Flexible base for sterile filling bottles

Abstract

The aseptically filled beverage container can include a body and a base having an upright ring, a central portion, and an isolation ring surrounding the central portion. One or more ribs can extend from the isolation ring to the upright ring such that the ribs do not extend outside the upright ring or inside the central portion. The ribs can be s-shaped to provide rigidity and limit or prevent deformation to the base.

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The described embodiments generally relate to the base of a bottle. More specifically, the described embodiments generally relate to the base of a sterile soft drink beverage bottle.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] In some embodiments, a beverage container can include a body and a base. The base can include a standing ring, a central portion, an isolation ring surrounding the central portion, and ribs extending from the isolation ring to the standing ring. Each rib can include an S-shape. In some embodiments, each of the ribs can include a flat section. Each flat section can extend at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base. In some embodiments, the central portion can include a side wall. The side wall of the central portion can be inclined at an angle with respect to the interface of the base. In some embodiments, the isolation ring can include an upper surface, an outer wall, and an inner wall. The inner wall can extend from the upper surface to the same depth as the outer wall of the isolation ring in a neutral state. In some embodiments, the side wall of the central portion and the inner wall of the isolation ring can intersect at the interface of the base. In some embodiments, the central portion can include a flat portion and a vertex. The vertex can extend upward from the flat portion. In some embodiments, the central portion can be displaced by a first distance beyond the neutral state of the base. The ribs can be displaced by a second distance beyond the neutral state, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. In some embodiments, the ribs do not extend outward from the standing ring.

[0003] In some embodiments, the base for a beverage container may include an upright ring and ribs. The ribs may extend radially inward from the upright ring. Each rib may include a first curved section, a second curved section, and a flat section extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base between the first and second curved sections. In some embodiments, the interior may further include a central section and a separator ring surrounding the central section and positioned between the central section and the ribs. In some embodiments, the ribs do not extend radially inward to the central section. In some embodiments, each rib may include a height and width measured from a horizontal plane defined by the upright ring. The height may be greater than the width. In some embodiments, the ribs do not extend outward from the upright ring. In some embodiments, the interior may comprise 20 to 30 ribs.

[0004] In some embodiments, the base for a beverage container may include an upright ring, a flexible central portion, an isolation ring surrounding the central portion, and a rigid portion having ribs. The ribs may extend between the upright ring and the isolation ring. The ribs may be separated from the central portion by the isolation ring. The flexible central portion may be displaced by a first distance past the neutral position of the base in a first state in which the base is bent inward. The rigid portion may be displaced by a second distance past the neutral position in the first state, where the first distance is greater than the second distance. In some embodiments, the ribs may be S-shaped. In some embodiments, each rib may include a first curved section, a second curved section, and a flat section extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base between the first and second curved sections. In some embodiments, the flexible central portion may be displaced by a third distance past the neutral position in a second state in which the base is bent outward. The rigid portion can be displaced by a fourth distance beyond the neutral state in the second state, and the third distance is greater than the fourth distance. In some embodiments, the first and second states may be caused by a pressure difference of about 2 psi. In some embodiments, the flexible central portion may have a diameter that is about 60% of the diameter of the base. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, but the embodiments of this disclosure are shown as examples, not as limitations. Together with this specification, the accompanying drawings further help to illustrate the principles of this disclosure and enable those skilled in the art to constitute and use this disclosure. [Figure 1] This is a bottom perspective view of a beverage container having a base according to several embodiments. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an upper internal perspective view of the base of a beverage container. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an internal top view of the base of a beverage container. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the base in Figure 3, along line 4-4' in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] The present invention is described herein in detail with reference to embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. References such as “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” and “several embodiments” indicate that the embodiments described may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, but not all embodiments described may necessarily include those features, structures, or characteristics. Similarly, other embodiments may include further features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when certain features, structures, or characteristics are described in combination with embodiments, whether explicitly stated or not, it is assumed that implementing such features, structures, or characteristics in combination with other embodiments is within the scope of the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0007] The terms “Invention,” “Present Invention,” “Disclosure,” or “This Disclosure,” as used herein, are non-limiting terms intended to encompass all possible embodiments described herein, rather than referring to any single embodiment of a particular invention.

