Discma Ag

Amcor Limited

Amcor Rigid Plastics Usa, LLC

Amcor Group Gmbh

Theodore F Eberle

Kirk Edward Maki

G David Lisch

Michael T Lane

Terry D Patcheak

Robert A Cooper

Luke A Mast

James Stelzer

Walter J Strasser

Richard J Steih

Kerry W Silvers

Frederick C Beuerle

Bradley Wilson

George David Lisch

Luc Desoutter

Pankaj Kumar

Michael E Penny

Guizhang Zheng

Mark Woloszyk

David Andison

Ravi Mody

Nitin Gulati

James R Corn, Jr

Darrin Nicholson

David G Lisch

A blow molding machine assembly configured to be mounted to a blow molding machine to move a mold base configured to form a container base. The blow molding machine assembly includes an over-stroke cylinder and a counter-stretch rod. The over-stroke cylinder is configured to move the mold base between an extended base position and a retracted base position. The counter-stretch rod is movable between a retracted rod position in which the counter-stretch rod does not extend out from within the mold base, and an extended rod position in which the counter-stretch rod extends out from within the mold base.

Machine component facilitating mold base movement

A one-piece plastic container including a base portion. A gate area is at an axial center of the base portion. A plurality of feet are radially spaced apart about the axial center. Each strap of a plurality of straps is arranged between neighboring feet. Each one of a plurality of fillet areas is arranged between one of the plurality of feet and straps on opposite sides thereof. A cumulative strap surface area is defined by a total surface area of the plurality of straps, the gate area, and half a total surface area of the plurality of fillet areas. A cumulative foot surface area defined by a total surface area of the plurality of feet and half the total surface area of the plurality of fillet areas. The base portion has a ratio of cumulative foot surface area to cumulative strap surface area in the range of 2.4-2.8:1.

Footed container base

A preform configured to form a container by stretch blow molding. A finish portion is at a first end of the preform, and is a container finish. A tip portion is at a second end of the preform opposite to the first end, and is configured to form a container base and a container heel. The shoulder portion is adjacent to the finish portion and is between the finish portion and the tip portion. The shoulder portion is configured to form a container shoulder. The body portion is between the shoulder portion and the tip portion, and is configured to form a container body. The outer surface includes a first flat portion and a second flat portion at the tip portion. The first flat portion extends at a first angle and the second flat portion extends at a second angle that is different than the first angle.

Preform design for lightweight container

A preform configured to form a container by stretch blow molding. A finish portion is at a first end of the preform, and is a container finish. A tip portion is at a second end of the preform opposite to the first end, and is configured to form a container base and a container heel. The shoulder portion is adjacent to the finish portion and is between the finish portion and the tip portion. The shoulder portion is configured to form a container shoulder. The body portion is between the shoulder portion and the tip portion, and is configured to form a container body. The outer surface includes a flat portion at the tip portion.

A method and system for hydraulic blow molding a container from a preform. A molding medium is injected into the preform from a nozzleduring a first molding stage. In the first molding stage, the molding medium is injected so as to be specifically directed at a closed end of the preform. During the first molding stage, the preform is axially stretched in response to the force exerted on the preform by the molding medium. The molding medium is also injected into the preform during a second molding stage, where the molding medium is injected at a flow rate greater than a flow rate during the first molding stage. During the second molding stage, the preform is radially expanded into the shape of the container.

Two stage system and method for molding containers

A mold device and a method related thereto for forming a plastic container from a preform. The mold device comprises a mold defining a mold cavity, a stretch initiation rod system for engaging an interior portion of the preform to define a stretch initiation area, and a centrally disposed pressure source positionable within the preform for introducing a pressurized fluid.

Method of forming a container and filling the container with a headspace

Use of optimized piston member for generating peak liquid pressure. A one-step hydraulic blow molding system and method for forming a preform and a liquid filled container from the preform. The machine and method include a sealing mechanism that forms a seal primarily utilizing compressive forces in an axial direction to prevent the leakage of liquid blow medium. The sealing mechanism includes an axial end face of a forming head and an upper axial surface of a neck ring.

Use of optimized piston member for generating peak liquid pressure

A method of forming a container includes providing a preform of the container. The preform has a wall with an interior region and an exterior region. The method also includes disposing the preform in a mold cavity wherein the mold cavity has a mold surface. Furthermore, the method includes introducing a substance into the preform to expand the preform toward the mold surface. The interior region of the wall has a first interior temperature prior to the introduction of the substance and a second interior temperature after the introduction of the substance. The exterior region of the wall has a first exterior temperature prior to the introduction of the substance and a second exterior temperature after the introduction of the substance. The method further includes controlling the first interior temperature to be greater than the first exterior temperature prior to the introduction of the substance.

Apparatus and method for controlling temperature gradient through wall thickness of container

A method of forming a plastic container from a preform. The method comprises injecting a forming liquid into the preform at a predetermined system pressure range, a predetermined flow rate, and a predetermined duration sufficient to create a pressure spike at a peak pressure. The peak pressure being greater than the system pressure to urge the preform into the mold cavity, thus creating enhanced container definition, reduced post mold shrinkage, lower residual material stresses, and/or an improved transfer of the mold geometry and engraving to the final formed container.

Method of forming a container

Stretch rod system for liquid or hydraulic blow molding

A mold device for forming a plastic container from a preform. The mold device comprises a mold defining a mold cavity and a central exterior rod system moveably disposed within the mold cavity. The central exterior rod system is positionable between an extended position engagable with the preform and a retracted position spaced apart from the preform. The central exterior rod system maintains a central orientation of the preform during formation.

Reverse stretch rod for machine hygiene and processing

An apparatus and method for simultaneously forming and filling a plastic container is provided. A mold cavity defines an internal surface and is adapted to accept a preform. A pressure source is a servo motor system that includes an inlet. The servo motor system is operable to draw liquid through the inlet and urge it into the preform. A blow nozzle may be adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at high pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container. The liquid remains within the container as an end product.

Liquid or hydraulic blow molding

The present disclosure provides a container and a method of making a container. In one example, the container includes a body having an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion. The upper portion includes a blown finish defining a longitudinal axis and an opening into the container. A tamper evident (TE) band is formed on the finish and defines a first diameter at an outermost surface. The TE band defines at least two disconnected radial protrusions. At least one thread is formed on the finish. The at least one thread defines a second diameter at an outermost surface. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The TE band defines a gap between each respective disconnected radial protrusion. Each thread defines a thread start portion and a thread run-out portion. A line parallel to the longitudinal axis extends through the thread run-out portion and the gap.

Container thread design

A one-piece plastic container includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and having an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion. The base portion defines a plurality of feet extending therearound. The base portion defines a contact diameter ratio of approximately 70-74% and a contact length ratio of approximately 20-23% for a plastic container having a volume capacity of approximately one (1) liter (1000 cc). According to additional features, the one-piece plastic container can have a nub defined on the base portion. For a one-piece plastic container having a volume capacity of approximately one (1) liter (1000 cc), the nub has a diameter of approximately 3-7 mm (0.12-0.28 inch), the base portion defines a contact area ratio of approximately 23-25%, and each foot defines corner transition portions each having a fillet radius of approximately 4-10 mm (0.16-0.39 inch).

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Theodore F Eberle