BEVERAGE CONTAINER.

Abstract

A beverage container includes a base, a cylindrical side wall extending from and integrally formed with the base, and a top region extending from the side wall and defining a top opening. The beverage container includes a longitudinal axis extending in one direction from the base to the top opening. The beverage container further includes a continuous channel formed in and extending around a circumference of the side wall. The continuous channel is sinusoidal, forming peaks and troughs. The height of the continuous channel, measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis from a peak to a trough, is approximately 30% to 80% of the side wall height, such that the continuous channels resist elongation of the beverage container in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Description

[001] The embodiments described herein generally relate to a beverage container. Specifically, the embodiments described herein relate to a beverage container having a side wall with channels formed in the side wall configured to limit or resist deformation of the beverage container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Beverage containers made of polyethylene terephthalate and other plastics are used to store beverages such as sports drinks, juices, water, and other types of drinks. Forming beverage containers from plastic materials is a cost-effective and convenient alternative to packaging beverages in glass or metal containers due to their light weight, transparency, and ease of production. However, such plastic beverage containers can be susceptible to deformation when exposed to high temperatures or pressure changes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[003] Some embodiments address a beverage vessel comprising a base, a cylindrical side wall extending from and integrally formed with the base, and a top region extending from the side wall and defining a top opening. The beverage vessel may include a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the base to the top opening. A continuous channel may be formed in and extend around a circumference of the side wall, and the continuous channel may be sinusoidal such that the continuous channel forms peaks and troughs. A height of the continuous channel measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis from a peak to a trough may be approximately 30% to 80% of a side wall height to resist elongation of the beverage vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[004] Some embodiments address a beverage container comprising a base, a cylindrical side wall extending from and integrally formed with the base, and a top region extending from the cylindrical side wall and defining a top opening. Diagonal channels may be formed in the side wall and extend at an oblique angle to a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container. The diagonal channels may be spaced along a circumference of the side wall to resist deformation of the beverage container in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the beverage container and to resist the formation of shaped divisions in the side wall.The beverage container may further include linear channel segments formed in the side wall and extending along a circumference of the side wall, wherein the linear channel segments resist the formation of side wall splits when an internal pressure of the beverage container is less than an external pressure.

[005] Some embodiments address a beverage container that includes a cylindrical side wall and a continuous channel formed in and extending around the side wall. The continuous channel may have a sinusoidal pattern with three peaks and three troughs such that the continuous channel resists elongation of the beverage container in a direction about a longitudinal axis of the beverage container. / U1 uuzo

[006] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the continuous channel can be configured to resist elongation in one direction of the longitudinal axis when the beverage container is suspended from the upper region and filled with a beverage having a temperature at or above a glass transition temperature of the beverage container.

[007] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the beverage vessel may include a lower continuous channel and an upper continuous channel separated from each other along the longitudinal axis of the beverage vessel. In some embodiments, each of the upper and lower continuous channels may include an upper boundary defined as a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis in which the peaks are formed and a lower boundary defined as a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis in which the troughs are formed, and the upper boundary of the lower continuous channel may be above the lower boundary of the upper continuous channel. In some embodiments, the lower continuous channel and the upper continuous channel may have the same dimensions. In some embodiments, the peaks of the lower continuous channel and the upper continuous channel may be aligned along the longitudinal axis of the beverage vessel.

[008] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the continuous channel may include a diagonal region extending between a spout and a trough of the continuous channel that forms an angle with a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage vessel of 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be 45 degrees.

[009] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the beverage container may further include linear channel segments formed in the side wall and extending around a portion of the circumference of the side wall. In some embodiments, the linear channel segments may be arranged in one or more planes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container. In some embodiments, the linear channel segments may be separated from the continuous channel. In some embodiments, the continuous channel may include an upper boundary, which is a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis and in which the peaks are formed, and a lower boundary, which is a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis and in which the troughs are formed, and in which the linear channel segments may be located between the upper and lower boundaries.

[010] In any of the various embodiments described herein that have diagonal channels, the diagonal channels may be arranged at an angle of 40 to 50 degrees with respect to a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage vessel. In some embodiments, each diagonal channel may have the same shape and dimensions. In some embodiments, each diagonal channel may have a first end opposite a second end, and the height of each diagonal channel, measured along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end, may be approximately 30% to 80% of the height of the side wall of the beverage vessel. In some embodiments, the diagonal channels may be connected by spouts and troughs to form a continuous channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS / FIGURES

[011] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated into the present description and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present description and, together with the description, further serve to explain its principles and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to manufacture and use the description.

[012] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a beverage container according to one modality.

[013] Figure 2 shows a side view of a portion of a side wall of a beverage container from Figure 1.

[014] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view near a channel of the side wall of the beverage container of Figure 1.

[015] Figure 4 shows a side view of a portion of a side wall of a beverage container from Figure 1.

[016] Figure 5 shows a side view of a beverage container according to one modality. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[017] In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the modalities described herein. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the modalities, including structures, systems, and methods, can be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation in this description are the common means used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the content of their work to other skilled professionals. In other cases, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuit systems have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscure aspects of the description.

[018] References within the modality to “a modality,” “a modality,” “an illustrative modality,” etc., indicate that the modality described may include a particular attribute, structure, or feature, but each modality may not necessarily include that particular attribute, structure, or feature. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same modality. In addition, when a particular attribute, structure, or feature is described in relation to a modality, it is assumed that the effect of that attribute, structure, or feature in relation to other modalities, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

[019] The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present description. Other modifications and appropriate adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be obvious to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the description.

[020] Beverage containers for storing various types of beverages may be made of plastic materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), among others. Such plastic beverage containers often have a cylindrical construction. Plastic beverage containers may be filled with a beverage through a hot-fill operation. In a hot-fill operation, a beverage to be stored in the beverage container is heated to a high temperature, such as approximately 170°F or higher, and poured into the beverage container. The beverage container may be supported on a support surface during filling, or it may be suspended by its upper end, or neck, during filling. Once filled and capped, the beverage container and the beverage inside are rapidly cooled.This cooling of the beverage can result in thermal contraction, which reduces the internal volume of the beverage container. To accommodate the resulting pressure difference, the side walls of the beverage container may pull inward. Depending on the structure of the beverage container, including its side wall, this can result in undesirable deformation, or "dividing," of the side wall, where a once cylindrical side wall takes on flattened or otherwise deformed shapes to accommodate the internal void created by the reduction in beverage volume due to thermal contraction during cooling.

[021] To help the beverage container maintain its cylindrical shape throughout the filling process and subsequently during storage and transport, one or more ribs may be formed in the beverage container. The ribs may be formed as recessed (toothed) channels extending into the interior of the container and running completely around its circumference in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The ribs help prevent the beverage container from splitting or otherwise deforming when the internal pressure is lower than the external pressure. Such splitting can reduce the structural stability of the beverage container.Also, beverage containers that experience deformation can be unattractive to consumers, which can negatively impact sales. While ribbing around the circumference of the beverage container can help prevent cracking, it can also make the container more susceptible to lengthwise elongation during certain filling operations.

[022] Since the beverage container is made of plastic, the plastic can begin to deform if heated to a sufficiently high temperature, such as a temperature equal to or greater than the glass transition temperature of the beverage container. As a result, when the beverage container is suspended by its top end or neck and filled with a hot beverage, the weight of the beverage inside the container and the heat can cause the beverage container to elongate in a longitudinal direction. Specifically, the elongation can be most significant at the ribs of the beverage container, as the ribs can stretch or flatten, resulting in the elongation of the beverage container.

[023] The lengthening of beverage containers can be undesirable because it can result in containers of varying heights. Containers of varying heights can make stacking and storing beverage containers difficult. For example, a box of beverage containers with varying heights may not evenly distribute the load of another box stacked on top of it. Taller containers may carry more weight than shorter ones and may apply uneven pressure to the second box. This can cause the second box to sit unevenly on the first, making stacking and storage difficult. This problem can be exacerbated as additional boxes of beverage containers are stacked on top of each other.

[024] In some embodiments described herein, a beverage container includes a side wall with a channel formed in the side wall that has a sinusoidal shape extending around a circumference of the beverage container. The channel helps resist elongation of the beverage container, such as during hot-fill operations, while also providing resistance to splitting. The side wall of the beverage container may further include linear channel segments that extend along a portion of a circumference of the side wall. The linear channel segments may provide additional resistance to splitting.

[025] In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in Figure 1, a beverage container 100 includes a base 120, a side wall 160 extending from and integrally formed with the base 120, and a top region 180 extending from and integrally formed with the side wall 160 and defining a top opening. The beverage container 100 includes a longitudinal axis Z extending centrally in one direction from the base 120 to the top region 180. The side wall 160 is generally cylindrical such that the beverage container 100 has a generally circular cross section (disregarding channels formed in the side wall 160).

[026] One or more channels 140 are formed in the side wall 160 to prevent or limit elongation of the beverage container 100 in a direction about the longitudinal Z axis. The channels 140 are formed as recessed areas in the side wall 160 that extend into an interior volume of the beverage container 100. The channels 140 also resist the formation of splits in the side wall 160 (e.g., when an internal pressure in the beverage container 100 is lower than an external pressure), thus contributing to the loop strength of the beverage container 100. Specifically, the beverage container 100 is configured to resist elongation in a direction about the longitudinal Z axis when the beverage container 100 is suspended from the upper region 180 and filled with a beverage having a temperature of [temperature missing] or [temperature missing]. IVIA / a / ZUZ I / ui uuzo above a glass transition temperature of the material forming the beverage container 100 (e.g., PET).

[027] In some modalities, a continuous channel 140 is formed in the side wall 160 and extends around a circumference C of the side wall 160. In some modalities, the continuous channel 140 has a sinusoidal shape, such that the continuous channel 140 includes a series of alternating peaks 146 and troughs 144 separated by diagonal regions 142. The diagonal regions 142 may generally be linear or have a slight curvature to be curvilinear. It is understood that the diagonal regions 142 may necessarily have a slight curvature since the diagonal regions 142 extend around a portion of the cylindrical sidewall 160. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the diagonal region 142 may have a slight curvature as a diagonal region 142 approaches a peak 146 or a trough 144. In some embodiments, the continuous channel 140 may form three peaks 146 (and, therefore, three troughs 144).Some forms may include additional or fewer peaks 146; however, due to the approach and passage through a transverse plane relative to the longitudinal Z axis, the peaks 146 and troughs 144 may be more susceptible to elongation than the diagonal regions 142 of the continuous channel 140. As a result, the susceptibility of the beverage vessel 100 to elongation decreases as the number of peaks 146 (and troughs 144) decreases.

[028] The continuous channels 140 serve a dual purpose: to resist or prevent elongation of the beverage container 100 in the direction of the longitudinal Z axis during hot-fill operations, and to resist or prevent splitting of the beverage container 100 when an internal pressure of the beverage container 100 is less than an external pressure. As described, ribs (or channels) that extend circumferentially around the beverage container and are oriented in or near a plane transverse to a longitudinal Z axis may be susceptible to elongation in the direction of the longitudinal Z axis, because, for example, the weight of a beverage at high temperature will be directed in the direction of the longitudinal Z axis, almost perpendicular to the ribs.However, the diagonal regions 142 of the continuous channel 140 are less susceptible to elongation because they are oriented at an angle to a transverse plane. As a result, when the beverage container 100 is filled with a high-temperature beverage, it is less able to stretch longitudinally in the diagonal region 142 of the continuous channel 140. The weight of the high-temperature beverage (in the direction of the longitudinal Z-axis) will not be perpendicular to the direction of the diagonal region 142 but will instead be at an angle to it.

[029] Furthermore, as the continuous channels 140 extend around a circumference C of the side wall 160, the continuous channels 140 inhibit deformation of the side wall 160, such as collapsing inward toward the beverage container 100 when an internal pressure of the beverage container 100 is greater than an external pressure. Therefore, the continuous channels 140 also help the side wall 160 maintain a cylindrical configuration.

[030] As shown in Figure 2, the diagonal regions 142 of the continuous channel 140 are formed at an angle θi, with respect to a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal Z-axis of the beverage container 100. In some embodiments, the angle θi may be, for example, 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be 45 degrees to balance the resistance to splitting when the beverage container 100 is subjected to a pressure differential and resistance to elongation during hot-filling operations. As the angle θi decreases, such that the continuous channel 140 flattens and the sinusoidal pattern has a smaller amplitude, the resistance to elongation provided by the continuous channel 140 decreases while the resistance to splitting increases.

[031] In some embodiments, the channels 140 have a rounded recessed surface, as shown, for example, in Figure 3. The continuous channels 140 can take the form of a circular arc (e.g., a semicircle) in cross-section. However, the channels 140 can have other cross-sectional shapes, for example, a U-shape or a parabolic shape, among others. In some embodiments, the continuous channels 140 can have a width w as measured in a transverse direction of a channel 140 from a first side 141 to a second opposite side 143 of the channel 140. The width w can be, for example, from 4 mm to 8 mm. In some forms, the continuous channels 140 may have a depth d measured from a plane of the side wall 160 to a deeper portion of the channel 140. The depth d may be, for example, from 0.5 mm to 4 mm (e.g., 0.8 mm).

[032] In some embodiments, the continuous channels 140 have a circular arc cross-section based on a circle 4 mm to 8 mm (e.g., 6 mm) in diameter, with a depth d of 0.5 mm to 4 mm (e.g., 0.8 mm). As the depth d of the continuous channel 140 increases, the resistance of the beverage container 100 to splitting increases. However, increasing the depth d of the channel 140 may make the beverage container 100 more susceptible to elongation in a longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, all the continuous channels 140 have the same size and cross-sectional shape.

[033] In some modalities, the side wall 160 is formed with two or more continuous channels 140a, 140b, such as a lower continuous channel 140a and an upper continuous channel 140b, as shown in Figure 2. The lower continuous channel 140a and the upper continuous channel 140b are separated from each other in a longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the side wall 160 may include one or more continuous channels 140. However, as the number of continuous channels 140 increases, the ability of the beverage vessel 100 to resist elongation may decrease because the peaks 146 and troughs 144 are more susceptible to elongation than the diagonal regions 142 as described above, and therefore the additional peaks 146 and troughs 144 formed in additional continuous channels 140 may make the beverage vessel 100 more susceptible to elongation.

[034] In some embodiments, the lower and upper continuous channels 140a, 140b may be formed with the same shape and dimensions. Therefore, each channel 140a, 140b may be sinusoidal. Each channel 140a, 140b may have the same height as measured in a longitudinal direction from a trough 144 to a peak 146 of a continuous channel 140, and each channel 140a, 140b may have the same number of peaks 146 and troughs 144. The lower and upper continuous channels 140a, 140b may be in phase with each other, such that the peaks 146a, 146b of the lower and upper continuous channels 140a, 140b are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the beverage vessel 100.

[035] In some embodiments, each continuous channel 140 includes a lower boundary L and an upper boundary U, as best shown in Figure 2. The lower boundary L is a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis Z of the beverage vessel 100, and similarly, the upper boundary U is a plane that is parallel to the lower boundary L and transverse to the longitudinal axis Z. Each continuous channel 140 oscillates between its lower boundary L and its upper boundary U. In some embodiments, each peak 146 of a continuous channel 140 is formed at the upper boundary U, and each trough 144 is formed at the lower boundary L.

[036] Each continuous channel 140 has a height measured in one direction of the longitudinal axis Z from trough 144 to peak 146 (or lower limit L to upper limit U). The lower continuous channel 140 has a height hi, and the upper continuous channel 140b has a height h2 which may be equal to hi. In some embodiments, a height, hi or h2, of each continuous channel 140 may be from approximately 30% to approximately 80% of a sidewall height 160. In some embodiments, each continuous channel 140 may be from approximately 40% to approximately 70% of the sidewall height 160. The height, H, of the sidewall 160 is measured from a lower end 162 of the sidewall 160 adjacent to the base 120 in a direction of the longitudinal Z axis to an upper end 161 of the sidewall 160 adjacent to the upper region 180.

[037] In some modes, the upper limit Ui of a lower continuous channel 140a may be above the lower limit L2 of an upper continuous channel 140b. In this way, the continuous channels 140a, 140b are closely separated from each other such that a plane transverse to the longitudinal Z axis intersects at least a portion of a continuous channel 140. In some modes, the upper limit Ui of the lower continuous channel 140a may be at or below the lower limit L2 of the upper continuous channel 140b.

[038] In some embodiments, the side wall 160 of the beverage container 100 further includes linear channel segments 170, as shown in Figure 4. The linear channel segments 170 provide additional resistance to splitting of the side wall 160 of the beverage container 100 when an internal pressure of the beverage container 100 is less than an external pressure contributing to the loop strength of the beverage container 100. Therefore, the linear channel segments 170 help the side wall 160 of the beverage container 100 to maintain its cylindrical shape throughout the filling, transport, and storage of the beverage container 100.

[039] Linear channel segments 170 extend around a portion of a circumference of the side wall 160. Similar to continuous channels 140, linear channel segments 170 can be formed in the side wall 160 as recessed areas extending into an interior volume of the beverage container 100. Linear channel segments 170 can be located in one or more planes, e.g., Xi, X2, X3, and X4, which are transverse to the longitudinal Z-axis of the beverage container 100. Each transverse plane can have multiple linear channel segments 170 that are separated from each other around the circumference of the side wall 160. In some embodiments, a plane extending transversely to the longitudinal Z-axis can include four linear channel segments 170 separated around the circumference of the side wall 160. The linear channel segments 170 in a particular plane can each have the same shape and dimensions.In some embodiments, the linear channel segments 170 in a first plane X1 may extend around a circumference to a greater extent than the linear channel segments 170 arranged in a second plane X2, such that the linear channel segments 170 in each plane differ in length. In some embodiments, the linear segments 170 in different planes, e.g., planes X1 and X2, may be aligned on the side wall 160 along the longitudinal axis Z.

[040] Linear channel segments 170 can be formed in the side wall 160 in an area between a lower limit L and an upper limit U of a continuous channel 140, as shown in Figure 2. The linear channel segments 170 are separated from the continuous channel 140 in such a way that they do not intersect or overlap. Therefore, the linear channel segments 170 provide additional resistance to splitting in areas of the side wall 160 not occupied by continuous channels 140. Because the linear channel segments 170 do not extend continuously around the circumference C of the beverage container 100, they do not have a significant tendency to deform in the direction of the longitudinal axis Z. The side wall material that interrupts them limits such deformation.

[041] Linear channel segments 170 may have a rounded recessed surface. Similar to continuous channels 140, linear channel segments 170 may have the form of a circular arc (e.g., a semicircle) in cross-section. However, linear channel segments 170 may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as a U-shape or a parabolic cross-section, among others. Similar to the representation of the continuous channel 140 shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments, linear channel segments 170 have a width measured in a transverse direction of a channel segment 170 from one side to the opposite side of the segment. The width may be, for example, 4 mm to 8 mm (e.g., 5 mm to 7 mm). In some forms, the linear channel segments 170 may have a depth measured from a side wall plane 160 to a deeper portion of the channel segment 140.The depth can be, for example, 2 mm to 4 mm (e.g., 3 mm).

[042] In some embodiments, the linear channel segments 170 have a semicircular cross-section with a diameter of 4 mm. In some embodiments, all linear channel segments 170 have the same size and cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, each linear channel segment 170 can be formed to a greater depth than the depth d of the continuous channel 140. In some embodiments, at least some linear channel segments 170 can have the same size and cross-sectional shape as at least some continuous channels. 140.

[043] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5, a beverage container 200 includes a base 220, a side wall 260 extending from and integrally formed with the base 220, and a top region 280 extending from and integrally formed with the side wall 260 and defining a top opening. The beverage container 200 includes a longitudinal axis extending in one direction from the base 220 to the top region 280. The side wall 260 is generally cylindrical, such that the beverage container 200 has a generally circular cross-section. Thus, the beverage container 200 is formed in the same manner as the beverage container 100 and differs in that the beverage container 200 includes a plurality of diagonal channels 240 formed in the side wall 260 and spaced around a circumference of the side wall 260.Each diagonal channel 240 can have the same shape and dimensions. In some embodiments, six diagonal channels 240 extend around a circumference of the side wall 260. In other embodiments, fewer or more diagonal channels 240 may be formed on the side wall 260.

[044] Similar to the diagonal regions 142 of the continuous channels 140 of the beverage container 100 as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the diagonal channels 240 of the beverage container 200 serve to resist or limit elongation of the beverage container 200 in a longitudinal direction, such as during hot-filling operations. As described with respect to the continuous channels 140 of the beverage container 100, the diagonal channels 240 also help prevent the formation of splits in the side wall 260 when an internal pressure in the beverage container 200 is lower than an external pressure, since the diagonal channels 240 extend around the circumference of the side wall. 260.

[045] The diagonal channels 240 are oriented at an angle Θ2 with respect to a plane Y that is transverse to the longitudinal axis Z. The angle may be, for example, from 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle is 45 degrees. Furthermore, each diagonal channel 240 may extend between a lower boundary L defined as a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container 200 and an upper boundary U defined as a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis that is parallel to the lower boundary L. A first diagonal channel 240 may have a first end 241 at an upper boundary U and extend along the side wall 260 in a left-handed direction to a second end 242 at a lower boundary L, and an adjacent diagonal channel 240 may have a first end 241 at the lower boundary L and extend along the side wall 260 in a left-handed direction to a second end 242 at the upper boundary U.In this way, the diagonal channels 240 can form a discontinuous, wave-like pattern. In some modalities, however, the diagonal channels 240 can be connected, e.g., by connecting a second end 242 of a first diagonal channel 240 to a first end 241 of a second diagonal channel to form peaks and troughs, to form a continuous channel comprising diagonal channels 240 extending around a circumference of the sidewall 260.

[046] Each diagonal channel 240 has a height ha, measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis Z from the first end 241 to the second end 242 (or from the lower limit L to the upper limit U). In some embodiments, the height ha of each diagonal channel 240 may be from approximately 30% to approximately 80% of a side wall height 260. In some embodiments, each diagonal channel 240 may be from approximately 40% to approximately 70% of the side wall height 260. The side wall height 260 is measured from a lower end 262 of the side wall 260 adjacent to the base 220 in a direction of the longitudinal axis to an upper end 261 of the side wall 260 adjacent to the upper region 280.

[047] In some embodiments, the diagonal channels 240 may have a shape, width, and depth in cross-section as described above with respect to the continuous channels 140. Therefore, the diagonal channels 240 may be rounded to have a rounded surface. The diagonal channels 240 may generally be semicircular in cross-section. However, the diagonal channels 240 may have alternative cross-sectional shapes and may be U-shaped or parabolic, among others. In some embodiments, the diagonal channels 240 may have a diameter or width of 4 mm to 8 mm. In some embodiments, the diagonal channels 240 may have a depth of 0.5 mm to 4 mm, and in one embodiment, the depth may be 0.8 mm. As the depth of the diagonal channels 240 increases, the resistance of the beverage container 200 to splitting increases.However, increasing the depth of the diagonal channel 240 makes the beverage container 200 more susceptible to elongation in a longitudinal direction.

[048] In some embodiments, the side wall 260 may include diagonal channels 240 extending around a circumference of the side wall 260 and centered along two or more planes transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage vessel 200. Therefore, the diagonal channels 240 may be arranged on the side wall 260 in two or more rows. The diagonal channels 240 in each row may be aligned in a longitudinal direction of the beverage vessel 200.

[049] In some embodiments, the beverage container 200 may further include a plurality of linear channel segments 270 formed in the side wall 260 of the beverage container 200. The linear channel segments 270 may have the same shape, arrangement, and function as described above with respect to the linear channel segments 170 of the beverage container 100.

[050] It will be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may describe one or more, but not all, of the illustrative embodiments of the present invention(s) as envisioned by the inventor(s) and, therefore, are not intended to limit in any way the present invention(s) or the appended claims.

[051] The present invention(s) has / have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate the implementation of the specified functions and their relationships. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined in the present description for the sake of descriptive convenience. Alternative boundaries may be defined, provided that the specified functions and their relationships are properly carried out.

[052] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will then fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s), which others, by applying knowledge within the field of the art, may easily modify and / or adapt for various applications of those specific embodiments, without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, these adaptations and modifications are intended to remain within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the described embodiments, in accordance with the teachings and guidance presented herein. It is understood that the phraseology or terminology of this description is for descriptive purposes and not for limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of this specification should be interpreted by the skilled technician in light of the teachings and guidance provided.

