Abstract: A blow molded PET container is disclosed having a ribbed base structure to provide stiffening of the base structure to prevent undesirable deformation. The container is designed to accommodate moderate internal pressurization of 30 to 50 psi to provide packaging for products which must be contained in a pressurized package but not pressurized to the extent of a carbonated beverage. The reinforcing ribs required in the base structure are thus not as deep as found in ribbed base structures for carbonated beverage containers resulting in less plastic resin required to produce the container. As a result, the container fills a void in the packaging industry between containers for non-pressurized products and containers for highly pressurized carbonated beverages.

Abstract: An improved preform is disclosed for molding plastic containers having a self-supporting base structure. The preform has a reinforcing section of concentric annular ribs near its closed end. The wall thickness of the preform is increased in the reinforcing section by a plurality having an increasing thickness in a direction toward the closed end of the preform. When blow molded into a final container, these concentric ribs form annular reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the container base. These ribs are substantially concentric about the longitudinal axis of the container and are of decreasing thickness radially outward from the center. The ribs coact with other reinforcing ribs in the base structure to further increase the strength of the container base. During stretching of the preform prior to blow molding, the concentric ribs act to reduce the stretching of the preform in the reinforcing section thus increasing the wall thickness of the base and thereby increasing the base strength.

Abstract: A carrier ring for achieving attachment to the thermoplastic perform as the preform is formed in a split injection mold is disclosed. The split injection mold defines a mold cavity into which a core pin is positionable. The mold cavity, along with the position core pin, defines the principle portion of the preform cavity. The remainder of the preform cavity is provided by an annular groove in the carrier ring. This annular groove has a substantially horizontal outwardly extending first wall, a substantially horizontal inwardly extending second wall downwardly displaced from the first wall, and a downwardly and inwardly extending third wall emanating from the outwardmost extent of the first wall and terminating at the inward most extent of the second wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflashing a plastic article is disclosed. In operation, an operator places the article having flash in a nest which positions the article so that the flash is in a horizontal plane. A powered shuttle assembly picks the article up from the nest and places it upon an anvil. The anvil has striking edges which follow the line of juncture between the article and the flash. A punch apparatus is lowered onto the article and strikes the flash at the line of juncture disjoining the flash from the article. The power shuttle then removes the article without the flash to a discharge point. Optionally, at the discharge point, there may be provided an orientation assembly wich orients the deflashed article so that it may be placed upon a conveyor belt which carries the article to a collection point.

Abstract: A package which includes a hollow container having a substantially rectangular mouth and a substantially rectangular, hollow, plastic plug for fitment to the container mouth is disclosed. The plug has a top wall with an opening therein through which ingredients from the container are dispensed. A hinged flap, which is integral with the top wall, is utilized to close off the opening. A cooperating snap-action means, which is integral with the plug, is provided to maintain the flap in a closed position when the contents of the container is not being dispensed. The snap-action means has a first portion and a second portion with the first portion being carried on the flap at its free end and the second portion being disposed adjacent the top wall. Each portion of the snap-action means provides a complementary surface to achieve closing which surfaces run parallel to the line along which the hinge lies.