MX2014000375A - Container with bend resistant grippable dome. - Google Patents

Abstract

A hot fill type plastic container includes a finish, a bottom and a main body that is generally rectangular in transverse cross-section. The main body has an upper dome portion, a lower label portion and a waist groove defined between the upper dome portion and the lower label portion. Both the upper dome portion and the lower label portion have front and rear surfaces as well as opposing side surfaces that are narrower than the front and rear surfaces. The opposing side surfaces of the upper dome portion have a substantially vertically oriented reinforcing element defined therein that is recessed with respect to the surrounding sidewall of the upper dome portion. The reinforcing element extends into the waist groove, which increases the flexibility of the dome portion above the waist groove and protects the dome portion against damage as a result of contact with other containers during the filling and packaging processes.

Description

CONTAINER WITH EASY-GRIP CROP RESISTANT TO THE FLEXION Cross Reference to the Related Request This is a continuation in part of serial number 12 / 784,658, filed on May 21, 2010, the complete description of which is incorporated herein by reference as if it will be fully mentioned herein.

Field of the Invention This invention relates to molded plastic containers by blowing compressed air, and in particular to those containers having an upper dome or bell portion that is designed for a consumer to grip during use.

Background of the Invention Many products that were previously packaged using glass containers are now being supplied in plastic containers, such as containers that are made from polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

PET containers, in general, are manufactured using the stretch blow molding process. This involves the use of a preform that is injection molded into a profile that facilitates the distribution of the plastic material within the preform in the desired final profile of the container. The preform is first heated and then stretched longitudinally and subsequently inflated within a mold cavity so as to assume the desired final profile of the container. While the preform is inflated, it acquires the profile of the mold cavity. The polymer solidifies after coming into contact with the coldest surface of the mold, and the finished hollow container is subsequently ejected from the mold.

The use of molded plastic containers by blowing compressed air for the purpose of packaging the liquids processed by means of hot filling and / or pasteurization processes has been known for some time. The hot filling process involves filling the containers while the liquid product is at an elevated temperature, usually from 68 to 96 ° C (155-205 ° F) and generally around 85 ° C (185 ° F) to sterilize the liquid. container at the time of filling. The containers that are designed to withstand the hot filling process are known as "hot fill" or "thermofixing" containers. Such containers, in general, are designed with flanks that include one or more split vacuum panels that are designed to bend due to temperature changes and the consequent volumetric expansion and contraction that occurs during the process. In many cases, the cracked vacuum panels also provide handholds that make it easier for consumers to grip the container.

One type of conventional packaging design includes a lower portion that is formed to receive a label and an upper dome or bell portion that is separated from the lower portion of the label by means of a central portion. In some cases, the dome is constructed to extend outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the container to a greater extent than the label portion so that the contact of the container during filling and packaging occurs between the respective dome portions, protecting the portions of the container. label against bending that could cause delamination of the label. This is known in the industry as label protection.

The label portion can be constructed to fold internally during the hot-fill process in a controlled manner to adjust the volumetric changes within the package. However, creasing or other significant profiles are undesirable due to the need to provide label support. The central part of the container structurally insulates the dome portion of the label portion so that the flexure in one is not transmitted to the other. It also provides the reinforcement against flexion of both the dome portion and the label portion. The amount of reinforcement provided to the label portion and to the dome portion by means of the central part in the conventional designs, has tended to be approximately equal. However, in some cases, it would be desirable to provide more reinforcement to the portion of label. One reason for this is that in the past, it has been found that it is difficult, as a matter of design, to provide effective gripping indentations within a dome or canopy portion while keeping material costs at an economically acceptable level , because the force created by a consumer while holding the container has the tendency to sink the portions of the dome or bell portion. In addition, packages of this type may experience damage such as crease due to contact from container to container in the filling line.

There is a need for an improved plastic package having an upper dome or bell portion that is designed for a consumer to grip during use, which provides for improved optimization of structural stability and material costs with respect to to conventional designs.

