JP2015504825A - Load and vacuum resistant container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container having improved load and vacuum characteristics is provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container (10) having a shoulder (16) that includes four faces that form a compound rounded corner at an intersection (28, 30) with the body of the container. provide. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container having a shoulder (16) with four sides, wherein at least two of the four sides have a notch (32) having a shape that is generally U-shaped. ). The structural features of the container advantageously provide improved compression capacity and vacuum resistance when compared to similar containers currently on the market. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to health and nutrition. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers having improved load and vacuum capability.

  [0002] Currently, there are many different shaped and sized containers on the market that can contain fluids. The shape and size of the fluid container may depend on, among other things, the amount of fluid to be accommodated, the type of fluid to be accommodated, consumer demand, and the desired appearance. For example, toxic fluids may be required to be contained in containers with thicker walls and harder structures. In most cases, the marketability of these types of fluids is determined by the safety of the container rather than the appearance of the container. In contrast, consumable fluids such as water can generally be contained in containers having thinner walls and less rigid structures. Indeed, the marketability of consumable fluids may be determined by the consumer's desired appearance instead of safety requirements.

  [0003] Regardless of the specific size and shape of the container, the container needs to be able to withstand various environmental factors encountered during, for example, manufacturing, shipping, and stocking or storage on retail store shelves. . An example of such an environmental factor includes a stacked load force. In this regard, containers may be stacked during packaging, transportation and display. Therefore, the container needs to be manufactured to withstand the compressive force applied by at least one filled container placed on the container without buckling. Accordingly, there is a need for a fluid container having improved structural features as well as desirable appearance characteristics.

  [0004] The present disclosure relates to load-bearing and / or vacuum-resistant containers for containing liquid products. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container that includes a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck. The shoulder includes four surfaces arranged in a truncated pyramid shape, and at least two of the four surfaces have cut-away portions that are substantially U-shaped.

  [0005] In one embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, oval, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the body is substantially rectangular.

  [0006] In one embodiment, the body has at least one peripheral rib. The body can also have at least one interrupted rib.

  [0007] In one embodiment, the body has at least one wall having first and second opposing inwardly sloping portions. The first and second opposing inwardly inclined portions are mirror images of each other and are symmetric about a position on the body corresponding to the outer peripheral rib.

  [0008] In one embodiment, the container has a volume of about 100 mL to about 5000 mL.

  [0009] In one embodiment, the container further comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or a combination thereof.

  [0010] In another embodiment, a container is provided, the container including a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck. The shoulder includes four surfaces arranged in a quadrangular pyramid shape and forms a compound-radius corner at the intersection between the four surfaces and the body.

  [0011] In one embodiment, the composite round corner is rounded in a direction selected from the group consisting of a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, or a combination thereof.

  [0012] In one embodiment, each compound round corner includes at least two different radii.

  [0013] In one embodiment, each of the four surfaces intersects each other along a rounded edge.

  [0014] In one embodiment, each of the four surfaces intersects the body along a rounded edge.

  [0015] In one embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, oval, or combinations thereof.

  [0016] In one embodiment, the body has at least one peripheral rib. The body can also have at least one interrupted rib and can have at least one wall with first and second opposing inwardly inclined portions.

  [0017] In one embodiment, the container further comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or a combination thereof.

  [0018] In yet another embodiment, a container is provided, the container comprising a body having a shape selected from the group consisting of a generally square, a generally rectangular, or a combination thereof, a neck, and a body and a neck. Including shoulders between. The shoulder includes four surfaces arranged in a quadrangular pyramid shape, and forms a composite round corner at the intersection between the four surfaces and the body. At least two of the four surfaces include cuts having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.

  [0019] An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved container.

  [0020] Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container that has improved load and / or vacuum resistance characteristics.

  [0021] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container having a shoulder configured to be hinged in response to an internal vacuum pressure.

  [0022] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container that is constructed and arranged to be easily handled by a consumer.

  [0023] Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a container in one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 shows a side view of a container in one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2D shows a partial view of section A of the container of FIG. 2A in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

  [0027] The present disclosure relates to load bearing and / or vacuum resistant bottles for providing consumable products and other fluids. The bottle is constructed and arranged to be load and vacuum resistant to improve not only the structural characteristics of the bottle but also the appearance.

