Mid-America Machining v. Milacron Plastics - Complaint

8/21/2019 Mid-America Machining v. Milacron Plastics - Complaint

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

MID-AMERICA MACHINING, INC.

a Michigan corporation,

Plaintiff,

vs.

MILACRON PLASTICS TECHNOLOGIES

GROUP LLC

a Delaware limited liability company,

Defendant./

Case No.

Hon.

DEMAND FOR JURY

TRIAL

J. Michael Huget (P39150)Eric Sosenko (P43544)

Sarah E. Waidelich (admitted in New York)HONIGMAN MILLER SCHWARTZ AND COHN LLP

130 South First Street, Fourth Floor

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104

Tel: (734) 418-4254Fax: (734) [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Counsel for Plaintiff

______________________________________

2:15-cv-12168-MAG-EAS Doc # 1 Filed 06/15/15 Pg 1 of 37 Pg ID 1


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COMPLAINT AND JURY DEMAND

Pursuant to Rule 7(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiff Mid-

America Machining, Inc. (“Mid-America”) hereby provides its Complaint against

Defendant Milacron Plastics Technologies Group LLC (“Milacron” or “Uniloy”)

for patent infringement.

THE PARTIES

1. Plaintiff Mid-America is a corporation organized and existing under

the laws of the State of Michigan, having a registered address of 11530 Brooklyn

Road, Brooklyn, MI 49230.

2. Mid-America is a designer of containers, and a designer and

manufacturer of manufacturing equipment, such as extrusion blow molds and

tooling, and has a place of business in this jurisdiction at 11530 Brooklyn Road,

Brooklyn, MI 49230.

3. Upon information and belief, Milacron is a Delaware limited liability

company having a principal place of business in this jurisdiction at 5550 S.

Occidental Road Suite B, Tecumseh, MI 49286. Upon further information and

belief, Milacron sells infringing products in the United States, including within this

Judicial District, primarily under the brand name “Uniloy.”



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JURISDICTION AND VENUE

4. This action arises under the patent laws of the United States, Title 35,

Section 101 and 271, of the United States Code.

5. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a).

6. Upon information and belief, this Court has personal jurisdiction over

the Defendant because Defendant resides in this Judicial District, is registered to

do business in this Judicial District, and carries on a continuous and systematic part

of its general business within this Judicial District.

7. Upon information and belief, this Court also has personal jurisdiction

over the Defendant because Defendant regularly and continuously engages in

substantial sales and other business transactions in the Eastern District of

Michigan, and has sold infringing products and/or committed infringing acts in this

Judicial District. Further, Defendant has placed infringing products into the stream

of commerce knowing and intending that this Judicial District was, and is, a likely

destination of those products. This Court has personal jurisdiction over the

Defendant because Defendant caused injury to Plaintiff in this Judicial District.

Further, based upon information and belief, Defendant has substantial contacts

with this forum as a result of pervasive business activities conducted within the



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State of Michigan and within this Judicial District, including but not limited to the

selling or offering for sale of infringing products.

8. Venue is proper in this Judicial District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391

and 1400.

NATURE OF THIS ACTION

9. This is a civil action against Defendant Milacron for infringement of

certain United States patents arising under the laws of the United States set forth in

Title 35 of the United States Code.

10. Mid-America has numerous patents in the United States relating to

extrusion blow molds, tooling for machinery platforms, and various containers.

11. Mid-America seeks an award of monetary damages, including costs

and attorneys’ fees pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §§ 284 and 285 for violation of 35 U.S.C.

§ 271.

12. Mid-America further seeks an award preliminarily and permanently

enjoining and restraining Defendant from infringing the Patents-in-Suit.

Patents-in-Suit

13. On March 11, 2014, the United States Patent and Trademark Office

(“PTO”) duly and legally issued United States Patent No. 8,668,101 (the “’101

patent”), entitled “Method and Apparatus for Making a Light Weight Container.”



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A true and correct copy of the ’101 patent is attached as Exhibit A and is made a

part of this Complaint.

14. On September 17, 2013, the PTO duly and legally issued United

States Patent No. 8,535,599 (the “’599 patent”), entitled “Method and Apparatus

for Making a Light Weight Container.” A true and correct copy of the ’599 patent

is attached as Exhibit B and is made a part of this Complaint.

15. On March 17, 2015, the PTO duly and legally issued United States

Patent No. 8,979,524 (the “’524 patent”), entitled “Method and Apparatus for

Making a Light Weight Container.” A true and correct copy of the ’524 patent is

attached as Exhibit C and is made a part of this Complaint.


Design Patent No. D678,774 (the “’D774 patent”), entitled “Container.” A true and

correct copy of the ’D774 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit D and is made a part

of this Complaint.


Design Patent No. D678,072 (the “’D072 patent”), entitled “Container.” A true and

correct copy of the ’D072 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit E and is made a part

of this Complaint.

18. The United States patents identified in paragraphs 13-17 above are

collectively referred to herein as the “Patents-in-Suit.”



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19. The Patents-in-Suit are directed, inter alia, to methods and

apparatuses for manufacturing lightweight, blow-molded containers, and the

containers themselves.

20. Mid-America was the assignee of all right, title, and interest in the

Patents-in-Suit throughout the period of Defendant’s infringement and is currently

the assignee of all right, title, and interest in the Patents-in-Suit, including the right

to bring and maintain this action with respect to the Patents-in-Suit.

Milacron’s Infringing Activity

21. Mid-America owns all rights, title and interest in the Patents-in-Suit.

22. Based upon information and belief, Milacron designs, engineers,

makes, validates, uses, sells, and/or offers to sell in the United States, including in

this Judicial District, machinery and products that infringe upon Mid-America’s

rights in the Patents-in-Suit, and Milacron will continue to do so unless enjoined

by this Court.

23. Milacron is a designer and manufacturer of machinery, molds and

tooling, including, but not limited to, blow-molding technologies, and containers

produced by such technologies.

24. Upon information and belief, Milacron markets and sells its infringing

products primarily under the brand name “Uniloy.”



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25. Milacron is a designer and manufacturer of machinery, molds, and

tooling (the “Accused Machinery”) used to manufacture lightweight containers

marked with number 80875 (the “80875 Container”) (shown in Figs. 1 and 2

below) and lightweight containers marked with number 70985 (the “70985

Container”) (shown in Figs. 3 and 4 below). The Accused Machinery, the 80875

Container, and the 70985 Container are collectively referred to herein as “Accused

Products.”

Fig. 1 Fig. 2



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Fig. 3 Fig. 4

26. Based upon information and belief, Milacron is making, using,

selling, offering to sell, and/or distributing Accused Products at least to Meijer,

Inc.

27. Milacron is part of a sophisticated family of companies that is aware

of the intellectual property rights of others in the relevant blow-molding industry.

Upon information and belief, Milacron regularly conducts searches for patents

related to its products. Also based upon information and belief, Milacron has

secured its own patents related to manufacturing technologies and is, therefore,

knowledgeable and well aware of the patent landscape among its competitors.

