Abstract: The objects of this invention are to set a predetermined height position for the portion of parison or preform that is the first to come in contact with body molding planes of a split mold and to prevent air from being trapped between in-mold labels and the container which is blow molded from the parison or the preform. In-mold labels 7 are fixed to the entire outer surface of body 4 of main container 1. An annular thinnest wall portion 4a is formed in the wall of the body 4 so that the thinnest wall portion 4a is the first to come in contact with the body molding planes 14 of a split mold 13. Under this construction, no bulge of air is formed between the body 4 and the in-mold labels 7 fixed to the entire surface of the body 4.

Abstract: A blow mold is disclosed. The mold comprises a pair of mold halves having an operative configuration wherein said mold halves together define a cavity for a container. The container has a main body and a characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: a push-up base; an integral finish; and an embossed or a debossed feature. Each of the pair of mold halves has a first portion and a second portion formed integrally with the first portion. When the pair of mold halves is in the operative configuration, the first portions collectively define the main body and the second portions collectively define the characteristic. The blow mold can be used for prototyping, and can also be used for production.

Abstract: A blow mold is disclosed. The mold comprises a pair of mold halves having an operative configuration wherein said mold halves together define a cavity for a container. The container has a main body and a characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: a push-up base; an integral finish; and an embossed or a debossed feature. Each of the pair of mold halves has a first portion and a second portion formed integrally with the first portion. When the pair of mold halves is in the operative configuration, the first portions collectively define the main body and the second portions collectively define the characteristic. The blow mold can be used for prototyping, and can also be used for production.

Abstract: A filtering device has a filter cup made from plastic material, a filter element inserted into the filter cup, and a filter lid closing off the filter cup. At least one labeling surface is provided on the filter cup. The at least one labeling surface is a plastic film provided with at least one labeling and is applied to the filter cup by in-mold labeling.

Abstract: The specification discloses an in-mold label (IML) having an improved holographic image. The label includes a base ply and a top ply laminated together. The base ply is an in-mold label material, and the top decorative ply is a different material that is smoother than the base ply material. A holographic material is on the top surface of the top ply, and a holographic image in formed in the holographic material to provide a bright, aesthetically attractive label.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxial oriented film with a microporous layer, comprising a propylene polymer and at least one ?-nucleating agent the microporosity of which is generated by conversion of ?-crystalline polypropylene on drawing the film and the use thereof for the labelling of containers in blow moulding. The Gurley value for the film is 10,000 to 300,000 Gurley.

Abstract: A molding tool is provided for forming solid ink sticks. The molding tool comprises a vessel having at least one sidewall defining a cavity for receiving molten phase change ink material. The molding tool includes a lid for covering an opening over the cavity of the vessel. The lid has an interior surface for at least partially enclosing the cavity. The enclosed cavity has a shape corresponding to at least a portion of an ink stick shape. The at least one sidewall of the vessel and/or the interior surface of the lid are configured to flex to facilitate release of an at least partially solidified ink stick from the cavity.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposed adjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half and guides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the mold half. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in a linear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plate and is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposed either in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may include removing the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a mold cavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is resident on the mold core.

Abstract: An RFID assembly includes an RFID inlay, with an RFID tag, encapsulated within a plastic housing. The housing has a peripheral array of flexible resilient fingers for mounting the housing within a pocket on a support structure, such as a pocket on a mold core. The pocket preferably is on an end of the mold core so that the RFID assembly preferably is disposed substantially beneath the end surface of the mold core. Plastic material, which preferably is the same plastic material as forms the plastic housing in which the inlay is contained, can be injected into a mold cavity surrounding the mold core and the assembly housing without eroding the material of the housing.

Abstract: A container having a scented label attached using an in-mold label process and methods of making the same. A scented material is supplied to the label, and the label is attached to the container using an in-mold label process. In another embodiment, a container comprises an interior cavity for retaining a substance, and a label adapted to dispense a scent, wherein the label is disposed on an exterior surface of the container using an in-mold label process. The scent may be suggestive of the content of the container.

