In/or relating to bottles

Abstract

A container for the storing and dispensing a part-frozen or semi-frozen product. The container has an upper portion including an outlet spout defining an outlet aperture to receive a re-sealable complimentary closure. A crushable container body portion is disposed from the container upper portion. A container base portion defines a plurality of vertical facets between the upper portion and container base. The container body portion includes a crush zone, the crush zone of the container body portion is separated from the container upper position by an isolation zone.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers for solid or semi-solid products and in particular to plastic containers for holding and allowing freezing of juice products.

BACKGROUND

In particular markets there is a desire to purchase and take home frozen juice for later personal use. The product is supplied in a container in its frozen state and is retained in the frozen state until the juice is required. Typically the juice is of a concentrated form to be later diluted to the strength desired.

The typical process is that the end user would part defrost the frozen juice to remove the desired amount or would squeeze the container to extract the amount of frozen juice required.

Existing products, for example the ‘Minute Maid’ 12 oz Frozen Orange Juice container, have typically been made of paper with a plastic or foil lining having a tear off seal top and a re-closable lid. However, these containers have a number of disadvantages. When the container is crushed to remove the amount of juice required it is not easily returned to its pre-crushed shape. This can lead to inefficient resealing of the container and degradation of the product. Furthermore the container of these forms is not easily recyclable. It is also often difficult to crush the required amount of frozen juice out of the container. Further, a user cannot see the amount of product left in the container without at least opening the container.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container that at least goes some way to overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art or at least that will provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention consist in a container for the storing and dispensing of an at least part-frozen product, comprising or including,

a container upper portion including an outlet spout defining an outlet aperture to receive a complimentary closure,

a container base portion, and

a crushable container body portion disposed from said container upper portion to said container base portion,

said container upper portion, said container base portion and said container body portion being substantially axially aligned to a container axis; and said container body portion having lines of weakness that define a plurality of facets aligned parallel to the container axis between said container upper portion and container base portion,

wherein at or adjacent the boundary of said container body portion and said container upper portion there is provided at least one waist region (“first waist region”) of said container body portion, said container upper portion or both, that in use provides reinforcement to prevent, in the event of crushing along said lines of weakness, deformation of said container upper portion.

Preferably at or adjacent the boundary of said container body portion and said container base portion there is provided a second waist region of said container body portion, said container base portion or both that in use provides reinforcement to prevent, in the event of crushing along said lines of weakness, deformation of said container base portion.

Preferably either of both of said first and second waist region is/are an increase in dimension orthogonal to said container axis from said container body portion to said container upper portion and said container base portion.

Preferably there is a first inward circumferential groove on said container body portion disposed toward, but not on, said first waist region of said container body portion to said container upper portion to act as further reinforcement to prevent deformation of said container upper portion.

Preferably there is a second inward circumferential groove on said container body portion disposed toward, but not on, said second waist region of said container body portion to said container base portion to act as further reinforcement to prevent deformation of said container base portion.

Preferably a central axis of said first and second inward circumferential grooves is parallel to said container axis.

Preferably said lines of weakness extend above and below said first and second inward circumferential grooves respectively to define facets.

Preferably said facets above said first inward circumferential groove, and below said second inward circumferential groove are rectangular with a minor axis thereof parallel to said container axis.

Preferably said facets between said first and second inward circumferential grooves are rectangular with a major axis thereof parallel to said container axis.

Preferably said facets are regular polygons formed by said lines of weakness.

Preferably a major axis of said facets is substantially parallel to said container axis.

Preferably there are between three and forty said facets.

Preferably there are eight facets in total.

Preferably said facets are rectangular shaped with a major axis thereof parallel to said container axis.

Alternatively said facets are triangular shaped.

Preferably said complimentary closure is re-sealable to said outlet spout.

Preferably said complimentary closure forms a gas and water tight closure to said outlet spout.

Preferably said complimentary closure is thread wise engaged to said outlet spout.

