Hot-fillable plastic container with flexible base feature

Abstract

A base for a plastic container including an outer support portion; a structured formation ring including a plurality of sequential formations; an inner inversion portion disposed radially inwardly of the structured formation ring; and a central portion. In an embodiment, the sequential formations are disposed in a substantially ring-like configuration and at least the inner inversion portion is configured to flex in response to internal vacuum forces associated with said container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A base for a plastic container comprising:
 an outer support portion comprising an annular support ring;   a structured formation ring including a plurality of sequential formations, the sequential formations including a plurality of teeth disposed in a substantially ring-like configuration;   a flat or step portion provided between the outer support portion and the structured formation ring;   an inner inversion portion disposed radially inwardly of the structured formation ring; and   a central portion including one or more structural reinforcing formations;   wherein at least the inner inversion portion is configured to flex in response to internal vacuum forces associated with said container.   
     
     
         2 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion includes a plurality of radially extending ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein an intermediate surface portion is provided at least in part between adjacent sequential formations. 
     
     
         4 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sequential formations comprises an annular segment including a plurality of alternating teeth and intermediate surface portions.