IP Library Granted Patent US 7,118,371
Granted Patent B2
US 7,118,371 · App. 10/634,530 · Granted Oct 10, 2006

Apparatus for introducing plastic material into an annular mold cavity

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,118,371
App. No.
10/634,530
Filed
Aug 5, 2003
Granted
Oct 10, 2006
Kind
B2
Art Unit
1722
USPC
425/546
Abstract

An injection molding apparatus ( 10, 110 ) for molding an annular thermoplastic element, such as an annular closure element (E) with no more than a single weldline in the annular extent of the thermoplastic element. The thermoplastic element is molded in an annular mold cavity ( 12, 112 ), and moldable thermoplastic material (M) is introduced into the mold cavity from a coaxially-aligned annular flow path ( 18, 118 ) that is defined between a sliding sleeve ( 24, 124 ) and an annular member ( 22, 122 ). The sliding sleeve surrounds and is slideable with respect to a fixed pin ( 26, 126 ) and is slideable between a first, or forward, position, where no thermoplastic material can flow into the mold cavity, and a second, or rearward, position, where thermoplastic material can flow into the mold cavity. Thermoplastic material is introduced into the annular flow path, at a location upstream of the second position of the sliding sleeve, in a single stream through a passage ( 28, 128 ) to limit the weldlines in the molded thermoplastic element to no more than one.

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for introducing a moldable thermoplastic material into an annular mold cavity to mold an annular thermoplastic part that has no more than a single weld line therein, said apparatus comprising:

an annular mold cavity having an annular opening thereinto;

a fixed pin axially aligned with the opening of the mold cavity and being immovable during molding relative to the opening of the mold cavity;

a passage extending through said fixed pin for venting air from said mold cavity;

an annular sleeve surrounding the fixed pin and being moveable with respect to the fixed pin between a first position that is adjacent to the mold cavity and a second position that is away from the mold cavity to define, with the fixed pin when in the second position, an annular path for introducing moldable thermoplastic material into the annular opening of the mold cavity; and

means for introducing moldable thermoplastic material into the annular path, at a location upstream of the second position of the annular sleeve, in no more than a single path.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said means for introducing comprises a passage that extends at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal central axis of said annulus mold cavity.

Assignments (27)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded May 5, 2025
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH (SUCCESSOR TO CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH), AS TERM LOAN COLLATERAL AGENT; BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ABL COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS, LLC (F/K/A AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.); BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION; BERRY PLASTICS FILMCO, INC.; BERRY PLASTICS HOLDING CORPORATION; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; COVALENCE SPECIALTY ADHESIVES LLC; FIBERWEB, INC.; FIBERWEB, LLC; KERR GROUP, LLC; LETICA CORPORATION; LETICA RESOURCES, INC.; PLIANT, LLC; ROLLPAK CORPORATION; F&S TOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 071168/0009 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0634 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0753 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0464 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0365 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0259 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 071165/0323 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2024
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS, LLC (F/K/A AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; F/K/A POLYMER GROUP, INC.); FIBERWEB, LLC.; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 069306/0067 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2024
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 066354/0346 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LISTING OF PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 055742 FRAME: 0522. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jun 21, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064053/0415 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 055009 FRAME: 0450. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jun 21, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064050/0207 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 056759 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jun 21, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064050/0377 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 055616 FRAME: 0527. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jun 21, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064050/0620 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LISTING OF PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 058954 FRAME: 0677. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jun 21, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064053/0867 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LISTING OF PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 054840 FRAME 0047. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jun 21, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064142/0855 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063348/0639 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE LISTING OF PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054840 FRAME: 0047. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 058954/0581 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE LISTING OF PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 055009 FRAME: 0450. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 058954/0677 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2021
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056759/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LISTING OF PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 055009 FRAME 0450. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Mar 11, 2021
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055742/0522 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LISTING OF PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054840 FRAME: 0047. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Mar 11, 2021
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055616/0527 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 15, 2021
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055009/0450 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 23, 2020
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054840/0047 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 6, 2020
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051485/0318 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 24, 2019
From: AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; BERRY PLASTICS FILMCO, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; COVALENCE SPECIALTY ADHESIVES LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; PLIANT, LLC; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; ROLLPAK CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH; BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049845/0054 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 2, 2019
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049671/0171 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 8, 2019
From: AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; BERRY PLASTICS FILMCO, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; COVALENCE SPECIALTY ADHESIVES LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; PLIANT, LLC; PRIME LABEL AND SCREEN INCORPORATED; ROLLPAK CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA; CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 049121/0864 →