Abstract: The invention relates to a mold for a container that includes a mold base. The mold base includes a peripheral face, a central dome, and a central well formed in the dome and extending along a frustoconical sidewall from a top edge of the dome having a top diameter, to a bottom having a bottom diameter smaller than the top diameter. The mold also includes a stretching rod that ends with a hemispherical distal end having a radius, the value of which is between that of the bottom radius and that of the top radius of the central well. When the rod is in the bottom position, it is separated from the sidewall of the central well by a distance smaller than the distance that separates it from the bottom of the well.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for heating plastic preforms, with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predefined transport path, wherein this transport device has a plurality of holding elements for holding the plastic preform, and with at least one first heating section which is arranged along the transport path, and at least one second heating section which is arranged along the transport path downstream of the first heating section, wherein the heating sections each include a plurality of independently controllable heating elements which allow heating of the plastic preforms in several heating zones, lying above each other in the longitudinal direction of the plastic preforms, with a temperature profile which changes in the longitudinal direction of the plastic preforms, wherein the apparatus includes a control device for controlling these heating sections.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite member molding apparatus includes a pair of molds for clamping prepreg formed of long carbon fibers impregnated with resin, induction heating coils for heating thermoplastic resin contained in the prepreg via the molds, and cooling passages for cooling the resin via the molds after the resin is melted, wherein the molds each have a design surface brought into contact with the layered prereg, the design surface being divided into a plurality of regions, and a plurality of cells provided along the design surface to be open at the back of the design surface and individually correspond to the regions of the design surface, the induction heating coils are arranged in the cells, and the cooling passages are formed in each of the molds to run along the design surface.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for deforming plastics parisons to form plastics containers, having a blow-molding device which is arranged at least indirectly on a main shaft which is pivotable about a pivot axis, which blow molding device has at least two mold supports, a base element and two blow mold parts, wherein the base element and the blow mold parts are suitable for forming a cavity within which the plastics parisons are deformable to form the plastic containers, and the base element is arranged on a base receptacle, and having a coupling device which couples an opening movement of the blow mold parts to a raising and lowering movement of the base part relative to the blow mold parts.

Abstract: Provided is a method for calibrating at least one processing element, in a processing station for processing plastic preforms, includes providing: a first measurement preform establishing at least one first measurement value of the measurement preform before processing by the processing station, and a second measurement value of the measurement preform is measured by the measuring element or a further measuring element before or after processing by the processing station, and using at least these two measurement values, a mathematical temperature curve, is recorded by the measuring element, wherein at least one calibration device determines a deviation of the measured temperature curve from a mathematical standard temperature curve, and eliminates this deviation at least partially by adaptation of processing parameters of the processing station.

Abstract: A continuous cycle bottling line for containers of thermoplastic material comprises: a parison molding unit; a blow-molding unit for making containers; a unit for filling the containers; a thermal conditioning structure for the parisons, for heating and cooling the parisons in a heating module and in a cooling module, respectively; an automatic controlled-atmosphere storage system for containing the parisons and interconnected with the other parts of the line; a pressurization system configured to pressurize at least the following parts of the line: the storage system, the at least one blow-molding unit and the connections between the thermal conditioning structure and the storage system; where the heating and cooling modules, alternatively or in combination, i) are pressurized, ii) have a plurality of shutters configured to occlude the opening at the end of each parison, so that the interior of the parison remains closed when the parison is inside the heating and cooling module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tool is provided. A number of members comprised of a thermoplastic material is positioned within a hollow portion of a structure. The tool is formed within the hollow portion of the structure with the number of members positioned within the hollow portion of the structure. Heat is applied within a selected range to the number of members to reduce a size of each of the number of members. The number of members is removed from the tool such that the tool is left with a number of voids.

Abstract: An adsorber material element is used relieve a vacuum that results from cooling of heated contents in a sealed container. An interior volume of that container may be filled or partially filled with a heated material. After the at least partially filled container is sealed, one or more gases may be released from an adsorber material and into the interior volume of the sealed container. As the contents of the container cool, the release of gas(es) from the adsorber material relieves vacuum that would otherwise develop.