  [0028] Market research shows that consumers are evaluating not only standard cylindrical bottles, but also uniquely shaped bottles with shapes including, for example, square, rectangular, oval, spherical, etc. ing. In practice, consumers may even prefer a uniquely shaped bottle, such as a square or rectangular bottle, over a standard cylindrical bottle. However, square and rectangular bottles typically do not transfer vertical loads effectively. In practice, square waisted bottles usually sacrifice stack load strength when compared to cylindrical straight wall bottles of equal mass. Furthermore, during packaging, delivery and retail store stock, the bottles can be subjected to large stack loads and can buckle with existing weaknesses on the bottles. Stack loads can be particularly problematic for lightweight bottles.

  [0029] Further, during packaging, delivery and retail storage, the bottles may be subjected to highly variable temperature and pressure changes and external forces that push and shake the bottles. For example, if the bottle contains carbonated fluid, this type of environmental factor may contribute to an internal pressure or vacuum that affects the overall quality of the product purchased by the consumer. For example, existing types of vacuum panels or thin plastic labels occupy a large area of the bottle to which they are attached and tend to have a large visual impact on shrink sleeve labels. When an internal vacuum is generated in the bottle, the shrink sleeve label does not necessarily follow the slightly inverted shape of the bottle caused by the vacuum, thus causing a loss of appearance of the bottle.

  [0030] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container or bottle 10 having a mouth 12, a neck 14, a shoulder 16, a body 18, and a base 20. Container 10 can be any 50 mL to 5000 mL, including, for example, 100 mL, 200 mL, 300 mL, 400 mL, 500 mL, 600 mL, 700 mL, 800 mL, 900 mL, 1000 mL, 1500 mL, 2000 mL, 2500 mL, 3000 mL, 3500 mL, 4000 mL, 4500 mL, etc. It can be sized to hold a suitable volume of liquid.

  [0031] The containers of the present disclosure can be configured to contain any type of liquid therein. In one embodiment, the container is configured to contain consumable liquids such as water, energy drinks, carbonated beverages, tea, coffee, and the like. In one embodiment, the container is sized and configured to contain a carbonated beverage.

  [0032] Suitable materials for manufacturing the containers of the present disclosure can include, for example, polymeric materials. Specifically, the materials for producing the bottles of the present disclosure are not limited to these, but include polyethylene (“PE”), low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), high density polyethylene (“HDPE”). ), Polypropylene ("PP") or polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"). Furthermore, the container of the present disclosure can be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing process such as conventional extrusion blow molding, stretch blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, and the like.

  [0033] The mouth 12 can be of any size known in the art so long as liquid can be introduced into the container 10 and can be poured or otherwise removed from the container 10. And can be shaped. In one embodiment, the mouth 12 is generally circular in shape and has a diameter in the range of about 10 mm to about 50 mm, ie, about 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, etc. Can do. In one embodiment, the mouth 12 has a diameter of about 33 mm.

  [0034] The neck 14 may also be any size known in the art so long as liquid can be introduced into the container 10 and can be poured or otherwise removed from the container 10. And can be shaped. In one embodiment, the neck 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape and has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the mouth 12. Alternatively, the neck 14 can have a tapered geometric shape such that the shape of the neck 14 is generally conical and the neck 14 tapers to the mouth 12. One skilled in the art will recognize that the shape and size of the neck 14 is not limited to the shape and size of the mouth 12. The neck 14 can have a height (from the mouth 12 to the shoulder 16) of about 5 mm to about 45 mm, ie about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, and the like. In one embodiment, the neck 14 has a height of about 25 mm.

  [0035] The container 10 may further include an airtight cap 22 attached to the neck 14. The cap 22 can be any type of cap known in the art for use in containers similar to those described herein. The cap 22 can be manufactured from the same or a different type of polymer material as the container 10, can be attached to the container 10 with a screw that can be closed again, or can be snap fit, friction fit, etc. . Accordingly, in one embodiment, the cap 22 includes an internal thread (not shown) that is constructed and arranged to mate with the external thread 24 of the neck 14.

