A method of producing a container (2) from a blank (3) made of plastics material within a mould (4) which is provided with a wall (5) defining a cavity (6) bearing the impression of the container (2), and with a mould base (8) which can move relative to the wall (5) between a retracted position in which it extends in set-back manner relative to the cavity (6) and a deployed position in which it closes the cavity (6). The method includes a boxing stage in which the mould base (8) moves from its retracted position to its deployed position, the travel (C) of the mould base (8) between its retracted position and its deployed position being greater than 20 mm.

Ways to produce a container (315, 415, 515, 720, 815, 915) having a shaped tail (610, 910) are provided that include blow molding a precursor having a tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) and shaping the tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) to form the shaped tail (610, 910). Various types of blow molding can employ various types of precursors having tails (510). Injection blow molding can be used where a preform (105, 200, 305, 405, 505) having a tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) is optionally longitudinally stretched and is expanded with a gas or a liquid. Extrusion blow molding can be used where a parison (705) having a tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) is expanded. A tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) shaping means can be part of the blow molding process or can be employed after the container (315, 415, 515, 720, 815, 915) is produced from the precursor having the tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910). The shaped tail (610, 910) can impart functionality to the container (315, 415, 515, 720, 815, 915), including where the tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) is shaped into a coupling point that can serve as an attachment point, hanging point, or hook, for example.

Ways for controlling a level of a product in a container are provided that include engaging an exterior surface of the container containing the product at a first product level. A force is applied to the exterior surface of the container to cause the container to change from a first volume to a second volume. Cessation of the force results in the container containing the product at a second product level. The second product level can provide an accurate and reproducible final product level in the container.

Ways for controlling a level of a product in a container are provided that include engaging an exterior surface of the container containing the product at a first product level. A pulling force is applied to the exterior surface of the container to cause the container to change from a first volume to a second volume. Cessation of the force results in the container containing the product at a second product level. The second product level can provide an accurate and reproducible final product level in the container.

A container blow molded from a polymeric material, which is configured to store a hot-fill product. A first wall extends from a standing ring to a diaphragm of a base. A first hinge is at a first interface between the first wall and the standing ring. A second hinge is at a second interface between a second wall and a third wall extending to a center portion. In response to a vacuum generated within the container as the hot-fill product cools subsequent to filling and capping the container, the base is configured to move inward from an as-blown configuration to an activated configuration to absorb the vacuum by flexing at the first hinge and the second hinge. In the activated configuration, the center portion, the second wall, the third wall, and the second hinge are closer to the finish than in the as blown configuration.

The method for producing a container consisting of a rigid outer container and a deformable inner bag. A first screw conveyor supplies a first thermoplastic plastics material for the outer container and at least a second and a third screw conveyor supplies at least a second and a third thermoplastic plastics material for the inner bag to an extruder which coextrudes a parison consisting of at least the first, second and third layers. The parison is inflated by a pressure medium to bring it into contact with the wall of the blow mould, where excess material below the welded seam is cut off and the container is removed from the blow mould. The second thermoplastic plastics material forming the outer layer of the inner bag consists of a material which, in the hardened state, has a rough surface having microscopically small elevations and depressions.