Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a method of producing a longneck bottle by pushing a parison neck against a debossed internal surface of a blank mold to form a radially thick external embossment on the parison neck, and then blowing the embossed parison neck against an internal surface of a blow mold to push the external embossment on the neck through the wall of the neck to form a radially thick and inwardly projecting embossment in the bottle so as to affect flow of liquid thereover. A commercial implementation of the method includes use of mold debossments/engravings that are radially deep and circumferentially wide: <NUM> deep, and <NUM> wide, wherein the entirety of the engravings are defined by a continuously curving surface defined by a single fillet of <NUM> radius and rounds of <NUM> radius on either circumferential side of the fillet. Such dimensions were chosen to produce a radially thick embossment projecting radially inwardly so as to provide good agitation or directional control of liquid flowing thereover.

<CIT> discloses a method of producing a glass container having sharply outlined indicia. The method includes forming an embossment on an exterior surface of a parison, and pushing the embossment against a blow mold internal surface to collapse the embossment into a wall of the container without pushing corresponding material through the wall of the container into an interior of the container. The method includes use of mold debossments/engravings that are <NUM> thick and <NUM> wide, with a radially outward surface, straight/flat sidewalls angled at <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, fillets of <NUM> between the outward surface and the sidewalls, and rounds of <NUM> between the sidewalls and an interior surface of the mold. Such dimensions were chosen to produce indicia of good resolution in an exterior surface of a container.

<CIT> discloses a method of forming a design on glassware in which a blank mold for fabricating glassware comprises ducts chilled by flow of a cooling medium.

<CIT> discloses a container neck ring having an indicia.

In accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a glass container including legible indicia having an indicia outer surface coextensive with an outer surface of an adjacent portion of the container and an indicia inner surface that protrudes radially inwardly with respect to an inner surface of the container adjacent to the indicia inner surface. The outer surfaces have no V-shaped depressions. The container has a radial wall thickness between the inner and outer surfaces. The indicia includes embossments appearing as inwardly projecting projections in cross section. The indicia also includes lands that are longitudinally parallel to the container inner surface and are spaced radially inwardly with respect to the rest of the container inner surface, and sides including fillets extending inwardly from the inner surface and rounds extending from the fillets to the lands, such that the sides are not straight but are continuously curving, and such that each side comprises an inflection point between, or a tangent of the fillet and the round.

In accordance with particular aspects of the disclosure, a width of theembossments in the circumferential direction is at least <NUM>. The radial thickness of the embossments from an internal surface of the lands to an adjacent internal surface of the container is less that the container wall thickness. The wall thickness of the container is from <NUM> to <NUM> and the radial thickness of the embossments is from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In accordance with other particular aspects of the disclosure, each fillet has a radius between <NUM> and <NUM>, each round has a radius between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>, a ratio of the container wall thickness to the embossment radial thickness is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>, each fillet has a radius equivalent to the radial thickness of the embossment. Also, a ratio of the radius of the fillet to the embossment radial thickness is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> and a ration of the radius of the round to the radial thickness of the embossment is between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>.

The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will be best understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> illustrates a container <NUM>, which may be a bottle, extending along a longitudinal central axis A in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. The container <NUM> may include a closed base <NUM>, a body <NUM> extending longitudinally from the base <NUM> at one end of the body <NUM>, a shoulder <NUM> extending longitudinally and radially inwardly from another end of the body <NUM>, and a neck <NUM> extending longitudinally from the shoulder <NUM> terminating in a lip <NUM>. The container <NUM> also includes a neck finish <NUM> axially spaced from the shoulder <NUM> and terminating the neck <NUM>, and including one or more features for attachment of a desired closure (not shown). In an embodiment, the neck finish <NUM> may have an external closure diameter of not more than <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the container <NUM> includes integral indicia <NUM> in a generally radially inwardly facing inner, interior, or internal surface <NUM> of the container <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the indicia <NUM> includes block text, but also or instead may include script lettering, logos, graphics, or any other readable indicia. As will be described in further detail herein below, the indicia <NUM> is formed according to a presently disclosed method.

