Patent Publication Number: US-2016229578-A1

Title: Carbonated soft drink finish modification

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. patent application, entitled “Carbonated Soft Drink Finish Modification,” filed on Nov. 11, 2015, and having application Ser. No. 14/938,596, which claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional application, entitled “Carbonated Soft Drink Finish Modification,” filed on Nov. 13, 2014 and having application Ser. No. 62/079,431, the entirety of each of said applications being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The field of the present invention generally relates to plastic containers. More particularly, the field of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing foaming that occurs with carbonated soft drink containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Plastic containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several decades. The most common plastic used in making beverage containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Containers made of PET are transparent, thin-walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding forces exerted on the walls of the container by their contents. PET resins are also reasonably priced and easy to process. PET bottles generally are made by a process that includes blow-molding of plastic pre-forms that have been made by injection molding of the PET resin. 
     A drawback to plastic containers is that those containing carbonated contents may allow foaming of the contents onto a consumer upon initially opening the container. In some cases, the foaming may be great enough to spill the contents of the container onto the clothing of a consumer, or onto nearby furniture. Another drawback to plastic containers is that carbon-dioxide content within the containers must be limited so as to accommodate the foaming tendency of carbonated liquids. Limiting the carbon-dioxide content effectively leads to a decreased longevity of the flavor profile of the carbonated contents. What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus and method for decreasing the foaming tendency of bottled carbonated contents, such that the carbon-dioxide content may be increased so as to increase the longevity of the flavor profile of the contents. 
     SUMMARY 
     An apparatus and method are provided for a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines a first opening and is configured to receive a container cap. Generally, the first edge is configured to receive a seal of the container cap. The second edge defines a second opening and is configured to receive a neck of the container. The first and second openings are in fluid communication. One or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed on the first edge, peripheral to the first opening, and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents. In one embodiment, the first edge comprises two notches, disposed on opposite sides of the first opening, and the cross-sectional shape of each of the notches comprises a half-circle configured to substantially reduce foaming of the contents when the container cap is loosened with respect to the finish. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened comprises a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends, the first edge defining an opening and configured to receive a container cap, the second edge configured to receive a neck of the container, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the interior; one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap; and at least one notch disposed on the first edge and comprising a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the first edge is configured to couple with a seal of the container cap, such that pressurized contents are maintained within the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the first edge so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the first edge so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one notch comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the finish. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is configured to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a container configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened comprises a base extending upward to a sidewall of the container; a shoulder connected between the sidewall and a bell, a diameter of the bell decreasing as the bell extends upward to a neck of the container; a finish connected to the neck and configured to receive a container cap, the finish defining an opening to an interior of the container; and at least one notch disposed at the top of the finish and configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the top of the finish is further configured to receive a seal of the container cap. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the finish so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the finish so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the top of the finish comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the opening to the interior of the container. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one notch comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of contents. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle. In another exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is configured so as to produce an audible sound when the container cap is twisted. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a container to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened comprises extending a base upward to a sidewall of the container; connecting a shoulder between the sidewall and a bell; extending the bell from the shoulder to a neck of the container, such that a diameter of the bell decreases as the bell extends to the neck; connecting a finish to the neck, such that the finish defines an opening to an interior of the container; configuring the finish to receive a container cap; and forming at least one notch at the top of the finish so as to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, configuring the finish further comprises forming a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion disposed between a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive the container cap and the second end configured to couple with the neck. In another exemplary embodiment, configuring the finish further comprises forming one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. In another exemplary embodiment, forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch comprising any one of a square, a half-circle, and a triangle. In another exemplary embodiment, forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container suitable for storing pressurized carbonated contents, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) finish, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a CSD finish with a container cap installed, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a CSD container cap in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a Hot Fill container cap, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a table illustrating observational data acquired during experimental testing of various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of container cap comprising a liner seal coupled with a container, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates an upper perspective view of the container and liner seal illustrated in  FIG. 6A  in absence of the container cap, according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of the container cap, liner seal, and container illustrated in  FIG. 6A  in accordance with the present embodiment. 
     
    
    
     While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first notch,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first notch” is different than a “second notch.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. 
