Forming Baffle, Bottleneck, Or Handle Patents (Class 425/525)
  • Patent number: 6479010
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wholly blow molded light weight bumper system which provides a double walled vertical blow rib for mounting the bumper to a vehicle and a method for making the same. A first surface projects from one of the molds and is perpendicular to the first and second mold halves. In association with the first surface a second surface is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. To create the vertical rib the second surface is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The second surface thereby pinching the inflated thermoplastic material between the first surface creating a double walled vertical rib substantially perpendicular to the parting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela Renee Golovoy, Kurtis Zetouna
  • Publication number: 20020160074
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing bellows which contributes to expand the life of the resin bellows to be used for vehicles and to improve the quality of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Katsushi Saito, Mayuki Toriumi
  • Publication number: 20020127298
    Abstract: An adjustable cam track for a mold assembly including a first mold portion, a second mold portion movable with respect to the first mold portion, a third mold portion movably interposed between the first and second portions and having at least one pair of space defining surfaces which together with the first and second mold portions defines in a closed position space for receiving plastic material to form at least one molded article. The adjustable cam track includes a guide coupled to the second mold portion, the guide defining a first portion of the adjustable cam track and a cam insert including a second portion of the adjustable cam track defining a point of release of the molded article from the space defining surfaces, the cam insert being adjustably positionable with respect to the guide to adjust the point of release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Kevin R. Harrison, Jeffrey P. Roark
  • Patent number: 6435856
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Dale A. Zellers, Jimmie L. Dean, Thomas O. Morton, Matthew P. Clark, Don L. Peters
  • Patent number: 6426035
    Abstract: In the production of hollow plastic receptacles from two areas of a strip of starting material, all of each receptacle can be formed from the strip, or half of each receptacle can be formed from the strip with the halves welded together to complete the receptacles. Outside of part of at least one of the fusion seams, a marginal piece of waste segment forms at least one hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 6416312
    Abstract: A compression molding apparatus includes a female mold half which receives a charge of molten plastic and a cooperating male plunger which compression molds the molten plastic into an article within the female mold half. A slide mold part is located between the male plunger and the female mold half. The slide mold part includes left and right slide mold halves which when brought into juxtaposition, define a central mold space. The left and right mold halves are slidable toward and away from each other, to form the central mold space and to open the central mold space respectively. The male portion is reciprocated downwardly to undertake the compression molding, and a cam mechanism is activated by the reciprocation to close the slide mold part during compression molding. The return stroke opens the slide mold part to allow removal of the molded article without stripping or unscrewing the molded article from the slide mold part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Heinz O. Gonser, Xiaoli Ma, Wendell Willingham
  • Publication number: 20020070191
    Abstract: A neck finish of a container which includes a helical thread encircling the neck wherein said thread is provided with a pair of recesses spaced apart 180° and in cooperative engagement with recess forming fingers in a pair of cooperating horizontally movable mold halves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER CLODFELTER, DOUGLAS SPRICK
  • Publication number: 20020058114
    Abstract: A colored bottle blank comprises a base blank and an outer blank. The base blank has an injected thickness from the upper part thereof extending to the bottle mouth greater than the rest part thereof. The rest part of the base blank extends outward from the inner wall thereof to constitute a recess. The outer blank is injected to form an outer wall filled with the recess. The material of the outer blank is the same material as the base blank, but the color thereof is different from that of the base blank filling with the recess. Hence, the colored blank can be formed with a homogeneous thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Chien Min Sung
  • Patent number: 6386380
    Abstract: A neck finish of a container which includes a helical thread encircling the neck wherein said thread is provided with a pair of recesses spaced apart 180° and in cooperative engagement with recess forming fingers in a pair of cooperating horizontally movable mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Clodfelter, Douglas Sprick
  • Publication number: 20020037338
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a blow molded plastic preform and container in a blow mold during a demolding operation. The blow mold has a first mold section, a second mold section, and a mandrel. The mandrel cooperates with a pair of spring loaded jaws slidingly coupled to one or both of the mold sections. With the mold sections in their fully open position, the mandrel with an attached preform and/or container travels into the blow mold. During the final stage of closing the mold sections, the jaws contact the finish and restrain the container. As the mold sections begin to open, the jaws prevent any movement of the container relative to the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Anthony B. Keen
