Preform assembly, container assembly and method of manufacture
AssigneeGraham Packaging PET Technologies Inc.
InventorsThomas Nahill, Brian Lynch, Keith Barker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A finish on a hollow plastic preform or container includes a neck that is at least partially of crystallizable polymer construction and is at least partially crystallized, and a finish ring externally secured over the neck. The neck 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 or container has an integral body, and the neck is integrally molded with the body. The finish ring preferably has at least one external thread for securement of a closure to the container after molding.
Claims9
1-2. (Cancelled)
A finish on a hollow plastic preform or container having an integral body, said finish including:
- a neck integrally molded with said body, said neck being circumferentially expanded subsequent to molding and being at least partially crystallized subsequent to expansion, and
- a finish ring externally secured to said neck subsequent to crystallizing said neck, said finish ring having at least one external thread or bead for securement of a closure.
A method of making a finish on a hollow plastic preform or container, which includes the steps of:
- (a) providing a molded plastic neck that is at least partially of crystallizable polymer construction,
- (b) circumferentially expanding said neck,
- (c) at least partially crystallizing said neck after expansion in said step (b), and
- (d) securing a finish ring externally over said neck subsequent to said step (c).
A method of making a plastic container having a body and a finish with at least one external thread, which includes the steps of:
- (a) providing a plastic preform having a body and a neck,
- (b) blow molding said body of said preform to form the body of the container,
- (c) either prior to or subsequent to said step (b), expanding said preform neck,
- (d) at least partially crystallizing said neck subsequent to said step (c),
- (e) providing a plastic finish ring having at least one external thread, and
- (f) securing said finish ring to an external surface of said neck after expansion of said neck in said step (c), and either prior to or subsequent to said step (b).
A method of making a preform assembly for blow molding a container, which includes the steps of:
- (a) providing a molded plastic preform having a body and a cylindrical neck with an external surface,
- (b) expanding said preform neck,
- (c) at least partially crystallizing said neck subsequent to said step (b),
- (d) providing a molded plastic finish ring, and
- (e) securing said finish ring to the external surface of the preform neck after expansion in said step (b) and crystallization in said step (c).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.