HUE033351T2 - Petaloid base for a self-standing container and container therefor - Google Patents

Description

Description [0001] Thisinvention relates toself-standing containers, morespecifically to a petaloid base , accordingtothe preamble of claim 1, for such a container. Such containers may be blow-moulded of plastics material such as polyethylene tereph-thalate (PET).

[0002] As will be understood in the art, the generic term ’PET’ ineludes compositions that predominantly contain polyethylene terephthalate - but may also including other materials. For example, a suitable composition may comprise approximately 95% polyethylene terephthalate and 5% nylon. As is known in the art, these materials may be mlxed, or provided in different layers, for example vía multilayer injection moulding and overmoulding.

[0003] Blow-moulded PET containers have long been used as bottles for beverages. More recently, they have been proposed for use as kegs for transporting, storing and dispensing beverages such as beer. An example of such a keg is disclosed in WO 2007/064277.

[0004] The example of WO 2007/064277 is given for background reference only: the broad concept of this invention is not limited to any particular use, material or method of manufacture of a container. Howeverthe invention has particular advantages in the context of thin-walled blow-moulded containers of the type apt to be manufactured from PET. It is in that context that the invention will be described in this specification.

[0005] Early PET containers had a plain hemispherical base and were rendered self-standing by the attachment of a sepárate base moulding to the base. Whilst a hemispherical base is simple, light and strong in isolation, the addition of a sepárate base moulding increases material and production costs and may hinder reeyeling.

[0006] To make a PET container self-standing without recourse to a sepárate base moulding, it is now well known to provide the container with an integrally-moulded petaloid base.

[0007] The term 'petaloid’ refers to a multi-footed base shape whose feet are disposed in an angularly-spaced ar-rangement around the base, the resulting shape resembling the petáis of aflowerwhen viewed from under the container in use. The container usually has a cylindrical side wall of circular horizontal cross-section, in which case the feet typically lie on a contact circle that is concentric with, and whose diameter is smaller than, the circular cross-section of the side wall. The feet act together to provide a stable multi-point support for the container.

[0008] There is continual pressure in the art of containers to reduce material and production costs and to ease reeyeling. Not only has this led to the adoption of one-piece containers with petaloid bases, but efforts continué to improve the petaloid base so that containers can be produced more economically while still performing reliably during storage, transportaron and use. It is particularly desirable to reduce the amount of material necessary to give the container sufficient integrity and stability for commercial use. Even a small saving of material per container has a massive effect on the cost of production when reproduced across potentially tens to thousands of millions of containers per annum.

[0009] The correct trade off between the amount of material used and the integrity of the container is especially important when the container is to be used asa pressurised vessel. For example, the container may be used for storing, transporting and dispensing effervescent beverages such as beer. The beverage itself may be carbonated, ora propellant gas may be injected into the container at superatmospheric pressure to forcé the beverage out of the container. Such a container needstowithstand these internal pressures under a rangeofenvironmentalconditions. As well as withstanding internal pressures, the container needs to survive rough handling during transportation of the container.

[0010] WO 2006/000408 A1 describes a container with an ovoid or cylindrical wall and a hemispherical bottom type continuing that wall from which origínate feet spaced from one another. The ratio of the weight of the wall to the weight of the bottom is at least 4.

[0011] It is against this background that the present invention has been devised. From one aspect, the invention resides in a petaloid base of a blow-moulded self-standing container, the base having a spheroidal underlying base contour and a plurality of spheroidal foot formations that interrupt and project from the underlying base contour to define a corresponding plurality of feet, wherein the foot formations radíate from a central protrusion and the foot formations are ovoid. To define feet with minimal usage of material, the elongate foot formations have respective longitudinal axes, which axes lie in planes extending radially from a central axis of the base. Those axes of the foot formations suitably extend outwardly and upwardly in conical relation from the central axis of the base.

[0012] As the feet are spheroidal, it will be understood that their contact with a planar surface on which the base can rest is vía a convex surface. Preferably therefore, contact between a given foot and that planar surface is vía a point on the curved surface of that foot. To maximise the capacity and strength of the container while minimising material usage, the underlying base contour is preferably substantially hemispherical. The contour may, for example, be thatofan óblate spheroid whose polar axis coincides with a central axis of the base. For similar reasons, the foot formations are ovoid (partially egg-shaped), in which case the contact points of the feet are most conveniently defined by the widest part of the cross-section of each foot formation being offset inwardly toward an inner end of the foot formation. In other words, the foot formations taper to a greater extent at their radially outer portions than their radially inner portions with respect to the central axis of the base.

[0013] Preferably, the base comprises formations, such as foot formations, whose shapes are substantially rotationally symmetrical about an axis. For example, shapes such as spheroids, ellipsoids and ovoids that define the footformations are preferably substantially rotationally symmetrical about an axis. Advantageously, if these shapes that form the base are rotationally symmetrical, the material used to form these structures can be minimised. At the same time the internal capacity of the base, as well as its strength can be maximised.

