Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow molding, and a mold stock for producing the preform. The preform comprises a base having an elliptical inner face with a first flat circular bottom portion, and an elliptical outer face with a second flat circular bottom portion. The first and second flat circular bottom portions each have a center on a vertical center axis of the preform and a radius of equal size.

Abstract: A molded article suitable for subsequent blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The article includes a neck portion; a gate portion; and a body portion extending between the neck portion and the gate portion, at least a majority of the body portion having an overall shape which is symmetric about a body axis extending longitudinally through a center of the body portion. The body portion includes an inner exterior layer and an outer exterior layer of a first polymeric material; and a core layer of a second polymeric material disposed between the inner exterior layer and the outer exterior layer. A radial thickness or a material of the core layer is selectively varied to govern non-uniform blow molding of the molded article into the final-shaped container.

Abstract: There is provided a system, a method and preform suitable for executing liquid forming of the preform into a final-shaped container. The present technology includes various improvements to methods, apparatuses, and systems for forming final-shaped containers from preforms using a liquid destined to be contained in the final-shaped container.

Abstract: A closure device for a container having a neck including an annular flange, the closure device comprising: a cap body; a tamper evident (TE) band positioned below the annular flange when assembled in the container; a first hinge and a second hinge defined on the cap body; a leash connected to the TE band, the first hinge and the second hinge; the leash allowing for the cap body to be separated from the TE band during opening, but to remain connected thereto via the leash; a tongue protruding from the cap body between the first and second hinges; when the cap body is actuated from a closed configuration relative to the neck to a fully open position: the leash is configured to retain the cap body to the TE band; an interaction of the tongue and the neck is configured to retain the cap body in the fully open position.

Abstract: A closure device for a container having a neck including an annular flange, the closure device comprising: a cap body; a tamper evident (TE) band positioned below the annular flange when assembled in the container; a first hinge and a second hinge defined on the cap body; a leash connected to the TE band, the first hinge and the second hinge; the leash allowing for the cap body to be separated from the TE band during opening, but to remain connected thereto via the leash; a tongue protruding from the cap body between the first and second hinges; when the cap body is actuated from a closed configuration relative to the neck to a fully open position: the leash is configured to retain the cap body to the TE band; an interaction of the tongue and the neck is configured to retain the cap body in the fully open position.

Abstract: A closure device for a container having a neck including an annular flange, the closure device comprising: a cap body; a tamper evident (TE) band positioned below the annular flange when assembled in the container; a first hinge and a second hinge defined on the cap body; a leash connected to the TE band, the first hinge and the second hinge; the leash allowing for the cap body to be separated from the TE band during opening, but to remain connected thereto via the leash; a tongue protruding from the cap body between the first and second hinges; when the cap body is actuated from a closed configuration relative to the neck to a fully open position: the leash is configured to retain the cap body to the TE band; an interaction of the tongue and the neck is configured to retain the cap body in the fully open position.

Abstract: There is provided a system, a method and preform suitable for executing liquid forming of the preform into a final-shaped container. The present technology includes various improvements to methods, apparatuses, and systems for forming final-shaped containers from preforms using a liquid destined to be contained in the final-shaped container.

Abstract: A method, system, and preform for liquid forming of the preform into a final-shaped container using the liquid to be contained in the final-shaped container. The preform undergoes a stretching step to a size less than the size of a base of the final-shaped container, before being relocated and stretched to the final shape by the liquid. A stretch rod sealably connects with an interior surface of the preform to partially isolate a gate portion of the preform. The isolation is effected by a portion of the inner surface of the preform extending inwardly, or by a deformable member on the stretch rod which can selectively extend outwardly to contact the interior surface of the preform. The stretch rod includes a selectively heatable tip to heat the gate portion of the preform. The gate portion of the preform includes inner, outer, and core layers which comprise a material configured to affect the thermal properties of the gate portion.

