WO1997041039A1 - Boite a boisson a paroi fine dotee d'une pluralite de pieds de support - Google Patents

Boite a boisson a paroi fine dotee d'une pluralite de pieds de support Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997041039A1
WO1997041039A1 PCT/US1997/006386 US9706386W WO9741039A1 WO 1997041039 A1 WO1997041039 A1 WO 1997041039A1 US 9706386 W US9706386 W US 9706386W WO 9741039 A1 WO9741039 A1 WO 9741039A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
features
bottom wall
stacking
inches
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/006386
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David J. Wiemann
David H. Henkelmann
Original Assignee
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
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 Anheuser-Busch, Inc. filed Critical Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Priority to JP53895097A priority Critical patent/JP2002515842A/ja
Priority to AT97922332T priority patent/ATE261857T1/de
Priority to EP97922332A priority patent/EP0907567B1/fr
Priority to AU28035/97A priority patent/AU2803597A/en
Priority to CA002252653A priority patent/CA2252653C/fr
Priority to DE69728145T priority patent/DE69728145D1/de
Priority to BR9708896-0A priority patent/BR9708896A/pt
Publication of WO1997041039A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997041039A1/fr
Priority to HK00101450A priority patent/HK1022460A1/xx

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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
    • B65D21/0215—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
    • B65D1/165—Cylindrical cans

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to thin-walled metal cans having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall integral therewith. In one aspect, it relates to a can having a bottom wall with a plurality of discrete support features.
  • Thin-walled metallic cans such as those used for packaging beer, soft drinks and other beverages, are currently produced in quantities exceeding ninety billion cans per year in the United States. Because of this extremely high volume of production, even the smallest savings in the metal from these cans are made can result in enormous cost savings. It is therefore meaningful to reduce the starting gauge of the metal used to make such cans by as little as one one-tenthousandth of an inch
  • Stand stability relates to a can's ability to rest in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface without wobbling or tipping. Stand stability is important during the automated processing of both empty and filled cans as well as for consumer convenience and acceptance.
  • the features on the can bottom which support an upright can on a flat horizontal surface are known as "stand features.”
  • the diameter of an imaginary circle centered on the longitudinal axis of the can and passing through the stand features represents a parameter called the "stand diameter.”
  • Stand stability is increased by providing stand features which are disposed radially outwardly as far as possible from the can's longitudinal axis, i.e., by increasing the stand diameter.
  • Stacking stability relates to a can's ability to rest stably in an upright position on the top of a below adjacent can.
  • Stacking stability includes resistance to tipping or wobbling by the can as well as resistance to lateral movement between the stacked cans.
  • Stacking stability is typically achieved by providing features in the bottom profile of the upper can which interfit with features in the lid profile of the lower can and by providing sufficient clearance between the bottom of the upper can and the lid and tab of the lower can.
  • Mobility relates to a can's ability to transit automated handling and conveying equipment without tipping, catching, jamming or otherwise impeding operations. For example, cans must be able to transit the 97/41039
  • the interior lid panel and interior bottom wall of the can are the most susceptible to such flexure-induced cracking. It is therefore preferable that cans in stacking engagement have no contact between the interior bottom wall of the above- adjacent can and the interior lid panel or pull tab of the below-adjacent can.
  • the can bottom To meet the structural requirements for can bottoms, conventional industry practice is to form the can bottom into an externally concave, i.e., upwardly domed shape that will not interfere with stand stability if it bulges outward somewhat under internal pressure and will not contact the interior lid panel or lifting tab of another can when in stacked engagement.
  • upwardly domed bottoms must be formed of relatively thick material to resist excessive deformation.
  • upwardly domed bottom walls reduce the internal volume of the can and may experience a failure mode known as "dome reversal" if the internal pressure becomes too high, thus rendering the can unstable and thus unsalable.
  • Displaceable bottom wall designs have first stand features which provide stand stability when the can is unpressurized, however, as the internal pressure in the can exceeds a predetermined level, the bottom wall is displaced downwardly to provide second stand features which replace the first features in providing stand stability.
  • Such displaceable bottom wall designs experience a change in the overall height of the can when the bottom wall is displaced outwardly. Displaceable can bottoms will not be discussed further herein, however, since the present invention does not employ a displaceable bottom wall design and is intended to be an alternative to that approach.
  • a further object of the current invention is to provide a can having an externally convex, i.e., downwardly domed bottom wall which minimizes the "growth", or increase in overall height of the sealed can when it is subjected to a range of internal pressures.
