Liquid containers

Abstract

The present embodiments provide improved liquid containers having enhanced structural integrity. In one embodiment, the liquid container comprises a cap region, an upper panel region disposed beneath the cap region, a non-paneled circular region disposed beneath the upper panel region, and a lower panel region disposed beneath the non-paneled circular region. The upper and lower panel regions each may comprise a plurality of discrete generally flat sides disposed about a circumference of the liquid container. Advantageously, the plurality of discrete generally flat sides about the circumference of the container may provide horizontal and vertical strength by reducing the amount of contiguous flat surface area. Further, various ribbed regions may provide additional structural stability about the circumference of the container.

1 . A liquid container comprising:
 a cap region;   an upper panel region disposed beneath the cap region;   a non-paneled circular region disposed beneath the upper panel region; and   a lower panel region disposed beneath the non-paneled circular region.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid container of  claim 1  wherein the upper panel region comprises a plurality of discrete generally flat sides disposed about a circumference of the liquid container, wherein each of the plurality of discrete generally flat sides has a width greater than a height. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid container of  claim 1  wherein the lower panel region comprises a plurality of discrete generally flat sides disposed about a circumference of the liquid container, wherein each of the plurality of discrete generally flat sides has a height greater than a width. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid container of  claim 1  further comprising a base region disposed beneath the lower panel region, wherein the base region is flared radially outward relative to the lower panel region. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid container of  claim 1  wherein the liquid container is tapered such that an outer diameter of the upper panel region is greater than an outer diameter of the lower panel region. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid container of  claim 1  further comprising a first ribbed region disposed between the upper panel region and the non-paneled circular region, wherein the first ribbed region extends horizontally around a circumference of the liquid container. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid container of  claim 6  further comprising a second ribbed region disposed between the non-paneled circular region and the lower panel region, wherein the second ribbed region extends horizontally around a circumference of the liquid container. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid container of  claim 1  further comprising at least one central panel region disposed between the upper panel region and the lower panel region. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid container of  claim 8  wherein the central panel region is separated from each of the non-paneled circular region and the lower panel region by at least one ribbed region extending horizontally around a circumference of the liquid container. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid container of  claim 1  wherein the liquid container is formed of an organically-based biopolymer material. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid container of  claim 10  wherein the organically-based biopolymer material comprises polylactic acid. 
     
     
         12 . A liquid container comprising:
 a cap region;   an upper panel region disposed beneath the cap region;   a non-paneled circular region disposed beneath the upper panel region;   a lower panel region disposed beneath the non-paneled circular region;   a first ribbed region disposed between the upper panel region and the non-paneled circular region, wherein the first ribbed region extends horizontally around a circumference of the liquid container;   a second ribbed region disposed between the non-paneled circular region and the lower panel region, wherein the second ribbed region extends horizontally around a circumference of the liquid container; and   a base region disposed beneath the lower panel region.   
     
     
         13 . The liquid container of  claim 12  wherein the base region is flared radially outward relative to the lower panel region. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid container of  claim 12  wherein the liquid container is tapered such that an outer diameter of the upper panel region is greater than an outer diameter of the lower panel region. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid container of  claim 12  wherein the liquid container is formed of an organically-based biopolymer material, wherein the organically-based biopolymer material comprises polylactic acid. 
     
     
         16 . A liquid container comprising:
 a cap region;   an upper panel region disposed beneath the cap region, wherein the upper panel region comprises a plurality of discrete generally flat sides disposed about a circumference of the liquid container, wherein each of the plurality of discrete generally flat sides of the upper panel region comprises a width greater than a height; and   a lower panel region disposed beneath the upper panel region, wherein the lower panel region comprises a plurality of discrete generally flat sides disposed about a circumference of the liquid container, wherein each of the plurality of discrete generally flat sides of the lower panel region comprises a height greater than a width.   
     
     
         17 . The liquid container of  claim 16  further comprising a non-paneled circular region disposed between the upper panel region and the lower panel region. 
     
     
         18 . The liquid container of  claim 16  further comprising a base region disposed beneath the lower panel region, wherein the base region is flared radially outward relative to the lower panel region. 
     
     
         19 . The liquid container of  claim 16  wherein the liquid container is tapered such that an outer diameter of the upper panel region is greater than an outer diameter of the lower panel region. 
     
     
         20 . The liquid container of  claim 16  wherein the liquid container is formed of an organically-based biopolymer material.