Abstract: A blow molded, PET container having a unitarily formed body defining a hollow cavity for receiving a product. The body includes a base, a side wall, a neck finish and a mouth. The neck finish, located at the upper end of the container, is formed from substantially amorphous PET that has been thermally stabilized by a heat treating process. A thread is formed on the neck finish to receive a closure cap. The thread is generally in the form of a raised ridge that spirals at least partially around the neck finish. Spaced interruptions divide the thread into thread segments which reduce the PET needed to form the neck finish. The interruptions reduce the residual stresses in the neck finish and thereby reduce the distortion which occurs in the neck finish during hot filling or hot washing of the container.