Container component and system and method thereof

Abstract

A container assembly may be provided that is comprised of a sleeve so as to surround an underlying container and that is fixedly coupled to the underlying container at one or more portions of the underlying container. The container may have a sidewall having one or more surface geometries that prevent or make difficult the application of a pre-printed pressure sensitive label or direct printing. Thus, the sleeve may have a decorative feature of a label disposed therein while optionally allowing viewing of the underlying container. The sleeve may be supported by the underlying container and may have a stiffness that is less than the stiffness of a sidewall having the surface geometry of the underlying container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter relate to container assemblies and systems and methods thereof. In particular, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may relate to container assemblies comprised of a container surrounded by a sleeve. Summary of the invention

[0002] According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a containment system is provided. The containment system may include a container, the container including: an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, wherein the intermediate wall portion has a surface geometry including a plurality of protrusions. The containment system may also include a sleeve, the sleeve including: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The inner surface of the sleeve may be fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the intermediate wall portion, and the stiffness of the intermediate wall portion may be greater than the stiffness of the sleeve.

[0003] Additionally, one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be directed to a method. The method may be constituted by providing a container having: an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, wherein the intermediate wall portion has a surface geometry including a plurality of protrusions. The method may also include providing a sleeve having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The inner surface of the sleeve may be fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the intermediate wall portion, and the stiffness of the intermediate wall portion may be greater than the stiffness of the sleeve.

[0004] According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a container assembly is provided. The container assembly can be formed of a plastic container having: an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, wherein the intermediate well portion has a surface geometry that excludes the reception of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements, and the surface geometry defines a plurality of protrusions. The container assembly can also include a plastic sleeve having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first open end, and a second end opposite the first open end. The plastic sleeve can surround the intermediate wall portion of the plastic container, wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve can be adjacent to at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion, and fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion at the first open end and the lower wall portion at the second end, and the stiffness of the intermediate wall portion can be greater than the stiffness of the plastic sleeve.

[0005] Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may also relate to a containment system comprising: a blow-molded plastic container configured to directly contain a consumer product in its inner volume, the blow-molded plastic container having: a shoulder, a base forming a bottom of the blow-molded plastic container and configured to support the blow-molded plastic container in an upright position on a standing surface, and at least one rigid vertical sidewall between the shoulder and the base, whose surface geometry precludes receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements, the surface geometry defining a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys; and a semi-rigid plastic sleeve having a smooth outer surface, a smooth inner surface, a first open end, and a second open end opposite the first open end, the semi-rigid plastic sleeve surrounding the at least one rigid vertical wall such that the smooth inner surface of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is secured to the shoulder at the first open end and to the base at the second open end and in direct contact with the plurality of peaks, wherein the rigidity of the rigid vertical sidewall is greater than the rigidity of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve, and wherein the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is transparent, translucent, or opaque except at a decorative area having decorative elements thereon.

[0006]

[0013] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, embodiments may also include methods of providing, making, and / or using vessels, containment assemblies, and containment systems, or portions thereof.

[0007] The foregoing overview is to provide an understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. As should be understood, other embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below, alone or in combination. In addition, although the present disclosure is presented in the form of exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that various aspects of the present disclosure may be claimed separately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and, together with the specification, explain various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and any values ​​or dimensions in the drawings are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values ​​or dimensions. Where applicable, some or all of the selected features may not be shown to help describe and understand the underlying features.

[0009] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a container assembly according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0010] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A side view of a container assembly.

[0011] Figure 1C is along Figure 1B A cross-sectional view of the container assembly along line AA.

[0012] Figure 2 is a side view of a containment system according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0013] Figure 3 is a side view of another containment system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0014] Figure 4 is a side view of a containment system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0015] Figure 5 is a side view of another containment system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0016] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a container according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0017] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A Side view of the container.

[0018] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of another container according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0019] Figure 7B yes Fig. 7A Side view of the container.

[0020] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of yet another container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0021] Figure 8B yes Fig. 8A Side view of the container.

[0022] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0023] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10F A flow chart for manufacturing a container assembly according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is shown.

[0024] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11G A flow chart for manufacturing a sleeve for a container assembly according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is shown.

[0025] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C Illustrations of container assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended to be a description of various embodiments of the described subject matter, and is not necessarily intended to represent a unique embodiment. In some cases, in order to provide an understanding of the described subject matter, the description includes specific details. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, structures and components can be shown in block diagram form to avoid blurring the concept of the described subject matter. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used in all drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0027] Any reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that the particular features, structures, characteristics, operations, or functions described in connection with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment. Thus, any appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, characteristics, operations, or functions may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, and it is intended that embodiments of the described subject matter can and do cover modifications and variations of the described embodiments.

[0028] It must also be noted that, as used in the specification, the appended claims and the abstract, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, as used herein, the words "a", "an" and the like have the meaning of "one or more" or "at least one", unless clearly indicated otherwise. The phrases "at least one", "one or more", "or" and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that can be both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B or C", "one or more of A, B and C", "one or more of A, B or C", "A, B and / or C" and "A, B or C" can mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. It should also be noted that the terms "comprising", "including" and "having" can be used interchangeably.

[0029] It should be understood that terms such as "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "side", "height", "length", "width", "up", "down", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "outer", etc., which may be used herein, merely describe reference points and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the described subject matter to any particular orientation or configuration. In addition, terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc., merely identify one of multiple parts, components, reference points, operations and / or functions as described herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the described subject matter to any particular configuration or orientation.

[0030] In general, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter relate to container assemblies and systems and methods thereof. In particular, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter relate to container assemblies comprised of a container surrounded by a sleeve.

[0031] In general, container assemblies according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can provide a means of decorating a container or adding information to a container (e.g., a bottle), particularly where the container has a sidewall (or multiple sidewalls) whose surface geometry may prevent or make difficult the application of a pre-printed pressure-sensitive label or direct printing. Non-limiting examples of such surface geometries of the sidewall of the container include a composite surface, a wavy surface, a wave-like surface, a bubble-like surface, a corrugated surface, a pillow-like surface, or a ribbed surface. Specifically, in embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a sleeve can have decoration or additional information associated with the container below and be disposed on the sidewall of the container below with a surface geometry. The sleeve can be supported by the container below and can have a stiffness less than the stiffness of a sidewall having the surface geometry of the container below.

