Patent Publication Number: US-11396396-B2

Title: Container with crush resistant spout and method of manufacturing the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/923,186, filed Mar. 16, 2018, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Appl. Ser. No. 62/472,974, filed Mar. 17, 2017, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Containers that may be used to enclose and transport fluids are often subject to significant stresses during use. Such containers may be dropped while full or partially full of fluid, stacked on top of one another, supported in a suspended configuration (e.g., when held by a user), and/or the like. Accordingly, various containers incorporate various strengthening features in order to provide strength to the container against breakage. 
     However, various containers may be subject to additional limitations, such as a requirement to minimize the cost of materials in the containers, the weight of materials in the containers, and/or the like. Accordingly, container configurations often are subject to generally conflicting design considerations of maximizing the strength of the container while minimizing the cost and/or weight of materials in the container. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for containers providing an optimal balance of maximum strength against undesired breakage while minimizing the cost and/or weight of materials in the container. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments are directed to container spout constructions having increased crush resistance. The spout constructions define a support region extending around a base of the spout, the support region comprising a plurality of support protrusions and/or support indentions spaced at least substantially equally about the perimeter of the support portion and/or the support protrusions and/or support indentions may be aligned with corners of the container. The support protrusions and/or support indentions may have a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of the spout, thereby forming curved corner regions within the support region of the spout. The support protrusions and/or support indentions thereby transfer crushing forces into the corners of the container, thereby impeding crushing of the spout and/or the container when the container is subject to an axial crushing force, for example, when a snap-on cap is applied to the spout. 
     Certain embodiments are directed to a container comprising: a hollow body portion; and a circular spout forming an opening in the hollow body portion. In certain embodiments the spout comprises: a cap region configured to accept a container cap secured thereto; and a support region positioned between the hollow body portion and the cap region, wherein the support region comprises: one or more bumper rolls positioned around an exterior of the support region; and one or more support protrusions extending between a bottom edge of the cap region and a bottom edge of the support region, wherein each of the one or more support protrusions defines a substantially horizontal convex curvature having a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of the spout. 
     In certain embodiments, the hollow body portion defines one or more vertical corners between adjacent sidewalls; and the one or more support protrusions are aligned with a respective vertical corner of the hollow body portion. Moreover, the hollow body portion may define alternating long sidewalls and short sidewalls, wherein adjacent sidewalls are separated by vertical corners; and the one or more support protrusions may be aligned with a respective short sidewall of the hollow body portion. In certain embodiments, the support region comprises a plurality of bumper rolls positioned around the exterior of the support region; and a plurality of support protrusions positioned around the exterior of the support region and aligned with the plurality of bumper rolls, wherein the plurality of support protrusions are positioned between adjacent bumper rolls such that the bumper rolls and the support protrusions are alternating around the perimeter of the spout. The adjacent support protrusions according to certain embodiments blend together to form a support portion below an included bumper roll; and wherein the adjacent support protrusions and the support portion are spaced a minimum distance away from the included bumper roll. In certain embodiments, the plurality of bumper rolls includes 4 bumper rolls spaced at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of the spout; and the plurality of support protrusions includes 4 support protrusions spaced at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of the spout, and wherein the plurality of support protrusions are offset by 45 degrees relative to the plurality of bumper rolls. In certain embodiments, the support portion extends at least substantially continuously around the perimeter of the spout. Moreover, the spout may further comprise a step positioned between the support region and the hollow body portion. The cap region may be configured to accept a snap-on cap secured thereto. Moreover, the cap region may comprise a plurality of ridges adjacent a bottom edge of the cap region. 
     In certain embodiments, each of the one or more support protrusions defines a complex curvature having a substantially vertical concave curvature. Moreover, each of the one or more support protrusions may define a complex curvature having a substantially vertical convex curvature. 
     Certain embodiments are directed to a circular container spout secured relative to a hollow container body. The circular container spout may comprise: a cap region configured to accept a container cap secured thereto; a support region positioned between the cap region and the hollow container body, wherein the support region comprises: one or more bumper rolls positioned around an exterior of the support region; and one or more support protrusions extending between a bottom edge of the cap region and a bottom edge of the support region, wherein each of the one or more support protrusions defines a substantially horizontal convex curvature having a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of the container spout. 
