Graham Packaging Company, L.p.

Ed Roubal

Larry M Taylor

David A Kesselman

Sheldon E Yourist

Justin A Howell

Roy N Krohn

Tim Haley

David B Heisner

Matthew Crider

Michael J Kelly

Nicole Korpanty

A plastic container for use in a sterilization process includes a neck having a finish, an upper transition portion extending from the neck, a generally polygonal structure having a plurality of relatively flat panels separated by columns, and a base portion where the generally polygonal structure is disposed between the upper transition portion and the base portion. Adjacent relatively flat panels together with the separating column form an angle so that the relatively flat panels of the generally polygonal structure move together after the sterilization process thereby maintaining the aesthetics of the plastic container.

Retort container

The invention provides a base structure of a container. The base structure includes a support heel that defines any number of touch points for contact with a horizontal surface. The support heel includes inner and outer portions that merge with the container's corrugated support flute and sidewall, respectively. The base structure also includes a fin that forms the zipper pinch and extends transverse to and intersects corrugations of the corrugated support flute.

Hot-fill container base structure

A plastic container is provided. The plastic container has a base with a foundation extending upward from the base, front and rear panels, right and left side panels, a front pillar wall, and a rear pillar wall extending upward from the foundation. The front pillar and rear pillar walls are not co-planer with the front and rear panels, respectively. A transitional wall, located between the front panel and the front pillar wall and between the rear panel and the rear pillar wall, is attached to the front and rear panels and the front and rear pillar wall. The container also includes an integral handle, a top panel, a shoulder, and a finish having an opening.

Plastic container with top handle

Container

A container base may include a standing ring defining a touch point for contact with a horizontal surface, where the standing ring has an outer portion and an inner portion, and merges with the container sidewall. The base may also have a stacking ring having an inner portion and an outer portion, where the outer portion merges with the inner portion of the standing ring. The base may further have a substantially circular recessed portion coupled to the inner portion of the stacking ring, comprising: a plurality of substantially flat concentric rings recessed from the stacking ring, wherein each ring is recessed from the next outermost adjacent ring; a substantially flat center coupled to an inner diameter of an innermost substantially flat ring and recessed therefrom; and a cross-brace extending from the stacking ring into the substantially flat center.

Base design for pasteurization

Plastic container with a handle

Plastic container with a swirled dome

Growing community of inventors

Stewartstown, PA, United States of America

Ed Roubal