Abstract: A stretch blow moulding apparatus for forming an article from a parison using a mould. The apparatus comprises a stretch rod assembly; an actuating mechanism for extending and retracting the stretch rod assembly in an axial direction; and a fluid injector for injecting pressurised fluid into the parison. The stretch rod assembly comprises a body and at least one deployable member located at a free end of the body. The body and the at least one deployable member are movable in the axial direction and the at least one deployable member is deployable laterally from the axial direction.

Abstract: A method for providing an internal surface temperature profile of a thermoplastic preform (10, 22) during a stretch blow molding production process comprising at least the steps of: (a) heating a plurality of in-line cold preforms (10) in the production process to provide a plurality of in-line heated preforms (22); (b) diverting at least one of the in-line heated preforms to provide at least one off-line heated preform (30); (c) providing the remaining the in-line heated preforms to one or more stretch blow molds (24) for forming the heated preforms into blow molded products (12); and (d) locating one or more temperature sensors (34, 36) inside the or each off-line heated preform (30) of step (b) to provide an inside surface temperature profile of said preform(s).

Abstract: A method for providing an internal surface temperature profile of a thermoplastic preform (10, 22) during a stretch blow moulding production process comprising at least the steps of: (a) heating a plurality of in-line cold preforms (10) in the production process to provide a plurality of in-line heated preforms (22); (b) diverting at least one of the in-line heated preforms to provide at least one off-line heated preform (30); (c) providing the remaining the in-line heated preforms to one or more stretch blow moulds (24) for forming the heated preforms into blow moulded products (12); and (d) locating one or more temperature sensors (34, 36) inside the or each off-line heated preform (30) of step (b) to provide an inside surface temperature profile of said preform(s).