[0008] Plastic beverage containers can be filled with a variety of beverages. During the filling process, the container may deform. The container may have a structure that limits or prevents deformation. For example, plastic beverage containers have a wide variety of bases. Each base is designed to withstand the pressure difference that may occur between the inside of the sealed beverage container and the external atmosphere. The pressure difference experienced inside the beverage container can be a depressurization, such as a vacuum (i.e., a lower relative pressure inside the container than outside the container), or an overpressure, such as a higher relative pressure inside the container than outside the container, and either of these can promote deformation of the container. In some cases, the pressure difference may change. Such changes may be a result of the filling process or a change in the environment of the container. For example, if a container is filled with a hot liquid and then sealed, the subsequent cooling of the liquid can cause the liquid to thermally contract, reducing its volume and creating an internal vacuum. This can pull the base and side walls of the container inward, causing deformation. Other causes of pressure differences and vacuums include changes in height, external temperature, and product oxidation.

[0009] A container can be designed to limit or prevent deformation caused by pressure differences within the container and the resulting vacuum. Some container designs can compensate for pressure differences in their sidewalls. These containers may have thicker sidewalls, vacuum panels in the sidewalls that move to change the internal volume by an amount sufficient to compensate for changes in liquid volume, or reinforcing structures on the sidewalls to resist movement when subjected to pressure differences (e.g., circular grooves around the container to provide "hoop" strength). Thus, when a vacuum is induced, the container sidewalls can adapt to deformation, resist deformation, or both, depending on their design. In addition, or alternatively, a container may have an active base that inverts in a controlled manner (e.g., moves inward and outward). For example, when a liquid cools and its volume decreases, the base may invert to reduce the volume of the container (e.g., by a mechanical operation pushing the invertable region of the base inward), thereby filling the volume gap between the liquid and the nominal (unstressed) volume of the container. Thus, the active base can adapt to the vacuum to limit or prevent deformation elsewhere. This could be useful in giving bottle designers more design freedom when designing bottle sidewalls by reducing the need to incorporate compensatory structures into the sidewalls.

[0010] Plastic containers can be lighter and thinner compared to, for example, glass containers. However, containers that compensate for pressure differences by reinforcing the side walls or by including an active base may still require a considerable amount of material. The added material can make these containers heavier and increase manufacturing costs. Such designs can also be complex, requiring precise tooling, which limits the freedom of container design.

[0011] In high-temperature filling processes, liquids are filled at high temperatures (e.g., 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit) and then cooled to below room temperature (e.g., 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit). This can result in relatively large pressure differences (e.g., 4-5 psi or more), creating a large vacuum that necessitates the incorporation of corresponding large compensatory structures to manage and avoid deformation. Therefore, having thicker side walls or active bases can be advantageous in high-temperature filling to compensate for the larger pressure differences and resulting vacuum within the container. However, not all containers are filled using high-temperature filling processes. For example, containers filled by aseptic filling processes may experience lower pressure differences within the container and therefore may not require the robust design necessary for high-temperature filling.

[0012] Due to the relative popularity of high-temperature filling processes, in contrast to aseptic filling processes, aseptic filling processes have utilized high-temperature filling bottle designs. Because high-temperature filling bottles can adapt to the relatively large pressure differences of high-temperature filling processes, they can also adapt to the relatively smaller pressure differences of aseptic filling processes. However, in many cases, high-temperature filling bottles are over-sterilized compared to aseptic filling processes. The robust design required for high-temperature filling applications is more than necessary to meet the needs of aseptic filling. As a result, they use more material and are more complex than required in aseptic filling processes. More specifically, because the process involves the extreme temperatures experienced in high-temperature filling, the pressure difference can be smaller than in aseptic filling processes. Instead of larger pressure differences of 4-5 psi or more (as is common in high-temperature filling processes), aseptic filling can result in a lower pressure difference of about 2 psi. Lighter structures that can adapt to the lower pressure differences of aseptic filling and limit or prevent the resulting vacuum would save material, weight, waste, and cost. Therefore, there is a need for containers designed for aseptic filling that can adapt to and limit deformation in a manner better suited to the characteristics of the aseptic filling process.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention provide a base having a structural shape that adapts to the pressure differences experienced during aseptic filling. Specifically, embodiments relate to controlling the deformation of the base of a plastic beverage container when the plastic beverage container is subjected to a lower pressure difference (e.g., within 2 psi) from its external atmosphere, both under overpressure and depressurization conditions. The base includes structural features for adapting to the pressure difference so that the container may be lightweight and easy to manufacture.

