JP2003531774A - Blow-molded bottle with flexible panels without frame - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A hot-fillable, elongated, blow-molded plastic bottle (10, 110, 210) for use to contain a hot-filled beverage. The bottle (10, 110, 210) has side walls (16, 116, 216) with various interaction areas of function. For example, some areas serve primarily to accommodate vacuum absorption, while others mainly provide secondary strength (eg, by providing secondary strength to improve the upper load capacity of the vessel). , 110, 210) are intended to be hard. Although each area has a primary function, each area also assists adjacent areas in providing those functions. Thus, the entire side wall (16, 116, 216) corresponds to the force created by the hot filling process on the container (10, 110, 210), not just at the selected site.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an elongated bottle that integrates aesthetic and functional features without clearly separating the features from each other. More specifically, the present invention relates to elongated, blow molded plastic bottles useful for filling hot-filled beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the filling of beverages, especially juices, in the so-called “hot filling” method in which the container is filled with the beverage at an elevated temperature, blow-molded plastic containers, for example made from PET, are used. The hot-filled container is rapidly sealed and allowed to cool, resulting in changes in internal pressure and temperature that reduce the volume of the sealed container.

It is known to provide a series of well-defined spaced, vacuum-flexible panels in a heat-fillable container to compensate for internal volume reduction. Has been. The vacuum flexible panel provides sufficient deflection without adversely affecting the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance of the heat filled container. Adjacent parts of the container, such as so-called lands, or pillars, located between, above and below the flexible panels, resist any deformation that would otherwise be caused by the heat-filling process. Is intended. Variations in wall thickness or geometric structures such as ribs, protrusions, etc. may be used to prevent unwanted deformation. In general, a typical heat-fillable container structure has a predetermined area that flexes to accommodate changes in volume, and remains unchanged.
It has some other predetermined areas.

An example of a heat-fillable container having a plurality of flexible panels is described in US Pat. No. 366,416. The hot-filled bottles are significantly visually clear before filling, and have well-defined, flexible panels that accommodate vacuum-induced deformation after filling, closing the lid, and cooling.
The container also has other geometric structures that are completely isolated from the flexible panel, are significantly visually distinct prior to filling, and resist structural changes induced by reduced volume. Typically, all of these structures are framed around their entire edges and are completely separated from the aesthetic features of the bottle, which are usually confined to the dome of the container. For example, flexible panels are often recessed from adjacent vertically arranged lands and from the surrounding upper and lower label application areas. Recessed panels typically join adjacent lands through structures such as a variety of stepped configurations of walls, grooves, protrusions, and the like.

Other examples of container side walls with flexible panels include US Pat. No. 4,749,092 granted to Sugiura et al., No. 3,923,178 granted to Welker III,
No. 4,497,855 granted to Agrawal and others, No. 5, granted to Brady.
Nos. 740,934 and 5,704,504 granted to Bueno. The Sugiura, Welker and Agrawal patents disclose a vacuum compliant panel that is flexed inwardly located between substantially planar lands,
The Bueno patent discloses an inwardly curved panel located between spiral grooves, and the Brady patent discloses an outwardly curved panel that intersects at vertically arranged corners. Disclosure.

While a variety of the above-cited containers may function satisfactorily for their intended purpose, they are functional in such a manner as to provide a filling body with increased visual interest. And there is a need for a heat-fillable blow-molded bottle with a combination of aesthetics. Such fillers are particularly desirable in single person sizes, where slenderness and ease of one-handed gripping are desirable features.

Object of the Invention With the above in mind, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a variety of interworking zones for the container structure to absorb vacuum, enhance structural strength, and enhance aesthetics. And other functional features with ergonomic properties are integrated into a heat-fillable bottle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of alternating, frameless, flexible, laterally meeting together directly and correspondingly to the heat-filling processing forces acting on them. To provide a bottle with panels and lands or columns without a frame.

A further object is to provide a blow-molded, plastic, elongate bottle with a gripping structure that enhances both the structural integrity of the container and the visual appearance of the container.

