Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container from a container preform. The apparatus includes a housing, a mold cavity, and a nozzle system disposed in the housing and operably connectable to the mold cavity. The nozzle system is positionable between a first position engaging the housing along an interface of contact preventing pressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform and a second position spaced apart from the housing permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the container preform. The nozzle system further includes in some embodiments a seal portion having a first surface—the first surface engaging a second surface extending from the housing in the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously forming and filling a plastic container is provided. A mold cavity defines an internal surface and is adapted to accept a preform. A pressure source is a servo motor system that includes an inlet. The servo motor system is operable to draw liquid through the inlet and urge it into the preform. A blow nozzle may be adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at high pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container. The liquid remains within the container as an end product.

Abstract: A preform for use in a system for simultaneously forming and filling a container. The preform includes a finish region, a stretch initiation region adjacent to and descending from the finish region, a transition region adjacent to and descending from the stretch initiation region, a body region adjacent to and descending from the transition region, and an end cap region enclosing an end of the body region to define an interior for receiving a forming fluid. The stretch initiation region defines a wall thickness less than a wall thickness of the body region to encourage initial localized stretching in response to the forming fluid prior to stretching within the transition region or body region.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously forming and filling a container having a mold cavity defining an internal surface and adapted to accept a preform. The system includes a servo pressure system having an inlet and an outlet operable to output fluid, such as a liquid commodity, and a blow nozzle receiving the fluid from the servo pressure source and transferring the fluid at a pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and creating a resultant container, wherein the fluid remains within the container as an end product and wherein the servo pressure system and the blow nozzle output the fluid at a rate sufficient to fully form and fill the container in less than about 0.5 seconds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously forming and filling a plastic container is provided. A mold having a mold cavity defines an internal surface and is adapted to accept a preform. A pressure source is operable to draw liquid through the inlet and urge it into the preform. A blow nozzle may be adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at high pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container. A pressure compensation system can exert a clamping force on the mold in response to the pressure source. The liquid remains within the container as an end product.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously forming and filling a container comprising a mold having a mold cavity defining an internal surface and adapted to accept a preform, a pressure source urging a first liquid toward the preform, means for maintaining a desired saturation of gas in solution in the first liquid, and a blow nozzle adapted to receive the first liquid from the pressure source and transfer the first liquid at a pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container, wherein the first liquid remains within the container as an end product.

Abstract: A method of forming a plastic container from a preform. The method comprises injecting a forming liquid into the preform at a predetermined system pressure range, a predetermined flow rate, and a predetermined duration sufficient to create a pressure spike at a peak pressure. The peak pressure being greater than the system pressure to urge the preform into the mold cavity, thus creating enhanced container definition, reduced post mold shrinkage, lower residual material stresses, and/or an improved transfer of the mold geometry and engraving to the final formed container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a plastic container is provided. The method includes disposing a preform into a primary mold cavity and applying pressurized air to urge the preform to conform to the shape of the primary mold cavity to form a primary article. The primary article is then permitted to shrink to a predetermined volume. The method can further include exposing the primary article to an internal vacuum to facilitate shrinking to a predetermined volume. The method further includes disposing the primary article into a second mold cavity and applying pressurized air to urge the primary article to conform to the second mold cavity to form an intermediate article. Finally, at least a portion of the intermediate article is trimmed off to form a final container.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container from a container preform. The apparatus includes a housing, a mold cavity, and a nozzle system disposed in the housing and operably connectable to the mold cavity. The nozzle system is positionable between a first position engaging the housing along an interface of contact preventing pressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform and a second position spaced apart from the housing permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the container preform. The nozzle system further includes in some embodiments a seal portion having a first surface—the first surface engaging a second surface extending from the housing in the first position.

Abstract: A mold device for forming a plastic container from a preform. The mold device comprises a mold defining a mold cavity and a central exterior rod system moveably disposed within the mold cavity. The central exterior rod system is positionable between an extended position engagable with the preform and a retracted position spaced apart from the preform. The central exterior rod system maintains a central orientation of the preform during formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container comprising a housing and a rod apparatus disposed in the housing. The rod apparatus includes a rod for at least partially forming a container preform. The apparatus further includes a nozzle system disposed in the housing that is operably coupled with the rod apparatus. The nozzle system is positionable between a first position preventing pressurized fluid from being injected into the container preform and a second position permitting pressurized fluid to be injected into the container preform.

Abstract: A mold device for injecting a fluid into a container where the mold device comprises a first mold portion having a first mating surface and a second mold portion having a second mating surface. The second mating surface is shaped complementary to the first mating surface. A mold cavity is disposed within the first mold portion and the second mold portion. The mold device further comprises an interlocking mating surface system disposed between or made a part of the first mold portion and second mold portion to define a fluid seal therebetween and align the first mold portion to the second mold portion in at least a first direction.

Abstract: A method of fluid forming a container comprising positioning a plastic preform into a mold cavity, wherein the mold cavity defines a first configuration and a first volume. The method further includes injecting a fluid within the plastic preform at a first fluid pressure urging the plastic preform into an expanded shape. The method includes actuating the mold cavity into a second configuration and a second volume, whereby the second volume is smaller than the first volume, thereby resulting in a second fluid pressure within the plastic preform being greater than the first fluid pressure.

Abstract: A mold device for forming a plastic container from a preform. The preform includes at least one exterior feature formed thereon. The mold device comprises a mold defining a mold cavity, and a central exterior rod being movable within the mold cavity. The central exterior rod includes a locating feature formed therewith that is engagable with the at least one exterior feature of the preform for maintaining a central orientation of the preform within the mold cavity during forming.

Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container comprising a base portion having a flexible standing ring radially extending therefrom. The flexible standing ring is disposed about a lowest most portion of the container and operable to support the container on a surface. The flexible standing ring defines an annular groove thereabout that collapses in response to internal vacuum forces and/or external loading forces. The container further comprises a body portion that extends from an upper portion to the base, such that the upper portion, the body portion and the base cooperate to define a receptacle chamber within the container into which product can be filled.

Abstract: A container comprising a finish, a sidewall portion extending from the finish, a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity, and a coating disposed along at least a portion of the finish, the sidewall portion, or the base portion for providing a low-energy surface for improved dispensing of the commodity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously forming and filling a plastic container is provided. A mold cavity defines an internal surface and is adapted to accept a preform. A pressure source is a servo motor system that includes an inlet. The servo motor system is operable to draw liquid through the inlet and urged it into the preform. A blow nozzle may be adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at high pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container. The liquid remains within the container as an end product.

Abstract: A polyethylene terephthalate container having a laser-formed area, wherein the laser-formed area is modified in response to radiation energy. In some embodiments, the laser-formed area of the container permitting localized contouring to permit or otherwise generally prevent flexural response to vacuum and/or loading forces. In some embodiments, the laser-formed area of the container comprises visible indicia formed to permit labeless containers.