Preform and preform orientation apparatus

A preform for use in a blow molder wherein said preform is adapted to be aligned to a desired orientation via an alignment mechanism in preparation for said blow molder, comprising:

• a body portion and a neck portion, said neck portion being continuous with and nonseparable from said body portion, said neck portion having an outer peripheral surface;
• alignment means operative for radially aligning said preform to a specific orientation in conjunction with said alignment mechanism, said alignment means extending outwardly from said outer peripheral surface and having a non-continuous circumferential length;
• wherein said peripheral surface further includes threads, said alignment means being structurally separate from said threads;
• and
• wherein said alignment means comprises a lug specifically provided for orienting said preform via said alignment mechanism.

A preform for use in a blow molder wherein said preform is adapted to be aligned to a desired orientation via an alignment mechanism in preparation for said blow molder, comprising:

• a body portion and a neck portion, said neck portion being continuous with and nonseparable from said body portion, said neck portion having an outer peripheral surface;
• alignment means operative for radially aligning said preform to a specific orientation in conjunction with said alignment mechanism, said alignment means extending outwardly from said outer peripheral surface and having a non-continuous circumferential length;
• wherein said peripheral surface further includes threads, said alignment means being structurally separate from said threads;
• wherein said alignment means comprises a lug specifically provided for orienting said preform via said alignment mechanism;
• and
• clamping means operative for engaging said preform with mating elements of said blow molder, said clamping means extending outwardly from said outer peripheral surface, wherein said clamping means comprises a lug attached to said neck portion.

A preform for use in a blow molder wherein said preform is adapted to be aligned to a desired orientation via an alignment mechanism in preparation for said blow molder, comprising:

• a body portion and a neck portion, said neck portion being continuous with and nonseparable from said body portion, said neck portion having an outer peripheral surface;
• alignment means operative for radially aligning said preform to a specific orientation in conjunction with said alignment mechanism, said alignment means extending outwardly from said outer peripheral surface and having a non-continuous circumferential length;
• wherein said peripheral surface further includes threads, said alignment means being structurally separate from said threads;
• wherein said alignment means comprises a lug specifically provided for orienting said preform via said alignment mechanism;
• and clamping means operative for engaging said preform with mating elements of said blow molder, said clamping means extending outwardly from said outer peripheral surface, wherein said clamping means comprises a pair of lugs attached to said neck portion, said lugs being located on opposite sides of said neck portion.

A preform for use in a blow molder wherein said preform is adapted to be aligned to a desired orientation via an alignment mechanism in preparation for said blow molder, comprising:

• a body portion and a neck portion, said neck portion being continuous with and nonseparable from said body portion, said neck portion having an outer peripheral surface;
• alignment means operative for radially aligning said preform to a specific orientation in conjunction with said alignment mechanism, said alignment means extending outwardly from said outer peripheral surface and having a non-continuous circumferential length;
• wherein said peripheral surface further includes threads, said alignment means being structurally separate from said threads;
• wherein said alignment means comprises a lug specifically provided for orienting said preform via said alignment mechanism;
• and
• clamping means operative for engaging said preform with mating elements of said blow molder, said clamping means extending outwardly from said outer peripheral surface, wherein said alignment means comprises a single lug and said clamping means comprises two lugs, with each of said lugs comprising discrete, spaced apart projections.