BEVERAGE CONTAINER

A plastic beverage container includes a beverage containing portion, a resealable closure, and a threaded sealing system. The beverage containing portion includes a closed base, a body potion, a neck portion, and an open sealing end. The resealable closure has a cylindrical portion disposed in the neck portion of the beverage containing portion. The threaded sealing system includes a male portion and a female portion. The male portion of the threaded sealing system is disposed on the outer circumference of the resealable closure and the female portion is disposed on the inner circumference of the open sealing end of the beverage containing portion.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/318,525 filed Apr. 5, 2016. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to blown plastic containers, and more specifically to plastic containers for packaging beverages.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.

Plastic containers have been used to package liquids intended for various purposes including, for example, consumable beverages and cleaning detergents among other common applications.

While current plastic containers are useful for their intended purpose, there is room in the art for an improved plastic container that provides a consumer with an improved experience, improved efficiency, and enhances environmental stewardship.

SUMMARY

A plastic beverage container is provided and includes a beverage containing portion, a resealable closure, and threaded sealing system. The beverage containing portion including a closed base, a body potion, a neck portion, and an open sealing end. The base has a first diameter and the neck portion has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the base. The resealable closure has a cylindrical portion disposed in the neck portion of the beverage containing portion. The threaded sealing system includes a male portion and a female portion. The male portion of the threaded sealing system is disposed on the outer circumference of the resealable closure. The female portion is disposed on the inner circumference of the open sealing end of the beverage containing portion. The body portion of the beverage containing portion has a lower section having a third diameter approximately equal to the first diameter, a middle section having a gradual diameter reducing shoulder, and an upper section having a fourth diameter approximately equal to the second diameter.

In an example of the present invention, the open sealing end has a fifth diameter that is larger than the second diameter of the neck portion.

In another example of the present invention, the first diameter of the base is more than twice the length of the second diameter of the neck portion.

In yet another example of the present invention, the resealable closure includes an outer portion defining a channel. The open sealing end is disposed in the channel. The outer portion of the resealable closure is disposed circumferentially outside of the open sealing end.

In yet another example of the present invention, the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure is contained within the bottom surface of the outer portion.

In yet another example of the present invention, the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure extends below the bottom surface of the outer portion.

In yet another example of the present invention, the resealable closure includes a top portion having at least a pair of grips extending outwardly.

In yet another example of the present invention, the beverage containing portion is manufactured from a one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP).

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sealing closure of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a sealing closure of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a sealing closure of an exemplary plastic beverage container according to the principles of the present disclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a plastic beverage container 10 is illustrated and will now be described. The plastic beverage container 10 includes a body portion 12, a base 14, and a closure 16. More specifically, the base 14 includes a circular base portion 18 and a concave portion 20. The base portion 18 provides a flat or even surface for stable support of the container 10. The concave portion 20 prevents any uneven protrusions from extending beyond the base portion 18 causing instability. Additionally, the concave portion 20 also provides a surface area to imprint or mold symbols for manufacturing or material information without interfering with the product brand label.

The body portion 12 includes a bottom end 22, a middle potion 24, a neck portion 26, a sealing end 28, and a hollow interior 30. The bottom end 22 of the body portion 12 maintains the same diameter D1 of the base portion 18 for a portion of its height H1. The diameter of the bottom end 22 narrows gradually as the body portion 12 transforms to the middle portion 24. The diameter of the middle portion 24 includes a subtle shoulder 32 before transitioning to the neck portion 26. The neck portion 26 has a narrow diameter D2 before expanding out to the sealing end 28 which is open to allow communication between the hollow interior 30 and the exterior of the body portion 12. In another example, the sides of the body portion 12 are curved such that the body portion 12 takes on a bullet-like shape. Furthermore, the sealing end 28 includes a threaded fastening feature (not shown) on the interior surface of the sealing end 28. For example, the sealing end 28 of the beverage container includes the female portion of a threaded sealing system 34.

The closure 16 therefore includes the male portion 36 of the threaded sealing system 34, as shown in FIG. 3. More particularly, the closure 16 includes a closed top 38, an open bottom 40, an outer portion 41, and a channel 42 formed into the bottom 40 of the closure 16. The channel 42 forms a first surface 44 having an outer facing circumference and a second surface 46 having an inner facing circumference. The male portion 36 of the threaded sealing system 34 is disposed on the first surface 44 of the closure 16. The cylindrical core 48, remaining after the channel 42 is formed, has a bottom surface 50 that is contained within the bottom 40 of the closure 16. The threaded sealing system 34 may also contain a seal (not show) to prevent the liquid beverage from leaking through the closure 16 or to prevent air from penetrating the interior 30 of the container 10. The closure 16 is disposed on the sealing end 28 such that the walls of the sealing end 28 are disposed in the channel 42 of the closure 16 and the outer portion 41 of the closure is disposed circumferentially outside of the sealing end 28.

