Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PLASTIC CONTAINER WITH STRAPPED BASE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[001] This application is a continuation in part of, and claims the benefit
of, U.S. Patent
Application No. 14/141,224, entitled "Plastic Container with Strapped Base,"
filed on December
26, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/746,535, filed on
December 27, 2012, the entirety of both of said applications is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD
[002] The present application generally relates to plastic containers,
particularly to plastic
containers designed to hold liquids while resisting deformation.
BACKGROUND
10031 Plastic containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal
containers in the
packaging of beverages for several decades. The most common plastic used in
making beverage
containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Containers made of PET
are transparent,
thin-walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding the
force exerted on the
walls of the container by their contents. PET resins are also reasonably
priced and easy to
process. PET bottles are generally made by a process that includes the blow-
molding of plastic
preforms which have been made by injection molding of the PET resin.
[004] Advantages of plastic packaging include lighter weight and decreased
breakage as
compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and
transportation into
account. Although plastic packaging is lighter in weight than glass, there is
still great interest in
creating the lightest possible plastic packaging so as to maximize the cost
savings in both
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transportation and manufacturing by making and using containers that contain
less plastic, while
still exhibiting good mechanical properties.
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SUMMARY
10051 The bottling industry is moving in the direction of removing
auxiliary packaging from
cases or pallets. A case of bottles with film only and no paperboard is called
a "film only
conversion" or "lightweighting" of auxiliary packaging. The removal of
supporting elements
such as paperboard places additional stress on a bottle, which increases the
structural demands
on the bottle. In certain embodiments, a bottle design can provide one or more
of the benefits of
reducing bending and point loading failures. The disclosed design embodiments
can alleviate the
stresses during shipping and handling (including film only packaging) while
maintaining ease of
blow molding. In certain embodiments, a bottle design uses less resin for the
same or similar
mechanical performance, resulting in a lightweight product.
10061 Embodiments of the bottle disclosed herein may use polyethylene
terephthalate (PET),
which has viscoelastic properties of creep and relaxation. As a plastic, PET
and other resins tend
to relax at temperatures normally seen during use. This relaxation is a time
dependent stress
relieving response to strain. Bending can provide exaggerated strains over
what would be seen
in tensile loading. Due to exaggerated strains, the relaxation in bending can
be much more
severe. Bending happens at multiple length scales. Bending can happen at the
length scale of
the bottle or on a small length scale. An example of the bottle length scale
bending is a person
bending the bottle in his/her hands, or bending experienced during packing in
a case on a pallet.
An example of the small scale is the flexing or folding of ribs or other small
features on the wall
of the bottle. In response to loads at the first, larger length scale, ribs
flex at the local, smaller
length scale. When they are held in this position with time, the ribs will
permanently deform
through relaxation.
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10071 Further, embodiments of the bottles disclosed herein may undergo
pressurization.
Pressure inside a bottle can be due to the bottle containing a carbonated
beverage. Pressure
inside a bottle can be due to pressurization procedures or processes performed
during bottling
and packaging. For example, a bottle can be pressurized to help the bottle
retain its shape. As
another example, the bottle can be pressurized with certain gases to help
preserve a beverage
contained in the bottle.
10081 Embodiments of the bottles disclosed herein have varying depth ribs
that achieve a
balance of strength and rigidity to resist the bending described above while
maintaining hoop
strength, such as, for example, when pressure is not used or relieved. A
collection of flattened
and/or shallow depth ribs act as recessed columns in the body of the bottle
that distribute bending
and top load forces along the wall to resist leaning, stretching, and
crumbling. The collection of
flattened and/or shallow depth ribs can help the bottle retain its shape
during pressurization, such
as, for example, help inhibit stretching of the bottle when pressurized.
Inhibiting stretching of
the bottle helps retain desired bottle shape to aid in packaging of the
bottles as discussed herein
by, for example, maintaining a substantially constant height of the bottle.
Inhibiting stretching of
the bottle can help with applying a label to a label portion of the bottle.
For example, with a
label applied to a bottle, inhibiting stretching of the bottle helps retain a
constant length or height
of the bottle at the label panel portion, which can help prevent tearing of
the label and/or prevent
the label from at least partially separating from the bottle (i.e., failure of
the adhesive between
the bottle and the label). Further details on the features and functions of
varying depth ribs are
disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/705,040, entitled "Plastic
Container with
Varying Depth Ribs," filed on December 4, 2012, now U.S. Patent No. 8,556,098,
entitled
"Plastic Container Having Sidewall Ribs with Varying Depth," which claims
benefit to U.S.
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Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/567,086, entitled "Plastic
Container with Varying
Depth Ribs," filed on December 5, 2011, the entirety of each of which is
incorporated herein by
reference.
10091 A balance may be achieved between flattened and/or shallow ribs and
deep ribs to
attain a desired resistance to bending, leaning, and/or stretching while
maintaining stiffness in a
lightweight bottle. In some embodiments, at least some of the aforementioned
desired qualities
may be further achieved through a steeper bell portion of a bottle. A steeper
bell portion can
increase top load performance in a lightweight bell. A lightweight bottle body
and bell leaves
more resin for a thicker base of the bottle, which can increase stability. A
thicker base may
better resist bending and top load forces and benefits designs with a larger
base diameter with
respect to the bottle diameter for tolerance even when the base is damaged
during packaging,
shipping, and/or handling.
100101 Embodiments disclosed herein have a base rib that can function as a
strap from a base
to a sidewall of the bottle to the help further achieve resistance to bending,
leaning, stretching
and/or flexing while maintaining stiffness. A strap rib on a base helps the
base resist
deformation under pressure without necessitating the base being overly heavy
in weight relative
to the lightweight bottle (i.e., relative to wall thickness of flat foot base
that does not resist
pressure as well). The strap base rib can be incorporated into a flat foot
base. A flat foot base
helps retain base foot thickness. Retaining base foot thickness helps retain
bottle integrity during
packaging and handling using lightweight packaging, such as, for example, film
only packaging
that requires the base to directly resist forces, including bending and point
loading, during
packaging, shipping, and/or handling. A flat foot base performs well with or
without internal
pressure due to, for example, the ability to maintain relative foot thickness
in the base in a
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lightweight bottle. Without strap ribs, the base may have little internal
pressure resistance and
may rollout (pop out and create a rocker bottom). The strapped base rib helps
resist damage and
deformation as discussed herein without requiring a relatively heavy footed
base. Without
requiring a relatively heavy footed base, less material is needed for the
lightweight bottle.
Further, the strapped base design may allow for a relatively easier blowing
process than other
known pressure bases. Thus, a base with a strap rib as disclosed herein
provides for a material
efficient, pressure optional bottle base.
100111 Incorporating a strap base rib into the base with column formations
in the sidewall of
the bottle as discussed herein offers pressure resistance for internally
pressurized bottles while
maintaining strength and performance (i.e., resistance to bending and leaning)
when without
internal pressure (i.e., pressure release by a user opening a closure of a
bottle). The strap base rib
can act with the column formation on the sidewall of the bottle to form straps
around the bottle to
communicate stresses along the height of the bottle.
[00121 The base with a strap base rib helps maintain strength and
performance of the column
formations for internally pressurized bottles. With a strap base rib, the
resistance to bending,
leaning, and/or stretching while maintaining stiffness and hoop strength is
maintained without
pressure while enhancing these characteristics when the bottle is pressurized.
For example, a
strap base rib allows the utilization of a flat foot base for better base
strength during processing
at a plant (i.e., adding beverage contents), while preventing rollout or
popping out of the base
during pressurization. Rollout of the base bottle leads to what may be called
a "rocker bottom."
Preventing rollout of the base helps the bottle stay level when resting on a
surface and maintains
the flat feet as the contact points on the surface. Further, base rollout can
also occur without
pressurization or low pressurization of the bottle, such as, for example,
during shipping and
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handling or filling at high speed. A strap base rib also helps prevent base
rollout without or low
internal pressurization. While the specification herein may discuss preventing
or inhibiting
deformation under external/internal pressures and/or forces, it is to be
understood that some
deformation of a bottle may occur without straying outside of the scope of
this disclosure. Some
deformation of the bottle under external/internal pressures and/or forces may
occur while
retaining excellent structural properties of the features and functions
disclosed herein.
[0013] Embodiments disclosed herein can be utilized for bottle pressures of
a wide range.
The strap base rib can help resist pressurization pressures in the bottle of
up to 3 bars, including
up to 2.5, up to 2, up to 1.5, up to 1, up to 0.5 bars, and up to 0.3 bars,
including ranges bordered
and including the foregoing values. The preform design also plays a role in
resisting pressures
such that much higher pressures than already demonstrated can be resisted with
greater strap
thickness available from the preform. The strap design provides a more
efficient way of resisting
the pressure in a bottle that also performs well without pressure.
100141 Embodiments disclosed herein can be utilized in bottle volumes of a
wide range. For
example, features and functions disclosed herein can be utilized with a 3
ounce bottle up to a
multiple gallon bottle. As another example, features and functions disclosed
herein can be
utilized with an 8 ounce (0.24 liter/0.15 liter) bottle up to a 3 liter
bottle, including 12 ounces
(0.35 liters) to 2 liters, 16 (0.47 liters) ounces to 1 liter, 18 ounces (0.53
liters) to 0.75 liters, and
0.5 liters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
[0015] In some embodiments, a container comprising a flat foot base having
strap ribs and a
sidewall having recessed columns, the strap ribs and recessed columns
vertically lined up to
resist deformation in the base and the sidewall, the container can comprise
one or more of the
following: a flat foot base comprising a gate, a wall, and flat feet, the gate
centered on a central
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axis of the container, the wall extending from the gate toward a resting
surface of the container,
the flat feet extending from the wall to the resting surface; dsidewall
connected to the base, the
sidewall extending substantially along the central axis to define at least
part of an interior of the
container; a bell connected to the sidewall and leading upward and radially
inward to a finish
connected to the bell; a plurality of strap ribs positioned in the base
between the flat feet, the
strap ribs extending radially outward from the gate or the wall toward the
sidewall, the strap ribs
sloping upward relative to the resting surface toward the sidewall from the
gate or the wall to
resist deformation of the base; a plurality of recessed columns positioned in
the sidewall, the
recessed columns comprising sidewall ribs extending along a periphery of the
sidewall and
centered about the central axis, wherein portions of the sidewall between the
sidewall ribs are
substantially continuous along the periphery of the sidewall, the recessed
columns configured to
resist at least one of bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the
sidewall; and/or
wherein the strap ribs and the recessed columns vertically line up along the
central axis to form
pressure resistance bands such that each pressure resistance band comprises a
strap rib vertically
lined up along the central axis with a recessed column, the pressure
resistance bands configured
to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container between
the base and the
sidewall to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.
100161 In some embodiments, the strap ribs extend radially outward from the
wall of the
base; the strap ribs extend radially outward from the gate of the base; the
wall of the base
comprises a dome extending from the gate toward the resting surface of the
container without
contacting the resting surface, the dome surrounding the gate about the
central axis; at least one
of the strap ribs extends radially outward from the dome of the base; the base
further comprises a
plurality of load ribs positioned between the strap ribs, the load ribs having
a depth toward the
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interior of the container shallower than a depth of the strap ribs, the load
ribs configured to resist
deformation of the base when external forces are applied to the container; the
sidewall comprises
a base rib positioned along the periphery of the sidewall at a point of
contact for the container
with other containers when the container and the other containers are packaged
together with
central axes of the containers being vertical, the base rib centered about the
central axis of the
container; the sidewall comprises a base rib positioned along the periphery of
the sidewall at a
point of contact for the container with other containers when the container
and the other
containers are packaged together with central axes of the containers being
vertical, the base rib
centered about the central axis of the container; the strap ribs extend
through the base rib
substantially up to the recessed columns such that the pressure resistance
band is continuous
through the base rip, the strap ribs forming discontinuities in the base rib;
the sidewall ribs
comprise a plurality of varying depth ribs positioned along the periphery of
the sidewall, wherein
each varying depth rib comprises shallow sections and deep sections, the
shallow sections having
a rib depth less than a rib depth of the deep sections, wherein the shallow
sections of the plurality
of varying depth ribs vertically line up along the central axis to form the
recessed columns; the
shallow sections have a rib depth of substantially zero from the periphery of
the sidewall; the
sidewall is substantially round about the periphery of the sidewall, and
wherein the plurality of
recessed columns comprises three recessed columns positioned in the sidewall
equidistantly
around the periphery of the round sidewall; the sidewall comprises a grip
portion and a label
portion, and wherein the three recessed columns are positioned in the grip
portion, and the
plurality of recessed columns further comprises six recessed columns
positioned in the label
portion equidistantly around the periphery of the round sidewall, the six
recess columns in the
label portion configured to inhibit triangulation of the container, wherein
three of the six recess
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columns in the label portion and the three recessed columns in the grip
portion vertically line
along the central axis; the plurality of strap ribs comprises three strap ribs
positioned in the base
equidistantly from each other, and wherein the three strap ribs and the three
recessed columns
vertically line up along the central axis; the plurality of strap ribs
comprises six strap ribs
positioned in the base equidistantly from each other, three of the six strap
ribs and the three
recessed columns vertically lined up along the central axis, and wherein the
six strap ribs are
configured to inhibit triangulation of the container; the sidewall is
substantially square about the
periphery of the sidewall, and wherein the plurality of recessed columns
comprises four recessed
columns positioned in the sidewall equidistantly around the periphery of the
square sidewall such
that each pressure resistance band further comprises an other strap rib
radially extending 180
degrees opposite the strap rib, the other strap rib vertically lined up along
the central axis with an
other recessed column; the square sidewall comprises corners and flat portions
between the
corners, and wherein the strap ribs extend toward the flat portions of the
square sidewall, the
strap ribs configured to resist rounding of the square sidewall at the flat
portions; and/or the
sidewall ribs comprise a plurality of varying depth ribs positioned along the
periphery of the
sidewall, wherein each varying depth rib comprises shallow sections and deep
sections, the
shallow sections having a rib depth less than a rib depth of the deep
sections, wherein the
shallow sections of the plurality of varying depth ribs vertically line up
along the central axis to
form the recessed columns, and wherein the deep sections are positioned at the
four corners of
the square sidewall, the deep sections configured to resist rounding of the
square sidewall at the
flat portions.
