WO2004009457A1

WO2004009457A1 - A container

Info

Publication number: WO2004009457A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000925
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Bell; David Henley; Michael Little; Paul Butler
Original assignee: Visy Packaging Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-19
Filing date: 2003-07-21
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Also published as: AU2002300214A1

Abstract

A container (10) including a base and at least one wall (14) defining an internal volume, said base (16) including at least one portion (28) that is reconfigurable from an first configuration in which the internal volume of the container is relatively large, to a second configuration in which the container volume is relatively small, by the application of an inwardly directed pushing force on an outside surface of the reconfigurable base portion, wherein in use the reconfiguration of the base portion from the first configuration into the second configuration causes contents of the container to be at least partially ejected from the container (10).

Description

A Container

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a container which can be used for holding food products, industrial and household compounds and the like. More specifically- the present invention relates to a container that includes means to assist in the ejection of the container's contents.

Background of the invention

Cup-like containers are known in the packaging industry and have been put to a wide variety of uses. The provision of solid or non-flowable product in the cup-shaped container normally requires the removal of product on a piecemeal basis to empty the container. This can make the emptying process somewhat long-winded and messy, in particular where it is desirable that all of the product be removed in a single operation.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect there is provided a container including a base and at least one side wall extending from the base and de&ung an internal volume, said base including at least one portion that is reconfigurable from first configuration in which the internal volume of the container is relatively large, to a second configuration in which the container volume is relatively small, by the application of an inwardly directed pushing force on an outside surface of the reconfigurable base portion, wherein in use the reconfiguration of the base portion from the first configuration into the second configuration causes the contents of the container to be at least partially ejected from the container.

Preferably the at least one reconfigurable portion of the base is substantially convex in said first configuration. The base can be substantially concave in said second configuration. The at least one reconfigurable portion of the base is preferably coupled to the container by a peripheral deformation zone which enables reconfiguration of the base without substantial deformation of the at least one side wall of the container. The at least one reconfigurable portion of the base can include a plurality of substantially rigid zones connected together by one or more defbmjable zones. Preferably the a plurality of rigid zones form a series of concentric rings separated by deformation zones. In a particularly preferred embodiment the at least one reconfigurable portion has a step-like cross section along a radius thereof.

Advantageously when the at least one reconfigurable base portion is pushed from the first configuration to the second configuration the at least one reconfigurable base portion passes through an intermediate configuration in which part of the base is substantially convex and part of the base is substantially concave.

Preferably a cross sectional profile of at least one reconfigurable base portion is substantially inverted when the base is reconfigured from the first configuration to the second configuration.

The container's base can further include a peripheral channel between the sidewall and the at least one deformable base portion.

The container preferably has ejection insert housed within the intemal volume of the container, said ejection insert being configured to provide a substantially rigid base that is moveable between a retracted position when the at least one recoπfigurablo base portion is in the first configuration, and an ejection position when the at least one reconfigurable base portion is in the inwardly projecting configuration, by the reconfiguration of the at least one reconfigurable base portion, to at least partially eject the container's contents. The ejection insert can include engagement formations configured to engage an inside surface of the base. These engagement formations can include a boss configured to engage an inside surface of the at least one reconfigurable base portion to cause movement of the ejection insert by the reconfiguration of the at least one reconfigurable base portion

The at least one side wall is preferably inwardly tapered toward said base. In a preferred embodiment the base includes a detachable portion having a frangible periphery configured to be separable from the base portion after reconfiguration of the at least one reconfigurable base portion to at least partially eject the container's contents. The deformation zones includes can include one or more corrugation formations to allow deformation thereof.

Li an second aspect the present invention provides container including a deformable base and at least one non deformable side wall extending upwardly from the base, said base including at least one ejection zone joined to a peripheral deformable portion, wherein said deformable portion is a- aπged to collapse and/or expand on the application of an inward pushing force on the ejection zone to allow inward movement of the ejection zone to thereby cause at least partial ejection of the contents of the container.

The deformable portion preferably includes a series of corrugations to allow the collapse and expansion thereof.

In a third aspect the present invention also provides a method of filling a container of the type described above including the steps of: beginning to fill the container with the at least one deformable base portion substantially in the second configuration; and deforming the at least one deformable base portion into first configuration during filling.

The container may be filled under pressure to cause deformation of the at least one deformable base portion into the first configuration.

The method can further include the step of, applying a closure to an open end of the container.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an underneath perspective view of a container according to a fifl-t embodiment of the present invention;

Fⁱgure 2 illustrates a cross section through the container of figure 1 along line 2-2;

Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective cut away view through the container of figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates a cross section through the container of figure 1 showing the base in both the concave and convex configurations;

Figure 5 illustrates in diagrammatic fashion a container according to a second embodiment having its base in a concave configuration; Figure 6 illustrates in diagrammatic fashion, the container of Figure 5 having its base in a convex configuration.

Figure 7 illustrates a container according to another embodiment of the present invention with its base in a concave configuration;

Figure S illustrates the container of figure 7 with its base in a convex configuration;

Figure 9 shows two containers according to the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 in a stacked arrangement;

Figure 10 illustrates a container according to yet another embodiment of the present invention with its base in a first configuration; and Figure 11 the container of figure 10 with its base in a second configuration used to eject the contents of the container.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Illustrated in figure 1 is a cup-like container 10, having an upper rim 12, from which downwardly extends a side wall 14, The side wall 14 tapers inwardly in a frusto- conical form down to a base 16 having a deformable central portion. As illustrated in the cross section of figure 2 and the cutaway of figure 3, the base 16 includes an annular peripheral channel 18 which terminates at a shoulder 20 at a distance X above the base 19 of the channel IS. The base 19 of the channel IS is uniplanar thereby providing a stand for allowing the container to rest stably on a horizontal surface. A series of annular steps or terraces 22, 24, and 26 separated by curved deformable zones 21 extend concentrically inwardly from the inner edge of the shoulder 20 towards a central portion 28. The central portion 28 is marginally raised relative to the at the same level as the base 19 of the channel 18. The annular steps are formed from a plurality of annular portions 22, 24, 26 that are separated by curved deformable zones e.g 21. The radius of shoulder 20 also provides a deformable zone surrounding the central portion of the base.

The structure of the base 16 allows the central portion of the base to be deformed from an outwardly projecting, or convex configuration in which the intemal volume of the container is relatively large, to an inwardly projecting, or concave configuration in which the container volume is relatively small, by pushing inwardly on the outside surface of the base. This deformation of the base 16 causes partial or full ejection of the container's contents. The terraces 22, 24, and 26 and curved deformable zones 21 form a set of corrugations that can collapse and expand in a concertina like fashion to allow reconfiguration of the base from the convex to the concave configurations.

The container 10 also includes an insert 30 which will be described in more detail below. However, use of the insert 30 is optional, and the description will be directed to an exemplary embodiment of a container in which an insert 30 is not used,

A container in accordance with the present invention is particularly adapted for use with moulded, settable or contents which are solid at room temperature, however it will also be understood that gelatinous products or frozen products such as ice may be contained therein. In use the container 10 is first filled with a food product, household or industrial compound or other material. The product or material contained in the container may or may not set after filling the container. The container 10 is then closed by lid, sealing membrane or other closure means.

An end user of the contents of the container can then remove the container's contents by first removing the closure then pushing on central portion 28 of the base 16. Pushing on the base 16 deforms the base so that it inverts into the container volume, and in turn pushes the contents out of the container 10. Figure 4 shows the two base configurations, namely the outwardly projecting configuration, show in dashed line, and the inwardly projecting configuration shown in solid line. It will be noted that the base 16 is deformed such that the profile of the deformable portion of the base 16 is generally the inverse of the base's profile before ejection of the product. The deformation zones 21 between adjacent terrace formations 22, 24, 26 and 28 allow the base 16 to be deformed towards the central volume of the container 10 without requiring any substantial sketching of the material from which the container base 16 is formed or outward deflection of the sidewall 14. ha cross section the base can be conceptualised as a series of articulated links (the terrace formations 22, 24, 26) that are hinged Or flexibly coupled (via the deformable zones e.g. 21) to each other, and to the container side wall (at radius 20). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art such an arrangement can be moved from the outwardly projecting configuration to the inwardly projecting configuration without causing a substantial outward deformation of the side walls. Accordingly in the general case the hoop strength of the container will be sufficient to withstand the force necessary to reconfigure the base to allow ejection of the contents from the container. Thus at some intermediate position the base will take on a shape that is partially convex and partially concave. In other words a limited concertina effect is utilised to facilitate the inward deformation of the base as it is moved into the concave position.

In one embodiment of the present invention the reconfigurable region of the base comprising stepped annular formations 22, 24, 26 and central portion 28 of the base, is bi-stable, in so far as it can be pushed from an outwardly projecting stable position into an inwardly projecting stable position. Use of a bi-stable deformable base prevents the surface tension between the product in the container and the internal wall of the container from sucking the container's back into the container once the pushing force on the base is removed.

Alternatively the deformable base portion can be configured to have a shape memory that will provide a restoring force to return the base to the outwardly projecting configuration. As described below a container base having a shape memory (where the stable configuration is the inwardly projecting configuration) can also be used to make ejection of the contents easier.

By providing relatively easily deformable regions eg. 21, between adjacent terraces or steps where the deformation can occur very little force is needed to eject the container's contents, resulting in a container 10 which is relatively easy to use by a range of potential users including children and the aged.

It will be noted that the side wall 14 in the illustrations of figures 1 to 3 is inwardly tapering or converging towards the base 16. This taper can be of any angle, preferably of the order of 1 to 20 degrees. Whilst a taper it is not essential (as is illustrated in Figure S) a taper is advantageous as it assists in breaking the surface tension forces between the container wall 1 and the contents,

The container 10 is illustrated as having its side wall 14 and base 16 as being integrally formed. This can be achieved by manufacturing from metal (or other material) and utilising a deep drawing or moulding process. Alternatively, the container 10 can be moulded from plastics or other polymeric material. However, it is envisaged that the container 10 could also be manufactured or fabricated in two parts such that the base 16 is made in one process and then joined to a container side wall 14. In the preferred embodiments the container will preferably be made from steel having a thickness of between 0, 14mm and 0.18 mm. However material in the range of 0.12mm to 0.3mm may be used. The container may also be made from aluminium having a thickness between 0.19 mm and 0.45 mm.

As described above the container 10 can be closed off by any suitable closure member 32. In the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 and 9 the container 10 is provided with a metallic lid which has a ring-pull 34 mechanism attached to it. The lid 32 has a score line 31 inscribed adjacent to its peripheral edge such that when the ring pull 34 is pulled the central portion 32A is torn away from the container leaving an annular rim 32B. In the preferred embodiment the rim 32B is sufficiently narrow to allow the unimpeded ejection of the container's contents. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other types of closure member including membranes, lids, caps or the like could also be utilised.

The closure 32 is provided with an annular region 33 bounded on the outside by a step 33A that is the same dimeter as the outside of the annular channel IS formed in the base 16. These correspondingly dimensioned features facilitate stacking of containers as illustrated in Figure 9 which shows a cross sectional view of two containers according to the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 in a stacked arrangement. S

Illustrated in figures 5 through to 8 are a series of container profiles that could also be utilised in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 5 and 6 show a container 110 having a base 116 that includes a central a domed region 112. The domed portion 112 operates similarly to the central stepped portion of the base of the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4 and is preferably more easily defoimable then the annular part of base outside line 114. This assists in the inversion of the domed portion 112 between its inwardly and outwardly projecting configurations with out allowing a complete collapse of the base 116-

The container 110 may advantageously be made from plastics material and moulded so that different regions of the base and sidewall have differing stiffness characteristics. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art such variations in stiffness can be accomplished in many ways including by varying the thickness, the composition, or by controlling the heating or cooling of the material from which the container is made during the manufacturing process. A filling method that can be used with certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described in connection with this embodiment. However, the container of figures 5 and 6 should not be considered limited in its usage to applications employing the following filling method..

In the filling method the domed formation 112 initially projects inwardly into the container as shown in figure 5. Thus the container has a relatively low volume prior to the filling of the container 110.

During filling, the centre-most part of the domed formation 112 is caused to invert its orientation as illustrated in figure 6 by hinging around ridge 114, i so doing a peripheral channel 118 will be formed, between the side wall and raised ridge 114. The inversion of the domed portion

The inversion of the base can be caused by a number of methods, such as by pushing the base during filling, by filling the container under pressure such that the pressure forces the base to invert. The domed portion 112 can also be so flexible to be inverted by the weight of the material put into the container. Once the container is filled a closure can be applied.

The annular channel at the edge of the base (eg. IS in figure 1) is an optional feature of the container of the preferred embodiments. The dimensions of the channel can be varied depending upon the nature and characteristics of the product to be contained, or may be omitted entirely. However it is preferable to provide an annular rim or other formation on the base that defines a uniplan r support on which the container can rest on flat surface.

Figures 7 and S depict a container 310 in which the base 316 completely inverts to push the contents from the container 310 and no peripheral channel exists in the filled container.

In a preferred embodiment the material and a shape for the base of the containers can be selected so that the movement from a convex to a concave orientation will load the base in such a manner to produce either a spring-type force or a shape memory force at the region or line of bending eg. ridgeline 114 in figure 5. In use the shape memory force can assist the user to eject the product from the container. However, presence of spring or shape memory restoring force when the container is filled is not essential. That is the filling process may simply change the orientation of the base from convex to concave configurations relative to the volume of the container, without any residual forces existing to assist the user to eject the product. Using a container according to the preferred embodiments with highly deformable semi-solid contents may result in the displacement of the base being absorbed into the product as deformation rather than ejecting the contents. La such applications the use of an insert 30 such as that shown in figure 2 is highly advantageous. In use, when the deformable portion of the base is pushed the insert 30 is forced upwards and ejects the contents from the container. The insert 30 is relatively stiff, compared to the container base, provides a false base in the container that more evenly distributes the ejection force over the entire base of the contents instead of deforming the contents.

The insert 30, as can be seen in figures 2 and 3, the insert 30 provides a relatively flat upper surface 37 whilst its under surface 38 includes an annular rim 40 and a boss 42. The rim 40 has a mating or matching shape to the profile of the annular peripheral channel 18. The boss 42 engages the central portion 28 of the base 16. It will be noted that between the rim 40 and boss 42 is a channel 44 which will provide a cavity between the channel 44 and the terraces 22, 24, and 26 on the base 1 . The channel 44 assists by reducing the amount of material from which the insert 30 is manufactured and eliminates the need for the underside of the insert to be shaped to accurately fit the inside of the container base. If desired, the insert 30 can have a completely matching shape on its under surface 38 to that of the base 16. If a sufficiently close fit is achieved at the point of intersection 46 between the wall 14 and upper-face 36 of the insert 30 it may be possible to dispense with the peripheral rim 40 and provide an insert 30 which is, in cross section, substantially T-shaped. In some embodiments the insert may contact the base one or more intermediate members (not shown) rather than by direct contact.

For some uses, the insert 30 can be separable from the base 16. However, in other applications it can be desirable to connect the insert 30 to the base 16, preferably by means of an adhesive or other join between the boss 42 and the central portion 28 of the container's base 16. In embodiments where the insert 30 is separable from the base 16 product branding or logos can be provided on the under surfaces 38 of the insert 30 so in use if the product is ejected from the container 10 and the insert 30 remains in an upside- down orientation on top of the ejected product the logos on the under surfaces 38 are visible. The inner most surface of the insert ie. the side that contacts the container's contents can be shaped to mould the top of the ejected contents to a desired shape, or make an imprint therein.

As will be appreciated, if desired, an appropriately shaped insert 30 can also be used with the containers of figures 5 to 8. In one embodiment a frangible ring or a ring of weakness can be provided on the an appropriate location on the bases 216, 316 or 16 so that the centre portion of the base can separate from the rest of the container once the base is pushed into the container. Typically the ring of weakness will be positioned on the hinge line or fold line in the base, so as to be further weakened by the act of inverting the base. The line of weakness can be formed by pre-scoring or moulding a line into the base. For example, in embodiment of figures 5 and 6 the ridge 114 can be made frangible or weakened by pre- scoring, so that in use when the dome formation 112 is inverted into the container 110 to eject the contents, the domed portion 112 of the base 116 can break away along the ridge 114, by means of the pre-scoring or frangible portion, Figures 10 and 11 show another container according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container 400 is generally frusto-conical in shape having a tapering sidewall 414 and a generally flat base 416. The base 416 has aperipheral annular ring 416 that is relatively rigid and provides an annular stand on which the container will rest in use. The base 416 also includes a central deformable portion 418. The deformable portion 41 S comprises a deformable zone 420 surrounding a central substantially non- defor-nable ejection portion 422. The deformable zone 420 includes a series of corrugations that can expand concertina when the ejection portion is pushed to allow the ejection portion 422 to push container's contents upward. After ejection of the contents the central deformable portion 418 takes on a generally concave appearance when viewed from outside the container.

It should be understood that wherein the specification and claims the phrase partial ejection should not be construed to be limited to a movement of the contents of the container sufficient to push the contents beyond the open end of the container, but should be understood to include any movement of the contents towards or out of the open end of the container that assist in the removal of the container's contents. It should also be understood that wherein the specification and claims the terms concave and convex are used, they are used relative to the outside of the container.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1: A container including a base and at least one side wall extending from the base and defining an intemal volume, said base including at least one portion that is reconfigurable from first configuration in which the internal volume of the container is relatively large, to a second configuration in which the container volume is relatively small, by the application of an inwardly directed pushing force on an outside surface of the reconfigurable base portion, wherein in use the reconfiguration of the base portion from the first configuration into the second configuration causes the contents of the container to be at least partially ejected from the container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one reconfigurable portion of the base includes at least one ejection zone surrounded by a peripheral deformation zone which enables reconfiguration of the base without substantial deformation of the at least one side wall of the container.

3. A container as claimed m either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the at least one ' reconfigurable portion of the base includes a plurality of ejection stones connected together by one or more deformable zones.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the a plurality of ejection zones form a series of concentric rings separated by deformation zones.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one reconfigurable portion has a step-like cross section along a radius thereof.

6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein in use when the at least one reconfigurable base portion is pushed from the first configuration to the second configuration the at least one reconfigurable base portion passes through an intermediate configuration in which part of the base is substantially convex and part of the base is ubstantially concave.

7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a cross sectional profile of at least one reconfigurable base portion is substantially inverted when the base is reconfigured from the first configuration to the second configuration.

8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base further includes a peripheral channel between the sidewall and the at least one defomiable base portion.

9 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having an ejection insert housed within the internal volume of the container, said ejection insert being configured to provide a substantially rigid base that is moveable between a retracted position when the at least one reconfigurable base portion is in the first configuration, and an ejection position when the at least one reconfigurable base portion is in the second configuration, by the reconfiguration of the at least one reconfigurable base portion, to at least partially eject the container's contents.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9 wherein the ejection insert includes engagement formations configured to engage an inside surface of the base.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein the engagement formations include a boss configured to engage an inside surface of the at least one reconfigurable base portion to cause movement of the ejection insert by the reconfiguration of the at least one reconfigurable base portion

12. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one side wall is inwardly tapered toward said base.

13. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base includes a detachable portion having a frangible periphery configured to be separable from the base portion after reconfiguration of the at least one reconfigurable base portion to at least partially eject the container's contents.

14. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one reconfigurable portion of the base is substantially convex in said first configuration.

15. A container as claimed in any one the preceding claims wherein the at least one reconfigurable portion of the base is substantially concave in said second configuration.

16. A container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 15 wherein the deformation zones includes one or more corrugation formations to allow deformation.

17. A container including a deformable base and at least one non deformable side wall extending upwardly from the base, said base including at least one e ection zone joined to a peripheral deformable portion, wherein said deformable portion is arranged to collapse and or expand on the application of an inward pushing force on the ejection zone to allow inward movement of the ejection zone to thereby cause at least partial ejection of the contents of the container.

18. A container as claimed in claim 17 wherein the deformable portion includes a series of corrugations to allow the collapse and expansion thereof.

19. A method of filling a container of the type claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 including the steps of: beginning to fill the container with the at least one deformable base portion substantially in the second configuration; and deforming the at least one deformable base portion into the first configuration during filling.

20. A method of filling a container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the container is filled under pressure to cause deformation of the at least one deformable base portion into the first configuration.

21. A method of filling a container as claimed in claim 19 or 20 which further includes the step of; applying a closure to an open end of the container.

22. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the illustrative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of filling a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the illustrative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.