JP2002537195A - Container having pressure-responsive panel - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A container (1) suitable as a hot-fill container includes a controlled bending flex panel (3) that can be inverted and bent under pressure, such as in a hot-fill state, to deform and deform the container (1). Prevent permanent buckling. The flex panel (3) includes an initiator portion (8) that has a smaller protrusion than the other portions of the flex panel (3) and initiates flexing of the flex panel (3).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to pressure-adjustable containers, and more particularly, to polyester containers that can be filled with hot liquid and improved sidewall structures for such containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The application of "Hot-Fill" applies to the structure of containers due to thermal stress, hydraulic pressure after filling and immediately after closure, and vacuum pressure when the fluid cools. Apply significant and complex mechanical stress.

[0003] The introduction of a thermal fluid exerts thermal stress on the walls of the container. The hot fluid softens and then unevenly shrinks the walls of the container, causing distortion of the container. Therefore,
The polyester must be heat treated to induce molecular changes, resulting in a thermally stable container.

[0004] Pressures and stresses act on the sidewalls of the thermal resistance vessel during and for a considerable period of time after the filling process. When the container is filled with warm liquid and hermetically sealed, an initial hydraulic pressure is generated and an increasing internal pressure is applied to the container. Subsequent cooling of the liquid and the headspace below the lid results in partial evacuation of the container as a result of heat shrinkage. The vacuum created by this cooling tends to mechanically deform the walls of the container.

[0005] Generally speaking, containers incorporating a plurality of longitudinal flat surfaces more readily receive the force of a vacuum. U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,8 to Agrawal et al.
No. 55 has a plurality of recessed collapse panels separated by a land area,
It discloses a container that allows uniform inward deformation under vacuum force. The vacuum action is controlled without adversely affecting the appearance of the container. The panel is drawn inward to evacuate the internal vacuum, preventing excessive force on the structure of the container that would otherwise deform the rigid post or land area structure. However, the amount of "flex" obtained with each panel is limited, and as this limit is approached,
The amount of force transmitted to the side wall increases.

To minimize the effects of forces transmitted to the side walls, many prior art techniques have focused on providing reinforcement areas, including panels, on the container to prevent the structure from yielding to vacuum forces. Was.

[0007] Providing a horizontal or vertical annulus or "rib" throughout the container is a common practice in container construction and is not limited to hot-fill containers only. Such an annulus reinforces the part in which it is deployed. Cochran US Patent No. 4,372
No. 455 discloses a longitudinal annular rib reinforcement located in the region between the flat surfaces subjected to hydrostatic forces deforming inward under vacuum force. Akiho Ota (Aki
U.S. Patent No. 4,805,788 to Ho Ota) et al. discloses a rib extending longitudinally along a panel to add reinforcement to the container. Akiho Ota also
It also discloses a strengthening effect of providing a larger step on the side of the land area. This provides greater size and strength in the rib area between the panels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,290 to Akiho Ota et al. Discloses a recess for strengthening the panel area itself.

US Pat. No. 5,238,129 to Akiho Ota et al. Discloses additional annular rib reinforcement, this time oriented horizontally on the upper and lower and outer strips of the hot fill panel portion of the bottle.

In addition to the need to strengthen the container against both thermal and vacuum stresses, it is necessary to consider the initial pressure and increasing internal pressure on the container when the lid is closed after the introduction of the hot liquid. is there. This causes stress on the container side wall. There is a forced outward movement of the thermal panel, which may cause the container to bulge.

[0010] Hayashi et al., US Pat. No. 4,877,141, therefore, discloses an initial and natural outward deflection caused by internal hydraulic pressure and temperature followed by an internal pressure caused by vacuum formation during cooling. The deflection of the direction is received. Disclose the panel configuration. The contour of the panel remains relatively flat, but to add strength to the panel without impeding its radial inward and outward movement,
It is important that the central part be slightly displaced. However, because the panels are generally flat, the amount of movement is limited in either direction. The extra elasticity impedes the outward and inward return movement of the entire panel, and thus necessarily does not include the panel ribs therefor.