Milacron also marks certain of its products with “patent pending,” and markets to

potential clients that its products embody “patent pending” technology, further



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evidence that it is actively attempting to prosecute and secure patents. Thus, a

reasonable inference is that Milacron is aware of the Patents-in-Suit. Mid-America

asserts that this reasonable inference is true.

28. Mid-America prominently marks its products with the Patents-in-Suit.

For example, a container incorporating and manufactured with Mid-America’s

patented technology will direct the consumer to the following website:

http://www.mam-patents.com/. This website lists the products covered by one or

more of the listed patents, including all of the Patents-in-Suit. Thus, Mid-America

hereby asserts that there is a reasonable inference that Milacron has had knowledge

of the Patents-in-Suit prior to the filing of this Complaint. Mid-America asserts

that this reasonable inference is true.

29. At least as early as May 2012, Mid-America informed Milacron that it

had developed a new light weight container and new technologies for

manufacturing light weight containers, and that it was in the process of patenting

said container and technologies.

30. At least as early as October 2014, Mid-America informed Milacron

that, pursuant to its efforts to patent its new light weight container and new

technologies for manufacturing light weight containers, the PTO had issued the

’101 patent, the ’599 patent, and the ’D774 patent. Mid-America transmitted

multiple email communications to Milacron’s Vice President and General



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Manager, Dave Skala, identifying the ’101 patent, the ’599 patent, and the ’D774

patent, and Milacron’s potential infringement thereof, should it pursue

development of light weight containers, machinery, molds, and tooling to

manufacture light weight containers as claimed in the ’101 patent, the ’599 patent,

and the ’D774 patent. Thus, Milacron has had actual knowledge of at least some of

the Patents-in-Suit, and of Milacron’s infringement thereof, prior to the filing of

this Complaint.

31. Therefore, Milacron has had knowledge of at least some of the

Patents-in-Suit, and of Milacron’s infringement of at least some of the Patents-in-

Suit, for years.

COUNT I

DIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,668,101

(VIOLATION OF 35 U.S.C. §§ 101 AND 271)

32. Mid-America repeats and re-alleges the allegations contained in

Paragraphs 1-31 above as if fully set forth herein.

33. The ’101 patent was duly and legally issued by the PTO, and was duly

and legally assigned to Mid-America.

34. All rights, title, and interest in and to the ’101 patent are vested in

Mid-America.



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35. Upon information and belief, Milacron has directly infringed, and

continues to directly infringe, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, the

claims of the ’101 patent by making, using, importing, selling, and offering for sale

in Michigan and nationwide, Accused Products, including, but not limited to, the

80875 Container, which embody the subject matter claimed in the ’101 patent.

36. Defendant’s infringing activities violate 35 U.S.C. § 271.

37. With knowledge of the ’101 patent, Defendant continues to infringe

claims of the ’101 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a).

38. Alternatively, if Milacron asserts that it had no knowledge of the ’101

patent prior to the filing of this Complaint, Milacron was willfully blind to a

competitor’s patent rights.

39. It is reasonable to infer at least based on the facts set forth in

Paragraphs 27-30 above, and because of Milacron’s knowledge of its infringement

since at least October 2014, that Milacron’s conduct has been willful, wanton and

deliberate. It is also reasonable to infer that Milacron’s actions have been

objectively reckless based on the facts set forth in Paragraphs 27-30 above. Despite

any statement to the contrary, and upon information and belief, Milacron will

continue to infringe the ’101 patent unless enjoined by the Court.



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40. The actions of Milacron with regard to infringement of the ’101 patent

are willful such that Mid-America is entitled to treble damages under 35 U.S.C. §

284.

41. In addition, Mid-America has no adequate remedy at law against

Milacron’s continuing acts of infringement. Milacron’s infringement of the ’101

patent may continue unless and until enjoined by this Court, causing Mid-America

irreparable harm.

42. Mid-America is therefore entitled to an injunction under 35 U.S.C. §

283 against Milacron, preliminarily and permanently enjoining and restraining

Milacron from infringing the ’101 patent, and from making, manufacturing,

developing, producing, supplying, selling, distributing, advertising, using and

offering for sale the 80875 Container, or any other product which incorporates any

of Mid-America’s rights protected by the ’101 patent.

43. This is an exceptional case that falls within the provisions of 35

U.S.C. § 285 and accordingly Mid-America is entitled to an award of reasonable

attorneys’ fees.

COUNT II

INDIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,668,101






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45. Certain claims of the ’101 patent are directed to blow-molded

containers. These containers are produced, alone or in combination with the

patented methods and apparatuses, by third parties, such as Milacron’s customers.

46. On its website, http://www.uniloyna.com/index.html, Defendant states

that, as the worldwide leader in blow molding technologies, it develops and

produces far more than just machinery, molds and tooling.

47. The reasonable inference drawn from the facts set forth above is that

Milacron’s Accused Machinery have no use without infringing the ’101 patent.

Mid-America asserts that this reasonable inference is true.

48. Milacron knowingly and actively induces others to infringe, and/or

Milacron contributorily infringes claims of the ’101 patent under 35 U.S.C.

§271(b) and/or § 271(c).

49. Based upon information and belief, Milacron induces infringement by

designing products to have infringing capability, by providing customers with the

means to infringe, by instructing them how to infringe, and by providing support

services to its customers regarding installation, validation and maintenance of the

Accused Products. Milacron does so with knowledge of the ’101 patent,

knowledge that its instructions and support services cause its customers to infringe

the ’101 patent, and with the specific intent to cause infringement. As a non-



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limiting example, upon information and belief, Meijer, Inc. is a customer of

Milacron for the Accused Products.

50. By their use of the Accused Products, Milacron’s customers and end

users directly infringe claims of the ’101 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). As

stated above, upon information and belief, Meijer, Inc. is a customer of Milacron

for the Accused Products.

51. Based on the facts alleged above, it is a reasonable inference that

Milacron knew that its Accused Products were especially made or adapted for use

to infringe the ’101 patent.

52. It is reasonable to infer based on the facts set forth above in

Paragraphs 27-30 that Milacron knowingly and affirmatively intends to actively

induce and contribute to the infringement of the ’101 patent under 35 U.S.C. §

271(b) and/or § 271(c). Mid-America asserts that this reasonable inference is true.

53. With knowledge of the ’101 patent and knowledge that the acts it

induces constitute patent infringement, Milacron continues to induce infringement

of the ’101 patent.

54. It is reasonable to infer based on the facts set forth in Paragraphs 27-

30 above, and because of Milacron’s knowledge of its infringement since at least

October 2014, that Milacron’s conduct has been willful, wanton, and deliberate. It

is also reasonable to infer that Milacron’s actions have been objectively reckless



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based on the facts set forth in Paragraphs 27-30 above. The actions of Milacron

with regard to infringement of the ’101 patent are willful such that Mid-America is

entitled to treble damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284.

55. Milacron’s infringement of the ’101 patent has been intentional and

willful, making this an exceptional case.

56. Despite any statement to the contrary, and upon information and

belief, Milacron will continue to infringe the ’101 patent unless enjoined by this

Court.

