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

(56) References cited:

EP-A1- 0 572 722 EP-A2- 0 502 391 US-A- 5 005 716 US-A1-2002 063 105 US-A1-2010 170 199 US-B1- 6 585 123

EP-A1-2 248 728 FR-A1-2 919 579 US-A- 5 511 966 US-A1-2004 232 103 US-A1-2010 237 083

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1

Note: Within nine months ofthe publication ofthe mention ofthe grant ofthe European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall nőt be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1

Description [0001] The disclosed subject matter relates to plastic containers, base configurations fór plastic containers, and systems, methods, and base molds thereof. In particular, the disclosed subject matter involves plastic containers with base configurations having particular upstand geometries that can assist or facilitate elevated temperature processing and/or cooling processing of plastic containers.

BACKGROUND [0002] Document FR 2 919 579 shows a plastic Container in accordance with the precharacterizing portion of claim 1. The Container has a base with a standing ring. Inwardly of the standing ring is an annular step in the shape of a truncated cone.

[0003] Document EP 0 572 722 shows a plastic Container with an inwardly domed base. Two annular stairs connect a Central seetion ofthe domed base to the Container standing ring. Each stem comprises a straight part followed by a sharp curve. The straight parts are inclined at progressively steeper angles towards the centre ofthe dome.

SUMMARY [0004] The Summary describes and identifies features of somé embodiments. It is presented as a convenient summary of somé embodiments, bút nőt all. Further the Summary does nőt necessarily identify critical or essential features of the embodiments, inventions, or claims. The invention in a first aspect is as defined in claim 1 below. In a second aspect the invention provides a method as set out in claim 13 below. Optional features are set out in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to embodiments, a plastic Container comprises: a sidewall configured to récéivé a label; a finish projecting from an upper end of said sidewall, said finish operatíve to récéivé a closure; and a base below said sidewall. The base has a bottom end that includes: a bearing portion defining a standing surface fór plastic Container; an up-stand geometry wall of a stacked -ring configuration extending upward from said bearing portion; and an inner wall circumscribed by said up-stand geometry wall in end view ofthe plastic Container, said inner wall and said up-stand geometry wall being cooperatively operatíve so as to accommodate pressure variadon within the Container after the Container has been filied with a product and sealed with the closure, said inner wall being operatíve to flex in response to the pressure variation within the Container after the Container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, whereas said up-stand geometry wall is operatíve to withstand movement as said inner wall flexes in response to the pressure variation within the Container afterthe Container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure.

[0006] Alsó included among embodiments described herein is a method comprising: providing a blow-molded plastic Container, the plastic Container including a sidewall configured to support a film label, a finish projecting from an upper end of the sidewall and operatíve to cooperatively récéivé 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 has a standing ring upon which the Container may rest, a rigid wall comprised ofa 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 alsó comprises hot-filling the plastic Container via the finish with a product; sealíng the hot-filled plastic Container with the closure; cooling the hot-filled and sealed plastic Container; and compensating fór an internál pressure characteristic after hot-filling and sealíng the plastic Container, said compensating including substantially no movement of the rigid wall.

[0007] Embodiments alsó include a hot-fillable, blowmolded plastic wide-mouth jár configured to be filied with a viscous food product at a temperature from 85 C to 96 C (185°F to 205°F), which comprises: a cylindrical sidewall configured to support a wrap-around label; a widemouth threaded finish projecting from an upper end of said sidewall via a shoulder, said threaded finish operatíve to récéivé a closure, and said shoulder defining an upper label stop above said sidewall; and a base defining a lower label stop below said sidewall. The base has a bottom end that includes: a bearing portion defining a standing surface fór the jár, the base being smooth and without surface features from said bearing portion to said lower label stop; an up-stand geometry wall of a stacked three-ring configuration circumscribed by said bearing portion and extending generally upward and radially inward from said bearing portion, a first ring of the stack being the bottom ring ofthe stack and having a first diameter, a second ring ofthe stack being the middle 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 greaterthan the second and third diameters, and the second diameter being greater than the third diameter. The bottom end of the base alsó includes an inner wall circumscribed by said up-stand geometry wall, said innerwall and said up-stand geometry wall are cooperatively operatíve so as to accommodate pressure variation within the jár after the jár has been hot-filled with the product at the temperature from 85 C to 96 C (185°F to 205°F) and sealed with the closure, said innerwall being operatíve to flex in response to the pressure variation within the jár after the jár has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, whereas said up-stand geometry wall is operatíve to withstand movement as said innerwall flexes in response to the pressure variation within the jár after the jár has been hot-filled and sealed with the lid.

