Method of forming and filling a container with a fluid

Abstract

A method for controlling the level of a product in a container is provided. The method includes engaging an outer surface of a container containing a product at a first product level. A force is applied to the outer surface of the container to cause the container to change from a first volume to a second volume. After the force ceases, the container contains the product at a second product level. The second product level can provide an accurate and reproducible final product level in the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to techniques for simultaneously forming and filling containers, including controlling the final product level within the container.

[0002] introduction

[0003] This paragraph provides background information in connection with this disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Various products are contained in plastic containers, such as containers formed from one or more polymers. Common polymers used to form containers include polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density and low-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, and polypropylene. Plastic containers can be manufactured using various blow molding processes, including injection blow molding and extrusion blow molding.

[0005] Injection blow molding can be used to form specific plastic containers in one or more stages and may involve the use of stretch bars. In a two-stage injection stretch blow molding process, plastic is first molded into a preform using an injection molding process. This preform includes the neck and mouth of the container to be formed and includes a closed distal end, where threads may be included on the mouth. The preform can then be heated above the glass transition temperature of the plastic, stretched longitudinally using a stretch bar, and blown into a container conforming to the mold using a high-pressure gas (e.g., air). As the preform expands, it elongates and stretches, taking on the shape of the mold cavity. The plastic solidifies upon contact with the cooler surface of the mold, and the finished hollow container then ejects from the mold. The injection stretch blow molding process can be used to form plastic containers for packaging consumer beverages and other liquids and materials. However, this process has some inherent limitations, including undesirable gate wells or discontinuities on the bottom portion of the container, and limitations on the range of possible designs achievable using the stretch blow molding process, such as containers that include handles or void spaces.

[0006] Extrusion blow molding is used to form specific plastic containers, in which a continuously extruded thermoplastic tube or preform is trapped within a mold and expands against the inner surface of the mold to form a container preform. The mold can be designed to travel at the speed at which the extruded preform moves as it closes over the preform, allowing the process to operate in a continuous manner. Several different types of extrusion blow molding machines are available, including shuttle molds designed to travel in linear motion and extrusion blow molding wheels that travel in rotary or circular motion. While extrusion blow molding has addressed the need for improved plastic containers and eliminated some of the drawbacks inherent in containers manufactured using stretch blow molding, it requires multiple steps to form the container, followed by filling and capping. Therefore, significant costs, including transportation and time commitment, can be incurred when performing the container forming and filling processes separately.

[0007] Therefore, blow molding of containers and subsequent container filling have evolved into two separate processes, often operated at different facilities. To make container filling more cost-effective, some filling facilities have installed blow molding equipment on-site, in many cases integrating the blow molding machine directly into the filling line. Equipment manufacturers have recognized this advantage and are selling "integrated" systems designed to ensure complete synchronization between the blow molding machine and the filling machine. Despite efforts to combine these two processes, blow molding and filling remain two independent and distinct processes. Therefore, performing these two processes separately can incur significant costs.

[0008] In response to separate blow molding and filling processes, certain liquid or hydraulic blow molding systems have emerged that form and fill containers in a single operation. The liquid product used to form the preform and fill the resulting container can then be retained in the finished container. Therefore, the combination of the forming and filling steps can optimize the packaging of liquid products by eliminating the need to transport empty bottles and the time requirements associated with subsequent filling operations.

[0009] However, certain obstacles exist in forming and filling containers with certain products. Specifically, operations that simultaneously form and fill containers using products (where the product remains in the resulting container) can present problems in accurately obtaining the desired product level in the resulting container. The desired product level can typically be less than the maximum volume of the container, where air or gas space is maintained above the defined product or liquid level for various reasons. Exemplary reasons include: air space allows expansion / contraction in response to temperature changes without imposing a substantial pressure change on the container itself; air space provides a uniform aesthetic for the filled, finished, and capped container; accurate fill level is used to determine a specific amount of product within the container; air space facilitates mixing of the container contents when sealed by inverting or shaking the container; air space allows for the addition of additional materials, whether solid or liquid, to the product within the container, etc. Therefore, there is a need to control the final product level in containers (including those formed and filled using products). Summary of the Invention

[0010] This technology includes systems, processes, and articles related to the control and regulation of product levels in containers, including containers where the product is formed from preforms and filled, with the product remaining in the container as the final product.

