Patent Description:
More specifically, the present disclosure relates to lightweight containers having improved stability as well as side-load and top-load resistance and comprising an improved grip portion.

Currently, the market comprises many different shapes and sizes of containers capable of housing fluids. The shape and size of fluid containers can depend, among other things, on the amount of fluid to be housed, the type of fluid to be housed, consumer demands and desired aesthetics. For example, thermoplastic containers for beverages are known in the art. These containers are made of a semi-crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for good transparency and processability properties. Such plastic containers are typically blow-molded using an injected preform. In order to reduce the price of the plastic row material which is the cost factor of bottled water, lightweight containers have been proposed. Such lightweight containers contains less plastic and have a reduced wall thickness. For example, at least in the middle-height region of the container body the wall thickness of a lightweight container may be less than or equal to <NUM>. These lightweight containers are, therefore, manufactured with a substantially lower amount of plastic material compared to containers of similar volume content, but made using traditional processes. Accordingly, these containers are cheaper to produce and are also particularly environment-friendly.

Examples of prior art lightweight containers include those described, for example, in International Patent Application <CIT> or <CIT>. These containers are known to be of generally ovoid or spherical shape, which provides for good volume/weight ratios. However, these containers also exhibit several drawbacks in that they are sometimes difficult to store and to pile in pallets for transportation.

Other geometry of lightweight container are known and disclosed from document <CIT> or from document <CIT>.

As presented, there is a big interest in light weighting plastic containers and since decades, the weight of plastic bottles is constantly decreasing due to optimized geometry and reduced processing tolerances.

However, the weight reduction results in challenges as the lightweight container should be able to withstand different environmental factors encountered during manufacturing, shipping and retail shelf stocking or storage and many of the lightweight containers on the market are not always resisting to these environmental factors.

One example of the above mentioned challenge is to avoid local container deformation during transportation leading to a deformed container and thus quality issue and consumer complaints.

In fact, during transportation, the containers may be stacked one on top of the other during packaging, shipping and display. Thus, the containers should be constructed and manufactured so as to withstand the various compressive forces applied by one or more filled containers placed on top of the container without buckling.

Additionally, in lightweight containers, the sides of the container body are very flexible and a risk exists that once the container is open, the contents splash out of the container when grabbed or squeezed by the consumer. An example of a lightweight container with the features of the preamble in claim <NUM>, which seeks to eliminate the above described drawbacks is disclosed in document <CIT>.

Accordingly, a need exists for a lightweight fluid container having improved structural features as well as desirable aesthetic characteristics. In particular, the proposed container should withstand logistic conditions and especially loads applied during transportation.

In this respects, the invention provides a container having a longitudinal axis comprising at least one undulating bead according to Claim <NUM>.

Hence, in addition to a neck portion, a shoulder portion connected to the neck portion, a body portion comprising a label portion and a grip portion, the grip portion having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the label portion, and the body portion being connected to the shoulder portion via a first connecting portion, in which the label portion and the grip portion being connected together via a second connection portion, and a base portion forming the bottom of the container connected to the body portion via a third connecting portion, the grip portion of the proposed container comprises at least one undulating bead, the bead being a raised circumferential flange or ring presenting an embossment at the external surface of the container.

The use of at least one undulating bead makes it possible to provide different distribution of stresses when top load and/or compression applies on the container.

Advantageously, the grip portion comprises at least two non-adjoining undulating beads to further participate in the stress distribution.

More particularly, the grip portion comprises a combination of non-adjoining straight and undulating beads.

It is to be noted that the proposed combination of non-adjoining straight and undulating beads improves the distribution of stresses and therefore the overall resistance of the container during transportation.

According to a possible feature, the grip portion comprises at least two spaced undulating beads) and at least one straight bead. Said beads are circular and allows avoiding centralized deformation at the location of the grip portion of the container.

According to one possible feature, the at least undulating beads are separated by at least one straight bead that is not adjoining with the undulating beads.

This allows a further increased resistance of the container.

