Stretch rod system for liquid or hydraulic blow molding

A mold device for forming a plastic container from a preform, said mold device comprising:

• a mold defining a mold cavity for receiving the preform;
• a pressure source fluidly coupled to said mold cavity, said pressure source positionable within the preform for introducing a pressurized fluid;
• a stretch initiation rod system operably coupled with said mold cavity, said stretch initiation rod system engaging an interior portion of the preform to define a stretch initiation area;
• and
• a central exterior rod having a locating feature formed therewith, said locating feature engaging an exterior feature of the preform for maintaining a central orientation of the preform during forming.

A method of forming a plastic container from a preform, said method comprising:

• heating a preform to a temperature between 190° F. and 250° F.;
• heating a mold cavity to a temperature between 250° F. and 350° F.;
• inserting said preform within said mold cavity;
• actuating a stretch initiation rod system to engage an interior portion of the preform to define a stretch initiation area;
• introducing a pressurized fluid into said preform to expand said preform to closely conform to said mold cavity;
• and
• actuating a central exterior rod such that a locating feature formed on said central exterior rod engages an exterior feature of said preform to generally maintain a predetermined orientation of said preform during at least a portion of said introducing said pressurized fluid.