Pressure Responsive Contour Patents (Class 220/609)
  • Patent number: 8444002
    Abstract: 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 less than about 90°, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging LC, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark D. Schneider, Matt Vogel, Samuel E. Evins, Kerry W. Silvers
  • Patent number: 8439222
    Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling and a method for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, David Groetsch
  • Patent number: 8381496
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company LP
    Inventors: Greg Trude, John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 8381940
    Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish adapted to receive a closure, a lower portion including a base, and a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the sidewall define an interior volume for storing liquid contents. The plastic container further comprises a pressure panel located on the container and moveable between an initial position and an activated position. The pressure panel is located in the initial position prior to filling the container, and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container. Moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position reduces the internal volume of the container and creates a positive pressure inside the container. The positive pressure reinforces the sidewall. A method of processing a container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Co2 Pac Limited
    Inventors: David Melrose, Paul Kelley, John Denner
  • Publication number: 20130001235
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: Terry D. Patcheak, David Downing, G. David Lisch, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, Brian L. Pieszchala, Richard J. Steih
  • Patent number: 8328033
    Abstract: A one-piece plastic hot-fill container may employ a shoulder portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion, which may be integrally formed with and extend from the shoulder portion to the base portion. The container may further have a plurality of compression ribs molded into the sidewall portion in vertical and horizontal directions—at least the vertical compression ribs being operable to change from a first shape to a second shape in response to cooling of the liquid and further extending inwardly within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventor: Luke A. Mast
  • Patent number: 8276774
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: Terry D. Patcheak, David Downing, G. David Lisch, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, Brian L. Pieszchala, Richard J. Steih
  • Patent number: 8240501
    Abstract: A closure for a food can including a foil end panel bonded to an intermediate ring which is fixed to the can body. The foil panel comprises a diaphragm having a centre panel which included at least one concentric bead. The profile of this beaded panel is selected so that its downward position is no greater than the lowest point of the intermediate ring. The provision of the bead(s) reduces pressure differences experienced by the diaphragm, particularly during processing of the can contents, due to the volume increase available from the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Charles Claydon
  • Patent number: 8171701
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul V. Kelley, Scott B. Bysick
  • Patent number: 8152010
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: CO2 PAC Limited
    Inventor: David Murray Melrose
  • Patent number: 8096434
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Christophe Bunel, Laurent Penet
  • Patent number: 8062724
    Abstract: A heat resistant plastic container containing hot-filled liquid contents, comprising: a spout for filling the container with liquid contents; a closure configured to seal the spout; a base including a bottom portion that is bent toward the spout, the base including a structural reinforcement; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base toward the spout, the sidewall including a zone of deformation, wherein the zone of deformation in the sidewall is configured to accommodate an initial deformation due to the cooling of the contents and to substantially regain its initial shape upon the relieving of immobilized stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tecsor HR
    Inventor: Jean-Tristan Outreman
  • Patent number: 8028498
    Abstract: A Method of Processing a Container and Base Cup Structure For Removal of Vacuum Pressure A plastic container (10) has a wall extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (20). The panel (20) is transversely oriented and can move from a downwardly inclined position providing a geometrically unstable configuration to an upwardly inclined position providing a geometrically stable configuration to control pressure change in the container. This movement may be provided by suitable actuating means such as rod (22). In the unstable configuration a base cup 50 or any other suitable holder can support the container and enable it to be conveyed in a container handling or processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: CO2PAC Limited
    Inventor: David Murray Melrose
  • Patent number: 7926243
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul V. Kelley, Scott E. Bysick
  • Publication number: 20110011873
