Patent Application
20190002152
The present invention generally relates to containers such as bottles used in food and drink packaging industry, particularly to thermoplastic bottles having an annular gripping portion and provided with improved resistance to vertical pressure, for example top loading stacking resistance. The invention also concerns a pack comprising such bottles.
Liquid, flowable consumer products have been marketed in plastic bottles, such as those made of polyolefin or polyester. Exemplary bottle materials include polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polylactic Acid (PLA). While water is conventionally packaged in transparent containers with relatively thin sidewalls, liquid yogurt may be packaged in non-transparent relatively thick sidewalls. Any quantities of food composition (e.g. 150-2000 mL) are capable of being packaged in durable and recyclable thermoplastic bottles with transparent or translucent and relatively thin sidewalls.
Those bottles filled with liquid products often need to be vertically stacked on top of one another, such as during transportation, warehouse storage and/or at point-of-purchase display. Other vertical pressure includes pressure applied upon capping. In order to increase resistance to vertical compression, for example top loading stacking resistance of plastic bottles, bottles with a smoothly curved continuous body wall have been found to have good top loading strength. When the body of the bottle includes interconnected walls, it is generally considered desirable to make the transition edge between the walls gradual or “rounded” in order to improve the top load strength of the bottle. Thus, bottles with curved and rounded body profiles are generally considered as having better resistance to vertical pressure, such as top loading strength, than bottles having more abrupt transitions.
However, continuously curved bodies are considered as providing to consumers a quite common visual impression (this is the case for the bodies of cylindrical shape for example). Additionally, compactness in a pack may be altered when having a middle part of the bottle that is too wide (this is the case for the spherical bodies for example). There is a need to providing bottles that can provide a different visual impression that can find some relevance for one product and/or brand or another.
Bottles provided with a gripping portion may be seen as compliant with the bulk constraints but are not well adapted for stacking when provided with significant recesses in an annular gripping portion. Besides, use of panels to obtain the gripping portion often requires high amount of plastic material. This is especially the case for hot-fill containers, with a maximum thickness generally of at least 900 or 1000 μm in the side wall and/or use of significant angles and projections at the surface. Document U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,017 shows such kind of bottle with panel segments defining the gripping portion.
When the thickness is reduced as compared to the hot-fill containers, gripping portions may also cause problems when pouring content of a bottle for some users, especially when the capacity reaches 1 L or more.
The bottle such as shown in document US 2007257003 reaches a compromise between the facility of use and the resistance to the vertical load. But the general shape of an individual bottle having such kind of gripping portion is quite standard. Other shapes that provide attractiveness are needed.
A circular design for the gripping zone has been also provided in some bottles of circular cross-section. But such design is considered not adapted for stacking constraints. When located at the bottom of a stack, such bottles may be subjected to substantial top loading forces and may buckle or even collapse, causing economic loss in terms of inventory replacement and the labor needed for clean-up, or damage to the facility or vehicle in which the collapse occurs.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide plastic bottles of improved design and easy to grasp, typically without planar panels, that minimize the amount of plastic to make the side wall, while having greater top loading resistance than bottles having a conventional annular gripping portion.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide bottles of optimized weight that have sufficient top loading resistance, while being perceived as attractive because of the ease of grasp and/or the general shape.
To this end, embodiments of the present invention provide a thermoplastic bottle comprising a bottom wall (adapted to define a support plane of the bottle), a neck provided with an opening of the bottle, a shoulder connected to the neck, and a side wall (less rigid than the neck) extending longitudinally around a first axis or central axis (which is a central axis of the bottle, preferably intersecting the opening), typically from an upper end adjacent to the shoulder to a lower end. In such bottle, the side wall has a symmetry plane including the central axis and comprises:
wherein the following relations are satisfied:
ds2<ds1
hs1<hs2
where hs1 is height of the first point and hs2 is height of the second point, each measured parallel to the central axis from the support plane;
and where the radial distances ds1 and ds2 are each measured in the symmetry plane;
and wherein the thick portion extends at and above the second point defined in the second line, such thick portion having a thickness that is greater than the opposite thickness provided in the first line at same height as the height hs2 of the second point.
