US 6,555,033 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for making a plastic container and closure combination

AssigneeGraham Packaging Company, L.P.

InventorsDavid W. Cargile, Earle L. Ellis, David Kesselman, Roy N. Krohn

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Abstract

At least one blow-molded plastic container and one compression molded lid are simultaneously produced in a blow mold. Preferably, the method and apparatus utilize a mold capable of simultaneously receiving a pair of extruded parisons. One of the parisons is utilized to produce a pair of aligned container bodies and the other of the parisons is utilized to form a pair of aligned closures. In this manner, a container and closure combination can be manufactured having perfect color matching and can be readily recycled in its entirety. In addition, the method and apparatus according to the present invention significantly reduces tooling costs and required machine capitol.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of manufacturing a plastic container and closure combination, comprising the steps of:

extruding at least one tubular parison of molten thermoplastic material adjacent an open set of mold blocks which, when closed, cooperate to form at least one container forming cavity and at least one closure forming cavity, said cavities being spaced apart within said closed set of mold blocks;
closing said set of mold blocks to capture said at least one parison therein;
and
blow-molding a hollow container body within said container forming cavity and simultaneously compression molding a closure within said closure forming cavity, said container body having a finish and said closure being of a predetermined size for use in engaging said finish to seal said container body closed.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/893,369Filed 27 Jun 2001
Published: US 2003/0001316 A12 Jan 2003
Granted: 29 Apr 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

B29C 49/482
Moulds: with means for moulding parts of the parisons in an auxiliary cavity, e.g. moulding a handle
B29C 49/04
Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison: extrusion blow-moulding
B29C 49/04108
Extrusion blow-moulding: extruding several parisons parallel to each other at the same time
B29C 49/48185
Moulds: with more than one separate mould cavity