100171 In some embodiments, a container comprising a flat foot base having
strap ribs and a
sidewall having recessed columns, the strap ribs and recessed columns
vertically lined up to
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resist deformation in the base and the sidewall, the container can comprise
one or more of the
following: a flat foot base comprising a gate, a dome, and flat feet, the gate
centered on a central
axis of the container, the dome extending from the gate toward a resting
surface of the container
without contacting the resting surface, the dome surrounding the gate about
the central axis, the
flat feet extending from the dome to the resting surface; a sidewall connected
to the base, the
sidewall extending substantially along the central axis to define at least
part of an interior of the
container; a bell connected to the sidewall and leading upward and radially
inward to a finish
connected to the bell; a plurality of strap ribs positioned in the base
between the flat feet, the
strap ribs extending radially outward from the gate or the dome toward the
sidewall, the strap rib
sloping upward relative to the resting surface toward the sidewall from the
gate or the dome to
resist deformation of the base; a plurality of recessed columns positioned in
the sidewall, the
recessed columns comprising sidewall ribs extending along a periphery of the
sidewall and
centered about the central axis, wherein portions of the sidewall between the
sidewall ribs are
substantially continuous along the periphery of the sidewall, the recessed
columns configured to
resist at least one of bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the
sidewall; and/or
wherein the strap ribs and the recessed columns vertically line up along the
central axis to form
pressure resistance bands such that each pressure resistance band comprises a
strap rib vertically
lined up along the central axis with a recessed column, the pressure
resistance bands configured
to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container between
the base and the
sidewall to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.
[0018] In some embodiments, the strap ribs extend radially outward from the
gate of the
base; the strap ribs extend radially outward from the dome of the base; the
base further comprises
a plurality of load ribs positioned between the strap ribs, the load ribs
having a depth toward the
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interior of the container shallower than a depth of the strap ribs, the load
ribs configured to resist
deformation of the base when external forces are applied to the container; the
load ribs extend
radially outward from the gate or the dome; the sidewall comprises a base rib
positioned along
the periphery of the sidewall at a point of contact for the container with
other containers when
the container and the other containers are packaged together with central axes
of the containers
being vertical, the base rib centered about the central axis, wherein the
strap ribs extend
substantially up to the base rib in the sidewall, and the base rib
continuously extends along the
periphery of the sidewall to resist deformation of the container at the point
of contact; the
sidewall ribs comprise a plurality of varying depth ribs positioned along the
periphery of the
sidewall, wherein each varying depth rib comprises shallow sections and deep
sections, the
shallow sections having a rib depth less than a rib depth of the deep
sections, wherein the
shallow sections of the plurality of varying depth ribs vertically line up
along the central axis to
form the recessed columns; the shallow sections have a rib depth of
substantially zero from the
periphery of the sidewall; the sidewall is substantially round about the
periphery of the sidewall,
and wherein the plurality of recessed columns comprises three recessed columns
positioned in
the sidewall around the periphery of the round sidewall; the plurality of
strap ribs comprises
three strap ribs positioned in the base equidistantly from each other, and
wherein the three strap
ribs and the three recessed columns vertically line up along the central axis;
the plurality of strap
ribs comprises six strap ribs positioned in the base equidistantly from each
other, three of the six
strap ribs vertically lined up along the central axis with the three recessed
columns such that each
pressure resistance band further comprises an other strap rib radially
extending 180 degrees
opposite the strap rib, and wherein the six strap ribs are configured to
inhibit triangulation of the
container; the sidewall is substantially square about the periphery of the
sidewall, and wherein
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the plurality of recessed columns comprises four recessed columns positioned
in the sidewall
equidistantly around the periphery of the square sidewall such that each
pressure resistance band
further comprises another strap rib radially extending 180 degrees opposite
the strap rib, the
other strap rib vertically lined up along the central axis with an other
recessed column; the square
sidewall comprises corners and flat portions between the corners, and wherein
the strap ribs
extend toward the flat portions of the square sidewall, the strap ribs
configured to resist rounding
of the square sidewall at the flat portions; and/or the sidewall ribs comprise
a plurality of varying
depth ribs positioned along the periphery of the sidewall, wherein each
varying depth rib
comprises shallow sections and deep sections, the shallow sections having a
rib depth less than a
rib depth of the deep sections, wherein the shallow sections of the plurality
of varying depth ribs
vertically line up along the central axis to form the recessed columns, and
wherein the deep
sections are positioned at the four corners of the square sidewall, the deep
sections configured to
resist rounding of the square sidewall at the flat portions.
100191 In some embodiments, a container comprises a base. The container can
further
comprise a grip portion connected to the base through a constant depth base
rib and defining a
grip portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis.
The container can
further comprise a label panel portion connected to the grip portion and
defining a label portion
perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis. The
container can further
comprise a bell with an obtuse angle as measured from the central axis to a
wall of the bell of at
least 120 degrees, the bell connected to the label panel portion through a
shoulder and leading
upward and radially inward to a finish connected to the bell, the finish
adapted to receive a
closure. The container can further comprise a plurality of angulating and
varying depth ribs
positioned substantially along the perimeter of the grip portion wherein each
angulating and
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varying depth rib comprises a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of
middle sections, and a
plurality of deep sections. The container can further comprise a plurality of
constant depth ribs
positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion. The shallow
sections can have a
rib depth less than a rib depth of the middle sections. The deep sections can
have a rib depth
greater than the rib depth of the middle sections. The shallow sections of the
varying depth ribs
can substantially vertically line up along the central axis and form recessed
columns. The
recessed columns can be configured to resist at least one of bending, leaning,
or crumbling, or
stretching. The plurality of deep sections can be configured to provide hoop
strength.
[0020] In some embodiments, a container comprises a base. The container can
further
comprise a grip portion connected to the base through a constant depth base
rib and defining a
grip portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis.
The container can
further comprise a label panel portion connected to the grip portion and
defining a label portion
perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis. The
container can further
comprise a bell with an obtuse angle as measured from the central axis to a
wall of the bell of at
least 120 degrees, the bell connected to the label panel portion through a
shoulder and leading
upward and radially inward to a finish connected to the bell, the finish
adapted to receive a
closure. The container can further comprise a plurality of angulating and
varying depth ribs
positioned substantially along the perimeter of the grip portion wherein each
angulating and
varying depth rib comprises a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of
middle sections, and a
plurality of deep sections. The container can further comprise a plurality of
varying depth ribs
positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion wherein each
varying depth rib
comprises a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and
a plurality of deep
sections. The shallow sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs can
have a rib depth less
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than a rib depth of the middle sections of the angulating and varying depth
ribs. The deep
sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs can have a rib depth greater
than the rib depth
of the middle sections of the angulating and varying depth ribs. The shallow
sections of the
varying depth ribs can have a rib depth less than a rib depth of the middle
sections of the varying
depth ribs. The deep sections of the varying depth ribs can have a rib depth
greater than the rib
depth of the middle sections of the varying depth ribs. The shallow sections
of the angulating
and varying depth ribs can substantially vertically line up along the central
axis and form a first
plurality of recessed columns. The shallow sections of the varying depth ribs
can substantially
vertically line up along the central axis and form a second plurality of
recessed columns. The
first and second plurality of recessed columns can be configured to resist at
least one of bending,
leaning, crumbling, or stretching. The plurality of deep sections can be
configured to provide
hoop strength.
100211 In some embodiments, the first plurality of recessed columns
substantially vertically
line up along the central axis with the second plurality of recessed columns.
In some
embodiments, the varying depth ribs of the label portion angulate.
[0022] In some embodiments, a container comprises a base. The container can
further
comprise a sidewall connected to the base, the sidewall defining a sidewall
perimeter that is
substantially perpendicular to a central axis and extending substantially
along the central axis to
define at least part of an interior of the container. The container can
further comprise a bell
connected to the sidewall and leading upward and radially inward to a finish
connected to the
bell, the finish adapted to receive a closure. The container can further
comprise a varying depth
rib positioned substantially along the sidewall perimeter wherein the varying
depth rib comprises
a shallow section, a middle section, and a deep section. The shallow section
can have a rib depth
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less than a rib depth the middle section. The deep section can have a rib
depth greater than the
rib depth of the middle section. The shallow section of the rib can be
configured to resist at least
one of bending, leaning, or crumbling, or stretching. The deep section can be
configured to
provide hoop strength.
[0023] In some embodiments, the varying depth rib transitions from the
shallow section to
the middle section to the deep section as at least one of a gradual transition
or an abrupt
transition. In some embodiments, the varying depth rib has a shape of at least
one of trapezoidal,
triangular, rounded, squared, oval, or hemispherical. In some embodiments, the
varying depth
rib angulates around the sidewall perimeter. In some embodiments, the varying
depth rib has a
plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and a plurality
of deep sections. In
some embodiments, the contain further comprises a plurality of varying depth
ribs wherein at
least two shallow sections substantially vertically line up along the central
axis and form a
recessed column whereby the recessed column is configured to resist at least
one of bending,
leaning, or crumbling, or stretching. In some embodiments, the plurality
varying depth ribs have
a plurality of shallow sections, a plurality of middle sections, and a
plurality of deep sections. In
some embodiments, the container further comprises a rib of a constant depth.
In some
embodiments, the bell has an obtuse angle as measured from the central axis to
a wall of the bell
of at least 120 degrees.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, a container comprising a base, a bell, a
sidewall
between the base and the bell, a neck and a finish which define an opening to
the interior of the
container, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the bell, comprises a grip
portion of the
sidewall comprising a multiplicity of circumferentially positioned grip
portion ribs; a label
portion of the sidewall comprising a multiplicity of circumferentially
positioned label portion
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ribs; a plurality of strap ribs, wherein each of the strap ribs extends
substantially from a central
portion of the base and terminates at a sidewall end in the grip portion, and
wherein the strap ribs
cooperate with recessed columns of the sidewall so as to resist at least one
of bending, leaning,
crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base; a plurality of load
ribs spaced equally
between adjacent strap ribs, wherein the load ribs are configured to resist
deformation of the
base; and a plurality of feet formed between the strap ribs and the load ribs,
wherein the plurality
of feet comprises a resting surface of the container.
[0025] In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of strap ribs
comprises three strap
ribs, wherein the strap ribs are equally spaced around the circumference of
the base. In another
exemplary embodiment, the plurality of load ribs comprises six load ribs,
wherein two of the
load ribs are equally spaced between two of the strap ribs. In another
exemplary embodiment,
each of the load ribs comprises a sidewall end which terminates along the base
substantially near
the sidewall of the container. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the
sidewall ends of the
load ribs is vertically lower than the sidewall ends of the strap ribs along
the central axis. In
another exemplary embodiment, the sidewall ends of the load ribs terminate
along the sidewall
of the container at a height along the central axis which is equal to the
height of the sidewall ends
of the strap ribs.
[0026] In another exemplary embodiment, the base further comprises a base
rib extending
around the circumference of the base, such that the base rib connects the base
to the grip portion
of the sidewall. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the strap ribs
extends into the
sidewall of the container beyond the base rib, thereby breaking the base rib
into a plurality of
segments. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of strap ribs
comprises three strap
ribs which break the base rib into 120-degree segments.
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[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, the base further comprises a gate
centered on a
central axis of the container, a wall extending from the gate toward the
resting surface of the
container, and a dome immediately surrounding the gate, where the dome is a
portion of the wall
of the base that slopes more steeply toward the resting surface of the
container. In another
exemplary embodiment, each of the strap ribs has a base end which terminates
in the dome, near -
the periphery of the gate. In another exemplary embodiment, the base ends
terminate
substantially at the periphery of the dome. In another exemplary embodiment,
the base ends are
positioned outside of the dome region.
[0028] In another exemplary embodiment, each of the strap ribs further
comprises two rib
side walls that connect the strap rib to portions of the base and the feet. In
another exemplary
embodiment, each of the rib side walls smoothly and gradually transitions into
the base and the
feet, such that the transitions comprise spherical features of the container.
[0029] In another exemplary embodiment, the strap ribs have a depth into
the base which is
greater than a depth of the load ribs into the base. In another exemplary
embodiment, each of the
strap ribs begins at the base end substantially parallel to the resting
surface of the container and
then extends along an upward curved path, having a first radius, with an
increasingly positive
slope, wherein at a first height the first radius of the curved path of the
strap rib changes to a
second radius with an increasingly positive slope before extending into the
straight portion, and
wherein at a second height the straight portion connects to the sidewall end
of the strap rib. In
another exemplary embodiment, the first radius and the second radius cooperate
to give the strap
rib and the base a smooth and gradual, spherical configuration, such that the
container better
accommodates internal pressure. In another exemplary embodiment, the spherical
configuration
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accommodates at least twice the internal pressure which may be accommodated by
containers
having other than the spherical configuration.
[0030] In another exemplary embodiment, the first radius has a value
between 20 and 85
millimeters, the second radius has a value between 0 and 30 millimeters, and
the diameter of the
container has a value between 30 and 200 millimeters. In another exemplary
embodiment, the
first radius is substantially 45 millimeters, and the second radius is
substantially 10 millimeters,
and the diameter of the container is substantially 66 millimeters. In another
exemplary
embodiment, the first height has a value between 5 and 35 millimeters, the
second height has a
value between 10 and 60 millimeters, and the container has a total height
between 65 and 300
millimeters. In another exemplary embodiment, the first height is
substantially 14.9 millimeters,
the second height is substantially 26.5 millimeters, and the container has a
total height between
substantially 196 and 197 millimeters. In another exemplary embodiment, the
strap rib further
comprises a first transition curve positioned along the curved path between
the first radius and
the second radius and/or a second transition curve positioned on the curved
path between the
second radius and the straight portion, such that the strap rib and the base
have a generally
spherical cross-sectional shape.
