Vacuum-resistant containers having offset horizontal ribs and panels

Abstract

Containers having improved vacuum-resistance and aesthetic features are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a body ( 10 ) including at least one indented rib ( 22 ) and at least one indented panel ( 24 ). The at least one indented rib and the at least one indented panel are continuous around a circumference of the body in a substantially horizontal plane to maintain an even vertical compression of the body. At the same time, the panels provide a substantially flat surface for a sleeve for the container. The invention is particularly adapted for lightweight containers.

1 . A container comprising:
 a body including at least one indented rib and at least one indented panel, the at least one indented rib and the at least one indented panel being continuous around a circumference of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one indented rib and the at least one indented panel are continuous in a substantially horizontal plane. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially horizontal plane is located approximate to a vertical center of the at least one indented panel. 
     
     
         4 . The container of any of  claim 1 , further including a sleeve, wherein the at least one indented panel provides a substantially flat surface for the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one indented rib and the at least one indented panel each encircle approximately 180 degrees of the circumference of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , further including a base, wherein the at least one indented panel extends into the base. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one indented panel includes a first indented panel and a second indented panel, the first indented panel differing in height from the second indented panel. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one indented rib includes a first indented rib and a second indented rib, the first indented rib differing in height from the second indented rib. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body tapers in an inward or outward direction. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises an additional rib, the rib being horizontal and continuous around a circumference of the body and preferably located approximately in the middle of the container. 
     
     
         11 . A container comprising:
 a body including a plurality of indented ribs and a plurality of indented panels,   wherein at least one of the indented ribs and at least one of the indented panels are located on a first side of the body, and at least one of the indented ribs and at least one of the indented panels are located on a second side of the body.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one indented panel on the first side of the body is vertically offset from the at least one indented panel on the second side of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one indented rib on the first side of the body is vertically offset from the at least one indented rib on the second side of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one indented rib on the first side of the body is continuous with the at least one indented panel on the second side of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The container  claim 11 , wherein the at least one indented rib on the first side of the body is located approximate to a vertical center of the at least one indented panel on the second side of the body. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a container for liquid, comprising:
 forming an indented panel on an outer surface of the container; and   forming an indented rib continuous with the indented panel around a circumference of the container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including providing a preformed container, and wherein forming the indented panel and forming the indented rib include forming the indented panel on an outer surface of the preformed container and forming an indented rib continuous with the indented panel around a circumference of the preformed container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further including molding the container. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming the indented panel on the outer surface of the container includes molding the indented panel on the outer surface of the container, and wherein forming the indented rib continuous with the indented panel around the circumference of the container includes molding the indented rib continuous with the indented panel around the circumference of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further including forming a plurality of indented panels on an outer surface of the container and forming a plurality of indented ribs each continuous with one of the plurality of indented panels around the circumference of the container. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further including forming at least one of the plurality of indented panels and at least one of the plurality of indented ribs on a first side of the container and forming at least one of the plurality of indented panels and one of the plurality of indented ribs on a second side of the container. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further including forming the at least one indented panel on the first side of the container to be vertically offset from the at least one indented panel on the second side of the container.