Petal-shaped bottom with scattered troughs

Abstract

A container (1) with a petal-shaped bottom (3) has supports (8) that are convex to the outside of the container (1), and the supports are separated by concave grooves (10), which extend radially from the central dome (5) of the bottom (3) to the periphery (9) of its bottom, each support (8) has a middle face (12), which is concave toward the outside and is extended by end faces (13), and the end faces form a flat cross-section, intermittent placement ring (14), each groove (10) has an inner part (15) extending from the central dome (5), and an outer part (16) connected to the periphery (9), the inner part (15) and the outer part (16) are straight in cross section in the central radial plane of the groove (10), and together form an obtuse angle (P) protruding to the outside of the container (1), and are connected to the top (17) of the placement ring (14) at or close to its vertical position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of containers, in particular bottles or jars, which are produced by blow molding or stretch blowing from a blank (preform or intermediate container) made of plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Background Art

[0002] A container generally comprises an open neck, through which the contents (usually a liquid) are introduced, a body which gives the container its volume, and a bottom which closes the body at the end opposite the neck and forms a base which ensures the performance and retention of the container when placed on a surface.

[0003] In carbonated beverage containers, where the pressure of dissolved gases in the liquid generates significant mechanical stresses, these containers are equipped with a high-height petal-shaped bottom. This bottom features raised petal-shaped supports separated by raised wall portions, called recesses or valleys, extending radially from the central region of the bottom. The high support height (i.e., approximately 1 / 2 the container diameter) ensures that the container remains in place on a surface; the valleys absorb the forces (thermal and mechanical) exerted by the contents. A typical embodiment of this bottom can be found in International Patent Application WO 2012 / 069759 (Sidel).

[0004] As a more successful solution, the petal-shaped bottom can make the container equipped with such a bottom have good resistance to large internal pressure (especially by means of the hemispherical shape of the groove).

[0005] However, the petaloid bottom requires a large amount of material (a 0.5 liter container with a traditional petaloid bottom weighs about 18 grams or more) and also requires a relatively high blowing pressure (about 22 to 30 bars) to ensure that the appropriate seats and valley cavities are formed in the manufacturing mold.

[0006] These stresses tend to make the petaloid bottom unsuitable for use with "still liquids" (typically drinking water or non-carbonated beverages), for which the blowing pressure and the amount of material used are minimized (so far, about 10 grams for a 0.5 liter container).

[0007] Typically, for certain readily oxidizable still liquids (especially fruit juices), as well as for some still water applications, the air above the still liquid is replaced with an inert gas (usually nitrogen). This operation involves injecting a drop of liquefied inert gas onto the surface of the still liquid, and then immediately sealing the container. This operation creates a high pressure in the container undergoing this treatment. Even a slight surface pressure (approximately 0.5 to 1.3 bar) is sufficient to significantly increase the stresses exerted on the bottom, but these stresses do not justify the traditional petal-shaped bottom (i.e., the large height).

[0008] However, a bottom with a single concave arch can be easily manufactured by blowing a container if the requirements for saving material are met in advance (that is, the container is easy to "blow"), but it cannot withstand the stress caused by the hydrostatic pressure plus the increased pressure of the inert gas without significant deformation.

[0009] Therefore, what is needed is a container having a bottom that has high strength to internal stresses relative to a conventional dome-shaped bottom, while not requiring as much material and high blowing pressure as a conventional petal-shaped bottom.

[0010] Therefore, some people have proposed a low-height petal-shaped bottom, see international patent application WO2014207331 (Sidel Company), in which the ratio h / d of the height h of the support to the total diameter d of the bottom is less than or equal to 1 / 5, and the bottom is also equipped with a central dome and a groove spanning the valley and the dome.

[0011] This bottom has noteworthy mechanical properties which make it suitable for the addition of pressurized inert gas, provided, however, that the amount of material used to manufacture the container is sufficient.