The beverage container 10 can be manufactured from a polymer, including, without limitation, one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), or others, without departing from the scope of the invention. Regarding manufacturing of the beverage container 10, any one of a number of methods, such as injection stretch blow molding (ISBM), extrusion blow molding (EBM), compression molding, or others, can be used. If done by ISBM, a preform is made that is later blown into the end container 10, where the sealing end 28 of the end container is generally present in the preform.

With reference to FIGS. 4-5, another example of the present invention is illustrated and will now be described. A plastic beverage container 110 is illustrated and will now be described. The plastic beverage container 110 includes a body portion 112, a base 114, and a closure 116. More specifically, the base 114 includes a circular base portion 118 and a concave portion 120. The base portion 118 provides a flat or even surface for stable support of the container 110. The concave portion 120 prevents any uneven protrusions from extending beyond the base portion 118 causing instability. Additionally, the concave portion 120 also provides a surface area to imprint or mold symbols for manufacturing or material information without interfering with the product brand label.

The body portion 112 includes a bottom end 122, a middle potion 124, a neck portion 126, a sealing end 128, and a hollow interior 130. The bottom end 122 of the body portion 112 maintains the same diameter D3 of the base portion 118 for a portion of its height H2. The diameter of the bottom end 122 narrows gradually as the body portion transforms to the middle portion 124. The diameter of the middle portion 124 includes a subtle shoulder 132 before transitioning to the neck portion 126. The neck portion 126 includes the a narrow diameter D4 of the body portion 112 before expanding out to the sealing end 128 which is open to allow communication between the hollow interior 130 and the exterior of the body portion 112. Furthermore, the second end 128 includes a threaded fastening feature (not shown) on the interior surface of the sealing end 128. For example, the sealing end 128 of the beverage container includes the female portion of a threaded sealing system 134.

The closure 116 therefore includes the male portion 136 of the threaded sealing system 134, as shown in FIG. 6. More particularly, the closure 116 includes a closed top portion 138, an open bottom 140, and a channel 142 formed into the bottom 140 of the closure 116. The channel 142 forms a first interior surface 144 and a second exterior surface 146. The cylindrical core 148, remaining after the channel 142 is formed, has a bottom surface 150 that extends beyond the bottom 140 of the closure 116. The male portion 136 of the threaded sealing system 134 is disposed on the first interior surface 144 of the closure 116 on the portion of the cylindrical core 148 that extends beyond the bottom of the closure 116. The closure 116 also includes a feature to improve the gripping or leverage of the user. More specifically, a pair of grips 152 extend from the closed top portion 138 of the closure 116 to improve the users grip when twisting off the closure 116. The threaded sealing system 134 may also contain a seal (not show) to prevent the beverage from leaking through the closure 116 or to prevent air from penetrating the interior 130 of the container 110.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, another example of the present invention is illustrated and will now be described. A plastic beverage container 210 is illustrated and will now be described. The plastic beverage container 210 includes a body portion 212, a base 214, and a closure 216. More specifically, the base 214 includes a circular base portion 218 and a concave portion (not shown). The base portion 218 provides a flat or even surface for stable support of the container 210. The concave portion prevents any uneven protrusions from extending beyond the base portion 218 causing instability. Additionally, the concave portion also provides a surface area to imprint or mold symbols for manufacturing or material information without interfering with the product brand label.

The body portion 212 includes a bottom end 222, a middle potion 224, a neck portion 226, a sealing end 228, and a hollow interior 230. The bottom end 222 of the body portion 212 maintains the same diameter D5 of the base portion 218 for a portion of its height H3. The diameter of the bottom end 222 narrows gradually as the body portion transforms to the middle portion 224. The diameter of the middle portion 224 includes a subtle shoulder 232 before transitioning to the neck portion 226. The neck portion 226 includes the a narrow diameter D6 of the body portion 212 before expanding out to the sealing end 228 which is open to allow communication between the hollow interior 230 and the exterior of the body portion 212. Furthermore, the second end 228 includes a threaded fastening feature 229 on the interior surface of the sealing end 228. For example, the sealing end 228 of the beverage container includes the female portion 229 of a threaded sealing system 234.

The closure 216 therefore includes the male portion 236 of the threaded sealing system 234, as shown in FIG. 9. More particularly, the cylindrical closure 216 includes a closed top 238 and a bottom 240. The male portion 236 of the threaded sealing system 234 is disposed on the exterior surface 244 of the closure 216. The threaded sealing system 234 may also contain a seal (not show) to prevent the liquid beverage from leaking through the closure 216 or to prevent air from penetrating the interior 230 of the container 210.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A plastic beverage container, the plastic beverage container including:

a beverage containing portion including a closed base, a body potion, a neck portion, and an open sealing end, and wherein the base has a first diameter and the neck portion has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the base;
a resealable closure having a cylindrical portion disposed in the neck portion of the beverage containing portion;
a threaded sealing system including a male portion and a female portion, and wherein the male portion of the threaded sealing system is disposed on an outer circumference of the resealable closure and the female portion is disposed on an inner circumference of the open sealing end of the beverage containing portion; and
wherein the body portion of the beverage containing portion has a lower section having a third diameter approximately equal to the first diameter, a middle section having a gradual diameter reducing shoulder, and an upper section having a fourth diameter approximately equal to the second diameter.

