# US 10,118,353 B2 · Molding containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,353 B2 - Document ID: US10118353B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/110,903 - Filed: 2012-04-05 - Published: 2014-10-16 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-11 - Assignees: Reckitt Benckiser Finish B.V. - Applicants: Axel Halbherr; Andreas Geiger; Jurgen Pellenz - Inventors: Axel Halbherr; Andreas Geiger; Jurgen Pellenz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118353B2 ## CPC - B29D 22/003: {Containers for packaging, storing or transporting, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, barrels, tanks} - B29C 45/2624: {provided with a multiplicity of wall-like cavities connected to a common cavity, e.g. for battery cases} - B65B 3/022: {Making containers by moulding of a thermoplastic material} - B65B 29/10: Packaging two or more different substances isolated from one another in the package but capable of being mixed without opening the package, e.g. forming packages containing a resin and hardener isolated by a frangible partition - B29K 2995/0062: water-soluble - B29L 2031/712: {Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages (closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418)} - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A method of making an upwardly open container having a base wall, an upright perimeter wall, and an upright internal wall between one part of the perimeter wall and another part of the perimeter wall, the perimeter wall and the internal wall forming first and second compartments within the container, wherein the method comprises injecting a molten water-soluble polymer into a mold cavity between cooperating male and female mold parts; wherein there are independently movable first and second male parts separated by a gap in which the internal wall is formed, and wherein the first and second male parts correspond to the first and second compartments of the container to be formed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a plurality of unit-dose ware-washing products each comprising an upwardly open container having a base wall, an upright perimeter wall, and an upright internal wall between one part of the perimeter wall and another part of the perimeter wall, the internal wall and the perimeter wall forming first and second compartments within the container, wherein the method comprises: injecting a molten water-soluble polymer comprising polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, or partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate into a mould cavity between cooperating male and female mould parts; wherein there is an independently movable first male mould part and an independently movable second male mould part separated by a gap in which the internal wall is formed; wherein the first and second male mould parts are independently movable with respect to one another and correspond to the first and second compartments of the container to be formed; wherein the surfaces of the first and second male mould parts that define the gap in which the internal wall is formed are fully accessible by virtue of the first male mould part being fully withdrawn before the second male mould part is withdrawn from the female mould part, and introducing different compositions effective in cleaning into respective compartments; and closing the container; wherein the method comprises, before the injection moulding of at least one of the containers, smoothing all the polymer-contacting surfaces of the first and second male mould parts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal wall has an intermediate region which defines a third compartment entirely spaced from the perimeter of the container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the method employs a third male mould part which is located between the first and second male mould parts and defines, with them, the third compartment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container has only two compartments which are formed in part by the perimeter wall; and wherein the container has no internal compartment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal wall is substantially aligned with an upright wall of a male part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perimeter wall is substantially aligned with an upright wall of a male part. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mean thicknesses of the base wall, perimeter wall and internal wall are each not greater than 0.6 mm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fill volume of the container is in the range of 12-24 cm3. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight of the container is not greater than 2.5 g. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water-soluble polymer is poly(vinyl alcohol). ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said smoothing is by polishing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said smoothing is in a direction substantially parallel to the demoulding direction, to create microscopic striations following the demoulding direction.