Container having primary and secondary support surfaces

A container includes a body including a primary support surface, a sidewall including at least one secondary support surface at an angle to the primary support surface and to a longitudinal axis of the container, and a finish extending from the body coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The container may be tilted from the primary support surface to the secondary support surface to facilitate access to product carried in the container.

The present disclosure is directed to containers and, more particularly, to a container with a label.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Containers often include a body and a neck finish extending axially from the body to accept a closure. The body usually includes a base, a sidewall extending axially away from the base, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the neck finish. The neck finish typically includes circumferentially extending threads or lugs to cooperate with corresponding features of the closure. U.S. patents that illustrate glass containers of this type include U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,823 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,524.

A general object of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, is to provide a container having improved gripping or cradling characteristics, and having a primary support surface and an angled secondary support surface onto which the container can be tilted to facilitate access to partially consumed and diminishing product in the container.

The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.

A container in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes a base defining a flat primary support surface, a body extending from the base, and a finish extending from the body coaxially with the base around a base/finish axis. The body has a sidewall having at least one secondary support surface at an angle to the primary support surface and to the axis, and a surface of revolution around the axis between the secondary support surface and the finish.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a container that has a longitudinal axis and that includes a body and a neck finish extending from the body along and coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The body includes a base having a primary support surface, and a sidewall extending from the base and including a facet. The facet has a secondary support surface oriented at a tilt angle that is acute with respect to the axis and obtuse with respect to the primary support surface. The facet also has a recessed portion within the secondary support surface. The neck finish includes a cylindrical outer surface and one or more closure engagement features on the cylindrical outer surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a package20including a container22having a longitudinal axis A, a container label23carried by the container22, and a closure24that may be coupled to the container22along the axis A. The package20may be used to package salsa, dip, sauce, pickles, baby food, peppers, jam, or any other food products. The closure24may be composed of metal and/or polymeric material(s), or any other material(s) suitable for enclosing food products. The label23may be integral with the container22, for example, printed thereon, or may be separate therefrom and composed of paper, plastic, or any other material suitable for labeling a container. The container22may be composed of glass, or any other material suitable for containing food products. A plurality of the package20are stackable, one atop another.

The container22may be provided in any suitable sizes, and may include a jar, a wide mouth type of container, or the like. The container22includes a body26including a base28, and a sidewall30extending in a direction axially away from the base28in a direction generally along the axis A. As used herein, the terminology “axially away” does not necessarily mean parallel with the axis A and is used to indicate the general direction. The body26also may include a surface of revolution concentric with the axis A for securement of the label23. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5, the surface of revolution may include a shoulder32extending from the sidewall30, as illustrated in the Figures. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the surface of revolution may be frusto-conical, may extend 360 degrees of revolution around the axis A, and may allow for labeling according to standard labeling operations. In other embodiments, however, the container body26need not include a shoulder. As used herein, directional words such as top, bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, lateral, longitudinal, transverse, vertical, horizontal, and the like are employed by way of description and not necessarily limitation.

Referring toFIGS. 2 through 4, the container22includes a neck finish34extending in a generally axial direction from the body26around the axis A, and establishing an open mouth or opening of the container22around the axis A. More particularly, the neck finish34may extend from the shoulder32of the sidewall30, and may extend coaxially with the base28around the axis A. In other embodiments, however, where the container body26does not include a shoulder, the neck finish34may extend directly from the sidewall30. The neck finish34includes an outer surface36that may be cylindrical over 360 degrees of revolution about the axis A, and one or more closure engagement features that may include lugs, bayonets, thread segments38, or any other suitable features, on the outer surface36. As used herein, the term thread segment includes whole, partial, multiple, and/or an interrupted thread and/or thread segment. The thread segments38may include six, or any other suitable quantity of, thread segments38. In any case, the thread segments38may extend circumferentially around the neck finish34. In this regard, and with reference toFIG. 1, the closure24may include a base wall40, a skirt42depending axially from the base wall40and having a plurality of container engagement elements that may include threads, lugs44, or any other suitable features, and may be equal in number to the plurality of external thread segments38. In one embodiment, the closure24may be rotatably coupled to the container22about and along the axis A. The neck finish34also may include a capping flange46extending completely circumferentially around the neck finish34and oriented axially between the thread segments38and the body shoulder32.