[0012] However, operators are always demanding to save materials and need to propose new containers whose bottom can provide sufficient compressive mechanical strength while further reducing the amount of material and at the same time being easy to blow. Summary of the Invention

[0013] To this end, the present invention proposes a plastic container having a main body extending along a main axis and a petal-shaped bottom extending the main body, the bottom having:

[0014] - a bottom wall having a general shape convex towards the outside of the container,

[0015] a central dome formed by an indentation towards the interior of the container and extending from the central top to a peripheral edge by which the dome is connected to the bottom wall, and

[0016] at least four supports forming projections from the bottom wall towards the outside of the container, the supports being separated two by two by sections of the bottom wall forming at least four concave valleys extending radially from the central dome of the bottom to the periphery of the bottom,

[0017] Each support has two side faces and a central face, each side face being located at the edge of a valley, the central face having a curved profile in a radial plane that is concave toward the outside of the container and is extended by end faces that together form a placement ring with a flat cross section that is interrupted at each valley,

[0018] In this container:

[0019] - each trough comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion extending from a central dome, the outer portion joining the periphery in the extension of the inner portion, the inner portion and the outer portion being straight in cross section in a central radial plane of the trough and forming together an obtuse angle projecting towards the outside of the container and joining at a top located at or near the vertical position of the placement ring;

[0020] - The bottom has two sets of troughs arranged alternately:

[0021] a main valley, the inner portion of which is connected to the dome at the level of the dome's peripheral edge;

[0022] o An auxiliary trough, the inner portion of which is connected to the dome at a distance from the peripheral edge, between the peripheral edge and the central top of the dome.

[0023] This structure provides good mechanical rigidity to the bottom when the container is pressurized, while also providing good blowability.

[0024] Various additional features may be present, either alone or in combination:

[0025] the dome having a height measured axially between its peripheral edge and its top, and, in the auxiliary valley, the inner portion is preferably connected to the dome at a distance from the peripheral edge comprised between 20% and 70% of the height of said dome;

[0026] In the auxiliary groove, the inner portion is preferably inclined toward the interior of the container relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the placement ring, and the angle is preferably included between 5° and 30°;

[0027] In the main groove, the inner portion is preferably inclined towards the outside of the container relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the placement ring, the angle preferably being comprised between 2° and 10°;

[0028] As a variant, in the main valley, the internal portion is inclined towards the inside of the container at an angle less than or equal to 4° relative to any plane parallel to the plane of placement of the ring.

[0029] In a central radial plane of each valley, the top of the valley may be offset relative to the placement ring, for example with a value comprised between 1.5 mm and 3 mm.

[0030] In a central radial plane of a main valley, the obtuse angle formed between the inner portion and the outer portion is preferably comprised between 130° and 175°, for example approximately 160°.

[0031] In a central radial plane of an auxiliary valley, between the inner portion and the outer portion, an obtuse angle is formed comprised between 130° and 165°, for example preferably approximately 140° to 145°.

[0032] The top of each valley is preferably at a distance from the plane on which the ring rests comprised between 10% and 15%, for example approximately 12%, of the total diameter of the bottom of the container.

[0033] Over the overall diameter, all the external portions join the periphery in the same joining plane, the height of the seat measured axially between the plane where the ring rests and said joining plane being comprised between 15% and 25%, preferably about 20%, of the overall diameter of the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are as follows:

[0035] - Figure 1 is a bottom-up perspective view of a container having a low-height petal-shaped bottom;

[0036] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A large-scale bottom-up perspective view of the bottom shown;

[0037] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 a bottom plan view of the bottom of the container shown;

[0038] - Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a large-scale bottom plan view of the detail in circle IV shown at the bottom;

[0039] - Figure 5 yes Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion shown along section VV;

[0040] - Figure 6 yes Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion shown along section VI-VI;

[0041] - Figure 7 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the bottom shown along section VII-VII;

[0042] - Figure 8 yes Figure 3 a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom portion shown along section VIII-VIII;

[0043] - Figure 9 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the bottom portion along section IX-IX;

[0044] - Figure 10 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the bottom along section XX is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1 Shown in a perspective view from below is a container 1 , here a bottle, which is produced by blow molding or stretch blow molding from a preheated blank, for example a preform made of a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0046] The container 1 extends along a main axis X and has side walls, referred to as a body 2 , and a bottom 3 extending the body 2 and closing the body 2 at its lower end.

