Patent Application
20230312214
Embodiments described herein generally relate to a beverage container. Specifically, embodiments described herein relate to a beverage container having a sidewall with channels formed in the sidewall that are configured to limit or resist deformation of the beverage container.
Beverage containers composed of polyethylene terephthalate and other plastics are used for storing beverages, such as sports drinks, juices, water, and other types of beverages. Forming beverage containers from plastic materials is a cost-effective and convenient alternative to packaging beverages in glass or metal containers due to their light weight, transparency, and ease of production. However, such plastic beverage containers may be susceptible to deformation when exposed to high temperatures or changes in pressure.
Some embodiments are directed to a beverage container that includes a base, a cylindrical sidewall extending from and integrally formed with the base, and an upper region extending from the sidewall and defining an upper opening. The beverage container may include a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the base to the upper opening. A continuous channel may be formed in and extend around a circumference of the sidewall, and the continuous channel may be sinusoidal such that the continuous channel forms peaks and troughs. A height of the continuous channel as measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis from a peak to a trough may be about 30% to 80% of a height of the sidewall so as to resist elongation of the beverage container in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
Some embodiments are directed to a beverage container that includes a base, a cylindrical sidewall extending from and integrally formed with the base, and an upper region extending from the cylindrical sidewall and defining an upper opening. Diagonal channels may be formed in the sidewall and extend at an oblique angle relative to a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container. The diagonal channels may be spaced along a circumference of the sidewall to resist deformation of the beverage container in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the beverage container and to resist paneling in shape of the sidewall. The beverage container may further include linear channel segments formed in the sidewall and extending along a circumference of the sidewall, wherein the linear channel segments resist paneling of the sidewall when an internal pressure of the beverage container is less than an external pressure.
Some embodiments are directed to a beverage container that includes a cylindrical sidewall and a continuous channel formed in and extending around the sidewall. The continuous channel may have a sinusoidal pattern with three peaks and three troughs such that the continuous channel resists elongation of the beverage container in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the beverage container.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the continuous channel may be configured to resist elongation in a direction of the longitudinal axis when the beverage container is suspended from the upper region and is filled with a beverage having a temperature at or above a glass transition temperature of the beverage container.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage container may include a lower continuous channel and an upper continuous channel that are spaced from one another in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the beverage container. In some embodiments, each of the upper and lower continuous channels may include an upper bound defined as a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis at which the peaks are formed and a lower bound defined as a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis at which the troughs are formed, and the upper bound of the lower continuous channel may be above the lower bound of the upper continuous channel. In some embodiments, the lower continuous channel and the upper continuous channel may have the same dimensions. In some embodiments, the peaks of the lower continuous channel and the upper continuous channel may be aligned in a longitudinal direction of the beverage container.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the continuous channel may include a diagonal region extending between a peak and a trough of the continuous channel that forms an angle with a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container of 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be 45 degrees.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage container may further include linear channel segments formed in the sidewall and extending around a portion of the circumference of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the linear channel segments may be arranged in one or more planes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container. In some embodiments, the linear channel segments may be spaced from the continuous channel. In some embodiments, the continuous channel may include an upper bound that is a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis and at which the peaks are formed, and a lower bound that is a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis and at which the troughs are formed, and wherein the linear channel segments may be positioned between the upper bound and the lower bound.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein having diagonal channels, the diagonal channels may be arranged at an angle relative to a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container that is 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the diagonal channels may each have the same shape and dimensions. In some embodiments, each of the diagonal channels may have a first end opposite a second end, and a height of each of the diagonal channels measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end may be about 30% to 80% of a height of the sidewall of the beverage container. In some embodiments, the diagonal channels may be connected by peaks and troughs so as to form a continuous channel.
Some embodiments are directed to a beverage container that includes a base, a sidewall extending from and integrally formed with the base, an upper region extending from the sidewall and defining an upper opening, wherein the beverage container includes a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the base to the upper opening. The beverage container includes a first continuous channel formed in and extending continuously around a circumference of the sidewall, wherein the first continuous channel includes peaks and troughs connected by diagonal regions, and wherein the first continuous channel is configured to resist paneling and elongation of the beverage container. The beverage container further includes a second continuous channel formed in and extending continuously around a circumference of the sidewall, wherein the second continuous channel includes peaks and troughs connected by diagonal regions, and wherein the second continuous channel is configured to resist paneling and elongation of the beverage container. The beverage container further includes a central channel formed in and extending continuously around a circumference of the sidewall at a central portion of the sidewall between the first and second continuous channels, wherein the central channel is configured to resist paneling of the beverage container.
