WO2013110631A1 - Contenants porteurs de charge et résistants sous vide - Google Patents

Contenants porteurs de charge et résistants sous vide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013110631A1
WO2013110631A1 PCT/EP2013/051185 EP2013051185W WO2013110631A1 WO 2013110631 A1 WO2013110631 A1 WO 2013110631A1 EP 2013051185 W EP2013051185 W EP 2013051185W WO 2013110631 A1 WO2013110631 A1 WO 2013110631A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
shape
shoulder
faces
neck
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2013/051185
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Geithmann
Robert Linden
Lise ZEBOUDJ
Original Assignee
Nestec S.A.
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 Nestec S.A. filed Critical Nestec S.A.
Priority to JP2014553691A priority Critical patent/JP2015504825A/ja
Priority to CN201380006976.3A priority patent/CN104080706B/zh
Priority to US14/375,004 priority patent/US20150001172A1/en
Publication of WO2013110631A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013110631A1/fr

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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
    • B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
    • B65D79/005—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting
    • B65D79/008—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars
    • B65D79/0084—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars in the sidewall or shoulder part thereof
    • 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
    • B65D1/023—Neck construction
    • B65D1/0246—Closure retaining means, e.g. beads, screw-threads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0223—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • 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
    • B65D1/40—Details of walls
    • B65D1/42—Reinforcing or strengthening parts or members
    • B65D1/44—Corrugations

