Oval container

Abstract

An oval plastic container. A cross-section of the container, taken perpendicular to the height of the container shows an oval or elliptical shape. Such a container has front and back sides. The container also has a left side and a right side. Given the oval shape of the body, the width of the container as measured from the left side to the right side, is less than the depth of the container, measured from front to back. The front and back of the container therefore have a relatively small radius of curvature, compared to the left and right sides. The front and / or the back of the container includes a relatively featureless panel. Such a panel is flat, apart from the curvature that results from the oval shape of the body. Such an area can be used for the application of a pressure-sensitive label. The oval shape of the body prevents the labeled surface from buckling during the cooling process. The left and right sides of the container may include structure such as ribbing, to prevent buckling or excessive deformation during cooling. Alternatively, the left and right sides of the container may include vacuum panels that may be drawn inward during cooling, without excessive deformation or buckling.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention described herein relates to plastic containers, and relates in particular to the shape and structure of such containers. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] As is widely known, it is common for beverages to be sold in plastic containers. Such containers can be single-serving or multi-serving containers. Moreover, certain beverages are commonly placed into the containers when the beverage is still hot. Some manufacturers of fruit juices and teas fill their product when the beverage is approximately 185° F., for example. The bottles are then immediately capped and cooled, which creates an internal vacuum. The container design should withstand or allow for this internal vacuum ‘take-up’ while maintaining the desired look of the design. Containers that can accommodate a hot liquid product in this manner are known as hot-fillable. [0005] Given that such beverages are intended for consumer purchase, the containers ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The invention described herein is an oval plastic container. A cross-section of the container taken perpendicular to the height of the container shows an oval or elliptical shape. Such a container has front and back sides. The container also has a left side and a right side. Given the oval shape of the body, the width of the container as measured from the left side to the right side, is less than the depth of the container, measured from front to back. The front and back of the container therefore have a relatively small radius of curvature, compared to the left and right sides. The front and / or the back of the container includes a relatively featureless panel. Such a panel is smooth and flat, apart from the curvature that results from the oval shape of the body. Such an panel can be used for the application of a label. The oval shape of the body prevents the front and back surface from buckling during the cooling process. The left and right sides of the container may include structure such as ribbing, to prevent buckling or excessive deformation during cooling. Alternatively, the left and right sides of the container may include vacuum panels that may be drawn inward slightly during cooling, without excessive deformation.

Problems solved by technology

Placement of a pressure-sensitive label on a portion of the container that has any sort of surface geometry may not be aesthetically pleasing.

Moreover, a pressure-sensitive label may not adhere well to such a surface.

The presence of a smooth surface may create other problems, however.

But, as described above, the presence of such geometry makes the use of pressure-sensitive labels problematic.

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