[0047] The bottom portion 3 is petal-shaped and has a bottom wall 4 having a general shape that is convex toward the outside of the container 1 (ie, downward when the container 1 is laid flat).

[0048] Bottom 3 has a central dome 5 that extends concavely toward the interior of container 1 (i.e., dome 5 has a concavity toward the exterior of container 1). At its center, dome 5 has a top 6. In the embodiment shown, top 6 axially supports an injection-molded disc, the material of which remains substantially amorphous during the molding process of container 1. Dome 5 has the effect, inter alia, of drawing the material in the center of the bottom to increase crystallinity and thereby mechanical strength.

[0049] The dome 5 extends up to a peripheral edge 7 (here, the peripheral edge is substantially circular when viewed from below), via which the dome is connected to the bottom wall 4. More precisely, the peripheral edge 7 forms a transition radius at which the dome 5 is connected to the bottom wall 4.

[0050] The bottom 3 also has a series of seats 8 forming projections axially projecting from the bottom wall 4 towards the outside of the container 1 .

[0051] The seat 8 extends radially from the central dome 5 (and more precisely from its peripheral edge 7 ) to the peripheral edge 9 of the bottom 3 connected to the body 2 .

[0052] like Figure 2 and 3 As can be seen from the top, the seats 8 are separated two by two by portions of the bottom wall 4 forming valleys 10 which extend radially in a star-shaped manner from the dome 5 to the periphery 9 .

[0053] The valley 10 extends concavely between its two separated supports 8. Figure 3 When viewed in the plane shown, the valley 10 is substantially straight.

[0054] In addition, Figure 3 As can be seen, the valley 10 is advantageously slightly curved and has a width (perpendicular to the radius) that decreases and then increases from the dome 5 to the periphery 9 .

[0055] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the number of supports 8 is equal to the number of valleys 10. In the embodiment shown, the base 3 has six supports 8 and six valleys 10, which are evenly spaced and arranged in a star-shaped pattern. This number constitutes a good compromise; however, it can be less than six (but more than or equal to four) or more than six (but preferably less than or equal to ten).

[0056] Each support 8 has two substantially planar side faces 11, each of which laterally adjoins a valley 10. Figures 7 to 10 As shown, the sides 11 are not vertical (since the bottom 3 would be difficult or even impossible to blow), but are inclined by flaring outwards from the valley 10 .

[0057] Each support 8 also has a middle surface 12, which is joined between the side surfaces 11. Figure 3 As shown, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the main axis X, the intermediate surface 12 extends essentially radially.

[0058] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, in a radial plane, the intermediate surface 12 has a curved profile that is concave toward the outside of the container 1 .

[0059] The most protruding part of the extended middle face 12 of each support 8 forms the end face 13 of the support 8. The end faces 13 of the supports 8 are coplanar and together form a flat segmented, discontinuous, placement ring 14, by which the container 1 can be placed on a flat surface (for example a table top).

[0060] The placement ring 14 is connected to the main body 2 via a structural member having a transition radius and comprising two parts 8A and 8B, the two parts 8A and 8B being connected at a joint 8C. The structural member will be described in detail later.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown, a ring 14 (shown as a dot-dash circle in this figure) is placed at a radial indentation relative to the periphery 9.

[0062] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the support 8 tapers from the interior of the container 1 to the outside (ie downwards) and widens from the central dome 5 to the periphery 9 .

