The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 24, 2016
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2014
James Nelson, Mira Loma, CA (US);
James Nelson, Mira Loma, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A variable volume container comprises a sidewall, a base having a ribbed region, and a diaphragm. The ribbed region has a plurality of concentric ribs extending from the diaphragm, and flexure zones between each rib. The flexure zones allow for accordion-like movement of the diaphragm in response to the internal pressure of the container. The ribs are characterized has having a uniformly arced interior curved surface and a distorted arced exterior curved surface. The ribs are four to eight times the width of the flexure zones, and the flexure zones have an exterior surface shorter than its bottom surface. During vacuum sealing, these features allow the diaphragm to retract upward to reduce the volume of the container while maintaining shape and structural stability of the container. This is especially useful for food packaging operations where containers need to be able to withstand conditions such as high pressure, heat, and/or vacuums.