[0014] Each foot formation may have an elliptical, preferably ovate intersection with the underlying base contour. To reduce stress concentration, the intersection is preferably of concave cross section.

[0015] To strengthen the base, the foot formations radíate from a central protrusion. That protrusion may be approx-imately polygonal, with a number of sides corresponding to the number of foot formations.

[0016] The foot formations aresuitably separated by valleys, that may for example radíate from ápices of the polygonal protrusion. To minimise material usage, [0017] In plan view, each foot formation may have an enlarged central región from which the foot formation tapers inwardly across an inner portion to an inner end. In that case, the inner portions of the foot formations suitably lie in segmented relation around the base. To minimise material usage, it is preferred that in plan view, each foot formation tapers from the enlarged central región outwardly across an outer portion to an outer end of the foot formation.

[0018] The inventive concept extends to a blow-moulded container such as a keg or a bottle having the base of the invention. The container is constructed by blow-moulding a preform, ideally made of PET.

[0019] Preferably, where the material used is PET, the container has an average pressure resistance to material usage ratio of greaterthan 3 MPa / kg. More preferably, the average pressure resistance to material usage ratio is greater than 3.75 MPa/kg. Also, preferably, the container has a capacity to material usage ratio of over 40 litres/kg. More preferably, the container has a capacity to material usage ratio of over 80 litres / kg.

[0020] In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view from underneath a container having a petaloid base in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the petaloid base of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view through the petaloid base of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) are, respectively, an underneath plan view, a side view and a perspective view of a container having a base as shown in Figures 1 to 3, embodied in this example as a bottle of 0.33 litre capacity;

Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) are, respectively, an underneath plan view, a side view and a perspective view of another container having a base as shown in Figures 1 to 3, embodied in this example as a keg of 20 litres capacity;

Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) are, respectively, an underneath plan view, a side view and a perspective view of another container having a base in accordance with the invention, embodied in this example as a bottle of 1.5 litres capacity, the base of this example being a variant having seven feet;

Figure 7 is the underneath plan view of the container as shown in Figure 1 marked in this instance with section lines referred to in Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 8 is an enlarged partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the container of Figure 7, taken along section line VIII-VIII;

Figure 9 is an enlarged partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the container of Figure 7, taken along section line IX-IX;

Figure 10 is a side view of a container having a five-footed petaloid base as shown in Figures 1 to 3, embodied in this example as a keg having a non-cylindrical side wall, and of 18-litre capacity;

Figure 11 is a side view of a plastics preform for blow moulding into the 18-litre capacity keg as shown in Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional side view of the container base as shown in Figure 3, together with a beverage dispensing tube within the container.

[0021] Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a container 10 in this example of the invention comprises a hollow body of blow-moulded PET. The body of the container 10 is of circular horizontal section, the radius of that circle extending orthogonally from a central longitudinal axis 12 that extends centrally through the closed base 14 of the container 10. Above the base 14, but not shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a substantially cylindrical side wall surmounted by a neck portion. The side wall is integral with and terminates at its lower end in the base 14; in turn, the side wall is integral with and terminates at its upper end in the neck portion at the top of the container 10.

[0022] The fundamental or underlying shape of the base 14 is a slightly flattened hemisphere, that hemisphere being rotationally symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10. More generally, the underlying shape ofthe base 14 is an óblate spheroid, being a rotationally symmetricellipsoid having a diameteron its polar axis (coinciding with the central longitudinal axis 12) that is shorterthan the diameter ofthe equatorial circle whose plañe bisects it. This approximately hemispherical shape maximises resistance to internal pressure, reduces stress concentrations to resist cracking, and also maximises internal volume while minimising material usage.

[0023] In accordance with the invention, the base 14 further ineludes integrally-moulded blister-like feet disposed in a petaloid arrangement around the base, the feet being defined in this example by five hollow ovoid foot formations 16 that radíate equi-angularly from a relatively shallow generally pentagonal convex protrusion 18 on the central longitudinal axis 12. More generally, the foot formations 16 are elongate ellipsoids in theform of prolate spheroids, a prolate spheroid being a spheroid whose diameter along its polar axis is greater than its equatorial diameter.

[0024] The polar axes 20 ofthe spheroidal foot formations 16 extend outwardly and upwardly in equi-angularly spaced radially-disposed planes from the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10. Thus, the polar axes 20 of the foot formations 16 (see Figure 2) lie on a virtual frusto-conical surface surrounding the central longitudinal axis 12.

