MXPA04009099A

MXPA04009099A - Container with stackable base.

Info

Publication number: MXPA04009099A
Application number: MXPA04009099A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Alan Trude Gregory
Original assignee: Graham Packaging Co
Priority date: 2002-03-20
Filing date: 2003-03-20
Publication date: 2005-07-13
Also published as: CA2482323A1; WO2003080460A1; EP1485301A1; AU2003220416A1; US20030221987A1; EP1485301A4; BR0308573A

Abstract

A stackable, heat processable, blow molded, plastic container (10) is disclosed. The container (10) has a body (1) that has top and bottom ends and a tubular sidewall (12). The container also has a dome (13) with a finish (14) having an opening. The dome (13) is connected to the top end of the body and the finish is adapted to engage a first closure. Finally, the container has a base connected to the bottom end of the body. The base is contoured to engage at least a portion of a protrusion on a second closure, thus causing the two containers to be stackable.

Description

CONTAINER WITH STACKABLE BASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a container having a stackable base and a complementary closure. More particularly, the invention is a base for a heat-processable plastic container having a stacking ring for coupling with a complementary protrusion in a closure of a second container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Known containers include bottles, jars, tubs and buckets. The closures for such containers include screw caps and pressure adjustment caps and may be a structural part or made of a plurality of structural component parts, excluding rings and / or sealing liners. Such closures may include a peripheral ring raised around the top to provide improved strength. The closures with ribs are known and have a raised peripheral ring with vertical grooves in the skirt to facilitate the grip by a user. The closures with ribs can be made as one-piece structures or structures having a plurality of pieces. The closures may include protective liners and sealing means including, but not limited to, gaskets and liners. One piece closure structures include screw caps and pressure adjustment caps, and can be used to close bottles, jars, tubs and buckets filled with food and other consumer products. The two-piece closure structures include screw caps and covers, and have an outer ring and an inner portion such as a disc. The outer ring can be threaded and generally has a superior eyebrow on which the inner portion sits. Examples of two-piece closure structures include the well-known canning jar cover and vacuum sealable covers seated in rings with ribs. Complex closure structures include covers and covers and may additionally include valves and measuring means. An example of a complex closure is a laundry liquid container provided with a screw cap fitted with a pressure valve. The known containers can be stacked, but the stability of the stacked containers is often inadequate because the resistance to being tilted is poor. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container, which can be stacked with similar or dissimilar containers to provide a stable stack having greater resistance to bending. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the stacking capacity of a plurality of containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other objects of the invention can be realized by a heat-molded, heat-processable, stackable plastic container embodiment having a body having top and bottom ends and a tubular side wall. The container also has a dome with a finish that has an opening. The dome is connected to the upper end of the body and the finish is adapted to engage with a first closure. The container has a base connected to the lower end of the body. The base is contoured to engage with a portion of a protrusion in a second closure. In another embodiment, a stack of heat-processable, blow molded plastic containers includes a first container having a body with upper and lower ends and a tubular side wall. The first container has a dome with a finish that has an opening. The dome of the first container can be connected to the upper end of the body. The first container also has a base connected to the lower end of the body. The base is contoured to engage with a portion of the protrusion of a second closure in the second container. The stack further includes the second container having a body having upper and lower ends and a tubular side wall. The second container also has a dome connected to the upper end of the body with a finish having an opening. The second container has a closure having a protrusion and which is adapted to engage with a finish of the second container and a base connected to the lower end of the body. The base of the first container has a contoured stacking ring for coupling with a portion of the protrusion of the closure of the second container. To be stackable, the stacking ring of the first container is adapted to couple with the protrusion in the closure of the second container. In still another embodiment, a stackable, blow-molded plastic container has a body, a dome and a base. One of the body, dome and base has a structural element resistant to distortion that is able to resist the distortion caused by subsequent processes of hot filling, heating or pasteurization. Yet another embodiment provides a method for manufacturing a plastic container adapted for use in the filling process which is conducted at elevated temperatures such as hot fill processing, hot processing, pasteurization, and the like. The method includes the steps of providing a body, dome and container base. The base includes a ring for stacking that is contoured to engage with a closure of a second container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of a heat-processable, stackable plastic