MXPA05010589A - Oval container - Google Patents

Abstract

An oval plastic container. A cross-section of the container, taken perpendicular to the height of the container shows an oval or elliptical shape. Such a container has front and back sides. The container also has a left side and a right side. Given the oval shape of the body, the width of the container as measured from the left side to the right side, is less than the depth of the container, measured from front to back. The front and back of the container therefore have a relatively small radius of curvature, compared to the left and right sides. The front and/or the back of the container includes a relatively featureless panel. Such a panel is flat, apart from the curvature that results from the oval shape of the body. Such an area can be used for the application of a pressure-sensitive label. The oval shape of the body prevents the labeled surface from buckling during the cooling process. The left and right sides of the container may include structure such as ribbing, to prevent buckling or excessive deformation during cooling. Alternatively, the left and right sides of the container may include vacuum panels that may be drawn inward during cooling, without excessive deformation or buckling.

Description

OVAL CONTAINER Field of the Invention The invention described herein refers to plastic containers, and refers in particular to the shape and structure of such containers. Related Technique As is widely known, it is common for beverages to be sold in plastic containers. Such containers can be single-service or multi-service containers. In addition, certain beverages are commonly placed in containers when the beverage is still hot. For example, some bottlers of fruit juices and teas empty their products when the beverage is at approximately 85 ° C. The bottles are immediately covered and cooled, which creates an internal vacuum. The design of the container must resist or allow this internal vacuum to "remain" while maintaining the desired appearance of the design. Containers that can accommodate a hot liquid product in this manner are known as hot fill containers. Since such beverages are intended for sale to the consumer, the containers typically must be labeled. A labeling method involves the application of a pressure sensitive label. Ideally, such a label is placed in a smooth portion of the container. This allows the entire area of the label to be in contact with the surface of the container. The placement of a pressure sensitive label in a portion of the container having any type of surface geometry may be aesthetically unacceptable. In addition, a pressure sensitive label may not adhere well to such a surface. For these reasons, a relatively smooth surface is preferred for labeling purposes. However, the presence of a smooth surface can create other problems. After a plastic container is filled hot and covered, the container is cooled to room temperature. During the cooling process, the volume inside the container necessarily contracts and creates an internal vacuum. If the container has a flat surface, the container can be folded or curled inward at that point. Such deformation can be avoided by including geometrical aspects in the container to increase rigidity. For example, the use of ribs can provide the necessary structure to prevent the container from curling during the cooling process. But, as described above, the presence of such a geometry makes the use of pressure sensitive labels problematic. Therefore, what is needed is a plastic container design so that it presents a sufficient structure to avoid curling of the container during the cooling process, while providing a relatively smooth or flat surface in which it can be apply a label BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein is an oval plastic container. A cross section of the counter taken perpendicular to the height of the container shows an oval or elliptical shape. Such a container has front and rear sides. The container also has a left side and a right side. Given the oval shape of the body, the width of the container as measured from the left side to the right side is less than the depth of the container, measured from front to back. The front part and the rear part of the container have, therefore, a relatively small radius of curvature, as compared to the left and right sides. The front part and / or the rear part of the container includes a relatively featureless panel. Such a panel is smooth and flat, apart from the curvature resulting from the oval shape of the body. Such panel can be used for the application of a label. The oval shape of the body prevented the front and back surfaces from curling during the cooling process. The left and right sides of the container can include an ual structure like ribs, to avoid curling or excessive deformation during cooling. Alternatively, the left and right sides of the container may include vacuum panels that can be pulled in slightly during cooling, without excessive deformation. Further objects and advantages of the invention as well as preferred embodiments will become apparent upon consideration of the description, drawings and examples provided herein. Brief Description of the Figures The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the appended Figures. In the drawings, similar reference numbers generally indicate identical elements, of similar function and / or structurally similar. Figure 1 is an illustration of a plastic oval container according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates the container of Figure 1, as seen from the front or the inscription part. Figure 3 will illustrate the conienent of Figure 1, as seen from the side. Detailed Description of the Invention The embodiments of the invention are discussed below. In the description of the modalities, a specific ireminology is used for the sake of clarity. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific eminenology thus selected. Although specific modalities of example are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention described herein is an oval plastic container. A transverse section of the container, taken perpendicular to the height of the container, shows an oval or elliptical shape. Such a container has froni and fraser sides. The container also has a left side and a right side. Given the oval shape of the body, the width of the container as measured from the left side to the right side is less than the depth of the container, measured from front to back. The front part and the rear part of the container therefore have a relatively small radius of curvature, compared to the left and right sides. The front part and / or the front part of the container include a relatively featureless panel. Such a panel is smooth and flat, apart from the curvature resulting from the oval shape of the body. Such a panel can support applications of a label and is referred to hereinafter as a surface for labeling. The oval shape of the body prevents the front and back from curling during the cooling process. The left and right sides of the copier can include a ribbed structure, to avoid ripple or excessive deformation during cooling. Alternatively, the left and right sides of the container may include vacuum panels that can be drawn to the surface during cooling, without deformation or excessive curling. In Figure 1 an embodiment of an oval container is illustrated. Such a container can be manufactured using polyethylene terephthalate PET, or a similar compound. The container 100 illustrated includes a neck 1 10. In one embodiment of the invention, the neck 1 is essentially cylindrical. In a collar 1 10 there is a finish 120. In the opposite end of the neck 1 00 there is a shoulder 130. The shoulder 130 has an upper end 127 and a lower end 133. Adjacent to the lower end 133 of the shoulder 130 is a body 140. The front area of the holder 100 is shown as the front area 150. The edge part of the holder 100 is not visible. The cross section of the body 140, taken perpendicularly to the height of the bottle 100, is essentially oval in shape. In the modality where the neck 1 10 is essentially cylindrical, the upper end portion 127 of the neck 1 10 is essentially circular in cross section, while the lower end 133 is of essentially transverse oval cross section. A base 170 is also shown, adjacent the body 140. Note that, due to the oval shape of the body 140, the base 170 also has an essentially oval cross section. The frontal area 150 is flat, appearing from the curvature resulting from the oval shape of the body 140 and is essentially smooth. The front panel 150 can therefore represent a surface for labeling. A corresponding back panel (not shown) may also be essentially smooth and may also represent a surface for label placement. A blank panel 160 is also shown. In the illusive embodiment, a vacuum panel is shown as part of the side panel 160. This panel allows the cooling process to take place without creating excessive deformation of the holder 100. During the cooling process, The vacuum panel will be attracted to some extent as a result of the inherent volume decrease during cooling. In one embodiment of the invention, the neck 1 is a neck called "long neck". In the illustrated embodiment, the neck 1 10 is approximately half the width of the body 140. Figure 2 shows a view 200 of the container of Figure 1. Again, the neck 1 10 is shown reflecting a finish 120 on one end and a shoulder 130 on the other end. In this view, the front of the oval body 140 is shown. Note that the front area 150 is essentially featureless and can be used as a labeling surface. No geometry was presented in the illusirated modality, apart from the curvature resulting from the oval shape of the body 140. The width of the container, as measured from the left side to the right side, is indicated as w. Figure 3 presents the side view 300 of the container 100. The body 140 includes the front area 150, together with the side area 160. The side area 160 includes a vacuum panel in the illustrated embodiment, as discussed above with respect to the Figure 1 . The depth of the container as measured from the front to the last is shown as d. As you can see in Figures 2 and 3, d >; w. In words, given the oval shape of the body 140, the depth d of the body as measured from forward to airas exceeds the width w of the body 140 as measured from side to side. In the illustrated mode, the side area] 160 is essential without any features; in the alimentary modes of the invention, it may be present a surface geometry.

