EP4101776A1 - Bottle with overall cylindrical shape, with optimised dimensions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bottle (100), of generally cylindrical shape, intended to contain a liquid, said bottle comprising a hollow body (120), delimited by a rim and a ring, said body (120) comprising a barrel (121) and a neck (130) with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the barrel, the shape of said bottle being generated by revolution of a generatrix around a so-called axis of revolution, the sections of the bottle, orthogonal to the axis of revolution, being generally circular.For each orthogonal section of the bottle along all or part of the axis of revolution, including the widest section of the bottle, a straight truncation is made at a distance from the axis of revolution , perpendicular to the diameter of said section, the ratio between the smallest dimension of said section and the diameter of said section, called truncation ratio, being strictly between 0.6 and 0.90, all of the truncations being parallel and forming a face (190) called truncated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is that of liquid containers.

More specifically, the invention relates to a bottle of generally cylindrical shape, with optimized size.

The invention finds applications in particular for improving the handling (storage, transport) of bottles of any type of liquid, mainly in the food sector, such as water, fruit juice or an alcoholic beverage, such as a wine, beer or spirits, where the bottles have traditionally generally cylindrical shapes whose profile may vary depending on the producing region, particularly in the field of wine, with certain profiles also seeking to stand out through their originality.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known from the prior art techniques for containers, in particular bottles having an optimal shape for storage and transport phases.

Such techniques generally lead to bottles having a polygonal section, for example triangular, square or hexagonal, making it possible to condition a maximum of bottles in a minimum of space.

In order to further optimize storage and transport, some bottles have a very reduced neck between their ring and their shoulder in order to be able to be inserted inside a sting of a similar bottle so that the rim of an upper bottle rests on the shoulders of a lower bottle.

However, the major drawback of all the techniques of the prior art is that they lead to very compact shapes, of the polygonal type, almost without a neck, thus drastically restricting the design possibilities of the bottles.

Further, prior art techniques are generally formed from plastic, which is a material rarely used in the wine and spirits field that favors glass bottles for preservation issues.

It is also known to optimize the transport of bottles by placing them head to tail in cartons.

However, this optimization is only valid for bottles that are very tapered and/or have low shoulders, such as bottles generally used for Alsace wines, which notably excludes bottles traditionally used in Bordeaux or Burgundy. .

None of the current systems makes it possible to simultaneously meet all the required needs, namely to offer a bottle technique whose overall shape is preserved, as well as the planned height and capacity, and which makes it possible to increase storage capacities and transporting bottles with high shoulders and therefore reducing the associated costs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

To this end, the invention relates to a bottle according to claim 1.

Such a bottle is for example a bottle of wine or spirits, having a capacity of the order of 0.75 liter or 1 liter. Such a bottle can also be intended to contain any other type of liquid, such as for example: water, fruit juice, an alcoholic drink, etc.

Preferably, when the bottle is placed straight, the rim of the bottle resting on a support, the height of the shoulders of the bottle is greater than half the height of the bottle.

Thanks to the invention, the deformation operated on the circular section, defined by the truncation ratio, makes it possible to obtain a bottle whose shape is optimal for handling operations, including storage and transport, since it offers a gain in interesting clutter.

Thus, with a truncation ratio between 0.6 and 0.90, a reduction in size of at least 5% compared to an equivalent bottle is obtained, thus making it possible to densify the storage and transport of the liquid contained in the bottles.

By size of the bottle is meant the size of the smallest rectangular parallelepiped containing the whole of the bottle.

It should be emphasized that insofar as the truncated bottle retains the height of an equivalent bottle, the size reduction is carried out in a plane perpendicular to the axis of revolution, either in width or in depth of the rectangular parallelepiped containing the whole bottle.

For all intents and purposes, the smallest of the dimensions of the truncated section can also be referred to as width hereafter.

Equivalent bottle means a non-truncated bottle having the same height, the same capacity and overall the same generatrix.

It should be emphasized that with the truncation ratio greater than 0.5, the vast majority of the shape of the equivalent bottle is retained in the truncated bottle according to the invention. Such a truncation can thus be adapted to bottles having a generatrix of any shape.

