Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
LIGHTWEIGHT, HIGH STRENGTH BOTTLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Figure 1 shows a prior art bottle having a generally rectangular
configuration.
This bottle is the subject of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,575,321, 6,749,075, 7,004,342
and 7,350,658.
While that bottle has enjoyed commercial success and very satisfactorily
performs its
intended functions, there is an ever growing need to improve such bottles,
e.g., to reduce
weight (and material) and to increase strength, and to reduce the cost for
shipping such
bottles.
[0002] For example, the bottle shown in Figure 1 is typically shipped
from a beverage
packer, e.g., cranberry juice, to the distribution outlets (e.g., grocery
store) using conventional
cardboard cases each holding eight bottles, and it is not unusual that five
cases are stacked one
on top of the other for a total of 40 bottles. In this case, the lowermost
layer of eight bottles
supports the weight of the remaining 32 bottles, each 64 oz. bottle weighing
about four lbs, or
32 bottles x 4 lbs each = 128 lbs. When the cases are stacked as such, a
corrugate (formed
from the top of a lower case and the adjacent bottom of an upper case) is
provided between
each layer, for added load bearing, as each bottle has a top loading capacity
of about 45 lbs.
[0003] In addition, the top portion of the bottle shown in Figure 1 may
receive an
auxiliary (adhesive) label in the grip area and/or a label (e.g., a wrap
around label) positioned
between upper and lower label bumpers of the bottle, as described in U.S.
Patent Nos.
6,575,321, 6,749,075, 7,004,342 and 7,350,658. Labeling is applied during or
after the
bottling process in which the bottle is held firmly by the top and bottom
ends. Because the
contained beverage may be pasteurized, the side walls of the container are
subject to vacuum
deformation which in part is dealt with by providing the bottle with vacuum
accommodating
sections such as vacuum panels on the bottom portion of the
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container, or auxiliary vacuum deformation portions that may be located in the
grip
portion, the base portion and/or other portions of the bottle. Vacuum
deformation in the
top part of the bottle where the label is to be applied can compromise the
positioning
and/or registration of the auxiliary label.
[0004] Thus, a need has developed in the bottling art to provide address
one or
more of these challenges.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to an improved
rectangular
bottle design to better distribute load, e.g., by transferring load to corners
and heel or
base.
[0006] Another aspect is to allow for material reduction, while
maintaining the
bottle's strength and load capacity, as well as the bottle's ability to
accommodate for or
otherwise resist vacuum deformation.
[0007] Another aspect is to provide a tapered material between heel
corners to
provide stability while conveying during manufacturing or filling.
[0008] Another aspect is to provide an improved logo/grip portion, by
providing a
relatively deeper cut on the brow or perimeter to strengthen logo area to
allow for filler
pressure and material reduction.
[0009] Another aspect is to provide a vacuum panel array in the top and/or
bottom portions of the bottle to accommodate for any forces introduced during
the
pasteurization process during a filling operation.
[0010] Another aspect is directed to a bottle having a reinforced top
portion, e.g.,
on a rectangular bottle.
[0011] Another aspect relates to reducing the amount of corrugate
cardboard
casing used to ship containers, e.g., by eliminating the top cover of the
case.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hot-fillable
or cold-
fillable plastic bottle, comprising a body portion having a top portion and a
bottom
portion, the top portion including a shoulder positioned below a finish or
neck, and a grip
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portion below the shoulder. The body portion where the shoulder is located may
have a
polygonal shape, e.g., rectangular, with side walls joined by curved corner or
transition
portions. Each, or one or more, of said portions may include a corner rib
array that
extends along the top portion. The rib array may include two or more ribs that
are least
partly but not completely coextensive or overlapping, .e.g., the ribs may be
of different
lengths, or the ribs may have similar heights but be offset from one another
along the
longitudinal axis of the bottle. In one example, the corner array may include
three or
more such ribs, all being offset from and/or of different dimensions from one
another. In
another alternative, two of the ribs may be coextensive, while a third rib may
be offset
and/or of a different length.
