GB2572142A

GB2572142A - A glass container and method of manufacturing a glass container

Info

Publication number: GB2572142A
Application number: GB1804325.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Fuller Aston
Original assignee: Ecodacity Ltd
Current assignee: Ecodacity Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-18
Filing date: 2018-03-18
Publication date: 2019-09-25
Also published as: GB201804325D0

Abstract

A glass container 100 for use as a construction material is disclosed. The glass container includes a body portion 102, a neck portion 104 extending from an end 1081 of the body portion and a plurality of female locators 112 extending inwardly from an exterior surface 110 of the body portion. At least two of the plurality of female locators are each configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent glass container. The glass container may comprise at least one male locator (302 fig. 9a-12b) configured to engage further female locators (306), which may be formed of an elongate ridge and an elongate recess respectively. A method of manufacturing said glass containers and a kit of parts including a plurality of said containers is also disclosed.

Description

A GLASS CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A GLASS CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a glass container and a method of manufacturing a glass container. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a glass container for use as a structural material.

Glass has many properties, which make it suitable for use as a environmentally friendly construction material, particularly it’s relatively low environmental impact (despite being relatively energy intensive to manufacture) and its recyclability, which remains forever (as opposed to the typical red building brick, which deteriorates over time). The use of glass bricks throughout history as a construction material is widespread, has seen many iterations and has enjoyed many popular positions across the market from bespoke and expensive to eco-friendly. Each side of this spectrum has its benefits and downsides, where bespoke items bring a high price tag and eco-friendly materials bring the perception of low quality. Typically, glass bricks are sealed blocks, typically cuboid. Such sealed blocks can be significantly more expensive per kg of glass than a glass container (for example a glass bottle) as a result of slower speed of production and lower manufacturing efficiency due to economies of scale (i.e. significantly lower tonnages of glass blocks are sold than that of container glass).

Previous attempts have been made to produce a glass container that can be used as a construction material, i.e. a glass brick, for example the World Bottle (also known as the WoBo), as introduced by Alfred Heineken of The Heineken Brewing Company in the 1960’s. The WoBo featured a mating base and ring to allow for stacking of the containers. Upon the additional inclusion of a mortar between the stacked containers, each container effectively became a brick. This single mating feature (i.e. between the base of a first bottle and the ring of a second bottle) was revolutionary at the time and Heineken built example houses from the WoBo in the 1960’s. Although revolutionary, the mating feature of the WoBo did not offer sufficient versatility for use as a widespread construction material.

The continued wave of environmentally friendly building materials within the construction sector is driven by affordability within construction of large scale developments. With this in mind, it would be useful to have a cost effective, mass manufactured glass container brick. Some small hobbyist features, attempting to re-create the WoBo or similar has touched on the concepts of interlocking containers but never in any great depth or with a view to mass-manufacture of such an item. Examples can be seen from the designer Tim Dubitsky who, with the Corning Museum of Glasses GlassLab Studio, developed and prototyped a similar concept where mating features on 2 side faces of the container allowed the container to stack horizontally. However, the connectivity, and hence functionality, of such containers is limited.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a glass container for use as a construction material, comprising a body portion, a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion; and a plurality of female locators extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion, wherein at least two of the plurality of female locators are each configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent glass container.

Suitably, at least one of the at least two female locators is located on a side face of the body portion.

Suitably, the glass container is configured to mate with an adjacent glass container in a plurality of configurations.

Suitably, in at least one of the plurality of configurations the glass container is located substantially perpendicular to the adjacent glass container.

Suitably, in at least one of the plurality of configurations the glass container is co-axial with the adjacent glass container.

Suitably, a first female locator of the plurality of female locators is located on a first side face of the body portion, and wherein a second female locator of the plurality of female locators is located on a second side face of the body portion.

Suitably, at least one of the plurality of female locators is located on a base of the body portion.

Suitably, the at least two female locators are configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent glass container by receiving the neck portion of the adjacent glass container within the female locator.

Suitably, at least one of the at least two female locators is configured to mate with a male locator of an adjacent glass container.

