US20180162581A1 - Method of forming retortable plastic container having improved base stability - Google Patents
Method of forming retortable plastic container having improved base stability Download PDFInfo
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- US20180162581A1 US20180162581A1 US15/840,760 US201715840760A US2018162581A1 US 20180162581 A1 US20180162581 A1 US 20180162581A1 US 201715840760 A US201715840760 A US 201715840760A US 2018162581 A1 US2018162581 A1 US 2018162581A1
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- Prior art keywords
- forming
- plastic container
- container according
- support surface
- retortable plastic
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65D1/0261—Bottom construction
- B65D1/0276—Bottom construction having a continuous contact surface, e.g. Champagne-type bottom
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
- B29C49/04—Extrusion blow-moulding
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B65D79/0081—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 bottom part thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
-
- 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
- B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
- B65D2501/0009—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures designed for pouring contents
- B65D2501/0018—Ribs
- B65D2501/0036—Hollow circonferential ribs
Definitions
- This disclosed subject matter relates generally to the field of packaging, and more specifically to the field of retortable plastic containers. More specifically, the disclosed subject matter relates to an improved retortable container that is more dimensionally stable during the sterilization process than were conventional predecessor containers, and methods of making the same.
- Certain products require sterilization during the packaging process in order to inhibit the growth of bacteria.
- Products requiring sterilization include foods such as milk, yogurt and various sauces and prepared foods, as well as certain pharmaceutical products.
- Thermal processing, sterilization, canning and retorting are all terms referring to the process of taking a food product, already sealed in its container, and heating it to a specific temperature for a specific time. The objective is to kill spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria, thus preserving the food and allowing it to be stored unrefrigerated for extended lengths of time.
- plastic retortable containers have come into use. Plastic containers tend to be less expensive than glass containers and safer in many respects because they will not shatter when dropped. Unfortunately, plastic containers may lack the column strength that is necessary to avoid deformation of the sidewall of the container when a number of containers or palettes of containers are stacked during transportation or in packaging or retail facilities. While it is possible to increase the strength of a plastic container by increasing the thickness of the sidewall, doing so also increases manufacturing costs by increasing the amount of plastic material that is required. Lightweighting is an important consideration in the design of plastic containers, including plastic cans, because plastic material tends to be relatively expensive.
- plastic containers also lack the requisite circumferential or hoop strength that is required to avoid excessive deformation when the contents of the container becomes pressurized, such as during a heat sterilization process.
- Plastic retortable containers accordingly have been designed to permit limited and reversible controlled flexure of one or more surfaces in order to accommodate the internal volumetric changes that are inherent to the retort sterilization process.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,737 to Gygax et al. discloses a retortable plastic container that has a flexible bottom portion to accommodate internal volumetric changes.
- Other retortable containers that have been in commercial use have a champagne style bottom portion that is designed to permit a certain amount of flexure.
- Containers that are manufactured using an extrusion blow molding process typically have a mold parting line or seam.
- recesses or tunnels are commonly integrated into the container bottom design in the area about the parting seam.
- differential cooling that occurs during molding process can result in warping of the container bottom that can result in rocking when the container is placed on a horizontal surface.
- rocking can be exacerbated by additional plastic deformation that occurs during the heat sterilization process.
- some designs have compensated for this warping or distortion by molding the container bottom to have a slight undulation. However, the presence of the undulation sometimes acted as an initiation locus or migration point for failure of the container during the heat sterilization process.
- a retortable plastic container includes a main body and a bottom.
- the bottom defines a raised inner portion and at least one substantially flat bottom support surface.
- the substantially flat bottom support surface is curved and positioned near a radially outermost edge of the bottom when viewed in bottom plan.
- a groove is defined in the substantially flat bottom support surface.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retortable plastic container that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosed subject matter
- FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the retortable plastic container that is depicted in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3 - 3 in FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of the area 4 - 4 that is depicted in FIG. 3 .
- a retortable plastic container 10 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosed subject matter includes a main body 12 and a bottom 14 that is unitary with the main body 12 .
