MX2011007233A

Method and system for handling containers.

Abstract

Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Term

3.3 yearsleft in the term

Expires 4 January 2030.

11 claims: 2 independent, 9 dependent

1
REIVINDICACIONES Habiéndose descrito la invención como antecede, se reclama como propiedad lo contenido en las siguientes reivindicaciones:1,- Un método para manejar botellas de plástico llenadas en caliente, cada botella de plástico que incluye una porción de cuello, una porción de cuerpo, y una porción de base, la porción de cuerpo que tiene un primer anillo circular cóncavo, un segundo anillo circular cóncavo, y una porción de pared lateral suave anular libre de paneles de vacío y dispuesta entre los primeros y los segundos anillos circulares cóncavos, y la porción de base que forma una superficie fija para la botella de plástico y que tiene un extremo inferior de la misma con un elemento móvil configurado para activarse, caracterizado porque el cual comprende: llenar en caliente las botellas de plástico;tapar las botellas de plástico llenadas en caliente;crear un vacío en cada una de las botellas de plástico llenadas en caliente y tapadas mediante enfriamiento, cada vacío que causa la deformación temporal de la botella de plástico correspondiente, la deformación temporal para cada botella de plástico que está sustancialmente confinada a la porción de pared lateral suave e impredecible en forma, tamaño, y tiempo, sustancialmente I sin deformación del primer anillo circular cóncavo y el segundo anillo circular cóncavo;transportar las botellas de plástico que tienen las deformaciones temporales para que cada botella de plástico esté en contacto con una pluralidad de otras botellas de plástico, los primeros y los segundos anillos circulares cóncavos para cada botella de plástico que determinan puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables para transportación de las botellas de plástico mientras las botellas de plástico se transportan con las deformaciones temporales en la porción de pared lateral suave;y después de la transportación, activar el elemento móvil de cada botella de plástico transportada, la activación que incluye mover el elemento móvil desde una primera posición hacia una segunda posición, la segunda posición que es más hacia el interior de la botella de plástico que la primera posición, y la activación que remueve al menos una porción del vacío.
2
- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque durante el llenado en caliente, el tapado, la creación de un vacío, la transportación, y la activación, el elemento móvil está sobre la superficie fija en todo momento.
3
- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque en respuesta al llenado en caliente y el tapado, se provoca que cada botella de plástico se deforme temporalmente, la deformación temporal que está sustancialmente confinada a la porción de pared lateral suave, sustancialmente sin deformación de ninguna otra porción de la botella de plástico, el primer anillo circular cóncavo y el segundo anillo circular cóncavo que determinan puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables para que ninguna porción de la porción de pared lateral suave deformada de cualquier botella de plástico contacte cualquier otra de las botellas de plástico.
4
- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque además comprende transportar las botellas de plástico llenadas en caliente y tapadas para que cada botella de plástico esté en contacto con al menos otra botella de plástico, los primeros y los segundos anillos circulares cóncavos para cada botella de plástico que determinan puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables para transportación de las botellas de plástico.
5
- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la porción del vacío es el vacío completo.
6
- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la porción del vacío es menor que el vacío completo, y el método además comprende remover una 1, caracterizado porque la activación del elemento móvil remueve el vacío completo y crea una presión positiva en la botella de plástico.
7
9. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la transportación de las botellas de plástico que tienen las deformaciones temporales incluye transportar la fila individual de botellas de plástico.
8
10. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la transportación de las botellas de plástico que tienen las deformaciones temporales incluye transportar las botellas de plástico dispuestas en una matriz.
9
11. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 10, caracterizado porque la matriz de botellas de plástico incluye botellas de plástico interiores y botellas de plástico exteriores, con anillos circulares cóncavos para cada botella de plástico interior que determina puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables al menos a otras tres botellas de plástico, y con anillos circulares cóncavos para cada botella de plástico exterior que determina puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables al menos a otras dos botellas de plástico, durante el enfriamiento, las botellas de plástico interiores se enfrían más lento que las botellas de plástico exteriores, y la deformación temporal para botellas de plástico interiores es diferente de la deformación temporal para botellas de plástico exteriores debido a los índices de enfriamiento desiguales.
10
12.- Un sistema para manejar contenedores llenos, cada contenedor que incluye un cuerpo y una base que definen un volumen interior, el cuerpo que tiene una primera porción anular, una segunda porción anular, y una porción de pared lateral, y la base que forma una superficie fija para el contenedor y que tiene un extremo inferior de la misma con un elemento móvil configurado para ser móvil desde una primera posición inclinada hacia afuera hacia una segunda posición inclinada hacia adentro, caracterizado porque el cual comprende:medios de llenado para llenar un contenedor con un producto, el producto que está a una temperatura elevada;medios de tapado para tapar y sellar el contenedor lleno con una tapa;medios de enfriamiento para enfriar el contenedor lleno y tapado, el enfriamiento que crea un vacío en el contenedor, el vacío que causa distorsión temporal del contenedor, la distorsión temporal que ocurre sustancialmente en la porción de pared lateral, con la primera porción anular y la segunda porción anular que sustancialmente resiste en la distorsión;medios de manejo para manejar el contenedor enfriado temporalmente distorsionado para que uno o más puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables del contenedor estén en contacto con uno o más puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables correspondientes de al menos otro contenedor, uno o más puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables que se facilitan mediante una asociada de la primera porción anular y la segunda porción anular;y medios de inversión para invertir el elemento móvil desde la primera posición inclinada hacia afuera hacia la segunda posición inclinada hacia adentro, la inversión que remueve una porción del vacío.
11
13.- El sistema de conformidad con la reivindicación 12, caracterizado porque para la transportación, los puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables para transportación de los contenedores son al menos una de la primera porción anular y la segunda porción anular de cada contenedor. porción de base que forma una superficie de soporte para soportar el contenedor sobre una superficie sustancialmente plana y la porción de base que tiene un elemento móvil dispuesto en un extremo inferior de la misma, el elemento móvil que es móvil sustancialmente de forma permanente para remover un vacío en el contenedor, caracterizado porque el cual comprende:enfriar una pluralidad de contenedores de plástico llenados en caliente y tapados, el enfriamiento que crea un vacío en cada uno de los contenedores de plástico llenados en caliente y tapados, cada vacío que causa deformación temporal del contenedor de plástico correspondiente, la deformación temporal que está dirigida a una porción especificada predeterminada del contenedor;transportar los contenedores de plástico mientras se compensa temporalmente los vacíos creados ahí y se mantienen los puntos de contacto estables;y activar, después de la transportación, el elemento móvil de cada contenedor de plástico, la activación que incluye mover el elemento móvil desde una primera posición hacia una segunda posición sustancialmente de forma permanente para remover una porción del vacío. 20.- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 19, caracterizado porque la porción de cuerpo de cada contenedor de plástico incluye una primera porción anular, una segunda porción anular, y una pared lateral suave entre las dos porciones anulares, la deformación temporal está dirigida sustancialmente a la pared lateral suave, sustancialmente sin deformación de la primera porción anular y la segunda porción anular, y en donde la transportación es tal que cada contenedor de plástico está en contacto con una pluralidad de otras botellas de plástico, las primeras y las segundas porciones anulares para cada contenedor de plástico que determinan puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables para transportación de los contenedores de plástico. 21, - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 19, caracterizado porque la deformación temporal está dirigida a uno o más paneles de vacío suplementarios, uno o más paneles de vacío suplementarios que compensan temporalmente el vacío durante la transportación. 22. - Un método para manejar botellas de plástico llenadas en caliente, cada botella de plástico que incluyen una porción de cuello, una porción de cuerpo, y una porción de base, la porción de cuerpo que tiene un primer anillo circular cóncavo, un segundo anillo circular cóncavo, y una porción de pared lateral suave anular libre de paneles de vacío y dispuesta entre los primeros y los segundos anillos llenar en caliente las botellas de plástico;tapar las botellas de plástico llenadas en caliente;crear un vacío en cada una de las botellas de plástico llenadas en caliente y tapadas mediante enfriamiento, cada vacío que causa deformación temporal de la botella de plástico correspondiente en la porción de pared lateral suave anular, la deformación temporal para cada botella de plástico que causa que la botella de plástico esté en un estado semi-colapsado;transportar las botellas de plástico en el estado semi-colapsado deformado temporal para que cada botella de plástico esté en contacto con una pluralidad de otras botellas de plástico, los primeros y los segundos anillos circulares cóncavos para cada botella de plástico que determinan puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables para la transportación de las botellas de plástico mientras las botellas de plástico se transportan en el estado semi-colapsado deformado temporal;y después de la transportación, activar el elemento móvil de cada botella de plástico transportada, la activación que incluye mover el elemento móvil desde una primera posición hacia una segunda posición, la segunda posición que es más hacia el interior de la botella de plástico que la primera posición, y la activación que remueve al menos una porción del vacío. 23. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 22, caracterizado porque durante el llenado en caliente, el tapado, la creación de un vacío, la transportación, y la activación, el elemento móvil está sobre la superficie fija en todo momento. 24. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 22, caracterizado porque activar el elemento móvil es mediante un aparato mecánico. 25. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 22, caracterizado porque activar el elemento móvil se realiza sin tocar físicamente el elemento móvil. 26. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 22, caracterizado porque la porción del vacío es el vacío completo. 27. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 22, caracterizado porque la porción del vacío es menor que el vacío completo, y el método además comprende remover una porción del vacío restante al utilizar uno o más paneles de vacío suplementarios. 28. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 27, caracterizado porque la porción del vacío restante es la porción completa del mismo. 29. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 22, caracterizado porque la activación del elemento móvil remueve el vacío completo y crea una presión positiva en la botella de plástico. 30. - El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 22, caracterizado porque la activación incluye presurización no física de la botella de plástico mediante movimiento de uno o más del elemento móvil y/o uno o más paneles de vacío suplementarios. 31. - Un sistema para manejar contenedores llenos, cada contenedor que incluye un cuerpo y una base que definen un volumen interior, el cuerpo que tiene una primera porción anular, una segunda porción anular, y una porción de pared lateral, y la base que forma una superficie fija para el contenedor y que tiene un extremo inferior de la misma con un elemento móvil configurado para ser móvil desde una primera posición inclinada hacia afuera hacia una segunda posición inclinada hacia adentro, caracterizado porque el cual comprende: medios de llenado para llenar un contenedor con un producto, el producto que está a una temperatura elevada;medios de tapado para tapar y sellar el contenedor lleno con una tapa;medios de enfriamiento para enfriar el contenedor lleno y tapado, el enfriamiento que crea un vacío en el contenedor, el vacío que causa que el contenedor temporalmente se colapse parcialmente;medios de manejo para manejar el contenedor enfriado temporalmente colapsado de forma parcial para que uno o más puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables del contenedor estén en contacto con uno o más puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables correspondientes de al menos otro contenedor, uno o más puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables que se facilitan por una asociada de la primera porción anular y la segunda porción anular;y medios de inversión para invertir el elemento móvil desde la primera posición inclinada hacia afuera hacia la segunda posición inclinada hacia adentro, la inversión que remueve una porción del vacío. 32, - El sistema de conformidad con la reivindicación 31, caracterizado porque la porción del vacío es el vacío completo, y tal remoción de la porción completa del vacío coloca el contenedor en un estado sustancialmente no colapsado. 33. - El sistema de conformidad con la reivindicación 31, caracterizado porque durante el llenado, el tapado, el enfriamiento, el manejo, y la inversión, el elemento móvil está sobre la superficie fija en todo momento. 34. - El sistema de conformidad con la reivindicación 31, caracterizado porque el medio de inversión es un aparato mecánico. 35. - El sistema de conformidad con la reivindicación 31, caracterizado porque el medio de inversión remueve el vacío completo y crea una presión positiva en el contenedor. 36. - El sistema de conformidad con la reivindicación 31, caracterizado porque el medio de inversión invierte el elemento móvil sin tocar físicamente el elemento móvi1. 38.- Un método para transportar una pluralidad de contenedores de plástico llenos, cada contenedor de plástico que incluye una porción de cuerpo y una porción de base, la porción de cuerpo que forma una superficie de soporte para soportar el contenedor sobre una superficie sustancialmente plana y la porción de base que tiene un elemento móvil dispuesto en un extremo inferior de la misma, el elemento móvil que es móvil sustancialmente de forma permanente para remover un vacío en el contenedor, caracterizado porque el cual comprende: enfriar una pluralidad de contenedores de plástico llenados en caliente y tapados, el enfriamiento que crea un vacío en cada uno de los contenedores de plástico llenados en caliente y tapados, cada vacío que causa que una porción del contenedor de plástico correspondiente se colapse;transportar los contenedores de plástico mientras se compensan temporalmente porciones colapsadas respectivas;! y activar, después de la transportación, el elemento móvil de cada contenedor de plástico, la activación que incluye mover el elemento móvil desde una primera posición hacia una segunda posición sustancialmente de forma permanente para remover una porción del vacío. 39.- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 38, caracterizado porque la porción de cuerpo de cada contenedor de plástico incluye una primera porción anular, una segunda porción anular, y una pared lateral suave entre las dos porciones anulares, la porción anular del contenedor de plástico para colapsar es la pared lateral suave, sustancialmente sin el colapso de la primera porción anular y la segunda porción anular, y la transportación es tal que el contenedor de plástico está en contacto con una pluralidad de otro contenedor de plástico, las primeras y las segundas porciones anulares para cada contenedor de plástico que determinan puntos de contacto sustancialmente estables para 5 transportación de los contenedores de plástico. 40.- El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 38, caracterizado porque uno o más paneles de vacío suplementarios compensan temporalmente el vacío durante la transportación.