[0025] Circumferentially adjacent pairs of foot formations 16 are separated by valleys 22 that radíate equi-angularly from the ápices 24 ofthe pentagonal central protrusion 18. The valley floors follow the spheroidal shape ofthe base 14 and open at their outer ends to an outer portion of the base 14 that lies radially outwardly beyond the foot formations 16. Furthermore, each foot formation 16 and the central protrusion 18 are joined vía a transition portion that curves smoothly without distinct transitions or discontinuities. Thus, as shown in Figure 3, a foot formation 16, the smoothly curving transition portion and the central protrusion 18 together define a sinuous cross section.

[0026] Also as shown in Figure 3, the convex central protrusion 18 has a radius of curvature r that is smaller than the general radius of curvature R ofthe spheroidal base 14: thus R > r. Moreover, the convex central protrusion 18 extends to a level beyond - and thus, in use, below - the lowermost apex ofthe underlying base contour. Also, the convex central protrusion 18 extends to a level within - and thus, in use, above - the extent of the foot formations 16.

[0027] The foot formations 16 bulge outwardly from the underlying spheroidal contour of the base 14 by virtue of an ovoid convex wall. The convex wall of each foot formation 16 is surrounded by a concave transition zone26 in the shape of an ovate ring. The transition zone 26 extends smoothly into the spheroidal wall of the base with a large radius of curvature to reduce stress concentration and henee to minimise stress cracking. The transition zones 26 of circumferentially adjacent foot formations 16 partially define the valley 22 between those foot formations 16.

[0028] Each foot formation 16 is generally elliptical (in this example, ovate) in underneath plan view, reaching a máximum width in an enlarged central región 28 between its innerend 30 and its outer end 32. Thus, each foot formation 16 tapers in opposite directions from the widest part ofthe central región 28: along an inner portion 34 moving inwardly toward the central longitudinal axis 12 to the inner end 30; and along an outer portion 36 moving outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis 12 to the outer end 32.

[0029] In underneath plan view, the inwardly-tapering inner portions 34 ofthe foot formations 16 fit closely between their neighbours around the circular base 14 like segments oían orange. These inner portions 34 of the foot formations 16 altérnate with, and are separated by, narrow inner sections 38 ofthe valleys 22, which may be approximately parallel but, in this example, widen slightly as they extend outwardly from the pentagonal central protrusion 18. Howeverwhere they extend outwardly into their outer sections 40 beyond the widest part ofthe foot formations 16, the valleys 22 widen near-exponentially between the tapering outer portions 36 of the foot formations 16 until they reach a máximum width between the outer ends 32 of adjacent foot formations 16.

[0030] Thus, moving along the valleys 22 from the central longitudinal axis 12 toward the outer diameter ofthe base 14, the gap between the foot formations 16 increases. In contrast, in a previously-known petaloid base such as that disclosed in EP 0671331, this gap decreases.

[0031] Viewed now from the side, the foot formations 16 extend to a level beyond - and thus, in use, below - the lowermost apex of the base 14 defined by the central pentagonal protrusion 18. The foot formations 16 all extend to the same level. Thus, at that level, each foot formation 16 defines a contact point 42 that will lie stably upon a fíat support surface (not shown) orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis 12 ofthe container 10.

[0032] Figure 2 shows that the foot formations are somewhat egg-shaped with the widest part of their cross-sections offset slightly inwardly and downwardly toward their inner ends 30.

[0033] The contact points 42 ofthe foot formations 16 are equi-spaced on and around a contact circle centred on the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container 10. The diameter (x) of the contact circle relates to the side wall diameter (Dy) ofthe container 10 in a ratio as follows:

[0034] In accordance with the invention, k is preferably between 3.6 and 5.5, more preferably between 4.0 and 5.3, still more preferably between 4.2 and 5.0 and typically 4.7. This may be contrasted with typical PET bottles on the market whose corresponding ratio k is typically 2.5 to 3.5. The relatively large valué for k in the invention stems from a relatively small valué for x. This is advantageous because a small contact circle creates a small - and henee inherently stiff -diaphragm between the contact points 42.

[0035] The result is a central area within the contact circle between the contact points 42 of the foot formations 16 that ¡s quite rigid and henee resistantto movementduring internal pressure, up to burst pressure. The rigidity ofthe area within the contact circle is enhanced by the undulating wall section defined by the inner portions 34 ofthe foot formations 16, the valleys 22 between them, and the central protrusion 18.

[0036] Stiffness within the contact circle is important not just for a high burst pressure but also for stability. This is because the lowest point on the central longitudinal axis (the lowermost apex of the base 14 defined by the central pentagonal protrusion 18) will tend to be pushed down under internal pressure. If that lowest point moves so far as to contact a supporting surface in use, the container cannot rest stably on the contact points 42 of the foot formations 16. The stiffness of the base shape of the invention means that compared to previously known designs, the distance from the central apex of the base to a supporting surface is relatively small, to the benefit of stability and capacity relative to the height ofthe container.

