Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a pair of movable frames provided to be movable relative to each other so as to clamp a tank; multiple contact members provided on each of the pair of movable frames and each having a contact surface configured to contact an outer surface of the tank; a cooling liquid supply passage provided with multiple cooling liquid supply ports that respectively open in the contact surfaces of the contact members to supply a cooling liquid toward the outer surface of the tank; and a cooling liquid supply device that supplies the cooling liquid to the cooling liquid supply passage. Each of the contact surfaces is provided with grooves extending from a corresponding one of the cooling liquid supply ports to an outer edge of the contact surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for securing an autoclave bag to a composite fixture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a flange sealing device including a forward flange at a first end and an aft flange at a second end, and a composite fixture including a forward groove to locate and seal with the forward flange of the flange sealing device to affix an autoclave bag, an aft groove to locate and seal with the aft flange of the flange sealing device to affix the autoclave bag, and an aft locating ring to position the autoclave bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing containers (14) from preforms (12) made of thermoplastic material by means of a blow molding machine (10) comprising at least one temperature control device (26) and one forming device having at least two forming stations (16), wherein the preforms (12) are temperature controlled by means of the temperature control device (26) on the basis of specifiable first control parameters, and wherein one temperature-controlled preform (12) is formed by means of one of the forming stations (16), respectively, on the basis of specifiable second control parameters into a container (14), wherein at least one of the second control parameters is individually specified for each of the forming stations (16). The invention furthermore relates to a blow molding machine (10), designed for executing the method according to the invention, for producing containers (14) from preforms (12) made of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A method for producing a container from a preform having a body and a neck defining an inner cylindrical opening. The method including the steps of placing the preform in a mold having a molding cavity, —forming the container by injecting a forming fluid into the preform, and —filling the container with a liquid. Prior to forming of the container, an extension device is attached to the neck of the preform. The extension device includes an extension part defining an inner opening extending in the continuity of the inner opening of the neck. The extension device remaining attached to the neck of the preform at least during the forming and the filling steps.

Abstract: In a blow moulding machine for the production of plastics material containers, during a blow mould procedure, the container to be expanded is supplied with blow moulding air from a first gas preparation device on the one hand or from a second gas preparation device on the other hand. During this procedure a cooling of the base of the container is additionally carried out.

Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive anti-reflection article with a sufficient anti-reflection property by using an anti-reflection article manufacturing mold plate manufactured at low cost. In a method of manufacturing an anti-reflection article manufacturing mold plate used to manufacture an anti-reflection article provided with an anti-reflection surface in which minute convex portions or minute concave portions are densely arranged and a gap between the adjacent minute convex portions or minute concave portions is the shortest wavelength or less of a wavelength band for anti-reflection, the method of manufacturing an anti-reflection article manufacturing mold plate includes: molding an uneven shape on a surface of a receptive layer by causing an anti-reflection surface of another anti-reflection article to come into pressure-contact with the surface of the receptive layer including a curable base; and curing the receptive layer in which the uneven shape is molded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device used to blow-mold containers. After thermal conditioning, a preform is shaped into the container inside a blow mold by the effect of blowing pressure. Required blowing gas is introduced into an interior of the preform through a connecting element. After the blow-molding, a purging gas is conducted through the interior of the container. A plurality of blowing stations are used, and, for at least one of the blowing stations, at least part of the required amount of the purging gas is stored in a storage volume associated only with said blowing station.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining one or more tubing sections together to form a tubular catheter device, for shaping one or more tubular sections of a catheter device, and/or for fusing elements (e.g., a radiopaque marker) onto a portion of the catheter. Each section of the catheter is typically fabricated independently from the other sections. Subsequently, the separate sections are fused together to form the catheter. The methods described herein allow the various sections of the catheter to be fitted together for fabrication without the use of heat-shrink tubing. The fitted parts are clamped in a die or mold at a temperature at or near room temperature; the die is then rapidly heated to fuse the parts, rapidly cooled back down to a temperature at or about room temperature, and removed from the die.

