Patent ID: 8459479

Claim:
A plastic container, comprising: an upper portion having an opening defined therein; a bottom portion; a substantially rectangular container body having a side wall, said side wall being configured so as to define: a curved outer handle portion having an outer surface that is curved when viewed in front elevation so as to form part of a side surface and part of a top surface of the container body; a main body portion and a recessed grip portion having a side portion that is adapted to be pinched by a consumer during gripping positioned between said main body portion and said outer handle portion; said container body further comprising at least one grip reinforcement rib that is integrated into at least one of said outer handle portion and said main body portion, said at least one grip reinforcement rib providing additional strength against inward compression of said container body as a result of compressive forces that may be applied to said side portion by a consumer and comprising a reinforcement rib that is positioned substantially adjacent to said recessed grip portion and integrated into the handle portion, and wherein a curved channel is defined between said reinforcement rib and said curved outer surface of said handle portion; and a torsional reinforcement rib that is integrated into an upper side portion of said container body, said torsional reinforcement rib being integral with said reinforcement rib so as to form a single continuous rib, thereby providing additional reinforcement against deflection as a result of pinching force applied by a consumer during gripping of the container.