Method for fabricating containers

A method for fabricating a container, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a substantially tubular preform defining a preform cavity in communication with a mouth disposed at an open end of the preform;
• preheating the preform to increase the temperature of the preform to above a glass-transition temperature of a thermoplastic resin forming the preform;
• positioning the preform in fluid communication with a nozzle of an injection head in an expansion zone disposed adjacent to the nozzle and about a longitudinal axis of the injection head, the expansion zone configured to accommodate the preform therein;
• injecting a volume of an injection liquid from the injection head into the preform cavity of the preform while the preform is in the expansion zone;
• while in the expansion zone, expanding the preform into a container by free blowing with the injection liquid;
• and
• concurrently with the injecting step and the expanding step, heating the preform by energizing a plurality of infrared-emitting elements disposed circumferentially and symmetrically about the preform, disposed with each of the elements extending along a respective axis thereof which is arranged either parallel to and about the longitudinal axis or about a rotational center of the expansion zone and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and projecting infrared radiation into the expansion zone.