Alternatively said complimentary closure is a push on closure to said outlet spout.

Preferably either said upper portion or outlet spout have provision for a tamper evident feature of said complimentary closure.

Preferably a label of said container lies between said first and second waist regions.

Preferably said first and second waist region(s) is/are an over hang or abutment between said container upper portion and said container body portion, and said container body portion and said container base portion.

Preferably said first and second waist region(s) act as outward abrasion ridges to protect said label from rubbing against adjacent objects, such as other containers.

Preferably said part-frozen product is selected from any one or more of a juice, a milk product and a cordial.

Preferably said product is juice in a frozen state.

Preferably said juice is in a concentrated form.

Preferably said container is substantially of a plastics material. 3

Preferably said container is moulded from any one or more of a

• • i) high density polyethylene,
  • ii) low density polyethylene,
  • iii) poly vinyl chloride and
  • iv) polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Preferably said container is blow moulded from polyethylene terephthalate.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a container for the storing and dispensing of an at least part-frozen product, comprising or including,

• • a container upper portion including an outlet spout defining an outlet aperture to receive a complimentary closure,
  • a container base portion, and
  • a crushable container body portion disposed from said container upper portion, said container upper portion, said container base portion and said container body portion being substantially axially aligned; and said container body portion having lines of weakness that define a plurality of axially aligned facets between said container upper portion and container base portion,
  • wherein at or adjacent the boundary of said container body portion and said container upper portion there is provided at least one change in diameter of said container body portion, said container upper portion or both that in use provides reinforcement to prevent, in the event of crushing along said lines of weakness, deformation of said container upper portion.

Preferably at or adjacent the boundary of said container body portion and said container base portion there is provided at least one change in diameter of said container body portion, said container base portion or both that in use provides reinforcement to prevent, in the event of crushing along said lines of weakness, deformation of said container base portion.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a container for the storing and dispensing of an at least part frozen product, comprising or including,

• • a upper portion including an outlet spout defining an outlet aperture to receive a complimentary closure, and
  • a base portion; and

a crushable body portion disposed between said upper portion and said base portion, said upper portion, said base portion and said container body portion being substantially axially aligned, said body portion including a plurality of axially aligned lines of weakness extending substantially between the upper portion and the base portion to define a plurality of vertical facets that form a crush zone, and

• • an isolation zone including at least one change in diameter of said upper portion, said body portion or both at or adjacent the boundary between the container portion and the upper portion, said isolation zone in use preventing the deformation of the upper portion when a force is applied to the crush zone able to deform the body portion.

Preferably a second isolation zone includes at least one change in diameter of said base portion, said body portion or both at or adjacent the boundary between the container portion and the base portion, said isolation zone in use preventing the deformation of the base portion when a force is applied to the crush zone able to deform the body portion.

Preferably there is a lower portion depending from said second portion to form the bottom of said container.

Preferably said at least one change in diameter is an over hang or abutment at the interface of said first and second portions and said second and lower portions.

Preferably there is an inward circumferential groove disposed toward, but not on, the interface of said second portion with said first and lower portions.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a container for the storing and dispensing of an at least part frozen product, comprising or including,

• • a first portion from which is disposed an aperture to receive a complimentary closure, and
  • a second portion disposed from said first portion,
  • said second portion having lines of weakness that define a plurality of facets on said second portion and at least one groove running around the periphery of said second portion disposed toward the interface of said first and second portions,
  • wherein said at least one groove in use provides reinforcement to said second portion to prevent, in the event of crushing along said lines of weakness, crushing of said second portion extending past said at least one groove into said first portion.

Preferably said product is selected from any one or more of a juice, a milk products and/or a cordial in a frozen state.

Preferably said product is juice in a frozen state.

Preferably said juice is in a concentrated form.

Preferably said complimentary closure is re-sealable.

Preferably said complimentary closure forms a gas and water tight closure to said aperture.

Preferably there are between three and forty said facets.