[0014] As described herein, the base may include a central flexible portion. The base may also include a rigid portion surrounding the flexible portion and separated from it by an isolation ring. The flexible portion may function as a diaphragm to adapt to pressure differences, and the rigid portion may provide structural stability to control deformation of the base outside the flexible portion.

[0015] The base can move between overpressurized, depressurized, and neutral states. The base may be in the neutral state when the container is formed. When the container is filled with warm contents and sealed, the container may be overpressurized, which may cause the base (at its flexible portion) to move into an overpressurized state. In an overpressurized state, the flexible portion of the base can bend outward from the neutral state (i.e., downward when the bottle is oriented upright). As the contents of the sealed container cool and its volume decreases (due to thermal contraction), the container may experience depressurization, which may cause the base (at its flexible portion) to move inward from the neutral state into a depressurized state. The flexible portion can undergo greater displacement than the rigid portion as a function of the pressure difference. In this way, the rigid portion is more rigid and less flexible than the flexible portion.

[0016] Stress can be distributed around a rigid portion. The rigid portion may include an upright ring of the container and ribs extending between the upright ring and the central portion. The upright ring of the rigid portion can be the surface contact portion of the container, thereby allowing the container to remain upright and stable when placed upright on a surface during use. The ribs of the rigid portion can be radially distributed to prevent bending in the base region outside the isolation ring. Thus, stress on the base can be distributed between the ribs and the upright ring to minimize stress concentration points. In addition, the ribs may be S-shaped, so that their geometric shape, along with their size, quantity, and separation, can influence stress distribution to maintain the rigidity of the rigid portion.

[0017] The bases for plastic beverage containers described herein allow for adaptation to the pressure differences experienced in aseptic filling while reducing material, weight, waste, and cost. Embodiments are discussed below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the beverage container 10 may include a base 100 and a body 600. The beverage container 10 and its components may be formed from a polymer material blow-molded from a preform (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or a PET blend with another polymer or additive, including recycled PET). The body 600 may include side walls 610. In some embodiments, the base 100 may include a skirt 620. The base 100 may extend from the side walls 610. The base 100 may include a longitudinal axis 102 extending perpendicularly through its center. The longitudinal axis 102 may define an axis of symmetry between the beverage container 10 and the base 100. In some embodiments, the beverage container 10, the base 100, or the beverage container 10 and the base 100 may be symmetrical across a vertical plane including the longitudinal axis 102. In some embodiments, the beverage container 10, the base 100, or the beverage container 10 and the base 100 are not symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis 102. For example, in some embodiments, the base 100 may be symmetrical, but the side walls of the container 10 may not be symmetrical. The skirt 620 of the base 100 may extend from the side walls 610 toward the longitudinal axis 102.

[0019] Figures 2 and 3 show perspective and top views, respectively, of the base 100. In some embodiments, the base 100 may be transparent, but in the figures it is shown in an opaque state for clarity of explanation. The base 100 may include an outer 110 and an inner 120. The outer 110 of the base 100 may be the outer portion of the base 100. The inner 120 of the base 100 may be the interior of the base 100 when viewed inside the beverage container 10. The base 100 may include a flexible portion 200, an isolation ring 400, and a rigid portion 500. The flexible portion 200 may function as a diaphragm and may include a central portion 210. The central portion 210 may include side walls 212, a flat portion 220, and a vertex 230. The isolation ring 400 may include a top surface 402, an outer wall 404, and an inner wall 406. The rigid portion 500 may include an upright ring 510 and one or more ribs 520.

