MXPA06003338A - 4-sided container with smooth front and back panels that can receive labels in a variety of ways - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (2) includes a neck section (4) with a finish, a relatively smooth tapering shoulder section (6) that extends outwardly from a base of the neck section, a body section (8) having four substantially vertical sides (8a, 8b) including two opposing, relatively smooth vertical sides (8b) and two opposing vertical sides (8a) with two vacuum panels (18) formed thereon, one vacuum panel on top of the other vacuum panel and separated by substantially horizontal bridge (20), and a bottom portion adjacent the body section, the bottom section (10) having a standing ring (14) surrounding a recessed area (16) on a bottom surface of the bottom section and relatively smooth walls inclining upwardly from the standing ring toward the body section. The shoulder section is disposed between the body section and the neck section.

Description

FOUR SIDES CONTAINER WITH FRONT AND REAR PANELS SMOOTH, WHICH CAN RECEIVE LABELS IN A VARIETY OF FORMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a container with four sides, where the front and back sides are smooth, so that a container label can be applied to them, in a variety of ways; and more particularly, it relates to a container with two opposite sides having vacuum panels, and two other opposite sides that are relatively smooth and devoid of all geometry.

THE RELATED TECHNIQUE It is known that there are containers made of plastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other thermoplastic material. These containers are blow molded or otherwise formed into a generally circular shape. In order to prevent the known plastic containers from bending and crushing after the container is subjected to thermal processing, when the container contains a hot product which is cooled during a cooling process, it was generally accepted to provide the sides of the container. container with vacuum or compression panels. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,472,105 and ,762,221 describe said known containers. In this application, the term "thermal process" refers to a hot filling process, autoclave treatment or a pasteurization process. Consequently, "hot-processable" containers, made from a plastic material, have sunken areas on their sides, with reinforcement ribs. As a result, there is insufficient space to place a label that identifies the product on one side of the container, unless the label covers the sunken areas. While a label can cover several sunken areas with reinforcement ribs on them, the label does not hide the protrusions a person (the consumer) feels when he grabs the container. If everything between two products is the same, it may be the packaging or the feel of the packaging that determines what product the consumer will finally select to buy. In the competition area of the packaging, the plastic material is not as expensive as glass, but a smooth finish, similar to glass, is convenient, since consumers tend to prefer the feeling of smooth glass. That is, a container that is more aesthetic and pleasing to the eye (and to the fingers) of the consumer is desirable. Additionally, the sunken areas under the label provide a site for liquid to accumulate from molten ice or condensation, which is problematic, since liquid may leak from the sunken area when a consumer uses the product. Additionally, the label can be easily broken, either due to the water in the molten ice and / or the pressure inside the sunken area, when a person grabs the container, which results in a broken label. Thus, the placement of a label on a sunken area with supports is not very safe and can accidentally be broken by the consumer. This problem of a label not very secure is due to a smaller surface area that is gummed to the container. As a result, there is a need for a "thermal process" vessel with smooth sides to allow secure placement of a label identifying the product, without the problems associated with known "thermal process" vessels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In short, a container with smooth opposed panels, of a sufficient size to place labels on them, and which is sufficiently rigid so that several containers can be stacked one on top of the other when filled with a product is needed. This invention omits an element used in the prior art, without loss of its capabilities.

