TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to improvements in and or relating to blow-moulding handled containers in PET or like plastics and related preforms, methods and apparatus. BACKGROUND ART

While handles have been capable of being integrally provided on extrusion blow- moulded products made from a variety of plastics, it has not until very recently been possible to provide (useful for decanting from the bottle or container) integral handles utilising ISB Technology where the material is of biaxially oriented PET plastics or a plastic having similar moulding characteristics.

PET for containers has certain advantages in that it can provide very thin walled bodies to the containers provided there has been crystalline orientation of a required type during the blow-moulding.

Examples of extrusion blow moulded products that have integral handles abound, see, for example, New Zealand Registered Design Nos, 8122, 9923, 12497, 17569, 18238, 18795, 20395, 20597, 21127, 21317, 21921, 22345, 22802, 22807, 22809, 22950, 25603, and 24739. One approach to the provision of a handle on a biaxially oriented PET bottle has been that of Labplas NZ Ltd which uses a castellate or bayonet type engagement of a moulded handle structure with the already stretch blow-moulded bottle. See for example, New Zealand Registered Design No. 24233.

Another approach with biaxially oriented PET has been the in-mould location of a premoulded handle form and the subsequent mechanical capturing and/or melding ^• therewith of the container being blown from a standard preform. In this respect see New Zealand Registered Design No. 23888.

UK Patent Application GB 2041286A of Yosliino Kogyoshi Co disclosed a synthetic resin (eg. a saturated polyester resin) bottle being created by the steps of (i) injection moulding a parison with a handle integrally moulded to extend

from lower regions of the parison neck, and

(ii) then after heating the parison and the blowmould biaxially orienting the container during the blowing. The handle form required must be protected during the blow moulding process by complex mould parts and the only embodiment envisaged where die handle connects top and bottom to the completed bottle is where the parison itself is moulded with die handle already so connected.

PCT/US81/00056 [WO82/02369] of M. Thompson discloses a variant of the process of GB 2041286A where die handle in die completed bottle is connected top and bottom, yet in die parison or perform, was not ie. injection moulded to be integrally connected at the top only. It also discloses forms (eg. Figure 3) where die handle form is protected during blow moulding between mould parts that require axial separation (with respect to the botde axis), and forms (Figures 5 to 9) where during blow moulding causes me expanding preform to conform to the handle extremity in the same manner as it does to die mould so as to key die barrel of die botde to the handle extremity. Figure 16D of WO82/02369 shows a variant of me Figure 5 to 9 form where mould pieces as shown in Figures 17A to 17C coact to axially (with respect to d e preform/botde axis) force. The handle of die preform into a cavity de ined by mould halves for blow moulding die barrel of the botde, die mould halves being separable laterally of die preform/botde axis. EPA 0061511 Al of Ethyl Corporation discloses the injection moulding of a handled preform, its optional heat conditioning prior to blow moulding, and its blow moulding while die preformed handle remains protected. It does not show means of capturing die extremity of the preformed handle by die barrel of the blown botde.

Japanese Patent (1994)6/99986 of Toppan Insatsu Co (published 12 April 1994) discloses die blow moulding of a preform to capture a separately injection moulded handle as well as the blow moulding of a handled preform having at its extremity a handle fixing sheet during the blow moulding step which presents a heat sensitive adhesive layer to die barrel of die botde being blown so as to trap die handle extremity between the ixing sheet and die barrel. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention provides for a procedure and related components, methods

and apparatus which enables PET to be moulded, brought at least momentarily to a preform stage and tiien to be indexed into a mould for stretch blow-moulding to provide a stretch blow-moulded container or botde (hereafter "botde") which includes an integral handle extending from me shoulder or neck (hereafter "neck") thereof. Such a procedure can, in at least some embodiments, fix the lower extremity of the preform handle to die blown barrel. As such die present invention should at least provide die public with a useful choice.

Preferably the preform to be used is of a plastics material (preferably of PET), preferably at above stretch blow moulding temperature(s), said preform being of a form capable of being stretch blow moulded to form a botde or container (hereafter "botde") having a closure engageable (eg; screw threaded) neck with die moutii or opening of said botde to be formed and having a handle or a precursor form thereof integrally formed as part of said preform extending from or adjacent die closure engageable neck.

