Specified Gripping Structure Patents (Class 215/384)
  • Patent number: 7051891
    Abstract: The container includes a hollow body of plastic material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the lower base, and an upper portion extending upwardly from the sidewall. The upper portion includes at least one opening therein. Two label panels are provided on the container spaced from each other, one on the upper portion and one on the sidewall. An integral handle is also provided positioned at least in part on the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, James C. Dorn, Richard A. Lovelace, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7025219
    Abstract: A dome for a plastic container having a longitudinal axis, including an upper portion with a flanged finish adapted to receive a cap where the upper portion extends substantially annular about the axis from the flanged finish to a first horizontal rib, an intermediate portion extending outwardly from under the first horizontal rib of the upper portion to a second horizontal rib, a lower portion extending outwardly from under the second horizontal rib to a third horizontal rib where the third horizontal rib being substantially annular; and a grip panel formed in opposite side surfaces from under the first horizontal rib to above the third horizontal rib, where the opposing grip panels enable a thumb and forefingers of an hand size to grip the container while opposing surfaces of the intermediate and lower portions without the grip panel enable a thumb and forefingers of another hand size to grip the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David B. Heisner, Justin Howell
  • Patent number: 7004342
    Abstract: A container includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a shoulder that extends away from a neck of the container, and a grip portion. The grip portion defines an integral logo portion and is recessed within the top portion of the container. A waist or groove is provided on adjacent lateral sides of the grip portion and may include a lateral stiffening rib. The bottom portion of the container includes a plurality of vacuum panels that accommodate for internal forces tending to cause collapse of the vacuum panels during a hot-fill process. Any portion of the internal forces not accommodated by the vacuum panels in the bottom portion of the container is accommodated by an auxiliary vacuum panel, which is provided in the grip portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bourque, Ralph T. Coley, Jr., Takao Iizuka, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6997336
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Yourist, John Denner, Angie Noll, Roger Prevot
  • Patent number: 6981604
    Abstract: A bottle-shaped container made of synthetic resin including a body that has a left side and a right side which are symmetric to each other to a central axis line of the container, wherein each of the left and right sides is formed in a region including a center of the body, with a concaved portion for absorbing distortion due to changes of an internal pressure of the container, the concaved portions in the right and left sides are conformable in shape each other, and have same dimensions, and wherein the container can be held surely with safeness by holding the approximately central portion of the body of the container with fingers and a palm of a single hand from either the front side or the rear side even if the container has a large content and a heavy weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Iizuka, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6964347
    Abstract: A handy bottle is capable of absorbing deformation strain caused by variation of capacity, is easy to lift and carry because of its recessed portions for gripping and is excellent in dropping strength and capable of not buckling while maintaining moldability and lightweight property. Typically, the handy bottle has recessed portions for gripping on both sides of a body portion thereof and a shape in diametric cross section of the recessed portions is almost bilaterally symmetrical to a line connecting deepest portions of the recessed portions and a central axis of the body portion. The process for producing the handy bottle allows movable inserts capable of molding the recessed portions for gripping to be on standby in predetermined positions and allows the movable inserts to proceed toward the deepest portions of the recessed portions for gripping in the course of blow molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisya, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Miura
  • Patent number: 6938788
    Abstract: A squeezable bottle is provided that has a hollow body with an intermediate panel section that is bounded by upper and lower recessed reinforcing rings. The intermediate panel comprises a plurality of recessed gripper rings, each of which is bounded by a pair a raised reinforcing rings. A plurality of recessed vertical ribs extends between the upper and lower recessed reinforcing rings and through the raised reinforcing rings. The vertical ribs are spaced asymmetrically about the vertical axis of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Stokley-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy W. White
  • Patent number: 6929138
    Abstract: A plastic blow molded bottle or wide mouth jar useful in containing hot-filled beverages or food products. The container has a multi-sided sidewall which is capable of accommodating vacuum associated with hot filling, capping and cooling of the container, which is reinforced to resist unwanted deformation, and which enables a label to be aesthetically displayed on the container sidewall. To this end, the sidewall comprises a plurality of panels which include outwardly bowed arcuate sections, as-formed, which flatten to accommodate induced vacuum. Thus, a label can be supported on the sidewall with very few voids, or like sunken areas, behind the label to ensure that the label is prominently displayed on the aesthetically appealing novel container configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David M. Melrose, Paul Kelley, Scott Moersdorf
