Synthetic resin container

Abstract

The objective is to provide a synthetic resin container with enhanced vacuum absorption capacity through a vacuum absorption panel. [Solution] A synthetic resin container in the shape of a bottle, having a plurality of vacuum absorption panels 11 arranged at circumferential intervals on the mouth 2, shoulder 3, body 4, bottom 5 and vacuum absorption section 10, wherein the vacuum absorption section 10 has a constricted shape in which the diameter of the central part in the vertical direction is smaller than that of the upper and lower ends, the twist angle of the vacuum absorption panel 11 as viewed from the direction of the axis O is in the range of 90 to 110°, and when the circumferential width of the vacuum absorption panel 11 is a and the circumferential width of the column section 12 between adjacent vacuum absorption panels 11 is b, a / (a+b) is in the range of 0.53 to 0.68.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle-shaped synthetic resin container, and particularly to one provided with a decompression absorption part having a plurality of inclined decompression absorption panels on the body part.

Background Art

[0002] Synthetic resin containers typified by bottles made of stretched polypropylene (OPP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are lightweight, easy to handle, excellent in the storage stability of contents, and inexpensive in terms of cost, and are therefore used in various applications such as for beverages, foods, cosmetics, etc.

[0003] As such a synthetic resin container, for example, in order to cope with so-called high-temperature filling in which beverages such as fruit juice drinks and tea, or liquid seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, and sauce are filled with the contents in a heated high-temperature state, a decompression absorption part having a plurality of decompression absorption panels formed in a groove shape that extends in the vertical direction while being twisted in the circumferential direction around the axis is provided on the body part (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to a synthetic resin container having such a configuration, even if a decompression occurs in the container as the contents are cooled after being filled at a high temperature and the mouth part is closed with a cap, the decompression can be absorbed by the torsional deformation of the plurality of decompression absorption panels. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of irregular deformation that impairs the appearance on the body part and maintain the external shape of the container in a good state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, even with the conventional synthetic resin containers mentioned above, the absorption capacity of the vacuum absorbed by multiple vacuum absorption panels was sometimes insufficient, and there was room for improvement in this respect.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and its objective is to provide a synthetic resin container with an increased vacuum absorption capacity by a vacuum absorption panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The synthetic resin container of the present invention is a bottle-shaped synthetic resin container having a mouth, a body connected to the mouth via a shoulder, a bottom closing the lower end of the body, and a plurality of pressure-reducing panels formed in a groove shape extending vertically while twisting circumferentially around an axis, and arranged at circumferential intervals in the pressure-reducing portion of the body, wherein the pressure-reducing portion has a constricted shape in which the diameter of the central part in the vertical direction is smaller than that of the upper and lower ends, the twist angle of the pressure-reducing panel as viewed from the direction of the axis is in the range of 90 to 110°, and when the circumferential width of the pressure-reducing panel is a and the circumferential width of the column between adjacent pressure-reducing panels is b, a / (a+b) is in the range of 0.53 to 0.68.

[0008] In the synthetic resin container of the present invention, it is preferable that the number of vacuum absorption panels provided in the vacuum absorption section is within the range of 12 to 14.

[0009] In the synthetic resin container of the present invention, it is preferable that the circumferential width of the pressure absorption panel is within the range of 8 to 9 mm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a synthetic resin container with an increased vacuum absorption capacity using a vacuum absorption panel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]This is a front view of a synthetic resin container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a magnified view of a portion of the vacuum absorption section of the synthetic resin container shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the relationship between the ratio of panel rib width in the depressurization absorption section and the depressurization absorption capacity. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] The synthetic resin container 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1 is used for purposes such as containing beverages like fruit juice or tea, or liquid seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, or sauces. The synthetic resin container 1 is compatible with high-temperature filling, in which the contents are filled at a high temperature after being heated to a predetermined temperature.

[0014] In this specification and in the claims, the vertical direction of the synthetic resin container 1 means the vertical direction in the upright position shown in Figure 1.

[0015] The synthetic resin container 1 has a bottle shape, comprising a mouth portion 2, a body portion 4 connected to the mouth portion 2 via a shoulder portion 3, and a bottom portion 5 that closes the lower end of the body portion 4. The mouth portion 2 is cylindrical with an axis O and serves as the spout for dispensing the contents. The shoulder portion 3 gradually widens in diameter from the upper end to the lower end and is integrally connected to the lower end of the mouth portion 2 at its upper end. The body portion 4 is cylindrical with an axis O and is integrally connected to the lower end of the shoulder portion 3 at its upper end. The bottom portion 5 is integrally connected to the lower end of the body portion 4 and closes the lower end of the body portion 4.