  • Publication number: 20020030307
    Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Deemer, Christopher C. LaBombarbe
  • Publication number: 20010055632
    Abstract: A mold for molding a plastic preform having a threaded finish and a spaced apart support ledge formed of two mating mold components having alternately raised and lowered transverse portion, such that when joined the mating surfaces meet to form mold cavities for forming the threaded finish and the support ledge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Frank E. Semersky
  • Patent number: 6322738
    Abstract: A method of injection molding an over-molded article in which a cavity extension associated with a core is first moved to a disengaged position and the core is inserted into a first cavity having a defined volume in a first geometrical configuration. A first injection operation is performed into the first cavity to form a first layer of the article. The core is then removed from the first cavity with the first layer of the article on the core. The cavity extension is moved to an engagement position and the core and first layer are inserted into a second cavity. The second cavity and the cavity extension engage to form a composite cavity having a larger volume than the defined volume and define a second geometrical configuration. A second injection operation is performed into the composite cavity to over-mold the first layer to form the article. The core and cavity extension are separated from the second cavity to remove the article therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Sicilia, Robert Schad, Tom McGinley, Doug Hietkamp, Bruce Cateon, Kevin Gross
  • Patent number: 6312248
    Abstract: The neck finish for a wide range of plastic water dispenser bottles is formed so that it has a smooth, straight inner diameter and is fully calibrated, not requiring any post trimming. The parison is extruded over a fixed blow pin, which also serves as an inner mandrel. The wall thickness of the parison is controlled to provide the desired amount of material to fill the neck area and compression mold the neck body. When the mold is closed on the parison, the area between the cutting ring and striker plate comes into contact to form a calibrated neck finish. The blow pin tip is completely water cooled to the upper end and includes a specially positioned orifices adjacent the end to distribute the blow air so that it spreads out material, thereby reducing material push out and also cools the lower neck area. The assembly is designed to be very rigid, to assist in part de-molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Milacron Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Lopez
  • Patent number: 6296471
    Abstract: A mold assembly for making a polymeric container that is shaped to exhibit superior characteristics of light weighting, stability against toppling and resistance to stress cracking includes a conventional cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential sidewall and a novel bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a central pushup area of uniformity that is substantially uniform within a spatial rotation about the longitudinal axis. The area of uniformity has a radius RG. The bottom also includes a plurality of support feet that surround and protrude downwardly from the pushup area. Each of the support feet have a bottom support surface with an inner point of contact and an outer point of contact. The outer points of contact together define an outer contact radius ROC. The bottom portion as a whole has a radius of maximum width RBASE. A plurality of ribs are positioned in valleys between the support feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jizu J. Cheng, Jeffrey D. Krich
  • Publication number: 20010018104
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Kenji Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6270715
    Abstract: Blow molding processes developed for producing plastic containers having an integral collapsible spout with self-latching bellow characteristics whereby, the centerline of integral collapsible spout (10) can be located either off centerline (34) or is centrally positioned (38) with containment body (32). In producing containers with integral collapsible spout (10) off centerline (34), the blow molding methodolgy requires parison flashing (12) to encapsulate integral collapsible spout (10) on both sides, along mold parting line (24), thereby, maintaining symmetry of the thickened cross-sectional wall portion, created by parison flashing (12). This technique improves the functionality of integral collapsible spout (10) and also allows it to maintain stability when collapsed to fully retracted position (14). Captive parison (36) is an alternate method that can be utilized when integral collapsible spout (10) is located in central position (38) of containment body (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Todd A Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20010002266
