A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

A method is described for shaping the bottom of hot-filled containers, in which the bottoms of the containers are forced inwardly from a state bulged outwardly, in particular as they cool down. Complex mechanisms for forcing the bottom inwardly are dispensable for the reason that the bottoms are forced inwardly by at least one fluid jet and/or fluid pressure wave. In addition, shaping the bottom can advantageously be carried out in a production region immediately downstream of a closer.

A method is described for shaping the bottom of hot-filled containers, in which the bottoms of the containers are forced inwardly from a state bulged outwardly, in particular as they cool down. Complex mechanisms for forcing the bottom inwardly are dispensable for the reason that the bottoms are forced inwardly by at least one fluid jet and/or fluid pressure wave. In addition, shaping the bottom can advantageously be carried out in a production region immediately downstream of a closer.

A method is disclosed for forming a tissue bundle from a stack of folded absorbent tissues. The method includes the steps of forming a stack of folded absorbent tissues; compressing the stack to an initial density in a first compression step; wrapping the stack a first time in a supporting wrapper to form an initial bundle and maintain the initial density; subsequently applying a second compression step to compress the stack to a final density that is higher than the initial density; and wrapping the stack a second time to form a final bundle and to maintain the final density.

A container including a finish defining an opening at a first end of the container that provides access to an internal volume defined by the container. A base portion of the container includes a diaphragm that is concave relative to an exterior of the container. The diaphragm extends from a standing surface of the container to a center push-up portion of the base portion. The standing surface is at a second end of the container opposite to the first end. The diagram is configured to move from an as-blown first configuration to a second configuration in which the diaphragm is closer to the first end as compared to the first configuration in order to reduce residual vacuum within the container. The diaphragm is generally hemispherical in cross-section when in the second configuration.

A device for facilitating folding of a container comprising a first flattening element and a second flattening element arranged to flatten a first end portion and a second end portion of a sealed end of the container, respectively. By flattening the first and second end portions, these are made thinner, which, in turn, facilitates folding of the first end portion and the second end portion towards a middle portion of the sealed end, placed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

A device for facilitating folding of a container comprising a first flattening element and a second flattening element arranged to flatten a first end portion and a second end portion of a sealed end of the container, respectively. By flattening the first and second end portions, these are made thinner, which, in turn, facilitates folding of the first end portion and the second end portion towards a middle portion of the sealed end, placed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Techniques and technologies are generally described herein for providing shape memory polymer packaging for meat products from sheets or films of shape memory polymer material. Shape memory polymers are a class of smart materials which have the ability to return to their original or trained state from a deformed or temporary state when a stimulus is provided. The stimulus is typically a temperature change. The stimulus may also be exposure to an electric or magnetic field, exposure to light, or even exposure to a particular atmosphere, e.g., water. Shape memory polymers now include many materials, including both thermoplastic materials and thermoset materials (covalently cross-linked). The memory effect of the shape memory polymer is used to shape a meat product and to make the meat product more attractive to a consumer.

Techniques and technologies are generally described herein for providing shape memory polymer packaging for meat products from sheets or films of shape memory polymer material. Shape memory polymers are a class of smart materials which have the ability to return to their original or trained state from a deformed or temporary state when a stimulus is provided. The stimulus is typically a temperature change. The stimulus may also be exposure to an electric or magnetic field, exposure to light, or even exposure to a particular atmosphere, e.g., water. Shape memory polymers now include many materials, including both thermoplastic materials and thermoset materials (covalently cross-linked). The memory effect of the shape memory polymer is used to shape a meat product and to make the meat product more attractive to a consumer.