Container with Dynamic Base

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/659,133, filed Jun. 12, 2024, titled Container with Dynamic Base, and naming Shannon Sprenkle et al. as inventors, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to plastic containers, for example a blow-molded bottle with an active base.

The disclosed subject matter relates to containers (e.g., plastic containers such as bottles) having physical features and characteristics to better sustain and accommodate hot-filling and other common manufacturing processes such as blow processes, including the corresponding forces and/or other thermal/pressure scenarios that the container is exposed to during such processes. For example, during the processes of hot-filling, sealing, and cooling, containers are subject to different thermal and pressure scenarios (e.g., positive and negative (e.g., internal) pressures, other pressure differential scenarios, and/or vacuum) that can cause deformation, which may render the containers visually unappealing or non-functional. Because of these issues, aspects such as the shape and surface geometry that define the container's appearance, along with a desire to make the container lighter (such as by reducing the amount of material used) while maintaining functional strength, must be considered.

Conventional containers include physical and/or other functional features intended to account for these issues, including vacuum panels and/or bases designed to accommodate different thermal and pressure scenarios. These features help control, reduce, or eliminate unwanted events such as deformation, which in turn may improve the visual appeal and other functional aspects of the container for other downstream situations. However, despite such physical/functional features, problems persist with respect to sufficiently accommodating deformation, as well as container strength, weight, and look and feel. These limitations may also negatively impact other aspects such as the weight, structural integrity thereby hindering the ability to make the container lighter while maintaining an equivalent or improved level of functionality and performance through the entire fill and distribution process.

For example, in existing bottles that include voids in the base which extend to the side wall, the base can deform to become ‘out of round’ which can cause bottle handling and packing problems. In these existing bottles, after the bottle is filled, sealed and cooled, the diameter of the bottom of the bottle can include ‘points’ or protrusions at locations where the voids extend to the side wall. These ‘points’ extend beyond the major diameter of the bottle, form a non-round shape and can become touch points as the bottle is handled on the filling line and packed into cartons or cases. The non-round shape can cause the bottle to jam or hang up when moving along the production line. Proper packing of cartons and cases require the bottles to remain within their major diameter to fit properly in the case. The ‘points’ or protrusions and the resulting non-round shape can cause the bottle to not be properly packed into the cartons and cases.

Thus, there is a need for a plastic container that is visually appealing, resists, or provides compensation against, distortion under hot-filling and other processes and allows for the container to be lighter in weight while maintaining (or even improving) a sufficient level of functional strength. Such a container should be capable of accommodating negative pressures relative to the atmosphere due to such cooling, positive pressures due to changes in altitude or the like, internal pressure exerted during the hot-fill and capping process, other vacuum scenarios, as well as flexing to retain overall bottle integrity and shape during and after the cooling process.

The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth herein and will be apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the subject matter particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a plastic container comprising a container body. The container body comprising a bottom portion, an upper portion, a sidewall portion extending between the upper portion and the bottom portion, and a finish portion. The container body having a chamber defined therein and the finish portion extends from the upper portion and defines a mouth in fluid communication with the chamber. The bottom portion including a base portion comprising (i) a support surface, (ii) a plurality of ribs, (iii) a plurality of voids, and (iv) an inner core aligned with a central axis of the container body. The inner core including a contoured wall portion, a first radiused wall portion adjacent the contoured wall portion, and a second radiused wall portion adjacent the first radiused wall portion. The plurality of ribs and the plurality of voids are arranged radially relative to the inner core. The bottom portion is configured to permit a region of the base portion to move in response to a pressure differential.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a plastic container comprises a container body. The container body comprising a bottom portion, an upper portion, a sidewall portion extending between the upper portion and the bottom portion, and a finish portion. The container body having a chamber defined therein and the finish portion extending from said upper portion and defining a mouth in fluid communication with the chamber. The bottom portion including a base portion comprising (i) a support surface, (ii) a plurality of ribs, (iii) a plurality of voids, and (iv) an inner core aligned with a central axis of the container body. The inner core including a contoured wall portion, a first radiused wall portion, and a second radiused wall portion adjacent the first radiused wall portion. The base portion further comprising a hinge point, and the second radiused wall portion having an angled configuration adjacent the hinge point. The plurality of ribs and the plurality of voids are arranged radially relative to the inner core. The bottom portion is configured to permit a region of base portion to move in response to a pressure differential.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The terms “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

Unless otherwise indicated, approximating language, such as generally,” “substantially,” and “about,” as used herein indicates that the term so modified may apply to only an approximate degree, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, rather than to an absolute or perfect degree. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be identified. Such ranges may be combined and/or interchanged and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, for example, a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, for example, a “first” or lower-numbered item or a “third” or higher-numbered item.