By way of example in the proposed embodiment, the beads of the grip portion comprise a constant height and a constant base width and a constant top width. Hence with a simple geometry of the bead allowing an easy process it is possible to obtain a container with improved deformation repartition.

In particular, as proposed in the disclosed embodiment, the beads are approximately hemi-spherical. This allows to have and easier handling with smooth gripping.

According to a further feature the beads have the same diameter.

Additionally, the grip portion further comprises at least one rib to further bring some flexibility in the grip portion.

As proposed in the disclosed embodiment, the label portion defines a label portion perimeter that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of ribs positioned substantially along the perimeter of the label portion. The plurality of ribs bring a certain flexibility to the container.

In the label portion, the plurality of ribs have a constant width and a constant depth. This is advantageous in that it improves side load resistance.

Furthermore, the grip portion is connected to the label portion via a third connecting portion comprising at least one transitional rib.

The claimed container comprises a volume comprised between <NUM> to <NUM> and is a lightweight container.

The invention is further described with reference to the following examples. It will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not intended to be limited in any way by these examples.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols and references typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the subject matter of the appended claims.

In other words, they are intended to mean including, but not limited to.

Any reference to prior art documents in this specification is not to be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

In particular, disclosed herein are articles, including preforms, bottles and containers, which utilize an optimized quantity of plastic in their construction while maintaining the ease of processing and excellent structural properties associated with current commercial designs.

The present invention will be described in connection with a container, for example, a bottle.

The present disclosure relates to lightweight, stable, load-bearing containers for providing consumable products and, in particular, fluids. The containers are constructed and arranged to be stable and load-bearing to provide a container having not only improved structural features, but also desirable aesthetics.

When speaking about lightweight container, it should be understood containers having a reduced quantity of thermoplastic.

For example, it is considered that a container made of PET is a lightweight container if for a volume of <NUM> cl, it contains between <NUM> to <NUM> of PET, for a container having a volume of <NUM>, the container will contain between <NUM> and <NUM> of PET.

For a container made by blow molding of a preform, this definition implies that the thickness of the container's walls is reduced. This reduction can lead to containers having wall thickness, in the body portion, below <NUM>.

As described above, lightweight containers for housing liquids are known to have problems transmitting vertical loads efficiently and resisting to side loads. Specifically, during packaging, distribution and retail stocking, containers or bottles can be exposed to large amounts of top-loading and can buckle at any existing points of weakness on the container. Indeed, top-loading, as well as side-loading, can be especially problematic for lightweight containers.

Additionally, due to the generally cylindrical shape of known containers, the sides of the container body are very flexible and a risk exists that once the container is open, the contents splash out of the container when grabbed or squeezed by the consumer.

Further, during packaging, distribution, and retail stocking, containers can be exposed to widely varying temperature and pressure changes, as well as external forces that jostle and shake the container. These types of environmental factors can contribute to rises in internal pressure that affect the overall quality of the product purchased by the consumer of can lead to specific load compression during transportion.

A prior art container <NUM> is illustrated by <FIG>. Container <NUM> includes a neck portion <NUM>, a shoulder portion <NUM>, body portion <NUM> and a base portion <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> is connected to base <NUM> and shoulder <NUM> portions.

Shoulder portion <NUM> includes at least one integrally formed shapes <NUM> oriented substantially vertically on shoulder portion <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> comprises a label portion <NUM> and a grip portion <NUM>, each provided with a structure of reinforcing ribs.

In more detail, Label portion <NUM> includes several ribs <NUM> that traverse a circumference of the container and have constant width and depth.