[0032] Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may provide one or more of the following benefits: the sleeve may be adaptable to a wide range of surface finishes and highly contoured composite surfaces; the sleeve may add another dimension to existing 2D decorations through 2D to 3D registration; the sleeve may add new tactical options to the underlying container; the sleeve may accept advanced printing methods, including heat embossing and tactical ink printing; the sleeve may allow graphics to extend 360 degrees around the underlying container; and may increase container volume and shelf impression.

[0033] Typically, according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a sleeve can be fixedly coupled to a container below at one or more portions of the container below. Optionally, a sleeve can be adjacent to (may include contact or non-contact) a portion of the surface geometry of the sidewall of the container below. Therefore, in one or more embodiments, at least the surface geometry of the sidewall of the container below can provide surface contact with the sleeve, particularly when a user manipulates the container assembly by means of a sleeve. For example, the rigidity of the sleeve can cause the sleeve to elastically deform inwardly so that when a user applies a squeeze force to the sleeve (e.g., from their hands) to manipulate the container assembly, the portion of the surface geometry is contacted. When the squeeze force is removed, the sleeve can return to its original shape.

[0034] Turning to the attached figure, Figure 1A is a perspective view of a container assembly 100 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Figure 1B is a side view of the container assembly 100, and Figure 1C is along Figure 1B A cross-sectional view of the container assembly 100 along line AA. Figures 1A to 1C As shown, the container assembly 100 may be composed of a container 120 and a sleeve 150 .

[0035] The container 120 can be made of plastic, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Further, the container 120 can be formed by blow molding, such as extrusion or injection blow molding. The sleeve 150 can be made of plastic, such as semi-rigid plastic. Therefore, due to the type and configuration of the plastic, the rigidity of the sleeve 150 can be less than some or all of the rigidity of the container 120. Further, as discussed in more detail below, the sleeve 150 can be formed by a flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic.

[0036] The container 120 may include an upper wall portion 122, a lower wall portion 125, and an intermediate wall portion 130 between the upper wall portion 122 and the lower wall portion 125. The upper wall portion 122, the lower wall portion 125, and the intermediate wall portion 130 may form one or more side walls of the container 120. Figures 1A to 1C A container 120 having one side wall is shown. Figures 1A to 1C As shown, container 120 can be cylindrical (or generally cylindrical due to the surface geometry of intermediate wall portion 130). Of course, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited thereto. Thus, containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can have multiple sidewalls and can take forms other than cylindrical, such as elliptical, square, or rectangular in top and / or bottom views.

[0037] The upper wall portion 122 may have a shoulder 123 and a neck 124 defining an opening for receiving and dispensing a product contained in the inner volume 121 of the container 120. The neck 124 may have an interface (such as a thread) to removably couple a cap or dispensing device (not shown) thereto. The lower wall portion 125 may form a base 126 that may be configured to support the container 120 in an upright position on a standing surface (not shown).

[0038] The intermediate wall portion 130 may extend vertically or substantially vertically between the upper wall portion 122 and the lower wall portion 125. The intermediate wall portion 130 may have a surface geometry including a plurality of protrusions or raised portions 132 and non-raised portions 134. Thus, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may have an intermediate wall portion having a surface geometry that defines peaks and valleys. Such surface geometry may prohibit or exclude the receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements. As used herein, decorative elements may mean or include labels. Further, intermediate wall portions according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such as the intermediate wall portion 130, may not have a relatively flat decorative panel configured to receive pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements.

[0039] The sleeve 150 may include an outer surface 152, an inner surface 154, a first end 156, and a second end 158 opposite the first end 156. The sleeve 150 may define one or more side walls. For example, Figures 1A to 1C A sleeve 150 is shown having one continuous sidewall, although embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited thereto. Further, Figures 1A to 1C The sleeve 150 is shown to have the same number of side walls as the container 120. However, the number of side walls of the sleeve 150 and the container 120 or some or all of their wall portions may be different. For example, the container 120 may have more side walls than the sleeve 150.

[0040] The thickness of the sleeve 150 can be less than the thickness of some or all of the container 120, such as each of the middle wall portion 130, the upper wall portion 122, and the lower wall portion 125, or each of the upper wall portion 122, the lower wall portion 125, and the middle wall portion 130. Thus, due to the thickness of the sleeve 150 in addition to or in lieu of its plastic composition, the stiffness of the sleeve can be less than the stiffness of some or all of the container 120.

[0041] In an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, one or both of the first end 156 and the second end 158 can be open. Figures 1A to 1CThe first end 156 and the second end 158 of the sleeve 150 are shown to be open. In the case where one of the first end 156 and the second end 158 is not open, this end can be closed. For example, in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the second end 158 of the sleeve can be closed.

[0042] The bottom end 158 of the sleeve 150 can be flush with the base 126 of the container 120, or, alternatively, the bottom end 158 of the sleeve 150 can be located at a height above the base 126, such as Figures 1A to 1C When the bottom end 158 of the sleeve 150 is flush with the base 126, the sleeve 150 can support the container assembly 100 with the base 126. In such a configuration, the bottom end 158 of the sleeve 150 can be open or closed.

[0043] The inner surface 154 and / or the outer surface 152 of the sleeve 150 can be smooth. For example, the inner surface 154 and / or the outer surface 152 of the sleeve 150 can be configured to receive pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements. In one or more embodiments, such decorative elements can be applied to the sleeve 150 before the sleeve is disposed around the container 120.

[0044] Sleeve 150 can be transparent, translucent or opaque, or a combination thereof. For example, except at the area with the decorative element, sleeve 150 can be transparent or translucent. Such areas can be translucent or opaque, or a combination of the two.

[0045] The sleeve 150 may be configured to surround the container 120. For example, Figures 1A to 1C The sleeve is shown surrounding all of the intermediate wall portion 130 and some of each of the upper wall portion 122 and the lower wall portion 125. Of course, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can surround all of the upper wall portion 122 and all of the lower wall portion 125.

[0046] The inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 can be fixedly coupled to one, some, or all of the upper wall portion 122, the lower wall portion 125, and the intermediate wall portion 130. For example, Figures 1A to 1C The inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 is shown to be fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion 122 at the first coupling region 160 and fixedly coupled to the lower wall portion 125 at the second coupling region 162. Alternatively, the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 may be fixedly coupled to only one of the upper wall portion 122 and the lower wall portion 125 at the first coupling region 160 and the second coupling region 162, respectively. It is worth noting that Figures 1A to 1C It is also shown that the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 is not fixedly coupled to the intermediate wall portion 130 .