[0013] In one form, the bottle is made from blow-molded plastic (e.g., PET
or
another suitable plastic). The bottle has a substantially rectangular shape
and includes an
upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a finish or neck
(with at
least one thread) that defines an opening for filling and dispensing of fluid
contents. The
upper portion includes a shoulder portion, e.g., bell-shaped, below the
finish/neck, and a
pair of opposed recessed grip portions below the shoulder where the bottle
takes on a
generally rectangular cross-sectional/shape. Each corner of the shoulder may
include a
rib array, which is positioned along the corner, but can also be positioned
elsewhere. The
rib array may include a set of two or more, e.g., three, reinforcing ribs. At
least two of
the ribs may extend vertically from essentially the middle of the bottle (at
or just above
the transition between the top and bottom portions) to at least above or
adjacent the grip
portions, and at least one of the two ribs may extend even higher, just below
the neck. A
third rib may be oriented towards the broader side of the bottle, and extends
from the
neck down to the upper boundary of the grip portion.
[0014] One or more additional relatively smaller ribs may be provided on
each
side of the grip portions. Further, one or more laterally extending ribs
(e.g., three lateral
ribs having the same or different lengths) may be provided on each of the
shorter walls of
the bottle. The shorter walls may also include one or more relatively smaller
ribs
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provided on each lateral side of the horizontal rib(s). The terms "vertical"
and "lateral"
or horizontal are taken when the bottle is resting upright on its base.
[0015] The lower portion of the bottle may include one or more vacuum
panels,
e.g., on each of the four sides of the bottle. Each vacuum panel is reinforced
with a
plurality of recessed grooves or ribs, e.g., 2-6 ribs, The vacuum panels help
to
accommodate for shrinkage that occurs during filling or when the hot-filled
contents
begin to cool after the bottle is capped.
[0016] The bottle may include a base portion having a push-up portion with
a two
stage, elliptical shape.
[0017] The bottle may also include a vacuum panel array, including one or
more
vacuum deformation portions positioned on the top portion of the main body.
For
example, one side of the bottle may include a recessed vacuum deformation
portion (e.g.,
having a tapered or trapezoidal shape) on the wider or larger side walls of
the top portion,
e.g., between rib arrays on adjacent corners. Another vacuum deformation
portion, e.g.,
having an hour glass shape, may be provided on the shorter side walls of the
bottle, e.g.,
between rib arrays on adjacent corners. The grip portion may also form a
vacuum
deformation portion.
[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
plastic bottle,
comprising a generally rectangular body portion having a top portion and a
bottom
portion, the top portion including a shoulder, a grip portion below the
shoulder and at
least one corner rib array including at least two ribs having different
lengths and/or
axially offset from one another.
[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
plastic
bottle, comprising a generally rectangular body portion having a top portion
and a bottom
portion, the rectangular body portion including relatively longer and shorter
side walls,
the top portion including a shoulder and a grip portion below the shoulder,
said top
portion including a vacuum panel array including a first vacuum deformation
portion
provided as part of the grip portion, a second vacuum deformation portion
provided
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above the grip portion, and a third vacuum deformation portion provided on the
shorter
side walls of the bottle.
[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
plastic
bottle, comprising a generally rectangular body portion having a top portion
and a bottom
portion, the top portion including a shoulder, a grip portion below the
shoulder and at
least one corner rib array including at least two ribs each having a length
greater than a
height of the grip portion.
[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
plastic
bottle, comprising a generally rectangular body portion having a top portion
and a bottom
portion, the top portion including a shoulder and a grip portion below the
shoulder, the
grip portion being recessed into the top portion, the grip portion defining a
main surface
recessed to a first depth and surrounded by a perimeter, at least a portion of
the perimeter
being recessed to a second depth that is deeper than the first depth.
