Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container from a hollow amorphous PET preform which includes an open end and a closed end, the open end forming a neck section having dimensions already conformed to its final size and shape, the container being able to withstand relatively severe thermal conditions encountered when the container is filled with a hot liquid, without appreciable deformation, including the steps of: a) rapidly heating only the body of the PET preform, exclusive of the neck section, to a temperature at which subsequent longitudinal and transverse stretching cause no stresses in the PET; b) transferring the hot preform from step (a) to a mold whose walls are maintained at a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot preform body; c) longitudinally stretching the preform body while simultaneously transversely expanding it by blow-molding using a pressurized fluid so as to mold the preform body to the shape of the mold cavity; d) rapidly evacuating the press

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of the necks 1 of performs 2 includes a rotatable mandrel 3, which is inserted in and engaged with the neck of the preform to rotate it, a fixed protective skirt 4, and a heater 5 situated at the level of the neck. A sliding weight 28 is applied to the upper end of the neck during the heat treatment.

Abstract: A heat resistant container is made from a PET preform by crystallizing its neck (10), heating just its body to the softening temperature of PET, blow molding an intermediate container (21) in a cooled mold (5.degree. to 40.degree. C.) with a larger volume than that of the final container to be obtained, heating the intermediate container to 180.degree.-220.degree. C. for 1 to 15 min, and then molding it a second time to its final dimensions at a temperature of 80.degree.-100.degree. C. for 2 to 6 sec.