Suitably, the at least one of the at least two female locators includes at least one recess on an edge thereof for mating with a male locator of an adjacent glass container.

Suitably, the at least two female locators deviate from an adjacent surface of the body portion by an angle of less than substantially 45 degrees as the at least two female locators extend inwardly from the adjacent surface of the body portion.

Suitably, the body portion further comprises at least one further female locator extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion, wherein the at least one further female locator is configured to mate with a male locator of an adjacent glass container.

Suitably, the at least one further female locator is an elongate recess.

Suitably, the body portion comprises at least two further female locators.

Suitably, two further female locators of the at least two further female locators are configured to mate with two male locators on a side face of an adjacent glass container.

Suitably, the two further female locators are configured to mate with the two male locators in at least two distinct configurations.

Suitably, a first further female locator of the at least two further female locators is on a first side face of the glass container, wherein a second further female locator of the at least two further female locators is on a second side face of the glass container.

Suitably, the first further female locator is configured to mate with a male locator on a side face of a first adjacent glass container, wherein the second further female locator is configured to mate with a male locator on a side face of a second adjacent glass container.

Suitably, the first and second further female locators intersect.

Suitably, the at least one further female locator intersects with an edge of at least one of the at least two female locators.

Suitably the body portion further comprises at least one male locator extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion, wherein the at least one male locator is configured to mate with a further female locator of an adjacent glass container.

Suitably, the at least one male locator is an elongate ridge portion.

Suitably, the body portion comprises at least two male locators.

Suitably, two male locators of the at least two male locators are configured to mate with two further female locators on a side face of an adjacent glass container.

Suitably, the two male locators are configured to mate with the two further female locators in at least two distinct configurations.

Suitably, the two male locators intersect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembling into a structure comprising a first glass container comprising a body portion and a plurality of female locators extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion;

a second glass container comprising a body portion; and a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion;

wherein at least two of the plurality of female locators are each configured to mate with the neck portion of the second glass container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a glass container for use as a construction material, comprising:

providing an IS machine; using the IS machine to produce a glass container for use as a construction material, comprising a body portion; a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion; and a plurality of female locators extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion, wherein at least two of the plurality of female locators are each configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent glass container.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that a glass container is provided that can be used as a structural material. As such, the glass container can provide fluids and construction materials to remote locations that have poor infrastructure for recycling or the transportation of construction materials.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that a glass container is provided that utilises locating features on a multitude of faces to allow it to interlock with (or be securely located in a particular relative position to) other same/similar containers.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that a glass container is provided that can be securely located relative to an adjacent glass container in several different configurations, allowing greater flexibility when using the glass container to build a structure in comparison to known glass containers.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that when being used as a construction material a low conductivity and double glazing effect can be achieved for a low effective cost. When being used as a construction material certain embodiments of the invention allow for a fully recyclable walls and/or buildings allowing for an overall lower impact of future architectural structures. This is a significant improvement on the current use of clay bricks due to the recycling process which often sees the grade of the materials drop when being recycled.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide an as yet unseen commercial use of the glass container beyond its current market utilisation. The invention bridges two manufacturing processes and unlocks the potential of the container to be used for a purpose other than solely as a vessel for fluids.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1a and 1b illustrate a perspective view of a first example of a glass container;

Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate side views of the glass container of Figs. 1a and 1b;

Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate cutaway side views of the glass container of Figs. 1a and 1b;

Fig. 4a illustrates a plan view of a mated arrangement of glass containers as per the glass containers of the first example;

Figs 4b and 4c illustrate cutaway side views of arrangement of Fig. 4a;

Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate a perspective view of a third example of a glass container;

Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d illustrate side views of the glass container of Figs. 5a and 5b;

Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate cutaway side views of the glass container of Figs. 5a and 5b along axis A-A, B-B, C-C respectively;

Fig. 8a illustrates a side view of a mated arrangement of glass containers as per the glass containers of the third example;

Fig. 8b illustrates a cutaway side view of the arrangement of Fig. 8a (cutaway along A-A); Fig. 9a, 9b and 9c illustrate perspective views of a second example of a glass container;

Figs. 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d illustrate side views of the glass container of Figs. 9a-9c;

Figs. 11a, 11b and 11c illustrate cutaway side views of the glass container of Figs. 9a-9c; and

Figs. 12a and 12b illustrate perspective views of a mated arrangement of glass containers as per the container of Figs. 9a-9c.