The first and second points are defined in opposite concave portions of the longitudinal profile of the side wall, so as to respectively define the point proximal with respect to the central axis for each of these concave portions in the longitudinal profiles. The difference in height level between the first point and the second point is of interest to increase gripping options for a user, as well as a visual impression linked to modernity, movement, action, fitness and/or femininity.
Of course, it is understood that the term “symmetry” is not to be interpreted in a strict manner as some changes for the thickness, label, marks or other minor differences may locally occur. It is sufficient that the halves of the side wall (as obtained on each side of the symmetry plane) are generally perceived as identical. The symmetry plane may divide the interior volume of the bottle into two substantially identical fractions of volume.
Preferably, the first point and the second point are defined in a same annular gripping recess that is tilted with respect to the support plane. The first point and second point may be included in a determined annular line (tilted with respect to the support plane) that defines a peripheral intersection between a first annular part and a second annular part, the first annular part and the second annular part longitudinally tapering in opposite directions and defining a gripping portion of the bottle.
The determined annular line extends preferably at a distance from an upper annular end of the second annular part, such upper annular end being directly connected to the shoulder.
In the annular gripping recess, the first point may be provided in a lowermost segment of the determined annular line and the second point may be provided in an uppermost segment of the determined annular line.
The two respective tapering portions provide and interesting visual impression linked to modernity, movement, action, fitness and/or femininity. It's been found that they have an additional guiding effect for the hand, which can be easily positioned along or close to the tilted annular line. The thumb naturally extends in a direction different from the other fingers in a hand ready to grasp a bottle; accordingly, the difference in level between the first point and the second points, and/or between the uppermost segment and the lowermost segment is considered advantageous to maintain such natural position for the thumb. Also, the user has more choice for positioning a hand at different area of the gripping portion (here the single gripping portion in the side wall), as compared to the bottles having two or more opposite gripping panels. Due to the simple annular shape, there is no column-like portion or intermediary panels or segments that limit positions for grasping by the user.
The gripping portion can be integrated advantageously in a more dynamic design of the bottle, which can contribute to communicate an identity of a product and/or of a brand. The tilted annular line and the two parts tapering toward this annular line may be perceived as a hip during a movement.
Besides, risk of deformation or collapse upon stacking is prevented in optimal manner by the presence of the thick portion, typically by increasing the thickness at least in a maximally recessed area of the gripping portion, especially in the adjacent area above the tilted annular line. Such area may be seen as similar as a spine, allowing limiting risk of torsion when the bottle is located at bottom of a stack. The thick portion with increase of thickness may have a longitudinal extension that is similar or at least equal to the difference of heights (“hs2−hs1”) between the second point and the first point, and preferably superior or equal to 15 mm.
In a particular embodiment (hs2−hs1)/H>0.10, preferably (hs2−hs1)/H>0.12. In a particular embodiment (hs2−hs1)/H<0.30, preferably (hs2−hs1)/H<0.20.
According to a particular feature, the gripping portion (of tubular shape) defined in the side wall consists in the first annular part tapering toward the upper end of the side wall and the second annular part tapering toward the lower end of the side wall.
According to a particular feature, the thick portion has a minimum thickness at least 10 μm, preferably at least 20 μm, greater than the opposite thickness provided in the first line at same height as the second point. The thick portion can be the second point. Thus it can be sufficient that the thickness at the second point be greater than the thickness at the first point, preferably at least 10 μm greater, preferably at least 20 μm greater.
According to a feature, the second point and the first point are parts of a gripping portion having an annular recess maximally recessed at the second point, the gripping portion comprising:
According to a feature, thickness of some, preferably all, points of the central region included in the symmetry plane is superior or equal to 220 μm, preferably 250 μm. Optionally, any thickness of the central region is superior or equal to 220 μm, preferably 250 μm.
According to a particular feature, the first annular part, which is tapering toward the upper end, is connected to the lower portion, the first annular part and the lower portion intersecting and interconnecting at a substantially circular peripheral intersection line that is perpendicular to the central axis.
According to a feature, the determined annular line has a single uppermost segment and a single lowermost segment, the uppermost segment being defined in a maximally recessed area of the gripping portion (at a distance from an upper annular end of the second annular part), so that the uppermost segment is closer radially to the central axis (first axis) than the lowermost segment of the determined annular line. Typically the uppermost segment comprises the second point. Typically the lowermost segment comprises the first point.
