EP3784578B1

EP3784578B1 - Container grip portion with reinforcing ribs

Info

Publication number: EP3784578B1
Application number: EP19716925.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicolas Dabrowski; Vincent TENIERE
Original assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA; Nestle SA
Current assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA; Nestle SA
Priority date: 2018-04-26
Filing date: 2019-04-16
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-16
Also published as: PL3784578T3; WO2019206728A1; EP3784578A1; ES2950119T3

Description

Field of the Invention

The present application generally relates to plastic containers, particularly to plastic containers and bottles designed to hold liquids while resisting deformation.
More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers having improved side-load resistance as well as stability.
In particular, the invention relates to a structure of reinforcing ribs for a container, especially for the grip portion of said container and to a container integrating said structure of reinforcing ribs

Background

Currently, the market comprises many different shapes and sizes of containers capable of housing fluids. The shape and size of fluid containers may depend, among other things, on the amount of fluid to be housed, the type of fluid to be housed, consumer demands and desired aesthetics. Plastic containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several decades.
For example, plastic containers for beverages are known in the art that are made of a semi-crystalline polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") for good transparency and processability properties. The most common plastic used in making beverage containers today is PET. However, other plastic are used for making beverage containers, for example, polyethylene ("PE"), low density polyethylene ("LDPE"), high density polyethylene ("HDPE"), polypropylene ("PP") or polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"). Polyethylene furanoate ("PEF") is another promising thermoplastic with improved barrier properties.
Containers made of PET (PET bottles, for example) are generally made by a process that includes the blow-molding of plastic preforms which have been made by injection molding of the PET.
The formed containers are transparent and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding the forces exerted on the walls of the container by their contents. In addition the containers are shaped so as to ease grabbing and pouring.
In the case of lightweight containers where the quantity of plastic used for a bottle is lowered down at its maximum or in case of containers where the quantity of plastic is optimized, the container should keep acceptable functionalities, especially during handling or gripping.
For example, the bottle should not generate over splashing of liquid when it is opened and grabbed. Over splashing is an important drawback for the consumers as they feel having a bottle of poor quality in hands.
As used herein, "over-splashing" refers to an amount of contained liquid that is displaced upon squeezing/grabbing a grip portion of the container with a known amount of force.
Overs splashing is mainly due to insufficient stiffness at the location of the grip portion (where the consumer will grab the bottle).
In order to improve the handling properties and to reduce over splashing, the bottle manufacturers are working on solutions that provides localized stiffness without increase the quantity of plastic necessary for making the bottle, while still exhibiting overall good mechanical properties.
EP 1 348 636 A1 and JP 2014 151914 A are both presenting bottles elaborated with specific regions having ribs extending circumferentially on the bottle to ease gripping and/or the increase its resistance.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a container, for example, a bottle, in which the grip portion comprises a structure of reinforcing ribs that reduces significantly over splashing.

Summary of the Invention

More particularly the structure of reinforcing ribs comprises:

a pair of external ribs arranged around the bottle body, each external rib comprising a given pattern around the container body, said pattern being a series of at least two arcuate portions with a vertex interposed between two arcuate portions; the pair of external ribs having an upper external rib and a lower external rib, said external ribs having their vertices facing each other and shifted circumferentially of a maximum distance of 5 mm and in which,
- the upper external rib has a maximum amplitude between 3 and 6.5 mm and an arcuate portion length of half of the container perimeter; and
- the lower external rib has a maximum amplitude between 2 and 5 mm and an arcuate portion length of half of the container perimeter,
A pair of intermediate ribs disposed between the pair of external ribs, each intermediate rib comprising twice the same pattern around the container body, said pattern having an amplitude of about 2 to 6 mm and being in the form of two successive straight lines, one ascending straight line and one descending straight line forming a vertex at their junction; the pair of intermediate ribs having an upper intermediate rib and a lower intermediate rib, said intermediate ribs having their vertices facing each other and shifted circumferentially of a maximum distance of 6 mm and in which,
- in the upper intermediate rib, the descending straight line is about 5 times smaller in length than the ascending straight line; and
- in the lower intermediate rib, the descending straight line being about 5 times bigger in length than the ascending straight line
A central rib disposed between the pair of intermediate ribs, said central rib comprising twice the same pattern around the container body; said pattern having an amplitude of about 2 to 6 mm and presenting an arcuate portion followed by an ascending straight line portion ending with a vertex, the arcuate portion being twice the length of the straight line portion.

