One-piece With The Container Patents (Class 215/373)
  • Publication number: 20100181281
    Abstract: A lightweight, thin-walled heat resistant plastic container containing hot-filled liquid contents, comprising: a spout for filling the container with liquid contents; a closure configured to seal the spout; a base including a bottom portion that is bent toward the spout, the base including a structural reinforcement configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure from the hot-filling of liquid and configured to prevent significant deformation in the base upon the cooling of the hot liquid; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base toward the spout, the sidewall including a zone of deformation, wherein the zone of deformation in the sidewall is configured to accommodate an initial deformation due to the cooling of the contents and to substantially regain its initial shape upon the relieving of immobilized stresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: TECSOR HR
    Inventor: Jean-Tristan Outreman
  • Patent number: 7753221
    Abstract: A blow-molded container is provided, which has a low blow ratio and good appearances with no flash line, glossy spot, and/or color spot on the sidewall of the container near the bottom. The mold created for this purpose is used in blow molding and is characterized in that a split mold has a mold parting face perpendicular to the mold-clamping direction, splits into front and rear mold halves, and has a mold pinch-off section, which is used to pinch off parison P and is provided with pinch-off blades on bottom surface of mold cavity bottom. In the cross-sectional plan view of said split mold in its closed state, a bottom parting line is formed by a linear pinch-off line, which is formed on the bottom surface by the pinch-off blades, a pair of mold parting lines formed by said mold parting face on the right and left peripheries, and a pair of connecting lines that connects the right and left ends of said pinch-off line with the inner ends of said right and left mold parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tokuda, Kazuhisa Innami
  • Patent number: 7748553
    Abstract: A container has a body which comprises front end rear walls, and the side walls. Each of the front and rear walls has an elliptic cross section, and is provided with a lateral recess. Each of the side walls is a vertical plan which intersects the elliptic cross section of the front and rear walls, and is provided with a plurality of reinforcements. The container has a bottom which comprises a peripheral wall connected to the body and a bottom wall. The peripheral wall comprises slightly inclined front and rear walls, and side walls inclined by a predetermined angle. The peripheral wall is provided with a reinforcing rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Akiyama, Shuichi Koshio, Masashi Yoneyama, Hiroaki Tokuda, Shoji Tanabe, Shigeru Tomiyama, Shigeru Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 7732035
    Abstract: A base for a plastic container is disclosed. The base includes a central vertical axis; an outer supporting annular portion for supporting said container on a surface; a central portion of the base, the central portion provided about said central vertical axis; and a base portion. The base portion extends between the annular portion and the central support portion of the base. The base portion includes at least two lugs that extend radially from a position adjacent the annular portion towards the central portion, the lugs including at least two stepped segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Pedmo, James J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100084367
    Abstract: A bottle (1) is described, intended for water, comprising a neck section (3), a shoulder section (4), a body section (5), and a bottom section (8) with a kick (9); wherein the neck (3), the shoulder (4) and the body (5) are made of a transparent and colourless material; and wherein the kick (9) is coloured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: R-Projects BV
    Inventor: Julianus Jacobus Maria Rijnierse
  • Patent number: 7614515
    Abstract: The invention is aimed at preventing bottom crack from occurring in a peelably laminated plastic container and maintaining the container stably in good in-use condition. This can be achieved by increasing the anti-peeling strength of a pair of rib strips, with which the bottom rib is formed, in the bottom seal that has been obtained by pinching off the parison at the bottom and molding the parison into a blow molded, peelably laminated plastic container. The bottom seal 13 of a blow molded, peelably laminated container 1 is reinforced by a pair of rib strips 14 which are pressed to each other to form the bottom rib 15. A multiple number of cavities 16 are formed in the bottom rib 15 in such a way that the rib strip 14 on one side is pushed toward, and caved into, the rib strip on the other side at several points, and vice verse. An expanded portion 18 is formed in the ceiling of each cavity 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Furusawa, Eiji Gotou, Masaru Ono, Tsugio Arai
  • Publication number: 20090218308
    Abstract: A thermoplastic container, in particular a bottle, made by blow-molding or stretch blow-molding of a heated preform and including a bell-shaped convex base with its concavity facing outward and provided with reinforcing impressions projecting inward and radiating around a central recess, the impressions having a trapezoid shape with its smaller dimension located toward the center of the base; the impressions include respective arches which form convex trapezoid segments with concavity facing inward and extending from the seat to the central recess by being connected thereto immediately proximate the upper end of the central recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Christophe Bunel, Laurent Penet
  • Patent number: 7556164
    Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic resin thin-walled bottle container (10, 20, 30) including a mouth portion (11) for filling or discharging contents, a body portion (12, 22, 32) extending from the mouth portion (11) along the center axis (A) of the container, and a heel portion (H10, H20, H30) provided at the bottom part (13, 23, 33) of the body portion (12, 22, 32) for placing, thereon, the body portion (12, 22, 32) in a self-supporting manner. The heel portion (H10, H20, H30, H40) includes a sidewall (14, 24, 34) formed of a curved surface (R11, R21, R31) that is recessed toward the inside of the container (10). Thus, even with a reduced amount of the resin, the container (10, 20, 30) can be stably self-supported without causing inclination or buckling at the heel portion (H10, H20, H30), under a load applied in the center axis (A) direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Tanaka, Takao Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20090159556
    Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring that supports the container, an upstanding wall, and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion defined in at least part by a pushup and an inversion ring that generally circumscribes the pushup. The pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum related forces generated within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: Terry D. Patcheak, David Downing, G. David Lisch, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, Brian L. Pieszchala, Richard J. Steih
  • Patent number: 7543713
    Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company L.P.
