US3597793A

US3597793A - Bottles and the method and apparatus for forming them

Info

Publication number: US3597793A
Application number: US828589A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerhard H Weiler; Henry Komendowski
Original assignee: Automatic Liquid Packaging Inc
Current assignee: Catalent USA Woodstock Inc
Priority date: 1969-05-28
Filing date: 1969-05-28
Publication date: 1971-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-10
Also published as: CA922062A; JPS508746B1; GB1307735A; CH527687A

Abstract

Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for blowing, filling and hermetically sealing bottles having end closures such as caps which can be easily removed and thereafter used to reclose or reseal the bottles.

Description

United States Patent Gerhard ll. Weller Des Phlnes;

Henry Komendowski, Evanslon, both of. III

[72] Inventors May 28, 1969 Aug. 10, 197I Automatic Liquid Packaging, Inc. Elk Grove Vllage, III.

[54] BOTTLES AND THE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING THEM 20 Clllms, 43 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl

[ZI Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee 18/5 BF, [8/5 BM [51] Int. Cl B29c 1/00 [50] Field of Search 18/5 BF, 5 BM, 5 B2 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,325,860 6/1967 Hansen 18/5 BF 3.330.006 7/1967 Jenkins l8/5 BZ Primary Examiner-Gil Weidenfeld Attorney- Dominik. Knechtel 8L Godula ABSTRACT: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for blowing, filling and hermetically sealing bottles having end closures such as caps which can be easily removed and thereafter used to reclose or reseal the bottles.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG- 3 FIG. 4

FIG. 2

FIG. 1

FIG. I

FIG. 6

FIG. 8

INVENTORS Gerhard H. Wei/er Henry Kamendowski Patented Aug. 10, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 .FIG. IO

FIG. I!

FIG. I6

FIG. '8

INVENTORS Gerhard H. Wei/er BY Henry Kamenaowski 043m; 1444/ 41 Arr s.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. I9

FIG. 22

INVENTORS FIG. 23

m H. I W KA hr 2 0 Y B Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,793

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

FIG. 25 FIG- 2.?

FIG. 30

INVENTORS Gerhard H. Wei/er BY Henry Komendowski Affys.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,793

6 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 39

FIG. 42

IN V/ NTURS @rimm' H Wei/er H nry Knrnendowski Alive BOTTLES AND THE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING THEM This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for blowing, filling and hermetically sealing bottles with a single piece of equipment. More particularly, it relates to improved blown bottles and to the methods and apparatus for forming them. These improved blown bottles can be formed with easily removable, integrally formed caps which can be used to reseal the bottles once the latter have been opened.

Many various different types of blown plastic bottles presently are available, however, most of them are hermetically sealed by means of an end closure or cap which is removed by severing it with a knife or the like. Once severed, the bottle remains open since there is no provision made for reclosing or sealing the bottle. Still others have threads integrally formed on a neck portion thereof, and a separate cap is provided for closing or sealing the bottle by threading the cap onto the threaded neck portion. All of these prior arrangements are satisfactory, for one purpose or another. Recently, however, a demand for bottles having integrally formed caps for reclosing or rescaling the bottles has occurred. In other words, a demand for a bottle which can be blown, filled and hermetically sealed with an end closure ofa type which can be removed and thereafter used to reclose or reseal the bottle once it is opened. The improved bottles of the present invention satisfy this demand.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide new and improved methods and apparatus for blowing, filling and hermetically sealing bottles, the latter being provided with end closures such as caps which can be easily removed and thereafter used to reclose or reseal the bottles.

Another object is to provide new and improved bottles of the above described type.

Still another object is to provide improved bottles of the above-described type wherein the end closures are integrally formed therewith during the blowing, filling and hermetically sealing operation.

A still further object is to provide improved methods and apparatus for forming bottles of this last-described type.

In some cases, it is desirable to form these bottles of a sub stantially strong plastic material which cannot be easily severed to remove the caps integrally formed therewith. Accordingly, still another object is to provide an improved cap removing device for removing the caps in a fashion such as to prevent any of the bottled material from accidentally entering the bottle or the contents thereof, and such that the caps still can be used to reclose the bottle.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-4 are partial sectional views generally illustrating the method of forming, filling and sealing bottles according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating the molding ap' paratus for forming the bottle of FIGS. I and [1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the neck jaw of the molding apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view like FIG. 5. illustrating the hollow tube disposed therein during the forming and filling of the bottle;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of a bottle formed with the molding apparatus ofFIGS. 5 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial view of the top of the bottle of FIG. [0, illustrating the manner in which its cap can be affixed thereto to reclose it, after the cap is severed;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of molding apparatus adapted to form a cap on a bottle generally ofthc construction illustrated in FIG. 13;

III

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view, partially sectionalized, of a bottle formed with the molding apparatus of FIG. I2;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the neck jaw thread forming insert of the molding apparatus of FIG. 12',

FIG. I5 is a sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. I6 is a bottom plan view of the thread forming insert of FIGS. I4 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the lower cap forming member of the molding apparatus of FIG. I2;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. I7;

FIG. I9 is a partial sectional view of molding apparatus adapted to form a bottle of the construction illustrated in FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a partial side plan view ofa bottle having a corkscrew-type closure top, the same being formed with the molding apparatus of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is atop plan view ofone member of the neck jaw assembly of the molding apparatus of FIG. I9;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along lines 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partial view of a mandrel and a neck jaw for forming an annular groove on the interior of a bottle for weakening the latter to permit the cap and said bottle to be severed therefrom;

FIG. 24 is a partial view of still another mandrel and neck jaw for forming an annular angularly disposed flange between the neck portion of a bottle and the cap integrally formed therewith for permitting the latter to be severed from the bot- FIG. 24a is an enlarged partial sectional view illustrating the flange formed by the apparatus of FIG. 24;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view ofa neck jaw assembly adapted to provide quarter threads on the neck portion ofa bottle;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along lines 2626 of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a partial side plan view of a mandrel used in conjunction with the neck jaw assembly of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is an end plan view ofthe mandrel of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a partial side plan view of a bottle having a threaded, closed neck portion;

FIG. 30 is a partial side plan view, partially sectionalized, of the threaded, closed neck portion of FIG. 29, illustrating a pour spout type cap affixed to it, the latter being adapted to also open the bottle;

FIG. 3] is a partial side plan view illustrating a bottle having a cap with a twist-off opener affixed to it;

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31; generally illustrating the manner in which the twist-off opener can be used to reclose the bottle;

FIG. 33 is a partial sectional view ofa mandrel which can be used to provide quarter threads on the neck portion of a bottle.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are end views of the mandrel of FIG. 33, illustrating the flexible fingers thereof in an extended and retracted position, respectively;

FIGS. 36 and 37 are sectional views taken along lines 36-36 of FIG. 33. illustrating the flexible fingers of the mandrel of FIG. 33 in a retracted and an extended position, respectively;

FIG. 38 is a sectionalized partial side view of a mandrel which is axially offset with respect to the axis of the main bottle forming mold;

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of a cap removing device exemplary ofthe invention;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view of the cap removing device of FIG. 39, taken along lines 40-40 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 4i is a top plan view of the cap removing device of FIG. 39, illustrating the same in an open position; and

FIG. 42 is a side view generally illustrating the manner in which the cap removing device is affixed to a bottle to remove the cap thereon.

