Abstract: A process and a bottle made from this process where the bottle has improved material thickness distribution within the bottom or base portion. The bottle has a noncircular cross-sectional configuration with corresponding major and minor axes. The mold-base region of the bottle mold-cavity features at least one standing rib-like projection generally parallel to the major axis. The standing rib-like projection increases surface distance in a direction generally corresponding with the minor axis. An expanding heated preform traverses the increased surface distance causing the preform to thin more than what otherwise would be the case thus improving material thickness distribution of the base portion that in turn minimizes unwanted bottle shape distortions.

Abstract: A method of making a polyester container having an enhanced level of crystallinity in the sidewall while maintaining a low level of crystallinity in a thickened base portion. The container is particularly useful as a refillable container which can withstand higher caustic wash temperatures and exhibits reduced flavor carryover, or as a hot-fill container. According to the method, a sidewall-forming section of a preform is initially expanded, heated to contract and crystallize the same, and than reexpanded; a base-forming portion of the preform is shielded from the heat treatment and is expanded either before or after the heat treatment step.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container including a neck finish, a shoulder portion, a sidewall, and a base integrally formed with one another. Two indentations in the sidewall create a handgrip and a web extends generally across the interior of the container between the two indentations. A plurality of generally downwardly extending support feet include short feet and long feet. Separating the support feet are a plurality of first and second strap formations. Support surface contact points of the long feet are in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when empty. After filling, capping and pressurizing, the support surface contact points of the short feet and the support surface contact points of the long feet are all in a planar relationship with respect to one another, thereby providing the container with stability when filled.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width Wu and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width Wl that is greater than the circumferential width Wu of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1° to 8° and preferably about 2°.

Abstract: A heat-resistant packaging container made of a polyester resin, formed by stretch-blow molding is provided. A top portion of a bottom face is formed to have a large wall thickness to impart a resistance to heat deformation. A peripheral wall of the bottom face is formed to have a wall thickness that is gradually reduced from the top portion toward an arc grounding edge around the bottom face. An outer peripheral wall of the bottom portion is stretch molded from inside of the grounding edge so as to have a wall thickness as same as that of the body portion to attain a heat resistance. The inside of the grounding edge connecting to the peripheral wall of the bottom face is formed into a tilt surface which is oriented upwardly in consideration of an amount of expanding deformation &agr; of the grounding edge due to heating and loading.

Abstract: An aluminum one-piece container body, defining a sidewall and bottom, has a substantially hemispherical or otherwise convex, preferably curvilinear, surface surrounding a central concave panel. A plurality of feet extend downwardly from the convex region. The convex region provides strength advantages associated with containing pressurized material. A concave panel accommodates changes in differential pressures such as arising from pasteurization or other heating. The feet are preferably configured to provide substantial stackability and conveyability as well as support stability for the container.

Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of this bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises a lower base forming portion that includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced downwardly convex segments (126) and a plurality of intervening, circumferentially spaced, totally convex, hollow foot forming portions (121) that extend radially from the central bottom portion (120) and downwardly from the downwardly convex segments to form a clearance (124) for the central bottom portion. The downwardly convex segments have smoothly curved cross sections, in radially extending planes through their central regions and coplanar with the container's longitudinal axis (120a).

Abstract: A molded polymeric container that is shaped to exhibit superior characteristics of light weighting, stability against toppling and resistance to stress cracking includes a conventional cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential sidewall and a novel bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a central pushup area of uniformity that is substantially uniform within a spatial rotation about the longitudinal axis. The area of uniformity has a radius RG. The bottom also includes a plurality of support feet that surround and protrude downwardly from the pushup area. Each of the support feet have a bottom support surface with an inner point of contact and an outer point of contact. The outer points of contact together define an outer contact radius ROC. The bottom portion as a whole has a radius of maximum width RBASE A plurality of ribs are positioned in valleys between the support feet. Each of these ribs is positioned between and helps define two of the support feet.

Abstract: A plastic bottle comprises a base having a chime, a dome and an annular wall extending between the chime and the dome. The annular wall extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bottle to support the dome against inverting due to internal pressure and increases the bi-axial stretching of the base during blow molding to strengthen the material of the same.

