High stretch ratio preforms and related containers and methods

A generally hollow PET preform for making a stretch blow-molded container, comprising:

• a threaded finish portion;
• a neck portion depending from said finish portion and including substantially cylindrical walls;
• wherein said substantially cylindrical walls of said neck portion have a thickness of about 1.73 mm to about 1.67 mm;
• a transition portion depending from said neck portion and including a first substantially conical wall section having a first taper of wall thickness;
• a main portion depending from said transition portion and including a second substantially conical wall section having a second taper of wall thickness, the second taper of wall thickness being lesser than said first taper of wall thickness;
• and
• a closed, generally rounded tip portion depending from said main portion, said tip portion having a third taper of wall thickness;
• wherein said tip portion includes walls that taper between a maximum wall thickness and a minimum wall thickness;
• wherein said maximum wall thickness is about 4.1 mm to about 3.9 mm;
• wherein said minimum wall thickness is about 2.5 mm to about 2.3 mm;
• wherein said preform is made of a poly (ethylene terephthalate) resin and has a mass of between about 18.6 grams and about 19.5 grams;
• wherein said container has a volume of 20 oz+/−5%;
• wherein said container is configured for use with a carbonated beverage and includes a barrier property for carbon dioxide suitable to allow storage of said carbonated beverage for a period of at least 7 weeks without significant loss of said carbon dioxide;
• wherein said preform comprises stretch ratios with respect to said container including an axial stretch ratio of about 3.0 to 3.5, a hoop stretch ratio of about 5.0 to 5.5, and a total stretch ratio of about 16 to 18.