Abstract: A composite mould set for use on a conventional type of injection-molding machine is made up of composite mold halves (10) which are mounted one on each platen (12) of the injection molding machine. Each mold half (10) carries an array of injection molding cavities (16) for molding preforms, and an array of blow molding cavities (18) for stretch blow molding of the preforms into a blow molded product. The respective cavities (16) and (18) are arranged so that they open in a common mold separation direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a balloon to be attached to a medical catheter involves drawing a cylindrical balloon base in its circumferential direction and/or its lengthwise direction, while the inside and/or outside of the balloon base is in contact with a fluid in a supercritical state for the balloon base to be modified.

Abstract: In effecting the stretching by using a stretch rod in a method of producing a biaxially stretched polyester bottle, the air is blown into the preform at such a flow rate that the preform does not come in contact with the stretch rod but the end thereof and does not come in contact with the surfaces of the mold, either. There can be produced a biaxially stretched polyester bottle having an average thickness of about 0.05 to about 0.2 mm or having a further decreased thickness using a resin in decreased amounts and having a decreased weight without developing burst or whitening caused by over-stretching, without forming ring-like thick portion yet maintaining a good yield and efficiency.

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: A stretch rod used for forming a preform into a hollow body having in its surface a plurality of raised portions and/or recesses relative to the circular cylinder shape, whereby the stretch rod tip can come into contact with the concave, rotationally symmetric inner surface of the preform at a plurality of locations which are separate from one another. Also, a method and an apparatus for forming a preform into a hollow body, which uses such a stretch rod.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an end-use article comprising: preparing a polymeric composition and converting the polymeric composition into an end-use article by injection stretch blow molding, wherein the article has an initial flexural modulus from about 100,000 psi to about 150,000 psi. A method of manufacturing an end-use article comprising: preparing a polymeric composition; converting the polymeric composition into an end-use article by injection stretch blow molding; and determining the initial mechanical properties of the end-use article. Articles prepared by the disclosed methodologies.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a preform for two-stage injection-stretch-blow-moulding (ISBM) from polypropylene resin produced with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system and having a melt flow index MI2 of from 1 to 20 dg/min, wherein polypropylene is injected at a melt temperature of at least 265° C. Also disclosed are the preforms obtainable by the method, the use of the preforms for preparing bottles, and the bottles prepared from the preforms.

Abstract: A process for producing clear injection stretch blow molded containers comprising: I. molding a propylene polymer composition comprising: (A) a propylene polymer chosen from: (i) a homopolymer or minirandom copolymer of propylene containing up to 1.0 wt % of at least one of ethylene and C4-C10 ?-olefins; (ii) a random copolymer of propylene and at least one olefin chosen from ethylene and C4-C10 ?-olefins; and (iii) mixtures thereof, the propylene polymer having a melt flow rate of from about 1 to about 50; and (B) about 1 to about 1000 ppm, based on the weight of the propylene polymer, of at least one radiant heat absorbent; thereby forming a preform; and II. stretch blow molding the preform; wherein in step II, heat is supplied by infrared radiation, and the containers have a haze value less than 25.0%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device which is used to blow-form containers (2). A preform (1) is stretched inside a blow form (4) by a horizontal bar (11) after thermal conditioning and is shaped in the container by means of blow pressure effects. At least one part of the pressurised gas is guided towards the base area of the container (2). One particular advantage of said invention is that the flow path ends in the vicinity of the base area. At least one part of the pressurised gas (2) is guided into the container by the horizontal bar (11).

Abstract: A system for making plastic containers includes a source for providing a continuous stream of molten plastic, and a cutter for severing a continuing series of individual mold charges from the continuous molten plastic stream. A compression molder includes a plurality of compression molds arranged in a continuing series for receiving the mold charges in sequence and compression molding the mold charges into a continuing series of individual plastic container preforms. A blow molder includes a plurality of blow molds arranged in a continuing series for receiving the individual plastic container preforms in sequence and blow molding the preforms into a continuing series of plastic containers. A common drive coordinates continuous and synchronous operation of the molten plastic source, the cutter, the compression molder and the blow molder to provide the continuing series of plastic containers from the continuous stream of molten plastic.

