CONTAINER WITH SURFACE FEATURES

Abstract

A container, and method of producing thereof, wherein the container comprises an internal reservoir, an inner wall having an opening extending into the internal reservoir, and an outer wall. A vacuum-sealed cavity is enclosed by the inner wall and outer wall. One or more surface features may be formed in an outer surface of the outer wall, wherein at least one of the surface features is produced by a subtractive manufacturing process and/or configured to perform as a damper/friction member.

Description

FIELD

The present technology relates to a container, and more particularly to a container with surface features.

BACKGROUND

Reusable drink containers are a popular consumer item that come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. The vacuum-sealed stainless steel container is a popular style of reusable drink container that is known for its durability, resistance to corrosion, and ability to maintain a temperature of a beverage contained therein for an extended period of time. These containers work by creating a vacuum between inner and outer walls of the container. This vacuum insulates the beverage, significantly slowing the rate at which heat transfers between the air outside the container and the beverage inside the container.

This style of container often has a polished stainless steel surface. While initially smooth, this surface is prone to being scratched as a result of regular use over time. A common solution to this problem is to coat the outside of the container with a layer of material that shields the surface of the stainless steel from damage. This also allows for customization of the container as the coating may be colored or patterned. This method is effective in preventing scratches, but creates additional limitations and potential durability issues. Often, the coating is not dishwasher safe. The high temperatures of an automatic dishwasher cycle degrade the adhesion between the coating and the stainless steel leading to cracking, chipping, or peeling of the coating. To preserve the integrity of the coating, many containers must be gently hand washed—an inconvenience to most users. Furthermore, the coating only protects the surface of the stainless steel, but does not prevent the stainless steel from scratching, scuffing, or otherwise damaging surfaces, such as tabletops, that it comes in contact with.

Additional drawbacks of the polished stainless steel surface of conventional containers is that it is slippery and difficult to grasp by the user or maintain a position thereof when placed on surrounding surfaces, such as tabletops.

Accordingly, it is desirable to design and produce a container with surface features that solve the problems discussed herein.

SUMMARY

In concordance and agreement with the present disclosure, a container with surface features that provides improved durability and performance, has been newly designed.

The present technology provides a container and a method of producing thereof.

In one embodiment, a container, comprises: at least one wall defining an interior reservoir; and a plurality of surface features provided on an outer surface of the at least one wall, wherein each of the surface features is axially spaced apart from one another.

In another embodiment, a method of producing a container, comprises: forming at least one wall to define an interior reservoir; and providing a plurality of surface features on an outer surface of the at least one wall, wherein each of the surface features is axially spaced apart from one another.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the surface features continuously extends around a circumference of the container.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the surface features is formed with interruptions to be discontinuous.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the surface features is a groove formed in the outer surface of the at least one wall.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the surface features is a void in a coating treatment in a specific area and/or pattern.

As aspects of some embodiments, the plurality of surface features comprises a first surface feature axially spaced from a closed end of the container by about 60 mm, a second surface feature is spaced from the closed end of the container by about 48 mm, and/or a third surface feature is spaced from the closed end of the container by about 36 mm.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the surface features is spaced apart from another one of the surface features by a substantially equal distance.

As aspects of some embodiments, a spacing between two ore more of the surface features varies.

As aspects of some embodiments, a thickness of two or more of the surface features varies from one another.

As aspects of some embodiments, the plurality of surface features comprises a first surface feature having a thickness of about 0.3 mm, a second surface feature having a thickness of about 1.1 mm, and/or a third surface feature has a thickness of about 1.9 mm.

As aspects of some embodiments, a thickness of at least one of the surface features varies around a circumference of the container.

As aspects of some embodiments, one of the surface features is disposed at a bottom of the container and is a damper/friction member.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the surface features is formed by a subtractive manufacturing process.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the surface features is formed during a coating process of the container.

As aspects of some embodiments, two or more of the surface features are independently formed from one another.

As aspects of some embodiments, two or more of the surface features are formed substantially simultaneously in the container.

As aspects of some embodiments, the method further comprises using a grid system for alignment of at least one of the surface features.

As aspects of some embodiments, the grid system employs a uniform square grid.

