Abstract: A preform (200, 300, 400, 500, 800a, 800b, 900, 1000) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped article is provided. The preform (200, 300, 400, 5000, 800a, 800b) comprises a neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); a gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506); and a body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) extending between the gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506) and the neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); the body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) defining: a first portion (210, 310, 410, 510, 810), a second portion (212, 312, 412, 512, 812) and a third portion (214, 314, 414, 514, 814), the second portion being disposed in-between the first portion and the third portion located in sequence along one of: (i) substantially the whole circumference of the body portion and (ii) substantially the whole length of the body portion; one of the first portion, second portion and the third portion having a stretch ratio different that at least one of the other ones of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tonnage regulating structure and a mold incorporating same. For example, a tonnage regulating structure (302, 1002, 1202) for use in a mold (502) of a molding machine, the mold (502) being associated with an opening clearance (520) between mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration, is provided. The tonnage regulating structure (302) comprises a body (304, 1040, 1240) having a first height (306) in a resting configuration, the first height (306) selected to be larger than the opening clearance (520) between the mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration; the body (304, 1040, 1240) including a compensating structure (308), the compensating structure (308) for regulating, in use under applied clamp tonnage, the body (304, 1040, 1240) to a second height (320), the second height (320) being smaller than the first height (306).

Abstract: A preform (200, 300, 400, 500, 800a, 800b, 900, 1000) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped article is provided. The preform (200, 300, 400, 5000, 800a, 800b) comprises a neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); a gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506); and a body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) extending between the gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506) and the neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); the body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) defining: a first portion (210, 310, 410, 510, 810), a second portion (212, 312, 412, 512, 812) and a third portion (214, 314, 414, 514, 814), the second portion being disposed in-between the first portion and the third portion located in sequence along one of: (i) substantially the whole circumference of the body portion and (ii) substantially the whole length of the body portion; one of the first portion, second portion and the third portion having a stretch ratio different that at least one of the other ones of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

Abstract: There is provided a preform, and a mold stack for producing the preform. For example, there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform includes a neck portion, a gate portion, and a body portion, extending between said neck portion, and said gate portion. The gate portion, has a conical shape. In an example embodiment, the conical shape is selected such that to homogenize angle of refraction of rays, used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tonnage regulating structure and a mold incorporating same. For example, a tonnage regulating structure (302, 1002, 1202) for use in a mold (502) of a molding machine, the mold 502) being associated with an opening clearance (520) between mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration, is provided. The tonnage regulating structure (302) comprises a body (304, 1040, 1240) having a first height (306) in a resting configuration, the first height (306) selected to be larger than the opening clearance (520) between the mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration; the body (304, 1040, 1240) including a compensating structure (308), the compensating structure (308) or regulating, in use under applied clamp tonnage, the body (304, 1040, 1240) to a second height (320), the second height (320) being smaller than the first height (306).

Abstract: A preform and a mold stack for producing the preform. For example, there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform comprises a neck portion; a gate portion; and a body portion extending between said neck portion and said gate portion; the gate portion having a conical shape, wherein the conical shape terminates at a vestige portion having a size that substantially corresponds to the size of an orifice of a hot runner nozzle used in manufacturing the preform. In an example embodiment, the conical shape is selected such that to substantially homogenize angle of refraction of rays used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a preform (500) and a mold stack for producing the preform (500). The preform (500) is suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The preform (500) comprises a neck portion (502); a gate portion (506); and a body portion (504) extending between said neck portion (502) and said gate portion (506); the neck portion (502) including a support ledge (512), the support ledge (512) being associated with a metal contacting surface (520) and a weight, and wherein a ratio of the metal contacting surface (520) to the weight modulated for a base line support ledge thickness curve is selected in a range of between 0.1 and 1000.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a preform (300, 400, 900) and a mold stack (600, 1000) for producing the preform (300, 400, 900). For example, there is provided a preform (300, 400, 900) suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform (300, 400, 900) comprises a neck portion (302, 402, 902); a gate portion (306, 406, 906); and a body portion (304, 404, 904) extending between said neck portion (302, 402, 902) and said gate portion (306, 406, 906); the gate portion (306, 406, 906) being associated with a substantially conical shape. In an example embodiment, the substantially conical shape is selected such that to substantially homogenize angle of refraction of rays (206) used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the mold stack. For example, a mold stack is provided. The mold stack comprises a first molding cavity defining component, a second molding cavity defining component and a third molding cavity defining component, with the second molding cavity defining component being located, in use, in-between the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component. At least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component is associated with a respective compensator, the respective compensator configured to allow the at least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component to align itself relative to the second molding cavity defining component.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating retaining member for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A retaining structure for use in a molding system, the retaining structure configured to cooperate with a slide that is configured to receive, in use, a split mold insert coupled to the slide, is provided. The retaining structure comprises a body defining a relief element configured to provide a degree of flexibility to the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating core for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A core insert for use in a molding system is provided. The core insert comprises a core base for defining, in use, a portion of a molding cavity; a core support for supporting, in use, the core base relative to a core plate of the molding system; a compensator associated, at least partially, with the core support to permit at least a degree of axial movement to the core base.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the compensating mold stack. A mold stack for use in a molding system is provided. The mold stack comprises at least two compensating components.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a preform and a mold stack for producing the preform. For example, there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform comprises a neck portion; a gate portion; and a body portion extending between said neck portion and said gate portion; the gate portion being associated with a substantially conical shape. In an example embodiment, the substantially conical shape is selected such that to substantially homogenize angle of refraction of rays used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the mold stack. For example, a mold stack is provided. The mold stack comprises a first molding cavity defining component, a second molding cavity defining component and a third molding cavity defining component, with the second molding cavity defining component being located, in use, in-between the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component. At least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component is associated with a respective compensator, the respective compensator configured to allow the at least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component to align itself relative to the second molding cavity defining component.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating retaining member for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A retaining structure for use in a molding system, the retaining structure configured to cooperate with a slide that is configured to receive, in use, a split mold insert coupled to the slide, is provided. The retaining structure comprises a body defining a relief element configured to provide a degree of flexibility to the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating core for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A core insert for use in a molding system is provided. The core insert comprises a core base for defining, in use, a portion of a molding cavity; a core support for supporting, in use, the core base relative to a core plate of the molding system; a compensator associated, at least partially, with the core support to permit at least a degree of axial movement to the core base.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the compensating mold stack. A mold stack for use in a molding system is provided. The mold stack comprises at least two compensating components.

Abstract: There is provided a preform, a molded article, a mold insert for producing the molded article and a method of manufacture of the mold insert. A mold assembly comprises a core insert defining a first molding contact surface; said first molding contact surface comprising a first impacting pattern; a cavity insert defining a second molding contact surface; said second molding contact surface comprising a second impacting pattern; said first impacting pattern being rougher than said second impacting pattern.