Abstract: A molded polymeric container that is shaped to be easier to mold, have improved rigidity under pressure and improved strength includes a substantially cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential sidewall, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a central pushup area that is substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and that is substantially flat. The pushup area preferably has a radius that is within the range of 0.100 inches to 0.500 inches. The bottom portion further includes a plurality of support feet surrounding and protruding downwardly from the pushup area, each of which has a bottom support surface and a pair of sidewalls that help define a valley between the support feet. The sidewalls have a substantially straight portion that defines an angle with respect to a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and this angle is at least 25 degrees.

Abstract: A molded polymeric container that is shaped to exhibit superior characteristics of light weighting, stability against toppling and resistance to stress cracking includes a conventional cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential sidewall and a novel bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a central pushup area of uniformity that is substantially uniform within a spatial rotation about the longitudinal axis. The area of uniformity has a radius RG. The bottom also includes a plurality of support feet that surround and protrude downwardly from the pushup area. Each of the support feet have a bottom support surface with an inner point of contact and an outer point of contact. The outer points of contact together define an outer contact radius ROC. The bottom portion as a whole has a radius of maximum width RBASE. A plurality of ribs are positioned in valleys between the support feet. Each of these ribs is positioned between and helps define two of the support feet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a plastic drum that includes a cylindrical shaped sidewall and a planar shaped head. A transition section is molded with and disposed between the head and the sidewall. A handling ring is positioned on the transition section and has a base that is disposed below the head and interior to the sidewall. The plastic drum is formed by the steps of: providing a mold having an inner surface that defines a cylindrical shaped sidewall, a planar shaped head, a transition section between the sidewall and the head and a handling ring; and molding a sidewall and the head, a transition section between the head and the sidewall, and a handling ring to extend from the transition section, the handling ring being positioned on the transition section below the head and interior to the sidewall.

Abstract: A plastic bottle comprises a base having a chime, a dome and an annular wall extending between the chime and the dome. The annular wall extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bottle to support the dome against inverting due to internal pressure and increases the bi-axial stretching of the base during blow molding to strengthen the material of the same. A method of making the plastic bottle of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A can bottom having an approximately frustoconical portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the can side wall, an annular nose portion extending downwardly from the approximately frustoconical portion, and a central portion extending upwardly and inwardly from the nose. The nose is formed by inner and outer circumferentially extending frustoconical walls that are joined by a downwardly convex arcuate portion. The inner surface of the arcuate portion of the nose has a radius of curvature adjacent the nose inner wall of at least 0.060 inch. The central portion of the can bottom has a substantially flat disc-shaped central section, having a diameter of at least about 1.40 inches, and an approximately dome-shaped and downwardly concave having a radius of curvature no greater than 1.475 inches. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner surface of the arcuate portion of the nose is formed by a sector of a circle and has radius of curvature is no greater than about 0.070 inch.

Abstract: An open top plastic drum comprises a cylindrical side wall. A circular bottom wall is connected at a bottom end of the side wall to define an interior storage space. A foot ring is connected proximate an intersection of the side wall and the bottom wall. The foot ring comprises an annular ring having, in cross section, a generally rectangular foot for engaging a ground surface, in use, and a neck diagonally connecting the foot to the bottom end of the side wall and the bottom wall.

Abstract: A blow-molded container has a central axis, a neck and a cylindrical sidewall connected with the neck, generally centered about the central axis and having an end. A generally hemispherical base wall encloses the end of the sidewall. A plurality of legs extend from and are circumferentially spaced about the base wall. Each leg has a radially outermost portion offset inwardly from the sidewall and toward the central axis. An upper portion of each leg connects the leg with the base wall and has a radially outermost edge offset toward the central axis with respect to the sidewall. Preferably, each leg includes a leg sidewall having a generally cylindrical portion, a first, open end integrally formed with the base wall and a second end. An end wall encloses the second end of the leg sidewall and has a generally flat section providing a foot surface configured to support the container on a surface. Preferably, the leg sidewall has a closed perimeter extending proximal the open end.

Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of the bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container for carbonated beverages includes an upper mouth-forming portion, a cylindrical sidewall portion and a lower base-forming portion, all of the portions being generally symmetrically situated about a central longitudinal axis. The lower base-forming portion includes a central portion contiguously surrounding the central longitudinal axis and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, downwardly convex rib segments, each rib segment extending upwardly from the central portion following a hyperbolic profile and expanding circumferentially outwardly to merge with the sidewall. The lower base-forming portion additionally has a plurality of intervening and circumferentially-spaced, convex, hollow foot-forming portions extending downwardly from the circumferentially-spaced, rib segments. Each of the foot-forming portions has a bottom clearance-forming portion adjacent the central portion and a lower outer portion defined by the rotation of a heel radius greater than 0.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed can having a generally cylindrical side wall and an integral bottom including two annular rims is provided. The bottom of the can has a reduced volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an outer annular rim known as the heel, and an expanded volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an inner annular rim known as the nose. When a can in the reduced volume configuration is subject to an elevated internal pressure substantially less than the maximum working pressure, a portion of the can bottom comprising the nose moves axially downwardly relative to the rest of the can to serve as a new base, thus transitioning the can into the expanded volume configuration.

Abstract: A tippable safety container for shipping and storage of various goods, and for preventing accidental child drownings, comprising a bucket having at least one extension extending from the bottom thereof having a footprint smaller than the footprint of the bottom of the bucket. The container includes a removable lid that is shaped to nestably receive and support a similarly shaped bottom of another container. Preferably, the extension is cylindrical in shape and the bucket has a cylindrically shaped sidewall. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of extensions in a concentric array extend from the bottom of the bucket.

Abstract: A one-piece blow-molded closed plastic drum having an integrally-formed compression-molded handling ring and method of molding same is provided. The drum has structural strength and stability to resist breakage of the drum upon impact due to tipping or dropping of the drum. The drum includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a head portion integrally-molded with an upper end of the body portion including a transition area around and between the upper end of the body portion and a top of the drum in the head portion. The transition area has an outside curved surface of a predetermined radius so that an outside surface of the body portion is positioned in a tangential plane in close proximity to a tangential plane along the outer circumferential surface of the handling ring and/or an inside curved surface with at least one radius, preferably a double ogee with three predetermined radii, so that no acute angles are formed between inside surfaces at the transition area.

Abstract: A one-piece blow-molded closed plastic drum having an integrally-formed compression-molded handling ring and method of molding same is provided. The drum has structural strength and stability to resist breakage of the drum upon impact due to tipping or dropping of the drum. The drum includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a head portion integrally-molded with an upper end of the body portion including a transition area around and between the upper end of the body portion and a top of the drum in the head portion. The transition area has an outside curved surface of a predetermined radius so that an outside surface of the body portion is positioned in a tangential plane in close proximity to a tangential plane along the outer circumferential surface of the handling ring and/or an inside curved surface with at least one radius, preferably a double ogee with three predetermined radii, so that no acute angles are formed between inside surfaces at the transition area.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs (22) and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. The hollow leg (22) has lower flat feet (24) with curved outer extremities that extend circumferentially for 45 to 65 percent of the extent about a central axis A of the container to provide good stability against tipping. Best results are achieved when the lower flat feet have curved outer extremities that extend circumferentially for 50 to 60 percent, and most preferably about 55 percent of the extent about the central axis A to provide the good stability against tipping.

Abstract: A plastic container that is designed for optimal strength and lightweighting characteristics includes a finish portion, a bottom portion that has a plurality of support feet and a corresponding number of grooves defined between the support feet, and a main body portion. According to one feature of the container, the main body portion has at least one groove defined in its smooth label area that is oriented so as to have an axial component and so as to extend to near a bottom of the label portion for permitting condensate to drain from the label portion. This reduces the potential for condensation-induced label delamination. According to another feature of the container, the main body portion further has a tapered neck portion that has a plurality of undulating grooves defined therein to provide structural reinforcement. The main body of the container also has a lower end that is configured so as to have a number of generally axially extending channels that extend toward the bottom portion.