Independent claims11

160 paragraphs in 2 sections, as filed

(54) Title: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS.

(57) Summary

A method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers that have temporary deformations or distortions caused by induced voids in the containers. For each container, the temporary deformations are confined to or directed at a particular portion of the container. The annular circular rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth side wall portion of the container between the annular circular rings. Alternatively, one or more panels of supplemental voids may be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular circular rings and one or more supplemental vacuum panels can determine substantially stable contact points for the container. The containers are transported with temporary deformations so that the substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

(57) Abstract

Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto the annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container the containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a method and system for handling and transporting filled containers. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system for handling and transporting, prior to activation of a moving member, a filled and sealed plastic bottle having a deformed side portion due to a vacuum created therein.

In one aspect, the illustrative embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of handling hot filled plastic bottles. Each plastic bottle can include a neck portion, a body portion, and a base portion. The body portion may have a first concave circular ring, a second concave circular ring, and an annular smooth side wall portion free of vacuum panels disposed between the first and second concave circular rings. The base portion may form a fixed surface for the plastic bottle and may have a lower end thereof with a movable member configured to activate. The method may comprise hot-filling the plastic bottles, capping the hot-filled plastic bottles, creating a vacuum in each of the hot-filled plastic bottles, and

Ref. 221366 covered by cooling, transport the plastic bottles that have temporary deformations, and after transportation, activate the moving element of each bottle of

<td>plastic</td><td>transported. Create a vacuum in the bottle</td>

<td>plastic</td><td>can create the temporary deformation of the bottle</td>

<td>plastic</td><td>correspondent. The temporal deformation for each</td>

Plastic bottle can be substantially confined to the annular smooth side wall portion, substantially without deformation of the first concave circular ring and the second concave circular ring. The transportation can be such that each plastic bottle is in contact with a plurality of other plastic bottles, where the first and the

<td>seconds</td><td>concave circular rings for each bottle of</td>

<td>plastic</td><td>can determine contact points substantially</td>

<td>stable</td><td>for transportation of plastic bottles</td>

<td>While</td><td>the plastic bottles are transported with the</td>

temporary deformations in the annular smooth side wall portion. Activation may include moving the movable member from a first position to a second position, the first position being further into the plastic bottle than the first position. Activation can

<td>stir</td><td>at least a portion of the vacuum in the bottle</td>

plastic.