[0011] A method is provided for controlling the product level in a container, the method comprising engaging an outer surface of a container holding the product (wherein the product is at a first product level). A force can be applied to the outer surface of the container to change the container from a first volume to a second volume. When the force is released, the container holds the product at the second product level.

[0012] Other applicable fields will become apparent from the description provided herein. The descriptions and specific examples in this invention are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and not for all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0014] Figures 1A to 1F A series of schematic side views are shown illustrating how an external rod guides a preform during the container forming process.

[0015] Figures 2A to 2C The description of external lever adjustment is shown. Figures 1A to 1F The diagram shows a series of schematic side views of the final product level in a filled container formed by the container forming process.

[0016] Figure 3 It shows that according to Figures 1A to 1F The container shown is a filled container formed by a container forming process, wherein an external rod engages the external features of the filled container.

[0017] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A detailed view of the circle marked 4, where the outer rod engages with the outer feature of the container.

[0018] Figures 5A to 5B It shows Figure 4 A detailed view showing that the mold and the filled container are at least partially separated, and an external rod pulls an external feature of the container to make the first volume ( Figure 5A ) becomes the second volume ( Figure 5B This allows for the adjustment of the final product level in the filled container.

[0019] Throughout the accompanying figures, similar reference numerals denote similar parts. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following description of the technology is exemplary only in relation to the nature of the subject matter, manufacture, and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or use of any particular invention claimed in this application or in other such applications that may claim priority to this application or in patents published by such applications. Regarding the disclosed methods, the order of the presented steps is exemplary in nature, and therefore the order of these steps may differ in various embodiments. The terms “a” and “an” as used herein indicate the presence of “at least one” item; multiple such items may be present if possible. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all numerical quantities in this description should be understood to be modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors should be understood to be modified by the word “substantially” to describe the broadest range of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values ​​indicates that the calculated or measured value allows for some slight imprecision (closeness to the value; approximation or reasonably closeness to the value; almost). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “approximately” and / or “substantially” is not understood in the art to have this common meaning, then “approximately” and / or “substantially” as used herein at least refer to variations that can be produced by common methods of measuring or using such parameters.

[0021] Unless otherwise expressly stated, all documents cited in this detailed description, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature, are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between the cited documents and this detailed description, this detailed description shall prevail.

[0022] Although the open-ended term "comprising" as a non-limiting synonym of terms such as containing, including, or having is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, these embodiments may alternatively be described using more restrictive terms such as "composed of" or "consistently composed of". Therefore, for any given embodiment listing materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments composed of or substantially composed of such materials, components, or process steps, while excluding other materials, components, or processes (composed of), and excluding other materials, components, or processes (consistently composed of), and other materials, components, or processes that significantly affect the characteristics of the embodiment, even if such other materials, components, or processes are not expressly listed in this application. For example, a detailed description of the composition or process of elements A, B, and C specifically contemplates embodiments composed of and substantially composed of A, B, and C, excluding element D, which may be listed in the art, even if element D is not expressly described herein as excluded.

[0023] As stated herein, unless otherwise specified, the disclosed scope includes the endpoints and encompasses all distinct numerical values ​​throughout the scope, as well as further subdivisions; thus, a scope such as “from A to B” or “from approximately A to approximately B” includes both A and B. The disclosed values ​​and ranges for specific parameters (e.g., quantity, weight percentage, etc.) do not exclude other values ​​and ranges useful herein. It is contemplated that two or more specific example values ​​for a given parameter may define the endpoints of the range values ​​of a claimable parameter. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein as having a value A and also exemplified herein as having a value Z, it is contemplated that parameter X may have a range of values ​​from approximately A to approximately Z. Similarly, it is contemplated that two or more disclosed range values ​​for a parameter (whether these ranges are nested, overlapping, or distinct) encompass all possible combinations of ranges of values ​​that may be claimed using the endpoints of the disclosed scope. For example, if parameter X is exemplified in this article as having a range of values ​​from 1 to 10, or 2 to 9, or 3 to 8, it is also conceivable that parameter X could have other range values, including 1 to 9, 1 to 8, 1 to 3, 1 to 2, 2 to 10, 2 to 8, 2 to 3, 3 to 10, 3 to 9, etc.

