to 55, 20 to 50, 25 to 45, and 30 to 40, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the height of the bottle 1 may vary from 65 to 300 millimeters, including 80 to 290, 90 to 270, 100 to 260, 110 to 250, 120 to 240, 130 to 230, 140 to 220, 150 to 210, 160 to 200, 170 to 190, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the ratio of height H2b to bottle height can vary from 1 :2 to 1 :60, including 1 :3, 1 :4, 1 :5, 1 :6, 1 :7, 1 :8, 1 :9, 1 :10, 1 :1 1, 1 :12, 1 :13, 1 :14, 1 :15, 1 :20, 1 :25, 1 :30, 1 :40, 1 :45, 1 :50, and 1 :55, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the straight portion 45 may extend into the sidewall of the bottle 1 straight from radius R2b at an angle 62b relative to the bottle sidewall (or central axis).
  • the angle 62b may vary from 0 to 15 degrees, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, and 14 degrees, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the above ranges and/or ratios are provided as examples.
  • height H2b and/or height of the bottle or other types of containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for example, in barrel-type containers.
  • Figure 19A illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of an embodiment of the base 24d as illustrated in Figure 5A.
  • the strap rib 40d of the base 24d begins at the base end 56d substantially parallel to a resting surface of the base 24d and then extends along a curved path, having a first radius Rid, with an increasingly positive slope.
  • the radius of the curved path of the strap rib 40d changes to a second radius R2d with an increasingly positive slope before extending into the straight portion 45.
  • the straight portion 45 connects to the sidewall end 42d as discussed herein.
  • the first and second radii Rid, R2d, as well as the corresponding positive slopes, may have dimensional values falling within any of the appropriate foregoing ranges of values.
  • the combination of the radii Rid and R2d cooperate to give the strap rib 40d, and thus the base 24d, a smooth and gradual, spherical configuration.
  • spherical features of the bottle 1 better accommodate internal pressure. Experimentation has demonstrated that the spherical configuration of the base 24d depicted in Figures 5A and 19A is capable of withstanding an internal pressure at least twice the internal pressure tolerable by the
  • the strap rib 40d illustrated in Figure 19A does not include a transition curve between the first radius Rid and the second radius R2d, nor between the second radius R2d and the straight portion 45.
  • a transition curve having a radius other than Rid and R2d may be positioned between the curved portions of the strap rib 40d having radii Rid and R2d.
  • a transition curve may be positioned between the curved portion of the strap rib 40d having the second radius R2d and the straight portion 45. It is envisioned that the transition curves may have dimensional values falling within any of the appropriate foregoing ranges of values that further produce a spherical configuration of the strap rib 40d, and thus the base 24d.
  • Figure 20 illustrates cross-sections along the central axis 25 of embodiments of overlaid bases 24a,b as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19.
  • both strap ribs 40a,b extend from the dome 54 and/or gate 52 from base end 56a,b at a positive angle sloping upwards toward the sidewall of the bottle 1.
  • the strap rib 40b that extends further up the bottle sidewall may extend from the base end 56a,b at a more positive angle upward toward the bottle sidewall to the sidewall end 42b relative to the positive angle upward of the strap rib 40a.
  • the strap rib 40b has a greater radius of curvature Rib than the radius of curvature of Rla of the strap rib 40a to extend further up the bottle sidewall as discussed herein.
  • Figure 21 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a bottle 3.
  • the bottle 3 is a substantially square bottle with four walls. The four corners of the bottle 3 are rounded for ease of usability and ease of blowing.
  • the bottle 3 has a base 24e that extends to a grip portion 8.
  • the grip portion 8 comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs 3b (i.e., sidewall ribs). As illustrated in Figure 21, grip portion ribs 3b (positioned in the grip portion 8) may vary in depth by separating or transitioning from the rib a deep rib 2c to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6c to be discussed in further detail below.
  • a label portion 10 is connected to the grip portion 8 and comprises one or more label panel ribs 20b (i.e., sidewall ribs).
  • the label panel portion 10 transitions into a shoulder 18, which connects to a bell 16.
  • the bell 16 may include scallops (including as illustrated) or other design features or it may be smooth and generally
  • the bell 16 connects to a neck 14, which connects to a finish 12. From the label portion 10, the bell 16 leads upward and radially inward, relative to a central axis 25, to the neck 14 and finish 12.
  • the finish 12 can be adapted to receive a closure to seal contents in the bottle 3.
  • the Finish 12 defines an opening 11 that leads to an interior of the bottle 3 for containing a beverage and/or other contents.
