A nozzle is provided for engaging with lightweight preforms for blow-molding the preforms into plastic containers without damaging the finish portion of the preforms. The nozzle includes a seal configured to engage with a stepped interior of the finish portion and enables stretching and/or blow-molding the preform into a container. The seal tightly engages a smooth surface inside the finish portion without damaging the surface or a sidewall of the finish portion. In some embodiments, the seal includes a profile shape that mates with a transitional surface comprising the stepped interior of the finish portion. The profile shape distributes the contact force of the seal over a maximal area of the transition surface so as to minimize the total pressure exerted onto the finish portion. The profile shape reduces potential cracking of a thin-walled region of the finish portion during stretching and/or blow-molding the preform to form the container.

A nozzle for forming a container preform into a plastic container includes a nozzle body and a sealing portion proximate an end of the nozzle body. The sealing portion is configured to engage with a stepped interior of a finish portion of a preform having a longitudinal axis to seal without the use of an O-ring and to preclude any portion of the nozzle body from contacting the sealing surface.

A nozzle is provided for engaging with lightweight preforms for blow-molding the preforms into plastic containers without damaging the finish portion of the preforms. The nozzle includes a seal configured to engage with a stepped interior of the finish portion and enables stretching and/or blow-molding the preform into a container. The seal tightly engages a smooth surface inside the finish portion without damaging the surface or a sidewall of the finish portion. In some embodiments, the seal includes a profile shape that mates with a transitional surface comprising the stepped interior of the finish portion. The profile shape distributes the contact force of the seal over a maximal area of the transition surface so as to minimize the total pressure exerted onto the finish portion. The profile shape reduces potential cracking of a thin-walled region of the finish portion during stretching and/or blow-molding the preform to form the container.

A mould is for processing thermoformable panels or workpieces (P), wherein the half-moulds (2, 3), between which a workpiece (P) is placed, are equipped with inserts (20-22, 30-32, 40) that are thermally conditioned by a fluid circulating therein. A compensation layer (10) is applied onto the inserts and the associated half-mould to prevent the formation of marks and/or impressions of the inserts (20-22, 30-32, 40) on the surface (F) of the moulded workpiece (P). A moulding method uses the mould for processing thermoformable panels or workpieces.

An apparatus for fabricating containers. The apparatus including a plurality of mold segments, an injection cylinder, a closure cylinder and a motor cylinder. The injection cylinder defining a mold cavity substantially in the form of a container and accommodating a substantially tubular preform having a preform cavity in communication with an open end. The injection head establishes fluid communication with the preform and the injection cylinder is in fluid communication with the injection head and configured to inject a volume of liquid into the preform The closure cylinder is configured to exert a force on at least one of the mold segments to maintain them in a closed disposition. The motor cylinder is configured to drive the injection cylinder and being itself concurrently driven with the closure cylinder by a single pressure source.