Abstract: A machine and method for forming containers from preforms. The machine includes a mold loading station for loading successive preforms into successive molds, each mold forming a mold cavity having the shape of the container to be produced. The machine also including a forming station for forming the containers by injecting a gaseous or liquid fluid into the preform contained in each mold in order to expand the preform such that each preform acquires the shape of the container defined by the mold cavity. In the machine, the mold loading station and the forming station are distinct from each other, and the machine further includes a transferring station arranged between the mold loading station and the forming station for transferring the successive molds containing the preforms from the mold loading station to the forming station.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a container from a substantially tubular preform. The preform is preheated to a temperature above the glass-transition temperature of the preform and placed in an expansion zone configured to accommodate the preform and in fluid communication with the nozzle of an injection head. The expansion zone is disposed adjacent to the nozzle and about the longitudinal axis defined by the injection head. A volume of an injection liquid is injected from the injection head into the preform cavity of the preform while the preform is in the expansion zone and the preform is expanded, while still in the expansion zone, into a container. Concurrently with the injecting and expanding of the preform, the preform is heated by energizing a plurality of infrared-emitting elements disposed about the preform and projecting infrared radiation into the expansion zone.

Abstract: A molding system for hydraulic blow molding of a container from a preform. The molding includes a pressurization unit that is configured to receive liquid molding medium from a source; a fill head unit coupled to the pressurization unit to receive the liquid molding medium therefrom; a mold assembly defining a mold cavity in the shape of the container. During forming of the container, a nozzle piston is moved from a retracted position to an extending position where the nozzle piston is engaged to inject the molding medium into the preform, thereby forming and filling the container. The fill head unit defines a receiving chamber for the liquid molding medium that maintains a constant volume during movement of the nozzle piston between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A forming station comprising a source of pressurized forming fluid, and an injection device comprising an inlet, in fluidic communication with the source of pressurized forming fluid, and an outlet in fluidic communication with the inlet and through which the forming fluid is intended to be injected in the preform and further comprising a stretch rod movable in translation according to the axis of the stretch rod relative to the outlet and arranged to assist the axial deformation of the preform during a stretching phase. The forming station further comprises a vibratory device connected to the stretch rod, arranged to vibrate the stretch rod when said vibratory device is actuated, and a control device arranged to actuate the vibratory device during at least a part of the stretching phase.

Abstract: An injection device for injecting a pressurized liquid into a preform and forming a container. The injection device including a piston device having a piston body and a piston head arranged to reciprocate in the piston body and to fluidly isolate an inner chamber of the piston device. The piston body having a recess portion defining a location where the piston head is not in liquid tight contact with the piston body such that liquid can flow from the inner chamber to a part of the piston body on an opposite the inner chamber. The injection device being arranged for driving the piston head in the recess portion in a clean-in-place (CIP) configuration.

Abstract: A piston device having an inlet through which the piston device can receive liquid and an outlet through which the piston device can inject pressurize liquid. A main body (28) of the piston device defines an inner chamber and an upstream duct placing the inner chamber in fluidic communication with the inlet. A valve having a valve plate, which is movable along a plate actuation path, between at least an opened position of the plate and a closed position of the plate. The plate actuation path extending at least in part inside the upstream duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fabrication of a container, comprising a mold defining the form of said container and container and configured to accommodate a substantially tubular preform, an injection head configured to interface with the preform and establish fluid communication with a cavity thereof; an injection valve configured to selectively permit fluid communication through said injection head, and a stretching rod slideably disposed within the injection head; said apparatus further comprising a displacement plunger being disposed coaxially about and mobile relative to said stretching rod between a retracted position substantially within the injection head and an extended position wherein said displacement plunger projects at least partially from said injection head.

Abstract: A liquid blow molding device for liquid blow molding a resin preform into a container having a predetermined shape. The liquid blow molding device includes a mold in which the preform is disposed; a stretch rod that axially stretches the preform disposed in the mold (; and a pressurized liquid supply that supplies a pressurized liquid to the preform. The liquid blow molding device operates such that the amount of the liquid supplied from the pressurized liquid supply to the inside of the preform before completing the stretching of the preform by the stretch rod (22) is 50% or less of the amount of the liquid to be filled in the container after the completion of the liquid blow molding.

Abstract: An injection head for the fabrication of a container from a preform. The injection head interfaces with a preform to establish fluid communication between a liquid supply and the preform. An injection valve is disposed within the injection head and is configured to selectively permit fluid communication through the injection head. A liquid supply control mechanism and a control mechanism of the injection valve's opening allow fluid communication through the injection head. The control mechanism of the injection valve's opening is activated by the liquid under pressure in the injection head cavity when the liquid supply is opened.

