A method of fabricating a container from a substantially tubular preform. The preform is preheated to a temperature above the glass-transition temperature of the preform and placed in an expansion zone configured to accommodate the preform and in fluid communication with the nozzle of an injection head. The expansion zone is disposed adjacent to the nozzle and about the longitudinal axis defined by the injection head. A volume of an injection liquid is injected from the injection head into the preform cavity of the preform while the preform is in the expansion zone and the preform is expanded, while still in the expansion zone, into a container. Concurrently with the injecting and expanding of the preform, the preform is heated by energizing a plurality of infrared-emitting elements disposed about the preform and projecting infrared radiation into the expansion zone.

A method of manufacturing a container by liquid blow molding includes: a liquid blow molding step of supplying a pressurized liquid to inside of a preform placed in a mold, and molding the preform into a container body containing the liquid; a placement step of placing the container body in a cup for containing a bottom part of the container body, at a mold opening position of the mold; and a conveyance step of conveying the cup holding the container body from the mold opening position to a capping position.

A nozzle and system for hydraulic blow molding of a plastic container from a preform. The nozzle includes a nozzle body having a main bore extending therethrough and a seal pin received in the main bore and moveable between a closed position and an opened position. The seal pin include a central bore extending from an entrance orifice to an exit orifice, with the entrance orifice opening into the main bore of the nozzle body.

A multi-functional utility skid for use with an air compressor, a chiller, and a connection having a first end engaging the chiller and a second end to provide utilities to a blow-molding machine for blow-molding articles. The skid is located proximate the machine and includes a pump engaging the second end of the connection, receiving chilled water from the chiller, being located proximate the chiller to minimize the length of the connection, and providing chilled water to both the machine and a separate supply of chilled water. The skid further includes an integral unit combining a dehumidifier that controls the humidity of the environment surrounding the machine with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit that receives the supply of chilled water from the pump, controls the temperature of the environment surrounding the machine, and supplies conditioned air to the dehumidifier thereby avoiding the need for a heat exchanger.

An apparatus for fabricating a container. The apparatus includes an injection head establishing fluid communication between an injection liquid source and a preform cavity of a substantially tubular preform through a nozzle of the injection head. The longitudinal axis of said injection head being substantially vertically oriented and passing through the nozzle. The apparatus further includes a plurality of infrared-emitting elements projecting infrared radiation into an expansion zone which is disposed adjacent to the nozzle and about the longitudinal axis. The expansion zone is configured to accommodate the preform when it is positioned in fluid communication with the nozzle.

A container production method by liquid blow molding. The method includes a head space forming step of forming a head space in the upper portion of a container, in which, with the container disposed in a cavity, a bottom panel portion molded into an upward convex shape on a bottom of the container is inverted by pushing it down with a pushing rod and is plastically deformed into a downward convex shape.

A method of manufacturing a container by liquid blow molding includes: a liquid blow molding step of supplying a pressurized liquid to inside of a preform placed in a mold, and molding the preform into a container body containing the liquid; a placement step of placing the container body in a cup for containing a bottom part of the container body, at a mold opening position of the mold; and a conveyance step of conveying the cup holding the container body from the mold opening position to a capping position.

A method of manufacturing a container by liquid blow molding includes: a preform placement step of placing a preform in a mold; a liquid blow molding step of supplying a pressurized liquid to inside of the preform placed in the mold, and molding the preform into a container body containing the liquid; a grasp and conveyance step of grasping the container body by a grasping device at a mold opening position of the mold, and conveying the container body grasped by the grasping device to a cup capable of containing a bottom part of the container body to hold the container body; and a cup conveyance step of conveying the cup holding the container body to a capping position.

A container production method by liquid blow molding. The method includes a head space forming step of forming a head space in the upper portion of a container, in which, with the container disposed in a cavity, a bottom panel portion molded into an upward convex shape on a bottom of the container is inverted by pushing it down with a pushing rod and is plastically deformed into a downward convex shape.

A method for forming and filling a container with liquid. The container being formed from a preform located within a mold and the method utilizing a hydraulic blow molding device that is coupled to a source of the liquid, which is used as the blow molding medium. The hydraulic blow molding device has a blow nozzle and a member that is extended from a retracted position to a position within the preform. A blow nozzle engages in fluid tight communication with an open end of the preform so as to provide a sealing engagement of the blow nozzle with the preform. The liquid blow medium is injected into the preform so as to form the container after sealing engagement of the blow nozzle with the preform. The member initiates its advancement into the preform prior to the time of sealing engagement of the blow nozzle with the preform.