Patent Publication Number: US-6213326-B1

Title: Grippable blow-molded container providing balanced pouring capability

Description:
This application claim benefit to provisional Ser. No. 60/088,557 Jun. 9, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a blow-molded plastic container specifically designed to enable gripping, lifting and pouring of the container contents in a facile manner, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a container having an inwardly extending waist which is located between a body portion and a dome portion of the container and which provides surfaces permitting grasping of the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Blow-molded plastic containers have become commonplace in packaging beverages, such as juice, and other liquid products. Such a container normally has a dome extending from a finish, an annular sidewall extending from a base, and a waist connecting the dome to the sidewall. Typically, the containers have a horizontal cross section which is circular, rectangular or multi-faceted. 
     Various means permitting grasping, lifting and pouring of containers are known in the art. For example, containers have been provided with integrally formed, or separately attached, handles extending from the sidewall, dome or finish of the containers. Containers have also been provided with indented grip panels located in the body portions of container sidewalls. 
     Although various known blow-molded plastic containers having handles or grip panels may function satisfactorily for their intended purposes, there is a need for a blow-molded plastic container having an improved construction which enables gripping, lifting and pouring of the container contents in a facile manner. The container should be capable of resisting distortion due to hot-filling and compressive distortions due to top loading. A container having the improved construction should also be capable of being made from a minimum of plastic to afford efficient manufacture. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel grippable blow-molded plastic container. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a grippable container which can be readily lifted and its contents poured in a balanced, facile manner. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a grippable container structure which is readily blow molded and which provides sufficient top loading capabilities to withstand the rigors of shipping and storage while resisting distortion due to hot-fill processing. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a container having a grip structure which also provides circumferential hoop strength to resist dome/sidewall ovalization. 
     A still further object is to provide a grippable, blow molded plastic container which is inexpensive to manufacture, structurally sound, and aesthetically appealing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     More specifically, the present invention provides a grippable, blow-molded plastic container from which contents can be poured in a balanced manner. The container has a body portion and a dome portion each having predetermined volumes. The body portion volume is in a range of about 60% to about 70% of the overall volume of the container, and the dome portion volume is in a range of about 30% to about 40% of the overall volume of the container. A grip ring having a peripheral grip surface is located between and connects the dome portion and the body portion. The peripheral grip surface is provided by an inwardly and upwardly radially extending lower grip surface portion adjacent the body portion of the container and an inwardly and downwardly extending upper grip surface portion adjacent the dome portion of the container. The grip ring is located and sized relative to the body portion and dome as to enable gripping, lifting and pouring of the container contents in a facile manner. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  1 C are elevational and perspective views of a first embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C are elevational and perspective views of a second embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 3A,  3 B and  3 C are elevational and perspective views of a third embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4A,  4 B and  4 C are elevational and perspective views of a fourth embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5A,  5 B and  5 C are elevational and perspective views of a fifth embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C are elevational and perspective views of a sixth embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 7A,  7 B and  7 C are elevational and perspective views of a seventh embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8A,  8 B and  8 C are elevational and perspective views of an eighth embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 9A,  9 B and  9 C are elevational and perspective views of a ninth embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 10A,  10 B and  10 C are elevational and perspective views of a tenth embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 11A,  11 B and  11 C are elevational and perspective views of an eleventh embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B are elevational and perspective views of a twelfth embodiment of a plastic container having a grip ring according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is a configuration for a blow molded plastic container which is readily gripped and lifted. The containers are intended to be of relatively large sizes, such as, 48 ounce, 64 ounce or one gallon size, which are generally difficult to grasp and pour in a relatively controlled, balanced manner. 
     A particular problem experienced with large containers is that, if the handle or grip panel is located too close to the finish or base of the container, the container is being gripped at a location too remote from the center of gravity of the container and its contents to permit relatively balanced and controllable pouring. Thus, one of the novel aspects of the container configuration according to the present invention is that it permits the contents of a relatively large-sized container to be poured in a balanced, controlled, and facile manner due to the relative location of the grip with respect to the container geometries. 
