Abstract:
A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width W.sub.u and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width W.sub.I that is greater than the circumferential width W.sub.u of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1.degree. to 8.degree. and preferably about 20.degree.. The specific construction disclosed of the legs (22), ribs (34) and hub (41, ', 41") enhance the capability of the base structure in providing good stability as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure and stress cracking.
Abstract:
A plastic blow molded bottle (20a,20b,20c,20d) has an upper dispensing end (32) including an upper wall (34) and a generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) that supports a dispensing spout (38) on the upper wall initially vertical for filling and shipping of the bottle. The dispensing spout (38) is tilted as the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) contracts to allow more convenient dispensing. A frangible connection (40) that initially supports the dispensing spout (38) vertically is broken to allow the dispensing spout tilting for the dispensing. The frangible connection (40) includes a tab (48) having a reduced thickness portion (50) where it is broken, preferably at connection thereof to the upper wall (34) and the dispensing spout (38) such that the tab is removable from the bottle. An inclined wall portion provided by one inclined end (41) of a horizontally elongated gable shape of the upper wall (34) mounts the generally wedge-shaped bellows (36) to support the dispensing spout (38 ).
Abstract:
A multi-layer preform for forming multi-layer containers includes an extruded upper portion having a first thickness which is adapted to form an upper portion of a container. The preform also includes an extruded intermediate portion having a second thickness thicker than the first thickness. The intermediate portion is connected with the upper portion and is adapted to form an intermediate body portion of the container. The preform also includes an extruded base portion having a third thickness thicker than the second thickness. The base portion is connected with the intermediate portion and is adapted form a base portion of the container. The portions of the preform are preferably formed from an inner layer and a barrier layer wherein the layers are co-extruded for forming the preform and an outer injection molded layer. In one embodiment, the inner layer includes a lip which overlaps the top edge of the barrier and outer layers. A multi-layer container is then formable from blow molding the preform.
Abstract:
A plastic blow molded container (10) is disclosed as including a freestanding base structure (20) that is constructed with a plurality of alternating hollow legs 22 and curved ribs (34), and a hub (41) from which the legs and ribs extend radially with a construction that provides good stability against tipping as well as the capability of withstanding internal pressure. Each rib (34) has an outer upper end (36) with a circumferential width W.sub.u and an inner lower end (38) with a circumferential width W.sub.l that is greater than the circumferential width W.sub.u of the upper rib end so the lower rib end is capable of resisting stress cracking. An intermediate rib portion (40) of a curved shape tapers between the ends with an included angle B in the range of about 1.degree. to 8.degree. and preferably about 2.degree..
Abstract:
An in-mold label dispenser (10,10') for supplying labels to a plastic blow molding machine (12) is disclosed as having a dispensing head (36) on which a first locator (40) is mounted so as to be moveable from a withdrawn position at one side of the mold to an inserted position between open mold sections (16) and into engagement with a second locator (42) mounted at the other side of the mold. The engagement of the first and second locators from opposite sides of the mold provides accurate location of the dispensing head (36) during movement from a mold aligned position to a label transfer position to provide transferring of the labels (34) to the mold from one or more label magazines (30). First and second supports (48, 50) on which the locators are mounted are moved by first and second actuators (52,54) to provide the movement between the mold aligned and label transfer positions. A first operator (86) preferably moves the dispensing head (36) between the withdrawn and inserted positions, while a second operator (126) is also preferably provided for moving the second locator (42) between a withdrawn and inserted position. A slide assembly (96) extends between the dispensing head (36) and the first support (48) to prevent rotation of the dispensing head about the first operator (86). One embodiment of the inmold label dispenser (10) has a single dispensing head (36) which provides all of the labels from one side of the mold, while another embodiment of the in-mold label dispenser (10') has a pair of the dispensing head (36,36') for providing labels from both sides of the mold.
Abstract:
A plastic blow-molded container (20) for liquids is disclosed as having particular utility for dispensing water and includes a body portion (22) with pairs of longer and shorter side walls (24, 26). At least one rib and preferably a pair of upper and lower ribs (30, 32) extend completely around the body portion along each of its side walls. The ribs project farther inward along the longer pair of side walls (24) than along the shorter pair of side walls (26). A generally flat bottom wall closes the bottom end of the body portion (22) and a top closure (40) closes the top end of the body portion. The top closure (40) includes an upper handle (42) and a spout (44) that projects upwardly in a vertical direction perpendicular to the bottom wall. A unitary valve (46) is mounted on the spout (44) and movable from a closed position to an open position to permit liquid dispensing when the container is supported sideways on one of its side walls. The ribs (30, 32) have a construction that provides the container with high strength. Spout (44) and handle (42) are positioned on the top closure in a manner that permits easy filling without leakage when stored while still permitting the dispensing with the container supported on one of the shorter side walls (26).
Abstract:
An in-mold label dispenser (10) is disclosed for supplying labels to a multiple cavity blow molding machine (12) for an in-mold labeling process. Label dispenser (10) includes a dispensing head (24) mounted for movement between a withdrawn position free of the mold and an inserted position between mold sections in an open position of the mold. A plurality of label carriers (26) are mounted on the dispensing head (24) for movement between retracted and extended positions in order to receive labels (32) from magazines (28) and supply the labels to the mold. A drive mechanism (30) moves the dispensing head (24) and the label carriers (26) for the in-mold label dispensing. Preferably, the dispensing head (24) is mounted on a support (34) and is moved in a hesitating manner to receive labels. The dispensing head support (34) is preferably mounted on a frame (38) in a manner that conserves floor space and the frame is also mounted in order to permit access to the associated blow molding machine. A linkage assembly (64) mounts the label carriers (26) on the dispensing head (24). The drive mechanism (30) preferably includes an actuator (98) that drives the linkage assembly (64) and a rack and gear drive (118) that drives the dispensing head.
Abstract:
A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.