JP2013542896A - Stackable container with protruding top edge - Google Patents

Abstract

A container such as a beer keg comprises a blow molded container body 1 and an injection molded top protruding edge 2. The top protruding edge 2 includes a continuous peripheral handle 20 that is connected to the central hub 21 by radial spokes 22 and has a peripheral skirt 24 that fits closely over the top of the container body. The bottom of the container body includes a channel 15 formed between the ridge 14 and the ridge 14 to form a petal-like configuration. The ridge 14 is formed with an integral leg projection 17 which is placed in the recessed area of the protruding edge defined by the handle 20 so that the container can be laminated stably. The deepest channels formed between the ridges 14 merge to form a dome region 15 wall that transitions to the side wall 10. The contents of the container apply internal pressure to the bottom wall, which bottom wall is less prone to distortion during use.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly to kegs suitable for holding beverages such as beer or fruit juice or other liquids.

  Otaru for holding beverages such as beer is traditionally made of metal. After use, the keg is cleaned and refilled so that it is used multiple times until it reaches the end of its life. However, Otaru is often used to transport the contents over long distances, and in some cases between continents, and returning Otaru for reuse can be uneconomical in terms of transportation costs. . Another consideration is the environmental cost of transporting heavy containers over long distances and discarding containers that consume a large amount of energy for manufacturing. Accordingly, it is common to produce containers from lightweight and inexpensive materials such as plastics that are inexpensive to manufacture and transport.

  Otaru traditionally has top and bottom protruding edges that are secured to opposite ends of the container body. The top protruding edge provides a handle for handling the keg, while the bottom protruding edge provides a stable base on which the keg can stand. The protruding edge also provides protection against the container body which is easily recessed or damaged, especially when the container is rolled sideways and moved.

  In plastic kegs, the protruding edges are typically injection molded and the container body is blow molded. The injection-molded protruding edge is strong and performs the same function as the metal protruding edge. Furthermore, the top and bottom protruding edges can be designed to engage each other so that the keg can be safely stacked during storage and transport. However, the manufacture of such a protruding edge requires a relatively expensive injection molding apparatus, which greatly increases the cost.

  The present invention is novel and innovative that can be manufactured at low cost and with low energy consumption, is easy to handle with low risk of damage, and can stand alone or stacked with other similar kegs It is intended to provide a shape of a large keg or similar container.

  The present invention has a container body and a top projecting edge, the top projecting edge being formed with a peripheral skirt and an integral continuous peripheral handle, the container body having a side wall, a top wall received in the top projecting edge, and a bottom wall. In the container, the bottom wall of the container is formed with a ridge extending outwardly from the central portion, the ridge is shaped to stably support the container on a flat surface, and in use Proposed is a container characterized in that when the container is laminated on top of another container, it is shaped to engage the recessed area of the top protruding edge.

  In order to provide a clear position with the top protruding edge of the other container, the ridge preferably has at least one leg-like protrusion that engages the recessed area. The recessed area is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the protruding edge or on the inner side from the outer peripheral edge of the protruding edge.

  The deepest part of the channel formed between the ridges preferably merges to form a dome-shaped region of the bottom wall that transitions to the side wall. Such a configuration ensures that the bottom wall of the container can resist internal gas pressure with little or no outward strain.

  The ridges and protrusions can be formed by a simple pressing or molding operation and require minimal additional material. The contents of the container generate an internal pressure on the bottom wall, which in a preferred configuration has a high resistance to strain.

2 is a side view of two stacked kegs according to the present invention. FIG. It is an expanded cross-section detail drawing of the laminated Otaru which cut | disconnected the bottom ridge part to the axial direction. It is bottom part sectional drawing which cut | disconnected one of Otaru in the axial direction between the bottom part ridge parts. It is a cross-sectional detailed view of the laminated | stacked Otaru of the 2nd form based on this invention.

(Detailed description of the drawings)
The figure shows two identical containers in the form of a keg for holding a pressurized beverage such as beer, which are stacked on top of other containers. The keg may be formed from plastic or other renewable material. As shown in FIG. 1, each keg comprises a keg body 1 and a top protruding edge 2 with a valve assembly (not shown).

