This invention relates generally to the field of plastic containers, and more particularly to plastic containers that are intended for consumer use and that are fabricated using a blow molding process.

Molded plastic containers for packaging beverages such as orange juice are in wide commercial use throughout the world. Such containers may be fabricated using the extrusion blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from a material such as polyolefin, or a stretch blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET.

When filled with a product, molded plastic containers can be fairly heavy and difficult to handle by some consumers, particularly in the larger sizes. This problem is compounded by any condensation in the form on the exterior surface of the plastic container. Accordingly, it is typical for certain types of plastic containers to be designed with integrated gripping recesses and handles so as to facilitate safety and ease of handling by the consumer.

The configuration of many containers incorporating such gripping recesses and handles is such that a consumer will be induced to grip the container using the forefingers and the thumb in a pinching action that can impart significant compressive forces to the container. While this may facilitate a comfortable and effective manner in which to grip the container from the standpoint of the consumer, the resulting compressive forces, which tend to be concentrated near the recessed grip portions of the container, can result in significant inward deflection and deformation of the container. Such deformation can result in a reduction of the storage volume of the container, causing product to be forced out of the pouring opening of the container in unwanted fashion when the container is full or close to being full. In addition, such deformation can result in a change in the pouring characteristics of the container, either by changing the shape of the dispensing opening itself or the shape of the surfaces that are immediately adjacent to the dispensing opening.

In addition, some plastic containers must be designed to withstand significant pressure differentials between the inside of the container and ambient conditions. Carbonated beverages or malt beverages can generate significant internal pressure, on the order of 0.3MPa-0.4MPa (45-60 psi) for malt beverages such as beer. Beer can be packaged using a cold aseptic or cold filtered process, or it can be pasteurized after filling and capping the container in order to kill any remaining yeast and stop further fermentation of the product. The pasteurization process typically involves spraying the filled and capped containers with hot water until the internal temperatures reach 60°C-61°C (140-142 degrees Fahrenheit).

Plastic containers may also be designed for use in the hot fill process, which is typically used for packaging beverages such as fruit juices. For such containers, gripping recesses must be designed to withstand pressurization and the subsequent volumetric contraction that occurs during the hot-fill process.

A need exists for an improved plastic container that provides a safe and convenient gripping configuration for the consumer but that exhibits better resistance against deformation than has been the case with conventional designs.

A bottle with a high strength gripping portion is known from JP 2002154517. The gripping portion comprises a recess surrounded by a flat portion. Another arrangement is shown in document EP 1 419 970 A1 in which a cylindrical wall of a container is provided with 3 oval depressions on each of two opposite sides of the container Between the groups of 3 depressions are narrow ridges running essentially parallel to the container axis.

In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, a plastic container according to the invention is as defined in claim 1 below. Optional features are defined in claims 2-10.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

• FIGURE 1 is a perspective view depicting a container that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view depicting the container that is shown in FIGURE 1;
• FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in FIGURE 2;
• FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view depicting the container that is shown in FIGURE 1;
• FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in FIGURE 4; and
• FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to FIGURE 1, a plastic container 10 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a conventional threaded finish portion 12, a neck portion 14, a main body portion 16 and a conventional bottom portion 18.

Containers 10 may be fabricated using the extrusion blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from a material such as polyolefin, or a stretch blow molding process, which is typical for containers that are fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET.

Plastic container 10 is shaped so as to be generally cylindrical and further includes a substantially smooth label panel 20 to which a label may be conveniently applied using conventional processes.

Plastic container 10 further includes an opposed pair of gripping recesses 22 that are constructed to facilitate gripping of the container 10 by a consumer when the container 10 is full of liquid. Each of the gripping recesses 22 is constructed so as to be able to withstand pressurization and volumetric contraction that may occur within the container 10 as a result of carbonation, pasteurization, the hot-fill process or that may occur during transportation or use of the container 10.

Referring briefly to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that each of the gripping recesses 22 has an outer boundary 24 when viewed in front elevation that has an oblong shape, with a major axis that is substantially vertical or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plastic container 10. The oblong shape of the gripping recesses 22 is preferably substantially symmetrical about both the major vertical axis and the minor horizontal axis. As may best be seen in FIGURE 4, each of the gripping recesses 22 is also defined in part by a curved concave inner surface 32 when viewed in side elevation.

Each of the gripping recesses 22 includes a plurality of horizontal indentations, each of which are sized to receive a finger of the consumer when the plastic container is being gripped by the consumer. In the preferred embodiment, three horizontal recesses or indentations 26, 28 and 30 are provided. As viewed in longitudinal cross-section, a first lip or projection 36 is defined between the recesses 26, 28 and a second lip or projection 38 is defined between the recesses 28, 30.

Referring again to FIGURE 4, plastic container 10 has a maximum outer diameter D_MAX. Preferably, the curved concave inner surfaces 32 of the gripping recesses 22 each have a radius R_IS that is within a range of about 30 percent to about 130 percent of the maximum outer diameter D_MAX of the container 10, and that is more preferably within a range of about 50 percent to about 100 percent of the maximum outer diameter D_MAX of the container 10.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the horizontal indentations 26, 28, 30 has an outer surface 34 that is-convexly curved as viewed in horizontal cross section, as is best shown in FIGURE 5. Outer surface 34 in the preferred embodiment has a radius of curvature R_GH that is within a range of about 20 percent to about 70 percent of the maximum outer diameter D_MAX of the container 10, and that is more preferably within a range of about 30 percent to about 60 percent of the maximum outer diameter D_MAX of the container 10.

The outer surface 34 of each of the horizontal indentations 26, 28, 30 is also preferably concave as viewed in longitudinal cross-section, as is best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Each of the horizontal indentations 26, 28, 30 preferably has a longitudinal radius of curvature R_GL that is preferably within a range of about 5.1 mm (0.2 inches) to about 25.4 mm (1 inch) and that is more preferably within a range of about 11.4 mm (0.45 inch) to about 21.6 mm (0.85 inch). Preferably, the longitudinal radius of curvature R_GL is within a range of about 15% to about 35% of the maximum outer diameter D_MAX of the container 10.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting a cross-section of the container 10 taken at an elevation that intersects the second lip or projection 38. Both of the lips or projections 36, 38 have an outer surface that is convexly curved at a radius of curvature R_LH that is preferably within a range of about 20 percent to about 50 percent of the maximum outer diameter D_MAX of the container. Preferably, the radius of curvature R_LH is within a range of about 15.2 mm (0.6 inch) to about 27.9 mm (1.1 inch).

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.