Single serve plastic container and package incorporating same

Abstract

A container ( ) for packaging a single serve quantity of a hot-fillable beverage, the container being blown from a multi-layer co-extruded thermoplastic parison and having a generally cylindrical central panel ( ) with a spaced plurality of vacuum panels ( ) therein and a plain unreinforced bottom ( ). The container also has bulbous heel and shoulder portions ( ) at opposed ends of the central panel and projecting outwardly therefrom to a protect a double-ended or other label applied to the central panel. The wall of the container has innermost and outermost layers ( ) of virgin PPE, a main structural layer ( ) of reground like containers with or without virgin PPE mixed therein and positioned in contact with the innermost layer and directly bonded thereto, a layer of an oxygen-barrier material ( ), such as EVA, positioned between the structural layer and the outermost layer, and layers of adhesive ( ) between the oxygen-barrier layer and the opposed layers and serving to adhesively join the oxygen-barrier layer to the opposed layers. Also, a package made up of a hot-filled container ( ) with a sealing film ( ) applied to a rim at a free end of a finished portion ( ) of the container and a molded plastic or other closure ( ) removeably applied to the finish portion of the container.