Some embodiments are directed to a beverage container that includes a base, a sidewall extending from and integrally formed with the base, and an upper region extending from the sidewall and defining an upper opening, wherein the beverage container includes a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the base to the upper opening. The beverage container further includes a first continuous channel formed in and extending around a circumference of the sidewall, wherein the continuous channel includes peaks and troughs connected by diagonal regions, and wherein the continuous channel is configured to resist paneling and elongation of the beverage container. The beverage container further includes a second continuous channel formed in and extending around a circumference of the sidewall, wherein the second continuous channel includes peaks and troughs connected by diagonal regions, and the second continuous channel is configured to resist paneling and elongation of the beverage container. The beverage container further includes one or more vacuum panels formed in the sidewall of the beverage container and arranged between the first and second continuous channels.
Some embodiments are directed to a beverage container that includes a base, a sidewall extending from and integrally formed with the base, and an upper region extending from the sidewall and defining an upper opening, wherein the beverage container includes a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the base to the upper opening. The beverage container further includes a continuous channel formed in and extending around a circumference of the sidewall, wherein the continuous channel includes peaks and troughs connected by diagonal regions, and the continuous channel is configured to resist paneling and elongation of the beverage container. The beverage container further includes one or more vacuum panels formed in the sidewall of the beverage container. In any of the various embodiments discussed herein having vacuum panels, a vacuum panel of the one or more vacuum panels may have a perimeter, an inner wall that slopes from the perimeter to a bottom of the vacuum panel, and one or more projections extending from the bottom of the vacuum panel.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the central channel may be arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the central channel may be arranged at a midpoint of the sidewall in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the diagonal regions of the first continuous channel may form an angle of 40 to 50 degrees relative to a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage container may further include linear channel segments formed in the sidewall and extending along a circumference of the sidewall, wherein the linear channel segments may be configured to resist paneling of the sidewall when an internal pressure of the beverage container is less than an external pressure. In some embodiments, one or more of the linear channel segments may be arranged on the sidewall between the first continuous channel and the central channel. In some embodiments, one or more of the linear channel segments may be arranged on the sidewall above the first continuous channel.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the peaks of the first continuous channel and the peaks of the second continuous channel may be aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the beverage container.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein having vacuum panels, the one or more vacuum panels may include seven to ten vacuum panels.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein having vacuum panels, the peaks of the first continuous channel may be aligned with troughs of the second continuous channel in a direction of the longitudinal axis.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein having vacuum panels, each vacuum panel of the one or more vacuum panels may be arranged between a peak of the first continuous channel and a trough of the second continuous channel.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein having vacuum panels, each of the one or more vacuum panels may include a width in a circumferential direction that is less than a circumferential distance measured from a first peak of the first continuous channel to a second peak of the first continuous channel.
In any of the various embodiments described herein having vacuum panels, the one or more vacuum panels may include a number of vacuum panels that is the same as a number of peaks of the first continuous channel.
In any of the various embodiments described herein having vacuum panels, the perimeter may include an oval shape.
In any of the various embodiments described herein having vacuum panels, the inner wall may be arranged at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the vacuum panel in a range of 1 degree to 50 degrees.
In any of the various embodiments described herein having vacuum panels, the inner wall may further include a step.
In any of the various embodiments described herein having vacuum panels, the vacuum panel of the one or more vacuum panels may further include a trench formed in the bottom of the vacuum panel, wherein the trench is configured to allow the bottom to flex in multiple directions.
In any of the various embodiments described herein having vacuum panels, the vacuum panel of the one or more vacuum panels may further include one or more recesses formed in the bottom of the vacuum panel.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles thereof and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the same.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the disclosure.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Beverage containers for storing various types of beverages may be composed of a plastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), among others. Such plastic beverage containers often have a generally cylindrical construction. Plastic beverage containers may be filled with a beverage via a hot-filling operation. In a hot-filling operation, a beverage to be stored in the beverage container is heated to an elevated temperature, such as a temperature of about 170° F. or more, and deposited in the beverage container. The beverage container may be supported on a support surface during filling, or the beverage container may be suspended by an upper end, or neck, of the beverage container during filling. Once filled and capped, the beverage container and beverage therein are rapidly cooled. This cooling of the beverage may result in thermal contraction, which reduces the internal volume of the beverage container. To accommodate the resulting pressure differential, side walls of the beverage container may be pulled inward. Depending on the structure of the beverage container, including its sidewall, this can result in undesirable deformation, or “paneling” of the side wall, where a once-cylindrical sidewall takes on flattened or otherwise deformed shapes in order to accommodate the internal vacuum created by the reduction in volume of the beverage due to thermal contraction during cooling.
