Abstract: An apparatus for folding a catheter balloon comprises a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a pleating head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The pleating head includes at least three segments, each having a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length. Each segment has a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member. The segments are arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to and a predetermined distance away from a central point and defining a central aperture with a spiral-pleat dimension having at least three channels in communication with a central aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a molded product that includes a resin coating step of coating molten resin onto a forming mold having a minute uneven portion on the surface thereof, a compressing step of pressing the molten resin using the forming mold to thereby arrange the shape of the molded product, and a solidifying step of cooling and solidifying the molten resin. The resin coating step supplies the molten resin to a resin coating device including a discharge port and, while moving the resin coating device, discharges the molten resin onto the minute uneven portion of the heated forming mold from above to fill the molten resin into the minute uneven portion substantially in the same shape and thickness as those of a final shape of the molded product.

Abstract: Mold for manufacturing, by blowing blanks made of plastic material, containers having a body and a bottom and a wall defining a cavity around a principal axis of the mold and a lateral surface. The wall has, in a lower part, an opening defining a passage for a mold bottom, an upper surface that confers at least in part the shape to the bottom of the container, with said opening having an upper edge. The mold, in any plane containing the axis of the wall: the ratio between a transverse dimension of the upper edge of the opening and a transverse dimension of a lower end of the lateral surface of the wall is greater than 0.95, and the tangent to the lateral surface of the wall, at the lower end thereof, forms with the axis of the wall an angle equal to or less than 30°.

Abstract: A high-pressure bottle-blowing apparatus performs a high-pressure bottle-blowing process including steps of: a. providing at least one preform to a molding device; b. closing a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding device to form a mold cavity between the first mold half and the second mold half for accommodating the preform therein; c. providing a high-pressure gas to blow and form the preform into a semi-finished container; d. pushing a movable block below the mold cavity toward the mold cavity to indent the semi-finished container and form the semi-finished container with a bottom so as to shape a finished container; e. releasing the finished container from the molding device.

Abstract: A blow molding tool (1) for producing a plastic article, in particular a fuel tank, comprising at least one clamping frame (2) with mold clamping devices (3) and at least two blow mold halves, which are formed such that they can be moved together and apart by means of an opening and closing movement of the clamping frame (2) and which respectively have at least one cavity (8) for the forming of the plastic article, the blow molding tool (1) being distinguished by the fact that the mold clamping devices (3) respectively have at least one tool holder (6), in which a mold insert (7) is in each case exchangeably inserted, and in that the tool holders (6) respectively form a peripheral sealing edge (10).

Abstract: A method for forming a container includes receiving a parison, enclosing the parison with a mold that includes a cavity, and inflating the parison in said mold to form a blow molded container with a moveable region at the cavity. The method further includes repositioning the moveable region before filling the blow molded container.

Abstract: A method of producing a container and a closure comprises blow molding a body comprising a container portion and a closure portion joined together, and separating the closure portion from the container portion. A container and/or a closure produced according to the method are also disclosed, as well as an intermediate product for producing a container and a closure.

Abstract: A container forming assembly and method includes receiving a parison within a cavity of a mold, enclosing the parison within the mold having a wall with a recess, inflating the parison in the mold to form a blow molded container where the blow molded container has a sidewall, a movable region formed at the recess, and a hinge circumscribing an interface between the sidewall and the movable region, and moving the movable region toward an interior of the blow molded container about the hinge before filling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold for the production by means of blowing or blow-drawing of thermoplastic containers which are equipped with an integral handle. According to the invention, two mold halves are provided with two respective inserts which can move transversely to the contact faces. Each of the aforementioned inserts comprises two telescopic pistons, namely: a main piston having a front thrust face, and a secondary piston which is housed in the main piston and which has a curvilinear front weld face. The secondary pistons are moved after the main pistons have applied two wall zones of the container body against one another.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, the process comprising the following steps: a) a tubular stream of molten plastic is extruded; b) this stream is taken up by means of a tensioning device; c) a transverse cut is made in this stream so as to create a parison having one free edge that is not taken up by the tensioning device; d) the parison is moved relative to the tensioning device so that the free edge of the parison is also taken up by the tensioning device; and e) at least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison over its entire length. Equipment suitable for implementing this process.

Abstract: A device includes a first part having a co-molded first support, valve cover and elastic actuator, and a second part having an injection molded second support, valve seat, and variable-volume storage chamber pre-form. The pre-form is blow molded into a flexible pouch defining the variable-volume storage chamber. The one-way valve includes a semi-annular, curvilinear, relatively rigid valve seat defining axially-extending, opposing first marginal portions, and an axially-extending first mid-portion angularly extending between the opposing first marginal portions. A flexible valve member is superimposed on the valve seat and defines axially-extending, opposing second marginal portions fixedly secured on or adjacent to respective first marginal portions of the valve seat, and an axially-extending second mid-portion angularly extending between the opposing first marginal portions and superimposed onto the first mid-portion of the valve seat.