This invention satisfies a long-felt need for a "thermal process" vessel having smooth opposed sides, which is sufficiently rigid to allow the stacking of filled containers. This is obtained with a container that includes a neck section with an end, a relatively smooth shoulder section, tapering, and extending outwardly from the base of the neck section; a body section having four substantially vertical sides, including two opposite, relatively smooth vertical sides, and two opposite vertical sides with two vacuum panels formed therein; a vacuum panel at the top of the other vacuum panel, and separated by a substantially horizontal bridge; and a lower section, adjacent to the body section, wherein the lower section has a support ring that surrounds a sunken area on a lower surface of the lower section, and relatively smooth walls that are tilted upwardly from the ring. support towards the body section. The shoulder section of the container according to the invention is disposed between the neck section and the body section. In a second embodiment, a container according to the invention provides smooth surfaces on opposite sides of the container, so that they are adapted to receive labels in a variety of ways. This container includes a neck section, a flared portion that curves outwardly and downwardly from the neck section, to an upper circumscribing area; a body section formed of four separate side panels, including two opposite, relatively smooth vertical sides, and two opposite vertical sides with two vacuum panels formed therein; a vacuum panel on top of the other vacuum panel, and separated by a substantially horizontal bridge; wherein the two opposed, relatively smooth side panels are adapted to receive a label; and a lower section, adjacent to the lower circumscription area, and having a support ring and a sunken area in a lower surface of the lower section. In this embodiment, the body portion extends from the upper circumscription area to a lower circumscription area. In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum panels may have the shape of the letter "H", so that each sunken vacuum panel has a sunken upper area and a sunken lower area, separated by a horizontal bridge extending to vertical poles adjacent. In another exemplary embodiment, the adjacent vertical sides of the container are separated by a vertical pole running along an adjacent vertical side and the container according to the invention is formed so that the two opposed panels, substantially vertical, relatively smooth, they curve outwardly from a vertical post, to a mid-section of an adjacent substantially vertical and relatively smooth side. Similarly, the two opposite vertical sides having a vacuum panel may curl out slightly in comparison to the curve of the two relatively vertical, opposed sides. Other objectives and advantages, as well as the structure and function of preferred modalities, will be apparent when the description, drawings and examples are considered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above aspects and advantages, as well as others, of the invention will be apparent from the more detailed description that follows, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate generally identical, functionally similar and / or structurally similar elements. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container with four sides according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a container with four sides according to the present invention. Figure 3 is another side view, with 90 ° of rotation with respect to the side view of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a top view of Figure 1 or Figure 3 of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a bottom view of the container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Some embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing the modalities, specific terminology is used for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terminology thus selected. While specific example modalities are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person with experience in the relevant subject will recognize that other components and other configurations may be used, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. All the references cited here are incorporated by reference, as if each one had been incorporated individually. Looking at Figure 1 of the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of the invention of thermoplastic material, such as PET, can be made. The container 2 includes a neck section 4, with a cap; a shoulder section, relatively smooth, tapering, or hood portion 6; a body section 8 and a lower section 10. The shoulder portion 6 tapering extends outwardly from the base of the neck section 4, and curves downwardly to just above the body section 8. shoulder section 6 tapering, as shown in the top view of Figure 4, may have two opposite curved sections 6a, 6b (perpendicular to longitudinal axis A of container 2); where the curved section 6b extends outwards more, from the neck section 4, than the curve section 6a. While shoulder section 6 that is tapering is described as relatively smooth, it may include a logo or other, enhanced signs. The body section 8 has four substantially vertical sides 8a, 8b, where two opposite side panels 8a have a different curvature in cross section, than the two opposite side panels 8b. Two opposite side panels 8b are relatively smooth and are adapted to receive a label in a variety of ways, such as heat transfer labels, pressure sensitive labels, or a paper label. The curvature in the transverse direction of the opposed panels 8b, relatively smooth, may be greater (as illustrated) than the curvature of the remaining opposite side panels 8a. While the curvature of the opposing panels 8b would be greater than that of the side panels 8a, the radius of a cross-sectional curve, through the side panels 8b, must be smaller than the underlying geometry of the side panels 8a, so that it works properly. If the radius of the curvature of the side panel 8b is greater than the radius of the curvature of the side panel 8a, the smooth panels will be pushed (deformed) and the package will not be "capable of supporting a label". In a preferred embodiment, the radius of the curvature of the side panel 8b (R1) and the radius of the curvature of the side panel (R2) would be such that R2 would be greater than or equal to 2 * R1. In an example mode, the curvature of the opposite side panels 8a is light and almost flat, in comparison with the transverse curve of the