Preferably said handle integrally formed as part of said preform has a distal region, ie; does not return to be integral witii die preform elsewhere.

Preferably said distal region of said handle is to be encompassed by blown parts of said preform (ie; die botde body) so as to provide at least a mechanical capturing tiiereof (eg; wrap around).

Preferably said preform is indexable to the centre line of a two part mould of a injection stretch blow moulding machine by reference to and/or use of said handle or precursor form -thereof.

Preferably said preform is of PET and is of a form substantially as hereinafter described.

Preferably said preform has the handle integrally formed as part of said preform with a distal region, said distal region being at the end of a tang region of said handle tiiat extends substantially parallel to (any or) the general longitudinal axis of that part to be blow moulded into die body of die botde or container.

Preferably tiiat portion of die preform to be blow moulded to form a bottie or container is substantially circular in cross section. Preferably said substantially circular section is substantially an annulus section save near die base thereof.

Preferably said substantially annular section is shghdy tapered to a reduced overall girth near die bottom thereof, ie. tiiat end remote from d e opening.

Preferably said tang region of said handle of die preform extends from a shoulder¬ like part of die handle tiiat is integral from die neck or adjacent die neck of die preform. Preferably said integral shoulder-like part at or near said neck to said tang (remote from die distal end thereof) is substantially rigid, ie. preferably more rigid man die tang region or preferably it deforms only shghdy under loadings on die distal end region of said tang, notwithstanding some deflection of die handle.

Preferably said handle is of a form such that (a) it can be injection moulded,

(b) at least said shoulder-like part has a part line that extends along said handle in a plane that includes die general longitudinal axis of that portion of the preform to be blow moulded to form a botde or a container,

(c) a two part tool defines or can define at least die direaded region of die preform, such two part mould having a separation axis that is substantially in die plane of said general longitudinal axis of that portion of the preform to be blow moulded to form a botde or container and preferably also includes said part line of said shoulder-like part of said handle,

(d) a single mould member only is required internally of that portion of die preform to be blow moulded to form said botde or container, and/or

(e) me assembly of mould parts to define the exterior of die majority of the portion of the preform to be blow moulded to form a botde or container and die tang region of the handle of die preform is such as to allow die removal from such a mould assembly of die preform when sufficientiy cooled by means of co-acting mould pieces exteriorly of die direaded region thereof which have moulded such direaded region and preferably at least die exterior or said shoulder-like part.

In some forms said preform may be of a configuration (save for die integral handle form extending from the neck) substantially as disclosed in, by way of example, US

Patent Specification No. 4588620 of Emhart Industries, Inc. The injection stretch blow moulded plastics container of the present invention

(preferably of PET) is blow mouldable to have a closure engageable neck to close the mouth or opening diereof and has extending from adjacent to die neck (ie; die "shoulder") an integral handle preferably integral at me top and captured and/or adhesively heat fixed at its lower (preform) extremity. Preferably die distal end of said handle is at least mechanically captured by part of the body provided by the blown preform.

Preferably the injection/stretch blow moulded plastics container (preferably of PET) has a closure engageable neck to close die moutii or opening diereof and has extending from adjacent tiiereto an integral handle having, or which at least had, in its preform version, a distal end, said injection stretch blow moulded plastics container having being blown in a two part blow mould while being indexed to die centre line of die two part mould by or by reference to die handle of said preform.

Preferably biaxially oriented PET container has an integral handle structure attached to the shoulder diereof below die closure engageable neck diereof (which includes the moutii or opening), said neck, shoulder and handle each being of a form substantially as in their preform stage, said preform having been moulded and stretch blown prior to any substantial cooling below the stretch blow moulding temperature.

Preferably die preform was stretch blown in a two part blow mould using die integral handle of the preform to index to die centre line of die two part mould preferably while still being clamped at the closure engageable neck diereof by die multipart mould

(preferably two piece with same part line as said two part blow mould) mat moulded die clamped region(s) of said closure engageable neck.

