CONTAINER
A vessel is configured to hold a product in an interior region formed in the vessel. In illustrative embodiments, the vessel includes a floor and a side wall coupled to the floor to extend away from the floor. Together the floor and side wall cooperate to define the interior region.
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This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/783,994, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates to vessels, and in particular to cup or bottles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a cup formed from polymeric materials.
SUMMARYA vessel in accordance with the present disclosure is configured to hold a product in an interior region. In illustrative embodiments, the vessel is an insulated container such as a drink cup. In illustrative embodiments, the vessel is a container such as a shampoo bottle.
In illustrative embodiments, a container is formed multi-layer tube in a multi-layer co-extrusion blow molding process. The multi-layer tube includes an inner polymeric layer, an outer polymeric spaced apart from the inner polymeric material, and a middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material located between the inner and outer polymeric layers.
In illustrative embodiments, the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer has a density in a range of about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.19 g/cm3. In illustrative embodiments, the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer has a density in a range of about 0.05 g/cm3 to about 0.19 g/cm3. In illustrative embodiments, the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer has a density in a range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 0.185 g/cm3.
Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
A first embodiment of a container 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in
Container 10 is made during container-manufacturing process 100 from multi-layer tube 12 as shown in
In one example, inner and outer polymeric layers 12I, 12O are made from polypropylene. In another example, inner and outer polymeric layers 12I, 12O are made from high density polyethylene. In still yet another example, one of the polymeric layers may include a polymeric material and an oxygen barrier material such as Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH). However, inner and outer polymeric layers 12I, 12 may be made from any suitable polymeric material.
Middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 12M is configured to provide means for insulating a beverage or food placed in an interior region 14 formed in container 10, forming a structure having sufficient mechanical characteristics to support the beverage or food, and providing resistance to deformation and puncture. In one example, middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 12M is made from an insulative cellular non-aromatic high density polyethylene material. In another example, middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 12M is made from a predominantly polypropylene material. Reference is hereby made to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/491,007, filed Jun. 7, 2012 and titled POLYMERIC MATERIAL FOR AN INSULATED CONTAINER for disclosure relating to a polypropylene based insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material, which application is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein.
In illustrative embodiments, the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 12M has a density in a range of about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.19 g/cm3. In illustrative embodiments, the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer has a density in a range of about 0.05 g/cm3 to about 0.19 g/cm3. In illustrative embodiments, the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer has a density in a range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 0.185 g/cm3.
Outer polymeric layer 12O and inner polymeric layer 12I are, for example, made a non-aromatic polymer. Inner polymeric layer 12I is spaced apart from outer polymeric layer 12O so as to locate middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 12M therebetween Inner polymer layer 12I is located between interior region 14 and middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 12M as shown, for example, in
In one illustrative example, outer and inner polymeric layers 12O, 12I are made from polypropylene. While inner and outer polymeric layers 12O, 12I may be made from the same material, they may also be made from different materials so as to achieve desired performance characteristics of the container.
Container 10 includes, from top to bottom, a brim 16 and a body 18 as shown in
Container 10 is formed using container-manufacturing process 100 as shown, for example in
While container-manufacturing process 100 shows the extrusion of three layers, any number of inner layers, middle layers, and outer layers may be extruded by any number of extrudes. These various layers may then be combined in the die to establish a multi-layer tube.
Container-manufacturing process 100 further includes an extruding multi-layer tube operation 110, a mold closing operation 112, an air pumping operation 114, a mold opening operation 116, and a vessel removing operation 118 as shown, for example, in
In one example, a continuous extrusion process may be used in combination with a rotary blow molding machine. In this example, a continuous multi-layer tube is extruded and a series of molds included in the rotary blow molding machine rotate relative to the multi-layer tube. As molds approach the extruders forming the multi-layer tube, they begin to move from an opened arrangement to a closed arrangement trapping a portion of the multi-layer tube in a mold cavity formed in the mold. As the molds move away from the extruders forming the multi-layer tube, they move from the closed position to an opened position where a vessel is ejected from the mold cavity. One example of a rotary extrusion blow molding machine is available from Wilmington Machinery of Wilmington, N.C.