Abstract: A method for carrying out ventilation in a multi-walled container of the type comprising a rigid external housing, inside which a flexible inner pocket for containing a product is arranged and connected to a withdrawal device without ventilation, the layers having no adhesion between the same such as to be able to be separated without difficulty and with air ventilation between the same, characterized in being obtained by means of molding a projection at the upper or lower part of the pre-form which is subjected to a first operation of cutting a sprue, then a second operation of cutting the projection in a region close to the base and/or the neck of the recipient for production and a third operation of separating the layers.

Abstract: Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.

Abstract: A water bottle and the method of manufacture concerning blow moulding. The improved blow moulding method and relevant apparatus is capable of making complicated designs with an equal wall thickness. Especially bottles used for the storage of water sold, shipped and delivered to consumers with the bottles returned when empty.

Abstract: Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the creation of holes in a blow molded container is disclosed generally comprising first and second mold portions mounted adjacent each other along a seam and a mechanism for creating holes at the seam. In some embodiments, first and second punches are used to create one hole underneath the container's handle. In some embodiments, a third mold portion is used to create a rose surface and create a plurality of holes therein.

Abstract: An balloon catheter is provided with an improved neck portion. The neck portion of the balloon is used to attach the end of the balloon to a catheter. Before attaching the balloon to the catheter, the neck portion is lengthened and thinned out to make the neck portion more flexible. Heat shrink tubing may be used to apply pressure to the neck portion to force the material of the neck portion to flow along a mandrel inserted into the neck portion.

Abstract: A fuel tank that is substantially impermeable to fuel vapor has a shell with an interior for holding fuel, an opening for receiving fuel into the interior, and a fill nipple with a barrier layer. The fill nipple has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage extending between a pair of generally opposed ends of the fill nipple. One of the ends is attached to the shell such that the passage is aligned with the opening to allow fuel to flow through the passage and into the interior of the fuel tank. The fill nipple has an inner layer of material forming the inner surface, and an outer layer of material forming the outer surface, and has at least one intermediate layer of material forming the barrier layer. The intermediate layer is formed from a material that is different in composition from the inner and outer layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow plastic product. The method includes the steps of forming a reinforce member in a desired shape having a defined welding surface formed with a first hole by injection molding; forming a hollow main body by blow molding using said reinforce member as an insert, thereby having said reinforce member integrally formed with said hollow main body and having a portion of said hollow main body extended into said first hole in the shape of a mesa when blow-molded; thermally welding a top end surface of a connector pipe to said welding surface and also to a top surface of said mesa shaped portion; and forming a second hole in said top surface of said mesa shaped portion to be aligned with said second hole, thereby forming a fluidic communication passage between an interior of said hollow main body and an interior of said connector pipe.

Abstract: A cap is formed within the flash of a molded polymeric article. Desirably, the material of the flash, and hence the cap, has the same properties as the molded article. In one embodiment, the molded article is a multi-layer plastic fuel tank having a vapor barrier layer sandwiched between structural and/or adhesive layers and the cap has the same general construction and may be fixed or welded to the fuel tank over an opening through the tank. Advantageously, the cap is formed in the same process used to form the molded article and reduces the scrap or waste material by utilizing a portion of the flash which is removed from the molded article after it is formed. Therefore, the cost and time to produce a molded article and one or more caps is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A process for producing containers (13) of thermoplastic in which an extruded plastic tube is inserted into a mold whose movable mold parts (5, 7, 9) are moved into a position which opens the mold, at least the mold parts (7) which form the transition from the main part (18) of the container and the bottom of the container being closed, the container bottom being welded, the tube (3) being widened by a pressure gradient acting on it and the tube being placed against the wall of the mold parts (5, 7, 9) to form the container mold and the mold parts being moved into the position which opens the mold for removal of the formed container (13) from the mold, is characterized in that the container bottom is made in the form of a cup-like bottom part (19) which axially extends the main part (18) of the container and that the bottom part is everted into the interior of the container (13) to form a bottom elevation (31) which extends into the main part (18) of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing a film made of a thermoplastic material, wherein a plastic melt is blown up into a film bubble and is shaped into a desired film by a calibrating arrangement, and a downstream arranged flattening device. For providing as contactless as possible a guidance, calibration and flattening, film guidance elements are used with a laminar uniform air cushion between the film guidance element and the surface of the film bubble, without contact between the surface of the film bubble and the film guidance element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfo-modified copolyester blend composition and polyglycolic acid. The blend of sulfo-modified copolyester and polyglycolic acid can be used to prepare containers with good transparency and high gas barrier properties. The preferred sulfo-modified copolyester composition comprises terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and 5-sulfoisophthalic acid. A method of preparing a blend of sulfo-modified copolyester and polyglycolic acid is disclosed, as well as master batch processes. The present invention also relates to a method of making a container wherein the sulfo-modified copolyester is blended with the polyglycolic acid at an injection molding machine used to make preforms, which are then blown into bottles.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank by moulding a parison in which, during the moulding operation, a pipe (3) is attached to the parison at least two points, the said pipe being deformable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for creating blow-molded components are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention concerns methods and apparatuses for creating double-wall blow-molded components with one or more protuberances not abutting a parting line of a mold. Generally, the protuberances are created by a method comprising the steps of blowing blow-molding material against a molding surface with a cavity of a predetermined shape, so that the blow-molding material enters the cavity at a first end, and urging the blow-molding back toward the first end of the cavity by moving a piston of a predetermined shape. The invention also concerns apparatuses to employ such methods, and the resulting blow-molded objects.