[0020] In some embodiments, the base 100 may include 20 to 30 ribs 520. A base 100 with more than 20 ribs 520 can help distribute pressure and resistance more evenly. In this way, each rib 520 can resist less pressure, and the base 100 as a whole can resist more evenly than when the base 100 has fewer ribs 520. The ribs 520 can extend between the upright ring 510 and the flexible portion 200. Furthermore, an isolation ring 400 can surround the central portion 210. In this way, the isolation ring 400 can separate the ribs 520 from the central portion 210. Therefore, in some embodiments, the ribs 520 can extend from the isolation ring 400 to the upright ring 510 so that the ribs 520 do not extend beyond the upright ring 510. In other words, the rib 520 can extend radially inward from the upright ring 510 so that the rib 520 does not extend radially inward into the central portion 210. Therefore, the rib 520 does not extend into the central portion 210. In some embodiments, the rib 520 does not extend outside the upright ring 510. The upright ring 520 may be continuous. Therefore, the visual protrusion of the rib 520 when the base 100 is viewed from the outside 110 can be reduced or eliminated. For example, the rib 520 may not be visible when the container 10 is placed on a flat surface (except when part of the container 10 is transparent and therefore visible through another part of the container 10). Similarly, in some embodiments, the skirt 620 (Figure 1) can minimize the visual protrusion of the base 100 from the outside 110.

[0021] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the flexible portion 200 may include an interface 300. In some embodiments, the side wall 212 of the central portion 210 and the inner wall 406 of the isolation ring 400 can intersect at the interface 300. In this way, the interface 300 can be located between the central portion 210 and the isolation ring 400. The interface 300 can be a radial edge surrounding the central portion 210. Therefore, the interface 300 may be radially outward of the central portion 210 and radially inward of the isolation ring 400.

[0022] In some embodiments, the transitions from the side walls 212 of the central portion, the interface 300, and the inner wall 406 of the isolation ring 400 may be smooth. Thus, the transitions between their surfaces can be rounded so that they have a radius. In some embodiments, the base 100 may include smooth transitions between all surfaces to minimize stress concentration within the base 100. Minimizing stress concentration allows the base 100 to be formed with less material, reducing cost and weight. In addition, minimizing stress concentration can enable stress distribution so that deformation of the base 100 can be controlled (e.g., concentrated in the flexible portion). As described herein, stress can be distributed throughout the base 100 between the flexible portion 200 and the rigid portion 500 so that the deformation of the base 100 can be controlled.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the flexible portion 200 can include a central portion 210 having a vertex 230. In some embodiments, the vertex 230 is not included. In some embodiments, the vertex 230 of the central portion 210 can extend upward from the flat portion 220 of the central portion 210. The vertex 230 can have side walls 232 that slope upward from the flat portion 220. The vertex 230 can be aligned with the longitudinal axis 102. The vertex 230 can be the highest point of the central portion 210 when the base 100 is disposed on the horizontal surface 5. When the beverage container 10 (FIG. 1) is subjected to overpressure and underpressure, the vertex 230 can move as part of the flexible portion 200. In some embodiments, the transition from the flat portion 220 to the vertex 230 is smooth.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the base 100 can have an overall diameter 570. The flexible portion 200 can have a diameter 270 that is proportional to the diameter 570. In some embodiments, the diameter 270 can be about 60% of the diameter 570. In some embodiments, the diameter 270 can be between 50% and 70% of the diameter 570. In some embodiments, the diameter 270 can be 10 millimeters. In some embodiments, the diameter 270 can be between 6 mm and 12 mm. The flexible portion 200 bounded by the central portion 210 can be made smaller compared to the central portion of a hot-fill base. In fact, in some hot-fill bases, the central portion is 80 - 90% of the base diameter. Hot-fill bases require a larger central portion to accommodate larger pressure changes. Some hot-fill bases are active and invert to accommodate the vacuum caused by larger pressure changes. Aseptic filling experiences lower pressure changes, so the flexible portion 200 of the base 100 can be smaller compared to the central region of a hot-fill base and can be smaller relative to the diameter 570 of the base 100.

[0025] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the base 100 taken along the line 4 - 4' shown in Figure 3. The cross-section in Figure 4 extends through the left rib 520 and between the right ribs 520. As shown in Figure 4, the ribs 520 may be S-shaped. The rib 520 may include a first curved section 522, a first inflection point 524, a second inflection point 528, and a second curved section 530. The first inflection point 524 can define the endpoint of the first curved section 522. The second inflection point 528 can define the endpoint of the second curved section 530. The first inflection point 524 and the second inflection point 528 can be connected by a flat section 526. Thus, the flat section 526 can separate the curved portions of each rib 520, i.e., the first curved section 522 and the second curved section 530, so that the rib 520 is S-shaped. In some embodiments, the first inflection point 524 and the second inflection point 528 are at the same point, and there is no flat section.