More specifically, the present invention has an upright neck with a threaded finish, a bottom with a closed end, and a tubular side wall disposed between the bottom and the neck. Provide a blow molded plastic container. The sidewalls have an alternating pattern of a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically elongated columns and a plurality of circumferentially spaced substantially smooth surfaces. Including a panel with. Each formed post has a horizontal cross-section that bulges outward so that each panel extends laterally between and joins directly to a pair of adjacent posts, and each formed panel has a horizontal cross section. The cross section is dented inward. Further, each post-formed column is outwardly bulged in a vertical cross-section, and each post-formed panel has a vertical cross-section such that each post and panel has opposite ends that directly meet adjacent portions of the container. It is dented inside.

Functionally, each panel is external to expand the volume of the container when hot filled, and internal to accommodate a decrease in internal volume when the container is capped and left to cool. . The inward bending of the panel correspondingly increases the bulge of the horizontal cross section of each column and decreases the bulge of the vertical cross section of each column. The vertical straightening of each post and the lateral compression of each post are combined to structurally strengthen the container.

[0012]   The structure described above is particularly suitable for elongated, single-sized bottles.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of, vertically aligned, finger alignment projections define finger grip locations, structurally strengthen the post, and provide points of visual interest. In addition, it is integrally formed on each pillar.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments One embodiment of an elongated bottle, or container, 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG.
The container 10 has a dome 12, a bottom 14 with a closed end, and a side wall 16 located between the dome and the bottom. The top of the dome 12 includes an upright threaded finish 18 to which a lid-like closure (not shown) can be attached. The lower portion of the dome 12 resists the oval deformation that might otherwise occur due to heat filling and provides hoop strength to the bottle to harden the transition between the lower and side walls of the dome. , Circumferential groove or barrel 20. In some cases, a label may be placed on the dome 12 between the finish 18 and the groove 20.

The preferred embodiment illustrated, there novel aspect is, above the bumper 16 a and is inserted between the lower bumper 16 b, cylindrical surface of which fancy contact with both the outer wall "P Is located in the side wall 16 that completely fits inside. Functionally,
The sidewalls 16 can expand when the bottle is filled and the heat-filled bottle can be capped to accommodate vacuum absorption when left to cool. Further, the side wall 16
It has structures that enhance the grip of container 10 and the aesthetic and visual appearance of container 10.

The side wall 16 is provided with areas of various interactive functions. For example, some areas are primarily responsible for containing vacuum absorption, while others are primarily
It is intended to make the container stiff as by providing secondary strength to improve the load capacity of the upper part of the container. Each area may have major functions, but each area also assists adjacent areas in providing those functions. Therefore side wall 1
The entire 6 then corresponds to the force generated by the heat-filling process on the container 10, not just the selected site.

To this end, a plurality of unframed, substantially smooth surface flexible panels 22 are provided with sidewalls 16 in an alternating pattern with a plurality of vertically elongated posts 24.
Attached to the top. Panels 22 provide areas for expansion and vacuum absorption, and posts 24 provide structural reinforcement areas. Both panel 22 and post 24 correspond to the forces created by the heat filling process.

The panel 22 is in the “as-formed” condition, ie, after blow molding but before heat filling and in the absence of internal or external applied force.
Is slightly indented. This is best seen in the vertical cross-section on the right side of FIG. 2 and the horizontal cross-sections shown in FIGS. The deepest recessed portion 26 of each panel 22 is located at the intersection of its vertical centerline 28 and its horizontal centerline 30. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, each panel 22 is substantially rectangular and is not surrounded by any frame structure such as stepped wall portions.
Rather, all the peripheral edges of each panel 22 meet directly with the adjacent portion of the container, as described below.

In the state after being formed, the column 24 is slightly bulged outward. This is best seen in the vertical cross-section on the left side of FIG. 2 and the horizontal cross-sections shown in FIGS. Each post 24 is substantially rectangular and is not surrounded by any overt frame structure such as tiered walls. Rather, each post 24 smoothly and directly meets the adjacent portion of the container. For example, the side edges of each panel 22 directly meet the side edges of a pair of adjacent posts 24. The joint between the panel 22 and the post 24 is not partitioned by other structures, but rather smoothly transitions directly to each other. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively also the upper and lower edges of the panel 22 and the pillar 24 are joined directly to the upper and lower bumpers 16 a and 16 b.

