IP Library Granted Patent US 12,017,816
Granted Patent B2
US 12,017,816 · App. 18/377,501 · Granted Jun 25, 2024

Lightweight plastic container and preform

Inventors: Richard C. Darr (Medina, OH); Edward V. Morgan (Northville, MI)
Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
B65D1/0246B29B11/14B29C48/141B29C49/071B29C49/46B65D1/0207B65D1/023B65D1/0284B65D1/40B65D1/44B65D1/46B65D43/0235B29B11/08B29C49/06B29C49/08B29C2049/4664B29C2949/072B29C2949/073B29C2949/074B29C2949/0773B29C2949/0774B29C2949/0777B29C2949/0812B29C2949/0816B29C2949/0821B29C2949/0822B29C2949/0825B29C2949/0829B29C2949/0831B29C2949/0834B29C2949/0872B29K2067/00B29K2067/003B29K2105/258B29K2105/26B29L2031/7158Y10T428/1352Y10T428/1397
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,017,816
App. No.
18/377,501
Granted
Jun 25, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A plastic preform includes a hollow body portion including a closed base portion and a lower portion and a lower portion extending upwardly from the closed bottom portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening positioned at a top of the neck portion, threads positioned below the dispensing opening, a tamper-evident formation having a lower surface and positioned directly below the threads, and a support flange having an upper surface and a lower surface and positioned below the tamper-evident formation. In an embodiment, the plastic preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and a vertical distance from the lower surface of the tamper-evident formation to the lower surface of the support flange is from 0.125 to 0.150 inches. Containers and methods for molding preforms and making containers are also disclosed.

Claims (60)

1. A method for injection molding a plastic preform, the plastic preform comprising:

a hollow body portion, comprising:

a closed bottom portion; and

a lower portion extending upwardly from the closed bottom portion; and

a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion, the neck portion including:

a dispensing opening positioned at a top of the neck portion;

threads positioned below the dispensing opening;

a tamper-evident formation positioned directly below the threads, the tamper-evident formation having a lower surface; and

a support flange positioned below the tamper-evident formation, the support flange having an upper surface and a lower surface;

wherein the plastic preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET); and a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.425 to 0.500 inches.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance from the top of the neck portion to a lower surface of the tamper-evident formation is from 0.30 to 0.31 inches.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance from the top of the neck portion to a lower surface of the tamper-evident formation is about 0.31 inches.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the tamper-evident formation to the lower surface of the support flange is from 0.125 to 0.150 inches.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.435 to 0.500 inches.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.425 to 0.450 inches.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.450 to 0.500 inches.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the threads comprise non-vented threads.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the threads comprise multiple-lead threads.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance from the upper surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.40 to 0.50 inches.

11. A method for injection molding a plastic preform, the plastic preform comprising:

a hollow body portion, comprising:

a closed bottom portion; and

a lower portion extending upwardly from the closed bottom portion; and

a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion, the neck portion including:

a dispensing opening positioned at a top of the neck portion;

threads positioned below the dispensing opening;

a tamper-evident formation positioned below the threads, the tamper-evident formation having a lower surface; and

a support flange positioned below the tamper-evident formation, the support flange having an upper surface and a lower surface;

wherein the plastic preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.425 to 0.500 inches; and an outside diameter of the support flange is greater than 22 mm and less than or equal to 39.2 mm.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the tamper-evident formation to the upper surface of the support flange is from 0.08 to 0.09 inches.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.435 to 0.500 inches.

14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.425 to 0.450 inches.

15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.450 to 0.500 inches.

16. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the threads comprise non-vented threads.

17. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the threads comprise multiple-lead threads.

18. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a vertical distance from the top of the neck portion to a lower surface of the tamper-evident formation is about 0.31 inches.

19. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a vertical distance from the upper surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.40 to 0.50 inches.

20. The method according to claim 11 , a vertical distance from the lower surface of the tamper-evident formation to the lower surface of the support flange is from 0.125 to 0.150 inches.

21. A method for injection molding a plastic preform, the plastic preform comprising:

a hollow body portion, comprising:

a closed bottom portion; and

a lower portion extending upwardly from the closed bottom portion; and

a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion, the neck portion including:

a dispensing opening positioned at a top of the neck portion;

threads positioned below the dispensing opening;

a tamper-evident formation positioned directly below the threads, the tamper-evident formation having a lower surface; and

a support flange positioned below the tamper-evident formation, the support flange having an upper surface and a lower surface;

wherein the plastic preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and includes recycled material; an outside diameter of the support flange is greater than 22 mm and less than or equal to 39.2 mm; a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.425 to 0.500 inches; and a vertical distance from the lower surface of the tamper-evident formation to the upper surface of the support flange is from 0.08 to 0.09 inches.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein a vertical distance from the top of the neck portion to a lower surface of the tamper-evident formation is about 0.31 inches.

23. The method according to claim 21 , wherein a vertical distance from the lower surface of the tamper-evident formation to the lower surface of the support flange is about 0.125 inches.

24. A method for injection molding a plastic preform, the plastic preform comprising:

a hollow body portion, comprising:

a closed bottom portion; and

a lower portion extending upwardly from the closed bottom portion; and

a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion, the neck portion including:

a dispensing opening positioned at a top of the neck portion;

threads positioned below the dispensing opening;

a tamper-evident formation positioned below the threads, the tamper-evident formation having a lower surface; and

a support flange positioned below the tamper-evident formation, the support flange having an upper surface and a lower surface;

wherein the plastic preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a vertical distance from the lower surface of the support flange to the top of the neck portion is from 0.425 to 0.450 inches.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2025
From: PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074028/0732 →