Abstract: This invention discloses bottles and pre-forms prepared by injection-stretch-blow-moulding (ISBM) from a composition comprising polypropylene and an inorganic non-sorbitol nucleating agent.

Abstract: Stretch blow molded containers produced from a propylene polymer composition produced with a Ziegler Natta catalyst, the propylene polymer composition comprising: A. 25.0 wt % to 65.0 wt % of a homopolymer or minirandom copolymer of propylene containing up to 1.0 wt % of at least one of ethylene and C4-C10?-olefins, having an isotactic index greater than about 80%; and B. 35.0 wt % to 75.0 wt % of a random copolymer of propylene and at least one olefin chosen from ethylene and C4-C10 ?-olefins, containing about 0.3 to about 30 wt % of said olefin, and having an isotactic index greater than 60.0%; wherein the propylene polymer composition has a melt flow rate of 1 to 25 and a molecular weight distribution greater than 3.5.

Abstract: A finish on a hollow plastic preform or container includes a neck that is at least partially of crystallizable polymer construction and is at least partially crystallized, and a finish ring externally secured over the neck. The neck preferably is of molded plastic construction, and preferably is stretched subsequent to molding but prior to external securement of the finish ring. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the preform or container has an integral body, and the neck is integrally molded with the body. The finish ring preferably has at least one external thread for securement of a closure to the container after molding.

Abstract: A system for making plastic containers includes a source for providing a continuous stream of molten plastic, and a cutter for severing a continuing series of individual mold charges from the continuous molten plastic stream. A compression molder includes a plurality of compression molds arranged in a continuing series for receiving the mold charges in sequence and compression molding the mold charges into a continuing series of individual plastic container preforms. A blow molder includes a plurality of blow molds arranged in a continuing series for receiving the individual plastic container preforms in sequence and blow molding the preforms into a continuing series of plastic containers. A common drive coordinates continuous and synchronous operation of the molten plastic source, the cutter, the compression molder and the blow molder to provide the continuing series of plastic containers from the continuous stream of molten plastic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter device having a dilatation balloon formed from a polymeric material crosslinked by moisture through —Si—O—Si— linkages, and to a method of making the same. The polymeric material is formed by reacting at least one organofunctional hydrolyzable silane with at least one polymer. The crosslinked polymeric structure is ideal for forming more resilient and durable catheter balloons. In particular, the catheter balloons have excellent abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a hollow member having a wall thickness, in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, that varies in the longitudinal direction, the process including a heating step of heating a tubular material (Pa) so that the tubular material (Pa) is given a temperature variation in the longitudinal direction, and a stretching step of axially stretching the tubular material (Pa) that has been heated in the preceding step. In this way, a hollow member having a cross-sectional wall thickness that is variable in the longitudinal direction can be easily produced.

Abstract: A multiple cavity bottle is manufactured by injection molding a preform having a helical septum and blow molding the preform to create a bottle having a helical septum separating the bottle into two cavities. The helical septum is molded with a twist sufficient to accommodate a contact point size for stretch rods used in blow molding. Blow molding is then accomplished by inserting at least two stretch rods from the top end of the preform to the contact points, heating the preform to a softening temperature, extending the stretch rods to stretch the preform and introducing gas pressure into the preform to stretch a blow molding portion into a final bottle shape within a mold.

Abstract: The method involves making a hollow blow molded thermoplastic article having an integral handle. An unblown preform of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is inserted into a blow mold and thereafter stretched by a stretch rod. Blow gas is then injected into the interior of the preform when the blow mold is closed and the preform is at a stretch temperature. After the preform is blown into the shape of the bottle in the mold, blow gas is discharged from the stretch rod onto an interior wall surface where the handle is to be formed. Heated movable mold segments are then advanced within the blow mold from a first retracted position to a second position thereby compressing an interior wall surface of the article into contact with a facing interior wall surface of the bottle to bond the surfaces at an elevated temperature and form an integral handle extending from the exterior wall of the blow molded article.