Grip portion <NUM> presents a reduced diameter with a substantially arc-shaped along a side wall of container <NUM> that is parallel to a vertical axis of container <NUM>. Grip portion <NUM> further includes two ribs <NUM> of constant width and depth, as well as one rib <NUM> having a first curvature, one rib <NUM> having a second curvature that is greater than the first curvature, and one rib <NUM> having a third curvature that is greater than the second curvature. Grip portion <NUM> is also substantially V-shaped along a side wall of container <NUM> that is parallel to a vertical axis of container <NUM>, with rib <NUM> being the vertex of the V-shape. Container <NUM> further includes an integrally formed shape <NUM> on an upper, transition portion of the grip portion <NUM>,. Although container <NUM> includes ribs, container <NUM> may not necessarily be configured to deliver optimized stability or optimized side- and top-load resistance for a lightweight container.

Indeed, transport simulations applying compression test show that the deformations and stresses that apply on the bottle during transportation are mainly concentrated on the rib <NUM> of grip portion <NUM> and on the integrally formed shapes <NUM> oriented substantially vertically on shoulder portion <NUM>. This lead to an important concentration of deformation of the bottle at this specific locations and especially at the location of the grip portion when top load is applied. This will be discussed in more details in connection with <FIG>.

As used herein, "grip portion" may be used interchangeably with "prehension portion" or "grabbing portion". As used herein, "prehension", "grabbing" or "handling" means the act of taking hold, seizing or grasping. Accordingly, a prehension portion, or grip portion, of the container may be a portion of the container intended for seizing or grasping by the consumer during handling of the container.

In contrast, Applicants have surprisingly found that the configuration of the containers disclosed herein provides improved stability, improved side-load resistance.

In this regard, the proposed geometry of the container's grip portion allows different distribution of the deformation of the container under compression test.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, container <NUM> of the present disclosure includes a mouth <NUM>, a neck portion <NUM>, a shoulder portion <NUM>, a body portion <NUM> and a base portion <NUM>, all of which combine to form an interior of container <NUM> that is capable of housing a liquid.

Body portion <NUM> is connected to the shoulder portion <NUM> via a first connecting portion 49a and to the base portion <NUM> via a second connecting portion 49b.

Body portion <NUM> comprises a label portion <NUM> and a grip portion <NUM>. Label portion <NUM> comprises multiple ribs <NUM>. Grip portion <NUM> comprises a series of circular beads <NUM>, <NUM> and ribs <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a front view of the container <NUM> and <FIG> illustrates a side view of container <NUM> of the present disclosure. As can be seen from the figures, the difference between the side (<FIG>) and front (<FIG>) views of container <NUM> lies in grip portion <NUM> and in the connecting portion 49a, 49b and 49c of the container due to the specific shapes of the beads and ribs of the grip portion <NUM> and of the ribs of the connecting portions 49a, 49b and 49c.

Containers of the present disclosure may be configured to house any type of liquid therein. In an embodiment, the containers are configured to house a consumable liquid such as, for example, water, an energy drink, a carbonated drink, tea, coffee, milk, juice, etc. In an embodiment, the containers are configured to house water.

Containers <NUM> may hold any suitable volume of a liquid such as, for example, from about <NUM> to <NUM> including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the like. In an embodiment, containers <NUM> are configured to hold about <NUM> of a liquid.

Suitable materials for manufacturing containers of the present disclosure can include, for example, polymeric materials. Specifically, materials for manufacturing bottles of the present disclosure can include, but are not limited to, polyethylene ("PE"), low density polyethylene ("LDPE"), high density polyethylene ("HDPE"), polypropylene ("PP"), polyethylene furanoate ("PEF") or polyethylene terephthalate ("PET").

Further, the containers of the present disclosure can be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing process such as, for example, conventional extrusion blow molding, stretch blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, and the like.

Mouth <NUM> may be any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container <NUM> and may be poured or otherwise removed from container <NUM>. In an embodiment, mouth <NUM> may be substantially circular in shape and have a diameter ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like. In an embodiment, mouth <NUM> has a diameter that is about <NUM>.

Neck portion <NUM> may also have any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container <NUM> and may be poured or otherwise removed from container <NUM>. In an embodiment, neck portion <NUM> is substantially cylindrical in shape having a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of mouth <NUM>. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the shape and size of neck portion <NUM> are not limited to the shape and size of mouth <NUM>. Neck portion <NUM> may have a height (from mouth <NUM> to shoulder portion <NUM>) from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like. In an embodiment, neck portion <NUM> has a height of about <NUM>.