[0037] Viewing any one foot formation 16 end-on (i.e. from the side of the container 10 looking inwardly towards the central longitudinal axis 12), the contour of that foot formation 16 describes a substantially constant convex radius between the concave radii of the transition zones 26 to each side. A conventional petaloid base typically has flatter surfaces defining a V-shaped valley between the feet, to the detriment of material usage and stress concentration. Stress concentrations create areas of a container that are particularly vulnerable to rupture under high internal pressure.

[0038] The arrangement of the base 14 of the present invention is particularly suited to containers for dispensing liquids under pressure. In particular, the increased valué for k makes the base stiffer and henee better suited for retaining stability whilst the container is subject to high internal pressure. Furthermore, by increasing the valué of k, it is possible to have the convex central protrusion 18 positioned axially lower than would otherwise be possible for a container that is subject to high internal pressure. This can maximise the quantity of beverage that can be practically dispensed from the container 10. This advantage is discussed with reference to Figure 12 in which is shown the same sectional side view of the container base 14 of Figure 3, together with a beverage dispensing tube 120.

[0039] In this context, the container is used as a beer keg 10 that is provided with a closure assembly that is sealed on to the tubular neck of the keg 10 in a push-fit arrangement. The tube 120 is coupled to the closure assembly (not shown) and extends from it along the central longitudinal axis 12 into the base ofthe keg 10. The axially lower end of the tube 120 extends into the central protrusion 18. The end of the tube 120 sits within the central protrusion 18 and hangs just inside the apex ofthe central protrusion 18, thereby providing an annular gap through which a beverage can pass from the keg 10 into the tube 120 or visa-versa. The shape ofthe central protrusion 18 also enables the axially lower end ofthe tube 120 to be correctly located and retained within the central protrusion during fitting and use.

[0040] In use, when dispensing a beverage, the keg 10 is maintained in an upright position. The closure assembly allows a pressurised gas to be introduced into the headspace ofthe keg 10 to forcé the beverage out through the tube 120. As the axially lowermost end ofthe tube 120 is located within the central protrusion 18, and the central protrusion 18 is disposed at a relatively low axial position within the keg 10, this ensures that almost all ofthe beverage within the keg 10 can be extracted from it.

[0041] It may be possible to further increase the amount of beverage that can be practically extracted from the keg 10 by extending the tube 120 into one of the foot formations 16. In such an arrangement, the tube 120 would need to bend away from the central longitudinal axis 12 at its lower end. Although this may marginally increase the amount of beverage that can be dispensed from the keg 10, this can complícate process of fitting the closure assembly and tube 120 to the keg 10. In particular, inserting a bent tube 120 into the keg 10 can require a complicated automated fitting process. Furthermore, the bending of the tube 120 away from the central longitudinal axis 12 can subject the closure assembly to which the tube 120 is attached at its axially upper end to uneven forces. This can reduce the reliability of the closure assembly, which is of particular concern when the keg 10 is subject to high internal pressure.

[0042] The petaloid base of the invention may be applied to a wide range of containers such as bottles and kegs. Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) and Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) show a five-footed base ofthe invention applied, respectively, to a bottle 44 of 0.33 litre capacity, which may typically be used for carbonated soft drinks, and a keg 46 of 20 litres capacity, which may typically be used for beer. These drawings show features omitted from Figures 1 and 2, namely a substantially cylindrical side wall 48 surmounted by a neck portion 50. The side wall 48 is integral with and terminates at its lower end in the base 14; in turn, the side wall 48 is integral with and terminates at its upper end in the neck portion 50 at the top of the container.

[0043] Figure 10 shows afurtherfive-footed base of the invention applied to a keg 104 of 18-litre capacity with a non-cylindrical side wall 108. In this example, the side wall 108 is convex, rotationally symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis of the keg 104 and so generally follows the shape of an ovoid. At its axially lower end portion, the side wall curves smoothly into the spheroidal underlying contour of the base of the present invention. At its axially upper end portion, which tapers to a greater extent than the axially lower end portion, the side wall curves smoothly into the concave neck of the keg 104. The convex side wall 108 is shaped in this way to maximise internal pressure resistance, maximise the internal capacity of the keg 104 and minimise material usage. Figure 11 is an enlarged side view of a plastics preform for blow moulding into the container as shown in Figure 10.

[0044] Other variations of the invention are possible without departing from the inventive concept. For example, a variant of the base of the invention shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) is applied to a bottle 52 of 1.5 litres capacity. This variant has seven foot formations 54 instead of five, with a generally heptagonal central protrusion 56 between them. Like the five-footed base variant, seven-footed base variants can be applied to any size of container, such as bottles of 0.33 litres, 0.5 litres, 1 litre, 1.5 litres or larger, and kegs of 20 litres or other capacities.

[0045] An odd numberoffeet is preferredforoptimum stability, there being at least three feet (in which case the central protrusion is generally triangular) but preferably not more than seven feet; five or seven feet are considered optimal.

