US 12,478,553 B2
Polymer vials with substantially flat bottoms and injection stretch blow molding methods for making the same
Eugene Sadzewicz, Auburn, AL (US); Kenneth Wade Kelly, Auburn, AL (US); Martin Baltazar, Auburn, AL (US); Adam Breeland, Auburn, AL (US); Thomas E. Fisk, Green Valley, AZ (US); David Henton, Midland, MI (US); Brian Maurer, North Wales, PA (US); Ahmad Taha, Auburn, AL (US); and Christopher Weikart, Auburn, AL (US)
Assigned to SIO2 MEDICAL PRODUCTS, LLC, Auburn, AL (US)
Appl. No. 17/293,844
Filed by SIO2 MEDICAL PRODUCTS, LLC, Auburn, AL (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 13, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/061293
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 13, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/102434, PCT Pub. Date May 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0008292 A1, Jan. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. A61J 1/14 (2023.01); B29C 49/00 (2006.01); B29C 49/06 (2006.01); B29C 49/12 (2006.01); B29C 49/48 (2006.01); B29K 23/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61J 1/1468 (2015.05) [A61J 1/1412 (2013.01); B29C 49/0005 (2013.01); B29C 49/06 (2013.01); B29C 49/12 (2013.01); B29C 2049/4881 (2022.05); B29C 2049/4882 (2013.01); B29C 2049/4892 (2013.01); B29K 2023/38 (2013.01); B29L 2031/716 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for making a polymer vial by injection stretch blow molding, the method comprising:
a. providing a mold, the mold comprising a first mold part and a second mold part, the first mold part and the second mold part being configured to meet along a central axis to form an outer shape of a sidewall of the vial, wherein respective interior sizes and configurations of the first mold part and the second mold part mirror each other, the mold further comprising a base mold configured to form a base of the vial, the base mold having a substantially flat molding surface, wherein at least 80% of the molding surface of the base mold occupies a single plane, the first mold part, the second mold part, and the base mold together defining a mold cavity when the mold is in a blowing position in which the base mold is in position relative to the first and second mold parts to form the base of the vial;
b. providing a mandrel within the mold and a molten polymer preform onto the mandrel, stretching the preform with the mandrel to extend an end thereof past respective molding surfaces of the first mold part and the second mold part, wherein the base mold is axially distal to a location of the base mold when the mold is in the blowing position;
c. moving the base mold axially towards the first mold part and the second mold part to place the mold in the blowing position; and
d. blowing gas into the preform such that the preform expands within the mold cavity and conforms to respective surfaces of the first mold part, the second mold part, and the base mold when the mold is in the blowing position, wherein the substantially flat molding surface of the base mold is positioned entirely axially below respective molding surfaces of the first mold part and second mold part,
wherein the base of the vial at a first location that is adjacent to the sidewall has a first thickness that is less than a second thickness of the base at a second location between a geometric center of the base and the first location.