Abstract: A shrink-sleeved bottle is disclosed. The bottle has a base, a top part and sides. The bottle has a handle located on a side of the bottle and a sleeve that covers the handle. The sleeve has a cut-out that allows a user to grip the handle, and a fringe that is maintained flush against the bottle.

Abstract: Improved insulation for a necked beverage bottle is attained in a construction including a rigid, generally cylindrical container 10 having an open top and an insulated side wall 14, 16, 18 together with a generally cylindrical recess. A frustoconical top 12 is provided for the container 10 and is formed of a flexible, fabric-like insulating material 48. The top 12 further includes a base 34 sized to nest on the container 10 and an open, minor base 50 through which the neck of a beverage bottle may extend. Bayonet slots 40 and pins 32 releasably mount the top 12 on the cylindrical container 10.

Abstract: The invention provides a container such as a bottle or flask, made heterogeneously from a material with a barrier effect and a polymer material, characterised in that the material with a barrier effect is an amorphous carbon material with a polymer tendency which is applied as a coating on a substrate of polymer material.

Abstract: A glass bottle protective enclosure (10) designed to protect a glass bottle (100) in the event the bottle is subjected to an impact shock. The enclosure is provided with a leak-proof seal and is particularly adapted for protecting glass bottles (100) containing toxic injectable medication. The enclosure (10), which is preferably made from a transparent plastic, consists of a lower bottle container (12) which includes a base (14) and a plurality of shock absorbing protrusions (30), which are located to allow a bottle label to be clearly visible, on the base (14) is located at least one sensor cavity (120) into which is inserted an enclosure leakage sensor (122) consisting of either a water soluble sensor (124) or an electronic sensor (126). Both of which provide an indication if a bottle leakage occurs. To complete the enclosure (10) the container (12) includes a threaded bottle container cap (36) which includes a plurality of cap shock absorbing protrusions (52).

Abstract: A bottle for flowable adhesive includes an outer tube made of soft metal and an inner tube made from a material that allows the inner tube to restore its original shape when an external squeezing force applied to the outer tube is released. The inner tube has an outer diameter the same as an inner diameter of the outer tube, with an outer peripheral face of the inner tube being in intimate contact with an inner peripheral face of the outer tube. When the outer tube is squeezed, the flowable adhesive contained in the inner tube is dispensed through the spout of the dispensing member. The outer tube restores its original shape when the external squeezing force applied to the outer tube is released, as the inner tube pushes the outer tube outwardly when the inner tube is restoring its original shape.

Abstract: The present invention is a quiet pill bottle which includes a hollow body for receiving pills. The hollow body defines a bottle cavity and includes a bottle opening at a top end and a body inner surface. The quiet pill bottle includes a cap for releasably closing off the opening and a flexible bag like membrane disposed within the bottle cavity, wherein the membrane is for receiving pills therein and preventing impingement of pills onto the body inner surface. The quiet pill bottle alternatively includes an inner lining covering the body inner surface wherein the inner lining is made of a soft pliable spongy material for minimizing noise generated by pills rattling within the pill bottle.

Abstract: A process for the production of a container (1) comprising an outer container (2), an inner bag (3) disposed therein and a pressure equalisation opening (10) disposed in the outer container (2), and also a container (1) produced according to this process, is described, wherein firstly a pre-moulding, comprising two coaxial tubes, is first produced by co-extrusion with the help of a blow mould and with an outwardly-projecting base seam (5) being formed. The process is to form a pressure equalisation opening (10) in the outer container (2) of the container (1) without endangering the integrity of the container (1), wherein a lower wastage rate and higher productivity are to be achieved. This is attained by a process wherein the base seam (5) is partially cut off and a force which acts in the direction of the seam is introduced into the pre-moulding, which still has a temperature of 40° C. to 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention is a container assembly that includes an inner tube formed from a plastic that is substantially inert to bodily fluids and an outer tube that is formed from a different plastic. Collectively, the container assembly is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and water permeability in the assembly and for extending the shelf-life of the container assembly, especially when used for blood collection. The outer surface of the inner tube and/or the inner surface of the outer tube are provided with a matte finish that forms an array of peaks and valleys. The valleys form circuitous paths that accommodate a flow of air to facilitate insertion of the inner tube into the outer tube. The circuitous paths also allow air to vent during processing to low pressure.

