Patent Publication Number: US-8985362-B2

Title: Plastic container having reinforced gripping structure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/244,999, filed Sep. 26, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12/207,696, filed Sep. 10, 2008, the entire disclosures of which is are hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/451,896, filed Mar. 11, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to the field of plastic containers, and more particularly to plastic containers that are intended for consumer use and that are fabricated using a blow molding process. 
     2. Description of the Related Technology 
     Molded plastic containers for packaging beverages such as orange juice are in wide commercial use throughout the world. Such containers may be fabricated using the extrusion blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from a material such as polyolefin, or a stretch blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET. 
     When filled with a product, molded plastic containers can be fairly heavy and difficult to handle by some consumers, particularly in the larger sizes. This problem is compounded by any condensation in the form on the exterior surface of the plastic container. Accordingly, it is typical for certain types of plastic containers to be designed with integrated gripping recesses and handles so as to facilitate safety and ease of handling by the consumer. 
     The configuration of many containers incorporating such gripping recesses and handles is such that a consumer will be induced to grip the container using the forefingers and the thumb in a pinching action that can impart significant compressive forces to the container. While this may facilitate a comfortable and effective manner in which to grip the container from the standpoint of the consumer, the resulting compressive forces, which tend to be concentrated near the recessed grip portions of the container, can result in significant inward deflection and deformation of the container. Such deformation can result in a reduction of the storage volume of the container, causing product to be forced out of the pouring opening of the container in unwanted fashion when the container is full or close to being full. In addition, such deformation can result in a change in the pouring characteristics of the container, either by changing the shape of the dispensing opening itself or the shape of the surfaces that are immediately adjacent to the dispensing opening. 
     In addition, some plastic containers must be designed to withstand significant pressure differentials between the inside of the container and ambient conditions. Carbonated beverages or malt beverages can generate significant internal pressure, on the order of 45-60 psi for malt beverages such as beer. Beer can be packaged using a cold aseptic or cold filtered process, or it can be pasteurized after filling and capping the container in order to kill any remaining yeast and stop further fermentation of the product. The pasteurization process typically involves spraying the filled and capped containers with hot water until the internal temperatures reach 140-142 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     Plastic containers may also be designed for use in the hot fill process, which is typically used for packaging beverages such as fruit juices. For such containers, gripping recesses must be designed to withstand pressurization and the subsequent volumetric contraction that occurs during the hot-fill process. 
     A need exists for an improved plastic container that provides a safe and convenient gripping configuration for the consumer but that exhibits better resistance against deformation than has been the case with conventional designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved plastic container that provides a safe and convenient gripping configuration for the consumer but that exhibits better resistance against deformation than has been the case with conventional designs. 
     In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, a plastic container according to a first aspect of the invention includes a main body portion having a longitudinal axis, the main body portion having a gripping recess defined therein, the gripping recess being defined in part by a curved concave inner surface when viewed in side elevation, the gripping recess further comprising a plurality of horizontal indentations, each of the horizontal indentations being sized to receive a finger of a consumer when the plastic container is being gripped by the consumer. 
     A plastic container according to a second aspect of the invention includes a main body portion having a longitudinal axis, the main body portion having a gripping recess defined therein, the gripping recess having an oblong shape when viewed in front elevation, the gripping recess further comprising a plurality of horizontal indentations, each of the horizontal indentations being sized to receive a finger of a consumer when the plastic container is being gripped by the consumer. 
     These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view depicting a container that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view depicting the container that is shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view depicting the container that is shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view depicting a container that is constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the container that is shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the container that is shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 - 11  in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , a plastic container  10  that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a conventional threaded finish portion  12 , a neck portion  14 , a main body portion  16  and a conventional bottom portion  18 . 
     Containers  10  may be fabricated using the extrusion blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from a material such as polyolefin, or a stretch blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET. 
     Plastic container  10  is shaped so as to be generally cylindrical and further includes a substantially smooth label panel  20  to which a label may be conveniently applied using conventional processes. 
     Plastic container  10  further includes an opposed pair of gripping recesses  22  that are constructed to facilitate gripping of the container  10  by a consumer when the container  10  is full of liquid. Each of the gripping recesses  22  is constructed so as to be able to withstand pressurization and volumetric contraction that may occur within the container  10  as a result of carbonation, pasteurization, the hot-fill process or that may occur during transportation or use of the container  10 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that each of the gripping recesses  22  has an outer boundary  24  when viewed in front elevation that has an oblong shape, with a major axis that is substantially vertical or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plastic container  10 . The oblong shape of the gripping recesses  22  is preferably substantially symmetrical about both the major vertical axis and the minor horizontal axis. As may best be seen in  FIG. 4 , each of the gripping recesses  22  is also defined in part by a curved concave inner surface  32  when viewed in side elevation. 
     Each of the gripping recesses  22  includes a plurality of horizontal indentations, each of which are sized to receive a finger of the consumer when the plastic container is being gripped by the consumer. In the preferred embodiment, three horizontal recesses or indentations  26 ,  28  and  30  are provided. As viewed in longitudinal cross-section, a first lip or projection  36  is defined between the recesses  26 ,  28  and a second lip or projection  38  is defined between the recesses  28 ,  30 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , plastic container  10  has a maximum outer diameter D MAX . Preferably, the curved concave inner surfaces  32  of the gripping recesses  22  each have a radius R IS  that is within a range of about 30 percent to about 130 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  10 , and that is more preferably within a range of about 50 percent to about 100 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  10 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, each of the horizontal indentations  26 ,  28 ,  30  has an outer surface  34  that is convexly curved as viewed in horizontal cross section, as is best shown in  FIG. 5 . Outer surface  34  in the preferred embodiment has a radius of curvature R GH  that is within a range of about 20 percent to about 70 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  10 , and that is more preferably within a range of about 30 percent to about 60 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  10 . 