    Abstract: The neck finish for a wide range of plastic water dispenser bottles is formed so that it has a smooth, straight inner diameter and is fully calibrated, not requiring any post trimming. The parison is extruded over a fixed blow pin, which also serves as an inner mandrel. The wall thickness of the parison is controlled to provide the desired amount of material to fill the neck area and compression mold the neck body. When the mold is closed on the parison, the area between the cutting ring and striker plate comes into contact to form a calibrated neck finish. The blow pin tip is completely water cooled to the upper end and includes a specially positioned orifices adjacent the end to distribute the blow air so that it spreads out material, thereby reducing material push out and also cools the lower neck area. The assembly is designed to be very rigid, to assist in part de-molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventor: Benjamin Lopez
  • Patent number: 6238200
    Abstract: A sizing device adapted for automatic blow mandril adjustment for plastic blow molding machines is provided with at least blow mandril having a blow nozzle and a cutting edge and forming a module with a blow mandrel carrier. The blow mandril is guided in a guide plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the blow mandril for adjustment in relation to a module carrier suitable for connection with the blow molding machine in the axial and any desired radial direction and in both directions is respectively able to be locked by means of a respective setting means on the blow mandril carrier adapted to be connected with the module carrier. The blow mandril is urged in relation to the module carrier axially toward the blow nozzle into the home position and is able to be moved in the opposite direction overriding the biasing action as far as engagement with the blow mandrel carrier. The setting means for locking the at least one blow mandril in position are able to be operated by means of pressure medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Markus Spoetzl
  • Patent number: 6221305
    Abstract: The neck finish for a wide range of plastic water dispenser bottles is formed so that it has a smooth, straight inner diameter and is fully calibrated, not requiring any post trimming. The parison is extruded over a fixed blow pin, which also serves as an inner mandrel. The wall thickness of the parison is controlled to provide the desired amount of material to fill the neck area and compression mold the neck body. When the mold is closed on the parison, the area between the cutting ring and striker plate comes into contact to form a calibrated neck finish. The blow pin tip is completely water cooled to the upper end and includes a specially positioned orifices adjacent the end to distribute the blow air so that it spreads out material, thereby reducing material push out and also cools the lower neck area. The assembly is designed to be very rigid, to assist in part de-molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Milacron Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Lopez
  • Patent number: 6217819
    Abstract: In a single-row and expandable into a multi-row stretch blow molding method and apparatus, a robot having a universal gripper assembly is used to pick up molded preforms during the clamp opening stroke of a preform-molding unit and then transfer the preforms at variable time intervals to a conditioning, stretch blow molding and discharge unit, releases finished hollow articles and returns to a waiting position at the preform-molding unit independent of the preform-molding cycle. Simultaneously, component transfer devices pick up external components, i.e. labels, valves or handles during the stretch blow molding phase and release the components into the blow-mold cavities while the universal gripper assembly is in the waiting position. The universal gripper assembly can alternatively also be pivoted to pick up preforms from a lateral reheat unit to supplement the molded preform supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Ernst Dieter Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 6213756
    Abstract: Extrusion blow molding apparatus (10) having a blow mold (12), a neck mold (14) positioned above the blow mold and an anvil (30) positioned in an outwardly facing cavity (32) of the neck mold. A container (C) is produced in the molding apparatus from a parison of a heated thermoplastic material by introducing pressurized blowing fluid into the container being formed by way of a blow pin assembly (16) that is reciprocable relative to the blow mold. The blow pin assembly has an inner tubular member (20) with a free end that is within the container during blowing, and an outer tubular member (22) that surrounds the inner tubular member and defines an annulus therewith for withdrawing spent blowing fluid from the container. The outer tubular member has radial ports (24) for directing spent blowing fluid against a moil (M) being formed at a rim (R) of a finish (F) of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore M. Czesak, Thomas J. Krall, William P. Atkins
  • Patent number: 6168413
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed container is provided with a dispensing nozzle terminating in an aperture surrounded by locking lugs. A removable closure portion unitary with the dispensing nozzle and delineated by a frangible web that circumscribes the opening is provided as well so that the closure portion may be severed from the cap portion at the frangible web. An apparatus for fabricating such container is provided which includes a main mold assembly for molding the container body and dual seal mold assemblies for molding the container cap portion and container closure. The main seal mold assembly includes a top surface having a knife edge and an annular cavity. After the main seal mold assembly is closed during the molding process, a forming assembly including a mandrel is extended through the parison into abutting contact with the parison over the top surface of the main seal mold assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Automatic Liquid Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard H. Weiler, Arjun Ramrakhyani