[0008] Embodiments alsó include a plastic Container

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1 comprising: a sidewall configured to récéivé a label; a finish projecting from an upper end of said sidewall, said finish operatíve to récéivé a closure; and a base below said sidewall. The base has a bottom end that includes: a bearing portion defining a standing surface fór plastic Container; an up-stand geometry wall of a stacked-ring configuration extending upward from said bearing portion; and an inner wall circumscribed by said up-stand geometry wall in end view ofthe plastic Container, said inner wall and said up-stand geometry wall being cooperatively operatíve so as to accommodate pressure variation within the Container after the Container has been filled with a product and sealed with the closure, said inner wall being operatíve to flex in response to the pressure variation within the Container after the Container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure, whereas said up-stand geometry wall is operatíve to withstand movement as said inner wall flexes in response to the pressure variation within the Container afterthe Container has been hot-filled and sealed with the closure. The stacked configuration ofthe up-stand geometry wall includes a plurality of stacked rings, the rings each having a different circumference.

[0009] In embodiments, a base mold to form a bottom end portion of a base of a plastic wide-mouth jár, the bottom end portion ofthe plastic jár having a bottom bearing surface ofthe jár, a rigid ringed wall extending upward from the bottom bearing surface and an innerflexible wall arranged inwardly of the ringed wall, wherein the base mold comprises: a body portion; a bearing surface forming portion to form a portion ofthe bottom bearing surface; a ringed wall forming portion to form the rigid ringed wall; a lip portion to form a ridge ofthe bottom end portion; and an innerflexible wall forming portion toform 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 maximum diameters of the ring protrusions decreasing in value from the bottom of the stack to the top ofthe stack. Optionally, the innerflexible wall forming portion can include an upwardly protruding gate portion. Optionally, the base mold further can includes a ridge forming portion between said ringed wall forming portion and said innerflexible wall forming portion to form a ridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Embodiments will hereinafter be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. The accompanying drawings have nőt necessarily been drawn to scale. Any values dimensions illustrated in the accompanying graphs and figures are tor illustration purposes only and may nőt represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Where applicable, somé features may nőt be illustrated to assist in the description of underlying features.

FIG. 1 is a side view ofa plastic Container according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a side view of another plastic Container according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3A is a cross section view of a base portion of a Container according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3B is a magnified view of the circled portion of the base portion of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a bottom end view ofthe base portion of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a cross section view of a base portion of a Container according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4B is cross section view of the base portion shown in FIG. 4A with a base mold according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of the base portion of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a base mold according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5B is another base mold according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter

FIG. 6 shows a cross section view of an alternative embodiment ofa base portion ofa Container according to the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section view of another embodiment ofa base portion ofa containerwhich does nőt form part of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate alternative base mold embodiments which, however, do nőt form part of the present application.

FIG. 9A is a cross section view of a base portion of a plastic Container according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, similar to the base portion shown in FIG. 4A bút without a ridge portion.

FIG. 9B is a cross section view of a base portion of a plastic Container without a ridge portion according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart fór a method according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description ofvarious embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter and is nőt intended to represent the only embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details fór 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 practiced without these specific details. In somé instances, well-known structures and components may be shown in block diagram form in orderto avoid obscuring the concepts of the disclosed subject matter.

[0012] The disclosed subject matter relates to base configurations fór plastic containers, and systems, methods, and base molds thereof. In particular, the disclosed subject matter involves base configurations having particular up-stand geometries that assist or facilitate elevated temperature Processing, such as hot-filling, pasteurization, and/or retort Processing. Optionally, plastic containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter alsó may be configured and operatíve to accommodate internál forces caused by post elevated temperature Processing, such as temperature-induced forces from varying temperatures intransittoorin storage at a distributor (e.g., Wholesale or retail vendor), fór 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 temperature Processing.

[0013] Generally speaking, in various embodiments, plastic containers according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter have a base portion with a bottom end having an up-stand wall of a particular geometry. The up-stand wall can 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.

