WO2006044474A2

WO2006044474A2 - Easily collapsible blow molded container

Info

Publication number: WO2006044474A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/036697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung-Min Lee; Sung-Jae Lee
Original assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
Priority date: 2004-10-20
Filing date: 2005-10-14
Publication date: 2006-04-27
Also published as: WO2006044474A3; KR20040097072A

Abstract

A container, having a neck with a mouth, shoulder, body, and bottom, wherein the shoulder and the side panels of the body are provided with fold lines to facilitate the folding of the container body, and wherein the bottom, which includes the base, is substantially partitioned by fold lines into gable roof-like planes, and includes fastening members which retain the collapsed state when the shoulder, body, and bottom are collapsed, and which is facilitated by the fold lines.

Description

Easily Collapsible Blow Molded Container

Nature of the Invention The present application provides an easily collapsible blow molded container.

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to easily collapsible blow molded containers as provided by previous inventions including U.S. Pat. No. 5,511 ,686; U.S. Pat. No. 5,080260; Japan Utility Model Publication No. 6-6214; PCT WO98/31592; Japan Patent Publication No. 2002-80021 ; Japan Patent Publication No. 2002-160719; Japan Utility Model Publication No. 5-46717; Japan Patent Publication No. 8-324533; Japan Patent Publication No. 8-324534; U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,458; U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,712; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,847. Further to this, the Japan Patent Application No. 2002-539215 was invented by the inventors of the present invention. Of the prior arts, the structure of the bottom of the container implemented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,511 ,686 is difficult to fold. U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,260 employs a technology that collapses the container while unfolding it, thereby being liable to the force of restitution while in a collapsed state. Regarding the Japan Utility Model Publication No. 6-6214, its bottom has a Z- shape that is folded flat when the container is filled with liquid. However, because the Z-shaped part is of a thicker mold than a single layer bottom, it is unsuitable for collapsing, and even when collapsed, the force of restitution exerts itself on the folded form. Regarding the PCT WO98/31592, due to the concertinaed fold lines, it takes up relatively more space than the collapsible containers in accordance with other inventions when collapsed for disposal, and the liquid in the container could overflow should the folding structure be flattened when liquid is in the container. Regarding Japan Patent Publication No. 2002-80021 , characterized by a scheme similar to that of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,260 apart from a slight difference in the folding structure, it takes up more space when collapsed, and could possibly unfold during use. Regarding Japan Patent Publication No. 2002-160719, its bottom foldability is poor. Regarding the Japan Utility Model Publication No. 5-46717, wherein the container is collapsed by unfolding its walls, of which its collapsed body does not form a smooth plane which would cause the force of restitution, as well as the possibility of overflow during use because the container is easily collapsed without significant urging force.

Regarding the Japan Patent Publication No. 8-324533, its bottom foldability is poor and it exerts the force of restitution when collapsed. Japan Patent

Publication No. 8-324534 has similar problems to those of Japan Patent Publication No. 8-324533. Regarding U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,458, its bottom folds towards the side exerting the force of restitution when collapsed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,712 has problems similar to those of PCT WO98/31592, while the structure of the container implemented by U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,847 is suitable as a general refill container but is unsuitable as a container for use in logistic networks.

Regarding Japan Patent Application No. 2002-539215, which was invented by the present inventor, it substitutes a spout pouch by spouting the liquid in the container in accordance with the contraction of the container as the liquid is emptied. Therefore, their criterion of intellectual rights is different from the collapsible containers relating to the collapsible container in accordance with the present invention.

For referential purposes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,068 has a problem in that water remains in the container when washed in preparation for filling a liquid. Additionally, its design lacks marketability. As described hereinabove, a number of inventors have developed and implemented collapsible containers following consideration of such factors as marketability, design, easy usability, stability, and production cost. However, the effectiveness of all the inventions has still not been satisfactorily achieved. Summary of the Invention

A container, having a neck with a mouth, shoulder, body, and bottom, wherein the shoulder and the side panels of the body are provided with fold lines to facilitate the folding of the container body, and wherein the bottom, which includes the base, is substantially partitioned by fold lines into gable roof-like planes, and includes fastening members which retain the collapsed state when the shoulder, body, and bottom are collapsed, and which is facilitated by the fold lines. A container that is constituted by the present invention is formed with the fold line structures and the fastening members to retain the collapsed state thereby preventing outward bulging once collapsed. Therefore, the container can be easily flattened to occupy considerably less space and retain its flat condition when placed in waste disposal facilities.

The present invention thus has the following aims: firstly, to facilitate the folding in of the side walls in order to achieve side wall collapsing; secondly, to provide resistance against a certain degree of urging force in order to prevent unwanted collapsing; thirdly, to shape the bottom with edged perimeters on the same elevation, suitable for a display stand preventing fall, while being constituted of gables in order to facilitate folding by an intentional force and, at the same time, to minimize restitution when collapsed. Finally, the container provided by the present invention accommodates diversity of design while maintaining the basic shape of existing containers, without affecting productivity in the common production processes and facilities.

