GB2498449A - Container with Reinforcing Flange - Google Patents
Container with Reinforcing Flange Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2498449A GB2498449A GB1300408.0A GB201300408A GB2498449A GB 2498449 A GB2498449 A GB 2498449A GB 201300408 A GB201300408 A GB 201300408A GB 2498449 A GB2498449 A GB 2498449A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- container
- text
- wall
- flange
- base
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004040 coloring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000014347 soups Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
- B65D81/3446—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
- B65D81/3453—Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/40—Details of walls
- B65D1/42—Reinforcing or strengthening parts or members
- B65D1/46—Local reinforcements, e.g. adjacent closures
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0233—Nestable containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
- B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Package Specialized In Special Use (AREA)
Abstract
A plastic container 10 comprising a base 20 and a wall 30, the wall 30 having a first end and a second end, the first end extending from the base 20, the second end terminating in a rim 40 with a peripheral reinforcing flange 50 extending from said rim 40 and overlapping said wall 30. The reinforcing flange 50 has an inner surface facing said wall 30, having a plurality of ribs 60 extending in the direction of said wall 30, said ribs 60 being connected to the flange 50 and rim 40 and spaced from the wall 30 for the majority of the length of the overlap between the flange 50 and the wall 30. The container may be suitable but not limited for use with heating foodstuffs, where the reinforcing flange and ribs provide a suitable area for the user to hold the hot container, without deformation of the container or transfer of heat to the userâ s hand.
Description
Container with Reinforcing Flange The present invention relates to a container, and particularly to a container comprising an open vessel with a flange and at least one support rib extending from the flange.
Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a frusto-conical container for foodstuffs, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that such a container may be constructed in various shapes and of various sizes to provide storage for a various items not limited to food.
It is known to provide foodstuffs in containers that may be heated, for example in a microwave or through the addition of hot water. Such containers commonly take on a frusto-conical form and are made of plastic.
As the contents are heated, the container itself may become hot and therefore less rigid as the plastic material softens. This decreased rigidity can pose a risk when manipulating the container after heating. Another consequence of the heating the contents is conduction of this heat to the sides of the container, making it too hot to handle comfortably. A sleeve, conmionly made of cardboard, may be provided as a grippable insulating layer, increasing the cost of the container and its ease of use.
The present invention seeks to overcome these problems.
According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a plastic container comprising a base having an upstanding peripheral wall, the wall having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end defines a rim that is spaced from the base, the container further including a circumferential reinforcing flange extending from said rim and overlapping said wall for a length that is less than the height of the wall, said reinforcing flange having an inner surface facing towards said wall and an outer surface facing away from said wall, said inner surface of said reinforcing flange having a plurality of ribs extending in the direction of said wall, said ribs being connected to the flange and rim, and a partially connected to said wall such that said ribs are spaced from the wall for the majority of the length of the overlap between the flange and the wall.
The provision of a reinforcing flange thus gives the container a greater hoop strength, making it strong even when hot and additionally provides an insulated band for holding. Furthermore the increased strength of the container means it can withstand the conditions associated with the thermal processing, also known as pressure retorting, which involves cooking and sterilising the container and its contents, under pressure and at elevated temperatures. The design of the rim and reinforcing flange also allows for simplified film sealing of the container to take place.
According to a feature of the present invention the ribs may extend for the full height of the flange.
According to a further feature of the present invention a containing barrier layer is applied to the wall and/or the base.
This arrangement, whereby the ribs are only attached to the flange and to the rim on their upper extent arid a very small portion of the wall of the container allows a film containing a barrier layer, for example Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH), to be applied by in mould labelling to almost the entirety of the outside face of the container wall and the inside face of the base of the container resulting in a 98% coverage of the outer surfaces of the pot with the film, to reduce the oxygen transmission rate into the pot following retorting to provide a increased shelf life for the contents of the container, (assuming, of course, that a similar barrier is applied to the open end of the container).
According to yet a further feature of the present invention the base may be concave, This arrangement helps react the increased pressure conditions experienced in the pressure retorting process.