As used herein, the term “preform” refers to a plastic, thermoplastic or polyethylene terephthalate “PET” plastic preform (or other materials disclosed herein) for use in injection molding and blow molding applications. The preform commonly includes an injection molded body having a threaded end, a lip adjacent to the threaded end, a neck adjacent to the lip, and a cylindrical or conical body adjacent to the neck. Gripping or transfer devices of a manufacturing line for injection molding and blow molding applications commonly interface with the lip and/or the neck of the preform to transfer or secure the preform.

The apparatus and methods presented herein may be used for containers, such as plastic containers for fluids. The containers disclosed herein can be used in filling applications for packaging a wide variety of beverage or liquid products, such as juices, sauces, teas, flavored waters, nectars, isotonic drinks, and sports drinks, etc. More specifically, the filling application includes hot-filling of plastic containers. The plastic containers described herein are configured to accommodate an increase in internal container pressure differential when the sealed containers are subject to thermal treatment and are capable of accommodating vacuum during cool down. The unique configuration of the disclosed plastic containers incorporates a number of features that collectively control unwanted deformation during hot-filling processes. Furthermore, the plastic containers disclosed herein have unique (e.g., asymmetrical or symmetrical) designs for the hot-fill beverage market.

The containers and portions thereof described herein can be formed from materials including, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and PEN-blends, polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The disclosed subject matter is particularly suited for hot-fillable containers having a base design that is reactive to internal and external pressure due to pressure filling and/or due to thermal expansion from hot filling to provide controlled deformation that preserves the structure, shape, and functionality of the container. The base portion of the container can also provide substantially uniform controlled deformation when vacuum pressure is applied, for example due to product contraction from product cooling. For example, the container experiences stress or strain at low pressure differential, and distortion of the container occurs as the pressure differential increases, such as when vacuum increases during cooling. The configuration of the disclosed plastic containers incorporates a number of features that collectively control unwanted deformation during hot-filling processes.

In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, a plastic container for hot-filling processes is provided. The plastic container generally comprises a container body having a bottom portion, an upper portion and a sidewall portion extending between the bottom portion and the upper portion. The container body further comprises a finish portion extending from the upper portion and defining a mouth in fluid communication with a chamber defined by the container body. The bottom portion further comprises a base portion. These various portions are designed and configured with certain features having certain characteristics, dimensions, and arrangements. For example, and without limitation, the sidewall portion may include at least one circumferential indent. The base portion may include a plurality of features such as ribs and voids, and an inner core comprising walls and other portions that provide the inner core with a certain design. By way of the design, dimensions, and arrangement of these various features, the container can accommodate certain forces it experiences. For example, the base portion is configured as a variable dynamic base portion and can deflect in response to various forces, such as a pressure differential between the chamber and an exterior of the container body, thereby providing structural integrity to the container, and preserving a desired look and feel of the container for product retail purposes.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. Hence, features depicted in the accompanying figures support corresponding features and combinations thereof of the claimed subject matter. The disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.