Brief Description of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved plastic package having an upper dome or bell portion that is designed for a consumer to grasp during use, which provides for improved optimization of structural and structural stability. material costs with respect to conventional designs.

To achieve the above objectives and other objects of the invention, a plastic container according to a first aspect of the invention includes a final part, a lower part and a main body which, in general, is rectangular in the perpendicular cross section. The main body has an upper portion of the dome, a lower portion and a central slot defined between the upper portion of the dome and the lower portion. The upper portion of the dome has a reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically defined therein. The reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically extends into the central slot.

A plastic package according to a second aspect of the invention includes a final part, a lower part and a main body which, in general, is rectangular in the perpendicular cross section. The main body has an upper portion of the dome, a lower portion of the label and a central groove defined between the upper portion of the dome and the lower portion of the label. Both the upper portion of the dome and the lower portion of the label have the front and rear surfaces as well as the side surfaces that are narrower than the front and rear surfaces, the opposite side surfaces of the upper portion of the dome have the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically defined therein which is split with respect to the surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome. The reinforcing element extends into the central slot, which increases the flexibility of the dome portion over the central slot and protects the portion of dome against damage as a result of contact with other containers during the filling and packaging processes.

These and other advantages and characteristics of the novelty characterizing the invention are indicated with particularity in the appended claims to the same and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objectives obtained through its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form another part of it, and to the descriptive matter that accompanies it, in which illustrates and describes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plastic container that is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the package shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the package shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the package shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in Figure 2; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in Figure 2; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in Figure 2; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in Figure 2; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 in Figure 4; Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a container that is constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment; Figure 11 is a front elevational view of a package that is constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the package shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 13-13 in Figure 12; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 14-14 in Figure 12; Y Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view depicting the area within circle 15-15 in Fig. 13.

Detailed description of the invention Now referring to the drawings, where the similar reference numbers indicate the corresponding structure through the views, and referring, in particular, to Figure 1, a plastic container 10, which is constructed in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is preferably made of a material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from a preform using a conventional process of blow-molding compressed air with reheat stretch. The plastic container 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed for hot filling applications.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the plastic container 10 includes a threaded end portion 12 having one or more threads 14 defined thereon, to which a conventional closure cap or cap can be secured. distribution. The plastic package 10 further preferably includes a lower portion 16 and a main body portion 18 having a thin plastic flank 19 that is integrated with the end portion 12 and the lower portion 16.

As shown in Figure 1, the main body portion 18 includes a lower portion 20 which is preferably substantially rectangular in the horizontal cross section. A lower portion 20 preferably includes the front and rear panels 22 and the side panels 24 that are narrower than the front and rear panels 22. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of horizontally oriented reinforcing grooves or internally extended ribs 26 are defined in FIG. the front and rear panels 22. The reinforcement grooves horizontally oriented or the flanges internally similar stretches 28 are also preferably defined on the side panels 24. The presence of the grooves or of the internally extended flanges 26, 28 improves the structural stability of the lower portion 20, especially during the vacuum absorption phase of the filling process in hot.

The main body portion 18 also preferably includes a dome or upper bell 30 that are separated from the lower portion 20 by means of a central portion 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 32 is incorporated as an internally extended peripheral groove, but in the alternative embodiments it may be more or less pronounced or may simply be an interface between the upper dome 30 and the lower portion 20.

The upper dome 30 preferably includes an upper front portion 34 having a profile that substantially approximates a rounded rectangle when viewed in the plan view from above, as shown in Figure 4. In the preferred embodiment, the upper front portion 34 has a generally bulbous profile and includes a rounded upper surface 36 that forms an upper shoulder of the container 10 and integrates with the final part. 12. The upper front portion 34 further includes a first pair of sides, i.e., the front and rear sides 38, 40 having a first width, and a second side pair of sides 42, 44 having a second width that is smaller than the first width. The front portion upper 34 has a first maximum width WMAX > as shown best in Figure 5.