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Throughout this description, reference will be made to a glass container. It will be understood that a glass container is a hollow glass vessel with an internal volume enclosed on all sides except for one opening which is known as the ring, generally being located at the “top” opposite the “base” face. A glass container is one such vessel that is manufactured from any amorphous glass solid material and is most likely to be, but not limited to soda-lime-silica or borosilicate glass.

Figs. 1a and 1b illustrate a first example of a glass container 100 for use as a construction material. That is, the glass container 100 can be positioned relative to other construction materials (for example other glass containers) as part of a constructed structure. Examples of structures for which the glass container of Figs. 1a-1b may be used include walls, roads, paths, glass domes, arches, lintels and doorways. The glass container 100 is configured such that it may be arranged in a mating, stacking or ‘interlocking’ configuration with adjacent construction materials/glass containers to provide stability to the structure.

The glass container 100 includes a body portion 102, a neck portion 104 extending from an end of the body portion 102. The neck portion has an opening at an end thereof (i.e. the ring), which provides external access to the internal volume of the body portion 102. The neck portion of the container provides the hollow structure between the ring and the body and is generally moulded as part of the body even though its form is different to that of the body. The neck of the glass container 100 is a short form neck, but in other possible examples, the neck portion may be of any suitable size. In reality the neck and ring are separate but for brevity this portion of the container will be referred to simply as the neck.

The glass container 100 further includes a plurality of female locators 106 extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion 102. Herein ‘a plurality’ is deemed to refer to ‘two or more’. At least two of the plurality of female locators 106 are each configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent glass container. That is, at least two of the plurality of female locators 106 are each configured to receive a neck portion of an adjacent glass container within the female locator. In this example, the glass container 100 includes five female locators 106, which can each mate with a neck portion of an adjacent glass container.

In this example, the glass container 100 includes a top face 108.,, from which the neck portion 104 of the glass container 100 extends. The glass container 100 further includes a base (or bottom face) 108₂, as illustrated in Fig. 2b, at an opposing side of the glass container 100 to the top face 108.,.

In this example, at least one of the plurality of female locators 106 is located on the base 108₂ of the body portion 102. Specifically, in this example one female locator 106 is located on the base as shown in Fig. 2b.

The glass container 100 further includes a plurality of side faces 110. In this example, each side face 110 extends from the bottom face 108₂ to the top face 108_r In this example, all side faces of the glass container 100 are substantially perpendicular to adjacent/connecting side faces, such that the glass container 100 is substantially ‘block shaped’. In this example, there are four side faces 110.

At least one of the female locators 106 is located on one of the side faces 110 of the body portion 102. In this example a first female locator 106 of the plurality of female locators 106 is located on a first side face of the body portion, and a second female locator 106 of the plurality of female locators 106 is located on a second side face of the body portion.

Figs. 2a and 2c illustrate the side faces 110 of the glass container 100. In this example, two side faces 110 include an arrangement of female locators 106, as shown by Fig. 2c. Specifically, each of the two side faces 110 include two female locators 106, as illustrated in Fig. 2c. The other side faces 110 do not have have female locators thereon, as shown in Fig. 2a. In this example, the side faces 110 with female locators thereon are on opposing sides of the glass container 100. That is, the side faces are arranged around the glass container such that alternating faces include an arrangement of locating features.

Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate cutaways of Figs.2a, 2b and 2c. Specifically, Fig. 3a is a cutaway through axis A-A, Fig. 3b is a cutaway through axis B-B and Fig. 3c is a cutaway through axis C-C.

In this example, each of the female locators 106 include a base portion 112 and a wall portion 114. In this example, the base portion 112 is circular. The wall portion 114 extends from the base portion 112 to the corresponding side face 110 / bottom face 108 from which the female locator 106 extends inwardly.

