Patent ID: 8381940

Claim:
A pressure reinforced plastic container having a longitudinal axis, comprising: a neck defining an open top, the neck including a finish adapted to receive a cap for closing the open top; a closed base oppositely disposed from the open top, the closed base comprising: an outer annular edge; a central cavity; a flexible annular pressure panel extending between the outer annular edge and the central cavity; a sidewall extending upward from the outer annular edge of the closed base to the neck, the closed base and the sidewall defining an interior volume for storing liquid contents; wherein the pressure panel is movable between an initial convex exterior position and an activated concave exterior position, wherein the pressure panel includes a first portion inclined outwardly at an angle of greater than 10 degrees relative to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis when the pressure panel is in the initial position, wherein the pressure panel is in the initial position prior to filling the container with the liquid contents and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container; and, wherein the pressure panel is adapted to receive an external force moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position, such that when moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position, the interior volume of the container is reduced and an increased pressure is created inside the container, and the increased pressure reinforces the sidewall.