Abstract: A method of forming a tank with a stiffening assembly includes forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a connecting assembly within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connecting assembly including a tubular body, a first coupler, and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of forming a tank with a stiffening assembly includes forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a connecting assembly within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connecting assembly including a tubular body, a first coupler, and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.

Abstract: A tank assembly and a stiffening assembly include first and second inserts and an elongate coupler. The inserts comprise a base having flange, a head, and a neck. The elongate body has first and second couplers at respective first and second ends of the body, each coupler including a pocket sized to receive the head of a respective one of the inserts. The related method include forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a rigid connector within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connector including a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of forming a tank with a stiffening assembly includes forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a connecting assembly within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connecting assembly including a rigid body, a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of forming a tank with a stiffening assembly includes forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a connecting assembly within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connecting assembly including a rigid body, a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a blow molding apparatus provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a blow molding process provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel tank includes a tank body defining a chamber adapted to receive liquid fuel therein, a reinforcement for the tank body to permit the pressure within the chamber to exceed the vapor pressure of a fuel to be received within the chamber, and an inlet to the tank body through which fuel is added to the chamber. The inlet is configured to mate with a refueling nozzle through which fuel is added to the chamber to permit refueling the tank and maintaining the pressure in the chamber above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A tank assembly and a stiffening assembly include first and second inserts and an elongate coupler. The inserts comprise a base having flange, a head, and a neck. The elongate body has first and second couplers at respective first and second ends of the body, each coupler including a pocket sized to receive the head of a respective one of the inserts. The related method include forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a rigid connector within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connector including a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a blow molding apparatus provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.

Abstract: A method of blow molding a reservoir, such as an automotive fuel tank, may include one or more steps. In one step, the reservoir is at least partially formed to have a first wall and a second wall. The first wall defines a first interior and the second wall defines a second interior that may be open to the first interior. In another step, the second wall is contracted inwardly before its material hardens. After contraction, the volume of the second interior is reduced. The contraction may be performed via a mold tool assembly having one or more moveable tool segments.

Abstract: A molded reservoir support structure coupling may include an anchor and a support structure. The anchor may have one or more first flange(s) projecting generally laterally from a side wall of the anchor. The support structure may have one or more second flange(s) projecting generally laterally therefrom. When interconnected, surface-to-surface confrontation between the first flange(s) and the second flange(s) inhibits longitudinal separation of the anchor and the support structure.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel tank includes a tank body defining a chamber adapted to receive liquid fuel therein, a reinforcement for the tank body to permit the pressure within the chamber to exceed the vapor pressure of a fuel to be received within the chamber, and an inlet to the tank body through which fuel is added to the chamber. The inlet is configured to mate with a refueling nozzle through which fuel is added to the chamber to permit refueling the tank and maintaining the pressure in the chamber above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of blow molding a reservoir, such as an automotive fuel tank, may include one or more steps. In one step, the reservoir is at least partially formed to have a first wall and a second wall. The first wall defines a first interior and the second wall defines a second interior that may be open to the first interior. In another step, the second wall is contracted inwardly before its material hardens. After contraction, the volume of the second interior is reduced. The contraction may be performed via a mold tool assembly having one or more moveable tool segments.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a blow molding process provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.

Abstract: A molded reservoir support structure coupling may include an anchor and a support structure. The anchor may have one or more first flange(s) projecting generally laterally from a side wall of the anchor. The support structure may have one or more second flange(s) projecting generally laterally therefrom. When interconnected, surface-to-surface confrontation between the first flange(s) and the second flange(s) inhibits longitudinal separation of the anchor and the support structure.

Abstract: A fuel tank connection assembly may include a first connector and a second connector that are brought together with a fuel tank neck tubing. The first connector may have one or more self-tapping thread(s) located at an interior surface of the first connector, and may also have a set of first screw threads located at the interior surface. The second connector may have a set of second screw threads located at an exterior surface of the second connector. When the first and second connectors are brought together with the fuel tank neck tubing, the self-tapping thread(s) can be threaded over an exterior surface of the fuel tank neck tubing and the first and second screw threads can be mated together.