Abstract: A method for manufacturing balloon catheters, and the catheters manufactured thereby. In accordance with the method, a workpiece comprising a tube-within-a-tube is placed within a mold, and a first region of the outer tube is distended into contact with the mold to form a seamless balloon of a desired configuration. The distension of the first region of the outer tube may be facilitated by electron beam irradiation, heating and/or longitudinal drawing of the workpiece concurrently with the introduction of a pressurized fluid into the space between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube so as to exert the required outwardly distending pressure against the first region of the outer tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a container (45″), with an opening (53), whose opening axis (57) is at an angle to the container axis (23), whereby a blank (45) is introduced into a blowing mould (11, 13), a fixing region (47) of the blank (45) pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould and the blank pneumatically formed in the blowing mould. The fixing region (47) of the blank (45) is pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould, inclined at an angle other than 90°. The moulding thus occurs such that an opening region axis (58) of the blank (45, 45′) is at an angle to the container region axis (59) of the blank (45, 45′). The opening axis (57), of the blowing mould (11), forms an angle to a longitudinal axis (51) of a stretching drift (49), which may be extended along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A process and a bottle made from this process where the bottle has improved material thickness distribution within the bottom or base portion. The bottle has a noncircular cross-sectional configuration with corresponding major and minor axes. The mold-base region of the bottle mold-cavity features at least one standing rib-like projection generally parallel to the major axis. The standing rib-like projection increases surface distance in a direction generally corresponding with the minor axis. An expanding heated preform traverses the increased surface distance causing the preform to thin more than what otherwise would be the case thus improving material thickness distribution of the base portion that in turn minimizes unwanted bottle shape distortions.

Abstract: In a system for manufacturing containers by blow-molding or drawing/blow molding of previously heated preforms, sterile containers (110) are obtained by wetting (45) the preforms (3) using an appropriated heat-activated sterilizing product by activating the product by heating means (100) which also provide a suitable heating profile to the preforms to prepare them for blowing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compliant catheter balloon with an improved elastic response and reduced longitudinal expansion, and a method of forming the same. The balloon comprises a SEBS block copolymer, which is longitudinally pre-stretched during the balloon manufacture process. In order to control the working length of a balloon on a catheter, at least one adhesive stop is provided on the catheter which prevents adhesive from wicking into the working length of the balloon. Preferably, a pair of thermoset tubings with an outer diameter size close to the size of the inner diameter of the balloon are inserted on the distal portion of the catheter. After the proper placement of the balloon, the adhesive is applied at the balloon's proximal and distal ends. As the adhesive wicks to the balloon, the thermoset tubings will eventually stop the adhesive to prevent further wicking of adhesive into the balloon's working length.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for transferring parisons from an injection-molding machine to a blow-mold machine on an indexed table. The injection-molding machine creates multiple groups of parisons during an injection cycle. The groups from each cycle are transferred to the table and the blow-mold machine at the end of one interval and the beginning of a next interval so that the groups from a single injection-cycle are treated in a substantially like manner. The intervals may be of equal or unequal duration and total the length of an injection cycle.

Abstract: A processing technique and a composition which allow compositions of PBT polymers or copolymers to be formed into blow molded articles, especially medical balloons such as dilatation or stent placement balloons, from extruded tubular parisons. The process includes a longitudinal stretch step run at a temperature below the Tg of the polymeric material and a radial expansion step run at a temperature above the Tg of the polymeric material. During the longitudinal stretch step, the tubing is subjected to high internal pressure. In the composition a small amount of boric acid is added to the polybutylene terephthalate in a melt blend to give a formulation which has reduced crystallinity after extrusion and which can more readily fashioned into high strength blow molded articles than PBT by itself. Articles, which may be formed using the invention include medical device balloon articles in which the polymer consists essentially of PBT optionally blended with boric acid.

Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating plate-out during the process used to produce stretch blow molded containers from polyester preforms by crystallizing the low molecular weight polyester molecules in or on the preform exterior surface before stretch blow molding the preform into a container. The molecules are crystallized using a crystallization process selected from (1) treating the outer surface of the preform with a solvent that is capable of crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester or (2) heating the outer surface of the preform to a temperature and for a time suitable for crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester. Plate-out is reduced because the crystallized molecules do not migrate out of the preform and form plate-out deposits on the mold.

Abstract: Flexible belts, and electrophotographic machines that use such flexible belts, that having embedded sensor fibers that run across the belt's width. Such sensor fibers enable sensors located along the side of the belt to sense belt position and/or motion.

Abstract: A method for stretch blow molding dilatation balloons for angioplasty catheters having a significantly reduced cone thickness without sacrifice in burst strength is achieved by utilizing a mold whose cavity includes arcuate walls defining the balloon's end cones and a predetermined minimal distance from the side edges of the mold to the points where the arcuate walls intersect with a smaller diameter balloon stem portion. Utilizing this mold and providing for three longitudinal stretching sequences, one prior to, one during and one following radial expansion of the heated plastic parison, results in an improved balloon exhibiting reduced cone stiffness.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making plastic tubes, whereby a tube blank (Te) brought to a temperature close to molecular orientation temperature is subjected to a bi-axial drawing, by radial expansion of the tube blank inside a forming shaft (2), with formation of a contraction cavity at one end of the tube, by controlled displacement of this contraction cavity to the other end of the tube, and by longitudinal drawing. The radial expansion is carried out in at least two phases, viz. a first phase during which the tube blank (Te) is inflated to an intermediate diameter (Di) determined by a double-walled envelope (21), introduced into the forming shaft (2), with circulation of a hot fluid between the two walls of the envelope (21), and then the envelope is gradually removed from the forming shaft (2) to enable, during a second phase, the radial expansion of the plastic tube up to an internal diameter of the forming shaft (2), and its longitudinal drawing.

Abstract: A stretch blow bottle made from a polyester resin composition which comprises: (A) 60 to 99% by weight of a polyethylene terephthalate resin and (B) 1 to 40% by weight of a polyethylene isophthalate resin, wherein 300 square microns of a section exposed by cutting the neck of the bottle contains less than one particle of the polyethylene isophthalate resin (B) having a diameter of 0.1 micron or above in the polyethylene terephthalate resin (A) as the matrix.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus has an injection molding station and a blow molding station, with a transfer station positioned therebetween. The injection molding station has an injection molding section which molds preforms and a removal section which removes the preforms from an injection core mold. The blow molding station carries out circulating transfer of carrying members which support the preforms, and in the blow molding section the preforms are blow molded into containers. The transfer station has a receiving mechanism which receives preforms removed from the injection core mold in the injection molding station in the upright state, an inverting receiving mechanism which inverts the preforms and passes them in the inverted state to carrying members, and between the receiving mechanism and the inverting receiving mechanism, a movement mechanism transferring the preforms from the receiving mechanism to the inverting receiving mechanism.

Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exchanging a die holder of an extruder, which is tightly pressed from the bottom against a lower surface of an extrusion head by a press member. The pressing force of the press member is reduced to form a gap between a used die holder and the extrusion head. The used die holder and a next die holder positioned collinearly with each other are moved simultaneously and longitudinally, while slidingly contacting both of these die holders with the press member, so as to eject the used die holder from the press member and to deliver the next die holder onto the press member. The next die holder is then tightly pressed from the bottom onto the lower surface of the extrusion head by the press member.