As aspects of some embodiments, the grid system is relative to a closed end of the container.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container with surface features according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the container is provided with a removable closure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the container of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the container of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the container of FIGS. 1-4, wherein the container is provided without the removable closure.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a container with surface features according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the container is provided with a removable closure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view of the container of FIGS. 7-9.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the container of FIGS. 7-10.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the container of FIGS. 7-10, wherein the container is provided without the removable closure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a branding alignment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a container lip position in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a terrace ring alignment in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates exemplary embodiments of containers in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates exemplary surface treatments of containers in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates exemplary surface markings/patterns of containers in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary surface wraps for containers in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific embodiment claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

All documents, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature cited in this detailed description are incorporated herein by reference, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Where any conflict or ambiguity may exist between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the present detailed description controls.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present technology provides a container with surface features and a method of producing thereof. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a container 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 1-6 show the container 100 with a removable closure 150 having a selectively positionable closure mechanism 152. It is understood that other various types of closures 150 may be employed with the container 100 as desired. For example, the closure 150 may be a snap-lid, a straw-lid, a chug-lid, a twist-lid, and the like.

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate a container 100′ according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 7-12 show the container 100′ with a removable closure 150′. Similar structure and components for the container 100′ with respect to FIGS. 7-12 are illustrated with the same reference numeral and a prime (′) symbol as that described above for FIGS. 1-6. For simplicity purposes, the description of similar or identical structure and components for the container 100′ is not repeated herein and only the structure and components for the container 100 are described hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the container 100 may have a generally cylindrical shape with an open end 104 and a closed end 106. The open end 104 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the closure 150 and/or permit the user to consume contents within the container 100 without the closure 150. The closed end 106 may be configured to contact and maintain a position of the container 100 on a surrounding surface (e.g., a tabletop) when the container 100 is in use.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the container 100 may be formed from an inner wall 108 and an outer wall 110. The inner wall 108 may also have a generally cylindrical shape having an open end 112 and a closed end 114. An inner surface 116 of the inner wall 108 defines an internal reservoir 102. The container 100 may be configured to contain the contents, for example, a fluid, a beverage or other drinkable edible item, within the reservoir 102. It is understood that the shape, size, and configuration of the reservoir 102 may be as desired. In certain embodiments, the reservoir 102 may be configured to receive and hold a specific amount of the contents therein. For example, the reservoir 102 may be specifically designed for 20, 30, or 40 ounces of contents. This is advantageous for a user to know and/or track the amount of contents consumed without added measurement processes.

As illustrated, the inner surface 116 of the inner wall 108 may be generally smooth and continuous. It is understood, however, that the inner surface 116 may include surface features that may, for example, facilitate engagement with the closure 150, assist with measurement of the amount of contents in the reservoir 102, and/or aid in stirring and mixing the contents within the interior 102. For example, the inner surface 116 may include ribs, projections, contents level markings, and the like.

An inner diameter of the container 100 may be irregular having portions with a constant inner diameter and/or portions varying inner diameter. In some embodiments, an upper portion of the container 100 may have a generally constant inner diameter to receive at least a portion of the container 100 therein. Lower portions of the container 100 and intermediate portions between the upper and lower portions may have varying inner diameters in order for the reservoir 102 to receive the desired amount of contents. In other embodiments, an entirety of the inner wall 108 may be uniform having a constant inner diameter.

In certain embodiments, the inner wall 108 may further include a lip 118 and/or one or more surface features (e.g., fluid level indicator(s)) formed therein. The lip 118 may circumscribe the inner wall 108 such that the lip 118 performs as a stop to limit an axial movement of the closure 150 into the reservoir 102. Similarly, the surface feature may also circumscribe the inner wall 108. In some instances, the surface feature may be formed in the inner surface 116 of the inner wall 108 by a subtractive manufacturing process (e.g., engraving, etching, laser engraving, and the like). It is understood that the surface feature may be formed in the inner wall 108 by any suitable method as desired. One or more of the lip 118 and the surface feature may be formed in the inner wall 108 to perform as a maximum fill level indicator of the container 100.

