Abstract: A method includes injection molding a preform using a two phase injection system having a first phase in which a material is injected into the preform and a second phase in which the material is injected into the preform. The preform is disposed in a mold. The preform is blow molded into an intermediate article. The intermediate article is trimmed to form a finished container. The first phase includes injecting a material into the preform to form a single layer of the preform and the second phase includes injecting the material to form inner and outer layers and an intermediate layer between the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer layers include the material and the intermediate layer includes at least one additive. Finished containers are disclosed.

Abstract: A food packaging container is provided. The container comprises a molded body defining a longitudinal axis, and including a plurality of sides and a plurality of axial corners. Each corner has a recess including a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first portions includes an axial grip surface where the grip surfaces are aligned with the body in an orientation for gripping. In some embodiments, packaging products, containers, handles, tooling, applicators and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes injection molding a preform using a two phase injection system having a first phase in which a material is injected into the preform and a second phase in which the material is injected into the preform. The preform is disposed in a mold. The preform is blow molded into an intermediate article. The intermediate article is trimmed to form a finished container. The first phase includes injecting a material into the preform to form a single layer of the preform and the second phase includes injecting the material to form inner and outer layers and an intermediate layer between the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer layers include the material and the intermediate layer includes at least one additive. Finished containers are disclosed.

Abstract: A container and a method for making a container are provided. The method includes injection molding a preform having a body forming region, a neck forming region above the body forming region, and a dome forming region above the neck forming region. After forming the preform, the preform is mounted in a mold having a surface, the mold surface having a neck forming surface to form a neck having a snap fit portion or a threaded portion. After mounting the preform, the preform is stretched against the mold surface to form an intermediate article having a dome portion connected to a neck portion of the container. Thereafter, the dome portion is severed from the neck portion to produce a wide mouth container, wherein the ratio of a wall thickness of the neck forming region of the preform to the wall thickness of the neck portion is ranges from 4.8 to 7.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for applying a bail handle to a container. The applicator includes a pickup mandrel for picking up the bail handle to be applied to a container; a stationary mandrel for receiving the bail handle from the pickup mandrel, the stationary mandrel having an engaging surface which has a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the bail handle when picked up by the pickup mandrel; and an applicator mandrel for receiving the bail handle from the pickup mandrel, the applicator mandrel having an engaging surface which has a diameter equal to or smaller than the stationary mandrel.

Abstract: A container and handle system includes a container including a flange and a top load strength in a range of less than 25 lbf. A handle includes at least one radially oriented tab movable to define a first diameter being greater than a diameter of the flange and configured to facilitate translation over the flange. The at least one tab is biased to a second diameter that is less than the flange diameter such that the at least one tab engages the flange to fix the handle with the container. Packaging products, containers, handles, tooling, applicators and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A container is provided that includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of sidewalls that each extend from an upper limit of the bottom portion, the top portion extending from upper limits of each of the side walls such that the sidewalls are positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion. The container comprises a plurality of indents therein, the indents being arranged in a configuration to avoid top load failure. That is, the indents provide strength to the container, which makes the container stronger than containers that are made from the same material, have the same weight and the same average wall thickness, but do not include indents.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a food and/or beverage packaging container is provided. The method includes injection molding a preform using a two phase injection system. A first phase of the two phase injection system includes injecting a first material into the preform and a second phase of the two phase injection system includes injecting a second material into the preform. The method further includes disposing the preform in a mold, blow molding the preform into an intermediate article having a length, a diameter and side walls having a wall thickness, and trimming the intermediate article to form a finished container having a wide mouth neck. Systems and finished products are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a container that includes a top having an opening configured to receive a product. The container also includes a bottom adjoining a sidewall that extends to the top of the container and a flexible panel disposed on the bottom and having a plurality of surfaces that each extend radially around a longitudinal axis of the container. One of the plurality of surfaces comprises a downward ramp that extends away from the top of the container when moving radially inward along the downward ramp and another of the surfaces comprises an upward ramp that extends toward the top of the container when moving radially inward along the upward ramp. The surfaces may include dimples protruding inward from the outer surface of the container that have an interlocking pattern.

Abstract: A packaging comprising a container configured for disposal of a volume of flowable material. A carton configured for disposal of the container, the carton including a wall defining an opening. Visual indicia of the volume is provided. Packaging products, containers, handles, tooling, applicators and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a blow molded container including a bottom, four sidewalls extending upward from the bottom to a shoulder region, a neck disposed on the shoulder region and defining an opening at the top of the container, and vertical ribs extending from the shoulder region to the bottom along the sidewalls. The shoulder region includes shoulder ribs and a shoulder base portion, the shoulder ribs formed of should rib walls extending upward from the shoulder base portion and a shoulder rib top portion extending between shoulder rib walls to form an upper part of the shoulder ribs. Each shoulder rib extends from the neck to an upper part of a corresponding vertical rib to provide improved top load resistance at the top and neck of the container.

Abstract: Provided is a vision system for detecting a defect, including a conveyer belt configured to move at least one bottle through the vision system; a light emitting diode (LED) backlight configured to silhouette any dark contamination on a surface or inside the at least one bottle; a robot with a bottle gripper tooling, the robot configured to pick up the at least one bottle and rotate the at least one bottle; at least one camera configured to take pictures of the at least one bottle while the at least one bottle is being rotated; and a flipper arm configured to stop or allow the at least one bottle to move to a position where the robot picks up the at least one bottle.

Abstract: A method for applying a handle to a container, including placing the handle on the neck of the container, supporting the container to prevent the container from collapsing, and moving the handle toward an end of the neck that contacts a body of the container. The neck includes a supporting rib to fix the handle to the container.