[0046] To put the invention into context but without limiting its broadest scope asdefined in the claims, various dimensional characteristics will now be given by way of example.

[0047] Firstly, the table below sets out a volume comparison between a conventional base and a base in accordance with the invention, assuming in this instance that the base defines five feet. Volumes in the table are expressed in millilitres (mi). The volume refers to the ¡nternal volume of the base, defined as the portion of the container below the cylindrical side wall of the container. It will be noted that the base of the invention has a volume approximately five times greater than the volume of a conventional petaloid container base, to the benefit of compactness and material usage for a given container capacity.

[0048] Secondly, the following dimensions help to define the base shape for each of the above capacities of container:

(continued)

[0049] Figures 7 to 9 provide additional dimensional Information relating to a 20-litre keg having a five-footed base 14. Figures 10 and 11 respectively show dimensional Information relating to an 18-litre keg 104 having a five-footed base and its preform 106.

[0050] Figure 8 shows a partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the 20-litre keg of Figure 7, taken along section line Vill-VIII. The resulting section plañe intersects afootformation 16 at its contact point42, and is parallel to and is radially-spaced at a distance of 50 mm from the central longitudinal axis 12 of the keg 10.

[0051] Atthissectionofthefootformation 16, itscontourisasubstantiallyconstantconvexradiusof23.0mm between the concave radii of 12.0 mm of the transition zones 26 to each side.

[0052] Figure 9 is a partial sectional side view through the petaloid base of the 20-litre keg of Figure 7, taken along section line IX-IX. The resulting section plañe is allgned with the central longitudinal axis 12 of the keg 10, and intersects the same foot formation 16 as shown in Figure 8 at its contact point 42. The view shown in Figure 9 corresponds to the view shown in Figure 3, but provides the following additional dimensional Information relating to the 20-litre keg:

(continued)

[0053] These radius measurements are also applicable to points on otherfootformations 16 of the container 10. These points typically lie within any one of the planes aligned with both the central longitudinal axis 12 of the container and a polar axis of a given foot formation 16.

[0054] In addition to dimensional data, the following data derives from pressure tests indicating the typical burst pressure of the 20-litre keg 10 having a five footed petaloid base 14 according to the present invention. By way of comparison, pressure tests were also carried out on a conventional petaloid base under similar conditions. The valúes represent the burst pressure in bar.

(continued)

[0055] Thus, itcan beseen thattheaverage burst pressureofthe20-litre keg having afive-footed base is approximately 8.8 bar = 880 kPa. Furthermore, the material usage of the 20 litre keg corresponde to 0.234 kg of PET. Accordingly, ratios directed to the pressure resistance, capacity and material usage can be derived for this 20-litre keg:

Average pressure resistance to material usage ratio = 3.76 MPa / kg Capacity to material usage ratio = 85 litres / kg [0056] It will be understood that similar ratios can be extrapolated for containers of different shapes and sizes, but also incorporating the base 14 according to the present invention.

Figure 10 provides additional dimensional data corresponding to the 18 litre keg 104:

Figure 11 provides additional dimensión data corresponding to the preform 106 of the 18 litre keg 104 of Figure 10:

(continued)

[0057] The approximate burst pressure of this 18-litre keg having a five-footed base is approximately 14 bar = 1400 kPa. The material usage of the 18-litre keg corresponds to 0.468 kg of PET. Accordingly, ratios directed to the pressure resistance, capacity and material usage can be derived forthis 18-litre keg:

Average pressure resistance to material usage ratio = ~3 MPa / kg.

Capacity to material usage ratio = 41 litres / kg.

[0058] For a base with five feet, the following ratios apply in these examples:

For20-litre keg:

Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.35 Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.68

Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.57 Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 2.72

Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.13

For bottles of various capacities:

Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.47 Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.83

Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.58 Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 1.81

Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.15 [0059] Similarly, for a base with seven feet, the following ratios apply in these examples:

For20-litre keg:

Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.44 Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.82

Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.57 Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 2.72

Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.13

For bottles of various capacities:

Length of foot formations along polar axis/width of foot formations across polar axis = 1.59 Diameter of contact circle/ width of foot formations across polar axis = 2.03 Radius of underlying base contour/diameter of side wall = 0.57

Radius of underlying base contour/radius of transition from underlying base contour to side wall = 1.8 Radial projection of foot formations beyond radius of underlying base contour/radius of underlying base contour = 1.15 [0060] It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the improved petaloid base shape of the invention has various additional advantages. Its softly-curving shape with an absence of sharp radii is beneficial to resist stress cracking. Also, importantly, its surface area is less than equivalent known designs. Thus, fora given amount of resin, the invention allows a thicker wall and henee a stronger base. Alternatively it is possible to reduce weight and material usage while maintaining the strength of the base. A strong base is particularly important in applications where the containers are subjected to elevated internal pressure and/or elevated temperature, such as carbonated soft drinks, beer and hot-fill or pasteurised liquids.

