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
  • 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
  • B65D1/0292—Foldable bottles

Definitions

• This invention relates to containers, particularly semi ⁇ rigid collapsible containers.
• the invention has particular though not exclusive relevance to containers for the storage of aerated liquids and the like.
• semi-rigid container refers to a container of a material such as polyethylene terephalate (PET) which will not be deformed by or take up the shape of its contents, as is the case with a “flexible” container, although the container has some flexibility to distinguish it from a “rigid” container.
• PET polyethylene terephalate
• Aerated liquids such as aerated beverages and the like are typically stored under pressure, in airtight containers or the like, in order to maintain the liquid in an aerated state, or at least reduce the extent to which the gas, whether carbon dioxide or other gas, escapes from the liquid.
• the gases tend to discharge from the liquid.
• the process of discharge can be slowed to a certain extent by resealing the container.
• these containers do not function as pressure vessels, so they cannot be used to house soft drink prior to sale. If such a container is filled with soft drink, the internal pressure from the liquid forces the container to over expand after the cap is placed on. The container overstretches into a 'blown-out' state allowing a large headspace to develop with resulting loss of carbonation. This would occur with even mild agitation, and the container could never be expected to withstand the rigours of transportation and handling methods expected of a soft drink vessel leaving the bottling plant.
• UK Patent 781,103 is particularly susceptible to re-expansion. Each of these containers collapses with the fold in a circular or ring shape best illustrated by Figure 8 in US Patent 4865211. Reference is specifically made in NL Patent 294186 and UK Patent 781,103 to the wall folding upon itself or to lie against the uncollapsed circular wall yet to be folded.
• the walls in these containers are made of a flexible material like polythene.
• the contents are not fluid but are somewhat viscous. This provides support to the container walls under collapsing forces, as the material resists movement therein. This helps the flexible walls to resist buckling under collapsing forces.
• collapsible containers have included a relatively flexible bag portion which is collapsed to reduce the available headspace. While simple bag-in-the-box collapsible containers can house a liquid like 'still' wine, they cannot house beverages under pressure, such as 'sparkling' wine. This is due to the propensity a simple bag has to re-expand after collapse if there is pressure within. Improvements to this type of collapsible container have therefore to date concentrated on requiring some separate control means such as an outer container, shell or the like to control collapse and maintain the collapsed container in the collapsed state. The external control device would add considerable cost to the container as it would always have to accompany the bag. Examples of such containers are described in the patents to Cooper and Normos referred to above.
• a semi-rigid container a sidewall of which has a folding portion having a plurality of panel means each being arcuate at least in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said container, and being so disposed that said panel means act together to resist expansion of said folding portion from a collapsed state but enable folding of said folding portion under a longitudinal collapsing force to progressively fold said folding portion into a remaining portion of said container in reducing the internal volume of said container.
• Figure 1 is a schematic side-view of an exemplary embodiment of this invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment in Figure 1 in a partially collapsed condition
• Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment in Figure 1 in a fully collapsed condition
• Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view through line ⁇ X in Figure 1.
• Figure 5 is a detail of a fold in another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a further exemplary embodiment of this invention.
• Figure 7 is a schematic side view of still another exemplary embodiment of this invention.
• Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a panel according to this invention.
• Figure 9 is a schematic rearward perspective view of the panel in Figure 8.
• Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the panel in
• Figure 11 is a schematic side view of an exemplary control portion of this invention.
• Figure 12 is a cross-section through JJ in Figure
• Figure 13 is a cross-section through II in Figure ii;
• Figure 14 is a schematic side view of a container according to another possible embodiment of the invention.
• Figures 15a, b, c show a still further embodiment of the invention in its original, partially collapsed and fully collapsed positions;
• Figure 16 shows very diagrammatically a still further embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 17 & 18 show very diagrammatically possible embodiments of a base for containers of the present invention
• Figures 19a and 19b show possible alternative panel arrangements for further embodiments of the invention.
• Figures 20a, b, c illustrate very diagrammatically the effect of inverting or everting a cylindrical container.
• Container 1 is a substantially elongate soft drink bottle. It has an opening 2 at one end and is provided with thread 3 to facilitate resealing using a threaded cap (not shown) .
• Container 1 is in this example formed in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) , though any suitable material may be used to provide the characteristics of semi-rigidity.
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• Sidewall 4 of container 1 is provided with a folding portion 5.
• the folding portion is defined between dotted lines A and B.