Similar reference characters refer to similar throughout the several views of the drawings.

parts Referring now to the drawings, in FIGS. 1-4, there is illus trated apparatus for blowing, filling and hermetically sealing bottles. This apparatus 10 is generally like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,860 to Gerhard Hansen, and includes an extruder 12, a two-piece mold 14 including mold halves 14a and [4b, a holding jaw 16 including jaw halves 16a and 16b, :1 head jaw l8 including jaw halves 18a and 18b. a cutting upparatus 20, and a composite filling and blow tube 22. For a full and detailed description of the apparatus 10, reference can be made to the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,860. Generally, however, the operation is as follows. A parison in the form of a hollow tube 24 is extruded by the extruder 12, between the

mold halves

14a and 14b. When the parison or tube 24 is of the required length, the mold halves 14a and [4b are closed. The lower end of the tube 24 is pinched closed by the mold, and its upper end is positioned and held by the holding jaw 16, through the application of vacuum applied thereto, and is separated by the cutting apparatus 20, which may be a heated wire. A mold carriage (not shown) moves the mold 14, the holding jaw l6 and the head jaw 18 into position for shaping, filling and sealing the bottle.

To fill the bottle, the mandrel 28 of the composite filling, blowing and notching tube 22 moves into the conical neck part 26, and the hot plastic tube 24 is inflated by a burst of compressed air and pressed against the walls of the mold [4. At the same time, a precisely metered quantity of the product being bottled fills the bottle via a filling channel (not shown) in the mandrel 28 by a precise metering machine (not shown). The air used for inflating or blowing the bottle is discharged to the outside through an air discharge duct (not shown). As soon as the product hits the plastic walls, the bottle solidifies.

The mandrel 28 is raised, and the jaw halves 18a and 18b of the head jaw 18 are closed by means of two cylinders (not shown). The head jaw 18 forms and seals the upper bottle head, and thereafter the mold 14, the head jaw 18 and the holding jaw 16 all open. The filled and hermetically sealed bottles leave the apparatus via a bottle dropout chute (not shown).

The entire operation takes about as much time as the conventional blow molding of an empty plastic bottle, hence it is apparent that numerous advantages are provided. The com lete packaging cycle can be kept sterile so that the system can be used in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in other industries to package or bottle items such as fruit juices, edible oils, vinegar, milk, laundry or dishwashing detergents, floor care liquids, cleansers, dyes, machine oils, bubble baths and shampoos, to mention but a few of the whole host ofitems which can be bottled. Many thermoplastic materials can be used including low and high density polyethylene, including MPE 212 polyethylene produced by Monsanto, polypropylene, polycarbonate acetate, and GEON and ABS, so that virtually any type of flowable product can be packaged or bottled, in acompatible material.

As indicated above, a demand for bottles having integrally formed caps for reclosing or rescaling the bottles has developed, which demand probably is due to the wide range of products which now can be packaged or bottled with the above-described apparatus. In FIGS. 10 and 11, there is illustrated one such bottle 30 having a cap 32 integrally formed thereon, which cap can be removed and thereafter can be snap fitted with an annular recessed groove 33 on the bottle, to reclose or reseal the latter.

The bottle 30 is formed, filled and sealed, in the manner described above, however, a specially designed neck jaw and mandrel is employed, to form the neck portion and the cap of the bottle. As can be seen in FIGS. 5--9, the mold l4 includes insert halves 35a and 3515, each of which, for ease of construction, is formed of three members which are affixed together to provide a unitary structure. Obviously, if desired, each of the insert halves can be machined as an integral unit. In this case also, the insert halves 35a and 35b are removably fixedly secured to respective ones of the,

mold halves

14a and 14b, so as to close with the latter when they are closed.

The neck members 360 and 36b each comprise one-half of an annular ring-shaped bottle neck mold, and the molding surfaces 37a and 37b thereof are contoured to provide the desired shaped to the neck portion of the bottle 30. In particular, a substantially pointed annular projecting rib 38 is formed on the molding surfaces 370 and 37b, which rib 38 provides the annular recessed groove 33 on the neck portion of the molded bottle. The lower

cap forming members

390 and 39b likewise each comprise one-half of an annular ring-shaped mold for forming the lower or body portion of the cap 32 which is integrally formed with the bottle 30. This lower or body portion ultimately is closed and hermetically sealed by the upper or top cap forming members 40a and 40b which also comprise one-half of an annular ring-shaped mold for completing the cap 32, respectively, in a manner described more fully below. These upper or top cap forming members 400 and 40!; are adjustably and slidably affixed to the head jaws 18 a and 18!), respectively, and are closed independently of the latter by air cylinders or the like (not shown) to complete the cap 32 on the bottle 30.

The lower

cap forming members

39a and 39b have molding surfaces 4la and 41b which merge with and constitute an extension of the molding surfaces 37a and 37b, and molding surfaces 42a and 42b which form an annular flat, horizontally disposed ledge or shelf 43 that intersects the molding surfaces 410 and 41b at substantially a right angle. Mold surfaces 44a and 44b form the sidewalls of the cap 32 and, as can be best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mold surfaces have recessed elongated cavities 45 formed in them. These cavities 45 provide the serrations 46 (FIG. 10) on the sidewalls of the cap 32 which permit the cap to be more easily gripped and twisted to remove it.