  • the interior can be defined as at least one of the finish 12, the neck 14, the bell 16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion 8, or the base 24e.
  • a substantially vertical wall (or sidewall) comprising the grip portion 8 and label portion 10 between the base 24e and the bell 16, extending substantially along the central axis 25 to define at least part of the interior of the bottle 3, can be considered a sidewall of the bottle 3.
  • the sidewall may include the bell 16, shoulder 18, and/or base 24e.
  • the perimeter of the sidewall is substantially perpendicular to the central axis 25 of the interior.
  • the sidewall defines at least part of the interior of the bottle 3.
  • the finish 12, the neck 14, the bell 16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion 8, and the base 24e can each define a respective perimeter or circumference (substantially perpendicular to the central axis 25) corresponding to that portion.
  • the label portion 10 has a label portion perimeter.
  • the grip portion 8 has a grip portion perimeter.
  • each of the grip portion ribs 3b comprises a deep rib 2c section transitioning to a middle section then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6c sections.
  • each of the label panel ribs 20b can comprise a deep rib 2d section transitioning to a middle section then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6d sections.
  • a varying depth grip portion rib 3b transitions from a deep rib 2c section to a middle rib/section then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6b section.
  • a varying depth label panel rib 20b transitions from a deep rib 2d to a middle rib/section then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6d.
  • the one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6c,d form an equivalent of recessed columns 7c at portions where a plurality flattened and/or shallow ribs 6c,d substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 3 as illustrated in Figure 21.
  • a plurality of deep ribs 2c,d substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 3 as illustrated in Figure 21.
  • the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6d of the label panel ribs 20b are vertically misaligned with the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the grip portion ribs 3b such that the label portion 10 has a set of recessed columns and the grip portion 8 has another set of recessed columns.
  • the recessed column of the label portion 10 can be vertically misaligned from the recessed columns of the grip portion 8.
  • the bottle 3 can have recessed columns in just the grip portion 8 or just the label panel portion 10.
  • the bottle respectively has four recessed columns 7c on each flat wall of the square bottle.
  • the four recessed columns 7c may be equally spaced apart around the perimeter of the bottle 3 and located on the opposite sides of the bottle 3 with respect to each other. With four equally spaced recessed columns 7c ⁇ the recessed columns 7c are spaced every 90 degrees around the bottle 3 perimeter.
  • the four recessed columns 7c are positioned on the flat portions of the sidewalls of the bottle 3.
  • any number of recessed columns 7c may be incorporated into a design of the bottle 3 by increasing or decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6c,d that substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25.
  • the bottle may have as few as 1 or up to 10 recessed columns 7c, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 recessed columns 7c, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the collections of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6c,d that form recessed columns 7c provide resistance to leaning, load crushing, and/or stretching as discussed herein.
  • the recessed columns 7c transfer the resulting tangential or compression forces along the wall to the base 24e and increase bottle 3 rigidity.
  • the shape of the square bottle adds hoop strength to the bottle 3 by having four corners.
  • the deep ribs 2c,d of the grip portion ribs 3b and label panel ribs 20b can complement the hoop strength by providing additional hoop strength.
  • the deep ribs 2c,d may be positioned on the corners of the sidewall of the bottle 3. At the corners, the deep ribs 2c,d can inhibit flexing of the flat sidewall portions of the bottle 3.
  • the flat sidewall portions may act as membranes and flex radially outwardly under internal pressurization of the bottle 3.
  • the deep ribs 2c,d positioned at the corners of the bottle 3 function as horizontal strap ribs as discussed herein to inhibit deformation due to internal pressure.
  • the deep ribs 2c,d positioned at the corners can also inhibit inward radial flexing of the flat portions of the wall from external stresses and/or forces, such as, for example, from a user gripping the bottle.
  • the deep ribs 2c,d can inhibit the inward flexing of the flat sidewall portions with or without internal pressurization of the bottle 3.
  • the deep ribs 2c,d can help prevent rounding of the square bottle 3.
  • the number of ribs, including base ribs 22, grip portion ribs 3b, and/or label panel ribs 20b may vary from 1 to 30 ribs every 10 centimeters of any rib containing portion of the bottle, such as, but not limited to the grip portion 8 and/or label panel portion 10, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29 ribs every 10 centimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the aforementioned 10 centimeter section that is used to measure the number of ribs need not be actually 10 centimeters in length. Rather, 10 centimeters is used illustratively to provide a ratio for the number of ribs.
  • Figure 22 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the bottle 3.
