Patent ID: 12195227

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a container (e.g., a vessel, a receptacle, a bottle, a single use plastic water bottle, etc.) of the present disclosure includes a plurality of first gussets arranged in a plurality of columns spaced about the periphery of the container. The plurality of columns extend along at least a portion of a length of the container. The container also includes a plurality of second gussets positioned below the plurality of columns. The plurality of second gussets are spaced about the periphery in a ring arrangement. Each of the plurality of second gussets is offset from and positioned between adjacent columns of the plurality of columns. The various gussets and their positioning may provide enhanced structural rigidity and prevent bending, leaning, or stretching/elongation of the container.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS.1-8, a receptacle or vessel, shown as container10, is configured as a bottle. In some embodiments, the container10is a plastic bottle. In some embodiments, the container10is recyclable. In some embodiments, the container10is biodegradable or compostable. In some embodiments, the container10is a single use container. In some embodiments, the container10is a reusable container. In some embodiments, the container10is configured to receive and hold beverage contents (e.g., water, juice, sport drink, soda, etc.). In some embodiments, the container10is configured to receive and hold another liquid (e.g., cleaning fluids, etc.). In some embodiments, the container10is configured to receive and hold non-liquid contents (e.g., gaseous contents, solid contents, etc.).

As shown inFIGS.1-7, the container10includes (i) a first portion or lower portion, shown as base100, (ii) a second portion or upper portion, shown as neck portion200, and (iii) a third portion or middle portion, shown as body300. As shown inFIGS.1-5and7, the base100includes an upper edge, shown as base rim110, and a plurality of feet, shown as feet120, extending downward from the base rim110and evenly spaced about the periphery of the base100with a plurality of recesses, shown as foot valleys130, positioned between the feet120. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the base100includes six feet120. In other embodiments, the base100includes a different number of the feet120. By way of example, the base100may include a different, even number of feet (e.g., four, eight, etc.). By way of another example, the base100may include a different, odd number of the feet120(e.g., three, five, seven, nine, etc.).

As shown inFIGS.1-6, the neck portion200includes (i) a lower edge, shown as shoulder210, (ii) a tapering portion, shown as bell220, extending upward from the shoulder210and tapering inward, (iii) a narrow passage, shown as neck230, extending upward from the bell220, and (iv) a screw end, shown as finish240, extending upward from the neck230. According to an exemplary embodiment, the finish240defines an outlet through which contents of the container10(e.g., a beverage, a liquid, etc.) can be poured. In some embodiments, the finish240defines threads to facilitate screwing a cap or lid thereto to close the container10. In some embodiments, the finish240defines a lip to which a cap or lid can be secured and popped off of.