Abstract: A system for making plastic containers includes a source for providing a continuous stream of molten plastic, and a cutter for severing a continuing series of individual mold charges from the continuous molten plastic stream. A compression molder includes a plurality of compression molds arranged in a continuing series for receiving the mold charges in sequence and compression molding the mold charges into a continuing series of individual plastic container preforms. A blow molder includes a plurality of blow molds arranged in a continuing series for receiving the individual plastic container preforms in sequence and blow molding the preforms into a continuing series of plastic containers. A common drive coordinates continuous and synchronous operation of the molten plastic source, the cutter, the compression molder and the blow molder to provide the continuing series of plastic containers from the continuous stream of molten plastic.

Abstract: A machine for making thermoplastic containers by stretching and blowing a preform including at least a stretch rod which is slidably controlled along its axis by an actuator from a retracted position to a stretching position to stretch the preform during the blowing process. When the stretch rod returns toward its retracted position, the actuator is idle, such that the stretch rod is returned by a blowing pressure prevailing inside the container being produced so as to act on a working end of the stretch rod.

Abstract: A container is made in two stages from thermoplastics material. In the first stage a preform (1) is injection moulded, the mould parts easily releasing a tubular body (2) with a closed end and an outwardly projecting rim (3) at the open end. In the second stage the still heated preform (1) is blow moulded, possibly with some preliminary mechanical stretching, with the blow pin (13) seated in the open end of the body (2) and the preform (1) held by the other part (7) of its rim. The wall of the body (2) is expanded, and immediately below the open end it is stretched outwardly to meld with the underside of the inner part (5) of the rim. The resultant container thus has a mouth defined by an inset lip. It may be of paint tin form, with a drip groove (9) around the mouth.

Abstract: A blow mold (1) for a stretching machine or a glass blowing machine, comprising two mold halves (3, 4) which are pivotably connected by at least one connecting pin (2), and a shutting device and locking device in the form of a closing clamp (7) which can be slid directly onto the mold halves (3, 4) from the side of the connecting pin (2). The mold halves (3, 4) are closed around the connecting pin (2) by the sliding, pressing contact of the closing clamp (7) and in the closed position, are pressed against each other without a gap, resulting in a mechanically simple, space-saving blow mold (1).

Abstract: Low polymer stress balloons are made by expanding a tube radially while allowing the ends of the tube to move axially in response to the radial expansion.

Abstract: A multi-layered perform 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 method of making a polyester container having an enhanced level of crystallinity in the sidewall while maintaining a low level of crystallinity in a thickened base portion. The container is particularly useful as a refillable container which can withstand higher caustic wash temperatures and exhibits reduced flavor carryover, or as a hot-fill container. According to the method, a sidewall-forming section of a preform is initially expanded, heated to contract and crystallize the same, and than reexpanded; a base-forming portion of the preform is shielded from the heat treatment and is expanded either before or after the heat treatment step.

Abstract: Improve the strength of the stretch blow receptacle and make the heat resistant treatment easier, by making the receptacle wall cross-section multi-layered in view of crystalline density, and the crystalline density of the surface layer high density. The inventions concerns a thin plastic receptacle 2 molded by stretch blowing of a bottomed preform 1 in the longitudinal and transversal directions. The wall cross-section is composed of inside and outside surface layers 2a whose crystalline density is high by stretching, a core layer 2b presenting a lower density than the surface layers 2a, and an intermediate layer 2c presenting a graduated density between both layers 2a, 2b.

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: 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: A method of manufacturing a container for containing an oxygen sensitive product from a heated plastic by blow molding the plastic with a compressed gas that is inert to the oxygen sensitive product. The heated plastic may contain an oxygen barrier layer or an oxygen scavenging component. The gas is also inert to the oxygen scavenging component, if it is present. An exemplary compressed gas is nitrogen gas. The blow molding may be extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding or stretch blow molding. The plastic may be, for example, a polyolefin, a nylon, or a polyester.