  • Patent number: 6875201
    Abstract: In an eye drops container, a barrel portion 2 in the form of a flexible hollow cylinder defines a dent portion 7 which can be gripped with two fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Kawashima, Yukio Kusu, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6841262
    Abstract: A preform having an annular wall region of increased wall thickness to produce a blow molded container having an annular concavity in a wall portion thereof to provide a hand grip feature, such a container when blow molded from such a preform and a carbonated beverage container having intaglio hand grip wall hand grip features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: DTL Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Martin H. Beck, Robert J. Caldicott
  • Patent number: 6830158
    Abstract: A blow molded container is provided. The container has a base, a body portion attached to the base, a concave waist attached to the body portion, a dome attached to the waist, and a finish. The dome has a plurality of indented panels arranged around a perimeter of the dome, and the finish has an opening. A portion of the dome is located between the indented panels and the waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sheldon Yourist
  • Patent number: 6824001
    Abstract: A shrink-sleeved bottle is disclosed. The bottle has a base, a top part and sides. The bottle has a handle located on a side of the bottle and a sleeve that covers the handle. The sleeve has a cut-out that allows a user to grip the handle, and a fringe that is maintained flush against the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Karen Amanda Johnson, Alan David Blake, Patrick Jean-François Etesse, Gates Markham Moss
  • Patent number: 6814248
    Abstract: A handgrip formed in a wall of a plastics container, the wall having an interior, an interior surface, an exterior surface and a wall thickness and suitable for containing a carbonated beverage, including an integral structure formed of a central dome having a convex surface facing toward the adjacent said exterior surface and at least two concentric annular troughs, each having an annular concave surface facing the adjacent said exterior surface, an outer frustum interconnected with each trough and connecting rings, each of curved cross-section having an annular concave surface facing toward the interior, to join, integrally, the frustums to the next outer trough and the outermost frustum to the container wall surrounding the handgrip, the handgrip having a thickness approximately equal to the wall thickness, wherein the handgrip does not extend radially outwardly of the wall. An associated container, blow mold and method are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: DTL Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Martin H. Beck, Dennis Connor
  • Publication number: 20040195200
    Abstract: A container includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a shoulder that extends away from a neck of the container, and a grip portion. The grip portion defines an integral logo portion and is recessed within the top portion of the container. A waist or groove is provided on adjacent lateral sides of the grip portion and may include a lateral stiffening rib. The bottom portion of the container includes a plurality of vacuum panels that accommodate for internal forces tending to cause collapse of the vacuum panels during a hot-fill process. Any portion of the internal forces not accommodated by the vacuum panels in the bottom portion of the container is accommodated by an auxiliary vacuum panel, which is provided in the grip portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bourque, Ralph T. Coley, Takao Iizuka, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6796450
    Abstract: A lightweight hot-fill blow-molded plastic container (10, 110) having a sidewall (16) with a rigid grip portion (24, 124) and a flexible vacuum absorption portion (26, 126).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger M. Prevot, David M. Melrose, Richard K. Ogg, Raymond A. Pritchett
  • Patent number: 6786344
    Abstract: A baby bottle including an upper and lower circular shaped cylindrical body portion having a first radius, a elliptical shaped cylindrical body portion intermediate the cylindrical upper and lower body portions, where the center portion has a minor axis radius and a major axis radius that are each smaller than the first radius, and a cylindrical top portion located proximate the upper body portion and adapted to receive a removable closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
    Inventors: Stuart R. Kipperman, David Schweitzer, Catherine O. Smay
  • Publication number: 20040164047
    Abstract: A squeezable bottle is provided that has a hollow body with an intermediate panel section that is bounded by upper and lower recessed reinforcing rings. The intermediate panel comprises a plurality of recessed gripper rings, each of which is bounded by a pair a raised reinforcing rings. A plurality of recessed vertical ribs extends between the upper and lower recessed reinforcing rings and through the raised reinforcing rings. The vertical ribs are spaced asymmetrically about the vertical axis of the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Jeremy M. White
  • Publication number: 20040155008
