JP2005532959A - Plastic container with structural ribs - Google Patents

Abstract

A base portion (112), a body portion attached to the base, a concave waist portion (136) attached to the body portion, a dome (130) attached to the waist portion, and a plurality of structural ribs (132) A blow molded container (110) having a terminal portion (140) attached to the dome. The dome has a plurality of panel portions (134) arranged at positions around the dome. The terminal portion has an opening (144), and the dome portion is disposed between the panel portion and the waist portion. Each of the structural ribs is disposed between two adjacent panel portions and is raised with respect to the panel portion.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to such containers that are typically made from polyester and can be filled with hot liquids. The present invention also relates to an improvement in the dome structure for such a container.

  The application of “hot fill” (or hot-fill) is applied to thermal stress, hydraulic pressure during filling and immediately after closing the container lid, and vacuum pressure as the fluid cools. As a result, considerable complex mechanical stress is applied to the structure of the plastic container.

  When the high temperature fluid is introduced, thermal stress is applied to the wall of the container. The hot fluid first causes the container wall to soften and then shrinks non-uniformly, causing container distortion. Thus, plastic materials (eg polyester) are frequently heat treated to induce molecular changes that result in containers that exhibit thermal stability.

  Pressure and stress also act on the side walls of the refractory container during the filling process and for a considerable time period thereafter. When the container is filled and sealed with hot fluid, the container is subject to increased internal pressure. As the liquid and headspace air under the cap continues to cool, the pressure within the container decreases due to thermal shrinkage. The vacuum generated by this cooling has a tendency to mechanically deform the container wall.

  Liquid containers are often shipped in cardboard boxes that are stacked on top of each other during storage and shipping. Containers have shown limited capacity to withstand top loads during stacking for filling, capping and shipping. Overcoming these problems is important because it reduces the likelihood that the top or shoulder of the container will be crushed and prevents ovalization of this area. It is important that the containers can be stacked to maximize the use of shipping space. Because of the weight of liquid filled containers, cardboard boxes often require reinforcements such as egg crate dividers to prevent container crushing. The vulnerability of the container to crushing may be increased by deformation resulting from the vacuum described above.

  A particular problem that can arise from performing hot filling is a reduced ability of the container to withstand top loads during filling, capping and labeling operations. Its ability to withstand the loads imposed through the top or top portion of the container, even when the containers are stacked on top of each other for storage and shipping, for example, because the container stiffness decreases immediately after filling and after cooling Is small. A similar top load is applied to the container as it is dropped and falls from its upper part or mouth. As a result of this top load, the container may deform and is undesirable for the consumer.

  Embodiments of the present invention provide a container dome structure that assists in reducing the aforementioned container deformation. In addition, the present invention provides a container dome structure having a top load strength sufficient to allow a substantial reduction in secondary packaging requirements. For example, the need to use an “egg crate divider” can be reduced or eliminated.

  Certain embodiments of the invention include a base portion, a body portion attached to the base portion, a concave waist portion attached to the body portion, a dome attached to the waist portion, and a plurality of A blow molded container having a structural rib and a finish attached to the dome. The terminal portion has an opening, and the dome portion is disposed between the panels and the waist. The dome has a plurality of panels arranged at positions around the perimeter of the dome. Each of the structural ribs is disposed between two adjacent panels and is raised relative to the panel.

  Other embodiments of the invention include a base portion, a body portion attached to the base portion, a concave (ie, constricted) waist portion attached to the body portion, and attached to the waist portion. A blow molded container having a dome, four structural ribs, and a terminal portion attached to the dome is provided. The terminal portion has an opening. The dome has four panels that are evenly spaced around the dome. Each of the structural ribs is disposed between two adjacent panels. The portion of the dome is disposed between the panel and the waist portion, has a circular cross section, and has a larger diameter than the waist portion. Each of the structural ribs is raised with respect to the panel, and at least one of the structural ribs is incorporated in a graphic image representing what is in the container.

  The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below in view of the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings. Here, in the figures, like reference symbols or numerals respectively denote like or corresponding parts throughout each of the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a blow molded plastic container 110 having a reinforced dome 130 according to the present invention. The dome 130 is designed to provide a package that contributes to aesthetics, as well as improved control of dome distortion caused by top loads. The container 110 is an example of a container used for packaging a liquid such as a beverage. However, the container 110 can also be used to contain a powder or other fluid material. A specific use case for container 110 is to contain 32 or 64 ounces of hot juice that can be hot-filled (where 1 ounce is 28.3495 grams).

  Attached to the dome 130 is a terminal or finish 140 having an opening 144. In some embodiments, the termination portion 140 is threaded to receive a threaded cap. The waist 136 is attached to the end of the dome 130 opposite to the end portion 140. The waist portion 136 generally has a smaller cross-sectional area than the lower portion of the dome 130. Below the waist 136 is an upper label bumper 120. The upper label bumper portion 120 and the lower label bumper portion 114 are upper and lower limit portions for the label mounting area 118. The upper label bumper portion 120, the label mounting area 118, and the lower label bumper portion 114 provide a surface for applying a label to the container 110 with an adhesive, for example. In this embodiment, a flexible panel portion 116 is provided outside the label mounting area 118 to provide strength to the hot-fill container and / or the volume of the container after it has been sealed and when it cools. Embrace change. In other embodiments, the flexible panel portion can be provided in the label mounting area such that the label covers the flexible panel portion. The base portion 112 is provided at the bottom of the container 110.

