1. A system for simultaneously forming and filling a container comprising:
a mold cavity defining an internal surface and adapted to accept a preform;
a pressure source having an inlet, a chamber and a piston-like device moveable within the chamber in a first direction wherein liquid is drawn into the chamber through the inlet and in a second direction wherein the liquid is urged toward the preform; and
a blow nozzle adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at a pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container, wherein the liquid remains within the container as an end product.
2. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the piston-like device is one of a piston, and a pump and an accumulator.
3. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the blow nozzle defines a shape adapted to form a seal with a finish of the preform.
4. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform during a hot-fill process.
5. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 4 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform at a temperature between approximately 185\xb0 F. (85\xb0 C.) and 205\xb0 F. (96\xb0 C.).
6. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform at an ambient temperature.
7. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 6 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform at a temperature between approximately 32\xb0 F. (0\xb0 C.) and 90\xb0 F. (32\xb0 C.).
8. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the mold cavity accepts a preform heated to a temperature between approximately 190\xb0 F. (88\xb0 C.) and 250\xb0 F. (121\xb0 C.).
9. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the mold cavity is heated to a temperature between approximately 250\xb0 F. (93\xb0 C.) and 350\xb0 F. (177\xb0 C.).
10. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform at a pressure between approximately 100 PSI and 600 PSI.
11. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1, further comprising a stretch rod adapted to extend into the preform and mechanically stretch the preform prior to the liquid being urged into the preform.
12. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 11 wherein the stretch rod is vented to atmosphere.
13. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 1 wherein the preform is initially expanded outwardly under a first pressure and subsequently expanded outwardly under a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure.
14. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 13 wherein the first pressure is between approximately 100 PSI and 150 PSI, and the second pressure is between approximately 500 PSI and 600 PSI.
15. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 14 wherein the piston-like device comprises a first piston-like device that generates the first pressure and a second piston-like device that generates the second pressure.
16. A system for simultaneously forming and filling a container comprising:
a mold cavity defining an internal surface and adapted to accept a preform;
a pressure source adapted to urge liquid toward the preform; and
a blow nozzle adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at a pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and create a resultant container, wherein the liquid remains within the container as an end product.
17. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 16 wherein the pressure source includes a piston-like device moveable within the pressure source in a first direction wherein liquid is drawn into the pressure source through an inlet and in a second direction wherein the liquid is urged toward the preform.
18. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 17 wherein the piston-like device is one of a piston, and a pump and an accumulator.
19. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 16 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform at a temperature between approximately 185\xb0 F. (85\xb0 C.) and 205\xb0 F. (96\xb0 C.).
20. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 16 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform at a temperature between approximately 32\xb0 F. (0\xb0 C.) and 90\xb0 F. (32\xb0 C.).
21. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 16 wherein the mold cavity accepts a preform heated to a temperature between approximately 190\xb0 F. (88\xb0 C.) and 250\xb0 F. (121\xb0 C.).
22. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 16 wherein the mold cavity is heated to a temperature between approximately 250\xb0 F. (93\xb0 C.) and 350\xb0 F. (177\xb0 C.).
23. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 16 wherein the liquid is transferred into the preform at a pressure between approximately 100 PSI and 600 PSI.
24. The system for simultaneously forming and filling a container according to claim 16, further comprising a stretch rod adapted to extend into the preform and mechanically stretch the preform prior to the liquid being urged into the preform.
25-36. (canceled)
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of attaching a lenticular piece to a fabric surface comprising the steps of:
providing a fabric surface for receiving a lenticuar substrate;
providing a lenticular substrate having generally planar top and bottom surfaces, said top surface having a plurality of lenticules and said bottom surface having an image;
positioning the bottom surface of the lenticular substrate against the fabric surface;
compressing the lenticular substrate and fabric surface between upper and lower metal surfaces; and
channeling RF energy through the die surface to fuse at least a portion of the lenticular substrate to the fabric surface.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said lenticular substrate is formed from an RF weldable PVC.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said upper metal surface has at least one raised surface.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said raised surface channels the RF energy to an area on said lenticular substrate to be fused to said fabric surface.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the upper metal surface is a welding die.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the lower metal surface is a platen.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein the upper surface is a welding die and the lower surface is a platen, both of which are components of an RF welding machine.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein said raised surface includes raised perimeter defining an inner non-raised surface, and an outer surface.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said outer surface defines a second raised surface including a raised perimeter enclosing the perimeter of the inner non-raised surface.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein laser guides are used to aid positioning the lenticular piece upon the fabric surface.
11. An item of apparel having a lenticular piece, said item produced by the method of claim 1.
12. A method of attaching a lenticular piece to a fabric surface comprising the steps of:
providing a fabric surface for attaching lenticular artwork;
placing a first flexible film on the fabric surface;
providing a lenticular substrate having generally planar top and bottom surfaces, said top surface having a plurality of lenticules and said bottom surface having an image;
positioning the bottom surface of the lenticular substrate against the first flexible film;
positioning a second flexible film against the top surface of said lenticular substrate;
compressing the second flexible film, lenticular substrate, first flexible film and fabric surface between upper and lower metal surfaces; and
channeling RF energy through the die surface to fuse at least a portion of the the first and second flexible films and lenticular substrate to the fabric surface.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said lenticular substrate is formed from an RF weldable PVC.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein said upper metal surface has at least one raised surface.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said raised surface channels the RF energy to an area on said second flexible film, lenticular substrate and first flexible film to be fused to said fabric surface.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the upper metal surface is a welding die.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the lower metal surface is a platen.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein the upper surface is a welding die and the lower surface is a platen, both of which are components of an RF welding machine.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein said raised surface includes raised perimeter defining an inner non-raised surface, and an outer surface.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said outer surface defines a second raised surface including a raised perimeter enclosing the perimeter of the inner non-raised surface.
21. The method of claim 20 where in the perimeter of the lenticular substrate is greater than the inner-non raised surface.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the perimeter of the lenticular substrate lies within the second raised surface.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the a first weld is created on said lentiuclar substrate, and a second weld is created outside the perimeter of the lenticular substrate.
24. The method of claim 12, wherein laser guides are used to aid positioning the lenticular piece upon the fabric surface.
25. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second flexible films are made from polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, PET, EVA, and ABS resins.
26. An item of apparel having a lenticular piece, said item produced by the method of claim 12.
27. A method of attaching a lenticular piece to a fabric surface comprising the steps of:
providing a fabric surface for attaching lenticular artwork;
placing a flexible film on the fabric surface;
providing a lenticular substrate having generally planar top and bottom surfaces, said top surface having a plurality of lenticules and said bottom surface having an image;
positioning the bottom surface of the lenticular substrate against the first flexible film;
compressing the, lenticular substrate, flexible film and fabric surface between upper and lower metal surfaces; and
channeling RF energy through the die surface to fuse at least a portion of the the first and second flexible films and lenticular substrate to the fabric surface.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the flexible film is made from polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, PET, EVA, and ABS resins.
29. An item of apparel having a lenticular piece, said item produced by the method of claim 26.
30. A method of attaching a lenticular piece to a fabric surface comprising the steps of:
providing a fabric surface for attaching lenticular artwork;
providing a lenticular substrate having generally planar top and bottom surfaces, said top surface having a plurality of lenticules and said bottom surface having an image;
positioning the bottom surface of the lenticular substrate against the fabric surface;
positioning a flexible film against the top surface of said lenticular substrate
compressing the flexible film, lenticular substrate and fabric surface between upper and lower metal surfaces; and
channeling RF energy through the die surface to fuse at least a portion of the the first and second flexible films and lenticular substrate to the fabric surface.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the flexible films are made from polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, PET, EVA, and ABS resins.
32. An item of apparel having a lenticular piece, said item produced by the method of claim 29.
33. A method of attaching a lenticular image piece to a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate fabric surface;
positioning the lenticular piece on a desired location of the substate surface wherein the piece is made of an RF-weldable rigid polymer;
placing the substrate and lenticular piece between a platen and welding die of an RF machine, wherein the welding die includes at least one raised welding edge;
compressing the substrate and lenticluar piece between the platen and the welding die; and
welding the piece to the substrate by activating and channeling the RF energy through the raised welding edge.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the flexible films are made from polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, PET, EVA, and ABS resins.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the flexible films are thermoplastic polymers selected from the group consisting of PVC and polyurethane.
36. The method of claim 32, wherein laser guides are used to aid positioning the lenticular piece.
37. The method of claim 32, wherein the welding die comprises an inner raised welding edge and an outer raised welding edge.
38. The method of claim 32, wherein the substrate is an apparel item.
39. The method of claim 32 wherein the apparel item is selected from the group consisting of T-shirts, fleece, hats, jackets, shoes and sleepwear.
40. The method of claim 32, wherein the substrate is a softgood accessory selected from the group consisting of backpacks, lunchsacks, optical disc organizers, duffel bags, 3-ring binders, portfolios, purses, and portable computer cases.
41. An item of apparel having a lenticular piece, said item produced by the method of claim 32.
42. A method of attaching a die-cut lenticular image piece to a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate having a fabric surface;
positioning a first flexible film on a desired location of the substrate;
positioning the die-cut lenticular image piece on the first flexible film, wherein the piece is made of an RF-weldable rigid polymer;
positioning a second flexible film on the piece;
placing the substrate, flexible films, and piece between a platen and welding die of an RF machine, wherein the welding die includes an inner raised welding edge and an outer raised welding edge, and wherein the diameter of the die-cut piece is greater than the diameter of the inner raised welding edge but less than the diameter of the outer raised welding edge;
compressing the substrate and piece between the platen and the welding die; and
welding the piece to the substrate by activating and channeling the RF energy through the raised welding edge.
43. An item of apparel having a lenticular piece, said item produced by the method of claim 41.