Squeezable container resistant to denting
AssigneeContinental PET Technologies, Inc.
InventorsSuppayan M. Krishnakumar, Wayne N. Collette, David P. Piccioli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A squeezable container with a paneled side wall which resists permanent deformation or denting when squeezed, and which preferably can be hot-filled. The container can be made substantially thinner than known hot-fill containers and includes a stepped vacuum panel profile for greater flexibility and resilience (bounce back). A circumferential ring is provided in the side wall to prevent ovalizing. The post walls (surrounding the vacuum panels) are stiffened to prevent vacuum collapse, by providing a substantially perpendicular junction between the vacuum panel and post wall, sufficient post wall depth, and/or reinforcing ribs in the post walls.
Claims26
A squeezable, dent resistant plastic container with panels, the container comprising:
- a squeezable hollow plastic body having a resilient and substantially cylindrical side wall aligned along a vertical centerline, an open upper end for dispensing a product when the side wall is squeezed, and a closed bottom wall;
- the side wall including a plurality of symmetrically arranged post walls disposed at a first distance D.sub.1 from the vertical centerline;
- the side wall further including a plurality of symmetrically arranged panels disposed between the post walls, each panel having a vertically elongated recess surrounding a central panel wall, the recess having a lowermost flex point disposed a second distance D.sub.2 from the vertical centerline which is less than the first distance D.sub.1, and the central panel wall being disposed at a distance from the vertical centerline which is greater than the second distance D.sub.2 ;
- and the recess having a first connecting wall with at least one intermediate step between the lowermost flex point and central panel wall to increase the resistance of the squeezable side wall to permanent deformation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.