NZ618911B2 - Plastic containers having base configurations with particular up-stand geometries, and systems, methods, and base molds thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a beverage container or bottle with an expansion/contraction zone located in the vessel base to allow the container to be either hot or cold filled without deformation of the container once the contents have returned to a normal temperature. The container comprises a sidewall; a finish projecting from an upper end of the sidewall, the finish operative to receive a closure; and a base below the sidewall. The base has a closed bottom end comprising an annular bearing portion defining a standing surface for the container; a cylindrical wall including a first concave ring, a second concave ring, and a third concave ring. The cylindrical wall is circumscribed by the bearing portion and extends continuously upward from the bearing portion toward the finish generally in a radially inward direction. The first concave ring is continuous throughout a first circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a first diameter and a first cross-sectional radius, the second concave ring extending directly from the first concave ring continuously throughout a second circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a second diameter and a second cross-sectional radius, and the third concave ring extends directly from the second concave ring continuous throughout a third circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a third diameter and a third cross-sectional radius. The first diameter is greater than the second and third diameters, and the second diameter being greater than the third diameter. An inner wall is circumscribed by the cylindrical wall with an annular shoulder therebetween, the inner wall and the cylindrical wall being cooperatively operative so as to accommodate pressure variation within the container after the container has been filled with a product and sealed with the closure. The inner wall is operative to flex in response to the pressure variation within the container after the container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, whereas the cylindrical wall is operative to withstand movement as the inner wall flexes in response to the pressure variation within the container after the container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure. projecting from an upper end of the sidewall, the finish operative to receive a closure; and a base below the sidewall. The base has a closed bottom end comprising an annular bearing portion defining a standing surface for the container; a cylindrical wall including a first concave ring, a second concave ring, and a third concave ring. The cylindrical wall is circumscribed by the bearing portion and extends continuously upward from the bearing portion toward the finish generally in a radially inward direction. The first concave ring is continuous throughout a first circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a first diameter and a first cross-sectional radius, the second concave ring extending directly from the first concave ring continuously throughout a second circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a second diameter and a second cross-sectional radius, and the third concave ring extends directly from the second concave ring continuous throughout a third circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a third diameter and a third cross-sectional radius. The first diameter is greater than the second and third diameters, and the second diameter being greater than the third diameter. An inner wall is circumscribed by the cylindrical wall with an annular shoulder therebetween, the inner wall and the cylindrical wall being cooperatively operative so as to accommodate pressure variation within the container after the container has been filled with a product and sealed with the closure. The inner wall is operative to flex in response to the pressure variation within the container after the container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, whereas the cylindrical wall is operative to withstand movement as the inner wall flexes in response to the pressure variation within the container after the container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure.

Description

PCT/U82012/050256 'PLASTiC CONTAlNERS HAVING BASE CONFIGURATlONS WITH PARTICULAR [JP-STAND GEOMETRIES, AND SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND BASE MOLDS THEREOF FIELD {0001] The disclosed subject matter relates to base urations for plastic containers, and systems, methods, and base molds thereof. in particular, the disclosed subject matter involves base configurations having ular up—stand geometries that can assist or facilitate ed temperature processing and/oer cooling processing of plastic containers.

SUMMARY The Summary describes and identifies features of some embodiments.

It is presented as a convenient summary of some embodiments, but not all. Further the Summary does not necessarily identify al or essential features of the ments. inventions, or claims.

According to embodiments, a plastic container comprises: a sidewall configured to receive a label; a finish projecting from an upper end of said sidewall, said finish operative to receive a closure; and a base below said sidewall. The base has a bottom end that includes: a bearing portion defining a standing e for plastic container; an nd geometry wall of a stacked configuration extending upward from said bearing n; and an inner wall circumscribed by said nd geometry wall in end view of the plastic container, said inner wall and said up-stand geometry wail being atively operative so as to accommodate pressure variation within the container after the container has been filled with a product and sealed with the ciosure, said inner wall being operative to flex in reSponse to the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U82012/050256 pressure variation within the container after the container has been hot—filled and sealed with the closure, s said up«stand geometry wall is operative to withstand movement as said inner wall flexes in reaponse to the pressure variation within the container after the ner has been hot—filled and sealed with the closure.

