1. A mold device for forming a plastic container from a preform, said preform having at least one exterior feature formed thereon, said mold device comprising:
a mold defining a mold cavity; and
a central exterior rod being movable within said mold cavity, said central exterior rod having a locating feature formed therewith, said locating feature engagable with the at least one exterior feature of the preform for maintaining a central orientation of the preform within said mold cavity during forming.
2. The mold device according to claim 1 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod limits lateral movement of the preform when in contact therewith.
3. The mold device according to claim 1 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod comprises a protrusion extending therefrom, said protrusion being sized and shaped to closely conform to the at least one exterior feature of the preform.
4. The mold device according to claim 3 wherein said protrusion is cylindrically shaped.
5. The mold device according to claim 3 wherein said protrusion is tapered.
6. The mold device according to claim 1 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod comprises a depression formed therein, said depression being sized and shaped to closely receive the at least one exterior feature of the preform therein.
7. The mold device according to claim 6 wherein said depression is cylindrically shaped.
8. The mold device according to claim 6 wherein said depression is tapered.
9. The mold device according to claim 1 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod comprises a shape that closely conforms to the at least one exterior feature of the preform to limit lateral movement of the preform or its final container shape during at least a portion of the forming.
10. The mold device according to claim 9 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod comprises a shape complementary to the at least one exterior feature of the preform.
11. The mold device according to claim 9 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod is shaped to form a part of the mold cavity thereby simultaneously limiting lateral movement of the preform and forming a desired shape in the preform.
12. The mold device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a central interior rod being movable within said mold cavity, said central interior rod engagable with the preform.
13. The mold device according to claim 12 wherein said central interior rod is movable simultaneously with said central exterior rod.
14. The mold device according to claim 12 wherein said central interior rod is movable prior to movement of said central exterior rod.
15. A method of forming a plastic container from a preform, said preform having at least one exterior feature formed thereon, said method comprising:
positioning said preform in a mold cavity of a mold;
injecting a fluid within said preform at a pressure sufficient to urge said preform into an expanded shape against said mold cavity; and
actuating a central exterior rod having a locating feature formed therewith within said mold cavity such that said locating feature engages said at least one exterior feature of said preform to maintain an orientation of said preform within said mold cavity during said injecting.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said locating feature comprises a protrusion sized and shaped to closely conform to said at least one exterior feature of said preform.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said protrusion is cylindrically shaped.
18. The method according to claim 16 wherein said protrusion is tapered.
19. The method according to claim 15 wherein said locating feature comprises a depression sized and shaped to closely conform to said at least one exterior feature of said preform.
20. The method according to claim 19 wherein said depression is cylindrically shaped.
21. The method according to claim 19 wherein said depression is tapered.
22. The method according to claim 15 wherein said locating feature comprises a shape that closely conforms to said at least one exterior feature of said preform to limit lateral movement of said preform or its final container shape during said injecting.
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod comprises a shape complementary to said at least one exterior feature of said preform.
24. The method according to claim 22 wherein said locating feature of said central exterior rod is shaped to form a part of said mold cavity thereby simultaneously limiting lateral movement of said preform and forming a desired shape in said preform.
25. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:
actuating a central interior rod within said mold cavity to engage said preform and perform a stretching operation of said preform.
26. The method according to claim 25 wherein said actuating a central interior rod and said actuating a central exterior rod are performed simultaneously.
27. The method according to claim 25 wherein said actuating a central interior rod is performed prior to said actuating a central exterior rod.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system in a vessel or corresponding floating structure, which service space (11) comprises a closed or closeable space limited by walls, a top structure and a bottom, in which space an access is arranged for the crew (C) from the other parts of the vessel or corresponding floating structure, and which service space (11) is constructed into connection with the bottom (2) of the vessel or corresponding floating structure, whereby the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system is retractable from an operating position into a servicestorage position in the service space (11) and correspondingly lowerable from the service space (11) down into the operating position, charaterised in that the service space (11) is located at least mainly below a waterline (WL) of the vessel or floating structure and is provided with at least one watertight closing device (14) arranged substantially on the level of the bottom (2) of the vessel or corresponding floating structure which devicedevices when unlocked constitutesconstitute a direct access from the service space (11) to water via the bottom (2) of the vessel or corresponding floating structure for lowering the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system from the service space (11) to water into the operation position i.e. operation mode and correspondingly for lifting it from the water within the service space (11) into the servicestorage position i.e. servicestorage mode, and which when locked constitutesconstitute together with the top and wall structures of the service space (11) a watertight space from which the water is removable after having closed the closing devices (14).
2. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 1, characterised in that, the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system being in the operating mode, the closing devices (14) of the service space (11) are unlocked and the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system is mechanically locked in the hull structures of the vessel or corresponding floating structure so that a support structure (4a) of the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system constitutes a watertight contact surface and joint with the hull of the vessel or corresponding floating structure.
3. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 2, characterised in that forces resulting from the motions of the vessel or corresponding floating structure and the hydrodynamics of a propeller of the propulsion device (4) are arranged to convey via locking devices (8) of the propulsion device (4) to the hull structures of the vessel or corresponding floating structure.
4. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 1, characterised in that, the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system being in the operating mode, the closing devices (14) are positioned within the service space (11) so that the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system is retractable unobstructed within the service space (11) into the servicestorage mode.
5. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 1, characterised in that the service space (11) is provided with remote-controlled locking devices (8, 8\u2032) by means of which, the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system being in the operating mode or servicestorage mode, the support structure (4a) of the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system is fastened and mechanically locked in the hull of the vessel or corresponding floating structure.
6. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 1, characterised in that the service space (11) is provided with lifting devices (15) for lifting the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system from water within the service space (11) and for lowering it to water.
7. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 1, characterised in that in the service space (11) is arranged at least one ventilation pipe (13) provided with closing valves (13\u2032).
8. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 1, characterised in that a driving mechanism (5, 5\u2032) of the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system is located in a compartment (12) separated from the service space (11) with a watertight bulkhead (10) or deck (10\u2032).
9. A service space of a retractable propulsion device or corresponding system according to claim 1, characterised in that, for retracting the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system from the operating mode into the servicestorage mode, a coupling between the propulsion device (4) or corresponding system and its driving mechanism (5, 5\u2032) is detached where required.