2. The plastic beverage container of claim 1 wherein the open sealing end has a fifth diameter that is larger than the second diameter of the neck portion.

3. The plastic beverage container of claim 1 wherein the first diameter of the base is more than twice the length of the second diameter of the neck portion.

4. The plastic beverage container of claim 1 wherein the resealable closure includes an outer portion defining a channel, and wherein the open sealing end is disposed in the channel and the outer portion of the resealable closure is disposed circumferentially outside of the open sealing end.

5. The plastic beverage container of claim 4 wherein the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure is contained within the bottom surface of the outer portion.

6. The plastic beverage container of claim 4 wherein the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure extends below the bottom surface of the outer portion.

7. The plastic beverage container of claim 1 wherein the resealable closure includes a top portion having at least a pair of grips extending outwardly.

8. The plastic beverage container of claim 1 wherein the beverage containing portion is manufactured from a one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP).

9. A plastic beverage container, the plastic beverage container including:

a beverage containing portion including a closed base, a body potion, a neck portion, and an open sealing end, and wherein the base has a first diameter and the neck portion has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the base;
a resealable closure having a cylindrical portion having a top portion, and wherein the resealable closure is disposed in the neck portion of the beverage containing portion and the top portion includes at least a pair of grips extending outwardly;
a threaded sealing system including a male portion and a female portion, and wherein the male portion of the threaded sealing system is disposed on an outer circumference of the resealable closure and the female portion is disposed on an inner circumference of the open sealing end of the beverage containing portion; and
wherein the body portion of the beverage containing portion has a lower section having a third diameter approximately equal to the first diameter, a middle section having a gradual diameter reducing shoulder, an upper section having a fourth diameter approximately equal to the second diameter, and the open sealing end has a fifth diameter that is larger than the second diameter of the neck portion.

10. The plastic beverage container of claim 9 wherein the first diameter of the base is more than twice the length of the second diameter of the neck portion.

11. The plastic beverage container of claim 9 wherein the resealable closure includes an outer portion defining a channel, and wherein the open sealing end is disposed in the channel and the outer portion of the resealable closure is disposed circumferentially outside of the open sealing end.

12. The plastic beverage container of claim 11 wherein the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure is contained within the bottom surface of the outer portion.

13. The plastic beverage container of claim 11 wherein the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure extends below the bottom surface of the outer portion.

14. The plastic beverage container of claim 9 wherein the resealable closure includes a top portion having a pair of grips extending outwardly from the top portion.

15. The plastic beverage container of claim 9 wherein the beverage containing portion is manufactured from a one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP).

16. A plastic beverage container, the plastic beverage container including:

a beverage containing portion including a closed base, a body potion, a neck portion, and an open sealing end, and wherein the base has a first diameter, the neck portion has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the base, and the beverage containing portion is manufactured from a one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP);
a resealable closure having a cylindrical portion having a top portion, and wherein the resealable closure is disposed in the neck portion of the beverage containing portion and the top portion includes at least a pair of grips extending outwardly;
a threaded sealing system including a male portion and a female portion, and wherein the male portion of the threaded sealing system is disposed on the outer circumference of the resealable closure and the female portion is disposed on the inner circumference of the open sealing end of the beverage containing portion; and
wherein the body portion of the beverage containing portion has a lower section having a third diameter approximately equal to the first diameter, a middle section having a gradual diameter reducing shoulder, an upper section having a fourth diameter approximately equal to the second diameter, the first diameter of the base is more than twice the diameter of the second diameter of the neck portion, and the open sealing end has a fifth diameter that is larger than the second diameter of the neck portion.

17. The plastic beverage container of claim 16 wherein the resealable closure includes an outer portion defining a channel, and wherein the open sealing end is disposed in the channel and the outer portion of the resealable closure is disposed circumferentially outside of the open sealing end.

18. The plastic beverage container of claim 17 wherein the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure is contained within the bottom surface of the outer portion.

19. The plastic beverage container of claim 16 wherein the outer portion of the resealable closure includes a bottom surface and the cylindrical portion of the resealable closure extends below the bottom surface of the outer portion.

20. The plastic beverage container of claim 16 wherein the resealable closure includes a top portion having a pair of grips extending outwardly from the top portion.

Patent History
Publication number: 20170283125
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 3, 2017
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2017
Inventor: Kyle Fleischhacker (Dearborn, MI)
Application Number: 15/477,624
Classifications
International Classification: B65D 41/04 (20060101);