US20130256180A1 - Stackable container with a top chime - Google Patents

Stackable container with a top chime Download PDF

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Publication number
US20130256180A1
US20130256180A1 US13/261,657 US201113261657A US2013256180A1 US 20130256180 A1 US20130256180 A1 US 20130256180A1 US 201113261657 A US201113261657 A US 201113261657A US 2013256180 A1 US2013256180 A1 US 2013256180A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
chime
ridges
wall
recessed area
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/261,657
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English (en)
Inventor
Andrew Smith
Sergio Sonzogni
Philip Andrew Walton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PET Engineering and Services SRL
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to PET ENGINEERING & SERVICES SRL reassignment PET ENGINEERING & SERVICES SRL ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SMITH, ANDREW, SONZOGNI, SERGIO, WALTON, PHILIP ANDREW
Publication of US20130256180A1 publication Critical patent/US20130256180A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0224—Auxiliary removable stacking elements other than covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/023—Closed containers provided with local cooperating elements in the top and bottom surfaces, e.g. projection and recess
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0215—Containers with stacking feet or corner elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/12—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums
    • B65D1/14—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape
    • B65D1/16—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape of curved cross-section, e.g. cylindrical

Definitions

  • This invention relates to containers, particularly kegs, which are suitable for holding beverages such as beer or fruit juices or other liquids.
  • Kegs for holding beverages such as beer are traditionally made of metal. After use the keg is cleaned and re-filled so that the keg may be used many times during its lifetime.
  • kegs are used to transport the contents for long distances, sometimes between continents, and transport costs can make it uneconomical to return the kegs for re-use.
  • Kegs are traditionally provided with top and bottom chimes secured to opposite ends of a container body.
  • the top chime provides handles for handling the kegs while the bottom chime provides a stable base upon which the keg may stand.
  • the chimes also provide protection for the container body which is easily dented or damaged, particularly if the container is moved by rolling it on its side.
  • the chimes are generally injection moulded and the container body is formed by blow moulding. Injection moulded chimes are strong and are capable of doing the same job as metal chimes. Furthermore, the top and bottom chimes can be designed to inter-engage with each other such that the kegs can be safely stacked during storage and transportation.
  • manufacture of such chimes requires relatively expensive injection moulding tools and adds a significant amount to the cost.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of keg or similar container which can be manufactured with reduced cost and energy consumption, which is easy to handle with low risk of damage, and which can stand in a stable condition, either alone or stacked with other similar kegs.
  • the present invention proposes a container which includes a container body and a top chime formed with a peripheral skirt and an integral continuous peripheral handle, the container body having a side wall, a top wall which is received within the chime, and a bottom wall,
  • the bottom wall of the container is formed with ridges extending outwards from a central region, the ridges being shaped to support the container stably on a flat surface and to engage a recessed area of the top chime when one such container is stacked upon another in use.
  • the ridges preferably include at least one foot-like projection which engages within the recessed area.
  • the recessed area may be formed on the outer periphery of the chime or inset from its outer periphery.
  • the deepest parts of the channels formed between the ridges are preferably conjoined to form a domed region of the bottom wall which merges into the side wall. Such a configuration ensures that the bottom wall of the container is able to withstand internal gas pressures with little or no outward distortion.
  • the ridges and projections may be formed by a simple pressing or moulding operation, requiring a minimum amount of additional material.
  • the contents of the container produce internal pressure on the bottom wall which, in its preferred configuration, has a high tendency to resist distortion.
  • FIG. 1 is side view of two stacked kegs in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of the stacked kegs, sectioned axially through the bottom ridges;
  • FIG. 3 is an axial section through the bottom of one of the kegs in between the bottom ridges
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional detail of a second form of keg in accordance with the invention, stacked one upon another.
  • each keg comprises a keg body 1 and a top chime 2 which incorporates a valve assembly (not shown).
  • FIG. 2 shows, in axial section, the bottom portion of the upper keg which is supported on the top portion of the lower keg.
  • the body 1 of each keg is formed in one piece, e.g. by blow moulding, and incorporates a cylindrical side wall 10 , a domed top wall 11 incorporating a central neck 12 , and a bottom wall 13 .
  • the neck 12 receives a valve assembly 4 provided with a draw tube 5 which extends to the bottom of the keg allowing pressurised liquid to be withdrawn from the bottom of the keg.
  • the valve assembly When the valve assembly is not engaged by a suitable fitting it closes under spring pressure in known manner to sealably retain pressurised liquid within the container.
  • the bottom wall 13 is moulded to form six co-planar ridges 14 which radiate outwardly from a central region 16 , thus providing the bottom wall with a petaloid configuration (like the petals of a flower).
  • a petaloid configuration like the petals of a flower.
  • the channels which are formed between the ridges 14 are viewed in axial section as in FIG. 3 , the deepest part of those channels meet at central region 16 such that they are conjoined to form a continuous domed region 15 which merges smoothly into the cylindrical side wall 10 .
  • Such a configuration ensures that the bottom wall of the keg is able to withstand internal gas pressures with little or no outward distortion.
  • the outermost end of each ridge 14 is formed with an integral downward projection 17 , forming six integral feet which are capable of supporting the keg stably on a flat surface.
  • the top chime 3 is formed in one piece by injection moulding and includes a ring-shaped handle 20 joined to a central hub 21 by radial spokes 22 .
  • the handle 20 is also provided with axially-extending channel-shaped members 23 which connect the handle to a peripheral skirt 24 which fits closely over the upper end of the keg body 1 .
  • the handle 20 is formed as a continuous upwardly-open double channel, comprising a bottom wall 25 , two upstanding middle and inner walls 26 and 27 , and a shorter upstanding outer wall 28 forming an external step-like recess between the outer wall 28 and the adjacent inner wall 26 .
  • the top chime 3 may be secured to the keg body via the peripheral skirt 24 and may also be held in place by the valve assembly 4 .
  • the contents of the keg exert an outward pressure upon the petaloid bottom wall 13 which is resisted by the domed region 15 .
  • the internal pressure is also exerted on the integral ridges 14 and foot projections 17 to ensure that the ridges and projections are held rigid and provide stable firm support for the filled keg.
  • the middle and inner walls 26 and 27 of the handle 20 provide firm support for the radial ridges 14 , and the projections 17 locate within the external recess formed by the walls 26 and 28 to radially locate the upper keg relative to the middle wall 26 .
  • FIG. 4 shows an alternative arrangement in which the foot-like projections 30 are formed part-way along the length of the bottom ridges 14 so that they locate with a central recessed area of the top chime 2 which is bounded by the inner wall 27 of the handle 20 .
  • the keg may be slightly less stable when stood on a flat surface the projections produce less stretching of the plastic during blow moulding and may therefore reduce the risk of weakness in the wall of the container body.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
US13/261,657 2010-11-17 2011-10-27 Stackable container with a top chime Abandoned US20130256180A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1019456.1A GB2485555B (en) 2010-11-17 2010-11-17 Stackable container with a top chime
GB1019456.1 2010-11-17
PCT/GB2011/052093 WO2012066303A1 (fr) 2010-11-17 2011-10-27 Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130256180A1 true US20130256180A1 (en) 2013-10-03