[0024] When an element or layer is referred to as “on,” “joined to,” “connected to,” or “attached to” another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly joined to, directly connected to, or directly attached to the other element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as “directly on,” “directly joined to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly attached to” another element or layer, there cannot be intermediate elements or layers. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., “between” vs. “immediately between,” “adjacent” vs. “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless explicitly stated in the context, terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms used herein do not imply sequence or order. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples of embodiments, the first element, first component, first region, first layer, or first segment discussed below may be referred to as a second element, second component, second region, second layer, or second segment.

[0026] Spatially related terms such as “inside,” “outside,” “below,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition to the orientations described in the drawings, spatially related terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as “below other elements or features” or “under other elements or features” would be oriented “above other elements or features.” Thus, instances of the term “below” can cover both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially related descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0027] This technology allows for the control of product level in a container, wherein a product can be used to form and fill the container. The product level can be controlled by engaging the outer surface of the container containing the product, wherein the product is at a first product level. Applying a force to the outer surface of the container then causes the container to change from a first volume to a second volume. After the force is removed, the container can hold the product at the second product level.

[0028] Several aspects can be applied to the product level within the container and / or its relationship to the container's volume. A first product level can be correlated with an amount of product substantially equal to the first volume. A second product level can also be correlated with an amount of product substantially equal to the second volume. Various relationships include the first volume being greater than the second volume, and in other embodiments, the first volume being less than the second volume.

[0029] Some implementations include the container substantially returning to a first volume after the force is stopped. For example, after engaging the outer surface of the container, a force can be applied by pushing the outer surface. Pushing the outer surface may reduce the volume of the container and may cause product to exit the container. If the second volume is smaller than the volume of product in the container, a portion of the product in the container may exit the container. If the container was previously substantially full of product (e.g., the first product level is substantially at the top of the container), pushing the outer surface may cause a defined amount of product to exit the container proportional to the change in volume. Various filling operations that utilize product to form and fill the container, as well as various forming and filling operations, can make the container substantially full of product. Engaging the outer surface of such a filled container and applying force to the outer surface of such a filled container can cause an overflow or controlled overflow and capture the product exiting the container. Stopping the force pushing the outer surface of the container can cause the container to return to a first volume, in this case, a first volume greater than the second volume, thereby causing the product in the container (minus the portion exiting the container) to drop to a second product level in the container. For example, when the force is stopped, the container may elastically or resiliently return to its previous shape.

[0030] Some implementations include retaining the container at the second volume after the force is stopped. For example, after engaging the outer surface of the container, a force can be applied by pulling the outer surface of the container. Pulling the outer surface can increase the volume of the container and can cause the product level in the container to drop from a first product level to a second product level. Various filling operations using product to form and fill the container, as well as various forming and filling operations, can make the container substantially full of product. Engaging to and applying force to the outer surface of such a filled container can make the second volume larger than the first volume and cause the first product level to drop to the second product level. Stopping the force pushing the outer surface of the container can make the container substantially retain at the second volume, in which case the second volume is larger than the first volume, thereby causing the product in the container to drop by a defined amount to the second product level in the container. For example, the container wall can be formed with a shape or recess that can be flipped over, or in which at least a portion pops out and remains in that position after the force is stopped.

[0031] The container used in this technology can be formed in various ways, and some methods include simultaneously forming and filling the container by expanding a preform in a mold using a product. Specifically, the process may include dispensing a product into the preform to form and fill the container using the product before applying force to the outer surface of the container to change the container from a first volume to a second volume. At least a portion of the preform may be positioned within a mold cavity defining an inner surface, and a nozzle may be used to transfer the product to the preform to cause the preform to expand toward the inner surface of the mold cavity and form the container. In this forming and filling operation, the product may remain in the container as the final product, and the resulting container may be substantially filled to the capacity of the product. The preform may also be mechanically stretched within the mold cavity using a tension bar. Along with the tension bar, when the preform is mechanically stretched within the mold cavity using a tension bar, an outer bar may also engage the outer surface of the preform.

