Plastic container for digital printing, system, and method

Abstract

A plastic container includes a base, an opening, and a plurality of panels. In embodiments, the plurality of panels are configured for digital printing. Systems and methods for digital printing on plastic containers with a plurality of panels are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plastic container, comprising:
 a base;   a body having two opposing sides, at least one of the two opposing sides including a plurality of panels; and   an opening for filling and/or dispensing;   wherein, viewed from a side view, a collective surface area of the at least one of the two opposing sides with the plurality of panels comprises at least 0.70 of a total surface area of the at least one of the two opposing sides with the plurality of panels.   
     
     
         2 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least 0.90 of the total surface area of the at least one of the two opposing sides with the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         3 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of panels include surface portions that extend inwardly or outwardly to different radial extents or offset distances. 
     
     
         4 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , including a land or a projection disposed between adjacent panels of the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         5 . The plastic container of  claim 4 , wherein the land or the projection projects inwardly or outwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of panels extends radially outwardly to a different radial extent or offset distance than another of the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         7 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion extends to a different radial extent or offset distance than the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels comprise at least three panels. 
     
     
         9 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is curvilinear in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of panels are curvilinear in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is rectilinear in shape. 
     
     
         12 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of panels are rectilinear in shape. 
     
     
         13 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein each of the opposing sides includes a plurality of panels. 
     
     
         14 . The plastic container of  claim 13 , wherein the opposing sides are mirror images of each other. 
     
     
         15 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , including a handle. 
     
     
         16 . The plastic container of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels includes a curvilinear portion or segment adjacent a portion of the plastic container that forms a portion of a handle opening. 
     
     
         17 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic container is comprised of one or more of the following: polypropylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and low density polyethylene (LDPE). 
     
     
         18 . A plastic container, comprising:
 a base;   a body including a plurality of panels; and   an opening for filling and/or dispensing;   wherein, one or more of the plurality of panels include surface portions that extend inwardly or outwardly to different radial extents or offset distances; a land or a projection is disposed between adjacent panels of the plurality of panels; one of the plurality of panels extends radially outwardly to a different radial extent or offset distance than another of the plurality of panels.   
     
     
         19 . The plastic container of  claim 18 , wherein the land or the projection projects inwardly or outwardly. 
     
     
         20 . The plastic container of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion extends to a different radial extent or offset distance than the second portion.