The proposed structure of reinforcing ribs provides increased side-load resistance by about 20% versus the prior art.
The fact that different type of reinforcing ribs are not aligned additionally participates in improving side-load resistance.
According to a possible feature, the structure of reinforcing ribs further comprises a step at the surface of the container body portion, said step being located between one external rib and its adjacent intermediate rib. The step has the same pattern as the one of the lower intermediate rib.
The proposed step in the grip portion of the body portion allows increasing load resistance.
Preferably, the step is between 0.2 and 1 mm. The proposed step dimension is enough to improve local wall resistance.
It is to be noted that the external ribs, the intermediate ribs and the central rib, each have a constant depth (D) comprised between 1 and 2.5 mm.
In the present case, having ribs with constant depth helps increasing side load.
In a proposed embodiment, the external ribs, the intermediate ribs and the central rib each have a cross section in the form of an isosceles trapezoid having an inner width (WI) between 1 and 2.5 mm and an angle (θ) between 50° and 90°.
This specific cross section in the form of an isosceles trapezoid brings an enlargement of the rib in order to increase the side load. Additionally, an isosceles trapezoid shape (in cross section) brings a higher number of edges thereby reinforcing the side load.
The internal and/or external edges of the external, intermediate and central ribs have a radius of curvature with the advantage that it reduces sharpness.
More particularly, the edges of the external, intermediate and central ribs have a radius of curvature (R1, R'1, R2, R'2) between 0.1 and 3 mm.
By ways of example, the internal edges located between the sidewalls of the ribs and the substantially vertical inner portion of the ribs have an internal radius of curvature (R2, R'2) between 0.1 to 1 mm and the external edges between the ribs and the substantially external vertical side wall of the container have an external radius of curvature (R1, R'1) between 2 to 3 mm.
According to a possible feature the upper external and upper intermediate ribs are oriented vis-à-vis the longitudinal axis (X) of the container with an angle having its vertex on the longitudinal axis, said angle being comprised between 1 and 20°.
According to a further possible feature, the lower external and lower intermediate ribs are oriented vis-à-vis the longitudinal axis of the container with an angle having its vertex on the longitudinal axis, said angle being comprised between 15 and 30°.
Both above features provide bending of the bottle surface at the location of the grip portion.
Additionally, in order to create a marked grip portion, the external surface of the container body portion is inwardly recessed from 3 to 6 mm between the two intermediate ribs.
It is to be noted that the external surface of the container body portion is circularly and inwardly recessed according to an arc of a circle having a radius between 20 and 35 mm, between the two intermediate ribs so as to improve handling of the bottle.
The invention also relates to a container, presenting a longitudinal axis comprising neck, shoulder, body, connecting and base portions, in which the body portion is connected first, to the shoulder portion and second, to the base portion via the connecting portion and comprises a grip portion having a structure of reinforcing ribs according to the invention.
The container is preferably a bottle. However, other container may be used.
Additionally, the body portion further comprises a label portion adjacent to the grip portion. The label portion defines a label portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of ribs positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion.
More particularly, the proposed container has preferably a volume comprised between 0.75 to 2L.

Brief description of the Drawings

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. Understanding that these drawings depict only some embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. Hence, it will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not intended to be limited in any way by these examples.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a front plan view of a prior art container;
Figure 2a and 2b are front and side view of a container in a proposed embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 2a;
Figure 4 is a developed view of the ribs of the grip portion of Figures 2a and 2b of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a first enlarged, partial view of the container of figure 2a and 2b in a proposed embodiment of the present invention, at the location of the upper external rib;
Figure 6 is a first enlarged, partial view of the container of figure 2a and 2b in a proposed embodiment of the present invention, at the location of the intermediate and central ribs;
Figure 7 is a first enlarged, partial view of the container of figure 2a and 2b in a proposed embodiment of the present invention, at the location of the intermediate ribs; and
Figure 8 is a first enlarged, partial view of the container of figure 2a and 2b in a proposed embodiment of the present invention, at the location of the central rib.