Abstract: pressure mediator comprising a base body having a membrane bed, wherein said base body has a first material with a first thermal expansion coefficient, in addition to a separating membrane having a second material with a second thermal expansion coefficient that is smaller than the first thermal expansion coefficient The separating membrane is fixed to the base body by its edge area in such a way that the membrane bed is covered by the separating membrane, and the separating membrane also has a relief that is formed by embossing against the membrane bed after the separating membrane was fixed to the base body. Embossing of the membrane relief is carried out at a temperature below critical temperature of less than approximately 10° C. This makes it possible to obtain a constant membrane characteristic line at low temperatures.

Abstract: A label foil is disclosed that is suitable for in-mold labeling, has a high stiffness, is well suited for cutting and is recyclable. The top layers of the label foil are made of polyethylene. Both top layers have about the same thickness and the core layer has a thickness that is about 5 times to 20 times that of one top layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a biaxially oriented polyolefin film as a label film. The inventive film consists of a base layer and at least one cover layer. Said cover layer contains as the main component a copolymer or terpolymer consisting of one alkene and unsaturated carboxylic acids or the esters thereof and low amounts of an additive. The cover layer is characterized by excellent and divers adhesion to various polymer materials from which containers are formed. It is no longer necessary to apply adhesives, primers, coatings etc. in a separate step after production of the film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bowling pin which exhibits the excellent durability while satisfying conditions required on the bowling pin such as a weight and a dry sound which is generated at the time of hitting. A hollow portion which extends in the vertical direction is formed in a core material which constitutes a bowling pin. Upper and lower end portions of the hollow portion are opened, wherein one cap is fitted into an opening and another cap is fitted into a lower-side opening. The whole of the core material and the cap are almost covered with a surface skin portion and a portion of the core material where the surface skin portion is not provided is formed of two line portions and a dial portion. The surface skin portion is white, the line portions are red and the dial portion is black.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing labels (2) for placement in a mold, in particular in an injection mold, wherein a strip of film (4) is supplied and is placed, by at least a part of a first side thereof, on a supporting carrier (6), whereafter a retaining element (14) is applied to, in particular slightly pressed upon, the second side, remote from the carrier (6), of the part of the film web (4) supported by the carrier (6), wherein the part of the film web (4) enclosed between the carrier (6) and the retaining element (14) is cut loose, and wherein the enclosed part, to be referred to as label (2), is taken hold of by the retaining element (14) and is picked up from the carrier (6) therewith.

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: Transparent polyamide molding materials are provided which are characterized in that they have a melting enthalpy between 0 and 12 J/g and the polyamides are constituted of 100 mole-% of a diamine mixture having 10-70 mole-% of PACM [bis-(4-amino-cyclohexyl)-methane] with less than 50 wt.

Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.

Abstract: An optical disk of the type rotated by a spindle positioned in a centrally-located hole, and including a disk body including an annular data area, and a centrally-located, integrally-formed annular web positioned radially inward from the annular data area and covering a hole formed in the disk body. The annular web is formed sufficiently thin to be deflected upwardly out of the plane of the disk body by the spindle during placement on the spindle and during rotation. The web may be broken away from the disk, or made sufficiently thin and resilient that it will deform upwardly when placed on the spindle and resume its former position when removed.

Abstract: Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder for substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material in tubular form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A first finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves outwardly and downwardly with respect to the extruder to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the extruded thermoplastic tube. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the finite length of thermoplastic tube therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set at a second position of the first mold set.

