초록 ▼

A large plastic blow-molded bottle of at least 64 oz., preferably 96 oz. or larger, is provided with an insert-type handle that preferably extends substantially within a maximum circumference of the bottle. The bottle has a height-to-width ratio of less than 2:1. Sufficient moldability is achieved

A large plastic blow-molded bottle of at least 64 oz., preferably 96 oz. or larger, is provided with an insert-type handle that preferably extends substantially within a maximum circumference of the bottle. The bottle has a height-to-width ratio of less than 2:1. Sufficient moldability is achieved by providing a vertical elongation magnification of approximately 2:1 and a horizontal elongation magnification of at least 3:1. The bottle can be round or rectangular in shape and may include a narrow side dimension (depth) of less than about 120 mm, allowing it to fit within the side pocket shelving of most refrigerators. The bottle may have a maximum total height of 265 mm or less so that it can fit on a standard sized shelf designed for a 64 oz. bottle.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of blow-molding a bottle formed with an insert-type handle, a capacity of at least about 64 ounces, a height to width ratio of less than 2:1, and a height of less than 265 mm, the method comprising: providing a preform having a thickness of less than about 5 mm, a ne

What is claimed is: 1. A method of blow-molding a bottle formed with an insert-type handle, a capacity of at least about 64 ounces, a height to width ratio of less than 2:1, and a height of less than 265 mm, the method comprising: providing a preform having a thickness of less than about 5 mm, a neck diameter of between 38 and 48 mm, a preform weight in grams that substantially conforms to the equation Y=0.878X+12.08 where Y is the weight and X is the volume of the bottle, and a predetermined axial length; providing the insert-type handle; placing the insert-type handle and the preform into a metal mold with an axial spacing between the preform and the handle; blowing the preform at a predetermined temperature and pressure to expand the preform by a vertical expansion ratio of about 2:1 and a horizontal expansion ratio of at least approximately 2:1 against the insert-type handle and metal mold to form the bottle having an insert-type handle, a capacity of at least about 64 ounces, a height to width ratio of less than 2:1, and a height of less than 265 mm; and removing the thus-formed bottle from the metal mold. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the preform is heated to approximately 110째 C. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the preform is blown for approximately 3 seconds. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the preform is blown at a pressure of about 30 kg/cm2. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mold has predetermined interior dimensions that form the bottle with a height, a width, and a depth, at least one of the width and depth being less than 120 mm. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the horizontal expansion ratio is at least 3.0:1 in both minor and major directions. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the vertical expansion ratio is between 1.8:1 and 2.3:1. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the vertical expansion ratio is at least 1.84:1. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the insert-type handle is a Y-type handle having an engaging part provided intermediate axial ends of the handle. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the insert-type handle has a depth of between about 35 to 45 mm. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is sufficient to give the bottle heat resistance of at least 82째 C. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of cooling the blown bottle prior to removal of the bottle from the mold. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of the thus-formed bottle is approximately 96 ounces. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of the thus-formed bottle is approximately 128 ounces. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the insert-type handle has a total depth of between 35-45 mm. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the insert-type handle is oriented substantially in line with a maximum width of the thus-formed bottle. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the thus-formed bottle is blown to have an axial cross-section below the handle that is substantially rectangular. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein a shortest side of the substantially rectangular cross-section is no more than 120 mm. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein a longest side of the substantially rectangular cross-section is about 156 mm. 20. A method of blow-molding a bottle formed with an insert-type handle and having a capacity of at least about 64 ounces and a height to width ratio of less than 2:1, the method comprising: providing a preform having a predetermined thickness, a predetermined neck diameter of between 38 and 48 mm, a preform weight in grams that substantially conforms to the equation Y=0.878X+12.08 where Y is the weight and X is the volume of the bottle, and a predetermined axial length; providing an insert-type handle; placing the insert-type handle and the preform into a metal mold with an axial spacing between the preform and the handle; blowing the preform at a predetermined temperature and pressure to expand the preform by a vertical expansion ratio of about 2:1 and a horizontal expansion ratio of at least approximately 2:1 against the insert-type handle and metal mold to form the bottle having an insert-type handle, a volume of at least 64 ounces and a height to width ratio of less than 2:1; and removing the thus-formed bottle from the metal mold. 21. A method of blow-molding a heat-resistant bottle formed with an insert-type handle suitable for hot-fill applications having a heat resistance of at least 82째 C., a capacity of at least about 64 ounces, and a height to width ratio of less than 2:1, the method comprising: providing a preform having a predetermined thickness, a predetermined neck diameter of between 38 and 48 mm, a preform weight in grams that substantially conforms to the equation Y=0.878X+12.08 where Y is the weight and X is the volume of the bottle, and a predetermined axial length; providing an insert-type handle; placing the insert-type handle and the preform into a metal mold with an axial spacing between the preform and the handle; blowing the preform at a predetermined temperature and pressure to expand the preform by a vertical expansion ratio of about 2:1 and a horizontal expansion ratio of at least approximately 2:1 against the insert-type handle and metal mold to form the bottle having an insert-type handle, a volume of at least 64 ounces, a height to width ratio of less than 2:1, and heat resistance of at least 82째; and removing the thus-formed bottle from the metal mold.