Container with improved waist

Abstract

A container defining a central axis and comprising a finish and a base located at opposite ends of the central axis, a sidewall located between the finish and the base, a dome located between the finish and the base, and a waist located between the dome and the sidewall. The waist includes a substantially flat wall portion that extends substantially parallel to the central axis. The substantially flat wall portion can have branding located thereon. Alternatively, the substantially flat wall portion can provide a gripping surface.

1 . A container defining a central axis and comprising: 
 a finish and a base located at opposite ends of the central axis;    a sidewall located between the finish and the base;    a dome located between the finish and the base; and    a waist located between the dome and the sidewall, wherein the waist includes a substantially flat wall portion that extends substantially parallel to the central axis.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat wall portion defines a substantially vertical ring that extends around the central axis.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a bumper, wherein the waist is located between the bumper and the dome.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the dome defines a first height substantially parallel to the central axis, the substantially flat wall portion defines a second height substantially parallel to the central axis, and the second height is at least about 20% of the first height.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the second height is at least about 30% of the first height.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the second height is at least about 40% of the first height.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising branding located on the substantially flat wall portion.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the branding is embossed on the substantially flat wall portion.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 7 , further comprising a film located on the substantially flat wall portion, wherein the branding is located on the film.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat wall portion provides a gripping surface.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is hot filled.  
   
   
       12 . A container comprising: 
 a finish and a base located at opposite ends of the container;    a sidewall extending from the base;    a dome extending from the finish; and    a waist located between the sidewall and the dome, wherein the waist includes a substantially flat wall portion having branding located thereon.    
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the branding is embossed on the substantially flat wall portion.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 12 , further comprising a film located on the substantially flat wall portion, wherein the branding is located on the film.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the container defines a central axis between the finish and the base, and the substantially flat wall portion defines a substantially vertical ring that extends around the central axis.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 12 , further comprising a bumper, wherein the waist is located between the bumper and the dome.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the container defines a central axis between the finish and the base, the dome defines a first height substantially parallel to the central axis, the substantially flat wall portion defines a second height substantially parallel to the central axis, and the second height is at least about 20% of the first height.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the second height is at least about 30% of the first height.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the second height is at least about 40% of the first height.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the substantially flat wall portion provides a gripping surface.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the container is hot filled.  
   
   
       22 . A container comprising: 
 a finish and a base located at opposite ends of the container;    a sidewall extending from the base;    a dome extending from the finish; and    a waist located between the sidewall and the dome, wherein the waist includes a substantially flat wall portion that provides a gripping surface.    
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the container defines a central axis between the finish and the base, and the substantially flat wall portion defines a substantially vertical ring that extends around the central axis.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the container defines a central axis between the finish and the base, the dome defines a first height substantially parallel to the central axis, the substantially flat wall portion defines a second height substantially parallel to the central axis, and the second height is at least about 20% of the first height.  
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein the second height is at least about 30% of the first height.  
   
   
       26 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein the second height is at least about 40% of the first height.  
   
   
       27 . The container of  claim 22 , further comprising branding located on the substantially flat wall portion.  
   
   
       28 . The container of  claim 27 , wherein the branding is embossed on the substantially flat wall portion.  
   
   
       29 . The container of  claim 27 , further comprising a film located on the substantially flat wall portion, wherein the branding is located on the film.  
   
   
       30 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the container is hot filled.