Abstract: A plastic container has a mouth region and a main body adjoining the mouth region in a longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic container. The main body has a peripheral wall extending around in a circumferential direction of the plastic container. A container base adjoining the main body has a central region and a plurality of reinforcing ribs which, starting from the central region, extend in the direction of the circumferential wall. A stepped portion extending at least partially in the circumferential region of the plastic container is provided in a circumferential region of the container base which extends in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal direction (L), wherein a vertical position of this stepped portion varies in the longitudinal direction (L).

Abstract: A biaxially stretched, blow molded synthetic resin bottle has a bottom including a sunken bottom portion, and deforms as it draws upward in a direction of the bottle inside and includes a ring groove formed by being successively connected to an inner peripheral edge of a ground contact portion disposed at the foot of an outer peripheral wall of the bottom, a central concave portion disposed at a center of the bottom, and a flat ring portion disposed between an inner peripheral edge of the ring groove and the central concave portion, wherein the sunken bottom portion includes a plurality of short slim ribs disposed at several points of the flat ring portion.

Abstract: The flat bottle includes a cylindrical body and a bottom closing a lower opening of the body, and is formed in a flattened shape in lateral cross-section having a major axis (La) and a minor axis (Sa). A bottom wall of the bottom includes a rising circumferential wall extending upward; an annular movable wall projecting inward from the rising circumferential wall in a bottle radial direction; and a recessed circumferential wall extending upward from the movable wall. The movable wall is movable around a connected portion with the rising circumferential wall. The length of the bottom along the major axis is 1.2 to 2.0 times the length of the bottom along the minor axis. The length of the movable wall along the major axis is 0.8 to 2.5 times the length of the movable wall along the minor axis.

Abstract: The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to develop a polyester resin container that can be retort-processed at a temperature in the range of above 120° C. to about 130° C. The object of this invention is to provide a polyester resin container, which is capable of improving the productivity and quality of retort foods, and a molding process thereof. The process of this invention is a double blow molding process, which comprises a primary blow molding step in which a preform is biaxially drawn and blow molded into a primary intermediate product, a thermally shrink-molding step in which the primary intermediate product is heated and forcibly shrink-molded into a secondary intermediate product, and a secondary blow molding step for blow molding the secondary intermediate product into a container, wherein a mold temperature higher than 210° C. is used in the secondary blow molding step.

Abstract: A synthetic resin container with a bottom structure in which forms, in the bottom portion thereof, an outer circumferential wall that is continuing from the body portion, an annular leg portion inclusive of a grounding portion and an inner circumferential wall, and a raised bottom portion positioned over the grounding portion on the inside of the inner circumferential wall of the leg portion. The raised bottom portion protrudes downward beyond the root portion where the leg portion is continues to the inner circumferential wall, a plurality of arcuate protuberances are formed in a spiral shape heading from the outer edge of the central portion of the raised bottom portion toward the outer circumferential side, and arcuate dents are formed among the arcuate protuberances that neighbor each other.

Abstract: The flat bottle includes a cylindrical body and a bottom closing a lower opening of the body, and is formed in a flattened shape in lateral cross-section having a major axis (La) and a minor axis (Sa). A bottom wall of the bottom includes a rising circumferential wall extending upward; an annular movable wall projecting inward from the rising circumferential wall in a bottle radial direction; and a recessed circumferential wall extending upward from the movable wall. The movable wall is movable around a connected portion with the rising circumferential wall. The length of the bottom along the major axis is 1.2 to 2.0 times the length of the bottom along the minor axis. The length of the movable wall along the major axis is 0.8 to 2.5 times the length of the movable wall along the minor axis.

Abstract: A container of plastic material, having a body extending along a principal axis and a bottom in the extension of the body at a lower end thereof. The bottom has an annular seat defining a seating plane; and a conical arch that extends from near the seat towards the interior of the container to a central apex, the arch having in transverse cross-section a star-shaped profile inscribed between two circles, the ratio of the diameters of which is greater than or equal to 0.7.

Abstract: A container (1) made from a plastic material, provided with a body and with a bottom (6) extending from a lower end of the body, the bottom FIG.2 (6) comprising: a peripheral seat (7) defining a positioning plane (8);—a concave arch (10) that extends from a central zone (11) to the seat (7); and a series of main reinforcement grooves (13) that extend radially from the central zone (11) at least to the seat (7). The arch (10) has two concentric regions, i.e. a central region (15) and a peripheral region (16), separated by a median axial step (17) that extends annularly in a continuous manner around the central zone (11), such that the central region (15) is raised relative to the peripheral region (16).