Preferably there are eight facets in total.

Preferably said lines of weakness form regular polygons.

Alternatively said lines of weakness form triangular shaped facets.

Preferably said lines of weakness form regular shaped facets whose major axis is substantially parallel to said container axis.

Preferably said complimentary closure forms an airtight closure to said container.

Preferably said complimentary closure is thread wise engaged to said first portion.

Alternatively said complimentary closure may be a push on closure.

Preferably said first portion and said intermediate portion differ in circumferential diameter.

Preferably said first and second portions protrude proud of said intermediate portion circumferentially.

Preferably said first portion has provision for a tamper evident feature of said complimentary closure.

Preferably said first portion and said second portion differ in diameter.

Preferably said at least one groove is an inward groove.

Preferably said first portion is above said second portion.

Preferably said lines of weakness are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said container.

Preferably said at least one groove is at 90° to said lines of weakness.

Preferably said lines of weakness extend above and below said at least one groove to define said facets.

Preferably said facets below said at least one groove are rectangular with their major axis parallel to said longitudinal axis.

Preferably said facets above said at least one groove are rectangular with their minor axis parallel to said container axis.

Alternatively said second portion forms an intermediate portion between said first portion and a lower portion extending from said second portion.

Preferably there is a second groove disposed towards the interface of said lower portion and said second portion.

Preferably said second groove is an inward groove.

Preferably said second groove lies within said second portion.

Preferably said second groove is parallel and co-axial to said at least one groove.

Preferably said second portion is of lesser diameter than said first portion.

Preferably said second portion is of lesser diameter than said lower portion.

Preferably at the interface of said second portion to said first portion there is an outward ridge formed due to the change to said lesser diameter.

Preferably at the interface of said second portion to said lower portion there is an outward ridge formed due to the change to said lesser diameter.

Preferably said label sits below or between said outward ridge(s).

Preferably said outward ridge(s) act as abrasion ridges to protect said label from rubbing against adjacent objects, such as other containers.

Preferably said container is substantially of a plastics material.

Preferably said container is blow moulded from polyethylene terephthalate.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a container able to store and dispense a semi-solid product, the container having,

a first portion from which is disposed an aperture to receive a re-sealable complementary closure,

an intermediate portion disposed from said first portion,

a lower portion disposed from said intermediate portion, all three co-axial with a common container axis,

said intermediate portion having lines of weakness defining a plurality of facets substantially parallel to said container axis, and at or towards the interface of said first and lower portions to said intermediate portions there is each an inward groove to impart rigidity to the first and lower portions so that crushing of the intermediate portion is confined thereon.

Preferably said product is selected from any one or more of a juice, a milk products and/or a cordial in a frozen state.

Preferably said product is juice in a frozen state.

Preferably there are between three and forty said facets.

Preferably there are eight facets in total.

Preferably said lines of weakness form regular polygons.

Alternatively said lines of weakness form triangular shaped facets.

Preferably said lines of weakness form regular shaped facets whose major axis is substantially parallel to said container axis.

Preferably said complimentary closure is re-sealable.

Preferably said complimentary closure forms an airtight closure to said container.

Preferably said complimentary is thread wise engaged to said first portion.

Alternatively said complimentary closure may be a push on closure.

Preferably said first and lower portions protrude proud of said intermediate portion circumferentially. Preferably said first portion has provision for a tamper evident feature of said complimentary closure.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a plastic container able to store and dispense at least par frozen juice therefrom, the container having,

a first portion from which is disposed an aperture to receive a re-sealable complementary closure,

a lower portion, and

an second or intermediate portion therebetween, all portions being axially aligned to a common container axis characterised in that there are a plurality of facets arranged with their major axis parallel to said container axis on said second portion, at the interface of the second portion to each of the first and lower portions there is an inward groove, said plurality facets reducing the rigidity of said second portion allowing it to be crushed to expel at least part of the at least par frozen juice, yet allow the pre-crushed shape, of the container to be regained, said inward grooves imparting rigidity to the first and lower portions, so that crushing is confined to the second portion only.