[0016] In this embodiment, the synthetic resin container 1 is formed into the above shape by biaxial stretch blow molding of a polyethylene terephthalate preform. In other words, in this embodiment, the synthetic resin container 1 is a so-called PET bottle.

[0017] The synthetic resin container 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned polyethylene terephthalate, and can also be formed by biaxially stretching and blow molding a preform made of other synthetic resins having thermoplasticity such as stretched polypropylene (OPP). Further, the synthetic resin container 1 is not limited to being formed by biaxially stretching and blow molding a preform, and may also be formed by other blow molding such as extrusion blow molding.

[0018] An annular projection 2a is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2. After the content is filled at a high temperature, the synthetic resin container 1 can close the mouth portion 2 by undercut engaging a cap (not shown) with the annular projection 2a. Note that, instead of the annular projection 2a, a male screw may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2, and the mouth portion 2 may be closed with a cap by screwing the cap onto this male screw.

[0019] An annular neck ring 6 may be provided between the mouth portion 2 and the shoulder portion 3.

[0020] A decompression absorption portion 10 is provided on the body portion 4. The decompression absorption portion 10 functions to absorb the decompression by deforming so as to reduce the internal volume of the synthetic resin container 1 when decompression occurs inside the synthetic resin container 1 as the content filled at a high temperature inside the synthetic resin container 1 cools with the mouth portion 2 closed by a cap.

[0021] A plurality of decompression absorption panels 11 are provided in the decompression absorption portion 10 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of decompression absorption panels 11 provided in the decompression absorption portion 10 is preferably 12 to 14. In the present embodiment, 12 decompression absorption panels 11 are provided in the decompression absorption portion 10. More specifically, 12 decompression absorption panels 11 are provided side by side at equal intervals over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction centered on the axis O of the decompression absorption portion 10. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, only one decompression absorption panel 11 is labeled. Note that the shapes of the 12 decompression absorption panels 11 are the same as each other.

[0022] Note that the number of decompression absorption panels 11 provided in the decompression absorption section 10 is not limited to 12 to 14 sheets and can be appropriately changed.

[0023] The plurality of decompression absorption panels 11 each have an annular side surface 11a and a bottom surface 11b and are formed in a rib shape that is recessed toward the inside of the body portion 4. Each decompression absorption panel 11 has a uniform longitudinal direction except for a predetermined range downward from the upper end portion 11c and a predetermined range upward from the lower end portion 11d in the circumferential width centered on its axis O.

[0024] The plurality of decompression absorption panels 11 extend in the vertical direction while being twisted in the circumferential direction around the axis O of the body portion 4. That is, the plurality of decompression absorption panels 11 extend in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that the lower end portion 11d is displaced in the circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the upper end portion 11c.

[0025] The twist angle of each decompression absorption panel 11 as viewed from the direction of the axis O is within the range of 90 to 110°. In the present embodiment, the twist angle of the decompression absorption panel 11 as viewed from the direction of the axis O is 100°. That is, each decompression absorption panel 11 extends (spirally) inclined around the axis O such that the lower end portion 11d is displaced 100° in the circumferential direction around the axis O with respect to the upper end portion 11c as viewed from the direction of the axis O.

[0026] The twist angle of each decompression absorption panel 11 as viewed from the direction of the axis O is not limited to 100° and may be any angle within the range of 90 to 110°.

[0027] The portions between adjacent decompression absorption panels 11 in the decompression absorption section 10 are column portions 12 that extend inclined with respect to the vertical direction in the same manner as the decompression absorption panels 11. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, only one column portion 12 is labeled, but a total of 12 column portions 12 are provided in the decompression absorption section 10 at the portions between adjacent decompression absorption panels 11.

[0028] In this embodiment, the pressure absorption section 10 is provided partitioned between an upper lateral groove 7 and a lower lateral groove 8 provided in the body section 4. The upper lateral groove 7 and the lower lateral groove 8 are each recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the body section 4 toward the inside of the body section 4 and are formed in an annular shape that extends circumferentially around the entire circumference of the body section 4. By partitioning the pressure absorption section 10 in the body section 4 with the upper lateral groove 7 and the lower lateral groove 8 configured in this way, the radial rigidity of the portion of the body section 4 adjacent to the pressure absorption section 10 is increased, so that when a pressure is generated inside the synthetic resin container 1, the pressure absorption section 10 is preferentially deformed to reduce the internal volume of the synthetic resin container 1, while preventing deformation of the portion of the body section 4 other than the pressure absorption section 10 due to the pressure.