As shown, the inner wall 108 may be joined with the outer wall 110 along a periphery of the open end 104 of the container 100. As more clearly depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer wall 110 may also have a generally cylindrical shape having an open end 122 and a closed end 124. A cavity 125, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, may be formed between the inner wall 108 and outer wall 110. In some embodiments, the cavity 125 may be vacuum-sealed such that a rate of heat transfer by conduction, convection, and/or radiation between the contents within the container 100 and the surrounding environment may be reduced to maintain a desired temperature of the contents within the container 100. To produce the vacuum-sealed cavity 125 between the inner wall 108 and the outer wall 110, the container 100 may be placed in a vacuum forming chamber so that air within the cavity 125 is removed through a small hole provided in a concavity 128 formed in the closed end 124 of the outer wall 110. A material such as a resin, for example, is disposed in the concavity 128 to seal the small hole so that the vacuum-seal within the cavity 125 is preserved when the container 100 is removed from the vacuum forming chamber. It should be appreciated that other means of forming the vacuum-sealed cavity 125 may be employed if desired.

An outer surface 126 of the outer wall 110 defines the outer profile of the container 100. As illustrated, the outer surface 126 of the outer wall 110 may be generally smooth and continuous. A surface treatment and/or coating 127 may be applied and/or adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface 126 of the outer wall 110. It is understood that any suitable surface treatment and/or coating 127 may be employed. In one embodiment, the surface treatment and/or coating 127 is an anti-slip material.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the closed end 124 of the outer wall 110 may further include an inner annular projection 130 protruding away from the inner wall 108, which forms an outer annular recess 132 protruding towards the inner wall 108. It is understood that the closed end 124 of the outer wall 110 may have any shape, size, and configuration as desired.

As shown, the container 100 further comprises a bottom assembly 134. In some embodiments, the bottom assembly 134 includes a plate 136 and a surface feature 138. The surface feature 138 may be formed from any suitable material and configured to perform as a damper/friction member. For example, the surface feature 138 may be formed from a soft rubber material or thermoplastic elastomer. As illustrated, the plate 136 may be generally circular and includes an inner annular projection 140 protruding away from the inner wall 108, which forms an outer annular recess 142 protruding towards the inner wall 108. A shape, size, and configuration of the inner annular projection 140 and the outer annular recess 142 of the plate 136 may correspond to the shape, size, and configuration of the inner annular projection 130 and the outer annular recess 132 of the closed end 124 of the outer wall 110. The plate 136 may be disposed adjacent and be coupled to the closed end 124 of the container 100 using any suitable method as desired such as a welding process, for example.

In certain embodiments, the plate 136 may include a hooked lip 144 formed around an outer periphery thereof. The lip 144 may be configured to cooperate with a corresponding lip 146 of the surface feature 138 to attach and secure the surface feature 138 onto the plate 136. Thus, the plate 136 is not visible to the user. It is understood that various other means and methods of coupling the surface feature 138 to the closed end 124 of the outer wall 110 may be employed if desired. As shown, at least a portion of the surface feature 138 may protrude extend past the outer wall 110 such that the outer wall 110 does not make contact with the surrounding surface such as a tabletop when the container 100 is in its upright resting position.

In preferred embodiments, the outer surface 126 of the outer wall 110 may further include one or more surface features 148. In some embodiments, the outer surface 126 may include a surface feature 148a (e.g., an indicia, a brand, etc.), a surface feature 148b (e.g., a lip), and/or surface features 148c, 148d, 148e (e.g., terrace ring (TR1), terrace ring (TR2), and terrace ring (TR3)). It is understood that the container 100 may include more or less surface features 148 than shown. For example, more or less terrace rings TR1, TR2, . . . . TR(N) may be formed in the outer surface 126 of the outer wall 110 if desired. As shown, each of the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e are continuously formed around a circumference of the container 100. It is understood, however, one or more of the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e may not be continuous such as with interruptions and/or only formed around a portion of the circumference of the container 100. It is further understood that the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e may also have other configurations such as a looped, serpentine, crenelated, saw-tooth, and like.