The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the container; Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of the container of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the container of figure 1 from below; Figure 4 shows a schematic section taken through the container at line A-A of figure 3, intersecting two rib locations; Figure 5 shows a magnified view of the rim-flange-rib interfaces of the container of figure 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the container from below; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of two containers stacked together; and Figure 8 shows a schematic section view of the stacked containers of figure 7.
A container 10 has a base 20, wall 30 and rim 40, see figures 1 and 2. Extending orthogonally from the rim is a flange 50. Figure 3 shows a view looking from below the container 10, in which eight equally spaced ribs 60 can be seen extending from the flange 50.
A section taken at line A-A on figure 3 is shown in figure 4. It intersects two diametrically opposite ribs 60. The wall 30 has an inside face 32 and an outside face 34, similarly the base 20 has an inside face 22 and an outside face 24. Figure 5 shows a magnified view of the rim-flange-rib interface. The rib 60 comprises a thickened portion of the flange 50, running for the entire height of the flange 50, however making contact only with the rim 40 of the container 10 and a very small portion of the wall 30 such that there is a gap 70 between the rib 60 and the wall 30. This gap 70 can also been seen in figure 6. In use, if the container 10 is squeezed through hand pressure, for example, on the reinforcing flange 50 and the container 10 does resile given its elevated temperature, for example, the plurality of ribs 60 prevent all but a very small percentage of the reinforcing flange 50 being in conductive contact with the wall 30 of the container, i.e. through the ribs 60, thereby minimising the heat transfer to the reinforcing flange and thus the user's hand.
The positioning of the rib 60 away from the wall 30 for the larger proportion of the height of the flange, ie. defining gap 70, allows a barrier layer, for example Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH), to be applied by in mould labelling to almost the entirety of the outside face of the container wall.
An additional option for containers made of clear plastic would be to have information printed on the portion of the wall 30 facing the flange 50 such as "hold here" or "caution, contents hot" or suitable colouring to indicate that the reinforced flange would be the coolest part of the container to hold.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of two identical containers 100, 200 stacked together. The provision of the peripheral reinforcing flange 150 extending from the rim 140 and overlapping the wall 130 for a distance h, means that when stacking the two containers 100, 200, the upper container 100 rests via the base of its flange 150 on the rim 240 of the lower container 200, as shown in the section view of figure 8. The distance h results in a gap 300, between the base 120 of the upper container 100 and the base 220 of the lower container 200 and can be used to store comestibles, for example powdered soup, and presents an efficient way of storing a plurality of containers.
As shown in figures 1, 2 and 4 the rim 40 presents an annular flat upper surface 42 and combined with the reinforcing flange 50 allows for a very efficient sealing process. There is no requirement to support the underside of the sealing rim of the container. The container may simply be located in a hole in a flat plate so that the bottom of the reinforcing flange 50 rests on the surface of the plate and the inside of the hole registers on the outside face 34 of the wall 30 of the container at this position.
In this arrangement the container is strong enough to withstand the loads associated with the sealing process. This reduces the cost of sealing equipment significantly.
While the embodiments of the invention described above show a frustoconical container that is nestable, it will be understood that the container may have other configurations, for example the container may be polygonal in cross-section.