The symmetry plane of the side wall includes the first (central) axis and is intersecting the determined annular line at the second point that belongs to the uppermost segment and at the first point (opposite to the second point in the determined annular line) that belongs to the lowermost segment.
Optionally, the thick portion is part of the second annular part and extends between the upper annular end of the second annular part and the second point. In an embodiment the thick portion is the second point. Such thick portion, which is intersected by the symmetry plane, is provided with a thickness that is greater than a thickness provided in an opposite portion of the second annular part opposite to the thick portion, said opposite portion being intersected by the symmetry plane and extending toward the upper annular end from a determined lower end defined at a height identical to the height hs2 at the first point. This opposite portion is typically the point in the symmetry plane on the first line at height hs2.
Optionally, the thickness profile of the gripping portion is such that the average thickness of the gripping portion is less than a thickness measured in the symmetry plane in a specific region of the second annular part adjacent to the first point and longitudinally distant from the upper annular end. Optionally, the specific region has an area of at least 1 or 2 cm2, preferably at least 5 cm2. The specific region may be at least partly defined by the thick portion. The thick portion typically extends from the first point toward the annular upper end, the thick portion and the opposite portion having substantially a same longitudinal extension.
Optionally, the determined annular line is a continuously rounded annular line.
According to a particular feature, the following relation is verified:
(ds1−ds2)≥2 mm, preferably(ds1−ds2)≥4 mm.
In a particular embodiment (ds1−ds2)/D≥2.0%, preferably (ds1−ds2)/D≥2.5%. In a particular embodiment (ds1−ds2)/D≥10.0%, preferably (ds1−ds2)/D≥5.0%,
where D is the greater outer diameter of the bottle.
In the symmetry plane, it is preferred that the recesses of the gripping portion be significantly marked in the radial direction. Accordingly the following relations are preferably satisfied:
ds2/D≥40%, preferably ds2/D≥35%,
ds2/D≥25%, preferably ds2/D≥25%,
ds1/D≥38%, preferably ds1/D≥33%, and/or
ds1/D≥27%, preferably ds1/D≥23%.
With such specific decrease in section at the gripping recess (at the second point in the annular recess), there is increased adaptation for placement of at least one finger against or below an abutment region including the thick portion.
According to a particular feature, the thickness ratio of the thickness in the specific region to a minimum thickness in the gripping portion is 1.1:1 to 1.9:1. The thickness ratio of the thickness measured in the specific region to the average thickness in the gripping portion may be 1.05:1 to 1.3:1. With such profile of thickness, plastic material can be saved without impact for the resistance to vertical load. Plastic can be especially saved in a region diametrically opposite to the uppermost segment of the annular line. Such ratio may be obtained when only measuring thickness in the symmetry plane, on same side of the gripping portion.
According to a particular feature the thickness ratio between the thick portion and the opposite portion is 1.05 to 1.30, preferably 1.10 to 1.25. According to a particular feature, the thickness ratio between the thickness at second point and the thickness at first point is 1.05 to 1.30, preferably 1.10 to 1.25.
According to a particular feature, the annular line is tilted with an angle of 10 to 25 or 30°. With such configuration, the annular line may be circular or almost circular, which is advantageous to shorten the perimeter of the annular line, without need for a too recessed region in the bottle (this corresponds to optimal compromise to achieve improved top load resistance without impairing the grasping or adding too much plastic material).
According to a particular feature, the first annular part tapers from the lower portion and is longitudinally curved in an arched manner, the first annular part having a longitudinal extension lower than a longitudinal extension of the second annular part at least at one side of the gripping portion opposite to said maximally recessed area. With such configuration, the tapering may be very progressive: as a result, there is no particular need to increase thickness above the lowermost segment (and thus a reduction of thickness can be more significant in this area of the second annular part).
According to a particular feature, the side wall has a symmetry plane that includes the first (central) axis and intersects the determined annular line at two opposite points located at a same height (such height measured parallel to the first axis from the support plane).
This symmetry axis thus divides the side wall into two symmetrical halves and defines two opposite parting lines: a first parting line having a first thickness profile and a second parting line having a second thickness profile. The first thickness profile and the second thickness profile each have locally a maximum, respectively corresponding to the maximally recessed area and a less recessed area (defined around the lowermost segment). Because of such thickness profiles, the average thickness of the gripping portion is significantly lower than a thickness measured at the annular line. Maximum difference in thickness in the gripping portion may be 50 μm to 400 μm.