    Inventors: Greg Trude, John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 7520400
    Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with good stability against tipping provided by five alternating hollow legs (22) and five curved ribs (34) that alternate, and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. The legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) of truncated wedge shapes with an outer diameter Df, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height Hp such that the ratio of the diameter Df over the height Hp is in the range of about 25 to 90 to maintain strength without the hub engaging the supporting surface on which the feet rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Young, Richard C. Darr, Dale H. Behm
  • Patent number: 7481325
    Abstract: A container includes a hollow body having a finish extending from the body. The finish has an open end, at least one external thread for securement of a closure, and a pair of spaced external circumferential flanges on a side of the thread remote from the open end of the finish. A bale handle includes a ring having resilient internal tabs captured beneath the lower of the flanges remote from the open end of the finish, and a handle extending from the ring for carrying the container. The upper flange, which preferably has a greater outside diameter than the lower flange, has an undersurface that is free of obstruction from the bale handle and therefore is adapted to perform support functions for the container after attachment of the bale handle to the container finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Graham Packaging PET Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P Simpson, Jr., Stephen R Guerin, David P Piccioli, Qiuchen Peter Zhang
  • Patent number: 7464826
    Abstract: The invention provides a base structure of a container. The base structure includes a support heel that defines any number of touch points for contact with a horizontal surface. The support heel includes inner and outer portions that merge with the container's corrugated support flute and sidewall, respectively. The base structure also includes a fin that forms the zipper pinch and extends transverse to and intersects corrugations of the corrugated support flute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ed Roubal, Roy N. Krohn, David Kesselman, Larry Taylor
  • Patent number: 7464825
    Abstract: A base structure having a bearing surface defining a bearing plane and an inner portion spaced apart from the bearing surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane. The inner portion includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from said first surface, and a step merging said first surface with second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Johnston, Doug Struble, Debra Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20080302757
    Abstract: [Problem] The invention is aimed at preventing bottom crack from occurring in a peelably laminated plastic container and maintaining the container stably in good in-use condition. This can be achieved by increasing the anti-peeling strength of a pair of rib strips, with which the bottom rib is formed, in the bottom seal that has been obtained by pinching off the parison at the bottom and molding the parison into a blow molded, peelably laminated plastic container. [Solution] The bottom seal 13 of a blow molded, peelably laminated container 1 is reinforced by a pair of rib strips 14 which are pressed to each other to form the bottom rib 15. A multiple number of cavities 16 are formed in the bottom rib 15 in such a way that the rib strip 14 on one side is pushed toward, and caved into, the rib strip on the other side at several points, and vice verse. An expanded portion 18 is formed in the ceiling of each cavity 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Furusawa, Eiji Gotou, Masaru Ono, Tsugio Arai
  • Publication number: 20080302758
    Abstract: A one-piece plastic container includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and having an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion. The base portion defines a plurality of feet extending therearound. The base portion defines a contact diameter ratio of approximately 70-74% and a contact length ratio of approximately 20-23% for a plastic container having a volume capacity of approximately one (1) liter (1000 cc). According to additional features, the one-piece plastic container can have a nub defined on the base portion. For a one-piece plastic container having a volume capacity of approximately one (1) liter (1000 cc), the nub has a diameter of approximately 3-7 mm (0.12-0.28 inch), the base portion defines a contact area ratio of approximately 23-25%, and each foot defines corner transition portions each having a fillet radius of approximately 4-10 mm (0.16-0.39 inch).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Ravi Mody, Darrin Nicholson, Theodore F. Eberle, Walter J. Strasser
  • Patent number: 7451886
    Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring that supports the container, an upstanding wall, and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion defined in at least part by a pushup and an inversion ring that generally circumscribes the pushup. The pushup having a generally truncated cone shape in cross section and the inversion ring having a generally S shaped geometry in cross section. The pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum related forces generated within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, Brian L. Pieszchala, Richard J. Steih
  • Publication number: 20080257845