    Abstract: A sidewall portion of a plastic container adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The sidewall portion including generally rectangular shaped vacuum panels equidistantly spaced about the container The vacuum panels being defined in at least part by an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion formed in a compound curve shape. The vacuum panels being moveable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container thereby decreasing the volume of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Michael T. Lane, Richard J. Steih, Daniel W. Gamber, Randall S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20040134872
    Abstract: A container made of thermoplastic synthetic resin having a central axis extending longitudinally, and having a body, wherein said body has a left and a right symmetrically relating to the central axis, each of the left and right is formed with a distortion-absorbing portion in response to a pressure change in the container, each of the distortion-absorbing portions is formed with a grip portion, and each of the grip portions includes a central portion of the left and the right, has an area an area smaller than an area of the distortion-absorbing portion, and has a depth larger than a depth of the distortion-absorbing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Masaaki Sasaki, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6749075
    Abstract: A container includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a shoulder that extends away from a neck of the container, and a grip portion. The grip portion defines an integral logo portion and is recessed within the top portion of the container. A waist or groove is provided on adjacent lateral sides of the grip portion and may include a lateral stiffening rib. The bottom portion of the container includes a plurality of vacuum panels that accommodate for internal forces tending to cause collapse of the vacuum panels during a hot-fill process. Any portion of the internal forces not accommodated by the vacuum panels in the bottom portion of the container is accommodated by an auxiliary vacuum panel, which is provided in the grip portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bourque, Ralph T. Coley, Jr., Takao Iizuka, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6739467
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a body and an opening at one end of the container that allows liquid content to be filled into the container and emptied therefrom. The body has a middle height region with front and rear surface portions, and both sides of the rear surface portion are recessed inwards and juxtaposed to each other defining a grip region therebetween. The rear surface portion of the body has a radius of curvature (R2) that is larger that a radius of curvature (R1) of the front surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6730004
    Abstract: A blow-moldable container, having a centrally located, generally tubular handle spanning a central recess has improved balance and ergonomics over existing blow-molded containers. Such a balanced container has great utility as a handheld freeweight, or as a container for pourable substances. An integrally molded base allows our container to be stood upright on end like a regular bottle. Products may be marketed in such containers under the premise that the consumer automatically acquires a freeweight by purchasing the product. The inclusion of fitably engageable contours on its top and bottom surfaces makes such a container stackable with others of its kind, for ease of packaging, shipping, and storage. A graduated set of handheld fillable freeweights may thus be compactly stored without a special rack. Since blow-molding offers great economy of production for sufficiently large numbers of containers, the average person will now be able to afford an entire graduated set of freeweights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas Spriggs Selsam
  • Publication number: 20040074864
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic bottle body for use in containing hot-filled beverages. The bottle body has a dome with various interactive functional zones. For example, some of the zones are primarily responsible for accommodating vacuum absorption, while other zones are primarily intended to rigidify the container such as by providing column strength to improve container top loading capability. Although each zone may have a primary function, each zone also aids adjacent zones in providing their functions. Thus, the entire dome, and not merely selected locations, reacts in a progressive manner to the forces generated by the hot-fill process on the bottle body. Preferably, the bottle body is slender and capable of readily being gripped by a single hand, and preferably the flex panels in the dome accommodate at least 90% of the total vacuum absorption required by the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: David M. Melrose, Seungyeol Hong, Richard K. Ogg, George Harrell, John Vlah
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6698606
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container is provided suitable for hot-filling under pressurize-fill conditions, and under gravity-fill conditions. The container includes opposing handgrips within panels, which lack hinges and thus do not function as conventional vacuum panels as the inward deformation is spread beyond the panels. The hand grip includes a distal, relatively stiffened portion formed by a sidewall that forms a thumb piece and a proximal, relatively un-stiffened portion the smooth merges into a cylindrical sidewall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Constar International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Deubel, Satya Kamineni, Philip G. Kraft, Richard G. Kraft
  • Patent number: 6695162
