Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a wine bottle which is designed to prevent dripping wine when pouring. A wide mouth glass container typically has a neck finish with an outer diameter greater than <NUM>. Some wide mouth glass containers have beaded neck finishes that receive foil closures, for example, as disclosed in <CIT>. Other wide mouth glass containers have outwardly flared neck finishes to receive metal ring pull caps, for instance, as disclosed in <CIT>. And despite the popularity of ring pull cap closures for use with narrow neck bottles, such closures have not been successfully implemented for wide mouth glass containers. A ring pull cap closure includes a metal base wall, a metal skirt for crimping to a container rim, a polymeric annular seal carried by the metal base wall proximate the metal skirt, and a metal pull ring extending from one side of the skirt and having lateral edges coinciding with weakenings in the skirt and the base wall. After the ring pull cap closure is coupled to the container rim by bottle capping equipment in a bottling plant, a user may remove the closure by placing a finger through the pull ring, pulling radially outwardly and then axially upwardly to rip the handle away from the skirt and the base wall along the weakenings, and then continuing to pull on the pull ring until the closure is removed from the container. Such closures have not been successfully deployed for glass containers because it has been difficult to produce a beaded neck finish for a glass container that satisfies pressure and removal force specifications for ring pull cap closures but also feels good to a consumer and is manufacturable without significant commercial variations.

In accordance with the present invention, a glass container includes a base and a sidewall extending away from the base, circumscribing a central longitudinal axis, and including a neck finish terminating the side wall. The neck finish includes a wall having a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, and a rim extending from the wall and terminating the neck finish. The rim has a sealing lip facing axially outwardly and extending substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, an outward lip facing radially and axially outwardly, a retention lip facing axially inwardly and radially outwardly and extending between the outward lip and the radially outer surface of the wall, a first rounded surface extending between the sealing lip and the outward lip, and a second rounded surface extending between the outward lip and the retention lip. A filleted surface extends between the retention lip and the radially outer surface of the wall. A ratio of the major outer diameter of the outward lip of the rim relative to an inner diameter of the radially inner surface is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>, and a ratio of the major outer diameter relative to an outer diameter of the radially outer surface of the neck finish is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>, and a ratio of an axial thickness of the rim at the major outer diameter relative to the radial thickness of the rim between the major outer diameter and an outer diameter of the radially outer surface is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>.

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a glass container having a neck finish uniquely configured for use with a ring pull cap closure for favorable manufacturability of the glass container and acceptable pressurization and retention performance of the glass container in conjunction with the closure. The configuration of the neck finish also may provide good lip feel to a consumer when the consumer drinks a beverage from the container.

Referring now specifically to <FIG>, a package <NUM> includes a glass container <NUM> and a ring pull cap closure <NUM> coupled to the container <NUM>. The package <NUM> may be used for packaging of food, beverages, or any other product suitable for use with a glass container. In the illustrated embodiment, the container <NUM> may include a drinktainer. In other embodiments, the container <NUM> may include a jar, bowl, cup, or any other container suitable for accepting the ring pull cap closure <NUM>.

