Pressure reinforced plastic container and related method of processing a plastic container

摘要

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish adapted to receive a closure, a lower portion including a base, and a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the sidewall define an interior volume for storing liquid contents. The plastic container further comprises a pressure panel located on the container and moveable between an initial position and an activated position. The pressure panel is located in the initial position prior to filling the container, and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container. Moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position reduces the internal volume of the container and creates a positive pressure inside the container. The positive pressure reinforces the sidewall. A method of processing a container is also disclosed.

主权项

1. A method of causing a rise in pressure in a container, the method comprising:
a. Filling a container with a liquid, the container having a longitudinal axis, an upper portion having an opening into the container, a body portion extending from the upper portion to a lower portion, the lower portion including a base, the base closing off an end of the container, the container having at least one substantially transversely oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion, a hinge circumscribing the pressure panel, the pressure panel comprising a control portion being inclined at an angle of more than 100° relative to a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and the opening into the container, the pressure panel comprising a centrally located push-up portion; b. Capping or sealing the container; and c. Repositioning the base about the hinge from the inclined position to an inverted position to reduce the container volume.