Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing containers by moulding from a perform includes at least one moulding unit having a control device for controlling at least one nozzle associated with a mould, the nozzle being vertically movably mounted so as to move vertically between a top position and a bottom position in which the mould is closed. The nozzle covers at least one flow opening that includes an upper horizontal wall of the mould. The manufacture involves at least a first step including, the mould being closed, systematically controlling the vertical descent of the nozzle towards the bottom position independently of the presence or absence of a preform in the mould so that, both when the installation is operating and when it is at rest, the internal volume of the mould is isolated in order to avoid the risk of airborne particulate contamination.

Abstract: Overmolded containers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed, which may provide enhanced visual and tactile characteristics, enabling innovative packaging designs, improved grippability and thermal insulation. The containers can be made cost effectively manner, with minimal impact on polymer recycling streams. The methods of making the container include the steps of providing a container preform which comprises a thermoplastic polymer, such as a PET copolymer; overmolding an elastomeric material over at least a portion of the preform to form an overmolded preform; and blow-molding the overmolded preform to form an overmolded container. In one embodiment, the overmolded container is a beverage container.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic container includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and having an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion. The upper portion has a spout defining an opening into the container and a finish offset radially outwardly from the spout. A trough defines a passage into the body. The trough slopes toward the passage and defines a non-orthogonal angle relative to the longitudinal axis. According to other features, the sidewall portion is integrally formed with and extends from the upper portion to the base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. The finish defines at least one thread, for attaching a closure thereon.

Abstract: A stretch rod for a blow molding machine is disclosed, the stretch rod having an elongate member having spaced apart ends and a generally conically-shaped end formed on an end of the elongate member. The end has a tip having a first radius of curvature, a first portion adjacent the tip having a second radius of curvature, a second portion adjacent the first portion having a third radius of curvature, and a third portion adjacent the second portion fixing the end to the elongate member having a fourth radius of curvature.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a medical article that include radial deformation of a polymer tube are disclosed. A medical article, such as an implantable medical device or an inflatable member, may be fabricated from a deformed tube.

Abstract: A process for producing cellular thermoplastic articles. The process comprises the steps of treating a solid parison made from a thermoplastic material with a saturating gas at an elevated pressure for a period of time to provide a gas-saturated parison; heating the gas-saturated parison to prepare a cellular parison; placing the cellular parison in a mold; and blowing a molding gas into the cellular parison to expand the cellular parison into the shape of the mold to provide a shaped cellular article.

Abstract: Cans, bottles and/or other containers used to hold a carbonated beverage can include internal features to promote and/or control bubble formation.

Abstract: A mold device and a method related thereto for forming a plastic container from a preform. The mold device comprises a mold defining a mold cavity, a stretch initiation rod system for engaging an interior portion of the preform to define a stretch initiation area, and a centrally disposed pressure source positionable within the preform for introducing a pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic container comprises a layer of a polypropylene and an intermediate layer directly adjacent the layer of polypropylene wherein at least one of the polypropylene and intermediate layers comprises an adhesive such as maleic anhydride incorporated therein to adhere the layer of polypropylene to the layer of EVOH.

Abstract: To provide a membrane capable of efficiently collecting fine particles for a long period of time, disclosed is a polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane wherein the mean pore size in the surface of the membrane is larger than the mean pore size in the back thereof and the mean pore size continuously changes from the surface toward the back.

Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacture of container product with a constant level of quality, wherein the performance is constant, by resolving problems including transformation of perform performance caused by the temperature variation of the preform; or by the variation in the stretching blow molding due to a thermal difference between the surface and the inner part of the preform, resulting from the thickness thereof, in order to industrialize a new molding method recognized to be an excellent molding method from the point of view of economic efficiency and production efficiency, wherein compression molding and stretch blow molding are performed continuously. By a method or device for manufacturing continuously synthetic resin containers, preforms are molded by compression with a compression molding machine, then stretch blow molding is performed with a stretch blow molding machine.

Abstract: A device for forming plastics material preforms into plastics material containers includes a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow moulds, inside which preforms can be formed into containers. The device includes an admission arrangement to expose the preforms, for the forming thereof, to a free-flowing medium, and stretching rods to extend the preforms in the longitudinal direction thereof. The device includes a transport arrangement which transports the blowing stations with the preforms along a first predefined transport path, and a control arrangement which controls movement of the stretching rods and exposure of the preforms to the freeflowing medium so that predefined sub-steps of the forming process are carried out during transport of the preforms along the first path. Sub-steps of the forming process can be carried out irrespective of geometric position of the preforms along the first path, and an output rate of the device can thus be changed.

