a machine for high rate production of molecularly oriented thermoplastic bottles is disclosed . the machine is of the reheat - and - blow type . a blow molding station simultaneously blow molds article preforms arranged in matrices by modular article carriers for conveying the preforms and articles through the machine . the carriers are designed to retain the performs throughout all operations of the machine from a preform load station through a thermal conditioning section , a blow molding station , and to a bottle eject station , thereby eliminating the need for other preform transferring apparatus . the article carriers together with the associated conveying apparatus comprise a sufficiently flexible structure that minor misalignments of the carriers with the blow molding mechanism do not adversely affect bottle production . both loading of preforms and ejection of finished bottles are accomplished by operation upon matrices of preforms and bottles as defined by the carriers and conveyor lanes .