A number of vacuum ducts 53 preferably are provided in the jaw halves 35a and 35b, the neck members 360 and 36b, and the lower

cap forming members

39a and 39b so that vacuum can be used to assist in forming the neck portion and the lower or body portion of the cap 32 during the forming and filling of the bottle 30. To this end, an annular projecting rib 49 is formed about the mold surfaces 44a and 44b, at the top edge thereof, to improve vacuum holding and forming. All of the cavities 45 are disposed below this rib 49, that is, these cavities do not run to the top edge of the mold surfaces 440 and 44b, so that a generally sealed mold cavity is provided.

The composite filling and blow tube 22, in this case, includes a spout 50 which is adapted to be vertically raised and lowered, and further has an inlet 51 to which means (not shown) can be affixed for expelling a blast of compressed air into the hollow tube 24 to form the bottle and an inlet 52 to which means (not shown) can be affixed for expelling the product into the blown bottle. The spout 50 also is slidably disposed within a mandrel 54, and the latter is threadably and adjustably affixed to the spout 50 by means of threads 55 in a fashion such that the mandrel 54 can be vertically adjusted in a micrometerlike fashion, with respect to the spout. Micrometer graduations 56 are provided on the mandrel 54 in functional relationship with a pointer 57 affixed to the spout 50, so that accurate adjustments can be easily and quickly made. A Iocknut 58 also is provided for locking the mandrel 54 in a fixed position. An O-ring 59 is provided for scaling, to provide an airtight fit between the spout 50 and the mandrel 54.

The lower end of the mandrel 54 is sufficiently smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the rib 49 so that the hollow tube 24 is slightly pinched between the mandrel and the rib 49 to form a seal to improve the vacuum holding and forming of the neck portion and the cap of the bottle 30. Also, the terminal end of the mandrel 54 has a recessed cavity 60 having a downwardly and outwardly tapered wall 61 formed in it, in a fashion such as to provide a downwardly depending substantially pointed flange 62. This flange 62 in cooperation with the ledge or shelf 43 provides an annular groove 64 in the interior surface of the inwardly extending lower edge 65 of cap 32, during the forming of the bottle 30, as can be best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The mandrel 54 is vertically adjustably positioned with respect to the ledge 43 to provide a groove 64 of a depth which will permit the cap 32 to be removed by severing it at this groove, upon exerting a simultaneous twisting and lifting motion to the cap. The cap should be relatively easily removed, however, at the same time, the groove 64 should not be such that the seal is easily accidentally broken by dropping or otherwise imposing pressure upon it. The depth of the groove 64 also will vary, depending upon the particular plastic material used. Once the latter is chosen, the depth can be easily determined by running a number of samples and adjusting the mandrel until a satisfactory groove is provided.

It may also be noted that the diameter of the mandrel 54 or, more specifically, that of the flange 62, preferably and advantageously is proportioned so that the inner diameter of the lower edge 65 of the cap, after the latter is severed from the bottle 30, is smaller than the diameter of the neck portion of the bottle at the groove 33. when fashioned or proportioned in this manner, the cap 32 can be snap-fitted to the neck portion by engaging the lower edge 65 of the cap in groove 33, to reseal or reclose the bottle 30, as can be seen in FIG. ll.

In forming, filling and sealing the bottles 30, as indicated above, a parison in the form ofa hollow tube 24 is extruded by the extruder I2, between the

mold halves

14a and 14b. When the tube 24 is of the required length, the mold halves [4a and [4b are closed. The lower end of the tube 24 is pinched closed by the mold, and its upper end is positioned and held by the holding jaws 16, through the application of vacuum, and is severed by the cutting apparatus in this case, when the mold halves I44 and 1412 close. the neck jaw halves a and 35b close with them, to partially form the neck portion of the bottle and the cap 32, this latter operation being assisted by the application of vacuum, through the ducts 53. The neck jaw halves 35a and 35b, as can be seen in FIGS. 6-8, have recessed

cavities

47 and 48 formed in the abutting edges thereof into which the plastic of the hollow tube 24 can flow or collect when the latter is pinched between them, when the

mold halves

14a and 14b close A mold carriage (not shown) then moves the mold I4 into position, beneath the composite filling, blowing and notching tube 22 which, in this case. includes the spout 50 and the mandrel 54, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9. As the latter are moved vertically downwardly into the top end of the severed tube 24, as can be best seen in FIG 9, the tube 24 is slightly pinched between the mandrel 54 and the rib 49 so as to seal the mold cavity to assist the vacuum forming of the neck portion of the bottle. This action, in combination with the downwardly depending flange 62 embedding into the plastic to form the groove 64, completely seals the interior of the tube 24. The blast of compressed air which is injected into the hollow tube 24 therefore forces or blows the hollow tube 24 so that the latter assumes the shape of the mold cavity in the mold 14. The blown bottle now is filled with the product, via the spout 50, and then the filing and blowing tube 22 is raised to remove it from the open end of the hollow tube 24. The upper or top cap forming members a and 40b now are closed, to complete the forming of the cap 32 on the bottle 30. The finished bottle 30 is illustrated in FIG 10, and it can be seen that the cap 32 integrally formed with it hermetically seals the bottle.

To remove the cap 32, the latter is gripped between the fingers and by simultaneously twisting and raising the cap, it can be caused to sever at the groove 64 formed in its lower inwardly extending edge 65. As indicated above, the diameters of this edge 65 where it severs at the groove 64 and'that of the groove 33 formed in the neck portion preferably and advantageously are proportioned so that the edge 65 will snap fit into the groove 33 to affix the cap 32 to the bottle 30, to reseal or reclose the bottle In F IG. [3, there is illustrated the upper end of another hottle 70 having a cap 72 integrally formed with it, which cap 72 is adapted to be removed and to thereafter be threaded onto the neck portion 73 of the bottle to reseal or reclose it. The cap 72 can be provided with an interior groove like the groove 64 described above, by using a mandrel similar to the mandrel 54 or, alternatively, the cap 72 can be provided with an exterior groove 74, as illustrated. In the latter case, a mandrel 75 and a neck jaw 76 of the type illustrated in FIGS. [2 and l4- 18 are used.

The neck jaw 76 likewise comprises

jaw halves

76a and 76, each of which, for ease of construction, is formed of a neck forming member 77 and a lower cap forming member 78 affixed together to form a unitary member, however, as in the case of the head jaw 18, they could be formed as integral members, if desired. Also, the neck forming members 77a and 77b preferably are each formed with a

thread forming insert

79a and 79b so that the threads provided on the neck portion of the bottle can be easily varied. The neck forming member 77 and the lower cap fonning member 78 are removably attired to the mold 14 so that they open and close with the latter, and upper cap forming members 80:: and 80b are adjustably slidably afi'ixed atop the lower

cap forming members

780 and 78b. These upper cap forming members 800 and 80b are operated to open and close them, by means of air cylinders or the like (not shown; independently of the mold l4 and the member 77 and 78 affixed to it. Vacuum ducts 84 again are provided to assist in forming the neck portion 73 and the cap 72 on the bottle 70.