Referring now to an exemplary embodiment as depicted in, for purpose of illustration and not limitation, a container(e.g., a hot-fillable plastic container, more specifically a hot-fillable plastic bottle) comprises a container bodyhaving an upper portion, a sidewall portion, and a bottom portion. Upper portionincludes a radiused wall portion having a certain slope or other angle or contour (better viewable in). Sidewall portionincludes at least one circumferential indentand is located between upper portionand bottom portion. Bottom portionincludes a base portion. In one embodiment, indentsare located in sidewall portion. In another embodiment, indentsare located in other portions (e.g., the upper and bottom portionsand) of container. Indentsfunction primarily as circumferential, structural ribs to add structural integrity to container. Container bodydefines a chamber (not shown) therein for containing fluids (e.g., liquid product such as waters, sports drinks, alcoholic beverages) and/or foods (e.g., apple sauce). Additionally, container bodyincludes a finish portionextending from upper portionand defining a mouthin fluid communication with the chamber. Finish portioncan have a variety of configurations, and in the exemplary embodiment, includes a fastener or other engagement mechanism such as a threadand flange. Threadand/or flangeis for engaging a cap (not shown) or other closure member (not shown) of the container. These elements have an orientation and capping features as known in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment, sidewall portionis formed with circumferential indents, which can also be referred to as grooves, rings, ribs, or beads. As shown in, a plurality of indentsextend about an entire circumference of container, such circumference being relative to a particular diameter of any given section of containerwhere indentsare to be located. In the exemplary embodiment, a shape and width of containervaries from bottom to top as shown in.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, and as shown in, bottom portionincludes base portioncomprising a cylindrical base wall portion, a plurality of ribs, or feet,, a plurality of voids, or straps,, a support surfacedefining a reference plane(shown in), and an inner core. Each ribincludes a bottom surface portion(shown in) which, in the exemplary embodiment, is substantially flat. Support surfaceis comprised of bottom surface portionsof plurality of ribs. The combination of features,,,andand their respective structural/physical configurations enable base portionto function as a variable dynamic base portion capable of moving in response to certain forces (e.g., pressure).

As illustrated in, plurality of ribsand plurality of voidsof base portionare arranged in a radial configuration around inner core. A variety of suitable configurations can be used for ribsand voidsin accordance with the disclosed subject matter. For example, base portionmay be configured to include a variety of rib/voidcombinations, as illustrated in. In the exemplary embodiment, base portionis configured with 16 ribs(and likewise 16 voids), as illustrated in. In an alternative embodiment, base portionis configured with 20 ribsand 20 voids, as illustrated in. In further alternative embodiments, base portionis configured with: 8 ribs(and likewise 8 voids) as illustrated in; 10 ribs(and likewise 10 voids) as illustrated in; 12 ribs(and likewise 12 voids) as illustrated in, 14 ribs(and likewise 14 voids) as illustrated in, 18 ribs(and likewise 18 voids) as illustrated in, 22 ribs(and likewise 22 voids) as illustrated in, or 24 ribs(and likewise 24 voids) as illustrated in.

illustrate cross sectional views of containeralong lines-and-, respectively of.illustrates a cross section through voidsof bottom portionandillustrates a cross section through ribsof bottom portion. As illustrated in, bottom portionincludes inner corewhich is centrally located along a central longitudinal axisof container body. Inner coreis defined by a central contoured wall portionand adjacent radiused wall portionsand, more specifically first radiused wall portionand second radiused wall portion. Bottom surface portionsof ribsare intended to rest upon a surface such as a tabletop. In one embodiment, bottom surface portionsare co-planar with one another. In an alternative embodiment, bottom surface portionsextend downward and away from upper portionas they extend towards central longitudinal axis.

Support surfaceis a surface derived from the plurality of bottom surface portionsof ribs, and the amount of surface area of support surfacedepends on the number of ribsand the surface area of bottom surface portionsthat are aligned with reference plane. In one embodiment, support surfaceis generally flat and configured to be the surface of containerthat interacts with a generally planar surface (e.g., a tabletop) along reference planewhen containeris positioned in its normal upright configuration, as illustrated in. In an alternative embodiment, as bottom surface portionsextend toward central axis, they also extend away from upper portionat a slight angle of approximately 0.5° to 10° such that only an inner portionof support surfaceinteracts with a generally planar surface when containeris positioned in its upright configuration. In an alternative embodiment, bottom surface portionsextend away from upper portion at an angle of approximately 2.0° to 7.5°.

As illustrated in, voidsextend from inner coreto sidewall portion. Voidshave a length extending from inner coreto sidewall portionand a width that extends perpendicular to their length. As voidsextend outward from central axistoward sidewall portion, they extend slightly upward and toward upper portion. In one embodiment, the angle of incline towards upper portionis between 0.5°-10°, In an alternative embodiment, voidsextend outward at an angle of 2.0°-7.5°. Voidsprovide a mechanism to relieve pressure changes in containerduring the hot filling process. Specifically, the width of voidscontract to accommodate pressure differentials within containeras described in more detail below with regard to.

