JP6396504B2 - Faceted container - Google Patents

Description

  Product container.

  Blow molded containers generally contain consumer goods such as liquid softeners, liquid detergents, powder detergents, water, soda, beer, wine, tea, fruit juice, surface cleaning compositions, milk, particulate clothing fragrance additives, etc. Used for packaging. The distributors of these products must compete with other market participants to attract consumers to their brand. One way vendors attempt to differentiate their products from other products is to use a patented container shape or a brand name specific container shape.

  Blow molding can be used to produce containers having various shapes. One of the constraints on the shape of the container employed by vendors is that the container must have sufficient structural stability to withstand the stress applied to the container over its life cycle. . The life cycle of a container can include processes such as manufacturing, filling, packaging, transportation, stock storage, shipping, display, home storage, and home use.

  One of the most stressful conditions on a container during the life cycle of the container is in storage. Under normal circumstances, cardboard boxes or trays and cap packages are used to store multiple containers. For example, ten or more softeners or water containers may be packaged together. Cardboard boxes or trays and cap packages may be placed on a palate, and multiple boxes or trays and cap packages may be stacked. To provide economics in container handling, merchants want to stack boxes or trays and cap packages as high as possible so that as many containers as possible can be carried on one pallet.

  One constraint on how high the boxes or trays and cap packages can be stacked because the container at the bottom of the stack will support some or all of the weight of the container above it As the top-load buckling strength of the container. If the container does not have sufficient upper load buckling strength, the container may buckle in the axial direction. The merchant can improve the buckling strength of the container by using a thicker walled container or by using a container shape that tends to have a high top load buckling strength. Containers with thick walls are more expensive than containers with thin walls. Container shapes that tend to have a relatively high top load buckling strength may also not cause the consumer's desirable visual interest when placed on a retail shelf.

  Buckled containers can leak and can destabilize the top of the stack of boxes or trays and cap packages, which can be unattractive for consumers considering purchasing containers and their contents There is. Buckled containers can be perceived by consumers as indicating defective products, especially when compared to other competing brands that display intact containers.

  Thus, merchants face a trade-off between the efficiency of container handling, the desired shape, and the cost of the container when selecting a specific container to contain their product. In view of these constraints, an unmet need continues for containers with sufficient top load buckling strength.

  A closed end portion having a closed end portion and a peripheral wall extending from the closed end portion peripheral portion to the open end portion around the longitudinal axis of the container, wherein the closed end portion and the peripheral wall are: Including a thermoplastic substrate, the peripheral wall defines a variable open section of the container in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis as a function of distance from the closed end, and the container has a constricted open section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The constriction open cross section is smaller than the open cross section area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis above and below the constriction, the peripheral wall is one or more adjacent facets and edges together A facet region comprising a plurality of facets arranged, wherein at least a portion of the facet region is located closer to the closed end than to the open end, and the peripheral wall has a peripheral wall exterior surface oriented away from the longitudinal axis. The peripheral wall external surface has a peripheral wall external surface area Each of the plurality of facets has a facet external surface area oriented away from the longitudinal axis, each of the facets has an external surface area of about 0.0001% to about 4% of the peripheral wall external surface area, and a constriction The upper peripheral wall has no or substantially no facets.

It is a perspective view of a container. It is sectional drawing of the container shown in FIG. 1 drawn toward the closed end as marked in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of a portion of the peripheral wall shown in FIG. 2 as marked in FIG. 2. It is an outline figure of a container. FIG. 6 is a diagram of multiple facets. FIG. 6 is a diagram of multiple facets. FIG. 6 is a diagram of multiple facets. FIG. 6 is a diagram of multiple facets. FIG. 6 is a diagram of multiple facets. FIG. 6 is a contour view of a container having a sleeve label. FIG. 4 is a contour view of a container having a bounded label. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container 10 drawn perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L with the closed end of the container visible. FIG. 6 is a view of a container having a plug-seal closure. It is a figure of the box which accommodates the some container.

  A container 10 having a constriction 20 is shown in FIG. The container 10 may be formed by injection stretch blow molding. The container 10 may be formed by injection molding, injection stretch blow molding, extrusion blow molding, or similar processes. The container 10 may be a thermoformed container 10.