  • a further object of the current invention is to provide a can which exhibits stand stability, stacking stability and mobility even when subjected to a range of internal pressures.
  • “Can” and “container” are used interchangeably.
  • “Lid” means a closure which is, or is intended to be, affixed to a can body containing a product.
  • Directional terms such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “horizontal,” and “vertical” refer to cans, can bodies, and can ends as though they were resting upright on a horizontal surface. It will be understood, however, that the can components may be, and probably will be, in different orientations as they are being manufactured and used.
  • Profile means the profile of a can end or a can body as viewed in a cross- section taken along its longitudinal (vertical) axis.
  • Rapidius of curvature refers to a curve in the profile of the can body.
  • Internal pressure refers to any pressure differential existing between the pressure in the interior cavity of the can and the ambient pressure in the region of the can's exterior.
  • a metal container comprises a generally cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall formed integrally with the side wall from a single sheet of metal.
  • the side wall has a longitudinal axis and extends axially upward from the bottom wall to define an interior cavity and an open end of the container adapted to be closed with a lid.
  • the bottom wall includes an externally convex dome portion with a plurality of supporting feet formed therein. The feet are typically circumferentially spaced apart from each other and project downward beyond the dome portion when the can is subjected to internal pressures less than about 70 psig. Each foot has formed thereon stand features and stacking features.
  • the stand features are radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the container and positioned at the downwardmost locations on the feet to alone provide stand stability, i.e., to support the container in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface, in the absence of internal pressure.
  • the stacking features are positioned adjacent to the stand features and define, in cross- sectional elevation view, externally concave recesses having axial stacking surfaces and radial stacking surfaces.
  • the axial stacking surfaces are axially positioned in relation to the stand features and the radial stacking surfaces are radially positioned in relation to the longitudinal axis of the container to interfit with an upper seamed edge of a similar container directly below such that the stacking features provide stacking stability, i.e., they support the upper container in both vertical and horizontal engagement with the lower container so that the cans will be "stackable.”
  • the stacking features alone will provide stacking support for the upper container, i.e., there will be no contact between the domed bottom 10
  • the bottom wall of the container of this invention is downwardly domed, so internal pressurization of the container causes the bottom wall to be in tension so as to resist operationally significant deformation as the result of such pressurization.
  • the bottom wall is formed without any large-radius externally concave mechanical features which would be susceptible to significant deformation as a result of internal pressurization within the container.
  • the unique bottom wall construction of this invention allows the use of thinner gauge metal for the production of such cans, thus achieving corresponding metal and cost reduction savings.
  • the maximum thickness of the bottom wall is less than about 0.010".
  • the metal container of the current invention utilizes a bottom wall having an externally convex, i.e., downwardly domed, profile.
  • the side wall has a side wall radius Rl with a value VI
  • the domed portion of the bottom wall will be defined, in cross-sectional elevation view 97/41039
  • the domed portion is defined, in cross- sectional elevation view through a region of the domed portion between circumferentially adjacent feet, by a radius of curvature R2 with a value V2 in the range of about 1.72 to about 1.88 times the value VI.
  • a filled, finished can be stackable, i.e., that the bottom surfaces of one can are precisely dimensioned to cooperate with the lid surfaces of a similar can directly below so as to provide resistance to tipping or lateral movement and to provide clearance between the bottom of the upper can and the lid and tab of the lower can.
  • the container of the current invention has a plurality of supporting feet formed in the bottom wall with each foot having formed thereon stand features and stacking features. These supporting feet are preferably formed at circumferentially spaced locations, for example, 6 feet centered at 60° from each other or 5 feet centered at 72° from each other.
  • the stand features are disposed radially inward relative to the stacking features.
  • the stacking features are located on radially outward oriented faces of the 12
  • each supporting foot is generally polyhedral in shape having exterior faces including a substantially flat trapezoidal outer face, a substantially flat inner face, a generally "S" shaped lower face joining the inner and outer faces, and two generally trapezoidal lateral faces each having a substantially flat central region surrounded by locally curved edges which are continuously joined to the bottom wall and free edges of the other faces to form the supporting feet.
  • the stand features are disposed radially outward relative to the stacking features.
  • the stacking features are located on radially inward oriented faces of the feet and the stand features of an upper container fit radially outside the rim of a lower container when the two containers are in stacking engagement.
  • Yet another embodiment of the current invention provides a container for holding fluids comprising a generally cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall having a plurality of supporting feet and a lid.
