U.S. patent application number 10/135315 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for hot-fillable multi-sided blow-molded container.
Invention is credited to kelley, Paul, Moersdorf, Scott.
Application Number | 20030000911 10/135315 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26833201 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030000911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
kelley, Paul ; et
al. |
January 2, 2003 |
Hot-fillable multi-sided blow-molded container
Abstract
A plastic blow molded bottle or wide mouth jar useful in
containing hot-filled beverages or food products. The container has
a multi-sided sidewall which is capable of accommodating vacuum
associated with hot filling, capping and cooling of the container,
which is reinforced to resist unwanted deformation, and which
enables a label to be aesthetically displayed on the container
sidewall. To this end, the sidewall comprises a plurality of panels
which include outwardly bowed arcuate sections, as formed, which
flatten to accommodate induced vacuum. Thus, a label can be
supported on the sidewall with very few voids, or like sunken
areas, behind the label to ensure that the label is prominently
displayed on the aesthetically appealing novel container
configuration.
Inventors: |
kelley, Paul; (Thurmont,
MD) ; Moersdorf, Scott; (Holland, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWSON AND HOWSON
ONE SPRING HOUSE CORPORATION CENTER
BOX 457
321 NORRISTOWN ROAD
SPRING HOUSE
PA
19477
US
|
Family ID: |
26833201 |
Appl. No.: |
10/135315 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60301200 |
Jun 27, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/381 ;
215/379; 215/382 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/44 20130101; B65D
2501/0036 20130101; B65D 79/0084 20200501; B65D 1/0223 20130101;
B65D 2501/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/381 ;
215/379; 215/382 |
International
Class: |
B65D 090/02 |
Claims
1. A hot-fillable plastic container, comprising: a blow molded
plastic container body having a circular base, a finish opposite
said base, and a sidewall extending therebetween; a portion of said
sidewall having a plurality of panels positioned circumferentially
about said sidewall portion to form a multi-sided sidewall
structure; each adjacent pair of panels interconnecting to form an
obtuse angle therebetween and to form a continuous
longitudinally-extending post structure therebetween; and at least
selected ones of said panels having a section thereof formed
outwardly bowed of the container at a radius of curvature within a
predetermined range of radius of curvatures; whereby, when the
container is hot-filled and capped and as the hot-filled and capped
container is permitted to cool, said outwardly bowed section
flattens to accommodate induced vacuum created within the capped
and filled container.
2. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 1, wherein
said sidewall has an outwardly extending,
circumferentially-disposed, circular bumper.
3. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 2, wherein
at least selected ones of said panels have an inset reinforcement
area adjacent said bumper, each of said inset areas extending
between an adjacent pair of post structures and terminating a
spaced distance from said post structures, whereby said inset areas
function to reinforce and strengthen said bumper and post
structures to prevent deformation thereof.
4. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 3, wherein
said bumper is a lower label bumper located adjacent said base, and
wherein said outwardly bowed sections of said panels are located
above said inset areas.
5. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 1, wherein
said outwardly bowed sections of said panels flex inwardly when
said container is hot-filled and capped and as the hot-filled and
capped container is permitted to cool to accommodate induced vacuum
created within the capped and filled container.
6. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 3, wherein
said sidewall portion includes at least five panels each having an
as-formed outwardly bowed section and an inset reinforcement
area.
7. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 6, wherein
said sidewall portion is formed from six identical panels
positioned side by side.
8. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 1, wherein
said radius of curvature of each of said outwardly bowed sections
extends on a plane perpendicular to an imaginary central axis
extending longitudinally through the container.
9. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 8, wherein
said radius of curvature of each outwardly bowed section varies as
said outwardly bowed section extends in a direction parallel to
said imaginary central axis.
10. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 9, wherein
said radius of curvature of each outwardly bowed section increases
as said outwardly bowed section extends toward said finish.
11. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 9, wherein
said radius of curvature of each outwardly bowed section decreases
as said outwardly bowed section extends toward said finish.
12. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 9, wherein
said range of radius of curvatures includes a maximum radius of
curvature and a minimum radius of curvature, and wherein said
maximum radius of curvature is within 5% of said minimum radius of
curvature.
13. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 1, wherein
said sidewall portion having said panels provides a label mounting
area, and wherein said sidewall includes a circular upper label
bumper above said label mounting area and a circular lower label
bumper below said label mounting area.
14. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 1, wherein
said finish is selected from the group consisting of an upstanding
threaded narrow neck finish, an upstanding threaded wide mouth
finish, an upstanding injection molded finish, and an upstanding
blown finish.
15. A hot-fillable plastic container, comprising: a blow molded
plastic container body having a circular base, a sidewall, a
circular lower bumper between said base and sidewall, and a dome
having an upstanding finish opposite said base; said sidewall
having a plurality of panels positioned circumferentially in a
side-by-side relationship about said sidewall thereby forming a
multi-sided sidewall structure; each adjacent pair of panels
interconnecting to form an obtuse angle therebetween and a
vertically-extending post structure which extends continuously
through said multi-sided sidewall structure; and each panel,
as-formed, having a section which is arcuate in a plane
perpendicular to an imaginary central axis extending longitudinally
through the container, each arcuate section providing said panel
with a slightly outward bow and having a predetermined radius of
curvature within a predetermined range of radius of curvatures, and
each panel having an inset circumferentially-extending
reinforcement area adjacent said lower bumper, each of said inset
areas extending between an adjacent pair of said post structures
and terminating a spaced distance from said post structures to
reinforce and strengthen said circular lower bumper and post
structures, and each of said arcuate sections of said panels
flexing inwardly for accommodating induced vacuum created when the
container is hot-filled, capped and cooled.
16. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 15, wherein
said sidewall has at least five of said panels.
17. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 16, wherein
said radius of curvature of said arcuate sections varies as said
arcuate sections extend in a direction parallel to said imaginary
central axis.
18. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 16, wherein
said radius of curvature of said arcuate sections decreases as said
arcuate sections extend toward said base.
19. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 16, wherein
said radius of curvature said arcuate sections increases as said
arcuate sections extend toward said base.
20. A hot-fillable plastic container according to claim 18, wherein
said range of radius of curvatures includes a maximum radius of
curvature and a minimum radius of curvature, and wherein said
maximum radius of curvature is within 5% of said minimum radius of
curvature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/301,200 filed Jun. 27, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a plastic blow molded
bottle or wide mouth jar useful in containing hot-filled beverages
or food products, and more particulary, the present invention
relates to a container having a multi-sided sidewall which is
reinforced to resist unwanted deformation, which enables a label to
be aesthetically displayed on the container sidewall, and which is
capable of accommodating vacuum associated with hot filling,
capping and cooling of the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hot-fillable, blow-molded plastic containers are well known
in the art. The problems associated with accommodating vacuum
deformations associated with hot filling, capping and cooling, and
their solutions are also well known. Typically, so-called vacuum
flex panels are formed as relatively large indented panels in the
sidewall of containers and accommodate the vacuum that develops in
the containers as a result of hot fill processing. Examples of
cylindrical containers having indented flex panels are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,762,221 issued to Tobias et al.; D.402,563 issued
to Prevot et el.; D.366,831 issued to Semersky et al.; and
D.366,416 issued to Semersky.
[0004] Hot-fillable blow-molded containers having multi-sided
sidewall configurations with indented vacuum flex panels are
disclosed, for example, by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,178,290 issued to Ota
et al. and 5,238,129 issued to Ota. In particular, FIGS. 7-8 of the
Ota '290 patent and FIGS. 5-8 of the Ota '129 patent illustrate and
disclose hexagonal and octagonal container sidewall configurations
which have indented flex panels.
