Abstract: A cam follower slide component used in an apparatus for extrusion blow molding polyethylene teraphthalate is disclosed. The cam follower slide component is designed to include disc springs positioned about a spindle that is in turn located along the slide direction of the cam follower. With the inclusion of disc springs, the cam follower slide is capable of absorbing certain excessive forces within the blow mold clamping linkage system that may develop during irregular blow mold process conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the cam follower slide component includes the ability to adjust the spring force of the disc springs to allow for a variation in allowable excess system linkage forces.

Abstract: A kit and method for converting a refurbishing machine into a reforming apparatus. The apparatus reforms a portion of a plastic container using induction heating. The kit includes a reform heating assembly that achieves a temperature of above about 500° F., heats the container via radiant and convection heating without contacting the container, and has a power and thermocouple connection to a first controller. The kit also includes a reform cooling assembly that has a forming die which contacts and reforms the container portion, a support housing a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink facilitating heat transfer away from the forming die, and a power and thermocouple connection to a second controller. The method includes the steps of replacing heating assemblies of the refurbishing machine with the reform heating assembly and the reform cooling assembly, respectively, using the existing equipment utilities of the refurbishing machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vacuum compensation in hot-filled and cooled containers, Each container reduces, via one or more vacuum panels, a first portion of a vacuum created in the container. Each container also has a repositionable portion to reduce a second portion of the vacuum. During hot-filling, no portion of the repositionable portion extends below a standing or bearing surface of the container.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer composition comprising dispersed nanoparticles of an oxygen scavenging catalyst includes polymerizing one or more monomers or pre-polymers in the presence of a platinum group metal catalyst or precursor to obtain a polymer composition having dispersed nanoparticles of the platinum group metal. The oxygen scavenging catalyst is added during the polymerization as a solution of the platinum group metal or a compound thereof and a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycols). The food or beverage containers made from such polymer compositions exhibit high clarity and high oxygen scavenging properties.

Abstract: A base of a container may include a standing surface, a first wall, a second wall, a first hinge, and a second hinge. The first hinge may be positioned between the standing surface and the first wall, the first wall being rotateable about the first hinge relative to a longitudinal axis of the container. The second hinge may be positioned between the first wall and the second wall, the second wall being rotateable about the second hinge relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, where rigidity of the base prevents substantial net distortion of the base during rotation of the second wall.

Abstract: Base includes an outer support wall, a support surface extending inwardly from the outer support wall and defining a reference plane, an inner support wall extending upwardly from the support surface, a first radiused portion extending radially inward from the inner support wall and concave relative to the reference plane, a second radiused portion extending radially inward from the first radiused portion and convex relative to the reference plane, an intermediate surface extending radially inward from the second radiused portion and substantially parallel to the reference plane, a third radiused portion extending radially inward from the intermediate surface and convex relative to the reference plane, and a central portion disposed proximate the third radiused portion.

Abstract: A plastic container includes a sidewall defining a bottom portion, a main body portion and an upper rim. The main body portion of the sidewall has at least one groove defined therein that has a circumferential component. Reinforcement structure is provided on the portion of the sidewall that defines the groove for limiting vertical expansion and contraction of the main body portion in response to force that is applied to the sidewall.

Abstract: A plastic container and closure, and system and method of making the same. Container can include a solid bottom end, an outer sidewall extending from solid bottom end, a shoulder portion extending from outer sidewall, and neck portion extending from shoulder portion, forming an open end of container. Solid bottom end includes a circumferential heel portion having a plurality of radially asymmetrical projections and recesses disposed on an outer periphery of the heel portion, the plurality being configured to increase heel portion rigidity while maintaining substantially uniform material thickness. Shoulder portion forms an angle with a plane perpendicular to the container central axis. At an angle of 50° a desirable failure mode may be achieved where the yield strength of the shoulder portion is balanced against that of the heel portion and the outer sidewall to maximize the top load strength of the container.

Abstract: A plastic container that may be used in hot fill applications includes a finish portion having an opening, a main body portion and a bottom portion. The main body portion includes a vacuum panel area and a circumferentially extending reinforcement groove that has reinforcement structure provided therein positioned substantially adjacent to the vacuum panel area. The bottom portion includes a standing ring, a central interior substantially flat portion that has a plurality of alternating parallel ribs and grooves defined therein and a transitional surface between the standing ring and the substantially flat portion. The parallel ribs and grooves define a complex structure with respect to the transitional surface that provides a stiffening effect, particularly in containers that are fabricated from polypropylene.

Abstract: A container forming assembly and method includes receiving a parison within a cavity of a mold, enclosing the parison within the mold having a wall with a recess, inflating the parison in the mold to form a blow molded container where the blow molded container has a sidewall, a movable region formed at the recess, and a hinge circumscribing an interface between the sidewall and the movable region, and moving or repositioning the movable region toward an interior of the blow molded container about the hinge before filling. The movable region can form a deep-set grip. Further, multiple movable regions can be provided, each of which may form respective deep-set grips. The container shape can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Abstract: Base for a container, the base being made of polymeric material, including a support surface having an outer perimeter defining a first dimension along a major axis and a second dimension along a minor axis disposed approximately 90° from the major axis. An inner wall is coupled to the support surface opposite the outer perimeter. A dome projects upwardly from the inner wall and has an initial depth with respect to the support surface. The dome includes a major radius of curvature along the major axis and a minor radius of curvature along the minor axis. The dome is deflectable in response to a differential pressure across the base of at least 3.2 PSI without permanent deformation of the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a refurbishing machine into a reforming machine. The apparatus reforms a portion of a plastic container using induction heating. The apparatus includes a reform heating assembly that achieves a temperature of above about 500° F., heats the container via radiant and convection heating without contacting the container, and has a power and thermocouple connection to a first controller. The apparatus also includes a reform cooling assembly that has a forming die which contacts and reforms the container portion, a support housing a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink facilitating heat transfer away from the forming die, and a power and thermocouple connection to a second controller. The method includes the steps of replacing heating assemblies of the refurbishing machine with the reform heating assembly and the reform cooling assembly, respectively, using the existing equipment utilities of the refurbishing machine.

Abstract: A plastic container includes a shoulder portion having an annular rib defined therein and a generally cylindrical main body portion having a longitudinal axis. At least one gripping recess is defined in the main body portion that has an oblong shape when viewed in front elevation and that is defined in part by a curved concave inner surface when viewed in side elevation. The gripping recess includes a plurality of horizontal indentations, each of which is sized to receive a finger of a consumer when the plastic container is being gripped by the consumer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vacuum compensation in hot-filled and cooled containers. Each container reduces, via one or more vacuum panels, a first portion of a vacuum created in the container. Each container also has a repositionable portion to reduce a second portion of the vacuum. During hot-filling, no portion of the repositionable portion extends below a standing or bearing surface of the container.

Abstract: A method of making a plastic container that has a tethered closure using an extrusion blow molding process includes steps of extruding a parison, capturing the parison within a mold and inflating the parison against the mold to form a container blank having a container portion, a closure portion and a tether portion for connecting the container portion to the closure portion. The tether portion, which is preferably elongated and string like, may be formed out of flash material that is created during the molding process. The resulting container is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and facilitates the plastic recycling process.