[0063] Each valley 10 has an inner portion 15 extending from the central dome 5 and an outer portion 16 connected to the perimeter 9 .

[0064] All the outer portions 16 join the periphery 9 at the same level, therefore in the same section or on the same plane, called the joining plane. The total height of the base 3 is defined as the distance measured axially between the plane in which the ring 14 is placed (in other words, the end face 13) and the joining plane between the outer portions 16 and the periphery 9. As will be shown later, this height is referenced Q.

[0065] like Figure 5 and 6 As shown, the inner portion 15 and the outer portion 16 are straight in cross section in a central radial plane of the valley 10 and together form an obtuse angle protruding towards the outside of the container 1 .

[0066] The inner portion 15 and the outer portion 16 are joined at a top portion 17, which is located perpendicular to or close to the placement ring 14, i.e., the top portion may be offset from the placement surface defined by the ring 14. According to a preferred embodiment, the top portion 17 is curved along any radial plane and has a concavity toward the interior of the container 1.

[0067] It has been shown that this shape increases the mechanical strength of the bottom 3 , in particular when the container 1 is pressurized.

[0068] In addition, as shown in the figure (especially as Figure 5 and 6 As shown), the trough 10 is subdivided into two groups of troughs 10 arranged alternately, namely:

[0069] o main valley 10A, the inner portion 15A of which is connected to the dome 5 at the level of the peripheral edge 7 of the dome;

[0070] o Auxiliary valley 10B, the inner portion 15B of which is connected to the dome 5 at a distance from the peripheral edge 7 of the dome.

[0071] In other words, the inner portion 15B of the auxiliary valley 10B is deeper than the inner portion 15A of the main valley 10A when measured axially. This difference in depth is evident in Figure 2 Shanghe Figure 6 In the left part, the main trough 10A is drawn with a thin dotted line, while the auxiliary trough 10B is drawn with a thick solid line.

[0072] Now let's explain the additional details about the size determination of the bottom 3. For this purpose, the following are marked:

[0073] A is the angle between the outer portion 16 of the valley and any plane perpendicular to the main axis X, measured in the central radial plane of the valley 10

[0074] B is the width of the placement ring 14 measured radially

[0075] C is the curvature radius of the transition fillet between the middle surface 12 of the support 8 and the placement ring 14 measured in the radial plane

[0076] D is the total diameter of the bottom 3 measured at 9 points around the perimeter

[0077] The radius of curvature of the first portion 8A of the transition fillet between the placement ring 14 and the body 2 measured in the radial plane E, said first portion 8A being included between the placement ring 14 and the junction 8C between the portions 8A and 8B of the transition fillet

[0078] E' radius of curvature of the top 17

[0079] F is the height of the dome 5 measured axially between the peripheral edge 7 and the top 6

[0080] F' is the distance measured axially between the peripheral edge 7 of the dome 5 and the inner edge of the inner portion 15B of each auxiliary valley 10B at the junction with the dome 5

[0081] G Angle between the axis X of the body 2 and the tangent of the first portion 8A of the transition fillet, at the junction 8C between the portions 8A and 8B of the transition fillet, in the relevant radial plane

[0082] The distance measured axially between the outer limit of the peripheral edge 7 of the H dome 5 and the plane on which the ring 14 is placed

[0083] J Diameter of the placement ring 14 measured on the inner edge of the placement ring

[0084] L is the distance measured axially between the inner limit of the peripheral edge 7 of the dome 5 and the plane on which the ring 14 is placed.

[0085] M is the distance measured axially between the top 17 of each valley 10 and the plane on which the ring 14 is placed.

[0086] The distance measured radially between the top 17 of each valley 10 and the placement ring 14

[0087] P is the obtuse angle formed between the inner portion 15A and the outer portion 16 in the central radial plane of each main valley 10A.

[0088] P' is the obtuse angle formed between the inner portion 15B and the outer portion 16 in the central radial plane of each auxiliary valley 10B.