Also included among embodiments described herein is a method comprising: providing a olded plastic container, the plastic container including a ll configured to support a film label, a finish projecting from an upper end of the sidewall and Operative to cooperatively receive a closure to sealingly enclose the plastic container, and a base extending from the sidewall to form a bottom ed end of the plastic container, Wherein the bottom end has a standing ring upon which ' the container may rest, a rigid wall comprised of a plurality of stacked rings extending upward from the standing ring, and a movable wall extending inward from the rigid wall toward a central longitudinal axis of the container. The method also comprises hot~filling the plastic container via the finish with a product; sealing the hot-filled plastic container with the closure; cooling the hot~iilled and sealed plastic container; and compensating for an internal pressure teristic after hot—filling and sealing the plastic container, said sating including substantially no movement of the rigid wall. {0005] Embodiments also include a llable, blow~molded plastic wide— mouth jar configured to be filled with a viscous food product at a ature from 185°F to 205°F, which comprises: a cylindrical sidewall configured to support a wrap-around label; a wide-mouth threaded finish projecting from an upper end of said sidewall via a shoulder, said threaded finish operative to e a closure, and said er defining an upper label step above said sidewall; and a base defining a SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/USZOIZ/OSOZSé iower labei stop beiow said sidewall. The base has a bottom end that includes: a bearing portion defining a standing surface for the jar, the base being smooth and without surface features from said bearing portion to said tower label stop; an up- stand geometry wall of a stacked three-ring configuration circumscribed by said bearing portion and extending generally upward and radialiy inward from said g portion, a first ring of the stack being the bottom ring of the stack and having a first diameter, a second ring of the stack being the middie ring of the stack and having a second diameter and a third ring of the stack being the top ring and having a third diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second and third diameters, and the second diameter being greater than the third diameter. The bottom end of the base also includes an inner wall circumscribed by said up—stand geometry wall, said inner wait and said and geometry wall are atively operative so as to accommodate re ion within the jar after the jar has been hot-filled with the product at the temperature from 185°F to 205°F and sealed with the e. said inner wait being operative to flex in response to the pressure variation within the jar after the iar has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, whereas said up-stand geometry wait is operative to withstand movement as said inner wait flexes in response to the pressure variation within the jar after the jar has been hot-filled and sealed with the iid.

Embodiments aiso inciude a piastic container comprising: a sidewall configured to receive a iabei; a finish projecting from an upper end of said sidewall, said finish operative to receive a ciosure; and a base below said sidewall. The base has a bottom end that includes: a bearing portion defining a standing surface for piastic ner; an up-stand geometry wait of a d configuration extending upward from said bearing n; and an inner wail circumscribed by said rip-stand SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U82012/050256 geometry wall in end view of the plastic container, said inner wall and said Lip-stand geometry wall being cooperatively operative so as to accommodate pressure variation within the container after the ner has been filled with a product and sealed with the closure, said inner wall being operative to flex in response to the re variation within the container after the container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, whereas said Lip-stand geometry wall is operative to withstand movement as said inner wall flexes in se to the pressure ion within the container after the container has been hot—filled and sealed with the closure. Optionally, the stacked configuration of the nd geometry wall includes a ity of stacked rings, the rings all having a same circumference. Optionally, the stacked configuration of the up-stand ry wall includes a ity of stacked rings, the rings each having a different circumference. {0007] in embodiments, a base mold to form a bottom end portion ofta base of a plastic wide—mouth jar, the bottom end portion of the plastic jar having a bottom bearing surface of the jar, a rigid ringed wail extending upward from the bottom bearing surface and an inner flexible wall arranged inwardly of the ringed wall, wherein the base mold comprises: a body portion; a bearing surface forming n to form a portion of the bottom bearing surfaCe; a ringed wall forming portion to form the rigid ringed wall; a lip portion to form a ridge of the bottom end portion; and inner flexible wall forming portion to form the inner flexible wall. The ringed wall forming portion may be comprised of a stack of three ring protrusions to form the rigid ringed wall, respective m diameters of the ring protrusions decreasing in value from the bottom of the stack to the top of the stack. Optionally, the inner flexible wall forming portion can include an upwardly protruding gate portion.

Optionally, the base mold further can includes a ridge forming n between said SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) ZOIZ/OSOZSG ringed wall forming portion and said inner flexibie wall forming portion to form a ridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments will after be described in detail beiow with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein iike reference numerals represent like elements. The accompanying gs have not necessariiy been drawn to scaie. Any values dimensions illustrated in the anying graphs and figures are for illustration purposes only and may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Where applicable, some features may not be illustrated to assist in the description of underlying features. is a side view of a plastic container according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. is a side view of another plastic container according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. is a cross section view of a base n of a container according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. is a magnified view of the circled portion of the base n 'of . is a bottom end view of the base portion of . is a cross section view of a base portion of a container according to ments of the disciosed subject matter. {0015] is cross section view of the base portion shown in with a base mold according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/USZOIZ/050256 FIG, 4C is a bottom perspective view of the base portion of .: is a base mold according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FlG. SB is another base mold according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter shows a cross section view of an alternative embodiment of a base portion of a container ing to the disclosed subject matter. shows a cross n view of r aiternative embodiment of a base portion of a container according to the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 8A-8E rate alternative base mold embodiments according to the disclosed subject matter. {0022] is a cross section view of a base portion of a plastic container according to embodiments of the disclosed t matter, r to the base portion shown in FiG. 4A but without a ridge portion.