    Abstract: A plastic bottle, wherein reinforcing portions are formed by a circular groove provided around the body of the bottle. The groove comprises, from the base upwards, a lower part to be connected to the body, a central part, and an upper part to be connected to the body. Each of the parts has a constant peripheral profile, the central part having a peripheral profile with simple curvature with a concave part facing outwards of the bottle, the upper and lower parts having each a profile with simple curvature and a concave part facing inwards of the bottle, and the upper and lower parts are each connected tangentially to the body and the central part. The invention is particularly applicable to bottles designed to be filled with carbonated or aerated drinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventors: Michel Boukobza, Vincent Le Guen
  • Patent number: 6695163
    Abstract: A water bottle with an integrally molded handle in which the opening defined by the handle has a contour that corresponds substantially to the contours of the fingers of the hand when the bottle is held during use. The bottle can include a series of ribs and furrows approximately matching the contour of the insides of the fingers that allow the user to securely grip the bottle during use. In a second embodiment the integrally molded handle is attached by a fluted arrangement and can be extended from or collapsed to the sides of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Michalowski
  • Publication number: 20040026351
    Abstract: A variable flow infant feeding assembly is designed so that a caregiver can select an optimal feeding flow rate without having to change nipples, as may be desired depending upon the age and appetite of the infant as well as the liquid that is being dispensed. Preferably, the assembly includes a baby bottle and a nipple member that has ventilation structure defined therein for permitting replacement air to enter the baby bottle during feeding. Retention structure such as a threaded ring member is provided for securing the nipple member to the baby bottle. Advantageously, variable restrictor structure is provided, preferably so as to be integral with the ring member, for selectively blocking at least a portion of the ventilation structure. By controlling the size of the opening through which replacement air flows into the baby bottle, the variable restrictor structure permits the feeding flow rate through the nipple member to be adjusted by a caregiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Antonio C. Hu, Charles P. Davis, Kevin D. Johnson, Mark Hatherill
  • Publication number: 20040026357
    Abstract: A handgrip formed in a wall of a plastics container, the wall having an interior, an interior surface, an exterior surface and a wall thickness and suitable for containing a carbonated beverage, including an integral structure formed of a central dome having a convex surface facing toward the adjacent said exterior surface and at least two concentric annular troughs, each having an annular concave surface facing the adjacent said exterior surface, an outer frustum interconnected with each trough and connecting rings, each of curved cross-section having an annular concave surface facing toward the interior, to join, integrally, the frustums to the next outer trough and the outermost frustum to the container wall surrounding the handgrip, the handgrip having a thickness approximately equal to the wall thickness, wherein the handgrip does not extend radially outwardly of the wall. An associated container, blow mold and method are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Martin H. Beck, Dennis Connor
  • Publication number: 20040000533
    Abstract: A container base that is capable of receiving positive internal pressure, such as that created by introducing liquefied gas during a hot filling process, includes either ribs that substantially connect to a standing ring or a draft surface formed on the bottom of the ribs, or a combination of such features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Satya Kamineni, Michael R. Mooney
  • Publication number: 20030234236
    Abstract: A water bottle with an integrally molded handle in which the opening defined by the handle has a contour that corresponds substantially to the contours of the fingers of the hand when the bottle is held during use. The bottle can include a series of ribs and furrows approximately matching the contour of the insides of the fingers that allow the user to securely grip the bottle during use. In a second embodiment the integrally molded handle is attached by a fluted arrangement and can be extended from or collapsed to the sides of the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Richard M. Michalowski
  • Patent number: 6659300
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided having an elongated neck, a shoulder region, a body portion and a base. The shoulder region having a substantially square cross section. The base having a substantially circular cross section. The substantially square cross section of the shoulder region preserves the brand identification benefits associated with a square shaped container while the substantially circular cross section of the base preserves the handling and structural attributes associated with a circular shaped container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Michael Wurster, Richard J. Steih, Christopher LaBombarbe
  • Publication number: 20030205550
    Abstract: A lightweight hot-fill blow-molded plastic container (10, 110) having a sidewall (16) with a rigid grip portion (24, 124) and a flexible vacuum absorption portion (26, 126).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Roger M Prevot, David M Melrose, Richard K Ogg, Raymond A Pritchett
  • Patent number: 6640990
