METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC CONTAINER

An internally reinforced thermoplastic container (12) has a body manufactured using rotational moulding. Prior to moulding, a number of attachment elements (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) are releasably attached to the interior surface (28) of parts (26a, 26b) of a mould (24) and an initially separate tension member (20) is connected between the attachment elements (18). The mould (24) is closed and a body of the container (12) moulded such that the attachment elements (18) are integrated into the walls of the body. After moulding, the attachment elements (18) are released from the mould (24). The attachment elements (18) and the tension member (20) define a tension structure to resist outward bulging of the container walls. The tension member (20) may be tensioned prior to or after moulding of the container body. The attachment elements (18) may take the form of eyelets having a base (19b, Fig. 7) which is incorporated into the wall of the container body. The method enables the formation of a hollow thermoplastic container with integrally formed internal reinforcement.