The neck forming member 77, or more particularly its thread forming insert 79, as can be best seen in FIGS 14 and I5, is in the form or shape of an annular ring, and the abutting edges thereof have recessed cavities 8t and 82 formed in them for receiving the plastic of the hollow tube 24 pinched between them when the mold 14 is closed. The interior sur faces of the inserts 79 have thread cavities 83 formed in them. which cavities form a continuous thread on the neck portion 73 of the finished bottle as shown in FIG. 13.

The lower cap forming members 780 and 786 have a substantially vertically disposed mold surface 85 which merges and joins with a recessed cavity or groove 86 Whlt. i m turn flows into another substantially vertically disposed mold sur face 87 The arrangement is such as to provide a SUbStal'll'l'elll) pointed, upstanding annular flange 88 which functions in con junction with the terminal flat end of the mandrel 75 to form the groove 74 in the lower edge flange of the cap 72 III the manner described more fully below. As in the case of the lower cap forming member described above, the mold nullatle 87 has a number of cavities 90 (FIGS. 17 and 18, Ill it for providing serrations 9| on the rim of the cap 72. and an annu lar pro ecting rim 92 for improving the vacuum holding and forming ofthe cap.

The mandrel 75 has a spout 94 slidably affixed herein as described above. and the mandrel preferably is adapted to be vertically adjustably positioned in a micrometer type lashion with respect to the spout 94 and the edge of the flange 88 The mandrel has a flat surface 95 on its terminal end Wl'llLl'l cooperates with the flange 88 to form the groove 74 in the cap, and its outer periphery is formed of an outwardly tapering conical surface 96 which flows into a flat surface 97 which constitutes the major diameter of the mandrel The latter sur face, in turn, flows into an inwardly tapering conical surface 98. It can be seen, in FIG. 13, that this configuration in i nmbination with that of the lower cap forming membei 8 results in a thread receiving groove 69 in the cap 72, for receiving the threads on the neck portion 73 of the bottle 70, so that the cap can be threadably affixed to the bottle after it is severed at the groove 74 The latte is accomplished by simultaneously twisting and lifting the cap 72, until the plastic severs at the groove 74.

As in the above-described operation of the molding ap paratus of FIG. 5. after the bottle 70 is blown and filled, the spout 94 and the mandrel 75 are raised to remove them from the open end of the hollow tube 24. Thereafter. the upper cap forming members 800 and 80b are closed, to finish the top of the cap 72.

In FIG. 19, there is illustrated still another molumg a paratus 100 which is adapted to form a bottle I01 partiall shown in FIG 20) having a corkscrew-type closure top I02. The latter is weakened by means of an annular groove I03 formed at the connection point of the top to the bottle, as best seen in FIG. 20,

The molding apparatus 100 includes a split main mold I04 to which is afl'ixed the respective halves of the sealing mold which includes the neck jaw I05 and the upper cap forming member I06 The sealing mold is slidably adjustably affixed to the main mold 104. so as to be operable independently of the latter to close the top I02, in the manner described above The mold I04, in this case, is constructed to form both the bottle I0! and its neck portion I07 Ducts I08 for the application of vacuum to form the neck portion I07 also preferably are provided in the mold 104. The mold 104 has a plate I10 (best seen in FIGS 21 and 22) affixed to it, and together they function to form the groove I03 and the thread portion of the bottle 10!. Vacuum ducts III also are preferably provided in the sealing mold, to assist in forming the thread portion ofthe closure top,

The plate affixed to the mold I04 has a mold surface I13 which merges with the thread forming mold surface in the mold I04 and which tapers inwardly and upwardly so as to form a substantially pointed tip 114. A cavity 113A is provided for plastic to avoid heavy accumulation and obstruction for closure cap entry The abutting edges of the two halves of the section IIO also are formed to provide cavities I09 for excess plastic pinched between the two halves when the mold closes. The section III is formed with similar cavities (not shown). The molding surface IIS of the section III of the neck jaw I05 is aligned with the pointed tip II4, and from the lower edge it tapers upwardly and outwardly so as to form a flat, tapered camming surface I16 (FIG. on the lower end of the closure top I02 The pointed tip I I4, of course, extends annularly about the molding surface of the mold I04, and is in spaced relation to the tapered wall I18 of the end of the mandrel I19. The mandrel 119 is adapted to be vertically adjustably positioned with respect to the spout I20 slidably disposed within it, in the manner described above, to adjust the spacing between the wall I18 of the mandrel and the pointed tip II4, to provide a groove I03 of proper depth to permit the closure top 102 to be severed by twisting it When the hollow tube 24 is pinched between the wall I18 and the pointed tip II4, it also is sealed so that the hollow tube can be blown to form the bottle I01, by the blast of compressed air emitted through the spout.

After the bottle It)! IS filled with the product, the mandrel I19 and the spout I20 are vertically retracted from the hollow tube 24. Thereafter, the two halves of the upper cap forming member I06 are closed, to complete the closure top I02 and to hermetically seal the bottle IOI.

As indicated above. the closure top I02 is severed from the bottle I01 by twisting it to cause it to sever at the weakened area formed by the groove I03. Once removed, the closure top is adapted to be threaded into the neck portion of the bottle to reclose or reseal it. The camming surface 116 permits the end of the severed closure top 102 to be more easily inserted and initially threaded to affix the top to the bottle In FIG 23, there is shown an alternative construction for the mandrel and the neck jaw, for forming a groove, such as the groove 103, on the interior rather than the exterior of the bottle. In this case, it can be seen that the neck jaw 125 has downwardly and inwardly tapered surface I26, and that the mandrel I27 has an annular flange I28 which tapers downwardly and outwardly to form a pointed tip 129. This pointed tip I29 cooperates with the tapered surface 126 to form a groove at the juncture between the neck portion of a bottle and the closure top in generally the same manner as described above, however, in this case. the groove results in the interior surface.