- the bottom 14 is constructed and arranged so as to be stable when placed on an underlying horizontal surface such as a tabletop or retail shelf
- the retortable plastic container 10 includes an upper rim 16 defining an opening 18 .
- the main body 12 and the bottom 14 are preferably fabricated from a single unitary sidewall 17 having an outer surface 19 and an inner surface 21 that defines an interior space within the container that is accessible through the opening 18 .
- a lid 31 is mounted to the rim 16 in order to seal the plastic container 10 prior to the heat sterilization process. Lid 31 is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 3 .
- the retortable plastic container 10 is preferably fabricated using an extrusion blow molding process from a plastic material that is compatible with the heat sterilization process, most preferably polypropylene. Most preferably, a multilayer material containing polypropylene and additional layers, such as a barrier layer with low oxygen permeability, may be used to form the sidewall 17 of the plastic container 10 .
- the container bottom 14 is preferably shaped to define a raised inner portion 20 and at least one substantially flat bottom support surface 22 that is curved when viewed in bottom plan, as is shown in FIG. 2 .
- the substantially flat bottom support surface 22 is preferably positioned near a radially outermost edge 23 of the bottom 14 and further preferably has a groove 24 defined therein.
- Groove 24 is preferably shaped so as to be substantially concentric with respect to the curvature of the substantially flat bottom support surface 22 , as is best shown in FIG. 2 .
- the container 10 has a mold parting seam 26 as a result of the extrusion blow molding process, and a pair of opposed tunnel recesses 28 , 30 are defined in the substantially flat bottom support surface 22 in the area of mold parting seam 26 .
- the substantially flat bottom support surface 22 has a substantially annular shape defined by a substantially constant inner radius and a substantially constant outer radius, and preferably extends continuously around the outer periphery of the container bottom 14 .
- the substantially flat bottom support surface 22 has a width W S , which is defined as the radial distance of the lowermost surface of the support surface 22 .
- the surface preferably resides substantially within a plane that will contact an underlying horizontal surface on which the container 10 is resting.
- the container 10 has a maximum outer diameter D MAX , as is depicted in FIG. 3 .
- a ratio W S /D MAX of the width W S to the maximum outer diameter D MAX is substantially within a range of about 0.035 to about 0.2, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.0425 to about 0.01 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.008.
- the groove 24 preferably has a maximum width W G , which is best shown in FIG. 4 .
- a ratio W G /W S of the maximum width W G of the groove to the width W S of the support surface is substantially within a range of about 0.1 to about 0.9, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.25 to about 0.75 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.40 to about 0.60.
- the groove 24 preferably has a curved inner surface 32 that has an average radius of curvature R G , as is best shown in FIG. 4 .
- a ratio R G /W S of the average radius of curvature R G to the width W S of the support surface is substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 1.0, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.25 to about 0.75 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.40 to about 0.60.
- the groove 24 also preferably has a maximum depth D G , also best shown in FIG. 4 .
- a ratio D G /W S of the maximum depth of the group 24 to the width W S of the support surface is substantially within a range of about 0.01 to about 0.30, more preferably substantially within a range of as 0.03 to about 0.20 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.15.
- the outermost edge 23 of the of support surface 22 is preferably convex and has an average radius of curvature R O .
- a ratio R O /D G of the average radius of curvature R O of the outermost edge 23 to the maximum depth D G of the groove 24 is preferably within a range of about 0.5 to about 10.0, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.75 to about 5.0 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 1.0 to about 3.0.
- the sidewall 17 in the area of the bottom 14 preferably has an average thickness W T .
- a ratio of the average thickness W T to the average radius of curvature R G is substantially within a range of about 0.5 to about 2.0, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.7 to about 1.8 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.9 to about 1.6.
- a ratio W G /W T of the maximum width of the groove 24 to the average thickness of the side wall 17 is substantially within a range of about 0.1 to about 1.0, more preferably substantially within range of about 0.2 to about 0.85 and most preferably substantially the range about 0.3 to about 0.65.
- the first sidewall portion defines an angle a with respect to a vertical axis that preferably substantially within a range of about zero degrees to about 15 degrees, more preferably substantially within a range of about zero degrees to about 12 degrees and most preferably substantially within a range of about zero degrees to about 8 degrees.
