sleeve molding apparatus and methods for making multi - layer injection molded plastic articles in successive mold cavities . in a first molding step , an inner sleeve is molded on a core in a first mold cavity , which may comprise a full body length sleeve or only a partial sleeve , such as an upper neck finish portion . the sleeve and core are withdrawn from the first mold cavity while the sleeve is still warm , and transferred without substantial delay to a second mold cavity for injection molding an outer layer which bonds to the inner sleeve . by transferring the sleeve at an elevated temperature into the second mold cavity , an improved bond is formed between the inner sleeve and outer layer which resists separation during a later reheat stretch blow molding step , and / or in use of the resulting article . in a preferred embodiment , a pasteurizable beer container is provided having a finish - only sleeve of a pen polymer . in a second embodiment , a returnable and refillable water container is provided having a full - length body sleeve of a pen polymer . a multi - station injection molding apparatus is provided having a transfer mechanism , such as a rotatable turret or reciprocating shuttle , for cost - effective manufacture of preforms simultaneously in multiple cavity sets .