    Abstract: A synthetic resin container, in which the bottom part 4 having a bottom plate part 41 which is present at the center of the bottom part and a peripheral part 42 which is positioned at the periphery of the bottom plate part 41, in the peripheral part 42, a grounding part 422 having an inside slope 422a which rises outwardly of the container with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate part 41 being the start point and an outside slope 422b which continues to the side surface of the bottom part 4 is formed, and when a load is applied in the axial direction in the state where the container stands upright on the grounding surface G, the shape of the bottom part 4 changes reversibly such that the bottom plate part 41 is depressed inwardly to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA, LTD
    Inventors: Masaki Miura, Kazushi Matsukiyo
  • Patent number: 7846519
    Abstract: A lightweight, thin-walled heat resistant plastic container containing hot-filled liquid contents, comprising: a spout for filling the container with liquid contents; a closure configured to seal the spout; a base including a bottom portion that is bent toward the spout, the base including a structural reinforcement configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure from the hot-filling of liquid and configured to prevent significant deformation in the base upon the cooling of the hot liquid; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base toward the spout, the sidewall including a zone of deformation, wherein the zone of deformation in the sidewall is configured to accommodate an initial deformation due to the cooling of the contents and to substantially regain its initial shape upon the relieving of immobilized stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tecsor HR
    Inventor: Jean-Tristan Outreman
  • Patent number: 7757895
    Abstract: A container or pitcher is provided having a flexible side wall portion and rim portion of the container which can conform to the shape of an object to which the pitcher is applied to thereby direct fluid flow from the pitcher over a broader area and to prevent fluid from flowing from the pitcher and underneath the rim of the pitcher and onto portions of the object to which it is not desirable to apply the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. McGinley, Brian Lau
  • Patent number: 7740148
    Abstract: The invention includes a novel profile for a container bottom. The bottom structure includes a domed central panel attached at its outside edge to a downwardly projecting substantially cylindrical inner leg portion. The inner leg portion is attached to a generally semi-circular nose portion. The outside of the nose portion is attached to an upwardly and outwardly inclined outer leg portion. The outer leg portion is attached to an outwardly inclined peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is attached to the lower end of the generally cylindrical sidewall portion. The improvement primarily involves the larger stand diameter, and altered dome circle radius and dome depth, which produces a container bottom profile yielding more consistent results in drop tests to determine resistance to bulging and reversals (single can and consumer package flat and angled drop tests) than prior art can bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh Rajagopalan, Charles E. Brossia, Carl Szwargulski, Michael Jansma, John Cooley
  • Publication number: 20100127001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressurized can, such as an aerosol can, having a bottom comprising a panel connected via a countersink and a foot to the can body wall, which bottom has a panel with a substantially non-concave form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: IMPRESS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Philippe Gerard Stanislas Niec
  • Patent number: 7686178
    Abstract: A beverage bottle. The bottle may include a flattened upper lobe, a flattened lower lobe, and a substantially circular transitional section. The bottle may be made out of a plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Grant, Malcolm Kinmont, Tracy M. Momany, Daniel L. Witham, Jonathan A. McGurk, Frank E. Semersky, Barbara A. Balyeat, Sumit Mukherjee, David M. Ryan, Robert J. Groll, Martin T. Geithmann
  • Patent number: 7556164
    Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic resin thin-walled bottle container (10, 20, 30) including a mouth portion (11) for filling or discharging contents, a body portion (12, 22, 32) extending from the mouth portion (11) along the center axis (A) of the container, and a heel portion (H10, H20, H30) provided at the bottom part (13, 23, 33) of the body portion (12, 22, 32) for placing, thereon, the body portion (12, 22, 32) in a self-supporting manner. The heel portion (H10, H20, H30, H40) includes a sidewall (14, 24, 34) formed of a curved surface (R11, R21, R31) that is recessed toward the inside of the container (10). Thus, even with a reduced amount of the resin, the container (10, 20, 30) can be stably self-supported without causing inclination or buckling at the heel portion (H10, H20, H30), under a load applied in the center axis (A) direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Tanaka, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7543713
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company L.P.
    Inventors: Greg Trude, John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 7520400
    Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with good stability against tipping provided by five alternating hollow legs (22) and five curved ribs (34) that alternate, 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 legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) of truncated wedge shapes with an outer diameter Df, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height Hp such that the ratio of the diameter Df over the height Hp is in the range of about 25 to 90 to maintain strength without the hub engaging the supporting surface on which the feet rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Young, Richard C. Darr, Dale H. Behm
  • Publication number: 20090090728
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Greg Trude, John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Publication number: 20090014407
    Abstract: A plastic container includes an upper portion having a mouth defining an opening into the container. A shoulder region extends from the upper portion. A sidewall portion extends between the shoulder region and a base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. A vacuum panel region defined in part by at least two vacuum panels. Each of the vacuum panels are movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents. The vacuum panel region occupies an area outboard of the sidewall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Walter J. Strasser, Steve P. Barker
  • Patent number: 7472800
    Abstract: Drawn and ironed aluminum can bodies are made from aluminum having a gauge thickness of 0.01075 inches or less, in which the bottom profile meets customer requirements for bottom performance in terms of buckle, drop and growth, without requiring the bottom profile to be reformed in a separate bottom profile reforming step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Lillian Dervy, Michael R. Gogola, William Walsh
  • Patent number: 7461756
    Abstract: A plastic blow molded container having at least six downwardly projecting legs and a plurality of curved ribs, with each rib located between two downwardly projecting legs. Each rib has an inner portion that extends outwardly from the central axis and an outer portion that extends upwardly from the inner portion, wherein the outer portion of each rib has a circumferential width equal to or greater than the circumferential width of the inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Pedmo, Richard C. Darr, Christopher E. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 7451886
    Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring that supports the container, an upstanding wall, and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion defined in at least part by a pushup and an inversion ring that generally circumscribes the pushup. The pushup having a generally truncated cone shape in cross section and the inversion ring having a generally S shaped geometry in cross section. The pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum related forces generated within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, Brian L. Pieszchala, Richard J. Steih
  • Patent number: 7445826
    Abstract: 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. The container, which can be monolayer or multilayer, is also useful as a carbonated beverage, O2 or CO2 barrier, or beer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Graham Packaging PET Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne N. Collette, Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, Chi Ching Lin
  • Publication number: 20080264954
    Abstract: The invention includes a novel profile for a container bottom. The bottom structure includes a domed central panel attached at its outside edge to a downwardly projecting substantially cylindrical inner leg portion. The inner leg portion is attached to a generally semi-circular nose portion. The outside of the nose portion is attached to an upwardly and outwardly inclined outer leg portion. The outer leg portion is attached to an outwardly inclined peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is attached to the lower end of the generally cylindrical sidewall portion. The improvement primarily involves the larger stand diameter, and altered dome circle radius and dome depth, which produces a container bottom profile yielding more consistent results in drop tests to determine resistance to bulging and reversals (single can and consumer package flat and angled drop tests) than prior art can bottoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: METAL CONTAINER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mahesh Rajagopalan, Charles E. Brossia, Carl Szwargulski, Michael Jansma, John Cooley
  • Patent number: 7441675
    Abstract: A container or pitcher is provided having a flexible side wall portion and rim portion of the container which can conform to the shape of an object to which the pitcher is applied to thereby direct fluid flow from the pitcher over a broader area and to prevent fluid from flowing from the pitcher and underneath the rim of the pitcher and onto portions of the object to which it is not desirable to apply the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventors: Michael L. McGinley, Brian Lau
  • Patent number: 7416089
    Abstract: An improved hot-fill type container that has particular utility for use with the nitrogen dosing hot-fill process includes a finish portion, a main body portion and a base portion having a pushup area and a chime that is situated about the pushup area for supporting the container when a horizontal surface. The container advantageously includes a reinforced heel portion in the area between the main body portion and the chime for protecting the container against deformation that could otherwise be caused by the positive pressurization of the nitrogen dosing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Constar International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Kraft, Prasad Joshi, Phillip Kraft
  • Patent number: 7398894
    Abstract: The invention includes a novel profile for a container bottom. The bottom structure includes a domed central panel attached at its outside edge to a downwardly projecting substantially cylindrical inner leg portion the inner leg portion is attached to a generally semi-circular nose portion. The outside of the nose portion is attached to an upwardly and outwardly inclined outer leg portion. The outer leg portion is attached to an outwardly inclined peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is attached to the lower end of the generally cylindrical sidewall portion. The improvement primarily involves the larger stand diameter, and altered dome circle radius and dome depth, which produces a container bottom profile yielding more consistent results in drop tests to determine resistance to bulging and reversals (single can and consumer package flat and angled drop tests) than prior art can bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh Rajagopalan, Charles E. Brossia, Carl Szwargulski, Michael Jansma, John Cooley
  • Patent number: 7395686
    Abstract: Drawn and ironed aluminum can bodies are made from aluminum having a gauge thickness of 0.01075 inches or less, in which the bottom profile meets customer requirements for bottom performance in terms of buckle, drop and growth, without requiring the bottom profile to be reformed in a separate bottom profile reforming step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rexam Beuerage Can Company
    Inventors: Lillian Dervy, Michael R. Gogola, William Walsh
  • Patent number: 7287658
    Abstract: A polymeric container for holding a fluid and a gas includes a specially designed base. The base includes an annular outer ridge connected to a convex dome by a flexible annular joint. During a hot fill operation, the structure of the base resists outward deformation. The top is then sealed. During the subsequent cooling of the container, the interior volume decreases forcing the dome upward toward the top of the container thereby reducing the tendency of the sidewall to inwardly collapse. In an embodiment of the invention, the sidewall of the container has a plurality of internally protruding diagonal ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Johnson, Joseph J. Bruchman
  • Patent number: 7198163
    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 legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) with an outer diameter Df, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height Hp such that the ratio of the diameter Df over the height Hp is in the range of about 25 to 90 to maintain strength without the hub engaging the supporting surface on which the feet rest. The construction disclosed of the legs (22), ribs (34) and hub (41, 41? and 41?) enhances the capability of the base structure in providing good stability as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure and stress cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Young, Richard C. Darr, Dale M. Behm
  • Patent number: 7150372
    Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring upon which the container is supported, an upstanding wall and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion being defined in at least part by a central pushup and an inversion ring which generally circumscribes the central pushup. The central pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Kerry W Silvers, Dwayne G Vailliencourt
  • Patent number: 7090091
    Abstract: A large-volume container for holding liquid media is composed of two shell-like end parts each having a ring-shaped flat contact surface, and at least one sleeve-like middle part composed of two ring segments and provided with two ring-shaped flat contact surfaces and an opening for filling and emptying. The two end parts as well as the ring segments of the middle part are manufactured by blow molding with an inner layer and an outer layer, are provided with external stiffening ribs formed as chambers, and are connected in the areas of their contact surfaces by an inner and outer weld. The two end parts as well as the ring segments have in the areas of their contact surfaces a circumferential chamber, wherein the contact surfaces have at their circumferential boundary edges backwardly extending inclinations for forming welding grooves between the end parts and/or the ring segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: GĂĽnter Richter
  • Patent number: 7055711
    Abstract: A container has a grounding portion that is free from sink and can prevent sink from occurring, so that it can secure its self-standing ability. The bottle-shaped container made of synthetic resin comprising a neck, a body and a bottom, said bottom including a grounding portion, said bottom being formed at a center thereof with a central bulged section protruding inwardly, said container showing a polygonal transversal cross section, characterized in that a peripheral bottom wall is formed between an outer periphery of the central bulged section and the grounding portion, said peripheral bottom wall forming a step located below the central bulged section and above the grounding portion, and said grounding portion is provided with a recess in a portion formed with an orientation magnification which is smaller than an orientation magnification with which a portion on and along a diagonal line is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Sasaki, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 7051889
    Abstract: A thermoplastic container obtained by blow-molding of a preform, with a base including in its central part a multiple-branch cross-shaped impression provided with a central recess from which radial branches radiate; the base is of the petal-shaped type with at least three legs formed by protuberances located near the periphery; there are as many legs as branches mutually aligned radially; each leg includes a notch for absorbing stresses radially separated from the end of the respective branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventor: Michel Boukobza
  • Patent number: 7017763
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul V. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6983858
    Abstract: A plastic container comprised of a closed base, a body portion, and a neck portion with a dispensing opening. The closed base includes a substantially rigid support portion and a flexible portion. The body portion preferably includes a shoulder portion and a substantially rigid wall portion that includes a plurality of reinforcement formations. The container is configured so that the flexible portion of the base contracts upwardly about the support portion in response to vacuum pressures generated within the container, while the substantially rigid support portion of the sidewall remains substantially firm, for example, to accept or receive a label. If desired, the shoulder portion may include a logo and/or one or more pressure relief formations. A method for producing hot-filled, labeled containers is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Slat, Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6953116
    Abstract: A tray having prestress sections including a domed shaped bottom and a merchandising window. The window includes a surface parallel to the dome shaped bottom. When the tray is subjected to a load, the dome and the surface of the merchandising window become substantially planar. The front of the tray also includes vertically extending corners that are angled inwardly toward one another from an outer top end to an inner lower end when the tray is empty. When the tray is loaded, the corners deflect toward a vertically extending parallel relationship with respect to one another. The corners adjacent the rear of the tray are fixed relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Pinckney Molded Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Verna, Richard C. Kruyer
  • Patent number: 6942116
    Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring upon which the container is supported, an upstanding wall and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion being defined in at least part by a central pushup and an inversion ring which generally circumscribes the central pushup. The central pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Kerry W. Silvers, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt
  • Patent number: 6908002
    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 legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) with an outer diameter Df, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height Hp such that the ratio of the diameter Df over the height Hp is in the range of about 25 to 90 to maintain strength without the hub engaging the supporting surface on which the feet rest. The construction disclosed of the legs (22), ribs (34) and hub (41, 41? and 41?) enhances the capability of the base structure in providing good stability as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure and stress cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Young, Richard C. Darr, Dale H. Behm
  • Patent number: 6857531
    Abstract: A plastic container with a self-supporting base, a body portion extending above the base and a neck portion above the body portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening. The body portion includes a substantially rigid sidewall portion with structural reinforcement thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Slat, Richard C. Darr
  • Patent number: 6769561
    Abstract: A molded plastic bottle has a base having an outside surface rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the bottle including a convex heel and a central concavity separated by a standing ring supporting the bottle on an underlying surface. The convex heel has an upper margin integrally formed with the sidewall of the bottle and a lower margin defining an outer portion of the standing ring. The central concavity includes a first surface having a lower most portion defining an inner portion of the standing ring. The standing ring inner portion and outer portion intersect in an abrupt edge with the inner portion of the standing ring generally being inclined with respect to the plane at an angle of between about 30° and 50°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Futral, Lesley S. Corker
  • Patent number: 6763968
    Abstract: A plastic container for receiving a commodity and retaining the commodity during high-temperature pasteurization and subsequent cooling that includes an upper portion, a sidewall portion, and a base portion. The upper portion defines an aperture and is sealable with a closure. The sidewall portion, which defines a sidewall diameter, is connected to and extends generally downward from the upper portion. The base portion has a chime section connected to and extending generally downward and inward from the sidewall portion, and a push-up section connected to and extending generally upward and inward from the chime section to close the plastic container. The push-up section defines a push-up diameter, and the ratio of the sidewall diameter to the push-up diameter is at least 1.3:1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Timothy J. Boyd, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, Kerry W. Silvers, Richard J. Steih, G. David Lisch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6659298
    Abstract: A polyester beer bottle comprising a bottleneck, a body and a bottom of the bottle, which are once blown and shaped with polyester blank, in which arc portion in a vertical section extended from the joint of shaped bottom and body of the bottle to a plane of the bottom has a radius ranging over 15-25 mm; an arc radius in a vertical section of the concave quaquversal portion projecting inwards at a bottom surface of said bottle is in a range of 20-35 mm, and the distance between a top of the concave quaquversal portion to the plane of bottom is in a range of 7-15 mm; an outward projecting support flange portion is formed at the joint between said concave quaquversal portion and the bottom plane of the bottle, a height of the flange portion is in a range of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Chio Fai Wong
  • Patent number: 6626324
    Abstract: A plastic container including a portion of a sidewall having an interior surface with an interior crystallinity, and an exterior surface with an exterior crystallinity. The interior crystallinity is greater than the exterior crystallinity. The higher crystallinity on the interior surface provides increased resistance to flavor scalping along the surface contacting the commodity, thereby minimizing flavor scalping of the commodities inside the plastic container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventor: Timothy J. Boyd