Abstract: A container adapted to increase volume contraction and reduce pressure having four panels that are adapted to contract inwardly from vacuum forces created by contraction of container contents. The container has a sidewall including four panels. The four panels are vacuum panels, including vertical transitional walls disposed between and joining the panels and the body is adapted to increase volume contraction and reduce pressure. The panels are adapted to contract inwardly in response to internal negative pressure created during hot-fill processing and subsequent cooling of a hot liquid in the container.

Abstract: A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur during the hot-fill process includes a container body defining an internal space and having a sidewall. The container body has a maximum lateral dimension and a plurality of flexible panels and posts defined in the sidewall. The posts are respectively interposed between the flexible panels around the outer circumference of the sidewall. Each of the plurality of posts has a minimum width and a maximum width, and a ratio of the minimum width to maximum width is preferably within a range of about 0.3 to about 0.7. A ratio of the minimum width to the maximum lateral dimension is preferably within a range of about 0.05 to about 0.30. In addition, a ratio of the maximum width to the maximum lateral dimension is preferably within a range of about 0.15 to about 0.45.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially round in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally circular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion and is preferably shaped so as to subtend a substantially constant angle along its length.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally rectangular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion. The main body portion is shaped so as to have a plurality of sidewall portions that are bounded by a plurality of vertically extending edge portions. In one embodiment, at least one of the vertically extending edge portions may have at least one inwardly extending gusset defined therein to provide structural reinforcement.

Abstract: A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur during the hot-fill process includes a container body defining an internal space. The container body includes a main body portion having a plurality of vacuum panels disposed about an outer circumference thereof and a corresponding plurality of columns interposed between the vacuum panels. A label covers at least a portion of the vacuum panels and the columns. The label has a first portion having a first surface area that is in contact with the container and a second portion having a second surface area that is not in contact with the container. A ratio of said first surface area to said second surface area is at least 1.0, thereby ensuring superior label support. The main body portion further has a maximum outer radius and a maximum depth that is defined with respect to the maximum outer radius. A ratio of the maximum depth to the maximum outer radius is preferably no greater than about 0.

Abstract: A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes includes a container body defining an internal space and having a main body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and an outer diameter. The main body portion is substantially cylindrical at its outer diameter, and includes first and second recessed flexible vacuum uptake panels, each of which is constructed and arranged to flex inwardly to provide vacuum uptake when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space relative to ambient external pressure. The main body portion further includes a front side defining a first curved sidewall portion between the first and second recessed panels and a rear side defining a second curved sidewall portion between the first and second recessed panels. The first curved sidewall portion has a length L1 as viewed in horizontal cross-section that is less than a length L2 of the second curved sidewall portion.

Abstract: A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur as a result of internal pressure and temperature changes during the hot-fill process includes a container body defining an internal space. The container body has at least one flexible panel defined therein, which includes an outer flexible panel portion and an inner flexible panel portion. The outer flexible panel portion has a shape when a pressure equilibrium exists between the internal space and ambient external pressure, and is further constructed and arranged to assume a shape of increased concavity when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space. The inner flexible panel portion is constructed and arranged to flex relative to the outer flexible panel portion in order to accommodate internal pressure changes within the container body. The inner and outer flexible panel portions accordingly work in tandem to permit efficient vacuum uptake in a hot-fill type container.

Abstract: A plastic container that particularly adapted for hot-fill applications includes a bottom portion; and a sidewall portion that is unitary with the bottom portion. The sidewall portion has a maximum outer diameter, and includes first and second pairs of opposing first and second vacuum panels, respectively. At least one of the second vacuum panels includes gripping structure. The first and second vacuum panels respectively have first and second substantially constant radii of curvature as measured in a horizontal plane that are substantially constant from upper to lower ends of the vacuum panels. A ratio of the first substantially constant radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is within a range of about 0.3 to about 2.5, and a ratio of the second substantially constant radius of curvature to the maximum outer diameter is within a range of about 0.2 to about 2. At least one of the second vacuum panels may be asymmetric about a central vertical axis as viewed in side elevation.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish, a lower portion including a base, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a central longitudinal axis of the container, and at least two vacuum panels located in the sidewall and separated by a substantially longitudinal rib having a wavy longitudinal profile. Each vacuum panel comprises a first portion having a first cross-section in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a second portion having a second cross-section in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, the second cross-section being arced to a greater extent than the first cross-section.

Abstract: A container having side vacuum panels that can have a substantially planar surface. The front and rear panels are rounded and can be used in order to accommodate. Only the side panels flex in order to accommodate the hot-fill process. The panels accommodate the placement of labels or provision of embossment.