Reinforced plastic neck finish

#The present invention relates to containers and more particularly to threaded containers formed of plastic.

#The following patents are believed to represent the current state of the art:

#U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,347,717; 6,044,996; 6,016,932 and 5,005,716.

#The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a container constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional illustration taken along the lines II-II of FIG. 1; and

#Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3B, which illustrate a hot-fill, twist-off plastic container constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The container is preferably formed by blow molding polyester, although any other suitable technique or material may alternatively be employed.

#As seen in FIGS. 1-3B, the container comprises a container body 10, which is integrally formed as one piece with a flange 12, which is also referred to as a finish or neck finish. Flange 12 has a generally cylindrical outer facing wall surface 14 onto which are formed a plurality of typically mutually spaced threading protrusions 16. The flange is preferably formed by injection molding polyester, although any other suitable technique or material may alternatively be employed.

#It is appreciated that container body 10 may be of any suitable shape and size and that the threading protrusions 16 may also be of any suitable shape, size and arrangement.