A blow molded thermoplastic fuel tank with built-in fuel system components inside of the tank on separate and spaced apart internal brackets reduces the detrimental effects of thermoplastic swell to ensure fuel volume capacity is maximized, and appropriate clearances with the fuel tank wall are maintained. An internal configuration with separate spaced apart brackets provides more design freedom in the shape and configuration of the tank while enabling the tank shape to be thinner overall and fit within tighter spaces. The separate brackets also act as baffles to prevent sloshing noises of liquid fuel in the tank.

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 manufacturing method is configured to include arranging a conductive circuit-attached film, in which a conductive circuit having stretchability is formed on a base film, on a molding surface of a first mold having the molding surface for forming an internal surface of a preform; mold-clamping the first mold and a second mold paired with the first mold; molding the preform by injecting molten resin into a cavity formed by the mold-clamping; mold-opening the first mold and the second mold; taking out a conductive circuit-attached preform in which the conductive circuit-attached film and the preform are integrated; and blow-molding the conductive circuit-attached preform.

A manufacturing method is configured to include arranging a conductive circuit-attached film, in which a conductive circuit having stretchability is formed on a base film, on a molding surface of a first mold having the molding surface for forming an internal surface of a preform; mold-clamping the first mold and a second mold paired with the first mold; molding the preform by injecting molten resin into a cavity formed by the mold-clamping; mold-opening the first mold and the second mold; taking out a conductive circuit-attached preform in which the conductive circuit-attached film and the preform are integrated; and blow-molding the conductive circuit-attached preform.

A method for producing a hollow body for storing gases, the hollow body including at least one boss part having a projection. The method includes providing a sheathing composed of a plastic material or a reactive material, over the at least one boss part, at least in a region of the projection. The sheathed at least one boss part is then heated and introduced into a blow mould, where it is surrounding with a plastic tube to form the hollow body. The plastic tube is then brought into permanent contact with the sheathing on the projection to thereby obtain a permanent material connection between the plastic of the plastic tube to the plastic or the reactive material of the sheathing. An internal pressure is then applied to the plastic of the plastic tube to obtain a final shape of the hollow body.

A method for producing a hollow body for storing gases, the hollow body including at least one boss part having a projection. The method includes providing a sheathing composed of a plastic material or a reactive material, over the at least one boss part, at least in a region of the projection. The sheathed at least one boss part is then heated and introduced into a blow mould, where it is surrounding with a plastic tube to form the hollow body. The plastic tube is then brought into permanent contact with the sheathing on the projection to thereby obtain a permanent material connection between the plastic of the plastic tube to the plastic or the reactive material of the sheathing. An internal pressure is then applied to the plastic of the plastic tube to obtain a final shape of the hollow body.

A blow-molded plastic structure has a hollow interior portion formed during a blow-molding process, and includes first and second outer portions that are spaced apart from each other, with the hollow interior portion disposed there between. The structure includes a pattern of structural stiffening features that are integrally formed in the second outer portion. The pattern of structural stiffening features includes a plurality of tripodal depressions disposed in rows and columns and a plurality of convex regions disposed in rows and columns between the plurality of tripodal depressions. Each convex region has a maximum height between the first and second outer portions. Each of the tripodal depressions extends into the hollow interior portion, includes three indentations disposed adjacent the first outer portion, and includes an island spaced away from the first outer portion. The island has three sides, each of which is disposed adjacent one of the three indentations.

A blow-molded plastic structure has a hollow interior portion formed during a blow-molding process, and includes first and second outer portions that are spaced apart from each other, with the hollow interior portion disposed there between. The structure includes a pattern of structural stiffening features that are integrally formed in the second outer portion. The pattern of structural stiffening features includes a plurality of tripodal depressions disposed in rows and columns and a plurality of convex regions disposed in rows and columns between the plurality of tripodal depressions. Each convex region has a maximum height between the first and second outer portions. Each of the tripodal depressions extends into the hollow interior portion, includes three indentations disposed adjacent the first outer portion, and includes an island spaced away from the first outer portion. The island has three sides, each of which is disposed adjacent one of the three indentations.

A blow-molded unitary structure includes a panel having first and second panel walls and a generally hollow interior between the first and second panel walls. The structure also includes one or more different types of strengthening elements monolithically formed with the panel and across a substantial portion of the panel to enhance the strength of the structure. A strengthening element can be a depression recessing from the second panel wall toward an interior of the panel, a protrusion protruding from the second panel wall toward an exterior of the panel, a rib protruding outwardly toward the exterior of the panel and a trench formed by side walls of adjacent protrusions.