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a container body and an opening at one end of the container body for allowing liquid contents to be charged into the container and discharged therefrom. The container body has surface portions, which are recessed inwards and opposed to each other to define a grip region therebetween. The grip region has a width that changes gradually in a longitudinal direction of the container body, so that the container can be readily and stably held by hand regardless of the hand size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6616001
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a container body and an opening at one end of the container body for allowing liquid contents to be charged into the container and discharged therefrom. The container body has surface portions, which are recessed inwards and opposed to each other to define a grip region therebetween. The grip region includes a panel portion for absorbing deformation of the container body upon pressure drop therein. The panel portion has a width as measured in circumferential direction of the container body, and is provided with at least one circumferential rib having a length that is smaller that the width of the panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20030136754
    Abstract: A container includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a shoulder that extends away from a neck of the container, and a grip portion. The grip portion defines an integral logo portion and is recessed within the top portion of the container. A waist or groove is provided on adjacent lateral sides of the grip portion and may include a lateral stiffening rib. The bottom portion of the container includes a plurality of vacuum panels that accommodate for internal forces tending to cause collapse of the vacuum panels during a hot-fill process. Any portion of the internal forces not accommodated by the vacuum panels in the bottom portion of the container is accommodated by an auxiliary vacuum panel, which is provided in the grip portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bourque, Ralph T. Coley, Takao Ilzuka, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6596328
    Abstract: An improved container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and a multi-functional cap. The receptacle portion is a blow molded plastic, while a outer layer comprising a shrink-wrap graphics carrier is applied over the receptacle and cap. The multi-functional cap nests over and seals the mouth end of the container, inverts to seat on the mouth of the container as a bowl, and nests over the base of the container for storage while the container is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Anthony Bezek, Patrick Joseph Bierschenk, John Joseph Michels
  • Patent number: 6575321
    Abstract: A container includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a shoulder that extends away from a neck of the container, and a grip portion. The grip portion defines an integral logo portion and is recessed within the top portion of the container. A waist or groove is provided on adjacent lateral sides of the grip portion and may include a lateral stiffening rib. The bottom portion of the container includes a plurality of vacuum panels that accommodate for internal forces tending to cause collapse of the vacuum panels during a hot-fill process. Any portion of the internal forces not accommodated by the vacuum panels in the bottom portion of the container is accommodated by an auxiliary vacuum panel, which is provided in the grip portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bourque, Ralph T. Coley, Jr., Takao Iizuka, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6564959
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a container body and an opening at one end of the container body for allowing liquid contents to be charged into the container and discharged therefrom. The container body has surface portions, which are recessed inwards and opposed to each other to define a grip region therebetween. The recessed surface portions are each defined by at least two shoulder-like steps that are engageable with consumer's fingers when the container is held by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20030075521
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handy bottle capable of absorbing deformation strain caused by variation of capacity, which is easy for lifting up and carrying because of its recessed portions for gripping and is excellent in dropping strength and capable of preventing the buckling phenomenon while maintaining moldability and lightweight property as well as a process for producing the handy bottle. A typical example of the handy bottle is featured by having the recessed portions for gripping on both side of a body portion thereof, a minimum distance L between the deepest portions of the recessed portions for gripping being 50% or less of the diameter D of the body portion, i.e. L/D≦50%, and a shape in diametric cross section of the recessed portions being almost bilaterally symmetrical to a line connecting the deepest portions and a central axis of the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Masaki Miura
  • Patent number: 6550627
    Abstract: A container having opposing ends joined by a closing member, which closing member carries (a) a plurality of spread-apart ribs that radially encompass the periphery of the closing member, and (2) a plurality of radial sub-portions between adjacent ribs which sub-portions encompass the periphery of the closing member and a plurality of facets carried by the sub-portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Terry Elich, Scott Schwallie, Michelle Wise
  • Publication number: 20030042222