The container <NUM> may be of any suitable shape and size, may be composed of glass, may be fabricated by press-and-blow and/or blow-and-blow manufacturing operations, or by any other suitable technique(s), and may be used for containing, for example, a beverage, for instance, beer, wine, spirits, soda, or the like, or any other any flowable product. The container <NUM> is of one-piece integrally formed construction, of glass. (The term "integrally formed construction" does not exclude one-piece integrally molded layered glass constructions of the type disclosed for example in <CIT>, or one-piece glass bottles to which other structure is added after the bottle-forming operation.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the container <NUM> includes the internal surface <NUM> from which the indicia <NUM> projects radially inwardly, and a generally radially outwardly facing outer, exterior, or external surface <NUM>. Also, the container <NUM> has a radial wall thickness <NUM> between the internal and external surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. As used herein, the terminology "generally radially" need not be in a direction strictly perpendicular to the axis A of the container <NUM> and includes a direction at an oblique angle, for example, perpendicular to the exterior surface of the container neck <NUM>.

The indicia <NUM> includes embossments <NUM> that may be appear as inwardly projecting bulges or projections in cross section and may be spaced apart and corresponding to one another. For example, the embossments <NUM> may include lands <NUM> that are longitudinally parallel to the container internal surface <NUM> and are spaced radially inwardly with respect to the rest of the container internal surface <NUM>, and sides <NUM> including fillets <NUM> extending inwardly from the internal surface <NUM> and rounds <NUM> extending from the fillets <NUM> to the lands <NUM>. Accordingly, the sides <NUM> are not straight but are continuously curving, wherein each side <NUM> comprises an inflection point between, or a tangent of, the fillet <NUM> and the round <NUM>. The lands <NUM> may include arc lengths that may be of circular or cylindrical shape, for instance, parallel to the external or internal surface of the container.

The resolution of the indicia <NUM> is surprisingly well-defined and legible, considering that the external surface <NUM> of the container is smooth in portions thereof that correspond to the indicia <NUM> with no scarring or other marks or design remnants. The inventors discovered that preforming the indicia <NUM> with subtle, continuously curving sides, and other novel geometry, dimensions, and/or dimensional relationships, into the external surface of a parison during the blank molding stage, results in a well-defined legible presentation of the indicia <NUM>. In contrast to the internal surface <NUM>, and in contrast to some other embossing techniques, the external surface <NUM> does not include V-shaped depressions. Rather, the external surface <NUM> may be substantially cylindrical, or conical (in a conical neck), or at least substantially circular in cross section.

In the illustrated example, the width of the embossments <NUM> in the circumferential direction, may be at least <NUM>. Also, the radial depth or thickness of the embossments <NUM> (from an internal surface of the lands <NUM> to an adjacent internal surface <NUM> of the container) is significantly less than the container wall thickness, but the embossments <NUM> protrude into the container interior.

In the illustrated example, the container wall thickness <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, and more specifically for example, about <NUM>. Also, the radial thickness of the embossments <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, for example, about <NUM>, i.e., <NUM> to <NUM>. Moreover, each fillet <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM> and <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, for example, about <NUM>, i.e., <NUM> to <NUM>. Each round <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM> and <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, for example, about <NUM>, i.e. between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Accordingly, a ratio of the container wall thickness (in a region corresponding to and/or adjacent to the embossment) to the embossment radial thickness may be between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>, including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, and in the example above, the ratio may be about <NUM>:<NUM>. According to the illustrated example, each fillet <NUM> may have a radius that is about equivalent to the radial thickness of the embossment <NUM>. According to other examples, the ratio of the radius of the fillet <NUM> to the embossment radial thickness may be between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>. Also according to the illustrated example, the round <NUM> may have a radius that is about five times the radial thickness of the embossment <NUM> and about five times the size of the fillet <NUM>. According to other examples, the ratio of the radius of the round <NUM> to the radial thickness of the embossment <NUM> may be between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween.

<FIG> illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a container <NUM>. The container <NUM> includes integral indicia <NUM> on an interior or internal surface <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the indicia <NUM> includes a graphical logo and, more particularly, a recycling logo. The indicia <NUM> may be located on a neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> or in any other suitable location of the container <NUM>. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of <FIG> and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and description of subject matter common to the embodiments generally may not be repeated here.

