A method of injection molding a test tube-shaped preform for biaxial stretch blow molding includes supplying a major material resin from outer and inner flow paths to a combined flow path for a predetermined time and rate. For a period of time within a range of the predetermined time period during which the major material resin is supplied, the intermediate layer resin is simultaneously supplied from the middle flow path to the combined flow path at a second predetermined supplying rate. A columnar laminated molten resin is injected into a cavity of a metal mold connected to a tip of the nozzle through a gate to fill the cavity, the columnar laminated molten resin being composed of the major material resin and the intermediate layer resin formed in the major material resin in a laminated manner that are combined into a columnar shape at the combined flow path.

A preform is provided for blow-molding to form a container. The preform includes a finish portion for rotatably engaging a closure to seal contents within an interior of the container. The finish portion comprises a cylindrical body that begins at an opening to the interior and extends to and includes a tamper evidence ledge. A mirror polished sealing surface inside the finish portion cooperates with a plug seal of the closure to seal the container. Threads outside the finish portion engage with similar threads inside the closure. Thread starts of the threads reduce potential damage to the threads during installation of the closure. The thread starts may include a start pitch that is greater than a thread pitch of the threads. A handling valley disposed between the threads and the tamper evidence ledge facilitates air-conveying the container along a manufacturing assembly line.

A preform is provided for blow-molding to form a container. The preform includes a finish portion for rotatably engaging a closure to seal contents within an interior of the container. The finish portion comprises a cylindrical body that begins at an opening to the interior and extends to and includes a tamper evidence ledge. A mirror polished sealing surface inside the finish portion cooperates with a plug seal of the closure to seal the container. Threads outside the finish portion engage with similar threads inside the closure. Thread starts of the threads reduce potential damage to the threads during installation of the closure. The thread starts may include a start pitch that is greater than a thread pitch of the threads. A handling valley disposed between the threads and the tamper evidence ledge facilitates air-conveying the container along a manufacturing assembly line.

A co-injection hot runner nozzle comprises an inner melt flow channel and an annular outer melt flow channel that surrounds the inner melt flow channel. The inner and outer melt flow channels have a first common source. The nozzle further comprises an annular intermediate melt flow channel disposed between the inner and outer melt flow channels. The annular intermediate melt flow channel is at least partly defined by a plurality of spiral grooves, each spiral groove having a respective inlet and defining a helical flow path. Lands between adjacent spiral grooves increase in clearance in a downstream direction. An annular axial flow path is defined over the lands. A plurality of feeder channels having a second common source is configured to supply melt to the plurality of inlets of the spiral grooves. The relationship of feeder channels to spiral grooves may be one-to-one. The inlets may be longitudinal channels.

A co-injection hot runner nozzle comprises an inner melt flow channel and an annular outer melt flow channel that surrounds the inner melt flow channel. The inner and outer melt flow channels have a first common source. The nozzle further comprises an annular intermediate melt flow channel disposed between the inner and outer melt flow channels. The annular intermediate melt flow channel is at least partly defined by a plurality of spiral grooves, each spiral groove having a respective inlet and defining a helical flow path. Lands between adjacent spiral grooves increase in clearance in a downstream direction. An annular axial flow path is defined over the lands. A plurality of feeder channels having a second common source is configured to supply melt to the plurality of inlets of the spiral grooves. The relationship of feeder channels to spiral grooves may be one-to-one. The inlets may be longitudinal channels.

An ultrasonic manipulator for processing three-dimensional composite preforms is provided, including at least one end effector, the end effector having an ultrasonic cutting device, an ultrasonic machining device, an ultrasonic inspecting device, and an ultrasonic bonding device. A method for creating three-dimensional preforms for use in molding composite parts is also provided, and includes the steps of grasping a preform/towpreg, inspecting the composite object using ultrasound, cutting a preform from the composite object using ultrasound, and at least some of the steps of shaping the preform using ultrasound, machining the preform using ultrasound, assembling a plurality of preforms, bonding the assembled preforms together to create a preform charge, and placing the preform charge in an injection mold.

An ultrasonic manipulator for processing three-dimensional composite preforms is provided, including at least one end effector, the end effector having an ultrasonic cutting device, an ultrasonic machining device, an ultrasonic inspecting device, and an ultrasonic bonding device. A method for creating three-dimensional preforms for use in molding composite parts is also provided, and includes the steps of grasping a preform/towpreg, inspecting the composite object using ultrasound, cutting a preform from the composite object using ultrasound, and at least some of the steps of shaping the preform using ultrasound, machining the preform using ultrasound, assembling a plurality of preforms, bonding the assembled preforms together to create a preform charge, and placing the preform charge in an injection mold.

A method for manufacturing a resin container, the method including: injection-molding a bottomed preform made of resin; and blow-molding the preform to manufacture a resin container, in which the injection molding includes filling a cavity formed by at least an injection core mold and an injection cavity mold with a molten resin to form the preform, and a first groove that extends from a bottom portion defining portion to a neck portion defining portion is formed in a surface of the body portion defining portion of the injection core mold.

A method for manufacturing a resin container, the method including: injection-molding a bottomed preform made of resin; and blow-molding the preform to manufacture a resin container, in which the injection molding includes filling a cavity formed by at least an injection core mold and an injection cavity mold with a molten resin to form the preform, and a first groove that extends from a bottom portion defining portion to a neck portion defining portion is formed in a surface of the body portion defining portion of the injection core mold.

A barrier for injection molding, the barrier including a manganese (Mn) catalyst and an oxygen barrier. In embodiments, the oxygen barrier comprises MXD6. Such barriers may be included with a polymer to form a composition used in an injection process. In other embodiments, a barrier includes a transition metal catalyst, an organic compound, and a radical initiator. In embodiments, the radical initiator comprises one or more azo-compounds or peroxides. Plastic preforms and containers that are injection molded with such barriers/compositions are also disclosed.