Abstract: A molded polymeric container generally symmetric about a vertical axis includes at least two rows of panels disposed circumferentially around the body, the panels having central portions that are sufficiently flexible to be dimensionally responsive to changes in pressure within the container. At least one row of the panels has a margin having a horizontal width exceeding the vertical height, thus being laterally elongate with a height/width aspect ratio of less than one. The pressure responsive central portion of each laterally elongate panel is a smooth outwardly projecting dome from a peripheral root of a generally radially projecting wall defining the margins of circumferential rings and posts separating the panels. The outwardly projection domes of the laterally elongate panels can have a variety of shapes.

Abstract: A thin walled, plastic hot-fill container has a finish to receive a closure, a neck supporting the finish, a shoulder situated below the neck, a base, and a body between the shoulder and base. The body includes upper and lower margins defining a label mount area that includes a plurality of inwardly recessed vacuum panels separated by vertical posts. At least one indented reinforcing ring separates the upper and lower edges of the vacuum panels from the adjacent margins of the label mount area by a distance D. Each vacuum panel includes an inclined upper and lower margin of height H that is greater than distance D, and has corners defined by radius R, which is less than or equal to D. Lateral margins of each vacuum panel extend vertically between the corners and connect the adjacent posts to a central depressed region, each lateral margin being essentially perpendicular to the adjacent surface of the vacuum panel.

Abstract: A molded polymeric container generally symmetric about a vertical axis includes at least two rows of panels disposed circumferentially around the body, the panels having central portions that are sufficiently flexible to be dimensionally responsive to changes in pressure within the container. At least one row of the panels has a margin having a horizontal width exceeding the vertical height, thus being laterally elongate with a height/width aspect ratio of less than one. The pressure responsive central portion of each laterally elongate panel is a smooth outwardly projecting dome from a peripheral root of a generally radially projecting wall defining the margins of circumferential rings and posts separating the panels. The outwardly projection domes of the laterally elongate panels can have a variety of shapes.