Plastic bottles and beverage products

Abstract

To provide a plastic bottle with a shape suitable for stable grasping.SOLUTION: A plastic bottle 1 has a mouth 10, a shoulder 20, a body 30, and a bottom 40. The body 30 includes: four ridges 32 extending in a direction parallel to a central axis AX of the body 30; and four side panels 34 joining them. Each of the four side panels 34 includes: a first recess 51; and a second recess 52 disposed between the first recess 51 and the bottom 40. The first recess 51 is recessed toward an inside direction of the body 40 and has an arcuate shape in a first cross-section perpendicular to the central axis AX, and the second recess 52 is recessed toward the inside direction of the body 40 and has an arcuate shape in a second cross-section perpendicular to the central axis AX. A radius of curvature of the first recess 51 in the first cross-section is smaller than a radius of curvature of the second recess 52 in the second cross-section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to plastic bottles and beverage products. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a plastic container with a rectangular cross section. The plastic container has four wall sections and chamfers between adjacent wall sections. Each wall section has two recesses connected by a groove. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-238736 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If there are no recesses on each side of the plastic bottle, the position of the balls of the thumb and fingers will be unstable when gripping the plastic bottle, and it may be difficult to hold the plastic bottle stably in the desired position, especially when there is a large amount of beverage remaining. The recesses described in Patent Document 1 may improve the ease of gripping the container to some extent, but the mere presence of the recesses alone is not sufficient.

[0005] The present invention provides a plastic bottle having a shape suitable for stable gripping, and a beverage product using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a plastic bottle having a mouth, a shoulder extending from the mouth, a bottom having a bottom surface, and a body between the shoulder and the bottom, wherein the body includes four ridges extending in a direction parallel to the central axis of the body and four side panels connecting adjacent ones of the four ridges, each of the four side panels including a first recess and a second recess disposed between the first recess and the bottom, wherein the first recess is recessed toward the inside of the body and has an arc shape in a first cross section perpendicular to the central axis, and the second recess is recessed toward the inside of the body and has an arc shape in a second cross section perpendicular to the central axis, and the radius of curvature of the first recess in the first cross section is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second recess in the second cross section.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a beverage product, the beverage product including the plastic bottle, a beverage filled in the plastic bottle, and a cap attached to the mouth of the plastic bottle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a plastic bottle having a shape suitable for stable gripping and a beverage product using the same are provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a plastic bottle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional views of the plastic bottle in Figure 1 taken along lines A-A', B-B', and C-C'. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a plastic bottle according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a plastic bottle according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a plastic bottle according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the beverage product according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the shape of a plastic bottle according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing the shape of a plastic bottle according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows the configuration of a plastic bottle 1 according to an embodiment. Figs. 2(a), (b), and (c) show cross-sectional views of the plastic bottle 1 of Fig. 1 taken along lines A-A', B-B', and C-C', respectively. Fig. 7 shows a front view of the plastic bottle of Fig. 1, and Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the plastic bottle of Fig. 1. In Figs. 7 and 8, shading is used to represent the shape of the plastic bottle 1.

[0012] The plastic bottle 1 may have a capacity of, for example, 400 cc or more and 600 cc or less, preferably 450 cc or more and 550 cc or less. The plastic bottle 1 may have a mouth 10, a shoulder 20 extending from the mouth 10, a bottom 40 having a bottom surface, and a body 30 between the shoulder 20 and the bottom 40. The shoulder 20 is located between the mouth 10 and the body 30, and is a portion whose width changes in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX of the plastic bottle 1.

[0013] The body 30 may include four ridges 32 extending parallel to the central axis AX of the body 30 and four side panels 34 connecting adjacent ridges 32. Each of the four side panels 34 may have a first recess 51 recessed toward the inside of the body 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2(b), the first recess 51 may have an arc shape in a first cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX. The first recess 51 is advantageous for increasing the strength of the body 30. Each of the four side panels 34 may have a second recess 52 recessed toward the inside of the body 30 between the first recess 51 and the lower end (end on the bottom 40 side) of the body 30. The second recess 52 may have an arc shape in a second cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX, as illustrated in FIG. 2(c). The second recess 51 is also advantageous for increasing the strength of the body portion 30 .

[0014] 2(b) and 2(c), the radius of curvature of the first recess 51 in the first cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX is preferably smaller than the radius of curvature of the second recess 52 in the second cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX. In other words, the curvature of the first recess 51 in the first cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX is preferably larger than the curvature of the second recess 52 in the second cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX.

[0015] Here, when a person holds a plastic bottle 1 having four side panels 34 in their hand, the ball of the thumb is usually pressed against a portion of the body 30 close to the mouth 10 and against one of the side panels 34. The first recess 51 is located in a portion of the side panel 34 close to the mouth 10, and the second recess 52 is located in a portion of the side panel 34 close to the bottom 40. Therefore, the first recess 51 is a portion against which the ball of the thumb is likely to be pressed when holding the plastic bottle 1 in their hand, while the second recess 52 is a portion against which the thumb is unlikely to be pressed when holding the plastic bottle 1 in their hand. Therefore, a configuration in which the radius of curvature of the first recess 51 in the first cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second recess 52 in the second cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the central axis AX improves the fit of the thumb in the first recess 51, making it easier for a person to hold the plastic bottle 1 stably. On the other hand, making the second recess 52 have the same radius of curvature as the first recess 51, or making the radius of curvature of the second recess 52 smaller than the radius of curvature of the first recess 51, is not desirable because it would reduce the capacity of the plastic bottle 1.