<FIG> illustrates an example blank mold assembly <NUM> that may be used to form a container preform or parison (not shown), which, in turn, may include features used to produce the indicia <NUM>, <NUM> in the container <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>. The assembly <NUM> may include a blank mold <NUM>, a neck ring and plunger assembly <NUM> at one end of the mold <NUM>, a baffle <NUM> at another end of the mold <NUM>, and an adaptor and diffuser assembly <NUM> alongside the mold <NUM>. The illustrated assembly <NUM> includes a blow-and-blow type of neck ring and plunger assembly <NUM>, but those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the assembly <NUM> could instead include a press-and-blow assembly with a body plunger and the like. To produce a container preform or parison, a charge or gob of molten glass is placed within the blank mold <NUM> and a plunger and/or blow gas is introduced into the mold <NUM> to press and/or blow the glass into conformity with the mold components. Thereafter, the plunger and other mold components may be retracted to allow a parison to be removed from the assembly <NUM> and transferred to a blow mold.

<FIG> illustrates the blank mold <NUM> as including a longitudinal axis Z, a body region <NUM>, and a neck region <NUM>. The mold <NUM> also includes indicia engraving <NUM> in a radially inwardly facing inner or internal surface <NUM> of the mold <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the engraving <NUM> may be located in the neck region <NUM>, but may be located in the body region <NUM> in other embodiments.

<FIG> more closely illustrates the engraving <NUM>. The engraving <NUM> may include block text of one or more letters. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the heights of the letters are about <NUM>, and widths <NUM>, <NUM> of the engraving within each letter may be of substantially uniform width, e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>. As used in this context, the term "substantially" includes within plus or minus <NUM>%. Also, each letter may include its tightest fillets <NUM> and rounds <NUM> (or blends), that may face in longitudinal, circumferential, or both, directions. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the fillets <NUM> and rounds <NUM> may have radii of about <NUM>. As used herein, the term "about" includes within plus or minus <NUM>%.

<FIG> shows a portion of the engraving <NUM> in cross section of the blank mold taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z (<FIG>). The engraving <NUM> includes a radially outward surface <NUM> that faces radially inward toward the central longitudinal axis Z (<FIG>) of the mold <NUM>. The radially outward surface <NUM> of the engraving <NUM> in the blank mold corresponds to the surface of the land <NUM> of embossment <NUM> of the container <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and is substantially flat in the circumferential direction as well as in the axial/longitudinal direction. As used herein the phrase "substantially flat" can include a surface defined by a radius greater than the radius of the internal surface <NUM> of the mold <NUM> adjacent to or surrounding the engraving. The engraving <NUM> also includes first and second sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> facing circumferentially and radially inwardly and extending between the surface <NUM> and the internal surface <NUM> of the blank mold <NUM>. Also, the engraving <NUM> has a radial depth <NUM> between the radially outward surface <NUM> and the internal surface <NUM> of the mold <NUM>, and the radially outward surface <NUM> has a width <NUM>. Additionally, the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> are continuously curved, as each sidewall <NUM>, <NUM> comprises an inflection point between, or a tangent of, a fillet <NUM> and a round <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the fillets <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM> and <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, for example, about <NUM>, i.e., <NUM> to <NUM>. According to the illustrated example, the fillet <NUM> may have a radius that is about equivalent to the radial depth <NUM> of the engraving <NUM>. According to other examples, the ratio of the radius of the fillet <NUM> to the engraving radial depth may be between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween.

The rounds <NUM> or blends of the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> are located between the fillets <NUM> and the internal surface <NUM> of the mold <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the round <NUM> may have a radius between <NUM> and <NUM> including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, for example, about <NUM>, i.e. between <NUM> and <NUM>. According to the illustrated example, the round <NUM> may have a radius that is about five times the radial depth <NUM> of the engraving <NUM> and about five times the size of the fillet <NUM>. According to other examples, the ratio of the radius of the round <NUM> to the engraving radial depth <NUM> may be between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>. The fillets and rounds <NUM>, <NUM> may be produced by corresponding features in a tool used to produce the engraving, and/or by a wire brush after the engraving is cut or otherwise produced, or may be produced in any other suitable manner.