To help the beverage container to maintain its cylindrical shape throughout the process of filling the beverage container with a liquid and subsequently during storage and transportation of the beverage container, one or more ribs may be formed in the beverage container. The ribs may be formed on the beverage container as recessed (indented) channels that extend toward an interior volume of the beverage container and extend completely around the circumference of the beverage container in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container. The ribs help to prevent the beverage container from paneling or otherwise deforming when an internal pressure of the beverage container is less than an external pressure. Such paneling may reduce the structural stability of the beverage container. Also, beverage containers that experience deformation may be unappealing to consumers, which may negatively impact sales of the beverage containers. While the ribs extending around a circumference of the beverage container may help to avoid paneling, the ribs may make the beverage container more susceptible to elongation in a longitudinal direction during certain types of filling operations.
As the beverage container is composed of plastic, the plastic may begin to deform if heated to a sufficiently high temperature, such as a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the beverage container. As a result, when the beverage container is suspended from its upper end or neck and is filled with a high temperature beverage, the weight of the beverage within the container and the heat may cause the beverage container to elongate in a longitudinal direction. Specifically, elongation may be most significant at the ribs of the beverage container, as the ribs may stretch or flatten, resulting in elongation of the beverage container.
Elongation of the beverage container may be undesirable because the elongation may result in beverage containers having different heights. Beverage containers having various heights may make it difficult to stack and store the beverage containers. For example, a case of beverage containers having varying heights may not evenly carry the load of another case of beverage containers stacked atop the first. The taller beverage containers may carry more of the load than the shorter ones, and may apply uneven pressure to the second case. This may make the second case sit unevenly on the first, making stacking and storage more difficult. This problem may compound as additional cases of beverage containers are stacked on top of one another.
In some embodiments described herein, a beverage container includes a sidewall with a channel formed in the sidewall having a sinusoidal shape that extends around a circumference of the beverage container. The channel helps to resist elongation of the beverage container, such as during hot-filling operations, while also providing resistance to paneling. The sidewall of the beverage container may further include linear channel segments that extend along a portion of a circumference of the sidewall. The linear channel segments may provide further resistance to paneling.
In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in
In some embodiments, sidewall 160 of beverage container 100 may include one or more circumferential channels 150 extending continuously around a circumference of sidewall 160. In
As shown in
In some embodiments, a continuous channel 140 is formed in sidewall 160 and extends around a circumference C of sidewall 160. In some embodiments, continuous channel 140 has a sinusoidal shape such that continuous channel 140 includes a series of alternating peaks 146 and troughs 144 separated by diagonal regions 142. Diagonal regions 142 may be generally linear or may have a slight curvature so as to be curvilinear. It is understood that diagonal regions 142 may necessarily have a slight curvature as diagonal regions 142 extend around a portion of cylindrical sidewall 160. Further, in some embodiments, diagonal region 142 may have a slight curvature as a diagonal region 142 approaches a peak 146 or a trough 144. In some embodiments, continuous channel 140 may form three peaks 146 (and thus three troughs 144). Some embodiments may include additional or fewer peaks 146, however, due to approach and passage through a transverse plane relative to longitudinal axis Z, peaks 146 and troughs 144 may be more susceptible to elongation than diagonal regions 142 of continuous channel 140. As a result, the susceptibility of beverage container 100 to elongation decreases as the number of peaks 146 (and troughs 144) is reduced.
Continuous channels 140 serve a dual purpose: to resist or prevent elongation of beverage container 100 in a direction of longitudinal axis Z during hot-filling operations, and to resist or prevent paneling of beverage container 100 when an internal pressure of beverage container 100 is less than an external pressure. As discussed, ribs (or channels) that extend circumferentially around the beverage container and that are oriented in or near a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis Z may be susceptible to elongation in the direction of longitudinal axis Z, because, for example, the weight of a high-temperature beverage will be directed in the direction of longitudinal axis Z, nearly perpendicularly to the ribs. However, diagonal regions 142 of continuous channel 140 are less susceptible to elongation because diagonal regions 142 are oriented at an angle relative to a transverse plane. As a result, when beverage container 100 is filled with a high-temperature beverage, beverage container 100 is less able to stretch longitudinally in diagonal region 142 of continuous channel 140. The weight of the high-temperature beverage (in the direction of longitudinal axis Z) will not be perpendicular to the direction of diagonal region 142 and will instead be at an angle thereto.
Further, as continuous channels 140 extend around a circumference C of sidewall 160, continuous channels 140 inhibit sidewall 160 from deforming, such as collapsing toward an interior of beverage container 100 when an internal pressure of beverage container 100 is greater than an external pressure. Thus, continuous channels 140 also help sidewall 160 to maintain a cylindrical configuration.
