Swage-forming of container threads

Abstract

A method of making a plastic container having a threaded wide-mouth finish includes providing a preform having at least an exterior surface of molded polyester construction. The preform is placed in a mold cavity having a first portion for forming a container body, a second portion adjacent to the first portion for forming a cylindrical finish wall without threads, and a third portion adjacent to the second portion for forming a trim dome or moil. The preform is expanded within the mold cavity to form a one-piece intermediate product that includes a body, a cylindrical wide-mouth finish wall and a moil. After removing the intermediate product from the cavity, the moil is severed from the end of the finish wall. At least one thread is then formed on the finish wall by engaging the finish wall with at least one thread-forming tool, which may be heated to facilitate the forming operation.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A wide-mouth blow molded plastic container that includes a hollow body and a cylindrical wide-mouth finish wall integrally blow molded with said body, said blow-molded wide-mouth finish wall having a diameter less than that of the blow molded body, and said finish wall having at least one thread swage-formed in said finish wall.  
     
     
         10 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said at least one thread comprises at least one external thread, and wherein at least an exterior surface portion of said finish wall is of PET construction.  
     
     
         11 . The container set forth in  claim 10  wherein at least an exterior surface portion of said finish wall is crystallized.  
     
     
         12 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said finish wall, including said at least one thread, is of substantially uniform wall thickness between radially inner and outer surfaces of said wall, including said at least one swage-formed thread.  
     
     
         13 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said finish wall is of PET construction throughout.  
     
     
         14 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said at least one thread is an external thread.  
     
     
         15 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said finish wall includes a swage-formed top sealing surface.  
     
     
         16 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said blow-molded wide mouth finish wall is strain hardened.  
     
     
         17 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said at least one thread is an internal thread.  
     
     
         18 . The container set forth in  claim 9  wherein said finish wall includes multiple layers.