     In general, the present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body including a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines an opening and is configured to receive a container cap. Generally, the first edge is configured to receive a seal of the container cap. The second edge is configured to receive a neck of the container such that the opening is in fluid communication with an interior of the container. One or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed at the first edge, peripheral to the first opening, and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents. In one embodiment, the first edge comprises two notches, disposed on opposite sides of the finish, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the notches comprises a half-circle configured to substantially reduce foaming of the contents. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a lower perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container  100  in accordance with the present disclosure. The container  100  comprises a base  104  that extends up to a grip portion  108 . Preferably, the base  104  is of the petaloid variety, although other configurations of the base may be incorporated into the container  100 , without limitation. The grip portion  108  comprises a generally smooth, cylindrical portion of the container  100  suitable for affixing a label, as well as providing a location for grasping the container. In some embodiments, the grip portion  108  may comprise one or more sidewall ribs that generally may vary in depth, and may swirl or angulate around the grip portion  108 . Additional configurations of the grip portion  108  are disclosed in U.S. patent application, entitled “Plastic Container with Strapped Base,” filed on Jan. 16, 2014, having application Ser. No. 14/157,400, the entirety of which application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the grip portion  108  transitions into a shoulder  124 , which connects to a bell  128 . Although the bell  128  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is smooth and generally unornamented, in other embodiments the bell may include design features, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a plurality of scallops. The bell  128  connects to a neck  136 , which connects to a Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) finish  140 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bell  128  comprises a diameter that generally decreases as the bell  128  extends upward from the shoulder  124  to the neck  136  and the CSD finish  140 . The CSD finish  140  may be adapted to receive a closure to seal contents in the container  100 , such as, by way of non-limiting example, a container cap  164  or a bottle cap. The CSD finish  140  generally defines an opening that leads to an interior of the container  100  for containing a beverage, or other contents. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the CSD finish  140  that is configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents, particularly carbonated contents, during opening of the container  100 . The CSD finish  140  comprises a cylindrical body  148  that includes a peripheral portion with a first edge  152  and a second edge  156  disposed at opposite ends. The first edge  152  defines an opening  160  and is configured to receive a plug seal  168  within the container cap  164 , as disclosed herein. The second edge  156  is configured to receive the neck  136  of the container  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , such that the opening  160  is in fluid communication with the interior of the container  100  once the CSD finish  140  is installed thereon. 
     An exterior of the cylindrical body  148  comprises one or more threads  172  that are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads  176  of the container cap  164 . A plurality of gaps  174  are disposed in the threads and positioned uniformly around the perimeter of the cylindrical body  148 . Preferably, the gaps  174  of adjacent threads  172  are vertically aligned so as to form channels  178  extending longitudinally along the CSD finish  140 . The channels  178  advantageously operate to relieve pressure within the container  100  when the container cap  164  is loosened. As will be appreciated, the channels  178  provide a direct route for gases escaping the interior of the container  100 , rather than the gases being forced to travel around the finish between adjacent threads  172 . 
     An engagement of the threads  172  of the CSD finish  140  with the threads  176  of the container cap  164  is best shown in  FIG. 3 . It should be borne in mind, however, that the bottle cap need not be limited to the container cap  164  and thus bottle caps other than the cap  164  may be coupled with the CSD finish  140 , without limitation. As such,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a CSD container cap  180  that may be used to seal pressurized contents within the container  100 . The CSD container cap  180  comprises a multiplicity of threads  176  suitable for rotatably engaging with the threads  172  of the CSD finish  140 . Gaps  174  disposed in the threads  176  serve to vent pressurized gases escaping the container  100  when the cap  180  is loosened. During tightening of the container cap  180 , a plug seal  188  within the cap enters into the opening  160  and is placed into a pressed relationship with the first edge  152 . Further,  FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a Hot Fill container cap  184 . The Hot Fill container cap  184  is substantially similar to the CSD container cap  180 , with the exception that the container cap  184  comprises a plug seal  192  which is taller than the plug seal  188 . Thus, during tightening of the Hot Fill container cap  184  onto the CSD finish  140 , the plug seal  192  enters more deeply into the opening  160  than the plug seal  188 . It will be appreciated that the first edge  152  is configured to tightly receive the plug seals  188 ,  192  into the opening  160  so as to retain the contents within the container  100  without leaking. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first edge  152  comprises two notches  196  disposed on opposite sides of the opening  160 . Although the notches  196  are aligned with two of the channels  178  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in other embodiments the notches  196  may be positioned anywhere around the opening  160 , as desired. Each of the two notches  196  comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed so as to substantially reduce foaming of the contents when the container cap  164  is loosened with respect to the CSD finish  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the notches  196  is a half-circle. In other embodiments, however, one or both of the notches  196  may comprise cross-sectional shapes other than a half-circle, such as, by way of non-limiting example, various segments of circles, ellipsoids, ovals, rectangles, squares, triangles, V-shaped wedges, and any other cross-sectional shape that is found to advantageously reduce foaming of contents when the container cap  164  is removed from the container  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the notches  196  may be specifically designed so as to produce an audible tone or sound as pressurized gases exit the container  100  through the notches  196  when the container cap  164  is loosened. Moreover, it should be understood that although the CSD finish  140  is described herein specifically in connection with the container cap  164 , the CSD finish  140  is not limited to being coupled solely with the container cap  164 , but rather any container cap that is suitably configured to engage with the CSD finish  140 , such that contents are sealed within the container  100 , including but not limited to the CSD container cap  180  and the Hot Fill container cap  184 , may be coupled with the CSD finish  140  without detracting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     When the container cap  164  is tightly engaged with the CSD finish  140 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the plug seal  168  and the first edge  152  cooperate so as to prevent pressurized contents from leaking out of the container. When the container cap  164  is loosened, generally by twisting so as to loosen the engagement between the threads  172  and  176 , the seal  188  is withdrawn from the first edge  152 . In absence of the two notches  196 , withdrawing the plug seal  168  from the first edge  152  causes an abrupt drop in pressure within the container  100  to an ambient atmospheric pressure. Such a drop in pressure may cause the contents within the container  100  to foam and potentially force the contents between the plug seal  168  and the first edge  152 , and out of the container  100 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , however, as the plug seal  168  is withdrawn from the CSD finish  140 , the seal disengages from the two notches  196  before withdrawing from the rest of the first edge  152 , thereby slowing down the pressure release occurring within the container  100 . As will be appreciated, more slowly releasing pressure within the container  100  substantially reduces the likelihood that the contents will foam and push out of the container. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that slowly reducing internal pressure within the container  100  permits the use of additional carbon-dioxide content within the container, thereby increasing the longevity of the flavor-profile of the contents. 
     As mentioned above, the cross-sectional shape of the notches  196  need not be limited to those illustrated in  FIG. 2 , but rather various other cross-sectional shapes may be utilized for the notches  196 . Further, the number and positions of the notches  196  on the first edge  152  need not be limited to the number and positions illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Thus, in some embodiments, the first edge  152  may comprise more than two notches  196 . In other embodiments, the first edge  152  may comprise one suitably configured notch  196 . In some embodiments, multiple notches  196  may be uniformly distributed around the circumference of the first edge  152 . In some embodiments, multiple notches  196  may be positioned around the circumference of the first edge  152  with a non-uniform spacing between the notches. Accordingly,  FIG. 5  is a table  200  illustrating results observed during experimental testing performed in connection with applications of various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, suitably sized and shaped holes may be implemented in lieu of the notches  196 . It is envisioned that the holes may be positioned just below the first edge  152  so as to be covered over by the plug seal  168  when the container cap  164  is tightly engaged with the CSD finish  140 . It is further envisioned that the shape of the holes may be suitably designed to issue an audible sound when the container cap  164  is removed from the CSD finish  140  and pressure is relieved from the interior of the container  100 . In some embodiments, the shape of each hole may be fashioned to resemble a flute, or a reed, which vibrates when the container cap  164  is removed from the container  100 , thereby amplifying the audible sound as pressure within the container is relieved. 
       FIGS. 6A through 6C  illustrate perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a container cap  204  and a liner seal  208  coupled with a CSD finish  212 , in accordance with the present disclosure. As best shown in an exploded view illustrated in  FIG. 6C , the liner seal  208  is disposed between the container cap  204  and the CSD finish  212 . When the container cap  204  is tightly engaged with the CSD finish  212 , the liner seal  208  operates similarly to a gasket that prevents pressurized contents from leaking out of the container  100 . The CSD finish  212  is substantially similar to the CSD finish  140 , with the exception that the CSD finish  212  may comprise one or more threads  172  that are configured specifically to engage with the threads within the container cap  204 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the liner seal  208  may be affixed to the first edge  152  by way of any of various suitable adhesives, or the liner seal  208  may be of the variety that is adhered to an inside of the container cap  204 . As will be recognized, the liner seal  208  preferably has a thickness suitable to fill and seal the notches  196  so as to prevent pressurized contents from leaking out of the container  100 . Thus, when the container cap  204  is loosened with respect to the CSD finish  212 , the liner seal  208  loosens within the notches  196  before loosening from the first edge  152 . As disclosed herein, venting pressurized gases through the notches  196  before unsealing the entirety of the first edge  152  substantially reduces the tendency for carbonated contents to foam and push out of the container  100 . Coupling the liner seal  208  with the CSD finish  212  permits using a relatively greater carbon-dioxide content within the container so as to increase the longevity of the flavor-profile of the contents. 
     While the invention has been described in turns of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.