Abstract: This invention provides a bottle that allows for easy and efficient application of shrink sleeves. The ease of application is partly a result of the invention's wall thickness along its body-forming portion. The body-forming portion of the invention has thick walls and thus exhibits negligible expansion during a hot-filling process. This permits a shrink sleeve to be placed onto the body-forming portion of the resistant bottle prior to filling. If the resistant bottle is hot-filled, the sleeve shrinks as a result of radiant heat emanating outwardly from the high temperature product, without the aid of an external heat source, such as a heat tunnel.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, including a plurality of blow moulding stations which each have a cavity in which the plastic preforms can be shaped into plastic containers. The blow moulding stations are arranged on a movable carrier and each have a stretching rod which stretches the plastic containers in their longitudinal direction by a movement in a stretching direction. A fluid-actuated drive device is provided for driving the stretching rod in the stretching direction. The apparatus includes a guide cam which is arranged in a stationary manner and by means of which the stretching rod can be moved counter to the stretching direction as a function of a movement of the blow moulding station. At least one portion of the guide cam is adjustable and, for example, by virtue of this adjustment a dependency of the movement of the stretching rod on the movement of the blow moulding station can be varied.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a preform for two-stage injection-stretch-blow-moulding (ISBM) from polypropylene resin produced with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system and having a melt flow index MI2 of from 1 to 20 dg/min, wherein polypropylene is injected at a melt temperature of at least 265° C. Also disclosed are the preforms obtainable by the method, the use of the preforms for preparing bottles, and the bottles prepared from the preforms.

Abstract: A solution casting apparatus includes a drive roller as a conveying means. The drive roller conveys a polymer film peeled from a belt, the polymer film still containing a solvent. The drive roller has corrugation valleys and corrugation peaks formed on a peripheral surface along a circumferential direction of the drive roller. Each of the corrugation valleys and the corrugation peaks has a substantially semicircular cross section. The corrugation valleys and the corrugation peaks are disposed alternately in an axial direction of the drive roller. A pitch Pv between the corrugation valleys and a pitch Pm between the corrugation peaks are in the range of 0.01 to 2 mm, and a height Hv-m from a lowest point of the corrugation valley to a highest point of the corrugation peak is in the range of 0.01 to 1 mm. A curvature radius Rv of the corrugation valley and a curvature radius Rm of the corrugation peak are in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A method for the at least two-stage temperature control of preforms (28) made from a thermoplastic material. In this method, the preforms (28) are brought, immediately prior to a blow molding or a stretch blow molding process, to a process-specifically distributed softening temperature (T3) according to a predefineable thermal profile, with said softening temperature (T3) being the temperature required for blow molding or stretch blow molding at least the preform's (28) body section located below the thread section (29) and/or a collar area located therebelow. In addition, the preforms (28) are first preheated to a near uniform temperature, particularly with a largely homogeneous temperature distribution (T2). The invention furthermore includes a heating device (10) for performing the method.

Abstract: Process for forming containers from a blank, preferably a preform, made of a thermoplastic, the containers being formed using a stretch-blow moulding machine of rotary type having a blow-moulding mould mounted on the periphery of a carousel rotated continuously about its axis, the blow-moulding mould operating in cyclic manner according to a blow-moulding cycle having the following steps: placing a preheated blank in a blow-moulding mould; closing the blow-moulding mould; blowing the blank in the blow-moulding mould; flushing the inside of the container with a cooling gas, by injecting air thereinto; grasping the blow-moulded container by external gripping means; and opening the blow-moulding mould, which process includes automatically varying the duration of the flushing step at each start of production of the containers, in a temporary and evolving manner for a few minutes to establish in the containers thermal conditions enabling the first containers to be formed at a temperature that gives them a final vo

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing thermoplastic material containers (2) with a petaloid bottom (4) by drawing-blowing hot preforms (16) in a blowing mold that has a petaloid mold bottom (1) including radiating ridges (13) alternating with cavities (11) that are adapted to form the valleys (7) and the feet (5), respectively, of the container bottom; during drawing, heat losses are reduced in longitudinal zones (19) of the end part (20) of the preforms, extending over the bottom (18) and over an axial portion of their body (21), distributed over the periphery of the ends of the preforms facing respective cavities (11) of the mold bottom (1).