     In certain embodiments, the support region comprises: a plurality of bumper rolls positioned around the exterior of the support region; and a plurality of support protrusions positioned around the exterior of the support region and aligned with the plurality of bumper rolls, wherein the plurality of support protrusions are positioned between adjacent bumper rolls such that the bumper rolls and the support protrusions are alternating around the perimeter of the spout. Moreover, adjacent support protrusions may blend together to form a support portion below an included bumper roll; and wherein the adjacent support protrusions and the support portion are spaced a minimum distance away from the included bumper roll. In certain embodiments, the plurality of bumper rolls includes 4 bumper rolls spaced at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of the spout; and the plurality of support protrusions includes 4 support protrusions spaced at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of the spout, and wherein the plurality of support protrusions are offset by 45 degrees relative to the plurality of bumper rolls. According to certain embodiments, the support portion extends at least substantially continuously around the perimeter of the spout. The spout of certain embodiments further comprises: a step positioned between the support region and the hollow body portion. 
     The cap region of certain embodiments may be configured to accept a snap-on cap or a screw-on cap secured thereto. Moreover, the cap region may comprise a plurality of ridges adjacent a bottom edge of the cap region. In certain embodiments, each of the one or more support protrusions defines a complex curvature having a substantially vertical concave curvature. Moreover, each of the one or more support protrusions may define a complex curvature having a substantially vertical convex curvature. 
     Certain embodiments are directed to a container spout secured relative to a hollow container body comprising: a cap region configured to accept a container cap secured thereto; a support region positioned between the cap region and the hollow container body, wherein the support region comprises: one or more bumper rolls positioned around an exterior of the support region; and one or more support indentions extending between a bottom edge of the cap region and a bottom edge of the support region, wherein each of the one or more support protrusions defines at least one substantially horizontal concave curvature having a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of the container spout. The container spout may form a portion of a container comprising a hollow body portion. 
     Certain embodiments are directed to a circular container spout secured relative to a hollow container body comprising: a cap region configured to accept a container cap secured thereto; a support region positioned between the cap region and the hollow container body, wherein the support region comprises: one or more bumper rolls positioned around an exterior of the support region; and an indent ring positioned between the one or more bumper rolls and the cap region, wherein the indent ring comprises one or more support protrusions spaced around the perimeter of the spout. Moreover, the container spout may form a portion of a container comprising a hollow body portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a container according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a close-up side view of a spout according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up isometric view of a spout according to another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 4-7  show a close-up isometric views of various spout configurations according to yet other embodiments; and 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  show schematic diagrams of a head tool and die utilized to extrude material into a mold according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Overview 
     Described herein is a container configured to enclose a fluid and/or other substance. In various embodiments, the container may comprise a plastic material (e.g., High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)). As a non-limiting example, the container may comprise at least about 52-72 g of material to provide a container having an interior volume of at least substantially 1 gallon; substantially larger or smaller containers may be formed or provided, with structural features beyond size/dimension otherwise as detailed herein. The body of the container may define one or more strengthening features that provide desirable strength characteristics for the container. For example, various strengthening features may comprise one or more ribs, grooves, raised features, and/or the like, that may extend across planar surfaces, curved surfaces, and/or complex curved surfaces in order to provide crush resistance, tensile strength, and/or the like for the container. 
     The container comprises a circular spout defining an opening into the interior of the container. The spout is located at a top, central portion of the container, generally centered relative to the body of the container. The spout defines a cap connecting region at an open end of the spout, the cap connecting region configured to be detachably secured relative to a cap (e.g., a snap-on cap, a screw-on cap, and/or the like). Between the cap connecting region and the upper portion of the body of the container, the spout defines a support region extending around the perimeter of the spout, the support region comprising one or more support protrusions extending between the base of the cap connecting region and the base of the spout. The support protrusions are spaced around the perimeter of the spout, and each comprise convex portions extending away from the spout and defining rounded corners around the perimeter of the support region such that the support region is defined by a non-circular cross section. The support protrusions may be aligned with corners and/or short sidewalls of the container, such that crushing forces aligned with the central axis of the spout and container are directed along the support protrusions to the corners and/or short sidewalls of the container. The support protrusions may thus be positioned to direct axial crushing forces aligned with the central axis of the spout and container to features of the container providing high crush resistance (e.g., corners of the container). 