In FIG. 24, there is illustrated a mandrel I30 and a neck jaw I3I which is a combination of the mandrel 54 of FIG. 5 and the neck jaw 76 of HG. I). This combination provides a weakened, angularly disposed flange 132 between the'neck portion I33 ofa bottle (not shown) and the integrally formed closure top 134, as can be besi seen in FIG. 240 which is a par tial sectional view of the bottle and the closure top In FIGS 25-28, there is shown a neck aw I38 and a mandrel I39 which is adapted to form quarter threads on the lift it portion of a bottle and on the closure top integrally formed with it. so that the closure top can be threadedly affixed to the bottle to reclose or reseal it. As can be best seen in FIGS 25 and 26, the neck aw I38 has a number (four as illustratedl of recessed, angularly disposed, generally rectangularshaped cavities formed in it These cavities I40 tormed the quarter threads on the neck portion of the bottle The terminal end I41 of the mandrel I39, as can be seen in FIGS. 27 and 28, is formed with a corresponding number of shaped flanges I42 which, in combination with the ledge 143 and the molding surface 144 of the neck aw I38 provide quarter threads on the closure topi These quarter threads. when the closure top is resecured to the bottle engage and in terlock with the quarter threads on the netk portion of the bottle, in a fashion such that the closure top is lockinglv en gaged with the bottle and its top wall is forcibly urged in sealing engagement with the upper end of the neck portion The enlarged diameter portion 145 of the mandrel I39 cooperates with the annular rim 146 on the molding surface I44 to form a vacuum chamber, for reasons set forth above In 1 105.29 and 30, there is shown the uppei end iii a bottle I47 having a threaded neck portion I48 and a closed liermcti' cally sealed top wall 149 which IS adapted to be opened by means ofa pour spout type cap 150. The cap ISO is adapted to be threaded onto the neck portion I48, and it has a conical shaped puncturing nozzle 151 which punctures and thereby opens the bottle when the cap is threadedly affixed to it The nozzle ISI 15 in communication with a dispensing orifice I 2 formed in the cap, for dispensing the product lroni the hnttle In FIGS 3] and 32 there is shown the upper end of still another bottle I53 having a cap 154 to which is integialii at fixed a wing shaped stopper 155 The stopper I55 has a trun cated cone-shaped plug I56 which has threads I57 provided on it lor threadedly engaging the plug I56 into the aperture or opening I58 (FIG 32) to reclose the bottle I53 after the stopper I55 is severed therefrom. Severance oi he stopper IS accomplished merely by twisting it, to break the integral formed connection between the plug I56 and the ap [54 An annularly extending sealing flange I59 also pv feiahlv is formed about the upper end of the plug I56 for iorming a tight seal with the top of the cap 154, Allbmallvfilt he sealing flange 159 can be replaced with a recessed sealing groove (not shown) In this case. the peripheral edge of the opening I58 in the cap 154 will snap-fit into the sealing groove when the plug I56 is fully threaded into the opening.

In FIGSi 3337. there is illustrated a mandrel 160 which is adapted for use with a mold and a neck jaw generally of the construction shown in FIG. I9, to form a bottle having a neck portion and a severable cap which is adapted to be threaded exteriorly on the neck portion of the bottle, rather than interi orly thereof, as in the case of the cork-type cap of FIG 20 In the illustrated embodiment, the neck portion of the bottle and the cap have quarter threads formed on them for removably affixing the cap to the bottle once the cap has been removed. however, full threads can be provided also.

The mandrel 160 includes a sleeve 161 having threads 162 at its upper end for attachment to means for vertically raising and lowering it. Its lower terminal end is formed to provide a flat seat 163 which cooperates with an annular upstanding pointed flange 164 on the plate I65, to form an annular groove in the flange portion connecting the cap to the bottle, in substantially the manner described above, which groove permits the cap to be more easily severed from the bottle. The plate I65 generally corresponds to and is affixed to the main mold in the same manner as the plate Ill) is affixed to the mold 104, of the molding apparatus I00.

As indicated above, the neck portion of the bottle and the cap have quarter threads formed on them, which quarter threads are adapted to interlock to securely refix the cap to the bottle. These quarter threads are formed by means of thread grooves in the neck jaw (not shown) cooperatively related with the main mold, which thread grooves provide the quarter threads generally represented by the reference numeral I71, and by means of thread projections on the necktorming portion of the cap mold. One of these latter thread projections I70 is generally illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 33, and the threads formed by them are generally illustrated by means of the thread indentations I76. The manner in which these quarter threads are blown is described more fully below.

One difficulty encountered in forming this type of cap for a bottle is in preventing the lower end of the sleeve 16] which, of necessity, must be slightly larger in diameter than the neck portion of the bottle in order to seal the parison so that the bottle can be blown and to form the annular groove in the flange portion connecting the cap and the neck portion, from engaging and damaging the threads formed in the cap. This can be seen in FIG. 33 where it is apparent that the lower end of the sleeve l6l will engage the interior surface of the thread indentations I76, if the sleeve is vertically raised. in doing so, normally the plastic material forming the thread is partially scraped off so to form a defective thread. Also, in many cases, the plastic material is left so thin that it is subject to rupturing accidentally.

To avoid any substantial damage to the threads, the sleeve 161 is formed with a number, four in the illustrated embodiment, of flexible fingers 167 which, as can be best seen in FIGS. 34-37, are displaced 90 from one another. Slots 168 are formed in the sleeve 16!, so as to form a reduced thickness or width area [69 on each of the fingers for better flexing action. The flexible fingers I67 also each have a cam surface I72 on their exterior surfaces which cooperate with an annular cam surface I73 on a cam sleeve I74, to flex these fingers in wardly of the sleeve 161, as can be best seen in FIGS. 33 and 34.

The cam sleeve 174 is concentrically disposed about the sleeve I61, in spaced relationship to it so as to form an air passageway 178 between the sleeve 16! and the cam sleeve I74. The terminal end 179 of the cam sleeve I74 cooperates with the cap mold assembly (not shown) to seal the parison 177 at I80, to permit that portion of the cap between the seal at 180 and the seal formed between the flat seat 163 and the pointed flange 164 to be blown. In the illustrated embodiment, the air passageway 178 is provided for injecting air into the parison 177 to form this portion of the cap, however, it also can be formed by providing a number of air openings in the sleeve 161. In this latter case, that portion of the cap then is blown simultaneously with the blowing ofthe bottle.