Abstract: A process for decreasing the mold residence time in extrusion blow molding, wherein pressurized air is used to expand a plastic into a blow molded article. The process comprises providing an extrusion blow molding mold having a mold cavity, with an air inlet into the mold cavity. Then, providing pressurized air to the mold cavity through the air inlet during the blow molding of the article such that the plastic expands to the mold walls, then, providing a pressurized liquefied gas, such that the expanded plastic is cooled by the liquefied gas, whereby the residence time in the mold cavity is decreased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for blow-molding containers. Following a thermal conditioning process, a parison is stretched by a horizontal bar inside a blow station provided with a blow mold, and is molded into a container by the effect of the blowing pressure. In order to carry out the blow-molding, pressurized gas is introduced into the container. The horizontal rod is hollow at least in parts. Once a maximum blowing pressure has been reached in the blow station and at the earliest at the beginning of a pressure drop, a cooling gas is guided out of the horizontal bar towards the bottom of the blown container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device used to blow-mold containers. After thermal conditioning, a preform is shaped into the container inside a blow mold by the effect of blowing pressure. Required blowing gas is introduced into an interior of the preform through a connecting element. After the blow-molding, a purging gas is conducted through the interior of the container. A plurality of blowing stations are used, and, for at least one of the blowing stations, at least part of the required amount of the purging gas is stored in a storage volume associated only with said blowing station.

Abstract: The apparatus is constituted from a mold (1, 17, 14) formed by a central body (14) and a first head (1) and a second head (17) connected on opposite sides of the central body (14), as well as it having a rigid and perforated guide (5), which is axially centered inside the mold (1, 17, 14) whereon the blank pipe (10) is coupled longitudinally. This guide is provided with orifices (9) for the passage therethrough of an expansion fluid (18) which causes the expansion of the blank pipe (10) against the inner walls of the mold (1, 17, 14) without any heat exchange between the blank pipe (10) and the mold (1, 17, 14).

Abstract: Hollow body made of plastic having a fluorinated inner surface according to the present invention is characterized in that in one or more defined regions of the inner surface, the fluorine occupancy deviates from the mean fluorine occupancy by at least ±10%. Furthermore, a method for the production of a hollow body made of plastic having a fluorinated inner surface is presented, in which, for the formation of fluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon compounds, the inner surface is exposed to the action of a defined amount of a fluorine-containing treatment gas and the hollow body is thermostatted on its outside so that the temperature in one or more defined regions of the outside is at least ±2° C. above/below the mean temperature of the outside.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube along its entire length at the same time and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretch blow moulding a preform into a desired article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting the preform into a hollow mould, stretching the heated preform with a stretching member, filling the preform with an incompressible fluid such that the preform expands and is formed into the article by the mould and draining the incompressible fluid from the interior of the formed article. The apparatus comprises a hollow mould for receiving the preform, a stretching member for stretching the preform, an incompressible fluid filling means for filling the preform with an incompressible fluid such that the preform expands and a drain for draining the incompressible fluid from the formed article.

Abstract: A process and a device for the manufacture of a hollow body, particularly of a heat-resistant hollow body, which is molded out of a heated preform of thermoplastic plastic in a contoured blow mold through the introduction of a first medium into the preform, which medium is stored in a first medium storage unit and is under a pressure (p1) (preblowing phase), and the more or less simultaneous stretching of the hollow body through a stretching rod and the introduction of a second medium in the hollow body, which medium is stored in a second medium storage unit and the pressure of which (p2) is higher than the pressure of the first medium (p1) (final blowing phase), and which is cooled by a third medium, which is medium stored in a third medium storage unit (rinsing phase), whereby the preblowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 2-20 bar, the final blowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 15-45 bar, and the cooling medium is under a pressure of approximately 30-45 bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretch blow moulding a preform into a desired article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting the preform into a hollow mould, stretching the heated preform with a stretching member, filling the preform with an incompressible fluid such that the preform expands and is formed into the article by the mould and draining the incompressible fluid from the interior of the formed article. The apparatus comprises a hollow mould for receiving the preform, a stretching member for stretching the preform, an incompressible fluid filling means for filling the preform with an incompressible fluid such that the preform expands and a drain for draining the incompressible fluid from the formed article.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention teach a method for post-mold treatment of a molded article and an apparatus for implementing the method. For example, a method of post-mold treatment of a molded article is provided. The method can be implemented in a molded article receptacle. The method comprises at a first instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a first type of post-mold treatment; and at a second instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a second type of post-mold treatment.