Abstract: A method of treating plastics material pre-forms may include conveying plastics material pre-forms by means of a conveying device, heating the plastics material pre-forms, during said conveying step, by a heating device, and treating the plastics material pre-forms, after said heating step, by a further treatment device in a further pre-set manner. The heating device and the further treatment device are operated in a synchronized manner at least for a time. In the event of an error state occurring in said further treatment device arranged downstream of the heating device, a supply of the plastics material pre-forms to the heating device is interrupted by means of a blocking device. Chronologically after the occurrence of the error state the further treatment device is brought into synchronism again with the heating device during a pre-set synchronization period.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing of plastics material containers with a shaping device for the shaping plastics material pre-forms into containers, with a heating device comprising a heating path for heating the plastics material pre-forms and with a sterilization device for the sterilization of the plastics material pre-forms, in which the sterilization device comprises a supply device to supply the plastics material pre-forms to the sterilization device, and in which the sterilization device comprises both an external disinfecting unit to sterilize the plastics material pre-forms at least on their external wall surfaces and an internal disinfecting unit to sterilize the plastics material pre-forms on their internal wall surfaces, wherein the supply device comprises heating path conveyor for conveying the plastics material pre-forms along the heating path to supply the plastics material pre-forms at least to the external disinfecting unit.

Abstract: Method and device for blow molding containers, wherein a preform made of a thermoplastic material is shaped to give a container using blow molding pressure in a blow mold once the preform has been subjected to a thermal conditioning step in the region of a heating section along a transport path, and wherein at least one parameter characterizing the blow molding process is measured and supplied to a control device which acts upon at least one adjusting element to change at least one parameter influencing the blow molding process. The control device (51) calculates at least one property of the finished blow-molded container (2) based on the measured parameters characterizing the blow molding process and using a simulation model (48) and compares said property with a set value. Based on a possible deviation between the set value and the actual value, the parameter influencing the blow molding process is changed such that a possible remaining deviation is minimized.

Abstract: The method and the device serve for the blow molding of containers. A preform of a thermoplastic material is first subjected to thermal conditioning in the region of a heating section along a transporting path. Subsequently, the preform is transformed into the container inside a blow mold by the effect of blowing pressure. The thermal conditioning of the preforms is carried out by a number of radiant heaters positioned one above the other. The radiant heaters are activated during production in accordance with a first heating profile and activated during standby mode in accordance with a second heating profile (50), which is different from the first heating profile.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device for reshaping preforms to plastic containers (2), a transport device (1), as well as a method for transporting plastic containers (2) or preforms. The device (100) for reshaping preforms into plastic containers (2) comprises at least two blow moulds (81) in which the preforms are expanded into plastic containers, arranged on a circumferentially driven blowing wheel (80), a heater (50) for heating the preforms, and a transport device (1) for the plastic containers (2) or preforms.

Abstract: A preform 20 for a large container, used for producing a large container which is made of a polyethylene terephthalate resin and which is formed by stretch blow molding, is formed by injecting molding to have a wall thickness of 6 mm to 9 mm and have a longitudinal axis length longer than that of the large container which is a final molded product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a canoe comprising at least two hull sections and a joint for releasable connection of the first hull section to the second hull section, wherein the joint comprises a first mating means comprising at least one protruding member and at least one corresponding groove, provided in respective one of said hull sections, wherein the joint further comprises a second mating means comprising at least one projecting member and at least one corresponding groove, provided in respective one of said hull sections, wherein said first mating means is positioned at a lower portion of the respective hull sections compared to said second mating means.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. After the annealing, crystallites are grown around the formed nuclei. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the crystallite growth.

Abstract: A syringe for use in the pressurized injection of a fluid. The syringe includes a syringe barrel composed of a polymeric material having undergone expansion via blow molding, and an injection molded attachment mechanism which is integral with the syringe barrel and is located at the proximal end of the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel has a consistent wall thickness and is capable of withstanding pressures of at least 1200 psi. The syringe barrel includes a biaxial stretch sidewall as a result of the blow molding process while the attachment mechanism remains essentially unchanged by the blow molding process. The polymeric material can be, for example, polyethyleneterephthalate, cyclic olefin polymer, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene naphthalate and/or nylon.

Abstract: An extension for a heating element includes a bracket for a quartz lamp within a furnace of a blow molding machine. The extension includes a base that is coupled to the furnace where the extension directs the heating element toward an end of a preform. The extension may include a parabolic lens to provide controlled and directed heating of the end of the preform to optimize material distribution upon blow molding.