The desirable shape requires that the transverse section of the container body in accordance with the present invention is rectangular or an exact square rather than circular. A container in accordance with the present invention whose collapse is facilitated by fold lines incorporating a diversity of patterns of inscriptions, whether in engraved relief or depressed, desirable for improving the rigidity of the container, and if also desired and so formed, reducing the overall weight.

The containers, including the container in accordance with the present invention, are folded in such a manner that the front wall and the rear wall are in contact together, are formed with fold lines in a diversity of lengths at appropriate positions, wherein the centerfold lines are given a certain degree of angle to facilitate the inward of the walls when required to collapse. The bottom wall consists of gables which fold inwardly, incorporating fold lines appropriately arranged in order to facilitate the collapse, with appropriate stiffening grooves as necessary to resist ordinary external or bulging force, maintaining the original shape of the container until collapsed.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 show a collapsible container, which is an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention, and wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the bottom of the container shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the bottom of the container shown in Fig. 1 in a collapsed state.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation view showing the container shown in Fig. 1 in a collapsed state.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show another exemplary embodiment, of which Fig. 5 is a side elevation view. Fig. 6 is a front view showing the container shown in Fig. 5 in a collapsed state.

Fig. 7 shows the fold line in a deformed state.

Fig. 8 shows the desired state of a stiffening groove, which retains the shape of the container. Fig. 9 shows a modified embodiment of the bottom fold line.

Detailed Description

A blow molded plastic container (1) in accordance with the present invention, which is manufactured by a blow molding process, has a shoulder (200) and a neck with mouth (300) on top of the container body (100), and the bottom wall (400) below the body (100).

On each side wall of the container body (100) a center fold line is formed

(101) as well as edge fold lines (102), wherein the center fold line is formed slightly further inwards to the inside of the container than the edge fold lines so that the side wall fractions on both sides of the center fold line (101) are folded inwards when the edge fold lines (102) are urged toward each other.

On each side of the shoulder (200) of the container, a shoulder fold line (201) is formed from the side wall up to the edge of the neck (300), and at the center of the shoulder side; and on both sides of the shoulder fold line are formed additional shoulder folder lines (202) which are the edges for folding, and preferably formed with supplementary fold lines (203) which converge at the edge of the neck (300).

The bottom wall (400) includes triangular gables that are partitioned at the bottom center fold line (401 ) and bottom side fold lines (402). The fold lines (402) are connected at each corner of the bottom wall. On both ends of the center bottom fold line 401 ), inclined bottom fold lines

(403) are formed. Supplementary fold lines (404) are formed connecting the joint point of the center fold lines 401 and 403 with the corner of the bottom side fold lines (402). The inclined bottom fold lines (403) are connected with the inclined body fold lines (103) that are extensions of the body center fold lines (101). Bottom side fold lines (104) are also formed extending from the beginning point of the inclined body fold lines (103) to the corners of the bottom edges.

In order to provide the body center fold lines (101 ) with a certain degree of rigidity to prevent collapse without any intentional force, stiffening grooves (105) are formed to retain the rigidity of the container form during normal use, including, but not restricted to, grasping or holding the container in hand, and which are subject to collapse when an urging force is exerted to flatten the container. The stiffening grooves (105) may also be collapsed by pushing, for example with the fingers, inwardly into the container prior to collapsing the whole container (1). The stiffening grooves (105) in accordance with the present invention can be formed on the container body (100) sides, shoulder (200), and bottom, in a diversity of shapes and dimensions suitable to the shape, size, material, or purpose of the use of the container.

As shown in the Fig. 2, fastening members (410) are formed on the bottom (400) of the container, as well as on the side walls and the shoulder of the container body (100) as proper, to prevent the container body (1) from restitution when in the state of collapse, and in a diversity of shapes including but not restricted to a concave and convex pairing, which can serve to couple the two opposite walls and hold them together.

Regarding the bottom (400) of the container in accordance with the present invention, at least two kinds of structure can be implemented - of which one exemplary case is illustrated in Fig. 2 where, in the case that the inclined center bottom fold lines (403) are protruding more than the supplementary bottom fold lines (404) then the bottom will fold when pressed to flatten, with both the inclined center bottom fold lines facing each other; or in the case that the inclined center bottom fold lines (403) are on a lower plane than the supplementary bottom fold lines (404) then the bottom will fold when pressed to flatten, with both the inclined center bottom fold lines (403) extruding outwardly - of which an exemplary case is illustrated in the Fig. 3.

It is desirable that, in the case of protruding inclined bottom fold lines (403) then the inclined body fold lines (103) are formed so as to be depressed, and in the case that the inclined bottom fold lines (403) are depressed then the inclined body fold lines (103) are formed to protrude.

The functions and their effects of the members set forth and described hereinabove are described herein below. A container in accordance with the present invention will be manufactured, delivered, reserved, and served in such a state that, as illustrated in the Fig. 1 , the container (1) is filled with liquid and the mouth on the neck (300) is capped. When pouring the liquid out from the container (1), uncap the mouth on the neck (300) while holding the container (1) and incline it so that the liquid in the container flows out through the mouth on the neck (300). The container (1) does not collapse by the force exerted in order to pick up or hold the container body (100) for pouring, due to the rigidity provided by the stiffening grooves (105).

