# US 7,611,659 B2 · Method and apparatus for making a plastic container having an oriented finish portion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,659 B2 - Document ID: US7611659B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/416,174 - Filed: 2006-05-03 - Published: 2007-11-08 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-05-03 - Assignees: Graham Packaging Company, L.P. - Inventors: Wesley Spencer Hawk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611659B2 ## CPC - B29C 49/4205: {Handling means, e.g. transfer, loading or discharging means (handling of inserts or reinforcements B29C49/20; handling of linings or labels B29C49/2408)} - B29C 49/063: {with the parison axis held in the plane of rotation} - B29C 49/42077: {with U-shaped holder} - B29C 49/42085: {holding inside the neck} - B29C 49/42089: {holding body portion} - B29C 49/42115: {Inversion, e.g. turning preform upside down} - B29C 49/42119: {Rotation, e.g. rotating a predetermined angle for asymmetric preform or with asymmetric heat profile} - B29C 2049/023: {using inherent heat of the preform, i.e. 1 step blow moulding} - B29C 2949/22: at neck portion - B29C 2949/24: at flange portion - B29C 2949/26: at body portion - B29C 2949/28: at bottom portion - B29C 2949/3024: characterised by the number of components or by the manufacturing technique - B29C 2949/3032: having components being injected - 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) ## Abstract A method of making a plastic container, comprises injection molding a container preform having a finish portion and a body portion, engaging the container preform with a transfer arm with the finish portion located in a predetermined orientation with respect to the transfer arm, contacting the container preform with a first brake adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the container preform with respect to the transfer arm, transferring the container preform from the transfer arm to a blow molding wheel with the finish portion in a predetermined orientation with respect to the blow molding wheel, enclosing the container preform within a blow mold cavity, and blow molding the container preform into a plastic container. A blow molding apparatus for making a plastic container is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a plastic container, comprising: (a) injection molding a container preform having a finish portion and a body portion; (b) engaging the container preform with a transfer arm with the finish portion located in a predetermined orientation with respect to the transfer arm; (c) contacting the container preform with a first brake adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the container preform with respect to the transfer arm; (d) transferring the container preform from the transfer arm to a blow molding wheel with the finish portion in a predetermined orientation with respect to the blow molding wheel; (e) enclosing the container preform within a blow mold cavity; and (f) blow molding the container preform into a plastic container. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step (b) comprises moving the first brake from a first position spaced from the container preform to a second position contacting the container preform. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the first brake contacts an external surface of the finish portion when the first brake is in the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein an air cylinder moves the first brake from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first brake is spring loaded. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of contacting the container preform with a first brake comprises creating an interference fit between the container preform and the transfer arm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step (d) comprises placing the container preform on a mandrel located on the blow molding wheel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of contacting the container preform with a second brake to substantially prevent rotation of the container preform with respect to the mandrel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the step of contacting the container preform with a second brake comprises moving the second brake from a first position spaced from the container preform to a second position contacting the container preform. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein an air cylinder moves the second brake from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the second brake is spring loaded. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the step of engaging the container preform with the second brake comprises creating an interference fit between the container preform and the mandrel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of ejecting the container preform from an injection mold with the finish portion in a predetermined orientation with respect to the injection mold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plastic container has a body portion and a finish portion, with the finish portion oriented in a predetermined angular position with respect to the body portion. ### Claim 15 A blow molding apparatus for making a plastic container, comprising: an injection mold adapted to form a container preform having a finish portion and a body portion, the container preform defining a longitudinal axis; a transfer arm adapted to transfer the container preform from the injection mold to a blow mold station; a first brake located on the transfer arm and adapted to maintain the finish portion in a predetermined orientation with respect to the transfer arm; and a blow mold located at the blow mold station, the blow mold adapted to form the container preform into a plastic container; wherein the first brake is movable from a first position spaced from the container preform to a second position contacting the container preform. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The blow molding apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first brake substantially prevents rotation of the container preform with respect to the transfer arm about the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The blow molding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first brake contacts an external surface of the finish portion when the first brake is in the second position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The blow molding apparatus of claim 15, wherein an air cylinder moves the first brake from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The blow molding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first brake is spring loaded. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The blow molding apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a blow molding wheel located at the blow mold station; and a mandrel located on the blow molding wheel, the mandrel adapted to support the container preform on the blow molding wheel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The blow molding apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a second brake located on the mandrel and adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the container preform with respect to the mandrel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The blow molding apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second brake is movable from a first position spaced from the container preform to a second position contacting the container preform. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The blow molding apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an air cylinder adapted to move the second brake from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The blow molding apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second brake is spring loaded. ### Claim 25 A blow molding apparatus for making a plastic container, comprising: an injection mold adapted to form a container preform having a finish portion and a body portion, the container preform defining a longitudinal axis; a transfer arm adapted to transfer the container preform from the injection mold to a blow mold station; a first brake located on the transfer arm and adapted to maintain the finish portion in a predetermined orientation with respect to the transfer arm; a blow mold located at the blow mold station, the blow mold adapted to form the container preform into a plastic container; a blow molding wheel located at the blow mold station; a mandrel located on the blow molding wheel, the mandrel adapted to support the container preform on the blow molding wheel; and a second brake located on the mandrel and adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the container preform with respect to the mandrel.