(12) United States Patent
`Pedmo et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.2
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,585,123 B1
`Jul. 1 2003
`
`9
`
`US006585123B1
`
`(54) BOTTLE BASE
`
`4,024,975 A * 5/1977 Uhlig ....................... .. 215/373
`4,108,324 A * 8/1978 Krishnakumaretal. 215/373x
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`
`
`Inventors: Marc AI pedmo, Richard C_ Darr Medina OH (Us)
`
`
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`A * 4,525,401 A * 6/1985 Pocock et al. .. Chang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 215/373 X
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`
`
`
`
`’
`
`’
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`4,620,639 A * 11/1986 Yoshino ................ .. 215/373
`
`-
`
`.
`
`-
`
`-
`
`(73) Asslgnee' Plastlpak Packagmg’ Inc"P1ymOuth’
`MI (US)
`
`4,644,151 A * 2/1987 Juvinall . . . . . . .
`
`6,065,624 A * 5/2000 Steinke ................. .. 215/373 x
`
`. . . .. 250/223R
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`JP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6156466
`* 6/1994
`................ .. 40/310
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/154,677
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 22’ 2002
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ........................... .. B65D 1/02; B65D 1/42;
`B65D 23/00
`(52) US. Cl. ....................... .. 215/10; 215/373; 215/365;
`206/509; 220/608; 220/674
`(58) Field of Search ............................... .. 215/373, 365,
`215/366, 367, 10; 40/310; 220/606, 674,
`608, 236; 206/4595, 509
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—Sue A. Weaver
`(74) Attorney, A gent, 0r Firm—Robert H. Bachman
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Biaxially Oriented, hollow plastic bottle of thermoplastic
`material having an improved base. The base includes an
`Outer Supporting annular rim for Supporting the bottle on a
`surface and an inWardly extending portion of the base,
`Wherein the space betWeen the central portion of the base
`and the outer supporting rim includes a plurality of struts
`extending radially from the central portion of the base
`toWards the annular rim.
`
`3,745,314 A * 7/1973 Mathias et al. ..... .. 235/6111 E
`
`17 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`EX-1013 IPR2024-01000
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`Sheet 1 of3
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`US 6,585,123 B1
`US 6,585,123 B1
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`
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`16
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`
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`LOSES
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`
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`L ISSN 28
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`50”
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`
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`18
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`31
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`22
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`FIG.
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`1
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`EX-1013 IPR2024-01000
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`EX-1013 IPR2024-01000
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
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`Sheet 2 of3
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`US 6,585,123 B1
`
`FIG. 3
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`EX-1013 IPR2024-01000
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of3
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`US 6,585,123 B1
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`FIG. 5
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`EX-1013 IPR2024-01000
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`

`

`US 6,585,123 B1
`
`1
`BOTTLE BASE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a hollow plastic bottle
`With an improved base.
`HolloW plastic bottles generally include a recessed or
`inWardly extending or reentrant base structure. This type of
`base has been found to have good resistance to deformation,
`especially deformation caused by the effects of internal
`pressure.
`HoWever, it is desirable to provide a recessed base struc
`ture for holloW plastic bottles With improved strength prop
`erties. For example, increased strength properties in the
`recessed base Will facilitate use of the container for
`increased heat applications, as pasteuriZation. Also,
`increased strength properties Will improve impact strength,
`minimiZing damage When the bottles are accidentally
`dropped. Further, improved strength properties in the base
`Will help prevent roll-out, i.e., under pressure or heat the
`plastic bottles tend to roll-out or bulge at the base.
`It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention
`to provide a holloW plastic bottle With an improved base.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`improved plastic bottle as aforesaid With improved strength
`properties in the base.
`It is a still further object of the present invention to
`provide an improved plastic bottle as aforesaid Which is easy
`to prepare and Which is aesthetically pleasing.
`Further objects and advantages of the present invention
`Will appear hereinbeloW.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It has noW been found that the foregoing objects and
`advantages are readily obtained in accordance With the
`present invention.
`The holloW plastic bottle of the present invention com
`prises: a holloW body of thermoplastic material having a
`generally cylindrical side Wall, an upper end With a dispens
`ing opening therein, and a loWer supporting base With an
`inWardly extending portion thereof, Wherein said base
`includes a continuous outer supporting annular rim for
`supporting the bottle on a surface and a central portion of the
`base. In addition, the space betWeen the central portion of
`the base and the outer supporting rim includes a plurality of
`struts extending radially from the central portion of the base
`toWards said annular rim.
`The plastic bottle is desirably bloW molded, desirably
`biaxially oriented, and polyethylene terephthalate is a pre
`ferred material.
`Preferably, from 6—10 of the struts are provided, the struts
`extend over a substantial portion of the base and may extend
`substantially to the annular rim, and desirably the struts
`extend outWardly from the plane of the base.
`The plastic bottle of the present invention has improved
`strength properties so that the container may be effectively
`utiliZed for increased heat applications, as for example,
`pasteuriZation, Without adverse effects. In addition, the con
`tainer of the present invention is less susceptible to roll-out
`or bulging at the base, and has improved impact properties.
`Further features and advantages of the present invention
`Will appear hereinbeloW.
`
`1O
`
`15
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`25
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`35
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`45
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`55
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention Will be more readily understandable
`from a consideration of the accompanying, illustrative
`draWings, Wherein:
`
`65
`
`2
`FIG. 1 is a side vieW of the bottle of the present invention
`With the base shoWn in section;
`FIG. 2 is a bottom vieW of the base of the bottle of FIG.
`1;
`FIG. 3 is a sectional vieW of a bloW mold With the ?nal
`bloW molded bottle of FIG. 1 therein;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional vieW of the base of the
`bottle of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective vieW of the base of the
`bottle of FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Referring speci?cally to FIG. 1 Which shoWs holloW
`plastic bottle 10 of the present invention, said bottle includ
`ing a generally cylindrical side Wall 12, an upper end 14 With
`a dispensing opening 16 therein Which is desirably con?g
`ured to hold a suitable closure (not shoWn) and may be
`threaded if desired, and a loWer supporting base 18 Which is
`shoWn in section in FIG. 1. The supporting base 18 includes
`an inWardly extending portion 20 having an outside surface
`22 thereof shoWn in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 and Which
`Will be discussed in more detail hereinbeloW.
`The particular siZe, shape and con?guration of the bottle
`is not especially critical and any suitable and desirable bottle
`con?guration may be used. Thus, the con?guration shoWn in
`the draWings herein represents a representative embodiment,
`but others may readily be used. For example, the bottle 10
`of FIG. 1 includes a side Wall portion 24 of reduced diameter
`With respect to the remainder of the side Wall, but the side
`Wall may if desired extend uniformly directly to the upper
`end With only a short, inWardly extending transition portion
`26 as shoWn in FIG. 1 and as is common in for example tWo
`liter plastic bottles, or a long transition portion if desired.
`Naturally, other suitable con?gurations may readily be
`employed, as one or tWo liter bottles, 16 ounce bottles, 8
`ounce bottles, etc.
`The base 18 of bottle 10 includes a continuous, outer
`supporting annular rim 28 for supporting the bottle 10 on a
`surface. In addition, the loWer supporting base 18 includes
`a central portion or hub 30 having a doWnWardly extending
`button-like portion 31. Base 18 also includes a continuous
`curved portion 32 extending upWardly from the annular rim
`28 to the hub 30, as clearly shoWn in FIG. 4.
`A plurality of struts 34 extend radially from the central
`portion of the base or hub 30 toWards the annular rim 28.
`Generally 6—10 of the struts are provided, With eight being
`shoWn in the embodiment of FIGS. 1—5. The struts extend
`over a substantial portion of the base and may extend
`substantially to the annular rim, are uniformly spaced
`around the central portion of the base, and extend outWardly
`from the plane of the base, all as shoWn. For example, the
`struts desirably extend over 25 to 75 percent of the base.
`Also, the inside surface 36 of the inWardly extending portion
`20 of base 18 desirably includes a substantially smooth
`inside surface opposed to outside surface 22, as clearly
`shoWn in FIG. 4.
`The base construction of the present invention as shoWn
`in the draWings and described above has been found to be
`quite advantageous. Thus, this provides considerable
`increased strength in a critical location. For example, the
`bottle of the present invention may be effectively used for
`increased heat applications, is less susceptible to roll-out or
`bulging at the base, and generally has improved impact
`properties. Also, the construction is simply and easily pre
`pared and results in an aesthetically pleasing con?guration.
`
`EX-1013 IPR2024-01000
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`

`US 6,585,123 B1
`
`3
`The container or bottle of the present invention is desir
`ably blow molded and biaxially oriented by injection stretch
`bloW molding, as in a bloW mold 40 as shoWn in FIG. 3 in
`a conventional manner from an injection molded or com
`pression molded preform With the struts 34 formed from
`corresponding depressions 42 in the bloW mold. HoWever,
`the bottle may readily be prepared by simply injection
`molding.
`Preferably, the plastic is polyethylene terephthalate;
`hoWever, other suitable plastics may be readily used alone or
`in combination or in a multilayered con?guration. For
`example, polyole?ns, for example, high density polyethyl
`ene (HDPE), polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride,
`and others.
`Annular rim 28 of base 18 may desirably include infor
`mation thereon, as for example the recycle symbol 44, a
`number 46 Which can shoW mold number, lot number or any
`desired identi?cation number, and one can include a corpo
`rate logo, designation or letter designation 48. Desirably, the
`information is space substantially uniformly around the
`periphery of the annular rim, and generally at least three
`sites for same are provided.
`In addition, desirably the base 18 includes a peripheral
`stepped area 50 to facilitate stacking.
`The present invention is particularly applicable to heat set
`containers, but is not limited thereto.
`It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
`the illustrations described and shoWn herein, Which are
`deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of
`carrying out the invention, and Which are susceptible of
`modi?cation of form, siZe, arrangement of parts and details
`of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass
`all such modi?cations Which are Within its spirit and scope
`as de?ned by the claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A holloW plastic bottle, Which comprises:
`a holloW body of thermoplastic material having a gener
`ally cylindrical side Wall, an upper end With a dispens
`ing opening therein, and a loWer supporting base With
`an inWardly extending portion having an outside sur
`face thereof;
`Wherein said base includes a continuous outer supporting
`annular rim for supporting the bottle on a surface;
`a central portion of said base; and
`Wherein the space betWeen the central portion of the base
`and the outer supporting rim includes a plurality of
`struts extending radially from the central portion of the
`
`10
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`15
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`25
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`35
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`45
`
`4
`base toWards the annular rim, and Wherein said base
`includes a peripheral stepped area to facilitate stacking
`located betWeen the annular rim and struts.
`2. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Which is
`bloW molded.
`3. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Which is
`biaxially oriented.
`4. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said bottle is polyethylene terephthalate.
`5. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said bottle is a polyole?n.
`6. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, including
`from 6 to 10 of said struts.
`7. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said struts extend over a substantial portion of the base.
`8. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said struts extend outWardly from the plane of the base.
`9. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said inWardly extending portion of the base includes a
`substantially smooth inside surface opposed to said outside
`surface.
`10. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 9, Wherein
`the central portion of the base includes a doWnWardly
`extending outside portion and a ?at inside surface opposed
`to said doWnWardly extending outside portion.
`11. AholloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, including
`a continuous curved portion extending upWardly from the
`annular rim to the central portion of the base.
`12. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said bottle includes a neck portion of reduced diameter
`betWeen the upper end and side Wall.
`13. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said annular rim includes information thereon.
`14. AholloW plastic bottle according to claim 13, Wherein
`at least three sites for said information are provided sub
`stantially uniformly spaced around said annular rim.
`15. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 14, includ
`ing three of said sites Which separately include one of
`symbols, at least one number, and at least one letter
`embossed thereon.
`16. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said struts are uniformly spaced around the central portion of
`the base.
`17. A holloW plastic bottle according to claim 1, Wherein
`said struts extend outWardly from the central portion of the
`base on the inWardly extending portion of the base.
`
`*
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`*
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`*
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`*
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`*
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`EX-1013 IPR2024-01000
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