HQ QB is a cross section view of a base portion of a plastic container without a ridge portion according to embodiments of the disclosed t matter.

FiG. 10 is a flow chart for a method according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAlLED PTION The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is ed as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter may be practiced. The detailed description SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/USZOIZ/OSOZSG includes specific s for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter may be ced without these specific s. in some ces, well-known structures and components may be shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the disclosed subject matter. {0026] The disclosed subject matter relates to base configurations for plastic containers, and systems, methods, and base molds thereof. in particular, the disclosed subject matter es base urations having particular up-stand geometries that assist or facilitate elevated temperature processing, such as hot- filling, pasteurization. and/or retort processing. Optionally, c containers according to embodiments of the sed subject matter also may be ured and operative to accommodate internal forces caused by post elevated temperature sing, such as temperature—induced forces from varying temperatures in transit to or in storage at a distributor (e.g., wholesale or retail vendor), for example, prolonged effects of the weight of the product stored therein over time, etc, and/or cooling operations (including exposure to ambient temperature) after or between elevated ature processing. [0027} Generally speaking, in various embodiments, plastic containers ing to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have a base portion with a bottom end having an up-stand wall of a particular geometry. The up—stand wall resist movement in response to pressure variations or forces within the container and can facilitate movement or otherwise work in conjunction with a movable portion of the bottom end of the container base.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) W0 2013/025464 PCT/U82012/050256 Thus, while an up—stand wall remains stationary or substantially stationary, a bottom end portion of the container can move in response to internal pressures within the container when hot—filled and sealed, for instance. Optionally, the bottom end portion may be constructed and operative to move downwardly and axially outward in response to internal pressures, such as headspace pressure or under the weight of the product, and also to move upwardly and axially inward in response to a different internal pressure, such as an internal vacuum created within the container due to cooling or cooling processing of the ner. Alternatively, the bottom end portion may be constructed and operative to resist movement in one direction, for example, a downward and axially d direction, in response to internal res (e.g., headspace pressure. product weight, etc), but may be constructed and operative to move upward and axially inward in response to a ent internal pressure, such as an internal vacuum created within the. container due to cooling or cooling processing of the ner.

Meanwhile, the up-stanol wall may extend from the ng or support portion of the container ally or substantially vertically, angling or sipping radially inward. The up—stand wall can be constructed and operative to remain stationary during movement of the e bottom end portion of the container. Optionally, the up—stand wall may be constructed and operative to move or flex radially inward slightly during movement of the movable bottom end portion. Optionally, the up- stand wall may be constructed and operative to move or flex radially outward during nt of the movable bottom end portion. In the case of jars, for example, the up-stand wall can remain rigid or stationary in response to relatively higher atures and pressures typically involved in jar applications.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U82012/650256 in s embodiments, the up-stand geometry can be of a stacked ring or rib configuration. Any suitable number of rings or ribs can be stacked, such as two, three, four, or five. The rings can be stacked directly ally on top of one another, or may taper inward with each successive ring. Alternatively, only one ring .may be implemented. Such use of nd geometry, and in particular, stacked ring configurations according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may provide the ability to use less material to form a jar, for instance, while providing d container characteristics, such as the container‘s ability to compensate for internal pressure variations within the container after hot filling and sealing.

Plastic containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be of any sultabie configuration. For example, embodiments may e jars, such as wide-mouth jars, and base configurations thereof. Embodiments may also include single serve containers, bottles, jugs, asymmetrical containers, or the like, and base urations thereof. Thus, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be filled with and contain any suitable product including a , semi- fluent, or viscous food product, such as applesauce, spaghetti sauce, relishes, baby foods, brine, jelly, and the like, or a non-food product such as water. tea, juice, isotonic drinks or the like.

Plastic containers according to embodiments of the sed subject matter can be of any le size. For example, embodiments include containers with internal volumes of 24 02., 45 02., 48 02., or 66 oz. Also, container sizes can include singie-serving and multipleserving size containers. Further, embodiments can also include containers with mouth diameters of 38mm, 55mm or higher, for instance.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) W0 20131025464 Hot—fill processing can include filling a product into the container at any temperature in a range of at or about 130° F to at or about 205° Forin a range of at or about 185° F to at or about 205° F. For example, a wide-mouth jar can be titled with a hot product at a temperature of at or about 205° F. ally, the hot-fill ature can be above 205° F, such as 208° F. As another example, a single— serve container, such as for an isotonic, can be filled with a hot product at a temperature of 185° F or siightly below.

