Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a plastic container having an enhanced level of crystallinity for improved thermal stability. A substantially amorphous and transparent preform in the molecular orientation temperature range is expanded by a pulse-blow process one or more times to form an intermediate article, prior to a final expansion step to the full container dimensions. The pulse-blow step is conducted at a relatively high-strain rate to maximize the formation of crystal nucleation sites, followed by deflation to relax the amorphous orientation, and the final expansion step is conducted at a low-strain rate to minimize the amorphous orientation. The resulting container has a higher thermal deformation temperature and reduced thermal shrinkage and is particularly adapted for use as a refillable or hot-fill beverage container. A blow-mold and fluid supply apparatus is provided, including a metering chamber and piston, for alternatively supplying the high and low-strain rate inflations.

Abstract: A hot-fillable plastic container having a panel section with vacuum panels and an end grip, which panel section resists ovalization and other deformation during filling, product cooling, and handling. The container has a substantially-cylindrical panel section, with a pair of vertically-elongated vacuum panels disposed on opposing sides of a vertical plane passing through a vertical centerline of the container. Front and rear label attachment areas are provided between the vacuum panels. A pair of vertical ribs are disposed on either side of each vacuum panel which act as hinge points to maximize movement of a concave recess in the vacuum panel; the vertical ribs also resist longitudinal bending.

Abstract: A method of making a blow-molded container from a strain-hardenable polymer, the container having deep recesses for secure "post mold" attachment of a handle. The container is formed in a modified blow mold having retractable blades. The blades are partially extended for blow molding partial recesses, and then further extended for mechanically forming the deep handle recesses. The mechanical forming operation overcomes the stretch limits imposed by strain-hardening of the plastic material during blow molding, and the "post-mold" attachment of the handle provides a reduced cycle time and lower level of defects compared to the known "in-mold" handle forming operations.

Abstract: A freestanding container base having an improved combination of properties in regard to creep resistance, stress crack resistance, impact strength, weight, standing stability and formability. The container base has a substantially hemispherical bottom wall which includes four radiating ribs, and four legs extending downwardly from the bottom wall between the ribs and each of which terminates in a foot. Each rib has a rib wall forming part of the substantially hemispherical bottom wall and having an angular extent of from about 15.degree. to about 30.degree. for enhanced strength, with the leg occupying the remaining 75.degree. to 60.degree. angular extent for enhanced formability. The outer edge and angular extent of the foot are predetermined for enhanced stability and ease of formability. Preferably, the creep resistance is further enhanced by straightening the upper rib portion or providing an enlarged-diameter truncated bottom wall.

Abstract: An improved modular mold having adjustable height shims provided between upper and lower panel sections to adjust the volume and height of a PET beverage bottle. The shims are easily replaced and form part of a high-strength mold set which accepts customized shoulder and base portions.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic container for use with either a positive or negative pressure dispensing system, the container having an integral body with an inner layer which readily separates from an outer layer and collapses to dispense a product from the container. The container is formed by blow-molding a multilayer preform, and a bottom aperture is formed in the container for injecting air to separate the inner layer from the outer layer. Preferably, the inner layer is predelaminated during manufacture to facilitate its later separation during use. In the case of vacuum dispening, air inlet vent holes are preferably formed at the points of maximum deformation to prevent collapse of the outer layer.

Abstract: A squeezable container for dispensing a product out the open end of the container, including a collapsible inner layer and a resilient outer layer. The container is an integral body formed by expansion from a multi-layer preform, and preferably consists of one or more layers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) separated by an adjacent boundary layer, such as a barrier layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). A one-way check valve is provided at the outer layer to restrict the flow of air into a chamber which is formed between the inner and outer layers as the inner layer collapses, and preferably a second check valve is provided in the open dispensing end of the container to prevent air from being drawn into the container when the outer layer is released. The container is economical to manufacture, light in weight, easy to handle, can be made of recycled materials, and is "product efficient" in that substantially all of the product can be dispensed from the container during use.

Abstract: A squeezable container with a paneled side wall which resists permanent deformation or denting when squeezed, and which preferably can be hot-filled. The container can be made substantially thinner than known hot-fill containers and includes a stepped vacuum panel profile for greater flexibility and resilience (bounce back). A circumferential ring is provided in the side wall to prevent ovalizing. The post walls (surrounding the vacuum panels) are stiffened to prevent vacuum collapse, by providing a substantially perpendicular junction between the vacuum panel and post wall, sufficient post wall depth, and/or reinforcing ribs in the post walls.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic container for use with either a positive or negative pressure dispensing system, the container having an integral body with an inner layer which readily separates from an outer layer and collapses to dispense a product from the container. The container is formed by blow-molding a multilayer preform, and a bottom aperture is formed in the container for injecting air to separate the inner layer from the outer layer. Preferably, the inner layer is predelaminated during manufacture to facilitate its later separation during use. In the case of vacuum dispening, air inlet vent holes are preferably formed at the points of maximum deformation to prevent collapse of the outer layer.

Abstract: A plastic container, particularly suited for returnable and refillable PET carbonated beverage bottles, having an enhanced level of crystallinity in the sidewall but maintaining a very low level of crystallinity in the base. The container can withstand higher caustic wash temperatures and exhibits reduced flavor carryover from one product to another. The container is formed from a preform, wherein a sidewall-forming section of the preform is initially expanded and then heated to contract and crystallize the same before being reexpanded, and a base-forming portion of the preform is shielded from the heat treatment and expanded either before or after the heat treatment.

Abstract: A vacuum panel design for a hot-fill container which resists the increase in container diameter (barreling) which may occur during hot-filling and/or when the container is dropped on a hard surface. In one embodiment, adapted for a full wrap (360.degree.) label, a plurality of vacuum panels are symmetrically disposed about a vertical centerline of the container and horizontal stiffening ribs are provided across select portions of the panel, namely, across the vacuum panel recesses and across the post and panel ribs. In another embodiment, adapted for spot labeling, a pair of vacuum panel regions are symmetrically disposed about a vertical plane passing through the vertical centerline of the container, which regions form spot label areas and are joined by connecting end segments. The angular extent of the spot label areas and end segments may be varied to adjust the resistance to barreling and/or to provide a squeezable container, and horizontal stiffening ribs may further be provided to decrease barreling.

Abstract: An improved modular mold having adjustable height shims provided between upper and lower panel sections to adjust the volume and height of a PET beverage bottle. The shims are easily replaced and form part of a high strength mold set which accepts customized shoulder and base portions.

Abstract: This relates to a returnable/refillable container in the form of a blow molded polyester biaxially oriented bottle wherein the container includes a domed base construction wherein the wall thickness gradually and smoothly increases to a maximum at the center of the dome. This also relates to a specially configurated preform which is blow molded to form the container and a specially configurated blow mold cavity for receiving a preform having a lower axial projection in the form of an elongated gate without crushing.

Abstract: A vacuum panel design for a hot-fill container which resists the increase in container diameter (barreling) which may occur during hot-filling and/or when the container is dropped on a hard surface. In one embodiment, adapted for a full wrap (360.degree.) label, a plurality of vacuum panels are symmetrically disposed about a vertical centerline of the container and horizontal stiffening ribs are provided across select portions of the panel, namely, across the vacuum panel recesses and across the post and panel ribs. In another embodiment, adapted for spot labeling, a pair of vacuum panel regions are symmetrically disposed about a vertical plane passing through the vertical centerline of the container, which regions form spot label areas and are joined by connecting end segments. The angular extent of the spot label areas and end segments may be varied to adjust the resistance to barreling and/or to provide a squeezable container, and horizontal stiffening ribs may further be provided to decrease barreling.

Abstract: A plastic preform from which a plastic container is blow molded. The preform replaces a three layer preform by providing a preform which is of a five layer construction in the base forming portion thereof and wherein a secondary material which forms the core layer of the three layer preform construction is divided into an inner intermediate layer and an outer intermediate layer by a third injection of material. The third injected material is preferably the same material as the primary material which is first injected. This results in the reduction of the cost of the preform and also provides remaining in the injection nozzle a quantity of the last injected material which is the same as the first injected material for the following preform in the same preform injection mold cavity.