In this embodiment, a concave groove 46 is defined on each of the side faces 42, 44 of the upper front portion 34. Alternatively, the concave groove 46 can be defined on only one of the side faces 42, 44. Preferably, each The concave groove 46 is substantially centered vertically and horizontally with respect to the side face 42, 44 in which it is defined. Each of the concave grooves 46 preferably intersects a horizontal plane that also intersects the portions of the upper front portion 34 that define the first maximum width WMAX- The presence of the concave grooves 46 provides significant additional structural stability to the upper front portion 34 when a consumer grasps the package 10 during use. Preferably, both concave grooves 46 have a radius of curvature RC, and a ratio of RC / WMAX is preferably within a range of about 0.95 to about 0.99.

Directly below the side faces 42, 44 of the upper front portion 34, the first gripping slots 48 are defined to facilitate a consumer to grip the container 10. In the preferred embodiment, the structural stability of each of the gripping slots 48 improves by means of the presence of an inverted "U" shaped slot 50, as can best be seen in figures 1 and 3. The "U" shaped slot inverted 50 includes a substantially horizontal upper portion 56 and the first and second support portions extending downwardly 58, 60. The substantially horizontal upper portion 56 is preferably directly below the lateral face 42, 44 of the upper front portion 34. and therefore, directly below the concave groove 46. The juxtaposition of the concave groove 46 and the upper horizontal portion 56 of the "U" -shaped groove 50 creates a sharp lower cut and a fully rounded transition portion that improves the easy grip of container 10 and provides significant reinforcement against deformation when a consumer grabs container 10, without requiring significant additional material during the manufacturing process.

The upper dome 30 also preferably includes the second gripping slots 52 which are defined directly below the front and rear sides 38, 40 of the upper front portion 34. Each of the flank portions 19 defining the second gripping slots 52 they have a "U" shaped groove 54 defined therein to provide additional structural stability when a consumer grasps the package 10. In this embodiment, upper and lower degrees of the "U" shaped groove 54 are substantially the same as those of the "U" shaped groove 50 which is defined in the flank portion 19 defining the first grip grooves 48. The "U" shaped groove 54 is preferably also substantially centered with respect to the second gripping slit 52 and the front or rear side 38, 40 of the upper front portion 34 which is placed directly on it.

The flank portion 19 defining each of the first grip slots 48 is also preferably provided with a vertically oriented reinforcing element 62 which is a portion of the inverted "U" shaped slot 50. In the preferred embodiment, element vertically oriented reinforcement 62 includes a band or a vertically oriented split groove having a substantially flat bottom surface 64 and a pair of edge portions 66 connecting the substantially flat bottom surface 64 with the remainder of the flank 19 defining the first grooves grip 48, as shown in the cross section in figure 8.

The presence of the vertically oriented reinforcing element 62 provides the significant additional structural reinforcement against the deformation of the flank portion 19 defining the first grip grooves 48, acting in combination with the structural reinforcement that is provided by means of the groove in shape of "U" 50 and by means of the presence of the concave groove 46.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the vertically oriented reinforcing element 62 is constructed to extend to the lower part of the dome or upper bell 30 and to the central part 32. However, in an alternative embodiment of the In the invention shown in Figure 10, a container 110 is constructed so that the lower part of the vertically oriented reinforcing element 162 is on the lower part of the dome or of the upper hood 30 and the central part 32.

The vertically oriented reinforcing element 62 preferably substantially extends completely from the lower part of the upper dome 30 to the central part 32. The vertically oriented reinforcing element is also preferably substantially centered when viewed in the side view with with respect to the downwardly extending supports 58, 60 of the "U" -shaped groove 50.

A plastic container 70 that is constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 11-15. The plastic package 70 includes a final portion 72, a lower part 74, and a main body 76 which, in general, is rectangular in the perpendicular cross section, as can be seen in Figure 14. The plastic container 70, accordingly , is what the industry calls a rectangular container. Such containers present different structural and design problems than plastic containers that have a generally cylindrical profile. Like the package 10 that was described with respect to the first embodiment, the plastic package 70 is preferably made of a material including polyethylene terephthalate using a standard process of blow molding with compressed air. overheating.