With reference toFIG. 5, the base28may define or include a primary support surface48that may be flat and may be shaped as shown inFIG. 5. The primary support surface48may—but need not—be circumferentially continuous, and not interrupted, as shown inFIG. 5. The base28also may be recessed, for example, to have a push-up 50. The push-up 50 may be concave and may include an incurvate surface52and a flat surface54radially inward of the incurvate surface52.

With respect toFIG. 1, the sidewall30may be generally rounded, generally straight, or of any other general outer profile but is preferably generally frusto-conical from a radial apex56to the base28. Although the sidewall30need not be flat or straight, the sidewall30may be generally oriented at an angle that is obtuse with respect to the base28and acute with respect to the axis A. The sidewall30may be faceted, and, in some embodiments including the present embodiment, may be multi-faceted. In any case, the sidewall30includes at least one secondary support surface58that establishes a plane oriented at an angle to the primary support surface48(FIG. 5) and to the axis A. As used herein, the terminology “at an angle” means at a non-zero angle.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 5, the at least one secondary support surface58includes a plurality secondary support surfaces58, for example, six secondary support surfaces58. Any suitable quantity of secondary support surfaces58may be provided, for example, 1, 2, 6, or any other suitable quantity. The multiple secondary support surfaces58may be equidistantly circumferentially spaced in an array about the axis A. The secondary support surface58may include a surface-defining periphery with an edge lying in a plane at a tilt angle to the axis A.

In one embodiment, the sidewall facet may be recessed, for instance, to eliminate wobbling and provide good stability of the container22when it rests on its secondary support surface58. For example, the sidewall facet may be recessed via a concave surface60oriented within the periphery of the secondary support surface58. But the sidewall facet may be recessed via stepped surfaces, angled surfaces, or in any other suitable manner. In any case, the secondary support surface58and corresponding recessed portion may constitute a single sidewall facet. In other embodiments, the sidewall facet may be continuously planar, for example, wherein a secondary support surface is a continuously planar surface.

The secondary support surface58intersects the base28and/or primary support surface48at a tilt angle with respect to the axis A and at an obtuse angle with respect to the base28and/or primary support surface48. The secondary support surface58may be of conic sectional shape, for example, parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptic, or the like, when viewed from a perpendicular angle thereto. In any event, the secondary support surface58has an wide end that may intersect the primary support surface48of the base28, exemplified byFIG. 5.

With reference toFIGS. 1-4, the surface of revolution32for the label23may extend circumferentially around the axis A, and longitudinally along the axis A between the secondary support surface(s)58and the finish34for securement or carrying of the label23. The surface of revolution32may be conical, and/or may be oriented at an angle that is obtuse with respect to the secondary support surface58and acute with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The label23may be secured to or carried by the surface of revolution32, for example, by adhesion, shrink-wrap, or in any other suitable manner. The label23may be a wrap-around label and may extend entirely around the surface of revolution32for at least 360 degree coverage.

Referring toFIG. 1, one or more of the thread segments38may be oriented in a predetermined circumferential relationship with the secondary support surfaces58so that the package20can be oriented on any one of its plurality secondary support surfaces58at a point of sale, wherein an overall level orientation of graphics on the base40of the closure24will be within in plus or minus fifteen degrees of rotation with respect to a horizontal surface of a store shelf when properly faced by a stocker at a store. In that way, a potential customer of the product will not have to tilt their head to an unacceptable degree to read the closure graphics. For example, the closure lugs44can be circumferentially aligned with the secondary support surfaces58. More specifically, a circumferential center of each thread segment38(and thus each closure lug44when fully applied to the container22) may be circumferentially aligned with a circumferential center of a corresponding secondary support surface58. The quantity of external thread segments38and lugs44may be equal in number to the plurality of secondary support surfaces58.

In use, and with reference toFIG. 1, the closure24may be removed from the container22, the container22may be rested on its base28, and product in the container22may be consumed, for example, by dipping chips or the like into the container22to remove product therefrom for consumption. Product may be progressively removed from the container to a point at which it becomes frustratingly difficult for a consumer to remove additional product.

At that point, and with reference toFIG. 2, the consumer may tilt the container22from the primary support surface48to one of the secondary support surfaces58to facilitate removal of the remaining product, wherein product may flow under the force of gravity toward the open container mouth.

With reference toFIG. 4, the container22is constructed such that when the secondary support surface58of the container22rests flat on a horizontal surface, a lowermost portion34aof the finish34is lower than an uppermost portion28aof the base28. Compare the straight reference arrow for portion28awith the straight reference arrow for portion34a. In one embodiment, the size and configuration of the container22may be such that 25% to 40% of the product by volume can be retained in the container22without spillage when the container22rests on the secondary support surface58. In a more particular embodiment, the size and configuration of the container22may be such that 30% to 35% of the product by volume can be retained in the container22without spillage when the container22rests on the secondary support surface58.

