A gaiter seal for shielding a functional element of a container-processing machine extends between parts of a working head of the container-processing machine includes axially-adjacent gaiter modules that extend along an axis and support-and-sliding elements at interfaces between adjacent gaiter modules. The support-and-sliding elements radially support and guide the first and second gaiter-modules along the functional element.

A method of hydroforming a container from a preform. During the method, an injection nozzle is moved from a retracted position, where the nozzle is spaced away from the neck of the preform, to an intermediate position, where contact is established between a first contact surface of the nozzle and the finish of the preform. The nozzle is then moved from the intermediate position to an injection position, where a second contact surface of the nozzle abuts an abutment surface and the neck is axially compressed. With the nozzle in the injection position, a liquid is injected from the nozzle into the preform causing the preform to expand and form the container.

A method and device for producing containers filled with a liquid filling material from preforms made of a thermoplastic material, wherein the respective preform is at least thermally conditioned and subsequently re-formed during a forming and filling phase into the container with at least one liquid filling material as a pressure medium having a filling pressure p.sub.2. The filling material or portions of the filling material is/are supplied at at least two points in time and/or during at least two process phases having different carbon dioxide contents and/or different temperatures. The filling pressure p.sub.2 of the container formed in the first process phase is reduced to a pressure p.sub.1 and filling material is supplied in the second process phase, after which the pressure of the container is reduced to atmospheric pressure p.sub.0. In the first process phase filling material that has been previously degassed and/or uncarbonated is supplied.

A pressure vessel having an inner container made of thermoplastic plastic, and at least one metal part embedded in the inner container. A collar that includes the metal part is formed on the inner container, the collar being configured such that it is gas-tight with respect to the metal part.

An apparatus for the fabrication of a container (300), comprising a mold defining the form of said container (300) and configured to accommodate a substantially tubular preform, an injection head (115) configured to interface with the preform and establish fluid communication with a cavity thereof; an injection valve (202) configured to selectively permit fluid communication through said injection head (115), and a stretching rod (117) slideably disposed within the injection head (115); said apparatus (100) further comprising a displacement plunger (209) being disposed coaxially about and mobile relative to said stretching rod (117) between a retracted position substantially within the injection head (115) and an extended position wherein said displacement plunger (209) projects at least partially from said injection head (115).

An apparatus for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers, includes an application unit for applying a gaseous medium onto the plastic performs. The application unit includes at least one valve unit for controlling the gaseous medium to be supplied to the plastic preform. The valve unit has a working piston that is movable between at least two positions, and a control piston that is movable between at least two positions. Movement of the control piston is coupled, at least at times, to movement of the working piston. The valve unit includes a sealing unit that substantially prevents a gas flow between the working chamber and the control chamber at least in one position of the working piston and a membrane body that seals at least one area of the control piston against at least one area of the control chamber.

Assembly (30) of a preform (32) and a station (34) for hydroforming a container from the preform, wherein: the preform has a neck (44) extending along an axial direction (D), the neck comprising a support ring (46), and a finish (48), the station comprises a mold (36) in which the preform is placed, the support ring being in contact with a support surface (56) of the mold, the station comprises an injection nozzle that is movable along the axial direction with respect to the mold from a retracted position to an intermediate position, wherein a contact is established between a first contact surface (72) of the nozzle and the finish, and further to an injection position, wherein a second contact surface (74) of the nozzle abuts on an abutment surface (76) and the neck is axially compressed between the support surface and the first contact surface, the first contact surface being less deformable than the neck in the axial direction, and the station is adapted for injecting a liquid from the nozzle into the preform when the nozzle is in the injection position, and the abutment surface is fixed along the axial direction with respect to the mold at least during the injection.

Blow-molded plastic container is provided having a main body portion (102), a finish portion (110) and a sealing lip (130). The main body portion includes a bottom region (104) defining a support reference plane and an upstanding sidewall (106) defining a body portion chamber (108) and a perimeter of the main body portion. The finish portion (110) is disposed proximate an upper region of the main body portion opposite the bottom region and defines a finish portion chamber (108) and an opening (116) in communication with body portion chamber. The finish portion is configured to engage a lid member (150,250). The sealing lip (130) is disposed between the main body portion and the finish portion. The sealing lip extends inwardly from the perimeter of the main body portion and is configured to receive a sealing member (140) to seal the opening between the body portion chamber and the finish portion chamber.

A nozzle for forming a container preform into a plastic container includes a nozzle body and a sealing portion proximate an end of the nozzle body. The sealing portion is configured to engage with a stepped interior of a finish portion of a preform having a longitudinal axis to seal without the use of an O-ring and to preclude any portion of the nozzle body from contacting the sealing surface.

A nozzle for forming a container preform into a plastic container includes a first cylindrical portion having a first diameter and including a first seal, a second cylindrical portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter and including a second seal, and a transition portion between the first and second cylindrical portions.