WO2008130987A1 - Container having vacuum compensation elements - Google Patents

Container having vacuum compensation elements Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008130987A1
WO2008130987A1 PCT/US2008/060454 US2008060454W WO2008130987A1 WO 2008130987 A1 WO2008130987 A1 WO 2008130987A1 US 2008060454 W US2008060454 W US 2008060454W WO 2008130987 A1 WO2008130987 A1 WO 2008130987A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
field
bottle
elements
tip
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2008/060454
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael R. Mooney
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Constar International LLC
Original Assignee
Constar International LLC
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 Constar International LLC filed Critical Constar International LLC
Priority to AU2008242970A priority Critical patent/AU2008242970A1/en
Priority to JP2010504210A priority patent/JP2010524789A/ja
Priority to US12/595,723 priority patent/US8905253B2/en
Publication of WO2008130987A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008130987A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D1/00Rigid or semi-rigid 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 or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0223Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D79/00Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
    • B65D79/005Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting
    • B65D79/008Packages 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
    • B65D79/0084Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars in the sidewall or shoulder part thereof
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2501/00Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/0009Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures designed for pouring contents
    • B65D2501/0018Ribs
    • B65D2501/0027Hollow longitudinal ribs
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2501/00Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/0009Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures designed for pouring contents
    • B65D2501/0018Ribs
    • B65D2501/0036Hollow circonferential ribs
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2501/00Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/0009Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures designed for pouring contents
    • B65D2501/0081Bottles of non-circular cross-section