For example, in the example embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 5, a full capacity of the container22resting on its base28may be 16 to 17 ounces, and a tilt capacity of the container22resting on its secondary support surface58may be 5 to 5.5 ounces. Also, the finish opening diameter may be about 100 mm, the major diameter of the container22at the sidewall radial apex56may be about 110 mm, the radially outermost diameter of the base28may be about 78 mm for good stacking radially within a 100 mm closure, the height of the push-up 50 may be about 5 mm, the overall height of the container22from the base28to the finish open mouth may be about 81 mm, the distance from the base28to the sidewall radial apex56may be about 42 mm, the distance from the base28to the finish34may be about 65 mm, and the angle of the secondary support surface58with respect to the axis A may be about 32 degrees wherein the container22can be tilted about 58 degrees from the base28to the secondary support surface58. Also, the thicknesses of the container walls may be of any suitable values customary in the art. As used herein the term “about” includes plus or minus 1-10% and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

The container22has good ergonomic characteristics wherein the container22can be comfortably gripped or cradled by a consumer. The multi-faceted and generally inverted frusto-conical shape of the sidewall30and the concave push-up 50 facilitate a good grip on the container22by a consumer. Such features may contribute to an improved consumer experience with the container22.

FIGS. 6 through 9illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a package120and/or a container122for the package120. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-5and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here.

With reference toFIG. 6, the package120includes a container122, a label123on the container122, and a closure124coupled to the container122. The container122includes a body126including a base128, a sidewall130extending in a direction axially away from the base128, and a shoulder132. The container122also has a longitudinal axis A, and includes a neck finish134extending from the shoulder132of the body126.

With reference toFIG. 9, the base128may define or include a primary support surface148that may be flat to establish a plane. The primary support surface148may be shaped as shown inFIG. 9, including a semi-circumferential portion148aand a straight portion148b. The base128also may be recessed, for example, to have a push-up 150. The push-up 150 may be concave.

Referring toFIGS. 6-8, the sidewall130may have a generally bowl-shaped or rounded outer profile and may include a surface of revolution to which the label123may be applied or carried on. The surface of revolution may be substantially cylindrical and may extend over 360 degrees of revolution around the axis A. The sidewall130may be faceted, for example, to include at least one secondary support surface158that establishes a plane oriented at a non-zero angle to the primary support surface148(FIG. 8) and to the axis A. The facet may be continuously planar, for example, wherein the secondary support surface158may be a continuously planar surface. But in other embodiments, like the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, the facet may be recessed or concave wherein the secondary support surface158may be a peripheral rim oriented outside of a concave surface.

The secondary support surface158may intersect the base128at a tilt angle with respect to the axis A and at an obtuse angle with respect to the base128. The secondary support surface158may be of conic sectional shape, for example, parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptic, or the like. In any event, the secondary support surface158may have a lower or open end that may intersect the primary support surface148of the base128, exemplified byFIG. 9. With reference toFIG. 7, the consumer may tilt the container122from the base128, and/or a primary support surface thereof, to the secondary support surface158to facilitate removal of the remaining product, wherein product may flow under the force of gravity toward the open container mouth.

With reference toFIG. 8, the container122is constructed such that when the secondary support surface158of the container122rests flat on a horizontal surface, a lowermost portion134aof the finish134is lower than an uppermost portion128aof the base128. Compare the straight reference arrow for portion128awith the straight reference arrow for portion134a.

The surface of revolution131for the label123may extend circumferentially around the axis A, and longitudinally along the axis A between the secondary support surface158and the finish134for securement or carrying of the label123.

With reference toFIG. 6, the closure124has a raised peripheral edge141and the base128of the container122has a maximum external dimension receivable within the raised peripheral edge141such that a plurality of the package120can be stacked upon each other. The raised peripheral edge141can be an annular projection that extends circumferentially around the closure124and that prevents the base128of another package from slipping off of the closure124in radial direction.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a container222. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-9and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here.

FIG. 10illustrates the container222, and a first label223and a second label225on the container222. The container222includes a body226including a base228, a sidewall230extending in a direction axially away from the base228, and a shoulder232. The container222also has a longitudinal axis A, and includes a neck finish234extending from the shoulder232of the body226.