     The support region may additionally comprise one or more bumper rolls—protrusions having defined top portions and bottom portions—configured to enable a gripping mechanism (e.g., a robotized gripper) to securely hold the container suspended by the bumper rolls. In certain embodiments, the bumper rolls and the support protrusions may be in an alternating arrangement around the perimeter of the spout. As just one non-limiting example, the spout may define 4 support protrusions spaced evenly around the perimeter of the spout and 4 bumper rolls spaced evenly around the perimeter of the spout, offset by 45 degrees relative to the positioning of the support protrusions. 
     The support region thereby provides increased crush resistance to the spout, particularly when subject to axial crushing forces, which may be caused by pressing a snap-on cap onto the cap region of the spout. 
     Container Construction 
     In various embodiments, the container  1  may comprise an at least semi-rigid material. Semi-rigid containers  1  may be configured to flex when exposed to externally applied forces, and/or rigid containers  1  may be configured to resist substantial flexing when subject to externally applied forces. For example, the container  1  may comprise plastic, metal, and/or the like. As just one specific example, the container  1  may comprise HDPE. As will be discussed herein, the container may be extrusion blow-molded. In such embodiments, the container  1  may comprise at least approximately 52-72 g of material to provide a 1-gallon interior volume container. As other example embodiments, the container  1  may comprise at least approximately 32-38 g of material for a ½-gallon interior volume container, and/or at least approximately 23-29 g of material for a 1-quart interior volume container. However, it should be understood that higher or lower amounts of material may be provided to form containers having similar or different internal volumes to those described above. 
     The container  1  defines a container body  100  that may have a configuration similar to that described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/255,403, filed on Sep. 2, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the container  1  may comprise a base portion  120  (e.g., a base surface) configured for resting on a support surface and a plurality of sidewalls  130  extending away from the base portion toward the spout. The sidewalls may comprise a vertical portion  131  adjacent to and extending away from the base portion and a top converging portion  132  extending between the vertical portion and the spout. In various embodiments, the vertical portion  131  extends away from the base portion in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to a surface of the portion (e.g., the base surface  120 ). The top converging portion  132  may be separated from the vertical portion by a top transition region (e.g., a curved portion) in which the side walls curve from the generally vertical portions to the angled and planar top converging portion that extends upward and toward the center of the container  1  toward the spout. 
     In various embodiments, the container  1  may have four sidewalls  130  separated by corners  110  between adjacent sidewalls  130 , such that the container  1  has an at least substantially rectangular (e.g., square) cross-section. As yet another example, the container  1  may have four long sidewalls  130  separated by four short sidewalls  130 , with corners  110  between adjacent long and short sidewalls, such that the container  1  has an at least substantially octagonal cross-section. It should be understood that the container  1  may have any number of sidewalls  130 , and accordingly the container  1  may have any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes (e.g., 3 sidewalls, forming an at least substantially triangular shape; 6 sidewalls, forming an at least substantially hexagonal shape; and/or the like). 
     In various embodiments, the corners  110  may extend between the base portion  120  and the spout  500 . Moreover, in embodiments in which the sidewalls  130  comprise a plurality of long sidewalls and short sidewalls, the short sidewalls may converge at a base portion of the spout  500  to form substantially continuous corners  110  between adjacent long sidewalls  130 . 
     Except as otherwise discussed herein, the container  1  may have an at least substantially uniform wall thickness (measured between the interior of the container  1  and the exterior surface of the container  1 ). For example, the container  1  may have a wall thickness of at least approximately 0.007-0.011 inches (e.g., 0.009 inches). Accordingly, each sidewall  130  may have an at least substantially uniform wall thickness between the vertical portion  131 , top transition region, and converging portion  132 . In various embodiments, the container  1  may be configured to resist a vertical crushing force of at least approximately 30 lbf of force with about a ¼″ deflection in overall height of the container when filled and having a cap secured onto a spout  500  thereof before breaking. Moreover, the container  1  may be configured to fall from a height of at least approximately 2 feet onto a hard surface without breaking. 
     In various embodiments, the container  1  may comprise a handle portion  400  formed as a portion of the one or more sidewalls  130 . For example, the handle portion  400  may occupy a portion of the container  1  corresponding to two long sidewalls and one short sidewall (in an embodiment comprising a plurality of alternating short and long sidewalls). As yet another example, the handle portion may occupy a portion of the container  1  corresponding to two sidewalls  130  and an included corner  110  between the two sidewalls  130 . The center of the handle  400  may be aligned at least substantially with a corner  110  of the container and/or a short sidewall of the container  1 . The handle  400  may be positioned to encompass a portion of the vertical section  131  of the sidewalls  130  and a portion of the top converging portion  132  of the sidewalls  130 . In various embodiments, a top edge of the handle portion  400  may be aligned with and/or adjacent to a bottom portion of the spout  500 . 