[0047] However, the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 may be adjacent to the intermediate wall portion 130, in particular, some or all of the protrusions 132. In this case, adjacent may mean that the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 contacts some or all of the protrusions 132 in a normal state. Alternatively, adjacent may mean that the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 does not contact any of the protrusions 132 in a normal state, but an inward force may be applied to the outer surface 152 of the sleeve 150 to cause the inner surface 154 to contact one or more of the protrusions 132 in a handling state. The handling state may occur when a user grasps the container assembly 100 by squeezing the sleeve 150, in particular, squeezing the outer surface 152 of the sleeve 150. Therefore, one, some, or all of the protrusions 132 that contact the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 may provide surface contact with the container 120 in a normal state and / or a handling state. For example, Figure 1B and Figure 1C It can be shown that in a normal state, the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 does not contact the protrusions 132; however, an external inward force applied to the sleeve 150 can cause the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 to contact one, some, or all of the protrusions 132 and the contact area 165. Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the stiffness of the sleeve 150 can be such that a predetermined amount of inward force applied to the sleeve 150 causes the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 to contact at least one of the plurality of protrusions 132 of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion 130. Further, when the predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 can return to the pre-inward force position.

[0048] The inner surface 154 of the sleeve 150 can be fixedly coupled to the container 120 by radial interference (i.e., press fit or friction fit), or by adhesive, heat bonding, snap fit or crimp fit, or by notch fit of a notch and notch socket configuration. Alternatively, the sleeve 150 and the container 120 can be configured such that the sleeve 150 can be introduced in only one direction to be fixedly coupled to the container 120, such as sliding the sleeve 150 on the container 120 from the top or bottom of the container 120. Alternatively, the sleeve 150 can be slid onto the container 120 from either direction.

[0049] Figure 2 2 is a side view of a containment system 200 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In general, the containment system 200 can be composed of a distribution assembly 210, a container 220, and a sleeve 250.

[0050] The container 220 and the sleeve 250 may be similar to those described above with respect to Figures 1A to 1C As discussed above, however, they may differ in some respects. For example, the container 220 may be oval in volume, and the sleeve 250 may be as Figure 2As shown, the container 220 is surrounded. Further, the container 220 can have a middle wall portion 230 having a surface geometry including a plurality of raised or convex portions 232 and a non-raised portion 234. Such surface geometry can be referred to as a bubble shape and can prohibit or exclude the receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements. Further, the middle wall portion 230 can not have a relatively flat decorative panel configured to receive pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements.

[0051] although Figure 2 While sleeve 250 is shown as transparent, sleeve 250 may additionally or alternatively be translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. For example, except in areas with decorative elements ( Figure 2 Except for the case where the sleeve 250 is not shown in the figure, the sleeve 250 can be transparent or translucent.

[0052] exist Figure 2 In the case of the containment system 200 of FIG. 2 , as shown only from the bottom (see arrow), the sleeve 250 is slidable on the container 220. For example, the sleeve 250 can be slid on the bottom of the container 220 and moved toward the top of the container 220 so that the first end 256 of the sleeve 250 is adjacent to the distribution assembly 210. The sleeve 250 can engage the lower wall portion 225 of the container 220 by a snap fit 260 between the sleeve 250 and the lower wall portion 225. Such a snap fit may be the only coupling method to fixedly couple the sleeve 250 to the container 220. Therefore, the sleeve 250 may not be fixedly coupled to the intermediate wall portion 230, in particular the raised portion 232.

[0053] Of course, the sleeve 250 may be adjacent to the intermediate wall portion 230, in particular, some or all of the raised portions 232. In this case, adjacent may mean that the sleeve 250 contacts some or all of the raised portions 232 in a normal state. Alternatively, adjacent may mean that the sleeve 250 does not contact any of the raised portions 232 in a normal state, but an inward force may be applied to the sleeve 250 to cause the sleeve 250 to contact one or more of the raised portions 232 in a processing state. The processing state may occur when a user grasps the containment system 200 by squeezing the sleeve 250. Therefore, one, some, or all of the raised portions 232 contacting the sleeve 250 may provide surface contact with the container 220 in a normal state and / or a processing state. When a predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the sleeve 250 may return to a pre-inward force position.

[0054] Figure 33 is a side view of another containment system 300 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Generally, containment system 300 can be comprised of a dispense assembly 310, a container 320, and a sleeve 350. Dispensing assembly 310 can include a cap 312 that can be releasably coupled to container 320, such as by a threaded interface.

[0055] The container 320 and sleeve 350 may be similar to those described above with respect to Figures 1A to 1C 330, but may differ in some aspects. For example, the container 320 may have a middle wall portion 330 having a surface geometry including a plurality of raised or convex portions 332 and a non-raised portion 334. Such surface geometry may prohibit or exclude the receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements. Further, the middle wall portion 330 may not have a relatively flat decorative panel configured to receive pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements.

[0056] although Figure 3 While sleeve 350 is shown as transparent, sleeve 350 may additionally or alternatively be translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. For example, except in areas with decorative elements ( Figure 3 Except for the case where the sleeve 350 is not shown in the figure, the sleeve 350 can be transparent or translucent.

[0057] exist Figure 3 In the case of the containment system 300, as shown only from the top (see arrow), the sleeve 350 is slidable on the container 320. For example, the dispensing assembly 310 can be removed from the container 320, and the sleeve 350 can be slid over the top of the container 320 and moved toward the bottom of the container 320. The dispensing assembly 310 can then be removably coupled to the neck of the container 320 so that the first end 356 of the sleeve 350 is adjacent to the bottom of the dispensing assembly 310, in particular the bottom of the cover 312. The second end 358 of the sleeve 350 may not pass the bottom of the container 320. Therefore, the sleeve 350 can be captured around the container 320 by the cover 312. The sleeve 350 may not be fixedly coupled to the intermediate wall portion 330, in particular the raised portion 332.