As shown in
In some embodiments, channels 140 have a rounded indented surface, as shown for example at
In some embodiments, continuous channels 140 have a circular-arc cross section based on a circle of 4 mm to 8 mm (e.g., 6 mm) diameter, with a depth d of 0.5 mm to 4 mm (e.g., 0.8 mm). As depth d of continuous channel 140 increases, the resistance of beverage container 100 to paneling increases. However, increasing depth d of channel 140 may make beverage container 100 more susceptible to elongation in a longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, all continuous channels 140 have the same cross-sectional size and shape.
In some embodiments, sidewall 160 is formed with two or more continuous channels 140a, 140b, such as a lower continuous channel 140a and an upper continuous channel 140b, as shown in
In some embodiments, lower and upper continuous channels 140a, 140b may be formed with the same shape and dimensions. Thus, each channel 140a, 140b may be sinusoidal. Each channel 140a, 140b may have the same height as measured in a longitudinal direction from a trough 144 to a peak 146 of a continuous channel 140, and each channel 140a, 140b may have the same number of peaks 146 and troughs 144. The lower and upper continuous channels 140a, 140b may be in-phase with one another, such that peaks 146a, 146b of the lower and upper continuous channels 140a, 140b are aligned in the longitudinal direction of beverage container 100.
In some embodiments, each continuous channel 140 includes a lower bound L and an upper bound U, as best shown in
Each continuous channel 140 has a height measured in a direction of longitudinal axis Z from trough 144 to peak 146 (or lower bound L to upper bound U). Lower continuous channel 140 has a height h1, and upper continuous channel 140b has a height h2 that may be the same as h1. In some embodiments, a height, h1 or h2, of each continuous channel 140 may be about 30% to about 80% of a height of sidewall 160. In some embodiments, each continuous channel 140 may be about 40% to about 70% of the height of sidewall 160. The height, H, of sidewall 160 is measured from a lower end 162 of sidewall 160 adjacent base 120 in a direction of longitudinal axis Z to an upper end 161 of sidewall 160 adjacent upper region 180.
In some embodiments, upper bound U1 of a lower continuous channel 140a may be above lower bound L2 of an upper continuous channel 140b. In this way, continuous channels 140a, 140b are spaced closely together such that a plane transverse to longitudinal axis Z intersects at least a portion of a continuous channel 140. In some embodiments, upper bound U1 of lower continuous channel 140a may be at or below lower bound L2 of upper continuous channel 140b.
In some embodiments, sidewall 160 of beverage container 100 further includes linear channel segments 170, as shown in
Linear channel segments 170 extend around a portion of a circumference of sidewall 160. Similarly to continuous channels 140, linear channel segments 170 may be formed in sidewall 160 as recessed areas that extend towards an interior volume of beverage container 100. Linear channel segments 170 may be positioned in one or more planes, e.g., X1, X2, X3 and X4, that are transverse to longitudinal axis Z of beverage container 100. Each transverse plane may have multiple linear channel segments 170 that are spaced from one another around the circumference of sidewall 160. In some embodiments, a plane extending transversely to longitudinal axis Z may include four linear channel segments 170 spaced around the circumference of sidewall 160. Linear channel segments 170 in a particular plane may each be the same shape and dimensions. In some embodiments, linear channel segments 170 in a first plane X1 may extend around a circumference to a greater extent than linear channel segments 170 arranged in a second plane X2, such that the linear channel segments 170 in each plane differ in length. In some embodiments, linear segments 170 in different planes, e.g., plane X1 and X2, may be aligned on sidewall 160 along longitudinal axis Z.
Linear channel segments 170 may be formed in sidewall 160 in an area between a lower bound L and an upper bound U of a continuous channel 140, as shown in
Linear channel segments 170 may have a rounded indented surface. Similar to continuous channels 140, linear channel segments 170 may take the form of a circular arc (e.g., a semi-circle) in cross-section. However, linear channel segments 170 may have other cross-sectional shapes, for example, a U-shape or parabolic cross-sectional shape, among others. Similar to the representation of continuous channel 140 shown in
In some embodiments, linear channel segments 170 have a semi-circular cross section with a diameter of 4 mm. In some embodiments, all linear channel segments 170 have the same cross-sectional size and shape. In some embodiments, each linear channel segment 170 may be formed with a deeper depth than depth d of continuous channel 140. In some embodiments, at least some linear channel segments 170 may have the same cross-sectional size and shape as at least some continuous channels 140.
