GB2358385A

GB2358385A - Plastic drinks bottle

Info

Publication number: GB2358385A
Application number: GB9929411A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Christopher Ham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-13
Filing date: 1999-12-13
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Also published as: GB9929411D0

Abstract

A plastic bottle has one or more compressible regions, allowing the capacity of the bottle to be reduced upon application of a compressive force, and a restraining mechanism to prevent re-expansion. A compressible region consists of several similar sections, each being composed of concentric cylindrical sections connected by oppositely facing conical sections. The restraining mechanism may comprise a strap 4 wrapping around the base of the bottle and passing through a collar 5 resting around the neck of the bottle, with the ends of the strap and the entry to the collar configured such as to form a self-locking mechanism.

Description

2358385 PLASTIC DRINKS BOTTLE This invention relates to a disposable

plastic bottle particularly of the type that is used for storing carbonated beverages such as conventional soft drinks.

Such bottles are well known but suffer from the disadvantage that, once opened, the beverage tends to lose its dissolved carbon dioxide content. When it becomes more than half empty the drink will usually have lost much of its dissolved carbon dioxide content, to the detriment of its taste.

An object of this invention is to remedy the shortcomings of existing containers outlined above. In particular, it is an object of this invention to provide a container that, once opened, can minimise the escape of dissolved gas from the liquid contained within and therefore preserve the nature of its contents.

Accordingly, this invention provides a plastic bottle exhibiting one or more compressible regions, allowing the capacity of the bottle to be reduced, and a selflocking restraining strap to prevent re-expansion.

Preferably the bottle is made of conventional plastics materials, and used for the storage of carbonated beverages in one or two litre capacities, but different liquids or capacities may be used instead.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the complete bottle FIGURE 2 shows a plan view of the top of the bottle FIGURE 3 shows a plan view of the base of the bottle FIGURE 4 is a section showing the mechanism of a compressible section FIGURE 5 is a section showing the mechanism of the restraining collar FIGURE 6 shows a side view of the bottle when fully compressed : 11 2 As shown in figures I to 3, the bottle is cylindrical in design comprising of a neck I and base 3, similar to that of a conventional plastic drinks bottle, but also 2 compressible region 2, and a restraining mechanism. The compressible region 2 covers the middle section of the bottle over a length of approximately three quarter of the height of the bottle. The restraining mechanism consists of three constituent parts, these being the strap 4, a restraining collar 5 and the handle ring 6. As shown iin figure 3, the restraining strap 4 wraps around the base and up directly opposite sides of the bottle. The ends of the strap pass through the restraining collar 5, which rests around the neck of the bottle, as shown in figure 2. The ends of the straps are fixed to the handle ring 6. The complete bottle provides a container for carbonated beverages.

As liquid is removed the bottle can be compressed by exerting a downward vertical force. This can be achieved by pulling down the handles 7 on the ring 6 to which the ends of the restraining strap 4 are fixed. Alternatively compression can be achieved by pressing downwards on the cap, pulling the restraining strap 4 taut once compressed. In either case the resulting compression serves both to reduce the volume of empty space and to compress the air contained within the bottle. The amount of dissolved gas release from the liquid, necessary to achieve the required pressure to prevent further gas release, is therefore greatly reduced. The restraining mechanism prevents the bottle from re-expanding due to the build up of internal, pressure.

The compressible region 2 consists of several similar sections. As shown in figure 4, 1 each section consists of two concentric cylindrical sections connected by oppositely facing conical sections. Upon application of a compressive force the uppermost cylindrical section tends to move downwards towards the lower. This initially results in deformation of the cylindrical and conical sections due to the fixed inner and outer circumferences. However the presence of the inner cylindrical section allows the outer to continue to move over the inner such as to reverse the direction of the conical section. By reversing in direction the dimensions of the inner and outer cylindrical sections are restored to their original state, therefore providing a stable structure. Further compression is not possible, due to the fixed circumferences, and the compressive force will therefore be transferred to other uncompressed sections. A fully compressed section subsequently offers a reduction of up to two thirds in height. 1 '1 As described above, the restraining mechanism has three constituent parts. The centre. of the strap has a loop 8 designed to fit around one of the feet on a conventional base, as shown in figure 3. This serves to help positioning of the strap during assembly and to allow the strap to be positioned along directly opposite sides of the bottle. The ends of the strap are such as to form part of a self-locking mechanism as shown in figure 5. The restraining collar 5 is such as to fit over the cap and simply rests on the neck of the bottle. The collar has two channels traversing opposite sides of the bottle with the entry and exit of each forming part of the self-locking mechanism as shown in figure 5. The ends of the strap pass through their respective channels and are therefore transferred to the opposite side of the bottle where they are fi na Ily attached to the handle ring 6. The handle ring 6 fits the outer diameter of the bottle except where clearance is allowed for the strap. Protrusions at this point on either side 7 act as handles on which to exert a downward force.

3

Claims

1. A plastic bottle exhibiting one or more compressible regions, allowing the capacity of the bottle to be reduced upon application of a compressive force.

2. A bottle as claimed in Claim I where the compressible regions consist of several similar sections, each being composed of concentric cylindrical sections connected by oppositely facing conical sections.

3. A bottle as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, including a restraining mechanism to prevent re-expansion.

4. A bottle as claimed in Claim 3, where the restraining mechanism comprises a strap, wrapping around the base of the bottle and passing through a collar resting around the neck of the bottle.

5. A bottle as claimed in Claim 4 where the ends of the strap and the collar are configured such as to form a self-locking mechanism.

6. A bottle substantially as described herein with reference to figures 16 of the accompanying drawings.