Abstract: Process for forming containers from a blank, preferably a preform, made of a thermoplastic, the containers being formed using a stretch-blow moulding machine of rotary type having a blow-moulding mould mounted on the periphery of a carousel rotated continuously about its axis, the blow-moulding mould operating in cyclic manner according to a blow-moulding cycle having the following steps: placing a preheated blank in a blow-moulding mould; closing the blow-moulding mould; blowing the blank in the blow-moulding mould; flushing the inside of the container with a cooling gas, by injecting air thereinto; grasping the blow-moulded container by external gripping means; and opening the blow-moulding mould, which process includes automatically varying the duration of the flushing step at each start of production of the containers, in a temporary and evolving manner for a few minutes to establish in the containers thermal conditions enabling the first containers to be formed at a temperature that gives them a final vo

Abstract: The apparatus is constituted from a mould (1, 17, 14) formed by a central body (14) and a first head (1) and a second head (17) connected on opposite sides of the central body (14), as well as it having a rigid and perforated guide (5), which is axially centred inside the mould (1, 17, 14) whereon the blank pipe (10) is coupled longitudinally. This guide is provided with orifices (9) for the passage therethrough of an expansion fluid (18) which causes the expansion of the blank pipe (10) against the inner walls of the mould (1, 17, 14) without any heat exchange between the blank pipe (10) and the mould (1, 17, 14).

Abstract: A die for molding a cuff on a plastic tube, including an upper shell and a lower shell defining a molding cavity between them; each of the shells has an external structure and an internal wall for defining a half of the molding cavity and for defining a hollow space with the external structure. The molding cavity and hollow spaces are separated from each other by internal walls. The die includes openings which are connected with the molding cavity and the hollow spaces respectively.

Abstract: A plastic film preform is expanded to form a container. The preform has a longitudinal axis that extends from an open top to a closed bottom. The preform is pressurized with a first pressure sufficient to cause side walls of the preform to expand outwardly and the bottom of the preform to be drawn inwardly thereby reducing a length of the preform along the longitudinal axis. Side molds are closed around the side walls of the preform, the closed side molds being larger than the expanded side walls. A bottom mold is closed to be adjacent to the bottom of the preform after pressurizing the preform with the first pressure. The preform is pressurized with a second pressure sufficient to expand the preform to fill the closed molds. The preform is thereby significantly stretched in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and minimally stretched along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube along its entire length at the same time and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed herein.

Abstract: In various embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for blow molding plastics are provided. In particular, the present disclosure provides for devices, systems, and methods that are configured to create an internal cooling airflow, using conductive and convective cooling thermal properties, such that the cycle time for blow molding plastics is reduced. The decrease in cycle time provided for in accordance with the disclosed devices, systems, and methods are between, approximately 15 percent and 35 percent.

Abstract: An auxiliary device and a method for finishing and calibrating preforms that are removed from a multiple tool in an unstable shape, the calibration process being performed with compressed air immediately after removing and withdrawing the preforms from the multiple tool. Nipples that can be inserted into the preforms are provided with expandable press rings or sealing rings in order to seal the interior of the blow-molded part of the preforms. The compressed air is introduced via the nipples, the sealing process being performed by radially expanding the press rings or sealing rings in analogy to the closing process of thermoses, thus protecting the preforms from adverse forces. The sealing point can be randomly selected in the transition zone from the threaded part to the blow-molded part of the preforms. The interior of the blow-molded part is optimally sealed without affecting the form stability and dimensional stability of the preforms.

Abstract: The method comprises the following sequence of stages of operation: feeding the blowing air into the parison enclosed in the mould (1), with the maximum pressure characteristics required for the blow moulding thermoforming cycle, and maintaining this blowing condition for a minimum period depending on the characteristics of the container to be produced; reducing the blowing air pressure to a specified minimum level sufficient to keep the blown container adhering to the inner walls of the mould (1) which contains and shapes it; discharging the blowing air at low pressure from the inside of the blown container, in such a way that the inner surface of the container is bathed by a flow of air which is constantly renewed at the appropriate flow rate, which rapidly reduces the internal temperature of the container, while the external temperature of the container is reduced by contact with the walls of the mould (1) which are cooled by the forced circulation of a cooling fluid; interrupting the blowing cycle and the

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for blow-moulding containers. Following a thermal conditioning process, a parison is stretched by a horizontal bar inside a blow station provided with a blow mould, and is moulded into a container by the effect of the blowing pressure. In order to carry out the blow-moulding, pressurised gas is introduced into the container. The horizontal rod is hollow at least in parts. Once a maximum blowing pressure has been reached in the blow station and at the earliest at the beginning of a pressure drop, a cooling gas is guided out of the horizontal bar towards the bottom of the blown container.