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the width WR1 of the first recess 51 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX may be 40% or more and 70% or less of the maximum width WB of the body portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX when the body portion 30 is viewed with the side panel 34 having the first recess 51 facing forward (i.e., when the body portion 30 is viewed as shown in FIG. 3 ). For example, the maximum width WB may be 55 mm or more and 65 mm or less. In one example, the maximum width WB is 60 mm, and the width WR1 of the first recess 51 may be 30 mm. A structure in which the width WR1 of the first recess 51 is 40% or more and 70% or less of the maximum width WB is advantageous for allowing the ball of the thumb of a person holding the plastic bottle 1 to fit into the first recess 51 provided in one side panel 34.

[0017] The body 30 may include multiple circumferential grooves 60 extending at a constant width and depth around the entire circumference of the body 30. The multiple circumferential grooves 60 may have a depth of, for example, 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. In one example, the multiple circumferential grooves 60 may have a depth of 1.5 mm. The multiple circumferential grooves 60 may include multiple reinforcing grooves 60a traversing the first recess 51. The multiple circumferential grooves 60 are advantageous for increasing the strength of the body 30. In particular, the multiple reinforcing grooves 60a are effective for further increasing the strength of the body 30 already increased by the first recess 51. Here, it is preferable that the multiple reinforcing grooves 60a traversing the first recess 51 be multiple reinforcing grooves 60a extending at a constant width and depth, which is effective for preventing deformation of the first recess 51 due to external forces. The multiple reinforcing grooves 60a are preferably arranged at a constant pitch and have the same shape. This can mitigate localized stress concentration at specific locations in the first recess 51. The pitch may be, for example, 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The plurality of reinforcing grooves 60a is preferably, for example, at least three reinforcing grooves 60a.

[0018] The first recess 51 and the multiple reinforcing grooves 60a can function to prevent deformation of the plastic bottle 1 when multiple plastic bottles 1 are stacked with their central axes horizontal in a vending machine, for example. This configuration allows the plastic bottle 1 to have a cylindrical shape rather than a barrel shape. More specifically, in a cross section passing through the central axis AX and cutting two opposing ridges 32 out of the four ridges 32, the body 30 can have a constant width WW except for the portion where the multiple circumferential grooves 60 are present (see FIG. 4).

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the body 30 may have a shape inscribed in an imaginary regular square prism VSP. Preferably, the body 30 is inscribed in the imaginary regular square prism VSP throughout the entire direction parallel to the central axis AX. The regular square prism VSP may have, for example, a square cross section with one side measuring 55 mm or more and 65 mm or less. In one example, the regular square prism VSP may have a square cross section with one side measuring 60 mm. The aforementioned maximum width WB of the body 30 is the length of one side of the regular square prism VSP.

[0020] The maximum depth of the first recess 51 in the square prism VSP may be, for example, 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and in one example, 3 mm. The first recess 51 may include, for example, a portion having a radius of curvature of 30 mm or more and 50 mm or less, preferably a portion having a radius of curvature of 34 mm or more and 44 mm or less. In one example, the first recess 51 may include, for example, a portion having a radius of curvature of 39 mm.

[0021] The width WR2 of the second recess 52 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX may be 40% or more and 70% or less of the maximum width WB of the body portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX when the body portion 30 is viewed with the side panel 34 having the second recess 52 facing forward (i.e., when the body portion 30 is viewed as shown in FIG. 3). For example, the maximum width WB may be 55 mm or more and 65 mm or less. In one example, the maximum width WB may be 60 mm, and the width WR2 of the second recess 52 may be 30 mm. The width WR1 of the first recess 51 and the width WR2 of the second recess 52 may be the same or different from each other. In other words, the width WR1 of the first recess 51 may be narrower or wider than the width WR2 of the second recess 52.

[0022] The first recess 51 may have a maximum depth greater than that of the second recess 52. This is advantageous for preventing deformation of the body 30 or the plastic bottle 1 when a person grips the first recess 51. From another perspective, when a roll label is wound around the first recess 51, the depth of the first recess 51 does not affect the appearance of the final product around which the roll label is wound, so it is convenient to adjust the depth of the first recess 51 to adjust the capacity. Therefore, the depth of the first recess 51 may be initially designed so that it is sufficiently deeper than the depth of the first recess 52, and then the depth of the first recess 51 may be adjusted later.