Definitions

  • This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to plastic containers capable of flexing in response to changes in internal pressure.
  • Plastic containers for perishable products are often filled at an elevated temperature in a process generally known as hot- filling, which includes filling the product at about 185 degrees F and immediately sealing the container. After sealing, the contents of the container contract upon cooling, which creates a vacuum condition inside the container.
  • Many conventional cylindrical containers would deform or collapse under the internal vacuum conditions without some structure to prevent it.
  • some containers have panels, referred to as "vacuum panels,” located in the panel sidewall.
  • the vacuum panels are configured to inwardly and easily flex in response to internal vacuum such that the remainder of the container body remains cylindrical.
  • the structure between the vacuum panels, such as vertical posts is stiff relative to the vacuum panels.
  • the vacuum panels are located about the circumference of the body of the container and then covered by a label that wraps around the circumference to hide the vacuum panels and posts.
  • the vacuum panels of many bottles are generally rectangular. Often, deformation of a generally rectangular vacuum panel causes high stress areas at the corners and in the areas outside the vacuum panels near the corner.
  • a container that includes an enclosed base, an upper portion that extends upwardly to a finish; and a body located between the base and the upper portion.
  • the body includes a sidewall having at least one vacuum compensation element generally having a V-shape.
  • the element comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field.
  • the first field is nested within the second field
  • the second field is nested within the third field.
  • the elements are closed on one of an upper end and a lower end and generally open on the other one of the upper end and the lower end.
  • a plastic hot- fill bottle may include: an enclosed base, an upper portion that extends upwardly to a finish, and a body located between the base and the upper portion.
  • the body includes a sidewall having at least one circumferentially spaced, vacuum compensation elements.
  • Each one of the elements comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field.
  • the first field is nested within the second field
  • the second field is nested within the third field.
  • the elements are generally enclosed on one of an upper end and a lower end and generally open on the other one of the upper end and the lower end.
  • the element open end smoothly merges into the container sidewall.
  • the elements may be V-shaped.
  • a plastic hot- fill bottle may include: an enclosed base, an upper portion that extends upwardly to neck and a finish, and a body located between the base and the upper portion.
  • the body includes a sidewall comprising: at least two vacuum compensation elements, and at least two panels, wherein the elements and panels are disposed around the circumference of the body in an alternating manner, and wherein the vacuum compensation elements have a generally V-shape.
  • the elements comprise: a first field, a second field, and a third field. The first field is nested within the second field, and the second field is nested within the third field.
  • the elements are generally closed on one of an upper end and a lower end and generally open on the other one of the upper end and the lower end.
  • a label panel may be provided that is spaced apart from the elements.
  • the container has an even number of circumferentially spaced, vacuum compensation, flared elements, which may provide enhanced support of the sidewall.
  • Ribbed or stepped eyebrows may be located adjacent to the closed end of a field.
  • Each field or element may include a tip, transition portions, and lateral portions that are defined by ridges.
  • each one of the fields forms a face that is overall flat.
  • the container may have, for example, four elements such that the container body is approximately square in transverse cross section before and after hot-filling.
  • the body of the container may be label-less.
  • the panels may be concave and adorned with an ornamental feature.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container illustrating aspects of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is an elevational view of another container illustrating aspects of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is another elevational view of the container shown in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a transverse cross section taken through lines IV-IV shown in Figure
  • Figure 5 is a transverse cross section taken through lines V-V shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 6 is a transverse cross section taken through lines VI-VI shown in Figure
  • Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal cross section taken through lines VII-VII shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 A is an elevational view of another container illustrating aspects of the present invention.
  • Figure 9B is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 9 A;
  • Figure 1OA is an elevational view of another container illustrating aspects of the present invention.
  • Figure 1OB is another elevational view of the container shown in Figure 1OA;
  • Figure 1OC is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1OA;
  • Figure 1 IA is an elevational view of another container illustrating aspects of the present invention
  • Figure 1 IB is another elevational view of the container shown in Figure 1 IA;
  • Figure 11C is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1 IA;
  • Figure 12 is a plot of calculated deformation of the container shown in Figures 2 and 3 after hot filling.
  • Figure 13 is a plot of calculated deformation of the container shown in Figures 9A and 9B after hot filling.
  • Figure 14 is a plot of calculated deformation of the container shown in Figures
  • Container 10 is capable of being hot filled and includes an enclosed base 12, an upper portion 14, a label panel 16, and a body 18.
