Abstract: Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines a first opening and is configured to receive a container cap. The second edge defines a second opening and is configured to receive a neck of the container. The first and second openings are in fluid communication. One or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed at the first edge, peripheral to the first opening, and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for a direct to store supply chain to bring high volume, bulk space products directly from suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors to retail locations, thereby bypassing retailer distribution centers. The system comprises an order management and invoicing system configured to facilitate demand signals from retail locations to manufacturers and vendors of desired products. A routing optimization system is configured to continually optimize an aggregate of orders so as to produce lowest-cost shipping solutions. A tracking and notification system is configured to provide manufacturers with clear tracking visibility of en-route deliveries once they leave manufacturing facilities.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

Abstract: A container may have a base, a sidewall connected to the base, a bell connected to the sidewall, and a finish connected to the bell. The base may have strap ribs to resist deformation of the base. The sidewall may have recessed columns to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The strap ribs and recessed columns may vertically line up along a central axis of the container to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.

Abstract: A container may have a base, a sidewall connected to the base, a bell connected to the sidewall, and a finish connected to the bell. The base may have strap ribs to resist deformation of the base. The sidewall may have recessed columns to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The strap ribs and recessed columns may vertically line up along a central axis of the container to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.

Abstract: A container may have a base, a sidewall connected to the base, a bell connected to the sidewall, and a finish connected to the bell. The base may have strap ribs to resist deformation of the base. The sidewall may have recessed columns to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The strap ribs and recessed columns may vertically line up along a central axis of the container to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.

Abstract: A container may have a base, a sidewall connected to the base, a bell connected to the sidewall, and a finish connected to the bell. The base may have strap ribs to resist deformation of the base. The sidewall may have recessed columns to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The strap ribs and recessed columns may vertically line up along a central axis of the container to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a container comprising a base, a bell, a sidewall between the base and the bell, a neck and a finish which define an opening to an interior of the container, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the bell. Strap ribs extend from a central portion of the base and terminate at the sidewall. The strap ribs cooperate with vertically aligned recessed columns of the sidewall to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base. An inwardly offset portion of the sidewall is disposed between each pair of adjacent recessed columns. The inwardly offset portions of the sidewall are configured to resist outward bowing of the sidewall due to internal pressure of contents within the container.

Abstract: Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

Abstract: Disclosed are preforms for the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages The preforms can have a thin neck finish area that is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Preforms with reduced thickness in these areas use less resin in forming the preform and bottle.

Abstract: A container may have a base, a sidewall connected to the base, a bell connected to the sidewall, and a finish connected to the bell. The base may have strap ribs to resist deformation of the base. The sidewall may have recessed columns to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The strap ribs and recessed columns may vertically line up along a central axis of the container to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.

Abstract: A container may have a base, a sidewall connected to the base, a bell connected to the sidewall, and a finish connected to the bell. The base may have strap ribs to resist deformation of the base. The sidewall may have recessed columns to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The strap ribs and recessed columns may vertically line up along a central axis of the container to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.

Abstract: A bottle may have varying depth ribs to achieve a balance of strength and rigidity while maintaining hoop strength. The varying depth ribs may smoothly transition around the circumference of the bottle from a flattened and/or shallow depth rib portion to a deep rib portion. A collection of flattened and/or shallow depth ribs act as recessed columns in the body of the bottle to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The deep rib portions provide hoop strength and make the bottle body more rigid and/or stiffer when gripped by a user. A balance may be achieved between of flattened and/or shallow depth ribs and deep ribs to attain a desired resistance to bending, leaning, and/or stretching while maintaining stiffness in a lightweight bottle.