In this example, the female locators deviate from the corresponding side face 110 by an angle of less than substantially 45 degrees as the female locators extend inwardly from the side face 110. That is, the angle formed between the side face 110 and the wall portion 114 of a female locator 106, located on that side face 110, form an angle less than substantially 45 degrees. This is best shown on Fig. 3c, where the angle 116 formed between the bottom face 108 and the wall portion 114 of a female locator 106 is equal to 45 degrees. The angle 116 is aptly between 25 and 47 degrees. More aptly, the angle 116 is between 30 and 45 degrees. More aptly, the angle 116 is between 40 and 45 degrees.

The ‘shallow’ angle of the female locators allows for an effective balance between the container internal volume and the ability to mould and manufacture a good quality article. This is due to the ability of the moulds within the IS machine (discussed later with regard to manufacture of the glass container) to be able to release the container without causing any damage during the forming operation.

Fig. 4a illustrates an example mating arrangement of a plurality glass containers 100,.4 as described above. Fig. 4b illustrates a cutaway along axis B-B. Fig. 4c illustrates a cutaway along axis A-A.

The glass container 100 (i.e. each of the glass containers 100,_₄) is configured to mate with an adjacent glass container in a plurality of configurations. That is, the neck portion of the adjacent container may be received in any one of the plurality of female locators 106.

The glass container 100 is configured such that in at least one of the plurality of possible configurations the glass container 100 is located substantially perpendicular to the adjacent glass container. That is, the longitudinal axis of the glass containers (from the bottom face to the neck portion) are substantially perpendicular. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 4b, which shows that the neck portions of two glass container 100₃₄ are seen mating with two oppositely faced female mating features (female locators) of a third container 100,. This configuration allows the neck portion to be hidden within a female locator when assembling an angled construction (i.e. when constructing the corner of a wall).

The glass container 100 is configured such that in at least one of the plurality of configurations the glass container is co-axial with the adjacent glass container. That is, the longitudinal axis of the glass containers (from the bottom face to the neck portion) are coaxial. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 4c, which shows the neck and ring portion of container 100₂ mating co-axially with another container 100, where this mating occurs with the base female mating feature of said container 100,.

A plurality of containers when configured together will give rise to a structure that when tested and approved will allow for a number of widespread uses in the construction industry. Optionally, during or after assembly of the construction, a plurality of containers may be secured together by means of a cementitious or adhesive material. The primary adhesive envisioned is likely to be but not limited to silicone sealant. This would be particularly advantageous when recycling any large structural units of glass containers due to the recyclability of silicone sealant in the glass melting and forming process. A mortar may also be used.

The use of a shallow angle mating feature allows for sweeping and arched constructions (i.e. the neck portion of a container may be angled within the female locator of an adjacent container. Structural frameworks may be used to allow sections to be jointed at angles more or less than 90 degrees. In such a configuration the end of the structure would enter a recessed wooden or similar frame which comprised another recess on an opposing face at any given angle to receive another structure made from a plurality of container 100.

The glass container 100 is configured to be manufactured by an I.S. machine. That is, an I.S. machine is used to produce a glass container for use as a construction material as described above. The container will be manufactured using a blow, blow-blow, Press-and-blow or narrow-neck-press-and-blow process on an individual section hollow glass forming machine. These machines are pertained to in numerous patent citations under the classification “C03B9/00 Blowing glass; production of hollow glass articles” and in particular “C03B9/14 Blowing glass; production of hollow glass articles in gob feeder machines in ‘blow machines’ or in ‘blow-and-blow’ machines”, “C03B9/16 Blowing glass; production of hollow glass articles in gob feeder machines in ‘blow machines’ or in ‘blow-and-blow’ machines with turn-over moulds” and “C03B9/193 Blowing glass; production of hollow glass articles in gob feeder machines in “press-and-blow’ machines”.