Abstract: A preform and method used to make a container which has a blown wide-mouth finish and a multilayer wall structure. The injection molded preform has a multi-layer container body forming portion, a mono-layer moil forming portion and a blown finish forming portion located between the container body forming portion and the moil forming portion. The preform is blown into an intermediate article consisting of a blown finish wide-mouth multi-layer container and a mono-layer moil portion which is severed from the intermediate article and recycled. The multilayer wall structure can include at least one layer of a gas barrier material, a cost-effective recycled material, or a material which strengthens and/or lightweights the container.

Abstract: A blow molded container having barrier properties and including an upper wall portion having an opening, an intermediate sidewall portion positioned beneath the upper wall portion, and a base portion positioned beneath the intermediate sidewall portion to support the container. The container includes a molded outer layer having an inner surface and an outer surface formed from at least 40% of recycled plastic, and a carbon coating formed on the inner surface of the outer layer and adhered thereto and substantially coextensive with the outer layer, wherein said carbon coating has a thickness of less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: A removable conformal liner for a centrifuge container is described. The liner has a flexible or semi-rigid body with an opening for introducing a sample. When the liner is inserted into an internal cavity of a centrifuge container, the body of the liner conforms to the interior cavity. The liner body may be made of a material that is sufficiently resilient to allow a reversible deformation of the body by folding, twisting, collapsing, rolling, or pleating.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion and at the other end is connected to a top portion produced from a blow molded thermoplastic material. The casing is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose which is blow molded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.

Abstract: The blow-molded container of this invention comprises an outer layer (2) of a synthetic resin, which forms the outer shell of a finite shape; an inner layer (3) of a flexible synthetic resin, which is peelably laminated with the outer layer (2) and forms an inner bag; and a pair of adhered zones (4) of a vertical strip type, which is formed axisymmetrically on the central axis of container (1) to adhere and fix the outer layer (2) and the inner layer (3) over the entire height and is located so as to avoid the positions of air introduction ports (9) that have been provided in the outer layer (2) to introduce air into the void between the outer layer (2) and the inner layer (3). In this configuration, a pair of adhered zones (4) is disposed at positions opposite to each other and is separated by a parting line (5).

Abstract: A blow-molded container of this invention comprises: an outer layer (11) of a synthetic resin, which forms the outer shell of a finite shape; an inner layer (12) of a flexible synthetic resin, which is peelably laminated with the outer layer (11) and forms an inner bag; and a pair of restricted zones (15) of a vertical broad strip type, which is formed axisymmetrically on the central axis of container (1) to adhere and fix the outer layer (11) and the inner layer (12) over the entire height and is located so as to avoid the positions of air introduction ports (7) that have been provided in the outer layer (11) to introduce air into the void between the outer layer (11) and the inner layer (12). At least one of the restricted zones (15) comprises two or more adhesive zones (14) of the vertical strip type, which are parallel to each other.

