Abstract:
A pressure resistant thermoplastic container. The container may include a sidewall and a number of indentations formed in the sidewall. One or more of the indentations may include one or more reinforcements formed therein.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to plastic containers and more particularly relates to a plastic bottle having indented surface features for use with a pressurized liquid therein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Plastic bottles may come in any number of shapes, sizes, and configurations. Plastic bottles can be molded or otherwise manufactured as desired. This is particularly true with plastic bottles that are intended to be used with non-pressurized beverages. The numerous designs and patents concerning “hot fill” or other types of non-pressurized bottles, however, simply are not relevant to the goals described herein. 
     Plastic bottles that are intended to be used with pressurized beverages or liquids have far fewer designs options given the internal pressurization. For example, a carbonated soft drink container may have about four (4) volumes of carbon dioxide dissolved therein. In extreme circumstances, the container may develop an internal pressure of as much as about 90 pounds per square inch (about 6.2 bar) or more at a temperature of about 95 degrees Fahrenheit (about 35 degrees Celsius). Such an internal pressure can easily distort or deform many types of surface features that may be molded into the container wall. Such distortion or deformation may lead to the surface features not being evident to the consumer or even to the failure of the container wall. 
     What is desired, therefore, is an improved plastic container with surface features that can withstand the usual pressure involved with a carbonated soft drink or similar types of pressurized beverage and liquids. The bottle or container preferably should maintain its surface features during filling, distribution, opening, and in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application thus describes a pressure resistant thermoplastic container. The container may include a sidewall and a number of indentations formed in the sidewall. One or more of the indentations may include one or more reinforcements formed therein. 
     The pressure resistant thermoplastic container further may include a pressurized beverage therein. The pressurized beverage may be pressurized up to about one hundred (100) pounds per square inch (about seven (7) bar). The container may be made out of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or similar types of materials. The sidewall may include a grip portion. 
     The indentations may include a number of channels. The channels may include a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The first end and the second end may include the reinforcements formed therein. The middle portion may lack the reinforcements. The indentations may include a first column on a first side of one of the reinforcements and a second column on a second side of the reinforcement. The first column and the second column may be indented portions and the reinforcement may include a raised rib or an indented rib. A third column and a second raised or indented rib also may be used. The indentations may include a bowed surface and the reinforcement may include the apex of the bowed surface or a rib formed in the bowed surface. The rib may be an indented rib. 
     The present application further describes a pressure resistant thermoplastic bottle. The bottle may include a sidewall and a number of indentations formed in the sidewall. The indentations may include means for reinforcement formed therein. 
     The pressure resistant thermoplastic bottle further may include a beverage therein pressurized up to about one hundred (100) pounds per square inch (about seven (7) bar). The indentations may include a number of channels. The means for reinforcement may include a raised rib, an indented rib, a number of raised or indented ribs, and an apex of a bowed surface. 
     The present application further describes a pressure resistant thermoplastic bottle. The bottle may include a sidewall and a number of channels formed in the sidewall. The channels may include a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The first end may include a first reinforced segment and the second end may include a second reinforced segment. 
     The first reinforced segment and the second reinforced segment may include a raised rib or an indented rib. The first reinforced segment and the second reinforced segment also may include an apex of a bowed surface or a rib in a bowed surface. A number of first reinforced segments and a number of second reinforced segments also may be used. 
     These and other features of the present application will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bottle as is described herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the bottle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of a channel of the bottle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side plan view of an alternative bottle. 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of an alternative bottle. 
         FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the bottle of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side plan view of an alternative bottle. 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the bottle of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side plan view of an alternative bottle. 
         FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view of the bottle of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The bottles described herein are intended to be used with a fluid  10 . By way of example, the fluid  10  may be a pressurized beverage  20  such as a carbonated soft drink and the like. As described above, the carbonated soft drink may develop a significant internal pressure given the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved therein. The bottles described herein also may be used with other types of pressurized beverages. For example, water products may be pressurized with a volume of nitrogen following filling so as to maintain the bottle with a rigid feel. Other types of pressurized beverage or other types of fluids may be used herein. The internal pressure typically may range from about eight (8) pounds per square inch (about 0.5 bar) or so for lightly carbonated beverages or beverages that include the nitrogen flush to about 65 pounds per square inch (about 4.5 bar) or more for typical carbonated soft drinks and the like. As described above, however, the internal pressure may be as high about one hundred (100) pounds per square inch (about seven (7) bar). 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements throughout the several view,  FIGS. 1-3  show a container  100  as is described herein. As is shown, the container  100  may take the shape of a bottle  110 . Any other type of container configuration also may be used herein. Generally described, the bottle  110  includes a base  120 , a grip portion  130 , a label portion  140 , a neck  150 , and an opening  160 . The bottle  110  may be made out of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Further, similar types of thermoplastics such as PLA (polylactide acid), pp (polypropylene), or other types of materials may be used herein. The bottle  110  may be manufactured by blow molding (which may include injection stretch blow molding (one or two steps or otherwise) and extrusion blow molding), or similar types of forming techniques. The thermoplastic material may be substantially clear or translucent. By substantially clear or translucent, we mean that the consumer can view the contents of the bottle. Colored, clear, or other translucent materials also may be used herein. 
     The base  120  of the bottle  110  may be of conventional design. For example, the base  120  may have a number of petaloid feet  170  or other types of support structures formed therein such that the bottle  110  as a whole can stand upright. Alternatively, the base  120  may be rounded and a separate plastic cup may be used. The base  120  may take any other desired shape. 
     The label portion  140  of the bottle  110  also may be of conventional design. The label portion  140  may be a relatively flat surface for the application of a label or other type of covering. The label potion  140  can have any desired size and shape. The bottle  110  may have one or more labels thereon as desired. The label portion  140  may be omitted if desired. 
     The neck portion  150  also may be of conventional design. The neck potion  150  may have any desired size or shape. The neck  150  leads to the mouth  160 . The mouth  160  also may be of conventional design. The mouth  160  may have a number of threads  180  formed therein such that a cap may be positioned thereon so as to close the bottle  110 . Other closure methods may be used herein. 
     The grip portion  130  may have a substantially concave shape. Any desired shape, however, may be used herein. The concave shape promotes the ease of grasping and holding the bottle  110  within a consumer&#39;s hand. The grip portion  130  may have a number of channels  200  formed therein. In this example, the channels  200  are largely elongated indented portions formed within the wall of the bottle  100 . The channels  200  may take any desire size or shape. Although the channels  200  are shown as extending vertically up and down the grip portion  130 , the channels  200  may extend in any desired direction. The bottle  110  has four (4) channels  200 , but any number of channels  200  may be used herein. 
     Each of the channels  200  may have a first end  220 , a middle portion  230 , and a second end  240 . The first end  220  may include a first column  250 , a rib  260 , and a second column  270 . The second end  240  also includes the first column  250 , the rib  260 , and the second column  270 . The middle portion  230  has no such internal structure. In this example, the columns  250 ,  270  are indented portions and the rib  260  is a raised portion. Other examples, however, will follow. The ribs  260  act as reinforcing structure for the ends  220 ,  240  and the channel  200  as a whole. The ribs  260  may take any desired shape and size. The respective first columns  250 , ribs  260 , and second columns  270  may have differing sizes and shapes. The corners of the columns  250 ,  270  and the ribs  260  generally are curved to prevent delamination. 
     By way of example only, the first end  220  may have a width of about 0.45 inches (about 11.4 millimeters) and a length of about 0.9 inches (about 23.2 millimeters). The first column  250  of the first end  220  may have a depth of about 0.035 inches (about 0.9 millimeters) and a beginning width of about 0.2 inches (about 4.9 millimeters). The rib  260  may start with a width of about 0.15 inches (about 3.8 millimeters) and then disappear in width and depth as the channel  200  moves towards the middle portion  230 . The second column  270  may have a similar depth and a beginning width of about 0.1 inches (about 2.7 millimeters). 
     The middle portion  230  may have a length of about 1.3 inches (about 33.4 millimeters) and a width at its narrowest portion of about 0.1 inches (about 2.5 millimeters). The middle portion  230  may not have an internal structure because of its narrow width. 
     The second end  240  may have a width of about 0.2 inches (about 5.7 millimeters). The first column  250  of the second end  240  may have a beginning width of about 0.06 inches (about 1.6 millimeters) and a depth of about similar to that of the first end  220 . The rib  260  may start with a width of about 0.09 inches (about 2.2 millimeters) and then disappear in width and depth as the channel  200  moves towards the middle portion  230 . The second column  270  may have a beginning width of about 0.07 inches (about 1.9 millimeters) and a similar depth. These dimensions may vary as desired. 
