Swirl bell bottle with wavy ribs

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for a container comprising a base, a bell, a sidewall between the base and the bell, a neck and a finish which define an opening to an interior of the container, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the bell. Strap ribs extend from a central portion of the base and terminate at the sidewall. The strap ribs cooperate with vertically aligned recessed columns of the sidewall to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base. An inwardly offset portion of the sidewall is disposed between each pair of adjacent recessed columns. The inwardly offset portions of the sidewall are configured to resist outward bowing of the sidewall due to internal pressure of contents within the container.

Claims

1. A container configured to substantially reduce triangulation of the container due to internal pressure of contents within the container, the container comprising: a base which extends upward to a sidewall of the container; a shoulder connected between the sidewall and a bell, a diameter of the bell decreasing as the bell extends upward to a neck of the container; a finish connected to the neck, the finish configured to receive a closure and defining an opening to an interior of the container; and a plurality of inwardly offset portions of the sidewall configured to resist outward bowing of the sidewall due to the internal pressure of the contents; vertically aligned shallow rib portions that form a plurality of vertically aligned recessed columns comprising three recessed columns equally spaced around the perimeter of the sidewall, such that the sidewall comprises a circumference which is offset from a generally circular cross-sectional shape to a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape; wherein portions of the sidewall are inwardly offset between each pair of adjacent, vertically aligned recessed columns; a grip portion comprising a plurality of grip portion ribs that vary in depth, and angulate around the grip portion, wherein each grip portion rib comprises a deep rib portion transitioning to a middle rib portion and then transitioning to a shallow rib portion; a label portion connected to the grip portion and comprising one or more label panel ribs, wherein each label portion rib comprises a deep rib portion transitioning to a middle rib portion and then transitioning to a shallow rib portion, and wherein the label portion transitions into the shoulder; the plurality of inwardly offset portions are configured to counteract outward-directed forces on the sidewall of the container due to internal pressure, such that the pressurized container assumes a substantially circular cross-sectional shape; and wherein each of the inwardly offset portions is offset from 0 to 30 degrees from the circular cross-sectional shape; and wherein the deep rib portions of the grip portion ribs and label panel ribs provide a hoop strength equivalent to the hoop strength imparted by ribs comprising a uniform depth; the label portion comprising a different number of recessed columns than the grip portion; and a plurality of strap ribs, wherein each of the strap ribs extends substantially from a central portion of the base, wherein the strap ribs cooperate with a plurality of vertically aligned recessed columns of the sidewall so as to resist at least one of bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base; wherein at least one strap rib comprises a sidewall end that terminates past at least one of the shallow rib portions.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a diameter which is larger than a diameter of the shoulder, such that the base creates a single point of contact with other substantially similar containers in a production line, or in packaging.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the base is larger than the diameter of the shoulder by 0.5 to 4 millimeters.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the base is larger than the diameter of the shoulder by 1 to 2 millimeters.

5. A container comprising a base, a bell, a sidewall between the base and the bell, a neck and a finish which define an opening to an interior of the container, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the bell, the container comprising: a grip portion of the sidewall comprising a multiplicity of circumferentially positioned grip portion ribs that vary in depth, and swirl around the grip portion, wherein each grip portion rib comprises a deep rib portion transitioning to a middle rib portion and then transitioning to a shallow rib portion; a label portion connected to the grip portion and comprising one or more label panel ribs, wherein the label portion transitions into the shoulder; the label portion comprising a multiplicity of circumferentially positioned label portion ribs, wherein each label portion rib comprises a deep rib portion transitioning to a middle rib portion and then transitioning to a shallow rib portion; a plurality of strap ribs, wherein each of the strap ribs extends substantially from a central portion of the base and terminates at a sidewall end in the grip portion, and wherein the strap ribs cooperate with vertically aligned shallow rib portions that form a plurality of vertically aligned recessed columns so as to resist at least one of bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base, wherein portions of the sidewall are inwardly offset between each pair of adjacent, vertically aligned recessed columns; a plurality of load ribs spaced equally between adjacent strap ribs, wherein the load ribs are configured to resist deformation of the base; a plurality of feet formed between the strap ribs and the load ribs, wherein the plurality of feet comprises a resting surface of the container, and wherein two load ribs are positioned between two strap ribs; and the plurality of vertically aligned recessed columns comprises three recessed columns equally spaced around the perimeter of the sidewall, such that the sidewall comprises a circumference which is offset from a generally circular cross-sectional shape to a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape; and the plurality of inwardly offset portions are configured to counteract outward-directed forces on the sidewall of the container due to internal pressure, such that the pressurized container assumes a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the diameter of the base is larger than the diameter of the shoulder by 0.5 to 4 millimeters.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the diameter of the base is larger than the diameter of the shoulder by 1 to 2 millimeters.