57. Mid-America has no adequate remedy at law. Unless enjoined by this

Court, Milacron will continue such acts of infringement, causing Mid-America to

incur substantial and irreparable damage.

COUNT III








Mid-America.



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in Michigan and nationwide, Accused Products, including, but not limited to,

Accused Machinery used to produce light weight containers such as the 80875

Container, which embody the subject matter claimed in the ’599 patent.
















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284.




irreparable harm.





offering for sale the Accused Machinery or any product used to manufacture the

80875 Container, or any other product which incorporates any of Mid-America’s

rights protected by the ’599 patent.



attorneys’ fees.

COUNT IV

INDIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,535,599




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71. Certain claims of the ’599 patent are directed to methods for forming

blow-molded containers. In order for these methods to provide the intended

function, they are used, alone or in combination with the patented apparatuses, by

third parties, such as Milacron’s customers.





Milacron’s Accused Machinery are a material part of the systems, assemblies,

and/or components claimed in the ’599 patent and that they are not a staple item of

commerce. Milacron’s Accused Machinery has no use without infringing the ’599

patent. Mid-America asserts that this reasonable inference is true.



§271(b) and/or § 271(c).






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Court.




COUNT V







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Mid-America.




in Michigan and nationwide, Accused Products, including, but not limited to,

Accused Machinery used to produce light weight containers such as the 80875

Container, which embody the subject matter claimed in the ’524 patent.


89. Upon information and belief, Milacron gained knowledge of the ’524

patent at least as early as the issue date of the ’524 patent, on March 17, 2015. The

‘524 patent is a division of Application No. 13/405,495, now the ’101 patent, and

upon information and belief, Milacron was aware of issued patents and published

patent applications relating to the ’101 patent.





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Paragraphs 27-28 above, that Milacron’s conduct has been willful, wanton and







284.




irreparable harm.







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offering for sale the Accused Machinery or any product used to manufacture the

80875 Container, or any other product which incorporates any of Mid-America’s

rights protected by the ’524 patent.



attorneys’ fees.

COUNT VI

INDIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,979,524(VIOLATION OF 35 U.S.C. §§ 101 AND 271)



98. Certain claims of the ’524 patent are directed to apparatuses for

forming blow-molded containers. In order for these apparatuses to provide the

intended function, they are used, alone or in combination with the patented

methods, by third parties, such as Milacron’s customers.





Milacron’s Accused Machinery are a material part of the systems, assemblies,

and/or components claimed in the ’524 patent and that they are not a staple item of



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commerce. Milacron’s Accused Machinery has no use without infringing the ’524

patent. Mid-America asserts that this reasonable inference is true.



§271(b) and/or § 271(c).
















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28 above, that Milacron’s conduct has been willful, wanton, and deliberate. It is

also reasonable to infer that Milacron’s actions have been objectively reckless








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Court.




COUNT VII

DIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. D678,774(VIOLATION OF 35 U.S.C. §§ 101 AND 271)



112. The ’D774 patent was duly and legally issued by the PTO, and was

duly and legally assigned to Mid-America.

113. All rights, title, and interest in and to the ’D774 patent are vested in

Mid-America.


continues to directly infringe, the claim of the ’D774 patent by making, using,

importing, selling, and offering for sale in Michigan and nationwide, containers,

including but not limited to, the 80875 Container, which embody the subject matter

claimed in the ’D774 patent.



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116. With knowledge of the ’D774 patent, Defendant continues to infringe

claims of the ’D774 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a).

117. Alternatively, if Milacron asserts that it had no knowledge of the

’D774 patent prior to the filing of this Complaint, Milacron was willfully blind to a








continue to infringe the ’D774 patent unless enjoined by the Court.

119. The actions of Milacron with regard to infringement of the ’D774

patent are willful such that Mid-America is entitled to treble damages under 35

U.S.C. § 284.


Milacron’s continuing acts of infringement. Milacron’s infringement of the ’D774


irreparable harm.



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offering for sale the 80875 Container, or any other product which incorporates any

of Mid-America’s rights protected by the ’D774 patent.



attorneys’ fees.

COUNT VIII

INDIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. D678,774




124. Upon information and belief, Milacron knowingly and actively

induces others to infringe, and/or Milacron contributorily infringes claims of the

’D774 patent under 35 U.S.C. §271(b) and/or § 271(c).







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Accused Products. Milacron does so with knowledge of the ’D774 patent,


the ’D774 patent, and with the specific intent to cause infringement. As a non-




users directly infringe claims of the ’D774 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). As





to infringe the ’D774 patent.



induce and contribute to the infringement of the ’D774 patent under 35 U.S.C. §


129. With knowledge of the ’D774 patent and knowledge that the acts it


of the ’D774 patent.



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with regard to infringement of the ’D774 patent are willful such that Mid-America

is entitled to treble damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284.

131. Milacron’s infringement of the ’D774 patent has been intentional and



belief, Milacron will continue to infringe the ’D774 patent unless enjoined by this

Court.




COUNT IX

DIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. D678,072






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135. The ’D072 patent was duly and legally issued by the PTO, and was

duly and legally assigned to Mid-America.

136. All rights, title, and interest in and to the ’D072 patent are vested in

Mid-America.


continues to directly infringe, the claims of the ’D072 patent by making, using,

importing, selling, and offering for sale in Michigan and nationwide, containers,

including but not limited to, the 70985 Container, which embody the subject matter

claimed in the ’D072 patent.


139. With knowledge of the ’D072 patent, Defendant continues to infringe

claims of the ’D072 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a).

140. Alternatively, if Milacron asserts that it had no knowledge of the

’D072 patent prior to the filing of this Complaint, Milacron was willfully blind to a



Paragraphs 27-28 above, that Milacron’s conduct has been willful, wanton and





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continue to infringe the ’D072 patent unless enjoined by the Court.

142. The actions of Milacron with regard to infringement of the ’D072

patent are willful such that Mid-America is entitled to treble damages under 35

U.S.C. § 284.


Milacron’s continuing acts of infringement. Milacron’s infringement of the ’D072


irreparable harm.



Milacron from infringing the ’D072 patent, and from making, manufacturing,


offering for sale the 70985 Container or any other product which incorporates any

of Mid-America’s rights protected by the ’D072 patent.



attorneys’ fees.

COUNT X

INDIRECT INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. D678,072




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147. Upon information and belief, Milacron knowingly and actively

induces others to infringe, and/or Milacron contributorily infringes claims of the

’D072 patent under 35 U.S.C. §271(b) and/or § 271(c).





Accused Products. Milacron does so with knowledge of the ’D072 patent,


the ’D072 patent, and with the specific intent to cause infringement. As a non-




users directly infringe claims of the ’D072 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). As





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to infringe the ’D072 patent.



induce and contribute to the infringement of the ’D072 patent under 35 U.S.C. §


152. With knowledge of the ’D072 patent and knowledge that the acts it


of the ’D072 patent.