- the first sidewall portion further has a height H 1 .
- a ratio H 1 /D MAX of the height H 1 of the first sidewall portion to the maximum outer diameter D MAX of the container 10 is substantially within a range of about 0.015 to about 0.040, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.020 to about 0.035 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.025 to about 0.030.
- the second sidewall portion 42 is unitary with the first sidewall portion 40 and a connected thereto by a concave fillet having an average radius of curvature R B .
- a ratio R B /D MAX of the average radius of curvature R B to the maximum outer diameter D MAX of the container 10 is substantially within a range of about 0.0045 to about 0.065, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.007 to about 0.04 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.0092 to about 0.02.
- the presence of the groove 24 and the division of the support surface 22 into inner and outer portions in conjunction with the truncated cone shape of the first sidewall portion 40 has the effect of stiffening the bottom 14 during the heat sterilization process, and also has the tendency to preserve the flatness of the support surface 22 both during the heat sterilization process and during subsequent use of the container 10 .
- the stiffening effect is particularly pronounced when using polypropylene.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/347,261, filed Jan. 10, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- This disclosed subject matter relates generally to the field of packaging, and more specifically to the field of retortable plastic containers. More specifically, the disclosed subject matter relates to an improved retortable container that is more dimensionally stable during the sterilization process than were conventional predecessor containers, and methods of making the same.
- Certain products require sterilization during the packaging process in order to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Products requiring sterilization include foods such as milk, yogurt and various sauces and prepared foods, as well as certain pharmaceutical products. Thermal processing, sterilization, canning and retorting are all terms referring to the process of taking a food product, already sealed in its container, and heating it to a specific temperature for a specific time. The objective is to kill spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria, thus preserving the food and allowing it to be stored unrefrigerated for extended lengths of time.
- There are multiple designs for retorting food containers, including batch systems and continuous systems. In a batch system, containers are placed in crates or baskets, which are then loaded into a vessel into which the heating medium is introduced. This method is the oldest and most traditional and also the most versatile in the range of products and container sizes it can handle. In a continuous retort system, a conveyor is used to continuously transport the containers to be sterilized through a heating chamber that contains the heating medium. There are advantages to each method depending on individual processing operations and, just as important, the type of food being processed.
- Traditionally, products that require heat sterilization have been packaged in glass containers, which are relatively stable at elevated temperatures and pressures. However, in recent years plastic retortable containers have come into use. Plastic containers tend to be less expensive than glass containers and safer in many respects because they will not shatter when dropped. Unfortunately, plastic containers may lack the column strength that is necessary to avoid deformation of the sidewall of the container when a number of containers or palettes of containers are stacked during transportation or in packaging or retail facilities. While it is possible to increase the strength of a plastic container by increasing the thickness of the sidewall, doing so also increases manufacturing costs by increasing the amount of plastic material that is required. Lightweighting is an important consideration in the design of plastic containers, including plastic cans, because plastic material tends to be relatively expensive.
- Many plastic containers also lack the requisite circumferential or hoop strength that is required to avoid excessive deformation when the contents of the container becomes pressurized, such as during a heat sterilization process.
- The most common commercial procedure for heat sterilizing canned foods is a retort process in which filled but unsterilized sealed cans are placed in a retort chamber that is injected with steam and held at a predetermined elevated temperature (typically between about 210° F. to about 260° F.) for a predetermined period of time. Conventional plastic containers have been considered unsuitable for packaging applications in which heat sterilization is required, because the heat and pressurization that is inherent to such processes has the tendency to cause irreversible damage and deformation to the sidewall of the plastic can.
- The temperatures of the retort process are elevated enough to temporarily increase the internal pressurization of the container. Plastic retortable containers accordingly have been designed to permit limited and reversible controlled flexure of one or more surfaces in order to accommodate the internal volumetric changes that are inherent to the retort sterilization process. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,737 to Gygax et al. discloses a retortable plastic container that has a flexible bottom portion to accommodate internal volumetric changes. Other retortable containers that have been in commercial use have a champagne style bottom portion that is designed to permit a certain amount of flexure. However, when using a continuous retort process the flexure of retortable plastic containers must be limited so that it will not interfere with the process of conveying the container through the continuous retort system. Typically, such conveyors require at least two dimensionally stable points of contact on the container.
