Abstract: A process for filling a container with a liquid includes providing a plastic container comprising a spout, a base, and a sidewall. The container is filled with a liquid and the spout is sealed with a closure. An internal vacuum or depression is formed within the container, resulting in visible deformation of the container. Heat is applied to the container to bring about internal pressurization of the container to at least compensate for the depression or vacuum.

Abstract: A heat resistant plastic container containing hot-filled liquid contents, comprising: a spout for filling the container with liquid contents; a closure configured to seal the spout; a base including a bottom portion that is bent toward the spout, the base including a structural reinforcement; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base toward the spout, the sidewall including a zone of deformation, wherein the zone of deformation in the sidewall is configured to accommodate an initial deformation due to the cooling of the contents and to substantially regain its initial shape upon the relieving of immobilized stresses.

Abstract: A process for pressurization of a thin-walled plastic container having a container weight to wall surface ratio on the order of 150 g/m2 to 250 g/m2, designed to contain a flat liquid, comprising the following stages: providing a container; filling the container that has residual stresses under cold conditions with said flat liquid; sealing the container after filling; and, heating the container, without raising the temperature of the liquid, to reach the temperature of the container's glass transition point so as to generate a pressurization of the interior of said container.

Abstract: A lightweight, thin-walled heat resistant plastic container containing hot-filled liquid contents, comprising: a spout for filling the container with liquid contents; a closure configured to seal the spout; a base including a bottom portion that is bent toward the spout, the base including a structural reinforcement configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure from the hot-filling of liquid and configured to prevent significant deformation in the base upon the cooling of the hot liquid; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base toward the spout, the sidewall including a zone of deformation, wherein the zone of deformation in the sidewall is configured to accommodate an initial deformation due to the cooling of the contents and to substantially regain its initial shape upon the relieving of immobilized stresses.

Abstract: A process for hot filling a container with a sterilized liquid, generally at a temperature that is between 60 to 95° C. An embodiment of the process includes (a) providing a container that is made of a polymer and following a process that can make it able to withstand the hot filling of said liquid; (b) filling the container with said hot liquid; (c) closing the filled container immediately after filling; (d) allowing the container to cool at least below a transition temperature that is on the order of from 40° C. to 50° C. and forming a depression inside the container, resulting in visible deformation; and (e) heating the container to bring about a relief of the residual stresses, whereby this relief leads to a shrinkage and consecutively generates an internal pressurization that compensates for at least the deformation undergone by the effects of the depression of stage (d).