  [0036] The shoulder 16 of the container 10 extends downward from the lower portion of the neck 14 toward the upper portion of the body 18. The shoulder 16 has a shape that is a substantially square frustum. As used herein, “square pyramid” means that the shoulder 16 has four triangular surfaces and one virtual square surface (not shown) at the base of the quadrangular pyramid, It means that the upper part (for example, the top part) of the pyramid has a shape very similar to a truncated pyramid. Because of the functionality of the container 10, the shoulder 16 tapers toward the neck 14 so that the shoulder 16 has a truncated top. Further, as further described below, the “square frustum” shape also includes rounded edges 28 between the triangular faces 26 and rounded corners between each triangular face 26 and the virtual square base. Edge 30 is also included.

  [0037] The shoulder 16 may have a range from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, ie about 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, etc. (from the bottom of the neck 14 to the top of the body 18). it can. In one embodiment, the shoulder 16 has a height that is about 35 mm. At the bottom (eg, in front of the body 18), the shoulder 16 may have a width and length ranging from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, ie, about 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, etc. it can. In one embodiment, the width and length of the lower portion of shoulder 16 are the same and are about 60 mm. Alternatively, the width and length of the lower portion of the shoulder 16 may be different.

  [0038] As noted above, the containers of the present disclosure can be used to contain carbonated liquids or are subjected to temperature and / or pressure changes during packaging, shipping, storage and / or retail display. Sometimes. Any of the factors described above (eg, carbonation, temperature change, pressure change, etc.) can contribute to the presence of an internal vacuum within the sealed container 10 when the container 10 contains liquid. This is a problem for cosmetic reasons, as the triangular surface 26 can buckle or sag toward the interior of the container 10. This type of slack is more noticeable when the container 10 includes an exterior label (not shown) that covers at least a portion of the triangular surface 26 (eg, sticker, shrink wrap, plastic wrap, etc.). Brings an unattractive appearance. In this regard, slack in the triangular surface 26 may cause the exterior label to move away from the triangular surface 26, resulting in an undesirable appearance.

  [0039] Also, if the container 10 is mass produced for retail distribution, the container 10 may be packaged, transported, stored and / or displayed in a stacked position that exposes the container 10 to a stacked load. However, as noted above, consumers may prefer the appearance of a generally square or rectangular container, but such containers do not disperse loads well and tend to buckle due to stacked loads. However, Applicants have surprisingly discovered that certain structural features can help improve the performance of the container when exposed to internal vacuum, stacking loads or compressive forces.

  [0040] One such feature is a cut 32 included on each triangular surface 26. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cut portion 32 has a substantially U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped structure. Applicants have surprisingly found that any internal vacuum that can be generated in the container 10 during packaging, transportation, storage and / or retail display, provided with a cut-out portion 32 having a generally U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped structure. I also found it helpful to resist. Applicants have conducted various tests to determine the best possible shape and size of the cut portion 32 to resist vacuum deformation, and surprisingly, the U-shaped feature is the best against vacuum deformation. The conclusion was reached that it brought resistance. In this embodiment, each of the four surfaces 26 has a cut portion 32, but the number can be varied and the container can have only two cut portions.

  [0041] Although one of ordinary skill in the art will describe the cut portion 32 as "cut" herein, the U-shaped feature is limited to being formed by actually cutting material from the container 10. You will recognize that it doesn't mean. Instead, the “notch” portion 32 is intended to describe a region of the shoulder 16 having a particular shape and a wall thickness that is less than the wall thickness of the rest of the shoulder 16. Accordingly, the cut portion 32 is formed in the preform of the container during the blow molding process, cut from the container after the container 10 is formed, or formed by other known processes for creating such features. Can do. In one embodiment, the cut portion 32 is formed in the container during blow molding. In this regard, the reduction in the thickness of the cut portion 32 is formed as a product of greater stretching of the polymer resin that occurs near the edge of the cut portion 32 during blow molding. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mold used to form the plastic preform and into the container having the cutouts 32 includes corresponding U-shaped protrusions extending into the mold. Will.

  [0042] In one embodiment, the cut portion 32 is located in the center of the triangular surface 26 as measured in the vertical and horizontal directions. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cut portion 32 can be moved slightly higher and lower than the center of the triangular surface 16 to the left or right. Similarly, the opening of the U-shaped cut portion 32 can be oriented in any direction including left, right, top, bottom, or a combination thereof. For example, the opening can be oriented upward as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B. In one embodiment, the base of the U-shaped cut portion 32 is oriented. The cut portion 32 can have a height that includes from about 10% to about 80% of the height of the triangular surface 28, ie, about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, etc. . Similarly, the cut portion 32 may have a width that includes from about 10% to about 80% of the width of the triangular face 16, that is, about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, etc. it can.

