Patent Application
20220073230
The disclosed subject matter relates to plastic containers having directional pour designs including integrated spouts.
Plastic containers are well known and widely used for a variety of applications, including the storage, shipment, and sale of various fluid or flowable products. Such plastic containers provide numerous advantages over containers made of glass, metals and/or composites. In many applications, it can be desirable to provide directional pour capability to allow a fluid or similar flowable product to flow from the container in a defined direction toward a desirable location, such as a dose cup. Such fluids or flowable products can include medicines, beverages, personal hygiene products, beauty products, and household and industrial cleaning liquids, including detergents, solvents, disinfectants, and polishes. Traditionally, a separate spout component is needed and assembled to the container or bottle to provide such directional pour capability, which adds operations and cost to the package. Therefore, it can be desirable to provide a plastic container that can be manufactured and/or assembled with an integrated directional pour spout to reduce manufacture operations and costs.
Furthermore, containers for fluid or flowable products often must be sealed, such as by a foam liner along the seam and/or mouth of the container to prevent leakage. Traditional compression foam liners can leak over time, particularly if such containers are not positioned upright. This issue is particularly relevant with the advent of individual sales (e.g., online sales), wherein packages often may not be maintained in an upright position, resulting in leakage during handling and shipping. Furthermore, containers with spouts often are difficult or unable to be securely sealed due to the overall contour of the spout. Therefore, it can be desirable to provide a container with directional pour that is capable of being sealed and will hold up to shipping and handling conditions.
There thus remains a continued need for improved containers with directional pour capability for dispensing a fluid or similar flowable product. There further remains a need for such containers that can allow for robust sealing to prevent leaking during shipping and handling.
The purposes and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and are apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the subject matter particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposes of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied herein and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a method of making a blow-molded plastic container, comprising disposing a plastic material suitable for a blow molding process in a mold cavity configured to form a hollow article, inflating the plastic material within the mold cavity to form the hollow article, and removing a moil portion of the hollow article. The hollow article comprises a main body portion defining an interior space, a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space, and a moil portion. The finish portion has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, and the circumferential wall has an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall, with the pair of tabs defining a spout therebetween. The moil portion extends from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion before it is removed therefrom.
As embodied herein, the tabs can have a variety of suitable configurations. For example, the tabs can extend within a plane defined by the perimeter flange. Furthermore, the tabs can also be arcuate in plan view. Additionally, the tabs can be spaced apart at least 10 degrees about the perimeter edge to define the spout therebetween.
As embodied herein, removing the moil portion can comprise cutting between the perimeter flange and the moil portion to form a perimeter edge. As embodied herein, removing the moil portion can comprise cutting between the perimeter flange and the moil portion to form a perimeter edge having a bevel angled between about 0 and about 10 degrees from a plane defined by the perimeter flange.
Additionally, or alternatively, removing the moil portion can comprise cutting at a distance spaced from the perimeter flange in the direction opposite the main body portion to create a lip extending upwardly from the perimeter flange and the pair of tabs. In this manner, removing the moil portion can comprise cutting between the lip and the moil along a plane parallel to the plane defined by the perimeter flange. Additionally, or alternately, removing the moil portion can comprise cutting between the lip and the moil portion to form a planar perimeter edge having a bevel angled between about 0 and about 10 degrees from the plane defined by the planar perimeter edge.
Furthermore, and in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the circumferential wall can comprise a fastener for fastening a cap to the finish portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a plastic container is provided comprising a main body portion defining an interior space, and a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space. The finish portion has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall having an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall, the pair of tabs defining a spout therebetween. The blow-molded plastic container of the disclosed subject matter is made by disposing a plastic material suitable for a blow molding process within a mold cavity, the mold cavity being configured to form a hollow blow-molded article comprising the main body portion, and the finish portion as described with a moil portion extending from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion. The blow-molded plastic container is made by further inflating the plastic material within the mold cavity, and removing the moil portion.
Further in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, a hollow blow-molded plastic article is provided for making a blow-molded plastic container, comprising a main body portion defining an interior space and a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space. The finish portion has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall has an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall, and the pair of tabs defines a spout therebetween. The hollow blow-molded plastic article further comprises a moil portion extending from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description and drawings are examples and are provided for purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the devices of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter.