Abstract: A fluid distribution device, in particular of cosmetic product, of the type comprising a bottle adapted to contain the fluid and having a distribution orifice, a decorative case (8) covering the bottle, said case having a body (12a, 12b) and retaining means (24, 16) adapted to retain the body with respect to the bottle. The retaining means comprise a collar (16) integral with the decorative case and articulation means (18) connecting the collar to the body. The collar comprises an internal passage (16a) traversing the collar from one side to the other and an external section (16b) inserted tightly in the distribution orifice (6) of the bottle (12a, 12b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a wine bottle with a decorative pattern, comprises a bottle for containing liquid; a convex base projected to the inside of the bottle provided at the bottom of the bottle, a space for containing liquid and a concave portion are formed in the bottle, a decorative pattern portion is further provided on the internal wall of the concave portion. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing the wine bottle with decorative pattern. In the wine bottle with decorative pattern of the invention, various patterns and colors may be shown via the changes of the decorative pattern portion, which caused the outward appearance of the wine bottle to be further beautified. The decorative pattern and the bottle are merged into a whole. The bottle has no excessive parts and is allowed for packing and use.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion and at the other end is connected to a top portion produced from a blow molded thermoplastic material. The casing is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose which is blow molded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are beverage and liquid containers that use pervaporation to cool a liquid or material residing in the container. The pervaporative cooling is preferably achieved by use of porous matrices which allow for the passage through the matrix of small quantities of volatile components from a liquid or beverage, such as water or alcohol, the evaporation of which cools the container by virtue of the latent heat of evaporation of the liquid. Alternatively, a pervaporative sleeve may be used to cool a container residing within or in contact with the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is a container assembly that includes an inner tube formed from a plastic that is substantially inert to bodily fluids and an outer tube that is formed from a different plastic. Collectively, the container assembly is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and water permeability in the assembly and for extending the shelf-life of the container assembly, especially when used for blood collection. The inner container is spaced from the outer container at most locations. However, the inner container includes an enlarged top configured to engage the outer container. The enlarged top has a roughened outer surface to permit an escape of air from the space between the containers.

Abstract: A thermally insulated glass bottle is provided as an insulated glass bottle made from glass with an interstitial space in the sides and bottom. The sides and bottom of the glass are double-walled, forming an interstitial space for insulating purposes. The interstitial space can be left filled with air, or filled with an insulating material such as Styrofoam®. The interstitial space not only reduces or eliminates condensation from forming on the exterior of the glass when filled with cold liquid on hot, humid days, but it also helps keep the liquid cooler.

Abstract: A co-layer stretch blow molding preform comprises an outer plastic preform and an inner plastic preform, wherein the inner plastic preform includes an infrared energy absorbing material which is absent from the outer plastic preform.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular label with pre-printed fixed information adapted to be wrapped around a container body of a container with an inwardly facing surface of the tubular label contacting the container body and the pre-printed fixed information being visible from the outside of the container. The tubular label includes printed arbitrary information such as lottery indicia provided on the inwardly facing surface by a non-impact printer in such a manner as to be invisible through the outwardly facing surface of the tubular label. An elongated tubular member and method of manufacturing the same, as well as a labeled container are also provided.

Abstract: A precisely measured removable cover for reusable beverage containers. A covering of independently resilient material is precisely cut to fit a given size and shape of pot, and the material has imprinted on it a desired promotional or advertising message and/or graphics. The covering material is removably fastened with releasable closures to the outside of the pot in such a way as not to impair significantly the natural independent resiliency of the material. Thus, dents in the pot do not generally show in the covering surface because it retains its independent resiliency, even if the blow was delivered through the covering surface. Messages may be changed as often as suits the promotional and decorative needs of the owner of the pot, so the display surface is always timely and in top condition. An optional “window” permits display of interchangeable labels on the inside of the covering.

Abstract: An aluminum container is comprised of a base portion, a substantially vertical wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, a transition portion extending from the wall portion, and a neck portion extending from the transition portion. The neck portion is tapered and has an upper end having a wall thickness that is preferably less than the thickness of the wall of the remainder of the neck portion. The upper end of the neck portion may also be chamfered. The aluminum container of the present invention may be combined with a threaded sleeve to form a receptacle. The sleeve has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface has threads thereon and the inner surface has a taper complementary to the taper of the neck portion so as to form a friction fit with the neck portion. The sleeve may also have a notch formed in the periphery of its upper outside surface.