8. The container of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a diameter which is larger than a diameter of the shoulder, such that the base creates a single point of contact with other substantially similar containers in a production line, or in packaging.

9. The container of claim 5, wherein the base further comprises a gate centered on a longitudinal axis of the container, a wall extending from the gate toward the resting surface of the container, and a dome immediately surrounding the gate, wherein the dome is a portion of the wall of the base that slopes more steeply toward the resting surface of the container.

10. The container of claim 5, wherein each of the strap ribs has a base end which terminates in the dome, near the periphery of the gate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings refer to embodiments of the present invention in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a lower perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container in accordance with the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a container, according to the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a container in accordance with the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a right side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a container, according to the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a container in accordance with the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container, according to the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container in accordance with the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal axis of an exemplary embodiment of a base of a container, according to the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a preform in which may be blow-molded to form a container in accordance with the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a preform, according to the present disclosure;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a preform in a cavity of an exemplary embodiment of a blow-molding apparatus that may be used to make a bottle or container; and

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container formed by way of stretch blow-molding in accordance with the present disclosure.

(14) While the present invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first load rib,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first load rib” is different than a “second load rib.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

(16) In general, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for a container comprising a base, a bell, a sidewall between the base and the bell, a neck and a finish which define an opening to an interior of the container, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the bell. In one embodiment, the base comprises a diameter which is larger than a diameter of the shoulder, such that the base creates a single point of contact with other substantially similar containers in a production line, or in packaging. In some embodiments, the diameter of the base is larger than the diameter of the shoulder by 0.5 to 4 millimeters, and preferably by 1 to 2 millimeters. Strap ribs extend from a central portion of the base and terminate at the sidewall. The strap ribs cooperate with vertically aligned recessed columns of the sidewall to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base. An inwardly offset portion of the sidewall is disposed between each pair of adjacent recessed columns. In one embodiment, three recessed columns are equally spaced around the perimeter of the sidewall, such that the sidewall comprises a circumference which is offset from a generally circular cross-sectional shape to a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. In one embodiment, each of the inwardly offset portions is offset from 0 to 30 degrees from the circular cross-sectional shape. The inwardly offset portions of the sidewall are configured to resist outward bowing of the sidewall due to internal pressure of contents within the container.

(17) FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The container 100 comprises a base 104 that extends up to a grip portion 108. The grip portion 108 comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs 112 (i.e., sidewall ribs). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality of grip portion ribs 112 generally vary in depth, and swirl or angulate around the grip portion 108. A label portion 116 is connected to the grip portion 108 and comprises one or more label panel ribs 120 (i.e., sidewall ribs). The label panel portion 116 transitions into a shoulder 124, which connects to a bell 128. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the bell 128 comprises a plurality of design features 132. In other embodiments, however, the bell 128 may include various other design features, or may be smooth and generally unornamented. The bell 128 connects to a neck 136, which connects to a finish 140. As shown in FIG. 1, the bell 128 comprises a diameter that generally decreases as the bell 128 extends upward from the shoulder 124 to the neck 136 and the finish 140. The finish 140 is adapted to receive a closure, such as by way of non-limiting example, a container cap or bottle cap, so as to seal contents within the container 100. The finish 140 generally defines an opening 144 that leads to an interior of the container 100 for containing a beverage, or other contents, such as any of a variety of carbonated soft drinks.

