A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic container may include locally heating a middle zone of a thermoplastic tube; gripping the tube on either side by using retaining members; pulling the tube apart, causing a middle zone to narrow; pushing the inner wall of the middle zone against each other to obtain a closure; and cutting through the closed-off middle zone to obtain two separate tubular parts. Further is provided a system for pulling apart a tube, the system may include a first retaining member which is provided for insertion into the first zone via the first end and a second retaining member provided for insertion into the second zone via the second end, each retaining member being adjustable between a first position in which the retaining member fits inside the tube and a second position in which, in use, the retaining member exerts a pressure on the inner wall of the tube.

A polyimide-forming composition includes a particulate polyimide precursor composition having an average particle size of 0.1 to 100 micrometers wherein the polyimide precursor composition comprises a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.4-40 bisanhydride, and a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C.sub.1-20 diamine; an aqueous carrier; and a surfactant. A method of manufacturing an article including a polyimide includes the steps of forming a preform comprising the polyimide-forming composition; and heating the preform at a temperature and for a period of time effective to imidize the polyimide precursor composition and form the polyimide. An article prepared by the method, and a layer or coating including a polyimide and a surfactant are also described.

A polyimide-forming composition includes a particulate polyimide precursor composition having an average particle size of 0.1 to 100 micrometers wherein the polyimide precursor composition comprises a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.4-40 bisanhydride, and a substituted or unsubstituted divalent C.sub.1-20 diamine; an aqueous carrier; and a surfactant. A method of manufacturing an article including a polyimide includes the steps of forming a preform comprising the polyimide-forming composition; and heating the preform at a temperature and for a period of time effective to imidize the polyimide precursor composition and form the polyimide. An article prepared by the method, and a layer or coating including a polyimide and a surfactant are also described.

An absorbent article having improved softness signals is disclosed. The article may include a topsheet or a backsheet including a nonwoven web. The web may have a basis weight of 30 gsm or less, may be formed of spunlaid fibers including polyolefin and up to 5 percent by weight TiO.sub.2, and may be impressed with a pattern of bond impressions to a bond area percentage of at least 10 percent forming a pattern of bonded regions and raised regions. The web may have opacity of 42 or greater; have an average height difference between bonded regions and raised regions of at least 280 μm; be hydroengorged; and/or have a cross-machine direction tensile strength of 350 gf/cm. A nonwoven web manufactured to have a suitable combination of such features exhibits an enhanced appearance of softness, soft tactile feel and satisfactory mechanical attributes, while being relatively cost effective.

An absorbent article having improved softness signals is disclosed. The article may include a topsheet or a backsheet including a nonwoven web. The web may have a basis weight of 30 gsm or less, may be formed of spunlaid fibers including polyolefin and up to 5 percent by weight TiO.sub.2, and may be impressed with a pattern of bond impressions to a bond area percentage of at least 10 percent forming a pattern of bonded regions and raised regions. The web may have opacity of 42 or greater; have an average height difference between bonded regions and raised regions of at least 280 μm; be hydroengorged; and/or have a cross-machine direction tensile strength of 350 gf/cm. A nonwoven web manufactured to have a suitable combination of such features exhibits an enhanced appearance of softness, soft tactile feel and satisfactory mechanical attributes, while being relatively cost effective.

A container including a finish, a body, and a base. The finish includes a top sealing surface, threads, and a support flange. The top sealing surface includes only a base layer. The body and the base each include an inner portion made of the base layer, an outer portion made of the base layer, and an oxygen barrier layer between the inner portion and the outer portion.

A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers with the structure of two integrally connected and adjacent containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to conformingly and stretchingly assume the tubular blank to the shape of a first dual-container shaped mould cavity set in order to form a stretch-blow moulded first container integrally connected to a second container, with both containers extending in opposite directions. Next, additional heat-conditioning is applied to further heat-condition as necessary the stretch-blow moulded second container and if deemed an advantage, at least part of the first container. Then at least one profiled inversion piston shaped as a male mould member with an outer surface configuration that defines the inner surface configuration of the article being formed and a second container shaped mould cavity set with a single-container shaped configuration are provided along with one or more wall stability devices which are applied to at least part of the wall surface(s) of either or both of the two integrally connected stretch-blow moulded containers, such that the second smaller container side wall(s) are at least substantially not in contact with the second container shaped mould cavity set and may be inverted at least partially inside-out, while at the same time the second smaller container bottom wall at least substantially does not invert, in order for the second smaller container to become a substantially mirror-image inverted second smaller container extending in the same direction as, and interior to, the first container.

A preform is provided for blow-molding to form a container. The preform includes a finish portion for rotatably engaging a closure to seal contents within an interior of the container. The finish portion comprises a cylindrical body that begins at an opening to the interior and extends to and includes a tamper evidence ledge. A mirror polished sealing surface inside the finish portion cooperates with a plug seal of the closure to seal the container. Threads outside the finish portion engage with similar threads inside the closure. Thread starts of the threads reduce potential damage to the threads during installation of the closure. The thread starts may include a start pitch that is greater than a thread pitch of the threads. A handling valley disposed between the threads and the tamper evidence ledge facilitates air-conveying the container along a manufacturing assembly line.

A preform is provided for blow-molding to form a container. The preform includes a finish portion for rotatably engaging a closure to seal contents within an interior of the container. The finish portion comprises a cylindrical body that begins at an opening to the interior and extends to and includes a tamper evidence ledge. A mirror polished sealing surface inside the finish portion cooperates with a plug seal of the closure to seal the container. Threads outside the finish portion engage with similar threads inside the closure. Thread starts of the threads reduce potential damage to the threads during installation of the closure. The thread starts may include a start pitch that is greater than a thread pitch of the threads. A handling valley disposed between the threads and the tamper evidence ledge facilitates air-conveying the container along a manufacturing assembly line.

[Problem] To provide: a composite container which can be given various functions and characteristics; a method for producing such composite container; a preform; and a composite preform.

[Solution] A composite container according to the present invention includes: a container body which is made of a plastic material; and a plastic member disposed on the outer surface of the container body, wherein the container body and the plastic member are integrally inflated by means of blow molding, and wherein the plastic member includes a colored layer and/or a print layer where a print is made.