Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container including a neck finish, a shoulder portion, a sidewall, and a base integrally formed with one another. Two indentations in the sidewall create a handgrip and a web extends generally across the interior of the container between the two indentations. A plurality of generally downwardly extending support feet include short feet and long feet. Separating the support feet are a plurality of first and second strap formations. Support surface contact points of the long feet are in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when empty. After filling, capping and pressurizing, the support surface contact points of the short feet and the support surface contact points of the long feet are all in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when filled.

Abstract: Sealant is applied onto or into a folded-seam closure of a metal can. Instead of introducing sealant into the U-shaped lid flange and drying, according to the invention the compound or sealant is applied to the base flange, the base of the metal can being dipped into a current of fluid sealant or at least brought into contact with it at the surface. This substantially improves the precision of dosing and the exact amount of applied sealant.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat set plastic container including: providing a mold cavity having sidewall surfaces and base surfaces; providing a plastic preform within the mold cavity; expanding and stretching the preform into conformity with the sidewall surfaces and the base surfaces to form a plastic container having a sidewall and a base; and inducing crystallinity in the base of the plastic container by applying heat from the base surfaces of the mold cavity to the base of the plastic container and by applying heat from an interior portion of the plastic container to an interior surface of the base of the plastic container.

Abstract: A method for producing a biaxially oriented, heat set plastic container, including the steps of providing a plastic preform within a mold cavity; expanding and stretching the plastic preform into conformity with the surfaces defining the mold cavity to form a biaxially oriented plastic container; inducing crystallinity in the plastic container by using convection heat transfer to heat a surface of the plastic container to a temperature of at least 120° C.; and removing the plastic container from the mold cavity. The PET containers produced by the method have an average sidewall crystallinity greater than about 30%, which allows the PET container to maintain its material integrity during any subsequent pasteurization or retort process of the contents in the PET container, and during shipment of the PET container.

Abstract: A method for producing a biaxially oriented, heat set plastic container, including the steps of providing a plastic preform within a mold cavity; expanding and stretching the plastic preform into conformity with the surfaces defining the mold cavity to form a biaxially oriented plastic container; inducing crystallinity in the plastic container by using convection heat transfer to heat a surface of the plastic container to a temperature of at least 120° C.; and removing the plastic container from the mold cavity. The PET containers produced by the method have an average sidewall crystallinity greater than about 30%, which allows the PET container to maintain its material integrity during any subsequent pasteurization or retort process of the contents in the PET container, and during shipment of the PET container.

Abstract: A sidewall portion for a plastic container used to receive a commodity and to retain the commodity during high temperature pasteurization and after cooling. The plastic container has an upper portion defining an aperture sealed by a closure, a lower portion forming a base, and a sidewall portion unitarily connected with and extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The sidewall portion includes panels having a vacuum panel portion unitarily formed in and inwardly recessed from the sidewall, and a pressure panel portion unitarily formed with the vacuum panel portion. The pressure panel portion is movable from a first position to a second position during pasteurization thereby increasing the volume of the container and avoiding any significant deformation of the sidewall portion.

Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: A plastic container for retaining a commodity during a high temperature pasteurization or retort process. The container includes a finish defining an aperture for receiving the commodity, a body portion generally extending downward from the finish portion, and a base portion generally extending inward from the body portion and closing off the bottom of the container. The body portion itself includes a sidewall having a crystallinity of greater than 30% and a shoulder portion flaring outward, from a generally transverse plane defined by the mouth of the container, at an angle of about 15° or less.