Detailed description

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols and references typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made.
As used in this specification, the words "comprises", "comprising", and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean including, but not limited to.
Any reference to prior art documents in this specification is not to be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
In particular, disclosed herein are articles, including preforms, bottles and containers, which utilize an optimized quantity of plastic in their construction while maintaining the ease of processing and excellent structural properties associated with current commercial designs.
The present invention will be described in connection with a container, for example, a bottle.
The container further includes a neck, shoulder, body, and base portions, in which the body portion is connected to base and shoulder portions. The body portion comprises a grip portion provided with a structure of reinforcing ribs, and a label portion.
As used herein, "grip portion" may be used interchangeably with "prehension portion" or "grabbing portion". As used herein, "prehension", "grabbing" or "handling" means the act of taking hold, seizing or grasping. Accordingly, a prehension portion, or grip portion, of the container may be a portion of the container intended for seizing or grasping by the consumer during handling of the container.
A prior art container 10 is illustrated by Figure 1. Container 10 includes ribs that traverse a circumference of the bottle and may be used to provide added hoop strength, rigidity and resistance to bending, leaning, crumbling and/or stretching. Container 10 also includes a neck portion 12, a shoulder portion 14, a grip portion 16, a label portion 18 and a base 20. Grip portion 16 includes several circular ribs 22 of constant width and depth. Grip portion 16 also presents a reduced diameter with a substantially arc-shaped along a side wall of container 10 that is parallel to a vertical axis of container 10. Label portion 18 includes several undulating ribs 24 that traverse a circumference of the container and have constant width and depth, each undulating rib having a constant depth, a constant inner width, and a constant outer width, and at least one bridge member 26 located within its corresponding rib. Base portion 20 comprises a circular constant width and depth rib 19. Although container 10 includes ribs, container 10 may not necessarily be configured to deliver optimized stability or optimized side- and top-load resistance.
In the container of the prior art as proposed in figure 1, over splashing occurs when a force (in kg for example) higher than 2.45 kg is applied on the grip portion 16.
In contrast, Applicants have surprisingly found that the configuration of the containers disclosed herein provides improved stability, improved side-load resistance.
In this regard, Applicants have surprisingly found that the specifically disclosed geometry of the container's grip portion's ribs provides improved stability and side-load resistance.
As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, container 40 of the present disclosure includes a mouth 41, a neck portion 42, a shoulder portion 44, a body portion 45, a connecting portion 49 and a base portion 50, all of which combine to form an interior of container 40 that is capable of housing a liquid.
The body portion 45 comprises a grip portion 46 and a label portion 48. Grip portion 46 comprises a structure 51 with reinforcing ribs presenting several ribs 52. Label portion 48 comprises multiple ribs 54.
Figure 2a illustrates a front view of the container 40 and Figure 2b illustrates a side view of container 40 of the present disclosure. As can be seen from the figures, the difference between the side (Figure 2b) and front (Figure 2a) views of container 40 lies in grip portion 46 and in the connecting portion 49 of the container due to the specific shapes of the ribs of the structure 51 of reinforcing ribs 52 and of the ribs 49a of the connecting portion 49. The various parts of the container 40 are not referenced in figure 2b but are the same as in figure 2a.
As is further shown by Figure 2a, a portion of vertical cross-section of container identified by line V-V is illustrated in Figure 3, which will be discussed further below with respect to its various sectional views provided by Figures 4 to 8.
Containers of the present disclosure may be configured to house any type of liquid therein. In an embodiment, the containers are configured to house a consumable liquid such as, for example, water, an energy drink, a carbonated drink, tea, coffee, milk, juice, etc. In an embodiment, the containers are configured to house water.
Containers 40 may hold any suitable volume of a liquid such as, for example, from about 750 to 2000 mL including 750 mL, 800 mL, 900 mL, 1000 mL, 1500 mL, 2000 mL, and the like. In an embodiment, containers 40 are configured to hold about 1500 mL of a liquid.