[053] The breadth and scope of the present invention(s) shall not be limited by any of the illustrative modalities described above, but shall be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising: a base; a cylindrical side wall extending from and integrally formed with the base; an upper region extending from the side wall and defining an upper opening, characterized in that the beverage container comprises a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the base to the upper opening; and a continuous channel formed in and extending around a circumference of the side wall, wherein the continuous channel is sinusoidal such that the continuous channel forms peaks and troughs, wherein a height of the continuous channel measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis from a peak to a trough is approximately 30% to 80% of a height of the side wall to resist elongation of the beverage container in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

2. The beverage container of claim 1, characterized in that the continuous channel is configured to resist elongation in a longitudinal axis direction when the beverage container is suspended from the upper region and filled with a beverage having a temperature at or above a glass transition temperature of the beverage container.

3. The beverage container of claim 1, comprising a lower continuous channel and an upper continuous channel that are separated from each other in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

4. The beverage container of claim 3, characterized in that each of the upper and lower continuous channels includes an upper limit defined as a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis in which the peaks are formed and a lower limit defined as a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis in which the troughs are formed, and wherein the upper limit of the lower continuous channel is above the lower limit of the upper continuous channel.

5. The beverage container of claim 3, characterized in that the lower continuous channel and the upper continuous channel have the same dimensions.

6. The beverage container of claim 3, characterized in that the peaks of the lower continuous channel and the upper continuous channel are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the beverage container.

7. The beverage container of claim 1, characterized in that the continuous channel comprises a diagonal region extending between a spout and a trough of the continuous channel that forms an angle of 40 to 50 degrees with respect to a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

8. The beverage container of claim 7, characterized in that the angle is 45 degrees.

9. The beverage container of claim 1, further comprising linear channel segments formed in the side wall and extending around a portion of the circumference of the side wall.

10. The beverage container of claim 9, characterized in that the linear channel segments are arranged in one or more planes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

11. The beverage container of claim 9, characterized in that the linear channel segments are separated from the continuous channel.

12. The beverage container of claim 9, characterized in that the continuous channel includes an upper boundary which is a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis and in which the peaks are formed, and a lower boundary which is a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis and in which the troughs are formed, and wherein the linear channel segments are located between the upper boundary and the lower boundary.

13. A beverage container comprising: a base; a cylindrical side wall extending from and integrally formed with the base; an upper region extending from the cylindrical side wall and defining an upper opening; diagonal channels formed in the side wall and extending at an oblique angle to a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container, characterized in that the diagonal channels are spaced along a circumference of the side wall to resist deformation of the beverage container in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the beverage container and to resist deformation by the formation of divisions in the shape of the side wall;and linear channel segments formed in the side wall and extending along a circumference of the side wall, wherein the linear channel segments resist the formation of side wall divisions when an internal pressure of the beverage container is less than an external pressure.

14. The beverage container of claim 13, characterized in that the diagonal channels are arranged at an angle of 40 to 50 degrees with respect to a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

15. The beverage container of claim 13, characterized in that each of the diagonal channels has the same shape and dimensions. IVIA / a / ZUZ I / ui uuzo 16. The beverage container of claim 13, characterized in that each of the diagonal channels comprises a first end opposite a second end, and wherein a height of each of the diagonal channels measured in a longitudinal axis direction from the first end to the second end is 30% to 80% of a height of the side wall of the beverage container.

17. The beverage container of claim 13, characterized in that the diagonal channels are connected by spouts and troughs to form a continuous channel.

18. A beverage container comprising: a cylindrical side wall; and a continuous channel formed in and extending around the side wall, characterized in that the continuous channel has a sinusoidal pattern comprising three peaks and three troughs such that the continuous channel resists elongation of the beverage container in a direction about a longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

19. The beverage container of claim 18, further comprising linear channel segments formed in the side wall and extending around a portion of a circumference of the side wall.

20. The beverage container of claim 18, characterized in that the continuous channel further comprises a diagonal region between a spout and a trough, wherein the diagonal region is arranged at an angle of 40 to 50 degrees with respect to a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

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