Abstract: A feeding bottle assembly mainly has an external bottle, an internal bottle and a cap. Either the external bottle or the internal bottle is able to conjugate with the cap to form a single bottle configuration so as to provide different capacities. The internal bottle is able to selectively be placed within the external bottle and the cap simultaneously encloses the external and the internal bottles to assemble as a dual-bottle configuration.

Abstract: A container (10) for packaging a single serve quantity of a hot-fillable beverage, the container being blown from a multi-layer co-extruded thermoplastic parison and having a generally cylindrical central panel (12) with a spaced plurality of vacuum panels (36) therein and a plain unreinforced bottom (30). The container also has bulbous heel and shoulder portions (14, 16) at opposed ends of the central panel and projecting outwardly therefrom to a protect a double-ended or other label applied to the central panel.

Abstract: A retortable plastic container with a side wall having at least one flexing portion extending from a top horizontal line around a circumference of the side wall to a bottom horizontal line around the circumference of the side wall. The flexing portion has an inwardly directed surface relative to the circumference of the side wall. The inwardly directed surface has a first length measured along the inwardly directed surface, in a central vertical plane from the top horizontal line to the bottom horizontal line, which is greater than a straight line distance between the top and bottom horizontal lines in the same vertical plane.

Abstract: A blow molded container having barrier properties and including an upper wall portion having an opening, an intermediate sidewall portion positioned beneath the upper wall portion, and a base portion positioned beneath the intermediate sidewall portion to support the container. The container includes a molded outer layer having an inner surface and an outer surface formed from at least 40% of recycled plastic, and a carbon coating formed on the inner surface of the outer layer and adhered thereto and substantially coextensive with the outer layer, wherein said carbon coating has a thickness of less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: A thick-walled cosmetic container is made by over-molding a resin body on a thin-walled glass or metal bottle. The bottle has a storage portion defining a relatively precisely dimensioned and positioned product storage chamber. A neck extends from the storage portion of the bottle to an open distal end. To over-mold the resin walls on the bottle, the storage portion of the bottle is positioned in a mold cavity dimensioned to define the external shape of the resin walls. The dies forming the mold cavity are adapted to allow at least the distal end of the neck to protrude from the mold while forming a tight seal about the neck. Resin is injected into the mold cavity at a pressure sufficiently low enough to avoid breaking or collapsing the bottle. The resin is cured sufficiently to remove the container from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A carrier for a container capable of attachment to a strap, key ring or other support includes a flexible body sized so as to releasably receive the container. The body has a loop or hook projecting from one end for engagement with the support and a through opening in the opposed end for receipt of the neck of the container.

Abstract: A new process for making a labeled container using a stretch blow molding process wherein a label sleeve is positioned over at least a portion of the exterior surface of a preform to produce a sleeved preform and the sleeved preform is stretch blow molded to produce a labeled container having a snug-fit label.

Abstract: A container incorporating post-consumer recycled (“PCR”) plastic and a method of making that type of container. The container utilizes a layer of polypropylene or EVOH or a film of fluorinated polyethylene toward the interior from the recycled plastic to prevent contaminants from the latter entering the container's contents. When utilizing EVOH, the container usually has an additional layer of polyethylene or polypropylene covering the EVOH to prevent its deterioration by moisture. Making the container involves first composing a resin including the recycled plastic. Forming the various layers listed above produces a container that includes recycled plastic and a barrier to limit the migration of contaminants from the recycled material to the container's contents. This permits the use of the resulting containers for food. For a fluorinated polyethylene film, fluorination can occur either during or after the container's formation.

Abstract: A blow molded multi-layer container is provided having an upper wall portion, including an opening; an intermediate sidewall portion positioned beneath the upper wall portion; and a base portion positioned beneath the intermediate sidewall portion, the base portion being adapted to dependently or independently support the container. The container includes (i) a molded inner layer formed from a plastic material, the inner layer having a vertical length and a carbon-treated inner surface; and (ii) a molded outer layer formed from recycled plastic that is substantially coextensive with the inner layer. The recycled outer layer comprises at least 40% by weight of the overall weight of the container, but can comprise more than 90% by weight, depending upon the needs of the application. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the inner and/or outer layers is controllably adjusted along their respective vertical lengths.

