Abstract: A plastic container with a self-supporting base, a body portion extending above the base and a neck portion above the body portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening. The body portion includes a substantially rigid sidewall portion with structural reinforcement thereon.

Abstract: A measuring cup adapted to serve as a closure for a package for liquids and a package for liquids including a container, a transition collar and a measuring cup adapted to serve as a closure. The measuring cup has a closed base and an open mouth, with an upper wall portion surrounding said open mouth. A side wall portion extends between the closed base and upper wall, wherein the side wall is disposed outwardly of the upper wall to provide an increased volume measuring cup.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a molded container coated with a carbon coating, desirably blow molded or extrusion molded, said container having barrier properties and including an upper wall portion having an opening, an intermediate sidewall portion positioned beneath the upper wall portion, and a base portion positioned beneath the intermediate sidewall portion to support the container. The container includes a molded first layer having an inner surface and an outer surface formed from high density polyethylene, and a carbon coating is formed on the inner surface of the first layer and adhered thereto and substantially coextensive with the first layer, wherein said carbon coating has a thickness of less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: A plastic container comprised of a closed base, a body portion, and a neck portion with a dispensing opening. The closed base includes a substantially rigid support portion and a flexible portion. The body portion preferably includes a shoulder portion and a substantially rigid wall portion that includes a plurality of reinforcement formations. The container is configured so that the flexible portion of the base contracts upwardly about the support portion in response to vacuum pressures generated within the container, while the substantially rigid support portion of the sidewall remains substantially firm, for example, to accept or receive a label. If desired, the shoulder portion may include a logo and/or one or more pressure relief formations. A method for producing hot-filled, labeled containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic container with a self-supporting base, a body portion extending above the base and a neck portion above the body portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening. The body portion includes a substantially rigid sidewall portion with structural reinforcement thereon.

Abstract: A blow molded container (10) having a trimmed nonround opening (12) is blow molded from a preform (36) and then positioned by a positioner (50) of a nonround trimmer (16) that includes a rotary driven arm assembly (56) having a knife holder (60). A guide (66) guides the knife holder (60) in a nonround path to perform the trimming.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container having a central vertical axis constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a cylindrical upper rim, an oriented neck portion, a lower body portion, and a closed base portion. The upper rim of the container includes a top surface having a planar inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container and the outer edge may be curled or curved to provide additional rigidity. The oriented neck portion depends from the upper rim and includes a means to accept a closure, such as a set of integral threads. When viewed in vertical cross section, the outer vertical line formed by the outer axial points of said means to accept a closure is substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the container. The lower body portion is generally cylindrical over the majority of its vertical length. The closed base portion supports the container and depends from the lower body portion.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs (22) and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. The legs (22) have lower flat feet (24) with an outer diameter Df, and the hub (41) has a periphery connected to the feet and ribs with a height Hp such that the ratio of the diameter Df over the height Hp is in the range of about 25 to 90 to maintain strength without the hub engaging the supporting surface on which the feet rest. The construction disclosed of the legs (22), ribs (34) and hub (41, 41′ and 41″) enhances the capability of the base structure in providing good stability as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure and stress cracking.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for testing the coating thickness on a container by shining ultraviolet light through the container to at least one sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a blow molded plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, including heating the neck of the container and bending the heated neck of the container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding a plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, plus a plastic container having an inclined or angled mouth and neck portion.

Abstract: A three or more layered plastic container is provided, wherein the innermost first layer is a plastic layer, the intermediate second layer is a plastic layer adjacent the first layer containing an oxygen scavenging material, and the outermost third layer is a plastic layer. The thickness of the innermost layer is in the range of 0.1 to 3 mils and is controlled based on the desired shelf life of the container in the unfilled condition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding a plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, plus a plastic container having an inclined or angled mouth and neck portion.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs (22) and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width Wu and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width Wl that is greater than the circumferential width Wu of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1° to 8° and preferably about 2°.

Abstract: A preform for forming a hollow blow molded plastic container is provided with a closed base, a multilayer body-forming portion extending from the base, and an open neck portion that extends from the body portion. The body portion includes a co-extruded inner liner that includes (a) an innermost polymer layer, (b) at least one oxygen-scavenging layer, and (c) at least one high-oxygen barrier layer for retarding the migration of gases and moisture therethrough. An outermost layer is molded over the inner liner to form a preform. The liner and preform are formed so that the wall thickness of the individual layers can easily be varied along their lengths, however, at any given point along the length of the co-extruded liner (a) the wall thickness of the innermost polymer layer is less than 0.50 of the wall thickness of the inner liner and (b) the wall thickness of the inner liner is less than 0.25 of the total wall thickness of the preform body portion.

Abstract: An improved multi-layer preform is provided which includes: (a) a plastic inner liner, having a cylindrical-walled lower portion and a cylindrical-walled upper portion integral with and extending upwardly from said lower portion, and (b) a molded outer layer. The liner further includes (a) a mount means, such as a generally continuous annular groove, or (b) a vent means, such as a plurality of recesses or grooves positioned circumferentially about the upper portion of the liner, or (c) both a mount means and vent means used in functional combination.