BLOW NOZZLE TO CONTROL LIQUID FLOW WITH
PRE-STRETCH ROD ASSEMBLY AND METAL SEAT SEAL PIN
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
5 [OOOI] This application claims priority to U.S. Utility Application No.
131372,575, filed on February 14, 2012, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 611443,282, filed on February 16, 201 1. The entire disclosures of
the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Fl ELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to molds for filling containers
with a commodity, such as a liquid commodity. More specifically, this disclosure
relates to a blow nozzle to control liquid flow with pre-stretch rod assemblies used
for fillinglforming blown plastic containers.
15
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] As a result of environmental and other concerns, plastic
20 containers, more specifically polyester and even more specifically polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) containers are now being used more than ever to package
numerous commodities previously supplied in glass containers. Manufacturers
and fillers, as well as consumers, have recognized that PET containers are
lightweight, inexpensive, recyclable and manufacturable in large quantities.
25 [0005] Blow-molded plastic containers have become commonplace in
packaging numerous commodities. PET is a crystallizable polymer, meaning that
it is available in an amorphous form or a semi-crystalline form. The ability of a
PET container to maintain its material integrity relates to the percentage of the
PET container in crystalline form, also known as the "crystallinity" of the PET
30 container. The following equation defines the percentage of crystallinity as a
volume fraction:
% Crystallinity = ( -Pa )x100
Pc -Pa
where p is the density of the PET material; pa is the density of pure amorphous
PET material (1.333 glcc); and p, is the density of pure crystalline material (1.455
glcc) .
[0006] Container manufacturers use mechanical processing and thermal
5 processing to increase the PET polymer crystallinity of a container. Mechanical
processing involves orienting the amorphous material to achieve strain hardening.
This processing commonly involves stretching an injection molded PET preform
along a longitudinal axis and expanding the PET preform along a transverse or
radial axis to form a PET container. The combination promotes what
10 manufacturers define as biaxial orientation of the molecular structure in the
container. Manufacturers of PET containers currently use mechanical processing
to produce PET containers having approximately 20% crystallinity in the
container's sidewall.
[0007] Thermal processing involves heating the material (either
15 amorphous or semi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth. On amorphous
material, thermal processing of PET material results in a spherulitic morphology
that interferes with the transmission of light. In other words, the resulting
crystalline material is opaque, and thus, generally undesirable. Used after
mechanical processing, however, thermal processing results in higher crystallinity
20 and excellent clarity for those portions of the container having biaxial molecular
orientation. The thermal processing of an oriented PET container, which is known
as heat setting, typically includes blow molding a PET preform against a mold
heated to a temperature of approximately 250°F - 350°F (approximately 121 "C -
177"C), and holding the blown container against the heated mold for
25 approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds. Manufacturers of PET juice bottles,
which must be hot-filled at approximately 185°F (85"C), currently use heat setting
to produce PET bottles having an overall crystallinity in the range of approximately
25% -35%.
[0008] Conventionally, blowing forming containers has always been
30 accomplished using high-pressure air blowing into a softened plastic form, such
as an injection molded preform or an extruded parison tube. Typically, a blow
nozzle is introduced into the neck of the container and air pressure forms the
container by blowing the softened plastic out to a mold. Separately, liquid filling
nozzles, though designed to fill pre-blown containers, do not incorporate a
stretching rod.
SUMMARY
5 [0009] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and
is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
[OOIO] According to the principles of the present disclosure, an
apparatus for forming a container from a container preform is provided. The
apparatus includes a housing, a mold cavity, and a nozzle system disposed in the
10 housing and operably connectable to the mold cavity. The nozzle system is
positionable between a first position engaging the housing along an interface of
contact preventing pressurized liquid from being injected into the container
preform and a second position spaced apart from the housing permitting
pressurized liquid to be injected into the container preform. The nozzle system
15 further includes in some embodiments a seal portion having a first surface-the
first surface engaging a second surface extending from the housing in the first
position.