The main body portion 76 includes an upper portion of the dome 78 and a lower portion of the label 80 that is provided with the panels that are designed to support a label and to fold internally in a controlled manner to accommodate the internal volumetric changes that are associated with the hot filling process. Specifically, the main body portion 76 includes a front panel surface 84, the first and second side panel surface 86, 88 and a side panel surface 90. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second side panel 86 88 are preferably substantially symmetrical with each other and the front and rear panel surfaces 84, 90 are also preferably constructed to have characteristics that are substantially identical to each other.

A central slot 82 is preferably defined between the upper portion of the dome 78 and the lower portion of the tag 80. The central slot 82 preferably extends over the circumference of the main body 76 and provides the reinforcement against bending to both the upper portion of the dome 78 as to the lower portion of tag 80. However, as will be discussed in detail below, the bending reinforcement of the side panels 86, 88 of the upper portion of the dome 78 is intentionally limited to allow the lateral portions of the upper portion of dome 78 fold when the container 70 comes into contact with similar containers in a filling line. This protects the container 70 from damage that could otherwise be caused by such contact.

The central groove 82 also provides the structural insulation between the upper portion of the dome 78 and the lower portion of the label 80, so that the bending in one of the portions is attenuated before it causes flexing in the other portion.

Each of the side surfaces 86, 88 of the upper dome portion 78 includes a substantially vertically oriented reinforcing element 92 which reinforces the lateral surface of the dome portion 78 against the forces and impacts that may be caused by the contact with a similar container in the filling line or in another mechanized transport or packaging system for such containers. The substantially vertically oriented reinforcing element 92 includes an upper portion 94 and a lower portion 96 that extend into the central slot 82. Alternatively, only one of the side surfaces 86, 88 could be provided with the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically 92.

The reinforcing element 92 is preferably split at a first maximum distance DF with respect to a surrounding flank portion 102 of the upper dome portion 78. The central slot 82 has a lower surface adjacent to the reinforcing element 92 defining a second maximum distance DG with respect to the surrounding flank 102, as best shown in Figure 15. A ratio of DF / DG of the first maximum depth DF to the second maximum depth DG is preferably of at least about 0.1, more preferably at least about 0.25 and most preferably at least about 0.4.

The surrounding flank portions 102 preferably extend laterally outwardly beyond the side panels which are located in the lower portion of label 80 below the central slot 82, so that the contact from container to container that may occur in the filling line or other mechanized transport system will happen between the respective dome portion 78, with the tag portions 80 protected. As is common with such containers, the lower portion 74 may extend outwardly to the same extent as the dome portion 78 so that there is a lower point of contact between the containers that also extends outwardly beyond the label panel.

Because the reinforcing element 92 enters the central groove 82, the amount of structural reinforcement imparted by the groove 82 is reduced to the side of the upper dome portion 78 near the reinforcing element 92, increasing the amount of bending that will occur when the side of the upper portion of dome 78 comes into contact with a container Similary. In addition, the slit that is defined by means of the concave lower portion 104 of the reinforcing element 92 will create two contact points in the middle of similar containers when contact occurs, which will distribute the transmission of force to the flanks of the respective containers. .

Contrary to the vertically oriented reinforcement element in the previously described embodiment, the vertically oriented reinforcing element 92 is formed to have a concave bottom surface 104, which preferably has a substantially constant radius of curvature RF. The concave lower portion of the reinforcing element 92, as seen in the perpendicular cross section, can also create a spring effect that absorbs part of the force imparted to the lateral surface of the upper dome 78 when contact with an adjacent container.

As shown in Figure 12, the substantially vertical reinforcing element 92 in the preferred embodiment is intersected by two horizontal grooves 98, 100. The grooves 98, 100 provide a measurement of the reinforcement against the bending stresses in a direction that is orthogonal to the reinforcement that is provided by means of the reinforcing element 92. In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal grooves 98, 100 are slightly deeper than the substantially vertical reinforcement element 92.