[0026] The rib 520 can extend upward from the upright ring 510. In this way, each rib 520 can have a height 532. The height 532 can be measured from the horizontal plane P defined by the upright ring 510 to the second curved section 530. In some embodiments, the horizontal plane P and the horizontal surface 5 are on the same plane. In some embodiments, the height 532 can be relatively small compared to other dimensions of the base 100 (e.g., diameter 270, diameter 570, and the height of the central portion 210 and its components described below). For example, the height 532 can be less than 7 mm. In some embodiments, the height 532 can be 3.5 mm. In some embodiments, the height 532 can be less than 15% of the maximum diameter 570 of the base 100, such as 8% - 12%, such as 10%. Each rib 520 can also include a width 534 (FIG. 3). The height 532 may be greater than the width 534. Thus, the width 534 can also be relatively small compared to other dimensions of the base 100 (e.g., diameter 270, diameter 570, and the height of the central portion 210 and its components). By minimizing the height 532 and the width 534 (FIG. 3), the protrusion of the rib 520 can be reduced, and as a result, the amount of material required for the base 100 can be reduced. Thus, the base 100 can be made lighter and less expensive.

[0027] The ribs 520 can extend upward from the upright ring 510 to the isolation ring 400 such that the ribs 520 extend at an angle with respect to the horizontal axis 4, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 102. The flat section 526 of each rib 520 can extend upward at an angle 536 with respect to the horizontal axis 4 between the first curved section 522 and the second curved section 530. The ribs 520 can thus extend at an angle to facilitate blow molding. The side walls 212 of the central section 210 can extend toward the apex 230 at an angle 214 with respect to the interface 300. The side walls 232 of the apex 230 can extend upward from the flat section 220 of the central section 210 at an angle 234 with respect to the flat section 220. In some embodiments, the angle 536 of the rib 520 may be shallower or greater than the angle 214 of the central section 210. In some embodiments, the angle 536 may be 45°. In some embodiments, the angle 536 can be between 30° and 60°.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the base 100 can move between a neutral state 140, an overpressurized state 130, and a depressurized state 150. When the beverage container 10 is formed, the base 100 may be in the neutral state 140. When the beverage container 10 is filled with warm contents (e.g., beverage liquid) and sealed (e.g., by applying a bottle cap), the base 100 may be overpressurized to be in the overpressurized state 130. In the overpressurized state 130, the base 100 can bend outward from the neutral state 140. As the contents of the beverage container 10 cool and the volume decreases, the base 100 may experience depressurization and bend inward from the neutral state 140 to be in the depressurized state 150. The depressurized state 150 may occur simultaneously with the creation of a vacuum inside the bottle as the contents of the beverage container 10 cool and the volume decreases. Thus, the base 100 may be flexible to adapt to pressure differences and limit or prevent deformation of the base 100. In some embodiments, the overpressure state 130 and the depressurization state 150 may be caused by a pressure difference of about 2 psi.

[0029] The flexible portion 200 of the base 100 can be displaced by a first vertical distance 280 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 when it is in an overpressure state 130. Therefore, the central portion 210 of the flexible portion 200 can be displaced by a first distance 280 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 when it is in an overpressure state 130. The rigid portion 500 of the base 100 can be displaced by a second vertical distance 580 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 when it is in an overpressure state 130. Therefore, the rib 520 of the rigid portion 500 can be displaced by a second distance 580 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 when it is in an overpressure state 130. The first distance 280 may be greater than the second distance 580.

[0030] Similarly, the flexible portion 200 of the base 100 can be displaced by a third vertical distance 290 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 in the depressurized state 150. Therefore, the central portion 210 of the flexible portion 200 can be displaced by a third distance 290 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 in the depressurized state 150. The rigid portion 500 of the base 100 can be displaced by a fourth vertical distance 590 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 in the depressurized state 150. Therefore, the rib 520 of the rigid portion 500 can be displaced by a fourth distance 590 past the neutral state 140 of the base 100 in the depressurized state 150. The third distance 290 may be greater than the fourth distance 590.