The base228may define or include a primary support surface that may be flat to establish a plane. The primary support surface may be continuously planar, or may be recessed, for example, to have a push-up (not shown), which may be concave.

The sidewall230may have a generally rounded or bowl-shaped back portion230a, and generally angled side portions230bextending from the back portion230a. The sidewall230may be faceted, for example, to include at least one secondary support surface258that establishes a plane oriented at a non-zero angle to the primary support surface or base258and to the axis A. The secondary support surface258may extend between the angled side portions230b. The facet may be continuously planar, for example, wherein the secondary support surface258is a continuously planar surface but, in other embodiments, the facet may be recessed or concave wherein the secondary support surface258may be a peripheral rim oriented outside of a concave surface. In any case, the secondary support surface258may carry the second label225. The secondary support surface258may intersect the base228at a tilt angle that is acute with respect to the axis A and obtuse with respect to the base228. The secondary support surface258may be of generally rectangular shape, exemplified byFIG. 10.

With reference toFIG. 11, the consumer may tilt the container222from the base228, and/or a primary support surface thereof, to the secondary support surface258to facilitate removal of the remaining product, wherein product may flow under the force of gravity toward the open container mouth. The container222is constructed such that when the secondary support surface258of the container222rests flat on a horizontal surface, a lowermost portion234aof the finish234is lower than an uppermost portion228aof the base228. Compare the straight reference arrow for portion228awith the straight reference arrow for portion234a.

The shoulder232may include a surface of revolution for securement of the label223. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10, the surface of revolution may be frusto-conical. The surface of revolution for the label223may extend circumferentially around the axis A, and longitudinally along the axis A between the secondary support surface258and the finish234for securement or carrying of the label223. The shoulder232also may include an extension at the front of the container222that extends from the surface of revolution and accepts the label223.

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a package320including a container322. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-11and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here.

FIG. 12illustrates the container322, a first label323and a second label325on the container322, and a closure324coupled to the container322. The container322includes a body326including a base328, a sidewall330extending in a direction axially away from the base328, and a shoulder332. The container322also has a longitudinal axis A, and includes a neck finish334extending from the shoulder332of the body326.

The base328may define or include a primary support surface that may be flat to establish a plane. The primary support surface may be continuously planar, or may be recessed, for example, to have a push-up (not shown), which may be concave.

The sidewall330may have a generally bowl-shaped or rounded outer profile. The sidewall330may be faceted, for example, to include at least one secondary support surface358that establishes a plane oriented at a non-zero angle to the primary support surface or base358and to the axis A. The facet may be continuously planar, for example, wherein the secondary support surface358may be a continuously planar surface but, in other embodiments, the facet may be recessed or concave wherein the secondary support surface358may be a peripheral rim oriented outside of a concave surface. In any case, the secondary support surface358may carry the second label325. The secondary support surface358may intersect the rounded outer profile of the rest of the sidewall330, and may intersect the base328at a tilt angle that is acute with respect to the axis A and obtuse with respect to the base328. The secondary support surface358may be of generally rectangular shape, exemplified byFIG. 12.

With reference toFIG. 13, the consumer may tilt the container322from the base328, and/or a primary support surface thereof, to the secondary support surface358to facilitate removal of the remaining product, wherein product may flow under the force of gravity toward the open container mouth. The container322is constructed such that when the secondary support surface358of the container322rests flat on a horizontal surface, a lowermost portion334aof the finish334is lower than an uppermost portion328aof the base328. Compare the straight reference arrow for portion328awith the straight reference arrow for portion334a.

The shoulder332extends 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis, is located axially between the neck finish334and the secondary support surface358, and includes a rear portion332athat is a surface of revolution and a front portion332bthat is straight and circumferentially aligned with the secondary support surface358for securement of the label323.

FIGS. 14 and 15illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a package420including a container422. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-13and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here.

FIG. 14illustrates the container422, a first label423and a second label425on the container422, and a closure424coupled to the container422. The container422includes a body426including a base428, a sidewall430extending in a direction axially away from the base428, and a shoulder432. The container422also has a longitudinal axis A, and includes a neck finish434extending from the shoulder432of the body426.

The container is458is substantially similar to the bowl-shaped container358ofFIGS. 12 and 13, except that a secondary support surface458may be of irregular shape having a rounded top portion and straight sides. Also, the support surface458and second label425may have peripheries that coincide with one another wherein the label425may be substantially the same shape and size as the support surface, exemplified byFIG. 14.

