Method of applying top load force

1. A method for filling a polymeric container comprising:

hot filling the container;

capping the container;

cooling the container after hot filling and capping the container; and

applying a top load force to the container;

wherein upon capping and cooling the container, fluid pressure within the container drops from an initial atmospheric pressure to a maximum pre top load vacuum to create a pre top load vacuum within the container until the top load force is applied, applying the top load force increases the fluid pressure from the maximum pre top load vacuum to above the initial atmospheric pressure to provide a positive fluid pressure within the container until a maximum top load force is applied and the top load force is unloaded, upon unloading the top load force the fluid pressure decreases back below the atmospheric pressure to create a final vacuum in the container that is less than the maximum pre top load vacuum; and

wherein the positive fluid pressure reverses any dents in the container formed during the method of filling.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

labeling the container; and

applying the top load force to the container at least one of before labeling the container, during labeling of the container, and after labeling of the container.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the container has at least one compression rib.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising loading the container onto a first pallet, and stacking an additional container on top of the container; and

wherein applying the top load force precharges the container to prepare the container for the additional container to be stacked thereon.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the top load force reduces ovalization of the container.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the top load force is at least 50 lbs.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the top load force is between and 200 lbs.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the top load force includes applying force along a longitudinal axis of the container.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the top load force is applied after contents of the container have cooled below 100° F.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the top load force is applied before cooling the container and when the contents of the container are at a temperature of 100° F. or greater.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the container has at least one horizontal compression rib;

wherein applying the top load force compresses the at least one horizontal compression rib; and

wherein subsequent to applying the top load force the at least one horizontal rib remains at least partially compressed thereby reducing the container's overall height.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein applying the top load force reduces the container's overall height by 0.010″ to 0.060″.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising blow molding the container to have a rigid base.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising blow molding the container to have a base that is constrained by a bottom standing surface and is incapable of flexing under top load pressure.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying the top load force to the container for at least 0.1 of a second.

16. A method for filling a polymeric container comprising:

blow molding the container from a preform to provide the container with at least one horizontal compression rib and a base with a constrained geometry;

hot filling the container;

cooling the container;

capping the container;

labeling the container; and

applying a top load force along a longitudinal axis of the container;

wherein upon capping and cooling the container, fluid pressure within the container drops from an initial atmospheric pressure to a maximum pre top load vacuum to create a pre top load vacuum within the container until the top load force is applied, applying the top load force increases the fluid pressure from the maximum pre top load vacuum to above the initial atmospheric pressure to provide a positive fluid pressure within the container until a maximum top load force is applied and the top load force is unloaded, upon unloading the top load force the fluid pressure decreases back below the atmospheric pressure to create a final vacuum in the container that is less than the maximum pre top load vacuum; and

wherein applying the top load force compresses the at least one horizontal compression rib, and provides the positive fluid pressure within the container to invert one or more dents formed on a sidewall of the container.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein applying the top load force reduces ovalization of the container.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the top load force is at least 50 lbs.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the top load force is between 50 lbs. and 200 lbs.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the top load force is applied after contents of the container have cooled below 100° F.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the top load force is applied before cooling the container and when the contents of the container are at a temperature of 100° F. or greater.

22. The method of claim 16 , further comprising blow molding the container to have a base that is constrained by a bottom standing surface and incapable of flexing under top load pressure.

23. The method of claim 16 , further comprising applying the top load force to the container for at least 0.1 of a second.

24. A method for filling a container comprising:

blow molding the container from a preform to provide the container with horizontal compression ribs and a base with a constrained geometry;

hot filling the container after blow molding the container;

capping the container after hot filling the container;

cooling the container after capping the container;

labeling the container after cooling the container; and

applying a top load force of between 50 lbs. and 200 lbs. for at least 0.1 of a second along a longitudinal axis of the container after cooling the container below 100° F. and before labeling the container to provide a positive fluid pressure within the container and invert one or more dents formed on a sidewall of the container and reduce internal vacuum after the top load is released;

wherein upon capping and cooling the container, fluid pressure within the container drops from an initial atmospheric pressure to a maximum pre top load vacuum to create a pre top load vacuum within the container until the top load force is applied, applying the top load force increases the fluid pressure from the maximum pre top load vacuum to above the initial atmospheric pressure to provide the positive fluid pressure within the container until a maximum top load force is applied and the top load force is unloaded, upon unloading the top load force the fluid pressure decreases back below the atmospheric pressure to create a final vacuum in the container that is less than the maximum pre top load vacuum.

25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising loading the container onto a first pallet, and stacking another container on top of the container; and

wherein applying the top load force precharges the container to prepare the container for the another container to be stacked thereon.