Bottle

Abstract

A bottle constructed to resist distortion and denting upon handling through distribution and / or expansion and contraction of its contents. An upper portion has a rounded upper shoulder and a series of grooves. A bottom portion is concave and has a plurality of alternating generally vertically extending long and short swirl grooves, the spaces between the long swirl grooves above the short swirl grooves being smooth to easily flex in and out to contract and expand. A main circumferential groove separates the upper and bottom portions and has a depth such that it can flex vertically when a vertical force is applied tending to push the upper portion against the bottom portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a bottle, and in particular it relates to a plastic bottle with improved resistance to deformation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Plastic bottles for beverages and the like are well known and are available in a virtually limitless number of sizes and shapes. Such plastic bottles are inherently susceptible to deformation such as by denting due to forces exerted on the bottle during handling through distribution channels and / or due to expansion and contraction of the contents of the bottle. Such deformations are a major concern not only because of the possibility for compromising the structural integrity of the bottle, but also because of customer appeal in that a customer will reject a dented or otherwise deformed bottle as unacceptable, even if it is still structurally intact. [0003] Thus, there exists a continuing need for bottles of the type described which will maintain their original design shape by resisting deformati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved plastic bottle which provides better resistance to deformation due to external forces or expansion / contraction of the contents of the bottle.

[0007] Another advantageous feature of the present invention is the provision of a relatively deep horizontal circumferential groove separating the upper portion from the bottom portion of the bottle. This relatively deep groove, coupled with a step on the lower side thereof, preferably just beneath the label area, accommodates expansion and contraction of the contents of the bottle to accommodate changes in volume due to temperature changes and changes in altitude and to maintain hoop stiffness of the bottle. Additionally, this main relatively deep horizontal groove resists forces on the bottle from the top or side which would tend to deflect the upper portion of the bottle or collapse it down into the lower portion of the bottle, instead, resisting such forces and returning the bottle to its original shape. The smaller grooves in the label area, which are known per se, are also helpful in contributing to stiffness and directing vertical forces downwardly into the large main horizontal groove wherein they are more positively deflected.

[0008] Another feature of the present invention which contributes to its ability to resist deformation is a series of unequal size, generally vertical swirl grooves in the bottom portion of the bottle, including relatively long swirl grooves alternating with short swirl grooves. These swirl grooves allow controlled localized expansion and contraction of the product in the bottle to accommodate changes in volume due to temperature changes and / or changes in volume due to altitude. The grooves contribute to rigidity and the space between the long swirl grooves above the short swirl grooves provides a smooth area which will accommodate expansion and contraction.

[0009] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bottle of the type described which better resists deformation due to external forces.

Problems solved by technology

Such plastic bottles are inherently susceptible to deformation such as by denting due to forces exerted on the bottle during handling through distribution channels and / or due to expansion and contraction of the contents of the bottle.

Images