As illustrated in, relative to reference planeof support surface, the angle that first radiused wall portionextends from support surfaceis greater than the angle that second radiused wall portionextends from support surface. Inner corehas a generally conical shape extending toward contoured wall portionwhich has an indented configuration relative to planeand a chamberof container bodyand extends away from upper portion. In one embodiment, in the as blown configuration, second radiused wall portionis linear. In another embodiment, second radiused wall portionis slightly convex i.e., moving into the bottle in cross section in the as blown configuration. In one embodiment, in the post-fill, vacuum configuration of container, second radiused wall portionis substantially linear relative to an outer surface of base portion. In an alternative embodiment, in the post-fill, vacuum configuration of container, second radiused wall portionis concave relative to the outer surface of base portion.

is a cross-sectional detail view of base portiontaken through ribsalong line-of.illustrates three positions of base, a prefilled, or as molded, position, a filled and hot position, and a cooled and sealed position.is a cross-sectional detail view of baseshowing additional details with regard to the prefilled position. In the exemplary embodiment, base portionis configured to be a variable dynamic base portion and is configured to move (e.g., deflect) in response to certain conditions, such as a pressure differential between the chamber and an exterior of container body. Base portionmay function as a diaphragm under certain pressure and/or temperature conditions and depending on the design parameters (dimensions, etc.) of the various elements of base portion.

As illustrated in, there are three configurations of inner core. A first positionis depicted by the solid line inand represents a prefilled, or as molded position in which containerhas not yet been filled. Contoured wall portionhas a corresponding first heightin such first position. A second positionis depicted by the dotted line in. Second positionrepresents a hot filled position in which containerhas been filled with a hot fluid and has not yet cooled. With regard to second position, contoured wall portion′ has a corresponding second heightin second position. In the exemplary embodiment, second heightis less than first height. A third positionis depicted by the dashed line in. Third positionrepresents a sealed and cooled position in which containerhas been filled with a hot fluid, sealed, and cooled. In third position, contoured wall portion″ has a corresponding third height. In the exemplary embodiment, third heightis greater than each of first heightand second height. Element numbers that include a prime notation, “′” refer to elements in second position. Numbers that include a double prime notation refer to elements in third position.

As shown in, base portionincludes a curved cornerthat extends from a bottomof sidewall portionto an outer edgeof bottom surface portion. As shown in, base portionis active, i.e. subject to movement, during the hot filling, sealing and cooling of container.

As further illustrated in, and in accordance with the exemplary embodiment, contoured wall portion, first radiused portion, and second radiused portionare configured to move relative to other portions of container body, such as cylindrical base wall portionand bottom surface portion. In the exemplary embodiment, as inner coreretracts deeper into container bodyin third positionin response to sealing and cooling, third heightis greater than each of first heightand second height. In one embodiment, throughout this movement, container bodyand base portionmaintain their desired circular shape. Additionally, in second position, second radiused portion′ has a much flatter profile compared to reference planethan in first positionor third positionand has a smaller pitch/angle relative to support surface. For example, relative to reference plane, the angle(s) of second radiused portionare much steeper in third positionthan in first positionand second position.

As further illustrated in, second radiused portionhas an inclination start point at a hinge pointof base portion. Hinge pointdelineates where second radiused portionstarts to rise from bottom surface portion. In the exemplary embodiment, an active base regionspans between bottomof sidewall portionon one side of containerto bottomof sidewall portionon the opposite side of containerand comprises an entirety of base portion. Under certain pressure scenarios as disclosed herein, active base regionfunctions as a diaphragm and is configured to move downward along axisin a direction away from upper portionin response to being filled with a hot liquid and to move upward along axisin a direction toward upper portionin response to a decrease in internal pressure, such as the creation of an internal vacuum within containerdue to cooling of the fluid content of container. In an alternative embodiment, active regionis configured to restrict or resist movement during hot filling and allows for less restricted movement in an opposite direction during cooling of the fluid after containeris sealed. Base portiontherefore provides improved sensitivity and controlled deformation from applied forces, for example resulting from pressurized filling, sterilization or pasteurization, and resulting thermal expansion due to hot liquid contents and/or vacuum deformation due to cooling of a hot liquid product filled therein. Base portioncan also influence controlled deformation from positive container pressure, for example resulting from expansion of liquid at increased temperatures or elevations.