Preferably said product is selected from any one or more of a juice, a milk products and/or a cordial in a frozen state.

Preferably said product is juice in a frozen state.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a container as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification means ‘consisting at least in part of’, that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present.

The term “and/or” as used in this specification means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein the phrase “at least part-frozen” or “par-frozen” refers aqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions and/or emulsions in which at least some of the water molecules of the solution have crystallised to form ice crystals. A range of varying states of crystallisation are covered by the phrase “at least part frozen” including partially frozen slurries and completely frozen unitary bodies of ice.

The term “waist region” as used in this specification refers to a change in dimension of the container orthogonal to the container axis, such as a step-down, overhang or abutment of a facetted region, or a change in diameter in a circular or near circular region.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereby

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the faceted bottle of a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the container of FIG. 1 with internal features of the container depicted by broken lines,

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the same container of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows an isometric top view of the container of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows a bottom isometric view of the container of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 shows in shaded form a side elevation of one embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 shows a bottom elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The container 1 consists of a container upper portion or first portion 3 and a crushable container body portion or second portion 4. The first portion 3 is the uppermost portion the second portion 4 is the portion immediately below. The relative size of each of the portions is shown in the drawings but is indicative only. Depending from the first portion 3 is an outlet aperture 12 to the interior of the container 1, defined by an outlet spout or neck 11.

In the preferred embodiment this aperture 12 has neck 11 that is threaded to receive a resealable complementary re-sealable closure (not shown). In other embodiments the neck 11 and complementary closure may be press fit or use any other re-sealable system known in the art. The complimentary closure forms a liquid tight and preferably air tight seal to the container to prevent leaking and contamination of the container 1 contents. The neck 11 and complimentary closure in the preferred embodiment are formed to provide a tamper evident closure.

In the preferred embodiment there is a lower portion 5, depending from the second portion 4 that forms the bottom of the container 1. In other embodiments within the scope of the invention the second portion 4 may form the bottom of the container 1.

The second portion 4 consists of a number of lines of weakness 7 that define a plurality of facets 8. In the preferred embodiment these lines of weakness run parallel to the container axis 6. The resulting facet shape in the preferred embodiment is rectangular and eight such facets 8 are present. However the number of facets 8 present may vary from two to ten for example or maybe even more. The shape of the facets 8 may be triangular, square or more sided depending on the number and orientation of the lines of weakness 7. For example six sided facets may be present that tessellate to form the second portion 4. It is preferred that the major axis of the facets formed is parallel to the container axis 6.

The container 1 has a waist region 13 as a change in dimension at or near the interface of the second portion 4 to the first portion 3. This is evident as a change in diameter of the circle that would connect the apex points of each of the facets 8 in the container body portion or secondary portion 4 to that of the circle 24 that would connect the apex points of the container upper portion 4.

If a container base portion or lower portion 5 is present then there is also a waist portion 13 as a change in diameter (as described above) at or near the interface with the second portion 4. The waist portion 13 has a reinforcing function that increases hoop stiffness of the container 1 at or near the change in diameter. The reason for this will become clear shortly. In the preferred embodiment this change in diameter (described above) is perpendicular to the container axis 6.

In the preferred embodiment there is also an inward groove 9 at or near the interface of the second portion 4 to the first portion 3 and lower portion 5 (if present). The inward grooves 9 have a reinforcing function of the first portion 3 and lower portion 5.

In other embodiments the first portion 3 and lower portion 5 may have a waist portion 13 as an over hang or abutment over the second portion 4 as shown in FIG. 2. This over hang or abutment (indicated as 13) provides the reinforcing of the hoop stiffness at or near the interface of the second portion 4 to the first portion 3 and lower portion 5 (if present). The over hang or abutment 13 also provides a rub zone of the container 1 against other like containers and other surfaces. This prevents the majority of the container contacting other surfaces. In particular this will prevent any labelling being abraded or damaged due to rubbing or contact. The rub zone also acts as a guide during the filling process of the container 1.

