CONTROLLED BASE FLASH FORMING A STANDING RING
A blow-molded plastic container comprising a base portion having a flexible standing ring radially extending therefrom. The flexible standing ring is disposed about a lowest most portion of the container and operable to support the container on a surface. The flexible standing ring defines an annular groove thereabout that collapses in response to internal vacuum forces and/or external loading forces. The container further comprises a body portion that extends from an upper portion to the base, such that the upper portion, the body portion and the base cooperate to define a receptacle chamber within the container into which product can be filled.
1 . A blow-molded plastic container comprising:
an upper portion;
a base portion having a flexible standing ring extending from a lower portion thereof, said flexible standing ring being articulated relative to said lower portion in response to at least one of internal vacuum forces or external loading forces; and
a body portion extending from said upper portion to said base, said upper portion, said body portion and said base cooperating to define a receptacle chamber within said container into which product can be filled.
2 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 1 wherein said flexible standing ring is integrally formed with said base portion.
3 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 1 wherein said flexible standing ring comprises:
a leg portion extending downwardly from said lower portion of said base portion;
a foot portion extending from a terminal end of said leg portion, at least a portion of said foot portion contactable with a surface supporting the plastic container.
4 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 3 wherein said foot portion is generally orthogonal to said leg portion.
5 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 3 wherein said foot portion extending radially outwardly beyond said body portion.
6 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 3 wherein said foot portion and said base portion together define an annular groove extending continuously about said base portion.
7 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 6 wherein said annular groove is collapsible in response to at least one of the internal vacuum forces and external loading forces.
8 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 1 wherein said flexible standing ring being articulated relative to said lower portion in response to at least one of internal vacuum forces or external loading forces is part of a first load response and subsequent contact of said flexible standing ring with said lower portion initiates a second load response, said second load response being different from said first load response.
9 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 1 wherein said flexible standing ring is articulated between a first stage load response and a second stage load response, said second stage load response being different in terms of load capacity than said first stage load response.
10 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 1 wherein said flexible standing ring is articulatable between a first load response where said flexible standing ring is initially movable and defines a first load resistance and a second load response where said flexible standing ring contacts said base portion and defines a second load resistance, said second load resistance being greater than said first load resistance.
11 . The blow-molded plastic container according to claim 10 wherein said flexible standing ring further defines a third load response where said flexible standing ring further contacts said base portion and defines a third load resistance, said third load resistance being greater than that second load resistance.
12 . A mold for forming a plastic container having an integrally formed standing ring, said mold comprising:
a first mold portion; and
a second mold portion movable relative to said first mold portion, said first mold portion and said second mold portion together defining at least in part a mold cavity for molding a plastic container,
wherein said first mold portion and said second mold portion together define a standing ring slot for forming a standing ring on a base portion of the plastic container, said standing ring slot being defined at an interface between said first mold portion and said second mold portion.
13 . The mold according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a vent slot extending through said second mold portion, said vent slot being in fluid communication with said mold cavity when said second mold portion is in a first position relative to said first mold portion, said vent slot being fluidly separated from said mold cavity when said second mold portion is in a second portion relative to said first mold portion.
14 . The mold according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a positive stop extending from at least one of said first mold portion and said second mold portion, said positive stop forming a defining a predetermined edge along a distal end of the standing ring.
15 . The mold according to claim 12 wherein said standing ring slot is adjustable.
16 . The mold according to claim 12 wherein said standing ring slot is adjustable in response to the addition of insert rings between at least a portion of said first mold portion and said second mold portion.
17 . The mold according to claim 12 wherein said standing ring slot is oriented at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of said mold cavity.