Plastic containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be capped or sealed using any suitable closure, such as a plastic or metailic threaded cap or lid, a foil seat, 3 lug e, a plastic or metallic snap-fit lid or cap, etc.

Piastic containers according to embodiments of the sed t matter can also optionally be subjected to through processing, such as pasteurization and/or retort processing.

Pasteurization can invoive heating a filled and sealed container and/or the product therein to any temperature in the range of at or about 200° F to at or about 215° F or at or about 218° F for any time period at or about five minutes to at or about forty minutes, for instance. in various embodiments, a hot rain spray may be used to heat the container and its contents.

Retort processing for food products, for instance, can involve heating a filied and sealed container and/or the product therein to any temperature in the range of at or about 230° F to at or about 270° F for any time period at or about twenty. minutes to at or about forty minutes, for ce. essure also may be applied to the container by any suitabie means, such as a pressure chamber.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U32012/050256 HS. 1 is a side view of a plastic container in the form of a olded c wide—mouth jar 100 according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Jar 100 is shown in FlG. 1 in its empty condition, after blow—moiding, but before hot-fitting and sealing with a closure, and in the absence of any internal or external appiied forces.

Jar 100 can be configured and ive to undergo elevated ature processing, such as hot-filling, pasteurization, and/or retort processing.

For exampie, jar 100 may receive a food product as described herein at an elevated temperature as described herein, such as at a temperature from 185°F to 205°F.

Jar 100 also can be constructed and operative to undergo cooling processing cooiwdown operations. Jar 100 is further constructed and operative to accommodate or react in a certain manner to any of the entioned forces or pressures.

Jar 100 also may be ted to forces caused by post hot-fill and cooling operations, such as temperature—induced forces from varying temperatures in transit to or in storage at a butor (e.g., wholesale or retail vendor), prolonged effects of the weight of the product stored therein over time, etc. [0001} Jar 100 can include tubuiar sidewail 130, a threaded finish 110 operative to receive a threaded ciosure (tag, a lid), a shoulder or dome 120, and a base 140. As ted earlier, threaded finish 110 can be a wide—mouth finish and may be of any suitable dimension For ce, the wide—mouth finish may have a diameter of 55mm. Of course finishes and corresponding enclosures other than those that are threaded may be implemented. Jar 100 also may have upper and lower label bumpers or stops 121, 131. Label bumpers may define a iabel area between which a label, such as a wraparound label, can be affixed to sidewall 130.

Optionally, sidewail 130 may include a plurality of concentric ribs 135, circumscribing SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/USZ012/050256 the sidewall 130 horizontally. Ribs 135 may be provided to reinforce the sidewall 130 and resist paneling, denting, barreling, ovalization, and/or other unwanted deformation of the sidewall 130, for example, in response to hot-filling, pasteurization, and/or retort processing. Not explicitly shown, one or more supplemental vacuum panels may be located on the dome 120 in order to prevent unwanted deformation of ll 130, for instance. Thus, the one or more supplemental vacuum panels may take up a portion of in induced vacuum caused by g a filled and sealed jar 100, and, as will be discussed in more detail below, an inner wall may flex or move to take up or remove a second portion of the induced is a side view of another plastic container in the form of a jar 200 according to embodiments of the disclosed subiect matter. As can be seen, jar 200 is similarto jar 100, but without ribs 135 in its sidewall 230. Upper and lower label bumpers or stops 121, 131 are shown more pronounced in however, their dimensions in on to sidewall 230 may be similar to or the same as shown in the jar 100 of Additionally, jar 200 also may include one or more supplemental vacuum panels. Such one or more supplemental vacuum panels may be located on the dome 120 and/or in the sidewall 230 and/or between bumper stop 131 and the bottom standing support formed by the base 140. Accordingly, as with the one or more supplemental vacuum panels ned above for jar 100, the one or more mental vacuum panels may take up a portion of in induced vacuum caused by cooling a filled and sealed jar 200, and an inner wall may flex or move inward into the jar 200 to take up or remove a second portion of the induced vacuum.

FIGS. 3A-3C-show views of base 140 and in particular a bottom end thereof, with being a cross n view of base 140, being a .1 2 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) ation] Lars.Koch [Annotation] Lars.Koch W0 2013/025464 PCT/USZOI2/050256 magnified view of the circled portion of , and being a bottom end View of base 140.

Generally speaking, the bottom end of the base 140 is constructed and operative to be responsive to elevated temperature processing, such as during and after hotmfilling and sealing and optionally during pasteurization and/or retort processing. The bottom end may also be subjected to forces caused by post hot-fill and cooling operations, such as temperature~induced forces from varying temperatures in transit to or in storage at a distributor (eg, wholesaie or retail vendor), protonged s of the weight of the product stored n over time, etc., and can accommodate such , such as by preventing a n of the bottom end from setting and/or moving to a non-recoverable on. As indicated above, an up-stand wall is constructed and operative to remain stationary or substantially stationary in response to elevated temperature processing and associated movement a movable bottom end portion of the container.

