Abstract: A process and apparatus for annealing biaxially oriented articles is disclosed, particularly blow molded articles prepared from unique tapered preforms which are immediately annealed using warm fluid in a segmented mold. Portions of the segment mold, used to form the articles, are temperature controlled at various temperatures by passing warm water through conduits in the neck-shoulder portion and body portion of the mold segment and cold water through the bottom and shoulder portion of the mold to bring the temperature of the article wall to about 65.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. for PET bottles. The body wall temperature is preferably lowered to about 80.degree. C. while the necks-shoulder and bottom and shoulder portions are lowered to at least 70.degree. C. The annealing increases the articles structural strength, removes temperature and biaxial stress, reduces gas permeability, retains transparency and allows for multiple reuse of the article including hot washing thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for annealing biaxially oriented articles is disclosed, particularly blow molded articles prepared from unique tapered preforms which are immediately annealed using warm fluid in a segmented mold. Portions of the segment mold, used to form the articles, are temperature controlled at various temperatures by passing warm water through conduits in the neck-shoulder portion and body portion of the mold segment and cold water through the bottom and shoulder portion of the mold to bring the temperature of the article wall to about 65.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. for PET bottles. The body wall temperature is preferably lowered to about 80.degree. C. while the neck-shoulder and bottom and shoulder portions are lowered to at least 70.degree. C. The annealing increases the articles structural strength, removes temperature and biaxial stress, reduces gas permeability, retains transparency and allows for multiple reuse of the article including hot washing thereof.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for annealing biaxially oriented articles is disclosed, particularly blow molded articles prepared from unique tapered preforms which are immediately annealed using warm fluid in a segmented mold. Portions of the segment mold, used to form the articles, are temperature controlled at various temperatures by passing warm water through conduits in the neck-shoulder portion and body portion of the mold segment and cold water through the bottom and shoulder portion of the mold to bring the temperature of the article wall to about 65.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. for PET bottles. The body wall temperature is preferably lowered to about 80.degree. C. while the neck-shoulder and bottom and shoulder portions are lowered to at least 70.degree. C. The annealing increases the articles structural strength, removes temperature and biaxial stress, reduces gas permeability, retains transparency and allows for multiple reuse of the article including hot washing thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for annealing and heat treating biaxially oriented articles is disclosed, particularly blow molded articles prepared from preforms which are simultaneously annealed using warm fluid in a first segmented mold. The blown article is transferred to a second, larger mold where the article is pressurized against the mold to form the final container design and to heat treat at least a portion of the bottle wall to improve crystallinity and strength. Portions of the mold, used to form and anneal the articles, are temperature controlled at various temperatures by passing warm water through conduits in the neck-shoulder portion and body portion of the mold and cold water through the bottom and shoulder portion of the mold to bring the temperature of the article wall to about 65.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. for PET bottles. The second mold is up to 10% larger in volume and preferably employs resistance heating to heat treat the side wall to 110.degree. C. to 220.degree. C.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for annealing and heat treating biaxially oriented articles is disclosed, particularly blow molded articles prepared from preforms which are simultaneously annealed using warm fluid in a first segmented mold. The blown article is transferred to a second, larger mold where the article is pressurized against the mold to form the final container design and to heat treat at least a portion of the bottle wall to improve crystallinity and strength. Portions of the mold, used to form and anneal the articles, are temperature controlled at various temperatures by passing warm water through conduits in the neck-shoulder portion and body portion of the mold and cold water through the bottom and shoulder portion of the mold to bring the temperature of the article wall to about 65.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. for PET bottles. The second mold is up to 10% larger in volume and preferably employs resistance heating to heat treat the side wall to 110.degree. C. to 220.degree. C.