Samuel L. Belcher Birthdate: N/A Deceased: N/A Induction: 2003  Industry Areas: Sales, Material, Process, Management, Machinery

Samuel L. Belcher is a plastics packaging pioneer who made his mark in the field of blow molding, particularly stretch blow molding. President of his consulting firm, Sabel Plastics, Moscow, OH, since 1987, Belcher’s industry affiliations include Cincinnati Milacron, NJ; Batavia, OH; Wheaton Industries, Millville, NJ; Owens-Illinois, Toledo, OH; and Rubbermaid, Wooster, OH.

Included in Belcher’s technical achievements:

• The first PET bottle with an integrated handle, which he patented and licensed to Mitsubishi of Japan.
• The first flip-top, living hinge closure for liquid detergent bottles, patented while at Owens-Illinois.
• The McDonald’s foam clamshell package, patented while at Ownes-Illinois in 1074. He then invented a process to add printing to the thermoformed container.
• The first injection blow molding machine for PET bottles, developed while Director of Research at Wheaton. This was used to blow mold the first automotive front wheel drive boots fro GM and Ford.
• The plastic spice turntable, which has been the largest volume single item ever produced by Rubbermaid.
• Development of quartz and RF ovens for reheating PET performs.
• Assistance in developing the first baby powder plastic package for Johnson & Johnson.
• Contribution to PET developments in 5-1 /6 gallon beer ball, oval PET container production, and wide-mouth containers.
• 54 patents, including developments in twin-sheet thermoforming and structural foam plastic pallets.