  • the grip portion ribs 3b may angulate around the perimeter of the bottle 3.
  • the label panel ribs 20b may be straight around the perimeter of the bottle 3.
  • the base 24e has a strap rib 40e.
  • the strap rib 40e has a sidewall end 42e that terminates along the sidewall of the bottle 3 as discussed herein or near or at a transition from the base 24e to the sidewall of the bottle 3.
  • the base has 24e has a load rib 44e. As illustrated in Figure 22, the base 24e can have one load rib 44a for every one strap ribs 40a.
  • the base 24e can have 2, 3, 4, and 5 load ribs 44a between two strap ribs 40a.
  • the load rib 44e has a sidewall end 43e that terminates in the base 24e or near or at a transition from the base 24e to the sidewall of the bottle 3.
  • the sidewall end 43e of the load rib 44e may be vertically lower than the sidewall end 42e of the strap rib 40e along the central axis 25.
  • the sidewall end 43 e of the load rib 44e may terminate along the sidewall of the bottle 3 at a same height as to the sidewall end 42e of the strap rib 40e.
  • the base 24e has feet 45e formed between the strap ribs 40e and the load ribs 44e.
  • the strap rib 40e is relatively larger and deeper than the strap rib 44e as discussed herein.
  • the strap base rib 40e may vertically align with the recessed columns 7c.
  • the base 24e can have four strap ribs 40e.
  • the strap ribs 40e are space equally around the circumference of the bottle 1. With four equally spaced strap ribs 40e, the strap ribs 40e are positioned every 90 degrees around the bottle circumference.
  • the load ribs 44e can vertically align with the grip portion ribs 3b between the recessed columns 7c. As shown in Figure 22, the load ribs 44e may vertically align with the deep ribs 6c,d.
  • the strap ribs 40e may be vertically misaligned with the recessed columns 7c. In some embodiments, the strap ribs 40e may be spaced unequally around the bottle circumference. In some embodiments, the base 24a may have more or less strap ribs 40a than the number of recessed columns 7e.
  • the sidewall end 42e of the strap rib 40e vertically aligns or points to substantially the center of the recessed columns 7c (center point of the shallow and/or flattened ribs 2c,d). As illustrated in Figure 22, the strap rib 40e forms a recess 46e from a side view perspective.
  • the strap rib 40e can extend substantially from a central portion of the base 24e (from the central axis 25) as discussed herein.
  • the strap rib 40e can act as a strap between the recessed columns 7c of the sidewall to the central portion of the base 24e.
  • the strap rib 40e provides a more direct and shorter path to the center of the base 24a from the sidewall of the bottle 3 without proceeding to the vertical level of the feet 45e. As discussed herein, strap rib 40e thus provides relatively more pressure resistant base 24e.
  • the strap rib 40e provides a link for forces and stresses between the sidewall, including the recessed column 7c, and the central portion of the base 24e.
  • Figure 23 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the base 24e.
  • the base 24e has a strap rib 40e and a load rib 44e as discussed herein.
  • the base 24e has a gate 52.
  • the base 24e may have a dome 54.
  • the strap rib 40e has a base end 56e that terminates near, at, or in the dome 54.
  • the strap rib 40e has a rib side wall (i.e., valley wall) 48e that connects that strap rib 40e to portions of the base 24e and the feet 45e of the base 24a.
  • the rib side wall 48a smoothly and gradually transitions into the base 24e and the feet 45e.
  • the smooth and gradual transition provides internal pressure resistance at and near the rib side wall 48e since more spherical features of the bottle 1 can better accommodate internal pressure.
  • the strap rib 40a is relatively deeper in the base 24e than the load rib 58e to provide stress transfer and pressure resistance as discussed herein.
  • the load rib 44e has a base end 58e that terminates at near or at the dome 54. As shown in Figure 22, the base end 58e of the load rib 44e may terminate before the base end 56e of the strap rib 40e. The base end 58e of the load rib 44e may terminate at wall portion of the base 24e before reaching the dome 54.
  • the load rib 44e is shallow relative to the strap rib 40e. As shown in Figure 22, the load rib 44e may have a rib side 51 e feature similar as discussed herein with reference to the strap rib 40a.
  • the rib side 51 e of the load rib 44e may be relatively smaller than the rib side 48e of the strap rib 40e as the strap rib 40e is designed to mostly resist internal pressure while the load rib 44e is designed to resist mostly external pressure or forces.
  • the transition from load rib 44e to the base 24e and the feet 45e is more abrupt or sharper in comparison with the strap rib 44e and in particular, the rib side 48e.