Definitions

  • the present disclosure generally relates to health and nutrition. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers having improved load-bearing and vacuum resistance capacities.
  • the market comprises many different shapes and sizes of containers capable of housing fluids.
  • the shape and size of fluid containers can depend, among other things, on the amount of fluid to be housed, the type of fluid to be housed, consumer demands and desired aesthetics.
  • toxic fluids may be required to be housed in containers that have thicker walls and a more rigid structure.
  • the market for these types of fluids is determined by safety of the containers more so than that container's aesthetics.
  • consumable fluids such as water may be housed in containers that generally have thinner walls and a less rigid structure.
  • the market for consumable fluids may be determined by the aesthetics desired by the consumer instead of safety requirements.
  • the container should be able to withstand different environmental factors encountered during, for example, manufacturing, shipping and retail shelf stocking or storage.
  • One example of such an environmental factor includes top-loading forces.
  • containers may be stacked one on top of another during packaging, shipping and display.
  • the containers should be manufactured so as to withstand the compressive forces applied by one or more filled containers placed on top of the container without buckling. Accordingly, a need exists for a fluid container having improved structural features as well as desirable aesthetic characteristics.
  • the present disclosure relates to load-bearing and/or vacuum-resistant containers for housing liquid products.
  • the present disclosure provides a container including a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck.
  • the shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape, at least two of the four faces having a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.
  • the body has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the body is substantially rectangular.
  • the body has at least one circumferential rib.
  • the body may also have at least one interrupted rib.
  • the body has at least one wall with first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions.
  • the first and second opposing inwardly-sloping portions may be mirror images of each other and may be reflected about a location on the body corresponding to a circumferential rib.
  • the container has a volume ranging from about 100 mL to about 5000 mL.
  • the container further includes a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or combinations thereof.
  • a container in another embodiment, includes a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck.
  • the shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body.
  • the compound-radiused corners are radiused in a direction selected from the group consisting of horizontal, vertical, or combinations thereof.
  • each compound-radiused corner includes at least two different radii.
  • each of the four faces intersect each other along a rounded edge.
  • each of the four faces intersect with the body along a rounded edge.
  • the body has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, or combinations thereof.
  • the body has at least one circumferential rib.
  • the body may also have at least one interrupted rib, and may have at least one wall with first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions.
  • the container further includes a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or combinations thereof.
  • a container in yet another embodiment, includes a body having a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially square, substantially rectangular, or combinations thereof, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck.
  • the shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body. At least two of the four faces includes a cut-away having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.
  • An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved container.
  • Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container having improved load-bearing and/or vacuum-resistant features.
  • Still another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container having a shoulder portion configured to hinge in response to internal vacuum pressure.
  • Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container that is constructed and arranged for easy handling by a consumer.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 2A shows a side view of a container in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 2B shows a partial view of section A of the container of Figure 2A in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure relates to load-bearing and/or vacuum-resistant bottles for providing consumable products and other fluids.
  • the bottles are constructed and arranged to be load-bearing and vacuum resistant to provide a bottle having not only improved structural features, but also improved aesthetics.
  • bottles can be exposed to widely varying temperature and pressure changes, as well as external forces that jostle and shake the bottle. If, for example, the bottles contain carbonated fluids, these types of environmental factors can contribute to internal pressures or vacuums that affect the overall quality of the product purchased by the consumer. For example, existing types of vacuum panels, or thin plastic labels, can occupy large areas of the bottle to which they are added and tend to have great visual impacts to the shrink sleeve labels. When an internal vacuum is created within the bottle, the shrink sleeve labels do not always follow the slightly inverted shape of the bottle created by the vacuum, thereby accounting for poor aesthetics of the bottle. [0030] As illustrated in FIGS.
  • the present disclosure provides a container, or bottle, 10 having a mouth 12, a neck 14, a shoulder 16, a body 18, and a base 20.
  • Container 10 may be sized to hold any suitable volume of a liquid such as, for example, from about 50 to 5000 mL including 100 mL, 200 mL, 300 mL, 400 mL, 500 mL, 600 mL, 700 mL, 800 mL, 900 mL, 1000 mL, 1500 mL, 2000 mL, 2500 mL, 3000 mL, 3500 mL, 4000 mL, 4500 mL and the like.
  • Containers of the present disclosure may be configured to house any type of liquid therein.
  • the containers are configured to house a consumable liquid such as, for example, water, an energy drink, a carbonated drink, tea, coffee, etc.
  • the containers are sized and configured to house a carbonated beverage.
  • Suitable materials for manufacturing containers of the present disclosure can include, for example, polymeric materials.