     The outer surface  34  of each of the horizontal indentations  26 ,  28 ,  30  is also preferably concave as viewed in longitudinal cross-section, as is best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Each of the horizontal indentations  26 ,  28 ,  30  preferably has a longitudinal radius of curvature R GL  that is preferably within a range of about 0.2 inches to about 1 inch, and that is more preferably within a range of about 0.45 inch to about 0.85 inch. Preferably, the longitudinal radius of curvature R GL  is within a range of about 15% to about 35% of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  10 . 
       FIG. 6  is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting a cross-section of the container  10  taken at an elevation that intersects the second lip or projection  38 . Both of the lips or projections  36 ,  38  have an outer surface that is convexly curved at a radius of curvature R LH  that is preferably within a range of about 20 percent to about 50 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container. Preferably, the radius of curvature R LH  is within a range of about 0.6 inch to about 1.1 inch. 
     A plastic container  110  that is constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 7-11 . Plastic container  110  includes a conventional threaded finish portion  112 , a neck portion  114 , a main body portion  116  and a conventional bottom portion  118 . 
     The neck portion  114  may include a shoulder that defines a subtle annular rib  111 , which imparts additional pressure resistance to the container  110 . The annular rib  111  is preferably convex, as may clearly be seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and has an average radius of curvature R R . Preferably, a ratio of the average radius of curvature R R  to the maximum outer diameter of the container is substantially within a range of about 0.10 to about 0.30, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 0.15 to about 0.25. 
     Container  110  may be fabricated using the extrusion blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from a material such as polyolefin, or a stretch blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET. 
     Plastic container  110  is shaped so as to be generally cylindrical and further includes a substantially smooth label panel  120  to which a label may be conveniently applied using conventional processes. 
     Plastic container  110  further includes an opposed pair of gripping recesses  122  that are constructed to facilitate gripping of the container  110  by a consumer when the container  110  is full of liquid. Each of the gripping recesses  122  is constructed so as to be able to withstand pressurization and volumetric contraction that may occur within the container  110  as a result of carbonation, pasteurization, the hot-fill process or that may occur during transportation or use of the container  10 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 8 , it will be seen that each of the gripping recesses  122  has an outer boundary  124  when viewed in front elevation that has an oblong shape, with a major axis that is substantially vertical or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plastic container  110 . The oblong shape of the gripping recesses  122  is preferably substantially symmetrical about both the major vertical axis and the minor horizontal axis. As may best be seen in  FIG. 9 , each of the gripping recesses  122  is also defined in part by a curved concave inner surface  132  when viewed in side elevation. 
     Each of the gripping recesses  122  includes a plurality of horizontal indentations, each of which are sized to receive a finger of the consumer when the plastic container is being gripped by the consumer. In this embodiment, four horizontal recesses or indentations  126 ,  128 ,  130  and  131  are provided. As viewed in longitudinal cross-section, a first lip or projection  136  is defined between the recesses  126 ,  128 , a second lip or projection  138  is defined between the recesses  128 ,  130  and a third lip or projection  139  is defined between the recesses  128 ,  130 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , plastic container  110  has a maximum outer diameter D MAX . Preferably, the curved concave inner surfaces  132  of the gripping recesses  122  each have a radius R IS  that is within a range of about 30 percent to about 130 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  110 , and that is more preferably within a range of about 50 percent to about 100 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  110 . Most preferably, the radius R IS  is substantially within a range of about 70% to about 90% of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  110 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, each of the horizontal indentations  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131  has an outer surface  134  that is convexly curved as viewed in horizontal cross section, as is best shown in  FIG. 10 . Outer surface  134  in the preferred embodiment has a radius of curvature R GH  that is within a range of about 20 percent to about 70 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  110 , and that is more preferably within a range of about 25 percent to about 60 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  10 . Most preferably, the outer surface  134  has a radius of curvature R GH  that is substantially within a range of about 30 percent to about 40 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  110 . 
     The outer surface  134  of each of the horizontal indentations  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131  is also preferably concave as viewed in longitudinal cross-section, as is best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . Each of the horizontal indentations  126 ,  128 ,  130  preferably has a longitudinal radius of curvature R GL  that is preferably within a range of about 0.2 inches to about 1 inch, and that is more preferably within a range of about 0.45 inch to about 0.85 inch. Preferably, the longitudinal radius of curvature R GL  is within a range of about 10% to about 35% of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  110 , and more preferably within a range of about 15% to about 25% of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container  110 . 
       FIG. 11  is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting a cross-section of the container  110  taken at an elevation that intersects the second lip or projection  138 . Both of the lips or projections  136 ,  138  have an outer surface that is convexly curved at a radius of curvature R LH  that is preferably within a range of about 20 percent to about 50 percent of the maximum outer diameter D MAX  of the container. Preferably, the radius of curvature R LH  is within a range of about 0.6 inch to about 1.9 inch, and more preferably substantially within a range of about 1.0 inch to about 1.6 inch. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.