IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0834038
(2001-04-12)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Torniainen, Paul M.
- Brauner, Arne H.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Dicke, Billig & Czaja, PLLC
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
40 인용 특허 :
21 |
초록
▼
A thermoformed plastic food container for use in microwave heating. The container includes a bottom, a sidewall and a flange. The sidewall extends upwardly from the bottom, terminating at a top end. The flange extends from the sidewall opposite the bottom and includes a rim section and a return sect
A thermoformed plastic food container for use in microwave heating. The container includes a bottom, a sidewall and a flange. The sidewall extends upwardly from the bottom, terminating at a top end. The flange extends from the sidewall opposite the bottom and includes a rim section and a return section. The rim section extends radially outwardly from the top end of the sidewall, and is curved in transverse cross-section. With this configuration, the rim section defines a radius in transverse cross-section. Further, an outer surface of the rim section is configured to receive a sealing film. Additionally, the rim section defines, in top plan view, at least one side that is longitudinally curved, preferably forming a convex curve relative to a central axis of the container. The return section extends from the rim section opposite the top end. More particularly, the return section extends generally downwardly relative to the rim section. The compound curve configuration of the flange resists deflection in response to a lifting force imparted at a single point on the flange. Thus, during use whereby a food item is contained with the container and heated, the container will not overtly deflect when a user lifts the container with a single hand.
대표청구항
▼
A thermoformed plastic food container for use in microwave heating. The container includes a bottom, a sidewall and a flange. The sidewall extends upwardly from the bottom, terminating at a top end. The flange extends from the sidewall opposite the bottom and includes a rim section and a return sect
A thermoformed plastic food container for use in microwave heating. The container includes a bottom, a sidewall and a flange. The sidewall extends upwardly from the bottom, terminating at a top end. The flange extends from the sidewall opposite the bottom and includes a rim section and a return section. The rim section extends radially outwardly from the top end of the sidewall, and is curved in transverse cross-section. With this configuration, the rim section defines a radius in transverse cross-section. Further, an outer surface of the rim section is configured to receive a sealing film. Additionally, the rim section defines, in top plan view, at least one side that is longitudinally curved, preferably forming a convex curve relative to a central axis of the container. The return section extends from the rim section opposite the top end. More particularly, the return section extends generally downwardly relative to the rim section. The compound curve configuration of the flange resists deflection in response to a lifting force imparted at a single point on the flange. Thus, during use whereby a food item is contained with the container and heated, the container will not overtly deflect when a user lifts the container with a single hand. 1. A plastic bottle comprising: a cylindrical sidewall, an upper mouth-forming portion, a neck extending from said mouth-forming portion and having a predetermined wall thickness, a dome-shaped portion between said neck and one axial end of said cylindrical sidewall, a lower bottom forming base extending from the other axial end of said cylindrical wall, all about a central axis, and at least two substantially vertical exterior ribs substantially uniformly angularly spaced from each other about said axis on said neck, said ribs having a maximum thickness in the radial dimension generally greater than said predetermined wall thickness of said ribs reinforcing said neck and distributing forces resulting from impact of a localized force to said mouth-forming portion towards said dome-shaped portion and said cylindrical sidewall. 2. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 1, wherein two ribs are provided and adjacent ribs are angularly spaced about said axis approximately 180°. 3. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 1, wherein four ribs are provided and adjacent ribs are angularly spaced about said axis approximately 90°. 4. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 1, further comprising a molded handle extending from said neck to said dome-shaped portion. 5. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 1, wherein the bottle is made from a high density polyethylene. 6. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 1, wherein said base includes a plurality of spaced convex, hollow foot-forming portions extending radially and downwardly from a central bottom portion to form supporting feet adjacent to the periphery of the container. 7. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 1, wherein said base includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, downwardly convex segments and a plurality of intervening and circumferentially spaced, convex, hollow foot-forming portions expanding radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the container to expansive outer surfaces merging with the sidewall and downwardly from the circumferentially spaced, downwardly convex segments, each said foot-forming portion providing a bottom clearance-forming portion. 8. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 7, wherein four foot-forming portions are provided. 9. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 7, wherein said foot-forming portions are substantially uniformly spaced from each other about said axis. 10. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 7, wherein said convex segments are arranged to expand radially outwardly and axially in a direction away from said cylindrical sidewall with increased internal pressures. 11. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 10, wherein said segments are configured and dimensioned to withstand internal pressures of 30 kpa (4.5 Psi) in leakproof tests. 12. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 10, wherein said segments are configured and dimensioned to withstand internal pressures of 240 kpa (35 Psi) in hydrostatic tests. 13. A plastic bottle as defined in claim 1, wherein the dimensions of said ribs are selected to withstand a 75-inch drop test. 14. A plastic bottle comprising: a cylindrical sidewall having a predetermined thickness, an upper mouth-forming portion, a neck extending from said mouth-forming portion, a dome-shaped portion between said neck and one axial end of said cylindrical sidewall, a lower bottom forming base extending from the other axial end of said cylindrical wall, all about a central axis, at least three substantially vertical exterior ribs substantially uniformly angularly spaced from each other about said axis on said neck, said ribs having maximum cross-sectional radial dimensions along said axis generally greater than said predetermined thickness, said ribs reinforcing said neck and distributing forces resulting from impact of a localized force to said mouth-forming portion towards said dome-shaped portion and said cylindrical sidewall, and said bottle having a molding seam line extending through said neck, and
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