Molding apparatus

A molding apparatus with which to mold, in use, a preform of a type for blow molding into a container, the molding apparatus comprising:

• a lock ring for use in a first stack portion of a mold stack wherein the lock ring includes a tubular body that is configured to define a support interface in cooperation, in use, with a split insert (6, 106) of the first stack portion that is engageable therewith through which a compressive load is transferrable during molding of the preform, and wherein the support interface includes a support shelf that is defined, at least in part, on a first major promontory that juts out from a side of the tubular body for supporting a bottom face of the split insert (6, 106) the support shelf is further defined by a pair of minor promontories that span between the first major promontory and the second major promontory, wherein the pair of minor promontories are relatively narrow in contrast to the first major promontory and the second major promontory.