At least one of the surface features 148 may circumscribe the outer wall 110. In some instances, one or more of the surface features 148 may be formed in the outer wall 110 by a subtractive manufacturing process (e.g., engraving, etching, laser engraving, and the like). In other instances, one or more of the surface features 148 may be formed in the outer wall 110 by omitting an application of a coating treatment in a specific area or pattern. It is understood that each of the surface features 148 may be formed in the outer wall 110 by any suitable method as desired. The surface features 148 may be formed independently of one another and/or a plurality of the surface features 148 may be formed simultaneously together as a group. For example, all of the surface features 148 may be sequentially and/or independently formed in the outer wall. In another non-limiting example, a single one of the surface features 148 may be formed in the outer wall 110 then subsequently followed by a group of the surface features 148 being simultaneously formed in the outer wall 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-17, the profile of the container 100 may be divided into a grid for manufacturing purposes, and preferably a uniform square grid comprised of a plurality of 12 mm squares. It is understood that the grid may have various other dimensions, shapes, and configurations as desired. In certain instances, as shown in FIG. 13, the surface feature 148a may be formed in the outer surface 126 and axially spaced from the closed end 124 by two grid sections. Thus, a lower edge of the surface feature 148a may be vertically aligned with an upper limit of a second grid section (e.g., 24 mm from the closed end 124). As illustrated in FIG. 14, the surface feature 148b may be formed in the outer surface 126 and axially spaced from the open end 122 by one grid section. Thus, a lower edge of the surface feature 148b may be vertically aligned with a lower limit of a first grid section (e.g., 12 mm from the open end 122). In some embodiments, the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e may also be formed in the outer surface 126 and axially spaced from the closed end 124 by five, four, and three grid sections, respectively. Thus, as best seen in FIG. 15, a lower edge of the surface feature 148c may be vertically aligned with an upper limit of a fifth grid section (e.g., 60 mm from the closed end 124), a lower edge of the surface feature 148d may be vertically aligned with an upper limit of a fourth grid section (e.g., 48 mm from the closed end 124), and a lower edge of the surface feature 148e may be vertically aligned with an upper limit of a third grid section (e.g., 36 mm from the closed end 124). Although the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e shown are spaced apart from one another by a substantially equal distance (e.g., 12 mm), it is understood that the spacing between each of the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e may vary as desired. As shown in FIG. 16, each of the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e may have any desired thickness. For example, the surface feature 148c may have a thickness of about 0.3 mm, the surface feature 148d may have a thickness of about 1.1 mm, and the surface feature 148e may have a thickness of about 1.9 mm. It is understood that one or more of the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e may have the same thickness if desired. It is also understood that the thickness of the surface features 148c, 148d, 148e may vary around the circumference of the container 100 if desired.

Turning now to FIGS. 18-20, the container 100 may also include one or more surface treatments, markings, and/or wraps having desired designs/patterns provided on the outer surface 126 of the outer wall 110. Exemplary surface treatments of the containers 100, as shown in FIG. 18, include but are not limited to color printing, molded texture, and laser etching, for example. FIG. 19 illustrates exemplary surface markings that may be applied and/or formed in the container 100. For example, the surface markings may be provided by printing, molded texture, and an applicator (e.g., a decal). Exemplary surface wraps having designs/patterns shown in FIG. 20 may also be provided on the container 100.

Exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

Claims

1. A container, comprising: at least one wall defining an interior reservoir; anda plurality of surface features provided on an outer surface of the at least one wall, wherein each of the surface features is axially spaced apart from one another.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the surface features continuously extends around a circumference of the container.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the surface features is formed with interruptions to be discontinuous.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the surface features is a groove formed in the outer surface of the at least one wall.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the surface features is a void in a coating treatment in a specific area and/or pattern.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of surface features comprises a first surface feature axially spaced from a closed end of the container by about 60 mm, a second surface feature is spaced from the closed end of the container by about 48 mm, and/or a third surface feature is spaced from the closed end of the container by about 36 mm.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the surface features is spaced apart from another one of the surface features by a substantially equal distance.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein a spacing between two or more of the surface features varies.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein a thickness of two or more of the surface features varies from one another.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of surface features comprises a first surface feature having a thickness of about 0.3 mm, a second surface feature having a thickness of about 1.1 mm, and/or a third surface feature has a thickness of about 1.9 mm.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein a thickness of at least one of the surface features varies around a circumference of the container.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein one of the surface features is disposed at a bottom of the container and is a damper/friction member.

13. A method of producing a container, comprising: forming at least one wall to define an interior reservoir; andproviding a plurality of surface features on an outer surface of the at least one wall, wherein each of the surface features is axially spaced apart from one another.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the surface features is formed by a subtractive manufacturing process.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the surface features is formed during a coating process of the container.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein two or more of the surface features are independently formed from one another.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein two or more of the surface features are formed substantially simultaneously in the container.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising using a grid system for alignment of at least one of the surface features.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the grid system employs a uniform square grid.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the grid system is relative to a closed end of the container.