[0014] Thus, whilean up-stand wall remains stationary or substantially stationary, a bottom end portion of the Container can move in response to internál pressures within the Container when hot-filled and sealed, fór instance. Optionally, the bottom end portion may be constructed and operatíve to move downwardly and axially outward in response to internál pressures, such as headspace pressure or under the weight of the product, and alsó to move upwardly and axially inward in response to a different internál pressure, such as an internál vacuum created within the Container due to cooling or cooling Processing ofthe Container. Alternatively, the bottom end portion may be constructed and operatíve to resist movement in one direction, fór example, a downward and axially outward direction, in response to internál pressures (e.g., headspace pressure, productweight, etc.), bút may be constructed and operatíve to move upward and axially inward in response to a different internál pressure, such as an internál vacuum created within the Container due to cooling or cooling Processing ofthe Container.

[0015] Meanwhile, the up-stand wall may extend from the standing or support portion of the Container angling orsloping radially inward. The up-stand wall can be constructed and operatíve to remain stationary during movement ofthe movable bottom end portion ofthe Container. Optionally, the up-stand wall may be constructed and operatíve to move orflex radially inward slightly during movement ofthe movable bottom end portion. Optionally, the up-stand wall may be constructed and operatíve to move or flex radially outward during movement of the movable bottom end portion. In the case of jars, fór example, the up-stand wall can remain rigid or stationary in response to relatively higher temperatures and pressures typically involved in jár applications.

[0016] The up-stand geometry is of a stacked ring or rib configuration. Any suitable numberof rings orribs can be stacked, such as three, four, or five. The rings taper inward with each successive ring. Such use of up-stand geometry, and in particular, stacked ring configurations according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may provide the ability to use less matéria! to form a jár, fór instance, while providing desired Container characteristics, such as the container’s ability to compensate fór internál pressure variations within the Container after hot filling and sealing.

[0017] Plastic containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be of any suitable configuration. Fór example, embodiments may include jars, such as wide-mouth jars, and base configurations thereof. Embodiments may alsó include single serve containers, bottles, jugs, asymmetrical containers, or the like, and base configurations thereof. Thus, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be fiiled with and contain any suitable product including a fluent, 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.

[0018] Plastic containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be of any suitable size. Fór example, embodiments include containers with internál volumes of 0.71 litres (24 oz), 1.33 litres (45 oz), 1.42 litres (48 oz) or 1.95 litres (66 oz). Alsó, Container sizes can include single-serving and multiple-serving size containers. Further, embodiments can alsó include containers with mouth diameters of 33mm, 55mm or higher, fór instance.

[0019] Hot-fill Processing can include filling a product intő the Container at any temperature in a rangé of at or about 54.4 C (130°F) to at or about 96 C (205°F) or in a rangé of at or about 85 C (185°F) to at or about 96 C (205°F). Fór example, a wide-mouth jár can befilled with a hot product at a temperature ofator about 96 C (205°F). Optionally, the hot-fill temperature can be above 96 C (205°F), such as 97.8 C (208°F). As another example, a

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1 single-serve Container, such as tor an isotonic, can be fiiled with a hot product at a temperature of 85 C (185°F) or slightly below.

[0020] Plastic containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be capped or sealed using any suitable closure, such as a plastic or metallic threaded cap or lid, a foil seal, a lúg closure, a plastic or metallic snap-fit lid or cap, etc.

[0021] Plastic containers according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can alsó optionally be subjected to through Processing, such as pasteurization and/or retort Processing.

[0022] Pasteurization can involve heating a fiiled and sealed Container and/or the product therein to any temperature in the rangé of at or about 93.3 C (200°F) to at or about 101.7 C (215°F) or at or about 103.3 C (218°F), tor any time period at or about five minutes to at or about forty minutes, tor instance. In various embodiments, a hot rain spray may be used to heat the Container and its contents.

[0023] Retort Processing tor food produots, tor instance, can involve heating a fiiled and sealed Container and/orthe product therein to any temperature in the rangé of atorabout 110 C (230°F) to ator about 132.2 C (270°F) tor any time period at or about twenty minutes to at or about forty minutes, tor instance. Overpressure alsó may be applied to the Container by any suitable means, such as a pressure chamber.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view ofa plastic Container in the form ofa blow-molded plasticwide-mouthjar 100 according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. Jár 100 is shown in FIG. 1 in its empty condition, after blowmolding, bút before hot-filling and sealing with a closure, and in the absence of any internál or external applied forces.

[0025] Jár 100 can be configured and operatíve to undergo elevated temperature Processing, such as hot-filling, pasteurization, and/or retort Processing. Fór example, jár 100 may récéivé a food product as described herein at an elevated temperature as described herein, such as at a temperature from 185°F to 205°F. Jár 100 alsó can be constructed and operatíve to undergo cooling Processing or cool-down operations. Jár 100 is further constructed and operatíve to accommodate or react in a certain manner to any ofthe aforementioned forces or pressures. Jár 100 alsó may 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 (e.g., Wholesale or retail vendor), prolonged effects of the weight of the product stored therein over time, etc.

[0026] Jár 100 can include tubular sidewall 130, a threaded finish 110 operatíve to récéivé a threaded closure (e.g., a lid), a shoulder or dome 120, and a base 140. As indicated earlier, threaded finish 110 can be a wide-mouth finish and may be of any suitable dimension. Fór instance, 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. Jár 100 alsó may have upper and lower label bumpers or stops 121, 131. Label bumpers may define a label area between which a label, such as a wraparound label, can be affixed to sidewall 130. Optionally, sidewall 130 may include a plurality of concentric ribs 135, circumscribing 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 ofthe sidewall 130, tor example, in response to hot-filling, pasteurization, and/or retort Processing. Nőt explicitly shown, one or more supplemental vacuum panels may be located on the dome 120 in orderto prevent unwanted deformation of sidewall 130, tor instance. Thus, the one or more supplemental vacuum panels may take up a portion of in induced vacuum caused by cooling a fiiled and sealed jár 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 vacuum.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view of another plastic Container in the form of a jár 200 according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As can be seen, jár 200 is similar to jár 100, bút without ribs 135 in its sidewall 230. Upper and lower label bumpers or stops 121, 131 are shown more pronounced in FIG. 2, however, theirdimensions in relation to sidewall 230 may be similar to or the same as shown in the jár 100 of FIG. 1. Additionally, jár 200 alsó 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 mentioned above tor jár 100, the one or more supplemental vacuum panels may take up a portion of in induced vacuum caused by cooling a fiiled and sealed jár 200, and an inner wall may flex or move inward intő the jár 200 to take up or remove a second portion of the induced vacuum.

[0028] FIGS. 3A-3C show views of base 140 and in particular a bottom end thereof, with FIG. 3A being a crosssection view of base 140, FIG. 3B being a magnified view ofthe circled portion of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C being a bottom end view of base 140.

[0029] Generally speaking, the bottom end ofthe base 140 is constructed and operatíve to be responsive to elevated temperature Processing, such as during and after hot-filling and sealing and optionally during pasteurization and/or retort Processing. The bottom end may alsó 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 (e.g., Wholesale or retail vendor), prolonged effects ofthe weight ofthe product stored therein overtime, etc., and can accommodate such forces, such as by preventing a portion of the bottom end from setting and/or moving to a non-recoverable position. As indicated

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1 above, an up-stand wall is constructed and operatíve to remain stationary or substantially stationary in response to elevated temperature Processing and associated movement a movable bottom end portion ofthe Container.

[0030] The bottom end of base 140 includes a bearing portion 142, fór example, a standing ring that can define a bearing or standing surface ofthe jár. Optionally, the base 140 can be smooth and without surface features from bearing portion 142 to lower label bumper or stop 131.

[0031] The bottom end of base 140 can alsó include an up-stand geometric wall 144 of a stacked three-ring eonfiguration circumscribed bythe bearing portion 142. As can be seen, up-stand wall 144 can extend generally upward and radially inward from the bearing portion 142. [0032] In embodiments, up-stand wall 144 can include a plurality of rings. FIGS. 3A-C show three rings, 144A, 144B, and 144C, fór example. Ring 144Acan have a first diameter or circumference, ring 144B can have a second diameter or circumference, and ring 144C can have a third diameter or circumference, wherein the first diameter (or circumference) can be greater than the second and third diameters (or circumferences), and the second diameter (or circumference) can be greater than the third diameter (or circumference). See in particular FIG. 3C. As will be discussed later, embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter are nőt limited to three rings. In various embodiments, nőne ofthe rings may have the same diameters.

[0033] Rings 144A, 144B, and 144C can have same or different amounts of vertical extension, d1, d2, d3. Thus, somé or all of the rings 144A, 144B, 144C can have a same vertical extension dy, and/or somé or all of the rings 144A, 144B, 144C can have a same radius of curvature. Optionally, nőne of the rings 144A, 144B, 144C can have a same vertical extension dy and/or a same radius of curvature. Similarly, rings 144A, 144B, and 144C can have the same or different amounts of horizontal extension radially inward dx. In FIG. 3B, fór instance, rings 144A and 144B have the same horizontal extension radially inward and ring 144C extends in the x direction more than does either of rings 144A or 144B. Further, rings 144A, 144B, and 144C can have same or different radii of curvatures.

[0034] In various embodiments, up-stand wall 144 can extend from bearing portion 142 axialiy upward to an apex thereof. Thus, at an uppermost portion of a top ring (ring 144C in the case ofthe embodimentshown in FIGS. 3A-3C) may exist a ridge 146. Ridge 146 can be at a junction between up-stand wall 144 and an inner wall 148. As shown in FIG. 3A, the apex of up-stand wall 144 can be a ridge or rím 146 that is circular in end view of the jár. From the topot ridge 146, there may be a relatively 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 up-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 angie), or at a subtle radius downward or upward. Thus, inner wall 148 can be formed at a decline (ridge 146 or no ridge) with respect to horizontal, represented by an angie. The angie can be any suitable angie. In various embodiments, the angie can be 3,° 8°, 10° any angie from 3° to 12°, from 3° to 14°, from 8° to 12°, orfrom 8° to 14°. Alternatively, as indicated above, inner wall 148 may nőt be at an angie, and may horizontally extend, or, inner wall 148 may be at an incline with respect to horizontal in its asformed state.

[0035] 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 forth in U.S. Application No. 13/210,358 filed on August 15,2012, and published as US 2013/043202 A1.

[0036] Inner wall 148 can be circumscribed bythe upstand wall 144, and the inner wall 148 and up-stand wall 144 can be cooperatively operatíve so as to accommodate pressure variation within the jár after the jár has been hot-filled with a product at a filling temperature as described herein and sealed with an enclosure (e.g., a threaded lid).

[0037] The straight, middie dashed line in FIG. 3A indicates that inner wall 148 can be of any suitable configuration, with more specific examples being provided later. In various embodiments, the inner wall 148 can flex in response to the pressure variation within the jár after the jár has been hot-filled with a product at a filling temperature as described herein and sealed with an enclosure. Fór instance, inner wall 148 may flex downward as shown by dashed line 148(1) in response to an internál pressure P(1). Internál pressure P(1) may be caused by elevated temperature of a hot product being fiiled intő the jár and then the jár being sealed, fór example (i.e., headspace pressure). Internál pressure P(1) alsó may be caused by elevated temperature of a product upon pasteurization or retort Processing at an elevated temperature. Optionally, inner wall 148 can be constructed so that it is ator above a horizontal pláne running through the bearing surface at all times during the downward flexing ofthe inner wall 148.

[0038] Optionally or alternatively, inner wall 148 may flex upward as shown by dashed line 148(2) in response to an internál pressure P(2), which is shown outside the jár, bút can be representative of a force caused by an internál vacuum created by cooling a hot-filled product. Up-stand wall 144 is configured and operatíve to withstand or substantially withstand movement as the inner wall 148flexes in response tothe pressure variation within the jár after the jár has been hot-filled and sealed with the lid.

[0039] FIGS. 4A-4C show an example of a jár base 142 with a three-ring up-stand wall 144A-C and with a particular eonfiguration fór the inner wall 448, with FIG. 4B alsó showing a base mold 500B fór forming the jár

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1 base 142 shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. Inner wall 448 can be relatively fiat with the exception of concentric rings 450A, 450B. Inner wall 448 alsó may include a nőse cone 452 with a gate 454, which may be used fór injection of plastic when blow molding the jár.

[0040] 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 initial, 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 fór inner wall 448 may be horizontal, or, alternatively, it may be three degrees above or below horizontal.

[0041] In various embodiments, inner wall 448 can flex downward, with concentric rings 450A, 450B controlling the extentto which the inner wall 448 may flex downward. Optionally, concentric rings 450A, 450B may assist inner wall 448 move back upward, fór example to the initial blow molded position ofthe innerwall448or,forexample, above the initial blow molded position. Such movement above the initial blow molded position may relieve somé or all of an induced vacuum and even create a positive pressure within the jár.

[0042] Optionally, inner wall 448 alsó can have a nőse cone (or gate riser) 452 with a gate 454 located at a Central longitudinal axis of the jár, which may be used fór injection of plastic when blow molding the jár. In various embodiments, nőse cone 452 may serve as an anti-inverting portion that is constructed and operatíve 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.

[0043] Another example, FIG. 9A shows, is a cross section, a base portion according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, without a ridge, and with item 146 now representing a horizontal, declined, or subtle radius downward transition from up-stand wall 144 to inner wall 148.

[0044] FIG. 9B shows, in cross section, yet another example ofa base portion according to embodiments 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 wall 148 can be curved axially outward along a single major radius.

[0045] FIG. 5A is a base mold 500A to form a bottom end portion ofa base ofa plastic Container according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. 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 wall forming portion 544 to form the rigid ringed wall, a lip portion 546 to form a ridge ofthe bottom end portion, and an inner wall forming portion 548 to form a inner wall of a Container. Ringed wall forming portion 544A-C may be comprised ofa stack of three ring protrusions 544A-C to form a ringed wall of a Container, wherein respective maximum diameters ofthe ring protrusions decrease in value from the bottom of the stack to the top of the stack.

[0046] Note that portion 548 shown in FIG. 5A is intended to indicate that any suitable inner wall can be formed (including as shown). FIG. 5B, fór example, shows a base mold 500B with aspecific innerwall forming portion 548. Base molds according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can fór bottom end portions of Container bases according Container embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Nőt explicitly shown by FIGS. 5A and 5B, base molds according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter can be ridgeless (i.e., without a ridge forming portion or lip portion 546).

[0047] FIGS. 6 and 7 show alternative embodiments of up-stand wall 144. More specifically, up-stand wall 144 in FIG. 6 is comprised offourrings 144A-D, and up-stand wall 144 in FIG. 7, which does notform part ofthe present invention, is comprised oftwo rings. The numberof rings fór up-stand wall 144 may be set fór a particular Container based on the food product ornon-food product to be fiiled intő the Container. Rings 144 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be of different configurations (e.g., different lengths of curvature (i.e., arc length), different heights, x-axis direction length, y-axis length, etc.).

[0048] FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate alternative base molds 800A-800E and respective up-stand geometries 844A844E [0049] FIG. 10 is a flow chart fór a method 1000 according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. [0050] Methods according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can include providing a plastic Container as setforth herein (S1002). Providing a plastic Container can include blow molding or otherwise forming the Container. Providing a plastic Container alsó can include packaging, shipping, and/ordelivery ofa Container. Methods can alsó include filling, fór example, hot-filling the Container with a product such as described 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 ofthe Container can accommodate or act in response to an internál pressure orforce in the fiiled and sealed containersuch as described herein (S1008). As indicated above, internál pressure within the sealed and fiiled Container can be caused by hotfilling the Container, pasteurization Processing to the Container, retort Processing to the Container, or cooling Processing to the Container. The Container base portion can accommodate or act responsively as setforth herein based on the internál pressure orforce and the particular configuration and construction ofthe base portion as set forth herein.

[0051] Though containers in the form of wide-mouth jars have been particuíariy discussed above and shown in various figures, embodiments ofthe disclosed subject

ΕΡ 2 744 714 Β1 matter are nőt limited to wide-mouth jars and can include plastic containers of any suitable shape or configuration and fór any suitable use, including bottles, jugs, asymmetrical containers, single-serve containers or the like. Alsó, 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 nőt limited to containers having circular cross sections and thus Container cross sections can be square, rectangular, óval, or asymmetrical.

[0052] Further, as indicated above, hot-filling below 85 C (185°F) (e.g., 82.2 C (180°F) or above 96.1 C (205°F) is alsó embodied in aspects ofthe disclosed subject matter. Pasteurizing and/or retort temperatures above 85 C (185°F), above 93.3 C (200°F), or above 96.1 C (205°F) 100 C (e.g., 215°F) are alsó embodied in aspects ofthe disclosed subject matter.

[0053] Containers, as set forth according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be mode of a thermoplastic made in any suitable way, fór example, blow molded (including injection) PÉT, PEN, or blends thereof. Additionally, optionally, containers according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter can be multilayered, including a layer of gas barrier matériái, a layer of scrap matériái, and/or a polyester resin modified fór ultra-violet (UV) light protection or resistance.

[0054] Having now described embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and nőt limiting, having been presented bywayofexample-only. Thus, although particular configurations have been discussed herein, other configurations can alsó be employed. Numerous modifications and other embodiments (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 falling within the scope ofthe disclosed subject matter and any equivalents thereto. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc., within the scope ofthe invention to produce additional embodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, Applicants intend to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations that are within the scope of the present invention.