The present invention relates generally to the field of plastic containers, particularly plastic containers having an improved base portion design to accommodate hot-fill conditions.
Today, a great number of plastic containers are filled with liquids and other contents at elevated temperatures. However, as the product within the container cools, the volume taken up by the product decreases, inducing a partial vacuum that exerts an inward force on the walls of the container. Containers that are intended to be filled by a “hot-fill” process are commonly referred to as hot-fill containers. The design of hot-fill containers is influenced by, among other things, a desire to account for anticipated content cooling/shrinkage and associated forces.
A base for a plastic container including an outer support portion; a structured formation ring including a plurality of sequential formations; an inner inversion portion disposed radially inwardly of the structured formation ring; and a central portion. In an embodiment, the sequential formations are disposed in a substantially ring-like configuration and at least the inner inversion portion is configured to flex in response to internal vacuum forces associated with said container.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The base portion 20 of the illustrated embodiment includes an outer support portion (which may take the form of an annular support ring 30); a first inversion portion (e.g., first inversion ring 40); a flat (or step portion) 50; a structured formation ring 60 (also referred to as a “zipper ring”); a second inversion portion 70; and a central portion 80. As generally illustrated, central portion 80 may include a domed or elevated portion, including those provided in connection with various conventional containers. Further, as generally illustrated, the base portion 20 may also include one or more structural reinforcing formations 90.
In embodiments, the flat (or step portion) 50 may be provided between an outer support ring 30 and a zipper ring, and may further be provided between a first inversion portion 40 (which may be an angled segment/portion) and a zipper ring 60. The flat (or step portion) 50 may be substantially flat, and for some embodiments may be generally perpendicular to the vertical centerline CL. However, some degree of angularity (from perpendicular) with the flat 50 may also be provided with some embodiments.
The outer support portion, which may comprise an annular support ring 30, can be configured to support the container 10 on a surface. As perhaps better illustrated in
In embodiments of the invention, the structural reinforcing formations may include a plurality of radially extending ribs 90—the size and/or shape of which may be varied. In the illustrated embodiment three radially extending ribs 90 are shown disposed at 120 degree intervals about the vertical centerline CL of the container 10. Additionally, the structural reinforcing formations that may be provided can be configured to extend inwardly (e.g., inward recesses or slits) and/or outwardly with respect to adjacent wall portions of the container base portion 20. However, it is noted that the invention is not limited to the illustrated structural reinforcing formation, and various other formations known to those of skill in the art may be employed in addition to, or in lieu of, the depicted formations.
Various transportation techniques may be used to convey containers that are provided in accordance with the teachings of the invention. For example, without limitation, various table conveyance and/or neck-directed carrying options (including those that utilize air conveyance) may be employed for embodiments of the invention, including those in which the zipper ring 60a of an unfilled container extends below the level of the support ring 30.
With continuing reference to
By way of example, without limitation and depending, in part on the overall total package weight, for embodiments of the invention—(a) the wall thickness of the zipper ring 60a may range from 0.008 to 0.030 inches; and (b) the wall thickness of the first (outer) inversion ring 40 may range from 0.006 to 0.035 inches.
Container 10 is generally adapted to be hot-filled with liquid having a temperature of between 140° and 210° Fahrenheit. By way of example, without limitation, for embodiments of the invention, container 10 may be filled at between 160° and 190° Fahrenheit.
A plan view of another embodiment of a base portion 20′ according to teachings of this disclosure is generally shown in
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and various modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/141,812, filed Dec. 31, 2008, which application is fully incorporated herein by reference.
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