[0043] The cut portion 32 has a thickness that is generally less than the wall thickness of the body 18, which, as described above, is larger than the resin performed near the edge of the cut portion 32 during blow molding. This is due to stretching. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the wall thickness (eg, thickness 1 represented as “t ₁ ”) of the inner region inside the C-shape of the cut portion 32 is about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm. Up to about 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, It can be 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59 mm, and the like. In one embodiment, t ₁ is about 0.49 mm. The wall thickness (eg, thickness 2 expressed as “t ₂ ”) of the region inside the cut portion 32 ranges from about 0.3 mm to about 0.4 mm, that is, about 0.31, 0.32, It can be 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39 mm, and the like. In one embodiment, _{t 2} is about 0.36 mm. The wall thickness (eg, thickness 3 represented as “t ₃ ”) immediately below the base of the cut portion 32 ranges from about 0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, that is, about 0.26, 0. 27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39 mm, etc. It can be. In one embodiment, t ₃ is about 0.31 mm. The wall thickness of the region just outside the sidewall of the cut portion 32 (eg, thickness 4 indicated by “t ₄ ”) ranges from about 0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, ie, about 0.26, 0.27. 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39 mm, etc. can do. In one embodiment, _{t 4} is approximately 0.33 mm.

  [0044] The cut portion 32 of the shoulder 16 is configured to move like a hinge, i.e. move, allowing the bottle to shrink, while at the same time visually appealing design where the bottle is not possible with conventional vacuum panels. Makes it possible to maintain In this regard, the cut portion 32 is designed to behave like a hinge when the internal vacuum pressure increases during product stock. This structure works in conjunction with any adhesive label or shrink wrap applied to the container 10 to create a visual defect free appearance.

  [0045] Another feature of the container that provides structural benefits is the presence of a complex round corner on the lower portion of the shoulder 16, as best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As described above, the shoulder 16 has rounded corners 28 between the triangular faces 26 and rounded edges between each triangular face 26 and a virtual square face (not shown) below the quadrangular frustum. 30. Surprisingly, Applicants have provided a single radius corner by providing multiple radii at the corners of the container 10, ie, at the intersection between the rounded edge 28 and the rounded edge 30. It has been found that there is a significant structural advantage over corners with a section. In particular, surprisingly, the Applicants have discovered that multiple round corners help to improve the performance of the container when subjected to stacking loads or compressive forces. In this regard, the containers of the present disclosure can withstand an increased stacking load or compressive force compared to similar containers currently on the market.

  [0046] As used herein, "multiple round corners" or "composite round corners" refers to a plurality of radii (generally shoulders) in the horizontal, vertical, or horizontal and vertical directions. Refers to the corner of the container having (when measured from the center of a horizontal plane extending through the intersection between the portion 16 and the body 18). The composite round corners of the present disclosure can include any number of radii, either horizontally, vertically, or both. For example, the composite round corner may range from at least about 2 to about 10, or at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9 Any number of different radii can be included.

  [0047] In practice, one skilled in the art would provide a corner that is a straight, diagonal connection of the rounded edge 30 by providing a composite round corner instead of a single round corner. It will be appreciated that, in contrast, a corner having a more curved intersection of rounded corners 30 is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, radii 1-6 (ie, r1, r2, r3, r4, r5, and r6) indicate a plurality of different radii that extend generally in the horizontal direction. The use of multiple different radii (ie, complex round corners) results in more rounded corners in a generally horizontal direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, radii r8-r11 (i.e., r8, r9, r10 and r11) indicate a plurality of different radii extending in a generally vertical direction. The use of multiple different radii (ie, compound round corners) produces more rounded corners in a generally vertical direction. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of radii, more than one, may be used for the containers of the present disclosure.

  [0048] As mentioned above, Applicants have surprisingly provided multiple round corners to improve the performance and vacuum resistance of the container when exposed to stacking loads or compressive forces. I found it useful to help. In fact, the corner geometry acts like a rounded corner, but it looks like a square corner, which can give an attractive appearance to consumers it can. Multiple mixing radii can effectively transfer the load through the entire wall of the bottle to the base and evenly distribute the vertical load around the bottle while maintaining the shape of the container 10 (eg, square).

