Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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THREE-PANEL GRIPPABLE CONTAINER
Background of the Invention
Field of the Invention
(0001) The invention described herein relates to plastic containers, and
relates in
particular to the shape and structure of such containers.
Related Art
(0002) As is widely known, it is common for beverages to be sold in plastic
containers. Such containers can be single-serving or multi-serving containers.
Moreover,
certain beverages are commonly placed into the containers when the beverage is
still hot.
Some manufacturers of fruit juices and teas fill their product when the
beverage is
approximately 185 F, for example. The bottles are then immediately capped and
cooled.
The cooling beverage contracts, which creates an internal vacuum. The
container design
needs to withstand or allow for this internal vacuum 'take-up' while
maintaining the
desired look of the design. Containers that can accornmodate a hot liquid
product in this
manner are known as hot-fillable.
(0003) The problem of cooling and contraction is present for any container
used in
such a hot filled process. Relatively large containers (e.g., 42 ounces or
greater)
generally pose fewer design concerns than smaller containers when dealing with
the
contraction problem. For larger containers, the sides are necessarily larger.
A larger side
panel can flex inward more easily than a smaller panel during cooling. Smaller
containers are more problenlatic. A smaller container (e.g., 16 ounces)
necessarily has
smaller side panels. Panels for such a container are stiffer and flex less
readily than a
larger panel.
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(0004) What is needed, therefore, is a design for a relatively small plastic
hot-fillable
container, such that the sides of the container can flex inward during the
cooling and
contraction of the fluid contents.
Brief Summary of the Invention
(0005) The invention described herein is a plastic, hot-fillable, blow-molded,
singleserve container having a four-sided body. Three sides of the container
include
vacuum relief panels that can flex inwards when fluid in the container cools
and
contracts. In an embodiment of the invention, the rear panel is a vacuum
relief panel that
includes a raised island structure on which a label may be applied. The left
and right
sides of the container also include vacuum relief panels. These left and right
side panels
can include ergonomic structure that allow a person to grip the container with
one hand.
(0006) Further objectives and advantages of the invention as well as preferred
embodiments, will become apparent from consideration of the description,
drawings, and
examples provided herewith.
Brief Description of the Figures
(0007) The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will
be
apparent from the following, more particular description of a preferred
embodiment of
the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the drawings,
like reference
numbers generally indicate identical, functionally-similar, and/or
structurally similar
elements.
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(0008) FIG. 1 is an illustration of a plastic container showing the front and
one side
panel, according to an embodiment of the invention.
(0009) FIG. 2 illustrates the container of FIG. 1, from a perspective that
shows a side
panel and the rear panel of the container.
(00010) FIG. 3 illustrates the container of FIG. 1, as viewed from the front.
(00011) FIG. 4 illustrates the container of FIG. 1, as viewed from the side.
(00012) FIG. 5 illustrates the container of FIG. 1, as viewed from the back.
Detailed Description of the Invention
(00013) Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In
describing
embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The
invention is
not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so-selected. While
specific
exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done
for
illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will
recognize that other
components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit
and scope
of the invention.
(00014) The invention described herein is a plastic, hot-fillable, blow-
molded,
singleserve container having a four-sided body. Such a container can have a
capacity of
16 or 32 ounces, for example, though the invention is not limited to
containers having
these volumes. Three sides of the container include vacuum relief panels that
can flex
inwards when fluid in the container cools and contracts. In an embodiment of
the
invention, the rear panel is a vacuum relief panel that includes a raised
island structure on
which a label may be applied and supported. The left and right sides of the
container also
include vacuum relief panels. These left and right side panels can include
ergonomic
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structure that allows a person to grip the container with one hand. In an
embodiment of
the invention, the ergonomic structure comprises a D-shaped depression on each
side
panel.
(00015) One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Such a
container
can be fabricated using polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or a similar
compound. The
illustrated container 100 includes a neck 120. In an embodiment of the
invention, neck
120 is essentially cylindrical. At one end of the neck 120 is a finish 110. At
the opposite
end of the neck 120 is a shoulder 130. Shoulder 130 has a top end 127 and a
lower end
133. Adjacent to the lower end 133 of shoulder 130 is a body 140. The front of
container
100 is shown as front area 160. The back of container 100 is not visible. Also
shown is
a base 150, adjacent to the body 140.
(00016) FIG. 2 illustrates the container of FIG. 1 from a perspective that
shows the
side and rear panels. The side panel 210 is configured to serve as a vacuum
relief panel.
In the illustrated embodiment, the side panel 210 includes a depressed region,
or recess,
215. Recess 215 is drawn inwards during the contraction process as the
container's liquid
cools. In this embodiment, recess 215 is D-shaped. In alternative embodiments
of the
invention, side panel 210 can have different ergonomic structure. Returning to
the
illustrated embodiment, a surrounding portion 212 surrounds the recess 215.
Surrounding portion 212 is also drawn inward during cooling and contraction.
Moreover,
surrounding portion 212 flexes inward independently of recess 215.
(00017) The corresponding side panel on the opposite side (not shown) is
contoured
similarly. These recesses on the sides allow a person to grip the bottle
easily with one
hand.
(00018) FIG. 2 also shows a rear vacuum relief panel 218. Rear pane1218
includes a
raised island 230, surrounded by a depressed portion 220. The surrounding
depressed
region 220 flexes inward during cooling and contraction of the liquid.
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(00019) FIG. 3 illustrates the container of FIG. 1, as viewed from the front.
Front
panel 160 is relatively rigid and flexes minimally, if at all, during
contraction. While
horizontal grooves are shown in front panel 160, illustration of such a
configuration is not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Other embodiments of the
invention
may not have such grooves. In an embodiment of the invention, front panel 160
can be
used to attach a label.
(00020) FIG. 4 illustrates the container of FIG. 1 as viewed from the side.
This view
shows side vacuum relief panel 210, along with D-shaped recess 215 and
surrounding
portion 212. This figure also provides a side view of depressed portion 220
and island
230 of rear vacuum relief pane1218.
(00021) FIG. 5 illustrates the container of FIG. 1, as viewed from the back.
In
addition to limited views of side panels 210, FIG. 5 illustrates rear vacuum
relief panel
218, along with island 230 and depressed portion 220.
(00022) The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are
intended
only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to
make and use
the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting
the scope of
the present invention. All examples presented are representative and not
limiting. The
above-described embodiments of the invention maybe modified or varied, without
departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in
light of the
above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of
the claims and
their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