- Is also important that the bottom portions of such containers retain their dimensional stability after heat sterilization so that they will not rock when placed on a horizontal support surface such as a table or retail shelf. Containers that are manufactured using an extrusion blow molding process typically have a mold parting line or seam. In order to prevent the mold parting seam from affecting the stability of the container when it is resting on a horizontal surface, recesses or tunnels are commonly integrated into the container bottom design in the area about the parting seam. In addition, differential cooling that occurs during molding process can result in warping of the container bottom that can result in rocking when the container is placed on a horizontal surface. Such rocking can be exacerbated by additional plastic deformation that occurs during the heat sterilization process. In the past, some designs have compensated for this warping or distortion by molding the container bottom to have a slight undulation. However, the presence of the undulation sometimes acted as an initiation locus or migration point for failure of the container during the heat sterilization process.
- A need exists for an improved retortable container that exhibits improved dimensional stability and strength during the heat sterilization process without significantly adding to material costs.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the disclosed subject matter to provide a retortable container that exhibits improved dimensional strength and stability during the heat sterilization process without significantly adding to material costs.
- In order to achieve the above and other objects of the disclosed subject matter, a retortable plastic container according to a first aspect of the disclosed subject matter includes a main body and a bottom. The bottom defines a raised inner portion and at least one substantially flat bottom support surface. The substantially flat bottom support surface is curved and positioned near a radially outermost edge of the bottom when viewed in bottom plan. A groove is defined in the substantially flat bottom support surface.
- These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the disclosed subject matter are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the disclosed subject matter, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retortable plastic container that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; -
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the retortable plastic container that is depicted inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 inFIG. 2 ; and -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of the area 4-4 that is depicted inFIG. 3 . - Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to
FIG. 1 , a retortableplastic container 10 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosed subject matter includes amain body 12 and abottom 14 that is unitary with themain body 12. Thebottom 14 is constructed and arranged so as to be stable when placed on an underlying horizontal surface such as a tabletop or retail shelf - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , the retortableplastic container 10 includes anupper rim 16 defining anopening 18. Themain body 12 and thebottom 14 are preferably fabricated from a singleunitary sidewall 17 having anouter surface 19 and aninner surface 21 that defines an interior space within the container that is accessible through theopening 18. After the retortableplastic container 10 has been filled, alid 31 is mounted to therim 16 in order to seal theplastic container 10 prior to the heat sterilization process.Lid 31 is diagrammatically shown inFIG. 3 . - The retortable
plastic container 10 is preferably fabricated using an extrusion blow molding process from a plastic material that is compatible with the heat sterilization process, most preferably polypropylene. Most preferably, a multilayer material containing polypropylene and additional layers, such as a barrier layer with low oxygen permeability, may be used to form thesidewall 17 of theplastic container 10. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2-4 , thecontainer bottom 14 is preferably shaped to define a raisedinner portion 20 and at least one substantially flatbottom support surface 22 that is curved when viewed in bottom plan, as is shown inFIG. 2 . The substantially flatbottom support surface 22 is preferably positioned near a radiallyoutermost edge 23 of thebottom 14 and further preferably has agroove 24 defined therein. -
Groove 24 is preferably shaped so as to be substantially concentric with respect to the curvature of the substantially flatbottom support surface 22, as is best shown inFIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiment, thecontainer 10 has amold parting seam 26 as a result of the extrusion blow molding process, and a pair of opposed tunnel recesses 28, 30 are defined in the substantially flatbottom support surface 22 in the area ofmold parting seam 26. Otherwise, the substantially flatbottom support surface 22 has a substantially annular shape defined by a substantially constant inner radius and a substantially constant outer radius, and preferably extends continuously around the outer periphery of thecontainer bottom 14. - As
