A liquid container manufacturing method includes: a liquid blow molding step of molding a preform into a liquid container; and a headspace formation step of forming a headspace, by discharging, in a state in which a liquid supply path is closed, a liquid out of the liquid container through a discharge port, the discharge accomplished by drawing-in by a liquid drawing source. In the headspace formation step, a pressurized gas is supplied from a pressurized gas supply source into the liquid container through a gas supply port to thereby assist the discharge, by the drawing-in, of the liquid out of the liquid container through the discharge port, and, when a pressure in a discharge path has increased to a set value, the supply of the pressurized gas by the pressurized gas supply source is stopped.

A method and forming station for simultaneously forming and filling a container by injecting a pressurized liquid into a preform. The forming station includes a mold having a molding cavity and an injection nozzle coupled to a pressurized liquid source. The injection nozzle includes a nozzle body and an outlet, the nozzle body defining an injection axis and the outlet being arranged to inject a pressurized liquid from the pressurized liquid source along the injection axis into the preform. The injection nozzle further includes a swirl imparting element arranged to impart a swirl flow to the pressurized liquid about the injection axis, through the outlet and into the preform whereby the preform is formed into the container filled with the pressurized liquid.

An apparatus for forming a container from a preform and delivering a predetermined volume of a liquid end product, formed by the addition of first and second liquid products, into the container. The apparatus includes a heating oven to heat the preform, a mold defining a cavity in the shape of the container, a stretch member coupled to an actuator to stretch the preform in the mold, an injection head configured to inject the second liquid product through the mouth of the preform so as to cause expansion of the preform within the mold thereby obtaining the container, and a preform filler to at least partially fill the preform with the first liquid prior to injecting of the second liquid product and before expanding of the preform into the container.

A liquid blow molding device for liquid blow molding a resin preform into a container having a predetermined shape. The liquid blow molding device includes a mold in which the preform is disposed; a stretch rod that axially stretches the preform disposed in the mold (; and a pressurized liquid supply that supplies a pressurized liquid to the preform. The liquid blow molding device operates such that the amount of the liquid supplied from the pressurized liquid supply to the inside of the preform before completing the stretching of the preform by the stretch rod (22) is 50% or less of the amount of the liquid to be filled in the container after the completion of the liquid blow molding.

A liquid forming and filling system for filling a container with a liquid. The liquid forming and filling system having a motor, a gear box operably coupled to the motor configured to receive a driving output from the motor and outputting a gear box driving force, a linear screw operably coupled to the gear box configured to produce linear movement in response to rotational movement from the gear box, a forming cylinder configured to output pressurized liquid for forming and filling the container, the forming cylinder being in an inverted orientation, a top manifold plate and end cap vent valve assembly coupled to the forming cylinder for receiving the pressurize liquid, and a vent valve operably coupled to the top manifold plate and end cap vent valve assembly configured to vent air entrapped within the pressurized liquid.

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 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 method for simultaneously forming and filling a container by injecting a pressurized liquid in a preform. The method includes placing the preform in a mold and injecting the pressurized liquid into the preform such that the liquid expands the preform and urges the wall of the preform against the wall of the molding cavity forming the preform into a container and the container is filled with liquid. A swirl imparting element extends in the injection flow and imparts a swirl flow on the pressurized liquid such that the pressurized liquid applies a centrifugal force on the wall of the preform during forming and filling of the preform, thereby promoting a radial expansion of the preform in radial planes substantially perpendicular to the preform axis.

An injection head for the fabrication of a container from a preform. The injection head interfaces with a preform to establish fluid communication between a liquid supply and the preform. An injection valve is disposed within the injection head and is configured to selectively permit fluid communication through the injection head. A liquid supply control mechanism and a control mechanism of the injection valve's opening allow fluid communication through the injection head. The control mechanism of the injection valve's opening is activated by the liquid under pressure in the injection head cavity when the liquid supply is opened.

An apparatus and method of delivering a predetermined volume of a liquid product, defined as the liquid end product, formed by addition of a first and second liquid product, into a thermoplastic container formed from a heated preform positioned in a mold and having an opening opposite an injection head. Prior to injecting the second liquid product into the preform causing expansion of the container, the preform is at least partially, filled with the first liquid product.