Stretch blow moulding apparatus and method

摘要

A stretch blow moulding apparatus for forming an article, such as a bottle from a parison using a mould. The apparatus comprises a stretch rod assembly 250, 254; an actuating mechanism (14, fig 1) for extending and retracting the stretch rod assembly in an axial direction; and a fluid injector (22, fig 1) for injecting pressurised fluid into the parison. The stretch rod assembly comprises a body and at least one deployable member 252 located at a free end 251 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. Extension of the stretch rod assembly in the axial direction causes the parison to be stretched in the axial direction. Deployment of the arms causes the ends of the arms to stretch the end of the parison laterally by engagement therewith.