Injection stretch blow molding method with upright preform molding and inverted blow molding

An injection stretch blow molding method wherein at least one injection blow molded preform is transferred from a preform molding station to a blow molding station by way of a transfer station and the at least one preform is blow molded into at least one container in the blow molding station, the method comprising the steps of:

• in the preform molding station, injection molding the at least one preform in an upright state with an open neck portion thereof facing upward;
• in the transfer station, turning the at least one upright preform upside-down, bringing the at least one preform to an intermediate temperature which is lower than a suitable blow molding temperature and is higher than room temperature, and transferring it to the blow molding station in an inverted state;
• subsequently heating the at least one inverted preform from about said intermediate temperature up to the suitable blow molding temperature;
• and in the blow molding station, blow molding at least one container from the at least one inverted preform.