Preforms and methods of processing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) polymers, such as poly(ethylene-2,5-furandicaboxylate (PEF), to produce preforms and articles, such as containers. The present invention also includes preforms with superior processing characteristics and containers, such as PEF beverage bottles, with superior performance properties.

The invention relates to a method in which a polyester melt containing one or more polyesters is produced, the polyester melt being foamed by a blowing agent and a foamed granulate is produced from the foamed polyester melt. The intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the polyester melt is reduced by the blowing agent about at least 0.05 dl/g, measured according to ASTM D4603, and the IV of the foamed granulate is then increased by means of a solid phase polycondensation (SSP).

The invention provides a mould core and injection moulding apparatus for the production of a preform using a mould core which in the zone for defining the neck part of the preform comprises a combination of a raised portion and a shallow groove with a depth of 0.01 to 1 mm provided in the raised portion, for defining an internal attachment means in the neck of the preform. The invention also provides a preform and a container made from the preform, with internal attachment means in the neck. The internal attachment means is carried out rotation symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the preform. The combinations with an insert piece, preferably a pouring spout, flexible hose or dosing cap, have also been described. Furthermore, the invention provides an injection moulding method for the preform production and a stretch blow moulding method for the container production.

The invention provides a mould core and injection moulding apparatus for the production of a preform using a mould core which in the zone for defining the neck part of the preform comprises a combination of a raised portion and a shallow groove with a depth of 0.01 to 1 mm provided in the raised portion, for defining an internal attachment means in the neck of the preform. The invention also provides a preform and a container made from the preform, with internal attachment means in the neck. The internal attachment means is carried out rotation symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the preform. The combinations with an insert piece, preferably a pouring spout, flexible hose or dosing cap, have also been described. Furthermore, the invention provides an injection moulding method for the preform production and a stretch blow moulding method for the container production.

A container, preferably a bottle, is fabricated in a method comprising: —providing a preform comprising poly(ethylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate); —stretch blow-molding the preform to form the container, wherein the stretch blow-molding comprises a stretching step of the preform to a ratio higher than the natural draw ratio of poly(ethylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) at a temperature in a range of 105° C. to 145° C., preferably in a range of 110° C. to 140° C., and at an equivalent axial strain rate at a reference temperature of 100° C. in the range of 0.001 to 10 s.sup.−1, preferably in a range of 0.03 to 3 s.sup.−1.

A container, preferably a bottle, is fabricated in a method comprising: —providing a preform comprising poly(ethylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate); —stretch blow-molding the preform to form the container, wherein the stretch blow-molding comprises a stretching step of the preform to a ratio higher than the natural draw ratio of poly(ethylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) at a temperature in a range of 105° C. to 145° C., preferably in a range of 110° C. to 140° C., and at an equivalent axial strain rate at a reference temperature of 100° C. in the range of 0.001 to 10 s.sup.−1, preferably in a range of 0.03 to 3 s.sup.−1.

A plastic container is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, at least one thread, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In embodiments, a closure may be provided to form an assembly. In embodiments, the container may be comprised of PET, the weight of the neck portion from the lower surface of the support flange to a top of the dispensing opening may be 3.0 grams or less, and/or the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange may be 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.

A preform configured to form a container by stretch blow molding. A finish portion of the preform is at a first end of the preform. The finish portion is a container finish of the container A support flange is at the finish portion. A tip portion is at a second end of the preform opposite to the first end and is configured to form a container base. A neck portion is adjacent to the support flange, and is configured to form a neck portion. An external stretch radius is at an outer surface of the neck portion. An internal stretch radius is at an inner surface of the neck portion. A first distance is between the internal stretch radius and the external stretch radius and is equal to, or greater than, four times a second distance between the external stretch radius and the support flange.

A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.

A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.