Preferably die a biaxially oriented container is formed from PET or a plastics material having similar moulding characteristics, said container having been blown from a preform which included an integral handle structure while die preform was still being clamped at the closure engageable neck diereof by die multipart mould that moulded die clamped region of said closure engageable neck.

Preferably said multipart mould is a two piece mould.

Preferably die preform has been stretch blown in a two part blow mould. Preferably said two part blow mould and said two piece mould tiiat moulded die

clamped region(s) of said closure engageable neck have at least during die blow moulding process a common part line.

Preferably said common part line includes die integral handle structure. Preferably said integral handle structure remains substantially unchanged from its form as moulded at die preform stage.

Preferably said integral handle structure includes a distal end remote from its integral attachment at or adjacent the neck of die preform.

Preferably said two piece mould that moulded the clamped regjon(s) of said closure engageable neck has also moulded a shoulder like part of said integral handle structure and has remained clamped tiiereon during die blow moulding stage so as to index die integral handle structure to said common part line.

Preferably said two part mould in which die preform is stretch blown such as to allow a capturing of the distal end of said integral handle structure by die body region of die container. Preferably when stretch blown die preform is inflated to encompass a distal end region of die preform handle structure.

Preferably said distal end of die preform handle structure is positioned within the outer periphery (when viewed normal to die neck/shoulder axis of die botde). Preferably said bottle is one as previously set forth in any of its forms. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a bottle substantially as hereinafter described or which is made by a process substantially as herein described and/or using apparatus hereinafter described.

The present invention consists in a stretch blow moulded plastics container having been formed by first an injection mould procedure and then by a stretch blow moulding of the injection moulded preform or parison, the invention being characterised in that

(a) in die injection moulding stage a handled preform is created having an integral handled to extend from a closure engageable neck or from below die closure engageable neck of die preform and to have a distal extremity capable of being captured and/or contacted when the barrel of die preform is blow moulded, said injection moulding being

performed using amongst other mould components at least a two part mould which moulds at least die exterior of said closure engageable neck of die preform, and

(b) said at least two part mould is used to index die preform with and to co-act with mould components of die stretch blow moulding station. Preferably said at least two part mould is a two part mould with a part line at least substantially on a plane through the elongate axis of the preform or parallel thereto.

Preferably die partline of said two part mould is on die non distal region of said handle only.

Preferably said blow mould components are or include a two part mould with a part line at least substantially on a plane through die longitudinal axis of die blown barrel region of die container.

Preferably the two said part lines are substantially on a common plane.

Preferably said blow mould components included means to urge die distal extremity of the handle inwardly but men to move away therefrom so as to allow some handle extremity envelopment by the blown barrel of die preform.

In anomer aspect e invention consists in a method of manufacturing a bottle or container (hereinafter "botde") of PET which comprises die steps of melting the PET, forming from the molten PET, in a first mould assembly, a preform capable of being stretch blow moulded to die form of die botde, said preform having a neck region which, once the botde is formed, is to be engageable by a screw closure to close die mouth or opening diereof and having adjacent but below die direaded neck region, a handle or a precursor for a handle, said handle or precursor for a handle having a distal extremity region, and without allowing die preform to cool (at least to any substantial degree) to a temperature or temperatures below the stretch blow moulding temperature for at least die barrel region diereof to be stretch inflated, in a second mould assembly, stretch blowing die barrel region of die preform to define said bottle, and wherein (i) said preform after creation in said first mould assembly is manoeuvred by said neck and/or said handle by part of said first mould assembly into a

two part blow mould for said barrel region and is indexed relative to die centre line diereof by reference to die handle, said two part blow mould (plus its blow nozzle) and said part of first mould assembly form at least part of said second mould assembly, and/or

(ii) in the stretch blow moulding step, means deflects die tang or extremity of the handle inwardly towards die remainder of die preform for a sufficient period and is such a way as to enable a better wrap around of die distal regions of die tang or said extremity by die body of die botde or container being blown from said barrel region, ie. by presenting me distal region of the handle more inwardly it encounters sooner the plastics material being blown which is both tiiicker at that position and hotter. Preferably both (i) and (ii) occurs.

Preferably the part lines of tiiose parts of die first mould assembly and those parts of die second mould assembly for said barrel region are substantially coincident.