opposed panels 8b, relatively smooth. The adjacent vertical sides 8a, 8b are separated by a substantially vertical post 12, which runs along an adjacent vertical side. In it, the substantially vertical side panels 8b have a curvature in the transverse direction extending further from the longitudinal axis A of the container 2, a cross section of the container 2 is approximately elliptical. That is, the two vertical, relatively smooth opposed sides 8b are curved outwardly from a vertical post 12, to a relatively smooth vertical side mid section, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the container 2. Consequently, the posts are substantially verticals 12 are closer to each other in the side view shown in figure 2, than in the side view of figure 3. The position of the substantially vertical posts 12 allows the body section 8 to be sufficiently rigid so that they can be Stack several containers 2 one on top of the other, when they are filled with a product. The curvature in the transverse direction (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 2) of the shoulder section 6 tapering approaches the curvature of each of the opposite side panels 8a, 8b. Thus, the curved sections 6a are located above the substantially vertical side panels 8a, and are dimensioned so that there is a smooth transition between the curved sections 6a and the substantially vertical side panels 8a of the container 2. Similarly, the sections curves 6b are located above the substantially vertical side panels 8b, and are dimensioned such that there is a smooth transition between the curved sections 6b and the substantially vertical side panels 8b of the container 2. The lower section 10 is adjacent to the body section 8 and curves in a relatively smooth manner towards a support ring 14. The support ring 14 is part of a lower surface of the lower section 10, which is adapted to allow the container to stand on a flat surface. The lower section 10 has relatively smooth walls which curve upwards from the support ring 14, towards the body section 8. The lower surface of the lower section 10 further includes a recessed area 16. The sunken area 16 may be provided of ribs for structural support of the base of the container. The structure with ribs prevents the base from jumping out during the "thermal process". The ribs and the structure of the sunken area 16 provide the structure that allows a good distribution of material during blow molding, for example. A preferred container 2 can have a volume of 709 mL (24 oz) and a wide section of neck 4, which is approximately the width of the vertical side panel 8a. The substantially vertical side panels 8a are formed with a vacuum panel 18 therein. As shown in Figure 1, two vacuum panels 18, one above the other, are sunk within each side panel 8a substantially vertical. The two vacuum panels 18 are separated by a substantially horizontal bridge 20. The substantially horizontal bridge 20, as well as the upper flange 2 and the lower flange 24 on the substantially vertical side panel 8a, has approximately the same curvature as the curved section 6a placed on the substantially vertical side panel 8a. Thus, as shown in Figure 3, the substantially horizontal bridge 20, as well as the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24, are bent outwardly from the sunken vacuum panel 18. It is contemplated that the substantially horizontal bridge 20 may have a rib or may not have the rib, if the bridge 20 has a plastic weight greater than that of the vacuum panels. As a result of the substantially horizontal bridge 20 and the upper and lower flanges 22, 24, the container 2 is provided with horizontal stability and rigidity is increased to the vertical side panel with the vacuum panels 18 of the container 2. In another exemplary embodiment, the individual vacuum panels may be designed with etched grip areas 26, 28 in the shape of the letter "H", so that it appears that each sunken vacuum panel has an upper area 26 and a lower area 28, separated by a bridge smooth 30, extending to the vertical posts 12, on each side of the sunken vacuum panel. If a surface etching is provided on the sunken vacuum panels 18, the shape or design of the vacuum panel 18 is not limited to the "H" shape shown. As described above, each substantially vertical post 12 extends along the substantially vertical height of the adjacent panels 8a, 8b. Several sunken areas 32, spaced apart, may be spaced at predetermined intervals along each substantially vertical pole, which runs along an adjacent side 8a, 8b. The spaced collapse areas are designed to mimic the etched grip areas 26, 28, and result in an aesthetically pleasing container 2. In addition to aesthetic purposes, the sunken areas may reduce the weight in grams or the amount of thermoplastic material used to form the container 2. The substantially vertical post 12 may be sunk between adjacent side panels 8a, 8b, substantially vertical, so that a notch extends from just above an upper portion of a vertical side panel 8a, 8b, along the side of the vertical side panel, to just below a lower portion of the vertical side panel 8a, 8b. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the transition area between the shoulder section 6 tapering and the body section 8, there is an upper circumscription area 34. Similarly, the transition area between the body section 8 and the lower section 10 is a lower circumscription area 36. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper and lower circumscription areas are notches between the two respective adjacent sections. Alternatively, the upper and lower circumscription areas may be level or ribbed areas, which connect the adjacent sections. In said example embodiment, each vertical post 12 may be sunk between adjacent vertical panels 8a, 8b; and each vertical post 12 may extend to the upper and lower circumscription areas 34, 36. When the upper and lower circumscription areas 34, 36 are notches, the vertical post 12 may be sunk within the notches of the areas of Upper and lower circumscription 34, 36. The modalities illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended solely to teach those with experience in the art, the best way that inventors know how 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 limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention can be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as will be appreciated by those having experience 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 may be put into practice in a manner other than that specifically described.