[0089] Q Total height of the base 3, i.e. the distance measured axially between the plane where the ring 14 is placed and the junction between the outer portion 16 and the periphery 9

[0090] R is the angular opening between the side faces 11 measured in a transverse plane farther from the dome 5 and coinciding with the section VIII-VIII, as Figure 8 shown

[0091] S is the angular opening between the side faces 11 measured in the transverse plane coinciding with the section VII-VII in the vicinity of the dome 5 (ie perpendicular to the central radius of the support 8), as Figure 7 shown

[0092] T is the total radius of the dome 5 measured radially

[0093] U is the angular opening between the side faces 11 measured in the vicinity of the perimeter and in a transverse plane coinciding with the section XX, as Figure 10 shown

[0094] V is the angular opening between the side faces 11 measured in a transverse plane further away from the dome 5 and coinciding with the section IX-IX, as Figure 9 shown

[0095] W is the radius of curvature of the middle face 12 of the support 8 measured in the radial plane

[0096] The bottom 3 can be called a "petal-shaped bottom" because its structure is composed of alternating raised seats 8 and recessed valleys 10. However, the ratio of the bottom's height Q to its overall diameter D is small, making it unsuitable for carbonated beverages (typical carbonated beverages). This ratio is actually less than or equal to 1 / 4.

[0097] This ratio is approximately 1 / 2 for a conventional petaloid bottom. The bottom 3 shown may be called "petaloid" because of its low ratio of height Q / total diameter D, and is intended for use in conjunction with a still liquid to which a drop of liquid nitrogen is added immediately after filling and before sealing, the vaporization of which places the contents of the container 1 under an overpressure less than or equal to 1.3 bar.

[0098] Here, the ratio height Q / overall diameter D is preferably comprised between 0.15 and 0.25, preferably approximately 0.2.

[0099] according to Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, in the main valley 10A, the inner portion 15A is inclined towards the outside of the container 1 relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the ring 14. This negative inclination of the inner portion 15A is called "camber" and is preferably comprised between 2° and 10°.

[0100] according to Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, in the auxiliary valley 10B, the inner portion 15B is oppositely inclined towards the interior of the container 1 relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the ring 14. This positive inclination of the inner portion 15B is called "inward inclination" and is preferably comprised between 5° and 30°.

[0101] However, as a variation, the inner portion 15A of the main valley 10A can be inclined toward the inside of the container 1 relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the placement ring 14, just like the inner portion 15B of the auxiliary valley 10B, i.e., inwardly inclined, with an inclination angle less than or equal to 4°.

[0102] Therefore, from the combination of Figure 3 、 5 6, in the embodiment shown, the bottom 3 has valleys 10A and 10B, and the inner portions 15A and 15B of the valleys 10A and 10B are outwardly inclined ( Figure 5 ) and introverted ( Figure 6 As described above, the inner portion 15A of the main trough 10A opens onto the peripheral edge 7 of the central dome 5, while the inner portion 15B of the auxiliary trough 10B opens onto the peripheral edge 7 at a certain distance. This configuration increases the mechanical strength of the bottom 3 during pressurization.

[0103] More precisely, as mentioned above, the inner portion 15B of the auxiliary valley 10B opens onto the dome 5 at a distance F' from the peripheral edge 7 of the dome 5, between the peripheral edge 7 and the top 6 of the dome. This distance F' is preferably comprised between 20% and 70% of the total height F of the dome 5, depending on the depth (i.e. the inclination) of the inner portion 15B of the auxiliary valley 10B:

[0104] 0.2F≤F'≤0.7F

[0105] In the embodiment shown, the distance F' is approximately 60% of the total height F of the dome 5:

[0106] F'≌0.6F

[0107] This configuration allows a compromise to be achieved between the structural rigidity of the bottom 3, in particular due to the depth of the inner portion 15B of the auxiliary valley 10B, in particular near the center of the bottom 3, and its good blowability, i.e. its ability to be correctly formed when the container 1 is blown, and the good blowability of the bottom 3, in particular due to the shallower depth of the inner portion 15A near the center of the bottom 3.