Abstract: A stretch-blow molding machine having at least one blow molding station, in which a split blow mold, an adjustable blow nozzle with a valve section, a stretching rod with a stretching rod drive system, and an electronic control unit are provided, the electronic control unit arranged in the blow molding station is equipped with hardware and software for selectively operating the blow molding station with a combination of a cam drive and a pneumatic drive, or a combination of an electric servo drive and a pneumatic drive, or only an electric servo drive in the stretching rod drive system.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a medical article that include radial deformation of a polymer tube are disclosed. A medical article, such as an implantable medical device or an inflatable member, may be fabricated from a deformed tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for blow moulding a container from a parison, comprising a blowing cylinder (11) and a blowing nozzle (12) mounted thereon, in which the parison (R) can be fixed and with a stretching rod (13), enclose by the cylinder (11) and which may be passed through the nozzle (12), wherein the nozzle (12) can be supplied with compressed air via openings (14) in the cylinder (11). The station (10) is characterised in that the stretching rod (13) is driven by a single tubular electric linear motor (15) the stator (15-1) of which is mounted on the cylinder (11) and the armature (15-2) of which is connected to the stretching rod (13).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously forming and filling a plastic container is provided. A mold cavity defines an internal surface and is adapted to accept a preform. A pressure source includes an inlet and a piston-like device. The piston-like device is moveable in a first direction wherein liquid is drawn into the pressure source through the inlet and in a second direction wherein the liquid is urged toward the preform. A blow nozzle may be adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at high pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and creating a resultant container. The liquid remains within the container as an end product.

Abstract: To provide a crystalline polymer microporous film including: a laminate consisting of two or more crystalline polymer layers formed of crystalline polymers; and multiple pores penetrating through the laminate in the thickness direction thereof, wherein an average pore size of each of the crystalline polymer layer changes along the thickness thereof.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable polylactic acid (PLA) film and a method of its manufacture are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the PLA films exhibit heat-induced shrinkage in the transverse direction with little to no concomitant shrinkage in the machine direction. The films may comprise any grade of PLA polymer, optionally including additives, such as antiblock, slip, plasticizers, viscosity enhancers and combinations thereof. A method of cast and tenner manufacture is disclosed, which includes a temperature conditioning step.

Abstract: An improved stretch rod tip having a hollowed area for receipt of a portion of a preform and at least a portion of a sprue during stretch blow molding of a container. Upon hardening of the container, the received portion of the preform becomes a protective dome over the received portion of the sprue that is at least partially internal to the container and that greatly reduces cracking, shearing, or other fracturing of the container due to a drop impact.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to flexible, three-dimensional injection blow molded or injection stretch blow molded liners for use in overpacks, bottles, containers, etc. and methods for manufacturing the same. A method for manufacturing a liner may include injecting a polymeric material into a preform mold die to form a preform, blow molding the preform to form the liner, collapsing the liner and positioning the liner in an overpack, and inflating the liner. A fluoropolymer may be used for the preform. A liner may comprise a flexible body that substantially conforms to the interior of an overpack and a fitment port integral with the flexible body. The flexible body may be adapted to be removably inserted into the overpack by collapsing the flexible body, inserting the flexible body into the overpack, and re-inflating the flexible body inside the overpack. The flexible body may comprise a fluoropolymer and may comprise multiple layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretch blow moulding a preform into a desired article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting the preform into a hollow mould, stretching the heated preform with a stretching member, filling the preform with an incompressible fluid such that the preform expands and is formed into the article by the mould and draining the incompressible fluid from the interior of the formed article. The apparatus comprises a hollow mould for receiving the preform, a stretching member for stretching the preform, an incompressible fluid filling means for filling the preform with an incompressible fluid such that the preform expands and a drain for draining the incompressible fluid from the formed article.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, the process comprising the following steps: a) a tubular stream of molten plastic is extruded; b) this stream is taken up by means of a tensioning device; c) a transverse cut is made in this stream so as to create a parison having one free edge that is not taken up by the tensioning device; d) the parison is moved relative to the tensioning device so that the free edge of the parison is also taken up by the tensioning device; and e) at least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison over its entire length. Equipment suitable for implementing this process.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for blow forming containers (2). A parison (1) is stretched by means of a stretching rod (11) within a blow mold and molded into the container (2) by applying blow pressure following thermal conditioning. Pressurized gas is introduced into the container (2) through the stretching rod (11). The pressurized gas is laterally introduced from a pressure chamber into an interior space of the stretching rod (11). The stretching rod comprises at least one passage opening (53) between a tip (51) facing the blow mold and an end (52) of the stretching rod, which faces away from the blow mold. Said passage opening (53) extends into the interior space of the rod so as to deliver the pressurized gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously forming and filling a plastic container is provided. A mold cavity defines an internal surface and is adapted to accept a preform. A pressure source includes an inlet and a piston-like device. The piston-like device is moveable in a first direction wherein liquid is drawn into the pressure source through the inlet and in a second direction wherein the liquid is urged toward the preform. A blow nozzle may be adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at high pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container. The liquid remains within the container as an end product.

