Patent ID: 7150847

Claim:
A method for forming a container spout ( 14 ) having a peripheral flange ( 18 ), a generally cylindrical sidewall ( 28 ) extending from an inner perimeter ( 22 ) of the flange to a lip ( 24 ), a closure coupling formation ( 26 ) on an outer surface of the sidewall ( 28 ), a removable panel ( 30 ) fixed within the sidewall ( 28 ), and a pull ring ( 32 ) connected to the removable panel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first mold element ( 44 ) including a gate ( 45 ) through which plastics material can be injected and a surface ( 46 ) at least partially defining the peripheral flange ( 18 ) and removable panel ( 30 ), providing a core element ( 62 ) including an end surface ( 64 ) confronting the first mold element ( 44 ) to partially define the removable panel, providing a sleeve ( 76 ) surrounding the core element ( 62 ) having an end surface ( 78 ) confronting the first mold element ( 44 ) to partially define the removable panel, an outward facing surface ( 80 ) at least partially defining the sidewall, and an inward facing surface ( 82 ) confronting the core element, the inward facing surface including a channel ( 84 ) coupled to the sleeve end surface ( 78 ) at least partially defining the pull ring, providing a stripper ring ( 96 ) surrounding the sleeve having an edge ( 88 ) positioned contiguous to the sleeve outward facing surface ( 80 ) and an arcuate portion ( 100 ) immediately adjacent to the sleeve at least partially defining the lip ( 24 ) of the sidewall, moving the core element ( 62 ), sleeve ( 76 ) and stripper ring ( 96 ) as a unit in a first direction (Y) away from the first mold element ( 44 ), retracting the core element ( 62 ) within the sleeve ( 76 ) by a distance sufficient to expose the channel ( 84 ) coupled to the sleeve end surface ( 78 ) at least partially defining the pull ring, withdrawing the sleeve ( 76 ) relative to the stripper ring ( 96 ) by a distance sufficient to remove the sleeve from within the container spout sidewall ( 28 ) and to remove the pull ring ( 32 ) from the channel on the inside surface of the sleeve ( 76 ). and advancing the sleeve ( 76 ) relative to the stripper ring ( 96 ) sufficient to cause the sleeve end surface ( 78 ) to contact the pull ring ( 32 ) and thereby separate the container spout ( 14 ) from the stripper ring.