Abstract: A very low pressure gas or blow forming process for shaping a bulk metallic glass (BMG) in its supercooled liquid state that avoids the fractional stick forces experienced by conventional shaping techniques by engineering the expansion of a pre-shape or parison of BMG material such that substantially all of the lateral strain required to form the final article is accomplished prior to the outer surface of the parison contacting the surface of the shaping apparatus is provided. The capability offered by the inventive shaping process to avoid the frictional forces exerted by the shaping apparatus surface allows for the formation of precision net-shape complex multi-scale parts and components using processing conditions inaccessible by conventional processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes: a forming machine for producing plastic preforms; a blow-moulding machine for blowing the preforms to obtain containers, provided with a blow-moulding carousel having a plurality of blow-moulding moulds that expand the preforms to obtain the containers; a thermal conditioning station interposed between the forming machine and the blow-moulding machine; a storage station, configured for receiving and containing preforms; a supplying system for feeding the thermal conditioning station with preforms contained in the storage station.

Abstract: A plant for making containers of thermoplastic material in continuous cycle comprises: a rotary moulding machine (1) configured to make parisons (2) of thermoplastic material having a body (3) with a closed bottom and a neck (4) which defines an opening; an oven (5) for heating the parisons (2), connected to the moulding machine (1) and equipped with heating means (6) operating on the body (3) of the parisons (2); a rotary blow-moulding machine (7) configured to receive the parisons (2) heated in the oven (5) and to blow-mould them in moulds (8) to make the containers; and a management unit (9) for the plant (10), configured to switch off the oven (5) heating means (6) during a shutdown period of the blow-moulding machine (7) but without interrupting the operation of the moulding machine (1), so as to enable the parisons (2) located in the oven (5) to cool down during their transit through the oven (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for blow-molding containers. Following thermal conditioning inside a blow-mold of a blow-molding machine, a preform (1) is formed into the container (2) by means of blowing pressure. The necessary blow-molding gas (P1, P2) is provided by a supply device. The stored, pneumatic pressure energy inside the blown container is at least partially transformed into another form of energy.

Abstract: Methods to expand polymer tubing with desirable or optimum morphology and mechanical properties for stent manufacture and fabrication of a stent therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a mold and may be heated with radiation. The heated tube radially expands within the mold.

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

Abstract: A device for molding plastic blanks to give plastic containers with a blow mold may include a cavity within which a plastic blank may be molded to give a plastic container. The blow mold has a base part to form a base section of the container. The base part defines the cavity. The device may include a filling device for introducing a gaseous medium into the plastic blank via the mouth thereof, in order to expand the plastic blank within the blow mold, with a rod-like body, which may be moved relative to the blow mold in order to draw the plastic blank during the molding process. The base part has a forming section defining the cavity, for forming the base section of the container which matches the shape of the base section of the container, and the forming section has a projection running in the direction of the cavity in a central region.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for the heating of plastics material pre-forms (10) with a conveying device (2) which conveys the plastics material pre-forms (10) along a pre-set conveying path (T), with at least one heating element (4) which is arranged along the conveying path (P) of the plastics material pre-forms (10) and which heats the plastics material pre-forms (10), wherein in addition a cooling device is provided which cools the plastics material pre-forms (10) and/or at least one element of the apparatus (1) during the heating of the plastics material pre-forms (10) by acting upon them with a gaseous medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heating of plastics material pre-forms includes a conveying device, which conveys the plastics material pre-forms along a pre-determined conveying path, and at least one heating device, which heats the plastics material pre-forms during the transportation thereof. The conveying path of the plastics material pre-forms extends at least locally through a sterile room, wherein the sterile room is separated from the environment by a plurality of walls.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for blow-molding containers are disclosed. A parison made of a thermoplastic material is first subjected to a thermal treatment in the zone of a heating section along a conveying path. The parison is then shaped into the container within a blow mold under the effect of a blowing pressure. Once the container has been blow-molded, a wall thickness is measured on at least one vertical level of the container. A preset value for the wall thickness is fed to a controller as a desired value, and the measured wall thickness is fed thereto as an actual value. The controller presets the quantity of at least one parameter influencing the blowing process in accordance with a difference between the desired value and the actual value. More specifically, the controller presets the quantity of at least one parameter influencing the supply of blowing gas. The quantity of the parameter is preset on the basis of a blowing process simulation model implemented in the controller.