Abstract: A molded polymeric container that is shaped to exhibit superior characteristics of light weighting, stability against toppling and resistance to stress cracking includes a conventional cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential sidewall and a novel bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a central pushup area of uniformity that is substantially uniform within a spatial rotation about the longitudinal axis. The area of uniformity has a radius R.sub.G. The bottom also includes a plurality of support feet that surround and protrude downwardly from the pushup area. Each of the support feet have a bottom support surface with an inner point of contact and an outer point of contact. The outer points of contact together define an outer contact radius R.sub.OC. The bottom portion as a whole has a radius of maximum width R.sub.BASE. A plurality of ribs are positioned in valleys between the support feet. Each of these ribs is positioned between and helps define two of the support feet.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bottle has a generally cylindrical body, in turn having an upper portion, a lower portion, and opposite sides joining at a diametric plane. A plurality of adjacent finger recesses extend about one of the opposite sides in the lower portion of the body, and a thumb depression is provided in the lower portion on the other of the opposite sides. A continuous circumferential indentation is formed in the cylindrical body between the upper portion and the lower portion to decouple pressure response of the upper and lower portions and minimize lean transfer to the upper portion resulting from expansion of the lower portion on the one of the opposite sides. The bottle is also formed with at least one vertical reinforcing indentation, preferably at least one set of three such vertical reinforcing indentations in each of the finger grooves, and at least one, preferably three spaced vertical reinforcing indentations in the thumb depression.

Abstract: The invention provides a light weight self-standing blow molded two liter carbonated beverage bottle having a unique petaloid base made from a monobase preform. The base comprises a petaloid design which has a plurality of at least three (preferably five) feet. The monobase preform has a thick reinforcing ring forming portion which remains unstretched during blowing. The reinforcing ring forming portion is thicker than both the sidewall forming portion and the gate area forming portion of the preform thereby resulting in increased stretching in both those areas. The reinforcing ring extends circumferentially around the base. By providing such a reinforcing ring, a bottle having a bigger foot radius and/or containing less material use can be realized. The resulting bottle has less stress whitening and greater stress crack resistance while at the same time using less material and/or having a larger radius than prior bottles.

Abstract: A container for transporting particulate matter is initially in slurry form has a base and a sidewall portion extending upwardly therefrom and is characterized by a downwardly extending, integrally-formed peripheral drainage channel having a drainage opening at a normally lowest point therein. The container bottom is configured to urge liquid from the slurry toward the channel, and the channel is configured to urge the liquid toward the drainage opening. The sidewall portion defines an opening coverable by a lid. A liner may be used to improve the drainage of the liquid from the slurry and from the container, and a plug can be placed in the drainage opening after liquid has drainage from the slurry and the container. A supplemental elevating member can be utilized to elevate the slurry with respect to the channel. A method of use of the container is disclosed.

Abstract: A container is obtained by biaxially stretch-blow-molding a resin. Except the mouth-and-neck portion, vicinities thereof and the center of the bottom portion, the container as a whole is reduced in thickness under a highly drawing condition without being accompanied by whitening, and a portion constituting the bottom valley portions has an yielding load of not smaller than 25 kg/cm at 70.degree. C. The container exhibits excellent heat resistance, pressure resistance, shock resistance as well as self-standing ability.

Abstract: This relates to the packaging of a hot liquid product in a container having little resistance to internal vacuum wherein immediately after the container has been filled, the container is internally pressurized and closed. This particularly relates to an injection molded preform formed of a suitable polyester resin which is of a configuration related to an intended blow mold cavity whereby the desired biaxial orientation is obtained in the various portions of the resultant container and the wall thickness of the container base is increased so as to prevent undue stress enlargement and creep at high internal pressurization. Internal pressurization on the order of 40-45 psig is envisioned.

Abstract: The invention provides a light weight self-standing blow molded two-liter carbonated beverage container base design having a unique petaloid base. The base comprises a petaloid design which has a plurality of at least three (preferably five) feet with an ever increasing radius of curvature joining the feet to the underlying base from the radially outer portion of the feet to the radially inner portion of the feet, a controlled radius from the axis of the container to that curvature and an area of material flow in feet ankles and straps therebetween to promote adequate material flow during blow molding, to the radially outer most areas of the feet and straps.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width W.sub.u and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width W.sub.I that is greater than the circumferential width W.sub.u of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1.degree. to 8.degree. and preferably about 20.degree..

Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of the bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning, portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.

