Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) includes a hollow body portion (11), an upper dispensing end (14) having a dome (15) and spout (16), and a lower freestanding base (18). The container includes a main layer (19) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate that defines the upper dispensing end (14) and partially defines the hollow body portion (11) and the lower freestanding base (18), and the container also includes a gas barrier liner (20) that is located inside of the main layer (19) defining an inner container surface (20a) and that cooperates with the main layer (19) to define the freestanding base (18) and at least a portion of the body portion (11). The gas barrier liner (20) has an upper end (21) located below the dispensing end (14) and has a wall thickness that is less than 0.25 of the adjacent wall thickness of the polyethylene terephthalate main layer (19).

Abstract: A multi-layer preform used for plastic blow molding and a method for making the preform provides an inner layer of polyethylene naphthalate and an injection molded outer layer of homopolymeric polyethylene terephthalate which has reduced transmission of gas upon blow molding as a container due to the gas barrier provided by the inner layer of polyethylene naphthalate. The inner layer of homopolymeric polyethylene naphthalate by itself or along with a further inner layer of virgin polyethylene terephthalate is thermoformed prior to the injection molding of the outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate. A minimal amount of the homopolymeric polyethylene naphthalate which is relatively expensive can be utilized due to the thermoforming and injection molding as disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic container of the present invention comprises a neck portion defining an opening, a shoulder portion continuous with the neck portion, and an intermediate sidewall portion continuous with the shoulder portion. The intermediate sidewall portion defines a major portion of a volume for holding a content. A base portion is also provided which is continuous with the intermediate sidewall portion. The base portion has a structure for supporting the container on a support surface and a surface feature for enhancing the strength of the structure. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is preferably comprised of one of a circumferential support ring and a plurality of circumferentially positioned feet. The surface feature for enhancing strength is substantially centered with respect to the structure. The surface feature for enhancing strength preferably comprises an indentation having a strength enhancing surface texture.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (10) and method for making the container with a hollow body portion (11), an upper dispensing end (14), and a lower freestanding base (18). The container (10) is biaxially oriented and has an outer layer (19) and an inner liner (20). The inner liner (20), which is a virgin resin having a nominal wall thickness that is less than 0.25 of the total wall thickness of the container, and the outer layer (19) is post consumer recycled, green colored polyethylene terephthalate. The virgin resin of the inner liner (20), which is preferably polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate or blends thereof with each other or with other resins, is extruded and then blow molded to form an inner liner about which the post consumer recycled, green colored polyethylene terephthalate is injection molded to provide the outer layer.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer blow molded container (10) is performed by spraying a sheet (34) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate with a pattern of barrier layer spots (36) prior to thermoforming at each barrier layer spot to provide a preform liner (24) about which polyethylene terephthalate (26) is injection molded to provide a multi-layer preform (10) from which the container is blow molded.

Abstract: A palletizer of the present invention for arranging objects in a honeycomb pattern is disclosed. The palletizer comprises a mechanism for transporting the objects from an object source, a mechanism for arranging the objects into single file while the mechanism for transporting moves the objects, a first area for receiving groups of the objects comprising a number of the objects arranged into the single file. The first area has a depth to which each of the groups of objects travel after entering the first area. The palletizer further includes a mechanism for alternating the depth between a greater and lesser depth such that every other one of the groups extends to the lesser depth and all other ones of the groups extend to the greater depth for forming the objects into the honeycomb pattern. A second area is provided for collecting the objects as the objects are arranged in the honeycomb pattern and a first container moving mechanism is provided for moving the groups of the objects into the second area.

Abstract: A multi-layer preform for forming multi-layer containers includes an extruded upper portion having a first thickness which is adapted to form an upper portion of a container. The preform also includes an extruded intermediate portion having a second thickness thicker than the first thickness. The intermediate portion is connected with the upper portion and is adapted to form an intermediate body portion of the container. The preform also includes an extruded base portion having a third thickness thicker than the second thickness. The base portion is connected with the intermediate portion and is adapted form a base portion of the container. The portions of the preform are preferably formed from an inner layer and a barrier layer wherein the layers are co-extruded for forming the preform and an outer injection molded layer. In one embodiment, the inner layer includes a lip which overlaps the top edge of the barrier and outer layers. A multi-layer container is then formable from blow molding the preform.

