Claims:We claim:
1. A preform with modified neck geometry for packaging of substance, the preform comprising:
a mouth having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;
a neck portion with threads extrapolated downwards from the preform mouth; 5
an enclosed bottom portion;
wherein the neck portion including
a Neck Support Ring having a plurality discontinuous segmental protrusions;
a Tamper Evident Ring; and
a plurality of incisions or grooves all across the surface of the preform in gaps 10 between the threads, Tamper Evident Ring and Neck support Ring.
2. The preform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality discontinuous segmental protrusions of Neck support Ring are arranged in the shape of star.
3. The preform as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Neck support Ring has a plurality of star shaped segments. 15
4. The preform as claimed in claim 3, wherein the star shaped segments can assume one or more geometries ranging from trapezoidal, pseudo-annular, rhomboidal, cuboidal, or combination thereof in various width and thicknesses, and either be equally spaced or differentially located across the annulus, with same or differing angles with the horizontal plane. 20
5. The preform as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality discontinuous segmental protrusions made by injection moulding and/or any other processes.
6. The preform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Tamper Evident Ring having a discrete annular geometry referred to as pseudo-annular geometry.
7. The preform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the neck portion having weight of about 25 12-30 % of total weight of the preform or even less.
8. The preform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of incisions or grooves are arranged to provide the appearance of chequered or tessellated or combination thereof.
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9. The preform as claimed in claim 8, wherein the incisions or grooves include a plethora of geometries ranging from cubical, cuboidal, sinusoidal, rhomboidal, tetragonal, trapezoidal, hemispherical and other geometries.
10. The preform as claimed in claim 8, wherein the incision or the groove on the neck surface has a depth of 0.1mm-0.2mm. 5
11. The preform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substance can be solid, liquid, semi solid, semi liquid or any combination of solid, liquid or gas.
12. A container or bottle made from a preform with modified neck geometry for packaging of substances as claimed in claim 1-11. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to preforms, bottles, jars and containers. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a preform and bottle with modified star shaped neck or chequered neck or combination of both i.e., chequered/tessellated star-neck meant for packaging of all kinds of beverages whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, 5 water, oils whether edible or non-edible, shampoo, containers, conditioners, and other personal care products as well as home care products, dairy products and as secondary jars for several food and non-food items.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the 10 present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Either a single-stage or a two-stage process is usually deployed for manufacturing of PET bottles. A two-stage process usually involves making of PET preforms by injection 15 moulding and subsequently stretch-blowing them into bottles. Other means of making jars and containers are those of Extrusion Blow Moulding (EBM), Injection Blow Moulding (IBM) and Injection Moulding (IM).
[004] Conventionally, an annular shape of the support flange of the preforms is prescribed to ensure gripping during the blowing, conveying, filling, capping stage. Several preferred 20 embodiments related to this field have shied away from any tinkering with the support flange due to apprehensions about firm gripping even as the Tamper Evident (TE) band has been attempted a modification by these inventions.
[005] A preferred embodiment in US Patent No 8,857,637 discloses a light weight preform wherein the tamper-evident formation is proposed to be discontinuous and have staggered 25 elements in the form of beads or one or more lugs. Furthermore, a proposed reduction in diameter of the support flange, discussed within the scope of the invention is prescribed to reduce the overall weight of the neck portion.
[006] The international patent application PCT/US201 1/060587 contemplates upon a plurality of disconnected radial protrusions in the tamper evident (TE) band. Moreover, a debossed 30
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support flange with diameter lesser than that of the TE band contributes to significant weight reduction of approximately 5-10 % as stated in the scope of the concerned invention.
[007] The present invention aims to manufacture a preform and consequently, a stretch blown bottle with a star-neck or chequered or tessellated neck or in combination of both i.e., chequered or tessellated star-neck. Geometric modifications of the annular rings in the neck portion such 5 as the NSR and the TER into discrete and one or more discontinuous radially protruding segments render a star-neck appearance. Furthermore, incisions or grooves of one or more geometries, in combination or otherwise, are design-impregnated all across the spaces in the neck portion, from the mouth up to the NSR, in between the threads and the several annular rings of the neck portion facilitating a chequered pattern on the surface of the preform. By 10 virtue of these geometric modification the present invention thus obtains an additional advantage of optimising the weight of the NSR and the wall thickness of the neck of the preform and the resulting bottle while bolstering the shelf-appeal of the final bottle.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 15 [008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a preform or bottle for packaging fluid. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[009] The present invention provides a preform with modified neck geometry for packaging of 20 substances, the preform comprising a mouth having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a neck portion with threads for receiving a closure, the neck portion is extrapolated downwards from the preform mouth and an enclosed bottom portion, wherein the neck portion including a Neck Support Ring having a plurality discontinuous segmental protrusions; and a Tamper Evident Ring and a plurality of incisions or grooves all across the surface of the preform in 25 gaps between the threads, Tamper Evident Ring and Neck support Ring.