As shown inFIGS.1-5, the body300includes (i) a first sub-portion, shown as lower body portion310, (ii) a second sub-portion, shown as upper body portion320, (iii) a first transition or intermediate portion, shown as lower taper302, connecting the lower body portion310and the upper body portion320together, and (iv) a second transition, shown as upper taper304, connecting the upper body portion320to the shoulder210of the neck portion200. The lower body portion310extends upward from the base rim110of the base100to the lower taper302. The upper body portion320extends upward from the lower taper302to the upper taper304. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower body portion310and/or the upper body portion320are configured to function as a grip for the container10and/or support a label thereon.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower taper302transitions the body300from a first outermost diameter of the lower body portion310to a different, second outermost diameter of the upper body portion320. In some embodiments, the first outermost diameter is greater than the second outermost diameter. In some embodiments, the first outermost diameter is less than the second outermost diameter. In some embodiments, the body300does not include the lower taper302such that (i) the lower body portion310and the upper body portion320are in direct engagement and (ii) the body300has a uniform diameter across the lower body portion310and the upper body portion320.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper taper304transitions the container from the second outermost diameter of the upper body portion320to a larger, third outermost diameter of the shoulder210of the neck portion200. In some embodiments, the third outermost diameter of the shoulder210is less than, or the same or substantially the same as, the first outermost diameter of the lower body portion310. In some embodiments, the third outermost diameter of the shoulder210is the less than, or the same or substantially the same as, a fourth outermost diameter of the base rim110of the base100. In some embodiments, the body300does not include the upper taper304such that (i) the upper body portion320and the shoulder210are in direct engagement and (ii) the container10has a uniform diameter across the upper body portion320and the shoulder210.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the container10has the following dimensional specifications: (a) the container10has a volume capacity of about 500 ml (e.g., 502.2 ml at fill point, 521.4 ml at brimful, etc.), (b) the container10has an overall height of about 196.45 mm, (c) the first outermost diameter of the lower body portion310is about 66.12 mm, (d) a first height of the lower body portion310(i.e., from the base rim110to the lower edge of upper body portion320(including the lower taper302)) is about 47.72 mm, (e) the second outermost diameter of the upper body portion320is about 64.9 mm, (f) a second height of the upper body portion320(i.e., from the upper edge of the lower taper302to the lower edge of the upper taper304) is about 69 mm, (g) the third outermost diameter of the shoulder210is about 65.92 mm, (h) a third height of the neck portion200(i.e., from the lower edge of the upper taper304to the upper rim of the finish240) is about 59.73 mm, (i) the fourth outermost diameter of the base rim110is about 66.12 mm, and (j) a fourth height of the base100is about 20 mm. In other embodiments, the container10has different dimensions (e.g., has a different volume capacity, has a different overall height, has different diameters, etc.).

As shown inFIGS.1-5, the lower body portion310includes a first plurality of protrusions, shown as lower ribs312, spaced along and extending around the periphery of the lower body portion310with a first plurality of peripheral recesses, shown as lower channels314, defined along the lower body portion310and between the lower ribs312. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the lower body portion310includes three lower ribs312and three lower channels314. In other embodiments, the lower body portion310includes a different number of the lower ribs312and the lower channels314(e.g., one, two, four, five, etc.). As shown inFIGS.1-5, the lower body portion310defines a lowermost channel, shown as final channel316, positioned between the base rim110and a lowermost one of the lower ribs312. In some embodiments, the lower channels314and the final channel316have the same or substantially the same dimensions (e.g., depth, height, etc.). In some embodiments, the lower channels314and the final channel316have different dimensions (e.g., the final channel316has a larger height than the lower channels314, the final channel316has a shallower depth than the lower channels314, the final channel316has a deeper depth than the lower channels314, etc.). As shown inFIGS.1-5, the lower portion310includes an upper feature, shown as cylindrical face318, positioned between the lower taper302and the uppermost lower channel314. In some embodiments, the cylindrical face318defines one or more vertical recesses, one or more vertical channels, one or more vertical ribs, one or more peripheral ribs (e.g., similar to the lower ribs312), one or more peripheral channels (e.g., similar to the lower channels314), and/or still other features. In some embodiments, the lower body portion310does not include the cylindrical face318.

As shown inFIGS.1-5, the upper body portion320includes a second plurality of protrusions, shown as upper ribs322, spaced along and extending around the periphery of the upper body portion320with a second plurality of peripheral recesses, shown as upper channels324, defined along the upper body portion320and between the upper ribs322. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the upper body portion320includes six upper ribs322and seven upper channels324. In other embodiments, the upper body portion320includes a different number of the upper ribs322(e.g., one, two, three, four, five, seven, eight, etc.) and a different number of the upper channels324(e.g., two, three, four, five, six, eight, nine, etc.). As shown inFIGS.1-5, the upper body portion320includes (i) a lower feature, shown as lower cylindrical face326, positioned between the lower taper302and the lowermost upper channel324and (ii) an upper feature, shown as upper cylindrical face328, positioned between the uppermost upper channel324and the upper taper304.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the lower ribs312have the first outermost diameter of the lower body portion310and the upper ribs322have the second outermost diameter of the upper body portion320such that the lower ribs312and the upper ribs322have different diameters. In other embodiments, the lower ribs312and/or the upper ribs322have a different diameter than the lower body portion310and/or the upper body portion320, respectively (e.g., the lower ribs312are slightly recessed relative to the cylindrical face318of the lower body portion310, the lower ribs312protrude outward further than the cylindrical face318of the lower body portion310, the upper ribs322are slightly recessed relative to the lower cylindrical face326and the upper cylindrical face328of the upper body portion320, the upper ribs322protrude outward further than the lower cylindrical face326and the upper cylindrical face328of the upper body portion320, etc.). Therefore, the lower ribs312and the upper ribs322may have the same diameters or still different diameters.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the lower ribs312have a first height and each of the upper ribs322have a second height that is different than the first height. Specifically, as shown inFIGS.1-5, the first height of each of the lower ribs312is less than the second height of each of the upper ribs322. In other embodiments, the first height of each of the lower ribs312is greater than the second height of each of the upper ribs322. In still other embodiments, the first height of each of the lower ribs312is the same or substantially the same as the second height of each of the upper ribs322.

