Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

This invention provides a plastic container characterized in that an expanded layer comprising expanded cells having a flat shape with an average major axis of not more than 400 m and an average aspect ratio (L/t) of not less than 6 as viewed in cross section of the container wall along the maximum stretch direction, which are oriented in the stretch direction and are distributed so as to be superimposed on top of each other in the thickness-wise direction, is formed within the container wall. In this container, expanded cells having a flat shape are distributed so as to orient in a given direction and, thus, has light shielding properties and has a pearl-like appearance, that is, has a very high commercial value. Further, since any colorant is not contained, the suitability for recycling is excellent.

The present disclosure is directed to processes for producing ultrasonic sealable film structures and flexible containers with ultrasonic seals. The film structure includes a first multilayer film and a second multilayer film. Each multilayer film includes a backing layer and a seal layer. Each seal layer includes an ultrasonic sealable olefin-based polymer (USOP) having the following properties: (a) a heat of melting, Hm, less than 130 J/g, (b) a peak melting temperature, Tm, less than 125 C., (c) a storage modulus in shear (G) from 50 MPa to 500 MPa, and (d) a loss modulus in shear (G) greater than 10 MPa.

The multilayer films are arranged such that the seal layer of the first multilayer film is in contact with the seal layer of the second multilayer film. The seal layers form an ultrasonic seal having a seal strength from 30 N/15 mm to 80 N/15 mm when ultrasonically sealed at 4 N/mm seal force.

The present disclosure is directed to processes for producing ultrasonic sealable film structures and flexible containers with ultrasonic seals. The film structure includes a first multilayer film and a second multilayer film. Each multilayer film includes a backing layer and a seal layer. Each seal layer includes an ultrasonic sealable olefin-based polymer (USOP) having the following properties: (a) a heat of melting, Hm, less than 130 J/g, (b) a peak melting temperature, Tm, less than 125 C., (c) a storage modulus in shear (G) from 50 MPa to 500 MPa, and (d) a loss modulus in shear (G) greater than 10 MPa.

The multilayer films are arranged such that the seal layer of the first multilayer film is in contact with the seal layer of the second multilayer film. The seal layers form an ultrasonic seal having a seal strength from 30 N/15 mm to 80 N/15 mm when ultrasonically sealed at 4 N/mm seal force.

Medicated starch-based powder formulations are packaged to ensure the medication remains stable for a desired shelf life. The medicated starch-based powder formulation may be packaged in a sealed container so as to maintain medicament functionality for at least one year. The container may be fabricated and/or lined with a low permeability coefficient and sealed with a foil heat induction seal liner. The container may be treated with a media to alter the surface properties of the container to increase the integrity of the container. The medicated starch-based powder formulation may include cornstarch and menthol.

Medicated starch-based powder formulations are packaged to ensure the medication remains stable for a desired shelf life. The medicated starch-based powder formulation may be packaged in a sealed container so as to maintain medicament functionality for at least one year. The container may be fabricated and/or lined with a low permeability coefficient and sealed with a foil heat induction seal liner. The container may be treated with a media to alter the surface properties of the container to increase the integrity of the container. The medicated starch-based powder formulation may include cornstarch and menthol.

Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

An apparatus may include a film support roller supporting a film roll and a housing that may include a sealing portion having an aperture sized to receive a top portion of a container. The housing may define a film path leading from the film roll to the sealing portion. A guide support assembly may have a ramp and at least one guide truss positioned along the film path. The ramp and the guide truss may guide the film across the aperture within the sealing portion, covering the aperture. The motor may advance the film along the film path. The heating element may emanate energy. The controller may cause the motor to advance the film onto the ramp and cause the heating element to emanate energy to cause the film to seal the top portion of the container.

An apparatus may include a film support roller supporting a film roll and a housing that may include a sealing portion having an aperture sized to receive a top portion of a container. The housing may define a film path leading from the film roll to the sealing portion. A guide support assembly may have a ramp and at least one guide truss positioned along the film path. The ramp and the guide truss may guide the film across the aperture within the sealing portion, covering the aperture. The motor may advance the film along the film path. The heating element may emanate energy. The controller may cause the motor to advance the film onto the ramp and cause the heating element to emanate energy to cause the film to seal the top portion of the container.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a composite component. The apparatus includes a mold onto which the composite component is formed. The mold is disposed within a grid defined by a first axis and a second axis. The apparatus further includes a first frame assembly disposed above the mold and a plurality of machine heads coupled to the first frame assembly within the grid in an adjacent arrangement along the first axis. At least one of the mold or the plurality of machine heads is moveable along the first axis, the second axis, or both. At least one of the machine heads of the plurality of machine heads is moveable independently of one another along a third axis. A second frame assembly is moveable above the mold along the first axis, the second axis, or both. The second frame assembly includes a holding device. The holding device affixes to and releases from an outer skin to place and displace the outer skin at the mold.