  • the side wall is integrally formed with the bottom wall, has a longitudinal axis, and extends substantially upward from the bottom wall to define both an interior cavity and an open end of the container, which is adapted to be closed with a lid.
  • the bottom wall includes an externally convex, i.e., downwardly domed, dome portion and a plurality of supporting feet formed therein which are circumferentially spaced apart from each other and project generally downward beyond the dome portion when the container is internally pressurized to less than about 70 psig.
  • Each supporting foot has formed thereon stand features and stacking features similar in structure to the stand and stacking features on the embodiments previously described. The stand features alone support the can upright on a flat horizontal surface and the stacking features alone support the can in stacking relationship with a similar below adjacent container when the container has an internal pressure less than about 70 psig.
  • the container of the current invention When the container of the current invention is in an upright position the container has an overall height H measured axially from the highest portion of the rim on the lid to the lowest portion on the stand features.
  • the difference between a value for the overall height H for the container when the interior cavity is internally pressurized to 0 psig and the overall height H for the container when the interior cavity is internally pressurized to 70 psig is within the range of about 0" to about 0.04" O 97/41039
  • the container of the current invention is preferably formed by utilizing existing drawing and ironing equipment in conjunction with one or more bottom forming operations.
  • the supporting feet may be completely formed on the bottom wall during the bottom forming operations to prevent failure in the metal sheet which might occur if such features were added onto the punch or on the cup when the punch passes through the drawing and ironing rings.
  • FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a container constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with a partial cut-away to show the interior cavity ; the wall thickness of the container shown in the cut-away portion is greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration ;
  • FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view showing the bottom wall and supporting feet of the container of FIGURE l or FIGURE 10;
  • FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the lower portion of the container taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;
  • FIGURE 4 is another partial cross-sectional elevation view, similar to FIGURE 3, but depicting the bottom wall of the container of FIGURE 2 in stacked relationship with an adjacent below container ;
  • FI G URE 5 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the lower portion of the container taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2;
  • FIGURE 6 is a detailed elevation view of one of the supporting feet viewed radially inward from line 6 - 6 of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 7 is a partial perspective view of the lower side wall and bottom wall with supporting feet of the container of FIGURE 1 or 10;
  • FIGURE 8 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view, similar to FIGURE 3, showing features of a supporting foot of the bottom wall of the container of FIGURE 1 or 10;
  • FIGURE 9a shows a comparison of bottom wall profiles taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, one profile for an unpressurized container and one profile of a container which is internally pressurized;
  • FIGURE 9b shows a comparison of wall profiles taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, one profile for an unpressurized container and one profile for a container which is internally pressurized;
  • FIGURE 10 is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the current invention with a portion cut ⁇ away to show the interior cavity; the wall thickness of the container shown in the cut-away portion is greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration;
  • FIGURE 11 is a partial elevation view of the lower portion of a container constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the current invention with a partial cut-away to show the interior cavity; the wall thickness of the container shown in the cut-away portion is greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration;
  • FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view showing the bottom wall and supporting feet of the container of FIGURE 11;
  • FIGURE 13 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the lower portion of the container taken along the line 13-13 of FIGURE 11; and
  • container 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the current invention is shown. Such a container could be used as one component in what is generally termed a "two piece" can.
  • container 10 has a generally cylindrical side wall 12 and a bottom wall 14 formed integrally with side wall 12.
  • Side wall 12 has a longitudinal axis 16 and extends substantially axially upward from the bottom wall 14 to define an interior cavity 17 and an open end of the container 18 which is adapted to be closed with a lid (not shown) which may be seamed onto open end 18 after the introduction of a fluid (not shown) into interior cavity 17.
  • side wall 12 shown in the cut-away portion of FIGURE 1 has been greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration. While side wall 12 is most commonly constructed in the form of a circular cylinder which is symmetrical about longitudinal axis 16, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other side wall configura ions are within the scope of this invention including an embossed cylinder, a cylinder comprising straight or helical spiral flutes, or a cylinder comprising a plurality of rectangular, triangular, or diamond-shaped facets.
  • Bottom wall 14 includes an externally convex, i.e., downwardly domed, dome portion 22 and a plurality of supporting feet 24 formed therein.
  • supporting feet 24 are positioned along an imaginary circle centered on longitudinal axis 16, are spaced apart from each other and project generally downward beyond dome portion 22.