Suitable materials for manufacturing containers of the present disclosure can include, for example, polymeric materials. Specifically, materials for manufacturing bottles of the present disclosure can include, but are not limited to, polyethylene ("PE"), low density polyethylene ("LDPE"), high density polyethylene ("HDPE"), polypropylene ("PP"), polyethylene furanoate ("PEF") or polyethylene terephthalate ("PET").
Further, the containers of the present disclosure can be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing process such as, for example, conventional extrusion blow molding, stretch blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, and the like.
Mouth 41 may be any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container 40 and may be poured or otherwise removed from container 40. In an embodiment, mouth 41 may be substantially circular in shape and have a diameter ranging from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, or about 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, mouth 41 has a diameter that is about 25 mm.
Neck portion 42 may also have any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container 40 and may be poured or otherwise removed from container 40. In an embodiment, neck portion 42 is substantially cylindrical in shape having a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of mouth 41. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the shape and size of neck portion 42 are not limited to the shape and size of mouth 41. Neck portion 42 may have a height (from mouth 41 to shoulder portion 44) from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, or about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, neck portion 42 has a height of about 15 mm.
Container 40 can further include an air tight cap (not represented) attached to neck portion 42. The cap can be any type of cap known in the art for use with containers similar to those described herein. The cap may be manufactured from the same or a different type of polymeric material as container 40, and may be attached to container 40 by re-closeable threads, or may be snap-fit, friction-fit, etc. Accordingly, in an embodiment, cap includes internal threads (not shown) that are constructed and arranged to mate with external threads 43 of neck portion 42.
Shoulder portion 44 of container 40 extends from a bottom of neck portion 42 downward to a top of label portion 46. Shoulder portion 44 comprises a shape that is substantially a conical frustum. As used herein, a "conical frustum" means that shoulder portion 44 has a shape that very closely resembles a cone having a top portion (e.g., the apex) of the cone lopped-off. Shoulder portion 44 has a lopped-off apex since shoulder portion 44 tapers into neck portion 42 for functionality of container 40. Further, the "conical frustum" shape also includes a rounded edge wherein shoulder portion 44 curves downward in a substantially vertical orientation to meet grip portion 46.
As previously mentioned, body portion 45 comprises grip portion 46 and label portion 48.
At a widest point of the body portion 45, container 40 may have a diameter ranging from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or about 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90mm, 95mm, 100 mm or the like. In an embodiment, the diameter of container 40 at the widest portion of the body portion is about 88 mm.
Grip portion 46 of container 40 comprises a structure of reinforcing ribs 51 disposed circumferentially around the bottle body portion 45. The structure 51 of reinforcing ribs includes a set of ribs comprising a plurality of ribs 52 having very specific pattern and extending around the container 40 as they traverse the container circumference.
The structure 51 of reinforcing ribs 52 proposed in the present embodiment of the invention as reproduced in Figures 2a to 8 is disposed circumferentially around a bottle body portion 45 of the container 40 and comprises a plurality of different ribs 52 forming a set of ribs 52.
The following description of the set of ribs 52 should be read with reference to the developed view of reinforcing ribs 52 as proposed in Figure 4.
The structure 51 of reinforcing ribs 52, first, comprises a pair of external ribs 61 arranged around the bottle body 45, each external rib 61 has the same pattern around the bottle body.
The pattern of the external ribs 61 is a series of arcuate portions. Being in the form of a bridge, a peak or vertices is interposed between two arcuate portions.
The pair of external ribs is composed of an upper external rib 61a and a lower external rib 61b. The external ribs have their vertices facing each other and shifted circumferentially of a maximum distance of 5 mm.
In a preferred embodiment, the upper external rib 61a has an amplitude measured from peak-to-peak that is higher than the one of the lower external rib 61b.
The upper external rib 61a has a maximum amplitude (measured from peak-to-peak) between 3 and 6.5 mm and the lower external rib 61b has a maximum amplitude between 2 and 5 mm.
The arcuate portions of both the upper and lower external ribs 61a and 61b have a length of about half of the bottle perimeter.
The structure 51 of reinforcing ribs 52 further comprises a pair of intermediate ribs 62. The pair of intermediate ribs is disposed between the pair of external ribs.
