Patent ID: 6213301
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A lower container portion for closing off a bottom of a plastic container having a hollow interior for receiving food products therein, with the lower container portion comprising, in combination: a base wall having an upper horizontal surface adapted for supporting the food products when in the container interior, a lower horizontal surface, and an outer periphery; a frustoconical sidewall depending downwardly from a junction at the outer periphery of the base wall at a smaller diameter top down to a larger diameter bottom thereof; a plurality of circumferentially spaced stacking ribs interconnecting the base wall and the frustonconical sidewall while projecting inwardly relative to the frustoconical sidewall below the base wall which allow the lower container portions to be stacked one on top of the other in a compact vertical arrangement, with each of the stacking ribs having an inner edge which tapers outwardly in a downward direction; and an annular flange projecting radially outward from the bottom of the frustoconical sidewall at a distance from the base wall which permits stacked lower container portions to cant relative to each other, the annular flange having welding areas disposed therearound adapted for ultrasonic attachment with other container portions, with the flange capable of cooperating with high speed automatic container feeding equipment wherein, if stacked lower container portions cant relative to each other, the inner edges of the stacking ribs can be caused to cam with the junction of other lower container portions for self-centering the stacked lower container portions.