Abstract: Apparatus for blow moulding plastic containers, comprising a plurality of pairs of half-moulds (1, 2) capable of being coupled with each other, separated from each other and clamped together, said pairs (1, 2) being associated to an appropriate central structure and constituted by a stationary half-mould (1), which is substantially attached to said structure, and a respective moving half-mould (2) capable of being opened and clamped with a rotary motion, in which there are provided means adapted (3, 4) to arrange a respective preform (7) in a pre-defined position adapted for blow moulding, and to hold this preform (7) in this position regardless of the position of the respective half-moulds (1, 2), these means being in particular constituted by: a fork means (3) firmly joined to a respective stationary half-mould (1), a pincer-like gripper (5) adapted to transfer a respective preform (7) from an external position and fit it on to the respective fork means (3), and a small-tube (4) assembly adapted to be inser

Abstract: The biaxially oriented hollow bodies are obtained by employing random propylene terpolymers which comprise ethylene (0.5 to 5% by weight) and 1-butene (2 to 12% by weight), which have a melting temperature of 120 to 150° C., which are degraded by a free radical generator and which have a degradation factor A of from 1.5 to 10, the said factor being represented by MFIg/MFIi, in which MFIg is the melt flow index of the degraded terpolymer (of between 3 and 30 g/10 min) and MFIi is the melt flow index of the initial terpolymer (of between 2 and 15 g/10 min). The process for the manufacture of the biaxially oriented hollow bodies is by injection stretch blowmoulding. The biaxially oriented hollow bodies are used for packaging.

Abstract: Injection stretch blow molded containers are obtainable from olefin polymers, comprising homopolymers of propylene or copolymers of propylene with other C2-C10-alk-1-enes, which are obtainable by polymerizing the corresponding monomers with metallocene catalysts. Processes for producing injection stretch blow molded containers from olefin polymers, and also the use of olefin polymers for producing injection stretch blow molded containers, are described.

Abstract: The method involves making a hollow blow molded thermoplastic article having an integral handle. An unblown preform of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is inserted into a blow mold and thereafter stretched by a stretch rod. Blow gas is then injected into the interior of the preform when the blow mold is closed and the preform is at a stretch temperature. After the preform is blown into the shape of the bottle in the mold, blow gas is discharged from the stretch rod onto an interior wall surface where the handle is to be formed. Movable mold segments are then advanced within the blow mold from a first retracted position to a second position thereby compressing an interior wall surface of the article into contact with a facing interior wall surface of the bottle to bond the surfaces at an elevated temperature and form an integral handle extending from the exterior wall of the blow molded article.

Abstract: A method for stretch blow molding a wide-mouthed container, employing a preliminary stretching before stretch blowing without making an upper body portion thickened so as to thin the wall thickness from the connecting portion between the mouth portion and the body portion, thereby preventing the thickening phenomenon at the subjected portion. A preform having a large diameter mouth portion, a body portion and a bottom portion is injection molded within an injection mold. The preform is released from the injection mold in a state where the inside thereof is still in a high temperature while holding the mouth portion of the preform with a lip mold. Then, the preform is transferred to a blow mold as it is. Before the stretch blow molding step of the preform, a stretching rod is descended in a predetermined length to preliminary stretch the body portion in some extent.

Abstract: A mould tool comprises a primary cavity part (201), a core part (202), a secondary cavity assembly (203) and an actuation ring (204). The primary cavity part (201) is attached to the fixed platen of a moulding machine in use and incorporates an injection gate (211). The core part (202) is attached to the moving platen and has a fixed portion (2021) having outside its preform shaping surfaces (20211) four pivot points (224)—of which two are shown—for the secondary cavity petals (2030), of which there are four. Also the core part incorporates a movable portion (2022), comprised of a preform shaping end plate (20221), a carrier (20222) for the end plate, a pair of movement rods (20223) to which the carrier is attached and which are housed in bores (20224) in the core (202) via linear bearings (20225).