In another example, a continuous extrusion process may be used in combination with a shuttle blow molding machine. In this example, a first mold on a track moves to an opened position, slides over to receive the multi-layer tube in the mold cavity, and moves to a closed position. The first mold then slides away from the multi-layer tube where air is pumped into the interior space to cause the multi-layer tube to assume the mold shape. When the first mold moves away from the multi-layer tube, a second mold moves to an opened position, slides over to receive the continuously extruded multi-layer tube in a mold cavity of the second mold, and moves to a closed position. The second mold then slides away from the multi-layer tube where air is pumped into the interior space. While the second mold moves away from the multi-layer tube, the first mold moves to the opened position ejecting the vessel to start the process over again. One example of a shuttle blow molding machine is available from Graham Engineering Corporation of York, Pa.
Container-manufacturing process 100 may include an optional step of inserting a label or other item in the mold cavity prior to receiving the multi-layer tube 12 therein. As a result, body 18 may be formed with a printed label or other feature coupled to the side wall 28 during molding. Thus, container-manufacturing process 100 is capable of an-mold labeling operation.
Container-manufacturing process 100 further includes a cutting operation 120 and a forming operation 122 as shown in
Body 18 is shown, for example, in
Body 218 is formed using container-manufacturing process 300 as shown, for example in
Container-manufacturing process 300 further includes extruding multi-layer tube operation 110, mold closing operation 112, air pumping operation 114, mold opening operation 116, and vessel removing operation 118 as shown, for example, in
Container-manufacturing process 300 further includes a cutting operation 320, a floor forming operation 322, a floor coupling operation 324, and a body establishing operation 326 as shown in
Body 218 includes side wall 228 and floor 230 as shown in
Body 218 may then be accumulated and transported to forming operation 328 where a brim-forming step and a printing step may be performed. During the brim-forming step, a brim is formed on body 218 using a brim-forming machine (not shown) where a top portion of body 218 is rolled downwardly toward side wall 228. During the printing step, graphics, words, or other indicia may be printed on outwardly facing surface of outer polymeric layer 12O. Once the brim is established on body 218, a container is established.
Another embodiment of a container 410 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown, for example, in
Another embodiment of a container 510 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown, for example, in
Inner polymeric layer 512I is made from a polymeric material including high density polyethylene and colorant. Outer polymeric layer 512O is made from a polymeric material including high density polyethylene. Middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 512M is made from an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material that includes high density polyethylene and a talc nucleating agent as suggested in
Container 510 includes, from top to bottom, a brim 516 and a body 518 as shown in
In one example, containers 510 were formed from a multi-layer tube. The middle layer used to form middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material 512M had a density of about 0.83 grams per cubic centimeter. After mating the inner layer with the inner and outer layers and forming container 510, container 510 had a density of about 0.95 grams per cubic centimeter.
In another example, operation of the second extruder 132 was optimized to minimize density of the middle layer. In addition, thicknesses of inner and outer layers were minimized. As a result, inner polymeric layer 512I is about 15% of a total thickness of side wall 528 of container 510. Outer polymeric layer 512O is about 15% of the total thickness of side wall 528 of container 510. Middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material 512M is about 70% the total thickness of side wall 528 of container 510. Container 510, as a result, has a density of about 0.87 grams per cubic centimeter after optimization.
Inner polymeric layer 512I of container 510 has a weight of about 32 grams. Outer polymeric layer 512O of container 510 has a weight of about 40 grams. Middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material 512M has a weight of about 35 grams.
The optimized container 510 was tested in an Instron tester to determine top load performance as suggested in
The results of the top-loading testing show that containers 510 withstood higher collapse force even when about 10% lighter than non-cellular containers. As a result, container 510 provides for a more sustainable container as less material is a stronger container is provided that maximizes stack strength.
Another embodiment of a container 610 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown, for example, in
Container 610 includes, from top to bottom, a neck 616 and a body 618 as shown in
In one example, containers 610 were formed from a multi-layer tube. The middle layer used to form middle insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric layer 612M had a density of about 0.62 grams per cubic centimeter. After mating the inner layer with the inner and outer layers and forming container 610, container 610 has a density of about 0.88 grams per cubic centimeter as suggested in
Claims
1. A vessel comprising
- a floor and
- a side wall coupled to the floor and arranged to extend upwardly from ground underlying the floor and to cooperate with the floor to define an interior product-storage region therebetween,
- wherein the floor and the side wall cooperate to form a monolithic element comprising an inner polymeric layer forming a boundary of the interior product-storage region, an outer polymeric layer arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the inner polymeric layer to define a core chamber therebetween, and a middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material located in the core chamber to lie between the outer polymeric layer and the inner polymeric layer, and
- wherein the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material has a density in a range of about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.19 g/cm3.
