Abstract:
A finish (14) on a hollow plastic preform (24) or container (12) includes a neck (22) that is at least partially of crystallizable polymer construction and is at least partially crystallized, and a finish ring (14) externally secured over the neck (22). The neck (22) preferably is of molded plastic construction, and preferably is stretched subsequent to molding but prior to external securement of the finish ring. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the preform (24) or container (12) has an integral body, and the neck (22) is integrally molded with the body (24). The finish ring (14) preferably has at least one external thread (18) for securement of a closure to the container (12) after molding.
Abstract:
Plastic aerosol container (12) having a thermally crystallized neck finish (18) configured to receive an aerosol valve assembly (1) and an expanded strain oriented aerosol container body (12) integral with the neck finish. A junction between the thermally crystallized neck finish and the strain oriented container body defines a pull point at which strain orientation begins.
Abstract:
A method of making a plastic container having a threaded wide-mouth finish and such a wide-mouth plastic container are disclosed. The method includes providing a preform (10) having at least an exterior surface of molded polyester construction. The preform is placed in a mold cavity (20) having a first portion for forming a container body (24), a second portion adjacent to the first portion for forming a cylindrical finish wall (26) without threads, and a third portion adjacent to the second portion for forming a trim dome or moil (28). The preform is expanded within the mold cavity to form a one-piece intermediate product (22) that includes a body, a cylindrical wide-mouth finish wall and a moil. After removing the intermediate product from the cavity, the moil is severed from the end of the finish wall. At least one thread (32) is then formed on the finish wall by engaging the finish wall with at least one thread-forming tool (50 or 60), which may be heated to facilitate the forming operation.
Abstract:
A method of making a plastic container (40) having a body (24) and a finish (36) with at least one external thread (38) includes injection or compression molding a plastic preform (10) having a body (12) and a finish (14) with at least one external thread (16), blow molding the body of the preform to form the body of the container, and either prior to, subsequent to or both prior and subsequent to blow molding the container body, expanding the injection or compression molded preform finish to form a container finish having at least one injection or compression molded external thread. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the finish is expanded after the container body is blow-molded. The invention can be implemented to expand a narrow-neck preform or container finish to a wide-mouth preform or container finish.
Abstract:
A plastic aerosol container assembly (10) includes a plastic container that has a main body portion (12) defining an interior space and a finish portion (14) that defines an opening. A pressurized aerosol mixture is maintained within the interior space. The finish portion has an inner surface (20) that has an undercut (22) defined therein. An aerosol valve assembly (24) is mounted to the plastic container so that a portion thereof engages the inner surface (20) of the finish portion (14) so as to be retained by the undercut (22). The plastic container is preferably fabricated from material including polyethylene terephthalate (PET). At least one location in the finish portion may be crystallized in order to provide enhanced resistance to stress cracking.
Abstract:
A method of making a preform assembly (20) including providing a finish ring (24) of plastic construction, placing the finish ring onto a core pin (52), introducing a preform polymer (64)into a mold cavity that includes the core pin, and compression molding the preform polymer (64) to the finish ring. A resulting preform assembly, and container assembly blow-molded from the preform assembly, are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of producing preforms for blow molding containers includes producing polyester polymer by melt phase polymerization and compression molding preforms of the polyester polymer without solidifying the polyester polymer prior to compression molding the preforms. This process has the advantage of eliminating the conventional intermediate steps of solidifying the polymer in the form of pellets, shipping the pellets to the preform manufacturer and then remelting the polymer. Furthermore, because the preforms are produced directly from melt phase polymer, the polymer can have a low intrinsic viscosity of 0.65 or less, which is particularly useful for blow molding containers for low pressure, low temperature applications.
Abstract:
A method of making a plastic container having a body and a finish with at least one external thread includes providing a plastic preform (24) having a body (26) and a neck (28) and blow molding the body of the preform to form the body (12) of the container. Either prior to or subsequent to blow molding the container body, the preform neck is radially and circumferentially expanded. A finish ring (14) having at least one external thread (16) is secured to the external surface of the neck after expansion of the neck.