[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
plastic
bottle, comprising a generally rectangular body portion having a top portion
and a bottom
portion, the top portion including a shoulder, a grip portion below the
shoulder and a heel
comer portions below the bottom portion; and a tapered material between
adjacent heel
comers to provide stability while conveying.
[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
plastic
bottle comprising a generally rectangular body portion identical a top
portion, a bottom
portion and a base or heel portion below the bottom portion, the heel or base
portion
having a tapered portion angled relative to the adjacent side walls of the
bottle.
[0024] These and other aspects will be described in or apparent from the
following description of preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the top, front side of a prior
art bottle;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a bottle according to one
example of the
present invention, the rear view thereof being identical thereto;
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[0027] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 2, with the
opposite
view thereof being identical thereto;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a top view of the bottle shown in FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 5 is the bottom view of the bottle shown in FIG. 2;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a detail view of FIG. 6;
[0032] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the bottle
of FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a bottle according to another
example
of the present invention, the rear view thereof being identical thereto;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a left side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 10, with
the
opposite view thereof being identical thereto;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a top view of the bottle shown in FIG. 10;
[0037] FIG. 13 is the bottom view of the bottle shown in FIG. 10;
[0038] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 14-14 of FIG.
10;
[0039] FIG. 15 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the bottle
shown
in FIG. 10;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 16-16 of FIG.
10;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of a bottle according to yet
another
example of the present invention, the rear view thereof being identical
thereto;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a left side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 17, with
the
opposite view thereof being identical thereto;
[0043] FIG. 19 is a bottom view thereof;
[0044] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view along lines 20-20 in FIG. 19; and
[0045] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view along lines 21-21 in FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES
[0046] The following description is provided in relation to several
examples that
may share common characteristics and/or features. It is to be understood that
one or
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more features of any one example may be combinable with one or more features
of the
other examples. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in
any of the
examples may constitute additional aspects of the invention.
[0047] FIGS. 2-9, 10-16 and 17-21 show examples of bottles made according
to
the present invention. In the figures, reference number 10 designates a
plastic bottle or
container, e.g. a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), hot-fillable or cold-
fillable beverage
container. Typically, a hot fillable bottle will include one or more vacuum
panels, while
it is not necessary for cold fill bottles to include such vacuum panels.
However, a hot
fillable bottle can be used for cold fill applications. The bottle may have a
filling
capacity of 64 oz., 60 oz., 96 oz., or smaller than 60 oz. or larger than 96
oz., etc. Also,
while described in conjunction with rectangular bottles, such features may
also have
application to other types of bottles, e.g., round bottles, etc.
[0048] The bottle 10 includes a neck 30 and a body portion 40 that extends
away
from the neck 30. The neck 30 may be crystallized to have a substantially
opaque
appearance, as is well known in the art. However, it is not necessary to
provide a
crystallized neck. The body portion 40 includes a top portion 45 and a bottom
portion 50,
which in the exemplary embodiment has a vacuum deformation portion 55 that is
shorter
than the top portion 45. A base or heel portion 25 is provided below the
vacuum
deformation portion 55.
[0049] The bottle 10 is manufactured, for example, using a blow-molding
process
which is well known. During blow-molding, a preform (not shown) is expanded
and
assumes the shape of an interior molding surface, i.e., a mold (not shown), to
form a
substantially transparent, biaxially-oriented bottle. The neck 30 of the
preform is not
expanded and remains as the neck 30 of the bottle 10. The neck 30 includes
threads and
an open mouth 35 for receiving a screw-on cap (not shown). The lower portion
of the
preform is expanded to form the body portion 40 of the bottle 10, including
the top
portion 45 and the bottom portion 50.
[0050] The bottom portion 50 of the bottle 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
includes a plurality of vacuum deformation portions 55, e.g., in the form of
panels.
