Preform cooling tube

A cooling tube for cooling a preform configured to be injection blow-molded into a container, the cooling tube comprising:

• a first end;
• a second end opposite to the first end;
• a receptacle within the cooling tube configured to receive the preform therein, the receptacle including an inner surface shaped to correspond to a preform shape of the preform;
• a first opening of the receptacle at the first end;
• a second opening of the receptacle opposite to the first opening;
• a channel extending from the second opening to the second end of the cooling tube;
• a groove extending helically around an exterior of the cooling tube, the groove progressively increases in both depth and volume as the groove extends towards the second end, the groove configured to receive a coolant therein;
• a base surface of the groove is sloped to match the inner surface of the receptacle;
• a pointed edge at an inlet of groove, the pointed edge configured to reduce turbulence of the coolant as the coolant enters the groove;
• and
• an outlet defined at an end of the groove, the outlet extending from the groove to the second end.