[0011] Krishnakumar et al., US Patent No. 5,908,
No. 128 discloses another flexible panel intended to respond to hydraulic and temperature forces generated after filling. Relatively standard "hot fill" style container geometries have been disclosed for "pasteurizable" containers. Introduce liquid at cold temperature,
Heating after closing the lid allows the pasteurization process to heat set (he
at-set). A concave panel is used to compensate for the pressure difference. However, to provide for flexibility in both radially outward movements followed by radially inward movements, the panels are maintained in a shallow inwardly bowed shape, with varying internal pressures and temperatures of the pasteurization process. Catch the reaction of
The elevated temperature after closure, which is maintained for some time, softens the plastic material and thus causes the inwardly curved panel to flex more easily under induced forces. However, it is disclosed that too large a curvature will prevent this. The permanent deformation of the panel when bowed in the opposite direction is due to the shallow bow setting.
) And also by softening of the material under heat. Therefore,
The amount of force transmitted to the container wall is again determined by the amount of deflection obtained at the panel, just as in a standard hot fill bottle. However, the need to maintain a shallow curvature in the radial profile of the panel limits the amount of deflection. Thus, the bottle is strengthened in many standard ways.

US Pat. No. 5,303,834 to Krishnakumar et al. Discloses a further “flexible” panel that can be moved from a convex position to a concave position in preparation for a “squeezable” container. The panels cannot be inverted by vacuum pressure alone, but they can be inverted manually. A significant amount of force is required to keep them in the inverted position, which must be maintained manually, so that when the squeezing pressure is released, the panels automatically bounce back to their original shape. Permanent deformation of the panel caused by the initial convex presentation is avoided by using multiple longitudinal flex points.

US Pat. No. 5,971,184 to Krishna Kumar et al. Moves from a convex first position to a concave second position in preparation for a grip bottle that includes two large flattened sides. Disclose additional "flexible" panels that claim to be possible. Each panel incorporates a concave "reversible" central portion. Such containers with two large, flat opposing sides differ in vacuum pressure stability from hot-fill containers intended to maintain a generally cylindrical shape under vacuum. The enlarged panel side walls are subjected to increased suction and up to a larger concave shape than if each panel were smaller in size as would occur in a "standard" configuration comprising six panels in a substantially cylindrical container. Be drawn in. Thus, such a container structure increases the amount of force applied to each of the two panels, and thereby increases the amount of deflection force obtained.

However, even so, the convex portion of the panel must still be kept relatively flat, or the vacuum force cannot pull the panel to the required concave shape. The need to maintain a shallow bow to cause deflection was previously described by Krishnakumaru et al. In both US Pat. No. 5,303,834 and US Pat. No. 5,908,128. This, in turn, limits the amount of vacuum force vented before the walls of the container are strained. In addition, the continuous inversion of the convex shape on both the vertical and horizontal surfaces means that unless it is very shallow convex,
It is generally considered impossible at all. Still further, if the panel does not have a significant amount of convexity, the release of vacuum when the lid is removed will not allow the panel to return to its original convex position again. At best, the panel will only be "force-flipped" and will be locked in the new flip position. The panel can then not reverse direction because the material no longer softens under the influence of heat from the liquid and no sufficient force is available from ambient pressure. In addition, there is no longer any support from the memory obtained with the plastic before flipping to the concave position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,908, Krishnakmal et al.
No. 128 previously disclosed the provision of longitudinal ribs to prevent such permanent deformation that would occur when the panel arc flexed from a convex position to one of a concave shape. This same opinion on permanent deformation can be found in U.S. Pat.
No. 03,834. U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,141 to Hayashi et al. Also disclosed the need to keep the panel relatively flat if the panel was to flex against its natural curvature.