  The container 10 may have a closed end 30. The closed end 30 may have a closed end peripheral portion 40. The closed end peripheral portion 40 may define a range of the closed end away from the vertical axis L. The closed end 30 may be shaped to have a structure that can be stably placed on a flat surface such as a table. The closed end 30 may be shaped as shown in FIG. The closed end 30 may be provided with a plurality of legs, and the closed end 30 can be placed on the flat surface such as a table with the plurality of legs.

  The peripheral wall 50 may extend from the closed end peripheral portion 40 to the open end portion 60 about the longitudinal axis L of the container 10. The vertical axis L is the axis of the container 10 that passes through the open end 60 and the closed end 30, and the peripheral wall 50 extends around the axis. The peripheral wall 50 may extend from the open end 60 to the closed end 30. The peripheral wall 50 may be symmetric or asymmetric about the longitudinal axis L. The open end 60 may be around the longitudinal axis L. When the open end portion is formed in a substantially circular shape, the open end portion 60 may surround the longitudinal axis L.

  Peripheral wall 50 and closed end 30 may have a peripheral wall outer surface 170 and an opposite inner surface 180 oriented away from longitudinal axis L. The inner surface 180 of the peripheral wall 50 is oriented so as to face the longitudinal axis L. The inner surface 180 of the closed end 30 is oriented toward the open end 60. The peripheral wall external surface 170 may have a peripheral wall external surface area 172 that is the total area of the surface and curved surface of the peripheral wall external surface 170 above and below the constriction.

  The closed end 30 and the peripheral wall 50 may include a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be a petroleum-based thermoplastic material or a plant-based thermoplastic material. The closed end 30 and the peripheral wall 50 may be any polymer material that can be blow molded. Container 10 comprises high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, processable polylactic acid, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic starch, cellulose bioplastic, aliphatic polyester, and A material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid may be included.

  The peripheral wall 50 may define a variable open section 70 of the container 10 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L as a function of distance from the closed end 30. A variable open section 70 of the container 10 at a particular height or position along the longitudinal axis L is plotted in FIG. At various positions along the longitudinal axis L, the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L may have different shapes and / or sizes.

  The variable open section 70 defines an area within the container 10 and the contents of the container 10 are held within that area. The container 10 may be a spherically shaped container 10 having a relatively narrow closed end 30 and a peripheral wall 50 that extends in relation to the height of the container 10, the height of which is a vertical distance away from the closed end 30. Taken along axis L.

  Starting from the closed end 30 and moving along the vertical axis L, the area of the open section 70 has an initial value that gradually increases with the height measured along the vertical axis L from the closed end 30. May be. The area of the open section 70 may be a maximum value at a specific height, and when the height is exceeded, the area of the open section 70 is a height measured along the vertical axis L from the closed end 30. Decreases with increasing. The maximum value may be an overall maximum value or a local maximum value.

  The container 10 may have a constriction 20 having a constriction open section 80 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L that is smaller than the area of the open section 70 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L above and below the constriction 20. The constriction 20 may be a narrowed region of the container 10 that may generally be located proximal to the open end 60 of the container 10. A constricted open section 80 is shown in FIG. The constriction 20 may be formed in a size and dimension that can be grasped by an adult female hand.

  The peripheral wall 50 may include a facet region 90. Facet region 90 may include a plurality of facets 100. The facets 100 forming the facet region 90 may be aligned with one or more adjacent facets and edges. Facet region 90 may include more than about 5 facets 100. Facet region 90 may include more than about 10 facets 100. Facet region 90 may include more than about 20 facets 100. Facet region 90 may include more than about 40 facets 100. Facet region 90 may include more than about 80 facets 100. Facet region 90 may include more than about 150 facets 100. Facet region 90 may include more than about 300 facets 100. Without being bound by theory, as the number of facets 100 in the facet region 90 increases, for example, the consumer's movement of moving or approaching the container 10 in the consumer's hand It is considered that the sparkle of reflection that may occur when the relative position of the container 10 to the consumer changes is increased. The facet region may include about 5 to about 15 facets. The facet region may include about 5 to about 25 facets. The facet region may include about 5 to about 50 facets. The facet region may include about 5 to about 100 facets. The facet region may include about 20 to about 40 facets.

