Abstract: A container defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis. The container includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. A plurality of ribs are defined by the sidewall. A base portion extends from the sidewall portion and encloses the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a contact surface for supporting the container. A plurality of straps extend radially along the base portion away from the longitudinal axis in the transverse direction, each one of the straps defines a strap surface that is closer to the finish than the contact surface. The plurality of ribs and the base portion are configured to place the container in a state of hydraulic charge-up when top load is applied to the container after the container is filled.

Abstract: A mold system for forming a container having a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. The mold system includes a sidewall system for molding the sidewall portion of the container. The mold system also includes a base system for molding the base portion of the container. The base system is operable for forming the entire base portion of the container including a central pushup portion, a contact surface for supporting the container, and at least one strap extending along the base portion in the transverse direction. The strap defines a strap surface that is spaced offset in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from the contact surface. The strap surface extends in the transverse direction to be adjacent the sidewall portion such that the at least one strap surface is visible from a side of the container.

Abstract: A heat-set container that defines a longitudinal axis is disclosed that includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. The container also includes a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing said sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a plurality of contact surfaces for supporting the container. The plurality of contact surfaces are spaced away from each other about the longitudinal axis. Also, the container includes a central pushup portion disposed in the base portion and extending generally toward the finish. The central pushup portion is substantially centered on the longitudinal axis, and the central pushup portion is moveable in response to internal vacuum pressure to decrease the volume.

Abstract: A container defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis. The container includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. A plurality of ribs are defined by the sidewall. A base portion extends from the sidewall portion and encloses the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a contact surface for supporting the container. A plurality of straps extend radially along the base portion away from the longitudinal axis in the transverse direction, each one of the straps defines a strap surface that is closer to the finish than the contact surface. The plurality of ribs and the base portion are configured to place the container in a state of hydraulic charge-up when top load is applied to the container after the container is filled.

Abstract: A mold system for forming a container having a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. The mold system includes a sidewall system for molding the sidewall portion of the container. The mold system also includes a base system for molding the base portion of the container. The base system is operable for forming the entire base portion of the container including a central pushup portion, a contact surface for supporting the container, and at least one strap extending along the base portion in the transverse direction. The strap defines a strap surface that is spaced offset in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from the contact surface. The strap surface extends in the transverse direction to be adjacent the sidewall portion such that the at least one strap surface is visible from a side of the container.

Abstract: A container defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis is disclosed. The container includes a finish, a sidewall portion extending from the finish, and a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a contact surface for supporting the container. The container also includes at least one strap extending along the base portion in the transverse direction. The strap defines a strap surface, and the strap surface is spaced offset in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from the contact surface. The strap surface extends in the transverse direction to be adjacent the sidewall portion such that the at least one strap surface is visible from a side of the container.

Abstract: A container defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis. The container includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. A base portion extends from the sidewall portion and encloses the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a contact surface for supporting the container. A plurality of straps extend radially along the base portion away from the longitudinal axis in the transverse direction, each one of the straps defines a strap surface that is closer to the finish than the contact surface.

Abstract: A container defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis. The container includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. A base portion extends from the sidewall portion and encloses the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a contact surface for supporting the container. A plurality of straps extend radially along the base portion away from the longitudinal axis in the transverse direction, each one of the straps defines a strap surface that is closer to the finish than the contact surface.

Abstract: A container defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse direction that is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis is disclosed. The container includes a finish, a sidewall portion extending from the finish, and a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a contact surface for supporting the container. The container also includes at least one strap extending along the base portion in the transverse direction. The strap defines a strap surface, and the strap surface is spaced offset in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from the contact surface. The strap surface extends in the transverse direction to be adjacent the sidewall portion such that the at least one strap surface is visible from a side of the container.

Abstract: A heat-set container that defines a longitudinal axis is disclosed that includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. The container also includes a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing said sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a plurality of contact surfaces for supporting the container. The plurality of contact surfaces are spaced away from each other about the longitudinal axis. Also, the container includes a central pushup portion disposed in the base portion and extending generally toward the finish. The central pushup portion is substantially centered on the longitudinal axis, and the central pushup portion is moveable in response to internal vacuum pressure to decrease the volume.

Abstract: A preform for use in a system for simultaneously forming and filling a container. The preform includes a finish region, a stretch initiation region adjacent to and descending from the finish region, a transition region adjacent to and descending from the stretch initiation region, a body region adjacent to and descending from the transition region, and an end cap region enclosing an end of the body region to define an interior for receiving a forming fluid. The stretch initiation region defines a wall thickness less than a wall thickness of the body region to encourage initial localized stretching in response to the forming fluid prior to stretching within the transition region or body region.