As illustrated in, base portioncomprises inner corewhich has a generally conical structure and shape, and includes contoured wall portion, first radiused portion, and second radiused portion. For example, second radiused portionin one embodiment functions as a flange relative to contoured walland first radiused portion. Active base regionand inner coreare configured to remain substantially in first positionwhen an interior pressure is within a first threshold range of values. The first threshold range of values includes an upper threshold value that can be any value required to displace active base regionfrom first positiontoward second position.

As shown in, second radiused portionhas a first position anglerelative to support surface. In the exemplary embodiment, first position angleis 11°. In an alternative embodiment, first position angleis 10° to 12°. In a further alternative embodiment, first position angleis 9° to 13°. In additional alternative embodiments, first position anglecan range from 1° to 25° depending on other design parameters including but not limited to a selected width of contoured wall portion. Hinge pointis a point where support surfacetransitions to second radiused portion. Also shown inis a first position widthof contoured wall portion, and a first position widthof support surface. First position widthrepresents a width of bottom flat portionsof each riband is configured to be in contact with a resting surface (e.g., tabletop) in a normal usage of container. In the exemplary embodiment, widthspans between hinge pointand a curve pointof base portion. Curve pointdefines the point where curved cornerof bottom portionof container bodyextends from outer edgeof support surface. Curved cornerextends to cylindrical base wall portion. A first transition curve portionextends between first radiused portionand second radiused portion. A second transition curve portionextends between first radiused portionand contoured wall portion. Second radiused portionextends from hinge pointto first transition curve portion. The angled configuration of first radiused portioncomprises an angle that can be derived in a similar manner as angle(e.g., with respect to a plane (e.g.,) associated with support surface). In first position, first radiused portionextends from second radiused portionat an angle. In the exemplary embodiment, heightis equivalent to the axial distance between hinge pointor curve pointand second transition curve portion, i.e., the overall height of inner coreas measured from support surfaceto second transition curve portion.

illustrate the variety of arcuate portions of inner core, including contoured wall portion, first radiused portion, second radiused portion, first transition curve portion, and second transition curve portion, and transition points such as hinge pointand curve point. Hinge pointand curve pointdelineate where portions of base portiontransition from one configuration to another. For example, starting from cylindrical base wall portion, the following transitions are present: cylindrical base wall portiontransitions to curved corner; curved cornertransitions to flat bottom portionof ribat curve point; flat bottom portionof ribtransitions to second radiused wall portionat hinge point; second radiused wall portiontransitions to first radiused wall portionat first transition curve portion; and first radiused wall portiontransitions to contoured wall portionat second curve portion.

The dimensions and angles of the various features of base portioncan be selected to tailor the overall performance of base portionas desired. For example, the radius and/or angle of curvature of first and second radiused portionsand, the distances therebetween, the thickness, and the lengths can be modified to increase or decrease the response of base portionto pressure differentials to accommodate a range of thermodynamic environments, such as variations in hot-fill filling lines. Additionally, the amount of curvature of first and second radiused portionsandand/or angle of curvature of these portions relative to a reference plane (e.g.,) defined by support surfacecan be selected for the desired response to pressure differentials to affect the efficiency of base portiondeformation. While not shown, any suitable variety of angular, height, and/or other dimensional relationships can be set for the various portions of base portion, including first and radiused portionsand, hinge point, curve point, and other portions disclosed herein. While not shown in the figures, movement in active base regioncan be split into sub-regions and depending on the particular design and characteristics of each of contoured wall portion, first radiused portion, second radiused portion, flat bottom portionand curved corner, the amount of flex or deformation for each sub-region may vary.

In the exemplary embodiment, during a hot-filling process, the internal bottle pressure increases from an initial pressure to an elevated pressure when containeris filled with a hot liquid and then sealed. Active base regionis configured to react in a controlled manner, such that active base regionbegins to move towards second positionwhen the internal pressure of containerexceeds the first threshold range upper value. As the internal pressure continues to increase beyond the first threshold range upper value, active base regioncontinues to move towards second positionuntil the internal pressure reaches a second threshold value at second position.

At second position, active base regionhas moved in a direction opposite upper portionalong axisexcept that only a small section of curved cornerwhich is closest to curve pointmoves with the remainer of active base region. This movement causes base portionto extend away from upper portiona distancesuch that a length of container, i.e., the distance from upper portiontop to the active base region point of contact′ with planar surfaceis increased by distance. First position angleis decreased in this position and the radius of curvature of first transition curve′ increases causing a shallower inner coreat second positioncompared to first position. The radius of curvature of second curve portion′ remains substantially the same in second positioncompared to first position.