    Abstract: A baby bottle container includes a cap portion which allows fluid to flow therethrough and a bottle engaged with the cap, wherein the bottle includes a bottle body and a weighted end piece which biases the bottle body to an upright position in response to engaging a support structure. The weighted end piece includes a smooth curved hemispherical surface. The weighted end piece biases the bottle body to an upright position relative to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Esmeralda Reyes Rossi
  • Patent number: 7416088
    Abstract: A container made from thermoplastic material, of the type with a domed base, including a central projecting pimple, a peripheral support region and an intermediate arch, provided with ribs, extending from the central pimple to the support region but not therein, the ribs having a dihedral form with a straight section in a V in the medial plane, essentially parallel to the axis of the container and running into each other without a break. The ribs have a longitudinal profile which is curvilinear, the bases of the ribs, in the region thereof adjacent to the central pimple, extending higher than the base of said central pimple and the bases and crests of the ribs, in the region thereof adjacent to the support region, having curves merging progressively into a continuous rounding of unbroken curvature immediately above the support region such that the latter is essentially planar and continuous over the whole length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventor: Michel Boukobza
  • Patent number: 7416089
    Abstract: An improved hot-fill type container that has particular utility for use with the nitrogen dosing hot-fill process includes a finish portion, a main body portion and a base portion having a pushup area and a chime that is situated about the pushup area for supporting the container when a horizontal surface. The container advantageously includes a reinforced heel portion in the area between the main body portion and the chime for protecting the container against deformation that could otherwise be caused by the positive pressurization of the nitrogen dosing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Constar International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Kraft, Prasad Joshi, Phillip Kraft
  • Patent number: 7350657
    Abstract: A beverage container with a grip formed in side and bottom walls thereof. The grip includes a V-shaped groove on a side wall that receives a finger of a consumer (e.g., a thumb or set of fingers) and a recess formed in a bottom wall of the container to receive one or more other fingers of the consumer's hand. When gripped in this fashion a lower corner of the bottle may be located in the palm of the consumer's hand. The groove in the side wall is formed in the side wall sufficiently close to the bottom wall to allow the hands of most consumers to use the grip. The V shape points upward. Either side of the V can be used depending on whether the consumer wishes to grip with their right hand or their left hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mott's LLP
    Inventors: John A. Eaton, William R. Eaton, Erica S. Nozato
  • Patent number: 7287658
    Abstract: A polymeric container for holding a fluid and a gas includes a specially designed base. The base includes an annular outer ridge connected to a convex dome by a flexible annular joint. During a hot fill operation, the structure of the base resists outward deformation. The top is then sealed. During the subsequent cooling of the container, the interior volume decreases forcing the dome upward toward the top of the container thereby reducing the tendency of the sidewall to inwardly collapse. In an embodiment of the invention, the sidewall of the container has a plurality of internally protruding diagonal ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Johnson, Joseph J. Bruchman
  • Patent number: 7198163
    Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs (22) and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. The legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) with an outer diameter Df, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height Hp such that the ratio of the diameter Df over the height Hp is in the range of about 25 to 90 to maintain strength without the hub engaging the supporting surface on which the feet rest. The construction disclosed of the legs (22), ribs (34) and hub (41, 41? and 41?) enhances the capability of the base structure in providing good stability as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure and stress cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Young, Richard C. Darr, Dale M. Behm
  • Patent number: 7150372
    Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring upon which the container is supported, an upstanding wall and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion being defined in at least part by a central pushup and an inversion ring which generally circumscribes the central pushup. The central pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Kerry W Silvers, Dwayne G Vailliencourt
  • Patent number: 7150371
    Abstract: An extrusion blow molded container is provided comprising a closed base, a body portion extending from the closed base having a surface finish that is substantially free of striations, and an open neck portion extending from the body portion. In an embodiment, the container is comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (PET); the base portion includes a support portion and a substantially elevated portion having a center and a major diameter; and the center is disposed an elevated distance above said surface that is less than about 0.05 the major diameter. A method and apparatus for extrusion blow molding an article is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Larson, Gary Ferguson, Duane Lach, William A. Slat, James Kulp, Gary I. Voss
  • Patent number: 7140505
    Abstract: A container base may include a standing ring defining a touch point for contact with a horizontal surface, where the standing ring has an outer portion and an inner portion, and merges with the container sidewall. The base may also have a stacking ring having an inner portion and an outer portion, where the outer portion merges with the inner portion of the standing ring. The base may further have a substantially circular recessed portion coupled to the inner portion of the stacking ring, comprising: a plurality of substantially flat concentric rings recessed from the stacking ring, wherein each ring is recessed from the next outermost adjacent ring; a substantially flat center coupled to an inner diameter of an innermost substantially flat ring and recessed therefrom; and a cross-brace extending from the stacking ring into the substantially flat center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ed Roubal, David A. Kesselman
  • Patent number: 7097061
    Abstract: A container includes a hollow body having a finish extending from the body. The finish has an open end, at least one external thread for securement of a closure, and a pair of spaced external circumferential flanges on a side of the thread remote from the open end of the finish. A bale handle includes a ring having resilient internal tabs captured beneath the lower of the flanges remote from the open end of the finish, and a handle extending from the ring for carrying the container. The upper flange, which preferably has a greater outside diameter than the lower flange, has an undersurface that is free of obstruction from the bale handle and therefore is adapted to perform support functions for the container after attachment of the bale handle to the container finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packaging PET Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Simpson, Jr., Stephen R. Guerin, David P. Piccioli, Qiuchen Peter Zhang
  • Patent number: 7083059
    Abstract: A thermoplastic container, such as a bottle, obtained by extrusion-blow or injection-blow molding and having a petaloid base (6, 7). The base includes a convex wall (7) hemispherical in shape; the wall (7) is linked to the wall (2) forming the container body by a marginal zone (8) with a curve (R1, R2). Members (6) originate from the hemispherical wall (7) and are separated in pairs by a part thereof; the top end of each member is directly linked to the wall (2) forming the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Sidel S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Le Guen
  • Patent number: 7066345
    Abstract: A bottom structure of a biaxially-oriented blow-molded bottle-shaped container is made of a synthetic resin and includes a neck, a shoulder, a body and a bottom. The bottom has a connecting cylindrical wall, a tapered-cylindrical wall, a bottom wall and a grounding wall. A diameter of the tapered-cylindrical wall is decreased downwardly at a certain inclined angle. The bottom wall is domed to an inside of the container. The grounding wall is in a ring plate shape and arranged between a lower edge of the tapered-cylindrical wall and a lower edge of the bottom wall. Each of groove ribs is formed from an upper edge of the tapered-cylindrical wall through the grounding wall to the lower edge of the bottom wall. The groove ribs are arranged with isometric center angle, and extend radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juichi Itokawa, Yoshinori Matsuo, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7055711
    Abstract: A container has a grounding portion that is free from sink and can prevent sink from occurring, so that it can secure its self-standing ability. The bottle-shaped container made of synthetic resin comprising a neck, a body and a bottom, said bottom including a grounding portion, said bottom being formed at a center thereof with a central bulged section protruding inwardly, said container showing a polygonal transversal cross section, characterized in that a peripheral bottom wall is formed between an outer periphery of the central bulged section and the grounding portion, said peripheral bottom wall forming a step located below the central bulged section and above the grounding portion, and said grounding portion is provided with a recess in a portion formed with an orientation magnification which is smaller than an orientation magnification with which a portion on and along a diagonal line is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Sasaki, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7051889
    Abstract: A thermoplastic container obtained by blow-molding of a preform, with a base including in its central part a multiple-branch cross-shaped impression provided with a central recess from which radial branches radiate; the base is of the petal-shaped type with at least three legs formed by protuberances located near the periphery; there are as many legs as branches mutually aligned radially; each leg includes a notch for absorbing stresses radially separated from the end of the respective branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventor: Michel Boukobza
  • Patent number: 7000793
    Abstract: The invention provides a base structure of a container. The base structure includes a support heel that defines any number of touch points for contact with a horizontal surface. The support heel includes inner and outer portions that merge with the container's corrugated support flute and sidewall, respectively. The base structure also includes a fin that forms the zipper pinch and extends transverse to and intersects corrugations of the corrugated support flute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Co., L.P.
    Inventors: Ed Roubal, Roy Krohn, David Kesselman, Larry Taylor
  • Patent number: 6983858
    Abstract: A plastic container comprised of a closed base, a body portion, and a neck portion with a dispensing opening. The closed base includes a substantially rigid support portion and a flexible portion. The body portion preferably includes a shoulder portion and a substantially rigid wall portion that includes a plurality of reinforcement formations. The container is configured so that the flexible portion of the base contracts upwardly about the support portion in response to vacuum pressures generated within the container, while the substantially rigid support portion of the sidewall remains substantially firm, for example, to accept or receive a label. If desired, the shoulder portion may include a logo and/or one or more pressure relief formations. A method for producing hot-filled, labeled containers is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Slat, Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6942116
    Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring upon which the container is supported, an upstanding wall and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion being defined in at least part by a central pushup and an inversion ring which generally circumscribes the central pushup. The central pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt
  • Patent number: 6926163
    Abstract: The container includes a hollow body of plastic material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, a shoulder portion extending upwardly from the sidewall and an upper neck portion with an opening therein extending upwardly from the shoulder portion. The neck portion includes at least one engagement surface which fits together with at least one engagement surface on a separately formed handle to form at least one projection seated in at least one groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, James J. Miller, Richard A. Lovelace, Jr., Thomas J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6919114
    Abstract: The invention provides a container such as a bottle or flask, made heterogeneously from a material with a barrier effect and a polymer material, characterised in that the material with a barrier effect is an amorphous carbon material with a polymer tendency which is applied as a coating on a substrate of polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventors: David Darras, Jean-Michel Rius, Patrick Chollet, Naïma Boutroy, Nasser Beldi, Fabrice Oge
  • Patent number: 6896147
    Abstract: A base structure for a blow-molded container having a sidewall is provided. The base structure comprises a support heel having an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion merging with the container sidewall. An inner projecting portion merges with the inner portion of the support heel. The inner projecting portion is inclined at an angle of at least about 50 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Greg Trude
  • Patent number: 6857531
    Abstract: A plastic container with a self-supporting base, a body portion extending above the base and a neck portion above the body portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening. The body portion includes a substantially rigid sidewall portion with structural reinforcement thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Slat, Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6817473
    Abstract: The present invention is a generally parallelepiped shaped container including generally parallel opposite lateral side panels, generally parallel opposite longitudinal side panels and a generally flat bottom panel. A first generally flat top panel is provided near the first lateral side panel and a second generally flat top panel is provided near the second lateral side panel, the first and second top panels being interconnected to form a generally continuous top portion of the container. A dispensing neck extends upwardly from the first top panel and a cover member is removably positioned over the open end of the dispensing neck. The shape of the container and the cover member are such that the height of the cover member, when on the dispensing neck is less than the height of the second top panel so that the containers may be stacked one above the other without applying pressure to either the cover member or the dispensing neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: WSL, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Schwaikert
  • Patent number: 6800346
    Abstract: The invention provides a container such as a bottle or flask, made heterogeneously from a material with a barrier effect and a polymer material, characterised in that the material with a barrier effect is an amorphous carbon material with a polymer tendency which is applied as a coating on a substrate of polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventors: David Darras, Jean-Michel Rius, Patrick Chollet, Naïma Boutroy, Nasser Beldi, Fabrice Oge
  • Publication number: 20040164045
    Abstract: A non-round base structure for a hot-fill plastic container provides the container with enhanced structural integrity. The base structure is roughly rectangular and is composed of a flexible vacuum absorbing area and a bearing edge which support the container in an upright position. The flexible vacuum absorbing area abates with a central ellipse shaped push-up, which is a concave surface. A series of ribs with an outward facing rounded edges are fashioned on the concave surface. The ribs extend outwardly from the center of the ellipse. The disclosed base structure enables the container to withstand the various forces encountered in filling, cooling and handling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Services, LP
    Inventor: Paul V. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20040164044