[010] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the plurality discontinuous segmental protrusions of Neck support Ring are arranged in the shape of star.
[011] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the Neck support Ring has a plurality of star shaped segments. 30
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[012] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the star shaped segments can assume one or more geometries ranging from trapezoidal, pseudo-annular, rhomboidal, cuboidal, or combination thereof in various width and thicknesses, and either be equally spaced or differentially located across the annulus, with same or differing angles with the horizontal plane. 5
[013] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the plurality discontinuous segmental protrusions made by injection moulding and/or any other processes.
[014] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the Tamper Evident Ring having a discrete annular geometry referred to as pseudo-annular geometry.
[015] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the neck portion having weight of about 10 12-30 % of total weight of the preform or even less.
[016] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the incisions or grooves include a plethora of geometries ranging from cubical, cuboidal, sinusoidal, rhomboidal, tetragonal, trapezoidal, hemispherical and other geometries.
[017] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the incision or the groove on the neck 15 surface has a depth of 0.1mm-0.2mm.
[018] In an aspect, the present invention provides that the substance can be solid, liquid, semi solid, semi liquid or any combination of solid, liquid or gas.
[019] In an aspect, the present invention provides a container made from the preform for packaging of substances. 20
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[020] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in 25 conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preform according to an embodiment of the invention.
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[022] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a bottle made from the preform according to an embodiment of the invention
[023] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the neck portion illustrated in FIG. 2
[024] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a neck portion of a bottle or preform according to an embodiment of the invention. 5
[025] FIG 5 is a perspective view of a neck portion of a bottle or preform according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0026] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is 10 described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as 15 defined by the appended claims.
[0027] It is also to be understood that various geometric modifications be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents 20 thereof.
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, 25 “comprising”, “includes”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
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[0029] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0030] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present 5 invention are used for the purpose of description only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly
[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used 10 herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 15
[0032] Referring to FIG 1 and 2, disclosed are representative preform 90 for stretch blowing into a bottle 35 for rigid packaging of non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, juices, and health drinks in accordance with a preferred embodiment. However, several other applications are inclusive in the scope of this invention ranging from packaging of beverages whether alcoholic e.g., beer or non-alcoholic e.g., milk, tea, coffee, etc including carbonated 20 soft drinks; water, oils whether edible or non-edible; shampoo, conditioners, and other personal care products, several home care products, dairy products and as secondary jars for several food and non-food items.
[0033] Within the scope of the invention, the preform 90 can also assume several variations in diameter of the mouth 94, variations in thread geometry in the neck 120, variations 25 in the height of the sidewall 113, variations in weight categories and wall thickness depending upon the applications. In several embodiments, the mouth diameter can range from of 5 mm-150 mm, and even beyond. For example, in one of the embodiments the mouth 94 of the neck 120 can have an internal diameter of at least 21.0- 22.0 mm, more preferably 21.5-21.9 mm, even more preferably 21.45-21.85 mm, for Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) and at least 20.0-30 21.0 mm, more preferably 19.95- 20.85, even more preferably 20.0-20.75 mm, for Hot Fill
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(HF) applications. In another example, the OD of the mouth 94 of the neck for both CSD and HF applications is at least 27-28 mm, more preferably 27.25- 28.15 mm, even more preferably 27.34- 28.05 mm. Several embodiments with regard to packaging of water can also have multiple-start Alaska threads, for example ‘two-start Alaska’, ‘three-start Alaska’ etc wherein the OD, ID configurations can have multiplicity of permutations and combinations, for 5 example (28mm, 22 mm); (27mm, 20mm); (30 mm, 25mm) and (29mm, 25mm). Limitless configurations between OD, ID may also be possible and are embodied within the scope of this invention.
[0034] Within the scope of the invention, the several embodiments of the preform 90 can register variations in weight ranging from 5g-1000g depending upon the variety of volumetric 10 spaces ranging from 10 ml- 20 L, for example the preform 90 can be constructed for a variety of bottle ranging from 10 ml, 25 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1L, 2L, 5L, 10L, 20L, 50 L or any other volume of the final bottle, within the range or even beyond. More specifically, for example, with reference to packaging of Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD), the preform 90 of 28mm Outer Diameter (OD), in accordance with PCO1810 can encompass 15 weight categories of 5g, 10.5g, 12.4g, 12.9g, 14.6g, 15.1g, 17.5g, 17.5g, 17.8g, 23.5g, 25.0g, 25.5g, 27.0g, 36.0g, 39.0, 48.0 g and 49.5 g. In another example, in accordance with PCO1881 the preform 90 of 28 mm OD can encompass weight categories of 5g, 11.2g, 11.7g, 12.0g, 13.0g, 13.4g, 14.7g, 15.17g, 16.0g, 18.0g, 19.5g, 21.4g, 22.2g, 23.0g, 23.7g, 24.0g, 25.1g, 25.7g, 27.0, 27.1g, 30.7g, 31.93g, 34.7g, 45.5g, 46.7g, 47g, 52.7g and 56.7g. In yet again 20 another embodiment, the preform 90 meant for packaging of water can have a ‘three-start Alaska’ type thread with varying configurations of height and weight categories. For example, the preform 90 with 27 mm OD for packaging of water can assume weight categories of 5g, 10.0g, 12.5g, 13.5g, 13.6g, 15.6g, 19.0g, 20.0g, 21.0g, 22.0g, 32.5g, 34.0g and 35.6 g. In other example the preform 90 with a ‘three-start Alaska’ thread for water packaging can have an OD 25 of 30 mm and an ID of 25 mm, with weight categories of 15.3g, 18.0g, 22.0g, 28.0g and 31.5g; and an OD of 29 mm and ID of 25 mm, with weight categories of 12.0g, 17.15g, 18.6g and 26.0g. In other embodiments, within the scope of this invention, the preform 90 can be of Cap-to-Cap (CTC) type neck with an OD of 29mm and ID of 25mm, with weight categories of 10.0g, 14.5g, 15.5g, 19.5g, 21.5g and 23.0g. It must be mentioned here that the several weight 30 categories, OD, ID, and height mentioned in the embodiments are only examples and do not restrict the scope of this invention. The invention encompasses limitless permutations and combinations accruing from the different dimensions and specifications of the preform, ranging
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from weight, height, neck types, wall thickness, volumetric spaces, and other dimensions.
[0035] Within the scope of the preferred exemplary embodiments, the typical specifications of the neck portion 120, more particularly the weight of the NSR 97 and the wall thickness of the neck 120 are of particular interest with regard to the scope of this invention. For example, with regard to packaging of liquids and semi-liquids in general, and carbonated 5 and non-carbonated soft drinks, in particular, with 28 mm OD the neck 120 can have a height of 21 mm and weight of 5.1 gm in accordance with PCO1810 wherein the weight of the NSR is about 1.2 gm; In another example, the neck 120 have a height of 17 mm and 3.7 gm, in accordance with PCO1881 wherein the weight of the NSR is 1gm. In yet another example, a ‘three-start Alaska’ neck of 28mm OD for packaging of water, the neck 120 can have a height 10 of 16.8 mm and weight of 3.6gm wherein the weight of the NSR is 1gm.
[0036] The bottle 35 comprises of a supporting base 100 at the bottom. Both the preform 90 and the bottle 35 consist of a neck portion 120 and a sidewall 113 extending from the neck portion 120 up to the supporting base. In the scope of the embodiments pertaining to several applications, the dimensions of the several segments of the neck portion 110 may not undergo 15 dramatic changes during and after blowing. However, the depending on the applications, the dimensions, particularly the wall thickness and the length of the sidewall 113 below the neck portion may undergo significant change during blowing.
[0037] In the scope of the invention, a plurality of one or more geometries preferably cylindrical or even non-cylindrical is possible for the sidewall 113 even as several 20 configurations such as labels, shrink sleeves, strengthening ribs, etc can be included are possible for the sidewall. The neck portion 120 includes a mouth 94 positioned at its top; several solid projections such as a plurality of threads 95 for receiving a closure; a Tamper Evident Ring (TER) 97; the Neck Support Ring (NSR) 96 which facilitates the handling of bottles and containers, at its blowing stage and even thereafter; and of the neck portion 120 for 25 filling of liquids as well as semi-liquids or viscous products with or without heat or pressure.
[0038] In the scope of this invention, the preform and consequently, the container may comprise of one or more polymers or multiplicity of polymers, polymer blends and composites, including those that included recycled material with lower haze values and lower opacity such as in combination with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, one specific polymer does 30 not limit the scope of this invention and may encompass other polymers.