Abstract: A method of making a radially expandable device having a body constructed of a generally inelastic, expanded fluoropolymer material. The body is deployable upon application of a radial expansion force from a reduced diameter, collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration having a pre-defined and fixed increased diameter. The body has a singular, unitary construction of generally homogenous material that is characterized by a seamless construction of expanded fluoropolymer material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and is preferably constructed through an extrusion and expansion process. The body is further characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils in which substantially all the nodes of the body are oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: An extrusion molding process including the steps of: i) extruding a material through an extruding die into a tubular molding, ii) driving two clamping devices to clamp the tubular molding at different elevations, causing an air-tight space to be formed within the tubular, iii) closing two symmetrical halves of a molding die on the molding between the clamping devices and simultaneously lowering one clamping device to stretch the molding downwards, causing the molding to be compressed in a die cavity between the two symmetrical halves of the molding die and molded into the desired finished product; and iv) opening the molding die from the finished product and returning the clamping devices to their former positions.

Abstract: A method for producing a biaxially oriented, heat set plastic container, including the steps of providing a plastic preform within a mold cavity; expanding and stretching the plastic preform into conformity with the surfaces defining the mold cavity to form a biaxially oriented plastic container; inducing crystallinity in the plastic container by using convection heat transfer to heat a surface of the plastic container to a temperature of at least 120° C.; and removing the plastic container from the mold cavity. The PET containers produced by the method have an average sidewall crystallinity greater than about 30%, which allows the PET container to maintain its material integrity during any subsequent pasteurization or retort process of the contents in the PET container, and during shipment of the PET container.

Abstract: A method to blow mold a crystallizable polymer container having an interior surface, comprising using a heated blowing fluid in conjunction with a single cool blow mold cavity to produce a container having a crystallized interior surface or in conjunction with hot blow mold cavity to produce a container having crystalized interior and exterior surfaces; and two stage blow molding using two separate blow molds used sequentially also contemplated to produce similar results.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating plastic tubes, in particular PCV tubes, obtained by extrusion, whereby a tube is brought to a molecular orientation temperature, higher than room temperature, and is subjected to bi-axial drawing by radial expansion and axial elongation, to obtain a bi-oriented tube whose mechanical properties are improved. The tube (T) is cut into elements (4) of predetermined length immediately after being extruded and its temperature is higher than the molecular orientation temperature, each element constituting a blank (5); each blank (5) is placed in a chamber (E) to be cooled therein by a fluid (F) to a temperature close to the molecular orientation temperature, the dwell time of the blank in the chamber being greater than the time of its production by extrusion; and the blank (5) is then extracted from the chamber (E) to be subjected to a treatment enabling its bi-orientation.

Abstract: A container molding method for reducing the amount of released acetaldehyde. The method comprises a primary blow molding step of stretch-blow-molding a preform into a primary blow-molded article; an acetaldehyde reducing step of reducing the amount of acetaldehyde released from the primary blow-molded article; and a final blow molding step of stretch-blow-molding the primary blow-molded article having a reduced amount of acetaldehyde into a final container. The primary blow molding step molds the primary blow-molded article which is larger in size than the final container and which has an average wall-thickness of a stretched barrel portion equal to or less than 0.3 mm, that is smaller than the average wall-thickness of a barrel portion of the final container. The acetaldehyde reducing step heats the thin-walled barrel portion of the primary blow-molded article at a high temperature for a relatively short time.

Abstract: The process and device are intended for controlling the molding of a container during the manufacture of containers from a thermoplastic material. At least two previously injection-molded preforms are temperature-treated and delivered in succession to at least one blow station for blow molding of the preforms into containers. In order to compensate for nonuniform temperature distribution in the material of the preforms relative to one another, at least one blow parameter during molding of the preforms into containers is specified in a fashion that differs from one to the next. The differing specification is made in such a manner as to compensate for the nonuniform temperature distribution so that containers with approximately identical spatial distribution of wall material, orientation properties, and crystallization characteristics exist when the blow-molding process is finished.