[OOII] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this
20 summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit
the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only
25 of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a partial, lower cross-sectional view illustrating an
apparatus for forming a container using a stretch rod and pressurized liquid
wherein the portion left of the centerline illustrates an extended position and the
30 portion right of the centerline illustrates a retracted position;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a partial, upper cross-sectional view illustrating the
apparatus of FIG. 1 for forming a container using a stretch rod and pressurized
liquid wherein the portion left of the centerline illustrates an extended position and
the portion right of the centerline illustrates a retracted position;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view illustrating the apparatus
according to principles of the present teachings having a sealing interface wherein
5 the portion left of the centerline illustrates a retracted position and the portion right
of the centerline illustrates an extended position; and
[0016] FIGS. 4A-4C are alternative seal pin shapes according to the
principles of the present teachings for defining a desired product head space (or
product level) following filling of the container.
10 [0017] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
15 reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so
that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who
are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of
specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding
of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in
20 the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments
may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to
limit the scope of the disclosure.
[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used
25 herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural
forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more
30 other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance.
It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0020] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "engaged
to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on,
5 engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening
elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as
being "directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or "directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or
layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements
10 should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0021] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to
describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these
15 elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by
these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element,
component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms
such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not
imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first
20 element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a
second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the
teachings of the example embodiments.
[0022] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath",
"below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of
25 description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s)
or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended
to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to
the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is
turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
30 features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the
example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below.
The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other
orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0023] The present teachings provide for a blow mold device and nozzle
system, and method of using the same, to permit the use of liquids as an injecting
5 agent during the forming process. These liquids can be a disposable liquid or, in
some embodiments, can comprise the liquid commodity. Therefore, in some
embodiments, the liquids used for forming the container can remain therein for
final packaging. The blow mold device and nozzle system provides controlled use
of the liquid to minimize chances of contamination and prevent leakage during
10 cycling. According to these principles, formation and filling of a container can be
achieved in a single step without sacrificing clean and sanitary conditions.
[0024] As will be discussed in greater detail herein, the shape of the
mold device and nozzle system of the present teachings and the container formed
therewith can be formed according to any one of a number of variations. By way
15 of non-limiting example, the mold of the present disclosure can be configured to
hold any one of a plurality of containers and be used in connection with a number
of fluids and commodities, such as beverages, food, or other hot-fill type
materials.
[0025] It should be appreciated that the size and the exact shape of the
20 mold device and nozzle system are dependent on the size of the container and
the required operational parameters. Therefore, it should be recognized that
variations can exist in the presently described designs. According to some
embodiments, it should also be recognized that the mold can comprise various
features for use with containers having vacuum absorbing features or regions,
25 such as panels, ribs, slots, depressions, and the like.
[0026] The present teachings relate to the forming of one-piece plastic
containers using a liquid. Generally, these containers, after formation, generally
define a body that includes an upper portion having a cylindrical sidewall forming
a finish. Integrally formed with the finish and extending downward therefrom is a
30 shoulder portion. The shoulder portion merges into and provides a transition
between the finish and a sidewall portion. The sidewall portion extends downward
from the shoulder portion to a base portion having a base. An upper transition
portion, in some embodiments, may be defined at a transition between the
shoulder portion and the sidewall portion. A lower transition portion, in some
embodiments, may be defined at a transition between the base portion and the
sidewall portion.
[0027] The exemplary container may also have a neck. The neck may
5 have an extremely short height, that is, becoming a short extension from the
finish, or an elongated height, extending between the finish and the shoulder
portion. The upper portion can define an opening. Although the container is
shown as a drinking container and a food container, it should be appreciated that
containers having different shapes, such as sidewalls and openings, can be made
10 according to the principles of the present teachings.
[0028] The finish of the plastic container may include a threaded region
having threads, a lower sealing ridge, and a support ring. The threaded region
provides a means for attachment of a similarly threaded closure or cap (not
illustrated). Alternatives may include other suitable devices that engage the finish
15 of the plastic container, such as a press-fit or snap-fit cap for example.
Accordingly, the closure or cap (not illustrated) engages the finish to preferably
provide a hermetical seal of the plastic container. The closure or cap (not
illustrated) is preferably of a plastic or metal material conventional to the closure
industry and suitable for subsequent thermal processing.