[0015] The primary mode of failure of prior art containers is due to their weakness when there is vacuum pressure inside the container, and especially when such containers are subject to weight loss of materials for commercial advantage. Applicants believe that there is irreversible buckling of the structural shape of the container.

In contrast, the present invention allows for increased deflection of the vacuum panel side walls so that pressure on the container can be more easily received. In order to still compensate for the excess stresses that would have to be present from deflecting the container wall to a new "pressure regulating" state by ambient forces, the various types and locations of the reinforcing ribs described above were used. Can still be used.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate such problems of current containers, or at least to openly provide a useful choice.

Further objects of the present invention will become clear from the description hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a central longitudinal axis, the container including at least one reversible flexible panel, wherein the flexible panel is from one plane. The plane has at least a portion projecting in one direction, the plane is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, and the flexible panel also has at least one initiator portion projecting to a lesser extent in the direction. During which the flexing of the initiator portion flexes the remainder of the flexible panel during use.

In one preferred form, the protrusion is in a direction outwardly with respect to the plane.

In another preferred form, the protrusion is in a direction inward with respect to the plane.

In one preferred form, the flexible panel can be substantially arcuate.

In an alternative form, the flexible panel may include two flexible panel portions that meet at a vertex.

[0024] Preferably, the flexible panels may be located between the relatively inflexible land areas.

In one preferred form, the or each initiator portion can be located substantially at an edge of the flexible panel.

In an alternative preferred form, the initiator portion may be located substantially near the center of the flexible panel.

Preferably, said or each initiator portion may include a substantially planarized portion.

[0028] Preferably, the flattened portion may be located at a far end of the initiator portion with respect to the rest of the flexible panel.

[0029] In one preferred form, the or each initiator portion can project in a direction opposite to the rest of the flexible panel.

Preferably, a boundary between the initiator portion and the rest of the flexible panel may be substantially arcuate in a circumferential direction of the panel.

In one preferred form, the degree of protrusion of the flexible panel can be gradually increased in a direction away from the initiator portion.

In an alternative form, the degree of protrusion of the flexible panel can be kept substantially constant in a direction away from said initiator part.

Preferably, the container has a connector adapted between the flexible panel and the land area such that the flexible panel and the land area are located on different outer peripheries with respect to the center of the container. Parts can be included.

Preferably, the connector portion may be substantially “U-shaped” where the flexible panel is adapted to flex on the flexible panel direction side of the connector portion such that the flexible panel is in the first position. At one time, the "U" shape can be substantially straightened and returned to the "U" shape when the flexible panel is inverted from the first position.

Preferably, the degree of protrusion of the initiator portion can be adapted such that cooling of a predetermined liquid introduced into the container at a predetermined temperature allows deflection of the initiator portion.

[0036] Preferably, the flexible panel can be adapted to reverse during use due to deflection of the initiator portion.

[0037] In another aspect of the invention, a flexure has an initiator region of a predetermined degree of protrusion and a flexure region of greater protrusion extending from the initiator region, thereby flexing in response to changing vessel pressure. A controllable flex flex panel wherein the flexure of the panel occurs in a controlled manner.

[0038] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an initiator region having a predetermined degree of protrusion and a portion having a flexure region extending from the initiator region and having a gradually increasing protrusion degree, wherein the wall is provided between the region. The present invention provides a controlled flex flex panel for a hot-fillable vessel, wherein the flex panel flexes outwardly in response to the varying vessel pressure, whereby flex panel flex occurs in a controlled manner.

Preferably, a flattened area between the non-flexible areas can be extended to provide an end portion of the initiator portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an initiator region having a predetermined degree of protrusion and a bent region having a smaller degree of protrusion in a direction opposite to the initiator region, wherein the bent region extends from the initiator region. And providing a controlled flexure flex panel wherein flexure of the flex panel occurs in a controlled manner in response to varying vessel pressures.

