Abstract: A preform (200, 300, 400, 500, 800a, 800b, 900, 1000) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped article is provided. The preform (200, 300, 400, 5000, 800a, 800b) comprises a neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); a gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506); and a body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) extending between the gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506) and the neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); the body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) defining: a first portion (210, 310, 410, 510, 810), a second portion (212, 312, 412, 512, 812) and a third portion (214, 314, 414, 514, 814), the second portion being disposed in-between the first portion and the third portion located in sequence along one of: (i) substantially the whole circumference of the body portion and (ii) substantially the whole length of the body portion; one of the first portion, second portion and the third portion having a stretch ratio different that at least one of the other ones of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

Abstract: There is provided a preform, and a mold stack for producing the preform. For example, there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform includes a neck portion, a gate portion, and a body portion, extending between said neck portion, and said gate portion. The gate portion, has a conical shape. In an example embodiment, the conical shape is selected such that to homogenize angle of refraction of rays, used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tonnage regulating structure and a mold incorporating same. For example, a tonnage regulating structure (302, 1002, 1202) for use in a mold (502) of a molding machine, the mold 502) being associated with an opening clearance (520) between mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration, is provided. The tonnage regulating structure (302) comprises a body (304, 1040, 1240) having a first height (306) in a resting configuration, the first height (306) selected to be larger than the opening clearance (520) between the mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration; the body (304, 1040, 1240) including a compensating structure (308), the compensating structure (308) or regulating, in use under applied clamp tonnage, the body (304, 1040, 1240) to a second height (320), the second height (320) being smaller than the first height (306).

Abstract: A preform and a mold stack for producing the preform. For example, there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform comprises a neck portion; a gate portion; and a body portion extending between said neck portion and said gate portion; the gate portion having a conical shape, wherein the conical shape terminates at a vestige portion having a size that substantially corresponds to the size of an orifice of a hot runner nozzle used in manufacturing the preform. In an example embodiment, the conical shape is selected such that to substantially homogenize angle of refraction of rays used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a preform (500) and a mold stack for producing the preform (500). The preform (500) is suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The preform (500) comprises a neck portion (502); a gate portion (506); and a body portion (504) extending between said neck portion (502) and said gate portion (506); the neck portion (502) including a support ledge (512), the support ledge (512) being associated with a metal contacting surface (520) and a weight, and wherein a ratio of the metal contacting surface (520) to the weight modulated for a base line support ledge thickness curve is selected in a range of between 0.1 and 1000.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a preform (300, 400, 900) and a mold stack (600, 1000) for producing the preform (300, 400, 900). For example, there is provided a preform (300, 400, 900) suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform (300, 400, 900) comprises a neck portion (302, 402, 902); a gate portion (306, 406, 906); and a body portion (304, 404, 904) extending between said neck portion (302, 402, 902) and said gate portion (306, 406, 906); the gate portion (306, 406, 906) being associated with a substantially conical shape. In an example embodiment, the substantially conical shape is selected such that to substantially homogenize angle of refraction of rays (206) used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a preform and a mold stack for producing the preform. For example, there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow-molding. The preform comprises a neck portion; a gate portion; and a body portion extending between said neck portion and said gate portion; the gate portion being associated with a substantially conical shape. In an example embodiment, the substantially conical shape is selected such that to substantially homogenize angle of refraction of rays used during a re-heating stage of a blow-molding process.

Abstract: There is provided a preform, a molded article, a mold insert for producing the molded article and a method of manufacture of the mold insert. A mold assembly comprises a core insert defining a first molding contact surface; said first molding contact surface comprising a first impacting pattern; a cavity insert defining a second molding contact surface; said second molding contact surface comprising a second impacting pattern; said first impacting pattern being rougher than said second impacting pattern.