Abstract: A method of stretch blow molding a plastic parison mounted to a parison engagement assembly into a container including stretching the parison by sliding the stretching rod therethrough and into the parison, connecting the cooling fluid inlet port to the source of cooling fluid to introduce the cooling fluid within the container through the cooling fluid outlet port, and heating the blow mold rod seal assembly to maintain at least a portion of the stretching rod above the preselected level, and to maintain portions of seals above the predetermined level.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly for holding a preform, including a mandrel having a collar for locating within an interior surface defined by a finish portion of the preform, a plurality of preform guides pivotably mounted to the mandrel for generally radial movement and contact with the interior surface, a plurality of resilient members for biasing the preform guides for contact against the interior surface with a preselected frictional force, so that the preform may be held by the mandrel against forces less than the preselected frictional force and the preform is capable of movement relative to the mandrel upon application of forces greater than the preselected frictional force, each resilient member attached to the mandrel and bearing against and biasing at least one of the preform guides for rotation generally radially outward.