PLASTIC CONTAINER WITH FLEXIBLE BASE
A plastic container is disclosed that includes a sidewall portion and a base portion. In embodiments, the base portion includes a flexible base portion configured for a first position, a second position, and a third position in response to internal forces associated with filling and cooling of container contents. The first position is a position following formation or molding, and prior to filling; the second position is a position during or following filling of contents at an elevated temperature, but before cooling or significant cooling of the contents, the second position is vertically lower than the first position; and the third position is a position after cooling of contents and vacuum forces associated with the contents have been substantially addressed, the third position is vertically higher than the first position.
1 . A plastic container comprising:
a sidewall portion; and
a base including a flexible base portion configured for a first position, a second position, and a third position in response to internal forces associated with filling and cooling of container contents;
wherein the first position is a position following formation or molding, and prior to filling; the second position is a position during or following filling of contents at an elevated temperature, but before cooling or significant cooling of the contents, the second position is vertically lower than the first position; and the third position is a position after cooling of contents and vacuum forces associated with the contents have been substantially addressed, the third position is vertically higher than the first position.
2 . The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the flexible base portion includes a point configured to function as a hinge point for the first position, second position, and third position.
3 . The plastic container of claim 2 , wherein the point remains disposed in substantially the same position in the first position, the second position, and the third position.
4 . The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall portion is configured to be rigid and substantially resist internal vacuum forces associated with the container.
5 . The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the volumetric displacement between the second position and the third position is at least twice the volumetric displacement between the first and third position.
6 . The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the volumetric displacement between the second position and the third position is at least three times the volumetric displacement between the first and third position.
7 . The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein, the plastic container is a plastic container configured to hold 20 fl. oz. and the differential between the first position and third position is about 5 ml of volumetric displacement, and the volumetric displacement between the second position and the third position is about 17 ml.
8 . The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the container is comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
9 . The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the container is biaxially oriented.
10 . A method for filling a plastic container with a flexible base, the method comprising:
providing a plastic container including a flexible base portion configured in a first position;
filling the container with contents at an elevated temperature such that that base portion moves to a second position that is vertically lower than the first position;
permitting the container contents to cool such that the base portion moves to a third position that is vertically higher than the first position.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the plastic container includes a sidewall portion that is configured to be rigid and substantially resist internal vacuum forces associated with the container.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the volumetric displacement between the second position and the third position is at least twice the volumetric displacement between the first and third position.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the volumetric displacement between the second position and the third position is at least three times the volumetric displacement between the first and third position.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the flexible base portion moves from the second position to the third position without mechanical forces being imparted on the base portion.