(18) A substantially vertical sidewall comprising the grip portion 108 and the label portion 116 between the base 104 and the bell 128, extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the container 100, and defines at least part of the interior of the container 100. In some embodiments, the sidewall may include the bell 128, the shoulder 124, and/or the base 104. A perimeter (i.e., periphery) of the sidewall is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 100. The finish 140, the neck 136, the bell 128, the shoulder 124, the label portion 116, the grip portion 108, and the base 104 each comprises a respective perimeter (i.e., periphery) which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 100. For example, the label portion 116 comprises a label portion perimeter, whereas the grip portion 108 comprises a grip portion perimeter, both of which perimeters being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 100.

(19) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, each grip portion rib 112 comprises a deep rib portion 148 transitioning to a middle rib portion 152 and then transitioning to a shallow rib portion 156. Similarly, each label portion rib 120 comprises a deep rib portion 160 transitioning to a middle rib portion 164 and then transitioning to a shallow rib portion 168. The deep, middle, and shallow rib portions may also be referred to as deep, middle, and shallow ribs as a shorthand, but it is to be understood that these terms are intended to define portions of each rib in the grip portion 108 and the label portion 116. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the shallow rib portions 156, 168 are vertically aligned with the longitudinal axis of the container 100. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the shallow rib portions 156, 168 form an equivalent of recessed columns 172 at portions where the shallow rib portions 156, 168 substantially vertically line up along the longitudinal axis of the container 100. Further, the deep rib portions 148, 160 are substantially vertically aligned along the vertical or longitudinal axis of the container 100. Thus, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 comprises three recessed columns 172 and three portions where the deep rib portion 148, 160 are substantially vertically aligned.

(20) In some embodiments, the shallow rib portions 168 of the label portion 116 may be vertically misaligned with the shallow rib portions 156 of the grip portion 108, such that the label portion 116 has a first set of recessed columns and the grip portion 108 has a second set of recessed columns. In some embodiments, the container 100 may have recessed columns solely in the grip portion 108 or solely in the label panel portion 116.

(21) In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the three recessed columns 172 are equally spaced apart around the perimeter of the container 100 and located on an opposite sides of the container perimeter from the deep rib portions 148, 160. It will be appreciated that with three equally spaced recessed columns 172, the recessed columns 172 are spaced substantially every 120 degrees around the circumference of the container 100. Any number of recessed columns 172 may be incorporated into a design of the container 100 by either increasing or decreasing the number of shallow rib portions 156, 168 that are substantially vertically aligned along the longitudinal axis of the container 100. For instance, other embodiments of the container 100 may comprise a number of the recessed columns 172 ranging between 1 and 10 recessed columns.

(22) In some embodiments, the label portion 116 may comprise a different number of recessed columns 172 than the grip portion 108. For example, the label portion 116 may comprise six equally spaced recessed columns, wherein three are vertically aligned with the recessed columns 172 of the grip portion 108 while the remaining three recessed columns are limited to the label portion 116. With six equally spaced recessed columns around the perimeter of the label portion 116, the recessed columns are positioned every 60 degrees around the circumference of the container 100. More recessed columns can help prevent triangulation of the label portion 116. As will be appreciated, shallow rib portions coupled with recessed columns better resists radial outward flexing, at least partially because the shallow rib portions possess a relatively smaller radial depth available for flexing. Correspondingly, shallow rib portions coupled with recessed columns provides a greater resistance to internal pressure relative to deep rib portions. Thus, incorporating more frequent shallow rib portions and/or recessed columns around the circumference of the container 100 helps inhibit outward triangulation of the container due to internal pressure of contents within the container.

(23) The vertical alignment of the shallow rib portions 156, 168 that foil the recessed columns 172 provides resistance to leaning, load crushing, and/or stretching of the container 100. Leaning can occur when, during and/or after bottle packaging, a bottle, such as the container 100, experiences top load forces (tangential forces or otherwise) from other bottles and/or other objects stacked on top of the container. Similarly, top load crushing can occur due to vertical compression (or otherwise) forces from bottles and/or other objects stacked on top. Stretching can occur when the container is pressurized. The recessed columns 172 transfer the resulting forces along the sidewall of the container 100 to the base 104 and thus increase rigidity of the container 100. The deep rib portions 148, 160 of the grip portion ribs 112 and label panel ribs 120, respectively, provide a hoop strength that can be equivalent to the hoop strength imparted by ribs comprising a uniform depth. The number of ribs, including the grip portion ribs 112, and/or the label panel ribs 120 may vary between 1 and 30 ribs positioned, for example, every 10 centimeters along any rib-containing portion of the container 100, such as, but not necessarily limited to the grip portion 108 and/or the label portion 116. It should be understood that the aforementioned 10-centimeters that is used to measure the number of ribs in a portion of the container need not be actually 10 centimeters in length, but rather the 10-centimeters is used illustratively to provide a relationship between the number of ribs incorporated into a given length of a portion of the container.