<td>Present</td><td>In another aspect, the illustrative embodiments of the invention refer to a system for handling</td>

full containers. Each container can include a body and a base that define an interior volume. The body may have a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a side wall portion. The base may form a fixed surface for the container and may have a lower end thereof with a movable member configured to be movable from a first outward inclined position to a second inward inclined position. The system may comprise filling means for filling a container with a product at an elevated temperature, capping means for covering and sealing the filled container with a lid, cooling means for cooling the filled and caked container, handling means for handling the chilled container, and investment means to invert the moving element. Cooling the container can create a vacuum in the container, the vacuum that causes temporary distortion of the container. Temporal distortion can occur substantially in the side wall portion, with the first annular portion and the second annular portion substantially resisting distortion. The handling can be performed so that one or more of the container's substantially stable contact points are in contact with one or more corresponding substantially stable contact points of the at least one other container. One or more substantially stable contact points can be provided by an associate of the first annular portion and the second annular portion. The movable member can be reversed from a first outward inclined position to a second inward inclined position to remove a portion of the vacuum.

In yet another aspect, the illustrative embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for transporting a plurality of filled plastic containers. Each plastic container may include a body portion and a base portion, the base portion that forms a supporting surface for supporting the container on a substantially flat surface, and the base portion having a movable member disposed at a lower end Of the same. The movable member can be substantially permanently movable to remove a vacuum in the container. The method may comprise cooling a plurality of covered, hot-filled plastic containers, transporting the plastic containers, and activating, after transportation, the vacuum panel of each plastic container. Cooling can create a vacuum in each of the hot-filled, covered plastic containers. Each vacuum can cause the temporary deformation of the corresponding plastic container, the temporary deformation that is directed at a predetermined specified portion of the container. Transportation may include temporarily compensating for voids created in chilled containers and maintaining stable contact points. Activation may include moving the movable member from a first position to a second position substantially permanently to remove a portion of the vacuum.

In another aspect, the illustrative embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of handling hot filled plastic bottles, wherein each plastic bottle includes a neck portion, a body portion, and a base portion, the portion body having a first concave circular ring, a second concave circular ring, and an annular smooth side wall portion free of vacuum panels and disposed between the first and second concave circular rings. The base portion forms a fixed surface for the plastic bottle and has a lower end thereof with a movable member configured to activate. The method involves hot filling the plastic bottles; cap hot-filled plastic bottles; creating a vacuum in each of the hot-filled and capped cooling plastic bottles, where each vacuum causes the temporary deformation of the corresponding plastic bottle in the annular soft side wall portion, and the temporary deformation for each bottle of plastic causing the 'plastic bottle to be in a semi-collapsed state. The method also includes transporting the plastic bottles in the temporary deformed semi-collapsed state so that each plastic bottle is in contact with a plurality of other plastic bottles, wherein the first and second concave circular rings for each plastic bottle determine substantially stable contact points for transporting the plastic bottles while the plastic bottles are transported in the temporary deformed semi-collapsed state. After transportation, the activation of the moving element of each transported plastic bottle is carried out, where the activation includes moving the moving element from a first position to a second position, the second position that is further into the bottle of plastic than the first position, and activation that removes at least a portion of the vacuum. Optionally, during hot filling, capping, creating a vacuum, conveying, and activating, the moving element is on the fixed surface at all times. Optionally, the activation of the mobile element is by means of a mobile mechanical device; Optionally, element activation

<td>performed without</td><td>touch. physically 4</td><td>the.</td><td>element</td>

<td>Optionally,</td><td>the portion 'of emptiness</td><td>is</td><td>the vacuum</td>

<td>Optionally,</td><td>the void portion</td><td>is</td><td>smaller than</td>

mobile.

full.

full vacuum, and the method further comprises removing a portion of the remaining vacuum by using one or more supplemental vacuum panels. Optionally, the portion of the remaining void is the entire portion of it. In one option, activating the moving element removes the entire vacuum and creates positive pressure in the plastic bottle. Optionally, activation includes non-physical pressurization of the plastic bottle by movement of one or more of the moving element and / or one or more of the supplemental vacuum panels.

In yet another aspect, illustrative embodiments of the present invention include a system for handling filled containers, each container including a body and a base defining an interior volume, the body having a first annular portion, a second (

annular portion, and a side wall portion, and the base forming a fixed surface for the container and having a lower end thereof with a movable member configured to be movable from a first position tilted outwards to a second position leaning inward. The system comprises filling means for filling a container with a product, the product that is at an elevated temperature; capping means for covering and sealing the filled container with a lid; cooling means for cooling the filled and covered container, the cooling that creates a vacuum in the container, the vacuum that causes the container to temporarily partially collapse; handling means for handling the temporarily collapsed cold container so that one or more substantially stable contact points of the container are in contact with one or more corresponding substantially stable contact points of at least one other container, one or more contact points substantially stable that are provided by an associate of the first annular portion and the second annular portion; and reversing means for reversing moving motion from the first outward inclined position to the second inward inclined position, the inversion that removes a portion of the vacuum. Optionally, the portion of the vacuum is the full vacuum, and such removal of the entire portion of the vacuum places the container in a substantially non-collapsed state. Optionally, during filling, capping, cooling, handling, and reversing, the moving element is on the fixed surface at all times. Optionally, the investment medium is a mechanical apparatus. Optionally, the investment medium is the vacuum and the configuration of the container and the moving element. Optionally, the reversing means inverts the moving element without physically touching the moving element. Optionally, the investment medium is the vacuum and the configuration of the container and the moving element. Optionally, the reversing medium can remove the complete vacuum and create positive pressure in the container.

In another aspect, a method of transporting a

<td>plurality</td><td colspan="2">container</td><td colspan="3">plastic filled,</td><td>every</td>

<td>container</td><td>plastic that</td><td>It includes</td><td>a</td><td>portion of</td><td colspan="2">body and</td>

<td colspan="2">a base portion, the</td><td>portion</td><td>of</td><td>base that</td><td>shape</td><td>a</td>

<td>surface</td><td>support for</td><td>put up with</td><td>the</td><td>container</td><td>on</td><td>a</td>

<td>surface</td><td>substantially</td><td>flat and</td><td>the</td><td>portion of</td><td>base</td><td>than</td>

it has a movable element disposed at a lower end thereof, the movable element which is substantially permanently movable to remove a vacuum in the container. The method comprises cooling a plurality of covered, hot-filled plastic containers, the cooling that creates a vacuum in each of the covered, hot-filled plastic containers, each vacuum causing a portion of the corresponding plastic container to collapse ; transporting the plastic containers while temporarily compensating respective collapsed portions; and activating, after transportation, the movable element of each plastic container, activation that includes moving the movable element from a first position to a second position substantially permanently to remove a portion of the vacuum. Optionally, the body portion of each plastic container includes a first annular portion, a second annular portion, and a smooth side wall between two annular portions, where the porciónο portion of the collapsing plastic container is the substantially soft side wall. without collapse of the first annular portion and the second annular portion, and the transportation is such that each plastic container is in contact with a plurality of other plastic containers, the first and second annular portions for each plastic container determining substantially stable contact points for transportation of the plastic containers. Optionally, one or more supplemental vacuum panels temporarily compensate for the vacuum during transportation.

Figure 1 provides a flow chart illustrating an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2A is a top front view of an illustrative container for transportation or handling by the system and method in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2B is a side view of the container in Figure 2A;

Figure 2C is a bottom view of the container in Figure 2A;

Figure 3A is a top front view of another illustrative container for transportation or handling by the system and method in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 3B is a side view of the container in Figure 3A;

Figure 3C is a bottom view of the container in Figure 3A;

Figure 4 is> a side view of yet another illustrative container, with a lid, for transportation or handling by the system and method in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 5A is a representation of transportation, or handling, of a plurality of filled and capped containers substantially similar to the container in Figure 2A in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 5B is a transportation or handling representation of a plurality of filled, covered, and cold containers substantially similar to the container in Figure 2A in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 6A is a transportation or handling representation of a plurality of filled and capped containers substantially similar to the container in Figure 3A in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 6B is a transportation or handling representation of a plurality of filled, covered, and cold containers substantially similar to the container in Figure 3A in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a grouping of containers that are transported or handled in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a side view of yet another illustrative container having a plurality of supplemental temporary vacuum panels in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 9A is a cross section showing a base portion of a container in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention having a non-activated movable member; and Figure 9B is a cross section showing a base portion of a container in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention having an activated moving member.

