A method of manufacturing a foam molded article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of extruding a molten, kneaded resin containing a foaming agent through an annular slit between a die core and a die shell, surrounding the die core to form a cylindrical foam parison, extruding the parison between a pair of split molds, pinching the parison between lower pinchers disposed under the split molds, and molding the parison by closing the split molds. H/D is 1.33 to 3.33 and L/D is 0.33 to 2.00, D being a die core diameter, H being a distance between a lower surface of the die core and an upper surface of each of the split molds, and L being a distance between a lower surface of each of the split molds and an upper surface of the corresponding lower pincher. The die core diameter is between 50 and 300 mm.

A method of manufacturing a foam molded article, comprising: an extrusion step of extruding a molten, kneaded resin containing a foaming agent through an annular slit between a die core and a die shell surrounding the die core to form a cylindrical foam parison and extruding the foam parison between a pair of split molds; a lower-pinching step of pinching the foam parison between lower pinchers disposed under the split molds; and a molding step of molding the foam parison by closing the split molds, after the lower-pinching step, wherein H/D is 1.33 to 3.33 and L/D is 0.33 to 2.00 where D represents a diameter of the die core; H represents a distance between a lower surface of the die core and an upper surface of each of the split molds; and L represents a distance between a lower surface of each of the split molds and an upper surface of the corresponding lower pincher, is provided.

A forming mold is used when forming a preform, which has a neck portion and a barrel portion, and whose barrel portion is filled with a molding material over the entire axial direction thereof, by injection molding; forming a space part in the barrel portion of the preform to convert the preform into an intermediate molded product; and blow-molding the intermediate molded product to form a hollow container which is a final molded product. The forming mold is equipped with a boring rod which is inserted from the neck portion side into the barrel portion of the preform to form the space part of at least a predetermined depth in the barrel portion.

Blow moulding a container, including extruding a tube shaped, hollow, elongated parison from an extrusion head having one free end; and closing a moulding equipment around the parison. The moulding equipment includes a moulding cavity and at least one aperture providing an opening into the moulding cavity from outside the moulding equipment. An excess section of the parison is arranged inside the at least one aperture. The free end of the parison is kept in place in the moulding equipment opposite the at least one aperture. The method includes holding the excess section of the parison within the at least one aperture via a holding force; cutting the parison outside the equipment, thereby providing an open end; arranging a blow pin to close the open end of the parison; and blowing pressurised gas from the blow pin into the parison, thereby forming a blow moulded container within the moulding cavity.

A container treatment system (1, 13) that has at least two working areas (AP). Each of the working areas (AP) respectively comprises at least one exchangeable working tool (2) and/or one adaptable format part. Furthermore, the container treatment system (1, 13) comprises at least one automatic exchange machine (10) which is movable, in particular drivable, to the at least two working areas (AP), which automatic exchange machine (10) can be connected selectively to any of the respective working areas (AP), in particular using centering means (22, 32), and which automatic exchange machine (10) comprises tools for exchanging the working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of the respective working area (AP). The invention further relates to an automatic exchange machine (10) for exchanging working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of at least two different working areas (AP) of a container treatment system (1, 13).

Apparatus for producing containers, and in particular beverage containers, having a heating device configured to heat plastic parisons, having at least one first transport device, which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, a sterilization device configured to sterilize the plastic parisons, and a forming device arranged downstream of the sterilization device, as seen in a transporting direction of the plastic parisons, and configured to form the plastic parisons into plastic containers by the application of a free-flowing medium, wherein said forming device has a transport chamber within which the plastic parisons are transported. The apparatus has an application device configured to apply a free-flowing sterilization medium, at least temporarily, to the transport chamber.

Blow molded articles having a predetermined feature incorporated into the wall provided by variations in the thickness of the wall of the article corresponding to a predetermined pattern etched into the perform from which the article was formed. Also, etched performs for making blow molded articles and methods for making such performs and articles.

Method for making blow molded articles having a predetermined feature incorporated into the wall provided by variations in the thickness of the wall of the article corresponding to a predetermined pattern etched into the preform from which the article was formed.

Blow molded articles having a predetermined feature incorporated into the wall provided by variations in the thickness of the wall of the article corresponding to a predetermined pattern etched into the preform from which the article was formed. Also, etched preforms for making blow molded articles and methods for making such preforms and articles.

Method of making a blow molded article from a preform including: a) providing a preform of a thermoplastic material having a plurality of effect structures each having an effect surface having a normal with an orientation, the preform having a body with one or more walls and an opening, wherein at least a portion of the one or more walls of the preform has a three-dimensional pattern of cavities and/or protrusions thereon; and b) blow molding the preform to form a blow molded article, wherein the step of blow molding the preform changes the orientation of the normal of at least some of the effect surfaces of the effect structures to create a visual effect in at least one wall of the blow molded article.