  [0049] Immediately below the shoulder 16 is the body 18 of the container 10. The body 18 can have any size and shape known in the art, and is not limited to a substantially square or substantially rectangular shape, even if the shoulder 16 is a truncated pyramid shape. For example, the body 18 can have a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, oval, and the like. However, in one embodiment, the body 18 has a shape that is substantially square or substantially rectangular.

  [0050] As with the shoulder 16, as best shown in FIG. 1, the body 18 can have rounded edges 34 when the shape of the body 18 is substantially square or substantially rectangular. Again, the rounded edge 34 serves to improve the performance of the container when exposed to a stacking load or compressive force.

  [0051] The body 18 can have any length, width or height known in the art. In this regard, the body 18 can have a height ranging from about 50 mm to about 110 mm, i.e., about 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, 95 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm, and the like. In one embodiment, the body 18 has a height of about 80 mm. If the body 18 is approximately square or approximately rectangular with a specific length and width, the length and width can be the same. Alternatively, the width of the body 18 may be different from the length of the body 18. Further, the length and width of the body 18 can vary with respect to the height of the body 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the body 18 includes at least a first portion 36 and a second portion 38 having inwardly inclined portions of a mirror image measured with respect to the vertical central axis of the container 10. Can be included. The inwardly inclined portion can have an angle in the range of about 5 ° to about 45 °, ie, about 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, 25 °, 30 °, 35 °, etc. In one embodiment, the inwardly inclined portion has an angle of about 15 °. Thus, as the height of the container 10 increases or decreases, either the length and / or width of the body 18 can change. Such a structure provides the additional advantage of being easy to handle for consumers. In this regard, the two mirror image inwardly sloping portions 36, 38 of the body 18 meet at the tapered portion of the body 18 to help the consumer grip the container 10 for ease of handling. However, the container of the present disclosure is not limited to such first and second portions 36, 38, and the body 18 can have a generally straight wall and / or other suitable structure.

  [0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the tapered portion of the body 18 where the inwardly sloping portions 36, 38 of the two mirror images of the body 18 are gathered by the consumer for ease of handling as well. An outer peripheral rib 40 may be included. By “peripheral rib” is meant that a rib (eg, a recessed or protruding elongated shape) extends generally around the container 10 in a generally horizontal plane. The container 10 can have any number of outer peripheral ribs 40 and is not limited to only one. Further, the outer peripheral rib 40 can be disposed at any place along the height of the main body 18.

  [0053] The peripheral rib 40 has a height in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, ie 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, etc. Can do. The outer peripheral rib 40 can also extend into the container 10 by a certain distance. For example, the ribs 40 may be within the container 10 in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, i.e., 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, etc. Can extend. Applicants have discovered that the ribs 40 can help maintain the intended shape of the container 10. For example, if the container 10 has a generally square or substantially rectangular shape, the ribs 40 may help limit the container 10 from becoming elliptical during use. The ribs 40 also allow the container 10 to contract in the vertical direction, so that the internal pressure can be increased and a larger stacking load is possible.

  [0054] In addition to the peripheral ribs 40, the body 18 can also include any number of interrupted ribs 42 that do not extend entirely around the container 10, but instead around the container 10. Since it extends intermittently, it is described as “intermittent”. The body 18 has any number of interrupted ribs 42, for example in the range of about 1 to about 10, ie 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc. Can have. Intermittent ribs 42 serve to resist vacuum deformation of triangular surface 26. Each rib 42 is supported at both ends by the corners 34 of the body 18 and forms a bridge across the body 18. By interrupting the ribs 42 at the corners 34 of the main body 18, the visual impact on any affixed label or shrink sleeve is limited.

  [0055] Intermittent ribs 42 may have the same height as outer peripheral ribs 40 and a depth into container 10. However, the intermittent ribs 42 may have a height different from the outer peripheral ribs 40 and a depth into the container 10. The ribs 42 can have a length ranging from about 15 mm to about 45 mm, i.e. 20 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, and the like. In one embodiment, the ribs 42 have a length of about 30 mm. The length and radius of the ribs can also help prevent vacuum deformation. In practice, Applicants have surprisingly found that complete ribs (i.e., peripheral ribs) are not required to help prevent vacuum deformation; It has been discovered that it can even contribute to the loss of appearance for attached labels or shrink wrap.