Aspects of the present invention address a problem encountered during the transportation of hot filled and capped containers after cooling, but prior to base activation of the containers. The problem involves the release of temporary deformation of the containers (for example, on the container side walls) caused by induced voids in the filled and sealed containers as a result of cooling the hot product. For example, voids can cause containers to shrink to an oval or temporarily deformed shape. Such temporary deformations can cause reliability problems when transporting or moving containers, as temporary deformations can provide unstable support points between adjacent, contacting containers. As a result, the speed, efficiency, and reliability of transportation and handling can deteriorate.

The inventors of the present invention have identified ways to overcome the above problems, without having to provide relatively thick side walls to resist temporary deformation caused by an induced vacuum. Specifically, the embodiments of the present invention determine stable contact points for containers by providing annular portions to confine temporary deformation to a predetermined soft side wall portion, while preventing distortion of container portions that contact other containers during transportation. or handling. Alternative embodiments of the present invention determine stable contact points for containers during transportation prior to activation by directing temporary deformation to one or more temporary vacuum panels that temporarily compensate for the vacuum until the vacuum is permanently removed or reduced by activation.

FIG. 1 is a representation of a flow chart of a method 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Method 100 can be any suitable method. For example, generally speaking, method 100 may be for transporting or handling a plurality of filled containers, such as hot-filled plastic bottles. Method 100 can start in S102 and proceed to any appropriate step or operation. In various modalities, the method can proceed to S104.

In S104 it can be any suitable step or operation. In various embodiments, S104 can represent forming a container or containers. Containers can be formed in any suitable way and by any suitable means. In various embodiments, the containers can be blow molded or injection blow molded using, for example, a rotary blow molding apparatus.

The containers can be made of any suitable material. For example, the containers can be made of plastic materials known in the art. Containers can have, for example, a one-piece construction and can be made of a monolayer plastic material, such as a polyamide (eg, nylon);

polyolefin such as polyethylene (eg, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE)), or polypropylene; a polyester (for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)); or others, which may also include additives to vary the physical or chemical properties of the material. Optionally, the containers can be made of a multi-layer plastic material. The layers can be of any plastic material, including virgin, recycled and re-ground material, and can include plastics or other materials with additives to improve the physical properties of the container. In addition to the aforementioned materials, other materials frequently used in multi-layer plastic containers include, for example, ethyl vinyl alcohol (EDOH) and tie layers or binders to hold together materials that undergo delamination when used in adjacent layers. . A coating can be applied to the monolayer or multilayer material, for example to introduce oxygen barrier properties.

Containers can be formed to have any suitable shape and configuration. In various embodiments, the containers can be formed (eg, by blow molding) with an approximately polygonal, circular, or oval projection extending, for example, from a lower end of a base portion of the container. In various embodiments, this projection can be a movable element, such as, but not limited to, a vacuum panel. Optionally or additionally, a projection can be projected from the edges of the container, or from another area of the container. If the projection extends from the lower end of the base portion of the container, before the container exits the forming operation, the projection can be inverted or moved within the container to make the base surface of the container blow molded relatively flat so that the container can be transported on a table.

<td>The</td><td>Figures</td><td> 2-4</td><td>show</td><td>container examples</td>

<td>they can</td><td>form</td><td>in</td><td>step</td><td>training course S104. The</td>

<td>containers</td><td> 20, 30,</td><td> 40</td><td>shown</td><td>in Figures 2-4. I know</td>

displayed in their respective configurations after the formation step. For example, the containers 20, 30, 40 shown in Figures 2-4 are shown after exiting a blow molding operation. It should be noted that the containers shown in Figures 2-4 are generally cylindrical along a central longitudinal axis. However, the containers used in the method and system in accordance with various embodiments are not limited to being cylindrical and can be any suitable shape, such as generally rectangular, oval, or triangular along a central longitudinal axis.

Figure 2 is made up of Figures 2A-2C.

Figures 2A-2C respectively correspond to an illustrative embodiment of a container 20 transported or handled by various modalities of the method and system of the present invention. Container 20 shown in Figures 2A and 2B may include a neck portion 22, a body portion 23, and a base portion 25 defining an interior volume.

Neck portion 22 can be of any suitable configuration. For example, the neck portion 22 may be configured to allow a lid or cover (not shown) to be attached thereto to seal the container. The cap or cover can be removably attached to the neck portion 22 by any suitable means, such as threads, snap fit, etc. The neck portion 22 may also have a cover having a diameter greater than the overall overall diameter of the part of the neck portion 22 that receives the cap or cover, where the cover can be arranged so that one side is spliced with the end of the lid or cover (which includes warranty rings), and for the other side to be used as a support for rail transport systems, for example. The neck portion 22 can be adjusted to allow a mouth of a filling apparatus or machine to be positioned adjacent or slightly within the interior volume thereof to fill container 20 with a product.

Body portion 23 can be of any suitable configuration. For example, body portion 23 can be configured substantially as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, with a portion tapering outward from neck portion 22 (eg, forming a generally conical bell section), a first annular portion 26, a side wall portion 24, and a second annular portion 27.

The first annular portion 26 and the second annular portion 27 may be of any suitable configuration, shape, or size. In various embodiments, the first annular portion 26 and the second annular portion 27 can be rounded. Optionally, the first and second annular portions may be concave circular rings. Regarding size, the annular portions 26, 27 can be between 3 mm to 5 mm high and 2 mm to 5 mm deep, for example. Generally the first and second annular portions 26, 27 are of the same shape and size. Optionally, the annular portions can be different in size and / or shape. For example, a deeper first annular portion 26 can be used, with dimensions such as 5mm to 15mm high and 5mm to 8mm deep. Alternatively, the second annular portion 27 may have larger dimensions than the first annular portion 26. In Figure 2B, container 20 may have a portion of body portion 23 on first annular portion 26 that is larger in diameter than first annular portion 26 and second annular portion 27. This portion may be adjusted to contact one or more adjacent containers during transportation and container handling. For example, after a cooling operation or process, the part of the body portion 23 on the first annular portion 26 larger in diameter than the first annular portion may contact substantially similar parts in one or more other containers, consequently providing a stable connection or contact point for transportation.

The first annular portion 26 and the second annular portion 27 can be located at any suitable place along the body portion 23 relative to each other or to the other container portion 2 0. ' For example, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the annular portions 26, 27 are on opposite sides of the side wall portion 24, with the first annular portion 26 being located on the side wall portion 24 and the second annular portion 27 being located below the side wall portion 24.

It should also be noted that although two ring portions are shown, the container may have any suitable number of ring portions, such as 1, 2, 3, etc.

Side wall portion 24 can be of any suitable shape or configuration. For example, the side wall portion 24 shown in Figures 2A and 2B can be smooth and cylindrical. In various embodiments, the side wall portion 24 is free of any of the vacuum panels, such as supplemental or miniature vacuum panels. Optionally, the side wall portion 24 can be free of any of the additional features, such as handles, ribs, etc. In various embodiments, the side wall portion 24 may be waisted (so that the shape is convex).

As noted above, the first annular portion 26 in the second annular portion 27 can be disposed in any suitable position of the body portion 23. In various embodiments, the first annular portion 26 and the second annular portion 27 may be spaced from each other by the side wall portion 24, so that the side wall portion 24 is capable of deformation or distortion, while the portions and areas annular above and below the first and second annular portions, respectively, substantially maintain their shape or substantially resist deformation or distortion. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the first annular portion 26 and the second annular portion 27 may be configured to create substantially stable contact points on and under a portion of the container that is deformed or distorted, such as the side wall portion 24. For transportation or handling, as will be discussed further below, such a configuration of the annular portions 26, 27 and the flexible side wall portion 24 can allow the side wall portion 24 of the container 2 0 to be free of structural geometry when a compensating pressure mechanism is used after cooling the container, such as hot filling and inverting a moving element1.

