Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to container holders configured to provide a stable support for containers held therein in order to efficiently cool the containers after a hot-fill or elevated temperature operation. The container holders can allow a fluid to pass from an inner volume of the container holder to outside the container holder through side apertures and/or an open bottom end of the container holder. Groups of containers and container holders also may be cooled. Groups of containers in container holders can be processed through the cooling operation at a speed different from a speed for holderless containers.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Abstract: A plastic container of the type that may be formed from a material such as PET using the stretch blow molding process includes a main body portion and a base portion that is characterized by a relatively tall and narrow profile above the standing ring and that has a deep inset recess defined therein. The deep inset recess is defined in part by an upstanding inner sidewall portion adjacent to the standing ring that has a height that may be greater than about 0.35 inch. The upstanding inner sidewall portion may have a substantially straight portion that is substantially parallel to a substantially straight portion of an outer sidewall of the base.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Abstract: A thin-walled, non-round plastic container having a body portion with generally rectangular sidewalls and a base. The body portion having a label mounting area extending between an upper label bumper and a lower label bumper on at least two of the adjacent sidewalls. The label mounting area includes a vacuum panel on a first sidewall, and a plurality of ribs, which may be on a second sidewall.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Abstract: A plastic container of the type that may be formed from a material such as PET using the stretch blow molding process includes a main body portion and a base portion that is characterized by a relatively tall and narrow profile above the standing ring and that has a deep inset recess defined therein. The deep inset recess is defined in part by an upstanding inner sidewall portion adjacent to the standing ring that has a height that may be greater than about 0.35 inch. The upstanding inner sidewall portion may have a substantially straight portion that is substantially parallel to a substantially straight portion of an outer sidewall of the base.

Abstract: A method of plastic container having a deep inset base of the type that has a standing ring for supporting the container on a flat surface includes steps of molding a container blank having a standing ring and a base projection portion that is formed beneath the standing ring and relatively displacing the base projection portion upwardly with respect to the standing ring until the base projection portion is positioned above the standing ring. An improved plastic container having a deep inset base is also disclosed.

Abstract: A preform for making a lightweighted plastic container includes a finish portion having at least one external thread defined thereon that has a first sidewall thickness, a main body portion, an end cap, and a transition portion between the end cap and the main body portion. The end cap has a second side wall thickness that preferably is not less than said first side wall thickness of the finish portion. The main body portion is preferably unstepped, and the outer surface of the transition portion is preferably concave as viewed in longitudinal cross-section. In addition, the transition portion preferably extends for a longitudinal distance, and a ratio of the longitudinal distance to an outer radius of the end cap is preferably within a range of about 0.3 to about 0.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for conveying a plurality of deformable containers for rotary apparatuses. The system can include a conveyor apparatus, an in-feed apparatus, and a rotary apparatus. The in-feed apparatus can be configured to receive the containers from the conveyor apparatus, and may include a first feed screw and a second feed screw. The rotary apparatus can be configured to receive the plurality of filled and sealed containers after the in-feed apparatus. The in-feed apparatus also may be configured to create space between adjacent ones of the filled and sealed containers, with the first and second feed screws acting on the containers to create the spacing between the containers. The space created between adjacent ones of the filled and sealed containers may be for receipt by said rotary apparatus.

Abstract: An improved blow molded plastic non-round container having rectangular sidewalls is adapted for hot-fill applications. The hot-fill container has vacuum panel reinforcement panels with rib structures located in a label mounting area on the sidewalls. In each panel, the ribs extend across the panel and are parallel to each other where the edge of one rib faces in each array faces inward and the others in the array face outward. The inward rib resists the bulge of the panel and improves bumper denting, ease of manufacture and light weigh capability.

Abstract: A non-round base structure for a hot-fill plastic container provides the container with enhanced structural integrity. The base structure is roughly rectangular and is composed of a flexible vacuum absorbing area and a bearing edge which support the container in an upright position. The flexible vacuum absorbing area abates with a central ellipse shaped push-up, which is a concave surface. A series of ribs with an outward facing rounded edges are fashioned on the concave surface. The ribs extend outwardly from the center of the ellipse. The disclosed base structure enables the container to withstand the various forces encountered in filling, cooling and handling.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved blow molded plastic non-round container having generally rectangular sidewalls that are adapted for hot-fill applications. The hot-fill container has two adjacent sides one with a vacuum panel and the other with a series of ribs in the label mounting area on the sidewalls. The opposing sidewalls are symmetric relative to the vacuum panel and rib shape and placement. The ribs and vacuum panel cooperate to resist container upon filling and cooling and also improves bumper denting resistance, ease of manufacture and light weight capability.

Abstract: A non-round base structure for a hot-fill plastic container provides the container with enhanced structural integrity. The base structure is roughly rectangular and is composed of a flexible vacuum absorbing area and a bearing edge which support the container in an upright position. The flexible vacuum absorbing area abates with a central ellipse shaped push-up, which is a concave surface. A series of ribs with an outward facing rounded edges are fashioned on the concave surface. The ribs extend outwardly from the center of the ellipse. The disclosed base structure enables the container to withstand the various forces encountered in filling, cooling and handling.

Abstract: An improved blow molded plastic non-round container having rectangular sidewalls is adapted for hot-fill applications. The hot-fill container has vacuum panel reinforcement panels with rib structures located in a label mounting area on the sidewalls. In each panel, the ribs extend across the panel and are parallel to each other where the edge of one rib faces in each array faces inward and the others in the array face outward. The inward rib resists the bulge of the panel and improves bumper denting, ease of manufacture and light weigh capability.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved blow molded plastic non-round container having generally rectangular sidewalls that are adapted for hot-fill applications. The hot-fill container has two adjacent sides one with a vacuum panel and the other with a series of ribs in the label mounting area on the sidewalls. The opposing sidewalls are symmetric relative to the vacuum panel and rib shape and placement. The ribs and vacuum panel cooperate to resist container upon filling and cooling and also improves bumper denting resistance, ease of manufacture and light weight capability.