Abstract: A method of making a plastic container that has a tethered closure using an extrusion blow molding process includes steps of extruding a parison, capturing the parison within a mold and inflating the parison against the mold to form a container blank having a container portion, a closure portion and a tether portion for connecting the container portion to the closure portion. The tether portion, which is preferably elongated and string like, may be formed out of flash material that is created during the molding process. The resulting container is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and facilitates the plastic recycling process.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic container body having at least one grip recess includes providing a mold assembly having an internal projection that is constructed and arranged to form the grip recess. A low friction surface is provided on at least a portion of the projection in order to reduce friction between the formable plastic material and the projection during the molding process. The low friction surface permits the formable plastic material to stretch with less resistance before it solidifies to the point where additional stretching is not possible. As a result, molding of features that provide resistance to material distribution during molding, such as deep grip recesses, is enabled.

Abstract: A reinforced retortable plastic container includes a bottom portion and a main body portion having a plastic sidewall that is connected to the bottom portion. The main body portion has a reinforced sidewall area that includes a plurality of first sidewall portions and a plurality of second sidewall portions that are respectively interposed between the first sidewall portions. Each of the second sidewall portions is shaped to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced structures that are selected from the group consisting of indentations and projections. Each of the circumferentially spaced structures is interposed between adjacent vertical columns, and adjacent second sidewall portions are rotationally staggered with respect to each other so that the vertical columns on one second sidewall portion are not aligned with the vertical columns of an adjacent second sidewall portion.

Abstract: A plastic container includes a sidewall defining a bottom portion, a main body portion and an upper rim. The main body portion of the sidewall has at least one groove defined therein that has a circumferential component. Reinforcement structure is provided on the portion of the sidewall that defines the groove for limiting vertical expansion and contraction of the main body portion in response to force that is applied to the sidewall.

Abstract: A container has a domed shaped top portion that is located above the body portion. The body portion connects with the domed shaped top portion via a waist portion that has a variable distance from the longitudinal axis of the container.

Abstract: A hot-fill container has a body portion that may utilize interchangeable dome-like top portion. A top portion is located above the body portion and has a bumper portion located thereon. A bottom portion is located below the body portion and has a bumper portion located thereon.

Abstract: An extrusion blowmolded PET container having superior top load strength characteristics includes a sidewall having an outer surface, and an inner surface that defines an interior space. The sidewall is fabricated from a material that includes extrudable PET. The sidewall is shaped to define a bottom portion, a finish portion and a main body portion. The finish portion has an opening defined therein that is in communication with the interior space. The main body portion has a neck surface, a shoulder surface and a fillet that is defined between the neck surface and the shoulder surface. The neck surface forms a first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the container that is substantially within a range of about 2° to about 20°, and the fillet has an average radius of curvature that is substantially within a range of about 15 mm to about 55 mm. The container is preferably fabricated using an extrusion blowmolding process.

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 retortable plastic container includes a main body and a bottom. The bottom defines a raised inner portion and at least one substantially flat bottom support surface. The substantially flat bottom support surface is curved and positioned near a radially outermost edge of the bottom when viewed in bottom plan. A groove is defined in the substantially flat bottom support surface. In addition, a first side wall portion that extends upwardly from the radially outermost edge of the bottom is shaped as a truncated cone, giving the bottom portion greater dimensional stability under retort conditions. The container bottom exhibits superior dimensional stability with respect to predecessor designs.

Abstract: A molded plastic container is shaped so as to resist deformation as a result of compressive forces that may be applied by the consumer during use. The container includes a pair of recessed grip portions that are molded into forward and rearward sides of the container and an outer handle portion. Reinforcing ribs are integrally molded into the forward and rearward sidewalls of the container in areas that are substantially adjacent to the recessed grip portions in order to provide additional crush resistance as the container is squeezed. Additionally, a torsional reinforcement rib is integrated into an upper side portion of the container in order to resist deformation of the container and the pouring opening of the container during pouring. The torsional reinforcement rib is integral with the two reinforcing ribs, which provides additional strength and pouring stability to the container.

Abstract: A plastic can body includes a bottom portion and a main body portion having a plastic sidewall that is connected to the bottom portion. The main body portion is shaped to define an upper rim that is adapted to be secured to a lid. The sidewall includes a plurality of first sidewall portions that have a substantially flat circumferentially extending outer surface and a plurality of second sidewall portions. Each of the second sidewall portions are interposed between two adjacent first sidewall portions. Each of the second sidewall portions are shaped to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced indentations. Each of the second sidewall portions includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical columns. Adjacent ones of the second sidewall portions may be rotationally staggered with respect to each other so that the vertical columns on one second sidewall portion are not aligned with the vertical columns of an adjacent second sidewall portion.