Additionally, active base regionis configured to move from second positiontoward first positionas the internal pressure decreases below the second threshold value during a cooling process. As cooling continues and the pressure continues to decrease, inner corecontinues to move toward first positionand then past first position. Once the liquid and bottle are completely cooled, the pressure inside containerreaches a third threshold value and active base regionreaches third positionand maintains third positionuntil containeris opened.

At third position, the entire active base regionhas moved in a direction toward upper portionalong axis, including curved corner. This movement causes base portionto draw inward along axistoward upper portionsuch that the active base region point of contact″ with planar surfacehas moved toward upper portiona distancecompared to the active base point of contactwith planar surfaceat first position. At third position, active base regionbegins at sidewall portion bottom. Curved corner″ moves inward toward axisand upward toward upper portionsuch that the radius of curvature of curved corner″ has decreased. Bottom surface portion″ has moved toward upper portionin a direction towards axis. Second radiused portionextends from bottom surface portion″ at an angle that is greater than the angle of extension in either first positionor second position. First transition curve portion″ has a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of first transition curve portionin first positionor first transition curve portion′ in second position. The radius of curvature of second transition curve portion″ is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of second transition curve portionin first positionand second transition curve portion′ in second position. However, in at least some embodiments, the heat from the hot fill process causes second transition curve portion″ to warp compared to second transition curve portionprior to being hot filled. Again, the warping is not due to vacuum pressures, rather it is caused by the heat of the fluid. At first position, containercontacts planar surfacealong an entirety of support surfaceand an inner most, i.e., closest to axis, contact point of containeris a distance Dfrom axis. In an alternative embodiment, less than an entirety of support surfacecontacts planar surface. At second position, containercontacts planar surfacealong a portion of support surface′ and at a point inside of support surface′. The point inside of support surface′ is a distance Dfrom axis. In this embodiment, Dis less than D. In an alternative embodiment, at second position, support surface′ does not contact planar surface. At third position, support surface″ is angled toward upper portionin a direction towards axis. Support surface″ contacts planar surfaceat an outer region of support surface″ at a distance Dfrom axis. Distance Dis greater than either Dor D.

As explained above, as base portiontransitions from first positionto second positionand then to third position, curved corner along ribsmoves towards axis. This movement is shown inas distances Dand D. Distance Dis the distance from axisto the point on base wall portionthat is a transition pointfrom a straight base wall portion to an initial curvature of curved corner. As base portionmoves from first positionto second position, transition pointdoes not move. As base portionmoves from second positionto third position, transition point″ moves toward axisand is then positioned a distance Dfrom axis. In this embodiment, Dis less than D.

is a cross-sectional detail view of an alternative basealong a line similar to line-of. For ease of reference, the element numbering inis the same as the element numbering offor like components. As illustrated in, flat bottom portionis inclined toward upper portionas it extends from hinge pointtoward cylindrical base wall portion. Additionally, curved cornerhas a slightly flatter curvature as it extends from curve pointto cylindrical base wall portioncompared to base portionshown in. In this embodiment, the inclined configuration of flat bottom portionreduces the surface area of flat bottom portionthat actually contacts a supporting surface, such as a tabletop. As illustrated in, basecontacts the supporting surface only at, or near, hinge point. In one embodiment, the angle of inclinationof flat bottom portionis between 0.5° and 10.0°. In an alternative embodiment, angle of inclinationof flat bottom portionis between 2° and 7°. In a further alternative embodiment, angle of inclinationof flat bottom portionis 5°.

is a cross-sectional detail view of base portiontaken through voidsalong line-of.illustrates three positions of base, a prefilled, or as molded, position, a filled and hot position, and a cooled and sealed position.is a cross-sectional detail view of baseshowing additional details with regard to the prefilled position. As illustrated in, the three configurations of inner coreare depicted. For ease of reference, the element numbering inare the same as the element numbering offor like components. First positionis depicted by the solid line, second positionis depicted by the dotted line and third positionis depicted by the dashed line.

As shown in, baseincludes an upper surfaceof voids. Upper surfaceis inclined toward upper portionas it extends from inner coreto cylindrical base wall portion. Accordingly, a heightof upper surfacefrom reference planeadjacent inner coreis smaller than a heightof upper surfacefrom reference planeat a location where upper surfaceapproaches cylindrical base wall portion. In one embodiment, the angle of inclination of upper surfaceis between 0.5° and 10.0°.