Abstract: A container made by reheat stretch blow molding process comprises a poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer including levels of diethylene glycol lower than that generated as a byproduct in conventional resin manufacturing process and minor amounts of naphthalenedicarboxylic acid resulting in containers which exhibit enhanced mechanical properties. Methods for making the contains and hot filling the containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Structured films having acoustical absorbance properties are disclosed. Methods of making and using the structured films are also disclosed.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions comprising polyamide, polyimide, an organo phosphorus compound and an optional reinforcing filler are described. The subject compositions are useful in blow molding methods. A method of blow molding is also described as well as articles made by the method.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-chamber syringe with a by-pass channel from a plastic material comprises the steps of producing a tubular preform from a thermoplastic material; providing a die designed to enclose the preform from the outside in an area of the by-pass channel to be formed, the at least one by-pass channel being preformed as a recess on an inner surface of the die; heating-up the preform to a temperature above the softening range of the plastic material, and positioning the preform in a predefined axial position inside the die; subjecting the preform to a differential pressure until the at least one by-pass channel is plastically formed; and cooling down the syringe body so formed to room temperature.

Abstract: A process and a device for the manufacture of a hollow body, particularly of a heat-resistant hollow body, which is molded out of a heated preform of thermoplastic plastic in a contoured blow mold through the introduction of a first medium into the preform, which medium is stored in a first medium storage unit and is under a pressure (p1) (preblowing phase), and the more or less simultaneous stretching of the hollow body through a stretching rod and the introduction of a second medium in the hollow body, which medium is stored in a second medium storage unit and the pressure of which (p2) is higher than the pressure of the first medium (p1) (final blowing phase), and which is cooled by a third medium, which is medium stored in a third medium storage unit (rinsing phase), whereby the preblowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 2-20 bar, the final blowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 15-45 bar, and the cooling medium is under a pressure of approximately 30-45 bar.

Abstract: Hot fill and retort stable containers can be made by blowmolding parisons made with polyalkylene terephthalate and a sufficient amount of nucleating agent under conditions that include heated molds, directional cooling air on container stress areas from vents formed into a push rod that is extended into the molded container while still in the heated mold, and an adequate residence time to grow the desired degree of crystallinity.

Abstract: A method for forming an integral socket to a pipe made from biaxially oriented thermoplastic material is described. The pipe has a pipe body and is provided, at one or both ends, with an integral socket. The biaxially oriented thermoplastic pipe is subjected to a socket-forming operation comprising the steps of fixing both axial ends of the unheated end part of the pipe, heating the fixed end part to a suitable socket-forming temperature in one or more steps, and expanding the axially fixed end part with the aid of a fluid pressure in the interior of the end part and/or a vacuum on the outer side of the end part, which expansion may begin as early as during the heating of the end part.

Abstract: A process for producing a fiber-reinforced molded article and the resulting article such as a cantilevered battery tray. In the process, thermoplastic material in its solid state having a melt flow index above 25 g/10 minutes is fed into a suitable processing machine simultaneous with the addition of reinforcing fibers having a length of at least 0.375 inch or greater and sized with a material such as polyurethane, polyurea, and isocyanate derivatives thereof. The introduced materials are subjected to orientational agitation such that the reinforcing fibers are filamentized in an essentially homogeneous dispersion throughout the solid polymeric material. Once filamentization and dispersion are achieved, the resulting admixture is subjected to knead melting operations for an interval sufficient to achieve melting of the polymeric material introduced into a suitable plasticizing apparatus where the introduced material can be subjected to suitable knead melting operations.

Abstract: A plastic carafe includes a body portion having an enclosed base defined by a plurality of upstanding posts and a plurality of panels separating the posts from one another. The carafe further includes a neck portion having a blown finish at the top of the carafe that defines a wide-mouth. A shoulder portion transitions the posts and panels to the neck portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon.

Abstract: A PET hot fill bottle (2) has a neck (3) and a body (4). It is stretched and blown into a cavity (14), with internal pressure holding the body against the cavity. During a first period, the cavity is heated to 100° to 160° C. for between 3 to 7 seconds to relax stresses in the body. During a second period the cavity is cooled to 60° to 120° C. for 4 to 8 seconds. This solidifies it—without introducing stresses—so that it can be removed from the mould. The resulting bottle is heat stable when filled with water close to its boiling point, namely at 92° C. to 98° C. For the rapid heating and cooling of the mould cavity, it is provided with two series of passages (16, 17). The former house ohmic heaters (18); whilst the latter are connected to water and air supply lines (19, 20).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.