It should also be noted that the generatrix of the equivalent bottle is slightly smaller than the generatrix of the truncated bottle in order to maintain the capacity of the bottle.

The truncated face, having two edges, gives additional advantages to a truncated bottle compared to an equivalent bottle, such as improved gripping of the truncated bottle or stability when the truncated bottle is placed horizontally.

Preferably, the truncation is carried out over the entire body of the bottle, between the jable and the ring.

Thus, the profile of the truncation is a homothety of the generatrix of the non-truncated bottle, consequently making it possible to preserve the aesthetics of the bottle, and to avoid intersections between the edges formed between the truncated face and the curved face.

It should be noted that an intersection is present between two edges, the gluing over this intersection of a label or a collar covering the top of the neck, the ring and the blocked neck, is delicate and complicated to achieve. .

Preferably, for the section of the bottle having the largest diameter excluding truncation, the truncation ratio is between 0.7 and 0.8.

Thus, a reduction in size of between 6 and 7% is obtained.

The optimum reduction is for truncation ratio values between 0.76 and 0.78.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the large diameter excluding truncation is located in the immediate vicinity of the shoulders of the bottle.

In particular embodiments of the invention, for each truncated section of the bottle, the truncation ratio is equal to a constant value.

Thus, the shape obtained better retains the overall shape of the equivalent bottle.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the bottle comprises a label stuck on the generally planar face.

Thus, the label is more protected from a possible drop flowing along the bottle.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the truncation is carried out at any point of the axis of revolution of the bottle.

Thus, the two edges of the continuous surface are distinct at all points and have a profile similar to the profile of the equivalent bottle.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the section of the neck is circular.

Thus, the bottle can be corked with a conventionally shaped cork.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the perimeter of the neck comprises at least one point of singularity.

Thus, the risk of formation of a drop flowing along the bottle, capable of staining a sheet or even a label of the bottle, is reduced. It should be pointed out that drops are generally prohibited when serving a bottle in many restaurants.

A point of singularity means a point having two non-collinear tangents.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the section of the neck is a homothety of the section of the bottle at the level of the neck.

Thus, the shape of the neck being asymmetrical, with two points of singularities, the risk of formation of a drop flowing along the bottle, capable of staining a tablecloth or even a label of the bottle, is reduced. It should be pointed out that drops are generally prohibited when serving a bottle in many restaurants.

In particular embodiments of the invention, a neck being formed inside the neck, the section of the neck is a homothety of the truncated section of the bottle at the level of the finish.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the bottle is made of glass.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the bottle contains an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.

An alcoholic drink is for example a wine, a spirit, a beer or any other type of drink containing alcohol.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the capacity is between 0.5 and 3 liters.

The invention also relates to a set of molds configured for the manufacture of a bottle according to any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising two complementary molds each presenting a part of the shape of said bottle in negative.

Finally, the invention relates to a stopper for a bottle, comprising a generally cylindrical body and a section having a shape adapted to the section of the neck.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the section of the stopper is generally circular, with a truncated part, the ratio between the smallest distance of the section of the stopper and its diameter excluding truncation, is similar to the truncation ratio of the neck section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de mode de réalisation de la bouteille selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de face (a) et vue de côté (b) de la bouteille de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de la bouteille de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une courbe illustrant le gain d'encombrement entre la bouteille de la figure 1 et la bouteille cylindrique équivalente ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus d'une variante de réalisation de la bouteille de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'un bouchon configuré pour assurer l'étanchéité de la bouteille de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de face d'un exemple de moules complémentaires permettant la fabrication de la bouteille de la figure 1.

Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the non-limiting description which follows of at least one particular embodiment of the devices and methods which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the bottle according to the invention;
• the picture 2 is a front view (a) and side view (b) of the bottle of the figure 1 ;
• the picture 3 is a top view of the bottle of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a curve illustrating the space gain between the bottle of the figure 1 and the equivalent cylindrical bottle;
• the figure 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the bottle of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 6 is a perspective view of a cap configured to seal the bottle of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 7 is a front view of an example of complementary molds allowing the manufacture of the bottle of the figure 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This description is given on a non-limiting basis, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

We note, from now on, that the figures are not to scale.