[0108] In addition, as Figure 5 and 6 As shown, in at least one valley 10 (and preferably in all valleys 10), the outer portion 16 is advantageously inclined at an angle A towards the interior of the container 1 relative to any plane parallel to the plane in which the ring 14 is placed. In other words, the outer portion 16 is outwardly inclined. The angle of inclination A of the outer portion 16 is preferably comprised between 20° and 30°.

[0109] Angles P and P' are obtuse; therefore, they are strictly greater than 90° and strictly less than 180°.

[0110] More precisely, if Figure 5 As shown, angle P is preferably comprised between 130° and 175°, preferably approximately 160°.

[0111] As for angle P', Figure 6 As shown, it is preferably comprised between 130° and 165°, preferably approximately 140° to 145°.

[0112] The width B of the placement ring 14 is preferably comprised between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, preferably approximately 0.5 mm.

[0113] The radius of curvature C is preferably approximately equal to half the radius E.

[0114] The radius E is preferably comprised between 5 and 11 mm. Thus, in this case, the radius C is comprised between 2.5 and 5 mm. The center of curvature of the radius E is located at the vertical point where the ring 14 is placed.

[0115] As previously mentioned, placement ring 14 is connected to body 2 via a structural member having a transition radius having two portions 8A and 8B. Radius E is the radius of first portion 8A, which is included between placement ring 14 and junction 8C between portions 8A and 8B of the transition radius. This radius remains constant or can vary slightly.

[0116] The second portion 8B of the transition radius is comprised between the junction 8C and the periphery 9 of the bottom 3 where the bottom is connected to the body 2. This second portion 8B has a varying radius of curvature between the junction 8C and the peripheral edge 9 of the bottom 3.

[0117] The overall diameter D of the bottom 3 depends on the capacity of the container 1. For a container 1 with a capacity of 0.5 liters, the overall diameter D can be approximately 65 mm (in this case, the radius E is preferably approximately 6 mm). For a container 1 with a capacity of 1.5 liters, the overall diameter D can be approximately 90 mm (in this case, the radius E is preferably approximately 9 mm).

[0118] The radius E' of the top portion is preferably between 5 and 11 mm. It can be equal to the radius E. In practice, the radius E', like the radius E, depends on the volume of the container 1. For a container 1 with a volume of 0.5 liters, the radius E' can be approximately 6 mm. For a container 1 with a volume of 1.5 liters, the radius E' can be approximately 9 mm.

[0119] The height F of the dome 5 is preferably between 1 mm and 8 mm. In practice, this height F depends on the volume of the container 1. For a container 1 with a volume of 0.5 liters, the height F may be approximately 2 mm. For a container 1 with a volume of 1.5 liters, the height F may be approximately 7.5 mm. In this case, the distance F' is preferably approximately 4.5 mm.

[0120] Angle G is preferably comprised between 20° and 40°. It should be noted that this relates to the angle, along a radial plane, between the axis X of the body 2 and the tangent to the first portion 8A of the transition radius, at the junction 8C between the portions 8A and 8B of this transition radius. In practice, angle G depends on the capacity of the container 1, in particular its overall diameter D. The value of angle G determines the position of the ring 14 at the junction 8C between the two portions 8A and 8B of the transition radius of the body 2, based on the overall diameter D of the container and the radius of curvature E of the first portion 8A of the transition radius. For a container 1 with a capacity of 0.5 liters, angle G can be approximately 25°. For a container 1 with a capacity of 1.5 liters, angle G can be approximately 35°.

[0121] The distance H is preferably associated with the overall diameter D of the bottom 3. More precisely, the distance H is preferably comprised between 10% and 15% of the overall diameter D (and for example about 12%).