  • materials for manufacturing bottles of the present disclosure can include, but are not limited to, polyethylene (“PE”), low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), polypropylene (“PP”) or polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”).
  • PE polyethylene
  • LDPE low density polyethylene
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • PP polypropylene
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • the containers of the present disclosure can be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing process such as, for example, conventional extrusion blow molding, stretch blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, and the like.
  • Mouth 12 may be any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container 10 and may be poured or otherwise removed from container 10.
  • mouth 12 may be substantially circular in shape and have a diameter ranging from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, or about 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or the like.
  • mouth 12 has a diameter that is about 33 mm.
  • Neck 14 may also have any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container 10 and may be poured or otherwise removed from container 10.
  • neck 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape having a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of mouth 12.
  • neck 14 may have a taped geometry such that neck 14 is substantially conical in shape and tapers up to mouth 12.
  • the skilled artisan will appreciate that the shape and size of neck 14 are not limited to the shape and size of mouth 12.
  • Neck 14 may have a height (from mouth 12 to shoulder 16) from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, or about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, neck 14 has a height of about 25 mm.
  • Container 10 can further include an air tight cap 22 attached to neck 14.
  • Cap 22 can be any type of cap known in the art for use with containers similar to those described herein.
  • Cap 22 may be manufactured from the same or a different type of polymeric material as container 10, and may be attached to container 10 by re- closeable threads, or may be snap-fit, friction-fit, etc. Accordingly, in an embodiment, cap 22 includes internal threads (not shown) that are constructed and arranged to mate with external threads 24 of neck 14.
  • Shoulder 16 of container 10 extends from a bottom portion of neck 14 downward to a top portion of body 18.
  • Shoulder 16 comprises a shape that is substantially a square pyramid frustum.
  • a "square pyramid frustum" means that shoulder 16 has a shape that very closely resembles a square pyramid having four triangular faces and one imaginary square face (not shown) at a base of the square pyramid, and having a top portion (e.g., the apex) of the square pyramid lopped-off.
  • Shoulder 16 has a lopped-off apex since shoulder 16 tapers into neck 14 for functionality of container 10.
  • the "square pyramid frustum" shape also includes rounded edges 28 between triangular faces 26, and rounded edges 30 between each triangular face 26 and the imaginary square base, as will be discussed further below.
  • Shoulder 16 may have a height (from a bottom of neck 14 to a top of body 18) ranging from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, or about 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, shoulder 16 has a height that is about 35 mm.
  • shoulder 16 may have a width and a length ranging from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or about 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, the width and the length of a bottom portion of shoulder 16 are the same and are about 60 mm. Alternatively, the width and the length of a bottom portion of shoulder 16 may be different.
  • containers of the present disclosure may be used to house carbonated liquids, or may be exposed to temperature and/or pressure changes during packaging, shipping, storage and/or retail display. Any of the above- described factors (e.g., carbonation, temperature changes, pressure changes, etc.) can contribute to the presence of an internal vacuum within sealed container 10 when container 10 houses a liquid. This is problematic for aesthetic reasons because triangular faces 26 can buckle, or sag, towards an interior of container 10. Sagging of this nature causes an unappealing aesthetic for container 10 that may be even further emphasized when container 10 includes an exterior label (not shown) (e.g., a sticker, shrink-wrap, plastic wrap, etc.) that covers at least a portion of triangular faces 26. In this regard, sagging of triangular faces 26 can pull them away from any exterior label, creating an undesirable aesthetic.
  • an exterior label not shown
  • container 10 includes an exterior label (not shown) (e.g., a sticker, shrink-wrap, plastic wrap, etc.) that covers at least a portion
  • containers 10 when containers 10 are mass produced for retail distribution, they may be packaged, shipped, stored and/or displayed in a stacked position that exposes containers 10 to top-loading.
  • containers 10 may be packaged, shipped, stored and/or displayed in a stacked position that exposes containers 10 to top-loading.
  • consumers may prefer the aesthetics of a substantially square-shaped, or substantially rectangular-shaped container, such containers do not distribute load well and are susceptible to buckling under top-loading.
  • certain structural features can help to improve a container's performance when exposed to an internal vacuum, top-loading, or compressive forces.
  • cut-away portion 32 is included on each triangular face 26.
  • cut-away portion 32 has a substantially U-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped, configuration.
  • Applicants have surprisingly found that providing cut-away portion 32 having a substantially U-shaped, or horseshoe- shaped configuration helps to resist any internal vacuum that may be created in container 10 during packaging, shipping, storage and/or retail display.
  • Applicants performed various tests to determine the best possible shape and size of cut-away portion 32 to resist vacuum deformation and surprisingly concluded that the U-shaped feature provided the best resistance to vacuum deformation.
  • each of the four faces 26 has a cut-away portion 32 but the number can vary and it is possible to have only two cut-away portion on the container.
