# US 2013/0153531 A1 · Hot fill container having improved crush resistance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153531 A1 - Document ID: US20130153531A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/328,788 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: Graham Packaging Company, L.P. - Inventors: Anthony J. Schlies; Justin A. Howell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153531A1 ## CPC - B65D 1/0223: {characterised by shape} - B65D 79/0084: {in the sidewall or shoulder part thereof} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A hot fill type plastic container includes a finish portion that defines an opening and a main body portion having a sidewall that defines a plurality of vacuum panels and a plurality of creased wall portions. Each of the creased wall portions is positioned between two adjacent vacuum panels. At least one of the creased wall portions has an axis of longitudinal orientation when viewed in side elevation that has a vertical component and a circumferential component. The creased wall portions further preferably are substantially non-curved when viewed in side elevation and also preferably have a compound curvature to increase stiffness. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hot fill type plastic container, comprising: a finish portion defining an opening; and a main body portion having a sidewall defining a plurality of vacuum panels and plurality of creased wall portions, each of the creased wall portions being positioned between two adjacent vacuum panels, at least one of the creased wall portions having an axis of longitudinal orientation when viewed in side elevation that has a vertical component and a circumferential component and being shaped so as to be substantially non-curved when viewed in side elevation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A hot fill type plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the creased wall portion is shaped so as to be substantially linear when viewed in elevation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A hot fill type plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the creased wall portion is shaped so as to be substantially parallel to an adjacent creased wall portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A hot fill type plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion further includes a first circumferential groove proximate to an upper end of the respective vacuum panels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A hot fill type plastic container according to claim 4, further comprising an upper transition portion between the upper end of the respective vacuum panels and the first circumferential groove, the upper transition portion comprising a first portion that is substantially circular in transverse cross-section, a plurality of second tapered portions connecting the first portion to the respective creased wall portions and a plurality of third tapered portions connecting the first portion to the respective vacuum panels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A hot fill type plastic container according to claim 5, wherein each of the second tapered portions includes an uppermost end that is substantially circular in transverse cross-section and a convexly curved portion positioned between the uppermost end and the creased wall portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A hot fill type container according to claim 5, wherein each of the third tapered portions is recessed relative to the adjacent second tapered portions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A hot fill type container according to claim 7, wherein each of the third tapered portions is downwardly concave when viewed in side elevation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A hot fill type container according to claim 8, wherein the container has a maximum outer diameter, and at least one of the third tapered portions has an average radius of curvature when viewed in side elevation, and wherein a ratio of the average radius of curvature to the maximum diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.255 to about 0.8. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A hot fill type container according to claim 9, wherein the ratio of the average radius of curvature to the maximum diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.315 to about 0.720. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A hot fill type container according to claim 10, wherein the ratio of the average radius of curvature to the maximum diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.395 to about 0.685. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A hot fill type container according to claim 1, wherein the creased wall portion has a compound curvature. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A hot fill type container according to claim 12, wherein the compound curvature comprises a convexly curved first central portion having a first average radius of curvature, a concavely curved second portion positioned on a first side of the first central portion and having a second average radius of curvature and a concavely curved third portion positioned on a second side of the first central portion and having a third average radius of curvature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A hot fill type container according to claim 13, wherein the second average radius of curvature is substantially the same as the third average radius of curvature. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A hot fill type container according to claim 13, wherein the container has a maximum outer diameter, and wherein a ratio of the first average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.01 to about 0.3. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A hot fill type container according to claim 15, wherein the ratio of the first average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.03 to about 0.225. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A hot fill type container according to claim 16, wherein the ratio of the first average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.150. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A hot fill type container according to claim 13, wherein the container has a maximum outer diameter, and wherein a ratio of the second average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.01 to about 0.06. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A hot fill type container according to claim 18, wherein the ratio of the second average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.02 to about 0.05. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A hot fill type container according to claim 19, wherein the ratio of the second average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.03 to about 0.04. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A hot fill type container according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum panel has a first width as measured in transverse cross-section and an adjacent creased wall portion has a second width as measured in transverse cross-section, and wherein a ratio of the second width to the first width is substantially within a range of about 0.32 to about 0.61. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A hot fill type container according to claim 21, wherein the ratio of the second width to the first width is substantially within a range of about 0.37 to about 0.54. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A hot fill type container according to claim 22, wherein the ratio of the second width to the first width is substantially within a range of about 0.4 to about 0.5. ### Claim 24 A hot fill type plastic container, comprising: a finish portion defining an opening; and a main body portion having a sidewall defining a plurality of vacuum panels and plurality of creased wall portions, each of the creased wall portions being positioned between two adjacent vacuum panels, at least one of the creased wall portions having an axis of longitudinal orientation when viewed in side elevation that has a vertical component and a circumferential component, and further having a compound curvature. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A hot fill type container according to claim 24, wherein the compound curvature comprises a convexly curved first central portion having a first average radius of curvature, a concavely curved second portion positioned on a first side of the first central portion and having a second average radius of curvature and a concavely curved third portion positioned on a second side of the first central portion and having a third average radius of curvature. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A hot fill type container according to claim 25, wherein the second average radius of curvature is substantially the same as the third average radius of curvature. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) A hot fill type container according to claim 25, wherein the container has a maximum outer diameter, and wherein a ratio of the first average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.01 to about 0.3. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A hot fill type container according to claim 27, wherein the ratio of the first average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.03 to about 0.225. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A hot fill type container according to claim 28, wherein the ratio of the first average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.150. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) A hot fill type container according to claim 24, wherein the container has a maximum outer diameter, and wherein a ratio of the second average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.01 to about 0.06. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A hot fill type container according to claim 30, wherein the ratio of the second average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.02 to about 0.05. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) A hot fill type container according to claim 31, wherein the ratio of the second average radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is substantially within a range of about 0.03 to about 0.04. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) A hot fill type container according to claim 24, wherein the vacuum panel has a first width as measured in transverse cross-section and an adjacent creased wall portion has a second width as measured in transverse cross-section, and wherein a ratio of the second width to the first width is substantially within a range of about 0.32 to about 0.61. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A hot fill type container according to claim 33, wherein the ratio of the second width to the first width is substantially within a range of about 0.37 to about 0.54. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) A hot fill type container according to claim 34, wherein the ratio of the second width to the first width is substantially within a range of about 0.4 to about 0.5.