  [0056] The container 10 may have a wide base 20 so that it can be stood when the container is fully filled, partially filled, or empty. The base 20 can have any size or shape known in the art. However, in one embodiment, the base 20 includes a size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the body 18. In this regard, if the body 18 has a substantially square shape with a specific length and width, the base 20 can also have a substantially square shape with the same length and width. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the base 20 is not limited to the size and shape of the body 18 and may have a different size and shape than the body 18. The base 20 can have a height ranging from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, such as about 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 25 mm, or 30 mm, or 35 mm, or 40 mm. The base 20 can be generally vertical in placement, can be shaped (eg, semi-circular), or can be tapered inwardly upward from the bottom surface 44 of the container 10. The base 20 is configured and configured to contract with vertical loads and absorbs and distributes loads over a larger area.

  [0057] Similar to the body 18, the base 20 may also include at least one interrupted rib 46 that may or may not have the same size and shape as the ribs 42. In one embodiment, the base 20 includes one rib 46 that has the same length as the ribs 42 but is slightly lower in height.

  [0058] The bottom surface 44 of the container 10 may also include a flat bottom 48 formed therein. The flat bottom 48 provides additional structural integrity to the container 10 and can assist in stacking the containers 10.

  [0059] Advantageously, the structural features of the container described herein allow the use of lower mass preforms. Reducing the use of resin in the container has the advantage of lower cost per unit and increased sustainability compared to bottles without such structural features. Furthermore, by producing containers of the present disclosure that use smaller amounts of raw materials, bottles can reduce environmental impact and waste impact. Similarly, the bottle can be configured to have less waste compared to other plastic bottles designed for similar use.

  [0060] The containers of the present disclosure may also improve ease of use and handling by manufacturers, retail stores, and consumers. In this regard, the structural features described herein help improve the stacking load and reduce vacuum deformation to help achieve the desired square shaped container for the consumer. In addition, similar notch features that reduce the use of raw materials can help to resist any internal vacuum in the container and, as a result, help prevent any deformation of the bottle that can impair the appearance. .

  [0061] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. Accordingly, such changes and modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (20)

The body,
The neck,
A shoulder between the body and the neck;
The shoulder portion includes four surfaces arranged in a truncated pyramid shape, and at least two of the four surfaces include a cut portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.   The container of claim 1, wherein the body includes a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, oval, and combinations thereof.   The container according to claim 2, wherein the main body includes a shape that is substantially rectangular.   The container of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one peripheral rib.   The container of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one interrupted rib.   The container of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one wall having first and second opposing inwardly inclined portions.   7. A container according to claim 6, wherein the first and second opposing inwardly inclined portions are mirror images of each other and are symmetric about a position on the body corresponding to an outer peripheral rib.   The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a volume ranging from about 100 mL to about 5000 mL.   The container of claim 1, further comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and combinations thereof. The body,
The neck,
A shoulder between the body and the neck;
The shoulder portion includes four surfaces arranged in a truncated pyramid shape, and forms a composite round corner at an intersection between the four surfaces and the body.   11. The container of claim 10, wherein the compound round corner is rounded in a direction selected from the group consisting of horizontal, vertical, and combinations thereof.   The container of claim 10, wherein each of the compound round corners includes at least two different radii.   11. A container according to claim 10, wherein each of the four surfaces intersects along a rounded edge.   11. A container according to claim 10, wherein each of the four surfaces intersects the body along a rounded edge.   The container of claim 10, wherein the body includes a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, oval, and combinations thereof.   The container of claim 10, wherein the body includes at least one peripheral rib.   The container of claim 10, wherein the body includes at least one interrupted rib.   The container of claim 10, wherein the body includes at least one wall having first and second opposing inwardly inclined portions.   The container of claim 10, further comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and combinations thereof. A body having a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially square, a substantially rectangular, and combinations thereof;
The neck,
A shoulder between the body and the neck;
The shoulder portion includes four surfaces arranged in a truncated pyramid shape, forming a composite round corner at an intersection between the four surfaces and the body, and the four surfaces At least two of which include a cut portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.

Images