As shown inFIGS.1-5, the body300includes a plurality of support columns, shown as gusset columns330, spaced about the periphery of the body300and extending along at least a portion of the height of the body300(e.g., a majority of the height, not along the portion with the cylindrical face318, etc.). Each respective gusset column330of the plurality of gusset columns330includes a first plurality of protrusions (e.g., tabs, braces, supports, struts, reinforcements, etc.), shown small gussets332, and a second plurality of protrusions (e.g., tabs, braces, supports, struts, reinforcements, etc.), shown as large gussets334, vertically aligned with each other to form or define each respective gusset column330. More specifically, the small gussets332and the large gussets334of a respective gusset column330alternate along the height of the body300(e.g., small, large, small, large, etc.; large, small, large, small, etc.) with each of the small gussets332and each of the large gussets334being disposed or positioned within a respective one of the lower channels314of the lower body portion310or the upper channels324of the upper body portion320. The small gussets332have a first width and the large gussets334have a second width that is greater or larger than the small gussets332. By way of example, the first width of the small gussets332may be less than or equal to 90% of the second width of the large gussets334. By way of another example, the first width of the small gussets332may be less than or equal to 80% of the second width of the large gussets334. By way of still another example, the first width of the small gussets332may be less than or equal to 75% of the second width of the large gussets334. By way of yet another example, the first width of the small gussets332may be less than or equal to 60% of the second width of the large gussets334. By way of still yet another example, the first width of the small gussets332may be less than or equal to 50% of the second width of the large gussets334.

As shown inFIGS.1-5, (i) each of the gusset columns330aligns with a center (e.g., a central axis) of a respective one of the feet120and (ii) the gusset columns330alternate between the feet120such that adjacent feet120do not include adjacent gusset columns330. Rather, each of the feet120that does not have a corresponding gusset column330associated therewith including a single gusset, shown as bottom gusset342(e.g., last, offset, tertiary, isolated, etc.), centrally aligned therewith and positioned thereabove. More specifically, the body300includes a support ring, shown as gusset ring340, includes a third plurality of protrusions (e.g., tabs, braces, supports, etc.), shown as bottom gussets342(e.g., last, offset, tertiary, isolated, etc.), spaced about the periphery of the body300and disposed or positioned in and along the final channel316. The gusset ring340is rotationally offset from the gusset columns330with the bottom gussets342positioned between adjacent pairs of the gusset columns330such that an alternating pattern is provided where a first one of the gusset columns330is aligned with a first foot120, a first one of the bottom gussets342is aligned with a second foot120, a second one of the gusset columns330is aligned with a third foot120, a second one of the bottom gussets342is aligned with a fourth foot120, and so on. According to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS.1-5, the bottom gussets342are the same or substantially the same as the large gussets334. In other embodiments, the bottom gussets342are the same or substantially the same as the small gussets332. In still other embodiments, the bottom gussets342are different than the small gussets332and the large gussets334(e.g., smaller than the small gussets332, larger than the large gussets334, a size between the small gussets332and the large gussets334, etc.).