The subject matter of the application will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Particularly, the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with a detailed description of the method and system for making a plastic container having a directional pour spout made from a hollow blow-molded plastic article.
As disclosed herein, plastic containers disclosed herein can be used to provide directional pour to dispense a fluid or flowable product in a defined direction toward a desirable location, e.g., to a dose cup. Such fluids or flowable products can include medicines, beverages, personal hygiene products, beauty products, and household and industrial cleaning products, including detergents, solvents, disinfectants, and polishes. The plastic containers disclosed herein can also be used for storing such products when closed and sealed for shipping and handling with little or no leakage from the finish portion while still providing a desired directional pour when opened and in use. The containers disclosed herein have a finish portion with an integral directional pour spout and a generally planar surface or edge about the entirety of a top perimeter so as to allow a seal to be provided thereto. The container can further include ergonomic features to provide an easy removal of the seal.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, a method of making a blow-molded plastic container having an integral directional pour spout and a hollow blow-molded article for making such a plastic container are provided. The plastic container of the disclosed subject matter includes a main body portion defining an interior space, and a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space. The finish portion has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, wherein the circumferential wall has an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall. The pair of tabs define a spout therebetween. To make the plastic container of the disclosed subject matter, a hollow blow-molded article is formed comprising the main body portion and the finish portion of the plastic container, and further comprising a moil portion extending from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion.
The method of the disclosed subject matter comprises disposing a plastic material suitable for a blow molding process within a mold cavity configured to form a hollow blow-molded article comprising a main body portion defining an interior space, and a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space. The finish portion has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, wherein the circumferential wall has an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall. The pair of tabs define a spout therebetween. Additionally, the hollow blow-molded article formed by the mold cavity has a moil portion extending from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion. The method further comprises inflating the plastic material within the mold cavity to form the hollow article, and removing the moil portion from the perimeter flange.
For purpose of understanding, and in accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, reference is made to an exemplary embodiment made by the method disclosed herein. For purpose of illustration and not limitation,
Any suitable size and shape of main body portion 110 can be used in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. For example, the main body portion can be of a size capable of holding a desired amount of fluid or flowable product. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, the main body portion can be configured to hold, for example, 12 ounces, 24 ounces, 36 ounces, one gallon, or other amounts. Furthermore, in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the main body portion can be of various suitable or desired shapes. For example, and for purpose of illustration and not limitation, the main body portion can be generally shaped as any suitable shape, such as an ovoid, prism, or the like. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, a main body portion shaped generally as a prism can have a base of a generally circular, ellipsoidal, rectangular, polygonal, or other shape. Additionally, the main body portion can comprise an upper portion, such as a dome or the like, a base portion, a handle portion, and/or other portions or features as known in the art. Furthermore, the main body portion can include structural features known in the art, such as ribs, radiused portions, grooves, vacuum panels, and the like. Thus, the main body portion of the container made in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can have a wide variety of suitable sizes and shapes.
As embodied herein, the finish portion 120 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 140 of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth 130. For example, as understood by those skilled in the art, a conventional blow molding process can produce containers having a generally uniform thickness, with features and contours thereof being formed of material of the same generally-uniform thickness. In this manner, the circumferential wall 140 has an upper edge 141 with a perimeter flange 150 and a pair of tabs 160 projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall 140. The pair of tabs 160 are configured to define the spout 170 therebetween. If desired, however, a container of generally uniform thickness can be provided wherein selected features can be provided with a different thickness, for example features having a greater thickness can be formed and/or attached to a container portion having generally uniform thickness for stiffness or support. As used herein, the “generally uniform thickness” of the circumferential wall therefore refers to the circumferential wall, and not necessarily the thickness or effective thickness of any fasteners or features thereon.
With reference to
Further in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the thickness of the circumferential wall 140 can be any suitable dimension for the container made by the disclosed method. For example, as embodied herein the thickness of the circumferential wall 140 is about 0.018 inches, although the thickness generally can be between from about 0.005 to about 0.05 inches. The thickness of the circumferential wall 140 can be of generally uniform thickness about the circumference, for example varying in thickness by no more than about 25%, or more preferably no more than about 10%, or even more preferably no more than about 5%.