  • cut-away portion 32 is described herein as being “cut-away,” the U-shaped feature is not meant to be limited to formation by actually cutting material out of container 10. Instead, “cut-away” portion 32 is meant to describe an area of shoulder 16 having a specific shape and a wall thickness that is less than the wall thickness of a remaining portion of shoulder 16. Accordingly, cut-away portion 32 may be formed into a container preform during a blow-molding process, may be cut out of a container after formation of container 10, or may be formed by other known processes for creating such features. In an embodiment, cut-away portion 32 is formed into the container during blow-molding.
  • the decreased thickness of cut-away portion 32 is formed as a product of the greater stretching of the polymer resin that occurs near the edges of the cut-away portion 32 during blow-molding.
  • a mold used to form a plastic preform into a container having a cut-away portion 32 includes a corresponding U-shaped projection that extends into an interior of the mold.
  • cut-away portion 32 is located in a center of triangular face 26, as measured vertically and horizontally.
  • cut-away portion 32 may be moved slightly higher, lower, left or right of the center of triangular face 16.
  • the opening of the u-shaped cut-away portion 32 may be oriented in any direction including left, right, up, down, or combinations thereof.
  • the opening may be oriented to point upward as is shown in FIGS. 1 , 2A and 2B.
  • a base of the u-shaped cut-away portion 32 is oriented
  • Cut-away portion 32 may have a height that comprises from about 10% to about 80% of a height of triangular face 16, or about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%), 60%), 70%), or the like.
  • cut-away portion 32 may have a width that comprises from about 10% to about 80% of a width of triangular face 16, or about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or the like.
  • Cut-away portion 32 has a thickness that is generally less than a thickness of the walls of body 18, which is due to the greater stretching of the resin that occurs near the edges of cut-away portion 32 during blow-molding, as discussed previously.
  • a wall thickness of an area inside the c-shaped interior of cut-away portion 32 e.g., thickness 1 , designated as "ti"
  • ti a wall thickness of an area inside the c-shaped interior of cut-away portion 32
  • ti a wall thickness of an area inside the c-shaped interior of cut-away portion 32
  • ti a wall thickness of an area inside the c-shaped interior of cut-away portion 32
  • ti can range from about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm, or about 0.41 , 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, or the like.
  • ti is about 0.49 mm.
  • a wall thickness of an area inside cut-away portion 32 (e.g., thickness 2, designated as "t 2 "), can range from about 0.3 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.31 , 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, or the like. In an embodiment, t 2 is about 0.36 mm.
  • a wall thickness of an area just below a base of cutaway portion 32 can range from about 0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31 , 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, or the like. In an embodiment, t 3 is about 0.31 mm.
  • a wall thickness of an area just outside side walls of cut-away portion 32 can range from about 0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, or the like. In an embodiment, is about 0.33 mm.
  • Cut-away portions 32 of shoulder 16 are configured to hinge, or move, allowing contraction of the bottle while allowing the bottle to maintain a visually appealing design that conventional vacuum panels do not allow.
  • the cut-away portions 32 are designed to hinge as internal vacuum pressure increases during the shelf-life of the product.
  • the configuration works with any applied labels or shrink-wrap applied to container 10 to create an outside appearance that is free from visual defects.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B Another feature of the present containers that provides structural benefits is the presence of compound radiused corners on a bottom portion of shoulder 16, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
  • shoulder 16 includes rounded edges 28 between triangular faces 26, and rounded edges 30 between each triangular face 26 and an imaginary square face (not shown) on a bottom of the square pyramid frustum.
  • Applicants have surprisingly found that providing multiple radiuses at the corners of container 10, or the intersections of rounded edges 28 and rounded edges 30 provides significant structural advantages over corners having single radius corners.
  • Applicants have surprisingly found that multiple radiused corners helps to improve the performance of the present containers when exposed to top-loading, or compressive forces.
  • containers of the present disclosure will be able to withstand increased amounts of top-loading, or compressive forces, when compared to similar containers currently on the market.
  • a “multiple radiused corner” or a “compound radiused corner” refers to a corner of the present containers that has multiple radii (as measured substantially from the center of a horizontal plane extending though the intersection between shoulder 16 and body 18) in the horizontal, vertical, or horizontal and vertical directions.
  • the compound-radiused corners of the present disclosure may include any number of radii in either the horizontal direction, vertical direction, or both.
  • the compound-radiused corners may include any number of different radii ranging from about at least 2 to about 10, or at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, or the like.
  • radii 1-6 demonstrate a plurality of different radii extending in a substantially horizontal direction.
  • the use of a plurality of different radii creates a more rounded corner in a substantially horizontal direction.
  • radii r8-rl 1 demonstrate a plurality of different radii extending in a substantially vertical direction.
  • the use of a plurality of different radii i.e., a compound radiused corner creates a more rounded corner in a substantially vertical direction.
  • any number of radii greater than one may be used with the containers of the present disclosure.
  • Body 18 may have any size and shape known in the art and is not limited to a substantially square or substantially rectangular shape, despite the square pyramid frustum shape of shoulder 16.
  • body 18 may have a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, etc. In an embodiment, however, body 18 has a shape that is substantially square or substantially rectangular.
  • body 18 may have rounded edges 34 if body 18 is substantially square or substantially rectangular in shape, as best shown in FIG. 1. Again, rounded edges 34 will help to improve the performance of the present containers when exposed to top-loading, or compressive forces.
