Abstract: A hollow plastic bottle comprising a bottom wall, a side wall about which a label is wrapped and a neck with a finish for receiving a closure. The bottom wall is shaped to withstand drop loads and comprises a central portion, a first annular portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the periphery of the central portion, a second curved portion extending from the periphery of the first annular portion and having a concave inner surface and a convex exterior surface, and a third annular portion extending from periphery of the curved portion upwardly and outwardly to an annular shoulder portion connected to the side wall of the bottle.

Abstract: In an in-molding process of forming plastic containers wherein a label is located inside the blow mold and then a parison is blown outwardly in the mold so that the heat from the parison and the pressure generated by the blow medium activates adhesive on the label to bind the label on the blown container side wall, the method of eliminating undesirable label panel deformation which comprises controlling the moisture of the label such that the shrinkage of the label matches the shrinkage of the plastic side wall against which the label is placed.

Abstract: A preform for making oriented plastic containers wherein the preform is first formed and thereafter reheated to an orientation temperature range and blown to final container shape comprising an open ended finish part made of a first plastic material, and an elongated main hollow body of orientable strain-hardenable thermoplastic material molded and bonded in situ on the open ended finish. The hollow body includes a main container body forming portion and a bottom container forming portion closing the open end of the main body forming portion. The main body has a portion projecting axially within the open end of the finish terminating in a spaced relationship to the open free end of the finish and interlocked with the finish part.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for thermally conditioning an essentially tubular parison of polyethylene terephthalate material to a desired orientation temperature at which the polyethylene terephthalate material can be biaxially stretched. The method comprises the steps of heating the parison by applying heat to the exterior surface thereof until the surface reaches a maximum heating temperature less than the temperature at which the polyethylene terephthalate material begins to crystalize and then cooling the heated exterior surface of the parison to remove the heat therefrom while the heat within the wall of the parison diffuses therethrough to raise the temperature of the opposing interior surface toward the desired orientation temperature.

Abstract: A plastic container is disclosed comprising an upper threaded finished portion, an outstanding handling ledge below the finished portion, a neck portion below the outstanding handling ledge, a concave blending portion below the neck portion and a main body portion below the concave blending portion. The main body portion includes an upper convex shoulder portion, an intermediate cylindrical main sidewall portion and a terminal spherical bottom portion. The container includes a reduced concave blending portion, reduced overall container weight and highly uniform, oriented main body portions.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid package comprising a plastic container and a base. The oriented plastic container includes a cylindrical side wall, a neck, a neck finish on the upper end of the neck for receiving a closure, and a hemispherical bottom wall. The plastic base includes a seating area for engaging a surface on which the package is supported, and a peripheral wall extending upwardly and outwardly and terminating in an annular free edge portion defining an inner primary support area engaging a complementary area of the hemispherical wall of the container to provide primary and sole support axially for the container in the base. The base also has a second contact area for receiving adhesive to bond the hemispherical bottom wall of the container.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid package comprising an oriented plastic bottle having a generally cylindrical side wall, a neck terminating in a finish or a closure at the upper end, and a hemispherical bottom wall, and a base cup of plastic material. The base cup comprises a standing ring for engaging a support surface having a generally planar contacting surface. The base includes a support ring spaced above the standing ring and having an annular surface engaging the hemispherical bottom wall. The base has an annular frustoconical supporting member extending from the inner periphery of the standing ring and inclined upwardly and inwardly to the outer periphery of the supporting ring.

Abstract: A base cup for a container includes reinforcing ribs which provide both the requisite strength and rigidity and a reduction in weight. The ribs are preferably disposed on the inner surface of the base cup for cosmetic reasons and may be arranged in various generally symmetrical radial and circumferential patterns. Ribbed base cups fabricated according to the instant invention exhibit significant weight and material reductions over prior art designs while still providing necessary stability and support to the associated container.

Abstract: A thermoplastic threaded closure for a fluid container comprises a relatively rigid, generally curvilinear dome, and an internally threaded annular skirt depending from the periphery thereof. An annular plug sealing member depends from the inside concave surface of the dome, and is constructed and arranged for a slight interference fit within an associated container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced venting ports may be provided through the dome, between the plug and the skirt.

Abstract: A pressure-resistant thermoplastic container has a low center of gravity and a dimensionally stable seating ring zone of substantial strength. The center of gravity is lowered by reducing the weight of the finish and neck, and using a larger diameter for the main body to reduce the overall height while maintaining the desired internal volume. The improved design of the seating ring results in a thicker wall in the bottom end and, therefore, a stronger structure. The bottom end includes a sharp V-shaped structure having a concave inside wall and a generally convex outside wall joined at the bottom ends by a return portion. A convex central portion is connected to an upper end of the inner wall to define a central cavity and an extreme lower end of the outer wall is generally concave.

Abstract: A plastic container comprising a side wall having an oriented generally cylindrical lower portion, and a bottom joined to said side wall and closing the lower end of the container. The bottom includes a generally elliptical bottom wall and a plurality of oriented circumferentially spaced outwardly convexed legs extending from the elliptical wall. The elliptical wall has a first portion extending downwardly from the lower cylindrical side wall portion and having a radius less than the diameter of the container. Each leg has a first convex portion extending downwardly from the cylindrical portion of the side wall and having a radius greater than the diameter of the cylindrical portion. Each leg has diverging side wall portions merging radially inwardly with the elliptical wall portion of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A apparatus are disclosed for molding plastic articles, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a mold cavity at a first station with heated flowable plastic material and then displacing the mold to a second station where the plastic material is cooled under pressure. The apparatus includes a rotatable support for displacing the mold between the first and second stations, a plastic supply means at the first station to fill the molds, and a displaceable rod at the second station for insertion into the mold to apply pressure to the plastic material during solidification cooling.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for molding plastic articles, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a mold cavity at a first station with heated flowable plastic material and then displacing the mold to a second station where the plastic material is cooled under pressure. The apparatus includes a rotatable support for displacing the mold between the first and second stations, a plastic supply means at the first station to fill the molds, and a displaceable rod at the second station for insertion into the mold to apply pressure to the plastic material during solidification cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling crystallization in thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate, which crystallize when cooled from melt temperature to below glass transition temperature after being injected into a mold cavity. When greater amounts of crystallization are desired, a very high pressure is initially imposed upon the material as it cools from the melt temperature, and then the pressure is reduced proportionally to the reduction in temperature so that a nominal pressure is imposed upon the material at glass transition temperature. When a significantly lesser amount of crystallization is desired, an initial nominal pressure is imposed upon the material as it cools from the melt temperature to a predetermined temperature, at which time the pressure is drastically increased.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for making a concave bottom on a blown thermoplastic container, and a container having such a bottom. A blowable pre-form is initially expanded against a composite mold surface defined by the end faces of a plurality of concentric tubes surrounding a central actuating rod. The rod and the tubes are initially telescopically positioned to define a composite concave surface, so that a first convex bottom is blown. Subsequently, the rod and tubes are actuated telescopically to progressively invert the convex bottom to a concave shape. The end faces of the tubes may be grooved to define reinforcing ribs in the concave bottom wall, if desired.The container has a concave bottom wall of improved resistance to deformation under internal pressure. This is accomplished by forming a support ring at the juncture of a pair of oppositely directed inner and outer bottom walls, the juncture of the walls defining an included angle which is equal to or less than 90.degree.