(24) As discussed above, the three recessed columns 172 operate to prevent outward triangulation of the sidewall of the container 100, wherein the shallow rib portions 156, 168 coupled with the recessed columns 172 better resists radial outward flexing of the sidewall of the container 100. Preferably, the portions of the sidewall between the recessed columns 172 are bowed inward, or offset, toward the interior of the container 100, such that the perimeter of the sidewall is offset from a generally circular cross-sectional shape to a substantially inwardly triangular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the offset portions of the sidewall may be offset from 0 to 30 degrees from the circular cross-sectional shape. The offset portions of the sidewall are configured to resist outward bowing of the sidewall due to internal pressure when the container 100 is filled with contents, particularly carbonated contents. It is envisioned that outward-directed forces on the sidewall of the container 100 due to internal pressure are counteracted by inward-directed resistance forces produced by the offset portions, such that the pressurized container assumes a substantially circular cross-sectional shape rather than becoming outwardly triangulated, as discussed herein. Thus, incorporating inwardly offset portions between the recessed columns 172 around the perimeter of the container 100 further inhibits outward triangulation of the container.

(25) With reference to FIG. 1, the base 104 comprises three strap ribs 176. Each of the strap ribs 176 comprises a sidewall end 180 that terminates along the sidewall of the container 100, as discussed herein. Further, the base 104 comprises six load ribs 184. As illustrated in FIG. 1, two load ribs 184 are positioned between two strap ribs 176. In some embodiments, the base 104 may comprise a number of load ribs 184 ranging between 1 and 5 load ribs positioned between two strap ribs 176. Each of the load ribs 184 has a sidewall end 188 that terminates along the base 104 at a transition from the base 104 to the sidewall of the container 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sidewall end 188 of the load rib 184 is vertically lower than the sidewall end 180 of the strap rib 176 along the longitudinal axis of the container 100. In some embodiments, the sidewall end 188 of the load rib 184 may terminate along the sidewall of the container 100 at a height which is substantially similar to the height of the sidewall end 180 of the strap rib 176. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 104 comprises feet 192 formed between the strap ribs 176 and the load ribs 184.

(26) The strap rib 176 is relatively larger and deeper than the load rib 184, as discussed herein. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, each of the strap ribs 176 is vertically aligned with one of the recessed columns 172, and thus the strap ribs 176 are spaced equally around the circumference of the container 100. It will be recognized that with three equally spaced strap ribs 176, the strap ribs 176 are positioned every 120 degrees around the container circumference. The load ribs 184 are vertically aligned with the grip portion ribs 112 between the recessed columns 172. In some embodiments, the strap ribs 176 may be vertically misaligned with the recessed columns 172. In some embodiments, the strap ribs 176 may be spaced unequally around the circumference of the container 100. In some embodiments, the base 104 may comprise more or less strap ribs 176 than the number of recessed columns 172. In some embodiments, the strap rib 176 may be vertically aligned with the deep rib portions 148, 160 and may terminate into a first deep rib portion 148 (first from the base 104). In some embodiments, the strap rib 176 may have a sidewall end 180 that terminates past the first shallow rib portion 156 and/or the first deep rib portion 148, such as for example at the second, third, and/or fourth grip portion ribs 112.