In some embodiments, the arrangement of the gusset columns330, the small gussets332, the large gussets334, the gusset ring340, and/or the bottom gussets342varies. In some embodiments, the gusset columns330do not include the small gussets332. By way of example, the small gussets332may be replaced with the large gussets334. By way of another example, the small gussets332are not replaced with the large gussets334such that spaces or gaps may be positioned between the large gussets334. In some embodiments, the gusset columns330do not include the large gussets334. By way of example, the large gussets334may be replaced with the small gussets332. By way of another example, the large gussets334are not replaced with the small gussets332such that spaces or gaps may be positioned between the small gussets332. In some embodiments, a first one of the gusset columns330includes all small gussets332and a second one of the gusset columns330includes all large gussets334. In some embodiments, the body300does not include the gusset ring340such that the final channel316is empty or does not include gussets. In some embodiments, the bottom gussets342of the gusset ring340are aligned with the gusset columns330(i.e., no offset between the gusset ring340and the gusset columns330). In some embodiments, the gusset columns330and/or the bottom gussets342are aligned with the foot valleys130, rather than the feet120. In some embodiments, (i) the body300includes additional gusset columns330such that the gusset columns330align with all of the feet120, all of the foot valleys130, or both and/or (ii) the gusset ring340includes additional bottom gussets342such that the bottom gussets342align with all of the feet120, all of the foot valleys130, or both. By way of example, the gusset columns330may align with all of the feet120and the bottom gussets342may align with all of the foot valleys130. By way another of example, the gusset columns330may align with all of the foot valleys130and the bottom gussets342may align with all of the feet120. In some embodiments, the body300includes a plurality of the gusset rings340. By way of example, the body300may include a second gusset ring340positioned in the lowermost upper channel324of the upper body portion320. By way of another example, a respective gusset ring340may be positioned at a repeating interval (e.g., small gusset332, large gusset334, and gusset ring340repeating along the height of the body300, etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the configuration (e.g., arrangement, positioning, size, shape, etc.) of the gusset columns330, the small gussets332, the large gussets334, the gusset ring340, and the bottom gussets342provides enhanced structural rigidity to the container10(e.g., which prevents bending, leaning, stretching/elongation, crumpling, etc. of the container10during manufacturing and/or use) relative to a similar container, shown as base container10′, that does not include such features. Specifically, as shown inFIG.8, after being manufactured (e.g., blow molded) and then being pressurized (e.g., with nitrogen), the container provides enhanced elongation performance characteristics relative to the base container10′. Specifically, the base container10′ has a significantly greater amount of elongation, shown as height expansion ΔH, than the container10when pressurized. According to an exemplary embodiment, the height expansion ΔH of the container10when pressurized at 0.75 bar or less above atmospheric pressure for one hour while at a temperature of 22° C. is less than or equal to (i.e., at most) 3.5% of the overall height of the container10(e.g., an overall height of about 196.45 mm and about 6.875 mm of height expansion, etc.).

Applicant performed various tests on the container10and the base container10′ to quantify the performance characteristics of the container10relative to the base container10′ (which does not include the gusset columns330and the gusset ring340). The base container10′, after being pressurized at 0.75 bar above atmospheric pressure for one hour while at a temperature of 22° C., exhibited, on average, greater than an 8% expansion of the overall height thereof. Such significant elongation can prevent the base container10′ from properly fitting along manufacturing lines, in traditional sized packaging (e.g., boxes, etc.), and/or within vending machines. Advantageously, the container10exhibited significantly less height expansion AH during testing. Specifically, the container10, after being pressurized at 0.75 bar above atmospheric pressure for one hour while at a temperature of 22° C., exhibited, on average, a 3.16% expansion of the overall height thereof. Also, the container10, after being pressurized at 0.50 bar above atmospheric pressure for one hour while at a temperature of 22° C., exhibited, on average, a 2.66% expansion of the overall height thereof.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Language such as the phrases “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, are understood to convey that an element may be either X; Y; Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the container10as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.