     In various embodiments, the handle portion  400  may comprise a handle cavity and a handle extending between a bottom edge of the handle portion  400  and the top edge of the handle portion  400 . The handle may be spaced apart from an included surface of the handle portion  400  defined by the handle cavity, such that a portion of a user&#39;s hand may fit between the handle and the included surface of the handle cavity. 
     Spout 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the spout  500  extends above the top converging portion  132 , and forms an opening from which the contents of the container  1  may be added to the container and/or removed from the container  1 . The spout  500  may define a raised step  503  surrounding the spout  500  and intersecting the top converging portion  132 . The raised step  503  may extend between the top converging portion  132  and a support region  502  extending at least substantially vertically from the step  503 . The support region  502  may define a plurality of protrusions  510 ,  520  thereon and spaced around the perimeter of the support region  502 . The support region  502  may extend upward to a cap engagement portion  501  defining one or more threads, nipples, and/or the like to engage a removable cap (not shown) such that the removable cap may be selectably secured to the container  1 . The cap engagement portion  501  may comprise a plurality of ridges  530  configured to provide additional crushing resistance, by providing a plurality of at least substantially vertical portions (e.g., the edges of the ridges  530 ) proximate a bottom portion of the cap engagement portion  501 . 
     In various embodiments, one or more portions of the spout  500  may have a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of remaining portions of the container  1 . Particularly in embodiments comprising a threaded cap engagement portion  501 , the cap engagement portion  501  may not be symmetrical across a central plane of the container  1 . 
     The support region  502  comprises a plurality of bumper rolls  510  spaced around the perimeter of the spout  500 . In various embodiments, the bumper rolls  510  may be aligned with a centerline of a long sidewall  130  of the container  1 . The bumper rolls  510  may reside within a single elevation on the external surface of the spout  500 , and the bumper rolls  510  may have an at least substantially identical orientation and configuration (e.g., relative dimensions of the bumper rolls  510 ). In various embodiments, the support region  502  may comprise 4 bumper rolls  510  spaced at least substantially evenly around the perimeter of the spout  500  (e.g., at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of the spout  500 ). In various embodiments, the bumper rolls  510  may each be at least substantially ovular and convex, extending away from the spout  500  and having a curved outer surface. Moreover, the bumper rolls  510  may be hollow, having a wall thickness (measured between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the bumper rolls  510 ) at least substantially similar to the wall thickness of the spout  500 . In certain embodiments, the bumper rolls  510  may have a shape and configuration as is well-known in the art, and may be configured to enable existing mechanisms (e.g., robotic arms) to grasp the container  1  and maneuver the container  1 , while the container  1  is suspended by the bumper rolls  510 . Accordingly, the bumper rolls  510  may extend a distance away from the exterior surface of the spout such that mechanisms are enabled to grasp and support the container by the bumper rolls  510 . 
     The support region  502  additionally comprises support protrusions  520  spaced around the perimeter of the spout  500 . In various embodiments, the support protrusions  520  are aligned with a center line of a corner  110  of the container  1  and/or a short sidewall  130  of the container  1  (e.g., the short sidewall  130  may converge proximate the spout  500 , and accordingly the support protrusions  520  may be adjacent the converged portion of the short sidewalls  130  that form a corner  110 ). In various embodiments, the support protrusions  520  are spaced at least substantially equally around the perimeter of the spout  500 . In certain embodiments, the support protrusions  520  are arranged alternatingly with the bumper rolls  510 . For example, an embodiment comprises 4 support protrusions  520  arranged at substantially 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of the spout  500 , and arranged at a 45 degree offset from the 4 bumper rolls  510  (which may be spaced evenly at 90 degree intervals around the perimeter of the spout  500 ). Moreover, the support protrusions  520  may be spaced a distance away from the bumper rolls  510  to enable existing gripper mechanisms to engage the bumper rolls  510  to support the container  1  during movement. 
