Abstract: A laser detection system for detecting parisons or portions of parisons remaining on cylindrical core pins at an ejection station. Injection molding of tubular parisons around cylindrical core pins occurs at a molding station; cooling the parisons while supported on the core pins occurs at a cooling station; and then, axially stripping the parisons from the core pins occurs at an ejection station. The parison stripping step is accomplished by a horizontally reciprocable carriage which is selectively moved into and out of vertical alignment with a set of core pins and parisons positioned at the ejection station. Sectional gripping members on the carriage are radially closable when in alignment with the parisons, to grasp the parisons for their axial removal from the core pins upon the horizontal displacement of the carriage.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a chemically convertible polymeric coating composition is applied to the surface of a glass substrate and subsequently converted to a crosslinked coating by the application of heat or another form of energy. The polymeric coating composition contains at least two essential ingredients:(1) a rubbery thermoplastic organic polymer; and(2) an organic peroxide or hydroperoxide.

Abstract: Methods for producing improved, thermally-stable polyethylene terephthalate resins are provided. Polyethylene terephthalate resins are provided that can be fabricated into products such as carbonated beverage containers with a minimum of degradation products such as acetaldehyde preferably by rapidly polymerizing a prepolymer from an i.v. of about 0.2 to an i.v. of at least about 0.7.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the yield strength and density of polyethylene terephthalate and other similar thermoplastic materials which are susceptible to strain hardening. In the method, the plastic material is thermally conditioned to a temperature within a range conducive to molecular orientation, and then is mechanically conditioned by stretching in a first direction to a length at least about 2.6 to 2.75 times the original length. Thereafter, the plastic material is stretched in a second direction, with strain hardening and strain-induced crystallization increasing drastically substantially immediately upon the initiation of the second stretching operation due to the mechanical conditioning by elongation during the first stretch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling crystallization in thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate, which crystallize when cooled from melt temperature to below glass transition temperature after being injected into a mold cavity. When greater amounts of crystallization are desired, a very high pressure is initially imposed upon the material as it cools from the melt temperature, and then the pressure is reduced proportionally to the reduction in temperature so that a nominal pressure is imposed upon the material at glass transition temperature. When a significantly lesser amount of crystallization is desired, an initial nominal pressure is imposed upon the material as it cools from the melt temperature to a predetermined temperature, at which time the pressure is drastically increased.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for molding plastic articles, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a mold cavity at a first station with heated flowable plastic material and then displacing the mold to a second station where the plastic material is cooled under pressure. The apparatus includes a rotatable support for displacing the mold between the first and second stations, a plastic supply means at the first station to fill the molds, and a displaceable rod at the second station for insertion into the mold to apply pressure to the plastic material during solidification cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for injection molding tubular plastic articles around cylindrical core pins at a molding station, for cooling the articles while supported on the core pins, and for then axially stripping the articles from the core pins at an ejection station. The article stripping step is accomplished by a horizontally reciprocable carriage which is selectively moved into and out of vertical alignment with a set of core pins and molded articles positioned at the ejection station. Sectional gripping members on the carriage are radially closable when in alignment with the molded articles, to grasp the articles for their axial removal from the core pins upon the horizontal displacement of the carriage. The stripped articles may be held in a horizontal cantilever position between the gripping members during an operational dwell time for additional cooling subsequent to their removal from the core pins.

Abstract: Hybrid laser structures are disclosed, the structures being axial gradient lasers that are a combination of solid-state lasable plate elements spaced along the optical axis of the laser and a cooling liquid for the plate elements, the liquid having lasing ions that lase at a wave length that is different from the wave length of the lasing ions of the plate elements. The solid-state plate elements can be made of a crystalline or glass host material doped with, for example, Cr.sup.3+ ions, and the cooling liquid whose stimulated emission is at a different wave length than that of the plate element can be, for instance, selenium oxychloride doped with Nd.sup.3+ ions.

Abstract: A gas discharge device containing at least two electrodes is shown, at least one of the electrodes being insulated from the gas by at least one dielectric insulating member containing a predetermined beneficial amount of an oxide of at least one lanthanide series rare earth metal or at least one actinide series rare earth metal. In one embodiment, a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display is used, the panel having an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber, formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members, each of which is respectively backed by an array of electrodes, the electrodes behind each dielectric member being oriented with respect to the electrodes behind the opposing member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes constituting a discharge unit. Each opposing dielectric surface is coated with a metal oxide of the lanthanide rare earth series or the actinide rare earth series.