[0005] Hot-fillable, multi-sided containers have also been provided
with a series of walls which are formed planar and which bow, flex,
or warp inwardly in response to induced vacuum. Thus, the resulting
shape of each panel of such hot-filled, capped and cooled
containers is concave, or inwardly bowed, thereby providing the
sidewall with an undulating shape in plan. Examples of such
containers are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,749,092 issued to
Sugiura et al. and 4,497,855 issued to Agrawal et al. For instance,
see FIGS. 2 and 5 of the '092 Sugiura patent and FIG. 7 of the
Agrawal '855 patent. U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,178 issued to Welker, III
discloses another multi-sided container having a plurality of
sidewall panels which, as-formed, are planar and which are designed
to flex inwardly. For instance, see FIG. 7 of the Welker, III '178
patent.
[0006] Other related container designs are disclosed by U.S. Pat.
No. 4,946,053 issued to Conrad which discloses an ovalized label
panel for a hot-fillable bottle having a circular footprint; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,908,127 issued to Weick et al. which discloses an
ovalized or "rounded-off" rectangular sidewall of a hot-fillable
bottle having front and rear outwardly bowed panels; and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,690,244 issued to Darr which discloses a paneled sidewall of
ajar having a circular footprint. Also see the container
configurations disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,818,575 issued to
Hirata et al.; 5,866,419 issued to Meder; D.189,372 issued to
Adell; D.402,896 issued to Conrad; D.318,422 issued to Rumney;
D.418,760 issued to Blank; and D.419,886 issued to Gans.
[0007] A problem experienced with hot-fillable containers having
flex panels, particularly indented or concave flex panels, is that
voids are created within the label mounting region behind the
labels. Voids behind a label can prevent the label from being
prominently displayed on the container sidewall and can provide
areas on the label which are prone to tearing, undesirable
stretching, or the like. In addition, the use of certain labels,
such as shrink wrap labels, can result in the labels extending
into, or shrinking within, the voids which also negatively effects
container aesthetics.
[0008] Another problem experienced with hot-fillable containers is
the occurrence of creases, dents or like deformations in the
sidewalls of the containers which damage, weaken, and/or detract
from the aesthetics of the container. Such deformations can result,
for instance, due to line pressure experienced during transferring,
filling, capping and packing operations. To this end, adjacent
containers in such operations can become tightly engaged,
particularly adjacent the base and lower bumper areas of the
containers, thereby causing at least selected ones of the
containers from being dented or provided with undesirable crease
marks. More specifically, multi-sided containers typically
experience such deformations adjacent the vertical post structures
adjacent the base of the containers.
[0009] A still further problem relates to the occurrence of
creases, dents or like deformations in the sidewalls of the
containers experienced as a result of shipping and handling of the
containers due to inadequate top loading or drop capability. To
this end, creases or dents can result in containers located in
bottom rows of containers on which many other rows of containers
are stacked during shipping. In addition, forces exerted on the
containers during loading and unloading of the stacked containers
can also cause creases and dents. Multi-sided containers are
particularly prone to such deformation along post structures
adjacent the base of the containers along an area of contact of the
containers with adjacent containers in the stack.
[0010] Although various ones of the above referenced containers may
function satisfactorily for their intended purposes, there is a
need for a hot-fillable, blow-molded container having a flex panel
and sidewall structure which permits a label to be completely
wrapped around the container sidewall and prominently displayed
thereon and which limits voids behind the label. In addition,
preferably the sidewall structure should be multi-sided and should
be reinforced to resist creasing, denting and the occurrence of
like deformations. Further, the container should provide improved
top loading capability and improved drop testing results. Still
further, the container should be capable of efficient and
relatively inexpensive manufacture and should be capable of being
made from a minimum of thermoplastic material.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present
invention is to provide a blow-molded plastic bottle and/or wide
mouth jar having a multi-sided sidewall capable of accommodating
induced vacuum within a hot-filled, capped and cooled
container.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hot-fillable, multi-sided container providing a label mounting area
which encompasses flex panel structures on the sidewall and which
can prominently support and display a label, including shrink wrap
labels and the like.