Facet 100 may be a small plane. Facet 100 may have a facet exterior surface area 102 of less than about 4 cm ² oriented away from the longitudinal axis. Facet 100 may have a facet external surface area 102 of less than about 2.5 cm ² oriented away from the longitudinal axis. Facet 100 is the facet external surface area 102 oriented about 0.1 cm ² ~ about 4 cm ² away from the longitudinal axis may have. Facet 100 is the facet external surface area 102 oriented about 0.1 cm ² ~ about 2.5 cm ² away from the longitudinal axis may have.

  Each of the plurality of facets 100 may have a facet external surface area that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L, and each of the plurality of facets 100 is a peripheral wall exterior surface area that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. It may have a faceted external surface area 102 of less than about 2% of 172. Faceted exterior surface area 102 oriented away from longitudinal axis L may be between about 0.0001% and about 4% of peripheral wall exterior surface area 172. Faceted external surface area 102 oriented away from longitudinal axis L may be between about 0.0001% and about 2% of peripheral wall external surface area 172.

  Each of the plurality of facets 100 may have a facet exterior surface area 102 that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L, and each of the plurality of facets 100 is outside a peripheral wall that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. The faceted external surface area 102 may be less than about 1% of the surface area 172. Faceted external surface area 102 oriented away from longitudinal axis L may be between about 0.0001% and about 1% of peripheral wall external surface area 172.

  Each of the plurality of facets 100 may have a facet exterior surface area 102 that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L, and each of the plurality of facets 100 is outside a peripheral wall that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. The external surface area 102 may be less than about 0.5% of the surface area 172. Faceted exterior surface area 102 oriented away from longitudinal axis L may be between about 0.0001% and about 0.5% of peripheral wall exterior surface area 172.

  Facet 100 may be a small plane of an individual panel. When a plurality of facets 100 are arranged to form a facet region 90 on the container 10, each facet 100 may present a surface that reflects incident light in different directions. That is, the orthogonal direction away from the surface of each facet 100 is divergent. Depending on the difference in intensity of the light reflected by the observer's eyes, it is recognized that the container 10 is glossy or the container 10 appears to glitter. Without being bound by theory, it is conceivable that a container with facet area 90 will be more sparkling than a container with the same general container shape without facet area 90. The sparkle that the consumer can perceive as a flash attracts the consumer's eyes to the container 10 having the faceted area 90. Further, the container 10 formed from a thermoplastic material having faceted regions 90 may look like a glass container. Thus, the lightweight container 10 may have a stronger appearance of a glass container. It is conceivable that having a container 10 that glitters when viewed on a store shelf will attract more consumers to the container and consider purchasing the container 10 and its contents.

  At least a portion of the facet region 90 may be located closer to the closed end 30 than to the open end 60. Without being bound by theory, such an arrangement is such that when the position of the vertical axis L changes from the front to the back with respect to the observer's eyes, and the container 10 rotates about the vertical axis L. It can be thought that this can result in an increase in gloss.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container 10 shown in FIG. 1 illustrating one configuration of a completely cross-sectional structure of the container 10. Various cross-sections orthogonal to the longitudinal axis are contemplated herein. As shown in FIG. 2, at least a portion of the peripheral wall 50 around the peripheral wall 50 and centered on the vertical axis L in a plane orthogonal to the vertical axis L below the constriction 20 has a plurality of substantially straight lines. It may be defined by the minutes 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the line segments 110 may be arranged with their edges aligned. At any particular position along the longitudinal axis L below the constriction 20, at least a portion of the peripheral wall 50 about the longitudinal axis L in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is a plurality of substantially straight lines. It may be defined by the minutes 110. The peripheral wall 50 about the longitudinal axis L in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L below the constriction 20 may be entirely defined by a plurality of substantially straight line segments 110. Each line segment 100 may have a length 120 as shown in FIG. 3, which is a cutaway view of a portion of the peripheral wall shown in FIG. 2, as marked in FIG. The length of the transition segment 130 between adjacent line segments 100 may be less than about 10% of the length of adjacent line segments 100. The length of the transition segment 130 between adjacent line segments 100 may be about 0.0001% to about 10% of the length of adjacent line segments 100. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the shorter transition segment 130 may result in a more visually sharp facet 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral wall 50 centered on the vertical axis L in the plane perpendicular to the vertical axis L above the constriction 20 has a line segment 110 arranged by connecting the end portions. It may not have or may not have substantially.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the peripheral wall 50 may be substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis L. A container 10 that is substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis L may have higher axial and lateral strength than a container that is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis L.