The cam sleeve 174, at its upper end, is affixed to the sleeve MI, by means of a collar 180 which is threadedly affixed thereto. The collar 180 is formed to provide a cavity I81 in which is retained an enlarged flange portion 182 on the end of the cam sleeve I74, and a spring [83 which bears against the flange portion 182 on the cam sleeve I74 to normally forcibly urge it downwardly so as to seat on the bottom wall 184 of the cavity 181. In this position, the flexible fingers 167 of the sleeve 16] all are expanded, as illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 37. An air inlet [85 in the sleeve l6l is in communication with the cavity 181, and a source of air is coupled to this air inlet for coupling air through the air passageway I78 to blow and thereby form the above-described portion of the cap.

A second air inlet 186 is provided in the collar I80, and this air inlet also is in communication with the cavity 18! but it is disposed in a fashion such that air injected through it into the cavity 184 engages the underside of the enlarged flange portion I82 on the end of the cam sleeve 274. The cam sleeve I74 is thereby caused to vertically raise with respect to the sleeve I61. In doing so, its cam surfaces 173 slidably engage the cam surfaces [74 on the flexible fingers I67 and cause these [ingers to flex inwardly of the sleeve I61, as can be best seen in FIGS. 35 and 36. With the flexible fingers I67 in this position. the mandrel 160 can be vertically raised, and the lower end of the sleeve 16] is substantially free to bypass the threads formed on the cap without causing any substantial damage to them. O-rings 188 and I89 are provided for sealing the cavity I81 against loss 'of'air.

A filling tube 190 is concentrically and slidably disposed within the sleeve l6l, and is adapted to be vertically raised and lowered. The lower end of the filling tube normally is closed by means ofa valve plate 191, and the latter is operated by a plunger 192 to open the filling tube to permit the product to be injected into the blown bottle.

In FIG. 38, there is illustrated still another mandrel 195 which is adaptable for use with a main mold to form a bottle having a threaded neck portion and a cap which is adapted, after being severed, to be threadedly affixed externally about the neck portion, to reseal the bottle. It is generally well known that the internal diameter d, of the threads on such a cap must substantially correspond to the outer diameter d, of the threads on the neck portion of the bottle, to which the cap is to be threadedly affixed. When the cap is integrally molded with the neck portion of the bottle, as it is proposed in the present invention, it is rather difficult to keep or make these diameters d and d, equal and still permit the cap to be easily initially threadedly engaged with the neck portion. Also, the threads in the cap normally are damaged, in the manner described above, when the mandrel is withdrawn.

All of these prior problems are overcome with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 38. [n this case, the mandrel [95 is offset axially with respect to the center axis of the bottle I96 by a very small distance which can be approximately 0.050 inches. In offsetting the mandrel I95 in this manner, its lower terminal end I97 is caused to engage atop the plate 198 which forms the severable flange between the cap and the neck portion of the bottle so as to form a very narrow in width flange about a substantial portion of the diameter of its terminal end. The remaining portion of the flange is a relatively wide in width flange. This can be seen in FIG. 38, where the flange portion 199 is very narrow in width, whereas the flange portion 200 is relatively wide in width. When the cap is severed from the bottle, the narrow in width flange portion 199 permits at least a portion of the cap threads to threadedly engage the threads on the neck portion of the bottle, so that the cap now is easily threaded onto the bottle. Also, the wide in width flange portion 200 is relatively thin and is flexible so that it can be deflected for cap entry.

The offset or eccentrically located mandrel I95 also provides more space for the parison, and the terminal end of the mandrel can be withdrawn from the blown threaded portion of the cap without causing any substantial damage to the threads. Accordingly, the need for flexible fingers such as the flexible fingers 167 in the sleeve I61 of the mandrel I60 shown in FIG. 33 is eliminated. The threads in this case are blown simultaneously with the bottle 196, by means of air passing through the air openings 202 in the mandrel.

As indicated above, in some cases it is desirable to form bottles of the above-described type of a substantially strong plastic material which cannot be easily severed to remove the caps integrally formed therewith. In FIGS. 39-42, there is illustrated a cap removing device 205 which is adapted to remove the caps in a fashion such as to prevent any of the bottle material from accidentally entering the bottle or its contents, and such that the cap can be used to reclose the bottle.

The cap removing device 205 is a plier-type device including two

arms

206 and 207 which are fixedly and pivotally affixed together by means of pivot pin 208 so that they can be closed and opened, as illustrated in FIGS. 39 and 41, respectively. These two

arms

206 and 207 are correspondingly formed to provide a number, three in the illustrated example, of generally circular-shaped

sockets

210, 211 and 2l2 for receiving therein neck portions of various diameters. As can be best seen in FIGS. 40 and 42, each of these sockets 2I0- 212 is threaded, and furthermore has a

cutting blade insert

213, 214 and 2l5 disposed within a recessed pocket thereof, respectively. Stop

members

216 and 217 are provided on the

arms

206 and 207, respectively, for preventing the arms from closing tightly about the neck portion ofa bottle.

in use, the appropriate one of the sockets 210-212 is selected to fit about the neck portion 219 ofa bottle 220, as il lustrated in FIG, 42, Preferably the neck portion 219 is not squeezed between the

arms

206 and 207, but is instead just snugly held, with the threads within the socket threadedly en gaged with the threads on the neck portion 219. Once the neck portion 219 is captivated within the socket in this fashion, the cap removing device 205 or the bottle 220 is rotated. As can be seen in FIG. 42, the cutting point of the cutting blade insert 215 will engage the flange connection between the cap 221 and the neck portion 219, and will sever it as the bottle 220 or the cap removing device 205 is contin ued to be rotated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blade inserts 2l3-215 are shown having relatively sharp cutting points on them In such cases, it is preferred to have these cutting points covered in some fashion, to prevent them from cutting anyone This can be done by inserting the cutting blade inserts with recessed pockets, as illustrated, or alternatively, t] removable handle grip or the like can be slipped over the arms to cover the sharp cutting points, Normally, however, these cutting points need not be sharp and therefore no protective means are necessary, They need not be sharp since only a pushing action rather than a cutting action generally is required to remove the caps A generally similar type cap removing device which can be, for example, incorporated into a vending machine to remove the caps on the containers can be constructed by fixedly securing the two

arms

206 and 207 in parallel spaced relation In this case, only one socket would be formed at one end of the two arms. The containers would be slidably engaged on the arms with the latter disposed about the neck portion ofthe container, below the cap To remove the container and the cap, the container would be released in any suitable manner presently used to release the containers when they are purchased. Thereafter, the containers are slidably displaced on the two spaced apart arms until the socket at the one end is reached. The container then is rotated to remove the cap in the manner described above, by rotating it manually or auto matically, The removal of the cap would then permit the container to be removed from the vending machine,

it will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are effciently attained and certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the construction set forth. Accordingly, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in ii l3 niting sense We claim:

1. Apparatus for molding, filling and sealing containers from a tube of thermoplastic material comprising: a pair of relatively movable mold forms for forming a main body portion of the container including the bottom part of the container', a pair of neck jaw mold forms affixed respectively to said pair of movable mold forms for forming the neck portion of the container and the main body portion ofa cap for said container; a pair of slidable upper cap forming mold forms for forming the top of said cap to seal said container; a mandrel including a filling spout, means for introducing said filling spout into the open end of a length of said tube, means associated with said filling spout for supplying fluid under pressure into said tube to expand it into contact with said mold forms to form the main body portion of the container and for supplying a flowable material into the formed container, said mandrel and said pair of neck jaw mold forms having means cooperating to provide a weakened flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith so as to permit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneously twisting and lifting it, or by twisting and downwardly engaging said cap with said container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms have a flat, horizontally disposed molding surface, and the terminal end of said mandrel has an annular downwardly depending pointed flange which cooperates with said molding surface to pinch the tube therebetween to form an annular groove in the flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith on the interior of said cap to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneously twisting and lifting it.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mandrel is adjustably affixed to said filling spout so as to be vertically adjustably displaced with respect to it to adjust the spacing between the pointed flange on the terminal end thereof and the molding surface on said pair of neck jaw mold forms, whereby the depth of said annular groove can be controlled,

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms are formed to provide an upstanding pointed annular flange, and the terminal end of said mandrel has a flat horizontally disposed molding surface on it which cooperates with said annular flange to pinch the tube therebetween to form an annular groove in the flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of said container and the cap in tcgrally formed therewith on the exterior surface thereof to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneously twisting and lifting it.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said mandrel is adjustably affixed to said filling spout so as to be vertically adjustably displaced with respect to it to adjust the spacing between the molding surface on its terminal end and the annular pointed flange on said pair of neck jaw mold forms, whereby the depth ofsaid annular groove can be controlled,

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form an annular recessed groove in the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection between said neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severed portion ofsaid flange connection which remains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from said container will snapfittingly engage in said recessed groove in the neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it,

7 The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form an annular recessed groove in the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection between said neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severed portion of said flange connection which remains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from said container will map fittingly engage in said recessed groove in the neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms have an annular pointed flange which is disposed to extend horizontally into the mold cavity formed therebetween, and wherein said mandrel has a conical-shaped end portion which tapers inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof, said conical-shaped end portion cooperating with said annular pointed flange of said pair of neck jaw mold forms to provide a substantially horizontally disposed recess in the flange connection between the neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith, to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from said container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form interior peripheral threads on the neck portion of said container and have an annular pointed flange which is disposed to extend horizontally into the mold cavity formed therebetween at the terminal edge of said neck portion, a pair of cap forming mold forms affixed atop said pair of neck jaw mold forms for forming the main body portion of a cap and a neck portion having external peripheral threads on it on said main body portion of said cap, said neck portion and the threads thereon being proportioned to threadably fit into the neck portion of said container to reclose said container when said cap is severed from said container, said pair of slidable upper cap forming mold forms being disposed atop said pair of cap forming mold forms, said mandrel having a conical-shaped end portion which tapers inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof, said conicalshaped end portion cooperating with said annular pointed flange of said pair of neck jaw mold forms to provide a substantially horizontally disposed recess in a flange connection between the neck portions of said container and said cap, to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from said container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms have an upstanding annular pointed flange formed on them, and wherein the terminal end of said mandrel has an annular downwardly depending pointed flange which cooperates with the annular pointed flange on said pair of neck jaw mold forms to pinch the tube therebetween to form an annular weakened flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith, to permit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneously twisting and lifting it.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms are formed to provide a conical-shaped mold cavity therebetween which tapers inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof, and wherein the end of said mandrel has a conical-shaped flange on it which tapers downwardly and outwardly to form a pointed mold surface, said pointed mold surface cooperating with said conical-shaped mold cavity to pinch said tube therebetween to form an annular groove in the flange connection between the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from said container.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form peripheral threads on the neck portion of said container. and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection between said neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severed portion of said flange connection which remains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from said container will threadedly engage with the peripheral threads formed on the neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form peripheral threads on the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection between said neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severed portion of said flange connection which remains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from said container will threadedly engage with the peripheral threads formed on the neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises a tubular sleeve, the lower terminal end of said sleeve cooperating with said pair of neck jaw mold forms to weaken the flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith, the sidewalls of said tubular sleeve being formed to provide a plurality of flexible fingers therein, a cam surface on each of said flexible fingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentrically disposed about said sleeve having a cam surface therein which is disposed to engage said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers to cause said flexible fingers to bend inwardly of said sleeve,

and cam sleeve operating means for operating said cam sleeve to engage the cam surface therein wlth said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said filling spout being slidably disposed within said sleeve.

[5. The apparatus of claim 14, further including an enlarged outwardly extending flange portion about the upper end of said cam sleeve, a collar removably aflixed to said sleeve having an annular cavity therein for receiving and retaining therein the flange portion on said cam sleeve to affix the latter to said sleeve, biasing means within said cavity engaged with said flange portion for normally biasing said cam sleeve to disengage the cam surface therein from the cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said cam sleeve operating means operating said cam sleeve against said biasing means to engage said cam surfaces.

l6. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said biasing means normally bias said cam sleeve vertically downwardly with respect to said sleeve, an air inlet in said collar in communication with the cavity therein for impinging air beneath the flange portion on said cam sleeve to vertically raise said cam sleeve with respect to said sleeve to engage the cam surfaces to bend said flexible fingers, said cam sleeve operating means comprising a source of air coupled to said air inlet and means for controlling the supply of air from said source to said air inlet.

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said cam sleeve is concentrically disposed about said sleeve in spaced relation thereto so as to provide an air passageway between said sleeve and said cam sleeve which is in communication with said cavity in said collar, an air inlet in said sleeve in communication with said cavity in said collar for supplying air into said cavity and through said air passageway to blow the neck portion of said closure cap, and a source of air coupled to said air inlet in said sleeve.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel is axially offset with respect to the center axis of said pair of relatively movable mold forms and said pair of neck jaw mold forms.