The container 100 is typically but not limited to 75mmx75mmx165mm (length x width x height) in size. It is important to note that the given size of a container when in a connected state with another container is 75mmx75mmx150mm, the additional height is to allow for the neck and ring portion of the container but this overall height is lost when in a connected state into a female locator. Aptly the container may be of any suitable size. For example the length of the container may be from 50mm to 350mm. The width of the container may be from 50mm to 350mm. The height of the container may be from 100mm to 500mm. The depth of a mating feature designed to receive the neck and ring portion is typically but not limited to 15mm depth. Aptly, the depth of the female locator may be between 10mm and 50mm. This feature will change depth depending on the neck and ring overall profile but is unlikely to be no greater than 25% of the overall width of the container.

With the above described arrangement there are a number of advantages over known glass containers.

The above described arrangement, having (at least) two recesses that can mate with a neck portion offer significant improvements over any currently known glass containers. This is due to the ability to configure a plurality of containers in such a way that a fully sealed wall can be produced with no ring openings (e.g. a wall can be constructed with no ring opening protruding from any surface of the wall). No prior art in the area of glass containers has allowed the construction of a wall whereby all faces of the wall contain no ring openings. This is a considerable advantage over any prior art in this area especially the WoBo bottle where every corner of any structure produced from a plurality of containers will contain a ring opening on every single layer of construction at perpendicular intersections.

With the above described arrangement the advantage of shallow angle mating features provides for a locating feature that offers significant advantage over traditional construction techniques with clay bricks. These angled mating features allow the container to be stacked quickly and accurately whilst offering a good balance between stability and strength. Traditional clay bricks with cementitious adhesive can only be constructed to a certain height in a given day due to the curing time required to ensure the bricks do not “slip” out of place.

With the above described arrangement the advantages of multiple degrees of freedom for mating adjacent containers is a significant improvement over known containers. Where the container can be seen to have a plurality of mating faces, each mating face provides the ability to receive the mating ring (i.e. the neck) of the container. This gives rise to a plurality of configurations in which the container may be utilised.

In this example (with two female locators on a single side) allows multiple ‘offset’ mating configurations between a single face of a container including an arrangement of female locators and a neck portion of an adjacent container.

Various modifications to the glass container 100 as described above are possible. For example the glass container 100 may be of any suitable shape. For example, the glass container 100 may be a cube, a triangular prism or the like. The glass container 100 may have any number of side faces 110. For example the glass container may have 3, 4 or more side faces 110.

There may be any suitable arrangement of female locators 106 on the side faces 110. For example, there may be any number of female locators 106 on a single side face 110, e.g. 1, 2 or more. The female locators 106 on a single face may be positioned relative to one another in any suitable way, for example at a regular distance across the side face or offset from a central axis. The arrangements of female locators on separate side faces may be the same or may be different. In addition, there may be female locators on any number of side faces, for example on 1, 2 or more side faces 110.

The female locators 106 may be of any suitable structure. For example, the base portion 112 may be of any suitable shape, e.g square. Alternatively, the base portion 112 and the wall portion 114 may be integral, for example a continuous bowl shape. At least one of the female locators 106 may be configured to mate with a male locator of an adjacent glass container. That is, an adjacent bottle may include a protrusion on a side face thereof that can be received within the female locator 106.

In a kit of parts including a plurality of containers, each container may be the same configuration or a different configuration, For example, the containers may be of the same size. Alternatively, some containers may have a different configuration. For example, some bottles may be significantly taller, wider or longer. It is however expected that this height, width or length is likely a multiple of anyone of these base dimensions.

Figs. 9a and 9b illustrate a second example of a glass container 300 for use as a construction material. The glass container 300 is the same size of the glass container 100 and similar to the glass container 100 in structure (e.g. the arrangement of faces and the inclusion of female locators 106). For brevity, corresponding features will not be described here.

In this example, the body portion of the glass container 300 further includes at least one male locator 302 extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion 102, or specifically at least two male locators 302. In this example there are three male locators 302. In this example, the male locators 302 are elongate ridge portions.

In this example, the body portion 102 further includes at least one further female locator 306 extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion 102, or specifically at least two further female locators 306. In this example, the glass container 300 has three further female locators 306. In this example, the further female locators 306 are elongate recesses.