Preferably, the deepest recessed portion 26 of each panel 22 is retracted into the container 10 by a predetermined distance equal to the outermost protruding portion of each post. For example, if each panel 22 is inwardly about 2 mm from the base surface "D" of the formed fancy container, then each post will protrude 2 mm from the base surface "D" of the formed container. The "basic plane" D "of the container" is defined as the imaginary cylindrical surface where the panel does not have its perimeter inwards and the columns do not have its perimeter outside. See dotted line "D" in FIG.

Another embodiment, which provides certain additional structural and functional advantages over the first described embodiment, is shown in FIGS. The container 110 includes a bottom 114, sidewalls 116, and a dome 112 having a finish 118. In this aspect, each pillar, such as pillar 124, has a vertical hourglass shape with its narrowest region located at the vertical midpoint of sidewall 116 as determined by section line 7-7. From here, the pillars diverge outward, both upwards and downwards. Each panel 122 between adjacent posts 124 is complementary and has its widest portion at the midpoint of the sidewall, from which it narrows both upwards and downwards. Posts and panels both upper and smoothly and the bumper 116 a and 116 b each lower merges outwardly.

In this aspect, each finger grip projection 132 is discussed below.
However, they have equal size, shape and radial extent that provides better grip performance without compromising supple performance.

When the containers 10, 110 are hot-filled with a beverage, each panel 22, 122 is initially labeled with a container 10, 110, as most apparent for the exaggerated container 110 in the dotted-line line of FIG. Bend slightly outward to increase capacity. After the containers 10 and 110 have been heat-filled, closed and left to cool, each panel 2
2, 122 flex inwardly to effectively reduce the volume of each container 10 and 110, as is most apparent for the container 110, which is greatly exaggerated by the dashed lines in FIGS. 6 and 7-9.

Each column 24, 124 is also heat-filled, closed lid and responsive to the forces created in the cooled containers 10 and 110. In a horizontal sectional view, each pillar 24, 12
The bulge of 4 is increased by a lateral pinch that causes the adjacent panels 22, 122 to flex inward. In the vertical cross section, each pillar 24, 124 is straight. The combination of lateral pinch and vertical straightening creates a stronger columnar structure as more vacuum is created in the container. The increased strength of the post structure increases the secondary strength provided by the posts 24, 124, providing increased top load capacity for the filled, closed lid containers 10 and 110. The intended modified configuration of the posts 24, 124 also helps resist unwanted container deformation and provides the container with an enhanced visual aesthetic interest. Note the bend for the base plane "D" of the container of FIG.

Preferably, each post 24, 124 has a central portion (on abou) of about 1 inch.
t one inch centers) a plurality of vertically aligned protrusions 32,
132 is attached. In the vertical position, the protrusion is delimited by the laterally undulating lines of the inflections 34,134 and the radially undulating surfaces 36,136. The degree of bulging of the radially undulating surface 36 may vary from an upper maximum to a lower minimum, as shown in FIG. 1, or as shown in the embodiment of FIG. Might be comparable. The outward protrusions 32, 132 delimit the valleys 38, 138 between them to provide placement of finger positions to improve the grip of the container. The pattern of protrusions 32, 132 also provides visual interest and structurally strengthens posts 24, 124 in one desired location while providing the desired flexure in some other desired location.

The present invention is particularly suitable for use with elongated bottles, ie bottles having a predetermined slenderness ratio. If slenderness ratios used herein, the length of the finished product 18 upper 18 1 bottle 10 up to the bottom 14 a of the upright ring was measured in the axial direction from a bottom 14 of the dome 12 Side wall 1 arranged between the bottom of the base and the bottom 14
6 or divided by the average diameter of the body portion. In the illustrated bottle 10, the slenderness ratio is 3.3: 1. Bottle 10 is drawn to scale. It has a total length of about 22.9 cm (9 inches) and a fill capacity of 0.7 liters (24 ounces).