  • Base 12 preferably is circular and includes a circumferential heel 20, a standing ring 22, and a reentrant portion 24.
  • Heel 20 extends downwardly from body 18 to the circular standing ring 22.
  • body 18 smoothly yields to heel 20, and the present encompasses additional structure (not shown in the figures), between body 18 and heel 20.
  • Reentrant portion 24 may be of any type.
  • reentrant portion 24 may include conventional, radial reinforcing ribs, may be rigid or configured to deform in response to internal vacuum and function with the vacuum compensation features of container 10, or may comprise other structure.
  • Upper portion 14 includes an upper label bumper 30, a cylindrical portion 32, a dome 34, a neck 36, and a finish 38 that includes threads 40.
  • Upper label bumper 30 defines the boundary of label panel 16.
  • Cylindrical portion 32 preferably is short relative to the vertical length of dome 34, which extends upwardly and inwardly to neck 36.
  • the present invention also encompasses containers having a large mouth (not shown in the figures). Threads 40 receive corresponding threads of a closure (not shown in the figures) upon hot-filling.
  • label panel 16 extends from upper bumper 30 to a lower bumper (described below) and preferably is cylindrical to enable a label to be applied around its circumference.
  • Label panel 16 may optionally includes ribs 46, which are shown in Figure 1, to enhance the hoop strength and ovality (that is, inhibit or diminish ovality).
  • the container having ribs 46, as shown in Figure 1 is illustrated with the reference numeral 10' to distinguish it from container 10 that has no ribs.
  • the body 18 of container 10 is the same as that of container 10'. Reference to container 10 in the description in this specification refers both to containers 10 and 10' unless expressly stated otherwise.
  • a portion of a label 17 is shown schematically in Figure 2. [0035] Body 18 includes a sidewall 48, the lower label bumper 50 at its upper end, and four vacuum compensation elements 54, which each includes a group of fields.
  • upwardly oriented element 54a has a downwardly oriented element 54b on each side, and each downwardly oriented element 54b has an upwardly oriented element 54a on each side.
  • V-shape The shape of elements 54a is referred to herein as a V-shape, and the term V- shaped encompasses a closed end 70 that is pointed, a circular arc, or other curved shape having a curvature smaller or larger than that of a circular arc.
  • V-shape encompasses any shape having one end that narrows relative to its midsection or generally considered to constitute a "V”, and also encompasses sides that are mutually parallel or that extend outwardly from closed end 70.
  • the invention also encompasses elements that do not have a V-shape, according to the particular language of the claims.
  • each element 54a includes or is defined by a rounded tip
  • Each element 54 may include a first field 56, a second field 58, and a third field
  • each field has a ridge separating it from adjacent fields.
  • first field 56 may have a ridge 156 that defines the perimeter of a portion of field 56 and opens to element open end 72.
  • Second field 58 may have a ridge 158 that defines the perimeter of a portion of field 58 and that opens to element open end 72.
  • third field 60 may have a ridge 160 that defines the perimeter of a portion of field 60 and also opens to element open end 72.
  • fourth field 62 has a ridge 162 that, in the embodiment shown in the figures, defines the outer boundary of the vacuum compensation element 54.
  • First field 56 is fit into the open end of second field 58 and is thus nested with second field 58.
  • the majority of the relatively flat surface of first field 56 is located within the ridge 158 that defines second field 58.
  • the majority of the relatively flat surface of second field 58 is located within the ridge 160 that defines third field 60 and the majority of the relatively flat surface of third field 60 is located within the ridge 162 that defines fourth field 62.
  • the entire area of the flat surfaces is located within the ridge of its corresponding superior field.
  • the surface of each of the fields is generally flat in its as-molded state.
  • the boundary of each of the fields has the same general shape as the boundary of the outer field (that is, of the fourth field 62 in the embodiment shown in the Figures).
  • Each ridge may have a configuration that is designated by reference numeral 100 and may apply to each ridge 156, 158, 160, and 162.
  • Figure 8 schematically shows the portions of ridge 100, in longitudinal cross section, that includes an outer portion 102, a midsection 104, and an inner portion 106.
  • Ridge inner portion 106 forms a transition between the large, relatively flat surface of its field to midsection 104.
  • each midsection 104 is outwardly and downwardly sloped for downwardly oriented elements 54b (as shown in Figures 7 and 8) and outwardly and upwardly sloped for upwardly oriented elements 54a.
  • Ridge outer portion 102 forms a transition between midsection 104 and the adjacent field or, for the ridge 100 for fourth field 162, between the surface of field 62 and the terminal portions 66a and 67b at the closed ends 70.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the preferred configuration of each field in a longitudinal cross section.
  • Each field is sloped inwardly in a direction toward its closed end.
  • first field 56 of downwardly oriented element 54b is inclined downwardly and inwardly.
  • Ridge 156 extends outwardly and second field 58 extends downwardly and inwardly from ridge 156.
  • ridge 158 extends outwardly and third field 60 extends downwardly and inwardly,
  • ridge 160 extends outwardly and fourth field 62 extends downwardly to ridge 162.
  • Each field is inclined at approximately 4 to 8 degrees.
  • the present invention encompasses any orientation of the fields relative to a vertical axis.
