CA-3062826-C - HOT FILL CONTAINER WITH CORNER SUPPORT COLUMNS

Abstract

The present application provides a container for a beverage filled in a hot fill process. The container may include a finish, a body section, and a base. The body section may include a number of support columns and a number of body panels. Each of the support columns may include a first raised mid-section extending into a first body panel and a second raised mid-section extending into a second body panel.

Inventors

• Jeffrey Klok
• Sterling Lane Steward
• Venkat Govindarajan
• Feng Shi

Assignees

• THE COCA-COLA COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20180509

Priority Date

20170510

Claims (14)

1. 7 CLAIMS We claim: 1. A container for a beverage filled in a hot fill process, comprising: a finish; a body section; and a base; the body section comprising a plurality of support columns and a plurality of body panels; and wherein each of the plurality of support columns comprise a first raised midsection extending into a first body panel and a second raised mid-section extending into a second body panel; and wherein each of the plurality of support columns is flush with each of the plurality of body panels about an upper circumferential groove and a lower circumferential groove and wherein each of the plurality of body panels continuously decreases in diameter from the upper circumferential groove and the lower circumferential groove to about an apex of the first and section raised midsections.
2. 2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a dome and wherein the dome is separated from the body section by the upper circumferential groove.
3. 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the base is separated from the body section by the lower circumferential groove.
4. 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of support columns comprises a plurality of corner support columns.
5. 5. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of support columns comprises a taper about a corner thereof.
6. 6. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of body panels comprises an area of reducing width extending from the upper circumferential groove to the apex and an area of increasing width extending from the apex to the lower circumferential groove. 8
7. 7. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of body panels comprises a substantial hour glass configuration.
8. 8. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of body panels comprises an indentation in a sidewall.
9. 9. The container of claim 1, further comprising four support columns and four body panels.
10. 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the body section comprises a substantially square cross-section.
11. 11. The container of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container comprises a 250 milliliter bottle.
12. 12. The container of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising less than about 15 grams of a thermoplastic.
13. 13. The container of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a ratio of material to size comprises about one (1) to seventeen (17) or less.
14. 14. A method of filling the container according to any one of claims 1 to 13 with a hot liquid, comprising: positioning a support column with a first raised mid-section and a second mid-section at each corner of the container; filling the container with the hot liquid; cooling the container; forming a vacuum within the container; and pulling the support columns towards each other.

Description

HOT FILL CONTAINER WITH CORNER SUPPORT COLUMNS TECHNICAL FIELD [0101] The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to 5 beverage containers and more particularly relate to lightweight beverage bottles with corner support columns providing increased rigidity for accommodating the forces typically associated with hot fill processes in a highly aesthetic design. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0102] Beverages such as sport drinks, juices, teas, waters, and the like are often bottled via hot fill processes so as to prevent microbial growth. The hot fill processes generally involve pasteurizing the beverage at about 95 degrees Celsius for about 20 seconds, cooling the beverage to about 85 degrees Celsius, and then filling the bottles with the beverage. The 85 degree temperature generally is sufficient to sterilize the bottles. A closure is then applied to the bottle to create a sealed container. The bottle then may be passed through a cooling tunnel after filling and capping to be cooled via a water spray or other methods. The final temperature of the beverage after the cooling process generally may be less than about 40 degrees Celsius. Other types of hot fill processes may be known using different times, temperatures, and 20 equipment. Different types of beverages also may necessitate different types of bottling techniques. [0103] During the cooling process, the beverage may contract such that a vacuum forms within the enclosed container. To help offset the impact of such a vacuum, bottles used in the hot fill processes generally have special vacuum panels 25 formed therein. These vacuum panels and the areas therebetween generally promote a controlled deformation or deflection so as to accommodate the forces created by the vacuum while maintaining the overall integrity of the bottle. These hot filled bottles generally require relatively complex shapes and may use significantly more thermoplastic material as compared to cold filled bottles and the like. As a result, hot 30 fill bottles may be more expensive to produce in terms of both tooling and material and also may offer less design freedom. 1 2 [0104] There is thus a desire for improved hot fill containers and methods of filling the same. Such improved containers may accommodate the contraction of a beverage therein while maintaining the overall integrity of the container without the complexity, the weight, and the costs typically associated with hot fill containers and the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0105] The present application and the resultant patent thus provide a container for a beverage filled in a hot fill process. The container may include a finish, a body section, and a base. The body section may include a number of support columns and a number of body 10 panels. Each of the support columns may include a first raised mid-section extending into a first body panel and a second raised mid-section extending into a second body panel. [0106] The present application and the resultant patent further provide a method of bottling a hot liquid. The method may include the steps of positioning a support column with a first raised mid-section and a second raised mid-section at each corner of the container, 15 filling the container with the hot liquid, cooling the container, forming a vacuum within the container, and pulling the support columns towards each other. [0107] The present application and the resultant patent further provide a 250 milliliter square container. The container may include a finish, a body section with four corners, and a base. The body section may include a number of support columns and a number of body 20 panels. Each of the support columns may include a first raised mid-section extending into a first body panel and a second raised mid-section extending into a second body panel. [0107a] According to an aspect of the invention is a container for a beverage filled in a hot fill process, comprising: a finish; 25 a body section; and 2a a base; the body section comprising a plurality of support columns and a plurality of body panels; and 5 wherein each of the plurality of support columns comprise a first raised midsection extending into a first body panel and a second raised mid-section extending into a second body panel; and wherein each of the plurality of support columns is flush with each of the plurality of body panels about an upper circumferential groove and a lower circumferential groove and 10 wherein each of the plurality of body panels continuously decreases in diameter from the upper circumferential groove and the lower circumferential groove to about an apex of the first and section raised midsections. [0108] These and other features and improvements of the present application and the resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the 15 following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TH