• container 1 in. response to a collapsing force directed longitudinally and relatively inwardly of container 1, in this example directed along longitudinal axis 8 in direction 9, container 1 progressively folds the folding portion 5 of the sidewall 4 such that as the size of the outwardly open recess 10 increases, the internal volume of container 1 will decrease.
• folding portion 5 will move relatively down the container 1 to position in receiving portion 12, which in this example is provided by girth portion 13 and base 14.
• Folding portion 5 in this example includes an initiator portion 6 and control portion 7.
• Initiator portion 6 in this example is formed to include alternate areas of strength and weakness, and is relatively more susceptible to collapsing in response to forces in direction 9 than the adjacent control portion 7 and neck portion 11. Thus, in response to a collapsing force in direction 9, a relatively controlled movement of initiator portion 6 will occur to initiate the folding action described earlier.
• the alternate areas of strength and weakness in initiator portion 6 are provided by two adjacent, transversely arranged annular segments of the sidewall.
• the lines of weakness are defined at the interstices of the adjacent annular segments. Rather than any decrease in thickness of material by scouring or the like, the lines of weakness may be just changes in angle within the portion 6.
• the control portion 7 in this example is provided with a plurality of substantially elongate polygonal panels 112 each having four sides to form a diamond shape.
• the panels 112 are each positioned so that they point along the longitudinal axis of the container and are positioned adjacent one another so as to provide the sidewall 4 with a substantially frustoconic shape.
• the substantially frustoconic shape assists the folding portion 5 of sidewall 4 to position itself within receiving portion 12 as now explained.
• other shapes such as cylinders and polygons could be used for the folding portion 5 provided they utilise panel means such as 112. Such shapes would however affect the space into which the folding portion 5 was able to move in folding, and alter the ease with which the folding was formed.
• the diameter of the folded portions of folding portion 5 is less than the diameter of the portions remaining to be folded. Because of this, there is room for the folded portions to position in receiving portion 12 after folding.
• the collapsing segment in order to have a container that collapses only, with a force being directed longitudinally on it, and without employing the aid of an external device, the collapsing segment must, in the absence of the panels of the present invention, be frustoconical in shape, or the material must be somewhat elastic and capable of expansion or contraction - as it cannot retain the original dimensions in the new position.
• the panels 112 of folding portion 5 are provided to enable folding of the container to occur in a predetermined and relatively regular manner.
• control portion 7 assist regular folding and reduce the tendency for the side wall to jam and buckle in response to collapsing forces. The way in which this occurs will be more readily understood by reference to Figures 4 and 5.
• T e panels 112 of the control portion 7 are shown shaped to be substantially arcuate, as viewed on end section.
• An indication of this arcuate shape can be seen with reference to Figure 4 which is illustrative of a cross- section along the line X-X of Figure 1. Providing the panels with an arcuate shape, such as that shown with reference to panel 112 in Figure 4, enhances the control exerted by the panels 112 during folding.
• panel 112 has yet to be folded.
• the panel 112 is separated from adjacent panels by barrier means 90 and 101, provided in this example as relatively narrow non-arcuate portions of the sidewall 4, forming the frustoconical substrate network 111 of Figure 1.
• the chord formed between the barrier means 90 and 101 is represented by dotted line 23.
• chordal That is, substantially similar to the shape of chord 23.
• the side wall 4 is divided into, and folds in portions of, predetermined chordal length.
• the periphery of the fold therefore forms into a polygonal shape, as defined by joining the chords formed during folding (see Figure 4) .
• the polygon formed will have a variable number of sides, depending on the number of panels employed and the amount of arc contained therein. Therefore, the periphery of the folding section (100 in Figure 2) will not be circular as found in prior art proposals such as referred to above.
• This polygon formation helps direct the folded sections toward each other and to crimp together causing a latching effect to take place which is then further enhanced by the formation of the arcuate panels again once they have rolled over the chord and onto the other side.
• This latching effect prevents the folded portion from returning to the unfolded position, even under high internal pressure.
• the corners of the polygon formation are relatively close to the unfolded wall portion.
• the chordal length during folding will range between the length of the chord, as measured between the sides of the arc prior to folding, and the arcuate length of the panel 112, see Figure 4.
• the diamond-shaped, arcuate panels 112 shown in this example of the invention assist and control the folding action of the control portion 7.
• the barrier network 90, 101 that runs between the diamond-shaped arcs of the panels 112, forming the interconnecting substrate 111, ' provides the control portion 7 with the strength to resist any expansion when under biaxial pressure.