  • a tip of closed end of the second field 58 (that is, the flat portion of field 58 at its longitudinal centerline C adjacent inner portion 106 of ridge 160) is recessed relative to a tip of closed end of the second field 58 (that is, the flat portion of field 58 at its longitudinal centerline C adjacent inner portion 106 of ridge 158), and a tip of the closed end of the second field 58 (that is, the flat portion of field 58 at its longitudinal centerline C adjacent inner portion 106 of ridge 158) is recessed relative to a tip of closed end of the first field 56 (that is, the flat portion of field 56 at its longitudinal centerline C adjacent inner portion 106 of ridge 156).
  • the degree of recess of the tips preferably is small, such that a line drawn between the recessed tips (defined above) preferably is less than about 8 degrees, more preferably less than about 4 degrees, and may be zero or inclined opposite to that shown.
  • the radial dimension of ridges 160 and 162 is large compared to the radial dimension of ridges 156 and 158 to compensate for the inward sloping of the fields.
  • the present invention is not limited to particular field or ridge configurations.
  • the present invention encompasses elements having any number of fields, structure that is outside of the outermost field, variations in field and element shape, and variations in ridge cross-sectional shape, as will be understood by persons familiar with hot- fill container technology.
  • Sidewall 48 of body 18 includes intermediate portion 64 that is generally vertical and located between adjacent elements 54, as best shown in Figure 1. Upper terminal portions
  • upper terminal portion 66a and 66b are located on the sidewall 48 respectively above elements 54a and 54b.
  • the shape of upper terminal portion 66a has a shape for the upwardly oriented elements 54a and another shape 66b for downwardly oriented elements 54b.
  • the shape of upper terminal portion 66a is in part defined by the closed end 70 of the elements 54a.
  • the shape of upper terminal portion 66b is in part defined by the open end 72 of element 54b.
  • Lower terminal portions 67a and 67b are located respectively below elements 54a and 54b.
  • the shape of lower terminal portion 67a has a shape for the upwardly oriented elements 54a and another shape 67b for downwardly oriented elements 54b.
  • the shape of lower terminal portion 67a is in part defined by the open end 72 of the element 54a and the shape of lower terminal portion 67b is in part defined by the closed end 70 of element 54b.
  • Sidewall 48 also includes a sidewall transition portion 68 between upper terminal portion 66 of the closed end 70 and the intermediate portions 64.
  • sidewall portions Preferably, sidewall portions
  • each field 56, 58, 60, and 62 provide only a small amount of resistance to inward deflection about a horizontal axis while the ridges
  • 156, 158, 160, and 162 maintain the attractive shape of elements and diminish the tendency of kinking or unsightly depressions in response to hot filling. Further, the ridges 100 are distributed to provide support throughout elements 54.
  • the flared ends 90 and 92 extend outwardly toward the narrow, closed ends 70 of adjacent elements.
  • the right flared end 90 of downwardly directed element 54a shown in Figure 2 extends rightward from a longitudinal centerline of element 54a toward the adjacent downwardly directed element
  • flared end 90 extends into the space created by the narrowing of closed end
  • a second embodiment container 10a is illustrated in Figures 9 A and 9B.
  • Container 10a is capable of being hot filled and includes an enclosed base 12a, an upper portion 14a, a label panel 16a and a body 18a.
  • Base 12a, upper portion 14a, and label panel 16a are as described with respect to first embodiment container 10 and 10'.
  • Body 18a includes elements 55 that are all upwardly oriented. As shown, container 10a includes four upwardly-oriented elements 55 that are preferably evenly spaced around the sidewall 48a of the body 18a so that each element 55 is diametrically opposed by another element 55.
  • V-shape The shape of elements 55 is referred to herein as a V-shape, and the term V- shaped encompasses a closed end 70a that is pointed, a circular arc, or other curved shape having a curvature smaller or larger than that of a circular arc.
  • V-shape encompasses any shape having one end that narrows relative to its midsection or generally considered to constitute a "V”, and also encompasses sides that are mutually parallel or that extend outwardly from closed end 70a.
  • the invention also encompasses elements that do not have a V-shape.
  • Each element 55 includes or is defined by a rounded tip 80a, a pair of opposing curved transition portions 82a and 84a that extend outwardly and downwardly from the tip 80a, a pair of lateral portions 86a and 88a that extend generally downwardly from transition portions 82a and 84a, and a pair of end portions 90a and 92a. that extend from lower ends of lateral portions 86a and 88a.
  • Tip 80a and transition portions 82a and 84a define a closed end 70a.
  • the spaced apart end portions 90a and 92a define an open end 72a.
  • the present invention encompasses portions 90a and 90b being outwardly flared, approximately straight extensions of laterals portions 86a and 86b, and slightly inwardly directed.
  • Each element 55 includes a first field 56a, a second field 58a, and a third field
  • Body 18a also includes a pair of eyebrows 83 and 85 disposed adjacent to the curved transition portions 82a and 84a at the closed end of each element 55.
  • the eyebrows 83 and 85 are curved segments that generally follow the contour of the curved transition portions 82 and 84.
  • Sidewall 48a of body 18a includes intermediate portions 164a that is generally vertical and located between adjacent elements 55.
  • Upper terminal portions 166a are located on the sidewall 48a respectively above elements 55.
  • the shape of upper terminal portion 166a is in part defined by the closed end 70a of the elements 55.
  • Lower terminal portions 167a are located respectively below elements 55.
  • the shape of lower terminal portion 167a is in part defined by the open end 72a of the element 55.
  • Sidewall 48a also includes a sidewall transition portion 168a between upper terminal portion 166a of the closed end 70a and the intermediate portions 164a.
