Hot-fillable and Retortable Plastic Container

Abstract

A container made of plastic material, such as PET, that is adapted to be hot-fillable, retortable and/or pasteurizable. The container is shaped and formed to appear aesthetically like a metallic can used typically for storing the types of food found within the container. The container may have hoops located in the body portion of the container and have a top portion adapted for receiving a double-seam can end.

1 . A plastic container comprising:
 a body portion constructed of a plastic material and comprising a hoop;   a base portion located below the body portion; and   a top portion located above the body portion, wherein the top portion comprises a double seam structure.   
     
     
         2 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion further comprises a plurality of hoops. 
     
     
         3 . The plastic container of  claim 2 , wherein the body portion comprises three hoops. 
     
     
         4 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the double seam structure comprises an upper seam structure and a lower seam structure, wherein the distance from the central axis of the container to the upper seam structure is different than the distance from the central axis of the container to the lower seam structure. 
     
     
         5 . The plastic container of  claim 4 , wherein the distance from the central axis of the container to the upper seam structure is greater than the distance from the central axis of the container to the lower seam structure. 
     
     
         6 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion further comprises an angled edge, which is angled with respect to the horizontal between 5° to 20°. 
     
     
         7 . A The plastic container of  claim 1 , further comprising a double seam container closure. 
     
     
         8 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is adapted for at least one of hot-filling, a retort process and a pasteurization process. 
     
     
         9 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic material is PET. 
     
     
         10 . A plastic container comprising:
 a body portion constructed of a plastic material;   a base portion located below the body portion;   a top portion located above the body portion; and   wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of hoops.   
     
     
         11 . The plastic container of  claim 10 , wherein the body portion comprises three hoops. 
     
     
         12 . The plastic container of  claim 10 , wherein the top portion comprises a double seam structure. 
     
     
         13 . The plastic container of  claim 12 , wherein the double seam structure comprises an upper seam structure and a lower seam structure, wherein the distance from the central axis of the container to the upper seam structure is different than the distance from the central axis of the container to the lower seam structure. 
     
     
         14 . The plastic container of  claim 13 , wherein the distance from the central axis of the container to the upper seam structure is greater than the distance fiom the central axis of the container to the lower seam structure. 
     
     
         15 . The plastic container of  claim 10 , wherein the top portion further comprises an angled edge, which is angled with respect to the horizontal between 5° to 20°. 
     
     
         16 . The plastic container of  claim 10 , further comprising a double seam container closure. 
     
     
         17 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is adapted for at least one of hot-filling, a retort process and a pasteurization process. 
     
     
         18 . The plastic container of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic material is PET. 
     
     
         19 . A plastic container comprising:
 a top portion adapted for accommodating a closure used with double seam structures;   a body portion adapted for at least one of hot-filling, a retort process and a pasteurization process, wherein the body portion is located below the top portion and further wherein the body portion comprises;
 a shoulder portion; 
 a first body segment located below the shoulder portion; 
 a first hoop located below the first body segment; 
 a second body segment located below the first hoop; 
 a second hoop located below the second body segment; 
 wherein a height of the first body segment taken from the shoulder portion to the first hoop is greater than the height of the second body segment taken from the first hoop to the second hoop; and 
 a base located below the body portion. 
   
     
     
         20 . The plastic container of  claim 19 , further comprising a double seam container closure.