US 12,409,599 B2
Container preform and forming/filling nozzle each configured to provide a seal therebetween
Gregory Carpenter, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Kirk Edward Maki, Tecumseh, MI (US); and Jonathan McGurk, Toledo, OH (US)
Assigned to LiquiForm Group LLC, Saline, MI (US)
Appl. No. 17/797,426
Filed by LIQUIFORM GROUP LLC, Saline, MI (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 14, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/018231
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 3, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/147531, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0089579 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 49/58 (2006.01); B29C 49/12 (2006.01); B29C 49/46 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 49/58 (2013.01) [B29C 49/12 (2013.01); B29C 2049/4664 (2013.01); B29L 2031/712 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A nozzle for a forming/filling head configured to inject a product into a thermoplastic preform sealed to the nozzle for simultaneously forming a container from the thermoplastic preform and filling the container with the product, the nozzle comprising:
an outer flange at an outlet of the nozzle;
an inner flange surrounded by the outer flange, the inner flange including an outer sealing surface facing the outer flange, an inner surface opposite to the outer surface, and a lower sealing surface; and
an upper sealing surface between the outer flange and the inner flange;
wherein upon insertion of a finish of the thermoplastic preform between the outer flange and the inner flange, the nozzle seals to the thermoplastic preform through cooperation between: the upper sealing surface and a brim of the thermoplastic preform; the lower sealing surface and a sealing ledge of the thermoplastic preform; and the outer sealing surface and an inner sealing sidewall of the thermoplastic preform.