(27) FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevation view of the container 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the sidewall end 180 of the strap rib 176 vertically aligns with, or points to substantially the center of the recessed column 172, which is coincident with the center point of the shallow rib portion 156. As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the strap rib 176 forms a recess 196, which is relatively a small area in comparison to the contact area of the feet 192 with a resting surface. Utilizing a small recess 196 aids in distributing more resin toward the feet 192 during the blowing process, which generally increases the abrasion resistance and strength of the feet 192. Thus, the strap ribs 176 operate to provide internal pressure resistance while leaving enough resin for the feet 192 to achieve the benefits of a flat foot base (i.e., thicker resin feet 192 for greater abrasion, deformation, and/or stress resistance; and/or greater foot contact area for stability and load distribution).

(28) As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the strap ribs 176 extend substantially from a central portion of the base 104, coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the container 100, as discussed herein. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the strap ribs 176 operate as a straps extending between the recessed columns 172 of the sidewall to the central portion of the base 104. As shown in FIG. 1, the strap rib 176 provides a more direct and shorter path from the center of the base 104 to the sidewall of the container 100 without proceeding to the vertical level of the feet 192. As discussed herein, the strap ribs 176 thus provide a relatively more pressure resistant base 104. Each of the strap ribs 176 provides a link for forces and stresses between the sidewall, including the recessed column 172, and the central portion of the base 104.

(29) FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the base 104 of the container 100. As shown in FIG. 8, the strap rib 176 of the base 104 begins at a base end 212 substantially parallel to a resting surface of the base 104 and then extends along a curved path, having a first radius R.sub.1d, with an increasingly positive slope. At a height H.sub.1d, the radius of the curved path of the strap rib 176 changes to a second radius R.sub.2d with an increasingly positive slope before extending into a straight portion 220. At a height H.sub.2d, the straight portion 220 connects to the sidewall end 180 as discussed herein. The first and second radii R.sub.1d, R.sub.2d, as well as the corresponding positive slopes and the heights H.sub.1d and H.sub.2d, may have dimensional values falling within any of the appropriate ranges of values discussed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/157,400, entitled “Plastic Container With Strapped Base,” filed on Jan. 16, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference and forms a part of the present disclosure. Preferably, however, the combination of the radii R.sub.1d and R.sub.2d cooperate to give the strap rib 176, and thus the base 104, a smooth and gradual, spherical configuration. As discussed herein, spherical features of the container 100 better accommodate internal pressure. Experimentation has demonstrated that the spherical configuration of the base 104 depicted in FIG. 1-5 is capable of withstanding an internal pressure at least twice the internal pressure tolerable by conventional base configurations.

(30) It will be recognized that the strap rib 176 illustrated in FIG. 8 does not include a transition curve between the first radius R.sub.1d and the second radius R.sub.2d, nor between the second radius R.sub.2d and the straight portion 220. In other embodiments, however, a transition curve having a radius other than R.sub.1d and R.sub.2d may be positioned between the curved portions of the strap rib 176 having radii R.sub.1d and R.sub.2d. In still other embodiments, a transition curve may be positioned between the curved portion of the strap rib 176 having the second radius R.sub.2d and the straight portion 220. It is envisioned that the transition curves may have dimensional values that further produce a spherical configuration of the strap rib 176, and thus the base 104.

(31) As illustrated in FIG. 7, the base 104 comprises a gate 200 surrounded by a dome 204. The dome 204 comprises a portion of a wall of the base 104 which slopes more steeply toward a resting surface when the bottle is placed on the resting surface relative to the rest of the wall of the base 104 leading to the feet 192. The strap rib 176 comprises a base end 208 that terminates substantially at a periphery of the dome 204. In some embodiments, the base end 208 of each strap rib 176 may be positioned outside of the dome 204 similarly to base ends 212 of the load ribs 184. Each of the strap ribs 176 comprises a pair of rib side walls 216 that connect the strap rib 176 to portions of the base 104 and the feet 192. The rib side wall 216 smoothly and gradually transitions into the base 104 and the feet 192. The smooth and gradual transition provides internal pressure resistance at and near the rib side wall 216 since more spherical features of the container 100 better accommodate internal pressure. The strap rib 176 is relatively deeper in the base 104 than the load rib 184 so as to provide stress transfer and pressure resistance, as discussed herein.