20 [0029] The container can be formed according to the principles of the
present teachings. A preform version of the container includes a support ring,
which may be used to carry or orient the preform through and at various stages of
manufacture. For example, the preform may be carried by the support ring, the
support ring may be used to aid in positioning the preform in a mold cavity, or the
25 support ring may be used to carry an intermediate container once molded. At the
outset, the preform may be placed into the mold cavity such that the support ring
is captured at an upper end of the mold cavity. In general, the mold cavity has an
interior surface corresponding to a desired outer profile of the blown container.
More specifically, the mold cavity according to the present teachings defines a
30 body forming region, an optional moil forming region and an optional opening
forming region. Once the resultant structure, hereinafter referred to as an
intermediate container, has been formed, any moil created by the moil forming
region may be severed and discarded. It should be appreciated that the use of a
moil forming region and/or opening forming region are not necessarily in all
forming methods.
[0030] In one example, a machine places the preform 100 (see FIG. 1)
heated to a temperature between approximately 190°F to 250°F (approximately
5 88°C to 121 "C) into the mold cavity. The mold cavity may be heated to a
temperature between approximately 250 OF to 350 OF (approximately 1 21 "C to
177°C). An internal stretch rod apparatus 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) stretches or
extends the heated preform within the mold cavity thereby molecularly orienting
the polyester material in an axial direction generally corresponding with the central
10 longitudinal axis of the container. While the stretch rod extends the preform, a
liquid assists in extending the preform in the axial direction and in expanding the
preform in a circumferential or hoop direction thereby substantially conforming the
polyester material to the shape of the mold cavity and further molecularly orienting
the polyester material in a direction generally perpendicular to the axial direction,
15 thus establishing the biaxial molecular orientation of the polyester material in most
of the intermediate container. In some embodiments, the pressurized liquid holds
the mostly biaxial molecularly oriented polyester material against the mold cavity
for a period of time before removal of the intermediate container from the mold
cavity.
20 [0031] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, a mold device and nozzle
system 10 is provided comprising internal stretch rod apparatus 20 and a nozzle
system 22 formed therewith that are each independently actuatable. It should be
noted, however, that internal stretch rod apparatus 20 of the present teachings is
optional. It has been found that in some embodiments internal stretch rod
25 apparatus 20 may not be necessary. Therefore, it should be appreciated that
although internal stretch rod apparatus 20 is discussed in connection with the
present teachings, it should not be regarded as being a required element.
[0032] Internal stretch rod apparatus 20 comprises a stretch rod
member assembly 24 being slidably disposed within a housing 26. The internal
30 stretch rod member assembly 24 and nozzle system 22 are illustrated in both an
extended and retracted positions (left of centerline CL in FIGS. 1 and 2 and right
of centerline CL in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively; and right of centerline CL in FIG. 3
and left of centerline CL in FIG. 3, respectively). Stretch rod member assembly 24
can comprise a stretch rod 28 being slidably disposed within a central bore 30 of
housing 26. Stretch rod 28 is generally cylindrical in shape having an engaging tip
portion 32 at a distal end and a piston portion 34 at a proximal end. Tip portion 32
is shaped to engage preform 100 during manufacture, shaping, and/or filling.
5 Piston portion 34 is received within a piston chamber 36 to closely conform
therewith to define a piston assembly (for example pneumatic, hydraulic, servo,
mechanical or the like). Piston portion 34 is responsive to changes in pneumatic,
hydraulic, servo, mechanical or the like pressure within piston chambers 36A and
36B, thereby causing piston portion 34 to move in a direction generally aligned
10 with centerline CL between an extended position (left side) and a retracted
position (right side). Movement of piston portion 34 thereby causes associated
movement of stretch rod 28 and tip portion 32.
[0033] Additionally, in some embodiments, nozzle system 22 comprises
a seal rod 50 being slidably disposed within housing 26. That is, nozzle system
15 22 can comprise a seal rod 50 being slidably disposed within central bore 30 of
housing 26. Seal rod 50 includes an engaging seal portion 52 at a distal end and
a piston portion 66 at a proximal end. Seal portion 52 is shaped to engage a
narrowed distal portion 56 of central bore 30. In this way, seal portion 52 can be
position in a retracted position where seal portion 52 is spaced apart from an
20 enlarged intermediate portion 31 of central bore 30 to permit the flow of liquid
there past. Seal portion 52 can also be positioned in an extended and seated
position where seal portion 52 sealingly engages narrowed distal portion 56. In
some embodiments, seal portion 52 and distal portion 56 can be generally parallel
to each other and parallel to centerline CL.
