Importance

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Abstract

The invention provides a novel hot fill plastic container with reinforced bands above and below the vacuum panels to prevent panelling (or crease formation under vacuum after cooling) in the label supporting band area. The container has a substantially cylindrical recessed label supporting portion with multiple circumferentially spaced apart vacuum panels. Each panel includes a flat radially recessed central panel face which collapses radially inwardly under vacuum to reduce the volume of the container during cooling of the contents. A like multiple number of elongate posts are defined between the panels and generally reinforce the panel area, however, the top and bottom ends of the posts must be supported or else creases will form in these areas under vacuum. Accordingly, the invention provides for top and bottom cylindrical bands defining the axial upper and lower extent of the panels and posts. The bands include two or more axially spaced apart circumferential hoop ribs, and each rib is composed of recessed rib sections to interrupt the circumferential hoop rib. Each section in axial progression overlaps the adjacent sections of adjacent ribs to prevent crease formation and propagation between rib sections in the otherwise cylindrical band. Preferably, two or more ribs are distributed to substantially cover each band. Immediately adjacent the posts and panels, rib sections are disposed above and below each post since it has been found by experiment that the area of the bands most likely to develop creases are immediately above and below the posts.

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First Claim