Graham Packaging Company, L.p.

Patrick Matthew Oconnell

Brian John Chisholm

David W Cargile

Gregory Duane Taylor

Garrett R Pennington

Thomas Scott Smeltzer

David Wayne Cargile

An apparatus (') and a machine () for reforming a portion of a plastic package () using induction heating. The apparatus and machine comprise a frame () engaging the plastic package and a workpiece support () having an electrically conducting workpiece (). An induction workhead () provides an alternating current power supply to an induction element (). The induction element is positioned proximate the workpiece of the workpiece support and heats the workpiece via induction. A mechanism () positions the plastic package proximate the heated workpiece so that the workpiece transfers heat to the portion of the plastic package thereby softening the portion. A forming die () supported on the frame engages the portion to reform the portion. Also provided is a process of using the apparatus and machine to reform a portion of a plastic package using induction heating.

Method and apparatus for reforming a portion of a plastic container using induction heating

A method and apparatus for reforming a portion of a blow molded plastic container includes directing energy from a heater onto the portion of the container so as to heat the portion while leaving the remainder of the container relatively unheated. The heated portion of the container is then engaged by a reforming tool having an embossed or imprinted characteristic on a contact surface of the reforming tool so as to reform the portion of the container and form a three-dimensional feature thereon which is not reproducible without using the method and/or apparatus of the present invention. Alternatively, the heated portion of the container is engaged by a reforming tool having a transferable element on a contact surface of the reforming tool so as to reform the portion of the container and transfer the transferable element to the portion of the container.

Method for reforming a portion of a plastic container to include a transferable element, and the resulting container

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Hershey, PA, United States of America

Patrick Matthew Oconnell