Abstract: A multi-layer preform for forming multi-layer containers includes an extruded inner barrier layer containing polyethylene naphthalate, said inner layer having an upper portion adapted to be formed into an upper portion of a container, an intermediate portion adapted to be formed into an intermediate portion of a container, an extruded and a base portion adapted to form a base portion of a container. The preform includes an outer injection molded layer. The inner layer has a thickness which differs from the base portion to the upper portion.

Abstract: A multi-layer preform for forming multi-layer containers includes an extruded upper portion having a first thickness which is adapted to form an upper portion of a container. The preform also includes an extruded intermediate portion having a second thickness thicker than the first thickness. The intermediate portion is connected with the upper portion and is adapted to form an intermediate body portion of the container. The preform also includes an extruded base portion having a third thickness thicker than the second thickness. The base portion is connected with the intermediate portion and is adapted form a base portion of the container. The portions of the preform are preferably formed from an inner layer and a barrier layer wherein the layers are co-extruded for forming the preform and an outer injection molded layer. In one embodiment, the inner layer includes a lip which overlaps the top edge of the barrier and outer layers. A multi-layer container is then formable from blow molding the preform.

Abstract: A multi-layer preform (26a,26b,26c) used for plastic blow molding and a method for making the preform provides an inner layer (28) of polyethylene naphthalate and an injection molded outer layer (30) of polyethylene terephthalate which has reduced transmission of gas upon blow molding as a container due to the gas barrier provided by the inner layer of polyethylene naphthalate. The inner layer (28) of polyethylene naphthalate by itself or along with a further inner layer (32) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate is thermoformed prior to the injection molding of the outer layer (30) of polyethylene terephthalate. A minimal amount of the polyethylene naphthalate which is relatively expensive can be utilized due to the thermoforming and injection molding as disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded bottle (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) has an upper dispensing end (32) including an upper wall (34) and a generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) that supports a dispensing spout (38) on the upper wall initially vertical for filling and shipping of the bottle. The dispensing spout (38) is tilted as the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) contracts to allow more convenient dispensing. A frangible connection (40) that initially supports the dispensing spout (38) vertically is broken to allow the dispensing spout tilting for the dispensing. The frangible connection (40) includes a tab (48) having a reduced thickness portion (50) where it is broken, preferably at connection thereof to the upper wall (34) and the dispensing spout (38) such that the tab is removable from the bottle. An inclined wall portion provided by one inclined end (41) of a horizontally elongated gable shape of the upper wall (34) mounts the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) to support the dispensing spout (38).

Abstract: A container including an upper wall portion formed from at least an inner layer and an outer layer of material wherein the inner layer of material has a first thickness at the upper wall portion. The container also includes an intermediate side wall portion formed from at least the inner and the outer layer of material. The inner layer of material has a second thickness at the intermediate side wall portion which is thinner than the first thickness at the upper wall portion and the intermediate side wall portion is positioned beneath the upper wall portion. The container also includes a self-supporting base wall portion formed from at least the inner layer and the outer layer of material. The inner layer of material has a third thickness at the self-supporting base wall portion thicker than the second thickness at the intermediate side wall portion and the self-supporting base wall portion is positioned beneath the intermediate side wall portion and adapted to support the container.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded bottle (20a,20b,20c,20d) has an upper dispensing end (32) including an upper wall (34) and a generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) that supports a dispensing spout (38) on the upper wall initially vertical for filling and shipping of the bottle. The dispensing spout (38) is tilted as the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) contracts to allow more convenient dispensing. A frangible connection (40) that initially supports the dispensing spout (38) vertically is broken to allow the dispensing spout tilting for the dispensing. The frangible connection (40) includes a tab (48) having a reduced thickness portion (50) where it is broken, preferably at connection thereof to the upper wall (34) and the dispensing spout (38) such that the tab is removable from the bottle. An inclined wall portion provided by one inclined end (41) of a horizontally elongated gable shape of the upper wall (34) mounts the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) to support the dispensing spout (38 ).