Abstract: Disclosed is a label for in-mold forming comprising a thermoplastic resin film base layer and a heat-seal resin layer, wherein a surface of the heat-seal resin layer has a centerline average roughness of 0.5 to 5 micrometers and the label has an air permeability of 10 to 20,000 seconds. When in-mold forming is conducted with the label of the present invention, labeled molded resin articles of various shapes can be manufactured while effectively inhibiting blistering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing tubular containers with an open filling opening and with an end that is provided with a seal. The inventive method comprises the following steps: separately producing a preform with a neck with definitive dimensions and a tubular body with smaller dimensions than the definitive form, the tubular body containing the open filling opening; fixing the preform that is produced to a drawing head by its neck and subjecting it to at least one partial heating process; introducing the heated preform that is attached to the drawing head into the inside of a multi-part closed blow mold in such a way that the open filling opening is air-tightly held at the lower end of the blow mold; fitting a blow nozzle to the filling opening of the preform.

Abstract: The invention relate to the use of a multi-layer polypropylene film as an in-mold label used in a blow molding methods. According to the invention, the label film is laid inside the hollow mold of a blow molding machine, comprises an inner protective layer that faces the receptacle to be molded, and comprises an outer protective layer that is in contact with the hollow mold, whereby the inner protective layer has a roughness Rz of at least 3.5 ?m.

Abstract: A heat shrink sleeve label, when applied to a container, glass or plastic, replicates the look and feel of etched glass or frosted glass through a combination of an upper coating and a lower coating on a shrink film. The shrink film may be polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate with or without glycol, or oriented poly styrene. Both water and solvent base frost inks are applied to the outer surface of the film. Frost inks contain a combination of pigments, waxes and solvents to achieve the frosted/acid etched look and feel. A tint coating is applied to the inner surface of the film. To prevent a “wet” look when the shrink sleeve label is not printed with a tint coating, an anti-wet coating is printed on the inner surface of the film to eliminate the spotty and/or water stain appearance when applied to a container that contains imperfections.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a thermoplastic film is advanced onto a foraminous surface and impinged with hydraulic energy so as to impart an image or pattern into the film. In an effort to retain the image or pattern within the film, the film is exposed to a frequency range during the drying process, such as that frequency range which is provided by microwaves. It has been found that utilizing a frequency range of electro-magnetic radiation, like that of microwaves during the drying process of the film does not flatten or distort the image or pattern within the film, whereas a drying process utilizing hot air tends to soften the film, which has a deleterious on the image within the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-mold labeling method, and to molded plastic articles having an in-mold label as described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the in-mold label film comprises: (A) a polymer facestock having a printable upper surface and a lower surface, (B) a print layer having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface of the print layer is in contact with and adhered to the upper surface of the facestock, and (C) an adhesive layer having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface is in contact with and adhered to the upper surface of the print layer.

Abstract: A molding system and related method for forming a molded article, such as a container, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the injection material is supplied though a side gate and drawn into the mold cavity using a vacuum assist and optional heating of the mold portions, if necessary. This creates a preform having a closed end with a smooth outer surface without gate marks or other vestiges of the injection molding process. The preform is then blow molded to form an article or container having a smooth outer surface adjacent to a closed end thereof.

Abstract: Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder for substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material in tubular form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A first finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves outwardly and downwardly with respect to the extruder to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the extruded thermoplastic tube. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the finite length of thermoplastic tube therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set at a second position of the first mold set.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a multi-layer tube material having a barrier layer (12) situated between plastic layers (10, 14)—to hinder the passage of water vapor and gases—and featuring a pattern in one of the layers of the tube material micro-embossing created by micro-embossing (M) and producing a optical effect, the individual layers are joined to make a multi-layer tube material; in the said process one of the layers (12) in the form of a foil/film is embossed and joined up with the other layers thus forming the tube material. A multi-layer tube material manufactured using the that process exhibits a structure in which at least one single-layer or multi-layer plastic layer (10) which is transparent at least in some areas, a metal foil (12) with micro-embossing (M) on the side of the plastic layer (10), and at least one functional layer (14) in the form of a single-layer or multi-layer plastic layer.