Abstract: The present invention further provides a method of filling a plurality of containers with a product on a filling line, the containers comprising three regions: a side-wall region; a deformable panel region; and a pivot region, and wherein the pivot region lies between the side-wall region and the deformable panel region, wherein at least two of the containers filled on the filling line have different first and second internal volumes, and wherein the filling line requires substantially no down-time to change from the first volume container to the second volume container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the creation of holes in a blow molded container is disclosed generally comprising first and second mold portions mounted adjacent each other along a seam and a mechanism for creating holes at the seam. In some embodiments, first and second punches are used to create one hole underneath the container's handle. In some embodiments, a third mold portion is used to create a rose surface and create a plurality of holes therein.

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 blow molding system for forming a hole through a blow molded article includes a mold that houses an outer core pin and a pin support. During the blow molding process, a compression area is created in the mold. After the compression area is formed, the outer core pin and the pin support cooperatively cut out a portion of the compression area during the blow molding process. After the mold is opened, the cut-out portion of the compression area can be removed to expose the hole.

Abstract: A method for blow molding bottles having a hole formed in a molded interior recess extending from a top face of a bottle neck includes the steps of: (i) providing a mold having a neck forming cavity with an end flange surface therein; (ii) disposing a parison of molten material within the mold; (iii) introducing pressurized fluid into the parison to expand it against the mold walls, thereby forming a final shape of the bottle; (iv) forming the interior recess in the bottle by advancing a recess forming rod through a hole in the end flange surface and into the neck forming cavity; and (v) creating a dispensing hole in the interior recess by advancing a punch through a hole in an end face of the recess forming rod.

Abstract: A method of making a plastic container having a threaded wide-mouth finish includes providing a preform having at least an exterior surface of molded polyester construction. The preform is placed in a mold cavity having a first portion for forming a container body, a second portion adjacent to the first portion for forming a cylindrical finish wall without threads, and a third portion adjacent to the second portion for forming a trim dome or moil. The preform is expanded within the mold cavity to form a one-piece intermediate product that includes a body, a cylindrical wide-mouth finish wall and a moil. After removing the intermediate product from the cavity, the moil is severed from the end of the finish wall. At least one thread is then formed on the finish wall by engaging the finish wall with at least one thread-forming tool, which may be heated to facilitate the forming operation.

Abstract: For the manufacture of a polyethylene terephalate (P.E.T.) bottle with an off-centre neck, a preform is heated and its body is slightly angled with respect to its neck by sideways displacement. The preform is inserted in a blowing mould. A tilted stretching rod is advanced into the preform at the same time as it is blown to shape in the mould. The finished bottle has its neck off-centre with respect to the rest of the bottle.

Abstract: A molded seat assembly comprises an insert having an upper and a lower surface, a peripheral edge, and a ridge disposed adjacent to the peripheral edge. A seat portion comprised of a plastic material is molded directly to the insert whereby the plastic material contacts the peripheral edge, the ridge, the upper surface melts or softens the peripheral edge, the ridge and the upper surface forming both a cohesive bond and a locking engagement between the seat portion and the insert.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter balloon, and a balloon formed thereby, in which a polymeric tube is radially expanded in a mold having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a chamber, and having at least a section with one or more channels in the wall. The channels result in improved transfer of heat to the polymeric tube within the chamber of the mold during blow molding of the tube to form a balloon, so that the tube is heated more quickly and evenly. One aspect of the invention is directed to a balloon having sections with improved thin walls.