28 above, that Milacron’s conduct has been willful, wanton, and deliberate. It is

also reasonable to infer that Milacron’s actions have been objectively reckless


with regard to infringement of the ’D072 patent are willful such that Mid-America

is entitled to treble damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284.

154. Milacron’s infringement of the ’D072 patent has been intentional and




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belief, Milacron will continue to infringe the ’D072 patent unless enjoined by this

Court.




PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully demands the entry of judgment

against the Defendant as follows:

A. Milacron has infringed one or more of the Patents-in-Suit;

B. Milacron’s infringement of the Patents-in-Suit has been willful and

deliberate;

C. Milacron and its officers, agents, representatives, employees and all

others in concert or participation with them, directly or indirectly, be

enjoined preliminarily and permanently from infringing, inducing

others to infringe and contributing to the infringement of the Patents-

in-Suit;

D. Plaintiff Mid-America be awarded damages adequate to compensate

for Milacron’s infringement of the Patents-in-Suit together with pre-

judgment interest pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284;



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E. This is an exceptional case and award Mid-America its reasonable

costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees, as well as treble

damages in this action in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §§ 284 and 285;

and

F. Plaintiff Mid-America be awarded such other and further relief as this

Court may deem just and proper.

JURY DEMAND

Plaintiff Mid-America hereby demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.



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Dated: June 15, 2015 Respectfully submitted,

HONIGMAN MILLER SCHWARTZ AND COHN LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff

By: /s/ J. Michael Huget

J. Michael Huget (P39150)Eric Sosenko (P43544)

Sarah E. Waidelich (admitted in New York)HONIGMAN MILLER SCHWARTZ AND COHN LLP

130 South First Street, Fourth Floor Ann Arbor, MI 48104

(734) 418-4254Fax: (734) 418-4255

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Counsel for Plaintiff



38/94

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

MID-AMERICA MACHINING, INC.

a Michigan corporation,

Plaintiff,

vs.

MILACRON PLASTICS TECHNOLOGIES

GROUP LLC

a Delaware limited liability company,

Defendant./

Case No.

Hon.

DEMAND FOR JURY

TRIAL

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

A. U.S. Patent 8,668,101

B. U.S. Patent 8,535,599

C. U.S. Patent 8,979,524

D. U.S. Patent D678,774

E. U.S Patent D678,072

2:15-cv-12168-MAG-EAS Doc # 1-1 Filed 06/15/15 Pg 1 of 1 Pg ID 38


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EXHIBIT A



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( 1 2 ) United S t a t e s

Patent

Lobbestael e t a 1 .

US008668101B2

US 8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1 B2

Mar.

1 1 , 2 0 1 4

( 1 0 ) Patent N 0 . :

( 4 5 ) Date o f P a t e n t :

( 5 4 )

( 7 5 )

( 7 3 )

( 2 1 )

( 2 2 )

( 6 5 )

( 6 0 )

( 5 1 )

( 5 2 )

( 5 8 )

METHOD

AND

APPARATUS

FOR MAKINGA

LIGHT

WEIGHT CONTAINER

I n v e n t o r s :

P e t e r L o b b e s t a e l ,

M a n i t o u

B e a c h ,

M I

( U S ) ;

A ] V a n o v e r ,

A d r i a n ,

M I

( U S ) ;

K e v i n D a y d o s h , A d r i a n , M I ( U S ) ;

G r e g o r y T

a l l ,

A d r i a n , M I ( U S )

A s s i g n e e : M i d - A m e r i c a M a c h i n i n g , I n c . ,

B r o o k l y n , M1 ( U )

N o t i c e :

S u b j e c t

t o a n y d i s c l a i m e r , t h e t e r m

o f

h i s

p a t e n t

i s e x t e n d e d

o r a d j u s t e d

u n d e r 3 5

U . S . C . 1 5 4 ( b )

b y

0

d a y s .

A p p 1 . N o . : 1 3 / 4 0 5 , 4 9 5

F i l e d : F e b . 2 7 , 2012

Prior P u b l i c a t i o n

Data

US 2 0 1 2 / 0 2 4 1 4 0 5

A1

S e p .

2 7 ,

2 0 1 2

R e l a t e d US.

A p p l i c a t i o n

Data

P r o v i s i o n a l

a p p l i c a t i o n

No. 6 1 / 4 6 6 , 5 8 8 , ? l e d on M a r .

2 3 , 2 0 1 1 .

I n t . C l .

B65D 9 0 / 0 2

( 2 0 0 6 . 0 1 )

B65D

8 / 0 4 ( 2 0 0 6 . 0 1 )

B65D

1 / 0 2

( 2 0 0 6 . 0 1 )

U S .

C l .

CPC

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B65D

/0223

(2013.01); B65D /02

2 0 1 3 . 0 1 ) ; B65D 2 5 0 1 / 0 0 8 ] ( 2 0 1 3 . 0 1 )

USPC

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

215/382; 220/675; 220/669

F i e l d o f C l a s s i ? c a t i o n Search

CPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

B65D /0223; B65D

/ 0 2 ;

B65D

2 5 0 1 / 0 0 8 1 ; B65D 2 5 0 1 / 0 0 0 9

USPC . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 1 5 / 3 8 2 ,

4 0 , 1 0 ,

3 7 9 ;

2 2 0 / 6 7 5 , 6 6 9 ,

2 2 0 / 6 6 0 ; 2 0 6 / 5 0 9 , 5 0 7 ,

5 0 5 ;

D 9 / 5 6 7 , 5 2 0

IPC

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B65D

90/02,8/04

S e e


? l e f o r c o m p l e t e

s e a r c h h i s t o r y .

( 5 6 )

R e f e r e n c e s C i t e d

U . S . PATENT

DOCUMENTS

D205,730 S * 9/1966 Platte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

D9/531

3,708,082 A

* 1/1973 Platte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

215/385

3 , 7 6 5 , 5 7 4 A

1 0 / 1 9 7 3

U r q u i Z a

4,016,995 A * 4/1977

Frazer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215/10

4,372,455 A *

2/1983

Cochran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215/385

4 , 8 0 5 , 7 9 3 A 2 / 1 9 8 9 B r a n d t e t

a l .

D307,389 S * 4/1990 Larson

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D9/520

5 , 0 8 7 , 4 0 6 A 2 / 1 9 9 2

K r a l l

e t

a l .

5,112,561

A

* 5/1992

Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

264/531

5,803,290

A * 9/1998 Bongiorno . . 215/384

5,833,115 A

* 11/1998

Eiten . . . . . . . . . . . 220/669

6,065,624 A * 5/2000 Steinke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

215/383

6 , 2 3 7 , 7 9 2

B1

5 / 2 0 0 1 S k o l n i c k i e t

a l .

6 , 5 2 7 , 1 3 3 B1

3 / 2 0 0 3

McCollum

t

a l .

6 , 5 4 0 , 9 5 6

B1 4 / 2 0 0 3

Iwamoto

t a 1 .

2003/0155324

A1* 8/2003

McCollum

t

a l .

. . . . . . . . .

. .