Claims 1. A petaloid base (14) of a blow-moulded self-standing container (10), the base (14) having a spheroidal underlying base contour and a plurality of spheroidal foot formations (16) that interrupt and project from the underlying base contourto define a corresponding plurality offeet (16); characterised in that: the foot formations (16) radíate from a central protrusion (18); the foot formations (16) are ovoid; and the foot formations (16) have respective longitudinal axes (20), which axes lie in planes extending radially from a central axis (12) of the base, wherein: the longitudinal axes (20) of the foot formations extend outwardly and upwardly in conical relation from the central axis (12) of the base. 2. The base (14) of Claim 1, wherein the underlying base contour is an óblate spheroid whose polar axis coincides with a central axis (12) of the base (14); and/or the underlying base contour is substantially hemispherical. 3. The base of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the foot formations (16) are elongate ellipsoids and/or prolate spheroids. 4. The base (14) of Claim 3, wherein the widest part of the cross-section of each foot formation (16) is offset inwardly toward an innerend of the foot formation (16). 5. The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein the the longitudinal axes (20) of the foot formations meet at the central axis (12) of the base (14) at a position axially below the base (14). 6. The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein each footformation (16) has an elliptical intersection with the underlying base contour, the intersection ideally being ovate and/or of concave cross section. 7. The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein the central protrusion (18): has a radius of curvature that is smaller than the radius of curvature of the underlying base curve; and/or extends to a level beyond the lowermost apex of the underlying base contour. 8. The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein a foot formation (16) and the central protrusion (18) are joined via a smoothly curving transition portion, wherein ideally: the foot formation (16), the smoothly curving transition portion and the central protrusion (18) together define a sinuous cross section; and/or the transition portion defines a curve whose curvature is converse to the curvature of at least one of the foot formations (16) and central protrusion (18). 9. The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein: the central protrusion (18) is substantially convex with respect to the exterior of the container (10); and/or the central protrusion (18) defines a recess with respect to the interior of the container, the recess being arranged to lócate and retain a free end of a fluid delivery tube within the container (10); and/or the central protrusion (18) is generally polygonal, with a number of sides corresponding to the number of foot formations (16). 10. The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein the foot formations (16) areseparated by valleys(22) preferably with: the valleys (22) radiating from ápices of a generally polygonal central protrusion (18), the polygon having a numberof sides corresponding to the numberof foot formations (16). 11. The base (14) of Claim 10, wherein the valleys (22) widen moving outwardly across the base, ideally with: each valley (22) having an inner and an outer section and the walls of the valley (22) diverging more sharply in the outer section than in the inner section, and ideally with the walls of the valley (22) diverging in both the inner and the outer sections of the valley. 12. The base (14) of any preceding claim, wherein in plan view, each footformation (16) has an enlarged central región that tapers inwardly across an inner portion to an inner end of the foot formation (16) preferably with: each foot formation tapering from the enlarged central región outwardly across an outer portion to an outer end of the foot formation (16). 13. A blow-moulded self-standing container (10) having a base (14) as defined in any preceding claim. 14. The container (10) of Claim 13, wherein the foot formations (16) ofthe base (14) define respective contact points that together are spaced around a contact circle whose diameter (x) relates to a side wall diameter (Dy) of the container (10) as:

where k is between 3.6 and 5.5, preferably between 4.0 and 5.3, more preferably between 4.2 and 5.0. 15. The container (10) of Claim 13 or Claim 14, comprising a fluid delivery tube (120) aligned with a central longitudinal axis ofthe container (10), the tube (120) extending between the base (14) ofthe container (10) and an opening of the container (10).

