MOULDING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

Moulding apparatus comprises a mould (12) defining a blow mould cavity (14) and a core (18) which projects into the blow mould cavity. The mould has at least one mould member (22, 24, 26) movable to an extended position in which it defines together with the core (18) at least part of a preform moulding cavity (28) for moulding a preform. The at least one mould member (22, 24, 26) can be moved to a retracted position [FIG. 2] whereby a preform produced in the preform moulding cavity can be expanded into the blow mould cavity. The moulding apparatus includes a locking member (22) adapted to engage the core so as to resist lateral movement of the core whilst material is introduced into the preform moulding cavity. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed and claimed.