Abstract: An aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 90-180 psig and a threaded finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The threaded finish portion has at least one helical thread, a support ledge beneath the helical thread and a secondary flange that is positioned beneath the support ledge. The secondary flange has an outer circumference that is noncircular in at least one location, whereby it may be engaged during a capping operation to prevent rotation of the container during capping. A method of making an aerosol container in which a preform is capped before the blow molding process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic container body having at least one grip recess includes providing a mold assembly having an internal projection that is constructed and arranged to form the grip recess. A low friction surface is provided on at least a portion of the projection in order to reduce friction between the formable plastic material and the projection during the molding process. The low friction surface permits the formable plastic material to stretch with less resistance before it solidifies to the point where additional stretching is not possible. As a result, molding of features that provide resistance to material distribution during molding, such as deep grip recesses, is enabled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A hot fill type plastic container includes a finish, a bottom and a main body that is generally rectangular in transverse cross-section. The main body has an upper dome portion, a lower label portion and a waist groove defined between the upper dome portion and the lower label portion. Both the upper dome portion and the lower label portion have front and rear surfaces as well as opposing side surfaces that are narrower than the front and rear surfaces. The opposing side surfaces of the upper dome portion have a substantially vertically oriented reinforcing element defined therein that is recessed with respect to the surrounding sidewall of the upper dome portion. The reinforcing element extends into the waist groove, which increases the flexibility of the dome portion above the waist groove and protects the dome portion against damage as a result of contact with other containers during the filling and packaging processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods using container holders configured to provide a stable support for containers held therein in order to efficiently cool the containers after a hot-fill or elevated temperature operation. The container holders can allow a fluid to pass from an inner volume of the container holder to outside the container holder through side apertures and/or an open bottom end of the container holder. Groups of containers and container holders also may be cooled. Groups of containers in container holders can be processed through the cooling operation at a speed different from a speed for holderless containers.

Abstract: Plastic containers, base configurations for plastic containers, and systems, methods, and base molds thereof. In particular, the disclosed subject matter involves container base configurations having particular up-stand geometries that can assist or facilitate elevated temperature processing and/or cooling processing of plastic containers.

Abstract: An aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 90-180 psig and a threaded finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The threaded finish portion has at least one helical thread, a support ledge beneath the helical thread and a secondary flange that is positioned beneath the support ledge. The secondary flange has an outer circumference that is noncircular in at least one location, whereby it may be engaged during a capping operation to prevent rotation of the container during capping. A method of making an aerosol container in which a preform is capped before the blow molding process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic container has a main body portion, a neck portion and a molded feature such as an anti-rotation lug adjacent to the neck portion. The molded feature has a volume that is less than a volume that would be defined by the maximum external dimensions of the feature. This reduces the shrinkage differential between the molded feature and the neck portion, which could otherwise cause sealing problems with a closure as a result of deformation of the neck portion. A method of correcting a sealing problem in a plastic container by reducing the volume of the molded feature is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method to manufacture at least one container includes disposing at least one parison within a mold assembly having at least one mold chamber defined therein, wherein at least a first portion of the at least one parison extends outside the mold assembly and at least a second portion of the at least one parison is disposed within the at least one mold chamber. With the mold assembly closed, the second portion of the at least one parison can be blow-molded to form at least one container body. The first portion of the at least one parison can be gripped with a gripper when the mold assembly is opened, and a stabilization member can be extended proximate to the gripper to engage a surface of the at least one container body. Gripping assemblies and systems are also provided.

Abstract: An automatic rotary transfer apparatus and method for conveying a plurality of lightweight articles, such as empty bottles, at a high speed and, optionally, providing at least one additional function, such as de-flashing, trimming, or inspecting, in a single rotation of the rotary transfer apparatus. The apparatus includes a carriage ring having an outer perimeter defining a plurality of cavities spaced along the outer perimeter. Each cavity is adapted to receive a single article. A drive assembly indexes and rotates the carriage ring about a central axis of rotation and is synchronized to a continuous stream of the plurality of articles from an upstream operation, such as blow molding. The apparatus may further include a modification device, such as a de-flasher or trimmer, and an inspection station with a sensor for discharging damaged or imperfect articles, which performs the functions in a single rotation of the carriage ring.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container includes a main body portion having an upper surface and a finish portion that extends from the upper surface. A reinforcing strut is provided on the upper surface of the main body portion adjacent to the finish portion for providing increased structural rigidity and top load strength to the container. The reinforcing strut may be fabricated in a manner that promotes drainage of fluid from the container, such as by defining a downwardly sloping inner channel that leads to the finish portion when the container is inverted.

Abstract: A plastic container having improved structural stability characteristics when gripped includes a finish and a main body having a sidewall. The main body has a lower portion and an upper dome that is separated from the lower portion by a waist. The upper dome includes an upper brow portion having a first maximum width and that has a concave recess defined therein. A gripping recess may be defined in the sidewall beneath the upper brow portion, which has a second minimum width that is less than the first maximum width. A portion of the sidewall that defines the gripping recess may have a substantially vertically oriented reinforcing element defined therein. In addition, a portion of the sidewall that defines the gripping recess may have U-shaped groove defined therein.

Abstract: An improved blow molded plastic container having generally rounded sidewalls that are adapted for hot-fill applications has two adjacent sides and two pairs of controlled deflection panels, each pair reacting to vacuum pressure at differing rates of movement, whereby one pair inverts under vacuum pressure and the other pair remains available for increased squeezability or extreme vacuum extraction. The opposing sidewalls are symmetric relative to vacuum panel and rib shape and placement. The ribs and controlled deflection panels cooperate to retain container shape upon filling and cooling and also improves bumper denting resistance, decreases vacuum pressure within the container, and increases light weight capability.