In some embodiments, as shown in
Similar to diagonal regions 142 of continuous channels 140 of beverage container 100 as shown in
Diagonal channels 240 are oriented at an angle θ2 relative to a plane Y that is transverse to longitudinal axis Z. The angle may be, for example, 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle is 45 degrees. Further, each diagonal channel 240 may extend between a lower bound L defined as a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of beverage container 200 and an upper bound U defined as a plane transverse to longitudinal axis that is parallel to lower bound L. A first diagonal channel 240 may have a first end 241 at an upper bound U and extends along sidewall 260 in a counter-clockwise direction to a second end 242 at a lower bound L, and an adjacent diagonal channel 240 may have a first end 241 at lower bound L and extends along sidewall 260 in a counter-clockwise direction to a second end 242 at upper bound U. In this way, diagonal channels 240 may form a discontinuous, wave-like pattern. In some embodiments, however, diagonal channels 240 may be connected, e.g., by connecting a second end 242 of a first diagonal channel 240 to a first end 241 of a second diagonal channel 240 so as to form peaks and troughs, and forming a continuous channel comprising diagonal channels 240 that extends around a circumference of sidewall 260.
Each diagonal channel 240 has a height h3, measured in a direction of longitudinal axis Z from first end 241 to second end 242 (or from lower bound L to upper bound U). In some embodiments height h3 of each diagonal channel 240 may be about 30% to about 80% of a height of sidewall 260. In some embodiments, each diagonal channel 240 may be about 40% to about 70% of the height of sidewall 260. The height of sidewall 260 is measured from a lower end 262 of sidewall 260 adjacent base 220 in a direction of the longitudinal axis to an upper end 261 of sidewall 260 adjacent upper region 280.
In some embodiments, diagonal channels 240 may have a cross sectional shape, width and depth as discussed above with respect to continuous channels 140. Thus, diagonal channels 240 may be radiused so as to have a rounded surface. Diagonal channels 240 may be generally semi-circular in cross section. However, diagonal channels 240 may have alternate cross-sectional shapes and may have a U-shape or parabolic cross-sectional shape, among others. In some embodiments, diagonal channels 240 may have a diameter or width of 4 mm to 8 mm. In some embodiments, diagonal channels 240 may have a depth of 0.5 mm to 4 mm, and in an embodiment the depth may be 0.8 mm. As the depth of diagonal channels 240 increases, the resistance of beverage container 200 to paneling increases. However, increasing depth of diagonal channel 240 makes beverage container 200 more susceptible to elongation in a longitudinal direction.
In some embodiments, sidewall 260 may include diagonal channels 240 extending around a circumference of sidewall 260 that are centered along two or more planes that are transverse to a longitudinal axis of beverage container 200. Thus, diagonals channels 240 may be arranged on sidewall 260 in two or more rows. Diagonal channels 240 in each row may be aligned in a longitudinal direction of beverage container 200.
In some embodiments, beverage container 200 may further include a plurality of linear channel segments 270 formed in sidewall 260 of beverage container 200. Linear channel segments 270 may have the same shape, arrangement, and function as described above with respect to linear channel segments 170 of beverage container 100.
In some embodiments, a beverage container 300 may include a sidewall 360 having a one or more central channels 350, as shown in
Beverage container 300 differs from beverage container 100 primarily in having one or more central channels 350 arranged at a central portion 365 of sidewall 360 rather than having a circumferential channel 150 at lower end 162 of sidewall 160 as in beverage container 100 shown for example in
A central portion of a sidewall of a beverage container may be more prone to paneling than portions of the sidewall that are closer to the upper region or the base of the beverage container, which have relatively high hoop strength. Arranging one or more central channels 350 at a central portion 365 of sidewall 360 was found to reinforce central portion 365 of sidewall 360 and provide additional hoop strength, i.e., greater resistance to paneling, and arranging one or more continuous channels 340 above, below, or above and below central channel(s) 350 provides sidewall 360 with resistance to elongation. Thus, central channel(s) 350 can be positioned at a location on container 300 of relatively higher susceptibility to paneling, while channels 340 above and below central channel(s) 350 can still provide resistance to elongation in the manner discussed above.
In some embodiments, a central channel 350 is arranged on a central portion 365 of sidewall 360 of beverage container 300 in a longitudinal direction between base 320 and upper region 380. In some embodiments, a single central channel 350 may be arranged at a midpoint of sidewall 360. Central channels 350 may be formed in and may extend continuously around a circumference of sidewall 360 of beverage container 300. Central channel 350 may be arranged in a plane X5 transverse to a longitudinal axis of beverage container 300.