2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprises polypropylene.
3. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the density of the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is in a range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 0.185 g/cm3.
4. The vessel of claim 3, wherein each of the inner polymeric layer, the outer polymeric layer comprise polypropylene.
5. The vessel of claim 2, wherein each of the inner polymeric layer, the outer polymeric layer comprise polypropylene.
6. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprises high density polyethylene.
7. The vessel of claim 6, wherein the density of the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is in a range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 0.185 g/cm3.
8. The vessel of claim 6, wherein each of the inner polymeric layer, the outer polymeric layer comprise polypropylene.
9. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the density of the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is in a range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 0.185 g/cm3.
10. The vessel of claim 1, wherein each of the inner polymeric layer, the outer polymeric layer, and the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprises polypropylene.
11. The vessel of claim 1, further comprising a brim coupled to an upper portion of the side wall and formed to include a mouth opening into the interior product-storage region.
12. The vessel of claim 11, wherein the brim is coupled to each of the inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer to close an annular opening into a portion of the core chamber formed in the side wall.
13. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is the only material located in the core chamber.
14. The vessel of claim 13, wherein the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is arranged to fill the core chamber completely.
15. The vessel of claim 14, wherein the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprises polypropylene.
16. The vessel of claim 15, wherein the density of the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is in a range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 0.185 g/cm3.
17. The vessel of claim 15, wherein each of the inner polymeric layer, the outer polymeric layer comprise polypropylene.
18. A vessel comprising
- a floor and
- a side wall coupled to the floor and arranged to extend upwardly from ground underlying the floor and to cooperate with the floor to define an interior product-storage region therebetween,
- wherein the floor and the side wall cooperate to form a monolithic element comprising an inner polymeric layer forming a boundary of the interior product-storage region, an outer polymeric layer arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the inner polymeric layer to define a core chamber therebetween, and a middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material located in the core chamber to lie between the outer polymeric layer and the inner polymeric layer, and
- wherein the inner polymeric layer, the outer polymeric layer, and the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material cooperate to maximize resistance to a collapse force while minimizing a weight of the vessel.
19. The vessel of claim 18, wherein the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material comprises high density polyethylene.
20. The vessel of claim 19, wherein the density of the middle cellular non-aromatic polymeric material is in a range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 0.185 g/cm3.
21. The vessel of claim 20, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is greater than a collapse force required to collapse a non-cellular vessel having a shape about the same as a shape of the vessel.
22. The vessel of claim 21, wherein a mass of the vessel is about equal to a mass of the non-cellular vessel.
23. The vessel of claim 22, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 55% to about 65% greater than the collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
24. The vessel of claim 23, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 58% greater than the collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
25. The vessel of claim 24, wherein the mass is about 35 grams.
26. The vessel of claim 23, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 61% greater than the collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
27. The vessel of claim 26, wherein the mass is about 40 grams.
28. The vessel of claim 21, wherein a mass of the vessel is less than a mass of the non-cellular vessel.
29. The vessel of claim 28, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 1% to about 25% greater than a collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
30. The vessel of claim 29, wherein a mass of the vessel is about 32 grams and a mass of the non-cellular vessel is about 35 grams.
31. The vessel of claim 30, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 23% greater than the collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
32. The vessel of claim 29, wherein a mass of the vessel is about 35 grams and a mass of the non-cellular vessel is about 40 grams.
33. The vessel of claim 32, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 14% greater than the collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
34. The vessel of claim 29, wherein a mass of the vessel is about 40 grams and a mass of the non-cellular vessel is about 44 grams.
35. The vessel of claim 34, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 2% greater than the collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
36. The vessel of claim 29, wherein a mass of the vessel is about 5% to about 15% smaller than a mass of the non-cellular vessel is about 35 grams.
37. The vessel of claim 36, wherein the collapse force required to collapse the vessel is about 1% to about 25% greater than a collapse force required to collapse the non-cellular vessel.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Applicant: Berry Plastics Corporation (Evansville, IN)
Inventors: Jeffrey C. Minnette (Evansville, IN), Rolland Strasser (Asbury, NJ)
Application Number: 14/211,553
International Classification: B65D 1/40 (20060101);