  The embodiment of the dome 130 shown in FIG. 1 has a larger cross-sectional area at the lower end of the dome than the smallest portion of the waist portion 136. In this embodiment, the dome 130 has a maximum cross-sectional area at this lowest point. Similarly, the cross section of the dome 130 is generally circular, and the diameter of the cross section decreases as the distance from the waist portion 136 increases. This reduction in diameter forms a dome that slopes inwardly toward the end portion 140.

  The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of panel portions 134 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the plurality of panel portions 134 are separated by structural ribs 132 between each pair of adjacent panel portions 134. The structural rib 132 extends in the axial direction of the container 110. The structural ribs 132 increase the rigidity of the container 110 and thereby can strengthen the container 110 sufficiently to support the weight of many similar filled containers. The cross-section of the structural rib 132 can be substantially rectangular and the rib has acute or rounded corners. The size of the structural rib 132 is preferably not larger than the circumferential panel portion 134 of the container and can be determined to be smaller than half the size of the circumferential panel portion 134. This strength is beneficial as it allows multiple containers in the box to be shipped without additional enhancements, such as an egg crate divider, while still allowing multiple cardboard boxes to stack together. It is.

  In addition to the advantages described above, the panel portion 134 provides a surface for product logos or other graphics. The structural ribs 132 can be incorporated into these or other logos or graphics, particularly graphics having elongate elements such as wood. The logo or graphic can be incorporated into the container mold so that the panel portion 134 and / or the structural ribs 132 are embossed with the logo or graphic. By combining the structural quality of the structural ribs 132 with useful marketing graphics, the present invention addresses two design issues with one integrated solution.

  2 to 4 show cross-sectional views of the container 110. 2 and 3 show sectional views of the upper and lower portions of the dome 130, respectively. 2 and 3 show cross-sectional views of the panel 134 and the structural ribs 132. These figures show that, in this embodiment, the cross section of the dome 130 is substantially circular except for the structural ribs 132. Other shapes such as oval and generally rectangular can be used as the cross-sectional basis. The corners formed where the panel 134 meets the structural ribs 132 provide strength that increases the strength of the container along the longitudinal axis of the container. This additional strength is effective in that it eliminates or reduces the need for reinforcement of the boxes used to ship and store the containers. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the waist portion 136. In this embodiment, the waist portion 136 has a circular cross section. However, other cross-sectional shapes such as oval or substantially rectangular can be used.

  FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross section of the end portion 140, the dome 130 and the waist portion 136.

  FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention having structural ribs incorporated in the graphic image.

  The container of the present invention can include any material known in the art and any material commonly used in the applications described above, as well as other materials. These materials include plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and nylon, as well as other polyesters, polyolefins, polycarboxyls with properties suitable for the intended use. Includes amides and polycarbonates. The bottle can be made from a plastic material that is elastic and flexible so that it can be crushed.

  As will be understood from the embodiments of the present invention described herein and illustrated in the drawings, the present invention provides a container having effective strength and provides a structural member for imparting this strength for marketing purposes. Incorporates into visual features that are effective.

  While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon review of the disclosure. . These and other embodiments are considered to be included without departing from the spirit of the invention and as part of the scope of the invention.

It is a side view of the container by the 1st embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional line 2-2 of the container shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional line 3-3 of the container shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 1 taken along a cross-sectional line 4-4. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIGS. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present invention having a graphic image incorporated within a structural rib.

Claims (13)

A base part;
A body portion attached to the base portion;
A concave waist portion attached to the body portion;
A dome attached to the waist, the dome having a plurality of panels arranged around the dome; and
A plurality of structural ribs;
A terminal portion attached to the dome having an opening;
A blow molded container comprising:
The portion of the dome is disposed between the panel and the waist;
Each of the structural ribs is disposed between two adjacent panels, and each of the structural ribs is raised relative to the panel.   The container according to claim 1, wherein the waist has a circular cross section.   The container according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the dome disposed between the recessed panel and the waist portion has a circular cross section and a larger diameter than the waist portion.   The container of claim 1, wherein the dome has four panels.   The container according to claim 4, wherein the structural ribs are substantially vertical.   The container of claim 4, wherein the four panels are evenly spaced around the dome.   The container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the structural ribs is incorporated in a graphic image representing an object contained in the container.   The container of claim 7, wherein the graphic image is raised relative to the panel.   9. A container according to claim 8, wherein the graphic image represents a tree with branches.   The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the panels has a graphic embossed on a surface of the panel. A base part;
A body portion attached to the base portion;
A concave waist with a circular cross section attached to the body portion;
A dome attached to the waist, the dome having four panels that are evenly spaced around the dome;
Four structural ribs each disposed between two adjacent panels;
A terminal portion attached to the dome having an opening;
A blow molded container comprising:
A portion of the dome is disposed between the panel and the waist;
The section of the dome disposed between the panel and the waist portion has a circular cross section, and has a larger diameter than the waist portion,
Each of the structural ribs is raised with respect to the panel, and at least one of the structural ribs is incorporated in a graphic image representing an object contained in the container.   The container of claim 11, wherein the graphic image is raised relative to the panel.   The container of claim 12, wherein the graphic image represents a tree with branches.

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