Abstract: In supporting the curved lower portion of a thin-walled plastic container against deflection due to top loading during a filling, capping or like operation in order to prevent damage thereto, the improvement which involves confining support to a localized curved area of such lower portion only while maintaining a seating ring section substantially unsupported, thereby effectively accommodating containers for damage-resistant loading which have incrementally increased in height or assumed slightly off-vertical seating positions due to prior creep.

Abstract: Molecular orientation stress is relieved in thermoplastic articles being prepared for reclaiming in order to shrink the article and decrease volume. Shrinkage is sufficient to cause separation of labels when the latter are present. When the articles are containers, each shrunk-back mass has the appearance of an individual, grotesquely distorted container, which, because of its reduced volume, is especially useful as feedstock to a reclamation system.