Abstract: An additive system for polyester polymers comprising an effective amount of (i) a fatty acid amide selected from the group consisting of oleyl palmitamide, ethylene bis stearamide, ethylene bis oleomide, and stearyl erucamide; (ii) a partially or fully calcined porous poly(methylsilsequioxane); and (iii) a stabilizer comprising a primary and a secondary antioxidant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polyester compositions, novel processes to prepare molded articles from these new polyester compositions, and novel containers fabricated from polyester/clay composites for food and beverages. The processing methods employed in this invention enable containers to be formed which exhibit excellent clarity. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process comprising forming a parison from a composite composition comprising about 0.01 to about 25 weight % platelet particles dispersed in at least one polyester at a processing temperature which is at least 50° above the Tg of said polyester; and molding said parison into a clear, thin walled article.

Abstract: A method for stretch blow molding dilatation balloons for angioplasty catheters having a significantly reduced cone thickness without sacrifice in burst strength is achieved by utilizing a mold whose cavity includes arcuate walls defining the balloon's end cones and a predetermined minimal distance from the side edges of the mold to the points where the arcuate walls intersect with a smaller diameter balloon stem portion. Utilizing this mold and providing for three longitudinal stretching sequences, one prior to, one during and one following radial expansion of the heated plastic parison, results in an improved balloon exhibiting reduced cone stiffness.

Abstract: Stretch blow molded containers are made from a preform made of a plastic material suitable for stretch blow molding such as, e.g., PET. The preform is heated to a temperature suitable for stretch blow molding and is introduced into a mold. An explosive gas mixture is introduced into the preform with a stretching pressure and the preform is axially stretched with the help of a stretching rod. After stretching, the explosive gas mixture is ignited, the explosion creating a blowing pressure which presses the wall of the preform against the inner wall of the mold so as to impart to the container its definite form. Due to the temperature shock generated by the explosion, the inner surface of the container is simultaneously sterilized.

Abstract: A method for stretch blow molding dilatation balloons for angioplasty catheters having a significantly reduced cone thickness without sacrifice in burst strength is achieved by utilizing a mold whose cavity includes arcuate walls defining the balloon's end cones and a predetermined minimal distance from the side edges of the mold to the points where the arcuate walls intersect with a smaller diameter balloon stem portion. Utilizing this mold and providing for three longitudinal stretching sequences, one prior to, one during and one following radial expansion of the heated plastic parison, results in an improved balloon exhibiting reduced cone stiffness.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic structure as well as a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material incorporating a continuous woven fiber and a discontinuous fiber pre-ceramic matrix for subsequent curing and component construction. The method includes preparation of a mixture of discontinuous fibers, fillers, and a pre-ceramic precursor resin where the precursor resin is present in a quantity sufficient to substantially saturate subsequently adjacent woven fiber lengths, and thereafter introducing the mixture to a situs between an upper length of woven fiber and a lower length of woven fiber in alignment with each other while effectuating linear movement of these woven fiber lengths and moving the lengths toward each other for compression and retention in a sandwich configuration to thereby fabricate a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material. The material is cut to size in accord with the configuration of a part to be manufactured, formed into a green-state structure, and cured.

Abstract: A wide-mouth, hot-fill plastic container having pinch-grips and a high push-up base and method for forming the same. According to the method, a preform is positioned in a mold cavity defined in part by surfaces which deviate substantially inward to form pinch-grips in the resulting container. Initially, a mold base is located so that it defines an initial mold cavity whose length is greater than the final length of the container. The preform is axially stretched in the cavity to a length greater than the containers final length. After stretching the preform, the preform is generally expanded radially outward under low pressure. The mold bottom is then moved to a position where the length of the cavity is about the same as the final length of the container. The preform is further expanded under high pressure such that it contacts the molding halves thereby forming the finished container.

Abstract: Multilayer laminates including films, sheets, preforms, containers and other articles having at least one wholly aromatic, amorphous, stretchable liquid crystalline polymer layer with at least one non-liquid crystalline thermoplastic polyester layer are provided as well as methods for producing and stretching the multilayer articles. The laminates are suitable for thermoforming and stretch blow molding applications and may be stretched to at least 100 percent elongation at temperatures below 200° C. and at high total draw ratios without fractures or tears. Containers suitable for food or beverage products may be produced from the laminates.