Abstract: Improved bottles for dispensing liquid household products such as liquid detergents and fabric softeners. The package is comprised of a multilayer body in which the inner layer includes polyethylene made with a metallocene catalyst. The bottles have improved stress cracks resistance yet may be lighter then traditional bottles. They may be made by blow molding.

Abstract: A container, desirably blow molded or extrusion molded, said container having barrier properties and including an upper wall portion having an opening, an intermediate sidewall portion positioned beneath the upper wall portion, and a base portion positioned beneath the intermediate sidewall portion to support the container. The container includes a molded first layer having an inner surface and an outer surface formed from high density polyethylene, and a carbon coating formed on the inner surface of the first layer and adhered thereto and substantially coextensive with the first layer, wherein said carbon coating has a thickness of less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: A container having a lightweight bottle body resistant to stress cracking, especially useful for liquid household products such as heavy duty liquid detergents, but also for liquid fabric softeners, light duty liquid detergents, automatic dishwashing gels, chemicals, foods and other products. The light weight of the body limits the amount of resource needed to produce the body and the amount of plastic material to be disposed of when the contents have been consumed. In one embodiment, the body includes a multilayer resin structure having an inner layer which includes a metallocene polyethylene polymer. An octagonal shape, ribs or grooves at the intersections of the panels, a drainback fitment, an off center neck, and an in-mold label are optional.

Abstract: An insulator wrap for a beverage container is formed by a substantially rectangular body of insulation material. A self-coiling spring strip is embedded in the body along approximately the longitudinal center line. Because the spring strip is curved in lateral cross section, the wrap is held straight when uncoiled to allow easy storage and handling when not in use. Simple manual pressure frees the spring strip to self-coil inwardly to cause the wrap to extend around the container for use. Extended portions of the rectangular body isolate the spring strip from the edges of the body. In one embodiment, the extended body portions are one and one half times as wide as the spring strip. A foam insert is positioned within the elongated concave trough of the spring strip to provide a substantially smooth display surface for graphics and indicia in either the uncoiled or self-coiled states.

Abstract: A multi-layered preform for substantially preventing the generation of strains and obtaining improved stress cracking resistance with excellent appearance characteristics includes a mouth portion, a body portion and a bottom portion and has at least the body portion and the bottom portion formed of an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer by a compression molding. A multi-layered bottle is manufactured by performing a biaxial stretch blow molding of such multi-layered perform. The multi-layered bottle includes a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion and a bottom portion. At least the shoulder portion, the body portion and the bottom portion include an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: A blow molded article comprising an inwardly projecting rib and a mold loose piece, the inwardly projecting rib comprising a wall portion formed around an inwardly projecting mold loose piece. In method form, the present invention relates to a blow molded article having at least one inwardly projecting rib, the method comprising the steps of providing a mold having a cavity defined therein by a cavity wall, providing a mold loose piece disposed on the cavity wall, introducing a parison into the cavity, and introducing the mold loose piece into the parison.

Abstract: A coextrusion die includes a plurality of annular cells stacked on top of each other. Each annular cell includes a plurality of openings aligned with openings in the adjacent cell, thus forming multiple streams. Plastic melt may be supplied to the die coplanarly. Stacks of annular disks may be joined to form the annular cells through which plastic melt can be axially directed.

Abstract: A multi-layer preform, includes: (a) a plastic inner liner, comprised of a cylindrical walled body, which may or may not include a tapered annular shoulder portion, and a cylindrical walled neck portion extending upwardly from the body, and (b) a molded outer layer. Prior to the outer layer being molded over the plastic inner liner, at least a portion of the liner is crystallized by a heat treatment process. The molded outer layer may include a means to receive a closure device. When the preform is at an acceptable temperature range for orientation, the multi-layer preform can be blow-molded to form a multi-layer container having improved properties.