Claims (1)
- <claim-text>Claims 1. A plastic container comprising a base having an upstanding peripheral wall, the wall having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end defines a rim that is spaced from the base, the container farther including a circumferential reinforcing flange extending from said rim and overlapping said wall for a length that is less than the height of the wall, said reinforcing flange having an inner surface facing towards said wall and an outer surface facing away from said wall, said inner surface of said reinforcing flange having a plurality of ribs extending in the direction of said wall, said ribs being connected to the flange and rim, and a partially connected to said wall such that said ribs are spaced from the wall for the majority of the length of the overlap between the flange and the wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The container of claim 1 wherein the ribs extend for the full height of the flange.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The container of claims 1 and 2 wherein the container includes film defining an oxygen barrier layer appUed to the wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The container of claims 1 to 3 wherein the container includes a film defining an oxygen barrier layer is applied to the base.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The container of any preceding claim wherein the base is flat.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The container of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the base is concave with respect to the container exterior.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The container of any preceding claim wherein the rim defines a flat annular sealing surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the container is frustoconical in shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The container of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the container is polygonal, and in which the wall comprises a plurality of flat panels.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The container of any of claims 1 to 7 in which the wall comprises a combination of curved and flat panels.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. The container according to any preceding claim in which the height of the flange is at least 10mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A method of producing an container as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the steps of providing a mould preparing a barrier layer to be applied by in mould labelling to the outside facing wall of the container and placing said barrier layer in the mould, preparing a barrier layer to be applied by in mould labelling to either the inside face or the outside face of the base of the container and placing said bather layer in the mould, and injection moulding the container from an injection point of the mould corresponding to a location on the outside of the moulded container.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in figures 1 to 8.</claim-text>
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1200346.3A GB201200346D0 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-10 | Container with reinforcing flange |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201300408D0 GB201300408D0 (en) | 2013-02-27 |
| GB2498449A true GB2498449A (en) | 2013-07-17 |
| GB2498449B GB2498449B (en) | 2015-04-22 |
Family
ID=45788705
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1200346.3A Ceased GB201200346D0 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-10 | Container with reinforcing flange |
| GB201300408A Active GB2498449B (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2013-01-10 | Container with reinforcing flange |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1200346.3A Ceased GB201200346D0 (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-10 | Container with reinforcing flange |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB201200346D0 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015170358A3 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2016-01-21 | Rossomando Matteo | Biodegradable container or capsule |
| ITUB20152539A1 (en) * | 2015-07-28 | 2017-01-28 | Matteo Rossomando | Biodegradable container or capsule. |
| USD984882S1 (en) * | 2019-10-28 | 2023-05-02 | Brillian Pharma LLC | Unit dose container |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0138266A2 (en) * | 1983-10-18 | 1985-04-24 | Unilever N.V. | Container provided with a closure |
| JP2002193235A (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2002-07-10 | Fuji Seal Inc | Cup-shape container |
| US20050017014A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-01-27 | Toby Thunberg | Container |
| US20110232187A1 (en) * | 2010-03-24 | 2011-09-29 | Quan Theresa Z | Nursery container |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20080087669A2 (en) * | 2006-07-10 | 2008-04-17 | Inline Plastics Corp. | Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming same |
-
2012
- 2012-01-10 GB GBGB1200346.3A patent/GB201200346D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2013
- 2013-01-10 GB GB201300408A patent/GB2498449B/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0138266A2 (en) * | 1983-10-18 | 1985-04-24 | Unilever N.V. | Container provided with a closure |
| JP2002193235A (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2002-07-10 | Fuji Seal Inc | Cup-shape container |
| US20050017014A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-01-27 | Toby Thunberg | Container |
| US20110232187A1 (en) * | 2010-03-24 | 2011-09-29 | Quan Theresa Z | Nursery container |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015170358A3 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2016-01-21 | Rossomando Matteo | Biodegradable container or capsule |
| US10940986B2 (en) | 2014-05-07 | 2021-03-09 | Matteo ROSSOMANDO | Biodegradable container or capsule |
| ITUB20152539A1 (en) * | 2015-07-28 | 2017-01-28 | Matteo Rossomando | Biodegradable container or capsule. |
| WO2017017704A1 (en) * | 2015-07-28 | 2017-02-02 | Rossomando Matteo | Biodegradable container or capsule |
| CN108290681A (en) * | 2015-07-28 | 2018-07-17 | 马泰奥·罗索曼多 | Biodegradable container or capsule |
| CN108290681B (en) * | 2015-07-28 | 2019-12-31 | 马泰奥·罗索曼多 | Biodegradable container or capsule |
| US10843867B2 (en) | 2015-07-28 | 2020-11-24 | Matteo ROSSOMANDO | Biodegradable container or capsule |
| USD984882S1 (en) * | 2019-10-28 | 2023-05-02 | Brillian Pharma LLC | Unit dose container |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201300408D0 (en) | 2013-02-27 |
| GB201200346D0 (en) | 2012-02-22 |
| GB2498449B (en) | 2015-04-22 |
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