Abstract: A wide-mouth plastic container is formed from a preform that is blow-molded to form an intermediate container article that has blown threads located below a moil. The moil is severed above the blown threads to yield the finished container. A preform and process for manufacturing the wide-mouth container are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an arrangement for the production of blow-molded hollow bodies from plastic with a blow molding machine, wherein a cooling medium can be blown via a conduit into a blow mold respectively into the hollow body for blowing up and cooling of the blow-molded hollow body. For improvement of cooling the interior of the hollow body within the blow mold, a closed conduit system is provided, in which the cooling medium circulates and is kept at an elevated pressure level and is cooled by means of a heat exchanger. Thereby, a higher yield of piece per time is realized at lower production cost. The closed cooling medium circulation system can be essentially retrofitted to all blow molding machine in order to raise efficiency.

Abstract: A method of making a disposable tumbler includes: injection molding a polyethylene terephthalate resin in an annular mold cavity defined by an injection mold wall and a core to form a resinous parison on the core; separating the parison from the injection mold wall by moving the parison on the core away from the mold wall; moving the parison on the core into alignment with a blow-mold; and expanding the parison by directing a pressurized fluid to its interior such that the parison separates from the core and expands to the surface of the blow mold to form the tumbler, wherein the parison is radially expanded by a factor of at least about 2.6 at its base to form the tumbler. Typically, the parison is radially expanded at its base by a factor of from about 2.6 to about 3.25 to form the tumbler; whereas preferably the parison is expanded by a factor of from about 2.7 to about 2.9.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat set plastic container including: providing a mold cavity having sidewall surfaces and base surfaces; providing a plastic preform within the mold cavity; expanding and stretching the preform into conformity with the sidewall surfaces and the base surfaces to form a plastic container having a sidewall and a base; and inducing crystallinity in the base of the plastic container by applying heat from the base surfaces of the mold cavity to the base of the plastic container and by applying heat from an interior portion of the plastic container to an interior surface of the base of the plastic container.

Abstract: A method for producing a biaxially oriented, heat set plastic container, including the steps of providing a plastic preform within a mold cavity; expanding and stretching the plastic preform into conformity with the surfaces defining the mold cavity to form a biaxially oriented plastic container; inducing crystallinity in the plastic container by using convection heat transfer to heat a surface of the plastic container to a temperature of at least 120° C.; and removing the plastic container from the mold cavity. The PET containers produced by the method have an average sidewall crystallinity greater than about 30%, which allows the PET container to maintain its material integrity during any subsequent pasteurization or retort process of the contents in the PET container, and during shipment of the PET container.

Abstract: A method for producing a biaxially oriented, heat set plastic container, including the steps of providing a plastic preform within a mold cavity; expanding and stretching the plastic preform into conformity with the surfaces defining the mold cavity to form a biaxially oriented plastic container; inducing crystallinity in the plastic container by using convection heat transfer to heat a surface of the plastic container to a temperature of at least 120° C.; and removing the plastic container from the mold cavity. The PET containers produced by the method have an average sidewall crystallinity greater than about 30%, which allows the PET container to maintain its material integrity during any subsequent pasteurization or retort process of the contents in the PET container, and during shipment of the PET container.

Abstract: A method of stretch blow molding a plastic parison mounted to a parison engagement assembly into a container including stretching the parison by sliding the stretching rod therethrough and into the parison, connecting the cooling fluid inlet port to the source of cooling fluid to introduce the cooling fluid within the container through the cooling fluid outlet port, and heating the blow mold rod seal assembly to maintain at least a portion of the stretching rod above the preselected level, and to maintain portions of seals above the predetermined level.

Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: An improved molding process provides highly conductive polymer composite parts have bulk conductivity over 10 S/cm. This conductivity is particularly useful in collector plate for use in fuel cells. The process can include compounding of a mixture of conductive filler with a polymer binder, extruding the mixture after the binder is plasticized to make pellets. The pellets can then be introduced to a dual temperature feed container of an injection molding machine and injected under high pressure and velocity into the mold cavity. The resulting parts, and particularly collector plates can be made economically and provide a high conductivity while maintaining strength and chemical resistance properties.

Abstract: A method of blow molding a plastic article. A plastic article is blow molded within a mold. The article has plastic parison a wall. The wall is pierced by a first and a second needle or blowing pin. The wall forms a fluid-tight connection between the first needle and the parison wall. A volume of cooling liquid is injected into the article through the first needle. The cooling liquid cools the interior wall. Gas is vented from within the article through the second needle while the cooling liquid is injected into the article. The cooling liquid is evacuated through the first needle after the interior wall is cooled sufficiently to be removed from the mold.