Manufacture of plastic containers

Improvement in the process for manufacture of plastic containers comprising

• A. forming a pre-form of thermoplastic material in a transfer means,
• B. applying the transfer means carrying the pre-form to a mould having a cavity corresponding to the shape of the container,
• C. forming the pre-form into a container in the mould cavity, and
• D. separating the container from the cavity, the improvement comprising (a) forming the pre-form by introducing into the closed space between opposite sides of the transfer means a predetermined amount of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene, the material being introduced through a passage of at least 0.50 cm diameter in one side of the transfer means, and the closed space being defined by surfaces having a surface roughness in the range of 50-125 .mu.m rms, and (b) mechanically compressing the thermoplastic material within the closed space by applying pressure from the other side of the transfer means prior to completion of the introduction of the material into the closed space, and continuing the mechanical compression after the passage is closed until the closed space is completely filled, the thermoplastic material being maintained in a state of flow in the closed space at all times between the commencement of introduction of the material into the closed space and the completion of the mechanical compression of the material.