Abstract: Extrusion blow molding apparatus (10) having a body mold (12) for forming a body portion (B) of a blow molded container (C) from a blowable, extruded thermoplastic parison (P). The blow molding apparatus also has a neck mold (14) for forming an annular finish portion (15) of the container from the parison, the neck mold being removable from the body mold at the conclusion of the blowing step. A blow pin (16), which is reciprocable relative to the body mold, introduces blowing air into the parison during the blowing cycle, and an outside diameter of the blow pin provides a surface against which an internal diameter of the finish is formed. The process also forms a moil portion (M) that extends upwardly and outwardly from a rim (R) at the top of the finish portion of the container, and an anvil (18) with a moil retention element (18a) with an inwardly projecting flange (18b) is provided in contact with an exterior of the neck mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and method of, conveying tandem thermoplastic containers from a molding machine to a tail removal station, the tandem containers being positioned with their axes extending horizontally but possibly out of parallel with one another and with their ends possibly out of alignment with one another. The apparatus includes a spaced pair of synchronously driven endless conveyors that convey tandem containers to a downwardly inclined ramp, the ramp having a wedge on its tandem supporting surface that engages outwardly projecting beads on each of the containers of the tandem to orient the tandems with their ends parallel, the downwardly inclined ramp also serving to orient the tandems with their axes parallel.

Abstract: A container and closure package includes a container having a body with a finish surrounding a fill/dispensing opening, and a closure having a perpherial skirt removably secured to the container finish. The closure has a base wall with a fill opening aligned with the fill/dispensing opening in the container when the closure is secured to the container and a recessed ledge surrounding the fill opening. A seal is provided at the underside of the base wall in sealing engagement with the fill/dispensing opening of the container. A disk has an electrically conductive underlayer that is induction fusion welded to the closure.

Abstract: A one-piece self-draining container and method and apparatus for forming same. The container includes a body and a finish wall extending upwardly from a body opening. The finish wall surrounds a dispensing spout which extends above the top of the wall. A frustoconical web joins the finish wall and the dispensing spout to form a drain apron gutter channel having a relatively steeply inclined cone angle. A drain opening is defined adjacent the channel for draining fluid from the channel into the container body. A removable cap having a depending skirt defining a thread which mates with an internal thread on the container wall to thereby threadably engage and close the container. The method is performed on the type of extrusion-injection blow molding machine as generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,654 as modified in accordance with the invention to form the web wall in situ with a frustoconical configuration of uniform cross sectional thickness.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly labeling a blow-molded hollow container made of a plastic composition subject to out-gassing after de-molding. Otherwise, conventional high speed silk screen labeling technology and processing is employed shortly after container fabrication de-molding in order to accurately deposit a continuous liquid layer of conventional silk screen ink over an external container surface area designated for application thereon of a self-adhering pre-printed label. The label is rapidly and accurately transfer applied over the silk screen coated area immediately after the same has dried, and even while out-gassing is still occurring from the de-molded container. However, the protective ink barrier coating prevents formation of bubbles beneath the label. Those gases in the container wall resident beneath the label-affixed area can then nevertheless out-gas by migrating out of the container internal wall surface.

Abstract: Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder or a blow head for substantially continuously emitting a thermoplastic material in tubular or parison form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves downwardly with respect to the extruder or blow head to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the emitted thermoplastic. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the emitted thermoplastic length therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set that is permitted to return and engage an other finite length of the thermoplastic material. The second mold set follows the first mold set in a path of travel traced by the first mold set.

Abstract: A blown plastic container that includes a hollow plastic body, an integral blow-molded neck and an integral blow-molded finish with a radially outwardly extending blow-molded thread or bead for retaining a closure on the finish. Reinforcement is provided between the thread or bead and a ledge on the finish to prevent collapse of the finish when a closure is applied to the finish. In one form, this reinforcement includes blow-molded axial columns extending radially outwardly. In another form, the reinforcement includes geometric depressions. The reinforcement preferably is disposed circumferentially at equal angular spacing. When the container is trimmed, the finish may have an annular frustoconical radial ledge spaced from the open end of the finish. The reinforcement extends between the ledge and the lowest thread or bead, between the thread or bead, or for the full height of the finish above the ledge.

Abstract: Injection molding apparatus (10) for molding a thermoplastic article (A) from a moldable thermoplastic material. The molding apparatus includes a core pin (12) around which the article is formed in a cavity that is defined by separable mold halves (14, 16). Moldable thermoplastic material is introduced into the mold cavity, coaxially of the core pin, from an injection nozzle (18) through a restricted passage or gate (20). The nozzle seats solely in a radial extension (16a) of one of the mold halves, which is received in a recess (14a) of the other mold half when the mold halves are closed with respect to one another, and the gate extends solely through the extension (16a) of the mold half (16).