215/382

( C o n t i n u e d )

FOREIGN

PATENTDOCUMENTS

GB 2464386 9/2010

GB

2470316

1 1 / 2 0 1 0

Pr imary

Examiner

obert J Hicks

( 7 4 ) A t t o r n e y , A g e n t , o r Firm

oung B a s i l e

Hanlon &

M a c F a r l a n e

PC.

( 5 7 ) ABST RAC T

An i m p r o v e d l i g h t w e i g h t c o n t a i n e r i n c o r p o r a t e s a t h i n n e r

w a l l

s t r u c t u r e

i n an e s s e n t i a l l y o c t a g o n a l

c o n t a i n e r

h a v i n g a

bottom member, a p l u r a l i t y

o f

s i d e w a l l s , a s p o u t ,

a n

u p w a r d l y

c o n v e r g i n g

n e c k

member

o u p l i n g

t h e s i d e w a l l s

o f

t h e

s p o u t ,

a h a n d l e molded i n t o t h e c o n t a i n e r and a r a d i u s e d t r a n s i t i n g

s e c t i o n

between

h e s i d e w a l l s

and h e s p o u t which e l i m i n a t e s

weakened c o r n e r s e c t i o n s and i m p r o v e s o v e r a l l s t r e n g t h t o

w e i g h t r a t i o s .

2 0

C l a i m s , 7

Drawing S h e e t s



41/94

US 8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1 B2

P a g e

2

( 5 6 ) References Cited 2 0 0 6 / 0 2 6 0 9 7 1

A1

1 1 / 2 0 0 6 R i v e r a e t a 1 .

2007/0221606

A1 9 / 2 0 0 7 E i t e n

et

a l .

US

ATENT

DOCUMENTS

2007/0235905 Al* 10/2007

Trude et

a 1 .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

264/523

2008/0217200

A1 9 / 2 0 0 8 E i t e n

et

a 1 .

2 0 0 3 / 0 2 3 4 2 3 6

A 1 1 2 / 2 0 0 3 M i c h a l o w s k i ? g ‘ f g g i g ? g g 2 } 1 3 5 8 3 ?

S i s a l “ e t

a 1 ~

2004/0164048 Al 8/2004 Yourist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215/398

0V

2006/0096942

A1

5 / 2 0 0 6

Lane

2011/0056903

A1

3 / 2 0 1 1 G l o v e r

2 0 0 6 / 0 2 5 5 0 0 0 A1 l l / 2 0 0 6 Q u i t a n a *

c i t e d b y examiner



42/94

U

. Patent M a r .

1 1 , 2 0 1 4

S h e e t 1 0 1 7 US 8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1

B2

F I G . 1A

D

.

PRIOR

ART



43/94

U

Patent M a r .

1 1 , 2 0 1 4

S h e e t

2

0 1 7 US 8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1 B2

1 0 4

F I G

C

1 0 0

1 2 6

1 “

I G .B

P R I O R

R T



44/94

US.

atent

M a r .

1 1 , 2 0 1 4 S h e e t 3 0 1 7 US 8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1

B2

F I GA

F I G

B



45/94

US.

atent

M a r .

1 1 , 2 0 1 4 S h e e t 4 0 1 7 US 8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1

B2



46/94

US. a tent M a r . 1 1 ,

2 0 1 4

S h e e t 5 0 1 7

US

, 6 6 8 , 1 0 1 B2

e m

m mQ H m

4 m

U b w

I I



47/94

US.

atent

M a r .

1 1 , 2 0 1 4 S h e e t 6 0 1 7 US 8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1

B2

F I G .

3D

F I G . 4



48/94

US. a tent M a r . 1 1 ,

2 0 1 4

S h e e t 7 0 1 7

US

, 6 6 8 , 1 0 1 B2



49/94

US

8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1

B2

1

METHOD

AND

APPARATUS FOR

MAKING

A

LIGHT

WEIGHT CONTAINER

RELATED . S . APPLICATION

T h i s


c l a i m s

t h e

b e n e ? t

o f

U S .

P r o v i s i o n a l

A p p l i c a t i o n

N o . 6 1 / 4 6 6 , 5 8 8 ? l e d M a r .

2 3 ,

2 0 1 1 .

FIELD OFTHE INVENTION

The p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n r e l a t e s t o c o n t a i n e r s f o r s t o r a g e

o f

l i q u i d s , g r a n u l a r

m a t e r i a l s a n d t h e l i k e , a n d m e t h o d s a n d

a p p a r a t u s e s f o r

f o r m i n g

t h e

s a m e . M o re

a r t i c u l a r l y ,

t h e

con

t a i n e r

o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s a

s i n g l e

p i e c e bloW-molded

p l a s t i c

c o n t a i n e r formed in a m u l t i - s i d e d c o n ? g u r a t i o n

W i t h

modi?ed

c ome r

a d i i , u t i l i Z i n g a s m a l l e r volume

of aW

mate

r i a l t o o b t a i n v o l u m e s

a n d

s t r e n g t h e q u i v a l e n t t o t h e p r i o r

a r t .

DESCRIPTIONOFTHE RELATED

ART

BloW-molded

p l a s t i c

b o t t l e s a r e W e l l knoWn f o r

u s e

f o r

h o l d i n g

a W i d e v a r i e t y o f i q u i d s s u c h

s

m i l k , W a t e r a n d u i c e .

The

same

t y p e s

o f

c o n t a i n e r s

may

be used

f o r

g r a n u l a r

mate

r i a l s .

C o n t a i n e r s

of h i s

t y p e

a r e manufactured i n

a

v a r i e t y of

s i Z e s , c o n v e n t i o n a l l y f o r m e d o f a v a r i e t y o f

t h e r m o p l a s t i c

m a t e r i a l s .

T y p i c a l o f

t h e s e c o n t a i n e r s a r e t h o s e

d i s c l o s e d i n

U S .

P a t .

No.

6 , 5 2 7 , 1 3 3 , i s s u e d

to McCollum e t a l . ; U S .

P a t .

No.

4 , 8 0 5 , 7 9 3 , i s su e d t o

B r a n d t

e t

a l . ; and

US. P a t . No. 6 , 2 3 7 ,

7 9 2 , i s s ue d t o S k o l n i c k i e t

a l .

C o n t a i n e r s o f h i s t y p e a r e r e l a t i v e l y t h i n - W a l l e d , and a r e

g e n e r a l l y s q u a r e o r r e c t a n g u l a r i n

c r o s s - s e c t i o n , f e a t u r e

a

molded h a n d l e ,

and

t y p i c a l l y

h a v e

a

? n i s h e d W e i g h t o f o v e r

6 0 g r a m s . Such e i g h t o f m a t e r i a l i s e s s e n t i a l t o m a i n t a i n i n g

s u f ? c i e n t s t r e n g t h

f o r

t h e

c o n t a i n e r t o W i t h s t a n d

t h e

i n d u s t r i a l

? l l i n g

p r o c e s s , i n

p a r t i c u l a r ,

t h e l o a d s i m p o s e d

f o r s e c u r e

ment

of

c l o s u r e ,

such

a s a c a p ,

l i d

o r screW t o p

t o

t h e spout

on

t h e

t o p

o f

t h e

c o n t a i n e r .