  • the sharper transition provides external stress resistance.
  • sharper transitions of the load ribs 44e help resist bending and/or leaning as discussed herein by, for example, maintaining the integrity and shape of the base 24e.
  • the sharper transitions provide for faster transitions into the feet 45e of the base 24e. Faster transitions lead to more area of the base 24e being available for relatively larger feet 45e. Larger feet 45e of a flat foot base 24e as discussed herein and as illustrated in Figure 22 provide more resin contact area with a resting surface. More resin contacting the resting surface provides better abrasion resistance and stability of the base 24e.
  • the rib side wall 48e may transition into the strap rib 40e more abruptly or sharply relative to the transition from the rib side 48e to the feet 45e.
  • the sharper transitions at the strap rib 40e itself may provide more rigidity to the strap rib 40e to resist or inhibit flexing due to internal pressures as discussed herein.
  • Figure 24 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of the base 24e.
  • the strap ribs 44e may align to provide a resistance strap or band 9e (Figure 25) substantially along middle portions of the flat sidewall segments of the square bottle 3 as discussed herein.
  • the four strap ribs 44e complement the deep ribs 2c,d at the sidewall corners to help prevent the square bottle 3 from rounding along the flat portions of the sidewalls.
  • Figure 25 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of an embodiment of the bottle 3 as illustrated in Figure 22. As shown in Figure 25, a flat rib or recessed column 7e is located on an opposite side of the bottle perimeter of another recessed column 7e.
  • the diameter Ld of the base 24 is larger by 0.5 to 2 millimeters, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, or 1.9 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, than any other diameter of the bottle 3.
  • the bottle 3 has a single point of contact at just the base 24e with other substantially similar bottles in a production line and/or packaging.
  • a larger base 24e diameter Ld may improve stability when there is any damage to the base 24e.
  • the diameter Ls at the shoulder 18 may be equal to the diameter Ld, which provides for two points of contact, at the shoulder 18 and base 24e, with other substantially similar bottles in a production line and/or packaging.
  • the diameter(s) in any portion of the bottle 3 varies, where the largest diameters create points of contact in a production line and/or packaging.
  • the bottles may have either a single point of contact or multiple points of contact.
  • the strap ribs 40e may vertically align with the recessed columns 7e.
  • the strap ribs 40e and recessed column 7e in combination can form a pressure resistance band 9e that substantially extends from a top portion of the label portion 10 or the top portion of the recessed column 7e on one side of the bottle 3 to the base 24e and through the gate 52 along the base 24e to a top portion of the label portion 10 or the top portion of the recessed column 7e on the other side of the bottle 3.
  • the pressure resistance band 9e provides resistance against internal pressure substantially for the base 24e and sidewalls of the bottle 3 such as, for example, inhibit stretching, sidewall flexing, and/or base rollout as discussed herein.
  • the pressure resistance band 9e extends from a top portion of the label portion 10 on one side of the bottle 3, down the sidewall on the one side of the bottle 3 and through the gate 52, up the sidewall on the other side of the bottle 3 to a top portion of the label portion 10 on the other side of the bottle 3 to provide pressure resistance as discussed here and substantially continuously through a longitudinal perimeter of the bottle 3 (along the central axis 25 at the sidewalls and through the central axis at the base 24e).
  • Figure 26 is a table and graph showing an increase in top load resistance in lbf. with increased pressure in a bottle 1,3.
  • the maximum top load increased by 13% for certain bottles, and the minimum top load increases by 1 1% for certain bottles, with an average increase of 6%.
  • the y-axis of the graph shows top load pressure applied to the bottle in lbf.
  • the x-axis of the graph shows the displacement performance of the bottle under the corresponding top load pressure.
  • Curve 60 shows top load performance of the bottle under typical pressure or pressurization inside the bottle.
  • Curve 62 shows top load performance of the bottle under typical flat pressure or no pressurization inside the bottle.
  • the graph illustrates a stiffer initial performance of the bottles (up to about 50, 40, and 30 lbf. (222, 178, 133 newtons,
  • the bottles show minimal or no permanent deformation.
  • the bottles rebound to a desired shape after a deforming force is released. This is beneficial for rough handling during packaging, shipping, and/or handling, such as, for example, in the warehouse or shipping lane.
  • the bell 16 may have various bell angles 26 as measured from the vertical wall of the finish 12 to the downward sloping wall of the bell 16.
  • the bell angle 26 may be obtuse, varying from 120 to 175 degrees, including 122, 125, 127, 130, 132, 135, 137, 140, 142, 145, 147, 150, 152, 155, 157, 160, 162, 165, 167, 170, or 172 degrees, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
  • the bell angle 26 represented by 02 is larger than the bell angle 26 represented by 01.