  • Patent number: 6129803
    Abstract: A method of making an open mouth vessel with undercuts on the inside including the method steps of injection molding a cylindrical shape preform having a closed bottom and open mouth top with a lip therearound including a pouring spout in the lip; placing the preform in its molten state in a split blow mold, which mold supports and retains the bottom, lip and pouring spout in its original shape and pressurizing the preform to blow-form the cylindrical wall to the shape of the blow form mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Wescon Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale C. Kester
  • Patent number: 6074596
    Abstract: The apparatus has means (10, 11) for placing a parison (12) between two portions of a blow mold (14, 16). The parison (12) is put on the head of a blowpipe (32) placed between the two mold portions. On closing the mold, the top end of the parison is pinched in a top region of the mold and the bottom end of the parison is clamped against the blowpipe (32). A pre-blow step is performed on the parison to obtain an envelope which is then turned over by moving the blowpipe (32) upwards together with a turnover piston (34, 36), prior to performing a final blow step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Grosfillex S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Gaston Jacquet
  • Patent number: 6068811
    Abstract: A method for forming an inner thread of a preform is provided, in which an injection core can be removed after molding the inner thread on an inner surface of a neck portion with the base portion of the injection core by enlarging the diameter of the neck portion by blowing air. An inner wall 42b with a transferred inner thread is molded by using a barrel spacer 16 inserted removably into a neck mold 6 from an injection mold 1 side and a base portion 10a of the injection core 10 that has a thread pattern 12 on the outer surface and is inserted into the injection mold 1 through the neck mold 6. While the temperature of the inner wall 42b is high enough for deforming, the spacer 16 is removed to form an expansion space in the neck mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: A.K. Technical Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideaki Koda
  • Patent number: 5980808
    Abstract: A method of producing a tubular container which can efficiently and integrally produce a thinly walled neck section on the tubular container without altering the appearance and profile of the container. The method of producing a tubular container comprises the first step of arranging a thinly walled tube to a tube holder, the second step of softening the inside of the front end of the thinly walled tube, the third step of shrinking the front end of the thinly walled tube, and the fourth step of forming a neck section and a shoulder section to the front end of the thinly walled tube by means of a male mold. After heating the thinly walled tube with hot air, the air is drawn and removed, and the outer wall surface is cooled so as to make the subsequent steps to be conducted smoothly and efficiently. Since hot air is drawn after heating the outer wall surface, a thinly walled tapered shoulder section can be produced without altering the appearance and profile of the tubular container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 5972277
    Abstract: Blow molding processes developed for producing plastic containers having an integral collapsible spout with self-latching bellow characteristics whereby, the centerline of integral collapsible spout (10) can be located either off centerline (34) or is centrally positioned (38) with containment body (32). In producing containers with integral collapsible spout (10) off centerline (34), the blow molding methodolgy requires parison flashing (12) to encapsulate integral collapsible spout (10) on both sides, along mold parting line (24), thereby, maintaining symmetry of the thickened cross-sectional wall portion, created by parison flashing (12). This technique improves the functionality of integral collapsible spout (10) and also allows it to maintain stability when collapsed to fully retracted position (14). Captive parison (36) is an alternate method that can be utilized when integral collapsible spout (10) is located in central position (38) of containment body (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Todd A Mayfield
  • Patent number: 5932166
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for manufacturing at least two curved, joined tubes. The method includes extruding, without clamping, a blank in a modifiable-geometry mold cavity and placing the blank in the cavity by means of an entraining air stream, and then modifying the geometry of the mold cavity to clamp the blank and injecting a gas to shape the blank to the mold cavity geometry thus modified to obtain at least two curved, joined tubes. The device includes a mold cavity and at least one moving part for modifying a geometry of the mold cavity. The moving part is displaceable between a retracted position in which a blank can be placed in the mold cavity under the action of an air stream and a blank clamping position to allow formation of at least two curved, joined tubes upon blowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Geoffroy Bousselin, Claude Leviel
  • Patent number: 5928681
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: C. Joseph Everette, Charles M. Brandt, Richard G. Kraft
  • Patent number: 5921416
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of molding a double-wall bottle consisting of an outer bottle (12) and an inner bottle (14). A outer bottle (12) is first formed from a first preform by biaxial Stretch blow molding. After this molding step, a plurality of air vent holes (24) are formed in a biaxially orientated region of the outer bottle (12). Next, a second preform (70) and the outer bottle (12) are set together within a first blow cavity mold (100). Subsequently, the inner bottle (24) is formed by biaxial stretch blow molding from the second preform (70) while the air within the outer bottler (12) is expelled through the air vent holes (24). Circumferential concave ribs (22) are formed around the entire circumference of the outer bottle (12), and at least one of the air vent holes (24) is formed in a region either inside or outside the region in which the circumferential concave ribs are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Uehara
  • Patent number: 5894024
    Abstract: A pinch-off neck assembly for use in a container blow mold system. The assembly includes a base having a parting face and portions defining a recess in the parting face. An insert is received in the recess and the insert includes an insert parting face which is coincident with the base parting face. The insert also includes surfaces that define a neck finish cavity for forming a neck finish on the molded container. An adjustment mechanism axially adjusts the positioning of the insert in the recess relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin H Lambarth, deceased, Robert L. Padley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5882574
    Abstract: The multiple compartment plastic container comprises an injection molded finish having a circumferential wall and at least one diametrical wall dividing the finish into at least two passages and an extruded and blow molded body integrally attached to said finish and providing at least two compartments communicating with said passages. The container is made by injection molding a plastic finish having a circumferential wall and at least one diametrical wall dividing the finish in two or more passages, extruding a plastic tube with wall of the tube integral with circumferential wall of the finish and the diametrical wall, closing a blow mold about the tube, and blowing air into the tube through the finish to the confines of the blow mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Geisinger
  • Patent number: 5849342
    Abstract: A method of controlling a blow molding machine from a completion of production of one product to a start of production of a next product comprises controlling a temperature of a resin within the blow molding machine, controlling an operation of devices from the completion of production of the one product to the start of production of the next product, controlling a sequent transport of some of the devices in predetermined positions, and controlling a change of the resin in accordance with a supply stop thereof and a data on the next product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Tahara Machinery Limited
    Inventors: Mikio Uchiyama, Tatsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5849241
    Abstract: Multichamber tubular containers are made by extrusion or injection stretch blow molding. The containers usually will have two or three chambers and one or more web walls. The web walls are relatively rigid as formed. The web walls must be stretched laterally to increase their flexibility which is needed for the uniform dispensing of product from the tubular chambers. The webs can be stretched mechanically by the rotation of rods, such as stretch rods, or pneumatically by a differential gas pressure in the chambers while the webs are at or near the glass transition temperature and can flow. The web walls for a circular tubular container can be stretched up to about one-half the diameter of the tubular container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Patrick Andre Connan
  • Patent number: 5827456
    Abstract: A plastic bottle, made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), blown with a very thin overall wall thickness within the range 0.1 to 0.3 mm, includes a triangular or polygonal cross-section, the bottle being preferably surrounded by a supporting jacket. The bottle can be blown with a uniform wall thickness and adequate strength without the need for reinforcing ribs via walls formed by pressing them against the surface of a blow mold which has been worked at least in some areas by etching, form-cutting or eroding, having features with heights of 0.05 to 0.15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Rainer Bergner, Hubert Droessler, Peter Kittscher, Siegfried Konkel, Volker Weiss, Paul-Otto Weltgen
  • Patent number: 5814354
    Abstract: A method of controlling a blow molding machine from a completion of production of one product to a start of production of a next product comprises controlling a temperature of a resin within the blow molding machine, controlling an operation of devices from the completion of production of the one product to the start of production of the next product, controlling a sequent transport of some of the devices in predetermined positions, and controlling a change of the resin in accordance with a supply stop thereof and a data on the next product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Tahara Machinery Limited
    Inventors: Mikio Uchiyama, Tatsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5804227
    Abstract: The multi-chamber containers with a dispenser/doser are blow molded as a single integral item. They then are fitted with dip tubes with the dip tube fitment forming a seal in the transition of the container to the dispenser/doser. The dividing walls in the container are continued up into and through the dispenser/doser. A closure with a rotatable contact surface seals the container. The container preform is made by injection molding using an elongated gate pad in one embodiment in another embodiment an arrangement of recesses on the ends of the core projections with a complementary shaped gate pad. The webs of the container are of a thickness so that they flex upon a compression force being applied to the container walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Robert Deardurff, Daniel J. Durham
  • Patent number: 5795598
    Abstract: An assembly for inflating a parison and forming the neck portion of a plastic container in a blow molding machine is provided. The assembly includes a blow rod, a blow pin mounted to the blow rod, and a heat sink for removing heat from the blow pin. The heat sink includes flow channels for facilitating the dissipation of heat. It is located in proximity to the shearing edge of the blow pin to enable the removal of heat therefrom. As the shearing edge of the blow pin is maintained at a relatively low temperature, the blow molding machine can be operated at faster cycle times without reducing the sealing capability of the container neck portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Ultraseal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Emanuel E. Wohlgemuth, Richard J. Cobiski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5792414
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container, wherein less material is required to produce the container, the container has a more uniform wall thickness, and malformations around the neck of the container are significantly reduced. The method includes forming plastic into a parison and blowing it into a mold having a tapered neck portion and a body portion, which join to form an annular corner for contacting the parison. A blow pin blows air into the mold and parison, causing the parison to expand and conform to the inner contour of the mold. The taper of the neck portion and the annular corner thereby formed, cool the plastic at that point and more uniformly form the parison into the container, the amount of material wasted and required in manufacturing the container is substantially reduced, as is malformations and warping which usually occur about the neck of the finished container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 5776518
    Abstract: A mold assembly is provided for use in the blow molding of plastic containers such as those used for containing milk or water. The assembly includes a pair of main mold bodies, each having a cavity which is used for forming the main body of the container. A top block assembly is removably mounted to each main mold body. Each top block assembly includes a top block body, a neck finish insert, a shear steel and a master seal. A rotatable cam is operatively associated with the top block assembly. Rotation of the cam causes a front face of the top block assembly to be moved with respect to the front face of the main mold body with which it is associated. Each top block body further includes alignment members, such as alignment pins and/or bushings, for ensuring proper alignment of the top block assemblies along the parting plane of the mold. The alignment members are preferably located at the tonnage pad sections of the top block bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ultraseal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Emanuel E. Wohlgemuth
  • Patent number: 5762970
    Abstract: A parison forming apparatus excellent in working efficiency and a parison forming method are provided. A moving plate which possesses core feed rows composed of multiple core receiving holders for feeding the multiple heat resistant resin cores to the mold device, and parison takeout rows composed of multiple parison receiving holders for taking out and receiving already formed multiple parisons from the mold device, being formed at a distance of a specific pitch interval from the core feed rows, and feeds the heat resistant resin cores from the core feed rows into the mold device which is empty after the parisons are taken out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Takashima, Susumu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5750067
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for blow molding articles having a circumferential sidewall terminating in a closed top in which at least one preformed solid hoop is partially fused to the circumferential wall of the article and projecting axially above at least a portion of said top end. The entire outer peripheral edge portion of each reinforcing hoop is concentrically placed underneath the extrusion head with a suitable fitting. Thereafter, a tube of soft thermoplastic material is extruded through the totally open central portion of the hoops until the end of the tube overlies the pneumatic nozzles. Each mold half consists of a center sections and intermediate sections that are relatively movable in a direction lengthwise of the mold to enable both engaging the hoops and loosening the blow molded article of the mold. End mold sections slide on an incline to fully close the mold. The semi-cylindrical mold central halves close to radially position the hoops and form a cylindrical mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Luiz Henrique Hellbrugge
  • Patent number: 5725629
    Abstract: A self-lubricating ring assembly (10) for use in forming a finish portion (F) of a hollow formable glass parison (P), the neck ring assembly (10) having an opposed pair of part cylindrical metallic neck ring sections (22a, 22b) that can be opened and closed with respect to one another. The opening and closing of the neck ring sections is guided by a guide ring assembly (24) that is made up of a larger diameter flange member (26) and a smaller diameter hub member (28) that is coaxially and removably joined to the flange member (26). A peripheral portion of the flange member (26) is slidably received in a slot that is defined by opposed slot portions (30, 30b) of the neck ring sections (22a, 22b). The flange member (26) of the guide ring assembly (24) is formed of graphite, to eliminate the need for external lubrication of the neck ring assembly (10), and the hub member (28) is formed of a hardened metal alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Dudley T. Olson
  • Patent number: 5713480
    Abstract: A molded plastics bottle including a bottom having improved strength and stability, the bottom comprising a concave central portion (26) which connects via a plane annular surface (28) with a convex peripheral surface (30) for standing on a support surface (32), radial grooves (38) being formed in said convex annular surface (30) and connecting tangentially with the plane annular surface (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme Des Eaux Minerales D'Evian
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Petre, Alain Colloud
  • Patent number: 5704507
    Abstract: A plastic container comprising hollow plastic body including a side wall, a base wall, a shoulder, an integral neck and an integral finish on the upper end of the neck. An integral laterally extending flexible handle is provided on the neck below the threads or the like that are positioned on the neck for receiving a closure. The handle may be of a number of configurations including a T-shape or annular bail-type shape. A method and apparatus for making the container comprises injecting, extruding and blowing wherein the finish and the integral handle are first injection molded and thereafter the neck and body are formed by extrusion of plastic integrally with the finish followed by blow molding of the hollow container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Christopher T. Evans
  • Patent number: 5688570
    Abstract: A preform mold assembly for the injection molding of a multi-layer preform for use in the blow molding of container. The preform mold assembly comprises a preform mold having a gate for receiving molten plastic material. The preform mold has a cavity with longitudinal axis and defines an inner surface. A core-pin is situated within the cavity and spaced from said inner surface. A preform cavity is formed between the inner surface of the cavity and the core-pin for receiving molten plastic from the gate. A threadsplit portion is situated within the cavity at a location remote from said gate. The inner surface of the cavity defines a plurality of flutes formed generally parallel to the cavity longitudinal axis and extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the mold to the threadsplit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Ruttinger, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5683647
    Abstract: It is unnecessary to carry out the grinding process for improving the accuracy in the inner surface configurations, dimensions and the like of the hoses around the portion to be connected to a mating member. Further, the flashes, resulting from the material leakage, are inhibited from producing during the injection molding of a connecting portion following the blow molding of a hose body. Accordingly, it is possible to obviate the deflashing and finishing process and to prevent the material shrinkage from occurring.After forming a hose body 12 with a thermoplastic resin by blow molding, the hose body 12 is set in an injection molding mold 20 including an inner mold 24 and an outer mold 22, and the inner mold 24 is adhered to the opening portion of the hose body 12 by sealing means 28, 30, 40 or 42 in a fluid-proof manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kawasaki, Hiromasa Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 5629032
    Abstract: A pair of shear steels are carried by companion mold members. Each shear steel including a shearing edge and a sealing rim, is slidable along a path perpendicular to the axis of a blow pin and to the open-close path of the mold members. The shearing edges of the shear steels are aligned with each other and with the blow pin by a locating element of each of the shear steels. Alignment takes place during the closing of the mold members. The locating elements may be discrete elements or the sealing rims may perform the locating function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Pari Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Pennino
  • Patent number: 5611988
    Abstract: A preform (1), a method for blow molding a bottle, and a bottle (13) formed from the preform and by the method are disclosed for use with beverages and the like wherein the bottles usually contain such beverages under pressure. The preform is shaped so that the resultant bottle is provided with a product-containing portion having a preferred hemispherical end portion and an integral bottom portion including a void therein for defining a hollow base portion (4, 12) which, in one form, contains fluid under pressure for balancing pressures related to the pressurized product. The hollow base portion provides for efficient use of material, and a minimal number of manufacturing steps, for providing a stable base for the hemispherical end portion (11) of the product containing portion of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Gautam Mahajan