Abstract: A method of preventing delamination of multiple layers of an oriented polymer container having an opening defined by the multiple layers comprising a bi-axially oriented multilayer polymer container having an opening defined by a perimeter at which the multiple layers are exposed; heating the perimeter until workable; providing a curling die; feeding the multilayer perimeter into the curling die to curl the perimeter sufficiently to inhibit delamination of the layers and a container when so made.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a container (45″), with an opening (53), whose opening axis (57) is at an angle to the container axis (23), whereby a blank (45) is introduced into a blowing mould (11, 13), a fixing region (47) of the blank (45) pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould and the blank pneumatically formed in the blowing mould. The fixing region (47) of the blank (45) is pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould, inclined at an angle other than 90°. The moulding thus occurs such that an opening region axis (58) of the blank (45, 45′) is at an angle to the container region axis (59) of the blank (45, 45′). The opening axis (57), of the blowing mould (11), forms an angle to a longitudinal axis (51) of a stretching drift (49), which may be extended along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing a molded article comprising (a) a rigid support, e.g., a rigid seat support (10), having a plurality of perforations, and (b) a molded flexible hollow thermoplastic member (20), e.g., a flexible thermoplastic seat cushion, fixedly attached thereto is described. During the blow molding step a portion of the thermoplastic parison precursor of the flexible hollow member (b) extends through at least some of the perforations of the rigid support (a), embedding the edges of the perforations therein. The flexible material extending through the perforations forms an attachment means, e.g., an attachment head, that serves to fixedly attach the flexible hollow member (b) to the rigid support (a).

Abstract: A handled container includes: a container body formed by blow molding in a blow mold and having an inwardly depressed portion in a bottom portion; a carrying handle formed integrally with the container body by blow molding at a position corresponding to the depressed portion in the blow mold; and an insertion space formed between the handle and the bottom of the container body for inserting two or more fingers. The container body has a ground-contact portion which has a continuous shape and is formed in an outer periphery of the bottom portion; the depressed portion is formed by depressing the bottom portion of the container body inwardly from the ground-contact portion; and the handle is formed to be positioned inwardly from the ground-contact portion within the depressed portion of the container body.

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: Method and apparatus for forming a blow molded plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, including heating the neck of the container and bending the heated neck of the container.

Abstract: In a process for making a multi-chambered container that is lightweight, relatively inexpensive to produce, and that requires less external reinforcement against flexure than conventional multi-chambered containers do, a parison is heated and inflated to form the container. Further, first and second pinched-in areas are fashioned in the sidewall of the container. The first pinched-in area includes first and second wall portions that extend inwardly toward an interior of the main body of the container, and a first end wall portion connecting the first and second wall portions. The second pinched-in area includes third and fourth wall portions that extend inwardly toward an interior of the main body, and a second end wall portion connecting the third and fourth wall portions.

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: A plastic blow molded container having a central vertical axis constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a cylindrical upper rim, an oriented neck portion, a lower body portion, and a closed base portion. The upper rim of the container includes a top surface having a planar inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container and the outer edge may be curled or curved to provide additional rigidity. The oriented neck portion depends from the upper rim and includes a means to accept a closure, such as a set of integral threads. When viewed in vertical cross section, the outer vertical line formed by the outer axial points of said means to accept a closure is substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the container. The lower body portion is generally cylindrical over the majority of its vertical length. The closed base portion supports the container and depends from the lower body portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to blow molding of an article having an inwardly projecting hollow boss with a closed end. A portion of a molten parison conforms to the shape of a fixed pin projecting from the face of a mold part to thereby form the hollow boss. The invention includes an apparatus comprising a reciprocable sleeve slidably received within the mold part over the pin. It has been found that by blow molding the parison with the sleeve initially extended with its end substantially flush with the end of the pin, followed by retracting the sleeve to a retracted position after a predetermined delay time, a boss with a thicker end results. Consequently, the boss end has greater structural integrity, and thus minimizes or eliminates the possibility of penetration and/or cracking of the boss end when a screw is threadedly received in the hollow boss.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a blow molded plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, including heating the neck of the container and bending the heated neck of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a hollow article with an integral impact absorbing rib and the method of manufacturing the same. The apparatus is a hollow article made of thermoplastic resin and integrally formed by blow molding, comprising a first wall and a second wall confronting across a spacing. There is an integral rib between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the integral rib comprises a flat rib between the walls and one or more hollow ribs adjacent to each of two side ends of the flat rib. The impact absorbing rib is disposed at intervals and in an impact action direction. The rib is uniform in shape, dimensions and wall width, and free from reduction of wall width of the inner rib, yet possessing proper structural support and mechanical strength, and excellent in impact absorbing performance.

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.