Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02620784 2008-02-22
PLASTIC CONTAINER
This application is a Divisional of Application Serial No. 2,514,211 filed in
Canada
on November 25, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present inventiori relates to plastic oontainers including a substantially
rigid
wall portion, particularly plastic containers that use vacuum, as in an
intern&1 coating
_ t=
operation or that are hot fillable to facilitate resistance to deformation and
improve the
aesthetic display of a label.
Hot-fill containers are known in the art. When liquid contents that fill a
container
. ,~ =
at elevat-ed temperatures are permitted to cool, a strong internal pressure or
vacuum is.
generated. Conventional hot-fill containers generally accommodate the vacuum
pressure,
which can be significant, by, smplaying a rigid base portion (whiah may
further include
strengthening ribs or other formations) and flex panels that are configured in
the sidewall
portion of the container to accommodate the change in internal pressure.
,. . -
,. .
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
A problem that sometimes occurs in connection with the use of flex panels in
the
sidewall of the container concerris labeling. Indentations, voids or spaces
can sometimes
be intentionally or unintentionally formed at or about the label mounting
portion of the
container. Such structural features can cause the label to wrinkle, tear, or
otherwise
distort and, among other things, can inhibit or prevent the prominent display
of an
aesthetically pleasing label. Moreover, some consumers may desire a container
that is
filled with product wherein a label is wrapped tightly around the container
and is adhered
to what feels like a solid and more rigid container sidewall,
Further, conventional hot fillable containers are commonly produced at a first
location by a manufact.urer and are then shipped or transported to a second
location (often
at the customer's facility) where they are filled with product contents and
then labeled.
In the case of hot-filled product containers, as the product contents cool, a
vacuum
pressure is created. Typically, the vacuum is accommodated at the second
(`.`filling")
location by formations in the portions of the side wall of the container that
are permitted
to collapse or flex inwardly. In many instances employing conventional
sidewall
configurations, the internal vacuum can cause significant labeling problems,
including
those prcviously mentioned.
In addition, a coating procedure to coat the internal surface of a plastic
container
may use a vacuum in the container, as for example, a carbon coating. This may
cause
similar problems as those outlined above. Also, if one tries to light weight
the container,
the container would be.prone to collapse.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved
plastic
container with a strengthened body or sidewall structure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved
container as
aforesaid with a body or sidewall structutre that resists deformation when a
vacuum is
formed within the container.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear
hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention the foregoing objects and advantages
are
obtained.
,w -
The present invention in one embodiment comprises a plastic container
comprised
of a closed base, a body portion, and a neck portion. The closed base includes
a
substantially rigid support portion and a flexible portion, and may further
include a
transition segment located between the support portion and the flexible
portion. The
body portion includes a substantially rigid wall portion that includes a
plurality of
reinforcement formations and, if desired, the body portion may further include
a shoulder
portion.. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening that can be used to
fill or
dispense prodtict contents. The container is configured so that the flexible
portion of the
base contracts or moves upwardly about the support portion in response to
vacuum
pressures generated within the container, while the substantially rigid
portion of the
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
sidewall remains substantially rigid, for example, to accept or receive a
label. Further,
to accommodate additional vacuum effect, other portions of the container, such
as the
shoulder portion, may also include vacuum or pressure relief formations.
The present invention also comprises a method for producing, hot-fillable,
labeled
containers, including the production of hot-fillable, labeled containers at a
first (e.g.,
"manufacturer's") site before being shipped to a second (e.g., "customer's")
location for
filling, is also -disclosed.
In addition, the present invention covers a plastic container, comprising: a
self-
supporting base; a body portion extending above the base; and a neck portion
extending
above the body portion, said neck portion including a dispensing opening,
wherein said
body portion includes a substantially rigid sidewall portion including a
structural
reinforcement including a plurality of reinforcement formations in the forrn
of
indentations and interspersed lands extending around the body portion and
arranged in a
staggered configuration.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
plastic container, comprising: a closed base including a substantially rigid
support portion
and a flexible portion; a body portion extending above the base, the body
portion
comprising a substantially rigid wall portion including a structural
reinforcement; and a
neck portion extending above the body portion, the neck portion including a
dispensing
opening; wherein the transition between the support portion and the flexible
portion is
free of sharp transitions and permitted to flex, and the flexible portion is
configured to
contract upwardly about the support portion in response to a vacuum generated
within the
container and the rigid wall portion remains substantially rigid and
unchanged.
There is also provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present
invention,
a plastic container, comprising: a closed base including a rigid annular
support portion
and a central annular flexible portion, wherein the transition between the
support portion
and the central flexible portion is free of sharp transition and permitted to
flex; a body
portion extending from the base, the body portion comprising a substantially
rigid annular
wall portion including a plurality of reinforcement formations and a shoulder
portion; and
a neck portion extending from the body portion, the neck portion including a
dispensing
opening and closure means; wherein the flexible base portion is configured to
contract
and move from a downwardly concave configuration with respect to a support
surface to
a configuration that is upwardly concave in response to a given vacuum
pressure
generated within the container.
There is further provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, a plastic container, comprising: a closed base including a
substantially flat rigid
support portion and a central annular flexible portion that flexes from a
convex to a
concave configuration relative to a support surface; a body portion extending
above the
base, the body portion comprising a substantially rigid wall portion including
a structural
reinforcement, and a pressure relief formation; and a neck portion extending
above the
body portion, the neck portion including a dispensing opening; wherein the
transition
between the support portion and the central flexible potion is free of sharp
transitions and
permitted to flex, and the central flexible portion is configured to contract
upwardly about
4a-
CA 02620784 2008-02-22
the support portion in response to a vacuum generated within the container and
the rigid
wall portion remains substantially rigid and unchanged.
There is further provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, a plastic container, comprising: a closed base including a flat
rigid annular
support portion and a central annular flexible portion, wherein the transition
between the
support portion and the central flexible portion is free of sharp transition
and permitted to
flex; a body portion extending from the base, the body portion comprising a
substantially
rigid annular wall portion including a plurality of reinforcement formations
and lands,
and a shoulder portion, the body portion including at least one pressure
relief formation;
and a neck portion extending from the body portion, the neck portion including
a
dispensing opening and closure means; wherein the flexible base portion is
configured to
contract and move from a downwardly concave configuration with respect to a
support
surface to a configuration that is upwardly concave in response to a given
vacuum
pressure generated within the container and the pressure relief forrnation of
the body
portion is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the vacuum pressure
that is not
accommodated by the flexible base portion.
There is further provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, a plastic container, comprising: a closed base including a flat
rigid annular
support portion and a central annular flexible portion, wherein the central
flexible portion
is permitted to flex; a body portion extending from the base, the body portion
comprising
a substantially rigid annular wall portion including a plurality of staggered
reinforcement
formations and adjacent lands, the body portion including at least one
pressure relief
formation; and a neck portion extending from the body portion, the neck
portion
including a dispensing opening; wherein the flexible base portion is
configured to contact
and move from a downwardly concave configuration with respect to a support
surface to
a configuration that is upwardly concave in response to a given vacuum
pressure
generated within the container and the pressure relief formation of the body
portion is
configured to accommodate at least a portion of the vacuum pressure that is
not
accommodated by the flexible base portion.
Further features of the present invention will be discussed hereinbelow.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. I is a perspective view of a container embodying teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1
wherein
portions of the base are showin in~different positions in phantom lines.
FIG. 3-is a side elevation view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1,
wherein
portions of the base are shown in different positions in phantom lines.
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a base portion of a container shown as
would
be generally taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, wherein a flexible portion of the
base is
. ~ ..
shown in a first position in solid line form and a second position in phantom
line form.
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a base portion,
shown
in a similar orientation as the base portion shown in FIG. 4A, wlierein the
flexible portion
of the base is shown in a more shallow and less concave first position in
solid line form.
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the base portion shown in FIG. 4B,
wherein
the flexible portion of the base is shown in a first position in phantom line
form and a
second position in solid line form.
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the shoulder portion of the container
laken
along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing a pressure relief formation in a first
position (shown in
solid line form) and a second position (shown in phantom line form).
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the shoulder portion of the container
taken
along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing the pressure relief formation in a
configuration after
having accommodated an internal vacuum pressure.
FIG. 6A is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a container of the
present
invention, FIG. 6B is a top view of the container of FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C is a
bottom
view of the container of FIG. 6A:FIGS: 7A, 7B and 7C, respectively, are views
similar to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C,
respectively, showing an alternate embodiment of a container of the present
invention.
FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, respectively, are viey s similar to FIGS. 6A, 6Band 6C,
respectively, showing an altemate embodiment of a container of the present
invention.
FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, respectively, are views similar to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C,
respectively, showing an alternate embodiment of a container of the present
invention.
= 3
FIGS. 10A, lOB and lOC, respectively, are views similar to FIGS. 6A, 6B and
6C, respectively, showing an alternate embodiment of a container of the
present
invention.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a container 10 constructed
in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown. The container
10
includes a closed base 12, a body portion 14 extending above base 12, and neck
portion
16 extending above body portion 14. The body portion 14 preferably includes a
wall
. .~
portion 18 and a shoulder portion 20. The neck portion 16 includes a
dispensing opening
22, which preferably includes a closure means (such as threads) and can be
used for
filling and>or dispensing product contents.
The wall portion 18 provides at least partial support for the body portion 14
and
includes a gubstantially rigid portion 24. Preferably, rigid portion 24 is
configured to
provide increased resistance to internal pressures (e.g., an internal pressure
or vacuum)
and substantially maintains its original shape under pressure. Further, as
desired, the
rigid portion 24 may be configured to receive and support a label, such as for
example, a
spot label or wrap-around label.
The body portion 14 may include an image, symbol, or other visual features of
formations, such as a logo 26, and/or one or more pressure relief formations
28. As
discussed further hereinafter, such features, if included, may provide a
partial relief for
vacuum forces that are internally generated with the container. Moreover, if
such
features are included, they preferably are, but are not required to be,
included in a
shoulder portion 20.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
Typically, a vacuum or other internal pressure will cause the container to at
least
initially collapse at portions of tlie container that are not reinforced or
are otherwise
comparatively less rigid. As such, it is desirable that the rigid portion 24
is sufficiently
stiff or firm so that the substantial majority of an internal vacuum pressure
(such as
caused by the cooling of a hot filled liquid content) is first accommodated or
absorbed by
a less rigid, more flexible portion of the base 12.
In a preferred embodiment, the rigid portion 24 includes one or more
structural
reinforcements that, among other things, can serve to strengthen and/or
improve the
firmness or rigidity of the associated or corresponding wall portion 18.
Moreover, in
portions of the container associated with support of a label and/or gripping,
the rigid
,,
portion 24 is preferably at least as rigid, if not more rigid, than other
portions of the body
portion 14. The structural reinforcement features may include, but are not
limited to,
strengthening ribs, posts, panel structures and/or various formations,
including features
and configurations known in the art for improving wall strength or resistance
to
deformation.
FIGS. 2-3 illustrate a sample wall portion 18 that includes a structural
reinforcement. The depicted reinforcement comprises a plurality of
reinforcement
formations 30 and.inte.rspersed lands 32. If desired or required,I the wall
portion 18 may
also include additional structural formations, which may also provide some
measure of
structural support for the body portion 14, such one of more annular rings 33.
The
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
illustrated reinforcement formations 30 are depicted as rectangular-shaped
indentations
that are arranged in a spaced or staggered, "brick"-like configuration. In the
container 10
shown, a label (such as a wrap-around label, not shown) would primarily
contact and be
held firmly to the lands 32: However, the present invention is not limited to
the
illustrated embodiment, and theassociated structural reinforcement may take on
a variety
of structural features, configurations or patterns, (including that in which
some
formations extend outwardly from the body portion) provided that the
reinforcement
provides sufficient improved or increased support and reinforcement against
deformation
from interrlal pressure, particularly with respect to other portions of the
container that are
.,,
intended to initially or more completely absorb or accommodate a volumetric
reduction
incl,uding, without limitation, the flexible portion of the base andlor other
pressure relief
formations.
The closed base 12 is configured to support the container 10 on a surface. In
preferred configurations, the base 12 is comprised of at least two components,
a rigid
component and a flexible component. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4C,
base 12
includes a substantially rigid support portion 34 and a flexible portion 36,
and (for
example as s.hown in FIGS. 4B and 4C) may include transition segnient 38
positioned
between the support portion 34 and the flexible portion 36. The transition
between the
support portion 34 and the flexible portion 36 should be such that the flexing
of the
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
flexible portion 36 does not cause unacceptable level of stress in the base
12. In a
preferred embodiment, the portiofis of the base, particularly the transitions
at or about the
outer periphery of the flexible portion 36 will be substantially.gradual and
free of sharp
transitions. Among other things, that can involve or include gradual radiuses
so that no
pinch-points are created where flexing is intended to occur.
FIG. 4A depicts a cross-sectional representation of a base 12 of a container
including features and embodiments associated with the present invention. -
Flexible
portion 36 is shown in a first position in solid line form and a second
position (designated
as 36') in phantom line form. The first position shows a form of the base 12
that
generally cdrresponds with a pre-filling condition, i.e., before contents have
been added. }
-~ -
In such a condition, the flexible portion 36 extends away from the container,
such as in
the outwardly "convex" configuration shown.
The second position, shown in phantom line as 36', generally represents the
position of the flexible portion 36 after an internal vacuum force has been
created (such
as by the cooling of a filled content) and substantially accommodated by the
base 12.
The volumetric area, designated as V, represents an amount of internal volume
that is
intended to be accommodated or absorbed by the base 12 in response to the
internal
=
vacuum or pressur.e. In a preferred embodiment, the accommodated volume is
substantially equivalent to the volume difference between the flexible portion
as shown in
positions 36 and 36'.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
Base 12 is preferably designed and configured to accommodate an anticipated
vacuum volume and, to the extent desired, to eliminate or reduce the amount of
intern.al
pressure falling upon the body portion 14 of the container, particularly the
portion
associated with a label., For example, without limitation, certain containers
will
experience a normal shrinkage of from about 0=5% volume (and more commonly
from
about 2-3% volume) upon cooling of a hot-filled liquid. The design of the base
12,
including the size and shape of the flexible portion 36, can be configured to
accommodate the volumetric shrinkage by adjusting the associated volumetric
area V.
The structural design or shape of the flexible portion 36 of the base 12 is
preferably substantially rounded or hemispherical in cross-section, although
other
geometries, such as oval, square or rectangle, may also be employed. In a
preferred
embodiment,'the final, i.e., post-internal-pressure, form of the'base 12 is a
champagne-
style, such as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C. To help avoid problems, including
container
instability (such as "rocking"), the lowermost point of the flexible portion
36 will
preferably initially be and remain at or above the surface upon which the
container 10
rests and is not visible when the container is in a standing position.
However, the specific
design of the base 12 and flexiblc portion 36, including the shape and
dimensions, can be
established by empirical design calculations, by physical testing, or both.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
FIGS. 4B and 4C are cross-sectional representations of a base 12 of a
container
including features and embodiments associated with the present invention. In
FIG. 4B,
the flexible portion 36 is shown in a first, pre-internal-vacuum, position in
solid line
form. In the representative embodiment the flexible portion is depicted in a
fornl that
generally extends downwardly from the contents in a "convex" manner with
respect to
the support surface of the conitainer. The associated transition segment 3 8
preferably is
relatively smooth or radiused to help prevent or avoid sharp edges and/or the
creation of
' unacceptable stress points. In FIG. 4C, the pre-internal vacuum pressure
position is
illustrated in phantom line form and the second, i.e., post-internal-pressure,
"concave"
position is illustrated in solid line form. The flexible portion 36 of the
base performs a similar function to the flexible portion 36 shown in FIG. 4A,
however, the amount of
volume V to be accommodated in the base 12 is comparatively less than the
volume
depicted in connection with FIG. 4C.
In addition to the flexible portion 36, the body portion 14 of the container
10 may
optionally include one or more additional pressure relief formations for
accommodating,
or being available to accommodate, additional or excess internal vacuum
pressure.
Although such relief formations may be used with any pize of container,
generally, such
additional pressure.relief formations are less important or necessary for use
in smaller
sized container packages (e.g., 12 oz., 20 oz., 24 oz.) and are more desirable
or beneficial
with containers holding a larger content volume (e.g., 32 oz., 64 oz., 1 gal.,
etc.).
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
Such additional pressure relief formations may, for example, function as "back-
up" or "correction" features to accommodate internal vacuum pressures that,
whether
intentionally or unintentionally, exceed the amount or rate of vacuum that can
be
accommodated by the flexible portion 36 of the base 12. Typically, less rigid
structural
portions of a container will tend to deform first in response to internal
vacuum pressures.
Therefore, at least with respect to the more rigid body portions of the
container (such as
the rigid portion 24), the relief formations can be configured to generally
accommodate
all or substantially all of the vacuum `pressure before such pressure would
typically act to
deform other body portions of the container where deformation is.less
desirable, such as
the rigid portion 24.
The pressure relief formations may take the form of a wide variety of
structural
shapes and forms including, without limitation, round, oval, square,
triangular or
rectangular formations that can move inwardly with response to an internal
pressure. The
pressure relief formations may also take the form of a logo, logo panel, or a
wide variety,
of other formations or features that can collapse in response to an internal
pressure that is
not otherwise accommodated by other portions of the container 10, including
the flexible
portion. 36 of the base 12.
FIGS. 5A and 5B depict cross-sectional views of the shoulder portion of a
container, which includes a sample pressure relief formatipn 40. FIG. 5A
illustrates the
representative pressure relief formation 40 in a first position (shown as a
solid line) and
in a second position (shown in phantom line and generally designated as 40').
FIG. 5B
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
shows the pressure relief formation 40' in a configuration after having
substantially
accommodated an internal vacuum pressure.
Further, although not required, the container - particularly those that
encounter
pressurization - may be subjected to other processes to impart additional
properties. For
example, without limitation, the container may additionally be heat set to
impart further
resistance to deformation. Hbwever, heat setting is not required and, in a
number of
instances, such as the case with non-pressurized containers, no heat setting
may be
desired or necessary.
Preferably, the container 10 is comprised of plastic material. However, it
should
be noted that the invention is not limited to a specific material or
combination of
- ,.
materials and, without limitation, may be comprised of a wide variety of
plastic materials,
including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene
(PP), or a
number of other thermoplastic materials in virgin, recycled, or blended forms
or othe'r
combinations. Further, the container 10 is not limited to a specific formation
or
configuration and may be formed, for example, in various monolayer or
multilayer
configurations. Moreover, if desired, the container may optionally include
layers, or
portions. of layers, that serve particular functions. Such functional layers
may include,
without limitation, a harrier layer, a scavenger layer, or other known
functional materials
or layers. In addition, the container may include a coating such as carbon on
the internal
surface of the container.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
The present invention also includes an improved process or method for
manufacturing and filling containers. Generally, a container will have a given
product
content volume, e.g., 12 oz., 20 oz., 24 oz., 64 oz., etc. As previously
noted, when a
container is filled with contents at an elevated temperature and the contents
are allowed
to cool, there is some internal volume shrinkage associated with the coritents
and a
corresponding internal vacuuin pressure is created. Through calculations
and/or testing,
the amount of -anticipated volume reduction can be estimated or determined.
Consequently, the bottle manufacturer can design and configure the container
to include a
flexible base portion that initially extends outwardly from the contents and,
after
experiencirig all or a portion of an anticipated vacuum pressure, is moved
toward the
contents to at least partially accommodate the associated internal vacuum
pressure and
volume reduction. Depending upon the circumstances, the internal pressure
accommodation may be partial or fairly subtle and/or may take the form of a
more
noticeable or defined all-or-nothing-type "pop," which could occur as the
flexible portion
abruptly moves from a pre-vacuum position to a post-vacuum position.
If desired, additional stress relief portions can be included in the body
portion to
offer additional capacity and/or corrections for anticip.qted volumes,
including differences
that have an inherent measure of variation associated with the contents and
process.
FuTther, the strength of the rigid portion of the.container and the volume
accommodation
associated with the base and, if present, any pressure relief formations may
be modified
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
(in the form of an iterative process) until the label or labels adhered to the
body portion of
the container, including the rigid'portion, have a desired look and feel and
aesthetic
quality after the vacuum and other internal pressures have been accommodated.
Consequently, a container having a tightly wrapped and aesthetically pleasing
label can
be more easily produced.
In accordance with an eni6odiment of the invention, a hot fillable container
that
includes a strengthened body portion for receiving a label and a flexible
portion in the
base is molded by a manufacturer at a first location. At the first location a
flexible base
portion is positioned in a first, at least partially downwardly (i.e., toward
the support
surface) extending position. The container may also include one or more stress
relief
formations, which are in a pre-vacuum-pressure position. The strengthened body
portion
of the container is labeled at the first location prior to filling. Further,
if desired, in-mold
labeling systems may be employed and the label may be applied to the container
during
the molding/production process.
Once the manufactured container is labeled, it is moved or shipped some time
thereafter to a second location (which is commonly a customer's facility, but
may be at a
different location in the same facility) for filling withyroduct content. When
the
container is filled yvith product content at an elevated temperature, or an
internal vacuum
pressure is otherwise created, the internal pressure is accommodated by the
container by
the flexible portion of the base (and, if present, possibly one or more
pressure relief
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~ '..
/
CA 02620784 2008-02-22
formations in the side wall of the container that are intended to flex
inwardly). The
process permits the container to be filled with content at a second location,
without
requiring it to be labeled during or after filling and without the associated
internal
pressure causing significant deformation of the rigid portion of the body or
the associated
label 'affixed thereto.
FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C 'show an embodiment of the present invention, with FIG.
6A showing a side elevation view of container 50, FIG. 6B showing a top view
of the
container of FIG. 6A including dispensing opening 52 and shoulder portion 54
and FIG.
6C showing a bottom view of the container of FIG. 6A. Container 50 includes
self-
supporting base 56, body portion 58 extending above the base, shoulder portion
54 above
..
the body portion, and neck portion 60 above the shoulder and body portions,
with the
neck portion including and terminating in dispensing opening 52. The body
portion 58
includes a substantially rigid sidewall portion formed by a plurality of
reinforcement
formations 62 in the form of indentations separated by interspersed lands 64
such as
generally shown in FIGS. 1- 3. The reinforcement formations may be
rectangular,
brick-like formations with a recessed central portion 66. The reinforcement
formations
are present in a plurality of circumferential rows which extend around the
periphery of
the container, with seven rows shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6A, desirably
with from
4 to 8 rows being used. The rectangular, brick-like formations have a width
and a depth
with the ratio of width to depth being from 10:1 to 2:1. For a hot-fill
application the ratio
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
of width to depth is preferably from 2:1. to 3:1, and for an internal coating
operation the
ratio of width to depth is preferably from 8:1 to 10:1. As shown in FIGS. 6A
and 6C,
base 56 includes a plurality of support legs 68 separated by recessed portions
70.
The brick-like formations 62 desirably are in a staggered, overlapping pattern
supported on either side by raisecl lands 64.
For a hot-fill application the flexible base shown in FIGS. 2- 3, for example,
is
desirable, as discussed hereinabove. However, in other instances the rigid
wall portion of
the present invention is desirable without the flexible base, as for example
where one
coats.the internal surface of the container as with a carbon coating. Also,
the depth of the
~
brick-like formations will vary depending on the situation. A deeper brick-
like
indentation will give a more rigid sidewall structure. However, in some cases
a less rigid
-. ~
sidewall is desired, as for a carbonated beverage where one would desire a
shalloweii
brick-like formation sufficient to prevent pop-out of the recess but deep
enough to
rigidify the sidewall for vacuum.
FIGS. 7A - 7C show container 80 similar to container 50 and including
dispensing opening 82, shoulder portion 84 and base 86. Base 86 of FIG. 7C is
similar to
base 56 of FIG. 6C; but sidewall 88 includes six circumferential rows of brick-
lilce
indentations 90 separated by interspersed lands 92 rather than the seven rows
of
indentations in FIG. 6A.
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
FIGS. 8A - 8C show a further embodiment with container 100 including
dispensing opening 102, shoulder portion 104 and base 106. Sidewall 108
includes seven
circumferential rows of brick-like indentations 110 separated ky interspersed
lands 112,
but base 106 includes a ribbed portion with ribs 114 extending outwardly from
a button-
like central portion 116, and a peripheral rigid support portion 118.
FIGS. 9A - 9C show a still furtfier embodi,ment with container 120 including
dispensing opening 122, shoulder portion 124 and base 126. Sidewall 128
includes seven
circumferential rows of brick-like indentations 130 separated by interspersed
lands 132,
but base 126 includes a circumferential ribbed area 134 surrounding a central
button-like
portion 136.
FIGS. l0A - 10C show a further embodiment with container 140 including
dispensing opening 142, shoulder portion 144 and base 146, Sidewall 148
includes seven
circumferential rows of brick-like indentations 150 separated by interspersed
lands 152.
Base 146 is similar to base 106 in FIG. 8C including a ribbed portion with
ribs 154
extending outwardly from a button-like central portion 156, but peripheral
rigid support
portion 158 includes pressure relief formations 160 around the periphery of
support
portion 158.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described witli
reference to the foregoing preferred and alternative embodiments, it should be
understood
by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of
the invention
described herein may be employed in practicing the invention_ without
departing from the
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CA 02620784 2008-02-22
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is
intended that the
following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and
apparatus
within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
This
description of the invention should, be understood to include all novel and
non-obvious
combinations of elements described'he"rein, and clairps may be presented in
this or a later
application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. The
foregoing
embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to
all possible
combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
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