As depicted in, as active base regionmoves downward along axisin a direction away from upper portionto second position, void upper surfacemoves in a similar direction. In second position, the angle of inclination of void upper surface′ is greater than in first positionsince inner coremoves downward and has a heightof upper surface′ from reference plane. Heightis less than height. In third position, the angle of inclination of void inner surface″ reverses such that void inner surface″ angles away from upper portionas it extends from inner coreto base wall portion. Accordingly, a heightof void inner surface″ from reference planeadjacent inner coreis larger than a heightof upper surface″ from reference planeat a location where upper surface″ approaches base wall portion.

As explained above, as base portiontransitions from first positionto second positionand then to third position, curved corner along voidsmoves towards axis. This movement is shown inas distances Dand D. Distance Dis the distance from axisto the point on base wall portionthat is a transition pointfrom a straight base wall portion to an initial curvature of curved corner. As base portionmoves from first positionto second position, transition pointdoes not move. As base portionmoves from second positionto third position, transition point″ moves toward axisand is then positioned a distance Dfrom axis. In this embodiment, Dis less than D.

illustrates a front view of an embodiment of base portionsuch as illustrated in, showing a height relationship between ribs, voids, and contoured wall portionof inner core(via the partial cut-away view of). Support surfaceis comprised of flat portions(see) of ribs. Ribsand voidsare arranged in an alternating fashion (e.g., rib/void/rib/void, and so on and so forth). As shown, each voidhas a tapered shape from upper surfaceto a lower gap portion, where the width of voidvaries therebetween. For example, as illustrated in, the width of voidis largest at lower gap portionand gradually decreases to its smallest width at upper surface.illustrates a first widthof void, a second widthof voidgreater than first width, and a heightof void. Table 1 lists dimensions for these quantities.

depict an alternative container(e.g., a hot-fillable plastic container, more specifically a hot-fillable plastic bottle). As depicted in, containercomprises a container bodyhaving an upper portion, a sidewall portion, and a bottom portion. Sidewall portionincludes at least one circumferential indentand is located between upper portionand bottom portion. Bottom portionincludes a base portion. In one embodiment, indentsare located in sidewall portion. Container bodydefines a chamber (not shown) therein for containing fluids (e.g., liquid product such as waters, sports drinks, alcoholic beverages) and/or foods (e.g., apple sauce). Additionally, container bodyincludes a finish portionextending from upper portionand defining a mouthin fluid communication with the chamber. Finish portioncan have a variety of configurations, and in the exemplary embodiment, includes a fastener or other engagement mechanism such as a flange. Flangeis for engaging a cap (not shown) or other closure member (not shown) of the container. These elements have an orientation and capping features as known in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment, sidewall portionis formed with circumferential indents, which can also be referred to as grooves, rings, ribs, or beads. As shown in, a plurality of indentsextend about an entire circumference of container, such circumference being relative to a particular diameter of any given section of containerwhere indentsare to be located. In the exemplary embodiment, a shape and width of containervaries from bottom to top as shown in.

As illustrated in this embodiment, and as shown in, bottom portionincludes base portioncomprising a cylindrical base wall portion, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of voids, a support surfacedefining a reference plane(shown in), and an inner core. Each ribincludes a bottom surface portionwhich is angled upward towards finish portionas it extends toward cylindrical wall portion. Support surfaceis comprised of bottom surface portionsof plurality of ribs. The combination of features,,,andand their respective structural/physical configurations enable base portionto function as a variable dynamic base portion capable of moving in response to certain forces (e.g., pressure).

Support surfaceis a surface derived from the plurality of bottom surface portionsof ribs, and the amount of surface area of support surfacedepends on the number of ribsand the surface area of bottom surface portionsthat are aligned with reference plane. In one embodiment, bottom surface portionsextend at an anglesuch that as bottom surface portionsextend toward central axis, they also extend away from upper portionat a slight angle such that only an inner portionof support surfaceinteracts with a generally planar surface when containeris positioned in its upright configuration. In one embodiment, angleis approximately 0.5° to 10°. In an alternative embodiment, angleis approximately 2.0° to 7.5°. In a further embodiment, angleis approximately 5°.