Patent Application
20140319009
The invention generally relates to containers. More particularly, embodiments relate to a reinforced nestable container that can withstand a high pressure processing process.
Nestable containers for storing contents are known in the prior art. Generally, such prior art containers are identical to one another to allow them to be nested together. Nesting the containers in such a manner reduces the amount of storage space required to hold the containers when they are not in use. However, the features in the prior art designs that allow the containers to be nested also create problems with the containers. For instance, they often reduce the structural integrity of the container and/or make them more difficult to handle. Additionally, the identical designs of such containers limit them to containers of the same holding capacity.
The present invention advances the art providing a container that is nestable, easy to handle has structural integrity and able to be used in high pressure processes.
One embodiment of the invention provides a reinforced nestable container and a method of making a reinforced nestable container uses in a High Pressure Processing (HPP) process.
Embodiments relate to a reinforced nestable container formed of a thermoformed material and able to withstand a high pressure processing. The container has an open end, a closed end, and a sidewall extending between the open end and the closed end and defines an interior. The closed end has a cone bottom including a first step that steps towards the closed end and forms a flexible point such that the base can flex and return to its original position and shape; a generally flat portion that extends towards the center of the closed end; a second step that steps towards the open end and in to an inner-profile having a first radius in one direction and a second radius in an opposite direction, forming an s-curve; at least one strengthening fillet; and a base plateau, whereby at least the s-curve formed by the first step, the flat portion and the second step spread tension such that the container can withstand pressure therein.
Other embodiments relate to a reinforced nestable container formed of a thermoformed material and able to withstand a high pressure processing, the container including an open end; a closed end having a cone bottom; and a sidewall extending between the open end and the closed end defining an interior. The cone bottom includes a first step that steps downward towards the closed end down and forms a flexible point such that the base can flex and return to its original position and shape; a flat portion that extends towards the center of the cone bottom; a second step that steps upward towards the opened end and in to an inner-profile having a first radius in one direction and a second radius in an opposite direction, thereby forming an s-curve; at least one strengthening fillet; and a base plateau, whereby at least the s-curve formed by the first step, the flat portion and the second step spread tension such that the container can withstand pressure therein.
Yet other embodiments relate to a method of packing contents in a container, the method including forming a reinforced nestable container of a thermoformed material, the container including an open end; a closed end; and a sidewall extending between the open end and the closed end and defining an interior. The closed end has a cone bottom, the cone bottom includes a first step that steps down and forms a flexible point such that the base can flex and return to its original position and shape; a flat portion that extends towards the center of the cone bottom; a second step that steps up and in to an inner-profile having a first radius in one direction and a second radius in an opposite direction, thereby forming an s-curve; at least one strengthening fillet; and a base plateau, whereby at least the s-curve formed by the first step, the flat portion and the second step spread tension such that the container can withstand pressure therein. The method includes inserting contents into the interior of the reinforced nestable container; sealing the container; and subjecting the sealed container to a high pressure processing process, producing a sealed container having contents that are safer, last longer and taste better.
Still other embodiments relate to a method of forming a reinforced nestable container, able to withstand a high pressure processing, the method including forming an open end; forming a closed end; and forming a sidewall extending between the open end and the closed end, the closed end having a cone bottom. The method further includes he cone bottom includes forming a first step that steps down and includes at least one strengthening fillet; forming a flat portion that extends towards the center of the cone bottom; forming a second step that steps up and in to an inner-profile having a first radius in one direction and a second radius in an opposite direction, forming an s-curve; and forming a base plateau, whereby at least the s-curve formed by the first step, the flat portion and the second step spread tension such that the container can withstand pressure therein.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention can be defined by the appended the claims and equivalents thereof.
Throughout the various figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements.
As illustrated in
Container 10 further includes a second step 30 that steps in a second direction opposite of the first direction (upward towards the opened end 14 for example) and in to an inner-profile having a first radius 32 in one direction and a second radius 34 in an opposite direction, thereby forming an s-curve 36 (best viewed in
In at least one embodiment, the reinforced nestable container 10 includes at least the first step 24, the strengthening fillet 28, the generally flat portion 28 and the second step 30 extending circumferentially about container 10 at the closed end 16. The base plateau 40 may have a radius less than the radius of the closed end 16.
It is contemplated that the base plateau 40 may have a radius less than the radius of the closed end 16. The cone bottom has a height between ⅛ and ½ the length of the sidewall 18. The cone bottom may have a height of about ¾ the length of the sidewall 18. The rim 12 extends about the circumference of the open end 14 and is adapted to receive a lid (not shown).
In one embodiment, the first step 24 has a profile of about 0.015 inches to relieve tension on the base 16, and then steps down with a 0.019 inch fillet. The bottom 16 has a flat surface that extends about 0.25 inches towards the center of the closed end 16 before stepping up in the inner-profile with a 0.31 inch radius followed by a 0.13 inch radius in the opposite direction, creating the s-curve 36 that spreads even more of the tension created by the pressure inside the container 10. After the s-curve 36 steps up the base plateau approximately 0.9 inches to the center of the base 16.
Another embodiment relates to a method of packing contents in the container 10. The method comprises forming a reinforced nestable container 10 of a thermoformed material where the container 10 includes an open end 14; a closed end 16; and a sidewall 18 extending between the open end 14 and the closed end 16 and defining the interior 20, the closed end 16 having a cone bottom. The cone bottom includes a first step 24 that steps down and forms a flexible point such that the base 16 can flex and return to its original position and shape. A flat portion 28 extends towards the center of the cone bottom 16; a second step 30 that steps up and in to an inner-profile having a first radius in one direction and a second radius in an opposite direction, thereby forming the s-curve 36; at least one strengthening fillet 38; and the base plateau 40, whereby at least the s-curve 36, the first step, the flat portion and the second step spread tension such that the container can withstand pressure therein. The method further includes inserting contents into the interior of the reinforced nestable container 10; sealing the container 10; and subjecting the sealed container to a high pressure processing process, producing a sealed container having contents that are safer, last longer and taste better.
Other embodiments of the method relate to a rounded portion extending between the first step 24 and the generally flat portion 28. The method further includes at least the first step 24, the strengthening fillet 38, the generally flat portion 28 and the second step 30 extending circumferentially about the closed end 16. The method further includes the base plateau 40 having a radius less than the radius of the closed end 16, and the cone bottom having a height between ⅛ and ½ the length of the sidewall 18. The container 10 further includes the cone bottom having a height of about ¼ the length of the sidewall 18.
Yet another embodiment relates to a method of forming a reinforced nestable container 10, able to withstand a high pressure processing, the method including forming an open end 14; forming a closed end 16; and forming a sidewall 18 extending between the open end 14 and the closed end 16, where the closed end 16 has a cone bottom. The method includes forming a first step that steps down and includes at least one strengthening fillet; forming a flat portion that extends towards the center of the cone bottom; forming a second step that steps up and in to an inner-profile having a first radius in one direction and a second radius in an opposite direction, forming an s-curve; and forming a base plateau, whereby at least the s-curve formed by the first step, the flat portion and the second step spread tension such that the container can withstand pressure therein. The dispenser may include a barrier configured to open responsive to increased pressure resulting from actuation of the pump.
While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.