By way of example, each bottle, such as bottle 10, can have about 0.
It can include between 2 liters (about 8 ounces) and about 1.9 liters (about 64 ounces) of beverage. The sidewall 16 can include any number of panels 22, 122 and posts 24, 124, such as in the range of 2-10. Basic aspects of container "
D "deepest recessed portion 26 of each panel in the condition after formation of the container
Is about 1 to 4 mm. The groove 20 on the circumference of the dome 12 is about 4 at a depth of about 6 to 7 mm.
~ 5 mm high. The filled and closed container 10 is filled in an effective amount of space as the side wall panels 22 of one container interlock with the columns 24 of adjacent containers to minimize the filling volume, Can be shipped.

A third aspect of the invention is provided by a container 210 as shown in FIGS. The heat-fillable plastic container 210 is a dome 212 with a finish 218.
, A lower sidewall 216 adjacent the bottom 214 and a label on it (not shown)
Has a substantially cylindrical intermediate side wall 234 to which can be fixed. The lower sidewalls 216 are interleaved with six vertically elongated columns 224 that function similar to frameless flexible panels and columns as previously disclosed for containers 10 and 110 when heat filled. Includes six vertically elongated, frameless flexible panels 222.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a heat-fillable container that integrates a variety of functional and aesthetic features without the explicit separation of the features. The frameless panels and columns correspond to each other to provide vacuum absorption and structural reinforcement functions. When a greater vacuum is created in the container, greater structural features are created in the sidewalls of the container to provide a functional, structurally strong and visually aesthetic container.

Various modifications are envisioned for the container. For example, those modifications include the use of odd or even panels, vacuum absorption and structural areas located in the dome of the container, and finger grip provided by dents instead of protrusions.

While a preferred embodiment of a container having a sidewall with flexible panels without a frame has been described, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, Various modifications, changes and changes can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a container specifically illustrating the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2. FIG.

[Figure 3]   FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of the container shown in FIG. 1.

[Figure 4]   4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4. FIG.

[Figure 5]   FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a second aspect of a container according to the present invention.

[Figure 6]   6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6. FIG.

[Figure 7]   7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of the container shown in FIG.

[Figure 8]   8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of the container shown in FIG.

[Figure 9]   9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of the container shown in FIG.

[Figure 10]   FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a third aspect of a container according to the present invention.

11 is an elevational view of the container shown in FIG. 10 rotated 30 ° about a vertical axis extending through the center of the container.