The bottom end of base 140 inciudes a bearing portion 142, for example, a standing ring that can define a bearing or standing surface of the jar.

Optionally, the base 140 can be smooth and without surface features from bearing portion 142 to lower label bumper or stop 131. id="p-44"

[0044] The bottom end of base 140 can also include an up-stand geometric wall 144 of a stacked three-ring uration scribed by the bearing portion 142. As can be seen, Lip—stand wall 144 can extend generally upward and radially inward from the bearing portion 142. However, alternativeiy, in various embodiments, upestand wall 144 may extend only y upward without extending radialiy inward. As yet another , up—stand wall 144 may extend axiaily upward and slightly radially outward.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [Annotation] Lars.Koch PCTfU82012/050256 in ments, up-stand wall 144 can inciude a plurality of rings.

FlGS. ISA-C show three rings, 144A, 1448, and 1446, for example. Ring 144A can have a first diameter or circumference, ring 1448 can have a second diameter or circumference, and ring 1440 can have a third diameter or circumference, wherein the first diameter (or circumference) can be greater than the second and third ers (or circumferences), and the second diameter (or circumference) can be greater than the third diameter (or circumference). See in particuiar . As will be discussed later, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited to three rings. Further, embodiments are not limited to rings all having different diameters or circumferences. Thus, in various embodiments, none of the rings may have the same diameters or circumferences, or, aiternatively, only some of the rings may have the same or different ers or ferences. in yet another embodiment, ali of the rings may have the same diameter or circumference. {0045] Rings 144A, M48, and 1440 can have same or different amounts of vertical extension, d1, d2, d3. Thus, some or all of the rings 144A, 1448, 1440 can have a same vertical extension dy, and/or some or ali of the rings 144A, 1448, 144C can have a same radius of curvature. Optionally, none of the rings 144A, i448, 1440 can have a same verticai extension dy and/or a same radius of curvature. Similarly, rings 144A, 1448, and 144C can have the same or different amounts of horizontal extension radialiy inward dx. in , for ce, rings 144A and 1448 have the same horizontal extension radialiy inward and ring 1440 extends in the x direction more than does either of rings 144A or 1448.

Further, rings 144A. 1448, and 1440 can have same or different radii of ures. in various embodiments, Lip—stand wall 144 can extend from bearing portion 142 y upward to an apex thereof. Thus, at an uppermost portion of a SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U52012/650256 top ring (ring 1440 in the case of the embodiment shown in FlGS. 3A—3C) may exist a ridge 146. Ridge 146 can be at a junction between and wall 144 and an inner wall 148. As shown in , the apex of up—stand wall 144 can be a ridge or rim 146 that is circular in end view of the jar. From the top of ridge 146, there may be a vely sharp drop off to an inner wall 148. Alternatively, there may be no ridge and the top of the up~stand wall 144, and the tip—stand wall 144 can transition gradually horizontally, tangentially, or at a subtle radius downward or upward to inner wall 148. In the case of no ridge or ridge 146, in various embodiments, the inner wall 148 may extend horizontally, downward (e.g., by an angle), or at a subtle radius downward or upward. Thus, inner wall 148 can be formed at a decline (ridge 148 or no ridge) with respect to horizontal, represented by an angle. The angle can be any suitable angle. in various embodiments, the angle can be 3,° 8°, 10° any angle from 3° to 12°, from 3° to 14°, from 8° to 12°, or from 8° to 14°. Alternatively, as ted above, inner wall 148 may not be at an angle, and may horizontally extend, or, inner wall 148 may be at an incline with respect to horizontal in its as-forrned state.

Inner wall 148 can be of any suitable configuration and can move as described herein. In various embodiments, inner wall 148 can be as set ferth in US.

Application No. 13/210,358 filed on August 15, 2012, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

Inner wall 148 can be circumscribed by the up-stand wall 144, and the inner wall 148 and up—stand wall 144 can be atively operative so as to accommodate pressure ion within the jar after the jar has been lled with a product at a filling temperature as described herein and sealed with an enclosure (e.g., a threaded lid).

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 2012/050256 The straight, "middle" dashed line in indicates that inner wail 148 can be of any suitable configuration, with more ic es being provided later. In various embodiments, the inner wall 148 can flex in response to the pressure ion within the jar after the jar has been hot~fliied with a t at a filling temperature as described herein and seated with an enclosure. For instance, inner wall 148 may flex downward as shown by dashed line 148(1) in response to an internal pressure P(1). internal pressure P(1) may be caused by elevated temperature of a hot product being filled into the jar and then the jar being seated, for example (i.e., headspace pressure). Internal pressure PU) also may be caused by ed temperature of a product upon pasteurization or retort processing at an eievated temperature. Optionally, inner wall 148 can be constructed so that it is at or above a horizontal plane running through the bearing surface at alt times during the downward flexing of the inner wail 148.

