To prevent core misalignment when performs are stretched during blow molding, provided is a blow molding device that blow molds a preform into a container in a forming mold. The blow molding device includes a support pin that is disposed in the forming mold. The support pin includes a head that supports a bottom portion of the preform, and a shaft that is connected to the head and that is displaceable upward and downward in a direction of an axis of the preform. The head is provided, at one end thereof supporting the bottom portion of the preform, with a concave portion for receiving at least a part of the bottom portion.

The invention relates to a method of delivering a predetermined volume of beverage into a thermoplastic container formed from a heated preform positioned in a mold, characterized in that the product includes a step of injecting at least some beverage into a recess in the preform so as to promote expansion of the preform inside the mold, the mold defining the shape of the container, a volume of beverage introduced during the injection step being at least equal to said predetermined volume, and, in addition, the method includes a step of sucking out a fraction of said volume of the beverage introduced until the volume of beverage remaining in the container is approximately equal to said predetermined volume.

A plastic container includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, at least one thread, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In embodiments, a closure may be provided to form an assembly. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.