     Twelve embodiments of the present invention are illustrated herein. The illustrated containers are particularly suited for packaging beverages, such as juice, and can be designed to be hot or cold filled. As will be discussed in detail, all of the containers have grip rings, or waists, at strategic locations on the containers so that steady, balanced pouring can be accomplished when the container is grasped with a single hand. The grip rings are located between the domes and the body portions of the containers and provide an inset grip surface extending peripherally around the container. The volumes of the domes and body portions are specifically designed so that, when a container is grasped about the grip ring and its contents are poured, the grip location is adjacent the center of gravity of the container and its contents. 
     Turning to the first embodiment of the present invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  1 C, a container  10  is provided with a grip ring  12  located between and connecting a frustoconical-shaped dome  14  and a body portion  16 . A finish  18  is located at the top of the dome  14  and is engageable with a removable threaded closure  20 , and a base  22  extends from the body portion  16 . The body portion  16  has an annular horizontal cross-section; however, other shaped cross-sections could be utilized, such as, rectangular or multi-faceted. If the container  10  is intended for hot-filling, the body portion  16  is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart collapse, or vacuum flex, panels (not shown). 
     The grip ring  12  is inset along the periphery of the container  10  and provides grip, or digit-engageable, surfaces  24  for placement of a finger, or fingers, and a thumb to enable ready grasping and lifting of the container  10  with one hand. The grip ring  12  is formed by an inwardly and upwardly radially extending lower grip surface portion  26  adjacent the body portion  16 , an inwardly and downwardly extending upper grip portion  28  adjacent the dome  14 , and an intermediate grip surface  30  extending between the upper and lower grip surface portions,  26  and  28 . 
     As illustrated, the grip ring  12  has five grip surfaces  24  which extend chordally relative to the container  10  in a multi-faceted configuration. Alternatively any number of facets, including an odd or even number of facets, could be utilized. An axially extending peripherally-spaced rib  32  is located at each end of each grip surface  24  to define the extent of each grip surface  24  and to provide post-like reinforcement to the container  10  to improve top loading and prevent unwanted distortion. Additional ribs  34  extend between the ribs  32  on each grip surface  24  to prevent slippage of fingers and thumbs relative to the grip surfaces  24  and to prevent unwanted distortion of the grip surfaces  24 . Each grip surface  24  can be formed substantially planar between ribs  32  or can be curved inwardly, as illustrated, to provide pocket-like, digit-engageable surfaces  24 . 
     In use, the container  10  is gripped about the grip ring  12  with a thumb located in one of the grip surfaces  24  and at least one finger located in a grip surface  24  located substantially opposite, although not necessarily directly opposite, the grip surface  24  engaged by the thumb. As the container  10  is tilted the center of gravity of the container  10  and its contents changes due to the contents flowing in a direction from the base  22  of the container  10  to, and out of, the finish  18  of the container  10 . However, when the container  10  is substantially full, it is at its heaviest and is difficult to control and balance. The grip ring  12  is strategically located such that it is adjacent the center of gravity during pouring of a substantially, or partially, full container. Thus, it enables balanced, controllable and facile pouring. 
     The second and third embodiments of the present invention are similar to the first embodiment. 
     The second embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 2A,  2 B and  2 C, provides a container  40  having a grip ring  42 , a frustoconical-shaped dome  44  and a body portion  46 . Container  40  is identical to the previously described container  10  except for the dome  44  has a multi-faceted configuration for aesthetic and dome reinforcement purposes. 
     The third embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3A,  3 B and  3 C, provides a container  50  having a grip ring  52 , a frustoconical-shaped dome  54  and a body portion  56 . Container  50  is identical to the previously described container  10  except for the dome  54  has a plurality of spiral-shaped rib formations for aesthetic and dome reinforcement purposes. 
     The fourth embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4A,  4 B and  4 C, provides a container  60  having a grip ring  62 , a dome  64  and a body portion  66 . Container  60  is identical to the previously described container  10  except for the truncated ogive-shape of the dome  64  and for the collar-like ornamentation  68  on the top of the dome  64 . 
     The fifth embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5A,  5 B and  5 C, provides a container  70  having a grip ring  72 , a dome  74  and a body portion  76 . Container  70  is identical to the previously described container  10  except for the inverted truncated ogive-shape of the dome  74  and for the collar-like ornamentation  78  on the top of the dome  74 . 
