These are on every large bottle I buy (this is Michigan, USA) whether it's milk, orange juice, apple juice, lemonade...
The round indents are right in the middle of one or two of the sides, about 3 inch diameter, but indents in diffent bottles very in depth from zero to one inch. Cross section: \___/ (cone sides with flat base).
I've wanted to know for ages and I can't think of a good reason for them - I thought initailly to do with manufacturing process of the bottle... but there would be better ways to add stiffness, and does not explain the varying depths.
There must have a good answer!
2006-10-25 04:36:13 · 6 answers · asked by mazza 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Non-Alcoholic Drinks
The blow mold die that is used has the indentention in them- it adds stability to the container.
Its really cool how these are made- they start out as a little plastic test tube that is placed into a die (think of it as a mold) and has hot air blown into it. Viola! The plastic expands to fit the contours of the mold, and you have a jug!!!
2006-10-25 04:41:35 · answer #1 · answered by wvucountryroads 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For expansion purposes.
If you put much pressure on the outside of the container and the fluid had no place else to go. The seam in the container would spit and you'd have a real mess. By putting an indention in the container as you've discribed. If pressure is put on the outside of the container, the indention will "pop out" instead of the seam splitting. This also works if you are freezing juice. The indention will pop out when the container is frozen, instead of spitting the seam...
2006-10-25 04:43:49 · answer #2 · answered by homerjoy1945 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In addition to adding strength to the jug... It's probably safe to assume that it is a uniform size/placement (on either side) for advertisement purposes. Nowadays they wrap that extra plastic around the carton but they used to have stickers in some of them with logos.
2006-10-25 05:48:26 · answer #3 · answered by Nunya M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it has to do with crating the milk containers and making it easier for transportation. They fit them into plastic boxes and they must be able to fit more of them in with the indents. Just what I have thought.
2006-10-25 04:45:07 · answer #4 · answered by superrrmodel 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It adds stability to the thin plastic wall. Otherwise the container could easily collapse.
2006-10-25 04:43:55 · answer #5 · answered by Jacobus B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
strength...makes twice as strong.
ever notice the punt (indented bottom of wine bottle) on the bottom of a bottle.. same thing.. multiples strength.
2006-10-25 04:46:19 · answer #6 · answered by cork 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