Abstract: A stretch blow molding process and apparatus for the manufacturing of plastic containers includes the step of preheating the preform. In particular the preheating step includes directly heating the inside of the preform. This is particularly important during the processing of polypropylene. The method for heating plastic preforms for the stretch blow molding thereof comprises the steps of heating the outside of the preforms with at least one infrared radiation lamp and directly heating the inside of the preforms. Preferably the heating of the outside and the heating of the inside is performed concurrently. The apparatus for use in the preheat step of a preform during a stretch blow molding process includes a channel; a plurality of chucks and a method of directly heating the inside of the preforms. The plurality of chucks are movably connected to the channel and each chuck is adapted to receive a preform. The inside of the preform is heated as the chuck moves along the channel.

Abstract: A blank (2) is molded for the manufacture of a multi-layer preform (1). The blank possesses protrusions (5). After the protrusions (5) have been brought to a plasticized state under the action of heat, those surfaces that contain protrusions (5) are covered by a layer of plasticized material. The blank (2) becomes connected to the layer (6) in the area of the protrusions (5). After cooling of the preform created from the blank (2) and the layer (6), the blank (2) will be connected with the layer (6) by means of microweld positions (7) in the area of the said protrusions (5). With that, delamination of the preform (1) during further processing or use will be effectively prevented.

Abstract: A wide-mouth plastic container is formed from a preform that is blow-molded to form an intermediate container article that has blown threads located below a moil. The moil is severed above the blown threads to yield the finished container. A preform and process for manufacturing the wide-mouth container are disclosed.

Abstract: A preform (9) made of thermoplastic material and including a body (11) provided with an at least partially longitudinally extending inner partition (10). The preform is used for molding and particularly blow molding or stretch-blow molding a container with a body having opposed portions defining hollow recesses with inwardly-directed convex surfaces, said portions being spaced apart by said inner partition. In a straight cross-sectional view, the body (11) has a non-circular outline with two opposed portions (a, b) separated by a minimum distance (d1) that is smaller than the distances between the other pairs of opposed portions of said outline. The inner partition (10) extends between said two opposed portions (a, b), and said distance (d1) is such that, relative to the periphery of the body (11) of the preform, during molding, the inner partition (10) is transversely stretched at a rate equal to that at which the body (11) is transversely or peripherally stretched.

Abstract: In a single-row and expandable into a multi-row stretch blow molding method and apparatus, a robot having a universal gripper assembly is used to pick up molded preforms during the clamp opening stroke of a preform-molding unit and then transfer the preforms at variable time intervals to a conditioning, stretch blow molding and discharge unit, releases finished hollow articles and returns to a waiting position at the preform-molding unit independent of the preform-molding cycle. Simultaneously, component transfer devices pick up external components, i.e. labels, valves or handles during the stretch blow molding phase and release the components into the blow-mold cavities while the universal gripper assembly is in the waiting position. The universal gripper assembly can alternatively also be pivoted to pick up preforms from a lateral reheat unit to supplement the molded preform supply.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter involving the steps of extruding a segment of thermoplastic material, maintaining the center portion at a temperature below the glass transition of the thermoplastic material, drawing the segment to a predetermined length, wherein after the drawing the wall thickness of the center portion does not appreciably change, and expanding the segment in a mold to produce the balloon.

Abstract: The process serves the purpose of producing containers. A heated pre-form made of a thermoplastic material is stretched and inflated with the aid of a gas under pressure for purposes of molding the container. The inflating process is divided into a preliminary blowing period with a gas under a lower level of pressure and into a subsequent primary blowing period with a gas under a higher pressure level. The ratio of the container diameter to the inner diameter is selected to be greater than 4.0. The pre-form has a median wall thickness of greater than 3 millimeters and at least at the beginning of the preliminary blowing phase is provided with a material temperature greater than 70 degrees Celsius. The pre-form at least at the beginning of the preliminary blowing phase in the area to be oriented is provided in the area of its upper surface with a temperature which is at a maximum equal to a medium temperature of the inner surface of the pre-form in the area to be oriented.