Central channel 350 may have a width in a range of about 3 mm to about 12 mm in a transverse direction across channel 350 (i.e., in a vertical direction as shown in
In some embodiments, sidewall 360 of beverage container 300 may include two continuous channels 340 (340A and 340B), as shown for example in
Upper and lower continuous channels 340A, 340B may be formed as discussed above with respect to continuous channels 140. However, as sidewall 360 of beverage container 300 includes a central channel 350 that occupies a portion of sidewall 360, a height of each continuous channels 340A, 340B as measured in a longitudinal direction from a peak to a trough of the continuous channel may be reduced relative to continuous channels 140 of beverage container 100. As discussed with respect to diagonal regions 142, the angle of diagonal regions 342 of continuous channels 340A, 340B extending between a peak and a trough of continuous channel 340A, 340B may form an angle of 40 to 50 degrees relative to a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container 300, and in some embodiments the angle may be 45 degrees. Further, a lower bound L1 of upper continuous channel 340A may be arranged above an upper bound U2 of lower continuous channel 340B in the longitudinal direction of the beverage container 300. Lower bound L1 of upper continuous channel 340A may be spaced from upper bound U2 of lower continuous channel 340B, and central channel 350 may be arranged in a plane X5 between lower bound L1 of upper continuous channel 340A and upper bound U2 of lower continuous channel 340B.
In some embodiments, beverage container 300 may further include linear channel segments 370. Linear channel segments 370 may have the same shape, arrangement, and functions as described above with respect to linear channel segments 170. Linear channel segments 370 may be arranged above upper continuous channel 340A and may be arranged below lower continuous channel 340B. In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, however, linear channel segments 470 may additionally be arranged between upper continuous channel 440A and central channel 450 and also between lower continuous channel 440B and central channel 450, as shown for example in
Linear channel segments 470 may be arranged in one or more planes transverse to a longitudinal axis of beverage container 400. In some embodiments, linear channel segments 470 that are arranged above and below each continuous channel 440 may not be in the same plane and may instead be staggered. For example, as shown in
Further, linear channel segments 470 arranged above a continuous channel 440 may be spaced from one another at a different distance in a longitudinal direction than linear channel segments arranged below continuous channel 440. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, a beverage container 100, 200, 300, 400 as described herein may be configured to resist elongation during a hot-filling operation such that the elongation of the beverage container is 1.5 % or less, 1.25% or less, or 1.0 % or less of the original height of the bottle.
In order to determine resistance of a beverage container to paneling, the beverage container can be filled with a liquid and sealed, and then some amount of the liquid can be extracted from the beverage container under a vacuum (e.g., via a syringe that pierces the bottle). In order to resist paneling of the beverage container due to pressure changes normally experienced during filling and storage of a beverage container, such as due to contraction resulting from cooling of the hot-filled liquid and evaporative losses of the beverage over time, the sidewall of the beverage container may be intended to withstand removal of a volume of liquid that is 0 % to 7%, 1.5 % to 6.5 %, or 3 % to 6 % of the total volume of the beverage container which will correspond to the % volume reduction due to thermal contraction of the beverage in a production scenario.
Some embodiments described herein are directed to a beverage container 500 that includes a sidewall 560 having a continuous channel 540 and one or more vacuum panels 530, as shown for example in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
When applying a label to beverage container 500, label may be affixed to portions of sidewall 560 adjacent continuous channels 540A, 540B. Continuous channels 540A, 540B help to maintain a cylindrical sidewall 560 which facilitates application of the label to sidewall 560. To help provide area to support a label on beverage container 500, each continuous channel 540A, 540B may have a height h4 of 15 mm to 25 mm, 16 mm to 24 mm or 18 mm to 22 mm, wherein the height h4 is measured from a trough 544 to a peak 546 of the continuous channel 540 in a longitudinal direction of beverage container 500. In some embodiments, the height h4 may be in a range of about 15 mm to about 25 mm. This may help to facilitate application of a label to sidewall 560 by providing a sufficient area for attaching the label to sidewall 560. In some embodiments, the total combined height h4 of continuous channels 540A, 540B may be in a range of 30% to 80% of a total height of sidewall 560 of beverage container 500.
In some embodiments, diagonal portions 542 of continuous channels 540 may be oriented at an angle relative to a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container of 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be 45 degrees so as to balance resistance to paneling when beverage container 500 is subjected to a pressure differential and resistance to elongation during hot-filling operations. As the angle decreases, such that continuous channel 540 is flattened and the sinusoidal pattern has a lower height h4, the resistance to elongation provided by continuous channel 540 decreases while the resistance to paneling increases.
In some embodiments, each continuous channel 540 of beverage container 500 having vacuum panels 530 may have seven to ten peaks. The number of peaks may be selected in order for the continuous channel 540 to extend continuously around the circumference of sidewall 560 while maintaining continuous channel 540 in the desired height h4 and with an angle of the diagonal portions 542 of continuous channel 540 in the desired range. Generally, as the number of peaks decreases, with the angle of the diagonal portion of the continuous channel and the dimensions of the sidewall 560 remaining constant, the height of the continuous channel increases.