container blow molded in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a base of a plastic container according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a detailed view of an example embodiment of a base of a plastic container according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a detailed view of an example embodiment of a base of a plastic container according to the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a stacking arrangement according to the present invention; Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are partial cross sectional views showing alternative embodiments of container bottoms having bases with the stackable contoured structure of the invention matched with protuberances of a closure of a second container having variations of contour in which: the base shown in Figure 6A has an indented angle cross section matched with a protrusion shown as an angled protrusion; the base shown in Figure 6B has an oblong rectangular cross-section matched with a protrusion shown as a rectilinear protrusion; and the base shown in Figure 6C has an indented frusto-conical cross-section matched with a protrusion shown as a rectilinear protrusion; the base shown in Figure 6D has an indented triangular cross-section matched with a protrusion shown as a triangular protrusion; the base shown in Figure 6E has an indented semi-circular cross section matched with a protrusion shown as a semi-circular protrusion; Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a stacking arrangement according to the present invention; Figure 8A shows an exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the present invention; Figure 8B shows an exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the present invention; and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a plastic container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Heat-processed blow molded containers are designed to withstand the rigors of filling processes that include, without limitation: hot filling processing, heating processing and pasteurization. The use of blow molded plastic, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in the manufacture of such containers has become commonplace and presents opportunities to create unique design features. However, the design constraints imposed to allow heat processing simultaneously present particular challenges to achieve useful modifications. This is true with most other common materials used to make such plastic containers, for example polyolefins. The hot filling process is the process by which containers are filled with a drink or some other liquid at an elevated temperature and plugged immediately afterwards. As the beverage or liquid cools inside the container, tensions and deformations develop in the container due to changes in the volume of the contents. In heating processing, a container is filled at room temperature and capped, heated at high temperatures, eg 126.6 ° C at supercharic pressures (ie up to 3.16 kg / cm2) and then cooled to room temperature. Pasteurization involves filling a container with a liquid or other substance having a high temperature, for example 60 ° C, and then raising the temperature to high temperatures, such as 104.5 ° C to 115.5 ° C and then allowing the container and its content is cooled at room temperature. Containers that can be processed by heat are subjected to internal pressures and variable volumetric changes (depending on the heating process used) due to the higher processing temperatures., and therefore, the expansion of the associated products and vapors. Without structural support, heat processing can cause plastic containers to become distorted in a commercially unacceptable manner. The construction with improved base can prevent the base of a plastic container from suffering an excessive outward deflection, ie, deviation below the ring for stacking the container. These improved bases typically include, at least, an equilibrium ring and a central concavity, known as a thrust, to prevent distortion. The presence of an equilibrium ring and a push in the container that can be processed by heat can reduce the ability to stack the container because there is no large surface area at the base of the container to make contact with another container. The ability to be stackable can be further reduced if the container has an upper end or closure or the like which also does not provide a large surface area to match the base of another container. In that situation, the surface areas of the base and the upper portion of another container should be aligned to stack the containers. In such a provision, although the containers are stackable, it is likely that they will not be able to be tilted. In order to improve the tilting capacity of such a stack of containers, the base of the container, more particularly, the portion of the balance ring that matches the closure of another container can be contoured to accommodate a closure of another container. As used herein, the phrase "join" is intended to include essentially any attachment coupling, that is, surface area coupling, since a coupling of about 1% of the protrusion through the base is ineffective to improve the stacking capacity of such containers. In exemplary embodiments, the coupling is greater than about 50% of the protrusion and may be close to 1 00%. For example, in embodiments where a first container is a tubular jar and is stacked in equalization handling in a round threaded cap protrusion of a second container, the percentage of joint coupling, i.e. coupling per surface area, is I would determine as follows. In this example, the base of the tubular jar has the contour of an annular ring indented in a bottom view having internal and external diameters and having the radial cross-section of a rectangle of 2 mm by 4 mm on the which is open on one of the sides of 4 mm for a go the peripheral edge of the screw cap. In this example, the protrusion of the screw cap has internal and external diameters that are approximately equivalent to those of the annular annular contour of the base, have approximately a difference of 4 mm between its external and internal diameters, and it is raised approximately 2 mm from a central flat portion of the screw cap. Thus, the percentage of attachment coupling, ie, coupling per surface area, of the annular annulus indented from such a base in such a protuberance would be approximately 100%, ie, a coupling by substantial equalization. In other exemplary embodiments, the annular ring indented at the base of the container and the protrusion on the closure may have dimensions of approximately 12 mm x 6 mm. The variations of the substantial coupling by equalization may be due to (a) differences in the radial cross-sectional shapes of the base and peripheral edge, (b) differences in respective diameters, (c) differences in the totality with which the base covers the periphery of the bump; and (d) tolerances that vary during the manufacturing process. Referring now to the Figures, Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a stackable, heat-processable, stackable container 10 that can include a base 16 (and complementary closure) to improve the stacking capacity and the Tilting capacity of a stack of containers. The container 10 can have a body 11 formed by the side wall 12. The body 11 can have a width W measured by the width of the side wall 12 at its widest point. The side wall 12 can be tubular. As alluded to herein, tubular means non-tapered and may include cross sections that may be cylindrical, square or other forms substantially. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the side wall 12 is substantially cylindrical. As shown in Figure 9, the side wall 12 can be substantially square. This and other exemplary embodiments may be shown in greater detail in the U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 366,617, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and pertains to the assignee of the present invention. The side wall 12 may include a pair of flexible panels 73a and 73b (as shown in Figure 7) that may be opposite each other in the body 11 and each panel 73a and 73b may be flat. The side wall 12 may also include a plurality of side wall ribs 74 (as shown in Figure 7). The ribs 74 of the side wall can be horizontal or vertical (not shown). Particular embodiments of the body 11 including the flexible panels 73a, 73b and the ribs 74 of the side wall are shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,439,413, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and belongs to the assignee of the present invention. The container 10 may also have a dome 13 that may arise with the side wall 12. The dome 13 may have a finish 14 which may define an opening 15 for filling and emptying the contents of the container 10. The dome 13 may be a conventional dome , which means that the dome 13 narrows the side wall 12 for the finish 14. The finish 14 can be adapted to receive the closure 50 (shown in Figure 5) as discussed in detail below.

The container 10 can also have a base 16 that can be contoured to join the closure 50 of another container as shown in Figures 5 and 7. As shown in Figure 2, the base 16 can have the balance ring 20 for contact with a horizontal surface (not shown) on which the container can rest. The base 16 may also have a bottom wall 26 defining a central concavity 26a known as a thrust. The ring 23 for stacking may be interposed between the balancing ring 20 and the bottom wall 26. The ring 23 for stacking may be a continuous ring, but in another example embodiment, the ring 23 for stacking does not need to be complete and may have spaces. In yet another embodiment, the ring 23 for stacking may have an incomplete radial cross-section because the ring 23 for stacking can be attached to the flat portion 28 of the labeling tab 29. As shown in Figure 3, the ring 23 for stacking can have a diameter D2 extending through the ring 23 for stacking in the center. In an example embodiment, the width W of the side wall is greater than the diameter D2 of the diameter of the ring for stacking. The balance ring 20 may have an external portion 21 that may arise from the base 16 with the side wall 12. The balance ring 20 may also have an internal portion 22 that may arise with the outer wall 24 of the stacking ring 23. The stacking ring 23 may include the inner wall 25 that may arise with the bottom wall 26. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the outer wall 24 and inner wall 25 can be vertical, i.e., substantially parallel to the side wall 12. The push 26a can have a plurality of supporting ribs 27 that extend radically from the central concavity. The support ribs 27 may have a base disposed upward towards the central concavity and an apex disposed downward toward the stacking ring 23. As shown in Figure 3, the support ribs 27 can have a trapezoidal shape. In an alternative, the support ribs 27 may have a pyramidal shape. In still an alternative mode of example, the thrust 26a does not include support ribs 27. This and other exemplary embodiments of base 16 are shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 366,574 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and is owned by the assignee of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a detailed cross-section of the stacking ring 23. In an exemplary embodiment, the stacking ring 23 can be angled downwardly at an angle a from the outer wall 25 to the inner wall 24. The angle a can be between 1o and 5o from the horizontal. More particularly, the angle a may be approximately 7 ° from horizontal. As shown in Figure 5, the stacking ring 23 can match the protrusion 51 of the closure 50 to provide the desired stacking and tilting capabilities. The closure 50 can be matched with the stacking ring 23 by aligning the protrusion 51 with the stacking ring 23. In such equalization coupling, the stacking ring 23 of the container 10 can be mounted on the protrusion 51 of the closure 50. Specifically, the ring 20 in the vertical position can surround the peripheral wall 52 of the closure 50. The closure 50 can have a diameter D3 which is measured through the center of the protrusion 51. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter D3 of the closure is approximately equal to the diameter D2 of the stacking ring. In an exemplary embodiment, closure 50 may be a contiguous piece (as shown in Figure 5), such as a snap-fit or screw-in cap or the like, and protrusion 51 may form a peripheral ring around the closure 50. In another example mode, as shown in Figure 8B, the closure 50 can be a two-part closure. The closure 50 may have an inner disk portion 82 and a ring 81. In this embodiment, the protrusion 51 may be formed in the ring 81. In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 8A, the protrusion 51 may be formed in the internal disk portion 82. In any embodiment, the ring 81 can have a substantially vertical skirt 84 with internal cords (not shown) for coupling through the cords with a finish of another container. The skirt 84 may have vertical external grooves 83 to assist in gripping. Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are partial cross sectional views showing alternative embodiments of the container 10 having bases 16 with the stacked contoured structure of the invention matched with the protuberances 51 of the closure 50 having variations Outline. The ring 23 for stacking the base 16 shown in Figure 6A has an indented cross-section angled with the protrusion 51 shown as an angled protrusion. The ring 23 for stacking the base 16 shown in Figure 6B has a rectangular indented cross-section matched with the protrusion 51 shown as a rectangular protrusion. The ring 23 for stacking the base 16 shown in Figure 6C has a truncated cone-shaped cross-section matched with the protrusion 51 shown as a rectilinear protrusion. The ring 23 for stacking the base 16 shown in Figure 6D has a triangular indented cross section matched with a protrusion 51 shown as a triangular protrusion. The ring 23 for stacking the base 16 shown in Figure 6E has an indented semicircular cross section matched with a protrusion 51 shown as a semicircular protrusion. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the configurations illustrated in Figures 6A-6E are not limiting and other configurations may be used. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the objects of the invention can be achieved without the ring 23 for stacking and the protrusion 51 having identical shapes. For example, the rectangular protrusion 51 (Figure 6B) can equalize with a ring 23 for stacking at an angle (Figure 6A). Figure 7 shows an example embodiment of a stack 70 of containers 71, 72 according to the present invention. The stack 70 may include the upper container 71 and the bottom container 72. The upper container 71 may include a base 16 that is contoured, thus forming a ring for stacking as described in Figures 2 to 6, for mounting to a protrusion in the closure 50 of the bottom container 72, as described in FIG. any of Figures 5, 6 and 8. In the equalization arrangement shown in Figure 7, the width W of the side wall is greater than the diameter D2 of the stacking ring and the diameter D2 of the ani The stacking is equal to the diameter D3 of the closure, thus causing the upper container to be mounted in the bottom container. This assembly has the effect of improving the capacity of stacking and the capacity of inclination.Example: Significantly improved resistance to the tilt of a stack of containers according to the present invention was demonstrated in the following tests conducted on the containers, which were bottles with two-piece screw caps. The containers were equivalent except that "the control containers" did not have a base according to the present invention defined in their bottoms. The "stackable containers" according to the invention had bases as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5 and 6A. A two-piece 63 mm apostille closure was used which included a plastic ring having a peripheral ring with a raised annular section with an external diameter of 65.9 mm and an inner diameter of 54 mm, and a metal disc placed inside and retained by the ring. The raised annular section had a radial cross-sectional shape, which was generally rectangular and extended vertically above the plane of the metal disk by approximately 2 mm. The width of the longest leg of the rectangle was approximately 6 mm. The containers according to the invention which were provided with a base had a complementary form of radial cross section and not only coupled and mounted to the peripheral ring of the container below in a stack, but with an aspect of equalization due to the shapes , dimensions and complementary diameters. A plastic jar weighing 50 grams + 1 gram and having a spill volume of 705 cubic feet was modified to have a stackable base according to the invention, ie, "stackable container". The unmodified jars provided the "control containers". Water weighing 686 grams at room temperature was poured into both types of containers. The empty containers filled with water were stacked 2, 3 or 4 in height on a horizontal surface and the resistance of the stack to be tilted by tilting the surface in a controlled manner was tested. Table 1, below, gives the degrees from the vertical, tolerated by each pile before the upper container fell from the pile. In a practical way, the fall of a container was usually accompanied by the fall of the entire pile.

Table 1: Comparison of G rados to Part of the Vertical Tolerated by the I ndicated Pile As can easily be seen from the data in the Table 1, the "stackable containers" according to the invention have a significantly greater resistance to collapse when tilted than a stack of "control containers" either empty or filled with water. Such improved stacking capacity is clearly advantageous for retailers in general and retailers in particular. It is understood that several, other modifications will be apparent and can easily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the description set forth above, but rather that the claims be constructed as encompassing all aspects of the patentable novelty that resides in the present invention, including all aspects that would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A plastic, heat-processable, blow-moldable, stackable container comprising: a body having top and bottom ends and a tubular side wall; a dome with a finish having an opening, the dome that is connected to the upper end of the body, the finish adapted to be coupled with a first closure; and a base connected to the bottom end of the body, the base being contoured to engage with a portion of a protrusion in a second closure. 2. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the protrusion defines a peripheral ring. 3. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the finish and the first closure couple together with threads. 4. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, the second closure further comprising: an outer ring portion; and an inner disk portion, wherein the protrusion is formed in the outer ring portion. 5. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, the second closure further comprising: an outer ring portion; and an inner disk portion, wherein the protrusion is formed in the internal disk portion of the closure. 6. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the finish and the first closure couple together sealingly. 7. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the second closure is a pressure adjustment cap. 8. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the second closure is attached to a second container. 9. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the container base mounts on the protrusion of the second closure. The heat-processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises: an annular ring in an upright position having an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion arising with the side wall substantially cylindrical; a bottom wall defining a central concavity surrounded by the vertical ring; and an annular ring for stacking interposed between the inner portion of the annular ring in vertical position and the operative bottom wall for coupling with the portion of the protrusion of the second closure. The heat-processable, stackable plastic container of claim 10, wherein the annular ring for stacking has outer and inner walls, the stacking ring that is higher on the outer wall. 12. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 11, wherein the annular ring for stacking is angled down from the outer wall to the inner wall. 13. The heat-processable, stackable plastic container of claim 12, wherein the angle from the outer wall to the inner wall is between 1 and 15 degrees from the horizontal. The heat-processable, stackable plastic container of claim 13, wherein the angle from the outer wall to the inner wall is approximately 7 degrees from the horizontal. The heat-processable, stackable plastic container of claim 10, wherein the bottom wall of the base further comprises: a plurality of external ribs having an outer rib base disposed upward towards the central concavity and an apex of external ribs disposed downward toward the stacking ring. 16. The plastic container, heat processable, stackable molding of claim 10, wherein the annular ring for stacking has a radial cross-sectional shape that is one of square, rectangular, triangular, frustoconical, semicircular and semicircular. The heat-processable, stackable plastic container of claim 16, wherein the protrusion of the second closure has a radial cross-sectional shape that is one of square, rectangular, triangular, frustoconical, semicircular and semicircular . 18. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a pair of flexible panels to accommodate internal changes in pressure and volume in the container, the panels arranged opposite between them in the body and each panel that is flat. 19. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the finish opening has a diameter that is less than a body width. 20. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, further comprising ribs on the side wall. 21. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 1, wherein the first and second closures are identical. 22. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 10, wherein the annular ring for stacking has a diameter that is less than a body width. 23. A stack of heat-processable blow molded plastic containers, comprising: a first container having a body having top and bottom ends and a tubular wall, a dome with a finish having an opening, dome that is connected to the upper end of the body, and a base connected to the bottom end of the body, the base that has a ring for stacking; and a second container having a body having upper and bottom ends and a tubular side wall, a dome with a finish having an opening, the dome that is connected to the upper end of the body, a closure having a protrusion and it is adapted to mate with the finish of the second container, and a base connected to the bottom end of the body, wherein the protrusion of the closure of the second container is adapted to engage with the ring for stacking the first container. 24. The stackable, heat-processable, blow-moldable plastic container of claim 23, wherein the dome of the second container creates an indentation in the stack such that the base of the t container only makes contact with the closure of the second container. . 25. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 23, wherein the bodies of the t and second containers have different widths. 26. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 25, wherein the apertures of the t and second containers have the same diameter. 27. The stackable, heat processable, stackable plastic container of claim 25, wherein the closures of the t and second containers have the same diameter. 28. A plastic container, blow molded, stackable comprising: a body having upper and lower ends and a tubular side wall; a dome with a finish having an aperture, the dome that is connected to the upper end of the body, the finish adapted to be coupled with a t closure; and a base connected to the bottom end of the body, the base being contoured to engage with a portion of a protrusion in a continuous closure, wherein one of the body, dome and base has a structural element resistant to distortion. 29. The stackable, blow molded plastic container of claim 28, wherein the distortion-resistant structural element resists distortion caused by no hot-fill processing, heating processing and pasteurization. 30. The plastic container, blow molded, api lable of claim 28, wherein the base further comprises: a vertical annular ring having an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion arising with the substantially substantial cylinder wall; a bottom wall that defines a central concavity surrounded by the vertical ring; and an annular ring for stacking interposed between the inner portion of the annular vertical ring and the operative bottom wall for coupling with the protrusion portion of the second closure. 31 The stackable, blow molded plastic container of claim 30, wherein the distortion-resistant structural element resists the distortion caused by one of hot fill processing, heating processing and pasteurization. 32. A stack of blow molded plastic containers, comprising: a t container having a body having upper and lower ends and a tubular side wall, a dome with a finish having an opening, the dome that is connected to the upper end of the body, and a base connected to the bottom end of the body, the base having a stacking ring; and a second container having a body having upper and lower ends and a tubular side wall, a dome with a finish having an opening, the dome that is connected to the upper end of the body, a closure having a protrusion and being adapted to mate with the finish of the second container, and a base connected to the bottom end of the body, wherein the protrusion of the closure of the second container is adapted to mate with the ring for stacking the t container, and one of the dome, body and The base of the t container has a structural element resistant to distortion. 33. The stackable, blow molded plastic container of claim 30, wherein the distortion resistant structural member of the t container comprises means for resisting the distortion caused by the hot fill processing of the container. 34. The stackable, blow molded plastic container of claim 30, wherein the distortion-resistant structural member of the t container comprises means for resisting the distortion caused by processing by heating the container. 35. The plastic containerThe stackable blow molding of claim 30, wherein the structural element resistant to distortion of the first container comprises means for resisting the distortion caused by the pasteurization 36. A method of manufacturing a plastic container adapted for use with a process by select heating, which comprises: providing a body that has an upper and lower end and a lateral network to your bular; providing a dome with a finish having an aperture, the dome that is connected to the upper end of the body, the finish adapted to engage with a first closure; and providing a base connected to the bottom end of the body, the base having a contoured stacking ring for coupling with a portion of a protrusion in a subsequent closure. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the select heating process comprises hot fill processing. 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the select heating process comprises heating processing. 39. The method of claim 36, wherein the select heating process comprises pasteurization.