F I G S . 1 A ,

1 B ,

1C

and

1D

shoW

t o p ,

f r o n t , s i d e a n d

b o t t o m

v i e W s ,

r e s p e c t i v e l y o f b l o W

molded

c o n t a i n e r s f o r m e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e

p r i o r

a r t . The

t y p i c a l p r i o r a r t c o n t a i n e r i s d e p i c t e d i n F I G S . 1A-1D

i n c o r

p o r a t e s

a

t o p 1 0 2 ,

a

bottom

1 0 4

and s p o u t 1 2 0 . Top

1 0 2

and

bottom 104

a r e

i n t e r c o n n e c t e d by s i d e W a l ls 1 0 6 ,

and

n c l u d e s

a h a n d l e 1 2 2 . I n t h e

p r i o r a r t ,

a

r e l a t i v e l y

a c u t e t r a n s i t i o n

o c c u r s at t h e

t o p comer

130 o f t h e

t o p

102 o f t h e c o n t a i n e r ,

W h e r e t h e t o p

1 0 2 j o i n s

t h e

l o W e r

c i r c u m f e r e n c e o f t h e

s p o u t

1 2 0 . T h e n , When h e t o p 1 0 2

j o i n s

t h e s i d e W a l l 1 0 6 , a s e c o n d

r e l a t i v e

a b r u p t t r a n s i t i o n o c c u r s

a t

upper comer

1 2 4 , g e n e r

a t i n g a c o m p a r a t i v e l y s h a r p

a n g l e

b e t W e e n t h e t o p 1 0 2 a n d t h e

s i d e W a l l 1 0 6 . T r a n s i t io n i n g

t o

t h e b o t t o m s e c t i o n o f t h e p r i o r

a r t c o n t a i n e r , a

? r s t

intermediate corner 126 c r e a t e s a

? r s t

t r a n s i t i o n

betWeen h e s i d e W a l l

106

and h e

bottom 128 o f

t h e

c o n t a i n e r .

A

ottom comer 128 c o m p l e t e s t h e t r a n s i t i o n

betWeen t h e s i d e W a l l

106 and bottom

1 0 4 . The c o m b i n a t i o n

of h e corner t r a n s i t i o n s a t

i n t e r m e d i a t e c o m e r

126 and b o t

tom 2 8 , c o u p l e d W i t h t h e s u b s t a n t i a l d i s t a n c e b e t W e e n

i n t e r

mediate

c o r n e r s

126 and 128 demand a

s u b s t a n t i a l

d i s t r i b u

t i o n o f m a t e r i a l

t o

t h e bottom s e c t i o n of t h e c o n t a i n e r

t o

p r o v i d e

t h e

n e c e s s a r y s t r e n g t h .

The same p r o b l e m i s

e v i d e n t

a t t h e t o p

o f

t h e c o n t a i n e r 1 0 2 , Where t h e t o p 1 0 2 o f t h e

c o n t a i n e r j o i n s t h e s i d e W a l l 106 at upper comer

1 2 4 .

These

m u l t i p l e

s p a c e d a p a r t t r a n s i t i o n s o f t e n r e s u l t i n e x c e s s i v e l y

t h i n W a l l s

a t

t h e r a n s i t i o n s , t h e r e b y W e a k e n i n g t h e

c o n t a i n e r .

M o re

r e c e n t l y , c o n t a i n e r s h a v e b e e n c r e a t e d Which i n c o r

p o r a t e r i b s

and

t h e r

d e s i g n f e a t u r e s i n t h e u p p e r s i d e W a l l s o f

t h e

c o n t a i n e r

t o i n c r e a s e m e c h a n i c a l s t r e n g t h , W e l l a t t h e

same t i m e

d e c r e a s i n g

t h e

W a l l

t h i c k n e s s

of h e ?nished con

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

6 5

2

t a i n e r . By r e d u c i n g t h e o v e r a l l t h i c k n e s s o f t h e c o n t a i n e r ,

s u b s t a n t i a l s a v i n g s

i n

m a t e r i a l s c o s t

can be

r e a l i Z e d . N e W e r

c o n t a i n e r s u t i l i Z i n g t h e s e d e s i g n

m e t h o d o l o g i e s

h a v e

e s u l t e d

i n r e d u c t i o n s i n m a t e r i a l

r e q u i r e d f o r e a c h c o n t a i n e r , a n d

c o r r e s p o n d i n g r e d u c t i o n s

i n m a t e r i a l c o s t , o f b e t W e e n ? v e

a n d

s e v e n

p e r c e n t .

Such e d u c t i o n s i n t h e

t y p i c a l

p r o d u c t i o n

environment can

e s u l t

i n s u b s t a n t i a l c o s t

s a v i n g s

o v e r

t i m e .

T h e

e x i s t i n g c o n t a i n e r s ,

h o W e v e r ,

s u f f e r f r o m i m p o r t a n t

l i m i t a t i o n s. P a r t i c u l a r l y , a s knoWn i n t h e p r i o r

a r t ,

t h e

manu

f a c t u r e

o f

t h i n - W a l l e d t h e r m o p l a s t i c

c o n t a i n e r s

u t i l i Z i n g

t h e

b l o W - m o l d i n g t e c h n i q u e s c a n c r e a t e u n a c c e p t a b l y t h i n W a l l

d i m e n s i o n s n e a r t h e

t o p and bottom

o f

t h e c o n t a i n e r s ,

Where

t h e

t o p s

a n d b o t t o m s

o f

t h e

c o n t a i n er s j o i n

t h e

s i d e

W a l l s .

E x c e s s i v e t h i n n i n g

i n t h e s e a r e a s Weakens t h e o v e r a l l con

t a i n e r a n d r e d u c e s

i t s a b i l i t y t o

W i t h s t a n d t h e f o r c e s t y p i c a l l y

i m p o s e d d u r i n g t h e

? l l i n g

p r o c e s s . T o i n s u r e t h a t s u f ? c i e n t

W a l l

t h i c k n e s s

r e m a i n s i n

t h e s e

v i t a l s e c t i o n s , t h e c u r r e n t

c o n t a i n er s r e q u i r e a

minimum o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y

? f t y - e i g h t t o

s i x t y

g r a m s i n W e i g h t . A e e d

x i s t s ,

t h e r e f o r e , f o r

a c o n t a i n e r

d e s i g n

and

method f m a n u f a c t u r e ,

Which e r m i t s

more e v e n

d i s t r i b u t i o n

o f


m a t e r i a l

t h r o u g h o u t t h e W a l l

o f

t h e c o n t a i n e r ,

W h i l e

a l l o W i n g

s i g n i ? c a n t r e d u c t i o n s

i n

t h e

amount

o f

m a t e r i a l

r e q u i r e d

t o

p r o d u c e

t h e

c o n t a i n e r .