Abstract: A method of making a polyester container having an enhanced level of crystallinity in the sidewall while maintaining a low level of crystallinity in a thickened base portion. The container is particularly useful as a refillable container which can withstand higher caustic wash temperatures and exhibits reduced flavor carryover, or as a hot-fill container. According to the method, a sidewall-forming section of a preform is initially expanded, heated to contract and crystallize the same, and than reexpanded; a base-forming portion of the preform is shielded from the heat treatment and is expanded either before or after the heat treatment step.

Abstract: A surgical tray for transport of a sharp surgical instrument is formed as a shallow, rectangular tray portion with an integral handle extending therefrom. The tray is made as a molded body of relatively lightweight material, such as plastic, and its dimensions are such that the tray portion is adapted to receive a single sharp surgical instrument. The tray portion has a rounded rim at its top end and the handle merges with the rim. The bottom of the tray portion can be formed with ribs to prevent slippage. The upper surface of the bottom of the tray portion can be formed with ribs to facilitate engagement and removal of the sharp instrument. The end of the handle can be flared to prevent slippage of the handle from the hand of the user.

Abstract: A plastic container of the present invention comprises a neck portion defining an opening, a shoulder portion continuous with the neck portion, and an intermediate sidewall portion continuous with the shoulder portion. The intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content. A base portion is also provided which is continuous with the intermediate sidewall portion. The base portion has a structure for supporting the container on a support surface and a surface feature for enhancing the strength of the structure. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is preferably comprised of one of a circumferential support ring and a plurality of circumferentially positioned feet. The surface feature for enhancing strength is substantially centered with respect to the structure. The surface feature for enhancing strength preferably comprises an indentation having a strength enhancing surface texture.

Abstract: A biaxially stretch blow-molded article, particularly adapted for hot fill applications, having an improved bottom configuration. The bottom has grounding bottom portion and a central inwardly concave dome inside of the grounding bottom portion. The central inwardly concave dome has annular flat walls at different levels from the grounding bottom portion. The annular flat walls are defined by polygons of similar figures. An angle of one of the polygons is aligned along a radial line connecting a bisected point of one side of an adjacent upper or lower polygon and the center of the central inwardly concave dome. The angles of the polygons are the highly stretched areas having a high latitudinal stretch ratio, while the sides of the polygons particularly around the center point, are the moderately stretched areas. The highly and the moderately stretched areas are alternately arranged around the central inwardly concave dome in the circumferential and radial directions.

Abstract: A hot-fillable, blow-molded plastic container having a reinforced dome which controls dome distortion otherwise caused by forces associated with hot-filling and shipping. In one embodiment, the reinforced dome resists distortion, and in a second embodiment, the reinforced dome enhances ovalization distortion. The container dome is bell-shaped with an inwardly extending waist and has a plurality of vertically extending grooves passing through the waist. Each groove is inwardly concave and extends from below the waist to adjacent the finish. Arcuate lands are formed between the grooves, and optionally, can have panels with a textured pattern which add to the aesthetic appearance of the container and which provide further stiffening of the dome. When two grooves are utilized, ovalization distortion is enhanced, and when three or more grooves are utilized, distortion is prevented.

Abstract: In a biaxially-stretch-blow-molded container there is a method of producing the same. Redraw ratio at the bottom portion is small in the secondary blow molding without employing a complex heating system but in which a secondary article obtained by subjecting a preform article to the primary blow molding is preferentially shrunk at its bottom portion, and a tertiary article or a quaternally article before being subjected to the secondary blow molding is obtained having a bottom of a flat shape or in which the central portion is recessed inwardly of the container and the periphery thereof is flattened. The bottle obtained by this method has a thickness and crystallinity in the bottom portion which are nearly the same as those of the center of the barrel and are highly oriented. The heat-resistant bottle exhibits excellent strength in the bottom portion and symmetrical panel-sinking stability in the vacuum pressure.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed can having a generally cylindrical side wall and an integral bottom including two annular rims is provided. The bottom of the can has a reduced volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an outer annular rim known as the heel, and an expanded volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an inner annular rim known as the nose. When a can in the reduced volume configuration is subject to an elevated internal pressure substantially less than the maximum working pressure, a portion of the can bottom comprising the nose moves axially downwardly relative to the rest of the can to serve as a new base, thus transitioning the can into the expanded volume configuration.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. The specific construction disclosed of the legs (22), ribs (34) and hub (41, 41', 41") enhance the capability of the base structure in providing good stability as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure and stress cracking.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width W.sub.u and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width W.sub.l that is greater than the circumferential width W.sub.u of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1.degree. to 8.degree. and preferably about 2.degree.. The legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) with an outer diameter D.sub.f, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height H.sub.

Abstract: The invention in the present application is for a cookware safety system that includes a safety ring that depends from the bottom of a conventional cooking utensil. The safety ring includes a plurality of chair members that are annularly spaced apart to form a ring that depends from the bottom of the cooking utensil. In one embodiment, the chair members are mounted directly to the bottom of the cooking utensil. The chair members are annularly spaced, using as a point of origin, a centerline of a handle to a cooking utensil. The spacing is such that the chair members will fit a three, four, six or eight-pronged gas stove top burner. The cookware safety system also includes a lid retainer that includes tabs mounted to the side of the sidewall of the cooking utensil and pins that are either mounted directly to the lid of the cooking utensil or a lid retainer. A trivet is also provided and includes at least one annularly extending channel that is adapted to receive the safety ring of the cooking utensil.

Abstract: A metal container for holding fluids is provided having a bottom wall including a externally convex dome portion and a plurality of supporting feet formed therein. The supporting feet are circumferentially spaced apart from each other and projected generally downward beyond the dome portion. Each supporting foot has formed thereon stand features and stacking features. The stand features are radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the container and disposed at downwardmost locations on the feet to alone support the container in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface when the container is not internally pressurized. The stacking features are disposed adjacent to the stand features and define, in cross-sectional elevation view, axial stacking surfaces and radial stacking surfaces.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width W.sub.u and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width W.sub.l that is greater than the circumferential width W.sub.u of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1.degree. to 8.degree. and preferably about 2.degree..

Abstract: A plastic container comprises a lower base-forming portion that includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, generally spherically-shaped segments and a plurality of intervening, circumferentially-spaced, totally convex, hollow foot-forming portions that extend radially from the central bottom portion and downwardly from the spherically-shaped segments to form a clearance for the central bottom portion. The clearance-forming portion of each foot-forming bottom portion includes a compound curved offset formed with opposing radii of curvature of a substantial fraction of an inch, the compound curved offset curving downwardly and outwardly about a center of curvature below the bottom-forming portion before curving about a center of curvature above the bottom-forming portion.

Abstract: Hollow plastic blow-molded containers have a tubular bodies and integral improved, self-supporting bases. The bases have distinctly shaped supporting feet disposed on legs at or near the periphery of the container bottom. The container legs extend outwardly and downwardly from the central region of the container on the inner side of the container bottom and extend downwardly from the container sidewalls on the outer side and are separated by ribs which coverage in a central region at the base of the container. At the terminal end of each of the container legs, there are horizontal contact surfaces or feet which are defined by foot edges which include an inner foot edge portion and an outer foot edge portion, the outer foot edge portion includes a pair of outer far corner foot edges and a far middle foot edge portion. The far middle foot edge portion extends radially to a point further than the outer far corner foot edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming the bottom of a container (20) and a container made by that method is disclosed. The container for which this method and apparatus are suitable has an outer annular wall (26); a convex U-shaped portion (28); a preformed bottom wall (30), including a center domed portion (32); and an annular wall (34) joining the domed portion and the convex U-shaped portion. The method comprises supporting the bottom peripheral profile portion and bringing a reforming means (36) into engagement with the annular wall. The reforming means is brought to bear against the annular wall to rework the annular wall. The reforming means can also reform the outer annular wall.

Abstract: A container of blow-moulded oriented thermoplastic material includes a base structure comprising a convex annular surface (which may be divided into a plurality of feet (118) by radial webs (112) and a central re-entrant portion (116). In blow-moulding the container, a moulded preform is enclosed within a mould heated, and stretched such that its bottom surface impinges upon a projecting surface of the mould bottom corresponding to the topmost surface (158) of the re-entrant portion. After blow-moulding, the material of the re-entrant portion (116) remains unoriented and relatively thick in comparison to the material of the remainder of the base. The unoriented material in the base is substantially confined to the re-entrant portion (116) which itself is strengthened by its relatively thick walls and the base thus exhibits improved creep and stress cracking properties.