Examples of such geometry include finger grip, or one or more horizontal ribs running across the facial area. Given the oval shape of the congenital element, the front part and the rear part are relatively resistant to deformation during the cooling process. The back and rear have a relatively small radius of curvature as seen in the cross section. Unlike a wider, flatter surface, the front and back surfaces tend to resist curling. Thus, therefore, it helps to maintain the integrity of the container during cooling and allows the placement of a label on the front or the inscription part. The modalities illustrated and discussed in this specification is intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All the examples presented are representative and not limitative. The embodiments of the invention described above can be modified or varied without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings. Therefore, it should be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention can be practiced otherwise than specifically described.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1. A blow molded container that can be hot filled, comprising: a neck that has a finish at one end; a shoulder having an upper end and a lower end, so that the upper end of the shoulder is adjacent to the neck at one end of the neck opposite the finish; a body adjacent to the lower end of the shoulder, the body having an essentially oval cross-section, where the cross-section is taken perpendicular to the height of the container, the body having a front part, a pair of stones, a left side and a right eye, where the width of the body, as measured from the left side to the right side, is less than the depth of the body as measured from the front wall to the back; a base adjacent to the body and placed at one end of the body opposite the shoulder; a vacuum relief panel positioned on at least one of the left and right sides of the body, wherein at least one of the frontal or parasitic part of the body is essentially devoid of surface geometry other than the curvature due to the oval body shape. The container of claim 1, wherein the oval shape of the cross section is applied to substantially the entire body. 3. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front and rear sides of the body is essentially devoid of surface geometry other than curing due to the oval shape of the body providing a surface for placement of effigies, and the surface for placing effets provides a surface for supporting a label so that substantially all the labeling is in contact with the surface for label placement. The container of claim 1, wherein both the front and rear sides of the body essentially lack surface geometry other than the curvature due to the oval shape of the cross section. The container of claim 1, wherein the vacuum relief panel is depressed on at least one of the left and right sides of the body. The container of claim 1, wherein the neck is about half the height of the body. 7. The holder of claim 1, wherein the plastic material comprises polyethylene urerephthalate. The container of claim 1, wherein the vacuum relief panel is essentially devoid of surface geometry other than the curvature due to the oval shape of the cross section. The container of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the shoulder has a round cross section and a lower end of the shoulder has an oval cross section.