Abstract: A container including a finish defining an opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume defined by the container. A base portion of the container includes a diaphragm that is concave relative to an exterior of the container. The diaphragm extends from a standing surface of the container to a center push-up portion of the base portion. The standing surface is at a second end of the container opposite to the first end. The diagram is configured to move from an as-blown first configuration to a second configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end as compared to the first configuration in order to reduce residual vacuum within the container. The diaphragm is generally hemispherical in cross-section when in the second configuration.

Abstract: A container including a finish at a first end of the container defining an opening. A base is at a second end of the container that is opposite to the first end. A shoulder extends from the finish. A body defines an internal volume and extends from the shoulder to the base. A single layer material portion of the container extends from the first end to form at least a portion of the finish. A multi-layer material portion of the container extends from the single layer material portion to the second end of the container and across the base. A transition area is spaced apart from the first end where the single layer material portion transitions to the multi-layer material portion.

Abstract: A polymeric container including a base, a body, a finish, finish threads, and a tamper lip. The body extends from the base. The finish defines an opening through which a product can pass into, and out of, an internal volume of the container defined at least in part by the body. The finish threads are at an outer surface of the finish, and are configured to cooperate with closure threads of a closure to secure the closure to the finish. The tamper lip extends from the outer surface of the finish, and is configured to replace the support flange during handling, and to cooperate with a tamper tab of the closure. The closure diameter is about the same as the neck diameter.

Abstract: A one piece container including a body defining a receptacle and a lid connected to the body with a hinge. The lid includes a flange extending from an inner surface of the lid. The lid is movable between an open position thereby permitting access to the receptacle, and a closed position thereby restricting access to the receptacle. In the closed position, the flange of the lid extends into the receptacle to form a seal between a curved outer surface of the flange and a smooth inner surface of the body. The one piece container is formed as a single unit and may include a desiccant in the body or lid.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a blow molded container having a finish, a base, a body between the finish and base, and etching at the base. The method includes identifying where on the base the etching is located, designating the base as accurately blow molded if the etching is located at a predetermined location of the base, and designating the base as not accurately blow molded if the etching is not located at the predetermined location of the base.

Abstract: A blow-molded container including a finish and a base. The finish defines an opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume. The base includes a diaphragm and a standing surface. The diaphragm extends radially outward from a central push-up portion. The standing surface of the container is at a second end of the container. In response to an internal vacuum caused by hot-filling and closing the container, the diaphragm is configured to move passively from an as-blown first configuration to a second configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end of the container as compared to the as-blown first configuration. The diaphragm is configured to move from the second configuration to an activated third configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end of the container in response to the diaphragm being externally actuated by a tool.

Abstract: A polymeric container including a base, a body, a finish, finish threads, and a tamper lip. The body extends from the base. The finish defines an opening through which a product can pass into, and out of, an internal volume of the container defined at least in part by the body. The finish threads are at an outer surface of the finish, and are configured to cooperate with closure threads of a closure to secure the closure to the finish. The tamper lip extends from the outer surface of the finish, and is configured to replace the support flange during handling, and to cooperate with a tamper band of the closure. A recess is below the tamper lip. The recess retains the tamper band therein when the closure is removed from cooperation with the finish.

Abstract: A container assembly including a container and a metallic closure. The container includes a polymeric body and a polymeric finish. The polymeric finish includes a plurality of threads. A lug lock is associated with each one of the plurality of threads. The metallic closure includes at least three metallic lugs configured to cooperate with the plurality of threads to couple the metallic closure to the polymeric finish.

Abstract: A container assembly including a container and a metallic closure. The container includes a polymeric body and a polymeric finish. The polymeric finish includes a plurality of threads. A lug lock is associated with each one of the plurality of threads. The metallic closure includes at least three metallic lugs configured to cooperate with the plurality of threads to couple the metallic closure to the polymeric finish.

