Hot-fill plastic containers and method

Abstract

A hot-fill plastic container has a polygonal (e.g., hex-shape) sidewall portion and a plurality of panels in a sidewall portion that are configured to flex in response to an internal vacuum pressure. Further, in embodiments, the container may be suitable for hot filling while having a container weight that may be 20% to 30%, or even higher percentages, below current comparative conventional weights for a plastic container that is intended to hold an equivalent volume of contents. In embodiments, the panels may be configured, e.g., adjusted or “tuned,” to provide a desired (e.g., reduced or extended) shelf-life.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A hot-fill plastic container comprising:
 a neck portion;   a shoulder portion;   a sidewall portion; and   a base portion;   wherein the sidewall portion includes a lower sidewall portion; the lower sidewall portion, in cross-section, has a generally polygonal shape; and the lower sidewall portion includes a plurality of panels.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lower sidewall portion, in cross-section, has a hexagonal shape. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall portion includes an upper sidewall portion, and the upper sidewall portion is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a central portion of the base portion is configured to flex up upwardly in response to vacuum forces. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper sidewall portion includes one or more structural reinforcing formations. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper sidewall portion includes one or more circumferential bands or ribs. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels extend between the upper sidewall portion and the base portion. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels include an upper curved portion or a lower curved portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels include an upper curved portion and a lower curved portion. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of panels include one or more panel formations. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more panel formations include a formation that extends circumferentially across a portion of a panel. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes at least six panels, and each panel includes a plurality of panel formations that extend circumferentially across a portion of each panel. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container includes at least six panels and, in an alternating configuration, every other panel includes a plurality of panel formations that extend circumferentially across a portion of such panel. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container, in an empty condition, has a weight of about 23.2 grams. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container, in an empty condition, has a weight between about 22.6 grams and 23.8 grams. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lower sidewall portion and the base portion comprise at least 0.55 of the total height of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lower sidewall portion and the base portion comprise at least 0.57 of the total height of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the lower sidewall portion and the base portion together is about 1.7 times the diameter of the base portion. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion includes a circumferential diamond-like ring formation.