[0032] Examples of using tension bars, external bars, and tension bars together with external bars to manipulate preforms to form containers are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,727,758 to Eberle et al. and 9,802,375 to Lisch et al., and in International Publication No. WO / 2012 / 037057A2 to Maki et al., the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] Some embodiments include engaging the outer surface of a container holding a product at a first product level. Engaging the outer surface of the container may include engagement features on the outer surface of the container. For example, the engagement feature may be an injection-molded feature for forming a preform of the container. The engagement feature may also include a protrusion on the outer surface of the container. Various embodiments may have protrusions arising from a gate during container formation, such as from a gate for injection molding a preform for subsequent blow molding into a container. Protrusions may also arise from extrusion blow molding of the container, such as a portion of the extruded preform held or captured by the lower part of a mold for blow molding.

[0034] In embodiments where the engagement feature includes a protrusion, the protrusion may be located within a recessed portion of the outer surface of the container. This recessed portion may exist before a force is applied to the outer surface of the container to change the container from a first volume to a second volume. For example, pulling the protrusion within the recessed portion may cause all or part of the recessed portion to expand, and even flip or pop out from the rest of the container. The recessed portion of the container's outer surface may become a protrusion of the container's outer surface after a force is applied to the outer surface of the container to change the container from a first volume to a second volume. Therefore, these embodiments may include the ability to push against at least one of the engagement feature and the outer surface of the container to reduce the first volume to a second volume (e.g., in the case where the first volume is greater than the second volume), and conversely, the ability to pull the protrusion to increase the first volume to a second volume (e.g., in the case where the first volume is less than the second volume).

[0035] Some implementations include various post-product level control steps. Containers containing product at the second product level can be sealed, for example, to maintain accurate fill levels and ensure consistency of filled containers. One or more labels can be applied to the containers. Containers can be packaged and palletized in some way, or containers filled with product can be distributed as needed.

[0036] This technology also includes various systems and system components having the features provided herein. This technology also envisions methods for using such systems and components to simultaneously form and fill containers having products. This technology provides a variety of articles of manufacture, including various processed products.

[0037] Referring to the numerous figures provided herein, non-limiting aspects of various embodiments of the present technology are illustrated.

[0038] Figures 1A to 1FA series of schematic side views are shown illustrating how the outer rod 100 guides the preform 112 during the container forming process. The tension rod 22 and the outer rod 100 can be actuated simultaneously and independently to achieve a predetermined tensioning and / or forming process. Thus, the outer rod 100 can be actuated from the base of the mold cavity 302 and can be initiated before blowing to physically touch or contact the preform 112, or the outer rod 100 can be stopped before contacting the preform 112, for example... Figures 1A to 1B In some embodiments, the outer rod 100 may function at a distance of up to approximately 20 mm from the preform 112; however, in other embodiments, the outer rod 100 may improve quality and ensure that a portion of the preform 112 engages with the outer rod 100, thereby holding the preform in the desired position within the mold cavity 302.

[0039] In some embodiments, a telescopic external rod 100 may be used where additional length of the external rod 100 may be required to contact the preform 112 and / or where space constraints below the mold 300 prevent the use of an integrally formed external rod 100 of sufficient length to contact the preform 112. That is, in some embodiments, a telescopic external rod 100 may be employed, having a first segment 104 slidably received within a second segment 108. However, it should be recognized that additional telescopic segments may be used.

[0040] During the forming and filling process, the outer rod 100 can engage the preform 112 at any time before the container begins to expand or immediately after expansion begins. However, if the outer rod 100 is intended to engage the preform 112 before expansion, the preform 112 can be loaded, and then the outer rod 100 can be engaged or actuated. Next, the tension rod 22 can be actuated and can engage the preform 112 together with the outer rod 100. Once the preform 112 is engaged with the outer rod 100, expansion of the preform 112 into the resulting container can begin. High-pressure air or liquid can be used to expand the preform 112, or a low-pressure air or liquid can be used in the first step followed by a high-pressure air or liquid in the second step. The preform 112 can begin to expand away from the tension rod 22, and the tension rod 22 can remain in place or retract from the expanded preform 22 as the container forms. After the filling cycle is complete and the container is fully formed, the tension rod 22 can be positioned at the desired depth in the container such that once the sealing pin is closed, the product fill level can be at or near the desired height in the container. Then, the outer rod 100 can be removed from the container, causing the nozzle to rise, and the fully formed and filled container can be removed from the mold, with the product remaining inside the container.

