Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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WO 93!09031 ~ ~ ~ PCT/GB92/01977
COLLAPSIBLE (:ONTAINER
FIELD OF THE INVB~~TION
This invention z~lates to containers, particularly semi-
rigid collapsible containers. The invention has
particular though not exclusive relevance to containers
for the storage of aerated liquids and the like.
The term "seadi-rigid" container refers to a container of
a material such as polyethylene terephalate (PET) which
will not be deformed by or take up the shape of its
contents, as is the case with ~ "flexible" container,
although the container has some flexibility to
distinguish it from a "rigid" container. The term
"semi-rigid" is used in this context throughout this
s~~ifieation, including the claims .
~KGROUN1D "1'O INVENTION
Aerated liquids, such as aerated beverages and the like
are typically stored under pressure, in airtight
, containers or the like, in order to maintain the liquid
in an aerated state, or at least reduce the extent to
which the gas, whether carbon dioxide or other gas,
~scapes from the l~.quid
~5 Once the container has been opened, the gases tend to
discharge from the liquid. The process of discharge can
be slowed_to a certain extent by resealing the
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PGT/GH92/0197"7
WU 93!49031
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container. However, after resealing, there is typically
an e~~larged head space available into which the gas can
discharge.
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It is well known that if the head space can be decreased
as the beverage or other liquid volume decreases, so the
eactent to wh~.ch gas is discharged or otherwise lost from
the liquid may be reduced. To this end, a dumber of
collapsible contaa.ners have been provided to date.
Soave of these collapsible containers have been of the
bellows-type. Such containers possess a number of
disadvantages.
Pra.marily, theg~ containers do not function as pressure
vessels, so they dannot be used to houae soft drink
prior to sale. If such a container is filled with soft
drink, the internal pressure fron the liquid forces the
container to over expand after the cap is placed on.
The container overs°~retches into a ' bl~~rn~-out' state
allowing a large headspace to develop with resulting
loss of carbonation. This would occur with even mild
;agitation, and the container could never be eagected to
withstand thelrigours of transportation and handling
methods expected of a soft drink vessel leaving the
bottling plant: ,
PCf/G U92/01977
W~ 93/09031 - 3
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Secondly, this capacity of bellows-type containers to
expand as well as collapse means that after the
container base been partially collapsed and recapped, it
is susceptible to re-expansion and subsequent loss of
carbonation as the pressure from the liquid forces a
headspace to form, particularly if the container was to
be dropped or shaken in any way. This rather defeats
the intended purpose.
14 Though some bellows-type containers possess
improvements, they do not fully overcome the
abovementioned problems. They must also be manufactured
to relatively fine'tolerances and are relatively
inconvenient to use:
US Patent No. 470361 (Jones et al) attempted to
overcome the problem of over expansion before any
collapse is required, after the container is filled.
Unfortunately, this can never be achieved in a bellows-
Z~ type container without some external clamping device to
h~ld it in place. Such a device would have to be joined
to the container, resulting in increased expense. ~lhile
this container might partially resist expansion 'beyond
full' it would still yield to the very high pressures
generated from agitated soft drink.
p~:T'T/G139~101977s>a.,
W~ 93/09031 4
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As such expansion occurs, the intended shape of the
Jones et al container would also be 'stretched out' of
the plastic, resulting in irreparable damage to the
.polymer. This container would also be virtually
impossible to maaaufacture in the current plastics~of '
choice - polyethene terephthalate (PET). Also, due to
the large surface area of such a container there would
be increased expense in material costs. This container
would also be susceptible to re-expansion from a
collapsed state.
Jones et al has its corrugations defined by a plurality
of ridges and grooves, each ridge preferably consisting
of planar regions defined by quadrilaterals and acting
1~ as a hinge about which the collapsing can take place.
115 Patent No. 4492313 (Touzani) also does not function
initially as a pressure vessel. It, too, cannot
therefore be used, to package soft drink prior to sale.
Touzani does go s~me Way in overcoming the problem of
re-expansion faeom a partially collapsed state. The
method an which Touzani achieves this introduces other
pr~blems however. Tlie container collapses in a somewhat
'sectional' manner, and expels the contents in "dumps",
which may not match the volume,of headspace left. This
Z~ sectional manner of collapse also results in some of the -
contents splashing out. Also, the operator can
accidentally ~v~r compress the container after the cap
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has been placed on (by folding the rings down), the
result of which is some overflow of the contents when
the cap is next released.
