Abstract: An improved modular mold having adjustable height shims provided between upper and lower panel sections to adjust the volume and height of a PET beverage bottle. The shims are easily replaced and form part of a high strength mold set which accepts customized shoulder and base portions.

Abstract: This relates to a returnable/refillable container in the form of a blow molded polyester biaxially oriented bottle wherein the container includes a domed base construction wherein the wall thickness gradually and smoothly increases to a maximum at the center of the dome. This also relates to a specially configurated preform which is blow molded to form the container and a specially configurated blow mold cavity for receiving a preform having a lower axial projection in the form of an elongated gate without crushing.

Abstract: A vacuum panel design for a hot-fill container which resists the increase in container diameter (barreling) which may occur during hot-filling and/or when the container is dropped on a hard surface. In one embodiment, adapted for a full wrap (360.degree.) label, a plurality of vacuum panels are symmetrically disposed about a vertical centerline of the container and horizontal stiffening ribs are provided across select portions of the panel, namely, across the vacuum panel recesses and across the post and panel ribs. In another embodiment, adapted for spot labeling, a pair of vacuum panel regions are symmetrically disposed about a vertical plane passing through the vertical centerline of the container, which regions form spot label areas and are joined by connecting end segments. The angular extent of the spot label areas and end segments may be varied to adjust the resistance to barreling and/or to provide a squeezable container, and horizontal stiffening ribs may further be provided to decrease barreling.

Abstract: The reinforcement of a blow molded base of the type including a generally hemispherical configuration interrupted at circumferentially spaced intervals by protruding legs. Prior cracking problems at the intersection of the foot-radii of such legs with the generally hemispherical portion are solved by an internal reinforcement of the base in that area. The reinforcement may be either localized with the points of reinforcement being circumferentially spaced and in alignment with the legs, or may be in the form of a continuous band. The reinforcement is effected by providing a preform from which a container employing such base is blow molded and wherein the preform is provided either with internal ribs or an internal band of reinforcement and the resultant containers are blow molded in the same mold as previously utilized.

Abstract: This relates to the packaging of a hot liquid product in a container having little resistance to internal vacuum wherein immediately after the container has been filled, the container is internally pressurized and closed. This particularly relates to an injection molded preform formed of a suitable polyester resin which is of a configuration related to an intended blow mold cavity whereby the desired biaxial orientation is obtained in the various portions of the resultant container and the wall thickness of the container base is increased so as to prevent undue stress enlargement and creep at high internal pressurization. Internal pressurization on the order of 40-45 psig is envisioned.

Abstract: This relates to the stretch blow molding of containers having bodies of oblong or oval cross section starting with an injection molded plastic preform. First there is the discovery that the preform does not axially stretch evenly as occurs with circular or generally circular cross sectional container bodies but includes a lesser stretching at the center of sides of such container bodies. Having made this discovery, it is proposed to provide such containers with oval or oblong cross sectional bodies with radially inwardly directed ribs wherein the ribs conform to the differential in axial stretching of the material of the preform.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming multiple layer preforms wherein the various layers may be varied as to number, material, thickness and position in the preform by controlling the injection of the specific materials as to timing, quantity and rate of delivery. Most specifically, a featured aspect is the ability to simultaneously deliver to an injection nozzle and through such injection nozzle into a preform mold cavity two or more molten plastic materials simultaneously. This is possible by way of a multiple gate nozzle and a plurality of separately operable metering pots all controlled by way of a timing device. The timing device may also control the rate of the dispensing an individual material from each of the metering pots.

Abstract: A blow molded polyester container of the type specifically constructed for filling with a hot product and including a generally cylindrical body with the body having a major portion thereof of a reduced diameter and defining a label receiving area. The label receiving area has formed therein a series of circumferentially spaced expansion panels extending a major part of the height of the label receiving area and being separated by vertically extending reinforcing ribs that are spaced from adjacent expansion panels. Most specifically, the vertically extending reinforcing ribs have now been made of a height greater than the height of the expansion panels and undesirable bulges which previously appeared at the ends of similar reinforcing ribs when the ribs were shorter than the expansion panels have been eliminated.

Abstract: This relates to a multilayer preform and a container blow molded from such preform wherein both the preform and the container are of a multilayer construction with there being utilized as an oxygen scavanger and oxygen barrier and a blend of either PET/MXD-6 nylon or PET/MXD-6 nylon/Co. In the resultant container, the percentage of MXD-6 nylon will be less than 1% and the container will be directly recyclable. Also, the percentage of MXD-6 nylon in the container will be such that there will be no noticable reduction in the clarity of the container. Also, because PET forms a part of the blend which provides the oxygen scavanger and barrier, the layers in the container will be bonded to one another.

