Hot-fill container having improved label support

Abstract

A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur during the hot-fill process includes a container body defining an internal space. The container body includes a main body portion having a plurality of vacuum panels disposed about an outer circumference thereof and a corresponding plurality of columns interposed between the vacuum panels. A label covers at least a portion of the vacuum panels and the columns. The label has a first portion having a first surface area that is in contact with the container and a second portion having a second surface area that is not in contact with the container. A ratio of said first surface area to said second surface area is at least 1.0, thereby ensuring superior label support. The main body portion further has a maximum outer radius and a maximum depth that is defined with respect to the maximum outer radius. A ratio of the maximum depth to the maximum outer radius is preferably no greater than about 0.2, which also contributes to the quality of the label support.

1 . A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes, comprising:
 a container body defining an internal space, said container body comprising a main body portion having a plurality of vacuum panels disposed about an outer circumference thereof and a corresponding plurality of columns interposed between the vacuum panels; and   a label covering at least a portion of said vacuum panels and said columns, said label having a first portion having a first surface area that is in contact with said container and a second portion having a second surface area that is not in contact with said container, and wherein a ratio of said first surface area to said second surface area is at least 1.0.   
     
     
         2 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said ratio of said first surface area to said second surface area is at least 1.3. 
     
     
         3 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said ratio of said first surface area to said second surface area is at least 1.6. 
     
     
         4 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum panels and said columns are arranged in a repeating pattern that extends about an entire circumference of said main body portion. 
     
     
         5 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum panels are configured so as to have no island defined therein. 
     
     
         6 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said label extends about an entire circumference of said main body portion. 
     
     
         7 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said columns comprises a raised transition portion that is integral with an adjacent vacuum panel, said raised transition portion extending radially outwardly with respect to an adjacent portion of said column, whereby the adjacent vacuum panel is elevated with respect to portions of said column in order to improve label support. 
     
     
         8 . A plastic container according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one of said columns includes two of said raised transition portions, each of said raised transition portions being integral with a respective adjacent vacuum panel, a raised central portion that is positioned between said raised transition portions and two recessed portions, each of said recessed portions being positioned between said raised central portion and a respective one of said raised transition portions. 
     
     
         9 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said main body portion has a maximum outer radius, and wherein said main body portion has a maximum depth with respect to said maximum outer radius, with a ratio of said maximum depth to said maximum outer radius being no greater than about 0.2. 
     
     
         10 . A plastic container according to  claim 9 , wherein said ratio of said maximum depth to said maximum outer radius being no greater than about 0.1. 
     
     
         11 . A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes, comprising:
 a container body defining an internal space, said container body comprising a main body portion having a plurality of vacuum panels disposed about an outer circumference thereof and a corresponding plurality of columns interposed between the vacuum panels;   a label covering at least a portion of said vacuum panels and said columns; and wherein   at least one of said columns comprises a raised transition portion that is integral with an adjacent vacuum panel, said raised transition portion extending radially outwardly with respect to an adjacent portion of said column, whereby the adjacent vacuum panel is elevated with respect to portions of said column in order to improve label support.   
     
     
         12 . A plastic container according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one of said columns includes two of said raised transition portions, each of said raised transition portions being integral with a respective adjacent vacuum panel, a raised central portion that is positioned between said raised transition portions and two recessed portions, each of said recessed portions being positioned between said raised central portion and a respective one of said raised transition portions. 
     
     
         13 . A plastic container according to  claim 11 , wherein said main body portion has a maximum outer radius, and wherein said main body portion has a maximum depth with respect to said maximum outer radius, with a ratio of said maximum depth to said maximum outer radius being no greater than about 0.2. 
     
     
         14 . A plastic container according to  claim 13 , wherein said ratio of said maximum depth to said maximum outer radius being no greater than about 0.1. 
     
     
         15 . A plastic container according to  claim 11 , wherein said vacuum panels and said columns are arranged in a repeating pattern that extends about an entire circumference of said main body portion. 
     
     
         16 . A plastic container according to  claim 11 , wherein said vacuum panels are configured so as to have no island defined therein. 
     
     
         17 . A plastic container according to  claim 11 , wherein said label extends about an entire circumference of said main body portion.