Abstract: A container comprises a micro cellular foamed polymer, and a non-reactive gas contained within the micro cellular foam cells, wherein the container has a silvery appearance. The process for making the container comprises injection molding a polymer preform having a non-reactive gas entrapped within the walls thereof, cooling the preform to a temperature below the polymer softening temperature, reheating the preform to a temperature above the polymer softening temperature, and blow molding the preform, to prepare a container comprising a micro cellular foamed polymer having a non-reactive gas contained within the micro cellular foam cells.

Abstract: A beverage bottle. The bottle may include a flattened upper lobe, a flattened lower lobe, and a substantially circular transitional section. The bottle may be made out of a plastic material.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a container manufacturing machine include a thickness monitor (10) for determining an average wall thickness of containers produced by the machine. The system uses the average wall thickness to adjust machine control to change operation of the machine and adjust the quality of the containers being produced. The system also responds to feedback from pneumatic devices (104), heaters (103), mechanical devices and temperature sensors (108, 109) to determine corrections to be made to the machine operation.

Abstract: A system for measuring a profile of an object comprising a source creating a beam of electromagnetic energy. An electromagnetic beam receiver spaced from the source for processing an output signal proportional to the girth of the object being measured. A platform for providing rotational and vertical movement of the object being measured causing the object to obstruct a portion of the electromagnetic beam generated by the source. A processor for processing the output signal from the electromagnetic beam receiver to form a composite profile of the object measured.

Abstract: A method is provided for simulating the heating of a plastic preform. A preform geometry is input into a preform design program. Oven geometry and spatial location of the preform throughout at least one oven is provided. Heating information is provided and the temperatures of the primary and secondary sources are calculated. Energy equations are solved based upon the preform geometry, the spatial location of the preform, the temperature the cooling air, and the absorption spectra of the preform material. At least one cross sectional thermal profile of a final heated preform is computed.

Abstract: A method for measuring the wall thickness of plastic containers during a container manufacturing process includes providing a plastic container, the plastic container having a longitudinal axis and at least two side walls spaced radially from the longitudinal axis. The side walls are formed of a material that absorbs light energy in a predetermined molecular absorption band. Light energy is then directed from a source through the at least two side walls of the plastic container in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the plastic container. A portion of the light energy that passes through the sidewalls of the plastic container is sensed, and a signal representing a thickness of the sidewalls of the plastic container is generated from the sensed portion of the light energy.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises an elastically deformable, substantially cylindrical sidewall, and a plastic ring contacting and embedded into the exterior surface of the sidewall. The plastic ring may optionally include a handle attached thereto. The plastic ring has an inner circumference smaller than the circumference of the plastic container sidewall, so that the container sidewall exterior surface is concave at its point of contact with the plastic ring, thereby providing a grip in the sidewall of the plastic container.

Abstract: A process for making a container comprises injection molding a polymer preform having a non-reactive gas entrapped within the walls thereof, cooling the preform to a temperature below the polymer softening temperature, reheating the preform to a temperature above the polymer softening temperature, and blow molding the preform, to prepare a container consisting essentially of a microcellular foamed polymer having a non-reactive gas contained within the microcellular foam cells.

Abstract: A wide-mouth blow-molded plastic container capable of accommodating, without undesirable distortion, super-baric pressures when filled with volatile food products and pasteurized, and sub-baric pressures after cooling to ambient temperatures. A method of packaging a food product in the container is also disclosed.