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 of processing a plastic container to increase internal pressure including blow-molding the container to comprise an invertible panel in the base and a standing ring, hot filling and sealing the container, feeding the container into an apparatus with a holding device and forcing a volume reduction and pressure increase into the container, and stacking the containers in bulk pallets on top of one another to increase top load and create a positive pressure within the distribution load of containers.

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.

The invention relates to a method of removing headspace (3) from a filled container (1). The method comprises providing a container that is filled with a product (2) and that further holds a gas containing headspace. The container comprises a valve (100) that allows gas to be expelled from the container. The method further comprises applying a pressure difference over the one-way valve to remove gas contained in the headspace through the valve to reduce the headspace.

A method of processing a plastic container to increase internal pressure including blow-molding the container to comprise an invertible panel in the base and a standing ring, hot filling and sealing the container, feeding the container into an apparatus with a holding device and forcing a volume reduction and pressure increase into the container, and stacking the containers in bulk pallets on top of one another to increase top load and create a positive pressure within the distribution load of containers.