Bottle

Abstract

A plastic bottle comprises a main body defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a plurality of vacuum flex panels, said lower portion including upper and lower label bumpers to receive a wrap around label. A circumferential, recessed waist portion defines a transition between the upper and lower portions of the main body. The upper portion includes a dome with a gripping section having a pair of opposed grip portions positioned above the waist and recessed into the upper portion.

1 . A plastic bottle comprising:
 a main body defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a plurality of vacuum flex panels, said lower portion including upper and lower label bumpers to receive a wrap around label; and   a circumferential, recessed waist portion defining a transition between the upper and lower portions of the main body, wherein   the upper portion includes a dome with a gripping section having a pair of opposed grip portions positioned above the waist and recessed into the upper portion.   
     
     
         2 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein, in cross section, the waist portion has a generally round shape with generally flat portions positioned just below the grip portions. 
     
     
         3 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip portions are positioned above the center of gravity of the bottle when filled to capacity. 
     
     
         4 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein each grip portion has a grip area with a depth that progressively increases from a rear side towards a front side of the grip area. 
     
     
         5 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 4 , wherein a front wall of the grip portion flares from the grip area to transition into a front side of the upper portion which is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         6 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 4 , wherein the grip portions include upper and lower side walls that transition the grip area to surrounding portions of the upper portion that are not recessed. 
     
     
         7 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein, in cross section, each gripping section has a generally U-shape, defined by generally parallel grip areas and a rear wall connecting the grip areas. 
     
     
         8 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 7 , wherein each grip area extends from an imaginary plane, running parallel to and adjacent a longitudinal axis of the main body, to the rear wall of the upper portion. 
     
     
         9 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip portions are oriented asymmetrically on the upper portion. 
     
     
         10 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein the capacity of the container is 60 ounces or more. 
     
     
         11 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body has a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         12 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein the gripping section includes a rear wall to engage a user's palm, with the opposed grip portions to receive the user's fingers and thumb in use. 
     
     
         13 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 12 , wherein the rear wall includes at least one lateral rib extending between the opposed grip portions. 
     
     
         14 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one lateral rib comprises at least two lateral ribs that are parallel to one another and the waist portion. 
     
     
         15 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 13 , wherein the lateral rib is recessed into the rear portion. 
     
     
         16 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 12 , wherein a front side of the upper portion includes a logo portion positioned opposite to the rear wall. 
     
     
         17 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion includes a wrap around label, the wrap around label having a logo that is aligned with a logo portion provided on the upper portion of the main body. 
     
     
         18 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 17 , wherein the logo portion possesses a degree of vacuum deformation capacity. 
     
     
         19 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , further comprising an arch body for each grip portion positioned at least along a portion of a rear wall of the grip portion. 
     
     
         20 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 19 , wherein the arch body is positioned between a rear side of each grip portion and at least one lateral rib that extends between the grip portions. 
     
     
         21 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 19 , wherein each said arch body further extends adjacent a top border of the grip portion. 
     
     
         22 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , wherein each said grip portion includes a grip area having at least one raised bead extending generally vertically. 
     
     
         23 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 22 , wherein said at least one bead includes at least three said beads having the same or different heights. 
     
     
         24 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the beads is positioned along a transition between the grip area and a front wall of the grip portion. 
     
     
         25 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 22 , wherein each bead is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the main body. 
     
     
         26 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 28 , wherein each said bead has an upper portion angled towards a front side of the upper portion. 
     
     
         27 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 25  , wherein the angle is about 1-15 degrees. 
     
     
         28 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 27 , wherein the angle is about 3-5 degrees. 
     
     
         29 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 28 , wherein the angle is about 5-10 degrees. 
     
     
         30 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one rib positioned on a front side of the upper portion, adjacent each said grip portion. 
     
     
         31 . The plastic bottle according to  claim 30 , wherein said at least one rib extends between a neck to the waist portion, but is curved to accommodate a front side of the grip portion.