Preferably said substantially coincident part lines are in a plane or planes that include said handle. Preferably said means for deflecting the tang or extremity inwardly is means reproducibly moveable to achieve said deflection for a sufficient period of time yet to move so as not to substantially (if at all) interfere with die said wrap around.

Preferably said means is a pivotal member actuated by a reciprocating member such a pneumatic, hydraulic or solenoidal member. Preferably said pivotal member is pivoted from a pivot axis which is substantially perpendicular to die general longitudinal axis of the preform and is (with respect to radial projections from die preform) not closer to the neck region of the preform than said distal end of die tang region of said handle.

In yet another aspect die invention consists in apparatus for providing an injection/stretch blow moulded PET container or a container of a plastics material having similar characteristics to that of biaxially oriented PET insofar as moulding requirements are concerned, said apparatus comprising means providing a first mould assembly to mould from molten plastics feedstock a preform capable of being stretch blow moulded to form a botde, said preform having a neck engageable with a screw closure to seal die moutii or opening diereof and having

adjacent a handle or a precursor for a handle having one distal extremity, means forming part of said first mould assembly to present said preform into a second mould assembly of which said part forms part and to stretch blow mould die preform to define said botde, and means to open the second mould assembly and to allow and/or cause die removal of die completed bottle therefrom by said part of said first mould assembly.

Preferably said stretch blow mould assembly is a two part mould insofar as the barrel region of die preform is concerned.

Preferably said means to present and or means to allow removal engages at least in part non distal regions of said handle or precursor diereof.

Preferably tiiere is included means to at least momentarily move the distal extremity inwardly towards die barrel region as or prior to its being blown.

In still a further aspect the invention comprises apparatus for providing an injection/stretch blow moulded PET container (or a container of a plastics material having similar characteristics of bi-axially oriented PET insofar as moulding requirements are concerned), said apparatus comprising

(I)(a) means to define injection mould cavities to define

(i) die main body region of a preform to be capable of being blow moulded to form die body of a bottle or container, said cavity having a general elongate axis, and (ii) a tang region of an integral handle of die preform which likewise has a general longitudinal axis to a distal end thereof, said two general longitudinal axes being substantially parallel,

(b) an assembly of radially separable (with respect to the thread of the closure engageable neck of die preform being formed) mould parts capable of defining die outer surface of me neck and/or head regions of the preform and the upper (or outer) surface of a shoulder-like part of said integral handle from which said tang region depends, said mould parts being separable at least on a separation line which includes said shoulder-like part, and

(c) a mould part to define the inside of the preform and the mouth or opening diereof,

at least one or more of die mould components allowing die injection of plastics into die moulding cavity to die configuration of said preform,

(II) means to remove said preform once formed from said mould parts 1(a) and 1(c) while it is still being held by mould parts 1(b), (HI) a two part blow mould into which the preform of (II) can be contained and blown while still associated with mould parts 1(b).

Preferably said 1(a) parts include a form to define at least the underside of said shoulder-like part.

Preferably said two part blow mould (III) includes means to allow the wrap around of said distal end by die blown container body.

Preferably means during and/or prior to die blowing step is provided to urge said distal end towards said blow mouldable part of said preform.

In otiier aspects die invention comprises a blow moulded PET container (or a container of a plastics material having similar characteristics to that of a biaxially oriented PET insofar as moulding requirements are concerned) mat has been blown

(a) a method as previously defined and/or

(b) apparatus as previously defined.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a blow moulded PET container (or a container of a plastics material having similar characteristics to that of a biaxially oriented PET insofar as moulding requirements are concerned) that has been blown using a preform in accordance with die present invention prior to its being cooled substantially below (if at all) blow moulding temperatures or has been blown from a parison formed by such a preform after appropriate reheating to blow moulding temperatures, or using a metiiod in accordance witii the present invention or using apparatus in accordance with the present invention or in a manner substantially as hereinafter described witii reference to anyone or more of die accompanying drawings or any combination of any of the foregoing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In a less preferred form said preform is a previously moulded parison ie. may be used after cooling to ambient temperatures. This however creates some difficult in

reheating the preform uniformly for stretch blow-moulding because of die integral handle.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described witii reference to die accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred botde in accordance with die present invention showing die neck witii its screw-fit feature to enable engagement with a closure to seal the opening or mourn diereof and having a shoulder positioned there below from which an integral handle (which was present in die preform) extends and which has a distal end region preferably mechanically captured by die blow-moulded body region, Figure 2 is a view "AA" of die bottle of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a plan view "BB" with respect to die botde of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a similar side elevation view to that of Figure 1 but of the preform thereof, die neck, shoulder and body precursors of the botde of Figure 1 being shown in section, die preform showing extending from the shoulder region die preferred form of preform handle structure, and

Figures 5A through 5C show in sequence :

Figure 5A - die carrying of die preform after it has been moulded in die injection stations of die injection stretch blow moulding machine by a handling structure which engages to or carries at least in part by die handle structure for subsequent indexing purposes,

Figure 5B - where the arrangement of Figure 5 A has been indexed into a two part blow-mould, die handle being preferably used as a reference to die centre line of die preferred two part mould,

Figure 5C - showing how, after opening of the mould, die structure of Figure 5 A can carry the completed bottle for release at a product collection zone,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a more preferred form of preform clearly showing a strengthened form of handle over tiiat depicted in, for example, Figure 4, the integral handle region of die preform being essentially of two parts, ie. a tang region that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal preferably circular section of die preform and a shoulder-like region from at or adjacent die neck regions of die preform to die non-distal end region of die tang region, preferably tiiat shoulder-like region being sufficiently

strengthened by appropriate cross-sectional configuration, ie. webbing, ribbing etc. so as to render it reasonably rigid,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of tooling in accordance with die present invention showing by means of die cross hatching those surfaces of various mould parts that need not break (if at all) at that particular part line but showing in relation to the closure engaging region of die mould cavity one of preferably two mould parts that not only define die closure engaging thread but are capable of defining at least in part of the upper or outer surface of said handle and being used in concert to remove a moulded preform from the cavities while at the same time indexing die handle (preferably with its axis) for location subsequently witii respect to a blow mould,

Figure 8A is die same as Figure 7 showing the apparatus as it would be as the apparatus is about to be charged witii die plastics material to form the preform, Figures 7 & 8A not showing cooling conduiting within parts of die mould tiiat are useful to ensure a preferential cooling of die handle and neck regions of die preform (rather than die blow mouldable regions),

Figure 8B shows a preform injection moulded by such cavities, Figure 8C shows the next stage, ie. the removal of die mould part from internally of the preform,

Figure 8D is the next stage with sliding out of die preform from its mould cavities while still being retained by the two part mould piece which has defined in die preferred form not only the direaded region but also the outer or upper surface of die shoulder-like region from at or adjacent the neck to die tang region of die handle, and which separation will allow the carousel or other like movement of the preform witii respect to the cross hatched mould pieces to die blow mould, Figure 9A follows on from 8D but showing a blowing nozzle or mandrel capable of engaging the supporting two part mould carrying the preform and/or die preform itself when within the blow mould cavity and showing one part of the preferred two part blow mould which will preferably have a part axis indexed to the handle and in common with the preform carrying mould parts and which preferably includes reproducible moveable means which is actuable (for example by pneumatic ram - not shown) to bias the handle towards die body proper of die preform,

Figure 9B shows the apparatus in its assembled form ready for blow moulding witii die pivoted member just making contact with die tang region of die handle,

Figure 9C is a similar view to tiiat of Figure 9B but showing die inward deflection of the tang region of the handle such tiiat die distal end regions diereof encounter die blown preform plastics material while it is both thicker and hotter to achieve a better wrap around of die distal end region and thus its capture,

Figure 9D shows die preform having been blow moulded to achieve such a capture even as the pivoted means moves clear of the capturing plastics material for the distal end region, there being some natural bias on die handle to move outwardly to retain its engagement by the capturing blow moulded material,

Figure 9E shows yet a further stage with die blow mould being separated at the part line which is preferably coincident witii the part line of the two part mould pieces engaging die closure engageable regions of die neck and/or head,

Figure 9F shows the uplifting of die apparatus away from die mould cavity, Figure 9G shows the separation of die still retained container from die blow moulding head, and

Figure 10 shows the thus blow moulded container after the part line separation of the two parts of die apparatus tiiat previously botii formed the screw tiiread and part of the shoulder-like of die handle piece of die preform and of course supported it and indexed it during the subsequent stages.

In the preferred form of the present invention the plastics material is PET and is formed into a preform as shown in Figure 4. This preform 1 has a neck region 2, a shoulder region 3 and a body region 9. The handle 4, preferably in its final form, extends from the shoulder 3 and defines a distal region 5 which may be captured by the blown body as shown in Figure 1.

Since the preform of die kind depicted in Figure 4, if cooled to become a parison, presents difficulties for homogeneous heating to a stretch blow moulding temperature [if there is to be reliance on radiant heat or conduction] owing to the presence of die integral handle in the preferred form of the present invention the preform is not cooled to become a parison but is a preform that is only momentarily in existence and is preferably kept at or above a temperature at which it can be stretch blow moulded after it has been formed

from die molten PET. The method of forming can be conventional but preferably as indicated by reference to Figures 5A through 5C die apparatus 6 which carries the preform, by indexing to die handle structure 8 can ensure appropriate location of the handle 8 in the blow mould 7. Preferably each of the stages of 5 A dirough 5C take place on part of a carousel of a injection stretch blow-moulding machine of substantially a conventional form but which has been modified to accommodate a preform having an integral handle or to be moulded with said integral handle and to have the handle indexed into die blow mould and released dierefrom. A preferred form of die preform as shown in Figure 6. It includes a blow- mouldable region 9 which is preferably substantially of circular section but may not be a true annulus in cross-section since some weighting of die material to accommodate for standard moulding practices and the shape of the container may be required, thus resulting in slight variations in wall thickness to achieve die best moulding of die product by a standard blow-moulding technique and yet resulting in a product with die requisite strength. Similarly in relation to the closed bottom end.

The preform as shown in Figure 6 includes a tang region 10 of its handle which extends substantially parallel (with respect to its longitudinal axis) to die corresponding general longitudinal axis of the body member 9. The distal end 11 of the tang region 10 is preferably such that die preform is capable of being uplifted in a direction parallel to die said general longitudinal axes away from the distal end. This is important in order to simplify tooling. Nevertheless, in some forms of the present invention, forms of the distal end 11 can be envisaged that dirough die rounding, bulbing, or die like may nevertheless be extractable in a similar direction from tooling. The general neck region 30 of die preform [preferably below the single or multi start direaded region 14 and the ratchet like means 15 (for tamper evident closures and/or for child proof closures] defines a shoulder-like region 12 that extends to a region 13 where the tang 10 proper commences. The shoulder-like region 12 is preferably provided with a cross-section by means of webs or the like such that a two part mould capable of separation from the longitudinal axis of the shoulder-like 12 can achieve the requisite moulding. Preferably the tang region 10 and its distal end is such tiiat a simple cavity is

all that is required provided die tang 10 can be uplifted tiierefrom upon being pulled direcdy or indirectly by the shoulder-like region 12.

A preferred tool arrangement is shown in Figure 7 where the outer member 16 is shown with cross hatching to show what is not necessarily a part line and preferably is 5 not, although could be for die purpose of simplifying manufacture. Likewise die inner member 17 which as a plug locates with respect to die members 16 upwardly from below and opening to allow the movement of plastics is provided at 18 from below via an injection nozzle.

Also shown in Figure 7 cross hatched so as to indicate a surface that has been 10 broken and need not be a part line is die member 19 which has the function of defining the inner surface of the preform. The member 19 co-acts with a mould part 20 which does mate at a part line which is in die same plane as the cross hatched surfaces of each of die members 16, 17 and 19. This mould part defines the direaded region of die preform as well as the upper surface of die shoulder-like region to the tang region. Indeed die region 15 21 defines die indented regions 22 of the preform shown in Figure 6.

Not illustrated in Figure 7 for convenience are the means whereby fluid passage is achieved dirough die metal mass of mould part 16 to achieve selective cooling of the tang and/or shoulder-like regions of the preform. Likewise in respect of the members 17,

20 and 19 which may include some provision for heat exchange by use of a non-mingling

20 heat exchange liquid or conductive cooling to such a liquid.

Figure 8A dirough 9 shows a series of steps from die time of mould assembly on a machine through to the time of preform extraction for movement to a blow moulding zone or station.

Figure 8A shows the arrangement where it is then possible to inject plastics 25 material into the mould cavity.

Figure 8B shows die plastics material as it is after having filled die mould cavity.

Figure 8C shows die arrangement upon die uplifting of the mould part 19 from within the preform body 9 and clear of die head diereof.

Figure 8D shows how in a machine such as SBIII series machines sourced from

30 Aoki Technical Laboratories Inc, of Nagano-ken, Japan how it is possible for mated mould parts to uplift die preform after prel ninary cooling such that die neck and handle

regions retain their configuration for movement into a blow-mould while tiiere is still sufficient heat retention in die body region 9, such uplifting being possible witiiout any opening of the mould parts from which it has been withdrawn.

Figure 9 shows how a machine such as an Aoki SBIII series machine can use the members 20 that have moved the preform extracted from the moulding process of Figures 8A dirough 8D for positioning within a two part blow mould one half of which is shown as 24 in Figure 9A.

There then follows the procedure as depicted in Figures 9A dirough 9G whereby there is first a presenting of the clamped preform to the open blow-mould, a positioning of die members 20, die blow-mould head 25 and the preform 23 as appropriate to die blow-mould which is then closed, and thereafter the ensuing blowing and extraction procedures, such extraction again being achieved utilising die association of die two part mould 20 with the closure engagement region and die shoulder-like of die handle of die preform. A blow-moulded container as shown in Figures 10 results with a wrap around at

26 of die distal end region 11 of die preform 23.

A characteristic of blow moulding is that a handle of a preform as shown if left unconstrained against radial outward movement would be deformed outwardly in the blow-mould under the gas pressure witiiin the blown body 9. There is a preference to restrain the handle so that die appropriate association with die blown body can best take place. It has been found possible by a timed urging of die tang region inwardly towards the body 9 (as shown from the conditions shown in Figure 9B to the condition shown in Figure 9C) to achieve a better wrap around provided the means 27 is moved clear to allow such wrap around at the strategic time and to allow opening of the blow mould cavity halves.

The small amount of deflection between the condition of the distal end of the tang shown in Figure 9B through to tiiat shown in Figure 9C is such that a tiiicker body of die region 9 of the preform while hotter than would otherwise be the case contacts the distal end 11 thus giving rise to a better association and wrap around as die member 27 times its withdrawal to allow the continuation of such a wrap around.

The member 27 is preferably driven about its pivot axis 28 by appropriate means

such as a pneumatic ram that would connect at 29 and its timing of movement between the conditions shown throughout Figures 9A to 9G would be such as to maximise die wrap around at 26.

The air cylinder which actuates the pivoted member (in and out) preferably is activated by die same signal as the stretcher rod cylinder (up and down). The timing of the stretcher rod action in relation to the blow valve being activated is through a timed delay ie; blow initiated (low pressure), delay before stretcher rod down initiated, high pressure blow, high pressure blow times out, stretcher rod up, blow mould opens.

Preferably die pivoted member is held 'in' through the total blowing cycle although it could be timed to retract once the preform is fully inflated (preferably within 0.5 sec of initial blow signal). It is highly preferred that die pivoted member is retracted before the blow mould is opened; otherwise the product would be damaged as die support area would be entrapped in die blown contours of the botde.

Obviously reciprocal means to inwardly urge die tang are possible as to of course are forms that naturally configure the preform to be disposed more inwardly but without sufficient strength to prevent its withdrawal from a simple mould as shown in Figure 7.

Such other constructions are witiiin the ambit of the present invention but the lighter weight forms, but with die urging as depicted, are the most preferred.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how the present invention provides a clear alternative to existing methods of providing handles for containers or botties where die integral handles are not capable of being provided by existing technologies available for plastics such as bi-axially oriented PET.