The further female locators 306 are configured to mate with male locators of an adjacent glass container. Similarly, each male locator 302 is configured to mate with a further female locator of an adjacent glass container. That is, the further female locators are configured to receive the male locators of an adjacent bottle (and vice versa). The ‘mating’ between the male locators and the further female locators is such that relative movement between the mated locator features is restricted (i.e. movement perpendicular to the ridge/recess of the locators), such that the relative position between glass containers can be secured enough to produce a construction.

In this example, the male and further female locators are ridges/recesses with a substantially triangular cross section. That is, the ridges/recesses extend/recess from the face to a point/peak (along the centreline of the ridge/recess). However, in other examples the male and further female locators may be of any suitable cross section, for example the ridges/recesses may have a substantially semi-circular/curved cross section. Typical male and further female locator sizes are likely to be but not limited to 7.5mm height and depth respectively. Aptly, the male and further female locators sizes may be between 5mm and 20mm.

Figs. 10a, 10b and 10d illustrate the side faces 110 of the glass container 300. Fig. 10c illustrates the bottom face of the container 300. Figs. 11a, 11b and 11c illustrate cutaways of Figs.10a, 10b and 10d. Specifically, Fig. 11a is a cutaway through axis A-A, Fig. 11b is a cutaway through axis B-B and Fig. 11c is a cutaway through axis C-C.

In this example, a side face 110 includes an arrangement of male locators 302, as shown by Fig. 10b. In this example, all the male locators 302 are located on the same side face 110 of the glass container 300. In this example, a side face 110 includes an arrangement of further female locators 306, as shown in Fig. 10a. In this example, two side faces 110 include arrangements of female locators 106 and recesses 304 as shown in Fig. 10d. In this example the side faces with arrangements of male locators and further female locators are on opposing sides of the container, with side faces including an arrangement of female locators there between. That is, two separate faces of the glass container include further female locators configured to mate with male locators of adjacent glasses.

In this example, at least two of the male locators 302 intersect. In this example, two of the male locators run in a first direction parallel to the base of the bottle and a third male locator runs in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container, such that the two male locators intersect with the third male locator. That is, the male locators 302 intersect at a substantially perpendicular angle.

In this example, the female locators 106 are configured to mate with the male locators of an adjacent glass container (in addition to being configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent container). In this example, the female locators 106 include at least one recess 304 on an edge thereof for mating with the male locator (i.e. the elongate ridge portions) of an adjacent bottle.

Figs. 12a and 12b illustrate an example mating arrangement of a plurality of glass containers 300₁__n (where n represent the number of containers in the arrangement) according to the second example of glass containers.

In this example, the configuration of the further female locators mirrors that of the male locators (as shown on Figs. 10a and 10b). This allows the further female locators 306 of a glass container to mate with corresponding male locators 302 on a side face of an adjacent glass container (and vice versa), when the side face glass of container 300 including the arrangement of further female locators 306 is brought together with the side face of the adjacent glass container including the arrangement of male locators (and vice versa). That is, the face of the container 300 is lined up with the face of the adjacent container. Such a mating configuration is shown between containers 300.,.3 on Fig. 12a.

The male locators on a side face are configured to mate with the further female locators of a corresponding side face of an adjacent container in at least two distinct configurations. Similarly, the further female locators are configured to mate with the two male locators in at least two distinct configurations. Similarly, the female locators (including recess) are configured to mate with the male locators in at least two distinct configurations (and vice versa).

In this example, the intersection of male locators and further female locators 306 allows multiple mating configurations between a single face of a container including an arrangement of male locators and a single face of a container including an arrangement of further female locators. That is, the symmetry provided by the intersections allows corresponding features to mate in a variety of relative orientations.

In addition, this example (with two male/further female locators running parallel to one another on a single side face) allows ‘offset’ mating configurations between a single face of a container including an arrangement of male locators and a single face of a container including an arrangement of further female locators.

In addition, the female mating features on the base of the container 300 allows the container to mate with male locators on an adjacent bottle (including elongate ridges or the neck of an adjacent container).

In the same manner as the container 100, a suitable adhesive (e.g. silicone) may be used to secure the container within any construction.