Abstract: A syringe for use in a pressurized injection of a fluid includes a syringe barrel including a polymeric material having undergone expansion via blow molding. An inner diameter of the syringe barrel can, for example, be sufficiently constant (over at least a portion of the axial length of the syringe) that a plunger slidably positioned within the syringe barrel and in generally sealing contact with an inner wall of the syringe barrel can be used within the syringe barrel to generate a pressure of at least 1 psi within the syringe barrel. In several embodiment, the inner diameter of the syringe barrel is sufficiently constant to generate a pressure of at least 100 psi, at least 300 psi, or even at least 500 psi within the syringe barrel.

Abstract: The present relates to a method of manufacturing a product by the steps of i) injecting a sufficiently heated thermoplastic material into a 1st cavity to form a preliminary product comprising a collar having a connecting feature located on the inner surface thereof, then ii) optionally cooling the preliminary product of step i), then iii) blow moulding the preliminary product in a 2nd cavity to form a void volume, wherein steps i) to iii) are performed in a single moulding unit, then iv) removing the finished product produced in step iii) from the single moulding unit

Abstract: Methods of producing toothbrush handles having an inner cavity are provided.

Abstract: A rotary-type furnace for conditioning preforms with a heating wheel at which several heating modules for heating one preform each are arranged, wherein the heating modules are each a heating chamber and a holding device for the preform. The furnace has a lifting device for lifting and lowering the holding device and/or the heating chamber to change between a loading or withdrawal position, in which the preform does not overlap with the heating chamber in the direction of its main axis, and a radiation position in which a section of the preform is arranged within the heating chamber, a particularly quick and reliable transfer from an infeed starwheel can be realized.

Abstract: A blow molded synthetic resin bottle has a body and an elongated neck with the body providing a shoulder extending about the base of the neck. The neck has a first collar extending thereabout spaced adjacent the shoulder and at least one additional collar extending thereabout adjacent the upper end of the neck. The resin in the neck is substantially unoriented. To produce the bottle, a synthetic resin preform is injection molded with a generally tubular body and the elongated neck. This preform is placed in a blow mold cavity having a body receiving portion and a neck receiving portion that has a recess extending thereabout seating the first collar therein. The additional collar is disposed outwardly of the mold cavity and is disposed on the upper surface of the mold.

Abstract: Installation for heating the bodies (1) of thermoplastic preforms (2) with a view to manufacturing containers by blow-molding or stretch-blow-molding, while the preforms (2) are being moved along with their bodies (1) following a predetermined path (T), this installation comprising at least one directional source (5) of electromagnetic radiation directed towards a location (E) on the path (T); the source (5) is inclined by an angle (?) of between about 60° and 10° and preferably less than about 45°, with respect to the tangent (6) to the path (T) at the location (E); thus, the electromagnetic radiation can pass through several preform bodies or parts of bodies without being appreciably reflected back towards the source (5).

Abstract: Methods to expand polymer tubing with desirable or optimum morphology and mechanical properties for stent manufacture and fabrication of a stent therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: Material dispensing systems and methods for make such systems are described. The material dispensing systems employ a collapsible container having at least two distinct chambers, and is at least partially surrounded by an elastically deformable band. The band stretches as the container is filled with a flowable composition, thereby creating potential energy which can then be used to dispense the composition in lieu of a propellant and/or pressurized container.

Abstract: A blow molded synthetic resin bottle has a body and an elongated neck with the body providing a shoulder extending about the base of the neck. The neck has a first collar extending thereabout spaced adjacent the shoulder and at least one additional collar extending thereabout adjacent the upper end of the neck. The resin in the neck is substantially unoriented. To produce the bottle, a synthetic resin preform is injection molded with a generally tubular body and the elongated neck. This preform is placed in a blow mold cavity having a body receiving portion and a neck receiving portion that has a recess extending thereabout seating the first collar therein. The additional collar is disposed outwardly of the mold cavity and is disposed on the upper surface of the mold.

Abstract: A method and device for producing blow-molded containers, at least some regions of which are sterile. A parsion made of thermoplastic material is first heated and then exposed to a pressurized fluid. A sterilization means is introduced into an area of the parison. Sterilization is carried out at a sterilization site a spatial distance away from a blowing unit, which shapes the parison. Instead of maintaining the entire area of the blowing device as a sterile space, the parison is transported from the sterilization site to the blowing unit at least along a portion of a transport path along a sterile channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating of preforms formed of plastic with infrared radiation, whereby the preform is struck by cooling air at its neck finish and on its body. Furthermore, the infrared radiators are struck by cooling air at their ends. The invention relates to a heating device in which the three cooling air streams may be controlled or regulated independently from each other.

Abstract: A catheter tip assembly (50) is provided with a catheter tip (56) and an inner catheter (54). The catheter tip (56) has a tapered proximal end, an elongate center portion, and a tapered distal end. The inner catheter (54) includes a narrow proximal portion, a narrow elongate center portion (66), and a wide distal end (68). The catheter tip (56) is disposed within the wide distal end (68) of the inner catheter (54). One advantage of the catheter tip assembly is that no proximal-facing edge is formed at the transition between the narrow elongate center portion of the inner catheter and the catheter tip, which may help reduce the risk of the catheter tip snagging on a stent during use.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing plastic containers by a blow molding machine, where the blow molding machine is operated such that at least two different plastic containers are output from the blow molding machine within one production cycle.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided with integral tubular extensions for securing dilation elements to the outside of the balloon. The dilation elements are disposed within the tubular extensions along the working diameter of the balloon. The balloon may be manufactured by extruding a parison and blow molding the parison with the dilation elements installed within the tubular extensions.

Abstract: A method of treating plastics material pre-forms may include conveying plastics material pre-forms by means of a conveying device, heating the plastics material pre-forms, during said conveying step, by a heating device, and treating the plastics material pre-forms, after said heating step, by a further treatment device in a further pre-set manner. The heating device and the further treatment device are operated in a synchronized manner at least for a time. In the event of an error state occurring in said further treatment device arranged downstream of the heating device, a supply of the plastics material pre-forms to the heating device is interrupted by means of a blocking device. Chronologically after the occurrence of the error state the further treatment device is brought into synchronism again with the heating device during a pre-set synchronization period.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly comprises a balloon having attached to or in its wall one or more filar elements, extending from one end of the balloon to the other. The filar elements are made of a material which is at least as flexible as the material forming the walls of the balloon. In the event of circular burst of the balloon, the filar element(s) prevent disconnection of the material of the balloon into two or more separate pieces. The filar element(s) become attached to or in the material of the balloon wall when the raw material is inflated to the shape of a mold. The filar elements may comprise a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber or a metal wire.

Abstract: The blow molding device includes a heating section that continuously transfers and heats preforms that respectively include a neck along a heating transfer path while supporting the preforms using transfer members in an inverted state, a blow molding section that simultaneously blow-molds N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) preforms that have been heated by the heating section in an upright state to form N containers, and an intermittent transfer section that intermittently transfers the N preforms from the heating section to the blow molding section. The intermittent transfer section includes a pitch conversion section that converts the arrangement pitch of the N preforms from a first pitch P1 to a second pitch P2 (P2>P1), and an inversion section that includes N inversion arms that respectively invert the N preforms from the inverted state to the upright state.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device with improved fracture toughness through annealing, nucleating agents, or both are disclosed herein. A polymeric construct that is completely amorphous or that has a very low crystallinity is annealed with no or substantially no crystal growth to increase nucleation density. Alternatively, the polymer construct includes nucleating agent. The crystallinity of the polymer construct is increased with a high nucleation density through an increase in temperature, deformation, or both. An implantable medical device, such as a stent, can be fabricated from the polymer construct after the increase in crystallinity.

Abstract: A method of forming a container from bi-axially orientable plastics material and having an integral handle with the steps of forming a preform having a neck portion and an expandable portion below the neck portion, with the neck portion including a locating ring above the expandable portion and a handle molded to the non expandable at one end and molded to the expandle portion at the other end. Where the molded-in handle is the approximate length of the handle of the finished container. The unblown preform of orientable plastics is inserted into a blow molder and thereafter stretched by a stretch rod. During the stretch process the handle on the preform unbends rather than stretching to form the approximate shape of the handle in the finished container. The blow mold then closes on the stretched preform thus capturing the handle. Blow gas is then injected into the interior.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing plastic containers, including a clocked preform manufacturing means, a temperature control means for thermal conditioning preforms manufactured in the preform manufacturing means, and a continuously working blow molding machine, where the temperature control means is designed and/or configured such that preforms that have been manufactured in one cycle of the preform manufacturing means can be differently temperature controlled.

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.