Each intermediate rib 62 comprising twice the same pattern around the bottle body. Said pattern in the form of two successive straight lines: one ascending straight line followed by one descending straight line. A peak or a vertex is formed at their junction.
The amplitude of the intermediate ribs 62 from peak-to-peak is of about 2 to 6 mm.
The pair of intermediate ribs 62 comprises an upper intermediate rib 62a and a lower intermediate rib 62b. The intermediate ribs 62 have their vertices facing each other and shifted circumferentially of a maximum distance of about 6 mm.
In the proposed embodiment, the upper intermediate rib 62a has its descending straight line that is about five (5) times smaller in length than its ascending straight line.
In the proposed embodiment, the lower intermediate rib 62b has its the descending straight line that is about five (5) times bigger in length than its ascending straight line.
The structure 51 of reinforcing ribs 52 further comprises a central rib 63 disposed between the pair of intermediate ribs 62.
The central rib 63 comprises twice the same pattern around the bottle body. Said pattern presents an arcuate portion followed by an ascending straight line portion ending with a vertex, the arcuate portion being twice in dimension than the straight line portion.
The pattern has an amplitude from peak-to-peak of about 2 to 6 mm.
Ribs 52 of the set of ribs 52, comprising external ribs 61, intermediate ribs 62 and central rib 63, have a constant depth D from about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm, or about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm, or about 1.5 mm, or about 2 mm. Reference D is presented in connection with Figure 5 but is not reproduced in the subsequent figures for clarity reasons.
In the proposed embodiment external ribs 61, intermediate rib 62 and central rib 63 have each a constant depth of about 2 mm.
In the proposed embodiment, external ribs 61, the intermediate ribs 62 and the central rib 63 have each a constant cross section in the form of an isosceles trapezoid. In the present case isosceles trapezoid is defined by inner width WI, outer width WO and angle θ as below explained. References WI and WO are presented in connection with Figure 5 but are not reproduced in the subsequent figures for clarity reasons.
As shown in greater detail in Figures 5, 7 and 8, ribs 52 include a constant inner width WI and a constant outer width WO that is greater than inner width Wl. Inner width WI may range from about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm, or about 1 mm to about 2 mm, or about 1.5 mm to about 2 mm.
In the proposed embodiment, inner width WI of the external ribs 61 is about 1.75 mm, inner width WI of the intermediate ribs 62 is about 1.5 mm and inner width WI of the central rib 63 is about 2.25 mm.
Outer width WO may range from about 2 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 3 mm to about 4 mm. In the proposed embodiment, outer width WO of the external ribs 61 is about 3.62 mm, outer width WO of the intermediate ribs 62 is about 4.3 mm and outer width WO of the central rib 63 is about 5.05 mm
An upper portion of inner width WI and an upper portion of outer width WO may be connected via a theoretical first line. Similarly, a lower portion of inner width WI and a lower portion of outer width WO may be connected via a theoretical second line.
Because inner width WI is smaller than outer width WO, the theoretical first and second lines form an angle θ therebetween. Inner width WI, outer width WO and angle θ are only represented in reference to figure 5 but also apply for figures 7 and 8.
Angle θ may be from about 40° to about 90°, or from about 40° to about 70°, or from about 45° to about 75°, or from about 40° to about 60°, or from about 45° to about 55°, or about 50°, as shown by Figures 5, 7 and 8.
In the proposed embodiment, angle θ of the external ribs 61 is about 50°, angle θ of the intermediate ribs 62 is about 70° and angle θ of the central rib 63 is about 70°.
Additionally, to reduce sharpness of the edges of ribs 52, radius of curvature are applied to the set of ribs 52 and individually to the different ribs - upper external rib 61a, upper intermediate rib 62a, central rib 63, lower intermediate rib 62b and lower external rib - as below defined.
A first radius of curvature, or a bend radius, where a substantially vertical side wall of container 40 curves inward to form rib 52 may be defined to reduce sharpness of the external edge of ribs 52.
This radius of curvature is defined as external radius of curvature and is indicated by the arrow in combination with R1 in Figures 5, 7 and 8.
A second external radius of curvature referenced R'1 and is also present where a bottom portion of a rib 52 curves to meet the substantially vertical side wall of container 40 located below rib 52.
In the present case, external radius of curvature R1 and R'1 are of similar values and are between about 2 to 3 mm, but they may have different values in the proposed range.