Similarly, to the previous example, the glass container 300 is configured to be manufactured by an IS machine. That is, an IS machine is used to produce a glass container for use as a construction material as described above. Wherein the production of a glass container that contains extra features as described above may require the addition of supplementary and unusual amounts of vacuum and mould cooling to allow for manufacture without critical quality defects.

Similarly to the glass container 100 (and in fact to a greater extent), the above described arrangement offers multiple possible degrees of connectivity (significantly more than known containers). That is, the features on a single face offer multiple degrees of connectivity with a corresponding face. In addition, the multiple faces with mating features offers further possibilities.

The use of the connection between the male and further female locators (i.e. the elongate ridge/recess or similar) allows connectivity not possible/obvious from previous containers. Particularly, the use of the ‘smaller’ male and further female locators (in comparison to the female locators) on faces in between those with female locators ensures improved connectivity (particularly connectivity which does not leave a container ring exposed) without the potential for ‘bird-swings’. That is, the inclusion of female locators on all side faces would be impossible.

With the above described arrangement, the use of elongate ridges and circular mating features will offer greater mechanical strength than a solely flat faced container. This is a significant advantage when using the arrangement for structural components due to the requirement for increased mechanical strength.

Fig. 12b illustrates a relative positioning between two containers 300₄ and 300₅. As in this example the elongate ridges (of the male locators) run across the entire side face, the relative positioning between the elongate ridges on adjacent faces of the adjacent containers produces a channel 330. The channel can be used to house electrical wiring, for example.

Various modifications to the glass container 300 as described above are possible (in addition to those applicable modifications stated above for glass container 100). For example, there may be any number of male locators on a face. For example there may be one, two or more male locators on a single face. Similarly, there may be any number of further female locators on a face. In another example, the faces including only male locators or further female locators, may alternatively include a combination of both male locators and further female locators.

There may be any number of faces including male locators. In the above example, there is one face including male locators. However, there may be two, three or more. Similarly, there may be any number of faces with further female locators.

The male locators may be any suitable shape/size. For example, the elongate ridges may extend the full dimension of the face on which it is situated, or it may partly extend the full dimension of the face. Aptly, in another example the arrangement of elongate ridges shown in the above example, may be substituted for a plurality of protrusions/bumps, which when strategically arranged (for example in positions which would have been situated along the elongate ridges) offer the same connectivity as the elongate ridges with the further female locators. The container may include several different types of male locator on a single face/different faces.

The further female locators may be any suitable shape/size. For example, the elongate recess may extend the full dimension of the face on which it is situated, or it may partly extend the full dimension of the face. Similarly to discussed above for the male locators, the arrangement of elongate ridges shown in the above example, may be substituted for a plurality of discrete recesses, which can be strategically arranged as discussed above.

The recesses 304 in the female locators 106 are optional. As an alternative to the recesses 304, the faces with female locators may also include further female locators, which intersect with an edge of the female locators.

An alternative to the glass container 300 may be the third example of a glass container 200, as shown in Figs. 5a to 8b. This example has corresponding features to the glass container 300, however, without female locators on side faces.

A kit of parts for assembling into a structure may be provided including a first glass container including a body portion; and a plurality of female locators extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion. The kit of parts may further include a second glass container including a body portion; and a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion; wherein at least two of the plurality of female locators are each configured to mate with the neck portion of the second glass container. That is a kit of parts may be provided with at least two glass containers according to any previous example. The kit of parts may include any number of glass containers.

The glass containers 200 and 300, are examples of glass containers for use as a construction material, comprising:a body portion, wherein the body portion includes a base portion; and a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion. The body portion of these containers include a plurality of side faces extending between the base portion and the neck portion. The glass containers further comprise a first locator feature for locating the glass container in a mating arrangement with an adjacent glass container and a second locator feature for locating the glass container in a mating arrangement with an adjacent glass container. The first and second locator features are located on adjacent side faces.

The first locator feature may be the further female locators or the male locators (and additionally the female locators for the glass container 300) as discussed with regards to these examples. The second locator feature may be a female locator or a male locator as discussed with regards to these examples.

