Patent ID: 7153466
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: B29B,B29C,B29L,B65D

Abstract:
1. A method for making a blow-molded article, comprising the steps of: providing a flowable thermoplastic member in a generally tubular configuration closed at one end; enclosing the flowable thermoplastic member in a cavity of a mold, the mold having a side wall inner surface encircling a central longitudinal axis of the mold and having a base wall inner surface adjacent the closed end of the flowable thermoplastic member; providing a circumferentially extending groove in the side wall inner surface of the mold at a location spaced longitudinally from the base wall inner surface; inflating the flowable thermoplastic member to cause flowable thermoplastic material to expand against and conform to the side wall and base wall inner surfaces of the mold to form an article comprising a base wall and a tubular side wall; and heating a region of the mold adjacent the groove to a higher temperature than other portions of the mold outside said region so as to heat the flowable thermoplastic material that is blown into the groove such that the groove is substantially entirely filled by the thermoplastic material so as to form a solid flange extending radially outwardly from the side wall of the article.