In any embodiment, the container <NUM> includes a base <NUM> that establishes a base plane P that may be normal or perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis A of the container <NUM>. The base <NUM> need not be entirely flat and may include a push-up or punt (not shown). Also, the container <NUM> includes a sidewall <NUM> extending away from the base <NUM> and circumscribing the axis A. In the illustrated drinktainer embodiment, the sidewall <NUM> includes an insweep <NUM> extending away from the base <NUM>, a body <NUM> extending away from the insweep <NUM>, a shoulder <NUM> extending away from the body <NUM>, and a neck <NUM> extending away from the shoulder <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the neck <NUM> may be cylindrical and has a neck finish <NUM> that terminates the sidewall <NUM> and that establishes an open mouth <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The neck finish <NUM> is what is known in the art as a "bead finish" and is not a crown finish or a threaded finish. The neck finish <NUM> includes a wall <NUM> that may be cylindrical, and a bead or rim <NUM> that extends from the wall <NUM> and protrudes radially outwardly with respect to the wall <NUM> and terminates the neck finish <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the rim <NUM> includes a sealing lip <NUM> that is an axially outwardly facing surface, a mouth transition lip <NUM> that is a radially inwardly and axially outwardly facing surface, an outward lip <NUM> that is a radially and axially outwardly facing surface, and a retention lip <NUM> that is a radially outwardly and axially inwardly facing surface or undersurface. The sealing lip <NUM> extends between the mouth transition and outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, and is substantially perpendicular to the axis A. As used herein, the term "substantially" in reference to angular degrees means plus or minus less than two angular degrees. The mouth transition lip <NUM> may be excurvately radiused or rounded as shown in the illustrated embodiment, and/or may be straight-tapered in other embodiments. Also, the mouth transition lip <NUM> may extend radially inwardly of the sealing lip <NUM>, between the sealing lip <NUM> and the inner open mouth <NUM> of the container <NUM>, with or without a step <NUM> therebetween. The outward lip <NUM> is tapered to extend at an oblique angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis A and, likewise, the retention lip <NUM> is tapered to extend at an oblique angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis A. The rim <NUM> also includes an upper, or first, outer rounded surface <NUM> that extends between the outward lip <NUM> and the intermediate surface <NUM>, and a lower, or second, outer rounded surface <NUM> that extends between the outward lip <NUM> and the retention lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the neck finish <NUM> also includes a radially inner surface <NUM>, which may be cylindrical, and terminates at the open mouth <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Also, the neck finish <NUM> includes a radially outer surface <NUM>, which may be cylindrical, and extends below the rim <NUM>. Further, the neck finish <NUM> includes a filleted surface <NUM> extending between the radially outer surface <NUM> and the retention lip <NUM>. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the filleted surfaces <NUM> and rounded surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are also known as "fillets" of incurvate shape and "rounds" of excurvate shape.

