Container and method of manufacture
A container is provided that includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of sidewalls that each extend from an upper limit of the bottom portion, the top portion extending from upper limits of each of the side walls such that the sidewalls are positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion. The container comprises a plurality of indents therein, the indents being arranged in a configuration to avoid top load failure. That is, the indents provide strength to the container, which makes the container stronger than containers that are made from the same material, have the same weight and the same average wall thickness, but do not include indents.
1. A container comprising:
a top portion;
a bottom portion; and
a plurality of sidewalls that each extend from an upper limit of the bottom portion, the top portion extending from upper limits of each of the side walls such that the sidewalls are positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion,
wherein the top portion comprises a plurality of first indents and a plurality of second indents therein to avoid top load failure, the first indents defining a first row and the second indents defining a second row, the first indents being spaced apart from the second indents, and
wherein the first row extends across a convexly curved section of the top portion and the second row extends across a concavely curved section of the top portion, the concavely curved section having a maximum diameter greater than a maximum diameter of the convexly curved section, the first row extending across a portion of the convexly curved section that defines the maximum diameter of the convexly curved section, the first row being spaced apart from the concavely curved section.
2. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indents each have a rectangular configuration.
3. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indents each have an oblong configuration.
4. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indents are arranged in a configuration to provide strength to the container that makes the container stronger than containers that are made from the same material and have the same weight and the same average wall thickness, but do not include indents.
5. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second row is positioned below the first row, the rows defining a plurality of spaced apart columns, each of the columns comprising at least one of the first indents and at least one of the second indents that are spaced apart from one another.
6. A container as recited in claim 5 , wherein adjacent columns each form a rib therebetween.
7. A container as recited in claim 5 , wherein the indent(s) in each of the columns is/are coaxial with the indent(s) in the same column.
8. A container as recited in claim 5 , wherein the indent(s) in each of the columns is/are aligned along a straight line with the indent(s) in the same column.
9. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container has a thin wall construction.
10. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container has an average wall thickness of about 0.018 inches.
11. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container has a weight of 70 to 80 grams and a volume of 128 ounces.
12. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container has a weight of 75 grams and a volume of 128 ounces.
13. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container has a weight of 80 grams and a volume of 128 ounces.
14. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container is made from high density polyethylene (HDPE).
15. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container is a blow-molded container.
16. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sidewalls comprises eight sidewalls.
17. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the top portion includes a body portion having a spout with an opening by which material may be introduced into the interior of the container, the indents being positioned radially about the spout such that each of the first indents extends at an acute angle relative to an adjacent one of the first indents and each of the second indents extends at an acute angle relative to an adjacent one of the second indents.
18. A container as recited in claim 17 , wherein the body portion defines a shoulder portion of the container.
19. A container as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container includes a handle which is hollow and permits liquid and air to pass inside it.
20. A container as recited in claim 19 , wherein the handle extends from one of the sidewalls to a spout in the top portion.
21. A container as recited in claim 19 , wherein the handle is positioned such that when the container is held for pouring, a center of mass is concentrated along an axis which intersects both the handle the sidewall the handle extends from.
22. A container as recited in claim 19 , wherein a first end of the handle directly engages a portion of the spout and a second end of the handle directly engages a portion of the sidewall the handle extends from.
23. A blow-molded container comprising:
a top portion comprising a spout;
a bottom portion; and
a plurality of sidewalls that each extend from an upper limit of the bottom portion, the top portion extending from upper limits of each of the side walls such that the sidewalls are positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion,
wherein the container is made from high density polyethylene,
wherein the top portion comprises a row of first indents therein, the first indents each having an oblong configuration, the first indents being positioned radially about the spout such that each of the first indents extends at an acute angle relative to an adjacent one of the first indents,
wherein the first indents are arranged in a configuration to provide strength to the container that makes the container stronger than containers that are made from the same material and have the same average wall thickness, but do not include indents,
wherein the top portion includes a row of second indents positioned below the row of first indents, the first indents being spaced apart from one another and the second indents, the second indents being spaced apart from one another, the rows defining columns that include at least one of the first indents and at least one of the second indents,
wherein the row of first indents extends across a convexly curved section of the top portion and the row of second indents extends across a concavely curved section of the top portion, the concavely curved section having a maximum diameter greater than a maximum diameter of the convexly curved section, the row of first indents extending across a portion of the convexly curved section that defines the maximum diameter of the convexly curved section, the first row of indents being spaced apart from the concavely curved section,
wherein the container has an average wall thickness of about 0.018 inches,
wherein the container has a weight of 70 to 80 grams and a volume of 128 ounces.
24. A container comprising a plurality of first indents and a plurality of second indents therein to avoid top load failure, the first indents defining a first row and the second indents defining a second row, the first indents being spaced apart from the second indents, and
wherein the first row extends across a convexly curved section of the container and the second row extends across a concavely curved section of the container, the concavely curved section having a maximum diameter greater than a maximum diameter of the convexly curved section, the first row extending across a portion of the convexly curved section that defines the maximum diameter of the convexly curved section, the first row being spaced apart from the concavely curved section.
25. A container as recited in claim 24 , wherein the second row is positioned below the first row, the rows defining a plurality of spaced apart columns, each of the columns comprising at least one of the first indents and at least one of the second indents that are spaced apart from one another.