Container <NUM> can further include an air tight cap (not represented) attached to neck portion <NUM>. The cap can be any type of cap known in the art for use with containers similar to those described herein. The cap may be manufactured from the same or a different type of polymeric material as container <NUM>, and may be attached to container <NUM> by re-closeable threads, or may be snap-fit, friction-fit, etc. Accordingly, in an embodiment, cap includes internal threads (not shown) that are constructed and arranged to mate with external threads <NUM> of neck portion <NUM>.

Shoulder portion <NUM> of container <NUM> extends from a bottom of neck portion <NUM> downward to a top of label portion <NUM>. Shoulder portion <NUM> comprises a shape that is substantially a conical frustum. As used herein, a "conical frustum" means that shoulder portion <NUM> has a shape that very closely resembles a cone having a top portion (e.g., the apex) of the cone lopped-off. Shoulder portion <NUM> has a lopped-off apex since shoulder portion <NUM> tapers into neck portion <NUM> for functionality of container <NUM>. Further, the "conical frustum" shape also includes a rounded edge <NUM> wherein shoulder portion <NUM> curves downward in a substantially vertical orientation to meet label portion <NUM>.

Shoulder portion <NUM> may have a height (from a bottom of neck portion <NUM> to a top of label portion <NUM>) ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM> or the like. In an embodiment, shoulder portion <NUM> has a height that is about <NUM>.

At a bottom portion (e.g., before label portion <NUM>), shoulder portion <NUM> may have a diameter ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like. In an embodiment, the diameter of a bottom, widest portion of shoulder portion <NUM> is about <NUM>.

Shoulder portion <NUM> is connected to label portion <NUM> via a first connecting portion 49a. Said connecting portion 49a comprises a rib 59a. In the present case, rib 59a of the first connecting portion 49a is a rib having a curved shape as can be seen on <FIG> and <FIG>. The rib 59a has constant width (W) (outside width at the surface of the container, also defined as WO) and depth (D) as there is no increase or decrease in width and in depth as the rib traverses the circumference of the container <NUM>.

As proposed, rib 59a has a curved shape that provides a spring effect allowing for increase of pressure within the container, which is typical, for example, during storage and transport of lightweight, liquid-filled containers.

Label portion <NUM> of container <NUM> includes a plurality of ribs <NUM> having a constant width (W) and depth (D), as shown more clearly in <FIG>. In this regard, ribs <NUM> have a constant width because the ribs do not increase or decrease in width as the ribs traverse the circumference of container <NUM>. Ribs <NUM> have a constant depth because the ribs do not change the distance between an inner most portion of the rib and an adjacent portion of an outer wall of container <NUM> as the ribs traverse the circumference of container <NUM>. Proposed ribs <NUM> have straight shape without any curved or arcuate portion.

Container <NUM> may include any number of straight and/or constant ribs <NUM> having any size that provides improved stability and load resistance. Container <NUM> may include <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> ribs <NUM>. In an embodiment, container <NUM> includes a plurality of ribs <NUM>. In another embodiment, container <NUM> includes <NUM>-<NUM> ribs <NUM>, or <NUM>-<NUM> ribs <NUM>, or <NUM> ribs <NUM>. In the proposed embodiment container <NUM> includes <NUM> ribs <NUM>.

For the ribs an internal width (WI) is defined as the width of the rib inside the rib. An outside width (WO) is also defined as the width of the rib at the surface of the container.

Ribs <NUM> may have an outside width from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM>. In an embodiment, ribs <NUM> have a width (outside width) that is about <NUM>. Ribs <NUM> may also have a depth that is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In the proposed embodiment, ribs <NUM> have a depth that is about <NUM>.

At a widest point of ribs <NUM>, container <NUM> may have a diameter ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like. In the proposed embodiment, the diameter of container <NUM> at the widest portion of rib <NUM> is about <NUM>.

