MXPA06006631A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A blow molded plastic container (10) having a circular base (12), a cylindrical sidewall (14) extending upwardly from the base and a neck finish (16) projecting upwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall includes a plurality of spaced apart, continuous, circumferential grooves (24, 32) extending around the sidewall. The grooves are separated by raised areas (28).

Description

CONTAINER Field and Background of the Invention It is highly desirable to provide a lightweight plastic container having a substantially rigid side wall suitable for retaining a variety of products. A substantially rigid light weight plastic container should desirably have resistance to deformation and improve the aesthetic display of a label or tag. Conventionally, the configurations of the sidewall of plastic containers, which serve to improve the strength in the deformation, include features such as reinforcing ribs or flexible panels. However, there are problems that sometimes occur with flexible panels and reinforcement ribs, for example, with respect to labeling. Sometimes, intentionally or unintentionally, notches, gaps or spaces may be formed in or around the label mounting portion of the container. These structural features may cause the label to crease, tear or otherwise distort and, among other things, may inhibit or prevent the prominent display of an aesthetically pleasing label. In addition, some consumers desire that a container that is filled with product where a label or tag is tightly wrapped around the container and adheres to what appears to be a stiffer and stiffer side wall of the container. The problem is exacerbated when attempting to provide a lightweight plastic container, which is highly desirable. A lightweight plastic structure will be more easily distorted, and even a lightweight plastic container represents a highly desirable commercial structure for a variety of products. It is also desirable to provide an improved base structure in combination with an improved side wall structure. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved plastic container with a reinforced sidewall or body structure. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved container as mentioned above that is light in weight and has a reinforced sidewall combination, reliable and aesthetically pleasing label application area, and an improved base structure. Next, the objects and additional advantages of the present invention will appear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, the above objects and advantages are obtained. The improved container of the present invention comprises: a blow molded plastic container having a circular base, a cylindrical side wall projecting upwardly from the base, a neck finish projecting upwardly from the side wall having an opening inside the container; wherein the side wall includes a substantially flat upper label panel and a lower, substantially flat label panel separated from the upper label panel, a plurality of circumferential grooves, uninterrupted, continuous, spaced, each being extends completely around the side wall, the slots that are separated by raised areas, and the raised areas that include a substantially flat area that has a length in the direction of the central axis of the container from 0.200 inches to 0.120 inches. The slots mentioned above are located between the upper and lower label panels,. and at least three and preferably at least 5 of these slots are provided.

Desirably, at least one additional continuous groove is located in at least one of (1) above the upper label panel, and (2) below the lower label panel. At least two of the additional continuous slots are provided in a desirable manner. Additional continuous slots are separated by raised areas, with the raised areas separating the additional slots that include a substantially flat portion that has a length in the direction of the container axis from 0.080 inches to 0.090 inches. The grooves run generally perpendicular to the central axis of the container. The base preferably includes a plurality of struts that extend outwardly and a central recessed area. Next, the additional features of the present invention will appear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more readily understood from a consideration of the following illustrative figures, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the container of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom view of the base of the container of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the container of the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 4; Figures 6-10, inclusive, are side views of additional embodiments of the container of the present invention. Figure 11 is an enlarged detail view of the grooves and raised areas between the label panels; Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view of the grooves and raised areas below the lower label panel; and Figure 13 is an enlarged detail view of a strut at the base.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes With reference to the Figures, Figures 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the container of the present invention, a 12-ounce juice container, which is a blow-molded container 10 having a circular base 12, a cylindrical side wall 14 projecting upwards from the circular base 12, a neck finish 16 projecting upwards from the side wall 14 having an opening 18 into the interior of the container. The side wall 14 includes an upper panel 20 of substantially flat label and a lower panel 22 of substantially flat label for joining a label (not shown) to them. The label panels each preferably have a length in the direction of the central axis 26 of the container 10 from 0.150 inches to 0.200 inches. The side wall 14 also includes a plurality of circumferential, continuous grooves 24, each spaced completely extending around the side wall 14 in a direction generally perpendicular to the central axis 26 of the container 10. The grooves 24 are separated by raised areas 28. The slots 24 are located between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, five slots are located between the upper and lower tag panels, with the five slots 24 separated by four raised areas 28. The sloping, continuously sloping, continuous area 30 is provided on the upper end of the side wall 14 above the upper label panel 20, between the upper label panel and the neck finish. At least one additional continuous slot 32 is located below the lower tag panel 22 and between the lower tag panel base 12. The neck finish 16 in Figures 1 and 2 is a threaded neck finish having threads 34 to accommodate a threaded closure, with a flange 36 extending outwardly below the threads. The base 12, shown in detail in Figure 3, desirably includes a central recessed area 38 and a plurality of outwardly extending struts 40 having a curved cross section. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, five struts 40a extend from the edge 42 of the base 12 to the central recessed area 38, and five shorter struts 40b extend from the edge 42 of the base 12 partially to the recessed area 38. Also, in the embodiment of Figure 3 the arrangement of the struts is that the shorter struts 40b alternate with the longer struts 40a. The struts form a stable foot 44 as can be clearly seen in Figure 2, and provide stability to the base. Figures 4-5 show one embodiment of the container of the present invention showing a 20-ounce container 10a having a circular base 12, side wall 14 and neck finish 16 with the uppermost opening 18, as in Figures 1 and 2. However, the container 10a includes seven continuous circumferential grooves 24, each extending completely around the side wall, between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22, and six raised areas 28 between the slots 24. Also, the container 10a includes two additional circumferential, continuous slots 32 each extending completely around the side wall 14 below the lower tag panel 22, as an additional raised area 46 between the additional slots 32. An additional raised area 64 is provided above the further uppermost slot 32. The base and the neck finish of the container 10a is essentially the same as the base and neck finish of the container 10. Also, the container 10a includes a sloping area 30, gradually sloping, continuous as in the container 10. Figure 11 is an enlarged detail view of the circumferential grooves 24 and raised areas 28 between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22. As can be clearly seen in Figure 11, the raised areas 28 include a substantially flat portion 48 having a length in the direction of the central axis 26 from 0.200 inches to 0.120 inches. In the embodiment of Figure 11, the length of the flat portion 48 is 0.170 inches. Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view of the additional slots 32 below the lower tag panel 22. As can be seen in Figure 6, which will be discussed below, six additional slots 32 are separated by five additional raised areas 46, which include a substantially flat, additional portion 50. However, the additional substantially flat portion 50 between the additional slots 32 is shorter than the substantially flat portion 48 between the slots 24. The length of the additional, substantially flat portion or portions 50 in the direction of the axis 26 varies between 0.080 inches. and 0.090 inches. In the embodiment of Figure 12, the length of the additional flat portion 50 is 0.085 inches. In addition, the distance 52 between the center of a circumferential groove 24 and the center of a neighboring circumferential groove will vary between 0.340 inches and 0.400 inches.; while, the additional circumferential grooves 32 are closer together, with the distance 54 between the center of an additional circumferential groove 32 and the center of a neighboring additional circumferential groove ranging between 0.300 inches and 0.330 inches. The flat portion 48 between the slots 24 supports the label so that the label does not have an adverse wrinkling. In addition, the raised area or ribs 28 make the container desirably rigid for convenient handling.