25 [0034] In some embodiments, however, as illustrated in FIG. 3, seal
portion 52 can be complementarily shaped with distal portion 56 to define a
sealing engagement therebetween. This sealing engagement, in some
embodiments, can be tailored to provide increased sealing capability when
exposed to increased fluid pressure within annulus 60. That is, as illustrated in
30 FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, seal portion 52 can define a generally conical shape having at
least a generally sloping surface 72. Generally sloping surface 72 can be angled
relative to centerline CL and further be complementarily shaped relative to a
generally sloping receiver surface 74 extending from and formed with distal
portion 56. In some embodiments, generally sloping surface 72 and generally
sloping receiver surface 74 engage to define an interface of contact 76 (right side
of FIG. 3). The interface of contact 76 can be sufficient intimate to define a fluid
seal therebetween when seal portion 52 is in an extended and seated position. In
5 some embodiments, the interface of contact 76 defines a sufficient fluid seal
without the need for additional sealing members, such as O-rings, that may
contaminate the filling process. In some embodiments, the interface of contact 76
can be a metal to metal seal.
[0035] In some embodiments, seal portion 52 of seal rod 50 and/or
10 distal portion 56 of central bore 30 can be made of materials or define properties
that are conducive to wear, sealing, and/or other operational parameters. For
example, in some embodiments, seal portion 52 and distal portion 56 can be
made of dissimilar materials. In some embodiments, these materials can include
stainless steel, Teflon, and the link. In some embodiments, seal portion 52 and
15 distal portion 56 can be made of the same materials, but define different
hardness. For example, in some embodiments, seal portion 52 can define a
material hardness that is less than a material hardness of distal portion 56 or vice
versa.
[0036] It should be noted that in some embodiments, seal portion 52
20 can comprise an upstream surface 78 generally facing a direction of fluid flow.
Upstream surface 78 can be shaped, such as perpendicular to fluid flow, to define
an acting surface upon which fluid force can be exerted upon, thereby urging seal
portion 52 into the extended and seated position. This arrangement can be used
to further ensure a reliable sealing engagement along the interface of contact 76.
25 Therefore, in the extended and seated position, seal portion 52 prevents liquid
from flowing from a fluid inlet 58, through an annulus 60 of central bore 30 to
enlarged intermediated portion 31 of central bore 30.
[0037] However, in the retracted position, seal portion 52 is spaced
apart from narrowed distal portion 56 and thus permits liquid to flow from fluid inlet
30 58, through annulus 60 of central bore 30 to enlarged intermediated portion 31 of
central bore 30 and out fluid injector 62 and into preform 100. The fluid pressure
within preform 100 causes preform 100 to expand and be molded into a
predetermined shape conforming to the mold cavity. To achieve a desired final
shape, fluid pressure typically needs to be selected that is sufficiently high to urge
the preform into all portions of the mold cavity. Upon completion of the molding
process, seal portion 52 can return to the extended and seated position to thereby
seal fluid injector 62 and prevent further flow of the liquid from the nozzle.
5 [0038] Seal portion 52 is moved in response to movement of piston
portion 66. Piston portion 66 of nozzle system 22 is received within a piston
chamber 68 to closely conform therewith to define a piston assembly. Piston
portion 66 is responsive to changes in pressure within piston chambers 68A and
68B, thereby causing piston portion 66 to move in a direction generally aligned
10 with centerline CL between the extended and seated position (left side) and the
retracted position (right side). Movement of piston portion 66 thereby causes
associated movement of seal rod 50 and seal portion 52. It should be
appreciated, however, that although pressurized liquid has been discussed in
connection with the present teachings, in some embodiments, pressurized air or a
15 combination of pressurized air and liquid can be used. Moreover, it should be
appreciated that the pressurized liquid can be a forming liquid used only for
molding or could be a liquid commodity that is intended to remain within the
container upon completion.
