First, a composite preform 70 including a preform 10a and a plastic member 40a in close contact with the outer surface of the preform 10a is made by preparing the preform 10a made of plastic material and arranging the plastic member 40a to surround the outer surface of the preform 10a. Subsequently, the composite preform 70 is heated and inserted in a blow molding die 50 and undergoes blow molding in the blow molding die 50, by which the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a of the composite preform 70 are inflated integrally and a composite container 10A is obtained.

A method for producing a marked container (12), includes the following steps: a first step (E1) of heating, beyond a glass transition temperature, at least one shape-changing portion of the thermoplastic material wall (17) of a preform (14); and a second step (E2) of forming the container by injecting a pressurized fluid into the body (16) of the preform (14) such as to change the shape of the heated portion of the wall (17) by stretching it; and a step (E0) for marking the preform (14), during which a mark (39) is provided on the shape-changing portion of the wall (17) such that the mark (39) is stretched at the same time as the wall (17), during step (E2) after forming.

A method for producing a marked container (12), includes the following steps: a first step (E1) of heating, beyond a glass transition temperature, at least one shape-changing portion of the thermoplastic material wall (17) of a preform (14); and a second step (E2) of forming the container by injecting a pressurized fluid into the body (16) of the preform (14) such as to change the shape of the heated portion of the wall (17) by stretching it; and a step (E0) for marking the preform (14), during which a mark (39) is provided on the shape-changing portion of the wall (17) such that the mark (39) is stretched at the same time as the wall (17), during step (E2) after forming.

A composite container which can be given various functions and characteristics; a method for producing such composite container; a preform; and a composite preform. A composite container according to the present invention that 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.

A composite container which can be given various functions and characteristics; a method for producing such composite container; a preform; and a composite preform. A composite container according to the present invention that 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.

A composite container which can be given various functions and characteristics; a method for producing such composite container; a preform; and a composite preform. A composite container according to the present invention that 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.

A composite container which can be given various functions and characteristics; a method for producing such composite container; a preform; and a composite preform. A composite container according to the present invention that 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.

There is disclosed an in-mould labelling process for the manufacture of a labelled article comprising the steps of: feeding a labelstock web into a mould; forming an article in the mould such that the formed article contacts and effectively adheres to a label of the labelstock web; detaching the adhered label from the labelstock web; and removing the formed and labelled article from the mould.

A label picking apparatus includes an anvil having a cavity and a picking element. A support surface surrounding the cavity and a picking surface of the picking element are respectively connectable to an under pressure source for respectively holding a web of material to the support surface and pre-cut label to the picking surface, the pre-cut label attached with the web of material with micro material bridges. The picking surface moveable into the cavity to release the label from the web. The picking surface has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface is formed from ends of protrusions that each extend from the inner surface, the protrusions of the picking surface made from high-friction material.

To provide a composite preform that can ensure that worsening of the appearance of a surface of a plastic member caused by near-infrared heating prior to blow molding is effectively prevented and that an inner preform is efficiently heated. The composite preform of the present invention includes a preform and a heat-contractive plastic member, the preform including a mouth part; a trunk part linked to the mouth part; and a bottom part linked to the trunk part, and the heat-contractive plastic member being disposed so as to surround the outside of the preform and including at least a colored layer that contains a resin material and a colorant, wherein the heat-contractive plastic member has a near-infrared transmittance of 50% or higher.