Load-bearing and vacuum-resistant containers

Abstract

Containers having improved load-bearing and vacuum-resistance features are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container ( 10 ) having a shoulder ( 16 ) including four faces forming compound-radiused comers at intersections ( 28,30 ) with a body of the container. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container having a shoulder ( 16 ) with four faces, at least two of the four faces having a cut-away ( 32 ) with a shape that is substantially U-shaped. The structural features of the present containers advantageously provide for improved compression capacity and vacuum-resistance when compared to similar containers currently on the market.

1 . A container comprising:
 a body;   a neck; and   a shoulder between the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape, at least two of the four faces comprising a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the body has a shape that is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one circumferential rib. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one interrupted rib. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one wall having first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second opposing inwardly-sloping portions are mirror images of each other and are reflected about a location on the body corresponding to a circumferential rib. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a volume ranging from of about 100 mL to about 5000 mL. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A container comprising:
 a body;   a neck; and   a shoulder between the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the compound-radiused corners are radiused in a direction selected from the group consisting of horizontal, vertical, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein each compound-radiused corner includes at least two different radii. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein each of the four faces intersect along a rounded edge. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein each of the four faces intersect with the body along a rounded edge. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises at least one circumferential rib. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises at least one interrupted rib. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises at least one wall having first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 10  comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A container comprising:
 a body having a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially square, substantially rectangular, and combinations thereof;   a neck; and   a shoulder between the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body, and wherein at least two of the four faces comprises a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.