[0039] With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4A-4C, it should be
20 noted that during actuation of seal portion 52 from the retracted position to the
extended and seated position, a distal end 80 can be varied in size so as to
protrude a predetermined distance and/or volume into preform 100. That is, when
seal portion 52 is positioned in the extended and seated position, distal end 80 of
seal portion 52 can extend into preform 100. The volumetric size of the tip portion
25 82 of distal end 80 can be used to displace a predetermine volume of liquid
disposed within the final shaped container such that upon removal of the final
shaped and filled container a headspace or product level in the container can be
simply and reliably established. By increasing the volumetric size of tip portion 82,
more liquid can be displaced, thereby creating more headspace within the final
30 filled container. This arrangement can further improve the filling accuracy of liquid
within the filled container. Still further, in some embodiments, tip portion 82 can
be sized and/or shaped to encourage a predetermined flow pattern of the liquid
during injection into preform 100. That is, the flow can be tailored to modify
turbulence, aeration, mixing, cooling, and the like based on the fluid flow pattern.
[0040] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, housing 26 can
comprise a ring depression 70 formed along a bottom side of housing 26 to
5 sealingly receive preform 100 along the threaded region, the lower sealing ridge,
and/or the support ring.
[0041] Alternately, other manufacturing methods using other
conventional materials including, for example, thermoplastic, high density
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a PETIPEN blend
10 or copolymer, and various multilayer structures may be suitable for the
manufacture of the plastic container. Those having ordinary skill in the art will
readily know and understand plastic container manufacturing method alternatives.
[0042] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided
for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or
15 to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment
are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not
specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all
20 such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for forming a container from a container preform, said
5 apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a mold cavity; and
a nozzle system disposed in said housing and operably connectable to the
mold cavity, said nozzle system being positionable between a first position
10 engaging said housing along an interface of contact preventing pressurized liquid
from being injected into the container preform and a second position spaced apart
from said housing permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the container
preform, said nozzle system comprising a seal portion having a first surface, said
first surface engaging a second surface extending from the housing in said first
15 position.
2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said first surface
comprises a first tapered surface and said second surface comprises a second
tapered surface.
20
3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said interface of
contact is metal-to-metal.
4. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said first surface of said
25 seal portion is made of a first material and said second surface of said housing is
made from a second material, said first materials being different from said second
material.
5. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said first surface of said
30 seal portion is made of a first material and said second surface of said housing is
made from a second material, said first materials has a different hardness than
said second material.
6. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said nozzle system
comprises a tip portion, said tip portion positionable within the container to
displacement a predetermine volume of liquid to define a predetermined head
space with the container after filling.
5
7. The apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein said tip portion is sized
to define a predetermined volume.
8. The apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising a stretch rod
10 apparatus disposed in said housing, said stretch rod apparatus having a stretch
rod for at least partially forming the container preform.
9. The apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein said nozzle system
comprises:
15 a central bore extending through said housing and said stretch rod includes
a tip portion on a distal end thereof engagable with the container preform and a
piston member on a proximal end thereof, said stretch rod being disposed in said
central bore, said piston member being actuatable in response to a pressure
means to actuate said stretch rod between an extended position and a retracted
20 position.
10. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said nozzle system
comprises:
a central bore extending through said housing; and
25 a seal rod having said seal portion on a distal end thereof engagable
with an end of the central bore and a piston member on a proximal end thereof,
said seal rod being disposed in said central bore, said piston member being
actuatable in response to a pressure means to actuate said seal rod between said
first position preventing said pressurized liquid from being injected into the
30 container preform and said second position permitting said pressurized liquid to
be injected into the container preform.
11. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the container is formed
from one of a thermoplastic, a high density polyethylene, a polypropylene, a
polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a PETIPEN blend, a copolymer, various multilayer
structures, and any combination or blend thereof.
12. An apparatus for forming a container from a container preform, said
5 apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a mold cavity; and
a nozzle system disposed in said housing and operably connectable to the
mold cavity, said nozzle system being positionable between a first position
10 engaging said housing along an interface of contact preventing pressurized liquid
from being injected into the container preform and a second position spaced apart
from said housing permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the container
preform, said nozzle system having a tip portion, said tip portion being
positionable within the container to displacement a predetermine volume of liquid
15 to define a predetermined head space with the container after filling.
13. The apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein said nozzle system
comprises a seal portion having a first surface, said first surface engaging a
second surface extending from the housing in said first position.