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 container base comprising recessed ribs. The curved recessed ribs permit lighter base weights than traditional bases. The base further permits a larger process window and improved product evacuation. Hot-fill performance of a container is also maintained and/or improved when using the base.

Abstract: Plastic container (1), characterized in that it comprises: a rigidified body (5), a bottom (8) extending to a lower end of the container (1) and comprising: an annular base (9) extending substantially perpendicular to the body (5) in the prolongation thereof; an annular step (10) extending from the base (9) towards the interior of the container (1), a recess (12) at the center of the bottom (8) projecting towards the interior of the container (1), a deformable annular membrane (11) in the shape of a spherical cap extending substantially perpendicular to the body (5) between the step (10) and the recess (12).

Abstract: A polypropylene composition comprising a random propylene copolymer, a high melt strength polypropylene having a branching index g? of 0.9 or less and a clarifier, wherein the polypropylene composition has a MFR2 (230° C.) of at least 2.0 g/10 min.

Abstract: The present invention is a bottle that is formed from a synthetic resin material in a cylindrical shape having a bottom at one end, including: a plurality of circumferential grooves that extend continuously around the entire circumference of a body portion and are formed at a distance from each other in a vertical direction. The circumferential grooves extend cyclically in a circumferential direction while undulating in the vertical direction when viewed from the side of the body portion as to form wave patterns, and the respective phases of circumferential grooves that are mutually adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are offset from each other.

Abstract: Container of plastic material having a flattened body and a bottom in the extension of the body having peripheral seat defining a seating plane the contour of which has in the same plane a large dimension A1 and a small dimension A2 that is strictly smaller than the large dimension, and an inner annular cheek substantially perpendicular to the seating plane. The bottom having a concave arch that extends from the seat towards a central zone. A height H of the cheek and a width L of the seating plane are such that 0.5 ? L H ? 2.5 . A transverse extension A of the seating plane and a transverse extension B of the body, measured near the bottom, are such that A B ? 0.85 .

Abstract: Extrusion blow mold assemblies, extrusion blow molded articles exhibiting increased strength and enhanced processability, and processes for making said articles. In some aspects, the articles produced herein can include relatively rigid bottles and other containers that exhibit high drop impact performance, while still being relatively easy to deflash. Such containers can be efficiently produced on a commercial scale and are widely usable in a variety of applications, including those in the food, beverage, cosmetic, and medical industries.

Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.

Abstract: A plastic container has a base adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion includes a chime extending from a body portion to a contact ring which defines a surface upon which the container is supported. The base further includes a central portion defined in at least part by a pushup having a generally truncated cone shape in cross section located on a longitudinal axis of the container, and an inversion ring having a generally S shaped geometry in cross section and hinge means formed therein, and circumscribing the pushup. The truncated cone has an overall general diameter that is at most 30% of an overall general diameter of the base and a top surface generally parallel to a support surface.

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: The invention relates to a plastic container (1) with a mouth region (2), a main body (4) adjoining this mouth region (2) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic container (1), this main body having a peripheral wall extending around in a circumferential direction of the plastic container (1) and a container base (6) adjoining this main body (6), wherein this container base (6) has a central region (62) and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (64, 66) which, starting from this central region (62), extend in the direction of the circumferential wall (42). According to the invention a stepped portion extending at least partially in the circumferential region of the plastic container (1) is provided in a circumferential region (60) of the container base (6) which extends in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal direction (L), wherein a vertical position of this stepped portion (44) varies in the longitudinal direction (L).

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 plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially round in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally circular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion and is preferably shaped so as to subtend a substantially constant angle along its length.

Abstract: A biaxially stretched, blow molded synthetic resin bottle with a bottom includes a sunken bottom portion that is capable of drawing upward in a reversible manner, when internal pressure goes down. This sunken bottom portion includes an inner peripheral wall portion standing from near an inner edge of a ground contact portion disposed along a peripheral foot, a central concave portion disposed at a center of the bottom, a reversible wall portion in a flat ring shape, which is reversibly deformable into an upward drawing state and which connects an upper end of the inner peripheral wall to the base of the central concave portion, and a circular rib wall portion disposed at a connection between the reversible wall portion and the upper end of the inner peripheral wall portion so as to perform the function as a peripheral rib.