Accordingly, the engraving <NUM> has a circumferential overall width <NUM>, for instance, where each round <NUM> meets the internal surface <NUM> of the mold. The width <NUM> may be greater than <NUM>. In any case, the relationship between the radial thickness of the engraving <NUM> and the fillets <NUM> and rounds <NUM> of the engraving <NUM> are such that the sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> are not flat/straight and, instead, are continuously curving and are characterized by the fillets <NUM> that each extend over an angle of less than <NUM>° and the rounds <NUM> that are tangent to the fillets <NUM> at an inflection point between the surface <NUM> and the internal surface <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the radial depth <NUM> of the engraving <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> including all ranges, sub-ranges, and values therebetween. For example, the radial depth <NUM> may be about <NUM>, i.e., <NUM> to <NUM>. In any case, the radial depth <NUM> is such that there is at least some "push-through" of container material into the interior of the container to produce well-defined, legible indicia. Also, in the illustrated example, the circumferential width <NUM> of the surface <NUM>, for example, in the circumferential direction, is greater than <NUM>. Width <NUM> pertains only to the width of surface <NUM> and does not include the fillets <NUM> or rounds <NUM>. Accordingly, a ratio of the container wall thickness (in a region corresponding to and/or adjacent to the embossment) to the engraving radial depth may be between <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>, including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, and in a specific example, the ratio may be about <NUM>:<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of an engraving <NUM>. In the example illustrated, the overall height of the logo engraving <NUM> may be about <NUM>, the overall width may be about <NUM>, and widths of the elements of the engraving <NUM> may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Also, each element of the engraving <NUM> may include tightest fillets <NUM> and rounds <NUM> facing in longitudinal, transverse, or circumferential directions. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the fillets <NUM> may have radii of about <NUM> to <NUM> and all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, and, more specifically about <NUM>, whereas the rounds <NUM> may have radii of about <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a portion of the engraving <NUM> in cross section taken perpendicular to a mold longitudinal axis (see <FIG>). The engraving <NUM> may be circumferentially centered in a mold <NUM>, and includes a radially outward surface <NUM>, and sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> connecting the radially outward surface <NUM> to a radially inwardly facing inner or internal surface <NUM> of the mold <NUM>. The radially outward surface <NUM> may be of similar geometry to the internal surface. The engraving <NUM> also includes fillets <NUM>, and blends or rounds <NUM> having the same sizes as described with respect to <FIG>. In the illustrated example, a radial thickness <NUM> of the engraving <NUM> may be the same as that of <FIG>, whereas a circumferential width <NUM> of the surface <NUM> may be two to three times greater or even more.

In the embodiments of <FIG>, the radii of the fillets <NUM>, <NUM> may be less than the radial thicknesses <NUM>, <NUM> of the engravings <NUM>, <NUM>. The radii of the rounds <NUM>, <NUM> are greater than the radii of the fillets <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, the radial thicknesses <NUM>, <NUM> of the engravings <NUM>, <NUM> are less than the radii of the rounds <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example blow mold assembly <NUM> that may be used to form the container <NUM> of <FIG> from a parison formed in the blank mold <NUM> (<FIG>). The assembly <NUM> may include a blow mold <NUM> having an interior or internal surface <NUM>, a blow head <NUM> at one end of the mold <NUM>, a bottom plate <NUM> at another end of the mold <NUM>, and a neck insert <NUM> carried at the blow end of the mold <NUM>. A blow gas is directed through the blow head <NUM> and into an open end and the interior of the parison to expand the parison into conformity with the blow mold assembly <NUM>. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a vacuum can be applied to the exterior of the parison to pull the parison into engagement with the mold surfaces.

<FIG> illustrate, schematically, a portion of the blow mold <NUM> of <FIG> and the parison <NUM>' including an embossment <NUM>' produced by the engraving <NUM> of the blank mold <NUM> of <FIG>. The parison <NUM>' is blown so as to expand outwardly toward the blow mold <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and so as to drive the embossment <NUM>' into contact with the internal surface <NUM> of the blow mold <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The parison <NUM>' is further blown so as to further drive other portions of the parison <NUM>' around the embossment <NUM>' into contact with the internal surface <NUM> of the blow mold <NUM> as shown in <FIG> to form the container <NUM> having visible indicia <NUM> with no scarring or remnant on the container external surface <NUM> which is smooth (<FIG>). Accordingly, the blow mold <NUM> acts to push the embossment <NUM>' into the wall thickness of the container <NUM> so as to push container material so as to protrude radially inwardly from an interior surface of the container <NUM>. The blank embossment <NUM>' smoothly bends into the wall of the container <NUM>, to form the corresponding container embossment <NUM> with its land <NUM>, by pushing corresponding material through the wall of the container <NUM> into an interior <NUM> of the container <NUM>. It is believed that one or more aspects of the presently disclosed engraving geometry, dimensions, or dimensional relationships allows portions of the blank embossment <NUM>' to slide outwardly, instead of fold or buckle, into the wall of the container as the embossment <NUM>' is pushed into the container wall. The shape of the embossment <NUM> generally may be a duplication of the shape of the blank/parison embossment <NUM>', albeit with some distortion and loss of definition after being pushed through the container wall.