[0122] The diameter J is preferably comprised between 65% and 75% of the total diameter D (and for example approximately 70%).

[0123] The distance L is preferably comprised between 50% and 85% (and for example approximately 70%) of the total height Q of the bottom 3 .

[0124] The distance M preferably varies with the overall diameter D of the bottom 3. More precisely, the distance M is preferably comprised between 10% and 15% of the overall diameter D (and for example about 12%).

[0125] The offset O can be zero, in which case the top 17 is located perpendicular to the placement ring 14; it can also be positive (i.e., the top 17 is offset radially toward the outside of the container 1 relative to the placement ring 14), or negative (i.e., the top 17 is offset radially toward the inside of the container 1 relative to the placement ring 14). In both cases, the value of the offset O is small compared to the overall diameter D.

[0126] The offset O may be exponentially scaled over the radius E, for example, in a ratio of 1 to 3, ie, an O / E ratio of approximately 1 / 3.

[0127] Given the value already given for E, it is clear that the offset O is comprised between 1.5 mm and 3 mm.

[0128] Furthermore, the total radius T of the top portion 5 is preferably between 5 mm and 15 mm. In practice, this total radius T depends on the volume of the container 1. Thus, for a container 1 with a volume of 0.5 liters, the total radius T is, for example, approximately 7 mm. For a container 1 with a volume of 1.5 liters, the total radius T is, for example, approximately 13 mm.

[0129] Finally, if Figures 7 to 10 As shown, the angular opening of the side 11 is variable. More precisely, the angular opening of the side 11 decreases from the inside of the bottom 3 to the outside (i.e., from the axis X to the periphery 9), with the angular opening S being greater than the angular opening R, which in turn is greater than the angular opening V, which is greater than the angular opening U, meaning that the side 11 closes from the dome 5 to the periphery 9.

[0130] This change in the angular opening can expand the support 8 toward the periphery 9, which is beneficial to increasing the stability of the container 1 and the strength of the support 8, especially when the container 1 is stored and transported on a bottom support.

[0131] Under the influence of pressure in container 1, corner P tends to deform by closing. Because top 17 is located in a vertical position relative to or in close proximity to ring 14, side 11 reaches its maximum height (measured axially, coinciding with distance M) at this point, absorbing this deformation without deforming excessively, resulting in a low overall deformation of bottom 3, making it highly resistant to pressure. The concave shape of intermediate surface 12 and the alternating arrangement of shallower main valleys 10A and deeper auxiliary valleys 10B appear to contribute to this increased rigidity.

[0132] Tests carried out on the container 1 have shown that the greatest deformation is located at the dome 5, whose convex shape is particularly advantageous for withstanding pressure, while the peripheral area of ​​the dome 5 (valley 10, abutments 8) deforms only slightly.

Claims

1. A plastic container (1) comprising a body (2) extending along a main axis (X) and a petal-shaped bottom (3) extending the body (2), the bottom (3) having a periphery (9) connected to the body (2), the bottom (3) comprising: - a bottom wall (4) having a general shape convex towards the outside of the container (1), - a central dome (5) formed by a recess into the interior of the container (1) and extending from the central top (6) to a peripheral edge (7) by which the dome (5) is connected to the bottom wall (4), and - at least four supports (8) forming projections from the bottom wall (4) towards the outside of the container (1), the supports being separated two by two by sections of the bottom wall (4) forming at least four concave valleys (10) extending radially from the central dome (5) of the bottom (3) to the periphery (9) of the bottom, Each support (8) has two side faces (11) and a central face (12), each side face being located at the edge of a valley (10), the central face having a curved profile in a radial plane that is concave toward the outside of the container (1) and is extended by end faces (13), the end faces together forming a placement ring (14) that is flat in cross section and interrupted at each valley (10), The characteristics of this container are: - each trough (10) comprises an inner portion (15, 15A, 15B) extending from the central dome (5) and an outer portion (16), the inner portion extending from the central dome (5) and the outer portion connecting to the periphery (9) in the extension of the inner portion (15, 15A, 15B), - the inner portion (15, 15A, 15B) is straight in cross section in a central radial plane of the valley (10), - the outer portion (16) is straight in cross section in a central radial plane of the valley (10), - straight inner portions (15, 15A, 15B) and corresponding outer portions (16) together forming an obtuse angle (P) projecting outwards from the container (1) and joined at a top portion (17) located above or near the vertical position of the placement ring (14); - The bottom (3) has two sets of valleys (10) arranged alternately: a main trough (10A), the inner portion (15A) of which is connected to the dome (5) at the level of the peripheral edge (7) of the dome; An auxiliary trough (10B), the inner portion (15B) of which is connected to the dome (5) at a distance (F') from the peripheral edge (7), between the peripheral edge (7) and the central top (6) of the dome.

2. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The height (F) of the dome is measured axially between the peripheral edge (7) of the dome and the top (6) of the dome, and, in the auxiliary trough (10B), the inner part (15B) of the auxiliary trough is connected to the dome (5) at a certain distance (F') from the peripheral edge (7), and the distance (F') is included between 20% and 70% of the height (F) of the dome.

3. The container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In the auxiliary trough (10B), the inner portion (15B) of the auxiliary trough is inclined toward the interior of the container (1) relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the placement ring (14).

4. The container (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The inclination angle of the inner portion (15B) of the auxiliary valley (10B) is comprised between 5° and 30°.

5. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that In the main valley (10A), the inner portion (15A) of the main valley is inclined towards the outside of the container (1) relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the placement ring (14).

6. The container (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The inclination angle of the inner portion (15A) of the main valley (10A) is comprised between 2° and 10°.

7. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that In the main groove (10A), the inner portion (15A) of the main groove is inclined toward the inside of the container (1) relative to any plane parallel to the plane of the placement ring (14), and the inclination angle is less than or equal to 4°.

8. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that In the central radial plane of each valley (10), the top (17) of the valley (10) is offset relative to the placement ring (14).

9. The container (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The top of the valley (17) is offset relative to the placement ring (14) by an offset value (O) comprised between 1.5 mm and 3 mm.

10. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that On a central radial plane of a main trough (10A), an obtuse angle (P) is formed between an inner portion (15A) of the main trough and an outer portion (16) thereof, the value of the obtuse angle being comprised between 130° and 175°.

11. The container (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that On the central radial plane of each main valley (10A), an obtuse angle (P) is formed between the inner portion (15) and the outer portion (16) of the main valley, and the value of the obtuse angle (P) is about 160°.

12. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that On a central radial plane of an auxiliary valley (10B), the obtuse angle (P') formed between the inner portion (15B) and the outer portion (16) of the auxiliary valley has a value comprised between 130° and 165°.

13. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that On a central radial plane of an auxiliary trough (10B), an obtuse angle (P') formed between an inner portion (15B) and an outer portion (16) of the auxiliary trough has a value of approximately 140° to 145°.

14. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The bottom (3) of the container has a total diameter (D), and the top (17) of the trough (10) maintains a certain distance from the plane of the placement ring (14), and the distance (M) from the top of the trough to the plane of the placement ring has a value between 10% and 15% of the total diameter.

15. The container (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The distance (M) from the top (17) of the valley (10) to the plane where the ring (14) is placed is approximately 12% of the total diameter (D) of the base (3).

16. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The base (3) has an overall diameter (D), all the external portions (16) join the periphery (9) in the same joining plane, and the seat has a height (Q) measured axially between the plane of the placement ring (14) and said joining plane, the value of said height of the seat being between 15% and 25% of said overall diameter (D).

17. The container (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The height (Q) of the support (8) has a value of approximately 20% of the total diameter (D) of the base (3).

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