The length of the flat portion 48 in the direction of the axis 26 between 0.120 inches and 0.200 inches has been found to be particularly advantageous. If the length is fairly short with a dimension less than 0.120 inches, it tends to present itself in wrinkling of the label. On the other hand, if the length of the flat portion 48 is too long, with a dimension of more than 0.200 inches, a lightweight container tends not to be strong enough to allow the side wall of the container to be secured without buckling of the side wall. . However, additional raised area or areas 46 below the lower label panel 22 serve a different purpose than the raised areas 28. Since shrinkage of a label is not a problem for the additional raised area or areas 46, it can be shorten the additional flat portion (s) 50 of the additional raised areas 46 and place the additional slots 32 closer together in order to obtain optimal or improved rigidity of the side wall in order to ensure that the containers are not damaged under normal handling through of distribution and filling system. Figure 13 is an enlarged detailed view of a strut 40 in the base 12. The upper or peak portion of the strut 40 has a substantially flat portion 56 having a length from 0.010 inches to 0.040 inches, to help provide stability to the container. The arms 58 extending downward define at an angle 60 from 35 degrees to 45 degrees, preferably 40 degrees, and the depth 62 of the strut will vary from 0.090 inches to 0.120 inches, preferably approximately 0.100 inches. Figure 6 is still a further embodiment of the container of the present invention showing a 24-oz. Container 10b having a circular base 12, side wall 14 and neck finish 16 with the uppermost opening 18, as in Figures 1- 2: The container 10b includes seven of the circumferential grooves 24 between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22 and six of the raised areas 28 between the grooves 24 as Figures 4-5. However, the container 10b includes six of the circumferential, continuous, additional slots 32 below the lower label panel 22, with five additional raised areas 46 between the additional slots 32, and an additional raised area 64 above the slot. 32 additional more superior. The base 12, the neck finish 16 and the shoulder 30 are essentially the same as in the previous embodiments. Figure 7 is still a further embodiment of the container of the present invention showing a 200 ml container 10c having a circular base 12, side wall 14 and neck finish 16 with the uppermost opening 18. The side wall 14 of the container 10c includes five of the circumferential grooves 24 between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22 and four of the raised areas 28 between the grooves 24. Additional grooves are not provided below the bottom panel label. The shoulder 30 is provided between the top label panel 20 and the neck finish 16. However, the neck finish in the above embodiments showed a threaded finish with a lower flange extending outward, while the neck finish 16 in the container 10c has a stepped finish with a more upper flange 66 extending outward, and a lower flange 68, below the flange 66 that extends outwardly less than the flange 66. The neck finish 16 in the container 10c can accommodate a sheet closure and / or snap closure, and the threaded neck finishes of the above embodiments accommodate a threaded closure. Figure 8 is still a further embodiment of the container of the present invention showing a lOd container of 500 ml having a circular base 12, side wall 14 and neck finish 16 with the uppermost opening 18 as in Figures 1-2 . The container lOd includes seven of the circumferential grooves 24 between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22 and six of the raised areas 28 between the grooves 24 like Figures 4-5. Nevertheless, the container lOd includes four of the additional slots 32 below the lower label panel 22 with three additional raised areas 46 between the additional slots 32, and an additional raised area 64 above the further uppermost slot 32. The base 12, the neck finish 16 and the shoulder 30 are essentially the same as Figures 1-2. Figure 9 is a further embodiment of the container herein. invention showing a one liter vessel lOe having a circular base 12, side wall 14 and neck finish 16 with the uppermost opening 18 as in Figures 1-2. The container lOe includes seven of the circumferential grooves 24 between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22, and six of the raised areas 28 between the grooves 24 as in Figures 4-5. However, the container 10 includes three of the additional slots 32 below the lower label panel 22 with two additional raised areas 46 between the additional slots 32 and an additional raised area 64 above the further uppermost slot 32. The base 12, the neck finish 16 and the shoulder 30 are essentially the same as Figures 1-2.