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A dome (12,112,212) with an upright finish (18,118,218), a bottom (14,114,214) and a bottom (14,11).
4, 214) and the dome (12, 112, 212) between the substantially tubular side walls (1
6,116,216) blow molded plastic bottles (10,11)
0, 210), wherein the sidewalls (16, 116, 216) are a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically elongated columns (24, 124,
224) and an alternating pattern of a plurality of circumferentially spaced substantially smooth surfaced panels (22, 122, 222), each said panel (22, 122, 222) , A pair of adjacent pillars (24, 1,
24, 224) extending laterally in the middle and joined directly to them, each post (24, 124, 224) having a horizontal cross-section bulging outward after formation and a horizontal post-formation. The panel (22, 122, 22) having a concave inward cross section.
2), and vertical after formation, with each said post (24,124,224) and panel (22,122,222) having opposite ends directly merging into an adjacent portion of a bottle (10,110,210). Each of the columns (24, 124, 224) whose cross section bulges outward
) And said panel (22, 122,
222), a blow molded plastic bottle comprising: 2. Each of the panels (22, 122, 222) flexes outwardly when hot filled, and the bottles (10, 110, 210) react to a decrease in internal volume when closed and left to cool. Bends inward, and the panels (22, 122, 2)
22) said inward deflection increases the lateral cross-section ledge of each said pillar (24, 124, 224), where said increased horizontal cross-section ledge structurally increases the strength of the bottle. A blow molded plastic bottle (10, 110, 210) according to claim 1. 3. Bottles (10, 110, 210) are heat-filled, capped, and left to cool on each vertical cross-section protruding outward of said columns (24, 124, 224) after said formation. Blow-molded plastic bottle according to claim 2, characterized in that it flattens in response to a decrease in the internal volume, and said vertical flattening structurally increases the strength of the bottle (10, 110, 210). (10, 110, 210)
. 4. A plurality of integrally formed on each said pillar (24,124),
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising vertically aligned finger alignment protrusions (32, 132).
Blow molded plastic bottles (10, 110) as described. 5. A blow molded plastic bottle according to claim 4, wherein said side walls (16,116) have a number of said panels (22,122) ranging from 2 to 10 and an equal number of said columns (24,124). (10, 110). 6. The pillars (24, 124) of one bottle (10, 110) interdigitate with the panels (22, 122) of adjacent bottles (10, 110) to resemble a minimum space. Five said panels (22,122) and five said pillars (22) with said side walls (16,116) providing adjacent filling with bottles (10,110).
Blow-molded plastic bottle (10) according to claim 5, having
, 110). 7. Upright finish which can be closed with a closure (18,
Upper part with a dome (12, 112, 212) having a (118, 218), a lower part having a bottom (14, 114, 214), and a generally tubular middle between said upper part and lower part. Side wall part (16,
116, 216) (wherein the side wall portions (16, 116, 216) have a plurality of
Panels (22, 12) with a substantially smooth surface spaced around the circumference
2, 222) formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertically elongate columns (24, 124, 224) in an alternating pattern with each said panel (22, 122, 222) is a pair of adjacent columns (24, 12)
4, 224) extending laterally in the lateral direction and having a horizontal cross-section that bulges outward after formation so as to directly join them, Each of the panels (22, 122, 2) having a concave inward cross-section.
22), so that each said post (24, 124, 224) and panel (22, 122, 222) has a vertical end after formation so that it has opposite ends that directly meet adjacent portions of the bottle (10, 110, 210). Each of the pillars (24, 124,
224) and each panel (22) having a vertical cross-section which is inwardly recessed after formation.
, 122, 222), each panel (22, 122, 222) that curves outward to expand the capacity of the bottle (10, 110, 210) during hot filling, and the bottle (10, 110,
210), the lid (22, 122, 222) curved inward in response to the decrease of the internal capacity after being left to cool, and the horizontal position of each of the columns (24, 124, 224). Said inner flexure of said panel (22,122,222) having the function of increasing the bulge of the cross section and reducing the bulge of the vertical cross section of each said pillar (24,124,224). Slender blow-molded plastic bottles (10, 110, 210)
. 8. A finger grip position is defined between them, and the pillar (
A plurality of vertically aligned finger array projections (32, 132) integrally formed on each said post (24, 124) to structurally strengthen the columns (24, 124). An elongated blow molded plastic bottle (1) according to claim 7 comprising
