Multiple-container packages

Abstract

Disclosed herein are hot-fill containers that can be packaged as a multiple-container package. The hot-fill container comprises at least three sidewalls, where at least one of the sidewalls contains a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls is free of the vacuum panel. When two or more hot-fill containers are packaged together in a multi-pack, the sidewall containing the vacuum panel of one container contacts that of at least one other container so as to conceal each vacuum panel.

1 . A multi-container package comprising:
 at least two plastic hot-fill containers, each container comprising at least three sidewalls, at least one of the sidewalls containing a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls being free of the vacuum panel;   wherein the sidewall containing the vacuum panel of one container contacts a sidewall of at least one other container so as to conceal each vacuum panel of each container.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-container package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall containing the vacuum panel is substantially planar. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-container package of  claim 1 , wherein a collective footprint of the at least two containers is a substantially geometric figure. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-container package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a curved surface. 
   
   
       5 . The multi-container package of  claim 4 , wherein a collective footprint of the at least two containers is substantially circular. 
   
   
       6 . The multi-container package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a substantially planar surface. 
   
   
       7 . The multi-container package of  claim 6 , wherein a collective footprint of the at least two containers is substantially square or rectangular. 
   
   
       8 . The multi-container package of  claim 1 , wherein each container is a polyethylene terephthalate beverage container. 
   
   
       9 . A plastic hot-fill container with three sidewalls, at least one of the sidewalls containing a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls being free of the vacuum panel. 
   
   
       10 . The hot-fill container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sidewall containing the vacuum panel is substantially planar. 
   
   
       11 . The hot-fill container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a curved surface. 
   
   
       12 . The hot-fill container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a smooth surface. 
   
   
       13 . The hot-fill container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sidewall free of the vacuum panel has a ribbed surface. 
   
   
       14 . The hot-fill container of  claim 9 , wherein the container comprises at least one material chosen from polyesters, polyolefins, polycarbonates, nitrites, and copolymers and blends thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The hot-fill container of  claim 9 , wherein the container is a polyethylene terephthalate beverage container.