In British Patent Specification 781, 103 (International
Patents Trust) a container for a viscous material such
as toothpaste is provided with axial corrugations along
its side wall. Pressure on the base enables it to move
inwardly of the wall as the wall folds, dispensing the
material. In United States Patent 4,865,211
(Hollingworth), Netherlands Patent 294186 (fetal Box),
United States Patent 4,456 134 (Cooper) and French
Patents 2294297 (Normos) and 623181 (Leisse) various
other collapsible containers are proposed, using a
concertina or other folding wall type construction.
These containers are not suaaable for soft drink
howeuer. The containers of US Patent 48665211 and UR
Patent 781,103 are particularly unsuitable as they are
more easily subjected to internal pressure that would
over expand them when full as a result of the
2~: corrugations and tucks they each employ.
These containers v~rould al o re-e'cpand readily from a
collapsed state, particularly as they are designed with
a flexible material. UR Patent 781,103 is particularly
~5 susceptible to re-expansion.
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Rach of these containers collapses with the fold in a
circular or ring shape best illustrated by Figure 9 in
~S Patent 4865211. Reference is specifically made in NL
Patent 294186 and tIK Patent 781,103 to the wall folding
upon itself or to lie against the uncollapsed circular '
wall yet to be folded. The walls in these containers
are made of a flexible material like polythene. In the
case of tTR Patent 781,103 the contents are not fluid but
are somewhat ~~.scous. This provides support to the
container walls under collapsing forces, as the material
resists movement therein. This helps the flexible walls
to resist buckling under collapsing forces.
Other collapsible containers have included a relative$y
flerible bag portion which is collapsed to reduce the
available headspace. iAPhile simple bag-in-the-box
collapsible containers can house a liquid like 'still'
wine, they cannot house beverages under pressure, such
as 'sparkling' wine: :This is due to the propensity a
si:~plo bag has to re-expand after collapse if there is
pressure within: Lmprovements to this type of
collapsible container have therefore to date
concentrated on. requiring some separate control means
such as an outer container, shell or the like to control
collapse and maintain the collapsed container in the
collapsed state. The external contra! device wwould add
considerable cost to the container as it Paould always
~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ 0~4 ~AN~ARY 199
have to accompany the bag. Examples of such containers
are described in the patents to Cooper and Normos
referred to above.
With regard to the bases of PET and other plastics
containers, various proposals have been made as to
possible designs, one of the most popular at the present
time being the "petaloid" base of New Zealand Patent
227274 (Continental Pet Technologies, Inch.
It is an object of at least one embodiment of this
invention to come some way in overcoming the problems
mentioned above or at least to provide the public with a
useful choice.
Other objects of this invention will become apparent from
the following description.
~L~ OF THE INTI~N
Acc~rding t~ one aspect of this invention there is
provided a semi~rigid container, ~ side wall of which has
a frolding portion having a plurality of panel means each
being arcuate (as herein defined) at least in a direction
transverse to the longitudinal axis of said container and
berg so disposed that said panel means act together to
resist expansion of said folding portion from a collapsed
' state and provide rigidity against a longitudinal
collapsing force while enabling progressive folding of
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said folding portion under said longitudinal collapsing
force Whereby said folding portion folds relative to ~a
remaining portion of container in reducing the internal
volume of said container.
Further aspects of this invention will become apparent
from the following description.
BRIEF' D$SCRI~IOR OF TBE DRBHINGS
The present invention will now be described by way of
example and with reference to the accompanying drawings
i~ which:
Fide 1 is a ~,chematic side-view of an exemplary
embodiment of this invention;
Fib is-a schematic sectional view of the
embodiment in Figure l in a partially collapsed
condiaion;
Fic~re 3 is a schematic sectional view of the
embodiment in Figure Z in a fu~.ly collapsed
condition;.
~Fi~ is a schematic sectional view through line
inn Figure 1.
F~=e 5 is a detail of a fold in another exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is' a sch~natic side view of a further
exemplary embodiment of this invention;
Figrre 7 is a schematic side view of still another
exemplary embodiment of this invention;
United rinr~dom P.~,te~t Office
PST Inta. . ::::;fi:a! ~;~;~iicatio~
y~r~p 9109031 9 PCT/G~92101977
F~.crure 0 is a schematic front view of a panel
according to this invention;
Fi~,-ure 9 is a schematic rearward perspective view
of the panel in Figure 9;
Fee 10 is a schematic side view of the panel in
Figures 8 . and 9 ;
Figure 11 as a schematic side view of an exemplary
control portion of this invention;
Fiquge 12 is a cross-section through JJ in Figure
11;
Fi4ure 13 is a cross-section through II in Figure
1~.;
Figure 1~ is a schematic side view of a container
according to another possible embodiment of the
1~ invention;
Figures 15a, b, c show a still further e~bodi~aent
of the invention in its original, partial~y
collapsed and fully collapsed positions;
Fire 16 shows ~rery diagra~natica~.ly a still
further eanbodi~nent of the invention;
Figure 17 & 16 show very d5.agran~natically possible
embod5.men~~ of a base for containers of the present
l.nVentl.On;
Figures l9a and 19b show possible alternative panel
arrangements for further eanbodiments of the
invention; and
Fissures 20a, la, c illustrate very diagra~aatically
PCT/GB92l019?'~'
WO 93/09031 - 10 -
the effect of inverting or averting a cylindrical
container.
DESORIPTION OF THE PREFBRNFD BliHODIMENTS
The exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, and the '
following description in relation to those drawings, are
provided by wray of example only and are not intended to
be restrictive of the possible embodiments of the
invention.
In Figure 1, an exemplary semi-rigid container 1 can be
seen. Container 1 is a substantially elongate soft
drink bottle. It has an opening 2 at one end and is
provided with thread 3 to facilitate resealing using a
~.5 threaded cap (not shoran): Cantainer 1 is in this
example formed in polyethylene'terephthalate (PLT),
th~ugh any suitable material may be used to provide the
characteristics of'semi-rigidity.
Zv Sidewall 4 of container l is provided with a folding
portion 5> In this example, the folding portion is
defined between dotted lines A and B.
As will be seen with reference also to Figures 2 and 3,
2S in response to a collapsing force directed
longitudinally and relatively inwardly of container 1,
in this example =iirected along longitudinal axis 8 in
PGTlGB92/01977
~~ 93/09031 ° 11 °
212 ~ ~~'~
direction 9, container 1 progressively folds the folding
portion ~ of the sidewall 4 such that as the sire of the
outwardly open recess 10 increases, the internal voluxae
of container 1 will decrease.
As the folding action continues, so folding portion 5
will move relatively down the container 1 to position in
receiving portion l2, which in this example is provided
by girth portion 13 and base 1~.
Turning now to consider the folding action in more
detail, reference is once more made to Figure 1.
Folding portion 5 in this example includes an initiator
portion 6 and control portion 7.
Initiator portion 6 in this example is formed to include
alternate areas of strength and weakness, and is
relatively more susceptible to collagsing in response to
forces in direction 9 than the adjacent control portion
2~ ' and neck portion ll, - Thus,, in response to a
collapsing force in direction 9, a relatively controlled
movement of initiator portion 6 will occur to initiate
the folding action described earlier.
2~5 In this example of the invention, the alternate areas of
'strength and weakness in initiator portion 6 are
provided by two adjacent, transversely arranged annular
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FCT/GB92/01977 y'"'~;
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segments of the sidewall. The lines of weakness are
defined at the interstices of the adjacent annular
segments. Rather than any decrease in thickness of n
material by scouring or the like, the lines of weakness
may be just changes in angle within the gortion 6.
The control portion 7 in this example is provided with a
plurality of substantially elongate polygonal panels 112
each having four sides to form a diamond shape. The
panels 112 are each positioned so that they point along.
the longitudinal axis of the container and are
positioned adjacent one another so as to provide the
sidewall 4 with a substantially frustoconic shape.
The substantially frustoconic shape assists the folding
portion 5 of sidewall 4 to position itself within
r~ce~.ving gortion 12 as now explained. However, other
shades such as cylinders and polygons could be used for
the folding portion 5 provided they utilise panel means
2~ such as 112. Buch shapes would however affect the space
into which the-folding portion 5 was able to move in
folding, and alter lrhe ease with which the folding was
formed. Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3,
apart from the lip l00 formed at the periphery of the
recess 10 forged as the fold is created and rolled over
and down the container, the diameter of the folded
portions of folding portion 5 is less than the diameter
- 13 -
PCT/G1392/01977
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of the portions remaining to be folded. Because of
this, there is room for the folded portions to position
in receiving portion 12 after folding.
Reference to Figure 20 will further illustrate this
point. Tf the sidewall 500 of a container is
essentially cylindrical in shape as shown, rather than
frustoconical, then attempting to fold the container in
this way would result in the inverted ring formed from
1~ the top wall 499, having a diameter H (Figure 20b~,
which would have to be less than its diameter G (Figure
2 Oaj. This would result in axial stresses that would
resist inversion. There would be no room within the
cylinder into which the wall 500 could be folded, while
retaining the original diameter G. There would be a
corresponding transfer of force down the sidewall, in
direction L, instead of into a fold and this would
result in the cylinder wall 500 buckling, as shown at
501 in Figure;20b, under a collapsing force in the
direction P instead of inverting. The only way to make
a cylinder behave in such a way, in fact, would be to
hold it in an external frame or mould and invert it
forcibly via a plunging device, which would thrust it
into itself. The inverted segment would still buckle
considerably due to its insistence on taking a reduced
diameter (a circumference of givzn length must defo~n in
order to reduce in diameter, at any point).
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Alternatively, it gust break or stretch as shown at 498
in order to increase in diameter, if e~Terteri for example
(see Figure 20c), but similarly an externml device would
A
have to be employed to influence such behaviour.
Therefore, in order to have a container that collapses
only, with a force being directed longitudinally on it,
and without employing the aid of an external device, the
collapsing segment must, in the absence of the panels of
the present invention, be frustoconical in shape, or the
material must be somewhat elastic and capable of
ea~pansion or contraction - as it cannot retain the
or3.ginal dimensions in the new position.
tnTithout such an ini~iaicor portion such as 6 in Figure 1,
even a frustoconical section could prove difficult to be
collapsed by controlled inversion, particularly one of
steep attitude and reasonable sidewall length. The
sidewalk sa~ould not be able to ~i~rithstand the forces of
~a the top l~ad and the container would simply deform and
collapse completely at random: The force needed to
Mart inversion at any point on the steep walls would be
much greater than that required to deform and buckle the
walls. Once part of the wall begins buckling the rest
2~ of the container continues this buckling pattern in
response to further downward pressure.
WO 93/~9031 - 15 - P(.T/GB92/01977
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Referring once, again to Figures 1, 2 and 3, as may be
appreciated, an ogerator applying a collapsing force in
direction 9 will in practice direct the collapsing force
only generally in the direction of arrow 9. There will
be deviations in the direction of the force applied.
The deviations in the collapsing force will, if not
countered or otherwise diminished, result in irregular
folding and rolling of the folding portion 5,
particularly if collapsed too quickly. Irre-gular
folding will in turn lead to a jamming and buckling of
the sidewall 4 rather than the progressive folding
action it is desired should occur in response to the
collapsing forces.
the panels I12 of folding portion 5 are provided to
enable folding of the-container to occur in a
predetermined and relatively regular manner.
The panels 112; of control portion 7 assist regular
Bolding and reduc~.the tendency for the side wall to jam
and buckle in response to collapsing forces. The way in
which this occurs will be more readily understood by
reference to Fic;ures 4 and 5.
The panelsw112 of the control portion 7 are shown shaped
to be substantially arcuate, as viewed on end section.
An indication of this arcuate shape can be seen with
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0 4 JANUARY
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reference to Figure 4 which is illustrative of a cross-
section along the line X-X of Figure 1. Providing the
panels with an arc~ate shape, such as that shown with
reference to panel 112 in Figure 4, enhances the control
exerted by the panels 112 during folding. The term
"arcuate" is used in the specification and claims to
describe any profile of the container wall which projects
away from the main circumferential plane of the container
wall.
In the orientation shown in Figure 4, panel 112 has yet
to be folded. The panel 112 is separated from adjacent
panels by barrier means 90 and 101, provided in this
example as relatively narrow non-~arcuate portions of the
sidewall 4, forming the.frustoconical substrate network ,
111 of Figure 1. The chord formed between the barrier
means 90 and 101:is,repxesen-ted by dotted line 23.
As the container-is co3.lapsed and the s,idewall 4
progressively folds inwards, so panel 112 will deform
(b~ straightening) to lass ibs arcuate shape. As viewed
in the drawings, the shape will be chordal. That is, .
substantially similar to the shape of chord 23.
Because. the length of the arc of panel 112 (the arcuate
length of panel 112) is greater than the length of the
' chord 23 (the chordal length 23), folda.ng will cause a
slight expansio~ca in he periphery of the recess formed
during the folding action. The chordal length between
barrier means 90 and 101 at each side of panel 112 will
increase to a maxr:mum equal to the arcuate length of
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- 17 -
dV0 93f09031 PC.°T/GB92/019'77
panel 112. Thereafter, as folding continues, a portion
~'f the panel 112 having been folded will typically
return to the substantially arcuate shape it adopted
prior to straightening and folding.
The expansion of the periphery can be seen by reference
to Figure 5 which shows how the periphery of the recess
being formed by sidewall 4 at its lip 100, bends out
from its normal position substantially in line with the
1~ outside of the container, shown by line 24, as the fold
26 progresses down the sidewall.
lEnabling the periphery to expand slightly allows a
frustocone to invert with relative ease. Force is
transferred raeiially to increase the periphery of the
sidewall and is riot transferred down the sidewall whack
could otherwise lead to buckling of the sidewall. This
e~cpansion of the periphery of the sidewall allows room
~o~ sections of the frustoconical sidewall to roll over
~~ into inversion and tike their place inside the sidewall
yet to folded. This accommodating feature of a
frustocon~.cal section with such panels 112 offers much
less ~esi~t~n~e to the waveform created by the periphery
100 of the recess 10 as it travels down the sidewall,
2~ as ~.llus~rat~d .in Figure 5.
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V1V~ 93/Q9031 P~LT/GB92/01977
Further, by dividing the sidewall 4 of the container
into the adjacent panels 112 of this invention, the side
wall 4 is divided into, and folds in portions of,
predetermined chordal length. The periphery of the fold
therefore forms into a polygonal shape, as defined by
joining the chords formed during folding (see Figure 4}.
The polygon formed will have a variable number of sides,
depending on the number of panels employed and the
amount of arc contained therein. Therefore, the
periphery of the folding section (100 in Figure Z) will
not be circular as found in prior art proposals such as
referred.to above. This polygon formation helps direct
the folded sections toward each other and to crimp
together causing a latching effect to take place which
is then further enhanced by the formation of the arcuate
parcels again once they have rolled over the chord and
onto the other side. This latching effect prevents the
folded portion from returning to the unfolded position,
even under high internal pressure. The corners of the.
polygon formation are relatively close to the unfolded
wall portion. In the case of the arcuate panels 112,
the chordal length during folding will range between the
length of the chord, as measured between the sides of "
the arc prior to folding, and the arcuate length of the
panel 112, see Figure 4.
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PCTlG B92l01977
wo 931~9~~1 - l s -
By controlling the chordal length of the sidewall
portions being folded, so the tendency for damming and
buckling to occur during folding is decreased. ,The
panels 112 exert an evening effect on the fold 100 as it
moves down the container, and this tends to correct any
wrong deviati~n in the direction of collapse that is
applied by an operator.
The diamond-shaped, arcuate panels 112 shown in this
example of the invention assist and control the folding
action of the control portion 7.
The barrier network 90, lOl that runs between the
diamond-shaped arcs of~the panels 112, forming the
inte~connecting,substrate 111, provides the control
portion 7 with the strength to resist any expansion when
under biaxial pressure. When the container ~ is used
for storage of aerated beverage and the like, simple
elongate panels on tie control portion, such as have
~~n proposed for containers in the past, would allow
the container walls t~ be flexible and therefore expand
when under pressu=~ from the contents. This would allow
a headspace to build with resultant loss of carbonation.
The barrier.net~roxk 90, 101 within the diamond panels
112 is tensed in both directions when the cap is placed
on and internal pressure builds. The barrier network
- 20 -
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WO 93149031 PCT1GB92101977
212 2 ~~ ~'~ .
90, 101 rests on a purely frustoconical base or
substrate 111. It is anentioned that the shape, size
and/or depth of this interconnecting network or
substrate 111 between the panels can be varied as
required to suit the desired characteristics of the ,
resultant container. Such force attempts to cause
movement in both directions on the diamond panels 112.
Because the force in each direction is equal the diamond
shape cannot alter. Because each panel 112 is a fixed
1~ size the control portion 7 cannot expand. ,
Once the cap is removed, however, there is no force in
either direction: It is while the cap is off that an
operator may; by choice, apply pressure in one
15 direction, 9 in Figure l, (downwards to collapse the
corntainerj. Hecause force is directed in one direction
only, the diamond shape of the panels 112 can be forced
to relax in the vertical and allow the arcuate panels
1~2 to begin influencing the periphery by donating
2~ otherwise redundant material: Thus peripheral expansion
of the fold 100 is achieved and so is control of
cs~llapse in the manner already described.
The panels 112 also exert another mayor influence over
25 the behaviour of the container 1 used as a collapsible ,
container for liquids under pressure. The inverted
section of the control portion is further prevented from '
4.
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PCf/GB921Og977
1~4V0 93109031 - 21 '
being forced to revert to its original position. The
folded over diamond arcs of the panels 112 re-expand
once in the ,inverted position and tend to '~a~ up' if
force is applied to expand the container 4 from the
collapsed state. This could be caused by a build-up of
pressure within the contents if the container 4 was
dropped, for example. The inverted section cannot fold
back out, but tends to be held in place by the arcs that
have been folded over. This enables the container to
1Q retain its integrity as a pressure vessel, even in a
partially collapsed state.
In practice, golygons with a varying number of sides
could be employed on the folding portion. They could be
mixed shapes even though there wou~.d be no distinct
advantage over the diamond network. However, polygons
of increased or'decreased number of sides could be
employed with differing arrangements of arcing. Other
geometric shapes could also be employed without
departing from the scope of the invention.
The amount of arcing applied within the panels could
also be varied according to the amount of control
desired over the chord formation which affects ease of
collapse. ~nThile arcing in the transvex~e or hoop
direction is an essential requirement, arcing in the
a
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WO 93/~9031 - 2 2 -
longitudinal direction may in mos~ instances also be
provided.
Thus referring to Figure 19a, a folding section 600 of a
S container according to one possible embodiment is
defined by a plurality of triangular panels 601, arced
so that the panels peak at their centres. In Figure 19b
the folding section 602 of another embodiment has
circular panels 603, again arced so as to peak at their
centres.
Returning now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen
that base 14 is formed to provide a hollow 28. The
hollow 28 is formed relative to those portions of neck
ZS ll adjacent the folding portion 5 such that when
container 1 is substantially fully collapsed and the
fold l00 in the sidewall 4 is more or less at its
greatest size, hollow 28 i.s substantially surrounded by
neck portion ZI.
Thus, as can be seen from Figure 3, rim 29 of neck
portion ll in this example defines an area which on plan
is at least equivalent to or preferably greater than the
area defined by rim 30 of hollow 28. And, in the folded
2~ position shown, portions of rim 29 are circumferentially
disposed relatively outwardly of rim 30 so as to assist
the flow of fluid contained in the hollow 28 into the
- 23 -
WO 93/09031 PCT/GB92/01977
.ls
neck portion 11 and towards opening 2, during tipping
rather than in:o th~~ fold in sidewall 4.
Turning now to consider Figure 6, an alternative
arrangement for the folding portion can be seen. .In
Figure 6, folding gortion 15 includes initiator portion
lEr and control portion 17. The control portion 17 in
this example includes hexagonal gavels 22 ,
The initiator portion l6 is also shown having hexagonal
gavels 22. The panels 22 that make up initiator portion
16 may if required be smaller and mare numerous than the
panels making up control portion 17 and may be offset
relative to the positioning of the gavels of the control
f 5 Partic~n 1?
For non-carbonated beverages and partieularly for any
hot.-fill requirements, a.t may be desirable to employ a
configuration that ello~s some contraction after
filling. By altering the panel connecting barrier
net~rosk configuratian referred generally by 599, (111 in
Figure 1)it is possible to forego the ability of the
control porta.on t~ contain pressure (which would not be
needed for non-carbonated beverages in exchange for an
ability to contract, for example).
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- 24 -
PGT/GB92/OI977
Wt~ 93/09031
An example of how this could be achieved would be by
removing the transverse connecting portions 598 from the
barrier network and allowing the arc from each hexagonal
panel 22 to communicate in a longitudinal manner. Once
again many variations could be employed without ..
departing from the scope of the invention. .All
formations would fold in a polygonal shape as viewed
from above.
this removal or alteration of the transverse or other
connecting portions between panels 22 could be utilised
in any of the other embodiments of the invention
described herein.
As will be appreciated, in other embodiments of this
invention other suitable arrangements for initiating and
controlling folding may be provided on the folding
portion. For instance, in at least one other embodiment
of the invention, where panels are provided, single
panels can extend hrough the control portion and
initiator portion, sumstantial~:y to transverse the whole
of the folding'portion of the container. ~n example of
'this type of embadiment is shown in Figure 7.
Considering Figure ?, container 200 can be seen
including a neck portion 201, folding portion 202
defaned between lines G and H and receiving portion 203. '
PCT/GB92l01977
W~ 93/09031 - 2 5 -
The area immediately adjacent the intersection of neck.-.
201 and folding portion 202 is provided with a recesm
204 to assist handling of the container 200.
Folding portion 202 is provided with an initiator
portion 205 and a control portion 206. Receiving
portion 203 includes girth portion 207 and base 208.
~ will be seen, the folding portion 202 is provided
with a plurality of diamond shaped panels 209, which
will be arcuate at least in the transverse direction,
each panel being aligned with the longitudinal axis of
the container 202 and positioned adjacent one another to
provide the folding portion 202 with a substantially
~rustoconic shape.
In thin example. of the invention, panels 199 in the neck
portion 201 and'in the receiving portion 203 have a
different function: Theee panels 99 do not assist
folding but instead Provide strength to the neck 201 and
receiving portion 203 and assist those portions to
resist buckling os otherwise deforming under axially
directed folding forces. There is, relative to the arc
provided to the panels 209, only a relatively slight arc
in neck 201 and the receiving portion 203.
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- 26 -
WO 93/09031 PC'T/GB92lOR977r..:.,,
v
Further alternative forms of this invention may employ
small arcuate panels around the recess 204. These
panels may assist the recess to resist any plastic creep
within the material when under very high pressure, as
this area is normally not as strong as the rest of~the
container sidewalls due to the nature of biaaial
orientation in manufacture. Other methods may also be
employed to assist the strength of the recess 204
without departing from the scope of the invention, for
example the addition of a strong, external retaining
ring made of a suitable material being placed around the
recess 204
It is a still further object of this invention to
1~ grovide an impxoved base section for a beverage
container.
During bottle manufacture using biaxial orientation, the
polyrmer molecular orientation is less at the top and
bottom of the bottle so these areas need to be made
thickere but the common round design of the base
minimises the material required (due to its better
pressure containing ca~acity~. With this rounded design
the bottle cannot be stood upright, however, so a base
2~ 'CUp' having a flat'bottom is required. This may be
infection moulded,in PET or more usually high density
polypropylene.
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_ 2?
WO 93/09031 PCT/GB92/01977
Much thought has beer. given, in the United States
particularly, towards a base design which would obviate
the need for a separate cup, and Continental Beverage
Containers Inc have proposed a base having 4 or 5w
extrusions which form feet on which the bottle can
stand. This design, as mentioned previously, is usually
referred to as a "petaloid" base and has drawbacks in
that more matexial is required and the blow moulding
machines need higher blow moulding and mould clamping
pressures.
Another drawback is the many areas of differing material
thickness distributed around the base. Very complex
stress gatterns are induced as'a result of these varying
thicknesses.
Another drawhack is that the thick unstretched central
area becomes a prime site for fracture under pressure
and it is this>area that is the most common site of
botto~e failure: This is because the intense pressure
acts to "pull apart" and force'outwards the surface
presented.
Another drawbacl~ to this sort of base design is that the
container cannot stand upright with stability on a
grill_liAe surface, as is most common in refrigeration
PCT/GB92/Oi977 ,"....~
!~V~ 93/09031 2 8
units. This has led to resistance from both the shop-
keeper and the customer.
It is an object of these embodiments of the present
invention to overcome some of these probleias, or 'at
least provide a suitable option.
So referring again to Figure ?, exemplary base 208 is
shaped to provide-a hollow 211 substantially similar to
that described earlier in relation to Figures 1, 2 and
3, to assist the collection and transmission of residual
contents of the container to the opening 210. To assist
the base 208 to withstand the internal pressures of
typical aerated beverages, particularly where the .
is container is formed in PET or the life, a relatively
deep punt 211 is provided; tie term 'punt' being that
used to describe tyke hollo~r at the bottom of champagne
bottles especially.
BR~~la~.base 208 provides an improvement over previous
2~ pr~posals by providing a fat, circulaz ring upon which
the bottle rests, rather than pest (as is the case with
~ p,~taloid base). This full:-contact rang allows greater
stability when pladed ~n incomplete surfaces such as the
grids commonly found in refrigeration units.
deferring to Figures t; to I3 examples of the diamond
shaped panels (209} such as of Figure ? are illustrated
r6 l6 , . .. . ~~~ n , . , ..
CVO 93/09031 ~ ~ ~ PCT~GB92101977
in greater detail. It is seen that the panels 301, 302,
303 can be provided so as to form a compositive panel
300 tapering towards one end. As the sectional and
cross sectional views of Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the
panels 301 to 303 are arcuate in both transverse-and
longitudinal directions so as to control the folding as
previously described. In Figures 11 to 13, the diamond
panels 305 of the control portion 304 are shown to be
arcuate and form~.ng the frustoconical shape required for
the folding action.
Referring now to Figure 14, a further embodiment of the
invention is illustrated and referred generally by arrow
4?8. This is shown with the diamond panels of the
previous embodiments replaced with a plurality of
hexagonal panels, 4?5, forming the folding portion 4?2.
The initiator portion 4?6 is shown provided with a
plurality of concentric lines of weakness, which may
just be angular changes, leading'up to the neck portion
4??. The base 474 again provides an internal diameter
commensurate with, or less than, that of the rim of the
neck portion 47?. The hexagons 4?5 are shown aligned in
the directs~n of the longitudinal aa~i.s of the container
4?8. Each panel 4?5 will be arcuate at least in the
transverse direction so as to permit collapsing axially
as a result of a collapsing force, but to resist
expansion circumferentially due to internal pressure.
- 30 -
WO 93/09Q31 PCT/G~92/01977 ,.
~f'~'''
Referring now to Figures 15a, b, c, a further embodiment
is referenced generally by arrow 492. It is seen to
have a downwardly facing frustoconical folding portion
488 defined by a network of diamond shaped ganel~ 420.
This arrangement of the upward folding control section'
488 allows for more complete emptying of the container
as it is collapsed: No air at all can be trapped within
the collapsing walls, as is common with 'upright'
versions. This'network of arcuate panels 420 resists
the expans~oh forces and holds the folding portion 488
in place., The dimensions of these panels 420 can be
different, cSf course. They couta De wiser on some
containers than others, and even take differing sizes on
a singlecontainex. Then the cap is taken off, the
network 488 is no longer under force from the beverage.
Such force would norma111r atteynpt to cause movement in
both the verta.c~l and horizontal directions of each
panel 42Q of the network 488: Ilecause the force in each
direction is goal when the cap is on, the diamond-
panelled network 488 cannot move. Once the cap is off,
however,;there is no force in either direction. It is
while the cap is off that an ogera~or may, by choice,
apply pressure in one direction (downwards, as shown in
Figure 15(b), to collapse the container). Necause force
is directed in one direction only the diamond panels 420
of the network 488 can be forced to relax in the
31
i~V~ 93!09031 ' ~~~ ~ FCT/Gl;9z/01977
vertical and allow the arcuate panels 420 to begin
influencing the periphery 487 by donating othex~rise
redundant material. Thus peripheral expansion of the
fold 487 is achiwed as it moves over the base 490 and
so controls the container collapse in the manner-already
described.
Still other forms of the invention according to this and
the other embodiments may employ more than one folding
control section.
Referring to Figure 16, the container 800 of this
embodiment has a folding portion 802 with diamond shaped
~rcuate panels 1$41 forming a frustoconical shape
tapering upwardly rather than downwardly as in the
previous Figures 15.
Returning again to the formation of the base of the
containers of the present invention, a further
~p~ovement is the~~ore even distribution of material
throughout the base. The inward presenting face, 480 of
the base 483 in Figure 37, is formed to be concave
~cotated ar~und a-~entrml' p3.llar 481 of relatively
unstretched material about the punt 479. 131r placing the
unstretched material ix~ such a shape, it becomes self
supporting under pressure and ig therefore more
protected from fracture. Not only is it self
PCTI~B92/09~977' ~,s
<" r
WO 93/~9031 °° 3 2 -
A,'
buttressing under pressure, but it becomes nearly
impossible to force downwards 'out the bottom' of the
container, as is a common failing of champagne°style
punt bases made of such thin material, that employ, for
example, a convex dome presenting inwards.
Tn alternative forms of the invention the base may be
provided with ax~uate panels arrange to resist the
folding forces mentioned above in relation to the
30 example of the invention in Figure 17. The addition of
arcuate panels to this section increases the pressure
carrying level. ,lust as arcuate panes cdn~ alC,~r
material to fold in one direction, if they are reversed
in direction the panels can inhibit any tendency to
15 fold. By employing ahem near the central column 481 in
Figure 17, any offinny the base has to be forced
downwards and fold out under the pressure is reduced
signif icantly'
2D Figure 18 shows a further exeaaplary base 483, employing
such axcuate panels 486 about the hollow column 485 of
the punt 484 to increase pressure thresholds. Further
panel arrangements array be employed without departing
from the scope of this invention.
Still further alternative forms of this invention may
use an aversion folding movement, instead of an
_ PCflGB92101977
!%!~O 93109031 ~ -- 3 3 -
inversion folding process. A container according to
this invention could have a folding portion ~~ith an
averting initiator portion and an averting v~ntrol
portion. The arcuate diamond or other shaped panels in
such embodiments would face inwards, not outwards.
It is seen that the present invention in its various
embodiments provides a container which has different
portions capable of accommodating different loadings and
where the collapsing is achieved through a middle
portion folding and not by an end being pushed inwardly.
Thus, it will be appreciated that by this invention
there is provided an improved container wherein control
of progressive folding of the sidewall of the container
so as to collapse it, is assisted, and in preferred
embodiments the base is also designed to Barry higher
pressures and afford the container increased stability.
Where in the foregoing description reference has been
made to specific c~mponents or integers of the invention
hav~.ng known equivalents then such equivalents are
herein incorporated as if individually set forth.
Although this 3.nvention has been described by way of
example and with reference to possible embodiments
thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or
PCf/GB92I~DI977
r. ,.~,
VV(~ 9310903 y~ ~ i~,."' - 34 -
improvements may be made thereto without departing from
the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the
appended claims. .
~0
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