Cross section of ribs <NUM> may be of different geometry, for example, trapezoidal, triangular or hemi-spherical, but always with the aim of reinforcing the side-load resistance (i.e., lateral resistance of the container) and the top-load resistance (i.e., longitudinal resistance of the container) of the container. In the proposed embodiment, ribs <NUM> have a trapezoidal geometry.

Additionally, ribs <NUM> may have a first radius of curvature, or a bend radius, where a substantially vertical side wall of container <NUM> curves inward to form rib <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>. This radius of curvature is indicated by the arrow in combination with (R1), and is also present where a bottom portion of rib <NUM> curves to meet the substantially vertical side wall of container <NUM> located below rib <NUM>. The two radii R1 may have similar or different values.

Ribs <NUM> may also include a second radius of curvature at a depth (D) of rib <NUM>. This second radius of curvature is indicated by the arrow in combination with the (R2) indicator. The two radii R2 may have similar or different values.

In the present case, the radii of curvature (R1, R2) of ribs <NUM> have different values, R1 is about <NUM> and R2 is about <NUM>.

The geometry of a rib also defined by its opening angle θ as represented in <FIG>. In the disclosed embodiment, ribs <NUM> have an opening angle of about <NUM>°.

Label portion <NUM> is connected to grip portion <NUM> via a second connecting portion 49b. Second connecting portion 49b comprises a rib 59b. In the present case, rib 59b of the second connecting portion 49b is a rib having a curved shape as can be seen on <FIG> and <FIG>. The rib 59b has constant width and depth as there is no increase or decrease in width and in depth as the rib as the rib traverses the circumference of the container <NUM>.

As proposed, rib 59b has a curved shape that provide a spring effect allowing for increase of pressure within the container, which is typical, for example, during storage and transport of lightweight, liquid-filled containers.

For rib 59b, values of R1, R2, D, WI, WO and θ may also be defined to characterize the rib, similarly as ribs <NUM> and 59a.

Second connecting portion 49b has a diameter that is similar to the diameter of label portion <NUM>. The diameter of container <NUM> at the location of the label portion is about <NUM>. At the lower part of the second connecting portion 49b begins a reduction in the diameter of the container <NUM> leading to a diameter of the grip portion <NUM> that is smaller than the diameter of the label portion <NUM>.

Indeed, in the present case grip portion <NUM> is locally shaped to visually define a prehension portion of the consumer and to locally reduce the diameter of the container <NUM> to ease gripping.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG> and from <FIG> presenting a cross section of <FIG>, the surface of the container body portion <NUM> is recessed inwards at the location of the grip portion <NUM> to create a portion with smaller diameter. The wall of container <NUM> is recessed inwards from <NUM> to <NUM>, meaning a reduction of the diameter of the container, at the location of the grip portion, from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the middle of the grip portion <NUM>, the diameter of the container <NUM> is reduced to <NUM> (minimum diameter of the container).

In the proposed embodiment and as represented in <FIG>, the surface of the container from the lower part of the second connecting portion 49b to the lower part of the grip portion <NUM> is circularly and inwardly recessed according to an arc of a circle defined at the location of the middle of the grip portion. The arc of circle located at the location of the middle of the grip portion <NUM> corresponds to a circle having a radius of about <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, grip portion <NUM> comprises two different structural elements to improve the mechanical properties of the proposed lightweight container <NUM>.

The first elements are beads referenced <NUM>, <NUM> in the figures. A bead is defined as raised circumferential flange or ring presenting an embossment at the external surface of the container <NUM>.

The second elements are ribs referenced <NUM> in the figures. Rib have its usual meaning (similar as the one detailed in connecting with the label portion ribs) and may be defined as circular groove extending on the perimeter of the container <NUM>.

The beads <NUM>, <NUM> and ribs <NUM> of the grip portion <NUM> traverse a circumference of the container and are used to provide added hoop strength, rigidity and resistance to bending, leaning, crumbling and/or stretching.

