Apparatus and method for fabricating and filling containers

An apparatus for the fabrication of a container from a preform, comprising:

• a mold defining a mold cavity in the form of a container;
• an injection head configured to establish fluid communication between a liquid supply and a mouth of a preform accommodated in the mold;
• an injection valve located within the injection head, the injection valve having a valve body moveable between an open position permitting fluid communication through the injection head and a closed position preventing fluid communication through the injection head;
• a stretching rod slideably disposed within the injection head, the stretching rod being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, in the extended position the stretching rod projecting from the injection head into the preform;
• and
• a displacement plunger slideably disposed in the injection head, the displacement plunger being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, in the extended position the displacement plunger projecting from injection head into the preform.