[0031] The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,
simplifications,
generalization, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that
the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. Other aspects,
features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject
matter discussed
herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. The summary is
provided to
introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further
described below in the
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Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or
essential features
of any subject matter discussed herein.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will
become more fully
apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only some embodiments in accordance
with the
disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the
disclosure will be
described with additional specificity and detail through use of the
accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a bottle;
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 rotated
60
degrees;
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a base having six strap
ribs;
Figure 4 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a strap rib;
Figure 5 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a bottle;
Figure SA illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the bottle;
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a bottle with six
recessed
columns in a label portion;
Figure 6A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the bottle with
columns in the label portion;
Figure 7 illustrates a top perspective view of another embodiment of a strap
rib;
Figure 7A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a strap rib;
Figures 8A and 8B illustrate bottom perspective views of embodiments of
bottles
with columns in the sidewalls;
Figure 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a base;
Figure 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a
base;
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Figure 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a
base;
Figure 11A illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a
base;
Figure 12 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a base;
Figure 13 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base;
Figure 14 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base;
Figure 15 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base;
Figure 16A illustrates a cross-section along a central axis of an embodiment
of a
bottle;
Figure 16B illustrates an embodiment showing a cross-section of a bottle;
Figure 16C illustrates an embodiment showing a cross-section of a bottle;
Figure 17 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of another
embodiment
of a bottle;
Figure 18 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of an embodiment
of a
base;
Figure 19 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of another
embodiment
of a base;
Figure 19A illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of an embodiment
of a
base;
Figure 20 illustrates overlaid cross-sections along the central axis of
embodiments
of bases;
Figure 21 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a bottle;
Figure 22 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a bottle;
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Figure 23 illustrates a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a
base;
Figure 24 illustrates a bottom view of another embodiment of a base;
Figure 25 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis of another
embodiment
of a bottle;
Figure 26 is a table and graph showing an increase in top load resistance of
bottles;
Figure 27 illustrates an embodiment showing angles of a bell; and
Figure 28 illustrates a preform of a bottle.
100331 While the present invention is subject to various modifications and
alternative forms,
specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings
and will
herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be
limited to the
particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
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DETAILED DISCUSSION
[0034] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying
drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically
identify similar
components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments
described in the
detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other
embodiments may be
utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or
scope of the
subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects
of the present
disclosure, as generally discussed herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may
be arranged,
substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations, all of which
are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.
[0035] In particular, disclosed herein are articles, including preforms and
containers, which
utilize less plastic in their construction while maintaining or surpassing the
ease of processing
and excellent structural properties associated with current commercial
designs.
[0036] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the bottle 1.
The bottle I has a
base 24a that extends up into a base rib 22. Connected to the base 24a, the
grip portion 8
comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs 3a (i.e., sidewall ribs). As
illustrated in Figure 1, grip
portion ribs 3a (positioned in the grip portion 8) may vary in depth by
separating or transitioning
the rib from a deep rib 2a to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6a to be
discussed in further detail
below. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip portion ribs 3a swirl or
angulate around the grip
portion 8.
[0037] Referring to Figure 1, a label portion 10 is connected to the grip
portion 8 and
comprises one or more label panel ribs 20a (i.e., sidewall ribs). The label
panel portion 10
transitions into a shoulder 18, which connects to a bell 16. The bell 16 may
include scallops
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(including as illustrated) or other design features or it may be smooth and
generally
unornamented. The bell 16 connects to a neck 14, which connects to a finish
12. From the label
portion 10, the bell 16 leads upward and radially inward, relative to a
central axis 25, to the neck
14 and finish 12. The finish 12 can be adapted to receive a closure to seal
contents in the bottle
1. The finish 12 defines an opening 11 that leads to an interior of the bottle
1 for containing a
beverage and/or other contents. The interior can be defined as at least one of
the finish 12, the
neck 14, the bell 16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion
8, or the base 24a.
10038] A substantially vertical wall comprising the grip portion 8 and
label portion 10
between the base 24a and bell 16, extending substantially along the central
axis 25 to define at
least part of the interior of the bottle 1, can be considered a sidewall of
the bottle 1. In some
embodiments, the sidewall may include the bell 16, shoulder 18, and/or base
24a. The perimeter
(i.e., periphery) of the sidewall is substantially perpendicular to the
central axis 25 of the interior.
The sidewall defines at least part of the interior of the bottle 1. The finish
12, the neck 14, the
bell 16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion 8, and the
base 24a can each define
a respective perimeter or circumference (i.e., periphery) (substantially
perpendicular to the
central axis 25) corresponding to that portion. For example, the label portion
10 has a label
portion perimeter. As another example, the grip portion 8 has a grip portion
perimeter.
100391 In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, each of the grip portion
ribs 3a comprises a
deep rib 2a section transitioning to a middle section 4a then to a flattened
and/or shallow rib 6a
sections. As Figure 1 illustrates, each of the label panel ribs 20a may
comprise a deep rib 2b
section transitioning to a middle section 4b then to a flattened and/or
shallow rib 6b sections.
The deep, middle, and shallow rib sections may also be called deep, middle,
and shallow ribs as
shorthand, but it is to be understood that these terms are meant to define
sections of a rib in the
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grip portion 8, label portion 10, and base rib 22. A varying depth grip
portion rib 3a transitions
from a deep rib 2a section to a middle rib/section 4a then to a flattened
and/or shallow rib 6a
section. A varying depth label panel rib 20a transitions from a deep rib 2b to
a middle
rib/section 4b then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6b. The one or more
flattened and/or shallow
ribs 6a,b form an equivalent of recessed columns 7a at portions where a
plurality flattened and/or
shallow ribs 6a,b substantially vertically line up along the vertical or
central axis 25 of the bottle
1 as illustrated in Figure 1. A plurality of deep ribs 2a,b substantially
vertically line up along the
vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figure 1.
100401 In some embodiments, the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b of the
label panel ribs 20a
are vertically misaligned with the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the
grip portion ribs 3a such
that the label portion 10 has a set of recessed columns and the grip portion 8
has another set of
recessed columns. Thus, the recessed column of the label portion 10 can be
vertically
misaligned from the recessed columns of the grip portion 8. In some
embodiments, the bottle I
can have recessed columns in just the grip portion 8 or just the label panel
portion 10.
100411 In the illustrated embodiments with three lined-up flattened and/or
shallow ribs 6a,b,
the bottle respectively has three recessed columns 7a. The three recessed
columns 7a may be
equally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle 1 and located on
the opposite side of
the bottle circumference from the deep rib 2a,b portions. With three equally
spaced recessed
columns 7a, the recessed columns 7a are spaced every 120 degrees around the
bottle 1
circumference. Any number of recessed columns 7a may be incorporated into a
design of the
bottle 1 by increasing or decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow
ribs 6a,b that
substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25. For
instance, the bottle may
have as few as I or up to 10 recessed columns 7a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, or 9 recessed
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columns 7a, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The
collections of
flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a,b that form recessed columns 7a provide
resistance to leaning,
load crushing, and/or stretching. Leaning can occur when during and/or after
bottle packaging, a
bottle experiences top load forces (tangential forces or otherwise) from other
bottles and/or other
objects stacked on top of the bottle. Similarly, top load crushing can occur
due to vertical
compression (or otherwise) forces from bottles and/or other objects stacked on
top. Stretching
can occur when a bottle is pressurized. The recessed columns 7a transfer the
resulting forces
along the wall to the base 24a and increase bottle 1 rigidity. Deep ribs 2a,b
of the grip portion
ribs 3a and label panel ribs 20a provide the hoop strength that can be
equivalent to the hoop
strength of normal or non-varying depth ribs. The number of ribs, including
base ribs 22, grip
portion ribs 3a, and/or label panel ribs 20a may vary from 1 to 30 ribs every
10 centimeters of
any rib containing portion of the bottle, such as, but not limited to the grip
portion 8 and/or label
panel portion 10, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21,
22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29 ribs every 10 centimeters, including ranges
bordered and
including the foregoing values. The aforementioned 10 centimeter section that
is used to
measure the number of ribs need not be actually 10 centimeters in length.
Rather, 10 centimeters
is used illustratively to provide a ratio for the number of ribs.
[0042] While discussed above in reference to Figure 1, as will be apparent,
recessed column
features, functions, and variations thereof may be applied to any of the
embodiments discussed in
reference to Figures 2-28. For a further discussion of the recessed columns,
refer to U.S. Patent
No. 8,556,098, entitled "Plastic Container Having Sidewall Ribs with Varying
Depth," the
entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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[0043] With continued reference to Figure I, the base 24a has a strap rib
40a. The strap rib
40a has a sidewall end 42a that terminates along the sidewall of the bottle 1
as discussed herein.
The base has 24a has a load rib 44a. As illustrated in Figure 1, the base 24a
can have two load
ribs 44a between two strap ribs 40a. In some embodiments, the base 24a can
have I, 3, 4, and 5
load ribs 44a between two strap ribs 40a. The load rib 44a has a sidewall end
43a that terminates
along the base 24a near or at a transition from the base 24a to the sidewall
of the bottle 1. As
illustrated in Figure 1, the sidewall end 43a of the load rib 44a may be
vertically lower than the
sidewall end 42a of the strap rib 40a along the central axis 25. In some
embodiments, the
sidewall end 43a of the load rib 44a may terminate along the sidewall of the
bottle I at a same
height as to the sidewall end 42a of the strap rib 40a. The base 24a has feet
45a formed between
the strap ribs 40a and the load ribs 44a.
100441 The strap rib 40a is relatively larger and deeper than the load rib
44a as discussed
herein. As illustrated in Figure 1, the strap base rib 40a may vertically
align with the recessed
columns 7a. Where a bottle 1 has three recessed columns 7a, the base 24a can
have three strap
ribs 40a. The strap ribs 40a are spaced equally around the circumference of
the bottle 1. With
three equally spaced strap ribs 40a, the strap ribs 40a are positioned every
120 degrees around
the bottle circumference. The load ribs 44a can vertically align with the grip
portion rib 3a
sections between the recessed columns 7a_ In some embodiments, the strap ribs
40a may be
vertically misaligned with the recessed columns 7a. In some embodiments, the
strap ribs 40a
may be spaced unequally around the bottle circumference. In some embodiments,
the base 24a
may have more or less strap ribs 40a than the number of recessed columns 7a.
100451 Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1
rotated 60
degrees. The sidewall end 42a of the strap rib 40a vertically aligns or points
to substantially the
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center of the recessed columns 7a (center point of the shallow and/or
flattened ribs 2a,b). As
illustrated in Figure 2, the strap rib 40a forms a recess 46a from a side view
perspective. The
recess 46a is relatively a small area in comparison to feet 45a contact area
with a resting surface.
A small recess 46a aids in distributing more resin toward the feet 45a during
the blowing
process. More resin at the feet 45a increases the abrasion resistance and
strength of the feet 45a.
Thus, strap ribs 40a can function to provide internal pressure resistance
while leaving enough
resin for the feet 45a to achieve the benefits of a flat foot base (i.e.,
thicker resin feet 45a for
greater abrasion, deformation, and/or stress resistance; and/or greater foot
contact area for
stability and load distribution).
[00461 The strap rib 40a can extend substantially from a central portion of
the base 24a (from
the central axis 25) as discussed herein. The strap rib 40a can act as a strap
between the recessed
columns 7a of the sidewall to the central portion of the base 24a. As shown in
Figure 2, the strap
rib 40a provides a more direct and shorter path to the center of the base 24a
from the sidewall of
the bottle 1 without proceeding to the vertical level of the feet 45a. As
discussed herein, the
strap ribs 40a thus provide a relatively more pressure resistant base 24a. The
strap rib 40a
provides a link for forces and stresses between the sidewall, including the
recessed column 7a,
and the central portion of the base 24a.
[00471 Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a base 24c
having six strap ribs
40c. Three strap ribs 40c can vertically align with recessed columns 7a. The
other three strap
ribs 40c can vertically align along the central axis substantially at the deep
ribs 2a,b of the grip
portion ribs 3a and the label panel ribs 20a. The strap ribs 40c are equally
spaced around the
circumference of the bottle 1. With equally spaced strap ribs 40c, the strap
ribs 40c are
positioned every 60 degrees around the bottle circumference. Under pressure,
the deep rib 2a,b
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sections may flex out, triangulating the bottle 1. Triangulation of the bottle
1 can occur in the
grip portion 8 and/or label portion 10. The strap ribs 40a vertically aligned
with the deep rib 2a,b
sections can at least partially prevent the flexing out of the deep ribs 2a,b.
The strap ribs 40a
vertically aligned with the deep ribs 2a,b resist outward radial expansion,
which in turn can help
prevent outward radial expansion at the grip portion 8 and/or the label
portion 10. Preventing
outward radial expansion at the grip portion 8 and/or the label portion 10
helps prevent
triangulation of the bottle 1. Preventing triangulation helps retain bottle
roundness for consumer
appeal. Further, maintaining bottle roundness aids in ensuring a labeler
during the bottling
process correctly labels the bottle. The labeler may not be able to properly
label a triangulated
bottle.
100481 Figure 4 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a
strap rib 40a. As
shown in Figure 4, the strap rib 40a has a sidewall end 42a that terminates at
substantially the
edge or boundary of the base rib 22. The illustrated sidewall end 42a
terminating at or near the
base rib 22 still allows for the strap rib 40a to communicate with the
recessed column 7a through
the base rib 22 as discussed herein. By the strap rib 40a not proceeding
beyond the base rib 22,
the base rib 22 is maintained as an unbroken rib around the perimeter of the
bottle 1. As
discussed herein, the base rib 22 can act as a contact point with other
bottles during packaging,
shipping, and/or handling. An unbroken base rib 22 can better resist stresses
and deformation
placed on the bottle when contacted by or bumped against other bottles or
structures. Thus,
where retaining contact point integrity is desired, such as for example
unpressurized or relatively
low pressurized bottle applications, the base rib 22 can remain unbroken with
the sidewall end
42a of the strap rib 40a terminating at or near the base rib 22.
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100491 Figure 5 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a base 24b with
a strap rib 40b
leading into the sidewall of the bottle 1 beyond the base rib 22. As shown in
Figure 5, the
sidewall end 42b of the strap rib 40b may terminate in the grip portion 8,
such as at a first
flattened and/or shallow rib 6a (first from the base 24b) when the strap rib
40b vertically aligns
with the recessed colunm 7a. In some embodiments, the strap rib 40b may
vertically align with
the deep ribs 2a,b and may terminate into a first deep rib 2a (first from the
base 24b). In some
embodiments, the strap rib 40b may have a sidewall end 42a that terminates
past the first shallow
rib 6a and/or the first deep rib 2a, such as for example at the second, third,
and/or third fourth
grip portion ribs 3a.
[00501 Figure 5A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the
bottle 1 comprising a
base 24d, three strap ribs 40d, and six load ribs 44d. The base 24d has feet
45d formed between
the strap ribs 40d and the load ribs 44d. Each of the strap ribs 40d extends
substantially from a
central portion of the base 24d and terminates at a sidewall end 42d in the
grip portion 8, as
discussed in connection with embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-2. The strap
ribs 40d
cooperate with the recessed columns 7a of the sidewall to resist bending,
leaning, crumbling, or
stretching along the sidewall and the central portion of the base 24d. In the
embodiment
illustrated in Figure 5A, two load ribs 44d are spaced equally between two of
the strap ribs 40d.
In other embodiments, the base 24d may have more or less than two of the load
ribs 44d
positioned between two of the strap ribs 40d. Each of the load ribs 44d has a
sidewall end 43d
which terminates along the base 24d near or at a transition from the base 24d
to the sidewall of
the bottle 1. As illustrated in Figure 5A, each of the sidewall ends 43d is
vertically lower than
the sidewall ends 42d along the central axis 25. In other embodiments,
however, the sidewall
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ends 43d of the load rib 44d may terminate along the sidewall of the bottle 1
at a height along the
central axis 25 which is equal to the sidewall ends 42d of the strap ribs 40d.
100511 Figure 6 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a label portion
10 with six
recessed columns 7b. As shown in Figure 6, the label portion 10 may have six
shallow ribs 6b
that align vertically. Each vertical alignment of the shallow ribs 6b forms a
recessed column 7b.
The recessed columns 7b are equally spaced around the circumference of the
bottle 1. With six
equally spaced recessed columns 7b around the bottle circumference, the
recessed column 7b are
positioned every 60 degrees around the bottle circumference. More recessed
columns 7b can
help prevent triangulation of the bottle 1, including in the label portion 10,
as discussed herein.
Shallow ribs 6a,b and/or recessed columns 7a,b better resist radially outward
flexing, at least
partially because shallower ribs have less radial depth to provide a range for
flexing.
Correspondingly, shallow ribs 6a,b and/or recessed columns 7a,b have better
resistance to
internal pressure relative to the deep ribs 2a,b. Thus, more frequent shallow
ribs 6a,b and/or
recessed columns 7a,b around the bottle circumference helps inhibit
triangulation of the bottle 1.
In some embodiments, the six recessed column 7b may be combined with
embodiments
illustrated in Figure 3 with six strap ribs 40c. Accordingly, such embodiments
may better resist
triangulation in both label portion 10 and the grip portion 8 as discussed
herein. As shown in
Figure 6, having three recessed columns 7a in the grip portion 8 with six
recessed column 7b in
the grip portion 10 helps achieve rigidity in the gip portion 8 with the three
regions of deep ribs
2a providing hoop strength while avoiding triangulation in the label portion
10 with six recessed
columns 7b inhibiting flexing out of the sidewalls, particularly at the label
portion 10.
10052] Figure 6A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the
bottle 1 comprising a
label portion 10 with six recessed columns 7b equally spaced around the
circumference of the
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bottle 1. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that three of the
recessed columns 7b
are aligned with the recessed columns 7a in the grip portion 8 of the bottle
1, and thereby
function as extensions of the columns 7a. Furthermore, the embodiment of the
bottle 1
illustrated in Figure 6A is substantially similar to the embodiment
illustrated in Figure 5A, with
the exception that the bottle 1 illustrated in Figure 6A further comprises a
base rib 22. Each of
the three strap ribs 40d extends into the sidewall of the bottle 1 beyond the
base rib 22, thereby
breaking the base rib 22 into 120-degree segments. It will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill
that the numbers of the recessed columns 7a,b, the strap ribs 40d, and the
load ribs 44d, as well
as the specific implementation of the base rib 22, may be varied from those
shown herein
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
100531 Figure 7 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a
strap rib 40b. As
shown in Figure 7, the strap rib 40b has a sidewall end 42b that terminates
substantially at or in
the first shallow rib 6a (first from the base 24b) via a straight portion 45
as discussed herein, and
in particular, as discussed in reference to Figure 19. A sidewall end 42b that
proceeds into the
grip portion 8 of the bottle, such as into the grip portion ribs 3a, allows
the strap rib 40b to
directly connect or communicate with a recessed column 7a. The direct
communication of the
strap rib 40b and the recessed column 7a can help achieve resistance to
internal pressure as
discussed herein. The direct communication between the strap rib 40b and the
recessed column
7a can help achieve better transfer and resistance to stresses placed on a
bottle as discussed
herein.
[00541 Figure 7A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of the
strap rib 40d, as
illustrated in Figure 5A. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 7A, the
strap rib 40d comprises
the straight portion 45 and a sidewall end 42d which terminates substantially
at or in the first
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shallow rib 6a. As discussed herein, extending the sidewall ends 42d into the
grip portion 8 of
the bottle 1, such as into the grip portion ribs 3a, enables the strap ribs
40d to operate in
conjunction with the recessed columns 7a to achieve resistance to internal
pressure as discussed
herein. The direct communication between the strap ribs 40d and the recessed
columns 7a
achieves a better transfer of, and resistance to, stresses placed on a bottle
as discussed herein.
[0055] Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a bottom perspective view of
embodiments of the bottle
1 with columns in the sidewalls. As shown in Figure 8A, the bottle 1 may have
a protruding
column 47a,b. A protruding column may be considered a column that radially
protrudes outward
from an immediately surrounding surface formed by, for example, the sidewall
of the bottle 1.
The protruding column has a grip portion 8 (including the base rib 22)
protruding column 47a
and a label portion 10 protruding column 47b. The protruding column 47a,b can
resist bending,
leaning, and/or stretching as discussed herein. The protruding column 47a,b
can also resist
radially outward flexing at and near the protruding column 47a,b. The
protruding column 47a,b
is formed substantially along the entire length or height of the bottle
sidewall without breaking
the continuity of other bottle contact points of the bottle as discussed
herein, such as, for
example, at or near the base rib 22. As shown in Figure 8A, the base 24a has a
strap rib 40a that
substantially vertically aligns with the protruding column 47a,b. The
alignment of the protruding
column 47a,b with the strap rib 40a achieves substantially the same resistance
to bending,
leaning, stretching, and/or base rollout as discussed herein in reference to
the base rib 40a
vertically aligning with a recessed column 7a.
[0056] As shown in Figure 8B, the bottle 1 may have an indented column 49.
An indented
column may be considered a column that radially indents inwardly from an
immediately
surrounding surface formed by, for example, the sidewall of the bottle 1. The
indented column
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40 is positioned in the grip portion 8 (including the base rib 22). The
indented column 49 can
resist bending, leaning, and/or stretching as discussed herein. The indented
column 49 can also
resist radially outward flexing at and near the indented column 49. The
indented column 49 can
achieve the desired function discussed herein while avoiding protruding from a
perimeter of the
sidewall of the bottle 1. The indented column 49 can project through, for
example, the base rib
22, making the base rib 22 discontinuous. A discontinuous rib 22 can be
utilized in pressurized
bottle applications where at least some of the contact point resistance as
discussed herein is
provided due the bottle being pressurized. As shown in Figure 8A, the base 24b
has a strap rib
40b that substantially vertically aligns with the intended column 49. The
strap rib 40b transitions
into the indented column 49 continuously for potentially better functionality.
The strap rib 40b
can directly communicate with the indented column 49 by the strap rib 40b
directly transitioning
into the indented column 49, through, for example, the base rib 22 as
illustrated in Figure 8B.
The alignment and direct communication of the strap rib 40b with the indented
column 49 helps
form a pressure resistance strap as discussed herein, and in particular, in
reference to Figures 16,
17, and 25. The alignment and direct communication of the indented column 49
with the strap
rib 40b achieves substantially the same resistance to bending, leaning,
stretching, and/or base
rollout as discussed herein in reference to the base rib 40b vertically
aligning with a recessed
column 7a.
100571 Figure 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of
the base 24a. The
base 24a has a strap rib 40a and a load rib 44a as discussed herein. The base
24a has a gate 52.
As shown in Figure 9, the base 24a may have a dome 54. The dome 54 may be
considered the
area generally or immediately around the gate 52. The dome 54 may be termed as
a push up of
the base 24a. For example, the dome 54 is a wall of the base 24a that slopes
more steeply toward
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a resting surface when the bottle is vertically placed on the resting surface
relative to the rest of
the wall of the base 24a leading to legs the 45a of the base 24a.
[0058] The strap rib 40a has a base end 56a that terminates near, at, or in
the dome 54. In
some embodiments, the base end 56a for a strap rib 40a can be positioned
outside of the dome 54
region similarly to base ends 58a for load ribs 44a. The strap rib 40a has a
petal side wall (i.e.,
rib side or valley wall) 48a that connects that strap rib 40a to portions of
the base 24a and the feet
45a of the base 24a. The rib side wall 48a smoothly and gradually transitions
into the base 24a
and the feet 45a. The smooth and gradual transition provides internal pressure
resistance at and
near the rib side wall 48a since more spherical features of the bottle 1 cart
better accommodate
internal pressure. The strap rib 40a is relatively deeper in the base 24a than
the load rib 58a to
provide stress transfer and pressure resistance as discussed herein.
[0059] The load rib 44a has a base end 58a that terminates at, near, or at
the dome 54. As
shown in Figure 9, the base end 58a of the load rib 44a may terminate before
the base end 56a of
the strap rib 40a. The load rib 44a is shallow relative to the strap rib 40a.
As show in Figure 9,
the load rib 44a may not have or may have a smaller rib side wall 48a feature
as discussed herein
reference to the strap rib 40a. The transition from the load rib 44a to the
base 24a and the feet
45a is more abrupt or sharper. The sharper transition provides external stress
resistance relative
to a shallow rib side 48a. When the bottle 1 is top loaded during packaging,
shipping, and/or
handling, sharper transitions of the load ribs 44a help resist bending and/or
leaning as discussed
herein by, for example, maintaining the integrity and shape of the base 24a.
[0060] The sharper transitions provide for faster transitions into the feet
45a of the base 24a.
Faster transitions lead to more area of the base 24a being available for
relatively larger feet 45a.
Larger feet 45a of a flat foot base 24a as discussed herein and as illustrated
in Figure 9 provide
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more resin contact area with a resting surface. More resin contacting the
resting surface provides
better abrasion resistance and stability of the base 24a.
[0061] As shown in Figure 9, the rib side wall 48a may transition into the
strap rib 40a itself
more abruptly or sharply relative to the transition from the wall 48a to the
feet 45a. The sharper
transitions at the strap rib 40a itself may provide more rigidity to the strap
rib 40a to resist or
inhibit flexing due to internal pressures as discussed herein.
[0062] Figure 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of
the base 24b.
The base 24b has a strap rib 40b and a load rib 44b as discussed herein. The
strap rib 40b has a
base end 56b that terminates near, at, or in the dome 54. As shown in Figure
10, the base end
56b of the strap rib 40b may terminate substantially near or at the gate 52.
The load rib 44b has a
base end 58b that terminates near, at, or in the dome 54. As shown in Figure
10, the base end
58b of the load rib 44b may terminate before the base end 56b of the strap rib
40b. Terminating
the base ends 56b of the strap rib 40b and/or the base end 58b of the load rib
44b substantially
near or at the gate 52 can provide more internal pressure resistance to the
base 24b as discussed
herein, helping prevent, for example, base 24b rollout. Terminating the base
ends 56b of the
strap rib 40b substantially near or at the gate 52 provides a strap rib 40b
that is continuous from
(or near) the gate 52 to the sidewall end 42b. As shown in Figure 7 and Figure
10, the sidewall
end 42b may terminate at the first shallow rib 6a and communicate directly
with a recessed
column 7a. The continuity from the recessed column 7a to the gate 52 provides
a substantially
continuous pressure resistance band or strap from a top of the label portion
10 to the gate 52. A
pressure resistance strap 9a,b (Figures 16 and 17) that is substantially
continuous can provide
greater resistance to internal pressure as discussed herein.
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[0063] Figure 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of
the base 24c.
The base 24c has a strap rib 40c and a load rib 44c as discussed herein. As
shown in Figure 11,
the base 24c does not have a dome. The walls of the base 24c radially extend
directly from the
gate 52. Not having a dome helps prevent puddle formation of resin near the
gate 52. Avoiding
puddle formation can reduce wasted resin. As shown in Figure 11, without a
dome 54, the strap
rib 40c can extend directly or nearly continuously to the gate 52. The strap
rib 40c can terminate
near or at the gate 52 with a smooth transition into the wall near the gate 52
or the gate itself 52.
The smooth transitions from the gate 52, the wall around the gate 52, the base
end 43c, and/or
strap rib 40c create a more uniform wall or surface of the base 24c,
particularly around the gate
52 where a majority of the flexing due to base rollout occurs. The more
uniform wall feature is
better able to resist internal pressure as discussed herein, and in
particular, resistance to bottle
stretching and base rollout. The resistance to internal pressure is further
enhanced by providing
six strap ribs 43c that inhibit base 24c rollout. With more strap ribs 40e
resisting internal
pressure, the less likely the base 24c is to rollout under increased pressure.
Further, more of the
base 24c is formed by the rib side walls 48c, which increases internal
pressure resistance due to
an increased surface area being provided by a spherical surface of the rib
side walls 48c as
discussed herein.
[0064] Figure 11A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of
the base 24d,
as illustrated in Figure 5A. The base 24d comprises the strap ribs 40d and the
load ribs 44d as
discussed herein. The base 24d shown in Figure 11A further comprises the gate
52 and the dome
54. The walls of the base 24d radially extend directly from the gate 52. Each
of the strap ribs
40d has a base end 56d which terminates in the dome 54, near the periphery of
the gate 52. In
other embodiments, the base ends 56d may terminate near or at the periphery of
the dome 54. In
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still other embodiments, the base ends 56d may be positioned outside of the
dome 54 region,
similarly to base ends 58d of the load ribs 44d. Each of the strap ribs 40d
has two rib side walls
(i.e., valley walls) 48d that connect the strap rib 40d to portions of the
base 24d and the feet 45d.
Each of the rib side walls 48d smoothly and gradually transitions into the
base 24d and the feet
45d. The smooth and gradual transitions provide internal pressure resistance
at and near the rib
side walls 48d since more spherical features of the bottle 1 can better
accommodate internal
pressure. The strap ribs 40d are relatively deeper in the base 24d than the
load ribs 44d to
provide stress transfer and pressure resistance as discussed herein.
100651 As mentioned above, each of the load ribs 44d comprises a base end
58d which
terminates at, near, or within the dome 54. As shown in the embodiment of
Figure 11A, the base
ends 58d of the load ribs 44d terminate before the base ends 56d of the strap
ribs 40d. The load
ribs 44d are shallow relative to the strap ribs 40d. As further shown in
Figure 11A, the load ribs
44d have a smaller rib side wall 48d feature as discussed with reference to
the strap ribs 40d.
Thus, the transition from each of the load ribs 44d to the feet 45d of the
base 24d is more abrupt
or sharper, thereby providing greater external stress resistance than possible
with a larger rib side
wall 48d feature. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, sharper
transitions of the load
ribs 44d helps resist bending and/or leaning as discussed herein by, for
example, maintaining the
integrity and shape of the base 24d when the bottle 1 is top loaded during
packaging, shipping,
and/or handling.
100661 Figures 12-15 illustrate bottom views of embodiments of the various
bases discussed
herein. Figures 12-14 show a series of bases that illustrate a gradual
progression of some of the
base ends 56a-d, 58a-d closer toward the gate 52. For example, as discussed
herein, the base end
56b of the load rib 40b is closer to the gate 52 in the dome 54 than the base
end 56a of the load
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rib 40a. As another example, as discussed herein, the base end 58b of the load
rib 44b is closer
to the gate 52 in the dome 54 than the base end 58a of the load rib 44a. As
shown, in Figure 12
and 13, the base ends 58a,b of the load ribs 44a,b may be radially further
away from the gate 52
than the base ends 56a,b of the strap ribs 40a,b. As shown in Figure 14, the
base ends 58d of the
load ribs 44d may be radially equidistant from the gate 52 with the base ends
56d of the strap
ribs 40d. In some embodiments, a closer proximity of the base ends 56a,b,c,d
of the strap ribs
40a,b,c,d to the gate 52 may provide better internal pressure resistance, as
discussed herein. In
some embodiments, a closer proximity of the base ends 58a,b,c,d of the load
ribs 44a,b,c,d to the
gate 52 may provide further better internal pressure resistance as discussed
herein, although the
primary internal pressure resistance is still provided by the strap ribs
40a,b,c,d. The base ends
58a,b,c,d of the load ribs 44a,b,c,d extending closer to the gate 52 with the
base ends 56a7b,c,d of
the strap ribs 40a,b,c,d may complement the pressure resistance provided by
the strap ribs
40a,b,c,d.
[0067] As
shown in Figure 15, an embodiment of the base 24c without a dome 54c forms a
more uniform wall around the gate 52. The strap ribs 40c can be a more smooth
or continuous
extension from or around the gate 52. The continuous extension from or around
the gate 52
helps form a pressure resistance strap 9c (Figure 17) that extends from the
gate 52 to a top of the
label portion 10. The continuous pressure resistance strap 9c is better able
to resist internal
pressure as discussed herein, and in particular, resistance to bottle
stretching and base rollout.
[0068]
Figure 16A illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of an
embodiment of
the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 16A, the flat rib
or recessed column 7a
is located on the opposite side of the bottle circumference of the deep rib
2a,b portions (with, for
example, an embodiment having three recessed columns 7a). In the illustrated
embodiment, the
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base rib 22 has a constant cross-section throughout the circumference of the
bottle 1. In some
embodiments, the diameter Ld of the base 24 is larger by 0.5 to 2 millimeters,
0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9,
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, or 1.9 millimeters, including
ranges bordered and including
the foregoing values, than any other diameter of the bottle I. In an
embodiment with the largest
diameter of the bottle 1 being Ld, the bottle 1 has a single point of contact
at just the base 24a
with other substantially similar bottles in a production line and/or
packaging. Further, a larger
base 24a diameter Ld may improve stability when there is any damage to the
base 24a. As
shown in Figure 16A, the diameter Ls at the shoulder 18 may be equal to the
diameter Ld, which
provides for two points of contact, at the shoulder 18 and base 24a, with
other substantially
similar bottles in a production line and/or packaging. In some embodiments,
the diameter(s) in
any portion of the bottle 1 varies, where the largest diameters create points
of contact in a
production line and/or packaging. The bottles may have either a single point
of contact or
multiple points of contact.
[0069] As shown in Figure 16A, a strap rib 40a may vertically align with a
recessed column
7a. The strap rib 40a and recessed column 7a in combination can form a
pressure resistance
band 9a that substantially extends from the gate 52 to a top portion of the
label portion 10 or a
top portion of the recessed column 7a. The pressure resistance band 9a
provides resistance
against internal pressure substantially for the base 24a and sidewall of the
bottle 1 to, for
example, inhibit stretching and/or base rollout as discussed herein.
100701 Figure 16B and 16C illustrate embodiments where the deep rib 2a,b is
a depth that is
larger than a depth of the middle rib 4a,b which is larger than a depth of the
flattened and/or
shallow rib 6a,b. The transition between the varying depths is smooth as
depicted in Figures 1A.
In some embodiments, the transition may be some other form such as a step
change connecting
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the varying depth portions or sections. In the illustrated embodiments, a grip
portion rib 3a (i.e.,
sidewall ribs) has three deep rib 2a portions, six middle rib 4a portions, and
three flattened and/or
shallow rib 6a portions. As disclosed herein, the term "portions" can be
equivalent to the term
"sections" in reference to varying depth ribs.
[0071] Referring to Figure 16B, an embodiment showing a cross-section of
the bottle 1,
looking down the vertical or central axis 25, illustrates a cross-section of a
grip portion rib 3a.
As disclosed herein, the term "vertical axis" can be equivalent of the term
"central axis", The
depth of the grip portion rib 3a varies from deep ribs 2a to flattened and/or
shallow ribs 6a. The
one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a form an equivalent of recessed
columns 7a at
portions where a plurality flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a substantially
vertically line up along
the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1
and 2. A plurality of deep
ribs 2a substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25
of the bottle 1 as
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. A plurality of middle ribs 4a substantially
vertically line up along
the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in Figures 1
and 2.
[0072] In the illustrated embodiment with three lined-up flattened and/or
shallow rib 6a
portion, the bottle 1 respectively has three recessed columns 7a. The three
recessed columns 7a
are equally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle and located on
the opposite side
of the bottle circumference from the deep rib 2a portions. However, the
flattened and/or shallow
ribs 6a may be unequally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle
1. Further, any
number of recessed columns 7a may be incorporated into a design of the bottle
1 by increasing or
decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a that substantially
vertically line up
along the vertical or central axis 25. For instance, the bottle may have as
few as 1 or up to 10
recessed columns 7a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 recessed columns 7,
including ranges
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bordered and including the foregoing values. In the illustrated embodiment,
the collections of
flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a that form recessed columns 7a provide
resistance to leaning,
and/or load crushing, and/or stretching. Leaning can occur when during and/or
after bottle
packaging, a bottle experiences top load forces (tangential forces or
otherwise) from other bottles
and/or other objects stacked on top of the bottle. Similarly, top load
crushing can occur due to
vertical compression (or otherwise) forces from bottles and/or other objects
stacked on top.
Stretching can occur when a bottle is pressurized. In the illustrated
embodiment, the recessed
columns 7a transfer the resulting tangential or compression forces along the
wall to the base 24a
and increase bottle 1 rigidity. Deep ribs 2a of the grip label rib 3a provide
the hoop strength that
can be equivalent to the hoop strength of normal depth ribs. As with the
flattened and/or shallow
rib 6a portions, the deep rib 2a portions may vary from 1 to 10 in number on
the grip panel ribs
3a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 deep rib 2 portions, including ranges
bordered and including
the foregoing values.
100731 As Figure 16B illustrates, certain embodiments may minimize the
triangle-shaped or
flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a to 20-30%, including 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
27, 28, or 29%, of
the bottle circumference, resulting in a respective 70-80%, including 71, 72,
73, 74, 75, 76, 77,
78, or 79%, of the bottle circumference being trapezoid-shaped or deep ribs 2a
and middle ribs
4a, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. However, any
ratio of
triangle-shaped to trapezoidal ribs, or other shapes known in the art, may be
utilized.
100741 Referring to Figure 16B, an embodiment showing a cross-section of
the bottle 1,
looking down the vertical or central axis 25, illustrates a cross-section of a
label panel rib 20a
(i.e., sidewall ribs). The depth of the label panel rib 20a varies from deep
ribs 2b to flattened
and/or shallow ribs 6b. The one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b form
an equivalent of
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recessed columns 7a at portions where a plurality flattened and/or shallow
ribs 6b substantially
vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as
illustrated in Figures 1
and 2. The recessed columns 7a can include one or more flattened and/or
shallow ribs 6a of the
grip portion 8 as discussed herein. A plurality of deep ribs 2b substantially
vertically line up
along the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 1 as illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2. A plurality of
middle ribs 4b substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central
axis 25 of the bottle 1
as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
[00751 In the illustrated embodiment, with three lined-up flattened and/or
shallow rib 6b
portions, the bottle 1 respectively has three recessed columns 7a. The
flattened and/or shallow
ribs 6b of the label panel ribs 20a can vertically line up along the vertical
or central axis 25 with
the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the grip portion ribs 3a to form the
three recessed columns
7a. Thus, in some embodiments, the recessed columns 7a can extend along a
majority or
substantial entirety of the sidewall (e.g., height and/or length) of the
bottle I as, for example,
illustrated in Figure 1.
100761 In some embodiments, the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b of the
label panel ribs 20a
are vertically misaligned with the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the
grip portion ribs 3a such
that the label portion 10 has a set of recessed columns and the grip portion 8
has another set of
recessed columns. Thus, the recessed column of the label portion 10 can be
vertically
misaligned from the recessed columns of the grip portion 8.
100771 = The plurality of deep ribs 2b of the label portion 10 can
substantially vertically line up
along the vertical or central axis 25 with the plurality of deep ribs 2a of
the grip portion 8 as
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the plurality of deep
ribs 2b of the label
portion 10 can be vertically misaligned with the plurality of deep ribs 2a of
the grip portion 8.
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The plurality of middle ribs 4b label portion 10 can substantially vertically
line up along the
vertical or central axis 25 with the middle ribs 4a of the grip portion 8 as
illustrated in Figures 1
and 2. In some embodiments, the plurality of middle ribs 4b label portion 10
can be vertically
misaligned with the middle ribs 4a of the grip portion 8.
[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the three recessed columns 7a are
equally spaced apart
around the circumference of the bottle and located on the opposite side of the
bottle
circumference from the deep rib 2b portions. However, the flattened and/or
shallow ribs 6a,b
may be unequally spaced apart around the circumference of the bottle 1.
Further, any number of
recessed columns 7a may be incorporated into a design of the bottle 1 by
increasing or
decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a,b that substantially
vertically line up
along the vertical or central axis 25. For instance, the bottle I may have as
few as 1 or up to 10
recessed columns 7a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 recessed columns 7a,
including ranges
bordered and including the foregoing values. In the illustrated embodiment,
the collections of
flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b that form recessed columns 7a provide
resistance to leaning,
load crushing, and/or stretching as discussed herein. In the illustrated
embodiment, the recessed
columns 7a transfer the resulting tangential or compression forces along the
wall to the base 24a
and increase bottle 1 rigidity. Deep ribs 2b of the label panel rib 20a
provide the hoop strength
that can be equivalent to the hoop strength of normal depth ribs. As with the
flattened and/or
shallow rib 6b portions, the deep rib 2b portions may vary from 1 to 10 in
number on the label
panel rib 20a, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 deep rib 2b portions,
including ranges bordered
and including the foregoing values.
100791 A depth Dd of a deep rib 2a may vary from 1 to 10 millimeters,
including 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8,
or 2.9 millimeters, or 1 to 9,
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1 to 7, 1 to 5, or 1 to 3 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including
the foregoing
values.
[0080] A depth DL of label panel rib 20a (i.e., deep rib 2b) may vary from
0.5 to 10
millimeters, including 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6,
1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,
2.4,2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9,4, 4.1,
4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,
4.8, or 4.9 millimeters, 0.5 to 9, 0.5 to 7, 0.5 to 5, or 0.5 to 3
millimeters, including ranges
bordered and including the foregoing values.
[0081] A depth Dm of a middle rib 4a may vary from 0 to 5 millimeters,
including 0.1, 0.2,
0.3, 0.4,0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8,
1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5,
2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1,
4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,
4.8, or 4.9 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing
values. The ratio
of Dd of the deep ribs 2a to the Dm of middle ribs 4a may vary from 1:1 to
20:1, including 2:1,
3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1,
17:1, 18:1, or 19:1,
including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
[0082] A depth Df of a shallow rib 6a may vary from 0 to 2.5 millimeters,
including 0.1, 0.2,
0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8,
1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, or 2.4
millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The
ratio of Dd of
the deep ribs 2a to the Df of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a may vary
from 1:1 to 100:1,
including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1,
14:1,15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1,
19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1, 25:1, 26:1, 27:1, 28:1, or 29:1, or 1:1 to
90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1
to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to 50:1, 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1 or 1:1 to 20:1,
including ranges bordered
and including the foregoing values, including where Df is zero, resulting in
an infinite ratio. The
ratio of Dm of the middle ribs 4a to the Df of the flattened and/or shallow
ribs 6a may vary from
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1:1 to 50:1, including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1,
12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1,
17:1, 18:1, 19:1,20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, or 24:1 or 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1,
or 1:1 to 20:1,
including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including where
Df is zero,
resulting in an infinite ratio.
100831 A
depth Ds of a flattened and/or shallow rib 6b may vary from 0 to 2.5
millimeters,
including 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,
1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,2,
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, or 2.4 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the
foregoing values.
The ratio of Dd of the deep ribs 2a to the Ds of the flattened and/or shallow
ribs 6b may vary
from!:! to 100:1, including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1,
6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1,
15:1, 16:1, 17:1,18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1, 25:1, 26:1,
27:1, 28:1, or 29:1, or
1:1 to 90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1 to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to 50:1, 1:1 to 40:1,
1:1 to 30:1 or 1:1 to
20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, including
where Ds is zero,
resulting in an infinite ratio. The ratio of DL of the deep ribs 2b to the Ds
of the flattened and/or
shallow ribs 6b may vary from 1:1 to 100:1, including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1,
7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1,
11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1,
24:1, 25:1, 26:1, 27:1,
28:1, or 29:1, or 1:1 to 90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1 to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to
50:1, 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to
30:1 or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing
values, including
where Ds is zero, resulting in an infinite ratio. The ratio of Dm of the
middle ribs 4a, 4b to the
Ds of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b may vary from 1:1 to 50:1,
including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1,
6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1. 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1,
19:1,20:1, 21:1, 22:1,
23:1, or 24:1 or 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1, or 1:1 to 20:1, including ranges
bordered and including
the foregoing values, including where Ds is zero, resulting in an infinite
ratio. The ratio of DL of
the deep ribs 2b to the Ds of the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6b may vary
from 1:1 to 100:1,
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including 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1,
14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1,
19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1, 25:1, 26:1, 27:1, 28:1, or 29:1, or 1:1 to
90:1, 1:1 to 80:1, 1:1
to 70:1, 1:1 to 60:1, 1:1 to 50:1, 1:1 to 40:1, 1:1 to 30:1 or 1:1 to 20:1,
including ranges bordered
and including the foregoing values, including where Ds is zero, resulting in
an infinite ratio.
100841 Figure 17 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of
an embodiment of the
bottle 1 as illustrated in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 17, the flat rib or
recessed column 7a is
located on the opposite side of the bottle circumference of the deep rib 2a
portions (with, for
example, an embodiment having three recessed columns 7a). In the illustrated
embodiment, the
base rib 22 has a constant cross-section throughout the circumference of the
bottle 1. The
features and function of various diameters, including Ld and Ls, can be
utilized as discussed
herein.
100851 As shown in Figure 17, a strap rib 40c may vertically align with a
recessed column
7a. Another strap rib 40c may vertically align with the deep rib 2a,b
portions. In the illustrated
embodiment, the two strap ribs 40c and recessed column 7a in combination can
form a pressure
resistance band 9c that substantially extends from the base rib 22 near the
deep ribs 2a, through
the gate 52, and to a top portion of the label portion 10 or a top portion of
the recessed column
7a. The pressure resistance band 9c provides resistance against internal
pressure substantially
continuously through the base 24c to the sidewall of the bottle 1 to, for
example, inhibit
stretching and base rollout as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the
other strap rib 40c
may vertically align another recessed column 7a where, for example, the bottle
1 has six recessed
columns 7a. A pressure resistance band may be formed by the combination of two
recessed
columns and two strap ribs. The pressure resistance band may extend from a top
portion of the
label portion 10 on one side of the bottle 1, down the sidewall on the one
side of the bottle 1 and
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through the gate 52, up the sidewall on the other side of the bottle 1 to a
top portion of the label
portion 10 on the other side of the bottle 1 to provide pressure resistance as
discussed here and
substantially continuously through a longitudinal perimeter of the bottle 1
(along the central axis
25 at the sidewalls and through the central axis at the base 24c). For
example, Figure 25
illustrates such an embodiment.
100861 Figure 18 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of
an embodiment of the
base 24a as illustrated in Figure 16A. As shown in Figure 18, the base 24a has
a strap rib 40a
that begins from the base end 56a with a positive slope upward (relative to a
resting surface of
the base 24a of the bottle 1) at an angle Ola toward the sidewall of the
bottle 1. Stated
differently, the strap rib 40a does not proceed toward or get closer to the
resting surface from the
base end 56a surface before proceeding upwardly to connect to the sidewall of
the bottle 1. The
immediate or near immediate upward/positive slope at the angle Ola of the
strap rib 40a relative
to the resting surface toward the sidewall of the bottle 1 helps inhibit
flexing of the gate 52 and
dome 54 due to internal pressures. The upward/positive slope at the angle Ola
combined with a
connection to a sidewall of the bottle 1 at the sidewall end 42a as discussed
herein further helps
inhibit flexing of the gate 52 and dome 54 due to internal pressures. In some
embodiments, the
angle 01 a may initially be zero and positively increase along radius Rla as
the strap rib proceeds
away from the base end 56a toward the sidewall end 42a. In some embodiments,
the larger the
angle Ola is starting from the base end 56a, the larger the pressure
resistance will be. In some
embodiments, angle 01 a may vary from 0 to 60 degrees, including 5 to 50, 10
to 55, 15 to 50, 20
to 45, 25 to 35, 20 to 30, including up to 45, up to 40, up to 35, up to 30,
up to 25, and up to 20,
including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. In some
embodiments, the angle
01 a may initially be negative from the base end 56a with a radius (curve) of
the strap rib 40a
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curving the strap rib 40a toward the sidewall end 42a as discussed herein
without departing from
the scope of the features and functions disclosed herein.
[0087] The strap rib 40a extends from the base end 56a to the sidewall end
42a along one or
more radii. As shown in Figure 18, the strap rib 40a may extend from the base
end 56a with a
radius RI a and transition to a radius R2a to terminate at the sidewall end
42a near or at the base
rib 22. In some embodiments, the radius RI a may vary from 20 to 80
millimeters, including 25
to 75, 30 to 65, 35 to 60, 40 to 55, and including 50 millimeters, including
ranges bordered and
including the foregoing values, where for example, the diameter (Ld and/or Ls)
of the bottle 1
may vary from 30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60,
50 to 70, 60 to 80,
40 to 190, 50 to 180, 60 to 170, 70 to 160, 80 to 150, 90 to 140, 100 to 130,
and 110 to 120
millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The
ratio of radius
R1 a to bottle diameter can vary from 8:1 to 1:10, including 7:1, 6:1, 5:1,
4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2,
1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8 and 1:9, including ranges bordered, and including
the foregoing values.
In some embodiments, the radius R2a may vary from 1 to 25 millimeters,
including 5 to 10, 5 to
20, 5 to 10, 1 to 10, 1 to 5, and 10 to 20 millimeters, including ranges
bordered and including the
foregoing values, where for example, the diameter (Ld and/or Ls) of the bottle
1 may vary from
30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60, 50 to 70, 60 to
80, 40 to 190, 50 to
180, 60 to 170, 70 to 160, 80-to 150, 90 to 140, 100 to 130, and 110 to 120
millimeters, including
ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The ratio of radius R2a to
bottle diameter
can vary from 1:1 to 1:200, including 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 1:60,
1:70, 1:80, 1:90, 1:100,
1:120, 1:130, 1:140, 1:150, 1:160, 1:170,1:180, 1:190, including ranges
bordered and including
the foregoing values. The above ranges and/or ratios are provided as examples.
In some
embodiments, the radii of the strap rib 40a and/or diameter of the bottle or
other types of
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containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for
example, in barrel-type
containers.
100881 In some embodiments, the radius Rla and/or radius R2a are relatively
large or
infinite. Stated differently, the strap rib 40a can be straight or nearly
straight from the base end
56a to the sidewall end 42a. A straight strap rib can resist more pressure.
Providing a curvature
with one or more radii to the strap rib can improve the blowing process to
help prevent poorly
blown bottles, which may reduce pressure resistance. In some embodiments, the
strap rib 40a is
a combination of curved and straight portions, such as, for example, as
discussed in reference to
Figure 19.
100891 In some embodiments, a transition 41a from radius Rla to radius R2a
(or more than
one transition with a strap rib having more than two radii) can occur anywhere
along the strap rib
40a. As show in Figure 18, the transition 41a from radius RI a to radius R2a
may occur at height
HI a. In some embodiments, the height Lila may vary from 5 to 30 millimeters,
including 10 to
25 and 15 to 20, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values,
where for
example, the height of the bottle 1 may vary from 65 to 300 millimeters,
including 80 to 290, 90
to 270, 100 to 260, 110 to 250, 120 to 240, 130 to 230, 140 to 220, 150 to
210, 160 to 200, 170
to 190, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The
ratio of height 1-11a to
bottle height can vary from 1:3 to 1:60, including 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8,
1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12,
1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, and 1:55, including
ranges bordered and
including the foregoing values. The above ranges and/or ratios are provided as
examples. In
some embodiments, height ha and/or height of the bottle or other types of
containers may
exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for example, in barrel-
type containers.
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100901 Figure 19 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of
an embodiment of the
base 24b as illustrated in Figure 17. As shown in Figure 19, the base 24b has
a strap rib 40b that
begins from the sidewall end 56b with a positive slope upward (relative to a
resting surface of
the base 24a of the bottle 1) at an angle Olb toward the sidewall of the
bottle I. Stated
differently, the strap rib 40a does not proceed toward or get closer to the
resting surface before
proceeding upwardly to connect to the sidewall of the bottle 1. The immediate
or near
immediate upward/positive slope at the angle Olb of the strap rib 40a relative
to the resting
surface toward the sidewall of the bottle 1 helps inhibit flexing of the gate
52 and dome 54 due to
internal pressures. The upward/positive slope at the angle Olb combined with a
connection to a
sidewall of the bottle 1 at the sidewall end 42b as discussed herein further
helps inhibit flexing of
the gate 52 and dome 54 due to internal pressures. In some embodiments, the
angle Olb may
initially be zero and positively increase along radius RI b as the strap rib
proceeds away from the
base end 56b toward the sidewall end 42b. In some embodiments, the larger the
angle Olb is
starting from the base end 56b, the larger the pressure resistance will be. In
some embodiments,
angle Olb may vary from 0 to 60 degrees, including 5 to 50, 10 to 55, 15 to
50, 20 to 45, 25 to
35, 20 to 30, including up to 45, up to 40, up to 35, up to 30, up to 25, and
up to 20, including
ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. In some embodiments, the
angle 01b may
initially be negative from the base end 56b with a radius (curve) of the strap
rib 40b curving the
strap rib 40b toward the sidewall end as discussed herein without departing
from the scope of the
features and functions disclosed herein.
100911 The strap rib 40b extends from the base end 56b to the sidewall end
42b along one or
more radii. As shown in Figure 19, the strap rib 40b may extend from the base
end 56b with a
radius Rlb and a transition 41b to a radius R2b through the base rib 22,
followed by a transition
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to a straight portion 45 to terminate at the sidewall end 42b near, at, in the
first shallow rib 6a as
discussed herein. In some embodiments, the radius Rib may vary from 20 to 85
millimeters,
including 25 to 80, 30 to 70, 35 to 65, 40 to 60, 45 to 55 and including 50
millimeters, including
ranges bordered and including the foregoing values, where for example, the
diameter (Ld and/or
Ls) of the bottle I may vary from 30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40,
30 to 50, 40 to 60,
50 to 70,60 to 80,40 to 190,50 to 180,60 to 170,70 to 160,80 to 150,90 to 140,
100 to 130,
and 110 to 120 millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the
foregoing values. The
ratio of radius Rib to bottle diameter can vary from 9:1 to 1:10, including
8:1, 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1,
3:1,2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8 and 1:9, including ranges
bordered and including the
foregoing values. In some embodiments, the radius R2b may vary from 0 to 30
millimeters,
including 5 to 25, 5 to 20, 5 to 10, 1 to 10, and 10 to 20 millimeters,
including ranges bordered
and including the foregoing values, where for example, the diameter (Ld and/or
Ls) of the bottle
1 may vary from 30 to 200 millimeters, including 30 to 40, 30 to 50, 40 to 60,
50 to 70, 60 to 80,
40 to 190, 50 to 180,60 to 170,70 to 160, 80 to 150, 90 to 140, 100 to 130,
and 110 to 120
millimeters, including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The
ratio of radius
R2b to bottle diameter can vary from 1:1 to 1:200, including 1:10, 1:20, 1:30,
1:40, 1:50, 1:60,
1:70, 1:80, 1:90, 1:100, 1:120, 1:130, 1:140, 1:150, 1:160, 1:170, 1:180,
1:190, including ranges
bordered and including the foregoing values, or infinite with a radius R2b
that is zero. The
above ranges are provided as examples. In some embodiments, the radii of the
strap rib and/or
diameter of the bottle or other types of containers may exceed the above
stated ranges and/or
ratios, such as, for example, in barrel-type containers.
[0092] In some embodiments, the radius Rlb and/or radius R2b are relatively
large or
infinite. Stated differently, the strap rib 40b can be straight or nearly
straight from the base end
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56b to the sidewall end 42b. A straight strap rib can resist more pressure.
Providing a curvature
with one or more radii to the strap rib can improve the blowing process to
help prevent poorly
blown bottles, which may reduce pressure resistance. In some embodiments, the
strap rib 40b
has more than one straight portion 45 as discussed herein positioned anywhere
along the strap rib
40b from the base sidewall end 42b to the base end 56b. The straight portions
45 can be
positioned to connect with curved portions and/or other straight portions of
the strap rib 40b.
The straight portions 45 can be any length, including substantially an entire
length of the strap
rib 40b from the sidewall end 42b to the base end 56b.
[0093] In some embodiments, the transition 41b from radius Rib to radius
R2b (or more than
one transition within a strap rib having more than two radii) may be
positioned anywhere along
the strap rib 40b. As shown in Figure 19, the transition 41b from radius Rib
to radius R2b
occurs at height H 1 b. In some embodiments, the height H 1 b may vary from 5
to 35 millimeters,
including 10 to 30, 15 to 25, and 15 to 20, including ranges bordered and
including the foregoing
values, where for example, the height of the bottle 1 may vary from 65 to 300
millimeters,
including 80 to 290, 90 to 270, 100 to 260, 110 to 250, 120 to 240, 130 to
230, 140 to 220, 150 to
210, 160 to 200, 170 to 190, including ranges bordered and including the
foregoing values. The
ratio of height Nib to bottle height can vary from 1:2 to 1:60, including 1:3,
1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7,
1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:30, 1:40, 1:45,
1:50, and 1:55, including
ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The above ranges and/or
ratios are provided
as examples. In some embodiments, height Hlb and/or height of the bottle or
other types of
containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as, for
example, in barrel-type
containers.
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[0094] In some embodiments, the transition from radius R2b (or Rib in some
embodiments)
to the straight portion 45 may be positioned anywhere along the strap rib 40b.
As shown in
Figure 19, the transition from the straight portion 45 (or R2b in some
embodiments) to the
sidewall end 42b occurs at height H2b. In some embodiments, the height H2b may
vary from 10
to 60 millimeters, including 15 to 55, 20 to 50, 25 to 45, and 30 to 40,
including ranges bordered
and including the foregoing values, where for example, the height of the
bottle 1 may vary from
65 to 300 millimeters, including 80 to 290, 90 to 270, 100 to 260, 110 to 250,
120 to 240, 130 to
230, 140 to 220, 150 to 210, 160 to 200, 170 to 190, including ranges bordered
and including the
foregoing values. The ratio of height H2b to bottle height can vary from 1:2
to 1:60, including
1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:20,
1:25, 1:30, 1:40, 1:45,
1:50, and 1:55,'including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values.
In some
embodiments, the straight portion 45 may extend into the sidewall of the
bottle 1 straight from
radius R2b at an angle 02b relative to the bottle sidewall (or central axis).
The angle 02b may
vary from 0 to 15 degrees, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, and 14 degrees,
including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The above ranges
and/or ratios
are provided as examples. In some embodiments, height I-12b and/or height of
the bottle or other
types of containers may exceed the above stated ranges and/or ratios, such as,
for example, in
barrel-type containers.
[0095] Figure 19A illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of
an embodiment of
the base 24d as illustrated in Figure 5A. As shown in Figure 19A, the strap
rib 40d of the base
24d begins at the base end 56d substantially parallel to a resting surface of
the base 24d and then
extends along a curved path, having a first radius Rid, with an increasingly
positive slope. At a
height Hid, the radius of the curved path of the strap rib 40d changes to a
second radius R2d
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with an increasingly positive slope before extending into the straight portion
45. At a height
H2d, the straight portion 45 connects to the sidewall end 42d as discussed
herein. The first and
second radii Rid, R2d, as well as the corresponding positive slopes, may have
dimensional
values falling within any of the appropriate foregoing ranges of values.
Preferably, however, the
combination of the radii Rid and R2d cooperate to give the strap rib 40d, and
thus the base 24d,
a smooth and gradual, spherical configuration. As discussed herein, spherical
features of the
bottle 1 better accommodate internal pressure. Experimentation has
demonstrated that the
spherical configuration of the base 24d depicted in Figures 5A and I 9A is
capable of
withstanding an internal pressure at least twice the internal pressure
tolerable by the
configuration shown in Figure 6A.
[0096] ft will be recognized that the strap rib 40d illustrated in Figure
19A does not include a
transition curve between the first radius Rid and the second radius R2d, nor
between the second
radius R2d and the straight portion 45. In other embodiments, however, a
transition curve
having a radius other than Rid and R2d may be positioned between the curved
portions of the
strap rib 40d having radii Rid and R2d. In still other embodiments, a
transition curve may be
positioned between the curved portion of the strap rib 40d having the second
radius R2d and the
straight portion 45. It is envisioned that the transition curves may have
dimensional values
falling within any of the appropriate foregoing ranges of values that further
produce a spherical
configuration of the strap rib 40d, and thus the base 24d.
[0097] Figure 20 illustrates cross-sections along the central axis 25 of
embodiments of
overlaid bases 24a,b as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19. As discussed herein,
and in particular, in
reference to Figure 18 and 19, both strap ribs 40a,b extend from the dome 54
and/or gate 52 from
base end 56a,b at a positive angle sloping upwards toward the sidewall of the
bottle 1. As shown
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in Figure 20, the strap rib 40b that extends further up the bottle sidewall
may extend from the
base end 56a,b at a more positive angle upward toward the bottle sidewall to
the sidewall end
42b relative to the positive angle upward of the strap rib 40a. The strap rib
40b has a greater
radius of curvature Rib than the radius of curvature of Rla of the strap rib
40a to extend further
up the bottle sidewall as discussed herein.
10098] Figure 21 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a
bottle 3. The
bottle 3 is a substantially square bottle with four walls. The four corners of
the bottle 3 are
rounded for ease of usability and ease of blowing. The bottle 3 has a base 24e
that extends to a
grip portion 8. The grip portion 8 comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs
3b (i.e., sidewall
ribs). As illustrated in Figure 21, grip portion ribs 3b (positioned in the
grip portion 8) may vary
in depth by separating or trartsitioning from the rib a deep rib 2c to a
flattened and/or shallow rib
6c to be discussed in further detail below.
100991 Referring to Figure 21, a label portion 10 is connected to the grip
portion 8 and
comprises one or more label panel ribs 20b (i.e., sidewall ribs). The label
panel portion 10
transitions into a shoulder 18, which connects to a bell 16. The bell 16 may
include scallops
(including as illustrated) or other design features or it may be smooth and
generally
unornamented. The bell 16 connects to a neck 14, which connects to a finish
12. From the label
portion 10, the bell 16 leads upward and radially inward, relative to a
central axis 25, to the neck
14 and finish 12. The finish 12 can be adapted to receive a closure to seal
contents in the bottle
3. The finish 12 defines an opening 11 that leads to an interior of the bottle
3 for containing a
beverage and/or other contents. The interior can be defined as at least one of
the finish 12, the
neck 14, the bell 16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion
8, or the base 24e.
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[00100] A substantially vertical wall (or sidewall) comprising the grip
portion 8 and label
portion 10 between the base 24e and the bell 16, extending substantially along
the central axis 25
to define at least part of the interior of the bottle 3, can be considered a
sidewall of the bottle 3.
In some embodiments, the sidewall may include the bell 16, shoulder 18, and/or
base 24e. The
perimeter of the sidewall is substantially perpendicular to the central axis
25 of the interior. The
sidewall defines at least part of the interior of the bottle 3. The finish 12,
the neck 14, the bell
16, the shoulder 18, the label portion 10, the grip portion 8, and the base
24e can each define a
respective perimeter or circumference (substantially perpendicular to the
central axis 25)
corresponding to that portion. For example, the label portion 10 has a label
portion perimeter.
As another example, the grip portion 8 has a grip portion perimeter.
[00101] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 21, each of the grip
portion ribs 3b
comprises a deep rib 2c section transitioning to a middle section then to a
flattened and/or
shallow rib 6c sections. As Figure 21 illustrates, each of the label panel
ribs 20b can comprise a
deep rib 2d section transitioning to a middle section then to a flattened
and/or shallow rib 6d
sections. A varying depth grip portion rib 3b transitions from a deep rib 2c
section to a middle
rib/section then to a flattened and/or shallow rib 6b section. A varying depth
label panel rib 20b
transitions from a deep rib 2d to a middle rib/section then to a flattened
and/or shallow rib 6d.
The one or more flattened and/or shallow ribs 6c,d form an equivalent of
recessed columns 7c at
portions where a plurality flattened and/or shallow ribs 6c,d substantially
vertically line up along
the vertical or central axis 25 of the bottle 3 as illustrated in Figure 21. A
plurality of deep ribs
2c,d substantially vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25 of
the bottle 3 as
illustrated in Figure 21.
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[00102] In some embodiments, the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6d of the
label panel ribs
20b are vertically misaligned with the flattened and/or shallow ribs 6a of the
grip portion ribs 3b
such that the label portion 10 has a set of recessed columns and the grip
portion 8 has another set
of recessed columns. Thus, the recessed column of the label portion 10 can be
vertically
misaligned from the recessed columns of the grip portion 8. In some
embodiments, the bottle 3
can have recessed columns in just the grip portion 8 or just the label panel
portion 10.
[00103] In the illustrated embodiment with four lined-up flattened and/or
shallow ribs 6a,b,
the bottle respectively has four recessed columns 7c on each flat wall of the
square bottle. The
four recessed columns 7c may be equally spaced apart around the perimeter of
the bottle 3 and
located on the opposite sides of the bottle 3 with respect to each other. With
four equally spaced
recessed columns 7c, the recessed columns 7c are spaced every 90 degrees
around the bottle 3
perimeter. The four recessed columns 7c are positioned on the flat portions of
the sidewalls of
the bottle 3. Any number of recessed columns 7c may be incorporated into a
design of the bottle
3 by increasing or decreasing the number of flattened and/or shallow ribs 6e,d
that substantially
vertically line up along the vertical or central axis 25. For instance, the
bottle may have as few
as 1 or up to 10 recessed columns 7c, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9
recessed columns 7c,
including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The collections
of flattened
and/or shallow ribs 6c,d that form recessed columns 7c provide resistance to
leaning, load
crushing, and/or stretching as discussed herein. The recessed columns 7c
transfer the resulting
tangential or compression forces along the wall to the base 24e and increase
bottle 3 rigidity.
[00104] The shape of the square bottle adds hoop strength to the bottle 3
by having four
corners. The deep ribs 2c,d of the grip portion ribs 3b and label panel ribs
20b can complement
the hoop strength by providing additional hoop strength. As shown in Figure
22, the deep ribs
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2c,d may be positioned on the corners of the sidewall of the bottle 3. At the
corners, the deep
ribs 2c,d can inhibit flexing of the flat sidewall portions of the bottle 3.
The flat sidewall
portions may act as membranes and flex radially outwardly under internal
pressurization of the
bottle 3. The deep ribs 2c,d positioned at the corners of the bottle 3
function as horizontal strap
ribs as discussed herein to inhibit deformation due to internal pressure. The
deep ribs 2c,d
positioned at the corners can also inhibit inward radial flexing of the flat
portions of the wall
from external stresses and/or forces, such as, for example, from a user
gripping the bottle. The
deep ribs 2c,d can inhibit the inward flexing of the flat sidewall portions
with or without internal
pressurization of the bottle 3. Thus, the deep ribs 2c,d can help prevent
rounding of the square
bottle 3.
1001051 The number of ribs, including base ribs 22, grip portion ribs 3b,
and/or label panel
ribs 20b may vary from 1 to 30 ribs every 10 centimeters of any rib containing
portion of the
bottle, such as, but not limited to the grip portion 8 and/or label panel
portion 10, including 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29
ribs every 10 centimeters, including ranges bordered and including the
foregoing values. The
aforementioned 10 centimeter section that is used to measure the number of
ribs need not be
actually 10 centimeters in length. Rather, 10 centimeters is used
illustratively to provide a ratio
for the number of ribs.
1001061 Figure 22 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the bottle 3.
As shown in
Figure 22, the grip portion ribs 3b may angulate around the perimeter of the
bottle 3. The label
panel ribs 20b may be straight around the perimeter of the bottle 3. The base
24e has a strap rib
40e. The strap rib 40e has a sidewall end 42e that terminates along the
sidewall of the bottle 3 as
discussed herein or near or at a transition from the base 24e to the sidewall
of the bottle 3. The
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base has 24e has a load rib 44e. As illustrated in Figure 22, the base 24e can
have one load rib
44a for every one strap ribs 40a. In some embodiments, the base 24e can have
2, 3, 4, and 5 load
ribs 44a between two strap ribs 40a. The load rib 44e has a sidewall end 43e
that terminates in
the base 24e or near or at a transition from the base 24e to the sidewall of
the bottle 3. As
illustrated in Figure 22, the sidewall end 43e of the load rib 44e may be
vertically lower than the
sidewall end 42e of the strap rib 40e along the central axis 25. In some
embodiments, the
sidewall end 43e of the load rib 44e may terminate along the sidewall of the
bottle 3 at a same
height as to the sidewall end 42e of the strap rib 40e. The base 24e has feet
45e formed between
the strap ribs 40e and the load ribs 44e.
1001071 The
strap rib 40e is relatively larger and deeper than the strap rib 44e as
discussed
herein. As illustrated in Figure 22, the strap base rib 40e may vertically
align with the recessed
columns 7c. Where a bottle 3 has four recessed columns 7c, the base 24e can
have four strap
ribs 40e. The strap ribs 40e are space equally around the circumference of the
bottle 1. With
four equally spaced strap ribs 40e, the strap ribs 40e are positioned every 90
degrees around the
bottle circumference. The load ribs 44e can vertically align with the grip
portion ribs 3b between
the recessed columns 7c. As shown in Figure 22, the load ribs 44e may
vertically align with the
deep ribs 6c,d. In some embodiments, the strap ribs 40e may be vertically
misaligned with the
recessed columns 7c. In some embodiments, the strap ribs 40e may be spaced
unequally around
the bottle circumference. In some embodiments, the base 24a may have more or
less strap ribs
40a than the number of recessed columns 7e.
1001081 The
sidewall end 42e of the strap rib 40e vertically aligns or points to
substantially
the center of the recessed columns 7c (center point of the shallow and/or
flattened ribs 2c,d). As
illustrated in Figure 22, the strap rib 40e forms a recess 46e from a side
view perspective. The
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strap rib 40e can extend substantially from a central portion of the base 24e
(from the central axis
25) as discussed herein. The strap rib 40e can act as a strap between the
recessed columns 7c of
the sidewall to the central portion of the base 24e. As shown in Figure 22,
the strap rib 40e
provides a more direct and shorter path to the center of the base 24a from the
sidewall of the
bottle 3 without proceeding to the vertical level of the feet 45e. As
discussed herein, strap rib
40e thus provides relatively more pressure resistant base 24e. The strap rib
40e provides a link
for forces and stresses between the sidewall, including the recessed column
7c, and the central
portion of the base 24e.
1001091 Figure 23 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of
the base 24e.
The base 24e has a strap rib 40e and a load rib 44e as discussed herein. The
base 24e has a gate
52. As shown in Figure 22, the base 24e may have a dome 54. The strap rib 40e
has a base end
56e that terminates near, at, or in the dome 54. The strap rib 40e has a rib
side wall (i.e., valley
wall) 48e that connects that strap rib 40e to portions of the base 24e and the
feet 45e of the base
24a. The rib side wall 48a smoothly and gradually transitions into the base
24e and the feet 45e.
The smooth and gradual transition provides internal pressure resistance at and
near the rib side
wall 48e since more spherical features of the bottle 1 can better accommodate
internal pressure.
The strap rib 40a is relatively deeper in the base 24e than the load rib 58e
to provide stress
transfer and pressure resistance as discussed herein.
[00110] The load rib 44e has a base end 58e that terminates at near or at
the dome 54. As
shown in Figure 22, the base end 58e of the load rib 44e may terminate before
the base end 56e
of the strap rib 40e. The base end 58e of the load rib 44e may terminate at
wall portion of the
base 24e before reaching the dome 54. The load rib 44e is shallow relative to
the strap rib 40e.
As shown in Figure 22, the load rib 44e may have a rib side 51e feature
similar as discussed
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herein with reference to the strap rib 40a. The rib side 51e of the load rib
44e may be relatively
smaller than the rib side 48e of the strap rib 40e as the strap rib 40e is
designed to mostly resist
internal pressure while the load rib 44e is designed to resist mostly external
pressure or forces.
The transition from load rib 44e to the base 24e and the feet 45e is more
abrupt or sharper in
comparison with the strap rib 44e and in particular, the rib side 48e. The
sharper transition
provides external stress resistance. When the bottle 3 is top loaded during
packaging, shipping,
and/or handling, sharper transitions of the load ribs 44e help resist bending
and/or leaning as
discussed herein by, for example, maintaining the integrity and shape of the
base 24e.
1001111 The sharper transitions provide for faster transitions into the
feet 45e of the base 24e.
Faster transitions lead to more area of the base 24e being available for
relatively larger feet 45e.
Larger feet 45e of a flat foot base 24e as discussed herein and as illustrated
in Figure 22 provide
more resin contact area with a resting surface. More resin contacting the
resting surface provides
better abrasion resistance and stability of the base 24e.
1001121 As shown in Figure 22, the rib side wall 48e may transition into
the strap rib 40e
more abruptly or sharply relative to the transition from the rib side 48e to
the feet 45e. The
sharper transitions at the strap rib 40e itself may provide more rigidity to
the strap rib 40e to
resist or inhibit flexing due to internal pressures as discussed herein.
1001131 Figure 24 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of the base
24e. As shown in
Figure 22, the strap ribs 44e may align to provide a resistance strap or band
9e (Figure 25)
substantially along middle portions of the flat sidewall segments of the
square bottle 3 as
discussed herein. The four strap ribs 44e complement the deep ribs 2c,d at the
sidewall corners
to help prevent the square bottle 3 from rounding along the flat portions of
the sidewalls.
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[00114] Figure 25 illustrates a cross-section along the central axis 25 of
an embodiment of
the bottle 3 as illustrated in Figure 22. As shown in Figure 25, a flat rib or
recessed column 7e is
located on an opposite side of the bottle perimeter of another recessed column
7e. In some
embodiments, the diameter Ld of the base 24 is larger by 0.5 to 2 millimeters,
0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9,
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, or 1.9 millimeters, including
ranges bordered and including
the foregoing values, than any other diameter of the bottle 3. In an
embodiment with the largest
diameter of the bottle 3 being Ld, the bottle 3 has a single point of contact
at just the base 24e
with other substantially similar bottles in a production line and/or
packaging. Further, a larger
base 24e diameter Ld may improve stability when there is any damage to the
base 24e. As
shown in Figure 22, the diameter Ls at the shoulder 18 may be equal to the
diameter Ld, which
provides for two points of contact, at the shoulder 18 and base 24e, with
other substantially
similar bottles in a production line and/or packaging. In some embodiments,
the diameter(s) in
any portion of the bottle 3 varies, where the largest diameters create points
of contact in a
production line and/or packaging. The bottles may have either a single point
of contact or
multiple points of contact.
[00115] As shown in Figure 22, the strap ribs 40e may vertically align with
the recessed
columns 7e. The strap ribs 40e and recessed column 7e in combination can form
a pressure
resistance band 9e that substantially extends from a top portion of the label
portion 10 or the top
portion of the recessed column 7e on one side of the bottle 3 to the base 24e
and through the gate
52 along the base 24e to a top portion of the label portion 10 or the top
portion of the recessed
column 7e on the other side of the bottle 3. The pressure resistance band 9e
provides resistance
against internal pressure substantially for the base 24e and sidewalls of the
bottle 3 such as, for
example, inhibit stretching, sidewall flexing, and/or base rollout as
discussed herein. Stated
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differently, the pressure resistance band 9e extends from a top portion of the
label portion 10 on
one side of the bottle 3, down the sidewall on the one side of the bottle 3
and through the gate 52,
up the sidewall on the other side of the bottle 3 to a top portion of the
label portion 10 on the
other side of the bottle 3 to provide pressure resistance as discussed here
and substantially
continuously through a longitudinal perimeter of the bottle 3 (along the
central axis 25 at the
sidewalls and through the central axis at the base 24e).
1001161 Figure 26 is a table and graph showing an increase in top load
resistance in lbE with
increased pressure in a bottle 193. The maximum top load increased by 13% for
certain bottles,
and the minimum top load increases by 11% for certain bottles, with an average
increase of 6%.
The y-axis of the graph shows top load pressure applied to the bottle in lbf.
The x-axis of the
graph shows the displacement performance of the bottle under the corresponding
top load
pressure. Curve 60 shows top load performance of the bottle under typical
pressure or
pressurization inside the bottle. Curve 62 shows top load performance of the
bottle under typical
flat pressure or no pressurization inside the bottle. The graph illustrates a
stiffer initial
performance of the bottles (up to about 50, 40, and 30 lbf. (222, 178, 133
newtons,
respectively)) and a delayed reversible failure of some bottle embodiments (at
about 50, 40, and
30 lbf. (222, 178, 133 newtons, respectively)) disclosed herein. Performance
improvements can
be greater with some embodiments. At the forces and/or pressures illustrated
in the graph, the
bottles show minimal or no permanent deformation. The bottles rebound to a
desired shape after
a deforming force is released. This is beneficial for rough handling during
packaging, shipping,
and/or handling, such as, for example, in the warehouse or shipping lane.
[001171 Referring to Figure 27, the bell 16 may have various bell angles 26
as measured
from the vertical wall of the finish 12 to the downward sloping wall of the
bell 16. The bell
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angle 26 may be obtuse, varying from 120 to 175 degrees, including 122, 125,
127, 130, 132,
135, 137, 140, 142, 145, 147, 150, 152, 155, 157, 160, 162, 165, 167, 170, or
172 degrees,
including ranges bordered and including the foregoing values. The bell angle
26 represented by
02 is larger than the bell angle 26 represented by 01. The wall of bell 16
with 02 bell angle 26 is
steeper than the wall of bell 16 with 01 bell angle 26. A steeper wall of bell
16 can increase the
top load capacity of the bottle 1 while maintaining the same or even
decreasing bell 16 wall
thickness. A steeper bell angle 26 aids in resin of a preform to touch the
preform mold more
quickly (relative to a less steep angle) during the blow molding process. When
the resin touches
the preform mold more quickly, more of resin is quenched earlier to remain in
the sidewalls of
the bottle, leading to thicker sidewalls. Thicker sidewalls can help increase
top load and pressure
resistance performance as discussed herein.
1001181 Referring to Figure 28, an embodiment of the bottle 1 may use a
preform 38 with a
thin wall finish 12 and a thin wall neck 14 to form a lightweight bottle. A
thin wall neck 14
improves the ability to blow efficient, lightweight bottles. A thin wall neck
14 is a feature that
aids in protecting critical dimensions of the bottle and stabilizing the
production blowing
process. A thin wall neck 14 can also utilize less resin while achieving the
desired mechanical
performance resulting in a reduction in the use of petroleum products by the
industry. A thin
wall neck 14 of preform 38 can aid in forming bottles 1 with larger bell
angles 26 and/or steeper
bell 16 walls as discussed above. As also discussed above, steeper, but
relatively thinner, bell 16
walls can support greater top load forces, which can be transferred to the
base 24 via the recessed
columns. Thus, embodiments disclosed herein may incorporate thicker base 24
designs and/or
thicker sidewall designs to withstand greater top load forces even when
damaged, while using
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the same or less amount of resin. Achieving a thicker base 24 and/or thicker
sidewalls is aided
by a thin wall neck 14 and thin bell 16 walls.
1001191 It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of
the specific
features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed above may be made and still
fall within one or
more of the inventions. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular
feature, aspect, method,
property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in
connection with an embodiment
can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, it should
be understood that
various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with
or substituted
for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions.
Thus, it is intended
that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be
limited by the particular
disclosed embodiments described above. Moreover, while the invention is
susceptible to various
modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been
shown in the drawings
and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the
invention is not to
be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary,
the invention is to
cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the
various embodiments described and the appended claims. Any methods disclosed
herein need
not be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein include
certain actions
taken by a practitioner; however, they can also include any third-party
instruction of those
actions, either expressly or by implication. For example, actions such as
"passing a suspension
line through the base of the tongue" include "instructing the passing of a
suspension line through
the base of the tongue." It is to be understood that such depicted
architectures are merely
examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which
achieve the same
functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve
the same
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functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality
is achieved. Hence,
any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can
be seen as
"associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved,
irrespective of
architectures or interrnedial components. The ranges disclosed herein also
encompass any and
all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof Language such as "up to,"
"at least," "greater
than," "less than," "between," and the like includes the number recited.
Numbers preceded by a
term such as "approximately", "about", and "substantially" as used herein
include the recited
numbers, and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still
performs a desired
function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "approximately",
"about", and
"substantially" may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within
less than 5% of,
within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01%
of the stated
amount.
1001201 With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular
terms herein, those
having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or
from the singular to the
plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various
singular/plural
permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
1001211 It will be understood by those within the art that, in general,
terms used herein are
generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be
interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as
"having at least," the
term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to,"
etc.). It will be further
understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced
embodiment
recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the
embodiment, and in the
absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid
to understanding, the
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following disclosure may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least
one" and "one or
more" to introduce embodiment recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be
construed to imply that the introduction of an embodiment recitation by the
indefinite articles "a"
or "an" limits any particular embodiment containing such introduced embodiment
recitation to
embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same embodiment
includes the
introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles
such as "a" or "an"
(e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one"
or "one or more");
the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce
embodiment recitations. In
addition, even if a specific number of an introduced embodiment recitation is
explicitly recited,
those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically
be interpreted to mean
at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers,
typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those
instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C" or
"one of the A, B, or
C," etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
having skill in the art
would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B,
and C (or one of
the A, B, or C)" would include but not be limited to systems that have A
alone, B alone, C alone,
A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). In
those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C,
etc." is used, in
general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the
art would understand
the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would
include but not be
limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A
and C together, B
and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further
understood by those within
the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or
more alternative terms,
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whether in the description, embodiments, or drawings, should be understood to
contemplate the
possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both
terms. For example, the
phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B"
or "A and B."
[00122] While
various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects
and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various
aspects and
embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not
intended to be limiting.
