Patent Application
20080050478
The bottles described herein are intended to be used with a fluid 10. By way of example, the fluid 10 may be a pressurized beverage 20 such as a carbonated soft drink and the like. As described above, the carbonated soft drink may develop a significant internal pressure given the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved therein. The bottles described herein also may be used with other types of pressurized beverages. For example, water products may be pressurized with a volume of nitrogen following filling so as to maintain the bottle with a rigid feel. Other types of pressurized beverage or other types of fluids may be used herein. The internal pressure typically may range from about eight (8) pounds per square inch (about 0.5 bar) or so for lightly carbonated beverages or beverages that include the nitrogen flush to about 65 pounds per square inch (about 4.5 bar) or more for typical carbonated soft drinks and the like. As described above, however, the internal pressure may be as high about one hundred (100) pounds per square inch (about seven (7) bar).
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements throughout the several view,
The base 120 of the bottle 110 may be of conventional design. For example, the base 120 may have a number of petaloid feet 170 or other types of support structures formed therein such that the bottle 110 as a whole can stand upright. Alternatively, the base 120 may be rounded and a separate plastic cup may be used. The base 120 may take any other desired shape.
The label portion 140 of the bottle 110 also may be of conventional design. The label portion 140 may be a relatively flat surface for the application of a label or other type of covering. The label potion 140 can have any desired size and shape. The bottle 110 may have one or more labels thereon as desired. The label portion 140 may be omitted if desired.
The neck portion 150 also may be of conventional design. The neck potion 150 may have any desired size or shape. The neck 150 leads to the mouth 160. The mouth 160 also may be of conventional design. The mouth 160 may have a number of threads 180 formed therein such that a cap may be positioned thereon so as to close the bottle 110. Other closure methods may be used herein.
The grip portion 130 may have a substantially concave shape. Any desired shape, however, may be used herein. The concave shape promotes the ease of grasping and holding the bottle 110 within a consumer's hand. The grip portion 130 may have a number of channels 200 formed therein. In this example, the channels 200 are largely elongated indented portions formed within the wall of the bottle 100. The channels 200 may take any desire size or shape. Although the channels 200 are shown as extending vertically up and down the grip portion 130, the channels 200 may extend in any desired direction. The bottle 110 has four (4) channels 200, but any number of channels 200 may be used herein.
Each of the channels 200 may have a first end 220, a middle portion 230, and a second end 240. The first end 220 may include a first column 250, a rib 260, and a second column 270. The second end 240 also includes the first column 250, the rib 260, and the second column 270. The middle portion 230 has no such internal structure. In this example, the columns 250, 270 are indented portions and the rib 260 is a raised portion. Other examples, however, will follow. The ribs 260 act as reinforcing structure for the ends 220, 240 and the channel 200 as a whole. The ribs 260 may take any desired shape and size. The respective first columns 250, ribs 260, and second columns 270 may have differing sizes and shapes. The corners of the columns 250, 270 and the ribs 260 generally are curved to prevent delamination.
By way of example only, the first end 220 may have a width of about 0.45 inches (about 11.4 millimeters) and a length of about 0.9 inches (about 23.2 millimeters). The first column 250 of the first end 220 may have a depth of about 0.035 inches (about 0.9 millimeters) and a beginning width of about 0.2 inches (about 4.9 millimeters). The rib 260 may start with a width of about 0.15 inches (about 3.8 millimeters) and then disappear in width and depth as the channel 200 moves towards the middle portion 230. The second column 270 may have a similar depth and a beginning width of about 0.1 inches (about 2.7 millimeters).
The middle portion 230 may have a length of about 1.3 inches (about 33.4 millimeters) and a width at its narrowest portion of about 0.1 inches (about 2.5 millimeters). The middle portion 230 may not have an internal structure because of its narrow width.
The second end 240 may have a width of about 0.2 inches (about 5.7 millimeters). The first column 250 of the second end 240 may have a beginning width of about 0.06 inches (about 1.6 millimeters) and a depth of about similar to that of the first end 220. The rib 260 may start with a width of about 0.09 inches (about 2.2 millimeters) and then disappear in width and depth as the channel 200 moves towards the middle portion 230. The second column 270 may have a beginning width of about 0.07 inches (about 1.9 millimeters) and a similar depth. These dimensions may vary as desired.
The dimensions of the channel 200 as a whole, the first end 220, the middle portion 230, and the second end 240 as well as the respective columns 250, 270, and ribs 260 may vary as desired. More important than the various dimensions is the ratio of the width of the columns 250, 270 and the ribs 260. For example, the first end 220 is wider than the second end 240. As a result, the rib 260 of the first end 220 is wider than the rib 260 of the second end 240. Likewise, the middle portion 230 needs no rib 260 because it is a relatively narrow portion of the channel 200 and can withstand the internal pressures. The depth of the channels 200 may reach about 0.2 inches (about five (5) millimeters) or more depending upon the overall geometry of the bottle 100.
The grip portion 130 also may include a number of grip panels 280. In this case, two bubble panels 290 with a number of raised bubbles 300 and two intermediate panels 310. Other designs may be used herein. The panels 290, 310 also may have an indication of the source formed therein. The grip panels 280 may have a sinusoidal top and bottom 340, 350. Any desired shape, however, may be used herein. The grip panels 280 make the bottle 110 as a whole easy to grip and provide the consumer with a tactile sense.
The dimensions used herein are by way of example only. Many modifications may be made herein as desired. For example, two or more of the channels described herein may be combined in a single bottle if desired.
It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the preferred embodiments of the present application and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