Optionally or alternatively, inner wall 148 may flex upward as shown by dashed line 148(2) in response to an internai pressure P(2), which is shown outside the jar, but can be entative of a force caused by an internal vacuum created by cooling a hot~filled product. Up~stand wali 144 is configured and operative to withstand or substantiaity withstand movement as the inner wall 148 flexes in response to the pressure variation within the jar after the jar has been lled and sealed with the lid.

FlGS. 4A—4C show an exampie of a jar base 142 with a three-ring up- stand wall t44A-C and with a particuiar configuration for the inner wall 448, with also showing a base motd 5008 for forming thejar base 142 shown in FtGS. 4A—4C. inner wall 448 can be relatively flat with the exception of concentric SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U82012/050256 rings 450A, 4508. inner wall 448 also may include a nose cone 452 with a gate 454, which may be used for injection of plastic when blow molding the jar. [0052} Generally speaking, inner wall 448 can move upward and/or downward by any suitable angle. Further, alternatively, in various embodiments, the angle of movement may be entirely below the initial, blow molded position of inner wall 448.

Alternatively, the angle of movement may be entirely above the l, blow molded position of inner wall 448. Or the angle of movement can bisect or split the initial blow molded position. in various embodiments, the initial blow molded position for inner wall 448 may be horizontal, or, alternatively, it may be three degrees above or below horizontal. in various embodiments, inner wall 448 can flex downward, with concentric rings 450A, 4508 controlling the extent to which the inner wall 448 may flex downward. Optionally, concentric rings 450A, 4508 may assist inner wall 448 move back upward, for example to the initial blow molded position of the inner wail 448 or, for example, above the initial blow molded position. Such movement above the initial blow molded position may reiieve some or all of an d vacuum and even create a ve re within the jar.

Optionally, inner wall 448 also can have a nose cone (or gate riser) 452 with a gate 454 d at a l longitudinal axis of the jar, which may be used for injection of plastic when blow molding the jar. In various embodiments, nose cone 452 may serve as an nverting portion that is constructed and operative to move downward in response to the increased pressure and/or upward in response to the decreased pressure without deforming or without substantially deforming as it moves upward and/or downward with the inner wall 448..

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 2012/050256 r example, shows, is a cross section. a base portion according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, without a ridge, and with item 146 now representing a horizontal, declined, or subtle radius downward tion from up-stand wall 144 to inner wall 148.

FIG. QB shows, in cross section, yet another example of a base portion according to ments of the disclosed subject matter without a ridge, with item 146 now representing a curved downward or parabolic transition from up-stand wall 144 to inner wall 148. Optionally, inner wail 148 can be curved axially outward along a single major radius. is a base mold 500A to form a bottom end portion of a base of a plastic container according to embodiments of the sed subject . Base mold 500A include a body portion 502, a bearing surface forming portion 542 to form a portion of the bottom bearing surface, a ringed wail forming portion 544 to form the rigid ringed wall, a lip portion-546 to form a ridge of the bottom end portion, and an inner wail forming portion 548 to form a inner wall of a container. Ringed wail forming portion 544A-C may be comprised of a stack of three ring protrusions 544A-C to form a ringed wail of a container, wherein tive maximum diameters of the ring sions decrease in value from the bottom of the stack to the top of the stack.

Note that portion 548 shown in is intended to indicate that suitable inner wall can be formed (including as shown). , for example, shows a base mold 5008 with aspecific inner wall forming portion 548. Base moids according to embodiments of the sed subject matter can for bottom end portions of container bases according container embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Not explicitly shown by FlGS. 5A and SB, base molds according to SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U82012/058256 embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be ridgeiess (i.e., without a ridge forming portion or lip portion 546). [0059} FIGS. 6 and 7 show alternative ments of up~stand wall 144.

More ically, Lip-stand wall 144 in is comprised of four rings 144A-D, and Lip-stand wait 144 in is comprised of two rings. The number of rings for up— stand wall 144 may be set for a particular container based on the food t or non-food product to be filled into the container. Rings 144 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be of different rations (e.g., different lengths of curvature (is, arc length), different s, x-axis direction length, y—axis length, etc.).

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate alternative base molds SODA-800E and respective up-stand geometries 844A-844E according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, this disclosure covers corresponding container bases and in particular up-stand wall configurations formed by these base molds SODA—800E and variations thereof. {0061] is a flow chart for a method 1000 according to embodiments of the disclosed subject . {0062] Methods according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can include providing a plastic container as set forth herein (S1002). Providing a plastic container can include blow molding or otherwise forming the container. ing a plastic container also can include ing, shipping, and/or delivery of a container.