     In various embodiments, the support protrusions  520  comprise generally convex features extending radially away from the spout  500 . In various embodiments, the support protrusions  520  extend away from the spout by a distance at least substantially equal to the bumper rolls  510 . However, as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , which illustrate alternative configurations of a spout  500 , the support protrusions  520  may extend away from the spout by a distance greater than the bumper rolls  510  or less than the bumper rolls  510 . In various embodiments, the support protrusions  520  may have a radius of curvature within the same elevation as the bumper rolls  510 , and the radius of curvature of the support protrusions  520  extend about a center point of the curvature that does not align with the center point of the spout  500 . Accordingly, the radius of curvature of the support protrusions  520  may be smaller than the radius of the spout  500 . 
     Moreover, the support protrusions  520  may comprise a complex curvature, having an at least substantially continuous radius of curvature between a top point of the support protrusion  520  and the bottom point of the support protrusion  520 . The vertical radius of curvature of the support protrusions  520  may be concave, having a center point outside of the container  1  itself. However, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the support protrusions  520  may not define a vertical curvature, such that the support protrusions define a generally cylindrical exterior surface. As yet another example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the support protrusions may define a generally convex vertical radius of curvature. 
     Moreover, the top point of the support protrusion  520  may be aligned with a top edge of the support region  502 , defining the transition between the support region and the cap region. As yet another example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the top point of the support protrusions  520  may extend beyond a top edge of the support region  502 , and may intersect the one or more ridges  530 . Moreover, the bottom point of the support protrusion  520  may be aligned with a bottom edge of the support region  502 , defining a transition between the support region  502  and the step  503 . In various embodiments, the support protrusions  520  define a curved top portion that extends between side edges of the support protrusions  520  and the top point of the support protrusions  520 . 
     The side edges of the support protrusions  520  may slope downward and toward adjacent bumper rolls  510 . The sidewalls of adjacent support protrusions  520  (e.g., bounding an included bumper roll  510 ) may blend together below the bumper rolls  510  to form an at least substantially continuous support portion  521  extending around the perimeter of the support region  502 , the support portion  521  having an at least substantially continuous concave radius. However, as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the continuity of the support portion  521  may be interrupted by the various support protrusions  520 , which may extend radially beyond the support portion  521 . The sidewalls may slope downward and toward the adjacent bumper rolls  510 , while having a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvature of the side edges of the bumper roll  510 , such that the side edges of the support protrusions  520  maintain an at least substantially continuous spacing away from the edges of adjacent bumper rolls  510 . However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the sidewalls may slope downward and toward the adjacent bumper rolls  510 , but the sidewalls may not extend below the bumper rolls  510 . The continuous support portion  521  below the bumper rolls  510  likewise maintains a minimum spacing away from the edges of the bumper rolls  510 , the minimum spacing distance between the support portion  521  and the bumper rolls  510  being at least substantially equal to the spacing between the side edges of the support portions  520  and the bumper rolls  510 . 
     The support protrusions  520  are configured to transfer axial crushing forces exerted onto the spout  500  in a direction aligned with a center line of the container  1  through the spout and into the supportive corners  110  of the container  1 . Because the support region  502  of the spout  500  does not define a concentric, circular region aligned with the other regions of the spout  500  (due to the curvature of the support portions  520 ), the support protrusions  520  provide increased crushing resistance relative to containers that do not comprise similar support protrusions. The support protrusions  520  thereby impede crushing/collapse/partial collapse of the container  1  and/or the spout  500 , which may otherwise form permanent and/or semi-permanent creases, bends, and/or the like that may have led to container failure. 
     Moreover, in certain embodiments, the spout  500  may be configured to provide additional rigidity to the container  1  while a cap is secured thereto. Accordingly, the container  1  may have a higher crush resistance strength while the cap is secured relative to the spout. 
       FIGS. 5-7  provide views of alternative spout configurations. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the spout  500  extends above the top converging portion  132  and forms an opening from which the contents of the container  1  may be added to the container  1  and/or removed from the container  1 . The spout  500  may define a raised step  503  surrounding the spout  500  and intersecting the top converging portion  132 . The raised step  503  may extend between the top converging portion and a support region  502  extending at least partially vertically from the raised step  503 . The support region  502  may define a plurality of protrusions  510  and one or more support indentions  522  thereon and spaced around the perimeter of the support region  502 . In certain embodiments as shown in  FIG. 5 , the support region  502  may comprise a plurality of sloped portions, wherein a first slope portion extends from the raised step  503  to the second slope portion, and the second slope portion extends from the first slope portion to a concave support ring  523  surrounding the spout  500 . The concave support ring  523  may have a radius of curvature outside of the diameter of the spout  500 , which causes vertical crushing forces exerted on the spout  500  to be distributed around the perimeter of the spout  500 , and ultimately into the vertical sidewalls of the container  1 . 