Abstract: Methods to expand polymer tubing with desirable or optimum morphology and mechanical properties for stent manufacture and fabrication of a stent therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft with a tubular member which forms at least a portion of the shaft and which is formed of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymeric material, and a method of forming the catheter shaft by radially and longitudinally expanding the tubular member to biaxially orient the polymeric material. A catheter of the invention has an improved combination of low bending stiffness, high rupture pressure, and high tensile strength, for improved catheter performance.

Abstract: A process and a device for the manufacture of a hollow body, particularly of a heat-resistant hollow body, which is molded out of a heated preform of thermoplastic plastic in a contoured blow mold through the introduction of a first medium into the preform, which medium is stored in a first medium storage unit and is under a pressure (p1) (preblowing phase), and the more or less simultaneous stretching of the hollow body through a stretching rod and the introduction of a second medium in the hollow body, which medium is stored in a second medium storage unit and the pressure of which (p2) is higher than the pressure of the first medium (p1) (final blowing phase), and which is cooled by a third medium, which is medium stored in a third medium storage unit (rinsing phase), whereby the preblowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 2-20 bar, the final blowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 15-45 bar, and the cooling medium is under a pressure of approximately 30-45 bar.

Abstract: In effecting the stretching by using a stretch rod in a method of producing a biaxially stretched polyester bottle, the air is blown into the preform at such a flow rate that the preform does not come in contact with the stretch rod but the end thereof and does not come in contact with the surfaces of the mold, either. There can be produced a biaxially stretched polyester bottle having an average thickness of about 0.05 to about 0.2 mm or having a further decreased thickness using a resin in decreased amounts and having a decreased weight without developing burst or whitening caused by over-stretching, without forming ring-like thick portion yet maintaining a good yield and efficiency.

Abstract: A process for producing a dilatation balloon by extruding a multiblock copolymer composition to form an extrudate comprising phase-separated glassy, rubber, and semicrystalline microdomains that are macroscopically ordered in a perpendicular alignment. The balloon formed by the process demonstrates, during inflation, a true stress vs. nominal strain response curve comprising a first zone representative of a low modulus balloon, a second zone representative of a high strength balloon, and a sharp transition from the first zone to the second zone.

Abstract: A biodegradable molded article and a container using the molded article, exhibiting an improved heat resistance. The molded article is obtained by injection molding a polylactic acid resin, wherein the molded article comprises poly-L-lactic acid containing less than 4 mol% of D-lactic acid. The molded article has a crystallized portion at least locally, having a ratio of the crystallizing heat quantity to the melting heat quantity (|?Hc|/?Hm), which ratio is not more than 0.7 in a temperature rising chart obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Abstract: A catheter inflatable member forming mold can include first and second frames that mate to define a mold cavity, the mold cavity defining a main cavity portion and a bulge cavity portion, the mold cavity being sized to receive an elongated tube member therein. The mold can also include a pin member with a head portion positioned in the mold cavity, the pin member extending into the mold cavity, the head portion of the pin member being moveable in a first direction to contact and move the tube member towards the bulge cavity portion of the mold cavity during molding.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester container with a uniformly and sufficiently elongated and thin-walled bottom part having excellent drop strength, improved ESC resistance and reduced weight, and a method of manufacturing the container. The biaxially oriented polyester container of the present invention is characterized in that, when an X-ray diffraction measurement is performed in and near a bottom center area of the biaxially oriented polyester container formed by a double-stage orientation blow molding method, a peak indicative of molecular orientation is observed near a diffraction angle of 2?=15 to 30° and an orientation parameter (BO) expressed by the following formula (1) is in the range of 0.