[9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises a tubular sleeve, the lower terminal end of said sleeve cooperating with said pair of neck jaw mold forms to weaken the flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith, the sidewalls of said tubular sleeve being formed to provide a plurality of flexible fingers therein, the lower terminal end of said flexible fingers cooperating with said pair of neck jaw mold forms to form a corresponding number of outwardly extending cavities in the neck portion of a closure cap for receiving therethrough partial threads formed on the neck portion of a container, a cam surface on each of said flexible fingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentrically disposed about said sleeve having a cam surface therein which is disposed to engage said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers to cause said flexible fingers to bend inwardly of said sleeve, and cam sleeve operating means for operating said carn sleeve to engage the cam surface therein with said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said filling spout being slidably disposed within said sleeve.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel is axially offset with respect to the center axis of said pair of relatively movable mold forms and said pair of neck jaw mold forms so as to form a narrow in width flange connection about a substantial portion of the diameter of the neck portion of a container and a relatively wide in width flange connection about the remaining portion of the diameter.

Claims

1. Apparatus for molding, filling and sealing containers from a tube of thermoplastic material comprising: a pair of relatively movable mold forms for forming a main body portion of the container including the bottom part of the container; a pair of neck jaw mold forms affixed respectively to said pair of movable mold forms for forming the neck portion of the container and the main body portion of a cap for said container; a pair of slidable upper cap forming mold forms for forming the top of said cap to seal said container; a mandrel including a filling spout, means for introducing said filling spout into the open end of a length of said tube, means associated with said filling spout for supplying fluid under pressure into said tube to expand it into contact with said mold forms to form the main body portion of the container and for supplying a flowable material into the formed container, said mandrel and said pair of neck jaw mold forms having means cooperating to provide a weakened flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith so as to permit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneously twisting and lifting it, or by twisting and downwardly engaging said cap with said container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mandrel is adjustably affixed to said filling spout so as to be vertically adjustably displaced with respect to it to adjust the spacing between the pointed flange on the terminal end thereof and the molding surface on said pair of neck jaw mold forms, whereby the depth of said annular groove can be controlled.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms are formed to provide an upstanding pointed annular flange, and the terminal end of said mandrel has a flat horizontally disposed molding surface on it which cooperates with said annular flange to pinch the tube therebetween to form an annular groove in the flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith on the exterior surface thereof to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneously twisting and lifting it.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said mandrel is adjustably affixed to said filling spout so as to be vertically adjustably displaced with respect to it to adjust the spacing between the molding surface on its terminal end and the annular pointed flange on said pair of neck jaw mold forms, whereby the depth of said annular groove can be controlled.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form an annular recessed groove in the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection between said neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severed portion of said flange connection which remains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from said container will snap-fittingly engage in said recessed groove in the neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form an annular recessed groove in the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection between said neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severed portion of said flange connection which remains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from said container will snap-fittingly engage in said recessed groove in the neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form interior peripheral threads on the neck portion of said container and have an annular pointed flange which is disposed to extend horizontally into the mold cavity formed therebetween at the terminal edge of said neck portion, a pair of cap forming mold forms affixed atop said pair of nEck jaw mold forms for forming the main body portion of a cap and a neck portion having external peripheral threads on it on said main body portion of said cap, said neck portion and the threads thereon being proportioned to threadably fit into the neck portion of said container to reclose said container when said cap is severed from said container, said pair of slidable upper cap forming mold forms being disposed atop said pair of cap forming mold forms, said mandrel having a conical-shaped end portion which tapers inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof, said conical-shaped end portion cooperating with said annular pointed flange of said pair of neck jaw mold forms to provide a substantially horizontally disposed recess in a flange connection between the neck portions of said container and said cap, to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from said container.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form peripheral threads on the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection between said neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severed portion of said flange connection which remains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from said container will threadedly engage with the peripheral threads formed on the neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises a tubular sleeve, the lower terminal end of said sleeve cooperating with said pair of neck jaw mold forms to weaken the flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith, the side walls of said tubular sleeve being formed to provide a plurality of flexible fingers therein, a cam surface on each of said flexible fingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentrically disposed about said sleeve having a cam suRface therein which is disposed to engage said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers to cause said flexible fingers to bend inwardly of said sleeve, and cam sleeve operating means for operating said cam sleeve to engage the cam surface therein with said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said filling spout being slidably disposed within said sleeve.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further including an enlarged outwardly extending flange portion about the upper end of said cam sleeve, a collar removably affixed to said sleeve having an annular cavity therein for receiving and retaining therein the flange portion on said cam sleeve to affix the latter to said sleeve, biasing means within said cavity engaged with said flange portion for normally biasing said cam sleeve to disengage the cam surface therein from the cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said cam sleeve operating means operating said cam sleeve against said biasing means to engage said cam surfaces.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said biasing means normally bias said cam sleeve vertically downwardly with respect to said sleeve, an air inlet in said collar in communication with the cavity therein for impinging air beneath the flange portion on said cam sleeve to vertically raise said cam sleeve with respect to said sleeve to engage the cam surfaces to bend said flexible fingers, said cam sleeve operating means comprising a source of air coupled to said air inlet and means for controlling the supply of air from said source to said air inlet.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said cam sleeve is concentrically disposed about said sleeve in spaced relation thereto so as to provide an air passageway between said sleeve and said cam sleeve which is in communication with said cavity in said collar, an air inlet in said sleeve in communication with said cavity in said collar for supplying air into said cavity and through said air passageway to blow the neck portion of said closure cap, and a source of air coupled to said air inlet in said sleeve.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises a tubular sleeve, the lower terminal end of said sleeve cooperating with said pair of neck jaw mold forms to weaken the flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith, the side walls of said tubular sleeve being formed to provide a plurality of flexible fingers therein, the lower terminal end of said flexible fingers cooperating with said pair of neck jaw mold forms to form a corresponding number of outwardly extending cavities in the neck portion of a closure cap for receiving therethrough partial threads formed on the neck portion of a container, a cam surface on each of said flexible fingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentrically disposed about said sleeve having a cam surface therein which is disposed to engage said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers to cause said flexible fingers to bend inwardly of said sleeve, and cam sleeve operating means for operating said cam sleeve to engage the cam surface therein with said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said filling spout being slidably disposed within said sleeve.