With reference to <FIG>, the closure <NUM> includes a metal base wall <NUM>, a metal skirt <NUM> for crimping to the container rim <NUM>, a polymeric annular seal <NUM> (<FIG>) carried by the metal base wall <NUM> proximate the metal skirt <NUM>, and a metal pull ring <NUM> (<FIG>) extending from one side of the skirt <NUM> and having lateral edges (not shown) coinciding with weakenings (not shown) in the skirt <NUM> and the base wall <NUM>. The skirt <NUM> includes a cylindrical portion <NUM> surrounding the outward lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>, and a crimped portion <NUM> overlapping at least a portion of the retention lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the outward lip <NUM>, whereas the crimped portion <NUM> may be in direct contact with the retention lip <NUM>. The metal of the closure <NUM> may be aluminum, or any other material suitable for coupling to glass and being torn. The polymeric material of the closure <NUM> may be polyethylene, or any other material suitable for sealing between a metal closure and a glass container. In assembly, the seal <NUM> may extend from the mouth transition lip <NUM>, over the sealing lip <NUM> and the upper outer rounded surface <NUM>, and to the outward lip <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG>, the container rim <NUM> is configured for commercially successful use with ring pull cap closures, such that the configuration facilitates acceptable pressurization and retention performance of the glass container <NUM> in conjunction with ring pull cap closures, and facilitates manufacturability of the glass container <NUM>. The rim configuration also may provide good lip feel to a consumer who drinks from the glass container <NUM>. More specifically, the rim <NUM> may be shaped, sized, and/or proportioned to provide such results, according to one or more of the following ratios, angles, or proportions. First, a ratio of a radial thickness of the rim <NUM> at the major outer diameter <NUM> to a radial thickness <NUM> of the wall <NUM> of the neck finish <NUM> below the rim <NUM> and between the radially inner and outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM>. Second, a ratio of a major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> relative to the inner diameter of the radially inner surface <NUM> of the neck finish <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM>. Third, a ratio of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM> relative to an outer diameter of the radially outer surface <NUM> of the neck finish <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM>. Fourth, a ratio of an axial thickness <NUM> of the rim <NUM> measured between the sealing lip <NUM> and the intersection of the retention lip <NUM> and the lower outer rounded surface <NUM> at the major outer diameter <NUM> of the rim <NUM> relative to the radial thickness of the rim <NUM> between the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM> and the outer diameter of the radially outer surface <NUM> of the neck finish <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM>. Stated another way, a ratio of an axial height of the outward lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> and the first and second rounded surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> relative to a radial width of the retention lip <NUM> and the second rounded surface <NUM> and the filleted surface <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM>. Fifth, the outward lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> may have a straight taper disposed at an outward angle <NUM> of four degrees with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Sixth, the retention lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> may have a straight taper disposed at a retention angle <NUM> of eighty (<NUM>) degrees with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Seventh, the mouth transition lip <NUM> may have a radius of <NUM>% of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM>. Eighth, the first rounded surface <NUM> may have a radius of <NUM>% of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM>. Ninth, the second or lower rounded surface <NUM> may have a radius of <NUM>% of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM>. Tenth, the filleted surface <NUM> may have a radius of <NUM>% of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a container <NUM> includes a container rim <NUM> in accordance with another illustrative embodiment that is also shaped, sized, and/or proportioned to provide good results, and is nearly identical to the rim <NUM> of <FIG>, with the following exceptions. First, a ratio of an axial thickness <NUM> of the rim <NUM> measured between a sealing lip <NUM> and the intersection of the retention lip <NUM> and the lower outer rounded surface <NUM> at a major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> relative to a radial thickness of the rim <NUM> between the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> and the outer diameter of a radially outer surface <NUM> of the neck finish <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM>. Second, a retention lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> may have a straight taper disposed at a retention angle <NUM> of <NUM> degrees with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Third, a first rounded surface <NUM> may have a radius of <NUM>% of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM>. Fourth, a filleted surface <NUM> may have a radius of <NUM>% of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a container <NUM> includes a container rim <NUM> in accordance with another illustrative embodiment that is also shaped, sized, and/or proportioned to provide good results, and is nearly identical to the rims <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>, with the following exceptions. First, a ratio of the radial thickness of the rim <NUM> at a major outer diameter <NUM> of an outward lip <NUM> of the rim <NUM> to the radial thickness of a wall <NUM> of the neck finish <NUM> below the rim <NUM> and between the radially inner and outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM>. Second, a first rounded surface <NUM> may have a radius of <NUM>% of a major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lip <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> include container rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> that may be shaped, sized, and/or proportioned according to one or more of the following ratios, angles, or proportions. First, a ratio of the radial thickness of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> at the major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the radial thickness <NUM> of the neck finishes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> below the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> between the radially inner and outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints thereof. Second, a ratio of major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> relative to inner diameters of the radially inner surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints thereof. Third, a ratio of the major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> relative to outer diameters of the radially outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the neck finishes <NUM>, <NUM> is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints thereof. Fourth, a ratio of axial thicknesses <NUM>, <NUM> of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> measured between the sealing lips <NUM>, <NUM> and the intersection of the retention lips <NUM>, <NUM> and the lower outer rounded surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> at the major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> relative to radial thicknesses of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> between the major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and outer diameters of the radially outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints thereof. Fifth, the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have a straight taper disposed at an angle between two and six degrees with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints of that range. Sixth, the retention lips <NUM>, <NUM> of the rims <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have a straight taper disposed at an angle between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints of that range. Seventh, the mouth transition lips <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the major outer diameter <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Eighth, the first rounded surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints of that range. Ninth, the second or lower rounded surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints of that range. Tenth, the filleted surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the major outer diameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the outward lips <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints of that range.

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 scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A glass container (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a base (<NUM>); and
a sidewall (<NUM>) extending away from the base, circumscribing a central longitudinal axis (A), and including a neck finish (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) terminating the side wall, wherein the neck finish includes:
a wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a radially inner surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a radially outer surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a rim (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the wall and terminating the neck finish and having:
a sealing lip (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing axially outwardly and extending substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis,
an outward lip (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) facing radially and axially outwardly,
a retention lip (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing axially inwardly and radially outwardly and extending between the outward lip and the radially outer surface of the wall,
a first rounded surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending between the sealing lip and the outward lip, and
a second rounded surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending between the outward lip and the retention lip; and
a filleted surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending between the retention lip and the radially outer surface of the wall,
wherein a ratio of the major outer diameter (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the outward lip (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the rim (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to an inner diameter of the radially inner surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>, and wherein a ratio of the major outer diameter (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) relative to an outer diameter of the radially outer surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the neck finish (<NUM>, <NUM>) is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>, and wherein a ratio of an axial thickness (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the rim (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at the major outer diameter relative to the radial thickness (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the rim (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) between the major outer diameter (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and an outer diameter of the radially outer surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>.