Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PLASTIC CONTAINER HAVING REINFORCED
GRIPPING STRUCTURE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of plastic containers,
and more
particularly to plastic containers that are intended for consumer use and that
are fabricated
using a blow molding process.
2. Description of the Related Technology
[0002] Molded plastic containers for packaging beverages such as orange juice
are in wide
commercial use throughout the world. Such containers may be fabricated using
the extrusion
blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from
a material such
as polyolefin, or a stretch blow molding process, which is typical for
containers that are
fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET.
[0003] When filled with a product, molded plastic containers can be fairly
heavy and
difficult to handle by some consumers, particularly in the larger sizes. This
problem is
compounded by any condensation in the form on the exterior surface of the
plastic container.
Accordingly, it is typical for certain types of plastic containers to be
designed with integrated
gripping recesses and handles so as to facilitate safety and ease of handling
by the consumer.
[0004] The configuration of many containers incorporating such gripping
recesses and
handles is such that a consumer will be induced to grip the container using
the forefingers and
the thumb in a pinching action that can impart significant compressive forces
to the container.
While this may facilitate a comfortable and effective manner in which to grip
the container
from the standpoint of the consumer, the resulting compressive forces, which
tend to be
concentrated near the recessed grip portions of the container, can result in
significant inward
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deflection and deformation of the container. Such deformation can result in a
reduction of the
storage volume of the container, causing product to be forced out of the
pouring opening of
the container in unwanted fashion when the container is full or close to being
full. In
addition, such deformation can result in a change in the pouring
characteristics of the
container, either by changing the shape of the dispensing opening itself or
the shape of the
surfaces that are immediately adjacent to the dispensing opening.
[0005] In addition, some plastic containers must be designed to withstand
significant
pressure differentials between the inside of the container and ambient
conditions. Carbonated
beverages or malt beverages can generate significant internal pressure, on the
order of 45-60
psi for malt beverages such as beer. Beer can be packaged using a cold aseptic
or cold
filtered process, or it can be pasteurized after filling and capping the
container in order to kill
any remaining yeast and stop further fermentation of the product. The
pasteurization process
typically involves spraying the filled and capped containers with hot water
until the internal
temperatures reach 140-142 degrees Fahrenheit.
[0006] Plastic containers may also be designed for use in the hot fill
process, which is
typically used for packaging beverages such as fruit juices. For such
containers, gripping
recesses must be designed to withstand pressurization and the subsequent
volumetric
contraction that occurs during the hot-fill process.
[0007] A need exists for an improved plastic container that provides a safe
and convenient
gripping configuration for the consumer but that exhibits better resistance
against deformation
than has been the case with conventional designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved
plastic
container that provides a safe and convenient gripping configuration for the
consumer but that
exhibits better resistance against deformation than has been the case with
conventional
designs.
[0009] In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, a
plastic container
according to a first aspect of the invention includes a main body portion
having a longitudinal
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axis, the main body portion having a gripping recess defined therein, the
gripping recess
being defined in part by a curved concave inner surface when viewed in side
elevation, the
gripping recess further comprising a plurality of horizontal indentations,
each of the
horizontal indentations being sized to receive a finger of a consumer when the
plastic
container is being gripped by the consumer.
[00010] A plastic container according to a second aspect of the invention
includes a main
body portion having a longitudinal axis, the main body portion having a
gripping recess
defined therein, the gripping recess having an oblong shape when viewed in
front elevation,
the gripping recess further comprising a plurality of horizontal indentations,
each of the
horizontal indentations being sized to receive a finger of a consumer when the
plastic
container is being gripped by the consumer.
[00011] These and various other advantages and features of novelty that
characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and
forming a part
hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages,
and the objects
obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a
further part
hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is
illustrated and described
a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00012] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view depicting a container that is
constructed according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[00013] FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view depicting the container that is
shown in
FIGURE 1;
[00014] FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3
in FIGURE
2;
[00015] FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view depicting the container that is
shown in
FIGURE 1;
[00016] FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in FIGURE 4;
and
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[00017] FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIGURE 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[00018] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate
corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to
FIGURE 1, a
plastic container 10 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention
includes a conventional threaded finish portion 12, a neck portion 14, a main
body portion 16
and a conventional bottom portion 18.
[00019] Containers 10 maybe fabricated using the extrusion blow molding
process, which
is typical for containers that are fabricated from a material such as
polyolefin, or a stretch
blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from
polyethylene
terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET.
[00020] Plastic container 10 is shaped so as to be generally cylindrical and
further includes
a substantially smooth label panel 20 to which a label may be conveniently
applied using
conventional processes.
[00021] Plastic container 10 further includes an opposed pair of gripping
recesses 22 that
are constructed to facilitate gripping of the container 10 by a consumer when
the container 10
is full of liquid. Each of the gripping recesses 22 is constructed so as to be
able to withstand
pressurization and volumetric contraction that may occur within the container
10 as a result of
carbonation, pasteurization, the hot-fill process or that may occur during
transportation or use
of the container 10.
[00022] Referring briefly to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that each of the
gripping recesses 22
has an outer boundary 24 when viewed in front elevation that has an oblong
shape, with a
major axis that is substantially vertical or parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the plastic
container 10. The oblong shape of the gripping recesses 22 is preferably
substantially
symmetrical about both the major vertical axis and the minor horizontal axis.
As may best be
seen in FIGURE 4, each of the gripping recesses 22 is also defined in part by
a curved
concave inner surface 32 when viewed in side elevation.
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[00023] Each of the gripping recesses 22 includes a plurality of horizontal
indentations,
each of which are sized to receive a finger of the consumer when the plastic
container is being
gripped by the consumer. In the preferred embodiment, three horizontal
recesses or
indentations 26, 28 and 30 are provided. As viewed in longitudinal cross-
section, a first lip or
projection 36 is defined between the recesses 26, 28 and a second lip or
projection 38 is
defined between the recesses 28, 30.
[00024] Referring again to FIGURE 4, plastic container 10 has a maximum outer
diameter
Dom. Preferably, the curved concave inner surfaces 32 of the gripping recesses
22 each have
a radius RIS that is within a range of about 30 percent to about 130 percent
of the maximum
outer diameter DmAx of the container 10, and that is more preferably within a
range of about
50 percent to about 100 percent of the maximum outer diameter DMax of the
container 10.
[00025] In the preferred embodiment, each of the horizontal indentations 26,
28, 30 has an
outer surface 34 that is convexly curved as viewed in horizontal cross
section, as is best
shown in FIGURE 5. Outer surface 34 in the preferred embodiment has a radius
of curvature
RGH that is within a range of about 20 percent to about 70 percent of the
maximum outer
diameter Di of the container 10, and that is more preferably within a range of
about 30
percent to about 60 percent of the maximum outer diameter DMax of the
container 10.
[00026] The outer surface 34 of each of the horizontal indentations 26, 28, 30
is also
preferably concave as viewed in longitudinal cross-section, as is best shown
in FIGURES 3
and 4. Each of the horizontal indentations 26, 28, 30 preferably has a
longitudinal radius of
curvature RGL that is preferably within a range of about 0.2 inches to about 1
inch, and that is
more preferably within a range of about 0.45 inch to about 0.85 inch.
Preferably, the
longitudinal radius of curvature RGL is within a range of about 15% to about
35% of the
maximum outer diameter DmAx of the container 10.
[00027] FIGURE 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting a cross-
section of the
container 10 taken at an elevation that intersects the second lip or
projection 38. Both of the
lips or projections 36, 38 have an outer surface that is convexly curved at a
radius of
curvature RLH that is preferably within a range of about 20 percent to about
50 percent of the
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maximum outer diameter D x of the container. Preferably, the radius of
curvature RLH is
within a range of about 0.6 inch to about 1.1 inch.
[00028] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and
advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing
description, together
with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only,
and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and
arrangement of
parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by
the broad general
meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
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