There is provided a system, a method and preform suitable for executing liquid forming of the preform into a final-shaped container. The present technology includes various improvements to methods, apparatuses, and systems for forming final-shaped containers from preforms using a liquid destined to be contained in the final-shaped container.

A nozzle is provided for engaging with lightweight preforms for blow-molding the preforms into plastic containers without damaging the finish portion of the preforms. The nozzle includes a seal configured to engage with a stepped interior of the finish portion and enables stretching and/or blow-molding the preform into a container. The seal tightly engages a smooth surface inside the finish portion without damaging the surface or a sidewall of the finish portion. In some embodiments, the seal includes a profile shape that mates with a transitional surface comprising the stepped interior of the finish portion. The profile shape distributes the contact force of the seal over a maximal area of the transition surface so as to minimize the total pressure exerted onto the finish portion. The profile shape reduces potential cracking of a thin-walled region of the finish portion during stretching and/or blow-molding the preform to form the container.

There is provided a system, a method and preform suitable for executing liquid forming of the preform into a final-shaped container. The present technology includes various improvements to methods, apparatuses, and systems for forming final-shaped containers from preforms using a liquid destined to be contained in the final-shaped container.

A blow core mold unit includes a first core member configured to be loosely fitted to a neck portion of a preform, a second core member provided around the first core member and in contact with a neck mold, and a third core member provided in a space portion formed between the first core member and the second core member, and the blow core mold unit has a second supply flow path for supplying a high-pressure fluid into the space portion.

A blow molding device includes a nozzle, a pressurized fluid supply source, a seal body, and a rod. The seal body includes a tubular wall. A communication depression extending from a lower end of the tubular wall to a communication port open on an outer circumferential surface of the tubular wall is provided in an inner circumferential surface of the seal body. A communication path is provided in the nozzle. The blow molding device further includes a fluid suction source configured to suck an incompressible fluid from the communication depression through the communication path and the communication port, and/or a pressurized gas supply source configured to supply a pressurized gas that blows off the incompressible fluid from the communication depression through the communication path and the communication port.

A method, system, and preform for liquid forming of the preform into a final-shaped container using the liquid to be contained in the final-shaped container. The preform undergoes a stretching step to a size less than the size of a base of the final-shaped container, before being relocated and stretched to the final shape by the liquid. A stretch rod sealably connects with an interior surface of the preform to partially isolate a gate portion of the preform. The isolation is effected by a portion of the inner surface of the preform extending inwardly, or by a deformable member on the stretch rod which can selectively extend outwardly to contact the interior surface of the preform. The stretch rod includes a selectively heatable tip to heat the gate portion of the preform. The gate portion of the preform includes inner, outer, and core layers which comprise a material configured to affect the thermal properties of the gate portion.

A blow molding device includes a nozzle, a pressurized fluid supply source, a seal body, and a rod. The seal body includes a tubular wall. A communication depression extending from a lower end of the tubular wall to a communication port open on an outer circumferential surface of the tubular wall is provided in an inner circumferential surface of the seal body. A communication path is provided in the nozzle. The blow molding device further includes a fluid suction source configured to suck an incompressible fluid from the communication depression through the communication path and the communication port, and/or a pressurized gas supply source configured to supply a pressurized gas that blows off the incompressible fluid from the communication depression through the communication path and the communication port.

The present application includes an injection molding step and a stretch blow molding step. The stretch blow molding step is configured to include: a first step in which preliminary blow air is introduced into a preform to stretch the preform in a state in which a stretching rod does not contact the bottom of the preform; a second step which is executed after the first step, and in which the preliminary blow air is introduced into the preform and the stretching rod is moved at a set speed and pressed against the bottom of the preform to stretch the preform; and a third step which is executed after the second step, and in which final blow air is introduced into the preform to stretch the preform.

A nozzle for forming a container preform into a plastic container includes a nozzle body and a sealing portion proximate an end of the nozzle body. The sealing portion is configured to engage with a stepped interior of a finish portion of a preform having a longitudinal axis to seal without the use of an O-ring and to preclude any portion of the nozzle body from contacting the sealing surface.

A nozzle alignment fixture suitable for use with a blow/fill/seal packaging machine in the form of an elongated block defining an aligned series of receptacles sized to receive and hold tips of fill nozzles of a blow/fill/seal packaging machine.