Abstract: Wings are provided on mold components and linear ways are provided below these wings. A pad rides on each linear way below each wing. A force generator, such as a spring, is disposed between each wing and underlying pad. In this way the weight of the mold components is borne, at least in part, by the linear ways so that the weight on components that might otherwise sag is lessened.

Abstract: Wings are provided on mold components and linear ways are provided below these wings. A pad rides on each linear way below each wing. A force generator, such as a spring, is disposed between each wing and underlying pad. In this way the weight of the mold components is borne, at least in part, by the linear ways so that the weight on components that might otherwise sag is lessened.

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: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is an apparatus for use with a mold that includes a blocker that is configured to selectively block an opening of a cavity defined in a cavity member of the mold after retraction of a core member from the cavity, whereupon with ejection of a molded article from the core member the molded article is directed by the blocker into a transfer device for transfer from the mold.

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: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.