[0041] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a portion having an initiator region with a predetermined degree of protrusion and a flexure region extending from the initiator region and having a gradually decreasing degree of protrusion, wherein the wall is located between the region. The present invention provides a controlled flex flex panel for a hot-fillable container, wherein the flex panel flexes inwardly and thereby flexure of the flex panel occurs in a controlled manner in response to varying vessel pressure.

In one preferred form, the initiator region and / or the flex region can be substantially arcuate.

In an alternative preferred form, the initiator region and / or the flex region can include two panel portions that meet at a vertex.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Referring to FIG. 1, a container according to a preferred form of the invention is shown generally at 1 as having a generally round cylindrical main sidewall portion 2.

The container 1 is a pressure-adjustable container, in particular a “hot-fill” container, which is adapted to fill a liquid at a temperature above room temperature. The container 1 can be formed by blow molding and can be made of other plastic materials such as polyester or thermoset polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The lower part of the side wall part 2 comprises a plurality of vertically oriented elongate vacuum panels 3 arranged around the circumference of the container and spaced from one another by smooth vertically elongate land areas 4. Including. Each panel can be generally rectangular in shape and is adapted to flex inward by filling the container with hot fill liquid, closing the container lid, and then cooling the liquid. During the process, the vacuum panel 3 operates to compensate for the hot fill vacuum.

Referring to FIG. 2 a, the vacuum panel 3 of the container 1 is shown. The vacuum panel 3 includes at least one connecting part 7 connecting the protruding part 5 to the land area 4.
The protrusion 5 includes an initiator part 8, which controls the joining of the protrusion 5 and the connection part 7. Preferably, the connecting portion 7 can flex inward relatively easily under vacuum force, and the initiator portion 8 flexes the protruding portion 5 by both inversion and subsequent further inward flexing. This generates much more evacuation from the vacuum panel 3 than existing flex panels. The vacuum pressure is then significantly reduced compared to existing containers, reducing stress on the container sidewall.

Preferably, the connection portion 7 has a radius from the center of the container 1 at the edge of the flex panel 3 (inside the connection portion 7) and the radius at the edge of the land area 4 (the outer boundary surrounding the connection portion 7) Can be set independently. Thus, the connection part 7 can complete the land area 4 independently on one side and complete the flex panel 3 on the other side and can be optimized for flexing. The connecting part 7 can bridge the circumferential radial difference between the two structures.

The boundary 8 A between the initiator part 8 and the rest of the protruding part 5 is shown to be substantially arcuate in the circumferential direction of the panel 3 itself.

The amount of the arc or protrusion of the initiator portion 8 relative to the plane defined by the central longitudinal axis of the container is significantly less than the arc or protrusion of the protruding portion 5, making it more sensitive to vacuum pressure. Initiator section 8 further includes an initiator end 9 that is significantly flattened and most sensitive to vacuum pressure. Thus, when the container 1 is exposed to vacuum pressure, the vacuum panel 3 flexes at the initiator end 9, followed by the flexure of the entire initiator portion 8, followed by a continuous reversal of the protruding portion 5. In an alternative embodiment, the initiator end 9 can be concave. But,
In this embodiment, the degree of protrusion of the recess relative to the plane defined by the central longitudinal axis of the container is still smaller than the size of the protrusion of the remainder of the protrusion 5.

It should be understood that the reversal of the protrusion 5 proceeds steadily in response to a gradual reduction in the amount of contents of the container 1 during cooling. This is in contrast to panels that "flip" between the two states. The gradual deflection of the protrusion 5 from inversion to inversion in response to a relatively small pressure difference as compared to a panel that "flips" means that less force is transmitted to the side wall of the container 1. This allows the use of less material inevitably in the structure of the container, and lowers production costs. Therefore, the occurrence of damage due to load can be reduced for the same amount of container material.

