Abstract: A method for purging a molten thermoplastic material from a blow molding system. The method includes the steps of feeding the molten thermoplastic material into a flow head operably connected to a purge diverter valve including a channel and a closing member; opening the closing member, wherein the opening step diverts the thermoplastic material from the flow head into the channel and causes the thermoplastic material to flow through the channel; and collecting the thermoplastic material flowing through the channel. The method can be used to purge molten thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene terephthalate especially from an upward extruding blow mold system.

Abstract: A plastic container and closure, and system and method of making the same. Container can include a solid bottom end, an outer sidewall extending from solid bottom end, a shoulder portion extending from outer sidewall, and neck portion extending from shoulder portion, forming an open end of container. Solid bottom end includes a circumferential heel portion having a plurality of radially asymmetrical projections and recesses disposed on an outer periphery of the heel portion, the plurality being configured to increase heel portion rigidity while maintaining substantially uniform material thickness. Shoulder portion forms an angle with a plane perpendicular to the container central axis. At an angle of 50° a desirable failure mode may be achieved where the yield strength of the shoulder portion is balanced against that of the heel portion and the outer sidewall to maximize the top load strength of the container.

Abstract: A system for purging molten thermoplastic material from a molding apparatus. The purge system includes a blow mold apparatus, a purge diverter valve operably connected to the blow mold apparatus and including a channel, a closing member, a spacer having a conduit in communication with the channel, and a melt pipe. The system can be used to purge molten thermoplastic materials out from an upward extruding blow mold apparatus.

Abstract: A stackable container assembly that is particularly suited for packaging heavy bulk products such as paint includes a container having a main body and a removable lid having an upstanding rim portion that has an upper surface. The container has a flexible bottom portion that has a lower surface that includes at least one support surface for supporting the container assembly on an underlying horizontal surface. The lower surface further includes at least one projection that is disposed radially inwardly from the support surface. The flexible bottom portion is advantageously configured so that the projection will flex radially downwardly and outwardly into a position that is adjacent to an upstanding rim portion of an underlying container assembly when the container assembly is stacked on top of another container assembly. This ensures accurate registration and positioning of the container assemblies during stacking.

Abstract: A plastic container and closure, and system and method of making the same. Container can include a solid bottom end, an outer sidewall extending from solid bottom end, a shoulder portion extending from outer sidewall, and neck portion extending from shoulder portion, forming an open end of container. Solid bottom end includes a circumferential heel portion having a plurality of radially asymmetrical projections and recesses disposed on an outer periphery of the heel portion, the plurality being configured to increase heel portion rigidity while maintaining substantially uniform material thickness. Shoulder portion forms an angle with a plane perpendicular to the container central axis. At an angle of 50° a desirable failure mode may be achieved where the yield strength of the shoulder portion is balanced against that of the heel portion and the outer sidewall to maximize the top load strength of the container.

Abstract: A system for purging molten thermoplastic material from a molding apparatus. The purge system includes a blow mold apparatus, a purge diverter valve operably connected to the blow mold apparatus and including a channel, a closing member, a spacer having a conduit in communication with the channel, and a melt pipe. The system can be used to purge molten thermoplastic materials out from an upward extruding blow mold apparatus.

Abstract: A plastic container that is preferably formed using a blow molding and trimming process includes a container main body portion and a lid mounting portion. The lid mounting portion includes a sealing flange and a flexible transition portion connecting the sealing flange to the container main body portion. The flexible transition portion preferably has at least one notch defined therein so as to form a hinge permitting downward movement of the sealing flange when a lid is secured on to the container. In another embodiment, more than one notch is provided defining multiple hinges that provide a compound hinge effect in order to reduce stresses on the molded plastic material during use of the container.

Abstract: A stackable container assembly that is particularly suited for packaging heavy bulk products such as paint includes a container having a main body and a removable lid having an upstanding rim portion that has an upper surface. The container has a flexible bottom portion that has a lower surface that includes at least one support surface for supporting the container assembly on an underlying horizontal surface. The lower surface further includes at least one projection that is disposed radially inwardly from the support surface. The flexible bottom portion is advantageously configured so that the projection will flex radially downwardly and outwardly into a position that is adjacent to an upstanding rim portion of an underlying container assembly when the container assembly is stacked on top of another container assembly. This ensures accurate registration and positioning of the container assemblies during stacking.

Abstract: A system for forming a molded object out of a plastic material includes an extrusion die assembly for forming a molten parison, a molding assembly for molding the molten parison into a molded article and a surface treatment assembly for changing the surface energy of at least a portion of a molten parison while the parison is in a molten state. The surface treatment assembly is interposed between the extrusion die assembly and the molding assembly to permit a surface energy of the parison to be changed prior to molding. This facilitates printing on the molded article while the molded article is still in the mold assembly. A method of making a molded object out of a plastic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for making a decorated plastic article includes a mold assembly for forming the plastic article. The mold assembly includes at least one internal molding surface. A print head is provided in order to print a decoration on the article while the article is still in the mold. The printhead may be integrated into the wall of the mold assembly, or it may be used to print an ink pattern on the internal molding surface that is subsequently transferred to the article during the molding process.

Abstract: A two-part grate assembly for a channeled drain trough. The grate assembly has a grate frame that receives a removable grate section. The grate frame has lugs with vertical projections extending therefrom that define securing recesses that assist in aligning and securing the grate frame atop a drain trough. Additionally, the present invention is directed to the use of an alignment bar that prevents the grate section from sliding out of operating position within the grate frame by restricting lateral movement of the grate section. Further, the present invention is directed to a method of providing a grate assembly for a channeled drain trough having a grate frame that is adapted to receive a removable grate section.