Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a beverage package includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for securing the closure to a container. A tamper-indicating band is frangibly connected to an edge of the skirt, and a stop flange extends axially and radially from an edge of the band for abutment with a stop bead on the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings extend axially through the juncture of the band and the flange. A plurality of circumferentially spaced channels extend axially through the internal thread on the closure skirt, with at least some of the channels being axially aligned with the drain openings. The stop bead on the container is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bead segments separated from each other by circumferential gaps.

Abstract: Sleeve molding apparatus and methods for making multi-layer injection molded plastic articles in successive mold cavities. In a first molding step, an inner sleeve is molded on a core in a first mold cavity, which may comprise a full body length sleeve or only a partial sleeve, such as an upper neck finish portion. The sleeve and core are withdrawn from the first mold cavity while the sleeve is still warm, and transferred without substantial delay to a second mold cavity for injection molding an outer layer which bonds to the inner sleeve. By transferring the sleeve at an elevated temperature into the second mold cavity, an improved bond is formed between the inner sleeve and outer layer which resists separation during a later reheat stretch blow molding step, and/or in use of the resulting article. In a preferred embodiment, a pasteurizable beer container is provided having a finish-only sleeve of a PEN polymer.

Abstract: A polyester container having an enhanced level of crystallinity in the sidewall while maintaining a low level of crystallinity in a thickened base portion. The container is particularly useful as a refillable container which can withstand higher caustic wash temperatures and exhibits reduced flavor carryover, or as a hot-fill container. The container, which can be monolayer or multilayer, is also useful as a carbonated beverage, O2 or CO2 barrier, or beer container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hot-fill containers that can be packaged as a multiple-container package. The hot-fill container comprises at least three sidewalls, where at least one of the sidewalls contains a deformable vacuum panel, and at least one of the sidewalls is free of the vacuum panel. When two or more hot-fill containers are packaged together in a multi-pack, the sidewall containing the vacuum panel of one container contacts that of at least one other container so as to conceal each vacuum panel.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a beverage package includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for securing the closure to a container. A tamper-indicating band is frangibly connected to an edge of the skirt, and a stop flange extends axially and radially from an edge of the band for abutment with a stop bead on the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings extend axially through the juncture of the band and the flange. A plurality of circumferentially spaced channels extend axially through the internal thread on the closure skirt, with at least some of the channels being axially aligned with the drain openings. The stop bead on the container is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bead segments separated from each other by circumferential gaps.

Abstract: A method of making a polyester container having an enhanced level of crystallinity in the sidewall while maintaining a low level of crystallinity in a thickened base portion. The container is particularly useful as a refillable container which can withstand higher caustic wash temperatures and exhibits reduced flavor carryover, or as a hot-fill container. According to the method, a sidewall-forming section of a preform is initially expanded, heated to contract and crystallize the same, and than reexpanded; a base-forming portion of the preform is shielded from the heat treatment and is expanded either before or after the heat treatment step.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.

Abstract: Sleeve molding apparatus and methods for making multilayer injection molded plastic articles in successive mold cavities. In a first molding step, an inner sleeve is molded on a core in a first mold cavity, which may comprise a full body length sleeve or only a partial sleeve, such as an upper neck finish portion. The sleeve and core are withdrawn from the first mold cavity while the sleeve is still warm, and transferred without substantial delay to a second mold cavity for injection molding an outer layer which bonds to the inner sleeve. By transferring the sleeve at an elevated temperature into the second mold cavity, an improved bond is formed between the inner sleeve and outer layer which resists separation during a later reheat stretch blow molding step, and/or in use of the resulting article. In a preferred embodiment, a pasteurizable beer container is provided having a finish-only sleeve of a PEN polymer.