  • Body 18 may have any length, width or height known in the art.
  • body 18 may have a height ranging from about 50 mm to about 1 10 mm, or about 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, 95 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm, or the like.
  • body 18 has a height of about 80 mm. If body 18 is substantially square-shaped or substantially rectangular-shaped with a specific length and width, the length and width may be the same. Alternatively, the width of body 18 may be different from the length of body 18. Even further, the length and width of body 18 may change with respect to the height of body 18. For example, and as shown in FIG.
  • body 18 may include at least a first portion 36 and a second portion 38 having mirror-image, inward-directed slopes as measured with respect to a vertical, central axis of container 10.
  • Inward-directed slopes may have an angle ranging from about 5° to about 45°, or about 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, or the like.
  • inward-directed slopes have an angle of about 15°. Accordingly, as the height of container 10 increase or decreases, either or both of the length and width of body 18 may change as well. Such a configuration provides the added benefit of ease of handling for the consumer.
  • the two mirror- image, inward-directed sloped portions 36, 38 of body 18 meet at a tapered portion of body 18 that helps consumer to grip container 10 for ease of handling.
  • Containers of the present disclosure are not limited to such first and second portions 36, 38, however, and body 18 may have substantially straight walls and/or other appropriate configurations.
  • the tapered portion of body 18 where the two mirror-image, inward-directed sloped portions 36, 38 of body 18 meet may include a circumferential rib 40 that also helps a consumer to grip container 10 for ease of handling.
  • circumferential rib it is meant that a rib (e.g., and indented or protruding elongated shape) extends all the way around container 10 in a substantially horizontal plane.
  • Container 10 may have any number of circumferential ribs 40 and is not limited to just one. Circumferential rib 40 may also be located at any place along the height of body 18.
  • Circumferential rib 40 may have a height that ranges from about 0.5 to about 5 mm, or 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or the like. Circumferential rib 40 may also extend a certain amount into interior of container 10. For example, rib 40 may extend into container 10 by an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 5 mm, or 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or the like. Applicants have found that rib 40 can help to maintain an intended shape of container 10.
  • rib 40 can help to limit container 10 from forming an oval shape during use. Rib 40 also enables even contraction of container 10 vertically, thereby allowing internal pressure to build within and enabling greater top-loading.
  • body 18 may also include an number of interrupted ribs 42, which are described as "interrupted” because they do not extend all the way around container 10 but are, instead, interrupted around container 10.
  • Body 18 may have any number of interrupted ribs 42 ranging, for example, from about 1 to about 10, or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or the like. Interrupted ribs 42 help to resist vacuum deformation of the triangular faces 26.
  • Each rib 42 is supported on its ends by the corners 34 of body 18, forming a bridge across body 18. By interrupting ribs 42 at the corners 34 of body 18, limited visual impact can be attained for any applied labels or shrink sleeves.
  • Interrupted ribs 42 may have the same height and depth into container 10 as circumferential rib 40. Interrupted ribs 42 may also have, however, a different height and depth into container 10 as circumferential rib 40. Ribs 42 may have a length ranging from about 15 mm to about 45 mm, or 20 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, ribs 42 have a length of about 30 mm. The length and radius of the ribs can also aid in preventing vacuum deformation.
  • Container 10 can have a broad base 20 so as to be able to stand up when the container is completely filled, partially filled or empty.
  • Base 20 can have any size or shape known in the art.
  • base 20 includes a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of body 18. In this regard, if body 18 is substantially square-shaped with a specific length and width, base 20 may also be substantially square-shaped with the same length and width.
  • base 20 is not limited to the size and shape of body 18 and may have a different size and shape than body 18.
  • Base 20 may have a height ranging from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, or about 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 25 mm, or 30 mm, or 35 mm, or 40 mm, or the like.
  • Base 20 may be substantially vertical in arrangement, or may be shaped (e.g., semi-circular), or may taper inward in an upward direction from a bottom surface 44 of container 10.
  • Base 20 is shaped and configured to contract under vertical load, absorbing and distributing loads over a greater area.
  • base 20 may also include one or more interrupted ribs 46 that may or may not have the same size and shape as ribs 42.
  • base 20 includes one rib 46 that has the same length as ribs 42, but a slightly shorter height.
  • Bottom surface 44 of container 10 may also include a punt 48 formed therein. Punt 48 may provide additional structural integrity to container 10 and may aid in stacking containers 10 one on top of another.
  • the structural features of the present containers described herein advantageously allow for a preform of less mass to be used.
  • the reduced use of resin in the containers provides the advantage of a lower cost per unit and increased sustainability when compared to a bottle without such structural features.
  • the bottles can provide lower environmental and waste impact.
  • the bottles can be constructed to use less disposal volume than other plastic bottles designed for similar uses.
  • the containers of the present disclosure can also improve the ease of use and handling by manufacturers, retails and consumers.
  • the structural features described herein provide for improved top-loading and reduced vacuum deformation to help achieve a square shape to containers that is desirable by consumers.
  • the same cut-out feature that provides for decreased usage of raw material can also help to resist any internal vacuums within the containers, thereby helping to prevent any misshaping of the bottle that can result in poor aesthetics.