[0058] The sleeve 350 may be adjacent to the intermediate wall portion 330, in particular, some or all of the raised portions 332. In this case, adjacent may mean that the sleeve 350 contacts some or all of the raised portions 332 in a normal state. Alternatively, adjacent may mean that the sleeve 350 does not contact any of the raised portions 332 in a normal state, but an inward force may be applied to the sleeve 350 to cause the sleeve 350 to contact one or more of the raised portions 332 in a processing state. The processing state may occur when a user grasps the containment system 300 by squeezing the sleeve 350. Therefore, one, some, or all of the raised portions 332 contacting the sleeve 350 may provide surface contact with the container 320 in a normal state and / or a processing state. When a predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the sleeve 350 may return to a pre-inward force position.

[0059] Figure 4 is a side view of a containment system 400 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The containment system 400 is similar to Figure 3 400, but it is noteworthy that the intermediate wall portion 430 of the container 420 includes a different surface geometry. In this case, the surface geometry can be referred to as wavy or corrugated, and can include a plurality of raised or convex portions 432 and non-raised portions 434. Such surface geometry can prohibit or exclude the receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements. Further, the intermediate wall portion 430 may not have a relatively flat decorative panel configured to receive pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements. The containment system 400 also clearly shows a label or decorative area 451 on the sleeve 450. In this case, the decorative area 451 is opaque, although it can be transparent or translucent and covers a relatively small portion of the sleeve 450. Therefore, the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion 430 of the container 420 below can be largely visible through the sleeve 450.

[0060] Figure 5 5 is a side view of another containment system 500 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The containment system 500 can be comprised of a dispensing assembly 510, a container 520, and a sleeve 550.

[0061] The container 520 and the sleeve 550 may be similar to those described above with respect to Figures 1A to 1C and Figure 2 530, which has a plurality of wall portions, such as the container 520, and the container 520 may have a middle wall portion ... Figure 5The surface geometry of the plurality of protrusions or raised portions 532 and non-raised portions 534 is shown. Such surface geometry may be referred to as pillow-shaped and may prohibit or preclude the receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements. Further, the intermediate wall portion 530 may not have a relatively flat decorative panel configured to receive pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and / or direct printing of decorative elements.

[0062] Figure 5 The sleeve 550 includes a label or decorative area 551. In this case, the decorative area 551 is opaque, although it can be transparent or translucent. Further, the decorative area 551 can cover a relatively small portion of the sleeve 550. Therefore, the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion 530 of the underlying container 520 can be largely visible through the sleeve 550. Of course, although Figure 5 While sleeve 550 is shown as being transparent (except for decorative area 551), sleeve 550 may additionally or alternatively be translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof.

[0063] For example, in Figure 5 In the case of the containment system 500, as shown only from the bottom of the container 520 (see arrow), the sleeve 550 is slidable on the container 520. For example, the sleeve 550 can be slid on the bottom of the container 520 and moved toward the top of the container 520 so that the first end 556 of the sleeve 550 is adjacent to the distribution assembly 510. The sleeve 550 can engage the upper wall portion 522 of the container 520 through the locking tabs 560 on the opposite side of the container 520. Such locking tabs 560 may be the only coupling means to fixedly couple the sleeve 550 to the container 520. Therefore, the sleeve 550 may not be fixedly coupled to the intermediate wall portion 530, in particular the raised portion 532, or the lower wall portion 525. Optionally, the second end 558 of the sleeve 550 can form the base of the containment system 500. Thus, the second end 558 of the sleeve 550 may form a base without the bottom of the vessel 520 , or the second end 558 of the sleeve 550 and the bottom of the vessel 520 may form a base of the containment system 500 .

[0064] The sleeve 550 may be adjacent to the intermediate wall portion 530, in particular, some or all of the raised portions 532. Adjacent may mean that the sleeve 550 contacts some or all of the raised portions 532 in a normal state. Alternatively, adjacent may mean that the sleeve 550 does not contact any of the raised portions 532 in a normal state, but an inward force may be applied to the sleeve 550 to cause the sleeve 550 to contact one or more of the raised portions 532 in a processing state. The processing state may occur when a user grasps the containment system 500 by squeezing the sleeve 550. Therefore, one, some, or all of the raised portions 532 contacting the sleeve 550 may provide surface contact with the container 520 in a normal state and / or a processing state. When a predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the sleeve 550 may return to a pre-inward force position.

[0065] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , Fig. 8A and Figure 8B are perspective and side views, respectively, of the following container according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. For example, Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The container 620 shown in FIG. 6 may correspond to Figure 4 As another example, Fig. 8A and Figure 8B The container 820 shown in FIG. 8 may correspond to Figure 3 Container 320 in.

[0066] generally, Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The container 720 in the embodiment can have a middle portion 730 that includes a plurality of alternating raised or convex portions 732 and non-convex portions 734. The container 720 can also be interpreted as having four vertical side walls. Additionally, the container 720 can have a plurality of protrusions 770, for example, a pair of protrusions on opposite side walls of the middle portion 730. Such protrusions 770 can be similar to those described above for Figure 5 The projections 770 may be identical to those identified and may be configured to fixedly couple the sleeve thereto when the sleeve is assembled on the container 720. For example, the projection 770 may frictionally engage the sleeve to fixedly couple the sleeve to the container 720. Alternatively, the projection 770 may be the only area of ​​the inner surface of the sleeve that contacts the container 720. That is, the inner surface of the sleeve may not contact the upper wall portion 722 and the lower wall portion 725 of the container 720. However, the first end of the sleeve may be adjacent to (including abutting) the upper wall portion 722.

[0067] Fig. 9is a flow diagram of a method 900 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Method 900 can represent a method of making, using, and / or providing a cartridge, container, container assembly, and container system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0068] Method 900 may include frame 902, thereby providing a container according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Frame 902 may represent the operation of making such a container and / or providing or using such a container, including combining with a sleeve according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Method 900 may also include frame 904, thereby providing a sleeve according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Frame 904 may represent the operation of making such a sleeve and / or providing or using such a sleeve, including combining with the container provided at frame 902. Fig. 9 Block 902 is shown before block 904, the order may be reversed, or the operations associated with the blocks may occur simultaneously, such as providing a containment assembly or containment system at the time of manufacture or sale.

[0069] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10F A flow chart is shown of a method 1000 of manufacturing a container assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0070] like Fig. 10A As shown, a flat sheet of material 1002 such as plastic can be provided and rolled up, and the opposite ends can be sealed using an adhesive (such as glue) or heat bonding. The end edges of the sheet 1002 can be joined together in an end-to-end manner or in an overlapping manner, such as Fig. 10A As shown. Before curling, a label or decorative piece may be provided on the sheet 1002, which label or decorative piece is applied to one or both sides. For example, Fig. 10A Decorative piece "ABC" is shown.

[0071] The size of the curling sheet 1002 may need to be adjusted. Fig. 10B As shown, one side of the curled sheet 1002 can be cut, leaving the cut sleeve 1050. Of course, for example, it may be necessary to cut both sides of the curled sheet 1002 to produce Fig. 10C 1050. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, the sheet 1002 can be sized prior to crimping. The final sleeve 1050 can be made of a material having sufficient strength so that the sleeve 1050 can stand independently from either end. Additionally or alternatively, the final sleeve 1050 can have a certain thickness so that the sleeve has sufficient strength to stand independently from either end.

[0072] like Fig. 10D As shown, the sleeve 1050 can be aligned with the container 1020 (such as a bottle), so that the sleeve 1050 can be assembled on the container 1020. Fig. 10EAs shown, the sleeve 1050 can be slid over the container from the top end of the container 1020. However, additionally or alternatively, the sleeve 1050 can be slid over the container 1020 from the bottom end of the container 1020. In one or more embodiments, the sleeve 1050 can be prevented from sliding over one of the top or bottom of the container 1020, for example, due to the configuration of the container 1020. Fig.10F A final container 1020 assembly is shown, wherein a sleeve 1050 surrounds the container 1020 to form the final container assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

[0073] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11G A flow chart for manufacturing a sleeve for a container assembly according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is shown.

[0074] Fig.11A It is shown that a sheet 1102, for example, a plastic sheet, may be provided. The sheet may be uniform or patterned, for example, having a pattern such as Fig.11A Optionally, sheet 1102 may have predetermined folding marks. Fig. 11B shows that the wings can be Fig.11A The position in the fold, then Fig. 11C , Fig.11D and Fig.11E The adjacent portion in the embodiment is folded to form a geometric shape having an open end and a remaining adjacent portion. Fig.11F It is shown that the remaining adjacent portion can be folded onto the adjacent portion of the first fold. For example, the remaining adjacent portion can also be fixedly coupled to the adjacent portion of the first fold using an adhesive or thermal bonding. Fig.11F The geometry is shown to be essentially rectangular with open ends. Fig.11G A sleeve 1150 is shown that may be further formed, for example, with outwardly curved front and rear sidewalls placed over the container 1120 .

[0075] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C 1 shows a view of a container assembly 1200 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Of note, a protrusion 1260 extends from a first end 1256 of a sleeve 1250. FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C As shown, the protrusion 1260 can extend from only one side of the first end 1256 of the sleeve 1250. Optionally, the protrusion 1260 can have one or more openings 1262. The openings 1262 can be sized to receive a hook or the like to hang the container assembly 1200. The protrusion 1260 can extend to a higher height than the container 1220, for example, to a higher heat level than the pump head of the container 1220, such as FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C Optionally, the protrusion 1260 may be bent according to the curvature of the sleeve 1250, or may be bent radially outward, such as FIG. 12A to FIG. 12CFor example, a radially outward curvature can aid in accessing the opening 1262, and thus the overhang.

[0076] Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can also be set forth according to the additional description in the following paragraphs.

[0077] (1) A containment system comprising: a blow-molded plastic container configured to directly contain a consumer product in its interior volume, the blow-molded plastic container having: a shoulder, a base forming a bottom of the blow-molded plastic container and configured to support the blow-molded plastic container in an upright position on a standing surface, and at least one rigid vertical sidewall between the shoulder and the base, the surface geometry of which precludes receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements, the surface geometry defining a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys; and a semi-rigid plastic sleeve having a smooth outer surface, a smooth inner surface, a first open end, and a second open end opposite the first open end, the semi-rigid plastic sleeve surrounding the at least one rigid vertical wall such that the smooth inner surface of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is secured to the shoulder at the first open end and to the base at the second open end and in direct contact with the plurality of peaks, wherein the rigidity of the rigid vertical sidewall is greater than the rigidity of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve, and wherein the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is transparent, translucent, or opaque except at a decorative area having decorative elements thereon.

[0078] (2) The containment system according to (1), wherein the sleeve is cylindrical.

[0079] (3) The containment system according to (1) or (2), wherein the sleeve has a plurality of side walls.

[0080] (4) A containment system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the thickness of the rigid vertical sidewall is greater than the thickness of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve.

[0081] (5) The containment system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the at least one rigid vertical sidewall comprises a plurality of rigid vertical sidewalls.

[0082] (6) The containment system according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the plurality of rigid vertical side walls are three or more vertical side walls.

[0083] (7) A containment system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the total number of the one or more side walls of the sleeve matches the total number of the one or more rigid vertical side walls of the blow-molded plastic container.

[0084] (8) A containment system according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the total number of the one or more side walls of the sleeve is less than the total number of rigid vertical side walls of the blow-molded plastic container.

[0085] (9) The containment system of any one of (1) to (8), wherein the second open end of the sleeve is flush with the bottom of the base of the blow-molded plastic container so as to support the sleeve in an upright position on a standing surface.

[0086] (10) A containment system according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the second open end of the sleeve is located at a height above the bottom of the base of the blow-molded plastic container and is configured so that when the bottom of the base of the blow-molded plastic container supports the blow-molded plastic container in an upright position on a standing surface, the second open end of the sleeve does not contact the standing surface.

[0087] (11) A containment system according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the sleeve is secured to the shoulder at the first open end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit via a notch and notch socket configuration.

[0088] (12) A containment system according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the sleeve is secured to the base at the second open end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit via a notch and notch socket configuration.

[0089] (13) The containment system according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the sleeve is formed from a flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic such that opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are adjacent to each other.

[0090] (14) The containment system according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are fixedly coupled to each other.

[0091] (15) The containment system according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are fixedly coupled together by one of thermal bonding and an adhesive.

[0092] (16) A container assembly, the container assembly comprising: a plastic container, the plastic container having: an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, the intermediate well portion having a surface geometry that excludes reception of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements, the surface geometry defining a plurality of protrusions; and a plastic sleeve having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first open end and a second end opposite the first open end, wherein the plastic sleeve surrounds the intermediate wall portion of the plastic container, wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is adjacent to at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion and is fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion at the first open end and the lower wall portion at the second end, and wherein the stiffness of the intermediate wall portion is greater than the stiffness of the plastic sleeve.

[0093] (17) The container assembly according to (16), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve contacts at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0094] (18) The container assembly according to (16) or (17), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve contacts all of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0095] (19) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (18), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve contacts at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion, but is not fixedly coupled to each of the at least one of the plurality of protrusions.

[0096] (20) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (19), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve does not contact any of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0097] (21) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (20), wherein the stiffness of the plastic sleeve is such that a predetermined amount of inward force applied to the plastic sleeve causes the inner surface of the plastic sleeve to contact at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion, and such that when the predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the inner surface of the plastic sleeve returns to the pre-inward force position.

[0098] (22) The container assembly of any one of (16) to (21), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first open end and fixedly coupled to the lower wall portion at the second end.

[0099] (23) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (22), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first opening end and the lower wall portion at the second end by one of friction fit, adhesive, and recess fit configured by recesses and recess sockets.

[0100] (24) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (23), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first opening end by one of friction fit, adhesive, and recess fit configured by recess and recess socket, and wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is fixedly coupled to the lower wall portion at the second end by one of friction fit, adhesive, and recess fit configured by recess and recess socket.

[0101] (25) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (24), wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is fixedly coupled to one of the upper wall portion at the first opening end and the lower wall portion at the second end, and wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is not fixedly coupled to the other of the upper wall portion at the first opening end and the lower wall portion at the second end.

[0102] (26) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (25), wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve is closed.

[0103] (27) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (26), wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve is open.

[0104] (28) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (27), wherein the plastic sleeve is cylindrical.

[0105] (29) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (28), wherein the plastic sleeve has a plurality of side walls.

[0106] (30) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (29), wherein the plurality of side walls are three or more side walls.

[0107] (31) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (31), wherein the intermediate wall portion is composed of a plurality of vertical side walls.

[0108] (32) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (32), wherein the plurality of vertical side walls are three or more vertical side walls.

[0109] (33) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (32), wherein the total number of one or more side walls of the plastic sleeve matches the total number of one or more side walls of the middle wall portion of the plastic container.

[0110] (34) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (33), wherein the total number of the one or more side walls of the sleeve is less than the number of rigid vertical side walls of the plastic container.

[0111] (35) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (34), wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve is flush with the lower wall portion of the plastic container, so that the second end of the plastic sleeve defines a surface on which the container assembly is erected on a standing surface.

[0112] (36) The container assembly of any one of (16) to (35), wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve defines a surface on which the container assembly is erected on a standing surface.

[0113] (37) A container assembly according to any one of (16) to (36), wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve is located at a height above the bottom of the lower wall portion of the plastic container, and is configured so that when the bottom of the lower wall portion of the plastic container supports the plastic container in an upright position on a standing surface, the second end of the plastic sleeve does not contact the standing surface.

[0114] (38) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (37), wherein the plastic sleeve is formed from a flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic such that opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are adjacent to each other.

[0115] (39) The container assembly according to any one of (16) to (38), wherein opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are fixedly coupled to each other.

[0116] (40) The containment assembly according to any one of (16) to (39), wherein the opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are fixedly coupled together by one of thermal bonding and an adhesive.

[0117] (41) A containment assembly according to any one of (16) to (40), wherein the maximum thickness of the intermediate wall portion is greater than the maximum thickness of the plastic sleeve.

[0118] (42) A containment system comprising: a container, the container comprising: an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, the intermediate wall portion having a surface geometry including a plurality of protrusions; and a sleeve, the sleeve comprising: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion and the intermediate wall portion, and wherein the stiffness of the intermediate wall portion is greater than the stiffness of the sleeve.

[0119] (43) The containment system of (42), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to at least two of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the middle wall portion.

[0120] (44) The containment system of (42) or (43), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to all of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the middle wall portion.

[0121] (45) A containment system as described in any of (42) to (44), wherein the surface geometry precludes receipt of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements.

[0122] (46) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (45), wherein the first end of the sleeve is open and the second end of the sleeve is one of open or closed.

[0123] (47) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (46), wherein the sleeve is plastic.

[0124] (48) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (47), wherein the container is plastic.

[0125] (49) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (48), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is adjacent to at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0126] (50) The containment system of any one of (42) to (49), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0127] (51) The containment system of any one of (42) to (50), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts all of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0128] (52) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (51), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion, but is not fixedly coupled to each of the at least one of the plurality of protrusions.

[0129] (53) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (52), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve does not contact any of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0130] (54) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (53), wherein the stiffness of the sleeve is such that a predetermined amount of inward force applied to the sleeve causes the inner surface of the sleeve to contact at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion, and such that when the predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the inner surface of the sleeve returns to the pre-inward force position.

[0131] (55) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (54), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first end, the lower wall portion at the second end and / or the middle wall portion by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a recess fit configured by a recess and a recess socket.

[0132] (56) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (55), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit configured by a notch and a notch socket, and wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to the lower wall portion at the second end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit configured by a notch and a notch socket.

[0133] (57) The containment system according to any one of (42) to (56), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to the intermediate wall portion.

[0134] (58) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (57), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to one of the upper wall portion at the first end and the lower wall portion at the second end, and wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is not fixedly coupled to the other of the upper wall portion at the first end and the lower wall portion at the second end.

[0135] (59) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (58), wherein the sleeve is cylindrical or has multiple side walls.

[0136] (60) The containment system of any one of (42) to (59), wherein the plurality of side walls are three or more side walls.

[0137] (61) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (60), wherein the intermediate wall portion is composed of a plurality of vertical side walls.

[0138] (62) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (61), wherein the plurality of vertical side walls are three or more vertical side walls.

[0139] (63) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (62), wherein the total number of one or more side walls of the sleeve matches the total number of one or more side walls of the intermediate wall portion of the container.

[0140] (64) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (63), wherein the total number of one or more side walls of the sleeve is less than the number of rigid vertical side walls of the container.

[0141] (65) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (64), wherein the second end of the sleeve is flush with the lower wall portion of the container so that the second end of the sleeve defines a surface on which it stands upright on the standing surface.

[0142] (66) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (65), wherein the second end of the sleeve defines a surface on which it stands upright on the standing surface.

[0143] (67) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (66), wherein the second end of the sleeve is located at a height above the bottom of the lower wall portion of the container and is configured so that when the bottom of the lower wall portion of the container supports the container in an upright position on a standing surface, the second end of the sleeve does not contact the standing surface.

