Abstract: A mold assembly for molding articles including a surface insert and a surface insert support configured to support at least a portion of the surface insert. In embodiments, the surface insert is configured to form at least a portion of a molded article and the surface insert has a thickness within a range of about 0.250 or 0.300 inches and about 1.500 inches or about 2.25 inches. The mold assembly may include a holding unit, and at least a portion of the surface insert and/or at least a portion of the surface insert support may be formed by additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A plastic container assembly includes an outer container and an inner liner or bag, wherein the inner liner or bag is expanded within the outer container. Processes for making a plastic container with an inner liner are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mold assembly for manufacturing molded articles includes a plurality of mold portions that are comprised of a polymer and form a mold cavity. In embodiments, the polymer has a thermal conductivity (k) of less than about 0.5. Although, some embodiments may have higher conductivity values. In embodiments, the polymer comprises polycarbonate. Methods for making and using polymer mold portions and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.

Abstract: A closure is configured to mate with the neck finish of a container. In embodiments, the closure includes an outer wall portion; an upper surface portion; a plug portion including an inner diameter portion; and a plurality of lugs configured to engage a neck finish of the container. In embodiments, a portion of the plug portion engages an inner diameter portion of an upper portion of the neck finish of the container.

Abstract: A base for a plastic container including an outer support portion; a structured formation ring including a plurality of sequential formations; an inner inversion portion disposed radially inwardly of the structured formation ring; and a central portion. In an embodiment, the sequential formations are disposed in a substantially ring-like configuration and at least the inner inversion portion is configured to flex in response to internal vacuum forces associated with said container.

Abstract: A base for a plastic container including an outer support portion; a structured formation ring including a plurality of sequential formations; an inner inversion portion disposed radially inwardly of the structured formation ring; and a central portion. In an embodiment, the sequential formations are disposed in a substantially ring-like configuration and at least the inner inversion portion is configured to flex in response to internal vacuum forces associated with said container.

Abstract: A stackable plastic container includes a base with a recessed portion; a sidewall portion; a shoulder; and a spout configured to dispense contents. The shoulder and spout may be configured to move downwardly in a vertical direction toward the base. In embodiments, the recessed portion may be configured to receive or cover at least a portion of a spout of an identical container. In embodiments, one or more containers in a retracted configuration may be stacked.

Abstract: A plastic container with a sensing or communication feature includes a sensor. In an embodiment, the sensor may include a piezo electric disc. The sensor may be connected to a surface of the plastic container or may be at least partially embedded within a wall of the plastic container.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.

Abstract: An injection blow molding system including a core pin, a neck ring, and a blow mold. The injection blow system may be configured to form a preform on the core pin and to blow mold the formed preform on the core pin to form a container. In an embodiment, the core pin includes a poppet that is configured to be disposed in a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A method for forming a preform and container on a core pin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.

Abstract: A hot-fill plastic container has a polygonal (e.g., hex-shape) sidewall portion and a plurality of panels in a sidewall portion that are configured to flex in response to an internal vacuum pressure. Further, in embodiments, the container may be suitable for hot filling while having a container weight that may be 20% to 30%, or even higher percentages, below current comparative conventional weights for a plastic container that is intended to hold an equivalent volume of contents. In embodiments, the panels may be configured, e.g., adjusted or “tuned,” to provide a desired (e.g., reduced or extended) shelf-life.

Abstract: A plastic container includes a neck portion, a sidewall portion, and a base including a support ring that extends downward and is configured to support the container on a support surface; a first base portion that extends upwardly from the support ring; a second base portion that extends downwardly from the first base portion; and a reentrant portion that extends upwardly from the second base portion. In embodiments, the container can hold carbonated contents and the sidewall portion may be substantially smooth.

Abstract: A plastic container includes a neck portion, a sidewall portion, and a base including a support ring that extends downward and is configured to support the container on a support surface; a first base portion that extends upwardly from the support ring; a second base portion that extends downwardly from the first base portion; and a reentrant portion that extends upwardly from the second base portion. In embodiments, the container can hold carbonated contents and the sidewall portion may be substantially smooth.

Abstract: A plastic intermediate article including a container portion and a trim portion. The container portion includes a neck portion having a plurality of threads. In embodiments, each of the plurality of threads include a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is provided at a first angle relative to a centerline of the plastic blow molded intermediate article, the second portion is provided at a second angle relative to the centerline of the plastic blow molded intermediate article, and the first angle and second angle are different. A method for making a plastic container includes providing a plastic preform, blow molding the preform into an intermediate article that includes a neck portion with a plurality of blown threads, and removing an upper portion of the intermediate article.

Abstract: A stackable plastic container includes a base with a recessed portion; a sidewall portion; a shoulder; and a spout configured to dispense contents. The shoulder and spout may be configured to move downwardly in a vertical direction toward the base. In embodiments, the recessed portion may be configured to receive or cover at least a portion of a spout of an identical container. In embodiments, one or more containers in a retracted configuration may be stacked.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a filled plastic container includes an actuator, a base unit including a heating surface, and a dispensing device or nozzle. The actuator includes a body portion and a holding/securing member configured to hold or secure a portion of the container. In embodiments, the actuator is configured to apply a force or pressure on the container to contact the base unit, the base unit is configured to receive a base portion of the container, the heating surface is configured to convey energy or heat to a portion of the base portion of the container, and the dispensing device or nozzle is configured to introduce an inert gas into the container. Methods for providing a filled plastic container and providing a thin-walled plastic container are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.