Furthermore, the reduced pressure difference required to reverse the protruding part 5 makes it possible to include a large number of panels 3 in a single container 1. In addition, since the bending of the panel is started with a low vacuum force, there is no need to increase the size or reduce the number of panels 3 in the container structure.

FIG. 2 b shows a cross-sectional view along the line DD of FIG. 2 a. The panel 3 with the projection 5 in the non-inverted position is shown, the dashed line indicating the boundary between the projection 5 and the connection 7. In a preferred form of the invention, the protruding portion 5 is then substantially arcuate outwardly or radially, as indicated by arrow 6. The connector portion 7 is substantially “U-shaped”, and the relative height of the sides of the “U” determines the relative radius where the land area 4 and the protruding portion 5 are located. The initiator end 9 is most sensitive to vacuum pressure because of the minimal degree of protrusion, ie, the smallest arc of the protrusion 5.

FIG. 3 shows the panel 3 with the protruding part 5 inverted due to the applied vacuum pressure. The initiator end 9 and the initiator portion 8 are initially bent and inverted so that the protrusion 5
Effectively pulls the adjacent area inward. This continues along the protrusion 5 until the protrusion is completely inverted as shown in FIG. 5b. The broken line in FIG. 3 indicates the edge of the protrusion, and the intermittent line 5a indicates the position of the protrusion 5 when not inverted.

Importantly, when the vacuum pressure is released after the lid has been removed from the container, the panel 3 will restore from its vacuum set position and return to its original shape. This can be aided by an even gradation of the arc from one end to the other end of the protruding part 5, the arc of the curve gradually increasing with distance from the initiator part 8. Alternatively, the projecting portion 5 can have a substantially constant gradation. When the pressure is released, the initiator section 8 continuously traverses the inwardly curved panel 3, starting with the inversion of the initiator section 8 and subsequently continuing to raise the protruding section 5 without undergoing irreversible buckling. Reverse direction to direction.
The vacuum panel 3 can be repeatedly inverted without significant permanent deformation.

FIGS. 4 a to 4 c show cross-sectional views along AA, BB and CC, respectively, of the container 1 shown in FIG. 1 with the protruding part 5 in the non-inverted position. In this preferred embodiment,
The protruding portion 5 gradually protrudes further outward from the initiator portion 8.

FIGS. 5 a to 5 c show cross-sectional views of the container 1 along the lines AA, BB and CC, respectively, when the protrusion is completely in the inverted position (5 b) due to the applied vacuum pressure. . The area of the protruding portion 5 around the line AA bends relatively largely as compared with the area near the initiator 8. A broken line 5a in FIGS. 5A to 5C indicates the position of the protruding portion 5 when there is no vacuum pressure.

FIG. 6 a shows a vacuum panel 3 with an initiator part 80 and a flattened part 90.
FIG. 7 shows an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of FIG. The connecting portion 70 of the vacuum panel 30 is a flat member surrounding the protruding portion 50. FIG. 6b shows the vacuum panel 30 with no vacuum applied. The protruding portion 50 has a substantially constant arcuate curvature in the direction of the arrow 6 from the initiator region 80. FIG. 6c shows that the projection 5
0 indicates the vacuum panel 30 in the fully inverted position.

FIG. 7 a shows an elevation view of a further alternative embodiment of the vacuum panel 300. The vacuum panel 300 includes two protruding portions 500 arranged vertically adjacent to each other. Initiator portion 800 extends in two directions from central initiator end 900. In this embodiment, the center of the vacuum panel 300 is most likely to deflect under vacuum pressure, and thus deflects first. 7b and 7c show the vacuum panel 300 without vacuum and in a fully inverted position, respectively.

The dashed line 800 a shows an arcuate boundary between the initiator portion 800 and the rest of the protruding portion 500.