Sidewall 560 of beverage container 500 further includes one or more vacuum panels 530 to help absorb the change in pressure exerted on beverage container 500 during cooling of a beverage after hot-filling the beverage into beverage container 500. Vacuum panels 530 may deform in order to prevent paneling of a remainder of sidewall 560. In embodiments having vacuum panels 530 on sidewall 560, base 520 of beverage container 500 may not need to be designed to accommodate change in pressure. However, in some embodiments, base 520 may include features that can flex or deform in order to help to absorb the change in pressure.
In some embodiments, one or more vacuum panels 530 are formed in sidewall 560 and are arranged between upper and lower continuous channels 540A, 540B. Vacuum panels 530 may have a recessed configuration and may extend inwardly toward an interior of beverage container 500. In some embodiments, vacuum panels 530 may have a perimeter in the shape of a square, rectangle, circle, or oval, among other shapes. Vacuum panels 530 may be arranged around a circumference of sidewall 560. Vacuum panels 530 may be evenly spaced around the circumference to evenly distribute the forces exerted on beverage container 500.
In some embodiments, vacuum panels 530 may be arranged between an upper continuous channel 540A and a lower continuous channel 540B. In some embodiments, upper continuous channel 540A may be arranged in-phase with respect to lower continuous channel 540B such that a peak 546 of an upper continuous channel 540A is aligned with a peak 546 of lower continuous channel 540B along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis X of beverage container 500. However, in some embodiments, upper continuous channel 540A may be arranged out-of-phase with respect to lower continuous channel 540B such that a peak 546 of an upper continuous channel 540A is aligned with a trough 544 of lower continuous channel 540B along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis X of beverage container 500. When upper and lower continuous channels 540A, 540B are arranged out of phase, more space is provided on sidewall 560 between channels 540A, 540B in which vacuum panel 530 may be arranged. Each vacuum panel 530 may be centered along an axis extending between a peak 546 of upper continuous channel 540A and a trough 544 of lower continuous channel 540B. In embodiments in which vacuum panels 530 are arranged in between a peak 546 of upper continuous channel 540A and a trough 544 of lower continuous channel 540B, vacuum panels 530 may extend above a lower bound of upper continuous channel 540A and may extend below an upper bound of lower continuous channel 540B. Further, each vacuum panel 530 may have a width that is less than a circumferential distance from a first peak 546 to an adjacent second peak 546 of lower continuous channel 540B. In this way, each vacuum panel 530 may be arranged in a space between adjacent peaks 546 without contacting or overlapping with an adjacent vacuum panel 530. In some embodiments, a number of vacuum panels 530 may correspond to a number of peaks 546 of a continuous channel 540A, 540B.
In some embodiments, vacuum panels 630 may have a configuration as shown, for example, in
Vacuum panels 630 may have an oval or elliptical shape. In some embodiments, vacuum panel 630 may have an oval shape with shortened and rounded ends, as discussed with respect to vacuum panel 830 as shown in
In some embodiments, vacuum panels 630 may be arranged between an upper continuous channel 640A and a lower continuous channel 640B. Upper continuous channel 640A may be arranged with respect to lower continuous channel 640B such that a peak 646 of an upper continuous channel 640A is aligned with a trough 644 of lower continuous channel 640B along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis X of beverage container 600. In this way, more space is provided on sidewall 660 in which vacuum panel 630 may be arranged. In some embodiments, the long dimension of vacuum panel 630 may be arranged along the longitudinal axis X. As vacuum panels 630 are arranged in between a peak 646 of upper continuous channel 640A and a trough 644 of lower continuous channel 640B, vacuum panels 630 may extend above a lower bound of upper continuous channel 640A and may extend below an upper bound of lower continuous channel 640B. Further, each vacuum panel 630 may have a width that is less than a circumferential distance d from a first peak 646 to an adjacent second peak 646 of the lower continuous channel 640B, as shown in
As shown in
Each vacuum panel 630 may include an inner wall 634 that slopes from sidewall 660 of beverage container 600 at perimeter 632 of vacuum panel 630 to bottom 636 of vacuum panel 630. Bottom 636 of vacuum panel 630 is recessed from a plane of sidewall 660 of beverage container 600, and thus vacuum panel 630 extends inwardly from sidewall 660 toward interior volume of beverage container 600. In some embodiments, inner wall 634 may be generally linear, and inner wall 634 may be sloped at an angle θ3 of about 1 degree to about 50 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis Z of vacuum panel 630, as shown in
When beverage container 600 is subjected to a change in pressure, such as a change in pressure along direction P, vacuum panel 630 may deform to help absorb the change in pressure such that the remainder of sidewall 660 retains its configuration. A shape of vacuum panel 630 in a deformed state is shown for example in dotted lines 630′. In the deformed state, vacuum panel 630 may flex inwardly such that an angle of inner wall 634 decreases and projection 638 may flatten.
