A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.

Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

An injection-molded preform for forming an 8 ounce PET container includes a neck portion configured to engage a closure and having a first wall thickness and an elongated body portion having an upper segment adjacent the neck portion and a lower segment adjacent an end cap. The upper segment has a second wall thickness substantially similar to the first wall thickness. The lower segment has a third wall thickness greater than the second wall thickness. The preform has a total weight less than 7 grams.

A plastic aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 50-300 psig. The plastic aerosol container also includes a finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The finish portion may be threaded or unthreaded. The finish portion has a side wall, an upper sealing surface, at least one helical thread and a support ledge beneath the helical thread. Reinforcement structure is positioned beneath the support ledge for reinforcing the finish portion against deformation due to the pressurization. A method of stabilizing a plastic aerosol container is also disclosed.

A plastic preform apparatus is disclosed that is suitable for forming a bottle. The plastic preform apparatus features a neck portion adapted to engage a closure and includes a support ring at its lowermost point. The neck portion features a first wall thickness, and an elongated body portion including a cylindrical wall portion and an end cap. An upper segment of the body portion adjacent to the support ring features a second wall thickness substantially similar to the first wall thickness and less than a third wall thickness in a lower segment of the body portion.

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.

Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

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.

Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.