A closure for a polymeric container configured to be filled with a commodity by a hot-fill process. The closure includes an outer metallic ring and a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is removably sealed across the ring and is configured to be drawn from an outward, pre-fill configuration to an inward, post-fill configuration in response to a vacuum created within the container during the hot-fill process. In the inward, post-fill configuration the flexible membrane is concave relate to an outer side of the closure.

Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.

A method for making a container made of a plastic material, provided with a base including a standing ring forming a support flange and a diaphragm extending from the standing ring to a central portion, the diaphragm being capable of standing in an outwardly-inclined position, wherein the diaphragm connects to the standing ring at an outer junction forming an outer articulation of the diaphragm; wherein the diaphragm connects to the central portion at an inner junction forming an inner articulation of the diaphragm; whereby the diaphragm is invertible with respect to the standing ring from the outwardly-inclined position to an inwardly-inclined position; and wherein, in the outwardly-inclined position, the diaphragm has an outer curved portion and an inner curved portion of opposite curvatures.

A device for indicating exposure to a pressure. The device may include a base layer, a plurality of microcapsules, and a coating, with the microcapsules being disposed between the base layer and the coating. The microcapsules contain a indicator material that can be released once the microcapsules burst. The microcapsules then have a compressive bursting strength that is chosen or designed to be less than a selected pressure (e.g., the pressure being that to which a particular article may be exposed during high pressure processing). Thus, when the device is subjected to a pressure greater than the compressive bursting strength, at least some microcapsules burst, the indicator material is released from the microcapsules, and the release of the indicator material can be detected by observation of the device. The device may be a label that is associated (such as by being affixed) to the article being subjected to pressure (or multiple labels being associated (such as by being affixed) to multiple articles. Alternatively, the device may be associated with an article or articles without being affixed thereto.

A method for forming, in an inversion device, a base of a filled and sealed plastic container, comprising a step of inverting a diaphragm situated at the center of the base of the container and surrounded by a standing ring forming a standing surface. During the step, two opposing pushing members are set in relative motion with respect to one another so as to come into contact with and press on two longitudinally opposed regions of the container. During a phase of pushing the diaphragm during the inversion thereof, there is sought, on a curve representative of the force applied to the diaphragm to move same during the inversion, a variation on this curve that indicates whether the forces applied by the pushing members to the regions with which they are in contact are becoming smaller.

A double container has an outer layer body and an inner layer body mainly made of a polyester resin and is formed by biaxial stretch blow molding, and includes: a mouth portion; a shoulder portion, gradually increasing in diameter in a downward direction, and having an outward protruding curved shape over a length in a vertical direction in a longitudinal section; a barrel portion; and a bottom portion, wherein the mouth portion has an outside air introduction port for introducing outside air between the outer layer body and the inner layer body, and the double container includes a shoulder rib that is concave or convex as seen from outside and at least extends from an upper end of the shoulder portion to the lower end of the shoulder portion.

A container including an opening defined by a finish portion. A base is at an end of the container opposite to the opening. The base includes a deep base ring between a standing surface and a truncated cone at a center of the base. The truncated cone is mechanically movable a displacement distance from an as-blown position to a displaced position subsequent to hot-filling and capping of the container to reduce an internal volume of the container. In the displaced position, the truncated cone is closer to the opening than in the as-blown position.

The present invention relates in particular to a closure (3) for the fluid-tight closing of a vessel (2) filled with a substance (5), wherein the closure (3) is provided with a fluid-tight pressure-transmission element (9) and wherein the closure (3) is provided with a base body (8) to which the pressure-transmission element (9) can be attached in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the pressure-transmission element (9) is deflectable by pressurisation without incurring damage, for biological inactivation of microorganisms present in the substance (5), wherein the closure is configured in such a way that the pressure-transmission element (9), when the vessel (2) is closed with the closure (3), is held (clamped between the vessel (2) and the base body). The invention also relates to a corresponding container (1) and a corresponding method.

A plastic container has a base portion adapted for vacuum absorption, the container including a base and a body extending up from the base along a central axis to a finish portion defining a mouth. The base includes an outside wall, a chime connecting the outside wall to an annular contact ring, an inside wall extending upward from the contact ring to a hinge, and a diaphragm connected to the hinge. The diaphragm can move between first and second positions in response to pressure change within the container. The diaphragm includes a central region and a flexible wall having a curved profile in cross section. The flexible wall curves downward from the hinge to the central region. In some embodiments, the flexible wall is asymmetric and includes a first portion having a curved profile and a second portion having a linear profile. A container wall structure is also disclosed.

Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.