A method of controlling a preform for stretch blow-moulding a container with an integrally formed handle; the preform comprising, a body portion and the integrally formed handle; the preform transferred from a perform supply source to a blow moulding die for blowing the container; the method including the steps of passing the preform through a preform handle orientating apparatus, transferring the preform to a preform transportation system, maintaining orientation of the preform handle imposed by the perform handle orientating apparatus during transfer to the perform transportation system and transfer to the blow moulding die, rotating the preforms during transport along the transportation system past an array of preform heating elements while shielding the integrally formed handle from excessive exposure to the heating elements, transferring the preform from the transportation system to the blow moulding die, and wherein the handle comprises a loop of orientable material extending between an upper connection region and a lower connection region on the body portion of the preform; characterised in that the handle has a generally uniform cross section from proximate the lower connection region to a gradually widening cross section approaching the upper connection region; the cross section reaching and maintaining a maximum width proximate the upper connection region.

A heat-set container that defines a longitudinal axis is disclosed that includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. The container also includes a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing said sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a plurality of contact surfaces for supporting the container. The plurality of contact surfaces are spaced away from each other about the longitudinal axis. Also, the container includes a central pushup portion disposed in the base portion and extending generally toward the finish. The central pushup portion is substantially centered on the longitudinal axis, and the central pushup portion is moveable in response to internal vacuum pressure to decrease the volume.

A heat-set container that defines a longitudinal axis is disclosed that includes a finish and a sidewall portion extending from the finish. The container also includes a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing said sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity. The base portion has a plurality of contact surfaces for supporting the container. The plurality of contact surfaces are spaced away from each other about the longitudinal axis. Also, the container includes a central pushup portion disposed in the base portion and extending generally toward the finish. The central pushup portion is substantially centered on the longitudinal axis, and the central pushup portion is moveable in response to internal vacuum pressure to decrease the volume.

A system for forming a container from a preform includes a first mold having a plurality of first portions that cooperate to define a first internal surface against which the preform is blown for forming a first form. The system also includes a second mold having a plurality of second portions that cooperate to define a second internal surface against which the first form is blown for forming a second form. Also, the system includes a mold servo motor that actuates the plurality of first portions relative to each other and/or actuates the plurality of second portions relative to each other. Furthermore, the system includes a controller that controls the mold servo motor for controlled actuation of the plurality of first portions and/or the plurality of second portions.

A system for forming a container from a preform includes a first mold having a plurality of first portions that cooperate to define a first internal surface against which the preform is blown for forming a first form. The system also includes a second mold having a plurality of second portions that cooperate to define a second internal surface against which the first form is blown for forming a second form. Also, the system includes a mold servo motor that actuates the plurality of first portions relative to each other and/or actuates the plurality of second portions relative to each other. Furthermore, the system includes a controller that controls the mold servo motor for controlled actuation of the plurality of first portions and/or the plurality of second portions.

A transforming device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers, comprising a blow-molding device which forms a cavity inside which the plastic preforms can be transformed into the plastic containers through the application of a flowable medium, wherein the blow-molding device has at least two side parts which are arranged at least indirectly on blow-mold carriers, wherein the side parts are arranged on the blow-mold carriers by an attachment device is provided. The attachment device also has a return which, at least temporarily during a working mode, pushes at least one side part towards the blow-mold carrier on which the side part is arranged.

A nozzle for a blow-molding process includes a first sealing portion, a second sealing portion, and a seal disposed around a circumference of the first sealing portion in the form of circular edge. A transition portion is positioned between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion. The nozzle is configured such that upon engagement of the second sealing portion with the interior of a container preform having a longitudinal axis, the second sealing portion is positioned along the longitudinal axis at a different location than the first sealing portion.

Provided is a device for treating containers, comprising a heating device for heating plastic preforms, wherein the heating device has a plurality of heating stations which are suitable for individually heating the plastic preforms, and wherein the heating device has a transport device which transports the plastic preforms individually through the heating device, and comprising a reshaping device which is suitable and intended for reshaping the plastic preforms heated by the heating device into plastic containers. This reshaping device is arranged downstream of the heating device in the transport direction of the plastic preforms, and the reshaping device has a movable support, on which a plurality of reshaping stations are arranged for reshaping the plastic preforms into the plastic containers. The device also comprises a transport device, for transporting the heated plastic preforms individually from the heating device to the reshaping device, and a decorating device.

A fabric and elastomeric material (referred to as a fabric trilayer) combined with a sealant may be applied in such a fashion so as to eliminate or minimize air entrapment in an elastomeric composite structure that forms a seal-sealing volume. The performance of the self-sealing volume is dramatically improved with this minimizing of air entrapment. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, this construction approach may be accomplished without significantly adding to the weight or thickness of the volume and without affecting the outer dimension of the self-sealing volume. Thus, a method and system for forming a self-sealing volume are described. The system includes an elastomeric composite structure comprising at least one layer of an elastomeric material derived from a neat (no solvent) elastomeric material that does not substantially react at room temperature.

A fabric and elastomeric material (referred to as a fabric trilayer) combined with a sealant may be applied in such a fashion so as to eliminate or minimize air entrapment in an elastomeric composite structure that forms a seal-sealing volume. The performance of the self-sealing volume is dramatically improved with this minimizing of air entrapment. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, this construction approach may be accomplished without significantly adding to the weight or thickness of the volume and without affecting the outer dimension of the self-sealing volume. Thus, a method and system for forming a self-sealing volume are described. The system includes an elastomeric composite structure comprising at least one layer of an elastomeric material derived from a neat (no solvent) elastomeric material that does not substantially react at room temperature.