Of course, the wording “thickness profile”, here for the tubular side wall, should be understood as the profile of thickness with respect to the longitudinal dimension (i.e. with respect to the height measured along the central axis).
In various embodiments of the bottle of the invention, recourse may optionally also be had to one or more of the following dispositions:
1/10<R/H1<⅙
6 mm≤R≤20 mm
where H1 is height of the gripping portion. Such radius of curvature is a minimum radius of curvature for the first parting line and there is a single recess in the first parting line. The gripping portion may have a minimum height greater than 36 mm.
⅕<H10/D10<½
where D10 and H10 are respectively diameter and height of the determined annular line, the height of the determined annular line being measured parallel to the first (central) axis.
⅛≤EXT/D≤¼, preferably ⅛≤EXT/D1≤¼.
where EXT is the maximal radial extension in the second annular part at the determined side, D is defined above and D1 is a greater outer diameter of the lower portion of the side wall. In a preferred embodiment EXT is the difference between D/2 and ds2. Accordingly, the transition between the maximally recessed area and the area with the maximal perimeter is progressive and the reduction of the interior volume due to the gripping portion is limited. This is also advantageous to define a circular bulge in the lower portion at a significant longitudinal distance from the bottom wall without unduly decreasing the interior volume of the bottle.
⅓≤H1/H≤¾
where H1 is height of the gripping portion and H is height of the bottle, measured between the support plane and an opening defined at an upper face of the neck. The significant height proportion of the gripping portion is advantageous to provide a greater radius of curvature at the maximally recessed area (thus minimizing risk of cracks) and for improved perception of the bottle (perception of a hip in a swaying state when the profile defined by the maximally recessed area is considered by the user's eye).
0.35<H1/(H2+H8+H5)<0.9
where H1 is height of the gripping portion, H2 is height of the base, H8 is height of the side wall, H5 is height of the shoulder (each eight being measured parallel to the first axis).
0.45≤H1/(H2+H8)≤0.8
where H1 is height of the gripping portion, H2 is height of the base, H8 is height of the side wall.
2≤H/D≤4
where D is the greater outer diameter of the bottle.
A further purpose of the invention is to provide a pack of bottles easy to be manipulated in a supermarket (before exposure of the containers by the operators and thereafter by the final consumer) and resistant with respect to top load while facilitating handling of the individual bottles.
To this end, embodiments of the present invention provide a food pack comprising a plurality of thermoplastic bottles according to the invention, each of the bottles being filled with a drink and sealed by a closure that covers the neck, the bottles being arranged in at least one row and wrapped by a peripheral wrap.
In the wrapped state, the shoulders are in contact with each other.
As each bottle is at least twice higher than wide, this also advantageously minimizes the radial bulk of the bottles that may be easily grouped in such compact pack.
It is also provided, according to the invention, a use of a bottle according to the invention for containing a beverage, such as a carbonated or non-carbonated, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, for example a flavoured or un flavoured still or sparkling water, or a dairy product, preferably a flowable fermented dairy composition such as a yoghurt composition (dairy drink) having a weight not inferior to 50 g and not superior to 2000 g, typically not inferior to 150 g and not superior to 1500 g. The shape and size of the gripping portion is particularly user-friendly while the arrangement of the bottle is very compact when containing a dairy product such as a yoghurt composition or similar dairy flowable product having a weight comprised between 150 and 1000 g.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art during the description which will follow, given by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings.
In the various figures, the same references are used to designate identical or similar elements.
The bottle 1 extends longitudinally along a first axis Z, which is a vertical central axis. It has, from its base B to its top, a bottom wall 2, a lower portion 3, a gripping portion 4, a shoulder 5 defining an upper portion, a neck 6 provided with a ring-like face R6 defining a pouring opening 6a (single opening of the bottle 1). The neck 6 may be provided with a thread or other suitable attachment means for a cap C or any suitable closure. The ring 7 is here intended to receive a screwable top (not shown in the figures). However, any type of stoppering element may of course be used. For example, the closure may be defined by a metallic foil or by a suitable flexible cover (possibly reinforced by an additional reinforcing layer). The shoulder 5, connected to the neck 6, has a circular section. The lower portion 3 is also circular and defines a greater outer diameter D1 of the bottle 1. An outer diameter of the shoulder 5 may be optionally substantially equal to this diameter D1. Such diameters can be equivalent to the greater outer diameter D of the bottle. The opening 6a may be provided with an interior diameter greater than 25 or 28 mm. A wide mouth is preferred for easy drinking. The outer diameter D2 at the top of the neck 6 may be equal to or greater than 30 mm but inferior to 40 mm. Of course, the diameter D1 is significantly greater than the diameter D2 (for example at least twice as long as such diameter D2).