[0041] Now go to Figures 2A to 2C The description of external lever adjustment is shown below. Figures 1A to 1F The diagram shows a series of schematic side views of the final product level in a filled container formed by the container forming process. Figure 2A The diagram shows a container 200 filled with product 205 to substantially reach the capacity of container 200. As shown, in this example, the filling level of product 205 substantially reaching the capacity of container 200 can be represented as a first product level 210. Figure 2B In this embodiment, the outer surface 215 of the container 200 containing product 205 at the first product level 210 can be subjected to a force to change the container 200 from a first volume to a second volume. The illustrated embodiment uses an external rod 100 to engage with the outer surface 215 of the container 200 and apply force to the outer surface of the container. By using the external rod 100 to push the outer surface 215 of the container 200, a force is applied to deform the container 200 and change the volume of the container. Figure 2B The deformable volume, represented by V, decreases proportionally. For example... Figure 2B As indicated by the arrow at the top of container 200, when the product moves past the first product level 210 (limited by the capacity of container 200), an amount of product 205 corresponding to the deformed volume V leaves the top of container 200. The product 205 leaving container 200 due to the deforming force applied by external rod 100 can be guided out of container 200 in some way, and may even be captured and reused. Figure 2C As shown, after the force stops, container 200 contains product 205 at the second product level 220. The outer rod 100 retracts and no longer applies force to the outer surface 215 of container 200, and the resulting deformation (and deformation volume V) is absent, wherein container 200 has returned to its original position. Figure 2A The initial shape shown is essentially the same. Therefore, reference Figure 2C The volume V represents the volume of the product leaving the container. The first product level 210 has dropped to the second product level 220 in proportion to the volume of the deformed container V.

[0042] Now for reference Figure 3 The diagram shows the results based on... Figures 1A to 1F The container forming process shown forms and fills a container 400 with product 405, wherein an outer rod 100 can engage the outer surface 415 of the filled container 400. The container 400 is shown within a mold 300; however, the container 400 can be completely removed from the mold 300, or the bottom portion 425 of the mold 300 can be removed from the remainder of the mold 300. As shown, the container 400 can be filled with product 405 substantially equal to the capacity of the container 400, which can be represented in this specific embodiment as a first product level 410.

[0043] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3A detailed view within the circle marked 4 shows the outer rod 100 engaged with an outer feature 430 on the outer surface 415 of the container 400. The outer feature 430 may be configured to complement the end 435 of the outer rod 100. In this way, the end 435 of the outer rod 100 can engage the outer feature 430 and allow force to be applied to that end, wherein the force can also be applied to or transmitted to the outer surface 415 via the outer feature 430. The complementarity and engagement of the end 435 with the outer feature 430 allows forces to be applied to the outer surface 415 of the container 400 in various directions. For example, as... Figure 2B As shown, the outer rod 100 can push the outer surface 415. However, the engagement of the end portion 435 with the outer feature 430 also allows the outer rod 100 to pull the outer feature 430, which transmits pulling force to the outer surface 415 of the container 400. In the described embodiment, the outer feature 430 may include a resilient clamp 440 that deforms as it passes through an opening 445 in the end portion 435 of the outer rod 100. The resilient clamp 440 springs back to a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening 445 after entering a recess 450 in the end portion 435. In some embodiments, the outer feature 430 may engage in the end portion 435 of the outer rod in this manner. It should be understood that other configurations, including various articulated and complementary engagement devices, can be used to connect the outer feature 430 and the outer rod 100.