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Vacuum deformation portions 55 may be in the form of a panel section recessed
into the
bottom portion 1-5 mm or more.
[0051] The base 25 is provided below the vacuum deformation portions 55.
For
example, each of the longer sides 15 and shorter sides 20 of the container 10
includes a
vacuum deformation portion 55. The vacuum deformation portions 55 accommodate
internal forces tending to collapse the both inwardly due to filling the
container 10 with a
liquid at an elevated temperature, e.g., a pasteurization temperature. After
the container
is hot-filled and capped, cooling of the liquid tends to collapse the vacuum
deformation portions 55.
[0052] While this example relates to hot-fill applications, it is also
contemplated
that the bottle 10 can be used in cold-fill applications. For example, the
bottle can be
made using an aseptic cold-fill line.
[0053] Each vacuum deformation portion 55 may include at least one, e.g.,
4-6,
lateral stiffening ribs 56 to add rigidity, e.g., to prevent more than a
certain amount of
deformation of the vacuum deformation portions 55. The vacuum deformation
portions
55 on the shorter sides 15 generally accommodate a lesser amount of the
internal forces
as compared to the vacuum panels on the longer sides 20.
[0054] Further, the bottom portion 50 of the bottle 10 is adapted to
receive a label
61 (FIG. 3) which is wrapped, e.g., shrink-wrapped, around the vacuum
deformation
portions 55. For example, the label 61 (only a portion is shown) wraps about
the entire
perimeter of the container 10. The label 61 is positioned below a transition
shoulder 54
between the top and bottom portions 45, 50 of the body portion 40. A lower
transition
shoulder 54.1 defines a lowermost boundary of the label 61. The label 61 could
include
one or more separate parts to be individually applied to only one or more of
the longer
and/or shorter sides.
[0055] Bottle 10 includes a shoulder or dome portion 60 and a grip portion
65
provided below shoulder 60. The grip portion 65 is inwardly recessed into the
body
portion 40. For example, the grip portions 65 on opposite sides of the bottle
10 are
spaced a distance that is less than the width of the top portion of the
bottle. Preferably,
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each grip portion 65 is recessed a depth Dg which is about 1-20 mm or more,
and
preferably, about 5-15 mm into the body portion 40, as shown in FIG. 3. In
embodiments, the depth Dg may be only a few millimeters, e.g., 1-5 mm. As a
result, the
border of each grip portion 65 includes a ledge 66 (FIG. 2) that improves
gripability.
Preferably, the ledge 66 substantially surrounds the entire grip portion 65,
although it is
possible that less than the entire perimeter of the grip portion 65 includes
the ledge. For
example, the ledge may be limited to just the lateral (left and right) sides
or one lateral or
upper side of the grip portion 65, e.g., near the upper brow where the user
grips the
container 10. The grip portion 65 may have a very shallow depth (e.g. 1-5 mm)
on the
lateral sides 66.1 and the upper side 66.2, and increased depth (2-7 mm) on
the lower side
66.3. Alternating, the lateral and upper sides may have a depth that is
greater than the
depth on the lower side. Further, although the grip portion 65 is shown as
generally oval
shaped, it can take the form of other shapes such as circles, diamonds,
rectangles or other
geometric shapes.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the grip portion 65 defines a main
surface
65.1 (with the logo or label) recessed to a first depth Dg (in the ranges
defined above) and
surrounded by a perimeter. At least a portion of the perimeter is recessed to
a second
depth Dp that is deeper than the first depth Dg, e.g., by 2-7 mm, to
strengthen the logo
area and allow for filler pressure and material reduction. In one example, the
deeper cut
Dp is about 6-8 mm, while the surface depth Dg is about 4-6 mm. The portion of
the
perimeter of increased depth includes an upper portion or "brow" of the
perimeter. The
lower portion of the perimeter may have a depth that is equal to the depth of
surface 65.1,
as shown in FIG. 7, or the lower perimeter portion may have a depth that is
equal to the
depth Dp of the brow portion.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 2-5 and 10 and 11, bottle 10 includes corner or
transition portions 100 joining adjacent walls 15, 20 of the rectangular main
body. Each,
or one or more, of the corner or transition portions 100 may include a corner
rib array 105
that extends along the top portion 45. The rib array may include two or more
ribs 105.1,
105.2, 105.3 (FIGS. 2-9 and 17-18) or 105.4 or 105.5 (FIGS. 10-16) that are
least partly
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but not completely coextensive or overlapping, e.g., the ribs may be of
different lengths
(e.g., ribs 105.2 can be larger than rib 105.1 and shorter than rib 105.3), or
the ribs may
have similar and/or different heights but be offset from one another along the
longitudinal
axis of the bottle (e.g., rib 105.1 has an upper extent that is higher than
rib 105.2, and rib
105.2 has an upper extent that is higher than rib 105.3). The upper extent of
the ribs may
be said to be cascading along the dome portion, e.g., from the center towards
the edges as
viewed in FIGS. 2 and 17 or from the center towards the edge as viewed in FIG.
