Hot-fillable container with convex sidewall areas that deform under vacuum conditions
View Patent ↗A hot fillable container includes a bottom and a sidewall connected with the bottom so as to define an internal space. The sidewall is further shaped so as to define in transverse cross-section a first convex sidewall label area having a first convexly curved outer surface having a first curvature and a second convex sidewall area having a second convexly curved outer surface having a second curvature. The label area is of the type that has no horizontal reinforcing ribs. The sidewall is constructed and arranged so that deformation of the sidewall in response to a partial vacuum condition within the internal space after a hot fill process will result in a decrease of the first curvature and an increase of the second curvature. This deformation is effected without any denting of the sidewall.
1. A hot fillable container, comprising:
a bottom; and
a sidewall connected with said bottom so as to define an internal space, said sidewall being shaped so as to define in transverse cross-section:
a first convex sidewall label area having a first convexly curved outer surface having a first curvature,
a second convex sidewall area having a second convexly curved outer surface having a second curvature, wherein said sidewall is constructed and arranged so that deformation of said sidewall in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space after a hot fill process will result in a decrease of said first curvature and an increase of said second curvature, said deformation being effected without any denting of said sidewall, and
a third convex side wall area, said third convex sidewall area being constructed and arranged to substantially maintain its shape in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space, wherein said third convex side wall area is symmetrically opposed to said first convex side wall area.
2. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein said label area has no vacuum panels defined therein.
3. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein said second convex side wall portion includes a first portion and a second portion that is separated from said first portion.
4. A hot fillable container according to claim 3 , wherein said first portion and said second portion share a common axis of symmetry.
5. A hot fillable container according to claim 4 , wherein said common axis of symmetry bisects said first convex sidewall area.
6. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein said second convex sidewall area assumes a concave shape in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space after a hot fill process.
7. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein said first convex sidewall area comprises at least 15% of a total circumference of said sidewall when viewed in transverse cross-section.
8. A hot fillable container according to claim 7 , wherein said first convex side wall area comprises at least 20% of the total circumference of said sidewall when viewed in transverse cross-section.
9. A hot fillable container according to claim 8 , wherein said first convex sidewall area comprises at least 25% of the total circumference of said sidewall when viewed in transverse cross-section.
10. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein said first curvature is substantially in the shape of a portion of a cylinder having a first radius of curvature, said first radius of curvature decreasing in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space.
11. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein said second curvature is substantially in the shape of a portion of a cylinder when said container is molded, said second curvature having a second radius of curvature that increases in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space.
12. A hot fillable container according to claim 11 , wherein said second radius of curvature inverts in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space, whereby said second curvature becomes a concave curvature.
13. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein said second convex side wall area comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions respectively separating said first convex side wall area from said third convex side wall area.
14. A hot fillable container according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of said first curvature to said second curvature is within a range of about 0.7 to about −0.7.
15. A hot fillable container according to claim 14 , wherein a ratio of said first curvature to said second curvature is within a range of about 0.5 to about −0.5.
16. A hot fillable container, comprising:
a bottom; and
a sidewall connected with said bottom so as to define an internal space, said sidewall being shaped so as to define in transverse cross-section:
a first convex sidewall label area having a first convexly curved outer surface having a first radius, and
a second convex sidewall area having a second convexly curved outer surface having a second radius, and wherein an axis along which said second radius is located intersects an axis along which said first radius at an angle which is preferably within a range of about 90 degrees to about 145 degrees; and
a third convex sidewall area, said third convex sidewall area being constructed and arranged to substantially maintain its shape in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space, wherein said third convex side wall area is symmetrically opposed to said first convex side wall area.
17. A hot fillable container according to claim 16 , wherein said angle is within a range of about 90 degrees to about 130 degrees.
18. A hot fillable container according to claim 16 , wherein said second convex side wall area comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions respectively separating said first convex side wall area from said third convex side wall area.
19. A hot fillable container according to claim 16 , wherein a ratio of said first radius to said second radius is within a range of about 0.7 to about −0.7.
20. A hot fillable container according to claim 19 , wherein a ratio of said first radius to said second radius is within a range of about 0.5 to about −0.5.
21. A hot fillable container, comprising:
a bottom; and
a sidewall connected with said bottom so as to define an internal space, said sidewall being shaped so as to define in transverse cross-section:
a first convex sidewall label area having a first convexly curved outer surface having a first Radius, and
a second convex sidewall area having a second convexly curved outer surface having a second radius, and wherein an axis along which said second radius is located intersects an axis along which said first radius at an angle which is preferably within a range of about 90 degrees to about 145 degrees; and
a third convex sidewall area, said third convex sidewall area being constructed and arranged to substantially maintain its shape in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space, wherein said third convex sidewall area has a third radius, and wherein a ratio of said third radius to said first radius is within a range of about between about 0.5 to about 1.8.
22. A hot fillable container according to claim 21 , wherein a ratio of said third radius to said first radius is within a range of about 0.8 to about 1.3.
23. A hot fillable container, comprising:
a bottom; and
a sidewall connected with said bottom so as to define an internal space, said sidewall being shaped so as to define in transverse cross-section:
a first convex sidewall label area having a first convexly curved outer surface having a first radius R 1 , and
a second convex sidewall area having a second convexly curved outer surface having a second radius R 2 that increases in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space; and
a third convex sidewall area having a third convexly curved outer surface having a third radius R 3 , and wherein a ratio R 3 /R 1 is within a range of between about 0.5 to about 1.8, wherein said third convex sidewall area is constructed and arranged to substantially maintain its shape in response to a partial vacuum condition within said internal space.
24. A hot fillable container according to claim 23 , wherein said ratio R 3 /R 1 is within a range of between about 0.8 to about 1.3.
25. A hot fillable container according to claim 23 , wherein said third convex side wall area is symmetrically opposed to said first convex side wall area.
26. A hot fillable container according to claim 23 , wherein said second convex side wall area comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first and second portions respectively separating said first convex side wall area from said third convex side wall area.
27. A hot fillable container according to claim 23 , wherein a ratio of said first radius to said second radius is within a range of about 0.7 to about −0.7.
28. A hot fillable container according to claim 27 , wherein a ratio of said first radius to said second radius is within a range of about 0.5 to about −0.5.