SUMMARYOFTHE INVENTION

I n

summary, a

t h i n - W a l l e d

c o n t a i n e r i n

accordance With

h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s f o r m e d

h a v i n g

s i d e W a l l s , a b o t t o m , a t o p

h a v i n g a n e c k , a h a n d l e , and a s p o u t . The c o n t a i n e r

h a s

e i g h t

s i d e s ,

a n d a

s m o o t h l y

t a p e r e d r a d i u s b e t W e e n t h e s p o u t a n d

t h e

s i d e W a l l .

T o f o r m t h e c o n t a i n e r , s p e c i a l i Z e d r o u n d t o o l i n g

i s u t i l i Z e d i n t h e d i e

a n d

i t s a s s o c i a t e d m a n d r e l t o

a c h i e v e

more

even d i s t r i b u t i o n o f

t h e t h e r m o p l a s t i c

m a t e r i a l

d u r i n g

t h e

molding

r o c e s s .

The e s u l t i n g c o n t a i n e r

d i s p l a y s a

more

e ? i c i e n t

d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e

m a t e r i a l s

a l o n g

t h e

s i d e W a l l s ,

t o p

a n d b o t t o m

o f t h e

c o n t a i n e r , t y p i c a l l y a t

a W e i g h t o f ? f t y - t W o

gr ams

o r l e s s .

I t i s

a n

o b j e c t

o f

h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n ,

t h e r e f o r e ,

t o

p r o v i d e

a t h i n - W a l l e d c o n t a i n e r h a v i n g a n e x t r e m e l y l i g h t W e i g h t .

F u r t h e r , i t i s a n

o b j e c t

o f

t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n t o p r o v i d e

a

t h i n - W a l l e d c o n t a i n e r having

s i x

o r more

s i d e s and s p e c i a l l y

r a d i u s e d t r a n s i t i o n betWeen t h e s p o u t

and

s i d e W a l l o f t h e

c o n t a i n e r .

I t i s a n o t h e r o b j e c t

o f

t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n t o p o s i t i o n t h e

h a n d l e o f t h e c o n t a i n e r t o i m p r o v e v e n t i n g o f t h e i n t e r i o r o f

t h e

c o n t a i n e r

d u r i n g t h e p o u r i n g p r o c e s s .

I t i s

a n o t h e r

o b j e c t

o f

t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n t o p r o v i d e

a

system f o r m a n u f a c t u r i n g

t h e

same volume of c o n t a i n e r a s

t a u g h t i n

t h e

p r i o r a r t , W h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g

t h e n e c e s s a r y

s t r u c

t u r a l

i n t e g r i t y o f

t h e c o n t a i n e r

t o W i t h s t a n d

t h e

i n d u s t r i a l

? l l i n g

p r o c e s s .

I t i s

a

f u r t h e r

o b j e c t

o f

t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n t o

p r o v i d e and

i m p r o v e d c o n t a i n e r h a v i n g t h e same volume a n d ? t t i n g i n t h e

same s t a n d a r d c a s e a s t a u g h t i n t h e p r i o r a r t .

T h e s e ,

a n d o t h e r o b j e c t s

o f t h e i n v e n t i o n , W i l l

b e

a p p a r e n t

f r o m t h e a s so c i a t e d

d r a W i n g s

a n d d e s c r i p t i o n .

BRIEF

DESCRIPTIONOFTHE DRAWINGS

FIG.

1A

s a

t o p vieW

of

p r i o r

a r t

c o n t a i n e r ,

c o n s t r u c t e d

a c c o r d i n g t o t h e methods o f t h e

p r i o r

a r t .

F I G . 1B

s

a f r o n t

vieW

of

p r i o r

a r t

c o n t a i n e r , c o n s t r u c t e d

a c c o r d i n g t o t h e

methods

o f t h e

p r i o r

a r t .

F I G . 1C s

a

s i d e vieW o f

a

p r i o r

a r t

c o n t a i n e r , c o n s t r u c t e d

a c c o r d i n g t o t h e methods o f t h e

p r i o r

a r t .

FIG.

1D s

a

bottom vieW

of a

p r i o r

a r t

c o n t a i n e r , con

s t r u c t e d

a c c o r d i n g t o

t h e m e t h o d s o f t h e p r i o r a r t .



50/94

US

8 , 6 6 8 , 1 0 1

B2

3

F I G .

2A

s

a f r o n t view

o f

a ? r s t embodiment

o f

t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n .

F I G .

2B

s a

s i d e view

of

? r s t embodiment

of h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n .

FIG. 2 C i s a bottom view

of

a

? r s t

embodiment

of

t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n .

FIG. 2D

s

an

a l t e r n a t e

bottom view

of

c u r r e n t

embodi

ment o f t h e


F I G . 2E s

an

a d d i t i o n a l bottom view of n o t h e r v a r i a n t of

a c u r r e n t

embodiment

of h e


F I G .

3A

s

a f r o n t view of h e


F I G .

3B i s a

s i d e view

of a n o t h e r

embodiment o f

t h e


F I G . 3C s

a

t o p view o f

a n o t h e r

embodiment f

h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n .

F I G . 3D s a bottom view of a n o t h e r embodiment of t h e


F I G .

4 i s a d i a g r a m showing d i e and a n d r e l a c c o r d i n g t o

an

embodiment

of h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n .

F I G .

5

i s

a

diagram showing

a p a r i s o n and a

mold a c c o r d

i n g t o a n embodiment o f t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n .

F I G .

6

i s

a t o p

view

o f

embodiments

o f

t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n

t i o n

h e l d i n

a s t a n d a r d d a i r y c r a t e .

DESCRIPTION

OFTHE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENT

T h e

d e s c r i p t i o n w h i c h

f o l l o w s w i l l

b e b e s t

a p p r e c i a t e d b y

r e f e r e n c e

o t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g d r a w i n g s .

A l t h o u g h

t h e i n v e n

t i o n i s

d e s c r i b e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h

t h e

d r a w i n g s ,

and a

p l u r a l i t y o f p r e f e r r e d e m b o d i m e n t s i s d e s c r i b e d , i t

w i l l

b e

a p p r e c i a t e d t h a t

t h e s e

d e s c r i p t i o n s a r e n o t i n t en d e d t o l i m i t

t h e i n v e n t i o n

t o

t h o s e embodiments.

The

i n v e n t i o n i n c l u d e s a

v a r i e t y o f

l t e r n a t i v e s ,

m o d i ? c a t i o n s a n d

e q u i v a l e n t s w h i c h

may be i n c l u d e d w i t h i n t h e s p i r i t and c o p e

o f

h e

i n v e n t i o n

a s

d e ? n e d

b y t h e a p p e n d e d c l a i m s .

The

i n v e n t i o n

w i l l

b e

b e t t e r

u n d e r s t o o d

by

a

f u l l

a p p r e c i a

t i o n o f t h e p r o c e s s o f m a n u f a c tu r e

t y p i c a l l y

u s e d i n

t h e

a r t .

A

c o n v e n t i o n a l b l o w - m o l d i n g machine i n c l u d e s

a

l o a d i n g s t a

t i o n w h e r e e l l e t i Z e d t h e r m o p l a s t i c m a t e r i a l , s u c h s p o l y e t h

y l e n e , may

b e

i n t r o d u c e d

i n t o

a

hopper

o r f e e d

b i n .

