Abstract: A handled container and method of manufacturing the same using radiation energy, such as ultraviolet light, visible light, electron beam and the like, to cure a corresponding adhesive for attaching plastic handles or other functional and/or decorative items to plastic containers. The container of the present teachings, unlike conventional containers, provided an improved and reliable handle arrangement, thereby permitting more complex handle shapes without substantially effecting manufacturing costs and complexity.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic hot-fill container may employ a shoulder portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion, which may be integrally formed with and extend from the shoulder portion to the base portion. The container may further employ a plurality of compression ribs molded into the sidewall portion—a first of the plurality of compression ribs intersecting a second of the plurality of compression ribs to form a rib interface, at least the first and the second of the plurality of compression ribs changing from a first shape to a second shape in response to cooling of the liquid.

Abstract: A plastic container includes an upper portion having a mouth defining an opening into the container. A shoulder region extends from the upper portion. A sidewall portion extends from the shoulder region to a base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. The sidewall portion is defined in part by at least one arcuately formed rib having a body portion and opposite ends. The body portion curves from a central portion toward the base portion at each of the opposite ends.

Abstract: A hot fill, blow molded plastic container adapted for vacuum pressure absorption having a pair of flex panels and a pair of columns. The flex panels being defined in at least part by a central portion and a perimeter wall portion adjacent to and generally surrounding the central portion. The flex panels being movable to accommodate internal thermally induced volumetric and pressure variations in the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents.

Abstract: A hot fill, blow molded plastic container adapted for vacuum pressure absorption having a pair of flex panels and a pair of columns. The flex panels being defined in at least part by a central portion and a perimeter wall portion adjacent to and generally surrounding the central portion. The flex panels being movable to accommodate internal thermally induced volumetric and pressure variations in the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents.

Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container including a neck finish, a shoulder portion, a sidewall, and a base integrally formed with one another. Two indentations in the sidewall create a handgrip and a web extends generally across the interior of the container between the two indentations. A plurality of generally downwardly extending support feet include short feet and long feet. Separating the support feet are a plurality of first and second strap formations. Support surface contact points of the long feet are in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when empty. After filling, capping and pressurizing, the support surface contact points of the short feet and the support surface contact points of the long feet are all in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when filled.

Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container including a neck finish, a shoulder portion, a sidewall, and a base integrally formed with one another. Two indentations in the sidewall create a handgrip and a web extends generally across the interior of the container between the two indentations. A plurality of generally downwardly extending support feet include short feet and long feet. Separating the support feet are a plurality of first and second strap formations. Support surface contact points of the long feet are in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when empty. After filling, capping and pressurizing, the support surface contact points of the short feet and the support surface contact points of the long feet are all in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when filled.

Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: A plastic bottle having a substantially uniform side wall thickness yet having a sculptured appearance is formed generally symmetrically about a vertical axis. The bottle includes a base portion, a side wall portion extending upward from a lower margin united to the base portion to an upper margin, a shoulder portion extending from the upper margin of the side wall portion to a neck portion, and a finish portion united to the neck portion and adapted to receive a closure. At least one of the side wall and shoulder portions includes a plurality of generally vertical ribs spaced uniformly around a circumference of the bottle, each generally vertical rib having an upper and lower end and, in cross-section, a central portion situated at a first radius from the bottle axis and a pair of generally symmetric side portions leading to the bottle surface at a second radius from the bottle axis, at least one set of the upper and lower ends of the ribs terminating at a common height on the container.

Abstract: A plastic bottle having a substantially uniform side wall thickness yet having a sculptured appearance is formed generally symmetrically about a vertical axis. The bottle includes a base portion, a side wall portion extending upward from a lower margin united to the base portion to an upper margin, a shoulder portion extending from the upper margin of the side wall portion to a neck portion, and a finish portion united to the neck portion and adapted to receive a closure. At least one of the side wall and shoulder portions includes a plurality of generally vertical ribs spaced uniformly around a circumference of the bottle, each generally vertical rib having an upper and lower end and, in cross-section, a central portion situated at a first radius from the bottle axis and a pair of generally symmetric side portions leading to the bottle surface at a second radius from the bottle axis, at least one set of the upper and lower ends of the ribs terminating at a common height on the container.

Abstract: A plastic bottle having a neck portion defining an opening, a generally tubular bottle body portion depending from the neck portion, and an integral bottle bottom structure closing a lowermost end of the bottle body portion including a continuous standing ring circumscribing a central push-up region is blow molded from a preform which includes a generally tubular preform body portion having an outside wall face and an inside wall face and an integral preform bottom structure closing a lowermost end of the preform. The preform body includes a cylindrical thickened portion which upon blowing forms said continuous standing ring. The central push-up region of the plastic bottle is formed from that portion of the preform below the cylindrical thickened portion. The portion of the preform below the cylindrical thickened portion includes features contributing to enhanced bottle bottom strength while minimizing the amount of resin employed in the structure.