# US 9,751,679 B2 · Vacuum absorbing bases for hot-fill containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,679 B2 - Document ID: US9751679B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/198,668 - Filed: 2016-06-30 - Published: 2016-10-27 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-05-23 - Assignees: Amcor Limited - Applicants: Amcor Limited - Inventors: James Stelzer; Michael T. Lane - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751679B2 ## CPC - B65D 79/0081: {in the bottom part thereof} - B65D 1/0276: {having a continuous contact surface, e.g. Champagne-type bottom} - B65D 2501/0036: Hollow circonferential ribs - 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 polymeric container including an upper portion defining an opening to an interior volume of the container. A base is movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container, thereby decreasing the volume of the container. A substantially cylindrical sidewall extends between the upper portion and the base. A rigid, central pushup portion of the base is at an axial center of the base. A central longitudinal axis of the container extends through a center of the central pushup portion. A flexible diaphragm of the base extends outward from the central pushup portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A polymeric container comprising: an upper portion defining an opening to an interior volume of the container; a base movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container thereby decreasing the volume of the container; a substantially cylindrical sidewall extending between the upper portion and the base; a rigid, central pushup portion of the base at an axial center of the base, a central longitudinal axis of the container extends through a center of the central pushup portion; a flexible diaphragm of the base extending outward from the central pushup portion; and a side surface of the central pushup portion extending outward and away from the longitudinal axis of the container to the flexible diaphragm at a draft angle of 30° to 35° relative to the longitudinal axis; wherein the side surface of the central pushup portion transitions to the flexible diaphragm at a lowermost portion of the base, with respect to portions of the base that are inward of a contact ring of the base the lowermost portion of the base is furthest from the upper portion of the container. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the draft angle is about 33°. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the base is molded at a temperature of 170° F. to 200° F. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm is curved convex relative to an outer surface of the base. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the side surface of the central pushup portion transitions to the flexible diaphragm halfway between the central longitudinal axis of the container and an outer diameter of the container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the lowermost portion is halfway between the central longitudinal axis of the container and an outer diameter of the container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the lowermost portion of the base is configured such that when the contact ring of the polymeric container is seated on a planar support surface, the lowermost portion is spaced apart from the planar support surface by about 0.07 inches to about 0.09 inches. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the lowermost portion of the base is configured such that when the contact ring of the polymeric container is seated on a planar support surface, the lowermost portion of the base is spaced apart from the planar support surface by about 0.08 inches. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm has an actual surface area that is about 20% to about 25% greater than an actual surface area of the rigid central pushup portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm has an actual surface area that is 23% greater than an actual surface area of the rigid central pushup portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm includes a plurality of surface features configured to facilitate flexion of the flexible diaphragm in response to vacuum forces within the container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The polymeric container of claim 11, wherein the surface features are configured as at least one of circular dimples and triangles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The polymeric container of claim 12, wherein the surface features are arranged in columns extending radially away from the longitudinal axis of the container; and wherein the base further includes base ribs extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, at least one base rib is arranged between two neighboring columns of surface features. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the side surface of the central pushup portion is circular and surrounds the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the side surface of the central pushup portion includes a plurality of center ribs. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The polymeric container of claim 1, wherein the base has a width to depth ratio of 0.28 to 0.36. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The polymeric container of claim 16, wherein the base has a width of about 0.96 inches and a depth of about 0.31 inches. ### Claim 18 A polymeric container comprising: an upper portion defining an opening to an interior volume of the container; a base movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container thereby decreasing the volume of the container; a substantially cylindrical sidewall extending between the upper portion and the base; a rigid, central pushup portion of the base at an axial center of the base, a central longitudinal axis of the container extends through a center of the central pushup portion; and a flexible diaphragm of the base extending outward from the central pushup portion; wherein the flexible diaphragm has an actual surface area that is about 20% to about 25% greater than an actual surface area of the rigid central pushup portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the actual surface area of the flexible diaphragm is about 23% greater than the actual surface area of the rigid central pushup portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, further comprising: a side surface of the central pushup portion extending outward and away from the longitudinal axis of the container to the flexible diaphragm at a draft angle relative to the longitudinal axis that is greater than 30° and less than 35°. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the flexible diaphragm is curved convex relative to an outer surface of the base. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the side surface of the central pushup portion transitions to the flexible diaphragm halfway between the central longitudinal axis of the container and an outer diameter of the container. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the side surface of the central pushup portion transitions to the flexible diaphragm at a lowermost portion of the base, with respect to portions of the base that are inward of a contact ring of the base the lowermost portion of the base is furthest from the upper portion of the container. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The polymeric container of claim 23, wherein the lowermost portion is halfway between the central longitudinal axis of the container and an outer diameter of the container. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The polymeric container of claim 23, wherein the lowermost portion of the base is configured such that when the contact ring of the polymeric container is seated on a planar support surface, the lowermost portion is spaced apart from the planar support surface by about 0.07 inches to about 0.09 inches. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the flexible diaphragm includes a plurality of surface features configured to facilitate flexion of the flexible diaphragm in response to vacuum forces within the container. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the rigid, central push-up portion includes a plurality of center ribs. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the base has a width to depth ratio of 0.28 to 0.36. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) The polymeric container of claim 18, wherein the base has a width of about 0.96 inches and a depth of about 0.31 inches. ### Claim 30 A polymeric container comprising: an upper portion defining an opening to an interior volume of the container; a base movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container thereby decreasing the volume of the container; a substantially cylindrical sidewall extending between the upper portion and the base; a rigid, central pushup portion of the base at an axial center of the base, a central longitudinal axis of the container extends through a center of the central pushup portion; and a flexible diaphragm of the base extending outward from the central pushup portion; wherein the central pushup portion transitions to the flexible diaphragm halfway between the central longitudinal axis of the container and an outer diameter of the container. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, wherein the central pushup portion transitions to the flexible diaphragm at a lowermost portion of the base, with respect to portions of the base that are inward of a contact ring of the base the lowermost portion of the base is furthest from the upper portion of the container. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The polymeric container of claim 31, wherein the lowermost portion is halfway between the central longitudinal axis of the container and the outer diameter of the container. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The polymeric container of claim 31, wherein the lowermost portion of the base is configured such that when the contact ring of the polymeric container is seated on a planar support surface, the lowermost portion is spaced apart from the planar support surface by about 0.07 inches to about 0.09 inches. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, further comprising: a side surface of the central pushup portion extending outward and away from the longitudinal axis of the container to the flexible diaphragm at a draft angle of greater than 30° and less than 35° relative to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, wherein the flexible diaphragm is curved convex relative to an outer surface of the base. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, wherein the flexible diaphragm has an actual surface area that is 23% greater than an actual surface area of the rigid central pushup portion. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, wherein the flexible diaphragm includes a plurality of surface features configured to facilitate flexion of the flexible diaphragm in response to vacuum forces within the container. ### Claim 38 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, wherein the rigid, central push-up portion includes a plurality of center ribs. ### Claim 39 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, wherein the base has a width to depth ratio of 0.28 to 0.36. ### Claim 40 (depends on 30) The polymeric container of claim 30, wherein the base has a width of about 0.96 inches and a depth of about 0.31 inches.