Grip portion <NUM> comprises two types of circular beads, straight beads and undulating beads. In the proposed container <NUM> and as can be seen in the figures, grip portion <NUM> comprises a combination of non-adjoining straight <NUM> and undulating <NUM> beads. Here, said combination comprises two spaced undulating beads <NUM> separated by one non-adjoining straight bead <NUM>.

Hence, the beads <NUM>, <NUM> are all separated from each other.

The proposed beads <NUM>, <NUM> of grip portion <NUM> comprise a constant height and a constant base width and a constant top width.

The beads <NUM>, <NUM> are approximately hemi-spherical in cross section. As an alternative, the beads may be of trapezoidal geometry or any other suitable geometry.

Additionally, in the proposed disclosure the beads <NUM>, <NUM> have the same diameter (d). Said diameter d as well as the hemi-spherical geometry of the beads is represented in <FIG>. The height (not represented) of the bead correspond to half of the diameter d.

The diameter d of the container of the proposed embodiment is about <NUM>. However, the diameter of the beads may range from <NUM> to <NUM> and the beads <NUM>, <NUM> may have different diameters.

The beads have the function of rigidifying the grip portion which brings a homogenous distribution of the deformation of the container undergoing compression and load application. This therefore increase the resistance and stability of the container.

As mentioned, grip portion <NUM> also comprises a rib <NUM>. Said rib <NUM> is in the form of an undulating rib <NUM>.

As used herein, "undulating" ribs/beads or the "undulation" of ribs/beads means that the ribs move in a wavy, sinuous, curved, or rising and falling manner as the ribs/beads oscillate and traverse a circumference of the present containers. Accordingly, the presently disclosed undulating ribs/beads may be described in terms of a wave. Rib/bead can also be qualified as a swirling rib/bead.

In this regard, undulating ribs/beads may have, for example, a peak-to-peak amplitude (e.g., as measured from crest to adjacent trough) and a wave period (e.g., as measured from crest to crest or from trough to trough). In an embodiment, undulating ribs/beads may have a peak-to-peak amplitude from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, undulating rib <NUM> has a peak-to-peak amplitude of about <NUM> and undulating beads <NUM> has a peak-to-peak amplitude of about <NUM>. In an embodiment, undulating ribs/beads complete one to three wave periods as undulating ribs traverse a circumference of the container. In an embodiment, undulating ribs complete two wave periods as undulating ribs traverse a circumference of the container.

The proposed combination proposes a given number of undulating and straight beads, however additional undulating and straight beads may be used with the aim of improving the resistance to external loads (side and/or top loads).

<FIG> and <FIG> present the results of a transport simulation in which a compression test (also called top load test) is applied. The test is performed for the container of the prior art as presented in <FIG> and for the container of <FIG> and <FIG> corresponding to an embodiment of the proposed invention. In the test, a compression of <NUM> is applied on the container (bottle).

The figures show a field plot (a color for every point on the bottle) which displays a representative scalar stress value at every position on the bottle (the stress value is called van Mises stress). The unity is MPa (N/mm<NUM>). As can be seen, the two legends for <FIG> and <FIG> have the same color scale. The color of the scale shows to be black above 110MPa stress. This means that when stress above 11MPa applies on a portion/ a zone of the container, this portion / zone appears in grey to black color.

As can be seen at first sight, the stress concentration and the maximum stress value is much higher for the container of <FIG> in comparison to the container of <FIG> (<NUM> MPa vs. <NUM> MPa) : black color zones are more numerous on the container of <FIG> than on the container of <FIG>.

The higher the stress is on a given portion of the container, the higher the subsequent deformation at this specific portion is because a bottle as a container is almost a linear elastic system for this kind of test.

Hence, as can be seen in <FIG>, the container of the prior art concentrates the stresses and subsequent deformations at the location of the grip portion <NUM> and especially on the rib located in the middle of the grip portion. As most of the stresses are concentrated in a given area, the deformation will first occur at this location. The deformation will be proportional to the applying stresses.