Abstract: A multilayer optical body having improved dimensional stability is disclosed. The optical body includes an optical film, such as an oriented multilayer optical film, and a dimensionally stable layer, such as a transparent polycarbonate layer. In addition, in specific implementations, the invention includes an intermediate layer between the optical film and the dimensionally stable layer. Methods of making the optical body are also disclosed.

Abstract: A squeezable tube-shaped plastic container (10, 100) having a one-piece construction formed by extrusion blow-molding techniques. The container (10, 100) has a retractable end wall (26, 126) which is positionable into an outwardly projecting position and an inverted position. The end wall (26, 126), as blown, is in the outwardly projecting position and is thereafter inverted so that a tamper indicating covering (28, 128) can be attached to the end (14, 114) of the container (10, 100) thereby sealing the end wall (26, 126). The inverted end wall (26, 126) permits the container (10, 100) to be free standing on the standing ring (20, 120). In use, the flexible sidewall (12, 112) of the container (10, 100) is squeezed to snap the end wall (26, 126) from the inverted position to an outwardly projecting position to enable ready access to a dispensing opening (32, 132) on the end wall (26, 126).

Abstract: An in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including a first cam mechanism (58) and a second cam mechanism (64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.

Abstract: A plastic blow molding system (20) and a method for blow molding utilize an in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including first and second cam mechanisms (58, 64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling. Label transfer apparatus (160) provides high speed labeling of the dispensing assembly.

Abstract: A blow molding apparatus (10) including four molds (21, 22, 23, 24) that move into a common parison receiving position (26) from directions different from the directions that the molds move out of the parison receiving position (26). When in the parison receiving position (26), each mold receives, encloses and severs a length of parison then shapes the parison during blow molding. Two molds (21, 22) alternately move in respective first and second radial directions (36, 40) from the parison receiving position (26) to respective first and second outer positions (38, 39), to a common article take-out position (45) and then back to the parison receiving position (26) from a third radial direction (96). The third radial direction is angularly spaced between the first and second radial directions.

Abstract: An in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including a first cam mechanism (58) and a second cam mechanism (64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.

Abstract: Polymeric sheets or rolls suitable for printing and forming in-mold labels for plastic containers comprise a multi-layered, co-extruded, polymeric substrate having a container-facing side and an indicia-receiving side, at least one layer being a heat seal layer coextruded on the container-facing side, and at least one heat activatable adhesive layer which is coated on the container-facing side over the coextruded heat seal layer. Such a sheet or roll can be printed with label indicia and then cut into individual labels for affixing to the container as part of the in-molding process. Recyclable containers are provided having firmly adherent, squeeze-release-resistant labels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-mold label having a roughened inside surface to engage an article being molded in the mold. This roughened inside surface reduces air-entrapped blistering formed during molding, the air-entrapped blisters being between the label and the molded article. Preferably the label includes a plurality of perforations therein. To create the roughened inside surface at the time of perforating the label, the perforations are made by needles passing from the outside or exterior surface of the label through the inside surface thereby creating burrs on the inside surface; the inside surface being the surface which will engage the article to be molded. The label also preferably, in addition to the plurality of perforations and roughened inside surface, includes adhesive in a pattern on the inside surface.

Abstract: An expanded content label (ECL) having multiple layers and a heat-activated adhesive. The ECL is intended for use in an in-mold labeling process. A method for applying the ECL includes placing the ECL in a mold, molding an article within the mold thereby activating the adhesive, and removing the article with the label adhered thereto from the mold.

Abstract: A plastic blow molding system (20) and a method for blow molding utilize an in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including first and second cam mechanisms (58, 64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling. Label transfer apparatus (160) provides high speed labeling of the dispensing assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid injection molding machine that has the capability to draw an decorative or other sheet into a mold cavity prior to injection into the mold has opposing male and female mold parts. One of the mold parts has an insert formed from a porous metal so that a vacuum may be drawn through the insert in order to draw a decorative sheet into all aspects of the insert cavity. The decorative sheet is held in place with a retention mechanism that is selectively attachable to either of the two mold blocks.