Abstract: A blow-molded container including a finish and a base. The finish defines an opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume. The base includes a diaphragm and a standing surface. The diaphragm extends radially outward from a central push-up portion. The standing surface of the container is at a second end of the container. In response to an internal vacuum caused by hot-filling and closing the container, the diaphragm is configured to move passively from an as-blown first configuration to a second configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end of the container as compared to the as-blown first configuration. The diaphragm is configured to move from the second configuration to an activated third configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end of the container in response to the diaphragm being externally actuated by a tool.

Abstract: A container assembly including a container and a metallic closure. The container includes a polymeric body and a polymeric finish. The polymeric finish includes a plurality of threads. A lug lock is associated with each one of the plurality of threads. The metallic closure includes at least three metallic lugs configured to cooperate with the plurality of threads to couple the metallic closure to the polymeric finish.

Abstract: A container assembly including a container and a metallic closure. The container includes a polymeric body and a polymeric finish. The polymeric finish includes a plurality of threads. A lug lock is associated with each one of the plurality of threads. The metallic closure includes at least three metallic lugs configured to cooperate with the plurality of threads to couple the metallic closure to the polymeric finish.

Abstract: A container having a hydrogen generator and catalyst disposed or otherwise incorporated in components of the container. The container further comprises a system for providing at least a portion of the hydrogen generator and/or catalyst in an area defined within the closure of the container for improved performance.

Abstract: A system for pre-stretching a preform utilized in forming a container. The system including an oven, a conveyor system configured for transporting preforms through the oven a blow molding station having at least one mold with interior surfaces defining the shape of the container, and a transfer station configured to transfer a preform from the oven into the blow molding station. The system also includes a stretch rod and an actuator. The stretch rod is movable between retracted and extended positions such that, when in the extended position, the stretch rod is positioned interiorly of the preform and the preform is elongated by the stretch rod to form a pre-stretched preform. The stretch rod is located to form the pre-stretched preform prior to the blowing medium being introduced into the preform in the blow molding station.

Abstract: A method of forming a container includes blow molding a primary form of the container inside a primary mold. The primary form has an exterior surface. The method also includes applying a fluid to the exterior surface of the primary form to shrink the primary form and to form a shrunken form of the container. Furthermore, the method includes blow molding a secondary form of the container from the shrunken form inside a secondary mold.

Abstract: A molding system for molding a container includes a first blow mold operable for blow molding a first form of the container and a second blow mold operable for blow molding a second form of the container. The system further includes a counter stretch rod and/or a base pushup operable for reducing a height of the first form of the container before blow molding the second form of the container. A corresponding method of forming a container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container comprising a finish, a sidewall portion extending from the finish, a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity, and a plurality of horizontally disposed rib members disposed in at least one of the sidewall portion and the base portion. The plurality of horizontally disposed rib members is continuously disposed about the sidewall portion or the base portion and, in some embodiments, defines a perimeter length about 3-5% shorter than perimeter lengths of adjacent lands. The plurality of horizontally disposed rib members providing improved structural integrity such that a pre-fill size of the container is approximately equal to a post-filled, cooled size of the container.

Abstract: A plastic container including an upper portion, a base, a plurality of surface features, and a substantially cylindrical portion. The upper portion has a mouth defining an opening into the container. The base is movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container thereby decreasing the volume of the container. The plurality of surface features are included with the base and are configured to accommodate vacuum forces. The substantially cylindrical portion extends between the upper portion and the base.

Abstract: A container assembly including a container and a metallic closure. The container includes a polymeric body and a polymeric finish. The polymeric finish includes a plurality of threads. A lug lock is associated with each one of the plurality of threads. The metallic closure includes at least three metallic lugs configured to cooperate with the plurality of threads to couple the metallic closure to the polymeric finish.

Abstract: A polyethylene terephthalate container having a hydrogen generator and catalyst disposed or otherwise incorporated in components of the container, including the closure, closure insert, label, label glue, and/or any other portions of the final container assembly. In addition, the catalyst and the hydrogen generator can both be located in the same component. Methods for dispersing the hydrogen generator and catalyst in the container wall without affecting clarity are provided.