Container with non-cylindrical upper body portion

Abstract

A one-piece, unitary molded plastic container includes a neck portion; a base portion; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base portion toward the neck portion. The sidewall includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The lower body portion is substantially cylindrical, extends from the base portion toward the upper body portion, and has a height that is from about 0.10 to about 0.60 of the total height of the container. The upper body portion is substantially non-cylindrical, extends upwardly from the lower body portion toward the neck portion, and has a height that is from about 0.30 to about 0.80 of the total height of the container; and includes a curved label-receiving portion. In embodiments, a label—e.g., a directly-applied ink label or separately applied composite label—is applied to the label-receiving portion.

1 . A one-piece, unitary molded plastic container, comprising:
 a neck portion;   a base portion;   a sidewall extending upwardly from the base portion toward the neck portion, the sidewall including an upper body portion and a lower body portion;   wherein the lower body portion is substantially cylindrical, extends from the base portion toward the upper body portion, and has a height that is from about 0.10 to about 0.60 of the total height of the container; the upper body portion is substantially non-cylindrical, extends upwardly from the lower body portion toward the neck portion, has a height that is from about 0.30 to about 0.80 of the total height of the container; and includes a curved label-receiving portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is biaxially oriented. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical length of the label-receiving portion is at least about 0.6 the vertical length of the upper body portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical length of the label-receiving portion is at least about 0.70 the vertical length of the upper body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper body portion includes two opposing sides, each opposing side including a label-receiving portion. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the label-receiving portion of each opposing side are substantially minor images of each other. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the label-receiving portion is generally convex relative to a central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the label-receiving portion includes at least one reinforcing formation. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one reinforcing formation includes a curved rib. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the curved rib extends radially inwardly. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one reinforcing formation includes a curved rib and a plurality of curved extensions, the curved extensions extending from the curved rib. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one reinforcing formation has a vertical length that is at least 0.70 of the vertical length of the label receiving portion. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one reinforcing formation has a vertical length that is at least 0.25 of the total height of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , including a label applied to the label-receiving portion. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the label is comprised of ink in direct contact with the outer surface of the label-receiving portion. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the label is comprised of one of an in-mold label, a pressure sensitive label, and a heat transferred label affixed or applied to the outer surface of the label-receiving portion. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip area located between the upper body portion and the lower body portion, wherein the grip area comprises a concave recess to facilitate handling. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a minimum top load capability of 5 lbs. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is produced by injection stretch blow molding. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lower body portion includes a plurality of generally horizontal ribs.