Pressure resistant base

1. A base structure for a plastic container, the base structure comprising: a bearing surface defining a bearing plane and; an inner portion spaced apart from the bearing surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane, said inner portion comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from said first surface, and a step merging said first surface with said second surface; wherein an outer boundary of said second surface defines an ellipse having a major and minor axis, and wherein said second surface is slightly concave in a direction towards a cavity of the container along the major axis and slightly convex in a direction towards the bearing plane along the minor axis.

2. The base structure according to claim 1 , wherein said bearing surface defines four touch points.

3. The base structure according to claim 1 , wherein said inner portion further comprises a fin extending along a parting line of the base structure.

4. The base structure according to claim 1 , wherein said inner portion provides resistance to distortion upon an increase of internal pressure within the container when the container is sealed.

5. The base structure according to claim 1 , wherein said second surface is spaced further apart from the bearing plane in a substantially perpendicular direction to the bearing plane than the first surface.

6. A plastic container comprising: the base according to claim 1 ; a sidewall for merging with said base; and an opening for receiving and pouring contents of the container.

7. A base structure for a plastic container, the base structure comprising: a bearing surface defining a bearing plane and; an inner portion spaced apart from the bearing surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane, said inner portion comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from said first surface, and a step merging said first surface with said second surface; wherein said bearing surface comprises an outer portion for merging with a sidewall of the container, a bearing portion for defining a plurality of touch points for contact with a horizontal surface, and a transitional portion for merging with said inner portion; wherein said bearing portion defines four touch points; and wherein said transitional portion includes a substantially circular inner boundary for merging with said inner portion with and an outer boundary defining a rectangle having chamfered corners for merging said bearing portion and further defining the four touch points.

8. The base structure according to claim 7 , wherein said inner portion provides resistance to distortion upon an increase of internal pressure within the container when the container is sealed.

9. The base structure according to claim 7 , wherein said second surface is spaced further apart from the bearing plane in a substantially perpendicular direction to the bearing plane than the first surface.

10. The base structure according to claim 7 , wherein said inner portion further comprises a fin extending along a parting line of the base structure.

11. A method of packaging a product, comprising the steps of:

providing a container having a base structure comprising;

a bearing surface defining a bearing plane and; an inner portion spaced apart from the bearing surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane, said inner portion comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from said first surface, and a step merging said first surface with said second surface wherein an outer boundary of said second surface defines an ellipse having a major and minor axis, and wherein said second surface is slightly concave in a direction towards a cavity of the container along the major axis and slightly convex in a direction towards the bearing plane along the minor axis;

placing the product into the container; and

providing an air tight seal over a mouth of the container.