[0013] A further object is to provide a hot-fillable, multi-sided,
plastic, blow-molded container which provides a novel visual
appearance and which has enhanced structural integrity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] More specifically, the present invention provides a
hot-fillable plastic container provided by a blow molded plastic
container body having a circular base, a sidewall, a circular lower
bumper between the base and sidewall, and a dome having an
upstanding finish. The sidewall has a plurality of panels
positioned circumferentially in a side-by-side relationship about
the sidewall thereby forming a multi-sided sidewall structure. Each
adjacent pair of panels interconnect at an obtuse angle and form a
vertically-extending post structure which extends continuously
through the multi-sided sidewall structure.
[0015] Each panel, as-formed, has a section which is arcuate in a
plane extending perpendicular to an imaginary central axis
extending longitudinally through the container. The arcuate
sections provide the panel with a slightly outward bow and are
formed having a predetermined radius of curvature within a
predetermined range of radius of curvatures. Preferably, the radius
of curvature of the panels varies along the length of the panels.
This structure permits the arcuate sections of the panels to flex
inwardly for accommodating induced vacuum created when the
container is hot-filled, capped and cooled.
[0016] Each panel also has an inset circumferentially-extending
reinforcement area adjacent the lower bumper of the container. Each
inset area extends between an adjacent pair of the post structures
and terminates a spaced distance from the post structures to
reinforce and strengthen the circular lower bumper and post
structures. This structure enables the container to resist
creasing, denting and like deformation, and enhances top loading
capability and drop testing results.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention should become apparent from the following
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the
present invention with the dome of the container being illustrated
in phantom;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 1 taken longitudinally of the container along
line 2-2;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
transversely through the container along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
transversely through the container along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
transversely through the container along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
transversely through the container along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
transversely through the container along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;
and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
transversely through the container along line 7-7 of FIG. 2;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] An embodiment of a blow-molded plastic container body 10
according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The
illustrated container body 10 is utilized to package beverages,
such as juice, and is capable of being filled in either high-speed
hot-fill or cold fill operations. The container 10 can be
manufactured in various sizes to provide a fill capacity of, for
instance, 64 fluid ounces. Of course, the container 10 can be made
smaller, or larger, to provide any desired pre-determined capacity
and also can be made having a wide-mouth finish so that the
container can be utilized as ajar to package food products, such
as, sauces, relishes, pickles, and the like.
[0027] As best illustrated in dashed lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
container body 10 has a dome 12 with an upstanding finish 14. The
particular shape of the dome can vary as desired. In the
illustrated embodiment, the dome 12 has a lower end 12a providing
an upper label bumper 16 which is circular and which projects
outwardly directly above an inset circumferential groove 18. The
groove 18 provides hoop strength and resists ovalization-type
distortion of the container body 10. Preferably, the finish 14 is
provided in narrow sizes for beverage bottle-type containers and is
provided in wide-mouth sizes for jar-type food containers. In
addition, the finish 14 can be an injection molded finish or a
blown finish and is preferably provided with threads for
cooperatively engaging a cap (not shown) used to seal the container
body 10.
[0028] Preferably, a closed ended base 20 provides the container
body 12 with a circular footprint. An outer peripheral sidewall 20a
of the base 20 provides a lower label bumper 22 which, as
illustrated, is circular. An endwall 24 of the base 20 can be of
any desired shape, such as, a concave-shaped base structure 26 as
shown in FIG. 2. To this end, the base 20 is a so-called push-up
style base and is capable of accommodating a percentage of the
induced vacuum created in a hot-filled, capped and cooled
container.
