The present application provides methods of producing containers (315, 415, 515, 720, 815, 915) having shaped tails (610, 910), including
blow molding a precursor having a
tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910); and shaping the
tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) to form a shaped
tail (610, 910). Various types of
blow molding can employ various types of precursors having tails (510). Injection
blow molding can be used where a preform (105, 200, 305, 405, 505) having a tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) is optionally stretched longitudinally and inflated with a gas or liquid.
Extrusion blow molding can be used where a parison (705) having a tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) is inflated. The tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) shaping device can be part of the blow molding process or can be employed after the container (315, 415, 515, 720, 815, 915) is produced from the precursor having a tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910). The shaped tail (610, 910) can impart functionality to the container (315, 415, 515, 720, 815, 915), including shaping the tail (105, 110, 205, 310, 410, 510, 715, 810, 910) to be
usable as a
coupling point such as an attachment point, a hanging point, or a hook.