Abstract: A method and apparatus for capping blown containers is provided. The top surfaces of a snap-on cap are preferably engaged sequentially by pressure members that traverse different segments thereof. The pressure members urge the cap over the neck of a container as they traverse the cap. The pressure members are preferably mounted to a support that is positioned above an initially loosely capped container, and resiliently urge the cap in a downward direction. The pressure exerted by each pressure member on the cap may be adjustable. The surfaces of the pressure members for engaging the cap are preferably substantially spherical.

Abstract: A top block assembly for a container blow mold system is provided together with a method of positioning the neck finish components of the assembly with respect to the front face of a top block half. A method and assembly for positioning a top block half with respect to a main mold half is further provided. The assembly for positioning the neck finish components includes a feeler gauge or spacer that is removably positioned between the top block half and the rear surfaces of the neck finish components. The positions of the neck finish components with respect to the front face of the top block half are adjusted by positioning a feeler gauge between the top block half and neck finish components. A heel is movably mounted to the top block half. A cam having flat surfaces is rotatably mounted to the top block half and engageable with the heel.

Abstract: A blow pin assembly is provided for inflating a parison and forming the neck portion of a plastic container in a blow molding apparatus. The blow pin assembly is mountable to a blow rod. It includes a blow pin body including an exterior surface having a tapered portion and a cutting edge beneath the tapered portion. The tapered portion cooperates with the master seal of the mold to automatically center the assembly before the cutting edge engages the shear steels to sever the blow molded article from the mold. The cutting edge adjoins a rim extending substantially perpendicularly from the blow pin body, and can be resharpened one or more times.

Abstract: A top block assembly for a container blow mold system is provided together with a method of positioning the neck finish components of the assembly with respect to the front face of a top block half. A method and assembly for positioning a top block half with respect to a main mold half is further provided. The assembly for positioning the neck finish components includes a feeler gauge or spacer that is removably positioned between the top block half and the rear surfaces of the neck finish components. A recess may be provided in the top block half to accommodate the feeler gauge. The positions of the neck finish components with respect to the front face of the top block half are adjusted by positioning a feeler gauge between the top block half and neck finish components. The feeler gauge can be replaced with a second feeler gauge of different thickness in order to change the relative positions of the neck finish components and top block half whenever necessary. A heel is movably mounted to the top block half.

Abstract: A blow pin assembly is provided for inflating a parison and forming the neck portion of a plastic container in a blow molding apparatus. The blow pin assembly is mountable to a blow rod. It includes a blow pin body including an exterior surface having a tapered portion and a cutting edge beneath the tapered portion. The tapered portion cooperates with the master seal of the mold to automatically center the assembly before the cutting edge engages the shear steels to sever the blow molded article from the mold. The cutting edge adjoins a rim extending substantially perpendicularly from the blow pin body, and can be resharpened one or more times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capping blown containers is provided. The top surfaces of a snap-on cap are preferably engaged sequentially by pressure members that traverse different segments thereof. The pressure members urge the cap over the neck of a container as they traverse the cap. The pressure members are preferably mounted to a support that is positioned above an initially loosely capped container, and resiliently urge the cap in a downward direction. The pressure exerted by each pressure member on the cap may be adjustable. The surfaces of the pressure members for engaging the cap are preferably substantially spherical.

Abstract: An assembly for inflating a parison and forming the neck portion of a plastic container in a blow molding machine is provided. The assembly includes a blow rod, a blow pin mounted to the blow rod, and a heat sink for removing heat from the blow pin. The heat sink includes flow channels for facilitating the dissipation of heat. It is located in proximity to the shearing edge of the blow pin to enable the removal of heat therefrom. As the shearing edge of the blow pin is maintained at a relatively low temperature, the blow molding machine can be operated at faster cycle times without reducing the sealing capability of the container neck portion.

Abstract: A container closure system comprising a threaded cap and a threaded neck wherein the cap is affixed to the neck by direct axial application so that the mating threads slip past one another and into engagement. The cap further includes sealing means to capture and constrict the outer diameter of the neck, and valve means to plug the container opening in the neck and expand the outer diameter of the neck, so that the sealing means and valve means cooperate to improve sealing of the cap and neck. The cap and neck further include tamper-indication means to prevent removal of the cap without activation thereof. The tamper-indication means includes a novel skirt, pull tab and membrane configuration. The container neck may include interrupted threads which do not traverse the parting line and an additional annular seal below the threads on the container neck.

Abstract: A mold assembly is provided for use in the blow molding of plastic containers such as those used for containing milk or water. The assembly includes a pair of main mold bodies, each having a cavity which is used for forming the main body of the container. A top block assembly is removably mounted to each main mold body. Each top block assembly includes a top block body, a neck finish insert, a shear steel and a master seal. A rotatable cam is operatively associated with the top block assembly. Rotation of the cam causes a front face of the top block assembly to be moved with respect to the front face of the main mold body with which it is associated. Each top block body further includes alignment members, such as alignment pins and/or bushings, for ensuring proper alignment of the top block assemblies along the parting plane of the mold. The alignment members are preferably located at the tonnage pad sections of the top block bodies.

Abstract: A neck-finish top block for use in a container blow-mold system has a base with a vertical parting face. A cam having a cam surface parallel with and separated by a horizontal distance from the vertical parting face rotatably engages the base. Rotation of the cam varies the horizontal distance. A separable heel including a vertical rear surface transverse to and parallel to the vertical parting face is engaged to the base and adapted for horizontal translation relative to and normal to the parting face, and has a cam follower surface for engaging the cam surface such that variation of the horizontal distance varies the horizontal distance between the parting face and the rear surface and facilitates alignment of the parting surface and rear surface of the top block with the parting surface and rear surface of a standard container blow-mold, in spite of possible variations of the blow-mold size.