  The constriction 20 may be closer to the open end 60 than to the closed end 30. By having the constriction 20 positioned in such a way, the facet region can be provided in the majority of the container 10. Furthermore, since the constriction 20 can form part of the container 10 designed to be gripped, the center of gravity of the container 10 and its contents will tend to be lower than the constriction 20. A lower center of gravity would be practical in bringing the container easier to pour contents from the container, stable in the user's hand, and stable when placed on a flat surface. .

The constriction 20 may have a constricted open cross section 80 having an area of less than about 80 cm ² . The constricted neck 20 so dimensioned can be provided at a convenient location for gripping the container 10. The constriction 20 may have a constricted open section 80 having an area of less than about 60 cm ² . The constriction 20 may have a constricted open section 80 having an area of less than about 40 cm ² . The constriction 20 may have a constricted open section 80 having an area of less than about 40 cm ² . The constriction 20 may have a constricted open cross-section 80 having an area of less than about 20 cm ² or even less than about 10 cm ² . Having a smaller constriction 20 may be practical for a container 10 that is designed for use by people with small hands. The constriction 20 may have a constricted open section 80 having an area of about 5 cm ² to about 60 cm ² . The constriction 20 may have a constricted open section 80 having an area of about 5 cm ² to about 40 cm ² . The constriction 20 may have a constricted open section 80 having an area of about 5 cm ² to about 20 cm ² . The constriction 20 may have a constricted open section 80 having an area of about 5 cm ² to about 10 cm ² .

  Container 10 may have a total volume defined by closed end 30, peripheral wall 50, and open end 60. The total volume may be greater than about 300 mL. The total volume may be greater than about 500 mL. The total volume may be greater than about 1000 mL. The total volume may be greater than about 1500 mL. The total volume may be greater than about 2000 mL. The total volume may be from about 300 mL to about 2000 mL.

  The container 10 may have a partial volume above the constriction 20. The partial volume is defined by a constriction open section 80 at the constriction, a peripheral wall 50 above the constriction 20, and an open end 60. The partial volume can be considered to be the volume of the portion of the container 10 above the constriction 20. The partial volume above the constriction 20 may be less than about 20% of the total volume of the container 10. The partial volume above the constriction may be less than about 10% of the total volume of the container 10. Having a smaller proportion of the total volume above the constriction 20 because the majority of the contents in the container 10 are located below the center axis for tilting the container 10 when dispensing the contents. Thus, the container 10 can be more ergonomically designed for a person holding the container 10 around the constriction 20. The partial volume above the constriction 20 may be about 1% to about 50% of the total volume of the container 10. The partial volume above the constriction 20 may be about 1% to about 20% of the total volume of the container 10. The partial volume above the constriction 20 may be about 1% to about 10% of the total volume of the container 10.

  Faceted region 90 may include more than about 30% of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of peripheral wall 50 below constriction 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the facet region 90 may be on the surface 140 of the container 10. The facet area 90, which includes more than about 30% of the peripheral wall outer surface 170 of the peripheral wall 50 below the constriction 20, sparkles emitted from the facet area are consumed from a distance of about 1 meter under lighting conditions normally found in stores. It may be large enough to catch the eye of the person. The peripheral wall outer surface 170 of the peripheral wall 50 is the surface of the peripheral wall 50 that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. Faceted region 90 may include more than about 50% of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of peripheral wall 50 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include more than about 60% of peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of peripheral wall 50 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include more than about 90% of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of peripheral wall 50 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include about 100% of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of peripheral wall 50 below constriction 20. As the proportion of the peripheral wall outer surface 170 included in the facet region 90 increases, the technical effect of the reflected flash from the facet region 90 is visible from a wider viewing angle. The facet region 90 may include about 30% to about 100% of the peripheral wall outer surface 170 of the peripheral wall 50 below the constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include about 40% to about 100% of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of peripheral wall 50 below constriction 20. The facet region 90 may include about 50% to about 100% of the peripheral wall outer surface 170 of the peripheral wall 50 below the constriction 20. The faceted region 90 may include about 60% to about 100% of the peripheral wall outer surface 170 of the peripheral wall 50 below the constriction 20.

