Container system and method of manufacture

Abstract

A plastic, hot-fillable container includes a blow molded body defining a longitudinal axis and including a base. The base includes a wall and a panel extending from the wall. The panel includes at least one radial segment such that at least the panel is substantially non-movable under temperature, pressure and/or volume changes within an interior of the body during a hot fill process. Container systems and methods of manufacturing containers are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plastic, hot-fillable container comprising:
 a blow molded body defining a longitudinal axis and including a base,   the base including a wall and a panel extending from the wall,   the panel including at least one radial segment such that at least the panel is substantially non-movable under temperature, pressure and/or volume changes within an interior of the body during a hot fill process.   
     
     
         2 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a standing surface circumferentially disposed about the base and the at least one radial segment is connected to the standing surface. 
     
     
         3 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a standing surface circumferentially disposed about the base and the at least one radial segment extends from the standing surface in an orientation toward a central portion of the base. 
     
     
         4 . A container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one radial segment is connected to the standing surface and spaced apart from the central portion. 
     
     
         5 . A container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one radial segment is integrally formed with the standing surface. 
     
     
         6 . A container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the central portion includes an inner dome extending from panel. 
     
     
         7 . A container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one radial segment includes a plurality of radial segments. 
     
     
         8 . A container as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of radial segments are circumferentially disposed in an equidistant orientation about the panel and spaced apart from the central portion. 
     
     
         9 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one radial segment includes a plurality of radial segments. 
     
     
         10 . A container as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of radial segments are circumferentially disposed in an equidistant orientation about the panel. 
     
     
         11 . A container as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of radial segments consist of six radial segments extending transverse to the axis and being connected with a standing surface of the base. 
     
     
         12 . A container recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one radial segment includes an inner convex surface and planar side wall surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one radial segment includes a plurality of radial segments, each segment having an inner concave surface and the plurality of segments being disposed about the panel and spaced apart by inner convex surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . A container recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inner convex surfaces include a radius selected from the range of 0.25 through 1.25 inches. 
     
     
         15 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the panel has a horizontal orientation relative to a vertical orientation of the wall. 
     
     
         16 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a metal closure engageable with the neck. 
     
     
         17 . A plastic, hot-fillable container comprising:
 a blow molded body including a side wall connected to a base and defining an interior of the container,   the base including a wall, a central portion and a panel, the wall being connected to the panel adjacent a standing surface,   the panel including at least one radial segment being connected to the standing surface and extending toward the central portion, the segments being disposed with the panel such that the panel is substantially non-movable relative to the side wall under temperature, pressure and/or volume changes within the interior during a hot fill process.   
     
     
         18 . A container as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one radial segment includes a plurality of radial segments circumferentially disposed in an equidistant orientation about the panel and spaced apart from the central portion. 
     
     
         19 . A container as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the radial segments are integrally formed with the standing surface. 
     
     
         20 . A plastic, hot-fillable PET container comprising:
 a blow molded body having a neck and defining a longitudinal axis, the body including a base and a side wall connected to the base defining an interior of the container,   the base including a wall, a central portion and a panel, the wall being connected to the panel adjacent a standing surface,   the panel including a plurality of segments being connected to the standing surface and extending radially in a transverse orientation relative to the axis, the segments being disposed with the panel such that the panel is substantially non-movable relative to the side wall under temperature, pressure and/or volume changes within the interior during a hot fill process; and   a metal closure engageable with the neck.