Hot fill container

Abstract

A hot fill container is provided having a base, a body portion connected to the base, a shoulder portion connected to the body portion, and a neck portion connected to the shoulder portion. At least two panels in the shoulder portion are adapted to flex to accommodate pressure changes within the hot fill container. A longitudinal strut between each of the at least two panels provides longitudinal support to the neck portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hot fill container, comprising: 
 a base;    a body portion connected to said base and extending longitudinally therefrom;    a shoulder portion connected to said body portion;    a neck portion connected to said shoulder portion;    at least two panels in said shoulder portion adapted to flex to accommodate pressure changes within said hot fill container; and    a longitudinal strut between each of said at least two panels to prevent longitudinal flexing of said at least two panels.    
     
     
         2 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said body portion has a plurality of flat portions.    
     
     
         3 . A hot fill container according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 said plurality of flat portions are separated by ribbed portions.    
     
     
         4 . A hot fill container according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 each of said ribbed portions has a first width, each of said plurality of flat portions has a second width, and said first width is substantially one half said second width.    
     
     
         5 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said neck portion has a diameter of at least 38 millimeters.    
     
     
         6 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 each of said at least two panels has a first edge having a first width and a second and opposite edge having a second width, said first and second widths not being equal.    
     
     
         7 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said shoulder portion is tapered.    
     
     
         8 . A hot fill container according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 said taper has an angle between 1 and 89 degrees, inclusive.    
     
     
         9 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said base is circular.    
     
     
         10 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said neck portion is threaded for receiving a cap.    
     
     
         11 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said at least two panels comprises between four and six panels, inclusive.    
     
     
         12 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said base, said body portion, said shoulder portion, said neck portion, said at least two panels and said longitudinal struts are unitarily formed.    
     
     
         13 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said base, said body portion, said shoulder portion, said neck portion, said at least two panels and said longitudinal struts are made of PET.    
     
     
         14 . A hot fill container according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said at least two panels are substantially rectangular.    
     
     
         15 . A hot fill container according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 said at least two panels have a concave curve at an edge and a convex curve at a center of said at least two panels.    
     
     
         16 . A hot fill container, comprising: 
 a base;    a body portion connected to said base, said body portion having a plurality of flat portions and a ribbed portion separating each of said flat portions;    a tapered shoulder portion connected to said body portion;    a neck portion connected to said shoulder portion, said neck portion having a threaded external surface to receive a cap;    at least two panels in said shoulder portion adapted to flex to accommodate pressure changes within said hot fill container; and    a longitudinal strut between each of said at least two panels to prevent longitudinal flexing of said at least two panels,    wherein said base, said body portion, said shoulder portion, said neck portion, said at least two panels and said longitudinal struts are unitarily formed.    
     
     
         17 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 said base, said body portion, said shoulder portion, said neck portion, said at least two panels and said longitudinal struts are made of PET    
     
     
         18 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 each of said ribbed portions has a first width, each of said plurality of flat portions has a second width, and said first width is one half said second width.    
     
     
         19 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 said neck portion has a diameter of at least 38 millimeters.    
     
     
         20 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 each of said at least two panels has a first edge having a first length and a second and opposite edge having a second length, said first and second lengths not being equal.    
     
     
         21 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 said tapered shoulder portion has an angle between 1 and 89 degrees, inclusive.    
     
     
         22 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 said base is circular.    
     
     
         23 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 said at least two panels comprises between four and six panels, inclusive    
     
     
         24 . A hot fill container according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 said at least two panels are substantially rectangular.    
     
     
         25 . A hot fill container according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 said at least two panels have a concave curve at an edge and a convex curve at a center of said at least two panels.