  The peripheral wall outer surface 170 below the constriction 20 may have a surface area. Faceted region 90 may include more than about 30% of the peripheral wall external surface area 172 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include greater than about 50% of the peripheral wall exterior surface area 172 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include greater than about 70% of the peripheral wall exterior surface area 172 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include more than about 80% of the surface area of peripheral wall external surface area 172 below constriction 20. As the facet area 90 becomes larger, the technical effect of the reflected flash from the facet area 90 can be seen from a wider viewing angle, so that the facet area 90 can become more noticeable.

  The peripheral wall outer surface 170 below the constriction 20 may have a surface area. Faceted region 90 may include about 30% to about 100% of the peripheral wall external surface area 172 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include about 50% to about 100% of the peripheral wall external surface area 172 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include about 70% to about 100% of the peripheral wall external surface area 172 below constriction 20. Faceted region 90 may include about 80% to about 100% of the surface area of the peripheral wall external surface area 172 below the constriction 20. As the facet area 90 becomes larger, the technical effect of the reflected flash from the facet area 90 can be seen from a wider viewing angle, so that the facet area 90 can become more noticeable.

  The facet region 90 may extend around the peripheral wall 50 as shown in FIGS. By arranging the facet area 90 in this manner, when the consumer rotates the container 10 about the longitudinal axis L to see all parts of the peripheral wall 50, the movement of the facet 100 relative to the consumer's eyes A reflective flash will be created that gives the consumer a sparkling gloss impression from the glass container.

The area of facet region 90 may be greater than about 60 cm ² . It is believed that the visibility of facet area 90 improves with increasing size of facet area 90. The facet region 90 may be a separate part of the peripheral wall 50 to which the facet 100 is applied. For example, a portion of the peripheral wall 50 may include the facet region 90 and the remaining portion of the peripheral wall 50 may or may not have the facet 100. For example, a portion of the peripheral wall 50 may include facet regions 90, and the remaining portion of the peripheral wall 50 may be smooth and / or ribs and / or decorative and / or structural other Surface contours may be provided. The area of facet region 90 may be between about 60 cm ² and about 2000 cm ² .

  The facet 100 may have a facet exterior surface 150 that is oriented away from the longitudinal axis L. Each facet exterior surface 150 of facet 100 may have an opposite facet interior surface oriented toward longitudinal axis L. The facet outer surfaces 150 of the plurality of facets 100 may be positioned convex with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of facets 100 may be positioned in a convex shape with respect to the vertical axis L. In this arrangement, the plurality of facets 100 may be arranged to extend in a direction from the closed end 30 to the open end 60 of the container. This arrangement may be considered as generally upward and downward on the container 10 when the container 10 is resting on the closed end 30. By arranging the plurality of facets 100 so as to be positioned in a direction from the closed end 30 to the open end 60, the container 10 is reflected by the reflected flash when the longitudinal axis L of the container 10 is tilted with respect to the observer. Can result. This can give a visual impression of a heavy faceted glass container or crystal container, even if it is a lightweight plastic container.

  Similarly, facet outer surfaces 150 of the plurality of facets 100 may be positioned convexly with respect to the vertical axis L in a direction centered on the vertical axis L. That is, the plurality of facets 100 may be positioned to at least partially wrap around the longitudinal axis L of the container 10, or even to wrap entirely, at a specific height of the container along the longitudinal axis L. Good. By arranging a plurality of facets 100 in this manner, when the container 10 is rotated about the vertical axis L or when the consumer passes in front of the container 10 and the consumer is displayed on a shelf in the store The container 10 may have a sparkling gloss impression when looking sequentially at different parts of the peripheral wall 50 as it walks toward, in front of, and passes by.

  The convex arrangement of the plurality of facets 100 relative to the longitudinal axis is, for example, a helical or spiral arrangement, both upward and downward, around the container 10, or both upward and downward and around the container 10. Also good.

  Another expression describing the facets 100 that form the facet region 90 is that the facet exterior surfaces 150 of the facets 100 diverge from each other. That is, the normal direction away from the facet exterior surface 150 of each facet 100 that forms the facet region may be unique for each facet 100. The normal direction away from the facet exterior surface 150 of each facet 100 may diverge from the normal direction away from the facet exterior surface 150 of each adjacent facet 100. Such an arrangement can result in a reflected flash associated with a change in the viewing angle of faceted region 90.