FIG. 8 a shows an elevational view of a further alternative embodiment of a vacuum panel, generally referred to by arrow 300. Vacuum panel 300 ¹ includes two projecting portions 500 ¹ and ^{500 11} located adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, each of the initiator portion 800 ¹ includes a central flattened region 900 ¹ therebetween. However, unlike vacuum panel 300, one nominal position of the projecting portion ^{500 11} is concave rather than convex (see Figure 8b). When the liquid pressure is applied, the concave projecting portion ^{500 11} is inverted in the direction indicated by arrow 6a (see Figure 8c), reducing the pressure on land areas (4) between adjacent panels 300 ^1. When the fluid cools, the vacuum pressure increases
Both 0 ¹ and 500 ¹¹ are flipped in the direction of arrow 6B (see FIG. 8d).

It should be understood that the profile and / or shape of the vacuum panel can vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the container (1) may have vacuum panels with projecting portions 5 ¹ including two planar portions 10 which meet at the apex 11 to form a corner panel rather than arcuate . Figure 9a~ Figure 9c shows each such line AA of the container 1 of Figure 1 in the case with the projecting portions ^{5 1,} BB, and a cross-sectional view taken along the CC. FIG. 9d
~ Figure 9f shows the inverted position of the projecting portion ^{5 1} of each Figure 9a~ Figure 9c, a solid line 5
'b indicates the inversion position, and broken line 5'a indicates the position before the inversion. Additionally or alternatively, the panels 3 of either embodiment can be arranged laterally on the longitudinal axis of the container 1, instead of vertically, for example as shown in FIG.

Thus, there is provided a pressure-adjustable container that includes a flexible panel that allows for a large change in the amount of contents of the container, and thus a reduced pressure is applied to the side walls. Thus, the content of materials required to support the integrity of the container can be reduced, and the container can be manufactured inexpensively.

Where the foregoing description refers to particular components or components of the invention that have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example and with reference to its possible embodiments, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a container according to one possible embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2a is an elevational view of a panel portion of the container shown in FIG.

2b is a side view of the panel cross section shown in FIG. 2a.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the panel portion shown in FIG. 2b in an inverted state.

FIG. 4a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line AA when the panel portion is not inverted;

FIG. 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line BB when the panel portion is not inverted.

FIG. 4c is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line CC when the panel portion is not inverted.

5a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line AA when the panel portion is inverted.

5b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line BB when the panel portion is inverted.

5c is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line CC when the panel portion is inverted.

FIG. 6a is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the panel portion.

FIG. 6b is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the panel portion.

FIG. 6c is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the panel portion.

FIG. 7a is an elevational front view of a further alternative embodiment of a panel portion.

7b is a side view of the panel portion of FIG. 7a in a non-inverted position.

7c is a side view of the panel portion of FIG. 7a in an inverted position.

FIG. 8a is an elevational front view of a further alternative embodiment of a panel portion.

8b is a side view of the panel portion of FIG. 8a in a non-reversed position.

FIG. 8c is a side view of the panel portion of FIG. 8a in a partially inverted position.

FIG. 8d is a side view of the panel portion of FIG. 8a in a fully inverted position.

9a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 with a further alternative panel portion in a non-inverted position at the line corresponding to A. FIG.

FIG. 9b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 with a further alternative panel portion in an inverted position at the line corresponding to A.

FIG. 9c is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 with a further alternative panel portion in an inverted position at the line corresponding to A.

FIG. 9d is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 with a further alternative panel portion in an inverted position at the line corresponding to A.

FIG. 9e is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 with a further alternative panel portion in an inverted position at the line corresponding to A.

FIG. 9f is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 with a further alternative panel portion in an inverted position at the line corresponding to A.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] December 19, 2000 (200.12.19)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

24. A container substantially as herein described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the accompanying drawings.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 28, 2001 (2001.8.28)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID , IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A container having a central axis, the container including at least one reversible flexible panel, wherein the flexible panel projects at least one portion from one plane in one direction. Wherein the plane is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the flexible panel projects to a lesser extent in the direction.
A container that also includes one initiator portion, such that flexure of the initiator portion during use causes the remainder of the flexible panel to flex. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is in a direction outwardly with respect to the plane. 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is in a direction inward with respect to the plane. 4. The flexible panel according to claim 1, wherein the flexible panel is substantially arcuate and the arc of curvature of the initiator portion is less than that of the remainder of the flexible panel. Container. 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible panel comprises two flexible panel portions abutting at the apex. 6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible panels are located between the relatively inflexible land areas. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein said or each initiator portion is located substantially at an end of said flexible panel. 8. The container of claim 6, wherein the initiator portion is disposed near two centers of the flexible panel and between two flexible panel portions extending away therefrom. 9. The container of claim 6, wherein the or each initiator portion includes a substantially planarized portion. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the flattened portion is located at a distal end of the initiator portion relative to a remainder of a flexible panel. 11. The container of claim 1, wherein the or each initiator portion projects at least partially in a direction opposite to a remainder of the flexible panel. 12. The container of claim 6, wherein a boundary between the initiator portion and the remainder of the flexible panel is substantially arcuate in a circumferential direction of the panel. 13. The container of claim 6, wherein the degree of protrusion of the flexible panel progressively increases from the initiator portion. 14. The container according to claim 6, wherein the extent of protrusion of the flexible panel is substantially constant from the initiator portion. 15. A connector portion between the flexible panel and the land area, wherein the connector portion positions the flexible panel and the land area at different circumferential positions with respect to a center of a container. 7. A container according to claim 6, adapted to: 16. The connector portion is substantially "U-shaped" and is adapted to flex on a flexible panel-facing side of the connector portion, such that when the flexible panel is in a first position during use. 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the "U" shape is substantially straightened and configured to return to the "U" shape when the flexible panel flips from the first position during use. 17. The method according to claim 6, wherein the degree of protrusion of the initiator portion is adapted to allow deflection of the initiator portion by cooling a predetermined liquid introduced into the container at a predetermined temperature. The container as described. 18. The container of claim 6, wherein the flexible panel is adapted to flip during use due to deflection of the initiator portion. 19. A flex in a controlled manner in response to a varying vessel pressure, comprising an initiator region having a predetermined degree of protrusion and a flexure region extending from said initiator region and having a greater degree of protrusion. A control flex flex panel configured to cause panel flex. 20. A portion having an initiator region of a predetermined degree of protrusion and a flexure region extending from said initiator region and having a progressively increasing degree of protrusion, wherein said wall extends outwardly between said regions. A controlled flex flex panel for a hot-fillable container configured to bend and thereby cause flex panel flexing in a controlled manner between said regions in response to varying vessel pressure. 21. An initiator region having a predetermined degree of protrusion and a flexure region having a lesser degree of protrusion in a direction opposite to the initiator region, wherein the flexure region extends from the initiator region and changes accordingly. A controlled flex flex panel configured to cause flex panel flex in a controlled manner in response to vessel pressure. 22. A portion having an initiator region with a predetermined degree of protrusion and a flexure region with a gradually decreasing degree of protrusion in a direction extending away from said initiator region, wherein said wall is between said region. A controlled flex flex panel for a hot-fillable container, wherein the flex panel flexures inwardly, thereby flexibly flexing the flex panel in response to a varying vessel pressure in a controlled manner between the regions. . 23. A flattened region including a pair of substantially inflexible regions, between which the initiator region and the flex region extend, providing a planarized region extending between the inflexible regions to provide an end of the initiator region. 23. A control flex flex panel according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein 24. The controlled flex flex panel according to claim 19, wherein the initiator region and / or the flex region are substantially arcuate. 25. A controlled flex flex panel according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the initiator region and / or the flex region comprises two panel portions abutting at the apex. 26. A container substantially as herein described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 of the accompanying drawings.