FIG. 4 best shows, the substantially flatbottom support surface 22 has a width WS, which is defined as the radial distance of the lowermost surface of thesupport surface 22. The surface preferably resides substantially within a plane that will contact an underlying horizontal surface on which thecontainer 10 is resting. Thecontainer 10 has a maximum outer diameter DMAX, as is depicted inFIG. 3 . Preferably, a ratio WS/DMAX of the width WS to the maximum outer diameter DMAX is substantially within a range of about 0.035 to about 0.2, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.0425 to about 0.01 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.008. - The
groove 24 preferably has a maximum width WG, which is best shown inFIG. 4 . Preferably, a ratio WG/WS of the maximum width WG of the groove to the width WS of the support surface is substantially within a range of about 0.1 to about 0.9, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.25 to about 0.75 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.40 to about 0.60. - The
groove 24 preferably has a curvedinner surface 32 that has an average radius of curvature RG, as is best shown inFIG. 4 . Preferably, a ratio RG/WS of the average radius of curvature RG to the width WS of the support surface is substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 1.0, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.25 to about 0.75 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.40 to about 0.60. - The
groove 24 also preferably has a maximum depth DG, also best shown inFIG. 4 . Preferably, a ratio DG/WS of the maximum depth of thegroup 24 to the width WS of the support surface is substantially within a range of about 0.01 to about 0.30, more preferably substantially within a range of as 0.03 to about 0.20 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.15. - As
FIG. 4 also best shows, theoutermost edge 23 of the ofsupport surface 22 is preferably convex and has an average radius of curvature RO. Preferably, a ratio RO/DG of the average radius of curvature RO of theoutermost edge 23 to the maximum depth DG of thegroove 24 is preferably within a range of about 0.5 to about 10.0, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.75 to about 5.0 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 1.0 to about 3.0. - As
FIG. 4 also shows, thesidewall 17 in the area of the bottom 14 preferably has an average thickness WT. Preferably, a ratio of the average thickness WT to the average radius of curvature RG is substantially within a range of about 0.5 to about 2.0, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.7 to about 1.8 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.9 to about 1.6. - Preferably, a ratio WG/WT of the maximum width of the
groove 24 to the average thickness of theside wall 17 is substantially within a range of about 0.1 to about 1.0, more preferably substantially within range of about 0.2 to about 0.85 and most preferably substantially the range about 0.3 to about 0.65. - Referring again the
FIG. 4 , it will be seen that thesidewall 17 above theoutermost edge 23 of thesupport surface 22 has afirst sidewall portion 40 and asecond sidewall portion 42. Thefirst sidewall portion 40 is preferably substantially straight when viewed in side elevation and extends circumferentially about the outer periphery of the lower end of thecontainer 10 directly above theoutermost edge 23 to form a truncated inverted cone shape. As viewed in longitudinal cross-section as shown inFIG. 4 , the first sidewall portion defines an angle a with respect to a vertical axis that preferably substantially within a range of about zero degrees to about 15 degrees, more preferably substantially within a range of about zero degrees to about 12 degrees and most preferably substantially within a range of about zero degrees to about 8 degrees. - The first sidewall portion further has a height H1. Preferably, a ratio H1/DMAX of the height H1 of the first sidewall portion to the maximum outer diameter DMAX of the
container 10 is substantially within a range of about 0.015 to about 0.040, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.020 to about 0.035 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.025 to about 0.030. - The
second sidewall portion 42 is unitary with thefirst sidewall portion 40 and a connected thereto by a concave fillet having an average radius of curvature RB. Preferably, a ratio RB/DMAX of the average radius of curvature RB to the maximum outer diameter DMAX of thecontainer 10 is substantially within a range of about 0.0045 to about 0.065, more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.007 to about 0.04 and most preferably substantially within a range of about 0.0092 to about 0.02. - The presence of the