Family

ID=43431575

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/261,657 Abandoned US20130256180A1 (en) 2010-11-17 2011-10-27 Stackable container with a top chime

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US20130256180A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2640646B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2013542896A (fr)
CN (1) CN103339037B (fr)
AU (1) AU2011330976A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112013012070A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2817878A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2485555B (fr)
IL (1) IL226304A0 (fr)
MX (1) MX2013005307A (fr)
RU (1) RU2578118C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012066303A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD752979S1 (en) * 2011-11-22 2016-04-05 3M Innovative Properties Company End cap for a container
USD842579S1 (en) 2016-09-23 2019-03-05 Silvia Romana Marabini Barrel
US11447293B2 (en) * 2017-02-28 2022-09-20 Ipet Technologies Ltd. Stackable hollow plastic container

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2560028A (en) * 2017-02-28 2018-08-29 Ipet Tech Ltd Stackable hollow plastic container
US11278791B2 (en) 2017-09-07 2022-03-22 Yochanan Chait Stacking cups
GB2584661B (en) 2019-06-10 2024-04-17 Polykeg S R L Flow terminal for a container dip tube

Citations (8)

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US4573603A (en) * 1985-06-03 1986-03-04 Worthington Industries, Inc. Fluid container
US4573604A (en) * 1985-07-15 1986-03-04 Guim R Tilt free container
US4805793A (en) * 1987-10-23 1989-02-21 Pioneer/Eclipse Corporation Stackable bottle
US5626228A (en) * 1996-05-01 1997-05-06 Anheuser-Busch Incorporated Thin-walled can having plurality of supporting feet with two support features
US6126033A (en) * 1999-01-20 2000-10-03 Hoover Materials Handling Group, Inc. Plastic foot ring drum
US20030196926A1 (en) * 2001-04-19 2003-10-23 Tobias John W. Multi-functional base for a plastic, wide-mouth, blow-molded container
US6672468B1 (en) * 2002-06-14 2004-01-06 Pvc Container Corporation Universal container for chemical transportation
US20100072212A1 (en) * 2007-02-12 2010-03-25 Gary Howard Container, chime and assembly of both