Example of a particular embodiment

The figures 1 to 3 respectively comprise a perspective view, front and side views and a top view, of a bottle 100 according to the invention. The bottle 100, which is intended to contain a liquid such as an alcoholic beverage such as wine or spirits, or a non-alcoholic beverage such as water or fruit juice, has a generally cylindrical shape, corresponding to the revolution of a generator 320 around an axis 110 of revolution.

The bottle 100 thus comprises a hollow body 120 comprising a barrel 121, of a maximum diameter d surmounted by a neck 130, of a diameter d _C , less than d, inside which a neck 140 is formed. Shoulders 150 are therefore formed between the barrel 121 and the neck 130. At the other open end of the neck 130, a ring 135 configured for corking and sealing the bottle is formed.

Here, the ring 135 is configured to receive a stopper, generally made of cork, or even of synthetic material, being inserted into the neck 140 in order to ensure the tightness of the bottle 100 during handling phases, such as storage or transportation.

The end of the barrel 121, opposite the shoulders 150, is closed by a rim 160 inside which a stitch 170 is traditionally formed for reasons of stability of the bottle 100.

The shoulders 150 are here at a height h _e relative to the jable 160 greater than half the height h of the bottle 100 in its upright position, the jable 160 being placed on a support not shown on the figure 1 .

In other words, the distance D _ej between the shoulders 150 and the rim 160, which is equal to the height h _e of the shoulders, is greater than the distance D _eb between the shoulders 150 and the ring 135.

The height h _e of the shoulders is measured substantially in the middle of the shoulders between the neck 130 and the barrel 121. Alternatively, it can be measured at the widest section of the shoulders 150.

Compared to a traditional bottle, in particular in the field of wine and spirits, the bottle 100 according to the invention is truncated on one side, forming a so-called truncated face 190 . On the other side, the bottle retains a so-called domed face 191 .

The bottle 100 thus truncated retains its overall shape as can be seen in view a) of the figure 2 , which has the curved face 191 . The bottle 100 however comprises a width l smaller than its diameter d , as can be seen in view b) of the picture 2 and on the picture 3 .

The ratio between the width l and the diameter d for a section orthogonal to the axis of revolution is subsequently called truncation ratio ξ . $$\mathrm{\xi }=\frac{I}{}$$

When the truncation ratio is between 0.5 (bottle truncated in the center) and 1 (bottle not truncated), an improvement in the storage and transport capacities of the bottles has been observed, which can go up to nearly 7% of gain, while maintaining the overall shape of the bottles as defined by the stylists, as well as their capacity and height.

Compared to a traditional bottle of diameter d _A , the diameter d of the truncated bottle 100 is greater in order to compensate for the loss of volume due to the truncation.

The diameter d is thus equal to:
$$={}_{\mathrm{HAS}}\sqrt{\frac{\pi }{\pi -\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="acos"\; filenames="imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">acos</figure-callout>}\left(2\mathrm{\xi }-1\right)+\left(2\mathrm{\xi }-1\right)\sqrt{1-{\left(2\mathrm{\xi }-1\right)}^2}}}$$

The ratio R _E of the size E of the truncated bottle compared to the size E _A of the traditional bottle is equal to:
$$R_E=\frac{E}{E_{\mathrm{HAS}}}=\frac{\mathit{ldh}}{{}_{\mathrm{HAS}}^{2}h}=\mathrm{\xi }\frac{\pi }{\pi -\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="acos"\; filenames="imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">acos</figure-callout>}\left(2\mathrm{\xi }-1\right)+\left(2\mathrm{\xi }-1\right)\sqrt{1-{\left(2\mathrm{\xi }-1\right)}^2}}$$

The gain G in size of the truncated bottle compared to E of the truncated bottle compared to the size E _A of the traditional bottle is equal to:
$$G=\frac{E_{\mathrm{HAS}}-E}{E_{\mathrm{HAS}}}=1-\frac{\mathit{\Delta E}}{E_{\mathrm{HAS}}}$$

The figure 4 is a plot of clutter gain G as a function of truncation ratio ξ, showing the systematic gain in clutter reduction in the truncation ratio range between 0.5 and 1.