Ribs 52 may also include a second radius of curvature at a depth D corresponding to the depth of the rib 52 where inwardly curved radius R2 meets a substantially vertical inner portion of rib 52. A second radius of curvature referenced R'2 is also present where the substantially vertical inner portion of rib 52 curves outward toward radius R'1 located at a bottom of rib 52, as presented for example in Figure 5. The second radius of curvature R2 and R'2 allow reducing sharpness of internal edges of ribs 52.
This second radius of curvature are defined as internal radius of curvature and are indicated by the arrow in combination with R2 and R'2 in Figures 5, 7 and 8.
In an embodiment, internal radius of curvature R2 and R'2 have the same value and are between about 0.1 to 1 mm. However, they can have different values.
In addition, R1, R'1 and R2, R'2 may respectively have different values for the different ribs - upper external rib 61a, upper intermediate rib 62a, central rib 63, lower intermediate rib 62b and lower external rib - of the set of ribs 52.
In the proposed embodiment, external 61, intermediate 62 and central 63 ribs forming the grip portion's ribs 52 have similar external radius of curvature R1, R'1 of about 2.5 mm and similar internal radius of curvature R2, R'2 of about 0.5 mm. However, external radius of curvature may have different values for ribs 61, 62 and 63. Similarly, internal radius of curvature may have different values for ribs 61, 62 and 63.
In addition to ribs 61, 62 and 63, the structure 51 of reinforcing ribs 52, proposed in the present embodiment, further comprises a step 64 at the surface of the bottle body portion. Said step can be seen in Figures 2a, 2b and 6.
Said step 64 is located between the upper external rib 61a and its adjacent intermediate rib (upper intermediate rib 62a) and has the same pattern as the one of the lower intermediate rib 62b.
The step 64 is between 0.2 and 1 mm height. It creates an addition relief to the bottle body portion 45 and helps increasing top-load resistance.
As a further element, grip portion 46 and structure 51 may be locally shaped to visually define a prehension portion fo the consumer and to locally reduce the diameter of the container 40 to ease gripping. Figures 3 and 6 clearly show this localized diameter reduction.
At the location of the grip portion 46, the diameter of the container 40 is reduced to 75 mm.
This shaping may be made by specific orientation of the ribs 52 and/or by inwardly recessing the grip portion 46.
In the proposed embodiment and as represented in Figure 3, the upper external 61a and upper intermediate 62a ribs are oriented vis-à-vis the longitudinal axis of the container with an angle having its vertex on the longitudinal axis. The angle is comprised between 1 and 20°. The angle is varying along the perimeter of the container 40.
Additionally, it is proposed, as presented in Figure 3 that the lower external 61b and lower intermediate 62b ribs are oriented vis-à-vis the longitudinal axis of the container with an angle having its vertex on the longitudinal axis. The angle is comprised between 15 and 30°. The angle is varying along the perimeter of the container 40.
The angles are not represented in the figures for scale reasons.
The specific orientation of the ribs vis-à-vis the substantially vertical side wall of container 40 also improves side load.
As can be seen in Figures 3 and 6, the surface of the bottle body portion is recessed inwards between the two intermediate ribs 62 (and thus including the central rib 63) to create a portion with smaller diameter. The wall of the bottle body portion is recessed inwards from 3 to 6 mm, meaning a reduction of the diameter of the grip portion from 6 to 12 mm.
In the proposed embodiment and as represented in Figure 6, the surface of the bottle body portion between the intermediate ribs 62 is circularly and inwardly recessed according to an arc of a circle.
The arc of circle defined in Figure 6 corresponds to a circle having a radius between 20 and 35 mm. The arc of circle is referenced C in figure 6.
Thus, with the proposed structure of ribs 52, ribs 52 provide the container with reinforced side-load resistance (i.e., lateral resistance of the container) in part due to the number of ribs, and in part due to the trapezoidal geometry of the ribs. The specific shape arrangement of the ribs of the structure 51 of reinforcing ribs has also an effect on top-load resistance.
Indeed, concerning side-load resistance, in the proposed container 40 as presented in Figure 2a and 2b, over splashing occurs when a force higher than 2.93 kg is applied on the grip portion 46.
This is an improvement in the side-load resistance to over splashing of about 20%
As discussed previously, Applicants believe that the advantages and benefits derived from the presently disclosed structure 52 of reinforcing ribs 52 is due, at least in part, to the combination of the specific geometries of the different ribs of the container with the specific geometry of grip portion 46. Indeed, Applicants believe that his combination of structural features aids in improvement of stability and load resistance, especially side-load, of the containers of the present disclosure when compared to known prior art containers.
