Abstract: A blown plastic container that includes a hollow plastic body, an integral blow-molded neck and an integral blow-molded finish with a radially outwardly extending blow-molded thread or bead for retaining a closure on the finish. Reinforcement is provided between the thread or bead and a ledge on the finish to prevent collapse of the finish when a closure is applied to the finish. In one form, this reinforcement includes blow-molded axial columns extending radially outwardly. In another form, the reinforcement includes geometric depressions. The reinforcement preferably is disposed circumferentially at equal angular spacing. When the container is trimmed, the finish may have an annular frustoconical radial ledge spaced from the open end of the finish. The reinforcement extends between the ledge and the lowest thread or bead, between the thread or bead, or for the full height of the finish above the ledge.

Abstract: Extrusion blow molding apparatus (10) having a blow mold (12), a neck mold (14) positioned above the blow mold and an anvil (30) positioned in an outwardly facing cavity (32) of the neck mold. A container (C) is produced in the molding apparatus from a parison of a heated thermoplastic material by introducing pressurized blowing fluid into the container being formed by way of a blow pin assembly (16) that is reciprocable relative to the blow mold. The blow pin assembly has an inner tubular member (20) with a free end that is within the container during blowing, and an outer tubular member (22) that surrounds the inner tubular member and defines an annulus therewith for withdrawing spent blowing fluid from the container. The outer tubular member has radial ports (24) for directing spent blowing fluid against a moil (M) being formed at a rim (R) of a finish (F) of the container.

Abstract: Extrusion blow molding apparatus (10) having a blow mold (12), a neck mold (14) positioned above the blow mold and an anvil (30) positioned in an outwardly facing cavity (32) of the neck mold. A container (C) is produced in the molding apparatus from a parison of a heated thermoplastic material by introducing pressurized blowing fluid into the container being formed by way of a blow pin assembly (16) that is reciprocable relative to the blow mold. The blow pin assembly has an inner tubular member (20) with a free end that is within the container during blowing, and an outer tubular member (22) that surrounds the inner tubular member and defines an annulus therewith for withdrawing spent blowing fluid from the container. The outer tubular member has radial ports (24) for directing spent blowing fluid against a moil (M) being formed at a rim (R) of a finish (F) of the container.

Abstract: Improved blow-molding prototype molding system, method and apparatus wherein a plastic container is first designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce a geometric computer software model of a hollow plastic container of desired contour. This model is then used to generate a geometric computer software model of a corresponding mold cavity. This data file in turn provides the control signal for a cutting tool of a CNC three axis mold machining tool operating on a starting blank for each mold half of metal material having predetermined and constant length, width and thickness outside dimensions. A mold cavity is thereby automatically machined in a front face of this blank that constitutes one of the two major and parallel face planes of the mold half block. The other half of the mold cavity is similarly formed in the front face of a second mold half block that cooperates with the first mold block to form the two mold halves of a complete blow mold.

Abstract: A blown plastic container that includes a hollow plastic body, an integral blow-molded neck and an integral blow-molded finish with a radially outwardly extending blow-molded thread or bead for retaining a closure on the finish. Reinforcement is provided between the thread or bead and a ledge on the finish to prevent collapse of the finish when a closure is applied to the finish. In one form, this reinforcement includes blow-molded axial columns extending radially outwardly. In another form, the reinforcement includes geometric depressions. Preferably, the reinforcement is disposed circumferentially at equal spacing. When the container is trimmed, the finish may have an annular frustoconical radial ledge spaced form the open end of the finish. The reinforcement extends between the ledge and the lowest thread or bead, between the thread or bead, or for the full height of the finish above the ledge.