Abstract: A propylene block copolymer comprising(A) 60-90 weight %, based on the total amount of the block copolymer, of a first block of a propylene polymer, optionally containing a small amount of copolymerised ethylene,(B) 40-10 weight %, based on the total amount of the block copolymer, of a second block of an ethylene-propylene copolymer containing 1-10 weight % of ethylene, and the total ethylene content of the block copolymer being within the range of 0.1-2.5%. The weight process for the manufacturing of the propylene block copolymer and use of it for the manufacture of bioriented bottles.

Abstract: The invention provides a stretch blow molded container formed from a thermoplastic resin material which comprises polyglycolic acid having(a) a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## (b) a melt viscosity, .eta.* [as measured at a temperature of (the melting point, Tm of the polymer+20.degree. C.) and a shear rate of 100/sec] of 500-100,000 Pa.s;(c) a melting point, Tm of at least 180.degree. C.;(d) a melt enthalpy, .DELTA.Hm of at least 20 J/g; and(e) a density of at least 1.50 g/cm.sup.3 as measured in an unoriented, crystallized form,wherein the stretch blow molded container has tensile strength (in a circumferential direction) of at least 100 MPa and a carbon dioxide permeability (as measured at a temperature of 23.degree. C. and 80% relative humidity; in terms of the thickness of 50 .mu.m) of 300 cc/m.sup.2.day.atm or smaller at the body sidewall thereof, and a production process thereof.

Abstract: A container such as a bottle or the like consisting of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic material and capable of withstanding a relatively harsh use environment without noticeably losing its shape. Said container has an inwardly curved base (2) with an inwardly projecting convex portion as in a champagne bottle bottom, and a substantially greater thickness than the side wall (3) of the container. Said base (2) includes an outwardly-facing non-convex central portion (4).

Abstract: An improvement for a stretch blow molding apparatus, including a cryogenic liquid pulse pump disposed in sealed fluid connection between a cryogenic liquid reservoir and a stretch blow molding machine, a subcooler connected between the reservoir and the pulse pump for supplying cryogenic liquid at a preselected temperature, a vacuum jacket casing disposed generally surrounding a stretch blow rod, the reservoir, and the pulse pump for preventing vaporization of cryogenic liquid prior to delivery into a container, and control means for controlling the pulse pump to deliver a preselected amount of cryogenic liquid into the container through the stretch rod during a predetermined time interval beginning at a preselected time after formation of the container.

Abstract: When a desired preform is to be molded from a molding material which is a polyester resin composed of a blend of PET and PEN by compressing and melting the molding material by the rotation of a screw in a heating cylinder and injecting and filling the molten material into a mold, a plastication zone 13 for the molding material is formed between a compression zone 12 of the injection screw 2 and a metering zone 14 at an end of the screw. In the plastication zone 13, the molding material is subjected to melting, relaxation, kneading and relaxation steps in order to melt and remove an unmolten material until the molten material reaches the metering zone 14. To prevent a molded article from becoming opaque and the production of a gel-like unmolten granular material when a polyester resin composed of a blend of PET and PEN is used as a molding material.

Abstract: A method of forming a wide mouth blow molded thermoplastic container comprising the steps of i) stretch blow molding from a preform, an intermediate article defining the container with the mouth being threaded and/or flanged, the mouth terminating in an accommodation element having a neck finish that supports the preform in the blow mold; ii) heat setting the intermediate article including the entire container while still in the mold, and iii) removing the intermediate article of manufacture from the mold and severing the accommodation element to produce the container, and an article when made by the method. The method also includes post forming of a rim portion of the container following separation of the container from the accommodation element.

