Abstract: An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Abstract: A hot-fillable container that is cylindrical in shape. The container may have two ribs. A top rib is located in the top bumper and a bottom rib is located in the bottom bumper. Both the top and the bottom ribs have depth that is deep enough so that the container may withstand the hot-fill process and increase its top load ability.

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: An extrusion blow molded plastic container includes a main body portion, a finish portion, and a continuous ledge. The finish portion defines an opening, and includes an upper surface and an outer surface that defines a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners when viewed in transverse cross-section. The shape of the finish portion when viewed in transverse cross-section is smaller than the shape of the main body portion. The continuous ledge is defined between the outer surface of the main body portion and the outer surface of the finish portion. The ledge has a first width, adjacent to one of the rounded corners of the finish portion, that is greater than a second width that is not adjacent to one of the rounded corners of the finish portion.

Abstract: Base for a container, the base being made of polymeric material, including a support surface having an outer perimeter defining a first dimension along a major axis and a second dimension along a minor axis disposed at an angle to the major axis. An inner wall is coupled to the support surface opposite the outer perimeter. A dome projects upwardly from the inner wall and has an initial depth with respect to the support surface, the initial depth of the dome is between approximately 8 percent to approximately 15 percent of the first dimension. The dome includes a major radius of curvature along the major axis and a minor radius of curvature along the minor axis. The dome is deflectable in response to a differential pressure across the base without permanent deformation of the base.

Abstract: A plastic, hot-fillable container which has one or more moveable portions each comprised of intersecting perpendicular recesses. Each of the one or more moveable portions is constructed to move outwardly temporarily without permanently deforming responsive to hot-filling the container with a product. The one or more moveable portions also can be constructed to move inwardly to reduce a portion of an internal vacuum within the filled and capped container.

Abstract: Base for a container, the base being made of polymeric material, including a support surface having an outer perimeter defining a first dimension along a major axis and a second dimension along a minor axis disposed at an angle to the major axis. An inner wall is coupled to the support surface opposite the outer perimeter. A dome projects upwardly from the inner wall and has an initial depth with respect to the support surface, the initial depth of the dome is between approximately 8 percent to approximately 15 percent of the first dimension. The dome includes a major radius of curvature along the major axis and a minor radius of curvature along the minor axis. The dome is deflectable in response to a differential pressure across the base without permanent deformation of the base.

Abstract: Base for a container, the base being made of polymeric material, including a support surface having an outer perimeter defining a first dimension along a major axis and a second dimension along a minor axis disposed approximately 90° from the major axis. An inner wall is coupled to the support surface opposite the outer perimeter. A dome projects upwardly from the inner wall and has an initial depth with respect to the support surface. The dome includes a major radius of curvature along the major axis and a minor radius of curvature along the minor axis. The dome is deflectable in response to a differential pressure across the base of at least 3.2 PSI without permanent deformation of the base.

Abstract: A container has a domed shaped top portion that is located above the body portion. The body portion connects with the domed shaped top portion via a waist portion that has a variable distance from the longitudinal axis of the container.

Abstract: A plastic, hot-fillable container and systems and methods thereof. The plastic container has one or more moveable portions each comprised of intersecting grooves. Each of the one or more moveable portions is constructed and operative to move outwardly temporarily without permanently deforming responsive to hot-filling the container with a product. The one or more moveable portions also can be constructed and operative to move inwardly to reduce or remove a portion of an internal vacuum within the filled and capped container.

Abstract: An extrusion blow molded plastic container includes a main body portion and a finish portion that defines an opening. The finish portion has an upper surface and an outer surface on which a snap bead is defined. In order to prevent saddling of the upper surface, a plurality of grooves is defined in the outer surface, each of the grooves passing through the snap bead. In addition, the main body portion has an outer surface that defines a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners when viewed in transverse cross-section. The outer surface of the finish portion also has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners when viewed in transverse cross-section. The shape of the finish portion when viewed in transverse cross-section is smaller than the shape of the main body portion. A ledge is defined between the outer surface of the main body portion and the outer surface of the finish portion.

Abstract: A hot fill type plastic container includes a bottom, a finish portion and a main body portion. The main body portion has a maximum outer diameter and a sidewall having an outer surface. A sidewall has a plurality of helical vacuum panels defined therein. Each of the helical vacuum panels has a depth that is substantially within a range of about 1.7% to about 4.5% of the maximum outer diameter of the main body portion. In addition, each of the helical vacuum panels has an upper portion having a first maximum width and a lower portion having a second maximum width, with the second maximum width being greater than the first maximum width. The upper portion of each of the vacuum panels further has a first helical pitch that is greater than a second helical pitch of the lower portion.

Abstract: A hot-fillable container that is cylindrical in shape. The container may have two ribs. A top rib is located in the top bumper and a bottom rib is located in the bottom bumper. Both the top and the bottom ribs have depth that is deep enough so that the container may withstand the hot-fill process and increase its top load ability.

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.