FIG. 2 is an axial section showing the bottom of the upper keg supported by the top of the lower keg. The main body 1 of each keg is formed into one member by, for example, blow molding, and includes a cylindrical side wall 10, a dome-shaped top wall 11 including a central neck 12, and a bottom wall 13. The neck 12 receives the valve assembly 4 with the extraction tube 5. The extraction tube 5 extends to the bottom of the keg to allow the pressurized liquid to be extracted from the bottom of the keg. When the valve assembly is not engaged by a suitable fitting, it closes by spring pressure in a known manner to keep the pressurized fluid sealed within the container.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom wall 13 is shaped to form six coplanar ridges 14 that extend radially outward from the central portion 16. This provides a petal-like (like flower petal) configuration on the bottom wall 13. When the channels formed between the ridges 14 are viewed in an axial cross-section as in FIG. 3, the deepest of these channels meet at the central portion 16 and they merge to form a continuous dome region 15. ing. The dome region 15 smoothly transitions to the cylindrical side wall 11. Such a configuration ensures that the bottom wall of the keg can resist internal gas pressure with little or no outward strain. The outermost end of each ridge 14 is formed in an integral lower projection 17 to form six integral legs that allow the keg to be stably held on a flat surface.

The top protruding edge 3 is formed by injection molding as one member and has a ring-shaped handle 20 connected to the central hub 21 by radial spokes 22. The handle 20 also includes an axially extending channel-shaped member 23 that connects the handle to a peripheral skirt 24 that fits closely over the upper end of the keg body 1. The handle 20 is formed as a continuous upwardly open dual channel and has one bottom wall 25, two upstanding intermediate and inner walls 26, 27, and shorter upstanding outer walls 28, which are external An external stepped recess is formed between the wall 28 and the adjacent inner wall 26. The top protruding edge 3 may be secured to the keg body via a peripheral skirt 24 and may also be held in place by the valve assembly 4.

When the keg is filled, the contents of the keg apply an outward pressure to the petal-like bottom wall 13 which is countered by the dome region 15. Internal pressure is also applied to the integral ridges 14 and leg protrusions 17 to hold them tight and provide a stable and firm support for the filled keg. When the keg is stacked on another keg, the intermediate wall 26 and the inner wall 27 of the handle 20 provide firm support for the radial ridge 14 and the protrusion 17 is supported by the intermediate wall 26 and the outer wall 28. Located in the outer recess to be formed, thereby positioning the upper keg in the radial direction with respect to the intermediate wall 26.

Six ridges and leg protrusions are preferred because the number provides greater strength and stability, although larger or smaller numbers of ridges and leg protrusions can be used.

  The bottom wall configuration described in FIGS. 1-3 provides maximum space between the protrusions 17 and provides a high level of stability for the pressure keg when standing on a flat surface.

  FIG. 4 shows another arrangement in which a leg-like protrusion 30 is formed partially along the length of the bottom ridge 14 so that the protrusion 30 is defined by the inner wall 27 of the handle 20. Positioned in the central concave region of edge 2. Although this keg is somewhat unstable when standing on a flat surface, the protrusions cause less plastic elongation during blow molding, thus reducing the risk of vulnerability in the wall of the container body.

  While the above description focuses on the areas that are considered new and address the identified issues, the features disclosed here can be used in any combination that can provide new and useful advancements to existing technologies. Intended to be possible.

Claims (7)

Having a container body (1) and a top protruding edge (2);
The top protruding edge (2) is formed with a peripheral skirt (24) and an integral continuous peripheral handle (20);
The container body comprises a side wall (10), a top wall (11) received in the top protruding edge, and a bottom wall (13);
The bottom wall (13) of the container is formed with a ridge (14) extending outwardly from a central portion (16);
The ridges stably support the container on a flat surface, and the concave area (26, 28) of the top protruding edge when the container is laminated on top of another container during use. To engage, shaped to,
A container characterized by that.   2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the ridge (14) has leg-shaped protrusions (17; 30) which engage in the recessed areas (26, 28; 30).   3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the protrusion (17) is arranged in a recessed area formed on the outer peripheral edge (20) of the protruding edge (2).   A container according to claim 3, characterized in that the recessed area is bounded by the handle (20) of the protruding edge (2).   The container according to claim 2, characterized in that the leg-shaped protrusion (30) is arranged in a recessed area set inward from the outer peripheral edge of the protruding edge (2).   6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the recessed area is bounded by the handle (20) of the protruding edge (2).   A channel is formed between the ridges (14), and the channels meet to form an open dome-like region (15) outside the bottom wall (13), the dome-like region (15) The container according to claim 1, characterized in that is transferred to the side wall (10).

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