Abstract: This relates to a returnable/refillable container in the form of a blow molded polyester biaxially oriented bottle wherein the container includes a domed base construction wherein the wall thickness gradually and smoothly increases to a maximum at the center of the dome. This also relates to a specially configurated preform which is blow molded to form the container and a specially configurated blow mold cavity for receiving a preform having a lower axial projection in the form of an elongated gate without crushing.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic preform for forming by blow molding a container such as a bottle. The preform is of a laminated construction and in the body area includes inner and outer layers of the same plastic and an intermediate layer of a different plastic. The bottom portion of the preform is provided with a core layer of still a third plastic with the injection temperature of the third layer being sufficient to erode the contacted part of the intermediate layer which is of a lower melt temperature. The third plastic may be the same plastic as the first plastic, but injected at a higher temperature. Generally speaking, the neck finish of the preform will be of a single layer of the first material, the body of the preform will be of a three ply construction which is also true of the bottom with there being an intermediate area of five ply where the bottom core layer projects into the lower portion of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A plastic preform from which a plastic container is blow molded. The preform replaces a three layer preform by providing a preform which is of a five layer construction in the base forming portion thereof and wherein a secondary material which forms the core layer of the three layer preform construction is divided into an inner intermediate layer and an outer intermediate layer by a third injection of material. The third injected material is preferably the same material as the primary material which is first injected. This results in the reduction of the cost of the preform and also provides remaining in the injection nozzle a quantity of the last injected material which is the same as the first injected material for the following preform in the same preform injection mold cavity.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming multiple layer preforms wherein the various layers may be varied as to number, material, thickness and position in the preform by controlling the injection of the specific materials as to timing, quantity and rate of delivery. Most specifically, a featured aspect is the ability to simultaneously deliver to an injection nozzle and through such injection nozzle into a preform mold cavity two or more molten plastic materials simultaneously. This is possible by way of a multiple gate nozzle and a plurality of separately operable metering pots all controlled by way of a timing device. The timing device may also control the rate of the dispensing an individual material from each of the metering pots.

Abstract: Blow molded plastic containers where at least the body of such containers is of a laminated construction including, for example, a barrier layer which in the case of the container receiving carbonated products would be a gas barrier layer. It has been found that delamination does occur and this is now solved by selectively providing the container body with minute vent openings which do not extend entirely through the container body, but into that area where delamination occurs and there is an accumulation of a permeant, such as CO.sub.2. The minute vents may be formed in the exterior wall of the container either by way of piercing pins or by utilizing a laser. In the case of the piercing pins, there are incorporated in the blow mold for blow molding the container from a preform and are generally placed along the parting lines of the blow mold and also in central parts of the wall. The construction and operation of the piercing pins may be provided in several forms.

Abstract: This relates to blow molded plastic containers wherein at least the body of such containers is of a laminated constuction including, for example, a barrier layer which in the case of the container receiving carbonated products would be a gas barrier layer. It has been found that delamination does occur and this is now solved by selectively providing the container body with minute vent openings which do not extend entirely through the container body, but into that area where delamination occurs and there is an accumulation of a permeant, such as CO.sub.2. The minute vents may be formed in the exterior wall of the container either by way of piercing pins or by utilizing a laser. In the case of the piercing pins, there are incorporated in the blow mold for blow molding the container from a perform and are generally placed along the parting lines of the blow mold and also in central parts of the wall. The construction and operation of the piercing pins may be provided in several forms.

Abstract: This relates to blow molded plastic containers wherein at least the body of such containers is of a laminated construction including, for example, a barrier layer which in the case of the container receiving carbonated products would be a gas barrier layer. It has been found that delamination does occur and this is now solved by selectively providing the container body with minute vent openings which do not extend entirely through the container body, but into that area where delamination occurs and there is an accumulation of a permeant, such as CO.sub.2. The minute vents may be formed in the exterior wall of the container either by way of piercing pins or by utilizing a laser. In the case of the piercing pins, there are incorporated in the blow mold for blow molding the container from a preform and are generally placed along the parting lines of the blow mold and also in central parts of the wall. The construction and operation of the piercing pins may be provided in several forms.