Patent ID: 8257636
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: B29B,B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of reforming a portion of a plastic container, comprising: providing a previously formed and cooled plastic container having a smaller upper portion and a larger remainder; directing energy from a heater onto only the upper portion of the container to heat the upper portion, the remainder of the container remaining relatively unheated; contacting the upper portion of the container with a contact surface of first and second reforming tools, the contact surface having at least one embossed or imprinted characteristic or at least one transferable element and the first and second reforming tools being spaced apart from the heater and defining a cavity receiving the upper portion of the container after the upper portion has been heated; only the heated upper portion between the first and second reforming tools to eliminate manufacturing imperfections on the upper portion of the container, to reform the upper portion of the container, and to transfer to the upper portion of the container the at least one embossed or imprinted characteristic or at least one transferable element; and removing the reforming tools from the upper portion of the container, wherein manufacturing imperfections have been eliminated from the upper portion of the container, the upper portion of the container has been reformed, and the upper portion of the container includes the at least one embossed or imprinted characteristic or at least one transferable element.