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US3070257A (en) * 1961-05-19 1962-12-25 Bojanowski Alex Stacking containers
US3598270A (en) * 1969-04-14 1971-08-10 Continental Can Co Bottom end structure for plastic containers
CA1088436A (fr) * 1978-03-20 1980-10-28 George F. Smith Cylindre en plastique file
DE3610100A1 (de) * 1986-03-25 1987-10-01 Marius A J Verlinden Fass, insbesondere bierfass
US5224678A (en) * 1992-04-24 1993-07-06 Mcclellan Michael Stacking and transporting device for beer kegs
JPH07205981A (ja) * 1994-01-20 1995-08-08 Nasu Tooa Kk 生ビール樽
DE9414617U1 (de) * 1994-09-08 1994-11-03 Nauderer, Oskar, 86701 Rohrenfels Stapelbarer Teller
US5680952A (en) * 1994-09-12 1997-10-28 Ball Corporation End constructions for containers
JPH0966923A (ja) * 1995-08-31 1997-03-11 Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kk 耐熱及び耐圧性自立容器とその処理方法
GB2307219A (en) * 1995-11-15 1997-05-21 Rexam Ind Containers Ltd Moulded plastics container with attached stacking rim
JP2002515842A (ja) * 1996-05-01 2002-05-28 アンヒューザ―ブシュ、インク 複数の支持脚を持つ薄肉缶
EP0826604A3 (fr) * 1996-08-30 2000-03-22 Rex Articoli Tecnici SA Récipient pour boissons sous pression
DE29822037U1 (de) * 1997-11-25 1999-02-25 Mauser-Werke GmbH, 50321 Brühl Mehrwege-Behälter
EP1026089A3 (fr) * 1999-01-28 2000-10-11 Alumasc-Grundy Limited Barils à durée de vie limitée
US7543713B2 (en) * 2001-04-19 2009-06-09 Graham Packaging Company L.P. Multi-functional base for a plastic, wide-mouth, blow-molded container
GB0411291D0 (en) * 2004-05-20 2004-06-23 Interbrew Sa Alcohol containing cask and chime assembly
US20070114200A1 (en) * 2004-11-05 2007-05-24 Lane Dean V Stackable bottle system
US20070261983A1 (en) * 2006-05-09 2007-11-15 Silgan Plastics Corporation Stacking containers
GB2446392A (en) * 2007-02-12 2008-08-13 Inbev Sa A Plastic Upper Chime and Keg Assembly for Beverage Kegs
US8777056B2 (en) * 2009-04-01 2014-07-15 Thomas W. Bates Reusable beer keg
US20110220665A1 (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-15 Sean McDonnell Drinking Game Cup or Attachment

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4573603A (en) * 1985-06-03 1986-03-04 Worthington Industries, Inc. Fluid container
US4573604A (en) * 1985-07-15 1986-03-04 Guim R Tilt free container
US4805793A (en) * 1987-10-23 1989-02-21 Pioneer/Eclipse Corporation Stackable bottle
US5626228A (en) * 1996-05-01 1997-05-06 Anheuser-Busch Incorporated Thin-walled can having plurality of supporting feet with two support features
US6126033A (en) * 1999-01-20 2000-10-03 Hoover Materials Handling Group, Inc. Plastic foot ring drum
US20030196926A1 (en) * 2001-04-19 2003-10-23 Tobias John W. Multi-functional base for a plastic, wide-mouth, blow-molded container
US6672468B1 (en) * 2002-06-14 2004-01-06 Pvc Container Corporation Universal container for chemical transportation
US20100072212A1 (en) * 2007-02-12 2010-03-25 Gary Howard Container, chime and assembly of both

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD752979S1 (en) * 2011-11-22 2016-04-05 3M Innovative Properties Company End cap for a container
USD842579S1 (en) 2016-09-23 2019-03-05 Silvia Romana Marabini Barrel
US11447293B2 (en) * 2017-02-28 2022-09-20 Ipet Technologies Ltd. Stackable hollow plastic container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112013012070A2 (pt) 2016-08-16
GB2485555A (en) 2012-05-23
EP2640646B1 (fr) 2016-12-21
RU2578118C2 (ru) 2016-03-20
GB201019456D0 (en) 2010-12-29
RU2013127267A (ru) 2014-12-27
CN103339037A (zh) 2013-10-02
JP2013542896A (ja) 2013-11-28
IL226304A0 (en) 2013-07-31
MX2013005307A (es) 2013-09-26
CA2817878A1 (fr) 2012-05-24
EP2640646A1 (fr) 2013-09-25
AU2011330976A1 (en) 2013-07-04
GB2485555B (en) 2014-06-04
CN103339037B (zh) 2015-05-13
WO2012066303A1 (fr) 2012-05-24

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PET ENGINEERING & SERVICES SRL, ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SMITH, ANDREW;SONZOGNI, SERGIO;WALTON, PHILIP ANDREW;REEL/FRAME:030557/0491

Effective date: 20130423

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION