Preform preheater and method for its use

摘要

Pre-heating apparatus (30) for pre-heating a selected portion of each of a series of preforms (14) to achieve a persistent thermal gradient prior to re-heating and blow-molding the preform (14). The pre-heating apparatus (30) is adjustably mounted to a gravitational slide (26) that transports the series of preforms (14) downward under the influence of gravity through the preheating apparatus (30) toward a reheat blow molding machine (10). The pre-heating apparatus (30) includes a housing (32) coupled to the slide (26) so that the selected portion of each of the series of preforms (14) is shielded from the general environment, and heating elements (62) fixed within the housing (32) so that heat from the heating elements (62) is directed toward the selected portion of each of the series of preforms (14) as the preforms (14) descend down the gravitational slide (26). <IMAGE>