As embodied herein, the diameter of the circumferential wall 140 can be any suitable dimension for the container of the disclosed subject matter, such as for a 9.75-ounce container, about 1.5 inches as embodied herein. For example, the diameter of the circumferential wall 140 can be between from about 1 inches and about 10 inches, depending on the size and shape of the container 100. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter and as embodied herein, a perimeter flange 150 extends radially inward from the circumferential wall 140. The perimeter flange 150 can extend radially inward any suitable distance, for example from about 0 to about 0.2 inches. A suitable distance for the perimeter flange to extend radially inward can depend on certain factors, such as the wall thickness, an intended demoiling process, an intended sealing process, an intended capping process, an intended palletization, among others. Further in accordance with the disclosed subject matter and as embodied herein, the pair of tabs 160 extend generally within a plane P defined by the perimeter flange 150 along the upper edge 141 of the circumferential wall 140, and are configured to define the directional pour spout 170 therebetween for a fluid or flowable product. For example, and not limitation, the tabs 160 can be varied in size, shape, and relative location along the circumference to calibrate the spout 170 to have the desired effect for the intended product. That is, containers for use with different viscosity fluids can be calibrated differently from each other by altering the tab configuration.
For example, each of the tabs 160 can extend radially inward between about 1% and about 50% of the diameter of the circumferential wall. As embodied herein for purposes of illustration and not limitation, the tabs 160 each extend inward about 0.125 inches, or at least about 8% of the diameter, from the upper edge 141 of the circumferential wall 140. Further in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, and as embodied herein, each of the tabs 160 is arcuate in plan view. However, it is to be understood that the tabs 160 can have any other suitable shape, such as trapezoidal, triangular, polygonal, or the like. Furthermore, the tabs 160 can extend radially inward from the perimeter flange 150 in a plane P defined by the perimeter flange 150.
As further embodied herein, the tabs 160 are spaced apart at least 10 degrees about a perimeter edge 151, although different spacing can be provided. For example, although the disclosed subject matter as illustrated in the accompanying figures only shows a pair of tabs 160, more than two tabs can be provided about the circumferential wall 140 if desired. For example, the circumferential wall 140 can have three or more tabs 160 to define a separate spout 170 between each adjacent pair of tabs 160. Thus, the container 100 of the disclosed subject matter can include more than one pouring feature (e.g., spout) at least partially defined by the numbers and shapes of the tabs 160. Such additional pouring features can, for example, provide alternative pouring angles for multi-directional dispensing of fluid or flowable product contents from the container 100.
Additionally, and in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the finish portion 120 can be configured with a continuous, closed-loop planar surface. For example, and as depicted in the figures for illustration, the perimeter flange 150 and pair of tabs 160 together define a continuous planar surface. As embodied herein, the perimeter flange 150 and pair of tabs 160 can define a plane P parallel with a reference plane defined by the bottom support surface 111 of the main body portion 110 (e.g., the planar surface can be horizontal) as shown for purposes of illustration and not limitation in
The inner edge of the pair of tabs 160 and the perimeter flange 150 can form the perimeter edge 151 to define the mouth 130 of the finish portion 120. The pair of tabs 160 thus direct fluid or flowable contents through the spout 170 when the container 100 is tilted. Furthermore, the tabs 160 can be configured to funnel fluid or flowable product toward the spout 170 as needed. That is, even if the level of fluid or flowable product content exceeds the height of the pair of tabs 160, the fluid or flowable product content can be pulled to the spout 170 because the flow velocity in the spout 170 is higher than that of the fluid or flowable product content flowing over the tabs 160. This differential velocity can maintain a consistent pour stream even when the container 100 is tilted at higher pour angles.
As embodied herein, the finish portion 120 can be configured such that any fluid or flowable product in the plastic container 100 will be dispensed in a directional manner. Advantageously, the spout 170 is unitary with the container 100, avoiding a need for a separate spout 170, or a more complex and costly process to reform geometry. As embodied herein, no separate spout 170 is needed for manufacturing or assembly of the plastic container 100, and the geometry of the spout 170 can be molded simultaneously with the remainder of the container 100. This design can reduce the complexity and costs of manufacturing the plastic bottle or container 100 and potentially reduces the likelihood of leakage because no seam is formed between the single piece spout 170 and the finish portion 120.