With reference toFIG. 15, the consumer may tilt the container422from the base428, and/or a primary support surface thereof, to the secondary support surface458to facilitate removal of the remaining product, wherein product may flow under the force of gravity toward the open container mouth. The container422is constructed such that when the secondary support surface458of the container422rests flat on a horizontal surface, a lowermost portion434aof the finish434is lower than an uppermost portion428aof the base428. Compare the straight reference arrow for portion428awith the straight reference arrow for portion434a.

FIGS. 16 and 17illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a package520including a container522. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-15and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here.

FIG. 16illustrates the container522and a closure524coupled to the container522. The container522includes a body526including a base528, a sidewall530extending in a direction axially away from the base528, and a shoulder532. The container522also has a longitudinal axis A, and includes a neck finish534extending from the shoulder532of the body526.

The container is558is substantially similar to the bowl-shaped container358ofFIGS. 12 and 13, except that the shoulder532may be of irregular shape. For example, the shoulder532extends 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis A, is located axially between the neck finish534and the secondary support surface558, and includes a rear portion532athat is a semi-circular surface of revolution and a front portion532bthat is straight and circumferentially aligned with the secondary support surface558for securement of a label.

With reference toFIG. 17, the consumer may tilt the container522from the base528, and/or a primary support surface thereof, to the secondary support surface558to facilitate removal of the remaining product, wherein product may flow under the force of gravity toward the open container mouth. The container522is constructed such that when the secondary support surface558of the container522rests flat on a horizontal surface, a lowermost portion534aof the finish534is lower than an uppermost portion528aof the base528. Compare the straight reference arrow for portion528awith the straight reference arrow for portion534a.

FIGS. 18 and 19illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a package620and/or a container622for the package620. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here.

With reference toFIGS. 18 and 19, the package620includes a container622, a closure624coupled to the container622, and a label623on the closure624. The container622includes a body626including a base628, a sidewall630extending in a direction axially away from the base628, a surface of revolution or shoulder632, and a radial apex656between the sidewall630and shoulder632. The container622also has a longitudinal axis A, and includes a neck finish634(FIG. 19) extending from the shoulder632of the body626. The base628may define or include a primary support surface648that may be flat to establish a plane.

Referring toFIG. 19, the sidewall630may be both faceted and rounded. For example, the sidewall630may be faceted to include secondary support surfaces658that each establish a plane oriented at a non-zero angle to the primary support surface648(FIG. 18) and to the axis A. The surfaces658render the container622generally frusto-conical from the radial apex656to the base628. Each surface658may be continuously planar, for example, wherein the secondary support surface658may be a continuously planar surface. But in other embodiments, like the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, each facet may be recessed or concave wherein the secondary support surface658may be a peripheral rim oriented outside of a concave surface. Also, the sidewall630may include excurvately rounded portions659between the surfaces658, wherein the sidewall may be bowl-shaped between the surfaces658. In this embodiment, preferably there is no label carried by the container sidewall630.

Each secondary support surface658may be of trapezoidal shape when viewed from a perpendicular angle thereto. Also, each secondary support surface658intersects the base628and/or primary support surface648at a tilt angle with respect to the axis A and at an obtuse angle with respect to the base628and/or primary support surface648.

The surface(s)648need not be circumferentially continuous and may include several circumferentially spaced apart edges that may be straight or curved. The base628also may be recessed, for example, having a bottom650axially recessed with respect to the support surface(s)648. The bottom650, like the rounded portions659, may be bowl-shaped.

The shoulder632may include a circumferentially undulating profile, including radially outward portions661that may correspond to the secondary support surfaces658, and radially inward portions663that may correspond to the rounded portions659. Both the radially inward and outward portions661,663may be excurvately rounded.

As shown inFIG. 19, a stocking arrangement includes a first package620having its primary support surface648adapted to rest on a shelf S, and a second package620having one of its secondary support surfaces658resting on a top surface625of the closure624of the first package620. The stocking arrangement600could also include any suitable quantity of additional packages620stacked between the first and second packages620. This stocking arrangement facilitates display of the label623(FIG. 18) to a consumer (viewing the arrangement from the left side ofFIG. 19). If the containers622are transparent, the stocking arrangement also facilitates display of the product carried in the first package620.

There thus has been disclosed containers that may provide improved access to diminishing product in a container and that fully satisfies all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presented in conjunction with several illustrative embodiments, and additional modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing discussion. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.