US20140166609A1 - Reinforced plastic containers - Google Patents

Reinforced plastic containers Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140166609A1
US20140166609A1 US13/720,569 US201213720569A US2014166609A1 US 20140166609 A1 US20140166609 A1 US 20140166609A1 US 201213720569 A US201213720569 A US 201213720569A US 2014166609 A1 US2014166609 A1 US 2014166609A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
extrusion blow
hot fill
container according
plastic container
molded
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
US13/720,569
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sheldon E. Yourist
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.)
Graham Packaging Co LP
Original Assignee
Graham Packaging Co LP
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 Graham Packaging Co LP filed Critical Graham Packaging Co LP
Priority to US13/720,569 priority Critical patent/US20140166609A1/en
Assigned to GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P. reassignment GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: YOURIST, SHELDON E.
Priority to MX2015006804A priority patent/MX2015006804A/es
Priority to PCT/US2013/075393 priority patent/WO2014099785A2/fr
Priority to CA2882845A priority patent/CA2882845A1/fr
Publication of US20140166609A1 publication Critical patent/US20140166609A1/en
Priority to US14/553,618 priority patent/US20150076163A1/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
    • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
    • 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
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0223—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
    • 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
    • B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
    • B65D79/005—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting
    • B65D79/008—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars
    • B65D79/0084—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars in the sidewall or shoulder part thereof