Abstract: A dispenser package for a fluent product that includes a plastic container having an axially extending cylindrical neck, and a closure secured to the open end of the neck. The closure includes a plastic fitment having a dispensing opening and a cylindrical wall received within the neck. The container neck has a radially opening circumferential channel, while the fitment has a radially projecting circumferential bead received by snap fit into the channel to secure the fitment to the neck. A top is pivotally secured to the fitment or to the container neck for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispensing opening is circular, and the top has an annular wall that forms a plug seal within the dispensing opening when the top is in the closed position. The top is flush with the fitment or the axial end of the container neck in the closed position to form a compact visual structure.

Abstract: A pump dispenser package that includes a container having a cylindrical neck with an axial edge that surrounds a container outlet opening. The neck has an internal circumferential channel that extends around the neck in a plane adjacent to but spaced from the axial edge of the neck. A pump assembly has a cylindrical housing with an integrally formed radially outwardly extending flange. A flat annular adapter ring has an inner edge secured to the pump housing in abutment with the flange and an outer edge received in the internal channel in the container neck to mount the pump assembly to the container. In the preferred construction, the pump housing has a radial ledge spaced from the flange, and the inner edge of the adapter ring is captured between the ledge and the flange. The outer edge of the adapter ring preferably has an annular peripheral bead that is received by snap-fit within the channel in the container neck. The adapter ring has a flat upper surface that is coplanar with the axial edge of the neck.

Abstract: A container and closure package for dispensing a fluent product that includes an integrally molded plastic container and a one-piece molded plastic closure. The closure is secured to the container within a recess in the upper portion of the container so that the closure conforms to the outlines of the container body. The closure has a base with an annular wall and an interior bead that is received by snap fit over an exterior bead on an annular wall surrounding the outlet opening of the container. A pair of laterally opposed aprons depend from the closure base, and have interior beads that are received by snap fit over exterior beads on the container for enhanced retention of the closure on the container. Strengthening webs extend along the recessed portion of the container to the annular wall surrounding the container outlet opening to strengthen the container against buckling during application of the closure.

Abstract: A dual-chamber container is formed in an injection blow molding process. Two preforms are injection molded around respective core rods. The preforms and core rods are then moved to a blow mold, in which the preforms are molded to the confines of the mold. The blow mold has partial walls between the two cavities, which provide directional control over the preforms as the preform wall portions are blown against and contact welded to each other. The outer walls of the preforms, which must travel and stretch a greater amount than the inner walls, are formed thicker in the preform molding operation.

Abstract: An as molded thermoplastic container (10) having a body portion (12) and a moil (16) extending outwardly from a rim (14) of the container, the moil and the body portion being molded integrally with one another. The moil has an opposed pair of outwardly projecting shoulders (18, 20) by which the container is supported from a spaced apart pair of rails (22, 24) as the container moves along a path of travel (A). The lateral extent of the moil along the path of travel is substantially equal to and aligned with the lateral extent of the body portion along the path of travel, whereby a plurality of like containers will move along the path of travel with the longitudinal central axes of the containers parallel with one another.

Abstract: A container and closure package for dispensing a fluent product that includes an integrally molded plastic container and a one-piece molded plastic closure. The closure is secured to the container within a recess in the upper portion of the container so that the closure conforms to the outlines of the container body. The closure has a base with an annular wall and an interior bead that is received by snap fit over an exterior bead on an annular wall surrounding the outlet opening of the container. A pair of laterally opposed aprons depend from the closure base, and have interior beads that are received by snap fit over exterior beads on the container for enhanced retention of the closure on the container. Strengthening webs extend along the recessed portion of the container to the annular wall surrounding the container outlet opening to strengthen the container against buckling during application of the closure.

Abstract: A package for containing and simultaneously dispensing first and second pressurized, fluent products, the package having a cup-shaped outer housing and first and second containers containing the first and second products, respectively, positioned within the outer housing. Each of the containers has a dispensing end with an actuatable valve at the dispensing end, and the opposed end of each of the containers is frictionally engaged by a fitment that is releasably secured to an open end of the outer housing. The outer housing is formed from a resilient polymeric material, and the closed end of the outer housing has an end member with first and second annular members depending therefrom to engage, respectively, the actuatable valves of the first and second containers.

Abstract: A container and closure package that includes a container having a body with a finish surrounding a fill/dispensing opening, and a thread on the finish for removably securing a closure. A closure has a peripheral skirt with a thread for removably securing the closure to the container finish, and a base wall with a fill opening aligned with the fill/dispensing opening in the container when the closure is secured to the container. A cap is secured to the closure base wall closing the fill opening. In accordance with the preferred method for filling the package, the container and closure are provided to the packager as an assembled unit. The container is filled with product through the fill opening in the closure and the fill/dispensing opening in the container. The cap is then secured to the closure base wall over the fill opening to close and seal the package.