[0044] Figures 5A to 5B It shows Figure 4 Detailed views show that at least the bottom portion 425 of the mold 300 is separated from the container 400. This series of views illustrates how the outer rod 100 can be used to apply tension to the outer feature 430 of the container 400 to displace the first volume V1 ( Figure 5A ) becomes the second volume V2( Figure 5B This adjusts the first product level 410 in the filled container 400 to the second (final) product level 460 (see...). Figure 3 ).like Figure 5A As indicated by the arrow, the external rod 100, which engages with the external feature 430, applies a pulling force to the outer surface 415 of the container 400, causing the volume of the container 400 to increase, i.e., V2 > V1. The described embodiment has the external feature 430 located within a recess 465 formed in the wall 470 of the container 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 465 is located on the bottom of the container 400. When the external rod 100 applies a pulling force to the external feature 430, this recess 465 can flip over, wherein, after the force stops, a portion of the wall 470 of the container 400 pops out and remains in that position. Thus, the container increases in volume from the first volume V1 ( Figure 5A ) becomes the second volume V2( Figure 5BAnd the product 405 in the container changes from the first product level 410 to the second product level 460. Alternatively, this portion of the wall 470 can be partially returned to its previous recessed shape 465, or the wall 470 can form a substantially flat surface with the rest of the bottom of the container 400 instead of protruding from that bottom. Multiple concentric stepped recesses 465 can also be provided, which can be pulled and flipped in successive stages to provide multiple options defining the second product level 460.

[0045] As these examples demonstrate, the methods and systems described herein can simultaneously form and fill containers, and reproducibly and precisely control the final product level within the container. However, it should be understood that this technology can be used in conjunction with other container manufacturing methods, such as extrusion blow molding, single-stage injection stretch blow molding, and injection blow molding, and can be used with a variety of container materials, including, for example, thermoplastics, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), PET / PEN blends or copolymers, and various multilayer structures are suitable for manufacturing plastic containers and for use in conjunction with the principles described herein. Although this disclosure envisions the production of PET containers, it should be understood that other polyolefin materials (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, etc.) and a variety of other plastics can be processed using this technology.

[0046] Examples of these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure comprehensive and to fully communicate the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details, such as examples of specific components, apparatuses, and methods, are set forth herein to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to implement this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required, exemplary embodiments may be presented in many different forms, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Within the scope of this art, equivalent changes, modifications, and variations can be made to some embodiments, materials, components, and methods, resulting in substantially similar outcomes.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the liquid level of a product in a container, the method comprising: When the container contains product at the first product level, the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container is engaged. A tensile force is applied to the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container to increase the volume of the container from a first volume to a second volume larger than the first volume, wherein the increase in the volume of the container from the first volume to the second volume includes the product level of the container changing from the first product level to a second product level lower than the first product level; When the pulling force stops, the container remains in the second volume, while containing the product at the second product level.

2. The processing method according to claim 1, wherein, The first product level indicates that the amount of product is substantially equal to the first volume.

3. The processing method according to claim 1, wherein, Before applying the tension to the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container to increase the volume of the container from the first volume to the second volume, the processing method further includes dispensing the product into a preform to form and fill the container using the product.

4. The processing method according to claim 3, wherein, At least a portion of the preform is located within a mold cavity defining an inner surface. A nozzle transfers the product to the preform to cause the preform to expand toward the inner surface of the mold cavity and form the container, wherein the product is retained within the container.

5. The processing method according to claim 4, wherein, Before the nozzle transfers the product to the preform to cause the preform to expand toward the inner surface of the mold cavity and form the container, a tension bar is used to mechanically stretch the preform within the mold cavity.

6. The processing method according to claim 5, wherein, When the preform is mechanically stretched within the mold cavity using the stretching rod, the outer surface of the preform engages with the external rod.

7. The processing method according to claim 1, wherein, The engagement of the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container containing the product at the first product level includes engagement features that engage the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container.

8. The processing method according to claim 7, wherein, The joining feature is an injection-molded feature used to form a preform of the container.

9. The processing method according to claim 7, wherein, The engagement feature includes a protrusion positioned along the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container.

10. The processing method according to claim 9, wherein, The protrusion originates from the gate that forms the container.

11. The processing method according to claim 9, wherein, The protrusion is formed by extrusion blow molding of the container.

12. The processing method according to claim 1, wherein, After the pulling force is applied to the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container to increase the volume of the container from the first volume to the second volume, the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container becomes a protruding portion of the outer surface of the container or a flat portion of the outer surface of the container.

13. The processing method according to claim 9, wherein, Applying the pulling force to the recessed portion of the outer surface of the container includes pulling the protrusion to increase the first volume to the second volume.

14. The processing method of claim 9 further includes removing the protrusion from the outer surface of the container after the pulling force is stopped.

15. The processing method according to claim 1, further comprising sealing the container holding the product at the second product level.

16. A container, wherein the liquid level of the product in the container is set according to the processing method of claim 1.

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