Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

Abstract: A container having an inverted active cage generally includes an enclosed base portion, a body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a top portion with a finish extending upwardly from the body portion. The body portion further includes a central longitudinal axis, a periphery, a plurality of rigidified and non-active surfaces, and a network of pillars or channels. Unlike the prior art, each of the plurality of non-active surfaces is outwardly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis, while each of the network of pillars or channels is inwardly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of rigidified or non-active surfaces, together with the network of rigidified channels or pillars, are spaced about the periphery of the container in order to accommodate vacuum-induced volumetric shrinkage of the container resulting from a hot-filling, capping and cooling thereof.

Abstract: A cartridge for preparation of a beverage is provided which is sealed prior to use and contains one or more beverage ingredients. The cartridge comprises: a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients; a first filter defining an exit from the beverage ingredient chamber; a second filter downstream of, and spaced apart from, the first filter; and a flow constriction downstream of the second filter, such that in use beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients passes, in order, through the first filter, the second filter and the flow constriction.

Abstract: A method of producing a body portion (2) of a capsule (1) comprises forming the body portion (2) from a polymeric material and subsequently treating one or more piercing zones (30) of the body portion (2) to alter one or more material characteristics of the polymeric material of the piercing zone(s) relative to the material characteristics of the polymeric material of a remainder of the body portion (2). A capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage comprises a body portion (2) comprising one or more piercing zones (30) intended to be pierced in use by one or more piercers (13) of a beverage preparation machine to provide one or more inlet apertures for feeding water under pressure into the interior of the capsule (1). The body portion (2) is formed from a polymeric material. The polymeric material of the piercing zone(s) comprises a transformed structure which has been treated after formation of the body portion (2) to alter one or more of its material characteristics.

Abstract: A cartridge for preparation of a beverage is provided which is sealed prior to use and contains one or more beverage ingredients. The cartridge comprises: a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients; a first filter defining an exit from the beverage ingredient chamber; a second filter downstream of, and spaced apart from, the first filter; and a flow constriction downstream of the second filter, such that in use beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients passes, in order, through the first filter, the second filter and the flow constriction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of edible gel particles having a mean longest diameter of from 0.1 to 20 ?m, the method comprising: high-shear mixing a solution comprising an alginate, while adding a source of calcium ions to the solution.