Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding plastic containers and the like and for removing unwanted flash material therefrom. In the molding step, an unwanted tail flash portion is molded to have a weakened area along the line of attachment to the bottom of the container. After ejection from the mold, the container is conveyed to a tail removal device that grips and tears the tail free from the container along the weakened line area by a downward and rearward force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding plastic containers and the like, and for removing unwanted flash material therefrom. In the molding step, the unwanted dome portion of a container is molded to have a conveyor engaging groove therein, and the unwanted tail flash portion is molded to have a weakened line area at the point of attachment to the bottom of the container. After ejection from the mold, the container is conveyed to a tail removal device that grips and tears the tail along the weakened line area by a downward and rearward force. The container is conveyed to a dome removal device that engages the groove in the dome, moves the dome against a cutting edge, and rotates the container to effectuate a complete removal of the dome. The tail and dome removal operations are performed quickly and cleanly immediately after ejection of the containers from the mold while the plastic is still hot and pliable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing, handling and orienting a plurality of containers of the type having a narrow neck portion with respect to another portion of the container, in which the axis of each container extends axially through the neck, includes means, such as standard "unscramblers", for receiving and storing the containers in a randomly distributed fashion and thereafter conveying the containers with the axes of all of the containers oriented parallel with respect to each other. A cam race guide rail arrangement on opposite sides of the conveyor engage and orients the containers such that all of the axes of the containers are parallel with respect to each other in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the conveyor, and with all of the necks of the containers extending in the same direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously molding a plurality of bottles, and removing flash tails from the bottom of all of the bottles prior to removal from the mold includes a die having a plurality of cavities therein corresponding to the shape of the bottle to be molded. The die includes a plurality of concavities along an outer surface thereof, each next adjacent one of the cavities. A shaft is rotatably supported immediately adjacent this outer surface of the die, and extends substantially parallel with the row of cavities, the shaft further including a flat surface immediately adjacent each concavity along the outer surface. A blade is mounted on each flat surface, each blade having a greater dimension between the shaft and the second portion of the cutting edge with respect to the dimension between the shaft and an outer extremity of the cutting edge.