• simple elongate panels on the control portion such as have been proposed for containers in the past, would allow the container walls to be flexible and therefore expand when under pressure from the contents. This would allow a headspace to build with resultant loss of carbonation.
• the barrier network 90, 101 rests on a purely frustoconical base or substrate 111. It is mentioned that the shape, size and/or depth of this interconnecting network or substrate 111 between the panels can be varied as required to suit the desired characteristics of the resultant container. Such force attempts to cause movement in both directions on the diamond panels 112. Because the force in each direction is equal the diamond shape cannot alter. Because each panel 112 is a fixed size the control portion 7 cannot expand.
• the panels 112 also exert another major influence over the behaviour of the container 1 used as a collapsible container for liquids under pressure.
• the inverted section of the control portion is further prevented from being forced to revert to its original position.
• the folded over diamond arcs of the panels 112 re-expand once in the inverted position and tend to 'ja ⁇ _. up' if force is applied to expand the container 4 from the collapsed state. This could be caused by a build-up of pressure within the contents if the container 4 was dropped, for example.
• the inverted section cannot fold back out, but tends to be held in place by the arcs that have been folded over. This enables the container to retain its integrity as a pressure vessel, even in a partially collapsed state.
• polygons with a varying number of sides could be employed on the folding portion. They could be mixed shapes even though there would be no distinct advantage over the diamond network. However, polygons of increased or decreased number of sides could be employed with differing arrangements of arcing. Other geometric shapes could also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the amount of arcing applied within the panels could also be varied according to the amount of control desired over the chord formation which affects ease of collapse. While arcing in the transverse or hoop direction is an essential requirement, arcing in the longitudinal direction may in most instances also be provided.
• a folding section 600 of a container is defined by a plurality of triangular panels 601, arced so that the panels peak at their centres.
• the folding section 602 of another embodiment has circular panels 603, again arced so as to peak at their centres.
• base 14 is formed to provide a hollow 28.
• the hollow 28 is formed relative to those portions of neck 11 adjacent the folding portion 5 such that when container 1 is substantially fully collapsed and the fold 100 in the sidewall 4 is more or less at its greatest size, hollow 28 is substantially surrounded by neck portion 11.
• rim 29 of neck portion 11 in this example defines an area which on plan is at least equivalent to or preferably greater than the area defined by rim 30 of hollow 28. And, in the folded position shown, portions of rim 29 are circumferentially disposed relatively outwardly of rim 30 so as to assist the flow of fluid contained in the hollow 28 into the neck portion 11 and towards opening 2, during tipping rather than into the fold in sidewall 4.
• folding portion 15 includes initiator portion 16 and control portion 17.
• the control portion 17 in this example includes hexagonal panels 22 .
• the initiator portion 16 is also shown having hexagonal panels 22.
• the panels 22 that make up initiator portion 16 may if required be smaller and more numerous than the panels making up control portion 17 and may be offset relative to the positioning of the panels of the control portion 17.
• container 200 can be seen including a neck portion 201, folding portion 202 defined between lines G and H and receiving portion 203.
• the area immediately adjacent the intersection of neck. 201 and folding portion 202 is provided with a recess 204 to assist handling of the container 200.
• Folding portion 202 is provided with an initiator portion 205 and a control portion 206.
• Receiving portion 203 includes girth portion 207 and base 208.
• the folding portion 202 is provided with a plurality of diamond shaped panels 209, which will be arcuate at least in the transverse direction, each panel being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the container 202 and positioned adjacent one another to provide the folding portion 202 with a substantially frustoconic shape.
• panels 199 in the neck portion 201 and in the receiving portion 203 have a different function. These panels 99 do not assist folding but instead provide strength to the neck 201 and receiving portion 203 and assist those portions to resist buckling or otherwise deforming under axially directed folding forces. There is, relative to the arc provided to the panels 209, only a relatively slight arc in neck 201 and the receiving portion 203.
• Further alternative forms of this invention may employ small arcuate panels around the recess 204. These panels may assist the recess to resist any plastic creep within the material when under very high pressure, as this area is normally not as strong as the rest of the container sidewalls due to the nature of biaxial orientation in manufacture. Other methods may also be employed to assist the strength of the recess 204 without departing from the scope of the invention, for example the addition of a strong, external retaining ring made of a suitable material being placed around the recess 204.
• Another drawback is the many areas of differing material thickness distributed around the base. Very complex stress patterns are induced as a result of these varying thicknesses.