Patentansprüche 1. Blütenfórmige Basis (14) eines blasgeformten freistehenden Behálters (10), wobei die Basis (14) Folgendes aufweist: eine sphároide unterliegende Basiskontur und mehrere sphároide FuBausbildungen (16), die die unterliegende Basiskontur unterbrechen und aus dieser hervortreten, um mehrere entsprechende FüBe (16) auszubilden; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass: die Fu8ausbildungen (16) von einem zentralen Vorsprung (18) aus ausgehen; die FuBausbildungen (16) eifórmig sind; und die Fu8ausbildungen (16) jeweils Lángsachsen (20) aufweisen, wobei die Achsen in Ebenen liegen, die sich radial von einer Mittelachse (12) der Basis aus erstrecken, wobei: die Lángsachsen (20) der Fu8ausbildungen sich in konischem Verháltnis von der Mittelachse (12) der Basis aus nach au8en und nach oben erstrecken. 2. Basis (14) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die unterliegende Basiskontur ein abgeflachtes Sphároid ist, dessen polare Achse mit einer Mittelachse (12) der Basis (14) zusammenfállt; und/oder die unterliegende Basiskontur im Wesent-lichen halbkugelfórmig ist. 3. Basis nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die FuBausbildungen (16) verlángerte Ellipsoide und/oder abgeplattete Sphá-roide sind. 4. Basis (14) nach Anspruch 3, wobei der breiteste Teil des Querschnitts jeder FuBausbildung (16) zu einem inneren Ende der FuBausbildung (16) hin nach innen versetzt ist. 5. Basis (14) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Lángsachsen (20) der FuBausbildungen sich in der Mittelachse (12) der Basis (14) an einer Stelle treffen, die axial unterhalb der Basis (14) liegt. 6. Basis (14) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei jede FuBausbildung (16) eine elliptische Schnittfláche mit der unterliegenden Basiskontur aufweist, wobei die Schnittfláche vorzugsweise eifórmig ist und/oder einen konkaven Querschnitt aufweist. 7. Basis (14) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der zentrale Vorsprung (18): einen Krümmungsradius aufweist, der kleiner ist ais der Krümmungsradius der unterliegenden Basiskrümmung; und/oder sich bis zu einer Ebene unterhalb des niedrigsten Scheitelpunkts der unterliegenden Basiskontur erstreckt. 8. Basis (14) nach einem dervorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei eine Fuβausbildung (16) und der zentrale Vorsprung (18) über einen sich weich krümmenden Übergangsabschnitt verbunden sind, wobei vorzugsweise: die Fuβausbildung (16), der sich weich krümmende Übergangsabschnitt und der zentrale Vorsprung (18) ge-meinsam einen wellenfórmigen Querschnitt definieren; und/oder der Übergangsabschnitt eine Kurve definiert, deren Krümmung der Krümmung der FuBausbildungen (16) und/oder des zentralen Vorsprungs (18) entgegengesetzt ist. 9. Basis (14) nach einem dervorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei: der zentrale Vorsprung (18) im Wesentlichen bezogen auf das ÁuBere des Behálters (10) konvex ist; und/oder der zentrale Vorsprung (18) bezogen auf das Innere des Behálters eine Aussparung definiert, wobei die Aus-sparung angeordnet ist, ein freies Ende einer Fluidforderungsróhre zu lokalisieren und innerhalb des Behálters (10) zu halten; und/oder der zentrale Vorsprung (18) im Allgemeinen polygonal ist, wobei eine Anzahl von Seiten der Anzahl von Fuβausbildungen (16) entspricht. 10. Basis (14) nach einem dervorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die FuBausbildungen (16) durch Táler (22) vonein-ander getrennt sind, vorzugsweise wobei: die Táler (22) von Scheitelpunkten eines im Allgemeinen polygonalen zentralen Vorsprungs (18) aus ausgehen, wobei das Polygon eine Anzahl von Seiten hat, die der Anzahl von FuBausbildungen (16) entspricht. 11. Basis (14) nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Táler (22) entlang der Basis nach auBen hin breiter werden, vorzugsweise wobei: jedes Tal (22) einen inneren und einen áuBeren Abschnitt aufweist und die Táler (22) im áuBeren Abschnitt schárferauseinanderlaufen ais im inneren Abschnitt, und vorzugsweise wobei die Wánde des Tais (22) sowohl im inneren ais auch im áuBeren Abschnitt des Tales auseinanderlaufen. 12. Basis (14) nach einem dervorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei in der Aufsicht jede FuBausbildung (16) einen ver-gróBerten Mittelbereich aufweist, der sich über einen inneren Abschnitt zu einem inneren Ende der FuBausbildung (16) hin nach innen hin verjüngt, vorzugsweise wobei: jede FuBausbildung sich von dem vergróBerten Mittelbereich aus über einen áuBeren Abschnitt hinweg zu einem áuBeren Ende der FuBausbildung (16) hin verjüngt. 13. Blasgeformterfreistehender Behálter (10) mit einer Basis (14) nach einem dervorhergehenden Ansprüche. 14. Behálter (10) nach Anspruch 13, wobei die Fi^ausbildungen (16) der Basis (14) jeweils Berührungspunkte definieren, die gemeinsam um einen Berührungskreis herum beabstandet sind, dessen Durchmesser (x) folgenderrr^en mit einem Seitenwanddurchmesser (Dy) des Behálters (10) im Verháltnis steht:

wobei k zwischen 3,6 und 5,5 liegt, vorzugsweise zwischen 4,0 und 5,3, stárker bevorzugt zwischen 4,2 und 5,0. 15. Behálter (10) nach Anspruch 13 oder 14, umfassend eine Fluidfórderungsróhre (120), ausgerichtet an einerzentralen Lángsachse des Behálters (10), wobei sich die Róhre (120) zwischen der Basis (14) des Behálters (10) und einer Óffnung des Behálters (10) erstreckt.