  • the wall of bell 16 with 02 bell angle 26 is steeper than the wall of bell 16 with 01 bell angle 26.
  • a steeper wall of bell 16 can increase the top load capacity of the bottle 1 while maintaining the same or even decreasing bell 16 wall thickness.
  • a steeper bell angle 26 aids in resin of a preform to touch the preform mold more quickly (relative to a less steep angle) during the blow molding process. When the resin touches the preform mold more quickly, more of resin is quenched earlier to remain in the sidewalls of the bottle, leading to thicker sidewalls. Thicker sidewalls can help increase top load and pressure resistance performance as discussed herein.
  • an embodiment of the bottle 1 may use a preform 38 with a thin wall finish 12 and a thin wall neck 14 to form a lightweight bottle.
  • a thin wall neck 14 improves the ability to blow efficient, lightweight bottles.
  • a thin wall neck 14 is a feature that aids in protecting critical dimensions of the bottle and stabilizing the production blowing process.
  • a thin wall neck 14 can also utilize less resin while achieving the desired mechanical performance resulting in a reduction in the use of petroleum products by the industry.
  • a thin wall neck 14 of preform 38 can aid in forming bottles 1 with larger bell angles 26 and/or steeper bell 16 walls as discussed above. As also discussed above, steeper, but relatively thinner, bell 16 walls can support greater top load forces, which can be transferred to the base 24 via the recessed columns.
  • embodiments disclosed herein may incorporate thicker base 24 designs and/or thicker sidewall designs to withstand greater top load forces even when damaged, while using the same or less amount of resin. Achieving a thicker base 24 and/or thicker sidewalls is aided by a thin wall neck 14 and thin bell 16 walls.
  • any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved.
  • any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
  • the ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers, and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result.
  • the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
EP14875517.6A 2013-12-26 2014-01-16 Kunststoffbehälter mit festgeschnallter basis Ceased EP3087009A4 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20157495.1A EP3683161A1 (de) 2013-12-26 2014-01-16 Kunststoffbehälter mit versteifungsribben

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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US14/141,224 US9132933B2 (en) 2012-12-27 2013-12-26 Plastic container with strapped base
US14/157,400 US9120589B2 (en) 2012-12-27 2014-01-16 Plastic container with strapped base
PCT/US2014/011923 WO2015099813A1 (en) 2012-12-27 2014-01-16 Plastic container with strapped base

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EP3087009A4 EP3087009A4 (de) 2017-06-21

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JP (1) JP6634025B2 (de)
AU (2) AU2014370440A1 (de)
BR (1) BR112015025191A2 (de)
CA (1) CA2907004A1 (de)
CL (1) CL2015002911A1 (de)
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JP6597770B2 (ja) * 2017-12-28 2019-10-30 東洋製罐株式会社 合成樹脂製容器

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JP3616687B2 (ja) * 1996-03-04 2005-02-02 東洋製罐株式会社 耐熱耐圧性に優れた自立性容器
FR2906224B1 (fr) * 2006-09-22 2008-12-26 Sidel Participations Recipient a corps au moins partiellement prismatique triangulaire
USD607337S1 (en) * 2006-11-17 2010-01-05 Acqua Minerale San Benedetto S.P.A. Bottle
US8439214B2 (en) * 2007-03-16 2013-05-14 Plastipak Packaging, Inc. Plastic container with elongated vertical formation
JP6521634B2 (ja) 2011-12-05 2019-05-29 ナイアガラ・ボトリング・エルエルシー 深さが変化するリブを備えるプラスチック容器
DE102012003219A1 (de) * 2012-02-20 2013-08-22 Krones Ag Kunststoffbehältnis
PE20151678A1 (es) * 2012-12-27 2015-12-17 Niagara Bottling Llc Envase plastico con una base de tiras

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MX365307B (es) 2019-05-29
PE20151692A1 (es) 2015-12-04
BR112015025191A2 (pt) 2017-07-18
AU2014370440A1 (en) 2015-10-15
EP3683161A1 (de) 2020-07-22
EP3087009A4 (de) 2017-06-21
JP2017501093A (ja) 2017-01-12
CA2907004A1 (en) 2015-07-02
AU2019250198A1 (en) 2019-11-07
CL2015002911A1 (es) 2016-03-28
JP6634025B2 (ja) 2020-01-22
MX2015014355A (es) 2015-12-07

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