[0029] One important aspect according to the present invention is
that the container body 10 has a multi-sided sidewall 28 which
extends between the dome 12 and base 20. In the illustrated
embodiment, the entire sidewall 28 is multi-sided and provides a
label mounting region 30 extending between the upper and lower
label bumpers, 16 and 22. Alternatively, although not illustrated,
only a portion of the sidewall 28 need be formed as a multi-sided
structure, and the label mounting region can be limited to less
than the entire sidewall 28.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, a label (not shown) can be
applied to the sidewall 28 to cover the entire sidewall 28 and
extend 360.degree. about the sidewall 28. For example, the label
can be a paper label adhesively applied to the sidewall 28 or a
tubular plastic shrink wrap label shrunk to tightly engage the
sidewall 28. Most importantly, the container body 10 is capable of
prominently displaying these and other types of labels because the
sidewall 28 has relatively few voids, or sunken areas, behind the
label.
[0031] As illustrated, the multi-sided sidewall 28 is formed by six
panels 32 positioned in a side-by-side relationship about the
periphery of the sidewall 28. Each pair of adjacent panels 32
interconnect at an obtuse angle "A", and a column, or post, 34 is
formed at each interconnection. Thus, the illustrated container
body 10 has six circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending
posts 34. Preferably, each panel 32 is identical in shape and size,
and only a corner-shaped post 34 is located between each pair of
adjacent panels 32. Alternatively, at least selected ones of the
panels can be provided with a different shape and/or dimension, and
intermediate structures can be located between each adjacent pair
of panels. In addition, the number of panels 32 utilized to form
the sidewall can vary, such as within a range of 3 to 12
panels.
[0032] Preferably, each panel 32 has at least a section 36 thereof
which is flexible to accommodate induced vacuum created in a
hot-filled, capped and cooled container. In accordance with the
objectives of the present invention to reduce the number of voids
or the like behind a label and to enhance the prominence of the
display provided by the label, the flexible sections 36 are not
formed as indented structures. Rather, the flexible sections 36 of
the panels 32 are formed with a slight gentle outward bow between
each pair of adjacent posts 32. For example, as illustrated in FIG.
6, the section 36 is arcuate in a plane "P.sub.1" extending
perpendicular to an imaginary central axis "C.sub.L" of the
container body 10 and is formed at a predetermined radius of
curvature "Rc.sub.1". Also see the cross-sections of the panels 32
which are illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 along planes "P.sub.4",
"P.sub.3" and "P.sub.2", respectively, and which are formed at
predetermined radius of curvatures "Rc.sub.4", "Rc.sub.3" and
"Rc.sub.2", respectively.
[0033] When the container body 10 is hot-filled and capped and as
the hot-filled container body 10 and its contents cool, a vacuum is
created which reduces the internal volume of the sealed container.
The outwardly bowed sections 36 of the panels 32 of the container
body 10 accommodate the vacuum by flexing inwardly to a
substantially flattened condition. Thus, the sidewall 28 of the
hot-filled, capped and cooled container body 10 maintains a uniform
multi-sided configuration and is capable of prominently displaying
a label.
[0034] According to one contemplated embodiment of the present
invention, the outward bow of the flexible sections 36 of the
panels 32, as-formed, becomes either greater, or gentler, as the
panel extends in a direction parallel with the central axis
"C.sub.L". For example, section 36 of each panel 32 bows outward to
a greatest extent in plane "P.sub.1" and flattens as the panel 32
extends upwardly toward plane "P.sub.4". To this end, sections 36a
illustrated in FIG. 5 are flatter and have a greater radius of
curvature than sections 36b illustrated in FIG. 6. Preferably, the
radius of curvature "Rc.sub.1" defines a minimum radius of
curvature of the section 36 of the panel 32, and the radius of
curvature "Rc.sub.2" defines a maximum radius of curvature. In
addition, preferably the minimum and maximum radius of curvatures
are within 5% of one another so that the change in radius of
curvature, if any, is gentle and difficult to visualize.