    Abstract: The invention provides a base structure of a container. The base structure includes a support heel that defines any number of touch points for contact with a horizontal surface. The support heel includes inner and outer portions that merge with the container's corrugated support flute and sidewall, respectively. The base structure also includes a fin that forms the zipper pinch and extends transverse to and intersects corrugations of the corrugated support flute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ed Roubal, Roy Krohn, David Kesselman, Larry Taylor
  • Publication number: 20040164048
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided. The plastic container has a base, a body extending upward from the base, a neck extending upward from the body, a finish extending upward from the neck and having an opening, an integral handle having a lower end attached to the body and an upper end attached to the neck, first and second chamfered corners integral with the body and extending upward from the base to the neck, and third and fourth chamfered corners integral with the body and extending upward from the base to a vertical position of the container adjacent the lower end of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Sheldon Yourist
  • Publication number: 20040159626
    Abstract: A base structure for a blow-molded container having a sidewall is provided. The base structure comprises a support heel having an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion merging with the container sidewall. An inner projecting portion merges with the inner portion of the support heel. The inner projecting portion is inclined at an angle of at least about 50 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Greg Trude
  • Publication number: 20040149677
    Abstract: A plastic container comprised of a closed base, a body portion, and a neck portion with a dispensing opening. The closed base includes a substantially rigid support portion and a flexible portion. The body portion preferably includes a shoulder portion and a substantially rigid wall portion that includes a plurality of reinforcement formations. The container is configured so that the flexible portion of the base contracts upwardly about the support portion in response to vacuum pressures generated within the container, while the substantially rigid support portion of the sidewall remains substantially firm, for example, to accept or receive a label. If desired, the shoulder portion may include a logo and/or one or more pressure relief formations. A method for producing hot-filled, labeled containers is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: William A. Slat, Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6769561
    Abstract: A molded plastic bottle has a base having an outside surface rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the bottle including a convex heel and a central concavity separated by a standing ring supporting the bottle on an underlying surface. The convex heel has an upper margin integrally formed with the sidewall of the bottle and a lower margin defining an outer portion of the standing ring. The central concavity includes a first surface having a lower most portion defining an inner portion of the standing ring. The standing ring inner portion and outer portion intersect in an abrupt edge with the inner portion of the standing ring generally being inclined with respect to the plane at an angle of between about 30° and 50°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Futral, Lesley S. Corker
  • Patent number: 6752284
    Abstract: A container has a body which comprises front and rear walls, and the side walls. Each of the front and rear walls has an elliptic cross section, and is provided with a lateral recess. Each of the side walls is a vertical plane which intersects the elliptic cross section of the front and rear walls, and is provided with a plurality of reinforcements. The container has a bottom which comprises a peripheral wall connected to the body and a bottom wall. The peripheral wall comprises slightly inclined front and rear walls, and side walls inclined by a predetermined angle. The peripheral wall is provided with a reinforcing rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Akiyama, Shuichi Koshio, Masashi Yoneyama, Hiroaki Tokuda, Shoji Tanabe, Shigeru Tomiyama, Shigeru Yoneyama
  • Publication number: 20040108295
    Abstract: A retortable plastic container includes a finish portion and a main body portion that is unitary with the finish portion and that includes a sidewall having an inner surface that defines an interior space and an outer surface. The sidewall is preferably fabricated from a material comprising a plastic and is shaped so as to have at least one radially inwardly extending annular projection defined therein that provides reinforcement against radial expansion of the main body portion during the retort process. In addition, a transition portion between a main body of the container and the bottom of the container preferably includes at least one annular step that increases the rigidity of the bottom portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald C. Schumann
  • Publication number: 20040104195
    Abstract: A plastic carafe includes a body portion having an enclosed base defined by a plurality of upstanding posts and a plurality of panels separating the posts from one another. The carafe further includes a neck portion having a blown finish at the top of the carafe that defines a wide-mouth. A shoulder portion transitions the posts and panels to the neck portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L. P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Yourist, John Denner, Angie Noll, Roger Prevot
  • Patent number: 6722514
    Abstract: A container adapted for use by an infant or a child is provided. The container has handles with first and second side walls that diverge away from each other, in the direction away from the outer circumference of the body of the container toward the center line of the container. The container can also have a base with at least one base recess formed therein and an inwardly tapered bottom surface, providing improved strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles John Renz