Diaphragm base eliminates panels on hot-fill PET bottles

Panel-less PowerFlex™ bottle from Amcor PET Packaging, Manchester, MI, accepts hot-fills up to 192o F (88.88o C), expands polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container options for premium juices, teas, isotonic drinks now in glass. Proprietary diaphragm in base of container absorbs distortion that occurs as hot-filled beverage cools to room temperature.

Panel-less PowerFlex™ bottle from Amcor PET Packaging, Manchester, MI, accepts hot-fills up to 192o F (88.88o C), expands polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container options for premium juices, teas, isotonic drinks now in glass. Proprietary diaphragm in base of container absorbs distortion that occurs as hot-filled beverage cools to room temperature. In traditional hot-fill designs, sidewall panels perform this function. Initial applications focus on 16-, 20-ounce containers, but technology accommodates sizes from 8 to 32 ounces, as well as many shapes. Ribless design provides large, smooth label panel. “Bottles with panels create constraints that dramatically limit design options and therefore a brand owner’s ability to use the container to creatively market the product,” explains David Andison, vp, Business Strategies at Amcor. “Because you no longer have panels in the sidewall, this makes the bottle easier to label. You don’t have to worry about mislabeling – missing the vertical bars in applying labels. Nor do you have to worry about the ripple effect labeling over panels can cause,” Andison explains. Amcor plans to start production of PowerFlex bottles at facility in Allentown, PA, expand to other plants as dictated by geographic.