[0144] (68) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (67), wherein the sleeve is formed from a flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic such that opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are adjacent to each other.

[0145] (69) The containment system according to any one of (42) to (68), wherein opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are fixedly coupled to each other.

[0146] (70) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (69), wherein the opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are fixedly coupled together by one of thermal bonding and an adhesive.

[0147] (71) A containment system according to any one of (42) to (70), wherein the sleeve is one of clear, translucent, or opaque.

[0148] (72) A method comprising: providing a container having: an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, the intermediate wall portion having a surface geometry including a plurality of protrusions; providing a sleeve having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the intermediate wall portion, and wherein the stiffness of the intermediate wall portion is greater than the stiffness of the sleeve.

[0149] (73) The method according to (72) further includes: forming the sleeve, wherein the forming includes forming the flat sheet from a flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic so that opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are adjacent to each other.

[0150] (74) The method of (72) or (73), wherein forming the sleeve includes fixedly coupling open end portions of semi-rigid plastic sheets to each other.

[0151] (75) The method according to any one of (72) to (74), wherein the opposite end portions of the semi-rigid plastic sheet are fixedly coupled together by one of thermal bonding and an adhesive.

[0152] (76) The method of any one of (72) to (75), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to at least two of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the middle wall portion.

[0153] (77) The method of any one of (72) to (76), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to all of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the middle wall portion.

[0154] (78) The method of any one of (72) to (77), wherein the surface geometry precludes reception of pre-printed pressure-sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements.

[0155] (79) The method of any one of (72) to (78), wherein the first end of the sleeve is open and the second end of the sleeve is one of open or closed.

[0156] (80) The method according to any one of (72) to (79), wherein the sleeve is plastic.

[0157] (81) The method according to any one of (72) to (80), wherein the container is plastic.

[0158] (82) A method according to any one of (72) to (81), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is adjacent to at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0159] (83) A method according to any one of (72) to (82), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0160] (84) A method according to any one of (72) to (83), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts all of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0161] (85) A method according to any one of (72) to (84), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion, but is not fixedly coupled to each of the at least one of the plurality of protrusions.

[0162] (86) A method according to any one of (72) to (85), wherein in an initial state of the sleeve, the inner surface of the sleeve does not contact any of the multiple protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

[0163] (87) A method according to any one of (72) to (86), wherein the stiffness of the sleeve is such that a predetermined amount of inward force applied to the sleeve causes the inner surface of the sleeve to contact at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion when in an initial state of the sleeve, and such that when the predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the inner surface of the sleeve returns to the pre-inward force position.

[0164] (88) A method according to any one of (72) to (87), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first end, the lower wall portion at the second end and / or the middle wall portion by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit configured by a notch and a notch socket.

[0165] (89) A method according to any one of (72) to (88), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit configured by a notch and a notch socket, and wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to the lower wall portion at the second end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit configured by a notch and a notch socket.

[0166] (90) A method according to any one of (72) to (89), wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to one of the upper wall portion at the first end and the lower wall portion at the second end, and wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is not fixedly coupled to the other of the upper wall portion at the first end and the lower wall portion at the second end.

[0167] (91) The method according to any one of (72) to (90), wherein the sleeve is cylindrical.

[0168] (92) The method according to any one of (72) to (91), wherein the sleeve has multiple side walls.

[0169] (93) The method according to any one of (72) to (92), wherein the plurality of side walls are three or more side walls.

[0170] (94) The method according to any one of (72) to (93), wherein the intermediate wall portion is composed of a plurality of vertical side walls.

[0171] (95) The method according to any one of (72) to (94), wherein the plurality of vertical sidewalls are three or more vertical sidewalls.

[0172] (96) A method according to any one of (72) to (95), wherein the total number of one or more side walls of the sleeve matches the total number of one or more side walls of the middle wall portion of the container.

[0173] (97) A method according to any one of (72) to (96), wherein the total number of one or more side walls of the sleeve is less than the number of rigid vertical side walls of the container.

[0174] (98) A method according to any one of (72) to (97), wherein the second end of the sleeve is flush with the lower wall portion of the container so that the second end of the sleeve defines a surface on which it stands upright on the standing surface.

[0175] (99) A method according to any one of (72) to (98), wherein the second end of the sleeve defines a surface on which it stands upright on the standing surface.

[0176] (100) A method according to any one of (72) to (99), wherein the second end of the sleeve is located at a height above the bottom of the lower wall portion of the container and is configured so that when the bottom of the lower wall portion of the container supports the container in an upright position on a standing surface, the second end of the sleeve does not contact the standing surface.

[0177] (101) The method of any one of (72) to (100), wherein the sleeve is one of clear, translucent, or opaque.

[0178] (102) A method according to any one of (72) to (101), wherein the maximum thickness of the sleeve is less than the maximum thickness of the middle wall portion, the upper wall portion and / or the lower wall portion.

[0179] Having now described embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not restrictive, and has been given only by way of example. Therefore, although specific configurations have been discussed and shown herein, other configurations may also be used. Further, many modifications and other embodiments (e.g., combinations, rearrangements, etc.) are implemented by the present disclosure and are considered to fall within the scope of the disclosed subject matter and any equivalents thereof. The features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc., to produce additional embodiments within the scope of the described subject matter. In addition, certain features may function without the corresponding use of other features. Therefore, the applicant intends to encompass all such substitutions, modifications, equivalents, and variations within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Further, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present disclosure as specifically described herein may be practiced in other ways.

