Abstract: In forming containers from injection molded preforms of thermoplastic material such as nitrile-based polymers by a process which includes heating the preforms to orientation temperature followed by distension to container form in a mold, the improvement providing reduced thickness variability in lower portions of the containers which involves controlling preform shrinkage during such heating to between about 4 to 15% of the initial length for nitrile materials by maintaining the ratio of average thickness to inside preform surface area within defined limits and then axially and radially stretching such preforms during distension to predetermined levels. Nitrile preforms convertible to such improved quality containers have values of between about 0.005 to 0.011 inch.sup.-1 for the aforementioned ratio.

Abstract: In forming containers from injection molded preforms of thermoplastic material such as nitrile-based polymers by a process which includes heating the preforms to orientation temperature followed by distension to container form in a mold, the improvement providing reduced thickness variability in lower portions of the containers which involves controlling preform shrinkage during such heating to between about 4 to 15% of the initial length for nitrile materials by maintaining the ratio of average thickness to inside preform surface area within defined limits and then axially and radially stretching such preforms during distension to predetermined levels. Nitrile preforms convertible to such improved quality containers have values of between about 0.005 to 0.011 inch.sup.-1 for the aforementioned ratio.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for trimming flash from blow molded articles with a rotating blade as they traverse a path of travel between a fixed guide and a rotary drive wheel, improvements are provided which include a mounting for the blade eccentrically offset from the axis of the drive wheel which allows the articles to be firmly supported by the guide and drive wheel before cutting commences, thereby improving the quality of the cut from the standpoint of reducing variability in planarity and in vertical position with respect to adjacent portions of the usable part of the article.