It should be understood, however, that although the numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been explained in the above description, together with the details of the structure and function of the invention, the description is only illustrative, and changes can be made in detail, especially in matters of profile, size and distribution of the parts within the principles of the invention to the full degree indicated by means of the broad general meaning of the terms in which the attached claims are expressed.

Claims (23)

1. A plastic container, comprising: a final part; a lower part; a main body which is generally rectangular in the perpendicular cross section, the main body having an upper portion of dome, a lower portion and a central slot defined between the upper portion of the dome and the lower portion, and where the upper portion of the dome has a reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically defined therein, the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically is extended in the central groove.

2. A plastic container according to the claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically is slit with respect to a surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome.

3. A plastic container according to the claim 2, wherein the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically comprises a substantially flat bottom surface.

4. A plastic package according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically comprises a concave bottom surface.

5. A plastic container according to the claim 2, wherein the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically defines a first maximum depth with respect to the surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome and where the central groove below the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically defines a second maximum depth with respect to to the surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome, and wherein a ratio of the first maximum depth to the second maximum depth is at least about 0.1.

6. A plastic container according to the claim 5, wherein the ratio of the first maximum depth to the second maximum depth is at least about 0.25.

7. A plastic container according to the claim 6, wherein the ratio of the first maximum depth to the second maximum depth is at least about 0.4.

8. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the dome has the front and rear panels and the opposed side panels that are narrower than the front and rear panels, and wherein the reinforcing element is oriented substantially vertically it is defined in at least one of the opposite side panels.

9. A plastic container according to claim 8, wherein both opposite side panels have the element of reinforcement oriented substantially vertically defined therein.

10. A plastic container according to claim 1, further comprising at least one horizontal groove defined in the upper portion of the dome intersecting the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically.

11. A plastic container according to claim 10, wherein the horizontal groove is deeper than the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically where it intersects the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically.

12. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate.

13. A plastic container according to the claim 1, where the plastic container is a hot fill type container.

14. A plastic container according to the claim 2, wherein the surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome adjacent the substantially vertically oriented reinforcing element extends laterally outwardly beyond a flank of the lower portion below it, whereby contact between the adjacent containers in a filling line occurs mainly between the respective upper portions of dome.

15. A plastic hot fill type container, comprising: a final part; a lower part; a main body which is generally rectangular in the perpendicular cross section, the main body has an upper portion of the dome, a lower portion of the label and a central groove defined between the upper portion of the dome and the lower portion of the label, the upper portion of the dome and the lower portion of the label have the front and rear surfaces and the opposing side surfaces that are narrower than the front and rear surfaces, and where both opposite side surfaces of the upper portion of the dome have the reinforcing element oriented substantially in a manner vertical defined therein, the reinforcing element substantially vertically oriented is slit with respect to a surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome and is extended in the central slot.

16. A hot fill type plastic container according to claim 15, wherein the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically comprises a substantially flat bottom surface.

17. A hot-fill type plastic container according to claim 15, wherein the element of substantially vertically oriented reinforcement comprises a concave bottom surface.

18. A plastic hot-fill-type container according to claim 15, wherein the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically defines a first maximum depth with respect to the surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome and where the central groove under the Reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically defines a second maximum depth with respect to the surrounding flank of the upper portion of the dome, and wherein a ratio of the first maximum depth to the second maximum depth is at least about 0.1.

19. A plastic container according to the claim 18, where the ratio of the first maximum depth to the second maximum depth is at least about 0.25.

20. A plastic container according to the claim 19, where the ratio of the first maximum depth to the second maximum depth is at least about 0.4.

21. A plastic container according to claim 15, further comprising at least one horizontal groove defined in the upper portion of the dome intersecting the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically.

22. A plastic package according to claim 21, wherein the horizontal groove is deeper than the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically where it intersects the reinforcing element oriented substantially vertically.

23. A plastic container according to claim 15, wherein the main body is made of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate.