PLASTIC CONTAINER WITH FLEXIBLE BASE AND RIGID SIDEWALL PORTION
A plastic container is disclosed that includes a sidewall portion and a base portion. In embodiments, the sidewall portion is configured to be rigid and substantially resist internal vacuum forces associated with the container, and the base is configured to flex in response to such internal vacuum forces.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/648,647, filed Dec. 29, 2009, currently pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/141,812, filed Dec. 31, 2008. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/702,370, filed Feb. 9, 2010 currently pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/151,363, filed Feb. 10, 2009. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/665,441, filed Jun. 28, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/716,932, filed Oct. 22, 2012. The entire contents of all of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure generally relates to the field of plastic containers, including plastic containers having features to accommodate pressurization and/or hot-fill conditions.
BACKGROUNDCurrently a significant number of plastic containers are filled with liquids and other contents at elevated temperatures. However, as the product or contents within the container cools, the volume taken up by the product or contents decreases, which can lead to the creation of vacuum forces within the container. Containers that are intended to be filled by a “hot-fill” process are commonly referred to as hot-fill containers. The design of hot-fill containers is influenced by, among other things, a desire to account for anticipated product or content cooling/shrinkage and associated forces.
SUMMARYA plastic container is disclosed that includes a sidewall portion and a base portion. In embodiments, the sidewall portion is configured to be rigid and substantially resist internal vacuum forces associated with the container, and the base is configured to flex in response to such internal vacuum forces.
Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the disclosure and appended claims.
An embodiment of a plastic container 10 having features associated with the disclosure is generally illustrated in
As generally illustrated in
By employing base configuration teachings such as those included in the teachings of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/648,647, which as previously noted is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, the base 20 (such as generally illustrated in
With embodiments, the base 20 may include an outer support portion (which may take the form of an outer annular support ring); a first inversion portion (e.g., first inversion ring adjacent to and radially inward from the outer annular support ring); a flat or step portion provided radially inward of the first inversion portion; a structured formation ring; a second inversion portion radially inward of the structural formation ring; and a central portion. Further with embodiments, a central portion may include a domed or elevated portion, including those provided in connection with various conventional containers. Additionally, if desired, the base portion 20 may also include one or more structural reinforcing formations. For some embodiments, one or more structural reinforcing formations may be included at least partially within the central portion.
Further, as generally illustrated in the figures, the upper sidewall portion 40 may include various structural formations 50 (see, for example and without limitation, the alternating/staggered “brick-like” formations noted in
Moreover, with embodiments, as generally illustrated in the figures, the lower sidewall portion 30 may include various panel portions and/or other formations. However, in contrast with a number of conventional containers, such sidewall “panel” portions—while possibly exhibiting aesthetic (i.e., looking like conventional vacuum panels) and/or some functional characteristics (e.g., being configured to facilitate gripping)—are not intended or configured to accommodate internal vacuum forces or pressures attributable to the cooling of hot-fill products or contents. As previously mentioned, as between the sidewall portions and the base, in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure the base is configured to flex to accommodate nearly all or substantially all such internal vacuum pressure or forces. By way of example and without limitation, an embodiment of a base with a portion shown in a first condition, generally designated “F” (e.g., before the cooling of hot-filled contents) and a second condition, generally designated “S” (e.g., after the cooling of hot-filled contents) is generally illustrated in
As generally illustrated in
While the present disclosure is not limited to such specifics, the following specifics and dimensions may, for example and without limitation, be associated with an embodiment of a container 10 as generally illustrated in
Diameter D1—the diameter may be size appropriate for a standard-type 38 mm closure;
Diameter D2—approx. 3.576 inches (90.83 mm)
Diameter D3—approx. 1.375 inches (34.93 mm)
Diameter D4—approx. 3.576 inches (90.83 mm)
Vertical Height H1—approx. 8.310 inches (211.08 mm)
Vertical Height H2—approx. 0.691 inches (17.55 mm)
Vertical Height H3—approx. 0.200 inches (5.08 mm)
Vertical Height H4—approx. 7.619 inches (193.53 mm)
Vertical Height H5—approx. 0.577 inches (14.66 mm)
A container such as generally illustrated in
As illustrated in connection with
While the present disclosure is not limited to such specifics, the following dimensions may, for example and without limitation, be associated with the section views generally illustrated in connection with
A1—approx. 3.017 inches (76.62 mm)
A2—approx. 3.092 inches (78.55 mm)
B1—approx. 3.316 inches (84.23 mm)
B2—approx. 3.316 inches (84.23 mm)
C1—approx. 3.128 inches (79.45 mm)
C2—approx. 2.908 inches (73.87 mm)
D1—approx. 3.254 inches (82.66 mm)
D2—approx. 2.910 inches (73.92 mm)
E1—approx. 3.382 inches (85.89 mm)
E2—approx. 3.136 inches (79.65 mm)
F1—approx. 3.482 inches (88.44 mm)
F2—approx. 3.482 inches (88.44 mm)
Again, while some specific dimensions may be disclosed in connection with embodiments of the container illustrated in the drawing figures (e.g.,
With embodiments of the present disclosure, plastic containers may be configured to include a base having a portion to accommodate internal vacuum pressure or forces and a sidewall portion that is substantially devoid of conventional vacuum panels. Such containers may, if desired, be configured to include a lower sidewall portion that facilitates gripping and/or has cross sections that are not completely circular (i.e., have radii that vary at a given vertical level).
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and various modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A plastic container comprising:
- a sidewall portion; and
- a base;
- wherein the sidewall portion is configured to be rigid and substantially resist internal vacuum forces associated with the container, and the base is configured to flex in response to such internal vacuum forces.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2013
Publication Date: Aug 22, 2013
Inventor: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
Application Number: 13/840,690
International Classification: B65D 1/42 (20060101);