[0035] As an alternative to the above discussed and illustrated
structure of the flexible sections 36 of the panels 32, the entire
flexible section 36, or each entire panel 32, can be formed having
a constant radius of curvature. Another alternative is for the
sections 36 to flatten as the sections 36 extend in a direction
toward the base 20. Yet another alternative is a flexible section
36 which is provided with upper and lower arcuate areas and a
relatively flat intermediate area located therebetween (ie. a
so-called "H-panel" structure).
[0036] An advantage of providing a multi-sided sidewall 28 having
panels 32 which flex inwardly according to the present invention is
that as the panels accommodate vacuum they are also reinforcing the
post strength of the sidewall 28 by pinching, and preferably
vertically-straightening, the posts 34 formed at the
interconnection of each adjacent pair of panels 32. For instance,
the obtuse angle "A" of the interconnection between adjacent panels
32, as formed, reduces as the outwardly bowed flexible sections 36
flatten. Thus, the posts 34 progressively become stiffer as the
sidewall 28 accommodates the induced vacuum and provides the filled
and sealed container body 10 with improved top-loading
capability.
[0037] Preferably, the posts 34 on the multi-sided sidewall 28 are
continuous and without interruption thereby maximizing top-loading
capability of the container body 10. In addition, preferably at
least a portion of each post 34 is located adjacent an inset
reinforcement area, or rib, 38. The ribs 38 are located on each
panel 32 adjacent areas of the posts 34 that tend to crease or dent
due to line pressures which are experienced during transferring,
filling, capping, and packing operations and which result in
adjacent containers being forced tightly together in a restricted
amount of space.
[0038] Preferably, one circumferentially-extending rib 38 is
located on each panel 32 between and adjacent the lower label
bumper 22 and the flexible sections 36 of the panels 32. As best
illustrated in FIG. 7, each rib 38 extends between an adjacent pair
of posts 34 and does not interrupt the posts 34 to permit the posts
34 to extend continuously from the groove 18 of the dome 12 to the
lower label bumper 22 of the base 20. The ribs 38 function to
reinforce and strengthen the lower label bumper 22 and the posts 34
and to prevent deformation thereof. In addition, the ribs 38 permit
the arcuate flexible sections 36 to flatten, yet reinforce the
sections 36 from unwanted inward denting and like deformation.
Thus, creasing and like deformations which structurally weaken and
blemish the aesthetics of the container body 10 are prevented at
locations particulary susceptible to such deformations.
[0039] By way of example and not by way of limitation, the
container body 10 is manufactured of PET utilizing injection
blow-molding techniques. Of course, other plastic materials and
multi-layered plastic materials can be utilized as well as other
blow molding techniques. The container body 10 is dimensioned to
have a capacity of 64 fluid ounces and a multi-sided sidewall with
a total of six identical panels 32. Each panel 32 has a flexible
section 36 which, as formed, bows outwardly. A lower portion of the
flexible section 36 has a radius of curvature of about 5.5 inches
and an upper portion of the flexible section has a radius of
curvature of about 5.7 inches. The sidewall 28 has six vertically
extending posts 34, and each panel 32 has one circumferentially
extending inset rib 38 which is located between and adjacent the
lower label bumper 22 and the flexible sections 36. Each rib 38
terminates a spaced distance from an adjacent pair of posts 34, and
preferably the innermost walls 40 of the ribs 38 are planar as
illustrated in FIG. 7 and have ends 42 which interconnect to form a
portion of the posts 34. In addition, preferably the upper and
lower label bumpers 16 and 22 are circular in plan and the base 20
of the container body 10 provides a circular footprint. Finally,
each panel 32 has three longitudinally-spaced, circumferentially
extending inset reinforcement ribs 44 which prevent unwanted over
flexure of the panels 32 and assures that the panels 32 uniformly
accommodates the induced vacuum.
[0040] While a preferred hot-fillable container body having a
multi-sided sidewall has been described in detail, various
modifications, alterations and changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *