A THERMOPLASTIC SHEET STRUCTURE AND ARTICLES FORMED THEREFROM

摘要

The invention provides a mold comprising (i) a forming insert defining a base cavity and having a sidewall segment and a heel segment wherein the heel segment has a radius that is less than the sidewall segment radius and (ii) a forming base that is positionable within the base cavity, the forming base having a top surface comprising a rim and a step extending axially upward from said rim, wherein the rim has a rim radius that is less than the heel radius and the step has a step radius that is less than the rim radius. The base is useful for forming puncturable containers withstand being punctured without being crushed. The invention further provides a method for forming a puncturable container, the method comprising forming the container from a multilayer sheet structure with the forming insert and the forming base. The invention further provides a container formed from a multi-layer thermoplastic sheet and comprising a body having (i) a sidewall and a heel extending from the sidewall bottom, wherein the heel radius is less than the sidewall radius and (ii) a base coupled to the heel. The container is substantially rigid while at least one of said sidewall and said base is being punctured by a puncturing device.