11.
[0058] In one example (FIGS. 2-9 and 17-18), the corner array may include
three
or more such ribs, all being offset from and/or of different dimensions from
one another.
In another alternative, two of the ribs may be coextensive or generally the
same length,
while a third rib may be offset and/or of a different length. The ribs may be
in the form
of a groove recessed within, or a bead protruding out, the top portion, or a
combination
thereof. The width of the grooves can be generally equal, e.g., about 2-10 mm
or 3-5
mm, or the width of each of the grooves may be different from one another.
Also, the
ribs can have a generally uniform cross-section along their lengths, or the
cross-section
can vary, e.g., the ribs can taper in terms of width and/or depth. Also, the
spacing
between ribs can be constant or variable.
[0059] In the example of FIGS. 10-16, dome portion 60 includes a rib array
105
having first and second ribs 105.4, 105.5, which are partially overlapping or
coextensive
with one another. Rib 105.5 extends from or just above the transition between
the top
and bottom portions of the bottle to above or adjacent the grip portion 65.
Rib 105.4
extends from the upper extent of rib 105.5 (at least partially coextensive)
towards the
neck 30, adjacent to and substantially parallel to a tapered vacuum
deformation portion
300. FIG. 10 also shows a recessed cradle-like portion 350, shown on an
enlarged
perspective scale in FIG. 15, and in cross-section in FIG. 16. Cradle 15 is
positioned on
the top portion below the grip portion 65.
[0060] In the examples of FIGS. 2-9 and 17-18, the rib array 105 includes
a set of
three or more, e.g., three, reinforcing ribs. At least two of the ribs 105.2,
105.3 extend
vertically from essential the transition between the top and bottom portions
of the bottle
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to at least above or adjacent the grip portions 65, and at least one of the
ribs 105.2, 105.3
may extend even higher, just below the neck. Rib 105.1 may be oriented towards
the
broader side of the bottle, and extends from below the neck down to the upper
boundary
of the grip portion 65.
[0061] One or more additional relatively smaller ribs 110 (FIGS. 2 and 17)
may
be provided on each side of the grip portions 65. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 18,
one or more laterally extending ribs 115 (e.g., three lateral ribs having the
same or
different lengths) may be provided on each of the shorter walls 20 of the
bottle. The
shorter walls 20 may also include one or more relatively smaller ribs 120
provided on
each lateral side of the horizontal rib(s) 115.
[0062] As shown in the example of FIGS. 17-21, the base of the bottle may
incorporate side reinforcing ribs 200 that extend from underneath the bottle
upward a
small distance along the bottom sides. The ribs preferably do not extend into
the push up
portion of the base, as can be seen from FIG. 19. The side reinforcing ribs
200 are
evident from the bottom, front and rear faces of the bottle.
