Patent ID: 7214341

Claim:
A method of injection molding a plastic preform for subsequent blow molding into a container, the plastic preform having a generally longitudinal axis and a radially extending element, said method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of finish blocks wherein at least one of said plurality of finish blocks includes a pocket that partially defines a cavity for said radially extending element of the plastic preform; closing said plurality of finish blocks together to form a neck-finish mold cavity; providing a plurality of mold bodies wherein at least one of said plurality of mold bodies includes a core portion that partially defines said cavity for the radially extending element of the plastic preform; closing said plurality of mold bodies together to form a body mold cavity; with said finish blocks closed and said mold bodies closed, axially advancing at least said core portion of said at least one of said plurality of mold bodies toward said plurality of finish blocks, said core portion and said pocket cooperating to define said cavity for the radially extending element; injecting a material into said body mold cavity, said neck-finish mold cavity and said cavity for the radially extending element; axially retracting said at least said core portion away from said plurality of finish blocks; opening said plurality of finish bodies and said plurality of mold bodies, whereby the plastic preform may be removed from said plurality of mold bodies without damage to the radially extending element; and providing said core portion in a fixed position on at least one of said plurality of mold bodies, wherein said step of advancing comprises advancing said plurality of mold bodies and said core portion in unison.