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

Abstract

L'invention porte sur des contenants qui présentent des caractéristiques de porteurs de charge et de résistance sous vide améliorées. Un mode de réalisation général de la présente invention porte sur un contenant (10), qui présente un épaulement (16) comprenant quatre faces formant des coins à rayon composite à des intersections (28, 30) avec le corps du contenant. Un autre mode de réalisation de la présente invention porte sur un contenant, qui présente un épaulement (16) avec quatre faces, au moins deux des quatre faces ayant une entaille (32) dont la forme est sensiblement en forme de U. Les caractéristiques structurelles des présents contenants fournissent de façon avantageuse une capacité de compression et une résistance sous vide améliorées par rapport à des contenants similaires actuellement sur le marché.
PCT/EP2013/051185 2012-01-27 2013-01-23 Contenants porteurs de charge et résistants sous vide WO2013110631A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2014553691A JP2015504825A (ja) 2012-01-27 2013-01-23 耐荷重及び耐真空容器
CN201380006976.3A CN104080706B (zh) 2012-01-27 2013-01-23 承受载荷和耐真空的容器
US14/375,004 US20150001172A1 (en) 2012-01-27 2013-01-23 Load-bearing and vacuum-resistant containers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201261591302P 2012-01-27 2012-01-27
US61/591,302 2012-01-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013110631A1 true WO2013110631A1 (fr) 2013-08-01

Family

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Family Applications (1)

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PCT/EP2013/051185 WO2013110631A1 (fr) 2012-01-27 2013-01-23 Contenants porteurs de charge et résistants sous vide

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20150001172A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2015504825A (fr)
CN (1) CN104080706B (fr)
WO (1) WO2013110631A1 (fr)

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US11447322B2 (en) * 2019-02-21 2022-09-20 Pepsico, Inc. Beverage container
US11708206B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2023-07-25 Pepsico, Inc. Beverage container
US12006123B2 (en) 2023-06-06 2024-06-11 Pepsico, Inc. Beverage container

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USD752444S1 (en) * 2013-12-11 2016-03-29 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Bottle
USD739759S1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2015-09-29 Fairlife, Llc Bottle
USD762480S1 (en) * 2014-10-14 2016-08-02 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. Container
CN104495005A (zh) * 2014-11-20 2015-04-08 中山汇伟塑胶工业有限公司 一种结构可靠的塑料瓶
USD770851S1 (en) 2015-02-20 2016-11-08 O2Cool, Llc Four sided bottle
JP7391491B2 (ja) * 2016-08-15 2023-12-05 大日本印刷株式会社 複合容器およびその製造方法、ならびに複合プリフォームおよびその製造方法
USD846399S1 (en) * 2017-08-07 2019-04-23 Jasper Products, L.L.C. Bottle
JP6945436B2 (ja) * 2017-12-22 2021-10-06 株式会社吉野工業所 角形ボトル
USD879619S1 (en) * 2018-09-21 2020-03-31 Pepsico, Inc. Bottle
USD926584S1 (en) * 2019-09-02 2021-08-03 Solutions Design Pawel Kapron Bottle

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11447322B2 (en) * 2019-02-21 2022-09-20 Pepsico, Inc. Beverage container
US11708206B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2023-07-25 Pepsico, Inc. Beverage container
US12006123B2 (en) 2023-06-06 2024-06-11 Pepsico, Inc. Beverage container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN104080706B (zh) 2017-11-28
US20150001172A1 (en) 2015-01-01
CN104080706A (zh) 2014-10-01
JP2015504825A (ja) 2015-02-16

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