1. Field of the Invention
The invention described herein relates to plastic containers, and relates in particular to the shape and structure of such containers.
2. Related Art
As is widely known, it is common for beverages to be sold in plastic containers. Such containers can be single-serving or multi-serving containers. Moreover, certain beverages are commonly placed into the containers when the beverage is still hot. Some manufacturers of fruit juices and teas fill their product when the beverage is approximately 185° F., for example. The bottles are then immediately capped and cooled. The cooling beverage contracts, which creates an internal vacuum. The container design needs to withstand or allow for this internal vacuum ‘take-up’ while maintaining the desired look of the design. Containers that can accommodate a hot liquid product in this manner are known as hot-fillable.
The problem of cooling and contraction is present for any container used in such a hot filled process. Relatively large containers (e.g., 42 ounces or greater) generally pose fewer design concerns than smaller containers when dealing with the contraction problem. For larger containers, the sides are necessarily larger. A larger side panel can flex inward more easily than a smaller panel during cooling. Smaller containers are more problematic. A smaller container (e.g., 16 ounces) necessarily has smaller side panels. Panels for such a container are stiffer and flex less readily than a larger panel.
What is needed, therefore, is a design for a relatively small plastic hot-fillable container, such that the sides of the container can flex inward during the cooling and contraction of the fluid contents.
The invention described herein is a plastic, hot-fillable, blow-molded, singleserve container having a four-sided body. Three sides of the container include vacuum relief panels that can flex inwards when fluid in the container cools and contracts. In an embodiment of the invention, the rear panel is a vacuum relief panel that includes a raised island structure on which a label may be applied. The left and right sides of the container also include vacuum relief panels. These left and right side panels can include ergonomic structure that allow a person to grip the container with one hand.
Further objectives and advantages of the invention as well as preferred embodiments, will become apparent from consideration of the description, drawings, and examples provided herewith.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally-similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so-selected. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The invention described herein is a plastic, hot-fillable, blow-molded, singleserve container having a four-sided body. Such a container can have a capacity of 16 or 32 ounces, for example, though the invention is not limited to containers having these volumes. Three sides of the container include vacuum relief panels that can flex inwards when fluid in the container cools and contracts. In an embodiment of the invention, the rear panel is a vacuum relief panel that includes a raised island structure on which a label may be applied and supported. The left and right sides of the container also include vacuum relief panels. These left and right side panels can include ergonomic structure that allows a person to grip the container with one hand. In an embodiment of the invention, the ergonomic structure comprises a D-shaped depression on each side panel.
One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
The corresponding side panel on the opposite side (not shown) is contoured similarly. These recesses on the sides allow a person to grip the bottle easily with one hand.
The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All examples presented are representative and not limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention maybe modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.