     The dimensions of the channel  200  as a whole, the first end  220 , the middle portion  230 , and the second end  240  as well as the respective columns  250 ,  270 , and ribs  260  may vary as desired. More important than the various dimensions is the ratio of the width of the columns  250 ,  270  and the ribs  260 . For example, the first end  220  is wider than the second end  240 . As a result, the rib  260  of the first end  220  is wider than the rib  260  of the second end  240 . Likewise, the middle portion  230  needs no rib  260  because it is a relatively narrow portion of the channel  200  and can withstand the internal pressures. The depth of the channels  200  may reach about 0.2 inches (about five (5) millimeters) or more depending upon the overall geometry of the bottle  100 . 
     The grip portion  130  also may include a number of grip panels  280 . In this case, two bubble panels  290  with a number of raised bubbles  300  and two intermediate panels  310 . Other designs may be used herein. The panels  290 ,  310  also may have an indication of the source formed therein. The grip panels  280  may have a sinusoidal top and bottom  340 ,  350 . Any desired shape, however, may be used herein. The grip panels  280  make the bottle  110  as a whole easy to grip and provide the consumer with a tactile sense. 
       FIG. 4  shows a bottle  360  with one or more channels  200  with multiple ribs  260  positioned therein. As is shown, each of the channels  200  may have the first end  220 , the middle portion  230 , and the second end  240 . The first end  220  may include a first column  365 , a first rib  370 , a second column  375 , a second rib  380 , a third column  385 , a third rib  390 , and a fourth column  395 . The number of ribs  370 ,  380 ,  390  as well as the number of columns  365 ,  375 ,  385 ,  395  may vary as desired. The ribs  370 ,  380 ,  390  may be raised or indented. The middle portion  230  and the second end  240  may have similar dimensions to those described above. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show an alternative embodiment of a bottle  400  as is described herein. The bottle  400  also includes a number of channels  200  with the first end  220 , the middle portion  230 , and the second end  240 . In this embodiment, however, the first end  220  has an overall width of about 0.35 inches (about 8.96 millimeters). The first end  220  of the channel  200  also includes a first column  420 , a rib  430 , and a second column  440 . In this embodiment, the first column  420  is indented as compared to the rest of the grip panel  130  in a manner similar to that described above. The first column  420  may have an indentation that varies from about 0.06 inches (about 1.5 millimeters) to about 0.02 inches (about 0.5 millimeters). The rib  430  in this example, however, is further indented as compared to the raised rib  260  described above. In this example, the indented rib  430  has a further depth of about 0.2 inches (about 0.6 millimeters). The second column  440  may have a depth similar to the first column  420  but may have less width. The use of the indented rib  430  also provides the necessary structural support for the channel  410  as a whole. The middle portion  230  and the second end  240  may be proportionally dimensioned as above. Other sizes and shapes may be used herein. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show a further embodiment of a bottle  450  as is described herein. The bottle  450  includes a number of channels  460 . The  460  channels include the first end  220 , the middle portion  230 , and second end  240 . In this example, the surface of the channels  460  is bowed throughout such that it presents a relatively smooth surface. For example, the first end  220  may have a width of about 0.44 inches (about 11 millimeters). The first end  220  may have an original depth of about 0.4 inches (about 1 millimeter), returns to the original height, and then once again descends. The middle portion  230  and the second end  240  may be similarly shaped. The apex  470  of the bowed shape acts as a reinforcement similar to the use of the ribs described above. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show a further embodiment of a bottle  500  as is described herein. The bottle  500  includes a number of channels  510 . Each of the channels  510  includes the first end  220 , the middle portion  230 , and the second end  240 . In this example, the ends  220 ,  240  include a first column  520 , a rib  530 , and a second column  540 . In this example, both the columns  520 ,  540  and the rib  530  are indented while also being bowed as described above. For example, the first end  220  may have an overall width of about 0.434 inches (about 11 millimeters). The first column  520  may have an original depth of about 0.04 inches (about 1 millimeter) and then return to its original height. The rib  530  then may have a further depth while the second column  540  may have a depth similar to the first column  520 . The middle portion  230  and the second end  240  may have similar dimensions as those described above. 
     The dimensions used herein are by way of example only. Many modifications may be made herein as desired. For example, two or more of the channels described herein may be combined in a single bottle if desired. 
     It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the preferred embodiments of the present application and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.