A blow molding apparatus including: a mold; a blow nozzle; a pressurized fluid supply unit; and a blow nozzle moving unit configured to cause a relative movement of the blow nozzle between a connected position and a standby position, wherein a preform is molded into a container by supplying a pressurized incompressible fluid into the preform. The blow molding apparatus includes: a drawing member including a drawing port; a drawing pump configured to be connected to the drawing member; and a drawing member moving unit configured to move the drawing member so that the drawing port is positioned below the blow nozzle, after the container has been molded and the blow nozzle has been moved from the connected position to the standby position.

A liquid container manufacturing method includes: a nozzle fitting step of fitting a blow nozzle into a mouth of a preform; a liquid replacing step of replacing the air in the preform with a liquid by supplying a predetermined amount of liquid from a liquid supply port to the preform with a discharge port open; and a liquid blow molding step of molding the preform into a liquid container by supplying a pressurized liquid from the liquid supply port into the preform after the discharge port is closed.

A machine for producing a container from a preform having a body and a neck defining an inner cylindrical opening. The machine includes a container forming and filling station where the preform is placed in a mold having a molding cavity and a forming liquid is injected into the preform thereby forming and filling the container with a liquid. Prior to forming of the container, an extension device is attached to the neck of the preform thereby forming an assembly. The extension device includes a connection part for attaching to the preform and an extension part defining an inner opening extending in the continuity of the inner opening of the neck of the preform. The extension device remains attached to the neck of the preform at least during the forming and the filling of the container.

A container manufacturing method includes: a liquid discharge step in which a predetermined amount of liquid (L) in the container (C) is discharged to the outside by supplying pressurized air from air holes (13) provided in a blow molding mold (11) to a cavity (12) and pushing an outer surface of the container (C) after molding by the air; and a headspace forming step in which a headspace (HS) is formed in the container (C) by separating a filling nozzle (22) from a mouth portion (Ca) of the container (C) in a state in which a predetermined amount of liquid (L) is discharged to the outside.

A method of forming a container (1) and a container (1) formed thereby. A preform (2), having a generally cylindrical body (60, 8) extending between a closed end (12) and an open mouth, is placed within a mold (20, 22) having surfaces corresponding in shape to the desired container (1). An incompressible medium, which is the end product that remains in the molded container (1), is injected under pressure into the preform (2). Under the influence of the incompressible medium, the preform (2) is expanded into contact with the surfaces defining the cavity, simultaneously forming and filling the container (1). During expanding of the preform (2), portions of the plastic material are forced into a series of recesses (72) defined in the cavity surface (82, 85). With the incompressible medium contained therein, the container (1) is removed from the mold (20, 22) and including a series of raised dots corresponding to the series of recesses (72) defined in the cavity surface (82, 85). A method of forming a container (1) and a container (1) formed thereby. A preform (2), having a generally cylindrical body (60, 8) extending between a closed end (12) and an open mouth, is placed within a mold (20, 22) having a surfaces corresponding in shape to the desired container (1). An incompressible medium, which is the end product that remains in the molded container (1), is injected under pressure into the preform (2). Under the influence of the incompressible medium, the preform (2) is expanded into contact with the surfaces defining the cavity, simultaneously forming and filling the container (1). During expanding of the preform (2), portions of the plastic material are forced into a series of recesses (72) defined in the cavity surface (82, 85). With the incompressible medium contained therein, the container (1) is removed from the mold (20, 22) and including a series of raised dots corresponding to the series of recesses (72) defined in the cavity surface (82, 85).

An apparatus for transforming a preform into a container filled with liquid filling material includes a mold that forms a mold head, a sterilization system, a chamber that is common to a group of mold heads, an evacuation system that is connected to the chamber, and conduit lines, each of which connects a mold head to the chamber. The sterilization system sterilizes the interior of the preform while it is in sealing engagement with the mold head. The evacuation system creates a vacuum in the preform. Liquid filling material enters the preform under pressure and causes it to transform into a container.

A method comprising a first injection step, wherein a first predetermined volume of pressurized liquid is injected into the preform, the predetermined volume corresponding to a fraction of the container volume, the first injection step causing an expansion of the preform into a first intermediate container. The method further comprising a second injection step, wherein, once the first predetermined volume of liquid has been injected, the liquid injection speed is reduced and the pressurized liquid is further injected in the first intermediate container until a predetermined switch pressure in the liquid injection circuit is reached, the second injection step causing an expansion of the first intermediate container into a second intermediate container, and —a third injection step starting once the predetermined switch pressure is reached, wherein the liquid injection speed is decelerated until the liquid injection is stopped.

A method of hydraulically blow molding a container from a preform using a liquid end product as a liquid blow medium. The method includes the steps of hydraulically blow molding a formed and filled container from a preform using the liquid blow medium and engaging a fluid tight seal with the container while the container is retained within a mold in the forming station. The engaging of the seal includes engaging an axially extending ring of the seal in one of a press-fit or frictional engagement with an inner surface of the container such that the seal is retained on the container by that engagement.

A method of forming a container from a plastic preform while using a liquid as a blow medium. During the method, liquid is withdrawn from the container to reduce pressure within the container prior to disengaging of the injection head from the container. In one aspect the method involves the opening of a recirculation valve to reduce the pressure. The opening of the recirculation valve allowing air dispersed within the liquid to rise to the top of the container before disengaging of a forming head from the container. As a result, splashing and spillage of liquid from the neck of the container is eliminated when the forming head disengages from the container.

A blow molding apparatus including: a mold; a blow nozzle; a pressurized fluid supply unit; and a blow nozzle moving unit configured to cause a relative movement of the blow nozzle between a connected position and a standby position, wherein a preform is molded into a container by supplying a pressurized incompressible fluid into the preform. The blow molding apparatus includes: a drawing member including a drawing port; a drawing pump configured to be connected to the drawing member; and a drawing member moving unit configured to move the drawing member so that the drawing port is positioned below the blow nozzle, after the container has been molded and the blow nozzle has been moved from the connected position to the standby position.