That is, they are examples of containers with locating features on adjacent side faces. As discussed above with regards to these examples, this offers greater versatility to known containers.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the embodiments described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments described above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A glass container for use as a construction material, comprising a body portion;

a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion; and a plurality of female locators extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion, wherein at least two of the plurality of female locators are each configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent glass container.

2. A glass container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two female locators is located on a side face of the body portion.

3. A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the glass container is configured to mate with an adjacent glass container in a plurality of configurations.

4. A glass container as claimed in claim 3, wherein in at least one of the plurality of configurations the glass container is located substantially perpendicular to the adjacent glass container.

5. A glass container as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein in at least one of the plurality of configurations the glass container is co-axial with the adjacent glass container.

6. A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a first female locator of the plurality of female locators is located on a first side face of the body portion, and wherein a second female locator of the plurality of female locators is located on a second side face of the body portion.

7. A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the plurality of female locators is located on a base of the body portion.

8.

A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least two female locators are configured to mate with the neck portion of an adjacent glass container by receiving the neck portion of the adjacent glass container within the female locator.

9. A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the at least two female locators is configured to mate with a male locator of an adjacent glass container.

10. A glass container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one of the at least two female locators includes at least one recess on an edge thereof for mating with a male locator of an adjacent glass container.

11. A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least two female locators deviate from an adjacent surface of the body portion by an angle of less than substantially 45 degrees as the at least two female locators extend inwardly from the adjacent surface of the body portion.

12. A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion further comprises at least one further female locator extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion, wherein the at least one further female locator is configured to mate with a male locator of an adjacent glass container,

13. A glass container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one further female locator is an elongate recess.

14. A glass container as claimed in any of claim 12 or 13, wherein the body portion comprises at least two further female locators.

15. A glass container as claimed in claim 14, wherein two further female locators of the at least two further female locators are configured to mate with two male locators on a side face of an adjacent glass container.

16. A glass container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the two further female locators are configured to mate with the two male locators in at least two distinct configurations.

17. A glass container as claimed in claim 14, wherein a first further female locator of the at least two further female locators is on a first side face of the glass container, wherein a second further female locator of the at least two further female locators is on a second side face of the glass container.

18. A glass container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first further female locator is configured to mate with a male locator on a side face of a first adjacent glass container, wherein the second further female locator is configured to mate with a male locator on a side face of a second adjacent glass container.

19. A glass container as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the first and second further female locators intersect.

20. A glass container as claimed any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the at least one further female locator intersects with an edge of at least one of the at least two female locators.

21. A glass container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion further comprises at least one male locator extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion, wherein the at least one male locator is configured to mate with a further female locator of an adjacent glass container.

22. A glass container as claimed in claims 21, wherein the at least one male locator is an elongate ridge portion.

23. A glass container as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the body portion comprises at least two male locators.

24. A glass container as claimed in claim 23, wherein two male locators of the at least two male locators are configured to mate with two further female locators on a side face of an adjacent glass container.

25. A glass container as claimed in claim 24, wherein the two male locators are configured to mate with the two further female locators in at least two distinct configurations.

26. A glass container as claimed in any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the two male locators intersect.

27. A kit of parts for assembling into a structure comprising a first glass container comprising:

a body portion; and a plurality of female locators extending inwardly from an exterior surface of the body portion;

a second glass container comprising:

a body portion; and a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion;

28. A method of manufacturing a glass container for use as a construction material, comprising:

providing an IS machine;

using the IS machine to produce a glass container for use as a construction material, comprising a body portion;

29. A glass container for use as a construction material, comprising: a body portion, wherein the body portion includes a base portion; and a neck portion extending from an end of the body portion;

wherein the body portion includes a plurality of side faces extending between the base portion and the neck portion;

wherein the glass container further comprises:

a first locator feature for locating the glass container in a mating arrangement with an adjacent glass container;

a second locator feature for locating the glass container in a mating arrangement with an adjacent glass container wherein the first and second locator features are located on adjacent side faces.

30. A glass container according to claim 29, wherein the first locator feature is a female locator or a male locator or a further female locator;

wherein the second locator feature is a female locator or a male locator.