(32) As mentioned above, each of the load ribs 184 comprises a base end 212 that terminates at, or near the dome 204. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the base ends 212 of the load ribs 184 terminate before the base ends 180 of the strap ribs 176. Further, the load ribs 184 are shallow relative to the strap ribs 176. Accordingly, the load ribs 184 each comprises rib side walls that are relatively smaller than the rib side walls 216, and thus the transition from the load ribs 184 to the base 104 and the feet 192 is more abrupt, or sharper, than in the case of the rib side walls 216. It will be appreciated that when the container 100 is top loaded during packaging, shipping, and/or handling, the sharper transitions of the load ribs 184 resist bending and/or leaning as discussed herein by, for example, maintaining the integrity and shape of the base 104. Moreover, the sharper transitions of the load ribs 184 provide more area of the base 104 being available for relatively larger feet 192. It will be further appreciated that larger feet 192 of a flat-foot base, such as the base 104 discussed herein and as illustrated in FIG. 7, provide more resin contact area with a resting surface, and thus provide better abrasion resistance and stability of the base. As further illustrated in FIG. 7, the rib side walls 216 generally transition into the strap ribs 176 more abruptly, or sharply, relative to the transition from the rib side walls 216 to the feet 192. The sharper transitions to the strap ribs 176 provide more rigidity to the strap ribs so as to resist, or inhibit, flexing due to internal pressures.

(33) In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the base ends 208 of the strap ribs 176 terminate substantially near the gate 200, and the base ends 212 of the load ribs 184 terminate near the periphery of the dome 204. It will be appreciated that terminating the base ends 208 of the strap ribs 176 and/or the base ends 212 of the load ribs 184 substantially near, or at the gate 200 provides greater internal pressure resistance to the base 104, as discussed herein, preventing, for example, base rollout. Moreover, terminating each of the base ends 208 substantially near, or at the gate 200 provides strap ribs 176 that are substantially continuous from (or near) the gate 200 to the sidewall ends 180. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the sidewall ends 180 terminate at the first shallow rib portion 156 and communicate directly with the recessed columns 172. The continuity from the recessed columns 172 to the gate 200 provides substantially continuous pressure resistance bands, or straps, from a top of the label portion 116 to the gate 200. Pressure resistance straps that are substantially continuous provide greater resistance to internal pressure, as discussed herein.

(34) FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the container 100, showing the shoulder 124, the bell 128 with the design features 132, the finish 140, and the opening 144 to the interior of the container. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the shoulder 124 comprises a diameter D.sub.S. Similarly, in the embodiment of the base 104 illustrated in FIG. 7, the base 104 comprises a diameter D.sub.B. The diameter D.sub.B of the base 104 preferably is larger than the diameter D.sub.S of the shoulder 124, such that the base 104 creates a single point of contact with other substantially similar containers in a production line, or in packaging. In some embodiments, the diameter D.sub.B of the base 104 is larger by 0.5 to 4 millimeters than any other diameter of the container 100, including the diameter D.sub.S of the shoulder 124. It will be appreciated that the larger base 104 diameter D.sub.B advantageously improves conveying a multiplicity of the container 100 in a production line. Further, the larger base 104 diameter D.sub.B advantageously improves stability when there is any damage to the base 104. In some embodiments, the diameter D.sub.S of the shoulder 124 may be equal to the diameter D.sub.B of the base 104, thereby providing two points of contact, at the shoulder 124 and the base 104, with other substantially similar bottles in a production line, or in packaging. It will be appreciated that where the diameter(s) of any portion of the container 100 varies, the largest diameters create points of contact with other substantially similar containers in a production line, or in packaging. Thus, the containers generally may have either a single point of contact or multiple points of contact.

(35) FIG. 4 illustrates a right side elevation view of container 100, which shows a plan view of the shallow rib portions 156, 168 along the right-hand side of the container 100 and a plan view of the deep rib portions 148, 160 along the left-hand side of the container 100. FIG. 5 illustrates a left side elevation view of container 100, which shows the shallow rib portions 156, 168 along the left-hand side of the container 100 and the deep rib portions 148, 160 along the right-hand side of the container 100. As discussed above in connection with FIG. 1, the deep rib portions 148, 160 comprise a depth which is larger than a depth of the middle rib portions 152, 164 which is larger than a depth of the shallow rib portions 156, 168. In some embodiments, a depth of the deep rib portions 148 may range from 1 to 10 millimeters. In some embodiments, a depth of the deep rib portions 160 may range from 0.5 to 10 millimeters. In some embodiments, a depth of the middle rib portions 152 may range from 0 to 5 millimeters. In some embodiments, a ratio of the depth of the deep rib portions 148 to the depth of the middle rib portions 152 may vary from 1:1 to 20:1.

