Controlled base flash forming a standing ring

Abstract

A blow-molded plastic container comprising a base portion having a flexible standing ring radially extending therefrom. The flexible standing ring is disposed about a lowest most portion of the container and operable to support the container on a surface. The flexible standing ring defines an annular groove thereabout that collapses in response to internal vacuum forces and/or external loading forces. The container further comprises a body portion that extends from an upper portion to the base, such that the upper portion, the body portion and the base cooperate to define a receptacle chamber within the container into which product can be filled.

1 . A blow-molded plastic container comprising:
 an upper portion;   a base portion having a flexible standing ring extending from a lower portion thereof, said flexible standing ring being articulated relative to said lower portion in response to at least one of internal vacuum forces or external loading forces; and   a body portion extending from said upper portion to said base, said upper portion, said body portion and said base cooperating to define a receptacle chamber within said container into which product can be filled.   
     
     
         2 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said flexible standing ring is integrally formed with said base portion. 
     
     
         3 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said flexible standing ring comprises:
 a leg portion extending downwardly from said lower portion of said base portion; 
 a foot portion extending from a terminal end of said leg portion, at least a portion of said foot portion contactable with a surface supporting the plastic container. 
 
     
     
         4 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 3  wherein said foot portion is generally orthogonal to said leg portion. 
     
     
         5 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 3  wherein said foot portion extending radially outwardly beyond said body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 3  wherein said foot portion and said base portion together define an annular groove extending continuously about said base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 6  wherein said annular groove is collapsible in response to at least one of the internal vacuum forces and external loading forces. 
     
     
         8 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said flexible standing ring being articulated relative to said lower portion in response to at least one of internal vacuum forces or external loading forces is part of a first load response and subsequent contact of said flexible standing ring with said lower portion initiates a second load response, said second load response being different from said first load response. 
     
     
         9 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said flexible standing ring is articulated between a first stage load response and a second stage load response, said second stage load response being different in terms of load capacity than said first stage load response. 
     
     
         10 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 1  wherein said flexible standing ring is articulatable between a first load response where said flexible standing ring is initially movable and defines a first load resistance and a second load response where said flexible standing ring contacts said base portion and defines a second load resistance, said second load resistance being greater than said first load resistance. 
     
     
         11 . The blow-molded plastic container according to  claim 10  wherein said flexible standing ring further defines a third load response where said flexible standing ring further contacts said base portion and defines a third load resistance, said third load resistance being greater than that second load resistance. 
     
     
         12 . A mold for forming a plastic container having an integrally formed standing ring, said mold comprising:
 a first mold portion; and   a second mold portion movable relative to said first mold portion, said first mold portion and said second mold portion together defining at least in part a mold cavity for molding a plastic container,   wherein said first mold portion and said second mold portion together define a standing ring slot for forming a standing ring on a base portion of the plastic container, said standing ring slot being defined at an interface between said first mold portion and said second mold portion.   
     
     
         13 . The mold according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a vent slot extending through said second mold portion, said vent slot being in fluid communication with said mold cavity when said second mold portion is in a first position relative to said first mold portion, said vent slot being fluidly separated from said mold cavity when said second mold portion is in a second portion relative to said first mold portion.   
     
     
         14 . The mold according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a positive stop extending from at least one of said first mold portion and said second mold portion, said positive stop forming a defining a predetermined edge along a distal end of the standing ring.   
     
     
         15 . The mold according to  claim 12  wherein said standing ring slot is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The mold according to  claim 12  wherein said standing ring slot is adjustable in response to the addition of insert rings between at least a portion of said first mold portion and said second mold portion. 
     
     
         17 . The mold according to  claim 12  wherein said standing ring slot is oriented at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of said mold cavity.