  • the embodiment shown in FIGURES l and 2 has six supporting feet 24 circumferentially spaced 60° apart from each other, however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that differing numbers of supporting feet 24 and different spacing of feet 24 on container bottom 14 are within the scope of the current invention.
  • the externally convex dome portion of bottom wall 14 comprises both a central portion 22a located radially inward from supporting feet 24, and outer portions 22b, which extend between circumferentially adjacent supporting feet 24.
  • outer portions 22b of the domed bottom formed by the spaced-apart disposition of supporting feet 24 on bottom wall 1 , is as follows: when the container is internally pressurized, a downward force is exerted on central portion 22a of the domed bottom. This downward force must be resisted to prevent the undesirable downward displacement of central portion 22a.
  • outer portions 22b supply the necessary resisting force to prevent excessive downward displacement of central portion 22a by acting as structural members primarily loaded in tension between central portion 22a and side wall 12. Since they are loaded in tension, outer portions 22b can be much thinner and smaller in area than structural members loaded in bending. This use of tension members represented by outer portions 22b thus allows can bottom wall 14 to be produced from thinner material.
  • FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower portion of container 10 viewed along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, which passes through dome portion 22 and a pair of radially opposite supporting feet 24.
  • FIGURE 5 shows another partial cross-sectional view of the lower portion of container 10 taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, which passes through domed portion 22 between circumferentially adjacent supporting feet 24 (the approximate location of the feet is shown in phantom) .
  • each supporting foot 24 has formed thereon stand features 26 and stacking features 28.
  • Stand features 26 are radially spaced from longitudinal axis 16 and disposed at downwardmost locations on feet 24 such that stand features 26 alone support container 10 in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface 30 (shown in phantom) when the container is not internally pressurized.
  • stand features 26 are disposed radially inward relative to stacking features 28.
  • Stacking features 28 are disposed at radially outward oriented locations on feet 24 adjacent to stand features 26 and defined, in cross-section elevation view, by an axial stacking surface 34 and a lateral stacking surface 36.
  • axial stacking surfaces 34 are positioned axially upward a distance D3 in relation to stand features 26 and lateral stacking surfaces 36 are positioned radially outward a distance D4 in relation to longitudinal axis 16 so as to interfit with an upper seamed rim 38 of an adjacent below container 40 to support container 10 in stacking engagement. It can be seen that neither the central portion 22a of the domed bottom nor the stand features 26 of the container come in contact with the interior lid panel 39 of the below adjacent container and that clearance exists for the lifting tab (not shown) which lies on lid panel 39.
  • container 10 has a domed portion 22 of bottom wall 14 which is defined, in cross-sectional elevation view, by a relatively constant radius of curvature R2 for both the central portion 22a, which lies between radially opposite support feet 24, and for outer portion 22b, which lies between circumferentially adjacent support feet 24.
  • R2 radius of curvature
  • Use of a relatively constant radius of curvature in the bottom profile provides a container with superior resistance to deformation when the container is internally pressurized.
  • side wall 12 has a side wall radius Rl extending radially from longitudinal axis 16 to side wall 12 and having a value VI
  • domed portion 22 has a radius of curvature R2 with a value V2 in the range of about 1.6 to about 2.2 times the value VI of side wall 22
  • domed portion 22 has a radius of curvature R2 with a value V2 in the range of about 1.72 to about 1.88 times the value VI of side wall radius Rl.
  • dome portion 22 is defined, in cross-sectional elevation view, by a radius of curvature R2 with a value in the range of about 2.08" to about 2.86".
  • dome portion 22 is defined in cross- sectional elevation view by a radius of curvature R2 with a value in the range of about 2.24" to about 2.44".
  • container 10 has a bottom wall 14 including an externally convex domed portion 22 having radius of curvature R2 relatively large in relation to side wall radius Rl and applying not only to the central portion 22a of bottom wall 14 but also to outer portions 22b extending between adjacent supporting feet 24, container 10 has favorable structural characteristics, especially when it is internally pressurized. Since bottom wall 14 is shaped in the form of an externally convex pressure vessel, such bottom is able to resist significant unwanted deformation or growth when container 10 is internally pressurized. This ability to resist deformation when pressurized is greatly sought after for commercial beverage containers.
  • the advantageous structural shape of container 10 allows the container to be constructed form a thinner sheet of metal stock, a goal which is much sought after in the metal container industry. 97/41039
  • Container 10 may be made of a relatively thin sheet of metal such as aluminum or steel.