Abstract: A nozzle and system for hydraulic blow molding of a plastic container from a preform. The nozzle includes a nozzle body having a main bore extending therethrough and a seal pin received in the main bore and moveable between a closed position and an opened position. The seal pin include a central bore extending from an entrance orifice to an exit orifice, with the entrance orifice opening into the main bore of the nozzle body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering a predetermined volume of a liquid product, defined as the liquid end product, formed by addition of a first and second liquid product, into a thermoplastic container formed from a heated preform positioned in a mold and having an opening opposite an injection head. Prior to injecting the second liquid product into the preform causing expansion of the container, the preform is at least partially, filled with the first liquid product.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously forming and filling a container by injecting a pressurized liquid in a preform. The method includes placing the preform in a mold and injecting the pressurized liquid into the preform such that the liquid expands the preform and urges the wall of the preform against the wall of the molding cavity forming the preform into a container and the container is filled with liquid. A swirl imparting element extends in the injection flow and imparts a swirl flow on the pressurized liquid such that the pressurized liquid applies a centrifugal force on the wall of the preform during forming and filling of the preform, thereby promoting a radial expansion of the preform in radial planes substantially perpendicular to the preform axis.

Abstract: A container manufacturing device having a preform manufacturing portion, a conveyor, a blow molding device, where the preform is to the blow molding device while maintain the residual heat from the preform manufacturing portion. The preform manufacturing portion includes a molding die and a feeder for supplying a molten thermoplastic resin to a cavity of the molding die. In the blow molding portion, liquid is used to mold the preform into a container of a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A construction that prevents liquid from dripping from a nozzle and adhering to a product when the nozzle is separated from a mouth of the product after liquid-blow molding. A preform includes a mouth, a body, and a neck support portion, and is provided with a step surface on an inner peripheral face adjacent to the neck support part. A liquid blow molding apparatus includes a nozzle that is inserted in the mouth of the preform, a pressurized liquid-supply unit that supplies pressurized liquid to the nozzle, and a sealing member that is formed in a cylinder and fits on an outer peripheral face of the nozzle abuts the step surface, in an axial direction, when the nozzle is inserted in the mouth of the preform to seal the gap between the nozzle and the inner peripheral face of the preform.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for cooling and providing counter pressure to a neck of a preform during a forming of a container from the preform. The injection nozzle includes a manifold that defines a receiving space into which the neck of the preform is received. A cavity is also defined in a part by an inner wall and an outer wall of the manifold and a plurality of ports are provided through the inner wall to communicate the cavity with the receiving space. When a cooling medium is received into the cavity, the cooling medium is directed through at least some of the ports toward the neck of the preform located within the receiving space.

Abstract: A method of forming and filling a container with an end product. Accordingly to the method, a preform is located within a mold assembly that defines the shape of the container and a nozzle assembly is moved so as to engage with at least one of the preform and the mold assembly forming a liquid tight seal. The end product is injected into the preform to simultaneously form a container from the preform and fill the container with the end product. After forming and filling the container, the nozzle assembly, which was used to inject the end product, is disengaged from the preform and/or mold assembly. After the nozzle assembly is disengaged, the filled container is removed from the mold assembly and residual end product is purged from the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a container. The apparatus includes an injection head establishing fluid communication between an injection liquid source and a preform cavity of a substantially tubular preform through a nozzle of the injection head. The longitudinal axis of said injection head being substantially vertically oriented and passing through the nozzle. The apparatus further includes a plurality of infrared-emitting elements projecting infrared radiation into an expansion zone which is disposed adjacent to the nozzle and about the longitudinal axis. The expansion zone is configured to accommodate the preform when it is positioned in fluid communication with the nozzle.

Abstract: An injection device for injecting a pressurized liquid into the preform. The injection device includes a piston device having a piston body with a piston head arranged to reciprocate therein. The piston head cooperates with a sealing portion of the piston body to fluidicly isolate an inner chamber of the piston device. The piston body being in fluidic communication with a liquid source for admitting liquid into the inner chamber. The piston body including at least two outlet ducts for delivering pressurized liquid to the injection head. Each outlet duct opening defining an outlet port in a wall of the inner chamber. Each outlet port being centered on an outlet port center, wherein all the outlet port centers extend in the same radial planes of the inner chamber, are at the same distance from the piston axis and are arranged angularly in a regular manner around the piston axis.

Abstract: An injection head for a container fabricating machine. The fabricating machine includes a first nozzle configured to establish fluid communication between an injection liquid source and a preform cavity in communication with a mouth disposed at an open end of the preform. The first nozzle of the injection head includes a substantially tubular spout configured to be inserted into the open end of said preform and thereby create a seal with the preform.