Containers having corner pillars and dynamic panels between the pillars, and methods of making and using such containers

A method of manufacturing a container for a liquid product, the method comprising forming a body of the container, the body comprising a plurality of pillars and further comprising a plurality of dynamic panels,

• the plurality of pillars comprises first, second, third and fourth pillars, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pillars is substantially rounded outward relative to a vertical axis of the container;
• and
• the plurality of dynamic panels comprises first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels, wherein the first dynamic panel extends between the first pillar and the second pillar, is substantially parallel to the third dynamic panel, and is substantially perpendicular to each of the second and fourth dynamic panels,
• wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pillars has greater stiffness than each of the first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels. the plurality of pillars comprises first, second, third and fourth pillars, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pillars is substantially rounded outward relative to a vertical axis of the container;
• and
• the plurality of dynamic panels comprises first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels, wherein the first dynamic panel extends between the first pillar and the second pillar, is substantially parallel to the third dynamic panel, and is substantially perpendicular to each of the second and fourth dynamic panels, such that the plurality of pillars are positioned at corners of the container,
• wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pillars has greater stiffness than each of the first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels, such that the container is configured for controlled deformation in which one or more of the first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels deform under top loading or vacuum pressure, to thereby reduce a pressure differential between an inner volume of the container and a space external to the container, without any deformation of the first, second, third and fourth pillars.

A method of using a liquid product, the method comprising pouring at least a portion of a liquid product housed by a container from the container,

• the container comprising a body, the body comprising a plurality of pillars and further comprising a plurality of dynamic panels,
• the plurality of pillars comprises first, second, third and fourth pillars, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pillars is substantially rounded outward relative to a vertical axis of the container;
• and
• the plurality of dynamic panels comprises first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels, wherein the first dynamic panel extends between the first pillar and the second pillar, is substantially parallel to the third dynamic panel, and is substantially perpendicular to each of the second and fourth dynamic panels, such that the plurality of pillars are positioned at corners of the container,
• wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth pillars has greater stiffness than each of the first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels, such that the container is configured for controlled deformation in which one or more of the first, second, third and fourth dynamic panels deform under top loading or vacuum pressure, to thereby reduce a pressure differential between an inner volume of the container and a space external to the container, without any deformation of the first, second, third and fourth pillars.