20
14. The apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein said first surface
comprises a first tapered surface and said second surface comprises a second
tapered surface.
25 15. The apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein said first surface of
said seal portion is made of a first material and said second surface of said
housing is made from a second material, said first materials being different from
said second material.
16. The apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein said first surface of
said seal portion is made of a first material and said second surface of said
housing is made from a second material, said first materials has a different
hardness than said second material.
17. The apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein said interface of
contact is metal-to-metal.
18. The apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein said tip portion is
5 sized to define a predetermined volume.
19. The apparatus according to Claim 12, further comprising a stretch
rod apparatus disposed in said housing, said stretch rod apparatus having a
stretch rod for at least partially forming the container preform.
10
20. The apparatus according to Claim 19 wherein said nozzle system
comprises:
a central bore extending through said housing and said stretch rod includes
a tip portion on a distal end thereof engagable with the container preform and a
15 piston member on a proximal end thereof, said stretch rod being disposed in said
central bore, said piston member being actuatable in response to a pressure
means to actuate said stretch rod between an extended position and a retracted
position.
21. The apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein said nozzle system
comprises:
a central bore extending through said housing; and
a seal rod having said seal portion on a distal end thereof engagable
with an end of the central bore and a piston member on a proximal end thereof,
25 said seal rod being disposed in said central bore, said piston member being
actuatable in response to a pressure means to actuate said seal rod between said
first position preventing said pressurized liquid from being injected into the
container preform and said second position permitting said pressurized liquid to
be injected into the container preform.
30
22. The apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the container is formed
from one of a thermoplastic, a high density polyethylene, a polypropylene, a
polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a PETIPEN blend, a copolymer, various multilayer
structures, and any combination or blend thereof.
5
23. An apparatus for forming a container, said apparatus comprising:
a housing having a central bore;
a stretch rod apparatus disposed in said housing, said stretch rod
apparatus having a stretch rod extending through said central bore for at least
10 partially forming a container preform; and
a nozzle system disposed in said housing and operably coupled with said
stretch rod apparatus, said nozzle system having a seal rod extending through
said central bore being generally coaxial with said stretch rod, said nozzle system
being positionable between a first position whereby a seal portion having a sealing
15 surface engages a complementary surface of said housing thereby preventing
pressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform and a second
position permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the container preform.
24. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein said nozzle system
20 comprises a seal portion having a first surface, said first surface engaging a
second surface extending from the housing in said first position.
25. The apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein said first surface
comprises a first tapered surface and said second surface comprises a second
25 tapered surface.
26. The apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein said first surface of
said seal portion is made of a first material and said second surface of said
housing is made from a second material, said first materials being different from
30 said second material.
27. The apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein said first surface of
said seal portion is made of a first material and said second surface of said
housing is made from a second material, said first materials has a different
hardness than said second material.
28. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein said interface of
5 contact is metal-to-metal.
29. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein said nozzle system
comprises a tip portion, said tip portion positionable within the container to
displacement a predetermine volume of liquid to define a predetermined head
10 space with the container after filling.
30. The apparatus according to Claim 29 wherein said tip portion is
sized to define a predetermined volume.
31. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein said nozzle system
comprises:
a central bore extending through said housing and said stretch rod includes
a tip portion on a distal end thereof engagable with the container preform and a
piston member on a proximal end thereof, said stretch rod being disposed in said
20 central bore, said piston member being actuatable in response to a pressure
means to actuate said stretch rod between an extended position and a retracted
position.
32. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein said nozzle system
25 comprises:
a central bore extending through said housing; and
a seal rod having said seal portion on a distal end thereof engagable
with an end of the central bore and a piston member on a proximal end thereof,
said seal rod being disposed in said central bore, said piston member being
30 actuatable in response to a pressure means to actuate said seal rod between said
first position preventing said pressurized liquid from being injected into the
container preform and said second position permitting said pressurized liquid to
be injected into the container preform.
33. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein the container is formed from one of a thermoplastic, a hogh density polyethylene, a polypropylene a polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN), a PET/ PEN blend a copolymer, various multilayer structures, and any combination or blend thereof.