[0063] In FIGS. 17-21, each bottom corner may also include a reinforcing
rib 205
designed generally in the same fashion as the side ribs 200. The side 200 and
corner ribs
205 visibly appear as cutouts. Each of the shorter bottom sides of the base
portion
includes a heel indent 210. Designed into the bottle's bottom plane, adjacent
the heel
indents, are indented anti-rock pads 215. The anti-rock pads 215 are designed
to relieve
outward bulging allowing the bottle to stand on the corners of the base in a
stable
manner.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 19-21, the bottle may include a base portion
having a
push-up portion 85with a two stage, elliptical shape. The first stage 230 is a
relatively
shallow oval or rectangular shape that transitions into a sharper round pushup
second
stage 240, with ribs 245 bisecting both areas.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottle may also include a tapered
material
250 between heel comers 255 to provide stability while conveying. As shown in
FIGS. 2
and 3, heel or base portion 25 includes a tapered portion 25.1 which divides
load through
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an angle (1-5 ) to reduce direct vector force, allowing for top heel increase
and material
reduction. Heel indents 25.2 are provided to strengthen heel in side to resist
denting during
handling.
[0066] The bottle may also include a vacuum array, e.g., including one or
more
vacuum deformation portions positioned on the top portion 45 of the main body.
For example,
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, one side of the bottle may include a recessed
vacuum
deformation portion 300 (e.g., having a tapered or trapezoidal shape) on the
wider or longer
side walls 15 of the top portion, e.g., between rib arrays 105 on adjacent
corners. Another
recessed vacuum deformation portion 305, e.g., having an hour glass shape
(FIG. 3), may be
provided on the shorter side walls 20 of the bottle, e.g., again between rib
arrays 105 on
adjacent corners. Also, the grip portion 65 may possess vacuum deformation
capacity.
[0067] The rib array 105 is positioned and dimensioned to work in
conjunction or to
complement the function of the vacuum deformation portions 55, 300, and/or 305
in the top
portion 45. Moreover, the rib array 105 works in harmony with the lower
portion and/or base
of the bottle for transferring load to the corners and/or heel, and/or for
reinforcement of the
bottle along substantially its entire extent, this while also reducing the
amount of plastic
required, e.g., by reducing the required thickness of the walls, thus
resulting in a lightweight,
strong and force accommodating bottle.
[0068] The rib array 105 may be positioned adjacent a lateral side of the
grip portion
65 as well as the lateral side of the vacuum deformation portion 300 above the
grip portion
65. For example, the upper portion of the rib 105.1 array may extend generally
parallel to the
tapered sides of the vacuum deformation portion (e.g., such that the ribs
105.1 overlap with
the deformation portion 300 in the vertical plane), while the lower portion of
rib 105.1
extends only to the top portion of grip 65. Also, the upper extent of the rib
105.3 may extend
to and/or curve along the lower portion of the "figure- 8" shaped vacuum
deformation portion
305 on the shorter walls 20 of the bottle. In particular, the upper extent of
rib 105.3 terminates
at the recess or waist portion of the "figure-8" shape of the portion 305.
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[0069] The top loading capacity of the overall container is increased by
35%
compared to prior art bottles, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0207962.
In one
example, the strength ranges from about 50-150 lbs, and preferably the range
is between
about 75-125 lbs., and most preferably about 100 lbs. This is an advantage
from the
standpoint of shipping and for reduced material usage. Due to the increased
top loading
capacity, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the amount of corrugate that
is placed between
layers of bottles to be shipped. In addition, the increased top loading
capacity adds stability to
the bottle during the bottling/packing/labeling process, such that placement
of labels can be
more accurately registered. This increased strength is accompanied by a
reduction in material
or weight PET by about 8% compared to prior art bottles.
[0070] Bottle 10 may have overall dimensions as described in U.S. Patent
Nos.