Figure 10 is a further embodiment of the container of the present invention showing a 1.5 liter lOf container having a circular base 12, side wall 14 and neck finish 16 with the uppermost opening 18 as in Figures 1-2. The container lOf includes seven of the circumferential grooves 24 between the upper label panel 20 and the lower label panel 22, and six of the raised areas 28 between the grooves 24 like Figures 4-5. However, the container lOf includes twelve additional slots 32 below the lower label panel 22 with eleven additional raised areas 46 between the additional slots 32 and an additional raised area 64 above the additional uppermost slot 32. The base 12, the neck finish 16 and the shoulder 30 are essentially the same as Figures 1-2. The container of the present invention offers considerable advantages. The present invention provides a light weight, advantageous container particularly suitable for a wide variety of beverages. The container is quite versatile and can be provided in a wide variety of sizes and with threaded neck finishes or with snap neck finishes or with a single leaf closure. In addition, the side wall construction provides desirable stiffness while at the same time allowing the application of the label without wrinkling, tearing or distortion of the label. In addition, the combination of sidewall construction and base construction provides a stable, firm container with aesthetically pleasing features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which appear to be illustrative only of the best modes for carrying out the invention, and which are capable of modification of shape, size, arrangement of parts. and operation details. The invention is rather intended to encompass all these modifications that are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. Container comprising: a blow molded plastic container having a circular base, a cylindrical side wall projecting upwardly from the base, a neck finish projecting upwardly from the side wall and having an opening at the top inside of the container; wherein the side wall includes a substantially flat label upper panel and a substantially flat label lower panel spaced from the label upper panel, a plurality of circumferential, continuous grooves, each spaced apart completely extending around the side wall, slots that are separated by raised areas, raised areas that include a substantially flat portion that has a length in the direction of the central axis of the container from 0.200 inches to 0.120 inches.
2. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the continuous grooves are located between the upper and lower label panels.
3. 3. Container according to claim 2, including at least five of the continuous slots.
4. The container according to claim 2, including at least one additional continuous groove extending completely around the side wall located in at least one of (1) above the upper label panel, and (2) below the panel bottom of label.
5. 5. A container according to claim 4, wherein at least one additional slot is located below the lower label panel.
6. 6. A container according to claim 5, including at least two of the additional slots.
7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the additional slots are separated by additional raised areas, the additional raised areas including a substantially flat portion having a length in the direction of the central axis of the container from 0.080 inches to 0.090 inches.
8. The container according to claim 2, which includes a sloping area gradually sloping, continuing to extend between the upper label panel and the neck finish.
9. The container according to claim 2, wherein the base includes a plurality of outwardly extending struts and a central recessed area.
10. The container according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the center of a circumferential groove and a neighboring circumferential groove is 0.340 inches to 0.400 inches.
11. The container according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the center of an additional slot and an additional neighboring slot is from 0.300 inches to 0.330 inches.
12. 12. Container according to claim 2, wherein the neck finish is a threaded neck finish.
13. The container according to claim 2, wherein the neck finish accommodates a leaf closure,
14. 14. Container according to claim 2, wherein the neck finish accommodates a snap closure.
15. 15. Container according to claim 2, wherein the neck finish includes a stepped area, facing inwardly adjacent to the opening.
16. 16. Container according to claim 2, wherein the length of the flat portions is approximately 0.170 inches.
17. 17. Container according to claim 2, wherein the label panels each have a length in the direction of the central axis of the container from 0.150 inches to 0.200 inches.
18. 18. Container according to claim 2, wherein the slots run generally perpendicular to the central axis of the container.
19. The container of claim 9, wherein the struts have a curved cross section with a substantially planar upper portion.
20. 20. Container according to claim 19, wherein the substantially flat upper portion of the struts have a length from 0.010 inches to 0.040 inches.