Abstract: A process which entails providing a preform formulated of polymeric material formed to permit the introduction of a fluid under pressure into the preform, heating the preform to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the polymeric material and below the melting temperature of the polymeric material, placing the heated preform into a substantially cylindrical mold with a polished seamless inside surface, introducing a fluid under pressure into the heated preform while maintaining the preform axially centered in the mold, thereby causing the preform to expand without contacting the mold surface, subsequently causing the preform to expand until it contacts the mold surface, heating the expanded preform to an appropriate heat setting temperature above the stretching temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymeric material while maintaining fluid pressure, and subsequently cooling the set preform, resulting in formation of a biaxially oriented seamless belt.

Abstract: A resin molded article having a highly expanded undercut shape and a uniform wall thickness distribution is produced with good productivity by forming a parison as an intermediate molded article by injection molding a thermoplastic resin, expanding said parison in open molds prior to blow molding of the parison in the final shape, then closing the molds, and blow molding said parison in the closed molds to form the final shape of the article.

Abstract: An extruded tubular molding is clamped at upper and lower portions thereof to form an air-tight space therebetween and thereafter compressed within two corresponding halves of a molding die and molded into the configuration of a final product. The lower portion of the molding is first clamped and lowered to stretch the molding downwardly prior to clamping the upper portion and compressing the molding in the molding die.

Abstract: In an injection stretch blow molding method, at least one injection molded preform is transferred from a preform molding section to a blow molding section by way of a transfer section and the at least one preform is blow molded into at least one container in the blow molding section. In the preform molding section the at least one preform is injection molded in an upright state with an open neck section thereof facing upward. In the transfer section, the at least one upright preform is turned upside-down and transferred to the blow molding section in an inverted state. Then, the blow molding section blow molds at least one container from the at least one inverted preform.

Abstract: An improved method for injection stretch blowing is provided. In the process, a molten resin is injected into an injection cavity defined by an injection mold, a lip mold and an injection core to form a desired preform, the cooling time for this preform being positively reduced to form a rigid skin layer on the outer surface of the preform without increasing the thickness. It is then released from the injection mold and transferred into the blow mold with a mouth portion being held with the lip mold while the skin layer keeps the configuration of the preform and the interior is in a high temperature state, and is stretch blow molded into a hollow molded article, e.g. a bottle whose major portion is ultra-thin, at the moment when the surface temperature of the preform that rises due to its own interior temperature is significantly higher than a glass transition temperature (Tg) and is expected to reach to a peak temperature.

Abstract: A non-destructive, direct method and apparatus for producing stretch blow molded articles having at least one physical dimension within a preselected range. The apparatus includes an injection mold defining an injection mold interior surface having a first differentially dimensioned portion disposed at a preselected location thereon and capable of producing a parison having a parison exterior surface including a first marker formed by contact with the first differentially dimensioned portion, and a stretch blow mold defining a stretch blow mold interior surface having a second differentially dimensioned portion disposed at a predetermined location thereon and capable of producing the article from the parison including a second marker formed by contact with the second differentially dimensioned portion. Relative position of the first marker with respect to the second marker indicates whether a dimension is within a preselected range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming perfusion balloons from thermoplastic materials. A helical member having a cross section corresponding to a desired perfusion channel cross section is placed in a tubular mold in contact with the mold wall. A thermoplastic tube is inserted into the helical member in the mold. The assembly is heated to the glass transition temperature of the tube and the tube is pressurized to expand into contact with the helical member and mold wall. After cooling, the formed balloon is removed from the mold. The helical member has a "T" shaped, or rectangular, or square, or triangular cross section. Limited pre-pressure and pre-stretch are preferably applied prior to the tube expansion and post forming tube conditioning may be used. Axial stretching of the tube in a mold, with our without the helical member, by microprocessor controlled air actuators provides highest quality balloons having selected wall thicknesses.