The proposed container 40 further comprises a label portion 48.
Label panel portion 48 of container 40 is connected to the grip portion 46 and defines a label portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the container. The label portion comprises a plurality of ribs 54. The plurality of ribs may have constant width and depth and are positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion. The plurality of ribs 54, which while possibly having a constant width and depth, undulate or swirl around container 40 as they traverse its circumference. Ribs 54 can also be called undulating ribs.
The plurality of ribs 54 as visible in Figures 2a and 2b have a constant width and depth. In this regard, ribs 54 have a constant width because the ribs do not increase or decrease in width as the ribs traverse the circumference of container 40. Ribs 54 have a constant depth because the ribs do not change the distance between an inner most portion of the rib and an adjacent portion of an outer wall of container 40 as the ribs traverse the circumference of container 40. In general, ribs 54 are curved ribs or undulated ribs that provide a spring effect allowing for increase of pressure within the container, which is typical, for example, during storage and transport of liquid-filled containers.
The number of ribs 54 of the label portion 48 may vary according to the shape and volume of the bottle and according to the need. Container 40 may include any number of ribs 54 having any size that provides improved stability and load resistance. Container 40 may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 ribs 52. Container 40 may include 2-5 ribs 54, or 3-4 ribs 54, or 3 ribs 54. Ribs 54 may have a width from about 1 to about 5 mm, for from about 2 to about 4 mm, or about 3 mm. In an embodiment, ribs 54 have a width that is about 3 mm. Ribs 54 may also have a depth that is from about 1 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 2 to about 3 mm. In an embodiment, ribs 54 have a depth that is about 1.5 mm.
As used herein, "undulated" ribs or the "undulation" of ribs means that the ribs move in a wavy, sinuous, curved, or rising and falling manner as the ribs oscillate and traverse a circumference of the present containers. Accordingly, the presently disclosed undulating ribs may be described in terms of a wave. In this regard, undulating ribs may have, for example, a peak-to-peak amplitude (e.g., as measured from crest to adjacent trough) and a wave period (e.g., as measured from crest to crest or from trough to trough). In an embodiment, undulating ribs may have a peak-to-peak amplitude from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, or 2 mm, or 3 mm, or 4 mm, or 5 mm, or 6 mm, or 7 mm, or 8 mm, or 9 mm. In an The peak-to-peak amplitude of undulating ribs 54 as well as the number of wave periods undulating ribs complete as undulating ribs traverse a circumference of the container may vary and will be adapted to the need by the skilled person.
Connecting portion 49 comprises connecting portion ribs 49a. Connecting portion ribs 49a may be of suitable design, including those known in the art and as illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b to ensure good rigidifying structure of the container and improved resistance especially top-load resistance.
The bottom portion of container 40 comprises base portion 50, which may be of any suitable design, including those known in the art and as illustrated. Importantly, however, base portion 50 of the present containers includes a base rib, which is an opened trapezoidal rib that helps to ensure good rigidifying structure of the container. Although the present disclosure depicts base portion 50 as having one rib, the skilled artisan will appreciate that base portion 50 may include more or less than one rib so long as the container is able to provide the desired stability and improved side- and top-load resistance.
Additionally, the containers of the present disclosure can also improve the ease of use and handling by manufacturers, retails and consumers. In this regard, the structural features described herein provide for improved stability and improved side-loading resistance to help achieve a container that is desirable by consumers.
Although the invention has been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) disposed circumferentially around a container body portion (45) of a container (40) presenting a longitudinal axis, said structure comprising :
- a pair of external ribs (61a, 61b) arranged around the bottle body (45), each external rib comprising a given pattern around the container body (45), said pattern being a series of at least two arcuate portions with a vertex interposed between the two arcuate portions; the pair of external ribs (61a, 61b) having an upper external rib (61a) and a lower external rib (61b), said external ribs (61a, 61b) having their vertices facing each other and shifted circumferentially of a maximum distance of 5 mm and in which,
- the upper external rib (61a) has a maximum amplitude between 3 and 6.5 mm and an arcuate portion length of half of the container perimeter; and