[0031] Therefore, the flexible portion 200 can undergo a greater displacement than the rigid portion 500 as a function of the pressure difference. In this way, the rigid portion 500 is more rigid and less flexible than the flexible portion 200. In other words, since the rib 520 is more rigid and less flexible than the central portion 210, the central portion 210 can undergo a greater displacement than the rib 520. The displacement distance is proportional to the volume of the beverage container 10. A larger beverage container 10 can support a larger displacement distance. Similarly, a smaller beverage container 10 can support a smaller displacement distance. The weight of the beverage container 10 can also affect the displacement distance. For example, a lighter beverage container 10 can support a greater displacement distance compared to a heavier beverage container 10 of the same volume. Similarly, a heavier beverage container 10 can support a smaller displacement distance compared to a lighter beverage container 10 of the same volume.

[0032] The rib 520 can provide rigidity to the rigid portion 500. As described above, the rib 520 can be angled upward from the upright ring 510 to the flexible portion 200. Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the upright ring 510 may be continuous around the base 100. In this way, the upright ring 510 has no intermediate gap, and the rib 520 is radially distributed around the base 100. Referring to Figure 4, since the upright ring 510 may be the surface contact portion of the beverage container 10 (Figure 1), the upright ring 510 may be the lowest point of the base 100 with respect to the longitudinal axis 102 of the base 100. Furthermore, the central portion 210 may be the highest point of the base 100 with respect to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the apex 230 of the central portion 210 may be the highest point of the base 100 with respect to the longitudinal axis. A profile of the base 100 having its highest point at the central portion 210 and its lowest point at the upright ring 510 can facilitate blow molding. In contrast, a base having one or more intermediate walls between the upright ring and the central portion instead of angled ribs may obstruct the outward flow of plastic to the upright ring, thereby hindering or making blow molding success more difficult. The base 100 described herein does not require intermediate walls for rigidity due to the rigidity provided by the rib 520. The rib 520 can also bend together with the rigid portion 500 and can be displaced in overpressure 130 and depressurization 150. The S-shape of the rib 520 can contribute to the rigidity and controlled minimal bending of the rib 520. However, the rib 520 does not buckle or change its basic shape to adapt to pressure changes within the beverage container 10.

[0033] The isolation ring 400 can incorporate flexibility into the flexible portion 200 by surrounding the central portion 210 of the flexible portion 200 and separating the rib 520 from the central portion 210. The isolation ring 400 incorporating flexibility into the flexible portion 200 allows the flexible portion 200 to bend upward and downward but prevents outward bending. The isolation of the flexible portion 200 by the isolation ring 400 can also help the rigid portion 500 remain more rigid and less flexible than the flexible portion 200.

[0034] In some embodiments, the inner wall 406 of the isolation ring 400 can extend from the top surface 402 to a depth greater than that of the outer wall 404 of the isolation ring 400. In other words, the outer wall 404 can have a height 408, and the inner wall 406 can have a height 410. In some embodiments, the height 410 may be greater than the height 408, and the heights 408 and 410 are measured from the horizontal surface 5. In some embodiments, the height 410 may be the same as the height 408. Thus, the inner wall 406 of the isolation ring 400 can extend from the top surface 402 to the same depth as the outer wall 404 of the isolation ring 400. In some embodiments, the heights 408 and 410 may depend on the angle 536 of the extension of the rib 520. For example, a larger angle 536 can result in larger heights 408 and 410. Similarly, a smaller angle 536 can result in smaller heights 408 and 410. In some embodiments, heights 408 and 410 can vary in the range of 1 to 4 millimeters, such as 2 millimeters. In some embodiments, heights 408 and 532 of rib 520 can be equivalent. In some embodiments, heights 408 and 532 can vary in the range of 1 to 4 millimeters, such as 2 millimeters.

[0035] Furthermore, the flat portion 220 of the central portion 210 may have a height 222. In some embodiments, the apex 230 may have a height 238 greater than the height 222, and the heights 222 and 238 are measured from the horizontal surface 5. The heights 222 and 238 can be smaller compared to the height of the central portion of the high-temperature filled base. High-temperature filled bases require a larger central portion to adapt to larger pressure changes. Some high-temperature filled bases are active and invert to adapt to the vacuum caused by larger pressure changes, and therefore require a higher central portion. Since aseptic fillings are subjected to lower pressure changes, the heights 222 and 238 can be smaller. Minimizing the heights 222 and 238 can also reduce the protrusion of the central portion 210 so that the base 100 may require less material. Thus, the base 100 can be lighter and less expensive. In some embodiments, the height 238 may be a proportion of the diameter 570 of the base 100. In some embodiments, the height 238 can be 5% to 25% of the diameter 570, for example, 10% to 20%, for example, 15%.

