Abstract: An asymmetric pressurized plastic container includes a bottom, a shoulder portion and a finish portion that is unitary with an upper end of the shoulder portion. A generally cylindrical bumper portion having a first longitudinal axis is provided at a lower end of the shoulder portion. A generally cylindrical main body portion having a second longitudinal axis is positioned beneath the bumper portion and has at least a first sidewall feature defined therein. The first and second longitudinal axes are offset so as to compensate for any lateral deflection of the container that may occur as a result of pressurization acting upon the first sidewall feature. In addition, the main body portion may include a second sidewall feature to provide additional compensation against lateral deflection of the container causes a result of pressurization acting upon the first sidewall feature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a blow molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a blow molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: An asymmetric pressurized plastic container includes a bottom, a shoulder portion and a finish portion that is unitary with an upper end of the shoulder portion. A generally cylindrical bumper portion having a first longitudinal axis is provided at a lower end of the shoulder portion. A generally cylindrical main body portion having a second longitudinal axis is positioned beneath the bumper portion and has at least a first sidewall feature defined therein. The first and second longitudinal axes are offset so as to compensate for any lateral deflection of the container that may occur as a result of pressurization acting upon the first sidewall feature. In addition, the main body portion may include a second sidewall feature to provide additional compensation against lateral deflection of the container causes a result of pressurization acting upon the first sidewall feature.

Abstract: A plastic container includes a generally cylindrical main body portion having a longitudinal axis. At least one gripping recess is defined in the main body portion that has an oblong shape when viewed in front elevation and that is defined in part by a curved concave inner surface when viewed in side elevation. The gripping recess includes a plurality of horizontal indentations, each of which is sized to receive a finger of a consumer when the plastic container is being gripped by the consumer.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a beverage package includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for securing the closure to a container. A tamper-indicating band is frangibly connected to an edge of the skirt, and a stop flange extends axially and radially from an edge of the band for abutment with a stop bead on the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings extend axially through the juncture of the band and the flange. A plurality of circumferentially spaced channels extend axially through the internal thread on the closure skirt, with at least some of the channels being axially aligned with the drain openings. The stop bead on the container is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bead segments separated from each other by circumferential gaps.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container and handle assembly comprising a container having at least one anchor having a portion embedded in a body of the container. The anchor has an unembedded portion with an attachment site. The assembly further comprises a handle formed separately from the container, where the handle has a mating attachment site for engaging the attachment site of the unembedded portion of the anchor. Also disclosed are methods of forming a container having at least one anchor partially embedded therein.

Abstract: A neck finish of a preform or container having a crystallized top sealing surface (TSS) for withstanding deformation from multiple use cycles. In a returnable and fillable container, the improved TSS has enhanced caustic stress crack resistance resulting in a more secure finish-closure seal and an extended container life (number of refill cycles).

Abstract: A method making a plastic container in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes molding an intermediate container product having a body and a moil integral with the body. The body is of layered construction that includes at least one layer of barrier resin that extends part-way into but not throughout the moil. The upper portion of the moil, in which the barrier material is absent, is removed for recycling as process regrind. The lower portion of the moil is removed to form the container. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the moil is removed in a laser trimming operation. The lower portion of the moil is removed in the preferred embodiment of the invention by inserting a plug into the open end or mouth of the container, and employing a cutting tool that is positioned by the plug for accurately trimming of the container product with respect to the mouth of the container. The cutting tool preferably is either a pair of shear rollers or a laser cutting tool.

Abstract: A method making a plastic container in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes molding an intermediate container product having a body and a moil integral with the body. The body is of layered construction that includes at least one layer of barrier resin that extends part-way into but not throughout the moil. The upper portion of the moil, in which the barrier material is absent, is removed for recycling as process regrind. The lower portion of the moil is removed to form the container. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the moil is removed in a laser trimming operation. The lower portion of the moil is removed in the preferred embodiment of the invention by inserting a plug into the open end or mouth of the container, and employing a cutting tool that is positioned by the plug for accurately trimming of the container product with respect to the mouth of the container. The cutting tool preferably is either a pair of shear rollers or a laser cutting tool.

Abstract: A container includes a hollow body having a finish extending from the body. The finish has an open end, at least one external thread for securement of a closure, and a pair of spaced external circumferential flanges on a side of the thread remote from the open end of the finish. A bale handle includes a ring having resilient internal tabs captured beneath the lower of the flanges remote from the open end of the finish, and a handle extending from the ring for carrying the container. The upper flange, which preferably has a greater outside diameter than the lower flange, has an undersurface that is free of obstruction from the bale handle and therefore is adapted to perform support functions for the container after attachment of the bale handle to the container finish.

Abstract: Plastic containers subjected to pasteurization processes with a closure having an annular finish support ring that supports an inner surface of the neck finish of the container from inward deformation during pasteurization. The finish support ring can be integral with the closure or can extend from a closure liner. Also disclosed are closures for products that require pasteurization, as well as modified finish threads to provide a surface contact between the finish and closure threads.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hot-fill containers that can be packaged as a multiple-container package. The hot-fill container comprises at least three sidewalls, where at least one of the sidewalls contains a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls is free of the vacuum panel. When two or more hot-fill containers are packaged together in a multi-pack, the sidewall containing the vacuum panel of one container contacts that of at least one other container so as to conceal each vacuum panel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container and handle assembly comprising a container having a neck, and handle attachment formed separately from the container and assembled thereto. The attachment includes a handle extending to a ring adapted to fit over and secure with the container neck for mounting the handle attachment to the container. The handle attachment ring includes internal threads along the inner wall complementary with external threads positioned on a shoulder of the neck. The ring also includes notches for receiving radially extending projections on the neck shoulder to prevent unthreading of the handle attachment from the container.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a beverage package includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for securing the closure to a container. A tamper-indicating band is frangibly connected to an edge of the skirt, and a stop flange extends axially and radially from an edge of the band for abutment with a stop bead on the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings extend axially through the juncture of the band and the flange. A plurality of circumferentially spaced channels extend axially through the internal thread on the closure skirt, with at least some of the channels being axially aligned with the drain openings. The stop bead on the container is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bead segments separated from each other by circumferential gaps.

Abstract: A container includes a hollow body having a finish extending from the body. The finish has an open end, at least one external thread for securement of a closure, and a pair of spaced external circumferential flanges on a side of the thread remote from the open end of the finish. A bale handle includes a ring having resilient internal tabs captured beneath the lower of the flanges remote from the open end of the finish, and a handle extending from the ring for carrying the container. The upper flange, which preferably has a greater outside diameter than the lower flange, has an undersurface that is free of obstruction from the bale handle and therefore is adapted to perform support functions for the container after attachment of the bale handle to the container finish.