<FIG> show another illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of <FIG> and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and description of subject matter common to the embodiments generally may not be repeated here.

With reference to <FIG>, a blank mold <NUM>' includes a body portion <NUM>' and a neck portion <NUM>', and a radially inwardly facing inner or internal surface <NUM>'. The internal surface <NUM>' at the body portion <NUM>' includes an indicia engraving <NUM>' of block text.

Similarly, with reference to <FIG>, a blank mold <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> and a neck portion <NUM>, and a radially inwardly facing inner or internal surface <NUM>. The internal surface <NUM> at the body portion <NUM> includes indicia engravings <NUM> of script lettering or text.

In either case, and with reference to <FIG>, the presently disclosed apparatus, process, and dimensional teachings may be used to produce a container <NUM> from the parison formed in the blank mold <NUM> (<FIG>), having a body <NUM> with well-defined, legible indicia <NUM>, in an interior or internal surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that a parison may stretch during manufacturing, particularly when being transferred from a blank mold to a blow mold. Accordingly, it is believed that producing the indicia <NUM> in a container body may involve some application-specific adjustments to be made to the engraving geometry to account for such stretching. For example, some engraving geometry may need to be compressed to compensate for elongation of the embossment features in the parison due to parison stretching. Nevertheless, the presently disclosed methods will be able to be used to produce the well-defined, legible indicia of the present disclosure in container bodies.

The present disclosure provides an advancement in the art. Some prior approaches to embossing containers produced results satisfactory for their particular intended purposes, but would result in thick and wide radially inwardly projecting embossments that are not sufficiently resolute so as to be useful in providing well-defined legible indicia like lettering and logos. Other prior approaches to embossing containers likewise produced results satisfactory for their intended purposes, but could result in scarring of external surfaces of the containers in the vicinity of the embossments such that the external surfaces have a scratched appearance on and/or adjacent to the embossments. The shapes and dimensions of mold engravings for prior approaches may have been effective for achieving the particular results sought for those particular approaches, but were not effective for achieving the particular results presently taught herein.

According to conventional wisdom, it was believed that blank mold engravings for producing indicia embossments had to be relatively deep and steeply angled, with straight or flat sidewalls and tight fillets and rounds, in order to achieve a desired level of legibility of the embossments. From the present disclosure, it is now possible to produce a container having embossed indicia with improved resolution, using a blank mold having certain geometry, dimensions, and/or dimensional relationships to produce blank embossments for pushing of material through a wall of the container into the container interior during blow molding. More specifically, the present disclosure enables unexpectedly good results in the form of containers with surprisingly well-defined, legible indicia projecting radially inwardly from a container interior surface, and without producing scarring on the exterior surface of the container. Such results are different in kind and not merely in degree from the results of prior approaches. It is believed that two or more of the parameters/variables of the disclosed mold interact in an unexpected manner to provide the surprisingly good results taught herein.

Claim 1:
A glass container (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including legible indicia (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having an indicia outer surface coextensive with an outer surface (<NUM>) of an adjacent portion of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and an indicia inner surface (<NUM>) that protrudes radially inwardly with respect to an inner surface (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) adjacent to the indicia inner surface (<NUM>), wherein the outer surfaces (<NUM>) have no V-shaped depressions,
wherein the container (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has a radial wall thickness (<NUM>) between the inner and outer surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the indicia includes embossments (<NUM>) appearing as inwardly projecting projections in cross section, characterized in that said embossments include including lands (<NUM>) that are longitudinally parallel to the container inner surface (<NUM>) and are spaced radially inwardly with respect to the rest of the container inner surface (<NUM>), and sides (<NUM>) including fillets (<NUM>) extending inwardly from the inner surface (<NUM>) and rounds (<NUM>) extending from the fillets (<NUM>) to the lands (<NUM>), wherein the sides (<NUM>) are not straight but are continuously curving, and wherein each side (<NUM>) comprises an inflection point between, or a tangent of the fillet (<NUM>) and the round (<NUM>).