In the most preferred form of the invention both the inward groove 9 and the waist portion 13 as an abutment or overhang are present as best shown in FIG. 8. This produces a container 1 that has rectangular facets 8 between the upper and lower grooves 9, whose major axis 17 is parallel to the container axis 6, ie the major axis of he facets between the grooves 9 is vertical. The facets 8 above and below the grooves 9, are either square or rectangular. When the facets 8 are rectangular their major axis, as can be seen, is orthogonal to the container axis 6, ie the major facet axis is horizontal or in other words their minor axis 18 is aligned or parallel to the container axis 6. This change in major axis orientation from between the grooves 9 to that above and below the grooves 9 further increases the hoop stiffness of the container 1. This results in a container that has better shape retention above and below the grooves 9 in the second portion 4. This again further prevents crushing of the first portion 3 and lower portion 5, whilst allowing the container body portion 4 to be crushed for example to expel the contents of the container 1.

The container 1 is to be filled with a semisolid product 2. In the preferred embodiment this semisolid product 2 is frozen or part-frozen fruit juice or a similar consistency product.

In the preferred use of the present invention the semisolid product is retained in its semisolid state (e.g. from the freezer). To remove the semisolid product 2 from the container 1 the user simply squeezes the second portion 4 to push the semisolid product 2 out the aperture 12. When squeezing the container 1 the user will in some way contract the second portion 4 of the container 1. They may do this by squeezing the second portion 4 directly or by twisting the container substantially about the container axis 6. Alternatively they may squeeze the container along the container axis 6. In any method where the internal volume of the container 1 is reduced to remove the semi-solid product, the lines of weakness 7 will allow a controlled crumpling of the second portion 4. Further more the change in diameter (due either or both to the inward groove 9 or the over hang or abutment 13) will confine this controlled crumpling to the second portion 4. Due to the lines of weakness 7 a crumpling of the second portion 4 is easily achieved that will expel the desired amount of semi solid product from the container 1.

The controlled crumpling and change in diameter improving hoop stiffness will prevent the majority of crumpling from proceeding into the first portion 3 or lower portion 5 (if present). This will have the effect of allowing the first portion 3 and lower portions 5 to retain their shape. This is important as it will allow ease of replacement of the complementary closure. Furthermore since the lower portion will retain its shape the container can be reliably rested on its base with no fear of the container 1 falling over and spilling its contents (if no longer semi-solid). The prevention of crumpling into these portions also reduces the risk of cracking and leaking out of the semi-solid product inside.

Thereafter the container 1 and contents is returned to the freezer. The extracted product is then used by the user, for example brought to a liquid state by application of heat (warm water or heating). The extracted product in its preferred embodiment is a concentrate that is then diluted (e.g. by water) down to the desired strength.

In another embodiment the user may heat (e.g. in a microwave) the entire container 1 up to liquefy the contents and then the contents can be extracted. Thereafter the user returns the container 1 to the freezer. In this application the facets 8 formed actually act to strengthen the container 1 parallel to the container axis 6 (“axial strength”) and prevent it collapsing should the container I material soften from application of heat. In practise the container 1 will sit on the lower most surface of lower portion 5 in a vertical orientation (i.e. with aperture 12 open vertically upwards). Any heating the container 1 or content experiences may soften the material of the container 1. In such an orientation the facets 8 provide increased axial strength against vertical buckling or bowing out of the second portion 4 due to the self weight of the container 1 or its contents.

In the preferred embodiment the container 1 is made from plastic and preferably a clear plastic so the contents can be easily viewed. The container 1 may have writing or information printed directly on it, or may have a label adhesively or fixedly applied (e.g. by shrinking a label around the portions). In the preferred embodiments the labelling is located between upper and lower abutments or over hangs 13.