     The sixth embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6A,  6 B, and  6 C, provides containers  80   a ,  80   b , and  80   c  which are similar to the container  70  discussed above. The collar-like ornamentation  88   b  on container  80   b  has ribs extending in a swirl configuration, and the collar-like ornamentation  88   c  on container  80   c  has ribs extending in a crisscross configuration. In addition, the container  80   c  has a grip ring  82  which has ten multi-faceted grip surfaces  84  each having opposite ends defined by axially extending peripherally-spaced ribs  86 . 
     The seventh embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 7A,  7 B and  7 C, provides a container  90  having a grip ring  92 , a dome  94  and a body portion  96 . The container  90  is similar to the previously described container  10  with a few exceptions. For instance, the grip ring  92  has five multi-faceted grip surfaces  100  each having opposite ends defined by diamond-shaped ribs  102 . In addition, the overall shape of the dome  94  is bulbous, and the top of the dome  94  has a star-shaped collar-like ornamentation  104 . 
     The eighth embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 8A,  8 B, and  8 C, provides a container  110  which is substantially identical to the container  90  discussed above. The star-shaped collar-like ornamentation  112  on container  110  has ribs extending in a swirl configuration. 
     The ninth embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 9A,  9 B and  9 C, provides a container  120  having a grip ring  122 , a dome  124  and a body portion  126 . Container  120  is similar to the previously described container  10  except for the dome  124  having a bulbous shape. 
     The tenth embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 10A,  10 B and  10 C, provides a container  130  having a grip ring  132 , a bulbous-shaped dome  134  and a body portion  136 . Container  130  is substantially identical to the previously described container  120  except for the dome  134  has a plurality of circumferential ribs  138  for aesthetic and dome reinforcement purposes. 
     The eleventh embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 11A,  11 B and  11 C, provides a container  140  having a grip ring  142 , a bulbous-shaped dome  144  and a body portion  146 . Container  140  is substantially identical to the previously described container  120  except for the dome  144  has a plurality of axial ribs  148  extending from the grip ring  142  to the finish for aesthetic and dome reinforcement purposes. 
     Finally, the twelfth embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, provides a container  150  having a grip ring  152 , a dome  154  and a body portion  156 . The container  150  is similar to the previously described container  10  with a few exceptions. For instance, the dome  154  has an overall inverted, truncated ogive-shape formed by a plurality of horizontally extending faceted walls extending from the top of the dome  154  through the multi-faceted grip ring  152 . 
     An important aspect of the present invention is that for each of the above referenced embodiments, the body portions and dome portions have predetermined volumes which are selected relative to the overall container volume in order to enable facile and balanced pouring. For instance, the predetermined body portion volume is in a range of about 60% to about 70% of the overall container volume, and the predetermined dome portion volume is in a range of about 30% to about 40% of the overall container volume. Thus, since the grip ring is located between the body and dome portions, the grip ring is in a location which is adjacent the center of gravity of the container and its contents. This relationship fosters balanced and facile pouring of the contents of the container when the container is gripped with one hand about the grip ring. 
     Another important concept is that for each of the above referenced embodiments, the grip ring has a predetermined height relative to the overall height of the container. For instance, the predetermined height of the grip ring is in a range of about 60% to about 70% of the overall height of the container. Thus, the combination of the relative size and location of the grip ring fosters balanced and facile pouring. 
     An additional concept of the present invention is that each grip surface of each grip ring according to the present invention is inset from the outer periphery of the body portion so that the container can be grasped in a ready and sturdy manner adjacent the center of gravity of the container and its contents. For instance, the inset is selected so that it is in a range of about 60% to about 75% of the transverse dimension of the body portion. 
     The described containers have improved waist constructions to provide enhanced controllable pouring capability. The containers can be efficiently and inexpensively blow-molded from any of several commercially-available plastics, such as PET, and provide an aesthetic appearance despite the rigors of hot-fill processing and top loading during shipping. In addition, the location and configuration of the grip rings provide a circumferential hoop structure which prevents the dome and the sidewall of the container from unwanted ovalization distortion. 
     While preferred containers have been described in detail, various modifications, alterations, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.