A gain of at least 5% is obtained when the truncation ratio is between 0.6 and 0.9, more precisely between 0.63 and 0.90.

A gain of at least 6% is obtained when the truncation ratio is between 0.7 and 0.8, more precisely between 0.67 and 0.86.

The optimum gain is of the order of 7%, more precisely equal to 6.8%. This optimum is obtained for a truncation ratio value of the order of 0.77 +/- 0.02.

It should be emphasized that the optimum truncation ratio corresponds to the orthogonal section 115 of the bottle 100 having the largest diameter, because it is at this level that the gain in size is the most pronounced.

Advantageously, the truncation ratio is constant for each orthogonal section of the bottle 100, which makes it possible to keep the generatrix 320 of the bottle 100 as illustrated by view b) of the picture 2 , in particular when the truncation is carried out at any point on the axis of revolution of the bottle, i.e. from the jable 160 to the ring 135. The profile 310 on the truncation side thus corresponds to a homothety of the generatrix 320, in which the ratio of dilation is equal to the inverse of the truncation ratio.

In variant embodiments of the invention, the truncation ratio is variable between the sections along the axis of revolution. In these variants, the truncation ratio for a given orthogonal section 116 is however configured with respect to the truncation ratio for the orthogonal section 115 having the largest diameter, in such a way that the space requirement at the level of the given section is less or less. equal to the footprint defined at the level of the orthogonal section having the largest diameter.

In variant embodiments of the invention, the truncation is carried out only in a majority zone of the bottle between two points of the axis of revolution, encompassing the sections having the largest diameters so that the size of the bottle be reduced.

It should also be emphasized that the realization of the truncation all along the bottle 100 also makes it possible to avoid relatively unattractive transition edges, coming to join. In addition, the presence of such an intersection, in particular in the bonding zone of a label or a collar traditionally covering at least the ring 135 and the neck 140, makes bonding more difficult to achieve without the presence of a bubble.

Furthermore, when the section of the ring 135 is truncated, as illustrated by the top view in picture 3 , the section of the neck 140 is a homothety of the section of the ring 135. The presence of two points 410 of singularity in the asymmetric perimeter of the neck 140 advantageously makes it possible to reduce the formation of drops along the bottle 100, during a service phase where the bottle 100 is tilted to dispense the liquid contained. Indeed, one of the two points 410 then corresponds substantially to the lowest point of the perimeter of the neck 140 during the service phase, which makes it possible to greatly reduce the formation of a drop because the surface tension is locally greater. It should be emphasized that the position of a point 410 of singularity in the low position at the time of service is done here naturally because the bottle 100 is held with an edge 195 against the palm of a hand, inducing that the truncated face 190 is naturally generally vertical when serving.

Thanks to the reduction in the formation of a drop, the risk of staining a label stuck on the bottle 100, or even a support on which the bottle 100 would rest is also minimized.

It should be noted that the presence of a point of singularity on a neck to reduce the formation of a drop can also be applied to a bottle of any shape, possibly with a visual indicator at the level of the ring or the neck allowing a person to properly orient the bottle during service.

The corking of the bottle 100 can be carried out with stoppers, for example of cork, of a shape adapted to the asymmetry of the neck 140. Such a stopper 600, illustrated in figure 6 , has a generally cylindrical body 610, with a truncated face 620 . The ratio between the smallest distance of the section of the stopper 600 and its diameter without truncation, is similar to the ratio of truncation of the section of the neck 140, so that the seal is ensured when the stopper 600 is inserted into the neck. 140. The body 610 of the stopper 600 can be capped by a head (not shown) intended to come into abutment against the ring 135 of the bottle 100 when the stopper 600 is inserted into the neck 140.

In embodiment variants illustrated in figure 5 , the neck 140 of the bottle 100 has a cylindrical shape. In other words, the section of the neck 140 is circular, which is adapted to the traditional shape of corks. The neck 130 retaining its truncation, the thickness of the neck 130 is therefore different according to the longitudinal sections passing through the axis 110 of revolution.