Abstract: A blow pin assembly for blowmolding plastic containers is disclosed. The assembly includes threads and an annular shoulder for molding a threaded bunghole with a flat sealing surface. The annular shoulder is provided by the bottom end of a cylindrical sleeve which fits over the main body of the blow pin. A narrow gap is defined between the main body and the sleeve, which provides a vent for air that otherwise gets captured between the parison and the main body.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for two-stage blow molding especially suitable for large plastic containers, wherein an overhead shuttle mechanism transfers a blown preform from a preform station to a final blowing station and then to a separation station where the completed article is separated from the upper tail by which it was suspended from the shuttle mechanism during each of the transfer steps. The lower tail is separated from the preform prior to removal from the preform blowing station.An alternative form uses a rotary indexing transfer mechanism, wherein the shape of an upper flash or tail-forming clamp half which is carried by the indexing mechanism creates an interlock with the flash permitting the article to be suspended from and transferred by such single clamp half throughout the operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a plastic container by a blow molding operation. In the method, a tubular thermoplastic parison is blown to a preform within a first mold by a blow pipe inserted into one axial open end of the parison. Prior to removing the preform from the first mold, a secondary opening is formed in the wall of the preform, either by a spike-shaped piercing surface over which the parison is expanded or by a vent port through which blow air is exhausted to rupture an opening in the preform wall. The preform is then transferred to a second mold, which pinches shut the initial blowing opening of the preform. A second blow pin is inserted into the secondary opening to supply blow air under pressure to expand the preform to a container.

Abstract: A method for molding a threaded bunghole in a blowmolded article is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: positioning a parison between open mold sections, partially extending a threaded pin assembly into one end of the parison, partially closing the mold sections, fully extending the pin assembly when the threads on the pin assembly are filling up with a portion of the parison, completing closure of the mold sections, and then expanding the parison into contact with the blow cavity formed by the mold sections.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a chemically convertible liquid coating composition is applied to the surface of a glass substrate and subsequently converted to a solid, protective polymer film by the application of heat or other forms of energy. The chemically convertible coating composition contains at least three ingredients:(1) an epoxy resin derived from Bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin;(2) a flexibilizing, epoxy resin; and(3) a flexibilizing aliphatic amine curing agent.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to both a method and apparatus for forming injection molded articles in a molding assembly which includes a heated runner housing adjacent a cooled mold. In a first disclosed embodiment, a slidable gate valve having a supply passageway is interposed between and in contact with both the cooled mold and heated runner. A layer of insulation material is included on the slidable gate valve to thermally segregate the differential temperature zones of the mold and runner. In a second embodiment, an axially reciprocable pin valve selectively opens and closes a passageway between a heated runner housing and a cooled mold to regulate the flow of plastic material. An annular sleeve of insulation material is telescoped over a portion of the pin valve to likewise thermally segregate the runner and mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting a cup-shaped support base onto a convex bottom of a container. The apparatus includes adjacent wheels mounted for rotation about angularly related, non-parallel axes, so that the wheels are closer to one another in one circumferential region than in any other such region. In the method, a container is retained on the periphery of one wheel for displacement along a partial-circumferential path. A cup-shaped support base is retained on a second wheel in alignment with a convex bottom on the container. As the wheels rotate, the base and container are displaced in unison to said one circumferential region, with the base progressively moving closer to the convex bottom for their telescopic assembly.

Abstract: A method for molding an end portion of a tubular thermoplastic parison prior to a blow molding operation to form a parison finish and an annular support flange. The method includes closing a laterally movable, sectional mold onto a circumferential section of a parison so that at least one end portion of the parison extends out of the mold. The extending end portion of the parison is then thermally conditioned to a deformable temperature and thereafter the parison is axially displaced to telescopically insert the thermally conditioned end portion within the mold into general radial alignment with annular, longitudinally spaced finish and support flange cavities. Next, an internal support is telescopically inserted within the thermally conditioned parison portion in preparation for the compression molding steps; which include axially displacing the opposed ends of the parison to force thermally conditioned, deformable plastic parison material radially outwardly into the flange and finish cavities.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing chemically modified olefin polymers or copolymers which comprises exposure to ultraviolet or visible radiation of a mixture containing a polymer, a sensitizer, and a co-reactant having a structure containing both a saturate aliphatic hydrocarbon residue and at least one highly polar functional group.

Abstract: Containers for storing various pills are provided which have excellent water vapor permeation resistance and which includes child-resistant opening features. The container includes a top and a bottom which are adapted for telescopic positioning with respect to each other in a generally flush-like manner so that edge exposures are kept to a minimum and the top and bottom each include means which are brought into inter-engagement to define a sealed internal chamber for storing tablets, such as aspirin. Wall portions of the top and bottom are configured to preclude opening of the container except by exertion of a compressive force at selective locations. Such selective application of compressive force between the top and the bottom allows the top to be removed from the bottom in a generally pivotal lever-like manner about a hinge connection by the engagement of a fulcrum surface on the bottom with the internal surface of a portion of the top.

Abstract: A threaded bunghole structure for plastic containers is disclosed which requires no gaskets, has a warp-free sealing surface, and is leakproof. In one embodiment, the structure is formed by insert blowmolding over a female-threaded metal flange such that the outermost plastic-to-metal interface border is disposed inwardly from the sealing surface. In a second embodiment, an annular metal insert is disposed between plastic blowmolded threads and a sealing surface.