Container-fabricating apparatus and a method for the cleaning thereof

A container-fabricating apparatus, comprising:

• an injection head configured to establish fluid communication between an injection fluid port disposed in the injection head and a substantially-tubular preform disposed in communication with a nozzle of the injection head;
• and
• a stretching rod disposed at least partially within the injection head, the stretching rod being mobile between a substantially extended position wherein the stretching rod projects from the injection head through the nozzle and a substantially retracted position;
• a cleaning chamber at least partially defined by a hollow, elongate housing contiguous with the injection head and extending therefrom and at least partially defined by the injection head, a plurality of cleaning chamber ports being provided in a wall of the housing so as to establish fluid communication with the cleaning chamber, the stretching rod being substantially disposed within the cleaning chamber when disposed in the substantially retracted position;
• wherein the injection head is further provided with at least one cleaning chamber valve, the at least one cleaning chamber valve being disposed so as to selectively establish fluid communication through the nozzle between the cleaning chamber and a region adjacent to said nozzle outside said injection head;
• and
• wherein the injection head further comprises a substantially tubular displacement sleeve disposed coaxially about the stretching rod and translatably mobile relative thereto, said displacement sleeve having an interior diameter generally greater than the outside diameter of said stretching rod such that where said displacement sleeve is disposed about said stretching rod an interstitial space is defined between said displacement sleeve and said stretching rod, said displacement sleeve further comprising a sealing member disposed at a first end thereof configured such that a seal is created where said stretching rod engages said sealing member, thereby constituting the cleaning chamber valve, and at least one circulation orifice establishing fluid communication between the interstitial space and the cleaning chamber, said at least one circulation orifice being disposed in a second end of said displacement sleeve opposite said first end.