6,575,321, 6,749,075, 7,004,342 and 7,350,658. The dimensions of the bottle
were selected to
conveniently and efficiently fit on the shelves of a supermarket, in a space
conserving
manner. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, bottle 10 is substantially rectangular, for
example, and
includes longer sides 15 each having a width of about, e.g., 115 millimeters,
and shorter sides
20 having a width of about, e.g., 90 millimeters. The dimensions bottle 10 can
fit within the
door shelf of a refrigerator. Base portion 25 (best shown in FIG. 2) of the
container 10 has a
width that is slightly greater than the widths of the sides 15, 20 of the
container 10. In a
particular embodiment, bottle 10 may have a volume capacity of about 64 oz.
Those of
ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that aspects of the present
invention are applicable to
other containers, such as round or polygon shaped, e.g., square, pentagon,
hexagon, septagon,
octagon, etc., bottles, which may have different dimensions and volume
capacities.
[0071] The grip portion 65 has a height that is about one quarter to
about one half, and
preferably one third, of a height of the top portion 45 of the body portion
40. The grip portion
65 is adapted to be grasped by the fingers and thumb of a person of average
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size, for example, an average woman having a size 7 hand. For example, as
shown in
FIG. 3, the distance between the grip portions 65 is about 83 mm or less,
although the
distance can range from about 75 to about 90 mm or more. However, the grip
portion 65
is not limited for use by a person having average size hands. In this context,
the width of
the grip portion 65 is designed to be about 50-90% of the width of the
container side wall
on which it is placed. Preferably, the width is 60-80% (or more or less), and
most
preferably the width is about 70% of the width of the side wall. By selecting
and
structuring the height, width and depth of the grip portions 65 using the
above
dimensions, user comfort is enhanced, a good hand-fit is achieved, and the
grip portions
65 can be manipulated by a persons having a wide variety of hand sizes.
[0072] The grip portion 65 is provided near the center of gravity of the
container
(when empty or substantially filled). Thus, positioning of the grip portions
65
facilitates holding of and pouring liquid contents from the container 10.
[0073] Further, the grip portion 65 may also serve as a logo/label portion
70. As
shown, each grip portion 65, may include a logo, such as "Ocean Spray " and/or
the
Ocean Spray "wave". The logo may include an anti-slip surface in the form of
raised or
embossed (depressed) lettering, logos, characters or other designs, which
helps prevent
the bottle 10 from slipping out of the user's fingers and thumb. Further, in
addition to or
instead of using integrally formed lettering, designs or logos, the logo may
be in the form
of a label that is applied, e.g., using an adhesive, to the grip portion 65.
Stated
differently, the grip portion 65 may also form an auxiliary label portion,
which may be
coordinated with the wrap-around label provided on the bottom portion of the
container
10. If an integrally formed logo is used with the label, then it is
recommended that the
integral logo be embossed into the grip portion, rather than being raised, so
as to present a
more flat surface to which the label may be secured. Because of the increased
size of the
grip portion, the logo can be more prominently displayed on the bottle 10.
[0074] In FIGS. 1-16, the base portion 25 of the container 10 has a dome-
shaped
portion 85 which increases strength of the container 10 and facilitates the
manufacturing
14
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process. The configuration and shape of the dome-shaped portion 85 may also
help assist in
the on for internal forces created during the hot-fill process, as is known in
the art.
[0075]
While the invention has been described in connection with what are presently
considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the
contrary, is intended to
cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the
scope of the
invention. For example, while an exemplary hot-fillable container has been
described, the
disclosure is not limited to such and non-hot-fillable containers are also
possible in which
event vacuum panels would not be required. In addition, while PET containers
made using a
blow-molding process have been described, other materials and manufacturing
processes are
also possible. For example, the container can be made using extrusion molding
or other
stretch molding techniques, and the container could be made from materials
such as, for
example, polypropylene, high density polypropylene, polyolefin, styrene and
other similar
plastic materials.
