A preform (31) is sterilized by a preform sterilizer (11). The preform (31) is blow-molded by a blow-molding device (13) to manufacture a container (30). Next, the container (30) is filled with a culture medium by a filling device (20) without sterilizing the container (30) by a container sterilizer (15), and the container (30) is plugged by a plugging device (21). Thereafter, it is verified how much microorganism survive or propagate in the culture medium in the container (30). A degree of sterilization in the container sterilizer (15) is adjusted on the basis of a verification result.

A method for decontaminating a tube of which a first open end forms an inner neck towards the inside of the tube and an outer neck towards the outside of the tube, the method including: initially raising the temperature of the tube, then subjecting the tube to ultraviolet radiation, that includes emitting ultraviolet radiation by radiation emission apparatus, and subjecting the inside of the tube, the outer neck and the inner neck to the ultraviolet radiation, in which the first end is inserted into a cavity arranged to reflect the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the emission apparatus and to direct this ultraviolet radiation into the tube through the first end, onto the outer neck of the tube and onto the inner neck of the tube.

A hollow article is provided, comprising a first wall and a second wall, where the first and second walls are positioned in opposing relationship and define a space therebetween. A plurality of protruding structural pillars extend from the second wall and span the space, each of the structural pillars having an end surface integrally bonded with an inside surface of the first wall.

A system for simultaneously forming and filling a container from a thermoplastic polymer preform with a carbonated liquid at ambient temperature. The system includes a mold that encloses the thermoplastic polymer perform, a stretching member that stretches the thermoplastic polymer preform, an injection head that inject the carbonated liquid, and a pressurization system. The pressurization system is configured to, with the carbonated liquid beverage at room temperature (68 F. to 77 F.), increase pressure of the carbonated liquid beverage to a pre-load pressure that is greater than the defined partial pressure of dissolved carbon dioxide in the resultant filled and sealed container at room temperature, to maintain the carbonated liquid beverage at rest and at the pre-load pressure prior to injecting into the preform.

A preform is sterilized by a preform sterilizer. The preform is blow-molded by a blow-molding device to manufacture a container. Next, the container is filled with a culture medium by a filling device without sterilizing the container by a container sterilizer, and the container is plugged by a plugging device. Thereafter, it is verified how much microorganism survive or propagate in the culture medium in the container. A degree of sterilization in the container sterilizer is adjusted on the basis of a verification result.

A method for handling at least sectionally sterile workpieces having a filiable inner volume, wherein the workpieces are each connected to a closure device, and by which the workpieces are guided through a plurality of treatment stations. One of the stations is a sterilization unit, wherein in at least one of the treatment stations, a treatment member is moved through a passage opening of the closure device all the way into the inner volume of the workpiece. The passage opening of the closure device is closed off by a closure element, which opens when the treatment member moves through and closes again upon removal of the member, wherein the closure device sealingly closes the inner volume of the workpiece with respect to an external region.

A liquid blow molding method molds a bottomed tubular-shaped preform into a liquid containing container. The method includes a nozzle engaging step of engaging a blow nozzle with a mouth of the preform; a molding step of molding the preform into a container of a predetermined shape by supplying a pressurized liquid from a pump into the preform; a suck-back step of sucking back a predetermined volume of liquid out of the container into a supply path; a nozzle closing step of closing the blow nozzle by a sealing body; and a discharge step of discharging a liquid in the supply path by a predetermined volume from a discharge port by operating, after the nozzle closing step, a pump in a positive direction with the discharge port connected to the supply path opened.

A stretch-blown plastic container, includes a container body which encloses a filling volume with a container bottom; a container neck which adjoins an opposite end of the container body, having a container opening and an integrated handle region, the handle region being hollow and joined to the filling volume which is enclosed by the container body; and between the handle region and the container body, a through opening recessed and bordered over its entire periphery by wall parts of the container body and of the handle region which have been welded to one another.

A method of forming a blow molded container in the form of a tub, the method comprising the steps of: providing an injection molded preform composed of a biaxially-orientable thermoplastic material, the preform being substantially planar; heating the preform; and stretch blow molding the heated preform within a mold cavity to form a tub having a bottom wall and an annular sidewall having an upper edge, the tub comprising biaxially oriented thermoplastic material in the annular sidewall and at least an outer portion of the bottom wall, the stretch blow molding step using at least one stretch rod to engage an inner side of the preform and axially to stretch at least a part of the preform prior to blowing a pressurized gas against the inner side which urges the opposite side of the preform radially outwardly against the mold.

In one example, a method includes positioning a tool in a mold, forming a parison of melted plastic, closing the mold around the parison and tool such that part of the tool is positioned between a portion of the mold and the parison, creating a blow molded structure by inflating the parison so that the melted plastic comes into contact with an interior portion of the mold and into contact with the tool, and after the mold is closed, operating the tool to form an integral compression molded element within the mold, and a parting line formed by the mold in the blow molded structure forms no part of the integral compression molded element.