The

h o p p e r ,

i n t u r n ,

f e e d s

t h e p e l l e t i Z e d

o r g r a n u l a r t h e r m o p l a s t i c

m a t e r i a l s ,

which

i s

a t

r o o m t e m p e r a t u r e , t o a h e a t e r / d r i v e

s y s t e m .

Such a system t y p i c a l l y i n c l u d e s a

screw d r i v e

p r o

vided with one or mo r e heating mech anisms or elements

w h i c h

g r a d u a l l y r a i s e

t h e t e m p e r a t u r e o f t h e


m a t e r i a l

t o a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 6 5 0

F .

Once

t h e m a t e r i a l

h a s

a t t a i n e d t h i s t e m p e r a t u r e , t h e m a te r i a l l i q u e ? e s a n d becomes

t a f f y - l i k e

i n i t s c o n s i s t e n c y . The

m a t e r i a l

i s t h e n

i n t r o d u c e d

i n t o t h e

mold

t h r o u g h

a d i e

a n d

m a n d r e l

c o m b i n a t i o n ,

w h e r e b y

t h e t h e r m o p l a s t i c

m a t e r i a l

i s

e v e n l y

d i s t r i b u t e d i n

t h e

m o l d .

The b l o b o f t h e r m o p l a s t i c m a t e r i a l which

f o r m s

a s

i t i s

e x t r u d e d

t h r o u g h t h e

g a u g e d

o p e n i n g

b e t w e e n

t h e

d i e a n d

m a n d r e l

i s

c a l l e d a

p a r i s o n . Once

t h e

p a r i s o n i s

formed t h e

mold

i s c l o s e d

a r o u n d

t h e p a r i s o n p o s s i b l y i m p a r t i n g t h e

g e n e r a l s h a p e o f

h e i n t e r i o r

o f

h e

mold

n t o t h e

p a r i s o n .

T h i s

a i d s i n d i s t r i b u t i n g

t h e m a t e r i a l

o f h e

p a r i s o n

e v e n l y t h r o u g h

o u t t h e

i n t e r i o r o f

h e

mold

when h e

mold s p r e s s u r i z e d . The

m o l d i s t h e n p r e s s u r i z e d v i a t h e

b l o w

p i n

t h e r e b y f o r c i n g t h e

p a r i s o n t o e x p a n d t h r o u g h o u t t h e i n t e r i o r

o f

t h e w a l l s

o f

t h e

m o l d , a n d

i m p a r t i n g

t o t h e m a t e r i a l t h e ? n i s h e d s h a p e o f a

c o n t a i n e r . To f a c i l i t a t e t h e

m o l d i n g

p r o c e s s , t h e

mold

w a l l s

a r e

cooled

t o

a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 0 0 t o 4 0 0 E,

t o r e s t o r e

t h e

l i q u e ? e d t h e r m o p l a s t i c m a te r i a l t o

s o l i d

s t a t e . Once

t h e p a r t

h a s

f o r m e d ,

t h e

mold

s o p e n e d a n d t h e p a r t

i s removed

f r o m

t h e m o l d .

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

6 5

4

Turning

now o FIGS. 2A-2E,

a ? r s t

embodiment of

a

c o n t a i n e r f o r m e d a c c o r d i n g to t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s

d i s

c l o s e d . C o n t a i n e r 10 c o n s i s t s of t o p s e c t i o n 1 2 , a bottom 1 4

a n d

a p l u r a l i t y o f s i d e w a l l s .

E i g h t

s i d e w a l l s a l t e r n a t e i n

d i m e n s i o n , f o u r b e i n g l o n g s i d e w a l l s 1 6 a n d f o u r b e i n g

s h o r t

s i d e w a l l s 1 8 . The o p

s e c t i o n

1 2

i s con?gured i t h

a

s p o u t 2 0

h a v i n g a n

o p e n i n g

2 1

by which m a t e r i a l

may b e i n t r o d u c e d

i n t o t h e i n t e r i o r o f t h e c o n t a i n e r 1 0 . The c o n t a i n e r

i s

molded

a s a s i n g l e p i e c e , and i n c l u d e s a

h a n d l e

22 which s hollow

a n d p e r m i t s l i q u i d a n d a i r t o p a s s i n s i d e i t . P r e f e r a b l y , t h e

h a n d l e i s con?gured

a d j a c e n t

to a s h o r t si d e w a l l 1 8 ,

s o

t h a t

when

t h e

c o n t a i n e r i s h e l d f o r p o u r i n g ,

t h e

c e n t e r o f mass s

c o n c e n t r a t e d a l o n g t h e

a x i s

which i n t e r s e c t s b o t h t h e h a n d l e

a n d t h e o p p o s i n g s h o r t s i d e w a l l o f

t h e c o n t a i n e r .

I n a ? r s t embodiment, t h e h e i g h t

o f

t h e c o n t a i n e r

1 0 i s

measured

from

t h e

bottom o f

t h e

c o n t a i n e r

t o t h e

bottom o f

t h e

s p o u t

i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 9 . 2 3 1 i n c h e s , f o r a c o n t a i n e r

h a v

i n g

a

volume

o f

a p p r o x i m a t e l y

2 3 4

c u b i c

i n c h e s ,

e s s e n t i a l l y

a

o n e - g a l l o n

c o n t a i n e r . I n

t h i s

e m b o d i m e n t , a r a d i u s t r a n s i t i o n

24

s

formed b etween t h e

u p p e r

l i m i t o f t h e s i d e w a l l s 1 6 ,

1 8

and s p o u t 2 0 . P r e f e r a b l y , t h e r a d i u s

R a s

a

d i m e n s i o n

o f

a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h r e e i n c h e s , t h e r e b y p r o v i d i n g a

s m o o t h

t r a n

s i t i o n

between

t h e s i d e w a l l s

1 6 ,

1 8

and

s p o u t

20 o f

t h e

con

t a i n e r

1 0

i n comparison

o t h e p r i o r

r t .

T h i s a r e a o f r a n s i t i o n

may

i n c l u d e

one

o r

m o r e r i b s 28 t o provide

a d d i t i o n a l

s t r e n g t h

t o t h e c o n t a i n e r . The c o n t a i n e r 1 0 i s b l o w - m o l d e d ,

a n d

i n c l u d e s a s i n g l e

p i e c e

t h i n

w a l l

c o n s t r u c t i o n .

The

s i d e

w a l l s , when

i e w e d f r o m a b o v e , f o r m

a

g e n e r a l l y

o c t a g o n a l

con?guration

a s s e e n i n t o p o r bottom p l a n v i e w s .

The

con

t a i n e r 10 i n c l u d e s a

bottom

14 which s i n t e r c o n n e c t e d t o t h e

s i d e w a l l s 1 6

and

1 8

and

h a s

a p l u r a l i t y of

r i b s

3 0 . I n one

e x a m p l e , t h e r a d i u s

t r a n s i t i o n 2 4

i n b e t w e e n t h e s i d e w a l l s

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