  Facet 100 may have a variety of different shapes. All facets 100 on the container 10 may have a substantially similar shape. Since the shape of the container 10 can be a function of the position along the longitudinal axis L, the facet 100 may be adjusted to fit such a shape. Optionally, when the surface of the peripheral wall 50 is deformed to have a common dimensional scale across the peripheral wall 50, the facet 100 has a common shape with each of the other facets 100. The shape may be deformed. Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the number of facets 100 around the peripheral wall 50 is the same at all positions along the longitudinal axis L below the constriction 20.

  The facet size at a particular height on the container 10 can be a function of the outer periphery of the container 10, and the function of the outer periphery of the container 10 can be a function at a position along the vertical axis L. The size of the facet 100 can decrease with decreasing outer circumference.

  Various shapes are suitable for facet 100. For example, the facet 100 may have a substantially rhombus shape as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the facets 100 may have a center of gravity 160.

  The centers of gravity 160 of adjacent facets 100 may be aligned with each other on the peripheral wall outer surface 170 of the container 10 at a position along the longitudinal axis L, as shown in FIGS. Similarly, the center of gravity 160 of the adjacent facet 100 is on the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10 at a position centered on the longitudinal axis L as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 7, 8, and 9. May be aligned with each other.

  Facet 100 may have a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially polygon, a substantially triangle, a substantially quadrilateral, a substantially diamond, a substantially hexagon, and combinations thereof. The facet region 90 may include a facet 100 having a plurality of shapes as a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG.

  Each of the adjacent facets 100 may have a facet external surface area 102 that is within about 20% of each other. For each facet 100, facet exterior surface area 102 is the area of facet exterior surface 150 of facet 100. Each of the adjacent facets 100 may have substantially the same shape. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be less than about 10% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be about 0.001% to about 10% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be less than about 5% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be from about 0.001% to about 5% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be less than about 3% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be about 0.001% to about 3% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be less than about 2% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be about 0.001% to about 2% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be less than about 1% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. The facet exterior surface area 102 of each facet 100 that forms the plurality of facets 100 may be about 0.001% to about 1% of the surface area of the peripheral wall exterior surface 170 of the container 10. Without being bound by theory, the use of smaller facets 100 provides more facets 100 on the peripheral wall outer surface 170 of the container 10, so that more incident light is reflected from the facets 100. It is thought that a reflection flash can be caused.

  Facet 100 may be substantially flat. Facet 100 may be flat. The flatter the facet 100, the more reflective it is. A substantially flat surface is believed to provide an increase in gloss to the faceted region 100. Individual facets 100 may have a radius of curvature with a principal curvature that is greater than about 60 mm at the center of gravity of facet 100. Individual facets 100 may have a radius of curvature with a principal curvature that is greater than about 70 mm at the center of gravity of facet 100.

  Each facet 100 may have a radius of curvature with a principal curvature that is greater than about 90 mm at the center of gravity of the facet 100. Individual facets 100 may have a radius of curvature with a principal curvature that is greater than about 130 mm at the center of gravity of facet 100. Without being bound by theory, such a facet 100 is considered sufficiently flat to be sufficiently reflective to provide the desired gloss.

  The facets 100 that form the facet region 100 may have a Gaussian curvature of about −0.04 to about 0.04. The facets 100 that form the facet region 100 may have a Gaussian curvature of about -0.01 to about 0.01. The Gaussian curvature of facet 100 is the product of the main curvature of facet 100.

  In order to provide an increase in reflected flash from incident light reflected from the container 10, the peripheral wall 50 of the facet region 90 may comprise an outer skin layer 190. The outer skin layer 190 may be a sleeve 200 disposed around the peripheral wall 50 of the container, as shown in FIG. The outer skin layer 190 may be provided to the container after the container 10 is blow molded or during the blow molding of the container 10 as a non-limiting example. For example, the sleeve 200 may be a shrink sleeve that is heat shrunk around the finished container 10. Alternatively, the sleeve 200 may be a stretch sleeve, and a preform or parison is blown into the stretch sleeve to stretch the stretch sleeve to form the finished container 10.

  The outer skin layer 190 may be a binding label 210 as shown in FIG. The combined label 190 is a label forming portion of the container 10 that extends only partially around the longitudinal axis L. The combined label 190 may be selected from the group consisting of a thermal transfer label, an in-mold label, and an adhesive label.

  The outer skin layer 190 may be selected from the group consisting of in-mold labels, adhesive labels, thermal transfer labels, stretch sleeve labels, wet glue labels, and shrink sleeve labels.

  In order to increase the reflectivity of the facet, the outer skin layer 190 may be selected from the group consisting of biaxially oriented polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate. The outer skin layer 190 may be printed. The outer skin layer 190 may be back printed. The outer skin layer 190 may be an outer skin layer 190 printed with metal ink. Printing may be performed with metal ink or pearlescent ink. The metal foil may be included in a laminate that includes the outer skin layer 190. The metal ink contains fine particles of metal such as aluminum, bronze, copper, zinc, or other metal elements. The label may be printed by digital printing, flexographic printing, gravure printing, or other suitable printing technique. The outer skin layer 190, which is an outer skin layer 190 printed with metallic ink, can provide a reflective surface that produces a more perceived reflective flash.

  Polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, or stretched polystyrene labels may be used. This printing method adds a reflective surface to the outside of the package. The reflective surface may be enhanced by using metallic inks (inks mixed with aluminum, bronze, copper, zinc, or other elemental particulates), pearlescent inks, and metal foils.

  In order to provide structural stability of the container 10 above the neck 20, the peripheral wall 50 above the neck 20 may not have the facet 100 or may have substantially no facet 100. It is believed that the absence of facet 100 above constriction 20 improves the container's resistance to buckling as compared to container 10 having or substantially having facet 100 above constriction 20.

  The container 10 is, for example, a local aspect ratio of about 1.3 to about 5 in the middle along the vertical axis L, as shown in FIG. 12 which is a cross-sectional view of the container 10 drawn perpendicular to the vertical axis L. You may have. Such a local aspect ratio may provide the container 10 with a wide range of dimensions that may be suitable as the primary label surface 501 of the container 10. The primary label surface 501 of the container is a font large enough for an observer to read from a distance of about 0.1 m to about 2 m under the normal lighting conditions that occur in the store environment, and the product brand name is placed in the container 10. May be included. It will be appreciated that the primary label surface 501 of the container 10 may generally coincide with the local major axis 201 of the container 10 and the primary label surface 501 may be a curved surface. Optionally, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio of about 1.4 to about 5 in the middle along the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.5 to about 5 in the middle along the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio of about 1.7 to about 5 in the middle along the longitudinal axis L. Optionally, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio of about 2 to about 5 in the middle along the longitudinal axis L.

  Without being bound by theory, it is believed that a container 10 having faceted areas 90 can be practical to attract consumer attention from a distance of about 0.1 m to about 2 m. However, since the facet region 90 has a plurality of facets 100 that each reflect in the direction of divergence, the label on the container 10 may be difficult for an observer to read at a short distance, for example, within about 2 m from the container 10. A container 10 having a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.3 in the middle along the longitudinal axis L can result in a less rounded portion of the container 10 that can be labeled with trademark identification information. The facet area 90 provided on such a container is glossy even when viewed from a distance, and in addition, it is intended to provide a container 10 that is easily readable and labeled on the primary label surface 501 of the container 10. Can harmonize requirements.

  When the consumer is walking along the aisle and approaches the container 10, different portions of the container 10 will be visible depending on the consumer's position relative to the container. For example, if the primary label surface 501 faces the front of the shelf, the consumer will first see a portion of the side of the container 10 and then the consumer will see the front of the container 10. Become. A container 10 with a sharp curved surface can provide more gloss compared to a container 10 with a less curved surface, because the surface of each facet 100 is more divergent in the former than in the latter. is there. The facet 100 provided on the primary label surface 501 can still provide a gloss and provide trademark information where the observer can read from within a distance of less than 2 meters under normal lighting conditions. You can also.

  Along the longitudinal axis L greater than about 20%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.3. Along the longitudinal axis L greater than about 20%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.5. Along the longitudinal axis L, greater than about 40%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.3. Along the longitudinal axis L, greater than about 40%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.5. Along the longitudinal axis L about 20% to 95%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.3. Along the longitudinal axis L from about 40% to 95%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.3. Along the longitudinal axis L from about 60% to 95%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.3. Along the longitudinal axis L about 80% to 95%, the container 10 may have a local aspect ratio greater than about 1.3.

  The container 10 may further comprise a plug seal closure 62 operatively engaged with the open end 60 as shown in FIG. Both the container 10 and the plug seal closure are sealed so that the contents of the package 64 do not leak under the stresses expected to occur during manufacture, storage, delivery, sale, and use of the package and / or the contents of the package 64. Package 64 may be provided. The plug seal closure 62 may be a closure that is screwed onto the open end 60 of the container 10 to fit inside the open end 60 of the container or to cover the open end 60 of the container. The open end 60 of the container 10 can be calibrated. For example, the open end 60 of the container 10 may have a dimensional tolerance that is less than about 2% of the diameter of the open end 60.

  The plurality of containers 10 may be placed in the box 600 as shown in FIG. Box 600 may be constructed of paper. Box 600 may be constructed of corrugated paper. The box 600 may have an internal height dimension H. The container 10 may be formed in a size or dimension that fits upright in the box 600. Container 10 and plug seal closure 62 may be sized or dimensioned to fit upright within box 600. The container 10 may have a container height 11 that is the distance between the open end 60 and the closed end 30. The container height 11 may be less than or equal to the internal height dimension H of the box 600. The internal height dimension H may be less than about 5 mm higher than the container height 11. A plurality of boxes 600 containing containers 10 described herein may be stacked on top of each other. Since the container 10 described herein has sufficient upper load strength, the container 10 in the box 600 under another box 600 containing the container 10 is loaded from above. Will not buckle by.

  The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

  All references cited herein, including any cross-reference patents or related patents, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, except where expressly excluded or otherwise limited. Incorporated. Citation of any document is not an admission that the document is prior art to all inventions disclosed or claimed in this application, and that document is independent of any other reference. No reference is made to any reference to, teaching, suggesting, or disclosing any such invention in any combination. In addition, if any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document takes precedence And

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. . Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

A closed end (30) having a closed end periphery (40);
A peripheral wall (50) extending from the periphery of the closed end to the open end (60) about the longitudinal axis (L) of the container, the container (10) comprising the closed end and the periphery The wall comprises a thermoplastic material;
The peripheral wall defines a variable open cross section (70) of the container in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis as a function of distance from the closed end;
The container has a constriction (20) having a constriction open section (80) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the constriction open section being the variable open section (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis above and below the constriction). 70),
The peripheral wall includes a facet region (90) that includes one or more adjacent facets and a plurality of facets (100) arranged edge to edge, wherein at least a portion of the facet region includes the facet region Located closer to the closed end than to the open end,
The peripheral wall has a peripheral wall exterior surface (170) facing outward , the peripheral wall exterior surface has a peripheral wall exterior surface area (172);
Each of the plurality of facets has an outwardly facing facet external surface (150), and each of the facets has a facet external surface area (102) of 0.0001% to 4% of the peripheral wall external surface area. And
The peripheral wall above the constriction does not have the facet, and the facet region (90) is formed from the constriction (20) to the closed end (30);
Each said facet has a radius of curvature with a principal curvature in excess of 60 mm at the center of gravity (160) of said facet (10).   A container according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall in the facet region comprises an outer skin layer (190).   The container according to claim 2, wherein the skin layer is a label selected from the group consisting of a shrink sleeve label, a stretch sleeve label, an in-mold label, a thermal transfer label, and an adhesive label.   The container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the skin layer is a shrink sleeve label printed with metal ink or a stretch sleeve label printed with metal ink.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral wall below the constriction has a surface area and the facet region comprises 50% to 100% of the surface area.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the constriction is closer to the open end than to the closed end.   The container has a total volume defined by the closed end, the peripheral wall, and the open end, and a partial volume above the constriction, wherein the partial volume is between 1% and 20% of the total volume. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is%.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the facet external surfaces of the plurality of facets are positioned convex with respect to the longitudinal axis.   The said facet has a shape selected from the group which consists of a substantially polygon, a substantially triangle, a substantially quadrilateral, a substantially rhombus, a substantially hexagon, and those combinations, As described in any one of Claims 1-8. container. The ^{constriction,} 5 cm constriction having an open cross-section having two areas of ～60Cm ^2, the container according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images