In some embodiments, as shown in
When beverage container 600 is subjected to a change in pressure, such as a change in pressure along direction P, vacuum panel 630 may deform to help absorb the change in pressure such that a remainder of the sidewall 660 retains its configuration. A shape of vacuum panel 630 in a deformed state is shown for example by dotted line 630′. In the deformed state, vacuum panel 630 may flex inwardly such that angle of inner wall 634 decreases and step 633 flattens. Further, projection 638 may also flatten.
In some embodiments, a beverage container 700 may include a vacuum panel 730 as shown in
In some embodiments, trench 737 may extend along bottom 736 of vacuum panel 730 along the long dimension of vacuum panel 730, i.e., along a longitudinal direction of sidewall 760. Trench 737 may be arranged centrally on vacuum panel 730 so as to bisect vacuum panel 730 into left and right halves. In such embodiments, vacuum panel 730 may include a first projection 738 on a first side of trench 737 and a second projection 738 on an opposing second side of trench 737. Further, in some embodiments, vacuum panel 730 may include a trench 737 extending along both the short dimension and the long dimension (see, e.g.,
In some embodiments, vacuum panel 730 may further include one or more recesses 790, as shown in
Similar to vacuum panel 630, vacuum panel 730 may include an inner wall 734 that slopes from perimeter 732 at sidewall 760 to bottom 736 of vacuum panel 730, as best shown in
When beverage container 700 is subjected to a change in pressure, such as a change in pressure along direction P, vacuum panel 730 may deform to help absorb the change in pressure such that a remainder of the sidewall 760 retains its configuration and dimensions. A shape of vacuum panel 730 in a deformed state is shown for example by dotted line 730′. In the deformed state, vacuum panel 730 may flex inwardly and projections 738 may move toward one another pivoting about trench 737. As projections 738 move toward one another, recesses 790 may flatten to facilitate movement of projections 738.
In some embodiments, beverage container 800 may include vacuum panels 830, as shown in
Similar to vacuum panel 730, vacuum panel 830 may include a trench 837 extending along a short dimension of vacuum panel 830, i.e., along a circumferential direction. Trench 837 may bisect vacuum panel 730 into upper and lower halves. Vacuum panel 830 may further include a second trench 835 extending along a long dimension of vacuum panel 830, i.e., in a longitudinal direction of sidewall 860. Trenches 835, 837 may divide vacuum panel 830 into quarters, and a projection 838 may be arranged in each quarter. Trenches 835, 837 may be perpendicular to one another. Trenches 835, 837 may allow for flexing of vacuum panel 830 in multiple directions. In some embodiments, vacuum panel 830 may further include one or more recesses 890 to facilitate deformation of vacuum panel 830. In some embodiments, a recess 890 may be formed at an intersection of trenches 835, 837 as shown in
Vacuum panel 830 may have a perimeter 832 that is shaped generally as an oval with shortened and rounded ends. As shown in
In some embodiments, beverage container 800 may include vacuum panels 830 and may further include one or more linear channel segments 870 as described herein. Linear channel segments 870 may be arranged along a portion of a circumference of sidewall 860 of beverage container 800. In some embodiments, multiple linear channel segments 870 may be arranged along a circumference of sidewall 860 in the same plane. In some embodiments, linear channel segments 870 may be arranged below upper continuous channel 840A and above lower continuous channel 840B. Linear channel segments 870 may be arranged at portions 865 of sidewall 860 adjacent upper and lower ends 832C, 832D of vacuum panel 830 in order to reinforce the sidewall 860 and help to prevent paneling. However, in some embodiments, linear channel segments 870 may alternately or additionally be arranged above upper continuous channel 840A and below lower continuous channel 840B.
As shown in
When beverage container 800 is subjected to a change in pressure, such as a change in pressure along direction P, vacuum panel 830 may deform to help absorb the change in pressure such that a remainder of the sidewall 860 retains its configuration and dimensions. A shape of vacuum panel 830 in a deformed state is shown for example in dotted lines 830′. In the deformed state, vacuum panel 830 may flex inwardly and projections 838 may move toward one another pivoting about trenches 835, 837. As projections 838 move toward one another, recess 890 may deform to facilitate movement of projections 838. Sidewall 860 may include linear channel segments 870 adjacent vacuum panel 830 that help to provide sidewall 860 with hoop strength to further prevent paneling of sidewall 860 as vacuum panel 830 deforms.
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention(s) as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention(s) and the appended claims in any way.
The present invention(s) have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, and without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance herein.
The breadth and scope of the present invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.
The present application is a divisional of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/374,555, filed Jul. 13, 2021, which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/282,063, filed Feb. 21, 2019, each of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17374555 | Jul 2021 | US |
| Child | 18329936 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16282063 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Child | 17374555 | US |