  • sidewall portions 164a, 166a, and 168a smoothly merge into on another. Eyebrows 83 and 85 are located in intermediate sidewall portion 164a and upper sidewall portion 166a.
  • each field 56a, 58a, 60a, and 62a provide only a small amount of resistance to inward deflection about a horizontal axis while the their ridges maintain the attractive shape of elements and diminish the tendency of kinking or unsightly depressions in response to hot filling.
  • Elements 55 narrow near tips 80a, and eyebrows 83 and 85 support upper sidewall portion 166a between the upper ends of adjacent elements 55.
  • Eyebrows 83 and 85 are preferably defined by the same ridge 100 structure as the fields 56, 58, 60, and 62 described above.
  • eyebrows 83 and 85 may support sidewall 48a in the region that would be otherwise unreinforced and that may be prone to high stress levels, which in some configurations and under some conditions may inhibit kinking upon hot filling.
  • the present invention also encompasses elements 55 that are arranged about the sidewall and oriented with their open ends upwardly.
  • Container 10b is capable of being hot filled and includes an enclosed base 12b, an upper portion 14b, a label panel 16b and a body 18b.
  • Base 12b, upper portion 14b, and label panel 16b are as described with respect to first embodiment container 10 and 10'.
  • Body 18b includes elements 154 that are the same as elements 54 as described with respect to first embodiment containers 10 and 10'.
  • container 10b includes elements 154 that are all upwardly oriented and that are spaced apart around the sidewall 48b of the body 18b with panels 49b disposed between them.
  • Container 10b preferably has two upwardly-oriented elements 154 and two panels 49b that are preferably evenly spaced around the sidewall 48b of the body 18b in an alternating arrangement.
  • the elements 154 are preferably diametrically opposed and the panels 49b are also preferably diametrically opposed.
  • this embodiment may incorporate downwardly oriented elements 155 (as shown in Figures 1 IA - HC) instead of upwardly oriented elements 154 (as shown in Figures 1OA - 10C).
  • the panels 49b disposed between the elements 154 preferably have an inwardly concave surface as shown in Figure 1OB.
  • the panels 49b may include ornamental features 69b that are integrally formed on the sidewall 48b of the body 18b.
  • the ornamental features 69b may include arc segments of a rainbow as shown in Figures 1OA and 1OC.
  • the arc segments of the rainbow extend vertically from the bottom to the top of one panel 49b, vertically across the label panel 16b, across the dome 34b on both sides of the neck 36b, and vertically from the top to the bottom of the other panel 49b to form the arcs of a rainbow.
  • the arcs of the rainbow may be continuous or may be interrupted in the areas adjacent structural elements (e.g.
  • Figures 1OA - 1OC the container 10b is shown with ribs 46b on the label panel 16b, but the label panel 16b may be provided without the ribs 46b.
  • Container 10c is capable of being hot filled and includes an enclosed base 12c, an upper portion 14c, a label panel 16c and a body 18c.
  • Base 12c, upper portion 14c, and label panel 16c are as described with respect to first embodiment container 10 and 10'.
  • Body 18b includes elements 155 that are the same as elements 54 as described with respect to first embodiment containers 10 and 10'.
  • a fourth embodiment container 10c includes elements 155 that are spaced apart around the sidewall 48c of the body 18c with panels 49c disposed between them.
  • Container 10c preferably has an even number of elements 155 and panels 49c that are evenly spaced around the sidewall 48c of the body 18c so that each element 155 is diametrically opposed by another element 155 and each panel 49c is diametrically opposed by another panel 49c.
  • the panels 49c disposed between the elements 155 preferably have an inwardly concave surface as shown in Figures 1 IB, and may include ornamental features 69c such as raised water droplets shown in Figures 1 IA and 11C.
  • this embodiment may incorporate upwardly oriented elements 154 (as shown in Figures 1OA - 10C) instead of downwardly oriented elements 155 (as shown in Figures 1 IA - HC).
  • the container 10c is shown with ribs 46c on the label panel 16c, but the label panel 16c may be provided without the ribs 46c.
  • container 10 is capable of receiving a product at an elevated hot- fill temperature, such as approximately 185 degrees F.
  • container 10 is formed of a plastic having an intrinsic viscosity in the range typical for hot fill containers.
  • Container 10 may be formed by any blow molding process, such as a two stage, stretch blow molding process with a heat setting stage. The present invention is not limited to this two stage process, but rather encompasses any process for making a container and any container that employs the general technology described herein.
  • the present invention encompasses any container having one or more vacuum compensation elements, or its equivalent, as described herein.
  • Figure 12 illustrates the deformation of container 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3 after conventional hot- filling, in which the maximum deformation is roughly centered in second field 58 and roughly located on the longitudinal centerline of element 54.
  • Figure 13 illustrates the deformation of container 10a shown in Figures 9A and 9B after conventional hot- filling, in which the maximum deformation is roughly centered on element 55.
  • Figure 14 illustrates the deformation of container 10b shown in Figures 1OA - 1OC after conventional hot- filling, in which the maximum deformation is roughly centered on element 154.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
PCT/US2008/060454 2007-04-16 2008-04-16 Container having vacuum compensation elements Ceased WO2008130987A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2008242970A AU2008242970A1 (en) 2007-04-16 2008-04-16 Container having vacuum compensation elements
JP2010504210A JP2010524789A (ja) 2007-04-16 2008-04-16 真空補正要素を有する容器
US12/595,723 US8905253B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2008-04-16 Container having vacuum compensation elements