[0023] The multiple circumferential grooves 60 may include multiple second reinforcing grooves 60b that traverse the second recess 52. Here, it is preferable that the multiple second reinforcing grooves 60b that traverse the second recess 52 be provided with a constant width and a constant depth, which is effective in preventing the second recess 52 from being deformed by external force. The multiple second reinforcing grooves 60b are preferably arranged at a constant pitch and have the same shape. This can mitigate localized stress concentration at specific locations in the second recess 52. The pitch may be, for example, 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The multiple second reinforcing grooves 60b are preferably, for example, at least three second reinforcing grooves 60b.

[0024] The maximum depth of the second recess 52 for the square prism VSP may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and less than 2 mm, and in one example, 1 mm. The second recess 52 may include, for example, a portion having a radius of curvature of 80 mm or more and 130 mm or less, preferably a portion having a radius of curvature of 100 mm or more and 120 mm or less. In one example, the second recess 52 may include, for example, a portion having a radius of curvature of 113 mm.

[0025] 5, the maximum dimension HR of the first recess 51 in the direction parallel to the central axis AX (Z-axis direction) may be, for example, 30% or more and 60% or less of the dimension HF of the body portion 30 in the direction parallel to the central axis AX. At least a portion of the first recess 51 may be located, for example, at a distance from the upper end of the mouth portion 10 within a range of 70 mm to 120 mm. This makes it easier for a person drinking a beverage or opening the plastic bottle 1 to firmly grip the plastic bottle 1.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a beverage product PRD. The beverage product PRD may include the plastic bottle 1 described above, a beverage DR filled in the plastic bottle 1, and a cap CP attached to the mouth 10 of the plastic bottle 1. The beverage product PRD may further include a roll label RL covering at least a portion of the body 30 of the plastic bottle 1. The plastic bottle 1 is not barrel-shaped, but has a cylindrical shape. More specifically, in a cross section passing through the central axis AX and cutting two opposing ridges 32 out of the four ridges 32, the body 30 may have a constant width WW except for the portion where the multiple circumferential grooves 60 are present. Such a plastic bottle 1 is suitable for use with a roll label RL.

[0027] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1: plastic bottle, 10: mouth, 20: shoulder, 30: body, 32: ridge, 34: side panel, 40: bottom, 51: first recess, 52: second recess, 60: circumferential groove, 60a: reinforcing groove, 60b: second reinforcing groove, VSP: regular square prism, AX: central axis, CP: cap, DR: beverage, RL: roll label, PRD: beverage product

Claims

1. A plastic bottle having a mouth, a shoulder extending from the mouth, a bottom having a bottom surface, and a body between the shoulder and the bottom, The body portion includes four ridge portions extending in a direction parallel to a central axis of the body portion, and four side panels respectively connecting adjacent ridge portions among the four ridge portions, Each of the four side panels includes a first recess and a second recess disposed between the first recess and the bottom; the first recess is recessed toward the inside of the body portion and has an arc shape in a first cross section perpendicular to the central axis, the second recess is recessed toward the inside of the body portion and has an arc shape in a second cross section perpendicular to the central axis, a radius of curvature of the first recess in the first cross section is smaller than a radius of curvature of the second recess in the second cross section; A plastic bottle characterized by:

2. The first recess includes a portion having a radius of curvature of 30 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

2. The plastic bottle according to claim 1.

3. the second recess includes a portion having a radius of curvature of 80 mm or more and 150 mm or less; 3. The plastic bottle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a maximum dimension of the first recess in a direction parallel to the central axis that is 30% or more and 60% or less of a dimension of the body in a direction parallel to the central axis; 4. The plastic bottle according to claim 1.

5. At least a portion of the first recess is located within a range of 70 mm to 120 mm from the upper end of the mouth portion.

5. The plastic bottle according to claim 1.

6. The first recess has a maximum depth greater than that of the second recess.

6. The plastic bottle according to claim 1.

7. The depth of the first recess is 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

7. The plastic bottle according to claim 1.

8. The depth of the second recess is equal to or greater than 0.5 mm and less than 2 mm.

8. The plastic bottle according to claim 1.

9. a width of the first recess in a direction perpendicular to the central axis that is 40% or more and 70% or less of a maximum width of the body portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis when the body portion is viewed with the side panel having the first recess as the front; 9. The plastic bottle according to claim 1.

10. the body portion includes a plurality of circumferential grooves extending with a constant width and a constant depth around the entire circumference of the body portion, the plurality of circumferential grooves including a plurality of reinforcing grooves traversing the first recess; In a cross section passing through the central axis and cutting two opposing ridges among the four ridges, the body portion has a constant width except for a portion where the plurality of circumferential grooves are present. The plastic bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The body portion is inscribed in an imaginary regular square prism. The plastic bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The body is inscribed in an imaginary regular square prism over the entire direction parallel to the central axis. The plastic bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. The square prism has a square cross section with one side of 55 mm or more and 65 mm or less.

13. The plastic bottle according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The plastic bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a beverage filled in the plastic bottle; a cap attached to the mouth of the plastic bottle; A beverage product comprising:

15. Further comprising a roll label covering at least a portion of at least the body of the plastic bottle.

15. The beverage product of claim 14.

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