Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.

A production method for blowing a container starting from a parison comprising the steps of:

i) positioning a parison inside a forming mould (2) for forming the container;
ii) deforming the parison (10) placed in the mould (2); the step of deforming the parison (10) comprising the sub-steps of: introducing a pressurised fluid into the parison (10) placed in the mould (2); sucking gas which is located inside the mould (2) and outside the parison (10) present in the mould (2).

A modular system for blow molding a container. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and second portion may each include a shell, a mold removably coupled to the shell, and a top plate. The third portion may include a base and a base mold. The molds may be 3D printed. The molds together may define a blow mold cavity. The modular system may be used at lab scale, pilot scale, or full production scale. The molds may be durable and smooth enough for full production scale. Some embodiments are directed to methods for making a modular system for blow molding a container.

A modular system for blow molding a container. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and second portion may each include a shell, a mold removably coupled to the shell, and a top plate. The third portion may include a base and a base mold. The molds may be 3D printed. The molds together may define a blow mold cavity. The modular system may be used at lab scale, pilot scale, or full production scale. The molds may be durable and smooth enough for full production scale. Some embodiments are directed methods for making a modular system for blow molding a container.

An apparatus for blow-molding plastic containers includes at least one blow-molding station which defines at least one molding cavity which extends around a main axis of extension and further includes at least two lateral bodies and a respective bottom for each molding cavity that is defined by the blow-molding station. The bottom defines a recessed central portion, which is arranged around the main axis of extension, and a lateral containment portion, which has petal-shaped regions which have a substantially radial extension.

A blow mold unit including: a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds; first and second pressure receiving members; first and second fixing plates to which the first and second blow cavity split molds and the first and second pressure receiving members are respectively fixed; a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof; a pressure receiving rod extending down from a second surface; and a placement portion fixed to at least one of the first and second fixing plates and placing the third fixing plate thereon when the first and second blow cavity split molds are closed. The pressure receiving rod includes a first engaging portion engageable with a second engaging portion in a vertical direction.

A system for forming a container includes an injection station configured to inject a liquid material into a mold to form a preform. The system also includes a forming station including an apparatus for forming a container. The apparatus includes a blow mold configured to receive the preform and inject air into the preform to form the container. The blow mold includes an inner mold surface. The apparatus also includes at least one stretching rod configured to contact the preform in the blow mold and stretch the preform. The apparatus further includes electric heating elements coupled to the blow mold and positioned adjacent the inner mold surface to heat the inner mold surface. The system further includes a removal station configured to release the container from the system.

A fuel tank manufacturing apparatus for a fuel tank, the fuel tank having therein a built-in component with a head portion, a neck portion, and a shoulder portion, and having the built-in component anchored to a tank body with a part of a parison wrapped around the neck portion during molding the tank body, includes: a pair of molding dies to have the parison transferred to the built-in component by blow molding; and shaping devices respectively provided in the pair of molding dies, wherein the shaping devices each include: an end surface to contact the parison; a recess provided in the end surface to receive the head portion and the neck portion and covered by the shoulder portion during molding; and an air hole provided in an area of a bottom surface of the recess corresponding to the head portion through which air pressure is applied toward the head portion.

A plastic container has a mouth portion, a main body, and a base portion which adjoins the main body. The base portion has a central region as well as a diaphragm which runs in a circumferential direction and extends from the central region to the main body. The central region is pivotable relative to the main body between at least two positions which differ with regard to an internal volume of the container. The wall has at least one and preferably at least two circumferential grooves and are spaced apart from one another. The central region has a projection extending in the direction of the interior of the plastic container, and at least one web extending at least in part in a radial direction in the circumferential wall.

A blow-molded plastic structure, such as a tabletop, may include an undercut. For example, the tabletop may include a frame receiving portion and a frame connecting structure with an undercut may be disposed in the frame receiving portion. A portion of the frame may contact or engage the frame connecting structure, such as the undercut, when the frame is connected to the tabletop. In an exemplary embodiment, a first side of the frame receiving portion may include a first frame connecting portion with an undercut and a second side of the frame receiving portion may include a second frame connecting portion with an undercut. The first frame connecting portion with an undercut may be disposed on an opposing surface from the second frame connecting portion with an undercut.