(36) In some embodiments, a depth of the shallow rib portions 156 may range from 0 to 2.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, a ratio of the depth of the deep rib portions 148 to the depth of the shallow rib portions 156 may vary from 1:1 to 100:1, including where the shallow rib portions 156 have zero depth, resulting in substantially an infinite ratio. In some embodiments, a ratio of the depth of the middle rib portions 152 to the depth of the shallow rib portions 156 may vary from 1:1 to 50:1, including where shallow rib portions 156 have zero depth, resulting in substantially an infinite ratio.

(37) In some embodiments, a depth of the shallow rib portions 168 may vary from 0 to 2.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, a ratio of the depth of the deep rib portions 148 to the depth of the shallow rib portions 168 may vary from 1:1 to 100:1, including where the shallow rib portions 168 have zero depth, resulting in substantially an infinite ratio. In some embodiments, a ratio of the depth of the deep rib portions 160 to the depth of the shallow rib portions 168 may range from 1:1 to 100:1, including where the shallow rib portions 168 have zero depth, resulting in substantially an infinite ratio. In some embodiments, a ratio of the depth of the middle rib portions 152, 164 to the depth of the shallow rib portions 168 may vary from 1:1 to 50:1, including where the depth of the shallow rib portions 168 is zero, resulting in substantially an infinite ratio. In some embodiments, a ratio of the depth of the deep rib portions 160 to the depth of the shallow rib portions 168 may vary from 1:1 to 100:1, including a substantially infinite ratio arising when the shallow rib portions 168 have zero depth.

(38) Transitions between the various depths of the rib portions are smooth, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. In some embodiments, however, the transitions may comprise other forms, such as by way of non-limiting example, a step-change connecting the varying depth portions. Moreover, some embodiments may minimize the shallow rib portions 156, 168 to 20-30% of the circumference of the container 100, thereby resulting in a respective 70-80%, of the container circumference comprising the deep rib portions 148, 160 and the middle rib portions 152, 164. However, any ratio of shallow rib portions to deep rib portions and middle rib portions may be utilized.

(39) FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a preform 230 which may be blow-molded to form the container 100. The preform 230 preferably is made of material approved for contact with food and beverages, such as virgin PET, and may be of any of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The preform 230 comprises a neck portion 232 and a body portion 234, formed monolithically (i.e., as a single, or unitary, structure). Advantageously, the monolithic arrangement of the preform 230, when blow-molded into a bottle, such as container 100, provides greater dimensional stability and improved physical properties in comparison to a preform comprising separate neck and body portions, which are bonded together. The preform 230 illustrated in FIG. 9 generally is of a type which will form a 12-16 oz. beverage bottle, but as will be understood by those skilled in the art, other preform configurations may be used depending upon the desired configuration, characteristics and use of the final article. The preform 230 may be made by injection molding methods including those that are well known in the art.

(40) FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the preform 230 which may be used to form the container 100. The neck portion 232 of the preform 230 begins at an opening 236 to an interior of the preform 230 and extends to and includes a support ring 238. The neck portion 232 is further characterized by the presence of a structure for engaging a closure. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure includes threads 240, which provide a means to fasten a cap to the container 100 produced from the preform 230. It will be appreciated that the illustrated preform 230 comprises a shorter overall neck portion than most conventional preforms. Further, the neck portion 232 of the preform 230 comprises a wall thickness 252 which is generally thinner than in conventional preforms, wherein the wall thickness 252 of the neck portion 232 is measured at the very top or between the threads 240, or between any other protruding structures.

