Preform, a container, and a method for fabrication of a preform

Abstract

A method for fabricating a preform by providing a plurality of preform segments which each define a portion of a preform, positioning said preform segments in continuous contact with each other along at least one edge of said preform segments such that said plurality of preform segments define a cavity, and bonding each of said preform segments to at least one other preform segment such that said plurality of preform segments forms a continuous whole.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A preform comprising a plurality of preform segments each defining a portion of the preform, each of the preform segments is bonded to at least one other preform segment to constitute the preform with a cavity defined by the plurality of preform segments. 
     
     
         2 . The preform of  claim 1 , wherein the preform comprises an open end communicating with the cavity, the open end being provided with a member for interfacing with a closure device. 
     
     
         3 . The preform of  claim 1 , wherein the preform segments comprise walls of at least two different thicknesses. 
     
     
         4 . The preform of  claim 1 , wherein the preform segments have at least two different intrinsic viscosities. 
     
     
         5 . The preform of  claim 1 , wherein the preform segments are fabricated from at least two different materials. 
     
     
         6 . The preform of  claim 1 , wherein the preform segments are of at least two different colors. 
     
     
         7 . The preform of  claim 1 , wherein the inside diameter of the preform at a cross-section is greater than the inside diameter of the preform at an open end of the preform. 
     
     
         8 . The preform of  claim 1 , wherein the preform comprises an open end offset from the longitudinal axis of the preform. 
     
     
         9 . The preform of  claim 1  comprising at least one rib located upon a surface of the preform.