The side wall 8 of the bottle 1 is here defined by:
The base B, the side wall 8 and the shoulder 5 define a hollow body 9 that is typically obtained by stretch-blow molding a thermoplastic preform. EBM (extrusion blow molding), IBM (injection blow molding) and ISBM (injection stretch blow molding) may be options for forming the body 9 from a paraison or preform. ISBM is preferred to obtain transparent bottles 1. The hollow body 9 can be stretched with a stretching ratio comprised between 5 and 15.
The side wall 8, less rigid than the neck 6 (typically not stretched), extends longitudinally around the first (central) axis Z from an upper end 8a adjacent to the shoulder 5 to a lower end 8b. The lower end 8b may be close to the planar bearing portion (or support plane SP) defined by bottom wall 2. Alternatively, the base B may be provided with a skirt of significant height connected to the lower end 8b. In any case, the annular recess 10 in the gripping portion 4 extends substantially in the middle of the body 9 (the wording “substantially in the middle of the body” is conventionally used for thin-walled containers and is to be understood as meaning at about a half height of the body 9 and more generally in a middle part of the body 9 that may represent about 50% of the total height of the body 9). For comfortable pouring of the liquid with a bottle 1 of at least 300 mL, it is preferable if the gripping portion 4 is significantly distant from the base B, and preferably at a lower distance from the neck 6 than from the bearing portion at the base B. The annular recess 10 may also be located entirely below three quarters of total height H of the bottle 1.
In the first embodiment shown in
As illustrated in
The lower portion 3 and/or the gripping portion 4 and/or an upper portion of the body 9 optionally has reinforcing reliefs (not shown), here recessed in relation to the external profile of the lower portion 3 and/or the gripping portion 4 and/or an upper portion. These reinforcing reliefs can take various forms, such as for example undulating grooves or annular flutes arranged horizontally, that is to say located in transverse planes in relation to the central axis (first axis Z) of the bottle 1, and/or arranged according to titled plans. When present, the reliefs make it possible to support the internal pressure of the bottle 1 and also provide longitudinal elasticity in order to allow an increase in the internal pressure of the liquid and therefore resistance to vertical crushing. In an embodiment the body 9 presents two tilted deep grooves in the gripping portion 4, preferably at distance from the determined annular line 15 (it may be same or similar tilting as the determined annular line for such deep grooves). Such arrangements provide particularly suitable mechanical resistance as well as usage comfort.
Preferably when the bottle 1 is obtained by ISBM or similarly blow molded with a stretching, the gripping portion 4 may be provided with such reinforcing reliefs, except in the annular recess 10 where a maximally recessed area 11 is defined.
The bottle 1 in an empty and unclosed state may optionally be lighter than 30 or 35 g, even for a capacity of about 900 mL or 1 L. Of course, for a capacity inferior or equal to 500 mL, the bottle 1 may optionally be lighter than 15 g.
Referring to
With such configuration, a gripping portion 4 defining a circumferential recess may be obtained with an advantageous shape, offering possibility for some fingers of same user's hand to be placed in contact with the first point 19a and in contact with the second point 11a.
Now referring to
The determined annular line 15 is continuously rounded and preferably circular. The diameter D10 defined by this generally circular line may be inferior to the outer greater diameter D1 of the lower portion 3, as illustrated in
¾<D10/D1< 9/10
Accordingly, the diameter D10 is advantageously not too reduced, thus making the design of the bottle 1 more attractive on the one hand and limiting the decrease of the radius of curvature R in the maximally recessed area 11 on the other hand (so that average thickness of the gripping portion 4 may remain relatively low).
