Abstract: A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (21) in its unfolded or pre-fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3).

Abstract: A Method of Processing a Container and Base Cup Structure For Removal of Vacuum Pressure A plastic container (10) has a wall extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (20). The panel (20) is transversely oriented and can move from a downwardly inclined position providing a geometrically unstable configuration to an upwardly inclined position providing a geometrically stable configuration to control pressure change in the container. This movement may be provided by suitable actuating means such as rod (22). In the unstable configuration a base cup 50 or any other suitable holder can support the container and enable it to be conveyed in a container handling or processing system.

Abstract: A container has a longitudinal axis, and comprises an upper portion including an opening into the container, a sidewall portion extending from the upper portion to a lower portion, the lower portion including a base, and a pressure panel located in the lower portion substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis, the pressure panel being movable substantially along the longitudinal axis between an initial position and an inverted position to compensate for a change of pressure induced within the container. The pressure panel comprises an initiator portion and a control portion, the initiator portion adapted to move in response to the change of pressure prior to the control portion.

Abstract: A semi-rigid collapsible container has a side-wall with an upper portion, a central portion, a lower portion and a base. The central portion includes a vacuum panel portion having a control portion and an initiator portion. The control portion is inclined more steeply in a vertical direction, i.e. has a more acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, than the initiator portion. On low vacuum force being present within the container panel following the cooling of a hot liquid in the container the initiator portion will flex inwardly to cause the control portion to invert and flex further inwardly into the container and the central portion to collapse. Raised ribs made an additional support for the container in its collapsed state. In another embodiment the telescoping of the container back to its original position occurs when the vacuum force is released following removal of the container cap.

Abstract: A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (21) in its unfolded or pre-fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3).

Abstract: A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (21) in its unfolded or pre-fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3).

Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish adapted to receive a closure, a lower portion including a base, and a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the sidewall define an interior volume for storing liquid contents. The plastic container further comprises a pressure panel located on the container and moveable between an initial position and an activated position. The pressure panel is located in the initial position prior to filling the container, and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container. Moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position reduces the internal volume of the container and creates a positive pressure inside the container. The positive pressure reinforces the sidewall. A method of processing a container is also disclosed.

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 plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish adapted to receive a closure, a lower portion including a base, and a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the sidewall define an interior volume for storing liquid contents. The plastic container further comprises a pressure panel located on the container and moveable between an initial position and an activated position. The pressure panel is located in the initial position prior to filling the container, and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container. Moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position reduces the internal volume of the container and creates a positive pressure inside the container. The positive pressure reinforces the sidewall. A method of processing a container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) for filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (2) in its unfolded or pre fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3).

Abstract: A semi-rigid collapsible container (10) has a side-wall with an upper portion (5), a central portion (6), a lower portion (7) and a base (8). The central portion (6) includes a vacuum panel portion having a control portion (2) and an initiator portion 1. The control portion (2) is inclined more steeply in a vertical direction, i.e. has a more acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container (10), than the initiator portion 1. On low vacuum force being present within the container panel following the cooling of a hot liquid in the container 10 the initiator portion (1) will flex inwardly to cause the control portion (2) to invert and flex further inwardly into the container (10) and the central portion (6) to collapse. In the collapsed state upper and lower portions of the central portion (6) may be in substantial contact so as to contain the top-loading capacity of the container (10). Raised ribs (3) made an additional support for the container in its collapsed state.

Abstract: A Method of Processing a Container and Base Cup Structure For Removal of Vacuum Pressure A plastic container (10) has a wall extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (20). The panel (20) is transversely oriented and can move from a downwardly inclined position providing a geometrically unstable configuration to an upwardly inclined position providing a geometrically stable configuration to control pressure change in the container. This movement may be provided by suitable actuating means such as rod (22). In the unstable configuration a base cup 50 or any other suitable holder can support the container and enable it to be conveyed in a container handling or processing system.

Abstract: A semi-rigid collapsible container has a side-wall with an upper portion, a central portion, a lower portion and a base. The central portion includes a vacuum panel portion having a control portion and an initiator portion. The control portion is inclined more steeply in a vertical direction, i.e. has a more acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, than the initiator portion. On low vacuum force being present within the container panel following the cooling of a hot liquid in the container, the initiator portion will flex inwardly to cause the control portion to invert and flex further inwardly into the container and the central portion to collapse. In the collapsed state upper and lower portions of the central portion may be in substantial contact so as to contain the top-loading capacity of the container. Raised ribs made an additional support for the container in its collapsed state.

Abstract: A semi-rigid collapsible container has a side-wall with an upper portion, a central portion, a lower portion and a base. The central portion includes a vacuum panel portion having a control portion and an initiator portion. The control portion is inclined more steeply in a vertical direction, i.e. has a more acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, than the initiator portion. On low vacuum force being present within the container panel following the cooling of a hot liquid in the container, the initiator portion will flex inwardly to cause the control portion to invert and flex further inwardly into the container and the central portion to collapse. In the collapsed state upper and lower portions of the central portion may be in substantial contact so as to contain the top-loading capacity of the container. Raised ribs made an additional support for the container in its collapsed state.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish adapted to receive a closure, a lower portion including a base, and a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the sidewall define an interior volume for storing liquid contents. The plastic container further comprises a pressure panel located on the container and moveable between an initial position and an activated position. The pressure panel is located in the initial position prior to filling the container, and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container. Moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position reduces the internal volume of the container and creates a positive pressure inside the container. The positive pressure reinforces the sidewall. A method of processing a container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semi-rigid collapsible container (10) has a side-wall with an upper portion (5), a central portion (6), a lower portion (7) and a base (8). The central protion (6) includes a vacuum panel portion having a control portion (2) and an initiator portion (1). The control portion (2) is inclined more steeply in a vertical direction, i.e. has a more acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the container (10), than the initiator portion (1). On low vacuum force being present within the container panel following the cooling of a hot liquid in the container (10), the initiator portion (1) will flex inwardly to cause the control protion (2) to invert and flex further inwardly into the container (10) and the central portion (6) to collapse. In the collapsed state upper and lower portions of the central portion (6) may be in substantial contact so as to contain the top-loading capacity of the container (10). Raised ribs (3) made an aditional support for the container in its collapsed state.

Abstract: A semi-rigid container, has a semi-rigid folding portion consisting of the plurality of diamond shaped panels forming a frustoconical shape. The panels are arced relative to the interconnecting frustoconical substrate in the transverse and longitudinal directions so that while the panels provide rigidity against a longitudinal collapsing force, they are able to expand transversely to enable folding of the folding portion under the longitudinal collapsing force and to resist expansion from the collapsed state. Other shapes of the panels are also described.