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US91206407P 2007-04-16 2007-04-16
US60/912,064 2007-04-16

Publications (1)

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WO2008130987A1 true WO2008130987A1 (en) 2008-10-30

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PCT/US2008/060454 Ceased WO2008130987A1 (en) 2007-04-16 2008-04-16 Container having vacuum compensation elements

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US (1) US8905253B2 (https=)
JP (1) JP2010524789A (https=)
AU (1) AU2008242970A1 (https=)
WO (1) WO2008130987A1 (https=)

Cited By (9)

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ITMI20090148A1 (it) * 2009-02-05 2010-08-06 Lumson Spa Contenitore con decorazioni in rilievo
WO2011011183A1 (en) * 2009-07-20 2011-01-27 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Container having compound flexible panels
US8905253B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2014-12-09 Plastipak Packaging, Inc. Container having vacuum compensation elements
US11220368B2 (en) 2012-12-27 2022-01-11 Niagara Bottling, Llc Swirl bell bottle with wavy ribs
US11597558B2 (en) 2012-12-27 2023-03-07 Niagara Bottling, Llc Plastic container with strapped base
US11845581B2 (en) 2011-12-05 2023-12-19 Niagara Bottling, Llc Swirl bell bottle with wavy ribs
US11987416B2 (en) 2012-02-20 2024-05-21 Niagara Bottling, Llc Plastic container
US12246878B2 (en) 2011-12-05 2025-03-11 Niagara Bottling, Llc Plastic container with varying depth ribs
US12466602B2 (en) 2012-12-27 2025-11-11 Niagara Bottling, Llc Plastic container with strapped base

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