Liquid blow molding apparatus and liquid blow molding method

A liquid-blow molding apparatus that liquid-blow forms a closed-end, resin-made preform into a container having predetermined shape, the liquid-blow molding apparatus comprising:

• a blow-molding mold defining a cavity;
• a blow nozzle and a source of pressurized liquid, the blow nozzle being coupled to the source of pressurized liquid;
• a preform having a tubular body that is closed on one end and that has an opening at the other defining a mouth, the preform being enclosed within the cavity of the blow-molding mold with the opening of the preform and mouth extending from the blow-molding mold;
• a pressurized liquid in fluid communication with the source of pressurized liquid and being at a maximum pressure, the pressurized liquid also being in fluid communication with the mouth of the preform through the blow nozzle;
• a partition-wall member defining a mouth-external pressurized space between the partition-wall member and an outer-wall surface of the mouth of the preform;
• and
• a pressurized fluid located in the mouth-external pressurized space, the pressurized fluid being at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the maximum pressure.