Abstract: A thermally insulated beverage glass is provided as an insulated drinking glass made from glass with an interstitial space in the sides and bottom. The sides and bottom of the glass are double-walled, forming an interstitial space for insulating purposes. The interstitial space can be left filled with air, or filled with an insulating material such as Styrofoam®. The interstitial space not only reduces or eliminates condensation from forming on the exterior of the glass when filled with cold liquid on hot, humid days, but it also helps keep the liquid cooler. Alternately, when the glass is filled with hot liquid it also aids in keeping the liquid hotter, longer.

Abstract: The portable thermos receptacle has a receptacle main body containing an inner shell, an outer shell and a heat-insulating section defined between the inner shell and the outer shell, and a cover removably applied to an opening of the receptacle main body. The thermos receptacle has on the outer shell non-slip means over a zone covering both a center of gravity when the receptacle is full and a center of gravity when the receptacle is empty. The portable. thermos receptacle has a cylindrical shape which reduces toward the top or bottom. The non-slip means is a recess, ridge or corrugated portion which is formed integrally with the outer shell or a synthetic resin non-slip member attached to the outer shell.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing (2) produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion (4) and at the other end is connected to a top portion (3) produced from blow moulded thermoplastic material. The casing (2) is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam (9) extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion (3) being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose (15) which is blow moulded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.

Abstract: Carbonated beverages can have a substantially reduced concentration of water soluble materials derived from biaxially oriented thermoformed beverage containers. Such containers can comprise a permeant barrier and an active trap for water soluble materials that can be removed from the thermoplastic by extraction into the carbonated beverage. The improved container material comprises a blow molded thermoplastic polyester web comprising a compatible modified cyclodextrin material having pendent moieties or substituents that render the cyclodextrin material compatible with the container thermoplastic. The cyclodextrin material, after it is added to the polymer material, acts as a barrier and to trap extractable materials as they permeate through the thermoplastic polyester. The cyclodextrin molecule has a large center cavity having properties that increase the likelihood that organic molecules will be absorbed and trapped in the center pore.

Abstract: This invention relates to articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics, and novel methods of making such articles. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET. The materials and methods provide that the barrier layers have good adherence to PET, even during and after the blow molding process to form containers from preforms. Preferred barrier coating materials include poly(hydroxyamino ethers).

Abstract: The present invention is disclosed to provide a heat insulating container constructed to avoid the deterioration of an appearance or to prevent the noisy sound from occurring by the scraps generated in the course of welding. An inner casing is arranged in an outer casing so as to maintain a space therebetween, the inner casing and the outer casing being joined by welding and a scrap movement blocking member is provided at least one of the inner and outer casings for preventing the scraps generated in the process of welding moving into the space.

Abstract: The present invention is a container assembly that includes an inner tube formed from a plastic that is substantially inert to bodily fluids and an outer tube that is formed from a different plastic. Collectively, the container assembly is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and water permeability in the assembly and for extending the shelf-life of the container assembly, especially when used for blood collection.

Abstract: A bottle with thermally shielded body, comprising a first component (13) which forms a tubular internal body (11) having a closed bottom (12), an upper neck with an opening for filling and pouring a beverage, and, between the body and the neck, an annular region (15) for coupling to the upper edge of a second component which is coaxial to the first one and forms an external tubular body (17) which has a closed bottom (19) and forms an interspace (20) together with the tubular body of the first component.

Abstract: A multilayered polymeric preform or container is disclosed wherein the blow temperatures of each polymer in a preform is controlled by the addition of a predetermined selected amount of a fast heat up additive such that each polymer layer blows at the same relative period of time to prepare the container.