Multi-functional base for a plastic, wide-mouth, blow-molded container

#The present invention relates to a base for a wide mouth blow-molded plastic container, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-functional base structure which enables use of the container in hot-fill, as well as pasteurization/retort processing.

#Plastic blow-molded containers, particularly those molded of PET, have been utilized in hot fill applications where the container is filled with a liquid product heated to a temperature in excess of 180° F. (82° C.), capped immediately after filling, and allowed to cool to ambient temperatures. Plastic blow-molded containers have also been utilized in pasteurization/retort processes where a filled and sealed container is subjected to thermal processing and is then cooled to ambient temperatures. In both cases, the containers are typically provided with vacuum absorption panels to accommodate volumetric changes in the container as the contents of the sealed container are heated and/or as the contents cool within the sealed container.

#U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,413 issued to Prevot et al. and assigned to Graham Packaging Company, L.P. discloses a hot-fillable and retortable plastic wide-mouth blow-molded container having a sidewall with a pair of flex panels.

#The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container having a base embodying the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1;

#The present invention provides containers, 10 and 100, which are particularly suited for use as a jar for packaging food products. For example, the containers 10 and 100 can be used to package fluent or semi-fluent food products such as applesauce, spaghetti sauce, relishes, sauerkraut, baby foods, and the like. They can also be used to package a solid food product suspended in a liquid brine, such as pickles. Thus, the containers, 10 and 100, can be utilized for packaging various food products and can withstand various fill and treatment operations, as will be discussed.

#The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 is a container 10 having a base 12, a substantially cylindrical sidewall 14, and a wide-mouth threaded finish 16 which projects from the upper end of the sidewall 14 via a shoulder 18. Preferably, as illustrated, upper and lower label bumpers, 20 and 22, are located adjacent the shoulder 14 and base 12, respectfully, and outline a substantially cylindrical label area 24 on the sidewall 14. Thus, a label (not shown) can be attached to, and extend completely around, the container sidewall 14. In addition, preferably the sidewall 14 has a series of circumferential grooves 26 which reinforce the cylindrical shape of the sidewall 14 and resist paneling, dents and other unwanted deformation of the sidewall 14.

#The container 10 is multi-functional since it can be utilized in hot-fill as well as pasteurization/retort processing. To accomplish this objective, the base 12 has a structure which is capable of accommodating elevated internal container pressure experienced during pasteurization/retort processing and which is capable of accommodating reduced container volume experienced upon cool down of a filled and sealed container after hot-fill or pasteurization/retort processing. To this end, the base 12 flexes downwardly in a controlled manner and to a desired extent when pressure within the filled and sealed container is elevated, and the base 12 flexes upwardly in a controlled manner and to a desired extent when a vacuum develops within the filled and sealed container.