Abstract: Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder or a blow head for substantially continuously emitting a thermoplastic material in tubular or parison form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves downwardly with respect to the extruder or blow head to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the emitted thermoplastic. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the emitted thermoplastic length therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set that is permitted to return and engage an other finite length of the thermoplastic material. The second mold set follows the first mold set in a path of travel traced by the first mold set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying labels to cylindrical portions of plastic bottles by in-mold labeling utilizes an indexing label magazine which dispenses labels to first label engaging heads and, following indexing of said label magazine, dispenses labels to second label engaging heads.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing a molded plastic container with embedded label in which the label contains one or more perforations to reduce blistering during the blow molding process. In a preferred embodiment, the perforations are larger on one side of the label than the other to facilitate the release of gases that otherwise would be trapped behind the label.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of labeled plastic bottles, to produce labeled bottles at a high output rate and with a reliable label hold wherein the bottles are labeled in a continuous flow directly after leaving the blowing machine. The bottles are still clean and dry, and allow for a reliable attachment of the labels at a high rate.

Abstract: Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder for substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material in tubular form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A first finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves outwardly and downwardly with respect to the extruder to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the extruded thermoplastic tube. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the finite length of thermoplastic tube therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set at a second position of the first mold set.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding articles from moldable material in a mold includes end of arm tooling for an articulated robot arm associated with the mold, where the end of arm tooling includes an insert transfer member mounted on the end of the articulated robot arm. The insert transfer member has an insert holder for gripping the insert. The apparatus also includes a charger for generating an electric field that causes the insert to adhere onto a surface of the mold.

Abstract: Methods of thermal annealing of plastic pieces immediately after hot melt forming are disclosed to accelerate the time required to achieve dimensional stability. The present methods include the essential steps of: (A) forming molten plastic into molded plastic pieces and rapidly cooling to below the melting point of the plastic in a mold to form shaped cooled plastic pieces; (B) immediately thereafter, heating the plastic pieces to a temperature of about 150° to 170° F. (65.5° to 80° C.) to form heated plastic pieces; and, thereafter, (C) cooling the heated plastic pieces to room temperature to form thermally annealed plastic pieces. Tn its product aspect, the present invention resides in physically aged thermoplastic pieces having reduced rates of age shrinkage.

Abstract: In-mold-labeling method and apparatus for labeling a plurality of cylindrical bottles simultaneously by withdrawing the end label from each of a plurality of spaced apart lanes of a label magazine, moving the transfer mechanism supporting such labels to a position aligned with the recesses of a mold and inserting a label in each of said recesses. The support mechanism with vacuum heads carrying adjacent labels causes adjacent vacuum heads to be moved to a position closer together when aligned with the mold recesses than when aligned with the respective lanes of the label magazine.

Abstract: A voided opaque film based on high crystalline polypropylene having high modulus and low heat shrinkage and low heat distortion properties. Biaxially oriented monolayer film of about 1.75 to 4 mil thickness can be handled without crazing or other handling deficiencies encountered with conventional in-mold label candidates.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for inserting labels into blow-molded hollow articles. The blow-molding apparatus includes a carrousel mounted to rotate within a support frame. The carrousel carries four multi-cavity molds around a circular mold path. Two blow-molding workstations are disposed next to the mold path in fixed positions relative to the frame. The carrousel is indexed to cause each mold to pause by each workstation, and at a label-insertion station, one time during each carrousel revolution. An in-mold labeler inserts a label into each mold at the label-insertion station. The in-mold labeler includes four picker heads supported on a carriage that shuttles the heads between label dispensing magazines and the mold station path. Each magazine includes a label stack receptacle in which labels rest edgewise, by gravitational force on a pair of label guide surfaces.