Abstract: A blow molded plastic beverage container, comprising neck, shoulder, body and base portions. A bulge is formed in one, or both, of the shoulder and base portions bulging to facilitate gripping and handling the container. Preferably, a respective bulge is formed in both the shoulder and base portions, forming a pair of bulges that bracket the container body. Also, preferably, grooves are formed in the shoulder and base portions of the container to facilitate formation of the bulges. The container is formed in a multi-step process from a preform that may have a conventional design. In this process, the preform is expanded into an initial container shape having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion, and a base portion. That container is filled with a beverage, and a bulge is formed in one, or both, of the shoulder and base portions of the container.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic beverage container, comprising neck, shoulder, body and base portions. A bulge is formed in one, or both, of the shoulder and base portions bulging to facilitate gripping and handling the container. Preferably, a respective bulge is formed in both the shoulder and base portions, forming a pair of bulges that bracket the container body. Also, preferably, grooves are formed in the shoulder and base portions of the container to facilitate formation of the bulges. The container is formed in a multi-step process from a preform that may have a conventional design. In this process, the preform is expanded into an initial container shape having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion, and a base portion. That container is filled with a beverage, and a bulge is formed in one, or both, of the shoulder and base portions of the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blow molded plastic container whose thin wall shoulder portion has a plurality of rib-like protrusions. Each of said rib-like protrusions are configured with multiple radii of curvature having a specifically defined relationship. The protrusions so formed do not adversely affect the integrity of the shoulder portion wall structure and do not distort upon internal pressurization of the container.