Thanks to the truncation, it is thus observed a gain in size making it possible to further densify the storage or transport of bottles, in particular on pallets, which can go up to nearly 7% compared to the storage or transport of equivalent bottles.

In addition, it is found that the truncated face 190 provides stability to the bottle 100 when it is placed horizontally, for example on a table or a shelf, because the contact zone between the bottle 100 and the laying surface contains at least two straight line segments, corresponding to parts of the edges 195, sufficiently distant from each other, on either side of the projection of the center of mass of the bottle 100, so that the stability of the bottle once placed is ensured.

Furthermore, the truncated face 190 gives a better grip of the bottle 100, because the angle formed between the truncated face 190 and the curved face 191 is much less than 180°

A label 199 allowing the bottle 100 to be identified can also advantageously be stuck to the surface 190.

Thus, the label 199 is protected from a possible risk of soiling by a drop flowing along the bottle 100. It should indeed be emphasized that the bottle 100, being truncated, will naturally be taken in hand, a stop 195 of the generally flat face 190 against the palm of a server's hand. In the case of the formation of a possible drop of the liquid, the drop thus tends rather to flow along the curved face 191 of the bottle 100, whatever the shape of the neck 140, the generally flat face 190 being substantially vertical. at the time of service.

The bottle 100 is in this non-limiting example of the invention formed of glass which is the material commonly and preferentially used to store wine or a spirit.

However, the bottle 100 can be made of any other material known to those skilled in the art, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

The bottle 100 is here configured to have a capacity of between 0.5 and 3 liters, more preferably equal to 0.75 liter or 1 liter.

The glass bottle 100 is generally produced by blowing molten glass inside a set of complementary molds 710 and 720 reproducing the shape of the final bottle in negative, as illustrated in figure 7 .

Claims (14)

Bottle (100), of generally cylindrical shape, intended to contain a liquid, said bottle comprising a hollow body (120), delimited by a rim and a ring, said body (120) comprising a barrel (121) and a neck (130 ) of diameter smaller than the diameter of the barrel, shoulders being formed between the barrel and the neck, the shape of the said bottle being generated by revolution of a generatrix (320) around an axis (110) called of revolution, the sections of the bottle, orthogonal to the axis of revolution, being generally circular, characterized in that : for each orthogonal section of the bottle along all or part of the axis of revolution, including the orthogonal section presenting the largest diameter, a straight truncation is carried out at a distance from the axis of revolution, perpendicular to the diameter of said section, the ratio between the smallest dimension of said section, called width l , and the diameter d of said section, called ratio truncation, star both between 0.6 and 0.90 at the level of the orthogonal section having the largest diameter, all of the truncations being parallel and forming a so-called truncated face (190). Bottle according to the preceding claim, in which the distance D _ej between the shoulders and the rim is greater than the distance D _eb between the shoulders and the ring, the distance D _ej being measured at the widest section of the shoulders. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, for the section of the bottle having the greatest diameter without truncation, the truncation ratio is between 0.7 and 0.8. Bottle according to any one of claims 2 to 3, in which the large diameter without truncation is located in the immediate vicinity of the shoulders of the bottle. A bottle according to any preceding claim, wherein for each truncated section of the bottle the truncating ratio is equal to a constant value. A bottle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a neck (140) is formed within the neck, the cross section of the neck being circular. Bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which a neck (140) being formed inside the neck, the perimeter of the neck comprises at least one point of singularity. Bottle according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which a neck (140) being formed inside the neck, the section of the neck is a homothety of the truncated section of the bottle at the level of the finish. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a label (199) stuck on the so-called truncated face (190). A bottle according to any preceding claim, being of glass. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, containing an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage. Bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, the capacity of which is between 0.5 and 3 litres. Set of molds configured for the manufacture of a bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two complementary molds (710, 720) each presenting a part of the shape of the said bottle in negative. Cap configured to ensure the sealing of a neck of a bottle according to one of claims 7 or 8, in which the section of the cap is generally circular, with a truncated part, the ratio between the smallest distance of the section of the stopper and its diameter excluding truncation, being between 0.6 and 0.9.

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