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the field of plastic containers, and more particularly to plastic containers that require reinforcement against deflection as a result of internal volumetric changes or the weight of the contents of the container.
  • Hot fill type plastic containers typically include vacuum panel areas having vacuum panels specifically designed to accommodate deflection as a result of the volumetric expansion and contraction that occurs during the filling process. However, it is desirable to minimize deflection in sidewall and bottom portion areas of a hot fill container other than in the vacuum panels in order to preserve the structural integrity of the container.
  • the bottom portion of a plastic container also needs to process sufficient strength to resist deformation as a result of pressurization changes within the container and from the forces that are applied by the weight of the container contents.
  • a hot fill type plastic container includes a finish portion defining an opening, a bottom portion and a main body portion having a vacuum panel area with at least one vacuum panel defined therein.
  • the vacuum panel is constructed and arranged to deflect in order to accommodate volumetric expansion and contraction during the hot fill process.
  • the main body portion further includes a circumferentially extending reinforcement groove having reinforcement structure provided therein. The circumferentially extending reinforcement groove is positioned substantially adjacent to the vacuum panel area, whereby dimensional distortion of at least part of the main body portion that is adjacent to the vacuum panel area is minimized during hot fill process.
  • a hot fill type plastic container includes a finish portion defining an opening, a bottom portion that is substantially round when viewed in bottom plan and a main body portion having a vacuum panel area with at least one vacuum panel defined therein.
  • the vacuum panel is constructed and arranged to deflect in order to accommodate volumetric expansion and contraction during the hot fill process.
  • the bottom portion is constructed and arranged to include a substantially flat portion having a plurality of alternating parallel ribs and grooves defined therein.
  • a polypropylene container includes a finish portion defining an opening, a main body portion having a vacuum panel area defined therein and a bottom portion that is fabricated from polypropylene and that is substantially round when viewed in bottom plan.
  • the bottom portion is constructed and arranged to include a substantially flat portion having a plurality of alternating parallel ribs and grooves defined therein. As a result, dimensional distortion of the bottom portion is minimized.
  • FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a plastic container that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the plastic container that is shown in FIG. 1 ,
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along lines 3 - 3 in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines 4 - 4 in FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines 5 - 5 in FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a second side elevational view of the plastic container that is shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines 7 - 7 in FIG. 6 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the container that is depicted in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the container that is depicted in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the container that is depicted in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the container that is depicted in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12 - 12 and FIG. 11 ;
  • FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the container that is depicted in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 14 is a finite element analysis image comparison illustrating the top load performance benefits of the container that is constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a graph depicting the improvement in top load performance that is exhibited by a container that is constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a table comparison demonstrating the improvement in bottom deflection performance in a container that is constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • a plastic container 10 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is preferably fabricated from polypropylene using a conventional extrusion blow molding process.
  • Plastic container 10 in the preferred embodiment is designed for use with a conventional hot fill process.
  • Plastic container 10 includes a finish portion 12 that defines an opening 14 that is in communication with the interior of the container 10 .
  • Plastic container 10 further includes a bottom portion 16 , which will be described in greater detail below.
  • Plastic container 10 also includes a main body portion 18 having a vacuum panel area 20 , each of which includes a vacuum panel 22 having inner portion 24 and an outer portion 26 .
  • the vacuum panel area 20 is preferably recessed with respect to an outer sidewall 28 of the main body portion 18 .
  • the outer portions 26 of the vacuum panels 22 are substantially flat and substantially perpendicular to a radius extending from a longitudinal axis 25 of the container 10 .
  • the inner portions 24 of the vacuum panels 22 are constructed so as to be slightly convex and are designed to flex inwardly when an under pressure exists within the container 10 during the hot fill process.
  • the vacuum panel area 20 further includes transition portions 30 that connect the outer portions 26 of the vacuum panels 22 to the outer sidewall 28 of the main body portion 18 .
  • Plastic container 10 further includes a dome or shoulder portion 32 that connects the finish portion 12 to the main body portion 18 .
  • the dome portion 32 is provided with a handle 38 that is constructed and arranged to facilitate a single finger grip.
  • Container 10 is preferably a round container, meaning that its outermost surfaces as viewed in transverse cross-section are substantially circular. This may best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • the main body portion 18 further preferably includes a circumferentially extending reinforcement groove 34 that has reinforcement structure 36 provided therein.
  • the reinforcement groove 34 imparts additional top load strength of the container 10 , as well as hoop strength, meaning that it stabilizes adjacent portions of the sidewall of the container 10 against radial displacement as a result of internal pressurization changes and squeezing forces that may be applied to the container 10 during handling or by a consumer.
  • the circumferentially extending reinforcement groove 34 is preferably shaped and proportioned the same as those that are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/348,249, filed May 30, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
  • the reinforcement groove 34 is preferably positioned substantially adjacent to the vacuum panel area 20 in order to minimize dimensional distortion of the sidewall of the main body portion 18 adjacent to the vacuum panel area 20 during the hot fill process.
  • the reinforcement groove 34 is positioned within a distance L1 of the vacuum panel area 20 that is substantially no greater than about 34 millimeters, more preferably substantially no greater than about 22 millimeters and most preferably substantially no greater than about 14 millimeters.
  • the reinforcement groove 34 includes a plurality of flutes 40 that are situated within the groove 34 .
  • Each of the flutes 40 preferably has a vertical component, and more preferably is oriented so as to be substantially vertical.
  • the reinforcement groove 34 preferably extends about an entire circumference of the main body portion 18 .
  • the flutes 40 are preferably defined by alternating convex outer surfaces 43 and concave surfaces 42 .
  • the main body portion 18 has a maximum lateral dimension W MAX , as is also shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the reinforcement groove 34 has a minimum depth D MIN and a maximum depth D MAX as measured from the outer sidewall 28 , with a minimum depth D MIN being defined at the peaks of the convex surfaces 43 and the maximum depth D MAX being defined at the radially innermost points of the concave troughs that are formed by the concave surfaces 42 .
  • a ratio D MIN /D MAX of the minimum depth of the maximum depth is substantially within a range of about 0.1 to about 0.9, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.2 to about 0.8 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.35 to about 0.65.
  • the circumferentially extending reinforcement groove 34 as viewed in side profile or longitudinal cross-section has a first upper groove sidewall 47 that is angled with respect to a groove bottom 48 at a first angle and a second lower groove sidewall 49 that is angled with respect to the groove bottom 48 that a second angle.
  • the first and second angles are preferably substantially the same.
  • the first upper groove sidewall 47 defines a wedge angle A 1 with respect to the second lower groove sidewall 49 that is preferably substantially within a range of about 15° to about 45° and more preferably substantially within a range of about 20° to about 40°.
  • FIG. 14 is a finite element analysis comparison depicting the relative deflections under a top load force between a container, shown on the left, which does not include a reinforcement groove 34 and the container that is constructed according to the preferred embodiment, which is shown on the right.
  • the darker coloration of the container that is shown on the right is representative of a lessened amount of deflection relative to the container on the left.
  • FIG. 15 is a graphical depiction of the relative top load performance of the containers shown on the left and right, respectively, in FIG. 14 .
  • the horizontal axis in FIG. 15 represents displacement, while the vertical axis represents a top load force that is applied to the container.
  • the container that is shown on the left in FIG. 14 which does not include a profiled reinforcement groove 34 , as indicated as the “original structure” in FIG. 15 .
  • the container that is shown on the right in FIG. 14 is constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention and does include a reinforcement groove 34 , is indicated as the “final structure” in FIG. 15 .
  • FIG. 15 shows, a significant improvement in top load performance is achieved by the inclusion of the profiled reinforcement groove 34 .
  • the bottom portion 16 is constructed and arranged to include a substantially flat portion 52 that has a plurality of alternating ribs 56 and grooves 58 defined therein.
  • the presence of the alternating ribs and grooves 56 , 58 minimize dimensional distortion of the bottom portion 16 during the hot fill process and direct deflection as a result of vacuum uptake to portions of the container 10 that are designed to accommodate such uptake, namely the vacuum panel area 20 .
  • Bottom portion 16 further includes a standing ring 50 that in the preferred embodiment extends continuously about an outer periphery of the bottom portion 16 as viewed in bottom plan.
  • the substantially flat portion 52 is preferably positioned within the standing ring 50 and is substantially centered with respect to the standing ring 50 .
  • the substantially flat portion 52 moreover preferably occupies at least 75% of the space that is defined within the standing ring 50 .
  • a transitional surface 54 is preferably defined between the substantially flat portion 52 and the standing ring 50 .
  • the transitional surface 54 is also preferably shaped so as to be substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 25 of the container 10 .
  • the alternating parallel ribs and grooves 56 , 58 intersect the transitional surface 54 to form a complex shape that stiffens the bottom portion against deformation.
  • the complex shape is particularly effective in stiffening the bottom portion when the bottom portion 16 is fabricated from polypropylene, as a result of the characteristic material properties of polypropylene.
  • FIG. 16 is a table comparison showing the improved performance of the bottom portion 16 of the container 10 that is constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention relative to a similar predecessor container that does not have the alternating parallel ribs and grooves 56 , 58 .
  • the table on the left in FIG. 16 depicts the base deflection at various points on the container bottom on the predecessor container.
  • the table on the right in FIG. 16 depicts the base deflection at analogous points in a container 10 that is constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the diminution in deflection and resulting enhanced dimensional stability of the bottom portion and a container that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is evident from the data that is provided in FIG. 16 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US13/720,569 2012-05-30 2012-12-19 Reinforced plastic containers Abandoned US20140166609A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/720,569 US20140166609A1 (en) 2012-12-19 2012-12-19 Reinforced plastic containers
MX2015006804A MX2015006804A (es) 2012-12-19 2013-12-16 Contenedores de plastico reforzados.
PCT/US2013/075393 WO2014099785A2 (fr) 2012-12-19 2013-12-16 Contenants en plastique renforcé
CA2882845A CA2882845A1 (fr) 2012-12-19 2013-12-16 Contenants en plastique renforce
US14/553,618 US20150076163A1 (en) 2012-05-30 2014-11-25 Reinforced plastic containers

