Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a continuous or discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a continuous or discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to a central dimple. Preferably, the inner periphery of the annular wall is heat-set and biaxially oriented.

Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to an anti-inverting, upwardly-projecting dome. Preferably, a shoulder extends radially inward on the inward facing side of the outer annular wall above a level of the standing ring to facilitate vertical stacking of containers having like bases.

Abstract: A container having an inverted active cage generally includes an enclosed base portion, a body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a top portion with a finish extending upwardly from the body portion. The body portion further includes a central longitudinal axis, a periphery, a plurality of active surfaces, and a network of pillars. Unlike the prior art, each of the plurality of active surfaces is outwardly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis, while each of the network of pillars is inwardly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of active surfaces, together with the network of pillars, are spaced about the periphery of the container in order to accommodate vacuum-induced volumetric shrinkage of the container resulting from a hot-filling, capping and cooling thereof.

Abstract: A blow molded container having a multi-functional base which enables use of the container in both hot-fill operations and pasteurization/retort operations and enables efficient vertical stacking of like containers. To this end, a portion of the base is capable of flexing upwardly and/or downwardly in response to variations in pressures in a filled and sealed container. Structurally, the base has a discontinuous concave outer annular wall forming a discontinuous standing ring and an inner annular wall functioning as a flex panel. The inner annular wall connects outwardly to a plurality of radial webs extending at an elevation above the standing ring and connects inwardly to an anti-inverting, upwardly-projecting dome. Preferably, a shoulder extends radially inward on the inward facing side of the outer annular wall above a level of the standing ring to facilitate vertical stacking of containers having like bases.

Abstract: A blow-molded plastic bottle body for use in containing hot-filled beverages. The bottle body has a dome with various interactive functional zones. For example, some of the zones are primarily responsible for accommodating vacuum absorption, while other zones are primarily intended to rigidify the container such as by providing column strength to improve container top loading capability. Although each zone may have a primary function, each zone also aids adjacent zones in providing their functions. Thus, the entire dome, and not merely selected locations, reacts in a progressive manner to the forces generated by the hot-fill process on the bottle body. Preferably, the bottle body is slender and capable of readily being gripped by a single hand, and preferably the flex panels in the dome accommodate at least 90% of the total vacuum absorption required by the bottle.

Abstract: A blow-molded container (10) having a closure flap (14) formed of compressed material (32) integral with the container (10). Preferably, the container body (12) has a normally-closed fill port (16) and a dispensing port (18) which can be selectively opened and closed by the closure flap (14). The closure flap 14 is provided with multiple hinges (34, 38, 50) to allow the closure flap (14) to fold reversely upon itself and to allow the dispensing port (18) to be opened and closed while the fill port (16) remains closed.

Abstract: An ergonomically friendly container having hot-fill capabilities is disclosed. The container has a dome with grip surfaces that undergo controlled deformation for accommodating a portion of the volumetric shrinkage due to hot filling, capping and cooling. Preferably, a major portion of each grip surface is circumscribed by a brow rib which prevents unwanted dome distortion while permitting an amount of controlled vacuum absorption. In addition, the container body is provided with vacuum flex panels of at least two different sizes which enable the grip surfaces to be located close to the center of gravity of a filled container to provide balanced pouring of the contents from the container.

Abstract: An ergonomically friendly container (10, 30) having hot-fill capabilities is disclosed. The container (10, 30) has a pre-ovalized dome (14, 34) with grip surfaces (20, 21, 40, 42) that undergo controlled deformation for accommodating a portion of the volumetric shrinkage due to hot-filling, capping, and cooling. Preferably, anti-racking ribs (32a, 32b) extend laterally between the grip surfaces (20, 21, 40, 42) to prevent unwanted racking or twisting of the dome (14, 34) during vacuum absorption.

Abstract: A container having a grip ring. The grip ring is located between a dome portion and a body portion of the container and has an inset grip surface for receiving a thumb and fingers. The grip ring is located and sized relative to the dome and body portions, such that, when the container is grasped about the grip ring, the container contents can be poured in a balanced and facile manner. In addition, the location and configuration of the grip ring provides the container with circumferential hoop strength which resists unwanted ovalization distortion of the dome and body portion of the container.