# US 9,038,848 B2 · Base for hot-fill plastic containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,848 B2 - Document ID: US9038848B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/948,690 - Filed: 2013-07-23 - Published: 2015-01-29 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-23 - Assignees: Graham Packaging Company, L.P. - Applicants: Graham Packaging Company, L.P. - Inventors: Paul V. Kelley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038848B2 ## CPC - B65D 1/16: of curved cross-section, e.g. cylindrical - B65D 1/0261: {Bottom construction (B65D1/06 takes precedence)} - B65D 1/0276: {having a continuous contact surface, e.g. Champagne-type bottom} - B65D 1/42: Reinforcing or strengthening parts or members - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A base structure for a blow-molded container having an annular sidewall and a central longitudinal axis, the base structure comprising: a bottom portion; an annular support heel positioned between the sidewall and the bottom portion, wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle θ of from about 15° to about 46° relative a plane extending from the sidewall; and a first rounded edge between the sidewall and the annular support heel and a second rounded edge between the annular support heel and the bottom portion, wherein each of the first and second rounded edge has a radius of curvature of from about 1.0 mm to about 14.0 mm, and wherein the blow-molded container comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A base structure for a blow-molded container having an annular sidewall and a central longitudinal axis, the base structure comprising: a bottom portion; an annular support heel positioned between the sidewall and the bottom portion, wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle θ of from about 15° to about 46° relative a plane extending from the sidewall; and a first rounded edge between the sidewall and the annular support heel and a second rounded edge between the annular support heel and the bottom portion, wherein each of the first and second rounded edge has a radius of curvature of from about 1.0 mm to about 14.0 mm, and wherein the blow-molded container comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polyester resin and polypropylene. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The base structure of claim 1 wherein the material is the polyester resin and is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene)terephthalate (PET), homopolymers of poly(ethylene)-phthalate, copolymers of poly(ethylene)terephthalate, poly(ethylene)isophthalate, poly(ethylene)naphthalate, poly(dimethylene)terephthalate, and poly(butylene)terephthalate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The base structure of claim 2 wherein the polyester resin is poly(ethylene)terephthalate (PET). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The base structure of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second rounded edge has a radius of curvature of from about 1.5 mm to about 6.0 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The base structure of claim 4 wherein each of the first and second rounded edge has a radius of curvature of from about 2.0 mm to about 4.0 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The base structure of claim 1 wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle θ of from about 30° to about 35°. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The base structure of claim 6 wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle θ of from about 32° to about 34°. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The base structure of claim 5 wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle θ of from about 32° to about 34°. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The base structure of claim 1 wherein the material is polypropylene. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The base structure of claim 1 wherein the base remains substantially un-deformed when the blow-molded container is filled with a liquid and sealed and subjected to a thermal process comprising heating the container to a temperature of from about 98° C. to about 127° C. for about 10 to about 40 minutes followed by cooling to about from 25° C. to about 37° C. in from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, such that the blow-molded container does not lean more than 1° relative to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The base structure of claim 10 wherein the base remains substantially un-deformed when the blow-molded container is filled with a liquid and sealed and subjected to a thermal process comprising heating the container to a temperature of from about 108° C. to about 113° C. for about 20 to about 25 minutes followed by cooling to about 37° C. in from about 25 minutes to about 30 minutes, such that the blow-molded container does not lean more than 1° relative to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The base structure of claim 10 wherein the container experiences an internal pressure buildup of from about 0.1 bar to about 1.2 bar during heating. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The base structure of claim 11 wherein the container experiences an internal pressure buildup of from about 0.1 bar to about 1.2 bar during heating. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The base structure of claim 10 wherein the container does not lean relative to the central longitudinal axis when the blow-molded container is subjected to the thermal process. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The base structure of claim 11 wherein the container does not lean relative to the central longitudinal axis when the blow-molded container is subjected to the thermal process. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The base structure of claim 14 wherein the container experiences an internal pressure buildup of from about 0.1 bar to about 1.2 bar during heating. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The base structure of claim 15 wherein the container experiences an internal pressure buildup of from about 0.1 bar to about 1.2 bar during heating. ### Claim 18 A base structure for a blow-molded container having an annular sidewall and a central longitudinal axis, the base structure comprising: a bottom portion; an annular support heel positioned between the sidewall and the bottom portion, wherein the annular support heel is angled inwardly at an angle θ of from about 30° to about 35° relative a plane extending from the sidewall; and a first rounded edge between the sidewall and the annular support heel and a second rounded edge between the annular support heel and the bottom portion, wherein each of the first and second rounded edge has a radius of curvature of from about 2.0 mm to about 4.0 mm, and wherein the blow-molded container comprises poly(ethylene)terephthalate (PET). ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The base structure of claim 18 wherein the base remains substantially un-deformed when the blow-molded container is filled with a liquid and sealed and subjected to a thermal process comprising heating the container to a temperature of from about 98° C. to about 127° C. for about 10 to about 40 minutes followed by cooling to about from 25° C. to about 37° C. in from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, such that the blow-molded container does not lean more than 1° relative to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The base structure of claim 19 wherein the base remains substantially un-deformed when the blow-molded container is filled with a liquid and sealed and subjected to a thermal process comprising heating the container to a temperature of from about 108° C. to about 113° C. for about 20 to about 25 minutes followed by cooling to about 37° C. in from about 25 minutes to about 30 minutes, such that the blow-molded container does not lean more than 1° relative to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The base structure of claim 18 wherein the container experiences an internal pressure buildup of from about 0.1 bar to about 1.2 bar during heating. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The base structure of claim 19 wherein the container experiences an internal pressure buildup of from about 0.1 bar to about 1.2 bar during heating. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The base structure of claim 18 wherein the container does not lean relative to the central longitudinal axis when the blow-molded container is subjected to the thermal process. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The base structure of claim 19 wherein the container does not lean relative to the central longitudinal axis when the blow-molded container is subjected to the thermal process.