Method for reforming a portion of a plastic container to include a transferable element, and the resulting container
US8257636B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/1352
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reforming a portion of a blow molded plastic container includes directing energy from a heater onto the portion of the container so as to heat the portion while leaving the remainder of the container relatively unheated. The heated portion of the container is then engaged by a reforming tool having an embossed or imprinted characteristic on a contact surface of the reforming tool so as to reform the portion of the container and form a three-dimensional feature thereon which is not reproducible without using the method and/or apparatus of the present invention. Alternatively, the heated portion of the container is engaged by a reforming tool having a transferable element on a contact surface of the reforming tool so as to reform the portion of the container and transfer the transferable element to the portion of the container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.