Pasteurization panels for a plastic container
US6460714B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D1/0223
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sidewall portion for a plastic container used to receive a commodity and to retain the commodity during high temperature pasteurization and after cooling. The plastic container has an upper portion defining an aperture sealed by a closure, a lower portion forming a base, and a sidewall portion unitarily connected with and extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The sidewall portion includes panels having a vacuum panel portion unitarily formed in and inwardly recessed from the sidewall, and a pressure panel portion unitarily formed with the vacuum panel portion. The pressure panel portion is movable from a first position to a second position during pasteurization thereby increasing the volume of the container and avoiding any significant deformation of the sidewall portion. The panels are movable from an increased volume position to a reduced volume position thereby decreasing the volume of the container and increasing apparent volume of the commodity in the container upon cooling after high temperature pasteurization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.