[0180] Components List

[0181] 100 container components

[0182] 120 containers

[0183] 121 Internal volume

[0184] 122 Upper wall part

[0185] 123 Shoulder

[0186] 124 Neck

[0187] 125 Lower wall part

[0188] 126 base

[0189] 130 middle wall section

[0190] 132 protrusion / convex part

[0191] 134 Non-raised part

[0192] 150 sleeve

[0193] 152 External surface

[0194] 154Inner surface

[0195] 156 First end of sleeve

[0196] 158 Second end of sleeve

[0197] 160 first coupling region

[0198] 162 Second coupling region

[0199] 165 contact area

[0200] 200 Containment System

[0201] 210 distribution components

[0202] 220 containers

[0203] 225 lower wall part

[0204] 230 middle wall section

[0205] 232 protrusion / convex part

[0206] 234 non-raised part

[0207] 250 sleeve

[0208] 256 sleeve first end

[0209] 260 snap fit

[0210] 300 Containment System

[0211] 310 distribution components

[0212] 312 cover

[0213] 320 containers

[0214] 322 Upper wall part

[0215] 330 middle wall section

[0216] 332 protrusion / convex part

[0217] 334 non-raised part

[0218] 350 sleeve

[0219] 356 sleeve first end

[0220] 358 Second end of sleeve

[0221] 400 Containment System

[0222] 420 containers

[0223] 430 middle wall section

[0224] 432 protrusion or raised part

[0225] 434 non-raised part

[0226] 450 sleeve

[0227] 451 Label or decoration area

[0228] 500 Containment System

[0229] 510 allocation components

[0230] 520 containers

[0231] 522 Upper wall part

[0232] 525 lower wall part

[0233] 530 middle wall section

[0234] 532 protrusion / convex part

[0235] 534 non-raised part

[0236] 550 sleeve

[0237] 551 Label / Decoration Area

[0238] 556 First end of sleeve

[0239] 558 Second end of the sleeve

[0240] 560 locking piece

[0241] 620 containers

[0242] 720 containers

[0243] 722 Upper wall part

[0244] 725 lower wall part

[0245] 730 middle part

[0246] 732 protrusion / convex part

[0247] 734 non-raised part

[0248] 770 salient

[0249] 820 containers

[0250] 900 Method

[0251] 902 frame

[0252] 904 frame

[0253] 1000 Methods

[0254] 1002 pieces

[0255] 1020 Container

[0256] 1050 sleeve

[0257] 1102 pieces

[0258] 1120 Container

[0259] 1150 sleeve

[0260] 1220 Container

[0261] 1250 sleeve

[0262] 1256 First end of sleeve

[0263] 1260 protrusion

[0264] 1262 Opening

Claims

1. A containment system, comprising: A blow molded plastic container configured to directly contain a consumer product within its interior volume, the blow molded plastic container having: Shoulders, a base forming a bottom of the blow-molded plastic container and configured to support the blow-molded plastic container in an upright position on a standing surface, and at least one rigid vertical sidewall between said shoulder and said base having a surface geometry that precludes receipt of pre-printed pressure sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements, said surface geometry defining a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys; and a semi-rigid plastic sleeve having a smooth outer surface, a smooth inner surface, a first open end, and a second open end, the second open end being opposite the first open end, the semi-rigid plastic sleeve surrounding the at least one rigid vertical sidewall such that the smooth inner surface of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is secured to the shoulder at the first open end and to the base at the second open end and is in direct contact with the plurality of peaks, wherein the rigid vertical sidewall has a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve, wherein the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is transparent, translucent or opaque except for a decorative area having a decorative element thereon, wherein the second open end of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is flush with the base so as to support the blow molded plastic container, and The rigidity of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve allows the semi-rigid plastic sleeve to have an original shape, thereby allowing the semi-rigid plastic sleeve to deform inwardly under a compressive force, and allowing the semi-rigid plastic sleeve to return to the original shape when the compressive force is removed.

2. The containment system of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the rigid vertical sidewall is greater than the thickness of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve.

3. The containment system of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is secured to the shoulder at the first open end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit via a notch and notch socket configuration.

4. The containment system of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid plastic sleeve is formed from a flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic such that opposing end portions of the flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic are adjacent to each other.

5. A container assembly, comprising: A plastic container, comprising: Upper wall part, The lower wall portion, and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, the intermediate wall portion having a surface geometry that precludes receipt of pre-printed pressure sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements, the surface geometry defining a plurality of protrusions; and A plastic sleeve having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first open end, and a second end, wherein the second end is opposite to the first open end, wherein the plastic sleeve surrounds the middle wall portion of the plastic container, wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is adjacent to at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion and is fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion at the first open end and the lower wall portion at the second end, wherein the rigidity of the intermediate wall portion is greater than the rigidity of the plastic sleeve, wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve supports the plastic container, and The rigidity of the plastic sleeve allows the plastic sleeve to have an original shape, allowing the plastic sleeve to deform inwardly under a predetermined amount of inward force, and allowing the plastic sleeve to return to the original shape when the predetermined amount of inward force is removed.

6. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve contacts all of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion when the plastic sleeve is in an original shape.

7. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein when the plastic sleeve is in an original shape, the inner surface of the plastic sleeve does not contact any of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion.

8. A container assembly according to claim 5, wherein the stiffness of the plastic sleeve is such that the predetermined amount of inward force applied to the plastic sleeve causes the plastic sleeve to contact at least one of the plurality of protrusions of the surface geometry of the intermediate wall portion, and such that when the predetermined amount of inward force is removed, the plastic sleeve returns to its original shape.

9. The container assembly of claim 7, wherein the inner surface of the plastic sleeve is fixedly coupled to the upper wall portion at the first open end and the lower wall portion at the second end by one of a friction fit, an adhesive, and a notch fit through a notch and notch socket configuration.

10. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve is open.

11. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein the second end of the plastic sleeve defines a surface on which the container assembly is erected on a standing surface.

12. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein the maximum thickness of the intermediate wall portion is greater than the maximum thickness of the plastic sleeve.

13. A method comprising: A container is provided, the container having: Upper wall part, The lower wall portion, and an intermediate wall portion between the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion, the intermediate wall portion having a surface geometry including a plurality of protrusions; and A sleeve is provided, the sleeve having: External surface, Inner surface, The first end, and a second end, the second end being opposite to the first end, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the intermediate wall portion, wherein the rigidity of the intermediate wall portion is greater than the rigidity of the sleeve, wherein the second end of the sleeve supports the container, and The rigidity of the sleeve allows the sleeve to have an original shape, allowing the sleeve to deform inwardly under a compressive force, and allowing the sleeve to return to the original shape when the compressive force is removed.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The sleeve is formed, the forming comprising shaping a flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic such that opposing end portions of the flat sheet of semi-rigid plastic are adjacent to each other.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said forming said sleeve comprises fixedly coupling open end portions of said flat sheets of semi-rigid plastic to one another.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is fixedly coupled to at least two of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, and the intermediate wall portion.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the surface geometry precludes receipt of pre-printed pressure sensitive decorative elements and direct printing of decorative elements.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the first end of the sleeve is open and the second end of the sleeve is one of open or closed.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the second end of the sleeve defines a surface on which to stand upright on a standing surface.

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