The base portion 25 can be of any suitable configuration. For example, the base portion 25 can be generally cylindrical, rectangular, or triangular on a central longitudinal axis. The base portion shown in Figure

2, for example, is cylindrical.

In various modalities, the base portion

5 it may have one end coupled to the second annular portion and another end thereof forming a fixed surface for supporting the container on a substantially flat surface. The part of the base portion 25 coupled to the second annular portion 27 may have a diameter greater than a diameter of the second annular portion and the first annular portion 26. In various embodiments, the diameter of the portion of the base portion 25 coupled to the second annular portion 27 may be substantially the same diameter as the portion of the body portion 23 immediately above the first annular portion 26. This portion of the portion Base 25 can be adjusted to contact one or more adjacent containers during transportation and handling of containers. For example, after a cooling operation or process, the portion of the base portion 25 under the second annular portion 27 larger in diameter may contact substantially similar portions in one or more other containers, thereby providing a point of attachment or stable contact for transportation.

In various embodiments, the base portion 25 may also have a movable member formed at a lower end thereof. Figure 2C shows an illustrative moving element 28 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Moving member 28 may be initially formed (eg blow molded) to project below the fixed surface of container 26, and before or immediately after exiting the forming operation, moving member '26 initially projecting under the fixed surface can be moved or manipulated so that it is completely on the fixed surface of the container for operations or steps after leaving the step or forming operation. In various embodiments, the movable member 28 can be moved on the fixed surface of the container so that the fixed surface of the container can provide a stable surface for supporting the container on a substantially flat surface, for example.

Moving member 28 may be of any suitable configuration. In various embodiments, the movable member 28 can have folds 29, which can facilitate relocation or reversal of the movable member 28. After the forming operation, the movable member 28 can be configured to move from a first position to a second position. In various embodiments, such movement is called activating or activating. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the movable member 28 can be configured so that in the first position, at least a substantially flat portion of the movable member is in an outwardly inclined position relative to the interior of container 20, and so that in the second position at least a substantially flat portion thereof is in an inwardly inclined position. In various embodiments, the substantially flat portion for the outward inclined position is the same as the substantially flat portion for the inward inclined position.

Moving member 28 can be substantially permanently configured to compensate for vacuum forces created by cooling containers. In various embodiments, substantially permanently compensating can mean removing a portion of the vacuum until the container is opened by a consumer, for example. In this context, a portion of the vacuum may mean some of the vacuum, all of the vacuum, or all of the vacuum plus providing positive pressure. Moving member 28 may also have an anti-reversal portion. In various embodiments, the anti-reversal portion can be configured to move with the portion of the movable member moving from an outward inclined position to an inward inclined position. It should be noted, however, that the anti-reverse portion can generally tilt inward in both of the above positions.

Figure 3, which is composed of Figures 3A-3C, illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a container 30 transported or handled by various modalities of the method and system of the present invention. Container 30 shown in Figures 3A and 3B may include a neck portion 32, a body portion 33, and a base portion 35 defining an interior volume.

Neck portion 32 can be of any suitable configuration. In various embodiments, the neck portion 32 is substantially the same as that previously described for Figure 2. It should be noted that the diameter of the opening of the neck portion 32 may or may not be the same as that in Figure 2.

Body portion 33 can be of any suitable configuration. For example, body portion 33 may be configured substantially as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, with a portion tapering outward from neck portion 32 (eg, forming a generally conical bell section), a first annular portion 36, a side wall portion 34, and a second annular portion 37. Unlike the body portion 23 in Figure 2, the taper portion (eg, the bell portion from the neck to the first annular portion 36) may also include a two-step conical section to form the shape of a container. long neck style.

The first annular portion 36 and the second annular portion 37 may be of any suitable configuration, shape, or size. In various embodiments, the first annular portion 36 and the second annular portion 37 can be rounded. Optionally, the first and second annular portions may be concave circular rings. Regarding size, the annular portions 36, 37 can be between 3 mm to 5 mm high and 2 mm to 4 mm deep.

Generally the first and second annular portions

36, 37 are the same shape and size. Optionally, the annular portions can be different in size and / or shape. For example, a deeper first annular portion 36 may be used, with dimensions 5mm to 15mm high and 5mm to 8mm deep, for example. Optionally, the second

<td>portion</td><td colspan="2">cancel 37 can</td><td colspan="2">to have</td><td>dimensions</td><td>bigger than</td><td>the</td>

<td>first</td><td>portion</td><td>cancel</td><td> 36.</td><td>In</td><td colspan="2">Figure 3B, the container</td><td> 30</td>

<td colspan="2">can have a</td><td>part</td><td>of</td><td>the</td><td>portion of</td><td>body 33 envelope</td><td>the</td>

<td>first</td><td>portion</td><td>cancel</td><td> 36</td><td colspan="2">which is older</td><td>in diameter that</td><td>the</td>

<td>first</td><td>portion</td><td>cancel</td><td> 36</td><td>and</td><td>the second</td><td>ring portion</td><td> 37 .</td>

This part can be adjusted to contact one or more adjacent containers for the duration of transportation and handling of the containers. For example, after an operation or a cooling process, the part of the body portion 33 on the first annular portion 36 larger in diameter may contact substantially similar parts in one or more other containers, thereby providing a point of attachment or stable contact contact for transportation.

Optionally, one or both of the first annular portion 36 and the second annular portion 37 may comprise the part of the body portion 33 that contacts corresponding parts of the adjacent container as the containers are transported or handled.

The first annular portion 36 and the second annular portion 37 may be located at any suitable location along the body portion 3 3 relative to each other or to another portion of the container 30. For example, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the annular portions 36, 3 7 are on opposite sides of the side wall portion 34, with the first annular portion 36 being located on the side wall portion 34 and the second annular portion 37 which is located under the side wall portion 34. It should also be noted that although two annular portions are shown, the container can have any suitable number of annular portions, such as 1, 2, 3, etc.

Side wall portion 34 can be of any suitable shape or configuration. For example, the side wall portion 34 shown in Figures 3A and 3B can be smooth and cylindrical. It should be noted that the side wall portion 34 may be shorter than the side wall portion 24 in Figures 2A and 2B. In various embodiments, the side wall portion 34 is free of any of the vacuum panels, such as supplemental or miniature vacuum panels. Optionally, the side wall portion 34 can be free of any of the additional elements, such as ribs, lugs, etc. In various embodiments, the side wall portion 34 may be waisted (so that the shape is convex).

As noted above, the first annular portion 36 and the second annular portion 37 may be disposed in any suitable position of the body portion 33. In various embodiments, the first annular portion 36 and the second annular portion 37 are spaced from each other by the side wall portion 34, so that the side wall portion 34 is capable of warping or distorting, while the areas above and below the first and the second annular portions, respectively, substantially maintain their shape or substantially resist deformation or distortion. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the first annular portion 36 and the second annular portion 37 may be configured to create substantially stable contact points on and under a portion of the container that is deformed or distorted, such as the side wall portion 3. 4. For transportation or handling, and as will be described below, such an arrangement of annular portions 36, 37 and flexible side wall portion 34 can allow container side wall portion 34 to be free of structural geometry when a compensation pressure mechanism after hot filling and cooling the container, such as inverting a vacuum panel.

Base portion 35 can be of any suitable configuration. For example, the base portion 35 can be generally cylindrical, rectangular, or triangular on a central longitudinal axis. The base portion shown in Figure

3, for example, is cylindrical.