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided having an elongated neck, a shoulder region, a body portion and a base. The shoulder region having a substantially square cross section. The base having a substantially circular cross section. The substantially square cross section of the shoulder region preserves the brand identification benefits associated with a square shaped container while the substantially circular cross section of the base preserves the handling and structural attributes associated with a circular shaped container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Wurster, Richard J. Steih, Christopher LaBombarbe
  • Publication number: 20030000912
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container is provided suitable for hot-filling under pressurize-fill conditions, and under gravity-fill conditions. The container includes opposing handgrips within panels, which lack hinges and thus do not function as conventional vacuum panels as the inward deformation is spread beyond the panels. The hand grip includes a distal, relatively stiffened portion formed by a sidewall that forms a thumb piece and a proximal, relatively un-stiffened portion the smooth merges into a cylindrical sidewall of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Donald Deubel, Satya Kamineni, Philip G. Kraft, Richard G. Kraft
  • Patent number: 6494333
    Abstract: A heat-resistant hollow cylindrical container comprising a neck, a shoulder, an upper body, a middle body provided with pressure reduction absorbing panels, and a lower body including a bottom wall, wherein said pressure reduction absorbing panels are arranged symmetrically relative to a central axis of the container, each of said pressure reduction absorbing panels is located inside an imaginary outer periphery of the cylindrical shape of the container, and each of said pressure reduction absorbing panels is provided with at least a pair of protuberances to be hooked by a finger. The middle body is provided with two pressure reduction absorbing panels arranged symmetrically respective to the central axis of the container. Said protuberances form a gap therebetween, and have a width and a height so sized as to allow a finger tip to be placed into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Sasaki, Takao Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20020162820
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a container body and an opening at one end of the container body for allowing liquid contents to be charged into the container and discharged therefrom. The container body has surface portions, which are recessed inwards and opposed to each other to define a grip region therebetween. The grip region has a width that changes gradually in a longitudinal direction of the container body, so that the container can be readily and stably held by hand regardless of the hand size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20020162819
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a container body and an opening at one end of the container body for allowing liquid contents to be charged into the container and discharged therefrom. The container body has surface portions, which are recessed inwards and opposed to each other to define a grip region therebetween. The grip region includes a panel portion for absorbing deformation of the container body upon pressure drop therein. The panel portion has a width as measured in circumferential direction of the container body, and is provided with at least one circumferential rib having a length that is smaller that the width of the panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20020162821
    Abstract: A bottle-type plastic container includes a container body and an opening at one end of the container body for allowing liquid contents to be charged into the container and discharged therefrom. The container body has surface portions, which are recessed inwards and opposed to each other to define a grip region therebetween. The recessed surface portions are each defined by at least two shoulder-like steps that are engageable with consumer's fingers when the container is held by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Saito, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6472007
    Abstract: An improved container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and a multi-functional cap. The container allows for the storage of multiple products separately within the container as well as consumption of the products while “on the go.” The multi-functional cap nests over and seals the mouth end of the container, allows for the nesting of a sub-container inside the cap, and allows the products to be resealed without contaminating each other. The container is ergonomically and stylishly shaped to provide a comfortable hand grip for a variety of consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Anthony Bezek, Patrick Joseph Bierschenk, John Joseph Michels
  • Publication number: 20020153345
    Abstract: A shrink-sleeved bottle is disclosed. The bottle has a base, a top part and sides. The bottle has a handle located on a side of the bottle and a sleeve that covers the handle. The sleeve has a cut-out that allows a user to grip the handle, and a fringe that is maintained flush against the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Karen Amanda Johnson, Alan David Blake, Patrick Jean-Francois Etesse, Gates Markham Moss
  • Patent number: 6467639
    Abstract: A hot-fillable grip container having a sidewall with a front label panel on which a label can be adhesively secured and prominently displayed. The label panel includes horizontally disposed stiffening grooves and transversely disposed channels connecting between adjacent pairs of grooves. The channels are preferably vertically disposed such that they are perpendicular to said grooves and provide anti-barreling and anti-buckling functions. In addition, the channels enable ready drainage of cooling liquid applied to a hot-filled and capped container so that proper label adhesion can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael R. Mooney