In order to discard the container (1) when empty, depress the stiffening grooves (105) inwardly until they are collapsed, then urge the front and rear walls of the container body (100) to collapse and flatten into the state illustrated in Fig. 4.

Additionally, in the collapsing process described in the above passage, the folding structure of the bottom (400) of the container may differ by, and in accordance with, the protrusion or depression of the inclined body fold lines (103) and/or the inclined bottom fold lines (403). As shown in Fig. 4, it is desirable that the distance between the two body fold lines (101) when folded is larger than the diameter of the neck (300) member, that the width (t1) of the fold of the body fold lines (101) is equal to the width (t2) of the fold of the bottom fold lines (401), and that the angles of the bottom side fold lines (104) and the supplementary bottom fold lines (404) are larger than 45 degrees. In order to prevent the restitution of the container (1) when collapsed, it is desirable to provide one or more fastening members (410), as shown in Fig. 4, with the proper shape and position suitable for the size and/or shape of the container (1) on the bottom wall (400), body walls (100), and/or on the sides of the shoulder (200).

Another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, which differs from the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 by the relatively larger folding members, with protruding stiffening grooves (105') whose shape is designed to be destroyed according to the folding of the hinge line (106). Fig. 6 illustrates the collapsed state of the container body (1) of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention, wherein the fold line (L) is depressed or protruded.

Fig. 8 illustrates a protruded stiffening member (107), however, the member shall be depressed inwardly when collapsing the container (1).

Fig. 9 illustrates the shape of the bottom fold lines (401 , 401 ') in the container bottom (400) that are designed to facilitate easy folding of the bottom wall. As was shown and described hereinabove, the container provided in accordance with the present invention can be collapsed reducing volume considerably: therefore, the cost and space of disposal facilities can be saved, with less environmental impact. In addition, collapsing the container is easier than the containers provided by prior arts due to the configuration of a bottom wall consisting of triangular gables - one of the major characteristics of the present invention.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A collapsible blow molded plastic container having a body with a shoulder, a number of side walls, a neck with an opening, and a bottom, wherein the body, the shoulder, the side walls, and the bottom are formed with a number of fold lines that facilitate the folding of the body, comprising a plurality of center fold lines that are relatively depressed to the edges of the side walls; and a bottom center fold line that is protruded inwardly; wherein the bottom center fold line comprises inclined bottom fold lines and two diverging supplementary bottom fold lines extending respectively to a center and a corner of a bottom edge of the body.

2. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bottom comprises bottom side fold lines formed at each bottom of the side walls of the body.

3. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1 , wherein one or more stiffening grooves are formed on the body, the shoulder, and/or the bottom.

4. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1 , wherein one or more fastening members, which retain flatness when the container is collapsed, are formed on the body, the shoulder, and/or the bottom.

5. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bottom comprises a pair of opposite planes when collapsed.

6. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bottom center fold line is elevated inwardly into the body.

7. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the inclined bottom fold lines are more protruded than the two diverging supplementary bottom fold lines.

8. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inclined bottom fold lines are more depressed than the two diverging supplementary bottom fold lines.

9. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the container comprises one or more pairs of fastening members on each of the opposite sides across the bottom centerfold line.

10. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 9, wherein the fastening members comprise a pair of convex and concave shapes that fit and fasten with each other.

11. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom center fold line comprises one or more stiffening member(s) that can resist a certain degree of compressive force to prevent unwanted collapse.

12. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of body fold lines are formed on the side walls.

13. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 12, wherein the body side fold lines comprise a center fold line and two wall edge fold lines on each side of the center fold lines.

14. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 12, wherein one or more stiffening grooves are formed on the plurality of body fold lines to prevent the shape of the container from unwanted collapsing while allowing collapse by a certain urging force.

15. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 12, wherein a pairs of fastening members are formed across the plurality of body fold lines.

16. A collapsible blow molded plastic container, having a body with a shoulder, a neck, a pair of side walls, a bottom that can retain the body in a standing position, and a plurality of fold lines that facilitate collapsing of the container in order to reduce its volume for convenient disposal, comprising a plurality of side fold lines formed on the pair of side walls and the shoulder as depressed W

11

lines, of which a pair of center fold lines are displaced inwardly into the body when collapsed; a plurality of body fold lines connected with a plurality of bottom fold lines formed on the bottom; and a bottom center folder line that is elevated inwardly, with a portion of both ends of the bottom center folder line 5 inclined outwardly to a bottom edge of the pair of side walls with a pair of supplementary fold lines on both sides.

17. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 16, wherein the pair of center fold lines comprises stiffening grooves that provide rigidity and resist against unwanted collapse.

10 18. The collapsible blow molded plastic container in accordance with claim 16, wherein the pair of center fold lines comprises fastening members to retain the flatness of the container as collapsed.