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[0039] The perspective illustration of preform 90 referred to in FIG 1 according to an embodiment of the invention can be blown into bottle 35 as illustrated in FIG. 2. However, the bottle configurations are not restrictive to this one particular illustrative design and may include a plethora of configurations, including multiplicity of different designs and volumetric spaces Moreover, one or more techniques to mould plastics e.g., injection moulding, blow moulding, 5 injection blow moulding or injection stretch blow moulding either alone or in combination thereof may be deployed in manufacturing of Preform 90 and bottle 35, and other jars and containers of various diameters.
[0040] Referring to Fig 3 and 4, the Neck Support Ring (NSR) 96 may comprise of one or more discrete segmental protrusions arranged like alternating bands of crests and troughs 10 projecting radially outwards resembling the shape of a star. These jointed or disjointed segmental protrusions of the NSR referred to as ‘star segments’ 98 in the preferred embodiments. In one of the embodiments, the radially extending length of individual star segments X2 is not more than 4 mm- 5mm when measured from the sidewall 113, or 4.5 mm- 5.5 mm, but more preferably 4.65 mm-5.35mm and even more preferably 4.57- 5.25 mm. 15 However, in several other embodiments, depending on the volumetric space of the final bottle, the radial length X2 can vary between 3mm up to 10 mm or even less or even beyond this range. With further reference to NSR 96, the angle that the lower surface of the star segments make with the horizontal plane is 8° or greater and may be 8.5°+2. The width of these star segments 98 is 8 mm-9mm, more preferably 8.25 mm-9.75 mm, even more preferably 8.5 mm- 20 9.5 mm. By virtue of the typical geometric modifications, the weight of the NSR can be optimised by 12-15 %, more correctly up to 10-20%. Any number of star segments can be positioned by discretizing the annular NSR and the individual star segments can assume one or more geometries ranging from trapezoidal, pseudo-annular, rhomboidal, cuboidal, etc, in various width and thicknesses, and either be equally spaced or differentially located across the 25 annulus, with same or differing angles with the horizontal plane. This novel star shape of the NSR is manifested in the final blown container displaying a unique star-neck feature.
[0041] Within the scope of this invention, the Tamper Evident Ring (TER) 97, as illustrated in FIG 3, may comprise of one more closely spaced discrete segments projecting radially outwards. In one of the preferred embodiments, the radial outgrowth of individual 30 discrete segments is not more than 2 mm- 3 mm when measured from the sidewall 113, or 1.5 mm- 2.5 mm, but more preferably 1.8 mm-2.7 mm, even more preferably 1.75mm- 2.45 mm.
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The annular geometry of TER may be discretized into several segmental protrusions projecting radially outwards. For example, in one of the embodiments, for a 28 mm preform 90, a TER 97 of annular diameter 27.9 mm may be discretized into 10 segmental protrusions with differing distances between them ranging from 0.91 mm up to 1.41 mm. The scope of this invention includes discretization of the annular geometry of the TER 97 into any number of 5 radially protruding segments wherein the individual segments can assume a plethora of geometries ranging from trapezoidal, pseudo-annular, rhomboidal, cuboidal, etc and either be equally spaced or differentially located across the annulus, with same or differing angles with the horizontal plane wherein the ‘discretized-annulus’ geometry of the TER 97 may be referred to as pseudo-annular geometry. Furthermore, in the preferred nature of embodiments, the 10 tamper-evident formation 97 is not restricted to illustrated methods of tampering but inclusive of other forms of tampering. Moreover, the thread geometry of the tamper evident cap must accommodate the geometric modifications so as to provide effective tampering.
[0042] Apart from the above geometric modifications, the scope of the invention contemplates design-impregnation of multiplicity of incisions or grooves across the surface of 15 the preform in gaps between the threads and other annular solid projections below the threaded region rendering a chequered or tessellated appearance to the neck portion 120. For example, in one of the preferred embodiments, cubical and cuboidal incisions of 0.1mm-0.2mm, preferably 0.17 mm-0.21 mm, more preferably 0.158 mm- 0.205mm, even more preferably 0.165mm- 0.213 mm, were chiselled on the surface of the neck 120 with differing distances. 20 The geometric modifications of design-chiselling of incisions or grooves which eventually led to the optimisation of wall thickness by around 12-15% in some embodiments, even up to 20-25% in some other embodiments. The incisions or grooves can assume a plethora of geometries raging from cubical, cuboidal, sinusoidal, rhomboidal, tetragonal, trapezoidal, hemispherical and other geometries can be used either in homogeneity or in conjunction.