Methods can also include filling, for example, hot~fi|ling the ner with a product such as bed herein, at a temperature as described herein (S1004). After filling, the container can be sealed with a closure such as described herein (S1006).

After sealing filling and sealing the container, a base portion of the container SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 25464 PCT/U82012/050256 accommodate or act in response to an internal pressure or force in the filled and sealed container such as described herein (81008). As indicated above, internal pressure within the sealed and tilted container can be caused by hot—filling the container, pasteurization processing to the container, retort processing to the container, or cooling sing to the container. The container base portion can accommodate or act responsively as set forth herein based on the internal pressure or force and the particular configuration and uction of the base portion as set forth herein. [0063} Though containers in the form of wide-mouth jars have been particularly discussed above and shown in various figures, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not limited to outh jars and can include plastic containers of any suitable shape or configuration and for any suitable use, including bottles, jugs, asymmetrical containers, single—serve ners or the like. Also, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter shown in the drawings have circular cross—sectional shapes with reference to a central longitudinal axis. However, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are not d to containers having circular cross sections and thus container cross sections can be square, rectangular, oval, or asymmetrical.

Further, as indicated above, hot-filling below 185°F (e.g., 180°F) or above 205°F is also embodied in s of the disclosed subject matter. rizing and/or retort temperatures above 185°, above 200°F, or above 205°F (e.g., 215°F) are also embodied in aspects of the disclosed subject matter. {0065] Containers, as set forth according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be mode of a thermoplastic made in any suitable way, for example, blow molded (including injection) PET, PEN, or blends f.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) PCT/U32012/050256 Additionaiiy, optionaliy, containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be multilayered, including a layer of gas barrier material, a layer of scrap material, and/or a polyester resin modified for violet ("UV") light protection or resistance.

Having now described embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the ing is merely iiiustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. Thus, although particular configurations have been discussed herein, other configurations can also be ed. Numerous modifications and other ments (e.g., combinations, rearrangements, etc.) are enabled by the present disclosure and are within the scope of one of ordinary skill in the art and are contemplated as g within the scope of the sed subject matter and any equivalents thereto. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc, within the scope of the invention to produce additional embodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used to advantage without a ponding use of other features.

Accordingly, Appiicants intend to embrace ail such alternatives, cations, equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims (27)

The invention claimed is:

1. А container comprising: a sidewall; a finish projecting from an upper end of said sidewall, said finish operative to receive a closure; and a base below said sidewall, said base having a closed bottom end sing: an annular bearing n defining a standing surface for the container; a cylindrical wall including a first concave ring, a second concave ring, and a third concave ring, the cylindrical wall circumscribed by said bearing portion and extending continuously upward from said bearing portion toward said finish generally in a radially inward ion, the first concave ring being continuous hout a first circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a first diameter and a first cross-sectional radius, the second concave ring ing directly from the first concave ring continuous throughout a second circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a second diameter and a second cross-sectional radius, and the third concave ring extending directly from the second concave ring continuous throughout a third circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a third diameter and a third cross-sectional radius, the first diameter being r than the second and third diameters, and the second diameter being greater than the third diameter; and an inner wall circumscribed by said cylindrical wall with an r shoulder therebetween, said inner wall and said cylindrical wall being cooperatively ive so as to odate pressure variation within the container after the container has been filled with a product and sealed with the closure, said inner wall being operative to flex in response to the pressure variation within the container after the container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, s said cylindrical wall is operative to withstand movement as said inner wall flexes in response to the pressure variation within the container after the container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure.

2. The plastic container ing to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional radius of curvature of each of the first, second, and third concave rings is the same.

3. The plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the first concave ring is different from the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the second concave ring or the sectional radius of curvature of the third e ring.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a jar, wherein the label comprises а wrap-around label, wherein the finish comprises а wide-mouth finish projecting from the upper end of said sidewall via a shoulder, said shoulder defining an upper label stop above said sidewall, wherein the base defines a lower label stop below said sidewall, wherein the base is smooth and without surface features from said bearing portion to said lower label stop; n the product is at a ature from 185°F to 205°F when filled.

5. The container according to Claim 1, wherein the pressure ion is headspace pressure associated with the hotfilling with the product at a temperature from 185°F to 205°F and sealing the container, said inner wall being configured and operative to flex downward in se to the headspace pressure, and wherein said sidewall withstands movement in response to the re variation.

6. The container according to Claim 1, wherein said inner wall is constructed so as to be at or above the standing surface at all times when the inner wall flexes in response to the pressure variation.

7. The container according to Claim 1, n the pressure variation is an internal vacuum associated with cooling of the hot-filled and sealed container, said inner wall being configured and operative to flex upward and inward in response to the vacuum, and wherein said sidewall ands movement in response to the vacuum.

8. The container ing to Claim 7, wherein the upward and inward flexing of said inner wall at least partially reduces the vacuum in the container.

9. The container ing to Claim 7, wherein the upward and inward flexing of said inner wall entirely removes the vacuum in the ner.

10. The container according to Claim 4, wherein said inner wall is moved upward and inward by a ical force acting on a central portion of said inner wall to create a positive pressure within the jar.

11. The container according to Claim 1, wherein the pressure variation es increased pressure and decreased pressure, separately, wherein said inner wall resists and does not move downward in response to the increased pressure, and wherein said inner wall is caused to move upward in response to the decreased pressure to thereby accommodate the decreased pressure.

12. The container according to Claim 1, wherein the pressure variation includes increased pressure and decreased pressure, separately, wherein said inner wall is constructed and operative to move downward in se to the increased pressure, and wherein said inner wall is constructed and operative to move upward in response to the decreased pressure to thereby accommodate the sed pressure.

13. The container according to Claim 12, wherein said inner wall includes an anti-inverting portion at a central longitudinal axis of the jar, said anti-inverting portion being ucted and operative to move downward in response to the increased pressure and upward in response to the decreased pressure t deforming.

14. The container according to Claim 1, n said third ring of the stacked ring configuration forms a raised ridge entirely around said inner wall.

15. The container according to Claim 1, each of said first, , and third rings has a same vertical height.

16., The container according to Claim 1, wherein the pressure variation includes sed re associated with one or more of pasteurization processing and retort processing of the ner when filled and sealed with the closure.

17. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the first concave ring is the same as the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the second concave ring and the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the third concave ring.

18. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the first concave ring is different from the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the second concave ring or the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the third concave ring.

19. The ner according to claim 1, n the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the first concave ring is different from the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the second concave ring or the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the third concave ring.

20. А method comprising: providing a blow-molded plastic container, the plastic container including a sidewall configured to support a film label, a finish ting from an upper end of the sidewall and operative to cooperatively receive a closure to sealingly enclose the plastic container, and a base extending from the sidewall to form a bottom enclosed end of the plastic container, wherein the bottom end ses: an annular bearing n defining a standing surface for the container, the base being smooth and without surface features from said bearing portion to said lower label stop, a cylindrical wall including a first concave ring, a second concave ring, and a third concave ring, the cylindrical wall circumscribed by said g portion and extending continuously upward from said bearing portion toward said widemouth finish generally in a radially inward direction, the first concave ring being continuous throughout a first circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a first diameter and a first cross-sectional radius, the second e ring extending directly from the first concave ring continuous throughout a second circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a second diameter and a second cross-sectional radius, and the third concave ring extending directly from the second concave ring continuous hout a third circumference of the cylindrical wall and defined by a third diameter and a third sectional radius, the first diameter being greater than the second and third diameters, and the second diameter being greater than the third er, and an inner wall circumscribed by said cylindrical wall with an annular shoulder therebetween, hot-filling the plastic container via the finish with a product; sealing the hot-filled c container with the closure; cooling the hot-filled and sealed plastic container; and wherein an internal pressure characteristic after lling and g the plastic container is compensated by the inner wall with substantially no movement of the cylindrical wall.

21. The method of Claim 20, wherein each of the first, second, and third concave rings has a different circumference.

22. The method of Claim 20, further comprising: blow molding the plastic container using a mold comprised of a base mold that forms the rical wall and the inner wall; conveying the plastic ner with its standing ring resting on a flat surface while the al pressure is compensated by the inner wall; and performing at least one of pasteurization and retort processing on the filled and sealed container after said filling and sealing.

23. The method of Claim 20, wherein the plastic container is a wide-mouth jar, wherein a temperature of the hot-filled product upon filling is from 200°F to 205°F, wherein the first concave ring has a greater circumference than the third concave ring, and wherein the internal pressure is compensated by movement of the inner wall d in response to an overpressure created in the hot-filled and sealed container.

24. The method of Claim 20, wherein the plastic container is a wide-mouth jar, wherein a temperature of the hot-filled product upon filling is from 185°F to 205°F, wherein the first concave ring has a greater circumference than the third concave ring, and wherein the internal is sated by nt of the inner wall inward in response to an vacuum created by said cooling, said movement inward reducing the vacuum.

25. The method of Claim 20, wherein the rical wall further includes a fourth concave ring extending directly from the third concave ring and defined by a fourth diameter and having a fourth cross-sectional radius, the first, second, and third diameters being greater than the fourth diameter.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the cross-sectional radius of curvature of each of the first, second, and third concave rings is the same.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the first e ring is different from the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the second concave ring or the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the third concave ring.