     The concave support ring  523  may extend upward to a cap engagement portion  501  defining one or more threads, nipples, and/or the like to engage a removable cap (not shown) such that the removable cap may be selectably secured to the container  1 . 
     In various embodiments, one or more portions of the spout  500  may have a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of remaining portions of the container  1 . Particularly in embodiments comprising a threaded cap engagement portion  501 , the cap engagement portion  501  may not be symmetrical across a central plane of the container  1 . 
     The support region  502  comprises a plurality of bumper rolls  510  spaced around the perimeter of the spout  500 . These bumper rolls  510  may have a configuration similar to those described above in relation to  FIGS. 2-4 . In certain embodiments, the support region  502  may comprise a plurality of bumper rolls  510  (e.g., 6 bumper rolls  510 ) spaced around the perimeter of the spout  500 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bumper rolls  510  may define a first grouping of bumper rolls  510  on a first side of the spout  500 , and a second grouping of bumper rolls  510  on a second side of the spout  500 . The first and second grouping of bumper rolls  510  may be separated by support indentions  522  on opposing sides of the spout  500 . The support indentions  522  may have a width (measured around the perimeter of the support region  502 ) at least approximately equal to the width of the bumper rolls  510 ; and a height at least substantially equal to the height of the support region  502 . The support indentions  522  may have a flat portion (e.g., planar) inset relative to portions of the support region  502 ; however in certain embodiments the support indentions  522  may have a convex portion having a radius of curvature aligned with a centerline of the spout  500 . The support indentions  522  are inset relative to portions of the support region  502  via concave portions (e.g., having a radius of curvature outside of the spout  500 ) extending between the flat portion (or convex portion) and the edges of the support indentions  522  at the transition to the support region  502 . 
     The support indentions  522  are configured to transfer axial crushing forces exerted onto the spout  500  in a direction aligned with a center line of the container  1  through the spout  500  and into the supportive corners  10  of the container. Accordingly, the support indentions  522  according to various embodiments may be aligned with corners of the container  1 , a handle  400  of the container, and/or another high-strength portion of the container sidewalls. Because the support indentions  522  incorporate vertical wall portions (e.g., in part from the edges between the support region  502  and the support indentions  522 , these support indentions  522  provide increased strength for the spout  500 , thereby increasing the vertical crushing resistance of the container  1 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates yet another alternative spout configuration. Like the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , the spout  500  shown in  FIG. 6  comprises a plurality of bumper rolls  510  aligned with support indentions  522  (positioned on opposite sides of the spout  500 ) within a support portion  502  of the spout  500 . However, the support portion  502  may be at least substantially vertical, and the bumper rolls  510  may be positioned proximate the upper edge of the support portion  502 . 
     Moreover, the support indention  522  may extend at least partially into the cap region  501 , which may comprise a series of ridges  530  as described in relation to  FIGS. 2-4 . The support indentions  522  may separate the ridges  530  into two groupings of ridges  530  on opposing sides of the spout  500 . 
     Like the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , the support indentions  522  shown in  FIG. 6  serve to increase the vertical crush resistance of the spout  500  and the container  1  as a whole, by directing axial crushing forces exerted on the spout  500  toward the vertical sidewalls of the container  1 , thereby avoiding potential pinch points that may be subject to crushing without such structural enhancements. 
     Finally,  FIG. 7  illustrates yet another embodiment of a spout  500 . As shown therein, the spout  500  extends above the top converging portion  132  and forms an opening from which the contents of the container  1  may be added to the container  1  and/or removed from the container  1 . The spout  500  defines a support region  502  extending from the top converging portion  132 . The support region may define a plurality of protrusions  510 ,  531 , an indented ring  524 , and/or the like to increase the axial crushing resistance of the spout  500 . In certain embodiments as shown in  FIG. 7 , the support region  502  defines an angled surface extending around the perimeter of the spout  500 , and extending from the top converging portion  132  to an inset ring  524 . The indented ring may be defined as least in part by substantially planar top and/or bottom walls, and the transition between the angled surface and the inset ring  524  may be defined by a convex radius of curvature. 