- the lower external rib (61b) has a maximum amplitude between 2 and 5 mm and an arcuate portion length of half of the container perimeter.

- A pair of intermediate ribs (62a, 62b) disposed between the pair of external ribs (61a, 61b), each intermediate rib comprising twice the same pattern around the container body (45), said pattern having an amplitude of about 2 to 6 mm and being in the form of two successive straight lines, one ascending straight line and one descending straight line forming a vertex at their junction; the pair of intermediate ribs (62a, 62b) having an upper intermediate rib (62a) and a lower intermediate rib (62b), said intermediate ribs (62a, 62b) having their vertices facing each other and shifted circumferentially of a maximum distance of 6 mm and in which,
- in the upper intermediate rib (62a), the descending straight line is about 5 times smaller in length than the ascending straight line; and

- in the lower intermediate rib (62b), the descending straight line being about 5 times bigger in length than the ascending straight line

- A central rib (63) disposed between the pair of intermediate ribs (62a, 62b), said central rib (63) comprising twice the same pattern around the container body (45); said pattern having an amplitude of about 2 to 6 mm and presenting an arcuate portion followed by an ascending straight line portion ending with a vertex, the arcuate portion being twice the length of the straight line portion.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to claim 1 further comprising a step (64) at the surface of the container body portion (45), said step (64) being located between one external rib (61a) and its adjacent intermediate rib (62a) and having the same pattern as the one of the lower intermediate rib (62b).
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to the preceding claim in which the step (64) is between 0.2 and 1 mm.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which, the external ribs (61a, 61b), the intermediate ribs (62a, 62b) and the central rib (63) each have a constant depth (D) comprised between 1 and 2.5 mm.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, the external ribs (61a, 61b), the intermediate ribs (62a, 62b) and the central rib (63) each have a cross section in the form of an isosceles trapezoid having an inner width (WI) between 1 and 2.5 mm and an angle (θ) between 50° and 90°.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the internal and/or external edges of the external (61a, 61b), intermediate (62a, 62b) and central (63) ribs have a radius of curvature to reduce sharpness.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any of the preceding claims in which the edges of the external (61a, 61b), intermediate (62a, 62b) and central (63) ribs have a radius of curvature (R1, R'1, R2, R'2) between 0.1 and 3 mm.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any of the preceding claims in which the internal edges located between the sidewalls of the ribs (52) and the substantially vertical inner portion of the ribs (52) have an internal radius of curvature (R2, R'2) between 0.1 to 1 mm and the external edges between the ribs (52) and the substantially external vertical side wall of the container (40) have an external radius of curvature (R1, R'1) between 2 to 3 mm.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper external (61a) and upper intermediate (62a) ribs are oriented vis-à-vis the longitudinal axis of the container (40) with an angle having its vertex on the longitudinal axis, said angle being comprised between 1 and 20°.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lower external (61b) and lower intermediate (62b) ribs are oriented vis-à-vis the longitudinal axis of the container (40) with an angle having its vertex on the longitudinal axis, said angle being comprised between 15 and 30°.
A structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any one of the preceding claims in which, between the two intermediate ribs (62a, 62b) the external surface of the container body portion (45) is inwardly recessed from 3 to 6 mm.
A structure of reinforcing ribs according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, between the two intermediate ribs (62a, 62b) the external surface of the container body portion (45) is circularly and inwardly recessed according to an arc of a circle having a radius between 20 and 35 mm.
A container (40), preferably a bottle, presenting a longitudinal axis comprising neck (42), shoulder (44), body (45), connecting (49) and base (50) portions, in which the body portion (45) is connected first to the shoulder portion (44) and second to the base portion (50) via the connecting portion (49) and in which the body portion (45) comprises a grip portion (46) having a structure (51) of reinforcing ribs (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A container (40) according to claim 13, in which the body portion (45) further comprises a label portion (48) adjacent to the grip portion (46), said label portion (48) defines a label portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of ribs (54) positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion.
A container according to any of claim 13 or 14, comprising a volume comprised between 0.75 to 2L.