0, 110). 9. Each panel (22, 122) has a vertical centerline and a pair of side edges, and each said pillar (24, 124) has a vertical centerline and a pair of side edges. , So that under the conditions after the formation of the bottle (10, 110), each said panel (22, 122) at the center line of said panel is at a predetermined distance with respect to the lateral edge of said panel. Extending inwardly along the ray, and at the centerline of the column each of the columns (24, 124) extends along the ray by a predetermined distance with respect to a lateral edge of the column. Extending outwardly, where the lateral edges of the columns and panels lie on a cylindrical reference plane (D), and the predetermined distances of the panels and columns are substantially equal An elongated blow-molded plastic bottle (10) according to claim 7. 110). 10. The panel (22, 122) and the column (24, 124).
An elongate blow molded plastic bottle (10, 110) according to claim 9 wherein said predetermined distance is in the range of about 1 to about 4 mm. 11. The elongated blow molded plastic bottle (10) of claim 7 wherein each said post (24) has a substantially rectangular perimeter. 12. The elongated blow molded plastic bottle (110) of claim 7, wherein each said post (124) has an hourglass-shaped configuration with a minimum circumferential extent approximately midway along the side wall (116). ). 13. Each said panel (22, 122) and each said pillar (24, 12).
4) has an upper perimeter edge placed in an end-to-end array having a substantially circular horizontal cross-sectional configuration, and each said panel (22, 122) and each said post (24).
, 124) with an elongated blow-molded plastic bottle (10, 10) having lower peripheral edges arranged in an end-to-end array having the form of a substantially circular horizontal cross-section. 110). 14. The sidewall portion (16, 116) has between 2 and 10 of the panels (22, 122) and an equal number of the posts (24, 124).
An elongated blow-molded plastic bottle (10, 110) as described. 15. A dome (12, 112) having an upper portion with an upstanding sealable finish (18, 118) and a lower portion with a circumferential groove providing a waist (20). A bottom (14, 114) and a tubular side wall (between the dome (12, 112) and the bottom (14, 114).
16, 116), wherein said sidewalls (16, 116) are arranged in an alternating pattern with a plurality of circumferentially spaced substantially smooth surfaced panels (22, 122). A plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically elongated columns (24,124)), each panel (22,122) being a pair of adjacent columns (22,122). (24, 124) laterally extending between the columns (24, 124) having a horizontal cross-section that bulges outwards after formation so as to join them directly, and a horizontal cross-section after formation. Each of the panels (22, 122) that is dented inward, each of the columns (24, 124) and panel (22, 122) is a bottle (10, 11)
0) each post (24, 124) having a vertical cross-section which bulges outward after formation so as to have opposite ends which directly meet the dome (12, 112) and the bottom (14, 114). And each panel (22, 122) having a vertical inward indentation after formation, and each panel (22, 122) curving outward to expand the capacity of the bottle (10, 110) during hot filling. ) And the bottles (10, 110) are capped,
When left to cool, each panel that curves inward in response to a decrease in internal capacity (
22, 122), as well as each of the columns (24, 124) to structurally increase the load strength at the top of the bottle.
A blow molded elongated plastic bottle (10,110) comprising: the inner deflection of the panel (22,122) which increases the bulge of the horizontal cross section of the panel and reduces the bulge of the vertical cross section of the panel (22,122). ). 16. A position for gripping a finger is defined, and the pillar (24, 12) is set at a desired position.
4) a plurality of vertically aligned outwardly protruding finger array projections (32) integrally formed on each of the posts (24, 124) to structurally modify the strength of (4).
, 132). The blow molded elongated plastic bottle (10, 110) of claim 15, further comprising: 17. Each panel (22, 122) has a central portion with a perimeter and each said pillar (24, 124) has a central portion with a perimeter, and a bottle (10, 1).
10) In the state after formation, each said panel (22, 122) extends inward along the radiation by a predetermined distance with respect to the perimeter of said panel in said central part, and said pillar In the central portion of each of the columns (24, 124) extend outward along the radiation by a predetermined distance with respect to the perimeter of the columns, and the panels (22, 122) and columns. Blow-molded elongate plastic bottle (10,110) according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined distances of (24,124) are substantially equal. 18. The blow molded elongate plastic bottle (10,110) of claim 15 having a fineness ratio of about 3.3: 1. 19. Upper and lower bumpers (16 a , 16 b , 116 a , 116 b ) above and below the sidewalls (16, 116), wherein the pillars () after formation of the bottle ( 24, 124) are the bumpers (16 a , 16 b ,
Blow-molded elongate plastic bottle (10, 110) according to claim 15, which lies in a cylindrical surface (P) in contact with 116 a , 116 b ). 20. A cylindrical basic surface (D) coaxial with said first mentioned cylindrical surface (P), arranged inside it, at the vertical midpoint of said side wall. The cylindrical basic surface (D) is the pillar (24, 124) and the panel (
22. Blow-molded elongated plastic bottle (10, 110) according to claim 19, delimiting a point of flexure (22, 122).