Abstract: A syringe for use in a pressurized injection of a fluid includes a syringe barrel including a polymeric material having undergone expansion via blow molding. An inner diameter of the syringe barrel can, for example, be sufficiently constant (over at least a portion of the axial length of the syringe) that a plunger slidably positioned within the syringe barrel and in generally sealing contact with an inner wall of the syringe barrel can be used within the syringe barrel to generate a pressure of at least 1 psi within the syringe barrel. In several embodiment, the inner diameter of the syringe barrel is sufficiently constant to generate a pressure of at least 100 psi, at least 300 psi, or even at least 500 psi within the syringe barrel.

Abstract: The method and device are used to blow form containers. A preform is elongated by means of an elongation bar after thermal conditioning inside a blow mould and is moulded into a container under the effect of the blow pressure. Initially, a first blow pressure provided by a low pressure supply is used, followed by a higher pressure provided by a high pressure supply (43). The blow air is supplied via at least one blow pressure valve and at least one part of the high pressure blow air is fed into the low pressure supply after the container has been formed. The reintroduction of blow air into the low pressure supply is controlled by means of a return valve (47) which is mounted parallel to the blow pressure valve. An outlet of the return valve is connected to the low pressure supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resin polymer blend comprising at least two dry blended, non-melt processible resin polyimide particulates, wherein the non-melt processible resin polyimide articulates are molded by compression molding.

Abstract: A syringe for use in a pressurized injection of a fluid includes a syringe barrel including a polymeric material having undergone expansion via blow molding. An inner diameter of the syringe barrel can, for example, be sufficiently constant (over at least a portion of the axial length of the syringe) that a plunger slidably positioned within the syringe barrel and in generally sealing contact with an inner wall of the syringe barrel can be used within the syringe barrel to generate a pressure of at least 1 psi within the syringe barrel. In several embodiment, the inner diameter of the syringe barrel is sufficiently constant to generate a pressure of at least 100 psi, at least 300 psi, or even at least 500 psi within the syringe barrel.

Abstract: The invention proposes a device (10) for transferring items (3) from an items (3) loading station (13) to an items (3) unloading station (14), which comprises: a group (18) of modules (19a-d) mounted such that they can move in a longitudinally direction, able to adopt a contracted configuration in which the modules (19a-d) are separated by a first spacing (pl), and a deployed configuration in which the modules (19a-d) are separated by a second spacing (F), means (34) of linking one module (19a) to another (19b), comprising a lever (38) mounted such that it is articulated on a first module (19b) and connected to a second module (19a), this lever (3) furthermore cooperating with a groove (46) having an intermediate section (46c) forming an angle with the direction of movement of the group (18) of modules (19a-d), and means (35, 36) of controlling the movement of the group (18). Application to the transfer of blanks from a heating station to a station for molding receptacles from blanks.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable polylactic acid (PLA) film and a method of its manufacture are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the PLA films exhibit heat-induced shrinkage in the transverse direction with little to no concomitant shrinkage in the machine direction. The films may comprise any grade of PLA polymer, optionally including additives, such as antiblock, slip, plasticizers, viscosity enhancers and combinations thereof. A method of cast and tenner manufacture is disclosed, which includes a temperature conditioning step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for blow moulding containers. According to the invention, a preform consisting of a thermoplastic material is drawn out by a drawing bar after thermal conditioning inside a blow mould and is shaped into the container by a blowing pressure. The default positioning for the drawing bar is effected by an electromechanical drawing bar drive. A mechanical coupling device translates the rotational movement of a motor shaft of a servo motor into a lifting movement of the drawing bar.

Abstract: A device and a method used to temper preforms in the manufacture of bottles, in which a tempering device is provided to selectively and directly temper the preforms, and is inserted into preforms. The method provides that the preforms are directly tempered from the inside.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a preform of plastic material, expanding said preform to obtain a container, said forming comprising compression-forming said preform in that mould arrangement wherein said expanding occurs; a method comprises expanding a preform in a mould arrangement to obtain a container, before said expanding it being provided to form a dose of plastic material in a paste state in said mould arrangement to obtain said preform; an apparatus comprises a forming mould arrangement, a punch device for expanding a preform in said mould arrangement, an abutting device cooperating with said punch device, said punch device and said abutting device identifying a configuration in which said punch device and said abutting device cooperate to define a forming unit for compression-forming a semifinished product of plastic material to obtain said preform and a further configuration in which said punch device and said abutting device cooperate to define an expansion unit of said preform to obtain a container.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article comprising a biaxially oriented polypropylene composition, wherein said composition comprises a multimodal polypropylene and a polymeric nucleating agent. The articles are suitable for use in the medical and food industries.