Abstract: A preform suitable for subsequent blow-molding into a final-shaped container comprises: a neck portion; a base portion; and a body portion extending between the neck portion and the base portion; the body portion being defined between an inner surface having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape and an outer surface also having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape, the inner and outer surfaces being non-concentric, such that a wall thickness of the body portion varies circumferentially around the preform. A preform handling apparatus for retrieving a preform from a mold comprises a take-off device having a preform carrier and a take-off device alignment mechanism for maintaining the preform carrier in alignment with a contact surface of a body portion of the preform regardless of any offset between a longitudinal axis of a cylindrical outer surface of the body portion and a longitudinal axis of a cylindrical inner surface of the body portion.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow molding, and a mold stock for producing the preform. The preform comprises a base having an elliptical inner face with a first flat circular bottom portion, and an elliptical outer face with a second flat circular bottom portion. The first and second flat circular bottom portions each have a center on a vertical center axis of the preform and a radius of equal size. The mold stack comprises a core insert comprising a first cavity defining portion with a gate defining portion, and a gate insert comprising a second cavity defining portion. The gate defining portion has a first elliptical curvature with a first flat circular bottom portion, and the second cavity defining portion has a second elliptical curvature with a second flat circular bottom portion. The first and second flat circular bottom portions each have a center on a vertical axis of the mold stack and a radius of equal size.

Abstract: A method, system, and preform for liquid forming of the preform into a final-shaped container using the liquid to be contained in the final-shaped container. The preform undergoes a stretching step to a size less than the size of a base of the final-shaped container, before being relocated and stretched to the final shape by the liquid. A stretch rod sealably connects with an interior surface of the preform to partially isolate a gate portion of the preform. The isolation is effected by a portion of the inner surface of the preform extending inwardly, or by a deformable member on the stretch rod which can selectively extend outwardly to contact the interior surface of the preform. The stretch rod includes a selectively heatable tip to heat the gate portion of the preform. The gate portion of the preform includes inner, outer, and core layers which comprise a material configured to affect the thermal properties of the gate portion.

Abstract: A molded article suitable for subsequent blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The article includes a neck portion; a gate portion; and a body portion extending between the neck portion and the gate portion, at least a majority of the body portion having an overall shape which is symmetric about a body axis extending longitudinally through a center of the body portion. The body portion includes an inner exterior layer and an outer exterior layer of a first polymeric material; and a core layer of a second polymeric material disposed between the inner exterior layer and the outer exterior layer. A radial thickness or a material of the core layer is selectively varied to govern non-uniform blow molding of the molded article into the final-shaped container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a method for converting a design of an original preform that is blow moldable to form a container into a converted preform having less molding material that is blow moldable to form the same container. The method includes retaining a neck finish and body of the original preform on the converted preform. The method further includes replacing the original base of the original preform with a converted base having an outer base surface that joins with an outer body surface of the body at an base split-line of the original base and that fits offset within an outer body surface of the original base, whereby the converted preform has a reduced total length, disregarding any gate vestige that may be formed thereon, relative to a total length of the original preform.

Abstract: Described herein, amongst other things, is a container preform that is blow moldable into a container. The container preform includes a tubular body having a neck finish and a base at an open end and a closed end thereof respectively. The base is defined between inside and outside curved surfaces at least one of which is composed of multiple tangential curves, wherein an elongate portion is defined between adjacent inside and outside concentric curves that define a thinnest bottom wall thickness of the base having a constant minimum thickness that is smaller than or equal to a wall thickness of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a method for converting a design of an original preform that is blow moldable to form a container into a converted preform having less molding material that is blow moldable to form the same container. The method includes retaining a neck finish and body of the original preform on the converted preform. The method further includes replacing the original base of the original preform with a converted base having an outer base surface that joins with an outer body surface of the body at an base split-line of the original base and that fits offset within an outer body surface of the original base, whereby the converted preform has a reduced total length, disregarding any gate vestige that may be formed thereon, relative to a total length of the original preform.

Abstract: Described herein, amongst other things, is a container preform that is blow moldable into a container. The container preform includes a tubular body having a neck finish and a base at an open end and a closed end thereof respectively. The base is defined between inside and outside curved surfaces at least one of which is composed of multiple tangential curves, wherein an elongate portion is defined between adjacent inside and outside concentric curves that define a thinnest bottom wall thickness of the base having a constant minimum thickness that is smaller than or equal to a wall thickness of the body.