Due to the tilt angle TA (
Referring to
The first annular part 12 is tapering toward the upper end 8a from a substantially circular junction with the lower portion 3. Such junction for interconnection between the lower portion 3 and the first annular part 12 is here defined at a circular peripheral intersection line 16 that is perpendicular to the first axis Z, as illustrated in
Optionally, the side wall 8 may be provided with an upper portion distinct from the gripping portion 4 and of substantially cylindrical shape, extending between the annular part 14 and the shoulder 5.
Referring to
The first annular part 12 is longitudinally curved in an arched manner, in order to progressively taper from the lower portion 3 to the annular line 15. Because of the tilt angle TA, the first annular part 12 has a longitudinal extension lower than a longitudinal extension of the second annular part 14 at least at one side of the gripping portion 4 opposite to the determined side.
The second annular part 14 is now described in connection with
The shoulder 5 may extend symmetrically around the first (central) axis Z. This first (central) axis Z forms an intersection between the symmetry plane P1 and a median plane P2 perpendicular to the symmetry plane P1. From the junction J, the second annular part 14 is tapering in different manner, depending on the side with respect to the second median plane P2. Indeed, such second median plane P2 divides the gripping portion 4 into a first C-shaped portion 17 and a second C-shaped portion 18. Here, it is understood that “C-shaped” means that the portion 17 or 18 is substantially half-round profiled in a cross section perpendicular to the first (central) axis Z.
In the first C-shaped portion 17, there is a first parting line PL1 (middle or median line) at the intersection with the symmetry P1. Such symmetry plane P1 defines two opposite parting lines PL1 and PL2 (as shown in
More generally, it is understood that the radius of curvature R may be low because of the maximal radial extension EXT defined above the uppermost segment 15a.
0.5≤(ds1+ds2)/D1≤0.8, preferably 0.5≤(ds1+ds2)/D≤0.8.
The gripping portion 4 shown in
As illustrated in
1/10<R/H1<⅙
It can also be seen that the first general direction T1 intersects the median plane P2 in an interior volume V defined by the bottle 1, preferably at least 15 mm above the base B.
The second C-shaped portion 18 defines another slope 22 at the opposite from the slope 20, i.e. in the second parting line PL2, as shown in
As illustrated in
The height H1 of the gripping portion 4, which is greater than the diameter D1, may be at least equal to one third of the height H of the bottle 1. In combination with the tilted annular line 15 that locally minimizes the circumference of the bottle, this ensures more options for positioning the hand around the bottle 1. Here the perimeter part that is most suitable for the gripping may be essentially defined in the first C-shaped portion 17, along the virtual plane P3 as shown in
⅛≤EXT/D1≤¼, preferably ⅛≤EXT/D≤¼
Besides, the height H10 defined by the determined annular line 15 may represent a fraction of the diameter D10 of the annular line 15 at least equal to 0.2 and inferior to 0.5. Having such moderate radial extension EXT and such limited height D10 is advantageous to have a loss of volume less than 20 or 30%, preferably less than 15%, as compared to an equivalent bottle without any gripping portion (for the embodiment illustrated in
Referring to
Besides, the distance D8 may be superior or equal to the shorter height H12 but inferior to the longer height of the second annular part 14.
Regarding the annular line 15, which defines a bottom line in the gripping portion 5 (bottom line of the annular recess 10), it deviates from the horizontal position by a tilt angle TA of less than 30° and typically greater than 10 or 15°. In a preferred embodiment, the plane P3 deviates from 11 to 28°, preferably from 17 to 24°, as compared to a plane P4 perpendicular to the first axis Z, as shown in
As illustrated in
It can be seen that the side wall 8 is deprived from any projection protruding from the peripheral outer face here defined by the lower portion 3 and the gripping portion 4. Referring to
The lower portion 3 of the side wall 8 may be tapered toward the base B. A brand name or a similar pattern could be marked in this lower portion 3 when forming the body 9. With this arrangement, the lower edge 48 may extend at a significant distance from the base B and the height of the decorative label St is advantageously reduced, thus saving packaging material. Moreover, integration of the decorative label St is better when combining a circular cross section (at the lower edge 48) and such a tapered lower portion 3.
The decorative label St may be a single piece plastic sleeve that includes a shrink film annularly secured to the second annular part 14 and to the shoulder 5. This plastic sleeve 5 is also in contact with the first annular part 12 at least in an annular area distant from the determined annular line 15. Fixing of the strip St is performed in a known manner. The decorative label St may be conformed exactly like the shape of the gripping portion 4, due to the smooth curvature (without sharp angles or protrusions) in the side wall 8.
Such decorative label St is particularly well integrated when the height H1 of the gripping portion 4 represents a fraction of the height of the body 9 at least equal to 0.35 and inferior to 0.9. Here the height of the body 9 is equal to the sum of the following heights: height H2 of the base B, height H8 of the lower portion 3 and height H5 of the shoulder 5. Of course, the height of the shoulder 5 may vary. For instance, the shoulder 5 may be either substantially as high as or higher than the neck 6, as illustrated in the first embodiment shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the height H1 represents a fraction of the cumulated height of the base B and the side wall 8 (i.e. H2+H8), which is at least equal to 0.45 and inferior to 0.8. When the height H1 is close to or bigger than half of this cumulated height below the shoulder 5:
When a shrink wrap forming the label St is present as illustrated in
Now referring to
For each bottle 1 of the pack 40, the shoulder 5 here defines an outer diameter substantially equal to the greater outer diameter D, possibly equal to the diameter D1 defined at the lower portion 3 of the side wall 8. Such feature is of interest for grouping the bottles 1 in a wrapped pack 40 without significant gaps at the upper end 8a of the side wall 8 (thus preventing risk of tilting, irregular locations or alterations in the pack 40 due to shocks). Such risk occurs when the lower portion 3 does not provide sufficient contact areas between adjacent bottles 1.
Now referring to
To prevent such alteration in the gripping portion 4, increasing the average thickness of the gripping portion 4 cannot be seen as an economically relevant solution, especially in view of the significant height H1 of the gripping portion 4. Advantageously, the gripping portion 4 illustrated in
Referring to
The following table 1 shows thickness profiles at the parting lines PL1 and PL2 in the side wall 8, for respective bottles 1 according to the invention. The height H here varies between 120 and 240 mm and the measured thickness, expressed in micrometers, is less than 500 μm at least for the PET stretched blow molded bottles 1.
The following table 2 shows average thickness in the gripping portion 4 for the respective examples of table 1. Maximum of thickness, which is typically measured at or 5 mm above the uppermost segment 15a, is also indicated. Preferably, at least twenty measures (here twenty-six measures) are used for obtaining the average thickness of the gripping portion 4 in the PET bottles. For the smaller PE bottle of example 3, ten or twelve measures in the gripping portion 4 are considered as sufficient to obtain a precise average thickness.
In view of table 1, it can be seen that the first C-shaped portion 17 and the second C-shaped portion 18 are not profiled in a comparable manner. The maximum of thickness in the second parting line PL2 may be more or less similar but the respective profiles of thickness are optimally adjusted. The gripping portion 4 has a thickness profile such that an average thickness of this gripping portion 4 is less than the thickness measured in a specific region of the second annular part 14 at the maximally recessed area 11 (at the opposite from the lowermost segment 15b). Here, such thickness corresponds to the maximum value measured for the second parting line PL2. The thickness ratio of this maximum thickness measured in the specific region to the average thickness in the gripping portion 4 may be 1.05:1 to 1.3:1. Indeed having a thickness ratio between the thickness at second point 11a and the thickness at first point 19a of higher than 1, preferably of 1.05 to 1.30, preferably 1.10 to 1.25, has been surprisingly found to prevent collapse of the bottle 1 under top-load, particularly at second point 11a.
The region of locally increased thickness is preferably intersected by the symmetry plane P1. Thus, above the height level of the second point 11a, the second annular part 14 may be advantageously reinforced only along the second parting line PL2.
In variants, thickness is increased adjacent the second parting line PL2 in two regions each adjacent to the uppermost segment 15a and extending along the parting line in the second annular part 14. More generally, it is understood that thickness is locally increased at or above the second point 11a, typically in at least one region where a thumb or another finger may exert a pressure when grasping the bottle 1 (this region may be higher than wide and/or only extend along the second parting line PL2 in an angular sector of less than 100° or 120°, using the first (central) axis Z as a reference). Such region may greater than 1 or 2 cm2 and any thickness measured in this region may be at least 5 to 30%, preferably 10 to 25%, for example 15 or 20%, greater than the minimum thickness measured at the second parting line PL2 in the gripping portion 4.
The thick portion 23 of the second annular part 14 is provided along the second parting line PL2 (the thick portion 23 being intersected by the symmetry plane P1), and may extend from the second point 11a toward the upper annular end 13. Referring to
In the opposite portion 24, the thickness may progressively decrease with increasing space/longitudinal distance from the determined lower end 24a. In contrast in the thick portion 23 (as shown in
Referring to
⅗≤E2/E1≤ 10/11
where E1 is the thickness in the second point 11a, and where E2 is the thickness in the opposite 25.
In one embodiment, the gripping portion 4 has a central region CR (see
Typically, any thickness in the central region CR may be superior or equal to 220 μm, preferably 250 μm, which is of interest to provide an annular recess 10 that is more pronounced (i.e. with more restriction of the radial size as compared to the greater outer diameter D1), while offering sufficient strength for gripping operations.
Besides, a maximum difference in the central annular region CR may be superior or equal to 40 μm and inferior or equal to 400 μm.
Referring to
ds2+EXT=ds1+x=D5/2
where D5 is the diameter defined by the upper annular end 13, as illustrated in
While the thermoplastic bottle of example 1 may have a weight of about 33 g for a capacity of more than 1 litre (for instance about 1300 mL) with a diameter D1 of about 100 mm, the thermoplastic bottle of example 2 may have a weight of about 28 g for a capacity of less than 1 litre, for instance about 900 mL, with a diameter D1 of about 85 mm. The smaller bottle of example 3 has a greater thickness and may be suitable for containing dairy beverages or other similar drinks. Only thicknesses measured in the gripping portion 4 are reported for the bottle 1 of example 3. Of course, the examples shown in the table 1 are simply illustrative and reflect non-limiting embodiments.
It is understood that
More generally, the thickness ratio of this thickness measured in the specific region (maximum thickness in the parting line PL2 at the gripping portion 4) to a minimum thickness in the gripping portion 4 may be typically comprised in the range 1.1:1 to 1.9:1.
The second thickness profile defined at the parting line PL2 and the first thickness profile defined at the parting line PL1 each have locally a maximum in the gripping portion 4, respectively corresponding to the maximally recessed area 11 and a less recessed area (defined around the lowermost segment 15b and which may correspond to the minimally recessed area 19 in the annular recess 10). Because of such thickness profiles, the average thickness of the gripping portion 4 is significantly lowered. Maximum difference in thickness in the gripping portion 4 may be for example greater than 40 or 50 μm and inferior or equal to 400 μm.
Referring to
Due to the specific increases in thickness in the respective parting lines PL1 and PL2, a better resistance is obtained for the gripping portion 4, so as to reduce impact in the most sensitive areas of such gripping portion 4. Concretely, as compared to a bottle having low variations around the average thickness, the bottle 1 may withstand an additional top load of about 20 daN due to such controlled thickness profiles in the respective C-shaped portions 17, 18.
The present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments. These embodiments, however, are merely for example and the invention is not restricted thereto. For instance, the top and the bottom of the bottles 1 may have a variety of shape, with the provision that the first (central) axis Z defines a common central axis for the base B and the part above the gripping portion 4. While the bottom wall 2 has been illustrated with spaced feet and grooves, the bottom wall 2 may also define a continuously circular bearing area.
Besides, in some variants, the diameter D1 in the lower portion 3 is not necessarily the greater diameter of the bottle 1. The shoulder 5 may be optionally provided with a greater diameter.
The side wall 8 may be provided with strengthening ribs (not shown), for example in the lower portion 3, in the shoulder 5, and optionally in regions of the respective annular parts 1214 (regions where thickness is decreased by the thickness profiles) proximal to the lower portion 3 and the shoulder 5, respectively. Such ribs extend each between two narrow annular grooves of low depth (inferior to 2 mm for instance), so as to prevent formation of local protrusions protruding radially outwards. The width of such grooves is typically inferior to 4 mm, while minimal distance between two grooves (delimiting a single rib in between) may be superior to 10 mm, preferably at least 12 mm.
Any reference sign in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the claim. It will be obvious that the use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of any other elements besides those defined in any claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/002573 | Dec 2015 | IB | international |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2016/070258 | 8/26/2016 | WO | 00 |
