Methods and systems for manipulating surface topology of additively manufactured fluid interacting structures, such as additively manufactured heat exchangers or airfoils, and associated additively manufactured articles, are disclosed. In one aspect, an article which interacts with a fluid is imparted with surface topology features which affect performance parameters related to the fluid flow. The topological features may be sequenced, combined, intermixed, and functionally varied in size and form to locally manipulate and co-optimize multiple performance parameters at each or selectable differential lengths along a flow path. The co-optimization method may uniquely prioritize selectable performance parameters at different points along the flow path to improve or enhance overall system performance. Topological features may include design features such as dimples, fins, boundary layer disruptors, and biomimicry surface textures, and manufacturing artefacts such as surface roughness and subsurface porosity distribution and morphology.

An aerator mixing rod includes a body having a first and second opposite ends and an outer surface extending between the ends. The body defines a longitudinal axis extending through the ends. The aerator mixing rod also includes teeth extending radially outward from the outer surface, with a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth spaced from the first row along the longitudinal axis. A first passageway is formed between adjacent teeth of the first row, and a second passageway is formed between adjacent teeth of the second row. The first passageway is at least partially misaligned with the second passageway in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the first passageway and the second passageway form a tortuous path for fluid flowing along the outer surface of the body. The aerator mixing rod is formed from an injection-moldable material by an injection molding process.

Disclosed is a vial having an external base and an external sidewall extending up from the external base. The external sidewall narrows at an upper section of the vial to form a neck. The neck leads to a rim surrounding an opening providing access to a product compartment. The external base, the external sidewall, the neck and optionally the rim together define an outer profile of the vial. The outer profile is preferably round and symmetrical about a central axis. The vial further includes an internal sidewall that is spaced radially inward relative to the external sidewall such that a void exists between the internal sidewall and the external sidewall. The internal sidewall preferably extends from an internal portion of the neck, downward to an internal base. The internal sidewall and internal base form an enclosure that defines the product compartment.

A thin-walled flexible package is provided with a spout comprising a connection portion and a tube having an outer surface and ending with an outlet mouth. A sacrificial closure is applied to the spout to close the outlet mouth. The sacrificial closure comprises a skirt suitable for sealingly engaging the outer surface of the tube at a sealing region having a sealing distance from the outlet mouth. On the outer surface of the tube there is a circumferential dividing line having a division distance from the outlet mouth. The sealing distance is less than the division distance.

Methods and systems for manipulating surface topology of additively manufactured fluid interacting structures, such as additively manufactured heat exchangers or airfoils, and associated additively manufactured articles, are disclosed. In one aspect, an article which interacts with a fluid is imparted with surface topology features which affect performance parameters related to the fluid flow. The topological features may be sequenced, combined, intermixed, and functionally varied in size and form to locally manipulate and co-optimize multiple performance parameters at each or selectable differential lengths along a flow path. The co-optimization method may uniquely prioritize selectable performance parameters at different points along the flow path to improve or enhance overall system performance. Topological features may include design features such as dimples, fins, boundary layer disruptors, and biomimicry surface textures, and manufacturing artefacts such as surface roughness and subsurface porosity distribution and morphology.

A method of molding a polymeric device having an elongated tube and a spiral fin. The method including: injecting a liquid resin into a mold space defining the polymeric device, the mold space having an elongated hollow tube molding space and a spiral fin molding space wound around the elongated hollow tube molding space; and providing a longitudinal flow path in at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the elongated tube molding space, the longitudinal flow path defining a concavity greater in depth than other portions of the elongated hollow tube molding space such that the liquid resin injected into the mold space flows in the longitudinal flow path to fill one or more ends of the hollow tube molding space.

An inline mixer device includes a flexible tube and a mixer portion. The mixer portion is internal to and integral with the tube. The mixer portion and tube may be comprised of the same flexible material. Methods of forming the inline mixer device are provided. Methods of mixing fluid with the inline mixer device are provided.

A blow moulding machine for blow moulding a container having an integrally formed handle; said container blow moulded from a previously injection moulded preform; said preform comprising a body portion and said integrally formed handle; said machine including a preform loading station at which said preform is oriented by a preform orienting apparatus.

An inner mould tool forming part of a mould to be used during injection moulding of plastic articles, such as plastic tops for liquid food packages, is provided. The inner mould tool comprises an outer surface defining the interior surface of the plastic article to be produced, wherein the longitudinal end of the inner mould tool is provided with a bushing having a planar surface defining the longitudinal end of the inner mould tool and being configured to be in contact with mating outer mould tools during injection moulding. The bushing is provided with side walls extending from the planar surface, said side walls forming part of the outer surface of the inner mould tool.

A blow moulding machine for blow moulding a container having an integrally formed handle; said container blow moulded from a previously injection moulded preform; said preform comprising a body portion and said integrally formed handle; said machine including a preform loading station at which said preform is oriented by a preform orienting apparatus.