Plastic container with improved sidewall configuration

A plastic container (10) that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur during the hot- fill process includes a container body (12) defining an internal space and having a sidewall (14). The container body has a maximum lateral dimension and a plurality of flexible panels and posts (24) defined in the sidewall. The posts (24) are respectively interposed between the flexible panels (22) around the outer circumference of the sidewall. Each of the plurality of posts (24) has a minimum width and a maximum width, and a ratio of the minimum width to maximum width is preferably within a range of about 0.3 to about 0.7. A ratio of the minimum width to the maximum lateral dimension is preferably within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.30. In addition, a ratio of the maximum width to the maximum lateral dimension is preferably within a range of about 0.15 to about 0.45.