As previously noted, and in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the blow-molded plastic container 100 is made from a hollow blow-molded article comprising the main body portion and the finish portion as previously set forth. That is, the finish portion includes a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall has an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall, and the pair of tabs defines a spout therebetween. The hollow blow-molded article further comprises a moil portion extending from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion. The method thus comprises removing the moil portion from the perimeter flange as described further below.
For purposes of illustration and not limitation, reference is made to
A schematic image of an exemplary mold component is provided in
The plastic material, such as a tube or parison, is disposed within the mold cavity at appropriate temperature and pressure parameters, as known in the art, and inflated to form the hollow article 101. After blow-molding of the plastic material is complete to form the hollow blow-molded article, and with reference to
Before or after releasing the hollow article 101 from the mold cavity, the moil portion 180 is removed from the finish portion. As disclosed herein, removing the moil portion 180 can include, for example, rotational cutting, reciprocal cutting, trimming, hot cutting, or laser cutting, among other ways known in the art. For example, and as embodied herein, removing the moil portion 180 can comprise cutting between the perimeter flange 150 and the moil portion 180 along a plane P defined by the perimeter flange 150, such as depicted in
Additionally, or alternatively, and in accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, removing the moil portion 180 can comprise cutting between the perimeter flange 150 and the moil portion 180 to form a beveled perimeter edge 151 having an angle α between about 0 and about 10 degrees from a plane P defined by the perimeter flange 150, as shown in
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, and with reference to
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, and with reference to
In accordance with the embodiments of the subject matter previously described, the components of the seal 300 can be made from any suitable material, and the seal 300 can be affixed to the container 100 by any suitable mechanism. For example, the seal 300 can be formed of suitable paper, foil, polymer film, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the seal 300 can be affixed for example to the planar surface on the finish portion 120 using induction sealing, glue sealing, or other known methods.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the circumferential wall 140 of the finish portion 120 can comprise a fastener 142. For example, the fastener 142 can comprise one or more of a thread, groove, protrusion, or other suitable fastener known in the art. Furthermore, the fastener 142 can be provided with a variety of configurations, such as interrupted or continuous threads, grooves, protrusions, or the like. For example, for purposes of illustration and not limitation, threads can be provided having a helical configuration to allow engagement with a corresponding inner thread. The fastener 142 thus can provide a surface or feature for fitting or attaching one or more additional components to the finish portion 120. For example, and as embodied herein, the fastener 142 can provide a surface for fitting or attaching a rigid or semi-rigid cap (not shown) to the finish portion 120 to allow for transportation of the container 100 without damage to a seal. As such, the cap can provide a secondary barrier to the seal, e.g., during shipping, and can be replaced on the container 100 after initial use to provide a closure after a consumer removes the seal. Alternatively, the fastener 142 can provide a surface for fitting any number of known components to the finish portion 120, including for example, dosage cups or the like. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any existing caps in the art that are used with conventional containers can be used with the spout design with directional pour in the disclosed subject matter, without limitation.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the disclosed subject matter includes methods of making the plastic container as described above. The method of the disclosed subject matter comprises disposing a plastic material suitable for a blow-molding process within a mold cavity configured to form a hollow article comprising a main body portion defining an interior space, a finish portion defining a mouth in fluid communication with the interior space, the finish portion having a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall of generally uniform thickness surrounding the mouth, the circumferential wall having an upper edge with a perimeter flange and a pair of tabs projecting radially inward from the circumferential wall, the pair of tabs defining a spout therebetween, and a moil portion extending from the perimeter flange in a direction opposite the main body portion, inflating the plastic material within the mold cavity to form the hollow article, and removing the moil portion from the perimeter flange.
While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms of certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and improvements can be made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scope thereof. Moreover, although individual features of one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can be discussed herein or shown in the drawings of the one embodiment and not in other embodiments, it should be apparent that individual features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment or features from a plurality of embodiments.
In addition to the various embodiments depicted and claimed, the disclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features disclosed and claimed herein. As such, the particular features presented herein can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter includes any suitable combination of the features disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to those embodiments disclosed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the devices of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/185,708, filed on Nov. 9, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated in this application by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16185708 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Child | 17527670 | US |