Abstract: A multi-layer preform for forming multi-layer containers includes an extruded upper portion having a first thickness which is adapted to form an upper portion of a container. The preform also includes an extruded intermediate portion having a second thickness thicker than the first thickness. The intermediate portion is connected with the upper portion and is adapted to form an intermediate body portion of the container. The preform also includes an extruded base portion having a third thickness thicker than the second thickness. The base portion is connected with the intermediate portion and is adapted form a base portion of the container. The portions of the preform are preferably formed from an inner layer and a barrier layer wherein the layers are co-extruded for forming the preform and an outer injection molded layer. In one embodiment, the inner layer includes a lip which overlaps the top edge of the barrier and outer layers. A multi-layer container is then formable from blow molding the preform.

Abstract: A multi-layer preform (26a,26b,26c) used for plastic blow molding and a method for making the preform provides an inner layer (28) of polyethylene naphthalate and an injection molded outer layer (30) of polyethylene terephthalate which has reduced transmission of gas upon blow molding as a container due to the gas barrier provided by the inner layer of polyethylene naphthalate. The inner layer (28) of polyethylene naphthalate by itself or along with a further inner layer (32) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate is thermoformed prior to the injection molding of the outer layer (30) of polyethylene terephthalate. A minimal amount of the polyethylene naphthalate which is relatively expensive can be utilized due to the thermoforming and injection molding as disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing closure assembly (14) for use with a plastic blow molded container (12) is disclosed as including a dispensing member (20) that is adapted to be fixedly mounted on an upper open end (18) of the blow molded container and also includes a closure member (22) rotatably mounted on the dispensing member for movement between fill and dispensing positions. Dispensing member (20) and closure member (22) of the closure assembly each have an associated fill opening (26, 28) that are aligned in the fill position to fill the interior (24) of the closure assembly upon inversion of the container, and the fill openings are unaligned with each other in the dispensing position to close the upper open end of the container.

Abstract: An in-mold label dispenser (20) for use with a multiple cavity mold (28) of a plastic blow molding machine (22) includes dispensing heads (54) adjustably supported on a movable shuttle (52) to permit adjustment of the location of label positioning within the molds. An adjustable support assembly (58) supports the dispensing heads (54) with respect to each other, and a drive mechanism (70) drives the shuttle and label carriers (56) of the dispensing heads to provide the in-mold labeling operation. The drive mechanism (70) includes first and second drives (80,84) that respectively drive the shuttle (52) and the label carriers (56).

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container (20) for holding liquids includes a rectangular body portion (22) having at least one rib (44,46) extending completely around the container and having a construction that facilitates assembly of a unitary valve (42) to a dispensing spout (40) while maintaining flatness of side walls of the container during use. Each rib (44,46) has curved rib portions (48) extending along a pair of longer side walls (28). Each rib also has a relatively shallow rib portion (50) adjacent one shorter side wall (30) to prevent excessive compression thereof as the unitary valve (42) is pressed onto the dispensing spout (40). Each rib also has a relatively deep rib portion (52) along another shorter side wall (32) to maintain its flatness with the container filled and supported on the one shorter side wall (30) for the liquid dispensing through the valve (42).

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container (10) disclosed includes at least one plastic label (L) on a side wall (12) which has abruptly curved portions (42,44,46) that provide a generally continuous outer surface at the junctions of the label edges with the side wall. The plastic label (L) may have different constructions for resisting the transmission of fluids through the container side wall and for providing a heat activated bond that secures the label to the container side wall during the blow molding process. Different preferred plastics utilized to provide the barrier include polyvinylidene cloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, ethyl vinyl alcohol, acrylonitrile, and polyethylene terephthalate which may be used singly or with multiple types either dispersed within each other or in separate layers.