• exemplary base 208 is shaped to provide a hollow 211 substantially similar to that described earlier in relation to Figures 1, 2 and
• a relatively deep punt 211 is provided, the term 'punt' being that used to describe the hollow at the bottom of champagne bottles especially.
• Exemplary base 208 provides an improvement over previous proposals by providing a fat, circular ring upon which the bottle rests, rather than feet (as is the case with a petaloid base) .
• This full-contact ring allows greater stability when placed on incomplete surfaces such as the grills commonly found in refrigeration units.
• FIG. 8 to 13 examples of the diamond shaped panels (209) such as of Figure 7 are illustrated in greater detail. It is seen that the panels 301, 302, 303 can be provided so as to form a compositive panel 300 tapering towards one end. As the sectional and cross sectional views of Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the panels 301 to 303 are arcuate in both transverse and longitudinal directions so as to control the folding as previously described. In Figures 11 to 13, the diamond panels 305 of the control portion 304 are shown to be arcuate and forming the frustoconical shape required for the folding action.
• FIG 14 a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated and referred generally by arrow 478.
• This is shown with the diamond panels of the previous embodiments replaced with a plurality of hexagonal panels, 475, forming the folding portion 472.
• the initiator portion 476 is shown provided with a plurality of concentric lines of weakness, which may just be angular changes, leading up to the neck portion 477.
• the base 474 again provides an internal diameter commensurate with, or less than, that of the rim of the neck portion 477.
• the hexagons 475 are shown aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container 478.
• Each panel 475 will be arcuate at least in the transverse direction so as to permit collapsing axially as a result of a collapsing force, but to resist expansion circumferentially due to internal pressure.
• a further embodiment is referenced generally by arrow 492. It is seen to have a downwardly facing frustoconical folding portion 488 defined by a network of diamond shaped panels 420. This arrangement of the upward folding control section 488 allows for more complete emptying of the container as it is collapsed. No air at all can be trapped within the collapsing walls, as is common with 'upright' versions. This network of arcuate panels 420 resists the expansion forces and holds the folding portion 488 in place.
• these panels 420 can be different, of course. They could be wider on some containers than others, and even take differing sizes on a single container.
• the network 488 is no longer under force from the beverage. Such force would normally attempt to cause movement in both the vertical and horizontal directions of each panel 420 of the network 488. Because the force in each direction is equal when the cap is on, the diamond- panelled network 488 cannot move. Once the cap is off, however, there is no force in either direction. It is while the cap is off that an operator may, by choice, apply pressure in one direction (downwards, as shown in Figure 15(b), to collapse the container).
• Still other forms of the invention according to this and the other embodiments may employ more than one folding control section.
• the container 800 of this embodiment has a folding portion 802 with diamond shaped arcuate panels 801 forming a frustoconical shape tapering upwardly rather than downwardly as in the previous Figures 15.
• the inward presenting face, 480 of the base 483 in Figure 17 is formed to be concave rotated around a-central pillar 481 of relatively unstretched material about the punt 479.
• the unstretched material By placing the unstretched material in such a shape, it becomes self supporting under pressure and is therefore more protected from fracture. Not only is it self buttressing under pressure, but it becomes nearly impossible to force downwards 'out the bottom' of the container, as is a common failing of champagne-style punt bases made of such thin material, that employ, for example, a convex dome presenting inwards.
• the base may be provided with arcuate panels arrange to resist the folding forces mentioned above in relation to the example of the invention in Figure 17.
• arcuate panels to this section increases the pressure carrying level. Just as arcuate panels can help material to fold in one direction, if they are reversed in direction the panels can inhibit any tendency to fold. By employing them near the central column 481 in Figure 17, any affinity the base has to be forced downwards and fold out under the pressure is reduced significantly.
• Figure 18 shows a further exemplary base 483, employing such arcuate panels 486 about the hollow column 485 of the punt 484 to increase pressure thresholds. Further panel arrangements may be employed without departing from the scope of this invention.
• Still further alternative forms of this invention may use an eversion folding movement, instead of an inversion folding process.
• a container according to this invention could have a folding portion with an everting initiator portion and an everting control portion.
• the arcuate diamond or other shaped panels in such embodiments would face inwards, not outwards.
• the present invention in its various embodiments provides a container which has different portions capable of accommodating different loadings and where the collapsing is achieved through a middle portion folding and not by an end being pushed inwardly.

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• 1991
  • 1991-11-01 NZ NZ240448A patent/NZ240448A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1992
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• 1998
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