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/720,569 US20140166609A1 (en) 2012-12-19 2012-12-19 Reinforced plastic containers

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/483,249 Continuation US8783505B2 (en) 2012-05-30 2012-05-30 Retortable plastic containers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20140166609A1 true US20140166609A1 (en) 2014-06-19

Family

ID=50929726

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/720,569 Abandoned US20140166609A1 (en) 2012-05-30 2012-12-19 Reinforced plastic containers

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20140166609A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2882845A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2015006804A (fr)
WO (1) WO2014099785A2 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100206839A1 (en) * 2007-10-17 2010-08-19 Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. Bottle
USD837655S1 (en) * 2017-04-25 2019-01-08 Citadelle, Cooperative De Producteurs De Sirop D'erable Bottle
WO2018037287A3 (fr) * 2016-05-23 2019-02-21 Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co, Kg Récipient pour remplissage à chaud avec des sections d'absorption de vide
USD922873S1 (en) * 2018-08-10 2021-06-22 Aicello Corporation Container
USD997729S1 (en) * 2016-11-04 2023-09-05 Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. Container

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9981768B1 (en) * 2016-09-02 2018-05-29 Milacron Llc Container and method of manufacturing the same

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6763969B1 (en) * 1999-05-11 2004-07-20 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Blow molded bottle with unframed flex panels
US6662960B2 (en) * 2001-02-05 2003-12-16 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Blow molded slender grippable bottle dome with flex panels
US7740149B2 (en) * 2002-09-27 2010-06-22 Ropak Corporation Container sidewall strengthening apparatus and methods
US7000793B2 (en) * 2003-02-24 2006-02-21 Graham Packaging Co., L.P. Hot-fill container base structure
CA2582696C (fr) * 2004-09-30 2017-07-18 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Recipient sous pression avec panneaux differentiels sous vide
US7823737B2 (en) * 2005-02-02 2010-11-02 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Plastic container with substantially flat panels

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100206839A1 (en) * 2007-10-17 2010-08-19 Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. Bottle
US9169035B2 (en) * 2007-10-17 2015-10-27 Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. Bottle
WO2018037287A3 (fr) * 2016-05-23 2019-02-21 Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co, Kg Récipient pour remplissage à chaud avec des sections d'absorption de vide
USD997729S1 (en) * 2016-11-04 2023-09-05 Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. Container
USD837655S1 (en) * 2017-04-25 2019-01-08 Citadelle, Cooperative De Producteurs De Sirop D'erable Bottle
USD922873S1 (en) * 2018-08-10 2021-06-22 Aicello Corporation Container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2015006804A (es) 2015-08-14
WO2014099785A3 (fr) 2015-07-16
CA2882845A1 (fr) 2014-06-26
WO2014099785A2 (fr) 2014-06-26

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P., PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:YOURIST, SHELDON E.;REEL/FRAME:030983/0383

Effective date: 20121219

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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