The proposed container solution as represented in <FIG>, presents a different repartition of stress when compression and/or top load is applied on the container. Thanks to the beads located in the grip portion, there is no concentration of stress at a single location but the stress is distributed throughout the whole container. Indeed, the stress is distributed at the location of the different ribs and beads: connecting ribs, label panel ribs, grip portion rib and beads.

This new distribution of the stress applying on the container allows having a better resistance of the container to top load and compression. This means that small deformations may occur on the container but without leading to a complete deformation or breaking of the container.

This is particularly advantageous as the proposed container is a lightweight container which may be very sensible to loads applying on it.

Container <NUM> comprises a third connecting portion 49c between the grip portion <NUM> and the base portion <NUM>. In the proposed disclosure, the third connecting portion 49c comprises a rib 59c having a curved shape as can be seen on <FIG> and <FIG>. The rib 59c has constant width (W) and depth (D) as there is no increase or decrease in width and in depth as the rib as the rib traverses the circumference of the container <NUM>.

As proposed, rib 59c has a curved shape that provide a spring effect allowing for increase of pressure within the container, which is typical, for example, during storage and transport of lightweight, liquid-filled containers.

The bottom portion of container <NUM> comprises base portion <NUM>, which may be of any suitable design, including those known in the art and as illustrated. Importantly, however, base portion <NUM> of the present containers includes a base rib <NUM>, which is an opened trapezoidal rib that helps to ensure good rigidifying structure of the container. Although the present disclosure depicts base portion <NUM> as having one rib <NUM>, the skilled artisan will appreciate that base portion <NUM> may include more or less than one rib <NUM> so long as the container is able to provide the desired stability and improved side- and top-load resistance.

In the present embodiment, rib <NUM> has constant width (W) and constant depth (D). The width may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> and the depth from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In the proposed embodiment width of rib <NUM> is about <NUM> and depth of rib <NUM> is about <NUM>.

Additionally, and similarly as for ribs <NUM> of the label portion <NUM>, rib <NUM> of base portion <NUM> may have a first radius of curvature, or a bend radius, where a substantially vertical side wall of container <NUM> curves inward to form rib <NUM>. This radius of curvature is also present where a bottom portion of rib <NUM> curves to meet the substantially vertical side wall of container <NUM> located below rib <NUM>. The two first radius of curvature of rib <NUM> may be around <NUM> to <NUM> and may be identical or different in terms of value.

Rib <NUM> may also include a second radius of curvature at a depth (D) of rib <NUM> where inwardly first curved radius meets a substantially vertical inner portion of rib <NUM>, which is also present where the substantially vertical inner portion of rib <NUM> curves outward toward first radius located at a bottom of rib <NUM>. The two second radius of curvature of rib <NUM> may be around <NUM> to <NUM> and may be identical or different in terms of value.

Additionally, the containers of the present disclosure can also improve the ease of use and handling by manufacturers, retails and consumers using lightweight containers. In this regard, the structural features described herein provide for improved stability and improved side-loading resistance to help achieve a container that is desirable by consumers.

Claim 1:
A container (<NUM>), preferably a bottle, presenting a longitudinal axis comprising
- a neck portion (<NUM>),
- a shoulder portion (<NUM>) connected to the neck portion (<NUM>),
- a body portion (<NUM>) comprising a label portion (<NUM>) and a grip portion (<NUM>), the grip portion (<NUM>) having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the label portion (<NUM>), and the body portion (<NUM>) being connected to the shoulder portion (<NUM>) via a first connecting portion (49a), the label portion (<NUM>) and the grip portion (<NUM>) being connected together via a second connection portion (49b), and
- a base portion (<NUM>) forming the bottom of the container (<NUM>) connected to the body portion via a third connecting portion (49c),
characterized in that the grip portion (<NUM>) comprises at least one undulating bead (<NUM>), the bead being a raised circumferential flange or ring presenting an embossment at the external surface of the container