Abstract: Method for manufacturing plastic bottles, including the step in which respective preforms are removed from the respective moulds, and the step in which said preforms are transferred into temperature conditioning stations for a predetermined period of time, during which said preforms are caused to undergo an asymmetrical heat treatment that is effective in heating in a different manner a preform sector having an angular spread of a definite value that is anyway not less than 180°. The method includes the step in which said surface sector of the preform is heated up with the help of heating means that are partially arranged in a crown-like manner around the respective preform.

Abstract: A bottle having substantially no strain due to fluidized orientation in the bottom portion thereof which is homogeneously and uniformly drawn, and, as a result, exhibiting improved shock resistance and buckling strength in the bottom portion, featuring excellent resistance against environmental cracking at the center in the bottom portion, without developing crazing or whitening during the preservation, and offering excellent appearance. The bottle is formed by biaxially stretch-blow-molding a thermoplastic resin, and has a mouth portion, a shoulder portion, a barrel portion and a bottom portion, said bottom portion without being substantially affected by the residual strain due to orientation by fluidization.

Abstract: In a single-row and expandable into a multi-row stretch blow molding method and apparatus, at least one row of tray plates in a tray unit is used to collect molded preforms ejected from the opening clamp of a preform-molding unit, transfer the preforms with or without transfer beads out of the molding area and align them with the center row distances of the downstream processing units. At least one robot having a universal gripper assembly is used to pick up either all or consecutively fractions of the preforms align them to the center distances of the blow mold cavities to place them at variable time intervals into a conditioning, stretch blow molding and oriented discharge unit, releases finished hollow articles and returns to a waiting position at the preform-molding and tray unit again at the preform mold's center distance independent of the preform-molding cycle. Simultaneously, component transfer devices may pick up external components, i.e.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding a plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, plus a plastic container having an inclined or angled mouth and neck portion.

Abstract: A process for blowing a balloon from a tubular parison of a thermoplastic polymer material by radially expanding the parison at an elevated temperature and pressure, the process characterized in that: a) the polymer material includes a “H-bonding” polymer which undergoes interchain hydrogen bonding between at least some segments thereof; b) the parison is conditioned in a high moisture environment prior to blowing, and c) the balloon is blown after moisture conditioning of the parison and without an intervening drying thereof. H-bonding polymers may be polyamides, polyurethanes or block copolymers containing a polyamide or polyurethane block. The process reduces occurrence of fish eye defects in the formed balloons.

Abstract: There are various ways to latch a closure onto a container. It has been found that for blowmolded containers that the support flange for the bottle preform can later be used as a part of the latch mechanism to secure a closure onto the container. Preforms have a support flange by which the preform is handled prior to being placed into the mold and in the mold. Prior to being placed in the mold, the preform is heated to about 85° C. to about 200° C. During this time and in the mold, it will be supported by the support flange. This support flange is used after the container is blown and filled as one part of the latching mechanism of the closure. The closure will have a portion that is an interference fit with the support flange of the bottle to thereby secure the closure to the bottle.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilation catheter is provided herein. The method includes the steps of: (i) positioning a tube in a preconditioned mold; (ii) expanding the tube in a preconditioned mold to form a parison; (iii) positioning the parison in a balloon mold; and (iv) expanding the parison within the balloon mold to form the balloon. Thus, the tube is initially expanded into a parison in the preconditioned mold. Subsequently, the parison is expanded into a balloon in the balloon mold. Because of this unique manufacturing process, polyester block copolymers can be formed into balloons. Some of these polyester block copolymers could not be formed into a balloon using prior art blow molding processes. The resulting balloon exhibits superior characteristics, including relatively thin and consistent walls, soft texture, low uninflated crossing profile, expansion in a predictable fashion, and good tensile strength.

Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, producing preforms from which bottles can be blown, are disclosed. The method includes using a piston (72) to force mouldable material (M) into a preform shaped cavity (52). The mouldable material enters via a feed pipe (68) and a valve (70). The cavity (52) is bounded by a female mould part (48) and by a male mould part (50) comprising a sleeve (56) and rod (58) with a head (60) at one end. The piston (72), as it advances, pushes the material (M) into the mould cavity (52). A blow mould cavity (54) receives the moulded preform and the core (50) so that the preform can be blown without being removed from the core.

Abstract: A container is made in two stages from material such as thermoplastics that is deformable when heated. In the first stage a preform (1) is injection moulded, the mould parts easily releasing a tubular body (2) with a closed end. In the second stage the still heated preform (1) is blow moulded, possibly with some preliminary mechanical stretching, the blow pin being applied to the open end. The closed end of the body is stretched over a multi-part section (7, 8) of the mould which shapes the base of the container into an indent with an undercut formation, the cross section being generally omega-shaped. The multi-part mould section has a central tapered core (8) surrounded by an array of segments (7), the core (8) being fully inserted to spread the segments (7) for moulding, and being retracted to allow the segments (7) to close up and release the container after moulding. The divisions (12) between segments (7) produce ribs in the indent which provide added strength.

Abstract: In a single-row and expandable into a multi-row stretch blow molding method and apparatus, at least one row of tray plates in a tray unit is used to collect molded preforms ejected from the opening clamp of a preform-molding unit, transfer the preforms with or without transfer beads out of the molding area and align them with the center row distances of the downstream processing units. At least one robot having a universal gripper assembly is used to pick up either all or consecutively fractions of the preforms align them to the center distances of the blow mold cavities to place them at variable time intervals into a conditioning, stretch blow molding and oriented discharge unit, releases finished hollow articles and returns to a waiting position at the preform-molding and tray unit again at the preform mold's center distance independent of the preform-molding cycle. Simultaneously, component transfer devices may pick up external components, i.e.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the material distribution of a sequence of stretch blow molded containers or other articles in a continuous production process, by providing injection molded parisons, each parison having at least one indicator, typically two or more indicators, for detecting material distribution at a predetermined position along the axial extent of the parison. Each of the parisons is subjected to a heating stage in the continuous production process, generally by exposure to infrared heating. Each heated parison is then subjected to a blow molding process, which can be a stretch blow molding process, so that each material distribution indicator is transformed to a corresponding position along the axial extent of the blow molded article. A detector is positioned to detect the location of each indicator on each blow molded article from a given mold in the production process.

Abstract: In a biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus (10) for wide-mouthed containers, preforms (6) that are in an inverted state are conveyed on a single plane by preform carriers (40) that go around a carrier circuit (30) in the form of a loop, are heated via a heating station (60), and are then transferred via a transfer station (80) to stretch blow molding mold assemblies (72) that go around a circular looped path (71). The molded wide-mouthed containers (1) are taken out of the stretch blow molding mold assemblies (72) along a conveying path on a same plane and collected by a collection station (90). Wide-mouthed containers can be formed continuously and at high speed, which is less wasteful and more economical than the case where wide-mouthed containers that are formed from films.

Abstract: Polyester containers having a reduced coefficient of friction (“COF”) are produced by increasing the surface roughness of the polyester using either thermal crystallization or solvent crystallization. Because the low COF reduces or eliminates friction between polyester containers, the containers do not become entangled and disrupt the manufacturing process. As a result, the containers move easily through typical conveying and filling lines in manufacturing processes that use the containers.

Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating plate-out during the process used to produce stretch blow molded containers from polyester preforms by crystallizing the low molecular weight polyester molecules in or on the preform exterior surface before stretch blow molding the preform into a container. The molecules are crystallized using a crystallization process selected from (1) treating the outer surface of the preform with a solvent that is capable of crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester or (2) heating the outer surface of the preform to a temperature and for a time suitable for crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester. Plate-out is reduced because the crystallized molecules do not migrate out of the preform and form plate-out deposits on the mold.