Plastic containers with folded-over internal layers and methods for making same

• US 4,751,035 A
• Filed: 06/10/1985
• Issued: 06/14/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pechiney Plastic Packaging Incorporated (Rio Tinto Limited)
• Original Assignee: American National Can Company (Ball Corporation)
• Inventors: Tung, Thomas T., McHenry, Robert J., Pfutzenreuter, Henry III, Vella, John Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbaugh, Jan H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Durkin, II, J. F.
• Application Number:
  US06/743,440
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 264/45.1, 264/513, 264/245, 264/255, 264/328.8, 264/40.1, 264/40.3, 264/40.5, 264/40.7, 264/241, 425/130, 425/131.1, 425/132, 425/133.1, 425/564, 425/523
• US Class Current: 264/255
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/161 using a hollow needle valve through which one material is injected
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1612 using needle valves with at least four positions
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/072 having variable wall thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0724 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0725 at bottom portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/073 having variable diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0731 at neck portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0733 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0762 Conical
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/077 characterised by the neck
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0776 not containing threads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0781 characterised by the sprue, i.e. injection mark
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0819 of a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3008 at neck portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3012 at flange portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3016 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/302 at bottom portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3028 having three or more components
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3032 having components being injected
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/16 Making multilayered or multicoloured articles B29C45/0062 takes precedence; feeding colouring materials into the injection unit B29C45/1816
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1643 : from at least three different materials or with at least four layers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/20 : Injection nozzles B29C45/1603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/03 : characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/185 : comprising six or more components, i.e. each component being counted once for each time it is present, e.g. in a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/0005 : characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/071 : Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/6605 : Heating the article, e.g. for hot fill
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0069 : non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/716 : of the wide mouth type, i.e. the diameters of the bottle opening and its body are substantially identical
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/28 : formed of laminated material

Abstract

Methods of injecting into a cavity an at least three-layer flow stream having a fast flow stream line, are provided which include establishing the flow of material of first and second layers of the flow stream to form an interface therebetween at a first location not coincident with the fast flow stream line, interposing the flow of material of a third layer in the interface, and moving the third layer to a second location relatively more proximate to, substantially coincident with, or across from and not substantially coincident with the fast flow stream line. This moving achieves foldover of the third layer and can be effected by selectively changing the flow of material(s) on one side of the third layer relative to the flow of material(s) on the other side thereof, at or shortly after the interposition of the third layer. Preferably, the interface is annular and the interposition is at substantially all places around the interface. These methods can be used to prevent, reduce or overcome bias of the terminal or marginal end portion of the third layer during multi-layer injection of a container, to provide a substantially unbiased overall leading edge of the third layer, such that the folded over portion and the unfolded portion of the marginal end portion is finally positioned in the sidewall of the container in a substantially unbiased plane relative to the axis of the container.

Claims

1. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

moving the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

2. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

moving the location of said third layer to a second location which is relatively more proximate to said fast flow streamline thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an aritcle in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

3. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

moving the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places across the breadth of the layered stream.

4. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

moving the location of said third layer to a second location which is relatively more proximate to said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

6. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

moving the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

7. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

moving the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the loation of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places across the breadth of the layered stream.

9. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an aritcle in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

selecting the rate of flow of the first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with the fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream in the interface between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to

move the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

10. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

selecting the rate of flow of the first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with the fast flow streamline, interposing the flow of material of a third layer of

the flow stream in the interface between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to move the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places across the breadth of the layered stream.

12. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with the fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream in the interface between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to

move the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

13. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline postioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to the first layer to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

selecting the rate of flow of the first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with the fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream in the interface between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to

move the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places across the breadth of the layered stream.

15. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having a central injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an aritcle in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and,

moving the location of said third layer in said channel to a second location in said channel which is substantially coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

16. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having a central injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers, moving the location of said third layer in said channel to a second location in said channel which is substantially coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places across the breadth of the layered stream.

18. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having a central injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprised of three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and,

moving the location of said third layer in said channel across the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity to a second location in said channel which is not coincident with said flow streamline in the channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

19. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having an injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprised of three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream to form an interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

moving the location of said third layer in said channel across the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity to a second location in said channel which is not coincident with said flow streamline in the channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places across the breadth of the layered stream.

21. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on an annular fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an aritcle in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

moving the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the thrd layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

22. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on an annular fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

moving the location of said third layer to a second location which is relatively more proximate to said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

23. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on an annular fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

moving the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places around the circumference of the annulus between the first and second layers.

25. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

moving the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

26. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

positioning the interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

moving the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places around the circumference of the annulus between the first and second layers.

28. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having an injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer, comprising during the injection cycle establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers, the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and moving the location of said third layer in said channel to a second location in said channel which is substantially coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

29. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having an injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer, comprising during the injection cycle establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers, the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and, when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers, moving the location of said third layer in said channel to a second location in said channel which is substantially coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places around the circumference of the annulus between the first and second layers.

31. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having an injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer, comprising during the injection cycle, establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers, the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and moving the location of said third layer in said channel across the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity to a second location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

32. A method of injecting, by means of a nozzle having an injection channel, a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer, comprising during the injection cycle establishing in said channel the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers, the flow stream in said channel having a flow streamline which corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, positioning said interface at a first location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location, of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, and, when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers, moving the location of said third layer in said channel across the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity to a second location in said channel which is not coincident with the flow streamline in said channel that corresponds to the fast flow streamline in the injection cavity, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places around the circumference of the annulus between the first and second layers.

34. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

selecting the rate of flow of the first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to

move the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

35. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

selecting the rate of flow of the first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to

move the location of said third layer to a second location which is substantially coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places around the circumference of the annulus between the first and second layers.

37. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

selecting the rate of flow of the first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to

move the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

38. A method of injecting a multi-layer flow stream comprising three layers into an injection cavity in which the speed of flow of the layered stream is highest on a fast flow streamline positioned intermediate the boundaries of said layered stream, to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer,

comprising during the injection cycle,

establishing the flow of material of a first layer of the flow stream and the flow of material of a second layer of the flow stream adjacent to and around the first layer to form an annular interface between the flowing materials of said first and second layers,

selecting the rate of flow of the first layer material and the rate of flow of the second layer material to position said interface at a first location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline,

interposing the flow of material of a third layer of the flow stream around said first layer and between said first and second layers, said third layer to become the internal layer of the article, the location of the third layer being at a position which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, and,

when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers,

adjusting the relative rates of flow of said first and second layer materials to

move the location of said third layer across the fast flow streamline to a second location which is not coincident with said fast flow streamline, thereby causing the third layer to fold over to form an article in the cavity having a folded over internal layer.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the location of the third layer is moved to said second location when or shortly after the flow of said third layer material has been interposed between said first and second layers at substantially all places around the circumference of the annulus between the first and second layers.

40. A method of injecting a multi-layer polymer stream into an injection cavity having a fast flow streamline at or near the center line of flow in the injection cavity to form a multi-layer injection or container, molded article, or parison for blow molding into a container having an internal layer having a marginal end portion and an overall leading edge which is substantially unbiased, which comprises, during injection of the stream, moving a portion of the marginal end portion of the internal layer from a location not coincident with the fast flow streamline to a location more proximate to, substantially coincident with or across from but not coincident with the fast flow streamline, and utilizing the movement of said portion of the marginal end portion of the internal layer relative to the fast flow stream line to fold over a portion of the marginal end portion, thereby providing a substantially unbiased overall leading edge of said internal layer.

41. A method of forming an injection molded multi-layer rigid plastic parison for forming a blow molded container, wherein the parison has a side wall and an internal layer therein having a portion which is folded over within a marginal end portion of the side wall, which comprises,

injecting a multi-layer stream into an injection cavity, and

during said injection step, causing a portion of the marginal end portion of said internal layer to fold over as said portion of said layer moves into the cavity, to form a parison in said cavity having a portion of the internal layer folded over within a portion of the marginal end portion of the side wall.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein there is included the step of causing any folded over portion and the terminal end of the unfolded portion of the marginal end portion to be finally positioned in a substantially unbiased plane relative to the axis of the container.