Claims (17)

1. - A container, characterized in that it comprises: a neck section with a top; a shoulder section that tapers, relatively smooth, extending outwardly from the base of the neck section; a body section having four substantially vertical sides, including two opposite, relatively smooth vertical sides, and two opposite vertical sides, with two vacuum panels formed therein; a vacuum panel on top of the other vacuum panel, and separated by a substantially horizontal bridge; said shoulder section being disposed between the neck section and the body section; and a lower section, adjacent to the body section; the lower section having a support ring surrounding a sunken area on a lower surface of the lower section, and relatively smooth walls that slope upwardly from the support ring, towards the body section.

2. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the adjacent vertical sides are separated by a vertical pole running along an adjacent vertical side of the vertical sides forming the body section.

3. The container according to claim 2, further characterized in that the vacuum panels are provided with a surface etching.

4. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the vertical pole running along an adjacent vertical side has several sunken and spaced areas.

5. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the vertical post running along an adjacent vertical side is sunk between the adjacent vertical sides.

6. The container according to claim 1, further characterized by comprising a circumscription notch between the shoulder section and the body section.

7. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a circumscription notch between the lower section and the body section.

8. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the container is made of thermoplastic material.

9. The container according to claim 2, further characterized in that the two relatively smooth vertical opposed sides are curved outwardly from a vertical post, to a relatively smooth, relatively vertical adjacent middle section.

10. The container according to claim 2, further characterized in that the two relatively vertical, opposed vertical sides are curved outwardly from a vertical pole to a relatively smooth, relatively vertical adjacent vertical side section and the two vertical sides. Opposites with a vacuum panel are curved out slightly, as compared to the curve of the two opposite vertical sides, relatively smooth.

11. A container for providing smooth surfaces adapted to receive labels in a variety of shapes, said container characterized in that it comprises: a neck section with a cap; a bell portion that curves outward and downward from the neck section, to an upper circumscription area; a body section formed of four separate side panels including two opposite vertical sides, relatively smooth and two opposite vertical sides having two vacuum panels formed therein; a vacuum panel on top of the other vacuum panel and separated by a bridge with substantially horizontal ribs; wherein the two opposed, relatively smooth side panels are adapted to receive a label; the body portion extending from the upper circumscription area to a lower circumscription area; and a lower section adjacent to the lower circumscribing area and having a support ring and a recessed area in a lower surface of the lower section.

12. - The container according to claim 11, further characterized in that the upper and lower circumscription areas are notches.

13. The container according to claim 11, further characterized in that the lower portion has relatively smooth walls that slope upwardly from the support ring, towards the body section.

14. The container according to claim 11, further characterized in that the adjacent sides of the four separate sides are separated by a vertical pole; and where the two vacuum panels are provided with a surface etching.

15. The container according to claim 14, further characterized in that each vertical post runs along an adjacent vertical side, and is sunk between adjacent sides of the body section.

16. The container according to claim 14, further characterized in that the two opposed, relatively smooth, substantially vertical side panels are curved outwardly from a vertical post to a relatively smooth, relatively vertical adjacent substantially vertical side section. 17.- The container in accordance with the claim 16, further characterized in that the two opposite vertical sides having a vacuum panel are curved out slightly, as compared to the curve of the two relatively vertical, opposite sides. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the container withstands the pressures associated with at least one of the hot filling, autoclaving and pasteurization processes.