Revendications 1. Base pétalo'ide (14) d’un contenant autoportant moulé par soufflage (10), la base (14) ayant un contour de base sous-jacent sphéro'íde et une pluralité de formations de pied sphéroídes (16) qui interrompent et dépassent du contour de base sous-jacent pour définir une pluralité correspondante de pieds (16); caractérisée en ce que : les formations de pied (16) rayonnent depuis une protubérance céntrale (18) ; les formations de pied (16) sont ovoides ; et les formations de pied (16) ontdesaxes longitudinaux (20) respectifs, lesquels axes se trouventdansdes plans s’étendant radialement depuis un axe central (12) de la base, dans laquelle : les axes longitudinaux (20) des formations de pied s’étendent vers l’extérieur et vers le haut dans une relation conique par rapport á l’axe central (12) de la base. 2. Base (14) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le contour de base sous-jacent est un sphéro'íde aplati dont l’axe polaire coincide avec un axe central (12) de la base (14); et/ou le contour de base sous-jacent est sensiblement hémisphérique. 3. Base selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans laquelle les formations de pied (16) sont des ellipso'ides allongés et/ou des sphéroídes étendus. 4. Base (14) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle la partie la plus large de la sectlon de chaqué formation de pied (16) est décalée vers l’intérieur vers une extrémité interne de la formation de pied (16). 5. Base (14) selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les axes longitudinaux (20) des formations de pied se croisent au niveau de l’axe central (12) de la base (14) en une position axialement en dessous de la base (14). 6. Base (14) selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle chaqué formation de pied (16) a une intersection elliptique avec le contour de base sous-jacent, l’intersection étant idéalement ovée et/ou de section concave. 7. Base (14) selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la protubérance céntrale (18) : a un rayón de courbure qui est plus petit que le rayón de courbure de la courbe de base sous-jacente ; et/ou s’étend vers un niveau au-delá du sommet le plus bas du contour de base sous-jacent. 8. Base (14) selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle une formation de pied (16) et la protubérance céntrale (18) sont jointes via une portion de transition s’incurvant doucement, dans laquelle idéalement: la formation de pied (16), la portion de transition s’incurvant doucement et la protubérance céntrale (18) défi- nissent ensemble une section sinueuse ; et/ou la portion de transition définit une courbe dont la courbure est inverse á la courbure d’au moins l’une des formations de pied (16) et de la protubérance céntrale (18). 9. Base (14) selon Tune quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle : la protubérance céntrale (18) est sensiblement convexe par rapport á l’extérieur du contenant (10) ; et/ou la protubérance céntrale (18) définit un évidement par rapport á l’intérieur du contenant, l’évidement étant agencé pour localiser et reteñir une extrémité libre d’un tube d’apport de fluide au sein du contenant (10); et/ou la protubérance céntrale (18) est généralement polygonale, avec un nombre de cótés correspondant au nombre de formations de pied (16). 10. Base (14) selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les formations de pied (16) sont séparées par des vallées (22), de préférence avec : les vallées (22) rayonnant depuis des sommets d’une protubérance céntrale généralement polygonale (18), le polygone ayant un nombre de cotés correspondant au nombre de formations de pied (16). 11. Base (14) selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle les vallées (22) s’élargissent en se déplagant vers l’extérieur á travers la base, idéalement avec : chaqué vallée (22) ayant une section interne et une section externe et les parois de la vallée (22) divergeant plus nettement dans la section externe que dans la section interne, et idéalement avec les parois de la vallée (22) divergeant dans les sections á la fois interne et externe de la vallée. 12. Base (14) selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle dans une vue en plan, chaqué formation de pied (16) a une région céntrale agrandie qui s’effile vers l’intérieur á travers chaqué portion interne vers une extrémité interne de la formation de pied (16) de préférence avec : chaqué formation de pied s’effilant depuis une région céntrale agrandie vers l’extérieur á travers une portion externe vers une extrémité externe de la formation de pied (16). 13. Contenant autoportant moulé par soufflage (10) ayant une base (14) telle que définie dans l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes. 14. Contenant (10) selon la revendication 13, dans lequel les formations de pied (16) de la base (14) définissent des points de contact respectifs qui ensemble sont espacés autour d’un cercle de contact dont le diamétre (x) est relié á un diamétre de paroi latérale (Dy) du contenant (10) par:

ou k est compris entre 3,6 et 5,5, de préférence entre 4,0 et 5,3, de maniére davantage préférée entre 4,2 et 5,0. 15. Contenant (10) selon la revendication 13 ou la revendication 14, comprenant un tube d’apport de fluide (120) aligné avec un axe longitudinal central du contenant (10), le tube (120) s’étendant entre la base (14) du contenant (10) et une ouverture du contenant (10).

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description • WO 2007064277 A [0003] [0004] · EP 0671331 A [0030] • WO 2006000408 A1 [0010]

Claims (3)

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