# US 10,500,780 B2 · Method and apparatus for fabricating containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,780 B2 - Document ID: US10500780B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/105,421 - Filed: 2014-12-16 - Published: 2016-11-03 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-16 - Assignees: Discma AG - Applicants: Discma AG - Inventors: Frederic Drzewiecki; Klaus Hartwig; Damien Kannengiesser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500780B2 ## CPC - B29C 49/0042: {without using a mould (B29C49/1602 takes precedence)} - B29C 49/06: Injection blow-moulding - B29C 49/12: Stretching rods - B29C 49/24: Lining or labelling - B29C 49/46: characterised by using particular environment or blow fluids other than air - B65B 3/022: {Making containers by moulding of a thermoplastic material} - B65B 7/16: Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons - B65D 21/0205: {joined together by bonding, adhesive or the like (B65D21/0208 takes precedence)} - B65D 25/205: {Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; (cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence)} - B65D 71/06: Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers - B29C 49/42802: {a closure or a sealing foil to the article or pincing the opening} - B29C 49/42808: {Filling the article} - B29C 49/48185: {with more than one separate mould cavity} - B29C 2049/023: {using inherent heat of the preform, i.e. 1 step blow moulding} - B29C 2049/4664: {staying in the final article} - B29K 2101/12: Thermoplastic materials - B29L 2031/7158: {Bottles} - 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) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - 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 plurality of containers fabricated from plastic preforms, wherein the form of each of the containers is partially defined, through expansion of the containers by other containers adjacent thereto. A package including a plurality of the plastic containers is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A unit of containers comprising: a plurality of individual containers, each of the containers having a shape including a sidewall adjacent to a sidewall of an adjacent container thereto and defining adjacent sidewalls, each of the sidewalls including an inner surface and an outer surface corresponding in shape to one another, the inner surface defining an inner chamber of the container, the outer surfaces of the adjacent sidewalls being adhered to one another by material forming the adjacent sidewalls and being detachable from each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The unit of containers according to claim 1, wherein each of the containers is adhered to at least two adjacent containers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The unit of containers according to claim 2, wherein the containers and the at least two adjacent containers are manually detachable from one another. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The unit of containers according to claim 1, wherein the sidewalls of the containers are provided with flat surfaces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The unit of containers according to claim 1, further comprising a packaging element constituting a constraining element retained with the plurality of containers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The unit of containers according to claim 5, wherein the packaging element is a tray having a floor, the floor being provided as one of with a wall and without a wall extending from the perimeter of the floor about the plurality of containers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The unit of containers according to claim 5, wherein the constraining element has a concave, tube-shaped form, comprising a floor from the perimeter of which extends a wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The unit of containers according to claim 7, wherein a shaping insert is disposed between the plurality of containers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The unit of containers according to claim 5, wherein the containers have a substantially identical shape and profile. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The unit of containers according to claim 1, further comprising an overwrap around the unit of containers and additionally binding the plurality of containers together into a single, manipulatable package. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The unit of containers according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of containers are uniform in one of labeling, size, shape and volume and are provided in the form of two rows. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The unit of containers according to claim 1, wherein the unit includes containers differing in at least labeling. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The unit of containers according claim 1, wherein at least a first container of the plurality of containers is filled with a first liquid and at least a second container of the plurality of containers is filled with a second liquid, the second liquid being different from the first liquid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The unit of containers according to claim 13, wherein a first label is affixed on the first container and a second label is affixed on the second container, the second label being different from the first label.