Abstract: A container body and base being lightweight structures designed to accommodate vacuum forces either simultaneously or in sequence. The container body and base each absorb a significant percentage of the vacuum. By utilizing a lightweight base design to absorb a portion of the vacuum forces enables an overall light-weighting, design flexibility, and effective utilization of alternative vacuum absorbing capabilities on the container body.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally rectangular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion. The main body portion is shaped so as to have sidewall portions that are bounded by a plurality of vertically extending edge portions. In one embodiment, at least one of the vertically extending edge portions may have at least one inwardly extending gusset.

Abstract: Provided is a package having a synthetic-resin stretch blow molded container (11) for storing a content containing a surfactant, a plug (18) attached to a mouth/neck part (15) of the stretch blow molded container (11), and an outer bag (12) for encasing the entire stretch blow molded container (11) with a space around the periphery of the container, wherein the package can be displayed with the container (11) standing unaided. The stretch blow molded container (11) is formed including a bottom part (14) having a standing arrangement part (13), a mouth/neck part (15), and a body part (16) between the bottom part (14) and the mouth/neck part (15), and a decoration is appended to the outer bag (12). Concerning the stretch blow molded container (11) and the outer bag (12), a value A (A=W/V2/3), which is obtained by dividing the resin amount W (g) by ? th power of the container capacity V (mL), is 0.13 to 0.25, and the capacity of the container (11) is 1000 mL or less.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.

Abstract: Bottom of hollow ware obtained by the blow molding or stretch-blow molding of a thermoplastic preform, this bottom having a transverse bearing surface and, on either side of this transverse bearing surface, a transverse external edge (7) and a concave internal wall with a transverse central portion (11) containing a disc (12) of material having a low crystallinity, this bottom including reinforcing ribs (1) having an outer edge (13) coming close to the transverse external edge (7) but without reaching this transverse external edge (7), these reinforcing ribs (1) hang an inner edge (14) coming close to the transverse central portion (11), but without reaching this transverse central portion (11), the transverse bearing surface being formed from segments (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) interrupted by the reinforcing ribs (1), this hollow ware bottom (4) further including notches (2), the distal end portion (24) of which comes close to but does not reach the external edge (7) of the bottom, the proximal end portion (25) of

Abstract: A biaxially stretched, blow molded synthetic resin bottle with a bottom comprising a sunken bottom portion, which is formed by contouring and concaving the bottom plate upward in a direction of bottle inside, starting from an inner edge of a ground contact portion disposed along the peripheral foot, the sunken bottom portion being capable of drawing upward in a reversible manner, when internal pressure goes down.

Abstract: A plastic container has a base adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion includes a chime extending from a body portion to a contact ring which defines a surface upon which the container is supported. The base further includes a central portion defined in at least part by a pushup having a generally truncated cone shape in cross section located on a longitudinal axis of the container, and an inversion ring having a generally S shaped geometry in cross section and hinge means formed therein, and circumscribing the pushup. The truncated cone has an overall general diameter that is at most 30% of an overall general diameter of the base and a top surface generally parallel to a support surface.

Abstract: A plastic container has a base adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion includes a chime extending from a body portion to a contact ring which defines a surface upon which the container is supported. The base further includes a central portion defined in at least part by a pushup having a generally truncated cone shape in cross section located on a longitudinal axis of the container, and an inversion ring having a generally S shaped geometry in cross section and hinge means formed therein, and circumscribing the pushup. The truncated cone has an overall general diameter that is at most 30% of an overall general diameter of the base and a top surface generally parallel to a support surface.

Abstract: A plastic container having a shoulder region adapted for vacuum pressure absorption, a sidewall portion having a rigid support ledge and a tapered base structure having a geometrical shaped footprint. The base having an oriented standing surface to urge the container into a predetermined orientation during processing. The shoulder region including vacuum panels being movable to accommodate vacuum related forces generated within the container.

Abstract: A stackable container assembly that is particularly suited for packaging heavy bulk products such as paint includes a container having a main body and a removable lid having an upstanding rim portion that has an upper surface. The container has a flexible bottom portion that has a lower surface that includes at least one support surface for supporting the container assembly on an underlying horizontal surface. The lower surface further includes at least one projection that is disposed radially inwardly from the support surface. The flexible bottom portion is advantageously configured so that the projection will flex radially downwardly and outwardly into a position that is adjacent to an upstanding rim portion of an underlying container assembly when the container assembly is stacked on top of another container assembly. This ensures accurate registration and positioning of the container assemblies during stacking.

Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wail is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.

Abstract: A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) for filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (2) in its unfolded or pre fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3).

Abstract: A container has a longitudinal axis, and comprises an upper portion including an opening into the container, a sidewall portion extending from the upper portion to a lower portion, the lower portion including a base, and a pressure panel located in the lower portion substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis, the pressure panel being movable substantially along the longitudinal axis between an initial position and an inverted position to compensate for a change of pressure induced within the container. The pressure panel comprises an initiator portion and a control portion, the initiator portion adapted to move in response to the change of pressure prior to the control portion.

Abstract: A container made from plastic for holding beverages. The container comprises a mouth, a wall section which adjoins the mouth in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container, and a base section which is designed as a standing face. The wall section merges into the base section. The container is formed in one piece. The base section has an injection point located in the interior in a radial direction (R) with respect to the longitudinal direction (L), and a central region which surrounds this injection point, and also a transition section which extends from the central region to the wall section. The transition section has a curvature with a finite radius of curvature in at least one and preferably in every radial direction (R) of the container in every geometric sub-section.

Abstract: A thermoplastic container, in particular a bottle, made by blow-molding or stretch blow-molding of a heated preform and including a bell-shaped convex base with its concavity facing outward and provided with reinforcing impressions projecting inward and radiating around a central recess, the impressions having a trapezoid shape with its smaller dimension located toward the center of the base; the impressions include respective arches which form convex trapezoid segments with concavity facing inward and extending from the seat to the central recess by being connected thereto immediately proximate the upper end of the central recess.

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: Molded preform for blow molding a plastic container for pressurized applications, the preform having a base with a multilayer wall for forming a delamination and crack resistant multilayer footed container base. The preform base forming region has an end cap portion with a non-spherical inner wall, including a flattened central section joined by arcuate corner sections to a generally cylindrical outer section. The inner wall sections provide a varying end cap thickness profile which enhances orientation in select portions of the footed container base for improved performance and/or lightweighting of the container base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic container having a sidewall defining a chamber and having an opening at one end into the chamber; a base extending from the sidewall and closing the second end, the base having an outer perimeter portion defining a support structure, an axially inwardly extending perimeter wall spaced radially inwardly from the support structure forming an angle with a plane normal to an axis of the container of greater than about 80°, and a flexing panel closing an end of the perimeter wall, the flexing panel moveable along an axis of the container from a first position where a central portion of the panel is below a top portion of the perimeter wall to a second position where the central portion is above the top portion of the perimeter wall to change the volume of the container; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial grooves on the panel.

Abstract: A polypropylene composition comprising a random propylene copolymer, a high melt strength polypropylene having a branching index g? of 0.9 or less and a clarifier, wherein the polypropylene composition has a MFR2 (230° C.) of at least 2.0 g/10 min.

Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vacuum compensation in hot-filled and cooled containers. Each container reduces, via one or more vacuum panels, a first portion of a vacuum created in the container. Each container also has a repositionable portion to reduce a second portion of the vacuum. During hot-filling, no portion of the repositionable portion extends below a standing or bearing surface of the container.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic container includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and having an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion. The base portion defines a plurality of feet extending therearound. The base portion defines a contact diameter ratio of approximately 70-74% and a contact length ratio of approximately 20-23% for a plastic container having a volume capacity of approximately one (1) liter (1000 cc). According to additional features, the one-piece plastic container can have a nub defined on the base portion. For a one-piece plastic container having a volume capacity of approximately one (1) liter (1000 cc), the nub has a diameter of approximately 3-7 mm (0.12-0.28 inch), the base portion defines a contact area ratio of approximately 23-25%, and each foot defines corner transition portions each having a fillet radius of approximately 4-10 mm (0.16-0.39 inch).

Abstract: Polyester compositions having desirable injection molding properties and that retain good crystallization rates and natural stretch ratio characteristics are described. These polyesters are suitable for the manufacture of beverage containers, bulk continuous filaments, and other articles that can benefit from such improved properties.

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: A vessel with an engaging configuration for facilitating supporting the vessel on a supporting structure, such as for example, a surface, tray, agitator, stirrer, or other processing device, which has a corresponding matingly engagable structure for engaging with the vessel engaging configuration.