[0029] The pressure absorption section 10 has a constricted shape in which the diameter of the central part in the vertical direction is smaller than that of the upper and lower ends. That is, the pressure absorption section 10 gradually narrows in diameter from the upper end, which is demarcated by the upper horizontal groove 7, and the lower end, which is demarcated by the lower horizontal groove 8, toward the central part in the vertical direction between the upper and lower ends, so that the central part in the vertical direction is the smallest diameter. Preferably, the outer diameter of the central part in the vertical direction, which is the smallest diameter of the pressure absorption section 10, is 92% or more of the outer diameter of the upper end and the outer diameter of the lower end, which are the largest diameters of the pressure absorption section 10. With this configuration, the pressure absorption section 10 can be easily deformed by being pressed (squeezed) by the user's hand, and can quickly return to its original shape after being pressed. Therefore, the operability when dispensing the contents of the synthetic resin container 1 can be improved.

[0030] In the synthetic resin container 1 according to this embodiment, a vacuum absorption section 10 is provided on the body 4, which is equipped with a plurality of vacuum absorption panels 11. Therefore, even if a vacuum is generated inside the synthetic resin container 1 due to high-temperature filling, the plurality of vacuum absorption panels 11 twist and deform to increase their twisting angle, thereby effectively absorbing the vacuum and stably maintaining the external shape of the body 4 in a good condition. In particular, even if the synthetic resin container 1 is made thinner for weight reduction or the like, the vacuum can be effectively absorbed and the external shape of the body 4 can be stably maintained in a good condition.

[0031] In the synthetic resin container 1 according to this embodiment, in order for the vacuum absorption section 10 to have a desired vacuum absorption capacity, the circumferential width of each vacuum absorption panel 11 is set such that a / (a+b) is within the range of 0.53 to 0.68, where a is the circumferential width (panel rib width) of each vacuum absorption panel 11 and b is the circumferential width of the column section 12 between adjacent vacuum absorption panels 11. In other words, the circumferential width of each vacuum absorption panel 11 is set such that the ratio of the circumferential width (panel rib width) of the vacuum absorption panel 11 to the circumferential dimensions of the vacuum absorption section 10 is within the range of 53 to 68%.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the circumferential width a of the pressure absorption panel 11 is the distance along the circumferential direction between the intersection point of one circumferential side surface 11a of the pressure absorption panel 11 and the column 12, and the intersection point of the other circumferential side surface 11a and the column 12, at the vertical center (minimum diameter portion) of the pressure absorption section 10. The circumferential width b of the column 12 corresponds to the distance along the circumferential direction between adjacent pressure absorption panels 11 at the vertical center (minimum diameter portion) of the pressure absorption section 10.

[0033] Here, the inventors of this application prepared eight types of synthetic resin containers having the same configuration as the synthetic resin container 1 described above, but with varying circumferential widths of the vacuum absorption panels, i.e., panel rib widths, thereby differentiating the ratio of the circumferential width of the vacuum absorption panel 11 to the circumferential dimensions of the vacuum absorption section 10, i.e., the ratio of the panel rib width (%). For each of these synthetic resin containers, the vacuum absorption capacity (ml) by the vacuum absorption section was verified by structural analysis. Each of these eight types of synthetic resin containers had a capacity of 300 ml and 12 vacuum absorption panels provided in the vacuum absorption section. Furthermore, the circumferential widths of the pressure absorption panels 11 of the eight types of synthetic resin containers, i.e., the panel rib widths and the ratio of the panel rib widths, were set as follows: "Panel rib width: 6.0 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 40.4%", "Panel rib width: 7.0 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 47.1%", "Panel rib width: 7.5 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 50.5%", "Panel rib width: 8.0 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 53.9%", "Panel rib width: 8.5 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 57.2%", "Panel rib width: 9.0 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 60.6%", "Panel rib width: 9.5 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 64.0%", and "Panel rib width: 10.0 mm, ratio of panel rib width: 67.4%". The results of this verification are shown by solid lines in Figure 3.