In various embodiments, the base portion may have one end coupled to the second annular portion 37 and another supporting end thereof forming a fixed surface for container 30 on a substantially flat surface. The part of the base portion 35 coupled to the second annular portion 37 may have a diameter greater than a diameter of the second annular portion 37 and the first annular portion 36. In various embodiments, the diameter of the portion of the base portion 35 coupled to the second annular portion 37 can be substantially the same diameter as the portion of the body portion 33 immediately above the first annular portion 36. This portion of the portion Base can be adjusted to contact one or more adjacent containers during transportation and container handling. For example, after a cooling operation or process, the portion of the base portion 35 under the second largest annular portion 37 in diameter may contact substantially similar portions in one or more other containers, thereby providing a point of attachment or stable contact for transportation. Optionally, one or more of the annular portions 36, 37 may comprise the stable attachment or contact points.

In various embodiments, the base portion 35 may also have a deformed movable member at a lower end thereof. Figure 3C shows an illustrative moving element 38 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The movable element 38 can be substantially the same as that described for Figure 2 above. It should be noted that the diameter of the base portion 35 may or may not be the same. Therefore, the movable element 38 in Figure 3C may differ from that of Figure 2 in this regard.

Similar to Figure 2 above, the movable member 38 for the container shown in Figure 3 can be configured so that in the first position, at least a substantially flat portion of the movable member is in an outwardly inclined position relative to the interior of the container 30, and so that in the second position, at least a substantially flat portion thereof is in an inwardly inclined position. In various embodiments, the substantially flat portion for the outward inclined position is the same as the substantially flat portion for the inward inclined position. Moving member 38 can be substantially permanently configured to compensate for vacuum forces created by cooling containers. In various modalities, compensate

substantially permanently may mean removing a portion of the vacuum until the container is opened by a consumer, for example. In this context, a portion of the vacuum may mean some of the vacuum, all of the vacuum, or all of the vacuum plus providing positive pressure. Moving member 38 may also have an anti-reverse portion. In various embodiments, the anti-reverse portion is configured to move with the portion of the movable member moving from an outward inclined position to an inward inclined position. It should be noted, however, that the anti-reversal portion can generally tilt inward for both of the aforementioned positions.

Figure 4 shows yet another illustrative embodiment of a container 40 transported or handled by various modalities of the method and system of the present invention. Container 40 in Figure 4 may have a neck portion 42, a body portion 43, and a base portion 4 5 defining an interior volume. Body portion 43 may include a substantially smooth side wall 44, a first annular portion 46, and a second annular portion 47. Container 40 shown in Figure 4 is also shown with a lid 41 attached to the neck portion 42. The lid 41 can be attached to the chicken portion 42 by any suitable means, such as threads, snap fittings, etc. Unlike Figures 2 and 3, the smooth side wall 44 shown in Figure 4 tapers outward from its top to its bottom. Alternatively, the smooth side wall 44 may taper inward from its top to its bottom. The annular portions 46, 47 can be substantially the same in functionality as those discussed above for Figures 2 and 3. In particular, annular portions 46, 47 can be configured to provide one or more substantially stable contact points for transportation and handling of container 40 in contact with other adjacent containers in various operations on a production line, such as after cooling containers. and before activating the containers. The annular portions 46 can also be configured to confine distortion or deformation of the container due to hot fill and / or cool down operations to the soft side wall 44, for example. It should be noted that in this embodiment, only the portion of the container 40 over the annular portion 46 can have a larger diameter than the smooth side wall 44. As such, in this embodiment, only the rounded portion on the first annular portion 46 can serve as a substantially stable attachment contact point for transportation handling with other containers.

Optionally, the base portion 45 can be designed to have a diameter greater than the smooth side wall to serve as a substantially stable point of contact or attachment for transportation or handling with other containers. In various embodiments, the base portion with a diameter greater than the smooth side wall 44 can serve as the single point of contact or attachment for transportation or handling with other containers. Although not explicitly shown, container 40 may have a movable member built into the lower end of base portion 45. The movable member may be substantially the same as described above for Figures 2 and 3.

The containers shown in Figures 2-4 are representative only and do not wish to limit the scope of the type or configuration of containers capable of being transported or handled by the method and system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Returning to method 100 shown in Figure 1, after S104, method 100 can proceed to any suitable step or operation. In various modalities, method 100 can proceed to S106.

In S106, the containers can be filled with a product. It should be noted that after S104, the container can be moved or transported to a filling station by any suitable means or combination of means, such as palletized and shipped, a conveyor belt, a rotating apparatus, and / or adjusting screws. Before and during filling, one or more of the annular portions can determine substantially stable contact points. That is, before and during filling, the containers may be in contacting relationship with at least one other container, with the annular portions providing substantially stable contact points for stability during transportation and handling.

The product can be filled using any suitable means, such as a filling station configured with a movable mouth or mouths to be positioned adjacent or slightly within an upper opening of the container, or adjacent or slightly within the respective upper openings of the containers in the case of multiple mouths. Furthermore, the containers can be filled in succession, one at a time, or a group of containers can be filled substantially simultaneously. The product can be any suitable product that includes, but is not limited to, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, water, tea, sports drinks, dry goods, etc. In various embodiments, the product can be filled at an elevated temperature. For example, the product can be filled at a temperature of about 85 ° C (185 ° F). During filling, for containers that have a movable element in a lower end portion, the movable element may extend to, but not below, the fixed surface of the container. Optionally, during filling for containers that have a movable element in a lower end portion, the movable element can be completely on the fixed surface.

After S106, method 100 can proceed to any suitable step or operation. In various modes, method 100 can proceed to S108. In S108, the containers may be covered. The containers can be capped by any suitable means, such as a mechanical apparatus that places a lid or cover over each of the containers, the lid or cover being appropriately coupled to the neck portion of the container. Furthermore, the containers can be successively capped, one at a time, or a group of containers can be capped substantially simultaneously. The capping means may couple the lid or cover to the neck portion of the container based on the medium by which the lid or cover is configured and

<td colspan="4">the neck. For example, for screw caps</td><td>and</td><td>servings</td><td>of</td>

<td>neck, middle</td><td>capping</td><td>can move</td><td colspan="2">the cap</td><td>for what</td><td>the</td>

<td>cover is attached to</td><td>the threads</td><td>By the neck.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Before</td><td>and meanwhile</td><td>The cover,</td><td>a</td><td>or</td><td>more of</td><td>the</td>

<td colspan="2">ring portions can</td><td>decide</td><td colspan="2">points</td><td colspan="2">contact</td>

<td>substantially</td><td>stable.</td><td>That is to say,</td><td>before</td><td>and</td><td>during</td><td>the</td>

covered, the containers may be in contacting relationship with at least one other container, with the annular portions providing substantially stable contact points for stability during this portion of the transportation and handling of the containers. Additionally, the capping operation can create a substantially watertight seal. In various embodiments, filling at an elevated temperature and capping can create overpressure within the container causing a portion of the container to become distorted or deformed. In various embodiments, the first and second annular portions of the container may be configured to direct or confine distortion or deformation to a smooth side wall portion disposed therebetween. The deformation may be such that the smooth side wall slopes outward. In various embodiments, the container placed configured so that, on outward inclination, the smooth side wall does not extend to an outside diameter of one or more container portions above and / or below the annular portions. Thus, in various embodiments, the annular portions can confine deformation to the soft side wall and determine substantially stable contact points outside the soft side wall for contact with contact points of other adjacent containers. Container deformation can be unpredictable in shape, size, and time. Also, the deformation can be different in shape, size, and container-to-container time. During capping, for containers that have a movable member at a lower end portion, the movable member may extend to, but not under, the fixed surface of the container. Optionally, during capping for containers that have a movable element in a lower end portion, the movable element can be completely on the fixed surface.

After S108, method 100 can proceed to any suitable step or operation. In various modes, method 100 can proceed to S110.

In S110, a vacuum can be created in the filled and covered container. The vacuum can be created by any suitable means, such as by cooling. For example, a container can be cooled from about or around 85 ° C (185 ° F) to about or around 37.77 ° C (100 ° F). Cooling, for example, can be done by any suitable means, such as a traditional cooler, which can have ambient air or refrigerant blowing against the hot-filled containers to cool their contents to room temperature. In various embodiments, filled and covered containers can be passed through a tunnel in which a fluid, such as water, can be sprayed in a shower-like manner to cool the container. The fluid can be at any suitable temperature to cool the product in the container. For example, the fluid may be at room temperature. As another example, the fluid may be at a temperature colder than room temperature. Generally, in this context, about or about 32.22 ° C (90 ° F) to about or about 37.77 ° C (100 ° F) can be characterized as room temperature. However, the ambient temperature is not limited to being at or between the aforementioned temperatures, and may be any suitable temperature designated as ambient temperature. Also, a temperature below room temperature may be, for example, about or around 23.38 ° C (75 ° F) to about or about 18.33 ° C (65 ° F). Like the above ambient temperature, the temperature below ambient temperature may be any suitable temperature designated as below ambient temperature.