Abstract: Sleeve molding apparatus and methods for making multi-layer injection molded plastic articles in successive mold cavities. In a first molding step, an inner sleeve is molded on a core in a first mold cavity, which may comprise a full body length sleeve or only a partial sleeve, such as an upper neck finish portion. The sleeve and core are withdrawn from the first mold cavity while the sleeve is still warm, and transferred without substantial delay to a second mold cavity for injection molding an outer layer which bonds to the inner sleeve. By transferring the sleeve at an elevated temperature into the second mold cavity, an improved bond is formed between the inner sleeve and outer layer which resists separation during a later reheat stretch blow molding step, and/or in use of the resulting article. In a preferred embodiment, a pasteurizable beer container is provided having a finish-only sleeve of a PEN polymer.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a beverage package includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for securing the closure to a container. A tamper-indicating band is frangibly connected to an edge of the skirt, and a stop flange extends axially and radially from an edge of the band for abutment with a stop bead on the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings extend axially through the juncture of the band and the flange. A plurality of circumferentially spaced channels extend axially through the internal thread on the closure skirt, with at least some of the channels being axially aligned with the drain openings. The stop bead on the container is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bead segments separated from each other by circumferential gaps.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a beverage package includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for securing the closure to a container. A tamper-indicating band is frangibly connected to an edge of the skirt, and a stop flange extends axially and radially from an edge of the band for abutment with a stop bead on the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings extend axially through the juncture of the band and the flange. A plurality of circumferentially spaced channels extend axially through the internal thread on the closure skirt, with at least some of the channels being axially aligned with the drain openings. The stop bead on the container is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bead segments separated from each other by circumferential gaps.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic container having enhanced strength for high temperature and pressure applications such as the pasteurization of carbonated juice drinks. The container is commercially cost-effective in comparison to prior art pasteurizable glass containers, and provides all of the advantages of plastic over glass, i.e., lightweight, shatter-resistant, etc. In a particular embodiment, the multilayer container includes inner and outer layers of a relatively high IV virgin PET, e.g., 0.85-0.90 dl/g, and a core layer of post-consumer PET having a substantially lower IV. The container has a relatively tall and slender profile, with high orientation levels in the panel and shoulder, and an oriented thick-walled base with feet. The base preferably has a high profile and angled foot pads which are allowed to move outwardly under creep.

Abstract: A preform and container each having a crystallized neck finish and method of making the same, wherein the method involves introducing a first thermoplastic material into a first mold section to form a substantially crystallized neck portion of a preform, and introducing a second thermoplastic material into a second mold section to form a substantially amorphous body-forming portion of a preform. The first material may have a substantially higher crystallization rate than the second material, and/or the first mold section may be at a higher temperature than the second mold section. In one embodiment, an indexer carrying two core sets is movable between first and second cavity sets for sequentially molding the neck portions on the first core set in the first cavity set, and then transferring the cores and neck portions to the second cavity set for molding the body-forming portions.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a beverage package includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for securing the closure to a container. A tamper-indicating band is frangibly connected to an edge of the skirt, and a stop flange extends axially and radially from an edge of the band for abutment with a stop bead on the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings extend axially through the juncture of the band and the flange. A plurality of circumferentially spaced channels extend axially through the internal thread on the closure skirt, with at least some of the channels being axially aligned with the drain openings. The stop bead on the container is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bead segments separated from each other by circumferential gaps.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic container having enhanced strength for high temperature and pressure applications such as the pasteurization of carbonated juice drinks. The container is commercially cost-effective in comparison to prior art pasteurizable glass containers, and provides all of the advantages of plastic over glass, i.e., lightweight, shatter-resistant, etc. In a particular embodiment, the multilayer container includes inner and outer layers of a relatively high IV virgin PET, e.g., 0.85-0.90 dl/g, and a core layer of post-consumer PET having a substantially lower IV. The container has a relatively tall and slender profile, with high orientation levels in the panel and shoulder, and an oriented thick-walled base with feet. The base preferably has a high profile and angled foot pads which are allowed to move outwardly under creep.

Abstract: Sleeve molding apparatus and methods for making multi-layer injection molded plastic articles in successive mold cavities. In a first molding step, an inner sleeve is molded on a core in a first mold cavity, which may comprise a full body length sleeve or only a partial sleeve, such as an upper neck finish portion. The sleeve and core are withdrawn from the first mold cavity while the sleeve is still warm, and transferred without substantial delay to a second mold cavity for injection molding an outer layer which bonds to the inner sleeve. By transferring the sleeve at an elevated temperature into the second mold cavity, an improved bond is formed between the inner sleeve and outer layer which resists separation during a later reheat stretch blow molding step, and/or in use of the resulting article. In a preferred embodiment, a pasteurizable beer container is provided having a finish-only sleeve of a PEN polymer.

Abstract: A method of making a polyester container having an enhanced level of crystallinity in the sidewall while maintaining a low level of crystallinity in a thickened base portion. The container is particularly useful as a refillable container which can withstand higher caustic wash temperatures and exhibits reduced flavor carryover, or as a hot-fill container. According to the method, a sidewall-forming section of a preform is initially expanded, heated to contract and crystallize the same, and than reexpanded; a base-forming portion of the preform is shielded from the heat treatment and is expanded either before or after the heat treatment step.

Abstract: Method of securing a separate handle (18) to a plastic blow-molded container, the container having a molded external flange which is not subject to stretching during the blow-molding process. The flange has a substantially flat underside face and serves as a rigid support for the handle (18) when a substantially flat upper abutment surface of the handle (18) is positioned against the flange. Preferably, the upper end of the handle (18) has a downwardly extending lug (15) which is surrounded by the blow-molded sidewall of the container. The preform and handle (18) can be brought together into position where the upper end of the handle is adjacent to the underside of the external flange by relative movement of the preform and handle (18) towards each other along a first path which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the preform.