[0036] It should be understood that the section "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention," rather than the sections "Summary of the Invention" and "Abstract," is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary of the Invention and Abstract sections may show one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the Disclosure, but are not intended to limit the Disclosure and the claims in any way.

[0037] The foregoing description of specific embodiments will allow others, by applying their knowledge, to readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments to various uses, without excessive experimentation and without departing from the general concepts of the disclosure, fully illustrating the general nature of the disclosure. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalent embodiments of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teachings and guidance presented herein. It should be understood that the expressions and terminology herein are for illustrative purposes only and not limiting, and consequently, the terms and expression herein should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in terms of teachings and guidance.

[0038] The breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined solely in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising a body and a base, The aforementioned base is, Upright ring and, The central part and, An isolation ring surrounding the central portion, wherein the isolation ring is It comprises a top surface, an outer wall, and an inner wall. The inner wall extends from the upper surface to the same depth as the outer wall of the isolation ring in the neutral state, or The inner wall extends from the upper surface to a depth greater than the outer wall of the isolation ring in the neutral state, A beverage container comprising a plurality of ribs extending from the isolation ring to the upright ring, each of which has an S-shape.

2. Each of the plurality of ribs includes a flat section, The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein each of the flat sections extends at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base.

3. The aforementioned central portion further comprises side walls, The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the central portion is inclined at a certain angle with respect to the interface of the base.

4. The beverage container according to claim 3, wherein the inner wall extends from the upper surface to the same depth as the outer wall of the isolation ring in the neutral state.

5. The beverage container according to claim 4, wherein the side wall of the central portion and the inner wall of the isolation ring intersect at the interface of the base.

6. A beverage container comprising a body and a base, The base includes an upright ring and a central portion, The aforementioned central portion includes a flat portion and a vertex, The aforementioned vertex extends upward from the flat portion, The base further, The isolation ring surrounding the aforementioned central portion, A beverage container comprising a plurality of ribs extending from the isolation ring to the upright ring, each of which has an S-shape.

7. The central portion is configured to be displaced by a first distance beyond the neutral position of the base, The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are configured to be displaced by a second distance beyond the neutral position, and the first distance is greater than the second distance.

8. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs do not extend outward from the upright ring.

9. A base for a beverage container, the base comprising an upright ring, The present invention includes a plurality of ribs extending radially inward from the upright ring, each of which comprises a first curved section, a second curved section, and a flat section extending between the first and second curved sections at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base, The base wherein the plurality of ribs extend to the upright ring, and / or the first curved section is located on the upright ring.

10. The central part and, The base according to claim 9, further comprising: an isolation ring surrounding the central portion and positioned between the central portion and the plurality of ribs.

11. The base according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of ribs do not extend radially inward to the central portion.

12. Each of the aforementioned ribs is Including a height and width measured from the horizontal plane defined by the upright ring, The base according to claim 9, wherein the height is greater than the width.

13. The base according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of ribs do not extend outward from the upright ring.

14. The base according to claim 9, wherein the base includes 20 to 30 ribs.

15. A base for a beverage container, the base comprising an upright ring, Flexible central part, The isolation ring surrounding the aforementioned central portion, A rigid portion comprising a plurality of ribs, wherein the plurality of ribs extend between the upright ring and the isolation ring, and the plurality of ribs are separated from the flexible central portion by the isolation ring, The flexible central portion is configured to be displaced by a first distance beyond the neutral state of the base when the base is bent inward in a first state. The rigid portion is configured to be displaced by a second distance beyond the neutral state in the first state, and the first distance is greater than the second distance, in the base.

16. The base according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of ribs are S-shaped.

17. The base according to claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of ribs comprises a first curved section, a second curved section, and a flat section extending between the first curved section and the second curved section at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base.

18. The flexible central portion is configured to be displaced by a third distance beyond the neutral state in the second state in which the base is bent outward, The base according to claim 15, wherein the rigid portion is configured to be displaced by a fourth distance beyond the neutral state in the second state, and the third distance is greater than the fourth distance.

19. The base according to claim 18, wherein the first and second states are caused by a pressure difference of about 2 psi.

20. The base according to claim 15, wherein the flexible central portion has a diameter that is approximately 60% of the diameter of the base.

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