     Like the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the spout configuration of  FIG. 7  comprises a plurality of bumper rolls  510  positioned around the perimeter of the support region  502 . The bumper rolls may have a configuration as described above, and the bumper rolls  510  may be aligned with a top edge of the angled portion, and may extend at least partially into the convex radius of curvature between the angled portion and the indented ring  524 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the bumper rolls  510  may be separated into two pluralities of bumper rolls  510 , separated by spaces positioned on opposite sides of the spout  500 . 
     Moreover, the inset ring  524  may have a simple radius of curvature aligned with the centerline of the spout  500 . As mentioned above, the inset ring  524  may be bounded by at least substantially planar portions at a top edge and a bottom edge of the inset ring  524 , with concave transitions between the inset ring  524  and the planar portions. Specifically, the top planar portion may be a portion of a convex ring  525  on the spout, separating the inset ring  524  from the cap portion  501  of the spout  500 . Moreover, the inset ring  524  may comprise a plurality of support protrusions  531  positioned along a bottom edge of the inset ring  524 . These support protrusions  531  may be spaced at least substantially evenly around the perimeter of the spout  500 . In certain embodiments, the support protrusions  531  may have a height at least substantially equal to half the height of the inset ring  524 . At least some of the support protrusions  531  may be aligned with the bumper rolls  510  of the spout  500 . These support protrusions  531  provide strength at an otherwise potential crush point within the spout  500 . For example, the concave curvature between the inset ring  524  and the lower planar portion may be subject to stress concentrations resulting from an axial crushing force applied to the spout  500 , and the support protrusions  531  thereby serve to increase the crush resistant strength of the spout  500  at this transition point. Accordingly, the support protrusions  531  transfer at least a portion of a received axial crushing load onto the lower portions of the support region  502 , which ultimately transitions at least a portion of the axial load to the sidewalls of the container  1 . 
     In various embodiments, the spout  500  may be located at least substantially centrally with respect to the profile of the container  1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the spout  500  may be centrally located relative to the container  1 , such that a centerline of the spout  500  is at least substantially aligned with a centerline of the container  1 . Accordingly, the spout  500  may be spaced at least substantially equally from vertical portions of opposite pairs of sidewalls  130  of the container  1 . 
     Method of Manufacture 
     As mentioned, a container  1  according to various embodiments may be manufactured via extrusion blowmolding as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/255,403. Accordingly, a parison of molten plastic may be placed within a mold, secured relative to a head tool  1000  (as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B ). As shown in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 8A-8B , the head tool  1000  may comprise a die  1001  and a mandrel  1002  positioned within the die  1001 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 8A-8B , the die  1001  may comprise a hollow central aperture within which the mandrel  1002  may be positioned. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , the mandrel  1002  is positioned within the die  1001  and spaced apart therefrom. The mandrel  1002  may be concentric with the die  1001 , and may have a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the die  1001 . Accordingly, the mandrel  1002  may be spaced a distance from the die  1001 . For example, the mandrel  1002  may be spaced at least about 0.005 inches from the die  1001 . Moreover, as shown in FIG.  8 B, the interior surface of the die  1001  may form an angle x with respect to vertical. Similarly, the exterior surface of the mandrel  1002  may form an angle y with respect to vertical. In various embodiments, x and y may be equal, however in certain embodiments, x and y are not equal. As a non-limiting example, x may be at least about 30 degrees and y may be at least about 32 degrees. 
     The parison may be placed within the mold by injecting the molten plastic material through the gap formed between the die  1001  and the mandrel  1002 . Once sufficient material is positioned within the mold (e.g., 52-72 g for a one-gallon container  1 ), the parison may be inflated by injecting air through the center of the mandrel  1002 , causing the parison to inflate and contour to the interior shape of the mold. The mold may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the container  1 . 
     After inflating the parison to conform to the interior surface of the mold, the molten material may cool and harden to form the container  1 . After the container has sufficiently hardened, the mold may be opened (e.g., by displacing two symmetrical mold halves away from one another (e.g., joining at a portion aligned at least substantially with a container symmetry plane)). The container  1  may be removed from the mold and/or head tool  1000 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.