The bottle and/or cap of the present invention can be formed from a plastic material such as, but not limited to, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, poly vinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Desirably the plastic material is microwave and freezer safe. Preferably the bottle is made of PET.

The bottle and/or cap of the present invention can be formed using known in the art plastic forming processes such as injection stretch blow moulding, thermoforming, rotary moulding and vacuum moulding among others. Preferably the bottle is formed by injection stretch blow moulding.

Whilst the term frozen or semi-frozen has been used here it is to be understood that any product that is semisolid (whether at room temperature or not) can be utilised.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A container for the storing and dispensing of an at least part-frozen product, comprising or including,

a container upper portion including an outlet spout defining an outlet aperture to receive a complimentary closure,

a container base portion, and

a crushable container body portion disposed from said container upper portion to said container base portion,

said container upper portion, said container base portion and said container body portion being substantially axially aligned to a container axis; and said container body portion having lines of weakness that define a plurality of facets aligned parallel to the container axis between said container upper portion and container base portion,

wherein at or adjacent the boundary of said container body portion and said container upper portion there is provided at least one waist region (“first waist region”) of said container body portion, said container upper portion or both, that in use provides reinforcement to prevent, in the event of crushing along said lines of weakness, deformation of said container upper portion.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein at or adjacent the boundary of said container body portion and said container base portion there is provided a second waist region of said container body portion, said container base portion or both that in use provides reinforcement to prevent, in the event of crushing along said lines of weakness, deformation of said container base portion.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein either of both of said first and second waist region is/are an increase in dimension orthogonal to said container axis from said container body portion to said container upper portion and said container base portion.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a first inward circumferential groove on said container body portion disposed toward, but not on, said first waist region of said container body portion to said container upper portion to act as further reinforcement to prevent deformation of said container upper portion.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein there is a second inward circumferential groove on said container body portion disposed toward, but not on, said second waist region of said container body portion to said container base portion to act as further reinforcement to prevent deformation of said container base portion.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein a central axis of said first and second inward circumferential grooves is parallel to said container axis.

7. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein said lines of weakness extend above and below said first and second inward circumferential grooves respectively to define facets.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein said facets above said first inward circumferential groove, and below said second inward circumferential groove are rectangular with a minor axis thereof parallel to said container axis.

9. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein said facets between said first and second inward circumferential grooves are rectangular with a major axis thereof parallel to said container axis.

10. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said facets are regular polygons formed by said lines of weakness.

11. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a major axis of said facets is substantially parallel to said container axis.

12. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are between three and forty said facets.

13. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are eight facets in total.

14. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said facets are rectangular shaped with a major axis thereof parallel to said container axis.

15. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said facets are triangular shaped.

16. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said complimentary closure is re-sealable to said outlet spout.

17. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said complimentary closure forms a gas and water tight closure to said outlet spout.

18. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said complimentary closure is thread wise engaged to said outlet spout.

19. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said complimentary closure is a push on closure to said outlet spout.

20. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein either said upper portion or outlet spout have provision for a tamper evident feature of said complimentary closure.

21. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein a label of said container lies between said first and second waist regions.

22. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second waist region(s) is/are an over hang or abutment between said container upper portion and said container body portion, and said container body portion and said container base portion.

23. A container as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first and second waist region(s) act as outward abrasion ridges to protect said label from rubbing against adjacent objects, such as other containers.

24. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said part-frozen product is selected from any one or more of a juice, a milk product and a cordial.

25. A container as claimed in claim 24 wherein said product is juice in a frozen state.

26. A container as claimed in claim 25 wherein said juice is in a concentrated form.

27. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is substantially of a plastics material.

28. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is moulded from any one or more of a,

i) high density polyethylene,

ii) low density polyethylene,

iii) poly vinyl chloride, and

iv) polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

29. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is blow moulded from polyethylene terephthalate.