(41) The body portion 234 is an elongated structure extending down from the neck portion 232 and culminating in an end cap 242. In some embodiments, the body portion 234 is generally cylindrical, and the end cap 242 is conical or frustoconical, and may also be hemispherical, and the very terminus of the end cap 242 may be flattened or rounded. The preform 230 comprises a wall thickness 244 throughout most of the body portion 234 which depends upon an overall size of the preform 230, as well as a predetermined wall thickness and overall size of the resulting container 100. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the wall thickness 244 tapers, between 250 and 248, to a wall thickness 246 immediately below the support ring 238. In some embodiments, the wall thickness between 244 and 250 may further comprise a slight taper so as to facilitates a release of the preform 230 from a core during the injection molding process. Specific dimensions of the wall thickness, as well as dimensions of various other features of the preform 230 are discussed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/295,699, entitled “Preform Extended Finish for Processing Light Weight Ecologically Beneficial Bottles,” filed on Nov. 14, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference and forms a part of the present disclosure.

(42) Once the preform 230 has been prepared by way of injection molding, or other equivalent process, the preform 230 may be subjected to a stretch blow-molding process. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the preform 230 is placed in a mold 260 comprising a cavity corresponding to the desired container shape. The preform 230 is then heated and expanded by stretching such as by way of a stretch rod inserted into the center of the preform 230 to push it to the end of the mold 260 and by way of air forced into the interior of the preform 230 to fill the cavity within the mold 260, creating a container 264, as shown in FIG. 12. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the container 264 comprises a neck portion 232 and a body portion 234 corresponding to the neck and body portions of the preform 230 of FIG. 11. The neck portion 232 is further characterized by the presence of the threads 240 or other closure engagement means that provides a way to fasten a cap onto the container 264. Thus, the blow-molding process normally is restricted to the body portion 234 of the preform 230 with the neck portion 232, including the threads 240 and the support ring 238, retaining the original configuration of the preform 230.

(43) In some embodiments, the containers 100, 264 described herein may be made from any suitable thermoplastic material, such as polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefins, including polypropylene and polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamides, including nylons (e.g. Nylon 6, Nylon 66, MXD6), polystyrenes, epoxies, acrylics, copolymers, blends, grafted polymers, and/or modified polymers (monomers or portion thereof having another group as a side group, e.g. olefin-modified polyesters). These materials may be used alone or in conjunction with each other. More specific material examples include, but are not limited to, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (“EVOH”), ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”), ethylene acrylic acid (“EAA”), linear low density polyethylene (“LLDPE”), polyethylene 2,6- and 1,5-naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate), polystryrene, cycloolefin, copolymer, poly-4-methylpentene-1, poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidine chloride, styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate, ionomer, polysulfone, polytetra-fluoroethylene, polytetramethylene 1,2-dioxybenzoate and copolymers of ethylene terephthalate and ethylene isophthalate. In certain embodiments, preferred materials may be virgin, pre-consumer, post-consumer, regrind, recycled, and/or combinations thereof.

(44) In some embodiments, polypropylene also refers to clarified polypropylene. As used herein, the term “clarified polypropylene” is a broad term and is used in accordance with its ordinary meaning and may include, without limitation, a polypropylene that includes nucleation inhibitors and/or clarifying additives. Clarified polypropylene is a generally transparent material as compared to the homopolymer or block copolymer of polypropylene. The inclusion of nucleation inhibitors helps prevent and/or reduce crystallinity, which contributes to the haziness of polypropylene, within the polypropylene. Clarified polypropylene may be purchased from various sources such as Dow Chemical Co. Alternatively, nucleation inhibitors may be added to polypropylene.

(45) As used herein, “PET” includes, but is not limited to, modified PET as well as PET blended with other materials. One example of a modified PET is IP A-modified PET, which refers to PET in which the IPA content is preferably more than about 2% by weight, including about 2-10% IP A by weight, also including about 5-10% IP A by weight. In another modified PET, an additional comonomer, cylohexane dimethanol (CHDM) is added in significant amounts (e.g. approximately 40% by weight or more) to the PET mixture during manufacture of the resin. Additional techniques for forming the container 264, including additional materials, properties of the materials, as well as various advantageous additives are discussed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/295,699, entitled “Preform Extended Finish for Processing Light Weight Ecologically Beneficial Bottles,” filed on Nov. 14, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference and forms a part of the present disclosure.

(46) While the invention has been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present invention is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.