  • container 10 may be a 12 oz. beverage container having a main body diameter of about 2.6" made from one piece of sheet aluminum having an initial thickness of from about 0.010" to about 0.011".
  • inventive concepts may be employed in containers made from various metals or metal-composites and with various other dimensions.
  • the sheet material may be conventionally formed using drawing and ironing equipment and possibly end forming equipment as is well known to one of ordinary skill in the can manufacturing art.
  • the manufacturing process will result in a container having side wall 12 with a thickness in the range of 0.0030" to 0.0045" over most of its height, although side wall 12 may have a thickness between 0.0070" to 0.0075" in the region of open end 18 in order to withstand the mechanical loads imposed during necking and sealing operations.
  • the maximum thickness 42 of the bottom wall 14 is less than about 0.010".
  • a necessary characteristic for a metal beverage container is that it must have stand stability, i.e., it must rest in a stable upright position when placed on a flat horizontal surface and must remain stable even when subjected to a wide range of internal pressurization.
  • FIGURE 3 the lower portion of a container 10 according to the current invention is shown resting in an upright position on flat horizontal surface 30 (shown in phantom) .
  • Can 10 is supported on flat horizontal surface 30 only by stand features 26 located at the downwardmost portion of each supporting foot 2 .
  • a first plane 44 formed perpendicular to longitudinal axis 16 and tangent to a downwardmost point 46 on dome portion 22 of bottom wall 14 is located axially above a second plane 48 formed perpendicular to longitudinal axis 16 and passing through stand features 26 when the container is internally pressurized to less than about 70 psig.
  • stand features 26 will always be the downwardmost points on can bottom 14 so as to alone provide stand stability for container 10 under normal storage and use conditions, i.e., internal pressure less than 70 psig.
  • each supporting foot 24 of container 10 is generally polyhedral in shape having exterior faces including a substantially flat trapezoidal outer face 50, a substantially flat inner face 56, a lower face 62 and two generally trapezoidal lateral faces 70.
  • the trapezoidal shape of outer face 50 is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.
  • FIGURE 8 a partial cross- sectional elevation view through a supporting foot 24 is shown.
  • FIGURE 8 includes longitudinal axis 16 along with a first line 16' parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second line 16' • also parallel to longitudinal axis 16.
  • Outer face 50 depends from a first region 52 of bottom wall 14 generally inward at a first angle Al in relation to longitudinal axis 16 (represented here by line 16' ) for a distance Dl to a second region 54 below the bottom wall.
  • Inner face 56 depends from a third region 58 of bottom wall 14 generally outward at a second angle A2 in relation to longitudinal axis 16 (represented here by line 16'') for a second distance D2 to a fourth region 60 below the bottom wall.
  • Third region 58 is disposed radially inward in relation to first region 52 and fourth region 60 is disposed radially inward and axially downward in relation to second region 54.
  • lower face 62 when viewed in cross-sectional elevation along a plane passing through longitudinal axis 16, lower face 62 defines a bi- curved, generally "S" shaped profile having an upper end 66 and a lower end 68.
  • Upper end 66 is continuously joined to out u e e r fraaccpe 5 ⁇ n 0 a-, ⁇ t- s celebrity ⁇ ec ⁇ ondj region 54 and lower end
  • lower face 6 2 i.e., the externally concave portion nearest upper end 6 6 , f orms stacking features 2 8 comprising axial stacking surfaces 34 and lateral stacking surfaces 36.
  • the profile of lower face 62 may comprise line segments of various radii and remain within the scope of the current invention as long as the face provides stand features 26 which alone provide stand stability for the container and stacking features 28 which alone provide stacking stability for the container when it is in stacking engagement with a below adjacent container when the container has internal pressure less than 70 Psig.
  • the radius of curvature R3 (best seen in FIGURE 8 ) of stand features 2 6 should not be less than about 0 . 02 5". m a preferred embodiment, radius of curvature R 3 of stand features 26 is within the range of about 0 . 0 5" to about 0.085".
  • lateral faces 70 each have a substantially flat central region 72 surrounded by at least four locally curved edges 74, 7 6, 7 8 and 8 0 .
  • First locally curved edge 74 is continuously joined to bottom wall 1 4 between first region 52 and third region 5 8 .
  • S econd locally curved edge 76 is continuously joined to a 97/41039
  • stacking features 28 may include some externally concave segments in their profiles, such elements have radii of curvature which are small relative to other radii in bottom wall 14, such as radius of curvature R2 of dome portion 22. The relatively small radii of segments in stacking features 28 result in relatively stiff mechanical features which better resist axial loads and operationally significant growth when the container is pressurized.
  • outer face 50 depends from bottom wall 14 at a first angle Al within the range of about 0° to about 45° in relation to longitudinal axis 16 and inner face 56 depends from bottom wall 14 at a second angle A2 within the range of about 30° to about 85° in relation to longitudinal axis 16.
  • first angle Al within the range of about 0° to about 45° in relation to longitudinal axis 16
  • inner face 56 depends from bottom wall 14 at a second angle A2 within the range of about 30° to about 85° in relation to longitudinal axis 16.
  • Such parameters may be suitable for use in a can having a main body diameter of about 2.6".
  • outer wall 50 depends from lower wall 14 at first angle Al within the range of about 10° to about 21° in relation to longitudinal axis 16 and inner wall 56 depends from bottom wall 14 at a second angle A2 within the range of about 60° to about 79° in relation to longitudinal axis 16.
  • the length of outer face 50 represented by distance Dl is within the range of about 0.37" to about 0.53" and the length of inner face 56 represented by second distance D2 within the range of about 0.30" to about 0.72".
  • first distance Dl is within the range of about 0.42" to about 0.48" and second distance D2 is within the range of about 0.35" to about 0.48".
  • trapezoidal outer face 50 has an upper edge 84 adjacent to first region 52 of bottom wall 14 (not shown) .
  • Upper edge 84 has a first length Wl within the range of about 0.80" to about 0.90.
  • Trapezoidal outer face 50 also has a lower edge 86 adjacent to second region 54 below bottom wall 14.
  • lower edge 86 has a second length W2 within the range of about 0.25" to about 0.32.
  • Container 110 for holding pressurized or pressure producing fluids.
  • Container 110 comprises a generally cylindrical side wall 112, a bottom wall 14 having a plurality of supporting feet 24 and a lid 120.
  • Side wall 112 is integrally formed with bottom wall 14, has a longitudinal axis 116 and extends substantially upward from bottom wall 14 to define an interior cavity 117 and an upper end 118 of the container which is adapted to be closed with lid 120. Note that the thickness of the side wall 112 shown in the cut-away portion of FIGURE 10 has been exaggerated for illustration purposes.
  • Lid 120 is seamed onto upper end 118 of container 110 after the introduction of a fluid 119 into interior cavity 117, thereby forming a rim 122 having a pressure tight seal which isolates interior cavity 117.
  • Bottom wall 14 includes a externally convex, i.e., downwardly domed, dome portion 22 and a plurality of supporting feet 24 formed therein.
  • the bottom of container 110 is similar in all significant respects to the bottom previously described for container 10 of FIGURE 1, such that FIGURES 2-8 apply also to container 110.
  • supporting feet 24 of container 110 are circumferentially spaced apart from each other and project generally downward beyond dome portion 22.
  • Each supporting foot has formed thereon stand features 26 and stacking features 28.
  • Stand features 26 are radially spaced from longitudinal axis 116 and disposed at downward most locations on feet 24 so as to alone support container 110 in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface when container 110 is internally pressurized to less than about 70 psig.
  • stacking features 28 are disposed adjacent to stand features 26 and defined in cross-sectional elevation view by axial stacking surfaces 34 and radial stacking surfaces 36.
  • axial stacking surfaces 34 are axially positioned in relation to stand features 26 and radial stacking surfaces 36 are radially positioned in relation to longitudinal axis 116 so as to interfit with an upper seamed edge 38 of an adjacent below container 40 to alone support container 110 in stacking engagement when container 110 has an internal pressure of less than about 70 psig.
  • bottom wall 14 is constructed such that a first plane 44 formed perpendicular to longitudinal axis 116 and tangent to downward most point 46 on dome portion 22 of bottom wall 14 is located axially above a second plane 48 formed perpendicular to longitudinal axis 116 and passing through axial stacking surfaces 34 when container 110 has an internal pressure of less than about 70 psig.
  • bottom wall 14 provides for a container which resists axial loads and undesired deformations when internally pressurized.
  • FIGURES 9a and 9b sets of partial cross-sectional elevation views of the lower portion of container 110 are provided illustrating differences in the container's bottom profile for conditions when container 110 is not internally pressurized and for conditions when container 110 is internally pressurized to an extremely high internal pressure of about 120 psig.
  • FIGURE 9a provides a comparison of bottom profiles taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, i.e., between circumferentially adjacent supporting feet 24.
  • FIGURE 9b provides a comparison of bottom profiles taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, i.e., through a supporting foot 24.
  • first bottom profile 124 is the profile of can bottom 14 when container 110 is not subject to internal pressurization and second bottom profile 126 (shown in phantom) is the profile of bottom wall 14 when internal cavity 117 is pressurized to a pressure of about 120 psig.
  • second bottom profile 126 is the profile of bottom wall 14 when internal cavity 117 is pressurized to a pressure of about 120 psig.
  • third bottom profile 128 is the profile of bottom wall 14 passing through supporting foot 24 when container 110 has an internal pressure of 0 psig
  • fourth bottom profile 130 is the profile of bottom wall 14 passing through supporting foot 24 when container 110 has internal cavity 117 pressurized to about 120 psig.
  • a lowest point 46 (shown as 46') of bottom wall 14 occupies a first axial position 132 relative to a highest point (not shown) on the rim of the lid.
  • lowest point 46 (now shown as 46'') occupies a second axial position 134 relative to the highest point on the rim of the lid.
  • axial distance Gl between first axial position 132 and second axial position 134 is within the range of about 0.050" to about 0.070".
  • stand features 26 on supporting feet 24 occupies a third axial position 136 relative to a highest point on the rim of the lid.
  • stand features 26 occupies a fourth axial position 138 relative to said highest point on the rim of the lid.
  • the axial distance G2 between third position 136 and fourth axial position 138 is within the range of about 0.01" to about 0.02".
  • container 110 has an overall height H measured axially from a first plane 140 formed perpendicular to longitudinal axis 116 and passing through an upwardmost point of rim 122 to a second plane 48 formed perpendicular to longitudinal axis 116 and passing through stand features 26.
  • a difference between a first value of overall height H for container 110 when interior cavity 117 is pressurized to 0 psig and a second value of overall height H for container 110 when interior cavity 117 is pressurized to 100 psig is within the range of about 0.01" to about 0.04".
  • FIGURES 11-14 the lower portion of a metal container 150 in accordance with another embodiment of the current invention is shown. Referring now to FIGURE 11, container 150 has the same 97/41039
  • Bottom wall 154 includes a externally convex domed portion 162 and a plurality of supporting feet 164 formed thereon. Supporting feet 164 are circumferentially spaced apart and project generally downward beyond dome portion 162.
  • supporting feet 164 have formed thereon stand features 166 and stacking features 168, which alone provide stand stability and stacking stability, respectively, when the container is internally pressurized to less than about 70 psig.
  • stand features 166 are disposed radially outward relative to stacking features 168.
  • stand features 166 are disposed on downwardmost locations on feet 164 and stacking features 168 are disposed on radially inward- oriented locations adjacent to stand features 166.
  • Stacking features 168 are defined, in cross-sectional elevation view, by an axial stacking surface 176 and a 34
  • axial stacking surfaces 176 are positioned axially upward a distance of D5 in relation to stand features 166 and lateral stacking surfaces 178 are positioned radially outward a distance D6 in relation to longitudinal axis 156 so as to interfit with an upper seamed rim 180 of an adjacent below container 182 to support container 150 in stacking engagement. Additional details of container 150 are similar to those of the previously discussed embodiments except for variations necessitated by the transposition of stand features 166 and stacking features 168, such necessary variations being understood upon examination of FIGURES 11-14.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un contenant métallique (10) pour fluides qui comporte une paroi de fond (14) comprenant une partie (22) ayant la forme d'un dôme convexe orienté vers l'extérieur et une pluralité de pieds de support (24) formés dans ladite partie. Ces pieds de support (24) sont disposés à distance les uns des autres sur la circonférence et font généralement saillie vers le bas au-delà de la partie ayant la forme d'un dôme (22). Chaque pied de support (24) est doté de zones caractéristiques (26) servant à maintenir le contenant en position droite et de zones caractéristiques (28) permettant l'empilage. Les premières zones caractéristiques (26) sont espacées radialement de l'axe longitudinal (16) du contenant et disposées au niveau des parties les plus basses possibles des pieds de manière à pouvoir supporter seules le contenant en position droite sur une surface horizontale plane. Les zones caractéristiques destinées à l'empilage (28) sont disposées en position adjacente aux premières zones caractéristiques (26) et définissent, sur une vue d'élévation en coupe transversale, des surfaces d'empilage axiales (34) et des surfaces d'empilage radiales (36).
PCT/US1997/006386 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Boite a boisson a paroi fine dotee d'une pluralite de pieds de support WO1997041039A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP53895097A JP2002515842A (ja) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 複数の支持脚を持つ薄肉缶
AT97922332T ATE261857T1 (de) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Dünnwandige dose mit mehreren stützfüssen
EP97922332A EP0907567B1 (fr) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Boite a boisson a paroi fine dotee d'une pluralite de pieds de support
AU28035/97A AU2803597A (en) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Thin-walled can having plurality of supporting feet
CA002252653A CA2252653C (fr) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Boite a boisson a paroi fine dotee d'une pluralite de pieds de support
DE69728145T DE69728145D1 (de) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Dünnwandige dose mit mehreren stützfüssen
BR9708896-0A BR9708896A (pt) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Recipiente metálico.
HK00101450A HK1022460A1 (en) 1996-05-01 2000-03-08 Metal container having plurality of supporting feet

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US56129596A 1996-05-01 1996-05-01
US08/561,295 1996-05-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997041039A1 true WO1997041039A1 (fr) 1997-11-06

Family

ID=24241380

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/006386 WO1997041039A1 (fr) 1996-05-01 1997-04-18 Boite a boisson a paroi fine dotee d'une pluralite de pieds de support

Country Status (3)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2002515842A (fr)
AU (1) AU2803597A (fr)
WO (1) WO1997041039A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2640646B1 (fr) * 2010-11-17 2016-12-21 Pet Engineering & Services SRL Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur
PL426328A1 (pl) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-23 Can-Pack Spółka Akcyjna Puszka metalowa

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4574443B2 (ja) * 2005-05-27 2010-11-04 株式会社吉野工業所 合成樹脂製容器
JP5256150B2 (ja) * 2009-09-02 2013-08-07 麒麟麦酒株式会社 有底筒状体形状の缶容器本体およびそれに飲料を充填した飲料缶製品
WO2011027910A1 (fr) * 2009-09-02 2011-03-10 麒麟麦酒株式会社 Corps de récipient de boîte en forme de cylindre à fond et produit de boîte de boisson le comportant, rempli de boisson
JP5256155B2 (ja) * 2009-09-24 2013-08-07 麒麟麦酒株式会社 有底筒状体形状の缶容器本体およびそれに飲料を充填した飲料缶製品

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USD254957S (en) * 1977-08-17 1980-05-13 Ball Corporation Beverage container
USD257463S (en) * 1977-08-17 1980-10-28 Ball Corporation Beverage container
US4264017A (en) * 1979-08-20 1981-04-28 American Can Company Container shape
USD269066S (en) * 1980-06-12 1983-05-24 Plastona (John Waddington) Limited Can or the like
US4646930A (en) * 1980-02-11 1987-03-03 American Can Co. Bottom profile for a seamless container body
US4685582A (en) * 1985-05-20 1987-08-11 National Can Corporation Container profile with stacking feature
US4732292A (en) * 1978-06-16 1988-03-22 Schmalbach-Lubeca Gmbh Flexible bottom profile for drawn and ironed beverage can
US4834256A (en) * 1987-07-31 1989-05-30 Pac International, Inc. Can with domed bottom structure

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD254957S (en) * 1977-08-17 1980-05-13 Ball Corporation Beverage container
USD257463S (en) * 1977-08-17 1980-10-28 Ball Corporation Beverage container
US4732292A (en) * 1978-06-16 1988-03-22 Schmalbach-Lubeca Gmbh Flexible bottom profile for drawn and ironed beverage can
US4264017A (en) * 1979-08-20 1981-04-28 American Can Company Container shape
US4646930A (en) * 1980-02-11 1987-03-03 American Can Co. Bottom profile for a seamless container body
USD269066S (en) * 1980-06-12 1983-05-24 Plastona (John Waddington) Limited Can or the like
US4685582A (en) * 1985-05-20 1987-08-11 National Can Corporation Container profile with stacking feature
US4834256A (en) * 1987-07-31 1989-05-30 Pac International, Inc. Can with domed bottom structure

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Title
See also references of EP0907567A4 *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2640646B1 (fr) * 2010-11-17 2016-12-21 Pet Engineering & Services SRL Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur
PL426328A1 (pl) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-23 Can-Pack Spółka Akcyjna Puszka metalowa

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2803597A (en) 1997-11-19
JP2002515842A (ja) 2002-05-28

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