[0034] Furthermore, the inventors of this application prepared five types of synthetic resin containers having the same configuration as the synthetic resin container 1 described above, but with varying numbers of vacuum absorption panels, i.e., the number of panel surfaces, thereby differentiating the ratio of the circumferential width of the vacuum absorption panel 11 to the circumferential dimension of the vacuum absorption section 10, i.e., the ratio of the panel rib width (%). The vacuum absorption capacity (ml) of the vacuum absorption section for each of these synthetic resin containers was verified by structural analysis. Each of these five types of synthetic resin containers had a capacity of 300 ml and a circumferential width of the vacuum absorption panel 11, i.e., a panel rib width of 8.5 mm. Furthermore, the number of pressure absorption panels (i.e., the ratio of panel faces) and panel rib width for the five types of synthetic resin containers were as follows: "Number of panel faces: 8, ratio of panel rib width: 38.3%", "Number of panel faces: 10, ratio of panel rib width: 47.8%", "Number of panel faces: 12, ratio of panel rib width: 57.2%", "Number of panel faces: 14, ratio of panel rib width: 66.8%", and "Number of panel faces: 16, ratio of panel rib width: 76.3%". The results of this verification are shown by a dashed line in Figure 3.

[0035] From the verification results shown in Figure 3, the inventors found that regardless of the panel rib width and the number of panel faces, the vacuum absorption capacity by the vacuum absorption section is maximized when the ratio of the circumferential width of the vacuum absorption panel to the circumferential dimension of the vacuum absorption section, i.e., the ratio of the panel rib width, is 57.2%. Furthermore, from the verification results shown in Figure 3, the inventors found that if the ratio of the panel rib width is within the range of 53-68%, the vacuum absorption capacity by the vacuum absorption section becomes 11 ml or more, thus providing sufficient vacuum absorption capacity. These findings were obtained only after the inventors conducted the above verification.

[0036] In the synthetic resin container 1 according to this embodiment, based on the findings obtained by the inventors through the above verification, the circumferential width of each pressure absorption panel 11 is set such that a / (a+b) is within the range of 0.53 to 0.68, where a is the circumferential width of each pressure absorption panel 11 and b is the circumferential width of the column portion 12 between adjacent pressure absorption panels 11.

[0037] As described above, in the synthetic resin container 1 according to this embodiment, when the circumferential width of each vacuum absorption panel 11 is a and the circumferential width of the column portion 12 between adjacent vacuum absorption panels 11 is b, the circumferential width of each vacuum absorption panel 11 is set such that a / (a+b) is within the range of 0.53 to 0.68. Therefore, the vacuum absorption capacity of the vacuum absorption section 10, which is equipped with multiple vacuum absorption panels 11, can be increased to a desired absorption capacity.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the synthetic resin container 1 has a number of vacuum absorption panels 11 provided in the vacuum absorption section 10 that is within the range of 12 to 14. This makes it possible to more effectively increase the vacuum absorption capacity of the vacuum absorption section 10 equipped with multiple vacuum absorption panels 11.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the synthetic resin container 1 has a circumferential width of the vacuum absorption panel 11 provided in the vacuum absorption section 10 within the range of 8 to 9 mm, which makes it possible to more effectively increase the vacuum absorption capacity of the vacuum absorption section 10 equipped with multiple vacuum absorption panels 11.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0041] For example, in the above embodiment, the synthetic resin container 1 is used to contain beverages such as fruit juices and tea, and liquid seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, and sauces. However, it is not limited to this, and can also be used to contain other contents such as food or cosmetics. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1. Container made of synthetic resin 2 Mouth 2a Annular process 3 Shoulder 4 Torso 5 Bottom 6 Neck Rings 7. Upper transverse groove 8. Lower transverse groove 10. Reduced pressure absorption section 11. Pressure absorption panel 11a Side 11b Bottom 11c Upper end 11d Lower end 12 Pillar section O axis

Claims

1. A bottle-shaped synthetic resin container having a mouth, a body connected to the mouth via a shoulder, a bottom closing the lower end of the body, and a plurality of pressure absorption panels formed in a groove shape extending vertically while twisting circumferentially around an axis, and arranged at circumferential intervals in the pressure absorption portion of the body, The aforementioned pressure absorption section has a constricted shape in which the diameter of the central part in the vertical direction is smaller than that of the upper and lower ends. The torsional angle of the pressure absorption panel as viewed from the direction of the axis is within the range of 90 to 110°. A synthetic resin container characterized in that, when the circumferential width of the pressure absorption panel is a and the circumferential width of the column between adjacent pressure absorption panels is b, a / (a+b) is within the range of 0.53 to 0.

68.

2. The synthetic resin container according to claim 1, wherein the number of pressure absorption panels provided in the pressure absorption section is in the range of 12 to 14.

3. The synthetic resin container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circumferential width of the pressure absorption panel is in the range of 8 to 9 mm.

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