As the product in the container cools, the cold product typically shrinks and a vacuum is induced in the container. In the context of the present invention, a vacuum created in the container by cooling or otherwise is based on a change in temperature from or around the hot fill temperature discussed above to or around room temperature or below room temperature, as discussed above. The present invention does not contemplate voids of magnitude substantially outside the range created based on the aforementioned ranges of temperature change, such as infinite voids.

The vacuum can cause distortion or deformation, such as extension, ovalization, triangulation, etc. Warp distortion can be unpredictable in shape, size, and time. Furthermore, from container to container, deformation or distortion can be different in shape, size, and time, as well as unpredictable. Furthermore, deformation or distortion is typically temporary. In various embodiments, deformation or time distortion can be directed to a specified predetermined portion of the container. As noted above, the container can be configured with annular portions, and the temporary deformation can be directed substantially to the smooth side wall of the container, substantially without deformation of the annular portions or the container portions on an upper annular portion or under a portion lower ring. Thus, in forms of the container with annular portions, the temporary deformation may be substantially confined to the smooth side wall portion of the containers, with the annular portions substantially resisting deformation or distortion. By resisting deformation or distortion, the annular portions can also determine respective substantially stable contact or attachment points for contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other adjacent containers through or at various portions of transportation and handling. . For example, for an upper annular portion, a substantially stable contact point may be located on the annular portion, and for a lower annular portion, a substantially stable contact point may be located below this annular portion, on a base portion of the container. In various embodiments, a portion of the annular portion may comprise the substantially stable point of contact or attachment.

In alternative embodiments, the temporal deformation caused by a vacuum induced by cooling, for example, can be directed to one or more panels of supplemental voids. Figure 8, for example, shows a configuration of a covered and filled container 20 having supplemental vacuum panels 80. One or more supplemental vacuum panels · 80 can temporarily compensate for vacuum while transporting or handling containers prior to activation of a moving element at the lower end of a base portion to permanently remove the vacuum. It should be noted that the container in Figure 8 shows upper and lower teeth separated by a substantially smooth side wall portion. These teeth may or may not be the first and second annular portions substantially as described herein.

Thus, alternative container modalities are desired to provide distortion or temporal deformation compensation when using only one or more supplemental vacuum panels 80 or one or more supplemental vacuum panels in combination with annular portions that determine substantially stable contact points. . It should be noted that one or more supplemental vacuum panels 80 can also determine one more substantially stable contact points since distortion or temporal deformation is substantially confined to these.

As with filling and capping, to create a vacuum by cooling, for example, for containers that have a movable element in a lower end portion, the movable element can extend to, but not under, the fixed surface of the container. Optionally, to create a vacuum by cooling, for example, for containers having a movable member in a lower end portion, the movable member may be entirely on the fixed surface. Furthermore, for a plurality of containers, the containers can have a vacuum induced in them in any suitable grouping or order. For example, the containers may be passed through a single row cooling medium, with or without substantially stable contact points of adjacent containers that are in contact with one or more corresponding substantially stable contact points. Optionally, the containers can be passed through a cooling medium in a matrix or randomly grouped configuration, with at least one inner container and a plurality of outer containers. Adjacent containers may have one or more substantially stable contact points in contact with one or more corresponding substantially stable contact points. In various embodiments, the inner container can cool slower than the outer containers. Furthermore, due to uneven cooling rates, the temporary deformation for inner containers may be different and / or unpredictable in shape, size, and time from the temporary deformation for outer containers. Of course, none, some, or all of the temporary information may be the same. The containers can be transported or handled before, during, and after the vacuum creating step S110 by any suitable means, such as a conveyor belt.

After S110, method 100 can proceed to any suitable step or operation. In various modes, method 100 can proceed to S112.

S112 may represent the transportation or handling of containers. Containers can be handled or transported by any suitable means. For example, containers can be handled or transported by a conveyor belt. In various modalities, the containers being transported may have voids created there, and the containers may temporarily warp or distort based on the voids. In various embodiments, the deformation can be confined to or directed to a predetermined portion of the container, such as a smooth side wall or supplemental vacuum panel. From container to container, the temporary deformations can be different and / or unpredictable in shape, size, and time from the temporary deformation for outer containers. Containers having temporary deformations can be transported so that each container is in contact with a plurality of other containers. In various embodiments with containers having annular portions, the annular portions can determine one or more substantially stable contact points for transportation or handling of the containers. Furthermore, one or more of the annular portions may comprise one or more substantially stable contact points. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can determine one or more substantially stable contact points.

Furthermore, for a plurality of containers, containers with temporary deformations can be transported or handled in any suitable grouping or order. For example, containers with temporary deformations may be transported in a single row, with one or more substantially stable contact points of adjacent containers that are in contact with one or more corresponding substantially stable contact points. Optionally, containers with temporary deformations can be transported in a matrix or randomly grouped configuration, with at least one inner container and a plurality of outer containers. Adjacent containers may have one or more substantially stable contact points in contact with one or more corresponding substantially stable contact points. As noted above, one or more substantially stable contact points can be facilitated by associated annular portions or temporary supplemental vacuum panels.

As with filling, capping, and cooling, for prior transportation, for containers that have a movable element in a lower end portion, the movable element can extend to, but not under, the fixed surface of the container. Optionally, for transportation, for containers that have a movable element in a lower end portion, the movable element can be completely on the fixed surface. Furthermore, in various embodiments, after transportation, the containers can be palletized, where the annular portions can provide support and stabilization to a plurality of palletized containers.

After S112, method 100 can proceed to any suitable step or operation. In various embodiments, method 100 can proceed to S114.

S114 may represent reducing, eliminating, or offsetting a portion of the vacuum in the container. Reducing a portion of the vacuum in the container can also reduce or eliminate deformation or temporal distortion of the container. In various embodiments, the container can be substantially returned to its pre-filled or pre-cooled form. The voids in the containers can be reduced by any suitable means. For example, for a container configured with a movable element disposed at the lower end thereof, the movable element can be moved or activated to remove the vacuum. In various embodiments, for activation, the movable member can be moved from a first position to a second position, where the second position is further into the container than the first position. Additionally, part or all of the moving element can move. In addition, in various embodiments, the first position may include at least a portion of the movable member that is in an outwardly inclined position, and the second position may include at least a portion of the movable member that is in an inwardly inclined position. The movement of the moving element to activate the container can be called inverting or reversing the moving element.

As noted above, movement of the moving element can reduce or eliminate a portion of the vacuum. In various embodiments, the portion of the vacuum removed or removed is the complete vacuum. Optionally, the portion of the removed or reduced vacuum may involve removing the entire vacuum and creating positive pressure within the container. Even as with another option, the reduced or eliminated vacuum portion may be less than the full vacuum. In the last option, the rest of the vacuum can be removed or reduced using one or more supplemental or miniature vacuum panels.

The supplemental vacuum panels mentioned herein can remove or remove permanently permanently reduce the remaining portion of the vacuum not removed by the moving member.

The moving element can be moved (or activated or reversed) by any suitable means, such as mechanical or pneumatic means. For example, a push bar can be actuated to force movement from the first position mentioned above to the second position. In various embodiments, before, during, and after reducing a portion of the vacuum in the container, the moving element of the container is on the fixed surface at all times. Optionally, the movable element can be on or on the fixed surface at all times.

After S114, the method can proceed to any suitable step or operation. Figure 1, for example, shows the method ending in S116. Generally speaking, however, after reducing the vacuum in the container (for example, by activating a moving element), the containers can proceed to any suitable process or operation. For example, containers may then proceed to a test or quality assurance operation, a labeling operation, a packaging operation for storage and / or shipping, and / or a storage or separation operation. Figures 5A and 5B depict the transportation or handling of a plurality of filled and capped containers substantially similar to the container in Figure 2A.

Figure 5A can represent filled and covered containers before a vacuum is induced, for example, by cooling. Containers can be transported on a conveyor belt 50, for example, and Figure 5A shows the movement from left to right on the page. The three dots can represent that more containers can be arranged in either direction. In addition, Figure 5 (both A and B) may represent single row or matrix transportation (with containers behind containers 20 that are hidden from view). Item 53 can represent a product fill line, and the fill line can be in any suitable position, based on container configuration, hot fill temperature, cooling temperature, cooling rate, etc. .

Furthermore, for Figures 5A and 5B, the fill height 53 is substantially the same between Figures 5A and 5B. However, fill heights may be different from Figures 5A and 5B, as well as between containers in Figure 5B, due to deformations experienced by the containers caused by induced voids.

As can be seen in Figure 5A, the annular portions 26 of the containers can determine substantially stable contact or attachment points 55 for adjacent containers. Similarly, the annular portions 27 can determine substantially stable contact or attachment points 57 for adjacent containers. Such stable contact points 55, 57 can prevent contact of other adjacent containers from any temporary deformation of the soft side walls 24 due to overpressure caused by elevated temperatures. As a result, containers can be more reliably transported or handled. This can lead to speed improvements for transportation and / or handling.

Figure 5B may represent the transportation and handling of containers 20 during and / or after creating a vacuum in the containers by cooling, for example. As can be seen, the smooth side walls 24 can be temporarily distorted or deformed in response to voids. For example, the smooth side walls 24 can be temporarily distorted from a position 24a to a position 24b. As noted above, distortion or temporal deformation can be unpredictable in size, shape, and time. Furthermore, although Figure 5B shows all deformations as being substantially the same for each of the containers, the deformations of the .20 container to the container 20 may be different in size, shape, and time.

In Figure 5B, the annular portions 26 of the containers can also determine substantially stable contact or attachment points 55 for adjacent containers having temporary deformations. Similarly, the annular portions 27 can determine substantially stable contact or attachment points 57 for adjacent containers having temporary deformations.

Such stable contact points 55, 57 can prevent contact of other adjacent containers from any temporary deformation of the soft side walls 24

J due to voids created in the containers. As a result, temporary deformation containers can be more reliably transported or handled. This may lead to speed improvements for transportation and / or handling. .

Figures 6A and 6B show a transportation or handling representation of a plurality of filled and capped containers substantially similar to the container in Figure 3A. These containers are transported or handled substantially the same as described above for Figure 5. In the representation in Figure 6, however, the contact points may not be arranged or located in the same or similar parts of the containers 30. As with Figures 5A and 5B, the fill height 63 is shown as being substantially the same between Figures 6A and 6B. However, fill heights may be different from Figures 6A and 6B, as well as between containers in Figure 6B due to deformations experienced by the containers caused by induced voids.

Figure 7 shows a representation of a plurality of containers arranged in a matrix. The matrix can be of any suitable size, with any suitable number of rows and columns, such as a 1 x 1 matrix, a 1 x 3 matrix, or a 3 x 3 matrix. The representation in Figure 7 may represent a situation where the containers are filled and covered and transported with a positive pressure temporary deformation, or a situation where the containers have been filled, covered, and cooled, the temporary deformations caused by means of the voids in the containers 20. In any case, the containers 20 can be transported so that substantially stable contact or attachment points 55 are maintained. In various embodiments, the substantially stable contact points 55 can be determined by one or more annular portions. Alternatively, one or more substantially stable contact points 55 can be determined by one or more supplemental temporary vacuum panels.

In switching to Figures 9A and 9B these figures show a cross section of a filled, sealed, and cooled container 20 with a movable member 28 before activation (Figure 9A) and after activation (Figure 9B). It should be noted that any temporary deformation of the smooth side wall 24 prior to activation has been omitted in this figure. As can be seen from Figure 9A, the base portion 25 can include a fixed surface 90, and the movable element 28 can include a movable portion 92 and an anti-inversion portion 94. The movable element 28 in Figure 9A is shows completely on the fixed surface 90. Optionally, the movable element 28 can be on or on the fixed surface 90. Here, in Figure 9A, the movable portion 92 may be in an outward inclined position with respect to the interior volume of container 20.

Figure 9B shows the moving element 28 in an activated state. To reach this state, the movable portion 92 is moved from the outward inclined position to an inwardly inclined position, which may be referred to as reversing the movable portion 92. The anti-reversal portion 94 substantially retains its shape and disposition for activation , but it can move up and in towards the interior volume of the container. As noted above, activating moving member 28 can remove a portion of the vacuum. In various modes, removing a portion of the vacuum can return the container to its pre-filled or pre-cooled configuration.

Although this invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is clear that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be or are apparent to those skilled in the applicable art. Accordingly, applicants intend to encompass all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to put the aforementioned invention into practice, is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

14. - The system according to claim 12, characterized in that during filling, capping, cooling, handling, and inversion, the mobile element is on the fixed surface at all times.

fifteen. - The system according to claim 12, characterized in that the vacuum portion is the complete vacuum.

16. - The system according to claim 12, characterized in that the inversion medium removes the complete vacuum and creates a positive pressure in the container.

17. - The system according to claim 12, characterized in that the handling means

<td>drive a</td><td>plurality of</td><td>the</td><td>containers</td><td>than</td><td>is it so</td>

<td>temporarily</td><td>distorted <</td><td colspan="2">single file.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td> 18 . -</td><td> The system</td><td>of</td><td>accordance</td><td colspan="2">with the</td>

<td colspan="3">Claim 12, characterized</td><td>because the medium</td><td>of</td><td>driving</td>

<td>drive a</td><td>plurality of</td><td>the</td><td>containers</td><td>than</td><td>is it so</td>

<td>temporarily</td><td>distorted,</td><td>the</td><td colspan="3">containers temporarily</td>

distorted that are arranged in a matrix, with at least one internal container and a plurality of external containers.

19.- A method of transporting a plurality of filled plastic containers, each plastic container including a body portion and a base portion, the

Contents2

26 members in 11 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim1 more office is in the list below

Priority claims3

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
34926809	United States of America	A	2009-01-06
65146110	United States of America	A	2010-01-02
2010020045	United States of America	W	2010-01-04

Members26

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
US2010170199A1	United States of America	A1	2010-07-08
US2010170200A1	United States of America	A1	2010-07-08
WO2010080731A1	World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	A1	2010-07-15
US7926243B2	United States of America	B2	2011-04-19
CA2748184A1	Canada	A1	2011-06-22
CA2960638A1	Canada	A1	2011-06-22
AU2010203790A1	Australia	A1	2011-07-07
MX2011007233AThis record	Mexico	A	2011-08-04
US2011185677A1	United States of America	A1	2011-08-04
US2011266293A1	United States of America	A1	2011-11-03
EP2389329A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2011-11-30
US8096098B2	United States of America	B2	2012-01-17
US8171701B2	United States of America	B2	2012-05-08
JP2012514566A	Japan	A	2012-06-28
US2012240515A1	United States of America	A1	2012-09-27
US8429880B2	United States of America	B2	2013-04-30
EP2389329A4	European Patent Office (EPO)	A4	2013-06-19
NZ593486A	New Zealand	A	2013-10-25
JP5619771B2	Japan	B2	2014-11-05
EP2389329B1	European Patent Office (EPO)	B1	2015-03-11
ES2539328T3	Spain	T3	2015-06-29
PL2389329T3	Poland	T3	2015-08-31
BRPI1007385A2	Brazil	A2	2016-02-16
CA2748184C	Canada	C	2018-02-13
CA2960638C	Canada	C	2018-06-12
US10035690B2	United States of America	B2	2018-07-31

Method and system for handling containers.

Abstract

Term

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Priority claims3

Members26

Events

Numbers

Titles2

Classification