groove 24 and the division of thesupport surface 22 into inner and outer portions in conjunction with the truncated cone shape of thefirst sidewall portion 40 has the effect of stiffening the bottom 14 during the heat sterilization process, and also has the tendency to preserve the flatness of thesupport surface 22 both during the heat sterilization process and during subsequent use of thecontainer 10. The stiffening effect is particularly pronounced when using polypropylene. - It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosed subject matter have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosed subject matter, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosed subject matter to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims (20)
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US15/840,760 US20180162581A1 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2017-12-13 | Method of forming retortable plastic container having improved base stability |
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US13/347,261 US20130175279A1 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-10 | Retortable plastic container having improved base stability |
US15/840,760 US20180162581A1 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2017-12-13 | Method of forming retortable plastic container having improved base stability |
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US13/347,261 Continuation US20130175279A1 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-10 | Retortable plastic container having improved base stability |
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US20180162581A1 true US20180162581A1 (en) | 2018-06-14 |
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US13/347,261 Abandoned US20130175279A1 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-10 | Retortable plastic container having improved base stability |
US15/840,760 Abandoned US20180162581A1 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2017-12-13 | Method of forming retortable plastic container having improved base stability |
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US13/347,261 Abandoned US20130175279A1 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-10 | Retortable plastic container having improved base stability |
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EP (1) | EP2802518A1 (en) |
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US20130283729A1 (en) * | 2009-02-10 | 2013-10-31 | Plastipak Packaging, Inc. | System and method for pressurizing a plastic container |
JP7395951B2 (en) | 2019-10-23 | 2023-12-12 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Synthetic resin container |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3341059A (en) * | 1966-02-18 | 1967-09-12 | American Can Co | Thermoplastic container body |
US4732292A (en) * | 1978-06-16 | 1988-03-22 | Schmalbach-Lubeca Gmbh | Flexible bottom profile for drawn and ironed beverage can |
US20110017753A1 (en) * | 2009-07-24 | 2011-01-27 | Graham Packaging Company, L.P. | Hot-fillable and Retortable Plastic Container |
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US1268583A (en) * | 1917-12-31 | 1918-06-04 | Blaw Knox Co | Annealing-pot. |
US3043461A (en) * | 1961-05-26 | 1962-07-10 | Purex Corp | Flexible plastic bottles |
US4880129A (en) * | 1983-01-05 | 1989-11-14 | American National Can Company | Method of obtaining acceptable configuration of a plastic container after thermal food sterilization process |
US5217737A (en) | 1991-05-20 | 1993-06-08 | Abbott Laboratories | Plastic containers capable of surviving sterilization |
DE9106443U1 (en) * | 1991-05-25 | 1992-07-02 | Mauser-Werke Gmbh, 5040 Bruehl, De | |
EP0778224A1 (en) * | 1995-12-05 | 1997-06-11 | Alusuisse Technology & Management AG | Gastight container |
CA2482323A1 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2003-10-02 | Graham Packaging Company, L.P. | Container with stackable base |
US7837036B2 (en) * | 2005-07-25 | 2010-11-23 | Warren Brent Davis Revocable Trust | Reusable nesting and denesting plastic container |
WO2007134036A2 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2007-11-22 | Graham Engineering Corporation | Blow molded plastic bottle with reinforced base and method |
-
2012
- 2012-01-10 US US13/347,261 patent/US20130175279A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2013
- 2013-01-10 WO PCT/US2013/020929 patent/WO2013106501A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-01-10 MX MX2014008451A patent/MX359115B/en active IP Right Grant
- 2013-01-10 EP EP13701176.3A patent/EP2802518A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2017
- 2017-12-13 US US15/840,760 patent/US20180162581A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3341059A (en) * | 1966-02-18 | 1967-09-12 | American Can Co | Thermoplastic container body |
US4732292A (en) * | 1978-06-16 | 1988-03-22 | Schmalbach-Lubeca Gmbh | Flexible bottom profile for drawn and ironed beverage can |
US20110017753A1 (en) * | 2009-07-24 | 2011-01-27 | Graham Packaging Company, L.P. | Hot-fillable and Retortable Plastic Container |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MX359115B (en) | 2018-09-14 |
WO2013106501A1 (en) | 2013-07-18 |
MX2014008451A (en) | 2014-10-06 |
EP2802518A1 (en) | 2014-11-19 |
US20130175279A1 (en) | 2013-07-11 |
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